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Category: News Headline

  • Radio City inducts Rana Barua as south head

    Radio City inducts Rana Barua as south head

    MUMBAI: Radio City has made three top-level appointments to facilitate its growth and expansion plans, following the recent acquisition of 16 new FM broadcast licenses and the launch of its stations in Hyderabad, Chennai and Jaipur.

    Rana Barua has been appointed as head – south zone, Mohan Vizhakat as head – technology and IT and Anil Dhimri as head – projects / infrastructure at Radio City.
    As part of his new assignment, Barua will be responsible for three key markets – Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

    Barua is an experienced hand in the advertising industry with stints in agencies such as Rediffusion / Dentsu Y&R Mumbai, McCann – Erickson, Lowe, Ogilvy and JWT for over 10 years. Prior to joining Radio City, Barua held the position of VP and GM at Bates Enterprise, Mumbai.

    The private FM radio company has also appointed Vizhakat, who has over 19 years of experience in project management, IT infrastructure management, consultancy, IT-telecom integrated solutions, networking, information security across industry segments.

    Vizhakat has also received distinguished award and decoration from the president of India on the Republic Day 2001 for exemplary performance in project management during his tenure in the armed forces. A few of his previous assignments include Airtel Enterprise Solutions, Indecomm Global Services, Defence Research and Development Organization, informs an official release.

    On other other hand, as head – projects / infrastructure, Dimri comes in with more than 27 years of experience, and has handled several large office infrastructure projects with emphasis on cost saving in esteemed organisations like Tata Teleservices, Tata Cellular and Tata Unisys Limited to name a few.

    Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit says, “Radio City has always aimed to bring on board the best talent available. The three gentlemen, with proven credentials and ability to deliver results in their respective domains, are tremendous additions to our team. I am confident that they will help us further enhance the diversity of our offerings with their rich experience and an in-depth understanding of the industry. I welcome them to be a part of the Radio City family and wish them good luck for their new role.”

  • Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna quits

    Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna quits

    MUMBAI: ASC Enterprises has announced that Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna has decided to move out of the company on completion of his two-year contract at the KU-band direct-to-home platform, promoted by Subhash Chandra.

    According to an official release issued, the Dish TV board had offered Khanna a renewed contract but he has decided to pursue other interests.

    Information available with Indiantelevision.com indicates that while Khanna will be “remaining in the broadcast sector, he will be taking up a new challenge”.

    Khanna has been with the Zee Group since its inception. He started his career with the group while driving the distribution venture Siticable. He subsequently spearheaded the pay TV business and lead Zee Turner. Before joining Dish TV as CEO, he also had a stint as president of Zee Telefilms.

    At Dish TV, his contribution has been in developing and building the first addressable digital platform. During the last 15 months, Dish TV accelerated the process of subscriber acquisition and now is established as the leading digital brand with 1.3 million subscribers.

    Dish TV, today offers 160 satellite channels along with other value added services and has string network of 8,000 distributors/dealers.

  • Trai meets broadcasters on CAS, firm on channel MRPs

    Trai meets broadcasters on CAS, firm on channel MRPs

    NEW DELHI: Broadcast regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Thursday held discussions with industry stakeholders, but was firm that a la carte pricing of channels is inevitability.

    Still, the regulator seemed sympathetic to a revenue share formula in favour of MSOs and broadcasters over and above a certain price.

    Thursday’s meeting that Trai held with some broadcasters was more of a formality as the regulator made it clear to broadcasters present that maximum retail price (MRP) of TV channels under CAS regime is coming whether some like it or not.

    According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, most participants were against a la carte pricing of channels and pitched for wholesale prices, which would give the cable operators a chance to fix some margins for themselves.

    However, Trai was categorical that as per a government mandate MRP of a TV channel under a CAS regime has to be decided and would be finalised by 31 August 2006; industry feedback notwithstanding.

    Those who attended Thursday’s meeting included representatives from Star India, Sony Discovery One Alliance, Global Broadcast Network, Zee Network and Indian Broadcasting Foundation.

    Trai has been mandated by the government to fix the norms, including pricing of individual channels, under a CAS regime, which is slated to be rolled out in the south zones of Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai from 1 January 2007.

    The government on 31 July issued a notification setting 31 December, 2006 as the deadline for the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata to be fully “CAS delivered” as a Delhi court had desired.

  • Former SA opener Gary Kirsten replaces Dean Jones on Ten Sports’ ‘Straight Drive’ team

    Former SA opener Gary Kirsten replaces Dean Jones on Ten Sports’ ‘Straight Drive’ team

    MUMBAI: The Unitech Cup, the tri-series between India, Sri Lanka and South Africa, gets underway on Ten Sports on Monday, 14 August 2006. The channel has announced that former South African opener Gary Kirsten will be a member of its ‘straight Drive’ team.

