GECs
Zee TV’s ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ to continue in a new format
MUMBAI: Encouraged by the good performance its reality talent hunt Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 has been putting up on the rating front, Zee TV has decided to give an extension to the programme.
A revamped version of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will immediately follow the Challenge series, which will be over by the first week of March 2006.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Zee Network VP Ashish Kaul agreed that the decision was inspired by the good ratings. However, he added that it was a well-thought out decision and not a knee-jerk one.
“Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a year-long property for Zee. Unlike the talent hunts on other channels, it never takes a break. Since the Challenge series was about to end, we were planning to launch a new series. Then this thought came up that, why not a new format for the same show. Hence, we have now decided to retain the property in the same time slots,” says Kaul.
Zee TV is expected to make a formal announcement about the launch of the new format and the promos will be breaking by 10 February. When queried about the details of the new format, Kaul said the channel was in the last stage of finalising the details. However, he reveals that the new format will give a chance to the contestants who have been voted out of the Challenge series.
“We have received an amazing and overwhelming response to recall contestants who have been voted out by public voting. We have decided to give another chance to our ousted contestants. Zee is in the process of fine-tuning details and will make an in-show announcement in the next few days,” he says.
As already reported by indiantelevision.com, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 has helped Zee TV to reach the number two position in the General Entertainment Channel (GEC) rating in All Day parts. In the last four week period, the show scored an average TRP of 3.53, ahead of the Sony reality talent hunt series Indian Idol which scored an average TRP of 3.31.
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.
