ITV

Category: Television

  • ‘Path to 9/11’ miniseries draws the ire of Democrats

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC is being put under pressure from democrats including former president Bill Clinton not to air the five hour miniseries The Path to 9/11.
    The series among other things shows how the Clinton administration repeatedly messed up opportunities to catch Osama Bin Laden. It also shows that the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center would not have happened had authorities including the FBI not been so complacent.

    Media reports indicate that with the mid term elections around the corner the Democrats are concerned that the series will prejudice voters. As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the film is a dramatisation of the events documented in the 9/11 Commission report.

    Media reports also indicate that some of Clinton’s officials — including former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and former national security adviser Sandy Berger are unhappy about the manner in which the series depicts them.

    In the film, Berger refuses to authorise a 1998 raid designed to capture Bin Laden. This event reports state was contradicted by the 9/11 Commission. Berger sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger saying that “no such episode ever occurred, nor did anything like it.”

    Clinton aides say that as per the 9/11 Commission Report, it was CIA director George Tenet who refused to authorise the raid on Bin Laden. The film also suggests that Clinton was distracted from fighting terrorism by the Monica Lewinsky affair and impeachment proceedings.

    Bill Clinton Foundation executive director, Bruce Lindsey, in a letter to Disney said, “The content of this drama is factually and incontrovertibly inaccurate. ABC has a duty to fully correct all errors or pull the drama entirely.”

    In a statement ABC says, “No one has seen the final version of the film, because the editing process is not yet complete. So criticisms of film specifics are premature and irresponsible.”

    In India the show will air on Zee Studio on 10 and 11 September 2006. The miniseries cost around $40 million to make.

     

  • Granada International looking at IPTV, Vod opportunities in India

    MUMBAI: Television and film distributor Granada International is looking topwards building its presence in Asia.

    It has appointed Ting Wai Ho as senior sales executive based in its new Hong Kong office. The announcement was made by Granada International MD Nadine Nohr.

    He will also work closely with regional director in Asia James Ross on the media opportunities offered by the way of VOD and IPTV in India.

    Ho will also be responsible for sales of Granada International programming into South East Asian countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

    Ting Wai Ho was formerly BBC Worldwide senior sales executive, South East Asia. Based in Hong Kong he was in charge of TV programme distribution in Asian countries.

    Ross says, “I am very pleased to have Ting on board at the new Granada International office in Asia. As we continue to expand Granada International and ITV Worldwide’s presence in Asia, I am sure his wealth of experience in selling programming to the Asia region will be a great asset to us.”
     

  • Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe

    Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe

    MUMBAI: Disney channel original movie High School Musical is set to hit terrestrial television in 15 countries across Europe, including Italy, Germany, France and Russia.

    BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis said, “As High School Musical’s international fanbase grows ever-stronger on Disney Channel, we are delighted to also be working with key terrestrial TV clients in a wide range of markets to launch it to yet more new fans later this year and into 2007.”

    This will add new terrestrial TV sales for the made-for-TV musical made by Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company.

    The contemporary ‘break into song’ production has been licensed to the broadcasters RAI in Italy, ProSieben in Germany, ORF in Austria and M6 France, along with RTE in Ireland, ERT Greece, TRT Turkey and CYBC Cyprus. In Central and Eastern Europe, Channel One in Russia has also licensed it, as have TV2 Hungary, TV Media Planet Ukraine, TVR Romania, Pop TV Slovenia, and A1 Televizija in Macedonia. High School Musical has already been licensed to the BBC in the UK, for broadcast on BBC One later this year, and is expected to be licensed to many more key markets within the next month, informs an official release.

    It will premiere on other international Disney Channels throughout 2006, with its UK Disney Channel premiere set for September.

    The High School Musical US premiere in January broke Disney Channel ratings records, and for its 14 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. In June, the movie premiered on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia and delivered the best-ever results for a Disney Channel Original Movie in all of these markets.

    High School Musical made its international terrestrial TV debut on 1 July in primetime on Seven Network Australia and was the timeslot winner against all major demos. It is the No. 1 movie in 2006 for tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67 per cent rating/share and also the No. 2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19 August, and was the No. 1 programme of the night amongst People 5+, adds the release.

    In August, the movie received two Emmy Awards, an Imagen Award and three Teen Choice Awards. It has also won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children’s Programming.

    In the US, the soundtrack is No. 1 of the year to date, and is now certified triple-Platinum, delivering six Gold-certified singles since its debut in January. In addition to being the year’s #1 album so far, it is also the #1 soundtrack and #1 Kids’ album of the year to-date. High School Musical is also currently Disney’s biggest TV-based DVD title in the US, adds the release.

    A sequel to High School Musical is in planning for 2007.

    In this musical comedy, popular high school basketball star Troy and shy, academically gifted newcomer Gabriella discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens their school’s rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school cliques are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

  • ATN to broadcast Star Plus programmes in Canada

    ATN to broadcast Star Plus programmes in Canada

    MUMBAI: Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast programming from Star India’s Hindi general entertainment channel Star Plus within the territorial boundaries of Canada.

