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Category: News Headline

  • News Corp, VeriSign to form global mobile entertainment firm

    News Corp, VeriSign to form global mobile entertainment firm

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate News Corp and VeriSign have announced a joint venture to form what they claim is world’s largest provider of mobile entertainment.

    News Corp will pay $188 million for a controlling interest in VeriSign’s wholly-owned Jamba subsidiary and will combine it with Fox Mobile Entertainment assets. VeriSign operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect interactions across voice and data networks anytime, from anywhere on multiple devices.

    The new company will merge a technologically advanced platform with mobile content production and delivery capabilities and will serve 30 territories with a potential reach of more than a billion mobile subscribers. The new company intends to retain the Jamster brand in the US and the Jamba brand worldwide.

    Former Fox Mobile Entertainment president Lucy Hood will become CEO of the joint venture. With key centers in Los Angeles and Berlin, the new entity will be the industry’s only vertically integrated mobile entertainment company with unique capabilities to produce, market, sell and distribute mobile content.

    News corp president and COO Peter Chernin says, “This is an important step in News Corp.’s strategy of becoming the world’s leading digital media company. We are the most powerful media company on the web with Fox Interactive Media, our aggressive digital content deals have given consumers access to News Corp programming on every conceivable platform and we have already demonstrated innovation in this emerging space with the Mobisode and Mobizzo.

    “Wireless technology gives us an enormous opportunity to reach billions of mobile phone users with our content. With this new venture we’re looking forward to inventing new and compelling ways to engage this exciting new audience.”

    VeriSign CEO Stratton Sclavos says, “We are excited to combine our unique mobile entertainment expertise and direct to consumer assets with one of the most forward-thinking media companies in the world. We look forward to working with News Corp. to create compelling, interactive services that make an impact on the next generation of wireless users”.

    Jamba was founded in 2000 and is considered a global leader in off-deck delivery of mobile entertainment. The company currently delivers content in 30 territories and has one of the industry’s most advanced technology platforms. Jamba can immediately distribute content in all of its territories, which is critically important in an industry where most of the users are young people always looking for the ‘next cool thing.’ With its cutting-edge analytic tools, Jamba has the real-time ability to track and optimise marketing, quickly reacting to consumer needs and interests in order to be able to monetize products and services.

    News Corp’s Fox Mobile Entertainment group got its start with American Idol text voting, which generated nearly 65 million text messages this past season, up from 12,000 messages in the first season in 2001. In a long list of firsts, the company also invented the Mobisodes Series category, which led with the 24: Conspiracy series, the first made-for-mobile program to be Emmy-nominated, and launched the first ad-sponsored video series Prison Break: Proof of Innocence.

    The company also launched the first media-backed cross-carrier mobile entertainment service for consumers, Mobizzo.

    The new Jamba will offer an aggregation of content from music and media companies, as well as original content created exclusively for mobile. Jamba partners include: Universal Music Group and Warner Music, among others. In addition, Jamba and Fox Mobile Studios have units that create original content ranging from the highly successful Crazy Frog, to multiple animated characters, to genres such as Manga, Activism, and X-Sports. The unit is expected to draw from not only top Fox divisions but also News Corp companies around the world.

    The new company will immediately become the largest customer for VeriSign’s Digital Content Services (DCS) group, which specialises in providing intelligent infrastructure and connectivity solutions to enable the delivery of rich content over mobile and broadband networks. Mobile operators, portals, media companies and consumer brands around the world leverage the DSC platform to power their interactive entertainment experiences. Fox’s Mobizzo unit and Jamba are existing customers of DCS.

    Under the agreement, Jamba will soon release its first products and offerings as a new entity, following the close of the transaction, including:

    MySpace Mobile Store: In an alliance with social networking site MySpace with more than 74 million users worldwide, Jamba will be MySpace’s global m-commerce partner. Jamba will build a unique m-commerce engine to enable MySpace users to download ringtones, graphics and animations from top music and media companies.

    The Simpsons Mobile: Coming soon, Jamba will exclusively offer mobile content from the series The Simpsons through the industry’s first subscription package tied to exclusive content called the Yellow Plan. Available to consumers for the first time, the “Yellow Plan” will include an array of uniquely designed Simpsons mobile content, such as wallpapers, screensavers, ringtones and video.

  • L’il Champs and Zee TV salute the spirit of Indian cricket

    L’il Champs and Zee TV salute the spirit of Indian cricket

    MUMBAI: On the occasion of the start of the cricket season on Zee Sports, the five finalists from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs will render the Shabaash India title track to enthuse the Indian cricket team towards winning the series.

