ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Hungamathon 2007 to kick off in January; Kolkata also to host













    MUMBAI: Hungama TV is back with the second season of its unique property Hungamathon, which is slated to be held in January 2007. The mini marathon will be adding Kolkata to Mumbai and Delhi, where the event was held last year.


    “Over 20000 kids ran in the Mumbai and Delhi Hungamathon last year and our expectations have risen even higher for the hunt this year! We plan to make Hungamathon 2007 one of the most fun-filled events of the year – one that kids will look forward to,” says UTV Sr. Vice President – marketing and corporate communications Siddharth Roy Kapur.



    Hungamathon 2005 witnessed the participation of close to 20,000 kids across Mumbai and Delhi with eight brands that sponsored the event. This year the race is open to kids between 8-15 yrs. There are two categories, the ‘Masters‘ for age group 8 – 12 years that would run 2.5 km and the ‘Blasters‘ for the age group 13 – 15 years who would run 4 kms.


    In its second season, an intensive school contact program covering 100 schools will be rolled out in the month of November in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata to ensure maximum participation. Application forms will also be available online on www.hungamatv.com.


    Hungama TV has tied-up with sports association, Athletic Federation of India for Hungamathon 2007 to ensure appropriate adjudication for the entire event.


    In addition, the channel has another reason to cheer as it completes two years this week, as per the latest tam data (TAM Period: 10 – 16 September 2006), Hungama TV has emerged as the number 1 channel in the kids space by a GRP of 153 and highest TVR growth of 28 per cent amongst all its competitors in the kids‘ space, informs an official release.


    “Innovative initiatives like ‘Hungamathon‘, ‘Rasna Full Toss‘, ‘Parle G Hungama Captains Hunt‘, ‘Oral B John aur Kaun‘ amongst others has helped us to successfully catapult Hungama TV to the number one spot amongst kids channels and hugely strengthen the channel‘s brand equity in the last two years,” adds Kapu

  • Cartoon Network inks deal with Tata Indicom for VoD service

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network, kid‘s entertainment channel, has signed its first video on demand (VoD) deal in the country with VSNL. The agreement will enable Tata Indicom Broadband subscribers to watch Cartoon Network toons on their PC.


    In attempting to give viewers a 360 degree entertainment experience, Tata Indicom Broadband will offer subscribers 40 episodes of Cartoon Network‘s most popular and iconic toon stars including Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter‘s Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage -the Cowardly Dog, Camp Lazlo, Code Name Kids Next Door, Samurai Jack, etc.


    The content will be available both in Hindi and English across over 48 cities in India, including all metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.
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    Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. VP distribution and business operations (India and South Asia), Siddharth Jain said, “With technology evolving at a rapid pace, we are moving towards a digital world where entertainment will be consumed at the convenience of Generation M. As the Industry leader in the kids‘ entertainment genre, it is imperative that we extend our compelling content to as many platforms available.


    “This deal to offer video on demand with VSNL is a step in that direction and is a pioneering initiative for Cartoon Network and the kids‘ genre. All of these areas will become even more important going forward as ‘convergence‘ becomes a reality, and our core audience of kids and young adults – as well as advertisers – come to expect our unique properties and characters to be available on all platforms and at all times. Cartoon Network is an immersive experience for our fans, and this deal adds yet another dimension to the number one kids‘ channel of India – Cartoon Network.”

    VSNL vice president content and applications, broadband and retail business Mukul Sood said, “This first of its kind tie-up between Cartoon Network and VSNL will create an innovative entertainment experience to our broadband subscribers. This partnership represents the convergence of vision and strengths between VSNL, India‘s leading telecommunication and Internet services company and Cartoon Network, India‘s number one kids‘ channel. Tata Indicom Broadband subscribers can now look forward to a roller coaster ride of exciting animation video content for their kids and themselves.”


     

  • UTV to launch second feature film division ‘UTVPost’ in October

    UTV to launch second feature film division ‘UTVPost’ in October

    MUMBAI: UTV, integrated media and entertainment company, will launch its second post production set-up UTVPost in October. UTVPost will be based in Mumbai and is primarily the feature film extension of UTV’s signature post-production studio, USL.

    UTV founder member and director Deven Khote will spearhead the 60-member team of UTVPost and USL. UTVPost is digitally linked to UTV Toons, one of the country’s animation hubs. It comprises of a team of more than 500 skilled artists, animators and compositors, with expertise in all forms of animation and computer graphics.

