ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Sun TV has big bang debut on BSE; closes 68% higher at Rs 1466.05

    Sun TV has big bang debut on BSE; closes 68% higher at Rs 1466.05

    MUMBAI: The Kalanidhi Maran promoted and Chennai-headquartered broadcaster Sun Television Limited got listed on the bourses on Monday with a huge bang. The scrip has been greeted with a lot of excitement and closed the day’s trading 67.55 per cent higher at Rs 1466.05 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

    A total of 5,298,695 shares were traded on the opening day.

    At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the scrip had an overall gain of 67.39 per cent and closed the day at Rs 1464.65. A volume of 11,585,515 shares have been traded on day one.

    Just how bullish the bourses are is about the scrip can be garnered from comments made by market analyst Rajesh Jain of Pranav Securities to CNBC TV18, where he said Sun TV should be part of every investor’s portfolio.

    Said Jain, “I would ride this Sun TV story. I might add on declines, if the strip does give that opportunity. Sun TV is a super pedigree media stock. It has been the leader in the south for almost a decade.

    “I think it would even rate better than some of the older plays available in the media space.”

    The scrip, which was offered through initial public offer (IPO) early this month at a tag price of Rs 875 per share, listed at Rs 1,111 on the BSE and Rs 1,000 on the NSE. Its BSE ID is 532733 and its NSE ID is SUNTV.

    In its IPO, Sun had come out with a fresh equity issue of 68,89,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash, made entirely through the book building route.

    The issue constituted 10 per cent of the fully diluted post issue paid-up capital of the company. Following the issue, the shareholding of Sun TV Ltd principal promoter Kalanithi Maran has reduced to 89.99 per cent from 99.99 per cent (61,999,969 shares).

  • Alan Johnston to host BBC’s ‘From Our Own Correspondent’

    Alan Johnston to host BBC’s ‘From Our Own Correspondent’

    MUMBAI: Alan Johnston, the BBC reporter who was kidnapped in Gaza last year, is the new presenter of From Our Own Correspondent (FOOC) for BBC World Service.

    During his career, Alan has written a series of dispatches for the long-running BBC Radio programme from the Middle East as well as Central Asia and Afghanistan.

    In one of the pieces that he wrote in Gaza before he was kidnapped, he admitted that the possibility of being taken hostage terrified him.

    During the 114 days he was kept prisoner by the Army of Islam, he spent hours working out how, once free, he would tell his story on FOOC. In October last year, an entire edition of the programme, some 27 minutes, was given over to Alan’s story.

    Commenting on his new job, he said, “I hope that the show might benefit from having a regular presenter, and one who has both contributed to it and been a fan for many years. The structure of the programme will stay the same however – the extraordinarily successful FOOC formula would be very hard to improve.”

    In a world where the correspondents’ stories must often be condensed into a minute or less, or perhaps confined to a single answer to a programme presenter’s question, FOOC gives them an opportunity to say a little more – to provide some of the context to the stories they are covering, to describe some of the characters involved and some of the sights they see as they watch events unfold.

    The show’s producer Tony Grant said, “I am delighted to be working more closely with Alan. In the past, most of our conversations were down crackly phone lines. He may have done loads of pieces for our programme, but I never got to meet him until after his kidnap ordeal. It will be great now to work side by side with him; he’ll make a really terrific presenter.”

  • Times Now business channel sibling to launch in 2008 2nd half

    Times Now business channel sibling to launch in 2008 2nd half

    MUMBAI: After rolling out English news channels, it has been a trend for broadcasters to follow it up with a business channel. Joining the bandwagon is Times Global Broadcasting.

    After tasting success with its English news channel Times Now, Times Global Broadcasting has firmed up plans for a business news channel. The English language business news channel is expected to beam some time in the second half of the year.

    Confirming the plans for a business news channel, Times Global Broadcasting CEO Sunil Lulla says, “Times Global Broadcasting will be rolling out its business channel in the second half of the year. We are working out the logistics.”

    However, when asked if Reuters Service will have a stake in the upcoming business channel, Lulla refused to divulge anything more.

  • Cellebrum.com partners with three cellcos to offer users customised background music

    Cellebrum.com partners with three cellcos to offer users customised background music

    MUMBAI: Music is one of the few features, which is being pushed aggressively by various mobile operators. Himachal Pradesh based integrated telecom VAS solution provider Cellebrum.com Pvt. Ltd has launched a customised background music (BGM) solution as its latest offering, allowing users to play music in the background during a call.

