ITV

Category: People

  • Bachchan felicitates South star Chiranjeevi in Zee Telugu event

    Bachchan felicitates South star Chiranjeevi in Zee Telugu event

    MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan was the star attraction at the Gachchibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on 23 April at an event which was organised by the Telugu Film Industry to honour megastar Chiranjeevi on receiving the Padma Bhushan.

    The star-studded event was interspersed with songs and dances from the megastar’s films presented by Saakshi Sivananda and Reema Sen.

    The heroines paired with Chiranjeevi starting from Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Radhika, Jaya Sudha, Rambha, Radha, Reshmi Roy, Shobhana, Saakshi Sivanand to Shriya attended the event amongst directors, producers and other co-stars.

    Zee Telugu will be airing the event on 7 May at 9 am.

  • Seminar on intl formats takes place in Spain next month

    Seminar on intl formats takes place in Spain next month

    MUMBAI: The Erich Pommer Institut will host, in Majorca, Spain a seminar on the international format industry. The event takes place from 8-11 June 2006.

    The participants include ITV’s Paul Jackson, SBS Broadcasting’s Daniela Matei, Distraction’s Michel Rodrigue, Nordisk Film’s Jacob Houlind, Celador Productions’ Colman Hutchinson and Zig Zag Productions’ Danny Fenton.

    In October, the Erich Pommer Institut will host European Co-Production: Legal and Financial Aspects, also in Majorca, as part of its Essential Legal Framework programme.

  • ATI, Nokia in strategic partnership for mobile multimedia technology

    ATI, Nokia in strategic partnership for mobile multimedia technology

    MUMBAI: Canada-headquartered 3D graphics and digital media silicon solutions provider ATI Technologies Inc. and Nokia have entered into a long-term strategic relationship to bring enhanced mobile multimedia experiences to Nokia customers.

    The companies are now working closely together to drive multimedia experiences such as music playback, 3D gaming, mobile TV, video and more for Nokia mobile device users worldwide.

    “Working with ATI underscores the commitment that Nokia has in providing unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences to consumers. With the mobile device now at the center of people’s lives, we want people to have access to fantastic mobile content when and where they want. We are announcing our collaboration with ATI now, so that developers have the next 12 to 18 months to be innovative and create world class mobile multimedia experiences,” said Nokia senior vice president multimedia experiences Ilkka Raiskinen.

    With mobile devices becoming ever more powerful and complex, ATI and Nokia are working to drive the complexity out of multimedia development by promoting open standards and providing integrated hardware, software and tools. In this way, developers need only create content once for consumers to enjoy on a range of devices. Specifically, ATI aims to provide a dedicated tools chain and software development kit (SDK) for developers in the fall of 2006. ATI and Nokia will also hold a series of joint workshops in the second half of this year to showcase the environment to key developers, states an official release.

    “Our role is to enable all content, from ultra-high quality music playback to 3D gaming, and we’ll jointly guide and support the members of the content development community as they focus on creating amazing user experiences. With a shared vision of how multimedia impacts the mobile market, Nokia and ATI are providing much needed direction and a framework to move the whole industry forward,” said ATI vice president and general manager handheld products Paul Dal Santo.

  • Weekend blockbuster ‘Prithviraj Chauhan’ launch set for 12 May; Star in marketing overdrive

    Weekend blockbuster ‘Prithviraj Chauhan’ launch set for 12 May; Star in marketing overdrive

    MUMBAI: Star Plus will launch one of its biggest productions ever, the weekend blockbuster Dharti Ka Veer Yodha – Prithviraj Chauhan on Friday, 12 May at 9 pm. The serial will run Friday through Sunday with a duration of half-an-hour per episode.

    Star is leaving no stone unturned to promote the historical saga. “The focus of our marketing activities will be to make viewers more familiar with Prithviraj Chauhan. People normally remember only the high points of Chauhah’s life. The marketing efforts will be to make people aware of the real character,” says Star India SVP Marketing & Communication Puneet Johar.

    Apart from the obvious on-air, print, outdoors and radio promotions, Prithviraj Chauhan will have an extensive on-ground activity also – running from Rajasthan to Delhi.

    “We will have a torch run ‘Prithvi Jyoti’ conducted from Rajasthan to New Delhi. The activity will culminate on 9 May in the capital with the vice president of the country addressing a gathering. The serial will be officially launched at the event,” adds Johar.

