ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • AXN to roll out The Amazing Race Asia online race

    AXN to roll out The Amazing Race Asia online race

    MUMBAI: AXN is rolling out The Amazing Race Asia Online Race, an interactive online competition that gives viewers a chance to taste the action of the race. Contestants will have to decipher clues and execute challenges in the race to the grand prize, just like teams in The Amazing Race Asia.

    The Amazing Race Asia Online Race is launched to further connect with viewers of The Amazing Race Asia, slated for broadcast on 9 November 2006. The online race is a manifestation of AXN’s commitment to deliver a 3600 entertainment experience for its viewers.

    Contestants will have to search for clues and weave their way through a web of challenges, including tasks like assuming the role of an Amazing Race cameraman chasing contestants through the cities, a memory game and more.

    The Amazing Race Asia Online Race is played in teams of two and the goal is to race from checkpoint to checkpoint online. Each team will have to complete a special task in order to get the clues to the next checkpoint. A tutorial of the race can be found at http://amazing-race-asia.axn asia.com/promotions/ online-race/index.html.

    Registration for The Amazing Race Asia Online Race is open and registration would close on 5 November 2006. The race will run in two legs. The first leg will be held from 6 November 7 pm to 9 November 7 pm. Participants have to navigate and complete all the checkpoints in the specified sequence within this period to qualify for the next leg of the race.

    The second leg will be held on 11 November, where all eligible participants have to log in from 12 pm onwards in the final race to the finishing line where the grand prize of USD$2,000 awaits the winner. Results will be announced on 13 November 2006.

  • Hinduja TMT Q2 net profit at Rs 5081 million

    Hinduja TMT Q2 net profit at Rs 5081 million

    MUMBAI: Hinduja TMT has posted a profit after tax of Rs 5081.989 million for the quarter ended 30 September, 2006 as compared to Rs 120.993 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2005. 

    The company has recorded a total income of Rs 7758 million for the quarter comparing with a year-before of Rs 459 million. Net sales stood at Rs 934.74 million, compared to Rs 410.31 million a year ago.

    Expenditure came to Rs 919.06 million compared with Rs 348.18 million in the third quarter of 2005. Expenditure includes direct / operating cost and connectivity cost Rs 22.407 million, staff cost Rs 412.346 million, rent & compensation charges Rs 58.453 million, legal & professional charges Rs 317.983 million, discounts and commission Rs 4.180 million and others Rs 103.686 million.

    Operating Profit registered at Rs 6839 million from Rs 111 million, a year earlier. 

    The figures related to the current quarter ended 30 September 2006 are strictly not comparable to the corresponding previous quarter, since the Manila Branch commenced operations w.e.f. 1 October, 2005.

    According to the official statement, pursuant to the sale of the company’s effective stake in Hutchsion Essar Ltd., on 30 June, the company (alongwith wholly owned subsidiaries and one offshore group company) received the total consideration of USD 450 million. 

    Part consideration was received on 30 June and the balance consideration on 17 August. As on date, the overseas ITES / BPO arm of the company, Pacific Horizon Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary has cash surpluses of over USD 130 mn in-organic growth initiatives.

    The company has booked profits (net) on sale of long term investments on sale of Hutch stake and other overseas subsidiaries of Rs 2050 million in the first quarter and Rs 6800 million in the second quarter.

    On 31 August the board approved a scheme of demerger of its IT-ITES/ BPO operations from the company with the appointed date as 1 October. The scheme has been filed with the High Court of Judicature at Bombay and shareholder approval is being sought, informs the release.

  • Vh1 set to debut six new musical series next year

    Vh1 set to debut six new musical series next year

    MUMBAI: Viacom-owned US channel Vh1 is set to launch 
    six series in the first quarter of 2007. The new line-up includes, Irv Gotti Project, Man Band, ego trip’s White Rapper Show, Whitestarr Project, Rags To Riches, Bridging The Gap. 

    The above six series is part of the music-branded block VH1’s Wild Life.

    “The breadth of this slate of music-based series illustrates, once again, that VH1 is the only place for adults to go to see the kinds of music and storytelling that speaks only to them,” said MTV Networks music group president entertainment Brian Graden. “This slate features all kinds of characters — Irv Gotti, Cisco Adler, Jeff Timmons, Queen Latifah — we love that they all have a place at Vh1.”

    “Just as we gave Hulk and his family a home with Celebreality, we wanted to create a new branded block for all the crazy rockers and rappers that we love so well,” added MTV Networks music group executive vice president and general manager Tom Calderone.

