ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Intelsat completes acquisition of PanAmSat

    Intelsat completes acquisition of PanAmSat

    MUMBAI: Leading satellite service provider Intelsat today announced the completion of its $ 6.4 billion acquisition of rival PanAmSat.

    The addition of PanAmSat’s video market expertise, advanced satellite fleet and blue-chip media customer base makes the new Intelsat the largest provider of fixed satellite services (FSS) worldwide to each of the media, network services/telecom and government customer sectors.

    Intelsat acquired all of the outstanding common shares of PanAmSat for approximately $3.2 billion. As a result of the merger, PanAmSat is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intelsat, and the common stock of PanAmSat has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The total value of the transaction, including PanAmSat debt that was refinanced or remained outstanding, is approximately $6.4 billion.

    Using optimized capacity on a combined fleet of 51 satellites and a large, complementary terrestrial infrastructure including eight owned teleports, fiber connectivity and over 50 points of presence in almost 40 cities, the new Intelsat:

    — Carries one out of every four television channels transmitted over fixed satellites;

    — Supports 27 DTH platforms worldwide;

    — Operates 16 satellites that are part of video neighborhoods around the world;

    — Is the number one provider of transponders for video programming worldwide;

    — Carries more high definition (HD) programming than any other FSS carrier;

    — Is the largest provider of commercial satellite services to the government sector;

    — Is the leading provider of services to enterprise, Internet and mobile network operators; and

    — Provides communications services to 99 percent of the world’s populated regions.

  • Samsung launches Slim QWerty Smartphone

    Samsung launches Slim QWerty Smartphone

    MUMBAI: TSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading provider and innovator of mobile phones, announced its launch of the SGH-i320, new Slim QWerty Smartphone, signaling the company’s drive to the smartphone market.

    The Samsung i320 is a super-slim bar type handset, measuring just 11.5mm in depth and 95g in weight with an easy-to-use Qwerty keyboard. The keyboard has the same keyboard layout used in personal computers, enabling users to send emails and text messages far more conveniently; such a fun and simple methodology proved to be a huge success amongst consumers in the US and Europe.

    The i320 operates with ‘Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Operating System’ to provide users with a familiar interface that is easy to navigate and use. It allows users to write and store texts, exchange emails in real-time, type memos and more.

    Functions supported by this ultra-thin mobile are especially useful for users who want to chat, read, and send emails from their mobiles. The i320 features an imbedded instant messaging program and ‘mobile mail’ functions to enable users to send and receive photos, music and a variety of multi-media messages.

    The phone has a 2.2 inches LCD screen with 1.3 mega-pixel resolution camera, along with multi-media entertainment functions such as Bluetooth and high-quality dual speakers.

    Samsung says that the product is perfect for users who want to have all of the advanced features of a smartphone in a light and slim package for convenience and style.

    Samsung’s Telecommunications Network Business president Kitae Lee said, “The trend and popularity of slim phones will be carried over to the smartphone market. Samsung will lead the trend of smartphones by combining its cutting-edge technology and sleek ultra-slim designs.”

    The SGH-i320 will be launched in Europe this month. The following launches will take place throughout the rest of Europe and South East Asia shortly.

  • Discovery most watched channel in Asia among movers & shakers: Pax survey

    Discovery most watched channel in Asia among movers & shakers: Pax survey

    MUMBAI: Discovery is the number one regional cable and satellite channel in Asia for the ninth consecutive year for past month, past week and yesterday viewership, according to the latest quarterly Pan-Asian Cross Media Study (Pax) conducted by Synovate.

    The survey is conducted across eleven key markets including India, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. It measures the media habits of Asia’s wealthiest urban individuals aged 25-64 covering a universe of 14 million viewers.

    In the survey, Discovery takes the lead position as the most watched regional TV channel amongst Business Decision Makers (BDMs), Professional, Manager, Executive, Business Men (PMEBs) and high net worth individuals. The channel also reaches 30 per cent of the top management viewers on a weekly basis.

    In addition, Discovery attracts the most viewers during primetime amongst all regional channels, has the highest frequent viewers and catches the most audience from 12 pm to 6 am.

    Discovery Asia senior VP marketing and communications Kevin Dickie said, “These results attest to the value cable subscribers place on Discovery Channel, recognising it as a network that continues to deliver high quality real-world entertainment for the ninth consecutive year.

    “We are committed to provide the most compelling factual and lifestyle content that appeals to our target audience, and remain a strong proposition for both our affiliate partners and advertisers.”From a network perspective, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Travel & Living have increased Discovery Networks Asia’s share of the market by 2.7 per cent , with each channel increasing reach by two per cent in tracked markets. Moreover, all three channels rank within the top 10 amongst high net worth individuals, females and frequent viewers.

