ITV

Category: Television

  • Valentine’s Day… Book your date with Star Movies

    Valentine’s Day… Book your date with Star Movies

    Mumbai, February 14, 2006… Valentine’s day is incomplete without watching a valentine’s movie! This Valentine’s Day, Star Movies pays homage to the trials and tribulations of romance with a full-day marathon of romantic films. If you want to have some cheerful moments of laughter and joy, with your loved ones, you can catch some romantic comedy films like ‘Woman on Top’ and ‘There’s Something about Mary’, and of course you can re-live the romance by watching some romantic valentine day movies like ‘Glitter’, ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘Malena’. So book your date with Star Movies, this Valentine’s Day, February 14th beginning 12:10 pm

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 12:10
    GLITTER
    Starring: Mariah Carey, Max Beesley, Tia Texada, Terence Howard, Da Brat Pop star Mariah Carey plays Billie Frank, a shy, young mixed-race girl who is sent away by her alcoholic mother at a very early age. At an orphanage, she befriends Louise (Da Brat) and Roxanne (Tia Texada). Flash forward to 1983. Billie and her friends are spotted by a record-producer, who wants them to sing backup vocals for his latest pop-music discovery. But when super DJ Dice (Max Beesley) hears Billie’s incredible voice, he makes a shady deal with Timothy to get her out of that dead-end situation. Soon, Billie and Dice are making hits inside the studio, and falling in love outside of it. Eventually, the pressure of her newfound celebrity puts too heavy a strain on Billie, forcing her to decide what it is she really wants from Dice, and what she wants for herself.

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 14:20
    NOTTING HILL
    Starring: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant
    Every man’s dream comes true for William Thacker (Grant), an unsuccessful Notting Hill bookstore owner, when Anna Scott (Roberts), the world’s most beautiful woman and best-liked actress, enters his shop. A little later, he still can’t believe it himself, William runs into her again – this time spilling orange juice over her. Anna accepts his offer to change in his nearby apartment, and thanks him with a kiss, which seems to surprise her even more than him. Eventually, Anna and William get to know each other better over the months, but being together with the world’s most wanted woman is not easy – neither around your closest friends, nor in front of the all-devouring press.

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 16:45
    WOMAN ON TOP
    Starring: Penelope Cruz, Murilo Benicio, Harold Perrineau
    Isabella is a great cook, making her husband’s restaurant in Bahia, Brazil, a success. To control her motion sickness, she must do the driving and be on top during sex, which drives her macho husband, Toninho, to infidelities. Heart-broken, she leaves for San Francisco, moving in with her childhood friend, Monica, a cross-dresser. To mend her heart, she makes an offering to Yemanja, the goddess of the sea. The goddess responds: Isabella no longer loves and the fish in Bahia no longer bite. Stricken, Toninho heads north to get her back; he finds her hosting a popular TV show, Passion Food, courted by its producer. Can he learn humility? Can she find happiness without him?

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 18:40
    THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
    Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, Chris Elliott
    Ted was a geek in high school, who was going to go to the prom with one of the most popular girls in school, Mary. The prom date never happened, because Ted had a very unusual accident. Thirteen years later he realizes he is still in love with Mary, so he hires a private investigator to track her down. That investigator discovers he too may be in love with Mary, so he gives Ted some false information to keep him away from her. But soon Ted finds himself back into Mary’s life, as we watch one funny scene after another.

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 21:00
    MALENA
    Starring: Monica Belluci, Giuseppe Sulfaro
    On the day in 1940 that Italy enters the war, two things happen to the 12-year-old Renato: he gets his first bike, and he gets his first look at Mal?na, a beautiful, silent outsider who’s moved to this Sicilian town to be with her husband Nico who promptly goes off to war, leaving her to the lustful eyes of the men and the sharp tongues of the women. During the next few years, as Renato grows toward manhood, he watches Mal?na suffer and prove her mettle: her loneliness, then grief when Nico is reported dead, the effects of slander on her relationship with her father, her poverty and search for work, and final humiliations. Will Renato learn courage from Mal?na and stand up for her?

    So tune- in to Star Movies this Valentine’s Day and get set for that perfect date, you had always wished for!!!

