ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Broadcasters sign up for Fifa Club World Cup

    Broadcasters sign up for Fifa Club World Cup

    MUMBAI: Sports marketing firm iSe International Sports and Entertainment AG reached broadcasting agreements for the Fifa Club World Cup Japan 2006.

    It got deals with broadcasters for 219 territories. 199 territories broadcasted the tournament matches live. An additional 20 territories covered the event via news access.

    iSe president/CEO George Taylor says, “We are highly pleased with our achievements in selling and delivering the broadcast rights for the FIFA Club World Cup 2006 and especially with the broad coverage we could secure.

    ” For this second edition of the tournament, it was of utmost importance to again reach the broadest possible global audience to carry the 2006 edition of the tournament into the world, in order to build on the successful implementation last year and to substantially grow it for the many years to come.

    “We have again seen competitive games of highly motivated teams that have excited football fans around the world. The Final match on Sunday, which crowned Internacional Porto Alegre of Brazil as the Fifa Club World Champion 2006, was broadcasted into 219 territories.”

    iSe had concluded agreements in all continents. In the tournament hosting continent of Asia, ESPN Star Sports covered cable and satellite television in 22 territories corresponding to South Asia, South-East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. iSe had also awarded exclusive terrestrial, cable and satellite rights to ART Sports in 13 territories. Additional rights were awarded to prestigious broadcasters in individual markets, such as CCTV in China, IB Sports in Korea, ANTV in Indonesia, and others.

    In the Americas, iSe had again partnered up with Fox and TV Globo. Fox Sports International covered a total of 47 territories in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. TV Globo had acquired the exclusive broadcast rights in Brazil, the home of 2006 Copa Libertadores champions Internacional Porto Alegre who were crowned FIFA Club World Champion 2006. Televisa carried the terrestrial signal in Mexico.

    In Africa, iSe had secured major agreements for complete coverage via all types of TV transmission and languages. In addition to its coverage in Asia, ART Sports was again awarded the exclusive rights in 8 territories in North Africa. This included coverage in Egypt, the home market of CAF Champions League 2006 winner Al Ahly.

    LIM was awarded nonexclusive terrestrial rights for Africa in 37 territories, while Supersport had acquired the nonexclusive cable and satellite rights in 38 African territories. In addition, Supersport had secured exclusive rights in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho. The coverage in Africa was rounded out effectively by an agreement with Canal+. In addition to exclusive terrestrial, cable and satellite rights in France, Canal+ broadcasted the tournament in French language into 48 territories via non-exclusive terrestrial, cable and satellite transmission.

    In Europe, a major and exclusive agreement was reached with Media Pro, representing the domestic market of 2006 UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona. It broadcasted the event via La Sexta and TV3 Catalunya. Barca TV also showed highlights of the matches. In a successful market-by-market approach, iSe had secured coverage with additional prestigious broadcasters in Europe such as Sport Italia in Italy, Canal+ in France, and many more.

    The coverage was completed by various TV news access as well as radio agreements. Reuters and SNTV ensured global news access, the EBU covered prime stations in Europe. In both Spain and Brazil, iSe could sign up four radio stations each.

  • Piracy dominates online video downloads: Study

    Piracy dominates online video downloads: Study

    MUMBAI: Increased levels of broadband access, powerful and speedy PCs equipped with DVD readers and writers, portable video devices and next generation file sharing services are working in concert to make downloading of video content easier.

    According to The NPD Group, a consumer and retail information company, among US households with members who regularly use the internet, eight per cent (six million households) downloaded at least one digital video file (10MB or larger) from a P2P service for free in the third quarter of 2006. Nearly 60 per cent of video files downloaded from P2P sites were adult-film content, while 20 per cent was TV show content and five per cent was mainstream movie content.

    The NPD Group VP and senior industry analyst Russ Crupnick says, “While video P2P downloading is less pervasive right now than for music, it is a crucial issue for the film industry to keep track of. Even though right now the majority of downloaded video content is adult-film content, the amount of intellectual property stolen from mainstream movie studios, networks, and record labels will continue to rise, unless strong and sustained action is taken to prevent piracy.”

    The offerings in the paid video download arena have also made inroads with consumers. In Q3 2006 two per cent of US households (1.2 million) with Internet access paid for a video download from an online download store. Apple’s iTunes led the market for paid digital video downloads, with nine in 10 downloads occurring on that site, followed by Vongo (five per cent), Movielink (three per cent) and less than one percent for CinemaNow. 62 per cent was TV programme content, 24 per cent was music video content and six per cent was mainstream movie content.

    On a more positive note paid usage could double or triple within the next year as more content comes online, consumers acquire more video-enabled players and movies are offered that consumers can actually burn to DVD.

