ITV

Category: Television

  • History Channel to air film on Hitler in May

    History Channel to air film on Hitler in May

    MUMBAI: It is reinvention time for the History Channel. In order to live up to its new position of being an entertainment channel, the broadcaster will among other initiatives, air television movies. One of these is Hitler The Rise of Evil. This will air on 6 and 7 May at 9 pm.

    The movie describes the life of Adolf Hitler (Robert Carlyle) from childhood to manhood, and how he became so powerful. It describes his poor childhood in Austria, the first world war from his point of view, and how he became the strongest man in Germany.

    The movie show us how Hitler went from being a poor soldier into the leader of the Nazis, and how he survived the attempts to kill him. It describes his relationship with his mistress Eva Braun (Zoe Telford), and his decisions and enemies inside Germany and inside the Nazi party

    Another film that will air is Haven on 13 May. It stars Natasha Richardson, Ruth Gruber and Colm Feore. This is the true story of a woman named Ruth Gruber who travels to Europe to help escort 1000 Jewish War victims to the United States. She comes to love and feel sorry for them all, and fights for their rights to live in America.

  • Perry Stahman appointed MGM president, domestic theatrical marketing

    Perry Stahman appointed MGM president, domestic theatrical marketing

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has named Perry Stahman as president, Domestic Theatrical Marketing.

    Stahman will report directly to MGM COO Rick Sands. Stahman is a seasoned marketing executive who brings extensive experience from 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Sony Pictures to the newly created position.

    Stahman takes on the responsibility for supervising all theatrical marketing activities for MGM’s theatrical distribution unit, unveiled as part of MGM’s revitalization strategy in March. The release of several high profile films this year will kick off MGM’s domestic theatrical distribution business in North America, states an official release.’

    Chairman and CEO Harry E. Sloan said, “As part of the marketing team which released Hannibal, Legally Blonde, Barbershop and Heartbreakers, just to name a few, we are delighted to welcome Perry back into the MGM family. Perry’s experience, both in terms of the roster of studios where he has worked and the number of marketing successes he has achieved, will be of tremendous benefit as MGM readies for this new chapter in studio history. We are thrilled to have an executive of Perry’s caliber on our team and leading the marketing efforts for our new slate of films. ”

    MGM COO Rick Sands added: “Marketing is an extremely important function for any studio and we are confident that Perry has the skill, talent and knowledge to make our films big hits with audiences. Having overseen the marketing for a number of high profile films, Perry’s extensive experience encompasses a wide spectrum of film genres and styles as well as different studio environments, which will be a great asset in marketing our well rounded slate of new theatrical releases. I am pleased to welcome him to MGM.”

    “I am excited to be an integral part of MGM’s groundbreaking effort to craft a new model for theatrical distribution, breaking from the bounds of the traditional studio system. I’m energized by the opportunity and look forward to helping MGM establish a fresh and effective new approach to film marketing,”said Stahman.

    Stahman comes from MGM from 20th Century Fox in Los Angeles, where he served as SVP, Creative Advertising since 2004. During his tenure at Fox, Stahman worked on the release of such films as Fantastic Four, Big Momma’s House 2, Transporter 2, Family Stone and Date Movie. Prior to this, Stahman served as SVP, Creative Advertising at Miramax Films. Joining Miramax in June 2002, Stahman created campaigns for Chicago, Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2, Hero and Gangs of New York.

    In February 1997, Stahman joined Sony Pictures as manager, Creative Advertising and worked on Men In Black,Air Force One, As Good As It Gets, Stepmom and The Mask of Zorro. Three years later, he joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as vice president, Creative Advertising.

  • Radio Mirchi turnover rises 58 per cent in FY06, net profit at Rs 295 million

    Radio Mirchi turnover rises 58 per cent in FY06, net profit at Rs 295 million

    MUMBAI: Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL) has posted a 57.69 per cent rise in gross turnover to Rs 1.2 billion for the fiscal ended 31 March 2006, as against Rs 762.2 million a year ago.