    About Star
    STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 50 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world’s largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com

    For further information please contact:
    In Mumbai
    Zeenat Khan Shiraz Bhavnani / Aditi Chada
    Communications Department Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
    STAR (India) Ltd. Tel: 91-22-5656 8787
    Tel No. 91-22-56305555 Fax: 91-22-5656 8788
    Email:sbhavnani@vccpl.com / achada@vccpl.com

     

  • Animax goes all English from 15 August

    Animax goes all English from 15 August

    NEW DELHI: Animax, the international animation channel, adopts a complete English language feed as a continuation of the Animax Refresh to meet the requirements of an ever growing and discerning Indian viewership starting this month.

    With slick blockbuster animation series and shows that are more youth and young adult focused, Animax is punching into a different market segment to better attract the 15 to 24 years old, an age group with the real purchasing power. Operating a single English language feed is meant to better serve this segment.

    Animax has been a pioneer seeking to change the face of animation in India by offering Indian viewers animation for grown-ups, and not just cartoons for kids. Animax programming tends to be more developed, dramatic animated series portraying human emotions and conflicts.

    These series attract viewers that want intelligent, substantial themes along with the fun in their animated entertainment. The Animax audience are young adults who enjoy daily viewing of their favorite animated series on Animax.

    Says Animax-Country manager- Sunder Aaron, “We’ve converted the Animax feed into English-only to better meet the interests of our target audience in the metros. We’ve targeted the young adults of India who we all see at cyber cafes, playing video games, downloading music and wearing branded clothes. Animax is focused on engaging this discerning audience with our programming. Broadcast in English also meets the demands of our various user-groups who have expressed this preference to us online. “

  • One-on-one to make its worldwide debut at ‘Premier Hockey League’

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) and Leisure Sports Management (LSM), the architects of India’s very own domestic hockey league- The Premier Hockey League (PHL), today made a landmark announcement with regards to the rules of the third edition of the league.

    International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) latest innovation, one-on-one, will make its world-wide debut at the Premier Hockey League scheduled to begin in January 2007. The IHF also announced the composition of all the seven teams of the league along with their respective Coaches and Managers. As many as 20 foreign players are expected to add international flavor to the league scheduled in Chennai and Chandigarh. ESPN STAR Sports also announced continuance of the third umpire and special mikes for the on-field umpires, successfully implemented last year, as part of broadcasters’ strategy of making PHL telecast amongst the best in the world.

    Announcing the team compositions, KPS Gill said, “With the top seven teams from the last edition vying for the title and the increasing number of foreign players showing interest to participate, this season the league will showcase the quality of hockey Indian audiences have not witnessed so far. We are delighted to announce the captains for the seven teams, the names are as follows:

    ” Devesh Chauhan – Hyderabad Sultans
    ” Dilip Tirkey – Orissa Steelers
    ” Kanwalpreet Singh – Sher-e-Jalandhar
    ” Viren Rasquinha – Maratha Warriors
    ” Arjun Halappa – Bangalore Lions
    ” Adam Sinclair – Chennai Veerans
    ” Rajpal Singh – Chandigarh Dynamos

    “We have continued our policy of empowering the local IHF unit to choose the respective team composition in consultation with IHF. The foreign players will be allotted to each team, in a meeting with the coaches of all seven teams. The foreign players will be allotted in such a manner that all the seven teams achieve that critical balance which will ensure pulsating hockey in PHL,” added Gill.

    R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Since the inception of PHL, we have aimed at making Hockey viewing more friendly for the audiences in India. Last year, with the introduction of the third umpire and mobile mikes to the on field referees, domestic hockey got a taste of international standards. This year, with new innovation of one-on-one, Indian hockey will witness an unprecedented charisma on the field. Our world class production crew, with some of the finest equipment flown in from our Singapore offices, where we have a state of the art production centre, will ensure that PHL telecast is amongst the best in the world.”

