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Category: News Headline

  • Discovery Communication launches online homework service

    Discovery Communication launches online homework service

    MUMBAI: Capitalizing on broadband video, Discovery Communications has launched Cosmeo, an online homework help service engineered for the twenty first century family.

    The site has been designed for the generation that lives online, Cosmeo harnesses the power of broadband and media to help kids achieve academic breakthroughs.

    In an official statement, Cosmeo is the only comprehensive digital library that includes easy to digest homework help, interactive learning games and more than 30,000 video clips that are correlated to grade level and state curriculum standards.

    The intuitive interface allows kids in grades K through 12 across the 50 states to instantly reference video clips and other learning tools for any required assignment in all key subject areas.

    For more than 20 years, Discovery has been committed to providing knowledge that satisfies human curiosity across any platform,” Discovery Communications founder and chairman John Hendricks said. “Cosmeo will bring the world to students at the click of a mouse and will allow them to continue their learning experience at home and improve their performance at school.”

    “Cosmeo is the first educational tool to teach today’s kids in the way they learn best. This online product meets them where they’re spending most of their time and is helping to define how they learn today,” said Discovery Communications president and CEO Judith A McHale.

    “Cosmeo also gives parents a terrific window into their kids’ education and the ability to participate in their progress at school like never before. We sense families across the United States will find a real benefit in, for example, the WebMath section, which offers a full spectrum of math learning — from third-grade multiplication tables to advanced calculus — with easy-to- understand, step-by-step solutions,” added McHale.

    Cosmeo’s features include:

    30,000 educational videos that make complex topics easier to understand and retain;
    Powerful search tools that instantly locate information by subject,grade level, and keyword — something no other search engine can do;

    Over 15,000 interactive quizzes and 200 subject-related Brain Games, all supported by videos;
    20,000 high-resolution digital photos and 2,300 clip art images available for school projects;
    Digital encyclopedia with access to over 27,000 research articles, soon to be expanded;

    WebMath equation solver detailing step-by-step explanations to most math problems; and much more.

    Cosmeo, tested by educators and consumers with content proven to help students with homework and learning, is available for the introductory price of $9.95 per month or $99 per year after a free 30-day trial. The standard retail price of Cosmeo is $12.95 per month or $129 per year.

  • Bradford & Chua to speak at BroadcastAsia 2006 Intl Conference

    Bradford & Chua to speak at BroadcastAsia 2006 Intl Conference

    MUMBAI: This years knowledge exchange forum for the broadcasting and multimedia industry, the BroadcastAsia International Conference will feature industry veterans including Tandberg Television president Reggie Bradford and Asia’s first interactive cross media channel The Interactive Channel (TIC) founder Robert Chua.

    The BroadcastAsia International Conference will take place at the Singapore Expo from 19 to 22 June alongside BroadcastAsia2006. BroadcastAsia is Asias premier broadcasting and multimedia technology event.

    Delegates will benefit from Reggie Bradfords keen insight and experience as an entrepreneur and visionary within the global internet and television business.

    As president of Tandberg Television, Bradford plays a pivotal role in enabling customers to realise the full potential of their video networks. His primary focus is providing content providers and network operators in the Americas region with the world’s most advanced live and on-demand digital video solutions, states an official release.

    Robert Chua will be presenting an address on Cross Media Interactive TV Channels. Robert is a pioneer of terrestrial television in Hong Kong where he launched TVB. He brought Hong Kong audience their first and longest running variety show Enjoy Yourself Tonight and created the first Miss Hong Kong pageant, the release adds.

    The conference will present 14 tracks covering a wide spectrum of pertinent technology and business issues facing Asias broadcasting and multimedia industry today. These include:

    High Definition (covering HDTV technology)
    IPTV
    Broadcasting to Handhelds
    Digital Audio Broadcasting
    Interactive TV session
    Asian D-Cinema Summit (with a keynote address by 20th entury Fox)
    Capacity Building of Broadcast Sector
    Production (covering production issues and technology updates)
    Content Delivery
    Protecting Broadcast Content
    Satellite Interference Issues in the Broadcast Industry
    Testing and Measurement
    Two industry dialogues:
    Developments of Contents in / for Asian Markets,
    Content and Outsourcing
    States BroadcastAsia International Conference conference director Martin Salter, I am excited about the line-up of topics that address the hot issues facing the fast changing dynamics of the electronic media industry – from the large screen experience of D-Cinema, through to the opportunities of IPTV, and the new challenges of content creation and delivery to mobile devices.