    The 9 May event will showcase the Prithviraj Chauhan costumes designed by a group of young fashion designers. The music of the serial will hit the market simultaneous with its launch.

    As part of the marketing activities, Star will be merchandising Prithviraj Chauhan properties — such as the weaponry — on a commercial basis later. Star is also planning to release a cartoon book based on the life and adventures of Prithviraj Chauhan.

    What makes the Sagar Films-produced Prithviraj Chauhan one of the much-awaited television programmes on Indian television is the sheer size of the project. According to Sagar Films director Shakti Sagar, the costume drama was launched with a start up budget of Rs 60 million.

    “The Ajmer set we erected in our Baroda film studio cost us about Rs 45 million. We have shot 50 episodes of the committed 156 episodes, which will run for a year. That means, the cost of the show will go up manifold,” says Sagar.

    As part of its plans to revamp the weekend, the channel is also introducing a movie band Pus Superhits in its Sunday afternoon space, at 12 am. Star Plus will open the campaign with movies such as Viruddh, Black and Main Hoon Naa.

    The entry of Prithviraj Chauhan in the weekend prime time band also triggers off a slight reshuffle in the Star Plus prime time schedule. The 9:30 pm & 10 pm Friday through Saturday slots will be occupied by the popular weekend soap Baa Bahoo aur Baby and Shanno Ki Shaadi respectively. Jodee Kamaal Ki will be shifted to the 8 pm slot on Saturday and the same slot on Sunday will be filled by Sai Baba. From 8 May onwards, prime time soaps Miilee and Kavyanjali will be telecast from Mondays to Thursdays only.

  • Sony lines up afternoon fare; horror show to replace Jassi

    Sony lines up afternoon fare; horror show to replace Jassi

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India is now looking at strengthening its afternoon band, which so far aired repeats of prime time shows. Starting 15 May, two new shows will be launched between 1 and 2 pm in the ‘Nayi Dopahar’ band.

    Kabhie To Nazar Milao from the UTV stable will air from Monday to Thursday at 1 pm, whereas Rishton Di Dorr produced by Sri Adhikari Brothers will air at 1:30 pm. The afternoon band will, however, continue to telecast repeats of prime time shows from 12 to 1 pm (Ek Ladki Anjaani Si and Kaisa Ye Pyaar Hai) and from 2 to 3 pm (Thodi Khushi Thoda Gham and Aisa Desh Hai Mera).

    “The idea was to consolidate the all day GRPs of the channels and hence we have introduced fresh programming in the ‘Nayi Dophar’ band, which will help us achieve that,” says SET India COO NP Singh.

    Meanwhile, in the prime time slot, Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, which finally comes to an end tomorrow (4 May) will be replaced by a horror show Khaufnaak. This one hour show produced by Sri Adhikari Brothers will air from Monday to Thursday at 10 pm.

    “Khaufnaak will be a seasonal show, which will end in a month or so. We will introduce new one hour weeklies in the 10 to 11 pm band in June. That will culminate our initiative of providing new and fresh programming for our viewers,” says Singh.

    In early March, Sony had introduced a fresh new Friday band with Deal Ya No Deal, Fear Factor, a revamped CID and Kandy Floss under the ‘Shukra Hai Shukravaar Hai’ band. On 24 March, the channel yet again launched two new shows in the 9 to10 pm band – Aisa Desh Hai Mera and Thodi Khushi Thoda Gham.

    Now, the new weeklies in the 10 to 11 pm band in June will be the shows to watch out for

  • MMG set to acquire Taiwan media firm for $1.2 billion

    MMG set to acquire Taiwan media firm for $1.2 billion

    MUMBAI: Australia’s Macquarie Media Group (MMG) says it has received all necessary regulatory approvals from the Investment Commission for its $1.19 billion acquisition in Taiwan’s third largest cable TV provider Taiwan Broadband Communications (TBC).

    The deal will be undertaken by a consortium made up of MMG and one of its shareholders, Macquarie Bank Ltd, say reports.

    MMG says the remaining conditions are expected to be satisfied in the “coming days” and the acquisition is expected to be finalised next week.

    Reportedly, MMG wants to increase the range of services it provides to its current 90,000 internet and 650,000 cable TV subscribers.

  • Dish moves TDSAT against Star

    Dish moves TDSAT against Star

    NEW DELHI: Court cases are buzzing all over the place in the media sector as deadlines for various guidelines, including adhering to downlink norms, near.

