ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Eight Mumbai kids shortlisted at Hungama TV’s ‘John Aur Kaun?’ auditions

    Eight Mumbai kids shortlisted at Hungama TV’s ‘John Aur Kaun?’ auditions

    MUMBAI: Hungama TV’s Oral-B John aur Kaun (JAK) auditions that were held in Mumbai on 29 July saw over 1000 kids auditioning. The judges had to screen through kids between the age group of 4 -14 years in the first round of Oral-B JAK before short listing 50 kids.

    The final round was held on 30 July in Andheri where celebrity judge Poonam Narula Goel zeroed in on the eight finalists who would represent Mumbai for the final leg. The kids were judged on the basis of their confidence quotient, expressions and creativity in the reaction round.

    The final 8 kids selected from Mumbai are: Kritika Sharma (14), Tanya Sharma (10), Chandni Bhagwanani (13), Smriti Sukhija (11), Anashwar Rurup (7), Rohit Jetwani (10), Gaurav Jetwani (11) and Kevin Johi (11).

    The Oral-B JAK auditions, which received a good response in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai, will now travel across Kolkata and Ahmedabad and will culminate in August. The talented eight contenders per city will be flown to Mumbai for the final rounds. This nationwide audition will be aired as a reality show on Hungama TV where these kids will be seen displaying their singing, acting and dancing talents. The selected kids will be further groomed by eminent industry professionals at every step of the contest.

    Finally, one boy and one girl will be chosen to act in a UTV-produced movie with Hungama TV’s brand ambassador John Abraham. The winners will also be presented with a cash prize of Rs 500,000 each, along with a three year contract with UTV to manage their acting careers.

    Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta said, “Hundred’s of hugely talented children gathered at the Mumbai auditions and Poonam had a very tough time to finally shortlist the eight kids. The excitement, energy and enthusiasm of the kids and their parents was an inspiration to all of us at Hungama TV. We are truly delighted with the response.”

  • AOL to launch new video portal

    AOL to launch new video portal

    MUMBAI: AOL, live and on-demand entertainment video programming and video search provider, has announced that it will preview a beta version of its new AOL Video portal later this week.

    Available for free at http://www.aolvideo.com, the new AOL Video is an all-in-one, high-quality entertainment destination to find, watch and share millions of videos across the Web, informs an official release.

    New features on the AOL video portal include, over 45 new video-on-demand content channels with thousands of hours of video programming from entertainment brands, organised and accessible via video search, browse, or an interactive programming guide; free streaming content as well as the ability to purchase and download full-length content that can be viewed on multiple devices and PCs, online or offline; and access to millions of music videos, news clips, movie trailers, full length TV shows, and more, adds the release.

    It includes more than 45 new video channels with content from entertainment brands including A&E Television Networks, MTV Networks, Turner Networks, Warner Bros. Entertainment, among others.

    “AOL has long been a leader in online video and with the new AOL Video portal we have created the best and easiest place online for anyone on the Web to find, watch and share the videos they’re looking for,” said AOL executive VP Kevin Conroy.

    “From originally produced and licensed programming to branded online video-on-demand channels to user-created videos that people create, upload and share on the Web themselves, AOL Video is truly the first one-stop source that brings the best videos on the Web together in one place and gives consumers more choice. If a video is out there, you’ll find it here on AOL Video.com,” he adds.

    AOL Video also includes AOL Video Search, which is based on video search technology from Truveo and Singingfish, and a video player that can go full screen without losing picture quality and that supports AOL’s exclusive Hi-Q video format to watch DVD-quality videos online.

    In addition, the portal includes AOL’s new UnCut Video offering, which makes it easy to upload and share videos online by providing full device support, letting consumers upload and share videos directly from their camcorder, Webcam, video-enabled mobile phone, as well as their PC.

  • I&B ministry clears Rs 29.7 billion expansion plan for Doordarshan, AIR

    I&B ministry clears Rs 29.7 billion expansion plan for Doordarshan, AIR

    MUMBAI: As part of the tenth five year plan outlay, the Information & Broadcasting ministry has approved Rs 25.63 billion towards Doordarshan’s development.Additionally, Rs 4.11 billion has been set aside for the expansion of All India Radio’s (AIR) services.

    The total outlay earmarked for DD and AIR in the Tenth Plan is Rs 29.74 billion.

    As part of the expansion plans for AIR, a special package will be provided for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the north-eastern states, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N).
    This was announced by Information & Broadcasting and parliamentary affairs P R Dasmunsi yesterday in the Lok Sabha.

    According to an official statement, 12 new/upgradation projects have been identified for the J&K. Kathua and Rajouri will have FM radio stations as part of the schemes.

    Under Phase I, North East special plan, 10 kW FM transmitters will come up at Itanagar, Kohima and Port Blair.

