GECs
ZEEL promoters pledge 10.71% shareholding with Russia’s VTB Capital
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd’s (ZEEL) promoter Essel Group pledged 10.71 per cent shareholding in the media company with Russia’s VTB Capital Plc.
According to a disclosure made by VTB Capital to the stock exchanges, the encumbrance on 10.2 crore shares of Zee owned by Essel Media Ventures Ltd was created pursuant to a loan agreement executed on 4 September 2017.
As per Sebi’s new rules related to pledging which came into effect on 1 October, disclosure of detailed reasons for encumbrance if the shares pledged equal or exceed 50 per cent of the total promoter holding (including shares owned by persons acting in concert) or 20 per cent of the total share capital of the company is needed.
As of 30 June 2019, the promoters were holding about 35.79 per cent of the company. Subhash Chandra-led Essel Group has been working to sell assets due to high debt crisis. Essel Group agreed to sell up to 11 per cent stake for Rs 4,224 crore in Zee to Invesco Oppenheimer to repay lenders back in August.
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.