    In its first direct salvo against the Hong Kong-based Star Group, the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises, owners of the Dish TV DTH service in India, has moved the disputes tribunal against the former’s reluctance to make available Star channels to its platform.

    “It is respectfully submitted that the present petition has been filed due to the refusal on the part of the respondent (Star Group through Star India) to supply its bouquet one channels to the petitioner on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms,” the petition states.

    Filed today at the Telecom Disputes Redressal and Settlement Tribunal (TDSAT), the ASC petition adds, “The unreasonableness on the part of the respondent is evident from the fact that the respondent has laid down impracticable and unreasonable terms and conditions for supply of its bouquet one channels.”

    Contacted by indiantelevision.com, a Star India spokesperson said, “Negotiations are on with Dish TV. Beyond that we cannot comment as we have not heard from TDSAT yet.”

    The petition has been filed as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in an order has mandated that all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a non-discriminatory basis.

    Justifying its action of approaching the TDSAT, the petition seeks “appropriate directions against the acts of omission and commission” of Star, including its failure to provide on request the signals of the channels of its first bouquet “on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.”

    Bouquet one of Star consists of channels like Star Plus, Star Movies, Star News, Star World, Star Gold, Channel [V], National Geographic Channel, The History Channel and Vijay TV.

    The second bouquet — the formation of which was necessitated owing to certain directions from the sector regulator in an effort to control cable TV prices — comprises Star One, Hungama, The Disney Channel and Toon Disney.

    What is interesting is that the Chandra company has decided to take on one time ally-turned-competitor with a vengeance.

    The petition not only states that discussions with Star were initiated by Dish TV in December 2005, but also insinuates that the delay in concluding a commercial agreement is deliberate as the respondent is a joint venture partner in another DTH service, Tata Sky, proposing to start operations later this year.

    Interestingly, Dish TV has won a favourable direction from TDSAT in a similar case involving MTV.

    Discovery-Sony distribution joint venture One Alliance, which comprises MTV and sibling channel Nick, is said to be close to striking a deal with Dish TV for its channels that include the likes of SET, MAX, Discovery and AXN.

  • TV most preferred news medium by Indians: Survey

    TV most preferred news medium by Indians: Survey

    MUMBAI: In India, television and newspapers are engaged in a neck and neck fight for prominence in the news media space, while internet lags far behind. The country also has more people trusting the media than its government when it comes to news.

    The findings were derived from a global survey conducted by BBC, Reuters and Media Center Poll in association with research firm Globescan. A total of 10,230 adults were questioned by GlobeScan in the UK, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, and South Korea in March and April.

    As per the survey, the most important news sources for Indians in a typical week are television (mentioned first by 37 per cent), newspapers (36 per cent), radio (7 per cent), and news magazines (4 per cent). There is no significant gender imbalance in India regarding where people get their news.

    When asked which news sources they trust the most, Indians give the highest rating to national/regional newspapers and national television (85 per cent give each a lot or some trust). Also strongly trusted are local newspapers (76 per cent), friends and family (70 per cent), and public broadcast radio (69 per cent). Very low levels of awareness mean that blogs and news websites are each trusted by only 1 per cent (Zero per cent named internet as their most important source of news), while 10 per cent trust international newspapers.

    The most trusted specific news sources mentioned spontaneously by Indians include Aaj Tak (mentioned by 11 per cent), DD television (10per cent), Dainik Jagran (7 per cent), Sun TV (5 per cent), Star News (4 per cent), NDTV (4 per cent), AIR (3 per cent), the Times of India (3 per cent), Zee News (2 per cent), Rajasthan Patrika (2 per cent), and BBC World Service radio (2 per cent).

    There is broad satisfaction with standards in India’s media with 76 per cent agreeing that news is reported accurately, and 69 per cent that the media report all sides of a story. A solid majority of 64 per cent also agree that the media strikes the right balance between freedom of speech and respect for culture. Nonetheless 58 per cent say that there is too much foreign influence in their media and 60 per cent that the media is too focused on Western values and concerns.

    MEDIA Vs GOVERNMENT

    Media is trusted by an average of 61 percent compared to 52 percent for governments across the countries polled. But the US bucked the trend – with government ahead of media on trust (67 per cent vs 59 per cent) along with Britain (51 per cent vs 47 per cent).

