ITV

Category: Press Release

  • SES sees robust first half

    SES sees robust first half

    MUMBAI: SES S.A., a leading worldwide satellite operator (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), reports financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2014.

        
    • H1 Revenue of EUR 938.9 million (2013: EUR 910.5 million)

    – An increase of 6.3% over the prior year period at constant exchange rates (“constant FX”)1

     

    • H1 EBITDA of EUR 693.8 million (2013: EUR 662.0 million)

    – An increase of 7.4% at constant FX over the prior year

    – EBITDA margin of 73.9% (2013: 72.7% as reported)

     

    • Operating profit rose to EUR 437.5 million, an increase of 9.4% at constant FX

     

    • H1 Profit of the group increased 8.5% to EUR 290.9 million (2013: EUR 268.0 million)

     

    • Contract backlog of EUR 7.2 billion at end of June 2014

     

    • Closing Net Debt / EBITDA ratio of 2.85 (30 June 2013: 3.07) Karim Michel Sabbagh, President and CEO, commented:

     

    “SES’s continuing successful development  and execution of the 2014 plan has delivered robust first half results that validate our strategy to address target regions and market verticals. Video remains core to our business. Europe and the International segments posted strong growth, while the North American  segment  continued  to be affected  by the U.S. Government  budget  sequester.  The 2014 financial guidance is reiterated.

     

    Three satellites were brought into service in the period, further developing our capabilities in Europe, MENA and Asia-Pacific.  Four more satellites are under construction,  including the newly announced SES-12, a hybrid satellite for the Asia-Pacific region, which will benefit from the dual innovations of an HTS  payload  and  all-electric  propulsion.  These  programmes,  all components  of our  medium  term CapEx  plan,  will  enhance  our  differentiated  positioning  in  the  developing  markets  that  we  are targeting.

     

    On 10 July 2014, O3b Networks, the satellite company building ‘Fibre in the Sky’, in which SES has a significant  interest,  successfully  launched  its  second  group  of  four  satellites.    O3b’s  full  suite  of commercial services will be offered once in-orbit testing is completed.   We look forward to O3b’s successful commercialisation  of its product range with customers across the underserved markets of the world.”

     

    Click here to read the financial highlights

  • It was Fast and Furious weekend: Star Movies Trends on Twitter for over 34 hours!

    It was Fast and Furious weekend: Star Movies Trends on Twitter for over 34 hours!

    MUMBAI: Star Movies India took Twitter by storm on 19th and 20th July, with the television premiere of cult action movie Fast & Furious 6. With exciting contests #FastSelfie and #FastBid, the twitterati went fast and furious and the hash tags trended in India for over 34 hours on Twitter.

    Wondering what the mad rush was all about? Simple! Love clicking selfies? Then click it while watching the television premiere of Fast & Furious 6 and the winners will be gratified with a ride in the ultimate super sports car SLS-AMG on India’s only Formula 1 track – the Buddh international Circuit. Movie fans, mean-machine fans or fans of speed, stormed over twitter with #FastSelfie from all over the country for over an astounding 24 hours. The conversation also trended no. 1 in India. The race for the ultimate #FastBid saw the hashtag trend for over 10 hours with the competent bidder vying to lay their hands on the special collectibles. Twitter reported a total of an extraordinary 49 million impressions for Fast & Furious 6 activity, while over 10,000 entries participated in the contest. A rare contest for a rare movie, truly Fast & Furious.

     

  • WKL announces title sponsor and franchisees

    WKL announces title sponsor and franchisees

    MUMBAI: World Kabaddi League today unveiled the league franchisees names and logos. Wave Group will be the title sponsor for the inaugural edition of the league. The announcements were made in the presence of World Kabaddi League President and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, WKL Commissioner  Pargat Singh, WKL CEO  Raman Raheja, WKL league franchise owners Yo Yo Honey Singh, Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Rajat Bedi, Wave Group Chairman Rajinder Chadha, and MSM Sony Entertainment N P Singh. The franchisee owners- Fastway Sports Development Pvt. Ltd, Tut Group, Mr Purewal, Hayre Group, Mr. Sanan from R & AAR Communications Pvt. Ltd. (Focus Haryana) were also present at the event.

