ITV

Category: GECs

  • Zee intensifies focus in south, redesignates Ajay Kumar as head of south initiatives

    Zee intensifies focus in south, redesignates Ajay Kumar as head of south initiatives

    MUMBAI: As part of intensifying its focus on the Southern states, Zee Network has redesignated R Ajay Kumar as head of the south initiatives.

    Kumar now has an additional charge and independently heads the distribution business of all the 32 Zee and Turner Channels in all the four southern states, says an official release.

    Earlier, he was the business head of Zee’s south-language channels.

    Kumar has been associated with Zee Telefilms in last one and half years, spearheading Zee’s South foray by launching two of it’s South-focused TV channels – Zee Telugu and Zee Kannada.

    Zee made its first move by launching regional channels in Bangla, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi, and then came Zee Telugu in 2004.

    Also in the pipeline is the launch of Tamil and Malayalam language channels, the two lucrative and difficult markets to penetrate.

  • Qualcomm to host ‘Brew 2006’ India

    Qualcomm to host ‘Brew 2006’ India

    MUMBAI: Qualcomm Incorporated a developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and mobile data solutions, has announced that it will host the second annual Brew Developers Conference – India.

    The conference will be held in Mumbai at The ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton on 29 November.

    The theme for this year’s conference ‘Brew Your Way’, is about discovering the limitless possibilities of the Brew solution. Targeted toward the wireless community in India, Brew 2006 – India will focus on bringing together distinguished members of the industry, both from within the country and around the world, asserts an official release.

    Qualcomm India and SAARC president Kanwalinder Singh said, “Last year, Brew 2005 – India was a huge success and was attended by more than 250 industry professionals, including leading operators and developers. Encouraged by the tremendous response to last year’s event, Qualcomm is excited to once again host the conference for India’s growing wireless community.”

    “Following a year of notable milestones, deployments and successes for the worldwide Brew community, this conference promises to reflect India’s distinct perspective on the progress of data services, as well as potential new trends within the industry,” Qualcomm India senior director sales and business development Vishal Gupta added.

    Brew subscribers would benefit from several offerings, which include: uiOne for rich, integrated and dynamic user experiences with fast access to high revenue services on wireless devices; deliveryOnefor differentiated and tightly integrated, operator-managed support and delivery of advanced wireless data content and services; and marketOnefor a quick-to-market, hosted, scalable content delivery service that includes media titles, flexible management and monetization, content provider settlement and business intelligence services.

    Qualcomm offers this comprehensive set of Brew offerings to meet the needs of companies delivering mobile products and services around the world, adds the release.

  • Zee Cine Awards heads to Bangkok; to be held on 3 March

    Zee Cine Awards heads to Bangkok; to be held on 3 March

    MUMBAI: Zee Network is gearing up for its 10th edition of its prestigious event property Zee Cine Awards. The media house has chosen Bangkok as the venue for this year’s awards.

    Zee Cine Awards 2007 will raise a toast to its meteoric rise through 10 eventful years and the exciting future ahead on 3 March 2007 at Impact Arena, Bangkok, informs an official release.

    Announcing the launch of ZCA 2007, Zee Telefilms CEO Pradeep Guha said, “Zee Cine Awards has been going international for three years now, but what continues to make it special is that going beyond the mere exotic value of foreign locales, each.
    ZCA has done its bit to take Bollywood to the world. And going by the enthusiastic response we get each time, the appetite has only gotten bigger and better! We hope Bangkok will set new records.”

    Zee Cine Awards honours the best of Bollywood. As per an official release, ZCA over the years has come to be one of the blue-chip yardsticks of creative and technical excellence coupled with being the biggest showbiz spectacle ever. Last year’s edition of ZCA was held in Mauritius and the event was participated by Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan to Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji and Priyanka Chopra to name a few.

  • The History Channel special ‘Ape to Man’ wins top nod from National Academies

    The History Channel special ‘Ape to Man’ wins top nod from National Academies

    MUMBAI:Ape to Man, the two-hour special that premiered on the History Channel in August 2005 is set to receive the top prize from the National Academies in the category of TV/Radio.

    The History Channel is one of the cable television networks featuring original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life across multiple platforms.

    The National Academies award recognises excellence in reporting and communicating science, engineering and medicine to the general public. The winners will be honoured during a ceremony on 9 Nov at the Academies’ Arnold and Mabel Beckman center in Irvine, Calif. , asserts an official release.

