ITV

Category: Fiction

  • Bomanbridge Media seals kids program deals

    Bomanbridge Media seals kids program deals

    MUMBAI: Singapore-based production and distribution agency Bomanbridge Media has sealed deals for several popular kids’ programs. 

     

    Bec World in Thailand acquired Learn to Draw Minis & Wild About Cartoons, produced by Norway’s Earthtree Media; and EBS in South Korea takes YOUniverse & Alphabet Stories, produced by Victory Arts and distributed by D360 internationally.

     

    “Bomanbridge is a leading distributor of fun, educational programming in Asia and we are pleased to close these deals with our broadcast partners in Thailand and South Korea. With the importance of children’s education in a market boasting such a young demographic, Learn to Draw, Wild About Cartoons, Alphabet Stories, and YOUniverse are sure to inspire creativity among our young audiences,” said Bomanbridge Media CEO Sonia Fleck. 

     

    Kid’s creativity guru Einstein Kristiansen hosts Learn To Draw Minis, an animated step-by-step drawing show. Each one-minute animation shows how to draw a cartoon from start to finish – and they even come to life. Themes include pets, wild animals, people, sport, vehicles, dinosaurs, fantasy creatures and more; while Wild About Cartoons, also hosted by Kristiansen, follow him as he travels to a far-away destination to see exotic animals. Back in the studio, he demonstrates how to draw them. 

     

    Alphabet Stories is a creative series of short mixed media videos for preschool kids. Each episode showcases a variety of words that start with a letter from the alphabet. After the introduction of each letter, a fun story is told that encompasses all the words into one wild, wacky and imaginative tale.

     

    YOUniverse – While asking the question “What does your universe look like?” the showcases space exploration from the perspective of a child, through a series of educational mixed media interstitial shorts loaded with beautiful visuals and scientific facts. Each episode starts with a child describing their perfect planet, star or thing to do in space. With the unique imaginations of each child this series uses specific art styles to compliment the child’s imagination as well as the story they tell.

  • GRB Entertainment inks multiple deals for factual series

    GRB Entertainment inks multiple deals for factual series

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment has inked multiple programming deals for several factual series, spanning EMEA, New Zealand, and airlines.

     
    CBS-AMC Networks EMEA Channel Partnership has acquired the gripping docu-series, Police Women of Dallas, following four police women as they balance their dangerous jobs and family responsibilities. On the other hand, New Zealand’s Top TV Limited – Choice TV has acquired the third season of Auction Kings, a behind-the-scenes look at the craziness of running an auction house, originally produced for Discovery.

     
    Three airlines namely Royal Jordanian, Thai and Etihad Airways have acquired My Beautiful Game – a Fox Soccer original series celebrating soccer’s greatest moments through the eyes of the sport’s most authoritative personalities, as well as its notable celebrities and fans. Additionally, China Southern Airlines also acquired the series in Mandarin.

         
    “GRB is proud to bring some of our top programmes to the EMEA region and New Zealand, as well as for our partnership with Royal Jordanian and Thai and Etihad Airways. GRB’s partners trust us to deliver shows that their viewers will embrace – both around the world and in the sky,” said GRB Entertainment SVP international distribution Mike Lolato.

  • FremantleMedia, Jadran Film partner to produce Croatian drama series

    FremantleMedia, Jadran Film partner to produce Croatian drama series

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia and Jadran Film Zagreb have inked a strategic partnership in order to bring the literary work of one of Croatia’s most popular writers – Marija Juric Zagorka – to global TV audiences.

    Designated Croatia’s first female journalist, Zagorka is one of the most read writers in Croatia and a best-seller in Central and Eastern Europe, although her novels have never been translated into English. Jadran Film, which has produced over 200 regional and international movies in its 70 year history, will combine its cinematic expertise with FremantleMedia’s production and distribution capabilities to develop scripts based on the novels and look for international investment in order to bring the works to Croatian, as well as global, audiences.