    “We do not ever take our viewers for granted and for program quality and excellence Sky is the limit. We are ecstatic and proud as we look forward to the launching of Star Plus programming on our ATN Channel next month. The launch is planned to coincide with the festivities of Diwali and Eid,” says ATN president & CEO Shan Chandrasekar.

    ATN operates 13 television channels and has programming alliances with leading International Broadcasters.

  • B’cast Bill: Film censor board chief seeks clarifications

    B’cast Bill: Film censor board chief seeks clarifications

    NEW DELHI: Indian film censor board chief and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore today exhorted the government to remove overlaps in the functioning of censor board and a proposed broadcast regulator.

    She also called for “transparency” while forming the proposed Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India (Brai).

    “There has to be some sort of uniformity at some level… and identify where there are some overlaps,” Tagore, chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying.

    She, along with some other government officials and industry representatives were participating in a day-long seminar on the draft ‘Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill – 2006’, which was organized by industry chamber Assocham.

    Tagore’s apprehensions stems from the fact that the censor board and the proposed Brai might end up doing similar works like certifying content for television channels.

    In the absence of a regulatory body, the government has mandated that only `U’ (or for unrestricted viewing) censor certified films promos, music videos and songs should be aired on TV music channels.

    Information and broadcasting secretary S K Arora assured the industry gathering that the government was open to suggestions and comments on the proposed Brai and the Bill.

    “The government is open to suggestions and can incorporate fresh ideas and issues we may have omitted (earlier in a draft that was readied for the Cabinet),” he said.

  • Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe













    MUMBAI: Disney channel original movie High School Musical is set to hit terrestrial television in 15 countries across Europe, including Italy, Germany, France and Russia.


    BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis said, “As High School Musical‘s international fanbase grows ever-stronger on Disney Channel, we are delighted to also be working with key terrestrial TV clients in a wide range of markets to launch it to yet more new fans later this year and into 2007.”



    This will add new terrestrial TV sales for the made-for-TV musical made by Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company.


    The contemporary ‘break into song‘ production has been licensed to the broadcasters RAI in Italy, ProSieben in Germany, ORF in Austria and M6 France, along with RTE in Ireland, ERT Greece, TRT Turkey and CYBC Cyprus. In Central and Eastern Europe, Channel One in Russia has also licensed it, as have TV2 Hungary, TV Media Planet Ukraine, TVR Romania, Pop TV Slovenia, and A1 Televizija in Macedonia. High School Musical has already been licensed to the BBC in the UK, for broadcast on BBC One later this year, and is expected to be licensed to many more key markets within the next month, informs an official release.


    It will premiere on other international Disney Channels throughout 2006, with its UK Disney Channel premiere set for September.


    The High School Musical US premiere in January broke Disney Channel ratings records, and for its 14 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. In June, the movie premiered on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia and delivered the best-ever results for a Disney Channel Original Movie in all of these markets.


    High School Musical made its international terrestrial TV debut on 1 July in primetime on Seven Network Australia and was the timeslot winner against all major demos. It is the No. 1 movie in 2006 for tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67 per cent rating/share and also the No. 2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19 August, and was the No. 1 programme of the night amongst People 5+, adds the release.


    In August, the movie received two Emmy Awards, an Imagen Award and three Teen Choice Awards. It has also won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children‘s Programming.


    In the US, the soundtrack is No. 1 of the year to date, and is now certified triple-Platinum, delivering six Gold-certified singles since its debut in January. In addition to being the year‘s #1 album so far, it is also the #1 soundtrack and #1 Kids‘ album of the year to-date. High School Musical is also currently Disney‘s biggest TV-based DVD title in the US, adds the release.


    A sequel to High School Musical is in planning for 2007.


    In this musical comedy, popular high school basketball star Troy and shy, academically gifted newcomer Gabriella discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens their school‘s rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school cliques are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

  • HBO, Star Movies start to feel blackout pinch

    HBO, Star Movies start to feel blackout pinch

    MUMBAI: It has been two weeks since English film channels HBO and Star Movies have been off air in Mumbai. While the Hindi film channels have returned with the undertaking not to air ‘A’ rated films, the problem with the above mentioned two channels is that they do not have enough films rated U and U/A to put on air for 24 hours.

    In Mumbai, Hathway and InCable, which control 55 per cent of the cable homes in Mumbai, have not resumed telecast of these two channels. Even some other areas of Mumbai that have other service providers are not getting them. The first problem is that a significant percentage of the viewership for English movie channels (around 15 per cent) each week, comes from Mumbai.

    The second difficulty is that the channels have to get their films cleared by the Censor Board. A Star official says that the channel is in the process of submitting the films. He was non committal when asked as to when the channel was expected to be back on air.

    HBO too, has a significant backlog to be cleared. While attempts to contact HBO proved unsuccessful, a Zee Turner official says that it is looking to help HBO in the process. The repercussions of the blackout are already starting to show however.