    Cellebrum.com has tied up with leading operators like IDEA Cellular, Spice Telecom and Reliance Telecom at the national level and is offering BGM to its existing subscribers.

    The VAS solution provider is also running a pilot programme for Airtel for its landline services in the Madhya Pradesh Circle.

    It is upbeat about its BGM, which is played by the operator in the background of a call. The background music is a value addition to mobile peer to peer calling wherein a subscriber is allowed to create his own ambience during a call by playing music in the background.

    This customized solution in which, a call, when answered, is accompanied by music in the background. The caller can choose his music from a variety of sounds provided.

    This solution is different from CRBT solution, where music is played
    before the call is connected. In BGM, music is played after the call is connected. Technically, it is a conference service, which involves the calling party, called party and the music playing entity, which is also, part of the conference. This entity is responsible for playing back music
    during the conversation.

    BGM has the ability to boost the ARPUs of cellular operators due to the low cost at which it is being offered. However, this cost varies from operator to operator. There are three kind of charges — the activation charge, the chosen background song and the per minute cost of the song.
    Today, over 170,000 mobile subscribers across the network of IDEA Cellular and Spice Telecom have tried using the BGM service.

    In order to use the service, the user needs to dial a prefix (say 234) before the phone number, for the call to be connected with the Music M-vironment (BGM). Without the prefix, the call will be connected as a normal phone call. Users can always change background sound at will by dialling provided IVRS (Interactive Voice Response Services) Interface.

    It is important to note that the caller has to be within the coverage area of the home network. It is an IVR based service which will not be accessible outside home network.

  • ARY rolls out QTV and Musik on EchoStar’s Dish Network

    ARY rolls out QTV and Musik on EchoStar’s Dish Network

    MUMBAI: Pakistan’s ARY Digital Network has launched two more channels in the United States and North America .

    After the success of its flagship general entertainment channel, ARY Digital and its 24 hour news and current affairs channel ARY One World, the network now rolls out QTV – the 24 hour Islamic channel and a music channel Musik.

    Both these channels became available on the EchoStar’s Dish Network platform from 20 April.

    “One of our basic objectives is to help our music, entertainment, language, and basically our culture find a voice and reach the world over,” says ARY Digital Network president and CEO Salman Iqbal.

    “Our channels are trying to bridge the geographical divide that exists for that huge population of people that have migrated from their homelands.”

    The Network continues to expand its reach and distribution – with launch of Musik in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2006, adding to the existing ARY Digital, ARY One World and QTV packages.

    In June 2006, ARY Digital Network will also be launching ARY Digital, ARY One World and QTV in New Zealand and Australia.

    “We are proud to say that we are the largest South Asian Television network in the world with the most channels being distributed internationally, ” stated Iqbal. “It’s important for a network to be able to provide options to suit the taste buds of a wide cross section of viewers, be it in any region.”

    The Islamic channel QTV is also visible in India.

  • Asian VOD broadcaster Anytime signs distribution deal in Taiwan

    Asian VOD broadcaster Anytime signs distribution deal in Taiwan

    MUMBAI: The Asian video on demand (VOD) channel Anytime has reached a distribution deal in Taiwan with the interactive broadband platform TDMC.

    TDMC TV chairman Zhong Zhen says, “The deal gives TDMC TV customers a variety of content from the Hollywood studios over a secure ADSL broadband connection to a set-top box. The channel launches in Taiwan this month.

    “Anytime has output deals with more Hollywood studios and Asian content creators than any other video on-demand channel. The new Anytime channel on TDMC TV will give viewers in Taiwan easy access to the most popular, up-to-date entertainment, when they want it.”

    The Singapore-based Anytime has existing carriage deals in Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand, and the rights to license into 14 territories in Asia Pacific. Shareholders include CPE Holdings (Sony), Fox Media Services, Warner Bros. Entertainment, YTC Group, the Macquarie Bank Group and US based Coote/Hayes Productions.

  • Discovery US, Google Earth in content alliance

    Discovery US, Google Earth in content alliance

    MUMBAI: Discovery US has announced the availability of its video content on Google Earth.

    This is a satellite imagery-based mapping product that combines 3D buildings and terrain with mapping capability and Google search.

    For the first time, Discovery will provide streaming video on Google Earth for locations around the world including popular destinations, historic sites and natural wonders, among others.

    Discovery will offer video content showcasing 10 of America’s most popular national parks, including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Dinosaur National Park. By clicking on Discovery’s globe icon shown at destination sites at which Discovery video content is available, Google Earth users will launch an interactive broadband player hosted by Discovery that will enable them to select from several two-to four-minute videos from Discovery’s rich archive at each target destination.

