ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • HBO announces Diwali special programmes

    HBO announces Diwali special programmes

    MUMBAI: Come October and HBO promises a treat for its viewers with non-stop Blockbusters, dazzling stars, exciting action, fun romantic comedies all through the month.

    Every Saturday night at 9 pm, viewers can tune in to watch films like Without a Paddle, Stealth, The Interpreter and Cellular. Two friends try to fulfill their dead friend’s dream in Without a Paddle on 7 October. Humanity must save itself from a computer in Stealth premiering on 14 October. The Interpreter starring Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn will be shown on 21 October0. And Cellular on October 28.

    Every Saturday night after the 9 pm movie and every Sunday night after the 8 pm movie, HBO will show hits like- Hitch, Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King, Spiderman 2, Troy, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous,The Last Samurai, Collateral, Hellboya and Resident Evil.

    And every weekday from Monday to Friday, Diwali Fun Fare at 11:30 am will treat its viewers to Julia Roberts film Mona Lisa Smile. The ultimate bachelor will face the ultimate challenge in 50 First Dates. And a 13 year old girl who plays a game on her birthday and wakes up the next day as a 30 year old woman in 13 going on 30. Besides Mean Girls, A Cinderella Story, Peter Pan, and many more films will be shown as part of Diwali Fun Fare.

    Every Thursday, ‘Diwali Laughs night’ after the 9 pm movie will make the viewers laugh, with comedies like Connie and Carla, The Guru, The Nutty Professor and Almost Heroes.

    Drawing inspiration from the spirit of Diwali, HBO presents Diwali Treat: The Good Always Wins every Monday night at 9 pm. Catch the battle upfront in Boa Vs Python, Dinocroc, Gargoyles’s Revenge, Pterodactyl and Anaconda. The heroes, the heroines, the legends, the art- its Kung Fu invasion in Diwali Kung Fu every Tuesday night right after your 9 pm movie with adrenaline pumping movies like The New Legend of Shaolin, The Bride with White Hair, Wonder Course, American Shaolin and The King of Kingboxers.

    HBO’s multi-award winning Original series Deadwood returns with a brand new addictive second season premiering 18 October after the 9 pm movie and thereafter every Wednesday night after the 9 pm movie. Set in an ungoverned stretch of South Dakota soon after the 1876 Custer massacre, Deadwood concerns a lawless, evolving town attracting fortune-seekers, drifters, tyrants, and burned-out adventurers searching for a card game and a place to die.

    Gus Van Sant’s gripping drama Elephant in the HBO Original Movie of the Month on October 3 at 9 pm.

    The movie explores the contemporary reality of high schools in America, a reality that has been transformed in recent years by school shootings like the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.

    Prime time viewing on HBO includes HBO Blockbuster Of The Month, a special television event that premieres a mega blockbuster movie every month, HBO Saturday Nights, which premieres a new box office hit each week throughout the year; HBO Sunday Super Hits, which showcases the blockbuster hits, star-studded hits, favourite genre hits, Asian hits, highly acclaimed hits and so much more. In addition, HBO features at least 3 – 4 new movie showcases every month to offer viewers an interesting mix of Hollywood movies based on exciting themes.

  • Almeida made Sony business head; Rajani takes over at Max

    Almeida made Sony business head; Rajani takes over at Max

    MUMBAI: In a top level executive reshuffle, Max Channel business head Albert Almeida has been handed over the responsibility of the flagship channel Sony Entertainment India business head.

    At Max, Almeida will be replaced by Sneha Rajani, who is presently heading Max Programming & Acquisitions.

    Albert and Sneha will report to Set India COO NP Singh. The new appointments have been made with immediate effect.

    On the new leadership team, Set India CEO Kunal Dasgupta says, “As an organisation our efforts have always been focused on creating a combined powerhouse of channels where each of our channels are led by strong professionals who are able to provide sound and effective leadership. In order to further strengthen this leadership these movements have been made where Albert and Sneha can take their teams to greater heights”.

