ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Disney Channel inks pan-European mobile deal with Orange

    Disney Channel inks pan-European mobile deal with Orange

    MUMBAI: The Disney Channel has announced that it has signed its first pan-European deal to provide content to mobile phones. Through an agreement with Orange, the service will be available to customers in the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Holland, Romania, Slovakia and, in time, France.

    The service will consist of 65 to 120 minute programming loops featuring some Disney Channel’s most popular content, including full 22-minute episodes of live-action programming franchises That’s So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and animated hits like Kim Possible and Disney’s Recess. In addition, consumers will be able to watch clips from Hannah Montana and a selection of Disney Channel Original Movies, informs an official release.

    Disney Channels, EMEA executive vice president and managing director John Hardie said, “This is a break-through deal which we expect to be a huge hit with kids all over Europe. With parents’ consent and knowledge, it allows kids to watch their favourite Disney Channel programmes on the way home or wherever they are. It’s how today’s kids are growing up to watch TV – at a time and in a place they choose and it’s important that content providers are able to deliver that.”

    In other agreements announced by the two companies, Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), Disney’s international TV distribution division, and France Telecom-Orange will extend their existing broadband VOD movie licensing agreement in France across other markets in Europe. With these agreements, Orange VOD subscribers in Spain and TPSA VOD subscribers in Poland will be the first to enjoy movies from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. 

    Titles include global box office hit Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and the forthcoming sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian are also included in the agreements. 

    Orange currently boasts of more than 2.9 million mobile broadband customers. France Telecom Executive Vice President Patricia Langrand said, “The agreement for the mobile services illustrates our desire to develop dedicated formats and programs specifically adapted for our mobile services with prestigious partners. Our agreement with Disney for VOD will enrich the content offer for our on demand services across multiple territories and platforms.

  • Casbaa convention 2006 adds bandwidth to pay-TV

    Casbaa convention 2006 adds bandwidth to pay-TV

    News Flash: Saugato Bhowmik to head Viacom 18 Integrated Network Solutions, Jaideep Singh moves onMUMBAI: Tagged “From Bandwidth to Brandwidth”, the Casbaa Convention 2006, to be held from 24 to 27 October, is poised to shed light on using advancements in digital technologies to maximise the value of newly-available communications bandwidth for sophisticated brand development, innovative marketing and premium content.

    “Broadband and the multimedia revolution present immense opportunities for pay-TV platform operators, content providers and telcos of all types in Asia,” remarked Marcel Fenez, chairman of the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa).

    As Asia’s foremost broadcast industry event of the year, the Convention opens on 24 October with the Casbaa Technology Showcase 2006, focussing on the products and technical solutions revolutionising the world of pay-TV. This day-long session will feature presentations from the developers of global wireless, high definition, broadband and interactive technologies, states an official release.

    On the opening day of the convention, 25 October, the Casbaa Pay-TV Piracy Survey 2006 will be unveiled. This fourth annual study conducted by Standard Chartered Bank in collaboration with Casbaa and its member organisations, reveals pay-TV piracy estimates for 2006-2007. John Medeiros, the Casbaa VP for Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, will look at the value of cooperation between government and the pay-TV industry and review government efforts to address the worsening problem of pay-TV piracy, the release adds.

    With regulation a crucial element for the broadcast industry, Kip Meek, Senior Partner for Competition & Content, OFCOM (UK) and Chairman of the European Regulators Group, will consider the need for regulatory supervision and effective governance and cast light on the relevance of a converged regulatory model to Asia. Meek will explore challenges and opportunities arising from the emergence of new media, technological innovations and the increasingly blurred distinction between carriers and content providers.

    The following day, 26 October, Charlie Ergen, Co-founder & CEO, EchoStar Communications (US), will present delegates with the realities of operating one of the world’s most advanced Direct-to-Home satellite TV services and look at market opportunities in Asia Pacific, including how industry players can focus on ‘brandwidth’ rather than ‘bandwidth’ in their business operations today.

    On the final day of the convention, 27 October, Irwin Gotlieb, Global CEO of WPP’s Group M in New York, will discuss the future of advertising and of media in the changing landscape, providing insights into effective strategies and tactics for pay-TV operators.

    “This year’s programme will offer delegates fresh perspectives on branding and the opportunities it provides in this new paradigm of abundant bandwidth and technological advancements. To make immediate and enormous strides towards becoming a digital leader, domestic markets should operate in sync with the rest of the world and gain the full benefit of a global marketplace,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of Casbaa. “Regulators will see the benefits of loosening restraints on industry growth, while industry players will gain insights into the latest business and technology trends as well as the hot issues of today.”

