ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Zee TV associates with Sifymax for ‘Cinestars’ auditions

    Zee TV associates with Sifymax for ‘Cinestars’ auditions

    MUMBAI: Zee TV, which is targeting an October launch of its reality talent hunt property ‘Cinestars’, has associated with Sifymax for the on-ground auditions. The auditions will be held in 154 cities across India using the technology edge of Sify and its 3400 plus iWay cyber cafes.The channel has, meanwhile, kicked off its first phase of the auditions.

    Procedure of an audition: The participant will sit in front of the web camera at the iWay cyber cafe and record his / her talent stint, further to which the same will be uploaded on Sifymax.com. Prior to performing their respective stints, guidelines in the form of tutorials will be given to the participants in the form of audio-video content.

    Says Zee TV marketing head Tarun Mehra on the association, “Zee Cinestars is an all India contest and understandably the auditions requires a lot of hard work. But, with the help of Sifymax, we have simplified the whole process. The technology lessens the load and this helps us to channelise our resources to the other areas of the project.”

    As per the official release, Sify iWays will act as talent hubs for aspiring participants as it will make the audition process simple and comfortable for the contestants by allowing them to come to the iWays, showcase their talent, record and upload it on www.zeecinestar.sifymax.com.

    Mehra adds that, the auditions will conclude by the second week of September, after which the process of shortlisting will begin. “The shoot will begin by mid-September and we expect to launch the show by Diwali,” he says.

  • Star gets FIPB approval for new channels, share transfer

    Star gets FIPB approval for new channels, share transfer

    MUMBAI: The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has approved a proposal by Star Group to invest in the country to start and create new non-news channels, which in all probability, would be niche channels for the direct-to-home (DTH) platform.

    FIPB has also approved share transfer from Indian shareholders to others in companies through which Star proposes to undertake other initiatives.

    “The commercial feasibility of creating channels in India has been matched by the liberalisation in foreign investment norms relating to the sector, which now makes it possible for a foreign investor to invest wholly in an Indian company to undertake activities of owning and uplinking a TV channel in India,” the Star application with the FIPB had stated.

    However, FIPB’s approval will have to be ratified by the finance ministry before Star can go ahead with its proposed activities.

    In its application to FIPB, Star had said that for its newer activities, it proposes to use three companies in India, which have already been incorporated. The need for separate companies was driven by the fact that the nature of content in the (proposed) channels is distinct and this necessitates different skill sets and facilities, which can be more “efficiently housed in different entities.”

    The three companies sought to be used by Star are Touch Tele Content India Pvt Ltd (TTCL), PPV Movies & Content Pvt Ltd (PMCPL) and Star Games Development Company Pvt Ltd (SGDPL). Star’s holding in the last two companies would be held by a Mauritius based group company, Star ISP Ltd.

    In addition to the investment into fresh equity of PMCPL and SGDPL, Star ISP Ltd will also purchase the existing shares from the current shareholders of the investee company, which were in the process of seeking clearance from the information and broadcasting ministry for uplinking channels from India.

    Touch Tele is presently engaged in providing support services to other media companies. PPV Movies and Star Games Development were recently incorporated as companies.

    The Star application also stated that amongst the many benefits accruing from this proposal will be investments made in India to create “world class infrastructure related to channel creation that is, on-air promotion, playout (facilities), delivery, etc.”

  • Buena Vista partners with Fujisankei Commns Intl to produce reality game show for US

    Buena Vista partners with Fujisankei Commns Intl to produce reality game show for US

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista Productions (BVP) has partnered with Fujisankei Communications International to develop and produce the mega-hit Japanese reality game show Run for Money for US and international markets. Reality entertainment veteran Scott Messick has been roped in as executive producer for the show.

    “The current marketplace calls for shows that will be talked about, and ‘Run for Money’ makes a lot of noise,” said BVP executive vice president Gwynne Thomas. “It is a huge spectacle in a high-energy environment with lots at stake. We are always looking for long-living franchises, and believe ‘Run for Money’ will be just that.”

