ITV

Category: News Headline

  • MTV US unveils student-developed viral video game

    MTV US unveils student-developed viral video game

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that mtvU, its college network, in partnership with the Reebok Human Rights Foundation and the International Crisis Group have launched a viral video game.

    The game was conceived and developed by a group of digital activists from the University of Southern California. mtvU had launched the Darfur Digital Activist competition — “Darfur is Dying.

    The viral, online video game aims to spread awareness of the genocide taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. It looks to serve as a call to action, and further empower college students to help stop the killing.

    Darfur is Dying is available for play at www.darfurisdying.com. Gold medallist Joey Cheek in February donated his $40,000 Olympic prize purse to relief efforts in Sudan and helped spark additional donations approaching $1 million.

    The game is a narrative-based simulation where the user, from the perspective of a displaced Darfurian, negotiates forces that threaten the survival of his or her refugee camp. Humanitarian aid workers with extensive on the ground experience in Darfur advised the students throughout the development process, helping to ensure the game accurately captured and was sensitive to the refugees’ plight.

    Darfur is Dying was designed to engage users and provide a window into the refugee experience — offering a faint glimpse of what it’s like for the more than 2.5 million who have been internally displaced by the crisis in Sudan. Calls to action are a fundamental part of the game and the user is presented with several opportunities during game play to become involved.

    Kiosks will be set up across the US where people can play the game, send it to others and take immediate action to help end the crisis. mtvU will also be exhibiting the student-filmed documentary Translating Genocide: Three Students Journey to Sudan. The film captures the devastation of the genocide in Darfur and was entirely filmed by college students.

    MTV adds that several artists and student groups from across the US participated in the online launch of the game a couple of days ago.

    mtvU GM Stephen Friedman says, “College students were among the first to cry out for an end to the atrocities in Darfur and this game is another way mtvU is serving as their
    megaphone. Darfur is Dying is a powerful tool college students can use to help stop the genocide in Sudan and we applaud the USC team for their important contribution to this
    critical cause.”

  • Reality TV strengthens focus on true stories

    Reality TV strengthens focus on true stories

    MUMBAI: Reality TV will air shows on real people with true stories this month.

    The line up includes Daring Capers, Patient Files, Campus Vets, Dr G and Exhibit A.

    Patient Files is a dramatic documentary series that explores the world of an emerging generation of medical pioneers and their patients. The stories are set in North America’s renowned Sunnybrook & Women’s College Hospital, one of the first hospitals in the world geared towards the research and treatment of women’s health.

    Each episode will feature patients as they make critical journeys from illness to recovery – all at the hands of courageous and compassionate medical teams dedicated to women’s medicine. It will portray the challenges patients and medical professionals face in receiving and delivering care differently.

    The series will draw audiences into the dramatic stories of women facing everything from cardiovascular disease to cervical cancer; from high-risk pregnancy to facial reconstruction and more.

    Campus Vets continues to tell the dramatic stories of student veterinarians at one of the most renowned veterinary schools in North America, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

    Exhibit ‘A’ combines documentary truth with the emotional power of dramatic recreation. It takes a look into forensic science and how it is used to solve crimes that might otherwise remain unsolved. It’s the science with the power to put suspects behind bars or to set them free.

    Each programme follows real detectives and forensic scientists as they unravel the mysteries of a criminal case. The show explores the science of crime including the biology of DNA, the toxicology of poisons, the entomology of bugs, the anthropological analysis of bones and the behavioural and geographic profiling of criminal activity.

    The channel will also air Medical Miracle Day. Programmes like Conjoined at the Head, Medical Miracles, No Arms Needed, Miracle Steps, Joined for Life and Born Against The Odds will be featured.

  • Creative Eye forays into sports marketing, celebrity management

    Creative Eye forays into sports marketing, celebrity management

    MUMBAI: Production house Creative Eye Ltd has made a foray into sports marketing and celebrity management. The company has begun the innings by marketing the telecast rights of the on going EurAsia Cup Cricket Series. It is planning to include tennis also under the purview.

    “Creative Eye’s aim is to function as an event promoter and rights holder of sports properties. We will be negotiating with private broadcasters as well as Doordarshan. We have started with the EurAsia cricket series and propose to hold the series every year, thus establishing our mark in the field of sports. Another segment we are very serious about is tennis,” states Creative Eye director Dheeraj Kumar.

