ITV

Category: News Headline

  • CTV and Bell Canada launch mobile video news services

    CTV and Bell Canada launch mobile video news services

    MUMBAI: CTV Inc. and Bell Canada has announced the launch of two new made-for-mobile video news services for CTV News and Report on Business Television (ROBTv).

    Bell Mobility customers can now access video news package available in Canada along with the country’s
    first-ever business-only news reports directly on their video-capable handsets. Canada’s newscasts are now available 24 hours a day on television, online, and now wirelessly through Bell.

    CTV News and ROBTv mobile video news service complements other Bell Mobility TV services, which includes NHL highlights, news, weather, sports and entertainment content.

    In an official statement, the Bell Mobility customers will receive CTV News, which is a three-minute branded newscast updated hourly throughout the day, making it the most current mobile newscast available in Canada. For Canadians, it’s a solution that offers unfettered and up-to-date access to the day’s breaking news stories and beyond.

    The ROBTv mobile news service is the first mobile content dedicated exclusively to business news. Available only from Bell Mobility, ROBTv’s packaged business news wrap will be updated hourly, delivering the ongoing stories of the day from Bay Street to Wall Street and beyond.

    The mobile reports will also include analyst ratings, Stars and Dogs Picks and exclusive interviews with the business newsmakers of the day. It’s the must- have mobile video news service for business minded Canadians.

    “The mandate of the CTV News division is to deliver meaningful and comprehensive news reports in a timely fashion,” said CTV News president Robert Hurst. “With Bell Mobility, we now have a mobile strategy that showcases our leading news services and ensures Canadians can stay connected to the
    critical news of the day.”

    “Extending CTV’s news and business content onto a mobile platform only made sense if we could deliver value to the consumer,” said CTV VP digital media Kris Faibish. “Working with Bell Mobility, the opportunity to deliver hourly news and business wraps, something no other broadcaster provides, delivers that value and provides the perfect entry point for CTV News on mobile.”

    Bell’s streaming video clip service is currently available on the EV-DO enabled Samsung a920 and the Sanyo 8300 and 7500, and a downloadable news video clip service is available on the Motorola E815 and RAZRV3c, states the official release.

  • Five news organizations and US government settle privacy suit

    MUMBAI: Can a journalist be forced to reveal his sources? A journalist holds the right to refuse to reveal his source, but in this connection he should be willing to face a trail. A court battle, which featured news organisations and the US government, and its climax have proved that protecting the source can be a costly affair.

    Five news organisations namely ABC News, The Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and The Washington Post has agreed to join forces with the US government towards the settlement on invasion of privacy with the former scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Wen Ho Lee who was falsely accused of being a Chinese spy.

    The US government is paying $1,645,000 and the five news organizations are paying $750,000 to avoid contempt sanctions against their reporters, who refused to disclose the sources of their stories about the espionage investigation. 

    The reporters of the five media organisations were not named in the suit as defendants, but had been held in contempt by the court for refusing to testify and had been ordered to pay fines of $500 per day for refusing to name their sources.

    Lee brought his case against the government and the five news media organisation in 1999,when the federal investigators accused him of giving nuclear secrets to China. He spent nine months in solitary confinement awaiting trial.

    Lee contended that the government had violated privacy laws by telling reporters about his employment history, finances, travels and polygraph tests.

     

  • Man’s World magazine launches on Tata Indicom cell network

    Man’s World magazine launches on Tata Indicom cell network

    MUMBAI: Coruscant Tec, a mobile content developer and aggregator has launched the popular Man’s World magazine for mobiles on the Tata Indicom network. The mobile magazine is available at a monthly subscription of Rs 30.

    The launch of the pocket size magazine marks the debut of a print magazine onto the mobile interface.

    With consumers increasingly demanding more from their mobile networks, the launch of the pocket size magazine is the first of its kind in the value added services market in India.

    The mini magazine has been developed on Qualcomm’s Brew platform and will be updated twice a month.

    “The consumer is increasingly demanding more out of his mobile phone. With that in mind, the need to develop innovative Value Added Services is imperative. We have worked closely with Man’s World and Tata Teleservices to tailor content specifically for the mobile interface. With the mini magazine we want readers to have access to the magazine at all times. Content will be available dynamically and will be updated on a fortnightly basis” says Coruscant Tec founder and MD Ajay Adiseshann.

    Man’s World is a monthly magazine targeted at contemporary Indian men. It is an Indian magazine suffused with international sensibility but backed by local content. The magazine covers various themes ranging from women and dating to electronic gadgets and cars. The mobile magazine will feature select content from the print version such as women, wheels, gadgets, style guru, grooming, Dr. Know and cricket providing the reader with entertainment on the go.

