ITV

Category: Television

  • BBC to air Fifa World Cup matches on broadband in the UK

    BBC to air Fifa World Cup matches on broadband in the UK

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has signed a deal with Infront Sports & Media, the company responsible for the worldwide marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2006 World Cup.

    This will allow internet users in the UK to watch all the games online.

    All of the BBC’s TV games will be live and free-to-air with online viewers able to access the games at bbc.co.uk/worldcup and bbc.co.uk/sport – viewing of these matches will be restricted to those that live in the UK.

    All of the BBC’s group games as well as all the subsequent games that the BBC has in the knockout stages will be available on these sites.

    The BBC will also have the exclusive rights to England’s second round and quarter-final games should they reach that stage.

    Furthermore, the BBC has non-exclusive rights to short highlights from every 2006 World Cup game. There will be four-minute clips from all of the 64 matches available on-demand whenever users want to view them.

    For the BBC’s matches, viewers will be able to stream the same coverage and commentary as on TV as will appear on terrestrial television.

    Also, in addition to watching the games, online users will be able to hear and read about the latest action – BBC Radio Five Live will have an audio stream from 2006 World Cup game and there will also be live minute-by-minute reports on every match written by BBC journalists.

    BBC director of sport Roger Mosey said, “Our audiences now expect to get BBC Sport on television, on radio and online – and the World Cup on broadband is our biggest commitment yet to bringing people major events where and when they want them.

    “You can watch the World Cup from the BBC at home on TV – or listen in the car on your radio – and now also see full live coverage on your PC. We know that a lot of online viewing is done in the office, so we suspect this will allow people both to do their job and to keep up with the very latest action from Germany.”

    BBC director of sports rights Dominic Coles says, “The BBC has great traditions in sport but we also want to be the most modern provider of content, and our move into broadband reflects this.”

    The BBC has successfully broadcast football over the internet before, but this is by far its biggest-ever single commitment.

    In 2005 the BBC showed the final of the Fifa Club World Championship Toyota Cup Japan between Liverpool and Sao Paulo online to UK internet users.

    Similarly the BBC also broadcast online all the interactive streams from Athens 2004 Olympics.

    This latest deal follows this week’s announcement that the BBC will provide UK broadband users with access to five courts of live tennis action during the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.

    The service will replicate coverage from the BBC’s live terrestrial coverage plus the remaining digital interactive feeds. The BBC already has the broadband rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

  • IMG acquires production firm Tiger Aspect

    IMG acquires production firm Tiger Aspect

    MUMBAI: IMG Media has announced that it will acquire the London based production firm Tiger Aspect Productions.

    The acquisition includes Tiger Aspect’s subsidiaries Tigress (adventure and wildlife producer), TTP (Washington DC-based US production company) and Tiger Aspect Pictures.

    IMG Media, a division of sports, entertainment and media firm IMG, will finance the acquisition entirely with capital from parent company IMG. The Tiger Aspect acquisition is part of IMG’s strategic growth plans.

    It will also enable IMG Media to become for the first time, a multi-genre market leader. IMG Media says that its subsidiaries TWI, the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming, and high-end factual specialists Darlow Smithson Productions (Touching the Void, I Shouldn’t Be Alive, Seconds From Disaster, The Falling Man), put it at the forefront of global high-end factual production.

    For Tiger Aspect, the agreement enhances its position as one of the top global multi-genre production companies, giving it access to new opportunities via a greater global presence, intellectual property within the group and new technologies.

    Tiger Aspect brings with it key strengths across a wide range of programming including animation and children’s, comedy, drama, entertainment, and a broad range of factual output. It also produces wildlife programmes (through Tigress) and has a movie unit which has produced hits ranging from Billy Elliot to Kevin and Perry Go Large.

    Key to the acquisition is Tiger Aspect’s reputation as a creative independent producer with a proven track record of producing hits across all genres, both within the UK and overseas. The company has a growing annual output of more than 220 hours and an annual turnover of more than 50 million pounds. In addition to its London HQ and Bristol office, it has an established production base on the east coast of America.