    In an official communiqué, Creative Eye said its foray into sports had opened new avenues for the company in terms of revenue generations and also added new horizons for the company’s overall growth. “We are targeting revenue of $3 million out of the first EurAsia Cup series,” says Kumar.

    The first edition of the EurAsia Cup Cricket Series is currently underway in Abu Dhabi. As already reported, Sahara One Media & Entertainment Ltd. acquired the satellite rights of the series from Creative Eye. Now the production house has brought Prasar Bharati also on board to telecast the series from 29 April, when the second leg of the series begins. The matches will be aired live on DD Sports from 4 pm onwards, apart from the satellite telecast on Sahara One’s Hindi movie channel Filmy.

    Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Trust , in association with the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council has conceptualised the EurAsia Cup Cricket Series, which features India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, Holland, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Trust’s sports wing V K Sports then signed Creative Eye to market the telecast rights of the event.

    “Regarding EurAsia, our responsibility is to market the telecast rights and also ensure that the logistics are in place. This is a cash-less deal. Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Trust’s interest in the initiative is to promote the young cricketing talents in this country,” explains Kumar.

    Creative Eye is planning to market two more sports events this year, including a tennis tournament. Celebrity management is another area the company is planning a foray into. “We have already initiated with prominent sportspersons of the country, including various new talents in cricket. We will be divulging the names as soon as the deals are through,” says Kumar.

  • Comcast Corporation acquires Susquehanna Communications

    Comcast Corporation acquires Susquehanna Communications

    MUMBAI: Comcast Corporation has announced that it has completed the previously announced purchase of Susquehanna Communications, the cable television and broadband services division of Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff.

    In the transaction, according to an official release, Comcast is acquiring systems primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, and Mississippi for a net cash investment of approximately $540 million or $440 million after taking into account certain tax benefits. Comcast previously owned approximately 30 percent of Susquehanna Communications.

    Comcast chairman & CEO Brian L. Roberts said, “These systems geographically complement our existing service areas, and have been very well managed and fully upgraded. We look forward to serving our new customers with our advanced products and services.”

    “Our employees are looking forward to providing advanced telecommunication services from Comcast for years to come with the same high level of quality and service that our customers have become accustomed to,” said Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff president and CEO Bill Simpson.

    With the addition of Susquehanna’s approximately 230,000 basic cable customers, 71,000 digital cable customers and 86,000 high-speed Internet customers, Comcast now serves a total of 21.7 million basic cable customers, 10.2 million digital cable customers and 9 million high-speed Internet customers.

    Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Comcast Corporation and UBS Investment Bank acted as exclusive financial advisor to Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff.

  • BBC Magazines to sell Origin Publishing

    BBC Magazines to sell Origin Publishing

    MUMBAI: BBC Magazines in the UK has announced that it has sold Origin Publishing and all of the non-BBC related titles published by it to a management buy-out team led by its current MD, Andy Marshall.

    BBC Magazines will retain the BBC-branded titles previously produced by Origin in a new subsidiary to be called Bristol Magazines which will be chaired by BBC Magazines MD Peter Phippen.

    BBC Magazines conducted a tender process involving a number of companies and accepted Origin’s MBO proposal as the highest bid put forward. BBC Magazines will retain a minority stake in Origin Publishing for a period of time in a staged exit and Origin will continue to provide management services to certain BBC titles during this period. Andy Marshall will also act as Bristol Magazines MD.

    Phippen says, “It is sad to have to sell Origin, and to be saying farewell to some very talented people but this is in line with the new remit for BBC Magazines. Origin is an excellent company and I’m sure the MBO team will ensure the business continues to prosper. For our part, we remain committed to Bristol as a publishing centre. Indeed, we are moving Homes & Antiques there and have recently announced our next launch, BBC Mind Games. I’m very excited about our new venture.”

    Marshall says, “I am delighted that we have the chance to take Origin forward as part of an MBO. We have a fantastic team here with great vision and passion and I know that the business will continue to grow and develop under their leadership. I am also delighted to have been asked to manage the development of the BBC’s new venture here in Bristol.”

    BBC Worldwide’s advisers in managing the sale process and in evaluating the bids were Ernst & Young. The non-BBC titles being sold include Blonde Hair, Hair Ideas, Your Hair, Beautiful Cards, Koi and 220 Triathlon.

  • Senior netizens well adapted to Internet: IAMAI study

    Senior netizens well adapted to Internet: IAMAI study

    BANGALORE: As more successful senior citizens in India enjoy living life to the fullest, they have also adopted and adapted to the Internet space. A new report from the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) takes a comprehensive look at what senior netizens do online, irrespective of whether retired, salaried or entrepreneurs.

