ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Rajshri Media appoints Limelight as streaming content provider for its broadband website

    Rajshri Media appoints Limelight as streaming content provider for its broadband website

    MUMBAI: Rajshri Media, the digital entertainment arm of the Rajshri Group, has appointed content delivery network Limelight as the exclusive provider of streaming content delivery services for Rajshri.com, the recently launched broadband entertainment destination.

    Utilizing Limelight’s worldwide network, Rajshri.com will be able to deliver its library of content globally.

    As reported earlier, Rajshri.com, which aims to cater to the diaspora, was launched with the premiere of Vivah on the portal simultaneously with its theatrical release. Focusing on India centric video content, the site currently claims to serve more than 3,000 hours of full length Indian movies, music videos, TV shows, short films, documentaries and other video content and programming.

    The content offering is being scaled up and Rajshri.com will soon introduce new channels featuring content on spirituality, yoga, recipes, astrology and numerology. In addition, the website is also looking at original video programming, conceived and produced for distribution via new media to digitally connected consumers worldwide. The scalability of the Limelight network will ensure that viewers are provided with a high-quality media experience at all times, informs an official release.

    Rajshri Media managing director Rajjat A Barjatya said, “The non-resident Indian audience is estimated to be more than 25 million strong with an equally strong non-Indian audience. This audience is fragmented and difficult to reach through traditional media but connects very strongly with Indian entertainment, especially Bollywood. The penetration of broadband and 3G networks, especially in developed markets, gives us the ability to distribute rich content, including long form video, to consumers worldwide, including markets which traditional media has not been able to penetrate. We are proud to partner with Limelight and are happy to announce we have received a phenomenal response, having already crossed 4 million video streams within a fortnight of launch.”

    “We are delighted that Rajshri Media has chosen us as their exclusive partner to deliver high quality video content to audiences across the globe,” said Limelight Networks vice president Asia-Pacific Matthew H. Sturgess. “To make Rajshri’s vision a reality, our highly scalable next generation content delivery network enables them to simultaneously deliver huge video files–including feature films that are over three hours long–to audiences of any size, anywhere in the world.”

  • DD to start mobile TV trials in tie-up with Nokia

    DD to start mobile TV trials in tie-up with Nokia

    MUMBAI: Nokia has announced its latest digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H) broadcast mobile TV pilot with national television broadcaster Doordarshan, using Nokia’s open standards based DVB-H solution.

    The Nokia Mobile Broadcast Solution will be delivered to Doordarshan via SHAF Broadcast in early 2007.

    During this pilot, Doordarshan will test the reception quality of the broadcast coverage, and explore the options of supporting different service schemes, such as advertising and interactive services. The pilot will also enable Doordarshan to gauge consumer expectations of the service going forward, informs an official release.

    The pilot will use DVB-H technology, a broadcast technology now used to support several field pilots globally, chosen based on its merit to support mobility, small screens, indoor coverage, optimised use of battery and in-built antenna that are specific to handheld devices such as mobile devices.

    Doordarshan director-general LD Mandloi said, “Doordashan has taken a lead in adopting DVB-H standards and this was a logical extension of our DVB-T services. DVB-H over IP based on open standards will provide a discerning mobile broadcast experience to Indian consumer and we are confident of its success in our country which has historically been on the leading edge of broadcast technology and content creation.”

    “India becomes one of the leading countries in Asia to deploy live broadcast mobile TV bringing Indian consumers a step closer to watching their favourite programmes on their mobile devices,” said Nokia Asia Pacific director multimedia Jawahar Kanjilal. “We are excited to collaborate with Doordarshan to enable their mobile TV services. This is a great opportunity for the vibrant content industry in India to take advantage of bringing television into the pockets of the Indian consumers.”

  • NDTV gets Karan Johar on board for entertainment channel

    NDTV gets Karan Johar on board for entertainment channel

    MUMBAI: The Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Ltd, which last month announced the formation of NDTV Ventures to start a slew of TV channels, including a Hindi general entertainment channel, has begun making its moves on that front.

    As a first step towards launching a Hindi entertainment channel, NDTV today announced its partnership with filmmaker Karan Johar’s production company, Dharma Productions.

    Karan Johar will be on the board of NDTV’s Entertainment company, and Dharma productions will hold an equity stake in it. Queried about the nature of the stake Johar would hold, NDTV’s chief executive for growth and strategy Vikram Chandra said it would be as sweat equity.

    Johar’s role has been defined as helping originate concepts and new programming ideas for the channel. Johar will also function as an ambassador for the NDTV entertainment brand.

    Dharma Productions will produce shows for NDTV’s Entertainment channel, and the channel will have first right of refusal on any programmes that it produces for television.

    Speaking on the new alliance, Johar said, “For me this partnership between NDTV and Dharma Productions is not just a professional association… it’s a family bonding and I believe in the power of the family! What a family can do together no individual can do on his own. This family is going to be at a TV screen near you, creating all the celebration possible. So please watch NDTV emerge as the leading entertainment channel of the country and this is not just a projection … this is a guarantee.”

