ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Pix to air first series next month

    Pix to air first series next month

    MUMBAI: Sony’s English movie channel Pix has announced that it will air its first show Inside The Actors Studio next month.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com on this initiative Pix programming head Gitanjali Murari says that the show is in line with the channel’s tagline of We Tell Stories.

    “This is an interview based show hosted by James Lipton. He has sat down with some of the world’s most accomplished actors and directors for interviews. What is unqiue about the show is that it is taped in front of students at The Actors Studio Drama School. In addition to his duties as host, Lipton is also the dean of the school.

    “The students are learning to become actors and filmmakers. So, each show will see the actor or director talk about how they approach their roles and why they chose to enter the world of filmmaking. Lipton’s studious research and enlightened curiosity inspires his guests to open up and confess their deepest thoughts about the art of acting. Viewers will get a personal insight into each guest which might otherwise not be possible.”

    Lipton has been hosting the show for eight years now. His guests have included Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Hugh Grant, director Spike Lee and Julia Roberts.

  • Dish moves court against Star

    Dish moves court against Star

    NEW DELHI: Court cases are buzzing all over the place in the media sector as deadlines for various guidelines, including adhering to downlink norms, near.

    In its first direct salvo against the Hong Kong-based Star Group, the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises, owners of the Dish TV DTH service in India, has moved the disputes tribunal against the former’s reluctance to make available Star channels to its platform.

    “It is respectfully submitted that the present petition has been filed due to the refusal on the part of the respondent (Star Group through Star India) to supply its bouquet one channels to the petitioner on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms,” the petition states.

    Filed today at the Telecom Disputes Redressal and Settlement Tribunal (TDSAT), the ASC petition adds, “The unreasonableness on the part of the respondent is evident from the fact that the respondent has laid down impracticable and unreasonable terms and conditions for supply of its bouquet one channels.”

    Contacted by indiantelevision.com, a Star India spokesperson said, “Negotiations are on with Dish TV. Beyond that we cannot comment as we have not heard from TDSAT yet.”

    The petition has been filed as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in an order has mandated that all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a non-discriminatory basis.

    Justifying its action of approaching the TDSAT, the petition seeks “appropriate directions against the acts of omission and commission” of Star, including its failure to provide on request the signals of the channels of its first bouquet “on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.”

    Bouquet one of Star consists of channels like Star Plus, Star Movies, Star News, Star World, Star Gold, Channel [V], National Geographic Channel, The History Channel and Vijay TV.

    The second bouquet — the formation of which was necessitated owing to certain directions from the sector regulator in an effort to control cable TV prices — comprises Star One, Hungama, The Disney Channel and Toon Disney.

    What is interesting is that the Chandra company has decided to take on one time ally-turned-competitor with a vengeance.

    The petition not only states that discussions with Star were initiated by Dish TV in December 2005, but also insinuates that the delay in concluding a commercial agreement is deliberate as the respondent is a joint venture partner in another DTH service, Tata Sky, proposing to start operations later this year.

    Interestingly, Dish TV has won a favourable direction from TDSAT in a similar case involving MTV.

    Discovery-Sony distribution joint venture One Alliance, which comprises MTV and sibling channel Nick, is said to be close to striking a deal with Dish TV for its channels that include the likes of SET, MAX, Discovery and AXN.

  • Asianet Film Awards 2006 scheduled for 19 March

    Asianet Film Awards 2006 scheduled for 19 March

    MUMBAI: The annual Asianet Film Awards, which honour the best in Malayalam cinema, has entered its eighth year. This year’s edition of the awards will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on 19 March.

    Asianet will select the best performers from the line-up of artists, technicians and producers, based on popular votes and an in-house jury verdict. The winners will be announced on the channel on 11 March. Prior to the awards, the channel will telecast a curtain raiser on 19 March.

    Asianet has roped in Ujala as the title sponsor of the event for the fourth consecutive time. The associate sponsors include Asian Paints, Anchor, Rasna, Godrej, Nestle, Horlicks and Rasna.

