ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Tandberg shows range of solutions for IPTV video compression in Shanghai

    Tandberg shows range of solutions for IPTV video compression in Shanghai

    MUMBAI: Tandberg Television is looking to build on its business and technology lead in the Asian IPTV video head-end market.

    It demonstrated its full suite of live, on-demand and interactive solutions at the recently concluded IPTV World Forum Asia 2006 in Shanghai.

    The event gave delegates the chance to see why the annual IPTV leadership report, published earlier this month by the Multimedia Research Group (MRG), ranked TANDBERG Television as the leading IP video head-end supplier in Asia, as well as in EMEA and rest of world.

    Worldwide Tandberg Television says that it has been involved in more than 160 xDSL and FTTH deployments and there are over 2 million subscribers currently viewing IPTV thanks to the company’s technology.

    Tandberg Television’s executive VP and GM, Asia Pacific Graham Cradock says, “Asia has always been a very important market for us. According to research from In-Stat the Asia-Pacific IP video services market will grow nearly 80 per cent per year between now and 2010, with Asia accounting for half of all worldwide IPTV subscribers by the end of 2009. We’ve been working with IPTV operators in the region for over five years and our market-leading technology is allowing telcos to deploy IPTV services right across the continent, from Dubai to Osaka and from Delhi to Shanghai.”

    Tandberg Television will showcase its fully integrated IPTV head-end product line, which provides the industry’s widest selection of encoding and video processing technologies for streaming, transrating, transcoding, ultracompression and high density encoding. The company came to IPTV World Forum Asia following its launch of next-generation high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) MPEG-4 AVC encoding solutions at IBC 2006.

    The move continues the firm’s momentum in the MPEG-4 AVC arena and brings a step change in digital video distribution by combining the broadest choice of density and enhanced features with the industry’s leading ‘picture quality versus performance’ through bandwidth improvements of up to 50% over currently deployed MPEG-4 AVC units.

    The firm adds that uts next-generation encoding solutions enable expanded telco TV business models, including the delivery of 2 full-resolution HDTV channels over ADSL2+@2km. The next-generation compression platform is being launched simultaneously across the Tandberg encoding family with the introduction of the new EN8030 MPEG-4 AVC SD and EN8090 MPEG-4 AVC SD/HD ultracompression broadcast encoders, alongside the introduction of new MPEG-4 AVC HD and SD ultracompression encoding modules for the Plex range of high density, multi-channel encoders.

  • BBC focusses on US mid terms elections with ‘USA Direct’

    BBC focusses on US mid terms elections with ‘USA Direct’

    MUMBAI: Next month in the lead-up to the mid-term elections in the US on 7 November, the BBC will have a USA Direct season.

    This will feature news coverage, interviews and documentaries looking at American society, culture, economics, and politics. In addition some of BBC World’s regular programmes such as flagship interview programme HARDtalk, technology weekly Click and the interactive multimedia discussion programme Have Your Say, will offer an assessment of ‘the state of the nation’, asking has the US reached its peak as the world’s only superpower?

    World Business Report will be reporting on the topical issue of immigration and the role of immigrants in the work force. A special It’s My Country Too airs on 21 October at 7:40 pm. It’s five years since 9/11, and the US is a changed country, especially for Muslims. Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the US, yet one in four Americans regard Muslims living among them with suspicion. As part of the USA Direct season, It’s My Country Too follows Salman Ahmed, the founding member of successful rock band Junoon, as he explores what it means to be an American Muslim. Salman talks to taxi drivers, students and law reform campaigners, including a mother whose desperate search for her Muslim son after 9/11 turned her into a political activist.

    The World Debate Advancing Sands: Deserts and Migration airs on 14 October at 5:40 pm. A dust bowl the size of the US threatens our world. The UN says that desertification is forcing 100 million people to leave their homes. Marking the UN Year Of Deserts and Desertification, The World Debate comes from the headquarters of the World Conservation Union in Switzerland. Six experts will take questions from viewers on the Internet on why so little has been done to halt the degradation of fertile lands and what can now be done to ensure that tens of millions more are not forced to leave their villages.

    Is A Free Media Essential For Development? airs on 28 October at 5:40 pm. ‘Communications for Development’ is a new and expanding field, which places the media at the heart of international development efforts. At its basic level it’s about using the media, for instance, to encourage people to wash their hands before eating or to use condoms – simple, non-controversial campaigns that can potentially save millions of lives. However increasingly the media’s role in promoting good governance is being recognised by donor countries, and not always welcomed by the governments of some developing countries. Many place restrictions on their domestic media, with actual or self-censorship rife.