    Senior netizens above the age group of 61 years were targeted for this research. It was observed that the senior citizens were a fast growing group of online users. With India’s Internet population poised to reach 100 million by 2007-08 from the current 38.5 million, the absolute numbers of senior netizens are expected to rise to 3 million by 2007-08. The percentage penetration is expected to remain the same or increase marginally from the current 2.7 per cent to 3 per cent.

    This dipstick research was conducted by the IAMAI in collaboration with Crosstab Marketing Services that surveyed 101 respondents in December 2005. The research was undertaken with a view to understand usage of Internet by senior netizens with a primary focus on understanding their activities online giving marketers a better perspective while designing their marketing and promotional programs to cater to a defined online target audience.

    Commenting on this interesting finding, IAMAI president Preeti Desai said, “It is encouraging to see senior netizens as enthusiastic as youngsters in a variety of activities that define online life and show an online maturity in transacting online that surpasses the general population. Senior netizens will cross the three million mark by 2007-08. The report showcases that 15 per cent of senior netizens access the Internet from cyber cafes with 81 per cent using the Internet for more than five hours a week.

    The findings of report highlight that 62 per cent use the Internet for looking up news online and 2 per cent read news on their mobile, a changing paradigm since it is this demographic that is the backbone of the newspaper and magazine readership. When it comes to matters of confidence of transacting on the Internet, senior netizens are well ahead of the general population with 26 per cent of senior netizens having looked up stock quotes and do stock trading as compared to 15 per cent of all Internet users with 38 per cent using the internet for online banking services and 21 per cent for online shopping.”

    Executive Summary

    Gender of senior netizens: 87 per cent of senior netizens are male and 13 per cent of senior netizens are female. With India’s Internet population poised to reach 100 million by 2007-08, the online senior netizen currently at 2.7 per cent is expected to rise marginally to 3 per cent by 2007-08.

    Marital status of senior netizens: 91 per cent of senior netizens are married with kids and 8 per cent are married without kids.

    Regional Representation:

    The top nine cities make up for more than 77 per cent of senior netizens audience. The top five cities include – 23 per cent of senior netizens access the Internet from Delhi+, 22 per cent from Mumbai, 12 per cent from Chennai, four per cent from Hyderabad and Kolkatta. three per cent from Bangalore, Lucknow and Cochin; two per cent from Ahmedabad and Jaipur.

    The top five states include 24 per cent of senior netizens access the Internet from Delhi, 23 per cent access from Maharashtra, 17 per cent are from Tamil Nadu, 10 per cent from Karnataka; and six per cent from Andhra Pradesh. Four per cent from Kerala; four per cent from West Bengal; three per cent from Uttar Pradesh; two per cent from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

    Educational qualifications of senior netizens

    Four per cent of senior netizens have an education up to SSC/HSC, 10 per cent have some college (Including. Diploma) but not a graduate, 37 per cent have a graduate / post-graduate general (BA, BSC. MSC, B.com etc.) and 35 per cent have a graduate /post graduate professional degree.

    Occupation of senior netizens

    Two per cent of senior netizens are mid level executives and nine per cent of senior netizens are senior executives while 16 per cent are self employed/professional, four per cent of senior netizens are businessman / industrialists, four per cent are housewives and 54 per cent of senior netizens are retired.

    Plastic ownership and usage

    80 per cent of senior netizens online own an ATM Card; 65 per cent own a credit card and debit card. 31 per cent of senior netizens use their credit cards online; 16 per cent of senior netizens use their debit cards online; nine per cent of senior netizens use both credit & debit cards online.

    Internet Access by Senior Netizens

    94 per cent of senior netizens access the Internet from home; 20 per cent of senior netizens access Internet from the office; 14 per cent of senior netizens access the Internet from cyber cafes.

    Internet Savvyness of Senior Netizens

    45 per cent of senior netizens have been using the Internet for more than six years; 44 per cent of senior netizens have been using the Internet for three to five years; seven per cent have been using the Internet since one – two years; one per cent of senior netizens have been using the Internet for six – eleven months; two per cent of senior netizens have been using the Internet for less than six months.

    Senior Netizens use the Internet for varied purposes – Online Activities:

    The top Internet activities among seniors who go online: 99 per cent of wired seniors have used email; 70 per cent surf for information online; 66 per cent use search engines; 62 per cent have read the news online; 47 per cent chat online; 38 per cent bank online; and 26 per cent have stock traded online.