    On the ad revenue front, information available with Indiantelevision.com indicates that agencies will ask for some kind of compensation if the problem is not resolved soon. The amount of course will depend on the delay in getting the channels back on the air.

    On the distribution front though, the Zee Turner official says that the cable fraternity has been cooperative and understanding of the situation. Of course subscribers in Mumbai will continue to pay for HBO. So there is no loss there in the absence of addressability.

    The longer this drags on the better it is for the likes of Zee Studio and Pix. While the ratings are not yet out they would have benefitted to some extent as some viewers who would normally watch HBO and Star Movies tune in to them.

    What is interesting though is that Zee spokesperson Ashish Kaul says that the blackout is too restrictive to be a reason for the channel to do anything drastic like push forward its planned marketing campaign. “Had it been a nationwide blackout, the situation would have been different. While more people in Mumbai will tune in to us we need to push ourselves more for them to stay with the channel once HBO and Star Movies come back on. We will be launching new properties and a campaign in around three weeks time. If the blackout is still on (which looks likely) then we will certainly see more visibility.

    “However we recognise that the blackout is temporary and to get viewership in the long term we need to create better visibility for ourselves. It is important that our brand position of being a channel for the movie connoisseur be clear.”

    Another beneficiary from the blackout would be DVD libraries. A spokesperson from a library says that more English movie DVDs are being rented on the weekends. The blackout does not affect rentals the weekdays as people in any case do not have the time, he says. On weekends though the number of English film DVDs being rented is up by around 15 per cent over the past couple of weeks.

  • NDTV Media to manage Nick ad sales, marketing

    NDTV Media to manage Nick ad sales, marketing

    MUMBAI: Viacom has appointed NTDV Media as its exclusive sales and marketing partner for Nick, the kids’ channel from MTV Networks stable.

    This is the second such deal that NDTV Media has signed in recent times, following an agreement with MSN India.

    Keep tuned in for more details.

  • Zee Sports gears up for DLF Cup tri series

    Zee Sports gears up for DLF Cup tri series

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports will air the DLF Cup cricket ti series involving India, Australia and the West Indies exclusively. The event takes place in Malaysia from 12 -24 September. Real estate major DLF will be the presenting sponsor of the tri series.

    The channel will be conducting its studio show, Cricket Café from the stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Zee is also handling the production of the matches in Kuala Lumpur. For commentary it has roped in the likes of Tony Greig, Ian Bishop, Arun Lal, L Sivaramakrishnan, Jeff Thomson, Justin Langer and Kapil Dev. It will also make a Hindi feed available both on DTH and cable.

    Schedule of the India –Australia –West Indies DLF Cup live and excluisve on Zee Sports
    West Indies vs. Australia Sep 12 1st session 11:30 2nd session 16:10
    India vs. West Indies Sep 14 1st session 11:30 2nd Session
    16:10
    India vs. Australia Sep 18 1st Session 11:30 2nd Session 16:10
    India vs. West Indies Sep 20 1st Session
    11:30 2nd Session 16:10
    India vs. Australia Sep 22 1st Session 11:30 2nd Session 16:10
    Finals Sep 24 1st Session 11:30
    2nd Session 16:10

    Zee shall be showing these matches live on its UK/Europe, Middle East and South Africa beams, thus expanding its international subscriber base. Zee has been able to conclude deals with broadcasters internationally, in markets such as Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others like Echostar in the US, Fox Sports in Australia, Astro in Malaysia, Hong Kong Cable in Hong Kong to name a few. Live commentary of these matches will also be carried by All India Radio.

  • Yaari.com brings mobile social networking to India

    Yaari.com brings mobile social networking to India

    MUMBAI: Yaari.com, a social networking site for Indian youth, has released Yaari Mobile, India’s platform for mobile social networking.

    Co-founder and CEO Prerna Gupta said, “The benefit of integrating a social networking site with mobile phones is that it keeps users connected to their network of friends from anywhere, which is especially relevant in India where people do not always have continuous Internet access.”

    The product release includes two primary features: Ywords and Ychat. Ywords allows users to browse the network and interact with other individuals on the site using simple Sms functionality. For example, if a Yaari member sends an Sms command ‘Y profile prerna gupta’ to Yaari, she will receive Prerna’s profile information in the form of an Sms on her phone. She could then go on to browse Prerna’s friends in the same manner, and also send them ‘pinches’, a unique way of interacting with other Yaars.

    The other feature, Ychat, uses Sms to enable group chatting on the go. Users log in to Yaari.com in order to create their Ychat groups and invite their friends to join. Once the group is in place, members can join group discussions via their mobiles and can broadcast messages to every person in the group with a single Sms. They can also reply to messages sent by other members, both from their mobiles and online.

    Yaari.com also plans to introduce non-Sms based mobile features, such as photo and video upload, in the near future, added the release.

    “There are 25 million active Internet users in India. While this figure is large and growing rapidly, it is just the tip of the iceberg. With over 100 million mobile phone users, more than half of which are youth, India is ripe for a mobile social network,” added Prerna.