ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Microsoft awarded US patent for Multimode Interactive Television Chat

    Microsoft awarded US patent for Multimode Interactive Television Chat

    MUMBAI: Microsoft has been awarded a US patent for a Multimode Interactive Television Chat system. The patent was filed in 1999 by Zenith and subsequently assigned to Microsoft.

    The idea is to combine the experience of TV watching with that of fan chartrooms and discussion areas, where viewers can interactively discus the development of a TV program without having to run all the way to their computer.

    According to the US Patent and Trademark Office document, “The system has a graphical user interface that can simultaneously display a combination of television and Internet content in various display modes. The display modes may have different proportions, positioning or other features of the Internet and television content. A viewer of the user interface device may change display modes, such as by selecting a link available in each of the display modes.”

    The television content being displayed may be a broadcast show and the Internet content may be chat from a chat room corresponding to the television show. Various display modes are provided for displaying the television show and corresponding chat, ranging from maximal television display and minimal chat display to minimal television display and maximal chat display.
    Changing television channels may initiate a corresponding change in the chat room being participated in and the content being displayed.

  • Sab pitches ‘Twinkle…’ in the tough 9 pm slot

    Sab pitches ‘Twinkle…’ in the tough 9 pm slot

    headlines/y2k6/may/may196.htmMUMBAI: Reinforcing its commitment to reach the Hindi heartland, the ‘lighthearted’ general entertainment channel Sab is now launching a new show – Twinkle Beauty Parlour – on 15 May in the 9 pm slot.

    The show will be aired from Monday to Thursday and will replace Maahi Ve – the channel’s first daily after its revamp – that was launched on 5 December last year.

    Sab senior vice president and business head Vikas Bhal said, “Sab has been providing its viewers a kaleidoscope of entertainment ranging from light-hearted comedies to romantic melodrama through its innovative programming. Continuing this trend we are launching Twinkle Beauty Parlour, a show dedicated to the middle class women of India, who constitute the biggest part of our population.”

    The show has been pitted in the 9 pm slot and will have to compete for eyeballs from Zee TV’s Kasamh Se (which has been doing well), Star Plus’ Miilee, Sony’s new show Aisa Des Hai Mera and Star One’s India Calling.

    But Sab programming head Priya Mishra is confident of her product and is not deterred by competition. “As opposed to other shows in its slot, Twinkle Beauty Parlour would be a refreshing breather for the audience as the treatment of the show is light while the drama is gripping and thought provoking,” she said.

    Phase 1 of the campaign for ‘Twinkle Beauty Parlour’
    Twinkle Beauty Parlour is produced by Shrishti Arya Behl’s Rose Audio Visuals. “The show has multiple protagonists. We have deliberately moved away from the central character norm. Dealing with various lives – four families and five key characters played by the five female protagonists, the show works at different levels,” said Behl.

    Phase 1 of the campaign for ‘Twinkle Beauty Parlour’
    The three phase campaign around the show, which was rolled out some time back is currently in its third phase. While the first phase informed people of the location of the beauty parlour, the second phase had women sporting mustache.. waiting for the parlour to open its doors. The third phase of the campaign will be rolled out next week with the tagline – ‘Sab par khul gaya hai,’ which will inform people that the show is now on-air on Sab.

    Sab is also readying another show for the primetime slot – Left Right Left produced by Tony and Deeya Singh, which is scheduled to launch in June. However, the channel has not yet decided whether it will be a 9.30 pm show or if Twinkle Beauty Parlour will be shifted to the 9.30 pm slot to give way to the new show at 9 pm. If Left Right Left is placed in the 9.30 pm slot, it will be competing with Saat Phere… Saloni Ka Safar on Zee TV, Kavyanjali on Star Plus and Thodi Khushi Thode Gham on Sony.

  • 2 days for downlink deadline: TV channels slumber on

    2 days for downlink deadline: TV channels slumber on

    NEW DELHI: With the deadline to adhere to downlink norms just two days away, not only does confusion reign, but television channels are still making last ditch attempts to push back the D-day.

