ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • BBC’s show ‘Panorama’ reveals the problem of online gambling in the UK

    BBC’s show ‘Panorama’ reveals the problem of online gambling in the UK

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC says that its show Panorama has uncovered figures which show that an average of 5.8 million people a month visited online gambling sites from April to September 2006. The show airs this weekend in the UK.

    The statistics from the internet media and market research company Nielsen/Net Ratings show that in May there were more than six million visitors to online gambling sites.

    Independent research commissioned by the Government claims that there are only 1 million regular UK online gamblers. Professor Jim Orford, an addiction expert, tells Panorama the Government is being ‘naive’ and ‘playing dice’ with people’s health over its plans to liberalise gambling laws.

    He has predicted that up to one million people a year could become hooked on internet gambling because of the Gambling Act 2005. The Act becomes law in September 2007.

    Professor Orford, who works at Birmingham University, told Panorama, “Gradually we’re going to realise it’s a much bigger problem than we thought. More people are going to know friends and family members who’ve got problems. Health authorities are going to be under pressure to provide treatment.

    “We could be talking about a million people affected by it in any one period of 12 months, and that begins to put it on a par with drug addiction problems.”

    UK Minister for Sport Richard Caborn said, “We have, I believe, acted responsibly in bringing an Act onto the statute book, which has three basic principles on which it is based; protecting the vulnerable, keeping it crime free and making sure that those who have a bet will be paid out and it’ll be a fair bet. That is what it is predicated on because we believe that gambling is now part of our leisure industry.”

  • Vineeta Dwivedi is BBC World Service India business development manager

    Vineeta Dwivedi is BBC World Service India business development manager

    MUMBAI: BBC World Service has appointed Vineeta Dwivedi as the business development manager for India.

    Based in Delhi, she will be in charge of the broadcaster’s multi-media distribution and business development activities in India. Vineeta will be responsible for developing the distribution of BBC World Service output in India across a range of platforms including FM, broadband, DTH channel distribution system, mobile phones, satellite radio and TV.

    She will also manage FM partnerships following the recent BBC partnership with the Mid-Day Group and the Radio One network. Vineeta joined BBC World Service in 2001 and worked in a range of editorial and production roles before getting involved with the growing business development team in 2005.

    Prior to joining the BBC, she worked for the Press Trust of India. BBC World Service head of business development for the Asia/Pacific Region Michel Lobelle said: “The BBC intends to be at the heart of the current radio renaissance in India. It’s a very exciting time indeed, and we aim to further expand our presence across key platforms in India. Vineeta will play a crucial role in this expansion.”

  • Universal launches legal movie download service

    Universal launches legal movie download service

    MUMBAI: Universal Pictures Australia and ReelTime Media have launched the major movie download-to-own service that includes secure burn technology.

    It is also the first major movie download service in Australia and New Zealand, asserts an official release.

    From 29 November , consumers with high speed broadband connections can download Universal movies and content via a unique three-copy secure burn download-to-own (DTO) model. Movies will be made available in line with retail DVD sales via www.reeltime.tv.

    By logging onto reeltime.tv consumers access two windows media files that are downloadable to PC, laptop and portable device (compatible with Windows Play4Sure technology), as well as a third digital file that allows the movie to be securely and legitimately burned to DVD with full DVD functions, adds the release.

    The initial offers include 35 Universal titles, headed up by Miami Vice, which will be available on the DVD retail release date. New titles will be added on DVD retail release dates. Back catalogue titles already available include The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Break Up, The Bourne Supremacy, King Kong, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Curious George.

    Downloads will be priced from (Aus) $15, with new release titles costing no more than (Aus) $34.

  • Abducted BBC journalist in Pakistan released

    Abducted BBC journalist in Pakistan released

    MUMBAI: BBC Urdu Service reporter Dilawar Khan Wazir, who was abducted in mysterious circumstances on Monday, appeared at the BBC’s Islamabad office last evening.

