Category: News Broadcasting

  • NGC commissions ‘Seconds From Disaster’ for third time

    NGC commissions ‘Seconds From Disaster’ for third time

    MUMBAI: Following the success of the first two series of Seconds From Disaster National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and National Geographic Channel (NGC) have commissioned Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) to produce a third series of the show.

    Each of the 13 one hour shows have been filmed in high definition and investigates some of the world’s most infamous disasters.

    The show will use CGI and dramatic reconstructions to recreate the fateful moments that led to each catastrophe. Eyewitness testimony from survivors coupled with visuals and scientific analysis heightens the emotional impact of this series, filmed in locations around Europe and the US.

    The show will explore events including the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. That saw over 1500 people perish. The fateful journey of Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1982 killing 78 people. It also looks at the 1972 Olympic massacre in Munich resulting in the deaths of 11 athletes and one German police officer at the hands of international terrorists; and the devastation of the recent Asian Tsunami which claimed the lives of more than 230,000 people.

    Darlow Smithson head of factual Tom Brisley says, “The first two series were highly successful for DSP, NGC and NGCI, and we are delighted that it has become such a strong returning brand. Each series has brought to life disasters with gritty realism through the use of cutting edge CGI effects and reconstructions.

    “In the third series particularly, we’ve been able to secure exceptional access to survivors who have been unwilling to talk in the past. In true DSP style, we’ve approached this third series with greater ambition, covering bigger and more complex events than ever before”.

    NGCI executive VP content Sydney Suissa says, “Right from its first broadcast, Seconds from Disaster established itself as one of our signature series. The production values combined with powerful storytelling and impeccable research make the series compelling week in and out. I am delighted that we can offer our viewers a third season”.

    NGC US executive VP John Ford says, “Viewers have enthusiastically embraced this series because it gives them the opportunity to understand disasters from a scientific point of view, leading to new insights into how these tragic events occurred in the first place. To know exactly what happened, and to see it through the magic of CGI, is a stunning new technique.”

  • 422 million broadband homes by 2010: eMarketer

    422 million broadband homes by 2010: eMarketer

    MUMBAI: It all depends on where you look at it. In countries such as France, Spain and Italy, IPTV has the potential to be a genuine revenue-generating service as it fills a gap in the Pay-TV market.

    For countries like the US and the UK, however, the revenue potential for stand-alone IPTV services will be much more limited.

    Market research firm eMarketer estimates that the total number of broadband households worldwide will grow to approximately 422 million by 2010. Of that number, 139 million will have sufficient bandwidth to be able to receive IPTV. This number does not include cable Internet subscribers.

    So if one subtracts cable Internet subscribers and other broadband subscribers receiving less than 2Mbps of bandwidth, by 2010 approximately one-third of all broadband subscribers worldwide will theoretically be able to receive IPTV.

  • All India Radio scores among ABU Prizes 2006 finalists

    All India Radio scores among ABU Prizes 2006 finalists

    MUMBAI: The finalists of the ABU Prizes 2006 programme categories have been selected. Out of a total of 211 entries for its radio and TV categories, All India Radio has made it into two final spots in the Children and Youth sub category for Made for Each Other and in the Documentary sub category for I Take the Responsibility.

    However, India did not feature among the TV finalists for the ABU Prizes this year. The TV categories include drama, entertainment, children, youth, news, documentary, and sports.
    There is also a Special Jury Prize which is awarded to programmes targeting broadcasters from less developed countries which showed creativity despite the limited resources available. While the categories for radio are drama, infotainment, children and youth, news, documentary, external broadcasts and the Special Jury Prize.

    The pre-selection of the awards were held last week and among the other finalists, NHK-Japan, RTPRC-China, IRIB-Iran and RTHK-Hong Kong lead the nominations with five each. NAB-Japan has four programmes on the shortlist, while Korean broadcasters KBS and EBS have three finalists each, informs an official release.

    The shortlisted candidates for TV drama are Bride from Hanoi (SBS-Korea), McLeod’s Daughters (Nine Network-Australia), The Dance of Passion (TVB-Hong Kong), and The Ice Wall (NHK).

    For radio drama, the finalists include At the Very Beginning (RTHK), Haru’s Dairy (NHK), Weekend 2006 (ARD/BR-Germany) and Iran Through the Passing of Time (IRIB).

    The ABU Programme department head, Tatsuya Nakamura, said, “Each year, the jury members observed an improvement in the quality of the programmes submitted, which made it more difficult to select the finalists for each prize.

    “For instance, we had very good TV documentaries. It was hard for the juries to select only four finalists. There were plenty of heated discussions among jury members as the shortlists were being drawn up.”

    The total entries this year has set an all-time record for the awards since it was introduced in 1964. The winner in each category will be announced at the 43rd ABU General Assembly which will be held in Beijing from 7 to 9 November, adds the release.

