ITV

Category: ICC WORLD CUP

  • Neeraj Roy is jury chairperson for Mipcom Mobile TV Awards

    MUMBAI: Hungama Mobile MD and CEO Neeraj Roy is part of the grand jury for Mipcom 2007 Mobile and Internet TV Awards as chairperson.

    Mipcom 2007, the world‘s audiovisual and digital content market, is showcasing the awards at its 24th edition at Palais des Festivals, Cannes.

    Roy will speak on ‘Indian content on the move‘ on 8 October and will discuss this year‘s mobile and internet TV judging and the findings of the grand jury with the host. He will reveal some important facts about the mobile market, the nominated projects and internet video.

    Roy said, “I am very happy to partner with Mipcom to give an international exposure to the Indian entertainment industry which has matured enough to compete globally. Quality content will continue to be a crucial driver for the development of media in India and indeed everywhere, and we look forward to delivering the very best of India at Mipcom in October.”

    “We see mobile medium has the potential to create a level-playing-field for film makers and other content creators, where a new visual language was in the process of being born, as demonstrated by the entries in the ‘Best short film shot on Mobile‘ category. Especially in countries where internet is not as dominant, mobile is the first screen of importance,” he added.

    Roy who is also director of mobile entertainment forum – Asia chapter, was awarded the ‘Sun Microsystems-Economic Times Young Leader‘ award in 2001 and voted as one of the 25 young leaders in the new millennium by Business India.

    He is associated with bodies such as CII, Ficci-FRAMES, TiE apart from being a regular speaker at both international and domestic conventions on subjects like digital marketing, mobile entertainment and entertainment marketing.

    For the awards, the preselection jury has shortlisted 32 projects across 9 categories. They incorporate new format genres and terms being invented, such as vodcasts, graphic-novels, or interactive games based on factual TV programmes. It has received entries from 38 countries.

  • Endemol secures format deals ahead of Mipcom

    Endemol secures format deals ahead of Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Endemol International has announced it has completed a slate of deals around the world for some of its top formats in the run up to Mipcom 2007.

    The game show 1 vs. 100 has been sold to Channel 13 in Thailand for a run of 13 episodes.

     

    Reshet in Israel is helping itself to a further 12 episodes on top of the 18 already produced following the show‘s success, which has seen it ranked in the top 5 highest rated programmes of the week. The format has now been sold to 26 territories worldwide.

     

    In Eastern Europe, Endemol‘s music reality format Operacion Triunfo has become the first reality format ever to be adapted locally in Ukraine, having been sold to New Channel. This follows the success of the format in Russia where Channel 1 has just commissioned a seventh series. Meanwhile, The Hidden Talent show has been sold to TNT.

     

    Endemol’s game show formats are also proving popular in Russia where Watch Your Step has been bought up by RTR and a kids version of Beat the Nation has been sold to RTR.

     

    In Poland Celebrity Daycare Centre has just gone to air having been picked up by Polsat, and is performing well above channel average in its weekly on Saturday night slot with audiences shares of up to 19.2 per cent. As a result Polsat has already ordered a further 6 episodes.

     

    Elsewhere in Europe, Endemol Italy‘s version of Gay,Straight or Taken, known locally as Scelgo Te, has been bought up by Sky Vivo and is set to premiere on 15 October. This follows the success of the format in Germany where the local version (Date oder Fake) has become popular on Germany’s music channel Viva.

     

    In Greece, 20 episodes of Set For Life have been bought up by Mega as a weekly series and 13 episodes of Last Passenger has been sold to Antenna as a weekly show, launching this October.

     

    Moving East to Turkey, talent show format My Name Is… has been picked up by Channel D and is due to launch later this year. Deal Or No Deal has also been snapped up in Turkey and is launching this month on Show TV.

     

    Over in Malta Deal Or No Deal has become the first ever format to be acquired and adapted in the territory having been sold to TVM. 39 daily episodes will now debut this October.

