ITV

Category: GECs

  • WWIL Q3 net loss at Rs 159 million

    WWIL Q3 net loss at Rs 159 million

    MUMBAI: Wire And Wireless India Limited (WWIL), Zee Group’s demerged cable company, has posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 159 million for the third quarter ended 31 December 2006.

    The consolidated revenues stood at Rs 513 million for the quarter and Rs 1.5 billion for the nine-month period. Operating losses were at Rs 33 million after expensing Rs 38 million for office infrastructure. Being the first year of operations for WWIL, the previous period figures are not available.

    Commenting on the results Zee chairman Subhash Chandra said, “WWIL has just begun its rollout of digital cable services in the three metros of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and it is encouraging to learn that we have been able to capture almost half of the market in these areas. Our analogue cable business continues to lead industry in connecting millions of television homes. The business initiatives of WWIL towards digitization of cable homes and upgrading of cable infrastructure would become visible in the performance from FY2008 onwards.”

    Added WWIL MD Jagjit Singh Kohli, “There is more than expected demand for set top boxes in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. We expect that the industry will need at least 6 million set top boxes for complete roll out in these three metros. Demand for digital signals is equally strong in other cities, not notified under CAS. We see cable providing lot more value added services through digital mode. WWIL is heading towards its goal at an accelerated pace.”

    WWIL claims to have deployed 200,000 boxes. Said Kohli, “We believe there is a vast opportunity in cable TV industry, which is going through a rapid phase of consolidation and digitization simultaneously. Our goal is to add 3.4 million subscribers in next two years. Looking ahead, we are confident that continued execution of our distribution strategy would result in a revenue growth faster than that of industry.”

  • Eros Intl claims Rs 500 mn opening weekend gross for ‘Salaam-e-Ishq’

    Eros Intl claims Rs 500 mn opening weekend gross for ‘Salaam-e-Ishq’

    MUMBAI: London-listed Eros International has announced that its film Salaam-E-Ishq, which was released worldwide on 25 January on an impressive 1200 screens, has grossed over Rs 500 million in its opening weekend.
    Eros India director Viki Rajani said, “With Salaam-e-Ishq enjoying such a fantastic opening response, the film has superseded our expectations. It’s evident that audiences have saluted the flavours of love and appreciated the film worldwide.”

    With over 3.1 billion tickets being sold in India every year and the accelerated growth in multiplex cinemas which are driving ticket prices up, Bollywood is well and truly sustaining its 21 per cent CAGR growth. As part of its strategy, Eros is taking a larger slice of the Indian box office and has set up its own distribution offices in Mumbai and Delhi.
    In line with Eros’s strategy to broaden the audience for Bollywood films beyond the expatriate community, Salaam-E-Ishq was released with local language subtitles in markets like Germany, Belgium and Holland through mainstream multiplex chains.

    Eros International director Sunil Lulla said, “We are delighted with the audience response to Salaam-E-Ishq. Our strategy is a combination of leveraging our distribution network and marketing muscle globally and looking for opportunities to open new markets. We remain focused on this core thread of our business and are excited about our release pipeline”.

    After the success of Omkara and Salaam-e-Ishq, Eros’s global release pipeline up to April includes Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya, Vipul Shah’s Namastey London, Chinni Kum starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai’s Provoked and India’s first 3D animation film Friends Forever.

  • US ready for pay mobile TV: study

    US ready for pay mobile TV: study

    MUMBAI: American consumers are willing to pay enough for watching TV on mobile phones to justify what it would cost carriers to build a new broadcast network to guarantee quality service, according to just-released study.

    The study by the Mobile Digital TV Alliance discusses the economic viability and consumer adoption of mobile TV and concludes that a successful proposition for mobile TV in the United States is high-quality video and service and flat rates of about $20 a month for unlimited viewing.

    To meet those standards, the alliance suggests building a separate broadcast network, which would cost a carrier between $500 million and $2 billion.

    “The Economics of Mobile TV,” authored by Yoram Solomon, discusses how open standards promote mature competition furthermore improving the economics of mobile broadcast TV, how mobile TV adds a new dimension of value to existing products; as well as why – contrary to popular belief – consumers will pay to use this added service.

  • UTV targets June launch of youth channel with Astro

    UTV targets June launch of youth channel with Astro

    MUMBAI: UTV Software Communications’ joint venture with Astro of Malaysia is fast taking shape. The youth-centric channel, aimed at the age-group of 17-25 years, is set for launch by June.