    Elaborating on the new innovation, Venkateish added, “The one-on-one innovation adds to the change factor at the PHL. In case the match ends without a winning goal being scored in either of the two extra time periods then the winner of the match would be decided through a penalty shoot out competition. Each team will have five penalty shoot outs each where 5 players will play a one on one with the goal keeper of the opponent team. Each player will start with the ball on the 25 yard line and when the umpire blows the whistle, the player will have maximum of 8 seconds to score a goal with only the goal keeper defending the goal. The player can take as many shots possible within the stipulated 8 seconds.

    The rule offers a much interesting and competing dimension for the players as well as the viewers as unlike a normal penalty shootout, the one-on-one offers equal chances to the attacking and defending players.”

    Speaking on the occasion, SS Dasgupta, Managing Director, Leisure Sports Management, said, “To ensure an extravaganza again, we are finalizing the Tournament Director for both the venues along with the umpire manager and IHF coordinators who will ensure local association involvement for the tournaments as big as PHL. The setting up of the stadiums and other requirements at the venues will be completed by end of December.”

     

    Like previous two years, each game will have four quarters of 17 minutes and 30 seconds each, instead of the two halves. The winner, within the stipulated time, will get three points for each victory, while the team winning in the extra time will share the points 2:1.

     

    Their will be two periods of extra time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds each. Like last year the first half of the extra time will be played on a Silver Goal basis. In case, the second half of the extra time is required then like last year, the Golden goal rule will be followed.

     

    Every team will be given 2 x 2 minutes’ time outs in regulation time. These time outs will be mandatory and have to be taken once in each half of play. In addition, each team will also be allowed 1 x 2 minute timeout which is not mandatory and can be availed at any point during the regulation time. Each team will also be allowed 1 x 2 minute timeout which is non mandatory and can be availed during the extra time period only.

     

    The league this season has only one division, called the ‘Premier Division’ The League will follow a round robin format with all teams playing each other twice. The top two teams from the round robin will play in ‘Best of Three’ finals to decide the winner.

     

    The winner of the third edition will take home Rs. 40 lakhs, while the runners up will carry Rs 15 lakhs. The manner of division of prize money between players and their respective associations shall be specified by IHF.

     
     

  • ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ takes a generation leap on 15 November

    MUMBAI: Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii is all set to take yet another 18 year leap by introducing its generation next on 15 November.

     

    With the new generation, Parvati Bhabhi will also be in a never seen before avatar – her wardrobe, her style, her appearance will change and the new makeover is given to her by designer Manish Malhotra.

     

    Parvati has always been the ideal bahu for the Aggarwal family, even when Shruti (Om-Parvati’s daughter), Krishna (Kamal-Nivedita’s son) and Monalika (Avantika-Ajay’s daughter) took the centre stage. And now, it’s once again time to hand over the stage to the younger generations of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii – the primary characters leading this new generation being – Sanskar (Shruti’s son) and Mythili (Parvati’s accountants daughter), Adi (Shikhar’s son) and Pragati (Gun’s daughter).

     

    The Current Story:

    The story currently revolves around the three younger ladies of the family Shruti (Parvati’s daughter), Gun (Parvati’s bahu) and Sonu (Gaurav’s daughter), who share the news of their pregnancy with the family and Parvati comes to know about Ranu (Rajeshwari Mehra) and her relation with Suyash Mehra. Krishna gets killed in exactly the same way as Om was murdered. Parvati goes onto find out that the cause and means of the murder and also leaves some proof on the murder site. She is sent to jail for the murder charge of Krishna and Om with all the hatred from everyone including Shruti her own daughter, where she meets Narayani Devi (Aroona Irani) who becomes her Godmother and helps her in making her new life.

     

    The story going forward:

    After spending many years of her life in Benares, Parvati comes back to Mumbai. Parvati, who has always been the Sita, now takes on the teachings of the Bhagwad Gita as she prepares to fight her own to win back her own. Apno ke liye, apno ke khilaf. It is a side of Parvati that one has never seen before, as she dons a modern persona, who will employ every means to defeat her enemies.

     

    The generation next:

    The four main characters of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’s generation next are Mythili, Pragati, Sanskar and Adi. They are the young teenagers who define their own mode of living and bring a colour and set of values to the show that has not been explored before. Along with a passionate love story, the generation next of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii will bring freshness and verve to the show.
     