    Email: 99 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for emailing.

    Chatting: 47 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for chatting.

    Surfing: 70 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for surfing.

    Search: 66 per cent of senior netizens use search engines.

    Research: 23 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet to research.

    Senior Netizens didn’t grow up with the personal computer and are fervent readers of the printed word. They are the backbone of newspaper and magazine readership. It’s a remarkable achievement for both the interactive mediums to attract this demographic as stated by below mentioned statistics.

    News Online: 62 per cent of senior netizens look up news online.

    News on Mobile: 2 per cent of senior netizens read news on their mobile.

    Matrimonial Purposes: 17 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for ‘Matrimonial Search”.

    Jobs: 20 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet to search for jobs.

    Astrology: 22 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for astrological predictions

    Religious & Spiritual Information: 19 per cent use the Internet for spiritual information.

    Financial Transactions Online:

    Online Auctions: 12 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet to participate in online auctions

    Online Stock Trading: When it comes to finances, wired seniors are much ahead of the general Internet population’s enthusiasm for trades online. 26 per cent of seniors have looked up stock quotes and do stock trading as compared to 15 per cent of all Internet users.

    Online Bill Payments: 21 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for online bill payments

    Online Banking: While seniors appear comfortable managing online portfolios, they are more comfortable dealing with their bank accounts in cyberspace as 38 per cent use online banking services.

    Online Shopping: 21 per cent of senior netizens use the Internet for online shopping

    Donating or Charity Online: 5 per cent of senior netizens donate online.

  • Zee Sports to air AFC Cup matches

    Zee Sports to air AFC Cup matches

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports will air four matches of AFC Cup Club Championship from 2-16 May from Nehru Stadium Fatorda. The matches will feature Indian Clubs Mahindra United and Dempo Sports Club, Al Ahed of Libya, Al Nasr of Oman, Merv of Turkmenistan and Brother’s Union of Bangladesh.

    In the first match on today 2 May 2006, ONGC Cup National Football League title contenders Mahindra United will clash with Al Ahed of Libya. Placed third in group ‘A’, Mahindra United would look to use the home advantage to snatch crucial three points against Al Ahed in the crucial AFC Cup tie.

    For the uninitiated the AFC Cup is an annual competition open to clubs from the AFC’s countries as categorised in Vision Asia. The AFC Cup looks to fulfill the Vision Asia goal of a creating a top-class competition for well-managed clubs, played by professional players.

    The first edition took place in 2004. The AFC Cup has resided in the West for two years now with Al Jaish of Syria winning the inaugural edition and Al Faisaly of Jordan lifting it last year.

    Mahindra’s are placed third in group ”A” with three points from four matches, while Al Ahed of Lebanon are placed second with seven points from four games and also kept their hopes alive for the quarter final of the AFC Cup. In the last encounter between two teams, Al Ahed of Lebanon held Mahindra 2-2.Mahindra will clash with Brother’s Union Bangladesh in their second encounter on May 16.

    Dempo Sports Club team will also play two home matches against Al Nasar (Oman) and 16 May against Merv (Turkministan). Both matches would be played at Nehru Stadium Faorda in Margao, Goa.

  • Zoom rolls out red carpet for ‘Glam Awards’

    Zoom rolls out red carpet for ‘Glam Awards’

    MUMBAI: Zoom, the lifestyle channel from the Times group has brought glamour to the forefront. The channel held the Tuscan Verve Zoom Glam Awards where it succeeded in letting subtle elegance take over from the flaunt-it attitude. Taking a step forward from two of its successful shows, Page 3 and Popkorn, the Glam Awards is a channel positioning statement.

    Hosts Kamal Sidhu & Ash Chandler

    Hosted by Kamal Sidhu and Ash Chandler, it was one of the glitziest nights for the glamour industry as local celebrities went for understated elegance in gracing this first time held event. Colours were everywhere with many opting for sophistication and class, emphasising a confident attitude as opposed to brashness.

    Zoom looked to redefine the red carpet business by inviting a select gathering of people who epitomized personal style.Although the show looked to the past and present, it was also a powerful statement for a return of grace and sensuality in today’s fast paced life.

    An anticipated 200 odd guests including celebrities, very limited media presence, socialites and trend-setters walked the red carpet into a world of glamour and prestige.

