Samsung Electronics today announced that aespa’s “2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : COMPLæXITY in SEOUL” will premiere 26 September on Samsung TV Plus across Korea, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. The concert content will air every Saturday at 7pm KST (6pm SGT) through Oct. 24 as part of the Monthly SM Concert series.^[1]

“K-pop concerts bring together powerful performances, striking visuals, and the energy of fans, and the viewing experience should reflect all of those elements,” said Gwiho Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Through the Monthly SM Concert series, Samsung is combining premium entertainment with our TV technologies to give fans a more immersive way to experience the artists and performances they love from home.”

Samsung TV Technology Makes Every Seat Feel Like Front Row

Samsung TVs are equipped with Samsung Upscaling technology to enhance lower-resolution content for sharper, more detailed viewing. For the aespa concert, the technology helps bring greater clarity to the scale of the stage production, choreography, and visual effects.

Complementing the picture, Eclipsa Audio, the 3D audio technology developed by Samsung and Google, optimises spatial sound for the playback environment to deliver a more immersive listening experience.^[2] From music and vocals to the energy of the audience, Eclipsa Audio adds greater depth and dimension to the performance, helping bring the atmosphere of the concert into the home.

Together, Samsung’s picture and audio technologies elevate the at-home concert experience, bringing viewers closer to the feeling of being at the performance.

Samsung TV Plus Brings aespa’s Latest Concert to Fans at Home

The aespa premiere marks the latest instalment of Monthly SM Concert, Samsung TV Plus’ collaboration with SM Entertainment that brings a new SM artist concert to viewers each month. Launched earlier this year, the series creates a recurring destination for K-pop fans to experience concert premieres and encore programming from home.

Samsung TV Plus offers the series subscription-free, expanding access to SM Entertainment performances on the big screens at home. With aespa featured from 26 September through 24 October, Monthly SM Concert continues to build a regular Saturday viewing experience for K-pop fans across participating markets.

For more information on Samsung TV Plus, visit here.

_{^[1] The aespa concert will air from 26 September 2026 through 24 October 2026, every Saturday at 7 p.m. KST. The concert broadcast will be available on STN (Samsung TV Network) in Korea and the SMTOWN channel in Korea, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand.}

_{^[2] Eclipsa Audio is a 3D audio technology jointly developed by Samsung Electronics and Google and based on the Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF) open standard. Eclipsa Audio playback requires supported content and a compatible Samsung TV.}

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. held “FAST Forward: How New Streaming Models are Shaping the Next Generation of TV” as part of its Tech Forum panel series at CES 2026. Taking place at The Wynn in Las Vegas, the panel brought together leaders from entertainment and media to explore the evolution of streaming and the rapid rise of free-ad-supported television (FAST).

The session highlighted the interconnected relationship between today’s rapidly evolving consumer behaviours and preferences, the transformation of content by technology and monetisation models, the expanding role of creators as studios and the ways in which interactive and live experiences are catalysing a shift from passive viewing into active engagement.

Moderated by Natalie Jarvey of The Ankler, the panel featured Salek Brodsky, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Samsung TV Plus; Alessandra Catanese, Chief Executive Officer of Smosh, and Bruce Casino, Executive Vice President, Sales & Distribution, U.S., NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

FAST Gains Momentum as Audiences Recalibrate Value

As audiences grapple with subscription fatigue and a fragmented streaming landscape, the panel focused on how FAST is restoring simplicity and value to television. Samsung TV Plus anchored the conversation as a platform designed to reduce friction, offering hundreds of live and on-demand channels in one free, easily accessible experience across Samsung TVs and devices worldwide.

“The TV experience today can often feel like too much work for the viewer,” said Brodsky. “Our goal with Samsung TV Plus is to simplify television again and combine the power of linear discovery with a modern, connected experience that feels effortless, curated and truly valuable.”

The panellists emphasised that FAST has evolved into a core part of the streaming ecosystem, complementing subscription and traditional models while delivering premium, proven programming at scale. For Samsung TV Plus, that evolution is rooted in shared experiences that elevate viewing and meet users not just where they already are, but where they want to be.

Hybrid Models Redefine the Streaming Ecosystem

Panellists emphasised that the evolution of streaming is less about replacing traditional models and more about expanding how audiences engage with content. FAST, subscription and linear distribution models are increasingly working in tandem, allowing studios to extend the life of proven franchises, reach new viewers and unlock additional value without sacrificing performance elsewhere. By leveraging data, audience behaviour and decades of content insight, media companies are deploying FAST to complement existing channels and create a more resilient and diversified ecosystem.

Casino highlighted how this approach has enabled NBCUniversal to bring both classic and contemporary content to FAST audiences while continuing to see strong performance across platforms. “FAST doesn’t replace traditional distribution, it extends it,” said Casino. “What we’re seeing is that when great content shows up in multiple places, it creates incremental value rather than cannibalisation — allowing franchises to thrive across FAST, streaming and linear channels.”

Creators Emerge as the New Studios

The panel also examined how the changing nature of consumer habits and television platforms means content creators do not have to work exclusively with legacy studios to reach a broad audience. As this medium expands from social platforms to the living room, FAST is helping bridge digital culture and traditional TV, while also serving to elevate its production quality.

Samsung TV Plus was highlighted as a platform that helps creators evolve from digital-first brands into full-fledged television studios, helping expand reach, unlock new monetisation opportunities and introduce content to broader, global audiences.

One of the clearest examples of a brand that has taken the step from digital-first brand to legitimate TV studio is sketch comedy-improv collective Smosh. By launching a FAST channel with Samsung TV Plus, Smosh has been able to strengthen its connection with its already-dedicated fans while gaining access to a much larger viewer base. Due to this evolution, Smosh has enhanced long-term growth.

“Partnering with Samsung TV Plus allowed us to elevate our production quality and invest in the future of the Smosh brand,” said Catanese. “It was the right platform to help us reach a broader audience while positioning our content in a premium environment that supports where we’re headed as a company.”

Live and Interactive Experiences Drive Engagement

Looking beyond on-demand viewing, panellists discussed how live programming like concerts and interactivity are reshaping the television experience by creating shared moments that audiences actively participate in.

With features such as synchronised premieres and real-time participation, technology is transforming television from a passive activity into an interactive experience — fostering connection, excitement and a sense of belonging that brings viewers together organically. Together, the panellists agreed that the future of television will be defined by flexibility, cultural connection and experiences that invite participation, not just consumption.

“Authentic content that creates cultural connection and brings people togeth2er is what matters most,” said Brodsky. “That’s why we’re investing in live events, creator programming and interactive formats that remind people why TV has always been the centre of the home.”

As streaming continues to evolve, Samsung is focused on helping shape a TV ecosystem that delivers value for viewers, opportunity for creators and scale for advertisers, — redefining what television can be in 2026 and beyond.