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Category: News Headline

  • HT Media net trebles at Rs 306.3 million

    HT Media net trebles at Rs 306.3 million

    MUMBAI: HT Media Limited has reported a 33 per cent increase in revenues for the quarter ended 30 June 2006 to Rs. 2.48 billion, compared to Rs 1.86 billion a year ago. This is driven primarily by contributions from the Mumbai operations which was launched in July 2005, the company said in a release.

    Enhanced operating efficiencies and robust ad revenue growth resulted in a 113.3 per cent improvement in operating profits (EBITDA) for the quarter which increased to Rs 606.2 million. The operating margin for the quarter improved to 24.5 per cent from 15.3 per cent last year.

    Pre-tax profits recorded a substantial increase from Rs 154.2 million last year to Rs 473.6 million in Q1FY2007. Net profit for the quarter under review, when compared with corresponding period last year, more than trebled to Rs 306.3 million from Rs 98.1 million, translating into an EPS (non-annualized) of Rs 6.53.

    Commentiing on the performance HT Media vice chairperson and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia said: “Our performance during the quarter has been very encouraging. We are pleased to report that our Mumbai operations are performing in line with plan, enabling us to attract national advertisers and better rates. In addition to being a leader in the English market, we are also one of the country’s largest players in the Hindi segment where we are expanding our footprint. Our operations continue to be fundamentally robust, and we intend to make further investments in new growth initiatives during the current year. Our growth strategy is working as intended and we believe that the outlook for the full year is quite strong.

  • Media companies oppose Broadcast Bill 2006

    Media companies oppose Broadcast Bill 2006

    NEW DELHI: It was day of lobbying here as print and electronic media met up with a government official on Thursday to express serious concern over a draft Broadcast Bill 2006, which despite being in formative stages has the potential of being restrictive.

    The underlying theme of a meeting that media company representatives had with I&B secretary SK Arora was that proposed media norms were simply ways to gag the media, even if it’s still to get a Cabinet nod, and had to be opposed.

    More irksome and dangerous, media companies felt, was an attempt by the government to try draft a legislation without consulting the industry, contrary to what had been done with other media norms (especially the PRB Act relating to the print medium), which smacked of total lack of transparency.

    Though Arora did not hand out any assurances at the meting with the media committee of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he did admit that he would try preparing a concept paper based on a draft Cabinet note relating to the Broadcasting Bill 2006 for industry’s feedback.

    The senior government official, who also received a representation from the Indian Broadcasting Foundation separately later in the day, tried his best to allay fears of the media and conveyed that some of the so-called draconian features and restrictions already existed in some form or other in existing pieces of legislation.

    According to some of those who attended the meeting, when confronted with the fact that proposed norms would hamper fair business activities, Arora opined that government’s endeavour was not to be restrictive, but facilitate business and create a level playing field for all.

    Those who attended the meeting included the India Today Group chief Aroon Purie, Business Standard’s CEO and editor T N Ninan, Zee group’s Jawahar Goel, Discovery Network India’s EVP and MD Deepak Shourie, NDTV’s Narayan Rao and Star Group India CEO Peter Mukerjea, The Tribune newspaper editor HK Dua and Reliance-Anil Ambani group’s Tarun Katial.

    That Arora had very little to offer to the media, except carry their feedback to his political masters, was evident when Reliance’s Katial brought up the topic of allowing news and current affairs on private radio FM stations and drew a blank from the government official.

    Though CII is yet to issue an official statement on the meeting, opinion seems to be divided.

    While one media representative termed the meeting “an exercise into futility with lot of work still to be done,” another said that most media companies felt a bit re-assured.

    However, on one issue there was unanimity: the need for electronic and print apex bodies to come together on a common platform to raise voice against restrictive media legislation.

    Increasingly as the government faces flak over the proposed Broadcast Bill, which smacks of restrictions and attempts at media muzzling by introducing a government-controlled regulatory body, industry too is scurrying to get its act together.

    In the middle of June, the I&B ministry had circulated a draft Cabinet note on regulating broadcasting services amongst other ministries for feedback. When leaked in the media, it kicked up a furore.

    Since then, I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi has been blowing hot and cold. First he denied existence of the draft. Then he backtracked to say he’d bring in a media-friendly legislation in Parliament to emphasize the very next day that he does not propose any “dilution” or “pollution” in the draft.

    While the government would want to bring the Bill in Parliament in the monsoon session, starting from Monday next, other ministries are yet to send in their feedback that may take up to 15 days for compilation, according to an official of the I&B ministry.

  • Paris Hilton’s self-titled debut album to release on 22 August

    Paris Hilton’s self-titled debut album to release on 22 August

    MUMBAI: Hotel heiress, movie actress, reality television star, model, author, perfumer, nightclub impresario and style icon Paris Hilton will add “pop diva” to her résumé with the release of her self-titled debut album for Warner Bros. Records on 22 August.

