MUMBAI: Viacom has appointed NTDV Media as its exclusive sales and marketing partner for Nick, the kids’ channel from MTV Networks stable.
This is the second such deal that NDTV Media has signed in recent times, following an agreement with MSN India.
Keep tuned in for more details.
MUMBAI: Yaari.com, a social networking site for Indian youth, has released Yaari Mobile, India’s platform for mobile social networking.
Co-founder and CEO Prerna Gupta said, “The benefit of integrating a social networking site with mobile phones is that it keeps users connected to their network of friends from anywhere, which is especially relevant in India where people do not always have continuous Internet access.”
The product release includes two primary features: Ywords and Ychat. Ywords allows users to browse the network and interact with other individuals on the site using simple Sms functionality. For example, if a Yaari member sends an Sms command ‘Y profile prerna gupta’ to Yaari, she will receive Prerna’s profile information in the form of an Sms on her phone. She could then go on to browse Prerna’s friends in the same manner, and also send them ‘pinches’, a unique way of interacting with other Yaars.
The other feature, Ychat, uses Sms to enable group chatting on the go. Users log in to Yaari.com in order to create their Ychat groups and invite their friends to join. Once the group is in place, members can join group discussions via their mobiles and can broadcast messages to every person in the group with a single Sms. They can also reply to messages sent by other members, both from their mobiles and online.
Yaari.com also plans to introduce non-Sms based mobile features, such as photo and video upload, in the near future, added the release.
“There are 25 million active Internet users in India. While this figure is large and growing rapidly, it is just the tip of the iceberg. With over 100 million mobile phone users, more than half of which are youth, India is ripe for a mobile social network,” added Prerna.
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
Sat, September 16 @1300hrs and 1900hrs
Sun, September 17 @ 1700hrs, 2300hrs
Thurs, September 21 @1900hrs, 2300hrs
Kristie Lu Stout and the GLOBAL OFFICE team visit Hollywood and Bollywood in September to investigate how the latest developments in media technology are transforming the way the film industry works.
To gain a first hand view of these changes, Kristie heads to Hollywood to meet leading figures from the world of film. Independent producer Ted Hope (’21 Grams’, ‘The Ice Storm’), Mandalay Entertainment CEO Peter Guber, whose production credits include ‘Batman’ and ‘Rain Man’ and MGM CEO Harry Sloan all share their insights on the latest trends affecting the film industry.
GLOBAL OFFICE’s regular tech segment GO:Tech looks at CinemaNow, the world’s number one legal movie download store and a company that is aiming to revolutionize the way movies are distributed. Are digital downloads the way of the future for movie watchers?
New Line Cinema is one of the most progressive film companies, successfully employing novel marketing and distribution ideas with recent projects such as the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. The company has taken one further creative step with ‘Snakes on a Plane’ — asking online audiences to submit story lines. New Line’s CEOs join GLOBAL OFFICE to discuss the importance of innovation in staying ahead in the movie business.
But nowhere else makes more films than Bollywood — a US$700 million business. Over the past two years the Hindi-language film industry has received growing international acclaim. To showcase the change from what was once a business financed in part by underworld figures, GLOBAL OFFICE profiles two students trying to reach for the stars at Bollywood’s brand new movie school, Whistling Woods International. Set in the sprawling grounds of Mumbai’s famous film city, the school teaches the latest Hollywood technology and techniques to its Indian students.
For more CNN International programming information, please visit our website at www.cnnasiapacific.com
MUMBAI: In a bid to create greater visibility, Star’s portal indya.com has tied up with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Indya.com will be the internet partner for both the Champions Trophy that kicks off next month in India and for next year’s World Cup in the West Indies.
Indya.com has developed and will maintain the site www.iccchampionstrophy.com.
The site will allow net users in India and globally access to audio and video packages. There are country specific packages will allow internet subscribers to buy a match pack. This will give them live clips of ongoing games, deferred live highlight packages and archives of previous editions of the Champions Trophy. For Indians though there is no subscription fee.
The site will have a feature called Matchcast. This allows viewers to watch live scores, ball-by-ball updates, player profiles, team profiles etc. The other contenders for ICC web partner were cricinfo.com and Yahoo! Star CEO Sameer Nair noted that Star’s parent News Corp is getting increasingly active in the internet arena. A case in point is the leading community social networking site Myspace. News Corp through Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) has worked closely with the ICC. The site he said can among other things provide an alternative to viewers in those countries who find cricket too expensive to buy on television or in regions that do not have access. The site he says allows indya.com to continue its goal of providing superior and distinctive content.
