ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • F.R.I.E.N.D.S. on Romedy NOW starting June 9th 2014 at 8pm

    F.R.I.E.N.D.S. on Romedy NOW starting June 9th 2014 at 8pm

    MUMBAI: Roll the drums, grab a bag of popcorn, and get ready because you can never get enough of it, the perfect example of love and laughter, the most popular series F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is here to wow you.  The iconic show that tickled your funny bone and made the world so happy for a decade will now be aired exclusively only on Romedy NOW starting June  9th, Monday to Thursday at 8pm. Enjoy an hourly dose of the much loved characters on Romedy NOW, the exclusive destination for English Entertainment in India.

     

    Speaking on the exclusive launch of the show, Shantanu Gangane, Marketing Head, English Entertainment Channels, said “F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is an iconic series which has a huge fan following even today. The synergy of the show matches perfectly well with our core channel proposition of Love and Laughter and we are certain that the viewers will enjoy the 10 back to back seasons of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. on the channel like never before. With the soaring popularity of the channel and with a unique line up of movies and series, this series couldn’t have found a better destination to enthrall its fans.”

     

    Mansi Shrivastav, Content Head, English Entertainment Channels comments “Romedy NOW is delighted to exclusively bring to its viewers the most loved series of all time. Through our programming, we aim to enthrall the audiences with our entertaining and engaging content. Since its launch, the channel has showcased exclusive line-ups and is building up a robust library encompassing exclusive series as a part of its entertainment bank.”

     

    Enjoy the escapades of the six young friends living in Manhattan as they go through their own lives in the comfort of each other’s companionship! Join the fashionista, Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), the perfectionist and overbearing chef Monica Gellar (Courtney Cox) and the ditsy, street smart and funny self-taught musician Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow). The eternal favourite childlike flirt and struggling actor Joey Tribbiani (Matt Le Blanc) who gave the simple catchphrase, ‘How you doin’?’ a whole new saucy feel! Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) who has a deliciously sarcastic sense of humour and a curious history with a cross-dresser father and erotic novelist for a mother! The sweet and good humoured Ross Gellar (David Schwimmer), Monica’s elder brother and paleontologist who is a clutz and socially awkward!

     

    Every episode is a fun ride following the friends’ escapades in this entertaining show that promises every moment to be exciting. It is no surprise that the show is a hot favourite of one and all and has garnered critical as well as commercial success sweeping away hordes of awards and a whopping 63 Primetime Emmy Awards nominations! Always in the top 10 in primetime ratings, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will give you tons of love and laughter that you can enjoy only on Romedy NOW, nowhere else!

     

    Romedy NOW is leaving no stone unturned for the promotion of this iconic series. The channel has a lot more excitement in store for its viewers with an exciting contest that will give a chance to of the biggest fans of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. to go to LA and have coffee at the real ‘Central Perk’. The fans have to vote for their favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S. character to win this once in a lifetime opportunity. More the votes more the chances of winning!

     

    To have coffee at Central Perk in USA, fans can give a missed call on 08067006611 and vote for your favourite FRIEND #ThankGodItsFriends. Terms and conditions apply.

     

    The campaign will be heavily promotedon the Times Television Network with promos running extensively across the network channels and extensive presence across the Times of India publication, nationally.

     

    The most loved show can have unending conversations going for you whether you are a group of college friends chilling in the canteen or young professionals taking a coffee break or just friends catching up. And now you have a lot more to talk about!

     

    F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is powered by Gionee.

     

    Join the frenzy of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and be on a rollercoaster ride every single time only on Romedy NOW!

  • Zee Studio presents June Highlights!

    Zee Studio presents June Highlights!

    MUMBAI: This June soak up the rains in the comfort of your homes as Zee Studio brings to you the most amazing line up of movies once again.  This June Zee Studio will showcase some of the finest titles from Hollywood catering to every emotion be it comedy, adrenaline thumping feats or bold animation! Sit back; relax and choose from the widest range of films only on Zee Studio.