    Speaking on the initiative, Zee TV marketing head Tarun Mehra said, “We are very proud of our Champs as we are of the Indian cricket team. Shabaash India seeps in patriotism and its title track exactly denotes the honor that we want to designate to this spirit. The track is very peppy and the Champs have added to its sprightliness.”

    Zee Sports VP Marketing Gaurav Seth said, “We are delighted to have the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs turning their attention to India’s most popular pastime, cricket. We salute their patriotic spirit and will be happy to showcase their talent through the cricket on our channel which will be widely watched.”

    The track can be heard on Zee Sports starting 14 September for the duration of the entire season, according to an official release.

  • Nat Geo partners with CBeebies, King Rollo Films for new show

    Nat Geo partners with CBeebies, King Rollo Films for new show

    MUMBAI: US media firm National Geographic Kids Entertainment (NGKE) and King Rollo Films have partnered with the BBC’s kids channel CBeebies to co-produce the live-action/animated preschool series Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies.

    CBeebies will also contribute archival footage to complement the resources provided by National Geographic. The agreement was announced by National Geographic Kids Entertainment president Donna Friedman Meir.

    The co-production deal gives CBeebies rights to broadcast the program in the UK and Eire and to license consumer products and home video in these territories. NGKE’s sister company, National Geographic Television International (NGTI), retains programme sales and equivalent licensing/home video rights for all remaining worldwide territories. CBeebies will begin airing Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies next year.

    NGKE, NGTI and CBeebies plan to develop Mama Mirabelle into a multimedia franchise encompassing television, DVD/video, VOD, mobile phone and interactive online content.

    Meir says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with CBeebies, given their extraordinary legacy as a producer of outstanding children’s programming. Their support for ‘Mama Mirabelle’ is a fantastic seal of approval for our first preschool series. There is a natural fit between the BBC and National Geographic brands, and we look forward to developing our relationship so that we can continue to bring such lovable characters and high-quality programming to U.K. and global audiences.”

    Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies features an inquisitive cast of baby animal characters, including regulars Bo the cheetah cub; Karla the zebra foal; Max the elephant calf; monkeys Pip, Flip and Chip; and their maternal elephant host, Mama Mirabelle. Each day the animals gather in the savannah to watch home videos of themselves and other amazing creatures of the natural world. Through lighthearted and heartwarming interaction, Mama helps the baby animals find answers to many of life’s questions from a preschooler’s perspective.

  • Legrand (India) unveils new print campaign

    BANGALORE: Legrand (India) announced the launch of a new print campaign entitled’ Wouldn’t life be nicer if?’ Legrand (India) Pvt. Ltd, is a part of the Euro 3.2bn Legrand GrouP of France, world specialists in products and systems for
    electrical installations and information networks in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

    The ‘Wouldn’t life be nicer if?’ campaign is built around Legrand’s commitment to provide protection, deal with emergencies, provide home automation solutions, and designelegant solutions that simplify life. This novel print campaign was conceived keeping in mind, how much nicer could your life be, if you had smart products to take care of your every need.
    It all began with Legrand launching their new TVC that showcased the home automations solutions that Legrand has to offer. The TVC features a young boy who experiences something magical with the help of Legrand’s smart products. The advertisment is scheduled for its next phase in September. In addition, Legrand has embarked on press campaign, that has been tied up to their website. In order to support this endeavour, various dealer activitiesare being implemented to activate the market, informs an official release.

    With regard to the website, Legrand (India) has introduced a new section called ‘Nice Life’. The section gives information on a range of solutions falling into home, residential and commercial segments. The rationale behind introducing this new section is to provide choice and convenience to customers desiring to get an insight on Legrand’s intelligent solutions that help in making life nicer.

    Commenting on the new print campaign, Benoit Lecuyer, ‘Over the years, Legrand has built a strong leadership position in the commercial segment. With the ‘Wouldn’t life be nicer if?’ campaign, Legrand is aiming to expand it’s horizon in the consumer market’.

    He further added, ‘We have studied our consumers and their needs have evolved, so has their lifestyle and their choices and preferencesfor comfort and convenience. To leverage this opportunity we have introduced a gamut of innovative solutions.”

    The print ads are slated to appear in trade and interior magazines like Electrical Engg Update, Electrical India, IEEMA journal, Indian Electrical Contractor & Trader, Society Interiors, Elle Decor, Indian Architect & Builder, India Today-Home ,Femina Book of Interiors, and Business Today.