    The facility is geared, and professionally staffed, to handle the entire post-production chain – from Telecine (with KeyCode) through to Digital Film recording for feature films, informs an official release.

    At UTV’s new 6000 sq feet Andheri studio, the company has configured a comprehensive projection-based 2Kplus DI (Digital Intermediate), VFX (Visual Effects), and CGI pipeline. UTVPost claims to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Arri, AutoDesk, Avid, FilmLight, HP, JVC and Sony.

  • Ranvir Shourey hosts the finale of Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination

    Ranvir Shourey hosts the finale of Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination

    MUMBAI: Ranvir Shourey promises that you have fun unlimited on the last and the hugely awaited episode of Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination this Saturday, 23 September 2006 at 8 p.m. exclusively on Zoom. Comedy comes naturally to the smart and hilarious Ranvir Shourey and his crazy comic remarks are indeed funny.

     

    While trying his hand at shayari, Ranvir amusingly remarks on how Ayesha Takiya calls Director Nagesh Kuknoor her brother, “Arz kiya hai … wo to abhi bhi hamein dekh ke muskuraatey hain, wo to abhi bhi humein dekh ke muskuraatey hain , wo to saaley bachhey hi kameeney hain jo maama maama chillatey hain …”

     

    While talking about Himesh Reshamiya in jest, witty Ranvir says, “Bharat sarkar ne finally phir se chand par jaaney ka faisla kar liya hai, ye hai un logon ke naamon ki list jo jaaney waaley hain. Aadha desh asha kar raha hai ki is list mein Himesh Reshamiya ka naam zaroor ho… aur poora desh ye asha kar raha hai ki wo naam waapas aaney waalon ki list mein na ho!”

     

    Commenting on the prevailing fashion fad, Ranvir humourously adds, “Mera aisa manna hai ki ameer ghareeb ka fark mitaaney mein sab se bada haath fashion industry ka hai… Fashion models khaastaur par ladkiyan is cause ke liye itna kaam karti hain ki bechaari hamesha bhookhi aur aadhey kapdon mein rahti hain…”

     

    While his cool and crazy remarks keep you glued to your TV sets, Ranvir ensures that it is the perfect time to ZOOM in!

     

    Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination special has been an interesting and captivating comic bonanza on Zoom with fun unlimited with the hilarious Suresh Menon; Lallan aka Sunil Grover, popular for his trademark spoofs of leading Bollywood stars; the suave and smart Cyrus Sahukar and the witty Ranvir Sheorey on a mission to make you laugh with their zany humour every Saturday.

     

     

  • Laugh it out with Lallan aka Sunil Grover on Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination on Zoom

    MUMBAI: Zoom, India’s premier glamour and lifestyle channel is all geared up to tickle your funny bone and make laughter your destination through its Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination Special, all of September.

    This captivating comic bonanza on Zoom promises to be fun unlimited with four of the best known faces of Indian comedy making a serious attempt to anchor this show in their well-known wacky and side-splitting ishtyle!

    The hilarious Suresh Menon; Lallan aka Sunil Grover, popular for his trademark spoofs of leading Bollywood stars; the suave and smart Semi Girebal aka Cyrus Sahukar and the witty Ranvir Sheorey have been on a mission to make you laugh with their zany humour from 2 September to 23 September, every Saturday at 8.00pm.

    This Saturday, 9 September 2006, Zoom will continue its high profile comedy drama with Lallan aka Sunil Grover of the Lallan Chala Hero Ban Ne fame. During the show, while playing a brilliant spoof on Amitabh Bachchan’s remarkable performance in Deewar, Lallan says, “Hamaarey baapu na kabhi hanstey they na hansaatey they iss liye gaanv mein logon ne hamaarey hath pe likh diya ‘Mera Bap Bore Hai’ aur friends is kalank ko mitaaney hum manoranjan ki dunia mein aa gaye’. Besides his other hilarious Bollywood spoofs, witty Lallan asks people “Kya Aap jaantey hain ki koi bhi devta computer kyon nahi seekh paaye???? Kyonki bhaiya MOUSE to ganpati ke paas tha.”

    The Weekend Popkorn Laughter Destination series will ensure that you laugh your heart out every weekend and at the same time get round- up of the best gossip, stories, interviews and reports from the world of television and film for the week.

