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Category: News Headline

  • NBC signs drama series deal with filmmaker Spike Lee

    NBC signs drama series deal with filmmaker Spike Lee

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC has signed on filmmaker Spike Lee to develop a new drama series.

    NBC Entertainment senior VP, drama development Katie O’Connell says, “Spike Lee was one of the first people that I wanted to make a priority for the network. I wanted to be aggressive about bringing in a high-profile filmmaker who fits in so well with NBC’s traditional brand of challenging quality dramas.”

    Details of the untitled drama’s concept will be announced later.

    Lee’s first critical breakthrough came when he directed the comedy She’s Gotta Have It in 1986. Shortly after, he followed up with an explovie drama Do the Right Thing which explored inner-city racial themes

  • ETC Music business head Ashish Chakravorty quits

    ETC Music business head Ashish Chakravorty quits

    MUMBAI: ETC Music business head Ashish Chakravorty is leaving the company. He has put in his papers and is presently serving his notice period.

    “Chakravorty has decided to leave ETC Music. He is moving out to explore other challenging opportunities. We wish him all the best,” says Essel Group senior VP Ashish Kaul, while confirming the development.

    When contacted, Chakravorty refused to reveal any information on his future plans.

    Chakravorty has been associated with Zee Group since the last six years. He was heading Zee Records for four years and thereafter moved over to head the Syndication Sales & Film Acquisition division of Zee. Chakravorty moved to ETC Music this February, to head the channel in the capacity of business head.

  • Malaysia’s Astro eyes significant FM presence in India

    Malaysia’s Astro eyes significant FM presence in India

    MUMBAI: South East Asia’s leading media group Astro All Asia Networks plc is eyeing a major expansion of its activities in India. It is currently in advanced discussions with strategic partners on various initiatives, including participation in a nationwide consortium of FM radio networks.

    Speaking to reporters after Astro’s third AGM at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Group CEO Ralph Marshall said, “We expect to finalise partnership arrangements in the coming months. Appropriate announcements will be made in due course.” Added Marshall, “We expect that we would have a 20 per cent interest in a nationwide radio licence as soon as we receive the approvals.”

    Astro already manages two FM radio stations in Kolkata. Astro’s direct FM operations in India are managed through AMSI (Airtime Marketing & Sales India). Astro, working with its local Indian partners Power107.8 FM and Aamar 106.2 FM, provide studio facilities and airtime sales and marketing services to the two FM radio stations in Kolkata.

    Additionally, Marshall mentioned that Astro also wants to create content for distribution in both India and China.

    A key part of Marshall’s interaction with the media yesterday was devoted to Astro’s plans to invest $135.8 million over the next three to five years to build up its business in Indonesia. The pay-TV operator is to take a 20 per cent stake in a joint venture in Indonesia, known as PT Direct Vision (PTDV). Terms and conditions of the joint venture are expected to be finalised in six to eight weeks, reports Malaysia’s Business Times. Astro also expects to introduce more services, including pay and premium programming, in Malaysia and Brunei once it has access to MEASAT’s new satellite transponder capacity on Measat-3.

    “We will have a significant number of new services for our customers in Malaysia and Brunei once we have access to new satellite transponder capacity on Measat-3. Malaysia remains a growth market for us and content is key to driving future growth and customer retention. Our programming team has lined up a suite of local and international programmes of various genres and languages. In this regard, we are pleased to have received confirmation from satellite owner and operator Measat Global of a new launch slot for M3 between 28 November 2006 and 26 January 2007,” said Rohana Rozhan CEO Astro TV.

    The company will soon also launch Astro MAX, its next generation set-top box that incorporates an 80GB integrated hard disk drive.

    “Outside Malaysia, the Group is focused on expanding our distribution platforms and content development, particularly multi-lingual, multi-ethnic content, for the regional markets,” said Marshall.

