ITV

Category: News Headline

  • MobiTV announces availability of its mobile TV Service on Windows mobile platform

    MobiTV announces availability of its mobile TV Service on Windows mobile platform

    MUMBAI: MobiTV, Inc., a global player in television and digital radio services for cellular, WiFi and broadband enabled devices, has announced the immediate availability of the MobiTV service for Windows Mobile powered phones and devices. Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphones feature full-screen viewing, a home-like electronic programming guide and much more.

    “We already support over 100 different mobile devices and are excited to offer this new version for Windows Mobile powered devices,” says MobiTV product management director Ben Feinman. “Windows Mobile is particularly well-suited for multimedia and the experience is amazing. We think everyone needs to see it to believe it.”

    “Windows Mobile enables people to have a single device that goes beyond email and can be customized to suit their active lifestyle,” adds Microsoft Corporation lead product manager James Pratt. “The combination of Windows Mobile and MobiTV delivers a rich multimedia experience empowering people to take their favorite entertainment with them wherever they go.”

    “At Handango, our customers expect to find the latest and greatest mobile content for their devices, which is what our exclusive release of MobiTV’s Windows Mobile applications provide,” says president and chief executive officer of Handango, Randy Eisenman. “The MobiTV subscription application, which utilizes the Handango Mobile Billing API, is a great way to stay entertained while on the go. We are excited to partner closely with MobiTV by powering its storefront with the Handango Commerce Engine, as well as providing our customers with yet another outstanding Windows Mobile product.”

    MobiTV and Microsoft recently demonstrated the MobiTV service on Windows Mobile-powered devices, as well as on the Microsoft Windows Media platform for the launch of MobiTV’s new PC service, states a release.

  • Interactive Television Networks expands to key Asia Pacific markets

    Interactive Television Networks expands to key Asia Pacific markets

    MUMBAI: The US-based Interactive Television Networks, Inc., a global player in Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), has announced the launch of its ITVN Asia service.

    “We are very excited to introduce ITVN’s revolutionary technology to the Asian market,” says ITVN Asia MD Noah Lieberman. “We anticipate a robust response to ITVN in these markets, as the high speed internet infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region has enjoyed widespread development, especially in countries such as Japan where IPTV customers enjoy fiber-optic cable at speeds up to 100 Mbps.”

    By the end of 2007, everyone in Japan will have access to high speed internet, according to a plan by the Japanese government.

    As part of their multi-year agreement, ITVN Asia has pre-purchased ITVN subscription services and hardware as well as committed to short and long term subscriber targets, states an official release.

    “We are pleased to be able to extend the ITVN brand into these new markets,” says ITVN CEO Charles Prast. “ITVN Asia users will initially enjoy Silver Screen, which delivers the golden age of cinema to their home television. In addition to Silver Screen, ITVN Asia plans to launch additional music, movie, sports and video game channels.”

  • Navin Kumar appointed interim CEO of Prasar Bharati

    Navin Kumar appointed interim CEO of Prasar Bharati

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan director-general Navin Kumar will be the interim CEO of Prasar Bharati till a selection panel zeroes down on a full time candidate for the post being vacated by KS Sarma.

    Sarma served as the CEO of Prasar Bharati, which manages DD and All India Radio, from March 2002 to June 2006. Kumar’s appointment too would be a short one as the government official is slated to revert to his home cadre in August after a stint in New Delhi.

    As Kumar will be functioning as the CEO of Prasar Bharati, senior-most deputy director-general, LD Mandloi, will be the acting DG of Doordarshan.

    Interestingly, before Sarma took over the reins at Prasar Bharati, the then additional secretary in the I&B ministry, Anil Baijal, served as the acting CEO for about 18 months.Chief executive of the publicly funded Prasar Bharati is chosen by a panel headed by the Vice-President of India and comprising the chairman of the Press Council of India and a government nominee.