    Irv Gotti Project is a show based on Irv Gotti. After being investigated for three years by the federal government on charges of money laundering and acquitted, Gotti is now attempting a comeback with his label The Inc while also juggling his responsibilities as a husband and father.

    Man Band is a reality based show where five boy band legends including Bryan Abrams (Color Me Badd), Rich Cronin (LFO), Chris Kirkpatrick (‘N Sync) and Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) will come together to create new music and perform as a new pop group.

    Ego trip’s White Rapper Show is a search for the next great white rapper. Whitestarr Project showcases the hourney of the rocker Cisco Adler and his band Whitestarr, while, Rags to Riches provides aspects of a musician or actor through their childhood and the various challenges of growing up, and Bridging the Gap documents two established artists to record a track together. Eve and Queen Latifah are featured in the first episode of the series.

  • Nickelodeon fights competition in kid’s space

    Nickelodeon fights competition in kid’s space

    MUMBAI: Close on the heels of the announcement of a new head, Nickelodeon now boasts of entering the ratings game as the second longest watched channel amongst kids over the last three weeks (Week 40 to Week 42, daypart 07:00 – 22:00, 4-14 ABC, HSM1L+ markets).

    The latest Tam data suggests that specific to this week (ie.Week 42, 15 – 21 October) Nick has squeezed itself into the second spot with timespent/viewer (TS/V) as being 162.05 minutes. However, the timespent/universe (TS/U), tells a different story as Nick slips to the fifth position with 22.2 minutes.

    Hungama TV heads the pack, while the Disney Channel has overtaken the two players from the Turner stable, Cartoon Network and Pogo.

    What’s interesting, is that for same period (Week 42) Nick has held 0.41 TVRs outrunning the Southern leader Toon Disney (0.30 TVRs) and is not trailing too far behind Pogo which has clocked 0.46 TVRs.

    Nick appears to be heading for happier times as it also claims the leadership position among all kids’ channels in the younger kids category as time spent is pegged at 228 minutes (Week 42, daypart 07:00 – 22:00, 4-9 ABC, HSM1L+ markets). This category has seen a growth in GRPs of 83 per cent (From 84 in Week 39 to 154 in Week 42).

    Additionally, over the past four weeks (Week 39 to Week 42) the time spent per individual on Nick has risen 74 per cent, while GRPs have risen 62 per cent to 86 (from 53 in Week 39 to 86 in Week 42), the channel claims.

    Putting up a firm fight, the key properties that seem to be propelling this growth include Ninja Hattori, The Munnabhai Show and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron.

  • Nicktoons forays into Sci-fi with ‘Skyland

    Nicktoons forays into Sci-fi with ‘Skyland

    MUMBAI: Nicktoons Network, Nickelodeon’s 24-hour animation network, delves into the sci-fi realm for the first time with Skyland, an animated adventure series that will premiere Saturday 18 November at 9 pm.

    The series employs the latest in animation technology by using motion capture, CGI, 2D and key frame animation to create cutting-edge television.

    The premiere of Skyland will kick off with the hour-long special (that sneak-peeked globally in January) followed by an all-new, half-hour episode at 10 pm during the 3 Headed Monster programming block. Season one, which consists of 13 episodes, will air Saturdays at 9 pm on Nicktoons Network.

    “Nicktoons Network continues to be the hub for animation fans to tune in and find unique, diverse and technically advanced shows like Skyland,” said, Nicktoons Network vice president and general manager Keith Dawkins. “In addition to its rich visual style and stunning imagery, Skyland is an epic, sci-fi action adventure of good verses evil — universal story lines kids have loved for ages,” he added.

    Skyland, produced by Method Films and created by Emmanuel Gorin, Alexandre de la Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte, follows a heroic brother, Mahad and his telekinetic younger sister, Lena, as they search for their parents in a new world order. The year is 2251 and the earth has been shattered into millions of blocks that now drift aimlessly in orbit around the Earth’s core known as Skyland.

    The Sphere, led by a power-mad ruler with telekinetic powers named Oslo, has installed a dictatorship that controls water distribution, now a precious resource. Skyland’s young heroes along with the pirate resistance, try to free their mother from Oslo’s evil grasp and destroy the dreaded Sphere.

    The hour-long special, Dawn of A New Day, introduces Mahad and Lena as they are faced with their biggest challenge yet when their mother is forced to sacrifice herself and be captured by the evil Sphere in order for her children to run to freedom.

    In the premiere episode Manipulations, the sibling duo fights against the enemy when a solar phenomenon has unusual effects on Seijin powers. This allows a sect of the Sphere to take control of Dahlia, a strong member of the pirates, in effort to learn the coordinates of the pirate hideout.

