ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • BBC’s Bennett, Highfield to give innovation keynote at MipTV

    BBC’s Bennett, Highfield to give innovation keynote at MipTV

    MUMBAI: BBC Vision director Jana Bennett and BBC director of future media and technology Ashley Highfield will give a joint keynote address to the television trade event MipTV. the event takes place in Cannes France from 16-20 April 2007.

    The pair will open MipTV’s Content 360 segment of the Capture Innovation Conference programme. Bennett will show how the newly-restructured BBC Vision integrates multi-platform thinking into BBC visual content creation and commissioning.

    Highfield will look at the process of innovation at the BBC, in particular, its online development over the five next years – including the proposed BBC iPlayer.

  • SET India acquires slate of Bollywood titles from Eros

    SET India acquires slate of Bollywood titles from Eros

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television has acquired the global satellite rights for a package of films, including blockbuster hit Lage Raho Munnabhai, from leading Bollywood media and entertainment major Eros International.

    The deal gives Sony retain exclusive broadcasting rights to the original version of a slate of titles for five years and includes recent films like Salaam-e-Ishq as well as upcoming releases like Namastey London.

    Sunil Lulla, the director and president for India at Eros International, was quoted in an official statement as saying: “We have a strong relationship with all the leading Indian television networks and are delighted that Eros’ content will now be showcased on Sony Entertainment Television. It is one of the leading channels in India with a global footprint. We also regularly partner with Sony to market and promote our films through its extensive television network.”

    Said Set India CEO Kunal Dasgupta, “Eros is a major player within the Indian film sector and Bollywood films are a critical part of our programming mix. We are delighted to have secured this deal with Eros with whom we have enjoyed a great working relationship for several years.”

    Queried as to the number of titles in the package, Set India COO NP Singh said they comprised some 15-16 movies.

  • Johar’s first cuppa ups ratings on StarOne

    Johar’s first cuppa ups ratings on StarOne

    MUMBAI: Karan Johar’s candid talk show Koffee with Karan has done the deed for StarOne by clocking more than double the ratings in its second season with 1.6 TVR as opposed to 0.74 TVR in its last season (2004) across five metros Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore (Tam TG-CS, 4yrs+, SEC A).

    The launch episode simulcast on StarOne and Star World which featured Johar’s favourite trio Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani drew in over 5.5 million eyeballs across the country with the reach on Star One being 5.04 million and Star World 0.66 million (TG-All India, CS 4yrs+).

    Tam’s elite panel data has thrown up even more refreshing news for the Star network, as the opening episodes of Koffee with Karan on StarOne received 4.2 TVR (TG-CS 4yrs+, SEC A1, Mumbai and Delhi). The shift to StarOne appears to have been a wise move by the network as the recent numbers that the show has belched up are encouraging.

    Similarly, the simulcast rating on Star World got 1.4 TVR, but this again is specific to the Mumbai and Delhi Elite dominated Elite panel data.

    Commenting on the response that premiere episode of the second season, Star India Entertainment Ltd EVP marketing Ajay Vidyasagar, says, “Koffee with Karan has been one of the most popular talk shows that has just the right mix of fun and excitement coupled with Karan’s own unique style. We are delighted that the launch episode of Koffee with Karan on Star One and Star World has been a smashing hit with the opening episode TRPs having doubled over the last season.”

    In his jovial and witty persona Johar said, “We promised to serve our coffee hot but I am glad to see that the response is steaming!”

  • IOL Broadband to soon offer 3 main bouquets on IPTV

    IOL Broadband to soon offer 3 main bouquets on IPTV

    MUMBAI: IPTV service platform IOL Broadband has announced that it is set to offer the three main channel bouquets available in India – Star, Set-Discovery OneAlliance and Zee Turner – totaling to over 60 Premium Pay IPTV channels along with 90 free-to-air channels.

    The announcement comes ahead of IOL’s “imminent” commercial deployment of IPTV in the country.

     
    This represents a watershed event in that a credible option to CAS & DTH has now become available for the first time in India, the company asserts.

    Company director AS Oberai said that with the introduction of commercial services by IOL IPTV on fibre and ADSL networks; India has joined an elite club of developed countries like Japan and Korea where IPTV has been recently introduced.

     
    IOL is deploying IPTV all over the country after integrating proven technology providers, a company release states.

  • NBC to look at the Posh life of Victoria Beckham in reality show

    NBC to look at the Posh life of Victoria Beckham in reality show

    MUMBAI: Football star David Beckham’s better half Victoria Beckham who was formerly known as Posh Spice has signed a deal with US broadcaster NBC for a new reality series from Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment.

    It will give viewers an exclusive inside look at Beckham’s glamorous life as she makes the move across the pond from London to Los Angeles. The six, half-hour episodes are slated to premiere this summer.

    NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly says, “The series will give viewers a glimpse into what makes Victoria so popular and admired as one of the most glamorous women in the world. She makes news wherever she goes and our audience can now become insiders in this fascinating personal view of what being ‘Posh’ truly represents.”

    Beckham says, “I am so excited to be making this show for NBC with Simon Fuller. He has so much success around the world with his TV shows and the respect and trust of everybody he works with. This show is really something different, it’s pushing the boundaries and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people.”

    Fuller says, “For the past few years, I’ve been inundated with requests to make a show based on Victoria’s real life. After much thought, we have finally decided to do it. NBC will be our partners. Both Kevin Reilly and Craig Plestis have been extremely supportive in allowing us to do something a little different. This show will cross all genres and hopefully will pleasantly surprise a few people!”

    Beckham burst onto the scene as a member of the pop group The Spice Girls. Known around the world as “Posh Spice,” the group sold millions of albums worldwide before it disbanded in 2001.

  • Deadlock means Sonn’s stays ICC president for another year

    Deadlock means Sonn’s stays ICC president for another year

    MUMBAI: South African Percy Sonn’s reign as International Cricket Council president will continue for a third year after the game’s global governing body failed remained deadlocked over the choice of his successor.

    The ICC nominations committee, which met to consider the candidatures of the Indian board president Sharad Pawar against that of the England cricket board chief David Morgan, finally elected not to make any recommendation regarding Sonn’s successor.

    The standard term for an ICC chief is two years but three of Sonn’s predecessors – Jagmohan Dalmiya, Malcolm Gray and Ehsan Mani – have served a third year as president.

    The nominations committee consisted of Dr AC Muthiah (chairman) (representing India and Sri Lanka), Bob Merriman (Australia and New Zealand), Mueen Afzal (Bangladesh and Pakistan), Stephen Camacho (West Indies and England), John Blair (South Africa and Zimbabwe) and Imran Khwaja (Associates and Affiliates).

    By current reckonings, Pawar got the vote of India-Sri Lanka, Bangladesh-Pakistan and the associate & affiliate countries.

  • Cea heralds next phase of digital TV transition in the US

    Cea heralds next phase of digital TV transition in the US

    MUMBAI: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in the US is celebrating the arrival of the next phase of the historic digital television (DTV) transition.

    All products shipped with analog television tuners will also include a DTV tuner. The milestone marks the final phase-in of DTV tuners and comes as DTV industries and consumers prepare for all-digital broadcasting in February 2009.

    CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro says, “The finish line for the transition to digital broadcasting is less than two years away, and the consumer electronics industry has reason to celebrate this latest milestone on the pathway to a successful transition.

    “As of 1 March, any product shipped with an analogue TV tuner will also include a DTV tuner, making access to the benefits of DTV a reality for more American consumers as these shipments reach the retail store shelf.”

     
    Shapiro explained that consumers are not required to purchase a new television in order to continue receiving programming after the DTV transition; owners of analog sets will be able to view broadcast television with a digital-to-analog converter box or through cable or satellite service. But in order to enjoy the full benefits of DTV – particularly high-definition television (HDTV) with its eye-popping pictures and digital surround sound – the consumer would want to purchase an HDTV.

    As part of CEA’s ongoing effort to help consumers understand the transition from analog to digital television, CEA’s Video Division Board adopted language last year for manufacturers and retailers to alert consumers purchasing an analog-only set that a digital converter box will be required as of February 17, 2009 for over-the-air reception.

    In a February 2007 letter to more than 600 retailers, Shapiro encouraged retailers to include the analog labeling language in product displays as an additional measure to ensure consumers are informed about how analog sets will receive over-the-air broadcasts after the transition. This voluntary labeling initiative is part of an industry-wide educational effort that supports a successful digital television transition. CEA also has a wealth of consumer DTV educational material available on www.myCEknowhow.com. This is a web destination for information on the digital television transition.

  • Nickelodeon to launch its first theme park in US by 2008

    Nickelodeon to launch its first theme park in US by 2008

    MUMBAI: Viacom kid’s entertainment brand Nickelodeon and Mall of America have announced a partnership to set up the first-ever stand alone Nickelodeon theme park in United States by spring 2008. This initiative is also part of a re-branding initiative of the Mall’s seven-acre amusement park.

    SpongeBob, Dora, Diego & Jimmy to come alive at first Nickelodeon theme park in US
    An official announcement states that the construction will begin after the architectural plans are complete. Though the majority of the creative elements are in development, including the official name of the new park, one of the first rides to be introduced in the park is a roller coaster based the animated Nick series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Construction is expected to begin in 2007.

    Nickelodeon will also aim to establish its largest retail presence in the world at Mall of America, with a brand new Nick store occupying more than 4,000 square foot space, offering consumers items such as branded tee-shirts, souvenirs, novelties and more. The network will also introduce healthy dining options throughout the parks’ eateries, in line with its four year old health and wellness pro-social initiative for kids and families, Let’s Just Play.

