ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Zee enters China; in deal with CCTV

    Zee enters China; in deal with CCTV

    MUMBAI: The Zee Network today announced an agreement with Beijing based China Central Television, China’s largest national TV network.

    China Central Television has licensed to Zee Network, the use of news and other programs from CCTV International (CCTV-9). They have also authorised Zee to pick up their signals and transmit it over the Zee Network. Zee Network in turn will license to China Central Television the use of its news and programs. Both the networks will exchange news programmes, documentaries and feature programs introducing each other’s culture, history, geography, economy, etc. for telecast.
    It was in July that Indiantelevision.com first reported that Zee was planning to enter China.

    Zee Network and CCTV will enhance cooperation in program production including television dramas, films and feature programs. The exchange of television dramas and programs will be mainly based on purchase. Both sides shall take care of all copyright obligations for all programs to be provided to the other party.

    Speaking on the signing of this agreement, Mukund Cairae, Head – Asia Pacific, International Business, said, “We are very pleased to announce this agreement with China Central Television. China is an important market and we are optimistic about audience response there. This initiative is a step towards promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the people of India and China. Jointly the populations of India and China total a third of the world population. With interactions such as these, we will responsibly make our populations aware of the rich cultural heritage that exists in Asia.”

    Adding further he said, “We will not be charging licensing fees from each other for news programs. This contract is valid for two years and is extendable on mutual agreement.”

    CCTV president Huayong Zhao said, “Interactions such as these will facilitate better understanding between the people of China and India and will pave the way for future cooperation between our two countries.”

    In addition to this content sharing agreement, China TV week will be held in India and India TV week in China with television hosts from both sides appearing on TV together in the same TV week. As part of the TV week, both sides agree to broadcast each other’s programs half hour per day, seven days in series.

  • Discovery US to pay tribute to late host Steve Irwin

    Discovery US to pay tribute to late host Steve Irwin

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Discovery will pay tribute to the late host Steve Irwin. Irwin the channel acknowledges was instrumental in building Animal Planet into a global brand.

    Irwin hosted Crocodile Hunter on Animal Planet. As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Irwin died a few days ago in Australia while filming a segment for a TV show on the Great Barrier Reef. He died from a stingray barb.

    Animal Planet in the US is airing special tribute programming. This will highlight Irwin’s background, including his early days as the Croc Hunter, and his passion for wildlife and his family. On 10 September, Animal Planet US plans to air an all-day marathon tribute featuring the Best of the Croc Hunter. Animal Planet International in markets around the world will provide the same programming.

    To honour Irwin Discovery will rename the garden space in front of its world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Steve Irwin Memorial Garden.

    Discovery founder and chairman, John Hendricks said, “Steve was a larger than life force. He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe. He was a true friend to all of us at Discovery Communications. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin as well as to the incredible staff and many friends Steve leaves behind.”

    Discovery CEO and president Judith McHale said, “I don’t think we will ever get over the loss of Steve Irwin, a human being of enormous feeling and irrepressible enthusiasm and dedication to everything he touched.”

    Discovery International president Dawn McCall, said, “Rarely has the world embraced an animal enthusiast and conservationist as they did Steve Irwin. Steve’s passion for animals and leadership in conservation awareness leaves a powerful and lasting legacy across the globe.”

  • Trai sets 15 October as date for CAS awareness drive to kick off

    Trai sets 15 October as date for CAS awareness drive to kick off

    MUMBAI: The government’s CAS rollout plan is steadily unfolding. Further to its earlier order specifying standards of quality of service to be observed by the MSOs / cable operators in CAS notified areas, the sector regulator has directed when the public awareness campaign will kick off.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today issued a directive that the date for starting public awareness campaign by permitted MSOs in CAS notified areas will be not later than 15 October. The campaign will last for a period of 30 days. The general directive also provides for filing of a compliance report immediately after the start as well as the end of the campaign.

    The games are original concepts and are based on popular themes with titles such as Bollywood Squares, a hilarious take on Hollywood Squares, the American TV show. The other titles include Quick Et, a fast cricket game, Star Gaze, a Bollywood celebrity quiz game, Top the Class, a multi user game that can support over 500 users at any given point, adds the release.

    Trai had issued a regulation on 23 August specifying standards of quality of service to be observed by the MSOs/ Cable Operators in CAS notified areas of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. This regulation had stated that multi system operators permitted to provide cable services in CAS notified areas would be required to conduct a public awareness campaign from a date to be specified by Trai.

    The full text of the general directive is available on Trai’s website www.trai.gov.in

  • YouTube in deal with Warner Music

    YouTube in deal with Warner Music

    MUMBAI: In a boost for video sharing site youtube music videos from artists like Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sean Paul will be legally available on the site.

    It has signed a deal with Warner Music Group.

    Media reports state that Youtube wil share ad revenue with Warner. A report in The Wall Street Journal further states that YouTube is developing software that automatically identifies copyrighted music and video content uploaded to the site, reported in its online edition. A portion of the revenue from ads placed near the copyrighted material will go to the owner of the copyright. 100 million videos are viewed daily on youtube.