    Nicktoons Network offers a 24- hour schedule featuring programming such as the Nicktoons Network Animation Festival, Kappa Mikey, Thumb Wrestling Federation, Corneil and Bernie and Martin Mystery, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Jimmy Neutron.

  • Mobile ESPN subscription service launched

    Mobile ESPN subscription service launched

    NEW DELHI: It’s in, it’s happening, but will it deliver on the monies? Sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports today announced the launch of Mobile ESPN, marking its entry into the mobile value added services (VAS) domain in India.

    The sports TV major sought glory at a press conference here today as the first out of the door in this field with its service, which kicks off from 15 November.

    The Indian mandarins of the company were, however, taken by surprise when asked how they could claim a projected success, when the same service had to be withdrawn in the US. Mobile ESPN was launched in February with a huge promotional campaign but was disbanded within six months. Though the service was viewed as a technological success, it never caught on with consumers, who were apparently unwilling to pay a $10 to $50 premium to get highlights, fantasy sports alerts and even live games on ESPN-branded phones.

    ESPN India MD RC Venkateish explained, “There (in the US) the business model was different. However, we see huge potential in the mobile arena here as the leading sports broadcaster.”

    There was also some discomfort at the pitch over the rights issue — whether information of cricket, for example, being provided by ESPN Mobile could clash with rights holders like the Board for Control of Cricket in India?

    Sricharan Iyengar, ESPN India vice-president (sales and marketing) and head of emerging technologies, responded to a question on how the rights issue would affect them, saying that they were presently in a “rights-agnostic” situation.

    Venkateish added that they were news service providers and “no on can black out news”. He pointed out that most TV news channels were showing match reports anyway, without anyone coming in their way.

    As of now, ESPN Mobile promises to launch a three-pipe outlet, with news, statistics, pre- and post-match analysis and what have you on all sports, from cricket to tennis to F1 to ice hockey through the mobile phone, Internet (through its website espnmobile.in) and TV.

    Venkateish described the present TV-only scenario as the one-pipe outlet.

    Sports fans will be delighted, said Iyengar, with the “360 degree” coverage of sports in all possible formats, voice, video, text, SMS and games.

    Mobile ESPN services can be availed by dialling 505-ESPN (3776) on the phone or by sending an SMS to (ESPN) 3776, which will be the ESPN short code nationally. On entering the voice portal, consumers can select from a module comprising sections such as Welcome and user navigation; Cricket; Football; Sports center; and New Super Selector.

    The price range is attractive, with monthly packages scaling between Rs 50 to RS 99, with the higher-end providing all possible services, including video.

    Venkateish foresees a sea change in the media over the next five years, with the expected number of mobile phone users climbing by 30 per cent over the present 100 million, and ESPN has clearly pegged its business plan on the amazing growth in mobile connections across the country.

    His punchline was, “We don’t want work to come in the way of sports.”

    The company is working to optimise delivery through various service providers on the mobile networks, Iyengar said.

    “The voice service has been specially developed for India,” he said, adding, “this will give an hour-by-hour update.

    The voice news service was more satisfactory, with crisp info on the latest sports events being packed into a short 1.20 minute take. “We are aware that the user is paying Rs 6 per minute for getting the news and have developed the programme to give him the maximum.”

    So far as a business plan was concerned, the two spoke of seamless integration and an advertising model being built in.

    “Once we have built up a substantial subscriber base, we can also explore advertising on the service,” Venkateish said.

    The service, which is a presentation of the ESPN Star Sports joint venture, will be hyped on and off air and will see approximately Rs 400 million spent on marketing activities.

    The service of ESPN mobile will start off with English, then Hindi (in the first quarter of 2007), to be followed by other Indian languages subsequently.

    Gaming software is also being developed for subscribers of the service, according to Iyengar.

  • Mattel unveils ‘Batman’ action figures, vehicles & gadgets

    Mattel unveils ‘Batman’ action figures, vehicles & gadgets

    MUMBAI: Mattel has launched an exclusive range of action figures, vehicles and gadgets based on the Warner television series: The Batman.

    The new Batman collection promises to unleash a whole new wave of excitement amongst the fans of the Caped Crusader. From an assortment of action figures to the 10″ jumbo-sized action figures and the versatile 3-in-1 Batjet Vehicle, it consists of the complete range of toys and accessories all kids and collectors.

    Of course, no Batman Toy range would be complete without the Batmobile. This all new highly detailed Batmobile comes with lights and sounds, fires projectiles and is the perfect vehicle for the Gotham Guardian, informs an official release.

