ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Government committed to bridging digital divide: President

    Government committed to bridging digital divide: President

    NEW DELHI: Appreciating the need for empowering the citizen with modern information technology, President APJ Abdul Kalam today announced that the year 2007 will be the ‘Year of Broadband’ as the government was committed to bridging the digital divide by providing broadband coverage throughout the country.

    In his address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget session, Dr Kalam said, “Our Information Technology sector continues to develop and remain globally competitive,” adding that, “My government will take forward the National Identity Card Project under the National e-Governance Plan for nationwide roll-out in a phased manner so as to ensure better delivery of services to our citizens.”

    He said the government was encouraging the growth of the electronic hardware industry and the semiconductor industry.

    He also said the Right to Information Act was one means of empowering citizens, adding that it had often been said that eternal vigilance is the price of democracy.

    The President said a Vision for the development of an empowered S&T base by 2015 had been prepared. Steps will be taken to attract talent, rejuvenate university research, enable women scientists to re-enter careers in science, strengthen technology business incubation processes, promote excellence in research, engage private sector in R&D and create greater science awareness and a scientific temper among the people. The financial allocation for science and technology will be increased from less than 1% of GDP to 2% of GDP.

    He said that to sustain the efforts in the advanced fields of modern science and technology, there was need to increase the number of scientists and improve the quality of Indian science. The Government was deeply concerned about the inadequate enrolment of students in basic sciences and said Indian science is lagging behind other newly industrializing economies. India needs a new thrust in the field of science and technology.

    The National Knowledge Commission had submitted its first report placing emphasis on the need to invest in education at all levels of the knowledge pyramid. Several new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Information Technology were proposed to be set up in various parts of the country.
     

  • TV18, Sophia Polytechnic hosts award for docu film making

    TV18, Sophia Polytechnic hosts award for docu film making

    MUMBAI: TV18 and the Department of Social Communications Media at Sophia Polytechnic hosted the Award for Excellence in Documentary filmmaking. The philosophy behind the initiative is to encourage young female talent in communications and broadcast journalism.

    The Chief Guest for the ceremony was the TV18 Group’s Managing Editor, Senthil Chengalvarayan.

    The TV18 Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking will be an annual trophy which will carry a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 for the winning group. An independent panel of industry professionals and senior educational staff will judge the students.

    The association aims to help potential documentary filmmakers and will help nurture the spirit of independent filmmaking and issue-based creative work.

    Addressing the gathering TV 18 The Cell Network Creative Director Zubin Driver said, “It is indeed an honor to be a part of such an awards ceremony. This is an excellent platform for women filmmakers to show case their talent.”
    .This initiative will also kick-start a long term relationship between TV18 and Sophia Polytechnic, which includes course interventions, internships and workshops that will involve real time media experience.”

    The award-winning documentary was titled: Mom & Dad

    Group 3 was awarded for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking at the Social Communication Media Department of Sophia Polytechnic.

    The winners include:Naina Panemanglor, Yashaswini S.R.,Chinmayi Shalya, Pallavi Joshi,Neha Belvalkar,Priyanka Bhuyan, Kavita Carneiro, Anshika Varma, Priyanka Mehra.

  • NDTV exclusive with Amitabh Bachchan

    MUMBAI: From Shah Rukh Khan…to Aishwarya Rai….Amitabh Bachchan tackles some tough topics in a first-of-its-kind interview: 50 young Big B fans grill him, relentlessly, in a special show, India Questions, anchored by NDTV’s Prannoy Roy, and scheduled to air on NDTV 24 X7 on Saturday, Feb 17 at 10 pm.

    Addressing a fan who asks him if Aishwarya Rai will be a working member of his family, Mr. Bachchan says:

    “I don’t see any problem in her wanting to continue her career and wanting to continue acting and if she is going to be acting better than Abhishek, then it’s their problem, it’s not my problem (laughs)….”

    On what he makes of Shah Rukh Khan’s new role on KBC, Amitabh Bachchan says, “Shah Rukh is fine. I hadn’t seen Shahrukh’s KBC, but recently I did and I thought that it was fine”, he comments, adding that the format of the show is more impressive than any host who it features.

