ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • BBC Worldwide plans to launch bbc.com for users outside UK

    BBC Worldwide plans to launch bbc.com for users outside UK

    MUMBAI: Online medium is growing to be a powerful mode of communication, providing unlimited opportunities to extend interactions. BBC Worldwide is proposing to launch bbc.com to capitalise on the popularity of BBC content abroad.

    The BBC website for users outside the UK is likely to have advertisements, according to the corporation’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide. The corporation is looking at launching bbc.com in spring 2007.

    According to information posted on the bbc.co.uk, a spokesperson said a ‘limited level’ of ads would be ‘a very viable option’. TV shows could be sold to international users on the new site.

    It must first be approved by the BBC Trust, which will replace the corporation’s governors. Before that, proposals will go through the BBC’s internal journalism board and executive direction group. But it will not be subject to the public value test, which will ensure the BBC’s non-commercial ventures do not adversely affect commercial markets in the UK.

    “Our hope would be to have the site fully up and running in a year’s time,” the spokesperson continued. The site is also proposing to offer ‘video on demand’. According to BBC Worldwide, the bbc.com site will not feature pop-up promos, animated commercials or the sort of ads that “give the web a bad name”.

    The television news channel BBC World, which is broadcast outside the UK, carries advertisement and could be used as a model.

    The corportion is also hoping that in due course, the site will offer direct consumer downloads via the proposed Integrated Media Player, or iMP. “At a later date it might become a portal for video on demand for international users,” the BBC Worldwide spokesperson said.

    iMP is an application in development offering UK viewers the chance to download TV and radio programmes they may have missed for up to seven days after they have been broadcast.

  • Mobile to dominate on day 4 of MIPTV

    Mobile to dominate on day 4 of MIPTV

    MUMBAI: Sessions on mobile TV takes center stage on day four of MIPTV featuring MILIA, kicking off with Convergence of Mobile & TV: What’s Happening in Japan?

    Set to take place at 9 15 pm., the session will see NTT DoCoMo’s senior VP and managing director of multimedia services Takeshi Natsuno, discussing the company’s plans for mobile television, including business models and relationships with content providers.

    That session is followed at 10 am by Mobi Wars!: Mobile TV Business Models & Value Chain Evolution, exploring the various models that content companies can utilize in the mobile space. Moderated by freelance journalist Mark Halper, the session will feature MediaCorp Studios’ MD Melvin Ang; Walt Disney Internet Group VP and MD Attila Gazdag, Jamba VP of marketing and COO Martin Ott, Virgin Mobile head of corporate development Gwyn Roberts, Ericsson Mobility World VP Kurt Sillen, SFR EVP of marketing and mass-market customers Jean-Marc Tassetto and ITN Multimedia MD Nicholas Wheeler.

    At 1130 am, Jessica Sandin, a senior consultant at Fathom Partners in the U.K., will moderate Mobility & Content: Entertainment Everywhere!, exploring new distribution platforms. Panelists include TV Norge’s head of new media Thomas Houge; Google Video EMEA’s head of content partnerships Patrick Walker and Nokia SVP of multimedia experiences Ilkka Raiskinen

    Afternoon sessions include Interactive Mobile TV, The Next Frontier? at 2 30 pm, to be moderated by Endemol U.K.’s MD of digital media Peter Cowley, and featuring 3 Italia’s director of digital content Massimiliano de Carolis; 3’s director of content partnerships Mark Nichols and NRK’s director of mobile content and services Bjarne Andre Myklebust, among others.

    At the same time, Brian Seth Hurst, the CEO of The Opportunity Management Company, will moderate User Generated Content: The Next Big Thing in Media. Panelists include Channel 4’s new media managing editor Andy Grumbridge and Extreme Sports’ MD Phil Jones, among others.

    Asia, in particular India, takes center stage in the 4 pm panel Mobile Content Distribution & Revenue Opportunities, moderated by Ferhan Cook, the president of MediaPlay International. The second panel at 4 pm, Developing & Delivering Content Across Platforms, What Does it Take? will be moderated by the American Film Institute’s SVP of media and technology Nick Demartino. Panelists include the chairman and founder of The Interactive Channel Robert Chua and Enteraction TV’s business development director James Penfold.

    At 5 15 pm, Headway International partner Serge Schick will moderate Information & News At The Forefront of Broadband Content Genres: What Are The New Deals, And How Are They Shaking Up The Broadband Content Value Chain? Panelists are APTN’s MD Nigel Baker; Yahoo! Europe’s VP of media and communications Jon Gisby and France Televisions Interactive’s GM Laurent Souloumiac.

