ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Nick celebrates ‘Worldwide Day of Play’ on 30 Sept; analyses American leisure habits

    Nick celebrates ‘Worldwide Day of Play’ on 30 Sept; analyses American leisure habits

    MUMBAI: As Nickelodeon celebrates Worldwide Day of Play by “going dark” on air 30 September to encourage kids to get up, go out and go play, Leisure Trends Group takes a look at recent trends in America’s leisure habits.

    Sponsored by Nickelodeon and its partners, Worldwide Day of Play is the highlight of its Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge that has evolved into a health and wellness movement. Leisure Trends, the market research company has conducted an ongoing US survey to examine the changing landscape of Americans at play and publishes results in its quarterly LeisureTRAK.

    Leisure Trends data confirms Worldwide Day of Play is well timed to encourage continued activity when most households are burrowing in for winter. On average, as Americans move from summer into fall, they lose 20 minutes of leisure time per day, according to Leisure Trends Research director Laurel Hyslop, PhD. Americans lose an additional 10 minutes of leisure time once winter rolls around, she added.

    As time outdoors declines, TV becomes a bigger lure. Americans begin spending 13 more minutes on average a day watching television in September as compared to summer months. In fact, when asked what leisure activities they participated in the previous day, an analysis indicate outdoor sports decline 28 per cent from summer to fall and decline 40 per cent from fall to winter.

    In addition to seasonal changes in leisure habits, Leisure Trends has identified differences in leisure motivations and activities Americans pursue, with the tragedy of 9/11 marking a pivotal shift in priorities. Spending time with family and friends has always been a high priority, but since 9/11 it has become the top priority – moving ahead of the two traditional top choices, reading and TV. Family and friends matter, and Americans are finding time for them. This trend cuts across all ages and includes both sexes. As a favourite activity, socializing has risen from 23 per cent of Americans prior to 9/11 to 36 percent more recently.

    According to Hyslop another key trend is Americans 16 and older are moving away from team sports to individual sports. Team sports require more time, both to play and to organize playing partners. With all the things Americans want to do in their leisure, individual sports provide the most flexibility.

    “These trends also point to the shift toward pleasure and away from competition that has altered the very hierarchy of leisure motivations,” Hyslop said. The company has been studying leisure motivators for the past 15 years, finding they yield stronger consumer insights than such traditional dimensions as demography and geography. “Pleasure-seeking now exerts a stronger pull than competition in determining leisure pursuits. The changes point toward a growing desire to have fun and a declining interest in competition and getting ahead in life.”

    The clearest manifestation of the changing motivations is the long-term growth in participation in entertainment activities, up from 42 percent to 52 percent since 1990. “The ongoing battle between sport and entertainment will determine the future of leisure time in America,” Hyslop said.

    The absolute authority on leisure in America, Leisure Trends Group provides powerful insight into the changing habits of America at play and the implications to business.

  • Catvision undergoes restructuring

    Catvision undergoes restructuring

    MUMBAI: Catvision, a provider of cable TV and broadband networking products and services to the cable television and hospitality industry, has initiated a restructuring of its operations into two main divisions: cable television equipment (CATV) and interactive television systems (ITV).

    The two businesses of the company, namely sales of cable television equipment and sales of interactive television systems, are expected to grow with the implementation of the conditional access system (CAS). The CATV division develops manufactures and markets networking equipment used in cable television system wherein the major client base is cable operators.

    In the cable television sphere, the competition from direct-to-home (DTH) is expected to trigger digitalization of cable networks in India. It is expected to provide a huge hardware opportunity since this would require large scale upgradation of all existing networks. This in turn would provide a business opportunity for the company.

    According to a media market analyst, “In case the cable distribution business becomes more organised with the implementation of CAS, the fortunes of the company will turn.” DTH itself is set to create a massive market for dishes, set top boxes and IF distribution system (for multi-dwelling units), all markets the company can address.

    The government’s intention to implement of CAS in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata by 1 January 2007 and also the aggressive launch of DTH services by Dish TV and Tata-Sky, has for the first time provided a serious competitive threat to cable operators. These developments are likely to transform the cable television landscape. The only way forward for cable operators is to digitalize their networks and professionalise their services. Only then they will be in a position to compete with DTH, avers the analyst.

    In the US, cable still maintains 80 per cent of the market share. If digitization were to happen – and there is every reason to believe it will – it will throw up an enormous market for digital cable hardware. In addition, manufactures of cable television equipment are equipped to manufacture DTH products since they are technically similar.