    Hilton collaborated with several top-notch producers to give her club-ready dance pop an urban edge, including hip-hop’s reigning hit-maker Scott Storch (50 Cent, Beyoncé), Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem (Rihanna), and Dr. Luke (Pink, Kelly Clarkson). 

    She also worked with songwriting heavyweights Kara DioGuardi (Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Ashlee Simpson), Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Cyndi Lauper), and Sheppard Solomon (Natalie Imbruglia), as well as rappers Jadakiss and Fat Joe (on Fightin’ Over Me). Grammy-winning engineers Tony Maserati (Black Eyed Peas, Beyoncé) and Serban Ghenea (Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Pink) mixed the album, which was recorded over the course of the last year in Miami and Los Angeles, states an official release.

    From the bona fide hit single Stars Are Blind, which is currently at number 16 on Billboard’s Pop chart, to the club banger Turn It Up to the infectious I Want You, Hilton’s debut flaunts the knowing pop smarts of her idols Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Blondie’s Deborah Harry, adds the release.

  • China Video Industry Association to develop HDMI technology with Silicon Image

    China Video Industry Association to develop HDMI technology with Silicon Image

    MUMBAI: The California-headquartered Silicon Image, Inc., a global player in semiconductors for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content, has announced a landmark agreement with the China Video Industry Association (CVIA) under which CVIA will promote and support the use of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) by the consumer electronics industry in China.

    The agreement with CVIA positions China to play a major role developing next-generation digital consumer electronics technology.

    As part of the agreement, Silicon Image and CVIA have agreed to work together to promote HDMI adoption among domestic Chinese electronics manufacturers, co-develop new technology applicable to HDMI, and collaborate on establishing testing and interoperability certification labs that complement the capabilities of the HDMI Authorized Testing Centers established by Silicon Image, states an official release.

    In addition, Silicon Image will support the China Digital Interface Industry Alliance (CDIA), an industry alliance consisting of major Chinese electronics manufacturers that CVIA is establishing. CDIA will work to promote the use of HDMI in consumer electronic products, promote communications among manufacturers in China and abroad, and strengthen coordination between hardware manufacturers and content providers, the release adds.

    In a related announcement, HDMI Licensing, LLC, announced a global reduction in the annual administration fee charged to HDMI adopters. The fee reduction was made possible by HDMI’s growing success in the marketplace; more than 400 makers of consumer electronics and PC products worldwide have adopted HDMI, including 82 companies in China.Based in Beijing, the China Video Industry Association (CVIA) is China’s industry association for manufacturers of digital television, digital movie/broadcasting, high definition optical disc, set-top box and information technology equipment and components, and is focused on promoting China’s digital consumer electronics industry.

    In 2005, China manufactured 82 million televisions and 140 million DVD or VCD players, according to CVIA. Sales of plasma and LCD TVs are forecast to grow 105 percent this year to $5.5 billion, and are estimated to reach $10.5 billion in 2008, according to IDC.

    “Today China is taking a major step forward in promoting the development of its digital consumer electronics industry,” says Department of Broadcasting and Television, Ministry of Information Industry director Bai Weimin. “CVIA’s agreement to partner with Silicon Image to develop new digital interface technology will further the development of China’s electronics manufacturers as leaders in creating advanced digital technologies.”

    “Under this agreement, China’s companies will not only embrace the global HDMI standard but will partner with Silicon Image to participate in future technology development for HDMI,” says CVIA vice secretary-general Hao Yabin. “This agreement will help China develop its own intellectual property, protect the interests of China’s digital consumer electronics industry, and improve the cooperation and mutual benefit of the domestic and international high definition technology industries.”

    “Silicon Image will work closely with China’s digital consumer electronics industry to help create innovative, cutting edge products and technologies,” says Silicon Image president and CEO Steve Tirado. “This agreement represents an important expansion of the HDMI standard into the world’s largest consumer market, and strongly re-affirms HDMI as the worldwide standard for high-definition digital devices.”

    New Testing Labs

    As part of the agreement, Silicon Image and CVIA will cooperate in establishing testing and interoperability certification labs. Silicon Image will continue to operate HDMI Authorized Testing Centers (ATCs) and Simplay HD Testing Centers in China. In addition, Silicon Image, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplay Labs, LLC, and CVIA will work together to establish testing and interoperability certification labs that complement the capabilities of the HDMI ATCs.

    Silicon Image today also announced the opening of China’s second combined HDMI ATC / Simplay HD Testing Center in Shanghai, and with the support of CVIA plans to open a third such facility in China at a location to be determined.

