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Category: Event Coverage

  • Localisation of content is key to tasting success in kids entertainment: MIPJUNIOR

    Localisation of content is key to tasting success in kids entertainment: MIPJUNIOR

    CANNES: The animation industry globally is going through a renaissance period, wherein we get to see many success stories from not just the larger well known studios like Walt Disney, DHX Media and DreamWorks Animation, but also smaller mushrooming studios who believe in creating content that is true to the roots of the country of their origin, but still hold great promise in the global front.

     

    In a session at MIPJUNIOR 2015, this was precisely what was closely looked at. Titled – ‘How to make it in the global market, the session saw a mix of content creators who are involved in not only creating original content but also taking the IP ahead into various other touch points and giving their IPs a 360 degree presence.

     

    The most pertinent question today is: How do you evolve from a local independent producer into a highly-influential studio developing global-appeal animation brands across multiple platforms This aspirational and practical workshop attempted in providing actionable takeaways for some of the successful producers.

     

    Moderating the panel was Christophe Erbes, a consultant for kids media. He was accompanied by panelists Henry Becket from Ideas at Work, a studio outfit of UK, with Victor Migel from Anima Kichent and Nazli Guney Uysal from Dusyeri Animation Studio.

     

    Becket had a few interesting stats to share to kick off proceedings, when he stated that 1 of 100 concepts actually make it to the pilot stage, 1 of those then go onto become a series and further on 1 of those 100 series gets a multi-season deal and 1 of the popular children’s property then gains the status of a brand.

     

    Uysal, on the other hand, shared the journey of her studio, which in the last seven years has grown to become a 90 man strong team providing 360 degree solutions for not just their own properties but for their clients as well.

     

    ”We began with the idea of creating original content to fill the void, which was present in the Turkish broadcast space and that is precisely what we achieved through our stories and characters,” Uysal said. On the question of overcoming resistance from kids’ broadcasters for local content, she added, ”We did face a tough time initially, but when the public broadcaster was looking to promote locally created content, we grabbed the opportunity with both hands and what followed is other kids broadcasters lining up to license our content for their channels.” 

     

    This is precisely what the Indian kids entertainment space needs to take inspiration from as currently with a publishing house, licensing arm and two animation studios, Dusyeri Animation Studio is enjoying revenue flows to the tune of a few million dollars annually.

  • The Biggest Wave Makers in the Broadcast industry descend on this year’s CASBAA convention

    The Biggest Wave Makers in the Broadcast industry descend on this year’s CASBAA convention

    MUMBAI: In a year of undeniable sea-change within the broadcast industry, the debate at this year’s CASBAA Convention at its new venue at Hong Kong’s Intercontinental Hotel promises to be hotter than ever. With the theme ‘Making Waves’, the convention has secured an impressive line up of speakers comprising of key industry players from all over the world. From global media giants such as AOL and Virgin Media to regional players such as China Media Capital, this year’s convention will waste no time in getting to the heart of the most pertinent issues facing the cable and satellite industry today.

     

    With over-the-top– or OTT – inall its forms and formats being one of the biggest stories on the broadcast industry landscape this year, the topic will take pride of place at this year’s convention. Over the course of the convention, a wide range of issues related to OTT such as content, revenue-drivers, technologies, audience behaviors and regulation will be on the agenda.

     

    “Whilst we cannot deny the role that linear TV will continue to play a role in the region, we must face the reality that OTT is here to stay and adapt accordingly,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “The simple truth is that companies that fail to evolve will be left behind. By taking a look at some of the best practices in the industry, both in our neck of the woods and further afield, it is our belief that the CASBAA Convention will help our members find ways to navigate – and even conquer – these unchartered seas.”

     

    Following an official welcome from Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, AOL’s Digital Prophet, David Shing will kick-start proceedings with an overview of the ever-evolving landscape, focusing on how OTT is now permeating every aspect of the content industry. Giving a UK perspective, Tom Mockridge of Virgin Media will discuss how the broadcast and digital landscapes have become increasingly intertwined and how Virgin has become a leader in this space.

