ITV

Category: Specials

  • Breakthrough films and television, Partners In Motion join forces for programme development, distribution

    MUMBAI: Canada-based Partners in Motion and Breakthrough Films and Television along with their distribution division, Breakthrough Entertainment have teamed up for a programme development and distribution co-venture Breakthrough Entertainment is launching Partners In Motion‘s latest line-up of programmes at next month‘s television trade event Mipcom in cannes, France.

    As part of the new strategic alliance, Breakthrough and Partners In Motion will be co-investing half-a-million dollars combined over the next three years into a joint venture initiative. This financing will be utilized to develop factual programmes that meet market demands while creating new partnerships with international broadcasters, as well as third-party producers. Further details of this new development initiative will roll out closer to Realscreen 2008.

    In addition, Breakthrough Entertainment, BFTV‘s distribution division managed by Tanya Kelen, head of distribution has been appointed as Partners In Motion‘s worldwide distribution agent for their catalogue of factual programming.

    BFTV president and executive producer Peter Williamson says, “This new alliance is part of our ongoing strategy to grow Breakthrough‘s production and distribution business, and we are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with the Partners In Motion team,” said Williamson.

    Partners In Motion CEO Ron Goetz says, “Breakthrough‘s strength in programming, development, production and distribution is a natural fit with our own, and we are anticipating a fruitful partnership as we gear up for making further announcements at Realscreen 2008”.

     

  • Granada International to launch four new shows at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Granada International has acquired worldwide distribution rights to four new shows from factual production unit Original Productions. Subjects range from a fascinating glimpse of the underground world of fighting clubs, to an unconventional tour company that goes in search of the best-ever tornado, to the ultimate garden makeover show and the heartbreak and loss of families of missing children. Each one of the new shows will be launched to international buyers next month in Cannes at the television trade event Mipcom. Granada International director of acquisitions and co-productions Emmanuelle Namiech, says, “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Original Productions. An independent company that always finds the most original aspects of our world today and captures them in the most creative and entertaining way for TV viewers.”









    Backyard Nation is a backyard makeover show that delivers dream gardens to people who cannot or will not do it themselves. From a professional Hollywood stuntman who wants a motocross track and skate bowl built in his backyard, to homeowners Adam and Athena who request an Alice in Wonderland makeover, complete with giant cement mushroom and a tea cup hot tub. Each makeover is worth $100,000 in labour and materials, providing the lucky homeowners with their ultimate fantasy in the show where no dream is too over-the-top or wacky for the Backyard Nation makeover team.


    Our Lives: Dog Brothers explores underground fight clubs. There are no rules, no judges, no referees and no trophies in The Dog Brothers club. Twice a year, members from all over the world attend a tribal ritual they call ‘The Gathering of the Pack’, an intense day of head-to-head combat, using hardened rattan sticks as weapons. They wear no protective padding or clothing other than gloves and a thin fencing mask. Fully aware they could get seriously hurt, they are driven by the adrenalin rush of facing not only their opponent, but also their own fear.


    Our Lives: Disappeared is a factual crime show that reveals the forgotten true stories of missing children and their families. Every forty seconds, a child goes missing in the US alone. Recounting the true tale of Jody Plauche and Jennifer Martilez, who went missing over 20 years ago, Disappeared profiles what happened to the victims, their families, and the dedicated police officers who worked on the cases. As the families share their compelling stories, the programme hunts for clues and memories that not only honour innocence lost, but remind children and parents.


    Besides these shows from Original Productions the other shows that Granada International will showacse at Mipcom will include the drama My Boy Jack. In his first television role since Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe stars with Kim Cattrall Sex & the City in this family drama about duty, sacrifice and the horror of war. It is based on the true story of Jack Kipling (Radcliffe), son of acclaimed British author Rudyard Kipling, who was determined to become a soldier in the First World War.


    Suffering from severe myopia, 17-year-old Jack was refused entry to the army until his famous father intervened, obtaining him a commission in the Irish Guards. But shortly after going into battle, he was listed as “missing believed wounded” and Kipling and his American wife Carrie (Cattrall) began a frantic search to find their son.