    The channel is all set to launch a fresh, unique property called Death by Laughter. The entity showcases everyone’s favorite action heroes gearing up to take people onboard a smashing laughter ride. Tune into the star line up of Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Vin Diesel, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta and many more as they guarantee you fall off your chair chuckling. The Hollywood star casts take center stage with movie favorites like Shanghai Knights, The Pacifier, Stop! Or my mom will shoot you, Wild Hogs and many more every Wednesday at 8 pm.

     

    In addition to comedy, Zee Studio is also showcasing Brave:  THE ONE movie you must watch on Sunday, June 22nd at 1 pm. Fans will be able to catch a repeat telecast of this Oscar winning film at 10 pm to ensure they do not miss Princess Merida (female protagonist) paving her own path in life.

     

    The channel is dedicated to bringing the best action movie line-up from Hollywood to entice its movie buffs. Premier Action is an action packed unit offered to the fantasy fight fan club. This June join Jake Gyllenhallas he conquers kingdoms in his pursuit of becoming the brave Prince of Persia. This premier action movie of the month will telecast on Sunday, 8th June at 10 pm.

    Speaking on the occasion Mr Anurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head, stated; “In our efforts to provide the best of international content to our Indian viewers we pick award winning films that appeal to the mindsets of our target audience. Our new property Death by Laughter is very unique. Also to provide an exceptional viewing experience we have Brave: The one movie you must watch and Prince of Persia for all our movie buffs out there. We are sure June will really please our audiences”

    Zee Studio is a firm believer of the statement “Hollywood on television” and that is exactly the experience fans relive. The channel is home to the biggest movies in English entertainment and viewers are offered only the best this June.

  • Two time Golden Globe winning series BROOKLYN NINE-NINE now on Indian Television

    Two time Golden Globe winning series BROOKLYN NINE-NINE now on Indian Television

    MUMBAI: Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a workplace comedy that deals with a diverse group of detectives. Set in the 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn, the single-camera ensemble comedy follows a talented-but-carefree detective Jake Peralta and his colleagues, who have to prove themselves to the new Captain Ray Holt who has come on-board and wants his team to work hard and follow the rules.

    Together, these cops interrogate suspects, arrest perps and solve murders. But, ultimately, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a workplace comedy that’s not really about the job. It’s about the men and women behind the badge – singing karaoke, eating gourmet ham and hitting on each other – all while protecting the fine people of Brooklyn.

     
    Andre Braugher and Golden Globe winner Andy Samberg are the most unusual yet compelling actor duo on the block. Catch them in action and get ready for all the drama starting. May 19, 2014 onwards, every Monday – Wednesday at 10:00pm exclusively on Comedy Central India.

  • Zee Café is all set to captivate viewers with – ‘The Good Wife’

    Zee Café is all set to captivate viewers with – ‘The Good Wife’

    MUMBAI: Zee Café brings ‘The Good Wife’ one of the most awarded shows on primetime television to every Indian home! Come 26th May, 2014 and Zee Café will telecast the original series from season 1 to 5, weekdays at 9 pm for all its judicious fans. There is no place you’d rather be than at the edge of your couch anticipating Alicia Florrick’s (the protagonist) next move!

    The scandalous series is critically acclaimed bagging over 30 nominations and prestigious wins that include 4 EMMYs and a Golden Globe. Zee Café is a front runner when it comes to providing the best of International content to the Indian audience and the channel has designed an exhaustive campaign to promote The Good Wife. With billboards placed strategically around key areas in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, Zee Café aims to make the run up towards the premiere, a roaring success. Branding at Café Coffee Day outlets in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai along with extensive promotions across print, radio and social media will ensure optimum recall.

    Fans can visit the official page on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZeeCafe or can log onto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZeeCafe to experience the series, follow the cast or share their views.The online buzz for the show has already started with an increase in engagement on both twitter and Facebook. Daily engaging activities like creating a courtroom scenario on twitter and asking the followers to be the jurors has received immense participation and there is a lot of anticipation for the show.

    Mr Anurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head- Zee Café, when asked about the series stated; “In our efforts to provide the best of international content to our Indian viewers we pick shows that appeal to the mindsets of our target audience. The Good Wife is a series that’s a favorite at the awards and has done brilliantly in the US, and we are sure that our viewers here will love the show.”

