ITV

Category: Press Release

  • National Geographic gets highest ever nominations in Emmy 2014

    National Geographic gets highest ever nominations in Emmy 2014

    NEW DELHI: National Geographic Channel (NGC) received the most Emmy Award nominations in the network’s history with 18 nominations, including 12 with FOX for COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY.  With 12 nominations, COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY tied such buzz-worthy shows as HBO’s “True Detective” and Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” in nominations. Additionally, NGC’s second foray into original scripted programming, KILLING KENNEDY, garnered three nominations, including outstanding television movie, outstanding cinematography and outstanding sound mixing.

    Nat Geo WILD also scored two nominations for outstanding narrator for Jeremy Irons for GAME OF LIONS and Daniel Craig for ONE LIFE. “We are incredibly honored for the recognition this year, especially for COSMOS and the great collaborative effort that series marked between Cosmos Studios and our partners at FOX,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO of the National Geographic Channels. “Additionally, as we continue to explore opportunities in the scripted world, to receive a nomination for only our second movie is a thrill.”
    See the full list of NGC nominations below:

    COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY (NGC & FOX)

    • Outstanding Documentary of Nonfiction Series

    • Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming

    • Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming

    • Outstanding Art Direction for Variety, Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Program

    • Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming

    • Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming

    • Outstanding Main Title Design

    • Outstanding Music Composition for a Series

    • Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

    • Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming

    • Outstanding Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming

    • Outstanding Special and Visual Effects

    COSMOS (NGC)

    • Outstanding Short-Format Nonfiction Program: COSMOS: A National Geographic Deeper Dive

    KILLING KENNEDY (NGC)

    • Outstanding Television Movie

    • Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Movie

    • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie

    ONE LIFE (Nat Geo WILD)

    • Outstanding Narrator: Daniel Craig

    GAME OF LIONS (Nat Geo WILD)

    • Outstanding Narrator: Jeremy Irons

  • Beyond the Box – CASBAA Convention 2014

    Beyond the Box – CASBAA Convention 2014

    MUMBAI: CASBAA’s highly anticipated annual multichannel TV industry convention will take place from October 27-30, 2014 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. A popular stop on the Asia Pacific broadcasting calendar, this year’s event will explore the theme “Beyond the Box.”

     

    Reflecting the evolution of the television industry, this year’s CASBAA Convention theme looks at what the future holds for broadcasting – while never losing sight of the core business of linear TV.

     

    “At its most basic level, “the box” refers to the traditional television set that sits in the living room – or, more likely today, is mounted on a wall,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “Linear TV is still a major industry driver in the Asia Pacific, but we are seeing the proliferation of new technologies and new platforms that are providing consumers with innovative viewing options “beyond the box.”

     

    “In order to take advantage of these new opportunities, it is imperative to explore different business models and strategies that will encompass these alternate revenue streams,” added Slaughter. “In short, it is time to start thinking outside of the box!”

     

    Key topics to be covered at the major sessions during the convention will include developments in over-the-top (OTT) TV services, opportunities for members in the mobile broadcasting space, as well as ultra-high-definition “4K” television, and innovation in transmission and broadcast technology and its implications for the industry. Sports issues – including rights, exclusivity and licensing – and broadcast news will also be major subjects explored at this year’s event.

     

    On hand to tackle these issues will be a world class roster of respected industry thought leaders including Jon Feltheimer, CEO, Lionsgate; Victor Koo, Chairman & CEO, Youku Tudou; Andrew Rashbass, Chief Executive of Reuters, Thomson Reuters; Tom Mockridge, CEO, Virgin Media; Peter Limbourg, Director General, Duetsche Welle; Barry Cupples, Global CEO, Investment, OMG; David Haslingden, CEO, NHNZ; Jim Samples, President, International, Scripps; Sam Blackman, CEO, Elemental Technologies; Dr. Justin Chuang, VP & Group Director, Communications Technologies Group, ASTRI; and, many others.

     

    Outside the Main Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt, where plenary sessions take place, there will be plenty of opportunities for members and delegates to get together at the newly revamped exhibition space which will feature display booths and networking lounges.

     

    Sponsors for the CASBAA Convention 2014 include ABS, APT Satellite, ARRIS, AsiaSat, Australia News Channel, Bloomberg, Conax, Deutsche Welle, Elemental Technologies, FRANCE 24, InvestHK, Irdeto, ITV, MEASAT, now TV, Playboy Plus Entertainment, PwC, SES, Time Warner, TrueVisions and TV5MONDE.

