ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Simpsons, Mickey face a ban in China

    Simpsons, Mickey face a ban in China

    MUMBAI: Foreign cartoons will no more be a source of entertainment for Chinese kids. From 1 September, cartoon series produced outside of China will be banned from local broadcast between 5 pm and 8 pm. The move is an effort to give a boost to the local animation sector.

    According to reports, the ban, which hasn’t been formally announced yet, is said to be in response to the popularity of anime in the Chinese market, and comes from other efforts by regulators to clamp down on international content.

    It also follows a 2004 edict mandating that Chinese cartoons had to account for at least 60 per cent of a channel’s animation output.

    The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has told stations that prime time TV, from 5 pm to 8 pm, will only be allowed to show Chinese cartoons. Among those banned are The Simpsons, Teletubbies, Mickey Mouse, Blue’s Clues and popular Japanese animation will take a back seat to Chinese animation.

    The first major step was taken in 2000, when SARFT requested that all foreign animations get its approval before being broadcast on Chinese TV. Since 2004 the administration has also built 15 animation industry incubators around the country.

  • NGC tremors and twists next month

    NGC tremors and twists next month

    MUMBAI: Next month, the National Geographic Channel (NGC) has a treat for viewers keen on knowing the reason for natural disasters. It will air a series of specials on tremors and twisters.

    The channel kicks things off by examining the Eruption At Pinatubo on 18 September at 10 pm.

    On 15 June 1991, Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines blew itself apart. A million people lived in its shadow. Viewers can see what happens when a molten monster breaks free of the underworld.

    From 19-22 September, volcanos and earthquakes take centerstage. With the help of footage of lava spewing from Mount Kilauea in Hawaii one special explains how volcanos work. The special focusses on four eruptions that say different things about the phenomenon of volcanic eruptions.

    Another episode called Megavolcano tells the story of the volcano which may have caused an ice age which wiped out over 60 per cent of the world’s population. It could erupt again.

    From 25-29 September at 10 pm the channel looks at the phenomenon of twisters, tsunamis and tornadoes. One episode is called The Super Twisters. In 1974, in one day, 148 tornadoes ripped through the US. The special looks at the havoc that was created and the communities caught up in nature’s fury. Another episode looks to unravel the Mysteries Of The Tornado. Tim Samaras has spent his life tracking tornadoes. He gives viewers a picture of what happens inside a twister.

  • Government allays fears of media industry on Broadcast Bill

    Government allays fears of media industry on Broadcast Bill

    NEW DELHI: Fazed by strident criticism of certain provisions in a proposed Broadcast Bill, the government on Monday agreed to take industry’s concerns into consideration while drafting the legislation.
    Briefing reporters after a meeting with the industry representatives on the eve of India’s Independence Day, information and broadcasting secretary SK Arora said, “We have agreed to take into account the views of the industry when we draft a final Bill on the subject.”

    A Press Trust of India report said Arora also sought to assuage apprehensions of the industry on a provision dubbed “draconian” in certain sections of the media regarding the inspection, search and seizure of equipments.

    “These are just apprehensions and the government has no intention to encroach on the independence of the media,” PTI quoted Arora as saying.

    According to Arora, “This kind of criminal offences clause will be applicable only for three offences — unlicenced activity; telecasting anti-national content and something that may be sensitive from security perspective; and if certain directions of the Government on security and national integrity are not carried out.”

    However, Indiantelevision.com learns that what was billed as a big ticket industry-government interaction did not turn out so as quite a few captains of the industry kept away from the meeting and Delhi, which is reeling under heavy security due to threats of large scale terrorist activity.

    Interestingly, the meeting also got broken up into several smaller interactions with the minister and secretary briefing different people in different rooms.

    Dasmunsi is also said to have expressed his ignorance on TV channels being directed by his ministry to scroll a public apology for three days for breaching advertising code.

    Those who attended Monday’s meeting included Zee group’s Jawahar Goel, Discovery India head Deepak Shourie, India TV CEO Chintamani Rao, NDTV Profit head Vikram Chandra and Business Standard CEO and editor TN Ninan.

    Industry bodies representatives included those from Indian Media Group, Indian Broadcasting Foundation, Indian Newspaper Society and several other media companies.

  • FIM and Twentieth Century to deliver movies, TV shows for download

    FIM and Twentieth Century to deliver movies, TV shows for download

    MUMBAI: Fox Interactive Media (FIM) and Twentieth Century Fox have inked a multi-year agreement to provide feature films and television shows on a download-to-own basis across the FIM network. Fox Interactive Media’s network of properties will have access to Fox Entertainment Group’s catalogue of content including hit feature films such as X-Men The Last Stand and The Omen as well as episodes of television series like 24, and Prison Break.

    IGN Entertainment will be the first FIM property to offer a selection of on its Direct2Drive site (www.direct2drive.com) in October 2006 with additional FIM properties including MySpace.com to come.

    “Our drive to deliver Twentieth Century Fox content via the most powerful online platforms is advanced substantially by this agreement. Offering Fox content in conjunction with FIM properties enables viewers to access the best movies and TV shows from multiple platforms in the Fox family,” said Fox Entertainment Group president digital media Peter Levinsohn.