    Yet current issues like the digital transition are not ignored. Presentations will be delivered by eminent speakers from a broad international base. These key sessions are augmented by specialised sessions from renowned organizations from around the world, he adds.

    Singapore Exhibition Services project director Jackson Yeoh says, The conference aims to provide delegates with the maximum opportunity to exchange ideas and network. This years conference will do just that – increase the level of sharing and knowledge exchange as well as provide them with insights and new perspectives, which can be applied to their daily work long after the conference ends.

  • Telstra, Microsoft, Broadcast Australia plan live mobile TV demonstration

    Telstra, Microsoft, Broadcast Australia plan live mobile TV demonstration

    MUMBAI: Telstra, Microsoft and Broadcast Australia have announced plans for Melbourne’s first live demonstration showcase of mobile TV as part of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

    This announcement follows the recent launch of Telstra’s live Big Pond mobile 3G and broadband service for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

    The demonstration will use Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H) technology, which allows simultaneous transmission of television, radio, video, audio and internet content to mobile phones, PDAs, PCs and other handheld devices.

    The Melbourne showcase service will broadcast up to seven channels of live Commonwealth Games coverage, including Channel Nine coverage of the games on specially enabled Windows Mobile handheld devices. The handsets will operate using Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software, and the content will be broadcast using Windows Media Video 9 compression technology to ensure efficient use of bandwidth. Broadcast Australia will provide the transmission infrastructure for the showcase service.

    Telstra Commonwealth Games executive Phill Sporton said viewers would be able to catch medal-winning performances in the DVB-H showcase at the Telstra Discovery Centre in Birrarung Marr for the duration of the Games. “Telstra is pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for our customers and partners to experience the new entertainment content available on mobile devices of the future,” said Sporton.

    The transmission of the DVB-H broadcast will begin on 15 March and end at the conclusion of the closing ceremony on 26 March.

  • ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge’leads to ‘Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’

    ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge’leads to ‘Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’

    NEW DELHI: Zee TV, the flagship of Zee Telefilms, has announced a brand new show with the same flavor of its successful Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005.

    Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, with double the frenzy will give the viewers an opportunity to see the talent and chemistry between couple contestants. The contestants will feature in duet performances with an aim of enhancing the richness of the show, the channel said.

    Speaking about the new show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa creative director Gajendra Singh offers, “As in all competitions, Challenge 2005 could have only one winner claiming the voice of India title. And the success of the show with solo performers was immense. We thought duet performances would only add more sheen to the already established equity of the show.

    Further reinforcing the point, Zee TV programming head Ashvini Yardi says, “Ek Main Aur Ek Tu is actually for the benefit of millions of viewers worldwide who just cannot get enough of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. As a channel committed to provide desirable entertainment, we were sure that this new version will bring in a fresh new look and a enhance the already existing popularity for the contestants, only this time with added grandeur and fanfare.”

    The series will revolve around the contestants who will be singing in couples. The best of the Challenge 2005 contestants will be selected for this and the viewers will be asked to select their favorite pair. Public voting would eliminate one couple every week and as the tensions mounts, India will get to choose the Ek Main Aur Ek Tu duo.

    The show launches of 16 March 2006 and is scheduled to air every Thursday and Friday at 10 pm.

  • Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends season 2 premieres on Nick

    Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends season 2 premieres on Nick

    MUMBAI: Miss Spider and her fun-loving clan ofbugs are back. Nick Jr. has begun airing the second season of Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends, the 3-D animated series based on the book series by David Kirk from 13 March.