    The NDTV Entertainment channel is being launched as part of NDTV’s expansion beyond the news.

    Karan Johar and Dharma productions have produced major blockbusters such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, Kal Ho Na Ho and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

  • Warner/Chappell Music extends sub-publishing deal with Disney

    Warner/Chappell Music extends sub-publishing deal with Disney

    MUMBAI: Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp., has announced an extension of its sub-publishing agreement with Disney Music Publishing.

    Under the agreement, Warner/Chappell will continue to administer the rights to more than 10,000 titles in the Disney music catalog, as well as the company’s future film and television releases, across most major markets in Europe and South America, states an official release.

    The agreement includes all classic and contemporary Disney compositions originating within The Walt Disney Company’s business units, including: animated feature films Cars, Toy Story, The Lion King, Aladdin, among others; live action feature films Pirates of the Caribbean, The Chronicles of Narnia; animated and live action television Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives; Walt Disney Records; The Disney Channel’s High School Musical, Cheetah Girls; theme parks and various Disney-related ventures.

    In making the announcement Warner/Chappell Music Chairman and CEO Richard Blackstone said, “We are very proud to continue our successful relationship with Disney Music Publishing and its celebrated catalog of compositions ranging from those embodied in iconic Disney animated films to popular culture’s most recognizable current television programs. In particular, I am hopeful that our new digital licensing initiatives will yield a substantial benefit to this wonderful catalog.”

    “Our association with Warner/Chappell has been a successful one, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to expand the reach of Disney’s catalog. We share Warner/Chappell’s commitment to finding innovative ways for audiences to enjoy our songs, whether they are Disney classics or contemporary hits,” added Disney Music Publishing senior vice president Julie Enzer.

  • BBC chairman Michael Grade quits to join ITV

    BBC chairman Michael Grade quits to join ITV

    MUMBAI: BBC chairman Michael Grade has resigned to become ITV executive chairman, with immediate effect.
    Commenting on his move and on behalf of the Board of Governors vice-chairman Anthony Salz said, “Michael Grade has been an inspirational leader of the BBC since his appointment in May 2004. His passion for quality and value for money has been a driving influence for major changes, all with the sole purpose of delivering a better service for the public. The Board is disappointed he is moving to ITV, but he leaves behind a BBC that is passionate about and committed to serving the public in new and exciting ways.”

    BBC Trust Vice-Chairman Chitra Bharucha said, “All of us recently appointed to the BBC Trust are disappointed we will not have an opportunity to work with Michael Grade. His success in securing a new 10 year Charter for the BBC that safeguards its independence and ensures it operates only in the public’s interest is testimony to his time as Chairman.

    “Importantly, and because of him, the Charter future-proofs the new governance arrangements which will be operational from January and place the interests of licence fee payers at the heart of our decisions. The BBC Trust wishes Michael Grade well for the future.”

  • Teen characters in British soaps lack ambition: Study

    Teen characters in British soaps lack ambition: Study

    MUMBAI: UK organisation The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) says that teen characters in British soaps lack ambition and are not great role models for viewers.

    LSC is concerned about the fact that characters in shows like Corrie and EastEnders are stuck in bad jobs which do not inspire kids to work towards a strong career with well defined goals.

    It says that characters in shows should have more ambition. Giving examples it points out that Corrie’s Fiz works in a factory and EastEnders’ Stacey is a stall trader. The group says they should both be setting their sights higher.

    LSC points out that too many soap characters have no career aspirations. Shows should at least attempt to show them trying to improve the quality of their lives instead of staying stuck in insignificant jobs.

    It notes that the UK has thousands of young people without qualifications. So it is important that television sets good examples. Television characters often set examples and if they are shown as being satisfied with being in dead end jobs then LSC is concerned that British viewers will not be motivated to try for more.

  • BBC News launches a user generated show in the UK

    BBC News launches a user generated show in the UK

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that its channel BBC News 24 has launched an all user-generated news programme featuring material sent in by the public.

    Your News, which has commenced a pilot run will be an all user-generated news programme – featuring the stories, features and video proving most popular with viewers on TV and the web.

    BBC News 24 controller Kevin Bakhurst said, “Your News will make use of the huge range of material being sent in to the BBC by the public, some of which has already provided real newsgathering value. It will reflect the stories catching our audience’s eye and talk to them directly about the issues they feel really matter.”

    The new programme draws on the wealth of user-generated content sent into the BBC every day by viewers and readers of the BBC News website. The website the pubcaster says receives around 10,000 emails a day with story suggestions, comments and pictures from the public.

    Your News, presented by Richard Bilton and reporter Laura Jones, will run weekly features with a wide range of audience driven content.

    These include:

    Your Story – weekly news report unique to Your News covering an issue raised by a member of the public. Saturday’s programme features the case of a man who contacted the BBC when, after his wife’s death, he made the discovery that the hospital in which she died did not have a licence to perform a tissue donation according to her wishes.