  • AIR’s B Singh acting CEO of Prasar Bharati; Mandloi  officiating Doordarshan DG

    AIR’s B Singh acting CEO of Prasar Bharati; Mandloi officiating Doordarshan DG

    NEW DELHI: Director-general of All India Radio, Brijeshwar Singh, has been given additional charge of looking after pubcaster Prasar Bharati as its chief executive.

    He succeeds Navin Kumar whose term as DG Doordarshan and acting CEO of Prasar Bharati ended on 23 August 2006.
    A 1975 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, Singh has been heading All India Radio since February 2004.

    Under his stewardship, All India Radio clocked an impressive 70 per cent revenue growth during 2005-06, even while keeping intact its focus on public service programming.

    AIR earned Rs 2.7 billion in revenue during 2005-06.

    Singh’s keen interest in classical music enabled AIR to bring out quality CDs under the brand name Akashvani Sangeet, deriving rare content from the archives of All India Radio.

    An active participant in broadcasting issues, Singh is also the
    vice-president of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.

    Prasar Bharati is not having a regular CEO since K S Sarma stepped down on June 30, 2006 on attaining the age of super annuation.

    A regular CEO will be appointed by a three-member high level committee headed by the Vice President of India.
    MANDLOI ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF DD

    Meanwhile, LD Mandloi, the senior most deputy director-general of Doordarshan, has been named as the officiating director-general (DG) of the television pubcaster.

    Mandloi, a programming side person, unlike his bureaucrat predecessors, will look after day-to-day functioning of Doordarshan till a full-time DG is appointed.

    According to sources in the government — despite autonomy through an Act of Parliament, Prasar Bharati still remains an extension of the establishment — 17 applications have been received till now for the post of Doordarshan DG.

    However, a regular DG of DD can only be selected once a full-time CEO of Prasar Bharati is in place.

    After former information and broadcasting secretary Bhaskar Ghose in the late 1980s and early 1990s, DD has seldom had a full-time DG.

    Ghose, father-in-law of CNN-IBN chief editor Rajdeep Sardesai, presently is the chief executive of Lok Sabha TV, an initiative of the Speaker of Lower House of Parliament. The channel is dedicated to airing proceedings of the Lower House, apart from other serious programming.

  • Will Smith is the date doctor in HBO- Blockbuster of the month ‘Hitch’

    Will Smith is the date doctor in HBO- Blockbuster of the month ‘Hitch’

    AIRDATE: FRIDAY 25th AUGUST AT 9:00 PM

    STARRING: Will Smith, Eva Mendes

    Meet Alex Hitchens (Will Smith), New York City’s greatest matchmaker. Love is his job and he’ll get you the girl of your dreams in three easy dates, guaranteed! And that’s exactly what happens when Albert Brennaman wins the heart of gorgeous society heiress Allegra Cole. So when tabloid columnist Sara Melas (Eva Mendes, Once Upon A Time In Mexico) decides to uncover the secret behind the tubby schlub’s success, she’s shocked to discover that Hitch, the charming young man she’s seeing, is the legendary date doctor himself. Exposed in a front-page scoop, it’s now up to Alex to save Albert and Allegra’s relationship as well as his own

    For further information, please contact:

    Manisha Manchanda, HBO Asia
    Tel: 0124 – 4028888
    E-mail: manchanda_manisha@hboasia.com.sg

    Vivian Castelino, CMCG India
    Tel-: 022 24450991-6
    Email: vivian.castelino@cmcgindia.com

  • Samsung targets 70% growth in digital media business

    Samsung targets 70% growth in digital media business

    MUMBAI: Samsung India is aiming to achieve a 70 per cent growth in its digital media business this year. The digital media business, which is a new thrust area within the company’s audio video portfolio, includes products like digital still cameras, digital camcorders, digital audio players (MP3 players) and DVD players.

    “We plan to grow our digital media business by launching wow, aspirational products like the NV Series as well as by creating new product segments like the 6-in-1 multifunction camcorders within the digital camcorder segment,” said Samsung India deputy managing director R. Zutshi.

    (L to R) Samsung India general manager audio – video business Rajiv Kenue; director sales Pradeep Tognatta; model Kamal Siddhu; deputy managing director R Zutshi at NV -Series digital camera launch
    The Samsung ‘NV’ series in digital still cameras launched today comprises NV10: the world’s first 10 mega pixel digital still camera (DSC); NV7: slim camera with 7x zoom; and NV3: world’s first camera with MP3 and stereo speaker in-built functionality.

    In addition to the NV Series, Samsung has also launched three more products in the DSC category — Digimax i6: the world’s first camera with portable media player feature in a digicam; Digimax L-85: the world’s first HDMI camera and Digimax L60: a six mega pixel camera with MPEG4 VGA recording (30fps movie clip).