    “We are working on the content research. We plan to launch the channel by June,” says UTV Communications COO Ronald D’Mello.

    UTV will be investing Rs 1 billion in its 50:50 venture with Astro in broadcasting.

    “We will be expanding to a 360 degree entertainment venture including a TV channel as the anchor, to be flanked by activities on the internet, new media, ground events, merchandising and licensing,” says D’Mello.

    UTV will be releasing DVDs of Don and Khosla Ka Ghosla this quarter. Namesake will have an international and national release in the third week of March.

    UTV has posted a consolidated revenue of Rs 704 million, which includes capital gains of Rs 263 million from the sale of United Home Entertainment Ltd (Hungama TV), for the third quarter ended 31 December 2006.

    Net profit stood at Rs 283 million while EBITDA was at Rs 303 million for the period. The company has consolidated the financials of UESL, UTV-US, UTV-UK and UTV-Mauritius.
    UTV also announced an interim dividend of 25 per cent.

    Commenting on the results UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala said, “The quarter has been a very eventful one; while the Hungama TV deal with The Walt Disney Company was consummated during the quarter, the Company also decided to make investments in two gaming companies – Ignition Entertainment and Indiagames Ltd in console and mobile space respectively. With these proposed investments UTV has acquired worldwide capabilities of content creation and distribution across all gaming platforms.”

    UTV has entered into exclusive sales and marketing tie up with Radaan Media, the largest TV production house in South India. “This will result in significant growth in Television businesses in the months to come. In addition to this and as a step towards entering the South Indian film production space, UTV has tied up with Radaan for co-production of all South Indian films,” Screwvala added.

    UTV is acquiring a 70 per cent stake in Ignition Entertainment Ltd (UK based company with interests in console game development, publishing and distribution across the globe) as well as a controlling stake in IndiaGames (gaming company in India, with interests in mobile and online gaming) for a total consideration of Rs 1.28 billion.

    UTV has inducted Walt Disney International president Andy Bird and Pantaloon’s Kishore Biyani as non executive directors.

  • NSS – 8 satellite launches Friday

    NSS – 8 satellite launches Friday

    MUMBAI: The Sea Launch team has initiated a countdown at its equatorial launch site. This is in preparation for the launch of the NSS-8 communications satellite for SES New Skies which will take place tomorrow 26 January 2007.

    The NSS-8 satellite is a Boeing 702 spacecraft that carries 56 C-band and 36 Ku-band transponders. It is designed to replace the existing NSS-703 satellite as the centerpiece of New Skies’ strategic Indian Ocean contribution to SES’ global communications network.

    NSS-8 will support a range of functions, including corporate communications, Broadband Internet services and broadcast applications to the Indian sub continent, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Designed for a 15-year lifespan, the satellite will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on orbit.
     

  • B4U bags exclusive rights to 3 Bachchan movies

    B4U bags exclusive rights to 3 Bachchan movies

    MUMBAI: B4U network has bought the global exclusive screening rights to three major Bollywood films – Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai starrers Umraon Jaan and Guru and the yet to be released film from RGV stable starring Amitabh Bachchan Nishabd.

    “We are absolutely delighted to have acquired exclusive rights for these three movies featuring the biggest names in the industry. It’s almost like a Bachchan movie festival. We are grateful to our loyal viewers and they can expect more exciting news like this from us in the coming months” said B4U Network CEO Sunil Rohra.

    B4U a Bollywood television network was incorporated in 1999 and launched B4U Music and B4U Movies simultaneously in UK. The channel went on to expand its operations in the US & UAE before launching in India in May 2000. The B4U network is available on more than 8 different satellites in over 100 countries including the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius Canada and India. B4U Movies was launched in India on 2 October 2001.

  • MTV, Verizon Wireless launch live music series ‘MTV Live’

    MTV, Verizon Wireless launch live music series ‘MTV Live’

    MUMBAI: MTV and Verizon Wireless announced a new event series titled ‘MTV Live’ featuring live artist performances from the big names in music. The monthly series will be recorded in front of a live audience at the Hard Rock Café in New York and will be presented as a multi-platform program across MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Tr3s, MTV.com and on MTV Mobile on V CAST.

    ‘MTV Live’ powered by Verizon Wireless will premiere the first episode on 6 February at 11:30 pm with a commercial free performance by Fall Out Boy.

