ITV

Category: People

  • Balaji announces event property ‘Celebrity Fusion Dandiya’

    Balaji announces event property ‘Celebrity Fusion Dandiya’

    MUMBAI: This Navratri, Balaji Telefilms will launch a special event Balaji Celebrity Fusion Dandiya, participated by popular television stars. To be held at Andheri Sports Complex, the event will run from 23 September to 1 October 2006.

    Balaji Navratri Fusion Dandiya will feature Nitin Bali, Sharon Prabhakar with a 20-piece live orchestra everyday; DJ Ryan Beck & DJ Ashrafi. Nitin and Sharon will be joined each evening by other artists including SaReGaMapa winner Debojit and finalist Himani; Ek Main Aur Ek Tu winners Aishwarya & Ujjaini and a host of other finalists from SaReGaMaPa, Indian Idol and Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, informs an official release.

    The show will also have daily appearances by all the leading artists from various Balaji productions and star attractions like Ishaa Koppikar, Neha Dhupia, Kim Sharma, Aarti Chhabria, Rohit Roy to name a few, the release adds.

    “We are organizing such an event for the first time in our production history. I am very excited and I know it is going to rock the city,” says Balaji Telefilms creative director Ektaa Kapoor.

    Balaji has made arrangements to sell the tickets to the event through various multiplexes across Western suburbs. “The ticket sales begin on Saturday, 16 Septemeber and shall be available at Andheri Sports Club, Fun Republic, Andheri and Fame Adlabs in Andheri, Malad and Kandivli. There are daily couple passes, season couple passes and for the first time, a daily family pass for four people is also being introduced,” says Shenazz Nadirshah from Balalji Telefilms.

  • Intec to supply Convergent Billing to MTNL

    Intec to supply Convergent Billing to MTNL

    MUMBAI: India’s largest telecom and internet service providers Mahanagar Telephone Nigam LTD(MTNL), has struck a multi-million dollar deal with Intec, a leading software vendor to carriers operating fixed, mobile and next-generation networks, to supply its convergent billing systems.

    Intec supplies billing software solutions to over 60 per cent of the world’s top 100 telecoms carriers and is one of the world’s fastest growing major business and operations support systems vendors( BSS/OSS ).

    MTNL has a subscriber base of over 5 million in India. And Intec Convergent Billing (Singl.eView) will form a key part of the carrier’s convergence strategy for rapid penetration and growth via innovative, next generation communications services in India.

    “Intec Convergent Billing is a proven solution in many of the world’s largest wireless, fixed, cable and IP carriers, supporting many millions of subscribers in our largest accounts. We’re proud to be selected by MTNL for this important project, in a very competitive tender, and we look forward to supporting its growth and development plans in the Indian market,” said Intec CEO Kevin Adams.

    Intec Chief Operations Officer, Asia Pacific, Norm Halvorson added, “Intec is proud to work with MTNL to deliver high quality, leading edge technology, robust performance and the benefits of next generation services to a wider spectrum of the Indian market.”

    Intec’s products, solutions and services have been chosen by over 60 per cent of the world’s top 100 carriers. Intec invests heavily in both its core technology and its customer service capabilities on a global basis, including, for example, its expanding technical facilities in India which are delivering and supporting successful OSS/BSS projects to operators in India as well as across the world.

  • Roger Millay is Discovery CFO

    Roger Millay is Discovery CFO

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Discovery Communications has appointed Roger F. Millay as senior executive VP and CFO.

    Besides leading the global financial functions of the company, Millay will also be responsible for financial strategies of the company. He will direct all accounting, treasury, budgeting, audit and tax activities and will also serve on Discovery’s executive committee. Millay will be a key contributor to the overall strategic direction of the company.

    Discovery founder and chairman John S. Hendricks says, “Roger is a tremendously accomplished executive and his leadership, financial acumen and extensive operational experience will be invaluable to Discovery as we continue to grow our global businesses.

    “On behalf of everyone at Discovery, we welcome Roger to our executive team and look forward to his many contributions across the company.”

