ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Channel 4 picks up shows from Buena Vista

    Channel 4 picks up shows from Buena Vista

    MUMBAI: UK broadcaster Channel 4 has acquired exclusive UK rights to screen Buena Vista International Television’s (BVITV) shows Betty the Ugly and Brothers and Sisters.

    The deal was agreed between Channel 4 director of acquisitions Jeff Ford and BVITV executive director, sales, UK & Ireland Catherine Powell.

    Based on the Columbian telenovela Betty La Fea, Betty the Ugly is a quirky one hour comedy series executive produced by award-winning actress Salma Hayek and Silvio Horta.

    The show follows Betty Suarez (America Ferrera), a seemingly plain, but intelligent and hard-working, secretary at fashion magazine “Mode”. Between her boss Daniel and herself, neither of them knows the ins and outs of the fashion world, but together they’re a formidable team against the label-wearing sharks who will do anything to see them fail.

    Actress Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal) stars in the drama series, Brothers & Sisters. Flockhart stars alongside Rachel Griffiths Six Feet Under and Ron Rifkin Alias in this drama from producer Ken Olin Alias and Jon Robin Baitz, one of Broadway’s most prominent playwrights.

    As the adult children of William Walker, along with their respective families, gather to celebrate Kitty’s birthday, little do they know that, on this day, their lives will take a dramatic turn.

    Kitty’s radio success has led to a TV pundit job in Los Angeles, but her boyfriend in New York has just proposed. Thomas has joined forces with his sister, Sarah, a high powered executive and mother of three, in an effort to fix the family business. Kevin’s well-ordered life is shaken by the news that his ex-wife is moving his adolescent son to Texas. Justin, a Gulf War vet, has kicked nicotine, but other addiction’s keep him from moving forward in his career and love life.

    These siblings are about to find out that underneath the idyllic family facade lie many secrets that threaten to either tear the family apart or bring them closer together.

    Ford said, “We are delighted to have secured the rights to these much sought after series that confirm C4’s commitment to the best of US drama.”

  • BBC picks up teen drama from FremantleMedia

    BBC picks up teen drama from FremantleMedia

    MUMBAI: Fremantle International Distribution (FID), the distribution arm of global format creator and owner FremantleMedia ,has sold its new teen drama Falcon Beach to the BBC and many other additional international broadcasters. The drama is now set to be broadcast in 18 countries worldwide.

    BBC Daytime has secured the UK rights to the edgy new one-hour drama, which premiered on ABC Family in Australia on 5 June 2006. Further significant licensing agreements will see the programme launch on ABC, Australia; RTE, Eire; SBS (Flemish), Belgium; RTM, Malaysia; ANTV, Indonesia; ABC5, Philippines; ETV, Sri Lanka; UBC, Thailand; Show TV, Turkey and Hot, Israel.

    These broadcasters join a raft of deals for Falcon Beach already signed with M6, France; TV2, Denmark; TV4, Sweden; TV Norge (SBS Channel), Norway; Channel 4, Finland; Nederland 3, Netherlands and IBC Iceland’s Sirkus.

    Falcon Beach is positioned as sexy, edgy and full of energy. It is produced by Insight Productions and Original Pictures, in conjunction with Global Television and ABC Family USA and centres on the lives and loves of the town’s young men and women, as they find their way towards their futures.

    Falcon Beach is a quiet lakeside town where locals and summer visitors mingle and where seduction, sand and scandal are abundant. A coming-of-age drama following a group of twenty-somethings, Falcon Beach focusses on friends, families and enemies during a summer of romance and passion, soul-searching and conflicts.

    FremantleMedia CEO David Ellender said, “Falcon Beach has received a deservedly warm welcome from broadcasters the world over, and we are certain that all will be delighted with the results it will no doubt deliver. Dramas of this calibre are rare and the broadcasters that have seen the potential of Falcon Beach will soon be the envy of their rivals.”