     

    For further information about the CASBAA Convention 2014, please visit www.casbaaconvention.com.

  • Disney India and Salman Khan announce the official mobile game on ‘Kick’

    Disney India and Salman Khan announce the official mobile game on ‘Kick’

    MUMBAI: You have enjoyed his dialogues, his dance moves and even his unique style… here is your chance to play Salman Khan in the newly launched Kick mobile game. Disney India’s Interactive business, today announced the launch of the official mobile game based on the most awaited movie of the year – ‘Kick’.

     

    The game has all the elements of the movie – heroism, stealth, entertainment and above all, the game avatar of Salman Khan’s character himself! Superstar Salman Khan and actress Jacqueline Fernandez were present to launch the game amidst much fanfare. Salman Khan being his usual witty self, enjoyed showing off his gaming skills and entertained the crowd with his comments and sense of humour. The game is developed for both feature phones and smartphones (Android, Windows) to reach out to a wide audience of mobile users in the country. The iOS and feature phone version of the game will be launched along with the release of the movie.

     

    In the game titled after the movie, the player takes on the role of Devil (Salman Khan’s movie character) and embarks upon a benevolent yet exciting journey where he robs from the rich and corrupt and deposits that money in the bank for philanthropic causes. The game sways in two phases letting the player experience robbing and escaping gameplays consecutively. The objective of a level is achieved only when the player manages to complete both the phases. The gamer will need to play in stealth style and escape the cops in grit. The gameplay includes numerous obstacles which include security alarms, lasers, manholes, street cones and more.

     

    Commenting on the launch of the game, actor Salman Khan, said, “We (Sajid, me and the KICK team) wanted to create an interactive experience of our movie for the fans. The mobile game developed by Disney India is both exciting and easy to play which makes it fun and engaging. I hope my fans will enjoy playing the KICK game as much as I do.”  

     

    Producer and Director, Sajid Nadiadwala said, “Kick is a very special movie for us and we wanted to take the movie’s experience to all the audiences and give them a taste of the unique style of Salman’s film character and the essence of the movie through this game. The team has worked really hard to create a fun game and we are happy with the outcome.”

     

    “The kind of movie that Kick is, its concept of action comedy, perfectly lends itself to making a game. The game based on the movie will give gamers and Salman Khan’s fans an opportunity to not only play as Salman Khan himself but also enjoy an immersive gameplay offering the essence of their favourite star’s movie. Salman and the team have been very excited about the game and worked closely with our team to make it happen. We are confident that the game will be a blockbuster hit just like the movie,” said Disney Idnia MD Siddharth Roy Kapur.

     

    “Gaming today has emerged as one of the top entertainment sources on mobile phones in the country and Indians love Bollywood. By marrying the two, it extends the experience of the movie to consumers in an interactive environment through a highly engaging game,”said Disney India VP and head (interactive)  Sameer Ganapathy.

     

    Kick will hit the theatres worldwide on 25th July 2014. So get your gaming hats on and get gaming as Salman Khan this Eid!

     

    Game now available on:

     

    Android – Google Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.indiagames.kick

     

    SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM:

     

    On a train journey in Warsaw, apretty psychiatrist, Shaina, meets Himanshu, a police officer from India, for an arranged match. Both not wanting to marry, become friends and share their pasts.

     

    Shaina shares the story of her ex-boyfriend Devi, a guy who lived only for his ‘Kick.’ She talks about his madness and their whirlwind romance, until one day he breaks up with her for a new kick and walks away, never to return.

     

    Himanshu tells her about his glorious escapades and that he has finally met his match; an intelligent thief.

     

    What they don’t know is that both their stories have one thing in common; Devi. He returns back into their lives under a new guise of having lost his memory. Behind it all, is a deeper mystery and an uncompromising mission, for which Devi is ready to lose his life.

     

    What is the mystery of Devi and his real mission?

     

    Do Shaina and Himanshu find their closure?

     

    Releasing this Eid, Kick promises to be a complete wholesome action entertainer with Superstar Salman Khan at his natural best – An action hero and a passionate, naughty lover.

     

  • Nagarjuna’s ‘Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu’ (MEK) proved again to be the most sought TV Show

    Nagarjuna’s ‘Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu’ (MEK) proved again to be the most sought TV Show

    BENGALURU: Nagarjuna Akkineni’s show is the talk of the season. MEK reached an all time high of 11.8 Tvr with two episodes of MEK garnering double digit Tvr – 11.8 Tvr and 10.3 Tvr respectively. The week average Tvr is 10.4.

