ITV

Author: indiantelevision.com Team

  • Disney TV movie becomes fastest selling DVD title













    MUMBAI: Disney US has announced that the television film High School Musical sold over 400,000 units on DVD on the first day of release.



    High School Musical has thus become the fastest selling television programme on DVD for the home entertainment industry this year and the industry‘s fastest selling television movie of all time on DVD. In the film Troy and Gabriella – two teens who are worlds apart – meet at a karaoke contest and discover their mutual love for music.


    Gabriella Montez is a shy, studious new student at East High School; but all that changes when she is forced to sing at a karaoke contest with Troy Bolton, the captain of the school‘s basketball team. After spending time with each other, both realise that they share a passionate love for music and singing. But will they retain this love when their school is telling them they cannot be together?



    Disney adds that the success of the film on DVD continues the phenomenon of the franchise. The film also has a triple-platinum selling soundtrack. The DVD contains bonus features including a ‘Learn the Moves‘ feature led by Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega , a never-before-seen music video I Can‘t Take My Eyes Off of You.

  • Singer Celine Dion to make appearance on NBC’s show ‘Deal Or No Deal’

    Singer Celine Dion to make appearance on NBC’s show ‘Deal Or No Deal’

    MUMBAI: Superstar singer Celine Dion will make a special guest appearance on the special 90-minute season finale of US broadcaster NBC’s reality show Deal or No Deal.

    The show raises the stakes as the top prize money increases from one to five million dollars on 5 June. During the finale high school guidance counselor Casey Bell of Temecula, California is the lucky contestant. She will be surprised with a chance to become a millionaire five times over when the new stakes are revealed. Does she have the nerves of steel needed when she is confronted with life-altering financial decisions in a highly pressured environment?

    She gets a little help from her family, friends and a surprise guest when she serenades the banker with a song by her all-time favorite musical artist, Celine Dion. Dion joins Bell’s support team live via satellite from Las Vegas and helps Bell during crucial decision making moments when host Howie Mandel asks the all-important question, “deal, or no deal?”

    A Deal or No Deal aficionado, Dion watches the show with her family. She says, “Around our house, Deal or No Deal rules! My son Rene-Charles is a very enthusiastic ‘at home’ contestant, and my husband and I are right there with him! It was a thrill for me to participate and give encouragement to the contestant on the show.”

    Hosted by Howie Mandel Deal or No Deal sees contestants play for a large cash prize in a high-energy match of nerves, instincts and raw intuition. Each night, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant faces 26 sealed briefcases containing anything from a penny to one million dollars. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one — his to keep, if he chooses, until its unsealing at game’s end.

  • Arqiva to supply BBC with digital transmission services

    Arqiva to supply BBC with digital transmission services

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has selected Arqiva as its preferred supplier for a range of new digital transmission services.

    Subject to agreement of final terms and other matters, the BBC hopes that it will soon be able to sign a contract with Arqiva for the design, deployment, and operation of a new high-powered digital terrestrial television (DTT) network for the BBC which will come into service as part of the UK’s digital switchover programme.

    This will replace both the BBC’s analogue television network and the current low-powered DTT network.

    In so doing, the BBC will be able to increase the coverage of its DTT services so that they substantially replicate the coverage of analogue television.

    These transmission services will become operational during 2008 and will continue until 2031. Arqiva will also be responsible for building and operating additional transmitters to expand the coverage of the BBC’s DAB digital radio network. At least 10 and potentially a further 160 new transmitters will come into service starting in 2007.

    This expansion in DAB transmission will make BBC DAB services available to listeners in a number of parts of the UK. The exact locations of the transmitters are still to be agreed and the BBC hopes to confirm the precise details in due course.

    The selection of Arqiva follows a rigorous procurement process conducted throughout 2005 and early 2006. The selection of Arqiva as the BBC’s preferred supplier has been approved by the BBC Governors.