  • Reality TV to be renamed Zone Reality

    Reality TV to be renamed Zone Reality

    MUMBAI: Entertainment firm Zone Vision Networks has announced a new global brand for the company’s corporate identity and its channels.

    The company will introduce an umbrella brand, Zonemedia, on 26 June. New logos and names for the company’s six thematic channels will also be rolled out.

    Reality TV, which is distributed in India by Zee Turner will be renamed Zone Reality. Romantica becomes Zone Romantica, Club becomes Zone Club, The Horror Channel becomes Zone Horror and Europa Europa becomes Zone Europa.

    Zone Vision chairman Chris Wronski says, “Our new look reflects the developments that have taken place in the business in recent years, which encompass the launch of new satellite TV channels, as well as web and Wap sites. Viewers will continue to enjoy the distinctive programming they have come to expect from their favourite Zonemedia channels.”

    Branding and communication agency Kemistry created the network’s new identity. The modern look and feel provides a cohesive identity across Zonemedia’s growing portfolio of thematic channels.

    London-based Fig Jam Marketing provided additional creative and logistical support.

  • Ek Main Aur…ties up with ‘Corporate’; Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs set to roll

    Ek Main Aur…ties up with ‘Corporate’; Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs set to roll

    MUMBAI: Zee TV’s music talent hunt show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu has tied up with Percept Groups P9 Integrated Pvt Ltd. to promote the film, Corporate. Director of the film Madhur Bhandarkar was a guest on the show this week.

    Meanwhile, the auditions for the next series Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs will be held tomorrow (17 June) in Lucknow at the Ravindralaya Auditorium and in Delhi at the National Science Centre. The audition in Mumbai will be at the Russian Culture Centre on 18 June. This contest is open to children between the ages 8 to 15 years. The series is expected to go on air next month.

    As a part of the tie up with P9, Corporate will be extensively promoted on the channel. Besides this, the biggest draw of the alliance is that the film’s lead actress Bipasha Basu will be a guest at the grand finale of Ek Main Aur Ek Tu in Dubai. Kay Kay Menon, the lead actor in the film, is also expected to be present. The finale will be held on 24 June.

    Director Gajendrra Siingh said, “All along the series, we have had promotional tie ups with many Hindi films and to be associated with a director like Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known to be a trendsetter in his craft, is a privilege.”

    Zee TV vice president marketing c said, “It is a pleasure to be associated with the movie. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’s performance has surpassed our expectations and at this stage, we are proud to associate ourselves with a promising movie like Corporate.”

    This week, Bhandarkar along with the film’s music director Shamir Tandon, witnessed the two final jodis, Ujjaini and Aishwarya and Banjyotsana and Sharib, perform to a live orchestra. Both left the sets impressed with the young talented jodis sing to the tune of string instruments.Says Bhandarkar, “We had lots of fun during the semi-final in Mumbai, and we look forward to seeing the participants yet again in the finals. We have an interesting surprise in store for the winners.”

    Tandon said, “It is awesome that people as young as them are getting an opportunity to showcase their talent to billions of people via television. I am envious of them.”

    P9 general manager marketing Maneesh Mathur says, “Today, a film has a very short shelf life, so marketing of a film is as important as the content of the film. Corporate will get a lot of visibility because it will be promoted across the Zee Network and Sa Re Ga Ma… will deliver higher ratings because of the celebrities. We are confident that this tie up will benefit both Zee and Sahara One Motion Pictures.”

    The finale of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu is expected to have performances by the finalists and the ousted jodis. The winners of the contest will receive a music contract worth Rs 50 lakh, and will also receive a grand surprise from Bipasha Basu and Madhur Bhandarkar at the event.

    Today, the jodis are performing in Delhi at the Talkatora Stadium with Hariharan as the judge. The jodis will perform in Kolkatta on 18 June at the Nazrul Manch with Leslie Lewis and singer Usha Uthup as the judges. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 winners Debojit and Vineet are to be the hosts at both these events respectively. The show in Delhi will be aired on 22 June and the Kolkatta show will be aired on 23 June at 10 pm.

