ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Ntl:Telewest to acquire Virgin Mobile in $1.7 billion deal

    Ntl:Telewest to acquire Virgin Mobile in $1.7 billion deal

    MUMBAI: In another major buy out deal in the global telecom arena, UK cable company Ntl:Telewest has agreed to buy Virgin Mobile for 984.9 million pounds ($1.7 billion).

    The new company will operate under the Virgin brand following a 30 year licensing agreement.

    Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group owns 71.2 per cent of Virgin Mobile, has agreed to receive a mix of cash and Ntl:Telewest stock worth 378 pence per share for his stake, plus a licence fee for the Virgin brand worth about 9 million pounds a year.

    Reportedly, Branson will be the largest shareholder in the combined company with a stake of about 10 per cent, and he will have a representative on the Ntl:Telewest board.

    Virgin Mobile’s operating business will continue to be led by members of Virgin Mobile’s current management team, and it is intended that a marketing director from Virgin will join Ntl:Telewest, bringing Virgin’s brand expertise to the Ntl:Telewest management team.

  • Radio City launches ‘Life ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam’

    Radio City launches ‘Life ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam’

    MUMBAI: Starting Friday, 7 April, singer- anchor-actor, Sonu Niigaam makes his radio debut as the host of a new show on Radio City 91 FM, Mumbai – Life ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam.

    As Sonu Niigaam puts it, “I have always believed that versatility is my greatest strength. I like to explore different mediums & different kinds of performances and entertainment. This is my first on radio and I am grateful to Radio City to give me my own show on the radio station. The entire flavour of the show is fun and interactivity in a musical way, bringing the best of our music industry for music lovers in Mumbai. This will not only bring me closer to my fans but will also give me an opportunity to be a part of their daily lives.”

    Airing every Friday at 8 pm, Life ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam promises to be a double scoop of entertainment for the listeners. The first hour of this new show will feature Sonu at his best as a Radio Jockey. During this hour, listeners can learn from Sonu about a wide array of subjects, states an official release.

    Listeners can also interact with Sonu one-on-one and request for their favourites in the “Sonu ji suno na” section and be part of his memories as he gets nostalgic in “Sonu ki suhani yaad”. “Aaj ab abhi” showcases his mood at the moment, while “Kaash” speaks of his unfulfilled desires. For instance, Sonu Niigaam talks about how he missed out on the opportunity to work with the great R D Burman on the super hit song “Ek ladki ko dekha toh…” from 1942 – A Love Story. All this and more that will make you wonder why he didn’t opt to be a professional RJ much earlier in his career, the release adds.

    In the second hour, Sonu will step up gear by inviting a contemporary musical maestro or a veteran musician of yesteryears as a special guest on the hot seat, every week. The highlight of this segment, will be a stimulating tête-à-tête between the flamboyant singer and his high-profile guest, the likes of Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chouhan, Kunal Ganjawala, and Sandeep Chowta to name a few. The listeners will be witness to a stimulating conversation full of unadulterated fun, whacky and hilarious repartee between the guest & host as they spill the beans about their professional and personal triumphs.

    Says Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit, “At Radio City we have always believed that great music, innovation and creativity in our shows is what sets us apart. We always create content with a discerning focus on Music. Life ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam is yet another unique initiative in the station’s basket that reiterates our brand promise and urges our listeners to indulge in good music.”

    Apart from on-air presence, the show will go beyond radio sets and indulge its listeners with exciting on-ground initiatives like meet and greet events with Sonu Niigaam, contests, distributing celebrity merchandise, initiating a Sonu Niigaam fan club, SMS downloads and much more, the release informs.

    The first episode of Life ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam features Sonu Niigaam in conversation with Anu Malik. The deadly combination of Sonu & Anu has given us a number of hits like Border, Refugee and Main Hoon Na. Anu Malik reminisces his first recording with the legendary Mohammad Rafi. He takes a dig at Sonu Niigaam for imitating Radio City’s RJ Anirudh, and also takes up Sonu Niigaam’s challenge of singing a song completely without yoddling. The engaging conversation between the two stars will leave listeners gasping for more.

  • BVITV and France Telecom sign VOD agreement at MipTV

    BVITV and France Telecom sign VOD agreement at MipTV

    CANNES: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) and France Telecom have concluded a multi-year VOD (voice on demand) agreement to allow subscribers to enjoy a selection of movies from BVITV’s portfolio, through France Telecom’s Wanadoo broadband, and MaLigne IPTV set top box services.

    Under the new agreement, France Telecom’s subscribers will be able to enjoy a selection of current and library features from producer groups such as Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. Viewers will be able to access the content online via Wanadoo broadband, downloading movies for a period of up to 30 days, or via the MaLigne set top box service. On both services, titles will be available for 24 hours once the film has been accessed.

