ITV

Category: Television

  • CNN doc looks at the hospital emergency scene in Iraq

    CNN doc looks at the hospital emergency scene in Iraq

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN will air the documentary CNN Presents : Combat Hospital. It looks at the life and death struggles that the medical team face every day in the Iraqi capital’s military emergency rooms at the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. It airs today 11 November at 8:30 pm and on 12 November at 12:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

    With access to the five doctors, 14 nurses and 22 medics who treat casualties from US and coalition forces, the civilian population and even insurgents, in a building that Saddam Hussein once used for his own personal medical care, the show reveals the horror and humanity of present day Iraq.

    Presented without narration, the programme looks at the American military’s frontline hospital starkly depicted with the daily challenges that face the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. Graphic video and natural sound reflect the reality of the chaos and heroism in a wartime emergency room: gunshot wounds, burns, amputations and other devastating damage caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

    Filmed during 16 days of exclusive access to the “Mountain Medic” Combat Support Hospital by CNN Baghdad bureau chief Cal Perry, CNN senior photojournalist Dominic Swann, and CNN’s Ryan Chilcote, viewers see why the maturity and professionalism required in a combat emergency setting are hard-earned.

    A young nurse, Lt. Riane Nelson, R.N., talks ruefully about how she was “picked” to come to Iraq after being called to replace another nurse who became pregnant shortly before her tour of duty.

    Nelson’s supervisor, head nurse Lt. Col. John Groves, describes the back story of Nelson’s early inability to keep up with the requirements of their busy unit. Then, Nelson worked with other personnel to resuscitate a critical patient with CPR, saving her life. After that, says Groves, “her confidence skyrocketed.” By the time viewers meet Nelson, she is a self-assured and proficient team member, saving more lives during the programme.

    Outside of the emergency room, the unit tries to maintain some normality by playing football and baseball in the alley behind the hospital and even celebrating a co-workers 21st birthday.

    In one of the most compelling sequences in the documentary, the film crew captures the arrival of 12 casualties during a few moments of relative quiet for the medical team. Four are already dead. Seven U.S. soldiers and CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier are critically injured and fighting for their lives. The team goes back to work; their trauma rooms are full again.

  • Viacom’s Q3 revenues up 7% to $2.66 billion

    Viacom’s Q3 revenues up 7% to $2.66 billion

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom Viacom has reported financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September, 2006.

    The company reported revenues and operating income of $2.66 billion and $655.5 million, respectively, for the quarter, compared with revenues and pro forma operating income of $2.48 billion and $744.5 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2005.

    The seven per cent growth in revenues was driven by a 10 per cent revenue increase in the cable networks segment. Operating income however declined 12 per cent versus 2005 pro forma operating income, as a 14 per cent gain in the cable networks segment operating income was more than offset by a decline in the Entertainment segment.

    Viacom executive chairman Sumner M. Redstone said, “Considering the short time that Philippe Dauman has been in place as CEO, I am truly impressed with our solid third quarter results, particularly the performance of our well-known cable brands. I am confident that you will see further operational success in the not too distant future. Viacom will continue to expand on its creative heritage and move rapidly to the forefront of emerging digital markets, keeping us on the path to outstanding long term financial performance and free cash flow generation.”

    Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “We achieved significant financial and operational progress in the third quarter and we remain on track to deliver on our goals for the full year. I see even greater opportunities to build for future growth as we harness Viacom’s powerful brands, popular content and unique connections with the audiences that are driving the digital revolution. Viacom is rich in the short-form content that is highly attractive to online consumers, underscored by our position as a leading entertainment content property on the Internet today with an aggregate 37 million monthly unique visitors in September.

    “We intend to continue to invest in our future and enhance profitability for the long term, as well as for the short term. We are making rapid progress and are intensifying our focus on continuing to grow our industry- leading flagship brands both here and in promising markets abroad, on accelerating the growth of our less-developed cable channels and underutilized content libraries, and on driving existing and newly created programming to audiences across every platform.

    “In addition to internal development, we will continue to apply a rigorous and selective approach to acquisitions that emphasizes coordination and execution and will add businesses in core areas that offer compelling experiences for our consumers.”

