ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Inox to acquire Calcutta Cine Pvt Ltd

    Inox to acquire Calcutta Cine Pvt Ltd

    MUMBAI: Leading multiplex operator Inox Leisure Limited is acquiring Calcutta Cinema Private Limited (CCPL) in an all-share-swap deal. This will allow Inox to get a firm foothold in West Bengal, adding up to its presence in Kolkata.

    CCPL, which runs its business under the brand 89 Cinemas, plans to commence its second three-screen multiplex at Durgapur in West Bengal within 15 days. The company also runs a four-screen multiplex at Swabhumi in Kolkata.

    The two companies are in the process of appointing an independent valuer. “We have agreed that the valuation will be on the basis of a discounted cash flow model over five years. CCPL is merging its operations with Inox,” says Inox Leisure Limited director Deepak Asher.

    CCPL will have 8-10 properties over the next two years. “We will be able to enhance our pan-India presence in movie exhibition by gaining a strong foothold in West Bengal,” says Asher. Inox presently operates two multiplexes in Kolkatta (Elgin Road and Salt Lake) and one in Darjeeling (Laden La Road).

    Inox also plans to open new multiplexes in Diamond City, Jessore Road with five screens and at Kharagpur with four screens. The agreement with CCPL will take Inox’s tally of multiplexes in West Bengal and Assam up to 13.In addition, CCPL has tied up properties for building and operating six other multiplexes in West Bengal and Assam. CCPL also has an understanding with Bengal Ambuja Housing Development Limited (Bengal Ambuja) – a leading real estate developer in East India – which gives CCPL preferential access as the preferred multiplex operator to all properties being developed by Bengal Ambuja.

    According to the press release, Inox also plans to expand its network with new multiplexes in Hyderabad, Chennai, Jodhpur, Lucknow, Raipur, Kolkata and Bangalore. In addition, Inox also has a strategic alliance with the Pantaloon Group of Companies which provides it with preferential access, as a multiplex operator, to all real estate developments which the Pantaloon Group of Companies and funds managed by it, are developing or otherwise associated with.

    “89 Cinemas is an emerging multiplex chain with a strong regional focus in Eastern India. The proposed merger will enable Inox to build a very strong presence in the region and the inorganic growth opportunity will create great value for Inox shareholders,” Asher says.

    CCPL CEO Debashis Ghosal commented, “We believe that the proposed merger with Inox – India’s most profitable multiplex chain – will create tremendous value for CCPL shareholders, enabling them to partake in the value creation by Inox, as well as enable Inox to build a formidable presence in Eastern India”.

    The proposed merger is subject to due diligence, final approval by Shareholders, Creditors and the High Court. Enam Financial Consultants Pvt. Ltd. is acting as Advisor to this Transaction., “We are delighted to have acted as Advisors to this transaction. We think the proposed merger is a great fit with Inox’s national footprint and 89 Cinemas strength in the eastern region. The proposed merger perhaps marks the beginning of the consolidation phase in the multiplex industry,” says Salil Pitale of Enam

  • Leander Paes to do commentary for BBC Radio for Wimbledon

    Leander Paes to do commentary for BBC Radio for Wimbledon

    MUMBAI: This Wimbledon, tennis fans will see India’s Davis Cup Captain and doubles champion Leander Paes in a new avatar. Along with former doubles champion Todd Woodbridge, Paes will for the first time join tennis legends Michael Stich and Pat Cash as part of BBC Radio Five Live’s all-star team as the station heads to SW19 for Wimbledon 2006.

    The expert tennis player who has earlier donned the responsibility of a TV presenter/commentator at the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai and Chennai Open 2006, will now be heard on radio talking on the tournament.

    Apart from Paes, the star team on BBC Radio includes presenters Simon Mayo and Clare Balding along with Annabel Croft, Frew McMillan, Tracy Austin, Judy Murray, all of who will give listeners commentaries on the best matches, top name interviews and analyses. The BBC’s tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend will lead the commentary team with Iain Carter and Tony Adamson.

    Paes says, “I am extremely pleased to be part of this super-star team at BBC Radio. Wimbledon has always held a special place in my heart and I am honoured to play the unique role of a radio commentator. I have enjoyed commentating on television in the recent past, and I am looking forward to this dual role!”

