ITV

Category: GECs

  • Guild critical of autocratic behaviour towards ‘Parzania’

    Guild critical of autocratic behaviour towards ‘Parzania’

    NEW DELHI: The Film and Television Producers Guild of India and many of its members have expressed regret over recent attempts to intervene in screening of films by certain multiplexes of Gujarat.

    In a release, the Guild said: “Given our rich and diverse tradition it is disturbing to see such a repressive attitude towards the recently released film ‘Parzania’ by these authoritarian individuals.”

    The release added: “Surely the release of a film cannot be tantamount to the whims and fancies of certain exhibitors. Hence the Guild considers it as a sacrilege towards the fundamental rights of citizens and also considers this as a hindrance on their creativity.”

    The Guild is “positive that artistic independence of our talented filmmakers will not be curbed nor will free and fair broadcast be stopped through undemocratic means. The Guild assures the filmmakers that their interests will always be safeguarded.”

  • Delhi High Court protects ‘Zee’ trademark

    Delhi High Court protects ‘Zee’ trademark

    NEW DELHI: No other company selling anything or providing any service from now on will be able to use the trade mark “Zee”, the Delhi High Court has ruled last weekend.

    In the order passed on February 5 on a writ petition filed by c., the Court restrained the Registrar of Trade Marks of all branches from processing pending applications pertaining to trade mark “Zee”.
    The Registrar is forbidden also from advertising any further applications that may be filed pertaining to the Trade Mark “Zee” or “deceptively similar mark by any third party”, the court has ruled.

    Arvind Mohan, Executive Vice President of the Essel group told Indiantelevision.com today: “This is a landmark decision and establishes our sole right to use the brad and trade mark that the company has so painstakingly developed over the years.”

    The court has also stayed the order dated 11.9.2000 and 15.9.2000 of Registrar of Trade Mark, Mumbai, by virtue of which the company Shri Venkateshwara Group of Industries obtained the registration of trade mark or logo “Zee” for its products known as Zee Gutkha and Zee Pan Masala.

    Zee Telefilms had filed a writ petition under Article 227 invoking extraordinary jurisdiction of Delhi High Court, challenging acceptance orders directing advertising passed by Registrar of Trade Mark permitting advertisement of at least 100 trade mark applications for registered mark or logo “Zee” or deceptively similar marks filed by Shri Venkateshwara Group of Industries, which is completely violative of the statutory provisions and contrary to the law.

    Various offices of the registrar situated at Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi have also been made respondents in the case, apart from the Union of India through Secretary, Information & Broadcasting and Copyright Board, New Delhi.

    The counsels for Zee, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayyar and Prathiba M. Singh pointed out that trade mark registrars have permitted advertising of around 100 trade mark applications for registration as “Zee”, or look-alike, deceptive marks and they continue to do so despite the detailed representation made by the Zee Telefilms Ltd.

    The argued also that this is also in complete disregard to the prevailing injunction order dated September 4, 2001 of the Division Bench of Mumbai High Court against the Shri Venkateshwra Group, restraining them to use the mark Zee Gutkha or any other deceptive look-alike mark.

    Zee Telefilms Ltd. had said that they are registered proprietors and lawful owners of the trade mark in India as well as in several other countries abroad., Besides, they also own the Common Law Rights, Statutory Rights as well as Copyrights in the “Zee” logo, written in any manner whatsoever.

    Zee reminded the court that it has several channels with the “Zee” mark, which are watched by 180 million viewers out of which 120 millions are in India. In fact, the broadcaster owns the trade mark since 1992.

    The most significant of the court’s orders are that it said that “before the Registrar of Trademarks proceeds to advertise a mark registration whereof is sought, the Registrar is obliged to cause a research to be made amongst the registered trademarks as also pending applications for purposes of ascertaining, whether there are on record, in respect of same goods or services or similar goods or services, any mark identical with or deceptively similar to the mark sought to be got registered.

    “The principle of the dilution of the trademark has been extended for the mark in question. Yet, in spite thereof, Registrar of Trademarks is admitting for registration, applications by hundreds of individuals who seek registration of the trademark “Zee” for purposes of sale of their goods.”