    Jadran Film CEO Vinko Grubisic said, “Jadran Film has long held the ambition to bring Marija Juric Zagorka’s work to audiences outside Central Europe. By working with the production and distribution expertise of FremantleMedia, there is now a real opportunity to bring audiences around world the brilliant storytelling of one of Croatia’s most-loved authors.”

    FremantleMedia Croatia managing director Ana Habajec added, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Jadran Film in order to bring the work of Marija Juric Zagorka to international audiences, and that the combination of our skills and passion will see Zagorka recognized, not just as a Croatian heroine, but as a world brand!”

    The partnership kicks off with a joint production of one of Zagorka’s most famous works: The Witch of Grich (Gricka vjestica), of which more than 10 million copies have been sold so far in Eastern Europe. Set in the second half of the 18th century and combining the genres of historical novel, romance and adventure, it tells the story of young Countess, Nera Keglevic, famed for her beauty and kindness.

    FremantleMedia and Jadran Film are already looking at how they might develop subsequent titles such as Kneginja iz Petrinjske ulice, Gordana and Jadranka.

  • FY-2015: Despite lower revenue, Balaji Telefilms back in the black; board recommends 30% dividend

    FY-2015: Despite lower revenue, Balaji Telefilms back in the black; board recommends 30% dividend

    BENGALURU:  Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji Telefilms) reported 15 per cent decline in consolidated Total Income from Operations (TIO) at Rs 346.49 crore in FY-2015 (year ended 31 March, 2015, current year) as compared to Rs 407.46 crore in the previous year. The company reported a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 5.62 crore (1.6 per cent of TIO) as compared to a loss of Rs 17.21 crore in the previous year, (FY-2014 results had included survival benefits of a keyman insurance policy to the extent of Rs 6.73 crore).

     

    Note:  (1)100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    (2) All numbers are consolidated unless stated otherwise.

     

    Consolidated operating revenue in Q4-2015 declined 8.8 per cent to Rs 76.94 crore as compared to Rs 84.4 crore in Q4-2014, but improved 7.5 per cent from Rs 71.54 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    The company reported a positive consolidated EBIDTA in FY-2015 of Rs 6.06 crore as compared to negative EBIDTA (operating loss) of Rs 21.78 crore in the previous year. Consolidated EBIDTA in Q4-2015 was Rs 8.04 crore as compared to negative EBIDTA (operating loss) of Rs 22.37 crore in Q4-2014 and negative EBIDTA (operating loss) of Rs 6.91 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Balaji Telefilms’ consolidated cost of production of movies and television serials in FY-2015 declined 23 per cent to Rs 296.53 crore as compared to the Rs 395.09 crore reported in FY-2014. Consolidated cost of production of movies and television serials declined 36.1 per cent in Q4-2015 to Rs 59.84 crore as compared to the Rs 93.63 crore in Q4-2014 and declined 13.4 per cent as compared to the Rs 69.14 crore in Q3-015.

     

    Revenue Streams

     

    The following subsidiaries, LLPs’ and revenue streams contribute to Balaji Telefilms consolidated numbers: Balaji Telefilms standalone; wholly owned subsidiaries BMPL and Boll Media Limited; other subsidiaries and LLP – Marinating Films and Event Media LLP.

     

    Balaji Television

     

    On a standalone basis, Balaji Telefilms Total Operating Revenue (TOR) in FY-2015 increased 59 per cent to Rs 205.76 crore as compared to the Rs 129.20 crore in FY-2015. TOR in Q4-2015 at Rs 60.64 crore was 51.4 per cent more than the Rs 40.07 crore in Q4-2014 and 3.6 per cent more than the Rs 58.53 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Standalone PAT in FY-2015 at Rs 12.27 crore was 22.5 per cent more than the Rs 10.02 crore in FY-2014. Standalone PAT in Q4-2015 was Rs 9.61 crore as compared to PAT of Rs 0.13 crore in Q4-2014 and Rs 3.09 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Standalone cost of production in FY-2015 at Rs 166.80 crore was 65.8 per cent higher than the Rs 100.6 crore in FY-2014.Standalone cost of production increased by 74 per cent in Q4-2015 to Rs 44.91 crore from Rs 25.82 crore in Q4-2014, but declined 5.7 per cent from Rs 47.61 crore in the previous quarter.

