Category: News Headline

TV channels undecided on apology scrolling

NEW DELHI: The Indian government made it clear to TV channels yesterday that those guilty of breaching advertising code would have to publicly apologize, though channel managements are still undecided on future course of action.

The ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a warning to 43 channels directing them to carry a scroll for three days regretting airing surrogate advertisements of liquor and tobacco products in violation of rules.

The scroll to be aired reads thus: “Ministry of information & broadcasting issues a warning to X channel for telecasting surrogate advertisements of liquor/tobacco products in violation of advertising code. X channel regrets this and apologies for the same. We assure to be more careful in future.”

A gaggle of broadcasters, under the aegis of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), met ministry officials on Friday in an attempt to seek a resolution to, what a broadcaster described as, “uncalled for public humiliation.”

The broadcast industry contention was that the government is unnecessarily objecting to ads of products and companies, which may have other legitimate businesses apart from tobacco and liquor products.

Moreover, with the ASCI now given more teeth to regulate ads put out by companies, broadcasters argued, running a scroll of apology for three days would amount to financial setback and space loss for important news alerts too.

However, the ministry officials were firm on their stand as, according to one of them, “too much pressure” was being exerted on the I&B ministry from parliamentarians who have criticized the ministry for inaction against surrogate advertising publicizing liquor and tobacco products on TV channels.

The channels issued show-cause notice will be required to carry the warning scroll round the clock for three consecutive days on their respective channel from 18-21 August 2006.

Still, the channels are undecided on future course of action and, according to information available, are also seeking legal advice on the matter.

The channels that have been issued the warning are Aaj Tak, Animal Planet, B4U, Balle Balle, Channel V, CNBC TV-18, Discovery, ESPN, ETV Bangla, ETV Kannada, ETV Marathi, ETV-2, HBO, Headlines Today, India TV, MTV, National
Geographic, NDTV 24X7, Raj TV, S S Music, SABe TV, Sahara Bihar, Sahara One and Sahara Samay.

The list also includes Set Max, Sony Entertainment, Star Gold, Star Movies, Star One, Star Plus, SUN TV, Tara News, Ten Sports, TEZ, TV-9, Zee Bangla, Zee Café, Zee Gujarati, Zee Marathi, Zee News, Zee Sports, Zee Studio and Zoom.

Rule 7(2)(viii)(A) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 states that “no advertisement shall be permitted which promotes directly or indirectly production, sale or consumption of cigarettes, tobacco products, wine, alcohol, liquor or other intoxicants.”

In an official statement issued today, the I&B ministry said apart from liquor and tobacco ads, certain objectionable and indecent advertisements of undergarments were also found to have been telecast, which should be stopped immediately.

August 12, 2006
Americans’ love affair with TV & net flourishes

MUMBAI: Americans’ love affair with the television continues. Almost 60 per cent have three or more TVs in their homes and a flat screen TV is first on consumers’ wish list, according to a survey of 1,000 US consumers released by RBC Capital Markets.

Just over half of Americans are watching the same amount of television as ever (53 per cent), plus they’re increasing their time spent on the internet (42 per cent).

RBC Capital Markets director of US Equity Research Marc Harris says, “We are spending more time at work on a computer, then going home to our TVs and home computers at night.

“Technology is dramatically changing the way we work, our choices during personal time, and the way we communicate with others.” For example, Americans are communicating more via e-mail (versus the phone) than they did a year ago (six out of ten) and they e-mail and instant-message friends and family more now than a year ago (56 per cent).

The survey also found that three in five US consumers are interested in Internet Protocol Television Service (IPTV), with price and choice about what and when to watch being the top two drivers in consumer buying decisions.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Mark Sue says, “Technology and broadband innovations will dramatically change the TV viewing experience over the next several years. Not only will consumers be able to view content when and where they want, they will be able to enjoy customized programs which feature high levels of interactivity.”

