ITV

Category: Non-Fiction

  • RAHUL SARANGI – GREYMATTER ENTERTAINMENT @ MIP FORMATS

    RAHUL SARANGI – GREYMATTER ENTERTAINMENT @ MIP FORMATS

    Mumbai: Co-founder & Director, Rahul Sarangi is the First Indian invited to be on the panel of Spot the Talent (Formats) @ MIP Formats – 7th April & 8th April 2018 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres de Cannes in Cannes, France. Rahul will be a panelist amongst renowned industry experts like Matt Steiner, MD, Primal Media, UK; Assaf Gil, CEO, Gill Formats, Israel; Roy Aalderink, Concept Street, Germany, David Flynn, Co-Founder, Youngest Media, UK; Meredith Chambers, MD, Electric Ray, Sony Pictures, USA; Ed Waller, ED, C21Media, UK.

    MIPFormats is the incubator for big ideas, the next wave of must-see formats. Taking place two days before MIPTV, MIPFormats is where the world’s leading producers, commissioners, buyers and distributors discover the very best in entertainment formats.

    Spot the talent – Indies Around The World – A platform to discover exciting formats that have just been commissioned (or are about to be) in this special spotlight, featuring independent format creators and producers from around the world.

  • BBC Studios launches officially on 3 April

    BBC Studios launches officially on 3 April

    MUMBAI:  The newly created BBC Studios officially has launched today (3 April 2018), heralding a new chapter for the BBC’s content creation and exploitation activities.

    In an environment of increasing competition for viewers, the merger of BBC Worldwide and BBC Studios brings the BBC Group into line with the rest of the industry and ensures the creative and commercial success of the organisation. BBC Studios will see content through the full life cycle of development, commissioning, production and co-production, sales and distribution and will underpin the creation of new BBC-owned IP.

    BBC Studios CEO Tim Davie said, “Bringing together the UK’s most awarded production business, a world-class content sales business, our unique portfolio of brands, and a network of premium indie partners, BBC Studios has what it takes to create and export quality British programmes in this new age of content.”

    The newly formed BBC Studios will build on the unique heritage and global success of both organisations, with British creativity and outstanding content forming the cornerstone of the company.

    Leading a staff of around 3000 and overseeing an annual turnover of £1.4bn, Tim Davie, Chief Executive Officer and Mark Linsey, Chief Creative Officer officially assumed their new roles today and unveiled the organisation’s new vision, purpose and strategy.

    BBC Studios CCO Mark Linsey said, “Today is an important and exciting day for the BBC. For me, it’s all about BBC Studios’ outstanding creativity and the brilliant programmes that we and our indie partners make, so it’s even more thrilling that I can announce today that Shakespeare & Hathaway, our break-out daytime drama hit, has been recommissioned.” 

    And following last month’s announcement to set up a production office in Sydney, Australia, BBC Studios is developing new production opportunities in Beijing, China.  Award-winning executive producer Matthew Springford, who has over 20 years’ experience in factual programme-making, will be based at the BBC office in Beijing alongside the BBC Studios’ distribution team and will be working with Chinese TV stations and digital platforms to co-develop and co-produce original content and new formats across all factual genres.

    Also read: 

    Sony BBC Earth shakes up factual entertainment space

    Surya Food Agro begins testing of news, GEC channels

  • The Greatest Dancer Commissioned by BBC One

    The Greatest Dancer Commissioned by BBC One

    MUMBAI: The BBC has commissioned Syco Entertainment and Thames (part of FremantleMedia UK) to produce a new Saturday night dance talent show, it has been announced.

    The Greatest Dancer, an 8 x 60 entertainment series will feature a host of talent from across the world of dance as they give the performances of their lives in the search for the UK’s Greatest Dancer. From ballet to jazz; hip hop to Bollywood; the show is open to anyone. Expect dramatic auditions, incredible challenges and remarkable live performances as dancers from across the nation swing, swirl and sashay onto the stage each week in the hope of being crowned the winner. 

    Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC, Kate Phillips said: “With the continued success of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC is undoubtedly the home of dance. By launching The Greatest Dancer we want to give the vast array of dance talent across the UK the chance to shine. I can’t wait to work with Syco and Thames to uncover the talent out there and let our audience critique and celebrate the nation’s unsung dance heroes.”

    Nigel Hall, Global Head of Television for Syco Entertainment, said: “The auditions for the pilot episode saw some of the most jaw dropping, heartfelt and moving auditions I’ve ever seen on a dance show. There are some spectacular moments and we are beyond thrilled to have secured this commission over fierce competition. We look forward to working with the BBC team on something just a little bit special.” 