     

    With news hot off the press of his new venture with Warner Bros., Li Ruigang of China Media Capital will be giving the China keynote speech. He will discuss how his investment strategy has helped establish him as one of the major players in the region bridging both the Chinese and international media landscape. Greg Beitchman from CNN and Mark Howard from Forbes will look at driving revenue streams in what is becoming an increasingly digital landscape, while content providers AlonShtruzman from Keshet Media and Mike Hyun-dong Suh from CJ E&M will look at key trends in the content market across Asia. Covering off the latest developments in how technology is being used in the broadcast arena will be David Downey from Invidiand Sam Rogoway from Victorious.  Gwynne Shotwell from SpaceX will be boldly going where no CASBAA speaker has gone before to look at how space technology will not only revolutionize the media industry but life as we know it.

     

    This year, CASBAA will also hold an additional conference on the Monday prior to the convention at the Sheraton Hong Kong to discuss the topic ‘Making Online Advertising Click’. With a view to looking at best practices in the online advertising space, Detective Chief Superintendent, David Clark from the City of London Police Force will discuss what policies have worked for them in the UK, while Dr. Paul Watters will release some updated research on the nefarious places respectable brands can appear online. A host of other speakers from the media to welfare sectors will also take part in this session.

     

    Sponsors for the CASBAA Convention 2015include: ABS, Accedo, Akamai, AMC, APT Satellite, AsiaSat, Brightcove, Conax, France 24, Ideal Group, InvestHK, Irdeto, ITV Choice, Kantar Media,Letv, MEASAT, MediaExcel, nowTV, PwC, RTL CBS Asia, Scripps Networks Interactive, SES, Time Warner, True Visions, Turner and TV5Monde.

  • IDOS 2015: The Broadband Drive

    IDOS 2015: The Broadband Drive

    GOA: The penultimate session of the Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2015 was a panel discussion on ‘The Broadband Drive.’ 

     

    The session was moderated by Indiantelevsion.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari and Media Partners Asia executive director and founder Vivek Couto. The other members of the panel were Maharashtra Cable Operators Foundation (MCOF) president Arvind Prabhoo, Hathway MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar, Ortel Communications Limited head of broadband Servises Jiji John, Lukup Media founder and CEO Kallol Borah and Broadcom India MD, head – business development, India and South-East Asia Rajiv Kapur.

     

    The session began with Jagdish Kumar saying that earlier, Hathway had positioned itself as a cable company that also offered internet, and now it had started positioning itself as one that offered both cable and broadband. Hathaway had doubled its turnover from broadband as compared to last year. However, the company had yet to firm up plans for OTT, said Kumar.

     

    Kumar was of the opinion that the government should take the eight per cent revenue share from data revenue of the cable industry only after higher internet penetration levels took place after two or three years. “This has to be looked upon as an infrastructure development,” he added.

     

    “Average revenue per user (ARPU) is not the driver for broadband to be taken up as a business by MSOs or LMOs. It is margins that actually matter. The reason why MSOs and LMOs have taken up broadband is because there was a requirement,” said John.

     

    In his view, access devices have multiplied over time and with that the consumer wanted to see videos on whatever device, whenever, and wherever. “While mobile internet is the only option when one travels, it is wired broadband that offers the proper stable throughput. Systems such as DOCSIS 3.0 offered a better experience than television did,” John added.

     

    For Ortel, broadband was an important stream and DOCSIS 3 was being tested in a limited way. Ortel garnered subscriber numbers in three digits during the pilot phase revealed John. “We have now started offering video free to broadband customers,” said John.

     

    The company is looking at charging a customer approximately Rs 1000 – 1200 for 10 mbps broadband and Rs 1999 for 50 mbps. “This will subsidise content charges to broadcasters for the free video offerings to subscribers,” he said.

     

    Similarly, Hathway was also considering bundling of HD content free along with broadband, according to Kumar.