Thus far, the traditional TV screen remains a powerful lure, as compared to the much-hyped alternative of watching TV programs on computer monitors. Fifty per cent of respondents said they don’t have a flat screen TV, but want one. Nine out of ten respondents said they still do not watch television programs on their personal computer or laptop, and more than three-quarters said they did not anticipate doing so. Asked if they watched movies on their personal computer more than they did last year, 83 per cent said no.

45 per cent of Americans are now using time that was spent watching TV with time on the internet. Interestingly, these consumers are well represented across all age groups, indicating that internet usage is increasingly mainstream. More than half (54 per cent) of all respondents said they were spending more time on the Internet for personal entertainment and much more time than they were a year ago (58 per cent), including 86 per cent of respondents between the ages of 18 to 24.

The Potential of IPTV: Respondents were told that IPTV allowed them to get television, video on demand and broadband access, all through one telecom service provider. Asked what would cause them to cancel their cable or satellite subscription service and switch to IPTV, the top three reasons were: cheaper price than existing provider; the ability to watch what they wanted when they wanted; and the ability to watch more content of specific interest.

Television from Telecom Providers: Four out of ten respondents said they would be interested in buying cable TV services from their telecom company, indicating the potential for continued convergence of communications technology. As consumers move up the comfort curve with new technologies, this interest increases: for the 73 per cent who said they owned or wanted to own a flat-screen television, almost half (48 per cent) said they would buy cable TV services from their telecom company; and for respondents who said they had TiVo or wanted it, 52 per cent said they would be interested in buying cable TV services from their telecom company.

August 12, 2006
Animax to air animation movie block ‘Ani-Flix’ on Saturdays

MUMBAI: Get addicted and be different! Animax is rolling out Ani-Flix, a new animation movie block on Saturday nights, which will air blockbuster animation films.

The block launches with its first movie on 12 August at 7 pm. Ani-Flix is yet another aspect of the Animax channel refresh, designed to meet the growing appetite for high quality animation in India.

Through this band, Animax will be airing movies that are more youth and young adult focused attracting a different target group. Movies aired on Ani-Flix will showcase filmmaking that has unleashed a new trend in movie making involving spectacular animation sequences.

On 12 August, Ani-Flix will premiere with Cowboy Bebop: Knocking in Heaven’s Door. The movie follows the adventures of characters who are living on Mars in the year 2071.

Animax country manager Sunder Aaron said, “Indian youth and young adults are now becoming familiar with and getting addicted to watching top-flight animation on television, a trend that hit the west 10 years ago. With the onset of band programming, Ani-Flix will relay award winning marvels such as Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell – the inspiration for the Matrix movies, the international blockbuster Akira, the sci-fi thriller Appleseed – a movie so hot that John Woo is producing the sequel – and many more. These movies, especially Appleseed, will not disappoint the eye.”

“There is enormous attention to detail, reflections, shading and other small things. Many of the scenes, especially involving the giant city complex, look like art if you froze the frame. Ani-Flixs showcases exceptional movies that have young adult and mature content with edgy animation that should attract our target viewers. Our shift to broadcast only in English also presents these movies the way our viewers want to see them: our various user-groups expressed this preference to us in many ways, including online,” he added.

Ani-Flix will air Inu Yahsa: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass on 19 August.

And, on 14 August, all these movies will be aired back to back on the channel. Inu Yahsa: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass will be aired at 1 pm, followed by Ghost in the Shell at 3 pm and Cowboy Bebop: Knocking in Heaven’s Door at 5 pm.

August 12, 2006
The History Channel to air ‘Voices of Freedom’ every weeknight from 14-21 August

MUMBAI: The History Channel is celebrating Independence Day by airing awe-inspiring stories behind some of the most prominent world events and the people who fought for the independence of their countries in ‘Voices of Freedom’.

Beginning 14 August, this series focusses on personalities that have spearheaded freedom movements across the world and events that have left an indelible impact on today’s youth.

Through stunning documentaries and dramatic recreations, the channel will pay tribute to extraordinary people who rose against overwhelming odds through their intelligence and perseverance to triumph over prejudice, injustice and hardship.

