ITV

Category: Post Production

  • Fremantlemedia Belgium to adapt ‘Wentworth’ in Flemish

    Fremantlemedia Belgium to adapt ‘Wentworth’ in Flemish

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Belgium has announced that critically acclaimed prison drama Wentworth has been commissioned by commercial broadcaster Vier (Flanders) for a local Flemish language adaptation (W/T: Gent-West). Co-produced by FremantleMedia Belgium and Marmalade Productions, the drama will consist of 10 episodes and launch on the channel in 2018. Prior to the broadcast on the free-to-air channel Vier, the drama will be shown on Telenet’s paid cable channels Play and Play More.

    The large scale local version of Wentworth began production earlier this month on a 2,000 square meter custom-built set. The Flemish language version is the latest addition to adaptations already produced in the Netherlands (Celblok H) and Germany (Block B – Unter Arrest), bringing the total number of international adaptations to three.

    Set in a female prison in Ghent, the drama boasts the same legendary characters as the Australian original and action packed stories of survival as the inmates are thrown together to tackle life behind bars. Filled with heartbreak, humour and divided loyalties – it promises high stakes and edge of your seat viewing as the characters attempt to survive on the inside.

    FremantleMedia Belgium MD Stefan De Keyser said, “Wentworth is an explosive drama filled with twists and emotion. Its suspenseful contemporary storylines and powerful female cast are sure to captivate Flemish audiences and we hope that Vier’s commission will build on the worldwide success of this outstanding scripted property.”

    The Australian version of Wentworth has screened in 141 countries worldwide and consistently proves to be a ratings success. The latest fourth season launch in Australia on SoHo was an impressive 33% increase on 2015’s premiere. In the UK, the Channel 5 season four premieres outperformed the broadcaster average across all key demographics.

  • FremantleMedia announces international adaptation of ‘Shortland Street’

    FremantleMedia announces international adaptation of ‘Shortland Street’

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has announced the launch of Shortland Street in Ukrainian. Locally known as Central Hospital, the drama is the first local format version of the long-running, popular New Zealand daily drama. Licensed to 1+1 by FremantleMedia, the initial series comprises of 60 episodes and launched earlier this month in Ukraine.

    FremantleMedia format sales director CIS, Ukraine, Georgia and the Baltic States Anne Kirsipuu said, “The local take on Shortland Street was a high quality adaptation and launched incredibly well. We’re confident that the upcoming storylines will capture the attention of the audiences. With our rich catalogue of scripted formats, we’re looking forward to introducing more local adaptations to the market soon.”

    Shortland Street is one of New Zealand’s longest-running prime-time daily dramas, with over 6,000 episodes having been produced since 1992. Set in an Auckland City Hospital, the series follows the complicated personal and professional lives of its staff, family and friends. It is produced by South Pacific Pictures and distributed by FremantleMedia.

    Whereas, Central Hospital, already sold as tape to broadcasters in Georgia and Kazakhstan will focus on the life of the young and able surgeon Margarita Sergeevna and the doctors and patients of the fictitious hospital. It was produced by 1+1 Productions.

  • FremantleMedia announces international adaptation of ‘Shortland Street’

    FremantleMedia announces international adaptation of ‘Shortland Street’

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has announced the launch of Shortland Street in Ukrainian. Locally known as Central Hospital, the drama is the first local format version of the long-running, popular New Zealand daily drama. Licensed to 1+1 by FremantleMedia, the initial series comprises of 60 episodes and launched earlier this month in Ukraine.

    FremantleMedia format sales director CIS, Ukraine, Georgia and the Baltic States Anne Kirsipuu said, “The local take on Shortland Street was a high quality adaptation and launched incredibly well. We’re confident that the upcoming storylines will capture the attention of the audiences. With our rich catalogue of scripted formats, we’re looking forward to introducing more local adaptations to the market soon.”

    Shortland Street is one of New Zealand’s longest-running prime-time daily dramas, with over 6,000 episodes having been produced since 1992. Set in an Auckland City Hospital, the series follows the complicated personal and professional lives of its staff, family and friends. It is produced by South Pacific Pictures and distributed by FremantleMedia.

    Whereas, Central Hospital, already sold as tape to broadcasters in Georgia and Kazakhstan will focus on the life of the young and able surgeon Margarita Sergeevna and the doctors and patients of the fictitious hospital. It was produced by 1+1 Productions.