    Net profit stood at Rs 294.6 million as compared to a net loss of Rs 179.2 million in FY 2004-05.

    The earning before interest, depreciation, tax and amortisation excluding license fee for the year was Rs 445.7 million, a rise of 61.5 per cent over the previous year.

    For the last quarter of FY 06 fiscal, net profit was at Rs 54.9 million. ENIL, the company which operates FM broadcasting under the brand name of radio Mirchi, has announced its results for the first time since its initial public offering (IPO) in February 2006. Comparative fourth quarter figures for the previous year are, thus, not available.

    ENIL’s consolidated net profit stood at Rs 310.5 million for FY 06 while total income was at Rs 1.4 billion. Earning before interest, depreciation, tax and amortisation was Rs 407.6 million.

    Under the consolidated results fall the wholly owned subsidiary company Times Innovative Media Private Limited (TIMPL) for a period of five months. TIMPL was incorporated on October 26, 2005 and it acquired Event Management (3600) and Out of Home Media (Times OOH) business from Time Innovative Media Limited (TIML).

    ENIL has set its sights on increasing its turnover from the additional radio stations to be set up this year. The company has already launched its radio stations in Hyderabad, Jaipur and Bangalore.

    Times OOH won advertising rights of Delhi Metro – Connaught Place and Dwarka (13 stations), Kolkata Metro (80 hoardings spread across the city) amd Delhi-Noida toll bridge for a license fee of Rs.340 million payable over two to five years.

  • BBC’s new comedy makes viewers ‘Feel The Force’

    BBC’s new comedy makes viewers ‘Feel The Force’

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that it will air a six part comedy series on the police force called Feel The Force from next month. This will air on BBC Two.

    Sally Bobbins (Michelle Gomez) and Sally Frank (Rosie Cavaliero) are two policewomen. They are the Cagney & Lacey for the 21st century, but with worse hairstyles. They are Dalziel and Pascoe, but with sillier surnames. Their boss is Sergeant Beasley (Leigh Zimmerman), a tall and terrifying woman who finds Frank and Bobbins a constant source of irritation.

    Their intentions may be good, but they are too easily distracted, as well as being accident-prone. Add to this Frank’s unrequited love for fellow officer PC MacBean and MacBean’s secret passion for his partner PC MacGregor, and it’s not difficult to see why our heroes have so little time for stamping out crime

  • Aeren R Enterprises unveils India’s First Theme Destination Mall

    Aeren R Enterprises unveils India’s First Theme Destination Mall

    New Delhi, April 21, 2006
    Rs 250 Cr.Festival City project, Festival city to be Punjab’s biggest mall

    India’s first theme destination mall to be designed around Essence
    of Indian Festivals. “Malls within a Mall” with Kidz Mall, Fashion Mall, Interior Mall, food court, entertainment plaza and a luxury hotel.

    Punjab’s first IMAX Theatre with seven screen multiplex. Punjab’s first ice skating ring, Gaming zone, a bowling alley, a video arcade, a Gyro drop

    With so many firsts in its credit the Aeren R Enterprises is proud to unveil Festival City, Punjab’s first theme destination mall offering a truly international retail, entertainment and leisure experience for the entire family at an investment of Rs 250 Cr. The Festival City is a salute to the big -heartedness and the dynamic spirit of the people of Punjab.

    Located in the prosperous industrial city of Ludhiana, Festival City is easily accessible to the people of Ludhiana and affluent visitors from Phagwara, Jalandhar, Moga, Khanna, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ambala and the entire Doaba and Malwa area. Festival City is ideally located as a family destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure activity for the entire
    region.

    The Festival City mega structure is planned over 2.0 million square feet of covered area as an integrated commercial development. At the heart of the structure is a grand visually spectacular atrium that reinforces the impression of vast open spaces and imparts a feeling of grandiose and unmatched architectural scale. The activity area in the center is ideally suited to host mega events like car launches and fashion shows.

    The sheer size and scale positions Festival City as the BIG ONE among all planned and existing shopping malls in Ludhiana, based on the principle of – “Malls within a Mall” – the latest concept in shopping mall development.

