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Category: News Headline

  • ATN to broadcast Star Plus programmes in Canada

    MUMBAI: Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast programming from Star India’s Hindi general entertainment channel Star Plus within the territorial boundaries of Canada.

    “We do not ever take our viewers for granted and for program quality and excellence Sky is the limit. We are ecstatic and proud as we look forward to the launching of Star Plus programming on our ATN Channel next month. The launch is planned to coincide with the festivities of Diwali and Eid,” says ATN president & CEO Shan Chandrasekar.
    ATN operates 13 television channels and has programming alliances with leading International Broadcasters.

  • Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe

    MUMBAI: Disney channel original movie High School Musical is set to hit terrestrial television in 15 countries across Europe, including Italy, Germany, France and Russia.

    BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis said, “As High School Musical’s international fanbase grows ever-stronger on Disney Channel, we are delighted to also be working with key terrestrial TV clients in a wide range of markets to launch it to yet more new fans later this year and into 2007.”

    This will add new terrestrial TV sales for the made-for-TV musical made by Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company.

    The contemporary ‘break into song’ production has been licensed to the broadcasters RAI in Italy, ProSieben in Germany, ORF in Austria and M6 France, along with RTE in Ireland, ERT Greece, TRT Turkey and CYBC Cyprus. In Central and Eastern Europe, Channel One in Russia has also licensed it, as have TV2 Hungary, TV Media Planet Ukraine, TVR Romania, Pop TV Slovenia, and A1 Televizija in Macedonia. High School Musical has already been licensed to the BBC in the UK, for broadcast on BBC One later this year, and is expected to be licensed to many more key markets within the next month, informs an official release.

    It will premiere on other international Disney Channels throughout 2006, with its UK Disney Channel premiere set for September.

    The High School Musical US premiere in January broke Disney Channel ratings records, and for its 14 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. In June, the movie premiered on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia and delivered the best-ever results for a Disney Channel Original Movie in all of these markets.

    High School Musical made its international terrestrial TV debut on 1 July in primetime on Seven Network Australia and was the timeslot winner against all major demos. It is the No. 1 movie in 2006 for tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67 per cent rating/share and also the No. 2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19 August, and was the No. 1 programme of the night amongst People 5+, adds the release.

    In August, the movie received two Emmy Awards, an Imagen Award and three Teen Choice Awards. It has also won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children’s Programming.

    In the US, the soundtrack is No. 1 of the year to date, and is now certified triple-Platinum, delivering six Gold-certified singles since its debut in January. In addition to being the year’s #1 album so far, it is also the #1 soundtrack and #1 Kids’ album of the year to-date. High School Musical is also currently Disney’s biggest TV-based DVD title in the US, adds the release.

     

  • B’cast Bill: Film censor board chief seeks clarifications

    NEW DELHI: Indian film censor board chief and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore today exhorted the government to remove overlaps in the functioning of censor board and a proposed broadcast regulator.

    She also called for “transparency” while forming the proposed Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India (Brai).

    “There has to be some sort of uniformity at some level… and identify where there are some overlaps,” Tagore, chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying.

    She, along with some other government officials and industry representatives were participating in a day-long seminar on the draft ‘Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill – 2006’, which was organized by industry chamber Assocham.

    Tagore’s apprehensions stems from the fact that the censor board and the proposed Brai might end up doing similar works like certifying content for television channels.
    In the absence of a regulatory body, the government has mandated that only `U’ (or for unrestricted viewing) censor certified films promos, music videos and songs should be aired on TV music channels.

    Information and broadcasting secretary S K Arora assured the industry gathering that the government was open to suggestions and comments on the proposed Brai and the Bill.

    “The government is open to suggestions and can incorporate fresh ideas and issues we may have omitted (earlier in a draft that was readied for the Cabinet),” he said.