    “The interesting thing about this version is that we have worked with Coruscant Tec to provide content from our large databank of material. Users will be able to get articles from past issues of the print magazine. We have pooled in all our materials to offer the consumer the very best they could ask for”, said Man’s World India editor N. Radhakrishnan.

  • Trai proposes to amend Cable TV Act

    Trai proposes to amend Cable TV Act

    NEW DELHI: Broadcast and telecom regulator proposes to amend the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the existing telecom licenses to facilitate growth of IPTV services in the country.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today released the proposed amendments in the Cable Television Networks Act and other material for industry feedback.Giving the reasons for this proposed amendment, which will have to be okayed by the government, Trai said, “During consultation process on issues relating to convergence and competition in broadcasting and telecommunications, certain problems were pointed out, which are likely to arise if IPTV services are to be governed by the existing Cable Television 
    Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.”

    It added, “The possible solution for resolving the regulatory problems is amending the existing telecom licenses and the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.”

    After holding a series of meetings with various stakeholders on the issues involved, Trai has finalized a draft of the proposed amendments in relevant rules.It had been pointed out that the following problems are likely to arise if IPTV services are to be governed by the existing Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995:

    i. Technological requirement of IPTV to deliver content through a set top box leads to non-compliance with the requirement of Section 4A of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 about free to air channels not needing an addressable system.

    ii. Use of different protocols by different companies and lack of standardization for IPTV services violates the requirement of Section 9 of the Cable TV Act about use of equipment conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards.

    iii. Applicability of FDI norms, downlinking guidelines and programme codes on a unified licensee providing IPTV services with same content as cable TV needs clarification.

    Trai said that the problems have come up as the Cable Television Act was formulated when IPTV service was not even conceived.

    One of the amendments proposed by the regulator includes defining `cable service’ as means the transmission by cables of programmes including retransmission by cables of any broadcast television signals, but does not include video service offered under Unified Access Service Licence by the Unified Access Service Licence holders on their networks.

    This part is aimed at keeping IPTV services outside the definition of “cable services” so that such service would not get hit by Section 4A(6) of the Cable Television Act on basic tier programming not requiring a box.

    The details of the proposed amendments are available on the regulator’s website, www.trai.gov.in, for feedback from the industry.

  • CTV launches multi-channel broadband service

    CTV launches multi-channel broadband service

    MUMBAI: Canada’s private broadcaster CTV launches phase one of the CTV Broadband Network, an on-demand broadband service featuring four distinct broadband channels. 

    The CTV Broadband Network features a free, premium broadband video player that harnesses the latest in technology to deliver full length CTV programme ming in all forms from all genres at broadband speeds and enhanced resolution.

    The ad-supported broadband network was launched at CTV’s 2006 Fall Upfront in Toronto.

    The CTV Broadband Network is currently integrated into the CTV web site and can be found at www.ctv.ca. The network currently houses four channels. They are CTV Shows, a broadband channel featuring full length CTV prime time programme ming, CTV News and Docs, featuring comprehensive local, national, international and business news, all updated hourly, etalk on Broadband, Canada’s first and only broadband channel devoted exclusively to covering the Canadian and international entertainment industry and the Discovery Channel on CTV delivering entertaining science, nature and travel programme ming, informs an official release.

    Commenting on the launch of the new CTV broadband service, Bell Globemedia president and CEO and CTV CEO Ivan Fecan said: “Canadians are leaders in consuming media and the CTV Broadband Network is part one of CTV’s answer to their appetite to tap programme ming on emerging platforms and to provide a solution to the advertisers who want to reach them.”

    “CTV’s broadband network is a powerful 4-channel platform that immediately provides Canadians with the ability to access a roster of some of the top television shows in Canada and the best of news and current affairs,” said CTV VP digital media Kris Faibish. “For CTV, this is an opportunity to deliver award-winning original programme ming on demand.”

    Under phase one of the launch, the CTV Broadband Network will feature programme ming pulled from CTV’s original stable of award-winning and popular programme mes . Over the next several weeks, more and more programme ming will be loaded onto the channels with a view to launching phase 2 in Fall 2006,
    coinciding with the launch of CTV’s Fall 2006 Fall Season. 

    CTV Shows will a first look at key CTV programme mes , before they make their television premieres. In July, CTV broadband will launch Season 2 of Instant Star one day ahead of its television premiere and run episodes all summer in a one-day broadband pre-release. Immediately available now are episodes of Corner Gas (Seasons 3) Degrassi: The NextGeneration (Seasons 5) including Degrassi Webisodes, Instant Star (Season 1), Canadian Idol (Season 4) and Whistler (Season 1) launching on 26 June.