    Speaking on the occasion Dr Rajesh Aeren, Vice Chairman, Supervisory Board Aeren R Enterprises said “Growing prosperity (GDP & per capita income), increasing levels of affluence and improving lifestyles are fueling the demand for lifestyle products, leisure and entertainment activities”

    “The concept of Mall within Malls will be introduced in Ludhiana for the first time. The 300000 sq ft dedicated to the Interiorz Mall – a one stop shop to meet all your home and office improvement needs is a great example of a Mall within a Mall. Other Specialty Malls like the Kids, Lifestyle, Fashion, Hospitality, Entertainment and Leisure Malls are an integral part of the development”. Dr. Aeren further added

    While addressing the media Mr. Sujit Kumar, CEO, Aeren R Enterprises said , “Ludhiana being one of the fastest growing city in India with rise of 82% in food & 87% in non food retail business in last few years and Income to expenditure ratio is expected to increase from 40% to 50% by 2020 which makes Ludhiana as most favoured destination for retail and entertainment business.”

    He further added that “We are pleased to announce that IMAX, Fun Cinemas, Shopper’s Stop, Hyper City, Home Stop, Pantaloons, E- Zone, Chun Mun Store, Kapsons, Provogue, Odyssey, Music World, The Home Store, Adidas, Archies Bossini, Disney Jeans, FI, Kappa, Lee Copper, Lilliput, Mufti, Nike, Numero Uno, Portland, Reebok, Shoe Tree, Sports Station, Titan, Woodlands have all signed up and over 50% of the leasing is already over.

    “The launch of the IMAX theatre, the inclusion of an ice skating rink, an international quality food court and focus on leisure and entertainment activities further reinforce our aim to bring wholesome family entertainment based on world class technology and knowledge to meet the growing aspirations of our children and youth. These unique features will add significant value to the quality retailers housed in this destination mall”. Mr. Kumar further added.

    Festival City, designed by Ms. RTKL of London, a leading international architecture and design firm with commercially successful retail and entertainment landmarks like the LaQua at Tokyo, The Entertainment Center at lrvine spectrum, California; The O2, London; and Lalaport Shopping center, Tokyo to their credit.

    The design and architecture of the Festival City is based on the fundamental principle of delivering a unique retail, entertainment and leisure
    experience.

    Stress free shopping with conveniently placed sit downs on every floor and high speed elevators, escalators and travellators linking each floor.

    Ample multiple level parking allows convenient access to different shopping, leisure and entertainment areas.

    Environmentally friendly design with large open to sky spaces, landscaped greens with water bodies and fountains, for a controlled microclimate and dust control regime.

    Friendly and safe for kids, the elderly and the differently abled. Design features include ramps for wheel chair, specially designated parking areas, specially designed rest room facilities including services of trained medical staff.

    About Aeren R Enterprises :
    Promoted by Dr. Rajesh J Aeren, Aeren R Enterprises is a leading social infrastructure development conglomerate, engaged in value added real estate projects in the fields of edutainment, entertainment, specialty malls, corporate trading and financial services.

    Some of the successfully completed projects by Aerens family of enterprise:

    Gold Souk : Specialty malls for jewellery & wedding related requirements for the modern discerning consumer with exposure to international trends.

    Crown Interiorz : Spread over 700,000 sq. ft, is located in Faridabad on Delhi Mathura Road (NH-2), approx. 2 km from Delhi Border.

    AerenR IMAX, Sahibabad : Brings the first large format IMAX theatre to North India in partnerships with IMAX Corporation, Canada.

    Wedding Souk, Delhi: A one stop mall for anything and everything related to weddings, festivals, special occasions and casual shopping.

    AEZ Aloha Residential complexes, Gurgaon & Rishikesh : Premium category residential projects at Gurgaon and Rishikesh boast of ultra modern apartments with high-end amenities.

    AEZ Vikaspuri : The first ever superplex in North India is a fine example of international style shopping and entertainment experience and is a marvelous state-of-the-art complex.