Key programmes in this series are:

‘Battle of Gettysburg’ on 14 August at 9:30 pm highlights the turning point of the American Civil War. President Lincoln appoints George Meade as the commander of the Army of the Potomac
at the time when General Lee was threatening Washington and the North. The episode details Meade’s attempts to combat Lee by pushing his army, marshalling his resources and tactically outwitting a master, which finally resulted in Meade preserving the Union. Be a witness to this historical war only on The History Channel.

‘Tiananmen Square’ on 15 August at 9.00 pm reveals the true story behind the deaths of 500 young Chinese students who became the martyrs for democracy at Tiananmen. This episode discusses the birth and death of a movement and the secret story behind how the demonstrators changed China forever.

‘Mikhail Gorbachev’ on Biography on 16 August at 10 pm takes a look at the profile of the former Communist Party leader who stunned the world by beginning a program of liberalization called “Glasnost” and then presided over the dismantling of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

‘Nelson Mandela’ on Biography on 17 August at 10 pm looks at Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s life from the time he was born in Transkei, South Africa on 18 July 1918. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town following which he was at Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland. The episode tracks his efforts and dedication for fighting against apartheid and finally emerging as the first coloured President of South Africa.

‘Abraham Lincoln’ on Biography on 19 August at 10 pm shows Lincoln, who has till date rarely emerged from behind the myths and the statues, as a boy raised in the wilderness; a young man embarrassed by his own looks and upbringing who chose politics and the law as a way of proving himself; a man painfully shy around women whose marriage was called ‘a living burning hell’; an indulgent father who had to deal with repeated family tragedies.

‘The French Revolution’ on 21 August at 10 pm, shows the growing ambitions of the rising bourgeoisie to the final breakdown of the monarchy. Here, one can watch the unforgettable French Revolution shows 18th-century France as the world’s wealthiest nation and was ruled by the century’s most powerful king, with the best-educated people and the strongest army in Europe. It also boasted an exploding national debt (partly due to the King’s support of the American Revolution). Many interrelated political and socio-economic factors contributed to the French Revolution.

August 12, 2006
Fox show ’24’ earns top spot in Bullz-Eye.com’s TV power rankings

MUMBAI: Bullz-Eye.com, an online magazine for men, has released the third edition of its TV Power Rankings, a list of the 20 best shows currently on television, with Kiefer Sutherland’s 24 earning top honors yet again.

While this marks the third time, the Fox hit has claimed the number one 1 spot, HBO dominated Bullz-Eye’s Summer 2006 edition, with three shows landing in the top 10, including Entourage, Deadwood and The Sopranos.

Rescue Me, Lost and My Name is Earl were some of the programmes that jumped in the rankings since Bullz-Eye’s last edition, while South Park and Family Guy fell and the canceled Arrested Development dropped from the list completely, according to an official release.

Launched in 2000, Bullz-Eye.com’s Entertainment Channel boasts comprehensive movie, TV, CD and DVD sections, which are updated weekly with reviews of the hottest new releases and staff favorites. Bullz-Eye.com also has interviewed various music, movie and television personalities, including Everclear frontman Art Alexakis, Reno 911! cast member Carlos Alazraqui (Deputy James Garcia), stand-up comedian Lewis Black, and Snakes on a Plane director David Ellis.

August 12, 2006
Global sports TV forum Sportel Monaco sells 85 per cent of exhibition space

MUMBAI: With two months to go before the opening of the sports television forum Sportel Monaco 2006, exhibitors have committed to more than 85 per cent of the expanded floor space in the Grimaldi Forum. The event takes place from 16-19 October 2006.

Exhibitors include Total Sports Asia, A1GP World Cup Of Motorsport, AGFIS, Alcatel, BBC Worldwide, EBU, PGA Tour, HBO, the NBA and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Sportel CEO David Tomatis says, ” We have opened up every corner of the exhibition floor to add more stands and it is virtually certain that we will sell all existing space in the coming weeks.

“We are continuing to focus on exciting new technologies involving the reception of sports content on mobile receivers, along with our traditional base of international TV sports. Sportel Monaco 2006 may very well be our largest market ever.”