    Sarma’s over four-year term had its ups and downs, but he is credited with successfully launching DD’s subscription-free DTH service DD Direct+, and steering Prasar Bharati’s annual revenues to over Rs 10 billion for the first time in FY06 ended March 2006.

    It was also during Sarma’s tenure that DD News was relaunched and an in-house marketing team set up to market programmes aired on DD and AIR instead of outsourcing the activity, which, more often than not, ran into legal problems.

    Though Sarma would not like to take much credit for it, but he is said to have successfully lobbied with the ministry to bring about changes in sports broadcasting, which resulted in the downlink law being formulated that makes it mandatory for private broadcasters to share feeds of listed events with the pubcaster.

  • Brazil stays soccer World Cup favourites on sports betting site

    Brazil stays soccer World Cup favourites on sports betting site

    MUMBAI: Now that the month-long soccer World Cup has reached the quarterfinal stage, only eight of 32 teams remain in contention for the trophy. World Cup favourites Brazil remains the bookmaker’s pick to win their sixth world championship at 5/2 odds.

    With the hopes of fans pinned on their national teams PinnacleSports.com, which claims to be the internet’s largest sports betting site, has announced updated odds on the eight
    remaining teams capturing soccer’s biggest prize.

    After a thrilling overtime victory over Mexico, PinnacleSports.com lists Argentina at 9/2 odds to become World Cup champions along with host-country Germany, who will face Argentina in the first quarterfinal match Friday.

    Meanwhile, Italy stands at 13/2 to capture their fourth World Cup following their controversial penalty-kick win over Australia.

    Despite uninspired play in both the Group stage and versus Ecuador, England currently stands at 7/1 to end the country’s 40-year World Cup drought. Meanwhile, PinnacleSports.com lists France (11/1), Portugal (14/1) and Ukraine (55/1) as long shots to emerge as world champions.

    PinnacleSports.com’s Simon Noble says, “Entering the tournament, Brazil was known for its explosive goal scoring ability, but after only allowing one goal in World Cup play, they appear to be equally skilled on the defensive end. Argentina has become a trendy World Cup pick with experts and bettors, but the young Argentineans next face the grueling task of playing the Germans in front of a hostile Berlin crowd. Although they advanced thanks to a controversial foul call in extra time, Italy, with their exceptional defense led by Buffon in goal, cannot be overlooked for the remainder of the tournament.”

    PinnacleSports.com is offering online betting options with limits of up to $50,000. For each match, Pinnacle Sports will offer three-way betting, low-margin Asian handicaps.

  • Soccer World Cup viewing in Germany up 51 per cent

    Soccer World Cup viewing in Germany up 51 per cent

    MUMBAI: Soccer’s governing body Fifa’s marketing agency Infront has been collating data for television audiences for the ongoing 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany. And, it looks as if they are heading for the record books.

    It is clear that Germany’s quest for a fourth Fifa World Cup title has glued the host nation to the television, with viewing figures ‘at home’ up 51 per cent percent on average over the previous tournament in 2002.

    Meanwhile, from ‘overnight’ audience research in 45 key markets, a positive picture is emerging, with some surprising and significant trends. They are being collated by Sponsorship Intelligence, a UK-based research driven consultancy.

    Germany’s first four matches scored a combined TV audience on German public service broadcasters ZDF and ARD of 87.6 million, which gives an average of 21.9 million per match, according to data provided by Sponsorship Intelligence. This compares with an average 14.5 million viewers who followed each of the first four matches in 2002. It is also up on France 1998 – staged in Europe in the same time zone – which makes a fairer comparison.

    In 1998, the first four German games attracted a cumulative audience of 85.5 million, on average half a million viewers fewer per match than in 2006. Taking into consideration that huge public viewing is a feature of the 2006 event and not yet taken into account in these early figures, the total audience is likely to be much higher.

    In Berlin, for example, police estimated that up to one million fans converged on the official Fan Fest public viewing venue in front of the Brandenburger Tor on Saturday to watch the host nation beat Sweden for a quarterfinal berth.