    The Good Wife is all set to take the stage on Friday, 26th May, 2014 at 9 pm only on Zee Café!

  • ‘Broadchurch’ wins Best Drama BAFTA, ‘Breaking Bad’ wins Best Foreign Drama

    ‘Broadchurch’ wins Best Drama BAFTA, ‘Breaking Bad’ wins Best Foreign Drama

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the winners of this evening’s Arqiva British Academy Television Awards, celebrating and rewarding the very best programmes and performances of the past year. The ceremony was hosted by Graham Norton at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. The presenters included Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Davina McCall (The Jump), Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), Jeremy Piven (Mr. Selfridge), Marvin Humes (The X Factor), Martin Freeman (Sherlock), Mel & Sue (The Great British Bake-Off), Olympiad Mo Farah, Naomi Campbell (The Face), legendary television presenter Paul O’Grady, Ross Kemp (Eastenders), Sam Neill (Peaky Blinders) and Sheridan Smith (The Widower).

     

    Crime drama Broadchurch was recognised in three categories: Olivia Colman won the BAFTA for Leading Actress for her performance as DS Ellie Miller, whilst co-star David Bradley received his first BAFTA for Supporting Actor. Colman’s win takes her career tally to three; she has now won a BAFTA in each of the performance categories. The programme also won a BAFTA in the highly competitive Drama Series category.

     

    The IT Crowd was rewarded in both comedy performance categories, with Richard Ayoade and Katherine Parkinson winning their first BAFTAs for Male and Female Performance in a Comedy Programme respectively. The BAFTA for Situation Comedy went to Him & Her: The Wedding, the first of two awards won by BBC Three.

     

    The BAFTA for Leading Actor went to first-time nominee Sean Harris for his performance as Stephen Morton in Southcliffe, the drama about a small town’s shootings. Sarah Lancashire, another first-time BAFTA winner, took home the award for Supporting Actress, her second nomination in as many years for her performance in BBC One’s popular drama, Last Tango in Halifax.

     

    Ant and Dec, one of the nation’s most popular double-acts, fended off stiff competition from Charlie Brooker, Sarah Millican and ceremony host Graham Norton to take home the BAFTA in the Entertainment Performance category for Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which also won the Entertainment Programme category. The award for Soap & Continuing Drama returned to Weatherfield as Coronation Street added a tenth BAFTA to its collection.

     

    In its first year at the BAFTAs, Netflix took home the International award for Breaking Bad, the global television phenomenon that follows a terminally ill man on his journey from chemistry teacher to drug lord.

     

    The award for Mini-Series went to BBC Three hit In The Flesh, written by BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and Television Craft Award-winner Dominic Mitchell. The BAFTA for Single Drama was won by domestic terrorism thriller Complicit.

     

    Channel 4 fared well in factual: Bedlam won for Factual Series; The Murder Trial, which saw cameras placed inside a British court for the entirety of a trial, won for Single Documentary; and Syria: Across the Lines (Dispatches) received the BAFTA for Current Affairs, the tenth BAFTA (across Television and Television Craft) for a Dispatches film. Gogglebox, in its first series, was successful in the Reality & Constructed Factual category.

     

    Bringing ITV’s tally to eight BAFTAs, Long Lost Family won in Features and ITV News at Ten: Woolwich Attacks in News Coverage.

     

    Sky achieved success across a range of programming with its three nominations converting to wins in factual, sport and comedy: David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive 3D received the BAFTA for Specialist Factual; The Ashes 2013 – 1st Test, Day 5 took home the award for Sport & Live Event; and A League of Their Own won the BAFTA for Comedy and Comedy Entertainment Programme.

     

    The Radio Times Audience Award, the only award voted for by the public, was won by Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor, beating Breaking Bad, Broadchurch, Educating Yorkshire, Gogglebox and The Great British Bake Off.

     

    The Special Award was presented to Cilla Black, the entertainer, actress and singer, for her 50-year contribution to British television entertainment.