     

    In the US Hot Tub Ranking has been sold to Fox Reality. Meanwhile in Canada a fourth series Loft Story has just gone to air having been bought up by Quebec’s TQS.

  • Carrere to distribute Devine titles at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Devine Entertainment is looking to capitalise on the global distribution of film and television content. It has announced an expansion of its multi-year distribution agreement with Carrere Group to market the company‘s primetime series in France and other French-speaking territories and their family television series in all territories outside of the US worldwide.

    The announcement signals a key step in Devine‘s initiatives to unlock substantial additional revenue potential of the company‘s already revenue-positive library of film and television programmes.

    Carrere will market Devine‘s new show Across the River to Motor City and other titles in the Company‘s proprietary film library at bext week‘s television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France.

    Under the distribution agreement, Carrere will also continue to sell Devine‘s award-winning 18-film library of historical family films, including the Company‘s acclaimed franchises The Artists‘ Specials, The Inventors‘ Specials and The Composers‘ Specials.

    Devine Entertainment president and CEO David Devine says, “We are thrilled to be working with a company with the superior resources and reputation of Carrere Group. Claude and Axel Carrere are world leaders in primetime and children‘s programming, and subsidiary rights management.”

    “Working with Carrere will enable us to unlock substantial additional value in our existing library of films in markets outside of North America, and allow us to expand the international opportunities for new production. We believe this will be the beginning of a long and lucrative strategic relationship.”

    Carrere has commenced initial sales of Devine‘s titles with new broadcast licenses in Russia, Poland, Ukraine and the Middle East. In addition, Carrere was instrumental in closing license fees from Paris-based broadcaster France 5.

    Carrere Group president Axel Carrere says, “We are very pleased to represent Devine Entertainment‘s films and their proven track record around the world. This relationship offers us an opportunity to expand sales of Devine‘s new primetime programming as well as their unique brand of inspiring films for families and children that fits well with Carrere‘s own proprietary brands of films and television programmes.”

  • Madhu Entertainment to focus on anti piracy at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Madhu Entertainment and Media Pvt Ltd. is set for Mipcom to promote anti piracy. The company will also pitch in to sell formats from its library.

    Madhu Entertainment and media Pvt Ltd COO Hirachand Dand, who will also attend Mipcom as secretary to both Film Federation of India (FFI) and Indian Film Exporters Association (IFEA) says, “At Mipcom, considering India as a major platform for entertainment worldwide, I would like to focus on anti piracy and represent myself on behalf of FFI to fight against piracy.”

    “At Mipcom our company is always open for buying and especially selling properties from our huge library,” Dand adds further.

    The company‘s library includes titles like The Sword of Tipu Sultan, Jai Hanuman, Mr Dhansukh, Rangoli, Zamana Badal Gaya and Om Namah Shivay among others.

    Expressing views about India as the country of honour at Mipcom, Dand says, “This shows that Indian entertainment industry is now recognized globally for content, technology and post production facilities which are now at par with Hollywood.”

    The company is now focusing on the release of TV serial Malgudi Days on DVD.

  • Bennett Media Worldwide to premiere ‘Men7’ at Mipcom

    MUMBAI:Bennett Media Worldwide will premiere their new men‘s lifestyle series, Men7 at this year‘s Mipcom.

    The lifestyle series designed for men aged between 25-54 years focuses on topics such as life, technology, entertainment, travel, sports, self-interest and women.

    The announcement was made today by The Bennett Group CEO Casey Bennett.

    The host for the US series will be announced later this year. Foreign network buyers will be offered the option of using their own hosts if they wish to give the program a more domestic feel. 52, half hour and 26, one hour episodes of the high definition production will be available for broadcast sale.

    “We are very pleased to meet the demands of discriminating male viewers with a high quality series designed just for them,” said Bennett.