    The production team for Ape to Man is a recipient for works published or broadcast in 2005, among a field of 252 print, radio, and broadcast entries. They are: director Nic Young, producer Anna Thomson and executive producer Bill Locke.

    The award is given for The History Channel and Lion Television’s Ape to Man, an accurate overview of human evolution made accessible to broad audiences.

    Previously Ape to Man won the Emmy award for outstanding achievement in a craft: writing (writer: Nic Young). Ape to Man executive producer for The History Channel is Marc Etkind, adds the release.

  • BroVis wireless networks announces global expansion

    BroVis wireless networks announces global expansion

    MUMBAI: Brovis Wireless Networks (BroVis), a global provider of next-generation broadband wireless infrastructure systems and solutions, has started sales, marketing and manufacturing operations in the south east asia region comprising of 10 countries.

    As part of this global expansion initiative, BroVis has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iconbase SDN BHD, Malaysia, a provider of telecom and wireless products, with regional offices in many south east asia regions.
    Iconbase will distribute and support BroVis products in 10 south east asia countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. BroVis will establish its second production unit (the first being in Chennai) in Kuala Lumpur for local consumption as well as exports, asserts an official release.

    BroVis has completed its series B financing of US$3 Million led by Parakletos at Ventures, based in Menlo Park, CA, USA. The investment will fuel global expansion as well as product development activities.

    In conjunction with this funding and expansion, Silicon Valley Venture capitalist and head Parakletos at Venture Dr. Paul Kim has joined the BroVis board of directors as chairman. The other two board members are , BroVis founder and CEO Muthu Logan, and BroVis technology strategist and founding investor Babu Mandava.

    “Fresh investments pouring in would strengthen our expansion activities and also enable us to invest in acquiring necessary resources. Value addition through R&D is indispensable and we would continue to excel in the same” said BroVis founder and chief executive officer Muthu Logan.

    The Brovis broadcell and radio-zone solutions deliver a comprehensive solution for telcos, service providers and corporate campus network managers, enabling fast deployment and simple integration into existing networks. NLOS capabilities allow operators to reach more customers while reducing overall costs.

    Brovis is getting aggressive in the Indian market as well as expanding in the newer regions. The firm is set to launch a whole new range of wireless products by this fiscal year end. The new product line includes enhanced version of its current product line as well as new product lines like wireless dynamic mesh routers and Wi-Max based solutions, added the release.

  • Taj TV to produce Cricket Plus channel for DirecTV in the US

    Taj TV to produce Cricket Plus channel for DirecTV in the US

    MUMBAI: Taj TV has reached an agreement with US pay TV platform DirecTV to produce its new Cricket Plus Channel which goes on air later this month.

    Taj TV operates the channel Ten Sports in India.
    The 24 hour cricket channel has rights to all ICC competitions for the North American territory as well as cricket from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    DirecTV will broadcast matches live, on a pay-per-view basis, while Cricket Plus will show delayed coverage of matches as well as broadcasting same day highlights.

    Along with the cricket coverage the channel will also broadcast daily sports news bulletins as well as other sports relating to the South Asian community living in the U.S. such as hockey. Cricket Plus has acquired the rights to broadcast live all the major international hockey events including the men’s and women’s world cups and the Champions Trophies.

    DirecTV VP international programming Aaron McNally says, “Cricket Plus is an exciting new addition to our cricket programming lineup and we believe it will attract a large and loyal following among DirecTV customers. With its 24-hour, in-depth coverage, this is the perfect channel for cricket lovers and we’re pleased to be the exclusive provider of Cricket Plus in the United States.”

    The Dubai based Taj TV says that it already has experience in running some of the best known sports channels for a variety of clients through its Dubai Media City operation, currently handling Ten Sports Middle East, Ten Sports India, Ten Sports Pakistan, ART Prime Sport, Showtime Sportsnet, Showtime Sportsnet America and Citrus TV.

    Taj Television CEO Chris McDonald said, “Taj TV is delighted to have entered into this agreement with DirecTV. With the expertise within our organisation working on Cricket Plus, the US market is assured of a first class cricket channel.”

  • Discovery US forms Animal Planet media enterprises

    Discovery US forms Animal Planet media enterprises

    MUMBAI: US media firm Discovery has formed an integrated multi-platform business called Animal Planet media enterprises.

    It has also acquired two companies in the pet industry — Petfinder.com and PetsIncredible.

    Discovery says that both businesses will expand the portfolio of services and content for the newly formed Animal Planet Media Enterprises.