    Run for Money, was originally broadcast on Fujisankei Communications’ corporate parent Fuji Television. It is a high-tech game of hide-and-seek featuring celebrities on the run from a pack of menacing “hunters.” Broadcast in Japan in 2004 and 2006 as a series of late-night specials, the show became a ratings juggernaut in just three airings, informs an official release.

    The show will be licensed to international broadcasters as the original BVP-produced series and a format by Buena Vista International Television.

    Fujisankei Communications executive producer Akifumi Takuma said, “We are thrilled with this co-production deal with BVP for one of our top-rated formats. It will further strengthen and expand our long-standing relationship with the Disney Media Networks that ranges from ABC News to content deals with ESPN.”

    Four-time Emmy Award winner Scott Messick has been tapped as executive producer of Run for Money. Messick currently serves as president of Mess Media, with current productions including Pros vs. Joes for Spike TV, Nascar Drivers 360 for FX, Madden Nation for ESPN, and Fight Girls, a two-hour reality-film for Oxygen Network, adds the release.

    Messick has produced and directed a number of shows for broadcast and cable, including the 2002/2003 Fox series Boot Camp and Bachelorettes in Alaska. He also served as director and supervising producer of the inaugural season of the primetime hit Survivor.

    “Scott is a proven innovator in the reality genre. With a director’s eye and masterful storytelling skills, he is ideal for this high drama, big event format,” said Thomas.

  • Sports TV forum sees China as an important global growth market for sports TV services

    Sports TV forum sees China as an important global growth market for sports TV services

    MUMBAI: At an event hosted by the State Administration for Radio Film and Television (SARFT) and organised by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) with media partner CCTV-5, the sports network of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, China emerged as an important global growth market for sports TV services.

    The August 24th international industry summit was held in Beijing with an audience of more than 400 international and China-based sports broadcasting executives was dominated by discussion of the potential for the Asian sports TV market and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, informs an official release.

    With speakers from World Cup soccer organisers Fifa, the UK’s FA Premier League, ESPN Star Sports, Total Sports Asia and the International Olympic Committee, the conference was keynoted by Dave Gordon, the head of major events at BBC Sport, following an introduction to CCTV’s plans for 2008 by network vice president Sun Yu Sheng.

    “Our biggest advantage is that we have between 300 to 400 million TV sets and one billion viewers in China,” said Sheng. “Meanwhile, I can assure you that China will have five dedicated Olympic TV channels as well as a channel for High Definition TV for 2008, allowing us to screen some 3,800 hours of Olympic programming.”

    Touching on an assurance repeated throughout the conference, Alex Gilady, a member of the International Olympics Committee and the Vice President of NBC Sports, noted that “Sports remains the premium content that viewers have proven they are willing to pay for. In 25 years time, we are not sure whether commercial free-to-air programming will still exist. But we do know that pay-TV (and premium sports TV) will still be around.”

    The value of the television rights that underpin the global sports market was highlighted by Phil Lines, the head of International broadcasting and media operations FA Premier League, “In 2003, our total revenue from overseas broadcast rights went up from just over 170 million pounds to more than 300 million pounds for three years. We sell the rights to 25 countries in Asia providing 31 per cent of our total worldwide audience. Given that we are nearly always shown on pay TV channels in Asia this is a remarkable feat.”

    In the run up to the Olympics in 2008 Beijing Olympic Broadcasting COO Ma Guo Li said, “We are in a very important time right now. But the true outcome of the Beijing Olympics won’t be felt until long afterwards. Then we will see what we have achieved and how it will change China’s sports TV industry forever.”

    At the conclusion of the conference, Marcel Fenez, the chairman of CASBAA, thanked co-organisers CCTV-5 and CITV, as well as the official Host, SARFT. “This event, the second in a series as we run-up to the Beijing Olympics, has demonstrated once again the strength of China’s sports TV industry, as well as its regional importance,” he said.

  • SPE Networks Asia introduces structural changes at AXN & Animax

    SPE Networks Asia introduces structural changes at AXN & Animax

    MUMBAI: The two channels from the SPE Networks Asia stable, AXN Asia and Animax Asia have undergone a re-organisation with new hires and promotions of key personnel. A strategic attempt by the organisation to facilitate expansion and boost the channel profiles in the region.