    A senior government official admitted that the number of applicants seeking landing rights in the country is still “very low” compared to doubts and queries being raised. “This is surprising considering the deadline is 10 May,” the official added.
    If this lackadaisical attitude is not enough, government officials say, TV channels are still seeking clarifications whether those uplinking from India also need to register under the downlink guidelines.

    For example, a senior executive of a news organization told Indiantelevision.com that he doesn’t think his company needs to apply under the downlink norms as it has completed all formalities and given the necessary information while seeking a green signal for uplinking from India.

    “We have sought a clarification from the I&B ministry. Though we think downlink norms are more for those channels uplinking from outside India, but if the government insists, we would have to do the needful,” the news executive explained.
    Ditto for some international news channels like the BBC, CNN, which want to be on the right side of the law, but are confused on some portions of the downlink guidelines that state news content and advertisements targeted specifically at Indians would not be allowed and for which special waiver has to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

    ”BBC World is aware of the timetable set out by the Indian government for completion of all formalities of registration under the new down linking guidelines issued on 11 November 2005. In compliance with the timetable, BBC World has prepared its application and will submit the same within the 10 May deadline set,” a BBC spokesperson said.

    The downlink guidelines, formulated in November 2005 states, “No person/entity shall downlink a channel, which has not been registered by the ministry of information and broadcasting under these guidelines.”

    The seeming confusion is being created by Clause 1.1 in the guidelines, which goes on to say, “The entity applying for permission for downlinking a channel, uplinked from abroad, must be a company registered in India under the Indian Companies Act, 1956, irrespective of its equity structure, foreign ownership or management control.”

    In a country like India where there’s negligible restrictions on beaming into the country or the capability to be accessed by cable networks, according to industry estimates, 350-400 TV channels of various hues can be downlinked. Of this, almost 50 per cent can be considered regular TV channels.

    Though the government is always wary of giving out such information, it is estimated 130-150 TV channels, including news, sports and general entertainment, uplink from India.

    However, of the 75-odd popular channels, which in some form or other are in demand in 61 million cable homes in India, 35-40 per cent uplink from outside India and most of them are yet to file their papers with the government.

    The Indian government issued an ultimatum last week that those channels not fulfilling all the downlink criteria by 10 May 2006 would be denied landing rights.

    The I&B ministry also posted on its website communications sent to the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, Star Group, Time Warner and a lawyer. The missive made it clear that the deadline of 10 May stays.

    The lobbying against the downlink norms as a whole and partly is understandable. The moment a television company sets up a permanent establishment (PE) in India, as per downlink norms, its tax liabilities in India would go up drastically. Rather, more the revenues collected in India, higher would be the tax component.

    Recently, Economic Times reiterated this fact in a report also. “After unveiling the downlinking policy for satellite television channels, the government is set to re-examine the tax treatment of revenues earned by foreign TV channels (FTCs). These companies earn advertising revenues from ad agencies, sponsors, and subscription revenues from cable operators.

    “The task force on emerging issues in non-resident taxation, constituted by the finance ministry, is understood to have made an attempt to bring greater clarity and certainty in the tax treatment of FTCs. This, in turn, may enable India to get a larger share of the pie. Going by the recommendations, FTCs will be liable to pay tax in India if they have a permanent establishment (PE) here. Alternatively, a dependent agent who has the authority to conclude contracts, also constitutes a PE,” the newspaper said.

    Before 2001, foreign TV channels used to pay taxes on a presumptive basis on their advertisement revenues earned in India, which ranged between 35-40 per cent.

  • Universal Studios creates mobile division

    Universal Studios creates mobile division

    MUMBAI: Universal Studios has announced that its consumer products group has created a dedicated division designed to capitalise on the rapidly growing world of mobile entertainment.

    The new division, Universal Mobile Entertainment, will be run from a day to day perspective by Universal veteran Jeremy Laws who has been promoted to senior vice president.

    Under the newly minted division, Laws will oversee all aspects of licensing and promotions in the wireless arena as well as actively pursue and manage licenses from creation to consumption. He will lead a team of sales executives based around the world including the major media markets like Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.

