ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • 2014 International Emmy Awards winners announced

    2014 International Emmy Awards winners announced

    MUMBAI: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the 42nd International Emmy Awards tonight at a Gala event attended by over 1000 international television professionals and hosted by British Comedian and writer Matt Lucas at the New York Hilton.

     

    2 Special Awards and 10 Emmy statues were presented by the International Academy during the evening. Winners span 8 countries: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. For the first time a US primetime program produced 50% or more in a language other than English, won an Emmy. This will be a permanent category moving forward.

     

    Mad Men stars Christina Hendricks and John Slattery presented the International Emmy Founders Award to Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner.

     

    Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of 21st Century Fox and News Corporation presented the International Emmy Directorate Award to Roberto Irineu Marinho, Chairman & CEO, Grupo Globo. They were joined on the stage by Brazilian actors Milton Gonçalvez and Gloria Pires.

     

    The 10 International Emmy Award Winning programs and performances are:The Exhibition (Arts Programming), Stephen Dillane (Best Performance by an Actor), Bianca Krijgsman (Best Performance by an Actress), What If? 2 (Comedy), Frihet bakom galler (No Burqas Behind Bars) (Documentary), Utopia (Drama Series), El Se?or de los Cielos (Non-English Language US Primetime Program), Educating Yorkshire (Non-Scripted Entertainment), Precious Pearl (Telenovela), and Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter (Generation War) (TV Movie/Mini-Series). Complete winners information follows this release.

     

    “In the turbulent world we live in today, television’s unique power to show the beauty and drama of the human story is even more important and impactful,” said International Academy President Bruce L. Paisner. “These outstanding programs and performances are an inspiration to audiences worldwide.” 

     

    2014 International Emmy Award Winners  

    Arts Programming

    The Exhibition

    Jove Pictures

    Canada

    An artist faces public outrage as she struggles to mount a large-scale exhibition of paintings based on a police poster of missing women-26 of whom are found murdered on a serial killer’s farm

     

    Best Performance by an Actor

    Stephen Dillane as Karl Roebuck

    The Tunnel

    United Kingdom

    When the body of a French politician is found on the border of the UK and France, Detective Karl Roebuck is sent to investigate on behalf of the British police. A warm family man, Karl could not be more different from his French counterpart, Elise Wasserman. As they are drawn into the case of the serial killer, Karl and Elise learn to respect each other’s differences and work together.

     

    Best Performance by an Actress

    Bianca Krijgsman as Mirte

    De Nieuwe Wereld (The New World)

    Netherlands

    Mirte is the grumpiest cleaner in the airport immigration center, a single mother who cannot take care of her son, just managing to keep a grip on her life. This is until Luke arrives, a West African refugee, not put off by her aggression. During the 10 days of his asylum procedure, their encounters lead to an unexpected relationship.

     

    Comedy

    What If? 2

    Shelter / TV Bastards

    Belgium

    What If? is a comedy sketch show.Every sketch begins with the question what if? What if Jesus was a stand-up comedian? What if all the cops were gay? What If? transports viewers into a completely new and different world!

     

    Documentary

    Frihet bakom galler (No Burqas Behind Bars)

    Nima Film / SVT / NHK / DR / NRK / IKON / The Swedish Film Institute / The Swedish Arts Grants Committee / Nordisk Film & TV Fond / APSA Academy Film Fund

    Sweden

    Meet Sara, Nadjibeh, Sima, and their fellow inmates in a close portrait of life behind bars in an Afghan women’s prison. Most of the women are convicted of running away from their husbands. But the question arises: where are they most free, in prison or in the outside society?

     

    Drama Series

    Utopia

    Kudos Film & TV / Channel 4

    United Kingdom

    What if the conspiracy nuts are right? What if there really are people trying to control our lives?

     

    Non-English Language US Primetime Program

    El Se?or de los Cielos (The Lord of the Skies)

    Telemundo Studios / Caracol TV

    United States of America

    Follow Aurelio Casillas’ journey in becoming the leading, and only, drug dealer in Mexico in the ’90s, taking Pablo Escobar’s place in the region. Police officer Marco Mejia is in his way. After Casillas’ picture is published, ‘The Lord of the Skies’ must disappear without a trace.

     

    Non-Scripted Entertainment

    Educating Yorkshire

    Twofour

    United Kingdom

    Educating Yorkshire is located at the heart of a diverse northern community, offering the audience a fascinating insight into modern school life in the U.K.