     

    The Fellowship, the highest accolade the Academy bestows, was presented to actress Julie Walters (Harry Potter films) in recognition of an exceptional contribution to television over 30 years and her ground-breaking work across a range of genres, from serious drama to comedy.

  • Viacom to acquire Channel 5 for ?450 million

    Viacom to acquire Channel 5 for ?450 million

    MUMBAI: In what has come as big news for many, Viacom International Media Networks is all set to acquire UK based Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited for ?450 million (approximately $757 million). The announcement was made by Viacom and Northern & Shell Media Group through a press statement.

     

    The transaction brings Viacom, one of British television’s biggest brands, and the only commercial public service broadcaster to consistently grow viewership share in recent years.

     

    Under the terms of the agreement, Viacom will acquire all brands and assets of Channel 5 Limited, including: Channel 5, 5*, 5USA, Milkshake! and Demand 5.

     

    The purchase price of the acquisition will be financed by Viacom’s existing cash balances and the transaction is expected to be accretive immediately after closing. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

     

    Channel 5’s diverse programming slate is viewed by more than 80 per cent of the UK population each month. The acquisition is set to complement Viacom’s popular pay TV networks, which connect with focused and valuable audiences.

     

    “The acquisition of Channel 5 accelerates Viacom’s strategy in the UK, one of the world’s most important and valuable media markets,” said Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman, through a press statement.

     

    “Channel 5’s momentum is indisputable, with impactful programming, increasing popularity and a growing digital platform. Channel 5’s management and employees have done an outstanding job building their brand and we are pleased to welcome them to our team. Viacom’s global resources, technology and expertise will help Channel 5 develop even more compelling programming and provide content to consumers in exciting new ways. In addition, we will introduce our popular content to new UK audiences and create a comprehensive offering for our commercial partners on-air and on-line,” he said.

     

    The deal will dramatically increase Viacom’s investment in content produced in the UK, “which has a widely admired public service broadcasting culture and a globally influential production sector. We look forward to partnering with local producers to introduce more UK-created content to global audiences, and will continue to explore opportunities in the UK, both in the free-to-air and pay television markets,” added Dauman.

     

    Channel 5 chief operating officer Paul Dunthorne further said, “Since Northern & Shell’s acquisition of Channel 5 in 2010, the financial and operating performance of the business has been transformed with improved audiences and content offering. The combination of Channel 5 with Viacom’s global resources, technology and expertise adds further to the momentum of the business and offers numerous exciting opportunities for the channel’s future.”

     

    The acquisition of Channel 5 builds on Viacom’s long and successful track record of investment in the UK. The company launched MTV in the market in 1987, followed by Nickelodeon in 1993 and Comedy Central in 1995, growing to more than 20 branded TV networks currently on air, including BET, VIVA and VH1. Viacom’s continued growth resulted in it being the most successful international supplier of pay TV channels to the UK market in 2013. 

  • Romedy NOW presents a fun filled month

    Romedy NOW presents a fun filled month

    MUMBAI: Summer time’s in bloom and it brings with it three amazing summer surprises only on Romedy NOW, the exclusive destination for English General Entertainment. Let the heartthrob Hugh Grant steal your hearts all over again with a special property ‘Romedy Heartthrob’ powered by Maruti Swift, every Monday Night at 11pm throughout May. Watch the sweetest of his movies like Two Weeks Notice, Music and Lyrics, Did You Hear about the Morgans, and Nine Months.  

     

    What does it take for an immature, reckless and self-absorbed billionaire real estate tycoon to find true love? A hard working and devoted attorney who serves him a two weeks’ notice tired of his self-importance to make them both realize that they are more than boss and employee. Watch Hugh Grant as George Wade and Sandra Bullock as Lucy Kelson in the movie Two Weeks Notice.

     

    It’s time for child psychologist Samuel Faulkner to let go of his fears of fatherhood and take responsibility of his soon-to-be-born son in Nine Months after an unplanned pregnancy with the love of his life a ballet teacher Rebecca Taylor (Julian Moore) throws him in a tizzy to be made worse by the boisterous daughters of an imperious couple and confusing advice from his single artist friend.

