ITV

Category: Television

  • MTV in content, advertising alliance with Chinese search engine Baidu

    MTV in content, advertising alliance with Chinese search engine Baidu

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced a content and advertising alliance with Chinese search engine Baidu.com.

    The new strategic partnership will give China’s 123 million Internet users easy access to 15,000 hours of MTV and Nickelodeon original video content and music videos licensed by five top Chinese and Asian music companies for online viewing or download through www.baidu.com.

    As part of the agreement, MTV will provide the first-ever branded area featured on Baidu – MTV Zone, which will include advertising at launch by Motorola and P&G. This deal extends MTV China’s digital media position, where MTV claims to have 100 per cent reach of the country’s mobile subscribers through partnerships with China Mobile and China Unicom.

    MTV International president Bill Roedy commented, “This breakthrough relationship with Baidu delivers Chinese audiences a major digital platform for non-stop, 24-hour access to MTV and Nickelodeon programming content for the first time – from SpongeBob SquarePants, to Pimp My Ride, to MTV China’s local original programming like MTV Tian Lai Cun and MTV Music Wire. This alliance with China’s number one Internet search engine is also a key milestone in our digital media position in China and advances our long-term commitment to expanding our brands and local content in China.”

    Baidu.com chairman and CEO Robin Li said, “We are excited to expand our powerful online entertainment platform at Baidu through this first-of-its-kind alliance with MTV Networks. With a diverse offering of original programming, animation and music, Chinese users will be able to experience high quality entertainment on MTV Zone. Content owners and artists will be compensated through this revenue share agreement, which also offers exciting new opportunities for advertisers to reach the online youth demographic in China. We look forward to working with MTV Networks to build on this partnership over the long-term.”

    MTV China will provide four categories of content for MTV Zone on Baidu’s portal, including:

    – MTV China’s locally produced shows such as Music Wire, Tian Lai Cun, MTV Chart Countdown, MTV English, MTV Mega Star and live music events.

    – MTV hit reality shows including Pimp My Ride, Cribs and Laguna Beach.

    – Nickelodeon’s shows, including SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, as well as live action series Unfabulous and Drake and Josh.

    – Music videos from four Chinese labels, as well as one Asian label.

    Content will vary in length, from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Internet users will be able to access the high-resolution video content via viewing online, as well as downloading using Baidu’s BaiduXsetup software that enables fast downloading. Some downloaded content will require payment, such as music videos, while most will be downloadable free of charge after viewing advertisements. MTVN, Baidu, and where applicable, the record labels, share the revenues.

    MTV and Baidu will also share ad revenues. Motorola and Procter & Gamble’s Rejoice brand have signed on as the first advertisers of MTV Zone downloads. In addition, MTVN has signed licensing agreements with four of the top music companies in Mainland China, including EE Media, Modern Sky, Music Nation and Ocean Butterflies to enable MTVN to distribute music videos for emerging and established artists. These include Jeff Chang, JJ Lin, Aaron Kwok, Wang Rong, New Pants and others. Music video content will also be available from indie label Avex Group, which represents many artists with strong pan-Asian appeal, such as Japan’s Ayumi Hamasaki, Boa, and Namie Amuro; Mainland China’s He Jie; and Taiwan’s Cindy Wang and Show Lo. Additional agreements to offer videos from local and international artists will be announced soon.

    MTV adds that it has many agreements around the world to make its content available on multiple platforms, including the Internet, mobile phones and portable devices. Internet partnerships include companies such as AOL, Google Video, iTunes and Amazon, among others, for MTV, Nickelodeon and the company’s other leading brands.

  • Optus D1 satellite successfully launched

    Optus D1 satellite successfully launched

    MUMBAI:The Optus Networks Pty Ltd has launched into orbit a satellite — Optus D1 that will provide fixed communication and direct television broadcast services to Australia and New Zealand.

    Launched on 13 October into the orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, had been builted by Orbital Sciences Corporation for Optus of Australia, was successfully launched into its targeted orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket on Friday, October 13.

    The Optus D1 satellite is the first of the two satellites that Orbital is building for Optus. The second satellite, Optus D2, is scheduled for completion and launch in 2007. 

    Both of the Optus satellites are based on Orbital’s Star 2.4 platform, which can generate nearly five kilowatts of payload power and can weigh over 5,000 pounds (2,500 kilograms) at launch, making them the largest and most powerful commercial communications spacecraft in Orbital’s satellite product line. 

    “The demand for satellite communication services continues to grow strongly for direct-to-home subscription television, remote and rural communications and high speed broadband services,” Optus chief executive Paul O’Sullivan said.

