GECs
Zeel elevates Manoj Padmanabhan to business head – new media
MUMBAI: With the sudden exit of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) digital operations business head Vishal Malhotra, the broadcaster has found a replacement in Manoj Padmanabhan, who was senior vice-president marketing (digital) and sales (new media) for the past year.
Manoj will now be heading all the digital operations under Zee Media including Essel group’s OTT platform Ditto TV.
Padmanabhan’s professional interests include digital marketing, marketing strategy, brand management and product marketing.
Padmanabhan started his career at Sansui India in 1997 as the senior marketing manager where he worked for eight years. He then moved on to Tata Communications as DGM – marketing and head of alliances and partner relation where he spent more than two years, before moving on to work with the Zee Network.
At Zee Network he started his stint in 2007, he worked in the capacity of vice president – marketing (digital) for more than five years.
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.