    Petfinder.com facilitates pet adoption and works through animal shelters and rescue groups across North America. PetsIncredible produces and distributes pet-training videos and includes Web service PetVideo.com. Both companies immediately will be integrated into Animal Planet Media Enterprises in a seamless transition for users and customers of both products and services.

    Discovery adds that the new Animal Planet firm marks the first time that animal lovers and pet owners will have access to a centralised online, television and mobile community for research tools, expert advice, local resources, customized products and services, do-it-yourself projects and user-generated and interactive content.

    The new business unit also includes the Animal Planet television network — celebrating its 10th anniversary this year — online assets including http://www.animalplanet.com , the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond, and other media platforms including a robust Video-on- Demand (VOD) service, mobile content and merchandise extensions.

    Discovery founder and chairman John Hendricks says, “Animal Planet Media Enterprises will be the leader in providing a trusted community where consumers of all ages can enjoy the best content, products and services on pets and animals of all kinds. The depth and breadth of Animal Planet’s reach across the country and its powerful status as a beloved and trusted brand will enable us to leverage our unparalleled animal video archive, expertise and resources across a range of high-growth media platforms.”

    Animal Planet executive VP, GM Maureen Smith, will expand her duties to include leadership of Animal Planet Media Enterprises. She says, “This acquisition and reorganization solidifies our place as the leading information provider for all things animal, with a primary focus on media and products for people and their pets. I am thrilled to welcome the employees, passion and creativity of both PetFinder.com and PetsIncredible to the Animal Planet family.”

    With the acquisition of Petfinder.com and PetsIncredible, Animal Planet Media Enterprises will now have a portfolio of pet-centric platforms to service pet parents through out all stages of life with their pets — from the initial thought of adoption and selection of the right pet (Petfinder.com), to ensuring that the first few years together are as happy and rewarding as possible (PetsIncredible training videos), to celebrating a lifetime relationship with this special family member (animalplanet.com).

    Petfinder.com, founded in 1996 claims to be is the largest searchable database of adoptable pets on the Web. Facilitating over 10 million adoptions in the last 10 years and averaging over 120 million page views a month, Petfinder.com visitors can currently meet nearly 230,000 adoptable pets from over 10,000 animal shelters and rescue groups across the US, Canada and Mexico. The site also helps educate new adopters about pet health, behaviour and care through its resource library and discussion forums.

    Petfinder.com uses the Internet to increase public awareness of the availability of adoptable pets and the effectiveness of pet adoption programmes across North America in order to eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable pets. The company has 25 US-based employees and is based in Pittstown, New Jersey. Petfinder.com is free to both visitors and to its animal placement organisation members due to its generous sponsors.

    PetsIncredible enhances the relationship of families and their pets by providing simple and easy to use pet-friendly training techniques to address the most common behaviour issues. Distributed on DVD via shelters, veterinarian offices, and directly to consumers, PetsIncredible’s easy-to-follow, positive reinforcement training program, helps integrate new pets into the family and reduce shelter adoption returns.

    In addition, Petvideo.com, launched in partnership with Petfinder.com this summer, is an interactive broadband video service featuring 200 quick and easy training videos, user generated content and videos of adoptable shelter pets.

  • BSkyB’s Q1 revenues up 11 %

    BSkyB’s Q1 revenues up 11 %

    MUMBAI: UK pay TV platform BSkyB has announced results for the first quarter ended 30 September 2006.

    Revenues increased by 11 per cent to £1071 million.

    DTH subscribers increased to 8.258 million, net growth of 82,000 in the quarter. Sky+ households increased by 139,000 in the quarter to 1,692,000, represtning a 20 per cent penetration of total DTH subscribers.

    Multiroom households increased by 46,000 in the quarter to 1,093,000, a 13 per cent penetration of total DTH subscribers. HD households increased to 96,000, net growth of 58,000 in the quarter.

    BSkyB CEO James Murdoch said, “This has been an important period for the company. We are building on our leadership in pay television and are becoming an increasingly well positioned challenger in the £20 billion combined industry for pay television, broadband and telephone services. Sky has delivered the highest first quarter subscriber growth for three years and is seeing high demand across our range of services.

    “One in three families in the UK and Republic of Ireland are choosing Sky for the widest choice in television and now almost a quarter of those families take at least one additional product from us as well. While it is still early, we are pleased with the progress since the launch of Sky Broadband and in just 15 weeks, we’ve seen a great response from Sky customers. Our preparations, pace of provisioning and investments in service and systems to manage demand are performing well. Our strategy is leading to an increase in revenue growth with overall revenues up 11 per cent in the quarter.

