ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • China.com forms strategic partnership with Google

    China.com forms strategic partnership with Google

    MUMBAI: China.com Inc., an online game, mobile value added services and internet services provider operating principally in China, and a 77 percent-owned subsidiary of CDC Corporation, has formed a strategic partnership with Google.

    Under the agreement, Google will provide search engine technology for China.com to support searches of its English and traditional Chinese content by its users in China.

    Leveraging on its unique and valuable URL and the attractive demographics of its core user base, China.com has launched a group of websites focused on various countries and regions to help global businesses access the increasing affluent consumers in China, one of the fastest growing consumer markets in the world. The proposed partnership will be one of the most comprehensive partnerships between Google and a China internet portal since Google entered the China market, states an official release.

    The partnership with Google is expected to further enhance the user experience for China.com’s expanding base of domestic and international users, and is another demonstration of the company’s strategy to grow its user base by continuously upgrading its services and introducing new and compelling products. To maximize the benefits of the partnership, China.com and Google will cooperate across several areas including branding, content and advertising operations, adds the release.

    “China.com firmly believes that this partnership between the world’s premier search company and one of China’s leading portals with over 5 million daily users is a perfect fit. By harnessing Google’s innovative technology to China.com’s deep understanding of the China market, we can rapidly expand the user base and generate new revenue opportunities for both companies,” says China.com executive director & CFO Dr. Xiaowei Chen.

    “China is a key area of focus for Google and we are rapidly expanding our presence and operations in this important market. We are excited about our partnership with China.com and we expect our current partnership to bring significant strategic benefits. We are also looking forward to exploring with China.com further areas where our companies cooperate,” states Google president of Sales and Business Development for Greater China Johnny Chou.

  • ETC share buyback programme: SEBI exempts Zee from making open offer

    ETC share buyback programme: SEBI exempts Zee from making open offer

    MUMBAI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has paved the way for repurchase of shares by ETC Networks Ltd. The market regulator has granted exemption to Zee Telefilms Ltd. (ZTL) and Asian Satellite Broadcast Pvt. Ltd. from making an open offer regarding increase in their voting rights from 54.42 per cent to 58.73 per cent.

    “Pursuant to the said increase in voting rights, there would not be any change in control of the target company (ETC Networks). The application seeking exemption was forwarded by SEBI to the takeover panel. The panel recommended for exemption to the acquirers from making an open offer,” SEBI says in a release.

    ZTL and Asian Satellite Broadcast (referred to as ‘the acquirers’) are the promoters and collectively hold 54.42 per cent in ETC.

    “The repurchase of shares by ETC is aimed at increasing shareholder value. We plan to exercise the buyback programme after getting the necessary approvals,” says Essel Group CEO of corporate strategy and finance Rajiv Garg.

    ZTL and Asian Satellite Broadcast (holding company of the Group) had, on 13 June 2006, filed an application with the SEBI. “ETC Networks has announced to buy back up to 10 per cent of its total paid up equity capital and free reserves at a price not exceeding Rs 62 per share in compliance with the provisions of sections 77A and 77AA of the Companies Act 1956 and provisions of SEBI (Buy-Back of Securities) Regulations, 1998. In view of the said buy back, the holding of the acquirers would increase from 54.42 per cent to 58.73 per cent of the total paid up capital of the target company. As the shareholding of the acquirers would increase beyond 55 per cent of the issued capital of the target company, the acquirers have sought exemption from the provisions of Chapter III of the Takeover Regulations,” the letter said.

    The aim of the share repurchase programme is reduce the paid up share capital and improve earnings per share (EPS). This will be beneficial to the shareholders in the form of higher dividend pay out and increased EPS.

  • Global Broadcast News announces Rs 1 billion IPO

    Global Broadcast News announces Rs 1 billion IPO

    MUMBAI: Global Broadcast News Ltd (GBN), which manages English news channel CNN-IBN and Hindi channel IBN7, has announced plans to raise Rs 1.05 billion through the capital market. The GBN, a TV18 Group company has filed its s draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities & Exchange Board of India, according to an official statement.