  • MMG set to acquire Taiwan media firm for $1.2 billion

    MMG set to acquire Taiwan media firm for $1.2 billion

    MUMBAI: Australia’s Macquarie Media Group (MMG) says it has received all necessary regulatory approvals from the Investment Commission for its $1.19 billion acquisition in Taiwan’s third largest cable TV provider Taiwan Broadband Communications (TBC).

    The deal will be undertaken by a consortium made up of MMG and one of its shareholders, Macquarie Bank Ltd, say reports.

    MMG says the remaining conditions are expected to be satisfied in the “coming days” and the acquisition is expected to be finalised next week.

    Reportedly, MMG wants to increase the range of services it provides to its current 90,000 internet and 650,000 cable TV subscribers.

  • Pepsi launches cellphone portal ‘Pepsi Globe Smart Client’

    Pepsi launches cellphone portal ‘Pepsi Globe Smart Client’

    MUMBAI: Soft drink major Pepsi has launched a mobile portal called the ‘Pepsi Globe Smart Client’ for the youth. Powered by Yahoo! India., this portal will show on mobile handsets as a ‘Pepsi Globe’ and will provide easy access to the Pepsi Zone.

    With this, cell phone users can access Pepsi cricket, Bollywood and music previews, contests, television advertisements, promotions and purchase wireless content and also watch videos without actually having to log on to the net. With this initiative, Pepsi will triple its mobile user interface mediums with SMS, WAP and WAP Client, states an official release.

    PepsiCo India EVP marketing Vipul Prakash says, “We believe that by tailoring technological innovations to user comfort, Pepsi has been able to communicate its brand attributes to its target audience in a much more effective manner. In the past, Yahoo! has delivered on phenomenal user interface innovations for us, and the Pepsi Globe Smart Client reiterates our ‘dare for experience’ and innovative edge in developing mobile content. With this service, Pepsi promises to deliver a superior and unparalleled content browsing experience to subscribers.”

    Users can access the portal by sending ‘THIRST’ as SMS to 8243, a WAP site under the URL http://in.wireless.yahoo.com/pepsi. This is for the first time in India that a Pepsi Smart Client is being offered for high-end WAP subscribers that opens a new world of excitement and entertainment at one’s fingertips, states the release.

    The portal supports mobile content purchase through SMS, WAP and IVR, thereby enabling service providers to brand and market their data services more effectively. Pepsi supports handsets from all leading OEMs, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung, Siemens and Panasonic.

    While announcing the new initiative, Yahoo! India country manager Neville Taraporewalla says, “Pepsi has always challenged us to develop something special. The Pepsi Globe Smart Client has been developed keeping the end mobile user’s comfort in mind. With the help of this software a mobile user will now be able to easily access everyday information at the click of a button on his mobile.”

    The Pepsi Smart Wap Client is built on the following open platforms:
    * Symbian Series 60 and UIQ
    * J2ME MIDP 2.0 and JTWI

  • Dave Sibley is MTV Australia MD

    Dave Sibley is MTV Australia MD

    MUMBAI: MTV Asia-Pacific president Nigel Robbins has announced that Dave Sibley is MTV Australia MD.

    Sibley will be responsible for leading the charge of MTV and VH1’s businesses in both the pay television and digital media worlds throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as sit on the board for Nickelodeon Australia, a joint venture between MTV and XYZ Entertainment. Sibley takes up this post in July.

    Sibley has a decade of service with MTV International, having most recently served as senior VP and GM, international marketing partnerships in London. In this role, he pioneered the marketing partnerships model, a concept born of Sibley’s belief in the need for a more creative and innovative approach to client engagement with brand media. MTV is now acknowledged across the globe as a leader in this field.