    To address these above business opportunities Catvision has set up a manufacturing facility at Dehra Dun in Uttar Pradesh for digital cable and DTH products and to expand its marketing operations in ITV and CCTV.

    The company has also forayed into security systems, starting with high-end digital CCTV systems targeted at premium hotels and shopping malls, which is driven by the heightened security risk perceived by public institutions from terrorist threat.

    The ITV division installs, operates and maintains cable satellite television and interactive television systems. Major customers are premium hotels in India and the Middle East (where the company operates through distributors).

    US based KoolConnect Technologies, a supplier for in-room entertainment solutions recently picked up a small stake in Catvision through a preferential allotment.

    The tie-up will enable Catvision to offer services like Video On Demand entertainment and information systems, high-speed internet access, virtual concierge services, which has become standard in premium hotels the world over. Interestingly, the company has secured a contract with the Hyatt group of hotels to provide multimedia interactive products and services.
    The company has also joined hands with a UK based firm Dedicated Micros, worldwide provider for CCTV surveillance applications and will be offering their systems in India. With this tie-up, the company believes it can address another emerging segment — shopping malls, which also have concerns of security.

  • Neo Sports launches 1 October; looks to lock in 8 sponsors to 5-year deals

    Neo Sports launches 1 October; looks to lock in 8 sponsors to 5-year deals

    MUMBAI: Nimbus has announced that its cricket centric TV channel Neo Sports, positioned as “The Home of Indian Cricket on TV” will debut on 1 October with the Challenger Series for NKP Salve Trophy.

    Nimbus Communications chairman Harish Thawani tells Indiantelevision.com, “Our internal benchmarks are the soft launch on 1 October, commercial launch on 1 November. 1 January 2007 is when we want to arrive as a globally benchmarked competitive sports network. Before that date comes I can say that we will have eight sponsors locked in on five year contracts. They want it. People approach us and say, ‘When do we sit down and do a five year deal?’

    “Between the eight sponsors that we will have locked in, 60 per cent of the channel’s inventory will have been snapped up.

    “They do not believe in the artificial division of three and a half or four years. The momentum anyway gets carried to the next period. The eight charter partners will enjoy the best positions and exclusivity on cricket advertising.”
    Soon after the comercial launch of Neo Sports, will come a second channel Neo Sports Plus, which will look to converge somewhere between sports and entertainment. And some time in the second half of 207 will come the sports news channel – Neo Sports News.

    Speaking about Neo Sports Plus, Thawani says, “We had earlier scheduled to launch it in the second quarter of 2007 which is April – June. But I can confirm that we are likely to bring that forward. We have been able to get ready faster. It is running ahead of schedule. For Neo Sports, the momentum will start building up towards the end of December just ahead of the first major international series.”

    Neo Sports has entered into an exclusive distribution tie-up with Star India, which will roll out over 10,000 decoders in the coming weeks to take Neo Sports across the length and breadth of this country. The channel will be available on Cable, DTH and new media platforms.

    Speaking about the pricing for the two channels, Thawani says, “We are looking to charge a premium price. Broadcasters so far have not had the guts to charge the price that they feel reflects the true value of their product. What I can confirm is that our pricing will be considerably higher than ESPN Star Sports.

    “Neo Sports is premium not just in cricket but also in product feel, the technology investment we are making. We are building up for high definition ready. We are the first company to install complete station automation software for the channel from day one. When you invest and create a premium product you expect premium pricing.”

    Neo Sports will focus on various cricket related programming, live coverage of both domestic and international cricket, interviews with top cricketers, analysis and sports entertainment. Neo Sports subscribers, specifically for domestic cricket, would be able to enjoy features like top angle shots and pan vision, speedometer, 3D animation and graphics, spin vision camera for tight bowl vision and spin action, informs an official release.

    Neo Sports will broadcast on an average three international cricket series every year featuring India and six domestic tournaments, in addition to which it will broadcast several other international cricket matches. It promises to broadcast close to 150 days a year of live cricket.

    Among the key people who have recently joined Neo Sports include Shashi Kalathil as CEO, Hitesh Sabharwal as VP affiliate sales, Ranjith Rajasekharan as VP marketing, Shakeel Memon as creative director and Sonali Rege as GM production.

  • BBC focusses on US mid terms elections with ‘USA Direct’

    BBC focusses on US mid terms elections with ‘USA Direct’

    MUMBAI: Next month in the lead-up to the mid-term elections in the US on 7 November, the BBC will have a USA Direct season.