    Viewers can watch the finale of Ek Main Aur Ek Tu on Zee TV, on Saturday, 24 June, 8 pm onwards.

  • Ek Main Aur…ties up with ‘Corporate’; Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs set to roll

    Ek Main Aur…ties up with ‘Corporate’; Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs set to roll

    MUMBAI: Zee TV’s music talent hunt show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu has tied up with Percept Groups P9 Integrated Pvt Ltd. to promote the film, Corporate. Director of the film Madhur Bhandarkar was a guest on the show this week.

    Meanwhile, the auditions for the next series Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs will be held tomorrow (17 June) in Lucknow at the Ravindralaya Auditorium and in Delhi at the National Science Centre. The audition in Mumbai will be at the Russian Culture Centre on 18 June. This contest is open to children between the ages 8 to 15 years. The series is expected to go on air next month.

    As a part of the tie up with P9, Corporate will be extensively promoted on the channel. Besides this, the biggest draw of the alliance is that the film’s lead actress Bipasha Basu will be a guest at the grand finale of Ek Main Aur Ek Tu in Dubai. Kay Kay Menon, the lead actor in the film, is also expected to be present. The finale will be held on 24 June.

    Director Gajendrra Siingh said, “All along the series, we have had promotional tie ups with many Hindi films and to be associated with a director like Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known to be a trendsetter in his craft, is a privilege.”

    Zee TV vice president marketing Tarun Mehra said, “It is a pleasure to be associated with the movie. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’s performance has surpassed our expectations and at this stage, we are proud to associate ourselves with a promising movie like Corporate.”

    This week, Bhandarkar along with the film’s music director Shamir Tandon, witnessed the two final jodis, Ujjaini and Aishwarya and Banjyotsana and Sharib, perform to a live orchestra. Both left the sets impressed with the young talented jodis sing to the tune of string instruments.Says Bhandarkar, “We had lots of fun during the semi-final in Mumbai, and we look forward to seeing the participants yet again in the finals. We have an interesting surprise in store for the winners.”

    Tandon said, “It is awesome that people as young as them are getting an opportunity to showcase their talent to billions of people via television. I am envious of them.”

    P9 general manager marketing Maneesh Mathur says, “Today, a film has a very short shelf life, so marketing of a film is as important as the content of the film. Corporate will get a lot of visibility because it will be promoted across the Zee Network and Sa Re Ga Ma… will deliver higher ratings because of the celebrities. We are confident that this tie up will benefit both Zee and Sahara One Motion Pictures.”

    The finale of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu is expected to have performances by the finalists and the ousted jodis. The winners of the contest will receive a music contract worth Rs 50 lakh, and will also receive a grand surprise from Bipasha Basu and Madhur Bhandarkar at the event.

    Today, the jodis are performing in Delhi at the Talkatora Stadium with Hariharan as the judge. The jodis will perform in Kolkatta on 18 June at the Nazrul Manch with Leslie Lewis and singer Usha Uthup as the judges. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 winners Debojit and Vineet are to be the hosts at both these events respectively. The show in Delhi will be aired on 22 June and the Kolkatta show will be aired on 23 June at 10 pm.

    Viewers can watch the finale of Ek Main Aur Ek Tu on Zee TV, on Saturday, 24 June, 8 pm onwards.

  • mPhase Tech highlights its IPTV solution at Wall Street Analyst forum

    mPhase Tech highlights its IPTV solution at Wall Street Analyst forum

    MUMBAI: mPhase Technologies (OTCBB: XDSL) president and chief executive Ronald Durando will brief the 17th Annual Wall Street Analyst Conference on the company’s latest software release specifically designed to help telecommunications operators be better equipped to provide carrier-class IPTV services, especially as the market is poised for growth.