    The Casbaa Convention 2006 will be held at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 24 to 27 October, and is presented by InvestHK, with Star TV and now TV as the official partners.

  • ‘Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle’ may see D12, Mobb Deep or Obie Trice

    ‘Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle’ may see D12, Mobb Deep or Obie Trice

    MUMBAI:Vh1, the international music and lifestyle channel, brings in the hip hop invasion with Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle for the second year. And this time, it’s hardcore.

    Having spent 14 years in the hip hop business and recently signed to 50 Cent’s label G-Unit, the finale act is one of the following:a) D12, b) Mobb Deep and c) Obie Trice.

    The chosen act – to be announced later – will rock the house on 2 November at Enigma and on 4 November at Elevate, Noida.

    Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle Schedule
    Date
    City
    Venue
    International Acts
    19 Oct    Mumbai    Enigma    DJ Whoo Kid (US)
    20 Oct    Delhi    Elevate Noida    DJ Whoo Kid (US)
    26 Oct    Mumbai    Enigma    Scratch (UK)
    28 Oct    Delhi    Elevate Noida    Scratch (UK)
    2 Nov    Mumbai    Enigma    D12/Mobb Deep/ Obie Trice
    4 Nov    Delhi    Elevate Noida    D12/Mobb Deep/ Obie Trice

    Says Vh1 India VP and GM Keertan Adyanthaya, “Whether it’s in tune with the new appetite for bling, or increased spending, or just a trend that’s invading the world, hip hop is coming into its own in the country. 

    “Our show of the same name Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle which airs at Saturday 10 pm also has had great response and this way viewers can get the hip hop experience both on air and on ground.”

    Speaking on the previous year’s experience, “Last year’s Vh1 Hip Hop Hustle act Flipsyde was fairly new on the scene and their visit to India was successful enough for them to make a repeat visit this year. Now, we feel that India’s hip hop scene is ready for the hardcore of hip hop. So it’s going to be either D12, Mobb Deep or Obie Trice. We’re not telling yet!”

    Leading the way for the D12 / Mobb Deep / Obie Trice performances is DJ Whoo Kid, Best Hip Hop Mixtape DJ 2004 and the official tour DJ for 50 Cent and his label G-Unit. He will perform in Mumbai on 19th October and in Delhi on 20th October.

    Then a week later, make way for UK’s Scratch who will perform at Enigma in Mumbai on 26 October and in Delhi on 28 October. Scratch is resident DJ of UK’s biggest and 10 year old hip hop night. He has opened for Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, Prince, Macy Gray, Outkast & Cypress Hill amongst many others.

    Passes for each event will be available at the respective venues – Enigma in Mumbai and Elevate in Noida.

  • Sony Pictures gets ready for a new sensation

    Sony Pictures gets ready for a new sensation

    MUMBAI: “40 per cent for you, 60 per cent for me. While others promise the world we deliver the earth. Your support has been great and we look forward top continuing this relationship”.

    These words were spoken by Sony Pictures Releasing of India MD Uday Singh at a trade gathering with film exhibitors and distributors. SPR unveiled its lineup till October 2007 and the message to the trade fraternity was clear – “Get Ready For a new sensation”.

    After all with competition in the market it is important for the firm to reinvent itself. The tagline has been influenced by an INXS song. The Sony lineup culminates with the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saavariya next Diwali. This marks Sony’s first co-production effort in India. Singh says that while the company is exploring other possibilities but nothing else has been firmed up as of now.

    Singh says that Sony Pictures is looking at a 70 per cent revenue growth. This marks a strong comeback for the company after 2005 which he concedes was a weak year. Compared to 2004 when Sony had Spiderman 2 this year’s revenues are expected to be at least 20 per cent more. This year in each quarter Sony has had at least one big film. It started with The Chronicles of Narnia.

    Then the controversy around The DaVinci Code ensured that perople watched the film some of whom wanted to see what the fuss what all about. Then thanks to its distribution deal with Disney in India Sony reaped the benefits of Cars and the second Pirates of The Carribean film. Now the big one for thia quarter is Bond. Daniel Craig dons the mantle of the superspy in Casino Royale which opens in India next month. The trailer which drew the anticipation of the industry gathering sees Bond as cool and yet ruthless. Next year Sony Pictures has three huge tentpole properties. These are Spiderman 3, Pirates of The Carribean 3 and The Chronicles of Narnia 2. Spiderman 3’s trailer shows that perhaps the superhero is being corrupted by the evil that he fights.