    Thames TV, Managing Director, Amelia Brown said: “The Greatest Dancer is such an exciting project and we’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring it to life for everyone at home. It’s a fantastic format full of warmth and heart with the pilot revealing some incredibly magical moments. It’s sure to make an unmissable Saturday night treat for the whole family to enjoy.”

    The Greatest Dancer will be executive produced by Nigel Hall, Global Head of Television, Syco Entertainment, and Amelia Brown, Managing Director, Thames TV.

    The series has been commissioned for BBC One by Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, and Kate Phillips, Controller Entertainment Commissioning. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Kalpna Patel-Knight.

  • BBC Worldwide India announces partnership with Applause Entertainment

    BBC Worldwide India announces partnership with Applause Entertainment

    MUMBAI:  BBC Worldwide India has announced a partnership with Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment that will see the two organisations working together to develop and produce Indian versions of iconic BBC formats. 

    Kicking off the partnership, BBC Worldwide and Applause Entertainment will work together to develop Indian versions of acclaimed BBC formats, Criminal Justice and The Office to bring to online audiences throughout India.

    Criminal Justice is a British television drama series produced by the BBC. The original UK version was written by Peter Moffat, with each series following an individual on a gut wrenching journey through the criminal justice system. The series won multiple TV awards including BAFTA, RTS and International Emmys. It was also adapted in the US as The Night Of and starred John Turturro and Riz Ahmed who won an Emmy for his performance in the series.

    BBC Worldwide South East Asia and South Asia SVP and GM Myleeta Aga said: “We are very excited to be working with Applause Entertainment, and are assembling an A-list cast of talent to ensure the highest standards of execution. We see Criminal Justice and The Office as just the first step in a long and fruitful partnership with Applause.  We are confident this partnership will be result in many more incredibly popular and well-loved Indian adaptations of BBC formats.”

    The original UK version of The Office won numerous TV awards and has spawned eight international versions in Europe. The UK version, written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant is set in a nondescript paper office company in a nondescript industrial town and features narcissistic, childish and egotistical middle manager, David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais) and the psychological car wreck that is his life. The US version which starred Steve Carell in the lead role won numerous Emmys and went on for nine seasons. 

    Applause Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair said, “Applause is looking to create premium content for Indian viewers to watch online, delivered on the back of the big digital highways that have been built through telecom and all other platforms that exist. We feel that BBC Worldwide,with its high quality content library and formidable reputation for making premium content in India, is the ideal partner to work with. Together, we are pulling expertise and resources to adapt popular BBC formats here. We have picked shows that have been global successes and we believe that the Indian adaptations will meet the viewing needs of the Indian market.” 

    This will be the first time both Criminal Justice and The Office formats will be developed in Asia, with India being the first in Asia to launch Indian versions of the shows.

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  • Applause Entertainment to produce series on 2016 surgical strikes

    Applause Entertainment to produce series on 2016 surgical strikes

    MUMBAI: Applause Entertainment is making all the right moves.

    The Kumar Mangalam Birla-led outfit is all set to produce its first series based on the cross-border surgical strikes conducted by the Indian army in 2016, according to a media report.

    The 10-part drama series, which is being produced by Irada Entertainment for Applause Entertainment, is being planned for a 2018 launch.

    The company has acquired the rights of the first chapter of Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh’s book ‘India’s Most Fearless’ published by Penguin Random House India. Samar Khan, who has several movies to his credit, will direct the series.

    The book covers fourteen true stories of extraordinary courage and fearlessness, providing a glimpse into the kind of heroism our soldiers display in unthinkably hostile conditions and under grave provocation. The first chapter deals with the September 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).

    Applause Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair is keen to produce content that’s not just great storytelling but also deeply rooted in history and reality.

    “We are most excited to be telling this story. A 10-part drama series will bring to life India’s most audacious military action in recent times, taking the battle deep into the enemy camp. I believe that the stories about homeland security and unsung heroes help make us appreciate their sacrifices and sensitize us as an audience to the enemy within and outside. We are looking forward to working with the authors of the book, and Samar Khan who is leading this Project for us,” Nair was quoted as saying.

    Also read:

    Kumar Mangalam Birla charges into content creation, hires  TV vet Sameer Nair

    Star India gets aggressive with global programme syndication sales

  • Keshav Kaul new Fremantle business head

    Keshav Kaul new Fremantle business head

    MUMBAI: Fremantle India Television Productions (Fremantle) has been buzzing this whole year for various reasons. Whether it is Shah Rukh Khan’s Ted Talks or Farah Khan’s Lip Sing Battle or Rithvik Dhanjani’s Rasoi Ki Jung, the production house has been in the news for launching a few big shows.

    While it is foraying into a variety of shows, there are some major changes happening at the company. Keshav Kaul has been appointed as the new business head of Fremantle.