    Also taking place are the Content 360° pitching sessions for multimedia content. The BBC is hosting its sessions at 115 pm (Rich Media-Made for Mobile); 2 30 pm (Web 2.0-Next Generation Collaborative Web Concepts); and 5 15 pm (Total Mobile & User Generated Content). KBC will host its session, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Mobile Content and Applications, at 4 pm The pitch sessions culminate with the Content 360° Zapping Show at 7 pm, when the winning projects selected by the BBC, KBS and NFB will be announced.

  • Star News’ 3rd anniversary launches interactive service Khabar Hamari, Faisla Aapka

    Star News’ 3rd anniversary launches interactive service Khabar Hamari, Faisla Aapka

    MUMBAI: Star News turns three years old this 31 Mrach. Post the divorce with the then content provider New Delhi based NDTV, now turned news broadcaster, the MCCS managed Star News celebrates its third anniversary by launching an interactive service — Khabar Hamari, Faisla Aapka.

    The service has been designed as a 24-hour viewer feedback number that elicits active viewer participation. With this feedback mechanism, the viewers can call in and express their views, opinions, suggestions or questions on a news story.

    In an official statement issued today, this method of eliciting viewer interactivity reinstates Star News’ position as the ‘people’s channel’. The journey of three years for Star News has been studded with commendable achievements and appreciable milestones.

    The major breaking stories includes the Mumbai deluge, the Shankaracharya controversy, the exclusive interview of Abu Salem’s first wife, Samira Jumani, and the MP (LAD) sting operation, ‘Chakravyuvh’.

    The channel has moved from strength to strength and has grown to command a significant viewership in the industry. Today, Star News has international footprints in South East Asia, Central Asia, UK, USA and Australia. The channel has set precedents in investigative journalism, lateral programming and unique on-ground properties that have been accepted by the viewers and emulated by competitors.

    MCCS CEO and editor Uday Shankar says, “Our journey over the last 3 years has been filled with challenges which we have successfully overcome. And the affection & unstinting support we have received from our viewers & strategic partners makes it a fruitful and memorable one too. Going forward it will be our constant endeavour to live upto their expectations just as we have in the past.”

    He further added “And on the occasion of our 3rd Anniversary milestone, we are taking our promise to our viewers to the next level by introducing Khabar Hamari, Faisla Aapka, a first-time viewer interface with the channel where Star News will get to solicit their views, opinions and response on a news story. The objective is to provide the viewer a direct voice on Star News and change the existing scenario by making them an active part of the news. It is one more step in the direction of our commitment of being the people’s channel.”

    The statement informs that the viewer feedback is a vital ingredient of a channel’s success and is probably the only means for a channel to gauge acceptability and interest levels among its audiences. With Khabar Hamari, Faisla Aapka, Star News will provide the viewers a phone number wherein a viewer can call in to voice their ideas, opinion or questions on a news story.

    The central idea for the launch of this first of it’s kind initiative is to change the current scenario wherein the viewer plays a passive part by just listening/ watching the news, to the viewer being an active participant by giving them a chance to be a part of the news and voice their feelings on the channel.

    The viewers can dial 022-5663 0099 to voice their opinions, suggestions, views or questions through Khabar Hamari, Faisla Aapka.

  • CASBAA, PCTA sign anti-piracy agreement

    CASBAA, PCTA sign anti-piracy agreement

    MUMBAI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) and the Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA) have signed an agreement reinforcing their partnership to promote and protect intellectual property rights in the pay-TV industry.

    CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies said, “Our commitment to support the growth of the domestic market in the Philippines and to protect its viability in the face of rampant piracy gains strength with our partnership with the PCTA. Through cooperative efforts, CASBAA and the PCTA aim to attain real results in the coming months.”

    CASBAA and the PCTA plan to jointly organize a Philippine Pay-TV Summit this year in order to raise industry and public sector awareness on intellectual property issues for cable, satellite and broadband markets in the Philippines.

    They have also agreed to work with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) on an educational training scheme designed to help law enforcement and government officials as they work to combat piracy.

    PCTA President Antonio Selda said,”We at the PCTA have long been vocal in the campaign against all forms of copyright infringement. Signal theft, in particular, has a negative impact on the industry in the long-term. Legitimate cable operators are finding it difficult to survive in this climate, and the industry as a whole stands to suffer if piracy continues. Increasingly piracy stunts the industry’s growth in terms of programming and technological development. The number of illegal cable connections in the Philippines is close to overtaking the number of legal subscriptions.”