    The company proposes to raise up to Rs 1.05 billion through the issue of equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at a premium to be decided through the 100 per cent book-build process. The equity shares are proposed to be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

    The net issue to public comprises the issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 1 billion, and the issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 50 million is reserved for the employees. Of the net offer to public, 60 per cent is reserved for allotment to qualified institutional buyers on a proportionate basis, 5 per cent of which will be available for allotment to mutual funds. Further, up to 10 per cent of the net offer to public is reserved for allotment to non-institutional investors and the balance of up to 30 per cent for allotment to retail investors.

    GBN joint managing director Sameer Manchanda says, “The IPO is an important milestone in realizing our larger corporate vision. It would help strengthen GBN’s position in the television news business and tap future growth opportunities”

    The book running lead managers to the issue are ICICI Securities Ltd and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited. JM Morgan Stanley Limited and IL&FS Investsmart Limited are the co- book running lead managers.

  • Pio TV, IPTV channel dedicated to Indian diaspora goes onstream

    Pio TV, IPTV channel dedicated to Indian diaspora goes onstream

    MUMBAI: US-based India Broadcast Live, a global entertainment and media company, has unveiled Pio TV, a television channel meant for the Indian diaspora. The channel will be available through the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform.

    Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi formally inaugurated the new channel yesterday at a function held in New Delhi.

    IBL has begun streaming a variety of content from India, including news, sports and entertainment in several Indian languages to 40 million Indians living outside of India and 1.2 billion Indian subscribers in India via www.IndiaTVLive.com, states an official release.

    “We look after the interest of the 20 million people of Indian origin (PIOs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs) who reside overseas. Hence I am delighted to launch this new platform that will connect the expatriates with instantaneous news and information from India,” Ravi has been quoted in media reports as saying.

    PIO TV will offer specialized programming to the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) around the world. The channel distributed via the Internet on www.IndiaTVLive.com will offer daily news bulletins, business news & features, talk shows, sports coverage, segments on lifestyle, fashion, cuisines, culture, tradition, religion and an exhaustive coverage of Bollywood and Indian entertainment, the release adds.

  • Eros acquires distribution rights for Aishwarya Rai’s ‘Provoked’

    Eros acquires distribution rights for Aishwarya Rai’s ‘Provoked’

    MUMBAI: Eros International plc has acquired the distribution rights of Provoked starring Aishwarya Rai for the UK and US, besides the Indian terriority.

    Provoked is based on the true story of a Punjabi woman named Kiranjit Ahluwalia who moves to England and marries a man who subjects her to violent physical abuse. In a fit of desperation, she resorts to killing him and is subsequently charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The movie follows her pursuit for justice, according to an official statement.

    Kiranjit Ahluwalia’s story has succeeded in transforming the British judicial system and the meaning of ‘provocation’ has since been redefined in the case of physically abused women. The story has been so influential that a book was published on her life called ‘Circle of Light’, by Rahila Gupta.

    Directed by Jag Mundhra Provoked also stars Miranda Richardson (The Hours, Phantom of the Opera, Get Carter), Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter, Ocean’s 12, Golden Eye, The World is Not Enough), Nandita Das (Sandstorm, Fire, Earth), Rebecca Pidgeon (Heist), Deborah Moore (Die Another Day) and Naveen Andrews (Lost, The English Patient, Bride & Prejudice)

    The movie was screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and more recently to Patricia Hewitt, British Culture Minister, informs the statement. Eros will be announcing the release date of the film shortly.

  • Vijay TV youth show ‘Entertainment Quotient’ launches on 18 August

    Vijay TV youth show ‘Entertainment Quotient’ launches on 18 August

    MUMBAI: After the culmination of the talent hunt show Airtel Super Singer, Star India’s Tamil channel Vijay TV has announced the arrival of a new talent hunt property, Orbit EQ (Entertainment Quotient).

    Launching on 18 August, the show has been slotted for Friday, Saturday at 8 pm.

    According to an official release, EQ is an inter-collegiate state level cultural competition for TV. The main objective of this programme is to bring to centre-stage the budding talent in college students. Essentially EQ is a show where colleges in Tamil Nadu compete against each other in a set of entertainment events comprising of: choreo teams, classical music, classical dance, light music solo, light music group, fusion music, dramatics, mono acting, folk arts and variety entertainment.

