ITV

Category: News Headline

  • B4U’s Gautam joins UTV as film distribution, India head

    B4U’s Gautam joins UTV as film distribution, India head

    MUMBAI: B4U Network chief operating officer of India operations BL Gautam has quit the company. He has joined UTV Software Communications where he will head the film distribution business in India. He will also commercially facilitate greenlighting of movie projects.

    “Gautam has joined us. He will head our domestic film distribution business. He will also work closely with our movie project heads and be engaged in the commercial side of it like budgeting, reviewing the production process and negotiating,” says UTV Software Communications COO Ronald D’Mello. Aditya Shastri, who had joined UTV as COO motion pictures production, recently left the company.

    Before joining B4U, Gautam was with Zee Telefilms where he served as senior vice-president and moved on to become director commercial from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that, Gautam served the Indian Government as the superintendent of customs and was awarded the presidential Award in 1998 for distinguished service in that role.

    UTV has been enjoying major successes on the movie front with productions like the Aamir Khan super hit Rang De Basanti hitting the jackpot. The company has also distributed products in various territories including heavyweight titles such as Lagaan, Lakshya, Mission Kashmir, Parineeta and Viruddh.

    B4U Network is yet to announce a replacement for Gautam. The company owns and runs B4U Movies and B4U Music.

  • Hasbro wins game & toy rights to BBC & Ragdoll series ‘In the Night Garden’

    Hasbro wins game & toy rights to BBC & Ragdoll series ‘In the Night Garden’

    MUMBAI: Hasbro has been awarded the master toy and game license to BBC Worldwide and Ragdoll Ltd’s new upcoming preschool television series In the Night Garden.

    The series is due to launch on the BBC next year. Under a multi-year, global deal, Hasbro has been given rights for a wide range of toy categories, including preschool, infant and toddler toys, games, jigsaw puzzles, creative play products, proprietary interactive formats and ride-ons. Hasbro’s product line, to be marketed under its Playskool banner, is expected to debut in the U.K. in fall 2007, with rollout to other markets, including the U.S., expected to begin in 2008.

    The 100×30-minute show for kids aged 1 to 3 was devised by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport, the creative partnership responsible for Teletubbies.

    Hasbro VP of marketing for licensed products Leigh Anne Cappello said, “In the Night Garden is a truly enchanting property with characters that will translate beautifully to a fun and engaging product line. The unique and wholesome message that In the Night Garden delivers to both parents and kids fits in perfectly with our mission for Playskool.”

    It will spotlight “a host of wonderfully silly characters living together within a happy and caring community,” according to BBC Worldwide. The series, filmed in a forest, will blend live costumed characters with computer generated animation.

  • BBC Worldwide in content deal with European ISP T-Online

    BBC Worldwide in content deal with European ISP T-Online

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial consumer arm, has concluded an agreement with European ISP T-Online to provide content for its Video on Demand service.

    The agreement will see science, factual and arts programming from BBC Worldwide available to subscribers via T-Online’s Video on Demand portal. Additionally, a selection of the programming will soon be accessible in High Definition (HD) format.

    For the introductory price of €1.95, subscribers can view their chosen programme as often as they like within the 24-hour rental period. All that’s needed is a DSL connection, a T-Online tariff and a PC or, for use on a living room TV, a Media Receiver certified ‘Ready for T-Online Vision’.

    BBC Worldwide head of German Speaking Territories IIsabelle Helle said, “Video on demand is revolutionising the way the world watches television. Today’s agreement will allow Germany’s T-Online customers to view BBC programmes in an exciting and innovative way. It also further emphasises BBC Worldwide’s commitment to this new and important method of content provision.”

    T-Online International’s Burkhard Graßmann, said, “This agreement strengthens T-Online’s place at the forefront of next generation home entertainment, providing our customers with the opportunity to enjoy a range of films and communication services direct to their living rooms. Furthermore, this partnership gives users the possibility to see a number of documentaries in trend-setting high definition quality.”

    The announcement with T-Online follows a number of other agreements which BBC Worldwide has secured to provide content for video on demand services to such international VoD providers as Versatel in Holland, Hot Vision in Israel, Ebismedia in Italy and Telefonica in Spain.