    Durando’s presentation at The Princeton Club in New York City will be webcast live on 15 June at around 11:10 am and archived at http://www.investorcalendar.com/CEPage.asp?ID=104932.

    Among the most recent improvements to the mPhase TV+ System is an integrated Latens dynamic Conditional Access System, a pure software security solution that protects content and allows telcos to offer revenue rich premium content. The newest enhancements to be discussed include features to improve the ability of a service provider to cost-effectively manage both subscriber growth and system complexity, states an official release

  • Argent Networks launches convergent billing and mediation for IPTV

    Argent Networks launches convergent billing and mediation for IPTV

    MUMBAI: New Zealand technology and telecommunications solutions company, Argent Networks announced that it was launching a new application for Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) billing and mediation as part of its leading ArgentEclipse Convergent Billing and CRM solution.

    Argent Networks provides solutions for the voice, data, video and mobile sectors of the global telecommunications market.

    This means that IPTV manufacturers and service providers who use ArgentEclipse get a host of added features such as provisioning, CRM/CTI, pre-paid and post-paid billing options, as well as automatic EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) updating for the complete range of IPTV services. 

    ArgentEclipse now also provides event-based billing for IPTV applications including video on demand, pay-per view, video broadcasting, gaming, content and IPTV telephony services, as per an official release.

    Argent Networks CEO Chris Jones says the ArgentEclipse suite of products is the ideal solution for new and existing broadband, cable and TV operators wishing to get into the burgeoning global IPTV market.

    “Worldwide demand for IPTV is expected to be huge as broadband is now available to more than 100 million households. Given that many of the biggest telecommunications providers are investing in IPTV for both their residential and business markets, our product is exactly what they need. With ArgentEclipse’s modular and fully convergent CRM and billing products, IPTV operators can now expand their offerings to subscribers, giving them one simple, easy bill for all telephony, data and now video offerings.”

    Jones also says that the ArgentEclipse IPTV solution provides IPTV manufacturers and service providers with a far more comprehensive suite of applications than has been available before.

    “This means that IPTV manufacturers and service providers who use ArgentEclipse get a host of added features such as provisioning, CRM/CTI, pre-paid and post-paid billing options, as well as automatic EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) updating for the complete range of IPTV services.”

    In addition, Jones says that IPTV subscribers will be provided with options for self- provisioning and subscription to new services, access to online EPG, PVR (personal video recorder) support, online payment and customer services options.

  • Sunrise Broadband secures commitment for $25 mn funding from Dutchess Private Equities Fund

    Sunrise Broadband secures commitment for $25 mn funding from Dutchess Private Equities Fund

    MUMBAI: The Colorado-headquartered Sunrise Broadband Group, Inc. has said that it has entered into an investment agreement with Dutchess Private Equities Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership whereby Dutchess is committed to purchase up to twenty-five million dollars (US$25,000,000) of Sunrise Broadband’s common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement.

    “The Dutchess agreement allows management to close on targeted rural cable television systems and to complete the network upgrades to offer Voice Over Internet Protocol, high-speed Internet and digital video services,” says Sunrise Broadband’s CEO Calvin D. Smiley, Sr.

    The deal with Duchess requires that Sunrise Broadband file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, become fully reporting and register the underlying securities. The approval of the registration statement will activate the agreement with Dutchess, states an official release.

  • AOL extends open AIM initiative

    AOL extends open AIM initiative

    MUMBAI: American Online Limited (AOL) has extended its Open AIM initiative (http://developer.aim.com) to include support for AIM Bots, location-based services and PC-to-PC voice calling. The update also includes support for developers working on the Mac OS X, Linux, and Pocket PC platforms or with the Java language.

    Launched in March of this year, the Open AIM initiative empowers companies, communities and independent developers to build customized plugins, communications clients and mash-ups that access AOL’s global instant messaging network, states an official release.