    So Zoom in this Saturday, 9 September 2006 at 8 p.m. to know the secrets as to how our dear Munna Bhai MBBS who does an X Ray for people without the X Ray machine, all this and much more with the lovable Lallan?

  • Cartoon Network inks deal with Tata Indicom for VoD service

    Cartoon Network inks deal with Tata Indicom for VoD service

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network, kid’s entertainment channel, has signed its first video on demand (VoD) deal in the country with VSNL. The agreement will enable Tata Indicom Broadband subscribers to watch Cartoon Network toons on their PC.

    In attempting to give viewers a 360 degree entertainment experience, Tata Indicom Broadband will offer subscribers 40 episodes of Cartoon Network’s most popular and iconic toon stars including Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage -the Cowardly Dog, Camp Lazlo, Code Name Kids Next Door, Samurai Jack, etc.

    The content will be available both in Hindi and English across over 48 cities in India, including all metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.
    output.

    Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. VP distribution and business operations (India and South Asia), Siddharth Jain said, “With technology evolving at a rapid pace, we are moving towards a digital world where entertainment will be consumed at the convenience of Generation M. As the Industry leader in the kids’ entertainment genre, it is imperative that we extend our compelling content to as many platforms available.

    “This deal to offer video on demand with VSNL is a step in that direction and is a pioneering initiative for Cartoon Network and the kids’ genre. All of these areas will become even more important going forward as ‘convergence’ becomes a reality, and our core audience of kids and young adults – as well as advertisers – come to expect our unique properties and characters to be available on all platforms and at all times. Cartoon Network is an immersive experience for our fans, and this deal adds yet another dimension to the number one kids’ channel of India – Cartoon Network.”

    VSNL vice president content and applications, broadband and retail business Mukul Sood said, “This first of its kind tie-up between Cartoon Network and VSNL will create an innovative entertainment experience to our broadband subscribers. This partnership represents the convergence of vision and strengths between VSNL, India’s leading telecommunication and Internet services company and Cartoon Network, India’s number one kids’ channel. Tata Indicom Broadband subscribers can now look forward to a roller coaster ride of exciting animation video content for their kids and themselves.”

  • Meetings with broadcasters, agencies for great cricket auction begin; ICC cash registers set to ring

    Meetings with broadcasters, agencies for great cricket auction begin; ICC cash registers set to ring

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday began meetings with broadcasters and agencies in Dubai, marking the latest stage of its sale of media and sponsorship rights for ICC events from late 2007 to 2015.

    The ICC’s team of negotiators include former President Ehsan Mani, who played a key role in securing the current agreement with the News Corp owned Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) through News International Limited.

    That agreement, which began in 2000 and ends with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies next March and April, includes two ICC Cricket World Cups and three ICC Champions Trophy tournaments. The GCC had paid out $550 million to secure the rights after a fierce bidding war with Subhash Chandra’s Zee Telefilms. At the time of bidding the GCC was a 50:50 JV between News Corp and World Sport Nimbus (itself a 50:50 JV between Harish Thawani’s Nimbus and the UK-headquartered World Sport Group). News Corp subsequently bought out WSN’s stake in the JV.

    The first question that comes to mind of course is what are the numbers that will be thrown up in this round of bidding? Before doing that, it is worth examining how much more in terms of events are available for purchase. The number of World Cups (two) remain the same. The “Extraa Innings” are a possible one Champions Trophy (there were three in the previous package while this one has at least three and maybe four tourneys), two 20/20 World Championships and two Women’s Cricket World Cups in 2009 (Australia) and 2013 (India).

    Additionally, there are also the Cricket World Cup qualifiers and four ICC U/19 Cricket World Cups included in the eight-year timeframe.

    All told, there are a total of 18 ICC tournaments, the big ones being the two World Cups, in Asia (2011) and Australia / New Zealand (2015) respectively, and a minimum of three (possibly four) Champions Trophy tournaments.

    That is as far as the events themselves are concerned. On the revenue front, there will be a huge difference on the subscription side because of direct-to-home (DTH) and the rollout of conditional access system (CAS), as well as increasing broadband penetration.

    Sony had factored in some inflows from DTH when it made its bid for the current property, but the delay in the launch of DTH services put paid to that. For Sony, income from its ICC properties has been advertisement-led (to the tune of 65-75 per cent) rather than subscription driven.