  • Excel Home Videos releases movie ‘Goal’ on DVD

    Excel Home Videos releases movie ‘Goal’ on DVD

    MUMBAI: Goal! It’s all about football! Excel Home Videos, the Home Entertainment distribution and marketing arm of Excel Productions AudioVisuals, has released the movie on football — Goal on DVD.

    The DVD is priced at Rs 599. The Buena Vista Home Entertainment product Goal is directed by Danny Cannon.The story trails Santiago Munez (Kuno Becker) as he overcomes challenges to play for New Castle United and attain glory in club football and rub shoulders with the likes of David Beckham, Allan Shearer, Raul Gonzales and Zinedine Zidane (playing themselves).

    Excel Home Entertainment holds exclusive licensee agreement with Hollywood studios like Twentieth Century Fox, Buena Vista International, Hit Entertainment, Britannica, Hearst Entertainment and Merchant Ivory Productions.

    Says Excel Home Videos MD M N Kapasi, “The DVD is definitely a collector’s item for connoisseurs of football and a true tribute to the world’s favourite game”

    In a statement issued, the DVD also offers loads of bonus features for soccer enthusiasts. The bonus features include the Golden Moments of Fifa World Cup, The Beauty of the Game (A documentary on the Spirit of Football), a special feature on the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany, Audio Commentary, Making of the Movie, Trailer of Goal 2 among others.

    The movie is the first in the trilogy of movies dedicated to the greatest sport of the modern world. It is credited as the most realistic movie ever made on the game with real matches in real stadiums with real players, to unprecedented access to clubs like New Castle United, according to the statement.

    The second part (Trailer included in DVD) follows the protagonist’s journey as he joins Real Madrid to play along side football greats like Ronaldo, Beckham, Raul and others.

    Meanwhile,Goal II stands on the sidelines for its European debut.

  • Content regulation draft to be redone

    Content regulation draft to be redone

    NEW DELHI: Unhappy with the draft that has been prepared on content regulation, information and broadcasting secretary SK Arora has asked the panel responsible to rework it.

    Though no specific reasons were cited, the ministry is apparently unhappy with the way some of the issues have been dealt with as also the length of the 65-page draft, which is seen as being too unwieldy.

    Earlier in the week, Arora, who heads a 30-member committee comprising representatives from industry, trade and consumer bodies, conveyed his observations to a sub-panel handling the content regulation draft.

    However, no time frame has been set for the work to be redone, which is an indicator that the government might bring in such a regulation through an existing piece of legislation instead of waiting for the proposed Broadcast Bill 2006 to be enacted into law.

    The draft aims at regulating and setting parameters for content to be aired on TV and radio networks, including broadcast of adult fare and sting ops done by news channels.

    A peek into a section of this draft also highlights that the proposed legislation could not only hamper functioning of news channels, but is also intrusive.

    If okayed by lawmakers in its present state, it could well be the end of sting operations and coverage of issues where high profile politicians and personalities are involved.

    Sample this part: TV channels must not use material relating to persons personal or private affairs or which invades an individual’s privacy unless there is an identifiable public interest reason for the material to be broadcast.

    Who decides what constitutes an individual’s privacy? The government or the regulator, of course.

    Examples of public interest would include, according to the draft, revealing or detecting crime, protecting public health or safety, exposing misleading claims made by individuals or organizations or disclosing incompetence that affects the public.

    Nowhere does the proposed regulation dwell on misuse of official power by a public personality — an issue that’s increasingly becoming rampant in India.

    The draft then goes on to state that news should not jeopardize any ongoing criminal investigations and (TV channels) should avoid a trial by media since “a man is innocent till proven guilty by law”.

    Now this could also mean that if a politician’s son is being tried by law for using drugs in the official residence, TV news should not do extensive coverage of the incident. However, the draft regulation is silent what should be done in case such accused themselves go on air and ‘use’ the media to influence opinion making.

    “Channels mounting sting operations with use of hidden cameras and recording devices are required to strictly adhere to the rules prescribed,” the draft states, going on to put the onus on TV news channels of proving such a programme is in public interest.

  • Big winners at 2006 Promax/BDA World Gold & North America Awards

    Big winners at 2006 Promax/BDA World Gold & North America Awards

    MUMBAI: Promax/BDA the global non-profit organization for marketing, promotion and design professionals in electronic media, celebrated its annual Promax World Gold and North America Awards.

    Hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Darrell Hammond, the awards ceremony brought the 2006 Promax/BDA Conference to a close. The awards competition is divided into North America and World Gold based on the entrants main region of business.

