ITV

Category: People

  • NGC US’ global special reveals the ‘Lost Gospel of Judas’

    NGC US’ global special reveals the ‘Lost Gospel of Judas’

    MUMBAI: National Geographic in the US has announced that next month it will unveil a special globally The Gospel of Judas.

    Discovered by chance in the 1970s, a document that lay hidden for nearly 1,700 years emerges today as the The Gospel of Judas.

    The two-hour global event traces the story of what has happened to the document since it was found, the recent authentication process and analysis, and key insight gleaned from its laborious translation and interpretation. Dramatic recreations portray and clarify the complex story of intrigue and politics of the earliest days of Christianity, and portray the contents of the Gospel itself.

    The Gospel of Judas presents a newly discovered account of the life of Jesus Christ. But how can its authenticity be verified? When was this gospel written and by whom? The research and documentary will reveal details contained within the document as well as key sections translated from its ancient Coptic script.

    It will also examine the modern history of the document since it was found, including the exhaustive restoration and conservation process. The manuscript will be returned to its country of origin, Egypt.

  • Fortune Star launches web/wireless reality show ‘The Heyman Hustle’ at Mipcom 2006

    Fortune Star launches web/wireless reality show ‘The Heyman Hustle’ at Mipcom 2006

    MUMBAI: Fortune Star Entertainment Ltd (Fortune Star) will launch at Mipcom 2006 The Heyman Hustle, a web/wireless reality series hosted by Paul Heyman.

    The reality series, featuring provocative content for the exploding new media platforms, is created by Paul Heyman, the architect of the edgy Extreme Wrestling phenomenon in the 1990s, and produced by Park Avenue production house, HQ Productions, Inc. Fortune Star is the exclusive worldwide distributor of The Heyman Hustle, informs an official release.

    “Both traditional and new media expanded their reach by tapping into the worldwide mobile culture,” said Heyman, “Whether people are out at dinner, on the beach, or in their car, their cell phone, Blackberry, Trio, iPod, or broadband unit has become more than an accessory, it’s a necessity. The wireless/web based platform has now become the most powerful way for me to reach audiences.”

    “From Bombay to the Bronx, if you walk the streets with Paul, people open up and embrace him as one of their own. Paul’s bombastic on-air personality is matched only by his innovations and revolutionary entertainment concepts,” Fortune Star’s GM, Peter E. Poon, added, “Which is why we are so excited to package Paul together with Mitchell Stuart, whose work at HQ Productions has led to broadband’s most successful music series.”

    The Heyman Hustle will be a weekly program customised for both the web and mobile experiences. The series will be available in 10-minute webcast and one-minute mobicast formats with features including ringtones, wallpapers and java games, adds the release.

  • ‘Desperate Housewives’ to be made into a computer game

    ‘Desperate Housewives’ to be made into a computer game

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC’s show Desperate Housewives is being turned into a computer game.

    The game will give fans of the show the chance to play a fictional character on Wisteria Lane. The game will be released by Buena Vista Games later this year.

    Talks are going on with the show’s stars Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Nicolette Sheridan to appear in the game.

    The game puts players in the role of a new housewife who moves into Wisteria Lane – the central location for the television show – and sets about uncovering the scandals hidden behind the idyllic and seemingly perfect neighbourhood.

    ABC is said to be continually looking to build upon this successful franchise. It believes that extending this program into the world of PC gaming will result in a fun new way for fans to connect more deeply with the series and its captivating collection of characters.

    The game is currently in development at Liquid Entertainment and the move into gaming marks the latest merchandising extension of the television show. This includes a best selling DVD box set, a clothing range, board game, fragrance, online store, mobile personalisation tools, ringtones, graphics and a forthcoming cookbook.

  • Banff to focus on digital media with sister event nextMedia

    Banff to focus on digital media with sister event nextMedia

    MUMBAI: Recognising that new media platforms is an invaluable part of todays television industry, the Banff World Television Festival in Canada has ramped-up the programme for its lead-in, sister conference, nextMedia 2006.

