ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • The Pusan International Film Fest 2006 to screen ‘Krissh’

    The Pusan International Film Fest 2006 to screen ‘Krissh’

    MUMBAI: The Pusan International Film Festival from 12 October to 20 October 2006 in Korea, will screen its first Bollywood movie, Krissh during a program called ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ on 16 and 19 October 2006.

    The Film Festival has been credited with bringing Asian Filmmakers together. Other programs include ‘New Currents’, ‘Korean Panorama’, ‘World Cinema’, ‘Wide Angle’, ‘Open Cinema’, ‘Critic’s Choice’ and ‘Special Programs in Focus’. The festival seeks to be non-competitive, with the exception of ‘New Currents’ which is a competitive program, states an official release.
    The next section ‘World Cinema’ will screen new works by World renowned Filmmaker, offering a better understanding of the recent trend in world cinema. The ‘Open Cinema’ will feature a collection of new films, combining both the art and mass popularity, along with the Internationally acclaimed works, while ‘Korean Panorama’ will offer a presentation on the latest outstanding Korean films. 

    ‘Korean Retrospective’ on the other hand, is a re-cap on the history of Korean cinema by spotlighting the films on a certain notable director. ‘Wide Angel’ is a section dedicated to showing outstanding shot films, animation, documentary and experimental films presenting different and distinct visions via broader cinematic viewpoints, while ‘Critics Choice’ screens films chosen by five renowned critics in an attempt to discover new film artists.

    The news sections included this year are ‘Midnight Passion’ which introduces 12 films of the latest Cult Films from around the world. There is a special program titled ‘Special on French Movies’ in commemorations of Korea and France’s 120 years of amity. Also, ‘The Remapping of Asian Amateur Cinema’ will show it’s second edition as a continued effort to discover major Asian cineastes who left their mark in their respective countries but were unknown internationally.

  • TV influences Britishers in parenting

    TV influences Britishers in parenting

    MUMBAI: Television parenting programmes are having a powerful influence on parenting techniques in Great Britain today.

    However a proportion of those who view such programmes (37 per cent ) believe that such programmes sensationalise family problems for public entertainment.
    Most parents with children aged under 16 have watched at least one such programme and 83 per cent of these parents said they found a parenting technique that was helpful to them personally. These results are contained in a poll by Ipsos MORI for the National Family and Parenting Institute.

    NFPI CEO Mary MacLeod, is writing to the programme makers asking them to make sure they act responsibly towards those families who take part and urging them to use the influence of their programmes to deliver high quality advice from skilled and knowledgeable professionals.

    The main findings are:
    • Parenting programmes are extremely popular, especially for parents: almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of parents with children aged under 16 have watched at least one parenting programme and 55 per cent of all adults have watched at least one parenting programme
    • Parenting programmes are directly influencing parenting behaviour: more than eight in ten parents (83 per cent) who have watched parenting programmes found a technique from the programmes helpful to them.
    • But parenting programmes are considered to sensationalise family problems for public entertainment by a large minority (37 per cent) of their viewers.

    MacLeod said, “This survey emphasises that television parenting programmes are offering support that parents find applicable to their own lives. Parents seem to be identifying techniques they can use at home and the most popular techniques are those based around rewarding and praising children, which is excellent news.

    “With 72 per cent of parents watching at least one such programme and 83% of those who watched finding at least one technique suggested useful, this is a good opportunity for those who make these programmes to get across the value and benefit of positive parenting techniques.

    “But a significant minority of parents are expressing concerns about these television programmes. 37 per cent felt that they sensationalised family problems for entertainment while 14 per cent worried about the effect they had on the participating children. Producers must look at the potentially detrimental effects of their programmes on participating parents and children, especially as new formats seek out ever more troubled families to take part. For the sake of those who look to them for help and advice, they must offer good quality advice based on up to date research.“

    “This is why I am writing to the producers of these programmes. It is vitally important that the influence that these programmes exert is a positive one and that they do not exploit those who take part. They have a clear responsibility to ensure that they are responsible in screening families, seeking children’s consent, doing follow-up with families involved and using experts who are knowledgeable and skilled.”

  • Mipcom attendance up by 9%

    Mipcom attendance up by 9%

    MUMBAI: The television trade event Mipcom which recently concluded in Cannes, France saw attendance of 15,900 people, about nine per cent more than last year.
    More programme buyers than ever jetted in for the event to take advantage of new media platforms. Reed Midem television director Paul Johnson has been quoted in media reports saying that buyers from China, the Middle East and India, in particular, showed healthy increases.

