ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • BBC trials Push-VoD technology in the UK

    BBC trials Push-VoD technology in the UK

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has started a small closed technical trial to test some of the technologies around Push-VoD to digital video recorders in the UK.

    Working in partnership with Cabot Communications Ltd, the BBC has developed an advanced interactive application that allows viewers to catch up from 50 hours of automatically-recorded content each week.

    The trial will comprise 300 participants from in and around the London area and run for approximately three months. The objective of the trial is to test the technologies around off-air capture and navigation in order to deliver broadcaster selected content onto a PVR, record, store and replay rich interactive applications and create a video rich navigation.

    During the trial, the digital video recorder (DVR) will store up to 100 hours of TV programmes each week: 50 hours of BBC programmes will be automatically recorded and stored onto the DVR hard drive after broadcast on a seven-day rolling basis, and up to 50 hours can be personally recorded by the triallist.

    Recorded programmes will be accessible through a bespoke navigation. The future aspiration of the BBCi Push-VoD application is to enable consumers to create their own personal packages of content, for example an entertainment or sports specific package.

    BBCi controller Rahul Chakkara said, “As we move further into an on-demand world, where viewers are looking for more opportunities to take control of their viewing schedules, it is imperative that the BBC is at the forefront of exploring new technologies to meet their needs.

    “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cabot Communications on Push-VoD initially via DTT, and to explore the ways in which MHEG and DVR technology can be used to meet audiences’ changing needs.”

  • Alfred Haber Distribution to showcase slate of reality shows at NATPE

    Alfred Haber Distribution to showcase slate of reality shows at NATPE

    MUMBAI: Alfred Haber, founder of Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc. (AHDI), has announced that the company is heading to The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) with a full slate of high-end, top-rated reality programming.

    Benchmarking the 2007 avail list are two new titles and three returning titles with all new episodes, asserts an official release.

    Haber said, “In any given month, a reality show distributed by AHDI is being broadcast somewhere around the world,” commented . Practically no other distribution company, major or minor, independent or conglomerate, has as many network reality series out in the marketplace today. We are delighted to be offering these titles to our buyers at NATPE.”

    The two new reality titles being offered for the first time at NATPE are:
    – Most Shocking – Court TV

    Its a caught-on-camera reality series from Bruce Nash about the world of law enforcement features never-before-seen action-packed crime footage.

    – Bullrun – Spike TV
    A high-speed car race across America pitting 13 teams against each other in a journey filled with danger, competition and action.

    The three returning series with all new episodes include:

    – Ghost Hunters – Sci Fi Channel
    It’s a new season of the Sci-Fi series that follows the exploits of a team of paranormal researchers in search of otherworldly life.

    – Totally Outrageous Behavior – Fox
    Created by reality producer NASH Entertainment this Fox series exposes people’s most ridiculous, embarrassing and outrageous behavior.

    – World’s Most Amazing Videos – NBC
    These videos expose unbelievable, true-life stories of people who faced their most desperate hour – and lived to tell about it.

  • Bennett Media to globally distribute action filmmaker Dallas Tanner’s shows

    Bennett Media to globally distribute action filmmaker Dallas Tanner’s shows

    MMUMBAI: Bennett Media Worldwide (BMW), the worldwide distribution arm of The Bennett Group, has acquired global television distribution rights to two location action-adventure series from extreme sports filmmaker Dallas Tanner. They are Destination X Hawaii and Flow.

    The first show is an adventure television show where five women explore beautiful, but dangerous locations as they compete to conquer the forces of nature challenges, including giant waves, fierce winds, the toughest terrain and the mysteries of rare cultures. Joining the women contestants is a team of trainers that features some of the worlds best known extreme sports enthusiasts, military experts, navigators and explorers.

    Flow is an action sports series filmed principally on the islands of Hawaii as well as some of the most far-reaching cinematic locations around the globe.

    Featuring the best in pro surfing, pro snowboarding, big wave surfing, motocross and other extreme sports action, Flow features guest stars and world champion athletes such as surfer Kelly Slater.

    Destination X Hawaii, which currently airs on The Water Channel as well as over 150 stations across the USA, has completed 13 half-hour high definition (HD) episodes. Flow, which will be launched on regional sports networks in the US, has wrapped 150 half-hours.

  • Asia Media Festival does business worth $47 million

    Asia Media Festival does business worth $47 million

    MUMBAI: Deals worth $47.1 million were concluded at the Asia Media Festival. This involved the Asia Television Forum, Asia Film Market Conference and Asia Animation Conference. This marks a 42 per cent gain on last year.

