ITV

Category: Movie Channels

  • ‘Covert One: The Hades Factor’ to premiere on Star Movies this Saturday

    ‘Covert One: The Hades Factor’ to premiere on Star Movies this Saturday

    MUMBAI: This weekend, Star Movies presents a nail-biting tale of action and intrigue about members of an elite undercover team who race against time to locate the source of a deadly virus threatening the lives of millions of Americans!!! Based on a book written by Robert Ludlum, the series quite accurately depicts the global crisis facing today’s world! Tune in to this action packed drama in a two-part thrill ride, this Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 3rd at 9 p.m. only on Star Movies.

    Former secret agent and disease specialist Colonel Jonathan Smith works for Covert One, a top-secret American intelligence agency made up of political and technical experts. The brief given to them is to fight corruption and conspiracy at the highest and most dangerous levels of society. When three US soldiers stationed in Afghanistan succumb to an unknown Ebola-like virus, the United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases moves into action.

     

    As the death toll mounts and the virus spreads, Smith’s fiancée, Dr. Sophie Amsden, succumbs to the illness. Smith soon discovers evidence that Sophie’s death was not an accident. The pandemic was planned. Meanwhile, the US President goes into damage control, fearing her administration will be blamed for causing the outbreak. Samples of the Scimitar virus have surfaced on the black market and are now in the hands of a terrorist organization. Smith and his Covert One operatives, Klein and Addison, go undercover to locate rogue agent Rachel Russell, who disappeared after an undercover buy of the virus went wrong and two men were killed. Smith heads to Afghanistan to find the source of the virus and stop it before more innocent lives are lost. But is he too late?

     

    So don’t forget to tune in to this special series, which is packed with fast-paced action, race against time, deadly virus, government conspiracy and the fate of the world at stake, on Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 3rd at 9 p.m. only on Star Movies.

  • Eros inks deal with Rose Movies

    Eros inks deal with Rose Movies

    MUMBAI: Eros International has inked a four movie output deal with Goldie Behl’s Rose Movies, which will commence with Drona, a costume drama starring Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra in December 2006.

    Eros’ association with Rose began when it distributed Bhel’s first film Bus Itna Sa Khwab Hain.

    Following on from the association on Omkara, Eros has taken a 64 per cent stake in Big Screen. Big Screen has signed up Ajay Devgan for future projects as well as directors like Rohit Shetty, Soham and Anil Devgan, asserts an official.

    Two productions are already underway, one of which titled No Smoking starring John Abraham. The movie is expected to be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007.

    Eros International chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla said, “Since our flotation we have focused on pursuing our key strategic objectives as a vertically integrated group within the Indian media and entertainment arena. The success of these initiatives has contributed to strong organic growth and coupled with the phenomenal growth in the Indian media sector, we believe that Eros is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the sector.”

    The releases that are now lined up from Eros are Salaam-e-Ishq, Provoked, Speed, I See You and Nanhe Jaisalmer.The Film Music albums and soundtrack planned for release by Eros during the financial year ending March 2007 include I See You, Kudiyon Ka Hain Zamana, Mr Black Mr White, Chinni Kum and Provoked.

    In addition to cinema distribution, the group continues to focus on expanding the home entertainment mainstream distribution network. Eros titles are now available through HMV, Virgin, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Amazon amongst others channels.

    Eros plans to launch its first set of high definition titles in the near future with current box office releases and digitally remastered classic titles from the catalogue. The Group plans to focus on expanding its extensive global distribution network with special focus on syndication, new media while tapping into the growing Indian market, adds the release.

  • Institutional finance on the up for Indian movies

    Institutional finance on the up for Indian movies

    MUMBAI: Institutional finance is beginning to flow in to fund Indian movies. IDBI, for instance, has sanctioned Rs 5.5 billion on a cumulative basis over the last five years. Exim Bank, similarly, has extended lending to over Rs 4 billion for film projects which have potential to earn foreign exchange.