    Under Phase II of North-Eastern special plan, the undernoted transmission/relay facilities will be provided with
    #10 kW FM transmitter, playback studio, staff quarters at Gangtok – (additional channel).

    #5 kW FM transmitter, playback studio, at Silchar – (additional channel).

    #1 kW FM transmitters, voice over recording/dubbing, field production facilities, staff quarters at 19 places i.e. Daporijo, Anini, Bomdila, Changlang, Khonsa (Arunachal Pradesh), Karimganj, Lumding, Goalpara (Assam), Ukhrul, Tamenglong (Manipur), Dawki (Meghalaya), Tuipang, Chemphai, Kolasib (Mizoram), Wokha, Zunehboto, Phek (Nagaland) and Udaipur, Nutan Bazar (Tripura).

    #100 W FM transmitter at different locations in North Eastern region (100 places) to cover uncovered area.

    Dasmunsi also spoke on the expenditure incurred by AIR and Doordarshan up to June 2006, which has been Rs 592.6 million and Rs 9 billion, respectively, informs the official statement.

    Interestingly, under the second phase of private FM radio stations, the policy prohibits allocation of more than 15 per cent of total allocated channels in the country to a single company – including its holding, subsidiary, inter-connected companies and companies with the same management.

    Moreover, networking of channels by any two entities has also been specifically prohibited.

    Thus, following this restriction, the Reliance-owned Adlabs and Sun-promoted South Asia FM and Kal Radio had to surrender some circles to adhere to the government mandated national cap of 15 per cent. Both the companies had given up on the stations in the north-east zone to abide by the policy. For example:Adlabs Films had surrendered the frequencies, which included Gangtok, Imphal, Kohima, Port Blair, Shillong, to name a few. While, South Asia FM had given up Imphal, Kohima, Port Blair, Rourkela, Muzzaffarpur, amongst others.

  • Modavox forms strategic partnership with INDOlink

    Modavox forms strategic partnership with INDOlink

    MUMBAI: Phoenix-headquartered internet broadcasting pioneer in producing and syndicating online audio and video Modavox has formed a strategic business partnership with INDOlink, an internet media company serving Asian-Indians.

    As per the agreement, Modavox will deliver Internet pay-per-view, podcasts, on-demand movie trailers and streaming video advertising to targeted audiences including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and India with an estimated audience size of 300 million people.

    INDOlink, the first ethnic niche portal serving Asian-Indians worldwide, specialises in providing valuable and exclusive content and services catering to the core needs of the Asian-Indian community. INDOlink owns internet portals such as PlanetBollywood.com and Nettravel.com.

    Modavox’s VP, Nathaniel Bradley, commented, “Our StreamSyndicate(TM) and StreamSafe(TM) technologies are ideal for security, control and promotion of INDOlink’s Internet content. INDOlink’s niche marketing focus provides an exciting, sizeable opportunity. The capabilities of our proprietary software provide new sources of revenue and business opportunities for advertisers and content providers seeking to access this key demographic.”

  • DQ Entertainment in JV with French firm; plans to invest Rs 2.5 billion over 3 yrs

    DQ Entertainment in JV with French firm; plans to invest Rs 2.5 billion over 3 yrs

    MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE) is eyeing joint venture deals with international animation companies that would assure it of a product pipeline. As a step in this direction, the company has entered into a 51:49 per cent joint venture with France’s animation powerhouse Onyx Films to produce high-end CGI feature films.

    “We are looking at more such deals with other companies which would boost our product pipeline. That will form a part of our expansion strategy,” says DQ Entertainment MD and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.

    The JV with Onyx Films, in which DQE will make an initial investment of Euro 1.5 million (around Rs 90 million), has identified three feature films valued at $89.5 million including Skyland (budget of $31.5 million), Night of the Child King ($30 million) and The Enchanted Boy ($28 million). While Skyland is funded fully, the process of arranging money is on for Night of the Child King. “Besides these three movies, the aim of the JV is to launch one feature film every year from 2008 onwards,” says Chakravarti.

    DQE is also buying a 20 per cent strategic stake in TV production company Method Films, a sister concern of Onyx, for Euro 2.5 million (around Rs 150 million). Already lined up is a slate of nine TV series for major broadcasters in the US, Canada and Europe, six of which are currently under production. “The strategic stake in Method Films will help us access global revenue and overseas funds for the entire production. It will also provide DQE a huge order pipeline in the area of animation, VFX and post production work in the years to come,” says Chakravarti.

    DQE is planning to invest Rs 2.5 billion over three years while ramping up its 3,000-seater capacity to a strength of 5,000. The company is currently capitalised to the extent of $12 million and has private equity investors including International Finance Corporation (IFC), India Value Fund, IL&FS Investment Managers Ltd and TDA Capital Partners.