    Media reports state that when it was first launched five years ago, the transactions made then was $6.3 million. The Festival, which was hosted by the Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore also saw a record 4,700 local and international participants from 49 countries taking part.

    There was a 44 per cent jump in terms of the number of Asian companies that took part. Buyers came from countries like India, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
    The next edition of the Asia Media Festival takes place from 28-30 November 2007.

  • Broadcast Asia 2007 to emphasise on Comgraphics and Animation 2007

    Broadcast Asia 2007 to emphasise on Comgraphics and Animation 2007

    MUMBAI: Organisers for Broadcast Asia 2007 have revealed that the show will increase its presence for Comgraphics and Animation 2007.

    Over 80 per cent of exhibition space has already been booked, testament to the event’s relevance and growing importance of the Broadcasting and Animation industries in Asia, asserts an official release.

    Singapore Exhibition Services chief executive Stephen Tan said, “This is in keeping with market trends and especially across Asia, where the animation industry is set to grow to epic proportions.”

    For the first time in its 12-year history, Broadcast Asia 2007, will dedicate extra floor space to accommodate this new focus area. In addition, the show floor at ComGraphics and Animation 2007 will be divided into four distinct physical areas.

    At the recruitment zone, aspiring digital artists can speak to the recruiters looking to hire talented individuals for their company, and those wishing to embark on an education in this area can obtain information from various leading educational institutions.

    At the interactive zone, visitors can get up close with the latest technologies on offer, while at the exhibitors’ tech talk zone, visitors can listen in to exhibitors who will be sharing insights and knowledge on CGI and Interactive Digital Media techniques and trends in a 45 minute presentation.

    As with previous years, the show will also include an Animation Screening and Digital Art Gallery, where visitors can watch screenings of selected animation entries and top-line award winning productions by other professional artists.

    Conference and artist workshops will also be held alongside the exhibition. The event will also be the venue to host the annual Comgraph Competition, organised by ACM Siggraph Singapore.

    Other improvements at Broadcast Asia 2007 include gentler hall lighting and an enhanced registration process where visitors only need to register once to access both CommunicAsia 2007 and Broadcast Asia 2007 halls.

    “We’ve listened to feedback from exhibitors and visitors and have taken steps to improve their overall experience at BroadcastAsia. With less light coming into the halls, products that are receptive to glare can be demonstrated with improved clarity, this would be closer to the environment found in production studios or editing rooms, where lighting tends to be a lot milder. A one-time registration also allows faster and easier movement of people between halls,” added Tan.

    Broadcast Asia 2007 will be held from 19 to 22 June 2007 and incorporates Professional Audio Technology 2007. The event is held in conjunction with ComGraphics and Animation 2007, Interactive DME, CommunicAsia 2007 and Enterprise IT 2007, adds the release.

  • DD to launch a new serial ‘Agaaz’

    DD to launch a new serial ‘Agaaz’

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan today announced the telecast of its new serial, Agaaz, from 8 January. The serial will be telecast on Mondays at 9 pm on DD-1.

    Agaaz is the story of a single man’s resolve to battle and rise above the world, to rule it. It traces the ambition of a young man, Vikram, journeying through years of achievements, toil, sacrifices and above all vengeance, and how in the end his past action leads to his ruin at the hands of a woman he once humiliated.

    The story starts with Vikram as an upcoming and struggling actor. His performance is appreciated by critics. Vikram’s friend recommends his name to well-known director Sanjay. The latter is impressed by his acting and asks him to play the lead role in his film, provided Maya – a leading actress of the time agrees. Maya refuses to act opposite Vikram.

    This creates problems about finding producers and sponsors, but Sanjay a strong-headed man moves ahead and manages to complete the film. Vikram becomes a big hit in the film industry and never looks back.

    His success and performance on the screen impresses Maya and slowly she comes close to Vikram and they start having a relationship.

    But for some reason, Vikram one day suddenly breaks off the relationship. Maya – utterly humiliated – vanishes into thin air Vikram reaches the pinnacle of success and becomes a superstar, director, producer and is called the Godfather of the industry’.

    His production house rules the box office. Vikram’s 55th Birthday coincides with 25 years of his company and a golden merger with an Australian company.

    After a week, Vikram is shocked, as the Australian counterpart announces a three-year freeze over any production, as they want to analyse the market. Now Vikram is left with no work and gradually sinks into poverty.

    The Australian partner is none other than Maya Sanyal, the wounded woman he had once humiliated.