    The selection will include first run current titles such as Flightplan, Casanova, Finding Neverland, Kinky Boots and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

    In addition, subscribers will be able to enjoy a selection of library titles, including Pretty Woman, Armageddon Pearl Harbor, Signs and Unbreakable.

    For BVITV, this agreement was concluded by vice president sales, French-speaking Europe and Middle East Florent Gaignault and pay TV and new technologies vice president sales Damian Newton.

    BVITV EMEA senior vice president sales and portfolio development Philippe Maigret said, “We are working with operators such as France Telecom to provide secure ways for viewers across the world to access our movies online, on demand, and to help drive uptake of legitimate download services. This VOD agreement across France Telecom’s IPTV and broadband platforms marks the beginning of a key relationship, which we see eventually covering additional territories in Europe, across our programming portfolio for distribution on emerging platforms.”

    France Telecom executive vice president content division Patricia Langrand added, “We are very pleased to announce the first and promising step towards a strong and creative partnership. Our intention is to extend this first agreement to other territories and to develop our partnership with other content, such as BVITV’s fantastic portfolio of series. For that purpose, we will offer our commitment to our customers: my favourite programmes, everywhere, whenever I want, and the way I want.”

  • BVITV signs deals with Dubai TV for ‘Disney Club’ branded block

    BVITV signs deals with Dubai TV for ‘Disney Club’ branded block

    CANNES: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) has announced the launch of a new Disney branded block in the Middle East, with the conclusion of an agreement with free-to-air satellite broadcaster Dubai TV.

    This was announced by BVITV EMEA senior vice president sales and portfolio development Philippe Maigret and Dubai Media Inc CEO Hussain Lootah.

    This will significantly increase the presence of Disney-produced animation on TV in the Middle East, which will now have a potential reach of approximately 60 million households.

    Dubai TV’s new Disney Club block will run five days a week, for half hour each day excluding Thursdays and Fridays where it will run for one hour. The block will also include Kim Possible and Lilo & Stitch: The Series in its line-up. Dubai TV’s viewers will also be able to enjoy JoJo’s Circus and The Legend of Tarzan.

    BVITV’s vice president sales, French-speaking Europe and Middle East Florent Gaignault concluded the agreement with Ali Jaber of Dubai TV.

  • TV18 to pick up 50 per cent stake in JobStreet.com India

    TV18 to pick up 50 per cent stake in JobStreet.com India

    MUMBAI: Raghav Bhal promoted Television Eighteen Group is picking up a 50 per cent stake in JobStreet.com India Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of the Malaysia based listed online recruitment company JobStreet Corporation Berhad.

    As per the memorandum of understanding between the two companies, TV18 will initially infuse $ 2 million in cash and provide on-going media support to the business of the JobStreet.com.

    With this investment into JobStreet.com India, TV18 is making an aggressive entry into the e-recruiting market. The move is in line with the group’s increasing focus on the growing Internet opportunities in India.

    To JobStreet, this partnership meets its objective of combining its e-recruitment solution with a strategic local leader with media assets, which has proven to be a winning formula.

    TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla said, “We expect to strengthen our presence in the consumer Internet space with this acquisition – this is part of our strategy to expand our offering to Indian consumers by exploiting the growing power and reach of the Internet. Over the last five years, TV18 has consistently invested in and built successful Internet franchises in India.

    The group already owns well established online platforms – moneycontrol.com, commoditiescontrol.com, poweryourtrade.com and ibnlive.com.

    The group has also recently seeded yatra.in with Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) – Promod Haque’s venture capital firm, which aims to revolutionise the travel services space in India. With JobStreet.com India, we will bring value to millions of job seekers in India. We are delighted to partner with JobStreet in this exciting venture.”

  • ‘Kappa Mikey’ acquired by Nicktoons Network in the US

    ‘Kappa Mikey’ acquired by Nicktoons Network in the US

    CANNES: Nicktoons Network and MTV Networks International announced plans to secure 26 additional episodes of Animation Collective’s property Kappa Mikey, which became the Networks’ first-ever global acquisition when it was originally commissioned in 2005.

    The announcement was made at MipTV television market in Cannes by Nicktoons Network vice president and general manager Keith Dawkins and Animation Collective CEO and Kappa Mikey’s creator Larry Schwarz.

    The animated comedy series has posted strong ratings on Nicktoons Network in the US since its launch on 25 February and has been gaining momentum across key demos.

    The new deal comprises 26 half hour episodes and will bring the total number of episodes available for the series to 52. MTV Networks International, as per the original deal, secures international distribution rights for third-party broadcast sales for the new episodes.