  • Viacom acquires Quizilla.com for MTV Networks

    Viacom acquires Quizilla.com for MTV Networks

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc has acquired Quizilla.com, an online, user-generated community of original teen authors, aged 14 and above, who create and share quizzes, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, polls, and other content.

    The website was acquired from Gorilla Nation Media and will now become part of the Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. Ranked as a top-five destination for female teens, Quizilla.com drew 3.1 million unique visitors globally last month, according an official release.

    “Quizilla.com is a terrific destination and another interactive and creative online environment that we’re adding to MTV Networks’ portfolio of targeted digital brands,” said MTV Networks chairman and CEO Judy McGrath. 

    “This marks another great step forward with our strategy of continuing to transform MTVN into a global, multi-platform entertainment company that engages our diverse audiences wherever, whenever and however they want.”

    The acquisition of Quizilla.com follows MTV Networks’ deals to buy Shockwave.com, AddictingGames.com and NeoPets.com. They joined a stable of online brands that includes The-N.com, Nick.com, ParentsConnect.com and TurboNick. 

    “The acquisition of Quizilla combined with The-N.com and NeoPets will further deepen our already strong connection with our audience and provide them with new ways to experience our content on The N as well as the ability to create and share their own creative ideas and passions through Quizilla,” said Nickelodeon and MTVN president Cyma Zarghami. “This is a great complement to our portfolio of brands that super serve preschoolers, kids, teens, parents and families overall.”

  • Disney to encourage kids to eat healthy

    Disney to encourage kids to eat healthy

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company has introduced new food guidelines for licensed foods and promotions aimed at children that will govern Disney’s business partnerships and activities in the U.S. on a going-forward basis and will be adapted internationally over the next several years.

    The new policies call for Disney to use its name and characters ond fat and sugar. ly on kid-focused products that meet specific guidelines, including limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar.

    Disney also announced nutritionally-beneficial changes in the meals served to children at all Disney-operated restaurants in its parks and resorts and unveiled a company-wide plan to eliminate added trans fats from food served at its parks by the end of 2007 and from its licensed and promotional products by the end of 2008.

    “Disney will be providing healthier options for families that seek them, whether at our Parks or through our broad array of licensed foods,” said Disney president and CEO Robert Iger. “The Disney brand and characters are in a unique position to market food that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them.”

    Disney Consumer Products has already begun to offer many licensed products which comply with the guidelines. They include breakfast items such as instant oatmeal featuring characters like The Incredibles and Kim Possible, and Disney Garden fresh produce such as kid-sized apples and bananas. Lunch and dinner foods such as Mickey-shaped organic ravioli and other pastas are also now available, informs an official release.

    Beginning this month in U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts, kids’ meals are automatically being served with low fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or water along with side dishes like apple sauce or carrots in place of the traditional soft drinks and French fries. Initial tests involving 20,000 kids’ meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.

    Added trans fats are in the process of being removed from all Disney food offerings. Food served at the U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts will be free of added trans fats by the end of 2007. Disney’s U.S. licensing and promotional groups are aiming to meet an end-2008 deadline.

    These guidelines are based on The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and have been developed in cooperation with two child health and wellness experts, Dr. James O. Hill, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

  • Mini Mathur to host Pogo Amazing Kids Awards ’06

    Mini Mathur to host Pogo Amazing Kids Awards ’06

    MUMBAI: The third edition of the Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006 is all set to rock with television anchor/VJ Mini Mathur on board for 19 new episodes.

    Turner International India Vice President Advertising Sales and Networks India and South Asia Monica Tata said, “We are extremely happy to introduce Mini as the new face for Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006. Mini is a popular television anchor and we are confident that she will do complete justice to the new, serialised format of Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006. A mom herself, Mini would be the best person to interact with the participants and their parents and also share a comfort level with them as they face the camera.”

    Mini Mathur with Rob (left), Chinu (right) and Niall on Pogo Amazing Kids Awards ’06
    Enthused about her venture in the kids’ genre for the first time, Mini Mathur says, “I am really excited to be part of Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006. Though I have anchored a lot of shows on television, this one demands dealing with young hearts and their emotions. Pogo is doing an incredible job by inculcating confidence in these kids and providing them a platform to showcase their talent to the country.”

    The Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006 research team and jury is in the process of short listing five nominees from each of the eight categories – arts, sports, music, singing, dance, genius, leadership and entertainment. These 40 kids will be profiled as part of the Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006 series starting 4 November 2006. This serialised format has been produced by Miditech.

