ITV

Category: Music and Youth

  • VOOM HD Networks unveils high-definition gaming channel

    VOOM HD Networks unveils high-definition gaming channel

    MUMBAI: A subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, VOOM HD Networks announced the launch of Gameplay HD, the first high-definition channel solely dedicated to the world of video gaming.

    VOOM HD Networks is the provider of the largest suite of high-definition channels nationwide in the U.S. and are available nationally on Echostar’s Dish Network. The channel will offer televised tournaments and programming for gamers across the nation.

    The channel also announced its first deal with CNET Networks’
    Gamespot, one of the leading sources for gaming information, to produce two new series for the channel: GameSpotting, a half-hour series of news, reviews and previews, and CinemAddicts, an hourly series featuring video games in a cohesive cinematic story.

    VOOM HD Networks general manager Greg Moyer said, “VOOM provides a platform for viewers who are looking to maximize the power of HD, and in the gaming category Gameplay HD is the leader in this next generation of channels. The channel takes advantage of the growing demand for global entertainment and video gaming and now, with new advancements, the manufacturing of games in high definition. Working with CNET affords us the ability to collaborate with an authoritative voice as we delve into this gaming revolution.”

    “With HD playing a leading role in next generation game content, we’re excited to be working with a partner who shares our belief in developing authentic brand experiences around points of passion to bring the GameSpot name and programming to this platform in a way that celebrates games and gamers in true high-def format,” for “This also underscores how far the production values of broadband video have come and how well Internet-native content can translate to the most demanding of broadcast mediums,” said CNET’s Games & Entertainment division’s vice president of strategy and development Keith Bencher.

    Mark DeAngelis serves as vice president of programming for Gameplay HD. Earlier, DeAngelis was VP of Creative Services for Rainbow Media, and an independent producer for 15 years, where he collaborated on projects for Madonna and The Rolling Stones, Times, Rolex, and Hearst Entertainment.

    “Gameplay HD offers the most comprehensive content dedicated to the video game industry, and delivers it in hi-definition and 5.1 surround sound. Gameplay HD also offers the most worldwide tournament coverage, bringing together gamers from across the globe. We look forward to working with Gamespot to create great originals for the channel that will continue to add to our already growing library of visually stunning HD programming, states DeAngelis.

    As gaming becomes more mainstream, it has slowly invaded movies, television, and other forms of mass media. The channel features three tiers of entertainment including news and information from the industry, original series & specials, and tournaments and competitions from around the world. Within each tier of entertainment Gameplay HD will feature games from publishers such as Ubisoft, NCsoft, SEGA and Blizzard Entertainment.

    The programming includes:

    Original Series & Specials:

    The original programming block includes the co-created CinemAddicts with GameSpot, where viewers are presented a cinematic video game experience through some of the best next generation games out there. It brings the stories inside the game to life, in an entertaining way, by bridging actual gameplay with cinematics to deliver a cohesive storyline. Among the games featured are Condemned: Criminal Origins and Prince of Persia:The Two Thrones.

    Advanced Training turns the average gamer into an amazing gamer. This innovative series brings the top pro gamers and developers to assist in making you a pro by giving game exclusives, key strategic insights into how to play the game and hidden secrets and tips to give you that definitive edge.

    Tournaments:

    This month, the channel covers the 2005 digital life Global Gaming League (GGL) Tournament, the leading competitive video gaming league for gamers of every skill level as video gamers compete for their share of $100,000 in prizes.

    The Blizzard Worldwide Invitational Tournament event is also covered from Seoul, Korea where the world’s best gamers of Warcraft and Starcraft converge at the Coex Center for the finals.

    Building on the popularity of gaming in the Asian market, Gameplay HD covers the Guild Wars World Championship in Taipei, Taiwan. Throughout the three months of qualifications and after a fiercely competitive Regional Playoff, six teams have proved their mettle and will be representing their guilds and their regions at the Taipei Game Show. Team members from Brazil, Alaska, Finland and Korea, among other countries, will take the stage to determine who will be the 2006 Guild Wars World Champion.

