GECs
Zee’s ‘Business Baazigar’ to debut on 1 January ’05
MUMBAI: With reality shows garnering better ratings for Zee TV, the channel is all gung ho about its next big thing.
Business Baazigar – The Next Big Entrepreneur launches 1 January 2005, after the grand finale of its talent hunt Cinestar Ki Khoj.
A big publicity blitz through television promos, press, outdoor and road shows is planned for the entry phase. The ground promotions have already begun at busy malls across the country and other such community places and has also unveiled an on-air promo campaign on Sunday, 14 November.
Although the concept might sound like a niche, targeted at SEC-A market, the treatment that the channel has planned is decidedly SEC B&C- its core audience. A clear indication is the promo campaign that has Zee TV’s chairman Subhash Chandra talking about his ambitions and achievements, a decidedly aspirational promo campaign meant to touch a cord.
Channel officials have chosen to remain tight lipped about the reality show, but sources say that about 30,000 entries have already been received. About 125 of the best entries would be short listed for the television event.
While the channel has dismissed rumours about head honcho Chandra hosting the show, they would essentially be looking at a heavy weight personality to anchor the show.
As has already been reported, Business Baazigar will screen participants with smart business ideas and then give them the money they require to start a business based on these ideas. Channel sources inform that the prize money would be essentially in the form of venture funding and different winners will get a different amount depending on their business idea. But the two main winners will have their big dream fully funded.
The channel has already set up a 24-hour call center and web site to facilitate viewer participation. Boasting of participation from the who’s who of India Inc, the show will include glamour element from visiting celebs, yachts, helicopter rides for participants on completing tasks.
As for the actual screening process, the applicants will first have to go through a screening process comprising a small test (four-five questions) to test their common sense and logical skills. After a manageable size of applicants are selected, they will be then asked to submit their business ideas.
The business ideas sent by applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their workability, scalability and originality and 125 of these will be selected for the semifinal round. The screening of this 125 will form the reality show.
The participants will be given tasks that will test their intelligence, their strategic skills and their ability to think on their feet when time and money both are at a premium.
Tasks each week will incorporate various aspects of business: sales, marketing, promotions, charities, real estate deals, finance, advertising pitches and facilities management.
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.