  • MGM expands worldwide TV distribution; Jim Packer appointed president

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) is reinvigorating its worldwide television distribution operation, hiring senior management and bringing a number of new high profile programs to buyers around the globe. The announcement was made by MGM chairman & CEO Harry E. Sloan and MGM COO Rick Sands.
    The restructured MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group, which reports to Sands, is headed by seasoned distribution executive Jim Packer, who assumes the new title of president. In this position, Packer remains in charge of television distribution worldwide, including US barter sales and syndication, as well as all emerging forms of television programming distribution on a worldwide basis, states an official release.

    “After reinvigorating our domestic theatrical distribution business with over 20 new theatrical pictures a year, and establishing a dedicated MGM sales force in partnership with Fox Video, the next logical step is to expand our worldwide television distribution operation to meet our increased activity and product flow,” said Sloan in announcing the division’s restructuring. “Further, the international market for TV product has never been healthier and MGM continues to be an active and extremely competitive player in the marketplace.”
    Sands added: “As aggressive and smart competitors, the reorganization of our worldwide television distribution operation is simply one way of maximizing the assets in our library and positions us for future growth in the marketplace. Jim Packer has already made significant contributions during his tenure at MGM and we are pleased he will be leading us to even bigger growth opportunities in his new role as President of the group.”

    “After spending the last six years here at MGM, I truly understand the value of this tremendous library,” said Packer. “Having been given the challenge of increasing our market presence, I could not be more enthused about the expansion of our worldwide distribution team. With ‘Casino Royale,’ ‘Rocky Balboa’ and our new slate of premiere movie titles, our expanded distribution presence comes at the ideal time.”

    Adding fuel to its distribution pipeline, MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group will handle the international television sales for “Casino Royale” the new James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, and “Rocky Balboa,” the sixth and final Rocky movie starring Sylvester Stallone. Leveraging proven properties within the massive MGM library, the MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group will launch a worldwide sales campaign for the following movies: Legally Blonde 3, Cutting Edge 3
    Into the Blue 2, WarGames 2 and Species 4.

    In addition to its new program offerings, the MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group will continue to handle distribution of over 4,000 movie titles and 10,000 television series that make up the MGM library, the world’s largest modern filmed and television library. Among the key television properties featured in the MGM catalogue are “Stargate SG-1,” the sci-fi series that is celebrating its record-setting 200th episode on the Sci-Fi Channel, and the immensely popular drama series “The L Word,” which airs on Showtime in the US, the release adds.

    With the announcement of the MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group restructuring, MGM has also announced key promotions within the group. Joe Patrick has been promoted to executive vice president, North America. He previously served as senior VP for the studio and is based in Los Angeles. Mary Ann Pasante, who has been the VP of Latin America Sales, has also been promoted to senior VP of Latin America Sales and will continue to be based in Atlanta.

    Packer, who joined MGM in 2001, initially served as EVP, Domestic TV. In this post, he was the architect of several innovative partnerships, including the MGM/UPN “Weekend Movie” and the PAX/MGM “Night at the Movies.”

    Packer was promoted to EVP of MGM’s Worldwide Television Distribution unit in April 2005, charged with oversight of the studio’s worldwide TV distribution activities, including the licensing of MGM programming to TV outlets around the world for free to air network television, basic and pay cable. Packer will continue to be based at the studio’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

    Before joining MGM, Packer was an executive with The Walt Disney Company, where he spent 15 years working within the Buena Vista Domestic Television Distribution unit. During his tenure at Buena Vista, Packer consistently increased his areas of responsibility, handling the distribution of off-network product, theatrical films and first run series, including such properties as “Home Improvement,” “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” and “The Golden Girls,” as well as numerous movie packages. Packer, a graduate of Leeds Business School at the University of Colorado at Boulder, also serves on the Board of Governors for the Museum of Television & Radio.

  • BBC to launch kids, English entertainment channels in India

    MUMBAI: The kids and English general entertainment space in India is about to get a tad more crowded. BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC, has announced that it will be launching two channels in India shortly – preschoolers’ channel CBeebies and BBC Entertainment, offering drama and comedy.

    The launches are part of a global rollout of four new TV channels that will include BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle. BBC Worldwide has stated it also plans a high definition channel in the future. The four channels will be broadcast across all media: linear TV, VoD, mobile and online.