  • Tech firms up in arms over proposed television rights treaty

    Tech firms up in arms over proposed television rights treaty

    MUMBAI: Dell, HP, AT&T, Sony, podcast firms and net broadcasting firms are among those who have come together to voice their dissent against a proposed treaty by the World Intellectual Propertry Organisation (Wipo).

    This will give television channels a new set of intellectual property rights over content. The firms mentioned above will fight to stop the UN proposal being adopted internationally.
    Media reports state that the plan being opposed is called the Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasts and Broadcasting Organisations. Wipo convenes in Geneva this week to discuss steps to be taken regarding the treaty.

    It would create a new class of IP rights designed to protect broadcasters from having their signals being stolen. The treaty reports indicate is designed to help fight signal piracy across countries. Here a channel shown in one country is re-broadcast in another without permission.

    The technology companies have signed a protest document against the treaty. The firms say that they remain unconvinced that a treaty is necessary at all. “We note with concern that treaty proponents have not clearly identified the particular problems that the treaty would ostensibly solve, and we question whether there are in fact significant problems that are not addressed adequately under existing law. Further, we are concerned that the current treaty approach differs radically from US legal traditions, and, if implemented, would require substantial and unnecessary changes to current US law.”

    The parties say that if the treaty moves forward in any form then the current rights-based approach of the treaty must be abandoned. They argue that creating broad new intellectual property rights in order to protect broadcast signals is misguided and unnecessary, and risks serious unintended negative consequences. They recommend instead a signal protection-oriented approach, ideally focussing narrowly and specifically on protecting signals from intentional misappropriation or theft.

    The protest is being co-ordinated by digital rights activist group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

    Podcasters and internet broadcasters claim that the treaty may give broadcasters a lot of rights over internet content.

    The new rights that the treaty seeks to give channels include an exclusive right of retransmission for over-the-air television signals (retransmission involves capturing a broadcast signal and rebroadcasting it without permission of the copyright holder or the original broadcaster) and more than doubling the term of protection for broadcasts to 50 years from the current 20-year term.

    EFF has expressed concern that the proposed treaty will endanger consumers’ existing rights, restrict the public’s access to knowledge, stifle technological innovation, preclude free and open source software, and limit competition in the next generation of broadcast and Internet technologies. It believes that Congressional hearings should be held in the US to address concerns.

    EFF argues that before creating a brand new set of exclusive rights for broadcasters, cablecasters, and netcasters, there should be a demonstrated need for such rights, and a clear understanding of how they will impact the public, educators, existing copyright holders, online communications, and new Internet technologies.

    Also it says that Treaty proponents have not provided a clear statement of the particular problem that justify the need for the new treaty, and why they are not able to be addressed adequately under current treaties and law. EFF notes that while Treaty’s ostensible goal is protection against broadcast signal theft, the treaty goes far beyond that by creating broad new intellectual property rights over the recording or fixation, and subsequent uses of, recorded
    programming content.

    Creating a new layer of rights that apply on top of, and in addition to, copyright law, would allow broadcasters to restrict access to public domain works and use of information that would be lawful under copyright law. This will directly impact all entities that rely on the balanced set of exceptions and limitations in national copyright.

    A Wipo statement regarding the treaty said: “Updating the IP rights of broadcasters currently provided by the 1961 Rome Convention began at WIPO in 1997. A growing signal piracy problem in many parts of the world, including piracy of digitised pre-broadcast signals, has made this need more acute.”

  • BBC to launch kids, English entertainment channels in India

    BBC to launch kids, English entertainment channels in India

    MUMBAI: The kids and English general entertainment space in India is about to get a tad more crowded. BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC, has announced that it will be launching two channels in India shortly – preschoolers’ channel CBeebies and BBC Entertainment, offering drama and comedy.

    The launches are part of a global rollout of four new TV channels that will include BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle. BBC Worldwide has stated it also plans a high definition channel in the future. The four channels will be broadcast across all media: linear TV, VoD, mobile and online.

    BBC Entertainment and CBeebies are due to be launched in India first. BBC Entertainment will replace BBC Prime in some countries, initially Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Thailand.

    BBC Worldwide said the expansion of the channels would be decided on a country-by-country basis. As part of its plans to ramp up its channels business globally, BBC Worldwide is setting up regional offices in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Heading operations in Asia is Christine Leo-McKerrow who has been appointed senior VP for tghe region.