     

    India has its own unique business and environmental challenges, which include unpredictable power and last mile cable laying amongst others. However, technology was available to serve India and/or China specific solutions, said Broadcom’s Kapur. “On the subscriber side, PC penetration is low and operators saw the STB only as a live video delivery necessary evil. Some operators would proactively drive broadband, while others would react only,” he said.

     

    Emphasising that if broadband was considered as a ‘use case’ as opposed to a pipe, Kapur said that services delivered to the consumer could be quite game changing. “Broadcom is very bullish about broadband in India. Broadband is the only answer for a cable operator to retain customers as well as raise ARPUs. Progressive minded cable operators will take advantage of the fact that networks could be two way and will establish a service that would retain a customer with a higher ARPU. The higher ARPU customers were in turn needed to subsidise the lower ARPU customers. Rather than government driven, a private sector sustainable business and profitability driven long term sustainable business model is required,” Kapur opined.

     

    The pipe is already in place said MCOF’s Prabhoo. “The question is about how one utilises it. There is enough fibre waiting to be exploited for Phase III of digitisation. MCOF is educating its members about the ways to monetise the pipe. On an experimental basis, MCOF tied up with a PSU, a national ISP that brought the pipe to a particular place, and from there, over the last 20 days, we have connected 25 branches of a nationalised bank with secured leased lines. This would be scaled up to about 125 over the next few days. Over the next three months, this would further be scaled up to 525 branches across the state of Maharashtra,” he informed.

     

    This would help build LMOs confidence that they could deal with a PSU explained Prabhoo.

     

    Also, some MCOF members had established WiFi service hotspots, which had initially offered high speed internet free of charge for the first six months, and now could be availed though a voucher at a small price of Rs 5 for three hours, or Rs 10 per day from small vendors such as a ‘paan shop.’ Prabhoo claimed that through the commissions on voucher sale alone, a paan shop owner’s earnings had gone up by Rs 8000 per month. 

     

    Bullish on the broadband sector in India, Prabhoo said that he envisioned a number of innovations coming into the business.

     

    Explaining his company’s product, Lukup Media’s Borah said that it offered on-demand multiscreen TV service and operates as an OTT platform through a multiscreen home gateway that brought internet delivered content to television and other consumer devices. In the coming months, Lukup also planned to bring linear broadcast TV channels and internet access though a single connection.

     

    Questioning as to why cable companies were not sharing infrastructure in the way telcos were, Wanvari of the opinion that cable companies could compete on products. Kumar agreed that there was merit in cable companies sharing infrastructure for a lot of backend processes and expected this to evolve naturally over a period of time. On the other hand, Prabhoo said that LMOs would be willing to upgrade their infrastructure to work with telcos for providing broadband.

  • TRAI prefers industry-driven guidelines instead of mandating directives: SK Gupta

    TRAI prefers industry-driven guidelines instead of mandating directives: SK Gupta

    GOA: Even as he reiterated that there will be no further extension of date for the third phase of Digital Addressable System (DAS) slated for 31 December, 2015, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) principal advisor  SK Gupta stressed the need of industry-driven guidelines instead of those mandated by the regulators.

     

    Pointing out that many lessons had been learnt from implementation of the first two phases of DAS, Gupta also stressed that the consumer was king and all policy decisions including tariffs had to be made with him in mind.

     

    Addressing the concluding session of the Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2015, through teleconferencing from Delhi, Gupta accepted a suggestion for the need of a ‘supra-body’ other than the Task Force to go into these issues and solve problems that arise during implementation. 

     

    IDOS 2015 was organised by Indiantelevision.com and Media Partners Asia from 24 to 26 September in Goa.

     

    Gupta was of the opinion that the consumer’s choice was neglected and he was forced to pay for bundling of channels or bouquets instead of a la carte rates, which may not give him the channels he wants.

     

    At the outset, he said that there the industry had seen a sizeable growth. “The number of cable households have gone up from 79 million in 2006 to over 101 million at present. The number of channels have gone up to over 800,” he said.