    In the meanwhile the court restrained all branches of the Registrar of Trademarks from processing pending applications pertaining to registration of the trademark “Zee”.

    “Further injunction is issued restraining Registrar of Trademarks from advertising any further application which may be filed pertaining to the trademark “Zee”, the court ruled.

    The court also stayed the order of the Registrar under which the other respondents had been allowed to use the Zee trade mark.

    Mohan opined that a brand is one of the most valuable elements in an advertising theme, as it demonstrates what the brand owner is able to offer in the marketplace. “Brand experience develops expectations creating the impression that a brand associated with a product or service has certain qualities and characteristics that make it special or unique,” he explained.

    He said also that the court order will help the consumers stay clear of false impressions about the identity of those companies not related to Zee’s activity, that is, providing healthy entertainment on television.

  • Third edition of Hutch Kalakka Povathu Yaaru on Vijay TV

    Third edition of Hutch Kalakka Povathu Yaaru on Vijay TV

    MUMBAI: Riding high on the popularity of laughter challenge contests, the new season of Hutch Kalakka Povathu Yaaru on Vijay TV is all set to launch on 9 March.This will be the third edition of the show.

    The winner of this contest stands to win a grand prize of 5 million. Since the past series have raked in the popularity; the channel has decided to bring in contestants from across the globe this time around. The show also promises a fresh new line up which will include female contestants as well. Judges on this show include Chinni Jayanth and Madan Bob.

    The first round of auditions to pick a fresh set of talents shall take place on the 11 and 18 February. The first set of auditions will take place in Tirunelveli, Madurai and Coimbatore and at Chennai, Pondycherry and Salem on 18 February.

  • Discovery US, Intl undergoes corporate retructuring

    Discovery US, Intl undergoes corporate retructuring

    MUMBAI: After taking over the reins of US broadcaster Discovery earlier this year its CEO David Zaslav is ringing in the changes at the senior management level.

    Some key people will leave. They are Discovery US president Billy Campbell. Discovery international president Dawn McCall, Animal Planet president and GM Maureen Smith, The Learning Channel president David Abraham and senior executive VP human resources Pandit Wright.

    Campbell and Smith’s positions have been eliminated. Media reports state that Animal Planet will now be consolidated with Discovery’s other family-centric networks under the heading Animal Planet Media and Discovery Kids Media, That group will be led by Marjorie Kaplan, who is being promoted to president and gm of the new unit. She was earlier Discovery Kids GM.

    The bad news does not stop there. Reports add that broader layoffs are expected. Zaslav had said that if the broadcaster is to invest more in new media and business, then it has to invest less in infrastructure. Therefore he is taking a long look at the firm’s traditional cost basis.

    Discovery has hired Joel Berman, former president of CBS Paramount Worldwide Television, and Tom Wolzien, a veteran media analyst as consultants. Reports add that the shakup is a sign that companies are having to adjust in the face of the advent of digital media.

    Zaslav in a staff memo says that the focus is to create a lean and aggressive organization that fosters a real performance culture. “The objective is to push authority and accountability down across the company.”

  • Kids TV channels expect rapid expansion in 2007

    Kids TV channels expect rapid expansion in 2007

    MUMBAI: Building on the momentum provided in 2006, the kids genre is expected to scoot at an even faster clip this year.

    Backed with experience in the market, these kids entertainers are speaking a ‘lingo’ that is reaching out to Indian kids. The world of opportunity that this genre has opened its doors to in the last two years, seems to have laid the foundation for a level playing ground. The kids channels market is estimated to be in the region of Rs 1.2 – 1.3 billion and is poised to see 20 – 25 per cent growth year on year.

    An analysis of Tam’s six month kid’s score card (TG: CS 4-14 Years, Market: All India) provided exclusively to Indiantelevision.com, highlights key developments that the space has experienced. With the entire kid’s landscape changing, the consolidation of Disney with Hungama TV altered the dynamics, so much that the Turner duo (Cartoon Network and Pogo) were hit hard in the months of October and November 2006, clocking a combined market share of 39 per cent as opposed to Disney’s 52 per cent (Disney Channel 15 per cent, Toon Disney 16 per cent & Hungama TV 21 per cent).