    The celebrity culture has coined a phrase for its high profile glamour red carpet dressing. And, Indian style icons seem to be backing away from glitter. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com COO Upen Roop Rai said, “There has been incredible anticipation to this event. It went off even better than imagined.”

    The event had international standard performances by Shibani Kashyap, Shaheen Shaikh, Carol Gracias, Anchal Kumar and Diandra Soares. The finale act was performed by ex Miss India and Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia. The fresh new look at the glamour and glitz of Bollywood dance extravaganzas seen in the performances by the models is set to have the town talking.

    Models Carol, Diandra & Anchal dancing to “Kaisi paheli”
    A select gathering of guests graced the sit down function and all the awardees created a version of silver-screen stardom with amazing grace, in accepting the honour bestowed on them.

    Suave industrialist Gautam Singhania when accepting the Most Stylish Businessman Award said, “India is on the move. Zoom has helped change the image that businees people are boring. This award reveals our glamourous side.”

    Pooja Bedi, Bipasha Basu & Ritu Kumar
    Bollywood actor John Abraham said, “It feels nice to know that my simplicity is recognised as a glam quotient today.”

    Young designer Gaurav Gupta said, “Glamour is relative to time and perception. It is an honour to be recognised for how I present myself.”

    “People are fascinated by the world of glamour that is almost attainable – which is what celebrities are about,” Rai said. “The whole pageantry of dressing up is such an indulgence for our niche gathering. And, getting recognized for it is part of the emotion of the event.”

    The winners seem to be forging a new low-key evening look that blurs the boundaries between day and night where comfort is key. Among the celebs present were Mandira Bedi, Bipasha Basu, Anil Chopra, Hariharan, Bappi Lahiri, Neena Gupta, Dipannita Sharma, Pooja Bedi,, Nethra Raghuraman, Shruti Seth, Ashish Raheja, Art Surendranath, Shiny Ahuja,Kelly Dorji and Times Group MD Vineet Jain.

    In showcasing an event that highlights glamour among individuals from across different fields in society, Zoom has awarded stylish stalwarts in a glitzy night that will be remembered by all. The following are the winners of the Zoom Glam Awards held at the Hilton, Mumbai:
    Most Glam Actor ( Female) : Kareena Kapoor
    Most Glam Actor (Male) : John Abraham
    Most Talked About Debutant ( Male) : Kunal Kapoor
    Most Talked About Debutant ( Female) : Vidya Balan
    Most Stylish Businessman : Guatam Singhania
    Glam Sports Star : Yuvraj Singh
    Politician With Panache : Prafful Patel
    Glam Music Star : Himesh Reshammiya
    Glam Women’s Wear Designer ( Contemperory) : Sabyasachi Mukherjee
    Glam Women’s Wear Designer ( Indian) : Ritu Kumar
    Glam Men’s Wear Designer : Narendra Kumar Ahmed
    Glam Debutant Designer : Gaurav Gupta
    Glam Model ( Male) : Muzamil Abraham
    Glam Model ( Female) : Neha Kapoor
    Glam Photographer : Atul Kasbekar

    These awards are a logical extension of the Zoom brand identity of being a ‘Glamour & Lifestyle Television’ channel. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com prior to the event, the channel’s national sales head MK Anand said, “This event will emphasize the fact that Zoom is reaching new standards of excellence in the television industry.”

    Gautam Singhania receives his award from Ritu Kumar
    Recognising individuals in areas of fashion, music, business and politics amongst other categories, Zoom focused on the individual’s style and attitude. “The Awards is a step to recognize glam which is such an important quotient in our society today,” said Anand.

    Tuscan Verve, with its inimitable brand, reputation and all-round glamour was the main sponsor to the event. The other sponsors were National Institute of Fashion and Design, Reliance, D’Damas, Flying Cats, Pepsi, Sony Ericcson and the co-sponsors were Chateau Indage, Evian, Seagrams and Bright Advertising.

    Zoom will telecast a curtain-raiser including clips from Behind The Scenes and Red Carpet, on 7 May at 9 pm and the final event will be aired on 14 May at 9 pm.

  • Adhikari Brothers post net profit of Rs 65.7 million

    Adhikari Brothers post net profit of Rs 65.7 million

    MUMBAI: Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Networks Ltd has posted a marginally lower total income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005-06 at Rs 128.3 million compared to corresponding fourth quarter total income of Rs 138 million.