     

    However, he added that though the number of channels have grown to over 800 in India, the driver channels totalled to just around 50.

     

    Furthermore, he said that customer still face billing problems and it wasn’t easy for them to switch to another operator. “The stakeholders must jointly resolve these issues. It has to be understood that it will not be easy to get customer to pay more,” he said.

     

    Pointing out that the increase in average revenue per user (ARPU) is illusory, if the system was faulty, Gupta asked stakeholders to reflect on it jointly. However, he was quick to add that this may not be possible, given “the level of infighting within the sector.”

     

    Gupta also urged the broadcasting sector to take a few lessons from the telecom sector, which had also begun with lot of litigations but had then realised that collaboration was the only way to go ahead. “Today they are prepared to share and sell spectrum and have accepted mobile portability. As a result, there has been tremendous growth in the telecom sector,” he said.

     

    Speaking on broadband, Gupta said, “Lowering the price of broadband is do-able if set top boxes could provide both television and broadband. TRAI gave its recommendations in this regard to the Government in January this year. This will herald the start of a new era in broadband growth.”

     

    “Stakeholders need to realise that the concept of television or video watching is moving to mono-viewing,” he said.

     

    While it was for the stakeholders to find ways to get the customer to fill the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) forms, Gupta said that lessons learnt from the first two phases should help. TRAI would “like to see consensus,” he said.

     

    Gupta also said that while TRAI had its offices in many centres of the country, he would urge the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to send proper instructions to nodal officers in the Phase III and Phase IV areas. His remark came following a complaint that most nodal officers in smaller towns were still not clear about their role in DAS.

     

  • TV content creators keen on digital platforms but rue dearth of writers

    TV content creators keen on digital platforms but rue dearth of writers

    GOA: Producers of content for television feel that they are not creating value as the intellectual property rights go to the channels. However, they are ready to invest in creating content for digital networks and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

     

    Addressing a session on whether the content ecosystem was ready to serve 2000 channels, these producers said serials made for television gave them money but they did not feel satisfied since they were not the owners of their creations. 

     

    Contiloe Pictures CEO Abhimanyu Singh said there was little doubt that TV got more eyeballs than cinema, but this was not totally satisfying. Singh was in fact keen to syndicate their content, which the company could then monetize in different languages.

     

    “One reason why content creators settle for the present position is because the risk lies with the broadcaster and not with the creator,” he said.

     

    In the session moderated by Indiantelevision founder CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, Singh said that he was keen to take up the challenge of creating content for other digital platforms.

     

    Further stating that the younger generation was not coming to television but taking to other mediums, Singh lamented the shortage of good writers in the industry. “The ecosystem has to change for content creators, and this can happen when the intellectual property rights remain with the creator,” he emphasised.

     

    Concurring with Singh on the shortage of writers, Colosceum Media CEO Lalit Sharma looked upon the future as an opportunity for new people to come in. He said, “We will be ready to create content for other digital platforms.”

     

    Beyond Dreams Entertainment Ltd founder Yash Patnaik added, “We have already been doing programmes for other platforms and we have tested audiences for new formats. I am waiting for the market to open up with the entry of OTTs.”

     

    Referring to the shortage of writers, Patnaik said that the writer was also preparing himself for digital platforms. “It is an investment on losses, which may turn into profits later. Content creation needs money, which in turn will create value, which will fetch more investments,” he added. 

     

    Wanvari expressed confidence that OTT players will pay well.

  • Change in investor mindset needed for MSOs to chart growth path

    Change in investor mindset needed for MSOs to chart growth path

    GOA: While the direct-to-home (DTH) sector has managed to attract investment from private investors because of its growth, the cable industry will be able to do so only if multi-system operators (MSOs) add broadband to their services.

     

    This was the general consensus of a session on ‘Investing in Digital assets – Gems and long bets’ at the ongoing Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2015 organised by Indiantelevision.com and Media Partners Asia.