    Revenues increased by $182.3 million, or seven per cent to $2.66 billion. Cable networks segment revenues increased 10 per cent to $1.84 billion. Worldwide ad revenues at the Cable Networks segment increased by seven per cent to $1,090.1 million and affiliate fees climbed 12 per cent to $510.4 million. Cable networks segment acquisitions contributed $23.7 million of revenue growth, principally internationally, or 1.4 points of the segment’s total growth.

    The entertainment segment revenues were up one per cent or $11.9 million. DreamWorks and the distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and DreamWorks live-action library films acquired on 31 January, 2006 contributed $279.2 million which was almost entirely offset by the box office success of War of the Worlds in the third quarter of last year. Films released in the current quarter included World Trade Center, The Last Kiss.

    The company reaffirms its full year 2006 guidance to deliver double digit revenue and operating income growth compared to 2005 revenues of $9.61 billion and 2005 pro forma operating income excluding unusual charges of $2.60 billion.

  • Bahl’s South Asia World ceases broadcast

    Bahl’s South Asia World ceases broadcast

    MUMBAI: Just two years after launch, Raghav Bahl has shut down his English infotainment channel, South Asia World (SAW).

    “The channel has discontinued to broadcast. It was not commercially viable,” a source in the company tells Indiantelevision.com. Bahl was not available for comment.

    Aimed at South Asians, TV18 founder Bahl launched SAW in the US on the Echostar direct-to-home (DTH) platform in 2004. The channel was launched the following year in the UK on Sky Digital and was distributed by Zee Network.

    Bahl had floated India World Network USA Inc, which owned and managed South Asia World. The holding company is SAW Holdings Ltd.

    Earlier at the launch of the channel Bahl had said, “South Asia World is the realisation of a dream we’ve had for five years – to create a television forum for Indians the world over. The Indian American community is the fastest growing, representing some of the richest populations in the US. This channel is not only a celebration of the life success of these people, but will also act as a platform to highlight issues that impact their progress.”

    Bahl had set up a separate infrastructure for SAW: a fully equipped studio in the Empire State Building in New York, bureaux in Washington DC and the San Francisco Bay Area, reporters from coast-to-coast in the US, and in-live news studios in Mumbai and Delhi.

  • indya.com sets ‘web traffic record’ for Champions Trophy

    indya.com sets ‘web traffic record’ for Champions Trophy

    MUMBAI: Star India’s internet portal indya.com has registered over 1.1 billion hits and 234 million page views on its iccchampionstrophy.indya.com site since its 8 October 2006 launch.

    As the official internet partner of the International Cricket Council, indya.com was designated by the ICC to develop, host and market the official global web destination for the Champions Trophy, asserts an official release.

    The site attracted over three million unique users from around the world – the most from India itself, followed by users from the US, UK, Pakistan and Australia. The ICC Champions Trophy was held from 7 October to 5 November in four cities across India: Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mohali and Mumbai.

    “Cricket lovers throughout the world have counted upon indya.com to deliver the best online cricket experience available, and I believe that the results speak for themselves,” said Star India Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair.

    “The success we achieved makes icchampionstrophy.indya.com, Star India’s most successful web property to date and as the ICC Champions Trophy serves as a precursor to the 2007 Cricket World Cup, we anticipate an even larger response in the future,” he added.

    The website hosted country specific packages which were available at different price points, allowing internet subscribers to buy into a ‘match pack’ – a gateway to live clips, highlight packages, and expert comments of every match in the tournament. The site served over one million video and live-streaming requests.

    iccchampionstrophy.indya.com also offered a feature rich application called Matchcast that allowed users to access live scores, ball-by-ball updates of on-going matches, player and team backgrounds and a host of other information cricket enthusiasts would bowl their arm out for, adds the release.

    Sponsors on the site throughout the month long tournament included Lufthansa Airlines and Monster.com.

  • Cartoon Network to join ‘Barbie’ and ‘Pokémon’ on Children’s Day

    Cartoon Network to join ‘Barbie’ and ‘Pokémon’ on Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Theatre is planning a special treat for its viewers on Children’s Day, with two feature films Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses and Pokémon Mewtwo Returns!

    Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses which was first premiered on the channel in September, will be aired at 2 pm. While Pokémon Mewtwo Returns! will be premiered nationally at 6:30 pm on 14 November, states an official release.

    Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses is based on the life of Princess Genevieve (played by Barbie) and her 11 dancing princess sisters. They are endangered by their evil aunt Rowena, who is plotting to rule their kingdom. In order to break free from Aunt Rowena’s clutches, all the princesses escape to a palace and discover a secret entrance to a magical world where wishes come true! However, they must return to their kingdom in order to save it.

    Pokémon Mewtwo Returns! tells the tale of Ash, Misty, and Brock who continue to explore the Johto region to rescue Pikachu whose was kidnapped by Jessie and James of Team Rocket. The search leads them to the hidden plateau where the redoubtable Mewtwo has established a haven for the cloned Pokémon. The evil Giovanni is plotting to recapture Mewtwo and renew his efforts to create an army of bio-engineered Pokémon. Aided by the reluctant Meowth, Ash and his friends must defeat Giovanni and his henchman in order to rescue Pikachu.

  • IMI seals Delhi unit in anti-piracy raid

    IMI seals Delhi unit in anti-piracy raid

    MUMBAI: The Indian Music Industry’s (IMI) anti-piracy team, in co-operation with the Censor Board of India had conducted a raid on 9 November and sealed a piracy unit in West Delhi. Operating under the name of Dugobs Replication Company, the raid on the establishment lead to seizure of goods valued at over Rs 200 million.

    IMI, represents the recording industry of India and is affiliated to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the world industry body.
    The piracy plant located at A – 25/ 2 Naraina Industrial area, phase I, as been hsealed and the establishment owner, Hiranand has been arrested.

    In total, over 90,000 CD’s and 10,00,000 inlay cards have been recovered along with equipment including a stamping and molding unit, a printing unit, a packing unit, a plant handling computer system and over 19 stampers, informs a statement.

    A first information report (FIR) has been registered against the accused and he is currently in police remand while further investigations are ongoing.

    Commenting on the raid, IMI deputy chief coordinator J N Saxena said, “This is an excellent piece of police work on information provided by IMI, and the police is now pursuing leads for facilitating further investigations. It is IMI’s constant endeavour to eradicate piracy, and together with judicial bodies and governmental agencies, we hope to one day seal all such nefarious establishments and bring to justice those who are guilty”.

    Elaborating further, IMI president VJ Lazarus added, “IMI has been working for the last ten years to control piracy and in the last four months itself, it has conducted raids on two of Delhi’s biggest CD plants- Deepak Arts CD plant and Dugobs Replication Company.”

    Deepak Arts CD plant was raided in July 2006 where goods worth over Rs 300 million were seized. The accused Deepak Malhotra, was arrested and placed in judicial custody for more than 40 days.

    IMI has constantly been demanding an optical disc law to be created in India to monitor CD plants. However, there has not been much success on this issue so far, adds the release.

    In Delhi, IPR is being flouted at every nook and corner in places, which include the Pallika Bazar, Chandni Chowk and Lala Lajpatrai market.

  • Cartoon Network to join ‘Barbie’ and ‘Pokémon’ on Children’s Day













    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Theatre is planning a special treat for its viewers on Children‘s Day, with two feature films Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses and Pokémon Mewtwo Returns!


    Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses which was first premiered on the channel in September, will be aired at 2 pm. While Pokémon Mewtwo Returns! will be premiered nationally at 6:30 pm on 14 November, states an official release.







    Barbie in the Twelve Dancing Princesses is based on the life of Princess Genevieve (played by Barbie) and her 11 dancing princess sisters. They are endangered by their evil aunt Rowena, who is plotting to rule their kingdom. In order to break free from Aunt Rowena‘s clutches, all the princesses escape to a palace and discover a secret entrance to a magical world where wishes come true! However, they must return to their kingdom in order to save it.