  • Harris playout system helps put Fashion TV Arabia on air

    Harris playout system helps put Fashion TV Arabia on air

    MUMBAI: Harris has announced that Fashion TV Arabia, a subsidiary of Michel Adam’s Fashion TV in Paris, has taken delivery of a turnkey Harris play-out system as part of its recently launched channel dedicated to the Middle East region.

    The sale, which was made by the certified Harris software developer in the region, MT2, includes two Nexio transmission servers, two Nexio storage arrays, Nexio applications for remote control and clip playout, an Inscriber RTX real-time, 2D/3D graphics platform and the award-winning Panacea routing switcher, as well as a wide range of timing, distribution and processing products.

    MT2 head Naji Bouhabib says, “As a pioneer in interactive television, MT2 was invited by Fashion TV Arabia to provide a solution that would add value and help generate new revenue streams for the channel — which is one of the key reasons we chose the Nexio server system for this project. Nexio provides an Application Programming Interface (API) that enables applications partners to develop custom tools to further enhance the overall system’s utility beyond the capabilities of standard protocols. Using the NEXIO API, we will be able to build software solutions that enable interfacing between different platforms — basically, a library of functions for interactivity — which will help Fashion TV Arabia collate clip information, on-air logos, branding and instruction messages.”

    Like its parent company, Fashion TV Arabia’s programming includes exclusive coverage of the glamorous world of fashion, including reports from fashion shows, profiles of established and up-and-coming modeling talent and fashion photographers and features on general entertainment trends.

    Key to Fashion TV Arabia’s new play-out system is the Inscriber RTX graphics platform, which puts full creative control in the hands of broadcasters, allowing them to create a purely custom broadcast solution. The development tool enables users to create stunning graphics consisting of advanced design elements and data from multiple sources, using common programming fundamentals.

  • MTV looks to stay ahead of digital curve in India

    MTV looks to stay ahead of digital curve in India

    MUMBAI: Even as the big media companies gather their forces for the upcoming battles for mind share in the new digital world, each are going about it in different ways. The aim is common to all of them though – multiplatform strategies of building an engaging universe of music, gaming, entertainment, news and interactivity for targeted audiences.

    And, while India may not be where the major digital battles are fought any time in the near future, MTV for one is attempting to stay ahead of the curve and preparing for more change by introducing new mobile and online services for the ‘networked generation’.

    For MTV Networks International senior vice president (digital media) Gideon Bierer, with opportunities unfolding, the country is approaching an inflexion point as regards the digital content delivery story. Bierer believes that new digital services will begin to be introduced in a significant way from next year on but it could take anywhere between three to five years for it to get serious penetration in India.

    Queried about revenue streams, Bierer said that like in television subscriptions and advertising would form the main component and digital services also offered revenue opportunities through transactions.

    For MTV, the aim is clearly to be the first mover in the digital space and helping it respond to changing tastes and compete with the internet and downloading could be channels like Flux, where the schedule is driven by the public. Flux, the multi-platform social-networking digital service originated by MTV Networks International in Japan last June, is launching in the UK & Ireland markets on 6 September. It is also being introduced in Italy around the same time.

    Flux is positioned as a digital community and content integrated youth service that enables viewers to access short videos and music through their mobiles or computers, make recommendations to others and provide feedback. The channel will be aiming to attract the key 13 to 34-year-old demographic.

    There is also the hybrid channel MTV Overdrive launched last April. Available through mtv.com, the initiative is aimed at entertaining viewers with both a linear viewing experience and video on demand capabilities in one web-based application. MTV Overdrive’s lineup features news, music, on tv and movies among the services it offers.

    Now while all this sounds very nice, what a certain Rupert Murdoch would have to say about all this remains to be seen. For in the west where the digital skirmishes are already on in full swing, it is News Corp’s Myspace that is creating the most frenzy among the demographic that MTV has “owned” for nigh on 25 years. In India, only time will tell whether MTV is able to square up to the Star juggernaught, which has already declared aggressive intent in this domain.

  • TNT kicks off broadband initiative DramaVision

    TNT kicks off broadband initiative DramaVision

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster TNT is diving into the world of broadband with DramaVision.

