ITV

Category: Television

  • ICC rights bidders to be called to Dubai by month-end

    ICC rights bidders to be called to Dubai by month-end

    MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) says that this month will mark the next stage of its sale of media and sponsorship rights for events from late 2007 to 2015.

    Information available with indiantelevision.com indicates that potential commercial partners that meet the ICC’s criteria for bidding will be invited to Dubai at the end of this month. The aim is to to further progress the process that began in April when the ICC’s Executive Board decided the host for its tournaments in that eight-year period.

    The period will have 18 ICC tournaments. The five big ones are the two World Cups, in Asia (2011) and Australia/ New Zealand (2015) respectively, and a minimum of three Champions Trophy tournaments. The deal will also include the first two, Twenty World Championships, in South Africa (2007) and England (2009). The latter takes place in the ICC’s centenary year.

    Potential partners who meet the ICC’s qualification criteria that have already made expressions of interest will shortly be receiving correspondence detailing when they will be able to meet ICC officials for talks.

    The ICC says that any interested parties yet to express interest in the rights can still do so by contacting, the ICC.

    The ICC’s team of negotiators will include former President Ehsan Mani, who played a key role in securing the current agreement with Global Cricket Corporation (GCC), which is owned by News International Limited.

    That agreement, which began in 2000 and ends with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies next March and April, includes two ICC Cricket World Cups and four ICC Champions Trophy tournaments. The GCC had paid out $550 million to secure the rights after a fierce bidding war with Subhash Chandra’s Zee Telefilms. At the time of bidding the GCC was a 50:50 JV between News Corp and World Sport Nimbus (itself a 50:50 JV between Harish Thawani’s Nimbus and the UK-headquartered World Sport Group). News Corp subsequently bought out WSN’s stake in the JV.

    ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said, “The sale of the ICC’s commercial and broadcast rights makes this a hugely significant and exciting time for cricket. That sale gives us the opportunity to place cricket on a sound financial footing for the next eight years and, by doing that, it will provide all our members with the chance to both sustain and grow the game.

    “We have been gratified and encouraged by the expressions of interest we have already received. We are now looking forward to meeting our potential partners and have only one aim in mind – securing the best deal for cricket.”

    The ICC has also included two women’s World Cups in the timeframe. One takes place in Australia in 2009 and the other takes place in India in 2013.

  • Animal Planet Intl to broadcast programming trubute to Steve Irwin

    New Delhi, September 09, 2006: As the world continues to mourn the loss of Steve Irwin, Animal Planet International will broadcast a special full day programming tribute beginning on Sunday, 10th September at midnight. The event will highlight Steve’s background and personal history, from his early days at Australia Zoo, to his worldwide fame as the Crocodile Hunter, as well as his boundless passion for wildlife and his family. This special programming marathon will feature some of the best episodes from the long-running Crocodile Hunter series, which showcase Steve’s dedication to conservation and his exuberant approach to educating viewers about the natural world.

    Discovery Communications is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, who was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet’s most passionate conservationists. He has graced Animal Planet’s air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand.

    Rebecca Batties, Executive Vice President of Creative Development for Discovery Networks International, overseeing Animal Planet International said, “Steve was a true pioneer and heralded a fresh and innovative approach to wildlife filmmaking. He invigorated the genre and introduced a new generation of viewers to the natural world with his joyful, enthusiastic style. We are celebrating his legacy by showcasing his unforgettable work on Animal Planet.”

    Animal Planet is proud to broadcast the following programs as part of Sunday’s special tribute:

     

    Start Time
    Programme Title

    00:00
    Operation: Bunya Rescue

    1:00
    Lights! Croc! Action!

    2:00
    Crocodile Hunter Wildest Home Videos

    3:00
    Captured On Camera

    4:00
    They Shoot Crocodiles, Don’t They?

    5:00
    Search For A Super Croc

    6:00
    Steve’s Singapore Safari

    7:00
    Final Entry

    8:00
    Confessions Of The Crocodile Hunter

    9:00
    Steve’s Story

    10:00
    Crocodile Hunter Up Over The Down Under

    11:00
    Outback To Hollywood

    12:00
    Operation: Bunya Rescue

    13:00
    Lights! Croc! Action!