     

    HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Pvt Ltd director of analyst telecoms, media and Internet Rajiv Sharma said that DTH had gained as it has shown growth in terms of average revenue per user (ARPU), and innovation.

     

    While the stocks of cable industry initially went down, a reading of the figures of both cable and DTH showed that there was some recovery towards the end of the year. “The MSOs have not matched up to expectations, partly because of MSO-local cable operator problems,” Sharma said.

     

    In the session moderated by Castle Media ED Vynsley Fernandes, Sharma said that broadband can be the catalyst, which can bring in growth but only one or two MSOs have entered the broadband space.

     

    “The scale of growth is directly linked to attracting investments. If LCOs (local cable operators) can show that they own subscribers, they will get investment,” Sharma said. However, he was quick to add that broadband infrastructure and broadband compliant STBs (set top boxes) would help.

     

    Asked about collaborations, Sharma said that the media can learn a lot from telecom where networking and collaborations led to the government thinking in terms of letting them sell or share spectrum. “Telecoms focus on revenues to share, while the cable industry wants finance for set top boxes,” he said.

     

    Replying to a question about the slow growth of broadband in the country, he said, “Anything that is wireline will grow slowly whereas wireless will grow much faster. The consumer is willing to pay but it is for the government to facilitate this.”

     

    Sharma also added that the quality of management, profitability and network will attract investments. He regretted that the cable industry had failed to learn any lessons from the first two phases of the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS).

     

    Concurring with Sharma, MPA executive director Vivek Couto added, “Investors reward growth and DTH did exactly that.” However, he was of the opinion that the last mile operator (LMO) will consolidate under the Headend In The Sky (HITS) platform and that may change the situation. “The results will begin to show in the three to four years,” he said.

     

    Referring to NXT Digital, which was prepared to offer funding, he said that LMOs may now come forward.

     

    Couto added that while organized MSOs were doing well, investment in broadband in the short term would bring in benefits in the long term.

     

    In reply to a question, he said that India was the only country where content generation was growing. “But in all this, the cable industry was feeling lost,” he opined.

     

    Indiantelevision.com founder CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari had the last word when he said that the mindset of investors had to change as few MSOs in India could today afford the kind of growth their counterparts had shown in foreign countries.

     

    In another session, Maharashtra Cable Operators Foundation president Arvind Prabhoo and Sagar E-Technologies executive director Sudhish Kumar agreed that the cable industry had to organise itself better if it was to attract investments and grow in the digital era.

     

    Prabhoo said he had succeeded to an extent in this by getting the LCOs to be seen as the last mile operator (LMO). In an example of how the LMOs can grow, he said, “30 LMOs in Nagpur have joined together to form an MSME and were not prepared to invest in other LMOs,” he said.

     

    He added that if investors put in money to help create model services, there will be a major change in the next six months or so. “If cable operators offer other services through their STBs, there will be a churn in the industry,” he said.

     

    Kumar, who has a headend in Bangalore, lamented that finance was a major problem. “One STB cost around Rs 1500, but some of the larger MSOs sell boxes for around Rs 1000 and this forced others to sell at lower rates, which in turn results in a loss,” he said.

     

    Emphasising on the fact that MSOs were not concentrating on marketing, he said that if they did, it would help in consolidating the industry.

     

    Citing his own example, he said that he had not lost a single LMO despite having had ups and downs in his company because of the faith reposed in the company.

  • LMO – consumer collaboration is key to successful digitisation: IDOS

    LMO – consumer collaboration is key to successful digitisation: IDOS

    GOA: Collaboration is the only way for the Indian digital industry to go forward – particularly if it involves the last mile operator (LMO) as well as the subscriber. This was the core of the opening of the Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2015 organised by Indiantelevision.com along with Media Partners Asia on the theme of ‘Defining the Digital Future.’

     

    Speakers at the summit, which is being held at The Lalit, Goa from 24 – 25 September, stressed that it was time to stop fighting with each other in courts or other forums and to move forward together since digitisation was inevitable.

