ITV

Category: Television

  • Star One in truce with cable operators in Mumbai

    Star One in truce with cable operators in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Star One will be back on prime band location in cable networks across Mumbai following an agreement with operators. The channel was pushed into a higher frequency since January as Star India was asking for an increase in payout from cable TV operators.

    “As part of the truce, Star has withdrawn its demand of a 10 per cent increase in paying subscribers from us. We have agreed to carry the channel on a better location in our networks,” says Cable Operators and Distributors Association (CODA) vice president Ravi Singh.

    Star was blamed by the association of distributors and last mile operators in Mumbai for forcing the second bouquet comprising channels like Star One and Walt Disney on cable operators.

    Opposition was also against Tata Sky, in which Star is a 20 per cent joint venture partner, for approaching housing societies with the proposal of offering residents a central dish antenna through which it could connect individual installations and offer direct-to-home (DTH) service.

    A few days back, the Star group of channels were back on the cable networks in Kolkata. Manthan Cable Network and Indian Cable Net (which was bought out by Siticable) had in April blacked out the Star channels opposing a seven per cent rate hike. Claiming outstandings of over Rs 20 million, Star, in fact, had switched off Manthan.

    Following this the last mile operators had blacked out carriage of the Star channels, led by the Forum of Cable Operators and Cable Operators Sanjukta, two association bodies of the last mile operators in the city.

  • Benoit Runel appointed MD of BKN New Media













    MUMBAI: Global animation company BKN International AG, involved in distribution and marketing of animated children‘s television programmes and related consumer products, has appointed Benoit Runel as managing director of the company‘s largest operating subsidiary, BKN New Media Ltd in Great Britain.


    Runel will oversee all sales and marketing for the company in the UK, Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia, North America and emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

    He is further charged with overseeing all development and pre-production activities in the London – based studio as well as with securing and managing all co-productions with international partners.


    With over 16 years experience in the television and children industry, Runel joins BKN from Jetix Europe where, as part of the senior management team he oversaw all programming and related on-air strategies for the group‘s 12 channels. He brought content and new Intellectual Properties to Jetix Europe and US through a number of successful co-productions and acquisition deals.


    Prior to joining Jetix, Runel served seven years at TF1, the French free-TV giant where he built a library of 2000 hours of kids‘ programming.


    “We are really pleased to have the contributions of such a talented individual as Benoit. His track record in children‘s programming acquisitions, productions and sales both at Jetix Europe and TF1 in France over 15 years makes him a perfect candidate to lead this division,” said BKN group chief executive officer Allen Bohbot.


    “BKN is in a very exciting development stage. The products including Legend of the Dragon, Dork Hunters from Outer Space, Zorro: Generation Z and the new classic collection including Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, A Christmas Carol and Robin Hood, to name a few, for direct-to-DVD release are really strong and I look forward to expanding on these activities. This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” added Runel.

  • Benoit Runel appointed MD of BKN New Media

    Benoit Runel appointed MD of BKN New Media

    MUMBAI: Global animation company BKN International AG, involved in distribution and marketing of animated children’s television programmes and related consumer products, has appointed Benoit Runel as managing director of the company’s largest operating subsidiary, BKN New Media Ltd in Great Britain.

    Runel will oversee all sales and marketing for the company in the UK, Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia, North America and emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
    He is further charged with overseeing all development and pre-production activities in the London – based studio as well as with securing and managing all co-productions with international partners.

    With over 16 years experience in the television and children industry, Runel joins BKN from Jetix Europe where, as part of the senior management team he oversaw all programming and related on-air strategies for the group’s 12 channels. He brought content and new Intellectual Properties to Jetix Europe and US through a number of successful co-productions and acquisition deals.

    Prior to joining Jetix, Runel served seven years at TF1, the French free-TV giant where he built a library of 2000 hours of kids’ programming.

    “We are really pleased to have the contributions of such a talented individual as Benoit. His track record in children’s programming acquisitions, productions and sales both at Jetix Europe and TF1 in France over 15 years makes him a perfect candidate to lead this division,” said BKN group chief executive officer Allen Bohbot.

    “BKN is in a very exciting development stage. The products including Legend of the Dragon, Dork Hunters from Outer Space, Zorro: Generation Z and the new classic collection including Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, A Christmas Carol and Robin Hood, to name a few, for direct-to-DVD release are really strong and I look forward to expanding on these activities. This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” added Runel.

  • MTV India forays into films; spoofs ‘Dhoom’

    MTV India forays into films; spoofs ‘Dhoom’

    MUMBAI: Spoofy! That’s how MTV India can be best described. After the latest spoof on Star World’s Rendezvous With Simi Garewal that gave birth to Rendezvous With Semi Girebaal on the small screen, MTV is now eyeing the big screen.