    Traversing seven continents in search of the exotic to the extreme, Men7 delivers lifestyle tips for men. From stories of risk and reward to style advice to good business insight, this new series will provide audiences with various ways to spend leisure time.

  • Entry of content firms into cable business is good for the industry: Kamlesh Patel

    MUMBAI: Devine Entertainment is looking to capitalise on the global distribution of film and television content. It has announced an expansion of its multi-year distribution agreement with Carrere Group to market the company‘s primetime series in France and other French-speaking territories and their family television series in all territories outside of the US worldwide.

    The announcement signals a key step in Devine‘s initiatives to unlock substantial additional revenue potential of the company‘s already revenue-positive library of film and television programmes.

    Carrere will market Devine‘s new show Across the River to Motor City and other titles in the Company‘s proprietary film library at bext week‘s television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France.

    Under the distribution agreement, Carrere will also continue to sell Devine‘s award-winning 18-film library of historical family films, including the Company‘s acclaimed franchises The Artists‘ Specials, The Inventors‘ Specials and The Composers‘ Specials.

    Devine Entertainment president and CEO David Devine says, “We are thrilled to be working with a company with the superior resources and reputation of Carrere Group. Claude and Axel Carrere are world leaders in primetime and children‘s programming, and subsidiary rights management.”

    “Working with Carrere will enable us to unlock substantial additional value in our existing library of films in markets outside of North America, and allow us to expand the international opportunities for new production. We believe this will be the beginning of a long and lucrative strategic relationship.”

    Carrere has commenced initial sales of Devine‘s titles with new broadcast licenses in Russia, Poland, Ukraine and the Middle East. In addition, Carrere was instrumental in closing license fees from Paris-based broadcaster France 5.

    Carrere Group president Axel Carrere says, “We are very pleased to represent Devine Entertainment‘s films and their proven track record around the world. This relationship offers us an opportunity to expand sales of Devine‘s new primetime programming as well as their unique brand of inspiring films for families and children that fits well with Carrere‘s own proprietary brands of films and television programmes.”

  • Zodiak to showcase 10 new formats

    MUMBAI: Zodiak Television World (Zodiak) will be arriving at next week‘s television trade event Mipcom with 10 new formats available for international buyers, it was announced today by President, Heather Stevenson.

    The entertainment show Sounds of Saturday follows the search for musical artists – local performers of traditional folk and popular music.

    24 musical acts are championed by six veteran music artists – through casting, coaching and performing – for the record deal of the dreams. Sounds of Saturday is produced by Dinamo Story and will air on NRK in September 2007.

    To Understand and Forgive Zokiak states establishes a new genre in television, the Psychotherapy Docudrama. Whether it’s adultery, blackmail, sentimental issues or rivalry, psychotherapists are always ready to help out as each episode follows a self-contained case offering strong drama portrayed in a unique real life style.

    With over 200 episodes aired on Russia’s First Channel, the programme continues to achieve exceptional viewing figures far above the broadcaster’s average.

    It will also showcase reality format Wanted: Roommate. It looks to take the traditional house-hunting show to as new level, as each episode follows people renting rooms and people seeking rooms. People both young and old, just starting out their careers as well as seasoned professionals are seeking roommates these days – but do they all find the companionship, variety or surrogate family they are looking for? The 30-minute format premiered early this year on Vox Germany, which has just commissioned 100 additional episodes.

    Fight Knight is a sports competition show that let’s men be men as it were. Old scores, office grudges and heated rivalries are settled in a head to head, winner takes all duel, using weapons, armour and strategy inspired by medieval knights, to bring out modern man’s inner warrior.

    Each one hour episode sees two sets of contestants training with the “battle master”, picking protective armour and equipment and squaring off in the “ring of fire” to establish who is the winning Fight Knight.

