ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Government defers decision on TV channels’ apology

    Government defers decision on TV channels’ apology

    NEW DELHI: The Indian government deferred a decision on cracking the whip on TV channels airing surrogate liquor and tobacco advertisements.

    A communiqué from the information and broadcasting ministry to TV channels said that the decision on airing a public apology from 18-21 August has been deferred.
    The ministry communication also added that a decision on airing of surrogate ads relating to liquor and tobacco companies would be taken by a “competent authority” at a later date.

    The ministry of Information and Broadcasting had earlier this month issued a warning to 43 channels directing them to carry a scroll for three days regretting airing surrogate advertisements of liquor and tobacco products in violation of rules.

    The ministry, however, did not elaborate on the competent authority that will decide on such matters or when would such an authority come into existence.

    Broadcasting industry sources said that this was an outcome of effective lobbying with the ministry.

    On Monday, broadcast industry representatives met up with I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and ministry’s secretary SK Arora to discuss various aspects of a proposed broadcast legislation, a draft of which has been dubbed “draconian” by stakeholders.

    One of the issues discussed that day was airing of an apology by ‘errant’ TV channels, which was described as public humiliation.

    Interestingly, when confronted with the apology issue, Dasmunsi had told some of the media companies’ representatives that he wasn’t aware of such a diktat.

    The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) had also written to the ministry expressing member-TV channels’ reservations on the issue of scrolling an apology.

    The scroll that was to be aired 24-hours for three days read thus: “Ministry of information & broadcasting issues a warning to X (name) channel for telecasting surrogate advertisements of liquor/tobacco products in violation of advertising code. X (name) channel regrets this and apologies for the same. We assure to be more careful in future.”

    Meanwhile, a government-industry meeting on coverage of terrorism and related issues by TV news channels, slated to be held 18 August, was postponed.

    No further date has been intimated to TV channels presently.

    The meeting, called in the aftermath of bomb blasts in Mumbai recently, was to deliberate on the modalities of coverage of terrorism-related events.

    At least two Indian news channels had been issued show-cause notices by the I&B ministry for airing programmes, which have been “objected” to by security forces and the home ministry.

  • Rob Clark is FremantleMedia Worldwide Entertainment senior executive VP

    Rob Clark is FremantleMedia Worldwide Entertainment senior executive VP

    MUMBAI: Format creator and distributor FremantleMedia has promoted Rob Clark to the position senior executive VP entertainment and production, Worldwide Entertainment. This is a part of Fremantklemedia’s creative networks division.

    Hitherto, Clark has been executive VP Production, Worldwide Entertainment. In this capacity he managed the global roll-out of FremantleMedia developed or acquired formats, guaranteeing production quality and ensuring the transfer of production skills between FremantleMedia companies around the world.

    The worldwide entertainment team, including a group of flying producers, develops and distributes marketing materials, format bibles, and provides specialised training in specific formats. Current projects include the global roll-out of Simon Cowell’s latest formats Got Talent launched successfully this summer on NBC in the US, as well as Inventor, which launched this spring on ABC in the US, and Ant and Dec’s Poker Face which launched its first series last month on ITV.

    In addition to this set of production responsibilities Clark will now also oversee the other activities of Worldwide Entertainment, including development and acquisitions. He will identify and support the acquisition of third party entertainment formats that have global potential.

    In addition, he now takes responsibility for the co-ordination of all FremantleMedia’s entertainment development departments worldwide, working with the local heads of development to ensure a flow of FremantleMedia developed formats throughout the company’s global network.

  • Amrita TV plans to enter feature film production

    Amrita TV plans to enter feature film production

    MUMBAI: Amrita Enterprises Pvt Ltd (AEPL), the promoters of Malayalam channel Amrita TV, is planning to set up a separate division for feature film production. Though the business plan is still in its primary stages of evolution, the company is targeting a February 2007 launch of the initiative.

