ITV

Category: People

  • Microsoft beats Google to win Amazon.com account

    Microsoft beats Google to win Amazon.com account

    MUMBAI: Microsoft Corp. has snatched the Amazon.com account from Google. The internet retailer will now be using the Microsoft technology Windows Live to power its toolbar and the A9 online search engine.

    Confirming the development to Reuters, A9 CEO David Tennenhouse said Google search was removed from the site on 30 April, following the expiration of that contract. He added that Windows Live presented a very powerful web search option that had previously been featured on the A9 site.

    Microsoft launched Windows Live to win online advertising pie away from Google and Yahoo.

    Amazon’s search engine A9 breaks down searches into various categories such as web searches, book searches and blog searches.

  • Amitabh Srivastava quits Walt Disney India

    Amitabh Srivastava quits Walt Disney India

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Television International (India) director affiliate relations Amitabh Srivastava is quitting the company in search of news challenges.

    Today, was his last day in office.

    A company spokesperson confirmed the same to Indiantelevision.com, citing that no replacement had been found as yet.

    As director affiliate relations, Srivastava was mandated with the task of working with Disney India’s distribution partner, Star India, to manage all aspects of cable and satellite distribution and network development.

    For the last couple of months however, Srivastava was working closely with Disney India director business development Shantanu Nalavadi in strategising and executing Disney’s growth initiatives for India across television, licensing and merchandising, radio, on-line gaming, mobile and broadband content, studio, home video, publishing and animation.

    Srivastava joined Disney in January 2005 from the TV Today Network where he was head of distribution and network development. He was an integral part of the team at TV Today, which helped in launching Aaj Tak and Headlines Today.

    Prior to his stint with TV Today, Srivastava was with BBC World’s Indian operation and has also held senior management positions at MTV and The Times of India.

    On being queried as to where his next destination would be, Srivastava said, “I’m taking a break right now and have not yet decided where I am going.”

  • MTV Networks Asia & Motorola to launch digital entertainment platform ‘Mobbed’

    MTV Networks Asia & Motorola to launch digital entertainment platform ‘Mobbed’

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks Asia in collaboration with Motorola, a company involved in wireless and broadband communications, is set to launch a digital entertainment platform ‘Mobbed’.

    Targeting the youth, `Mobbed’ will be available on mobile, on-air and online from tomorrow (1 April). The entertainment platform will be available to Asia-Pacific youths spanning across seven countries – India, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

    At a recent Ficci Frames in Mumbai, Viacom CEO Tom Freston said the company would be ramping up its digital media initiatives.

    Mobbed is the first-ever digitally focused integrated platform MTV Networks Asia has embarked on, the company said in a release. It will feature everything from free downloads to opportunities to control the storylines of ongoing animated segments.

    The various mobbed icons features include Motoalert, Mob Squad, Mobtage, besides contest, games and blogs.

    Mobbed, the on-air show, will be fronted by local MTV VJs. In India, MTV VJ Nauheed will be fronting the show.

    In Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, MTV VJ Max, a new member of the MTV VJ family, will host the programme .MTV VJ Nathan (Australia), MTV VJ Cathy (Indonesia) and MTV VJ Tye (Thailand) will provide audience with the latest Mobbed updates weekly on the respective channels.

    Motoalert will not only provide Mobbers with the latest news, gossips, downloads and activities, but also focus on a new artist each month, allowing the Mobbers with “full-access” and knowledge of this act.

    “Mobbed reinforces MTV’s commitment to connect with our audience on every platform possible. Not only do we create fun and cool branded content that can be downloaded easily at the click of a button, such as the Mob Squad mobile animated series, but we also allow for user-generated content so youth can express themselves and take over MTV via the cutting-edge MMS to TV platform – Mobtage,” commented MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins. “This expanded development is testimony to the success we have enjoyed with Motorola. With Motorola’s technology and personalization intelligence and MTV’s widespread influence on youth, Mobbed will empower Asian youth to further interact in the wireless world.”