  • Buena Vista Intl TV EMEA appoints Taylor as VP legal & business affairs

    Buena Vista Intl TV EMEA appoints Taylor as VP legal & business affairs

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) EMEA has appointed Simon Taylor as vice president legal and business affairs. This was announced by BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis and Disney senior vice president and European general counsel Peter Wiley.

    In this London-based role, Taylor will be responsible for managing all legal and business affairs for BVITV’s television and new media distribution business. Within this, he will work closely with both Toumazis and Wiley, and will manage a BVITV legal and business affairs team of 11 based in London and Paris. He will also become a member of BVITV’s executive team.

    Taylor will join BVITV next month from his role as business consultant to a range of clients in the entertainment broadcasting, production and distribution sectors. Prior to this, he was HIT Entertainment’s legal and business affairs director from 2000 to 2002. Before that he was at BBC TV Programme Acquisition as head of business and legal affairs from 1994 to 2000.

    Toumazis said, “I’m delighted that someone with Simon’s experience and knowledge of the industry will help us manage the number of business opportunities and legal issues we face in the industry, including emerging new technology platforms and assisting with our continued efforts against piracy.”

    Wiley added, “Simon’s extensive track record of in-house legal experience in the international media industry will prove invaluable for our whole company.”

    “I’m excited to be joining such a dynamic business and looking forward to working with the team to further success, working with the great content BVITV has, and helping take advantage of the opportunities that the market has to offer,” said Taylor.

  • DirecTV expands Intl programming platform with Korean language package

    DirecTV expands Intl programming platform with Korean language package

    MUMBAI: DirecTV is continuing to grow its international programming platform, WorldDirect, with the addition of three leading Korean-language networks – MBC, YTN, and Christian Television Systems (CTS).

    In addition, DirecTV also offers the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), a top-rated Korean network, which launched on the WorldDirect platform last year.

    SBS, MBC and YTN will be available as part of the new DirecTV KoreanDirect package, which is currently available to DirecTV customers nationwide for $26.99 per month. CTS will be available on an a la carte basis for $4.99 per month, according to an official release.

    DirecTV International VP Aaron McNally said, “DirecTV is offering the Korean community living in the United States not only the best Korean-language programming lineup, but also the leading English-language program offering as well. We are truly a one-stop shop for the best television viewing experience available. By partnering with the leading networks in Korea, DirecTV is able to provide a superior programming lineup compared to its competitors, and deliver a programming package that keeps the Korean community informed, entertained and connected to their homeland.”

    SBS, a top-rated Korean network, has designed its programming to feed the needs of all its viewers by providing content that is both informative and entertaining. MBC

    MBC is a top-rated, 24-hour Korean network. “M” stands for “Munwha” in Korean, which means “culture” in English. MBC offers programs such as news, sports, cultural programs, variety shows, drama, comedy and documentaries.

    YTN is the only 24-hour a day, comprehensive Korean news channel. The network, encompassing local branches and 100-plus foreign correspondents bringing news from over 50 major cities around the world, provides Korean-Americans with up-to-the-minute news and events coverage from Korea and around the world.

    Founded by the Korean Primary Christian Denomination, CTS is a gospel broadcasting channel serving Christian Koreans in the United States. For more information on how to receive KoreanDirect, customers should call (800) 378-3309.

    The DirecTV WorldDirect platform has launched 39 channels that deliver a wide variety of new programming in multiple foreign-languages, including Russian, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Italian and Ukrainian, to underserved ethnic markets throughout the United States.

    DirecTV customers will need to use a WorldDirect services satellite dish that is capable of receiving both international and English-language programming. In some markets, customers who subscribe to a local channels package will require a second smaller dish.

  • Entertainment networks off air as Bangalore mourns Rajkumar’s death

    Entertainment networks off air as Bangalore mourns Rajkumar’s death

    BANGALORE / MUMBAI: India’s I-T hub of Bangalore shut down today as increasingly violent mourners gathered from around the state for Karnataka cinema’s legendary icon Rajkumar’s funeral.

    As a mark of respect (and also fearing possible attacks) cable networks in the city switched off all their entertainment channels. Only news channels were beaming ahead of Rajkumar’s cremation this evening, which will be conducted with full state honours.

    “The Kannada Sanga has requested us to switch off all entertainment channels in Bangalore today, as a mark of respect to Dr Rajkumar,” said the head of an MSO, while speaking to indiantelevision.com.