    News & Information:

    CNET Networks’ Gamespot produces a half-hour series called GameSpotting that features interviews with video game editors, designers and publishers. Games featured include the Xbox 360 high definition games, like Amped 3, and Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie.

    The Art of Play show gives viewers a full access pass inside next generation games through stunning gameplay footage, in-game cinematics, and voice-over that take viewers on a visceral tour through each game’s highlights. Games featured include: Peter Jackson’s King Kong and Beyond Good & Evil.

    Price Waterhouse Coopers forecasted video games to eclipse music as the second most popular form of entertainment by 2008 with worldwide consumer spending on video games estimated to hit $55 billion compared to $34 billion for recorded music. According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), U.S. computer and video game software sales grew four percent in 2005 to $7 billion, a more than doubling of industry software sales since 1996. In 2005, the ESA also reported more than 228 million computer and video games were sold, almost two games for every household in America. The worldwide market for video games and interactive entertainment will grow 44% from $23.2 billion in 2003 to $33.4 billion in 2008, according to DFC Intelligence.

  • Shemaroo anti-piracy raids yields Rs 3 million booty

    Shemaroo anti-piracy raids yields Rs 3 million booty

    MUMBAI: Home video major Shemaroo continues its fight against the biggest threat to its business – piracy. In two separate anti-piracy raids conducted at Mira Road and Bandra a few days ago, the vigilance team of Shemaroo Video seized pirated VCDs and DVDs worth over Rs 3.1 million.

    The first raid at Vajreshwari Music Center in Mira Road yielded a haul of 2000 pirated VCDs / DVDs, DVD players, DVD Writers and a television. This also included 23 master copies of various films – these being the copies from which “replication” is possible. Replication is the act of making copies without loss of data and quality. Generally, pirated master copies already have a bad quality, resulting in poor copies that could damage players.

    The second raid was conducted at the three stalls outside Bandra Railway station. Stalls outside railway stations in Mumbai are notorious for pirated Audio and Video CDs and this comes as an effort from Shemaroo to curb piracy at the point of sale.

    Rs 2.2 million worth pirated goods were seized from these stalls, which included over 4000 DVDs. Senior PI Kadri, PSI Pednekar conducted the raid and were instrumental in making the raid possible because of their timely action. One Aftab Alam Ansari was arrested.

    Shemaroo VP Hiren Gada said, “Piracy is taking up almost 90 per cent of the market in home video sales. It is very important that the Industry joins hands to curb this menace so that everyone in the movie business can reap true benefits of their efforts.”

    The Shemaroo anti-piracy team carries out various vigilance activities gathering information, surveillance and warning the pirates. The team also gives information about dealing in legitimate products and educates on the consequences of dealing in pirated video products. Only when they cease to heed to all the warnings that Shemaroo raids the outlet and takes action against the pirates.

    Having an end-to-end objective in mind, Shemaroo says that it believes that fighting anti-piracy will gradually increase the legitimate home video market. Increased revenues can be shared with other people involved in the entertainment industry, which will also help the government get more taxes bringing a decrease in the black economy.

  • ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge’leads to ‘Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’

    ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge’leads to ‘Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’

    NEW DELHI: Zee TV, the flagship of Zee Telefilms, has announced a brand new show with the same flavor of its successful Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005.

    Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, with double the frenzy will give the viewers an opportunity to see the talent and chemistry between couple contestants. The contestants will feature in duet performances with an aim of enhancing the richness of the show, the channel said.

    Speaking about the new show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa creative director Gajendra Singh offers, “As in all competitions, Challenge 2005 could have only one winner claiming the voice of India title. And the success of the show with solo performers was immense. We thought duet performances would only add more sheen to the already established equity of the show.

    Further reinforcing the point, Zee TV programming head Ashvini Yardi says, “Ek Main Aur Ek Tu is actually for the benefit of millions of viewers worldwide who just cannot get enough of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. As a channel committed to provide desirable entertainment, we were sure that this new version will bring in a fresh new look and a enhance the already existing popularity for the contestants, only this time with added grandeur and fanfare.”