     

    Telenovela

    Precious Pearl

    Globo

    Brazil

    Franz is the son of a millionaire factory owner. In the Himalayas, he has an accident and meets Ananda, a spiritual leader. When he is back, he falls for Amelia, a factory worker. Together they have a baby girl, who happens to “come” from afar with a mission.

     

    TV Movie/Mini-Series

    Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter (Generation War)

    teamWorx Television & Film / ZDF / Beta Film / ZDF Enterprises

    Germany

    Five adolescents, whose friendship was supposed to last a lifetime, are forced to realize that war changes everything.
  • Comedy Central sees potential in localised content

    Comedy Central sees potential in localised content

    MUMBAI: English GECs for a long time have been intending to telecast shows that are locally produced and involve local talent.  One such GEC from the Viacom18 cluster, Comedy Central, has finally decided to take the plunge.

     

    Two new local properties are going to soon be seen on the channel- The Other Week That Wasn’t and The Living Room.  The former is a spinoff of its hit series on CNN-IBN The Week That Wasn’t. Speaking about two new properties, Viacom18 executive vice president and business head English entertainment Ferzad Palia says, “We wanted to localise in every market as it is important for us to have local connect with our audiences. We earlier experimented with video spoofs on journalists like Arnab Goswami and Rajdeep Sardesai which gave us a lot of positive feedback from our audiences.  This is just the beginning of getting on board more localised content as we have important plans for India.”

     

    When quizzed what these plans were, Palia provides a three pronged strategy that the channel will follow for the next year, “First, our focus will be to crack some more potential local talent. Secondly, we want to extend our brand beyond television through various tie ups and on ground events and thirdly we will be bringing some of the best international shows and be disruptive with the formats.”

     

    The Other Week That Wasn’t will be hosted by funnyman Cyrus Broacha along with Kunal Vijaykar and Kaneez and will revolve over fashion, entertainment and sports. The weekly show will air every Sunday starting 16 November at 8 pm on the channel and is presented by Micromax. Palia dismisses rumours that The Week That Wasn’t will discontinue on CNN-IBN.  “The Week That Wasn’t will continue to air on CNN-IBN whereas this show has the same cast but the content will be different,” he adds. CNN-IBN and Comedy Central are both part of the Network18 Group.

     

    Comedy Central’s other property The Living Room centres on Kenneth Sebastian, a next door stand-up comedian from Bengaluru and his friends. These friends include the hilarious Kanan Gill, Kaneez, Abish Matthew, Naveen Richards, etc. The guy from the silicon valley of India has been presenting since the age of 19, and has over a hundred shows up his sleeve. The show that went through several alterations before receiving the final stamp will not have any script, retakes and will be 100 per cent improvised says the channel.  

     

    “We started in 2012 with shows like Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld, That 70’s Show, South Park and have now progressed to acquire fresher and bigger content like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the Graham Norton Show. The Tonight Show is being telecast 24 hours from its original US telecast,” Palia informs. The Graham Norton Show will begin from 29 November on weekends at 9 pm.

     

    The channel for the first time introduced an animation block with Sponge Bob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in late October during the festive season because it wanted to cater to a different set of audiences- youth who loved animation. Additionally shows like Billy On The Street, Psych (season one to four), Penn and Teller Fool Us were telecast.

     

    For the two new shows promotions are being run on air across the channels networks and will be promoted on the digital medium. Comedy Central currently has 25,99,439 followers on Facebook and 3 million followers on Twitter.

     

    The channel and its on ground events have seen advertising interest from brand categories right from diamonds, to chewing gum to apparels, automobiles and telcos. “Today humour is the fastest growing genre in the world and every category of brands is seeing monetisation opportunities, be it on digital, television or on ground events. Brands also want to go beyond television and therefore integration through tie ups and events offer that opportunity. Advertisers see more value as we offer differentiated solutions,” says Palia.

     

  • CBS revenue up 2 per cent for Q3-2014, operating income down 2.4 per cent

    CBS revenue up 2 per cent for Q3-2014, operating income down 2.4 per cent

    BENGALURU: CBS Corporation (CBS) reported a 2 per cent growth in revenue in Q3-2014 at $  3367 million from $  3302 million reported in the year ago quarter. However, 9M-2014 revenue fell 3 per cent to $ 10125 million from $ 10434 million in 9M-2013.

     

    The company’s operating income before depreciation and amortisation (OIBDA) in Q3-2014 at $ 814 million was 2.4 per cent less than the $ 834 million in Q3-2013. 9M-2014 at $ 2477 million was 2 per cent lower than the $  2527 million in 9M-2013.