    Also in Europe, the television rating for the live coverage of the Netherlands vs. Argentina match broadcast on NL2 was the highest of any broadcast so far. It achieved a rating of 52.5 per cent (TVR), an audience of 7.2 million viewers and a market share of 80.3 per cent.

    In England, 16.3 million UK television viewers watched England’s first “sudden death” match against Ecuador, broadcast live by the BBC. The figure equated to a 79 per cent audience share. The game was the second-highest-rated match of the World Cup thus far in the UK after ITV’s coverage of the England vs. Sweden tie last Tuesday, which averaged 18.8 million viewers and peaked at 20.9 million.

    Elsewhere, the international appeal of the tournament was illustrated by the fact that more people in China tuned into the England vs. Paraguay game than the entire populations of England and Paraguay. The match was broadcast in China on CCTV-5 at 9 pm in the evening, attracting 62.9 million viewers, with 22.3 per cent of China’s television viewers at that time choosing to watch the match.

    In South Korea, the France vs. Korean Republic match was watched by 11.2 million in Korea, a TVR of 24.9 per cent, which is good considering the match was shown at 4 am. The rating is only 7.3 points behind the rating of 32.2 per cent by TF1 in France.

    Brazil’s two opening matches attracted 60.5 million and 54.5 million respectively, both achieving a market share in the region of 90 per cent. The audience for Brazil’s match against Croatia was only 0.4 rating points short of the audience of 2002’s final match.

    16.8 million Argentinean viewers watched the Argentina vs. Ivory Coast game, a market share of 93.6 per cent.

    In the US, the Argentina-Mexico match broadcast on Univision was the most-watched sports telecast in the history of US Spanish-language television, with an average of 6.7 million viewers.

  • Nick US continues building on leadership position

    Nick US continues building on leadership position

    MUMBAI: US kids channel Nickelodeon says that its in the top spot for the 11th consecutive year.

    The channel says that it led basic cable as the top-rated network within the total programming day for the second quarter of the year i.e. 27 March to 25 June among total viewers and across all kids’ demos, according to Nielsen Media Research.

    In addition, the network grew double digits in its multiple media offerings — including Nick.com and Nickjr.com from year-to-year, and video-on-demand — and excelled on its broadband, online gaming platforms.

    Among the network’s primary demo of kids 2-11, the network posted a 3.8/1.3 million K2-11, up three per cent over second quarter 2005, and 81 per cent ahead of Cartoon Network (2.1/675,000 K2-11) and 52 per cent ahead of Disney (2.5/801,000 K2-11). With preschoolers, the network also ranked first, averaging a 4.5/560,000 K2-5, up 10 per cent over last year’s like time period, ahead of Cartoon Network by 137 per cent (1.9/237,000 K2-5) and 73 per cent versus Disney Channel (2.6/326,000 K2-5).

    However among tweens 9-14, Nickelodeon remained flat for the quarter, earning a 2.5/526,000 T9-14. It still beat its competition by double digits. Among kids 6-11, Nick is up more than one rating point above its closest competitor (Nick earned a 3.5 rating while The Disney Channel averaged a 2.4 rating), equating to a 46 per cent lead.

    Nickelodeon adds that it was the only major kid network that posted year to year gains among the preschool (kids 2-5) audience. During its Nick Jr. block (Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm), then net beat kid competitors Disney Channel and Cartoon Network by 187 per cent and 196 per cent respectively.

    Nick Jr. maintains the top seven out of 10 preschool programmes on commercial TV. These were Go, Diego, Go! , Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets, Blue’s Clues, The Backyardigans, LazyTown and Miss Spider.

    Contributing to the Nickelodeon’s quarter-to-quarter growth, were several large events including Nickelodeon’s 19th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards (KCAs). This year’s KCAs garnered an average of 3.2 million kids. In its first ever simulcast on TurboNick – a first in awards show history — the KCAs drove Nick.com to a high traffic day of more than 1.2 million unique visitors. Fairy Idol, a one-hour special based on Nick’s The Fairly OddParents, also hit high numbers drawing more than five million total viewers and more than three million kids.