    GENRE / CHANNEL
    15JULY-15 AUG
    15 AUG-15 SEP
    15 SEP – 15 OCT
    15OCT-15NOV
    15NOV-15DEC
    15DEC-30DEC
    01JAN – 13JAN 07
    TG: CS 4-14 Yrs Mkt: All India
     
    Cartoon Network
    25
    24
    24
    23
    24
    26
    28
    Disney
    Channel
    11
    10
    10
    15
    15
    14
    14
    Toon Disney
    18
    18
    20
    16
    14
    15
    13
    HungamaTV
    17
    18
    18
    21
    19
    17
    15
    Nickelodeon
    5
    7
    7
    9
    10
    9
    7
    Pogo
    23
    22
    20
    16
    17
    19
    23

    TAM peoplemeter system: Month on Month Genre – wise Relative Channel Shares (%)

    Although the ratings from July onwards point to a close battle between the two major players, it seems Hungama TV did the trick that fuelled such a massive jump. Speaking to this website, Hungama TV VP programming and production Aparna Bhosle explains that the upward inclination in ratings was actually kicked off with the seven month Oral B John Aur Kaun on-ground activity. “This was a sure reach builder for us and coupled with word of mouth it managed to get many kid’s to come onto the channel and even sample our other shows.”

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director production and programming Nachiket Pantvaidya points to a significant finding which sees older children being drawn away from GEC’s, sports etc. and back to kids channels, a challenge that all these broadcasters are working in collaboration towards. “The period that followed from June and July saw a rapid shift in axis towards a transformation of kids viewing habits. Primarily, two factors brought about this change, mainly older children moving to live action programming and secondly, the growing attraction among the 4-9 year age group towards anime.”

    Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. VP – advertising sales and networks, India & South Asia Monica Tata attributes the ratings dip in the months of October – November saying, “it is a known fact that the viewing intensity for kids channels peaks in summers and dips during other months.”

    But come January 2007 and Tam’s data unlocks revelations that have left all broadcasters (not just kid’s broadcasters) baffled! The expansion of Tam’s peoplemeters, coupled with Cas implementation and DTH seems to have thunder struck the newer players in the kid’s market and elevated Turner to the leadership position. As Tata aptly states, “The combined channel shares of Cartoon Network and Pogo in 2007 equal, if not exceed, the combined channel shares of all the other five kids channels put together.”

    While others may counter the argument by saying that with over ten years lead time Cartoon Network has obviously penetrated deeper into the Indian hinterland. But then what accounts for Pogo’s re-entry into the 2007 game, when it is also as old as its other counterparts?

    But the dark horse in the game, which is steadily galloping its way upwards, is Nick, Viacom’s till recently “orphaned” child (at least in India). Nick India VP and GM Nina Jaipuria says, “The challenge for 2007 is to consolidate and drive reach for the channel in India.” The data points to an alarming jump, where the channel has doubled its market share from 5 per cent in July-August to 10 per cent November-December 2006. Coinicidently, NDTV Media was roped in during the same period and has not wasted any time in ramping up activity for Nick.

    What’s strange is that for a player that touched Indian soil in 2000 and has been a forerunner in the International space for over two decades, it is only recently eyeing the advantages that the kid’s market in India has to offer. Nevertheless, it’s not too late and the channel boasts of being the stickiest channel in the latter half of 2006.

    The changing media scenario shaping the consumption patterns of viewers has got media owners biting their nails in anticipation for the next roll out of Tam figures. What seems to indicate a far more accurate measure of channel reach – except for the Turner pair, the others say that they will not totally consider the recent three week Tam findings as it will require a period of about three months to completely settle down and stabilize.

    Come what may the kid’s market is looking promising and according to Pantvaidya the market has grown from 10 to 25 per cent in two years and estimates that 2006-2009 will prove to be the years of expansion in the kid’s space and of course growth in the ad pie. Disney is of course clear on its ‘localization’ strategy that lends itself to animation, live action and on-ground events as being the way forward.

    With a specific agenda on the cards for each channel, will 2007 witness a bunch of kid’s quarreling in the sand? Bhosle thinks otherwise, “It’s rather myopic for players to compete within this small space; the huge fight will be to continue getting kids from other channels onto the kid’s channels.”