    There are also other big films lined up for next year including Déjà Vu. This has the potentially explosive teaming of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington. There is also National Treasure 2 with Nicholas Cage returning.

    Before that though Cage stars in another big film Ghost Riders which Sony hopes will do well in the first quarter of next year. One film it is hoping will get the families into cinema halls is The Pursuit of Happyness with the ever dependable Will Smith. Heer Smith plays a A struggling salesman who takes custody of his son (played by his son in real life Jaden Smith) as he’s poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

    The animation segment is also looking strong. This year Sony releases Open Season and Monster House. Open Season features Boog, a domesticated Grizzly bear who finds himself stranded in the woods three days before Open Season. Forced to rely on Elliot, a fast-talking mule deer, the two form an unlikely friendship and must quickly rally other forest animals if they are to form a rag-tag army against the hunters.

    Next year Sony releases Ratatouille which has been directed by Brad Bird who made The Incredibles. Ratatouille is all about a rat who dreams of eating gourmet French food. It is not just about blockbusters though. Singh takes pains to point out that Sony Pictures looks at itself as a full media services firm. This means that it shows a wide ranjge from blockbuster action films to animated films to serious films. It is to push serious films better that it started a new unit a few months ago.

    The first two films that will be pushed are All The Kings Men and Marie Antoinette. All the Kings Men has a top notch cast including Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It is a remake of an Oscar winning film from 1949. The other film comes from Oscar winner Sofia Coppola and stars Kirsten Dunst who readers might remember plays Spiderman’s love interest. In this film Dunst plays the famous French queen. Through this unit Sony Pictures is also looking to push niche films of other firms that might otherwise fall beneath the radar. The target is the crème de la crème viewer. It is also looking at the possibility of bringing in foreign language films for distribution into the country.

    While it is a challenge to convince exhibitors to show these kinds of films Sony is counting on the strong relationships that have been built over the years to help its cause. Singh adds that 10 years ago India was 72 out of 76 global markets for the parent firm on the film front. Today India is close to being a top 10 market. In total by the end of this year Sony would have released around 36 films. 20 would have come from the Sony stable, 10 from Disney and the rest are from other firms.

    Another area where Sony has picked up the pace has been in the home entertainment arena. This division was launched a year back. Now it has 200 DVD titles and 225 VCD titles. It released The Da Vinci Code last evening. Other new titles include Click with Adam Sandler as a man who with a remoter control can fast forward his life and Friends With Money with Jennifer Aniston and is about how wealth affects friendship between women. The firm points out that older titles like Mackennas Gold still sell and sometimes do better than the new releases.

    Sony also has released the Hindi versions of 80 titles including the Jim Carrey comedy Fun With Dick And Jane. It will release Lawrence of Arabia in Hindi. It also has 20 Tamil dubbed titles. It is looking to expand into the Telugu and Bengali languages with dubbed versions. One key area for Sony here are the direct to video releases. These include sequels that were not released in theatres like Stuart Little 3 and I Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Then it has deals with action stars like Steven Seagal and Wesley Snipes. They make films that go straight to video. Sony has its own manufacturing plant for this.

  • BVITV inks mobile content deal with Philippines’ ABS-CBN Interactive

    BVITV inks mobile content deal with Philippines’ ABS-CBN Interactive

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television–Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has concluded its first live action series mobile content agreement with ABS-CBN Interactive (ABSi), a division of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Company in the Philippines. 

    This agreement is in line with Buena Vista International Television–Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), the international television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company’s focus on the application of technology to enhance its content and expand its distribution to deliver it anytime, anywhere, according to an official statement.

    For the first time in the Philippines, ABS-CBN Interactive’s mobile customers will be able to enjoy mobile video content from BVITV’s hit series, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy, including second season sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes and recaps video clips, plus SMS infotext, wallpaper and WAP sites – to tie in with the television broadcast. 

    Seasons two of Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy are currently airing on Studio 23, one of ABS-CBN’s television networks, which is currently celebrating its 10 anniversary on-air.

    “We are thrilled to be the first U.S. studio to offer mobile content and clips of live action series content on the recently launched 3G platforms in the Philippines,” says BVITV-AP senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister. “We look forward to working with ABS-CBN Interactive and clients around the region to deliver our programming in innovative and interactive ways to consumers – one of the key priorities at BVITV – enhancing the entertainment experience for fans of our series’.”

