ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • Corus bags Canadian licensing rights to Disney Channel’s content

    Corus bags Canadian licensing rights to Disney Channel’s content

    MUMBAI: Canada’s media and entertainment company Corus Entertainment Inc has inked a long-term licensing agreement with the Disney/ABC Television Group that marks a new chapter for kids and family entertainment in Canada.

     

    Under the terms of this expansive agreement, Corus has bagged the English and French-language rights to Disney Channel’s content and will also launch Disney Channel in Canada.

     

    Scheduled to debut on 1 September, 2015, Disney Channel will give Canadian kids and families full access to its slate of shows such as K.C. Undercover, Girl Meets World, Austin & Ally, Liv and Maddie and many others. The agreement also includes authenticated simultaneous streaming and ad-supported video-on-demand rights for select programs airing on the channel, allowing fans to catch-up on episodes of their favourite series. Following the launch of Disney Channel in the fall, select Disney branded kids linear television offerings will also be rolled out in the future as those brands and programming are transitioned to Corus.

     

    This multi-year agreement expands on the relationship between Corus and the Disney/ABC Television Group that began in 2011, when Corus announced the launch of its millennial-targeted service ABC Spark, based on Disney/ABC’s hugely successful ABC Family channel in the United States.

     

    “We are very excited to take our partnership with the Disney/ABC Television Group to the next level, and proud to be forging a new course for the iconic Disney Channel brand in Canada. With an extensive roster of exceptional content to tap into, we look forward to delivering the full Disney Channel experience to families across the country. This deal underscores our commitment to provide Canadians with the highest quality content from around the world and reinforces our position as Canada’s market leader in kids and family-focused offerings,” said Corus Entertainment president and CEO Doug Murphy.

     

    “With this licensing agreement, we couldn’t be more pleased to expand upon our highly valued and significant relationship with Corus Entertainment by bringing the Disney Channel brand — along with its hit programs and franchises — under their purview in the Canadian marketplace,” added Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution president Janice Marinelli.

  • Honda strikes deal with NBC for ‘Saturday Night Line’ web series

    Honda strikes deal with NBC for ‘Saturday Night Line’ web series

    MUMBAI: Honda and NBCUniversal have partnered to bring laughs and impromptu entertainment to the dedicated fans of NBC’s Saturday Night Live that wait in the standby line in front of 30 Rock for days ahead of the show with Saturday Night Line.

     

    Hosted by Michael Antonucci, former Upright Citizens Brigade member, the original digital Saturday Night Line episodes will feature the redesigned 2015 Honda CR-V and all-new 2016 Honda HR-V crossover in sketches and interviews for the digital series.

     

    The latest Saturday Night Line episodes can be viewed on NBC.com/SNLine.

     

    Honda will provide the rolling venues for Saturday Night Line, where the Honda CR-V and HR-V crossover may even get pulled into the comedy. Both vehicles offer spacious, functional, high-tech interiors with plenty of space and versatility for multiple passengers, creating the perfect sets for the Saturday Night Line shenanigans. 

     

    This multi-platform partnership comes as part of Honda’s continued investment in engaging young and young-at-heart car shoppers, and NBCUniversal’s compelling programming. The well-placed presence in digital media make for the perfect platform to garner brand exposure for Honda’s thoughtful, sophisticated light truck lineup.

     

    Saturday Night Line will be featured on NBC.com on Saturdays as a prequel to each live episode of SNL. The episodes also will be made available through a variety of digital platforms including Hulu and video-on-demand platforms.

     

    In collaboration with Broadway Video’s Above Average, NBCUniversal’s Content Innovation Agency (CIA) develops and produces the episodes that celebrate fans of the cultural phenomena that is SNL. The CIA works closely with advertising partners to create custom content for a variety of initiatives in addition to these premium original video series.

     

    Saturday Night Line is part of NBCUniversal’s companywide original digital video programming initiative designed to connect brands with consumers in the most engaging and immersive ways.

     

    Saturday Night Live is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.