     

    There’s something intriguing about watching someone answer a question, or spin a wheel, or perform a trick or two. That’s why game shows have been around for nearly three-quarters of a century. The biggest challenge for show producers is to ensure viewers pause from surfing from one channel to another and sticks to the show from start to finish and MEK did that bang on target with their charismatic host Nagarjuna.

     

    MEK Show producers said “Consistency in performance for 5 weeks in a row and the tremendous improvement in Hyderabad market show the contribution and relevance of MEK to GEC”. They believe Nagarjuna has brought tremendous value to Television Medium with his grace and ability to connect with the audience in a consistent manner.

     

    Even celebs can’t resist being at Nagarjuna’s Show.  Many celebs have lined up to share the hot seat with Nagarjuna.

     

  • FremantleMedia promotes Chris O’Dell to head of global entertainment production

    FremantleMedia promotes Chris O’Dell to head of global entertainment production

    MUMBAI – FremantleMedia, one of the largest creators, producers and distributors of television brands in the world, today announced the promotion of Executive Producer Chris O’Dell to Head of Global  Entertainment Production.

     

    Reporting to the Director of Global Entertainment, Rob Clark, Chris will oversee and be the first point of contact for FremantleMedia’s international production teams as they roll out formats such as X Factor, Got Talent, Idols and Farmer Wants a Wife across the world.

     

    Chris O’Dell says: “FremantleMedia has some of the world’s best-known entertainment brands in its catalogue and a fantastic set of producers in the all the major markets who deliver these formidable shows time and again. I’m really excited to take on this new challenge, work with the team to continue to deliver our global hits and introduce international audiences to some of our exciting new formats.”

     

    Rob Clark added: “Chris is one of the most experienced producers I know. He has worked with some of the biggest companies and most well-loved names in the entertainment industry, and has a wealth of experience producing FremantleMedia’s hit shows all around the world. I think he’ll be a fantastic Head of Global Entertainment Production and look forward to work with him as we continue to roll out our shows in new markets.”

     

    Prior to his promotion, Chris was Executive Producer at FremantleMedia for the last seven years, working with executives, producers, territory heads and local broadcasters to produce, refresh and manage FremantleMedia’s key entertainment formats including X Factor, Got Talent, Take Me Out, Hole in the Wall and Idols. An experienced media executive, Chris has held a number of production roles such as Executive Producer, Series Producer and Head of Development with companies which include TWI Entertainment, part of IMG Media, Granada Entertainment and London Weekend Television (LWT) where he had various roles including Head of Entertainment Formats, Executive Producer, Series Producer & Creative Executive. His production credits include Blind Date, Surprise Surprise, An Audience with…, Saturday Night Takeaway and Ant & Dec’s All Star Cup. Chris also created two formats – Chef V and The Better Half – which sold internationally.

     

    Chris’ promotion follows the departure of Diana Buddingh, who left the business to return to Holland in May.

  • Google’s Nikesh Arora heads to SoftBank

    Google’s Nikesh Arora heads to SoftBank

    MUMBAI: SoftBank Corp. has announced that Google’s Nikesh Arora will be joining the company in October as vice chairman of SoftBank Corp. and CEO of SoftBank Internet and Media Inc (SIMI).

     

    He will be report to SoftBank Corp. chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son.

     

    Arora joins SoftBank after almost a decade at Google, first running their European business operation and for the last five years as its chief business officer.

     

    “As we enter the next phase of our expansion I can’t think of a better person than Nikesh to help us chart that course. As Vice Chairman, he will work closely with me in defining, implementing and managing our global growth strategy. In addition, as CEO of SIMI he will be directly responsible for overseeing our Internet, telecommunications, media and global investment activities, which we have been developing over the last few years,” said Masayoshi Son.

     

    “I have had the good fortune of getting to know Nikesh over the last five years. He brings a rare set of skills: amazing financial and strategic acumen; a decade of executive experience at one of the fastest growing companies in history; a deep understanding of the telecommunications industry. This makes him uniquely qualified to help guide us through our next stage of growth. Our intention is to nominate Nikesh to the SoftBank Corp. board at our next shareholder meeting,” he concluded.

     

    Before joining Google, Arora was a telecom analyst at Putnam Investments. He then went on to create his own mobile data start-up in 2000 and also worked with T-Mobile in various capacities including as CMO of its European Business and a member of its board.