    “We believe that healthy competition will help the genre grow and channels will deliver quality entertainment to their audience. It’s the kind of content that makes all the difference and develops loyalty to a channel. A lot more original content in terms of movies and series is planned for the year. We will also provide a platform for content that other people make, through acquisitions. Besides quality programming, we will also try to build up on the events of 2006,” avers Tata.

    The playing field is ready, it is now left to see whether the kid’s market in India will mature to the extent that more than just two players are in the game, but rather multiple teams each delivering their expertise to keep kids glued!

  • Star World to feed viewers ‘Crumbs’ from Thursday

    Star World to feed viewers ‘Crumbs’ from Thursday

    MUMBAI: English general entertainment channel Star World will air the show Crumbs every Thursday at 10 pm from 8 February 2007.

    The family show sees Estranged brothers Mitch and Jody Crumb reunite in their small hometown to deal with their mother, Suzanne, who is being discharged from a psychiatric facility and has yet to discover that her ex-husband is about to have a baby with his new girlfriend. They have issues.!

    Central to everything are the two brothers: Mitch is the prodigal son, who is returning home after a failed Hollywood career, while Jody is the older brother who has stayed in the confines of their small New England town to run the family business. Together for the first time as adults, this family will have to stick by one another despite their combustible relationships.
    The show stars Fred Savage as Mitch Crumb, Jane Curtin a two-time Emmy Award winner for Kate and Allie as Suzanne Crumb, William Devane 24 as Billy Crumb, Eddie McClintock as Jody Crumb, Maggie Lawson as Andrea Malone and Reginald Ballard as Elvis.

    The first episode will see Mitch and Jody reunite in their hometown to deal with their mother, Suzanne, who has just been released from a psychiatric facility and has yet to learn that her ex-husband, Billy, is about to have a baby with his new girlfriend.

  • Vijay Kumar joins Infomedia India board of directors

    Vijay Kumar joins Infomedia India board of directors

    MUMBAI: The board of directors of Infomedia India Limited has appointed Vijay Kumar as additional director of the company.

    Currently Kumar is with the NIIT Group as group executive vice president and his areas of responsibility include strategic corporate finance and new initiatives.

    Having worked in the banking and information technology sectors in a career spanning over 30 years Kumar brings experience in the areas of corporate strategy, finance, mergers and acquisitions.

    He has been involved in various specialized areas such as set up of strategic alliances, joint ventures and subsidiaries as well as in the areas of project financing and investment banking, informs an official release.
     

  • IOC to be honoured as Champion of The Earth 2007

    IOC to be honoured as Champion of The Earth 2007

    MUMBAI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president,, Jacques Rogge are to be honoured as Champion of the Earth 2007 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

    Along with Al Gore and five other prominent environmental leaders, Rogge will be presented with the award at a special ceremony on 19 April in Singapore.

    Rogge says, “I am very honoured to receive this award, which is a great recognition of the IOC’s responsibility and commitment to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable development in sport”.
    “Since the early 1990s, the IOC and the Olympic Movement have progressively taken the environment and sustainability into account throughout the lifecycle of an Olympic Games project. The ‘Green Games’ concept is increasingly a reality. Today, from the beginning of a city’s desire to stage an Olympic Games, through to the long-term impact of those Games, environmental protection and, more importantly, sustainability, are prime elements of Games planning and operations. I am very proud of this and would like to thank UNEP for recognising these efforts”.

    The Olympic Games are above all about sport and the athletes, but they can bring several important environmental outcomes if they are planned, managed and conducted in a way which minimises the adverse environmental impacts and effects.

    The opportunity of the Games the IOC says can also be used to provide sustainable environmental legacies, such as rehabilitated and revitalised sites, increased environmental awareness, and improved environmental policies and practices. They can further encourage and facilitate strong environmental actions, and technology and product development in a city, country and beyond, through the educational value of good example.

  • Indian Telly Awards Technical Nite hits new high

    Indian Telly Awards Technical Nite hits new high

    MUMBAI: They were the real stars at the Sixth Indian Telly Awards Technical Nite. The production teams that sweat it out to set new standards of technical quality, the marketing whizkids and ad sales teams that work quietly behind the scenes to build up the channel and the brands around it, the programmers who brainstorm over endless cups of coffee to hit upon that one single bright idea that will get the audience to sit up and take notice.