    Kappa Mikey is the first anime series created and produced entirely in the US and beginning in May 2006, the first season of the series is set to launch across all of Nickelodeon’s international channels, including Nick Asia, Nick UK, Nick Spain, Nick France and Nick Europe.

    “We are so excited to be picking up a second season of Kappa Mikey, which further demonstrates our commitment to bring new, original and distinct content to our audience. Kids have lots of choices and the brands that connect themselves to the freshest ideas win. We believe that Kappa Mikey, the characters, the story and the funny, prove to be the kind of idea that kids fall in love with,” said Nicktoons Network general manager Keith Dawkins.

    “In Nicktoons Network we were fortunate to find the perfect home in which to introduce Kappa Mikey. The Network’s enthusiastic support and love for the property has led to its success. The speed with which they renewed the show, less than a week after its first airing, demonstrates the commitment they have made to building Kappa Mikey as a brand and how supportive they are of independent creator-producers. We feel very lucky to be able to continue to bring to life the world of Kappa Mikey, its characters and its stories,” said Schwarz.

    “Anime is an extremely popular genre around the world and we are delighted that the success of the first season of Kappa Mikey is being extended across 26 new episodes. Broadcasters have tremendous confidence in MTV Networks International’s ability to provide cutting edge, unrivalled hit properties and Kappa Mikey is certainly delivering,” MTV Networks International senior vice president international program sales Debbie Back.

  • Star News to enter Japan via SKY PerfecTV

    Star News to enter Japan via SKY PerfecTV

    NEW DELHI: Star News is all set to storm the Japan market by launching its services there later this month.

    Confirming the development, Star News CEO Uday Shankar told Indiantelevision.com, “The news channel will be available in Japan from this month and would be on a pay platform.”

    According to Shankar, international distribution of the channel is being handled by News Corp, one of the shareholders in MCCS that is the managing company for Star News and its present Bengali sibling Star Ananda.

    News Corp feels that the Hindi news channel would have viewership in Japan, though limited. Star News, one of the most widely distributed Indian news channel, has international footprints in South East Asia, Central Asia,
    Middle East, the UK, the USA and Australia.

    In Japan, Star News is likely to be on SKY PerfecTV, a leading multi-channel digital satellite television platform.

    Meanwhile MCCS, a 74:26 joint venture between Kolkata-based ABP TV and Hong Kong-headquartered Star Group, continues to explore the possibilities of expanding its portfolio base in India.

    Pointing out that talks on launching new products is an “ongoing process” between the two shareholders of the company, Shankar said, “Both ABP and Star are committed to make the requisite investment as and when the needs arise.”

    Asked whether MCCS would make more Indian language forays in 2006, Shankar did not rule out the possibility. “Some projects are being actively discussed and such ventures take time to materialise. But I am also not saying we would not launch any channel (in 2006).”

    A few days ago, Star News completed three years of operation under a new regime after the divorce from its long-standing content partner, NDTV, which has gone ahead since then to launch its own news channels.

    In February this year, Shankar completed two years at MCCS. Prior to this assignment, he was news director of Aaj Tak, the country’s most successful Hindi news channel in terms of market share.

  • OpenTV adds Auction and Sales modules to its multi-platform product

    OpenTV adds Auction and Sales modules to its multi-platform product

    CANNES: OpenTV Corp., which provides technology solutions for advanced digital television services, has released new Auction and Sales modules that will add support for television auctions and sales to its multi-platform OpenTV Participate product. OpenTV Participate enables viewers to participate in real-time or time-shifted competitions, votes, polls, quizzes and games, via mobile phones, web, IVR, and TV remote controls.

    The Auction and Sales modules are fully integrated with existing OpenTV Participate modules, including third party billing, fulfillment, accounts, customer care, bonus, loyalty, and marketing. Operators can now run a dedicated shopping or auction channel or individual shopping or auction events.

    As with all OpenTV Participate modules, the new Sales and Auction modules utilize wizard-based logic, enabling almost any type of sales or auction event-including the popular ‘bid up’ and ‘bid down’ auction models-to be created by non technical personnel. Support for selling content is also included, enabling broadcasters to offer pay-per-use and on-demand services such as mobile TV clips, downloads, or video streaming on any platform, states an official release.
    With these new modules, OpenTV continues to enhance OpenTV Participate’s unprecedented combination of functionality in a single, scalable system, enabling broadcasters and programmers to offer their viewers an even richer choice of interactive products and services.

    “Our vision for OpenTV Participate is to enable broadcasters to convert passive viewers into active customers by offering compelling interactive services and building a profile of their viewers’ TV habits,” said Amos Manasseh, OpenTV’s VP of Global Sales and Marketing for Participation Television. “These new modules further advance this vision as well as OpenTV Participate’s unique position in the market place, benefiting both broadcasters and advertisers alike.”