    We are extremely excited about the Mobbed property and our relationship with MTV Networks Asia. MTV helps Motorola to re-energize our brand image and gain greater resonance with our youth mobile users,” commented Neil Stewart, Marketing Director of Motorola Mobile Devices Business, High Growth Markets. “With the launch of Mobbed by MTV and Motorola, we will be providing an even more creative and innovative platform for youth to get branded entertainment via their mobile screens,” he added.

  • Adlabs allots shares to Reliance Land

    Adlabs allots shares to Reliance Land

    MUMBAI: Adlabs Films Ltd has has allotted 38,00,000 equity shares of Rs 5/- each for a cash at price of Rs 175.20 (including a premium of Rs 170.20) per share to the promoters viz. Reliance Land Pvt Ltd. against the outstanding warrants issued on 8 August 2005.

    These shares will be subject to lock-in up to 7 August 7 2006, the company informed the BSE. The committee of directors of Adlabs met today.

    Consequent upon the said allotment, the paid-up equity share capital of Adlabs stands increased to 3,98,00,750 fully paid up equity shares of Rs 5/- each and net worth will increase to approximately Rs 4.65
    billion.

  • Sahara One firms up Hindi music channel launch timeline

    Sahara One firms up Hindi music channel launch timeline

    MUMBAI: Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited is all set to launch its Hindi music channel. “We are launching the channel in the next few weeks,” said Sahara One Media and Entertainment CEO Shantonu Aditya.

    Indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that Sahara would be launching a music channel to expand its bouquet of entertainment businesses.

    The music channel will be encrypted but free-to-air. “We are big in Bollywood. A music is a natural extension for us. It will be a free-to-air channel at this stage,” Aditya said.

    The name of the channel has yet to be finalised. The company launched its movie channel Filmy in February.

    Sahara One head Shailendra Singh said, “I am delighted to inform that we will soon be launching our next channel, which will be a Hindi music channel. It will cater to millions of music lovers across India and worldwide. Along with Sahara One Television and Filmy, our music channel will complete the genres of mass Hindi entertainment from Sahara One, and will strengthen our bouquet immensely.”

    According to a statement issued by the company, Sahara One’s forthcoming Hindi music channel will showcase the best of Hindi music from Bollywood films and non-film albums, along with music events and original programming.

    Aditya said, “As a genre, music channels have tremendous potential for mass acceptance and popularity, and we will try to give the same kind of innovativeness to our music channel’s programming that is seen on Filmy and Sahara One Television.”

    He further added, “The new channel will also provide excellent synergy to the motion pictures business, which produces several films each year, thereby creating a lot of fresh content for our television businesses. In fact, Sahara One Motion Pictures, Sahara One Television, Filmy and our music channel will all be mutually supportive of one another and will enable us to deliver tremendous value to viewers and advertisers alike.”

  • Actor Lou Diamond Phillips to guest star on ‘Law And Order’

    Actor Lou Diamond Phillips to guest star on ‘Law And Order’

    MUMBAI: Actor Lou Diamond Phillips guest stars on US broadcaster NBC’s show Law & Order; SVU.

    He plays Jeremy Paul Wilson, a sadistic paedophile and murderer, and will have a profound impact on the partnership of Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Chris Meloni). In India the Law And Order franchise airs on Star World.

    Wilson, a cold blooded murderer and paedophile, is in possession of a cache of hunting knives, has kidnapped two children and has nothing to lose. This episode will bring Dets. Fin (Ice-T), Benson and Stabler to a bus terminal where a violent and emotional showdown with Wilson takes a dangerous turn.

    The show’s executive producer Neal Bear said, “Fans of this show will be sitting on the edge of their seats at the twists and turns in this emotional hour. I think this episode showcases the strength of our ensemble cast, and their compelling performances as well as an unusual and forceful performance from Lou Diamond Phillips.”

  • MGM to launch new media division

    MGM to launch new media division

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) has launched a new media division. Douglas A. Lee will oversee the new unit as executive VP.