  • BBC, Microsoft in content alliance

    BBC, Microsoft in content alliance

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC and software major Microsoft have signed a nonexclusive memorandum of understanding (MoU).

    This will define the framework within which the companies can explore opportunities for the delivery and consumption of BBC content and the evolution of next-generation broadcasting.

    BBC DG Mark Thompson and BBC director of new media and technology Ashley Highfield met Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to officially sign the memorandum of understanding and discuss the BBC’s digital strategy. This includes plans for its online archive, for a radically re-invented Web site in the Web 2.0 world — a second generation of Internet-based services — and for ways to share its online content in the future.

    Thompson said, “We are currently witnessing unprecedented rates of change in technology and audience expectations. To ensure that the BBC is able to embrace the creative challenges of the digital future, we need to forge strategic partnerships with technology companies and distributors for the benefit of licence payers.”

    Gates says, “Microsoft’s strength is in driving digital innovation, and our vision is to open up rich, new consumer experiences that allow people to enjoy digital content anytime, anywhere and on any device.”

    “This vision fits squarely with the BBC’s charter to lead the industry in delivering content that is compelling and accessible. I’m delighted that we’re taking this important step, and I look forward to working together to develop new models for content delivery and consumption.”

    Highfield said, “Microsoft is not just a key supplier to the BBC, it is also a key gateway to audiences that the BBC needs to reach through Web services it runs like MSN and Windows Live(TM) Messenger, and hardware such as Xbox and the Windows Media Center. The BBC needs to work with all players in this space to make sure our programmes and content are enjoyed by the widest possible audience, without always having to come to bbc.co.uk to find it. The learnings from our US visit will very much inform our thinking on the BBC’s creative future.”

    The MoU aims to identify areas of common interest between the BBC and Microsoft on which a strategic alliance could be developed. Areas of potential investigation and collaboration include search and navigation, distribution, and content enablement. Any actual procurements of new technology, or launch of new services by the BBC, would be subject to appropriate regulatory approval.

  • Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has kicked off the “Go Healthy Challenger Search 2007,” today, a nationwide US campaign that seeks to find the kids who will be featured in next year’s Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge.

    Kids are encouraged to send in personal home videos sharing how they want to “go healthy” and why they want to be a 2007 role model for the campaign. The Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge follows real kids on-air on their personal journeys towards healthier lifestyles. It is part of Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play pro-social initiative, with partner the Alliance for a Healthier Generation — a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation — to encourage kids to participate in active, healthy and playful lifestyles, informs an official release.

    To be considered as a Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenger, kids will need to submit a “Performer Application,” which is available for download on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay, along with no more than 10 minutes of home video footage.

    The 2007 Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challengers will be determined in early November. The chosen participants will be notified and those selected will be posted on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay.

    Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation will also be holding local casting calls open to kids on 14 and/or 15 October. The casting calls will consist of a videotaped interview, in which kids will be asked to answer questions about their health goals, how they would like to achieve those and why? A location for the casting call in New York is still to be determined.

    In addition, local American Heart Association divisions and Boys and Girls Clubs of America will support the casting process in various cities. Local volunteers will be on-site (specific venues to be determined) with required paperwork and video cameras to create the home video footage for kids to participate. Kids attending any casting calls are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian to provide permission to participate.

    The solicitation for the 2007 Go Healthy Challengers begins on 30 September, marking the network’s Worldwide Day of Play celebration which includes the Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Celebration finale at 7:30 pm ET/PT, adds the release.

    The 2006 Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge inspired more than 150,000 kids across the country to “go healthy” and become more active by following four real kids on-air in their personal health quests, and with tactical online tips that kids could use in their own lives. The Go Healthy Challenge, an on-air and grassroots campaign developed by Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation encourages real kids to make their lives, schools and communities healthier.

    Nickelodeon is currently in its fourth year of its award-winning pro-social initiative, Let’s Just Play. In November 2005, Let’s Just Play entered into a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to combat the spread of childhood obesity. The three organizations combined forces on a comprehensive media and public awareness campaign, encouraging young people to engage in healthy and active lifestyles.

  • Uefa Euro 2008 mascot launched in Vienna

    Europe’s next festival of football will have a duo to bring it luck. Dressed in red and white football strips, the dynamic twins sport the national colours of both the host countries, Austria and Switzerland.

    Their bright red, pointy hairstyles mirror the shape of the mountain peaks symbolically depicted in the official Uefa Euro 2008 logo.

