ITV

Category: Television

  • Norwest Venture partners invests $10 million in Web 2.0 Sulekha.com

    Norwest Venture partners invests $10 million in Web 2.0 Sulekha.com

    MUMBAI: Sulekha.com, the online social media and local commerce destination for Indians,has announced Promod Haque’s global technology venture capital firm, Norwest Venture Partners (NVP)’s series A, investment of $10 million in the company.

    Sulekha.com plans to use the new capital to extend business development and marketing, primarily through alliances, and expand its service offerings into new vertical markets. NVP managing partner Promod Haque, has joined the Sulekha board of directors. Sulekha, founded and run by Satya Prabhakar, received prior funding from the Indigo Monsoon Group (IMG), led by Param Parameswaran and Harish Raghavan. IMG invests in early stage companies in the Indian Internet and Mobile domains.

    “Sulekha has been a Web 2.0 company even during the Web 1.0 days. It has positioned itself at the vortex of three of the largest Internet mega-trends: India, Social Media and Local Commerce through industry-leading services including Blogs, Social Networks, Classifieds and Yellow Pages. While the management of Sulekha has done a great job of developing reach and revenue, the real explosive potential, both in online and mobile platforms, is still in front of us,” said Haque.

    “NVP is one of the most reputed venture capital firms in the world with more than 45 years of experience in building successful companies. This, coupled with NVP’s strong interest, many investments and relationships across various industries in India, made NVP a great choice for Sulekha as we pursue aggressive growth plans in the coming year,” said, Sulekha.com founder and CEO Satya Prabhakar. “In particular, we look forward to working with Promod Haque who, with his valuable experience and vast global network, has helped numerous companies, both in U.S. and India, soar and succeed,” he added.

    “The marriage of trusted member to member interactions and its application to classifieds and business search/ratings holds incredible promise in spurring local commerce in India. Sulekha’s successful track record of aggregating member content and interactions by city and by vertical areas of interest will allow us to deploy the new capital to dominate this market niche,” said IMG and Sulekha.com Chairman Param Parameswaran.

    Sulekha’s Portfolio of Services – Interact and Transact
    By offering a user-generated platform and a trusted community network, Sulekha enables Indians to interact and transact with their peers and businesses through three popular services:

    Blogs and Social Networking – Sulekha provides the largest and most popular platform for Indians to voice their ideas, opinions and reviews in blogs. Users can also connect with other Indians creating online social networks. Just as social networking driven by expression has become a destination for US consumers, Sulekha brings the same experience to India and beyond.

    Sulekha has crafted successful offline partnerships with such companies as Penguin, DNA and Indian Express to create important additional distribution avenues for its tens of thousands of bloggers.

    Classifieds – Sulekha has the largest and most popular Indian classifieds marketplace for goods and services that fosters transactive relationships among its members in over 25 cities worldwide daily. With more than 250,000 ads and addressing 80% of online Indians worldwide, Sulekha provides unparalleled opportunities to connect members when they need to interact and transact.

    Yellow Pages – Sulekha.com is the provider of online yellow pages in India supporting millions of business searches every month. Sulekha leverages its vast audience to help local businesses reach customers on a daily basis, and includes user-contributed reviews, ratings and recommendations to enable consumers to make the most informed purchasing decisions. Sulekha’s yellow pages currently offer business listings in eight cities throughout India and US. Sulekha Yellow Pages is also integrated with WAP-enabled mobile phones for mobile downloads of listings.

    “While we are only recently witnessing tremendous interest in Web 2.0 startups worldwide, Sulekha has been a thought leader in this space for some time, and continues to make rapid strides. Sulekha’s strong and experienced management team is well-positioned to capitalize on the unprecedented Internet growth in India over the last year, and we believe the company has a first mover advantage in pursuing significant revenue-generating opportunities in the coming years,” added Haque.

  • CNN Intl visits India for ‘Art of Life’ special

    CNN Intl visits India for ‘Art of Life’ special

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN International has announced that its show Art Of Life, which is hosted Monita Rajpal travels to India. She takes part in a unique polo match in the fabled pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. She meets the founder of the Elephant Family charity, and has personal shopping time with British supermodel and photographer Jacquetta Wheeler.

    Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, also known as the “Pink City”, is about 250 km from Delhi and was founded by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. The city is famous for its Amber Fort, textile and jewellery industries and is home to the Cartier Elephant Polo Cup, one of the most spectacular and memorable events in the Indian Social Calendar. Monita gets to the centre of the action of this exciting and visually stunning game which is both a joy to play and watch. Four teams take part and the event attracts a heady mixture of major international and Indian celebrities, with Monita’s team being captained by Kylie Minogue’s boyfriend, the French actor Olivier Martinez.