    Your Questions – Your News reporter Laura Jones sets out to investigate answers to the questions sent in to the BBC by the public on issues, local or national, that concern them.

    Your Pictures – images sent into the BBC from the public with their view of the world.

    Your Top Stories – that week’s top stories on the BBC News website and elsewhere.

    All material will be credited on-air to the member of the public who sent it in.

  • BBC triumphs at AIB Intl Broadcasting Awards

    BBC triumphs at AIB Intl Broadcasting Awards

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that it has won three awards at the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Awards in London. BBC World was named the International Television Channel Of The Year, while BBC World Service won two awards for the Best Coverage Of A News Event and Best Radio Documentary.

    The jury, which comprised senior executives from the broadcasting organisations plus television and radio critics in the UK and around the world, cited BBC World Service’s coverage of the South Asian Earthquake, which won Best Coverage Of A News Event award, as “most impressive in every respect.”

    Return To Sarajevo won Best Radio Documentary Programme for what the jury described as “a stunningly vivid documentary, extraordinarily powerful and impeccably produced.”

    BBC World was named International Television Channel of the Year for its “excellent coverage of stories and high presentation values.”

    BBC’s Global News Division director Richard Sambrook says, “The BBC’s international services are honoured to have been selected by the industry against some stiff competition. We consider this a great endorsement for the exceptionally hard work of our teams of journalists around the globe both on radio and television. It is their coverage and analysis of complex events which has been responsible for attracting more viewers to BBC World and more listeners to BBC World Service than ever before, particularly at a time when people are trying to make sense of our rapidly changing world.”

    The Association for International Broadcasting Awards are a non-commercial celebration of success that focusses on international, cross-border broadcasting.

  • CNN travels to Dubai next month

    CNN travels to Dubai next month

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN anchor Hala Gorani hosts the special Inside The Middle East from Dubai in December as she takes viewers on a journey to Lebanon and Tunisia to meet a singing legend and one of the most prolific film producers from the Middle East. The special airs on 2 December 2006 at 2 pm, 8 pm, 3 December at 6 pm and on 7 December at 8 pm.

    In Beirut, CNN correspondent Brent Sadler meets 82-year old tarab singer, Nahawand, one of the most elderly performers in the Middle East. Twice a week she rocks her audiences in the aisles of Music Hall, a trendy Beirut nightclub where the Lebanese glitterati dance on tables to the powerful voice of ‘the nightingale’. Now, with age, she suffers mentally but never forgets her lyrics. Her doctors remark that this frail woman in her trademark black suit and red scarf literally lives to sing, and that those few minutes on stage every week may be her motivation to stay alive.

    Gorani then explores the history of Western film production in Tunisia, where much of the country’s movement can be attributed to Tunisian-born Tarak Ben Ammar, who is today a major international film broker and movie producer. Currently producing the upcoming ‘Hannibal Rising’ movie, he also took part in producing popular films like ‘Star Wars’ and the ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ movies. Ben Ammar shows INSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST around his magnificent Greco-Roman film set north of Tunis, revealing how he convinced Hollywood legends Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to shoot their movies in his native Tunisia, helping transform the small North African country into one of Hollywood’s favourite film sets.

    The show also looks at a specific problem affecting life in the Middle East: iodine deficiency disorder. Just a pinch of iodised salt with a meal is known to be enough to eliminate the primary cause of preventable learning difficulties and brain damage. But mental retardation, dwarfism and speech defects due to IDD have yet to be eliminated in the region despite efforts to get salt producers to add iodine to their product. In Egypt’s rural Nile Delta, the show looks at one anti-IDD programme targeting babies that is proving successful and follows an Egyptian health minister in his battle against IDD as he seeks to rid the souks, shops and stores of illegally produced, un-iodised salt.

  • Al Jazeera Intl goes with Apple

    Al Jazeera Intl goes with Apple

    MUMBAI: MAl Jazeera International, the English version of leading news broadcaster, Al Jazeera, announced the selection of a wide range of Apple products to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for the media organisation.

    Catering to a range of media requirements, the Apple-based technology project is set to deliver a total solution ranging from editing to storage needs. With a reputation for using cutting-edge technology, Al Jazeera plans to use the latest from Apple’s portfolio of solutions to revolutionize the functioning of the TV station’s video network.

    As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com after a number of delays, Doha-based Al-Jazeera Network launched its English news and current affairs channel Al Jazeera International earlier this month.

    Al Jazeera has signed up with Arab Business Machine’s (Apple IMC Middle East) Reseller, PRO TECHnology to implement a turn-key media solution for the channel’s growing infrastructure.

    Al Zazeera states that journalists will benefit from the usage of Apple tools as the Final Cut Studio allows professional editors to elevate production values with powerful editing tools, revolutionary sound design, real-time motion graphics and next generation DVD authoring from the field, while the MacBook Pro is the first Mac notebook built on the Intel Core Duo processor, which delivers the power of two processors on a single chip – for blistering performance with high-end creative applications.