     

    Respective franchisee owners showcased their team logos. The marquee players made impactful entries exhibiting their passion for the sport. Speaking on the occasion Badal said, ““I always wanted to transform the sports landscape and enable the growth of a multi-sport culture in India. Kabaddi is a truly indigenous Indian sport and promotes healthy lifestyle amongst the youth. I wanted to take it to the next level and hence I decided to take this indigenous Indian sport to a global platform through World Kabaddi League. The league will bring acclaimed Indian and international players on the same platform. I am thankful to all the promoters, partners and other associates who have shown faith in us and supported us in launching the league. I truly believe that World Kabaddi League will begin an American style private sporting culture in India.”

     

    WKL Commissioner Pargat Singh, Commissioner  said “Kabaddi is an extraordinary sport. It’s a sport that requires no equipment and very little space. There’s a lot of excitement in this sport which has an intrinsic potential to become a top spectator sport. World Kabaddi League aims to build an ecosystem to showcase our sporting talent at an international level. We believe kabaddi will offer an engrossing and engaging experience to the audience.” WKL CEO Raman Raheja said, “World Kabaddi League is all set to take off and we all are very excited. We are thankful for the support we have gotten from all the stakeholders for the league. We are grateful to the Wave Group who have always promoted sports in India and this time they have associated with us to promote Kabaddi and help us in taking it to the global level. The support which we have gotten from the team owners is exceptional and I am sure that it will be a great entertaining league for everyone.”

     

    Wave Group Chairman Rajinder Singh Chadha  said, “Wave Group has strong association with sports in India. We have always promoted off beat sports. Kabaddi is the rustic charm of our country. Most of the Indians associate themselves with kabaddi. We are proud to be associated with World Kabaddi League. We believe the global format of World Kabaddi League will bring paradigm shift in the sports entertainment industry.”

     

     MSM Sony Entertainment CEO N P Singh said, “We are excited to be the broadcast partner of the World Kabaddi League. Kabaddi is all set to go international with WKL. There’s a lot of inherent action & excitement in the sport and it brings something unique and fresh for the viewers. We will make every effort to popularize the sport across the globe. We are confident that we will create immense visibility for the sport among the fans not only in India but all over in the world.”

     

    Also present at the event was  International Tractors Limited Managing Director Deepak Mittal, who is one of the official partners of the league. The company is into the business of manufacturing popular tractor brand ‘Sonalika’.

     

    PTC is going to be the international TV Broadcast partner for WKL across markets of North America, South America, United Kingdom and Canada. World Kabaddi League is set to kick off from 9 August and will see various national and international Kabaddi players in action through 8 franchisees. The league will follow the Formula 1 style touring sports format and will be played across 3 continents. With 86 matches, the first season will be played on the weekends.

     

    WKL aims to become the go-to brand when it comes to sports entertainment and delivering value to its partners and sponsors. WKL as a brand embodies strength, power, agility, tactic, entertainment, masculinity and aggression. It is taking an indigenous sport to the world and redefining it for the Indian audience. It gives Kabaddi a ‘gladiatorial’ persona and adds loads of spunk and aura around the sport. WKL will vie for a niche currently occupied by well-established sports like football, WWE, and cricket. WKL brand visual identity, tone and texture are global and aspirational.

  • CNN-IBN & IBN7 pay tribute to Kargil Martyrs

    CNN-IBN & IBN7 pay tribute to Kargil Martyrs

    MUMBAI: The Kargil War saw many of our young soldiers make the ultimate sacrifice for India. The sacrifice made by these martyrs still remains fresh in the mind of all Indians. To mark the 15th anniversary of the end of the Kargil war, CNN-IBN & IBN7 remember the brave hearts of the Indian Army and pay homage to these martyrs

    CNN-IBN will air the following special show on Kargil – Lest WE FORGET…KARGIL: CNN-IBN’s Senior Editor and leading Prime Time Anchor, Anubha Bhonsle travels across the battlegrounds of Kargil and Dras to take the viewers back to the 1999 war. It captures the sacrifices made at Kargil by our veer jawans (brave soldiers) and helps us recall incredible bravery that secured the inaccessible Tiger Hill and Tololing Ridge and pushed back the infiltrators. The show will also make an on-ground assessment of the Indian Army’s current state of battle- readiness in this hostile Ladakh terrain. Anubha Bhonsle also meets families of the Kargil martyrs and spends time with civilians who were caught in the conflict, and finds out how the battle scarred many of them forever.

    On IBN7, the line-up of special shows on Kargil will include –

    1. Tumko Bhul Na Payenge – This special show will feature the families of Kargil martyrs and find out how they have dealt with the loss of their loved ones over the years and how their lives have been affected in the last 15 years.