    The company clocked $12 million in FY06 and is projecting a turnover of $25 million this fiscal. The target will be much higher once DQE has established itself in the value chain game. The JV will help it leap into the status of feature film producers while guaranteeing utilisation of production facilities and additional streams of revenue.

    “Strategic alliances are extremely important and will bring about strong presence of creativity, powered by massive production capabilities,” says Onyx Films chairman and Method Films CEO Aton Soumache.

    The private equity investors in DQE are bullish about the growth prospects of the company. “DQE is beginning to work on the content side of the animation business rather than being a pure outsourcing player. By entering into this joint venture, the company has shown that it is keen to participate in the financial risk of the animation business. This way there can be substantial upsides,” says Rajeev Agrawal, fund manager at India Value Fund.

  • Dopfner elected to join Time Warner Board of Directors

    Dopfner elected to join Time Warner Board of Directors

    MUMBAI: Time Warner Inc. has announced that Mathias Dopfner has been elected to join its Board of directors. Dopfner is chairman, CEO and head of the Newspapers Division of German publishing giant Axel Springer AG.

    Dopfner becomes the 12th member of Time Warner’s Board. His election is part of the company’s previously announced plan to add two new independent directors to its Board. Under the leadership of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the company is continuing the process of recruiting an additional independent director, informs an official release.

    Robert C. Clark, who chairs the Time Warner Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee, said, “We’re delighted that Dopfner has joined Time Warner’s Board. He’s an energetic and widely respected executive, with a solid record of leadership in the media industry. Dopfner not only brings the personal qualities that we seek in directors, but also enhances our Board’s independence and geographic diversity.”

    Time Warner Chairman and CEO Dick Parsons said, “Mathias Dopfner has done a terrific job of running one of the leading media companies in Europe, which is a key region of growth and opportunity for our company. In doing so, he has emerged at the top of a new generation of media industry leaders. He has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing media businesses around the world as well as the intelligence and character to enable him to serve the interests of our shareholders effectively.”

    Dopfner added, “I’m honoured to join Time Warner’s Board of Directors. I look forward to the opportunity to work with my fellow Board members and management in helping this great company achieve its strategic objectives and provide superior returns for its shareholders.”

    Since 2002, Dopfner has been CEO of Axel Springer which publishes more than 150 newspapers and magazines in 32 countries. He joined Axel Springer in 1998, as editor-in-chief of Die Welt. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the member of Axel Springer’s Management Board responsible for the company’s Multimedia and Newspapers Divisions. Before joining Axel Springer, Dopfner waseEditor-in-chief of Hamburger Morgenpost (1996-1998) and Wochenpost (1994-1996), adds the release.

    The other members of Time Warner’s Board are Richard D. Parsons, James L. Barksdale, Stephen F. Bollenbach, Frank J. Caufield, Robert C. Clark, Jessica P. Einhorn, Reuben Mark, Michael A. Miles, Kenneth J. Novack, Francis T. Vincent, Jr. and Deborah C. Wright.

  • Bollywood Fashion Awards recognise Indo-American talents

    Bollywood Fashion Awards recognise Indo-American talents

    MUMBAI: The Bollywood Fashion Awards were held in New York on 29 July 2006, with Broadway’s Bombay Dreams’ lead Manu Narayan as host.

    Kamal Dandona, who launched the Awards, has instituted an event that has become beacon for generations of designers drawing inspiration from both Indian and American traditions.

    Supermodel Iman, presented Rachel Roy with the award for “Outstanding Contribution to American Fashion” for her couture which is a celebrity-favourite in Hollywood.

    Another top honour was given to theater legend Ben Vereen who was felicitated with the specially instituted “Sammy Davis Jr. Award” for combining style and talent. The audience broke into loud applause when he spoke of his desire to go to Bollywood.

    Rouge, the girl-band toppping of the charts in the U.K. and India, was honoured with the award for “Most Stylish International Group.” Later in the evening, they captivated the crowd a performance including their hit song including “Don’t Be Shy.”

    Other awards were taken home by Aryan Vaid for “Model of the Year – Male”, Nethra for “Model of the Year – Female”, Manish Malhotra for “Designer of the Year – Film”, Sabyasachi for “Haute Couture” and Black for “Most Stylish Film.”

    Other performers included DJ Sanj, Sourabh Jain, Narayan and Amir Jamal.

    Among the designers to showcase their collections were Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra, Sushma Patel and Sabyasachi.

  • Government issues CAS notification; CAS in 3 metros by 31 December

    Government issues CAS notification; CAS in 3 metros by 31 December

    MUMBAI: The government today issued a notification setting 31 December, 2006 as the deadline for the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata to be be fully “CAS delivered”.