    The aim is to offer delegates an all-encompassing experience. nextMedia from 9 to 11 June will deliver the latest information on cutting-edge multi-platform distribution and content. This will be followed by Banff 2006 from 11 to 14 June.

    Set amid the Canadian Rockies at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta, this years nextMedia is a three-day event, featuring keynotes, international panels, best practices, case studies, as well as pitching and networking events. All these will focus on the future of digital content.

    This years theme focusses on digital content that is seamlessly integrated into our lives and distributed across multiple media platforms. nextMedia will also offer attendees an insight into the future of television, providing an essential companion to the Banff World Television Festival.

    Achilles Media CEO Robert Montgomery who is producing the event says, “nextMedia is on the pulse of emerging technologies and the future of digital content on such mobile channels as mobile internet, videophones and other handheld devices. The nextMedia/ Banff 2006 coupling is a must-attend for all television industry executives interested in staying up-to-date on such advanced media distribution platforms and their expanding markets and audiences.”

    nextMedia 2006, now in its second year, has bolstered its offerings to include these new highlights:

    – Digital Delivery Briefings with content aggregators
    – Interactive Exchange Sessions with broadcasters, CEs and TV executives
    – The Digital Deli a working lunch for content creators, where delegates learn how to repurpose and sell their content
    – The Market Place a delegate lounge with screening facilities and market kiosks.

  • Zee Telefilms creates 3 new business entities; to list them

    Zee Telefilms creates 3 new business entities; to list them

    MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: The Subhash Chandra promoted Zee Telefilms board today approved splitting of its broadcasting business into three entities — news operations, broadcast and content creation, and Siti Cable, which will also include the initiatives on the CAS front.

    After the restructuring, which is expected to be completed within six to eight months, the new entities involved in cable business, and news operations, would be listed on the stock exchange.
    It also announced an ‘in principle’ approval of a proposal to demerge the consumer services business for Dish TV. The board of directors has approved the restructuring proposal related to the de-merger of news and cable business while directing the management to evaluate the direct consumer services business (Dish TV related) and the assess the effect of de-merging it.

    According to Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra, the company had a complex structure, which needed to be simplified as required by the regulatory environment and market needs.

    * ZTL holds 33 per cent in Zee News Limited, while promoters of Zee hold the balance. Zee News Ltd delivers news uplinked fto the satellite for Zee News, Zee Business and News content of regional channels.
    He added, “Due to regulatory restrictions, the business of Dish TV was structured in a very fractured manner and hence was difficult for ZTL shareholders to understand.

    “At the same time, the structure was also tax inefficient. The management of the businesses under the same board was not focused and thus unable to capture the growth opportunities in the market as different skill sets are required for distribution to trade, which in this case is cable business.”

    He continues that the regulation in the news and news related broadcast content is different from regulation in entertainment and other content.

    Due to technological advancements and changes, the media businesses have to be prepared for a forthcoming digital age, the company said.

    “We feel confident that these measures of restructuring these businesses subject to necessary approval would result in streamlining operations and better exploitation of opportunities in each area to build long term shareholder value. It would also clear the ground for acquisitions and strategic or financial partners in the demerged businesses, apart from unlocking shareholders value,” Chandra says.

    Queried as to whether he saw the demerged cable business (Siti Cable) and the direct consumer services business (Dish TV) as being the most likely to invite international interest for strategic and financial partnerships, Chandra replied in the affirmative.
    Restructuring of consumer business for Dish TV
    The direct consumer business is marked by division of activities between the DTH license holder ASC Enterprises Limited (ASCEL) and the subsidiaries of Siti Cable.

    * Percentage holding to be decided by the board after valuation by independent valuers.
    As per the proposal, the direct consumer related business of ZTL would be de-merged into ASCEL, with the shareholders of ZTL receiving shares in ASCEL in proportion.

