ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • BBC Worldwide appoints Simon Danker as director, digital media

    BBC Worldwide appoints Simon Danker as director, digital media

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has appointed Simon Danker as the director of the digital media. Prior to taking up this new role Simon Danker was director of UK and Ireland TV within BBC Worldwide’s Global TV sales division.

    Danker will be reporting into BBC Worldwide managing director Digital Media & director of Strategy David Moody.

    Danker will lead the team looking at widening the availability of programmes on new technology platforms such as the Internet and mobile phones.

    This will include the development of BBC Worldwide’s iPlayer, a commercial version of the BBC’s proposed iPlayer, which would allow people to download television and radio programmes via the internet, according to an official release.

    Danker’s portfolio will also cover music, determining new commercial opportunities for BBC Worldwide’s music rights and working closely with record labels. Developing partnerships with music and new media industry players both domestically and internationally will be a key part of his role.

    Simon Danker said: “New distribution platforms will give audiences what they really want – access on-demand to an unprecedented choice of programming. The quality and breadth of BBC Worldwide’s catalogue and our global reputation as a distributor, means we are in a great position to work with platform owners and producers to generate new income streams in this space.

    Digital Media & Director Strategy managing director David Moody said: “Simon brings to this new role a wealth of experience. His proven track record in developing strategies for TV Sales, building relationships with third parties and his knowledge of new media distribution make him perfect to join this increasingly important area of the business. I’m delighted to have him on board.”

    Danker joined BBC Worldwide in 2000. More recently, Danker has managed and grown the development of programme sales to Video on Demand (VoD) platforms such as BT and Homechoice.

    Danker’s prior position as director of UK and Ireland TV within BBC Worldwide’s Global TV sales division is to be filled by Lisa Cfas, currently head of business affairs in the Independents Unit and Children’s. 

    She joined BBC Worldwide in August 2003 before which she was part of the business affairs team in the BBC, supporting drama commissioning for Indies and later BBC Films.

    Cfas will take over Simon’s role gradually over the next two to three months.

  • MediaCorp Radio launches Chinese FM station on Visual Radio

    MediaCorp Radio launches Chinese FM station on Visual Radio

    MUMBAI: MediaCorp Radio has announced the launch of Singapore’s hit music station Y.E.S. 93.3FM, which is the first Chinese language radio station to be made available on Visual Radio.

    This makes MediaCorp Radio the first broadcaster to launch the service in Chinese.

    Developed by Nokia and offered by Hewlett-Packard (HP), Visual Radio adds a new dimension to FM radio with interactive content and services for mobile radio listeners, increasing listener loyalty for radio station operators while providing an opportunity to increase data services usage for mobile operators., states an official release.

    In conjunction with the launch of Y.E.S. 93.3FM, HP has also integrated M1 as the second mobile operator in Singapore to offer the Visual Radio service to their customers.

    M1 will be offering the Visual Radio service to its customers with Nokia devices with the Visual Radio application. With Visual Radio, M1 customers can access appealing visuals, information and entertainment of what’s playing over the air, check upcoming concert dates, purchase ring tones and other mobile content of the artiste, participate in radio station promotions, polls, contests, and interact with radio DJs and special guests.

    HP first engaged MediaCorp Radio to bring Visual Radio to Singapore and in December 2005, 987FM became the first radio station in Singapore and Asia Pacific to launch the Visual Radio service, adds the official release.

    Y.E.S. 93.3FM is now the second MediaCorp radio station to offer the service. HP continues to improve the mobile content available on Visual Radio by partnering with major record labels such as Sony BMG, EMI, Universal Music and Rock Records, to provide Visual Radio users with the coolest, original mobile artist content to download as they listen to the artist’s songs over radio.

  • Endemol appoints Rodriguez-Viña as chairman and CEO

    Endemol appoints Rodriguez-Viña as chairman and CEO

    MUMBAI: Endemol N.V. has appointed Elías Rodriguez-Viña Cancio as chairman and CEO of the company. This appointment follows the resignation of Joaquim Agut Bonsfills.

    Rodriguez-Viña will chair the company’s management board, joining its other three members: chief operating officer Tom Barnicoat, chief creative officer Peter Bazalgette and chief financial officer Jan Peter Kerstens.

    Rodriguez-Viña comes from Telefónica SA, where he has been responsible for the Group’s non-core subsidiaries. Before that, he was CFO of Terra Lycos and has worked for companies such as Arthur Andersen, General Electric and UBS.