    AXN director-programming Wong Yan-Jong, has been promoted to executive director and will oversee the programming of AXN Asia and manage the functions of marketing and creative services. The enlarged portfolio will give her a bird’s eye view of the brand, ensuring consistency in strategy planning right through to the execution of on-air and off-air activities, informs an official release.

    Also within the AXN team, Kartik Budhraja has been promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services at AXN. He leads a team of producers for various feeds including East Asia, Taiwan, Korea and India.

    At Animax, vice-president Asia Betty Tsui will similarly oversee the critical functions of programming, marketing and creative services, as well as conquering new markets to expand the channel’s reach.

    The Animax brand was given a new look and image in June 2006 and in its effort to ensure a smooth execution of the revamp, two significant additions were made to the Animax team -Judy Chow is the new marketing director; while Garry Hui joins as the associate director for programming. Together, they will have the responsibilty to identify programmes and marketing initiatives that will connect and interact with today’s youths, adds the release.

    In addition, Tracy Wong was promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services, overseeing on-air activities for Animax across all feeds, including the launch of the new on-air branding. Prior to February 2006, Tracy was the senior producer for AXN East Asia feed, where she showcased her creativity through various on-air campaigns that garnered numerous awards, including two Gold awards at Promax Asia 2005.

    Also, a new affiliate marketing manager has been hired to take care of affiliate marketing – Shyanne Chao joins SPE Networks Asia from StarHub, and will be dealing with cable partners around the region.

    These structural changes come in response to the organization’s attempts to consolidate the programming and brand marketing of their two channel brands during last three months.

  • ABU, ILO and Bloomberg Television to conduct Asia Working co-production workshops

    ABU, ILO and Bloomberg Television to conduct Asia Working co-production workshops

    MUMBAI: The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in cooperation with Bloomberg Television Asia-Pacific have announced their partnership for the ‘Asia Working 2006’ co-production workshops, that will train 15 Asian broadcast journalists from national, terrestrial broadcast companies throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

    The initiative was launched today with a gathering of television journalists at the 14 ILO Asia Regional Meeting in Busan, South Korea.

    Content produced from the initiative will scrutinise the implications of employment and workplace issues on trade, economics and commerce in the participating journalists’ home countries. The final product, consisting of short documentary features and news items for the ‘Asia Working’ series, will be made available for exchange among other ABU member broadcasters. Asia Working 2006’ is a continuation of the ‘Asia Working’ project launched last year, informs an official release.

    Broadcast journalists participating in the initiative represent the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bangladesh Television, Hong Kong Cable Television, the Broadcasting Corporation of India, Fiji Television, Radio Television Malaysia, Nepal Television, Geo TV Pakistan, ABS-CBN Philippines, MediaCorp Singapore, Sri Lanka Rupavahini, Channel 5 Thailand, ANTV Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, and Bhutan Broadcasting.

    Participating broadcast journalists will also participate in a workshop at the Bloomberg Television newsroom and studios in Hong Kong in November. Bloomberg will provide a trainer and executive producer to address the participants in instilling best practices and professional techniques in identifying and reporting on the economic and financial implications of the workforce issues.

    ILO director communication Zohreh Tabatabai said: “The ILO is pleased to continue this innovative media initiative with the ABU and welcomes the expertise that Bloomberg TV will bring to the project. The ILO is committed to giving Asian journalists and their viewers access to the best information, research and analysis relating to work and workplace issues.”

    ABU secretary-general David Astley said: “We are pleased to be partnering with ILO once again and to have Bloomberg on board this year in this second ‘Asia Working’ series. The exchange of such human-interest stories focusing on labour among broadcasters will help to promote awareness and allow audiences from different parts of Asia understand the labour issues faced in the region today.”

    This ABU-ILO co-production workshops and series will draw on expertise in reporting on economic trends and labour issues gained through the production of series such as Bloomberg’s ‘Changing Jobs’ which deals with unemployment, worker education, wage trends and executive recruitment in Asia.