    The Murdoch Mysteries is a new 13 episode drama series. It is set in Toronto, Canada in the 1890s. Yannick Bisson stars as William Murdoch, a young detective who solves a series of challenging murders using emerging and progressive forensic techniques. Scorned for his ideas by Chief Inspector Brackenreid, he forms an unlikely ally with beautiful coroner Dr Julia Ogden, who is also struggling against tradition and prejudice, and together they prove a formidable team.


    More drama comes courtesy Ballet Shoes. Victoria Wood and Emma Watson Harry Potter star in this drama about family, fame and realising your dreams. Sisters Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil live a sheltered life with their guardian Sylvia Brown until they are accepted at the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. Only then do they discover their special talents and start to realise their dreams.


    Granada International will also showcase several formats at Mipcom. One of these is Born Winners. Ywo players go head-to-head for a large cash prize. In each round, the players have to guess the ages of their opponent’s team members, made up of friends, family and colleagues.


    Hilarity ensues as the contestants – and the audience at home – try to guess their ages based on their looks and appearance. In the nail-biting final round, the contestants must accurately guess the age and birthday of their opponent. The first one to guess correctly wins the cash, and the loser goes home with nothing.









  • UTV eyes movies at Mipcom; to sell Bindass’ show formats

    UTV eyes movies at Mipcom; to sell Bindass’ show formats

    MUMBAI: UTV Global Broadcasting Ltd (UBL), the broadcast arm of UTV, is eyeing movie acquisitions at Mipcom. It will also exhibit its existing formats on its recently launched youth channel Bindass.

    Says Bindass CEO Zarina Mehta, “We will be primarily eyeing movies at Mipcom. Also, we want to sell Bindass show formats for Lagegi, Shakira and Sun Yaar Chill Maar.“

    UTV‘s movie acquisitions are expected to supplement the content demands for its upcoming movie channels. UBL plans to launch a world cinema channel and a Hindi movie channel.

    The company will also look to add movies to the Bindass library. Bindass currently has approximately eight to nine hours of programming in the form of movies.

    “We are currently screening Hindi as well as dubbed movies on three slots – 12 noon, 5:30 pm and midnight,” says Mehta.

    Further, Mehta reveals that she wants to replicate the Bindass model by launching similar channels in other countries.

    “I want to use the Bindass model for launching channels in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. But as of now, I want to do one thing at a time,” she says. Bindass officially launched on 24 September.

  • Galleon Entertainment takes ‘Sokator-42’ to Mipcom

    Galleon Entertainment takes ‘Sokator-42’ to Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Galleon Entertainment, the UK-based intellectual property owner, developer and manager, is taking its all-new repositioned multiplatform animated comedy adventure series, Sokator-442 to Mipcom 2007.

     

    The 26 x half hours animated soccer adventure series is available to international buyers at this year‘s market for online, mobile and TV broadcast deals, it was announced by Galleon Holdings plc CEO Stephen Green.

    “Sokator-442 is poised to become the next soccer YouTube for Kids,” said Green. “This is a unique opportunity to create a global online community for children that is safe and teach them about soccer in a fun and engaging way.”

     

    Sokator-442 is a multiplatform animated comedy adventure TV series aimed at boys and girls aged 6-11. The show has an online website where kids can upload their soccer skills footage and compare it with other kids from around the globe.

     

    Galleon Holdings plc MD Len Dunne added,”Sokator-442 at its heart has an amazing fantasy that we are bringing to life through an animated TV series combined with a content-rich online site and outreach programme. We have applied our learning from Apollo‘s Pad, our multiplatform young adult music meets comedy property that we developed with Sony BMG, to Sokator-442 and the results are blowaway.”

     

    Sokator-442 (26 x half hours) follows the adventures of a brother and sister from earth who are transported to Sokator-442, a planet where ancient forms of soccer are played and used to settle differences between species. The siblings have to unite a team of alien misfits to compete against the master teams to save their homeland from destruction.

     

    The multiplatform animated property was created by Len Dunne and Stephen Green of Galleon Entertainment. It is being produced by UK-based Zoo Films whose production team‘s credits include 101 Dalmatians, Family Guy, Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys. The art direction is supervised by Canada-based Copernicus Studios while Bob Thompson of London-based Good Story Productions.