    The college that emerges victorious in the finals will win loads of prizes and the prestigious Rolling Trophy. But that’s not all; this show could pave the way to exciting career options for all those talented college students who aspire to enter the entertainment industry, as EQ will emerge as the favourite hunting ground for fresh talent by an industry that is continuously on the look out for fresh and emerging talent, the release adds.

    The EQ of colleges will be judged by Malgudi Subha and dance master Sridhar. Prominent film personalities like Shobana will also be part of the jury panel. The show will be hosted by Shiva of Radio Mirchi fame. The co-host is Tejashri.

  • Balaji to foray into other genres; start Sharjah operations

    Balaji to foray into other genres; start Sharjah operations

    MUMBAI: The country’s most successful soap factory is looking to spread its sphere of activity into new content terrain. In its latest annual report, Balaji Telefilms has announced its intent to expand into animation and mythological programming, among other new initiatives. Further it announced at its annual general meeting (AGM) today that it would be starting a wholly owned subsidiary at Sharjah for production of serials for the Middle East market.

    Balaji has a confirmed order for one and negotiations are on for more serials with different channels, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was informed today. The Sharjah unit is expected to be operational by the first week of November, the posting with the BSE states.

    Managing director and CEO Shobha Kapoor, while reviewing the company’s performance, says, “For years, the Balaji brand has been associated with soap content. We expect to evolve this into new business lines like animation, non-fiction content, ad films and mythological programmes. We are optimistic that with India emerging as an attractive outsourcing hub for animation, our established infrastructure and industry position will serve as a relevant foundation for growth in this new area.”

    Balaji Telefilms, which had entered the reality show genre with Kosmiic Chat and Kandy Floss, plans to reinforce this with non fiction content programmes like Karmiic Connection and Karbon Copy in 2006-07.

    The company produced 2113 hours of live action programming in 2005-2006 generating revenues of Rs 2.69 billion and net profit of Rs 594.2 million. This was buoyed greatly by the company’s realisation per hour of commissioned shows to Rs 2.2 million up from Rs 1.7 million last year. It is reportedly sitting with oodles of cash and looking for new investment avenues.

    The company invested Rs 131.7 million in captive equipment, three studios, and editing infrastructure in 2005-2006. The company is also reportedly drawing up plans to start a media educational academy in Pune.

    Today’s AGM also aproved the re-appointment of Akshay Chudasama and Pradeep Sarda as directors of the company. The re-appointment of Deloitte Haskins & Sells and Snehal & Associates as joint auditors was also passed during the meeting.

  • Radio Mirchi introduces new elements in ‘Hello Delhi’

    Radio Mirchi introduces new elements in ‘Hello Delhi’

    MUMBAI: Radio Mirchi Delhi 98.3 FM will introduce humour and satire in Hello Delhi, as an attempt to continue with programme enhancement efforts, the show will feature dual male jock show.

    Hello Delhi will have two male jocks; Ananta and Saurabh.

    The morning show has introduce some new elements laced with wit and humour; Kal ki baasi Khabar (spoof on headlines), Mausam Mausi (an aunt who speaks about the weather), Vichitra kintu Satya (weird but true), Aaj Ki Afwa (today’s rumour), Astro spoof, Ganda Wala joke, Bhao Khao (business update), Kisko call karein (interview of the day), Aaj ki ministry (on how to make your own ministry), Prank of the day and Fashion Farishta, informs an official release.

    Radio Mirchi Delhi 98.3 FM will air the show at 7 to 11 am from Monday to Friday.
    Radio Mirchi Delhi station director Kanwarbir Singh says, “To avoid listener fatigue and to break away from the clutter likely to ensue with the advent of more private FM stations in a few months time, we have remodelled Hello Delhi. The show will be a delightful mix of humour and satire, and will certainly create a new benchmark for radio programming.”

    Sharing her thoughts on the new show format, Radio Mirchi VP & regional head programming (north and west) Riya Mukherjee adds, “The attempt of the new Hello Delhi format is to bring back humour in our lives, our homes and even our work place. Though the listeners will get their daily dose of news, headlines, weather reports, celebrity interviews and more, the treatment will be very different. Both Ananta and Saurabh will indulge in spoofism by analysing situations and daily happenings in an unusual way. The show will not only make you laugh but will set the mood for the entire day.”