    The notification honours a commitment made to the Delhi High Court which on 20 July had ordered that CAS (conditional access systems) should be introduced in all three metros on or before 1 January 2007.

    The court, in its order had also made clear its resolve not to allow further delays in the matter, declaring that all pending and any new issues related to CAS raised by the government would be taken up only after the CAS’ implementation deadline of 31 December 2006. Accordingly, it set the next date of hearing on the matter for 10 January 2007.

    The notification states: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 4A, read with section 9 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 (7 of 1995), the Central Government, having been satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, and having regard to the aforesaid order dated the 20th July, 2006 of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, hereby notifies 31st December, 2006 as the date from which it shall be mandatory for every cable operator to transmit or re-transmit programmes of every pay channel through an addressable system in the areas notified by the Government of India in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vide number S.O. 792(E) dated the 10th July, 2003.”

    The areas that fall under the CAS notification are the Kolkata Metropolitan areas, the areas covered by the Municipal Council of Greater Mumbai and the National Capital Region of Delhi.

    MSOs and independent cable operators will have to work out commercial agreements with broadcasters including fixing of channel rates. Said SET Discovery Ltd president Anuj Gandhi, “Now the focus will be on MSOs to show their preparedness for CAS. We hope to be ready with our rates in the next three months. By setting 1 January as the deadline, we will have to compress the time frame a bit.”

  • Sony to launch adaptation of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in September

    Sony to launch adaptation of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in September

    MUMBAI: Reality shows and Sony Entertainment Television (SET) go hand in hand and have more or less become synonymous with each other. Having already launched Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul and Fear Factor and with the buzz being high on upcoming new launches like Big Brother and Extreme Makeover; comes another adaptation of the ABC’s reality show Dancing With the Stars on Sony.

    The Indian adaptation – Jhalak Dikhla Ja – will be co-produced by Siddhartha Basu’s Synergy Communications and Theatre Red and is scheduled to launch in the first week of September. Jhalak Dikhla Ja will be a bi-weekly show and will involve a high level of audience participation and viewer interactivity.

    Dancing with the Stars is the American version of the BBC TV series Strictly Come Dancing. The concept of the show is to pair a celebrity with a professional dancer in an attempt to win a high score from a panel of three judges and then a majority of votes from the viewers, who can call in or vote online. The person who receives the lowest score is eliminated.

    SET India senior vice president and programming head Anupama Mondloi says, “We will have celebrities from different walks of life like television, Bollywood, cricket and hospitality industry.”

    When queried as to how Jhalak Dikhla Ja will be different from Star One’s successful show – Nach Baliye – which was based on the same lines, Mondloi says, “All shows have certain amount of similarities whether it is a soap or a reality show. The key differentiator of Jhalak Dikhla Ja will be the viewer interaction. We will be looking at having maximum touch points for viewers to select their favourite celebrity and choreographer pair.”

    As per the original format, phone lines open at the beginning of each show for viewers to vote for their favorite couples and stay open for 30 minutes after the show ends. The couple with the lowest score is knocked out of the competition and one couple will be knocked out of the competition each week, starting with the first week. Online voting options are also made available and only one vote per email address is allowed.

    With its pulse firmly on the reality meter, Sony will be launching the local version of Big Brother in November this year. On the other hand, Extreme Makeover will launch sometime early next year along with the second season of Fear Factor India. Another reality show on the cards is Paisa Bhaari Padega. The subsequent seasons of Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul also cannot be dismissed altogether!

    Only time will tell whether the reality overdose will eventually lead to viewer fatigue on Sony; but it’s worth keeping in mind that reality shows are just spurts in the overall programming scenario and hence Sony will also have to pull up their socks on some high voltage drama and fiction front. New fiction shows on Sony like Thodi Khushi Thode Gham, Aisa Desh Hai Mera, Vaidehi and Akela still have to pick up steam on the ratings front, where Star shows are omnipresent and Zee’s Saath Phere, Kasamh Se and Sambhav Asambhav too are definitely making a mark.

  • Hinduja TMT Q1 records profit at Rs 1670.53 million

    Hinduja TMT Q1 records profit at Rs 1670.53 million

    MUMBAI: Hinduja TMT Ltd has posted a profit of Rs 1670.53 million for the quarter ended 30 June, as against Rs 105.40 million for the same period a year ago.

    Total income is Rs 2850.10 million for the quarter, as against Rs 411.48 million a year ago.

    The figures related to the quarter ended 30 June, are not comparable to the corresponding previous quarter, since the company’s Manila Branch commenced operations with effect from 1 October, 2005.

    HTMT provides information technology (IT), business process outsourcing (BPO) and contact center services.