     

    Excluding regional segment and events, on a standalone basis, Balaji Telefilms reported a 49.1 per cent growth in programming hours in the current quarter (Q4-2015) to 258 hours as compared to 177 hours in Q4-2014, but a decline of 6.9 per cent from the 277 hours in the previous quarter (Q3-2015).

     

    The company’s revenue per hour increased by 0.7 per cent to Rs 23.06 lakh in Q4-2015 as compared to the Rs 22.90 lakh in Q4-2014, and increased by 11.7 per cent from the Rs 20.64 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Balaji Telefilms Stock movement

     

    The board of directors of the company has recommended a dividend of Rs 0.60 per equity share having face value of Rs 2 each, or 30 per cent, as compared to the Rs 0.40 per share (20 per cent) in the previous year.

     

    The script closed at Rs 75.10 per equity share on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), up 5.92 percent (up Rs 4.20) from the previous close of Rs 70.90. The share had opened at Rs 73.50 today and saw a volume of 415349 shares. The BSE Sensex witnessed fall of 27.86 points to close at 27809.35 points today.

     

    On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Balaji Telefilms shares closed at Rs 75.05 each, up 6.23 per cent (Rs 4.40) from the previous close of Rs 70.65 each. The share had opened at Rs 73 today on the NSE and saw a volume of 1627950 shares. NSE’s Nifty closed at 8241 points, down 2.25 points from yesterday.

  • CBS upgrades LA’s Television City with Sony’s new 4k live production camera

    CBS upgrades LA’s Television City with Sony’s new 4k live production camera

    MUMBAI: CBS’ Television City production facility — home to many of television’s top-rated entertainment programs including Survivor finale, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, The Price is Right, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Late Late Show, and So You Think You Can Dance — is adding Sony’s new HDC-4300 live 4K high frame rate camera system to its line-up. The facility will roll-out eight of the new 2/3-inch sensor models starting in June.

     

    The new cameras will complement CBS’ current inventory of Sony high-definition HDC camera models. Now with HD/4K simultaneous recording, the facility can continue to deliver the highest-quality HD programming, while also giving CBS Television City the option to capture an “evergreen” 4K master for archival and future broadcast use.

     

    “With the capabilities of these new cameras, we can continue to put the best-looking product on the air today, enhance our production values and protect our assets well into the future with the highest resolution master,” said CBS Television City senior vice president and general manager Barry Zegel.

     

    CBS has a long history with Sony HD technology, starting with the first demonstration ever of HD in the US and including a variety of HD broadcast firsts in sports and entertainment.

     

    The new camera also uses the same control surface as Sony’s previous HDC series cameras, so operators will be instantly familiar with the new HDC-4300 operation.

     

    The HDC-4300 uses three 2/3-inch chips with Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) native resolution; 3x Super Slow Motion as standard, with even higher speeds up to 8x planned for the future; and support for the same 2/3-inch sports, studio and ENG lenses used with Sony HDC models.

     

  • GoQuest Media licenses crime drama series ‘Ezel’ to Ugandan channel

    GoQuest Media licenses crime drama series ‘Ezel’ to Ugandan channel

    MUMBAI: The month of April will see a popular Ugandan channel being thronged by its viewers as GoQuest Media, an India based television content sales agency, has licensed Ezel – a Turkish crime drama series to a popular channel in Uganda.

     

    GoQuest Media Ventures, licenses TV series and Bollywood films to territories across the world. With the Ezel deal, the company claims to have broken the shackles of regional boundaries and are determined to expand the variety of their content offerings to clients all over the world. 