    The first eight episodes will feature non-category specific profiling of the 40 nominees, followed by a complete recap in the ninth episode. The next eight episodes will have three finalists in each category vying for the top prize by impressing the jury, viewers and thereby getting their votes. At this stage, the jury panel will be there to guide the finalists, spur them on and give them words of advice, while viewers’ votes will play a crucial role in selecting the final eight winners. These will be followed by a grand finale that will reveal the final eight winners of Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006, informs an official release.

    The winners of the POGO Kids Awards will be felicitated at a gala, in-studio event in Mumbai that will be interspersed with performances. The winners will be awarded with a child benefit policy worth Rs 5 lakhs and to further highlight their talent, the winning kids will get the chance to be on Pogo throughout 2007.

    Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2006 is divided into two sections, Pogo Voice Awards and Pogo Kids Awards. The Pogo Kids Awards segment will recognise exceptional talent and brilliance and reward them for their talents in multiple areas and the Pogo Voice Awards will yet again empower children from all over India to vote for their favourite celebrity icons amongst nominees in various award categories.

    Instituted by Pogo in December 2004, the Awards recognise child wonders and reward them for their achievements in multiple areas of excellence such as arts, leadership and sports.

  • Turner inks deal with Nokia for Cartoon Network mobile content

    Turner inks deal with Nokia for Cartoon Network mobile content

    MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting and Nokia have announced that high-quality content from Turner’s Cartoon Network will be made available for consumer downloads through the Nokia Content Discoverer client, embedded in Nokia devices available in markets globally. The territories covered under this agreement include United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

    Under this multi-country deal between the companies, mobile subscribers will be able to browse, download and purchase over-the-air Cartoon Network games, video clips, and other content from a dedicated Cartoon Network mobile content “storefront” available to consumers through the device-resident Nokia Content Discoverer client, part of Nokia’s complete mobile content ecosystem, informs an official release.

    A selection of Cartoon Network favourites – ranging from Johnny Bravo to Dexter’s Laboratory will be offered on the service. The new agreement provides a method for people to quickly access and enjoy Cartoon Network entertainment on buses, at school or in the office, according to Turner Broadcasting vice president Commercial Distribution and Digital Media Sales Phil Lawrie. 

    “Turner is delighted to offer a Cartoon Network catalog as part of the exciting Nokia Content Discoverer initiative,” said Lawrie. “Accessing and buying mobile content can often be challenging for the end-user. Having an embedded showcase for our Cartoon Network content as part of Nokia Content Discoverer will eliminate these barriers and provide a shop window for games, video clips, wallpapers and much more in the future. In a nutshell, it’s content purchase made easy – with a positive commercial outcome for all stakeholders: Turner, Nokia and the network operator. And our consumers will now be just a few key-strokes away from Cartoon Network favorites like The Powerpuff Girls and Dexter’s Laboratory.” 

    “Offering popular entertainment from Cartoon Network will greatly enhance the value of the Nokia Content Discoverer program to network operators and to the end consumers,” commented Forum Nokia (Nokia’s global developer program) director business development and channels Brad Brockhaug.

    “We’re excited by the addition of this outstanding new content catalog and look forward to working closely with Turner Broadcasting to address the enormous opportunities for content consumption in the global mobile marketplace.” 

    Nokia Content Discoverer facilitates easy access to downloadable content by mobile subscribers through a collection of shopping mall “stores” run by branded content providers, leading content aggregators and mobile service providers. Operators are able to build their own branded mobile shopping mall, with better positioning of content and the presence of the operator’s brand on the device, generating higher adoption. Consumers’ experience of content shopping is greatly enhanced through Nokia Content Discoverer’s advanced on-device caching of content catalog metadata which allows free browsing of the content stores in the mobile mall, as well as automatic content updates, integrated preview/prelisten and proficient content installation capabilities, adds the release.

    Nokia Content Discoverer is currently embedded in select S60 and Series 40 devices, including the Nseries multimedia devices (Nokia N70, N71, N72, N73, N80 and N93), Eseries devices for enterprise users (Nokia E50, E60, E61 and E70), Nokia 5500, and Nokia 3250 handsets currently available in mainland China and on Nokia 6131 devices in China and other Asia-Pacific markets. Nokia Content Discoverer is expected to be in the hands of over 20 million consumers worldwide by the end of 2006.

  • Turner inks deal with Nokia for Cartoon Network mobile content

    MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting and Nokia have announced that high-quality content from Turner‘s Cartoon Network will be made available for consumer downloads through the Nokia Content Discoverer client, embedded in Nokia devices available in markets globally. The territories covered under this agreement include United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Norway.