    Laws says, “My goal, and that of my team, will be to ensure that fans of Universal’s films and television programmes will have easy access to a broad range of compelling, high quality
    mobile content on their handsets.”

    Universal Studios adds that it has been aggressive in the mobile content licensing market since 2000 and currently has more than 60 deals worldwide with premiere partners such as I-play, Gameloft, Buongiorno-Vitaminic, Ojom, Indiagames, Player X, (M)Forma and Starwave Mobile.

    Universal expects to see continued, substantial revenue growth in this space during 2006 as it launches 30 games and a comprehensive range of graphics, video clips and voice ringers on all major carriers across the globe from Universal’s
    current and library film and television assets.

    Laws joined Universal Studios Consumer Products Group as executive director in 1999. He has since spearheaded all aspects of licensing in the areas of wireless, broadcast film clips, stills and advertising and has overseen all aspects of Universal’s licensed location-based entertainment attractions worldwide. Laws pioneered an end-to-end online solution for film clip licensing and tripled the revenue of that business.

  • Black Sabbath song tops VH1’s list of best metal songs

    Black Sabbath song tops VH1’s list of best metal songs

    MUMBAI: US music and lifestyle channel VH1 has announced that Black Sabbath’s song Iron Man reigns as the number one song in the definitive metal count down 40 Greatest Metal Songs.

    The initiative 40 Greatest Metal Songs recently concluded airing on the channel. It showcased the 40 most notable metal songs of all time in four half hour episodes.

    What was also unique was the fact that heavy metal band Anthrax singer Scott Ian wrote and recorded the show’s original theme music, which is a first in VH1 history. Never before had an artist written and recorded the music for a VH1 show that they also appeared in.

    The second song on the list is Guns N Roses’ Welcome To The Jungle. AC/DC’s Back in Black and Metallica’s Master of Puppets also feature in this list.

  • Amrita TV shines at Kerala state TV awards

    Amrita TV shines at Kerala state TV awards

    MUMBAI: Amrita Television recorded a rich haul in the Kerala state television awards for the year 2005. The one-year old channel won as many as 14 awards, including important titles such as best telefilm, script, actor, actress, cinematography, music director, art director and best story.

    In the Telefilms category, Annum Mazhayayirunnu directed by B Unnikrishnan emerged as the winner. Doordarshan’s Agnisakshi, directed by Sreejith Paleri, was chosen as the second best teleserial. M Mohanan won the award for best script writer for Samasya telecast by Amrita. The jury found no winner in the teleserial category.

    Siddique won the best actor award for his performance in Annum Mazhayayirunnu and Samasya. P.Sreekumar got the supporting actor award for his performance in ‘Annum Mazhayayirunnu’. K P Sivakumar received the best director award for his telefilm Kuttilekku aired by Jeevan TV. Amma, a telefilm directed by John Paul and aired by Amrita TV, won the award for the best story.

    Ambili Devi and Sona Nair won the best actress and supporting actress award respectively for their performances in Amma and Samasya. Sanusha was adjudged the best child artiste for her performance in Violin aired by Asianet.

    In the news section, Praleyasmitham Kailasam directed by Vinod Mankara and aired by Asianet won the best documentary award. R S Ajan won the best director award for his documentary Everyday Heroes aired by ACV.

    S Saratchandran of Kairali TV won the best newsreader award while C M Mochita won the best compere award. V R Sudheesh of Asianet won the best interviewer award while P Shajahan of Asianet won the best investigative journalist award.

    The award for the best critical writing on TV programmes went to S D Prins for his column Telikalam in the Madhyamam Weekly.

    Jury chairman Vijayakrishnan announced the awards. The judging panel also included George Onakkur, Harikumar and Chalachitra Academy chairman T K Rajeev Kumar.

  • Electronic Entertainment Expo to begin from 9 May

    Electronic Entertainment Expo to begin from 9 May

    MUMBAI:The three day event, The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will start from 9 May at Los Angeles.

    Organisers say that more than 400 exhibitors from 80 countries all around the world will be displaying games and technology at the expo. Big names such as Sony, Mircosoft amongst thousands of other leading distributors, developers, game manufacturers and technology professionals and developers will be attending the E3.