    “Overseas earnings from films recently financed by us has touched Rs 1.15 billion. We are not only financing on the production, but also on the overseas distribution side. The industry has a lot of potential even in the animation business,” said Exim Bank chairman & managing director TC Venkat Subramaniam, while speaking at “India The Big Picture,” a seminar here today on the film entertainment industry organised by the CII.

    Exim Bank has a lending cap of Rs 250 million for a single film project. The film industry earns an estimated Rs 69 billion a year, contributing 26 per cent to the total revenue of the entertainment sector. This is just 1.7 per cent of the global market, said Subramaniam.

    Export revenues have jumped from Rs 2 billion in 1998 to Rs 4 billion in 2000 and further to Rs 11 billion in 2005, accounting for 16 per cent of the total earnings. “There is a healthy outlook as we increase earnings from the international market, strengthen animation outsourcing, provide institutional financing and extend government incentives,” he added.

    IDBI is also cautiously bullish on the industry. “We have funded 70 movies. We are not only providing rupee loans but also in dollars for borrowers to hedge foreign exchange risk. Besides, we are extending line of credit so that film producers can cover up not on one but a slate of movies,” said IDBI general manager Aloke Dasgupta.

    IDBI funds only projects which have a minimum budget of Rs 4 billion and have a debt-equity ratio of 1:1. “We are providing financial support only for film production. We don’t fund in the reail and distribution end of the business. But for supporting smaller movies, we are in dicussions with NFDC to ensure that money is put in the right place for such projects,” said Dasgupta.

    But are the southern films having access to institutional finance? South Indian Film Exporters association president and MD of Ananda Exports L Suresh said film financing had not trickled down to the southern region. “It is probably because most of the banks are headquartered in Mumbai. Besides, banks take a long time to sanction loans and we finish production within three months. Besides, banks insist on collateral securities,” he said.

    Speaking on the sidelines, Dasgpta, however, said IDBI had financed Tamil and Telugu movies.

    Speaking on the occasion, Sony Pictures India MD Uday Singh said financial rigour was essential as the movie business is not without risks and revenue leakages. Media is fragmented and there are market access issues in certain states. “We have done enough hard work and there is now a bottom-up realism. We are extending from our distibution business and getting into film production as well. We are starting with one but are in alks with other directors as well. Our mandate is to have a slate of at least 2-3 films in a year’s time,” he said.

    Emphasising on the importance of a theatrical success, he said the Hollywood studios are realising that fast growth would come from the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets.

    Ernst & Young partner and head of media practice Farokh Balsara said the home video segment accounted for just 4 per cent of filmed entertainment revenues while in the US it was as high as 50 per cent. This sement could see increased activity as ventures capitalists have started to invest into new models of home video.

  • IPRS secures injunction against Hello FM

    IPRS secures injunction against Hello FM

    MUMBAI: The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) has secured an injunction against Hello FM Radio (Malar Publications Limited) from the Delhi High Court restricting Hello FM Radio from playing music without obtaining a license from the IPRS.

    This order would technically mean that Hello FM would either have to stop broadcast, obtain a license, or both. Lawyers Praveen Anand, Ameet Datta, Bhagwati Prasad and Shrawan Chopra represented IPRS.

    The IPRS says that this order comes as a warning to all such establishments operating without a license that they are not above the law, and they will not be allowed to continue functioning. IPRS is a non-profit making company authorised under section 33 of the Copyright Act 1957 to operate as a copyright society for Musical Works and Literary works performed along with the Musical Works. It is a body that has more than 1500 members who are local composers, lyric writers and publishers and also represents International Music.

    IPRS adds that all users of music including radio stations, television channels need to obtain a license for public performance whenever they broadcast or perform /play these Literary and Musical Works, the license must be obtained prior to the event/broadcast else it is a violation of the Copyright Act, 1957.

    IPRS CEO Rakesh Nigam said, “The consumption of entertainment is changing and so will the earning pattern of artists. Newer forms of entertainment need to compensate artists adequately. such ruling will set the correct bench mark ”

    IPRS says that with the advent of the FM Radio industry starting in India there have been numerous Court Cases wherein the radio stations have tried to circumvent the rights of the Copyright Holders. However, the Hon’ble Courts in the Country have always upheld the rights of the Copyright holders.