    This is an on-demand digital destination featuring broadband presentations of TNTs original productions and initiatives complementing the networks line-up of dramas.

    TNT will kick off its new broadband initiative tomorrow, 15 August 2006, by offering a first-time-ever broadband streaming of the networks blockbuster miniseries Into the West, which earned 16 Emmy nominations. DramaVision will be housed at the TNT Web site: tnt.tv.

    Future broadband offerings from DramaVision will include a showplace for TNTs arsenal of original movies; a collection of true crime stories promoted through the series Law & Order and presented in partnership with TNTs sister network Court TV. There wil also be tie-ins to such high-profile live events as the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Black Movie Awards.

    The broadband content TNT is planning to offer via DramaVision includes:

    Into the West: TNTs 16-time Emmy nominee Into the West gets its first-ever broadband presentation via tnt.tv and intothewest.com. Fans can watch the entire six-part television event, as well as extensive behind-the-scenes content.

    Drama Flicks: Future plans call for TNTs award-winning original movies to be offered via broadband through a variety of genre-specific channels. The slate of high-quality original movies TNT has created during its 18-year history includes the following:

    Westerns, including Crossfire Trail, which continues to hold the ad-supported cable record as the most-watched movie telecast of all time. Historical Dramas, such as Andersonville, which earned an Emmy for director John Frankenheimer.

    Then there are biopics, like George Wallace, which earned Emmys for Gary Sinise, Mare Winningham and director John Frankenheimer, as well as an Emmy nomination for Angelina Jolie.

    There will also be literary dramas like The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Mandy Patinkin and Salma Hayak as well as bible dramas, such as Joseph.

    Live Events: TNT will supplement such live-event programming as the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Black Movie Awards with special video content and camera feeds never before available to viewers. In addition to a presence on DramaVision, the Black Movie Awards will also have a digital presence on AOL.

  • Viacom’s 2Q revenue up 24 per cent

    Viacom’s 2Q revenue up 24 per cent

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom has reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended 30 June 2006. For the quarter, revenues and operating income increased to $2.85 billion and $663.2 million, respectively.

    Viacom executive chairman Sumner M. Redstone says, “Viacom’s solid second quarter results prove that the enduring strengths of our content and our segment leading brands continue to resonate with consumers and advertisers. We have a great foundation from which to take full advantage of the growth opportunities we see ahead by not only expanding on our traditional businesses, but also by profitably integrating new platforms with significant future growth potential.

    “Equally important, Tom Freston and the Viacom management team have an unmatched track record of repeatedly and successfully leveraging emerging technologies, which gives us great confidence that we can continue to outperform the competition in this rapidly changing environment.”

    The acquisition of DreamWorks and the commencement of distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and DreamWorks live-action library filmscontributed $345.1 million or 63% of the reported growth versus last year. The cable networks segment revenues increased 8% to $1.75 billion, with domestic ad revenues was up 10 per cent to $969.1 million, and affiliate fees up 11% to $501.8 million. Entertainment revenues were up a reported $418.4 million in the quarter principally attributable to DreamWorks.

    The company reaffirms its full year guidance to deliver double digit revenue and operating income growth compared to 2005 revenues of $9.61 billion

    In the cable network segment, affiliate revenue growth was driven by rate and subscriber increases as well as new channel launches in international markets. Ancillary revenues were relatively flat as increases attributable to syndication were substantially offset by decreases of Comedy Central home video sales, which benefited in 2005 from the release of The Chappelle Show.

    Domestic revenues increased by nine per cent in the quarter with advertising revenues up 10 per cent (compared to a six per cent increase in the first quarter of 2006). International revenues were up four per cent in the quarter including $5.8 million in incremental revenues related to a UK acquisition. International advertising revenues declined 2% (compared to a 13% decline in the first quarter of 2006) or $2.1 million, driven principally by continued softness in Germany and the UK.

    Affiliate revenues were up 13% internationally driven by the UK acquisition and new channel launches. International ancillary revenues increased. The increase in operating expenses in the cable networks segment reflects an aggregate eight per cent increase in programming and production costs on shows such as The Colbert Report, The Daily Show at Comedy Central, and VH1 Rock Honours. This was partially offset by the non-renewal of the WWE package at Spike TV, The Chappelle Show, and the one time special VH1’s Save the Music.