    Commenting on this new announcement, Set India COO NP Singh said, “Both Albert and Sneha have contributed immensely to the growth of the network and now leading SET and Max respectively will give them an opportunity to further grow these brands. Albert will however continue to oversee ICC Champions Trophy till the end of the tournament.”

    Almeida has been with Set for over three years and has provided leadership as marketing head of Set Channel as well. Rajani has been with the company for over seven years and has been involved in areas such as programming, acquisitions & cricket.

  • Harvard Business School, India Today Group to launch South Asian edition of HBR

    Harvard Business School, India Today Group to launch South Asian edition of HBR

    NEW DELHI: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation and The India Today Group today announced a partnership to publish Harvard Business Review South Asia, an English-language edition of the world’s most influential business management magazine.

    Harvard Business Review South Asia will run the same editorial content as the flagship U.S. edition and will include regional advertising. This will mark the 12th edition of the magazine. Collectively, Harvard Business Review’s English-language and translated editions reach nearly half a million readers worldwide.

    Thomas A. Stewart, editor and managing director of Harvard Business Review, was quoted in an official statement as saying, “India is the world’s second’s fastest growing economy and boasts one of the world’s most dynamic and innovative business communities.”

    He added that his company was “delighted by this partnership” as it is important for HBR to be on the ground in India as her contributions to “world business and management thinking increase.”

    Aroon Purie, editor-in-chief of the India Today Group, said: “India has an enormous appetite for the kind of authoritative business content that HBR uniquely delivers. To keep pace with the competitive demands of an increasingly complex global economy, South Asian business leaders are looking for cutting-edge insights and tools to take their companies and their careers to new levels of performance.”

    The premier issue of HBR South Asia will be launched at a special event in Mumbai on 16 October 2006, featuring a panel discussion with HBR editor Thomas Stewart and CEOs of India’s leading companies.

    Harvard Business Review (www.hbr.org) is a leading monthly magazine of management thought and practice.

    The magazine has a worldwide circulation of 242,000. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Harvard Business Review is a business unit of Harvard Business School Publishing, a wholly owned, not-for-profit subsidiary of Harvard University.

    In addition to HBR, HBSP’s offerings include books from Harvard Business School Press, newsletters like Harvard Management Update and the Balanced Scorecard Report, conferences, management development programs and services, and case studies from Harvard Business School and other leading academic institutions around the world.

    Raymond Carvey, executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Harvard Business School Publishing, said: “Reaching the business leaders of India and greater South Asia is an important objective for Harvard Business School Publishing as we strive to bring our content to new markets and audiences around the world.”

    He added that partnering with the India Today Group would help them in understand better and serve the needs and interests of those who are driving the rapid growth of this “vital (Indian) economy.”

    Since its founding in 1922, Harvard Business Review has bridged the worlds of academia and business by publishing groundbreaking ideas from experts at the forward edge of management and leadership practice, in a format that businesspeople can apply in their own careers and companies.

    The ideas published in HBR have wide-ranging impact, influencing strategy at leading corporations, setting the terms of management debate and discussion, and inspiring business leaders.

    The India Today Group is India’s leading, diversified media group with interests in magazine, newspaper, television, radio, Internet and book publishing. It is India’s largest magazine publisher with print titles in the current affairs, general interest, lifestyle and business segments.

    Speaking on this new partnership, Ashish Bagga, CEO of the India Today Group, said: “As the country’s largest magazine publisher, identifying niche segments and launching leading international media brands is an integral part of the growth strategy of the India Today Group.”

    The India Today Group has successful licensing partnerships to publish other leading global media brands such as Reader’s Digest, Cosmopolitan, Golf Digest, Men’s Health, Good Housekeeping and Scientific American in India. In addition, the Group also represents the leading magazines Time and Fortune.

    The November issue line up will include Harvard Business School professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter on innovation, Wharton School professor Michael Useem on governance, and HBS professor Andrew McAfee on information technology.

  • BBC Worldwide in content deal with Amazon.com

    BBC Worldwide in content deal with Amazon.com

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide and BBC World are partnering with online retail giant Amazon.com in the US to provide nearly 400 hours of content for Amazon Unbox- a new digital video download service.