     

    Entertainment, Cable Networks, Publishing; and Local Broadcasting segments contribute to CBS numbers. Poor OIBDA results from CBS Entertainment segment which contributes a major portion to revenue and OIBDA, resulted in lower operating income.

     

    Segment results

     

    Entertainment

     

    CBS Entertainment segment reported revenue growth of 1.4 per cent in Q3-2014 to $ 1911 million from $ 1884 million in Q3-2013. However, for 9M-2014, revenue at $ 6049 million fell 5.9 per cent from $ 6431 million in 9M-2013.

     

    Entertainment segment’s OIBDA fell sharply by 22.3 per cent q-o-q to $ 335 million in Q3-2014 from $ 431 million.  OIBDA during 9M-2014 fell 12.8 per cent to $ 1168 million from $ 1340 million in 9M-2013.

     

    Cable Networks

     

    This segment reported 4.7 per cent growth in revenue to $ 624 million in Q3-2014 from $ 596 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Revenue during HY-2014 at $ 1677 million was 5.3 per cent more than the $ 1592 million in 9M-2013.

     

    OIBDA from this segment rose 4.2 per cent to $ 272 million in Q3-2014 from $ 261 million in Q3-2013. During 9M-2014, OIBDA from CBS Cable Network segment rose 7.3 per cent to $ 750 million from $ 699 million.

     

    Publishing

     

    CBS Publishing segment saw a 11.2 per cent fall in revenue to $ 199 million in Q3-2014 from $ 224 million in Q3-2013. Revenue from this segment fell 3.6 per cent to $ 563 million in 9M-2014 from $ 584 million in 9M-2013.

     

    OIBDA for publishing segment remained flat at $ 43 million in Q3-2014 and Q3-2013. For 9M-2014, OIBDA was 5.3 per cent more at $ 80 million as compared to the $ 76 million in 9M-2013.

     

    Local Broadcasting

     

    Revenue from this segment increased 6.1 per cent to $ 680 million in Q3-2014 from $ 641 million in Q3-2013. Revenue from local broadcasting in 9M-2014 fell by a 0.3 per cent to $ 1971 million from $ 1977 million in 9M-2013.

     

    OIBDA for this segment rose 18.2 per cent in Q3-2014 to $ 214 million from $ 181 million in Q3-2013. 9M-2014 OIBDA rose 2.7 per cent to $ 652 million from $ 635 million in 9M-2013.

     

    Company Quotes

     

    “CBS continues to succeed on the strength of its tremendous content,” said CBS executive chairman, Sumner Redstone. “Les and his team are optimising the Company for future growth at every turn, and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to increasingly drive shareholder value in these dynamic times of great opportunity.”

     

    “Our third quarter growth reflects the success of our efforts to create and monetize our premium content,” said CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves. “I am particularly pleased with the CBS Television Network’s encouraging start to the fall season, which has reloaded our owned content pipeline in a big way with Madam Secretary, Scorpion, and NCIS: New Orleans, along with new owned hits from Showtime and The CW. Our local businesses had a strong quarter as well, including increasing political spending and higher retransmission consent fees. Also during the quarter, we renegotiated new station affiliate contracts with LIN Media, Tribune Broadcasting, Media General, and Gray Television with more to come later this year, bringing us that much closer toward our stated goal of $ 2 billion in retransmission consent and reverse compensation revenues by 2020. We are also capitalizing on growing consumer demand by expanding into emerging platforms. This includes the recent launch of CBS All Access, which allows our “super fans” to watch CBS wherever they are. At the same time, we are returning more value to shareholders than ever before, and we continue to have great confidence in our future as a content company in this ever-expanding marketplace.”

     

    Company speak

     

    Revenues of $ 3.37 billion for the third quarter of 2014 increased 2 per cent from $ 3.30 billion for the same quarter a year ago. This growth was driven by a 4 per cent increase in content licensing and distribution revenues from higher international and domestic licensing of television programming.

     

    Advertising revenues grew 2 per cent, driven by the broadcast of Thursday Night Football on CBS and political revenues associated with midterm elections. Affiliate and subscription fees were even with the third quarter of 2013, because of a significant pay-per-view boxing event a year ago that affected the revenue stream comparison by six percentage points. Cable affiliate fees, retransmission revenues, and fees from CBS Television Network affiliated stations all continued to grow in this year’s third quarter.