    For fiscal year 2005-06 ending 31 March, the company reported a total income of Rs 414.8 million, gross profit of Rs 77.3 million and net profit of Rs 65.7 million, according to an official release.

    The gross profit was higher by 284.47 per cent at Rs 31 million for the fourth quarter compared to previous year’s last quarter gross profit figure of Rs 10.9 million.

    At the net profit levels, the company has posted a positive figure of Rs 20.3 million compared to previous year’s fourth quarter net loss of Rs 21.7 million. This translates into a basic earnings per share of Rs 0.44 on its equity shares with a face value of Rs 2 per share.

    The earning per share (EPS) for fiscal 2006 translates to Rs 1.42 per share (face value: Rs 2).

  • Sahara, DD ad sales revenues for England series gross Rs 2 billion

    Sahara, DD ad sales revenues for England series gross Rs 2 billion

    MUMBAI: The first chapter of Nimbus’ boss Harish Thawani’s audacious gamble with the India cricket story is over with a battered English side glad to be back in the cooler climes of Old Blighty and the Indians getting some well deserved rest before they head out to the Caribbean.

    For Thawani however, the rollercoaster he’s been on since his Nimbus Communications swung the telecast rights to India cricket for the next four years with a bank-breaking $ 612.18 million composite bid has barely begun. The India-England tour — the first of ten international series (and four domestic cricket seasons) that constitutes the deal — is over and the calculators are out tallying the revenue numbers.

    Indiantelevision.com’s discussions on the matter with media buyers indicate that the series, which involved three Tests and six ODIs (one was washed out), has generated about Rs 2003 million in ad sales from national broadcaster Doordarshan and Sahara One. Going by these calculations, DD accounted for Rs 987 million while Sahara One mopped up Rs 1016 million.

    But what is of critical importance to Nimbus is really how much it is able to net from this series. Indiantelevision.com estimates show the ad sales revenue picture for this series looking something like this: Nimbus’ Net income from DD is Rs 630 million (deducting 25% share to DD and 15% agency commission) and for Sahara it is Rs 864 million. That makes a total of just under Rs 1500 million ($ 35 million).

    Considering that Nimbus’ bid for the India territory rights was a whopping $ 504.09 million, there’s a huge mountain still that Thawani’s privately held Mumbai sports management company has left to climb to clear the profit threshold.

    THAWANI’S GAMEPLAN

    Having said that, and going by a recent report in Forbes, Thawani is already in the clear on the international territory rights (Nimbus’ bid here broke down as $ 108.09 million). The report says that Nimbus has sold BCCI’s telecast rights internationally for $130 million. The jury’s still out on that one though, with some industry observers calculating that Nimbus could not have made more than $ 89 million from the sale of international rights.

    As for the India part, everything points to Nimbus launching its own sports channel before the end of the year and for this the market expectation is that Thawani will soon be announcing another round of funding for this purpose.

    Thawani claims that investors are currently valuing Nimbus at $400 million to $500 million, which would mean that Nimbus has tripled in valuation terms in less than a year. It was last August that UK-based private equity and venture fund 3i acquired around 33 per cent stake in Nimbus for $45.50 million (approx Rs 1.97 billion).

    In conclusion, what is the downside in this gamble (for Thawani and any investor who wants to buy into his vision) and what could be the upside. That is really what will have guided Thawani in making what still remains a hugely difficult play to pull off. As the head of a broadcast concern told Indiantelevision.com, the current thinking is that there is just no way anyone can make more than $ 550 million from this deal. So at the outset itself, Nimbus is looking at a $ 62 million hit on its investment, or $ 15.5 million per year spread over four years.

    But there is the upside as well, which is that with all the new broadcast delivery platforms that are opening (DTH, IPTV, mobile TV) and if all the constellations of a booming economy, a brilliantly performing team and the kind of possibilities that a young on-the-go populace provide are in consonance, then $ 800 million might well be within reach.

    Before jumping to conclusions either way, it might be worth remembering a certain Kunal Dasgupta and his now well documented masterstroke of a gamble on the ICC cricket rights in 2002 for a then unheard of $ 208 million. There is no one who today does not see the SET India CEO’s bid as a really inspired play.

    A potential loss of $ 62 million versus a best case gain of $ 200 million. Which way the dice falls by the time 2010 comes around will determine whether Thawani is ultimately acknowledged as a visionary or someone whose go for broke gamble went bust. Unsurprisingly, there are many a respected industry stalwart who believe that if anyone can pull this off, it is the fashionably bald head honcho of Nimbus.