ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • HBO Defined launches campaign around ‘Game of Thrones’ new season

    HBO Defined launches campaign around ‘Game of Thrones’ new season

    MUMBAI: As HBO Defined counts down to the premiere of the fifth season of the iconic TV series Game of Thrones, it has activated a unique virtual game to engage with the growing number of followers.

     

    With the much-awaited new season of the adventure-fantasy series coming to Indian audiences exactly at the same time as its US premiere – 13 April at 6:30 am, and repeat telecast at 10 pm, the channel has elaborate plans to engage with its fans and followers.

     

    For the first time ever, HBO Defined has launched a Game of Thrones micro-site, which will be the focal point of its online promotional strategy. With a view to riding the hype and play up the ‘fight for the throne’, the site features an artfully designed game. Fans stand a chance to win a seat at the preview screening of the season five premiere episode and exciting Game of Thrones merchandise by participating in the Fight For Your Throne challenge.

     

    On FightForYourThrone.com, the channel plans to invite the fan to select his or her ‘army’ i.e. be one of the Starks, Lannisters, Targaryens or Baratheons. Then, with a stylised interface, the game entices the fan to delve in, either to battle against an opponent or go on a quest to earn gold – eventually seeking the grandmaster’s signature potions.

     

    Furthermore, the channel’s virtual plans are unique as in addition to three quests of different levels, one can win a chance to play the next level in the real world. In this ultimate test, fans will vouch to complete real-life quests, almost like a scavenger hunt with intriguing clues. The big prize, i.e. the ‘throne’ has been positioned as a seat at an exclusive preview screening of the new season’s first episode.

     

    HBO’s Fight For Your Throne campaign will not just rely on creative execution, but also a solid engagement through Facebook, Twitter, Comic Con and cross promo tie-ups, claims the channel.

     

    HBO India managing director Monica Tata says, “Game of Thrones isn’t just a regular TV show any more, it’s become a cult brand with a passionate base of followers. We are always looking to provide fans with new and exciting ways to experience the show. Through Fight For Your Throne, we aim create an all-round experience would simply gratify the fan’s wait for the next series and spike curiosity among many others.”

  • ‘Game Of Thrones’ actor Natalia Tena to attend Bangalore Comic Con

    ‘Game Of Thrones’ actor Natalia Tena to attend Bangalore Comic Con

    MUMBAI: Actor Natalia Tena, who has starred in HBO’s hit series Game Of Thrones as well as the Harry Potter movies, will be attending the Bangalore Comic Con 2015 on 3 – 4 April.

     

    The Bangalore Comic Con 2015 will be held at the White Orchid Convention Centre from 3 – 5 April, 2015.

     

    Tena is an actress and musician from London. She made her acting debut as Ellie in About a Boy in 2002, and shortly after appeared in Mrs Henderson Presents alongside Judi Dench. In 2007, she joined the cast of Harry Potter, playing Nymphadora Tonks: Lupin’s partner and friend of Harry in Order of the Phoenix.

     

    Tena reprised the role of Tonks in the Harry Potter films The Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2. Shortly after she appeared in Bel Amiwith Robert Pattinson and the UK TV show Shameless. In 2011 she appeared in  Game of Thrones, the HBO adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire as the wildling Osha. She portrayed Osha in all three series. Natalia’s upcoming projects include Spanish film 10,000 km, comedy SuperBoband BBC worldwide’s The Refugees.

     

    The Bangalore Comic Con will also be attended by another Game of Thrones actor Daniel Portman. 

     

    Portman and Tena will be attending and taking part in special sessions, signing posters and speaking to fans.

     

    Season five of Game of Thrones is slated to premiere in India on 13 April at 10 pm, within 24 hours of the US premiere exclusively on HBO Defined, 100 per cent ad-free, followed by other episodes on subsequent Mondays at the same time.

     

    Another attraction at Bangalore Comic Con 2015 will be The Game of Thrones special Photo-op Booth. Comic Con India has officially tied up with HBO to bring the Throne replica exclusively at Bangalore Comic Con, where fans and visitors can get their pictures clicked.

  • HBO and Vice enter major news content deal

    HBO and Vice enter major news content deal

    MUMBAI: Home Box Office and Vice have inked a major news partnership that will significantly expand Vice’s Emmy-winning news programming to HBO subscribers over the next four years.

