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  • Discovery Channel to premier series ‘More Than A Game’ on World Cup

    Discovery Channel to premier series ‘More Than A Game’ on World Cup

    MUMBAI:Starting 28 April, Discovery Channel is set to premiere six-part series More Than a Game, which will chronicle the emergence of international football’s greatest teams and players interwoven with the story of how the World Cup evolved as a tournament and shaped the nature of football worldwide.

    This series will air every Friday at 9 pm and each episode will be repeated on the following Saturday at 10 am.

    More Than A Game will feature the six giants of the game – Brazil, Germany, France, England, Argentina and Italy.

    The football World Cup has evolved into a cultural event that unites the entire world for one exhilarating and unforgettable month. More than just a sporting extravaganza, it has impacted the economy of countries and their presence on the global map, informs an official release.

    Made in collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and featuring exclusive footage from FIFA’s film archive and recollections from some of the world’s greatest players including Beckham, Beckenbauer, Zidane, Platini and Zoff, the show will present the definitive account of the World Cup – its glorious goals, legendary players, fanatical fans and enduring appeal.

    The release also adds that with previously unseen footage from matches dating back over 40 years, viewers will get a fresh perspective on even the most familiar football legends. They will also witness how winning or losing a game can change the fortunes of a nation.

    Discovery Channel’s spokesperson said, “More Than A Game showcases how the World Cup has been a carnival of innovation, advancing both the game and the business of football. It presents the fascinating account of the extraordinary brilliance and the gallant failures of the superpowers of world football. Identifying and capturing the defining moments of the football World Cup is what makes More Than A Game so captivating.”

    The Ambassador of Brazil, His Excellency Jose Vicente Pimentel said “I am delighted to be part of this special programme by Discovery Channel which will provide the football enthusiasts in India an insight into the history of the World Cup. Each of the six nations covered in the programme represent football in its truest form. Each episode will give viewers an insight into the various manifestations of the sport and how single-handedly football can bind an entire nation.”

    MORE THAN A GAME programme schedule:
    • Brazil on 28 April at 9 pm
    The World Cup has defined Brazil as a nation. The five-time winners have given the world legends like Pele, Carlos Alberto, Tostao, Socrates and Ronaldo. In this episode, you can also watch 17-year-old Pele leading the Brazilian charge to their first World Cup win in 1958 and then taking it to the event to its greatest height: the superlative final of 1970.

    • Argentina on 5 May at 9 pm
    Argentina’s Diego Maradona became the biggest football star since Pele. Never has one man so dominated the World Cup. But after the bravura and brilliance of 1986, it has all been downhill for Maradona. His well-publicised descent into drug addiction and psychological deterioration mark a sad end to an incredible career. Also see the memorable celebrations in Buenos Aires in 1978 after Argentina won against a background of intimidation and corruption with a military junta governing the country.

    • England on 12 May at 9 pm
    The British boycotted the World Cup till 1950 and have won it only once – in 1966. They were the first nation to win as hosts. With a passionate (and infamous) fan base and the superstar status of their players, it has always shared a love-hate relationship with the sport they invented. Their story of the World Cup ranges from disaster to gallant failure.

    • Germany on 19 May at 9 pm
    It’s hard to imagine a time when Germany was not a footballing superpower. But in the 1954 final, they were definitely the underdogs against the talented Hungarians. An extraordinary comeback set the foundations for future dominance, and till now they remain one of the most difficult sides to overcome. Watch how the World Cup has helped Germany to emerge as one of the leading nations in world football.

    • Italy on 26 May at 9 pm
    Paolo Rossi’s hat-trick helped Italy beat Brazil 3-2 in one of the greatest World Cup games. Their World Cup victory in 1982 ended a fifty-two year wait for their demanding supporters. The famous Azzuri are characterised by their stubborn, defensive approach that has, according to their critics, overshadowed the beauty of their game. They have, however, won the World cup three times and those who underestimate them, do so at their own peril.