    14:00
    Crocodile Hunter Wildest Home Videos

    15:00
    Captured On Camera

    16:00
    They Shoot Crocodiles, Don’t They?

    17:00
    Search For A Super Croc

    18:00
    Steve’s Singapore Safari

    19:00
    Final Entry

    20:00
    Confessions Of The Crocodile Hunter

    21:00
    Steve’s Story

    22:00
    Crocodile Hunter Up Over The Down Under

    23:00
    Outback To Hollywood

     

    To honour Steve and the enormous contribution he made to the world and to our company, DCI will rename the garden space in front of Discovery’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, the “Steve Irwin Memorial Garden .”

    In addition, DCI is planning to create the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund. The Fund will be established to honour Steve’s passion and exuberance for conservation and the animal kingdom and is expected to provide a way for people from across the globe to make contributions in Steve’s honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation.

    Immediate contributions in the memory of Steve Irwin can be made to the Wildlife Warriors Fund at www.wildlifewarriors.org.au

    Animal Planet grabs you. The world’s leading animal entertainment brand, Animal Planet reaches 195 million subscribers in more than 160 countries outside of the United States with programming customized in 24 languages. Offering intrigue, adventure, humor, relationships, life and death, Animal Planet is the only television network on the planet dedicated to people’s fascination with animals. A joint venture between Discovery Communications and BBC Worldwide, Animal Planet launched in India in 1998 and is currently distributed to 24 million subscribers in the region.

  • TV9 targets September-October launch of Kannada news channel

    TV9 targets September-October launch of Kannada news channel

    MUMBAI: TV9, the Hyderabad-based media firm promoted by venture fund i-Labs Associated Fund and Chennai-based Unify Wealth Management, is all set to enter the Kannada market with a news channel. TV9 Kannada is aimed at a September-October launch.

    “TV9 is all set to launch its news channel in the Kannada market. We are tentatively targeting a launch date within the September-October period. The dry run is already on,” says TV9 Kannada director Mahendra Mishra. TV9 already runs TV9 Telugu, a news channel in the Telugu language.

    TV9 Kannada will be joining Sun Network’s Udaya News, the only other news channel in the market. And the timing of the launch will be very crucial for the channel, since the Rs 2 billion market is also awaiting the launch of Kannada Kasturi, the infotainment channel promoted by the Bangalore-based Kasturi Media Pvt Ltd (KMPL). Kannada Kasturi is targeting a November launch.

    TV9 Kannada will be following a ‘market expansion strategy’ rather than setting up head-on collision situations with the rival channels. “Our plan is to expand the market further. We are looking at building a new market. News as a genre in Kannada hasn’t been really explored by the existing players as yet. Our effort will be to fill this vacuum with a very different kind of programming,” Mishra says.

    TV9 is projecting the Kannada channel as “Kannada’s national channel”. “The plan is to give Kannadigas a national channel, which speaks their language. We will be raising the bar in Karnataka, by bringing in the national standards and quality of news coverage and presentation. Our focus will be on local-oriented news, but the packaging will be completely of national standards,” Mishra explains the strategy.

    The free-to-air channel will have the retail advertiser segment playing a crucial role in its plans, Mishra adds. “Retail advertising is a huge area of activity in Karnataka. It is really booming and we will be exploring this segment to the fullest.”

    The otherwise sleepy Kannada television market is expected to witness a lot of action this year with the entry of TV9 Kannada and Kannada Kasturi. The proceedings have already been kicked off by Zee Telefilms, which launched its entertainment channel Zee Kannada in May this year.

    Says Zee Kannada business head Venkat Giridhar on the key learnings the channel had in this three-month period: “Unlike any other South market, Kannada is open to all the other languages, whether it is Hindi, English, Tamil or Malayalam. Hence, it is kind of a complicate market for a new entrant. Our effort has been to educate the viewer on genres other than films and soaps. We are going ahead with our plans and will be launching a lot of new programmes which would fit into categories such as talent hunts and reality shows in the coming days.”

