ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Mudra wins creative duites of Nutralite Premium Table Margarine

    MUMBAI: Mudra Ahmedabad has bagged the creative duites of Nutralite Premium Table Margarine following a multi-agency pitch.

    The Zydus Cadila group indiactes the size of the business, in an official statement, which is estimated to be Rs 70 to 80 million. O&M and Triton were the other agencies that pitched for the brand.

    Mudra executive VP Chandan Nath says, “Nutralite, is an extremely exciting brand and give us the opportunity of working on a new category. We believe the growing health consciousness among Indians shall help the acceptance of Nutralite as a healthy alternative to butter. We look forward to working closely with client in making Nutralite a strong and successful brand.”

    According to Zydus Cadila, spokesperson, “Nutralite is a very challenging brand for us and Mudra was chosen because of their experience in successfully having worked on a similar category (healthy oils) and also because of the freshness they brought in their communication approach presented in response to our brief to them to position Nutralite as the ‘healthier alternative to butter)”

    Zydus Cadila recently acquired Nutralite. Nutralite is Rs 300 million brand, launched in 1996 and is market leader in our country with 60 per cent market share.

    Nutralite is cholesterol free, low in saturated fats, contains healthy PUFA and is rich in Vitamin A, D & E. It primarily contains lesser saturated fats than butter as it is made from vegetable oils, which contain PUFA (poly unsaturated fatty acids – which help fight cholesterol) whereas butter is made from pure milk fat (or fat from animal source). While the Indian market, is very nascent and just about evolving, informs the release.

    Internationally, in view of its health advantages, margarine sales are almost 2-3 times that of butter. The acquisition of the Nutralite was done keeping in mind the strategic philosophy of consumer division of Zydus Cadila- to promote healthy eating and living habits by anticipating emerging and everyday needs in a. functional health and wellness foods and b. personal care. The current basket of brands includes Sugar Free and Natura (sweeteners), Sugar Free D’lite (Diet drink), EverYuth and Dermacare (skincare).

  • TV9 targets September-October launch of Kannada news channel

    TV9 targets September-October launch of Kannada news channel

    MUMBAI: TV9, the Hyderabad-based media firm promoted by venture fund i-Labs Associated Fund and Chennai-based Unify Wealth Management, is all set to enter the Kannada market with a news channel. TV9 Kannada is aimed at a September-October launch.

    “TV9 is all set to launch its news channel in the Kannada market. We are tentatively targeting a launch date within the September-October period. The dry run is already on,” says TV9 Kannada director Mahendra Mishra. TV9 already runs TV9 Telugu, a news channel in the Telugu language.

    TV9 Kannada will be joining Sun Network’s Udaya News, the only other news channel in the market. And the timing of the launch will be very crucial for the channel, since the Rs 2 billion market is also awaiting the launch of Kannada Kasturi, the infotainment channel promoted by the Bangalore-based Kasturi Media Pvt Ltd (KMPL). Kannada Kasturi is targeting a November launch.

    TV9 Kannada will be following a ‘market expansion strategy’ rather than setting up head-on collision situations with the rival channels. “Our plan is to expand the market further. We are looking at building a new market. News as a genre in Kannada hasn’t been really explored by the existing players as yet. Our effort will be to fill this vacuum with a very different kind of programming,” Mishra says.

    TV9 is projecting the Kannada channel as “Kannada’s national channel”. “The plan is to give Kannadigas a national channel, which speaks their language. We will be raising the bar in Karnataka, by bringing in the national standards and quality of news coverage and presentation. Our focus will be on local-oriented news, but the packaging will be completely of national standards,” Mishra explains the strategy.

    The free-to-air channel will have the retail advertiser segment playing a crucial role in its plans, Mishra adds. “Retail advertising is a huge area of activity in Karnataka. It is really booming and we will be exploring this segment to the fullest.”