    BBC Entertainment and CBeebies are due to be launched in India first. BBC Entertainment will replace BBC Prime in some countries, initially Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Thailand.

    BBC Worldwide said the expansion of the channels would be decided on a country-by-country basis. As part of its plans to ramp up its channels business globally, BBC Worldwide is setting up regional offices in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Heading operations in Asia is Christine Leo-McKerrow who has been appointed senior VP for tghe region.

    CBeebies will air in India in Hindi and English and will not carry ads. “We will be setting up an advisory board made up of local/Indian psychologists, doctors, teachers, parents etc to advise us on our programming and ensure we remain relevant and trustworthy,” Darren Childs, the managing director of global channels at BBC Worldwide, has been quoted as saying in a media report.

    In the UK CBeebies targets children below the age of six. CBeebies’ basic aim is to educate and entertain the BBC’s youngest audience. The service provides a range of pre-school programming designed to encourage learning through play for children aged five and under, in a consistently safe environment. For the CBeebies launch in India the channel will have a panel of pyschologists, experts to decide on the programming content. The aim is to ensure relevance and trustworthiness.

    BBC Entertainment, meanwhile, will aim to offer the best of British shows in different genres like comedy, drama and light entertainment.

    Localisation: A report in the UK’s Times says that while initially the plan is to air British shows, the BBC is also looking at generating content from India. It might also look to buy Indian production companies if the business successfully kicks in, the report adds.

    Childs was quoted saying that the company is trying to change how it approaches the international channels business and fit things into a local market perspective rather than push them out from London. He also says that the chanel is close to getting a distribution deal.

  • Lata Mangeshkar to grace DD Sahyadri Navratna Awards 2004

    MUMBAI: The Sahyadri Navratna Awards, into its third year, is being held this year on 14 April on Doordarshan’s premises at Worli in central Mumbai.

    The Sahyadri awards are presented to eminent Maharashtrians for excellence in a particular field of interest. One of the highlights of this year’s awards ceremony is that the guest list includes India’s nightingale Lata Mangeshkar.
     
     The nine-member jury for the Navratna Awards 2004 comprises eminent people from various spheres. The list includes renouned journalist Arun Tikekar, Marathi theatre artist Mohan Wagh, film producer and ex sheriff of Mumbai Kiran Shantaram, industrialist Minal Mohandikar, vice-chancellor SNDT University Mumbai Rupa Shah, former editor Femina Vimla Patil, director general information and publicity (government of Maharashtra) Nitin Gadre, renouned music critic Dr Ashok Ranade and cricketer Ajit Wadekar.

    The list of awardees this year comprises of people working in varied fields like music, films, education, drama and so on.

    The nine Navratra’s this year consists of people like Shridhar Phadke, who’s receiving the Swar Ratna Award for music while the Chitra Ratna Award is going to Sachin Pilgaonkar for his achievements in the field of films and entertainment.

    Than there is Dr Shankarrao Magar who’s receiving the Shiksha Ratna Award for his work in education. Meanwhile, Prabhakar Panshikar, Anjali Bhagwat Vedpathak and Dr Anil Avachat are getting awards for drama, sports and social work respectively.

    The Ratnasharda Award for women this year will go to Rajiya Patel. while Vijay Kuwalekar will take home the Ratnadarpan Award for his work in journalism. Lastly there is the IT Entrepreneur Ratna Udami that will go to Dr Vijay Bhatkar.

    Sahyadri channel director Mukesh Sharma said he is very happy to be a part of the Navratna Awrads. But he also stressed that the channel did not play any part as far as choice of awardee was concerned.

    The telecast of the award ceremony will be on 1 May, which is also Maharashtra day.

  • Disney unveils character-themed digital cameras ‘Disney Pix’ in the US

    Disney unveils character-themed digital cameras ‘Disney Pix’ in the US

    MUMBAI: Disney Consumer Products, the merchandising segment of The Walt Disney Company has launched a new line of Disney Pix digital cameras specifically designed for kids and tweens.