    At a media conference Uefa CEO Lars-Christer Olsson, Euro 2008 SA Board of Administration Chairman and president of the Swiss Football Association Euro 2008 SA Board of Administration member and president of the Austrian Football Association Ralph Zloczower Friedrich Stickler and Warner Bros. Consumer Products VP Bruno Schwobthaler spoke about the creation, development and marketing of the official mascots, as well as their characters.

    Then it was time for their first appearance: forming 2008 with their shirt numbers as they stood side by side, the dynamic duo walked onto the stage – with the immediate aim of winning the hearts of football fans all over Europe.

    After the media conference, the two mascots got into a horse-drawn carriage and set off for the Stephansplatz. From here, an eight-carriage escort of 32 children, chosen by two of the Uefa Euro 2008 sponsors, McDonald’s and Telekom Austria, accompanied the mascots, where the Viennese public had the opportunity for a close-up view.

    Football fans can also choose mascot names. The first appearance of the twin mascots on a football pitch is scheduled for 11 October, when Austria will host Switzerland in a friendly match in Innsbruck. On 10 October, the day before the Austria v Switzerland friendly, the twin mascots will be ‘christened’ in Innsbruck. Their names will be chosen by football fans in Switzerland and Austria, who will be able to vote between 27 September and 8 October for one of the following pairs of names:

    • Zagi and Zigi

    • Flitz and Bitz

    • Trix and Flix

    The fans in Austria and Switzerland will have three ways of voting:

    • On www.euro2008.com, where all participants will be entered in a draw to win mascot prizes (voting 27 September – 8 October).

    • In McDonald’s restaurants in Switzerland and Austria, with one voter in each country winning two tickets for the friendly match in Innsbruck on 11 October (voting till 5 October).

    • On the hotline number of Austria’s first Uefa Euro 2008 National Supporter Telekom Austria with two voters winning one ticket.

  • NGC institutes awards for filmmaking

    NGC institutes awards for filmmaking

    MUMBAI: Infotainment channel National Geographic Channel (NGC) has announced a new initiative to recognise outstanding work in non fiction. It will present awards for excellence in non fiction film-making in India.

    It aims to set a benchmark for the best non-fiction productions and raise the bar of Indian film-making to produce exceptional content for the global and Indian audience.

    NGC says that the awards are India’s first such initiative to recognise and honour exceptional non-fiction films and will also provide an opportunity to realise every film maker’s aspiration to showcase their work in the international arena. The inception of these awards is an ideal extension of ‘s commitment to recognise films that are thought provoking and at the same time interesting to watch besides providing entertainment.

    The awards will focus on works of both professional as well as amateur film-makers of Indian origin in separate categories. Details like the award’s name, categories, application procedure, selection criteria, the jury, events, dates and other information will be announced shortly.

    NGC India senior VP – programming, Joy Bhattacharjya said, “With our documentary initiatives with Singapore’s Economic Development Board in Singapore and projects like Taiwan to the World, Nat Geo has already showcased its dedication to developing and recognizing talent around the world and providing opportunities to help film makers showcase their work.”

    “With these awards we aim to recognise and encourage superior non-fiction film-making in India and establishing a benchmark for the same. These awards are an ideal extension of our proposition to encourage viewers to rethink about the way they watch television. We plan to make this into an annual property and hence make this an event to remember with an innovative 360 degree activation experience which is bound to make the audience Think again”.

  • NDTV making ‘CAT’ easy for aspiring students

    NDTV making ‘CAT’ easy for aspiring students

    MUMBAI: If you are worried about admission into the country’s best MBA colleges, then it’s time to forget your worries. An advice for students from NDTV- no need to sweat it.

    Watch NDTV, and find out how to Crack the CAT Code. CAT SCAN on NDTV 24×7 and CAT MANAGER on NDTV INDIA – the 8 part half-hour weekly series starting on 30 September 2006, will provide valuable insights on CAT 2006. 8 episodes, one every week will help the students in preparing for the CAT exam.

    Watch experts like MD of Career Launchers Gautam Puri, senior faculty IIM(A) Ravichandran, Alumnis of IIM (A), Rajul Mahur and Mahesh Natarajan, share their insights, advices and last minute tips on cracking CAT 2006.

    CAT SCAN on NDTV 24X7 and CAT Manager on NDTV India take you from one business School Campus to the next. This program will not only be an informative tool about cracking the CAT exam, but will but will also answer many other queries as to- what is the curriculum like, and what career prospects are on offer here? It will also provide information on financial aid besides how to deal with stress.

