ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Star World celebrates ‘Dance Fever’; unveils a world of luxury

    Star World celebrates ‘Dance Fever’; unveils a world of luxury

    MUMBAI: English general entertainment channel Star World is looking to capitalise on the success of American Idol through another music based show.

    The difference is that instead of singing, the contestants on Dance Fever show off their skills on the dance floor.
    The show will air every Tuesday from 9 May at 8 pm. The mission of this dance competition is to find out America’s best dancers. The ultimate Dance Fever contestant or team champion will strut away with a $100,000 grand prize.

    Auditions for Dance Fever were held in New York, L.A., Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta. Of these auditioners, only 48 individuals or teams will make it past the initial audition process and head to Las Vegas for their chance at dancing stardom. The Top 48 can consist of individual dancers, or teams of two to four dancers. Once the elimination rounds begin in Las Vegas, the contestants will meet host Eric Niles.

    The contestants will also face, for the first time, the Dance Fever judges: actress and singer Carmen Electra (Baywatch, Starsky & Hutch); Grammy-winning artist MC Hammer; and director/choreographer Jamie King, who has worked with Madonna, Britney Spears and Ricky Martin.

    The channel will also boost its lifestyle offerings by exposing viewers to a world of luxury. Luxury Unveiled airs every Sunday from 28 May at 7:30 pm. This is a reality – documentary series that goes behind the scenes to find out how these brands swept the world, how they got there, how they keep the magic alive and why men and women from very different countries, cultures and lifestyles spend thousands buying into them.

    Each episode will concentrate on one luxury brand. The cameras will follow as the brands prepare for the latest show; as the designers, the marketers and the manufacturers create the house’s new look. Over the hour, viewers will watch the creation, production and unveiling of a haute couture collection or a new line of accessories or a new scent and all the pain and expectation along the way. At the same time, using historical footage and interviews, the show explains how the brand got here and how many of these firms transformed themselves from provincial family-run shops into huge multi-nationals.

    More reality on air with Beauty and The Geek. The show kicks off on 31 May and airs every Wednesday at 8 pm. It teams up a group of beautiful girls with a bunch of genius guys in the hopes that one group’s strengths will help overcome the other group’s weaknesses. The “Beauties” are a group of stunningly attractive young women who use their looks to manipulate every situation. What they lack in intelligence they more than make up for in beauty.

    Each “Geek” is one of the country’s next brain surgeons, rocket scientists and philosophers, who will create cures and technology that will change the world. But despite their massive intellects, these guys don’t possess the confidence or social skills to even talk to a girl or ask her out on a date. Partnered into Beauty/Geek teams, each will train the other to develop his or her brains or charisma. In a series of hilarious contests, the incredibly hot women go head to head in a battle of smarts, while the troop of genius guys compete to prove who can be the coolest, hippest and sexiest.

  • China associates with Venezuela for broadcaster training, program exchange

    China associates with Venezuela for broadcaster training, program exchange

    MUMBAI: Venezuela and China have signed a mutual agreement on program exchange and training of television and radio broadcast professionals.

    The deal was signed between Venezuelan communications minister William Lara, and deputy head of China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) Tian Jin, said a Venezuelan communications ministry statement.

    As per the agreement, Venezuela will broadcast two channels of Central China Television programs in Venezuela and will also have access to China Radio International’s programs in a variety of languages. “Radio, television and cinema are the frontline” of Venezuela’s revolution, and the Latin American country needs China’s know how to fight on this terrain”, said Lara.

    Tian expressed hope that the cultural and information exchange would boost friendship between the two nations, as radio and television are the easiest ways to get information.

  • UTV in sale agreement with Media Footing

    UTV in sale agreement with Media Footing

    MUMBAI: UTV Software Communications Ltd has entered into a share sale agreement with Media Footing SDN BHD for sale of the entire shareholding held by the company in UTV International (Holdings) Ltd, BVI.

    UTV international (Holdings) Ltd, BVI will, thus, cease to be a subsidiary of the company.

    Consequently, Antah UTV Multimedia & Communications SDN BHD, which is a 70 per cent subsidiary of UTV International (Holdings) Ltd, BVI will also cease to be a subsidiary of the company.

  • Zee launches dramedy ‘Jabb Love Hua’

    Zee launches dramedy ‘Jabb Love Hua’

    MUMBAI: Zee TV today announced the launch of its latest kid in the prime time soap block. The dramedy Jabb Love Hua will run Monday through Thursday in the 8:30 pm slot, starting 24 April.

    With Jabb Love Hua, Zee TV is exploring the dramedy genre once again, after the success it had with Kareena Kareena. The serial, set in a scenic village in Uttar Pradesh, also brings back producers Tony and Deeya Singh of the DJ’s Creative Unit to the Zee team after a gap.

    “We have something different in Jabb Love Hua. A serial, set in a rustic backdrop, is something we don’t see often, and we have explored this aspect with Jabb Love Hua,” says Zee TV programming head Ashwini Yardi.

