ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • The History Channel to demistify Sherlock Holmes

    The History Channel to demistify Sherlock Holmes

    NEW DELHI: This December, The History Channel will trace the adventures of the one of the greatest all-time favourite fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted aid and companion Dr. John Watson through its series ‘The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’.Indian viewers will get a chance to see Jeremy Brett’s ‘flamboyantly brilliant interpretation’ of Sherlock Holmes in the classic series, ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’, premiering on Tuesday, December 12 at 9 pm.

    David Bruke will play the role of Dr Watson in the series produced by Michael Cox, though the channel spokespersons would not reveal the cost of production of what is likely to become a series of mega-viewership.There will be a total of 14 stories shown, every Tuesdays at the same time. Each story will be of roughly one hour duration.

    Though the series had been shown once on DD Metro, “but that was long ago and this will be a rebirth of sorts for the series,” the spokesperson told indiantelevision.com.

    Terming it a “faithful adaptation of the original stories”, ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ will bring alive mysteries such as A Solitary Cyclist, The Speckled Band, The Naval Treaty amongst others that not only enjoy worldwide recognition but still continues to fascinate and mesmerize generation of readers across the globe. It will also show the story, “The Adventure of the Final Problem”, in which Conan-Doyle had ‘finished off’ Holmes (before he was forced on popular demand to bring him back.

    Unfortunately, one of the most famous of Holmes’s adventures, “Hounds of Baskerville” will not be part of the series, the channel said.

    “Through his power packed performance, Jeremy Brett successfully captures the true essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s favourite character Sherlock Holmes”, says a press statement from the channel.

    Commenting on the new series, Joy Bhattacharjya, Senior Vice President, Programming, The History Channel says, “From time immemorial, Sherlock Holmes has enjoyed universal appeal. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is one of the most successful historically set drama series and we feel privileged to air this classic on our channel. Such programmes are in keeping with our strategy of broad-basing the channel to widen its appeal for all viewers.”

    The channel will repeat each show through the week on various times, starting Wednesdays at 12 midnight, followed by once each day till the next story is telecast.

  • UFO to raise $25 million, taps VCs

    UFO to raise $25 million, taps VCs

    MUMBAI: United Film Organizers (UFO) Moviez, a subsidiary of Apollo International Ltd, is in the process of raising venture capital (VC) funding of $25 million (Rs 1.13 billion).

    The company plans to spread its digital cinema network to 2,000 screens by 2007-08, for which it is going to invest Rs 3 billion. UFO has already invested close to Rs 800 million and its digital system runs across 550 theatres.

    UFO has mandated Ernst & Young to arrange the VC funding. “We are in talks with a few VCs. We will be raising $25 million. We have already pumped in around Rs 800 million. The balance will come from debt and internal accruals,” UFO Moviez CEO Sanjay Gaikwad tells Indianteleviievision.com.

    Apollo International holds 60 per cent in the company while 25 per cent is with the founder-promoters (including Gaikwad) and initial investors. The balance 15 per cent is held by Singapore-based DG2L Technologies. “After receiving the VC funding, all of our shareholdings will get diluted proportionately. We will know the new shareholding structure only when we finalise our VC partner,” says Gaikwad.

    UFO installs the digital equipment at cinema theatres which cost Rs 1.7 million. Theatres using the UFO digital system do not have to pay for the equipment but are charged Rs 450 per show. The company uses Mpeg 4 digital cinema solutions.

    “We plan to increase the fee to Rs 525 per show. We also expect the usage of digital systems in the theatres whiere we have installed them to go up from 60 per cent to over 90 per cent as the business matures,” says Gaikwad.

    UFO has competitors like Adlabs and Essel Group’s E-City Digital Cinemas. “We expect our revenues to touch Rs 2 billion by 2008-09,” says Gaikwad.

  • Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    MUMBAI: At a recently held investor conference US media conglomerate Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons says that the firm is looking at acquiring net properties.

