ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Christina Aguilera, The All-American Rejects set to zizzle at 2006 MTV Video Music Awards

    Christina Aguilera, The All-American Rejects set to zizzle at 2006 MTV Video Music Awards

    MUMBAI: US music broadcaster MTV has announced that Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and The All-American Rejects are among the performers for the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.

    The event takes place on 31 August.

    MTV says that the event will be a multi-platform, multi-screen experience. For the first time ever in the awards show history, MTV will expose fans to the insanity on and off the stage. While the VMAs are airing live on MTV, Overdrive, the network’s broadband channel, will air “VMA Live: Backstage Uncensored”, a live view of the all the action behind the scenes and backstage viewers have never gotten to see.

    In addition to the television and broadband experiences, MTV Mobile on all wireless carriers will also offer updates and recaps of the VMAs within minutes. Also, prior to the show, viewers will have access to all nominated videos on MTV Overdrive (www.vma.mtv.com).

    The event will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.3 billion people via MTV’s global network of 50 channels reaching 481.5 million households around the world as well as through syndication. Its convergent and original online programming will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV’s 44 Web sites around the world.

    The sponsors of the event are Acuvue, Chevrolet, Dodge, Herbal Essences, JCPenney, Pepsi, Taco Bell and Virgin Mobile USA.

  • Mobily launches 3.5G wireless technology globally

    Mobily launches 3.5G wireless technology globally

    MUMBAI: Saudi Arabia mobile operator Mobily has announced the offer of its 3G services internationally. Mobily subscribers will be able to make video calls to UAE, Italy, Hong Kong, Luxemburg and Australia using the technology of 3G or 3.5G. Mobily has just completed its own 3.5G network which covers 15 cities in Saudi Arabia, consisting more than 900 base stations.

    Subscribers will also be able to watch TV channels live on 3.5G. These include Alarabiyah channel, CNBC Arabiya channel, Saudi TV, Space Toon and others. Mobily says that it is offering a very competitive rate compared to other operators. The cost of video telephony is 0.80 halalas per minute for postpaid subscribers, whereas a minute cost one riyal when using the TV streaming. Mobily does not demand any monthly fees for all the third generation services.

    Media reports indicate that the 3.5G service will also allow for multiplayer gaming. Most of the 3.5G (HSDPA) services require 2G and 3.5G phone handsets, except for the video calling which works only on 3G handsets. One of the excellent services the 3.5G will provide is the access to the internet with 3G speed from laptop using the mobile as a modem. The setting of the internet will not be different from 2G web setting. The speed exceeds four mega per second for download.

  • Christian Brent takes a senior position in BBC Worldwide’s global channels business

    Christian Brent takes a senior position in BBC Worldwide’s global channels business

    MUMBAI: In the first appointment of its kind for BBC Worldwide’s Global Channels business, the division’s MD Darren Childs has announced Christian Brent as VP, audiences.

    As part of his new role, Brent will provide Global Channels with genuine insight into international audiences. He will identify and interpret local demands and make recommendations on strategic and creative decisions through market and pre-market-entry, research and assessment.

    Childs said, “Our goal is to deliver top performing channels that appeal to the local audience. With Christian’s appointment, I have put audiences at the centre of everything we do. Global Channels serve over 140 countries worldwide therefore a deeper understanding of audiences and how best to serve them will be one of the biggest contributors to our success.”

    Brent said, “I am very proud to be joining BBC Worldwide’s global channels business at this hugely exciting period in its development. It’s especially exciting to work with the amazing quality and range of programming we have here, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience from other consumer-facing industries to bear in launching some truly great global channel brands.”

  • Sahara One to spread global footprint; Filmy’s US launch on 28 August

    Sahara One to spread global footprint; Filmy’s US launch on 28 August

    MUMBAI: Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd. has charted out plans to spread overseas the footprint of its two entertainment channels.

    The first target is the US where Sahara One, the general entertainment channel, is already available on EchoStar. Hindi movie channel Filmy will be launched on the DirecTV platform later this month. While EchStar offers a range of Indian channels including Sony, Max, Zee TV and Zee Cinema, the News Corp-controlled DirecTV has the Star, ETV and Aastha channels on its platform.

    “Our focus this year will be on the international distribution of these two channels. We will be launching Filmy in the US on 28 August and progressively extending our channels to new territories,” says Sahara One Media and Entertainment CEO Shantonu Aditya.

    Australia and New Zealand will be the next destination and plans are on to launch both the channels on 1 September. Following up on the launch of Sahara One in the Middle East, Filmy will be taken to the region in a month’s time. The two channels will also soon start beaming in Nepal and Maldives, adds Aditya.