    CTV News and Documentaries will offer local, national and international news and other programme ming from the award winning CTV News Division.

    While, etalk on Broadband, the broadband channel will focus exclusively on the world of celebrity entertainment. This channel is an extension of Canada’s favourite entertainment brand etalk. While you may catch one minute of an A-lister on TV, you can catch the whole interview on broadband. programme ming here is focused on delivering entire interviews with key Canadian and international stars. Daily entertainment packages and stories from etalk and E2 can be found here.

    Discovery Channel on CTV will bring the best of Discovery programme ming from its acclaimed flagship programme Daily Planet, to the Extremely Wild and Ultimate series as well as the travel show, Valerie Pringle has Left the Building.

  • Brokeback Mountain, Wedding Crashers shine at MTV awards

    Brokeback Mountain, Wedding Crashers shine at MTV awards

    MUMBAI: Comedy Wedding Crashers and Oscar-winning drama Brokeback Mountain have bagged five top awards at the MTV Movie Awards held in California.

    Jim Carrey won a lifetime achievement award. Actor Steve Carell won the award for best comedic performance for his role in The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

    Jake Gyllenhaal stole the limelight by bagging the best performance prize for Brokeback Mountain and the best kiss recognition for the one in the movie with co-star Heath Ledger.

    Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger beat Brad Pitt and Angelina Joline in Mr and Mrs Smith. Pitt and Jolie won the award for the best fight in the same movie.

    Wedding Crashers was named best film and collected best screen team and breakthrough performance awards, voted for by MTV viewers.

    The show, hosted by actress Jessica Alba, will be broadcast in MTV USA on 8 June.
     

  • Hallmark buys rights to 39 Warner Bros feature films

    Hallmark buys rights to 39 Warner Bros feature films

    MUMBAI: The Hallmark Channel has announced that it has acquired the US telecast rights to 39 feature films from the Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution, including the network TV premiere of March of the Penguins.

    With the network’s acquisition of the Academy Award winning documentary March of the Penguins, the Hallmark Channel executive VP programming David Kenin said, “Hallmark Channel is still bent on world domination and we are starting with Antarctica.”

    According to a release, the Hallmark channel is currently being distributed to a little more than 73 million households nationwide.

    In its attempts to bounce back, Kenin also added, “The deal will help to drive ratings, attract more sponsors and increase distribution for the network.”

    However, the terms of the deal were not disclosed, adds the release.

    The 39 Warner Bros. movie package acquired by Hallmark include, Troy, The In-Laws, The Bridges of Madison County, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and The Phantom of the Opera, among others.

  • Global survey predicts strong future for mobile TV

    Global survey predicts strong future for mobile TV

    MUMBAI: A new report European mobile phone users in early 2006, ‘New Mobile Services – Europe 2006’, from Portio Research, gives a resounding ‘thumbs up’ for mobile TV. Significantly over 50 per cent of those interviewed were interested in mobile TV and were prepared to pay for it, at an average price of €10 Euro per month.

    The key findings:

    • As many as 50 per cent of mobile users are interested in mobile TV and are prepared to pay on average €10 for ‘all you can eat TV’ – the potential market is huge even when based on conservative uptake.

    • Video calling is in its infancy with only 6 per cent of the survey sample having used it already, however over 60% of those interviewed expressed both an interest in using the service and a willingness to pay for it.

    • Mobile advertising is a big turn off for most with over 65 per cent of survey respondents expressing a zero tolerance attitude to what many consider to be spam, or advertising that you have pay for when ‘snacking’ on TV.

    It is clear that mobile TV will create a market for more TV viewing in addition to that at home, delivering the notion of ‘TV snacking’ whilst on the move. News and weather for professionals commuting to work, celebrity gossip and game show updates for the young professional and music videos for teenage fans. Sports aficionados also appear to be keen to grab the latest action whenever they can. All the evidence suggests that even at conservative estimates the market potential is huge, states an official release.

    Video calling whilst still in its infancy obviously holds an attraction for many users particularly the teen market 85 per cent of whom expressed a desire to use video calling in the future. Interestingly pre-paid subscribers were willing to pay more than post paid subscribers per call. Once again the research indicates a very attractive market with the potential for perhaps as many as 400 million Europeans using the service.

    One of the most interesting findings of the survey is consumer attitudes to mobile advertising, with over 65 per cent of those questioned expressing zero tolerance to what many consider to be an unwelcome intrusion into their mobile world. As well as being likened to e-mail spam, advertising was considered particularly unacceptable if it intruded on paid for time watching mobile TV, the release adds.

