ITV

Category: Television

  • 22.19 million handheld TV homes in China by 2010

    22.19 million handheld TV homes in China by 2010

    MUMBAI: Analysys International, an advisor of technology, media and telecom (TMT) industries in China, says in its recently released report China’s Handhold TV Annual Report 2006 that China’s total users of handhold TV will reach 22.19 millions in 2010.

    According to Analysys International’s research, China’s handhold TV market is currently at a starting-up phase. Cellular mobile telecommunication network-based handhold TV started in 2004, while wireless digital broadcasting network-based handhold TV is still at a trial phase now. The trial projects are mainly carried on in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong complying with the state-recommended standard of DAB.

    Analysys International analyst Joan Lin says, “China’s domestic handhold TV market will see a rapid developing period. Among which, cellular mobile telecommunication network-based handhold TV users reached 220 thousands in 2005. Limited by factors such as network band width, content and tariff, the market developed comparatively slowly in 2006.

    “In 2007, with the issue of the 3G licenses, China’s streaming media-based mobile TV will enter a rapid developing phase. It’s estimated that the market users will reach 7.45 millions of families in 2010.”

    Analysys International is an leading advisor of technology, media and telecom (TMT) industries in China with the mission to help their clients make better business decisions. They provide data, information and advice to 50,000 clients worldwide, representing 1,500 distinct organizations.

    They also deliver over 150 consulting engagements a year, and hold more than 20 events that draw in over 8,000 attendees. Their clients include executives from companies like technology vendors, vertical information technology users, as well as professionals from professional service companies, the investment community and government agencies.

  • Kudelski to take controlling interest in TV technology firm OpenTV

    Kudelski to take controlling interest in TV technology firm OpenTV

    MUMBAI: US firm OpenTV which provide enabling technologies for advanced digital television services has announced that the Kudelski Group which works in the area of content protection and related digital
    television technologies, has signed a stock purchase agreement with Liberty Media to acquire voting control of OpenTV.

    The transaction aligns two global digital television technology firms who, together, will be able to deliver fully integrated products and
    solutions to the world’s digital TV operators, spanning conditional access software, middleware, interactive applications, and advertising. At the same time, the transaction enables both companies to continue operating
    independently, supporting efforts to serve some customers on a standalone basis as their requirements dictate.

    The Kudelski Group companies, with consolidated 2005 revenues of approximately $550 million, include primarily:
    — Nagravision, a worldwide leader in integrated security software solutions for digital television — Nagra France, NagraStar, Nagra Plus, NagraCard and NagraID
    — Abilis, Quative, and SmarDTV developing new technologies in mobile, IPTV and security
    — SkiData specialising in public access
    OpenTV has historically worked closely with the Kudelski Group to deliver various digital television services, including PVR, VOD and other on-demand services, EPG and content syndication for on-demand services,
    interactive applications, and enabling technologies for enhanced and interactive advertising.

    OpenTV chairman and CEO Jim Chiddix says, “Aligning ourselves with a global leader in the digital television sector like Kudelski will help us immediately extend our product lineup
    into new markets and give us access to customers we haven’t had relationships with before. It will also open up new opportunities that we may not otherwise have had the technical or related resources to address in
    the near term.

    “We think this deal offers us a myriad of new opportunities to bundle solutions, sell products into Kudelski’s existing customer base, save costs through various integration and joint R&D efforts, and collaborate more effectively in several early stage sectors, such as the digital terrestrial market.

    “And, just as importantly, we expect to do that while retaining the requisite degree of independence necessary to satisfy the needs of all of our existing and potential customers and partners, with a continued focus on maximising value for all OpenTV stockholders.”

    Kudelski Group chairman and CEO Andre Kudelski says, “OpenTV’s software has established the global benchmark for set-top box middleware. We also believe it is a company with great potential and very
    talented people, a gold-plated customer list, and market-leading technologies that will offer both OpenTV and the Kudelski Group, working
    side by side, real growth opportunities.

    “This transaction was driven, in large part, by
    recognition of OpenTV’s leadership position in advanced digital television and our desire to work more closely with OpenTV to capture additional market share in the rapidly consolidating digital television industry. With
    digital television households expected to double by 2010, with the landscape for television advertising changing daily, and with the mobile
    and online video sectors now quickly evolving, we see OpenTV as extremely well-positioned to exploit these opportunities — even more so given the complementary nature of our product offerings.”