  • Prime Focus operating profit up 94 percent

    Prime Focus operating profit up 94 percent

    BENGALURU:  Prime Focus Limited (PFL) reported 93.7 percent growth in operating profit (EBIDTA) for the twelve month period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016 (12M-16) as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The company reported EBIDTA for 12M-16 at Rs 329.7 crore (17.3 percent EBIDTA margin of net sales or Total Income from Operations or TIO) as compared to Rs 170.2 crore (13 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO) for 12M-15.

    TIO for 12M-16 increased 45.7 percent to Rs 1,901 crore from Rs 1,304.4 crore in the corresponding 12 month period of the previous year. The company reported a higher loss of Rs 318.5 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 87.2 crore in the previous year.

    Notes:(1) The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    (2) The company had filed results for a fifteen month period ended June 30, 2014, hence y-o-y comparison is being done between Q3-16 and Q3-15 and q-o-q comparison is between Q3-16 and  Q2-16 (quarter ended 31 December 2015).

    Total Expenditure in 12M-16 increased 38.5 percent to Rs 1,571.3 crore (82.7 percent of TIO) from Rs 1,134.2 crore (87 percent of TIO in 12M-15. Personnel cost that included employee benefits expense and technicians fees in 12M-16 increased 36.1 percent to Rs 415.3 crore (21.8 percent of TIO) from Rs 305.2 crore (23.4 percent of TIO) in the previous corresponding twelve month period.

    Finance cost in 12M-16 increased 65.7 percent to Rs 107.4 crore (5.6 percent of TIO) from Rs 64.8 crore (5 percent of TIO) in 12M-15.

    Let us look at the numbers for Q3-16

    For the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q3-16, current quarter), PFL reported 10.7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in TIO at Rs 465.7 crore as compared to Rs 420.54 crore, but revenue declined by 0.8 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from Rs 468.52 crore. EBIDTA in the current quarter at Rs 160.20 crore (34.4 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO)was 52.4 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 105.15 crore (25 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO) and more than doubled (2.24 times) as compared to Rs71.56 crore (15.3 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO.

    The company’s loss in Q3-16 was higher both y-o-y and q-o-q. For Q3-16, PFL reported loss of Rs 80.10 crore, for Q3-15 loss was Rs 20.29 crore and for the immediate trailing quarter it was Rs 11.40 crore.

    For other numbers for Q3-16 and previous quarters, please refer to Figures A and B below.

     

     

  • Prime Focus operating profit up 94 percent

    Prime Focus operating profit up 94 percent

    BENGALURU:  Prime Focus Limited (PFL) reported 93.7 percent growth in operating profit (EBIDTA) for the twelve month period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016 (12M-16) as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The company reported EBIDTA for 12M-16 at Rs 329.7 crore (17.3 percent EBIDTA margin of net sales or Total Income from Operations or TIO) as compared to Rs 170.2 crore (13 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO) for 12M-15.

    TIO for 12M-16 increased 45.7 percent to Rs 1,901 crore from Rs 1,304.4 crore in the corresponding 12 month period of the previous year. The company reported a higher loss of Rs 318.5 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 87.2 crore in the previous year.

    Notes:(1) The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    (2) The company had filed results for a fifteen month period ended June 30, 2014, hence y-o-y comparison is being done between Q3-16 and Q3-15 and q-o-q comparison is between Q3-16 and  Q2-16 (quarter ended 31 December 2015).

    Total Expenditure in 12M-16 increased 38.5 percent to Rs 1,571.3 crore (82.7 percent of TIO) from Rs 1,134.2 crore (87 percent of TIO in 12M-15. Personnel cost that included employee benefits expense and technicians fees in 12M-16 increased 36.1 percent to Rs 415.3 crore (21.8 percent of TIO) from Rs 305.2 crore (23.4 percent of TIO) in the previous corresponding twelve month period.

    Finance cost in 12M-16 increased 65.7 percent to Rs 107.4 crore (5.6 percent of TIO) from Rs 64.8 crore (5 percent of TIO) in 12M-15.

    Let us look at the numbers for Q3-16

    For the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q3-16, current quarter), PFL reported 10.7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in TIO at Rs 465.7 crore as compared to Rs 420.54 crore, but revenue declined by 0.8 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from Rs 468.52 crore. EBIDTA in the current quarter at Rs 160.20 crore (34.4 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO)was 52.4 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 105.15 crore (25 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO) and more than doubled (2.24 times) as compared to Rs71.56 crore (15.3 percent EBIDTA margin of TIO.