    • France on 2 June at 9 pm
    The 1998 World Champions had included 15 squad players from different ethnic backgrounds embodied by Zidane, Desailly and Lizarazu. As the most racially troubled country in Europe, France was divided by the question of immigration. The multiracial make up of the French national team was openly criticised till their stunning 3-0 victory over favourites Brazil, which led to four days of euphoric celebrations across the nation. The win also summed the international nature of a sport which is More Than A Game.

  • Yahoo launches ‘Go for TV’ to record TV shows

    Yahoo launches ‘Go for TV’ to record TV shows

    MUMBAI: Yahoo Inc. has unveiled software ‘Go for TV’ that helps people to record television shows on their personal computers and use Yahoo services through televisions.

    It has launched a test version of Yahoo Go for TV and the software is now available for download at Yahoo’s website. Users should have computers equipped with a TV tuner circuit board and cables to connect to a television.

    The launch emphasises Yahoo’s plans to move beyond PC-based services. The company already offers photo and e-mail software for some mobile phones.

  • Peter Roth extends tenure as president at Warner Bros.TV

    Peter Roth extends tenure as president at Warner Bros.TV

    MUMBAI: One of the most successful and respected executives working in television today, Peter Roth, has signed a long-term deal extending his tenure as Warner Bros. Television president, while expanding his duties to include oversight of the newly created Warner Horizon Television.

    The newly created television arm is designed to create lower-budget scripted and reality primetime series for network and cable. These announcements were made today by Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) group president Bruce Rosenblum.

    “Peter’s track record at Warner Bros. Television really speaks for itself, not just in the quantity of successful shows he’s launched, but more importantly, in the quality of the series created under his leadership,” said Rosenblum. “To say that we’re absolutely thrilled that Peter will be with us for many, many more years would be a gross understatement. He is truly the best in class. His creative instincts and execution, as well as his relationships with people both in front of and behind the cameras, from the writers’ rooms to the network boardrooms, are unmatched.

    “As the television business continues to change and business models evolve, Warner Horizon Television will enable us to take more creative risks,” continued Rosenblum. “We’re incredibly excited about the prospect of this new television arm at the Studio and know that it couldn’t be in better hands than Peter’s.”

    Roth joined Warner Bros. Television as its president in March 1999 and has maintained the company’s position as the industry’s preeminent producer of award winning primetime television series. In addition to being the most prolific television studio in Hollywood the last three years, WBTV has been the leading supplier of primetime series 16 of the last 19 television seasons. For the 2005-2006 season, WBTV placed 33 series on the primetime schedule, including a record 17 returning series, 11 new series and five midseason series.

    During his tenure, Roth has been responsible for such series as the multiple Emmy Award winning The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, Without a Trace, The O.C., Cold Case, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, George Lopez, Supernatural, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Nip/Tuck and The Closer, as well as the successful continuation of such series as Friends and ER.

    Prior toWBTV, Roth served as Fox Broadcasting Company president. There, he was responsible for the development and programming of the Emmy Award-winning Ally McBeal, That ’70s Show, Family Guy and King of the Hill. He also held posts as president of 20th Century Fox Television, Twentieth Network Television (currently 20th Century Fox Television), and of Production at Twentieth Network Television, where he oversaw such hits as the multiple Emmy Award winning Picket Fences, The X-Files, The Practice, Chicago Hope and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    Before working at Twentieth, Roth was president of Stephen J. Cannell Productions, where he was involved with the creation and sale of such critically acclaimed series as 21 Jump Street, Wiseguy and The Commish.

    Roth began his television career at the ABC Television Network in children’s programming where he served as both a manager and later a director before moving into current programming where held both director and vice president posts, states an official release.

  • Singapore’s MediaCorp & M1 set to launch mobile TV

    Singapore’s MediaCorp & M1 set to launch mobile TV

    MUMBAI: Singapore’s MediaCorp is working with telecommunications provider MobileOne (M1) to launch a mobile channel featuring English and Mandarin language content from MediaCorp Studios.

    The channel, available on M1’s mobile portal – MiWorld Mobile – will feature programmes that range from drama serials to infotainment shows.

    A media report quoted MediaCorp Studios senior controller Doreen Neo as saying: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to bring to our viewers an additional platform. With this 3G collaboration, viewers can get to see our artistes on a different platform other than TV. It also provides additional exposure for our artistes.”