  • ‘Lost’, ‘24’ get Television Critics Association nominations in the US

    ‘Lost’, ‘24’ get Television Critics Association nominations in the US

    MUMBAI: The shows Lost and 24 are among those competing for top honours at The Television Critics Association awards in the US.

    The winners will be announced on 23 July in Pasadena, California.

    They have been nominated for programme of the year. Joining them are Grey’s Anatomy, The Office and The Sopranos. NBC leads the list of most nominations by a broadcaster with 10 nominations on the strength of its comedy series. Freshmen series, My Name Is Earl and The Office. Each received three nominations. The West Wing received two nominations, including the Heritage Award..

    The Sopranos and 24 also earned three nominations apiece.

    PBS programmes dominated the news and information category, locking up four of the five nominations. Public television received seven notices overall. Fox received six nods, including a nomination for newcomer “Prison Break.”

    The 22nd annual TCA Awards honour the finest work of the 2005-2006 season as selected by the association’s 200-plus member critics and journalists.

  • Former ‘Will and Grace’ star Megan Mullally to host chat show for NBC

    Former ‘Will and Grace’ star Megan Mullally to host chat show for NBC

    MUMBAI: One of the former stars of the sitcom Will And Grace which came to an end last month on US broadcaster NBC Megan Mullally will host a chat show on the channel.

    The one hour The Megan Mullally Show will be a hour featuring a mix of celebrities, real people, music and comedy. Mullally will interview celebrities and also introduce the world to guests of all kinds from quirky characters to funny kids to off-beat experts.

    NBC is hoping that the show will bring the best of classic and current talk-variety television to the daytime audience this fall.

    The Megan Mullally Show has been sold in more than 92 per cent of the US and in all top 20 US markets. NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has assembled the majority of its production staff. Ken Fuchs will be the show’s director.

  • Cellebrum & ICE 365 in alliance to offer Mobile Interactive community VAS

    Cellebrum & ICE 365 in alliance to offer Mobile Interactive community VAS

    BANGALORE: Integrated telecom VAS solutions provider Cellebrum.com Pvt. Ltd and ICE 365, UK’s mobile interactive community service provider, have entered into an alliance to offer community VAS (Value Added Services) to global markets. This partnership intends to build India’s single largest mobile interactive VAS provider, informs an official release.

    ICE 365 Ltd CEO Paul Shoker says, “Through such alliances, we hope to bring to the table much more exciting and interactive value added services which cater to the communication and entertainment needs of Indian mobile subscribers. ICE 365 and Cellebrum both share the same core values and customer satisfaction, in terms of services that will be delivered to existing and potential customers. This association is consistent with ICE 365’s strategy of developing our global footprint in growth markets, where we can create value for our stakeholders.”

    Cellebrum.com COO Saket Agarwal adds, “Mobile value added services are poised for rapid growth globally and we are excited to partner with UK’s premier mobile interactive community service provider, to tap the booming telecom domain across the globe.”

    The association will further enhance the foothold of the two VAS providers in the booming Indian telecom market apart from augmenting presence in the global markets. Moreover, the association will offer Cellebrum with seamless access to ICE 365’s global experience in this space. Both Cellebrum and ICE 365 will share knowledge on focused parameters based on market propositions, technical and infrastructure know-how that will address GPRS and 3G applications, the release adds.

    Cellebrum is already operating across all bearers in mobile telecom solutions domain and is a leading global roaming services provider in India with BSNL as one of its major customers. With this partnership, ICE 365 will offer forward-looking fresh and Funciting TM multimedia viral mobile content and applications thereby, connecting directly with the minds of consumers. This will help mobile operators and content providers identify, build, execute and manage compelling mobile interactive content for a number of mobile device viral community application solutions and address the global telecom market with local content by tapping the local cultures and audiences, the release further adds.

  • News Corp acquired site IGN launches an online TV channel

    News Corp acquired site IGN launches an online TV channel

    MUMBAI: Video game and entertainment information destination IGN.com, which was acquired by News Corp recently has launched IGN TV.

    The channel focusses on television shows for the 18-34 year-old male demographic. The IGN.com TV channel (IGNTV.com) covers the world of television through in-depth feature stories, interviews with top stars, ‘what to watch’ suggestions and video clips. Visitors to the site will also have the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue through blogs, building out elements of fan pages for their favourite shows and by contributing entries to the site’s TV database.

    IGN.com’s entertainment division publisher Steve Horn says, “IGN.com’s move into daily coverage of television marks an exciting time for television fans. We have built a destination that brings the trusted voice and personality of IGN together with robust user tools, blogs, boards and a comprehensive user-controlled database.