    Tiger Aspect’s programme portfolio includes comedies like The Catherine Tate Show, The Vicar of Dibley, Mr Bean. Currently in production are new series of BBC shows Charlie and Lola and detective drama Murphy’s Law. Tiger Aspect has also done factual series like The Monastery.

    IMG chairman and CEO Ted Forstmann said, “IMG today is in an exceptionally strong financial position. As a result of unprecedented internal growth, we are now able to make investments in any of the areas in which we do business. We already have a major presence in worldwide distribution, rights management, and New Media. The Tiger Aspect acquisition will immediately help us grow content production and distribution. We welcome Tiger Aspect and its people into the IMG global family.”

    IMG Media executive VP and COO Alastair Waddington said, “Tiger Aspect’s acquisition realises IMG Media’s long-held ambition to become a multi-genre producer, and we look forward to Tiger Aspect’s continued success and growth, while maintaining its distinctive identity as a producer of top quality programming.”

    Tiger Aspect founder and chairman Peter Bennett-Jones said, “This is a red letter day in the distinguished history of Tiger Aspect. We are immensely proud of our output and this deal will enhance our ability to make many more memorable programmes for broadcast in the UK and around the world through IMG’s extensive international structure. It will also open up new media opportunities and introduce new markets and creative relationships.”

  • Michael Ware is CNN’s Baghdad based correspondent

    Michael Ware is CNN’s Baghdad based correspondent

    MUMBAI: CNN has announced that Michael Ware, the Time magazine Baghdad bureau chief who gained renown for in-depth coverage of the insurgency in Iraq , is joining the broadcaster as a correspondent based in Baghdad.

    A frequent guest to CNN over the last five years, Ware becomes a full-time international correspondent providing news reports and analysis across all CNN networks.

    CNN senior VP international newsgathering operations Tony Maddox says, “Michael is one of the most accomplished correspondents working in Iraq . His exclusive stories and unique insights into the workings of the insurgency will increase the scope and depth of our reporting. He joins a fantastic CNN team of committed journalists in Baghdad, and we are very excited to have him as a full-time member of the CNN family.”

     

  • Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show by Anita Dongre

    Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show by Anita Dongre

    Concept: MusicScapes

    This year, the fashion showcase at the Mercedes Golf Tournament is all about rhythm and music put together in a distinctive style. An excellent way to express rhythm is through stylized fashion showcase.

    Music is a poignant way to express depth and simplicity. Fashion is the finest way to express style and elegance. The theme Music Scapes celebrates both music and fashion on the same platform in a simple yet elegant entertainment format.

    The Collection:

    The collection has been specially designed keeping in mind the theme for the Mercedes Trophy. Each of the five sequences represents a different style of music and rhythm.

    The collection is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz attributes of Attitude, Technology, Tradition, Different Definition and Sophistication.
    Each of these attributes are linked to a distinctive genre of music and presented as a musical élange of fashion excellence.

    Designer: Anita Dongre

    Anita Dongre is renowned designer, who has been a part of the fashion industry over 15 years. Both her couture label and pr?t line ‘AND’ are available across India. Anita’s clothes have always been synonymous with elegance and sophistication.

  • Channel7 re-launches with new on-air look

    Channel7 re-launches with new on-air look

    MUMBAI: Starting 5 June, Hindi news channel Channel7 will relaunch donning a new on-air look.

    Florida-based VDO has developed the new look for the channel where the management control was recently taken over by the Television Eighteen Group from Jagran TV.

    The new logo, look and packaging are designed to contemporize the network, informs an official release from Channel7.

    The entire on-air environment, which includes the channel identity, show openers and on-air graphic packages, has been created keeping in consideration the changing preferences of the viewers, the channel claimed.

    The channel’s director marketing Dilip Venkatraman said in a statement, “The idea behind the new logo is to give it a contemporary look. The new logo is also aimed at communicating the core brand values of the channel and its
    philosophy.”