    BBC programming spanning genres including comedy, drama, science fiction, documentaries and news will be available to download to rent, with numerous titles making their US digital premiere.

    Customers will be easily directed to BBC content through various routes. In addition to being able to seek BBC content using the Amazon Unbox search engine on the home page, various BBC links will also be featured on the home page to take customers directly to dedicated BBC pages.

    BBC Worldwide VP, programme management and digital media, Americas Beth Clearfield, says, “We are confident that Amazon customers will enjoy discovering new BBC programs as well as finding their favorites via this new technology, and will be enthralled by the breadth of BBC programming now accessible to them on Amazon Unbox.

    “We continue to explore different avenues to share our content with an expanding audience, and are delighted to participate with Amazon.com in the launch of this exciting new platform.”

    BBC Worldwide director digital media, Simon Danker says, “We are thrilled to be part of this service and the growth of BBC Worldwide’s Digital Media business is a key part of the company’s overall strategy. Following this deal, we’ll be working with partners globally to maximise our presence in this arena.”

    Key titles from BBC Worldwide making a digital premiere in the US include shows like Little Britain, Keeping Up Appearances, League of Gentlemen and Yes, Minister. There wil also be Jane Austen period dramas Emma, Mansfield Park and Jane Eyre as well as documentary series Blue Planet, Life of Birds and Walking with Dinosaurs. There will also be drama series such as House of Cards and Miss Marple.

    Other titles include Ripping Yarns and Shakespeare with Macbeth, A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo & Juliet plus BBC titles from Independents such as Coupling (Hartswood Films), Ballykissangel (BallyKea/World Productions)and In The Footsteps of Alexander The Great (Maya Vision).

  • Bharti Airtel initiates management restructuring

    Bharti Airtel initiates management restructuring

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel, mobile services provider has announced the appointment of Atul Bindal as joint president – Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services and has appointed Deepak Srivastava as chief operating officer, Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services, North region.

    Bindal will report to Bharti Airtel president Manoj Kohli and will be a member on the Airtel Management Board (AMB), and chair the Broadband and Telephone Services Management Board (BTMB). Srivastava will in turn report to Bindal.

    Bindal, in his new role will focus on taking Bharti Airtel’s Broadband and Telephone services division to new heights with increased town rollouts and introduction of new technologies. He will be supported by Rajiv Sharma (CEO-NCR), Deepak Srivastava (COO-North), Prem Pradeep (CEO-South Central), Deepak Khanna (CEO-West and MPCG), Randeep Narang (COO-MPCG), informs an official release.

    Prior to this, Bindal was the executive director – South for Mobile Services at Bharti Airtel. He has also had a stint as the Group chief marketing officer and director – Mobile Services at Bharti Airtel for over one and half years.

    Bharti Airtel president Manoj Kohli said, “I am delighted to
    announce the appointment of Atul as the Joint President of our Broadband and Telephone services. Atul, with his strategic business sense and people management skills will lead a set of highly talented and competent leaders to take Bharti Airtel’s Broadband and Telephone Services division to the next level of excellence in Broadband services in 92 towns.”
    Deepak Srivastava on the other hand, was the chief operating officer, Mobile Services, Bihar and Jharkhand. He joined Bharti Airtel in 2004.

    “Deepak Srivastava has successfully led the Bihar and Jharkhand market to leadership and I am confident that in his new assignment, he will continue to set new standards and scale new heights in North Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services,” added Kohli.

  • Meetings with broadcasters, agencies for great cricket auction begin; ICC cash registers set to ring

    Meetings with broadcasters, agencies for great cricket auction begin; ICC cash registers set to ring

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday began meetings with broadcasters and agencies in Dubai, marking the latest stage of its sale of media and sponsorship rights for ICC events from late 2007 to 2015.

    The ICC’s team of negotiators include former President Ehsan Mani, who played a key role in securing the current agreement with the News Corp owned Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) through News International Limited.