    CBeebies will air in India in Hindi and English and will not carry ads. “We will be setting up an advisory board made up of local/Indian psychologists, doctors, teachers, parents etc to advise us on our programming and ensure we remain relevant and trustworthy,” Darren Childs, the managing director of global channels at BBC Worldwide, has been quoted as saying in a media report.

    In the UK CBeebies targets children below the age of six. CBeebies’ basic aim is to educate and entertain the BBC’s youngest audience. The service provides a range of pre-school programming designed to encourage learning through play for children aged five and under, in a consistently safe environment. For the CBeebies launch in India the channel will have a panel of pyschologists, experts to decide on the programming content. The aim is to ensure relevance and trustworthiness.

    BBC Entertainment, meanwhile, will aim to offer the best of British shows in different genres like comedy, drama and light entertainment.

    Localisation: A report in the UK’s Times says that while initially the plan is to air British shows, the BBC is also looking at generating content from India. It might also look to buy Indian production companies if the business successfully kicks in, the report adds.

    Childs was quoted saying that the company is trying to change how it approaches the international channels business and fit things into a local market perspective rather than push them out from London. He also says that the chanel is close to getting a distribution deal.

  • Filmy launches its gaming property ‘Filmy Stock Exchange’

    Filmy launches its gaming property ‘Filmy Stock Exchange’

    MUMBAI: For those who love to play the stock exchanges and are fascinated by Bollywood, Sahara’s Hindi movie channel Filmy has launched Filmy Stock Exchange.

    Beginning 1 October, this game will be played through the internet and mobile and it will give Bollywood fans across India an opportunity to “own” their favourite stars by trading for them. It could be anybody from Sharukh Khan to Aishwarya Rai.

    Actor Arshad Warsi is the brand ambassador for this new show. “The idea of FSE is fascinating. The younger audience will be able to connect with it very well. There can’t be a more engaging way of learning the workings of the stock exchange. It’s simple and fun to play.”

    Registered users will initially get 1000 Filmy Rs (FRs) to create their portfolio of stars. The stock prices of each star will change every hour on the basis of their box office performance, trading trends, industry news and gossip. And in the process players can redeem their filmy Rs for big, exciting prizes.

    Talking about the game, Sahara One Media And Entertainment Limited CEO Shantonu Aditya says, “In today’s media scenario, interactivity and convergence are key to a brand’s growth. FSE is a cutting-edge initiative to take the channel’s brand proposition forward.”

    “It’s a one stop destination for all film buffs if one plays intelligently. And moreover there are prizes every week. We are in the process of tying up with brands for the prizes,” adds Aditya.

    The publicity campaign for the show will begin soon with 30 or 60 second teasers. It will also give the viewers an insight into how to play the game. Once FSE kicks off the channel is planning collaborations with radio stations and trade magazines.

    Filmy business head Ashutosh says, “This is an absolutely new concept. In a way it will be a parameter for the players to check out where their icons stand. It’s just not an engaging property for our viewers, it’s a good brand for our advertisers to associate with. It’s a multimedia property in the true sense of the term.”

    “The response from the film fraternity has also been exciting. There will be 30 stars at the end of every month. And by the end of each month, around three stars will go out and more will be added on the show,” added Shailesh Kapoor, head of marketing and content.

  • MGM expands worldwide TV distribution; Jim Packer appointed president

    MGM expands worldwide TV distribution; Jim Packer appointed president

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) is reinvigorating its worldwide television distribution operation, hiring senior management and bringing a number of new high profile programs to buyers around the globe. The announcement was made by MGM chairman & CEO Harry E. Sloan and MGM COO Rick Sands.

    The restructured MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group, which reports to Sands, is headed by seasoned distribution executive Jim Packer, who assumes the new title of president. In this position, Packer remains in charge of television distribution worldwide, including US barter sales and syndication, as well as all emerging forms of television programming distribution on a worldwide basis, states an official release.