    It was just last month that Astro and Prannoy Roy’s NDTV jointly announced the launch of a 24 hour news, infotainment and lifestyle channel called Astro Awani in Djakarta, Indonesia. The language of the channel is primarily Bahasa Indonesia. Astro Awani is the first channel launched by NDTV outside of India.

    With this launch Astro Awani became the first news channel in Astro’s bouquet, and is being distributed throughout Indonesia on PT Direct Vision’s platform, that is currently licensing the ‘Astro’ trademark.

    Astro Awani is the first channel launched by NDTV generating news that is not India-related and is specifically for viewers of that country. NDTV will be launching a similar channel with Astro in Malaysia by this year-end.

  • Zee Telefilms likely to call off deal to buy Venus

    Zee Telefilms likely to call off deal to buy Venus

    MUMBAI: Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL) is likely to call off its deal to acquire 60 per cent stake in Venus Films Pvt Ltd and Venus Records & Tapes Pvt Ltd.

    “Zee won’t go ahead with the acquisition of Venus,” an industry source tells Indiantelevision.com. ZTL had announced in March that it would buy controlling stake in Venus, subject to due diligence and final approval from the board.

    Zee Network senior vice president Ashish Kaul, however, did not confirm that the deal had fallen through. “A due diligence has been conducted and it will be presented at the ZTL board meeting. A decision will be taken after that,” he says.

    When contacted, Venus promoter Ganesh Jain refused to comment on the issue. The Zee board is meeting on 24 July to consider and approve, among other things, the financial results of the company for the first quarter.

    Zee already has secured telecast rights to most of the Hindi movies produced by Venus including Garam Masala, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Josh, Kyunki and Baazigar. “The failure of the deal won’t have much impact on Zee as the company has the rights to most of the successful movies of Venus. Some rights to movies like Hulchul are, though, with Star India. What would have been of interest is the joint film production activities,” the source adds.

    The deal would also have given Zee access to Venus’ music titles. While Venus Films has negative rights of 30 blockbuster films, Venus Records & Tapes has a repertoire of 2500 titles. Venus also has post-production facilities.

  • CNN-IBN to air lifestyle show ‘Living It Up’

    CNN-IBN to air lifestyle show ‘Living It Up’

    MUMBAI: News Broadcaster CNN-IBN is expanding its feature programme line-up with a new weekly show exploring the art of healthy living. The half-hour weekly show Living It Up, anchored by Jotica Sehgal, will kick off on 8 July at 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

    Living It Up will have a reality segment The Weight Loss Challenge wherein four dieticians will team up with four overweight people and over seven weeks they will be challenged to loose as much weight. The team, which looses the most weight, will be the winning team. To add some excitement, participants and viewers will be given voting powers, according to an official release.

    CNN-IBN managing editor Rajdeep Sardesai says, “The hectic lifestyle that has become a part of our daily routine today is definitely a sign of progress but it takes a toll on our body, mind and soul. Through this programme we are aiming to share little nuggets of information to counter difficult times, manage problems, balance lives and endeavor to get the best out of life. At CNN-IBN, quality programming is a promise that we would like to deliver on a constant basis and Living It Up is a step in that direction.”

    Each week, the programme will showcase health, fitness and beauty solutions and the show will also highlight how preventive measures, healthy lifestyle and healthy food. Targeting the discerning viewers, Living It Up will also present capsules on fitness, beauty, parenting, spirituality and alternate therapy.

  • Asianet music talent hunt ‘Idea Star Singer’ semifinals to kick off

    Asianet music talent hunt ‘Idea Star Singer’ semifinals to kick off

    MUMBAI: Malayalam channel Asianet’s reality music talent hunt show Idea Star Singer has entered the semifinal stage now. The programme, telecast on Sundays at 7 pm, is an initiative to spot talented singers in Malayalam.

    The judging panel lead by Malayalam music director M Jayachandran has now selected 24 singers out of 40 from the quarter finals. These 24 singers will now clash for the final slots in the coming weeks.