    “We are getting into Malayalam feature film production and the plan is to start the operations within the next six months. We are in the process of working out a business plan,” Amrita TV director and CEO Sudhakar Jayaram told Indiantelevision.com.

    At a time when the number of films produced in Malayalam has gone alarmingly down and consecutively the acquisition rates have shot up, Amrita TV attempts to change the picture in association with industry experts. The plan is to leverage on its in-house film expertise and thus put an end to the scarcity of films available in the acquisition market.

    “The plan is to enter into partnership with key stake holders in the market such as producers and distributors and offer our expertise in this field to launch feature film projects. We will be also launching solo projects as well, making us an independent producer. An important objective of the initiative is to solve the supply demand issue, which is threatening the television business presently,” says Jayaram.

    AEPL’s strategy, according to Jayaram, is to leverage on the creative and infrastructure strengths it already has in the area of film production. He feels that these key assets would attract similar minded players and thus provide a good start to the initiative.

    “We have a nationally well acclaimed film director in our programming head Shyamaprasad. Then there are various other talented filmmakers, who are part of our programming wing. We have a state-of-the-art production infrastructure and we expect that all these elements would come together to give shape to this initiative,” he says.

    When queried on the investments planned, Jayaram says it is too premature to talk about the money part. “It will actually vary from project to project. We will be looking at big, medium and small budget projects. We are yet to finalise details of the initial investment to be made,” says Jayaram.

    Amrita TV draws inspiration from its successful telefilm production experience. In 2005, the channel produced 22 telefilms of 90 minute duration each and all the films were well-acclaimed by the critics as well as the viewers, according to Jayaram.

    However, getting into feature film production doesn’t mean that the AEPL would shift its focus totally. “We will be producing almost the same number of telefilms this year as well. We have already lined up four telefilms for the upcoming Onam festival,” informs Jayaram.

    AEPL, promoted by a group of investors closely associated with Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, launched Amrita TV in 2005 April. The channel is presently making its best efforts to emerge as a tough competitor to market leaders Asianet and Surya TV. In its first year of inception, the channel swept the Kerala State TV awards, winning 15 of the top laurels.

  • Christina Aguilera, The All-American Rejects set to zizzle at 2006 MTV Video Music Awards

    Christina Aguilera, The All-American Rejects set to zizzle at 2006 MTV Video Music Awards

    MUMBAI: US music broadcaster MTV has announced that Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and The All-American Rejects are among the performers for the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.

    The event takes place on 31 August.

    MTV says that the event will be a multi-platform, multi-screen experience. For the first time ever in the awards show history, MTV will expose fans to the insanity on and off the stage. While the VMAs are airing live on MTV, Overdrive, the network’s broadband channel, will air “VMA Live: Backstage Uncensored”, a live view of the all the action behind the scenes and backstage viewers have never gotten to see.

    In addition to the television and broadband experiences, MTV Mobile on all wireless carriers will also offer updates and recaps of the VMAs within minutes. Also, prior to the show, viewers will have access to all nominated videos on MTV Overdrive (www.vma.mtv.com).

    The event will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.3 billion people via MTV’s global network of 50 channels reaching 481.5 million households around the world as well as through syndication. Its convergent and original online programming will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV’s 44 Web sites around the world.

    The sponsors of the event are Acuvue, Chevrolet, Dodge, Herbal Essences, JCPenney, Pepsi, Taco Bell and Virgin Mobile USA.

  • Mobily launches 3.5G wireless technology globally

    Mobily launches 3.5G wireless technology globally

    MUMBAI: Saudi Arabia mobile operator Mobily has announced the offer of its 3G services internationally. Mobily subscribers will be able to make video calls to UAE, Italy, Hong Kong, Luxemburg and Australia using the technology of 3G or 3.5G. Mobily has just completed its own 3.5G network which covers 15 cities in Saudi Arabia, consisting more than 900 base stations.