    “IGN TV is the place for the hardcore television fan to get info on their favourite shows, meet fellow fans, and participate in the news dialogue by using the tools to express their very own opinions.”

    IGN.com claims to have the largest online concentrated audience of 18-34 year-old males. This move it says will see it become an even more comprehensive offering for its core audience with the launch of IGN TV. The channel will cover 25 shows in detail with mini-sites created around each, staffed by confirmed television geeks who have been following the shows for years, with at least one massive feature each week that explores the world of television in greater detail.

    To celebrate the launch of IGN TV, the site’s first major feature will be the The TV Top 100 a collection of quotes from 100 entertainment industry leaders about their favourite television memories. Till 16 June 2006, 20 people will be showcased each day, from writers to directors to musicians to stars of screens big and small. Each person will share thoughts about their favorite events, episodes, lines and series.

    Notable participants include Kate Bosworth, Brandon Routh who stars in the upcoming film Superman Returns, John Goodman, Bruce Willis, Steve Buscemi, Lindsay Lohan and director Wolfgang Petersen, Troy.

  • Bangalore to host CII India Innovation Summit 2006

    Bangalore to host CII India Innovation Summit 2006

    BANGALORE: The first ever International Innovation Summit in India will be held in Bangalore on 16 – 17 June 2005. The summit will cover innovations in business, governance and social causes worldwide. The UB Group chairman Dr Vijay Mallya will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session.

    The Innovation summit aims to provide a forum for organisations to learn from and interact with those who have ‘lived’ the journey from ‘concept to realization’ and bring to the forefront the importance of innovation as well as provide a forum for learning from actual practitioners who have faced the challenges, states an official release.

    Eminent personalities who have proven excellence as researchers, entrepreneurs, businesspersons, innovation managers, business executives and social change evangelists will be invited to speak. The summit will bring together innovation practitioners, managers of both Indian and international companies, government representatives and students, adds the release.

  • Zee News ropes in Dileep Padgaonkar to host ‘Neta Tumhi Ho Kal Ke’

    Zee News ropes in Dileep Padgaonkar to host ‘Neta Tumhi Ho Kal Ke’

    MUMBAI: The Hindi news channel — Zee News is all set to launch Neta Tumhi Ho Kal Ke to be hosted by renowned journalist Dileep Padgaonkar. The first episode of the series will kick of on 18 June at 5:30 pm. The programme will showcase various personal and professional aspects of some of the young politicians of India.

    The duration of the programme would be 30 minutes having different segments like Sabse Mast Khushi Meri (Childhood), Kasauti (Turning Point), Chahta Hun (Aspirations), Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun (Reminiscences), Chalte Chalte (Rapid fire round), Ek Baat Aur (Reflections of an elderly politician), informs an official release.

    Commenting on the launch of the programme Zee News Ltd director Laxmi Narain Goel said, “Zee News, in its endeavor to update its viewers with the current trend in politics, presents “Neta Tumhi Ho Kal Ke” which will feature the crème de la crème of young politicians who are marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects”.

    Some of the prominent names to be part of this show include Jyotiraditya Scindia, Omar Abdullah, Navin Jindal and Milind Deora to name a few. The programme will also cover young politicians like Dharmendra Yadav, who got elected at the age of 25 years and 3 months, the youngest in the history of Indian Parliament. The programme would also feature leaders like Kiren Rijiju, young parliamentarian from the northeast, who is only 35 years old.

  • Narrowstep Inc powers broadband TV station Country Channel in UK

    Narrowstep Inc powers broadband TV station Country Channel in UK

    MUMBAI: Narrowstep Inc., the UK-based TV on the Internet Company, announced that its proprietary technology, telvOS (Television Operating System) was chosen to power the Country Channel, the first broadband TV station designed for outdoor enthusiasts.

    Accessible at www.countrychannel.tv, the channel is dedicated to country-life communities, and went live on a 24/7 basis, on 9 June.

    The Country Channel covers subjects of interest to people living in the countryside, providing targeted, relevant information to those who live, work or play, close to nature. It aims to appeal to fast-growing outdoors groups such as horseback riders and breeders, wildlife spotters and bird watchers, conservationists, hikers, walkers, fishers, truck farmers and weekend farmers. It also appeals to the societies and clubs that these people belong to, states an official release.

    The Country Channel is available on subscription, with a startup price of 16.99 pounds for a full year. In order to provide as full an experience for viewers as possible, The Country Channel also encourages appropriate advertising and sponsors, who can bring information and services to the audience, adds the release..