    Media reports state that Parsons is looking to stregthen its ad position. Warner is said to be looking at firms that offer technology that allow for ad insertion. The etchnology that Warbner is looking for lets companies place ads that are relevant to a particular viewer’s tastes.

    Parsons acknowleged that 2006 has not been a good year as far as films are concerned. However he is optimistic that things will be different next year with films like Harry Potter And The Order Of the Phoenix, Oceans 13 set for release. He hinted that there may a small reduction in the number of films made.

    As far as television is concerned he notes that the challenge is to ride the wave of technology, as opposed to getting too far in front or lagging behind. “Television viewing is still going up. So this business is not going away tomorrow. We want to maintain our strength in that business. We’re realigning so that we have a digital production studio, so to speak, so that things produced for television can find their way to other purely digital platforms.”

    Parsons also noted that it is unfortunate that a war should be taking place in the HD DVD arena. This he says is leading to confusion. The war is between Sony which is championing the cause of Blu Ray and Toshiba which is fighting for HD DVD.

    Parsons was quoted in reports saying that the releases for movies for platforms could be affected if current efforts to allow customers to download movies and then burn them on DVDs gain traction.

    At the same time he maintains that the download-to-burn idea, which needs to be worked out carefully with existing distributors of movies such as retailers in order to succeed.

  • WWE reports a fall in operationg income for Q2

    WWE reports a fall in operationg income for Q2

    MUMBAI: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., (WWE) has announced financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended 27 October, 2006.

    Revenues totalled $96.2 million as compared to $88.9 million in the prior year quarter and operating income was $11.7 million as compared to $18.9 million in the prior year quarter. The company reported net income of $10.4 million as compared to $11.7 million, or $0.17 per share, in the prior year quarter.

    In India WWE airs on Ten Sports.

    WWE CEO Linda McMahon says, ” The current quarter reflects the absence of all domestic cable advertising revenues under our arrangement with USA Network, which accounted for revenues of approximately $5.6 million in the prior year quarter. Our effective tax rate in the current quarter was significantly lower as a result of a beneficial settlement of a state and local tax audit. The prior year quarter also included approximately $3.4 million in positive legal settlements. We accomplished several operational objectives in the second fiscal quarter that are important for our continued development.

    “We launched Friday Night SmackDown on the new CW network, allowing us to broadcast into three million additional homes domestically. We successfully released our second feature film, The Marine in October and the results are firmly in line with our expectations. We have also positioned our home video business for long-term growth by securing a new distribution deal.”

    Revenues from WWE’s live and televised entertainment businesses were $64.3 million for the current quarter as compared to $63 million in the prior year quarter, a two per cent increase. Pay-Per-View (PPV) revenues were $18.6 million as compared to $18.8 million in the prior year quarter. There were three Pay-Per-View events produced in each quarter.

    Beginning in Q1 of the 2006 transition Period, the North American retail price of its PPV events was increased by $5 to $39.95 in order to bring the price more in line with similar live events. International buys comprised approximately 36 per cent of total buys in the current quarter as compared to 40 per cent of total buys in the prior year quarter.

    Live event revenues were $17.6 million as compared to $13.0 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the timing of international tours. There were 101 events, including 11 international events and 27 ECW branded events, during the current quarter. In the prior year, there were 78 events, including only 2 international events.

    International events generated approximately $4.6 million in the current quarter as compared to $1.3 million in the prior year quarter. Television rights fees revenues were $21.8 million as compared to $20.4 million in the prior year quarter. This increase is primarily due to the rights fees received from ECW telecasts.

    Television ad revenues were $1.5 million as compared to $7.7 million in the prior year quarter. This decline was due to the earlier mentioned television distribution agreement with USA Network, which became effective in October 2005.

    Due to this change, WWE no longer participates in domestic television advertising sales. Advertising revenues in the current quarter include sales of advertising on the Canadian television programmes.

  • Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    MUMBAI: At a recently held investor conference US media conglomerate Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons says that the firm is looking at acquiring net properties.

    Media reports state that Parsons is looking to stregthen its ad position. Warner is said to be looking at firms that offer technology that allow for ad insertion. The etchnology that Warbner is looking for lets companies place ads that are relevant to a particular viewer’s tastes.