     

    In its most expansive programming deal ever, HBO will dramatically increase the network’s current events coverage, bringing Vice’s brand of high-impact journalism and breaking news content to subscribers in a wide-range of formats, including: 

     

    1) The Vice daily newscast: The launch of a daily Vice newscast, consisting of five half-hour shows per week, 48 weeks a year.

     

    2) The weekly series on HBO: A four-year extension (with an increase from 14 to 35 episodes a year) of the Emmy-winning documentary show.

     

    3) Vice specials: A four-year commitment for an increased number of Vice-produced specials, totaling 32 through 2018.

     

    Additionally, a Vice-branded channel on the HBO NOW streaming service will provide instant access to Vice content for all HBO subscribers.

     

    “Shane and the Vice team have produced some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic journalism anywhere. From the front lines in the Ukraine, to the icebergs of Antarctica and the streets of Ferguson, Vice news has helped illuminate and expand our understanding of an increasingly complex world. This extension of the HBO/Vice relationship, which will include more shows, more documentaries and even a Vice daily newscast, is a natural evolution of our partnership. All of us at HBO couldn’t be more excited working with the Vice team and helping to tell the stories which define our world,” said HBO CEO Richard Plepler and HBO Programming president Michael Lombardo.

     

    Vice founder and CEO Shane Smith added, “I think the first thing, perhaps the hardest thing, I learned about journalism over the past 20 years is that maintaining any type of independence, any type of freedom, is difficult as you scale up. This deal, simply put, allows Vice the freedom to go after any story, anywhere we find it – and to do so with complete independence. This deal is a tremendous gift and a tremendous opportunity, and we at Vice realize this. Together with HBO, we will expand our news offerings to viewers everywhere, creating HBO’s first-ever daily newscast, producing hard-hitting specials, like our recent Special Report on cancer, and expanding our weekly news round-ups from around the world. Over the the last few years, our relationship with HBO has morphed from a great business partnership into a transformative brand-builder. This groundbreaking deal will create a new voice in news.”

     

    The partnership builds off the success of the current Vice series on HBO, which received a Primetime Emmy in the category of Outstanding Informational Series or Special last August, and has quickly become an alternative voice and source for unvarnished documentary-style news. Currently debuting editions Friday nights on HBO, the Vice weekly series is dedicated to exploring today’s most pressing issues from around the globe, from civil unrest and hotbeds of terrorism, to unchecked government corruption, lawless borders and looming environmental catastrophes.

     

    The newscast will feature the original on-the-ground reporting viewers expect from Vice, but in a daily format. Vice will draw on its network of more than 30 global bureaus to bring viewers inside the world’s most critical stories.

     

    The slate of 32 specials will offer viewers in-depth examinations of pressing topics, just as Vice has done with recent specials exploring the use of deadly viruses to fight cancer and climate change affecting the West Antarctic ice sheet.

     

  • Spike to launch as FTA channel in UK

    Spike to launch as FTA channel in UK

    MUMBAI: A new free-to-air TV channel will launch with a bang in millions of UK homes on 15 April, when Spike goes on air offering a mix of British commissions and big-name talent alongside a range of acclaimed drama and entertainment.

     

    Original commissions will feature prominently on Spike from launch. Police Interceptors Unleashed marks a return to British TV screens for actor and former professional footballer, Vinnie Jones, who will front the series, following the work of the high-speed police interception unit. Another new series, Tattoo Disasters UK, will seek out some of the most painful examples of British body art and the individuals having to learn to live with their inky mistakes.

     

    Spike’s launch line-up will also feature some of the most acclaimed and talked about TV drama of recent times, including Breaking Bad, which will be broadcast from start to finish for the first time on British TV. The latest and fifth series of The Walking Dead will also be available on Spike, the first time it will be accessible free-to-air to British TV viewers.

     

    Other acquired dramas that will broadcast on Spike from launch include the British TV premiere of mythological blockbuster, Olympus, Emmy nominated Justified and crime thriller Sons of Anarchy.

     

    Lip Sync Battle, hosted by two-time Grammy Award-winner LL COOL J, will be the entertainment flagship of Spike’s launch schedule. The half-hour original series – based on the cultural phenomenon of lip sync battling seen by millions on television and online – has been created by Jimmy Fallon and his Eight Million Plus Productions, Stephen Merchant, John Krasinski, Matador and Casey Patterson. Merchant also features on-screen as one of the many A-list musical combatants in the series.