August 12, 2006
Consumer electronics firm TCL launches new range

MUMBAI: TCL India, an emerging consumer electronics firm, has launched a range in various categories like LCD, Plasma and CTV.

The company also shared its expansion plans to reach out to its growing consumer-base across India.

TCL India’s Plasma TV category starts with 42″ in two models. The LCD range starts from 15″, 20″, 27″, 32″ & 40” in five models in different categories. The RPT are available in 2 models 43″ & 52″ respectively, while the CRT range starts from 14″NF to 29″PF, all put together aggregating to more than 25 models in this segment.

TCL India MD Richie Liu said, “After being the market leader for the CTV category, we have now strategically established a very emphatic entry with LCD & plasma TVs. The overwhelming response that we have received from our distribution channel as well as from our esteemed customers, have reposed our platform of value addition & innovation in the LCD & plasma category. Our objective is to consolidate TCL’s global leadership position, offer a diversified high-quality product range from basic to high-end innovative products, and address all key markets competitively.”

TCL says that it has become the largest manufacturer of television sets in the world with 22 million sets being sold in 2005 alone. TCL adds that its commitment can be gauged by the fact that it has more than 25 models in colour TVs, with the intention of introducing products to fulfill every individual need.

TCL Plasma Display & Latest DDHD (Digital Dynamic High Definition vision engine) contains more than 60 picture – enhancement patents, including CCS, DCDi and film mode which earned TV Oscar (Emmy TV technology awards) three times. The award represents highest honour in TV video technology field, which is widely known in Europe and USA, and its shows the top technical strength and excellent product quality.

TCL India VP- sales and marketing CM Singh says, “We plan to focus on exclusive high-end showrooms, which will be known as TCL Universe in major cities across the country, as a part of our expansion plans. At TCL, it’s our endeavour to create a world-class corporation, aligning the Indian R&D talent & system with TCL’s International R&D system. TCL is geared to meet the need gaps of the consumers from all aspects centered around innovation, technology, price, style & after sales service.” Holdings Pvt. Ltd. added.

As part of its aggressive global expansion plans, TCL entered the Indian market in September 2004. It started with the manufacturing of colour televisions followed by airconditioners, washing machines and small home appliances.

August 12, 2006
Study on the effect of watching wrestling on TV draws the ire of WWE chairman McMahon

MUMBAI: A study in the US on the relationship between watching professional wrestling on television and violent behaviour in adolescentsa has been published in published in the August 2006 issue of Pediatrics magazine.

It is based on interviews conducted way back in late 1999.
The study notes that there were significant correlations between the frequency of watching wrestling on television and engaging in date fighting, fighting in general, and weapon carrying for both males and females, although the relationships were stronger among females than among males. The frequency of watching wrestling was highest among students reporting date fighting when either the victim or perpetrator had been drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.

When analysed using logistic regression, the strongest relationships were observed between the frequency of watching wrestling and date-fight perpetration among females in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. These findings persisted after adjusting for multiple other factors.

Not one to stay silent WWE chairman Vince McMahon issued a statement saying, “We regret that this seven year old junk science was re-issued. It was junk science then, and is junk science now. It took them seven years to get someone to actually read it and it hasn’t even been subjected to a peer review. There is nothing new in the study, and we think it is recycled garbage put forward by some obscure professor who finally got someone to read his paper and is trying to get his name in the media.” The WWE is contemplating legal action.

The study in question notes that for males and females, the frequency of watching wrestling was highest among students who fought with their dates when alcohol or other drugs were involved. The association between watching wrestling and date fighting was stronger among females than males. The relationship between watching wrestling on television and being the perpetrator of dating violence was also stronger among females and remained consistent over a 6- to 7-month time period.

Lending support to McMahon however is Syracuse University director of the Center for the study of popular television Robert Thompson. He finds that the study that claims correlation between viewership of professional wrestling and date-fighting among teenagers problematic.

He says, “What always worries me about these kinds of studies is that they imply a cause. This study claims nothing more than a correlation. So many people immediately see these studies, and they suggest that wrestling is causing these things, and I don’t think that is a done deal by any stretch of the imagination.”