    The plan this time round is to spoof big banner movies and their first movie is titled – Ghoom. No prizes for guessing that it’s a spoof on Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) Dhoom, which starred Abhishekh Bachchan, John Abraham, Uday Chopra, Esha Deol and Rimi Sen.

    MTV India plans to make two more films this year. Spoofs, a la Scary Movie and Hotshots!

    Ghoom, which will be released theatrically on 2 June, comes at a time when YRF is busy with its schedule for Dhoom 2, which is slated to release in October this year.
    Coca Cola has been roped in as the presenting sponsor of Ghoom, which will be a one hour film. Inspired by the success of the show on MTV called Fully Faltoo, MTV India has produced the film under the MTV Fully Faltoo Films banner. The company is touting Ghoom as a blockbuster movie and has tied up with the Inox chain of multiplexes for distributing and screening the film. The movie will be released across Inox theatres in four cities – Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Kolkata and will be later aired on MTV on 17 June.

    The star cast includes Sumeet Raghavan (of Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai fame) as Inspector Vijay Dikshit essaying the role of Abhishekh Bachchan; Ajay Gehi (Maqbool) as The Fool will portray the character of Uday Chopra and Gaurav Chopra as Balbir will play John Abraham’s character. The female brigade comprises Benika Deepak as Tweety Dikshit (Rimi Sen’s character) and Purbi Joshi will play Esha Deol’s character of Dilbaara.

    MTV Networks India vice president and general manger creative and content Ashish Patil says, “This is one of MTV’s biggest initiatives for 2006. It’s the next level of comedy with a full-on, Fully Faltoo, full length feature film. It is guaranteed to make your head go ghoom, ghoom, ghoom. Watch it at your own risk!”

    The channel is also planning to have a premiere of Ghoom at the Inox theatre in Mumbai on 31 May. What’s more, plans are also underway to launch the DVD of Ghoom for which the channel is in talks with a couple of players.

    Coca Cola, on the other hand, is spinning a contest around the movie wherein winners will get a chance to meet Aishwarya Rai. With its latest ‘Thande Ka Tadka’ summer campaign already underway, the soft drink major had recently also tied up with Aamir Khan starrer Rang De Basanti.

    Coca Cola India Ltd vice president marketing Vikas Gupta says, “Coca Cola, this summer, is constantly on the look out for exciting opportunities to add its ‘Thande Ka Tadka.’ Being in association with MTV’s Ghoom is part of the same endeavour. The first-of-its-kind initiative on television, it is all about using wit and humour to capture the imagination of the youth. After all, what is life without a twist or shall we say tadka.”

    Inox vice president marketing Shrikant Hazare said, “Ghoom is an unprecedented initiative that is sure to create excitement in theatres. We are glad to partner with MTV on this.”

    Like is true of any movie promotion and marketing activity, MTV India will also be going the whole hog to promote Ghoom. MTV has planned an extensive 360 degree push with print, television, outdoor, radio, online, mobile and viral marketing. Promos will also run across Inox multiplexes in the four cities.

    Apart from this, the channel will also be supporting the film on-air across its key properties like Piddhu The Great (a spoof on cricketer turned commentator Navjot Singh Siddhu) amongst others. The trailers of Ghoom will break on MTV this week, followed by trailers on AXN and Zee Cinema. The music video and a show on the making of the film will start airing sometime next week.

    Besides Coca Cola and Inox, MTV has also roped in Nokia and Parle Hide and Seek as associate sponsors and 93.5 Red FM as radio partner.

  • TV18 to launch home shopping network, receives funding from SAIF

    TV18 to launch home shopping network, receives funding from SAIF

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen is entering the home shopping network (HSN) space which is already occupied by Subhash Chandra’s Asian Sky Shop and Hinduja’s Shop 24×7.

    The company has secured initial funding from SB Asia Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) Partners to launch an integrated HSN. Though TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla refused to divulge the amount, market sources put the investment of the Asian private equity fund at around Rs 30-40 million.

    TV18 will be putting up a national “virtual platform” network which “will bring forth products and services that have been evaluated by a team of experts.” According to a company statement, the shopping network “will leverage the TV18 network of five channels (CNBC-TV18, CNN-IBN, Awaaz, Channel 7 and SAW) and six internet properties (moneycontrol.com, ibnlive.com, poweryourtrade.com, commoditiescontrol.com, yatra.in and Jobstreet India). Collectively, the HSN will have a pool of more than 70 million adults to tap into – people who are very loyal to the TV18 brands and are decision makers with the ability to spend.”