    Mr. Bachchan would consider doing one of Shah Rukh’s roles as well: “…if ever I was of his age and if I wanted to do it, I would like to do Swadesh”

    About his controversial association with Amar Singh and the Samajwadi Party, Mr. Bachchan says the association is a personal rather than a political one: “Friendship… I don’t do politics and whatever my association is with Amar Singhji or Mulayam Singhji, it is on a personal…private level….”
     
  • TBN looks to boost coverage of its faith networks in Asia

    TBN looks to boost coverage of its faith networks in Asia

    MUMBAI: Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which claims to be the world’s largest faith and family-friendly network group, has reached an agreement with Hong Kong-based Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) to air TBN’s group of faith-based networks throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

    TBN founder and president Dr. Paul Crouch says, “A major window of opportunity has been opened so that we will be able to broadcast our programming on ABS into the Asia-Pacific region. This golden opportunity will open up TBN’s broadcast services to more of that part of the world known as the “1040 Window” — so that billions more people can have the hope and joy that the good news of our programming can bring to their lives.”

    TBN’s networks will be distributed throughout the Asia-Pacific region extending from Mongolia to the south of Thailand and across Eastern Europe, Asia and Japan, reaching a potential audience of several billion viewers.
    The networks include:

    — TBN Flagship Network. Each day TBN offers inspirational programming that it says appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. (www.tbn.org)

    — JCTV. This is a digital network geared for teens and young adults. JCTV features round-the-clock cutting edge Christian music videos, reality and game shows, relevant talk programs, comedy, extreme sports, and much more. (www.jctv.org)

    — The Church Channel. It features America’s most popular church services from a wide variety of Protestant and Catholic congregations – broadcast 24 hours a day. (www.thechurchchannel.org)

    — Smile of a Child TV. Thisd is TBN’s latest network addition. Smile of a Child TV features faith-based programming that parents can trust for their children. (www.smileofachildtv.org)

    ABS’ agreement with TBN will bring faith-based broadcasting to the most populated area of the world. ABS CEO Tom Choi says, “We look forward to partnering with TBN to expand the distribution of their channels across Asia, focusing on key markets such as Thailand and India through DTH and CATV distribution. We are very excited to include TBN in our growing neighborhood of free-to-air channels on our high-powered Ku-band platform.”

  • Barkha Dutt is Commonwealth Broadcasting Assoc’s ‘journalist of the year’

    Barkha Dutt is Commonwealth Broadcasting Assoc’s ‘journalist of the year’

    MUMBAI: NDTV journalist and the managing editor of NDTV 24X7 Barkha Dutt has been honoured with the prestigious Commonwealth Broadcasting Association -Thomson Foundation, ‘Journalist of the Year Award’. The category included nominations from 53 Commonwealth countries, including the BBC and Channel 4.

    The award was presented for her reporting in the last one year where she covered issues from the Kashmir earthquake, which united the two neighboring countries in tragedy, to the campaign for Justice for the Jessica Lall Murder case and the communal violence in Vadodara.

    Accepting the awards Dutt said, “This award means more than any other because you know that you are up against the best in the business. It’s a great honour and I thank CBA for this recognition”

    The CBA was founded in February 1945 as the Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference. The first meeting, held in London, brought together representatives of a number of broadcasting organizations that had co-operated closely in reporting the Second World War. It began with only six members but today it is an association of more than 100 broadcasting organizations in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Australasia, the Pacific, North and South America.

  • Pyramid Saimira board clears plans to raise $100 million via FCCB

    Pyramid Saimira board clears plans to raise $100 million via FCCB

    MUMBAI: Pyramid Saimira Theatre’s (PSTL) board has approved plans to raise $100 million through FCCB. It has also given the nod to float special purpose vehicles (SPV) along with developers of realty companies for setting up 100 malls with multiplexes in South India. A further 100 malls with multiplexes would be set up in the rest of India.

    PSTL will invest up to 50 per cent shareholding in the respective SPVs that are to be formed. Nowhere in these JVs will Pyramid’s holding be below 26 per cent.
    The SPV will create approximately 60 million square feet with an investment of Rs 20 billion spread over four years. The board also discussed and approved the increase in FII (foreign institutional investment) limit to 40 per cent of the paid up capital of the company.

    The agreement signed regarding the formation of a Malaysian joint venture company, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Chain (Malysia) Sdn. Bhd, has been cleared. The Board also approved RM 100 million investment by PSTL into that JV company.