    Robbins says, “Dave’s leadership history with MTV Networks makes him an ideal choice to take the charge and continue to develop our businesses in Australia and New Zealand, as well as capitalize upon the brands’ momentum and growth. With MTV’s profile at an all time high and VH1’s growing fan base, Dave’s appointment comes at not only an exciting time for our company but a high-growth period for the pay television industry as a whole.”

    Sibley says, “To take the reins of a business as robust as MTV Networks Australia during this time of growth is a real thrill, and I’m very excited about helping further the connection MTV and VH1 have with their audiences, advertisers and business partners. MTV now has truly established itself in Australia as the premier brand for youth, thanks to the commitment of a very talented team. I’m looking forward to capitalizing on this trajectory and taking our businesses to the next level of growth.”

    Sibley will report directly to Robbins and be based at the company’s Sydney headquarters.

  • Dish moves TDSAT against Star

    Dish moves TDSAT against Star

    NEW DELHI: Court cases are buzzing all over the place in the media sector as deadlines for various guidelines, including adhering to downlink norms, near.

    In its first direct salvo against the Hong Kong-based Star Group, the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises, owners of the Dish TV DTH service in India, has moved the disputes tribunal against the former’s reluctance to make available Star channels to its platform.

    “It is respectfully submitted that the present petition has been filed due to the refusal on the part of the respondent (Star Group through Star India) to supply its bouquet one channels to the petitioner on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms,” the petition states.

    Filed today at the Telecom Disputes Redressal and Settlement Tribunal (TDSAT), the ASC petition adds, “The unreasonableness on the part of the respondent is evident from the fact that the respondent has laid down impracticable and unreasonable terms and conditions for supply of its bouquet one channels.”

    Contacted by indiantelevision.com, a Star India spokesperson said, “Negotiations are on with Dish TV. Beyond that we cannot comment as we have not heard from TDSAT yet.”

    The petition has been filed as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in an order has mandated that all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a non-discriminatory basis.

    Justifying its action of approaching the TDSAT, the petition seeks “appropriate directions against the acts of omission and commission” of Star, including its failure to provide on request the signals of the channels of its first bouquet “on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.”

    Bouquet one of Star consists of channels like Star Plus, Star Movies, Star News, Star World, Star Gold, Channel [V], National Geographic Channel, The History Channel and Vijay TV.

    The second bouquet — the formation of which was necessitated owing to certain directions from the sector regulator in an effort to control cable TV prices — comprises Star One, Hungama, The Disney Channel and Toon Disney.

    What is interesting is that the Chandra company has decided to take on one time ally-turned-competitor with a vengeance.

    The petition not only states that discussions with Star were initiated by Dish TV in December 2005, but also insinuates that the delay in concluding a commercial agreement is deliberate as the respondent is a joint venture partner in another DTH service, Tata Sky, proposing to start operations later this year.

    Interestingly, Dish TV has won a favourable direction from TDSAT in a similar case involving MTV.

    Discovery-Sony distribution joint venture One Alliance, which comprises MTV and sibling channel Nick, is said to be close to striking a deal with Dish TV for its channels that include the likes of SET, MAX, Discovery and AXN.

  • TV most preferred news medium by Indians: Survey

    TV most preferred news medium by Indians: Survey

    MUMBAI: In India, television and newspapers are engaged in a neck and neck fight for prominence in the news media space, while internet lags far behind. The country also has more people trusting the media than its government when it comes to news.

    The findings were derived from a global survey conducted by BBC, Reuters and Media Center Poll in association with research firm Globescan. A total of 10,230 adults were questioned by GlobeScan in the UK, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, and South Korea in March and April.

    As per the survey, the most important news sources for Indians in a typical week are television (mentioned first by 37 per cent), newspapers (36 per cent), radio (7 per cent), and news magazines (4 per cent). There is no significant gender imbalance in India regarding where people get their news.