    Discovery senior executive VP for strategy and development Don Baer says, “By combining Discovery’s wealth of knowledge-based content with Google Earth’s innovative platform and technology, consumers have an unparalleled opportunity to explore our world as never before. With the worldwide appeal and utility of Discovery’s programming, the possibilities for exploration are endless.”

    Google Maps/Local/Earth director John Hanke says, “Google Earth users worldwide can now access enriching and educational videos that capture the breadth and detail of popular destinations and national landmarks. Discovery’s video content complements the immersive experience of Google Earth and aligns well with our company mission to deliver the world’s information directly to users.”

    Among Discovery’s core content genres of History, Science, the Natural World, Travel and Adventure and Animals, users will find:

    – Video content for 10 destinations available beginning today: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, The Everglades, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mt. Rushmore, Alaska National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Santa Monica Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns and Dinosaur National Park.

    – Ongoing content updates and additions, including videos for nearly 50 new locations spanning the globe in the coming months.

    – Special features on Discovery’s specials such as the upcoming global series Discovery Atlas, an ambitious HD project, offering both video and companion content for 30 countries included in a multi-year programming franchise beginning with China, Brazil, Italy and Australia later this year.

  • British TV regulator Ofcom lifts ban on Freeview

    British TV regulator Ofcom lifts ban on Freeview

    MUMBAI: Britain’s television regulator Ofcom has given the go ahead to British DTT platform Freeview to begin carrying subscription-only channels.

    It has thus lifted a 2002 ban by the previous regulator, the Independent Television Commission.

    Freeview is transmitted on television multiplexes licensed by Ofcom under the Broadcasting Act 1996, three of which state that all channels must be free-to-air.

    Ofcom said the decision to lift the restriction was influenced by the rapid development of DTT, which is now in more than a third of the 18 million UK households that can access digital television on a variety of platforms.

    In a statement Ofcom says, “Ofcom believes that the current restriction on pay TV channels is no longer a matter requiring regulatory intervention and that finding the right balance between pay and free-to-air services on the DTT platform can be better left to the market”.

  • News Corp’s Fox gets license in Serbia

    News Corp’s Fox gets license in Serbia

    MUMBAI: Media conglomerate News Corporation has announced that its venture Fox Televizija formed in cooperation with partners in Serbia, has been awarded a national television license in the Republic of Serbia, the larger of the two republics that comprise the country of Serbia and Montenegro.

    News Corp. along with its Serbian partners participated in a public tender process that was launched earlier this year by Serbia’s Republic Broadcasting Agency. The Broadcasting Agency’s Council announced the results of the tender process a few days ago.

    News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch said, “Serbia’s tender process for the national television licenses was professionally managed from start to finish. This has been one of the most expertly managed international competitive tenders for a national television license in which News Corp. has participated. The Republic Broadcasting Agency should be commended for the fair and transparent process.”

    News Corp. and its partners have committed to providing high-quality entertainment and information programming. News Corp. and Fox Televizija will also direct considerable resources into the production of original programming in Serbia. News Corp. will immediately begin the roll-out of the Fox Televizija operation under the management of Mr. Dan Bates, an experienced international television executive.

    News Corp’s investment in Serbia builds on the company’s successful European television business highlighted by the highly profitable television station, bTV, in Bulgaria.

    News Corp. Europe’s chairman Martin Pompadur said, “Together with our Serbian partners, we are committed to bringing all of the resources necessary to develop a top quality television station. News Corp. will aim to be a valued member of Serbia’s business and media communities.”

  • Britain does well at Rose d’Or awards nominations

    Britain does well at Rose d’Or awards nominations

    MUMBAI: British television shows and stars fared well at the nominations announced for the Rose d’Or Best Performance Awards.

    The awards, which take place in Switzerland on 29 April, recognise work in the comedy, sitcom, soap opera and game show genres. Britain got 10 out of the 21 nominations.

    Funny man Steve Carell stars in the American version of The Office, that got a nomination in the sitcom categeory. He will face off against Peter Capaldi for The Thick of It and Germany’s Bastian Pastewka.

    Ricky Gervais who created the sitcom will receive an honorary Rose d’Or Award. Stephen Fry is nominated for his role in hosting BBC Four’s show QI quiz. Extras and The Office are competing for best sitcom.

    The awards aim to reward originality, quality and creativity in entertainment programming from around the world.