     

    Turkish dramas have proven popularity across the world. We have sold more than 1000 hours of Indian content in Africa. We now hope to do the same with content from other countries,” said GoQuest Media managing director Vivek Lath.

     

    The show is based on Alexander Dumas’ masterpiece Count of Monte Cristo. After betrayal by his best friends and the love of his life, Omer returns with a new face, new identity and with a flawless revenge plan. GoQuest Media has licensed Ezel from the global drama and formats distributor, Eccho rights.

     

    Eccho Rights managing director Fredrik Af Malmborg added, “Ezel is an amazing TV series that has been a success in every territory it has launched so far, most recently in South America where the daily ratings is above 25 per cent. We are excited about the development in Africa and are confident it will work also in Uganda.”

  • Balaji diversifies into fashion segment; partners Best Deal TV

    Balaji diversifies into fashion segment; partners Best Deal TV

    MUMBAI: After ruling the television industry for close to 20 years, Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms is all set to diversify into a different business segment. The production house is planning to launch its first fashion label ‘EK’ at the Television Glamour & Fashion Awards, which will to aired on Colors on 29 March. 

     

    Brand ‘EK’ has been licensed to Balaji Telefilms by Kapoor, who owns the brand for commercialisation.

     

    Initially, the label will be available on Akshay Kumar and Raj Kundra’s new television channel Best Deal TV, which will be Balaji Telefilms’ exclusive television partner to merchandise the brand. The production house is also in the process of associating with an online partner to further grow the brand.

     

    A line comprising ethnic wear, mainly sarees and jewellery will be launched first, followed by Indo­-western trends and accessories in the near future.

     

    Brand ‘EK’ is a natural culmination of the  significant legacy of over 20 years that Ekta  Kapoor has created in the world of entertainment and now she takes her business and passion forward with the launch of her brand via merchandising.

     

    A foray into the fashion world is a first of its kind venture for Balaji Telefilms and the company will get a percentage of sales as royalty.

     

    “Television and style are consumed by viewers in different forms on a daily basis. ‘EK’ is an attempt to marry the two. We are excited with this new venture and look to make a mark in the fashion world, by making the brand easily accessible through online and television  shopping networks,” said Balaji Telefilms joint managing director Ekta  Kapoor.

     

    “This is an endeavour to leverage an existing potential opportunity within the ever-popular fashion theme. Celebrities play an influential role in modern culture and consumption patterns, serving as arbiters of taste, style and public opinion the world over. Given the popularity of Balaji’s soaps and serials the ‘EK’ fashion label is set to make a mark with Indian audiences across  the globe,” added Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair.

  • Trilogic Digital Media to infuse fresh capital; to expand channel bouquet

    Trilogic Digital Media to infuse fresh capital; to expand channel bouquet

    BENGALURU: Trilogic Digital Media Limited (TDM) informed the stock exchanges that its board had passed various resolutions to raise more money. The company has an authorised share capital of Rs 20 crore. Trilogic Digital Media Ltd has informed the BSE that its board of directors had fixed 12 February, 2015 as the record date for reckoning the shareholders entitled to receive the bonus shares of the company in the ratio of 1:1 (i.e., one fully paid up bonus equity shares for every one fully paid equity shares held) as approved by the members in the Annual General Meeting held on 20 September, 2014. The company also plans to up borrowings.

     

    “The new capital that we plan to infuse in will be used for new expansions in our broadcast content management business. We should expand the kitty to between eight – ten channels from the current three that we manage in next couple of months,” revealed TDM CEO and CFO Vishal Gurnani. While refusing to share the channels that TDM plans to manage, Gurnani said that NDAs with the channels prevented him from revealing details at this stage.