     

    What’s romance without music? Indulge in music and love in Music and Lyrics, as Grant plays Alex a former pop sensation with a fading career in music. As he lacks inspiration to write a love song ‘Way back into love’ for a famed pop artist he seeks help from a creative writer Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) who waters his plants and is overcoming a failed romance herself. The musical sojourn has more ‘aww’ moments than you can think about!

     

    Running away from a contract killer after they witness a murder brings city slickers Paul Michael Morgan and his soon to be ex-wife Meryl to a small town of Ray in a witness protection program in Did you Hear about the Morgans. They rediscover love in the face of peril of escaping the contract killer and adjusting to country life, horse riding and fighting off bears and bulls. Enjoy the love and laughter in this one.

     

    Too much love and laughter is never enough. It’s time to chill out with the most entertaining movies with a special property called ‘Hangout’ powered by Micro Max, Monday – Wednesday at 6pm all through May. Catch the foot-tapping penguin story in Happy Feet and the world of Emperor Penguins where a penguin cannot sing to find his partner but dance.

     

    Spanglish has an honest Mexican domestic help Flor (Tea Leone) trying to get her teenage daughter Cristina stick to her roots and values while working in the household of a celebrated chef John (Adam Sandler) and his insecure wife. As the imperfect marriage and world of John crumbles down he finds companionship in Flor.

     

    See humans get sued by a bee for eating all their honey in Bee Movie, two 11-year-olds falling in love in New York City in Little Manhattan, flooding an ant colony with his water gun has Lucas Nickle shrunk to insect size and work in the ruins in The Ant Bully. Watch more gems like Big, Chasing Liberty, Say Anything, Anastasia, and Aquamarine.

     

    The feast does not end here! May is also the time for ‘Off the Shelves’ every Thursday night at 9 with some brilliant movies. Learn about the perils of misreading signs and falling in love with people who don’t love you back in the interconnecting stories in He’s Just not That Into You. Drool away watching Bradley Cooper, Scarlet Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, and more such scorchers in this ensemble cast.

     

    The love story of a Parkinson’s patient and a medical rep working for Pfizer in Pittsburg in Love and Other Drugs. Love does not die as proved in PS I Love You where a young widow Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank) is left 10 posthumous messages by her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) to help her come to terms with the bereavement and move on. Not just these, enjoy movies like The Devil Wears Prada and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

  • Zee Cafe to woo viewers with fact, fiction and fantasy

    Zee Cafe to woo viewers with fact, fiction and fantasy

    MUMBAI: The planet’s first-ever vampires, an adolescent queen, a twisted sociopath and much more… Zee Cafe has a lip-smacking roster of shows, new and old, lined up for its audience this year.

     

    As Zee Cafe EVP and business head Anurag Bedi puts it, “We have a good mix of reality and scripted series lined up for our viewers. You will be seeing a lot of new show launches that haven’t been aired in the country before. And we will continue to bring the latest seasons of all-time favourites such as The Mentalist, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal among others.” 70 per cent of the channel’s viewership is made up by young and evolving viewers (15 to 34 years) based in metros.

     

    Indiantelevision.com brings you a brief overview of the delectable fare on offer:

     

    New kids on the bloc

     

    The Fosters:

    With Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (Queer as Folk) as creators cum writers cum executive producers and Jennifer Lopez (American Idol, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Back-Up Plan) as executive producer, The Fosters stars Teri Polo (Meet the Parents), Sherri Saum (In Treatment), Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place), Hayden Byerly (Parenthood), David Lambert (Aaron Stone), Danny Nucci (Titanic), Cierra Ramirez (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) and newcomer Maia Mitchell (Teen Beach Movie). Telecast as one-hour episodes, the series is about a multi-ethnic family with both biological and foster kids raised by two moms.

     

    Twisted:

    True to its name, this is a mystery full of twists and turns and revolves round a charismatic 16-year-old with a troubled past. He becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is found dead in her house. With executive producers: Gavin Polone (Gilmore Girls, Zombieland, Curb Your Enthusiasm, My Boys, Jane By Design), David Babcock (Brothers & Sisters) and Adam Milch (Greek) – who also wrote the pilot, the drama stars Avan Jogia (Victorious), Maddie Hasson (The Finder), Kylie Bunbury (Prom), Kimberly Quinn (Terriers), Sam Robards (Treme, Gossip Girl), Denise Richards (Two and a Half Men) and newcomer Ashton Moio.