    The big winners in the Promax World Gold Awards were design house Red Bee Media, with 15 gold and six silver Muse Awards and Italian broadcaster Fox International, who took home 13 gold and eight silver Muse Awards. BSkyB was also among the big winners in the World Gold competition with 11 gold and three silver Muse Awards, informs an official release.

    In the North America Awards competition, NBC led the charge with 16 gold and nine silver Muse Awards. ABC and Bell ExpressVu followed with 18 awards each – ABC had 13 gold and five silver, while Bell ExpressVu earned 12 gold and six silver. HBO was not far behind with eight gold and nine silver awards.

    In addition to the newly redesigned Promax Muse statuette, award recipients will have their winning entries added to the permanent collection of Promax/BDA media at the United States Library of Congress, as part of The Robert Neer Promax/BDA Promos.tv Collection, containing over 6,900 winning promotional spots from Promax/BDA competitions worldwide since 1999, adds the release.

    Commenting on the event, Promax/BDA president and CEO Jim Chabin said, “The worldwide prestige and value of the Promax World Gold and Promax North America Muse Awards are exemplified by the caliber of work and the talented individuals that create that work. This year, we received an unprecedented number of submissions from companies around the globe so our winners should take pride in knowing they are truly the world’s best.”

  • Disney channels now available on Thailand’s True IPTV

    Disney channels now available on Thailand’s True IPTV

    MUMBAI: : A partnership deal has been signed between Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia) and True Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd. to make Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel available on True IPTV, slated to start this month.

    True IPTV Thailand’s Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) provider, is a pay-TV service with an ‘a la carte’ pricing model. It is available to viewers at a monthly subscription of Baht120 (US$3) for each of the commercial-free Disney channels, informs an official release.

    Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) Senior VP and MD Nicky Parkinson said, “It has been Disney’s strategic focus to develop compelling content and utilize leading-edge technologies in response to consumer demands of getting quality entertainment experiences in the most relevant way. IPTV is anticipated to be a major entertainment platform in Thailand and we are extremely excited to work with True, an innovative industry player providing the first IPTV here, to embrace this fast-growing opportunity and bring our two branded channels to Thai kids and families.”

    Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia) MD Raymund Miranda said, “Being responsive to the technological advances of TV programming distribution is a priority for us at Disney Television and the launch of our channels on True IPTV marks an exciting milestone in our business in Southeast Asia. In the long-term, IPTV is expected to penetrate 55 per cent share of the Thai TV market and we look forward to working with True IPTV, the leader in this space, to make that forecast a reality.”

    True IPTV was launched by True Corporation Plc, Thailand’s integrated telecom operator providing fixed line telephone, mobile, broadband and multimedia services. The company plans to expand its operations in Thailand to reach out to local audiences through selected animated programming on both Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel which are dubbed in Thai. Also, number of live-action series have Thai subtitling. In addition, an English language feed is also available in appropriate areas, adds the release.

    Commenting on the partnership, True Corporation Plc MD Thiti Nantapatsiri said, “We’re pleased to have the two Disney channels on our new IPTV offering and we’re confident that our growing number of subscribers will enjoy Disney’s unique brand of quality entertainment.”

  • Irdeto to help ETV make the transition to pay

    Irdeto to help ETV make the transition to pay

    SINGAPORE: Irdeto, which works in the area of providing content security for digital TV, IPTV and mobile networks, has announced that ETV has chosen its digital TV solution to help protect ETV and ETV2 as they get converted from free-to-air to pay TV services.

    ETV VP operations K. Bapineedu says, “ETV and ETV2 are known for providing the best of family entertainment and leading edge news, and thus, it was crucial that we protect this content with the most robust conditional access solution possible..

    “Irdeto’s reputation as the proven leader in the industry with an unparalleled record of three generations of uncompromised smart cards in the market was key in our decision to go with their content security solution.”

    Irdeto CEO Graham Kill said, “Leading broadcasters like ETV-Network realise that content security plays a key role in securing revenue. Irdeto offers a choice in proven content security solutions that support many different business models creating new business opportunities for content owners and network operators.”

    Irdeto’s India country manager Rahul Nehra says, “We are committed to curtailing piracy on local and national levels. In order for ETV-Network to achieve a successful conversion from free-to-air to pay TV services, a tried and tested content protection solution was crucial. We are pleased to be selected by ETV-Network to protect two of its key local-language channels.”