    Kaul, a media professional, joined the company in September. Prior to Kaul, Vidyuth Bhandary headed the business department of the company for more than six years.

    To read more, go to Tellychakkar.com:

     

  • FremantleMedia wins rights for Japanese show Vs Kids

    FremantleMedia wins rights for Japanese show Vs Kids

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has acquired the format rights to entertainment series Vs Kids from TV Asahi in Japan. Vs Kids pits former professionals against new generation stars, both champions in their respective categories, as they compete to see who will be the ultimate champion.

    When an ex-pro is pitted against a current young star of the same field in a serious match, real international competition rules apply. There are no advantages given to the kid champions nor handicaps to the pros, as professional commentators give live play by play commentaries of the competition.

    Vs Kids originally launched in a late evening slot in October 2016. The series was then immediately promoted to primetime in the autumn and continues to attract huge ratings, while expanding into both academic and game categories.

    Global Acquisitions and Development EVP Vasha Wallace said: “It’s an exciting and timely for a show like Vs Kids. The series has done incredibly well in Japan on TV Asahi, both in terms of ratings and reception.”

    TV Asahi format development and sales head Yuka Kakui, said: “The show has received much acclaim and continues to be a stellar and unique program in our primetime. As Japan prepares for the next summer’s Olympic Games, we are thrilled that many young and uprising champions will be given a stage and look forward to many countries seeing the talent and enthusiasm of former champions.”

  • FremantleMedia expands into scripted content, partners bestselling author Heather Lende

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia is further expanding its push into scripted content by teaming up with bestselling author Heather Lende to develop Find The Good, an uplifting drama series inspired by Lende’s memoir of the same name and her earlier memoir, If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name.

    FremantleMedia’s global drama director Sarah Doole and EVP – creative director, global drama Christian Vesper (Top Of The Lake and The Honourable Woman) have acquired the rights and will oversee the rollout of the adaptation.
     
    The books will serve as the inspiration for a TV drama about Heather, a small-town Alaska obituary writer who investigates the lives of her recently deceased neighbours. Her hometown of Haines (pop. 2,400) is as beautiful as it is perilous, and as a result, residents are just as likely to die from natural causes as they are from an avalanche, small plane crash or boat sinking.

    For Heather, each assignment begins a new investigation. Like a detective, she uncovers everything from past glory to family secrets, from intimate community connections to love, loss, and regret. Each journey not only informs how Heather navigates her own life – she is married with five children and six grandchildren – but also encourages us to understand our own.

    “Find The Good offers an honest, clear-eyed, optimistic worldview that today’s audiences are yearning for,” Vesper said. “Heather’s books are packed with authentic characters living real lives in this gorgeous yet sometimes harsh environment. Her writing reinforces our need for deep human connection and we’re looking forward to adapting the stories into a drama that the whole family can enjoy. Life. Death. Humanity. Heather’s stories have all of the elements of a successful, feel-good, multi-generational and multi-cultural drama with universal appeal.”

    “I’m excited to partner with Sarah, Christian, and a company like FremantleMedia,” author Lende said of the acquisition. “Some people may think that what I do is morbid, but compared to front-page news these days, obituaries are downright inspirational. I don’t write about death, I write about life—one person at a time, and I do it while living in community that is like a family. If I have learned anything, it is that what matters in the end are relationships. Did he do a little good? Was she kind? Was he brave? Will someone miss her? I think that matters, and mostly, the answer to those questions is yes.”

    Brian Pines of Hypomania Content and Ellie Altshuler of Nixon Peabody LLP brokered the deal. Lende is represented by Elizabeth Wales of the Wales Literary Agency. Find The Good and If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name were originally published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing Co.

    Heather Lende grew up on Long Island’s North Shore and attended private school and college before moving to Alaska 35 years ago. Lende has contributed to NPR, The Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic Traveler, and others. She’s also a former contributing editor to Woman’s Day Magazine.

    Also Read :

    FremantleMedia launches India’s first ‘Digital Talent Hunt’

     

  • Great success for FremantleMedia at Asian Television Awards

    Great success for FremantleMedia at Asian Television Awards

    SINGAPORE: Congratulations to FremantleMedia (FM) Asia and FremantleMedia India, which have each won an award in the highly prestigious 2015 Asian Television Awards.

     

    Held last night in a glittering ceremony in Singapore, the wins were for the ground-breaking pan-Asian entertainment series, Asia’s Got Talent, which was screened throughout Asia on broadcaster AXN; and for our Indian production Nat Geo Covershot: Maximum City for National Geographic.

