GECs
Star India announces third edition of Star Writers Program 2019
MUMBAI: As the nation’s storyteller, Star India is driven by its purpose of stimulating change through its stories. As part of its continuing mission to bring ever new and innovative stories for millions of its viewers, Star has announced the third edition of its bespoke Star Writers Program, #TheWriteMove, which represents a unique and perhaps most significant opportunity in India for aspiring writers alike to make a career in creative writing for television. They will be trained and nurtured to become the future storytellers for television in India by some of the best experts, under the aegis of Star India, the nation’s top content innovator for 25 years now.
Gaurav Banerjee, President, and Head – Hindi GEC at Star India, said, “Writing is at the heart of great television, which, to take the next big leap, needs the best set of potentially great writers. However, there exists an immense training gap in India, and hence the Star Writers Program is our attempt to identify the next set of truly talented writers and arm them with the art and craft of television screenwriting. There was no institute teaching television screen-writing when we started this program two years ago in India, and we are happy that our program has given writers a formal path into establishing themselves in television.”
Star Writers Program is a seven-month, full-time course and internship in television screenwriting, and open to both -aspiring and experienced writers. The shortlisted candidates, selected after a rigorous selection program, will undergo training and an internship and will receive a monthly stipend throughout the course. Successful completion of the program will be followed by a two-year writing contract with Star. Over the past two years, alumni writers from the Star Writers Program have been part of the writers’ rooms for shows like Kaal Bhairav, Nimki Mukhiya and Nazar from the Star Network.
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.