    “Bloomberg is recognised for its comprehensive reporting on economic and financial issues which are directly related to labour and workforce issues. We look forward to working with the national terrestrial broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific through the ABU and with the ILO on labour issues and to contribute to raising the standards of production for this CO-production series,” said Bill Dorman of Bloomberg Television Asia-Pacific.

  • Shemaroo releases ‘Omkara’ on DVD, VCD

    Shemaroo releases ‘Omkara’ on DVD, VCD

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Video has released Omkara on DVD and VCD.

    The film is Vishal Bhardwaj’s third interpretation of a literary classic after Maqbool which was based on William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Chatri Chor which was based on Ruskin Bond’s The Blue Umbrella. Omkara is based on Shakespeare play Othello.

    The VCD has been released with English sub-titles. However since the film has extensive regional dialect from North India, Shemaroo has also released VCD with Hindi subtitles so that the audiences can enjoy the film’s dialogue and performances.

    Shemaroo VP Hiren Gada said “We are extremely proud to release Omkara on home video. Omkara has been acclaimed worldwide for its epic portrayal of Othello in the rugged semi-urban Indian backdrop. It is a movie people would like to add to their collection.”

    The DVD has a 10 page booklet which mentions facts and trivia about the film. It also has many bonus and special features like The Making of Omkara. The director and actors speak about the film and script, the locations, the cast and characters, the look and costumes, the music and songs. The DVD also has deleted scenes.

  • Sony merges LCD TV with PC

    Sony merges LCD TV with PC

    MUMBAI: Consumer electronics major Sony has announced a new product named – Vaio LS1 TV/PC combo. The company says that the product combines the power of a PC with the LCD quality and stylish design.

    Featuring a framed display with a transparent border for a floating effect, the LS1 model packs the essentials for powerful computing into a slim chassis discreetly hidden behind the back of a flat-panel 19-inch WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) LCD display.

    The new Vaio LS1 TV/PC model incorporates an Intel Core Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 250 GB hard drive for running multiple, demanding applications simultaneously. For instance, the customer can watch and/or record a TV show while downloading music in the background. The unit is a Windows Vista capable PC. It is also Windows Vista Premium ready.

    Sporting a 19-inch widescreen display powered by Sony’s XBRITE-HiColour technology, the unit doubles as a flat-panel TV.

    The LS1 model ships with Microsoft Windows XP MCE 2005 and a built-in NTSC TV tuner providing DVR-like recording capabilities. It also has a built-in DVD burner and Sony’s Click to DVD software so that the consumer can create a digital entertainment library for personal viewing at your convenience.

    The new Vaio TV/PC also features an audio/video quick resume switch that shuts down the display and the audio output without the PC having to enter sleep mode. This allows the user to return to full PC functionality without waiting for the computer to shut down or boot up.

  • Robert Traub is Nick, Viacom Consumer Products senior VP, retail development

    Robert Traub is Nick, Viacom Consumer Products senior VP, retail development

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) in the US has made Robert Traub the senior Vice President, retail development in the organisation.

    In his expanded role, Traub has been charged with building NVCP’s international retail relationships and maximising world-wide product presence for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International and Spike TV licensed properties — all of which are part of the Viacom family.

    Currently, NVCP products are sold in 23 countries worldwide, with an increasing number of retail partners operating globally. NVCP has recently expanded its licensing programmes to include recent hit properties including Go, Diego, Go!; The Backyardigans and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

    Traub will now develop US and international programmes, business models and strategies for the full NVCP portfolio, that increase distribution, sell-in and sell-through in all
    retail classes of trade.

  • Asianet kicks off 14th anniversary celebrations with Onam programmes

    Asianet kicks off 14th anniversary celebrations with Onam programmes

    MUMBAI: Malayalam television network Asianet is completing 14 years during this Onam season. Understandably, the channel has an innovative game plan for the occasion and it goes like this: To mark its 14th anniversary, the channel has now kicked off a 14-day celebration, which kicked off on 27 August and will conclude on 9 September.

    During the period, the channel brings to its viewers a heavy doze of entertainment content, ranging from blockbuster movies to celebrity interviews to cultural specials.