    Zee TV kicked off the promotional campaign for the serial today. Zee TV is exploring outdoors, radio, print and its network platform to promote the serial.

  • Cable operators black out Star chnls in Kolkata

    Cable operators black out Star chnls in Kolkata

    MUMBAI: A majority of cable networks in Kolkata have blacked out the Star group of channels, protesting against a seven per cent rate hike. Another contention is the forcing of the second bouquet which includes channels like Star One.

    The Star channels including Star Plus are not available to most viewers in the city since Saturday midnight. The decision was taken by the last mile operators (LMOs) who also blamed Tata Sky, in which Star is a 20 per cent joint venture partner, for approaching housing societies with the offer of a central dish antenna through which individual installations could be provided for direct-to-home (DTH) service.

    Indian Cable Net (which was bought out by Siticable) and Manthan Cable Network, the two big multi-system operators (MSOs) in the city, are not having the Star channels on their cable systems. “We were asked by the last mile operators not to carry the Star channels,” says an executive in Indian Cable Net.

    Earlier, Star had switched off signals to Manthan after claiming outstandings of over Rs 20 million. “Manthan owed us money and we switched off signals on 15 March after giving a month’s notice. There is no reason for the other cable operators blacking us out as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has allowed a seven per cent hike,” says a Star India spokesperson.

    Manthan director Gurmeet Singh admits Star was off the network from 15 March, but says the case regarding dues is pending in the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

    The protest against carriage of the Star channels was led by the Forum of Cable Operators and Cable Operators Sanjukta, two association bodies of the last mile operators in the city. “Star was asking for a hike, which we couldn’t have passed on to the consumers. Besides, Tata Sky, where Star is a partner, is wanting to grab subscribers by offering housing societies free cabling from a single central antenna,” says Cable Operators Sanjukta spokesperson Papi Banerjee.

    Star channels are, however, available on Cablecom and Purvalaya Communications. “Star is also supporting some operators by issuing decoder boxes,” says a last mile operator in Kolkata.

  • TV18 to pump in Rs 2.5 billion in new ventures, raise Rs 3 billion equity

    TV18 to pump in Rs 2.5 billion in new ventures, raise Rs 3 billion equity

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen India Ltd. board has approved a Rs 2.5 billion expansion plan in new ventures and potential acquisitions.

    The majority of these projects are intended to be in the television, internet and “triple convergence” areas. “We are looking at expansion on the TV, internet and even at opportunities on the mobile space. For all these new ventures that we get into, we will not go alone but with globally reputed partners,” says TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla.

    While some of the investments will create greenfield projects, others are likely to result in acquisitions of operating companies. “A significant amount of this investment shall be raised by the sale of strategic stakes in some of these downstream subsidiary companies to globally reputed investors. The company will seek shareholder approval for these investments in accordance with law, as the investment plans firm up,” the company informed the BSE.

    The board also authorised the management to seek shareholders approval for raising Rs three billion in equity over a period of time. “At the present stage, the management is seeking only an enabling approval from its shareholders. The management does not expect to issue any immediate equity under this approval,” the company said.

  • Isro to ramp up number of satellite launches

    Isro to ramp up number of satellite launches

    BANGALORE: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has responded positively to the increasing demand for satellite space. Speaking at the launch of the Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment (ISITE) facility in Bangalore, Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair hinted at Isro upping its ante in this area.

    “Presently, we are doing about one and a half Insat class satellites a year and one remote sensing satellite launch in every eighteen months. The demand from all segments is high and rising and we should actually be doing around four Insat class satellites, two to three remote sensing satellites and around three to four micro satellites of the around 100 kg payload,” said Nair.

    Nair added that Isro had its hands full with many projects including a couple of commercial satellites for Europe. He said Isro was expecting orders for two more satellites from this region.

  • Isro unveils Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment

    Isro unveils Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment

    BANGALORE: Finding the current facility too small and congested, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has come up with a brand new facility spread over 100 acres of land on the outskirts of Bangalore. The facility is christened ISRO Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment (ISITE).

    So far, Isro had to carry the satellite from one part of the complex to the other for various tests. The new facility at Marthahalli offers world class Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) complex bringing all spacecraft integration under one roof. A tested satellite comes out of the same door through which its knocked down parts go into.

    ISITE is equipped with world class facilities and will enable Isro to assemble, and carry out various tests and then pack the assembled satellite for dispatch to the launch site. Some of the state of art facilities and equipment include:

    (1) Assembly Integration & Test (AIT) Clean room – this is a huge room of size 54.6mts (about 179 feet) x 34.6m (about 113.5 feet) x 16.7m (about 55 feet) height which is maintained at a temperature of about 22 deg C (72 deg F) with a relative humidity of around 55, a cleanliness level of 1,000,000 class maintained at a positive pressure of 20 mbar.