    This will feature news coverage, interviews and documentaries looking at American society, culture, economics, and politics. In addition some of BBC World’s regular programmes such as flagship interview programme HARDtalk, technology weekly Click and the interactive multimedia discussion programme Have Your Say, will offer an assessment of ‘the state of the nation’, asking has the US reached its peak as the world’s only superpower?

    World Business Report will be reporting on the topical issue of immigration and the role of immigrants in the work force. A special It’s My Country Too airs on 21 October at 7:40 pm. It’s five years since 9/11, and the US is a changed country, especially for Muslims. Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the US, yet one in four Americans regard Muslims living among them with suspicion. As part of the USA Direct season, It’s My Country Too follows Salman Ahmed, the founding member of successful rock band Junoon, as he explores what it means to be an American Muslim. Salman talks to taxi drivers, students and law reform campaigners, including a mother whose desperate search for her Muslim son after 9/11 turned her into a political activist.

    The World Debate Advancing Sands: Deserts and Migration airs on 14 October at 5:40 pm. A dust bowl the size of the US threatens our world. The UN says that desertification is forcing 100 million people to leave their homes. Marking the UN Year Of Deserts and Desertification, The World Debate comes from the headquarters of the World Conservation Union in Switzerland. Six experts will take questions from viewers on the Internet on why so little has been done to halt the degradation of fertile lands and what can now be done to ensure that tens of millions more are not forced to leave their villages.

    Is A Free Media Essential For Development? airs on 28 October at 5:40 pm. ‘Communications for Development’ is a new and expanding field, which places the media at the heart of international development efforts. At its basic level it’s about using the media, for instance, to encourage people to wash their hands before eating or to use condoms – simple, non-controversial campaigns that can potentially save millions of lives. However increasingly the media’s role in promoting good governance is being recognised by donor countries, and not always welcomed by the governments of some developing countries. Many place restrictions on their domestic media, with actual or self-censorship rife.

  • BBC, Microsoft in content alliance

    BBC, Microsoft in content alliance

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC and software major Microsoft have signed a nonexclusive memorandum of understanding (MoU).

    This will define the framework within which the companies can explore opportunities for the delivery and consumption of BBC content and the evolution of next-generation broadcasting.

    BBC DG Mark Thompson and BBC director of new media and technology Ashley Highfield met Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to officially sign the memorandum of understanding and discuss the BBC’s digital strategy. This includes plans for its online archive, for a radically re-invented Web site in the Web 2.0 world — a second generation of Internet-based services — and for ways to share its online content in the future.

    Thompson said, “We are currently witnessing unprecedented rates of change in technology and audience expectations. To ensure that the BBC is able to embrace the creative challenges of the digital future, we need to forge strategic partnerships with technology companies and distributors for the benefit of licence payers.”

    Gates says, “Microsoft’s strength is in driving digital innovation, and our vision is to open up rich, new consumer experiences that allow people to enjoy digital content anytime, anywhere and on any device.”

    “This vision fits squarely with the BBC’s charter to lead the industry in delivering content that is compelling and accessible. I’m delighted that we’re taking this important step, and I look forward to working together to develop new models for content delivery and consumption.”

    Highfield said, “Microsoft is not just a key supplier to the BBC, it is also a key gateway to audiences that the BBC needs to reach through Web services it runs like MSN and Windows Live(TM) Messenger, and hardware such as Xbox and the Windows Media Center. The BBC needs to work with all players in this space to make sure our programmes and content are enjoyed by the widest possible audience, without always having to come to bbc.co.uk to find it. The learnings from our US visit will very much inform our thinking on the BBC’s creative future.”

    The MoU aims to identify areas of common interest between the BBC and Microsoft on which a strategic alliance could be developed. Areas of potential investigation and collaboration include search and navigation, distribution, and content enablement. Any actual procurements of new technology, or launch of new services by the BBC, would be subject to appropriate regulatory approval.

  • Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has kicked off the “Go Healthy Challenger Search 2007,” today, a nationwide US campaign that seeks to find the kids who will be featured in next year‘s Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge.


    Kids are encouraged to send in personal home videos sharing how they want to “go healthy” and why they want to be a 2007 role model for the campaign. The Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge follows real kids on-air on their personal journeys towards healthier lifestyles. It is part of Nickelodeon‘s Let‘s Just Play pro-social initiative, with partner the Alliance for a Healthier Generation — a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation — to encourage kids to participate in active, healthy and playful lifestyles, informs an official release.


    To be considered as a Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Challenger, kids will need to submit a “Performer Application,” which is available for download on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay, along with no more than 10 minutes of home video footage.



