Category: Event Coverage

MUMBAI: iD Distribution has gained another 100 hours of high-definition (HD) programmes from Voom HD Networks.

The new programmes will be available for international broadcast acquisition at the television trade event Mipcom next month.

iD has previously sold over 1,100 hours of programming for Voom HD into more than 150 countries across the globe. iD licenses programming internationally for VOOM HD Networks, WEtv, Lifeskool, Sportskool and IFC.

iD Distribution CEO Sally Miles said, “We are delighted to have achieved so much with Voom HD Networks, particularly in the last year. The catalogue that we represent includes highly fascinating and diverse programming which has vast appeal in a global sense, and we will continue to enjoy great success for this catalogue.”
Voom HD Networks senior VP, global operations and business development Glenn Oakley says, “The iD team has done a fantastic job furthering the international reach of Voom HD programming. We are energised by the outlook for even greater expansion at this market and are happy to have contributed to iD’s continued success with a solid slate of new HD offerings.”

The 100 new hours of Voom HD programming include several returning series, as well as totally new titles. Treasure Divers provides an inside look at the little known and rarely filmed world of underwater treasure excavation. Each episode follows shipwreck treasure historian, Carl ‘Fizz’ Fismer and dive instructor, Captain Gary Mace, as they troll a host of underwater wrecks in search of riches, both monetary and historic.

Classic Racers shares the experience of the classic racer that time-travels to the Golden Era of car racing, capturing not only the speed and noise, but the incredible atmosphere as well.

Ultra Eye has new episodes visiting the world’s most stylish cities, including Paris, Rome, Reykjavik and LA.

Behind the Label introduces viewers to the most powerful icons of the fashion and beauty worlds.

New episodes of Reservations Required go behind the scenes of the hottest and most talked-about restaurants in the world.

MUMBAI: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) has appointed London-based media rights agency, RDA TV, to exclusively distribute its television rights on a global basis in a three year agreement, excluding the US.

The Nashville-headquartered TNA Entertainment has a six-sided ring and high-flying action. In India viewers can catch TNA action on Star Sports. RDA will be marketing TNA at Mipcom.

TNA has stars like Kurt Angle, Sting and Christian Cage, as well as hot new talent like A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe and “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal. TNA’s weekly flagship programme, TNA Impact, airs on Spike TV in the US with TNA also producing a monthly PPV event and associated programming.

RDA TV, whose clients include Real Madrid Television and Traffic Sports Marketing (Copa America, Brazil World Cup Qualifiers), has a strong track record in identifying and maximizing the potential of ‘next generation’ media rights.

RDA has worked with Ultimate Fighting Championship since 2001, during which time UFC has emerged as a major powerhouse in sports programming and PPV. RDA was responsible securing UFC distribution deals in UK (Sky Sports, Bravo, Setanta Sports), Australia (Fox Sports), Sweden (TV4), New Zealand (Sky) and Italy (FX).

TNA Entertainment president Dixie Carter says, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with RDA as we work together to bring the most exciting professional wrestling in the world today to fans across the globe. RDA will in crease our presence with broadcasters on a global basis.”

RDA TV MD Richard Dennis said, “TNA already has a strong cult following in US, UK and in parts of Asia, and this brand has tremendous potential for worldwide growth. Consumer interest in MMA and wrestling programming has grown massively in the last decade, and we strongly feel that TNA appeals directly to a new generation of wrestling fans that will prove very successful for broadcasters.”

RDA’s first successful distribution agreements for TNA in the UK have been an 18 month agreement with Bravo for PAY-tv rights, and VOD deal with BT Vision. TNA’s existing distribution agreements include ESPN Star Sports and Star World (Asia), Fox Sports Middle East, SuperSport (Africa), Sky (New Zealand) and Main Event (Australia).

MUMBAI: Mipcom, the international television trade event, has unveiled the 32 nominees for the third edition of the Mipcom Mobile and Internet TV Awards.

The winners will be announced at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on 10 October, during a ceremony in the presence of Miles Beckett, co-creator of the web-based series Lonelygirl15. The event will reward the most innovative and creative audiovisual content for mobile and Internet.

Miles Beckett will host a presentation during which participants will be able to discover the latest formats and short entertainment programmes, including a presentation of his newest creation, KateModern, a spin-off from Lonelygirl15.

The Mipcom Mobile and Internet TV Awards are the biggest international competition for Short Form Entertainment Content for both mobile and internet, with a record participation of 280 projects from 180 companies representing 38 countries.