     

    Social media comedy phenomenon, Fail Army, has also been reworked for television and will be introduced to UK TV audiences by Spike.

     

    Spike will also be the UK TV home of mixed martial arts. The channel will televise Bellator MMA, the emerging sports franchise featuring many of the world’s greatest fighters including British champion, Liam McGeary, and Paul Daley. Spike has also signed an exclusive deal with the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA) for its tournaments, which will feature in a Saturday ‘Fight Night.’

     

    The channel will also offer a range of reality series from Spike in the US, including Catch a Contractor and Frankenfood, as well as repeats of some of Channel 5’s most popular factual output.

     

    The 24-hour network will be available from launch on the majority of the UK’s digital TV platforms, including Sky TV, Freesat and Freeview, on which it will occupy channel slot 31.

     

    Channel 5 programme director Ben Frow, whose editorial team will oversee commissioning, scheduling and acquisitions for the new channel, said, “Spike is a driven, high-energy channel offering a point of view and programme mix I think is different from anything else on British TV right now. I can’t wait to see our viewers embrace this exhilarating new channel.”

     

  • Zee World launches three food shows for African audience

    Zee World launches three food shows for African audience

    MUMBAI: Zee World, the first English General entertainment channel targeted specifically for African viewers from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel), has introduced a new line up of cooking shows.

     

    “Never before has there been more of a demand for food shows. We have chosen a great mix of relevant and relatable content for our African viewers. Each food show showcases a variety of dishes and cooking styles from the more advanced cook to someone just wanting to try a new snack or create fun food experiences for their kids,” said Zee TV South Africa CEO Harish Goyal.

     

    The new food show line up kicks off on Zee World, DStv channel 166 in May with the award winning Khana Khazana, along with Snack Attack and Kiddies Treats.

     

    Khana Khazana is a cooking show by renowned and award winning Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. On the other hand, Snack Attack is hosted by Chef Ranveer Brar, who brings interesting and innovative snack recipes that can easily be made at home. Chef Brar has been featured amongst the top 50 chefs in the Indian Culinary Forum book.

     

    The third show – Kiddies Treats is a one of a kind cooking show created for young mothers in search for new and exciting recipes. Gurdeep Punj, a mother and television personality, bring innovative and creative recipes that are both delicious and visually pleasing to young ones.

     

  • AMC Networks makes acquisitions for Sundance Channel Global

    AMC Networks makes acquisitions for Sundance Channel Global

    MUMBAI: AMC Networks International has acquired a wide range of first run original series and miniseries to fuel growth across Sundance Channel Global’s linear and authenticated video-on-demand (VOD) and television everywhere (TVE) services.

     

    The second season of the critically acclaimed Sundance Channel original series The Red Road (6 x 60’) has been acquired from Entertainment One (eOne) as a first window for Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and key European territories including France, Iberia, Benelux, Poland and CEE. It will debut less than 24 hours after its premiere in the US.

     

    The award-winning political thriller The Honourable Woman (8 x 60’) starring Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Maggie Gyllenhaal has been acquired from BBC Worldwide and will premiere as a first window in Asia (except a second window run in Thailand). 

     

    Also premiering exclusively in Asia will be the period drama based on one of the world’s most notorious crimes, The Great Train Robbery (2 x 90’), acquired from Content Media. Premiering in Dutch Benelux will be the first run original series Catastrophe (6 x 30’) acquired from Avalon and Welcome to Sweden (10 x 30’) acquired from Entertainment One (eOne). 

     

    AMC Global and Sundance Channel Global president Bruce Tuchman said, “These new acquisitions further highlight our commitment to providing distinctive, compelling first run original programming for Sundance Channel audiences worldwide. Alongside our other global hits from AMC Networks, this diverse range of series will help to increase the momentum of our successful international growth strategy. We’ll continue to offer exclusive original series combined with independent films and documentaries fresh from some of the biggest and most prestigious festivals around the world.”

     

  • AXN bets big on 2015; launches new shows

    AXN bets big on 2015; launches new shows

    MUMBAI: Come April and English entertainment channel AXN from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable is all set to redefine itself. The channel will be extending its content offering and has lined up a slew of new shows for this year. Moreover, April will also see the launch of the channel’s high definition offering – AXN HD.

     

    Speaking on the launch of the HD channel, Sony Pix and AXN EVP and business head Saurabh Yagnik says, “Due to digitisation, issues relating to distribution and availability have been addressed. The category has now become more amenable to appointment based viewing and audiences are seeking two kinds of shows – iconic and fresh shows from the US.”