    When asked which news sources they trust the most, Indians give the highest rating to national/regional newspapers and national television (85 per cent give each a lot or some trust). Also strongly trusted are local newspapers (76 per cent), friends and family (70 per cent), and public broadcast radio (69 per cent). Very low levels of awareness mean that blogs and news websites are each trusted by only 1 per cent (Zero per cent named internet as their most important source of news), while 10 per cent trust international newspapers.

    The most trusted specific news sources mentioned spontaneously by Indians include Aaj Tak (mentioned by 11 per cent), DD television (10per cent), Dainik Jagran (7 per cent), Sun TV (5 per cent), Star News (4 per cent), NDTV (4 per cent), AIR (3 per cent), the Times of India (3 per cent), Zee News (2 per cent), Rajasthan Patrika (2 per cent), and BBC World Service radio (2 per cent).

    There is broad satisfaction with standards in India’s media with 76 per cent agreeing that news is reported accurately, and 69 per cent that the media report all sides of a story. A solid majority of 64 per cent also agree that the media strikes the right balance between freedom of speech and respect for culture. Nonetheless 58 per cent say that there is too much foreign influence in their media and 60 per cent that the media is too focused on Western values and concerns.

    MEDIA Vs GOVERNMENT

    Media is trusted by an average of 61 percent compared to 52 percent for governments across the countries polled. But the US bucked the trend – with government ahead of media on trust (67 per cent vs 59 per cent) along with Britain (51 per cent vs 47 per cent).

    Trust in media was highest in Nigeria (88 per cent vs 34 per cent govt.) followed by Indonesia (86 per cent vs 71 per cent), India (82 per cent vs 66 per cent), Egypt (74 per cent, govt. not asked), and Russia (58 per cent vs 54 per cent).

    Comparing these current trust findings with 2002 results to the same question shows media is trusted the same or more today in 7 of the 8 countries for which comparative results are available (that is, all countries except Germany, where trust has fallen from 49 percent to 43 percent; and Egypt and Brazil where no tracking is available). Trust has increased over the last four years in Nigeria (from 61 per cent to 88 per cent), India (76 per cent to 82 per cent), USA (52 per cent to 59 per cent), Russia (48 per cent to 58 per cent), and the UK (29 per cent to 47 per cent).

    GlobeScan President Doug Miller comments, “With public trust levels in general eroding over the last four years, it is noteworthy that the media has retained or increased its trust in most of the 10 countries in the same period.”

    Over one in four people (28 per cent) across the 10 countries surveyed either strongly agrees (13 per cent) or somewhat agrees (15 per cent) with the statement, “In the past year I have stopped using a specific media source because it lost my trust.”

    This is particularly the case in Brazil (44 per cent), Egypt (40 per cent), South Korea (39 per cent), and the US (32 per cent). Russians (10 per cent) are least likely to say this, as are Germans (15 per cent), and Indonesians (17 per cent). Citizens of the UK (29 per cent), India (28 per cent), and Nigeria (27 per cent) define the average position across the 10 countries.

    GLOBAL NEWS BRANDS

    The most trusted global news brands among those tested include the BBC (with 48 per cent across the 10 countries saying they have a lot or some trust) and CNN (44 per cent). Even though Internet web sites in general do not receive particularly high trust ratings, three Internet portals received the next highest prompted trust ratings across the 10 countries; namely, Google (30 per cent, a lot or some trust), Yahoo (28 per cent), and Microsoft/MSN (27 per cent).

    Newsweek (25 per cent) and Time (24 per cent) are next most trusted among the 16 global news brands tested in all countries. Al Jazeera (23 per cent) came next but it also had the highest percentage of people (19 per cent) expressing no trust or not much trust in providing the information they want.

  • MTV launches broadband and mobile community platform in Korea

    MTV launches broadband and mobile community platform in Korea

    MUMBAI: MTV Asia Pacific has entered into a collaboration with Korean multimedia developer Wizmax to launch a customizable on-demand music and entertainment broadband and mobile community platform in Korea called MTV BoomBox.