    2. Kargil – Qurbani Ka Dedh Dashak – will recap the Kargil war, the reasons behind the conflict, how it was fought to ensure Indian victory over Pakistan Army. Also, on the show find out how the army celebrates its victory and re-occupation of Tiger Hill.

    Don’t miss this special documentary “Lest We Forget” on Saturday, July 26th @ 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM and Sunday, July 27th @ 12:30 PM & 7:30 PM only on CNN-IBN & “Tumko Bhul Na Payenge” on Friday, July 25th @ 7.30 PM PM and “Kargil- Qurbani Ka Dedh Dashak” on Saturday, July 26th @ 7.30 PM only on IBN7.

  • Salman Khan & Chhota Bheem ‘KICK’ it together for POGO

    Salman Khan & Chhota Bheem ‘KICK’ it together for POGO

    MUMBAI: In a first of its kind venture, POGO has partnered with upcoming Bollywood movie Kick to create a special TV presentation with Salman Khan and Chhota Bheem. The special titled Bheem aur Salman ki Kickwill air on 27 July at 12:00 PM only on POGO.

     

    The 90 minute special presentation is an action-packed combination of Salman Khan’s antics and never-seen-before episodes of Chhota Bheem. Audiences will be entertained by both superheroes sharing anecdotes on defeating villains and displaying some super cool moves, especially their own unique kick style.

    Salman had some candid confessions to make about Chhota Bheem. He said, “Mere bare meinitna mat sochna, dilmeinaatahu, samajhmeinnahin. Lekin Chhota Bheem tohdilmeinbhiaatahaiaursamajhmeinbhi.”

    “Villain Bheem kepeeche, Bheem villain kepeeche”, Salman chuckled at this remembering his dialogue from the film and exclaimed, “Too much fun!”
    Krishna Desai, Ex. Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “At Turner, we believe in engaging our audiences by delivering unique and entertaining content. This one of a kind partnership between POGO and Kick will bring together India’s most beloved heroes – Salman Khan and Chhota Bheem! We couldn’t be more excited at the promising success of this initiative!

     

    For Bheem aur Salman ki Kick, Salman Khan recorded links that will be synced with the plot, boosting the narrative to that of a Bollywood mega blockbuster.

  • MIPTV 2015 announces 2nd MIP DIGITAL FRONTS in APRIL 2015 in Cannes

    MIPTV 2015 announces 2nd MIP DIGITAL FRONTS in APRIL 2015 in Cannes

    MUMBAI: MIPTV 2015 today announces the second edition of MIP DIGITAL FRONTS, the annual international screenings and market for original online video with the confirmation of YouTube, for the second year running, as first Founding Partner. The MIP Digital Fronts will take place during MIPTV from 13-15 April 2015 in Cannes, France.

     

    “The inaugural MIP DIGITAL FRONTS in  2014 offered a unique global platform for YouTube creators, traditional TV producers and film studios to promote their web video talent” said Ben McOwen Wilson, Director YouTube EMEA. “Following the success of this year’s event, YouTube is delighted to be on board once again next year as a Founding Partner.”

     

    “MIPTV  has  been,  for  over  50  years,  the  global  destination  to  produce,  finance, distribute and acquire content from around the world,” said Reed MIDEM’s Laurine Garaude. “With MIP DIGITAL FRONTS, it  has become the  only international digital content showcase and marketplace to produce, finance, distribute and buy original online video.”

     

    Last April, the event saw online content presentations from YouTube, Maker Studios, Dailymotion, Vice and Chipotle and packed showcases from SmokeBomb Entertainment, Vuguru and What’s Trending. Check them out on MIPBlog.  Talent included Chester See, The Young Turks, Mr Stampy Cat, Finn & Jack Harries and many more. For 2015, Reed MIDEM will add a third day of screenings (from two days in 2014), and expects to double the number of content studios joining the-line up.

     

    The MIP DIGITAL FRONTS was created by Reed MIDEM following the success at MIPTV 2013 of YouTube’s original online content showcase. MIP DIGITAL FRONTS are the world’s  first  international  screenings  to  showcase  and  trade  original  online  video programming and web series, in front of MIPTV’s audience of over 11,000 international buyers, producers and distributors, digital strategists, agencies, brands, advertisers and media from the global TV and video entertainment ecosystem.