    The organised shopping market is is estimated to become a $30-35 billion opportunity by 2010. “With a changing socio-economic environment, higher disposable incomes, willingness to spend and availability of cheap credit, the share of organised shopping is all set to increase in the consumer’s wallet. Studies estimate that the spending population is expected to increase from 280 million in 2002 to 686 million in 2010. Nearly 75 million sq.ft. of mall space is estimated to become available in India by 2007,” TV18 said.

    However, the ‘spender’ or ‘spending population’ is not easily accessible at a single point. Poor infrastructure, absence of quality locations and complex taxation issues confront sellers, TV18 said. Additional complications arise on account of the mind-boggling availability of choice. With hundreds of brands hitting the shelves every day, making the right choice takes up a significant amount of time of the spender in the transaction process, thus delaying buying decisions.

    “TV18 believes that the time is ripe for a shopping enabler that integrates our media offering with a fulfillment capability. With an existing franchise of over 70 million adults that TV18s media properties reach out too, and the potential universe of affluent middle class Indian’s, it is only a matter of time before TV18 attains a dominant position in this space,” said Chawla.

    “For the first time, by simply picking up the phone, clicking online, calling on their mobile, or simply ‘sms’ing their requests, people will be able to access and buy products and services that exactly meet their requirements. Our ability to build value and give value back to our viewers is what will differentiate us from the rest”.

  • Vijay TV announces on-ground event ‘Iruvar’

    Vijay TV announces on-ground event ‘Iruvar’

    MUMBAI: Iruvar, Vijay TV’s latest offering in the event block, will present music industry veterans S P Balasubramaniam and Malaysia Vasudevan on one platforum.

    The event will be held on 28 April 2006 at 6:30 at YMCA Grounds, Royapettah, Chennai.

    The event will also present other popular playback singers Chitra and Madhu Balakrishnan.

    There will also be dance performances by the John Britto Dance Company.

  • CNN’s daily audience base up 35%: Pax Survey

    CNN’s daily audience base up 35%: Pax Survey

    MUMBAI: Global market research company Synovate Pax’s survey results reveal that CNN’s audience growth across the Asia Pacific region out-paced all gains for the news genre, with daily audiences up by a remarkable 35 per cent year-on-year.

    Further evidence of CNN’s pre-eminence is supported by results that show, the network is viewed by 14 per cent more people each week, and 16 per cent more each month, than all other news and business channels combined, informs an official release.

    This represents the sixth successive set of Pax results to show growth in CNN’s audience, claiming that one which also added 56 per cent more past-week viewers and 65 per cent more past-month viewers than the next placed news channel (BBC World).

    Turner International Asia Pacific VP of research Duncan Morris says, “With the fast pace of globalization more and more people find they need an international perspective so we are absolutely delighted with
    this further ringing endorsement of CNN’s newsgathering credentials.”

    “Our award winning coverage of global events has clearly resonated with our audience, particularly so as we are watched by 39 per cent more top management each day than any other measured channel.

    ” The benefits of this audience growth for advertisers are real as, for example, each month CNN now reaches 169,000 (+40per cent) more people planning to buy an LCD or plasma TV than it did a year ago, as well as 479,000 or 23 per cent more car owners,” adds Morris.

    The full-year survey results, conducted by Synovate, further reveal almost half (46 per cent) of CNN’s weekly audience view no other news/business channel during the course of a week, and 39 per cent of them remain loyal across a month.

    CNN.com remains the leading regional website, visited by 54 per cent more Pax respondents across a month than the next largest broadcaster or publisher’s website.

    Pax represents a universe of 14.2 million adults aged 25-64 within 11 Asia Pacific markets, including Australia (Sydney + Melbourne), Bangkok, Hong Kong, India (Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore), Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo.

    These 14.2 million individuals consist of 13.0 million affluent adults, 3.8 million business decision makers and 0.8 million top management.With a total sample size of over 20,000, Pax fieldwork takes place continually throughout the year. Results are released each quarter on a rolling 4-quarters basis. The Q1-Q4 2005 period represents the latest Pax data release.

  • CBS unveils ‘real-life cross platform media event’ ‘Gold Rush’

    CBS unveils ‘real-life cross platform media event’ ‘Gold Rush’

    MUMBAI: In a significant online, offline and on-air partnership, AOL and Mark Burnett announced a partnership with CBS television to bring the online reality game Gold Rush to life.

    An official release explains, “This is not a television show; this is a real-life cross platform media event where each week new clues will be found within CBS television programs, sponsor commercials, AOL.com and other media properties. After identifying and combining the clues, real-life treasure seekers will embark on a race to find the gold, resulting in a national treasure hunt.”

