Category: Television

Major UK broadcasters team up for DTT high definition trial

MUMBAI: BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have joined forces to launch the UK’s first high definition (HD) trial broadcasts to terrestrial aerials.

A specially selected 450-strong audience sample collect their trial HD set top boxes this week for the closed technical digital terrestrial television (DTT) technical trial which is due to last six months.

In an joint official statement issued, high definition is a step change in television technology which provides far clearer and more detailed pictures than normal standard definition TV. Each picture contains up to five times as much digital information as an ordinary TV picture.

The trial will offer participating broadcasters and their technical partners valuable lessons about delivering HD broadcasts on a digital terrestrial network and also research how the audience enjoys this new format.

It will help to discover whether there could be HD broadcasts on Freeview in future. The trial is being conducted under an Ofcom licence which strictly limits the number of receivers and forbids reception of the trial stream by general members of the public.

Humax and ADB (Advanced Digital Broadcast) have supplied the HD set top boxes for the trial. The DTT HD trial consists of low power transmissions from Crystal Palace in London on frequencies that are not suitable for high power broadcasting.

National Grid Wireless (NGW) is transmitting the BBC’s HD stream, which went on air last month, and Red Bee Media provides play-out services.

Arqiva is transmitting the multiplex shared by ITV, Channel 4 and Five, with Grass Valley, a business within Thomson, providing broadcast playout and video encoding equipment, states the official statement.

Siemens Business Services is providing technical support for the BBC’s HD trial. The test broadcasts will use MPEG4 video coding, 8K carriers and 64QAM modulation at launch – different parameters may be tested during the trial period.

The BBC’s trial DTT HD stream will offer identical programming to its HD trial broadcasts on satellite and cable over the trial period. That includes the BBC’s World Cup coverage, major Wimbledon matches and programming highlights such as Planet Earth and Bleak House.

June 8, 2006
Verizon ties up with DirecTV to create a triple play for wholesale customers

MUMBAI: Verizon and DirecTV has entered an agreement that will enable Verizon wholesale customers to sell a package of voice, DSL and DirecTV services that is designed to offer a superior and more value-oriented alternative to cable “triple play” offers.

Under the agreement, telecom service providers that utilize Verizon’s popular wholesale advantage voice service and selected high-speed data services can also receive DirecTV service and sell all three services to consumers at a competitive price. The companies expect the package to become available in July.

Terms of the agreement between Verizon and DirecTV were not disclosed.

“The agreement demonstrates wholesale telephony’s progress as an industry since the Federal Communications Commission allowed providers to enter into commercial agreements for many wholesale services last year,” said Verizon Partner Solutions David Small. “Verizon is dedicated to helping our wholesale customers compete with the cable industry’s triple play. By joining with DirecTV, the market-leader in digital satellite TV services, we add a strong video brand to our voice and DSL services for wholesalers, creating a powerful combination and an attractive triple play at a discount.”

DirecTV sales and service president John Suranyi said, “The triple-play offer for wholesalers enables DirecTV to reach a new segment of customers with an attractive array of services that will more effectively compete with the local cable provider. Consumers have been responding favourably to the superior choice, value and quality offered by the Verizon/DirecTV service bundle, and we believe Verizon wholesalers will find they now have an offer that will invigorate their market.”

Verizon expects to make the bundle available to wholesale customers in July. Wholesalers must buy Verizon’s wholesale advantage voice services to qualify for the package discount

June 8, 2006
Initiative Worldwide to track global TV viewing patterns for Fifa World Cup

MUMBAI: As the world starts watching the Fifa World Cup from tomorrow, Initiative will launch its latest ViewerTrack operation for the same with the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica on 9 June.

With the spread of Initiative agencies in more than 50 markets across the network, Initiative Futures, it’s global media research arm, will track global TV viewing figures, match-by-match and country-by-country.

Over the course of the tournament, Initiative will collect comprehensive overnight audience data for every match. The data will cover viewing trends for all major demographic groups, split by age, gender and social class. These will inform which matches are most valuable to advertisers and sponsors.

Taking advantage of its experience in tracking the world’s major sporting events, such as the Fifa World Cup, European Championships, and the Formula 1 World Championships, Initiative will make comparisons between sports.

Initiative will publish weekly and daily insightful reports on audience levels and trends, and their implications for advertisers and sponsors. The reports will be published on the following dates:

Initiative’s daily and weekly reports will complement each other to provide full and comprehensive television viewing analysis throughout the tournament. With overnight data from across the network, the daily reports will provide timely information on recent games.

The weekly reports will then give the agency an opportunity to reflect on data for a number of matches in a broader context.