    Available in a variety of styles and character-themed designs for all ages, the new Disney Pix line features digital cameras, camcorders and peripherals that allow young users to shoot, edit, print and share their own digital photographs.

    “Today’s kids expect photography to be digital and see film as antique. They want to see their photos instantly, share them digitally, and modify them in all sorts of creative ways. The Disney Pix line was designed specifically to let this new generation use photos to unleash the power of their imaginations,” said Disney Consumer Products, Global Electronics vice president Chris Heatherly.

    The starting price for the range is $19.99. Disney’s imaging products also come with the Disney Pix software, designed to inspire a child’s creativity and imagination. This proprietary, interactive and easy-to-use editing software suite allows users to customise their photos with Disney characters, stamps, frames and more. A video editing version is also available for digital camcorder products, informs an official release.

    “Until now, digital cameras have been too complicated for kids and have generally been priced out of reach. The Disney Pix line delivers the functionality and creative play that kids are looking for in a variety of stylish designs at affordable price points that parents can say `yes’ to,” adds Heatherly.

    Designed by Disney in partnership with its manufacturer, Digital Blue, the Disney-themed designs include Disney Chrome, High School Musical, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars, Little Mermaid, Disney Princess and Tinker Bell.

    The new Disney Pix line features eight products including:

    — Disney Pix Micro Digital Camera: An ultra-small camera (6.5″w x 10″h x 2.5″d) for easy, on-the-go pictures — perfect to hang from a backpack or handbag. Features CIF digital resolution, storage capacity of 24 photos, status LCD display, requires 1 AAA battery (not included) and comes with camera strap and Disney Pix software CD-ROM. (SRP $19.99)

    — Disney Pix Click Digital Camera: Loaded with many options, this camera features a 1″ color LCD screen, VGA digital resolution (640 x 480), stores up to 200 photos, a 2X digital zoom, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Click comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM, USB cord and two interchangeable face plates with stylish character graphics. (SRP $49.99)

    — Disney Pix Max Digital Camera: Fully loaded with high performance options for optimum picture taking, features a three Mega Pixel digital resolution, a 1.5″ color LCD screen that allows users to view their photos enhanced with Disney images utilizing innovative digital custom photo frames available directly on the screen. Also includes a 4X digital zoom, expandable memory card slot, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Max comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)

    — Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker: Girls can now star in their very own Disney Princess movie with this new digital camcorder featuring 32MB of built-in memory, 640 x 480 video resolution and a built-in microphone. With easy-to-use Disney Pix software included, girls can edit their own videos and add music, animation, sound effects, titles and credits. The Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker comes with a wrist strap, a docking station, Disney Pix software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)

    — Disney Keychain Digital Brag Book: The perfect way to share your photos on the go, this ultra-small digital photo album keychain features a 1.1″ LCD screen and stores up to 50 photos. The Disney Keychain Digital Brag Book comes with a USB cord and requires two AAA batteries (not included). (SRP $29.99)

    The Disney Pix line is available at retailers in the US including Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Limited Too, Claire’s, Toys ‘R’ Us, KB Toys, Ritz Camera among others, adds the release.

  • Star Plus to launch ‘Rin Mera Star Superstar’ on 8 September

    Star Plus to launch ‘Rin Mera Star Superstar’ on 8 September

    MUMBAI: Star Plus’ nationwide talent hunt targeted at the kids segment, Rin Mera Star Superstar, will launch on 8 September at 7:30 pm. The hunt is dedicated to unearthing talent in children aged 5-14.

    The programme promises to offer a national platform for talented children to showcase their potential that will help them win a scholarship of Rs 5,00,000 to pursue the dream of becoming an artist. Rin Mera Star Superstar will be hosted by television actress Shilpa Sakhlani.

    As per an official release, mothers of the kids have an active role to play in defining the kid’s victory or loss in the Maa Sangram round where each mother plead to the judges and audience requesting votes for his/her talented child. Her appeal will then be judged by the audience and can affect the final scores of her child. The mother-child duo with the highest score will move on to the semi-finals level of the Talent Hunt.