    The Malaysian JV plans to construct 100 new entertainment centres/malls, create a real estate investment trust to acquire the above said assets and also make Pyramid Saimira Theatre Chain (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd as an asset management company to manage assets created, which is approximately of the value of $ 1 billion. The board deliberated and approved Malaysian JV Company’s plan to acquire an existing theatre chain company and an existing content distribution company in Malaysia for a faster ramp up of operations.

    The board also discussed and approved up to $ 25 million investment into a content fund as a sponsorer. PSTL can also incur consequent expenditure in raising $ 150 million content fund in India and abroad.

    PSTL proposes to create a content distribution and theatre chain in London and North American market. The board authorized managing director PS Saminathan for negotiation and decision with the existing content distributors in London and North American market.

  • TDSAT adjourns hearing as Nimbus approaches SC

    TDSAT adjourns hearing as Nimbus approaches SC

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) today adjourned its hearing in the case by sports broadcaster Nimbus challenging the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) direction to its channels Neo Sports and Neo Sports Plus to reduce their subscriber price.

    The adjournment till the second week of next month came after TDSAT was informed that Nimbus had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order fixing Rs 37.25 as bouquet price for the two channels.

    Earlier on 22 January, the High Court had dismissed an application by Nimbus and upheld the Trai order of 11 January fixing Rs 37.25 as bouquet price for the two channels. The order of the High Court had also made it clear that Nimbus could recover its cost at the rate of Rs 58.50 if its appeal before the TDSAT was accepted. The Trai order had also asked Nimbus to charge Rs 5 per channel in the areas covered by Conditional Access System (Cas).

    Nimbus contended that Trai can fix the rates only under Section 11(2) of the Trai Act after due hearing to the concerned broadcaster, and not arbitrarily under Section 13 (2).

  • CNN International MD Cramer honoured by NABA

    NEW DELHI: CNN International’s managing director Chris Cramer will be honoured by the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) in recognition of his outstanding leadership in the broadcasting industry.

    In conjunction with NABA’s Annual General Meeting and Conference, to be held on March 6 and 7, in Mexico City,. Cramer will be presented with the Association’s International Achievement Award at the Closing Dinner on March 7.

    Cramer is recognised for his commitment to the safety and welfare of journalists around the world.

    His achievements with BBC and CNN International over the past 40 years have inspired broadcasters worldwide, a CNN press note today said.

    In 2007, the United Nations’ Security Council has made a resolution demanding that world leaders recognise the importance in ensuring journalistic rights and safety are respected, a resolution that NABA and the World Broadcasting Unions strongly supported.

    “We honour the work Mr. Cramer has done and hope that the legacy he has put in place will continue to inspire greater protection for our news personnel overseas and at home,” CNN says.

    In the early 1990s, as the Persian Gulf War and conflicts in the former Yugoslavia started to exact its toll on the physical and mental welfare of journalists, Cramer became the industries’ advocate for both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling and safety training for journalists working in hostile environments.

    His advocacy of these causes has seen an industry once based on macho risk-taking and skepticism take a long hard look at itself.

    Cramer was instrumental in the creation of INSI, the International News and Safety Institute, which promotes safety training, materials and assistance to journalists and media staff.

    Cramer pioneered research into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for media workers and was honored by the Dart Foundation, which funds the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma. He is also honorary president of INSI and co-author of Dying to Tell the Story, a tribute to journalists who died during the Iraq War of 2003.

    Cramer is retiring as the executive vice president and managing director of CNN International where he has overseen all of CNN’s international broadcasting and newsgathering.

    “He has enabled CNN to lead the television industry in the development and use of Digital Newsgathering (DNG) and championed other new technologies for newsgathering,” the statement eulogised.

    “In his quest for efficiency and flexibility of journalists in the field, Mr. Cramer pioneered the use of the revolutionary Toko box for live reports from Kandahar airport on the release of hostages on Millennium eve,” CNN further says.

    Cramer made the 7E Talking Head and Inmarsat M4 satellite phone available for live coverage. What followed was the launch of BGAN service.

    This lightweight, highly portable equipment gave CNN unparalleled coverage options during the Lebanon conflict.

    These new technologies have not just released journalists from being tethered to the satellite truck but has allowed them to take back the art of reporting by being “on the spot” and sending back stories while still on the scene. This new technology has also made it safer for journalists to travel.