    Liberty Media senior VP Michael Zeisser says “Over the past four years, through its controlling position in OpenTV, Liberty has helped shape an industry-leading player in digital television. OpenTV has a strong management team, customers, and momentum. As it embarks on its next stage of growth Kudelski will be a formidable strategic partner.”

  • China to start mobile TV trial in 2007

    China to start mobile TV trial in 2007

    MUMBAI: China will begin trial broadcasts of mobile television by mid-2007.

    The digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) technology will be tested next year and a satellite system will be activated in the first half of 2008 so that the Olympic Games can be broadcast to mobile-phone users across the country, China Daily reports.

    The country’s two biggest mobile telecom operators, China Mobile and China Unicom, are expected to sign agreements with phone makers by the end of the month to buy TV handsets.

    Besides mobile phones, big-screen personal digital assistants (PDAs) and MP4 players will also be able to receive TV signals, Yang Qinghua, director of the television division of the SARFT’s Broadcast Science Research Institute, was quoted in the report as saying.

    The mobile-phone TV market in China is estimated to reach $756 million by 2008. China is the world’s biggest mobile phone market with 426 million mobile phone users and in the next five years, about eight per cent of them are expected to subscribe to the mobile TV service, the Chinese government estimates.

  • Sopranos star Gandolfini inks production deal with HBO

    Sopranos star Gandolfini inks production deal with HBO

    MUMBAI: Extending his alliance with HBO beyond next year’s final episodes of The Sopranos, the three-time Emmy winner James Gandolfini has signed a three-year production deal with HBO.

    As per the deal, Gandolfini will develop projects exclusively for HBO and its specialty movie division, Picturehouse.

    The actor has also announced his plans to launch a production company called Attaboy Films with partner Alex Ryanhas.

    The biopic Hemingway will be Gandolfini’s first projects as a producer. Reportedly, Gandolfini and Ryan are also working on a documentary for HBO about US soldiers in Iraq.

    Gandolfini has won three Emmys for playing Tony Soprano. His noted works also include Get Shorty and The Last Castle.

  • AXN goes mobile to spread the buzz

    AXN goes mobile to spread the buzz

    MUMBAI: The mobile is increasingly becoming a way for channels to reach their consumers. A case in point is the action oriented AXN.

    AXN Mobile, a mobile Wap entertainment portal by AXN, is ready to be launched in Asia and will be available to consumers from early November 2006.

    Now viewers acros Asia will not only get to catch high-octane action and adventure programmes on TV; supplement their programme knowledge and have fun with games and contests via the website; live the AXN lifestyle by participating in specially formatted made-for-TV challenge-reality shows… but to top it all off, AXN Mobile is now available to continue providing the AXN buzz while on the move – giving consumers an adrenaline-charged “power snack bar” to get them freshened up for their next appointment.

    Through the mobile AXN is looking to catch viewers whether they are on a lunch or coffee break from work, commuting on public transport to meet friends, or soaking their stress away in the Jacuzzi.

    AXN Mobile offers exclusive streaming video on demand (SVOD) services and downloadable personalisation products such as ringtones and wallpapers from the channel’s flagship programmes that have garnered a huge loyal following around the region.

    In Singapore and Malaysia, AXN has expanded its partnership with affiliates like StarHub to carry the mobile products on their platform and with Astro to distribute AXN mobile to major telcos. In the Philippines, AXN has partnered with Smart Communications. Direct deals with major telcom firms are also in negotiation in Hong Kong and Taiwan, which will be announced at a later date.

    The channel says that a clear differentiation about AXN Mobile, is the exclusive made-for-mobile contents offered to consumers, in an effort to ensure the desirability and relevance of AXN Mobile. Unlike other mobile TV services that are mostly an extension of the TV contents (like news updates or the linear channel service), AXN offers a library of video clips from its stable of signature shows that are specially produced for streaming via mobile.