    According to VDO senior producer Dianne Streyer, “The idea behind changing the on-air look of the channel was to make it more modern and connect with the viewers. The Indian market is cluttered with plethora of news channels and it was important to give it a distinctive look to create a unique identity for Channel 7.”

    VDO was also instrumental in developing the on-air look for CNN-IBN. The company designs brand packaging solutions for networks, broadcast groups, stations and cable channels. Its client portfolio boasts of well known
    broadcasters such as NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox.

  • Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    MUMBAI: For the first time, television content from the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has been made available on a download-to-own basis in the US.

    The company has entered into a licensing agreement with CinemaNow Inc. Under this agreement, CinemaNow will be able to sell Warner Bros. TV’s products electronically. Customers can legally purchase and download content from Warner Bros. through the website, www.cinemanow.com.

    “We’re very excited to add Warner Bros.’ content to our electronic-sell-through offering and to be the first to make Warner Bros. Television’s product available on the open Internet for purchase,” said CinemaNow president Bruce Eisen.

    CinemaNow recently struck a licensing deal with Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

    The Warner Bros. TV series already available from 1 June include Babylon 5 and Dukes of Hazzard, with additional titles to be added soon. In addition, movies such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey are also available through this facility , informs an official release.

    Also, as soon as DVD releases hit retail stores, they will simultaneously be available on the site. These include, Firewall and 16 Blocks to be out on 6 and 13 June respectively. All content will be copy protected by Microsoft’s Windows Digital Rights Management software, adds the release.

    “This is an important step for our US distribution efforts,” said Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group SVP Digital Distribution Jim Wuthrich. “This is one more way for consumers to enjoy Warner Bros. high quality digital entertainment.”

    Besides Warner Bros., and Buena Vista, CinemaNow has agreements in place with content providers including 20th Century Fox Corp., ABC News, The Walt Disney Co., HDNet, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., Miramax Films, NBC Universal, Sony Entertainment Corp. and Sundance Channel.

  • MTV launches celebrity romance reality show ‘Ishq Deewane’

    MTV launches celebrity romance reality show ‘Ishq Deewane’

    MUMBAI: MTV is premiering a celebrity romance reality show MTV Ishq Deewane on 3 June at 7:30 pm. 

    Through its 12 episodes, MTV Ishq Deewane will unravel the real world of the couples and introduce audiences to the little things that bind them together, states an official release.

    The half-hour format consists of three segments – meeting the couple, setting up the task and the big suprise in the end. 

    The channel will showcase the celebrity couples like Shweta & Manav Gohil, Rajeshwari & Varun Badola, Manasi & Rohit Roy and Delnaz & Rajiv Paul amongst others in the show, adds the official release.

    MTV Networks India VP and GM creative and content Ashish Patil says, “With shows like Loveline, Love ke liye and more, MTV’s always been a love guru. We now take it to level 2 with true life love stories and some really wicked surprises delivered MTV style by your favorite celebrities only on Ishq Deewane!”

    On the marketing front of MTV Ishq Deewane, the channel plans an aggressive push on-ground. Within the first two weeks, MTV plans to engage its audiences on-ground innovatively through road shows in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

    It has also tied-up with Baskin Robbins and launched a special double-scooped Ishq Deewane Sundae. Anyone who orders this sundae, gets another one of the same, free. 

    On the home entertainment front, the channel has tied-up with Excel Videos, to put out MTV Ishq Deewane Superstars Ka Super Pyaar DVD Collection Offer

  • DHL rides on Fifa fever with its own World Cup

    DHL rides on Fifa fever with its own World Cup

    MUMBAI: In keeping with the soccer fever with the Fifa World Cup just days away, DHL is all set to launch an international soccer tournament in Germany from 16 to 19 June.