     

    The Originals:

    Move over protagonists of The Twilight Saga, this one’s the original vampire family and it’s here to stay. Except that time and power games have broken the centuries’ old bond among the members. Werewolf-vampire Klaus Mikaelson gets a tip-off about a conspiracy brewing against him in supernatural haven – the French quarter of New Orleans. There, he bumps into his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has absolute control over the city. The series follows Klaus’ struggle to reclaim all that once belonged to his family.

     

    The series stars Joseph Morgan (The Vampire Diaries, Immortals), Charles Michael Davis (Grey’s Anatomy, Switched at Birth), Daniel Gillies (The Vampire Diaries, Saving Hope), Claire Holt (The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars), Phoebe Tonkin (The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle) and Daniella Pineda (The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, Homeland), among others. The executive producers are: Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, Kyle XY, Wasteland), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo (The Lying Game).

     

    Reign:

    Somewhere between the lines of history books is a story waiting to unravel – that of Mary Stuart, the young woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots. The series traces her story from the time she was a beautiful, headstrong adolescent to the brewing love triangle between her, Prince Francis of France, and his rakish half-brother, to her tumultuous rise to power. There’s enough danger and sexual intrigue here to keep viewers hooked.

    The series stars Adelaide Kane (Teen Wolf), Toby Regbo (One Day), Torrance Coombs (The Tudors), Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables), Alan Van Sprang (The Tudors) and Celina Sinden, among others. Coming from CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television, the executive producers of Reign are Stephanie SenGupta (Hawaii Five-0), Laurie McCarthy (The Ghost Whisperer), Frank Siracusa (Beauty and the Beast) and Brad Silberling (Moonlight Mile). Zee Cafe is learnt to be looking at a June premiere for this series.

     

    The 100:

    It’s nearly a century since nuclear Armageddon destroyed planet Earth and civilization as we know it. The only survivors then were inhabitants of a few space stations in orbit. Ever since, three generations have been born but resources in space are dying out. Among many last-ditch attempts to survive, the powers that be decide to exile 100 juvenile prisoners to the surface of the Earth just to see if it can still be habited. For the chosen 100, returning to Earth is not without its fair share of perils; one minute, it’s magical while the next minute, it’s lethal. However, they must find a way to overcome their differences and forge a new path on this intense, primitive and alien planet.

     

    The series stars Eliza Taylor, Paige Turco (Person Of Interest, Damages), Thomas McDonell (Suburgatory), Eli Goree (Emily Owens, M.D.) and Marie Avgeropoulos (50/50), among others. Based on an upcoming book by Kass Morgan, The 100 is a joint production of Bonanza Productions Inc., Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. The executive producers are Matthew Miller (Human Target, Chuck), Jason Rothenberg, Bharat Nalluri (Torchwood, Emily Owens, M.D.), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries) and Gina Girolamo (The Secret Circle).

     

    Believe:

    Levitation, telekinesis, the ability to control nature, the ability to predict the future – Bo’s been a gifted girl ever since she was two years old. A group called the ‘True Believers’ have raised the orphaned girl and protected her from outsiders who might use her powers for personal gain. However, now that she is 10, they turn to the only person they see fit to be her full-time protector – Tate. This wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate is at first reluctant but later relents when he sees Bo’s extraordinary abilities. Thus begins Bo and Tate’s collaboration to keep the dark forces at bay. Executive producer of the series is J.J. Abrams (Revolution, Star Trek: Into Darkness) while Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) is the executive producer cum writer cum director.

     

    Hostages:

    Dr Ellen Sanders, a prominent Washington D.C. surgeon, is handpicked to operate on the President of the USA, when she and her family are taken hostage by rogue FBI agent Duncan Carlisle and his gang of goons. Dr Sanders must kill the Prez during surgery else her captors will kill them all.  With Jerry Bruckheimer as executive producer, this edge-of-the-seat thriller stars Emmy award winner Toni Collette (United States of Tara) and Golden Globe winner Dylan McDermott (The Practice, American Horror Story: Murder House) among others.