    Lee will oversee MGM’s digital distribution strategy. He will also spearhead the studio’s broadband and wireless efforts and shepherd new digital media growth.

    MGM chairman, CEO Harry E. Sloan said, “MGM will be making significant moves in terms of new platforms, ranging from TV and the Internet to wireless, mobile and more. Doug has a wealth of senior management experience culled from several major media companies including Fox, HBO and Universal. This and his proven track record in new media will be a great benefit and addition to MGM’s already outstanding team. I am thrilled to have him at the helm as we capitalise on the myriad opportunities in the digital space.”

    MGM COO Rick Sands says, “Doug is an expert at navigating the new media space and identifying key opportunities. He will also be working closely with our strategic partner, Sony Corporation of America, which is at the forefront of Blu-ray and major electronic and digital initiatives.”

    Lee says, “There are numerous opportunities to grow and extend the MGM brand in the new media age. We will look to mine the library for new opportunities and also create new productions and initiatives for the plethora of new media opportunities that currently exist, as well as plan for new and emerging possibilities.”

    With over 20 years experience as a senior executive in the global entertainment business, Lee’s career highlights include the launch of HD Cinema 10 for Voom, the creation of Noggin, the first educational children’s network and a joint venture between Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon; a founder of Crime, a broadband platform that was sold to USA Cable; and he was instrumental in spearheading News Corp.’s acquisition of Star-TV.

  • BBC viewers can download tardisodes of ‘Dr. Who’

    BBC viewers can download tardisodes of ‘Dr. Who’

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that Doctor Who viewers are in for an extra treat when the new series launches next month.

    In addition to watching 13 new adventures – with David Tennant as the Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose – viewers in the UK will be given the opportunity to download thirteen 60-second mini-episodes via their mobile phones, or stream them on broadband as part of the BBC’s TV Plus trials.

    The Tardisodes, which are part of the BBC’s trials exploring ways of broadening the output of leading brands, offer the audience an insight into what’s going on in the Doctor Who universe that week. These downloads will be available on Saturdays after the main show has gone out.

    They will include footage that won’t be seen on TV, and show the characters and adventures coming up in the next episode – from meeting the Cat Women who can cure all illnesses, joining Mickey as he discovers some alien activity in a local school, to witnessing the Cybermen upgrade process.

    BBC director of television Jana Bennett says, “What better way of travelling with the Time Lord than to have a Tardisode come to you on your phone or PC? The Tardisodes are an exciting development, delivering mini-episodes which will let viewers access the vortex and explore new worlds before the Doctor arrives himself.

    “We know that there is a huge appetite for Doctor Who and we want to make the whole experience bigger and better for viewers. These TV Plus trials will continue to help us understand more about the different ways in which viewers want to enjoy Doctor Who.”

    Created by the team behind Attack of the Graske, the Christmas interactive mission, the mini-episodes will have the same high quality elements as the main show.

    Tardisodes co-producer Jo Pearce says, “Our aim, when planning the development of all these projects, is to make the interactive content around Doctor Who series two compelling, exciting and intriguing as well as enticing a broader audience to Doctor Who by positioning it on different platforms.”

    The Tardisodes are part of the BBC’s TV Plus pilots, offering audiences a new way of engaging with BBC TV programmes to enhance their viewing experience. The pilots include preview clips on mobile phones, programme premieres on broadband a week ahead of their TV transmission, and a rich interactive experience on-demand through broadband and digital TV.

    From 1 April 2006, the audience can text the word Tardis to 81010 to subscribe to the service. The user will then be sent a text message with a link to the download (this text will cost between 12 and 15p). They will then be asked to bookmark the link and to come back every Saturday at the end of the Doctor Who programme to see the new Tardisode.

    If the user does not have a compatible handset they will be told before they download the content and asked to go to the Doctor Who website to watch the Tardisode. The BBC does not charge for its mobile content. However, the operators charge for using the internet on your phone and for the text messages to access the service will apply.