    The bare structure of Insat 4B, which is scheduled for launch in January 2007, was under assembly when Indiantelevision.com visited the site. This room can integrate up to six satellites in various stages of assembly simultaneously of Insat 4B class and is equipped to integrate around 800 elements in the bare structure of the spacecraft. This area has an Electro Static Discharge (ESD) floor to dissipate the micro electric charges from human bodies which could effect some sensitive equipment in the room.

    (2) Comprehensive Assemble and Test Vacuum Chamber (CATVC) is capable of testing satellites under vacuum conditions and at temperatures as low as 173 deg K {(-)100 deg C or (-)343 deg F }. Satellites up to 4.5m diameter (about 14.75 feet) and 6 meters length (about 20 feet) having a weight of 3 metric tons can be tested in this Chamber which has Ariane-5 adapter interfaces.

    (3) Comprehensive Assembly and Test Vibration Facility: This test facility has a peak sine force of around 29 ton-force and a maximum bare table acceleration capacity of 75 gm.

    (4) Compact Antenna Test Facility (CATF): This is a 30 meter long (100 feet), 20 meter wide (67 feet) and 16m high (52 feet) chamber for testing of antenna in space simulated conditions. ISRO officials claim that no other facility in the world has a similar arrangement.

    The facility was officially thrown open by national security advisor M K Naraynan. Other dignitaries who were present to witness the inauguration included former Isro chairmen U R Rao and K Kasturirangan, secretary Department of Ocean Development P S Goel (formerly from Isro and one of the persons who conceived the idea for the Integration and Testing facility) and ISAC director K Shankara. On completion, the project is estimated to cost around Rs 4 billion.

  • Government demarcates listed sports events

    Government demarcates listed sports events

    NEW DELHI: The government has come out with a list of sports events, excluding cricket, which would have to be shared with the pubcaster on a mandatory basis whether played in India or outside.

    A government communication to broadcasters states that the list will be valid for five years, though implementation review will be done annually by the authorities.

    If Doordarshan is unable to telecast a listed event due to some reasons, then that game’s possible deletion from the list is likely to be discussed during the annual review meeting.

    Cricket related events have not been specified as there are two cases pending in the courts relating to it and involving ESPN Star Sports and Ten Sports.

    The mandatory sharing of feed of listed events is part of the downlinking norms, which were announced by the government in November 2005.

    Asked about the listed events released by the government, ESPN India managing director RC Venkateish said, “We are comfortable with the non-cricket list of sporting events.”

    The list of sports to be shared with DD include the summer and winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian games and Afro-Asian Games.

    On the soccer front, where the mercury is building up leading up to the Fifa World Cup in a couple of months time, the list includes the semi-final and final matches of Euro Cup and Fifa World Cup. For Asia Cup, it would be the semis, final and all matches featuring India.

    As far as domestic soccer tournaments are concerned, DD will have access to the semifinal and final matches of Subroto Cup, Santosh Trophy, Federation Cup, Durand Cup, National Women’s Football and Junior National Football.

    In tennis, all matches featuring India and the semis and final of Davis Cup will have to be shared with DD. For the Grand Slams and WTA, all the final matches (men’s, women’s, mixed doubles and doubles) feature in the government list, apart from any other matches featuring an India from quarter-final onward.

    In hockey, the World Cup semis, final and India matches will have to be shared with DD. For the Champions’ Trophy, its India matches plus the final, while on the domestic circuit, the Baton Cup and Gold Cup for Women will see the semis and finals on DD.

    In chess, the World Cup final and matches featuring any Indian from quarterfinal onward find mention in the list. Ditto for Chess Olympiad.

    The finals and India games of billiard and snooker World Cups also have made it as listed events.

  • Radio Mirchi launches in Bangalore and Jaipur

    Radio Mirchi launches in Bangalore and Jaipur

    MUMBAI: Entertainment Network (India) Limited (ENIL), which runs radio stations by the brand name – Radio Mirchi, has launched FM radio stations in Jaipur and Bangalore under the same brand name.

    Radio Mirchi 105 FM (Jaipur) and Radio Mirchi 93.3 FM (Bangalore) have become the first private FM radio stations to be launched under the Phase II of radio privatisation.

    In the Phase II bidding process over 250 frequencies across 90 cities were successfully auctioned in a process that lasted five weeks in January and February this year. ENIL won 25 licenses in addition to the seven stations it already operates.

    ENIL managing director and CEO A P Parigi said, “ENIL had established a landmark by launching radio stations barely two months after the completion of the bidding process. This was due to the meticulous planning and speedy implementation by the team at Radio Mirchi. This would not have been possible without a proactive ministry of information and broadcasting and other agencies like the Wireless Planning Cell and SACFA that put various permissions on a fast track basis and made the launch of radio stations possible in a short period.”

    Under the Phase II rules, radio stations are permitted to commence broadcasting by way of interim transmission facilities in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur. ENIL is already present in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

    The seven stations that ENIL already operates Radio Mirchi in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Ahmedabad and Pune.