  • Disney ABC Intl TV showcasing 11 new shows at Mipcom

    Disney ABC Intl TV showcasing 11 new shows at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: At next week‘s television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France, Disney ABC International Television, the distribution arm of US media conglomerate Disney, will be showcasing 11 new shows.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Disney-ABC International Television (Asia Pacific) VP sales Greg Johnson says, “We are showcasing our biggest ever lineup at Mipcom this year with 11 new series and 12 returning ones, including recent Emmy winners Ugly Betty, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Brothers & Sisters.

    “We are very excited by our new slate of shows with a great roster of talent and unique storylines such as Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Army Wives, Reaper, Carpoolers and Private Practice, which is a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off. These shows have already been picked up by broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and the Philippines. We’re very confident that many of these new series will also resonate with audiences in India.”

    He adds that the company‘s kids programming slate has had a record breaking year both in the US and internationally, starting with High School Musical 2. “We are also presenting at Mipcom the brand new animated series for kids and parents Phineas & Ferb, pre-school series My Friends Tigger & Pooh and the live action comedy series Wizards of Waverly Place by the creator and executive producer of Hannah Montana.”

    When asked about the genres where he expects to see an uptake, Johnson notes that every market is different. “We work closely with local broadcasters to find the right content fit for their programming schedules. Shows with a strong track record in the US typically do well for us in the Asia Pacific also.

    “But at the end of the day, it’s all about the quality of the content and the storylines. A good story told in an entertaining way travels well – and we’ve proven that we tell some of the best stories on TV. A perfect illustration is Ugly Betty, which originated in Latin America, has been a big success in the U.S. and earned America Ferrera the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at last month’s Emmy Awards.

    “In the Asia Pacific, we’ve now licensed the US version to 11 markets, from Australia to Vietnam, and local audiences are now also falling in love with the charm of Betty. From our new slate, we are seeing interest for dramas such as Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice and Reaper as well as our new comedy Carpoolers.”

    Asked about the relationships the Mouse House‘s distribution arm enjoys with Indian broadcasters, Johnson says that it has strong relationships with a number of them, particularly Star, which telecasts many properties, notable ones being Desperate Housewives and Lost.

    “In addition to that there is the Sab channel, which is now providing these series in Hindi for the first time. We also work closely with broadcasters Zee Studio, Filmy, Max, Star Gold and Star Movies who feature our movies from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. We‘ve also just licensed the new hit cable drama Army Wives to Zee Cafe.

    “In terms of kids programming, our Disney branded and Jetix animation blocks are available in Hindi and English on Star Plus, DD1 and Star One.

    “On the formats front, soon Indian audiences will see the Indian version of reality makeover show Extreme Makeover, produced by Sony Entertainment Television and hosted by Mona Singh.

    “India has huge TV potential and is an important part of our global business strategy. We were the first US studio with on-ground presence in India and we’ve recently strengthened our team with a new sales director (Swati Shetty), which is another step in our commitment to our clients. Our aim is to continue to grow and strengthen our relationships with clients in India as well as find new ways for people to enjoy and connect with our content.”

  • Breakthrough Animation to celebrate 5th anniversary at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Breakthrough Animation will be celebrating its five year of completion at Mipcom this year. Breakthrough Animation specializes in developing and producing animated programming for young audiences. It has created Atomic Betty, Captain Flamingo and Miss BG, among others.

    Breakthrough Animation executive producer and managing partner Kevin Gillis said, “We are extremely pleased with the progress Breakthrough Animation has made in just five short years. Our initial vision was to develop a company where creative individuals could come together to make fresh, memorable animated programming that would have annuity value.”

    “The popularity of our trademark properties like Atomic Betty and Captain Flamingo is a testament to our creative team‘s dedication to delivering a world class animation experience for viewers. We are thankful for the extremely supportive relationships we have enjoyed both with our Canadian broadcasters and our broadcast and production partners worldwide. We look forward to many more years of working with all of them,” Gillis added.