    Trust in media was highest in Nigeria (88 per cent vs 34 per cent govt.) followed by Indonesia (86 per cent vs 71 per cent), India (82 per cent vs 66 per cent), Egypt (74 per cent, govt. not asked), and Russia (58 per cent vs 54 per cent).

    Comparing these current trust findings with 2002 results to the same question shows media is trusted the same or more today in 7 of the 8 countries for which comparative results are available (that is, all countries except Germany, where trust has fallen from 49 percent to 43 percent; and Egypt and Brazil where no tracking is available). Trust has increased over the last four years in Nigeria (from 61 per cent to 88 per cent), India (76 per cent to 82 per cent), USA (52 per cent to 59 per cent), Russia (48 per cent to 58 per cent), and the UK (29 per cent to 47 per cent).

    GlobeScan President Doug Miller comments, “With public trust levels in general eroding over the last four years, it is noteworthy that the media has retained or increased its trust in most of the 10 countries in the same period.”

    Over one in four people (28 per cent) across the 10 countries surveyed either strongly agrees (13 per cent) or somewhat agrees (15 per cent) with the statement, “In the past year I have stopped using a specific media source because it lost my trust.”

    This is particularly the case in Brazil (44 per cent), Egypt (40 per cent), South Korea (39 per cent), and the US (32 per cent). Russians (10 per cent) are least likely to say this, as are Germans (15 per cent), and Indonesians (17 per cent). Citizens of the UK (29 per cent), India (28 per cent), and Nigeria (27 per cent) define the average position across the 10 countries.

    GLOBAL NEWS BRANDS

    The most trusted global news brands among those tested include the BBC (with 48 per cent across the 10 countries saying they have a lot or some trust) and CNN (44 per cent). Even though Internet web sites in general do not receive particularly high trust ratings, three Internet portals received the next highest prompted trust ratings across the 10 countries; namely, Google (30 per cent, a lot or some trust), Yahoo (28 per cent), and Microsoft/MSN (27 per cent).

    Newsweek (25 per cent) and Time (24 per cent) are next most trusted among the 16 global news brands tested in all countries. Al Jazeera (23 per cent) came next but it also had the highest percentage of people (19 per cent) expressing no trust or not much trust in providing the information they want.

  • Comcast Corporation acquires Susquehanna Communications

    Comcast Corporation acquires Susquehanna Communications

    MUMBAI: Comcast Corporation has announced that it has completed the previously announced purchase of Susquehanna Communications, the cable television and broadband services division of Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff.

    In the transaction, according to an official release, Comcast is acquiring systems primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, and Mississippi for a net cash investment of approximately $540 million or $440 million after taking into account certain tax benefits. Comcast previously owned approximately 30 percent of Susquehanna Communications.

    Comcast chairman & CEO Brian L. Roberts said, “These systems geographically complement our existing service areas, and have been very well managed and fully upgraded. We look forward to serving our new customers with our advanced products and services.”

    “Our employees are looking forward to providing advanced telecommunication services from Comcast for years to come with the same high level of quality and service that our customers have become accustomed to,” said Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff president and CEO Bill Simpson.

    With the addition of Susquehanna’s approximately 230,000 basic cable customers, 71,000 digital cable customers and 86,000 high-speed Internet customers, Comcast now serves a total of 21.7 million basic cable customers, 10.2 million digital cable customers and 9 million high-speed Internet customers.

    Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Comcast Corporation and UBS Investment Bank acted as exclusive financial advisor to Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff.

  • Zoom rolls out red carpet for ‘Glam Awards’

    Zoom rolls out red carpet for ‘Glam Awards’

    MUMBAI: Zoom, the lifestyle channel from the Times group has brought glamour to the forefront. The channel held the Tuscan Verve Zoom Glam Awards where it succeeded in letting subtle elegance take over from the flaunt-it attitude. Taking a step forward from two of its successful shows, Page 3 and Popkorn, the Glam Awards is a channel positioning statement.

    Hosts Kamal Sidhu & Ash Chandler

    Hosted by Kamal Sidhu and Ash Chandler, it was one of the glitziest nights for the glamour industry as local celebrities went for understated elegance in gracing this first time held event. Colours were everywhere with many opting for sophistication and class, emphasising a confident attitude as opposed to brashness.