    The new 20-episode season of Nick Jr.’s hit preschool series rolls out with a new half-hour episode premiering every day this week at 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT) through Thursday,16 March. Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends airs regularly weekdays on Nick Jr. at 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT) and weekends on CBS.

    Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends follows the days of Miss Spider, her husband Holley and their eight kids, four spiders and four adoptees from different insect species. Nearby are Spiderus, Grandma Betty, Uncle Gus and many other hoppers, fliers and crawlers. The Sunny Patch bugs are a miniature menagerie of creatures of every size, shape, color and personality that strive to get along and accept each other despite their differences. This CGI-animated show stars Emmy-nominated actress Kristin Davis as the voice of Miss Spider.

    Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (ET/PT) and weekends on CBS. Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.’s Emmy, Peabody and Parents’ Choice award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

  • HBO series Six Feet Under to be aired on Bravo

    HBO series Six Feet Under to be aired on Bravo

    MUMBAI: The NBC Universal-owned cable network Bravo has acquired the exclusive rebroadcast rights to 63 one-hour episodes of HBO’s critically acclaimed drama series Six Feet Under for the next four years.

    To be telecast on Bravo in the fall of 2006, Six Feet Under is a darkly comedic series about the trials and tribulations of a family of undertakers, played out against the solemn backdrop of an independent funeral home in Los Angeles. The series ran on HBO for five years.

    Six Feet Under was created by Alan Ball, Oscar-winning writer of the film American Beauty. The acclaimed series ended its run on HBO last year. It received 32 Emmy nominations and won seven times, and was nominated for eight Golden Globes, winning three.

    Bravo’s president Lauren Zalaznick said, “Six Feet Under represents the artistic, creative and critically acclaimed series that defines Bravo’s programming. The phenomenon that hooked so many HBO viewers will be brought back to ‘life’ on our air, now available to more than 80 million households, with its signature dark situational humor and dramatic irony.”

    Earlier, Bravo had acquired the rights to and aired HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show, as well as NBC’s The West Wing.

  • CDF to increase stake in USL

    CDF to increase stake in USL

    Century Direct Fund (CDF) of Mauritius LLC, which currently holds 18.42 per cent equity stakes in United Studios Ltd, will be increasing its stake by another one percent as TCFC Finance Ltd is selling out its stake in United Studios.

    United Studios Ltd is a company under the umbrella of Unilazer group. Other group companies include United Teleshopping, United TV (UTV), a TV software production organisation, and UTV Interactive which is a wholly-owned susbidiary of UTV.

    TCFC Finance Ltd held 71,000 equity shares constituting 0.77 per cent of the current paid up capital of United Studios. The investmend had been made as co-investor along with CDF to which TCFC was an advisor.

    As a result of a restructuring of the operations of TCFC Finance, it has ceased to be an advisor to CDF and has agreed to sell its investment in United Studios to Century Direct Fund.

    The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approved United Studios proposal recently. The other foreign shareholder in United Studios is Mitsui group of Japan which holds 18,49,990 shares aggregating to 20 per cent of the total paid up equity capital of the company.

    Total foreign equity in United Studios amount to 38.42 per cent amounting to 35,54,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each.

    Earlier, the government had given permission for foreign direct investment in United Studios subject to:

    *All future laws on broadcasting will be applicable to United Studios and it will not claim any privilege or protection by virtue of prior approval.

    *The company will not undertake any broadcasting from Indian soil unless specially permitted to do so by the government.

    * There will be no obligation on the part of Doordarshan to buy TV software from the joint venture company, United Studios.

    Earlier this year, Intel Pacific and GE Capital Mauritius Equity Investment picked up 12.86 and 6.98 per cent, respectively in United Teleshopping & Marketing Co. Ltd. Subsequently, the foreign equity in United Teleshopping has increased from 45.45 to 57.14 per cent amounting to Rs 360 lakh. United Teleshopping is in the process of issuing fresh equity of 13,50,000 shares of Rs 10 each in the revised paid up capital of Rs 630.07 lakh which will be subscribed as follows:

    * Draper India International Mauritius– 17.86 per cent
    * Walden-Nikko Mauritius Company, Mauritius– 19.44 per cent
    * Intel Pacific Incorporation, USA — 12.86 per cent
    * GE Capital Mauritius Equity Investment –6.98 per cent.