     

    As part of its revised strategy, the channel will do away with telecasting movies.

     

    Brand New FPC

     

    Keeping consumer insights in mind, the channel has increased its programming line up. For instance, the weekday programming slot from Monday to Thursday has been re-jigged to Monday to Friday. The 8 pm slot will have signature shows like Guiness, Ripley’s, American Ninja Warrior and Wipeout.

     

    This will be followed by reality shows at 9 pm like Fear Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef, Survivor and The Amazing Race. 

     

    The 10 pm slot will have famous crime shows like 24, Elementary, NCIS and CSI amongst others.

     

    Finally, the 11 pm slot will have edgier content with shows like Sex and the City, Dexter, Ray Donovan and Californification.

     

    Weekend Slot Strengthened

     

    In August 2014, AXN introduced a new weekend slot, ‘Not So Ordinary Weekend,’ which aired on Friday and Saturday. Since the weekday slot will now be extended from Monday to Friday, the ‘Not So Ordinary Weekend’ slot has been moved to Saturday and Sunday. During this slot, the channel will air fresh content airing closer to US dates. Shows that air in this slot are: Sherlock (season four), Supernatural (season eleven), Orphan Black (season three), Hannibal (season three), Elementary (season four), Voice (season nine and 10), Madam Secretary (season two), Extant (season two), and Scorpion (season three).

     

    New Shows:

     

    Beginning 6 April, fresh seasons of shows like 24 and Dexter will be telecast at 10 pm and 11 pm respectively on weekdays. Top Chef Masters season five will begin from 9 April at 8 pm during the weekdays. Another long running reality show Survivor is back in its season 27 from 21 April from Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

     

    The channel has partnerships with 20 global studios like CBS, Sony Pictures, BBC, WB, MGM, NBC Universal, Buena Vista International, Fremantle Media, Endemol, and FOX for content deals. The channel also has 2000 plus hours of content supply every year.

     

    AXN HD Launch

     

    On 6 May, 2014 MSM received two licences from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B). The aim was to increase its high definition (HD) offering to its viewers. The licences obtained were for AXN HD and SET HD. The network today announced that AXN HD will be launched on 6 April, 2015. It will have 1080i HD picture clarity and 5.1 sharp surround sound. The network is currently in talks with various platforms for its distribution. It is currently priced at Rs 30.

     

    “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,” informs Yagnick.

     

    Social Engagement

     

    Providing some inputs from digital agency Social Bakers for the period December 2014 to February 2015, the channel claims to have an engagement rate on social media of 5.80 per cent versus its closest rival Zee cafe at 2.90 per cent. For the same period, FX, Comedy Central and Star World had an engagement rate of 1.70 per cent, 1.36 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively. A third of the channel’s marketing budget is dedicated for digital activations that are handled both by AXN and digital agency Tonic Media. Through this, AXN targets to reach an additional five million fans on social media. 

     

    The target audience for the channels is the 15-34 age group.

     

    Marketing

     

    AXN has also put in place an aggressive TV plan where promotions will run across the MSM network channels. A print plan targeted in four cities on 6 April is on the anvil besides robust social media promotions. However, radio and OOH will not feature for the promotions.

     

    Sharing an insight about the genre’s growth, Yagnick says that the average weekly viewing (time spent) of 10 minutes on the genre has increased by approximately 50 per cent. While the metros have been performing well for the channel, the U.P. market has grown substantially as distribution has helped increase availability.

     

    Pix and AXN vice president and head programming and acquisitions Amogh Dusad informs that drama is the biggest performing genre on the channel. “Comedy is well being explored and reality shows too have performed well for the channel,” Dusad adds.

     

    With a robust line up and a focus ahead on retaining its leadership position, AXN is aiming at making it big this year.

     

  • SundanceTV, Pace University & Media Storm ink partnership for social media campaign

    SundanceTV, Pace University & Media Storm ink partnership for social media campaign

    MUMBAI: As part of Pace University’s Media Storm master’s degree programme in social media and mobile marketing, students will take part in developing an innovative social campaign for the second season of SundanceTV’s The Red Road.