These daily and weekly reports will cover key issues such as:

-Viewing match of the week – Which match enjoyed the highest average live global audience?
-Viewing country of the week – In which markets were average live audiences highest?
-2006 vs. 2002 comparison – Which markets saw the greatest change in live audiences compared with World Cup 2002?
-Mover of the week – Which markets saw the greatest change in live audiences throughout the 2006 tournament?

June 8, 2006
China Mobile, News Corp & Star in partnership to explore wireless space

MUMBAI: China Mobile Limited, News Corporation and Star Group Limited have announced a broad strategic partnership to explore wireless media business opportunities.

By leveraging the content assets and interactive services of News Corporation and Star, the partners will combine their strengths to develop wireless media services based on China Mobile’s mobile platform, through which China Mobile serves over 260 million subscribers. The cooperation will explore wireless media business opportunities on a global basis, states an official release.

Key areas of the cooperation will include development, production, aggregation and distribution of a wide array of wireless services ranging from music, broadband interactivity, and social networking to multimedia value-added products, informs an official release.

China Mobile chairman and CEO Wang Jianzhou said, “The partnership with News Corporation and Star will lay a solid foundation for providing wireless multimedia services. This is a very important step for us in view of the global convergence of telecommunication, media and Internet. With News Corporation and Star’s popular and quality media content assets, we will be able to offer more exciting services to our customers.”

News Corporation chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch says, “Partnering with China Mobile gives us immediate access to a vast consumer base throughout China. News Corp. has been a world leader in wireless content while our services such as MySpace dominate the online social networking craze. It is my hope that this partnership will unleash the creative and technical abilities of the talented employees of News Corp. and China Mobile to bring new offerings to consumers across mainland China and Hong Kong.”

Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie adds,” Today’s partnership represents an important new media growth opportunity for Star. China Mobile’s world-leading expertise, customer base and exciting growth initiatives will allow us to expand the Star brands and services in the largest wireless market in the world. We look forward to working closely with them to bring a new level of wireless entertainment to the consumer.”

June 8, 2006
McDonald’s gets a bite of Fifa WC with Player Escort Program

MUMBAI: As a worldwide sponsor and Official Partner of the 2006 Fifa World Cup McDonald’s introduces the Player Escort Program, which allows 1,408 children aged 6 to 10 years to walk onto the field hand-in-hand with the world’s best football players, at the start of all 64 official World Cup matches.

Selected from a total of 51 countries, this year’s Player Escort Program consists of 226 international children and 1,182 children from host country Germany, informs an official release.

In addition, the McDonald’s Player Escorts will also get a chance to experience the thrill of the Fifa World Cup through friendly football matches as part of their own tournament held in select cities in Germany during the World Cup, adds the release.

As a key marketing strategy, McDonald’s outlets around the world, are involving customers through special promotions, contests, advertisements, in-store activations and special menu items to bring the excitement of Fifa World Cup to local communities. For example, McDonald’s outlets in India have introduced a Foosball Freekick indoor table football game, where kids get the chance to take penalty shots against a goalkeeper and win prizes. In addition, special meals centred around the football theme cater to kids and adults alike.

Using the Internet as a medium, McDonald’s customers around the world have a chance to participate in the Fifa World Cup experience through an exclusive global sponsorship of the McDonald’s/FIFA Fantasy Game on http://www.FIFAworldcup.com, available in nine languages. The game offers football fans the opportunity to manage a squad of football superstars and compete against celebrity fantasy teams.

To top it all, McDonald’s is also giving away thousands of 2006 Fifa World Cup tickets through in-restaurant promotions, media tie-ins and special employee incentives in select McDonald’s markets, adds the release.

McDonald’s corporate VP Global Marketing Jeff Carl said, “McDonald’s has the ability to touch more than 50 million people each day, so we are in the unique position to deliver the fun and excitement of one of the world’s most prestigious football events in truly engaging and surprising ways.”

In keeping with the company’s “i’m lovin’ it” strategy of developing stronger connections with its customers around the world, Carl added, “Because we want our customers to feel closer to the World Cup, we have created a wide range of exclusive activities to bring the tournament to life.”

McDonald’s has served as sponsor and Official Partner of the Fifa World Cup since 1994 in the United States, continuing through 1998 in France, 2002 in Korea and Japan and 2006 in Germany and in true football spirit, their active efforts once again keep the fever rising high!

June 8, 2006
Outlook Group to co-publish ‘Insight Travel Guides’ for Indian market

MUMBAI: The Outlook Publishing Group and APA Publications of Singapore have entered into a co-publishing agreement to publish the Insight range of international travel guides for the Indian market.

The Insight Guide series, established in 1970 and known for their photography and incisive text, will be priced by Outlook for the Indian market, thus enabling outbound Indian travellers to buy practical and easy-to-use travel guides and plan their journey according to their own needs.