    The polo competition is again being played in aid of the Elephant Family, a UK-based charity promoting the humane treatment of the Asian elephant. Monita talks to the founder of the Elephant Family and learns how the charity is ensuring the fair treatment of Elephants by working with both polo owners and riders. The charity also supports several conservation projects in the area, and is working to increase sponsorship of elephants to ensure their wellbeing and survival in increasingly tough conditions.

    After a spot of polo, there is only one other thing left to do on her calendar and that is to hit the famous shops and bazaars of Jaipur! British supermodel Jacquetta Wheeler, previously named Model of the Millennium by ‘The Face’ magazine, takes Monita on a treasure hunt, trawling through Jaipur’s ancient bazaars.

  • Music India dedicates channel to kids on Children’s Day













    MUMBAI: Celebrating Children‘s Day, Music India, a 24 hr Hindi music channel plans to dedicate it to kids allowing them to script, present and package all the shows.


    The channel promises that on the 14 and 20 November, it would be transformed into a platform that is “for the children, of the children and by the children.”







    Special guests Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao (from Vivah) and Shreyas Talpade (from Iqbaal) will brighten up the day for the little ones. Watch the kids take on the stars and pose questions about their childhood and school days, states and official release.


    Sending out a message to kids Shahid Kapoor says, “I think childhood is the best time of your life, I‘ve had a lot of fun before I took on the responsibilities, and when you are a kid you experience the best time. Have fun enjoy yourself but be a good person.”


    Another treat to add to the fun will be brought to viewers on Judwaa hosted by identical twins, Aanya and Manya playing back to back Hindi songs. Music India will thus bring a bouquet of shows on Children‘s Day.

  • Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon, Christiane Amanpour to present at intl Emmies

    Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon, Christiane Amanpour to present at intl Emmies

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon and CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour will join the cast of celebrity presenters, which includes actors Rosie Perez (Do the Right Thing), Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), Dominic Chianese (The Sopranos) and Lorenzo Lamas (The Bold and The Beautiful) for the 34th International Emmy Awards Gala which will take place on 20 November, 2006 at the New York Hilton.

    Returning as host for this year’s event is award-winning British comedian and talk show host Graham Norton.
    Couric will present the Founders Award to Steven Spielberg for his career in television. Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons will present the Directorate Award to CME & Ronald S. Lauder. Presenters for this year’s event also include actress & Bravo TV chef Padma Lakshmi, French actor and 2005 International Emmy winner Thierry Fremont, Indian film and TV celebrity Anuj Saxena, Brazilian star Milton Gonçalves and Hong Kong news anchor Rose Liuqi.

    The International Emmy Awards recognise excellence in television programming produced outside of the US. Over 1,000 international entertainment decision-makers attend the International Emmy Awards Gala in New York every year.

    This year’s sponsors include Phoenix TV, Accenture, Microsoft, Globo TV, NBC Universal, Savvis, Ascent Media, Reed Midem, Sofitel Hotels, Variety and Sun Media Investment Holdings. Chip Quigley, Kingdom Entertainment, will produce the show for the sixth year in a row.

  • Nimbus bags Bangla cricket rights for $ 56 million

    Nimbus bags Bangla cricket rights for $ 56 million

    MUMBAI: About the only consistent aspect of bidding for cricket rights is that no one seems to have a fix on just how high the numbers will go. Test minnows Bangladesh has sold to Nimbus Sport, the marketing rights for international cricket matches held in that country till 2012 for a whopping $ 56.88 million.

    To put some perspective on the matter, $11.75 million is what ESPN Star Sports paid the Bangladesh cricket Board (BCB) last time round when it acquired the rights for a period of five years. Those rights expired in April last year.

    The BCB’s new tender invitation is for the period 1 November 2006 to 31 March 2012. Bangladesh is expected to play 21-23 Test matches and 59-61 internationals during this period.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com earlier, ESPN India MD RC Venkateish had said that his network was certainly interested in renewing the rights.

    Nimbus’ bid was over $ 23 million higher than next in line Zee Telefilms’ tender, newswire Press Trust of India quoted Bangladesh Cricket Board general secretary Mahbub Anam as saying on Friday.
    “We will sign a contract with Nimbus within the next two weeks. All we need now is the government’s seal of approval,” Anam said.

    Two key clauses in the tender document issued by the BCB were:

    * Production the responsibility of the bidder though there are allowable expenses against the winning bid (subject to the board agreeing) including production costs.