    Gold Rush begins as thirteen armored trucks laden with gold head off into the darkness, their caches are about to be hidden somewhere in America. Twelve of these trucks contain $100,000 in solid gold and the thirteenth, $1 million dollars in solid gold. Together, over $2 million in solid gold is up for grabs.

    “Gold Rush is a massive cross platform reality event,” says Mark Burnett. “Unlike reality TV shows, where 16 hopefuls can take part to win, Gold Rush will allow potentially millions of players to look for the gold in mediums which are omnipresent, such as the Internet, radio, network television and print magazines. It is a game-changer in the way that the first survivor changed the game.”

    “The combination of the reach of AOL.com, our next-generation free broadband portal, with CBS and the talent of Mark Burnett will make Gold Rush a landmark interactive event not to be missed,” says AOL EVP Kevin Conroy.

    CBS, the exclusive broadcast partner, will work collaboratively with Gold Rush producers to promote the network’s new Fall lineup by integrating aspects of CBS programs and advertising into the game. At the same time the companies will work together to develop online, offline and on-air marketing and cross-promotional activities, states the release.

    “We are thrilled that CBS will be the broadcast home of Gold Rush, which is sure to be this season’s most innovative integrated marketing event,” says CBS Marketing president George Schweitzer. “We believe this partnership will excite our viewers while also attracting new treasure-seeking players who tune into our fall premieres, like what they see and come back for more.”

    Gold Rush, available through the free AOL.com portal, will give players the opportunity to find gold treasure. CBS Television will be deeply integrated into the Gold Rush challenges enriching the game experience by engaging casual players, pop culture junkies, and truly devoted treasure seekers through an integrated web of challenges and entertainment.

    The hunt for gold begins this Fall on AOL.com. For more information, check out www.aol.com/goldrush and www.goldrush.aol.com.

  • BMI Film & TV Awards honour composer Harry Gregson-Williams and Earle Hagen

    BMI Film & TV Awards honour composer Harry Gregson-Williams and Earle Hagen

    MUMBAI: Composers Harry Gregson-Williams and Earle Hagen were recipients of the annual BMI Film & Television Awards. BMI, the U.S. performing rights organization, honoured the composers and songwriters of the music from the past year’s top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs at its annual Film & Television Awards.

    The ceremony was hosted by BMI president & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations VP Doreen Ringer Ross.

    Film composer Gregson-Williams recieved the Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. This is annually awarded to a composer who has made significant contributions to the field of film and television music.

    This British-born Golden Globe nominee has scored such diverse films as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, Man on Fire, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Shrek, Shrek 2, Spy Game, Chicken Run, Kingdom of Heaven, Antz and Domino. Williams was also named the Composer of the Year at the 2005 Hollywood Film Festival.

    Former recipient of the Richard Kirk Award, BMI composer Hagen received the Classic Contribution Award in recognition of more than 50 years as a BMI affiliate and for 10 years of dedication as a mentor and teacher of the BMI workshop he founded in 1986. Hagen’s contribution includes some of the most memorable themes in TV music history like The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy, Make Room for Daddy, Gomer Pyle, USMC, That Girl and The Mod Squad.

    BMI’s Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy winning composers were also celebrated, including Latin rock pioneer Gustavo Santaolalla, whose Brokeback Mountain music earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for A Love That Will Never Grow Old from the movie’s soundtrack.

    Danny Elfman’s Emmy winning theme of Desperate Housewives gave the composer two of his three wins; his score to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory also earned him a BMI Film/TV Award.

    Founded in 1939, BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world, the non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

  • MTV and Nickelodeon to launch in New Zealand on Sky Television

    MTV and Nickelodeon to launch in New Zealand on Sky Television

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins has announced plans to launch a wholly-owned and operated localised MTV and the re-launch of Nickelodeon as a fully-customised channel for audiences in New Zealand.

    MTV New Zealand will launch as a 24-hour network, with localised and signature MTV programming beginning 19 August 2006.

    Nickelodeon, the widely distributed network for kids, will re-launch in New Zealand on 1 August as a fully-customised channel.

    Both channels will be carried by Sky Television and made available to more than 650,000 homes, representing 43 per cent of all television homes in New Zealand. The channels will benefit from local productions, locally-tailored programming, scheduling, on-air promos and feature New Zealand presenters.

    “Young people in New Zealand enjoy a lifestyle, sensibility and appetite for pop culture and entertainment that is totally unique, so it is particularly exciting to bring them dedicated MTV and Nickelodeon channels that reflect these nuances,” said Robbins.

    Key management appointments for the services will be announced soon, with MTV Networks Asia Pacific’s director of business development Chris Keely leading set-up efforts for the businesses.