    ”This exciting partnership with BVITV-AP will create a complete viewing experience for Studio 23 audiences, extending their affinity with the shows and allowing them to bring it with them anywhere they go, through their mobile phones,” said ABS-CBN Interactive MD Paolo Pineda.

  • Zee Sports to telecast India Vs Japan AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifier

    Zee Sports to telecast India Vs Japan AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifier

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports will telecast the AFC Asian Cup 2007 between India and Japan live from Sree Kanterava Stadium Bangalore on 11 October from 5:30 pm onwards.

    Zee Sports anchor Mayanti Langer will present the pre-match and a post match analysis along with football expert Novy Kapadia.

    Japan coach Ivica Osim has decided not to make any changes to his squad for next week’s Asian Cup 2007 qualifier in India, naming the same players who were involved in their international friendly against Ghana.

    Uncovered be the prospect of taking Japan in their home AFC Asian Cup qualifier match on Wednesday, India bubbling with new found confidence under new coach Bob Houghton, look to make life difficult for their illustrious opponents.

  • Aircel launches WiMAX technology in Chennai

    Aircel launches WiMAX technology in Chennai

    BANGALORE: Aircel Business Solutions (ABS), part of Aircel, has launched wireless Internet services through Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access — popularly known as the WiMAX technology — which enables ‘last mile’ connectivity using ‘near line of site’ (NLOS) wireless equipment. 

    By doing so, ABS becomes the first company in India to launch WiMAX and one among the five global operators to achieve this feat.

    “Initially, ABS aims to make Chennai ‘wire free’ using WiMAX technology enabling wireless Internet connectivity for SME, enterprise and residential use,” says Aircel Business Solutions SVP Ram Shinde, while announcing the launch. “ABS is also positive about the commercial viability and acceptance of WiMAX across varied user profiles and geographies considering the substantial growth rate of Internet subscribers in recent times” he added.

    As of now, ABS can provide pan-city coverage (more than 90 percent) across commercial areas in Chennai and has already enabled wireless connectivity for SME and Enterprise clients through WiMAX based on 802.16d standards at a speed range of 2 to 10 Mbps. This would help the end user to stay connected to the Internet and Intranet with high uptime. These WiMAX deployments use NLOS wherein the customer premises equipment (CPE) does not have to face the base station (BTS). The forthcoming 802.16e standard will be even capable of mobile Internet, states an official release.

    ABS has also deployed WiMAX Networks beyond Chennai with limited coverage in many other prominent Indian cities such as Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, Cochin and Ahmedabad and would extend its pan-city coverage in a phased manner. Apart from these, ABS also plans to WiMAX another 26 cities in the near future, the release adds.

    With WiMAX, end users can have Internet accessibility based on portable technologies at an affordable price. WiMAX is unaffected by environmental or climatic disturbances and provides relief to organizations from ‘last mile’ connectivity concerns both in urban and rural areas with limited network infrastructure.

    The backend systems and processes (OSS / BSS) of ABS are highly sophisticated with end-to-end manageability from Sales Prospecting to Order Management and Internet Protocol (IP) Provisioning. All these systems are developed in-house and have the capability to accommodate future business requirements of ABS, the release adds.

    ABS is also identifying and deploying Wi-Fi ‘hotspots’ throughout the Chennai city with indoor and outdoor points backhauled with WiMAX. Internet services at these ‘hotspots’ will be enabled through pre-paid cards integrated with Payment Gateways for on-line registration and subsequently activated using the ‘Authentication, Authorization & Accounting’ (AAA) mechanism.

  • RJ Simran makes a comeback on Big Delhi 92.7 FM

    RJ Simran makes a comeback on Big Delhi 92.7 FM

    MUMBAI: The private FM player Big 92.7 FM has roped in Delhi’s own celebrated RJ, Simran Kohli, to host a flagship show Nau Baje Ki Setting. 

    Earlier this year Kholi had taken a break from RJ’ing to set up a Radio Management Academy. According to an official release, Kholi is here on Big 92.7 FM to give Delhi a taste of something nobody’s ever heard, felt or dealt with ever before, on any radio station.

    Nau Baje Ki Setting will broadcast everyday at 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm, which will see Kholi playing cupid to lovelorn listeners unable to profess their love, and bailing them out of their dilemma. 

    Kholi started her radio career way back in 1995 at AIR Delhi with the hugely popular Street Talk 10 show, which she did for nearly five years. In 2002, she had joined Radio Mirchi as the programming head in Delhi, and spent nearly three years in Mirchi.