  • NASA and HDNet announce HDTV broadcast partnership

    NASA and HDNet announce HDTV broadcast partnership

    MUMBAI: NASA and HDNet have joined together to provide high definition TV coverage of space shuttle launches through 2010. The agreement ensures the remaining shuttle lift-offs and landings at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be broadcast in the highest quality television format available.

    NASA administrator Michael Griffin and HDNet chairman and president Mark Cuban will discuss formal details of the agreement during a news conference on 6 April in Colorado.

    “We appreciate the financial investment and technical expertise HDNet has brought to the table to help us reach audiences interested in this next generation of television,” Griffin said.

    HDNet will broadcast the flights in high definition TV, known as HDTV, which has at least twice the resolution of standard television formats. HDNet also will provide the agency a standard broadcast signal of launches for use by media networks and NASA TV. When possible, it will air HDTV coverage of NASA’s expendable rocket launches on its network.

    “This is an exciting deal for HDNet. Every shuttle launch is a unique and historic American experience. For the next four years, the place to watch this full live broadcast experience in high-definition will be on HDNet. We are proud that NASA has partnered with HDNet for this important role,” Cuban said.

  • Esha News introduces Archives system for broadcasters

    Esha News introduces Archives system for broadcasters

    MUMBAI: News monitoring agency Esha, which tracks more than 90 channels beamed into the country, has introduced a new service targeted to the channels – Archives.

    The Archives are a tailor-made solution meant for channels that wish to maintain their telecast.
    Under Archives, Esha News takes the responsibility of maintaining such archives.

    The programmes that are aired by the channel are classified under different categories and allows easy retrieval under various permutations and combinations, in the shortest possible time to the client.

    Esha News is the only monitoring services in India that is offering this tailor-made services. The company has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

  • Animal Planet announces search for Hero of the Year

    Animal Planet announces search for Hero of the Year

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet in the US has announced the launch of its nationwide search for Hero of the Year, which is presented in partnership with the makers of Fresh Step litter. The campaign recognizes and celebrates animal lovers across the country who invest their time, talent and spirit to help animals in their community.

    The campaign will run for eight months and nominations will be accepted from now through 27 August 2006. Anyone who works to improve animal welfare, from veterinarians to a neighbor who helps strays, is eligible for nomination. Once the nomination process closes, a panel of judges will select 10 finalists.

    People’s choice voting on the finalists begins 25 September and runs through 8 October. The winner will be announced in the week of 30 October, in conjunction with Heroes Week and the airing of premiere episodes of Animal Planet Heroes programming. The winner will receive a trip to Hawaii for two, and Animal Planet will donate $10,000 to his or her favorite animal related charity.

    “Many people have a connection to animals, but some people rise to the challenge and take that connection to another level by dedicating their time and energy to the protection and preservation of animals. Honouring individuals who are making a difference for animal welfare in their communities is just one way to show Animal Planet’s commitment, and we are pleased the makers of Fresh Step litter have partnered with us on this initiative,” said Animal Planet executive vice president and general manager Maureen Smith.

    As part of Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year campaign, AnimalPlanet.com features Guido Daniele’s amazing transformations of human hands into animals. Guido uses traditional portrait techniques – photography and oil paints – to help him create life-like looking animals on people’s hands such as dogs, elephants and birds. Nominees for Hero of the Year are lending a hand to improve animal welfare, and Guido’s art symbolizes their efforts. In addition, AnimalPlanet.com contains information on how anyone can be a hero to animals in their own community.

    To nominate a hero, viewers must submit a 250-word or less essay to AnimalPlanet.com that describes the cause the nominee supports; the activities and actions that demonstrate the nominee’s commitment to the cause; the accomplishment and impact of the actions, and how the nominee’s actions may have inspired others to get involved with the cause.

  • Maxim looks to penetrate the wireless space

    Maxim looks to penetrate the wireless space

    MUMBAI: Indian men’s magazine Maxim has joined hands with ActiveMedia Technology India (AMT) to capitalise on its readers in the wireless space. Maxim has given AMT the mandate to be its mobile partner in India and drive all activities from AMT short code 3636, becoming the first global publication to extend its brand in Indian wireless platform.

    The Maxim Mobile website provides a wide range of men’s editorial content on a subscription basis, as well as downloadable items such as ringtones, wallpaper, video, games, promotions, MMS blogs and a variety of Maxim-only wireless applications.