     

  • Rive Gauche announces broadcast sales before Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Rive Gauche Motors and More, a Rive Gauche Entertainment company, has finalised licensing agreements with few international broadcasters heading into Mipcom.

    The announcement was made by Rive Gauche Motors & More SVP international sales Dorothy Crompton.

    In addition, seasons three and four of the men‘s lifestyle program, Family Business, has been sold to 3 Lines/VMM in Belgium.

    Rive Gauche‘s pre-market sales achievements from the Men & Motors catalogue include:

    • Dmax in Germany has secured the rights to All the Gear, No Idea!
    • Moto TV has acquired rights for All the Gear, No Idea! in Italy.
    • Car Channel in the Netherlands has secured rights for 100 Most Popular Cars and London to Sydney Marathon.
    • Auto Plus in Russia and CIS have obtained the rights to Bikes Aloud, Military Motors, Bigfoot & Friends, Automobilia, Mutant Machines, Sold in 60 Seconds, Life of Tires, Slipstream, Taxi, and Classic Motors.

  • Daro Film to distribute ‘Menace’ at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Daro Film Distribution has struck a deal with Thunderbird Films of Vancouver for world-wide distribution rights to the Canadian broadcaster CTV Television movie, Menace.Produced by Calgary‘s Seven24 Films and Toronto’s Slanted Wheel Entertainment.

    The television-movie event will make its international debut at next month’s television trade event Mipcom. Daro Film‘s Pierre Rochat says, “We are honored to bring this powerful drama to this year’s market. Menace is a compelling story with universal appeal and we are sure international buyers will love it.”

    Based on the screenplay by Andrew Wreggitt (Shades of Black), Menace recounts the events of 3 March 2005 when four RCMP officers were ambushed and gunned down by a heavily-armed, habitual criminal named James Roszko played by Brian Markinson on his farm near Mayerthorpe, Alberta. Henry Czerny (Clear and Present Danger) stars as a fictional RCMP corporal, and three-time Oscar nominee Diane Ladd Chinatown plays Roszko’s mother. Ken Girotti (24) is the director.

     

  • Wagner, Silverman to deliver keynotes at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: United Artists CEO Paula Wagner will deliver a keynote address at next month‘s television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France.

    On 9 October, Wagner will share her vision of where the movie business is going and what that means for the traditional model of the Hollywood studio.

    United Artists Entertainment was formed in November 2006 under a partnership between Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner and MGM. Wagner and Cruise are regarded as one of the most succesful film production teams in Hollywood.

    Another keynote on that day will be delivered by Grupo Televisa president and CEO Emilio Azcarraga. He explains why Televisa is the most dominant Spanish-language media company in the world.

    He will convey his company’s global strategies, including its expansion approach via partnerships to service consumers with great multi-platform content. The third keynote on that day will be delivered by NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios Co-chairman Ben Silverman.

    He is charged with overseeing all creative aspects of development and programming for NBC and it‘s affiliated studio and digital activities. He will talk about the global broadcasting of content using Hollywood studios‘ latest strategies and technologies.

     

  • Mipcom to have a Green TV Day

    MUMBAI: The television trade event Mipcom, which takes place next month in Cannes, France, will have a Green TV day on 9 October. A series of conferences will host major international media groups. News Corp, Nat Geo, BSkyB and MTV will talk about how they are tackling green issues. Research company ‘The Wit‘ will offer examples of Green programming from across the world and across the different genres. The Green TV Day will be closed by the conference ‘Pangea Day: Can Film Bring the World Together?‘

    Another session on that day will focus on Brands and Content. Brands, agencies and content creators will discuss new ways to reach the empowered consumer. This conference track will feature speakers like @radical.media president entertainment and media Robert Friedman, BBDO Paris and CLM BBDO president Valérie Accary, O&M executive director branded content and entertainment Douglas Scott and Endemol International senior executive director, commercial and creative affairs Mike Morley.

    On the opening day 8 October there will be a Superpanel- ‘View From the Top: Media Leaders‘ Roadmap for the Future of TV‘.

    As audiences change their viewing habits and technology shakes up the media industry, top TV executives have described the state of play as everything from “schizophrenic” to “my big fat digital future.” This panel of industry leaders sorts out who‘s in control in today‘s new media landscape.