The 32 nominated projects come both from well-known production companies such as Fox Mobile Entertainment, BBC/Preloaded, Buongiorno SPA, FremantleMedia and MTV Networks Animation as well as smaller, less well known studios from all over the world.
Reed Midem director digital media Ted Baracos says, “We are seeing short formats for mobile and Internet really taking off today. This growth is illustrated at the Mipcom Mobile and Internet TV Awards, which features four new categories entitled Best Short Form Audiovisual Entertainment made for Mobile and/or Internet: Drama, Best Short Form Audiovisual Entertainment made for Mobile and/or Internet: Comedy, Best Short Form Audiovisual Entertainment made for Mobile and/or Internet: Lifestyle/Music, and Best Short Form Audiovisual Entertainment made for Mobile and/or Internet: Factual.”

The five other categories to receive an award are: Best Cross-Platform & Interactive Mobile TV Format, Best Made-for-Mobile TV or Film Channel, Best Mobile Service for Social Community & User-Generated Content, and, new this year, two film categories: Best Short Film Originally Created or Repurposed for Mobile, and Best Film Shot on a Mobile Device.

Mipcom Mobile and Internet TV Awards co-executive producer and jury president Ferhan Cook says, “The projects that were submitted this year, whether destined for mobile or the Internet, fascinated the jury by the quality and exceptional creativity of their content. We saw new formats like graphic novels or interactive games based on televised documentaries.”

In addition to Miles Beckett, the grand jury will comprise representatives from Bravo Fact!, Hungama Mobile, Pocket Film Festival, The Hollywood Reporter and Yahoo.

The third edition of the Mipcom Mobile and Internet TV Awards is sponsored by Mini Movie Channel, Thomson and Yahoo! The Cannes International Film Market and its Short Film Corner are partners and Billboard, Neilsen Media and The Hollywood Reporter are media partners. The Co-production partner is Any Screen Productions.

MUMBAI: TV format distributor Distraction Formats will launch CBC‘s gameshow The Next Great Leader at Mipcom.

The television trade event takes place in Cannes, France from 8-12 October 2007.

CBC executive director factual entertainment Julie Bristow says, ‘The CBC, in partnership with Magna International, is thrilled to be launching this exciting new format at Mipcom. This entertaining political game show was a big hit with Canadian viewers.

” The launch of The Next Great Leader also marks the start of an exclusive relationship with Distraction Formats. We are delighted to announce that Distraction, known worldwide for their expertise in marketing television formats, will represent CBC‘s Factual Entertainment formats internationally.”

The Next Great Leader is a high stake, political debate competition format for young men or women who are ready to share the ideas for making their country a better, stronger and more prosperous place.

18-25 year olds are invited to submit a three-to-five-minute video taped speech with their ‘Leadership Message‘. A panel of judges select 25 of the best applicants from over 500 submissions where four finalists are eventually selected to participate in the televised one-hour finale special.

Tensions run high as the four contestants are quizzed by an esteemed panel of four former national leaders. The stakes are high – with a cash prize of $50,000, a coveted Magna-Dominion-Fulbright six month internship and the prestigious title of The Next Great Leader, this top reality game show provides its audiences with an extraordinary unique insight into politics and former world leaders.

Distraction CEO Michel Rodrigue says, “I am thrilled to be representing CBC with the launch of this top format and I am very much looking forward to this new relationship. I am highly confident that the coming months will be just as fruitful for Distraction and our new partner‘.

MUMBAI: Bennett Media Worldwide has set Mipcom 2007 to introduce global broadcasters to their new driving adventure program – National Lampoon‘s Great American Run.

A 60-minute special of the high definition production will be available for broadcast sale at this year‘s market. The announcement was made today by Bennett Productions president Casey Bennett.

“National Lampoon‘s Great American Run combines the always fascinating appeal of exotic cars with action/adventure stories, making this special interesting and gripping for audiences,” said Bennett.

Inspired by the Hollywood blockbuster, Cannonball Run, this adventure special features driving enthusiasts as they put the pedal to the metal and face a series of extreme mental and physical challenges that test the spirit and staying power of driver and machine.

“We are confident that the special will meet the demands of our global partners and we look forward to introducing the program at this year‘s market,” added Bennett.

This adventure feature also contains some exotic vehicles in action, including the $1.5 million, 1001-horsepower Bugatti.

MUMBAI: Galleon Entertainment, the UK-based intellectual property owner, developer and manager, greenlights the production of the first TV series of its multi platform property Apollo‘s Pad and has set Mipcom 2007 to unveil the first three episodes of the all-new animated series to international buyers. The announcement was done by Galleon Holdings plc CEO Stephen Green.