    Hon’ble Justice Pradeep Nandrajog of the Delhi High Court has said in his order dated 15-11-2006, “Restrained the Defendants (Hello FM – Malar Publications Limited), their Servants, Agents, Director, Subsidiaries, and all other acting on their behalf from causing the broadcast or broadcasting / performing or communication to the public, literary and / or musical works of the Plaintiff Society or those of the foreign sister societies of the Plaintiff or broadcasting any works of the Plaintiff by any means without obtaining a license from the Plaintiff thereby amounting to infringement of the Plaintiff Society’s Performing Rights and communication to the public rights in the same.”

  • Bond shakes up the Indian box-office with nearly Rs 150 mn take

    Bond shakes up the Indian box-office with nearly Rs 150 mn take

    MUMBAI: Shaken but not stirred! Casino Royale the new bond film made Rs. 149 million in the first three days of release.

    The film opened across 452 screens on 427 prints. Sony pictures releasing of India says that this marks the best opening weekend performance for a foreign film in India surpassing Spider-Man 2 which had made Rs. 78 million. On the first day alone Casino Royale made Rs. 47 million. It has also been the fastest foreign film to cross the Rs. 100 million mark.

    Sony Pictures Releasing India MD Uday Singh, says, “Casino Royale has exceeded our expectations at the box-office. This unprecedented opening is the largest for a foreign film in India. Backed by a 360 degree marketing campaign, synergy partnerships from the Sony Group Companies and our brand alliances, we took this franchise to a wider audience base. Critical acclaim from the media further helped in building the buzz”.

  • Zee Cinema remains top of the heap; Filmy up

    Indian television‘s Hindi movie channels (HMCs) are no more playing second fiddle to the big brother general entertainment channels (GECs).Since 2005, the space has been witnessing a lot of interesting trends – be it innovations, strategy changes or experiments.

    The introduction of Sahara One Media and Entertainment‘s Filmy in the space has given a new dimension to the goings on as the channel‘s unconventional approach to movie programming won it good returns. In this context, Indiantelevision.com thought it would be worth analysing how the channels fared during the third quarter of the 2006 calendar year (based on Tam CS4+ HSM ratings).

    We have two sets of market share data in front of us. One is the average channel share data spread over the period of 12 February to 29 July and this almost covers the first and second quarters of the 2006 calendar year. As per the data, Zee Cinema is leading the line up with a channel share of 35 per cent, closely followed by Max at 32 per cent. Star Gold come in third with 25 per cent, followed by newcomer Filmy with 7 per cent. The B4U Movies‘ picture is a dismal one with just 1 per cent of viewing audiences.

    Moving in to the Q3 period of July to September, Zee Cinema has further increased its average market share – from 35 per cent to 36.7 per cent. Max, however, shows a slip, shedding about 2 per cent to stand at 30.2 per cent during this period. Star Gold also tells a similar story with the channel‘s average share down to 22.4 per cent. Filmy, on the other hand, has improved its position from 7 per cent to an impressive 9.5 per cent, while B4U Movies has also shown some positive traction to reach 1.3 per cent share.

    According to Zee Cinema programming head Mohan Gopinath, Zee Cinema could maintain its growth momentum by concentrating on three factors: movies that work, strategic scheduling and the brand power that Zee Cinema enjoys. Except for Garam Masala, the channel didn‘t have any big ticket premiere for the period and still there hadn‘t been a drag.

    Explains Gopinath, “The movies which have done the trick for us during this period are mainly Garam Masala, Waah Life Ho To Aisi and then a Rajnikant movie premiere. So the plan has always been to schedule effective movies on a strategic basis and then push the properties with the kind of brand power the channel enjoys. The innovation of break content has also helped the channel to deliver. The Amitabh movie band Shaniwar ki Raat Amitabh Ke Saath has played a key role in sustaining the good performance. We are now celebrating the completion of 100 weeks of Shaniwaar Ki Raat.”