    The venture has established a state-of-the art prototype that will serve as a model for customisable MTV platforms in the broadband and wireless content services arena across Asia.

    MTV Boombox will be an online entertainment destination utilizing state of the art technology across online and mobile platforms. The service will provide Korean consumers a digital community featuring local and international MTV programming on-demand, a wealth of user-generated content and a vast library of local and international music video and audio downloads, all celebrating the vibrant culture of music. MTV Boombox marks the first MTV-branded broadband network in Asia and the first video-based music community site to launch in Korea.

    Featuring a combination of free and paid streaming and downloading services including MTV programming, music, music videos, radio and more, MTV Boombox will allow users to customise their experience with video blogs, podcasting, file uploading and personalized homepages all designed to seamlessly connect with PCs, mobile phones and MP3 players. MTV Boombox will roll out in three phases beginning in May with full applications available to consumers by the third quarter of the year.

    MTV Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins says, “Korea’s advanced technology allows us to deliver our world-renowned content in ways never seen before, and sets the tone for our future digital growth throughout the region.”

    Wizmax CEO Geoffrey H. Keum says, “The strategic alliance between the world’s best content provider and Wizmax’s digital multimedia service and technology will certainly make a global impact. MTV Boombox will introduce the next generation of new media services to Korea and throughout Asia.”

    MTV Boombox will provide users with an entertainment gateway, showcasing music and pop culture in MTV’s distinct editorial voice with applications allowing the user to customize and share their experience with others. Along with full episodes of original programming such as TRL Seoul available on-demand.

    MTV Boombox will also feature video clips from shows like Laguna Beach and access to events like the MTV Asia Awards. MTV says that the new venture also allows a wealth of sponsorship opportunities including full TVC streams and exclusive sponsored content not available on the free to access sections. Sponsors can provide MTV Boombox subscribers click-thru content such as the pre-release of music, performances and MTV series only available on broadband.

    MTV Boombox also offers advertisers creative re-skins reflecting corporate branding, all seamlessly integrated into the look and user-friendly design of MTV Boombox.

    MTV Boombox is the sixth MTV-branded broadband network launched by MTV Networks. MTV Overdrive was launched in April 2005 in the US, followed by the September launch of a customized service for Latin America called MTV Revolution. mtvU, MTV’s US-based college network, launched Uber in 2005, marking the company’s first network to be available in its entirety on broadband.

    Another localised service for MTV Overdrive launched in conjunction with the debut of MTV Canada in March 2006 and MTV Overdrive in the U.K and Ireland launched last month. The company has plans to launch additional online, on-demand services for MTV and Nickelodeon internationally throughout the year.

  • Podcast firm Podtech’s new branded show will examine social media’s impact on marketing

    Podcast firm Podtech’s new branded show will examine social media’s impact on marketing

    MUMBAI: US media firm PodTech.net which is dedicated to podcasting and delivering Fresh Voices for the iPod generation has debuted a new podcast brand

    The new brand Marketing Voices will debut on the InfoTalk network.

    PodTech will feature discussions on different topics. One of these will be on how media tools such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, and online videos are changing marketing throughout the world. Marketing Voices will be hosted by
    marketer, Jennifer Jones.

    Jones has counseled many of Silicon Valley’s
    premier companies including Apple Computer, Goldman Sachs, and Mayfield venture capital during her more than two decades in the technology industry.

    PodTech.net CEO John Furrier says, “Marketing Voices is unique in the podcasting industry. There is no other show being offered today that has this type of guest or content. Offering fresh voices who are driving the new perspectives of marketing is key to the podcast’s success.

    “Given Jennifer’s marketing savvy and strategic expertise in branding and marketing, her background in technology and broadcast news and love of communicating new concepts, I am certain the show will resonate with our
    podcast audience.”

    The first guest on Marketing Voices is Institute for the Future (ITF) senior counsel Steve King. King’s focus at ITF is how new media technology is impacting consumers and marketing.