    This has been done due to lack of clarity in structure, inefficiencies in tax and diffuse strategic focus.

    The proposal has met with in principle approval of the Zee board. The board has authorised management to evaluate the proposal and its effect and present to board for final approval.

    The scheme of arrangement would require approval of the stock exchange, shareholders and creditors of Zee and from Bombay High Court.

    Restructuring of news business; regional channels included

    # ZTL shareholders would get 137 shares of Zee News Ltd for 100 shares in ZTL. ZTL foreign shareholders will get upto a maximum of 26 per cent. Any additional shares accruing would be converted into Preference Shares. Currently the FII holding is 31 per cent, hence everyone will get equity shares. The equity shares held by foreign promoters would be shifted to India as domestic holdings.
    In compliance with the news uplinking guidelines with effect from October 2005, newsgathering activities of ZTL were transferred to Zee News Limited, while downlinking and commercial exploitation of all news-bearing channels was retained under ZTL.

    “Despite a compliant corporate structure for news bearing channels (particularly regional channels), we have felt it important to bridge the divide and bring all the operational activities together, to create strategic focus, remove tax efficiencies and unlock shareholders value,” Chandra said.

    Under the scheme of arrangement, the news-related business (Zee News, Zee Business, Zee Bangla, Zee Punjabi, Zee Marathi, Zee Telegu and shortly to be launched Zee Kannada will be subsumed into Zee News Limited (ZNL).

    The company will in due course be suitably changing the name of Zee News Ltd.

    As the result of preparation of news business the shareholders of Zee Telefilms will get proportionate shareholding in ZNL. As per the formula that has been worked out 137 ZNL shares will fetch 100 shares in ZTL.

    In case the allotment works out to more than 26 per cent (which is the permissible limit of foreign investment in news ventures in India), the FIIs would be allotted preferentail shares of equivalent value on a proportionate basis.

    Zee News Limited would be listed on all stock exchanges where ZTL is listed.

    Restructuring of cable business

    Siti Cable has been hived off into a separate entity, Chandra pointed out, as the cable assets were under-utiliseted, despite large and well-positioned investments in the cable business.

    To properly address the emerging business opportunities in digitisation of cable and convergence, there also are large funding requirements. And the regulatory requirement applicable to cable distribution is very different to broadcasting.

    Combined with the fact that the competitive environment of distribution business is also different, the Zee board felt that an invigorated corporate and governance set up was essential to aggressively address the emerging opportunities.

    * Shares held by foreign promoters will be shifted in India as domestic holding to bring down the overall foreign holding to about 35 per cent. Cable business is allowed foreign holding upto 49 per cent.

    As per the scheme of arrangement, the cable business of Siti Cable, a 100 per cent subsidiary of ZTL, and the cable related business of ZTL would be de-merged into Wire and Wireless (India) Limited (WWIL), a new company incorporated for the purpose.

    The shareholders of ZTL would receive shares in WWIL in proportion, as consideration.

    WWIL would in turn issue preference shares to the shareholders of ZTL.

    Meanwhile, the Zee scrip moved in a narrow band today. While opening at the BSE on 238.90, the scrip touched a high of 243.35 and a low of 236.10 before closing the day at 239.55. The stock is expected to react tomorrow as the restructuring of Zee’s businesses was announced in the evening, after the bourses had closed.

    MY Khan joins Zee board

    Dr MY Khan, chairman of Banking and Advisory Council, YES Bank Ltd, has joined Zee as a director on the board of the company. Dr Khan has previously served as chairman of J & K Bank. He is also a director on the Board of Bharat Hotels, as well as an advisor for Berenson & Company, New York.