    Indiantelevision.com, along with its partners Zee Network, Aaj Tak, CNN IBN, IBN 7, Times Now, Zee Cinema, Radio City, Bright Advertising, Rajasthan Patrika and Mid Day, Fun Cinema, CMCG India, Tellychakkar.com and AnimationXpress.com, dedicated the event to recognize and laud the efforts of all those individuals, teams and channels who made television a viewing pleasure in the past year.

    The awards event was a sparkling affair held at the St Andrew’s Auditorium in Bandra.

    In Indiantelevision founder and CEO Anil Wanvari’s words, “This is really what television is all about and it gives me great pride and satisfaction that we at Indian television have had the opportunity, for the sixth year running, to acknowledge and reward all the great work that this vibrant industry is delivering. Happy Viewing!”

    As for the winners, here’s how the story unfolded:

    BEST CHANNELS

    The kid’s entertainment space is getting more competitive by the day but Hungama TV managed to keep the little one’s hooked and bagged the Best Kid’s channel. Channel [V] won the best music channel award, while HBO was awarded the best English movie channel. CNBC TV18 maintained its numero uno position in the business news channel segment once again.

    The Big Idea award went to CNN IBN’s ‘Citizen Journalist’, an initiative that has allowed viewers to be part of breaking news. The best interactive show award was bagged by Cellcast’s Bid2Win while the Cable operator/ MSO (Multi Systems Operator of the year went to Hathway Cable and Datacom Pvt Ltd.

    PROGRAMMING AWARDS

    Current Affairs Programme
    Jessica’s Fight For Justice NDTV 24 X 7

    Business Programme
    Business Baazigar
    25 FPS
    Zee TV

    Music Programme
    Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Zee TV

    Non-fiction Programme on Entertainment Channel
    The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Dwitiya
    Endemol India / Star One

    Non Fiction Programme On News Channel
    Red Corridor
    CNN IBN

    TV Documentary
    Missing In Action
    CNN IBN

    Edutainment / Science / Knowledge Based Show
    India Innovates
    NDTV Profit

    News Show
    Witness – Vidarbha Farmers : Suicide Tourism?
    NDTV 24 X 7

    Entertainment News Show
    Gustakhi Maaf
    NDTV India

    Lifestyle & Fashion Show
    Maximum Style
    Multimedia Communications / Zoom

    Talk Show on a News Channel
    State Of The Nation
    CNN IBN

    Talk Show on an Entertainment Channel
    Lola T[V]
    Channel [V]

    Cookery Show
    The Foodie
    TIMES NOW

    Sports News Show
    Love Of Cricket
    CNN IBN

    TECHNICAL AWARDS

    Special/Visual Effects for Television
    Tilak Shetty
    J Bole To Jadoo
    Graphiti Multimedia

    Art Direction (Set Designing)
    Omung Kumar Bhandula
    Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan
    Sagar Films Pvt Ltd

    Art Direction (Game show / Talk Show/ Reality Show/ Events)
    Omung Kumar Bhandula
    Kenstar Max
    Stardust Awards

    Videography (Best TV Cameraman)
    Alok Upadhyay
    Detective Omkar Nath
    DON Sphere Origins

    Videography (Best TV Cameraman) – News & Documentary
    Manvendra Gautam
    Special Report -Saving the Congo
    New Delhi Television Ltd

    Costumes for a TV Programme
    Nisha Sagar, Tara Desai, Neerushaa
    Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan
    Sagar Films Pvt Ltd

    TV Show Packaging (Fiction)
    Kohinoor
    Sahara One
    Cinevistaas Ltd

    TV Show Packaging (Non Fiction)
    Klub Zee Cinema
    Zee Cinema

    TV Channel Packaging (Including Channel Ids & Generic Promos)
    Bhoot Rap
    Toon Disney/Jetix The Walt Disney Co.(India) Pvt Ltd

    Editor (Fiction)
    Manish Mistry
    Bombay Talking
    UTV

    Editor (Non Fiction)
    Jatin Gupta India Matters
    The Last Run
    New Delhi Television Ltd