    M1 Consumer Marketing assistant general manager Joseph Loy said: “Over the last few months, we’ve been gearing for 3G. There are more content, more 3G phones in the market and more users as well.”

    Users can access the programmes through MiWorld Mobile on their 3G handsets and choose to pay through video-streaming charges or a monthly flat fee.

  • Reliance Info intl business president Garg to head Flag Telecom

    Reliance Info intl business president Garg to head Flag Telecom

    MUMBAI: Reliance Infocomm Ltd international business president Punit Garg has moved to Flag Telecom as its new head.

    Flag Telecom, which owns and manages an extensive optical fibre network connecting key business markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, was acquired by the Reliance Group and became a Reliance Infocomm company on 12 January 2004. Flag offers a focused range of global products, including global bandwidth, IP, internet, ethernet and co-location services.

    Garg will be replacing Patrick Gallaghar. Punit will also continue to be a member of the parent’s senior management team, while Patrick will move on to become the Flag Telecom non-executive vice chairman.

    Garg’s appointment is expected to hasten the process of assimilation for the global carrier with its parent company under the new management and put it on a faster growth trajectory.

    “Punit’s long stint at Reliance Infocomm and his understanding of its objectives and approach will be extremely beneficial for Flag Telecom, Reliance Infocomm and, our customers. The change will help us in charting out a new growth path for the global carrier,” said Flag Telecom chairman Anil Ambani.

    An engineer by training, Garg joined Reliance Infocomm in January 2001 and went on to hold a number of key leadership positions in the company. Planning and launch of fixed call fixed wireless phones, public calls office and broadband are some of the initiatives he spearheaded in Reliance Infocomm.

    Prior to joining Reliance Infocomm, Garg was Lockheed Martin Global Telecom managing director, responsible for joint ventures and business management for South Asia. He has also held senior executive positions in leading global organisations such as Comsat and Equant.

  • GRB’s doc series ‘Intervention’ gets Prism nomination

    GRB’s doc series ‘Intervention’ gets Prism nomination

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment US has announced that the series Intervention, produced by GRB Entertainment for A&E Network, has been nominated for a Prism Award.

    Recipients will be announced at an awards presentation tomorrow 27 April at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The presentation will air at a later date on FX Network.

    The awards reflect the entertainment industry’s growing commitment to fighting substance abuse and addiction through accurate depictions of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction in film, television, video, music and comic book entertainment.

    Intervention is a 12 episode one hour documentary show that tackles the subject of addiction head-on. Each episode profiles addicts who are about to face the toughest choice of their lives: enter treatment immediately or be cut off from society.

    The individuals profiled on Intervention are a cross-section of America. They are lawyers, mothers, students, artists and athletes. Some of these addicts once had great wealth, others beauty, talent and big dreams. But all share one thing: an addiction that is destroying their lives and straining their families and friends to the breaking point. Though each intervention is unique, all have one simple goal – get the addict into treatment now.

    For comedy series, the nominees are All of Us’ episode The Spy Who Smoked Me, Everybody Loves Raymond’s episode Pat’s Secret, One on One’s episode Glug Glug, Reba’s episode Where There’s Smoke and Saturday Night Live’s – Good Morning Meth.

    The drama series nominees are House’s episode Hunting, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’s episode Blood, The O.C. episode The Dearly Beloved, Strong Medicine episode We Wish You a Merry Cryst Meth and the Without a Trace episode Off the Tracks.

    The musical Rent and Walk The Line which deals with the life of country music legend Johnny cash are competing in the movie category. For performance in a film, the nominees are Rosario Dawson for Rent, Anne Hathaway for Havoc, Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line, Christina Ricci for Prozac Nation and Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line.

    The television movie or miniseries nominees are Ambulance Girl, Behind the Camera: The Unauthorised Story of Mork and Mindy,Lackawanna Blues, Mom at Sixteen and Riding the Bus With My Sister.