    Under this multi-country deal between the companies, mobile subscribers will be able to browse, download and purchase over-the-air Cartoon Network games, video clips, and other content from a dedicated Cartoon Network mobile content “storefront” available to consumers through the device-resident Nokia Content Discoverer client, part of Nokia‘s complete mobile content ecosystem, informs an official release.


    A selection of Cartoon Network favourites – ranging from Johnny Bravo to Dexter‘s Laboratory will be offered on the service. The new agreement provides a method for people to quickly access and enjoy Cartoon Network entertainment on buses, at school or in the office, according to Turner Broadcasting vice president Commercial Distribution and Digital Media Sales Phil Lawrie.

    Turner is delighted to offer a Cartoon Network catalog as part of the exciting Nokia Content Discoverer initiative,” said Lawrie. “Accessing and buying mobile content can often be challenging for the end-user. Having an embedded showcase for our Cartoon Network content as part of Nokia Content Discoverer will eliminate these barriers and provide a shop window for games, video clips, wallpapers and much more in the future. In a nutshell, it‘s content purchase made easy – with a positive commercial outcome for all stakeholders: Turner, Nokia and the network operator. And our consumers will now be just a few key-strokes away from Cartoon Network favorites like The Powerpuff Girls and Dexter‘s Laboratory.”


    “Offering popular entertainment from Cartoon Network will greatly enhance the value of the Nokia Content Discoverer program to network operators and to the end consumers,” commented Forum Nokia (Nokia‘s global developer program) director business development and channels Brad Brockhaug.


    “We‘re excited by the addition of this outstanding new content catalog and look forward to working closely with Turner Broadcasting to address the enormous opportunities for content consumption in the global mobile marketplace.”


    Nokia Content Discoverer facilitates easy access to downloadable content by mobile subscribers through a collection of shopping mall “stores” run by branded content providers, leading content aggregators and mobile service providers. Operators are able to build their own branded mobile shopping mall, with better positioning of content and the presence of the operator‘s brand on the device, generating higher adoption. Consumers‘ experience of content shopping is greatly enhanced through Nokia Content Discoverer‘s advanced on-device caching of content catalog metadata which allows free browsing of the content stores in the mobile mall, as well as automatic content updates, integrated preview/prelisten and proficient content installation capabilities, adds the release.


    Nokia Content Discoverer is currently embedded in select S60 and Series 40 devices, including the Nseries multimedia devices (Nokia N70, N71, N72, N73, N80 and N93), Eseries devices for enterprise users (Nokia E50, E60, E61 and E70), Nokia 5500, and Nokia 3250 handsets currently available in mainland China and on Nokia 6131 devices in China and other Asia-Pacific markets. Nokia Content Discoverer is expected to be in the hands of over 20 million consumers worldwide by the end of 2006.

  • Roy floats NDTV Ventures for entertainment channel, new media expansion

    Roy floats NDTV Ventures for entertainment channel, new media expansion

    NEW DELHI: The Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Ltd, which today reported a 27 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in revenues for the quarter ending September 30, announced formation of NDTV Ventures to start a slew of TV channels, including a Hindi general entertainment channel.
    NDTV figs for FY 06 ended March ’06
    Total income: Rs 1941.48 million
    Profit after tax: Rs 199.12 million
    Unveiling the future course of expansion, top honchos of NDTV said it is to take the company revenue up to $ 500 million in five years; focus on triple play and make NDTV a global Indian media brand.

    NDTV Ventures, a 100 per cent subsidiary, has been formed to undertake major expansion in non-news segments as well as aggressively push new media propositions.

    “Every three to four years we take a leap, consolidate our position and then again move ahead,” is how NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy explained the philosophy behind the latest expansion model during an interaction with journalists today evening after a company board meeting.

    “The new model is based on an entrepreneurial management structure aimed at attracting and rewarding the best global talent in the business, including the large talent bank within NDTV. The model will help streamline existing operations and make them more cost efficient,” Roy said in a year when quite a few media companies like Television Eighteen and Zee Telefilms have undertaken corporate restructuring to chart out new expansion plans.

    Though no time frame was given, Roy also said that the company plans to start “soon” four city-centric English infotainment channels called NDTV Metro Nation.

    The new model envisages having NDTV LTD as the parent entity with news and non-news operations under it as separate subsidiaries. Each of the subsidiaries will have a number of verticals, NDTV’s chief executive for growth and strategy Vikram Chandra said.

    The non-news forays would be undertaken by NDTV Ventures (in the process of being formally incorporated) and will have under it the entertainment and new media divisions.

    NDTV New Media, in turn, will have NDTV Convergence (Internet initiatives), NGen (media process outsourcing) and NDTV Labs under its umbrella. According to Chandra, NDTV Labs, which will develop in-house broadcast technologies for sale to proposed clients, has already closed its first deal.