    “Our expansion into new areas is supported by continued growth and strong financial performance with pay television EBITDA up eight per cent in the quarter. A wide choice of quality programmes, innovative services like HDTV, Sky+, and broadband are not only attracting new customers, but also offering new services to existing customers. There’s never been a better time to join in.”

    The total number of DTH digital satellite subscribers in the UK and Ireland was 8,258,000, representing a net increase of 82,000 in the quarter and the highest first quarter net subscriber growth since 2003. Strong demand for Sky’s broad range of products led to an increase in gross additions of 14 per cent on the comparable period to 325,000; gross additions were 34 per cent higher than those recorded in the three months to September 2004.

    Sky+ the firm says continues to exceed expectations, with over 20 per cent of all Sky households now taking the product. At 30 September 2006, the number of households subscribing to Sky+ was 1,692,000, an increase of 139,000. During the quarter, the Group reduced the price of Sky+ for existing customers, removing the necessity to take a Multiroom subscription, and thereby allowing them to upgrade at the same attractive rates as new joiners.

    Sky HD subscribers more than doubled during the quarter to 96,000, the fastest ever customer take-up of an additional Sky product, and already representing three times the sales levels achieved by Sky+ in its first year.

  • The Laughter epidemic rages on Star One

    The Laughter epidemic rages on Star One

    Here’s your chance to catch the ‘Golden moments’ of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Dwitiya as Star One showcases memorable instances of the show right from it’s inception till the final on Friday, June 30 at 10:00 pm. The show raged on for 18 weeks, chronicling the successes and struggles of some of India’s and Pakistan’s best comic talents. From Rauf Lala’s famous ‘Tarzan’ joke to the Pakistani Jodi’s Tak Taka Tak, from Khayali Saharan’s satirical comedy to Dr. Tushar Shah’s subtle punches, relive the emotions, nostalgia and nail biting moments as you journey with them till the ‘Hasi Ka Shahenshah’ is announced. Cruise along with the ‘Wizards of wit’ – Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shekhar Suman and a host of celebrity judges like Bipasha Basu, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra etc. who were part of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge ‘Dwitiya’.

     

    For all those who missed out on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge ‘Dwitiya’, no need to fret! Make sure to tune-in and catch up on the ‘double dose of inimitable humour’ on Friday, June 30 2006 only on Star ONE.

     

    About the show:
    The show has been a phenomenon in itself, bringing the entire nation to a groundbreaking experience that had taken millions of Indians voting for their favourite contestants. The show also created a grandeur platform for upcoming comedians from India and across the border who demonstrated their creativity and gained phenomenal recognition amongst the comic aficionados. The show raged on for 18 weeks before culminating into the grand finale which saw Rauf Lala from Pakistan being crowned the winner. Rajiv Nigam from Mumbai was awarded the first runner-up position and Khayali Saharan, Pratap Fauzdar jointly shared the second runner-up place.

    For more information Contact:
    Komal Lath
    Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
    9819606441
    klath@vccpl.com

  • Star One, Star Gold to debut in UK this Nov-Dec

    Star One, Star Gold to debut in UK this Nov-Dec

    MUMBAI: After Japan, it’s the turn of the UK for Star India channels to spread their wings. Star India has entered into a syndication deal with BSkyB to launch Star One and Star Gold.

     

    Entertainment channel Star One and movie platform Star Gold will debut in the UK later this month or early December on BSkyB, which is over-35 per cent owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

     

    Star One is already available on US-DirecTV along with, Star Plus, Star News and Star Vijay. Speaking to indiantelevision.com Star India official spokesperson refused to comment on when will Star Gold be available to DirecTV subscribers.

     

    While, on BSkyB, only two of channels –Star Plus and Star News are accessible.

     

    According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, the decision has been taken and most formalities are said to be been completed. The reason for taking these two channels, apart from already existing ones, to the UK is that there’s a sizable Indian-origin population residing there who would pay to watch Indian fare, especially Hindi movies.

     

    However, the programming on Star One and Star Gold may not be a photocopy of what’s seen back home. Reason: copyright issues. Especially those related to the satellite rights of Hindi movies.

     

    Earlier this week, Star had announced launch of five Indian and two international channels in Japan on a new IPTV and community platform World on Demand (WoD). On WoD, Star has launched Star Plus, Star One, Star News, Star Utsav and Vijay, along with Sky News and Fox News.