    There were 519 stands, an eight per cent increase, and 1,643 exhibiting companies, also an 8-percent growth rate. The number of exhibiting countries rose by five per cent, with new participants including Angola, Cambodia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Macedonia and Sudan.

    A report in Worldscreen states that at Mipcom Junior, registered companies were up three per cent to 529, with 53 countries represented. Sellers were up two per cent to 315, but buyers were down two per cent to 460, because of Reed Midem’s new policy of charging a flat nominal fee for all buyers to participate in the kids’ programming event.

    The number of programmes presented rose by 12 percent to 937, and new programmes were up 22 percent to 562. Screenings on site rose by nine per cent to 42,848. The most screened program at Mipcom Junior was Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep.

    A report put out by Prensario International states that at Mipcom there were attempts to push new ventures in all the regions, in addition to ancillary businesses such as home video, merchandising, mobile telephony and digital platforms. It is noticeable how these last two items are growing, from any given show to the next one. The technology is ready, but the business models are not yet fully developed. Digital transportation of content and High Definition are two more specialties that are gaining force; those who have HD content available were able to close deals that are out of reach for those who don’t. Regarding genres, there was a worldwide search for family and kid product, both live action and animated; programming about paranormal incidents is also intensely sought. At this Mipcom, Asia joined this trend with determination, states the report.

    Markets that were traditionally closed are now opening its doors. This adds investment in structures and alliances that allow farther reach. An example: the deal signed at the show by Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Venevision International (covering the US Hispanic market and Latin America) by which each ally will promote its partner’s product in its region.

    Everybody wants Latin content – The report notes that in this emerging landscape, the demand for Latin product is growing. Telenovelas are be the new trend, both in the US based networks and the largest Western Europe networks; this effect is contagious to other territories, even those where the genre was mature, giving it a new life. And the most important thing: both local production and finished product are creating synergy, against what was initially expected to happen. This is key to keeping the Latin industry in upbeat mood.

    That’s why the Mipcom organisation produced, once again, the Telenovela Screenings, on the Saturday and Sunday prior to the official opening of the show. For the first time the genre became the subject of two of the billboards at the Palais des Festivals entrance, taken by Dori Media Distribution. The screening had positive results.

    60 per cent more companies registered, 35 per cent more buyers attended and nine per cent more participating nations. 92 programmes were made available and 2,100 screenings were requested. On an average, the volume grew by 30 per cent compared to 2005. This is a significant increase, although the number of net participants remains focalized: 133 buyers vs. 99 last year.

    RCTV International sales head Jose Escalante, stressed that they helped to have more meetings during Mipcom instead of reducing their number, since buyers requested more information. Tepuy’s Accessory to Love was the most requested novela.

    The production of Latin formats has exploded -from MipTV to this Mipcom- in Romania, Russia and Portugal; each of these territories has currently five or six projects under development. This, on top of what is being seen in Germany, Spain, France and Italy. Televisa -both in entertainment and novelas-, Telefé, TV Azteca, Dori Media, RCN and Tepuy/TVN Chile appear as leaders of this trend; and, there are independent first moves, such as Argentine producer CTV’s, headed by actor Gabriel Corrado, who produces in Romania, and Chilean Feliú Group, which produces in Russia. In Eastern Europe, Romanian Mediapro Distribution is emerging in acquiring formats and producing.

    At the same time, the report notes that US networks are launching their first telenovelas, with promising results. If they become successful, the market will open fully. As a matter of fact, Fox had acquired at first three telenovelas for MyNewtorkTV, and now has rights to seven of them, predominantly from Colombian Caracol TV. Disney meanwhile is selling to the world its version of RCN’s Ugly Betty. Telenovelas are reaching the 18-34 target, which encourages investment.

  • I&B ministry to run an awareness campaign ahead of CAS rollout

    I&B ministry to run an awareness campaign ahead of CAS rollout

    NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today assured fellow parliamentarians that the roadmap for CAS has been smoothened.

    Apprising members of the Consultative Committee attached to his ministry on CAS and its effect on consumers, Dasmunsi enumerated the steps taken to put in place the mechanism.

    According to the minister, regulatory framework related to tariff, transmission and other issues have been finalized and notified by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for smooth and successful roll out of the CAS by the stipulated date of 31 December 2006.

    The committee was informed that the ministry would hold a month long campaign before the enforcement of CAS for enhancing consumer awareness.