    Here is a look at what Asianet has in store for the occasion:
    De Maveli Kombathu by film star Dileep and Nadirsha:
    This is the picturisation of the most popular parody cassette, De Maveli Kombathu. This is an exclusive programme containing mimicry, parody songs, skits etc by around 50 artists including cine star Dileep. This parody cassette is the most popular one, which has been a hot stuff for sale for the last few years.
    Date of telecast: Thiruvonam ( 5 September)
    Duration: one hour

    Tharakodathy: This is a programme in which film artist Dilip is being cross-examined by actor Jagdeesh. This is comedy stuff. Dilip’s onam movie ” DON ” will also be highlighted in this programme.
    Date of telecast: Thiruvonam ( 5 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Special interviews:
    It is decided to have 14 special interviews during celebration with four interviews during Onam days exclusively with popular film artists including Mammootty, Kamal Haasan, Nayan Thara, Rambha, Sheela, Bhagyaraj & family, Biju Menon & family, Surya, Vikram, Meera Jasmine, Navya Nair, Ks Chitra and Mohini.

    Short humorous skit for duration between 13 minutes. A few skits on lighter vein for telecast during main Onam days. Participants will be from Cinemala, Thattukada, Comedy Cousins and Snmanassullavarkku Samadhanan

    Programmes with television artists.
    Onam feast, special chatting, Onapattukal, Onakkalikal etc with artists of ongoing serials by Asianet.
    Date of telecast: Utharadam ( 4 September)
    Duration: 1 hour

    Serial Quiz. This will be a live quiz on serials telecast on Asianet.
    Date of telecast: (30 August)
    Duration: one hour

    Onam released films: Special programme in films released during Onam celebrations
    Date of telecast: Pooradam-Uthradam ( 4 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Antakshari by G Venugopal & Ranjini Jose: This is a musical Anantakshari by playback singer Venugopal and Ranjini Jose
    Date of telecast: Thrikkatta and Uthrittathi (7 September and 9 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Onavibhavangal presented by film and TV artists.( Special cookery show)
    Date of telecast: Utharadam ( 4 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Kuttikalude Onam:
    Date of telecast: Pooruruthathi (8 September ).
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Ganamela
    This is a live Ganamela with request from viewers. Participants will be playback singers and serial artists.
    Date of telecast: 29 August
    Duration: one hour

    Kalabhavan Mani and his reputed characters in an innovative format.
    Date of telecast: Utharadam ( 6 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Sreenivasan Vs Junior Sreenivasan: This is a humorous encounter between cine artist Sreenivasan and his son Vineeth Sreenivasan which is a first time they are coming together for a TV programme.
    Date of telecast: Thiruvonam ( 6 September)

    Onam Oru Kuttanadan Style: There is special customs and humorous way that the old and new generation celebrating Onam in Kuttanad. They have been following a special style of celebrations, ignoring age. Their Onam starts from the toddy shop, with different folk songs.
    This will be an innovative production
    Date of telecast: Pooruruthathy ( 6 September)

    Mammooty for Mammooty: This is also an unconventional way of presenting Mammooty on a TV channel. He has planned to visit a place, which we can never imagine.
    Date of telecast: Thiruvonam ( 6 September)

    Kamalum Kayalum: Superstar Kamalhassan is making a travel in a houseboat specially arranged for the shoot, which will be totally done in the lakes.
    Date of telecast: Utharadam ( 6 September)

    Hi Vikram: South Indian Superstar Vikram will appear on the channel in an innovative style for electrifying our youth and other audience in the Onam Day.
    Date of telecast: Thiruvonam ( 6 September)

    60 Mimicrykkarum Arayiram Navum: This is a humorous talk show including performance by 60 reputed mimicry artists of Kerala. The total programme will be in a humorous genre. All most all the leading mimicry artists of Kerala will participate in the programme in the backdrop of a good set.
    Date of telecast: Avittam( 6 September)
    Duration: 2 hours