    Subscribers will also be able to watch TV channels live on 3.5G. These include Alarabiyah channel, CNBC Arabiya channel, Saudi TV, Space Toon and others. Mobily says that it is offering a very competitive rate compared to other operators. The cost of video telephony is 0.80 halalas per minute for postpaid subscribers, whereas a minute cost one riyal when using the TV streaming. Mobily does not demand any monthly fees for all the third generation services.

    Media reports indicate that the 3.5G service will also allow for multiplayer gaming. Most of the 3.5G (HSDPA) services require 2G and 3.5G phone handsets, except for the video calling which works only on 3G handsets. One of the excellent services the 3.5G will provide is the access to the internet with 3G speed from laptop using the mobile as a modem. The setting of the internet will not be different from 2G web setting. The speed exceeds four mega per second for download.

  • Disney Channel rings in Teacher’s Day celebrations













    MUMBAI: Disney Channel is paying tribute to teachers by dedicating a whole week in September to observe Teacher’s Day in a distinctive style. The channel is offering children across the country, a unique opportunity to acknowledge their teacher’s efforts and to make them feel very special.



    Children can write in to Disney Channel and have personalised greeting cards sent to their teachers. Disney Channel will also run a contest based on popular characters playing “teacher” from various Disney Channel shows with five kids getting a chance to take their teacher and entire class out for a Disney Channel treat. Teacher’s Week will be celebrated from 5 – 9 September on Disney Channel.


    Disney Channel is also running a contest to find “the coolest teacher of them all” based on the channel’s most popular characters playing “teacher” namely Miss Finster from Recess, Mr Keith and Mr Dig from Lizzie McGuire and Mr Petracelli and Mr Lawler from That’s So Raven. Kids writing in to Disney stating who they think is the coolest character teacher stand to win fabulous prizes. Five kids will bag a chance to take their teachers and the whole class out for a Disney Channel treat.


    Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “Teacher’s play an integral role in the overall growth and development of kids in their efforts to teach and impart knowledge. They are one of the main influencers in a child’s formative years that enable kids to nurture and chase their dreams wholeheartedly and make them a reality. Through the initiatives on Disney Channel we hope to create magic in the lives of kids and their teachers on this special occasion.”


    The celebrations are underway with promos running right up to 5 September on Disney Channel, on disneychannelindia.com and through school contact programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Faridabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Meerut and Rohtak. Kids can write into the channel or log on to the website or simply SMS us to participate.


    During “Teacher’s Week”, Disney Channel will also air teacher-student related episodes of various Disney Channel shows including That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire and Recess.

  • Imran Khan on ‘India Questions’ on NDTV

    Imran Khan on ‘India Questions’ on NDTV

    MUMBAI:Watch Imran Khan on ‘India Questions’, only on NDTV 24X7 on Friday, 17 November, at 9:30 pm.

    New Delhi,14 November, 2006 — Watch the charismatic Imran Khan, one of the greatest cricketing all-rounder of all time, in an exclusive interview with Dr Prannoy Roy on NDTV’s highly acclaimed ‘India Questions’ on Friday, 17 November, at 9.30 pm and repeat on Sunday, 19 November at 11 am.

    Imran Khan talks about his cricketing career, his best players, his take on the Indian cricket team, the current scenario of international cricket and a lot more…

    Imran Khan feels Rahul Dravid would make a good captain of a combined team of players from India and Pakistan. He opts for Rahul Dravid over Inzamam-Ul-Haq as the captain of the hypothetical team, saying that Dravid is a more aggressive player with good leadership qualities. Imran Khan says, “Well I would say Dravid would be the captain, not being diplomatic… he is more of an aggressive captain, he is a bold captain, he leads from the front, Inzamam though I would say is a greater player, but as a captain he is too laid back.”