    The corporate model for NDTV Ventures, which will incubate and operate focused verticals, will permit investments by strategic and financial partners in individual verticals apart from NDTV Ventures itself.

    If that was not enough, NDTV has also acquired for the rights of Indian boxing fixtures for the next 10 years.

    This, in a nutshell, marks out the route the Roys and associates are taking to expand regionally as well as globally. The new growth model would enable NDTV to raise funds for its future businesses beyond news, Roy said, adding that an IPO of NDTV Ventures is “one of the options before us.”

    NDTV MAINTAINS OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

    The company’s board, which approved the new growth plans, also approved the Q2 financial results.

    The company declared net profit at Rs 37 million on revenues of Rs 545 million. Revenues in the previous corresponding quarter stood at Rs 430 million.

    The company added 78 new clients and 172 new brands to its advertiser base this quarter.

    The current quarter’s expenses include the costs attributable to certain initiatives for generating new income streams in the future. Some of the operating loss of Rs 33 million has been incurred in building new businesses.

    On the revenue front, the company said the second half of the year is expected to be far more buoyant with revenues in the news business expected to grow at a robust 30-35 per cent.

    Going forward, the company expects top line growth to accelerate, with substantial contribution from new business initiatives.

  • Cellebrum develops contest for BSNL, MTNL

    Cellebrum develops contest for BSNL, MTNL

    MUMBAI: Cellebrum, a MCorpGlobal group company and an integrated telecom VAS solutions provider has announced its tie-up with BSNL and MTNL in North India to launch its Kaun Banega Lakhpati contest. The contest, developed by Cellebrum, aims to provide a rewarding experience for subscribers of the telecom operators.

    Subscribers of BSNL and MTNL will be able to win total cash prizes worth Rs 5,00,000 (Four prizes of 1,00,000 each, 20 prizes of Rs 4900 each) as part of the contest. The contest will be available for all GSM and landline subscribers of BSNL and MTNL from 15 October to 30 November, states an official release.

    While playing the contest, the subscriber will have to correctly answer five simple questions. However, subscribers can participate in the contest as many times as they wish to. Winners of the contest will be chosen by Cellebrum after a lucky draw of the eligible subscribers who managed to correctly answer all questions in the contest, the release adds.

    Speaking about the contest, Cellebrum COO Saket Agarwal said, “BSNL and MTNL are two of the largest telecom conglomerates in the country. We believe that our association with these operators will help us reach the virgin territories of this country, vis-à-vis the value added services market. Moreover, with the festive season of Diwali in the offing, we believe that a contest like Kaun Banega Lakhpati will definitely touch millions of aspiring individuals who want to make it big in a short span of time and we are sure that the contest will be received with great enthusiasm across all telecom circles where it is being launched.”

    “At Cellebrum, we have always prioritised on providing new, innovative and rewarding services to our customers and keeping them at the forefront of the revolution,” Agarwal added.

    How does the contest work?
    BSNL/ MTNL Users

    Through IVRS: Users in Haryana and Delhi will have to dial 126300 to access the service while subscribers in Punjab and UP (W) will have to dial 12630000 to participate in the contest.

    Charges as follows: 
    BSNL Mobile/GSM subscribers: Rs 3.60 / minute
    BSNL Landline subscribers: Rs 1.20 / 30 secs
    MTNL Mobile/GSM subscribers: Rs 4 / minute
    MTNL Landline subscribers: Re 1 / 30 secs
    Through SMS [for Mobile subscribers in Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, UP (E) and UP(W)]: Users are required to register for the contest by sending SMS “KBL” to 6300 and follow the instructions thereafter.

    Charges will be levied as follows: 
    Messages to 6300 for contest will be charged at Rs 2 per SMS.

  • ‘Corporate’ DVD incorporates games

    ‘Corporate’ DVD incorporates games

    MUMBAI: Madhur Bhandarkar’s Corporate is said to first Bollywood DVD with interactive games. The first of its kind DVD is being released by Excel Home Videos in association with Indiagames.

    Adds Excel Home Videos MD M N Kapasi” The DVD signals the convergence of various media and a paradigm shift in the Indian Home Entertainment scenario”.
    Says the lead actress of Corporate Bipasha Basu, ‘This is the first time in India, and we are glad that Corporate is initiating the trend.”

    The DVD has more than Rs 700 worth of mobile games. The highlight of the feature is the office games based on the popular TV series The Office on NBC. The list of games also includes premium titles like Bruce Lee, Jurassic Park, Predator, Championship Cricket and F-Speed Forge in addition to the Office Games, informs the release.