    Viewers now have huge sway over what, when and where they watch. Media companies have more outlets than ever, as the world spends trillions of dollars building new Net and wireless conduits that feed TVs, PCs, mobile phones and other gadgets. This creates huge opportunities for new entrants.

    Everyone from the Big Telco to Big Internet to the kid next door is stepping in. It all threatens the age-old truism that content is king – or does it? And who will get the advertising?

    The panel speakers are Sky Italia CEO Tom Mockridge, Disney-ABC International Worldwide Television and Disney Media Networks president, global distribution Ben Pyne, Orange- France Telecom Group senior VP content services Hervé Payan, Discovery International president and CEO Greg Ricca Babelgum CEO Valerio Zingarelli.

     

  • Mipcom 2007 participation expected to cross 12,000

    MUMBAI: The global audiovisual and digital market Mipcom 2007 is slated to kick off on 8 October and culminate on 12 October in Cannes, Palais des festivals, France. The 23rd edition of the event is expected to have over 12,000 participants is attendance this year. This year, India has been named the Country of Honour due to its burgeoning media market.

    According to Ficci senior director Amita Sarkar, “The aim is to bring the Indian entertainment industry to an international scale. The industry has matured enough now to collaborate with global players and itself become a global player.”

    “We are also looking at this event to draw expertise in ideation and cutting edge technology through India‘s largest entertainment event – Frames,” she said.

    “Its been three to four years of lobbying, the fact that we invited top dignitaries like Paul Zilk and Paul Johnson who saw the Indian market for themselves the fact that the industry has grown rapidly as well as the opportunity that India offer,” Sarkar added.

    Representing India and leading Indian entertainment companies are media moguls including Zee Network and the Essel Group of Companies founder and chairman Subhash Chandra, UTV Group founder and chairman Ronnie Screwvala, Sony Entertainment Television India CEO Kunal Dasgupta and B.A.G Films & Media Ltd MD Anurradha Prasad among others.

    The total number of exhibiting firms is 1,625 from across 59 countries worldwide. The number of companies registered is 3786 and the total number of TV buyers this year has touched 3822.

    The top 10 biggest stands from across International markets include Telefilm Canada, Warner Bros. International Television, CBS Paramount INT‘L Television, The Marketplace, NBC Universal Television Distribution, TV France International, Freemantlemedia, Disney ABC International Television, Sony Pictures Television International and Discovery Communications Inc.

    The top 10 countries from participating companies include UK, USA, France, Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Korea. This year, two new countries are on board – Antigua and Liechtenstein.

    Among the exhibiting companies the top 10 ten countries are UK, USA, France, Spain, Canada, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Belgium.

     

  • Tangerine Digital to expand offerings through Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Tangerine Digital known for it content repurposing services for the mobile and web, will visit Mipcom to expand its existing offerings and enter new areas of production.

    The venture in which TV18 group founder-promoter Raghav Bahl has a 50 per cent stake, recently created and launched a youth social networking portal Campus18.com and wants to create a footprint in television content production as well.

    Says founder CEO Puneet Johar, “We want to be a 360-degree entertainment company offering services across the spectrum – TV, mobile, web and even animation films. Mipcom will be a good opportunity to capitalise on our existing services and expand into newer areas of production.”

    Elaborating further on the Mipcom agenda, he says, “We will offer our existing services for the voice and video platforms. Also, we hope to become digital content representatives for new international content providers across all mediums.”

    Johar feels that Mipcom 2007 is a significant milestone for Indian television, since the event has selected India as the ‘Country of Honour‘ for this year.

    “India as a market is getting increasing prominence. The growth has been equally good across multimedia platforms and it is great chance for Indian content-providers and format owners to showcase our talent and creative services on the international stage,” he says.

    Tangerine Digital has been involved providing video services on broadband, voice and video services on mobile for Star India, enabling a voice platform for Mobile ESPN apart from content repurposing and mobile content creation for National Geographic (NGCI) Washington.

    It is also in a partnership with Malaysia based Silver Ridge Technologies for the mobile and video space for telecom companies in the south east Asia.