    That agreement, which began in 2000 and ends with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies next March and April, includes two ICC Cricket World Cups and three ICC Champions Trophy tournaments. The GCC had paid out $550 million to secure the rights after a fierce bidding war with Subhash Chandra’s Zee Telefilms. At the time of bidding the GCC was a 50:50 JV between News Corp and World Sport Nimbus (itself a 50:50 JV between Harish Thawani’s Nimbus and the UK-headquartered World Sport Group). News Corp subsequently bought out WSN’s stake in the JV.

    The first question that comes to mind of course is what are the numbers that will be thrown up in this round of bidding? Before doing that, it is worth examining how much more in terms of events are available for purchase. The number of World Cups (two) remain the same. The “Extraa Innings” are a possible one Champions Trophy (there were three in the previous package while this one has at least three and maybe four tourneys), two 20/20 World Championships and two Women’s Cricket World Cups in 2009 (Australia) and 2013 (India).

    Additionally, there are also the Cricket World Cup qualifiers and four ICC U/19 Cricket World Cups included in the eight-year timeframe.

    All told, there are a total of 18 ICC tournaments, the big ones being the two World Cups, in Asia (2011) and Australia / New Zealand (2015) respectively, and a minimum of three (possibly four) Champions Trophy tournaments.

    That is as far as the events themselves are concerned. On the revenue front, there will be a huge difference on the subscription side because of direct-to-home (DTH) and the rollout of conditional access system (CAS), as well as increasing broadband penetration.

    Sony had factored in some inflows from DTH when it made its bid for the current property, but the delay in the launch of DTH services put paid to that. For Sony, income from its ICC properties has been advertisement-led (to the tune of 65-75 per cent) rather than subscription driven.

    It would be safe to assume that this would get directly reversed in terms of revenue break-up between advertising and subscriptions by the time the next World Cup comes around in 2011. Subscription revenue will come in principally from digital cable (all cable-penetrated areas should be CAS-delivered by then) and DTH. Broadband will also offer significant revenue opportunities by then.

    Now, coming to the bidding. Even if the number of events were the same, and looking at the valuations that would have been obtained back in 2000, this would have been a higher value proposition because one of them is being held in India and the other has a clear time zone advantage for Indians (Australia / New Zealand as opposed to 2007’s edition in the West Indies). So if we were to look at a like to like comparison, the base value in 2000 would have at the very least been the $ 650 million that Zee had bid then for the same rights.

    The value of this property is essentially linked to what is the bid that the India part of it was worth. Sony paid $ 208 million for the C&S rights and the terrestrial rights that national broadcaster Doordarshan took would be another $ 47 million tallying up to $ 255 million. To find the base value of the India part of the rights using the above formula would imply a 25 per cent mark up or $ 320 million as being what they were worth then.

    What are the toppings to that? One Champions Trophy (if four are held) and two 20/20 events. Let’s say $ 400 million is what this would have been worth to Sony in 2000. Today we believe it will go for around $ 1.2 billion. Assuming that the India part will take up around 70 per cent of the total value of the ICC rights, we’re looking at bidding anywhere between $ 1.7 to $ 2 billion as being the range in which the punts will be made.

    Who has that kind of money? Star, Sony, Zee and maybe Anil Ambani’s ADAG if it decides to throw its hat in the ring. One player that is almost certain not to be in this particular game is Harish Thawani’s Nimbus. He has been taken out of the equation by the News Corp distribution deal. So could it end up being a fight between Sony-Ten Sports, News Corp-Nimbus and Zee Sports if Reliance doesn’t enter the fray? Quite possible.

    And if we were the betting sort our gut punt would be on Sony again walking away with this one. It is the more hungry and needs it more than News Corp. And being the incumbent will give it a clear advantage over an at least as hungry Zee.

  • Animal Planet travels around the world to explore fauna and flaura

    Animal Planet travels around the world to explore fauna and flaura

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet will take viewers on a wild voyage around the world through its series Around The World In 14 Weeks. Viewers will experience the widest variety of flaura and fauna across continents as they travel from Indian subcontinent to Sahara, Europe, Africa, and America.

    The 14 episode show airs every Tuesday at 9 pm with a repeat every Saturday at 8 pm.