    Parsons acknowleged that 2006 has not been a good year as far as films are concerned. However he is optimistic that things will be different next year with films like Harry Potter And The Order Of the Phoenix, Oceans 13 set for release. He hinted that there may a small reduction in the number of films made.

    As far as television is concerned he notes that the challenge is to ride the wave of technology, as opposed to getting too far in front or lagging behind. “Television viewing is still going up. So this business is not going away tomorrow. We want to maintain our strength in that business. We’re realigning so that we have a digital production studio, so to speak, so that things produced for television can find their way to other purely digital platforms.”

    Parsons also noted that it is unfortunate that a war should be taking place in the HD DVD arena. This he says is leading to confusion. The war is between Sony which is championing the cause of Blu Ray and Toshiba which is fighting for HD DVD.

    Parsons was quoted in reports saying that the releases for movies for platforms could be affected if current efforts to allow customers to download movies and then burn them on DVDs gain traction.

    At the same time he maintains that the download-to-burn idea, which needs to be worked out carefully with existing distributors of movies such as retailers in order to succeed.

  • Discovery to air a four part travelogue on ‘Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet’

    Discovery to air a four part travelogue on ‘Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet’

    MUMBAI: This year infotainment channel Discovery increased the number of hours devoted to India themed programming. Each week Discover India airs in a two hour block now instead of just one hour in the past.

    Now in its endeavour to present India’s cultural heritage and natural diversity, Discovery has produced a special four-part programme on Chhattisgarh. The travelogue Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet the channel says will present a journey of surprise and enchantment, uncovering the mystical, traditional place.An Indian commission, Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet will air on consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday), 9-10 December and 16-17 December at 10 pm.

    Discovery India executive VP, MD Deepak Shourie said, “Discovery Channel has showcased India’s diverse cultural and natural landscape through captivating programmes. Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet explores the state’s inimitable and unexplored attractions and will serve as a gateway for eco and ethno-tourists from across India.”

    The Honourable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr Raman Singh said, “Chhattisgarh is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity offering an interesting blend of nature, ethnic, heritage, wild life and eco-tourism. The state is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus.

    “Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer an alternate experience to tourists. I am delighted that travellers across India will be able to explore the state’s unique attractions on Discovery Channel – an ideal partner in our endeavour to showcase Chhattisgarh’s tourism potential.”

    Honorable Minister of Tourism and Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Brijmohan Agrawal said, “It is my firm belief that in the coming years Chhattisgarh will emerge as a leading tourist destination and will leave its mark on the international tourist map. I am confident that Discovery Channel’s programme Chhattisgarh: The Tribal Planet will help position the state as an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.”

    Presenting one of India’s least explored eco and ethno-tourist destinations, the show will take viewers through the state’s history, culture, architecture, wildlife and its varied tribes. Providing a holistic view of the state, the programme will cover Raipur, Kawardha, Bhoramdev, Kumhapura, Jagdalpur, Sirpur, Turturiya, Kanger National Park, Tirathgarh and Chitrakoot waterfalls, Bastar tribes, forests, tribal ‘Haats’ and villages and craft centers.

    Covering the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, the first episode presents its large tribal population and abundant natural resources. Exploring the state’s traditions, this episode will take viewers through the weekly markets called ‘Haats’, local food, customs, dance and festivities. It will uncover the state’s handicrafts like terracotta at Nagarnar village through interactions with the artisans. The episode will also showcase the ancient temples at Barsur.

    The second episode highlights the heritage of the state in terms of its history and architecture – excavations at Sirpur, Laxman temple, Rajiv Lochan temple, Danteshwari temple, Bhoramdeo temple and Mainpat, a Tibetan settlement. The viewers can also witness Teejan Bai’s captivating performance at the Laxman Temple at Sirpur.