    Contact:
    Mr. Vivek Srivastava
    Neha Saxena
    VP – Marketing and Corp. Communications
    nehakaizzen@yahoo.com
    Aeren R Enterprises
    9899646494/98186 45292
    viveks@aerenr.com
    98116 74941/ 011 – 42225222

  • HBO US renews drama series ‘Big Love’ for second season

    HBO US renews drama series ‘Big Love’ for second season

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO has renewed the drama series Big Love for a second season.

    HBO Entertainment president Carolyn Strauss says, “Big Love is a unique and remarkable series. The second season will offer more of the terrific storytelling that has gripped critics and subscribers this year.”

    Big Love tells the story of Salt Lake City native Bill Henrickson, who balances the needs of his three wives – Barb, Nicki and Margene – their seven kids, three houses and his home improvement stores. Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin and Harry Dean Stanton star in the series.

    The second season kicks off next year.

  • CNN to air three summits in collaboration with Clinton Global Initiative

    CNN to air three summits in collaboration with Clinton Global Initiative

    MUMBAI: CNN will produce three programmes with the Clinton Global Initiative to be broadcast on both CNN International and CNN/US in April, August and September of this year. The former US president Bill Clinton will be a featured guest at each of the hour-long events.

    “These programs once again highlight CNN’s position as a global platform for news and debate. To pull together such important world players to discuss critical issues plays right to heart of CNN’s international audience,” said CNN International senior VP Rena Golden.

    The end of Aids: A Global Summit with president Clinton is the first special event and will premiere in April. The program takes a unique perspective on the Aids crisis. Imagine for an hour that Aids has been eradicated. How did it happen? What role did government, drug companies and non-governmental organizations play in ending the Aids crisis? How will the unique public-private model employed at the Clinton Global Initiative be a factor in this eradication? CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will moderate a discussion that will include some of the world’s leading Aids experts and activists, informs an official statement.

    Setting the scene for the debate, CNN Africa Correspondent Jeff Koinange travels to Botswana, where 40 percent of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS, and reports on how the government is testing for HIV. The end of Aids will also look at the most promising forms of treatment and the most effective government policies. The goal is to see how AIDS can be brought under control and eventually defeated.

    In August, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, who reported on last year’s devastating hurricanes along the US Gulf Coast, will moderate the second Global Summit. The focus of this forum will be on poverty – not only in third world countries, but also in the US– and what is being done to reduce it. Poverty is one of the four topic areas at the Clinton Global Initiative.

    CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour will moderate the third and final Global Summit in September on the eve of the annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York. Participants of this forum will discuss various topics of global significance including climate change, mitigating religious conflicts, global public health and effective global governance.

  • Cartoon Network’s Tom & Jerry to promote ICICI Bank’s ‘Young Stars Account’

    Cartoon Network’s Tom & Jerry to promote ICICI Bank’s ‘Young Stars Account’

    MUMBAI: ICICI Bank is now wooing kids via the cat and mouse pair – Tom & Jerry. The bank has tied up with Cartoon Network wherein the toons will be the brand ambassadors for its special and innovative ‘Young Stars’ account.

    Young Stars is a unique savings account tailored to suit the banking requirements of children. The Young Stars account allows children, upto the age of 18 years, to learn and manage their finances; while the account is operated and monitored completely by the parents.

    Children above the age of seven years will get a personalised international debit card with the Young Stars account. This is an innovative attempt to guide children through the world of banking.

    ICICI Bank has made the banking experience exciting by offering interesting facilities including a special recurring deposit, free international debit card and free internet banking. There are also facilities that only parents can access such as – online opening of fixed deposit, recurring deposit and funds transfer from parent to child’s account.

    ICICI Bank executive director Chanda Kochhar said, “The Young Stars account is another pioneering product from ICICI Bank that initiates children to world of banking and finances. With this innovative product, the entire family is involved with the bank and while parents can monitor their child’s expenses, children learn to manage their expenses themselves. This product will inculcate the habit of saving money amongst kids, while making it a fun filled and exciting experience. We are delighted to be associated with Cartoon Network’s toon stars, Tom & Jerry and with their support are sure that Young Stars will be become a popular product among children.”