    Zoom looked to redefine the red carpet business by inviting a select gathering of people who epitomized personal style.Although the show looked to the past and present, it was also a powerful statement for a return of grace and sensuality in today’s fast paced life.

    An anticipated 200 odd guests including celebrities, very limited media presence, socialites and trend-setters walked the red carpet into a world of glamour and prestige.

    The celebrity culture has coined a phrase for its high profile glamour red carpet dressing. And, Indian style icons seem to be backing away from glitter. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com COO Upen Roop Rai said, “There has been incredible anticipation to this event. It went off even better than imagined.”

    The event had international standard performances by Shibani Kashyap, Shaheen Shaikh, Carol Gracias, Anchal Kumar and Diandra Soares. The finale act was performed by ex Miss India and Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia. The fresh new look at the glamour and glitz of Bollywood dance extravaganzas seen in the performances by the models is set to have the town talking.

    Models Carol, Diandra & Anchal dancing to “Kaisi paheli”
    A select gathering of guests graced the sit down function and all the awardees created a version of silver-screen stardom with amazing grace, in accepting the honour bestowed on them.

    Suave industrialist Gautam Singhania when accepting the Most Stylish Businessman Award said, “India is on the move. Zoom has helped change the image that businees people are boring. This award reveals our glamourous side.”

    Pooja Bedi, Bipasha Basu & Ritu Kumar
    Bollywood actor John Abraham said, “It feels nice to know that my simplicity is recognised as a glam quotient today.”

    Young designer Gaurav Gupta said, “Glamour is relative to time and perception. It is an honour to be recognised for how I present myself.”

    “People are fascinated by the world of glamour that is almost attainable – which is what celebrities are about,” Rai said. “The whole pageantry of dressing up is such an indulgence for our niche gathering. And, getting recognized for it is part of the emotion of the event.”

    The winners seem to be forging a new low-key evening look that blurs the boundaries between day and night where comfort is key. Among the celebs present were Mandira Bedi, Bipasha Basu, Anil Chopra, Hariharan, Bappi Lahiri, Neena Gupta, Dipannita Sharma, Pooja Bedi,, Nethra Raghuraman, Shruti Seth, Ashish Raheja, Art Surendranath, Shiny Ahuja,Kelly Dorji and Times Group MD Vineet Jain.

    In showcasing an event that highlights glamour among individuals from across different fields in society, Zoom has awarded stylish stalwarts in a glitzy night that will be remembered by all. The following are the winners of the Zoom Glam Awards held at the Hilton, Mumbai:
    Most Glam Actor ( Female) : Kareena Kapoor
    Most Glam Actor (Male) : John Abraham
    Most Talked About Debutant ( Male) : Kunal Kapoor
    Most Talked About Debutant ( Female) : Vidya Balan
    Most Stylish Businessman : Guatam Singhania
    Glam Sports Star : Yuvraj Singh
    Politician With Panache : Prafful Patel
    Glam Music Star : Himesh Reshammiya
    Glam Women’s Wear Designer ( Contemperory) : Sabyasachi Mukherjee
    Glam Women’s Wear Designer ( Indian) : Ritu Kumar
    Glam Men’s Wear Designer : Narendra Kumar Ahmed
    Glam Debutant Designer : Gaurav Gupta
    Glam Model ( Male) : Muzamil Abraham
    Glam Model ( Female) : Neha Kapoor
    Glam Photographer : Atul Kasbekar

    These awards are a logical extension of the Zoom brand identity of being a ‘Glamour & Lifestyle Television’ channel. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com prior to the event, the channel’s national sales head MK Anand said, “This event will emphasize the fact that Zoom is reaching new standards of excellence in the television industry.”

    Gautam Singhania receives his award from Ritu Kumar
    Recognising individuals in areas of fashion, music, business and politics amongst other categories, Zoom focused on the individual’s style and attitude. “The Awards is a step to recognize glam which is such an important quotient in our society today,” said Anand.

    Tuscan Verve, with its inimitable brand, reputation and all-round glamour was the main sponsor to the event. The other sponsors were National Institute of Fashion and Design, Reliance, D’Damas, Flying Cats, Pepsi, Sony Ericcson and the co-sponsors were Chateau Indage, Evian, Seagrams and Bright Advertising.

    Zoom will telecast a curtain-raiser including clips from Behind The Scenes and Red Carpet, on 7 May at 9 pm and the final event will be aired on 14 May at 9 pm.