    The BBC said: “We are extremely pleased at his safe return but we remain deeply concerned about the entire incident. He is unharmed but in a state of shock. “We would also like to request that journalists do not to try and call Dilawar till he has had time to recover from his ordeal.”

    The BBC had earlier expressed ‘serious concern’ over the sudden disappearance of Dilawar Khan Wazir in Pakistan and called on the Pakistan government to help locate the missing journalist.

  • CNN-IBN and IBN 7 the official promotional partners for 37th International Film Festival of India

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 the official promotional partners for 37th International Film Festival of India

    New Delhi, November 22nd 2006: CNN-IBN and IBN 7 are the official promotional partners for the 37th International Film Festival of India – country’s annual celebration of cinema -taking place from November 23rd to December 3rd 2006 in Goa, India.

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 will present to its viewers exclusive interviews of IFFI delegates and celebrities on the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Shahid Aamir, Sudesh Bhonsle, and Bombay Vikings etc and will also preview the film screenings. In addition, the channels will also air the official launch of various movies like ARYAN, 90 MINUTES BY IQBAL RIZVI etc.

    Dilip Venkatraman, Director Marketing and online projects, CNN-IBN and IBN 7 says “International Film Festival for India is the biggest gathering and a must attend event for business and entertainment leader from around the world. IFFI 2006 is an excellent opportunity for CNN-IBN, as the official promotional partner to increase awareness of the channel and extend its offering to the masses.”

  • Unilever marketing chief Simon Clift to join BBC Worldwide board

    Unilever marketing chief Simon Clift to join BBC Worldwide board

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s commercial arm BBC WOrldwide has announced that Simon Clift, Unilever’s global chief marketing officer has joined its board as a non-executive director.

    His appointment is a further step in BBC Worldwide’s move to ensure both greater transparency in its governance and an even broader range of expertise at senior level.

    BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith said: “Simon’s extensive experience in marketing and in building brands around the world will provide a great resource for BBC Worldwide to draw on as it moves ahead with its current growth strategy.

    “During our strategic review in 2004/5 we identified a need to be more transparent in our governance and reporting in order to ensure clearer understanding of our remit and performance. The introduction of non-executive directors is one of the steps we have taken to achieve this.

    “In addition, these directors – Etienne de Villiers, our non executive Chairman, Jana Bennett (Director of Television, BBC), Nicholas Eldred (General Counsel, BBC), Zarin Patel (Director of Finance, BBC) – and now Simon, will make rich contributions to the development of our international expansion plans.”

  • CNN Intl announces changes in news gathering operations

    CNN Intl announces changes in news gathering operations

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN International has announced a number of appointments within its international newsgathering operations in Asia-Pacific and Europe, Midlle East and Africa.

    CNN International MD Chris Cramer says, “I am particularly delighted to have been able to make such a large number of strategically important changes from within the CNN family. This is a testament to the depth and expertise of the staff we have working at CNN”.

    CNN Asia-Pacific managing editor, Jill Dougherty, will now be based in Washington D.C. and will be the US affairs editor, reporting for CNN International. She brings with her a unique global perspective having served as CNN’s Bureau Chief in Moscow for many years and previously, was a CNN White House correspondent travelling widely with former U.S. presidents.

    Taking Dougherty’s place is CNN International’s executive producer in Asia-Pacific, Ellana Lee. As acting managing editor for CNN Asia-Pacific, Ellana will oversee both the newsgathering and programming output from CNN’s Hong Kong production base as well as work closely with advertising sales and distribution.

    Aneesh Raman has been appointed as CNN’s Middle East correspondent and will be based in Cairo. This new title reflects his role in reporting from across the Middle East. Previously based in Baghdad, Aneesh has reported from numerous places in the past few months including Iran, Syria and Lebanon.