    This tournament, organized by Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), DHL’s parent company, will be held in Bispinger Heide, near Hamburg, Germany. It will consist of 2,500 DPWN staff and 24 teams from around the world – all competing to be crowned as DPWN World Champions.

    DPWN has operations in more than 220 countries and territories and the tournament will feature teams from regions from around the globe. The 24 final-round teams are from Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific, emerging market countries, as well as host country Germany.

    Employees ranging from board members to couriers were selected from all DHL business units – Express, Global Forwarding, Exel Supply Chain and Global Mail.

    The primary goal of this event is to make an emotional contribution to strengthening the feeling of unity within the group. “We strongly believe that the most prized asset in our organisation is our employees. This event is an excellent opportunity to bring our people together in the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork – a key element of DHL’s success stories worldwide,” said DHL Express – Asia Pacific CEO Scott Price.

    “This is also an excellent opportunity for our representatives in different countries to get to know each other better, fostering goodwill through an exciting tournament,” he added.

    Besides the five football squads who will be participating from Asia Pacific, there will also be five cheerleading teams from this region who will conduct their own competition parallel to the soccer tournament.

    FIFA Organising Committee president Franz Beckenbauer will have a special message for participants at the opening ceremony of the competition. The kick-off event will be moderated by René Hiepen, a sports reporter with Germany’s public ZDF television network and member of the ZDF team of moderators for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

    Highlights of the program include the live appearance of Elli, winner of the TV show Germany Seeks a Superstar and the voice of the current DPWN group song, as well as “Band on the Run,” a brass band made up of DHL Norway employees, and soccer artist “Jacek,” a DHL staff with mesmerizing ball skills. Long-time FIFA referee Walter Eschweiler will officiate at the group championship game on 18 June.

  • Nick increases its laughter quotient with MTV’s ‘Bakra’













    MUMBAI: Nick is now hoping to ride on the success of its sister channel MTV‘s much popular show – Bakra.


    Starting 5 June, Nick will air Bakra, which is produced by MTV, in the Nick Hahaha comedy block. The Bakra episodes on Nick, chosen from the existing library, have already run on MTV over the last few years.



    Bakra will air every weekday at 6.30 pm with repeat telecasts at 9.30 pm. On weekends, the show will be aired as a one-hour specials at 4 pm.


    Nick India vice president and general manager Hema Govindan said, “Bakra, whose popularity transcends all ages, will be a valuable addition to our already laugh-riotous Nick Hahaha block, which also includes Kenan & Kel, Drake & Josh and Laurel & Hardy. We’re sure that during summer vacations, Bakra on Nick will keep our young audiences smiling.”


    Bakra is a half-hour show sportingly cons and makes ‘bakras’ of unsuspecting people. Host Cyrus Broacha and his team put the regular junta through strange situations with sometimes unexpected – but always hilarious – results, all captured on hidden cameras.

  • Nick increases its laughter quotient with MTV’s ‘Bakra’

    Nick increases its laughter quotient with MTV’s ‘Bakra’

    MUMBAI: Nick is now hoping to ride on the success of its sister channel MTV’s much popular show – Bakra.

    Starting 5 June, Nick will air Bakra, which is produced by MTV, in the Nick Hahaha comedy block. The Bakra episodes on Nick, chosen from the existing library, have already run on MTV over the last few years.

     Bakra will air every weekday at 6.30 pm with repeat telecasts at 9.30 pm. On weekends, the show will be aired as a one-hour specials at 4 pm.

    Nick India vice president and general manager Hema Govindan said, “Bakra, whose popularity transcends all ages, will be a valuable addition to our already laugh-riotous Nick Hahaha block, which also includes Kenan & Kel, Drake & Josh and Laurel & Hardy. We’re sure that during summer vacations, Bakra on Nick will keep our young audiences smiling.”

    Bakra is a half-hour show sportingly cons and makes ‘bakras’ of unsuspecting people. Host Cyrus Broacha and his team put the regular junta through strange situations with sometimes unexpected – but always hilarious – results, all captured on hidden cameras.