One interactive feature that the site will have is called Voice Of The World Cup. The contest requires participants to provide commentary to a piece of archived footage which has had its commentary removed.
The winners will be judged by a public poll as well as by experts. Two winners will get to go the West Indies for the World Cup. They will get the chance to officially commentate for the site. The site will also have daily contests when the Champions Trophy is on. There will also be a fantasy based game.
Nair says that indya.com gets around 40 million page views a month. He expects this to at least treble when the champions Trophy is going on. For the World Cup the figure will be much more. When asked about sponsors for the site he said that indya.com is negotiating with certain parties. He said that indya.com is looking to learn from what Myspace and News Corp’s other net properties are doing. He noted that at the moment lack of bandwith is hampering the growth of broadband in India at the moment.
ICC CEO Malcolm Speed noted that the net is an important communication tool that is growing. As it is a source of information to millions of people globally partnering with indua.com gives the ICC the chance to provide high quality coverage of the Champions Trophy through another medium.
MUMBAI: Worldspace Satellite Radio has launched a 24-hour Urdu radio station – Falak. Named after the Urdu word for ‘sky’, the channel aims to showcase the vast repertoire of Urdu music.
Channel No. 109 on the Worldspace Satellite Radio Network, Falak captures the nuances of Urdu through a range of innovative programming that brings to life the romance of more than just the language. The channel revives memories of a whole tradition of impeccable style and etiquette, prose and poetry, and a rapidly vanishing set of traditional values.
Speaking on the launch of the new channel, Worldspace India MD Shishir Lall said, “It is our endeavour at Worldspace to showcase the rich musical diversity of the world in a refreshing advertising-free format, which can be accessed in virtually any part of the country. Worldspace is home to the widest variety of musical genres on radio with music ranging from contemporary forms such as Hip-hop and Pop to classic selections like Jazz, Hindustani, and Bengali. Falak will now enable music lovers to go back in time and indulge in the lyrical sounds of Urdu.”
Falak showcases the widest collection of Urdu music on radio in the form of ghazals, qawalis and film songs, broadcasting rare songs that are not even available in music stores today. The carefully structured programming highlights the various forms of Urdu music ranging from evocative poetry readings or Mushairas, exclusive interviews with singers and poets of a bygone era, special live recordings, trivia on historical events, celebrating the lives of legends from Urdu literature and music, sharing social messages contained in ancient Urdu literature, in addition to a host of other exclusive
programming.
The channel will air shows such as Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey, Filmy Saugaat, Aqwaal-E-Zareen, Sufiyana Kalaam, Bazm-E-Khanam, Ghazal Usne Chhedi and Sham-E-Farozan.
Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey will air an interesting peep into the times gone by, Radio Falak will take a look into the history of various important cities, places of interest, monuments etc., sharing interesting and unknown anecdotes. Filmy Saugaat will broadcast film songs featuring Urdu lyrics, from India and Pakistan. The show will be presented by Sabiha Fazal who excels in his knowledge of Hindustani and Pakistani film music, shares anecdotes about singers, composers, songwriters, and film producers on this entertaining show, according to an official release.
Aqwaal-E-Zareen will air social messages by great philosophers from all over the globe that have been translated and adapted in Urdu to imbibe modesty, humility and good human values.
Bazm-E-Khanam, yet another special programme catering to the ladies, the show features tips on good health, house keeping, family relations, culinary delights from Indian, Mughlai, Irani, Uzbeki, Arabic and Afghani platter – their history, the little known tricks and techniques of their preparation.
Sufiyana Kalaam, a special programme featuring Sufi Qawalis, Mersias, Nohas and Baints. Ghazal Usne Chhedi is based on Urdu poetry. Sham-E-Farozan will air best ghazals by renowned Urdu poets.
Radio Falak will also air the ethos of a bygone era and revel in the soothing and powerful voices of legends like Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Iqbal Bano, Tahira Saiyad, Farida Khanam, Reshma, Abida Parveen and Nusrat Saheb.
MUMBAI: National Geographic Television International (NGTI) has set up a production outfit Change Productions in London.
Media reports state that the firm will be helmed by former Wall to Wall executive producer Ben Goold. The production firm will specialise in high-quality factual programming for both UK and international broadcasters, mainly in the science, natural world, history, archaeology, arts, culture and religion genres.
NGTI president Ian Jones says that it has diversified considerably in the past year. now it represents kids’ programming, has a head of business development for digital media and continue to increase the third-party hours that it represents.