    Rin Mera Star Superstar jury panel comprises of Sachin Pilgaonkar and Farida Jalal. Selected from among lakhs of entries across the country, 40 most talented kids will showcase their talent to the world and garner votes along with their mothers to achieve the coveted title!! These kids have been groomed by choreographer Pooja Shetty, singer Qadir Mustafa Khan and actor Alok Ulfat The hunt on air kick starts with actress and super mom Raveena Tandon coming especially to encourage the kids in the first episode followed by many more famous personalities later, the release further adds.

    Show Format
    Produced by Endemol, Rin Mera Star Superstar will be aired every Friday eliminating two out of the four kids in each episode. Two Semi final episodes and a Grand Finale will follow elimination rounds. Each show will open with the host introducing the celebrity guest, judges and contestants for the day to perform. After the performance round, Mothers of two kids who have qualified will plead to judges and viewers to vote for their child. Contestant who gets the highest score will make it to the semi finals.

  • HK Tourism stages two mega events to tailor experiential travel

    MUMBAI: The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced the staging of the “2006 Mid-Autumn Lantern Celebration” and “2006 Hong Kong Culinary Delights” in October.
    Running between 30 September and 15 October, these two mega events have been specially devised to showcase Hong Kong’s local culture, heritage and festive ambience, and enhance in-town visitors’ experiences during the peak travel season, especially when large number of business travellers are expected for the many large-scale conventions and exhibitions taking place in the city.

    HKTB destination marketing GM Lambert Chan said that there is a growing trend towards experiential travel, as travellers are becoming more and more interested in experiencing the destination’s lifestyles.

    “This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on October, which ties in with the National Day Golden Week and the high season for conventions and exhibitions,” he explained. “Each Mega Event showcases Hong Kong’s distinctive culture. Visitors will not only be able to rub shoulders with local residents and have a taste of the colourful festivities, but also acquire greater appreciation of the city’s local culture and deep-rooted traditions.”

  • Champions Trophy: ICC to depute lawyers at venues to keep check on ambush marketing

    MUMBAI: It is not just the cricket that will be under close scrutiny during the Champions Trophy, which kicks off next month in India.

    The International cricket Council (ICC) will depute a team of lawyers to the different venues to see that the interests of the sponsors are not compromised in any manner. It will use the help of its partner Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) to ensure that firms that have not associated with the event will be prevented from indulging in any ambush marketing.

    ICC CEO Malcolm Speed, speaking to Indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a media interaction announcing that the Champions Trophy would be “dedicated to the Spirit of Cricket”, noted that during the 2003 World Cup the ICC had to initiate litigation against certain parties surreptitously looking to take advantage of the high-profile event.

    One way for the ICC to go about things this time round would be to send a warning letter in case of any instancees of violations, Speed said.

    While addressing the media earlier, Speed said, “The Champions trophy is a great opportunity to show the world what a wonderful sport cricket is. The spirit of cricket means respect.

    It means respect for your own captain and team, your opponents, the umpire as well as the tradition of the game which embodies the values of fair play. Today I call upon all players, officials to pledge themselves to use the Champions Trophy as a springboard in the quest to uphold that Spirit. We have already approached a number of top players and officials to support the concept and they agreed without hesitation.

    “What goes against the Spirit though are actions like appealing for a catch when a player knows that he has not taken it cleanly, arguing a decision with umpire, verbally abusing the opponent. I would like to add though that it is not our aim to sanitise the game. Everyone wants to see passion on the field and friendly banter between opponents is fine. What is important though is that the concept of fair play is upheld.”

    The players who have committed to try and adhere to the Spirit of cricket include Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, opening batsman Virendra Sehwag, West Indies skipper Brian Lara, South African all rounder Shaun Pollock and Australian speedster Brett Lee.

    The ICC chief also expressed sympathy with the victims of the Mumbai bomb blasts in July and said that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of players and spectators during the ICC Trophy.

    The ICC is also using the Champions Trophy as a platform to spread awareness about the Aids menace. Speed noted that India alone has 5 million people who are infected with the HIV virus. 25 per cent of the world’s population who have Aids stay in the countries that will participate in the Champions Trophy.