  • BBC to launch interactive social reality court show ‘The Verdict’ next year

    BBC to launch interactive social reality court show ‘The Verdict’ next year

    MUMBAI: BBC will launch an interactive reality court show, The Verdict next year. The show will be a cross-platform event that will witness 12 carefully selected celebrities sit through the judgement on a complete trial just like a real jury.

    Commissioned from RDF Television, The Verdict will focus on a highly contemporary and controversial case, based on evidence and examples from real life, improvised by top actors and contested by real barristers and a real judge.

    The celebrity jury, will include celebrities with different backgrounds. The first celebrity juror, who has agreed to serve on The Verdict’s jury is former UK Conservative Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo. Viewers will actually be able to see how a jury reaches its conclusions.

    The series goes into production soon and will air next year. It will show the highlights from the trial, building from the prosecution case to the moment when the jury will have to retire and reach their judgement.

    The jury will be sequestered together in a hotel and a switch-over programme will show how the jury have reacted to the day’s proceedings in court. An interactive service will ensure that viewers can fully engage with The Verdict, taking part in discussions on the messageboard, finding out background information, registering for email and SMS updates and registering their own verdict on the trial.

    The Verdict has been funded by the Think Big Fund, which has been set up by BBC director of television Jana Benett. The aim is to support big ideas across platforms and channels to ensure they have maximum impact.

  • ’24’ sets the clock for season six

    ’24’ sets the clock for season six

    MUMBAI: The action packed show 24 sets the clock for Day Six with a four-hour, two-night television premiere. The sixth season of the show kicks off on 14 and 15 January 2007 on US broadcaster Fox.

    In India the show airs on AXN.

    Fox will make a special, extended Day Six trailer available for global viewing on the web. The online countdown to the trailer’s debut begins today at www.24trailer.com. Fans around the globe can take their first look at Season Six by visiting the website on 24 Octpber 2006. The first promo for the new season is also scheduled to air during game three of the baseball World Series that night on Fox.

    Season Five concluded with a battered and bloodied counter terrorism agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) captured by Chinese government agents and headed for points unknown. Season Six picks up 20 months later. After a series of horrific terrorist attacks, an unthinkable, nail-biting day begins.

    The sixth season will feature Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), the strong-minded brother of the late American President David Palmer; Sandra Palmer (Regina King), a determined and powerful advocacy lawyer; presidential advisors Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson) and Thomas Lennox (Peter MacNicol). Also on the show is James Cromwell who plays Phillip Bauer the estranged father of Jack Bauer.

  • Shemaroo releases VCDs, DVDs of ‘Naksha’

    Shemaroo releases VCDs, DVDs of ‘Naksha’

     

    MUMBAI: With in a month of its theatrical release, Shemaroo Video has released home video of the action-adventure film Nakhsha-Unlock The Mystery.

    Directed by Sachin Bajaj Naksha stars Sunny Deol, Viveik Oberoi, Jackie Shroff and Sameera Reddy in the lead roles and boasts of a totally new theme which weaves Indian mythology into its story-line.

    Shemaroo says that the film is a wholesome entertainer and has received a positive response for its special effects and action sequences.

    The DVD has promos, teasers, Song promos, a Making of the film feature. This offers a sneak preview of the thought process behind Naksha. There are also cast and crew interviews, locations, sets and look of the film, stunts and action sequences, difficult shots, Music and dance choreography.

    In the film a mystery lies buried under the dust of centuries – a secret so powerful that it can change lives forever. Only Naksha holds the key to the mystery. Two brothers – ‘Veer’ (Sunny Deol) and ‘Vicky’ (Vivek Oberoi) defy death while racing against the unscrupulous enemy – ‘Bali’ (Jackie Shroff), for if the secret gets in his hands, it shall spell doom to mankind. On their journey through dense forests, cannibalistic tribes, deep ravines and rugged mountains, they are joined by an unexpected ally – a beautiful girl – ‘Riya’ (Sameera Reddy). Did the trios succeed in their quest? Or did the evil reach before them?