    As Nickelodeon continues to build its leadership in new and emerging media platforms, it has increased usership on multiple media platforms in the kids’ space, particularly with its broadband platforms, TurboNick and Nick Jr. Video, and its online sites, Nick.com and Nickjr.com.

    — TurboNick, Nickelodeon’s broadband video service on Nick.com, generated 63.2 million streams in second quarter 2006, up +46 per cent over first quarter 2006. It broke its record for the highest monthly streams with more than 28 million streams in June 2006, a 33 per cent increase from May 2006.

    — Nick Jr. Video, Nick Jr.’s broadband video service on Nickjr.com, garnered more than 27 million content streams in second quarter 2006. Nick Jr. Video is rapidly approaching its 100th million stream since its launch in August 2005.

    — Nick Jr. Parents TV, the networks broadband service geared towards parents, generated almost 14.5 million streams for second quarter 2006, up +14 per cent versus first quarter 2006.

    — For the quarter, Nick.com averaged almost 14 million unique monthly visitors, which is a 67 per cent increase versus first quarter 2006. In May, Nick.com attracted more than 14.5 million unique marking the site’s best month ever.

    — Nick.com has also had more than 231 million game plays on the site this quarter, and Nickjr.com raked in 183 million game plays, up 69 per cent and 88 per cent respectively over second quarter 2005. Danny Phantom: Freak For All was the number-one game for the quarter recording 7.6 million game plays on Nick.com, while Dora’s Puppy Adventure was number-one on Nickjr.com recording 11.4 million game plays in second quarter.

  • Govt official tipped as interim CEO of Prasar Bharati

    Govt official tipped as interim CEO of Prasar Bharati

    NEW DELHI: With the government yet to decide on a chief executive for pubcaster Prasar Bharati, an information and broadcasting ministry official is slated to take over the reins from the outgoing chief in the interim.

    Additional secretary in the I&B ministry P Singh, a government representative on the board of Prasar Bharati, would be the interim chief of an organization that manages Doordarshan and All India Radio.

    KS Sarma retires from the post of CEO on 30 June after an over four-year tenure, being the longest serving chief executive.Though it is unlikely that Singh would be a permanent appointee, the lack of urgency on the part of the I&B ministry to find a replacement for Sarma could see the government official at the helm of affairs for a longer duration than generally expected.

    Some of the names doing the rounds in the corridors of power as likely candidates to succeed Sarma include former I&B ministry official Vijay Singh and a human resources development ministry official who’s said to be close to I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.Another candidate, SY Querishi, whose name was being bandied round as a likely CEO of Prasar Bharati, was named by the government on Thursday to go to the Election Commission.

    Querishi had served as the director general of Doordarshan during Sushma Swaraj’s tenure as I&B minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in the early 2000s.

    Considering that the post of CEO of Prasar Bharati — still regarded as an extension of the government propaganda division despite autonomy granted to it some years back — would prove to be both sensitive and crucial for New Delhi with elections scheduled in some states next year, it’s unlikely that Dasmunsi and company will decide in a hurry on a successor to Sarma.

    As the CEO, Sarma has had his ups and downs, but managed to retain his post despite changes in the ministry and the government.
     

  • Isro sets the launch of Insat 4C for mid-July

    Isro sets the launch of Insat 4C for mid-July

    MUMBAI: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is targeting to launch Insat -4C in the second week of July, the latest in the Insat 4 series. The launch of this satellite is being seen as a big boost for the DTH operators.

    Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Group has booked space on Insat 4C for its direct-to-home (DTH) venture.

    Insat 4C will be put into orbit by the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-5 (GSLV), which will blast off the from the launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. Insat 4C satellite will be used for broadcasting 150 TV channels through the direct-to-home platform. 