  • MSM elevates Saurabh Yagnik to head English entertainment channels

    MSM elevates Saurabh Yagnik to head English entertainment channels

    MUMBAI: Multi-Screen Media (MSM) today announced that Saurabh Yagnik’s responsibilities have been enhanced and he will now also oversee AXN, thus taking charge of the English language channels in the network, effective immediately.

    The AXN’s current business head Sunil Punjabi will continue to manage AXN and will report to Yagnik.

    Speaking on the occasion, MSM CEO NP Singh said: “With Saurabh’s deep rooted understanding of the English Entertainment genre, I am certain that he will chart a new and exciting journey for the English Entertainment channels at MSM. We wish him all the best.”

    Infact, indiantelevision.com was the first one to report about AXN launching in HD and will launch by the end of the year.

    Yagnik, who joined the MSM group just over two years ago, has over 17 years of varied consumer and television management experience, and has been instrumental in building and driving  the English movie channel PIX to attain market leadership.

  • Batman-prequel Gotham ordered to series by Fox, trailer released

    Batman-prequel Gotham ordered to series by Fox, trailer released

    MUMBAI: Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon. He is one of the crime world’s greatest foes, a man whose reputation is synonymous with law and order. But what is known of Gordon’s story and his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the multiple layers of corruption that secretly ruled Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world’s most iconic villains? And what circumstances created them – the larger-than-life personas who would become Catwoman, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and The Joker?

    It was announced on 6 May that the American Television Network, FOX Broadcasting is ordering a series that delves into the early career of future “Batman” police commissioner James Gordon.

    Gotham is an origin story of the great DC Comics super villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (The Mentalist, Rome), Gotham follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time.

    Growing up in Gotham City’s surrounding suburbs, James Gordon (Ben McKenzie, Southland, The O.C.) romanticized the city as a glamorous and exciting metropolis where his late father once served as a successful district attorney. Now, two weeks into his new job as a Gotham City detective and engaged to his beloved fiancée, Barbara Kean (Erin Richards, Open Grave, Breaking In), Gordon is living his dream – even as he hopes to restore the city back to the pure version as he remembers it when he was a kid.

    Brave, honest and ready to prove himself, the newly-minted detective is partnered with the brash, but shrewd police legend Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue, Sons of Anarchy, Terriers, Vikings, Copper), as the two stumble upon the city’s highest-profile case ever: the murder of local billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne. At the scene of the crime, Gordon meets the sole survivor: the Waynes’ hauntingly intense 12-year-old son, Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz, Touch), toward whom the young detective feels an inexplicable kinship. Moved by the boy’s profound loss, Gordon vows to catch the killer.

    As he navigates the often-underhanded politics of Gotham’s criminal justice system, Gordon will confront imposing gang boss Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith, The Matrix films, HawthoRNe, Collateral), and many of the characters who will become some of fiction’s most renowned, enduring villains, including a teenaged Seline Kyle/the future Catwoman (acting newcomer Camren Bicondova) and Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor, The Walking Dead, Another Earth).

    Although the crime drama will follow Gordon’s turbulent and singular rise through the Gotham City police department, led by police captain Sarah Essen (Zabryna Guevara, Burn Notice), it also will focus on the unlikely friendship Gordon forms with the young heir to the Wayne fortune, who is being raised by his unflappable butler, Alfred (Sean Pertwee, Camelot, Elementary). It is a friendship that will last them all of their lives, playing a crucial role in helping the young boy eventually become the crusader he’s destined to be.

    Gotham is based upon characters published by DC Comics and is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Executive producer Bruno Heller (The Mentalist) wrote the pilot, which will be directed and executive-produced by Emmy Award nominee Danny Cannon (the CSI series, Nikita).

    An air date hasn’t been announced, but a Warner Bros. spokesman told Entertainment Weekly Gotham is planned for the 2014-2015 season “for at least 13 episodes.”