    The company’s loss in Q3-16 was higher both y-o-y and q-o-q. For Q3-16, PFL reported loss of Rs 80.10 crore, for Q3-15 loss was Rs 20.29 crore and for the immediate trailing quarter it was Rs 11.40 crore.

    For other numbers for Q3-16 and previous quarters, please refer to Figures A and B below.

     

     

  • Viacom Vantage launches data driven marketing solution exclusively for Movie Studios

    Viacom Vantage launches data driven marketing solution exclusively for Movie Studios

    MUMBAI: Viacom unveiled Vantage Studio Edition, a data-driven marketing solution purpose-built for the movie industry. Vantage Studio Edition offers data to find target audiences while maintaining broad awareness.

    “Movie studios are enthusiastic about Vantage Studio Edition because they no longer have to sacrifice targeting for scale – this product is designed to deliver both with maximum impact,” said SVP data strategy Bryson Gordon. “The introduction of this new matched dataset gives studio marketers an unprecedented level of control and optimization in their marketing plans, while also delivering broad awareness for their film.” He added.

    Using title-level movie ticket purchase data matched with household viewing behaviors, Vantage has tuned its predictive engine to meet the specific needs of studio marketers. Studio Edition can identify the most qualified impressions for a specific movie campaign while also maximizing broad reach and awareness.

    Vantage Studio Edition has pre-built instant audiences to help studios quickly target specific genres, such as comedy, family, sci-fi, horror, action, and consistent moviegoers, while also enabling marketers to bring their own first-party segments from data management platforms to optimize their media plans.

    Recent research using the integrated dataset showed the power of television to deliver ticket sales:
    •  Exposure to a single television ad increased ticket sales by 70% while no ad exposure on television showed sales 59% below average.
    •  Advertising on Viacom outperformed competitive networks by 72% and when people saw a combination of trailer ads plus Velocity Integrated Marketing, the purchase rate increases 3.7 times.
    As the Upfront season begins, Vantage Studio Edition expands the Vantage suite of data-driven ad solutions offered by the Marketing & Partner Solutions division. The recently launched products can stand alone, but also have a strategic connection to each other. Products include:
    •  Vantage Instant Audience – makes the power of Vantage accessible to a broader array of clients by simplifying the data-driven targeting process
    •  Target Discovery – uses sophisticated data-mining techniques to help marketers identify “persuadables,” the consumers who are not currently using a particular brand but have the propensity to be receptive to the advertiser’s messaging
    •  Velocity Content Network – a virtual network of custom creative branded content programs informed by data that will be distributed across social platforms and can include linear television
    •  Viewprint – enhances the level of visibility into consumer segments and helps focus creative aspects of a campaign
    •  Echo Social Graph 2.0 – which measures effectiveness of a social-by-design campaign

  • Viacom Vantage launches data driven marketing solution exclusively for Movie Studios

    Viacom Vantage launches data driven marketing solution exclusively for Movie Studios

    MUMBAI: Viacom unveiled Vantage Studio Edition, a data-driven marketing solution purpose-built for the movie industry. Vantage Studio Edition offers data to find target audiences while maintaining broad awareness.

    “Movie studios are enthusiastic about Vantage Studio Edition because they no longer have to sacrifice targeting for scale – this product is designed to deliver both with maximum impact,” said SVP data strategy Bryson Gordon. “The introduction of this new matched dataset gives studio marketers an unprecedented level of control and optimization in their marketing plans, while also delivering broad awareness for their film.” He added.

    Using title-level movie ticket purchase data matched with household viewing behaviors, Vantage has tuned its predictive engine to meet the specific needs of studio marketers. Studio Edition can identify the most qualified impressions for a specific movie campaign while also maximizing broad reach and awareness.

    Vantage Studio Edition has pre-built instant audiences to help studios quickly target specific genres, such as comedy, family, sci-fi, horror, action, and consistent moviegoers, while also enabling marketers to bring their own first-party segments from data management platforms to optimize their media plans.