    Multi Service Operators and cable operators had to finalize their rate structure by 10 October, 2006 and inter-connect agreements have to be in place by 15 October, the minister informed the parliamentary panel.

    The members of the panel were unanimous in suggesting that consumer interest should be “protected at all cost”.

    Giving details of the measures already taken by TRAI and the regulatory framework for the purpose, the members were assured by Dasmunsi of all possible steps to ensure that consumers do not suffer in any way.

    Those who attended the meeting included Kirip Chaliha, S. Mallikarjunaiah, Hannan Mollah, Mahendra Prasad Nishad, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Ramdas Athawale, Vijay J. Darda, Ajay Maroo, Shatrughan Sinha, Dara Singh, Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya, Ms Usha Verma, Ms Nirmala Deshpande and senior officials from the I&B ministry and Trai.

  • Digital arena is driving global music sales

    Digital arena is driving global music sales

    MUMBAI: Sales of digital music in the first half of this year rose by 106 per cent to $945 million when compared with the first six months of last year.

    Globally, digital sales now account for 11 per cent of the total recorded music market worldwide, up from 5.5 per cent in December 2005.

    According to a report put out by the Ifpi the US is still leading the digital revolution, with 18 per cent of recorded music sales now being made through digital channels. Digital music sales in the US increased by 84 per cent to US$ 513 million in the first six months of 2006.

    Digital music also accounts for a significant part of the overall market in South Korea (51 per cent), Japan (11 per cent), Italy (9 per cent) and the UK (8 per cent).

    The explosion in digital music services, spurred by consumer demand and a widening array of delivery channels, has seen online and mobile music sales grow from $134 million in the first half of 2004 to $945 million in the first half of 2006.

    In Japan, Italy and Spain mobile dominates the digital market, accounting for 85 per cent, 76 per cent and 78 per cent of the overall sales respectively. Online downloading is more prominent in markets such as the UK, Germany and the US, where online sales account for 70 per cent, 69 per cent and 64 per cent of digital sales respectively.

    Physical music sales declined in the first half period, down by 10 per cent worldwide. This led to total music sales falling by four per cent in the period to $8.4 billion in trade values ($13.7 billion in retail values). Piracy and competition for consumer spending contributed to the first half fall.

    There was growth in some markets, such as Japan (12 per cent), South Korea (5 per cent) and Australia (6 per cent), counter-balanced by declines in Germany (-4 per cent), the US (-7 per cent) and France (-9 per cent).

    Ifpi promotes the interests of the international recording industry worldwide. Its membership comprises over 1400 major and independent companies in more than 70 countries. It also has affiliated industry national groups in 48 countries. Ifpi’s mission is to fight music piracy; promote fair market access and good copyright laws; help develop the legal conditions and the technologies for the recording industry to prosper in the digital era; and to promote the value of music.

  • BBC World, Newsweek, Shell launch ‘The World Challenge 2006’

    BBC World, Newsweek, Shell launch ‘The World Challenge 2006’

    MUMBAI: BBC World has announced that World Challenge – a global competition seeking to highlight and reward examples of community enterprise and innovation – has reached its final stage, with the launch of six programmes featuring the 12 finalists, and an international appeal for votes to choose the winning project.

    Each programme featuring two finalists is being broadcast to BBC World’s weekly global audience of 65 million viewers. The channel’s viewers are invited to vote online for the most commendable and inspirational project, which will also be featured in Newsweek and online at www.theworldchallenge.co.uk, where summaries and edited versions of the programmes are available.

    BBC World and Newsweek, the weekly global current affairs magazine, have joined with Shell for the second year to launch World Challenge 2006. The next episode airs tomorrow 14 October 2006 at 9.30 am, 4.30pm and on 15 October at 1.30 pm and 8.30pm. Elephant Paper is an ingredient in paper helps protect the elephant in Sri Lanka. Maximus, Sri Lanka Maximus is a papermaking firm that makes high-quality products from a variety of wastes, including paper from offices, bark from banana trees and even elephant dung. Established in Kegalle, Sri Lanka, in 1997, Maximus provides an income for 35 staff and a proportion of the sales are donated to the nearby elephant orphanage. The company’s ‘peace paper’ scheme also helps rural people earn money from collecting dung from wild elephants.