    OpenTV will be demonstrating OpenTV Participate at the upcoming MipTV/MILLA, NAB, and NCTA conferences, the release adds.

  • America Online is now AOL

    America Online is now AOL

    MUMBAI: After 15 years, AOL announced that it is retiring the name America Online and will now officially be known as AOL.

    AOL Chairman and CEO Jon Miller said, “Our company long ago accomplished the mission implied by our old name … we literally got America online. Our new corporate identity better reflects our expanded mission – to make everyone’s online experience better. Plus, consumers in the U.S. and around the world already know us by our initials.”

    The legal structure of AOL has also changed, from a corporation to a limited liability company.

  • FremantleMedia goes global with Jamie Oliver

    FremantleMedia goes global with Jamie Oliver

    CANNES: The distribution arm of global production company FremantleMedia, Fremantle International Distribution (FID), announced at MipTV a raft of international sales for a number of series starring celebrity British chef Jamie Oliver, including Jamie’s School Dinners, Jamie’s Great Italian Escape and Jamie’s Kitchen.

    Jamie’s School Dinners is currently planned to premiere in the US on TLC while Jamie’s Great Italian Escape will make its American debut on theTravel Channel.The launch of Jamie’s Kitchen, also on TLC, will mark the first time the show will air on one of the Discovery Communication Inc.’s cable networks.

    Both Jamie’s Kitchen and Jamie’s School Dinners have received tremendous praise from viewers and critics alike. Jamie’s Kitchen has recieved many awards like Indie Award, C4 Documentary Award (UK), Grierson, Most Entertaining Documentary(UK); Jamie’s School Dinners has won the National Television Award, Most Popular Factual Programme (UK).
    Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender commenting on the raft of international sales said, “Jamie Oliver’s accessibility and culinary creativity have allowed him to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers to create a great demand for his programming around the world. As we introduce Jamie to a wider audience in the United States, Discovery Communications Inc.’s unique array of networks provide the perfect venue for these premieres and make them the ideal partner.”

    Jamie’s Great Italian Escape follows Jamie’s impulsive trip to Italy where he searches for new sources of inspiration in order to reignite his passion for cooking. Driving from town to town in his trusty camper, Jamie’s adventures take him across the country as he learns about street food in Palermo, dines with monks in Farfa and hunts wild boar in the mountains of Le Marche.

    25 territories have to date snapped up Jamie’s latest series, Jamie’sGreat Italian Escape including RaiSat, Italy; TV Norge, Norway; TV Danmark, Denmark; SABC, South Africa; Kanal 5 Sweden; Discovery Asia; Network Ten, Australia; TVB, Hong Kong; TVNZ, New Zealand; RTL2, Germany; Food Network; Canada, WOWOW, Japan; GloboSat, Brazil; VMMA, Belgium; Ren-TV, Russia and CP 2000 and Ceska, Czech Republic.

    In Jamie’s School Dinners, Jamie embarks on a monumental undertaking: take charge of 20,000 school dinners a day in one of London’s most demanding areas. If he succeeds in transforming the way kids eat, Jamie will try to create a blueprint for school meals across the United Kingdom. But will Jamie’s efforts put him at the top of the class or will his quest to create a healthy eating curriculum prove too daunting a task?

    An impressive 33 territories have ordered Jamie’s School Dinners including ORF, Austria; OK-Nova TV, Croatia; Cuisine TV, France; RaiSat, Italy; SIC, Portugal and Kanal 5, Sweden, among others.

    Jamie’s Kitchen chronicles Jamie’s effort to open a brand new restaurant in London’s East End. Not only is this his first restaurant, but Jamie gives himself an additional challenge by selecting 15 unemployed and inexperienced Londoners to train as his chefs. A busy schedule, delays in construction, increasingly troublesome trainees and the birth of his child gradually make the process more difficult for Jamie as he seeks to prove that it’s a passion for food, not academic qualifications, that make a great chef.

    Jamie’s Kitchen has also proved to be a phenomenal globe-trotting series for FID, which has secured sales in over 40 territories, including RTL2 Germany; SBS, Denmark; TV Norge, Norway; Mico, Japan and TVB, Hong Kong.

    Also, FID has also sold Oliver’s Twist to TV Azteca,(Channel 7), in Mexico, which is the 50th market to have bought the series. Fronted by Oliver, Oliver’s Twist blends the culture and style of London street life with interesting people and delectable food. From the markets, to house parties and of course to Jamie’s new kitchen, Jamie cooks up fresh, simple food for good times with family and friends.