    “After reinvigorating our domestic theatrical distribution business with over 20 new theatrical pictures a year, and establishing a dedicated MGM sales force in partnership with Fox Video, the next logical step is to expand our worldwide television distribution operation to meet our increased activity and product flow,” said Sloan in announcing the division’s restructuring. “Further, the international market for TV product has never been healthier and MGM continues to be an active and extremely competitive player in the marketplace.”

    Sands added: “As aggressive and smart competitors, the reorganization of our worldwide television distribution operation is simply one way of maximizing the assets in our library and positions us for future growth in the marketplace. Jim Packer has already made significant contributions during his tenure at MGM and we are pleased he will be leading us to even bigger growth opportunities in his new role as President of the group.”

    “After spending the last six years here at MGM, I truly understand the value of this tremendous library,” said Packer. “Having been given the challenge of increasing our market presence, I could not be more enthused about the expansion of our worldwide distribution team. With ‘Casino Royale,’ ‘Rocky Balboa’ and our new slate of premiere movie titles, our expanded distribution presence comes at the ideal time.”

    Adding fuel to its distribution pipeline, MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group will handle the international television sales for “Casino Royale” the new James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, and “Rocky Balboa,” the sixth and final Rocky movie starring Sylvester Stallone. Leveraging proven properties within the massive MGM library, the MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group will launch a worldwide sales campaign for the following movies: Legally Blonde 3, Cutting Edge 3
    Into the Blue 2, WarGames 2 and Species 4.

    In addition to its new program offerings, the MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group will continue to handle distribution of over 4,000 movie titles and 10,000 television series that make up the MGM library, the world’s largest modern filmed and television library. Among the key television properties featured in the MGM catalogue are “Stargate SG-1,” the sci-fi series that is celebrating its record-setting 200th episode on the Sci-Fi Channel, and the immensely popular drama series “The L Word,” which airs on Showtime in the US, the release adds.

    With the announcement of the MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group restructuring, MGM has also announced key promotions within the group. Joe Patrick has been promoted to executive vice president, North America. He previously served as senior VP for the studio and is based in Los Angeles. Mary Ann Pasante, who has been the VP of Latin America Sales, has also been promoted to senior VP of Latin America Sales and will continue to be based in Atlanta.

    Packer, who joined MGM in 2001, initially served as EVP, Domestic TV. In this post, he was the architect of several innovative partnerships, including the MGM/UPN “Weekend Movie” and the PAX/MGM “Night at the Movies.”

    Packer was promoted to EVP of MGM’s Worldwide Television Distribution unit in April 2005, charged with oversight of the studio’s worldwide TV distribution activities, including the licensing of MGM programming to TV outlets around the world for free to air network television, basic and pay cable. Packer will continue to be based at the studio’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

    Before joining MGM, Packer was an executive with The Walt Disney Company, where he spent 15 years working within the Buena Vista Domestic Television Distribution unit. During his tenure at Buena Vista, Packer consistently increased his areas of responsibility, handling the distribution of off-network product, theatrical films and first run series, including such properties as “Home Improvement,” “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” and “The Golden Girls,” as well as numerous movie packages. Packer, a graduate of Leeds Business School at the University of Colorado at Boulder, also serves on the Board of Governors for the Museum of Television & Radio.

  • UTStarcom introduces portable WiFi handset F3000

    UTStarcom introduces portable WiFi handset F3000

    MUMBAI: UTStarcom, Inc., the IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, has launched its portable WiFi handset – the F3000. The handset is currently being deployed by customers worldwide and can be purchased directly from UTStarcom or through one of the company’s regional distributors.

    “We are seeing massive growth in demand for mobile voice-over-IP devices as the number of public WiFi hotspots and prevalence of wireless routers in people’s homes and offices increases,” says UTStarcom, Inc. VP EMEA Youssef Kassissia.

    “This, combined with the international roaming charges levied by operators, is encouraging consumers to look to wireless VoIP as a cost- effective alternative to traditional mobile telecommunications, both at home and abroad.”

    “The F3000 builds on the success of our award-winning F1000 handset, our first-generation WiFi phone launched last year and the low-cost market leader in WiFi handsets worldwide,” Lu adds. “Much like the F1000, UTStarcom’s F3000 enables consumers the ability to reap the benefits of VoIP service without being tethered to a fixed-line and at a consumer friendly price point.”