  • CNN doc looks at the final days of Pope John Paul II

    CNN doc looks at the final days of Pope John Paul II

    MUMBAI: News channel CNN will air a two-hour documentary that takes viewers inside the secret world of the Vatican for the untold stories on the last days of Pope John Paul II. CNN faith and values correspondent Delia Gallagher obtained access to both the Vatican and to those who knew the pope best.

    The first part of CNN Presents: The Last Days Of Pope John Paul II airs on 2 April at 10 30 am, 15 April at 11 30 am and 7 30 pm. The second part airs on 2 April at 5 30 pm and on 16 April at 11 30 am. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Pope John Paul II’s friend and personal secretary for 40 years, takes viewers inside the pope’s private chapel in Kraków, to recount the pope’s early days as a young cardinal and archbishop in Poland, and later, his final hours in the papal apartment.

    Gallagher, who reported from the Vatican for seven years prior to joining CNN, introduces viewers to the pope’s medical team and confidantes who movingly describe the ailing pontiff’s acceptance of his fate. “This pope, who had taught so many people around the world how to live, was also teaching – in those moments – how a person can die,” recalls Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman whose emotional press conference signalled to the world that the end of Pope John Paul II’s life was truly near.

    While inside the Vatican , nuns and cardinals prayed over the pope’s body, outside an estimated seven million pilgrims crowded into St. Peter’s Square and the streets of Rome to pray for the pope. “Catholics and non-Catholics alike were mesmerized by the last days of Pope John Paul II – and later, by the secret conclave that selected his successor,” said Mark Nelson, senior executive producer for CNN PRESENTS , “CNN will now show viewers what they were unable to see then.”

    Millions worldwide watched one of history’s largest funeral masses, and the spontaneous chants of “santo subito” – “sainthood now” – that erupted from the mourners. In interviews with the men charged with proving Pope John Paul II’s sainthood, Gallagher speaks with Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, who oversees the canonization process for the Catholic Church, and Monsignor Slawomir Oder, who is investigating miracles attributed to Pope John Paul II.

    Other insights and interviews include:

    Edmund Casimir Cardinal Szoka, the governor of Vatican City, and Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., who discuss the cardinals’ activities during the pope’s funeral and the conclave voting process, and

    Cardinal Szoka, Francis Cardinal George, the archbishop of Chicago, and Renato Cardinal Boccardo, secretary-general of Vatican City , describe the confusion inside the Sistine Chapel as the cardinals tried to operate the papal bells and chimney to alert the world that a new pope had been elected.

  • Discovery Travel & Living’s new interactive series ‘5 Takes’ starts 5 April

    Discovery Travel & Living’s new interactive series ‘5 Takes’ starts 5 April

    MUMBAI: Come April, in an unique cross platform event involving Internet, television and mobile, the lifestyle channel Discovery Travel and Living presents a pioneering 13 episode interactive television series, 5 Takes. It chronicles the journey of five young travelers on the adventure of a lifetime with one mission: to share their experiences with the world through their five varied perspectives.

    After many successful series like Globe Trekker, Trailblazers, Faking it, American Chopper and Biker Build Off, Discovery Travel and Living captures their target group of urban 18 to 45 years age group with yet another new series 5 Takes. The series will air every Wednesday, from 5 April till 28 June at 8 pm.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Discovery Networks India vice president- Lifestyle Networks Aditya Tripathi says, ” 5 Takes is an unique reality programme adopting travel as the theme. Its distinct interactive concept would further engage the viewer. Extending television programming to the Internet, mobile or into the Interactive TV space is an exciting development and will allow a viewer-friendly alliance of television and interactivity.”

    The five travel journalists (TJs), armed with video cameras, laptops and US$50 a day, will visit 12 cities across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan in 12 weeks. The TJs are Gabe, Josh, Renee, Tiffany and Tony.

    Meet the TJs -Tony, Renee, Josh, Tiffany and Gabe.