    The survey undertaken by Portio provides many different insights into mobile user attitudes and trends across all major European markets. Italy and Spain for example turn out to be the mobile content hotspots whilst users in Denmark, France and Russia prefer to use content and services pre-installed on their phones. Men continue to prefer buying online while women prefer to go shopping for real. There is plenty of good news in this report for mobile network operators.

  • Ericsson launches end-to-end IPTV solution

    Ericsson launches end-to-end IPTV solution

    MUMBAI: Ericsson has unveiled an end-to-end IPTV solution, which will make possible a complete range of IPTV services, such as broadcast TV, video on-demand, network personal video recording and electronic programming guides.

    According to an official release, Ericsson’s solution provides telecom-grade performance, meets scalability requirements and involves complete life-cycle management. It also includes guidelines for integration with IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functions, such as charging and end-user authentication, which is unique on the market. It combines its portfolio with key products from world-leading partners.

    Ericsson Multimedia Solutions VP Claes Ödman says, “IPTV is much more than traditional TV broadcast over the IP network – it is about integrating media with communications services to deliver personalized, interactive television no matter where the viewer is.”

    The end-to-end solution is the first step in Ericsson’s long-term evolution of TV services.

    “Based on our broadband experience, our standardization efforts and our global IMS leadership, Ericsson has a long-term vision for TV and a migration path to help operators meet the challenge,” Ödman says.

    Ericsson’s vision of personalized IPTV services delivered over broadband is based on open standards, including the combination of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technologies, for digital entertainment, with the IMS standard for delivering enriched communications services. Ericsson is committed to working with appropriate standardization bodies to achieve economies of scale and inter¬operability in IPTV reference architecture and interfaces, the release adds.

  • EMI releases music catalog on Qtrax

    EMI releases music catalog on Qtrax

    MUMBAI: EMI Group would make its music catalog available to the first advertising supported peer-to-peer service as the entertainment industry embraces the same technology that once nearly crippled it.

    The service, called Qtrax, was developed by LTDnetwork, and at launch, will provide consumers the ability to download songs for free only as well as the option to subscribe to a premium version of the service or to purchase music tracks and albums on an a la carte basis.

    The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    “Working with Qtrax is just one way EMI is actively supporting emerging business models, technologies and platforms to deliver music to fans,” said EMI Music North America chairman and CEO David Munns. “We believe Qtrax offers a good consumer experience and significant up-selling opportunities. Our collaboration with Qtrax will give us great consumer insight and help us gauge the boundaries between sampling and purchasing music. Ultimately, the feedback we get from Qtrax will help EMI be more responsive to consumer demand. The Qtrax service will also ensure that our artists are compensated for their works and that the value of their music and integrity of our content is protected.”

    In an official release, Qtrax will offer two tiers of service: the first is a free, advertising-supported tier designed to work with and filter copyrighted content from existing peer-to-peer networks.

    The second tier is a premium subscription service which will require a monthly fee. The two-tiered business model is intended to attract a broad base of consumers to try out the service, and then graduate those consumers to purchase music permanently or subscribe.

    In the ad-supported, free tier, users will be able to search the network for specific tracks, and those tracks registered with Qtrax will be made available for download in Qtrax’s proprietary “.mpq” file format.

    Users will then be able to play the downloaded .mpq file in full-fidelity sound quality for a pre-defined number of times. Each time a consumer plays a track, the Qtrax player will also offer fans click-to-buy purchase options, as well as the opportunity to upgrade to a premium subscription service for a flat monthly fee.

    The premium subscription service tier uses Microsoft’s Janus DRM technology, which allows consumers to pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to music in the Qtrax network. Subscribers will also have the ability to transfer content to Windows Media enabled portable devices for as long as the subscription stays active.

    The service will also include consumer-friendly community-building and music discovery tools, which enable fans to easily access to a vast selection of music and other content, all while generating revenues for artists and content owners.

    In addition, Qtrax will offer incentive programs that will allow fans to accrue points redeemable for additional plays for tracks acquired through the free service, or for discounts off a la carte purchases or subscription fees.

    “Qtrax is an innovative approach to creating a legitimate P2P offering, so we are pleased that EMI has agreed to be the first of the major music companies to participate. In addition to offering a great consumer experience which we believe will get more consumers excited about digital music, Qtrax will ensure that artists are getting paid when their songs are accesses in a P2P environment. In addition, EMI and other music companies will share in Internet advertising revenues, which according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers reached a new record of $3.9 billion for the first quarter of 2006 in the US — a 38 percent increase over Q1 2005,” said Brilliant Technologies parent company of LTDnetwork president & CEO Allan Klepfisz.

    The Qtrax service is expected to enter a test phase later this year and will initially pilot the service in the United States. In preparation for the launch, EMI will immediately begin delivering and registering its content with Qtrax’s filtering system, powered by Audible Magic.