    Recent research using the integrated dataset showed the power of television to deliver ticket sales:
    •  Exposure to a single television ad increased ticket sales by 70% while no ad exposure on television showed sales 59% below average.
    •  Advertising on Viacom outperformed competitive networks by 72% and when people saw a combination of trailer ads plus Velocity Integrated Marketing, the purchase rate increases 3.7 times.
    As the Upfront season begins, Vantage Studio Edition expands the Vantage suite of data-driven ad solutions offered by the Marketing & Partner Solutions division. The recently launched products can stand alone, but also have a strategic connection to each other. Products include:
    •  Vantage Instant Audience – makes the power of Vantage accessible to a broader array of clients by simplifying the data-driven targeting process
    •  Target Discovery – uses sophisticated data-mining techniques to help marketers identify “persuadables,” the consumers who are not currently using a particular brand but have the propensity to be receptive to the advertiser’s messaging
    •  Velocity Content Network – a virtual network of custom creative branded content programs informed by data that will be distributed across social platforms and can include linear television
    •  Viewprint – enhances the level of visibility into consumer segments and helps focus creative aspects of a campaign
    •  Echo Social Graph 2.0 – which measures effectiveness of a social-by-design campaign

  • NBCUniversal announces Dreamworks Animation acquisition

    NBCUniversal announces Dreamworks Animation acquisition

    MUMKBAI: NBCUniversal announced the acquisition of DreamWorks Animation (NASDAQ: DWA).
     One of the world’s most admired family brands, DreamWorks Animation creates animated feature films, television series and specials, live entertainment and related consumer products. The studio will become part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Pictures, Fandango, and NBCUniversal Brand Development.

    “DreamWorks Animation is a great addition to NBCUniversal,” said Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal. “Jeffrey Katzenberg and the DreamWorks organization have created a dynamic film brand and a deep library of intellectual property. DreamWorks will help us grow our film, television, theme parks and consumer products businesses for years to come. We have enjoyed extraordinary success over the last six years in animation with the emergence of Illumination Entertainment and its brilliant team at Illumination Mac Guff studio. The prospects for our future together are tremendous. We are fortunate to have Illumination founder Chris Meledandri to help guide the growth of the DreamWorks Animation business in the future.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, DreamWorks Animation has an equity value of approximately $3.8 billion. DreamWorks Animation stockholders will receive $41 in cash for each share of DreamWorks Animation common stock. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of DreamWorks Animation and Comcast, and the controlling shareholder of DreamWorks Animation has approved the agreement by written consent.

    The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016, subject to receipt of antitrust approvals in the U.S. and abroad, as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

    Following the completion of the transaction, DreamWorks Animation CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg will become Chairman of DreamWorks New Media, which will be comprised of the company’s ownership interests in Awesomeness TV and NOVA. Katzenberg will also serve as a consultant to NBCUniversal.

    “Having spent the past two decades working together with our team to build DreamWorks Animation into one of the world’s most beloved brands, I am proud to say that NBCUniversalis the perfect home for our company; a home that will embrace the legacy of our storytelling and grow our businesses to their fullest potential,” said Katzenberg. “This agreement not only delivers significant value for our shareholders, but also supports NBCUniversal’s growing family entertainment business. As for my role, I am incredibly excited to continue exploring the potential of AwesomenessTV, NOVA and other new media opportunities, and can’t wait to get started.”

    The acquisition gives NBCUniversal broader reach to a host of new audiences in the highly competitive kids and family entertainment space, in both TV and film. It includes popular DreamWorks Animation film franchise properties, such as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. It also includes a thriving TV operation that is a significant supplier of family programming, with hundreds of hours of original, animated content distributed across linear and SVOD platforms in more than 130 countries. Additionally, DreamWorks Classics, a large library of classic characters, including Where’s Waldo, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, will become part of the NBCUniversal portfolio, along with a successful consumer products business.

    Comcast was advised by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP on legal matters. DreamWorks Animation was advised on financial matters by Centerview Partners and on legal matters byCravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. DreamWorks Animation’s Board of Directors was advised on legal matters by Munger Tolles & Olson LLP.

  • NBCUniversal announces Dreamworks Animation acquisition

    NBCUniversal announces Dreamworks Animation acquisition

    MUMKBAI: NBCUniversal announced the acquisition of DreamWorks Animation (NASDAQ: DWA).
     One of the world’s most admired family brands, DreamWorks Animation creates animated feature films, television series and specials, live entertainment and related consumer products. The studio will become part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Pictures, Fandango, and NBCUniversal Brand Development.