    Cartoon Network Enterprises – India and South Asia director Jiggy George said, “The exciting and innovative promotional licensing deal with ICICI Bank for their ‘Young Stars’ account yet again proves the power of Cartoon Network and the mass appeal of the Network’s toon stars. I am positive that Tom & Jerry, who continue to rule the hearts of Indian kids and adults, will help make this innovative initiative from ICICI Bank even more attractive. We are delighted to be partnering with ICICI Bank, one of the most respectable brands in the finance sector and look forward to our mutual success.”

  • Endemol raises stake in Dutch NL Film & TV to 51 per cent

    Endemol raises stake in Dutch NL Film & TV to 51 per cent

    MUMBAI: Endemol N.V. has increased its stake in Dutch company Nijenhuis en de Levita Holding B.V. (NL Film & TV) from 40 per cent to 51 per cent.

    NL Film & TV is led by the creative duo Johan Nijenhuis and Alain de Levita, which focuses exclusively on scripted television drama, comedy and feature films.By increasing its stake in NL Film & TV, Endemol will be able to strengthen the cooperation between the two companies and make NL Film & TV a full member of the Endemol Group. The intensified relationship will allow NL Film & TV’s to further exploit its intellectual property in scripted programming internationally .

    Since its establishment in 2001, NL Film & TV created and produced scripted TV series, such as Costa!, Zoop, Hartslag, Lieve Lust and Keyzer & De Boer Advocaten, for several Dutch broadcasters. In addition, it produced Dutch feature-film hits like Full Moon Party, Ellis in Glamourland and Zoop In Africa.

    “We are excited to be part of the global network of Endemol which gives us the opportunity to further expand abroad,” said de Levita.

    “A good format must first prove itself locally. When it has true potential, it can be understood and enjoyed by audiences all over the world. Our scripted series and feature films can already be seen in more than six countries. Endemol offers us a strong platform to further exploit our formats internationally,” added Nijenhuis.

    Endemol chairman and CEO Joaquim Agut Bonsfills said, “Growth of scripted programming is one of Endemol’s key strategic priorities. Therefore, we are very pleased that Johan and Alain, two of the most talented and successful people in the Dutch scripted TV entertainment industry over the past few years, and their team are keen to intensify cooperation.”

    NL Film & TV’s turnover in 2005 was approximately EUR 15 million. The company currently employs a staff of 10. Endemol has an option to further increase its stake in the future.

  • Rupert Murdoch invests $13.5 million in job search engine

    Rupert Murdoch invests $13.5 million in job search engine

    MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Interactive Media and venture capital firm Foundation Capital have invested $13.5 million in Simply Hired, which is a search engine for jobs. The financing brings the company’s total funding to $17.7 million. Representatives from both Foundation Capital and Fox Interactive Media will join the company’s board of directors.

    “Fox Interactive Media’s growth strategy is to strategically partner or acquire category leaders and technology innovators that broaden or enrich our users’ experience. Our investment in Simply Hired underscores that approach and we look forward to working with them to power job search for a variety of properties on our network,” said Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn.

    Joining Fox Interactive Media in this investment is Foundation Capital, which has been behind numerous successful internet ventures, including Netflix and Netzero. “As the general search space has matured, we see vertical search as the next big opportunity. The entrepreneurs behind Simply Hired have demonstrated their ability to build a successful Internet business. They’re clearly on the right track with this venture as well. Both Foundation Capital and Fox Interactive Media have recognized an opportunity to create a significant business here,” said Foundation Capital general partner Paul Holland.

    “Simply Hired has created the most simple, effective job search experience on the planet. Fox Interactive Media are focused on developing an Internet presence that offers a deeper, richer online experience for its millions of passionate users. With the operational expertise of the team at Foundation Capital and the global presence of News Corporation, we will create a world class job search experience for a large audience,” said Simply Hired CEO Gautam Godhwani.