  • Disney/ABC transitions to IP-based virtual master control for linear TV

    Disney/ABC transitions to IP-based virtual master control for linear TV

    MUMBAI: After having successfully deployed its cloud-based Watch services across the Disney/ABC Television Group of networks, the company is now transitioning its linear broadcast operations – global programming playout, delivery and network operations – to a unified IP cloud architecture using Imagine Communications.

     

    Imagine Communications is video infrastructure, advertising systems and workflow management solutions company serving media networks, broadcast stations, digital media, communication service provider and enterprise markets. This marks a significant evolution in Disney/ABC Television Group’s broadcast operations, and establishes a foundation for how broadcast programming could be made, moved, managed, and monetized in the coming years.

     

    “By leveraging evolving IP and Cloud technologies we are able to move beyond what’s currently possible with traditional proprietary “Big Iron” broadcast infrastructures. Imagine Communications’ IP solutions enable us to automate and deliver workflow processes and technologies to a more agile and scalable environment. Our shared vision and close collaboration will enable Disney/ABC Television Group to take a uniquely innovative approach to the next generation of television and media distribution platforms,” said Disney/ABC Television Group executive vice president, global operations and chief technology officer Vince Roberts.

     

    “We are thrilled to extend our relationship with the Disney/ABC Television Group on this groundbreaking project that represents the future of broadcast television. Their transition to cloud-based playout provides a platform to accelerate the expansion of their acclaimed programming and gain freedom from dependencies on geographic content origination and physical playout facilities. We are focused on supporting Vince and his team’s cutting-edge vision with the advanced technologies and on-the-ground professional service experts to support a seamless transition to cloud playout across multiple deployment phases,” added Imagine Communications CEO Charlie Vogt.

     

    Disney/ABC Television Group is deploying VersioCloud, Imagine Communications’ advanced, fully IP-enabled, integrated playout in the cloud platform. Designed for a network origination ecosystem, this geo-dispersed platform aggregates national operations into a cohesive, resilient and unified entertainment delivery solution. VersioCloud advances the evolution of longstanding broadcast operations, including master control functionality. Software-based systems enable the integration of formerly discrete, hardware-based functions, expanding the productivity of master control room operations while optimizing workflow.

     

    The VersioCloud solution is powered by Zenium, Imagine Communications’ software-defined workflow management platform. Zenium’s modular and flexible architecture provides the capability to plug-in content augmentation functions for affiliate branding platforms including triggers, live caption data, loudness control and externally generated crawls and tickers. A hierarchical programming model with an intuitive user interface enables associations to be made between programming blocks that move, track and trigger together, providing operational flexibility and simplification in executing complex and multi-region events. Imagine Communications’ professional service teams will support the transition and training, helping to ensure a seamless transfer for each production facility.

     

    With its industry defining Watch ABC, Watch ABC Family, Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior services, Disney/ABC Television Group became the first entertainment networks to provide authenticated users access to both live, 24/7 linear network streams as well as an extensive offering of advantaged window on demand episodes on desktops, connected TVs, smartphones and tablets.  In the process, the company developed a proprietary cloud-based software solution that considers and automates complex business rules specific to the delivery of live and on-demand television feeds.

  • HLN to launch new series based on Ellen DeGeneres game

    HLN to launch new series based on Ellen DeGeneres game

    MUMBAI: Heads Up!, a new television series based on the popular game and app of the same name from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, is coming to HLN as a fast-paced game show.

     

    Launching in first quarter 2016, the 65-episode half-hour game show strip from Telepictures will be hosted by Loni Love — comedian, actress and co-host of syndicated talk show The Real — and will air daily, Mondays through Fridays.

     

    In the Heads Up! TV show, contestants pair up with a celebrity and try to correctly identify as many cards as they can based on clues from their teammate in categories ranging from movies and songs to actions, accents, body parts and more. In Heads Up!, (almost) nothing is off limits.

     

    Ellen DeGeneres said, “I’m so excited that Heads Up! is going to be a game show. It’s so fun and addictive. I play it on my show all the time. I play it at home. I played it last night at Jennifer Aniston’s house. She wasn’t home, so please don’t print that part.”

     

    “We’re excited to translate this innovative game app into a TV show on HLN, and create another all-screens experience for our social media audience. And to be in business with a break-the-Internet star like Ellen is incredible,” said HLN executive vice president and general manager Albie Hecht.