    It would be safe to assume that this would get directly reversed in terms of revenue break-up between advertising and subscriptions by the time the next World Cup comes around in 2011. Subscription revenue will come in principally from digital cable (all cable-penetrated areas should be CAS-delivered by then) and DTH. Broadband will also offer significant revenue opportunities by then.

    Now, coming to the bidding. Even if the number of events were the same, and looking at the valuations that would have been obtained back in 2000, this would have been a higher value proposition because one of them is being held in India and the other has a clear time zone advantage for Indians (Australia / New Zealand as opposed to 2007’s edition in the West Indies). So if we were to look at a like to like comparison, the base value in 2000 would have at the very least been the $ 650 million that Zee had bid then for the same rights.

    The value of this property is essentially linked to what is the bid that the India part of it was worth. Sony paid $ 208 million for the C&S rights and the terrestrial rights that national broadcaster Doordarshan took would be another $ 47 million tallying up to $ 255 million. To find the base value of the India part of the rights using the above formula would imply a 25 per cent mark up or $ 320 million as being what they were worth then.

    What are the toppings to that? One Champions Trophy (if four are held) and two 20/20 events. Let’s say $ 400 million is what this would have been worth to Sony in 2000. Today we believe it will go for around $ 1.2 billion. Assuming that the India part will take up around 70 per cent of the total value of the ICC rights, we’re looking at bidding anywhere between $ 1.7 to $ 2 billion as being the range in which the punts will be made.

    Who has that kind of money? Star, Sony, Zee and maybe Anil Ambani’s ADAG if it decides to throw its hat in the ring. One player that is almost certain not to be in this particular game is Harish Thawani’s Nimbus. He has been taken out of the equation by the News Corp distribution deal. So could it end up being a fight between Sony-Ten Sports, News Corp-Nimbus and Zee Sports if Reliance doesn’t enter the fray? Quite possible.

    And if we were the betting sort our gut punt would be on Sony again walking away with this one. It is the more hungry and needs it more than News Corp. And being the incumbent will give it a clear advantage over an at least as hungry Zee.

  • Buena Vista Games creates video games around Disney characters

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company, has announced that The Cheetah Girls, Phil of the Future, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble are now available.


    The Cheetah Girls and Phil of the Future are available for the Game Boy Advance. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble is available for the Nintendo DS. All three games are rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).



    “Kids can take their favorite Disney Channel characters anywhere this fall with new adventures from The Cheetah Girls, Phil of the Future and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, says Buena Vista Games marketing VP Craig Relyea. “With the recent success of The Cheetah Girls 2 Disney Channel Original Movie, we are particularly excited to offer fans more ways to interact with the performers’ story.”


    In Phil of the Future, developed by Handheld Games Corp. for the Game Boy Advance, players help their favorite characters from the popular Disney Channel series save a town overrun with the mischievous pets from the future -– The Blahs. As Phil, Keeley or Curtis, players collect and assemble more than 20 futuristic gadgets to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles and capture the blahs to save the day. With several mini-games and unlockable features, Phil of the Future offers players hours of fun, states an official release.


    Join The Cheetah Girls as they dance and sing their way to a talent competition in Spain, where the top prize is a record contract. Players take on the role of each of the four Cheetah Girls –- Galleria, Chanel, Aquanetta and Dorinda, plus Galleria’s pedigree pooch, Toto. To prepare for the big gig in Barcelona, players create their own tunes in the music studio, choreograph dance moves and coordinate Cheeta-licious outfits. The game also features mini jobs for each girl — flip ribs on the grill with Aqua; teach dance with Dorinda; make music with Galleria and Toto at home or coordinate outfits at a high-end fashion store with Chanel, the release adds.


    The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble is an action platform game from developer A2M, based on the Disney Channel’s popular TV show, “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The game enables players to enter the world of Zack and Cody, 12-year-old twins who live with their mother in one of Boston’s swankiest hotels. As in the TV show, the twins attempt to save themselves from 14 outrageous situations by jumping, crawling, climbing, running and racing to Conquer enemy forces. Players can race through corridors on Zack’s skateboard, shoot various objects like water balloons, bubble gum and cream pies from Cody’s amazing vacuum, and unlock mini-games that feature two-player wireless action.