    Maxim marketing manager Ankur Bhatia says, “Given the growth of mobile platform in India, it was only natural for us to take a decision to progress in the direction from the start. Globally, Maxim Mobile has been the world’s most widely distributed men’s lifestyle brand on mobile phones and we are confident that the Indian market will respond equally well”.

    The UK based Maxim magazine launched its Indian edition in January 2006, fetching sales of 75,000 copies in the maiden issue itself alongwith an advance paid subscriber base of 16,500. Maxim now plans to maxim-ise the market further by its foray in the wireless market, with ActiveMedia managing all its mobile based solutions ranging from contests and events, to content management. This connection will allow users to download wallpapers and screensavers in Rs 10 from their mobile phones.

    AMT group head marketing and client services Arnav Neel Ghosh said, “ActiveMedia has always been focused at enhancing value for a media brand by marrying it with a wireless platform. It has consistently helped media brands (TV and print) across genres and regions to gain that competitive edge with its product suites. Leveraging the power of mobile to do micro and one to one targeting, it has helped media brands to drive stickiness with their subscribers”.

  • BBC leads the Bafta list of television nominations

    BBC leads the Bafta list of television nominations

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster, the BBC led the British Academy Television Awards nominations announced by the British Academy of Film and Television (Bafta). The awards will be presented on 7 May at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

    In the drama serial category, BBC’s Bleak House is up against its own Fingersmith, Funland and To the Ends of the Earth.

    The single drama nominations went to The Government Inspector (Mentorn Productions/Channel 4), Much Ado About Nothing (BBC/BBC1), The Queen’s Sister (Touchpaper Productions/Channel 4) and Red Dust (BBC Films/Distant Horizon/Videovision Entertainment/Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa/BBC2).

    The BBC’s business based reality show The Apprentice has been nominated in the features category, alongside Dragon’s Den and Top Gear and Channel 4’s Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

    In the entertainment category the nominees are Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Have I Got News For You, Strictly Come Dancing: The Grand Final and The X Factor.

    The nominees for best actress are Gillian Anderson for Bleak House, Lucy Cohu for The Queen’s Sister, Anne-Marie Duff for Shameless and Anna Maxwell Martin for Bleak House. And, competing for best actor are Bernard Hill for A Very Social Secretary Denis Lawson for Bleak House, Mark Rylance for The Government Inspector and Rufus Sewell in a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

  • CNN viewed by 14 % more people each week: PAX survey

    CNN viewed by 14 % more people each week: PAX survey

    MUMBAI: The 24-hour international English news channel CNN’s audience growth across the Asia Pacific region has out-paced all gains for the news genre as a whole, with daily audiences up by a remarkable 35 per cent year-on-year.

    In an official statement, the international news channel claims it’s pre-eminence comes in the results that show the network is viewed by 14 per cent more people each week, and 16 per cent more each month, than all other news and business channels combined.

    These were the sixth successive set of PAX results to show growth in CNN’s audience, one which also added 56 per cent more past-week viewers and 65 per cent more past-month viewers than the next placed news channel (BBC World).

    “With the fast pace of globalization more and more people find they need an international perspective so we are absolutely delighted with this further ringing endorsement of CNN’s newsgathering credentials”, said Turner International Asia Pacific VP research Duncan Morris.

    “Our award winning coverage of global events has clearly resonated with our audience, particularly so as we are watched by 39 per cent more top management each day than any other measured channel. The benefits of this audience growth for advertisers are real as, for example, each month CNN now reaches 169,000 (+40 per cent) more people planning to buy an LCD or plasma TV than it did a year ago, as well as 479,000 or 23 per cent more car owners,” adds Morris.

    The full-year survey results, conducted by Synovate, further reveal that almost half (46 per cent ) of CNN’s weekly audience view no other news/business channel during the course of a week, and 39 per cent of them remain loyal across a month. Online, CNN.com remains the leading regional website, visited by 54 per cent more PAX respondents across a month than the next largest broadcaster or publisher’s website.

    CNN International offers comprehensive international and regional news coverage 24 hours a day and provides prime-time morning and evening news and business programming for viewers in the Asia Pacific. Programs including CNN Today, World News Asia, Global Office and popular chat show Talk Asia are broadcast from the network’s regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

    PAX represents a universe of 14.2 million adults aged 25-64 within 11 Asia Pacific markets: – Australia (Sydney + Melbourne), Bangkok, Hong Kong, India (Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore), Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo. These 14.2 million individuals consist of 13.0 million “Affluent Adults”, 3.8 million “Business Decision Makers” and 0.8 million ‘top management’.