GECs
BBC Studios signs licensing deal with ANC to produce Dancing with the Stars in Nepal
MUMBAI: BBC Studios today announced a deal that will see a Nepali version of the iconic BBC format Dancing with the Stars on television there. This deal with local production house ANC Pvt Ltd will see the Nepali version, Dancing with the Stars Nepal, premiere by the end of 2018. ANC will both produce and distribute the 26-episode series in Nepal.
Multi-award-winning primetime entertainment format Dancing with the Stars from the BBC sees local celebrities partner professional dancers to compete in a dance competition full of glitz and glamour. Every week, contestants have to learn a new dance and showcase their footwork on the dance floor, in a bid to impress a distinguished panel of judges and avoid elimination. To date, over 3500 episodes and 300 series have been recorded around the world. With this format deal in Nepal, Dancing with the Stars will have been sold to 57 countries worldwide.
The licensing deal was sealed by the newly appointed Vice President, BBC Studios, Ron Crasto. Ron heads the New Business Development, OTT and Digital division of BBC Studios, South Asia. He will be responsible for seeking opportunities for BBC brands, content and ancillary businesses in the region.
“We are happy to welcome Ron to head our new business development in South Asia. Ron brings with him immense experience from his previous stints across multiple media companies,” Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM of South and South East Asia, BBC Studios, commented. “We have produced Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the Hindi version of Dancing with the Stars for eight seasons now and are excited to see how it will be received in Nepal. We hope that the Nepali audience will support the new series, and expect that the series will dazzle viewers in Nepal as it has in India.”
ANC Productions, Director, Mr. Vivek Singh said, “The people of Nepal have immense love for dance and we are ready to enthral them with stellar performances. It is a pleasure to work with BBC Studios, and to be a part of the growing Dancing with the Stars community.”
Elsewhere in Asia, the format has previously been sold in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
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.