    The otherwise sleepy Kannada television market is expected to witness a lot of action this year with the entry of TV9 Kannada and Kannada Kasturi. The proceedings have already been kicked off by Zee Telefilms, which launched its entertainment channel Zee Kannada in May this year.

    Says Zee Kannada business head Venkat Giridhar on the key learnings the channel had in this three-month period: “Unlike any other South market, Kannada is open to all the other languages, whether it is Hindi, English, Tamil or Malayalam. Hence, it is kind of a complicate market for a new entrant. Our effort has been to educate the viewer on genres other than films and soaps. We are going ahead with our plans and will be launching a lot of new programmes which would fit into categories such as talent hunts and reality shows in the coming days.”

  • BBC to launch interactive social reality court show ‘The Verdict’ next year

    BBC to launch interactive social reality court show ‘The Verdict’ next year

    MUMBAI: BBC will launch an interactive reality court show, The Verdict next year. The show will be a cross-platform event that will witness 12 carefully selected celebrities sit through the judgement on a complete trial just like a real jury.

    Commissioned from RDF Television, The Verdict will focus on a highly contemporary and controversial case, based on evidence and examples from real life, improvised by top actors and contested by real barristers and a real judge.

    The celebrity jury, will include celebrities with different backgrounds. The first celebrity juror, who has agreed to serve on The Verdict’s jury is former UK Conservative Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo. Viewers will actually be able to see how a jury reaches its conclusions.

    The series goes into production soon and will air next year. It will show the highlights from the trial, building from the prosecution case to the moment when the jury will have to retire and reach their judgement.

    The jury will be sequestered together in a hotel and a switch-over programme will show how the jury have reacted to the day’s proceedings in court. An interactive service will ensure that viewers can fully engage with The Verdict, taking part in discussions on the messageboard, finding out background information, registering for email and SMS updates and registering their own verdict on the trial.

    The Verdict has been funded by the Think Big Fund, which has been set up by BBC director of television Jana Benett. The aim is to support big ideas across platforms and channels to ensure they have maximum impact.

  • ’24’ sets the clock for season six

    ’24’ sets the clock for season six

    MUMBAI: The action packed show 24 sets the clock for Day Six with a four-hour, two-night television premiere. The sixth season of the show kicks off on 14 and 15 January 2007 on US broadcaster Fox.

    In India the show airs on AXN.

    Fox will make a special, extended Day Six trailer available for global viewing on the web. The online countdown to the trailer’s debut begins today at www.24trailer.com. Fans around the globe can take their first look at Season Six by visiting the website on 24 Octpber 2006. The first promo for the new season is also scheduled to air during game three of the baseball World Series that night on Fox.

    Season Five concluded with a battered and bloodied counter terrorism agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) captured by Chinese government agents and headed for points unknown. Season Six picks up 20 months later. After a series of horrific terrorist attacks, an unthinkable, nail-biting day begins.

    The sixth season will feature Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), the strong-minded brother of the late American President David Palmer; Sandra Palmer (Regina King), a determined and powerful advocacy lawyer; presidential advisors Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson) and Thomas Lennox (Peter MacNicol). Also on the show is James Cromwell who plays Phillip Bauer the estranged father of Jack Bauer.

  • Shemaroo releases VCDs, DVDs of ‘Naksha’

    Shemaroo releases VCDs, DVDs of ‘Naksha’

     

    MUMBAI: With in a month of its theatrical release, Shemaroo Video has released home video of the action-adventure film Nakhsha-Unlock The Mystery.

    Directed by Sachin Bajaj Naksha stars Sunny Deol, Viveik Oberoi, Jackie Shroff and Sameera Reddy in the lead roles and boasts of a totally new theme which weaves Indian mythology into its story-line.

    Shemaroo says that the film is a wholesome entertainer and has received a positive response for its special effects and action sequences.

    The DVD has promos, teasers, Song promos, a Making of the film feature. This offers a sneak preview of the thought process behind Naksha. There are also cast and crew interviews, locations, sets and look of the film, stunts and action sequences, difficult shots, Music and dance choreography.