    One episode is called Fighting Bears Of The Punjab Airing. Bear baiting is big business in rural Pakistan, despite being illegal for over a century, but changes are now afoot by the World Society for the Protection of Animals to confiscate all bears used in baiting events. But this is no easy task, as the major promoters of these events are rich rural landowners who wield enormous power in Pakistan. This programme traces the history of the Qalandars and the Black Bears, as well as the dramatic events as WSPA workers, aided by the Pakistani Army, attempt to rescue bears and relocate them to a safety.

    Dream Team: Prince Of Camels provides a behind-the-scenes look at the magical world of a young Bedouin in love with camel racing. Sixteen years old Rahma grew up in a large family who, not so long ago regularly traveled hundreds of miles on camel-back. Although all-terrain vehicles have replaced the traditional mount, the camel remains a sacred beast for Rahma.

    In Ireland – Sculpted Isle the channel reveals Ireland’s dramatic nature through iconic landmarks and natural history. From the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway to the rugged beauty of the Blarney stone, from the polished limestone of the Burren to the lush, green pastures of County Kildare, each place has a story and resonance through history. Different landscape, different wildlife, different cultural past and a different face of modern life, come together to tell a single story – Ireland’s story.

    In Lost Crocodiles Of The Pharaohs viewers can join the search for the elusive crocodiles of the ancient River Nile. Despite their revered status in ancient Egypt, the crocodiles of the upper Nile were hunted into extinction by the 1800’s and the Pharaoh’s crocodiles were lost forever. Or so it was thought, until reports emerged of sightings of crocodiles in unexpected locations on the fringe of the Sahara desert, a small lake in Mali and a cave in Chad. Animal Planet explores if these are the direct descendents of the Pharaoh’s crocodiles? How could they survive in the desert?

    Lost Elephants Of Timbuktu goes into the heart of the Sahara Desert. A herd of elephants emerge from behind a wind-swept sand dune. They are completely isolated from other African elephants and trudge 700 miles each year to find food and water. This progamme tracks them to uncharted lands and reveals their relationship with the Tuareg, a nomadic people who have shared the elephants’ migration route for centuries.

    In Search Of The Giant Anaconda looks at the Green anaconda. It is the heaviest bodied snake in the world. It can grow six times longer than the average man, weigh eight times as much, and stay underwater for up to ten minutes at a time. Austin Steven, South African photographer and adventurer, travels to Amazon in search of the wild anaconda in the water and attempts to bring it to land. It is Steve’s most perilous photographic assignment so far.

  • Pubcaster DD does high definition twist

    Pubcaster DD does high definition twist

    MUMBAI: The Marathi TV creative community in Mumbai was excited last month. The reason: pubcaster Doordarshan flagged off a high definition (HD) production studio at its Mumbai kendra. Set up at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the studio has already started producing music programs, plays, series and shows such as Aaj Che Dawedaar Uddyache Super Star and Dhina Dhin Dha which come on DD Sahaydari.

    Mukesh Sharma says that the broadcaster is moving towards an HD world

    While this is great, says a media observer, it is a case of putting the cart before the horse as DD has no HD transmitters. The net result: it has been downgrading the programs to standard definition (SD) for terrestrial and satellite telecasts of DD daily.

     

    Agrees DD Sahyadri Additional director general (programming) Mukesh Sharma adding that the studio will only be used for HD content production. “We are looking at changing and adapting to HD and this is the first stage,” says Sharma.

     

    The Mumbai HD set includes six new Ikegami HD cameras, Dolby surround system, new microphones, a Kayak switcher as well as a new post production set up for editing. The system integration for the approximately 900 sq metre of an old studio in the new DD building in central Mumbai was done by Shaf Broadcast. The pub-caster currently has plans to upgrade its old world SD transmission network to HD over the next few months. Reports are that some 10 terrestrial HD TV channels are on the anvil.

    It says it does not want to wait until it starts transmitting in HD; it would rather build its program catalogue in HD now for future exploitation. We are going to have more studios in metros like Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata very soon, added Sharma. The first to come online with its HD set up was Delhi in May 2013.