    By having a global presence, Sahara hopes to hook on audiences from the South Asian community and rake in subscription revenues. “Our target is to make Sahara One and Filmy also available in the UK and South Africa by the end of this year,” says Aditya.

    Indian channels are increasingly eyeing the global market, particularly to boost their subscription revenues. Zee Telefilms Ltd, for instance, garners one-fourth of its total revenues from international operations.

  • Disney Channel rings in Teacher’s Day celebrations

    Disney Channel rings in Teacher’s Day celebrations

    MUMBAI: Disney Channel is paying tribute to teachers by dedicating a whole week in September to observe Teacher’s Day in a distinctive style. The channel is offering children across the country, a unique opportunity to acknowledge their teacher’s efforts and to make them feel very special.

    Children can write in to Disney Channel and have personalised greeting cards sent to their teachers. Disney Channel will also run a contest based on popular characters playing “teacher” from various Disney Channel shows with five kids getting a chance to take their teacher and entire class out for a Disney Channel treat. Teacher’s Week will be celebrated from 5 – 9 September on Disney Channel.

    Disney Channel is also running a contest to find “the coolest teacher of them all” based on the channel’s most popular characters playing “teacher” namely Miss Finster from Recess, Mr Keith and Mr Dig from Lizzie McGuire and Mr Petracelli and Mr Lawler from That’s So Raven. Kids writing in to Disney stating who they think is the coolest character teacher stand to win fabulous prizes. Five kids will bag a chance to take their teachers and the whole class out for a Disney Channel treat.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “Teacher’s play an integral role in the overall growth and development of kids in their efforts to teach and impart knowledge. They are one of the main influencers in a child’s formative years that enable kids to nurture and chase their dreams wholeheartedly and make them a reality. Through the initiatives on Disney Channel we hope to create magic in the lives of kids and their teachers on this special occasion.”

    The celebrations are underway with promos running right up to 5 September on Disney Channel, on disneychannelindia.com and through school contact programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Faridabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Meerut and Rohtak. Kids can write into the channel or log on to the website or simply SMS us to participate.

    During “Teacher’s Week”, Disney Channel will also air teacher-student related episodes of various Disney Channel shows including That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire and Recess.

  • NGC US makes content available for download

    NGC US makes content available for download

    MUMBAI: National Geographic has signed a deal with Open Media Network (OMN) and FilmClix. This will bring a variety of programming to online audiences.

    Viewers can now rent National Geographic shows by downloading content online through the free OMN Viewer.

    National Geographic shows are downloadable via OMN without any compromises of video quality. OMN uses higher encoding fidelity to make sharp DVD-quality video possible and is unmatched by other services online. Its peer to peer grid network also enables speedy downloads regardless of file size, making the download experience easy and fast.

    Viewers can start watching National Geographic content now by going to www.omn.org. Each episode is $2.69 for four day rental with unlimited playbacks during that time. The downloads are made possible by a partnership between FilmClix, who is licensed by National Geographic to distribute titles and OMN. OMN delivers each National Geographic program using Microsoft Windows Media Player Digital Rights Management.

    Open Media Network is a non-profit organization that utilises advanced video and audio delivery technology available to bring ‘media that matters’ to the online public. It boasts of a library of educational programming — free and fee-based — including download to own content from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and thought-provoking podcasts from leading National Public Radio (NPR) affiliates. With the addition of National Geographic’s downloadable pay-per-view content, OMN’s online collection gives viewers an even larger selection of high quality educational content in one location.

    Open Media Network founder Mike Homer said, “National Geographic brings the world to us with its full-fidelity photography and examination of fascinating topics. Distributing amazing National Geographic documentaries over the Internet and making them available for viewing anywhere at anytime is an exciting opportunity and we’re very pleased to work with FilmClix to make this possible.”

    FilmClix founder Julia O’Sullivan says, “FilmClix wants to go where the audience is located and the quality of content is high. Open Media Network is fulfilling our vision of meeting a variety of viewers. FilmClix is creating something new, aggregating a network programmed by the diversity of demand over a user generated medium. We are pleased to reach a new audience for our National Geographic content.

    Select episodes of made available through OMN and FilmClix include Inside the Pentagon, Air Force One and Inside the Secret Service.