    “Already, more than 45,000 developers are working with the AIM Software Development Kit (SDK) to bring their creativity and ingenuity to the 43 million Americans in the AIM community,” says AOL’s vice president for Instant Messaging Marcien Jenckes. “Today, we are extremely pleased to add AIM Bots as well as voice and location services to the Open AIM toolkit, and to invite developers on the Mac, Linux and Pocket PC platforms to get involved.”

    The latest update include:

    — AOL has added support for AIM(r) Bots to the Open AIM initiative. With the new Open AIM Bots program, one click can turn any AIM screen name into a bot. AIM Bot sample code has been added to the updated Open AIM SDK in both C++ and Java.

    AIM Bots are dedicated, opt-in Screen Names that help developers, marketers and individuals create new connections and establish strong bonds with contacts in the AIM community. In addition, AIM Bots can support audio calls, file transfers and picture sharing. For example, an AIM Bot could be created to let users send pictures or podcasts to their blogs.

    AIM Bots respond automatically to instant messages they receive and can maintain IM conversations with multiple users – reaching up to 10,000 people per day – before encountering limits. To prevent IM spam, AIM Bots cannot initiate IMs without permission.

    — AOL’s new AIM Location services are now part of the Open AIM SDK. The new application program interfaces (APIs) – with sample code – have been added to the SDK to let developers build location services into clients, plugins and, in the coming weeks, web sites.

    — AOL is also giving developers the ability to add AIM Talk’s PC-to-PC voice functionality and multi-party voice chat into their custom AIM clients. For the first time, developers can integrate robust audio features based on the open source sipXtapi SIP stack, from sipfoundry.org, into their applications with a single turnkey solution.

    — Finally, AOL has also added Open AIM support for developers working on the Mac OS X, Linux, and Pocket PC platforms, as well as support for the Java language. For complete documentation and to learn more about these Open AIM initiatives, visit http://developer.aim.com/.

    The recent open AIM projects include:

    — Bandalong Entertainment Inc., an interactive media company, formed an agreement with AOL to release an AIM(r) enabled version of their imstar service, which is now built on the Open AIM platform. imstar is the only lifelike, 3-D avatar-based instant messaging program for teens.

    — Doppelganger, designer of the world’s first virtual nightclub, introduced a virtual lounge for music audiences that seamlessly integrates the AIM service. AIM users can log on to a customised version of the AIM client and experience real time communications in Doppelganger’s The Lounge featuring the Pussycat Dolls (http://www.pcdmusiclounge.com).

    — Super Computer International, Inc., (http://www.supercomputerinc.com) announced an agreement with AOL to create a customized version of the AIM service called PlayLinc that will optimize the instant messaging (IM) experience for online gamers.

    — WebEx Communications, Inc., (http://www.webex.com) the leading provider of on-demand collaborative business applications, teamed with AOL in February of this year to announce the creation of a secure, feature-rich version of the popular AIM service for businesses and at-work instant messaging users.

  • Apple introduces U2 iPod

    Apple introduces U2 iPod

    MUMBAI: Software major Apple has introduced the new iPod U2 Special Edition as part of a continued partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG).

    The new U2 iPod is based on the fifth generation 30GB iPod and holds up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos or over 75 hours of video and features a distinctive, all-black stainless steel enclosure, red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures.

    Apple VP worldwide iPod product marketing Greg Joswiak says, “We are thrilled to continue working with one of the greatest bands in the world to bring U2 fans a special edition of the world’s best digital music player. With its distinctive new design, including an all-black stainless steel enclosure, the new U2 iPod is sure to be a hit.”

    U2 iPod customers will also receive 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video downloadable from the iTunes Music Store. The new U2 iPod is available immediately for Rs.21,400.

    Featuring integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, the new U2 iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads digital music, podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, music videos and popular television shows onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using USB 2.0. The new U2 iPod features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback.

    The iPod requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; video capacity is based on H.264 750-Kbps combined with 128-Kbps audio; and photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.