    The competition between Apple’s iTunes/iPod juggernaut and Microsoft’s Zune platform will whet consumers’ appetites for digital video, though it will be quite a long time before we see consumers completely abandon the DVD in favor of digital downloads.

  • DVD penetration up 6 per cent in US: Nielsen report

    DVD penetration up 6 per cent in US: Nielsen report

    MUMBAI: More US households now own DVD players (81.2 per cent of all households) than VCRs (79.2 per cent of households), according to Nielsen Media Research’s third quarter home technology report.

    As of the third quarter of 2006, DVD penetration in the US is up by six per cent from the previous year and continues to grow, while VCR penetration has started a decline. In 1999 when Nielsen first started tracking DVD ownership in its Home Tech Report, DVD penetration was only 6.7 per cent and was dwarfed by VCR ownership at 88.6 per cent.

    Nielsen’s latest report also found that DVD households now rent DVDs about twice per month, compared to VCR homes renting VHS tapes only about once per month. The frequency with which households rent video tapes has levelled off during the past six months.

    Nielsen Media Research senior VP custom research Paul Lindstrom, says, “This study shows the culmination of a long battle for share of consumers. Nielsen clients have used information from our Home Tech Report for the past decade to trend the changes in penetration and report use of new devices as they infiltrate the marketplace, and we now see that the popularity of DVDs has finally surpassed that of VCRs.”

    Some additional topline findings from Nielsen’s Home Tech study include:

    – Computers — 73.4 per cent of US homes currently have a computer in the household, and homes with children and teens are more likely to have a home computer. There is a large difference in the percentage of lower income homes vs. higher income homes that own a home computer. Homes with an income over $60,000 are 50 per cent more likely to own a home computer than homes with an income below $60,000.

    – Internet – 95.4 per cent of consumers with Internet access go online at least once a week, and 37.3% of Internet users go online more than once a day. 78.2 per cent of online users have made purchases over the Internet. 46.8 per cent of online users (ages 12+) have used the Internet to download and play music from the Internet.

    – MP3 Players – 26.7 per cent of US homes own or rent an MP3 player. Households with the presence of children 12-17 years of age are nearly 2 ½ times more likely to own or rent an MP3 player than compared to the Total U.S. The percentage of homes owning an MP3 player has risen by 149.5 per cent since the third quarter of 2003.

    – PDA – 16.4 per cent of US homes own a PDA, and since the third quarter of 2003, PDA ownership has increased by 4.5 per cent. Not surprisingly, higher income homes are more than four times as likely as lower income homes to own a PDA.

  • Bharti launches 3G services in Seychelles

    Bharti launches 3G services in Seychelles

    MUMBAI: Bharti has become the first Indian telecom service provider to launch 3G services. Telecom Seychelles, a subsidiary of Bharti Global, has launched 3G operations in Seychelles.

    The company, which has been providing telecom services in Seychelles since 1998 under the Airtel brand, has made significant investments for rolling out state-of-the-art 3G services. Telecom Seychelles is also the first telecom operator to launch 3G services in the island nation.

    Bharti Enterprises chairman and group MD Sunil Bharti Mittal says, “This is a proud moment for Bharti and the Indian telecom industry. This launch demonstrates that Indian telecom industry is ready to introduce world-class 3G services. Our 3G operations in Seychelles will provide us with valuable experience, which will be extremely beneficial for rollout of our 3G services in India.”

    Customers in Seychelles will get access to a host of 3G services on the Airtel network. High speed web navigation – both on mobile through WAP and on laptop through Airtel 3G data card, Video calls – see and talk to each other on 3G handsets that have two cameras, sending and receiving large MMS messages are some of the many benefits customer will get.

    A programme was initiated to upgrade the existing Airtel network in Seychelles. The upgrade included commissioning of Ericsson’s new MSC/Media gateway/BSC/RNC /IN and new 3G Node B’s. All existing RBS 200 base stations with the latest 2206 BTSs have been enabled with EDGE to give the island nation a robust and futuristic telecom infrastructure.

  • China to have over 32 mn mobile video users in 2008

    China to have over 32 mn mobile video users in 2008

    MUMBAI: The mobile video market in China will take off in 2008, driven by interest in the Beijing Olympics. A new study from ABI Research forecasts total mobile video users at more than 32 million in 2008.

    About 27 per cent of these consumers will use broadcasting technology, and 73 per cent will use unicast streaming technology, while a number of viewers are likely to use both.

    This year the Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (Sarft) had announced two handset-related standards. DAB is likely to be the first phase of mobile multimedia broadcasting standards development in China. DAB paves the way for upgrading to China’s proposed mobile multimedia broadcasting standard, T-DMB, a terrestrial implementation of SK Telecom’s mobile video format.