     

    Industry sources told Indiantelevision.com that the company plans to add channels from the regional space – South India and Bengal to be more precise.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The resolutions that the TDM board passed are as follows:

     

    To make preferential allotment of up to:

     

    (a) Six lakh equity shares for consideration other than cash to non-promoters

     

    (b) 100 lakh convertible warrants to promoters

     

    (c) 40.5 lakh convertible warrants to non-promoters

     

    At a price a price to be calculated as per SEBI (ICDR) Guidelines, 2009

     

    (d) The board has approved the resolution for increase in the authorised share capital to Rs 40 crores

     

    (e) The board has approved to increase the borrowings limits under Section 181 (1) (c) of the Companies Act, 2013.

     

    (f)  The board has approved to increase the limit of loan and investment by the company under Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013.

     

    After weak performances since its inception, TDM had reported fair results during the previous financial year (FY-2014), but, over the past few quarters, there has been a noticeable dip in its numbers. For Q3-2015, TDM reported revenue of Rs 21.48 crore, 8.4 per cent lower than the Rs 23.45 crore in the trailing quarter and 35.2 per cent lower than the Rs 33.12 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Despite lower revenue, the company’s profit after tax (PAT) for Q3-2015 at Rs 2.17 crore (10.1 per cent of revenue) was more than double (about 2.5 times) the Rs 0.88 crore (3.8 per cent of revenue) in Q2-2015, but below par as compared to the Rs 2.49 crore (7.5 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014.

     

    During 9M-2015, TDM reported revenue of Rs 71.39 crore and a PAT of Rs. 3.47 crore (4.9 per cent of revenue) as compared to the revenue of Rs 57.88 crore and a PAT of Rs 6.1 crore (10.5 per cent of revenue) in 9M-2014. For FY-2014, the company had reported revenue of Rs 74.74 crore and a PAT of Rs 8.49 crore (11.4 per cent of revenue).

  • Q3-2015: Cinevista q-o-q income down 28 per cent

    Q3-2015: Cinevista q-o-q income down 28 per cent

    BENGALURU: The makers of the 200 plus episodes drama Ek Hasina Thi (formerly Daag) for Star Plus, Cinevista Limited (Cinevista, formerly known as Cinevista Communications Limited) reported profit of Rs 0.89 lakh (0.06 per cent of Total Income from Operations or TIO) for the quarter ended 31 December, 2014 (Q3-2015, current quarter). This was 30.5 per cent lower than the PAT of Rs 1.28 lakh (0.14 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal and 38.2 per cent lower than the PAT of Rs 1.44 lakh (0.07 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015. For 9M-2015, Cinevista’s PAT at Rs 138.37 lakh (0.17 per cent of TIO) was 9.2 per cent lower than the RS 152.31 lakh (0.18 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The company’s TIO for Q3-2015 at Rs 1577.73 lakh was 75.1 per cent more than Rs 901.27 lakh in Q3-2014 but 28.1 per cent less than Rs 2193.19 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Let us look at the other Q3-2015 and FY-2015 numbers reported by Cinevista:

     