    Talking about the recent doping controversy that had hollowed the careers of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, at least for the time being, Imran Khan says that the timing of the doping tests was bad. When asked whether he thinks it was a conspiracy against these two players, Imran Khan disagrees. “No I don’t think (so), I just think the timing of the test was strange. The day before a vital match suddenly you find that two of your key players are not available. The test results should have come before the team’s selection. Poor Younis Khan… before the first match he was left with minus two fast bowlers and actually without a strike bowler. So I don’t think it was a conspiracy, it was bad timing, whether these guys are guilty or not, we will find out after the enquiry when they had a chance to present (their) case.”

    On Indian cricketing standards, Imran Khan is upbeat, “Fielding standards have improved, and running in between wickets has improved. The batsman are playing more strokes than they were playing before because of one-day cricket but the level of fast bowling has gone down. I will only judge a cricketer by his performance in a test match because test cricket is the test of a cricketer. One–day cricket is the sort of cricket you can get away with.”

    When asked whether he would have coached Kapil Dev if such a situation arose, Imran Khan has no reservations. “He is a shy boy, he didn’t ask, otherwise I would have.”

    Asked who he thought should be the future captain of the Pakistani cricket team, Imran Khan is clear: “Well I think Younis Khan is the natural captain because he has the character, he is selfless. He oozes this selflessness in the field… and then of course he has the other characteristics that a captain must have and that’s guts and courage….”

  • Christian Brent takes a senior position in BBC Worldwide’s global channels business

    Christian Brent takes a senior position in BBC Worldwide’s global channels business

    MUMBAI: In the first appointment of its kind for BBC Worldwide’s Global Channels business, the division’s MD Darren Childs has announced Christian Brent as VP, audiences.

    As part of his new role, Brent will provide Global Channels with genuine insight into international audiences. He will identify and interpret local demands and make recommendations on strategic and creative decisions through market and pre-market-entry, research and assessment.

    Childs said, “Our goal is to deliver top performing channels that appeal to the local audience. With Christian’s appointment, I have put audiences at the centre of everything we do. Global Channels serve over 140 countries worldwide therefore a deeper understanding of audiences and how best to serve them will be one of the biggest contributors to our success.”

    Brent said, “I am very proud to be joining BBC Worldwide’s global channels business at this hugely exciting period in its development. It’s especially exciting to work with the amazing quality and range of programming we have here, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience from other consumer-facing industries to bear in launching some truly great global channel brands.”

  • Disney and GroupM present ‘Disney’s KidSense’

    Disney and GroupM present ‘Disney’s KidSense’

    A strategic initiative to bring insights into the world of kids

    Mumbai, June 13, 2006: Disney, the world’s number one media brand and GroupM, the world’s leading full service media investment management company have joined hands to launch ‘Disney’s KidSense’ in India.

    KidSense is a strategic effort by Disney and GroupM to explore the world of kids and share insights with the media and marketing fraternity. This initiative includes annual research and periodic forums for deliberations and creating opportunities to understand the largest kids market in the world – India. This announcement was jointly made today, by Rajat Jain, Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company (India) and Ashutosh Srivastava, CEO, GroupM, South Asia.

    Disney’s KidSense will be the knowledge powerhouse for all stakeholders in the kids segment in the country. Using strategic insights gathered from research, opinions from childhood experts, media professionals, international learning and experience of the two giants, KidSense aims to fill the information need gap in the industry. As part of this initiative, KidSense today released its first two-part Research Study, which will provide a window into kids’ minds, interests, their behaviour, and influence on family purchase decisions.

    Rajat Jain, Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company (India) said “Kids have increasingly emerged as savvy, sensitive and an extremely important consumer segment today. As global leaders in this genre, it is our responsibility to understand kids and provide a knowledge-house for all the stakeholders. We believe that Disney’s KidSense would act as a credible reference-point for the industry, our business partners and help grow the business in this industry as a whole.”

    “This initiative with GroupM is an important step towards addressing the missing links into the external and internal realities of this genre. The four to fourteen age group is definitely one planet with multiple worlds. You can no longer treat them all as a homogenous group. The kids market in India is in a growth phase and marketers are interested in learning about this segment more than ever before. With Disney’s KidSense, we are beginning to equip ourselves to provide answers to most queries on kids”, he added.