    YouTube co-founder and CEO Chad Hurley.has ben quoted saying that in the future it would explore options for sharing online ad revenue with smaller and amateur creators of videos. “But right now we are building tools for record labels, TV networks and movie studios.”

    Interestingly this announcement of the tie up comes at a time when the world’s largest record company, Universal says that it will go after social sites like Youtube and MySpace for infringing copyright. Universal Music CEO Doug Morris has been quoted in reports saying that he believes that sites like youtube owe firms like Universal tens of millions of dollars.

  • Optimystix to outsource formats at Mipcom this year

    Optimystix to outsource formats at Mipcom this year

    MUMBAI: Format specialist Optimystix plans to go a step further this year by selling its indigenously developed format to production houses in France and US.

    The production boutique hopes the deal will be finalised at Mipcom this year.

    Format shows are currently in vogue in the Indian television market, with every broadcaster having one or more reality format shows running.

    Optimystix co-founder Sanjiv Sharma says, “We were the first production house in India to buy international formats and market them to Indian broadcasters. But this year at Mipcom, we will not only buy formats but also outsource indigenously developed formats to production houses in France and USA.”

    “There are six ideas that our creative team is working on and by March end next year, we will have eight international properties in our kitty,” adds Sharma.
    Optimystix was the first production company in India to tie up with two international format owners to exclusively market their formats in India. Both tie-ups were announced at Mipcom in October 2005.

    One was Zodiak Television, which is a leading international TV-format distributor based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

    Kam Ya Zyaada, which launched on Zee Television on 12 December 2005, was based on a format owned by Zodiak TV, and adapted for India by Optimystix.

    Optimystix will once again be adapting a “Zodiak Format” (Stars on the Stage), which will be launched on Star early next year. “In this show, a trained singer would train a celebrity. For instance, Sunidhi Chauhan will train Ronit Roy and both of them will perform together. The pair will be judged according to its format. Besides this particular format, two other formats will be locked quickly,” informs Sharma.

    The other format owner was Sparks network. But as Sanjiv puts forward. “With Sparks’s network, it was not a tie-up. Rather it was getting on board with 12 independent producers from Europe and one from South America. Optimystix, was the only Asian company in its network.”

    Some of the formats Optimystix has adapted for the Indian market include Khul Ja Sim Sim (Let’s make a deal) on Star Plus, Kismey Kitnaa Hai Dam (Night fever) on Star Plus, Indian Idol (Pop Idol) on Sony, Dum Dum Dum on Nick and Bum Bum Bum Gir Pade Hum on Pogo.

  • Ogilvy Mumbai ranked WPP office of the year

    MUMBAI: : The WPP Annual, which showcases the best creative work across the entire WPP network, has ranked Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai as its No. 1 office for the year 2006.

    This is the first time that an Indian agency, belonging to the WPP group has been ranked as the No.1 office of the year.

    Every year, the WPP Annual features outstanding creative work developed by the WPP companies, including print ads, TV commercials, branding and identity projects. This initiative is undertaken in the spirit of celebrating creative excellence.

    O&M India chairman and national creative director Piyush Pandey said, “I am delighted for the people of Ogilvy Mumbai, as WPP is a very large network with a lot of its offices doing some great work. To stand out in this company is a huge achievement. It is a reflection of the width of our work which spreads across almost all our clients.”

  • BBC launches online Hindi magazine, Dev Anand is the guest editor

    BBC launches online Hindi magazine, Dev Anand is the guest editor

    MUMBAI: BBC World’s hindi website, bbchindi.com has launched its first internet magazine, BBC Patrika, with actor and film maker Dev Anand as their special guest editor. Incorporating all the regular features that used to be part of the website’s Entertainment index, BBC Patrika will also carry a range of original material, including stories, poetry and interviews.

    Editor of bbchindi.com Salma Zaidi explains, “We want to attract new users to our online site, and with BBC Patrika, we can widen scope to include features and thought-provoking articles which, we hope, will engage users looking for something more than just Bollywood and fashion.”

    “bbchindi.com will invite well-known names to write for BBC Patrika, and to ensure it constantly feels fresh and lively, we will have a new guest editor every three months,” adds Zaidi.

    Commenting on Dev Anand addition to magazine as the special guest editor, Salma Zaidi says,”Dev Anand is a perfect example. He is an acclaimed living legend with decades of expertise entertaining and informing the public. He also has a keen eye for the issues concerning Hindi-speakers across the world.”

    Taking on his new role, a elated Dev Anand says, “My association with the BBC goes a long way. I was first interviewed by the BBC in the fifties. When bbchindi.com approached me to be a guest editor for BBC Patrika, I was pleasantly surprised.”

    “I have played innumerable roles in my lifetime, but never that of an Editor. There is something that is common between BBC and myself. I have never copied anyone and in that regard I am ‘exclusive’. And so is the BBC. Apart from this, I have always accepted challenges and I feel BBC Hindi Online has also been doing this all the time,” added Anand.