    The third segment is an ode to the artistic traditions of the state. It gives a glimpse into the crafts and costumes through interactions with tribals and artisans. Viewers will discover their culture, unique delicacies like the red ant chutney and interesting traditions like Ghotul. Viewers will also learn the rare craft of bell metal from master craftsman Jaidev Bhagel. Apart from the cultural aspect, the episode would also showcase the natural beauty of the state including the spectacular waterfalls at Chitrakoot.

    The final episode takes a look at the natural splendour of the state, showcasing its many national parks and flora and fauna. Viewers will get to see picture-postcard waterfalls at Tirathgarh and the verdant valley. They will get a taste of life in a jungle and a glimpse of its wildlife – leopard, deer and bison. Apart from the sanctuaries in Bharnawapara, Kanger and Udanti, viewers will also visit the megalithic rock site of Karkabhat with archaeologist A K Sharma.

  • Japanese entertainment group urges Youtube to take copyright action

    Japanese entertainment group urges Youtube to take copyright action

    MUMBAI: A Japanese entertainment group has asked video-sharing site YouTube to implement a system to prevent users from uploading videos that would infringe copyrights.

    The Japan Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers media reports state has said that YouTube should proactively check if uploaded videos are copyrighted. They sent an email to Youtube’s founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen on this matter. The Japanese entertainment group was the one that had earlier requested YouTube take down 30,000 video clips that infringed on copyright.

    Most videos posted on YouTube are homemade, but the site also features copyrighted material posted by individual users.

    YouTube’s policy has been to remove clips that infringe copyright after it receives complaints. The Hapanese group says that Youtube should warning in Japanese on the home page that reminds people of the civil and criminal penalties associated with copyright infringement. In addition media reports state that the group wants YouTube to maintain records of the names and addresses of people uploading video, and to terminate the accounts of users who upload illegal clips.

  • Discovery’s ‘Planet Earth’ gets actress Sigourney Weaver to narrate

    Discovery’s ‘Planet Earth’ gets actress Sigourney Weaver to narrate

    MUMBAI: Actress and conservationist Sigourney Weaver joins Discovery Channel as narrator for Planet Earth, slated to premiere in the US on the Discovery Channel on 25 March 2007.

    Planet Earth promises to amaze viewers with never-before-seen animal behaviors, startling views of locations captured by cameras for the first time, and unprecedented high definition production techniques. More than five years in the making, Planet Earth redefines blue-chip natural history filmmaking Planet Earth airs on consecutive Sundays from 25 March through 22 April 2007.

    The BBC produced show will include the first footage of the rarely seen snow leopard hunting in the Himalayas; lions hunting and killing elephants in the middle of the night; and the Blue Bird of Paradise performing a mating ritual, captured for the first time on film, informs an official release.

    70 camera operators spent over 2,000 days in the field visiting more than 200 locations to document nature’s greatest spectacles. Locations filmed for the first time include the Gobi Desert covered in snow; unique access to the Arctic island of Kong Karls Land — home to the world’s highest densities of polar bears; and the first high-quality aerial sequences of Mount Everest.

    Sigourney Weaver is an active conservationist. She serves as honorary chair to the board of trustees of The Dian Fosse Gorilla Fund and recently drew international attention during a United Nations press conference on the threat to ocean habitat posed by deep sea trawling.

    “The Planet Earth series is like a wonderful ride through our world,” said Weaver. “Whatever fascinates you the most…whether it be caves or deep sea, deserts or mountains, you’re in for such a treat. The camera work is so extraordinary and it’s as if you’re an animal living in that world…you become part of that world.”

    Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of the Planet Earth series.

  • Animal Planet, Discovery to air Steve Irwin’s final film next year

    Animal Planet, Discovery to air Steve Irwin’s final film next year

    MUMBAI: Earlier this year animal lovers bemoan premature loss of animal expert and conservationist Steve Irwin who used to host shows on Animal Planet and was known as “The Crocodile Hunter.”

    On 21 January, 2007 US fans can both reflect on Irwin’s legacy with the Steve Irwin Tribute and also check out his last television project, Ocean’s Deadliest. The two-hour television event will be broadcast simultaneously on The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet in the US.