    Only the news channels are being telecast. Local Kannada channels Udaya and ETV are running on the cable networks as they have taken serials off air and are only showing programmes related to Dr Rajkumar. The entire Star, Zee and Sony-Discovery’s One Alliance channels are off.

    “Cable operators in Bangalore decided to switch off all entertainment channels from midnight. We expect to put the channels on from tomorrow once Rajkumar’s body is cremated,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom head of digital in Bangalore Mathur Nath.

    Cable operators were also contacted by the Kannada activists yesterday. Popular Tamil channels including Sun TV and Jaya TV were pulled off air.

    The entertainment channel blackout seems restricted to Bangalore alone, since enquiries from Mysore reveal that entertainment channels are on there, as has also been confirmed by a Bangalore MSO who has a network in Mysore too, though shops and businesses have remained closed there too.

    As per reports, policemen have been a target of the public ire and TV news channels showed scenes of unruly mobs chasing and beating up policemen.

    Rajkumar, known to fans as “Aannavru” or elder brother, died yesterday aged 77, following a cardiac arrest. The thespian, winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke and Padma Bhushan awards along with a host of other citations, has encouraged the use of Kannada language in the state. His 45-year career in cinema included more than 200 Kannada-language films.

  • ESPN launches 10th International edition of flagship show ‘SportsCenter’

    ESPN launches 10th International edition of flagship show ‘SportsCenter’

    MUMBAI: ESPN has launched the 10th international version of its news and information show SportsCenter. The Japanese edition will air on J Sports ESPN every Monday night.

    The show covers the major weekend sporting events relevant to Japanese viewers, as well as international sports with particular appeal to local fans. It is hosted by Yoko Umeda from the J Sports ESPN studios in Tokyo.

    ESPN Asia Pacific VP and GM Bernard Stewart said, “The Japanese version of SportsCenter is a perfect example of ESPN’s commitment to provide locally relevant news and information to sports fans in each region of the world.”

    SportsCenter is produced in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and now Japanese. The local SportsCenters air on ESPN and ESPN+ in Latin America, ESPN Dos Mexico, ESPN Brasil, TSN Canada, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) across Asia, ESS India, ESS Hong Kong, ESS Taiwan, MBC Korea and J Sports ESPN.

  • Europe’s RTL takes complete stake in n-TV

    Europe’s RTL takes complete stake in n-TV

    MUMBAI: Europe’s largest broadcaster, RTL Group has taken full control of the German news network n-tv, acquiring CNN’s 50 percent stake for an undisclosed sum.

    The Bonn-based German Cartel Office approved the move for RTL to acquire the 50 percent stake owned by Atlanta, Georgia-based CNN, the European broadcaster said in a statement.

    RTL had applied to the German Cartel Office last November to take 100 percent control of the channel. The regulatory authority has approved the acquisition without any stipulations, according to media reports.

    The German Cartel Office said it has approved Bertelsmann AG’s TV station RTL Television GmbH’s takeover of the German news station n-tv, despite expressing reservations.

    The cartel office noted that RTL Group – with its stations RTL, VOX, Super RTL and n-tv – and its rival ProSiebenSat.1 GruppeMedia AG, enjoy a duopoly control of the German television market.

    It said that rejecting the takeover would not weaken this duopoly nor reduce the advertising customers that RTL enjoys from the n-tv station.
    RTL Germany head. Anke Schaeferkordt said, “We welcome the decision of the cartel office and are excited that n-tv has become the most important member of the RTL family.”

  • IBF board to discuss CAS on 5 April

    IBF board to discuss CAS on 5 April

    NEW DELHI: Even as Siti Cable today made a presentation on conditional access system to stakeholders during a government-sponsored meeting, the broadcasters said the issue of rollout would be discussed at a board meeting before they finalise their stand.

    The Siti Cable presentation basically dwelt on various aspects of CAS, but hinged on the fact that between 180-200 days would be needed as preparation time for final rollout of addressability in Indian cable homes in the metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

    Siti Cable is also in favour of standardization of all contractual agreements that are entered between a broadcaster and MSO; an MSO and a cable operator and a local operator and a consumer.