     

    The Heads Up! app (iOS and Android) has been downloaded more than 16 million times worldwide and been played more than a half billion times. It was Apple’s top paid app of 2014.

     

    The Heads Up! series is HLN’s second game show based on a successful app. In January, the Keywords app paved the way for the premiere of Keywords, the TV show, in March.

     

    Heads Up! is from A Very Good Production in association with Telepictures. DeGeneres, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner and Jeff Kleeman are the executive producers of the series.

     

  • AMC Networks expands across portfolio of channels

    AMC Networks expands across portfolio of channels

    MUMBAI: AMC Networks International (AMCNI) has expanded its portfolio of globally renowned, locally relevant 24/7 linear television services across EMEA, the CIS, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific regions.

     

    AMC Global, AMCNI’s international AMC-branded television network seen in over 115 countries and territories, continues to experience major growth around the world since the company launched the brand for the first time outside of North America late last year.

     

    Distributor demand for the network is underscored by substantial first window programming acquisitions, including the upcoming premieres of Fear The Walking Dead, Into the Badlands and the new season of Halt and Catch Fire. Each series will debut on AMC Global less than 24 hours after the US premiere.

     

    “AMC Networks International has experienced record-breaking growth with new distribution agreements on subscription television platforms around the world,” commented AMC Networks International executive vice president of global distribution Ed Palluth.

     

    “There is clear and strong demand for our line-up of globally renowned, locally relevant channels with many platform operators adding or repositioning our services onto their basic tiers in recent months to make them widely available to customers. AMC and Sundance Channel Global remain among the first choice of operators looking to offer a wide selection of exclusive original dramas, and we’re particularly excited about the debut of series such as Fear The Walking Dead, Badlands, and the new season of Halt and Catch Fire less than 24 hours after the US premiere,” added Palluth.

     

    In Latin America, Axtel in Mexico has launched the entire AMCNI portfolio of channels for the first time, including AMC, Sundance Channel, elgourmet, Europa Europa and Film & Arts. AMC has launched in Brazil for the first time on several cable TV systems that are members of Neo TV following the network’s debut on SKY earlier this month. AMC has also launched for the first time on multiple pay-TV platforms in Uruguay including TCC, Montecable, Nuevo Siglo and Equital. Tigo platforms throughout the region have launched or repositioned AMC on the basic tier. Casa Club TV was launched on Red Intercable in Argentina for the first time and is available on the basic tier. Sundance Channel continues to gain momentum across Latin America with launches on many new platforms, including Cablevision and Supercanal in Argentina, among others. In addition, Movistar TV has repositioned AMC to the basic tier in Colombia.

     

    In Central Europe, Slovak Telekom in Slovakia has launched Sundance Channel for the first time and Sport1 HD to complement the SD service. Skylink in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has moved Sport2 to the basic tier doubling the subscriber count. Both Skylink and Slovak Telekom have extended the entire AMCNI portfolio carriage through multi-year agreements.

     

    Additionally, AMC has been repositioned to the basic tier in Hungary on Magyar Telekom and Tarr. AMC Hungary’s subscriber count has almost doubled since the MGM rebrand. New multi-year agreements for AMC have been signed with several operators in CEE including PR-Telecom in Hungary and Telekom Serbia.

     

    In addition, AMCNI recently rebranded MGM’s SD channel as AMC across all its systems in the CIS and the Baltics including on MTS, Rostelecom, Beeline and NTV + in Russia. Across Africa, the company recently announced the first-ever launch of Eva, a new telenovela channel, on the DStv platform owned by MultiChoice. In the UK, it was recently announced that Horror Channel launched on Freeview resulting in 90 per cent DTT coverage. Horror Channel is already the second largest FTA movie channel in cable and satellite homes due to carriage deals with Sky and Virgin.

     

    In the Asia-Pacific region, audiences in Taiwan can now see Sundance Channel on Asia Pacific Telecom. PPCTV in Cambodia recently launched Sundance Channel, and Sansar Cable in Mongolia will launch the network soon. This follows the recent announcement that Singtel TV in Singapore launched AMC for the first time.