    With the introduction of the new DSC range, Samsung has 11 DSC models priced in the range between Rs 8,990 and Rs 49,990.

    “Our strategy to grow our DSC business is to help the existing analogue consumers to upgrade to Digital Still Cameras on the strength of our aspirational products and attractive pricing. We will also be enhancing our channel presence for this category by tapping both the existing CE Channel as well as strengthening our presence in the photographic channel,” said Samsung India director sales Pradeep Tognatta.

    Samsung is targeting a 400 per cent volume growth in its DSC business this year.

    Samsung India also announced its foray into the fast growing DVD camcorder category by launching its VP-DC 163i and VP-DC 565wi DVD camcorders with optical zoom.

    MS-11, the ultra compact memory player from Samsung represents a new segment within the existing digital camcorder category with its 6-in-1 functionality – webcam, storage, camcorder, digital still camera, MP3 player and voice recording functions.

    Samsung India has priced its VP-D363i Digital camcorder model at an introductory price of Rs 17,990. With the introduction of the new digital camcorder range, Samsung has eight digital camcorder models priced in the range between Rs 17,990 to Rs 39,990. Samsung is targeting a 200 per cent growth in its camcorder business this year.

    The company is also strengthening its Plasma lineup by launching its Q7 series of Plasma TVs in 106 cm (42″) and 127 cm (50″) screen size segments. These HD ready Plasma TVs are differentiated on account of their FilterBright technology for sharper, deeper and brighter display in any lighting condition; Smooth Motion Driver for clear and smooth image even in fast moving scenes and their 13-bit processing capability for an amazing display of 549 billion colours.

    With the launch of these new Plasma models, Samsung now has a lineup of four Plasma models in 42″ (2 models), 50″, and 63″ screen sizes, priced in the range between Rs 99,000 – Rs 700,000.

    Samsung India is expecting to grow its audio video business (AV) by 50 per cent in the July – December 2006 period based on its range enhancement in key AV product categories like flat panel TVs and digital media products, enhanced channel presence and awareness creation through Samsung Dream Home Roadshows.

    Zutshi added, “Our considerably enhanced sales infrastructure coupled with our new product launches should help us successfully optimize our festival sales in the second half of this year.”

  • Busch Entertainment Corp & Sesame Workshop expand partnership

    Busch Entertainment Corp & Sesame Workshop expand partnership

    MUMBAI: Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., has signed a long-term agreement with nonprofit educational organisation Sesame Workshop to create fixed Sesame Street-themed attractions in four of its U.S. parks — SeaWorld California in San Diego, SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio, Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla., and Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Va.

    Also as part of this agreement, Sesame Workshop has agreed to extend BEC’s license to feature Sesame Street characters in Sesame Place, the company’s Langhorne, Pa. park. Sesame Place, is a theme park based on Sesame Street that was opened in 1980. Most recently, Sesame Place opened ‘Elmo’s World,’an all-new land with three new rides themed after the popular red furry monster.

    In addition, the Sesame Street characters will make periodic appearances at SeaWorld Florida in Orlando beginning in 2007, informs an official release.

    “Sesame Workshop and Busch Entertainment both aim to bring families fun and interactive experiences. We commend Busch Entertainment for their 26 years of partnership with Sesame Place and we look forward to extending this commitment through new Sesame Street locations in SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks that will transform the entertaining and educational features of the television series into memorable experiences for families across the country,” said Sesame Workshop president and CEO Gary E. Knell.

    BEC president and chairman of the Board Keith M. Kasen said, “Over the past 26 years we have come to appreciate just how well known and loved the Sesame characters are and the kind of connection guests can make with them in a theme park setting like Sesame Place. The deal we are announcing today allows us to offer these kinds of experiences at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. These parks combined play host to more than 19 million people each year.”

    Kasen also added that the partnership with Sesame Workshop will enhance BEC’s long tradition of delivering high-quality family entertainment to its guests with attractions at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens that will include family rides, water elements, live character shows, 4-D film attractions or character dining programs. These Sesame-themed attractions will begin in the next several months as part of the deal, which establishes BEC as the exclusive U.S. theme park partner of Sesame Workshop.

    “We will provide our guests with attractions that showcase wonderful characters like Ernie and Bert, Big Bird, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch, and do it in a way that fits with the unique themes of our SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks.” Kasen said.

    Plans call for the first Sesame-themed attraction to open in 2008. However, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, adds the release.

  • Qualcomm single-chip solution doubles talk time

    Qualcomm single-chip solution doubles talk time

    MUMBAI: Qualcomm Incorporated, a leading developer and innovator of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and other advanced wireless technologies, has introduced the QSC1100 single-chip solution.