    This announcement comes a few days after the channel terminated the contract of Dean Jones after the former Australian batsman inadvertently let out a remark calling a South African bowler a terrorist. In an official release the channel said, “The highly offensive nature of the comments has no place in cricket, sport and society as a whole and we deeply regret that such comments were broadcast.

    “Ten Sports is owned by a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and the company employs a staff drawn from a diverse cross section of nationalities, cultures and religions. We have a zero tolerance policy for any expression of racial stereotyping and prejudice and condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by Mr Jones.”

    Kirsten says, “I am very excited to be joining the team. It will be my first time on Straight Drive and I couldn’t have asked for a better series to be involved in.”

    One major activity the channel conducted around this series was the Eleven To Lanka Contest. Basically, anybody could participate. All one had to do was take a picture of oneself along with 10 other people. They could be friends, family or total strangers. It then had to be sent to Ten Sports’ site along with a slogan that explained why your team should be chosen. The channel claims to have received 2,000 entries. The winners will be announced shortly.

  • Is Raksha Bandhan par… Sirf shagun hi kafi nahin! ‘Content Innovation’ this Raksha Bandhan only on Radio City

    Is Raksha Bandhan par… Sirf shagun hi kafi nahin! ‘Content Innovation’ this Raksha Bandhan only on Radio City

    Mumbai, August 8, 2006: With a dash of fun, glamour, entertainment & excitement, Radio City, India’s premiere FM station, celebrates the sacred festival of Rakhi with a difference! Radio City in association with Cadbury India, presents an interesting reality show as part of the Raksha Bandhan
    celebration across the nation, thereby helping strengthen the thread of love embellished with sister’s affection for her brother.

    The Rakhi celebrations at Radio City were kicked off two weeks prior to Raksha Bandhan, through an exciting on-air contest wherein a lucky Radio City listener is selected as the RJ’s brother. The RJ hosting the activity is Lavanya in Mumbai, Richa in Delhi and Pooja in Lucknow. The winner matches several criteria that the RJ would ideally like in her brother including his nature, mannerism, temperament, likes & dislikes.

    On August 9, 2006 listeners too can enjoy the moment by tuning into Radio City as the winner prepares himself for a special Rakhi ceremony at the studio amidst much fanfare & festivity. What’s more! The event is made more special as the brother-sister duo exchange Cadbury Celebrations gift hampers and build a lifelong chord.

    On the festive occasion Mr. Ashit Kukian, Head Sales, Radio city said, “Radio City is known for pioneering innovative initiatives. We have always believed in maximising value for our clients through exciting offerings that easily integrate the product with appealing on-air content, supported on ground to facilitate a stronger bond with the listeners.”

    About Radio City:
    Radio City is India’s first and leading hit music FM radio brand. Promoted by Music Broadcast Private Limited (MBPL), the private FM network has captured the hearts of millions of listeners across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Hyderabad and now Chennai. In the II Phase of expansion of FM Radio, Radio City has bagged the licences to broadcast in 16 more cities. Radio City will soon regale listeners in Jaipur, Coimbatore, Vizag, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, apart from the smaller centres in Western India. Radio City broadcasts 24/7, using state of the art digital stereo FM
    for unmatched quality in signal strength, clarity and brilliance. Backed by expertise in programming, sales and marketing, Radio City is characterized by exciting shows that give it unmatched popular appeal. Innovative programming, vivacious radio jockeys and popular contemporary music uniquely position Radio City to deliver targeted audiences across India’s most important cities.

  • China hopeful of offering mobile TV for 2008 Olympics

    China hopeful of offering mobile TV for 2008 Olympics

    MUMBAI: China is preparing to launch mobile TV in time for the 2008 Olympics. Although 3G licences are yet to be distributed in China, this move that could serve as a big push for mobile television in Asia.

    Media reports indicate that China will be using the digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) standard for rollout.

    A report in Xinhua quoting China’s State Administration for Radio, Film and Television (Sarft) said that transmission of TV signals to mobiles would be tested in the middle of next year.

    The satellite system will be activated in the first half of 2008 so that the Olympic Games could be projected to millions of mobile users across the country.

    China’s two biggest mobile telecom operators, China Mobile and China Unicom are expected to sign agreements at the end of the month with mobile phone makers to buy TV handsets soon.

    China has more than 400 million mobile phone users and the number is increasing by 5 million a month, according to the Ministry of Information Technology.