    The In-One by Legrand – a Home Automation Solution, a Gas Detector, Clockcon Switch and Emergency Lighting amongst others are some of the many innovative and interesting products which Legrand (India) has in its array .

    RMG Connect has conceptualized this advertisement campaign.Ravindra Bugade, Creative Director (Art) and Deepak Aggarwal Creative Director (copy) is the team behind the innovative campaign, the release adds.

  • Percept Picture Company unveils anti-piracy documentary

    Percept Picture Company unveils anti-piracy documentary

    MUMBAI: Piracy is chewing into Indian movie profits! This has been a long lingering whine amongst stakeholders of the Indian movie business.

    In a bid to combat the menace, Percept Picture Company (PPC) has unveiled a documentary campaign. PVR Cinema has joined hands with PPC to convey the social message in an entertaining manner aimed at educating movie-goers.

    The two-minute documentary on anti-piracy will be aired across the PVR cinema chain. This is not the first time that PVR Cinemas has extended its hands towards such efforts. The multiplex major had also teamed up with BBC World Service Trust’s initiative Haath se Haath Mila to screen the music video in all its screens.

    The theme of the campaign Stop Piracy, showcases a woman on the delivery table giving birth to a child. On seeing the baby, the women utters, “Have you ever seen something so beautiful.” The husband reacts by saying that he has a copy. In agreement, the doctor says that he too has a copy. While the overwhelmed nursed informs that she has the ninth version from Bangkok and suggests that the couple can get multiple copies of it from Ahmed bhai.

    The husband points out that henceforth he would opt for copies. Listening to this, the poor mother is left weeping…

    “Every movie or song you copy is someone’s baby. Stop Piracy.” This subtle message has been conceptualised and directed by O&M senior creative director Rensil D’Silva and senior creative director Anup Chitnis.

    The scourge that is gnawing at the industry’s innards affects everyone in the film food-chain, points out PPC MD Shailendra Singh, who has joined hands with the Excel Home Video for this initiative and is in talks with other fraternity members to come together on this project. “Though the fraternity, judiciary and the government are all working to curb piracy, the epidemic has just been growing,” says Singh.

    Interestingly, the PPC also has a movie project in the pipeline with the theme of ‘piracy’ as the backdrop.

    For the industry, which churns out at least a 1,000 films per year, piracy of content is happening at the theatre level (camera prints), on cable networks and through distribution of illegal VCDs / DVDs. According to Sony BMG MD Shridhar Subramaniam, 90 per cent of all hit movies are hit by the scourge. Conversely, flop movies are barely scathed.

    Music revenues are affected to the extent of 50 per cent, while with DVDs it is to the tune of 80 per cent. As for theatrical receipts, it is affected by up to 50 per cent, Subramaniam points out.

    Pirated content copying and distribution costs the industry an estimated Rs 4.3 billion annually, which is as much as 42 per cent of the industry’s total revenues. The Indian audio-video market is estimated to be growing at an explosive pace of almost 300 per cent. However, this growth has not been reflected in a corresponding growth in the legitimate sale of CDs, VCDs and DVDs. The volume or pirated units has been rising consistently despite the falling prices of legitimate music, concludes Subramaniam.

  • Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store

    Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store

    MUMBAI: Apple Computers’ has announced that the iTunes Music Store will carry movies from The Walt Disney Co. studios. This was in conjunction with the launch of their online movie service on 12 September 2006.

    As announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, more than 75 films will be available from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax. New releases will be priced at $12.99 (euro10.22), when pre-ordered and during the first week of sale, or $14.99 (euro11.79) afterward. Library titles will be sold for $9.99 (euro7.86) each, informs an official release.

    Similar services like Amazon’s movie service which was launched last week, signed distribution deals with seven studios however, excluded Disney.

    In addition, Jobs also showcased a device that will make it easier for consumers to watch the videos on television. The gadget, dubbed iTV will allow consumers to watch movies purchased online as well as other digital content stored on a computer on a connected television set. It will be available for $299 (euro235) by early next year.

    Jobs also announced a new iPod nano with a 24-hour battery life and new games for the portable media player. The new iPods will come in five colors, and will priced between $149 (euro117) and $249 (euro196), adds the release.

  • Call to experiment with new platforms, technologies: CII seminar

    Call to experiment with new platforms, technologies: CII seminar

    MUMBAI: While new technologies have the risk of copyright violation it is important for the Indian entertainment industry to explore the possibilities offered by new delivery platforms whether it is IPTV, mobile, DTH.

    At the same time the rights situation particularly for the film industry needs to be made clearer.