The range of international titles will be selected by Outlook Publishing, based on the travel destinations most frequented by Indian travellers. In the first year, more than 30 international titles are expected to be introduced into the Indian market under the Outlook Traveller series. The guides will cover both countries and cities. The first few titles of the new Outlook Travel Guides series are likely to hit bookshops by July this year.

APA Publications managing director Jeremy Westwood said, “I am truly delighted that APA has formed this association with Outlook Publishing. Thanks to Outlook’s excellent and wide ranging sales and marketing operations throughout India, our guidebooks will now reach the widest possible audience in the fast growing Indian market. In their own publishing Outlook shows the same dedication to quality that has always been a feature of Insight, and that makes Outlook the perfect partner for this co- publishing venture.”

Outlook Group publisher Mahesh Peri added, “By offering the more than seven million outbound travellers, growing at more than 12 per cent each year, travel guides with great content at prices which are within the reach of Indians and not dollar denominated, the Outlook Group hopes to help nurture Indian travellers who are better informed when they visit foreign destinations.”

Outlook Group also publishes Outlook Traveller and Outlook Traveller Getaways series.

June 8, 2006
The 18th Annual Miss Asia USA Pageant to premiere on ImaginAsian TV

MUMBAI: ImaginAsian TV has announced that it will premiere the 18th Annual Miss Asia USA Pageant on 25 June.

ImaginAsian is a 24-hour Asian American television network.

Few weeks ago, ImaginAsian TV network along with Charter Communications, a broadband communications company, had sponsored the 18th Annual Miss Asia USA Pageant in California.

ImaginAsian TV SVP of programming and production David Chu said, “We are delighted to be able to telecast nationally for the first time the Miss Asia USA Pageant.

“This pageant is a fun event that not only showcases the talent and beauty of its participants, but also celebrates a mix of cultures with a dynamic line-up of musical and dance performances.”

“We were delighted to partner with ImaginAsian TV in sponsoring the Miss Asia USA Pageant and also producing this important programming,” said Charter’s Los Angeles systems VP and GM Wendy Rasmussen. “Charter serves some of the most vibrant Asian communities in Southern California and we are always looking for unique programming to meet their needs.”

With 28 participants representing countries within the Asian continent, the show was hosted by Rob Fukuzaki, KABC-TV Sports Anchor and Reshma Dordi, Miss L.A. India 1989.

The event was graced with celebrity judges including Bai Ling (Anna & The King; VH 1’s But Can They Sing?) and Benjamin Salisbury (The Nanny). Additionally, performances included R&B singer Natalise, Filipino American hip-hop act The Basco Brothers, bellydancers the Bellytwins, as well as the Punjabside International Bhangra Team.

The Pageant will air at 5 pm (PT)/ 8 pm (ET), followed by a presentation at 10 pm (PT)/ 1 am (ET), respectively.

June 8, 2006
Global Crossing enables video streaming of Fifa World Cup for Swedish ISP

MUMBAI: Global Crossing which provides telecommunications solutions has successfully delivered high-speed, 10-Gbps IP Transit Service to IP-Only Telecommunications. The latter is a Swedish Internet service provider that is streaming video of the 2006 Fifa World Cup matches.

Anticipating additional strength in demand for IP services in the Nordic region, Global Crossing recently installed new 10-Gbps-capable routers in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. As a result, the company was able to provide the requested service quickly, with IP-Only becoming the first customer connected via the new router in Stockholm.

IP-Only CEO Svante Jurnell says, “We have several of the largest Swedish Internet sites running over our network. It was important for us to get this service installed in time for the June 9th start of the World Cup. We are very happy that Global Crossing was able to meet our need.”

Even though thousands of despairing Swedish fans had to witness their team face defeat at the hands of Germany, the service provided by IP-Only enabled football fans to view the knock-out matches, leading to the final between France and Italy on 9 July 2006.

Global Crossing has 10-Gbps capacity at its IP nodes in Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris and London. The Madrid router and the second routers at Amsterdam and Frankfurt will be commissioned shortly. The company’s Scandinavian ring was also recently upgraded with multiple 10-Gbps wavelengths.

Global Crossing MD Europe Pieter Duijves says, “Europe is a key part of our global strategy, and we’re investing in on our rapidly growing carrier data business in the Nordics by upgrading our transport backbone and the capacity of core IP network.

“Through our network, IP-Only’s service is allowing Swedish viewers abroad the thrill of watching their team play on Swedish Internet sites. Data-intensive applications such as this play to our strengths as a leading provider of
high-capacity services in the region.”

This new capability forms part of an ongoing European network expansion programme. In recent months, additional IP points of presence have been commissioned in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Spain, and new points of presence were created in Italy and Russia. Network extensions connecting to the major exchanges in Moscow and Rome enable Global Crossing to offer its suite of voice and data products to carriers and enterprises in these cities.