    * All revenues will be shared between BCCB and the successful bidder in a ratio of 80:20 in favour of BCCB.

    Nimbus’ telecast of Bangladesh cricket begins later this month with a five-match one-day series against Zimbabwe. After that, Bangladesh plays Bermuda and Canada in early 2007 (two ODIs each).

  • Animal Planet looks at Bamboo Flowers

    Animal Planet looks at Bamboo Flowers

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet will air the show When The Bamboo Flowers. Normally a vital and versatile plant for villagers in northeast India, bamboo sets off cycles of famine and plague once every 48 years – a rare, yet ruinous occurrence for the local human population.

    For rats, however, it’s a feast for the ages – a colossal feeding that has beset the region for centuries leaving thousands of ravenous rats and widespread human deprivation in its wake. The show airs on 12 November at 9 pm and on 15 November at 8 pm

    The show brings Animal Planet viewers to Mizoram, a rugged hill state in northeast India. It has been 48 years since the bamboo last flowered and villagers are anxiously preparing for the impending invasion. The strange phenomenon of the flowering of the bamboo is unique to northeast India, which is home to vast plantations of the tree-like plant.

    After the massive cyclical flowering, the bamboo plants produce large amounts of seeds – a good food source for rats, which quadruple their reproduction rate while feeding. The explosion of the rat population results in quick exhaustion of the seeds, leading thousands of rodents to turn to standing crops of the agricultural villages. The result is a widespread famine and, more often than not, plague.

    Back in 1958, famine led to nearly two decades of insurgency in the region and tens of thousands of people perished. Now, in 2006, the bamboo is flowering again and Animal Planet visits the villagers as they prepare for inevitable catastrophe, hoping this time that the outcome is different.

  • Raj TV Network plans to raise Rs 1 bn through IPO

    Raj TV Network plans to raise Rs 1 bn through IPO

    MUMBAI: Raj Television Network plans to raise Rs 1 billion through its initial public offering (IPO). The issue proceeds will be used for launching a niche youth channel, producing telefilms, distribution of TV channels in overseas markets, creating a studio facility, strengthening existing content, and exporting films.

    Post-IPO, the promoters’ holding will drop from 100 per cent to 72.5 per cent. The IPO will consist of a fresh issue of 22,70,700 shares (15 per cent) and an offer for sale of 12,97,550 shares (10 per cent). Raj TV Network is also reserving 2.5 per cent as ESOPs.

    “We expect to raise Rs 1 billion. The final value will, however, be determined through the book building process,” Raj TV Network senior vice president, corporate planning and strategy Sathya Prakash tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The company has earmarked Rs 106 million for launching a niche channel aimed at the youth while Rs 71.5 million will be for the studio and Rs 62.5 million towards telefilms. For beefing up content, Raj TV plans to spend Rs 90 million, Rs 50 million for export of films and Rs 37.5 million for distribution of TV channels in overseas markets.

    “We plan to produce five telefilms a year which could also be released on multiplexes. We will be launching our channels internationally. These channels will have a component of local content in each of the markets,” says Prakash.

    Raj Television Network has already filed the draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to enter the capital market with an offer of 35,68,250 equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each. The book running lead manager to the issue is Vivro Financial Services (p).

    The company, which operates Tamil channels Raj TV and Raj Digital Plus, posted a revenue of Rs 320 million during 2005-06 fiscal and Rs 92 million for the first quarter ended 30 June 2006. Pay-TV revenue accounts for 30-35 per cent of the company’s total earnings, says Prakash.

  • Music India dedicates channel to kids on Children’s Day

    Music India dedicates channel to kids on Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: Celebrating Children’s Day, Music India, a 24 hr Hindi music channel plans to dedicate it to kids allowing them to script, present and package all the shows.

    The channel promises that on the 14 and 20 November, it would be transformed into a platform that is “for the children, of the children and by the children.”

    Special guests Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao (from Vivah) and Shreyas Talpade (from Iqbaal) will brighten up the day for the little ones. Watch the kids take on the stars and pose questions about their childhood and school days, states and official release.

    Sending out a message to kids Shahid Kapoor says, “I think childhood is the best time of your life, I’ve had a lot of fun before I took on the responsibilities, and when you are a kid you experience the best time. Have fun enjoy yourself but be a good person.”

    Another treat to add to the fun will be brought to viewers on Judwaa hosted by identical twins, Aanya and Manya playing back to back Hindi songs. Music India will thus bring a bouquet of shows on Children’s Day.