    The event will also discuss the progression of high-speed connections into the home, wireless devices and games taking a leap into the music, movies and TV industries.

    The conference focus is in several key topics featuring portable gaming’s future view, gaming adapting to the all-digital entertainment ecosystem, the new generation of home consoles and technology in mobile communications and its future in wireless gaming.

    Chicago based Midway Games Inc., will showcase diverse product portfolio such as Blitz:The League, Unreal Tournament 2007 and Mortal Kombat:Armageddon, exciting new properties such as John Woo Presents Stranglehold, kid’s properties like The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, high-end PC titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar along with full support for both handheld and next generation game systems.

    The progress in E3 can be followed through the official “virtual gateway to E3”, E3Insider.com.

  • Star Chinese Movies invests in high definition content

    Star Chinese Movies invests in high definition content

    MUMBAI: Star Chinese Movies is investing in three high-definition (HD) movies that will be produced by Hong Kong filmmaker Derek Yee Tung-sing.

    The first, Pandora’s Booth, is a love story starring pop idols Fiona Sit Hoi-kei and Kenny Kwan Chi-bun and is directed by Mak Kai-Kwong.

    Star GM Chinese programming Jason Siu says, “We are excited to be working with the acclaimed filmmaker Derek Yee and we’re confident that his expertise in creating quality movies will further enrich the programming of Star Chinese Movies. Investing in these HD films underscores Star Chinese Movies’ commitment to continually providing great content for our audiences across Asia.”

    Yee was named best director at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1994 and 2004 for C’est La Vie, Mon Cheri and One Nite In Mongkok, respectively.

    Star Chinese Movies’ HD drive launched last year with Focus: First Cuts. This is a regional film project with Andy Lau’s film unit Focus Films, for the production of six HD movies in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and mainland China. The first movie I’ll Call You is available exclusively on Star Chinese Movies’ VOD Service in Hong Kong, and the other five movies will also make their TV premieres on Star Chinese Movies across Asia.

    The channel offers three services: in Hong Kong on PCCW’s now TV, in Singapore on StarHub Digital Cable, and in Taiwan and the Philippines via various pay-TV platforms.

  • Policy guidelines for downlinking of television channels

    Policy guidelines for downlinking of television channels

    Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, has formulated policy guidelines for downlinking all satellite television channels downlinked / received / transmitted and re-transmitted in India for public viewing. Consequently, no person/entity shall downlink a channel, which has not been registered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under these guidelines.

    Henceforth, all persons/ entities providing Television Satellite Broadcasting Services (TV Channels) uplinked from other countries to viewers in India as well as any entity desirous of providing such a Television Satellite Broadcasting Service (TV Channel), receivable in India for public viewership, shall be required to obtain permission from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed under these guidelines.
    The guidelines are as given below:

    1. Eligiblity criteria for applicant companies
    1.1 The entity applying for permission for downlinking a channel, uplinked from abroad, (i.e. Applicant Company), must be a company registered in India under the Indian Companies Act, 1956, irrespective of its equity structure, foreign ownership or management control.
    1.2 The applicant company must have a commercial presence in India with its principal place of business in India.
    1.3 The applicant company must either own the channel it wants downlinked for public viewing, or must enjoy, for the territory of India, exclusive marketing/ distribution rights for the same, inclusive of the rights to the advertising and subscription revenues for the channel and must submit adequate proof at the time of application.
    1.4 In case the applicant company has exclusive marketing / distribution rights, it should also have the authority to conclude contracts on behalf of the channel for advertisements, subscription and programme content.
    1.5 The applicant company should have a minimum net worth as prescribed below:
    Item Required net worth of the Co.
    1. For downlinking one Channel Rs 1.50 Crores
    2. Every Additional Channel Rs.1.00 Crores
    1.6 The applicant company must provide names and details of all the Directors of the Company and key executives such as CEO, CFO and Head of Marketing etc to get their national security clearance.
    1.7 The applicant company shall furnish, technical details such as Nomenclature, make, model, name and address of the manufacturers of the equipments/instruments to be used for downlinking and distribution, the Block schematic diagram of the downlinking and distribution system and also demonstrate the facilities for monitoring and storing record for 90 days.
    1.8 The Applicant Company should not have been disqualified from holding such permission under these guidelines.
    2. Eligibility criteria for registration of channels for being downliked
    2.1 Only Companies permitted/eligible for permission to downlink, as per Clause 1 above, shall be eligible to apply for registration of channels.
    2.2 The downlinked channel must be licensed or permitted for being broadcast by the regulatory or licensing authority of the country of transmission, proof of which would have to be submitted at the time of application.
    2.3 The channel being registered should not have been de registered under these guidelines at the time of application.
    2.4 No News and Current Affairs channel shall be permitted to be downlinked if it does not meet the following additional conditions:
    2.4.1 That it does not carry any advertisements aimed at Indian viewers;
    2.4.2 That it is not designed specifically for Indian audiences;
    2.4.3 That it is a standard international channel;
    2.4.4 That it has been permitted to be telecast in the country of its uplinking by the regulatory authority of that country;
    Provided that the Government may waive/modify the condition under clause 2.4.1 on a case-by-case basis.
    2.5 For the purposes of these guidelines any channel, which has any element of news or current affairs in its programme content, will be deemed to be a news and current affairs channel.
    2.6 Companies whose channels are being downlinked at present will be required to comply with all formalities of registration of these channels within 180 days from date of issue of these guidelines. In addition these companies will be required to obtain the necessary permission for downlinking their respective channels under these guidelines within 180 days from date of issue of these guidelines.

    3. Period of registration and premission
    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall grant registration to each channel for an initial period of 5 years, which shall be extendable thereafter as per extant Rules. The applicant company will be granted permission for one or more years up to a maximum of five years, co-terminus with the registration of the channel.

    4. Registration fee and permission fee
    4.1 The Applicant Company shall pay registration fee of Rs.5 Lakhs for each channel, which will be payable for the initial registration for a period of five years. Extension beyond five years shall be again for a period of five years at the above prescribed rate.
    4.2 Every company permitted to downlink channels, uplinked from other countries, into India under these guidelines, shall pay Rs 5 Lakhs as the initial fee before the signing of the Grant of Permission Agreement. In addition, every company shall pay an amount of Rs. 1 lakh per channel per annum as the annual fee.
    4.3 The company permitted to downlink channels into India under the uplinking guidelines, shall register every channel separately.