Researchers conducted their initial interviews in the fall of 1999, sampling 2,228 male and female high school students. They concluded that there was an association between teenagers who watched wrestling on television and those who had a tendency toward violence, including fighting on dates and carrying weapons.

“Whether you can make the step that then says people who watch wrestling become more violent…is a lot more difficult to prove, and I don’t think these studies prove it” explains Thompson. “I think it would be very, very difficult to put together a study that could actually control enough variables that you could demonstrate that.”

In his own personal and admittedly ‘unscientific’ experience, Thompson said that he can recall always having 10 or 12 students in the classes he instructed every year who were really into WWE programming.
He says, “Invariably the WWE enthusiasts were among my smartest, geekiest students out there’ always the ‘A’ students who always went the extra yard on their papers. I could certainly say that there is a correlation between really good male students and an interest in wrestling. That wouldn’t prove that watching wrestling is going to make you smart, but in my particular experience and analysis, I could demonstrate that” Thompson said.

A few days ago on CNN US anchors Susan Hendricks and Mike Galanos discussed the study and addressed several emails received in an informal viewer response poll. Viewers did not seem to interpret the association between violent behavior and watching sports-entertainment, as claimed by Wake Forest researchers.

One viewer wrote in saying that he attended sports-entertainment events with his parents and other family members. In watching the in-ring action and backstage action, he always knew that it was not “behaviour that he was to repeat on his own.”

Another viewer asked, “Could it be that those who watch wrestling are already pre-disposed to violence in some way?”

Thompson adds, “These studies are demonstrating a correlation. For example, if the tree in my backyard gets bigger, the hair on my head gets thinner. There’s a direct correlation there, no question about it; one happens, the other happens. But there’s certainly no cause there, or I would’ve chopped down that tree a long time ago.”

August 12, 2006
Viacom, Adobe forge alliance to deliver web, mobile content

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom and Adobe Systems have announced a strategic alliance to develop and deliver Viacom’s branded content using the Adobe Engagement Platform.

Through this agreement, Adobe will become Viacom’s preferred technology provider for rich media authoring tools and interactive online video solutions. This will enable Viacom to deliver content from its television, motion picture and digital properties to online and mobile audiences in compelling ways. The two companies will also work together in developing new media applications leveraging Viacom’s exclusive content and using Adobe’s next-generation developer tools and ubiquitous cross-platform client software.

The Adobe Engagement Platform is a versatile foundation for capturing and holding audiences’ attention through more active and effective applications and media. Through the combined reach of the Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player clients, which are installed on more than 600 million connected PCs and devices worldwide, the Platform enables businesses to connect with customers, no matter which medium they choose.

Viacom president and CEO Tom Freston says, “This partnership with Adobe is an important step towards ensuring that our company has the most robust and state of the art online and mobile video applications. We are very excited to be working so closely with Adobe, which is a real innovator with a great track record”.

Viacom will utilise Flash video as an interactive online video solution and provide Viacom-branded content to mobile phone handsets via FlashCast™ channels. Flash video delivers secure, high-quality seamless video experiences. FlashCast is a flexible client-server solution that effectively delivers rich, intuitive branded experiences on mobile devices. Using Adobe technology, Viacom will also develop entirely new applications leveraging content from Viacom properties including MTV, Comedy Central, Spike TV and Nickelodeon.

Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen says, “Adobe and Viacom share a vision for how to bring Viacom’s world-class programming and content to online and mobile audiences in innovative ways. This relationship and the Adobe Engagement Platform will accelerate Viacom’s ability to create and deliver new kinds of digital entertainment across different mediums, regardless of which operating system, browser or device viewers are using. Our Engagement Platform is continuing to gain momentum as a powerful means of reaching and connecting with consumers on their terms, anytime, anyplace.”