     

    Adjusted OIBDA of $ 814 million was down 2 per cent as a result of an increased investment in television programming, mainly associated with new contracts with the National Football League (“NFL”). The investment in NFL programming contributed to the successful launch of three new CBS-owned television series in the 2014/2015 television broadcast season, which all generated higher ratings in their respective time periods compared with the prior year.

     

    Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations were $ 400 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared with net earnings from continuing operations of $ 431 million for the same prior-year period. The decline primarily reflects the higher programming investment as well as losses of $ 23 million ($ .04 per diluted share) associated with changes in foreign exchange rates. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations per diluted share for the third quarter of 2014 grew 6 per cent, to $ .74, from diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $ .70 for the same quarter in 2013.

     

    The increase was driven by lower weighted average shares outstanding from the split-off of CBS Outdoor Americas Inc. (“Outdoor Americas”) on 16 July 2014, as well as the Company’s ongoing share repurchase programme.

     

    Operating income was $ 668 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared with $ 764 million for the same prior-year period. Operating income for the third quarter of 2014 included restructuring charges of $ 26 million and a noncash impairment charge of $ 52 million in connection with a radio station swap. Net earnings from continuing operations were $ 72 million for this year’s third quarter compared with $ 431 million for the same quarter a year ago. In addition to the items above, net earnings for the third quarter of 2014 included a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $ 219 million, net of tax ($ .40 per diluted share), associated with the Company’s debt refinancing and a discrete tax item of $19 million. Adjusted results exclude the impact from all of these non-comparable items.

     

    Net earnings per diluted share of $3.03 for the third quarter of 2014 include a gain of $1.56 billion recognised in connection with the split-off of Outdoor Americas.

     

    Click here to read the financial release

     

    Click here to read the consolidated results 

  • Rewind Networks’ to launch channel HITS on Astro

    Rewind Networks’ to launch channel HITS on Astro

    MUMBAI: Astro and Rewind Networks have launched a new entertainment channel that will go live on 16 November. The channel will be available with Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese subtitles.

     

    HITS is Rewind Network’s first channel that is already available in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and now Malaysia.

     

    Speaking on the expansion Astro VP content group Agnes Rozario said, “Astro is committed to providing the best-in-class entertainment to our subscribers. HITS HD will give our customers the chance to reconnect with so many of their best loved shows like Mork & Mindy and The Cosby Show. We also anticipate that this great content will find a new audience amongst our younger viewers making HITS truly a channel for the whole family. Viewers will also be pleased that we are extending this great experience beyond the home with the channel and catch-up episodes being available on Astro on the go.”

     

    HITS will continue to expand to other south east Asian markets as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan. Rewind Networks founder and CEO Avi Himatsinghani said, “This is a HITS-torical moment for us. HITS celebrates some the best TV content ever created, all in one place. We are so proud that Astro subscribers will now have a chance to watch their most loved TV shows for the first time in HD quality. Curated with Asian viewers in mind we hope that our selection of top rated, multi-award winning and iconic shows from the leading Hollywood studios will make this channel a favourite amongst Malaysian audiences.”

     

    The portfolio of HITS’ shows launched the careers of A-list stars including Robin Williams in Mork & Mindy and Jerry Seinfeld from Seinfeld. Other shows such as The Cosby Show, M*A*S*H and The X-Files reinvented their genres.

     

  • Larry Namer of Metan Global Entertainment to get top award at Asian Television Awards

    Larry Namer of Metan Global Entertainment to get top award at Asian Television Awards

    NEW DELHI: Metan Global Entertainment Group president/CEO Larry Namer is to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Asian Television award at the 19th Asian Television Awards (ATA) on 11 December at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

     

    An entertainment industry veteran with more than 40 years of professional experience in cable television, live events and digital media, Namer is the founding partner of Metan, a venture created to develop and distribute entertainment content and media specifically for the China market.

     
    He is also the co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, a company now valued at over US$3.5 billion, and the creator of several successful companies, including Comspan Communications that pioneered Western forms of entertainment in the former Soviet Union and Steeplechase Media that served as the primary consultant to Microsoft’s MiTV (Interactive Television).

     

    Metan’s flagship series Hello! Hollywood, a weekly entertainment news series tailored to Chinese audiences, is available on the company’s Hollywood Channel on Tudou. Metan has developed the successful sitcom ‘Return to Da Foo Tsun’ and Web series ‘Modern Life’, which have garnered a viewership of over 40 million viewers.

     

    Recently, Metan and a coalition of North America’s top TV and film writers partnered to launch Metan Wen Zhi Ku, a joint venture linking Western writing talent with transmedia projects for China. Namer is also the co-founder of MINGYIAN INC., a China brand management startup for Western celebrities and influencers.