     

    At Google, Arora was responsible for all partnerships, marketing, sales and customer activities in addition to being part of the company’s management team. Arora has an MBA from Northeastern University, a Master’s Degree in Finance from Boston College and graduated as an Electrical Engineer from IIT-BHU. He is also a CFA.

  • CNBC-TV18 tops the chart on Budget day

    CNBC-TV18 tops the chart on Budget day

    MUMBAI: Upholding their legacy of 15 years of leadership, CNBC-TV18 has once again emerged decisively as the No.1 channel during Budget 2014 with 67 per cent market share on Budget Day.

    As pioneers of coverage of the Union Budget, CNBC-TV18 has always provided viewers with a comprehensive programming line up. This time was no different; with a one month long focus on the channel about key expectations from the industry, banking and financial sectors as well as policy changes anticipated from what was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s maiden Union Budget.

    Yet again, India’s leading business news channel has proved that they are specialists of the genre –  through differentiated Budget coverage, aimed at helping viewers achieve an incisive understanding of the Budget and what lies ahead, presented by an editorial powerhouse.

    CNBC-TV18 led across the following programming pegs & time bands during the Union Budget in July 2014:

     

    1.    Budget Day (24 hrs) in all India: CNBC-TV18 leads with 67 per cent relative share followed by ET Now with 22 per cent, NDTV Profit is at #3 with 11 per cent and Bloomberg TV has 1 per cent viewership.

    2.    Budget Week (24 hrs) in all India: CNBC-TV18 leads with 65 per cent relative share followed by ET Now with 27 per cent, NDTV Profit is at #3 with 7 per cent and Bloomberg TV has 2 per cent viewership.

    3.    FM Speech (11:01 to 13:13 hrs) in all India: CNBC-TV18 leads with 58 per cent relative share followed by ET Now with 29 per cent, NDTV Profit is at #3 with 13 per cent and Bloomberg TV has no viewership.

    All these figures are for the core audience group of CS AB Males 25+.

    In addition to the above data points, CNBC-TV18 also lead across all markets and target audiences, in all parameters pertaining to Budget coverage.
    CNBC-TV18 has always been at the forefront of covering business, political and economic news and bringing quality journalism to its viewers. This strong performance reiterates CNBC-TV18’s undisputed leadership and legacy in coverage of key economic events for the past 15 years.
    CNBC-TV18 Managing Editor Shereen Bhan said ‘I have firmly believed in the power of specialisation and this overwhelming verdict confirms my belief. Being the first in Business news is not just a tagline for us, it is our core strategy. Our Budget coverage is a reflection of our deep expertise and experience. It also showcased our ability to stay ahead of the curve with new programming which included our reporters travelling around the country from Nashik to Ahmednagar to get an in-depth look at how Government Schemes like the NREGS are performing. We brought together the most influential voices from India Inc, the markets, Foreign Investors and Tax experts to find the devil in the details. CNBCTV18 was also the channel of choice for the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his Budget team including the Finance Secretary and Revenue Secretary as they laid out the roadmap for economic revival.’

    Commenting on CNBC-TV18’s impactful Budget coverage and viewership, Anil Uniyal (CEO, CNBC Channels) said, “We have consistently sought to bring content of value to our viewers and this is what has reinforced our No. 1 position in Budget 2014. I’d like to thank our viewers for making CNBC-TV18 their channel of choice for the Budget and also for the past 14 years, which encourages us to stay ahead and continue to strive for excellence.”

  • Indian Digital Advertising Landscape 2014 hits the ad-tech World

    Indian Digital Advertising Landscape 2014 hits the ad-tech World

    MUMBAI: In an attempt to map the infrastructure of companies participating in the space between marketers and publishers, SVG Media has released Indian Digital Advertising Landscape 2014. This is in view to simplify the complex digital advertising industry by dividing it in to easy-to-find industry categories, making it a simple process – particularly for constituent players, agencies, publishers and marketers to navigate their way through the space.

    While showing how complex the industry is, the landscape offers a bird’s eye view of major players in more than a dozen ad tech categories. These include agency-owned media buying platforms; third-party media buying services also known as demand-side platforms; companies that specialize in search & e-mail marketing, data aggregation, data targeting, performance networks,ad exchanges and ad networks.

    The new categories that are added this year includes agencies that specialize in creative optimization; website, app and e-commerce development; websites that curates content, popular mobile & messaging apps, mobile operators, price comparison websites and mobile wallets.