  • Animal Planet travels around the world to explore fauna and flaura

    Animal Planet travels around the world to explore fauna and flaura

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet will take viewers on a wild voyage around the world through its series Around The World In 14 Weeks. Viewers will experience the widest variety of flaura and fauna across continents as they travel from Indian subcontinent to Sahara, Europe, Africa, and America.

    The 14 episode show airs every Tuesday at 9 pm with a repeat every Saturday at 8 pm.

    One episode is called Fighting Bears Of The Punjab Airing. Bear baiting is big business in rural Pakistan, despite being illegal for over a century, but changes are now afoot by the World Society for the Protection of Animals to confiscate all bears used in baiting events. But this is no easy task, as the major promoters of these events are rich rural landowners who wield enormous power in Pakistan. This programme traces the history of the Qalandars and the Black Bears, as well as the dramatic events as WSPA workers, aided by the Pakistani Army, attempt to rescue bears and relocate them to a safety.

    Dream Team: Prince Of Camels provides a behind-the-scenes look at the magical world of a young Bedouin in love with camel racing. Sixteen years old Rahma grew up in a large family who, not so long ago regularly traveled hundreds of miles on camel-back. Although all-terrain vehicles have replaced the traditional mount, the camel remains a sacred beast for Rahma.

    In Ireland – Sculpted Isle the channel reveals Ireland’s dramatic nature through iconic landmarks and natural history. From the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway to the rugged beauty of the Blarney stone, from the polished limestone of the Burren to the lush, green pastures of County Kildare, each place has a story and resonance through history. Different landscape, different wildlife, different cultural past and a different face of modern life, come together to tell a single story – Ireland’s story.

    In Lost Crocodiles Of The Pharaohs viewers can join the search for the elusive crocodiles of the ancient River Nile. Despite their revered status in ancient Egypt, the crocodiles of the upper Nile were hunted into extinction by the 1800’s and the Pharaoh’s crocodiles were lost forever. Or so it was thought, until reports emerged of sightings of crocodiles in unexpected locations on the fringe of the Sahara desert, a small lake in Mali and a cave in Chad. Animal Planet explores if these are the direct descendents of the Pharaoh’s crocodiles? How could they survive in the desert?

    Lost Elephants Of Timbuktu goes into the heart of the Sahara Desert. A herd of elephants emerge from behind a wind-swept sand dune. They are completely isolated from other African elephants and trudge 700 miles each year to find food and water. This progamme tracks them to uncharted lands and reveals their relationship with the Tuareg, a nomadic people who have shared the elephants’ migration route for centuries.

    In Search Of The Giant Anaconda looks at the Green anaconda. It is the heaviest bodied snake in the world. It can grow six times longer than the average man, weigh eight times as much, and stay underwater for up to ten minutes at a time. Austin Steven, South African photographer and adventurer, travels to Amazon in search of the wild anaconda in the water and attempts to bring it to land. It is Steve’s most perilous photographic assignment so far.

  • Viacom revises employment agreement with Redstone

    Viacom revises employment agreement with Redstone

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom’s board of directors has announced that it has entered into a revised employment agreement with its Executive Chairman Sumner M Redstone.

    The agreement reduces cash salary and bonuses effective 1 January, 2007 and immediately directly links the majority of Redstone’s compensation to superior shareholder returns.

    Redstone and the Compensation Committee of the Viacom Board are extending the equity driven approach to compensation and incentives adopted by Viacom in its recently announced agreements with Viacom president and CEO Philippe P Dauman and Viacom’s senior executive VP and chief administrative officer Thomas E Dooley.

    Redstone said, “As both a major shareholder and as the executive chairman of the company, I have long been in favour of the pay-for-performance model, which I believe is good for shareholders and good for the company. I want to commend the Compensation Committee for not only listening to our stockholders, but for their leadership, creativity and discipline in creating this new shareholder-friendly compensation structure.”

    Under the terms of the new agreement, beginning in 2007, Redstone’s salary will be reduced to $1 million per year (from current $1.75 million), and deferred compensation, presently $1.3 million per year, will be eliminated. His target cash bonus under Viacom’s short-term incentive plan will be reduced from $6.1 million to $3.5 million per year.

    Redstone will receive an annual award of stock options having a grant-date value of $3 million. He will also receive an annual award of performance share units (PSU’s) with a grant-date target value of $3 million.