    For Filmy, meanwhile, the period has been hectic with experiments, attempted innovations and trial and error runs. The channel, which created a buzz in the market during its initial phase with big movies, wrap-around programming and heavy marketing, spent the July to September period by unveiling some innovative property launches and attempting a re-look at certain programming aspects. The period saw the channel unveiling the concept of a stock exchange based interactive TV game Filmy Stock Exchange.

    Filmy marketing and content head Shailesh Kapoor feels Filmy‘s unconventional approach to movie programming proved successful in the market.

    “We could get a good opening and as more and more people started sampling the channel, it reflected in numbers as well. We made our best efforts to bring more variety, be it in our promotional campaigns or movie properties. Our attempt has been to give a complete Indian twist to television‘s movie-viewing habit. Our refreshing image makes the viewer come back and this has been the key to our success,” says Kapoor.

    Though Star Gold and Max had lined up some impressive movies during this period, the impact of Filmy and the superiority of Zee Cinema as a brand resisted their surge in the rating charts. As the data reveals, the market hasn‘t got an expansion during this period as such, but Zee Cinema and Filmy have actually eaten into the shares of Max and Gold.

    Cricket is expected to drive the fourth quarter for Max and rival channels are strategising their moves to counter Max on this front. Star Gold has lined up the big premiere of Rang De Basanti for the Diwali phase. Filmy is unveiling its Hollywood dubbed movie segment Firangi Filmy in the same period. The channel has also announced plans to conduct a contest based on the stock exchange game to promote the premiere of Malamaal Weekly on the channel.

    Zee Cinema introduced its youth block Klub, well ahead of Diwali and one of the movies it has lined up for Diwali premiere is the Salman-starrer Kyunki..

    When queried on the chances of Max stealing the show in the fourth quarter with a heavy doze of cricket content, Gopinath says cricket can never substitute movies as a mode of entertainment. “Movies and cricket are different in terms of TV programming. Both have their own USP. For a pure movie lover, cricket is completely another genre. We are confident that, this particular segment will witness our Q4 growth.”

    “Our target is to achieve about 14 per cent channel share by the end of 2006. We have taken into account cricket as a challenge and will be dealing with this issue by resorting to some smart scheduling of movies,” says Kapoor.
     

  • Star One to beef up prime time with ‘Saathi Re’

    Star One to beef up prime time with ‘Saathi Re’

    MUMBAI: Zee TV driver show Saath Phere producer Sphere Origins has now teamed up with Star One for a prime time soap. The serial Saathi Re will launch in October.

    “We are planning to launch Saathi Re in October. The plan is to let Nach Baliye 2 (launching on 25 September) get settled and then follow the big launch with this soap. Saathi Re will be a daily soap,” states Star India senior creative director Shailja Kejriwal.

    Saathi Re is the story of Suman, an ideal Indian girl, who is torn between her family and love life. The soap stars Arjun Punjj, newcomer Parakh Madan, Neena Gupta, Kiran Karmarkar and Amir Dalvi doing the key roles.

    “Just because the heroine has someone else also, other than her husband, in her life, it doesn’t mean that Saathi Re is a tale of adultery. The subject has been handled in such a way that, it will appeal to the whole family,” says Kejriwal.

  • Star Movies to present a recap of ‘Lost’ tomorrow

    Star Movies to present a recap of ‘Lost’ tomorrow

    MUMBAI: Fans of the action adventure show Lost which airs on Star Movies can catch up if they have missed certain episodes.

    On 7 September 7th at 9 pm the channel presents Lost: Revelation. This offers a recap of the first season and what has happened so far in the second season in a one-hour package. This special episode offers viewers a fresh perspective of the show.

    For the uninitiated the show deals with survivors of a plane crash who are stranded on an island. Viewers will discover the complete story of the grueling first 48 days on the island for the fuselage survivors and tailies after the crash of Oceanic flight 815.

    The channel says that since the beginning, Lost has mystified and intrigued viewers with its characters and storytelling. The first season dealt with the fuselage survivors, the hatch and a failed attempt to get off the island. Season two continues these stories and also introduces viewers to the survivors of the tail section.