    The Simplay HDTM Testing Program consists of branding, compatibility testing, and education for consumers to provide them with a consistent “plug and play” user experience and to maximize their access to premium high definition (HD)

  • CNN US develops state of the art weather centre

    CNN US develops state of the art weather centre

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster CNN has launched a new CNN Weather Center, which it claims is the most state-of-the-art weather forecasting and reporting center in the broadcast industry.

    CNN US senior VP domestic news operations and administration Jack Womack, says, “CNN brings to bear one of the most experienced team of meteorologists in the news business, as evidenced by their accurate and urgent forecasting one severe weather event after another. Arming that incredible team with the state-of-the-art facility at the CNN Weather Center is an exciting move; there simply isn’t another weather center in television with the capabilities and technologies we have assembled here.”

    Throughout the network’s history, CNN has deployed the latest technologies and relied on experienced weather experts to report on severe weather systems and events. In particular, CNN distinguished itself during last year’s record-setting hurricane season, not only for its unrivaled breaking news coverage but also for its up-to-the-minute weather forecasts and reports before, during and after each storm.

    With the new center, CNN’s weather team boosts its forecasting and reporting with the computing power of more than 30 dedicated machines, including eight on-air computers; GPS technology designed to track CNN crews in the field and provide them with real-time weather data; and software designed to more closely track weather patterns, commercial airline traffic and related information.

    On-air, viewers will see a more dynamic and complete weather presentation as the new set allows CNN meteorologists to work alone or in tandem, and utilize point-and-click technology to display multiple sources of weather data.

    The network built the new set in the CNN/US newsroom in Atlanta to allow better integration of weather reporting into general newscasts. The CNN Weather Center will also contribute to non-weather-related news stories through the use of detailed maps and satellite photography. Reports from the CNN Weather Center can be seen across CNN Worldwide’s multiple networks and platforms, including Headline News and CNN Pipeline.

  • Columbia Pictures & MGM schedule next James Bond film release for 2 May 2008

    Columbia Pictures & MGM schedule next James Bond film release for 2 May 2008

    MUMBAI: It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.and Sony Pictures Entertainment, that the 22nd James Bond adventure will be released by Columbia Pictures on 2 May 2008 with Daniel Craig reprising the role of the legendary British secret agent.

    The story for the latest James Bond film produced by the franchise holders, EON Productions has yet to be announced.

    EON Productions’ most recent Bond adventure, Die Another Day (2002), was also the highest grossing film in the franchise bringing in almost $430 million in worldwide box office receipts. The World is Not Enough (1999) grossed $353 million, Tomorrow Never Dies released in 1997, grossed more than $340 million around the world and Golden Eye, took in $345 million.

  • Disney on a job cutting spree; starts with studio head Jacobson

    Disney on a job cutting spree; starts with studio head Jacobson

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney is reorganising its film division. The movie studio is looking to axe 650 employees in an effort to trim $90 to $100 million from its annual bottom line.

    One of the first people to lose their jobs is Nina Jacobson who was the head of the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group.

    Media reports indicate that Disney Studio chairman Dick Cook had a conversation with Jacobson. Jacobson’s role will be taken up by Oren Aviv who was the marketing and chief creative officer.

    In a statement Cook says, “Disney is the number one name in filmed entertainment around the world. It’s the name on the door, it’s what we do best, and when we do it right, not only do moviegoers of all ages benefit from the finest in quality entertainment, but it lifts the entire company as well. The depth and breadth of great Disney movies range from Pirates of the Caribbean to Cars to The Chronicles of Narnia and we look to expand our global reach even more. Cutbacks such as these are difficult on so many levels, and we will do everything in our power to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

    As had been reported earlier by indiantelevision.com that Disney is set to cut the number of films made each year from 18 to eight. What is interesting is that Jacobson had argued with M Night Shyamalan about the script for his new film Lady in the Water. The tepid reviews that the film is getting indicate that her concerns were not misplaced. The relationship between Shyamalan and Disney came to an end as a result of the dispute.

  • Ceva & Astri in alliance to develop new generation multimedia for Hong Kong & China

    Ceva & Astri in alliance to develop new generation multimedia for Hong Kong & China

    MUMBAI: Ceva, Inc., the California-headquartered licensor of digital signal processor (DSP) cores, multimedia and storage platforms to the semiconductor industry, and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Ltd (Astri) have announced the Ceva-TeakLite DSP and associated multimedia software. The software will be developed into a fully integrated, low power audio SoC platform solution.

    This is one of the projects driven by Astri IC Design Group’s Multimedia Platform (MMP) initiative. The mission of MMP is to enable a platform-based solution with comprehensive video/audio codec Intellectual Properties (IP) for semiconductor companies in Hong Kong and Greater China. This solution is for developing a cost-effective SoC for a wide range of multimedia applications, including portable multimedia players and IPTV, informs an official release.