    BBC controller of distribution Richard Waghorn said, “This represents one of the major steps in our preparations for digital switchover. It will mean that everybody who currently receives a good analogue service will receive the BBC’s digital services through their aerial after switchover.

    “Subject to finalising our discussions with Arqiva, we hope soon to be able to sign a contract with Arqiva which will also secure true value for money for the future provision of these transmission services.”

  • WWE to bring ECW brand to Sci Fi Channel in the US

    WWE to bring ECW brand to Sci Fi Channel in the US

    MUMBAI: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has signed a deal with US broadcaster Sci Fi Channel.

    World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has signed a deal with US broadcaster Sci Fi Channel.

    The WWE will debut a summer series on 13 June 2006. Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) will be an alternative brand of wrestling suited to fit the SCI FI Channel’s commitment to fuel the imagination. Raw airs on Sci Fi Channel’s sister USA Network. In India viewers can catch WWE on Ten Spotrs.

    USA Network and Sci Fi Channel president Bonnie Hammer says, “Research tells us that there’s a healthy appetite for wrestling among SCI FI viewers. With ECW, we are able to deliver to those fans unique action with a twist that’s perfect for Sci Fi.”

  • Nick US to make the summer sizzle with TV movies

    Nick US to make the summer sizzle with TV movies

    MUMBAI: As temperatures soar, Nickelodeon in the US will break out a blend of new TV movies and series, feature-film blockbusters and daily Nicktoon marathons to spice kids’ viewing.

    The television movies are on Friday nights from 9 June. It will unreel new animated telefilms based on the series Danny Phantom, The X’s, Avatar and Jimmy Neutron/The Fairly
    OddParents along with Nick network debuts of the theatrical films Rugrats in Paris and Kangaroo Jacke.

    In Danny Phantom/Reality Trip an escaped evil
    ringmaster with ghostly minions reveals phantom-fighting teen Danny’s secret identity. Then, Truman’s a turncoat and family menace in The X’s/”Truman X, Supervillain after the wayward tween is recruited as an evil agent of SNAFU. The Fury of the Avatar finds Aang and the Avatar gang traversing the deadly Serpent’s Pass into Ba Sing Se just as a colossal fire nation invention aims to destroy the Great Wall there. A friendship blooms between erstwhile rivals Jimmy Neutron and Timmy Turner in the Jimmy/Timmy Power Hour III: “The Jerkinators as the tween leads of The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius and The Fairly OddParents join forces to battle old foes and an evil new one bent on stealing Jimmy’s brains and Timmy’s magic. Whisking kids on adventures to Australia and France on 23 and 30 June.

    As far as new shows are concerned, the channel will kick off the fish-out- of-water anime action comedy Kappa Mikey on 20 August. It chronicles the madcap adventures of once- struggling American actor Mikey Simon as he adjusts to his new role as the biggest anime star Japan has even seen. Shuriken School is a crazy place in fictional Tokirohama where Eizan and his pals learn how to melt into the walls, fly over rooftops and disappear in a cloud of smoke.

  • Zoom ropes in former Channel [V] hand Suresh Bala as COO

    Zoom ropes in former Channel [V] hand Suresh Bala as COO

    MUMBAI:The Times Group’s non-fiction entertainment and lifestyle channel Zoom has roped in a former Channel [V] programming professional Suresh Bala as its new chief operating officer.

    With Suresh Bala coming in, the outgoing COO Upen Roop Rai has moved on to head Integrated Marketing Solutions Group (IMSG) and Indiatimes as the director, informs an official release.
    Bala will report to Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd’s executive president Arun Arora. He is expected to take over his responsibilities within a week or two.

    Prior to this, for the past three years, Bala was in Canada, and before that he was in the programming function of Channel [V].

    Interestingly, Rai came from Times Group’s internet division where he was the marketing head. His last day as Zoom COO would be 1 June.

    While, overseeing Zoom, Rai continued to handle Indiatimes.com in Delhi. He was completely responsible for revenue, marketing and sales. Integrated Marketing Solutions is also something he was handling.