    Another project is Card Aid. Greeting cards help a community recover in Rwanda
    Cards from Africa, Rwanda. Cards from Africa is a company that markets greetings cards made by a poor Rwandan community to shops around the world. The company began in 2004. Operating on a fair-trade basis, it now provides a steady income for 40 young Rwandans. It runs a variety of practical programmes to help the community make best use of its land and also employs a part-time counsellor to help the young survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

    Another episode airs on 21 October 2006 at 9.30 am, 4.30 pm and on 22 October at 1.30 pm, 8.30pm. One project showcased is Well Water. This involves eliminating the threat from arsenic in the water supply. It is the effort of NGO Dalit in Bangladesh. NGO Dalit is fighting the scourge of arsenic contamination in water supplies by locating and tapping rare pure water sources, installing filtration systems and researching herbal remedies for arsenic-related diseases. The project also includes an educational element aimed at acquainting people with the dangers of arsenic poisoning – and how to avoid them.

    Bmooming Business – Seeds of hope for poor communities comes from Flora Marketing in Mauritius/Madagascar. The firm was set up to encourage poor communities in the tropics to set up seed banks for traditional plant varieties. Some of these sustainably harvested seeds are sent to Flora Marketing’s Mauritius headquarters for export to buyers in some 30 countries. The rest are used to reforest degraded land, helping to ensure a future income.

  • THQ launches ‘Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who?’ video game in US

    THQ launches ‘Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who?’ video game in US

    MUMBAI: THQ Inc., worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, has announced that Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who?, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, has shipped to retailers throughout North America for the first time on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and is also available on the Nintendo DS. 

    Inspired by the classic Scooby-Doo cartoon, the game is rated “E” for everyone and is now available at the retail price of $19.99.

    “Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who? captures the charm of one of the most popular characters of several generations and features authentic voiceover work from the Scooby-Doo voice actors,” said THQ director of global brand management John Ardell.

    “We are excited to release this new Scooby-Doo adventure on today’s most advanced handheld systems, allowing fans of all ages to interact with their favorite characters and drive the Mystery Machine for the very first time.”

  • ESS’ hockey initiative PHL kicks off on 2 January 2007

    ESS’ hockey initiative PHL kicks off on 2 January 2007

    MUMBAI: The third edition of Premier Hockey League (PHL) the grassroots competition to give Indian hockey a push will kick off on 2 January 2007.

    The initiative is being organised by ESPN Star Sports (ESS) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

    This time around the league moves to a single tier firmat. The top seven teams of last year will fight for the title in a two month long event which will be co-hosted by Chennai and Chandigarh.
    In the first two editions there were two tiers with five teams each. This time these seven teams are Sher-e- Jalandhar, Maratha Warriors, Chandigarh Dynamos, Bangalore Lions, Hyderabad Sultans as well as the top two teams from tier II Orissa Steelers and Chennai Veerans.

    The seven teams play each other twice in a total of 42 matches. There will be a best of three playoff in the final. IHF president KPS Gill says, “The PHL has set new benchmarks as the world took notice of a completely new revolutionary league with the third umpire being introduced for the first time in Indian hockey. Keeping in accordance with our innovations to make the league more interesting we have raised the competitiveness in the league. We envisage more cutthroat competition this year that will be good for Indian hockey.”

    ESS India MD R.C. Venkateish says, “We have redefined hockey broadcvast with PHL. The tournament has been a viewing spectacle with comoprehensive match analysis, pre match and post match shows, bi-lingual commentary in English and in Hindi. Hockey lovers acros the country have loved and followed PHL for the first two years of the tournaments novel concepts and innovations.

    “Innovations like coloured jerseys, foreign players in the domestic league the use of a third umpire and now the top seven teams in the Premier Division will revolutionise hockey viewing and make PHL the most viewer friendly league in the country. Maurits Hendricks the incumbent coach of the Spanish Team has been reappointed as the consultant for the PHL.

    “He will provide his valuable inputs to all the participating teams during PHL. He will also be responsible for shortlisting foreign players for the league. We are confident that more foreign players will be seen this year as compared to last year. The initial feedback from the European players has been very heartening.”

    Like last year each game has four quarters of 17 minutes and 30 seconds each. The winner gets three points. If a match goes into extra time the winner gets two points while the loser gets one. Leisure Sports chairman and MD SS Dasgupta, said, “LSM with its in-depth knowledge of and involvement with Indian hockey is very confident that the proposed tournament will be a grand success. We are currently working on a detailed blue-print to ensure that PHL dons the look of a grand carnival. We are committed to offering an international quality experience to hockey fans – they will get the best of hockey, as well a s spectator facilities inside the stadium.”