  • Laugh it off with Comedy Central’s new summer line up

    Laugh it off with Comedy Central’s new summer line up

    MUMBAI: Taking forward the promise of unlimited laughter, Comedy Central, India’s leading 24-hour English Entertainment channel, brings to you nonstop laughter and madness. Gear up for a crazy summer as the channel announces the launch of new seasons of some beloved shows and a whole new show with About a Boy – Season 2, Brooklyn 99 – Season 2 and I Survived a Japanese Gameshow – Season 1 and 2. The new seasons are definitely going to give you a splash of high voltage drama filled with humour at its best. Keeping Comedy Central India’s ‘laugh it off’ spirit alive, the channel promises to up the laughter quotient during prime time, beginning this season.

     

    Announcing the channel’s summer season line up, Ferzad Palia, Executive Vice President and Business Head, English Entertainment, Viacom18 said, “The success of Impractical Jokers has shown us India’s appetite for differentiated comedy content. Taking this proposition forward we are happy to entertain Indian audiences this summer with three new shows’ I Survived a Japanese Game Show’; which India will see for the first time, & also the new seasons of Brooklyn Nine Nine & About A Boy. Both these sitcoms are extremely popular in India & have been part of our highest rated shows of 2014”  

     

    About a Boy S2

    About a Boy is a 2002 British-American comedy-drama film co-written and directed by brothers Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz. It is an adaptation of the 1998 novel of the same name by Nick Hornby. The film stars Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, and Rachel Weisz. The film at times uses double voice-over narration, when the audience hears both Will’s and Marcus’s thoughts.

     

    Brooklyn 99 S2

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine is an American action comedy television series that airs on Fox.  Recently won two Golden Globe Awards in 2014. Set in the fictional 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn, the single-camera series follows a precinct team of detectives and a newly appointed captain.

     

    I Survived a Japanese Game Show S1 and S2

    I Survived a Japanese Game Show (originally titled Big in Japan) is an American reality show that inspired shows like Wipeout and Takeshi’s Castle. The show followed a group of Americans, who leave the United States for Japan where they competed in a Japanese style game show. The winner takes home US $250,000. The series won both the Best Reality prize and the overall prize at the 2009 Rose d’Or ceremony.

     

    These shows will be supported by a 360 degree promotion plan which includes an extensive online leg, PR activations, on-ground events and so much more.

  • Boom time for HD channels in India

    Boom time for HD channels in India

    The High Definition (HD) TV channels landscape is rapidly expanding in India. Amongst the various genres available today, the English general entertainment and movie channels genre is still a fragmented space and networks in their quest to stand apart from the nearest ranking rival, rely excessively upon content, marketing and a host of options among others.

     

    While not much is achieved in the process, the game of throne continues as networks try to outdo one another. A potent yet common weapon that networks are now heavily relying on is by launching HD channels.

     

    What is augmenting well for these networks is the demand by consumers for content that is best experienced in high definition. Since almost all the content in the English category is produced internationally, it makes sense in delivering it to consumers in HD only so that production values receive their due credit and viewers experience it at its best. This hunger for HD has very well transcended into networks now launching or sensing business opportunities by launching new HD channels. In some cases, an HD feed has been introduced to complement the existing Standard Definition (SD) feed. Digitisation will only ensure that the consumption of high definition shoots up further.

     

    Networks and their HD channels

     

    Star India will soon be launching two new HD English general entertainment channels (GECs). Its soon to be launched channel, Star Movies HD Select for a span of one year (365 days) has a content library of 365 movies – one for each day. About 50 per cent of the content comprises award winning Oscars and Golden Globes titles. To name a few, the channel has The Fault In Our Stars, Birdman and The Theory of Everything in its kitty.

     

    Star will also launch another new channel Star FX HD to compliment the SD feed of FX. The content of FX currently comprises Madmen, Seinfeld and the animated series Family Guy. Other HD channels from the network include Star World Premiere HD, Star World HD and Star Movies HD in addition to eight other HD channels in various genres like sports and Hindi movie and GEC.