  • ABC to make music video for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

    ABC to make music video for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC and Epic Records have partnered to produce a music video for the show Grey’s Anatomy.

    The video will combine scenes from the third season of the medical soap and The Frays title track video from their gold debut album, How to Save a Life. In India the show airs on Star World.

    ABC senior VP marketing Mike Benson says, “Music has become an integral part of the storytelling on Greys Anatomy. Using a song like How to Save a Life really captures the tone and essence of the show. Its a great opportunity to take moments from the programme and present them in a new and entertaining way for existing fans and people not familiar with the series.”

    Epic Records senior VP, marketing Lee Stimmel says, “The partnership of The Frays How to Save a Life and Greys Anatomy is a perfect match. The use of the song in last seasons episode was truly compelling and had a huge impact with fans of the band. Both How to Save a Life and Greys Anatomy have a similar emotional connection with fans. Its exciting to expand the pairing and spotlight this connection.”

  • Fox to offer an online preview of new season of ‘The Simpsons’

    Fox to offer an online preview of new season of ‘The Simpsons’

    MUMBAI: As a way to whet fans appetitie for the new season of the longest running sitcom The Simpsons, US broadcaster Fox along with sister firm Fox Interactive Media (FIM) are offering fans a glimpse of the show on the web.

    Through a campaign sponsored by Burger King, FIM sites will offer a promotional first look at the first episode.

    In a Simpsons first, online fans on three FIM sites including MySpace.com, Fox.com and IGN.com’s new site will have the exclusive opportunity to see the first seven minutes of the first episode before it airs on television. In addition, viewers will get to see footage of an episode in the making including an animatic and the finished scene.

    Across the FIM network, a marketing campaign will drive fans to the video debut and promote tune in for the broadcast. Promotional initiatives specific to each property include: AskMen.com becoming “AskHomer” for the day and profiling Homer as the site’s Man of the Week; FoxSports.com on MSN presenting Homer’s week one NFL picks; a “Simpsons”-style graphic takeover of the homepage on Rotten Tomatoes and much more. The promotion will culminate with The Simpsons season premiere on 10 September.

    Fox president entertainment Peter Ligouri says, “This sneak peek at The Simpsons’ 18th season is a huge bonus for dedicated fans. Being able to preview the first episode of the new season will surely whet viewers’ appetite for the premiere on Sunday.”

    FIM president Ross Levinsohn says, “We are thrilled to be able to offer an exclusive first look at the Simpsons to our core audience of 18-34 year olds, who have embraced this show as one of the most popular TV programs of our time.

    “We are seeing an increasing demand for video content across FIM sites, and we are focused on delivering that content in a variety of ways – blending established media and user-generated content in a meaningful way.”

    Simpsons fans can visit MySpace, www.igntv.com and Fox.com to get the first look at the first episode before it airs on 10 September. Additional Simpsons features and promotions can also be accessed at www.rottentomatoes.com and www.scout.com in addition to the other three sites.

    The Simpsons will air their historic 400th episode in May 2007. The series features Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson who take traditional family life and turn them upside down.

  • Watch out for the 2006 Emmy Award winning drama series “24” & “The Amazing Race” only on AXN

    Mumbai, 29th August, 2006: The red carpet was rolled and television’s hottest stars strutted around and blew kisses to their fans, some with their better halves and some with the much desired “2006 Emmy Award”. AXN, the action and adventure channel as always showcases the best in entertainment as has on its prime time 2 of the award winning series “24” & “Amazing Race”.

    The action drama 24 won the Best Drama Series, Best lead Actor- Kiefer Sutherland & Best Director. Each one-hour episode covers an hour in a single day that unfolds over the course of a season. Kiefer Sutherland stars as über-hero Jack Bauer, a daring and seemingly indestructible agent for the fictitious U.S.-intelligence body the Counter Terrorist Unit. Come September and AXN will launch the 4th season of 24.