    AXN Mobile will be available in various Asia markets in early November, in conjunction with the much-awaited premiere of AXN’s biggest original production – The Amazing Race Asia. Special made-for-mobile contents have been created that will allow viewers of The Amazing Race Asia to supplement their knowledge of the show – like host Allan Wu’s Host Video Diary, where he shares his thoughts at the end of each race day; interviews with eliminated teams on their reflection of what may have caused their elimination and their thoughts on which team they believe will emerge victorious.

    In the final stages of the race, viewers can also download clips of interviews with the remaining teams after every episode to see what would be each team’s strategy going into the next leg of the race. These videos will serve to “whet the appetite” of viewers as they wait in anticipation for the next episode. Of course, there will also be the ever-popular “unseen footages” or “behind-the-scene” shots of the funny moments, big arguments or even too-hot-for-TV catfights…

    Similar offerings from other shows like Mondo Magic Singapore and The Contender are also in the pipeline, as well as a special segment known as AXN Moments featuring great moments of fun, courage, and laughter from some of the best daredevil record-breaking challenges from AXN original productions and events.

    SPE Networks Asia GM Ricky Ow says, “AXN has always been a leading trendsetter, being the first action and adventure channel, the first to bring the reality craze to Asia, the first in Asia to take on such a mega scale production like The Amazing Race Asia. And now we will also be the first to provide a true-blue entertainment WAP portal that allows our viewers to have a seamless, well-rounded, enriching entertainment experience that complements their TV viewing.

    “Mobile technology is very much a part of our viewers’ lifestyle, our core audience being the working executives and professionals. With the rapid advancement and pick-up of mobile technology in Asia, we feel that it is the right time to venture into mobile TV, and I am confident that our viewers will appreciate the unique content offerings we have.”

  • Disney Book Group unveils ‘Good For You! Nutrition Game Book’ in the US

    Disney Book Group unveils ‘Good For You! Nutrition Game Book’ in the US

    MUMBAI: Disney Book Group has announced the publication of Good For You! Nutrition Game Book, written by Connie Evers M.S., R.D. and illustrated by the Disney Storybook Artists (Disney Press).

    This is in keeping food guidelines recently introduced by the company. Created to empower children with the information needed to help make the right nutritional choices, Good for You! combines basic health facts and a playful format of games, recipes, quizzes, and trivia designed to assess children’s knowledge of proper nutrition and guide them to a lifetime of good health.

    Good for You! includes fun tips from Lilo and Stitch on how to have your best possible body; an Undergoing Growing Quiz from the Incredibles; tips from Toy Story’s Woody on eating well each day; and fun, kid friendly recipes like Buzz Lightyear’s Nacho Same Old Potato, informs an official release.

    Targeting kids between the age group 6-9 years, the book will be priced at $12.99.

    Disney Book Group is a division of Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW), Headquartered in New York, DPW publishes books and magazines in 85 languages in 75 countries.

  • Sony cuts profit forecast for the year

    Sony cuts profit forecast for the year

    MUMBAI: Japanese electronics major Sony CEO Howard Stringer has his hands full in his attempts to turn the company’s fortunes around.

    The firm has cut its annual profit outlook. This is because of poor sales, rising costs at its games unit and a recall of millions of batteries.

    Media reports quote Sony stating that net income for the year ending 31 March 31 will drop 35 per cent to $675 million. Sony also revised its net profit for the year to $673 million. This marks a decline of 38 per cent from the $1.1 billion it had projected in July 2006.

    Earnings in the second quarter slid 93 per cent to ¥2 billion after the company recalled notebook batteries because several burst into flames. Sony maintained its sales forecast at ¥8.23 trillion.

    Media reports state that Sony has already delayed the PlayStation 3 next-generation video game console for the European market by four months. It is also delaying the sales date of LocationFree TV Box LF-Box1. The product streams television shows wirelessly to other gadgets.

    The number of battery packs being recalled globally by Sony is 9.6 million. This means a cost of $429 million. Reports however add that the scene might become worse as this figure doesn’t cover the damage compensation that companies may demand. Toshiba has said it may demand compensation.

    The battery problem stemmed from lithium-ion batteries that can short-circuit, causing some computers to overheat or burst into flames. On the video game side last month, Sony said that it had run into production problems for its PlayStation 3 video game console. It was expected to start selling the product in the US and Japan next month.