    Ente Gramam ( My Village): This is a programme visualizing the nostalgic travel of a film artist to his village or native place.
    Date of telecast: Avittam( 6 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    A day with Meera Jasmine: We are telecasting an in-depth chatting with Meera Jasmine.
    Date of telecast: Avittam( 6 September)

    Vidhyasagar being interview by playback singers: In this programme, the hit making music director is being interviewed by playback singers like Vijay Yesudas, Mahathy,Tippu etc with many number of songs he has done in different languages of South India.
    Date of telecast: Pooradam( 3 September)

    Nadodikkattu: Special Cinemala (shot at Banglore)
    This is a humors depiction of the famous film, Nadodikkattu with Cinemala artists along with a few film artists also.
    Date of telecast: Pooradam( 3 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Ottamthullal by Ginnus Manoj ( who is doing Achuthnandan on stage)

    This is a political ottanthullal with sufficient satiric stuff on contemporary politics.
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Date of telecast: Chathayam( 7 September)

    Special Nammal Thammil with all mimicry artists imitating V S Achuthanadan titled as ‘ Achuthanadansangamam)
    Date of telecast: Pooradam ( 3 September)

    Special close up with Nayanthara titled as Nammude Nayana Tharam. This is a very informal chat with South Indian star Nayanthara.
    Date of telecast:Thiruvonam ( 5 September)
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Greetings for the 14th year celebration of Asianet
    There will have greetings by VIP’s and film artists for duration of one minute in connection with anniversary celebration..

    Short pieces documenting programmes of Asianet over 14 years. We will put short duration fillers with excerpts from unique programmes, which we have telecast over the last 14 years. This will be done with an impressive graphics background, informs an official release.
    Date of telecast: Spreading over 14 days
    Duration: 1-2 minutes.

    Asianet News

    1) 27 August
    Athachamayam live from Thrippunithura from 7 am.
    2) 28 August 8:30 pm
    Onakkodi, a half our documentary
    3) 29 August 8:30 pm
    Regional flavours of Onam – South Kerala
    4) 30 Aug.ust 8:30 pm
    Regional flavours of Onam – Central Kerala
    5) 31 August 8:30 pm
    Regional flavours of Onam – Malabar
    6) 1 September 8:30
    Onachitrangal – On the new movies to be released during Onam.
    7) 4 September 8:30 to 9:30
    Grandmothers & Kids – the family interaction show
    8) 5 September 8:30 pm
    Maveli Vartha: News presenter appears masquerading Mahabali and presents various entertaining news on Onam.
    9) 6 September 8:30 pm
    Onakkalikal – On various games of yesteryears played during Onam festival
    10) 7 September 8:30 pm
    Onakkavithakal – A documentary on poems written by various poets for Onam.
    11) 8 September 8:30 pm
    Ona Ganangal – Top film songs on Onam.
    12) 9 September 2 pm to 6 pm
    Uthrattathi Vallamkali – live from Aranmula.

    Asianet Plus

    Some of big youth idols will be featured on the channel during this Onam. The highlight of the season would be an intimate interview with Harris Jayaraj, who had taken the music world with storm, through enchanting numbers of Minnale and Anniyan.

    Superstar Dileep would be taking a trip down memory lane to his formative years, where he would be talking bout his trials, turbulences and successes in life.

    K.S.Chitra, the melody queen of South India, chats up with the finalists of Idea Star Singer.

    Johnson, the most outspoken and the most melodious of our music directors in a freewheeling chat with G.Venugopal. Ouseppachan, who is most remembered for his lilting tunes opens his mind.

    The most lovable of the Malayalam heroines, Kavya Madhavan, chats up about her life and career. Other stars and celebrities being featured are: Jayaram, Jayasurya, Navya Nair and Padmapriya.

    Two game shows are being planned, one a five day long series with the finals of it being aired on Thiruvonam Day. There would be a reality travel show with the VJs of Asianet Plus. A feature on the movie Classmates with the artistes and director. A Telefilm with Onam as the central theme. Special shows with focus on Onam songs and a music video featuring the artistes and VJs of Asianet Plus.
    Besides these programmes, the whole look and feel of the channel would be made to highlight the Onam mood, as per an official communiqué.