    In the film a mystery lies buried under the dust of centuries – a secret so powerful that it can change lives forever. Only Naksha holds the key to the mystery. Two brothers – ‘Veer’ (Sunny Deol) and ‘Vicky’ (Vivek Oberoi) defy death while racing against the unscrupulous enemy – ‘Bali’ (Jackie Shroff), for if the secret gets in his hands, it shall spell doom to mankind. On their journey through dense forests, cannibalistic tribes, deep ravines and rugged mountains, they are joined by an unexpected ally – a beautiful girl – ‘Riya’ (Sameera Reddy). Did the trios succeed in their quest? Or did the evil reach before them?

  • ABC to make music video for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

    ABC to make music video for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC and Epic Records have partnered to produce a music video for the show Grey’s Anatomy.

    The video will combine scenes from the third season of the medical soap and The Frays title track video from their gold debut album, How to Save a Life. In India the show airs on Star World.

    ABC senior VP marketing Mike Benson says, “Music has become an integral part of the storytelling on Greys Anatomy. Using a song like How to Save a Life really captures the tone and essence of the show. Its a great opportunity to take moments from the programme and present them in a new and entertaining way for existing fans and people not familiar with the series.”

    Epic Records senior VP, marketing Lee Stimmel says, “The partnership of The Frays How to Save a Life and Greys Anatomy is a perfect match. The use of the song in last seasons episode was truly compelling and had a huge impact with fans of the band. Both How to Save a Life and Greys Anatomy have a similar emotional connection with fans. Its exciting to expand the pairing and spotlight this connection.”

  • Fox to offer an online preview of new season of ‘The Simpsons’

    Fox to offer an online preview of new season of ‘The Simpsons’

    MUMBAI: As a way to whet fans appetitie for the new season of the longest running sitcom The Simpsons, US broadcaster Fox along with sister firm Fox Interactive Media (FIM) are offering fans a glimpse of the show on the web.

    Through a campaign sponsored by Burger King, FIM sites will offer a promotional first look at the first episode.

    In a Simpsons first, online fans on three FIM sites including MySpace.com, Fox.com and IGN.com’s new site will have the exclusive opportunity to see the first seven minutes of the first episode before it airs on television. In addition, viewers will get to see footage of an episode in the making including an animatic and the finished scene.

    Across the FIM network, a marketing campaign will drive fans to the video debut and promote tune in for the broadcast. Promotional initiatives specific to each property include: AskMen.com becoming “AskHomer” for the day and profiling Homer as the site’s Man of the Week; FoxSports.com on MSN presenting Homer’s week one NFL picks; a “Simpsons”-style graphic takeover of the homepage on Rotten Tomatoes and much more. The promotion will culminate with The Simpsons season premiere on 10 September.

    Fox president entertainment Peter Ligouri says, “This sneak peek at The Simpsons’ 18th season is a huge bonus for dedicated fans. Being able to preview the first episode of the new season will surely whet viewers’ appetite for the premiere on Sunday.”

    FIM president Ross Levinsohn says, “We are thrilled to be able to offer an exclusive first look at the Simpsons to our core audience of 18-34 year olds, who have embraced this show as one of the most popular TV programs of our time.

    “We are seeing an increasing demand for video content across FIM sites, and we are focused on delivering that content in a variety of ways – blending established media and user-generated content in a meaningful way.”

    Simpsons fans can visit MySpace, www.igntv.com and Fox.com to get the first look at the first episode before it airs on 10 September. Additional Simpsons features and promotions can also be accessed at www.rottentomatoes.com and www.scout.com in addition to the other three sites.

    The Simpsons will air their historic 400th episode in May 2007. The series features Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson who take traditional family life and turn them upside down.

  • I&B ministry announces promotions

    I&B ministry announces promotions

    MUMBAI: Three senior officers of the Indian Information Service have been promoted to the rank of additional secretary.