    Asianet has promised the winners with singing assignments in Malayalam films and music videos.

    Asianet also telecasts a talent hunt to spot comedy talents, Minnum Thaaram (The Shining Star), as well. The programme, anchored by popular Malayalam actor Jagadish, brings Malayalam’s budding comedy talents to the limelight.

  • Dic Entertainment & Thomopoulos Productions form JV

    Dic Entertainment & Thomopoulos Productions form JV

    MUMBAI: DIC Entertainment and Thomopoulos Productions have joined forces to launch Promise Media Productions, a new venture focused on developing, marketing and distributing properties for children and families under the positive value-based Promise Media brand for both the faith-based and secular markets.

    The announcement was made by Thomopoulos Productions president Tony Thomopoulos and DIC Entertainment chairman and CEO Andy Heyward.

    Promise Media Productions will develop original live-action and animated Promise Media-branded content, as well as acquire properties with strong brand recognition for distribution across film, television, home entertainment, new media and consumer products platforms. In addition to developing comprehensive licensing and merchandising campaigns, it will build an online community to reach an audience interested in positive value entertainment that will serve as an information and entertainment destination.

    The Promise Media-branded content will incorporate virtues such as faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance to create product that ranges from an animated version of Black Beauty to a classic remake of Ben Hur and an original live-action theatrical production Angel Flight For Life. The programming will avoid all gratuitous sex and violence and will offer parents a safe environment to entertain and inform their children.

    “The multi-billion dollar market for positive values entertainment continues to rapidly grow, and Andy and I recognised a tremendous opportunity in this underserved marketplace to create and deliver high-quality product that resonates with faith-based values. DIC has built a solid reputation in the brand management of family and children’s properties, and I look forward to working with Andy and his team to develop unique entertaining and inspirational family fare,” said Thomopoulous.

    “We know there is a vast demand for content that showcases positive values and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit, and we plan to apply our entertainment and consumer products’ expertise to promote positive values for kids. Tony is a respected industry veteran whose patina of quality and stature of his career is unparalleled, and we plan to set the gold standard in this market with the Promise Media label,” added Heyward.

    Promise Media Productions is currently forming an Advisory Board which will comprise leading media experts and educators who can develop program guidelines that ensure positive values are incorporated into the content. The board will include clinical psychologist, author and leadership consultant, Dr. Henry Cloud.

    Promise Media Productions is currently in development on a slate of animated and live-action projects for theatrical, home entertainment and television. By returning to the literary roots of Lew Wallace’s original novel, Ben-Hur, A Tale of the Christ is an animated film that revitalises the classic story of one man’s journey from loss and betrayal to forgiveness and salvation.

    Angel, Flight for Life is a feature film based on a true story of how a loving father, restricted by his financial limitations and reeling from a devastating loss, must rely on the generosity and ingenuity of his small town community to provide the miracle that will save his gravely ill daughter and renew his faith.

    The live-action children’s DVD series, Zakland, produced in association with Jay Silverman Productions, showcases the multi-talented Zak Norman, an award winning musical performer and writer. Zakland entertains, inspires and encourages young viewers to explore the world through the magic of their imaginations.

    Based on the illustrated children’s book, Sophie and Sam, by Tori Cloud and rooted in the principles of the bestselling book, Boundaries, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, The Animated Adventures of Sophie and Sam delivers fun, often comical, lessons on how to set and keep boundaries.

    The Jammies of Harmonyville, a television series produced in association with Believe Entertainment, is an innovative series that utilizes original music and CGI animation to teach valuable life lessons while introducing young audiences to a wide range of musical style.

    The animated comedy adventure, Noah’s Hope, stars Noah, a hip, nineteen-year-old scientist, and his animal friends, who are concerned about environmental issues such as global warming, deforestation, pollution, etc.

    Black Beauty, an animated version of Anna Sewell’s classic novel, encompasses its universal and timeless message that all animals deserve to be treated with consideration and respect.