    The Ceva-TeakLite’s unique feature, which combines optimal performance and complete audio and imaging codec software, is the key factor for Astri’s decision to licence the DSP. Using a single source for both the DSP and the software, the platform offers Astri the benefit of a highly optimized system that delivers power and performance advantages, and ease-of-integration — all crucial factors in the successful development of a product for the highly competitive portable multimedia markets, the release further informs.

    “By collaborating with a world-class IP company like Ceva, we are able to provide state-of-the-art technologies for manufacturers that compete at the highest level within the semiconductor industry,” says Astri IC Designs Group VP and R&D director Raymond Chiu.

    “Partnering with Astri is of significant importance to our expansion strategy into the growing semiconductor industry in Greater China,” says Ceva CEO Gideon Wertheizer. “Astri’s relationship with local China-based fabless companies and proven track record in IP deployment provide an excellent platform from which we can deliver our Ceva-TeakLite DSP and multimedia software in highly optimized and affordable solutions to the portable multimedia markets.”

  • Shemaroo to offer cable operators movies on licensing model

    Shemaroo to offer cable operators movies on licensing model

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo has entered into an exclusive agreement with Novex Communications for licensing rights of all its movies to cable TV operators. The home video player, which also has a huge movie library for satellite telecast, was earlier selling its cable TV rights directly to multi-system operators (MSOs).

    The movies for cable TV telecast which are already with Hathway Cable & Datacom will also be transferred to Novek after the expiry of its term. Hathway had bought five year rights in a bulk deal, a majority of which are expiring by the end of this year.

    Shemaroo will, thus, be doing away with the fixed fee model whereby it was selling cable TV rights to MSOs. “We will be able to maximise our revenue through the licensee model. We are given a minimum guaranteed amount and on increased growth, will have a revenue share,” says Shemaroo Films MD Raman Maroo.

    Already in the kitty is a collection of over 500 Hindi movies, while at least 15-16 will be added every month. “Almost 80 per cent of what we had sold to Hathway would expire by the end of this year. We will be assigning all our movies to Novex for cable TV exploitation. We have struck a two-year exclusive deal with them,” confirms Maroo.

    Novex Communications plans to charge cable operators a fee of Rs 35 per subscriber, though in reality most of the agreements will be lumpsome deals. “We will enter into annual deals with cable operators. Unlike most of the other movie content suppliers, we will provide actual software to cable operators. We will have at least 700 movies for licensing,” Novex Communications promoter Ketan Kanakia says.

    Novex has already signed a deal with the HFCL Infotel subsidiary Connect Broadband Services Ltd for J&K, Himachal, Punjab and parts of Haryana.

    MSOs, who run cable movie channels bank on the acquisition model. Cable movie channels CVO and CCC, promoted by MSOs Indusind Media and Hathway respectively, acquire movies for cable TV telecast. On the other hand, it is the licensing model which is popular with bulk of the cable TV operators.

  • Media scrips soar as Sensex recovers

    Media scrips soar as Sensex recovers

    MUMBAI: Bucking the trend of a sustained dip over the last few days, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark Sensex gained over 345 points today, recording the biggest single day gain for the month. The bounce back was fuelled by massive buying by foreign and domestic funds even as global markets firmed up.

    The Sensex closed at 10,352.94, after touching an intra-day high of 10,409.58 points. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) index Nifty registered a gain of 90.30 points and closed at 3,023.05.

    Among the media stocks, Sun TV recorded the maximum gain on the back of healthy FY06 results. Inspired by an almost 70 per cent jump in net profits, the Sun TV scrip closed at 1,083.60 in the BSE, higher by Rs 38.10. At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), it ended the day’s trade at 1,085.50 with a gain of Rs 35.30. The rally was significant as the scrip had tumbled yesterday from Rs 1099 to Rs 1045, a fall of Rs 54.

    In the media block, TV18 scored the next best gain for the day, going up by Rs 35.70 to close at Rs 578 on the BSE. At the NSE, it gained Rs 36.7 to reach 577.35 points. TV18 has been maintaining a steady run since a long time. Since the last one month, the scrip has gone up by Rs 92 at the BSE.

    UTV Software Communications, riding on the market expectations of an equity deal with an international major, gained Rs 14.35 at the BSE today, to close at 165.65 points. At the NSE, it gained Rs 13.00 to touch Rs 164.45. Gemini Communications rose Rs 14.7 at the BSE, to reach 396. Navneet Publications gained Rs 10.45 at the BSE and Rs 11.45 at the NSE to close at 278.55 and 279.30 respectively. Hinduja TMT recorded a gain of Rs 9.8 to close at 479.75 at the BSE.

    Other prominent media scrips which also recorded gains for the day included NDTV, Zee Telefilms, Entertainment Network India, Adlabs Films and Balaji Telefilms. However, Saregama India was the only major loser as the scrip dipped by Rs 7.3, to close at 142.45 at the BSE.