    Pokémon Mewtwo Returns! tells the tale of Ash, Misty, and Brock who continue to explore the Johto region to rescue Pikachu whose was kidnapped by Jessie and James of Team Rocket. The search leads them to the hidden plateau where the redoubtable Mewtwo has established a haven for the cloned Pokémon. The evil Giovanni is plotting to recapture Mewtwo and renew his efforts to create an army of bio-engineered Pokémon. Aided by the reluctant Meowth, Ash and his friends must defeat Giovanni and his henchman in order to rescue Pikachu

  • Disney reports Q4 profit of $782 million

    Disney‘s revenue rose 14 per cent to $8.78 billion from last year‘s $7.73 billion. Analysts expected a top line of $8.69 billion. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter increased 89% to $0.36, compared to $0.19 in the prior-year period, reflecting growth at studio entertainment, parks and tesorts, and media networks. For the year, EPS increased 34 per cent to $1.64, compared to $1.22 in the prior year, reflecting growth at each operating segment.


    Disney president and CEO Robert Iger says, “Disney had a spectacular year, posting record revenues, record net income, and record cash flow. It is a result of the incredible creativity at our company.” Media networks revenues for the year increased 11 per cent to $14.6 billion and segment operating income increased 12 per cent to $3.6 billion. For the quarter, revenues increased 10 per cent to $3.7 billion and segment operating income increased 18 per cent to $883 million.


    Operating income at cable networks increased $259 million to $3.0 billion for the year primarily due to growth at ESPN from higher affiliate and advertising revenues. Higher affiliate revenues were due to contractual rate increases and, to a lesser extent, subscriber growth while advertising revenue growth was driven by higher ratings and rates. The revenue increases at ESPN were partially offset by higher programming expenses primarily due to the new Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) rights agreements and an additional NFL game.


    Increased costs for the ESPN branded mobile phone service, which the Company recently announced would be transitioned into its existing wireless licensing business, and higher general and administrative costs also impacted results for the year.


    For the quarter, operating income at cable networks increased $156 million to $854 million due to growth at ESPN. The increase at ESPN was driven by higher affiliate and advertising revenues and lower marketing expenses. Higher affiliate revenues were due to the recognition of increased deferred revenues and higher contractual rates. During the quarter, ESPN recognized $171 million of previously deferred programming commitment revenues compared to $84 million in the prior-year quarter.


    These increases in ESPN operating income were partially offset by the higher programming expenses from the new MLB and NFL rights agreements and the additional NFL game.


    Operating income at the broadcasting sector increased by $142 million to $606 million for the year driven by improved primetime performance at ABC and increased sales of Touchstone Television series, partially offset by higher costs at the Internet Group and radio, and the increased number and costs of pilot productions.

    The improved primetime performance at ABC was driven by higher ad rates, strong upfront sales, and continued strength in ratings, partially offset by higher programming expenses. The increase in sales at Touchstone were driven by higher international syndication revenues and DVD unit volumes of dramas Lost, Grey‘s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives as well as higher license fees for Scrubs, which completed its fifth season on network television.


    Ad revenues for the year at broadcasting also benefited from the Super Bowl, however this revenue increase was essentially offset by related programming expenses.


    The cost increase at the Internet Group was primarily due to the launch of Disney branded mobile phone services as well as the costs of other new initiatives. Higher costs at Radio included an impairment charge related to FCC licenses, primarily at ESPN Radio, reflecting an overall market decline in certain radio markets in which we operate.


    However for the quarter, operating income at broadcasting decreased by $19 million to $29 million as improved performance at ABC and higher DVD unit sales of Touchstone Television series were more than offset by the increased costs associated with the roll-out of Disney branded mobile phone services and the FCC license impairment charge. The improved performance at ABC Television Network was driven by higher advertising rates, increased advertising spots from programming changes, and benefits from replacement programming for Monday Night Football, partially offset by the impact of lower ratings.


    On the film front revenues for the year decreased by one per cent to $7.5 billion and segment operating income increased from $207 million to $729 million. Operating income growth was primarily due to improvements in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution and worldwide home entertainment.


    For the quarter, revenues increased by 33 per cent to $2 billion and segment operating income increased $527 million to $214 million. The increase in operating income was primarily due to improvements in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution and worldwide home entertainment.