    Simple EBIDTA for Q3-2015 at Rs 127.73 lakh (8.1 per cent of TIO) was 4.5 per cent less than Rs 133.70 lakh (14.8 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter, but 20.1 per cent less than Rs 159.94 lakh (7.3 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015. For 9M-2015, EBIDTA at Rs 433.73 lakh (8.9 per cent of TIO) was 7 per cent more than the Rs 405.18 lakh (10.4 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    EBIDTA including other income for Q3-2015 at Rs 150.92 lakh (7.4 per cent of TIO plus other income) was 8.3 per cent more than Rs 139.35 lakh (15.4 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014, but 6.5 per cent lower than Rs 161.44 lakh (7.4 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter. For 9M-2015, EBIDTA including other income at Rs 461.58 lakh (9.4 per cent of TIO) was 10.6 per cent more than Rs 417.51 lakh (10.7 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    Cinevista’s total expenditure (TE) for Q3-2015 at Rs 1496.91 lakh (94.9 per cent of TIO) was 82.8 per cent more than Rs 819.07 lakh (90.9 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014, but 28.2 per cent less than Rs 2079.28 lakh (94.8 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015. For 9M-2015, TE at Rs 4572.21 lakh (93.9 per cent of TIO) was 26.1 per cent more than Rs 3627.08 lakh(93.5 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    A major expense head for the company is cost of production (PC).  This cost has been going up in terms of percentage of TIO. In Q3-2015, Cinevista spent Rs 1318.93 lakh (83.6 per cent of TIO) towards PC, which was more than double (2.12 times) the Rs 622.78 lakh (69.1 per cent of TIO) in the year ago quarter, but 29.6 per cent lower than Rs 1874.08 lakh (85.4 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015. For 9M-2015, the company’s PC was 31.6 per cent more at Rs 3994.30 lakh (82.1 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 3035.25 lakh (78.2 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    Finance cost in Q3-2014 was Rs 102.85 lakh (6.5 per cent of TIO), which was 18.8 per cent more than Rs 86.57 lakh (9.6 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014 but 10 per cent less than Rs 114.28 lakh (5.2 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter. YTD, in 9M-2015, Cinevista’s finance cost at Rs 315.05 lakh (6.5 per cent of TI) was 22.1 per cent more than Rs 258.07 lakh (6.7 per cent of TI) in 9M-2014.

     

    At present Cinevista has another production on air on the Star Network’s Channel V India – D3 or Dil, Dosti, Dance, a dance-based fiction show that has crossed 500 episodes to date. The show premiered on 11 April 2011. The first season of Crime Patrol on Sony Entertainment Television India was created by Cinevista.

  • Q3-2015: Higher depreciation, finance cost pares SAB profit; EBIDTA up

    Q3-2015: Higher depreciation, finance cost pares SAB profit; EBIDTA up

    BENGALURU: Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Limited (SAB TV) reported less than one fifth (down 1/5.7 times) PAT in Q3-2015 at Rs 0.54 crore (2.4 per cent of Total income from Operations or TIO) as compared to the Rs 3.1 crore (16.2 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter, and one fifth of the PAT of Rs 2.73 crore in Q2-2015.

     

    The company’s depreciation expense in Q3-2015 was 58.9 per cent higher y-o-y at Rs 3.70 crore versus Rs 2.33 crore and 66.8 per cent more than the Rs 22.21 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    SAB TV’s interest/finance costs have more than trebled (up 3.28 times) in Q3-2015 at Rs 2.42 crore (10.5 per cent of TIO) versus the Rs 0.8 crore (4.8 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter and more than double (up 2.29 times) the Rs 1.06 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    SAB’s simple EBIDTA without other income calculated using the data furnished by the company to the bourses in Q3-2015 at Rs 6.65 crore (28.8 per cent of TIO) was 9.2 per cent higher y-o-y versus the Rs 6.09 crore (31.8 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014 and 10.9 per cent more than the Rs 6 crore (27.2 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by SAB TV for Q1-2015

     

    SAB reported 20 per cent higher TIO at Rs 23.10 crore in Q4-2015 as compared to the Rs 19;13 crore in Q3-2014 and 5 perceent more than the Rs 22.01 crore in Q2-2015.

     

    SAB’s total expenditure was up 31.1 per cent at Rs 20.16 crore (87.2 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2015 as compared to the Rs 15.37 crore (80.4 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014 and was 10.5 per cent more than the Rs 18.24 crore (82.9 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015.

     

    The company’s production/direct expense (prodn exp) is a major part of the expenditure. In Q3-2015, SAB TV’s production expense at Rs 14.34 crore (62.1 per cent of TIO), which was 3.7 per cent more than the Rs 11.60 crore (60.6 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014 and was 1.9 per cent more than the Rs 14.07 crore (63.9 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Click here to read the unaudited results