    ABI research director Jake Saunders says, “Because both standards are voluntary, there are questions surrounding their effect in the market. “It is likely that local media groups and TV stations will deploy DAB initially, and implement T-DMB at a later date. The Chinese government will give preference to a standard that will be used in the 2008 Olympics, and DAB has been listed as one of the broadcast services that will be available at the Beijing Games.

    “Although lack of content is still deemed to be a bottleneck for mobile video in mainland China, the problem will be solved in the next two years. The current content shortage is caused by the limited number of handset TV SP licenses. When more companies obtain licenses, competition will become the lubricant to drive up the market.”

    Meanwhile in Hong Kong, mobile operators are active in mobile video streaming. Their international operations backgrounds allow them to provide diversified content to users. PCCW’s experience in operating its IPTV business will boost its performance in the 3G market.

    ABI Research forecasts approximately 715,000 mobile video users in Hong Kong in 2008, of which 99 per cent will be streaming users. In Taiwan, ABI Research forecasts that there will be over 1.5 million mobile video users in 2008, with 97 per cent receiving content via streaming.

  • BBC is UK broadcast partner for Concert For Diana

    BBC is UK broadcast partner for Concert For Diana

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has been asked to be the UK broadcast partner for Concert For Diana which Princes William and Harry are organising for 1 July.

    BBC Vision director Jana Bennett and BBC Audio and Music Director Jenny Abramsky said: “We’re thrilled that Princes William and Harry have decided to work with us – the event will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2 – as well as online – and will be a real highlight for the whole of the UK this summer.”

    BBC One controller Peter Fincham says, “This is a key event for the British public this summer, and I am delighted that BBC One has been asked to broadcast it into the nation’s living rooms.”

    BBC Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas says, “This promises to be not only a brilliant concert but also a really important one. I am delighted that Radio 2 has been given the opportunity to reflect the event across its output.”

  • CNN to air defining moments of the year

    CNN to air defining moments of the year

    MUMBAI: CNN will on three consecutive days beginning 30 December offer a look back at 2006; from the stories that dominated the news agenda and an in-depth review of how CNN reported these stories in its award winning style. Defining Moments 2006 uses comment and analysis from CNN’s international correspondents to reflect and go behind the stories that as the year draws to a close made 2006 such a memorable one.

    Conflict shaped much of 2006, and Defining Moments charts the increasing tensions in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon and Iraq. The abduction of two Israeli soldiers as broken by CNN’s Anthony Mills on July 12th marked the beginning of round the clock coverage of the Israel-Hezbollah war that dominated global news for a month.

    The special looks back at the events that took place from within Israel and Lebanon as well as the countries connected to the conflict during that volatile time. CNN also documents the 7/11 Mumbai train bombings which killed nearly 200 innocent people, features spiralling violence between Sunnis and Shiias in Iraq, witnessed through the eyes of CNN correspondents on the ground in Baghdad and across the Iraqi nation.

    From insurgents and rocket attacks to the nuclear club with two potentially new members; 2006 saw CNN’s Dan Rivers reporting live from a tense Korean border. The programme relives the unfolding of both North Korea and Iran’s nuclear ambitions as reported throughout the year.

    On a lighter note, 2006 is also remembered for such stories as the delisting of Pluto as one of our planets, the football World Cup, more dope than cycling at the Tour de France and the bowing out of the internationally loved Andre Agassi from the tennis circuit. The special revisits these stories and shares the highs, and lows, that characterised 2006.

  • Australia Network looks to expand reach into India

    Australia Network looks to expand reach into India

    MUMBAI: Global satellite services communciations provider Intelsat has announced that Australia Network, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s international television channel, has renewed its multi-year contract with Intelsat.

    It has expanded the contract to include transmission services on an additional satellite.Using the Intelsat global system, Australia Network will now be able to distribute programming beyond its existing Asia-Pacific footprint to reach new viewers in the cable neighborhoods of the South Asian region served by Pas-10 and to be positioned for additional access into new markets such as India and the Middle East.

    Under the terms of the new agreement, Intelsat will also provide Australia Network with turnaround services from its leased teleport facilities in Singapore. Prior to this contract, Australia Network only had available a single time feed. Intelsat’s enhanced fleet and teleport facilities now enable the broadcaster to transmit its programming in three prime time feeds covering the Pacific island nations, Asian land mass and South Asia regions.

    Australia Network CEO Ian Carroll says, “As Australia Network was seeking wider distribution in the region, we needed a service provider that would enable us to accomplish multiple business goals with one turnkey offering, and Intelsat provided that solution. Our long-standing relationship with Intelsat was enhanced with the inclusion of PAS-10 transmission services into the South Asia markets and we look forward to continued growth of this relationship.”