     

    Speakers in the opening session of IDOS 2015 were clear that though the government was the largest gainer by way of taxes etc, it could not be depended upon and it was for the stakeholders to move forward on their own if the Phase III and IV digitisation deadlines set by the government had to be achieved. 

     

    Describing the scenario as a marathon race, Viacom Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said it was critical for all stakeholders to collaborate and yet compete at the same time.

     

    The industry also needed to keep in mind the fact that the consumer is running ahead and everything depends and changes according to what he wants.

     

    In order for the market place to evolve, it was imperative that all stakeholders moved forward in a collaborative spirit. The policy makers, unfortunately, are the last in this race as they are slowest. So frustration will set in if everyone looks to the government as the winner.

     

    “Digitisation is being looked at myopically but it is necessary to look at it along with the consumer. Over the Top services will shortly take over in a big way. It is therefore important to realize that while each platform has a different technology, it’s important to keep pace. Players have to be pro-active and customise for all the 1.2 billion viewers,” Vats said. 

     

    Walt Disney India MD Siddharth Roy Kapur said it was important to see how consumers were rapidly moving from just a single screen scenario to usage of multiple platforms. “That is the reason why I prefer to use the expression ‘video content delivery business’ instead of television business. There is a strong need to put consumers at the centre of the whole media business,” he added.

     

    However as a result of multiple screens coming in, the level of attention span per screen has been declining. “Stakeholders have to keep this in view while planning their strategies. Content creation therefore has to change accordingly and companies need to find ways to get the consumer to value the content,” he added.

     

    He also stressed on the need for companies to look at each other as partners and move ahead to derive more value and average revenue per user (ARPU).

     

    Hinduja Group’s Grant Investrade MD Tony D’Silva said his company had carried out various studies before launching their Headend In The Sky (HITS) platform – NXT Digital. “All these studies showed that the last mile operator, who had built this industry with his sweat and blood, had to be taken along, and the consumer was a key stakeholder,” he said.

     

    It was clear that the first beneficiary through taxation, service tax, entertainment duty or licence fee was the government. However, the government has done little to support the industry. On the other hand, the second beneficiary was the broadcaster, which received 75 to 80 per cent of the revenues. “He therefore must play a key role in this journey,” D’Silva said. 

     

    Considering what these stakeholders – government and broadcasters – get, it was necessary that the two help other stakeholders if digitisation had to be achieved. 

     

    Digitisation will also help bring about transparency in a scenario where the LMOs had been declaring just around 15 – 20 per cent of their subscriber numbers.

     

    NXT Digital has been designed in a manner in which the LCO/LMO does not lose proprietorship of their business and did their own broadcasting deals as well as pricing and packaging as per market rates. The HITS platform also enabled LCOs to obtain set top boxes at their own convenience with easy funding and set up local channels in order to compete with other digital platforms like direct-to-home. NXT Digital had worked out a fee of just Rs 50 per subscriber per month and is offering 500 channels.

     

    It also ensured encryption at three stages: in the NXT system, at the LCO level and at the STB-end. GPS had been provided to the STB to ensure any movement was detected. It is therefore clear that the LCO has to be helped if Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) has to succeed. Perhaps the biggest problem was to get the consumer to pay, and the LCO needs to be aided in this task.

     

    In a presentation of the present scenario, MPA executive director Vivek Couto said that it was important for stakeholders to get their act together as digital penetration was only at 50 per cent so far. “It is also necessary to remember that Phase III and Phase IV comprise a large chunk than the first two phases,” he added.

     

    According to Couto, around 70 per cent of the content contribution was coming from players like Viacom, Sony, or Fox. Adding that the low rate of internet connectivity around the country was a major issue, he said, “The Indian pay TV business will remain competitive and reach its peak in the next three years, but research and collaboration is very critical for this.”

     

    Indiantelevision.com founder CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari said in his opening remarks that in order to meet their targets, stakeholders had to have commitments and take tough decisions. “However, the large number of legal cases and problems of agreements between various stakeholders must make them realise that DAS will not succeed in this manner,” Wanvari emphasised.