  • Trai to revisit consultation paper on IPTV

    Trai to revisit consultation paper on IPTV

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will ‘revisit’ the consultation paper on IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) to examine the legal changes which might be required, Trai chairman Nripendra Misra said today.

    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Telecommunications (APT) and ICT Development Forum (ADF) in New Delhi, Misra told wire agency Press Trust of India (PTI) that Trai has sought the opinion of stakeholders on the legal changes which might be required, either in the Indian Telegraph Act or the Cable TV Act with respect to IPTV. This would in no way affect the scheduled rollout of IPTV, he said.

    “Possibly the paper needs to be revisited regarding both access and content. We will be seeking the comments of cable associations, broadcasters, telecom service providers, ISP’s apart from NGO’s who are interested,” Misra said.

    Earlier, addressing the Forum, Misra dubbed the Indian telecom sector as the “Poster Child” of development in India.

    Misra’s comments on IPTV are significant in the light of the fact that in the absence of consensus from broadcasting and telecom industry, Trai was set to withdraw a consultation paper on IPTV it had issued some time back.

    Prior to this, Trai had proposed making changes to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, plus the existing telecom licenses, so as to facilitate growth of IPTV services in the country.

  • Disney Princess collection shines bright at Asian Licensing Awards 2006

    Disney Princess collection shines bright at Asian Licensing Awards 2006

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company’s Princess collection received the Best License (Entertainment) award 2006, at the Hong Kong Trade Development Third Asian Licensing Awards.

    Disney Princess is a comprehensive collection of girls’ entertainment and products including toys, apparels, personal care and electronic goods featuring Disney’s heroines – Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. The Princess range creates a fantasy world filled with magic, romance and dreams to capture the hearts and minds of consumers.

    “The Walt Disney Company is extremely honored to receive this recognition. At Disney Consumer Products, it’s all about the product. Great products and great marketing are one and the same. Disney Princess is the fastest growing Disney Consumer Products brand in worldwide retail sales for the past two years. This award further strengthens the Disney brand and our franchise management approach,” said The Walt Disney Company (Asia Pacific) Limited vice president – Asia Pacific, emerging markets, retail sales and marketing Ken Chaplin.

    Since the franchise was created in 1999, the Disney Princess range has gone on to achieve over $3 billion in retail sales globally and the Princesses enjoy popularity across the region.

    “Our vision is to engage and connect to the consumers through creativity and product innovation. We look at each of our characters or sets of characters, or franchises and consider them businesses unto themselves. At their heart is creativity, creating connections and building awareness for Walt Disney as an entertainment brand for all ages,” said Chaplin.

  • Star World’s new reality show searches for a swimsuit model

    Star World’s new reality show searches for a swimsuit model

    MUMBAI: 12 girls, six weeks of exotic shoots. The aim is to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue.

    These are the key ingredients of a reality show Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search . This will air on English general entertainment channel Star World every Tuesday at 10 pm from 11 July.

    With a combination of beauty, athleticism and personality, one of the 12 will win a million-dollar modelling contract, and a glamorous appearance in the best-selling issue of any magazine in the world. The show will have lots of sunshine, slick bodies and exotic shoots.

    This is also the first model competition where the viewer gets to vote for the final winner. The six-part series focusses on what it takes to become a successful swimsuit model aside from the eye candy. The 12 finalists will live in Los Angeles where they will be widely tested on their physical fitness, mental endurance and modelling skills. Whoever doesn’t have what it takes, gets kicked off the show – two by two every week.

    When only two are left, they are flown off to a luscious location to shoot a spread for Sports Illustrated. Nobody knows who will win… until viewers vote for their favourite photo spread in the series finale.

    Charged with the task of whittling down the field of hopeful models is a three-judge panel, including former Sports Illustrated model Roshumba Williams, Next Model Management president Joel Wilkenfeld and Sports Illustrated swimsuit editor Jule Campbell.

  • BBC appoints Sanjeev Srivastava as BBC Hindi service India editor

    BBC appoints Sanjeev Srivastava as BBC Hindi service India editor

    MUMBAI:The Hindi Service of the BBC World Service broadcasts — BBC Hindi has appointed Sanjeev Srivastava as India editor, heading the radio and online operations in India.

    Srivastava moves from his current post as the BBC’s India correspondent to take up his new role in August 2006.

    As India editor, Srivastava will be responsible for all BBC Hindi output generated from India across all platforms of delivery, including FM, short wave and online. Based in Delhi, he will be leading a team of experienced broadcast and online journalists on all BBC Hindi editorial initiatives in India.

    BBC Hindi India editor Sanjeev Srivastava

    According to an official release, Srivastava has been reporting from India for the BBC, in a variety of roles, for over 12 years. He started his broadcasting career in 1994 when he joined the BBC Hindi service in London. He launched the BBC’s first Mumbai bureau, reporting across BBC television and radio in English, Hindi and Urdu. Then, following a stint as India business and western India correspondent, he joined the BBC’s South Asia Bureau in Delhi in March 2003 as India correspondent. Prior to the BBC, he worked in print journalism including The Times of India and The Indian Express.