    Lost: Revelation puts these two seasons together in a linear fashion that provides an illuminating view on one compelling story. See the sequence of the aftermath of the failed raft attempt, the opening of the hatch, how the tail section and fuselage survivors lived separately and the unwitting intersections of their lives, and how both groups ultimately collided in one catastrophic moment.

  • Amitabh Bachchan launches International Indian Film Academy commemorative book

    Amitabh Bachchan launches International Indian Film Academy commemorative book

    Dubai, June 15th 2006: Amitabh Bachchan the brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy today launched the IIFA commemorative book- Lights, Camera, Masala! at the Grand Hyatt, during the IIFA Weekend presented by Tiara Residence in Dubai.

     

    The book LIGHTS CAMERA MASALA is an insider’s look at the glitz, grit and grandeur of Hindi Cinema , the world’s largest film industry. It is a celebration of contemporary Hindi cinema – popularly known as Bollywood. The book documents the fascinating process of making a typical commercial Hindi film through the adventures of a pair of fictitious characters called Vijay and Ravi as they endeavor to make a Hindi film of their own.

     

    Famous film personalities – from seasoned scriptwriters such as the Salim-Javed duo, to celebrated actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, and renowned directors like Ramesh Sippy and Karan Johar – all share their experiences and provide fresh insights into film making. Lights Camera Masala also records he stories of the behind-the-scenes people who are such an intrinsic part of the Hindi Film industry machinery – a light boy, a make-up artist, a choreographer among others. Featuring the emergence of stars as brands and culminating with the glitzy IIFA awards, the book is a visual extravaganza.

     

    Sheena Sippy’s stunningly evocative photographs capture the grandeur, grit and madness that is ‘Bollywood’. Luxuriously packaged in an avant-garde design with over-the-top special features, including a fold-out poster and a star studded pinwheel, Lights, Camera, Masala!is a rich tribute to the chaotic, entertaining world of Hindi cinema.

     

    The book has been authored by Naman Ramachandran, a screenwriter, film-maker, film festival programmer and film critic who writes for several publications including the British Film Institute’s prestigious Sight and Sound. Naman is currently attached to several Hindi film , British and American projects as screenwriter and/or director. He divides his time between London, Los Angeles and Mumbai.

     

    The book is published by India Book House is a leading publisher of large-format, illustrated volumes on Indian history and heritage, specializing in architecture, fine art, decorative arts, film, environment, and lifestyle. In Dubai the book Lights, Camera, Masala is being distributed by Jashanmal’s, Dubai’s leading lifestyle stores. Lights Camera Masala will be available for purchase in every leading book store across India and Dubai.

  • Star Movies To Premiere ‘Shattered Glass’ On 17 Th November

    Star Movies To Premiere ‘Shattered Glass’ On 17 Th November

    MUMBAI: Don’t believe everything you read… Read between the lies! This Friday, watch the exclusive premiere of a thought-provoking thriller about honesty and integrity in news reporting. Watch Shattered Glass, which is a story of a very talented and at the same time very, flawed character.

    It is also a look inside one of the noblest professions, one that protects our most precious freedoms by revealing the truth, and what happens when our trust in that profession is called int question. Tune in to the exclusiv premiere this Friday night, November 17th at 9 p.m. only on Star Movies.

    This film tells the true story of fraudulent Washington, D.C. journalist Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen), who rose to meteoric heights as a young writer in his 20s, becoming a staff writer at “The New Republic” for three years (1995-1998), where 27 of his 41 published stories were either partially or completely made up. Glass’ articles had turned him into one of the most sought-after young journalists in Washington, but a bizarre chain of events – chronicled in Buzz Bissinger’s September, 1998 Vanity Fair article upon which “Shattered Glass” is based – suddenly stopped his career in its tracks.

    Looking for a short cut to fame, Glass concocted sources, quotes and even entire stories, but his deception did not go unnoticed forever, and eventually, his world came crumbling down…