    Television license fees increased $207.3 million including increases in DreamWorks related distribution revenues of $108.9 million. In addition total international revenues were higher due to the number and mix of available titles which included SpongeBob SquarePants, Without a Paddle and The Manchurian Candidate.

    Movie revenues increased $168.7 million in the second quarter principally as a result of revenues related to the distribution of DreamWorks Animation’s Over the Hedge. In addition, international theatrical revenues benefitted from the release of Mission: Impossible III and Failure to Launch in comparison to War of the Worlds and Sahara in theaters during 2005.

    The increase in ancillary revenues of $32.9 million was principally driven by studio rental income as well as increased music royalties earned by Famous Music. On a geographic basis, domestic revenues increased $190.5 million or 39 per cent substantially all of which is attributable to DreamWorks, offset by lower theatrical and home entertainment revenue for Paramount titles.

    International revenues increased $227.9 million, or 106 per cent driven principally by theatrical and television revenues. Higher international theatrical revenues, principally driven by Mission: Impossible III and Failure to Launch contributed an incremental $110.2 million of revenue as compared to titles in release in 2005 which included War of the Worlds and Sahara.

    International television revenues, which increased $121.5 million, benefited from additional mix of such titles as Manchurian Candidate and SpongeBob SquarePants as well as titles distributed for DreamWorks such as Shark Tale and Meet the Fockers. Home entertainment revenues declined by sevent per cent, or $8.4 million internationally due to weaker international performance of recently released titles as compared against SpongeBob SquarePants and Team America in the prior year.

  • Jack Black to host 2006 MTV Video Music Awards

    Jack Black to host 2006 MTV Video Music Awards

    MUMBAI: MTV US president Christina Norman has announced that actor Jack Black (School Of Rock) will host the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. The event takes place on 31 August.

    Norman says, “”Jack Black is the perfect mix of comedy, rock, irreverence, and star-power that will set the tone for an amazing show. His love of music and impeccable comic timing will rock the VMAs, NYC, and the entire world on 31 August.”

    Black says, “My plan is to bring the thunder. I’ve got my top men working on it as we speak in my thunder laboratory. Radio City Music Hall will never be the same.”

    Black and Kyle Gass together form Tenacious D, the self-proclaimed Greatest Band on Earth. They are getting ready to release their first film, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny on 17 November.

  • Zee, TV18, Balaji in top 500 Indian companies’ list

    Zee, TV18, Balaji in top 500 Indian companies’ list

    NEW DELHI: Only a handful of media companies like Zee Telefilms, Deccan Chronicle and Television Eighteen Ltd find a place in a survey of top 500 Indian companies conducted by Economic Times newspaper.

    With a market cap of Rs. 9.3 billion in June 2006, Zee Telefilms has been ranked 142nd in ET500 in August 2006, up from an earlier survey in February when it had been placed at 281st position.

    Incidentally, Zee tops the media heap amongst the best in India where the top two slots are occupied by infotech companies, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys Technologies.

    Regional media powerhouse, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, finds a place at No. 167 with a market capitalization of Rs. 1.4 billion.

    Television Eighteen, owners of TV channels like CNBC TV18 and CNN IBN, has slipped to No. 330 in ranking in August from an earlier position of 318.

    According to ET500, TV18’s market cap in June stood at slightly over Rs. 1 billion.
    The other two media organizations finding place in the top 500 Indian companies are Adlabs (rank: 342) and TV and movie production house Balaji Telefilms (rank: 355).

    Balaji too slipped in ranking from No. 336 in an earlier ET500 list.

    Economic Times used several parameters, including market capitalization of a company, to compile the ET500 list.

    The eight parameters considered included absolute change in market cap over the past one year, sales, absolute change in sales over the past year, net profit, absolute change in net profit over the past year, price to earnings (P/E) multiple and return on net worth.

    The market cap of companies during the period June 16-30, 2006 has been considered, while sales and profit numbers are for 12 months ended March 2006.
    (Rs. 47=1US$)