  • BBC Worldwide signs deal with Australia’s Seven Network

    BBC Worldwide signs deal with Australia’s Seven Network

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Australasia has concluded a new deal with the Seven Network in Australia to license Michael Palin’s new travel series Palin’s New Europe. In addition, a raft of drama and factual programming has been acquired by broadcasters in New Zealand, through agreements signed in the run up to MIPCOM. Palin’s New Europe which will air on BBC One in the UK next year, follows the ex-Python as he explores 21 countries such as Bosnia, Albania, Moldova and Macedonia. BBC Worldwide Australasia’s sales manager Amber Knight says, “Michael Palin has that rare combination of integrity, wit and bravery which makes all his programs such hits. We are very excited to be bringing this program to Seven.” Seven Network’s director of programming and production Tim Worner says, “Australians are renowned travellers – as a youngster it is a virtual rite of passage and you always seem to bump into fellow Australians in the most far flung locations. Michael Palin captures that spirit in his very own way and we at Seven look forward to being able to have him take Australian audiences to places they have never been before. “Palin is the pre-eminent television travel communicator of his time – in his company you do not just see; you taste, you smell, you experience. And, above all, he makes it fun – that’s why we’re proud he’s coming to Seven.” A package of returning series has been licensed to New Zealand’s TVNZ including key titles from Kudos productions such as Hustle Series 4, and Life on Mars Series 2. TV One has taken series two of Clerkenwell Films’ Afterlife, as well as Hotel Babylon (Carnival Films), Waterloo Road (Shed Productions) and Bodies (Hat Trick Productions).

  • Animal Planet to kick off ‘Award Winning Animal Planet’ on 16 October

    Animal Planet to kick off ‘Award Winning Animal Planet’ on 16 October

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet celebrates its accolades with its viewers by bringing some of its best and International award winning programmes under one series, Award Winning Animal Planet. The special package will be aired every Monday at 9 pm and repeated every Tuesday at 4 pm, starting 16 October.

    Over the years, Animal Planet has garnered awards globally in various International Film and Video festivals for its programming. These awards are presented, recognising the excellence in television programming, photography, writing, by some of the eminent institutions like Emmy Awards, Aurora Awards, Asian Television Awards, New York festivals and Wild Screen festival.

    Animal Planet’s Award Winning Programmes include –

    1. Jane Goodall’s State Of The Great Ape – 16 October 2006

    Jane Goodall’s State of the Great Ape examines the situation facing the four great apes – gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos. Experts like Jane predict that great apes have just 20 years left in the wild unless we act to help them. State of the great ape visits the front line to reveal the lives of these people and the amazing animals they are fighting for.

    Event – 2005 US International Film & Video Festival
    Award – Second place for the Silver Screen Award in the Nature/Environment 
    category

    Event – 2005 International Wildlife Festival
    Award – Finalist Award and the Merit Award in the Conservation Message category

    Event – 2005 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Silver Statue award in the Nature category

    2. The Biggest Nose In Borneo – 23 October 2006

    The programme follows Alastair, alpha male that has more than 20 wives. He has more than 40 offspring and since reproducing offspring is the primary goal of all proboscis monkeys, he spends the majority of his day mating. Viewers witness the drama for themselves, as well as discover how the monkeys survive in the dwindling jungles, deal with death in the family and endure terrible droughts in the The Biggest Nose in Borneo.

    Event – 2005, The 15th International Wildlife Film Festival in Albert, France
    Award – Best Script

    3. Gorilla Gorilla – 30 October 2006

    Gorilla numbers worldwide have been decimated by man’s greed and cruelty and environmental damage caused by incessant African wars, poaching and the rape of the landscape by big businesses. This programme tells the story of Damian Aspinall’s first major project to create new gorilla groups just by rescuing local orphaned African gorillas, and then by relocating young gorillas reared in England in their natural African habitat.

    Event – 2005 New York Festivals
    Award – Bronze Worldmedal in the Nature/Environment category

    Event – 2005 Aurora Awards Film and Video competition
    Award – Platinum Best of Show award in the Nature/Environment category

    4. Lyndal’s Lifeline – 6 November 2006

    Animal advocate Lyndal Davies travelled around the world to make a real difference for species in peril with the Animal Planet series Lyndal’s Lifeline. In the series, Lyndal presented six grass-roots rehabilitation centers with Animal Planet’s US$10,000 donation and joined the local teams as they made the crucial decision of how to use the funds.