    “Preparations are on for the launch from the second launchpad,” Satish Dhawan Space Centre director Shar M Annamalai said.

    Isro officials say launch from a homegrown rocket meant cutting launch costs by one-third – if the same was to be launched from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana by an ariane vehicle, India has to pay 30 to 35 per cent more.

    According to media reports, it’s for the first time that India`s space agency is putting into space a two-tonne class satellite. Equipped with 12 high-powered KU band transponders, the 2,180 kg spacecraft is designed for a mission life of 10 years.

    On 22 December, last year, Isro had successfully placed Insat 4A in the Geostationary orbit with the Launch provider Ariane. 

    Launcher Ariane 5G also carried Meteosat weather Satellite for Eumetsat along with Insat 4A. This also marked Ariane the only commercial launcher in service capable of simultaneously launching two payloads.

    At present, besides DD Direct Plus managed by the pubcaster Prasar Bharati, the Subhash Chandra owned Dish TV and the soon to launch Tata-Sky service from the Tata-Star consortium, has leased all 12 Ku-band transponders on the Insat 4A satellite enabling to provide about 150 channels.

  • ‘Indian Idol’ with a cricketing spin

    ‘Indian Idol’ with a cricketing spin

    MUMBAI: This would be right up Sony Entertainment Television India’s street, more so considering the fact that reality television and cricket are such key programming ingredients for the network. The cricket board today announced a reality TV show ‘Cricket Star India’ that purportedly aims to find the best young cricketer in the country.

    The show, on the lines of ‘Indian Idol’, is being launched by UK-based firm Investors in Cricket (IIC) in association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    Both organisations are in final negotiations with two television partners and a final decision is expected in July. One of the partners will screen the cricket matches, while the other will screen the tests and selection process. In addition, IIC has signed up a leading reality TV production house in India and has agreements with a number of high profile corporate sponsors, according to an official release.

    Cricket Star India is the first programme in a 5-year international roll out, with Cricket Star UK already slated for Summer 2007. The winner of the first series, Cricket Star India, will earn a place at the Indian national trials, a year’s expenses paid contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club (one of 18 professional first class teams in the UK).

    The initiative will kick off in August, when young cricketers in India can apply on-line and by post. A nationwide application and screening process will lead to a shortlist of talented candidates being invited to attend auditions in one of several regional centres under the auspices of local cricket boards.

    There they will be assessed by celebrity cricket judges, including national selectors, and BCCI technical and cricket staff, who will select the final group to attend the Cricket Star Academy, the release adds.

    The Cricket Star Academy begins in November, where the successful finalists will spend up to 10 weeks. The students’ progress will be tested each week through televised cricket matches against, variously, state XIs, the Indian Under-19 XI ,and celebrity XIs which will include some of the game’s leading names and many current Indian stars.

    Apart from the cricketing abilities, the coverage promises to uncover the candidates’ human sides, portraying life at the academy, the interaction between the hopefuls, and insights into their passion for the game. The final selection will be informed by millions of television viewers voting by phone, online or by text, states the release.

    The anouncement of the launch was made in New Delhi today and was not without some controversy. Press trust of India quotes Cricket Star CEO Fraser Castellino as saying the programme would serve as a selection trial for the board and the winner would be fast-tracked into the national side. However, when it was pointed out to him that there had never been trials to pick the Indian team per se as players were picked on the basis of their performances in domestic tournaments, Castellino made a volte face. “We will use the board’s facilities and draw on the coaching staff but there is no guarantee of selection into the state or national team,” PTI quoted Castellino as saying.

    The release quotes BCCI V-P and marketing committee chief Lalit Modi as saying, “Cricket Star is a ground-breaking TV format we have developed with Investors in Cricket that will showcase the best of India’s unsung cricketing talent, and compliment the BCCI’s growing portfolio of media properties. This exciting project supports our aim of unearthing and developing talent to produce the future stars of the game.” Modi was not present at the press conference though