    They are Shipra Biswas, PK Bandopadhyay and Amitabha Chakrabarti.

    Bandopadhyay has been appointed as the new director general (News) NSD, AIR replacing Mishra who will take charge as the director general DAVP. Amitabha Chakrabarti director RR&TD has swapped positions with Mohan Chandak who’s the press registrar.

    Swagata Ghosh has been appointed director general (News) in Doordarshan and Shipra Biswas has been promoted as additional director general (M&C), PIB, New Delhi.

  • ‘Path to 9/11’ miniseries draws the ire of Democrats

    ‘Path to 9/11’ miniseries draws the ire of Democrats

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC is being put under pressure from democrats including former president Bill Clinton not to air the five hour miniseries The Path to 9/11.

    The series among other things shows how the Clinton administration repeatedly messed up opportunities to catch Osama Bin Laden. It also shows that the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center would not have happened had authorities including the FBI not been so complacent.

    Media reports indicate that with the mid term elections around the corner the Democrats are concerned that the series will prejudice voters. As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the film is a dramatisation of the events documented in the 9/11 Commission report.

    Media reports also indicate that some of Clinton’s officials — including former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and former national security adviser Sandy Berger are unhappy about the manner in which the series depicts them.

    In the film, Berger refuses to authorise a 1998 raid designed to capture Bin Laden. This event reports state was contradicted by the 9/11 Commission. Berger sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger saying that “no such episode ever occurred, nor did anything like it.”

    Clinton aides say that as per the 9/11 Commission Report, it was CIA director George Tenet who refused to authorise the raid on Bin Laden. The film also suggests that Clinton was distracted from fighting terrorism by the Monica Lewinsky affair and impeachment proceedings.

    Bill Clinton Foundation executive director, Bruce Lindsey, in a letter to Disney said, “The content of this drama is factually and incontrovertibly inaccurate. ABC has a duty to fully correct all errors or pull the drama entirely.”

    In a statement ABC says, “No one has seen the final version of the film, because the editing process is not yet complete. So criticisms of film specifics are premature and irresponsible.”

    In India the show will air on Zee Studio on 10 and 11 September 2006. The miniseries cost around $40 million to make.

  • Play TV to launch ‘Quizmaster’ on 9 September

    Play TV to launch ‘Quizmaster’ on 9 September

    MUMBAI: Starting 9 September, the interactive and gaming channel PlayTV will launch a show named Quizmaster. The one hour show, will air at 8 pm.

    The show Quizmaster, according to an official release, it will no more be a theoretical, intellectual event, rather be a fun filled game of luck and intelligence that involves the entire family at the comfort of one’s home.

    Participating in the show is stated to be simple and if the six questions are correctly answered, one can win the jackpot amount of Rs 1 lakh. A participant will have to answer five questions correctly to be eligible for the sixth question for jackpot.

    After answering the first three questions correctly, a participant wins Rs 3,000. Even if he answers the fourth question incorrectly, he can take home Rs 3,000, informs an official release.

    On answering the fourth question appropriately, the participant wins Rs 5,000 and if he answers the fifth question correctly, he wins Rs 10,000. However if he answers the sixth jackpot question incorrectly, he will lose whatever he won on the show, informs the release.

    The show introduces a unique concept of using a Randomizer to select the live caller. That is not all, the show also has a play-along round where in if the caller is unable to answer the question the same is open for viewers to answer and win Rs.1000 at the comfort of their living room.

    Speaking on the launch of Quizmaster, Play TV MD Amit Goenka said, “PlayTV has a loyal set of young viewers who enjoy this new genre of entertainment where interactivity is an integral part of television viewing. Quizmaster is a show that will appeal to viewers across age groups. It is a family activity that everyone can sit together, watch and participate in.”

    Play TV is the first 24 hours interactive and gaming channel, managed by Dakshin Media Solutions, which is an enterprise of the Subhash Chandra-promoted Essel Group.