    Background Music for a TV Programme
    Prem Joshua
    The Maharaja Of Jodhpur – The Legacy Lives on..
    Aim Television Pvt Ltd

    TV Lyricist
    Javed Akhtar
    Haath Se Haath Milaa
    BBC World Service Trust

    Music Director
    Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy
    Haath Se Haath Milaa
    BBC World Service Trust

    Title Singer for a TV Show
    Sonu Nigam & Shreya Ghoshal
    Haath Se Haath Milaa
    BBC World Service Trust

    Director (Soap & Drama)
    Ajai Sinha
    Astitva – Ek Prem Kahani
    Ananda Films & Tele Comm Pvt Ltd

    Director (Sitcom)
    Deven Bhojani
    Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai
    Hats Off Productions

    Director (Thriller)
    B P Singh
    C.I.D
    Fireworks Productions

    Screenplay Writer (Drama Series & Soap)
    Fatema Rangila
    Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai
    Balaji Telefilms Ltd

    Dialogue Writer (Drama Series & Soap)
    Preeti Mamgain
    Jab Love Hua
    Dj’s A Creative Unit

    Sitcom/Comedy Writer
    Aatish Kapadia
    Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai
    Hats Off Productions

    Story Writer
    Arshad Syed
    Detective Omkar Nath
    DON Sphere Origins

    Creative Director (Production House) – Joint
    Naved Jaffri R & N Productions
    Deven Bhojani Hats Off Production Pvt Ltd

    Yes, the event was about competition and winners and the ‘oh nearly missed that’ awards. But keeping the mood light were the amazing dance and music performances peppered through the awards event.

    The entertainment quotient was provided by fusion dancers Vrajesh and Kalyani who presented a unique Jazz meets Kathak performance while Pandit Ravindra Chary on sitar and Merlin rounded up the nite with some jazz, rock and blues.

  • Zee forays into Marathi feature film production

    Zee forays into Marathi feature film production

    MUMBAI: Zee Network’s chairman Subhash Chandra has announced its foray into Marathi feature films, by which the network will provide the financial backing to produce, market and distribute the movies in India and Internationally.

    “After the making of the film, the responsibility of its marketing, distribution, telecast etc (for Indian and overseas territories) shall be the responsibility of the Zee Group,” added Chandra.
    Zee executive vice president regional channels Nitin Vaidya told Indiantelevision.com that the network will attempt to raise the bar for financial investments in Marathi movies, by about 50 per cent depending upon the content requirements and production elements. The normal monies pumped in towards Marathi films varies between Rs 50,000,000 – 60,000,000.

    As a start up, the network has commissioned five production houses, namely Mahesh Manjrekar’s Ashvami Films, Gautam Joglekar’s SOC, Shrirang Godbole’s Indian Magic Eye, Smita Talwalkar’s Asmita Chitra and Rakesh Sarang’s Cams Club. In the next two years, these producers are to present the network with 15 Marathi films, three films each. Zee is also looking to tie-up with other production houses for the same.

    “With almost 60 -70 Marathi films produced this fiscal, we saw the strength of this market and decided to develop a business process to boost Marathi cinema,” added Vaidya.

    Chandra announced the latest Marathi film venture at the 8th Annual Parachute Jasmine Zee Gaurav Awards, where he also announced the launch of Zee 24 Hours, the first dedicated Marathi news channel.

    The Zee Gaurav Awards recognizes excellence in the Marathi film and theatre industry across 18 categories in films, 12 categories in commercial plays and five categories in experimental plays.

    This year in the films category Mission Champion bagged six awards for the best film, direction, story, screenplay, dialogue and child artist. In drama, Makdachya Hati Shampaign won five awards for music, script, actor, director and best drama, informs an official release.

    Zee Marathi also felicitated legendary actor Dr Shreeram Lagu and veteran music director Datta Davjekar for the lifetime achievement award – Zee Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar. While the Mee Marathi Award was given to Lage Raho Munnabhai lyrist Swanand Kirkire by Bollywood’s director Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

    The Zee Gaurav Awards will be telecast on Zee Marathi on 10 February at 7.30 pm.