Category: News Broadcasting

ICC Champions Trophy: Standard Chartered Bank signed as regional official sponsor

MUMBAI: Global Cricket Corporation (GCC), the commercial partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has roped in Standard Chartered Bank as the regional official sponsor of the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 for various territories in Asia including India.

As regional official sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank will receive on-ground sponsorship benefits like category exclusivity in all the relevant territories, branding and signage, tickets and hospitality, benefits and protections, informs an official release.

ICC president Percy Sonn says, “We are thrilled that Standard Chartered Bank has joined the ICC’s family of supporters by becoming an Official Sponsor. Cricket’s ability to attract a world-renowned brand such as Standard Chartered to become an Official Sponsor is a demonstration of the game’s global appeal and health.”

GCC MD Ian Frykberg says, “We are delighted to welcome Standard Chartered Bank to the family of ICC Champions Trophy 2006 sponsors and their support demonstrates their ongoing commitment to sports.”

Standard Chartered Bank India CEO Neeraj Swaroop adds, “With Partnership and Teamwork being core values of the Standard Chartered brand, and given our track record of sponsoring sports events across the world we believe this is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our stakeholders cutting across boundaries, age groups and socio economic classes.”

Says Nimbus Sport CEO Digvijay Singh, “This is Standard Chartered Bank’s second major sponsorship in cricket and Nimbus is pleased to have played a key role in bringing them into cricket sponsorships and into the ICC sponsor family.”

October 6, 2006
Uduak Amimo is BBC World Service senior editorial adviser

MUMBAI: BBC World Service has appointed Uduak Amimo as its senior editorial adviser, supporting the Director of the BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman. Uduak advises on the editorial leadership and management of the world’s leading international radio broadcaster and its New Media operations. Her role also includes facilitating editorial collaborations between the World Service and the BBC’s international news services.

Chapman said, “I am very pleased that Uduak is taking on this new role. The World Service has 163m weekly global listeners, of which a huge proportion is from Africa. Uduak’s knowledge of Africa will ensure we keep a close focus on the continent and her production experience will help us raise standards across the board.”

Uduak first joined the BBC in 2002, as a producer and presenter with the English-language BBC African news and current affairs programmes, Network Africa and Focus on Africa.

She says: “I am delighted to be given an opportunity to help shape the BBC’s global agenda. I will also bring my strong links with Africa and my special interest in the region to this role but I am also looking forward to developing my experiences beyond the continent.”

October 6, 2006
Nimbus pegs 2-channel package price at Rs 58

MUMBAI: With the Conditional Access System (CAS) controversy continuing unabated at the broadcasters’ level, Nimbus Sports Broadcast has quoted a premium price for two of its channels at Rs 58 to the sector regulator.

The newly launched Neo Sports, which debuted on 1 October in some parts of the country, is likely to turn pay ahead of the January 2007 cricket series. This company has priced this channel at Rs 40.

Even, the yet-to be launched Neo Sports Plus holds a price tag of Rs 40. The company has specified a bundled price of Rs 58 for the two channels.

The proposed prices are yet to be accepted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), which in the normal course takes about one month to issue procedural clearance. Interestingly, rival sports channels ESPN and Star Sports are priced at Rs 38 per subscriber for the two-channel bundle.

The rates at which the two Neo Sports have been pegged are in line with what Nimbus Communications chairman Harish Thawani had told indiantelevision.com in a recent interview: “We are looking to charge a premium price. Broadcasters so far have not had the guts to charge the price that they feel reflects the true value of their product. What I can confirm is that our pricing will be considerably higher than ESPN Star Sports.”

TDSAT had earlier directed that the rates of the channels available on the direct to home platform (DTH) will cost half the price of what is charged to cable platforms (exclusive of taxes).

This benchmark judgment was issued with respect to Dish TV vs Star India, wherein the two were haggling over price. The reason for the verdict was attributed to DTH being an addressable system where loss of revenue down the value chain is negligible if not zero.

The distribution rights for all Nimbus’ sports channels are held by Rupert Murdoch’s Star India and run till 2010. The Star-Nimbus distribution deal will apply to the two sports channels that will be launching by the end of the year as well as any future sports channels from the Neo Sports stable (a sports news channel is also in the pipeline scheduled for debut in the second half of 2007).

Although Nimbus has proposed the prices of its channels to Trai, it has already created doubts in the minds of the various stakeholders, whether this would be easily accepted by the regulator and if yes, whether it will go down well with the industry.

Under the CAS notified areas, the two Nimbus channels will be charged as per the ceiling price fixed by Trai.

October 6, 2006
Ofcom Board appoints Ed Richards as CEO

MUMBAI: The Ofcom Board has appointed Ed Richards as its Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

Prior to his appointment to Ofcom, Ed was the Prime Minister’s Senior Policy Advisor on Media, Telecoms, Internet and e-Government. He has also worked as the Controller of Corporate Strategy at the BBC.

