GECs
Zee TV’s four shows top this year’s fiction launches
MUMBAI: There is no dearth of entertainment in the country of 800 plus channels. Every now and then, new channels and shows are launched to keep the momentum going.
For Zee TV, one of the oldest and leading general entertainment channel (GEC) of the country, launching a number of new shows in a year is nothing new; every channel does so at regular intervals. But what is noteworthy is the fact that the channel has produced top four weekday fiction launches of 2014.
If one takes a look at the opening week averages of all the fiction launches across GECs for the year, it is very clear from the numbers that who ruled the ratings charts. ‘Jamai Raja’ leads the pack with 5488 TVTs, ‘Satrangi Sasural’ that opened in week 49 with 4970 TVTs stands at number two, ‘Bandhan’ with 4366 TVTs and ‘Aur Pyar Ho Gaya’ with 4044 TVTs followed at number three and four, respectively.
If that wasn’t enough, the channel’s other property, ‘Kumkum Bhagya’, according to TAM data provided by the channel, while a four-week average for the pre-wedding period (starting week 21’14 to week 24’14) stood at 3,263 TVTs, the show has seen a 127 per cent increase in viewership.
According to the channel’s business head Pradeep Hejmadi there are two reasons behind this. He explains, “Shows open well when two conditions are served. One, the concept strikes an interesting chord and second, the promotions are well crafted to sound inviting. We have done rigorous work to ensure we fire as desired on both these pre-conditions. Hence, the not-so-surprising, but certainly noteworthy success with our launches.”
With growth as its top priority, the channel hopes to sustain the upward trend in at least some slots. “A careful assortment of variety across shows, clutter-breaking ideas/concepts, consistency in audience targeting have been the three key corner-stones of our successes,” points out Hejmadi.
The channel doesn’t believe in rating itself, but rather leaves it to its audiences (current and prospective). “From the numbers, they clearly seem to rate us well, so we are motivated to up the ante on this further,” he says.
With a strong weekday fiction line up and recently-launched new weekend properties like ‘Maharakshak Aryan’ and ‘Neeli Chhatri Wale’, the channel hopes to continue entertaining its viewers.
“Interesting and inspiring concepts that will set the tone for the category…” is how Hejmadi wants to see 2015.
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.