    Reports adds that Sony is equipping the console with the Blu-ray high-definition DVD player and the cell chip. This enables more lifelike graphics by making the console about 35 times faster than the previous edition of the product PlayStation 2. The company hopes that these features will justify the price and that the perception will be that the PlayStation is more than just a toy.

  • Ten Sports to air WWE special ‘No Mercy’

    Ten Sports to air WWE special ‘No Mercy’

    MUMBAI: There will be ‘no holds barred’ action this Sunday 22 October on Ten Sports.

    The channel will air World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) special event No Mercy at 2 pm.
    Some of the biggest names in sport entertainment line up on the card and there will be the debut of MVP, who will finally enter the ring after months of contract negotiations.

    No Mercy kicks off with Matt Hardy taking on Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms in a non title match. The two home town boys have had a lengthy rivalry and this promises to be their most fierce contest yet.

    WWE Tag Team Champions London and Kendrick put their title on the line against K.C. James and Idol Stevens who have previously beaten the champions in non title bouts.
    It is then the turn of MVP to make his debut when he takes on the unheralded Marty Garner. The self proclaimed ‘greatest athlete on the planet’ has claimed he will take on all comers and transform the world of sports entertainment but looks to be taking an easy match first time up.

    The entertainment continues with match ups between Mr Kennedy and Undertaker, Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit and William Regal and finally the World Heavyweight Champion Booker T puts his title on the line in a fatal four way match against Bobby Lashley, Batista and Finlay.

  • WWE in DVD deal with the Weinstein’s

    WWE in DVD deal with the Weinstein’s

    MUMBAI: Genius Products in the US has entered into a multi-year agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to be the exclusive home entertainment distributor of all WWE DVD titles.

    The deal takes effect from 1 November, 2006. 

    The Weinstein Company is the majority owner of Genius Products. WWE chairman Vince McMahon says. “Home entertainment is a major part of the WWE’s business, and we believe we have found in Genius a company that understands our brand and will help us continue to drive our company’s growth. Bob and Harvey Weinstein have a tremendous track record. We are excited about this partnership and its long-term potential.”

    WWE says that it has successfully used its core businesses of live events, pay-per-view, and producing television content for broadcast and cable networks to establish a vibrant global brand with a presence in more than 130 countries. The company has significantly expanded its line of popular licensed consumer products, such as video games, toys, books and magazines, to territories around the world.

    WWE is focused on spreading its sports entertainment content to new media platforms, and has experienced success with subscription video on demand, broadband and mobile services, online advertising and ecommerce. It also has created a film division focused on the production of feature films, and other film and television projects.

    Bob Weinstein noted, “WWE is not simply a brand; it is an American Icon. Harvey and I very much relate to Vince McMahon’s entrepreneurial style and entertainment philosophy. We love what Vince has done in making WWE the leading sports entertainment franchise in the world, and we are very interested in expanding our relationship beyond DVD distribution to other facets of WWE’s global entertainment empire. We view our relationship with WWE as a major alliance with great growth potential.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, Genius will be the exclusive US distributor for all WWE DVDs. New releases will include content from WWE’s 90,000-hour video library, the largest of its kind in the world, featuring content from Raw, SmackDown! and ECW, pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania, and past and present Superstar profiles, among others.

  • Former Viacom CEO Freston to receive $84 mn package

    Former Viacom CEO Freston to receive $84 mn package

    MUMBAI: A little over a month has passed since Tom Freston quit US media conglomerate Viacom. He will receive $84.8 million in severance, accrued salary and restricted stock payments.

    Media reports state that he also reached a deal with Viacom to serve as an advisor to the company for the next three years, for which he will receive an additional $1 million per year, an arrangement he can cancel with two week’s notice.

    As had been reported last month by Indiantelevision.com Redstone’s dumping a loyal lieutenant who built MTV into a global entertainment powerhouse was over Freston’s failure to aggressively chase the social networking site MySpace. News Corp bought MySpace for $ 580 million which has turned out out to be a great price. Redstone was also looking for a more entrepenurial CEO. He probably felt that longtime board member Philippe Dauman and Thomas Dooley would be more suited.