  • ESPN STAR Sports salutes Indian Sporting heroes on Independence Day

    ESPN STAR Sports salutes Indian Sporting heroes on Independence Day

    New Delhi, August 10, 2006: ESPN Star Sports, will showcase some of the most memorable moments in the history of Indian sports this Independence Day. Keeping up with the spirit of Independence Day, the leading broadcaster will relive glorious moments in Indian sports for viewers across the country in a specially produced programming initiative.

    Explaining the initiative, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd Managing Director R C Venkateish said, “ESPN Star Sports has always looked at initiatives to redefine its offerings to the audiences. This Independence Day, keeping up with the spirit of patriotism, we will be showcasing some of the most memorable sporting events in Indian history, the moments that have done India and Indians proud at the international level.”

    ESPN will showcase India’s cricketing glory against England, symbolic to India overturning the British Empire to attain Independence. The 1986 series, where Kapil Dev led and Vengsarkar inspired India won two Test matches; the 1971 series, where India’s spin trio had England in a web; the historic 1983 World Cup semi final and the record chase by Indians against England in the NatWest series final, the day will feature some of the best talent in some of the keenly contested matches in the cricketing history of India.

    Star Sports will be showcasing some of modern India’s finest moments with modern day Indian sporting icons such as Narain Karthikeyan, Shiv Kapur, Sonjay Dutt, Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupathi doing India proud at the international level at individual and team sports.

    The schedule as per date, time, event and channel are as follows;

    On ESPN –
    15th August (0800-1200) 1986, England vs. India, 1st and 2nd Test
    15th August (1200-1800) Headingly Special
    15th August (1800-2000) 1971, England vs. India, Test Series
    15th August (2000-2100) News (India and Asia)
    15th August (2100-2200) 1983 World Cup, Semifinal, England vs. India
    15th August (2200-2300) News repeat
    15th August (2300-0030) The Natwest Series, Final, England vs. India

    On Star Sports –
    15th August (0800-0900) TNA Monthly India Specials- Sonjay Dutt
    15th August (0900-1000) 2006 Formula One- Narain Karthikeyan
    15th August (1000-1100) Volvo Masters of Asia- Shiv Kapur
    15th August (1100-1200) Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships- Sania Mirza
    15th August (1200-1800) India Glorious- Adelaide Special
    15th August (1800-1900) TNA Monthly India Specials- Sonjay Dutt
    15th August (1900-2000) Philippines Open- Sneha
    15th August (2000-2100) Indian Legends- 1983 World Cup final
    15th August (2100-2200) Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships- Mahesh Bhupathi
    15th August (2200-2300) TNA Monthly India Specials- Sonjay Dutt
    15th August (2300-0000) 15th Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup

  • Uttaranchal Tourism Board joins hand with BBC World to promote tourism

    MUMBAI: To boost the state tourism sector and to communicate that Uttaranchal is a preferred destination, Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has tied up with the international news channel BBC World.

    An international electronic campaign has been launched for Uttaranchal, which will be shown on the BBC World.
    The team at BBC World had produced two advertorials focusing on the state’s key tourist attractions, adventure and spirituality, in order to attract its target audience of high-end international travellers. These advertorials have been launched in the UK and European beam, South Asia and Middle East beam and North America with effect from 20 June. The campaign is expected to run till October 2006, informs an official release.

    BBC World was chosen as the most suitable medium of communication to promote the unexplored attractions of the state of Uttaranchal in foreign markets based on proven research endorsing the fact that the channel’s viewership consists of a global audience with avid interest in long haul travel.

    The challenge of the brief provided was to create a presence for UTDB through a campaign, which reflected the state’s unique attractions. In response, BBC World provided a suitable advertorial and sponsorship package to highlight the distinct characteristics of the state, which appropriately engages the core target group of the high-end international traveller.

    BBC World also provided additional exposure to the campaign by airing the commercials on specific US Airways flights.

    “BBC World understood our requirements perfectly and the team was able to creatively do justice and turn our vision into reality. We are hopeful in building the profile of the Uttaranchal region as a holiday destination through this unique campaign and expect increased inbound tourist arrivals from key foreign markets in the upcoming season. With BBC World’s credibility and reach in our focus markets, we are happy to work with them as partners”, says Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board marketing and publicity director Arun Srivastava in the statement issued today.

    BBC World head of sales Seema Mohapatra comments, “We are proud to partner with the UTDB in producing this unique international electronic campaign for the state of Uttaranchal. Delivering successful campaigns to tourism clients has been one of our key strengths amongst many others and we are happy that the campaign has received encouraging reviews from across the globe. It is our endeavour to continuously bring to our clients a range of innovative and creative advertising solutions which reach their focus markets and target audiences worldwide and help them in building their brand on an international platform.”