    Intelsat regional VP, Asia-Pacific, David Ball said, “For Intelsat, helping our customers achieve their strategic business goals is top priority. With respect to Australia Network, our solution is unique in the market and showcases Intelsat’s regional strength for video distribution through its expanded satellite fleet and terrestrial infrastructure. We are proud that Australia Network is entrusting us to transmit its programming into these new markets.”

  • IBN Lokmat to launch by March; TG ‘aspirational’ audience

    IBN Lokmat to launch by March; TG ‘aspirational’ audience

    NEW DELHI: IBN Lokmat, the Marathi news channel from the GBN stable, is all set to launch latest by March.

    The channel is currently in its trial run and will launch as soon as the new facility in Vikhroli is ready and once the ongoing 360-degree training by US experts concludes, Nikhil Wagle, editorial director tells indiantelevision.com.

    Wagle insists that the network created by IBN is unprecedented in regional journalism and includes 13 bureaux spread across the state, with 100 stringers, allowing “us to reach the last man in the village”.

    Wagle says he visited hundreds of journalism schools in the state and 2,000 students were interviewed; hence the editorial staff is representative of the entire state, not Mumbai-centric.

    Lokmat is the biggest newspaper chain with multiple editions in the state, and the new company, IBN Lokmat News Pvt Ltd, owns the channel, but is a part of the GBN group, and hence, committed to the same standards of journalism as CNN IBN, Wagle explains.

    Asked whether infotainment or even crude videos (of the kind seen on Hindi news channels) will also find a place on the channel, Wagle denies it, arguing that historically, the Maharashtrian news consumer has been more tuned to social values than those from the Hindi heartland.

    “That sort of news won’t be accepted here,” he says, adding that in any case, the company is committed to hard news that is of relevance to people.

    Wagle reveals that the core content for IBN Lokmat would be driven by the aspirational aspects of Maharashtra’s economy today.

    Sixty-four per cent of Maharashtra lives in urban areas, the highest in the country after Tamil Nadu, he says.

    “Every small town is trying to become a metro and larger towns are aspiring to higher status and this is the real issue today, so this aspirational aspect will be widely covered, along with traditional hard core news.”

    With malls and cineplexes coming up, businesses expanding and the youth lifestyle changing rapidly, urbanisation and its challenges would also be a core issue on the channel.

    Asked whether they would also include programming content like astrology, which has recently surfaced in IBN 7, GBN’s Hindi news channel, Wagle says, “There is no place for astrology in a news channel and the Marathi viewer is not interested. When they watch a news channel, they want deep-rooted investigative news.”

    There will be rural coverage as well, but Wagle says it will not just be sensational news of farmer suicides.

    “There are different angles to showing something, and we are not chasing TRPs, so when we cover farmer suicides, we shall show all the angles that exist, not just the sensational aspect,” he said.

    Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief of CNN IBN, says that the top layer of editors are the cream of Marathi journalism and will be totally driven by hard core journalism, saying, “Nikhil Wagle is no less a hard core journalist than any in the country, and so are most of the others, who all have a minimum of 15 years of journalism behind them.”

  • DD to run Ruskin Bond kids’ series

    DD to run Ruskin Bond kids’ series

    NEW DELHI: Starting the last Sunday of the year, Doordarshan will start airing the weekly series on India’s most loved kid’s writer Rusking Bond. The series, “Dehra Kids” will be shown on Sundays at 8.30 pm.

    The best part is, kids will be able to see their beloved Bond, who will appear for a short time at the beginning of each story, and talk about his life and the inspirations behind these stories.The stories have been adapted for television by Anasuya Vaidya, the executive producer, and directed by Ajay Shetty.

    The Dehra Kids are a group of children living in a small hill town, and comprise some of Ruskin Bond’s most enduring fictional characters – the cricket-loving Ranji, the all-knowing Koki, animal-lover Mukesh, Teju always up to mischief – and Chashmu, who observes everything around him.

    These stories are recreated in the magnificent Himalayan setting of ManaIi and its surroundings, a press statement from the national broadcaster says.

    Humour, adventure and a dash of the supernatural make “Dehra Kids” a complete fun-filled entertainment for children. Some of Ruskin Bond’s best short stories are part of the series, such as “Ranji’s Wonderful Bat”, “The Black Cat”; “The Great Train Journey”, “When the Guavas Are Ripe”, “Mukesh Starts a Zoo” etc.

    The talented child actors of Dehra Kids include Govind Marodia, Dhruv Shetty, Bhavya Mahajan, Nishant Gambhir, Mohit Arora and Nisa. Adult characters are played by veterans like Jalabala Vaidya.

    The curtain raiser of “Dehra Kids” will be telecast on Sunday, 24 December at 8.30 pm on DD Bharati.