June 8, 2006
Soccer World Cup: Casbaa kicks off anti-piracy campaign

MUMBAI: The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) has once again urged the Hong Kong hospitality sector to boost legitimate entertainment and sports industries, and not engage in signal piracy.

As part of its long-term campaign, Casbaa and its members are seeking to further raise the consciousness of bars and clubs in Hong Kong that screening pay-TV services without legal subscriptions means they are operating outside of the law, states an official release.

With the launch of the Fifa World Cup soccer competition in sight this Friday, Casbaa has reminded some 300 bars and clubs that legal action can be taken against those who air unlicensed pay-television broadcasts that infringe copyrights and the Hong Kong Broadcasting Ordinance.

The 300 advisory letters to the bars and clubs, including private members clubs, note that pay-TV television signal theft is not to be tolerated by government or industry, the release adds.

Meanwhile, Casbaa commented that some progress is being made. During the past year, some bar owners have given undertakings to cease screening illegal TV broadcasts.

“We commend those who screen only legitimate pay television broadcasts,” says Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez. “And we continue to encourage bar-goers to contribute to Hong Kong’s economy by giving their patronage to businesses airing legal, Hong Kong-licensed TV services. Certainly we want the community to enjoy the World Cup, but to do so in a way that ensures adequate remuneration to Hong Kong’s service providers and the sports leagues who stage the games.”

Under Hong Kong law, bars and clubs may only display pay-TV channels, under an appropriate subscription from a Hong Kong licensed pay-TV operator such as i-Cable or now Television. Other pay-TV operators such as UBC of Thailand, MultiChoice of South Africa and Dream of the Philippines are not authorised to offer pay-TV subscriptions in Hong Kong.

June 8, 2006
Vijay TV plots new gameplan for prime time

MUMBAI: Star India’s Tamil channel Vijay TV has a new prime time strategy on the anvil. The channel is presently revamping its 9 to 10 pm band and will be initiating a change in the 10 to 11 pm band as well, post July.

Vijay TV is also in process of re-planting its morning kids band to the evening slot with an expanded time period. “We are launching a reverse quiz show, Grand Master, in the 9:30 pm weekday slot. Our existing game show Vasool Rani moves to the 9 pm slot, making the 9 to 10 pm band a total gameshow slot. The 5:30 pm to 7 pm band will be converted to a kids band in July. All the soaps placed in the 7 to 9 pm band will come to a logical ending, paving way to a new set. Later this year, we will attempt a revamp in the 10 to 11 pm time band also,” says Vijay TV GM Ravi Menon.

Grand Master is inspired by the successful Kairali TV gameshow Ashwamedham, conceptualised by the popular Malayalam television host G S Pradeep. (Ashwamedham had been the channel driver for Kairali TV in its early years.) Pradeep himself will be anchoring Grand Master in Vijay. The show, launching on 12 June, will be promoted through movie theatres in a novel publicity drive, according to Menon.

“We will be running the Grand Master promos in about 80 theatres in Tamil Nadu. This is a different kind of marketing strategy we have initiated to grab the eyeballs of the attentive audience,” he says.

Meanwhile, the six-month old show Vasool Rani, which pursues the female TG as the name suggests, is being re-packaged. The studio-based show will now move to the outdoors. “In an attempt to provide variety and kill any kind of fatigue factor, we have conceptualised a Mobile Vasool Rani. Vasool Rani vans will travel across the state, making it much easier for the mass to participate in the show,” says Menon.

After launching a chat show You and Me on Sundays, Vijay TV is now looking at beefing up the weekend programming with a youth-oriented show. Titled EQ (Entertainment Quotient), the show will be a state-wide competition to find out the college with the best ‘entertainment quotient’. Vijay TV has instituted an ever-rolling trophy for the winner of this talent hunt, making it an annual affair.

“We are confident about the programme delivering decent returns since it has a sponsorship friendly format. It has already created a curiosity among advertisers,” says Menon.

Speaking on the 10 to 11 pm revamp, Menon said the timeframe for this initiative would depend on how the 9 to 10 pm revamp delivers. “Presently we have the crime show Kuttram and Kathu Karuppu running in this band. This is a time band, which gets the attention of the entire family. Hence, we are looking at slightly more expanded viewership and the plan is to bring in shows which will appeal to the whole family,” says Menon.

The show, which presently garners the best ad rates for Vijay TV is The Great Indian Laughter series. The Great Indian Laughter Challenge was followed by the Champions and now the channel is gearing up to launch the second version of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.

“We haven’t revised our ad rates as such, but the channel has arrived at a benchmark ad rate with the success of TGILC. The channel has now three to four shows delivering very well compared to the earlier case of having one or two good shows. Advertisers on board are surely going to benefit because they have more popular shows to invest in now,” points out Menon.

June 8, 2006