    The serial has been produced by Mayur Srivastava and directed by Manish Srivastava. Kanwaljeet Singh, Neha Sharad, Tez Sapru, Gitika, Sonia Kapur and Sanjay Swaraj play the major roles in the serial.

  • Netherlands becomes first country to switch over fully to digital TV

    Netherlands becomes first country to switch over fully to digital TV

    MUMBAI: Netherlands has pulled the plug on transmission of free to air analogue television, becoming the first nation switching completely to digital signals.

    Fewer than 75,000 households in the country relied on analogue antennae, although 220,000 still have second sets. They will require a small decoder to receive digital terrestrial television signals.

    Former Dutch telecommunications monopoly KPN has licenced the former bandwidth used by analogue through 2017.

    KPN carried the cost of building the digital network and will continue to broadcast three state-supported channels and several regional public broadcasters.

    In return, KPN will use the remaining available capacity to carry a package of pay-television channels.

  • Cyrus Oshidar quits MTV, Ashish Patil made MTV GM

    Cyrus Oshidar quits MTV, Ashish Patil made MTV GM

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks’ senior vice president (content and creative) Cyrus Oshidar has put in his papers.

    After ten years, Oshidar who formed one of the Old Guard at the iconic music channel brand, is teaming up with 37-year-old Alok Kejriwal, founder of Contest2Win, a site that aggregates contests and trivia for corporations. Kejriwal also owns sites like Media2Win and the just launched Games2Win.

    Following Oshidar’s departure, MTV Networks India vice president and GM creative and content Ashish Patil has been elevated and given additional charge as GM and business head of the music channel. Patil was earlier reporting directly in to Oshidar.

    Says Oshidar of his decision to move on, “I’ve done the advertising bit and the channel bit. I see the cutting edge challenge now being in the online space. Additionally, me and Alok go back a long way so there is a comfort level there as well.”

    Amit Jain, managing director – MTV Networks India, said, “Oshi’s uniquely wired mind has played a significant role in establishing MTV as an ‘unpredictably cool’ brand over the last so many years. It was surely his ingenuity that started the trend of a new genre of creativity – that of ‘not taking oneself seriously’.” Jain added, “Over the years, Oshi has nurtured many creative minds within MTV and we are confident that the legacy he leaves behind will be aptly taken forward by his exceptionally talented team.”

    Oshidar further added, All these years, what kept me excited was the fact that MTV is one of the very few brands in the world that give you the freedom to experiment and redefine the creative space – be it the ‘in-your-face’ humor or ‘laughing at oneself’ or ‘silly street lingo’. I’ll surely miss my friends and the sheer madness that MTV office stinks of.”

    As regards his new port of call, Oshidar will however, not be working full time at Contest2Win. He will be devoting three days a week there and the remaining two days of the week he hopes to work on a project-to-project basis in the area where he is most comfortable – consumer facing youth community communications.

    One of the other factors that prompted Oshidar’s decision to quit might well have been the scythe that went through the MTV Networks Asia Pacific Singapore headquarters in early October, which lead to 84 redundancies and coincided with the departure of MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins and also saw regional functions and corporate roles decentralized from Singapore.

    Oshidar, who had been expecting to move to a bigger role within the MTV Networks system outside India, probably felt that he was stagnating in his current position.

  • CCTV launches mobile TV

    CCTV launches mobile TV

    MUMBAI: China Central Television (CCTV) partnered with partnered with China Mobile and China Unicom has launched its mobile TV service.

    CCTV will provide live broadcasting and downloadable programs to mobile TV users. The CCTV mobile channel is currently free.

    It will also contact international and local TV stations to develop more content for the consumers.

  • Korea expects 21 million mobile TV users by 2012

    Korea expects 21 million mobile TV users by 2012

    MUMBAI: South Korea expects to have 21 million users of mobile TV by 2012, based mostly on free-to-air terrestrial DMB, followed by a slowly growing base of satellite DMB users.

    TU Media chief executive Young-kil Suh said, “That’s the government’s estimate, but we think this is a very conservative estimate now.” TU Media is the sole provider of satellite DMB services in South Korea.

    “There are 2.5 million users of mobile TV in South Korea today. TU started its service in May 2005, and will have 1 million users by the end of 2006. It expects to hit 2.2 million users by the end of 2007, at which point it expects to break even,” added Suh.

    TU believes it can hit 6.6 million users by 2010 and generate $1.1 billion in revenue. That breaks down to about $14 per month in average revenue per user.

    Research firm Parks Associates recently estimated the United States would have more than 15 million users of mobile TV by 2010, generating $1.6 billion in revenue.