  • Sri Adhikari Brothers plans to raise up to $15 million

    Sri Adhikari Brothers plans to raise up to $15 million

    MUMBAI: Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) is planning to raise up to $15 million. The board has been authorised to offer, issue and allot, in a single or more tranches, through a domestic public issue or a private placement, equity shares of nominal value of Rs 2 each or equity shares underlying securities in the form of GDRs (global depository receipts), ADRs (American depository receipts), or FCCBs (foreign currency convertible bonds).

    “We have plans to set up a studio in Mumbai. We will be finalising that within a month,” says SABTNL vice-chairman and managing director Markand Adhikari.

    The board has given authority to borrow the aggregate paid up capital and reserve of the company from time to time, not exceeding Rs 1 billion.

    SABTN Ltd has also approved the increase of its authorised capital from Rs 150 million to Rs 200 million through the creation of 25 million equity shares of Rs 2 each.
    The board has approved the declaration of dividend at the rate of six per cent (Re 0.12 per share) on equity shares of Rs 2 each.

  • Disney’s Buena Vista Games to acquire Climax Racing

    Disney’s Buena Vista Games to acquire Climax Racing

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company has announced the acquisition of video games company Climax Racing.

    The addition of Climax Racing allows BVG to create triple-A racing titles that meet the highest standards for creativity and quality. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed. The deal is expected to close in early October, informs an official release.

    Buena Vista Games senior vice president and general manager Graham Hopper said, “The acquisition of Climax Racing aligns perfectly with our strategic and geographic goals by allowing us to both reach into new genres and new markets for creative talent. Adding Climax Racing to our creative family will provide an additional catalyst for our continued growth in the video games market.”

    UK based Climax Racing is a known developer of racing games, including its critically-acclaimed work on such franchises as MotoGP and ATV Offroad Fury. The studio and its products have won or been nominated for awards, including winning four IGN Best of Show awards at E3 2006.

    “As a premier, award-winning studio that has created some of the best racing titles of all time, Climax Racing is an ideal component of BVG’s expanding portfolio of development talent,” said Climax founder and chief executive officer Karl Jeffery.

    The studio is of both strategic and geographic importance to BVG as it becomes the third internal studio, and the first in Europe, that BVG has added to its development capacity. BVG currently operates development studios in Vancouver, British Columbia (Propaganda Games), and Salt Lake City, Utah (Avalanche Software), adds the release.

    Tony Beckwith, co-founder of the studio, has been named vice president and general manager of Climax Racing as it continues its creative direction under BVG.

    “The Walt Disney Company holds one of the largest and most exciting portfolios of intellectual property in the world, and through BVG, we look forward to having access to the company’s deep resources in the video games space to continue creating remarkable interactive entertainment,” said Beckwith. “This promises to be a mutually beneficial relationship and we believe that together we will make outstanding games for the next generation and beyond.”

  • Century Communication launches 2nd post production studio Pixion II in Mumbai

    Century Communication launches 2nd post production studio Pixion II in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Century Communication Limited (CCL), an integrated media & entertainment company surges ahead with its launch of its second state-of–the-art post production studio, ‘Pixion II’ in Mumbai.

    The Pixion brand of CCL has established itself as a clear market leader in the video space and is one of the dominant industry players in the film post production market.

    The existing Pixion’s state-of-the-art post production facilities provide end to end digital post production solutions to film and video production houses. It provides complete solutions ranging from offline to online Processing, graphics and digital sound.

    With the new launch, Pixion boasts of being the biggest post production facilitator in Mumbai market. It has added two more grading facilities, four more online smokes, one IQ, two EQ, 4-5 offline suites and more than forty visual effects & animation stations. Pixion studios introduces IQ in India making it the holder of the largest concentration of Quantel systems in India.

    Quantel’s generationQ is a radical, all-encompassing, new concept that offers total scalability in both hardware and software across post production, graphics and broadcast for multiple resolutions, team-working production environments.

    Commenting on the launch of Pixion II, CEO Pixion Naresh Malik said, “The post production industry is rapidly growing and the demand for post production, DI and visual effects is increasing at an enormous rate. With the second facility in Mumbai we ensure to meet this demand and also provide world class infrastructure and talent to Indian and international film makers.”

    “With advance technology, state of art infrastructure and a commitment to create international benchmarks Pixion offers the best in both talent and technology “, said Director CCL Anand Tewari.

    “We are very optimistic about the Pixion brand and plan to set up studios in other markets like Hyderabad and Chennai too”, he further added.