    Though the six-hour long meeting took up various viewpoints and modalities that could be followed before the government notifies a date for rollout of CAS, representatives from most major pay broadcasters did not attend today’s meeting.

    Those who could be said to be representing the broadcasting community included a senior official from the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an apex body of all broadcasters active in India, and Zee Telefilms’ Jawahar Goel.

    Broadcasters haven’t yet given a formal submission to the government on CAS, which is expected to come through on 7 April when the government will hold another round of meeting with industry stakeholders.

    Meanwhile, Indiantelevision.com learns that the board of IBF will discuss addressability in a meeting on Wednesday (5 April).

    Some of the issues relating to CAS implementation, which have been informally raised by broadcasters with the government, include piracy, quality of service and parameters to decide standardized agreements amongst industry stakeholders.

    It is also learnt that the broadcasters are averse to supplying maximum retail price for a TV channel for the end consumer.

    The pay broadcasters, yet to articulate their final stand on this issue, feel a mechanism could be evolved whereby wholesale price of individual channels and bouquets could be supplied to MSOs who then could decide what a channel should cost to the consumer after including their margins for providing a service.

    After today’s meeting, an independent cable operator of Delhi, Dr. AK Rastogi, said, “We have been discussing CAS for few days now. But to me, it seems, final implementation, as directed by the Delhi High Court, will take more time than what had been envisaged.”

  • Vijay TV announces special line up for Tamil New Year day

    Vijay TV announces special line up for Tamil New Year day

    MUMBAI: On the occasion of the Tamil New Year day on 14 April, Vijay TV will begin the day with Kandha Shashti Kavasam, a tribute to the Lord Muruga at 5:30 am.

    This will be followed by Mangala Isai at 6 am, a divine Nadhaswaram recital by famous exponents. Stay tuned to Arul Urai at 6:30 pm – One of the most respected spiritual leader comes to your living rooms through Vijay TV for this Tamil New Year.

    Nammai Marandarai Naam Marakka Mattom at 7 am: A classical dance presentation by the actress Swarnamalya. With the help of a diverse combination of music, dance and poetry, she beautifully portrays an extract of the great Tamil literature Silapadikaram.

    Leoniyin Sirappu Pattimandram at 8 am: A debate, hosted by Dindugal Leoni a famous mediator who steers a debate through comic interjections & humorous anecdotes. Pattimandram are immensely popular with a Tamil viewing audience on a topic pertinent to the society – watch this space for some serious laughter.

    Sabaash – Sariyana Potti at 9 am: A Karaoke based musical game show hosted by a celebrity as the popular singers of the industry like Harish,Tippu,Chinmayi,Saindavi,Devan,Ranjith among many others face each other in this battle of the sexes. Stay tuned for loads of excitement.

    Ready Joot at 10:30 am: Three popular TV artistes have to convince 3 other celebrities Meera Vasudevan, Venkat Prabhu and Chetan to go on an all-expense paid vacation abroad but in the next 4 hours. Then begins the race to the finish among the 3 individuals. The celebrity whose participants wins also wins an all expense paid trip to one destination abroad.

    Shreya Udan Oru Naal at 11:30 am: A great opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the leading celebrities from the Tamil film industry. Watch out.

    Sigaram Thotta Thamizhargal at 12:30 am: The winner of the viewer poll of Airtel Sigaram Thotta Thamizhargal will be announced on this special day. Along with a special feature about the winner, the show will also feature the other nominees and their achievements.

    Special Movie – Terminator 2: Judgment Day at 1:30 pm
    Manadhodu Oru Mazhai Kaalam at 4:30 pm : A sneak peek into the making of the film Manadhodu Oru Mazhai Kaalam starring popular hero Shyam and Samiksha of Arindhum Ariyamalum fame. Tune in for interviews, snippets and much more.

    Vijayin Diary at 5 pm: A one hour special interview with the biggest star of Kollywood Vijay.Tune into find out more about this intense actor as he talks about work, life and everything in between.

    Kalooori Kanavugal at 6 pm: A show sprinkled with doses of humor, featuring the flavor of the different colleges across the state, highlighting the culture, the students, the achievements and college life. Directed at a young audience and hosted by a vibrant anchor.

    Isai – The Legends at 7 pm: On this special day, Vijay brings to you some of the best moments of events held by Vijay featuring popular singers, artistes and other performers.