    Known for its reality programmes, “The Amazing Race” won the Best Reality Competition programme. The Amazing Race is the most popular reality television shows in which teams of two or four race around the world in competition with other teams. Being the fourth consecutive year, ever since 2003,The Amazing Race has been awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program.

    Gaining popularity from all over, The Amazing Race will soon be launching an Asia version, wherein participants from India too will be selected and featured on the show.

    So stay tuned to the best in award winning entertainment only on your favourite channel – AXN

    AXN India Backgrounder
    AXN is the first 24-hour cable and satellite TV channel in Asia exclusively dedicated to action and adventure programming. Launched on 21 September 1997, AXN now reaches over 77 million households across Asia. Featuring the best in action and adventure lifestyle programming, AXN is the exclusive home of fast-paced, dynamic entertainment from around the world. Backed by the powerhouse of Sony Pictures Entertainment, AXN delivers young adult viewers, Sec15-44 AB, a round-the-clock fix of blockbuster features, blue-chip action and reality series and specials, first-run alternative sporting events and the latest in cult CGI animation. AXN’s programming speaks the international language of action and adventure, delivering B! G Buzz, B! G Thrills, B!G Action and B!G Adventure 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    For further information please contact:
    Deepa Vaidyanathan/ Kehkashan Merchant
    LinOpinion
    9820453418/ 9821131138

  • TRAI issues an amendment to the Interconnection Regulation for Broadcasting & Cable Services

    The TRAI today issued a Regulation to amend the Interconnection Regulation dated 10.12.2004. The Interconnection Regulation covers arrangements among service providers for interconnection and revenue share, for all broadcasting and cable services in India. With the experience of more than one and a half years after issue of the Interconnection Regulation a need was felt to clarify as well as expand the scope of the same so as to minimize the doubts and disputes/ litigation.

    The Authority followed its consultative approach for amendment of the interconnection regulation by issuing a Consultation Note on March 21, 2006, a Consultation Paper on May 11, 2006 and holding Open House Discussions in Mumbai on June 16, 2006 and in Delhi on June 19, 2006. After taking into consideration the comments received on the consultation paper as well as the comments made during the course of the Open House Discussions, the Regulation has been amended by the TRAI.

    The main amendments made in the Interconnection Regulation dated 10.12.2004 are:

    1. A notice period of three weeks has been prescribed for disconnection of TV channel signals by a broadcaster to any distributor of TV channels. The requirement of issue of a three week notice has also been extended to the distributors of TV channels prior to disconnection of the re-transmission o fany TV channel.

    2. Issue of public notice through newspapers has been made compulsory prior to disconnection of TV channel signals. Broadcaster/multi system operator/ distributor of TV channels are required to inform the consumers through scrolls on the concerned channel(s), but issue of notice in newspapers shall be compulsory.

    3. It has been mandated that the broadcaster/multi system operator or their agents/ intermediaries to whom a request for providing TV channel signals is made, should either provide the signals on mutually agreed terms, or specify the terms and conditions on which they are willing to provide TV channel signals, within sixty days from the date of the request.

    4. Methodology to arrive at the subscriber base of each distributor of TV channels at the time of first agreement, during the validity of agreement and at the time of renewal of agreement has also been laid down for agreements between the broadcasters and multi system operators and between multi system operators and cable operators.

    5. The Authority has prescribed that all broadcasters shall publish their Reference Interconnect Offers (RIO) describing, inter-alia, the technical and commercial conditions for interconnection for non-addressable systems and submit copies of the same to the Authority. The reference interconnect offer so published by the broadcaster will form the basis for all interconnection agreements to be executed thereafter.

    6. Broadcasters will be required to give one months notice for conversion of Free To Air Channels to Pay channels and vice versa.

    7. Parties to an interconnection agreement for supply of TV channel signals
    will be required to renew their interconnection agreements within three months of the expiry of the original agreement.

    8. Issue of invoices by broadcasters /multi system operators or their agents/ intermediaries has been made compulsory for payment received from any distributor of TV channels for providing TV channel signals. The monthly invoice shall clearly specify the arrears and current dues along with the due date for payment of the same.

    For more details, please visit “www.trai.gov.in”.