     

    ATA chairman Raymond Wong said, “ATA is pleased to recognise Larry Namer for his remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry. He has accomplished a great deal, while positively representing the entertainment and digital media industries, and he fully deserves to be honoured for his achievements.”

     

    Meanwhile, Yang Weidong senior VP and president of Tudou.com at Youku Tudou Inc., has joined the Advisory Board. The 10-member board has only one Indian, K V L Narayan Rao of NDTV.

     

    Launched in 1996, ATA is the Asian TV industry’s most significant and celebrated event, recognising excellence in programming, production and performance.

     

    Determined by an expert panel of over 60 judges from across the region, the results are tabulated and audited by international auditing firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, with the winners only announced during the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner in December. The judging process has also been brought into the digital era by being conducted on-line. This is designed to lessen the judging workload and provide judges greater comfort and flexibility by enabling them to screen the entries at their own pace.

     

    The Awards comprise over 30 categories and represent the industry’s foremost recognition by enjoying the support of every major industry player throughout the region. ATA attracts a multitude of entries from a wide range of broadcasters, including free-to-air television stations and pay-TV platforms, as well as many independent production houses in Asia.

    ATA is positioned as the only event of its kind within the Asian region, and upholds a prestigious reputation of showcasing quality television production.

  • Comedy Central to celebrate Children’s Day

    Comedy Central to celebrate Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: Children’s day is a hop, skip and jump away. In today’s busy world with limited options for family entertainment Comedy Central is set to present nine  hours of favourite family shows during their special line up on 14th November.  The channel has  programmes lined up to ensure that not only the kids, but the entire family has a fun on the telly!

     

    The special programming has been prepared keeping in mind that during this busy day and age, parents barely get to spend time with their children. Television viewing is still a family activity and Comedy Central wants parents and their children to bond over the latter are shows.  The line-up consists of shows like Growing Up Fisher, About a Boy, everyone’s favourite sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea Spongebob Squarepants and angsty, ninjutsu trained vigilantes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

     

    Viacom18 executive vice president and business head English Entertainment said Ferzad Palia said, “At Comedy Central we believe that Comedy is not only for a certain age or audience, it has a universal appeal and children’s day is another excuse for us to air the best family-comedy entertainment in India. The shows airing on children’s day are popular and adored not only by children, but also have a certain appeal with adults as well. We are positive that viewers will appreciate and enjoy the line up with their families.”

     

    So this Children’s Day audiences can  tune in to Comedy Central on14th November from 11am to 8pm

  • November fest on HBO

    November fest on HBO

    MUMBAI: Opening its door to movies and entertainment, the English entertainment channel HBO will broadcast a series of popular television shows and hit Hollywood films exclusively in the month of November. HBO South Asia, which launched its two 24-hour commercial-free premium programming channels HBO Defined and HBO Hits in 2013, will now bring the best of Hollywood including prime-time television shows and movies in the coming month.

     

    Speaking about the listings in November, HBO South Asia managing director Monica Tata says, “We have a November fest coming up with movies such as Gravity, Prisoners etc. We also have Newsroom which is happening again in November on HBO Original. It is our season finale. We are also doing a lot of promotions this month on social media and digital media. That’s our focus for November. For December till year end, there will be a fantastic line up as well.”

     

    Here is the line-up of movies and television shows that will be aired in November 2014 for HBO Premium channels – HBO Hits and HBO Defined.

     

     1) Prisoners (HBO Hits)

     

    2)  Legendary (HBO Hits)

     

    3) Profugos – Season 2 (HBO Hits)

     

    4) Gravity (HBO Defined)

     

    5) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (HBO Defined)

     

    6) 12 Years A Slave (HBO Defined)

     

    7) The Newsroom – Season 3 (HBO Defined)

  • Romedy Now set to air romcom ‘Dharma and Greg’

    Romedy Now set to air romcom ‘Dharma and Greg’

    MUMBAI:  Love knows no reason and boundaries. It can be unpredictable and can happen in a blink of the eye. When an unconventional Dharma falls for a conservative defense attorney Greg, they take love at first sight to a whole new level. Come November, and viewers can get ready for a crazy ride with the mismatched couple ‘Dharma and  Greg,’ every Monday to Friday at 7:30 pm on Romedy Now.