    Under Rai’s guidance, Zoom has added various franchisees to mark its positioning of an Indian lifestyle channel. Commenting on his move to IMSG and Indiatimes, Rai said, “The experience at Zoom has been a great one. I was sent here for a year and it has been a great year. I am already looking forward to my focus responsibilities at IMSG and Indiatimes.”

  • Nick US to make the summer sizzle with TV movies













    MUMBAI: As temperatures soar, Nickelodeon in the US will break out a blend of new TV movies and series, feature-film blockbusters and daily Nicktoon marathons to spice kids‘ viewing.



    The television movies are on Friday nights from 9 June. It will unreel new animated telefilms based on the series Danny Phantom, The X‘s, Avatar and Jimmy Neutron/The Fairly
    OddParents     along with Nick network debuts of the theatrical films Rugrats in Paris and Kangaroo Jacke.


    In Danny Phantom/Reality Trip an escaped evil
    ringmaster with ghostly minions reveals phantom-fighting teen Danny‘s secret identity. Then, Truman‘s a turncoat and family menace in The X‘s/”Truman X, Supervillain after the wayward tween is recruited as an evil agent of SNAFU. The Fury of the Avatar finds Aang and the Avatar gang traversing the deadly Serpent‘s Pass into Ba Sing Se just as a colossal fire nation invention aims to destroy the Great Wall there. A friendship blooms between erstwhile rivals Jimmy Neutron and Timmy Turner in the Jimmy/Timmy Power Hour III: “The Jerkinators as the tween leads of The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius and     The Fairly OddParents join forces to battle old foes and an evil new one bent on stealing Jimmy‘s brains and Timmy‘s magic. Whisking kids on adventures to Australia and France on 23 and 30 June.


    As far as new shows are concerned, the channel will kick off the fish-out- of-water anime action comedy Kappa Mikey on 20 August. It chronicles the madcap adventures of once- struggling American actor Mikey Simon as he adjusts to his new role as the biggest anime star Japan has even seen. Shuriken School is a crazy place in fictional Tokirohama where Eizan and his pals learn how to melt into the walls, fly over rooftops and disappear in a cloud of smoke.

  • BBC’s online, radio stations go interactive with Fifa Cup

    BBC’s online, radio stations go interactive with Fifa Cup

    MUMBAI: The referee has booked your favourite player, your team has lost a crucial match and a star player has shaved off his famous locks.

    UK pubcaster The BBC has announced an interactive initiative across online and radio. World Cup Have Your Say will give football fans across the world an opportunity to have a global rant on the Fifa World Cup everyday from 9 June 2006 to 9 July 2006.

    World Cup Have Your Say will give supporters across the globe opportunities to share their opinions on everything ranging from offside decisions and goal celebrations, team selections and refereeing to the best players and bad haircuts.

    The occasional big name will pop up to give their personal view on the tournament and listeners itching to speak to them can do so. Ay bbcnews.com/worldhaveyoursay visitors can listen live.

    The BBC will also provide daily, international coverage of the World Cup in 33 languages including Hindi. BBC Hindi reporter Manak Gupta is travelling to Germany to bring special reports on all 32 teams and their fans. BBC Hindi World Cup reports will be heard for six weeks on India’s main national broadcaster All India Radio’s Gold 106.4 FM and Rajdhani 666 MW.

    These reports will also be relayed by All India Radio’s 65 other major stations at 0705 local time starting 31 May until 10 July.

    Mumbai based partner station Go 92.5 FM will also carry BBC Hindi’s coverage of the tournament. Manak’s reports will be available in text and audio online at bbchindi.com and bbcnews.com

    BBC Vietnamese reporter Hong Thanh will be in Germany for a week bringing the excitement of the games for reports on air and online. Listeners can also expect daily bulletins rounding up each match as well as stories from around the tournament.

    bbcvietnamese.com is hosting an online special where football fans can talk about anything to do with the World Cup or football in general such as match fixing and bribery which is said to be affecting the Vietnamese’s national team, and why are millions of young Vietnamese, including women, appearing to love European and Brazilian teams more than their own?