  • Sony to launch ‘Man Mein Hai Visshwas’ on 18 Aug at 8 pm

    Sony to launch ‘Man Mein Hai Visshwas’ on 18 Aug at 8 pm

    MUMBAI: Yet another new show from the Sony stable is all set to hit the airwaves from 18 August. The one hour show Man Mein Hai Visshwas, produced by Creative Eye will be aired every Friday at 8 pm. The slot was earlier occupied by Deal Ya No Deal.

    Man Mein Hai Visshwas is about real life miracles evolved from man’s unshakable faith. Each episode will showcase experiences of people whose lives have changed after they experienced incidents that can be described as nothing but miracles. The show will have Nitish Bharadwaj (of Mahabharat’s Krishna fame) as the narrator of the show.

    Sony Entertainment Television COO NP Singh said, “Man Mein Hai Visshwas is a combination of mythology, drama and reality that will carve a niche for itself in the prime time band. This show incorporates short stories that are real and based on intense faith and devotion people have on a deity or temple. This unique blend of realism and mythology we hope will capture the viewers’ attention. The show in simple terms is all about unshakable faith that makes miracles happen.”

    Creative Eye director Dheeraj Kumar added, “With Nitish Bharadwaj playing the suthradhar for a show that blends mythology with real life, Man Mein Hai Visshwas will prove to be a very engaging show to watch out for amidst the saas – bahu sagas. It is also a subject that has never before been explored on television.”

    The show will also include real life experiences from renowned artists like Pandit Jasraj amongst others.

    Sony will unleash a six week on-air campaign on its network channels to build reach and frequency for the show. The print ads will be launched on 18 August in all Hindi speaking markets to create awareness. Apart from this, radio and cable will also be used to build frequency across all FM stations and Vividh Bharti.

    The channel is also planning an innovative ground activity to attract attention and create buzz closer to the launch day of Man Mein Hai Visshwas. What’s more, sweets will also be distributed outside temples along with the pamphlets of the show details. Many shop fronts will sport the branding of the show along.

    “We will also drive visibility for the show with branding at Ganapati Pandals across the city, which will be coupled with PR and communication activities that will help drive awareness and create buzz across the country. Apart from this, innovative on-air elements such as bugs, Aston bands and bumpers will be used to build frequency and visibility of promotion on the channel along with promotion across the SET network,” said Sony senior vice president and programming head Anupama Mandloi.

  • SPE crosses $1 billion in domestic box office receipts

    SPE crosses $1 billion in domestic box office receipts

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has surpassed the $1 billion mark in box office receipts for calendar year 2006, making it the fifth year in a row the studio has reached that milestone at the box office.

    The announcement was made by Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution and SPE vice chairman Jeff Blake.

    Exceeding more than $1 billion for five consecutive years is a sustained record of box office strength matched by only one other studio, Warner Bros. During the past five years combined, no studio has performed better in North America than Sony Pictures Entertainment. Since January, 2002, the studio has released 37 top films. Sony was number one in market share in 2002 and 2004, was number two in 2003 and the studio is number one to date in 2006 controlling approximately 18 per cent of all North American ticket sales.

    Additionally, Sony is the only studio to exceed the $6 billion mark in domestic box office sales between 2002 and 2006.

    Contributing to the success of the 2006 slate are eight number one films: Columbia Pictures’ The DaVinci Code, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Click, RV, and Pink Panther, Screen Gems’ Underworld: Evolution and When a Stranger Calls, and TriStar Pictures’ Silent Hill. No studio has ever released more than nine top films in a single year. Other hits contributing to the studio’s success this year include Monster House, Benchwarmers and Little Man.

    “With the exceptionally strong slate Sony has remaining in 2006, we believe we will have one of the biggest years in the history of the motion picture industry. A year like this doesn’t happen by chance. The production team worked with some of the best filmmakers in the business to deliver a great line up of films in 2006 and the marketing and distribution teams have made the most of it,” said Blake.

    Sony Pictures expects to add significantly to the $1 billion figure during the remainder of the year with such highly anticipated upcoming releases as Screen Gems’ thriller The Covenant, Columbia’s dramas Gridiron Gang, All the King’s Men, Marie Antoinette and The Pursuit of Happyness, Sony Pictures Animation’s first feature-length family adventure comedy Open Season, Columbia’s horror thriller The Grudge 2, Stranger Than Fiction and Nancy Meyers’ romantic comedy The Holiday and Columbia and MGM’s James Bond action adventure Casino Royale.