     

    Multi Screen Media (MSM) is not far behind. With channels such as Pix, Pix HD and AXN, it is a strong player in the English movie and GEC space. On 6 April this year, the network sensed an opportunity by launching AXN HD to go along with the SD feed. For the man behind the launch, Pix and AXN EVP and business head Saurabh Yagnik the onset of digitisation and a strong audience base spending more time on special interest channels, made sense for the launch of the new feed. “While the shows will be same on the two channels, we will be tweaking some of the content for the HD feed. We could also have certain exclusive content for the HD feed in the future,” Yagnik had earlier told Indiantelevision.com. MSM also has two HD channels in the Hindi GEC and sports category.

     

    On the other hand, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Zeel) is also looking at strengthening its HD portfolio. The network will soon launch a new HD channel in the English GEC space called Zee Cafe HD to compliment its SD feed. Besides this, Zeel has five other HD channels in its channel portfolio. The content on Zee Café currently comprises shows such as Two and a Half Men, Desperate Housewives and Secrets and Lies amongst others.

     

    Times Network, which operates channels like Movies Now and Romedy Now is another mighty contender. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com earlier, Times Network senior vice president and English entertainment cluster head Vivek Srivastava had said that its new channel, Movies Now+ was the HD version of the SD feed but it did have some differentiating content from the SD feed. It simulcast movies on both feeds such as The Wolf Of Wall Street, which is going to be showcased on 26 April 2015.

     

    The increasing growth of premium ad free channels such as HBO Hits and HBO Defined too have resulted in aiding subscription revenues for the English entertainment genre. Strong and popular content such as Game of Thrones today is synonymous with the HBO network.

     

    Growth of HD Channels in India

     

    From the meagre three HD pay TV channels in 2010, the number has shot up to 34 in 2014, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) 2013-2014 annual report. The number jumped to 22, 31 and 33 for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. With impending launches of English movie and GEC channels this year, this number is only going to be on the rise going forward.

     

    The DTH factor

     

    Value Added Services (VAS) and HD channel penetration are strong revenue generators for Direct to Home (DTH) operators. Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera was quoted in the FICCI-KPMG report for 2015 as saying, “The boom in the panel TV industry has been a key growth in HD channel viewership. The viewers are ready to pay a premium price for HD channels. With the right pricing and packaging for these channels, HD channels can achieve faster penetration.” 

     

    As per the report, there are four million HD subscribers, which account for 10 per cent of all DTH subscribers, whereas 15 to 20 per cent of incremental subscribers in 2014 were HD subscribers. “HD adoption continues to drive ARPU growth for DTH players with the average ARPU of HD subscriber at 1.5 to 2X the ARPU of a non HD subscriber,” states the report.

     

    Conclusion

     

    Premium HD channels recorded a ten-fold top line growth with DTH accounting for over 95 per cent of the premium channel subscriber base according to the 2015 FICCI KPMG report. The success of HD viewing thus, is not just a mighty boon in for broadcasters alone, (where the Ad Ex share for the space in 2014 was at 4.6 per cent) but also for DTH operators. 

     

    As panel TV sales figures were expected to touch approximately eight million units in 2014, of which 55 per cent was expected to have been HD panel TVs, the rise is only going to be vertical in the coming years. With the share of HD and 4K TV sales expected to contribute to over 80 per cent by 2019, broadcasters’ key agenda will definitely be upping their HD channels offering. Moreover, the fact that DTH operators are more than happy to increase their HD bouquet, the growth story for HD viewing and consumption in India has only just begun.

  • Z Living’s ‘Good Food America with Danny Boome’ nominated for a ‘Daytime Emmy 2015’

    Z Living’s ‘Good Food America with Danny Boome’ nominated for a ‘Daytime Emmy 2015’

    MUMBAI: Danny Boome, host of Z Living’s ‘Good Food America’, has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy for ‘Outstanding Culinary Host.’ An internationally-acclaimed TV personality and chef, Boome is known to audiences for his culinary work and dynamic personality.

     

    Good Food America takes viewers on a cross country journey to 39 of the county’s best organic and sustainable restaurants. The popular series allows viewers to join Danny on his gastronomic tour as he discovers regional gems, native ingredients and homegrown talent that keep locals coming back for more.

     

    The Daytime Emmy awards will take place on Sunday, 26 April, 2015.