    Srivastava has been exclusively reporting on the life of modern day India over the last two decades. He has covered social, economic and political issues, such as the successive general elections, earthquakes in Gujarat and Kashmir and the bird-flu outbreak in Gujarat. He has also tracked India’s fast changing place in the global order, geo-political and economic, as well as the country’s foreign policy, particularly Delhi’s relations with its South Asian neighbours, China, US and Europe. In addition, he has reported extensively on India-Pakistan relations, the ongoing peace initiative and Kashmir.

    BBC Hindi service head Achala Sharma says: “India is an important market for the BBC – we are the leading international broadcaster. Our Hindi radio audience has grown by nearly five million in recent years and we know from our relationship with listeners that our new programming is popular. But we cannot afford to be complacent. India is changing fast and news is a competitive business. I am confident that in Sanjeev Srivastava we have someone with the skills, experience and vision to provide excellent editorial leadership. He is top grade BBC news journalist with an impressive track record and passion for reporting India.”

    Commenting on his new role, Srivastava adds: “The BBC stands for quality journalism people can trust. Over 15 million listeners trust BBC Hindi to serve their needs with a range of news programmes. I look forward to building on that trust and expanding our Hindi audience with new editorial initiatives, which will engage them, inform them and entertain. These are exciting times in Indian media, and I relish the opportunity to play a role at this important time.”

  • Asianet to launch new soap in the 8:30 pm slot

    Asianet to launch new soap in the 8:30 pm slot

    MUMBAI: Malayalam channel Asianet has brought in a new soap, Minnaaram, to strengthen its daily prime time band. Minnaaram will launch on 10 July in the 8:30 pm slot.

    Featuring popular Malayalam tube stars incluyding Suresh Krishna, Sharat and Praveena, Minnaaram is directed by Kannan T.

    Minnaaram revolves around the story of two sisters and the unexpected events that rock their lives. As per an official release, the soap has got all the essential ingredients to woo the family audience to the channel during the prime time.

  • South African broadcaster SABC signs TV rights deal with Fifa

    South African broadcaster SABC signs TV rights deal with Fifa

    MUMBAI: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has been awarded the broadcasting rights for all Fifa competitions between 2007 and 2014, which include the two Fifa World Cup final competitions and the two Fifa Confederations Cups that are due to take place during this period.

    The next edition of the Fifa World Cup takes place in 2010 in Africa.

    The agreement consists of all main audiovisual rights for both free and pay TV as well as radio. In addition, SABC is committed to ensuring wide access for the entire South African media industry including potential sub-licensees.

    Fifa president Joseph S. Blatter says, “We are convinced that we have found in SABC a partner that can deliver the beautiful game to South African viewers in an excellent manner. Importantly, its coverage will go far beyond Fifa World Cup broadcasts since it comprises guaranteed coverage of all other Fifa tournaments for men and women and at senior and youth levels so as to promote all of the different facets of the game and strengthen women’s and youth development particularly in South Africa. SABC is joining our alliance to use football to build a better future. I am extremely happy with this momentous deal.”

    SABC says that it is committed to playing its part in ensuring that the radio and television broadcasts of the 2010 Fifa World Cup reach the largest possible audience. This contributes to its goal of national building and total empowerment of all African citizens.

  • Eternal Dreams to foray into TV & film production; UTV’s Jain to head

    Eternal Dreams to foray into TV & film production; UTV’s Jain to head

    MUMBAI: Entertainment and event management company Eternal Dreams Pvt Ltd is making renewed efforts to get into television production after its initial experiment to turn around an ailing Marathi channel proved futile.

    Floated by ex-Sony hand Sapna Chaturvedi, the company plans to foray into Hindi film production as well. UTV non-conventional revenues general manager Bonnie Jain has rejoined the company as CEO to take up the task of finding buyers for TV content.

    In 2002, Eternal Dreams had found captive content for its production activities since it took up the management of Rathikant Basu-promoted Tara Marathi. But the channel had to shut operations due to losses.

    The company will now be looking at producing shows for the likes of Star, Zee and Sony in the Hindi general entertainment space and will also be looking at tapping opportunities with Doordarshan.

    Eternal Dreams managing director Sapna Chaturvedi said, “We are in talks with people in the industry for our venture but is too premature to talk to about it at present.”

    Jain was with Eternal Dreams till 2004, post which he joined UTV as channel director – television content. Later, Jain was made general manager of non-conventional revenues at UTV.

    He began his career with the Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI), and has also worked with Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL, the K Balachander promoted Cuecom Entertainment Pvt Ltd and Kerry Packer’s Channel Nine India.