    Coming from diverse backgrounds, the TJs describe their adventures in these incredible cities, and the life-changing experiences they have along the way. Gabe is the DJ from Colorado, Josh lives in Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, Renee works as an Internet manager and also volunteers as an adult literacy tutor in NewYork, Tiffany is currently working full time assisting the general manager of a hotel and has a part-time job assisting a real estate team and Tony is the introspective and impulsive bartender from Washington, D.C.

    The TJs will travel through various destinations for 5 Takes like
    Sydney, Cairns, Perth, Northern Territory and Melbourne/Byron Bay in Australia, Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown in New Zealand, Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand and Cambodia.

    What makes this show different is that it is the Discovery Travel & Living online community at travelandlivingtv.com.au/5takes that will decide the last cities the TJs should visit in Australia and Asia, and suggest what the TJs should do in every city they visit. In effect, it is the online community that will set the itinerary and drive the show.
    The TJs will also be posting their personal blog daily as well as creating a video log (vlog) once a week to let viewers know how they are faring. This online element will happen in real time, enabling the community to have a concrete impact on the TV show that follows just seven days later.

    On promoting the new initiative, Tripathi says, “The activity will be promoted through on-air promos on the channel. Additionally, there will be online initiatives as well (e-mailers).”

    Apart from India, the international territories airing the programme include Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Taiwan and United Kingdom. Produced by Rosenblum Associates, 5 Takes is also unique as there is no “voting off” or scheming to win the big prize and there is no “winner” as there is no prize to win. At its core, the series is an immersion into a two-month-long summer trip by five young travelers.

    Talking of the mobile network that viewers can use to participate or download programme related information, Tripathi adds, “India’s mobile operator Hutch is the participating network for this series. The voting is open to all users in India. The Indian audience will also be able to download wallpaper and text content from the 5 Takes programme through the Hutch portal.”

    Hutch users will receive a response message to the vote that will direct them to the Hutch WAP portal. The voting begins from 1 April and runs till 7 April. The short code for India is 6365.

    The keywords for the first vote are:
    5 ME for Melbourne (5ME)
    5 BB for Byron Bay (5BB).

    Viewers can visit http://www.travelandlivingindia.com/5takes/ to read the TJs daily blogs and see the vlog.

    5 Takes will have a repeat telecast on Thursdays at 4 pm and Fridays at 12 pm.

  • Essel Propack enters medical devices; acquires Tacpro Inc and Avalon Medical Services

    Essel Propack enters medical devices; acquires Tacpro Inc and Avalon Medical Services

    MUMBAI: The Subash Chandra promoted — Essel Propack, the largest manufacturer of laminated tubes has acquired 85 per cent stake in Tacpro Inc., USA, and Avalon Medical Services Pte Ltd, Singapore.

    The companies are players in the field of advanced medical device design and development and offer over 100+ years of collective experience in the medical device industry, informs an official release.

    Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra, while declaring the strategic intent, stated, “I have always held a firm belief close to my heart. Faith in innovation and organized growth. It is by walking this path that Essel Group has reached the position it holds today. Giving birth and nurturing Industries which no one thought would exist.

    “And today, once again Essel has proved that its Faith is as strong as ever before. This is just a humble step towards a brighter morrow. A morrow with endless opportunities, promising future and unlimited growth.”

    While announcing the acquisition in Mumbai, Essel Propack vice-chairman and MD Ashok Goel said, “Medical devices arena is our new and third horizon, after laminated tubes and plastic tubes. Our objective is to leverage our knowledge of polymers and polymer processing so as to add a new dimension to our business. While it offers endless opportunities and potential for growth, it is in sync with our knowledge & capabilities, strengths and core competence of both Essel Propack and Tacpro.”

    Tacpro CEO Nitin Matani said, “This is the coming together of two pioneering entities, with a common objective to leverage the collective strengths for global excellence. This is the first step towards realizing my vision of bringing India to the forefront of the medical device industry. By combining Essel Propack’s resources and expertise in high volume manufacturing, this partnership will also allow us to fulfill that vision by providing expanded services to our global customers.”