    This was one of the points stressed at a panel discussion organised as part of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Legal Workshop this morning. The speakers were Sony head – licensing and telephony Kaushal Modi, Hutchison Essar VP value added services S.P. Narayanan, UTV VP international Ashoka Holla and consultant Raj Tilak. The session was moderated by Tata Teleservices VP value added services Pankaj Sethi.

    Modi pointed out that with new distribution platforms emerging the rights situation for the older film titles is not clear. There is more clarity regarding the newer titles but there is more work to be done. Definitions need to be clear like Vod, Pay per view.

    Tilak says that the film industry needs to come together and form a common standard that will be adhered to by both buyers and sellers. A common body needs to be set up who will interpret the rights situation in a uniform manner. In the US for instance video on demand is not a right by itself. It is segmented in different platforms. Unfortunately among some Indian filmmakers there is a lack of understanding about the emerging technologies. So perhaps distributors of content need to sit down with content creators and explain to them the different ways in which content can be exploited for the mutual benefit of both parties.

    He also suggests a robust system of arbitration be put in place. So any dispute over revenue sharing or who has the rights can be brought before a panel whose word in the matter will be final.

    Holla said that content creators compound the situation by sometime abusing the rights of their own property. So sometimes the DVD release date is brought forward and is available before the film has had a decent run in theatres. For UTV which distributes its own films and those of other producers this poses a problem he says. Creators need to respect the different windows of release.

    Modi spoke about the need for content owners to experiment with new platforms and modes of distribution. He gave the example of music ringtones which have become very profitable despite the music industry’s fear of copyright issues in new media.

    The situation though requires planning on the part of the content creator and provider says Modi. It is not that there is a simply readymade new media platform that a content owner whether it is film or television can just put his offerings on and then start making money. The platform has to be grown and content has to be tailored. He says that Sony is experimenting with its own content rather than what is aggregated. When it acquires content like formats it is usually for all formats to avoid confusion later on.

    Sure some people try to use software to forward ringtones and wallpapers on the mobile but that is small compared to the opportunity that exists. Another area of new media is mobile. Here too there are grey areas. A case in point is SMS updates on cricket news scores. While cricket news is available if it is used by a mobile operator for commercial purposes then a case can be made that there is a copyright issue. Right now a lot of operators offer cricket scores and updates. However the BCCI is wisening up and is looking at the mobile as a huge opportunity.

    After all if news channels pay for news clips of cricket matches then why shouldn’t mobile firms pay for using scores to boost their SMS facility. There is a case going on in the Madras High Court regarding the use of SMS to offer cricket scores. The Formula One body got strict on use of SMS alerts on race status.

    Another new media arena that can be looked at as a friend rather than a foe are the community sites like myspace. There are videos uploaded some of which are copyrighted. At the same time content creators can use community sites which attract millions of users as a place to sell their product offerings in the form of paid downloads.

    Narayanan dwelt on how compression techynology has helped the mobile become a tool for value added offerings. Now one can download full music tracks. Java and bluetooth has taken mobile gaming to another level. The memory storage in handsets will grow. Therefore mobile games can afford to become more complex and content rich. data connections speeds have grown. So content can be relayde to diffeernt devices.

  • Infront, HBS win Judges’ Award at IBC2006 in Amsterdam

    Infront, HBS win Judges’ Award at IBC2006 in Amsterdam

    MUMBAI: Infront Sports & Media, the company which handled the worldwide marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to 2006 Fifa World Cup and its subsidiary Host Broadcast Services (HBS) have won the Judges’ Award at the IBC show in Amsterdam.

    HBS was responsible for the host broadcast operations of the 2006 Fifa World Cup.

    The award was for New Media production at the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany. The tailored production services provided by HBS transformed the coverage of the event for New Media in terms of quality and content. The prospect of tailored production drove sales – this was the most widely covered sports event on the internet and on mobile phones to date. More than 100 countries were covered by 50 licensees in Mobile Telephony and World Wide Web.

    A team of 40 producers and journalists created a special New Media Content Package – tailor-made for licensees, designed for exploitation without the need for extensive editing and incorporating various innovations designed specifically for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The near-live clips were enhanced with specific or customised match and competition summaries, graphics, background sound, music and commentary.

    The fact that this was the first FIFA World Cup covered entirely in HDTV opened the door to improved picture quality for New Media. HD video-based Pan and Scan technology was utilised, allowing the editor to zoom in and capture the core action, producing a clear picture more exciting than ever for tiny handsets.

    HBS also offered a voice-over commentary service in the language of one’s choice. A total of eight different languages were booked and produced simultaneously in the IBC during the tournament: Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swiss German.