“Change Productions will operate in the UK independent production sector, focusing on the best opportunities for the team with U.K. and international broadcasters”.
MUMBAI: On the eve of World Literacy Day Turner’s newest edition Galli Galli Sim Sim is all set to expand its outreach by launching the series on Doordarshan on 9 September during the Cartoon Network Duniya block on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. The pre-school television series will also air on Pogo at 8 am, with a repeat telecast at 4 pm, Monday to Friday, starting World Literacy Day- 8 September 2006.
With the aim to make learning fun, Galli Galli Sim Sim promtes the philosophy “Seekhne ka Mastana Andaaz.” In connection with this and prior its launch on DD, the series has paved the way to create a nationwide awareness with the Galli Galli Sim Sim Literacy Yatra that kicked off on 15 August 2006. This initiative was strategically undertaken to spread its viewership before its entry into DD, thus attempting to access the most remote areas of the country.
Galli Galli Sim Sim Literacy Yatra, is an educational initiative by Turner International India Pvt. Ltd (TIIPL) and Sesame Workshop, which was flagged off from New Delhi and culminated its journey in Mumbai today. Encompassing four states across the country including New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra, the Yatra is said to have travelled over 5000 kms attempting to reach out to as many children, empowering them with the educational objectives of the series.
The Literacy Yatra arrived in Mumbai at the Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School, along with the adorable muppets Chamki and Googly from Galli Galli Sim Sim and actor Rahul Bose was given a cheerful welcome by the kids.
TIIPL VP advertising and sales networks, India and South Asia Monica Tata said, “The uniqueness of Galli Galli Sim Sim lies in its 360-degree approach of combining the power of television and on-ground initiatives to spread education to children, aged two to eight in India. Galli Galli Sim Sim Literacy Yatra was our first on ground initiative to deliver the unique content of the television series to children who may not have access to television.
“We are happy to announce that this Literacy Yatra was a success as we received a great response across different sections of society – from children as well as caregivers. We have already reached out to thousands of children through community screenings and with the launch of Galli Galli Sim Sim on Pogo and Doordarshan, we further hope to reach out to more and more children across the country.”
With DD and Pogo being added to the roster, the show will continue to air on Cartoon Network at 1 pm. In addition, kids will also be able to catch Galli Galli Sim Sim on Saturday evenings in a segment called Sim Sim Shanivar from 4 pm to 6 pm starting 16 September on Pogo.
Galli Galli Sim Sim set in an “Indian Galli” represents the reality of daily life for the widest possible range of Indian children and families. The series is targeted towards children between the age group of two to eight years, transcends socio-economic barriers and will feature animated segments and live-action films, with music, stories, and art drawn from various elements of Indian culture and regions of the country.
Primarily to cater to Indian families and kids, the adorable residents, the Indian Muppets – Googly, Chamki, Aanchoo and Boombah, have been specially created with Indian characteristics and elements, along interesting and a well thought out human cast. In the first season, the series comprising 65 episodes of 30 minutes each will be aired in Hindi, with usage of some English words.
Galli Galli Sim Sim is the Indian adaptation of the popular American series, Sesame Street. The series will help in developing social, emotional and cognitive skills in children, and become the catalyst to encourage children to pursue educational goals. It was born over 37 years ago as a new way to utilize the power of television to not only entertain, but to educate young children as well.
Today, Sesame Street is the longest street in the world, reaching over 120 countries and serving as the largest informal educator. In India, Galli Galli Sim Sim will address topics such as early literacy, creative thinking and reasoning, family and community life, healthy habits and appreciating cultural plurality.
Funding for the development phase of Galli Galli Sim Sim was provided through the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Turner. Moving forward, the producers of the series will look to combine the strengths and resources of the public and private sectors for local development initiatives.
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit, educational organization making a meaningful difference in children’s lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching.
Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and ground breaking multimedia productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. As a nonprofit organisation, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Dragon Tales and Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the world.
NEW DELHI: The Subhash Chandra-promoted Essel Group, which is the co-owner of DNA newspaper along with the Dainik Bhaskar group, has joined the United News of India (UNI) board as a shareholder.
News agency UNI has shareholding from about nine big media organisations who also form the board of the news organisation formed in 1961.
Confirming the development, Essel Group senior vice-president Ashish Kaul said, “We are on the board of UNI now as a shareholder, but the quantum of the holding cannot be disclosed at this point of time.”