    With a designs available in both black and gold, UTStarcom’s F3000 WiFi handset bridges the gap between traditional WiFi phones and today’s state-of-the-art cellular devices, offering consumers a combination of form and functionality. Measuring 85 x 43 x 22mm and weighing approximately 90g, the F3000 features a full-color, 1.8″ (45.7mm) LCD screen, polyphonic ringtones, text messaging capability and talk-time of up to three hours and stand-by time of approximately 75 hour, states an official release.

    The phone supports a range of voice protocols, including SIP, SDP, RTP/RTCP and RFC 2833/inband DTMF, and utilizes ITU codecs G.711 and G.729. It operates at WiFi 802.11b/g 2.4GHz and supports WiFi security WEP64/128 and WPA. The F3000 also supports a variety of user interface languages, including English, French, Spanish and Chinese, and standard PSTN features, such as call waiting and three-way calling, are also available. It is easily configured, supporting auto-provisioning and remote software upgrades, the release adds.

    Additionally, UTStarcom’s F3000 features an Auto-Search capability, enabling users to locate WiFi networks within range and store these profiles for later use. Moreover, the handset can be programmed with three separate SIP accounts, providing both service provider and access point flexibility for the end user.

  • Synovate Business Consulting & Orbis International to host fundraising events across Asia Pacific

    Synovate Business Consulting & Orbis International to host fundraising events across Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: Synovate Business Consulting, a division of global market research company, Synovate, has tied up with Orbis International – a non-profit humanitarian organisation that strives to eliminate avoidable blindness in the developing world.

    They have joined hands primarily to organise fund-raising events across the Asia-Pacific region, the funds generated will go towards curing blindness among the poor.

    In India, two fund-raisers are on the anvil. A charity dinner will be held in New Delhi on 7 September. While in Mumbai, a special screening of a play by National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) – ‘The Liar’ – will be held on 10 September. The play is directed by eminent actor, director and stage artist – Naseeruddin Shah. All proceeds will be donated to Orbis, informs an official release.

    Synovate Business Consulting, a division of Synovate, provides business intelligence and growth strategy consulting across 22 Asia Pacific markets. Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc, generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions.

  • Warner creates digital production venture to make content for broadband, mobile

    Warner creates digital production venture to make content for broadband, mobile

    MUMBAI: The Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTG) is establishing a new digital production venture Studio 2.0.

    This will work with creative talent and advertisers to create original live-action and animated short-form programming for broadband and wireless devices.

    WBTVG has tapped producer and senior advertising executive Rich Rosenthal to head Studio 2.0. These announcements were made by WBTG president Bruce Rosenblum. The venture will be overseen by WBTG executive VP Craig Hunegs.

    Studio 2.0 will provide a creative platform for the Television Group’s established as well as up-and-coming talent to produce content of varying lengths – from multiple-episode series to one-offs. Rosenthal will actively align Studio 2.0 with advertisers seeking early identification and involvement with original programming. They will develop projects through independent creative resources as well as through the various in-place Warner Bros. Television Group production arms.

    Studio 2.0 will look to license the programming to online sites, portals and wireless providers in collaboration with the recently formed Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

    Rosenblum says, “What has become eminently clear is that our advertising partners in our traditional television businesses are anxious to work in collaboration with the creative community to develop original digital content.

    “At our core, we are a content creation company and Studio 2.0 is a natural, yet extraordinarily exciting, extension of our television production businesses. We are confident that Rich and Studio 2.0 will successfully provide advertisers with cutting edge tools that will integrate their brands with inventive digital content in fresh, impactful and meaningful ways.

    “At the same time, Studio 2.0 will present our creative partners in our television production divisions with a vibrant platform to express their vision in expanding digital arenas and allow us to collaborate with Simon Kenny (President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution) and his team on terrific content for digital distribution.”

    Hunegs says, “Rich’s breadth of advertising experience, both as a creative and production exec, and the wide array of advertisers, brands and companies for which he has created, make him the ideal choice to run Studio 2.0. It is a coup to have him join us”.

    Time Warner Global Marketing, the cross-divisional client partnerships arm of Time Warner, will work closely with Rosenthal and Time Warner advertising clients.