    CNN Feels that Cramer’s influence has done much to change the mentality of news organizations to embrace safety and care off staff. His dedication to international journalism, his commitment to the safety of journalists and his support of the use of the latest technology has left its mark on the industry around the world.

    The NABA International Achievement Award is presented annually and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in broadcasting and commitment to NABA’s goals and principles.

    NABA is a non-profit union of the most influential broadcasting organizations throughout North America committed to advancing the interests of broadcasters at home and internationally.

  • Dainik Bhaskar top newspaper in Jalandhar and Amritsar

    MUMBAI: As per the IMRB readership report Dainik Bhaskar with a readership of 3.18 Lac is the largest read newspaper in Jallander and Amritsar. It has a lead of over 43% over Punjab Kesari which has 2.23 lac readers.

    Dainik Bhaskar was launched in Punjab in September last year with a subscription of 1.76 lac copies and now has 2.1 lac copies. It has in this short period of time expanded the market and created new standards. Bhaskar has more young adults readers in the age group of 20-34 years and also the mature reader’s subset of 45+ where the habits and the choices are tougher to break. In case of graduates too Bhaskar has 95 thousand readers compared to just 67 thousand of Punjab Kesari.

    Says Bhaskar Group DGM Peter Suresh, “Readership surveys are the benchmarks of the key deliverables of a newspaper. We decided to conduct a readership research – as IRS and NRS will have reported us at a far later stage. In this we have involved clients and agencies at every stage- providing opportunity for rider question, back-checks and validation. Some of the clients have added brand / category questions which has thrown some interesting brand ownerships insights – which help in further understand the market. Our readership profiles cover all spectrums of society.”

    Says Bhaskar Group GM Punjab Dharmendra Atri,” The taste of success is always felt best by the team that has been on the ground. For us it’s a great feeling to see quantified the growth. A huge team conducted the door-to-door contacts covering the entire area in the meticulous way. It just proves that the success is gained inch by inch, all effort have to work synergistic and more so that the Bhaskar Research an integral part if the market launch strategy process has been tested time and again and have borne results. Yes it’s true that for every market with time- we have modified / adapted and remodeled the same- but essentially finding what the reader is really looking for and providing that to him- was- is and will remain the foundation for any newspaper’s success.”

  • India, Germany sign co-production agreement

    India, Germany sign co-production agreement

    NEW DELHI : India and Germany have signed an agreement on audio-visual co-production.

    Information and broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and German foreign minister Dr Frank Walter Steinmeier signed the Agreement.

    The agreeement would contribute to facilitating co-operation in the film, videography, documentary, animation and audio industry in the two countries.
    Some of the salient features of the agreement are:

    – Films which are produced within the framework of this agreement shall be deemed national films. These films shall be entitled to claim the all state support benefits available to the film and video industries and the privileges granted by the provisions in force in the respective countries.

    – Contribution of the co-production partners includes at least one leading actor, one supporting actor and/or one qualified technical staff person.

    – The original soundtrack of each co-production film shall be made in Hindi language or dialect or, in English or German or in any combination of those permitted languages.

    – In the case of multilateral co-productions, the minority contribution may not be less than 10 per cent and the majority contribution may not exceed 70 per cent of the total cost of the film.

    – Even those films, which are produced in one of the two countries and where the minority contribution is limited to financial investment, may be granted co-production status according to this agreement.

    – The expenses incurred in the territories of both countries for the promotion of co-productions will be compensated within 2 years of the completion of the project.

    – A Joint Commission, which will be composed of representatives from the government and from the film, television and video industries of both countries will supervise and review the implementation and operation of the Agreement and will make the any proposals considered necessary to improve the implementation of the Agreement.

    – For approved co-productions, each country will facilitate entry into and temporary residence in its territory for technical and artistic personnel of the other country as well as the import into and export from its territory of technical and other film making equipment and materials by producers of the other country.

    – Applications for qualification of a film for co-production benefits must be made simultaneously to the competent authorities in both countries at least 30 days before the shooting begins. They should be accompanied by the final scripts and synopsis, documentary proof of having legally acquired the rights to produce the co-production and a copy of the co-production contract signed by the two co-producers for the sharing of revenues, markets, media or a combination of these.