  • Star One readies its big ticket for 2006 ‘Nach Baliye 2’

    Star One readies its big ticket for 2006 ‘Nach Baliye 2’

    MUMBAI: Nach Baliye, the celebrity dance talent show that propelled Star One to ratings highs last year is back and hoping to again shake up the charts in its second season.

    And as was the case last time round as well, the target is pretty straightforward: achieve the number two position by the end of the year. It didn’t manage it last year and now the challenge is even greater: a totally different market scenario with Zee TV having pushed Sony to third and Star One looking for a way forward from the fourth position.

    And as the circumstances demanded, the second season of the celebrity dance talent hunt property has been summoned one month in advance. While the first season was launched in October 2005, Nach Baliye 2 is targeting a mid-September take-off.

    Agrees Star Entertainment India CEO Sameer Nair, “Last year, Sony was our nearest rival. Now the scenario is totally different because Zee has made a comeback. And the fact that Sony is gearing up to bounce back makes things complicated for us. We will have a tougher market this time. But we are taking it in the positive spirit. It will be good for us because this would inspire us to give our best. Star One needs one or two big drivers to achieve our goal and we are confident of Nach Baliye repeating its success.”

    Point out to him that Star Plus is still well ahead of Zee TV and Nair retorts, “If you can see Zee TV in your rear view mirror, no matter how far they are, you should be cautious. You should be well prepared.”
    Nach Baliye 2 has its original format intact, but with a few minor changes. The show will feature some surprise elements including a special ‘Wild Card round’. At the end of the seventh episode, one eliminated couple among the five would be called back, making the total number of contestants six. According to Nair, there would be an extra thrust on certain reality elements of the show.

    “We had had our learnings from the first season of the show and we want to capitalise on that this time. The contestants have been better briefed this time. Overall, the effort is to present a better product,” said Nair.

    The list of the 10 celebrity couples, who will be ‘dancing it out’ to win the big crown this time is as follows: Narayani Shastri & Gaurav Chopraa, Gauri & Yash Tonk, Shweta Kawaatra & Manav Gohil, Shweta Tiwari & Raja, Ketaki & Rasik Dave, Gurdip Kohli & Arjun J Punjj, Gauri Pradhan & Hiuten Tejwani, Tina & Hussain, Keerti Gaekwad & Sharad Kelkar, Tanaaz Lal & Bhakhtyaar Irani.

    A new set of choreographers will be training the couples and there is a change in the panel of celebrity judges also. Farhan Akhtar, who has been caught up in the production of Don, has been replaced by director Kunal Kohli (of Fanaa-fame).

    Nach Baliye 1 ran as an half-hour show in the 9 pm slot Tuesday through to Thursday in 2005. When queried about the slot for the second season, Nair hinted that the channel might go for the same slot. “We have not decided on the slot yet. But we may go for the same slot as we had in 2005,” he said.

    The promotions for Nach Baliye 2 kicks off today, along with the launch announcement. “We have a 360 degree marketing campaign in store and it will be unveiled step by step in the coming days. We are planning a lot of on-ground activities as well to promote the show. Mini dance events and contests in colleges would be one such activity,” says Nair.

    Nair added that Star is now seriously looking at selling the Nach Baliye format in the international market. “We had a plan in mind to sell this format, which we created. But the focus was shifted to other activities and we couldn’t really execute out plans. But, along with the launch of Nach Baliye 2, we have now decided to take it abroad and we are seriously pursuing our plans,” he said.

  • Pakistan allows private local channels to air 6% Indian content

    Pakistan allows private local channels to air 6% Indian content

    MUMBAI: Maybe this should be termed as something being better than nothing. Even as Pakistan refuses to relent on its ban on Indian television channels, it has allowed its local channels to air six per cent Indian content and four per cent English content during daily transmissions.

    The channels allowed foreign content are Geo News, Geo Entertainment, ARY One, ARY Digital, Indus Plus, Indus Vision, Hum, DM Digital, Rung TV, Dhoom, TV One, Aaj, TV 2Day and N-Vibe, Pakistan’s “The Post” newspaper quoted minister in charge of the cabinet division, Maj (retd) Zulfiqar Ali Gondal as telling India’s northern neighbour’s parliament.

    “The Post” quoted Gondal as saying on behalf of Pakistan’s broadcast regulator — Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) — “that necessary action would be initiated to include 20 per cent Pakistani content on multinational channels.”