  • ‘Go, Diego, Go!’ slated to air in October on Nick Jr

    ‘Go, Diego, Go!’ slated to air in October on Nick Jr

    MUMBAI: The kids’ channel Nickelodeon has ordered 20 new episodes of the second season of Go, Diego, Go!. Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon has commenced production activity of the show.

    The second season of Go, Diego, Go! is slated to kick off in October 2006.

    According to an official release, on the heels of its hugely successful cousin Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go! made its Nick Jr. debut in September 2005, and has quickly become the number one preschool show on all of commercial TV.

    Series star Jake T. Austin returns for season two as the voice of rough- and-tumble animal rescuer Diego. Jake can also be seen this July in the animated feature film The Ant Bully with Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep. Academy Award-nominated actress Rosie Perez also returns as the voice of “Click” the Camera.

    “Diego is an irresistible action hero with a heart, and we are thrilled he has followed in his cousin Dora’s footsteps to become the number one TV choice among preschoolers,” said Nickelodeon preschool television executive creative director Brown Johnson. “We are excited to be working with Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh on a new season of Diego’s animal rescue adventures.”

    Go Diego Go! was created and is produced by Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh, the team behind the phenomenal hit show Dora the Explorer.

  • Star News to launch ’24 Ghante, 24 Reporter’ bulletin

    Star News to launch ’24 Ghante, 24 Reporter’ bulletin

    MUMBAI: Starting 26 June, the Hindi news channel — Star News is set to launch a news bulletin 24 Ghante, 24 Reporter. The bulletin will air at 10 pm on the week days, while the metro specific news bulletin –City 60, will air at 10:30 pm.

    Through the 24 Ghante, 24 Reporters, the news is packaged in a crisp and fast-paced, which will bring 24 news stories in 30 minutes.

    According to an official release, this pacy news bulletin is primarily targeted for viewers on the move who want a quick news roundup of the day. All the important news stories of the day will be presented in a short yet comprehensive capsule form. The fast paced ideally placed 10 pm bulletin caters to just such an audience by redefining the set parameters of news presentation.

    The news will consist of various segments- Sabse Bari Khabar, Desh, Shahar, Gunah, Duniya, Khel, Karobar, Cinema and TV.
     

  • Digital radio is where it’s at

    Digital radio is where it’s at

    SINGAPORE: Looks like it’s time for traditional radio stations in India to pull up their socks, as digital and internet radio is already being lapped up by about 50 million music lovers across the world.

    Not just that, but new ways of accessing music, (via wireless and Internet) has brought in a paradigm shift in the functioning of the traditional audio medium…

    Just a quick dekko at some facts and sweeping changes. With Podcasting gaining ground, interactive and savvy consumers are creating their own customized radio stations online. We already have have more than 40,000 radio stations podcasting live; which is a disturbing fact considering that there are only 30,000 traditional radio stations across the world. Also, the success of sites like myspace.com have gone on to show that social networking sites will become more important for selling music as compared to TV or Radio.

    Media futurist, & ThinkAndLink, CEO, Gerd Leonhard dwelled at length on the future of radio yesterday, the last day of Broadcst Asia. Addressing a packed audience of professionals from across the world, Leonhard said, “Digital & internet radio is now big in countries like UK, Japan, Korea, Scandinavia and very soon it’s going to catch on across the world. Traditional radio companies have to accept this and move ahead with the changes.”

    He further added, “The radio industry is touted to be roughly around $ 50 billion a year, constituting around 15 per cent of total advertising revenues. Now, this pie is going to be further fragmented and shared by mobile companies, and even companies like Apple, Google; even mobile companies as well as wireless companies. What has now emerged is that content owners will not hold distribution rights to their content anymore, so the only thing is to accept this and try to monetize from this. So, one will see a a new type of advertising which will be the revenue driver along with the content.

    Some relevant data which emerged from the session was that myspace.com, which currently has 28 billion page views, seems to be more important tpo advertisers than even a heavy rotation on MTV. Also, to listen to music, it’s the always with you/always on devices that are critical (2 billion mobile users, coupled with 50 million ipods). 
    When queried on his views on the Indian radio market, Leonhard said that, India along with China, and some untapped markets in Africa and Middle East will lead the rapid growth.

    Also, with the mobile and technology revolution sweeping India, the rates will fall further and people will access digital radio sooner than even other parts of the world.