    These awards are presented by the Entertainment Industries Council (EIC) in partnership with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Daytime Emmies to feature an interactive fan zone

    Daytime Emmies to feature an interactive fan zone

    MUMBAI: This year’s Daytime Emmys in the US are filled with firsts. For the first time in its history, the show will be broadcast from Hollywood, and for the first time ever, the telecast will interact with its enthusiastic fans during the live broadcast.

    The show takes place on 28 April.

    The Luminous Colour Glaze Fan Zone is a new feature to the 33rd edition of the show and will be hosted by actor Cameron Mathison who plays Ryan Lavery in All My Children. The Zone will serve as an interactive element incorporated into the live ceremony

    Fans will have the opportunity to watch, interact with and meet the night’s Emmy Award winners immediately following their acceptance speeches from bleachers that will line Babylon Court in the Hollywood and Highland Complex.

    n addition, the telecast will open from this exciting new amphitheater-like setting with a rock-the-house performance by General Hospital actor and musician Rick Springfield (Jesse’s Girl), as he sings a mix of his best songs. During the show, fans won’t miss a moment as they watch live feeds of the ceremony taking place in the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

    ABC president daytime programming Brian Frons says, “Daytime fans are the most dedicated viewers in all of television. ‘The Luminous Color Glaze Fan Zone’ will allow them to share Emmy night with the stars they love in a way that has never been done before. In the past you have only heard the fans’ enthusiastic screams from the balcony. This is a chance for the viewers to connect with their energy and passion.”

  • HBO announces major programming initiative for the summer

    HBO announces major programming initiative for the summer

    MUMBAI: I Love Summer! That is the tagline for English movie channel HBO’s summer programming initiative in May and June. The channel will also be running a contest.

    The offerings include non-stop thrilling blockbusters, Hollywood hotties, Kung Fu fighting, HBO Whazz up and Sex and the City’ Finale Season Premiere.

    The channel gives viewers the chance to be a part of I Love Summer. Viewers just have to reply to the question “Why you love summer on HBO”?. Prizes up for grabs include an all expense paid family trip to Club Mahindra resorts, Nano iPods, HBO premiums and lots more.

    The summer kicks off with the sci-fi horror film Resident Evil: Apocalypse on 26 May at 9 pm. All of Raccoon City is contaminated with virus and Alice (Milla Jovovich) is stuck right in the middle. Now, she and a group of survivors must fight to escape the nightmare that has plagued Raccoon City.

    The finale of Sex And The City premieres on HBO starting May with more glitz and glamour, humour and trend setting fashion. The HBO Original Movie of the month is Lackawanna Blues, which is fuelled by rhythm, blues and a stellar cast. Based on a true story of the relationship between Ruben Santiago Jr. and his guardian Rachel “Nanny” Crosby, set in 1950’s Lackawanna, a city in Upstate New York, Lackawanna Blues will air on 2 May, at 9 pm.

    As far as HBO Saturday Nights are concerned on 6 May Catwoman will air. Halle Berry’s feline instincts take over as she dons the black leather cat suit and cracks the whip for her role as the glamorous anti-heroine. In Good Company airs on 13 May, a middle-aged ad executive is faced with a new boss who is nearly half his age and who also happens to be dating his 18-year old daughter.

    On 20 May Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed takes centrestage. Old villains come back to haunt the team in their hometown, Coolsville making them lose their cool and their reputations. On 27 May the channel airs A Cinderella Story.

    HBO has created a new band HBO Whazz Up. Films in this band will air before the 9 pm movie. Films like Connie And Carla, American Ninja, What Dreams May Come, The School Of Rock will air in this band.

  • WorldSpace Noah Samara to deliver key note at International Radio Conference Dubai

    WorldSpace Noah Samara to deliver key note at International Radio Conference Dubai

    MUMBAI: International Radio Conference (IRC) is scheduled to be held from 22 May to 24 May in Dubai. The key note will be delivered by WorldSpace Corporation chairman and CEO Noah A. Samara.