    Costs vary from operator to operator. Operators may charge for time spent browsing or amount of data downloaded. Registering for the service is simple, participants will be asked to subscribe via text message and then will receive a weekly alert to inform them that new content is available.

  • Make blogging safe for kids

    Make blogging safe for kids

    MUMBAI: Kids with their endless curiosity have taken to the internet like fish to water, and they may be getting in way over their heads. This virtual world — just like its physical counterpart — has things that are good, things that are a waste of time, and things that are downright dangerous.

    “Take blogging, an internet activity that has become all the rage with kids. There is a very good chance that your child has a blog, and that it may contain some fairly shocking personal or made-up content. For example, we are seeing some children creating seductive adult personas, and these fictitious alter egos are matched by predators passing themselves off as kids. It’s time to make blogging and online communities safe for kids,” said Industrious Kid founder and CEO Jeanette Symons.

    Lacking such places, kids eagerly seize free space and blog-building tools and publish their online diaries — web logs, or “blogs” — on sites such as MySpace.com and LiveJournal. These sites are intended for adults and are full of adult content, but that just adds to their attraction. Kids can simply lie to get around the age restrictions, and studies show that many do.

    There are already millions of kid-authored blogs today as baby bloggers try to one-up each other and make their individual creations stand out from the crowd. The password protection feature makes it seem like access to their blogs is quite limited, but in reality the kids are baring their souls and personal information to the world.

    Technology entrepreneurs like Symons are working with educators to make blogging safe for kids. They are creating blogging domains that combine strong protective measures and controls with the kind of content, applications, and dynamics that make the environment compelling and exciting to kids.

    The details for such kid-friendly, parent-approved blogging environments are still being hammered out, but experts have identified three key ingredients:

    Strongly authenticated access that creates a controlled ecosystem through identification of users, which weeds out the undesirable elements and limits the scope of publishing.

    Powerful tools for parental monitoring and control of the “who, what’s and how often’s” of their children’s activities.

    Dynamic age-appropriate content and applications to interest and stimulate the audience.

    Many people simply want to ban blogging for kids, but it actually has many positive aspects. Instead of yakking on the phone or meeting at the mall, children online are creating something, expressing themselves in new ways, communicating with the written word, and becoming computer- and Internet-savvy — all important skills that have much broader applications.

    “We can’t stuff the online Genie back in the bottle,” said Symons. “The digital landscape with all its faults is a permanent backdrop to our kids’ lives. We need to engage this new reality and create on online environment that is not only safe and constructive, but a place where our children simply want to be.”

  • CCTV to air its version of “The Apprentice” in May

    CCTV to air its version of “The Apprentice” in May

    MUMBAI: China is offering another version of the reality show The Apprentice – minus Donald Trump. The show Win in China is being produced by China Central Television (CCTV). It is a show where would-be entrepreneurs compete to win positions as CEOs of new businesses.

    The executive producer of the new version, Wang Lifen, said the show shares some similarities with the popular US series, but there are essential differences as well. Win in China will debut in May, and viewers will take on the New York businessman’s role of deciding who gets fired by voting electronically for their favourite, according to producers.

    Lifen said, “I think The Apprentice show is driven by money, which is hard to accept in Chinese culture. What we’re looking for is the talent of self-management and entrepreneurship.The program matches very well with the country’s current situation.”

    The American show has contestants vying for a job as apprentice to millionaire businessman Trump. Contestants are given tasks that test their skills in sales, marketing, advertising and finance. They compete against each other, often to see who can make the most money. At the end of each show, Trump whittles down the applicant pool by declaring “You’re fired!”

    Win in China will be a much more dramatic and interactive program since the audience will participate. Chinese participants will also endure rigorous business tasks that test their tenacity to withstand hardship. Viewers will vote for the winner, and some will even become shareholders in the new company, according to CCTV.

    In the Chinese version, the top winner is given the reins of a new business with a registered capital of no less than 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million), while the other four winners will get to run smaller firms. The startups are being funded by Asian and international venture capital firms.