  • NDTV revenue up Rs 640 million for Q1 ended 30 June

    NDTV revenue up Rs 640 million for Q1 ended 30 June

    MUMBAI: News Delhi Television (NDTV)’s revenue rose 54 per cent to Rs 640 million for the first quarter ended 30 June 2006, up from Rs 415 million a year ago.

    The company’s net profit (PAT) and before employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) has increased to Rs 27 million as against Rs 2.3 million in the same quarter of the previous year. The operating profit for the quarter stood at Rs 81.7 million, up 92 per cent from Rs 42.6 million.

    “The network’s market leadership is well reflected in the first quarter’s robust topline growth. The company has added 75 first time advertisers and 175 new brands this quarter, taking the total brand and advertising universe to 2261,” the company said in a release.

    During this quarter, the company has launched Astro Awani, a 24 hour news channel in Indonesia, in partnership with Astro, a leading South East Asia media group. It is the first channel launched by NDTV generating news that is not India-related and is specifically for viewers of that country. NDTV plans to launch a similar channel with Astro in Malaysia by this year end.

    “Our news network’s leadership in an environment of increasing competition reflects the strength and credibility of the NDTV brand and the trust our viewers place in us. Going forward, we remain focused on becoming a composite media house and will continue to pioneer new areas of media work,” NDTV Ltd chairman Dr Prannoy Roy said.

  • 83 countries invited to submit foreign language films for Oscars

    83 countries invited to submit foreign language films for Oscars

    MUMBAI: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) in the US has invited 83 countries to submit films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 79th Academy Awards.

    The Oscars will take place on 25 February, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center. In the US it will air on ABC while in India it will air on Star Movies. To qualify for the 2006 awards year, a film must be released in the submitting country between 1 October, 2005 and 30 September, 2006 and be publicly screened in 35mm or 70mm film for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater.

    The dialogue track must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English. Accurate English subtitles are required. Entry forms must be received at the Academy by 2 October, 2006, and film prints must be received by 13 October. Only one picture will be accepted from each country. Five films will be chosen.

    Since the category’s establishment in 1956, 102 different countries have submitted films to compete for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The 1956 award went to Italy for La Strada.Most recently, the South African film Tsotsi won the Oscar over a field of nominated films from France, Germany, Italy and the Palestinian Territories.

    Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan will receive this year their first invitation to participate. The last time India featured was in 2001 when Lagaan was nominated. There have been cases when a film has not been nominated because it was not in the language of the submitting country.

    An example was last year when Austria submitted Cache that some critics felt was the best foreign film of 2005. Unfortunately as the film was in French it was deemed ineligible. The director Michael Haneke is Austrian. Then there was the case of The Motorcycle Diaries in 2004. As it was a co-production between three countries no one country was willing to submit it.

  • BBC DG Thompson & Apple’s Jobs top UK’s media power list

    BBC DG Thompson & Apple’s Jobs top UK’s media power list

    MUMBAI: BBC DG Mark Thompson has topped the Guardian’s list of the most powerful figures in the UK media once again.

    Three people in the top 10 come from technology companies, including Apple head Steve Jobs who is at number two. Jobs rises four places in this year’s list, keeping News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch in the third spot for the second year in a row.

    The Guardian notes that Thompson has recently been in the news for his £619,000 salary and also for his radical restructuring of the corporation. This year’s list was dominated by the digital media revolution. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page are in fourth place.

    As far as Google is concerned Guardian notes, “So ubiquitous has Google become that it is hard to imagine what we ever did without it. The ultimate convenience research tool, its founders Brin and Page are in the midst of transforming it from a search engine into a technology giant.”

    Rising from 19 to five on the list is Channel 4’s CEO Andy Duncan, who the paper notes, “ has overseen an unprecedented year of growth and ambition”.

    Jonathan Ross who hosts film shows for the BBC is at number 19.