On his new appointment, Ed Richards said, “This is a fascinating job in a fascinating and fast changing area. We have a strong organisation, committed people and a track record that we intend to build on. I am thoroughly looking forward to the challenges.”

“Ed has played a critically important role in the establishment of Ofcom. He has a profound understanding of the markets we regulate and is ideally placed to lead the organisation into the future,” said Ofcom Chairman David Currie.

Ed Richards joined the Ofcom Board in March 2003. In July 2005 he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, in which his responsibilities included strategy, research, consumer policy, business planning, finance, human resources and Ofcom’s functions in the Nations and Regions.

Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

October 5, 2006
IHC and the NGC invites entries for ‘Award for Habitat Young Visionary 2007’

MUMBAI: India Habitat Centre in association with National Geographic Channel has invited entries for the fourth annual ‘Award for Habitat Young Visionary 2007’ to be held on 30 January 2007.

The undergraduate students from across the country can participate in the award.

The Habitat Young Visionary Award encourages the youth to ‘Think again’ about the world they live in and share their horizons with cross sections of civil society on the IHC platform. This programme is open to all undergraduate students across India and hopes to be the first step in catalyzing the process of vision formation amongst youth.

The Habitat Young Visionary Award involves submission of a 1500 words essay in English or Hindi on specified topics in the first stage. Based on the essay, fifteen participants will be short listed for the semifinals and would be required to elaborate and defend their vision before a panel of eminent judges. Out of this, five participants will be chosen for the finale.

The idea of the award is not to test the oratorical aptitude of the participants but to identify cogent and novel solutions germinating in their minds to the issues faced by our country. The last date for submission of entries is 30 October 2006.

Speaking about the unique initiative, VP – Marketing, National Geographic Channel India, Rajesh Sheshadri, said, “Through this unique effort of the India Habitat Centre, and our partnership with them, we want to reach out to the youth, which is the think tank for our future and inspire a spirit of creativity and innovative thinking”.

“This award is a part of our conscious effort to initiate a process wherein young minds while engaged in the pursuit of academic excellence, need to dwell on the concerns of the country as a part of their perspective. With our partners, the National Geographic Channel, we look forward to encourage the youth to initiate the thought process for the change they can lead for a better society”, commented IHC Director Raj Liberhan.

The gratification that comes with the award is also in true ‘Think again’ style and provides the finalists, unique opportunities that can shape their future. The winner of the award will get to attend a fully paid summer programme sponsored by the India Habitat Centre at the Cambridge University. The first runner-up will get a unique internship opportunity with the National Geographic Channel and the other three finalists will get a chance to intern with an established NGO.

Participation and Selection Procedure

Stage 1:

Write a 1500 words essay in English or Hindi on any one of the given topics:

1) What I do for a living is more important than how much I earn
2) The future is ugly, we need to act now
3) Our strengths today will shape a better tomorrow
4) Mediocrity to excellence – Way to get there
5) India – 60 years young and ready to go

The essay should be the synopsis of a larger, realistic and practical vision. All entries should be typed in double space or A4 size paper. The participant is also required to enclose his / her CV in about 250 words and a bonafide certificate from the institution / college.

Entries should reach before October 30, 2006 at the following address: Director’s office, 6th Floor, Core 5A, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 or can be e-mailed at: ihc@vsnl.com

Stage 2:

Fifteen participants will be short listed for the semifinals to be held on December 4, 2006 in Delhi. The semifinalists will be asked to elaborate and defend their vision before a reputed panel of judges.

Stage 3:

Five participants will be short listed for the finals to be held on January 30, 2007 at India Habitat Centre, Delhi.

October 5, 2006
Network 18 announces film foray; sets up Studio 18

MUMBAI: Network 18, the holding company of TV18 Group, has officially announced its foray into the big money game — movie business.

The company launches Studio 18, a full spectrum division that will mark the group’s entry in the motion picture business. With this the company is also planning to launch a home video label for Studio 18.

The announcement confirms news first put out (in June) by Indiantelevision.com that TV18 promoter Raghav Bahl was floating a company that would be involved in producing and distributing movies.

Studio 18 will look into the aspects of acquisition, production, syndication and distribution of full-length feature films. Based in Mumbai, the company will have its distribution offices in London and New York, according to an official statement.
Studio 18 will be headed by former Sahara-One Motion Pictures COO Sandeep Bhargava while Priti Shahani will lead the marketing division. Additionally, she will also be heading the syndication and distribution business for the company.

The company has also roped in former UTV Motion Pictures VP international & acquisition Ashoka Holla to head the international distribution and acquisitions business. He will also be responsible for launching and driving the Home Video label for Studio 18.