Kaul also clarified that Zee Telefilms, also an Essel Group enterprise, has nothing to do with the UNI deal. The other shareholders and board members of UNI include media outfits like HT Media, Times of India group, Ananda Bazar Patrika and The Hindu.
Chandra has used his investment vehicle, Mediawest, to conclude the UNI agreement.
Launched in March 1961, UNI has grown into one of the largest news agencies in Asia. today it serves more than 1000 subscribers in more than 100 locations in India and abroad. They include newspapers, radio and television networks, web sites , government offices and private and public sector corporations.
The agencies communication network stretches over 90,000 kms in India and the Gulf states with bureaux in all major cities and towns of India.
UNI has collaboration agreements with several foreign news agencies, including Reuters and DPA , whose stories are distributed to media organisations in India.
Apart from that, UNI has news exchange agreements with Xinhua of China, UNB of Bangladesh, Gulf News Agency of Bahrain, WAM of the United Arab Emirates, KUNA of Kuwait News Agency, ONA of Oman and QNA of Qatar.
MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms Ltd. is targeting a 7-8 per cent growth in turnover to around Rs 3.1 billion this fiscal on the back of a rate hike on four of their popular TV serials and an increase in programming hours.
The investment in capital expenditure for the year is estimated at Rs 250-300 million. “We are adding two more studios this year. The capex is also towards equipments and sets,” a source in the company says.
Of the four serials that will come up for an upward rate revision, three are expected from Star India and one from Zee Telefilms. Balaji makes a prime time show, Kasamh Se, for Zee TV.
The paid up capital for Balaji’s wholly owned subsidary company at Sharjah will be Rs 40 million.
The company is making a serial for ARY which will go on air by the first week of November. “The serial will air four days a week. If demand for our shows increase, we will invest in ramping up our facility. We don’t expect revenue inflows getting reflected this fiscal,” the source adds. The subsidiary company will produce serials aimed specifically at the Middle East market.
Commissioned programming in the year is eexpected to increase by 7-8 per cent while exposure in the sponsored category will reduce. Revenue from the southern market is also estimated to reduce from Rs 320 million to Rs 200-250 million. Balaji has an exposure on the Sun Network channels.
“The average revenue realisation per house will see a further rise this fiscal,” the source says. Balaji’s realisation per hour of commissioned shows rose from Rs 1.7 million to Rs 2.2 million for FY06.
The company is adopting a cautious approach towards movie production. It will not be releasing any movie this year and is taking the co-production route for the next three films. “We are taking safer bets. There is no pressure on us to take risks. Our bottomline will stand even stronger this year,” the source says.
Balaji Telefilms saw a robust growth in FY06 with topline increasing 43 per cent to Rs 2.8 billion. Net profit rose 44 per cent to Rs 594 million.
MUMBAI: UK publisher BBC Magazines has launched an online edition of its Top Of The Pops magazine in conjunction with Zinio Systems.
The company says that Top of the Pops is the UK’s number one teen entertainment title selling almost 120,000 copies every four weeks (ABC Jan-Jun 06) and this digital edition marks another significant step in the title’s digital strategy designed to capture teen interest in new media and technology.
The digital edition will offer an enhanced and more interactive reading experience in tandem with the newsstand version offering extras such as Rich Media exclusives of the Pussycat Dolls and Neyo music videos. As well as offering increased reach, advertisers will be afforded the unique opportunity of enhancing their print creative like never before with live linking to web addresses and auto-play audio/visual content.
Following the first complimentary edition, readers can sign up for an annual subscription to the digital edition for just £9.99. Subscribers to the digital version will have the unique opportunity of receiving the online version of the magazine five days before it hits the newsstands. In a market where the immediacy of gossip is so crucial, this will be seen as particularly attractive to the average teenager.
BBC Magazines Teen Group associate publisher Duncan Gray says: “We’re really excited to be the first teen title to enter this side of the digital marketplace. We see this digital edition as a complimentary purchase that offers up a whole new way for readers to enjoy the magazine by incorporating a range of interactive features.
“Our readers love the celebrity interviews, fashion, gossip, cringes and real life stories and the digital edition enables us to deliver this directly to their inbox and bring elements of them to life with enhanced interactive content such as embedded music videos and film and TV trailers.”
Readers can also receive details on downloading the digital edition through the magazine’s website and it will also be promoted through its recently launched email newsletter which has already attracted over 3000 members. Zinio will be promoting the magazine on www.zinio.com and through it’s vast digital database aiming at international sales.