    The 2007 Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Challengers will be determined in early November. The chosen participants will be notified and those selected will be posted on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay.


    Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation will also be holding local casting calls open to kids on 14 and/or 15 October. The casting calls will consist of a videotaped interview, in which kids will be asked to answer questions about their health goals, how they would like to achieve those and why? A location for the casting call in New York is still to be determined.


    In addition, local American Heart Association divisions and Boys and Girls Clubs of America will support the casting process in various cities. Local volunteers will be on-site (specific venues to be determined) with required paperwork and video cameras to create the home video footage for kids to participate. Kids attending any casting calls are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian to provide permission to participate.


    The solicitation for the 2007 Go Healthy Challengers begins on 30 September, marking the network‘s Worldwide Day of Play celebration which includes the Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Celebration finale at 7:30 pm ET/PT, adds the release.


    The 2006 Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge inspired more than 150,000 kids across the country to “go healthy” and become more active by following four real kids on-air in their personal health quests, and with tactical online tips that kids could use in their own lives. The Go Healthy Challenge, an on-air and grassroots campaign developed by Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation encourages real kids to make their lives, schools and communities healthier.


    Nickelodeon is currently in its fourth year of its award-winning pro-social initiative, Let‘s Just Play. In November 2005, Let‘s Just Play entered into a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to combat the spread of childhood obesity. The three organizations combined forces on a comprehensive media and public awareness campaign, encouraging young people to engage in healthy and active lifestyles.

  • Nick celebrates ‘Worldwide Day of Play’ on 30 Sept; analyses American leisure habits

    MUMBAI: As Nickelodeon celebrates Worldwide Day of Play by “going dark” on air 30 September to encourage kids to get up, go out and go play, Leisure Trends Group takes a look at recent trends in America‘s leisure habits.


    Sponsored by Nickelodeon and its partners, Worldwide Day of Play is the highlight of its Let‘s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge that has evolved into a health and wellness movement. Leisure Trends, the market research company has conducted an ongoing US survey to examine the changing landscape of Americans at play and publishes results in its quarterly LeisureTRAK.


    Leisure Trends data confirms Worldwide Day of Play is well timed to encourage continued activity when most households are burrowing in for winter. On average, as Americans move from summer into fall, they lose 20 minutes of leisure time per day, according to Leisure Trends Research director Laurel Hyslop, PhD. Americans lose an additional 10 minutes of leisure time once winter rolls around, she added.


    As time outdoors declines, TV becomes a bigger lure. Americans begin spending 13 more minutes on average a day watching television in September as compared to summer months. In fact, when asked what leisure activities they participated in the previous day, an analysis indicate outdoor sports decline 28 per cent from summer to fall and decline 40 per cent from fall to winter.


    In addition to seasonal changes in leisure habits, Leisure Trends has identified differences in leisure motivations and activities Americans pursue, with the tragedy of 9/11 marking a pivotal shift in priorities. Spending time with family and friends has always been a high priority, but since 9/11 it has become the top priority – moving ahead of the two traditional top choices, reading and TV. Family and friends matter, and Americans are finding time for them. This trend cuts across all ages and includes both sexes. As a favourite activity, socializing has risen from 23 per cent of Americans prior to 9/11 to 36 percent more recently.


    According to Hyslop another key trend is Americans 16 and older are moving away from team sports to individual sports. Team sports require more time, both to play and to organize playing partners. With all the things Americans want to do in their leisure, individual sports provide the most flexibility.


    “These trends also point to the shift toward pleasure and away from competition that has altered the very hierarchy of leisure motivations,” Hyslop said. The company has been studying leisure motivators for the past 15 years, finding they yield stronger consumer insights than such traditional dimensions as demography and geography. “Pleasure-seeking now exerts a stronger pull than competition in determining leisure pursuits. The changes point toward a growing desire to have fun and a declining interest in competition and getting ahead in life.”


    The clearest manifestation of the changing motivations is the long-term growth in participation in entertainment activities, up from 42 percent to 52 percent since 1990. “The ongoing battle between sport and entertainment will determine the future of leisure time in America,” Hyslop said.


    The absolute authority on leisure in America, Leisure Trends Group provides powerful insight into the changing habits of America at play and the implications to business.

  • Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has kicked off the “Go Healthy Challenger Search 2007,” today, a nationwide US campaign that seeks to find the kids who will be featured in next year’s Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge.