    CNN’s Jerusalem correspondent, John Vause will now cover China. He is based in Bejing. He has been CNN’s Jerusalem’s correspondent since October 2003, reporting from the frontlines on Israel’s war with Hezbollah, the Israeli pullout from Gaza and extensively covered the war in Iraq, being the only international TV reporter to visit the destroyed safe house of Al Qaeda leader, Abu Musab al Zarqawi.

    Atika Shubert, currently CNN’s correspondent in Tokyo responsible for the global news network’s coverage of Japan, moves to Jerusalem and joins the team led by Bureau Chief, Kevin Flower and correspondent, Ben Wedeman. Atika has covered several major news stories in Japan, including the recent election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the birth of the new prince, the controversial deployment of Japan’s Self Defense Forces to Iraq, among other significant stories.

    Joining CNN is Frederik Pleitgen who takes up the position as CNN’s Berlin correspondent. Frederik comes to CNN from German network broadcaster ZDF where he was the political editor.

  • FremantleMedia brings a slew of shows to Asia Television Forum

    FremantleMedia brings a slew of shows to Asia Television Forum

    MUMBAI: Television format owner and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced its slate of programming travelling to Singapore at the end of the month for the Asia Television Forum (ATF) 2006.

    FME CEO David Ellender says that a focus on entertainment and reality programmes would lead the way at the ATF this year, with drama and factual titles also on offer. ATF takes place from 29 November – 1 December 2006 in Singapore.

    One of its properties is a 12 part music series Live From Abbey Road. The Killers, Diana Ross, Pink and The Who join a host of other top names from the music world to celebrate the 75th anniversary of London’s legendary Abbey Road recording studios for this brand new series from Live From Abbey Road Limited. With television and DVD rights on offer for the series, Live From Abbey Road is set to be the focus of much attention in Singapore.

    Famed for its role in The Beatles’ rise to fame, the Abbey Road studios will host international A-list artists, as each one hour episode offers an insight into the world of the musician. Artists on the bill to date for Live From Abbey Road include both musical greats and up-and-coming performers – Paul Simon, Massive Attack, LeAnn Rimes, David Gilmour, Pearl Jam, Gnarles Barkley and Corinne Bailey Rae are just some who will gather in celebration of the home of music.

    Also on show at the ATF will be a reality offering from Janice Dickinson, the self-proclaimed world’s first supermodel, in her show The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. The series is a no-holds-barred look at Janice as she sets up her own modelling agency. After five seasons as the resident “Simon Cowell” judge on America’s Next Top Model, Janice is now taking the reigns. But this is not a contrived elimination show – this is the real thing. One thing’s for sure, these models better realise that with Janice, it’s her way or the highway.

    American Inventor is a search to find America’s best new invention and to make one struggling inventor’s dream come true. With a million dollars at stake, American Inventor celebrates the best in homespun ingenuity and will be judged by the panel of experts including show co-creator, UK entrepreneur Peter Jones.

    The juggernaut of the reality genre, American Idol, will be back for the ATF, and FME will present the sixth season. The Apprentice Season six will be offered. With a crop of entrepreneurs more intelligent and successful than ever, the competitors’ survival techniques will be tested, this time from Los Angeles, where the rules are different and a powerful perk is bestowed upon winning project managers, with losing teams not only going to the boardroom, but having a new and unpleasant situation to deal with.

    Available for TV and DVD is series three of Project Runway hosted by supermodel, Heidi Klum. This immensely popular series from Miramax and The Weinstein Company was nominated for three 2006 Emmy awards and screens in 21 territories worldwide. The third series sees 15 new fashion designers battling it out for the chance to show their designs in front of the global fashion community in New York and be displayed in the pages of Elle magazine.

    Competing against each other in a series of challenges, through each of which a designer is eliminated, ultimately one will be left to claim their rightful place in fashion’s spotlight. Project Runway is hot property! The third series attracted audiences of up to 5.0 million viewers, ranking as the highest rated programme in Bravo’s 20 year history.