    DD’s attempt to adapt to changes by introducing HD systems

     

    Questions are being raised whether DD is doing the right thing migrating to HD? Will it be more money down the drain for a broadcaster which has a mandate of public service? Are private players generating enough excitement amongst media planners to allow them to plonk their advertising dollars on their HD chanels?

     

    “Not really,” observes the media observer. “Advertisers are approaching HD channels cautiously. They prefer a shot gun approach on SD channels where they get mass audiences than in a HD service which is being watched by smaller more elite audiences. They obviously are playing safe so far.”

     

    NDTV Lifestyle chief executive director Smeeta Chakrabarti too tends to agree. She has been filming the channel’s show in HD for a few years now and says advertisers have been chary of parking their bucks there. Says she: “The cost of buying HD equipment is not much higher than normal ones but the cost of broadcasting is not recovered through revenue.”

     

    “I don’t know why such a brou-ha-ha is being made about DD moving to HD,” says another media observer. “Almost all of the terrestrial broadcasters the world over have made the transition; DD is doing it in its unique fashion like it does so for all its activities. So be it.”

  • AETN to showcase 300 hours of programming at Mipcom

    AETN to showcase 300 hours of programming at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: AETN International reaches Cannes for Mipcom with over 300 hours of new programming, featuring real-life series from the A&E Network and documentary series and specials from The History Channel.

    The new real-life family series Gene Simmons Family Jewels (13 x ½ hr) follows Kiss. Mom is Shannon Tweed — former Playmate of the Year, actress and model. And their kids, Nick and Sophie, are, well…surprisingly charming, well-behaved teenagers dealing with the trials and tribulations of adolescence, even though Mom and Dad are like no one else’s parents. Gene and Shannon have been happily UNmarried for 23 years and have no plans of getting married any time soon. Gene is a rock star, and a multi-media magnate. He is also the kind of dad who brings Gatorade to his daughter’s soccer games and stands in the front row of his son’s rock band when they play gigs.

    Gene Simmons Family Jewels reveals the side of Gene that he has kept hidden until now, and shows how the most non-traditional, traditional family in America manages to make it work under the oddest of circumstances. Produced by The Greif Company/A Day With, Inc and the Gene Simmons Company for A&E Network, informs an official release.

    A high-speed real-life series, Driving Force (14 x ½ hr) stars racing legend John Force and his three drag racing daughters. John Force is the most accomplished and dominant figure in the sport of drag racing, a form of auto racing, with 119 career victories and an unprecedented 14 team championships in 16 years. The hook of the show: John is the father of four beautiful daughters – 36-year old Adria who has managed the finances for John Force Racing corporate headquarters since she was 20, and 23-year old Ashley, 19-year old Brittany and 17-year old Courtney, all of whom are following in their father’s tracks competing in the male-dominated field of high-speed drag racing. Racing is the backdrop for this true-life comedy that follows a father trying to bring his family together while also preparing for the next championship run. Driving Force is shot in HD. Produced by Schmaguuli, LLC for A&E Network.

    DOCUMENTARY FEATURES & SERIES

    Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company (two hours) is an unflinching look at the war in Iraq, literally seen through the eyes of the Marines of Lima Company, which was hit harder than any other combat unit in Iraq; out of a company of 183 Marines, 23 died in combat. Using footage shot by the Marines themselves, including firefights, road-side explosions, soldiers playing around in their barracks and video letters home, Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company tells the story of the men who died and those who survived. Shot in HD. Produced by Viewfinder Productions, Inc. for A&E Network.

    It is the oldest document of Western Civilization – a story that spans 4,000 years, and has remained secret… until now. The Book of the Dead is the first written description of any religion, the first time mankind wrote down their philosophy, the first time man expressed belief in heaven or a paradise afterlife, and is the likely source of the Ten Commandments. The Egyptian Book of the Dead (two hours) follows the ancient scroll from its creation in around 1800 BC near the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, to its re-discovery – and theft – in 1887, and the modern story its translation and resurrection. Shot in HD, the documentary features CGI and dramatic reenactments. Produced by Morningstar Entertainment for The History Channel.