    The conference is aimed at a global audience of radio professionals and contemporaries from associated industries, including advertising and media.
    It will also examine the future of radio in the Middle East. The sessions are; Shifting Stands, Breakfast Confidential, Smarter Music Scheduling, Bumpers ‘n Stabs, Doughnuts ‘n Stings, They’re not all Mad, Only the Good Ones!, Print vs Radio, 10 Great Ways to Make People Listen Longer, News You Can Use, New Frontier, Kill or Cure? Can Radio Survive the Ipod Era? and Paying the Piper! to name a few.
    Arabian Radio Network Join Abdullatif Al Sayegh will speak on Shifting Sands and other major players in the region as they give an upfront assessment of the future of radio in the Middle East.

    Emap UK expert Mark Story and Capital 98.5 UK expert Keith Pringle will provide top tips and closely guarded secrets to building the best breakfast show.

    European award winning Imager EMap UK Andy Roberts, Soniic Design Jean Michel Meschin, BBC World Service on air editor Steve Martin, Radio Advertising Bureaux UK Douglas McArthur, BBC World Service business development head Simon Kendall and Virgin Radio James Cridland will provide a low-down at the sessions.

    The sessions organised will also cover the pertinent issues facing radio professionals today including programming, technology and production.

  • Countdown begins for CommunicAsia2006 and EnterpriseIT2006

    Countdown begins for CommunicAsia2006 and EnterpriseIT2006

    MUMBAI: CommunicAsia and Enterprise IT, the region’s foremost technology shows, will be returning once again to the Singapore Expo from the 20 to 23 June.

    CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia are key components of the five-day Infocomm Media Business Exchange (imbX) which is held annually in Singapore in the month of June.

    Reflecting the buoyant market and the latest trends, some of the key technologies addressed on the show floor include mobile entertainment, IPTV, 3G, VoIP, NGN, WiMAX, information security and embedded technologies, states an official release.

    Visitors from India can expect to see the latest innovations from the most influential world vendors and operators, including Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE, NTT Docomo, Lucent, Motorola, Siemens, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and LG among many others. The event will also feature 21 international group pavilions including Thailand, US, Korea, the European Union and China among others, in addition to the ESC-led Indian pavilion.

    India continues to have the fastest growing ICT market in the world, with a predicted combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19 percent from 2004 through 2008, according to research house Gartner. Gartner estimates that ICT spending in India will surpass US$54.8 billion by 2008, a rise from US$29.5 billion in 2004. Reflecting the surge in ICT demand in India, a total of 555 Indian visitors attended CommunicAsia and EnterpriseIT in 2005, posting a 25 per cent increase over 2004.

    The focus of the high-powered CommunicAsia Summit this year turns towards mobile applications, broadband and next generation networks as the industry’s three key growth areas Some of the top-notch speakers include Andrew Sukawaty, CEO and chairman of Inmarsat, Joseph Anton Aliagas, CEO of Arena Mobile Music, Skuli Mogensen, CEO & founder of OZ, Craig Wilson, IBM’s Asia Pacific director for Digital Media and Telecommunications, Craig Farrill, CEO of Kodiak Networks and Thorsten Heinz, Siemens CTO.

    Making its presence felt on the international market through CommunicAsia and EnterpriseIT are home-grown companies including Acceltree Software, Kaveri Telecom Products, Matrix Telecom and MRO-TEK, as well as companies under the Indian national pavilion led by the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC). These include BSMC Power Systems, Elitecore Technologies, Euclid Infotech, Lepton Software Export & Research, Svarn Telecom and Toshniwal Enterprises Controls. Indian telco giant Shyam Telecom will also be exhibiting at the event, the release adds.

    Victor Wong, project director of CommunicAsia and EnterpriseIT said, “CommunicAsia, alongside EnterpriseIT, is the most established ICT show in Asia and the ideal platform to launch and showcase new technologies and services to the world that will transform the way we live. Not only is CommunicAsia a highly relevant event to the needs of Indian visitors to the event, it is an important platform for India to showcase its ICT capabilities to the world and to forge international business links.”

    According to International Data Corp (IDC), new technologies entering the telecommunications marketplace are redefining the industry. The telecom services market in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) is projected to exceed US$170 billion, posting a growth of seven percent compared to last year. This growth is likely to come from VoIP, broadband and 3G services.