    Visitors can also find out about the teams taking part in the tournament, read features on young football talents and enter competitions.

  • Shailesh Velande likely to replace Divya Radhakrishnan at Optimedia

    MUMBAI: Nearly one and half months after Zen Optimedia VP Divya Radhakrishnan left the organisation to join The Media Edge, the agency seems to have finalised the name of the candidate who will replace her.

    There are strong indications that Shailesh Velande will head the media planning and buying operations at Zen Optimedia. At present, media manager Bala Gopal is been managing the show; Bala Gopal will report to Velande as and when he comes aboard. Media independent Optimedia has billings to the tune of Rs 1.5 billion.

    Media veteran Velande has worked with some of the bigger agencies including Lowe’s Initiative Media (IM). After leaving IM, Velande had gone abroad and worked in Singapore.

    Radhakrishnan, who had a long innings (nearly 16 years) with the Publicis, has joined The Media Edge, the company that handles Dentsu, Young and Rubicam’s media business, as VP Media. Radhakrishnan reports to Divya Gupta who is heading the show.

    Media reports indicate that Radhakrishnan grabbed the opportunity to head the Tata AOR. For the record, The Media Edge was awarded the media buying business way back in October 2001. Optimedia has handled certain Tata brands earlier.

  • Crutchfield develops website ahead of Fifa for Spaniards

    Crutchfield develops website ahead of Fifa for Spaniards

    MUMBAI: The integrated marketers of consumer electronic productsCrutchfield is on a full-speed breakaway towards 2006 Fifa World Cup Germany. Crutchfield is in the process to develop its Spanish-language website at http://www.crutchfieldenespanol.com to ensure that its Spanish-speaking customers will be able to enjoy the World Cup games in HDTV.

    Soccer remains the world’s favorite sport, played by over 240 million players on 1.4 million teams throughout the world. Bigger than the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics, this year’s World Cup will be the most-watched sporting event in the world, and for the first time it will be aired in high definition in the United States.

    With more than 40 million Spanish-speaking people living in the United States, including some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated soccer fans in the world, US viewership of this year’s World Cup is expected to reach record numbers, informs an official release.

    This year, with the games being broadcast in high-definition for the first time on ABC, ESPN HD, and ESPN2 HD, millions of soccer fans here in America will be able to watch every minute of their premier event unfold in unparalleled viewing quality.

    The Fifa World Cup has the biggest television audience of any sports event in the world. During World Cup 2002, a cumulative audience of over 1 billion people in 215 countries watched the matches. The estimated cumulative audience for the 2006 event is expected to be in excess of 32 billion hours of television viewing. Millions of those expected viewers will be Spanish-speaking fans in the US.

    “According to the Consumer Electronics Association, nearly 50 per cent of HDTV buyers cite high-definition sports programming as their primary motivation for upgrading their old analog television to an HDTV,” said Crutchfield senior home audio/video editor Steve Kindig. “Major sporting events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl present perfect opportunities to get the latest in viewing technology, and with the upcoming World Cup games to be broadcast in high-def for the first time, Crutchfield is stocking up on some of the best HDTVs on the market.”

    Shopping for a new HDTV is now even easier with Crutchfield’s own TV Fit Finder. The TV Fit Finder, available through Crutchfield.com and Crutchfieldenespanol.com, enables consumers seeking a new television to quickly and easily identify every television that will fit within their existing entertainment center.

    “Crutchfield’s Spanish-speaking Sales Advisors, who are available by phone, email, and online chat, will ensure that customers buy the right HDTV for his or her needs, and that the HDTV is in their home, installed, working properly, and delivering HD-quality colors and realistic images well in advance of the June 9, 2006 start. Acting now will ensure that on game day your favorite striker will be captured in ‘striking’ detail,” Kindig added.