While, former Percept Picture Company production business head Chitra Subramanian, who was instrumental in developing and producing several movies like Hanuman, Malamaal Weekly, and Corporate, will head the production division. She has in the past worked closely with filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Priyadarshan, Nagesh Kukunoor and Madhur Bhandarkar.
Deepti Chawla will head the creative function. She comes with a background in advertising and film-making and can be credited for effective packaging of films like Hanuman, Malamaal Weekly and Corporate.

Sibashish Sarkar has been appointed as CFO. Sarkar has spent 13 years across various FMCG and other industries, working with organizations like Godrej Sara Lee, Shaw Wallace & Hindustan Cables. The last three years have seen him in Entertainment companies like UTV and Percept Picture Company where he has played a strategic role in financial restructuring and been instrumental in setting systems and processes for the business.

Vandana Malik and Sanjay Ray Chadhuri, both founding shareholder-directors of the TV18 Group, will act as creative advisors for Studio 18.

Speaking at the launch, Raghav Bahl, TV 18 Group managing director, said: “We are excited about our entry into India’s dynamic entertainment industry. Studio 18 is a key component in our strategy to transform Network 18 into a full-play media conglomerate, with a leadership position in motion pictures, news broadcasting and internet portals.”

October 5, 2006
‘Desperate Housewives: The Game’ unveiled

MUMBAI: Buena Vista Games, Inc. has Desperate Housewives: The Game is now available at retail stores throughout the United States. Desperate Housewives: The Game is a lifestyle simulation Windows PC game inspired by the Golden Globe-winning ABC-TV series produced by Touchstone Television.

In the game, the player takes on the role of a new housewife who moves to Wisteria Lane and unlocks the delicious scandals hidden in the seemingly “perfect” neighborhood, informs an official release.

“The global popularity and success of ‘Desperate Housewives’ is unsurpassed and provided the perfect inspiration for a Windows PC game that captures the essence of the series,” says Buena Vista Games senior VP Graham Hopper. “For the hours during the week between the Sunday night episode airings, Desperate Housewives: The Game is the ideal way for series fans to stay connected to the experience.”

Desperate Housewives: The Game is a lifestyle simulation game with a 12-episode story. The game enables Windows PC users to customize a housewife and her family. The new housewife will move into a house on Wisteria Lane and uncover secrets from her past through interaction with her neighbors – including both characters from the TV series and all new characters. With a script from series writer Scott Sanford Tobis, the game is a new narrative that incorporates both drama and dark humor – a combination of characteristics familiar to fans of the show, the release adds.

Brenda Strong reprises her role from the Desperate Housewives series as the voice of deceased housewife Mary Alice Young, who serves as the show’s omniscient narrator in each episode.
Developed by Liquid Entertainment, Desperate Housewives: The Game is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and has a suggested retail price of $19.99.

October 5, 2006
Faceoff over MPA: BCCI rebuffs ICC’s threat of losing ’11 World Cup

MUMBAI: The ICC proposes, the BCCI disposes. A day after ICC president Percy Sonn warned the Indian cricket board that it “could not continue as one of the joint hosts of the 2011 World Cup” if it refused to play ball, the BCCI gave it a curt rebuff.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India vice-president Lalit Modi was quoted by Agence France Presse news service as saying: “We are not forced to play ICC events. Only if conditions suit us, we will play. The MPA (ICC’s Members’ Participation Agreement) in its existing form affects BCCI’s commercial interests, gives ICC the right to change agreements unilaterally and affects the players’ interests. The MPA would affect the BCCI and the players’ interests for a period ranging from six to nine months. We are very unhappy with the way the MPA has been drafted.”
“I think we made it very clear that we will not be able to sign the document in its current form,” BCCI treasurer N Srinivasan told Hindustan Times.

India, which hosts the ICC’s Champions Trophy from Saturday, won the right to hold the 2011 World Cup jointly with neighbours Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“Six months ago we circulated the MPA for our events from 2007-2015 to our members for comment and over the subsequent months we have had extensive and fruitful negotiations with many of our members that have helped us develop the contents of the agreement to suit our mutual needs. It is thus very disappointing that the BCCI has only recently been able to review the agreement and raise its concerns,” said Mr Sonn.

“The new MPA is significantly more flexible that the agreements that regulate participation in ICC events through to 2007. In particular, the MPA addresses all areas of concern raised by Indian players ahead of previous ICC events and provides more scope for players and boards to maintain their own interests.
The ICC has given the BCCI till next Monday (9 October) to notify it of any and all difficulties it has with the MPA.

About the deadline, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told AFP. “We have been given a deadline till Monday to inform the ICC of our objections and we will meet that date. As of now we are not in a position to sign the MPA.”

