GECs
Zee to provide financial aid to Marathi film industry
MUMBAI: Zee chairman Subhash Chandra has revealed Zee Telefilms’ plans to support the Marathi film industry financially. Chandra was speaking on the occasion of Alpha Marathi’s Apla Alpha Awards ceremony held on 11 August.
“Though initially there had been doubts on the potential of a Marathi satellite channels when we started Alpha Marathi, the effort has finally met with success. In this context, we also have plans to support the Marathi film industry financially,” he said.
Marathi film industry has welcomed Chandra’s announcement. Talking to Indiantelevision.com, actor-producer Sachin Pilgaonkar offers, “I feel very good. This is a great gesture from Chandra.”
Pilgaonkar refused to comment further on the development saying the industry is waiting for Zee’s final plans.
“We have to see the kind of policy Zee comes up with. Are they going to co-produce, provide financial assistance or is it going to be world rights controlling. So we have to wait for the final decision from Zee,” he said.
Sources close to Indiantelevision.com inform that Zee has plans to provide two kinds of support: 1) Financially supporting producers who approach Zee, 2) Providing marketing support to the movies through Alpha Marathi. The final deal is believed to be under preparation.
Valued at Rs 100 million, the Marathi film industry churns out 20-25 films per year on an average. According to industry sources, the film industry is now doing better as compared to the past years with more and more filmmakers starting to show their inclination to experiment.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