     

    At the same time, Wanvari was also of the opinion that LCOs and LMOs had to change and forge partnerships in order to move forward. 

     

    The government on its part must do something about taxation along with opening up for greater foreign direct investment (FDI).

  • FremantleMedia brings ratings winners to MIPCOM 2015

    FremantleMedia brings ratings winners to MIPCOM 2015

    MUMBAI: An exciting line up of bold and energetic titles are on their way to this year’s MIPCOM, set to grab the attention of worldwide TV buyers. 

     

    FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark said, “I love how brilliantly diverse our formats feel this MIPCOM. Every show is a proven ratings success and has been tried and tested in some of our toughest markets. From enticing new titles set to shake up schedules to reinvigorated classics with a modern twist, I’m confident we can cater to audiences across the globe.” 

    First from the slate is La Banda, a dramatically different new music reality competition where, for the first time ever, the fans are in control. Developed by SYCO Entertainment, Saban Brands and Univision Network, La Banda’s recent launch in the US placed Univision as the No. 4 broadcast TV network – 74 per cent above Univision’s regular Sunday audience average. 

     

    Then, prepare to strap on those safety goggles for The Eureka Moment – an explosive new game show by Blue Circle that that supersizes classroom chemistry into classic prime time entertainment. The series launch on RTL4 positioned the show #1 in its timeslot and above all the #1 entertainment launch in the Netherlands in 2015. In each episode, two couples go head to head as they test their popular science knowledge and come face to face with a raft of dangerous stunts and wacky experiments, all in the bid to win a luxury holiday. 

     

    Next it’s time to play some virtual quiz tennis with fast paced game show format Rebound produced by Thames. Taking inspiration from a retro video game Rebound challenges wit, knowledge and composure as two contender’s battle it out before the iconic visual ‘Moving Bar’ creeps across the studio and eliminates them from the game. Players must respond swiftly and correctly before the bar reaches them in order to divert the Bar back towards their opponent. With large cash jackpot at stake the contestants need to think fast and beat the bar.

     

    Think you know quiz shows? Think again! Who Knew? is a brand new addition to the game show genre by UFA Show and Factual that works both stripped across the week or in a prime time slot. The celebrity panel series launched on Germany’s ARD and was #1 in its timeslot as well as landing the highest rated Saturday night game show launch in eight years. Who Knew? provides a daily dose of nutty knowledge by featuring an array of very unusual questions that unveil some crazy facts from everyday life, scientific studies, or even practical hints and tips. 

     

    Additionally, two much loved classic formats have been given a fresh injection of fun for today’s audience.Celebrity Family Feud is the USA’s highest rated new entertainment launch of the 2014/15 season and sees celebrity families compete against each other in the star-studded version of iconic game show Family Feud. To Tell The Truth is the beloved 1960’s classic hit gameshow, which has been rebooted and returns to our screens. Anarchic and funny, this format features a celebrity panel who need to guess who is telling the truth between three people all claiming to be the same person with the same incredible talent, job or achievement.

     

    To round off the new line-up, FremantleMedia presents Lords and Ladles – an entertaining lifestyle format by Mind the Gap Films that invites viewers on a historical journey celebrating the past through the wonders of food and the glories of cooking. The show is fronted by three intrepid chefs who will recreate grand feasts based on original recipe books from centuries ago. The audience is given a unique opportunity to peep behind closed doors delving into the histories of some of the grandest private homes to witness the everyday lives of the families who lived there.

  • Alfred Haber Television crisscrosses globe with numerous sales for its two series

    Alfred Haber Television crisscrosses globe with numerous sales for its two series

    MUMBAI: Having announced the acquisition of the two new series Dead Again (9 x 60’) and You Can’t Like Your Elbow (6 x 30’) earlier this year, Alfred Haber, President of Alfred Haber Television, Inc. (AHTI), today unveiled a number of key sales for both titles.  The sales cover every corner of the world from the UK to Africa, and from Latin America to Thailand.