  • Romedy Now launches new properties in April

    Romedy Now launches new properties in April

    MUMBAI: Romedy Now will be showcasing a host of new movies and series this April.

     

    In addition to an existing line-up of series such as F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Dharma and Greg and The Middle among others, the channel has now launched a new series called – Cristela. For the first time on television, the series will air from Monday to Friday at 7 pm on Romedy Now.

     

    ‘Romedy at First Sight’ this month includes a line-up of popular movies like Les Miserables, Rachel Getting Married, Julie & Julia and Blue Crush 2. To make the Saturdays special Everlasting Romedies this month will be featuring titles like The Lake House, City of Angels, and Notting Hill, scheduled at 7 pm.

     

     The Romedy of the month movie is Definitely, Maybe, which will air on 25 April, 2015 at 9 pm. This twisted narration of a love story is directed by Adam Brooks.

     

    The channel will also launch a special property for women – Sweet Nothings – to let them reflect and enjoy their time with hits like – Juno, Notting Hill, Leap Year, Heartbreaker, Ever After Cinderella Story and PS I Love You, scheduled Monday – Friday at 1 pm.

     

     To end the month, the channel will add another series to their line-up – Mike and Molly. A series where love and laughter comes in various shapes and sizes and doesn’t see any limitations to it. The series is scheduled to air on the channel from 27 April Monday – Friday at 8:30 pm.

  • ATV loses telecast licence in Hong Kong; new FTA channel gets licence

    ATV loses telecast licence in Hong Kong; new FTA channel gets licence

    NEW DELHI: The broadcast license of Asia Television (ATV), the territory’s oldest free-to-air TV network group, has been cancelled by the Hong Kong government.

     

    Notice was served on the company this month after a meeting of the Executive Council, Hong Kong’s equivalent of a cabinet of ministers.

     

    At the same time, the government gave formal approval to the license application of new free-to-air broadcaster HKTVE, following the grant of approval-in-principle back in October 2013.

     

    The law requires a one year notice period, which means that ATV’s license will first be extended for three months beyond its scheduled expiry, and then cancelled. The group’s English and Cantonese channels will all cease on 31 March, 2016.

     

    It is the first time in Hong Kong broadcast history that an incumbent has been stripped of its licemse, according to Variety.

     

    The decision, made on the advice of the Communications Authority, capped a dramatic week of announcements and more than five years of turmoil at the group.

     

    ATV used its main evening news bulletin a night before the cancellation to announce that it had been rescued. It said that its main shareholders had agreed to sell their 52 per cent stake to the telecom tycoon Ricky Wong, who in 2008 headed the company for 12 days and whose own broadcast ambitions have been thwarted by the Communications Authority.

     

    But Wong’s HKTV denied that it had reached a deal with the ATV shareholders, and said that talks on 26 March had merely been an exchange of ideas.

     

    This led legislators to interpreted ATV’s broadcast announcement as a desperate attempt to influence the Executive Committee meeting, by suggesting that a rescue was at hand and that ATV’s financial situation would be soon be stabilized. They also said that the broadcast was inaccurate and may have led to the financial markets being deliberately misled.

     

    “Having considered the recommendations of the CA, relevant representations and all relevant latest developments, the Chief Executive in Council decided not to renew ATV’s free TV licence under section 11(5) of the Broadcasting Ordinance,” said Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Gregory So.

     

    “The CA considers that the overall performance of ATV is unsatisfactory. Its performance in various aspects has clearly deteriorated after the mid-term review of its licence. The CA has serious doubts as to whether ATV would be capable of making the necessary improvements, and whether it has the financial capability to deliver its investment plans, and indeed to continue its business as a going concern,” So said.

     

    Meanwhile, HKTVE’s licence will be valid for 12 years until 31 March, 2027, subject to a mid-term review in 2021.

     

    Its integrated Cantonese and English channels will commence within 12 months and 24 months respectively after the grant of licence. The Cantonese channel will provide round-the-clock service, while the English channel will broadcast a total of 16 hours of television programmes with two loops of eight hours each.

     

    “We hope that HKTVE’s entry into the free TV market will benefit our audience-at-large with more quality programming choices,” So said.