August 12, 2006
Kingfisher is the Official Airline for Abba Concert

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Kingfisher Airlines
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 06:12 PM IST (12:42 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Arts & culture, Entertainment, People, Travel & tourism;
Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Automotives, Media & entertainment, Travel & tourism; Automotive Release no: 11561
————————————————–
Kingfisher is the Official Airline for Abba Concert

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, August 22, 2006 — (Business Wire India) — Kingfisher Airlines, India’s fastest growing private airlines the official airline for the Abba Concert, has announced its participation in the upcoming ABBA concert. Kingfisher Airlines is the official Airline partner for the same.

Keeping in tune with Kingfisher Airlines strategy of alliance with leading
establishments, Kingfisher Airlines has struck an alliance with National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), India’s premier cultural institution. Down the decades the NCPA has played host to a number of leading international artistes, including the ABBA concert this season between August 23 and 27, 2006.

Commenting on this unique association Mr Girish Shah, Head Marketing of Kingfisher Airlines Limited said “Kingfisher Airlines is proud to partner with Abba during their Mumbai concerts as official travel partner . Our association with such events is our way of offering maximum delight to our target consumer, as music is an integral part of their life and indeed our marketing mix. As we expand our network of cities served, we will continue to innovate and present more such exciting marketing initiatives in the months ahead”.

The cultural repast that the NCPA offers is considerable. It organizes
special programmes by legendary artistes in the fields of classical, traditional and modern dance, music and theatre, as well as a regular series of programmes to encourage young and promising talent. Workshops with accomplished arts professionals and master classes with seasoned artistes in various fields are held on a regular basis.
About Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines is India’s first and only private airline to receive the
prestigious, ‘Best New Airline of the Year’ award in the Asia-Pacific and
Middle East region from Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). Kingfisher Airlines has also been voted as the 3rd Most Successful Brand Launch of the Year 2005, in the annual Brand Derby Survey conducted by India’s leading business daily-Business Standard. In another Survey conducted by agencyfaqs.com and Brand Reporter, Kingfisher was voted as the 7th Buzziest Brand of 2005 amongst 2000 leading national and international brands. More recently, Kingfisher Airlines has bagged the “Service Excellence for a New Airline” award from Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor.

The latest addition to the list of laurels is the “Best New Domestic Airline
for Excellent Services and Cuisine” award from Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), the biggest travel writers’ organization, representing members from 70 countries across the globe, that conducts independent annual surveys across various industries related with Travel and Tourism in order to select the best in each category. Kingfisher Airlines commenced operations on May 9th, 2005 with a brand new
fleet of aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines offers Full Service at True Value and
promises an unparalleled experience to the Indian air traveler. On offer are
extra-wide seats and spacious leg room, delicious gourmet meals, internat
The latest addition to the list of laurels is the “Best New Domestic Airline for Excellent Services and Cuisine” award from Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), the biggest travel writers’ organization, representing members from 70 countries across the globe, that conducts independent annual surveys across various industries related with Travel and Tourism in order to select the best in each category. Kingfisher Airlines commenced operations on May 9th, 2005 with a brand new fleet of aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines offers Full Service at True Value and promises an unparalleled experience to the Indian air traveler. On offer are extra-wide seats and spacious leg room, delicious gourmet meals, international-class cabin crew and a whole host of comforts and delights. Kingfisher Airlines also facilitates doorstep delivery of tickets on guest request. Kingfisher Airlines has further raised the bar by introducing the Indian business traveler to a premium product- Kingfisher First,
the finest experience in the Indian skies. For more information on Kingfisher Airlines log on to www.flykingfisher.com . Fly the Good Times with Kingfisher Airlines.

CONTACT DETAILS
Ritu Bararia, Sr. Manager PR and Corporate Affairs, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, +91 93508 66639, ritu.bararia@flykingfisher.com
Malini Nair , Manager PR, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, + 91 93242 39730,
malini.nair@flykingfisher.com Prakash Mirpuri, IPAN, Mumbai, + 91 98210 91715, prakash.mirpuri@ipan.com

KEYWORDS
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, PEOPLE, TOURISM, MARKETING, AUTOMOTIVE, MEDIA, TRAVEL,
AUTOMOTIVE

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August 11, 2006