    Discovery US president Billy Campbell says, “Steve has been such an con for our entire family of networks, including Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel.

    This exclusive evening of programming on both networks will honour both his past accomplishments and his continued dream of showcasing the wildlife kingdom in order to preserve it.”

    In Ocean’s Deadliest lurking only a few feet below the surface of eastern Australia’s crystalline ocean are some of the most dangerous animals on the planet. For thousands of years, venomous snakes, salt-water crocodiles and immense sharks have patrolled these waters. Now in the hope of studying nature’s most dangerous creations, two adventurers embark on an epic mission that requires leadership of an experienced, knowledgeable and fearless crew.

    The late Irwin is joined by oceanographer and adventurer Philippe Cousteau, grandson of the famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau as they explore the waters between Australia’s Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.

    Throughout this expedition, Philippe and Steve come face to face with venomous fish, huge great white sharks and amazing saltwater crocodiles as they search for the region’s most dangerous animal. Along the way, they will meet the scientific experts who work with these creatures on a regular basis, learning the reason why they have evolved with such dangerous defenses and also learning that in truth, they fill a role in the overall ecosystem that is vital and cannot be overlooked.

    Their adventure features moments, including subduing a giant croc in order to attach a satellite tracking device; observing the feeding behaviour of the great white shark while safely tucked away inside a dive cage; and working with the Australian experts who capture deadly sea snakes in order to supply anti-venom to the rest of the world.

    Cousteau, who was aboard Croc One with Irwin during the expedition when he was struck and killed by a stingray, narrates the 90- minute documentary.

  • The History Channel looks to strengthen weekdays primetime with dramas, factual shows

    The History Channel looks to strengthen weekdays primetime with dramas, factual shows

    MUMBAI: It has been six months since The History Channel (THC) went a repositioning from an infotainment channel to an entertainment one. After having consolidated its position on weekends with blocks like Jumbo Movies the channel is now looking to focus on its weekday slots.

    To this end it will launch drama shows and factual shows. Speaking to indiantelevision.com this evening, THC India MD Nikhil Mirchandani says, “Our revamp, which marked a shift through the introduction of fresh content like films, mini series has worked for us. We target males 25+. There we have seen a 150 per cent growth in the weekly time viewers have spent on us each week since the revamp. Our reach has grown by 72 per cent and our share in primetime has more than doubled.

    “We are now focussing on our weekdays primetime starting at 9 pm. Our aim is to create recognisable franchises here to grow viewer loyalty. So at 9 pm we will have dramas. New shows that we will launch are Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett playing the legendary detective. Then we have Sharpe with British actor Sean Bean. We will also air the mini series Kane And Abel which is based on Jeffrey Archer’s bestseller.”

    There is also Reilly – a spy story set in the 20th century – as well as Kennedy, about the late John F Kennedy. Mirchandani says that amny of these characters are already familiar with viewers to a certain extent.

    Sherlock Holmes launches next week, with other shows to follow soon after. THC is reserving the 10 pm slot for factual shows. One show that will at 10 pm is Shootout, which looks at heroic acts and deeds done after the Second World War.

    Other shows on the new, improved programming menu include Dogfight – a dramatic recreation of what might happen if say two airplanes fought each other – and Egypt: Engineering An Empire, which follows on the success that THC had earlier with Rome: Engineering An Empire.

    Mirchandani says that the aim is to see stability in the weekday slot.

    On the advertising front Mirchandani expects a 200 per cent growth in ad revenues for this fiscal ending 30 June 2007. That is because 60 new clients have come on board as Charter Partners. Earlier, when the repositioning took place, Samsung and Microsoft had come on board. A Charter Partner gets visibility across the prime properties. The clients he says come from different categories like finance, IT, automobiles, consumer durables.

    The rate increase he says have been substantial given that THC spent a million dollars acquiring content with the repositioning. In terms of below the line marketing activities one innovation that THC has come up with is a Sherlock Holmes game which can be played online by visiting the channel’s site. Here the participant gets to play detective and clues are laid out. If you solve the puzzle you win.