    Throughout the design and creative process, Mall of America and Nickelodeon will conduct research and gain feedback on different concepts and designs by working with an advisory panel of kid experts to weigh in on key decisions and issues, adds the release.

    Nickelodeon Recreation senior vice president Howard Smith. “We’re absolutely thrilled to expand our brand with our first stand alone Nickelodeon theme park and our largest retail presence in such a wonderful destination.”

    As part of the partnership, Nickelodeon will bring its top characters, interactivity, and its signature iconic green slime to Mall of America. The newly revamped park, and the first ever Nickelodeon theme park, will feature new rides, live shows, retail, games and entertainment, and food service establishments themed with top ranking network properties including: SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Danny Phantom, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Backyardigans and many more. Costumed characters and live interactive entertainment from these Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows will also find a home at the Mall.

    Mall of America vice president business development Maureen Bausch. “We expect the newly themed park will draw even more new visitors from around the United States, as well as international travel markets.”

  • Sony to offer interactive feed for World Cup in DTH, Cas homes

    Sony to offer interactive feed for World Cup in DTH, Cas homes

    MUMBAI: With the World Cup scheduled to kick off later this month, Sony is ready with a few plans up its sleeve. One of these involves adding a value added feed for direct-to-home (DTH) and Cas (conditional access system) subscribers.

    Addressing a media briefing this afternoon Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India CEO Kunal Dasgupta says that the channel is looking at having two angles – stumps and mid wicket. They are also looking at making this interactive feed available in Cas homes. “The coverage from different camera angles will help DTH. We are also in talks with multi-system operators (MSOs) to offer this to their set-top box subscribers,” Dasgupta adds.

    SET India has sold out its entire inventory for the World Cup and expects an all-time high audience for the big event with the matches favourably positioned for prime time viewing in India. The company had earlier indicated that it was targeting Rs 5 billion in ad revenues from the ICC Championship and World Cup.

    The matches will not be shown on flagship Hindi general entertainment channel Sony TV (they will be telecast on Max, Sab and Pix) as the cricket telecast will disrupt viewing of its tradional programming content. Instead, the movie list on the Sony channel will be enhanced during the World Cup.

    “We are in the process of rebuilding Sony TV which has slipped from its number two position. When we put up matches on the channel in the last World Cup, we suffered. We won’t make that mistake this time. We are getting Indian Idol back and in the coming three to four months we will be coming out with new shows that we are confident will see the channel move up,” says Dasgupta.

    Sab TV, which Sony acquired to have a two-channel strategy in the general entertainment space, will be relaunched after the World Cup.

    In terms of viewership, Dasgupta says that the number of C&S homes have more than doubled from 32 million when the previous World Cup took place in 2003 in South Africa. DTH platforms will also give a boost. “There is a strong lead in which was not the case in South Africa where matches started at 2:30 in the afternoon.”

    He adds that this time there will be a lot of out of home viewing as the match starts at 7 pm. Already 70 organisations have asked Sony for permission to air matches during parties. “Places like Goa will have a carnival atmosphere. The trend will be for people to watch matches till late in the night. The World Cup will really kick off from 23 March when India plays Sri Lanka.”

    Dasgupta, however, was critical of the high acquisition cost for cricket properties. “As a standalone, it is a loss leader in the portfolio. You take it to boost other areas of the network like distribution and weaker properties.”

    In terms of ad revenue Sony recently came out with a 12 match package for spots. This involves the India games, the semi finals and the final. The other spots package it offers to advertisers is for the final 27 matches.

    Doordarshan will get to telecast 19 (including the India contests, semi-finals and final) out of the 51 World Cup matches.

  • Big FM Chennai commits itself to a social cause

    Big FM Chennai commits itself to a social cause

    MUMBAI: Big FM show Adhirshtalakshmi had housewives in Chennai striking it rich by winning up to 50,000 rupees on the show. The station has now decided to support a cause through the show.

    In an example of how localised radio can reach out in times of need the show will have housewives in Chennai playing the game as usual, only this time, the prize proceedings would be collected for a 13 year old girl suffering from a congenital problem.

     
    To support this noble cause, housewives can call up and participate in the Adhirshtalakshmi show, answer the questions asked by RJ Balaji and win money for the girl’s surgery.

    The show will also feature Kollywood celebrities in Chennai who will play the on-air game and contribute money for the surgery.

    Other listeners can send their prayers and their well wishes to the girl by sending SMS at 5454. The station has also promised to have its RJs visit the girl in the hospital to entertain her.

    RJ Balaji who has committed himself for this cause and who has been behind the initiative says ” BIG 92.7 FM’s theme is to make life worth living for the general public and I feel that this is a small step in making somebody’s life”.

    The Adhirshtalakshmi will begin collecting money for the girl from 5 March onwards.