    Commenting on the launch Mattel Toys (I) Pvt. Ltd managing director Sanjay Luthra said, “Batman has been imbedded in the psyche of boys for generations. He is the original self-made superhero, and it is that essential humanity that kids can relate to. The linkage between entertainment properties and toys are increasingly becoming stronger and Mattel’s objective is to stay ahead of the race by launching an array of products which are faithful representatives of all aspects of the property. We aim to bring the imaginative and action-filled world of The Batman alive for all fans across the country.”

    The Batman range from Mattel Toys will be available across all leading shopping malls, toys and departmental stores across the country and will be priced between Rs. 299 to Rs. 1499.

  • CNN-IBN launches series ‘The Golden South’

    CNN-IBN launches series ‘The Golden South’

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN has unveiled a series focusing on south India . The series The Golden South also marks the 50-year celebrations of formation of the four southern states – Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.

    Launched on 30 October, The Golden South will run till 26 November. The series will feature weekend half hour specials, which will air programmes pertaining to south India ranging from its diverse culture, food habits, music, entertainment, religion etc. The programming would also announce the Golden Keralite, the Golden Andhraite, the Golden Tamilian and the Golden Kannadiga (basis a viewer voting) in each of the four half hour specials on 4 November, 11 November, 18 November and 25 November respectively, informs an official release.

    The series will also have a special feature The Big South Debate, a one-hour special show on 26 November. The findings of a nationwide poll that would sense the mood of South India will be revealed in The Big South Debate.

    According to CNN-IBN & IBN7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai, “Our aim for presenting this series is to celebrate the golden jubilee of the grand southern states. Our effort is to provide our viewers an in-depth knowledge about the formation and development of the states and its people, who have made India proud. I am confident that our viewers will find this programming interesting and engaging.”

    “Thematic content like this differentiated offering generates higher interest with advertising community” adds CNN-IBN & IBN7 national sales head Sanjay Dua.

  • MTV Networks completes acquisition of Harmonix Music Systems

    MTV Networks completes acquisition of Harmonix Music Systems

    MUMBAI:MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc., has announced, that on 27 October 2006, it closed its $175 million acquisition of Harmonix Music Systems.

    Harmonix Music Systems is the developer of the PlayStation 2 hit Guitar Hero and other music gaming titles. The Company has announced that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire Harmonix on 22 September 2006.

    In addition, Harmonix shareholders may be eligible for incremental earn-out payments through 2008, to the extent that financial results exceed specific targets, asserts an official release.

    Harmonix is a videogame development company based in Cambridge, MA. The company specializes in music-based games and design innovation.

    Harmonix will join MTV Networks’ Music and LOGO Enterprises unit, led by executive vice president Jeff Yapp, as stated in the release.

  • JumpTV to offer 3 Sahara channels

    JumpTV to offer 3 Sahara channels

    MUMBAI: Jump TV, a global player in the delivery of international television over the internet, has added three more channels to its basket of Indian channels. The online television platform player will be offering general entertainment channel SaharaOne TV, movie channel Filmy and a news channel Sahara Samay. 

    Recently, SaharaOne Media and Entertainment had entered into a long term deal with New York based broadcast distribution outfit GloboSat Entertainment in order to help the company launch its channel services at various countries.

    Sahara One, Sahara Samay and Sahara Filmy will be priced individually at US$9.95 per month when launched commercially and will likely become part of a future bundle of South Asian channels, according to an official release. 

    JumpTV, at present, offers other Indian channels such as Sony, India TV, Amitra TV, Kairali TV, People TV, Punjab Today and Balle Balle.

    JumpTV International president and chief executive officer Kaleil Isaza Tuzman said, “Hindi is the fifth most spoken language in the world. The addition of these channels makes it easier for the millions of Hindi speaking people living outside South Asia to remain connected to the television programming they know and love from home.”

    JumpTV Asia-Pacific group general manager Kevin Foong said, “JumpTV remains focused on securing the global IP rights to top channels in key regions worldwide. The potential for adding more subscribers by making Sahara programming available online is exciting and provides the partners in this agreement an opportunity to profit through a revenue sharing structure.”

    GloboSat president and CEO Sudhir Vaishnav said, “With our state-of-the-art production and broadcast facilities in New York and Toronto, we are able to create local content as per market needs. Our strategic partnerships with DTH, cable, broadband, IPTV, mobile and other platforms spanning across North and South America, Europe and the UK help our broadcast partners to build international presence faster.”