     

    For Dead Again, the addictive, nine-episode series produced by Wolf Reality and Left/Right (Mob Wives) for A&E, sales include A&E (United Kingdom), NBC Universal (Germany), Planete Thalassa (France) and Foxtel (Australia). The series, which aired in primetime on A&E in the U.S., follows an elite team of detectives as they re-examine controversial and mysterious murder cases in which unresolved questions still linger…long after the verdict was reached

     

    You Can’t Lick Your Elbow, the remarkable, family-friendly series from producer Authentic Entertainment (Ace Of Cakes, Toddlers & Tiaras), has seen sales success with Discovery (CEEMEA), Rogers (Canada), Discovery (Latin America), NGC Network (India), and BEC World (Thailand). You Can’t Lick Your Elbow uses familiar, ordinary examples, brought to life with cutting-edge CGI and easy-to-understand explanations, to show viewers the amazing, uncnny and often extraordinary things of which the human body is capable. Segments reveal mind-boggling techniques and cool bodytricks people can employ to help them maneuver through their day-to-day lives. 

     

    “These are two very different, yet very successful shows as evidenced by our recent sales,” commented Haber. “Between the thrilling detective stories of Dead Again and the fascinating knowledge collected in You Can’t Lick Your Elbow, these programs are truly international in their appeal and our sales from around the globe certainly support that.”

  • Nippon TV heading to Mipcom with new drama series, new entertainment series, and new format

    Nippon TV heading to Mipcom with new drama series, new entertainment series, and new format

    MUMBAI:  Marking the 10th Anniversary of its popular format Dragons’ Den (Shark Tank in the US), Nippon Television Network Corporation (NipponTV), the leading commercial broadcaster and network in Japan offering entertainment, anime, documentaries and news, announced today that the company will be heading to MIPCOM with a new drama series, Death Note (11 x 60’), a new entertainment series, MATSUKO-ROID (13 x 30’), and its newest format, the observational reality/game show The Kindergarten (13 x 30’). The announcement was made today by Yukiko Kimishima, Divisional President of International Business Development.

     

    “One of our key mottos at Nippon TV is ‘viewers come first’ and we are confident that these three news projects will be well received by our Japanese audiences, as well as viewers around the world for our format The Kindergarten,” commented Kimishima.  “We are also delighted to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of our international format hit Dragon’s Den which continues to soar in both popularity and ratings in over 25 countries and regions.”

     

    The first title up for Nippon TV is Death Note which is based on the world-renowned comic book serialized between 2003 and 2006 that currently boasts over 30 million copies printed in Japan. This live-action drama series follows Light Yagami’s quest to kill off all criminals and create a world without bad people while using a notebook.

     

    Nippon TV – MIPCOM 2015 – New Titles2-2-2-2-2 known as Death Note.  The animation remake of this series has been broadcast and/or streamed in over 150 countries and regions and remains highly popular. In addition, two live-action movies and a musical have been produced, making it a truly multi-platform content. 

     

    Next up is the new entertainment series MATSUKO-ROID that marks the world’s first TV show where one of the hosts is an android.  The series features Japan’s most famous cross-dressing commentator Matsuko Deluxe and his life-size android Matsuko-Roid, made by cutting edge technology that was developed with the supervision of Professor Ishiguro of Osaka University. The android travels to various places, sometimes to rural areas far from Tokyo, and talks with local people. The real host in Tokyo is connected by Internet and shares his good advice with the locals. This program discusses what television and the world will be like when androids become mainstream.

     

    Rounding out the slate for Nippon TV is The Kindergarten, an observational reality/game show series.  The Kindergarten has been successful for over 17 years in primetime Japanese TV and is now being offered as a format for the first time. Utilizing fun tactics, including mysterious monsters, a quiz game, and on-camera confessions, this show captures the adorable moments of kids when cameras are placed in kindergarten classes revealing the sweet charms of children’s daily life through engaging games.