    Jetix Europe Senior Vice President of Programming Marc Buhaj said, “We always enjoy working with the entire Breakthrough team. They are a fresh, fun studio who creates standout characters. From Atomic Betty to Captain Flamingo and next with Jimmy Two Shoes – Breakthrough Animation are creating truly global shows and brands that stand out in the crowded market place.”

    Atomic Betty and Captain Flamingo have been sold in over 100 countries. Miss BG‘s 104 11 minute episodes and 44 minutes of multiplatform content have been licensed to Qubo in the U.S. Breakthrough Animation‘s track-record for developing noteworthy animated television.The company has received a number of notable honors, including several Gemini nominations, a BAFTA nomination, The Actra Award and The New York Television Film Festival Award.

  • Sandra Carter Global to exhibit range of formats at Mipcom

    MUMBAI:Sandra Carter Global announced a new slate of programs including documentary, reality, lifestyle and sports series that it will take for the international broadcasters at this year‘s Mipcom.

    From the rality section, they have The Red Carpet Reporter (52 x ? hr; 30 x 80″ vignettes) that reveals the latest celebrity news, star fashion and glamour to audiences.
    Another show Shop The World For Beauty Secrets (13 x ? hr; 52 x 50″ vignettes) provides audiences with the exclusive beauty secrets of the alluring actresses and models.

    These also include Shop The World For Fashion Secrets (51 x 1 hr) which provides fashion ideas from several places across the globe. Brush With Life from Brush with Life Productions takes audiences on an adventure across the U.S. in search for America‘s next great artist. The show is produced by Sandra Carter Global in association with Brush with Life Productions.

    Passport And Palette another show from from Brush with Life Productions follows master artists as they travel the world painting the most fabulous and fascinating cities, including Paris, Rome and Istanbul.

    The first city will be New Orleans and the original paintings and photographs, as well as limited edition lithographs will then be sold at auction and online. The profits will be contributed to non-profit organizations involved in sustaining the music and artistic roots that signify New Orleans, stated an official release.

    The range of programs from the lifestyle section are Caribbean Escapes (13 x ? hr HDTV) which provides the affluent traveler with an inside look at the Caribbean names in hostelry, cuisine, beauty and shopping. The series was shot in high definition and visits Jamaica, St. Kitts, Barbados, Nevis and many other beautiful and luxurious destinations.

    Asian Green will focus on healthy and organic Asian styles of cooking. Produced by Sandra Carter Global.

    The Lifestyle Programming Package (104 episodes) is a collection of series that give audiences tips on gardening, cooking, home décor, travel and more. Included in the package are Life Made Simple and Carefree Gardener.

     

    Three films from the documentary section have been selected for Mipcom.

    Legends Of The Italian Cinema (30 x ? hr) is a collection of documentary specials about the lives and careers of the Italian film stars and filmmakers of the 20th century including, Claudia Cardinale, Virna lisi, Monica Viti, Roberto Rossellini, Anna Magnani, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Frederico Fellini. This is produced by Babygang.

    The Pavarotti Collection (1 x 1 hr; 130 min recital and 10 CD set) documents the life, marriage and funeral of the great Luciano Pavarotti. The collection includes an exclusive footage and a variety of Pavarotti‘s music. The show is produced in association with Pavarotti Estate.

    Hollywood Rebels (3 x 1 hr) is a collection of documentary specials about the lives of young Hollywood “rebels,” including James Dean, Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando.

    The sports segment has two programs Girls Gone Fishing and Soccer Greats.

    Girls Gone Fishing (26 x ? hr) follows two girls, Sarah and Lea, as they travel across America, Canada and Mexico to learn new tricks for the sport of fishing and using some of their own tricks along the way. This show is produced by Tsunami Productions.

    Soccer Greats (3 x 1hr) is a collection of biographies, highlighting some of today‘s best soccer players, including Baggio Del Piero, Batistuta, Totti, Montella, Roby, Baggio, Maradona, Pele, Pulici, Graziana, Vialli, Mancini and more. Produced by Sandra Carter Global.