    5. Basic conditions/obligations
    5.1 The Company permitted to downlink registered channels shall comply with the Programme and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
    5.2. The sports channels/sports rights management companies having TV broadcasting rights shall with immediate effect share their feed with Prasar Bharati for national and international sporting events of national importance, held in India or abroad, for terrestrial transmission and DTH broadcasting (free-to-air) under the following conditions:
    5.2.1 The events of national importance shall be determined by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in consultation with Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Prasar Bharati and the concerned sports channels/sports rights management companies. In case of cricket events, these shall include all matches featuring India and the finals and semi-finals of international competitions.
    5.2.2 The above conditions shall apply to all future events including those covered by existing contracts of broadcasting rights. However, in the case of cricket events whose broadcasting rights have been obtained by sports channels/rights management companies prior to the issue of the notification in the matter, the rights holders will be obliged to share the feed for all matches featuring India and finals of international competitions.
    5.2.3 Prasar Bharati shall transmit the feed, free to air, on its terrestrial channel and carried through the terrestrial network and/or the satellite/DTH mode.
    5.2.4 The marketing of the events’ rights (terrestrial as well as satellite/DTH) will be decided through mutual negotiations between Prasar Bharati and the rights holder. The marketing rights should go to the party, which offers to maximize the revenue.
    5.2.5 Revenue sharing formula of 75:25 in favour of rights holders without any minimum guarantee/opportunity cost should be applied.
    In the event of any dispute, the matter shall be referred to an arbitrator to be appointed by Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice out of the approved panel of arbitrators.
    5.3 The applicant company shall adhere to any other Code/Standards guidelines/restrictions prescribed by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India for regulation of content on TV channels from time to time.
    5.4 The applicant company shall submit audited annual accounts of its commercial operations in India.
    5.5 The applicant company shall obtain prior approval of the Ministry of I & B before undertaking any upgradation, expansion or any other changes in the downlinking and distribution system/network configuration.
    5.6 The applicant company shall provide Satellite TV Channel signal reception decoders only to MSOs/Cable operators registered under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 or to a DTH operator registered under the DTH guidelines issued by Government of India.
    5.7 The applicant company shall ensure that any of its channels, which is unregistered or prohibited from being telecast or transmitted or re-transmitted in India, under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 or the DTH guidelines or any other law for the time being in force, cannot be received in India through encryption or any other means.
    5.8 The Union Government shall have the right to suspend the permission of the company/registration of the channel for a specified period in public interest or in the interest of National security to prevent the misuse of the channel. The company shall immediately comply with any directives issued in this regard.
    5.9 The applicant company seeking permission to downlink a channel shall operationalise the channels within one year from the date of the permission being granted by the Ministry of I&B, failing which the permission will liable to be withdrawn without any notice in this regard. However, the company shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity of being heard before such a withdrawal.
    5.10 The company/channel shall adhere to the norms, rules and regulations prescribed by any regulatory authority set up to regulate and monitor the Broadcast Services in the country.
    5.11 The applicant company shall give intimation to Ministry of I & B regarding change in the directorship, key executives or foreign direct investment in the company, within 15 days of such a change taking place. It shall also obtain security clearance for such changes in its directors and key executives.
    5.12 The applicant company shall keep a record of programmes downlinked for a period of 90 days and to produce the same before any agency of the Government as and when required.
    5.13 The applicant company shall furnish such information as may be required by the Ministry of I&B from time to time.
    5.14 The applicant company shall provide the necessary monitoring facility at its own cost for monitoring of programmes or content by the representative of the Ministry of I&B or any other Government agency as and when required.
    5.15 The applicant company shall comply with the obligations and conditions prescribed in the downlinking guidelines issued by the Ministry of I&B, and the specific downlinking permission agreement and registration of each channel.
    5.16 In the event of any war, calamity/national security concerns, the Government shall have the power to prohibit for a specified period the downlinking/ reception/ transmission and re-transmission of any or all channels. The Company shall immediately comply with any such directions issued in this regard.

    6.Offences and penalities
    6.1 In the event of a channel found to have been/being used for transmitting any objectionable unauthorized content, messages, or communication inconsistent with public interest or national security or failing to comply with the directions as per Para 5.8 or Para 5.16, the permission granted shall be revoked and the company shall be disqualified to hold any such permission for a period of five years, apart from liability for punishment under other applicable laws. Further, the registration of the channel shall be revoked and the channel shall be disqualified from being considered for fresh registration for a period of five years.
    6.2 Subject to the provisions contained in Para 6.1 of these guidelines, in the event of a permission holder and/ or channel violating any of the terms and conditions of permission, or any other provisions of the guidelines, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall have the right to impose the following penalties: –
    6.2.1 In the event of first violation, suspension of the permission of the company and/or registration of the channel and prohibition of broadcast up to a period of 30 days.
    6.2.2 In the event of second violation, suspension of the permission of the company and/or registration of the channel and prohibition of broadcast up to a period of 90 days
    6.2.3 In the event of third violation, revocation of the permission of the company and/or registration of the channel and prohibition of broadcast up to the remaining period of permission
    6.2.4 In the event of failure of the permission holder to comply with the penalties imposed within the prescribed time, revocation of permission and /or registration and prohibition to broadcast for the remaining period of the permission and disqualification to hold any fresh permission and /or registration in future for a period of five years.
    6.2.5 In the event of suspension of permission as mentioned in Para 5.8,5.16 or 6.2, the permission holder will continue to discharge its obligations under the Grant of Permission Agreement including the payment of fee.
    6.2.6 In the event of revocation of permission and /or registration, the fees paid will be forfeited.
    6.2.7 All the penalties mentioned above shall be imposed only after giving a written notice to the permission holder.