     

    This represents the first time any television network has partnered with the university’s Media Storm programme. The returning show, which premieres 2 April, 2015, is a gripping dramatic thriller that stars Jason Momoa as Philip Kopus and Martin Henderson as Harold Jensen, a local sheriff hiding a dark family secret. The two are forced to coexist amongst rising tensions within their two clashing communities: a Native American tribe and a small neighboring town. The fates of Kopus and Jensen are tied as the relationship between their communities becomes volatile.

     

    The multi-media plan will include social media strategy, social networks, mobile apps, contests, user-generated content, blogger outreach, paid media, contests, games and experiential elements partially or fully created by Pace University students led by Professor Randi Priluck. Presentations will be submitted via video and, once reviewed by Priluck, will be sent to the Media Storm / SundanceTV teams to choose a winner. The winners will have the opportunity to have some or all of their projects weaved within the overall social plan for The Red Road.

     

    “Pace University continues to be a leader in experiential learning, and we are thrilled to see our partnership with Media Storm and SundanceTV take flight. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with SundanceTV and provide our students with a truly hands-on academic program,” said Lubin School of Business deal and former NBC Network president and Viacom Entertainment CEO Neil Braun.

     

    As the only Masters Degree in Social Media and Mobile Marketing currently offered by an Accredited Business School, this program closes the gap between academia and employer needs. “Social media and mobile technology have fundamentally transformed our culture. Bringing innovative thinking to clients like SundanceTV through our collaboration with Pace University’s Business School is critical in velocity disciplines like social and mobile media,” said Media Storm founder Craig Woerz.

     

    SundanceTV SVP of marketing Monica Bloom added, “SundanceTV is constantly examining new and distinctive ways to introduce audiences to our programming. We are delighted to partner with Pace University and Media Storm on this remarkable program and are excited to collaborate with their students on creative marketing to support the second season of The Red Road.”

     

  • Viacom to re-brand Channel 5

    Viacom to re-brand Channel 5

    NEW DELHI: Viacom will rebrand Channel 5 later this year. The channel was acquired from Richard Desmond for ?463 million (€645m) in May 2014.

     

    MTV UK general manager and SVP of youth and music Kerry Taylor has been named the company’s chief marketing officer and has been tasked with the rebranding.

     

    She will be aided by MTV UK vice president of marketing and communications Jo Bacon.

     

    “Their task will be to capture changing perceptions about the brand amongst lighter viewers as Channel 5 continues to improve programme range and quality and its ratings performance,” said Viacom UK, Australia and central and Eastern Europe president David Lynn.

     

    Ad agency Joint has been appointed as the strategic agency for the rebrand of Channel 5.

     

    Meanwhile, as was reported by Indiantelevision.com, Channel 5 has struck a deal to broadcast Big Brother for the next three years. Under the deal, which is worth as much as ?60 million, Channel 5 has secured the rights to broadcast the reality series until the end of 2018.

  • Channel 5 renews ‘Big Brother’ for three more years

    Channel 5 renews ‘Big Brother’ for three more years

    MUMBAI: Channel 5 has extended its UK rights deal for Big Brother with Endemol Shine UK for a further three years allowing it to continue airing its popular reality flagship until at least the end of 2018.

     

    Under the terms of the extended deal, Channel 5 will continue to broadcast two series of Celebrity Big Brother and one series of Big Brother each year, as well as associated programming, all produced by Endemol Shine UK label, Initial. 

     

    The renewal follows record ratings for the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother broadcast on Channel 5 in January, which attracted an average audience of 3.1 million per episode and an 11.4 per cent share of viewing.

     

    Following the acquisition of Channel 5 by Viacom International Media Networks, repeats of Celebrity Big Brother also appeared on MTV UK and outperformed the channel’s all day average audience amongst 16-34s by almost 20 per cent. More than 21 million viewers tuned into the series at least once across all VIMN-owned channels during the course of its run.

     

    Channel 5 chief operating officer Paul Dunthorne, who negotiated the deal extension on behalf of the broadcaster, said, “Big Brother in all its guises brings a huge and varied cross section of viewers to Channel 5 and typifies the appointment-to-view programming we want on the channel. It remains one of TV’s most talked about and popular programmes and I’m genuinely delighted we’ve secured it for at least three more years.”

     

    Initial managing director Nick Samwell-Smith added, “Channel 5 is a fantastic home for Big Brother. Over the past four years we’ve worked closely together to keep this extraordinary format feeling fresh, noisy, and creatively vibrant.  I’m thrilled that this landmark deal means we can look forward to three more years of big characters and juicy storylines from inside our favourite house.”