  • BBC announces winners of playwriting contest

    BBC announces winners of playwriting contest

    MUMBAI: BBC Hindi has announced Amar Kumar Singh from Hazaribagh of Jharkhand and Shripal Nehra from Sikar of , Rajasthan, as the winners of its playwriting competition, held at the beginning of this year.

    The winners have been awarded a certificate each from BBC Hindi, along with a shortwave radio and Rs.15,000 as prize money.
    Amar Kumar Singh and Shripal Nehra’s scripts were chosen from over 1200 entries received for the contest. The winning entries will now be produced as radio plays, inviting local talent to lend their voice to bring alive the scripts. These will be broadcast on the BBC Hindi service in December.

    BBC Hindi head Achala Sharma says, “BBC Hindi aims to provide a platform for dialogue for its audiences, and the drama contest brings to the fore issues that are close to our audiences’ hearts. The response to the contest was overwhelming with listeners from all walks of life sending in entries, and it was a tough choice. The winning scripts focus on themes such as corruption and the plight of the elderly in the face of disintegrating traditional family values. I am sure these will strike a chord with all our listeners.”

    The winners were facilitated at a presentation ceremony held at the Delhi office of the BBC, where they have attended a four-day workshop on radio playwriting with Achala Sharma.

    “I congratulate both the winners and hope that their association with BBC Hindi has been a meaningful one,” Achala added.

  • NBC Universal introduces interactive talk show

    NBC Universal introduces interactive talk show

    MUMBAI: This is a concept by US media conglomerate NBC Universal that looks to make a television show more encompassing through a presence across differnt platforms.

    The NBC Universal Television Stations, iVillage and the Universal Orlando Resort, have joined forces to create daytime’s first interactive talk show. It will be made available simultaneously on air, online and in front of a live studio audience.

    Shot at Universal Orlando Resort iVillage Live will build on the iVillage brand and connect content, community and commerce in a new experience for the daytime audience. The show launches Monday, December 4 at Noon/ET (11a.m/CT) on the NBC owned-and-operated stations, Bravo and iVillageLive.com.

    NBCU Television Stations president Jay Ireland says, “We’re thrilled to add ‘iVillage Live’ to our daytime schedule. This is a new model we developed for daytime programming in terms of its concept, content, interactivity and brand. The 360-degree premise allows our viewers to interact with the show in the way that best suits them; a true programming first for today’s digital age. We believe in this show’s potential and look forward to building its audience.”

    iVillage president Deborah Fine says, “For over ten years, iVillage.com’s loyal audience of women have been connecting online to laugh, learn and share life’s moments. iVillage Live’ is a ground-breaking programme, which enables our community to extend their conversation in a revolutionary way — on-air, online and even in person. It is a key component in our effort to bring our noted brand to the marketplace in a unprecedented, multi-platform manner.”

    Audience participation takes place through the dedicated website, iVillageLive.com, which is housed on iVillage.com, and has been specifically designed to maximize community involvement in the program. In addition to the live show stream, the site will host a daily live chat, portions of which will be discussed during the broadcast and scroll along the bottom of the television screen during relevant moments.

    A second live chat will take place at Noon/PT allowing west coast viewers to lend their voices to the conversation. A daily poll question and audience comment box will stay open for 24 hours to invite participation and influence the next day’s coverage.

    Viewers on the go can interact with iVillage Live via their mobile phone by texting IVL 360 to ask questions and share comments during the programme, as well as sign up for show reminders, news alerts, ringtones and wallpaper. On-demand access is available through the website, which will make that day’s show available for 24 hours after the initial broadcast. After that, visitors to the site can easily search for past episodes of the show, which will be archived by date, segment and topic.

    iVillage Live will also work closely with its advertising partners to create unique product integration and e-commerce opportunities. The charter sponsors, including Bally Total Fitness; Calphalon; The Estee Lauder Companies, including Aramis & Designer Fragrances, Clinique, Estee Lauder and Origins, among others; GE Profile Appliances; Goody; Graco; Healthy Choice; Overstock.com; Priceline.com and Unilever, will participate in on-air segments, when appropriate, to round out the show and offer value to viewers. On the site, users will have access to a gateway where they can buy the sponsors’ products in real time, while also engaged in the program.

    iVillage Live also marks the first time a theme park is being used as the permanent home for a daily, live talk show. The resort will add to the overall show experience in terms of audience, location, set and content. Universal Orlando draws visitors from all over the world, giving iVillage Live the potential to have one of the most internationally diverse studio audiences in daytime.

    The Park’s former “Toon Amphitheater” has been transformed into a space that fits with the interactive nature of the show, including the installation of audience polling devices attached to each seat.