    Last year, UTV promoters had decided to buyout Rupert Murdoch-controlled News Corp’s 37 per cent equity stake in the Indian media house. Part of the additional funding for this News Corp shareholding buyback came from FII, Warburg Pincus.

  • Nimbus signs more global broadcasters for India cricket

    Nimbus signs more global broadcasters for India cricket

    MUMBAI: Nimbus Communications Limited, the global media rights partner of the BCCI, has entered into TV licensing agreement for terrestrial broadcast of Indian cricket in Kenya, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    The company has also closed a four year deal with Super Sport, the South African pay TV service.
    Nimbus, in an official release, claimed that it worked out a comprehensive telecast strategy for the Middle East with the signing of the radio rights deal with Hum FM and the TV rights deal with Ten Sports.

    According to the official communiqué, the Sinhala ‘edutainment’ channel Derana has secured the terrestrial TV rights for Sri Lanka for the ongoing England series. The series’ non exclusive pay TV rights for Hong Kong and Sri Lanka have been acquired by Ten Sports.

    Says Nimbus VP International & Syndication Vikram Das, “We are proud to be associated with the phenomenal expansion of the reach of Indian cricket. In a very short space of time we’ve achieved outstanding results in terms of reach, revenues and platforms.”

    With the latest round of deals announced, Indian cricket is now going live onto every continent: America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia and is available on television, radio and internet broadband, the release adds.

  • Brown Shoe teams with Nickelodeon for new lines of kids’ footwear

    Brown Shoe teams with Nickelodeon for new lines of kids’ footwear

    MUMBAI:A strategic multi-property licensing agreement has been announced between Brown Shoe company’s Buster Brown & Co. kids’ division and the entertainment brand for kids, Nickelodeon.

    The two companies plan to collaborate to create and launch several lines of footwear based on Nickelodeon’s newest television programs.

    The first four collections will ship to retail stores in July, just in time for the back-to-school season. The lines include a full assortment of casual shoes, boots, sport fusion athletic shoes and slippers featuring popular Nick Jr. characters from Go, Diego, Go! (for boys) and Backyardigans (girls and boys) for ages 2-6, as well as new girls’ fashion brands based on the Nickelodeon shows Unfabulous and Zoey 101.

    Brown Shoe director of marketing and licensing Todd Murray said, “This partnership with Nickelodeon enables us to give kids the Nickelodeon brands they know and love in stylish, fun footwear. Our Nickelodeon footwear will be as dynamic and engaging as the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows.”

    Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the third largest licensing business in the world with $4.7 billion in retail sales in 2004, from such properties as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The department handles the merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

    In its 26th year, Nickelodeon is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films.

    Brown Shoe is a $2.3 billion footwear company with global operations. The company operates the 900+ store Famous Footwear chain, which sells brand name shoes for the family.

  • Rahul Johri promoted as senior VP ad sales at Discovery Networks India

    Rahul Johri promoted as senior VP ad sales at Discovery Networks India

    MUMBAI: Discovery Networks India has promoted Rahul Johri to senior VP advertising sales.

    In his role, Johri will partake in the company’s overall growth strategy and new ventures in the region. He will continue to lead the company’s national sales team.

    In addition, he will also spearhead the public relations department. Johri will continue to report to Discovery Networks India managing networks Deepak Shourie, with whom he has worked for many years at Outlook, Hindustan Times, Zee and now at Discovery, informs an official statement.

    Johri joined Discovery Networks India as director-advertising sales in 2001. Promoted to vice president – advertising sales in 2003, he led a strong and motivated sales team and brought the country’s leading brands to advertise on the company’s three channels in India – Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel & Living and Animal Planet.

    Shourie says, “Rahul has significantly contributed to the success of the India growth strategy. He has led a highly motivated team that has firmly established the three channels in the minds of the advertising community.”