    Science and Technology

    — Destination Space

    Arts and Culture

    — Afghanistan Revealed

    — China’s Lost Girls

    — Tibet’s Hidden Kingdom

    — Inside the Vatican

    — Beyond the Movie: Lord of the Rings

    Sports and Recreation

    — Inside the NFL

    — Basketball Diplomacy

    Education and Learning

    — Rainforest

    — Through the Lens

    — Secret Weapons

  • Hindustan Motors unveils the new Mitsubishi Montero

    Hindustan Motors unveils the new Mitsubishi Montero

    Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced the launch of their Premium Sports Utility Vehicle the Mitsubishi Montero at an elegant function held at capital’s Maurya Sheraton Hotel. The Managing Director of Hindustan Motors, Mr. Ravi Santhanam, unveiled the Montero.

    The Mitsubishi Montero being introduced in India by Hindustan Motors is the contemporary and fully featured version of the international model Mitsubishi Montero and it is one of the most respected and desired vehicles in its class.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ravi Santhanam, Managing Director, Hindustan Motors said, “The Montero is a bona-fide off-road legend. The rally versions have won the gruelling Dakar Rally for the last six years running. Success like that doesn’t come easy. It comes from pure capability. Montero derives this capability from the latest technology to master any terrain. It offers these capabilities paired with all of the luxury flourishes that SUV buyers expect and then some more.”

    He further added, “We are delighted to bring the new Mitsubishi Montero in the Indian market because we deeply believe it will appeal to our discerning customers with its versatile capabilities and latest technology.”

    The Montero comes as a CBU (Completely Built Unit) from MMC (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation), Japan and would be distributed through the existing network of dealers in India.

    The Montero comes from a long lineage of Rally winners. Year after year, it has performed with credit and emerged at the top in the Paris-Dakar Rally, which is the toughest test of man-made mass-produced machines in the world. Montero – which means ‘Mountain Tamer’ – lives up to its name even in the toughest terrains of the world.

    Mitsubishi Montero – Highlights

    -3.2 litre Turbocharged Inter cooled Direct Injection Diesel Engine
    -Torque 402 Nm
    -M-ASTC Systems
    -Super Select 4WD (SS4-II)
    -Dual Front and Side Air Bags
    -Multi-mode ABS with EBD
    -4 Way Power Seats
    -Headlamp Washers
    -Dual Tone Electronic Display of
    – Compass
    – Date
    – Time
    – Barometer
    – Altimeter
    – A/c Settings
    Temperature

    Key SUV Performance features:

    -Montero is powered by a 3.2 litre 16 valve DOHC Intercooled Turbocharged Diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 167.2 PS at the rate 3800 rpm and a remarkable maximum torque of 405 Nm at the rate 2000 rpm. Equipped with an electronic direct injection Diesel system the engine is designed to deliver high-torque performance in low and mid ranges offering superior off-road drivability.
    -Mated with this engine is a 5-Speed manual gearbox and Super Select 4WD (SSW-II) system, which offers the choice of efficient highway power or sure footed off road traction.
    -The Montero is equipped with M-ASTC (Mitsubishi Active Stability traction Control) which uses a comprehensive network of intelligent sensors that monitors various vehicle parameters and manages engine output, power distribution and braking force to deliver improved vehicle control, traction and tracing on any surface. Using an array of real time sensors the Montero automatically engages M-ASTC that actively corrects understeer and oversteer in corners, adjusts braking force to each tyre independently via the ABS system and manages the engine output accordingly via the electronic throttle control.
    -Its Monocoque body, rally tested over the most gruelling mountains and deserts is designed to stay rigid in the most testing driving conditions.

    Safety

    -M-ASTC (Mitsubishi Active Stability traction Control) actively corrects understeer and oversteer in corners, adjusts braking force to each tire independently via the ABS system and manages the engine output accordingly via the throttle-by-wire control.
    -HBB (Hydraulic Brake Booster) helps in maintaining high-pressure reservoir in braking system to ensure superior braking.
    -The Montero comes with dual front SRS airbags, front side airbags, and 3-point ELR seat belts.
    -Montero comes with collapsible propeller shaft, which collapses during case of any accident, ensuring that it does not enter the passenger cabin even in worst of accidents.
    -Its rigid safety designed monocoque body shell offers superior occupant safety.

    Luxury and Convenience

    -The Montero is fitted with plush leather covered seats. Once seated, ample wood detailing that offers true sense of comfort surrounds you. The seats are fully adjustable, with electrical controls at the fingertips.
    -As one sits down and switches the power on – multi functional display comes on – giving a wide range of vital information to the driver – like altitude, atmospheric pressure, direction, internal and external temperatures etc.
    -Versatility is the second nature of Montero. Depending on the requirement the 3rd row or both the 2nd and 3rd row of seats can be removed and stowed away to provide huge space for carrying anything required by the user. The innovative design makes it possible for single person – or a lady – to do all this, in a couple of minutes – without using any special tools or spanners.
    -Fully automatic air conditioning makes driving the Montero a pleasure even under the hottest sun.