     

    As a Founding Partner, YouTube will present a showcase of channels and content partners

  • Al Jazeera English exposes India’s baby-making booming industry

    Al Jazeera English exposes India’s baby-making booming industry

    MUMBAI: The birth business is thriving in India. Childless couples from around the world are flocking to the country, pinning their hopes on the poor young Indian women willing to bear other people’s babies. Al Jazeera English unveils India’s booming baby-making industry in a special episode of 101 East, a weekly Asian current affairs programming on July 26.

    In poverty-plagued India, the thousands of dollars couples pay their surrogates, can open the door to a much brighter future. About 12,000 babies, produced by Indian surrogates, are for Western clients. Al Jazeera English follows the two Australian couples hoping to bring home a “made in India” baby and, the highs and lows of them trying to bring a baby home, the stories of women who give birth to babies they will never know.

    “If you are just a critic who feels a childless person should live a life of misery and stay childless throughout their life, or a poor person is meant to remain poor all throughout their life then you’ll consider this as something wrong, as something immoral. A farm. A baby-making factory..” said Dr. Nanya Patel, one of the pioneers of the commercial surrogacy business.

    The women and increasingly would-be parents are being exploited as ethics are swept aside in pursuit of profit. But have regulations kept pace with the huge expansion in surrogacy services? Many say this emotionally-charged industry is littered with pitfalls for parents and risks for surrogates. The special episode uncovers the success and failures of India’s surrogacy industry.

    Tune into Al Jazeera on Dish TV 618 and Tata Sky Channel 533 to catch the special episode on July 26, 09.00 AM and on July 27, 10.00 PM IST

  • Kaun Banega Crorepati to shoot an episode in Surat!

    Kaun Banega Crorepati to shoot an episode in Surat!

    MUMBAI: The years’ most awaited television quiz show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ is here and this time the game show will commence in great style and grandeur in the city of Surat with mega star and phenomenal host, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. The knowledge based show aimed at touching lives of millions across the country for the first time ever will be uniquely shot LIVE amidst citizens of Surat and telecast on Sony Entertainment Television.

     

    Like every year the launch of the KBC is one of the most celebrated events of the television industry and this year it is the fans of Surat who will not only get the opportunity to experience the show first hand but also participate in it LIVE. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 2nd August at Surat International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Althan-Sarsana Road, Surat.

     

    The registrations have commenced from July 22nd 2014.The selection of contestants to qualify will be done in two rounds and the  shortlisted participants  will get a chance to play the fastest finger round. The person who answers the question correct in the quickest time will get an opportunity to be on the much celebrated KBC hot seat and play with Mr. Bachchan.

     

    The hospitality partner for this event is Amaazia Group.

  • ‘Captain Phillips’ to premiere on Sony Pix on 27 July

    ‘Captain Phillips’ to premiere on Sony Pix on 27 July

    MUMBAI: Sony PIX, India’s leading English Movie channel, invites you to watch the Indian television premiere of the award winning biographic movie, ‘CAPTAIN PHILLIPS’ on Sunday 27th July 1pm and 9pm only on Sony PIX.

     

    Captain Phillips is an examination of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. When the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (played by two time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks), and his crew spot pirates approaching, they alert the authorities and try to fend them off. But with no security or guns on board, they’re soon overtaken.The head pirate, Muse (played by Barkhad Abdi), takes over the ship and declares himself captain.Phillips and Muse are set on an unstoppable collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillip’s unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, 145 miles off the Somali coast, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control. Catch the high seas drama, inspired from real-life events on 27th July at 1pm & 9pm only on Sony PIX.

     

    Tune in to watch the Oscar nominated drama; ‘CAPTAIN PHILLIPS’ on 27th July 1pm and 9pm only on Sony PIX

     

  • Two more Union Ministries join Twitter

    Two more Union Ministries join Twitter

    MUMBAI:  Following up on the push by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking all his ministers to join twitter, two more union ministries debuted on the platform today.  The Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be tweeting from their handles; @MoHFW_INDIA  and @TexMinIndia

     

    Twitter has emerged as the platform of choice for the NDA government to communicate with the citizens of India with the PM leading the charge with his personal handle (@narendramodi), complimented by his office’s official handle (@PMOIndia), to share updates.

     

    The Prime Minister’s cabinet is flocking to twitter, with nearly 40 ministers and ministries already sharing daily updates with their followers about the goings on in their respective ministries.

    Earlier the Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) and the Home Minister’s Office (@HMOIndia) had joined twitter, with the Railway Ministry even live tweeting the rail budget on their debut.