Apollo‘s Pad produced in association with Sony BMG, takes classic music tracks and by adding humour and animation reaches the audience of 16-24 years old. Each episode features two minutes of gag based comedy followed by an animated music video which features a classic song re-recorded and produced by Grammy award-winning producer, Brian Rawlings, of UK-based Metrophonic Studios.

The first episodes feature the songs ‘I‘m a believer‘, the classic Monkees hit, as well as, ‘War‘ and ‘Money.‘ The episodes are set in an animated live music venue, called Apollo‘s Pad, where each character is the personification of a music genre.

Each episode follows the adventures of the king of disco dudes, club manager Hudson and the bunch of music loving maniacs that work and perform in Apollo‘s Pad.

The comedy animation series uses various animation technology to revitalise songs in a way that can be broadcast on TV as well as online and on mobile platforms. In addition, the launch of Apollo‘s Pad on apollospad.com, will provide streaming, downloads and user generated content.

“There is a huge demand for short-form entertainment as well as music video content,” said Green.

“Apollo‘s Pad, the perfect ‘comedy meets music‘ animated property offers multiple time lengths depending on the platform. The series that has the format of the Muppet show with the humour of the Simpsons is certain to be a hit among the viewers. Mipcom gives us the perfect opportunity to forge relationships with international and regional TV, online and mobile partners,” added Green.

Apollo‘s Pad was created by Stephen Green and Len Dunne, managing director of Galleon Holdings plc. The comedy animation series is being produced by London-based Good Story Productions whose writing team includes Chris Brown (South Park and Friends), with animation from Canada-based Copernicus Studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia while the music is produced by Brian Rawlings of UK-based Metrophonic Studios.

MUMBAI: On the occasion of India being the country of honour at next month‘s television trade event Mipcom Indiantelevision.com is doing a series of pieces on what the leading figures in India‘s television and entertainment industry feel about the media scene.

The first one in this series is Reliance Entertainment president Rajesh Sawhney. He offers his views on regulation, as too the potential of the new digital distribution platforms.

Indian TV Industry overview: The stature of the Indian television industry will continue to grow in coming years. The Indian economy will grow at 9 to 10 per cent per annum. Conusumerism is on meteoric rise, which is fuelling advertising growth in general and on TV advertising in particular.

Digitalisation of cable, DTH and IPTV induction will see multiple growth in declared subsrcribers and subscription revenues. Revenue from advertising and TV subscriptions grew 17 per cent in 2006 to $4.2 billion; this figure is likely to more than double to $10 billion by 2011.

Regulation: Regulation will continue to be a challenge in India. While there are plenty of bullish figures for India’s pay-TV market, yet there are regulatory hurdles such as non-exclusivity of content on DTH or the price capping of pay-TV channels in the case of conditional access (Cas).

I advocate self regulation as far as content is concerned. The pricing of TV channels and bouquets is a tricky issue and the regulator has to see that there are no monopolistic or restrictive behaviour. The interest of the consumer needs to be balanced with the health of broadcasters as well as platform owners.

The digitisation of media: India is on the cusp of change. A digital revolution. DTH, digital cable and IPTV are realities today. These changes bring with them new level of technical sophistication and content production. It is being projected that India (which had 116-120 million television homes in 2006, of which 61 per cent have pay TV) will have 90 per cent penetration from an estimated 185 million television homes in 2015.

DTH, Digital cable and IPTV are three forces that are backed by capital, coporate horse power and regulatory will power. However, transition to digital technology will face trendous challenges from entrenched trade, consumer apathy, but also intensive competition.

On the IPTV front: The State-owned incumbents have a incumbency advantage, which they are frittering away. They own 50 m subs copper factory, but so far they have not shown much enterprise in making the copper factory evolve to provide triple play services. I feel that the private sector participation is key to growth of IPTV in India which is around the corner.

I feel that IPTV has a great future in India in long term. However in the short term, it will be DTH that will be key to driving consumer penetration.

DTH: DTH is an exciting market in India. It will also be a tough market with 6 serious players in the battle. The DTH satellite market is set to grow from 2.6 million subscribers in 2006 to 38 million by 2015. I also expect DTH to provide a new platform for new and innovative content to flourish in India. Content has been key to the success of DTH platforms in other markets. We will see how this plays a role in the evolution of DTH in Indian market.

Digital Cable: The introduction of Cas was scheduled to be done in a phased manner at least in three metros this year. But there seems to be a delay. Given the regulatory structure for cable industry, delays are inevitable.

Even the mom and pop nature of Indian cable industry is a hindrance in the roll out of efficient and effective digital cable networks.