    Since its inception, Tacpro is a provider of innovative medical device designs, converting ideas into medical device solutions. The company pioneered as the first full-service provider of high quality medical devices specializing in catheters and delivery systems on the West Coast of USA.

    Essel Propack, Tacpro and Avalon have huge synergies notably the knowledge of polymers & polymer processing and global benchmark technology. On this significant development, Doug Wilkins, Vice President – Operations at Tacpro spoke, “This partnership will enable Tacpro to meet the high quality expectations of the medical device market while continuing on its path to be a worldwide leader in Medical Devices.”

    According to the official release, medical devices is not developed in Asia, which is a thickly populated market and a virtual Greenfield. Figuratively, the global medical devices market size is $ 172.6 billion. Of this, the contract manufacturing comprise $ 16.7 billion. The catheter market alone is about $ 5.7 billion of which the USA has $ 2.3 billion share. The industry growth is estimated at 7 per cent -10 per cent. Tacpro Jeff Kraus said,” This is an awesome opportunity to be able to provide our services to a larger and wider market.”

    The present team at the company, headed by Nitin Matani, the chief executive officer, will continue to manage the operations of the Company, under the guidance of Essel Propack.

  • HBO US signs multi-project deal with Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan

    HBO US signs multi-project deal with Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan

    MUMBAI: Following its successful collaborations with Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan on Def Comedy, HBO in the US has entered into a multi-project deal with the two producers for a slate of productions, including scripted series and comedy specials.

    In addition, HBO will have exclusive rights to Simmons and Lathan for all cross-production platforms, with projects to be executive produced through Simmons Lathan Media Group, their production company.

    HBO US chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht says, “I have had the privilege of working with Russell and Stan at HBO for many years, and have always admired their ability to stay current in their sensibilities and taste.

    “I have said many times that HBO is only as good as the people who work here, and I can’t think of two people I would want inside the HBO fold more than these talented individuals.”

    Simmons says, “Stan and I have been in business with HBO for more than 15 years. They have allowed us the freedom to knock down doors and have supported us in creative ventures that would not have seen the light of day anywhere else in Hollywood, and for those reasons we are thrilled to build upon this great relationship.”

    Lathan says, “We are already working on exciting and innovative comedy, dramatic and variety projects. We are excited about bringing new talent to the forefront, and continuing to develop our relationships with established talent.”

  • The Kitchen will travel to MIPTV

    The Kitchen will travel to MIPTV

    MUMBAI: The Kitchen a media firm that positions itself as the television industry’s only ‘one stop shop’ for all language customisation requirements will have a presence at the television event MIPTV.

    The event takes place next month in Cannes, France.

    Explaining the services that The Kitchen provides the company’s president, CEO Ken Lorber says, “Typically we will take a programme sample and have it dubbed and/or subtitled in as many as ten languages as a ‘test’.

    “This serves as a vehicle for the distributor to generate programme sales in multiple languages, while providing us additional opportunities to customize programming on a global basis. We are able to provide this service for all types of content including: live action, animation, children’s programming, telenovelas, and series. It’s an opportunity for our clients to access their libraries and recycle material creating many new revenue streams.”

    At The Kitchen, the language services division of TM Systems, developers of end to end language localisation software solution, there is no more shipping of videotapes and no more customs delays. All masters are digitised and time coded, files are encrypted and then sent via secure Internet and FTP sites to a global language network of approved ‘partner facilities’ in territories throughout the continents.

    An original language ‘template’ is created, which is then distributed to the countries requested to complete the job, time codes and digitized scripts are sent immediately, review of casting and QC can be done from any PC and all material may be QC’d and mixed back at The Kitchen and/or in territory.

    In addition to language transcription, translation, dubbing and subtitling, The Kitchen services include closed captioning, Sap services and graphics customisation.