    Falcon Beach will make its ATF debut having already been snapped up by 24 broadcasters worldwide. This is a family drama with the lot – it’s sexy, edgy and full of energy, it’s the essence of summer. Falcon Beach centres on the lives and loves of the town’s young men and women, as they find their way towards their futures in a quiet lakeside town where locals and summer visitors mingle and where seduction, sand, sun and scandal are abundant.

  • BBC launches integrated multimedia broadcast and production group BBC Vision

    BBC launches integrated multimedia broadcast and production group BBC Vision

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that BBC Vision, an integrated multimedia broadcast and production group has launched. The aim is to create high quality programmes for audiences in the rapidly changing digital world.

    BBC Vision director Jana Bennett says that in the future, more BBC programmes would need to work on many different platforms such as the web, mobile phones and interactive technologies.”Our creative purpose is to deliver great programmes and great content to all our audiences. The future will still be a place where audiences value great storytelling, elegant structure, high production values – all the traditional strengths of BBC programme makers.

    “But at the same time we need to develop fresh ways of thinking and using technology. There are incredible opportunities in this new world if we can only organise ourselves to seize those opportunities and make them work for our audiences.”

    BBC Vision – so called because it makes BBC content that people watch – brings together several former BBC divisions: Drama, Entertainment and Children’s (DEC); Factual and Learning; Television; and Network Production in the Nations.

    This follows a restructure plan announced by BBC DG Mark Thompson earlier this year. The BBC Groups coming together are Audio and Music, Journalism and Future Media and Technology. Bennett said there were two big ideas behind the creation of Vision:

    A “one-stop shop” for multi-platform commissioning where creative ideas – whether in-house or independent – could be looked at in the round and assessed for their full creative potential across all appropriate platforms;

    A content powerhouse, Vision Studios, which positions itself as the biggest multi-platform production house of its kind in the world, bringing together about 4,000 programme makers in 17 “studios”. Jana Bennett has appointed Peter Salmon as Chief Creative Officer to run Vision Studios.

    £10 million has been set aside for multi-platform landmark projects. There will be opportunities for thousands of programme makers to gain new multi-media skills and experience of different areas of programming. There will also be an in-house guarantee and window of creative competition initiative. Bennett adds, “Vision commissioning would be a meritocracy to make sure that BBC audiences get the best content, wherever the ideas originate – inside or outside the BBC.”

    Within BBC Vision, commissioning stays separate from production. The BBC draws at least 25 per cent of its programming from independent production companies by statutory quota, and another 25 per cent makes up the Window of Creative Competition open to competition between independents and in-house producers. The remaining 50 per cent goes to the BBC’s in-house programme makers under the In-House Guarantee.

  • Times Now launches two new shows

    Times Now launches two new shows

    MUMBAI: Times Now adds two new shows on lifestyle and travel are vivid and experiential to the weekend lineup. The channel has launched High Life and Take A Break on 18 November.

    Take A Break is all about short getaways to locations that don’t exist on the tourist map where Malaika Shenoy shares the experiences. The show airs at 10:30 pm every saturday. High Life showcases the best that money can buy and other lavish houses, extraordinaire office spaces, night life, collectibles etc. The show will be hosted by model and film actor Tara Sharma and will air at 7.30 pm.

    Talking about the new shows Times Now editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami said, “At Times Now, we believe in offering viewers shows that they can both enjoy watching and which are useful to them. High Life celebrates the high life, and will be very good viewing. And, just ahead of the holiday season, Take a Break is a ready reckoner on places about town where one can take a few days off. Both the shows add to the already exciting fare on Times Now weekend”

    Both the shows are produced in-house and the executive producer programming Preeti Prasad adds, “At Times Now we’ve always believed in producing high quality programmes in-house, these two shows reinforce our commitment. Our shows like Line of Duty (that won an award in Rome) have set the standards in non-fiction television production. Our new weekend shows entertain both the voyeur and the voyager in you!”