    FORMATS

    Big Spender (13 x ½ hr) is a financial rescue series. Host Larry Winget, a behavioral change expert who has personally traveled the road from rags to riches, uses a combination of strategies to help couples and families move from financial wreckage to responsible spending habits. In each episode, Larry confronts a family about their problem and gets them to agree to three weeks of financial boot camp. During this time, Larry uses his “tough love” people skills to get the family to take responsibility for their actions with a myriad of activities customized to alleviate their particular situation and lead them to financial health. Larry Winget is a renowned speaker/ author/consultant, and is the author of Money Is Easy and Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life. Produced by North South Productions for A&E Network.

    Confronting Justice (10 x 1 hour) is a dramatic real-life series that explores the lives of people most affected by a serious crime: the victims, their families and the offender. The story of a painful event and its consequences are told first-hand by those directly involved as they prepare for an emotionally-charged face-to-face meeting. The victims and their family members hope to find answers to painful questions and the offender may find some answers too. Confronting Justice unflinchingly reveals this emotional, yet powerful encounter, which changes the lives of those involved forever. Produced by New Line Television in association with Cinemaria for A&E Network.

  • Singapore’s media industry projects unified front with ‘Singapore Media Fusion’ at MIPCOM 2006

    Singapore’s media industry projects unified front with ‘Singapore Media Fusion’ at MIPCOM 2006

    MUMBAI: The Singapore media industry will consolidate its presence in the global arena under a unified front called “Singapore Media Fusion”, showcasing the industry’s collective richness and diversity at Mipcom 2006.

    The project was initiated by Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and developed in consultation with local industry players in a process spanning one year. It articulates the attributes of the media industry – the bold and creative energy inspired by the collision and fusion of different cultures in the cosmopolitan Asian city.

    This year, fifteen Singapore companies will be showcasing their products and services at the Singapore pavilion, highlighting the country’s ability to work across the entire range of media activities and genres – from creative services to post-production capabilities, from live-action documentaries to animation series.

    MDA Chairman Dr Tan Chin Nam, said, ” In addition to lending consistency to the manner in which the Singapore media industry is represented and promoted, ‘Singapore Media Fusion’ enhances Singapore’s profile at the international level by projecting a unique voice that harnesses the collective strengths of our media industry, both in the traditional and new interactive digital media space. At the same time, local industry partners can also look to ‘Singapore Media Fusion’ as a common platform to showcase their success, one that helps us to achieve our goal of becoming a global media city.”

    Commenting on the industry’s strategic positioning, Mr Tony Chow, Singapore’s Association of Independent Television Production Companies’ President said, “Singapore Media Fusion aptly describes the cultural diversity of our industry, and our position as an ideal East-West gateway.”

    Concurrently, an online portal singaporemediafusion.com will be launched to cultivate an online community of local and international media practitioners who are interested in the Singapore media scene, whether they are seeking content, co-production partners or specialised media services.

    In the last couple of years, Singapore’s media industry has made significant inroads into the international market, with a slate of co-production projects with leading international players across various platforms, and an increasing demand for made-by-Singapore content.

    Singapore’s media scene has never been more exciting. In content development, Singapore’s media companies have made strides in the global arena with leading international players including: House of Harmony, a Germany-Singapore telemovie production that premiered to close to seven million viewers in Germany on ZDF in October 2005; Secrets of Battleship Yamato, a US-Japan-Singapore television documentary which was beamed to households in US, Germany and across Asia; One Last Dance, a China-Singapore triad film thriller directed by Max Makowski and slated for release end of this year.

    Increasing awareness and demand for Singapore-made content internationally saw Singapore showcasing its productions at Tous les Cinémas du Monde (All the Cinema of the World) during April’s Cannes Film Festival; Zodiac-The Race Begins, Singapore’s first 3-D animated full-length feature, was sold to more than 20 countries since it was launched at Cannes Film Market in 2005; PS I Luv U, Asia’s first made-for-mobile phone Mandarin drama serial produced by Singapore, has been acquired by telcos in six Asian countries.

    This year, Singapore’s animation house Scrawl Studios, sold its 2-D animated TV series Nanoboy to Thailand and South Korea, while 3-D animated series Katakune, a Singapore-China co-production, has been pre-sold to China’s CCTV.