    Artists Nas, Akon, and Gym Class Heroes have been booked for future shows.
     
    ‘MTV Live’ will be specifically customized for each screen. In-show features will include a live text-to-screen element that will allow Verizon Wireless subscribers to submit comments and shout-outs from their cell phones that will appear as a crawl across the bottom of the screen in real-time during the show.

    Additionally, video footage shot on cell phones during the performance will be edited into several of the platform offerings. MTV Mobile on V CAST will feature exclusive performance content from each show and will also offer artist interview segments. “MTV Live” will be available online at http://www.mtvlive.mtv.com/.
     
    “MTV Live is a new way for us to connect music fans with their favorite artists by incorporating a wide variety of on-air, online and on-mobile elements throughout every show,” said MTV President Christina Norman. “This partnership with Verizon Wireless enables us to make the biggest footprint for the artists across multiple screens and really bring the live performance experience to our audience on different devices.”

    “MTV and Verizon Wireless are two powerful brands, with significant relationships in this rapidly changing music landscape,” says MTV senior vice president integrated marketing Tim Rosta. “This program will result in a strategic alliance that will amplify these relationships and bring new music to a larger audience.”

  • MTV Euro chief Simon Guild quits

    MTV Euro chief Simon Guild quits

    MUMBAI: The latest in line of executive departures at MTVN, MTV Networks Europe president and CEO Simon Guild announced his decision to not renew his contract. Guild has put in over 14 years as a broadcaster of niche channels including Nickelodeon, MTV, and TMF.

    “As my contract was up for renewal I decided it was time to look for something new,” Guild said in a statement to the press.

    MTV Networks vice chairman Bill Roedy said, “Over the past 14 years, Simon has been instrumental in driving the growth of the company’s European business, which has become the region’s biggest portfolio of leading multimedia brands under his leadership.”

    Guild also added that “I have had 14 great years at MTV Networks Europe and I am proud to have played a key role in developing the business, but I want to move on to new challenges.
    “As my contract was expiring, it seemed like a logical time to make a change. I know that I am leaving the business in the hands of some extremely capable executives across Europe with whom I have enjoyed working enormously.

    Over the next few weeks, I will work with them and the company’s leadership to ensure a smooth transition.”

    During his time at MTV, Guild helped to establish a vision for developing MTV Networks’ major brands, such as MTV and Nickelodeon, and expanded them across consumer products, digital media, events and marketing partnerships.

  • Zoom adds ‘Bollywood Laffs’ to humour quotient

    Zoom adds ‘Bollywood Laffs’ to humour quotient

    MUMBAI: Lifestyle channel Zoom kicks off a new comedy show Haff Hour Laff Hour on 26 January 2007 at 8:30 pm.

    Stand-up comedian Sajid Khan will host the show along with impersonator Suresh Menon. This show is a complete stand-up comical rhapsody with the funny twosome taking viewers on a laughter trip disguised as Bollywood, cricket, music personalities and celebrities from the entertainment world.

    Right from spoofing celebrity interviews, to reviewing Bollywood movies in their witty style, the hosts will give viewers their expert fake-take on the latest news trends, fashion, politicians and celebrities who are in the news for all kinds of reasons.

    Sajid says, “This association with Zoom is turning out to be a fabulous experience. We hope to offer a fresh twist to comedy via the show”.
     

  • Telefonica puts Endemol up for sale

    Telefonica puts Endemol up for sale

    MUMBAI: Telefonica, which has a majority stake in global television format creator and distributor Endemol is looking to sell the firm.

    In India Endemol recently completed one year of existence.

    Telefonica has a 75 per cent stake in the firm. However US media conglomerate News Corp has said that it has no interest in buying Endemol. There was a report that had said that News Corp was circling around the firm.

    A News Corp spokesman described speculation of interest in Endemol as being nonsense. Executives from the Spanish telecommunications firm Telefonica are believed to be arranging a deal with Merrill Lynch to sell its majority stake in Endemol. Disney has also said that it is not interested in buying the firm. Endemol, reports indicate, has a market value of around $3.4 billion.

    The acquisition of Endemol makes sense for global media firms. It allows them to put new formats and existing endemol formats into their channels. Reports also state that Endemol’s chief creative content officer Peter Bazalgette has been touted as someone who might lead a management buyout of the company.

    But a move to lead a buyout would require him to leave Endemol’s board, something he has not indicated any desire to do.