    Event – 2005 International Documentary Association Awards
    Award – Finalist in the Continuing Series category

    Programme – Lyndal’s Lifeline: Elephant Alert
    Event – 2005 US International Film & Video Festival
    Award – Third place for the Certificate in Creative Excellence in the Nature 
    /Environment category

    Programme – Lyndal’s Lifeline: Koala Crisis
    Event – 2005 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Awards – Bronze Statue award in the Nature category

    5. The Temple Of The Tigers – 13 November 2006

    In a small, isolated monastery in northern Thailand, a handful of simple, peace-loving Buddhist monks perform their daily duties – praying, collecting alms and feeding their 10 wild Bengal tigers. The Temple of Tigers is the remarkable story of a group of 10 monks who have taken on the task of protecting the endangered animals by offering them a home within the walls of their temple.

    Event – 2006 U.S. International Film and Video Festival
    Award – Silver Screen Award in the Nature, Wildlife category

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Finalist Certificate in the Nature & Wildlife category as well

    Event – 2005 Aurora Awards Film and Video competition
    Award – Platinum Best of Show award in the Nature/Environment category

    Event – 2005 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Gold Statue award in the Nature category

    6. Tiger Zero – 23 November 2006

    Tiger Zero – a special programme that reveals the root behind India’s second tiger crisis. In the early hours of 1 February 2005, the Delhi police raided a warehouse basement and discovered a huge stock of wildlife remains. The haul included two tiger skins, three kilograms of tiger claws, 14 tiger canines, 10 tiger jaw bones, 60 kilograms of tiger and leopard paws and what appeared to have been pieces of tiger clavicle bone. As the situation becomes critical, Indian tiger expert Valmik Thapar examines the case and also shares his experience about the tigers of the prestigious Ranthambore National Park.

    Event – 2006 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Bronze statue awards also in the Nature category

    Event – 2006 International Wildlife Film Festival
    Award – Best Conservation Message

    7. Meerkat Manor – 27 November 2006

    Meerkat Manor is real-life drama with a difference – the main protagonists are 12 inches high, live underground in burrows and survive on a diet of worms, insects and lizards. Following the everyday life from family squabbles to love affairs of a unique gang of meerkats, Animal Planet presents an intimate portrait of these curious and entertaining creatures as they live their lives in Africa’s Kalahari Desert.

    Event – 2006 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Two gold statue awards in the Nature and Cinematography / Videography / 
    Photography categories and also garnered a silver statue award in the Writing category

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Gold World medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

    Event – 2005 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival
    Award – Finalist in the Best Animal Behavioural Program category

    8. Equator: Power of an Ocean – 4 December 2006

    The Equator, a.k.a latitude zero, is the line that splits the world. But it is far more than just a line on a map that divides the hemispheres; it is a line of life and a powerful force of nature. Power of an Ocean explores the sea life of the Galapagos Islands featuring the boobies as they gamble the lives of their chicks and Galapagos penguins flying through enormous schools of fish.

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Gold World medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

    9. Bugging with Ruud: Amazon, Kill or Cure – 11 December 2006

    Host and entomologist Ruud Kleinpaste takes Animal Planet viewers around the world to find some of the weirdest, ugliest, prettiest, and dangerous bugs. Using entertaining stunts and humorous analogies, Ruud demonstrates the amazing capabilities that many insects have, and how they translate in human terms. Ruud believes that if you understand bugs, you can learn to live with them… and maybe even love them.

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award – Silver medal in the Nature & Wildlife category

    10. Sacred Animals of the Pharoahs – 18 December 2006

    The animal kingdom of ancient Egypt was both worshipped and exploited by humans. Sacred Animals of the Pharaohs takes a fascinating look at their story, told through the eyes of the creatures that were considered sacred in Egyptian mythology, from their lives in the natural world to their slaughter at the hands of priests.

    Event – 2006 Omni Intermedia Awards
    Award – Bronze statue awards also in the Nature category

    11. Tarantula: Australia’s King of Spiders – 25 December 2006

    This program explores the secret lives of these ancient crawlers and tracks the findings of Dr. Robert Raven, arachnologist and Senior Curator of Spiders at Australia’s Queensland Museum. His unrivalled knowledge guides viewers through an extensive web of intrigue surrounding these creepy creatures. Love them or loathe them, Tarantula: Australia’s King Of Spiders sheds new light on the hairy tales of these extraordinary spiders.

    Event – 2006 New York Festivals
    Award -Bronze medal in the Nature & Wildlife category