    After her stint with Radio Mirchi, she joined Red FM as the creative head and the Breakfast Show jock, re-launching Red FM with a new attitude, character and tagline. She also worked as a freelance producer with the BBC, Hum FM Dubai and other Radio Stations across the world on various projects.

    She has also decided to pen down all her learning’s in a series of 10 books called Understanding Radio.

     

  • TV18 Group creates Indiaearnings.com on company financials

    TV18 Group creates Indiaearnings.com on company financials

    MUMBAI: The TV18 network has designed an editorial integration under CNBC Universe stable, ahead of the earnings season by creating Indianearnings.com. In a bid to be able to give retail as well as institutional investors, the best coverage during the earnings season.

    Indiaearnings.com from the CNBC universe stable will be inaugurated by the chairman and chief mentor of Infosys N R Narayan Murthy on the day Infosys announces its second quarter results that is 11 October.

    The earnings coverage on the network will be integrated under the India Earnings Umbrella. It will include pre-results, results-day and post-results coverage, analysis and reference material across TV18’s various channels and online properties, according to an official release.

    Indiaearnings.com will provide India’s most credible and exclusive information destination for professional Indian and foreign investors. The access to the site is strictly by invitation. To receive an invitation one needs to email indiaearnings@moneycontrol.com.

    Boardroom the key property on television channels CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, which was launched seven years back, will also be an integral part of the India Earnings Umbrella. N R Narayan Murthy was the first corporate from India Inc to feature on Boardroom’s inaugural show, seven years ago.

    CNBC-TV18 will showcase the earnings seasons of large cap and mid cap companies, CNBC Awaaz will cover the earnings of mid-cap and small cap companies, indiaearnings.com will touch upon more than 500 companies to give investors all round earnings coverage, informs the release.

    Indiaearnings.com will be the first comprehensive and noteworthy platform to include web-casts, audio-casts, CFO meets, detailed current and archival information about the company stocks including performance, bulk deals on MF holdings etc. It will also bring in the strength of its association with CNBC Global Network– the world’s largest and most respected news network.

    Commenting on the India Earnings Umbrella, TV18 group CEO Haresh Chawla said, “India Earnings is by far the most extensive platform that any company would get for its results coverage and also the single largest platform which reaches out to more than 40 million affluent, interested Indians. Indiaearnings.com the newest offering by the CNBC Universe stable will be a one-stop destination for all professional investors needs; it is also the most credible platform for critical information on the company financials. The India Earnings Umbrella will combine the strengths of CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and moneycontrol.com as well as CNBC Global Network to benefit professional retail and institutional investors alike.”

  • BVITV signs TV licensing deals with Russian broadcasters, AXN Japan

    BVITV signs TV licensing deals with Russian broadcasters, AXN Japan

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution division of The Walt Disney Company, has announced new TV licensing agreements with broadcasters across Russia, with St Petersburg TV, NTV, Ren TV and TV3 having licensed a wide range for programming for their viewers.

    In another development, BVITV and AXN Japan have reached a licensing agreement for broadcasting The Amazing Race, distributed by BVITV. With the signing of this agreement, viewers can enjoy Seasons 4 and 5 of the hit reality series on AXN. Scheduled to air in the first half of 2007, The Amazing Race will be available to viewers in Japan for the first time.

    St Petersburg TV, one of Russia’s newest channels, has licensed a selection of feature films and live action series from BVITV. This is the channel’s first ever deal with a major US Studio. In a separate agreement introduced by BVITV, the channel has also licensed a selection of Jetix Europe content.

    TV3 Russia, one of the country’s largest independent broadcasters has licensed a selection of features and live action series from BVITV.
    One of Russia’s largest and most popular free TV channels, NTV, has also licensed a selection of feature films and series from BVITV’s portfolio. This is the first free TV agreement between NTV and BVITV.

    Free TV channel Ren TV has also licensed a selection of movies and live action series. The channel will also launch a selection of Jetix Europe programming to its viewers, says an official release.

    Co-created by Bertram van Munster (Profiles from the Front Line) and with Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Armageddon) as one of the executive producers, The Amazing Race has won four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding reality program. Twelve teams of two people with relationships such as spouses, best friends or parent and child are filmed around the clock in a race to various worldwide destinations to be the first team to the finish line.

    At every destination, each team will have to compete in a series of challenges — some mental and some physical — and only when the tasks have been completed will they learn their next destination. Teams who are farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning a large cash prize, the release adds.