    “The Indian digital landscape 2013 reached to mass audience and served as reference material at desk of various digital companies and events. The digital innovation in past one year has resulted in even more complex digital advertising industry. To comprehend this evolving world of digital technology, we have come up with Indian Digital Advertising Landscape 2014. This will have marketers an access to various stakeholders of digital industry and deliver their marketing messages in new and creative ways,” said SVG Media in a press note released today.

    The Indian digital advertising landscape now in its second year is pictorial presentation of digital advertising eco-system and is inspired by LUMAscape (developed by the LUMA Partners globally). It is intended to serve as a reference point for those trying to comprehend the jargon associated with the digital advertising world and ad technology.

    For more information, please click on the link: http://www.indiandigitaladvertising.com/

  • Discovery Channel to air Medical Miracle India

    Discovery Channel to air Medical Miracle India

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel, in its new India production – Medical Miracle India, brings a fascinating story of scientific marvel and the triumph of hope. The one-hour programme follows the complexities and the real-life drama of a rare medical case by a team of Indian doctors of surgically separating conjoined twins.

     

    Medical Miracle India is a touching story of conjoined twins – Hasna and Hussaina, from the Badaru family in Nigeria. The programme chronicles the miseries and fear of the Badarus faced since the birth of their twins. After a long wait and rounds of consultations from local doctors, the Badarus were convinced that medical intervention to separate the twins was not possible in their own country. There were tremendous complexities involved in separating the twins, due to which the Badaru family was referred to BLK Specialty Hospital in New Delhi, India.

     

    In a foreign city, far from their homeland, the case of Badaru children was taken over by Indian surgeons, whose attempt was to surgically separate them. This was the twins’ only chance at life and a normal childhood. The question was – could they survive the hazardous medical procedure? After much tests and deliberations, in May 2013, a team of Indian doctors with diverse expertise collaborated to pull off one of the most complex successful surgeries in the world.  Discovery Channel’s Medical Miracle India, brings first-hand view of the tribulations, the process and the victorious journey to a healthy life for the children.

     

    Medical Miracle India will premiere on Sunday, 27 July at 9 pm on Discovery Channel.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Executive Vice President and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan- Regional Ad Sales & Southeast Asia, Rahul Johri, said “Discovery Channel, through its new engaging India programming, draws spotlight on the India’s scientific and technological advancements.  The new programme Medical Miracle India presents a rare and in-depth account of the skill, intensity and innovations in the field of surgery in the country.”

     

    Using first person accounts, interviews, surgery footage, 3D graphics and dramatic reconstructions, the programme tells an intriguing story of the victory of undying faith.  Follow the lives of Hasna and Hussaina Badaru from their first arrival at the BLK hospital as conjoined twins, to the time they celebrate their first birthday as two separate individuals.

  • Season 2 of CEO on the Drive on Bloomberg TV India

    Season 2 of CEO on the Drive on Bloomberg TV India

    MUMBAI: After profiling iconic leaders from the automobile industry in season one, Bloomberg TV India is back with the second season of “CEO on the Drive”

     

    India has one of the best production facilities for global auto giants. With its projected contribution to the GDP slated to reach 10 – 11% by 2016, the Indian automobile industry is on the fast lane to growth. Bloomberg TV India along with Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee will take its viewers on an ultimate drive with the heads of some of India’s top passenger vehicle companies. The journey will enable the viewers to understand the challenges faced by the Indian automobile industry and their future strategies.

     

    Bloomberg TV COO Lavneesh Gupta said “At Bloomberg TV India, we understand the pulse of our viewers and our efforts have been focused to provide them with niche business content across industry verticals. With “CEO ON THE DRIVE” we want to look at the larger issues around the auto sector and the company’s plans for new products & strategies for future growth. The show promises to be the final word on the auto industry’s exponential growth and traces this transformation through the eyes of some of the leading CEO’s in the automobile industry.”

     

    The first edition was highly successful with industry stalwart like Tata Motors former MD Karl Slym, BMW Group India President  Philipp Von Sahr, Ford India MD and President  Joginder Singh ,Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Toyota MD and  CEO  Hiroshi Nakagawa, and Mercedes Benz India MD and CEO Eberhard Kern, amongst others. They shared their views on the challenges faced by the industry, opportunities and their individual strategies to beat the downswing of the auto industry.

     

    The all new season is going to be turbo – charged with the CEO’s of India’s biggest auto companies sharing their game-plan to overcome the current scenario and what to expect from automobile industry over the coming months.

     

    Starting last week of July, ‘CEO on the Drive’ will telecast exclusively on BloombergTV india.