    “DreamWorks Animation is a great addition to NBCUniversal,” said Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal. “Jeffrey Katzenberg and the DreamWorks organization have created a dynamic film brand and a deep library of intellectual property. DreamWorks will help us grow our film, television, theme parks and consumer products businesses for years to come. We have enjoyed extraordinary success over the last six years in animation with the emergence of Illumination Entertainment and its brilliant team at Illumination Mac Guff studio. The prospects for our future together are tremendous. We are fortunate to have Illumination founder Chris Meledandri to help guide the growth of the DreamWorks Animation business in the future.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, DreamWorks Animation has an equity value of approximately $3.8 billion. DreamWorks Animation stockholders will receive $41 in cash for each share of DreamWorks Animation common stock. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of DreamWorks Animation and Comcast, and the controlling shareholder of DreamWorks Animation has approved the agreement by written consent.

    The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016, subject to receipt of antitrust approvals in the U.S. and abroad, as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

    Following the completion of the transaction, DreamWorks Animation CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg will become Chairman of DreamWorks New Media, which will be comprised of the company’s ownership interests in Awesomeness TV and NOVA. Katzenberg will also serve as a consultant to NBCUniversal.

    “Having spent the past two decades working together with our team to build DreamWorks Animation into one of the world’s most beloved brands, I am proud to say that NBCUniversalis the perfect home for our company; a home that will embrace the legacy of our storytelling and grow our businesses to their fullest potential,” said Katzenberg. “This agreement not only delivers significant value for our shareholders, but also supports NBCUniversal’s growing family entertainment business. As for my role, I am incredibly excited to continue exploring the potential of AwesomenessTV, NOVA and other new media opportunities, and can’t wait to get started.”

    The acquisition gives NBCUniversal broader reach to a host of new audiences in the highly competitive kids and family entertainment space, in both TV and film. It includes popular DreamWorks Animation film franchise properties, such as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. It also includes a thriving TV operation that is a significant supplier of family programming, with hundreds of hours of original, animated content distributed across linear and SVOD platforms in more than 130 countries. Additionally, DreamWorks Classics, a large library of classic characters, including Where’s Waldo, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, will become part of the NBCUniversal portfolio, along with a successful consumer products business.

    Comcast was advised by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP on legal matters. DreamWorks Animation was advised on financial matters by Centerview Partners and on legal matters byCravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. DreamWorks Animation’s Board of Directors was advised on legal matters by Munger Tolles & Olson LLP.

  • Prime Focus Technologies appoints Raghunath Mohanrao as COO; replaces Ganesh Sankaran

    Prime Focus Technologies appoints Raghunath Mohanrao as COO; replaces Ganesh Sankaran

    MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies has appointed IT veteran Raghunath Mohanrao as its new chief operating officer. Mohanrao will replace PFT co-founder and former COO Ganesh Sankaran.

    Mohanroa joins PFT with an eye toward furthering PFT’s growth within the global media and entertainment markets. Sankaran is taking a sabbatical for 15 months to pursue an MBA, while remaining on the PFT Board of Directors.

    “I’ve wanted to go back to school for my MBA for some time now, and with PFT in such a strong position, I know this is the right time. I’ve known Raghu for well over 18 years and am confident he is the right fit for PFT. I look forward to his leadership to take PFT to the next level of its growth journey,” said Sankiaran.

    “Ganesh is taking a well-deserved break from the hot pursuit of building PFT from its inception in a garage to where it is now. Raghu is an accomplished technology leader in the media and entertainment space and his background and skills offer the best fit for what PFT requires as it charters the next level of innovation, delivery excellence and growth,” added Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

    “PFT’s breadth of technology offerings and opportunity for transforming media and entertainment companies are two of the many reasons for my interest and excitement as I take over the position of COO. I look forward to bolstering the unwavering customer and people focus, delivery excellence and innovation at PFT,” added Mohanrao.

    Mohanrao will join Ramki and the PFT executive team at the annual NAB Show, a key event for both PFT and the media and entertainment industry as a whole. Initially, he has worked as the telecom, media and entertainment industry leader at IBM, managing IBM’s globally integrated capabilities.

    He also focused on worldwide growth strategy as vertical delivery head at Wipro Technologies, responsible for services delivery including profit and loss for telecommunications and worldwide media and entertainment businesses in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.