    Mitsubhishi brand in India signifies rally proven toughness, excellent drivability, great ride comfort, premium features and latest technological advancements for all its products. However the new Montero is expected to take this to new heights and captivate discerning Indian customers to a great extent.

    With this launch the Mitsubishi product range- Lancer, Cedia, Pajero and Montero in price range between Rs.6.97 lakhs to 29.7 lakhs offers Indian customers a wide range of products with unique characteristics and competitive price.

    Hindustan Motors Ltd. was established in 1942 and is a part of the G.P. C.K.Birla group of companies. Its registered office is in Kolkata, with the car manufacturing plant being at Chennai. Mr. C.K.Birla is the Chairman of Hindustan Motors. Lancer, Cedia and Pajero are the other models that are rolled out of the plant in Chennai.

  • Website marketing firm Intralink launches Search Engine TV

    Website marketing firm Intralink launches Search Engine TV

    MUMBAI: The US-based website marketing and internet market research firm Intralink has launched Search Engine Television, a weekly video stream of the latest on search engine news and website marketing tips, suggestions and processes.

    The first episode is an overview of the current state of the search engine market with a focus on Google, Yahoo and MSN. The first episode also offers interim results of Intralink’s next search engine relevance report due to be released on 2 October, as per an official release.

    The next episode will be released on 18 August at 6 pm (Eastern time) and discusses the latest trends in new media marketing, website marketing and the integration of traditional marketing methods and website marketing, the release adds.

  • Minister embroiled in job scam CNN-IBN Exposes The Fake Job Scam in Ambala

    Minister embroiled in job scam CNN-IBN Exposes The Fake Job Scam in Ambala

    New Delhi, August 18, 2006: Minister of State for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja is embroiled in an ironical controversy. A special investigation by CNN-IBN has found fake job scamsters in Haryana may have used her. CNN-IBN team has documentary evidence and has met victims who paid up to Rs. 2 lakh each for jobs they claim that Selja Kumari urged them into taking up.

    Involved in the scam are a local scamster P.S. Sandhu and D.K. Bansal, the Congress MLA from Ambala Cantonment, which incidentally is Selja Kumari’s Lok Sabha constituency. They set up a fake Public Sector Undertaking called Agrofed and duped hundreds of youth across seven states. The duo are under the scanner for setting up a fake Public Sector Undertaking called Agrofed and duping hundreds of youth across seven states.

    “I feel very sad that such a thing has happened. Lot of innocent people have been taken for a ride … that I should have may even be indirectly have recommended them. It was wrong on my part.,” said Kumari Selja, Minister of Urban Employment

    Sandhu’s political connections with the Congress Party leadership in Haryana ensured that nobody doubted his fake employment letters. In 2003, he was jailed for posing as a Director of the Sports Authority of Haryana and issuing fake appointment letters to job seekers. Today, Sandhu is back in prison, accused of floating a bogus public sector unit – Agro-Fed.

    CNN – IBN IMPACT

    Trilochan Singh, an Independent MP has raised the issue of the scam in The Rajya Sabha based on the CNN-IBN Investigation. In Ambala, shops have shut down and traders are protesting against MLA D.K Bansal and The Congress Party.

  • SPTI’s ‘The Gong Show’ talent competition format making strides in Asia

    SPTI’s ‘The Gong Show’ talent competition format making strides in Asia

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI) has announced that after 10 episodes, Indonesia’s terrestrial channel Trans TV, has ordered additional episodes of quintessential game show format The Gong Show.

    The show has been adapted for Indonesian audiences by Trans TV and was launched in June. The Gong Show’s audience has grown quickly, reaching 3.8 rating points (13.5 share) by its eighth episode opposite tough competition from local dramas The Gong Show is hosted by Indonesian TV personality Ari Untung and features Komeng – one of the highest paid comedians in Indonesia – as head judge of a panel which evaluates variety acts performed by members of the public.

    The Gong Show is based on the original talent show competition hosted by the legendary Chuck Barris. Named the 16th best game show by TV Guide, the bizarre format features three celebrity judges who view variety acts performed by amateurs. Any act that is deemed too awful can be ‘gonged’ at any time and stopped.

    All contestants will be awarded cash prizes according to the duration of their performance before being gonged. SPTI adds that The Gong Show has inspired countless talent competition-based television shows over the years, many of which have been tremendously successful. Its unique content – a showcase of unusual and often compelling talent – as well as its universal appeal, however, keeps it timeless, relevant and innovative.