    7. Dispute resolution
    7.1 In the event of any question, dispute or difference arising under the Grant of Permission Agreement or in connection thereof, except as to the matter, the decision of which is specifically provided under the Grant of Permission Agreement, the same shall be referred to the sole arbitration of the Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs or his nominee.
    7.2 There will be no objection to any such appointment that the Arbitrator is a Government servant. The award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties. In the event of such Arbitrator, to whom the matter is originally referred to, being transferred or vacating his office, or being unable to act for any reason whatsoever, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs shall appoint another person to act as Arbitrator.
    7.3 The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the rules made there under and any modification thereof, for the time being in force, shall be deemed to apply to the arbitration proceedings as above. The venue of arbitration shall be New Delhi or such other place as the Arbitrator may decide. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English language.
    7.4 Upon any and every reference as aforesaid, the assessment of costs, interest and incidental expenses in the proceedings for the award shall be at the discretion of the Arbitrator.

    8. Procedure for grant of premission and registration of channels
    8.1 The applicant company shall apply to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the prescribed Performa along with full details and documentation relevant for evaluating its eligibility for grant of permission to downlink TV channels in India. Each application form shall be accompanied by a demand draft of Rs. Ten Thousand towards non-refundable processing fee.
    8.2 The applicant company shall also submit full details of each channel being/proposed to be downlinked along with all other documents as prescribed in the guidelines.
    8.3 After scrutiny of the application if the applicant company is found eligible, the same will be sent for security clearance to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will evaluate the suitability of the proposed channel for downlinking into India for public viewing.
    8.4 In the event of the applicant company and the proposed channel being found suitable, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will register the channel and the applicant company to enter into a grant of permission agreement with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
    8.5 On receipt of the signed agreement, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will issue a registration certificate for the concerned channels and grant permission to the applicant company to downlink the relevant channels in India for the prescribed period.
    8.6 On receipt of the permission and upon registration of the channel, the applicant company will be entitled to approach the MSOs/Cable head end operators/DTH Operators for receiving/downlinking its channel’s signal, for further transmission/retransmission/ distribution.

  • Activision gets license from MGM to make interactive games around Bond

    Activision gets license from MGM to make interactive games around Bond

    MUMBAI: MGM Interactive and Eon Productions have awarded Activision the rights to develop and publish interactive entertainment games based on the James Bond license through 2014.

    MGM says that the deal that combines a popular property with next-generation gaming expertise continues the Bond franchise’s long legacy of providing thrills to audiences around the globe. Since the initial release of Dr. No in 1962, James Bond films have grossed more than $3.6 billion theatrically worldwide and approximately 30 million units of video games based on the world of James Bond have been sold to date.

    James Bond, MGM notes continues to delight audiences worldwide with a quintessential blend of action, glamour and sophisticated style synonymous with top secret agent
    007.

    Activision Publishing president and CEO Mike Griffith says, “James Bond is the ultimate action movie franchise, and we look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with MGM and EON. The James Bond franchise creates tremendous global expansion opportunities for Activision as it is one of the few video game licenses that appeals equally to domestic and international consumers.

    “James Bond storylines are rich with style, drama and action, all of which lend themselves perfectly to developing extraordinary games that capture the thrill of being the most celebrated secret agent in the world.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will obtain the worldwide rights to create video games for all current and next-generation consoles, PC and hand-held platforms. The license will grant Activision the right to develop and publish games based on all of the James Bond movies, as well as non-movie based games.

    MGM executive VP, consumer products and location-based entertainment Travis Rutherford says, “MGM Interactive continues to work with best in class publishing and development teams, to ensure we deliver both memorable and fully immersive interactive gaming experiences for both core and mass-market gamers.

    “Activision’s proven expertise in developing cutting edge games, their core competency in managing large movie franchises combined with the global appeal of the James Bond property, will create a new benchmark for the next-generation gaming experience.”

    Eon CEO David Pope says, “Activision’s track record makes it the ideal partner to introduce the Bond videogame experience to a new generation of game players, as well as to provide new thrills and excitement for the legions of people who are already fans of the Bond films and games.”