    The QSC1100 solution doubles talk time compared to currently available CDMA2000 handsets, in addition to supporting features such as downloadable polyphonic ringtones and color displays.

    The QSC1100 is designed to enable CDMA2000 handsets that break new industry price barriers for emerging markets worldwide, according to an official release.

    Addressing the dramatic subscriber growth anticipated in emerging markets around the world, the QSC1100 solution features multiple technologies to dramatically improve network capacity by up to 100 percent.

    “The QSC1100 enables our handset manufacturing partners to further extend their offerings in emerging markets by introducing compelling, attractive devices at new price points,” said Qualcomm CDMA Technologies president Dr. Sanjay K Jha. “Working with all levels of the wireless ecosystem, Qualcomm is able to meet a common goal of accelerating time to market for a wide variety of new handsets with differentiated features and superior user experiences.”

    The release adds that the QSC1100 solution’s integration of baseband modem, RF transceiver, power management and system memory into a single chip reduces the number of discrete components required, reduces bill-of-materials costs and delivers board-area savings of more than 50 percent. Manufacturers can now offer smaller and sleeker designs at significantly lower price points and benefit from reduced development time for quicker time to market. The QSC1100 solution offers a wide range of features to deliver a superior user experience, including:

    · Voice/SMS and support for downloadable polyphonic ringtones and wallpapers

    · Up to twice the talk time of CDMA2000 handsets in the market today

    · 65nm process technology for enhanced performance and cost effectiveness

    · Multiple frequency operation, including 450MHz, 800MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz

    · Multiple technologies that allow network operators to prioritize voice capacity or improve network capacity by up to 60 percent, or double the capacity within the same spectrum with the additional implementation of four-way receive diversity at the base station:

    – Fourth Generation Vocoder: a core voice codec suite giving network operators the flexibility to prioritize voice quality or network capacity

    – Qualcomm Linear Interference Cancellation: including pilot and traffic interference cancellation

    · Support for color displays and speakerphone

    The QSC1100 solution is expected to sample by the second half of 2007. For more information about Qualcomm ’s’ single-chip products, visit www.cdmatech.com/singlechip.

  • GBN to fund Rs 708 million for Hindi news expansion and repayment of debt

    GBN to fund Rs 708 million for Hindi news expansion and repayment of debt

    MUMBAI: Global Broadcast News Ltd (GBN) will use a major part of the proceeds of its proposed Rs 1.05 billion initial public offering (IPO) for funding expansion into the Hindi news genre and repaying debt.

    The company plans to pump in Rs 458.50 million in the Hindi news genre while Rs 250 million will be towards loan repayment. GBN, a TV18 Group company, manages English news channel CNN-IBN and Hindi channel IBN7.

    On 25 July, GBN had entered into a share subscription cum shareholders agreement with the members of the Gupta family, BK Fincap Private Limited and Jagran TV Private Limited to subscribe to 76,485 equity shares, or 49 per cent, of the issued capital of BK Fincap for a total consideration of Rs 680 million. BK Fincap is the holding company of Jagran TV Limited which owns and operates the Hindi language news channel, Channel 7.

    Out of the total consideration of Rs 680 million, GBN has already paid Rs 336.5 million. GBN is also under a contractual obligation to infuse Rs 115 million in BK Fincap before 31 December, 2006. So GBN will have to make a balance investment of Rs 458.50 million. “We propose to fund the entire expenses for the project through equity, which will be utilised from the net proceeds (0f the IPO),” the company said in its draft red herring prospectus filed with the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

  • Star News-A C Nielsen survey says 63% in Gujarat want ‘Fanna’

    Star News-A C Nielsen survey says 63% in Gujarat want ‘Fanna’

    MUMBAI: As Fanaa is all set to release tomorrow across the nation expect in the state of Gujarat, where the film exhibitors are hesitating to screen it till he tenders an apology for his recent anti-Narmada project statements.

    Admits all this Star News in collaboration with A C Nielsen conducted a survey in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat to ascertain the common man’s views on the issue. The findings indicate that 63 per cent of people in Gujarat want to watch the film and also prefers Aamir as a reel life hero as against a real life hero.

    But away from the hum drum of the politics of ‘water’, what does the ‘aam junta’ in Gujarat really want? The survey indicated some findings:

    * 63 per cent of people in Gujarat want to watch the film and only 33 per cent said they would not, 4 per cent said don’t know

    * 52 per cent of the people do not agree with the BJP’s appeal to boycott the film, 40 per cent subscribe to BJP’s statements, 8 per cent were undecided

    * 55 per cent of the respondents feel that Aamir’s statements on Narmada were inappropriate, 32 per cent felt it was appropriate, 13 per cent are undecided

    * 40 per cent of the people said that they do not want the Bollywood star to act like the Rang De Basanti hero in real life, 36 per cent vouch for him and 24 per cent were undecided