     

    When a free-spirited, bohemian Yoga instructor Dharma Finkelstein (Jenna Elfman), meets a sophisticated, straight-forward lawyer, Greg Montgomery (Thomas Gibson) on the subway, sparks fly.  From getting hitched on their first date to meeting the parents, these two lovebirds set out to prove that they’re a match made in heaven. With constantly clashing parents, Dharma and Greg stumble their way through love, convinced that they’re perfect for each other.

     

    This November viewers can meet the lovable Dharma and Greg as the adorable couple proves that opposites do indeed attract. The latest addition to the channel, Dharma and Greg will air at 7:30pm every weeknight followed by Friends at 8pm and 2 Broke Girls at 8 30pm.

  • AXN welcomes crime fighters this November

    AXN welcomes crime fighters this November

    MUMBAI: This November, AXN has introduced two popular shows, Blue Bloods and Elementary. The channel is bringing one of America’s top 10 drama series Blue Bloods to India from 24 November at 9 pm from Monday to Thursday and the latest season of Elementary with Sherlock who is promising to thrill viewers with his incredible deduction crime solving techniques every Friday from 7 November at 10 pm which is closer to US airings.

     

    Elementary offers a fresh take on the famous British detective Sherlock Holmes, who is now living in New York after drug rehabilitation played by Jonny Lee Miller, the star from the film Trainspotting. Lucy Liu of Charlie’s Angels fame plays the character of Dr. Watson. After the death of her patient in London, Dr. Watson’s license is revoked and she is forced to accompany Sherlock to New York as a sober companion by detective’s rich father. Elementary season three, promises to bring some fresh twists and turns as Sherlock Holmes gets a new apprentice and Joan Watson has a new boyfriend.

     

    The saying a family that eats together, stays together could not be more accurate for ‘Blue Bloods’ Reagan family. The three legendary generations of Irish American family, has been serving under American judiciary system on different positions as police officers and acclaimed attorney. Though each one of them have a different style of achieving justice, unanimous integrity is what brings them together and also pulls them apart at the same time. The tight-knit family drama has won BMI TV Award 2013 and Prism Award 2014 and will air every Monday to Thursday at 9pm from 24 November.  

     

     

    Commenting on the same, Sony Pix and AXN India executive vice president Saurabh Yagnik said “This season, Elementary will get more gripping than ever before and we hope to get a bigger and better response from our viewers. As for Blue Bloods, it is an entertaining family drama and we hope to expand our viewer base with the innovative content that the show has to offer. Though the show is in its fifth season in US, we are giving our audiences an opportunity to watch Tom Selleck return to TV as the patriarch of a clan where crime fighting is the family business from the very first season”.

     

    Watch Blue Bloods starting 24 November, Monday to Thursday at 9 pm and the latest season of Elementary premiering on 7 November, every Friday at 10 pm

  • Zee Café brings all eight seasons of Desperate Housewives

    Zee Café brings all eight seasons of Desperate Housewives

    MUMBAI: Zee Café will be airing all eight seasons of the American television comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives, and is spinning a new flavour to the show giving it the theme of Sin is In. Targeting young urban females this time around, Zee Café is promising to ensure engagement levels a notch higher.

     

    Zee Café is running a digital campaign for the promotion of the show through a website created especially for the show: www.sinisin.in . The site is created to intrigue young urban women about the show as well as give them an opportunity to engage with activities on the website which are related to the show. The site has been designed in such a way that without answering a few basic fun questions in the beginning, one cannot access the site. The site also includes pictures, trivia, and more.

     

    Speaking on the occasion Zee Niche Cluster and ZMC EVP and business head Anurag Bedi stated, “We are quite excited about the different viewer engagement activities and have been getting a great response from the viewers so far. Airing all eight seasons of the most watched show worldwide is definitely a milestone”

     

    In addition to the digital consumer engagement , Zee has also roped in radio channels for direct outreach in the metros for that will not only push for episode tune ins, but engage the viewer via hashtags, contests and RJ mentions. In an effort to connect with the audience pan India the channel will be airing promos of the show during the Diwali blockbuster movie-Happy New Year across premium multiplexes in the metros.

     

    ZEEL English entertainment head content and marketing Sharlton Menezes commented that the campaign is a very targeted one with clear mindset of reaching out to young urban women. “Therefore  we have opted for radio, social media and movies in addition to network promotions on television. Every little detail, be it the theme or the language used, everything has been created and designed as to what would appeal to young urban women.” he added.

     

    Sensodyne is the powered by sponsor with Snapdeal and Emirates is the associate sponsor for the show. Desperate Housewives starts 29 October, Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Zee Café.