    Ashutosh Srivastava, CEO, GroupM, South Asia said, “The association of GroupM with Disney is all about unlocking value in this growing market segment of young consumers. An important learning for all is that kids like to be spoken to in their own environment – their schools, their play areas, their homes and their shows. Disney’s KidSense shows new realities of influence from this genre on purchase decisions in categories ranging from confectionery to cars and insurance companies. The latest mantra for marketers should be – talk the kids language to enter their homes. With this association, we have created a solid information base to address planners’ needs for the genre.”

    The two parts of this elaborate research (quantitative and qualitative) were conducted and collated early this year by leading research firms – Indica Research Practices and Consulting and Third Eye across twelve markets in India. Over 4000 kids across the country were studied over a three month period to delve into their tastes, behaviour and influences on purchase decisions on 15 product categories ranging for confectioneries, commodities, FMCG, white goods, and services.

    KidSense also includes the perspective of caregivers to draw insights on the developmental, social and behavioral reality of Indian kids. For the first time in India, this study provides a detailed analysis of kids between the ages of 4-14 with segmentation that brings out a clear distinction between the 3 main groups – 4 to 5, 6 to 9 and 10 to 14. It offers a full section on kid-power, which covers 15 non traditional product categories and answers a broad spectrum of advertiser’s queries.

    About The Walt Disney Company:

    The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a diversified, international family entertainment and media enterprise which includes Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Studios, ABC, Inc., ESPN, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Disney Consumer Products, television and radio stations and Internet web sites.

    About GroupM:

    GroupM, the world’s leading full service media investment management operation, includes MindShare, Mediaedge:cia, MediaCom and MAXUS. It has pioneered diversified services such as branded entertainment, data analytics, digital media, and brand activation. The focus of GroupM is the intelligent application of volume and scale in trading, innovation and quality of services, in order to bring benefit to clients and the companies it operates. GroupM believes that all communications planning begins with Consumer Insights.

    For Media Enquiries please contact:

    K. Seshasaye / Pooja Verma
    Walt Disney Television International (India)
    Tel: 5651 6630 / 6628
    Mob: 9820715609 / 9820139811
    pooja.verma@disney.com
    seshasaye.kanthamraju@disney.com

    Ameeta Sequeira / Khyati Parekh
    Corporate Voice|Weber Shandwick
    Tel: 2281 2960/ 2281 2957
    ameeta@corvoshandwick.co.in
    khyati@corvoshandwick.co.in

  • Sahara One to spread global footprint; Filmy’s US launch on 28 August

    Sahara One to spread global footprint; Filmy’s US launch on 28 August

    MUMBAI: Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd. has charted out plans to spread overseas the footprint of its two entertainment channels.

    The first target is the US where Sahara One, the general entertainment channel, is already available on EchoStar. Hindi movie channel Filmy will be launched on the DirecTV platform later this month. While EchStar offers a range of Indian channels including Sony, Max, Zee TV and Zee Cinema, the News Corp-controlled DirecTV has the Star, ETV and Aastha channels on its platform.

    “Our focus this year will be on the international distribution of these two channels. We will be launching Filmy in the US on 28 August and progressively extending our channels to new territories,” says Sahara One Media and Entertainment CEO Shantonu Aditya.

    Australia and New Zealand will be the next destination and plans are on to launch both the channels on 1 September. Following up on the launch of Sahara One in the Middle East, Filmy will be taken to the region in a month’s time. The two channels will also soon start beaming in Nepal and Maldives, adds Aditya.

    By having a global presence, Sahara hopes to hook on audiences from the South Asian community and rake in subscription revenues. “Our target is to make Sahara One and Filmy also available in the UK and South Africa by the end of this year,” says Aditya.

    Indian channels are increasingly eyeing the global market, particularly to boost their subscription revenues. Zee Telefilms Ltd, for instance, garners one-fourth of its total revenues from international operations.