    The series will revolve around the contestants who will be singing in couples. The best of the Challenge 2005 contestants will be selected for this and the viewers will be asked to select their favorite pair. Public voting would eliminate one couple every week and as the tensions mounts, India will get to choose the Ek Main Aur Ek Tu duo.

    The show launches of 16 March 2006 and is scheduled to air every Thursday and Friday at 10 pm.

  • Shemaroo releases Lara’s epic 400 innings on DVD, VCD

    Shemaroo releases Lara’s epic 400 innings on DVD, VCD

    MUMBAI: Home video firm Shemaroo has released Brian Lara’s epic innings 400 Not Out.

    West Indian batsman Brian Lara made the highest score in a test innings. The DVD and VCD of the fourth Test innings of West Indies versus England in Antigua 2004 contains the record setting moments and captures history in the making.

    The DVD also includes snapshots of former test players speaking about the epic innings. The digitally mastered all region DVD comes with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound and has interactive menus for easy access to scenes.

    Also.just three weeks after the theatrical release, Shemaroo has released the VCDs and DVDs of the Sushmita Sen and Mithun Chakraborty starrer Chingaari. Director Kalpana Lajmi’s women-oriented films like Daman have made a sound statement in the society and Chingaari too reverberates on a similar theme bringing forth the plight of a prostitute in a distant Indian village.

    Sen plays Basanti, a prostitute, who when mauled, revolts against the evil village priest Bhuvan Panda, played by Chakraborty.

  • Zee Muzic presents ‘Dance with Dino’

    Zee Muzic presents ‘Dance with Dino’

    Mumbai, February 7, 2006: This Valentine’s Day, Zee Muzic makes your dreams come true. The 24-hour music channel from Zee Network brings an exclusive opportunity for its viewers. Dance with Dino, a contest, where one lucky winner will get a dance with filmstar Dino Morea. Viewers have been asked to send in their entries, 5 lucky ones from across the country will be short listed to perform in front to the entire crew & cast of “Holiday” on February 12, 2006, at Bohemia in Juhu, Mumbai, 8:30 p.m. onwards. The winner from these 5 contestants will get a dance with Dino Morea. Pooja Bhatt, Dino Morea & Onjolee Nair will judges the contenders.

    Holiday is Pooja Bhatt’s directorial venture. The cast of the film includes Dino Morea, Onjolee Nair, Gulshan Grover, Nauheed Cyrusi & Kashmera Shah.

    Announcing the contest, Irshwin Balwani, Business Head, Zee Muzic, said, “Zee Muzic is a channel with a lot of youth appeal. In keeping with our image, we have a contest in collaboration with Pooja Bhatt’s new film “Holiday”. Dino Morea is a much sought after star. Dance with Dino will give our viewers an opportunity to get up close & personal with their favourite star.”

    About Zee Muzic:
    Newer, brighter, colourful and a brand new look… That’s Zee Muzic! Zee Muzic is a 24-hour music channel from Zee Network. The target audience being SEC ABC, 15-34 yrs, Zee Muzic is on a mission to reinvent itself. The glossier & brighter Zee Muzic in its current form reaches out to Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Fiji, Hong King, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Japan, Maldives, Thailand & Middle East. A separate beam of Zee Muzic is also available in UK & US. With brand new shows and vignettes, the programming aims to carve a separate niche for itself in the arena of music channels. The USP of the channel is its Bollywood content and with some innovative programming and fresh content, the aim is to create a recall value amongst consumers. It promises to get you addicted!

    To find out who is the lucky one to get a Dance with Dino
    Keep watching Zee Muzic!

  • MTV Movie Awards to be held on 3 June

    MTV Movie Awards to be held on 3 June

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that the 2006 MTV Movie Awards on 3 June at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.

    The 15th edition of the show will have the infamous golden popcorn up for grabs in such unusual categories as Best Kiss, Best Villain, and Best Comedic Performance along with the debut of several new awards.

    The nominees will be announced later. The nominees are chosen through a poll in the US of MTV and MTV2 viewers.

    Last year the show was hosted by actor Jimmy Fallon. Sponsors of thios year’s event are Dr Pepper, Taco Bell, Dentyne, LOreal Paris, Neutrogena, Pontiac and Starburst.