That some sort of a compromise will be reached is almost a given considering that without India’s participation the value of the media rights for major ICC events during the eight-year period starting at the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 would get devalued by as much as 70 per cent.

“We have been delighted with the interest shown in the next package of rights by broadcasters and media rights agencies from all over the world,” ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has said.

That will most certainly be a hollow statement unless the Indian board agrees to come to the party.

October 5, 2006
Cartoon Network goes the live action way with its first original TV movie ‘Re-Animated’

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network has announced the completion of principal photography on its first original live-action television movie, Re-Animated, which will combine elements of live-action and animation.

When we decided to venture into the territory of live-action we knew it was going to have to be an event like nothing we’ve ever done before,” said Cartoon Network senior vice president, programming and development Michael Ouweleen.

“And even though we are featuring live-action characters, it still had to be done the Cartoon Network way. Re-Animated has proven to be that kind of project,” Ouweleen added.

The project, about a 12-year-old boy whose life is turned upside down after an accident at an amusement park, was announced in March at a Cartoon Network presentation and is currently in post-production with a premiere date yet to be determined, informs an official release.

Dominic Janes (Alex Taggert on ER) stars as 12-year-old Jimmy Roberts, who while visiting the famous Gollyworld Park, has an accident with the park trolley that requires an emergency brain transplant. Gollyworld doctors give him the frozen brain of the famous cartoonist Milt Appleday (comedy veteran Fred Willard), which enables Jimmy to see a whole world of cartoon characters who turn his life upside down wherever he goes.

Re-Animated is created and written by Adam Pava and Tim McKeon, who were writers on Cartoon Network’s hit series Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and The Life & Times of Juniper Lee. The film is directed by New York-based filmmaker Bruce Hurwit. The film is a Renegade Animation, Appleday Pictures, and Cartoon Network production.

October 5, 2006
Aggregator launches TV over broadband(TVoBB) service

MUMBAI: Aggregator Limited has announced the launch of its first TV-over-Broadband (TVoBB) service, a Russian language portal that is set to change the TV viewing habits of over half a million Russians living in the UK.

MoëTV (pronounced ‘my-oar TV’ meaning ‘My TV’ in English) will go live later this month and will provide a collection of on-demand entertainment, drama, current affairs, films, documentaries, music and children’s programming.

MoëTV is a service which combines the speed of broadband and the best in Russian television with high quality pictures and sound. Aggregator has secured licences for programming from over 20 content suppliers including Amedia, Discovery Networks, Mosfilm, MTV Russia, National Geographic, nTV and RenTV.

Consumers interested in the service can pre-register by going to www.moe.tv and entering their email address. The service will offer around 400 hours of programming at launch, growing to an average of 1000 hours, refreshed monthly.

MoëTV has no mandatory subscription charges, meaning consumers can choose to obtain content on a per-view basis of 99p to £2.99 per programme or to view unlimited content for a £15.99 monthly payment.

All that the viewer needs to do to receive MoëTV is a broadband connection from any ISP and a PC or laptop. Programming can be viewed on the PC or the TV using a media extender. Aggregator has built a unique TVoBB content delivery platform, based on open standards technologies, to provide the viewer with a quality and easy to use service – for example MoëTV can schedule downloads so that users don’t exceed their ISP’s monthly download limits.

“The launch of this service will provide broadcast-quality television services to the 500,000 Russian speakers in the UK,” said Aggregator’s co-founder and Director of Programming, Chris Griffin.

“This is a well-educated, affluent community that has grown rapidly in the UK but is woefully underserved by mainstream television platforms. MoëTV can ensure that they, and their families, stay in touch with their language and culture while they are living abroad,” Griffin added.

MoëTV is the first in a series of planned service launches targeted at niche audiences from Aggregator, the brainchild of senior television industry figures Martin Goswami and Chris Griffin. Aggregator’s TVoBB services will create a new UK pay-TV platform, an on-demand broadband service that will deliver high-quality content to ethnic and special interest communities that are currently underserved by the television market.

“In order to be successful and provide consumers with exciting services they are prepared to pay for, new TV delivery platforms such as IPTV and TVoBB need differentiated content. We are excited about the potential of a fast growing broadband universe, so we have created services that work best in an IP based environment,” said Aggregator’s co-founder and CEO Martin Goswami.

“It seems that many operators currently planning IPTV services are targeting audiences who are already well-served on existing platforms. We’ve looked at that model and rejected it. What we’ve done instead is to develop packages of the best content available for specialist audiences who are not part of the mainstream pay-TV franchise,” added Goswami.

Aggregator is well advanced with a number of services aimed at underserved communities and interest groups. In 2007, the company plans to bring all these services together under a common platform brand incorporating the Freeview channels and PVR functionality.

October 5, 2006