    Kids are encouraged to send in personal home videos sharing how they want to “go healthy” and why they want to be a 2007 role model for the campaign. The Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge follows real kids on-air on their personal journeys towards healthier lifestyles. It is part of Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play pro-social initiative, with partner the Alliance for a Healthier Generation — a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation — to encourage kids to participate in active, healthy and playful lifestyles, informs an official release.

    To be considered as a Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenger, kids will need to submit a “Performer Application,” which is available for download on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay, along with no more than 10 minutes of home video footage.

    The 2007 Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challengers will be determined in early November. The chosen participants will be notified and those selected will be posted on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay.

    Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation will also be holding local casting calls open to kids on 14 and/or 15 October. The casting calls will consist of a videotaped interview, in which kids will be asked to answer questions about their health goals, how they would like to achieve those and why? A location for the casting call in New York is still to be determined.

    In addition, local American Heart Association divisions and Boys and Girls Clubs of America will support the casting process in various cities. Local volunteers will be on-site (specific venues to be determined) with required paperwork and video cameras to create the home video footage for kids to participate. Kids attending any casting calls are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian to provide permission to participate.

    The solicitation for the 2007 Go Healthy Challengers begins on 30 September, marking the network’s Worldwide Day of Play celebration which includes the Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Celebration finale at 7:30 pm ET/PT, adds the release.

    The 2006 Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge inspired more than 150,000 kids across the country to “go healthy” and become more active by following four real kids on-air in their personal health quests, and with tactical online tips that kids could use in their own lives. The Go Healthy Challenge, an on-air and grassroots campaign developed by Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation encourages real kids to make their lives, schools and communities healthier.

    Nickelodeon is currently in its fourth year of its award-winning pro-social initiative, Let’s Just Play. In November 2005, Let’s Just Play entered into a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to combat the spread of childhood obesity. The three organizations combined forces on a comprehensive media and public awareness campaign, encouraging young people to engage in healthy and active lifestyles.

  • NGC institutes awards for filmmaking

    NGC institutes awards for filmmaking

    MUMBAI: Infotainment channel National Geographic Channel (NGC) has announced a new initiative to recognise outstanding work in non fiction. It will present awards for excellence in non fiction film-making in India.

    It aims to set a benchmark for the best non-fiction productions and raise the bar of Indian film-making to produce exceptional content for the global and Indian audience.

    NGC says that the awards are India’s first such initiative to recognise and honour exceptional non-fiction films and will also provide an opportunity to realise every film maker’s aspiration to showcase their work in the international arena. The inception of these awards is an ideal extension of ‘s commitment to recognise films that are thought provoking and at the same time interesting to watch besides providing entertainment.

    The awards will focus on works of both professional as well as amateur film-makers of Indian origin in separate categories. Details like the award’s name, categories, application procedure, selection criteria, the jury, events, dates and other information will be announced shortly.

    NGC India senior VP – programming, Joy Bhattacharjya said, “With our documentary initiatives with Singapore’s Economic Development Board in Singapore and projects like Taiwan to the World, Nat Geo has already showcased its dedication to developing and recognizing talent around the world and providing opportunities to help film makers showcase their work.”

    “With these awards we aim to recognise and encourage superior non-fiction film-making in India and establishing a benchmark for the same. These awards are an ideal extension of our proposition to encourage viewers to rethink about the way they watch television. We plan to make this into an annual property and hence make this an event to remember with an innovative 360 degree activation experience which is bound to make the audience Think again”.

  • NDTV making ‘CAT’ easy for aspiring students

    NDTV making ‘CAT’ easy for aspiring students

    MUMBAI: If you are worried about admission into the country’s best MBA colleges, then it’s time to forget your worries. An advice for students from NDTV- no need to sweat it.

    Watch NDTV, and find out how to Crack the CAT Code. CAT SCAN on NDTV 24×7 and CAT MANAGER on NDTV INDIA – the 8 part half-hour weekly series starting on 30 September 2006, will provide valuable insights on CAT 2006. 8 episodes, one every week will help the students in preparing for the CAT exam.

    Watch experts like MD of Career Launchers Gautam Puri, senior faculty IIM(A) Ravichandran, Alumnis of IIM (A), Rajul Mahur and Mahesh Natarajan, share their insights, advices and last minute tips on cracking CAT 2006.

    CAT SCAN on NDTV 24X7 and CAT Manager on NDTV India take you from one business School Campus to the next. This program will not only be an informative tool about cracking the CAT exam, but will but will also answer many other queries as to- what is the curriculum like, and what career prospects are on offer here? It will also provide information on financial aid besides how to deal with stress.