    The benefits for licensees were considerable – better quality production, reduction of cost per licensee through central multilateral production and HD-based content, delivering “never seen before” picture quality in small formats.

    HBS director of production Peter Angell received the Award on behalf of HBS and Infront. He said, “This award confirms that our two companies, Infront and HBS, were right in deciding to embed new media requirements in the overall production strategy, providing licensees with a level of service never experienced before. The fact that all matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup were filmed in HDTV has transformed the quality of New Media coverage.

    ” Combined with the use of Pan and Scan technology to capture the core action in a way that is relevant for tiny handsets, it has delivered pictures of unprecedented quality. Licensees and consumers were thrilled”, he said in his acceptance speech.

    HBS CEO Francis Tellier said, “This special award acknowledges the quality of services and innovations our team has provided in the area of host broadcasting. The new media production of the 2006 Fifa World Cup has been the defining step forward and underlines our ambition, to lead the industry through innovation.”

    Infront Sports & Media president and CEO Philippe Blatter says, “We are proud that the outstanding production capabilities of the Infront Group have been recognised and we see this year’s IBC Judges’ Award as a challenge to push even further in future”.

  • Star One to launch weekly show ‘Kadvee Khatti Meethi’ on 23 Oct

    Star One to launch weekly show ‘Kadvee Khatti Meethi’ on 23 Oct

    MUMBAI: Arriving fresh on Star One this October, Kadvee Khatti Meethi, is the new weekly show that takes off where Tu Tu Main Main left off. Returning with its sterling star cast with new additions to the family, the episodes present half an hour of non-stop comedy and dhamaal every week.

    Directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar, the show launches on Monday, 23 October at 8 pm on Star One.

    Moving away from traditional comedies, Kadvee Khatti Meethi deals with the chaos emerging between the three generations of women who are at constant loggerheads with one another. Saas Bhi kabhi bahu thi… the bitter truth in every woman’s life comes true with the jubilant ‘nak chadi’ Supriya Pilgaonkar in this brand new comedy. A twist to the tale – Supriya now essays the role of a daughter-in-law to Rima Lagoo and a mother-in-law to a new entrant on the show – Sucheta Pawshe. Sandwiched between the two, Supriya does not know whether to dictate or hear the dictum! 

    The principal characters of the show are Rima (Rima Lagoo), Rukmini (Supriya Pilgaonkar) and the new bahu – Madhu (Sucheta Pawashe). Noted television actors Ali Asgar and Swapnil Joshi join the stupendous star cast essaying the roles of Karan (Madhu’s husband) and Arjun (Karan’s brother) respectively, informs an official release.

    Announcing the launch of Kadvee Khatti Meethi, Star India EVP Content Deepak Segal said, “Tu Tu Main Main was an extremely successful show and we are very pleased to bring to our viewers on Star One in its brand new avtaar. Star One has redefined the genre of comedy on Indian television with shows like Naya Office Office, The Comedy Show, Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, Instant Khichdi and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in the prime-time band. The launch of Kadvee Khatti Meethi is in keeping with this tradition. Our aim is bring a big smile on our audience’s faces.”

  • Zee Telefilms lodges FIR against T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar

    Zee Telefilms lodges FIR against T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar

    MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra’s Zee Telefilms Ltd. has accused T-Series promoter and Super Cassettes Industries Limited (SCIL) CMD Bhushan Kumar of non-payment of dues and forging of agreement papers. Accordingly, the company has registered an FIR with Mumbai’s Economic Offence Wing (EOW) against Kumar for cheating and forgery.

    According to Zee Telefilms lawyer Ramesh Pandey, the basis of the case with the EOW are two letters drafted by Bhusan Kumar, one on 15 September and the other on 15 May, in which he claims that an amount of Rs 57.3 million was to be paid to SCIL by ETC Channel Network Ltd., on the basis of alleged agreement/Letter dated 15 May 2006.

    However, there is no such agreement/Letter dated 15 May 2006 on the records of ETC Channel Limited, and therefore ETC Channel Network has exercised its legal right & filed a complaint before the EOW for commission of an act of forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy against Kumar. Pursuant to the same an FIR has been registered at Oshiwara Police Station against Bhusan Kumar and others of SCIL for commission of offence as mentioned above, Pandey adds.

    T-Series lawyers have been quoted in a Financial Express report as saying that, “The letters are not forged and if at all there was a case in the matter, its civil in nature.” The company also claimed that the two officials who had signed the agreement on behalf of ETC have been removed.