    BBC Hindi programmes are produced from studios in London and New Delhi and are set in a rolling format, with news, current affairs and features.

    The interactive morning and evening programmes, Aaj Ke Din and Aaj Kal bring the BBC Hindi listeners news, analysis and interviews on a range of issues, from current affairs and careers to showbiz and sports.

    BBC Hindi is available on short-wave and medium-wave radio transmitters and via cable television. Hindi-speakers across the world can access BBC Hindi programmes in text and in audio at the 24/7 site bbchindi.com

  • Zee plans to launch Southern channels overseas in Q1 2007

    Zee plans to launch Southern channels overseas in Q1 2007

    MUMBAI: Zee Network is planning to launch its two southern language channels overseas in the first quarter of 2007-08.

    There is no decision taken yet on which country Zee Telugu and Zee Kannada would launch first. “we are looking at taking these two channels to the international markets. There is a sizeable audience to be tapped,” says Zee’s south initiatives head Ajay Kumar.

    Zee is also preparing to launch a Tamil and a Malayalam channel to cover up all the southern language states. But these are tough competitive markets, dominated by Sun TV, Asianet and Surya.

    Zee’s aim is to have a presence across eight regional languages of India. Already available are Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Punjabi, Zee Gujarati, Zee Telugu and Zee Kannada. The focus will be on consolidating in these eight languages over the next five years by clubbing the language entertainment channels with regional news channels.

    The regional channels form a part of Zee’s demerged entity, Zee News Ltd (ZNL). Under this company also falls the news channel business.

    ZNL has projected a 33 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years to touch a revenue of Rs 8.7 billion by FY 2011, up from Rs 2.01 billion in FY 2005-06. The operating margins, which stood at 16 per cent, are expected to expand to around 30 per cent during this period.

    ZNL has a networth of Rs 1.7 billion. The capital employed (as of 1 April 2006) is Rs 2.31 billion with loan funds standing at Rs 612 million. The company has no major capex requirement at this stage.

  • Reliance Communications launches Cricket Subscription pack

    MUMBAI: Reliance Communications has announced the availability of Cricket Subscription pack on its Dial 1234 service on nationwide basis for the India – West Indies – Australia Cricket Series. Customers can dial 1234 and say “SCORES” and subscribe to cricket SMS alerts for the entire series for Rs 49.

    The pack is available throughout India and customers who subscribe to this pack would receive SMS alerts after every 10 overs, every wicket and after every landmark moments (century, record break), states an official release.

    Apart from the subscription pack, cricket lovers across India can also get updated expert comments on the match, detailed scoreboard, team list and team performance on dialing 1234 and saying ‘Cricket’. Dial 1234 services are charged at Rs 6 per minute, the release adds.

    Cricket lovers on Reliance Mobile also have the choice of clicking on its popular Reliance Mobile World for updated scores on all matches in the special CricketNmore section. A simple menu driven navigation helps the customer find score details with ease.
    “Our efforts are geared towards serving this Cricket-loving community with services that keep delighting our customers. This year has seen us covering soccer, Wimbledon, and auto races and rallies in the same breath as cricket. In fact the cricket subscription pack is one of several such value packs that we will be extending to our customer base”, says Mahesh Prasad, president Applications Solutions and Content Group, Reliance Communications Ltd.

    Dial 1234, which is the voice interactive service of the Reliance Mobile World suite, has a bouquet of services such as Talking Message Service (TMS), Caller Ringback Tones, apart from the popular find-a-friend, play-a-song, ringtones, cricket and other services. Reliance Mobile World has worked wonders with over a billion page views of information, rich media content and video clips. Thanks to the wide range of applications it has endeared itself to users from all walks of life. Reliance Mobile World’s applications include TV news clips, ball-by-ball cricket score and other information, latest movie clips, city and TV guides, railway reservations, banking, bill payment and examination results, states the official release.

  • Delhi Police cracks down on Zee TV outdoor campaign

    Delhi Police cracks down on Zee TV outdoor campaign

    MUMBAI: Delhi Police has asked Zee TV to remove promotional hoardings of its upcoming soap Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan saying the copy used was demeaning to women.

    Reportedly, the police has written a letter to the channel, drawing its attention to the advertisement which carries punchlines such as “Bete ek fayda, betiyan ek ghata”, “Beta apna dhan, betiyan paraya dhan”.

    “The advertisement smacks of gender bias and is demeaning to women. We have asked them to remove the hoardings put up at several places in the capital immediately,” a PTI report quotes Delhi Police.

    The soap was earlier in the news with Zee accusing Star of not only lifting the title of the show, but also the format for an upcoming Star One soap. Star in its turn countered the charges claiming early registration of the theme and the title in various copyright bodies.

    Zee TV has scheduled the launch of the soap for 25 September. Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan is produced by Dheeraj Kumar’s Creative Eye.