    The improvement in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution for the year was primarily due to lower distribution costs resulting from fewer domestic Miramax releases and the performance of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest. Other successful current year titles included The Chronicles ofNarnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Disney/Pixar‘s Cars.


    Worldwide home entertainment growth for the year was primarily due to reduced marketing and trade programs, lower distribution costs driven in part by fewer returns, and improved margins from increased sales of television series DVD box sets, partially offset by a decline in unit sales resulting from a higher number of strong performing titles in the prior year. Significant current year titles included The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Cinderella Platinum Release, and Chicken Little, while prior-year titles included Disney/Pixar‘s The Incredibles, National Treasure, Aladdin Platinum Release, and Bambi Platinum Release

  • PlayStation 2 launches Disney’s ‘Kim Possible: What’s The Switch?’ in US













    MUMBAI:Based on the Disney Channel show Kim Possible, yet another video game Kim Possible: What‘s The Switch? has been developed for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. This will be available in retail stores throughout the United States.


    “As the fifth video game starring Disney Channel favourite, Kim Possible, Disney‘s Kim Possible: What‘s The Switch? is an exciting opportunity for video game players to follow the crime-fighting heroine‘s exploits on the living room TV,” said Buena Vista Games vice president marketing Craig Relyea. “Kim Possible is an extremely successful handheld video game franchise and this game looks to repeat that success on the console by bringing more fun and thrills to this engaging PlayStation 2 title.”



    In Disney‘s Kim Possible: What‘s the Switch?, players control Kim, Shego or Rufus the naked mole rat as they traverse the globe to defeat enemies. Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by A2M, Disney‘s Kim Possible: What‘s The Switch? is rated E for Everyone and is available for a suggested price of $29.99, states an official release.


    Features of Disney‘s Kim Possible: What‘s The Switch? include 11 missions as one of three characters (Kim Possible, Shego or Rufus); the ability to acquire and use six gadgets; and a two-player mode.


    The Kim Possible video game franchise has sold more than 1 million units to date worldwide since its debut in 2002. The first three Kim Possible games appeared exclusively for the Game Boy Advance. Disney‘s Kim Possible: Kimmunicator, which was released in 2005, was the first Kim Possible title developed for the Nintendo DS, adds the release.


    Disney‘s Kim Possible: Global Gemini for the Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in February 2007 throughout the United States.

  • MTV Networks and Nexon announce ‘global online’ gaming partnership

    MTV Networks and Nexon announce ‘global online’ gaming partnership

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks and international game publisher Nexon have announced a partnership to create a new user experience for MTVN’S Neopets. one of the youth communities on the internet, and includes MTVN’s marketing of the launch of Nexon’s casual MMOG game titles in North America via its portfolio of television and online brands.

    The announcement was made by MTVN kids and family group executive vice president Stephen Youngwood and Nexon Japan CEO David Lee at the GSTAR 2006 Gameshow.
    Two of the first titles to be marketed under the alliance will be Maple Story and Kart Rider .

    This new service will provide users the ability to purchase premium level virtual items for customisation and personalisation, in addition to those currently available on the site. Nexon will also provide marketing and promotional support in Asia across its games portal for the new Neopets services.

    MTVN will also become a strategic marketing partner for the launch of Nexon’s first three games to be distributed in North America. Marketing campaigns will be run across a portfolio of MTVN television and online brands including MTV, MTV2, MTV U, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, The-N, Neopets.com, Shockwave.com, Addictinggames.com, Gametrailers.com and XFire.
    “We are delighted to establish this mutually beneficial partnership with one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms and the premier media partner in North America for Nexon’s wide ranging target audience. We are confident that through the alliance, Neopets will gain strong momentum in successfully serving its users with more value added services and that Nexon will be able to rapidly expand in the North American market,” said Lee.

    Neopets senior vice president and general manager Kyra Reppen added, “We are very excited about this opportunity to further widen the creative net for Neopets. This premium level experience will provide our members with an exciting new means to enhance their personal involvement with the site and represents a significant new business opportunity for our company in Asia, where Neopets will benefit tremendously from Nexon’s creative and marketing expertise.”