     

    Nat Geo Covershot: Maximum City (FM India) won the Best Reality Show award, whereas Best Adaption of an Existing Format went to Asia’s Got Talent (FM Asia).

     

    Determined by an expert panel of over 60 judges from across the region, the Asian Television Awards is the region’s biggest and most prestigious awards, attracting more than 1200 entries across 30 award categories from a wide range of broadcasters and platforms. The awards are recognised by the region’s entertainment industry as an important accolade and it is a great honour to receive four nominations. 

     

    Nat Geo Covershot: Maximum City is an exciting and creative photography-based reality program featuring 16 budding photographers from across India. They compete to be featured on the cover of the National Geographic Traveller India magazine. Here is a fantastic promo for the series:

    Asia’s Got Talent was the highest rated English language show in Asia for 2015, achieving an unprecedented 93 per cent audience share across English language channels in The Philippines for the Grand Final. To sample some of the amazing acts on AGT, please take a look at their YouTube channel:

     

    https://www.YouTube.com/user/asiasgottalent

  • Preview to Asia TV Forum & Market

    Preview to Asia TV Forum & Market

    MUMBAI: The 16th edition of the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) is scheduled to take place from December 1 to 4 at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Running concurrently with the 5th edition of ScreenSingapore, the 2015 edition of ATF is poised to attract more than 5,000 attendees from across 60 countries, according to Yeow Hui Leng, the Senior Project Director of Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and ScreenSingapore (SS) at Reed Exhibitions.

     

    Divided in two parts – market and conferences – ATF market will provide attendees with plenty of business opportunities to buy, sell, network with producers, broadcasters, over-the-top (OTT) players and cable operators in the region.

     

    With over 850 buying companies attending, Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) brings you closer to Asia’s buying community, facilitating the sale and export of engaging content across all genres and platforms to the Asian buyer.  With growing interest from Asian content buyers, this year we will also see more exhibitors from China and Japan and new entrants such as Bloomberg, Studio Canal, Fox International Channels, Raya Group, Rainbow, MNC Contents who will be participating in ATF for the first time, the market is likely to expect an even more robust performance.

     

    Hui Leng says that the overall ATF line-up this year presents a greater variety of the Asian countries covered, “giving ATF 2015 a more holistic view of the industry in Asia”. Participants can expect to gather a great deal of information from the panel of speakers and thought leaders that will be present at ATF.

     

    Kicking off ATF’s pre-market conference as the keynote speaker for Into the Future of Television: Asia’s Move Forward is TV industry’s well-known business leader  CJ E&M Media Content Business (Korea), president DJ Lee.  This will be one of the most exclusive and progressive insights into one of Asia’s most significant media empires. Another keynote speaker is Maker Studios (USA), International head René Rechtman, who will be elaborating on the Development and Expansion in Asia’s Digital Marketplace.

     

    Buyers and producers will also be presented with the latest know-how and trends for kids’ content at Junior@ATF, alongside the deployment of a dragnet on narratives for new formats and ideas that can travel across borders at Formats@ATF. Its is an initiative that  was developed with producers in mind as a forum to create, develop and market ideas with format experts through a conference setting, as well as masterclasses conducted by renowned creative talents such as Danny Stack, Writer and Director (UK) of  Thunderbirds Are GO, Octonauts, Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg? and Melodie L. Shaw, Member Representative and Organizer of the Writers Guild of America (USA).

     

    Highlighting the current business landscape that traditional players face with disrupters and shifts in content consumption, Steve Macallister, CEO of All3Media International (UK), will share how they stay on top of the United Kingdom and foreign markets. 

     

    Some of Asia’s top buyers like Maggie Xiong, Senior Director of International Acquisitions of Youku Tudou (China) and Charlene Lai, Senior Director, Content Acquisition and Licensing, APAC, Le Corporation Limited (Hong Kong) will discuss more on the evolving role of international acquisitions and the type of new ideas and shows channels that they are looking for among content providers.

     

    Last year’s edition hosted more than 71 speakers and 658 exhibitors, and Leng acknowledges that 2015’s ATF attendees can expect to be a part of the mechanics within the heart of Asian television. From the dynamically curated market and conference, where they can tap into the growth potential of Asia’s market, to experiencing the robust character of Asia’s entertainment content industry by connecting with international content sellers and Asian buyers, participants will be able to mesh together and be allied to the constantly evolving Asian television landscape.

     

    Held in conjunction with ATF, the 2015’s edition of ScreenSingapore (SS) will launch a brand new feature, the Southeast Asian Film Financing (SAFF) Project Market. The first of its kind, SAFF seeks to connect promising producers and their projects with commissioners, investors, and co-production partners.

     

    For more information on ATF’s exciting programme, conference line-up and speakers, please visit www.asiatvforum.com