    Initially, FIM will offer films from Twentieth Century Fox including new releases, made-for-TV movies, direct-to-video releases and select content from the Twentieth Century Fox film library on IGN’s Direct2Drive site. The site will also offer current television series from various Fox entities such as Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fuel TV, Speed, and FX with a selection of shows available within 24 hours of initial broadcast.

    In an industry first, purchased movies and television shows will be immediately transferable to Windows Media compatible portable devices providing users with a convenient way to take the video content with them on the go.

    “Today marks an important step as we continue to build a bridge between the worlds of user-generated and top-quality, professional content, further enhancing our range of consumer offerings across both free, ad-supported and paid download business models. With more than 75 million monthly users and one of the largest entertainment communities on the web, we are thrilled to begin offering our users exciting content from Fox,” said FIM president Ross Levinsohn.

    The agreement with Twentieth Century Fox will enable FIM, already a leader in downloadable games with Direct2Drive, to expand its offerings with premier TV and movie content. Direct2Drive will promote the new offering throughout the IGN Entertainment network, including IGN.com, Rotten Tomatoes; and Film Force, among other sites.

    Direct2Drive’s secure digital download service will enable users to transfer content to up to two PCs and one portable device per PC. Content will be available at approximately $19.99 for new feature film releases and $1.99 per TV series episode.

  • Sharjah looking to host Twenty20 event next year

    Sharjah looking to host Twenty20 event next year

    MUMBAI: The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) is looking to relaunch Sharjah as an international venue with a Twenty20 club championships early next year.

    Media reports indicate that the Twenty20 competition, involving top teams like Australia and India will take place before the World Cup next year. CBFS had not been able to hold matches for the last three years due to a hectic international calendar and problems with dates while inviting teams to participate.

    Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and South Africa all hold annual domestic Twenty20 Cup tournaments. The West Indies recently completed its inaugural competition. As yet, India does not have a Twenty20 event but there are plans in this arena.

  • With more news & more shows Times Now beats nearest competition!

    With more news & more shows Times Now beats nearest competition!

    Mumbai, August 16th: TIMES NOW, the 24 hours English news television channel with more news and more shows has established, when it comes to big stories, it has the viewer’s attention. In the last two weeks, it is clearly ahead of CNN IBN and has narrowed the gap with NDTV 24 X 7.

    The interactive and comprehensive coverage of the Prince story saw TIMES NOW emerge as the leading English News channel on the news which had the entire country hooked.

    TIMES NOW has 30% share to NDTV 24 X 7’s 31% in prime time, with 6 Times Now shows featuring among the top 10 English news genre shows (ref: TAM Top 10 list). In the last week, Times Now’s 31% share in Prime Time to CNN IBN’s 18% share establishes the channels growing popularity.

    Further, at an all day level, TIMES NOW has a 21.5% share of Viewership to CNN IBN’s 17.4% share, again with 4 of the top 10 shows.

    Commenting on TIMES NOW’s leading viewer ship growth, Sunil Lulla, CEO, TIMES NOW said, “With more news & more shows, Times Now is clearly winning the minds and hearts of viewers. It will continue to up the ante to build leadership in the market place”.

    (Data source: TAM 1 Million+ Markets, SEC AB, 25 + M, Weeks 23rd July to 5th August)

    About TIMES NOW

    TIMES NOW is a 24 hour English news television channel that provides the Urbane viewers the complete picture of the news that is relevant, presented in a vivid and insightful manner, which enables them to widen their horizons & stay ahead.

    TIMES NOW is brought to you by Times Global Broadcasting, a Times Group & Reuters service. Times Now operates out of its dual centers at Mumbai and Delhi and has bureaus in all major locations across India, complemented by the news gathering teams of The Times of India and The Economic Times, in India and globally by the Reuters international network.

    The Times Group is the largest media conglomerate in south Asia, with Leadership in newspaper publishing; magazines; music retailing; FM Radio; Internet; interactive media; mobile services and lifestyle television.

    Reuters is a global information company providing indispensable news and financial information to financial professionals, media organizations and consumers around the world. Its news operation of 2300 editorial staff in 196 bureaux serving 129 countries, makes Reuters the world’s largest international multimedia news agency

    Reuters and the sphere logo are the trade-marks of the Reuters group of companies

     

    For further enquiries:

    Vishakha Singh Ruchi Agrawal/ Ashwin Shetty
    TIMES NOW Genesis Burson Marsteller A Times Group & Reuters Service 1st Flr, Elegant House Times Global Broadcasting Co. Ltd. Raghuvanshi Mills Compound Trade House, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, S.B.Marg, Lower Parel Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel,
    Mumbai-400 013, India Mumbai – 400013, India Email: Vishakha.singh@timesgroup.com Email: ruchi.agrawal@bm.com
    ashwin.shetty@bm.com
    Phone: 9820100941 Phone: 9869063217
    Website: www.timesnow.tv Website: www.genesispr.com

  • Disney reorganises global home entertainment division Buena Vista Home Entertainment

    Disney reorganises global home entertainment division Buena Vista Home Entertainment

    MUMBAI: Less than a month after laying off 650 employees US media conglomerate Disney has announced a major restructuring of its home entertainment division.

    Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment International will be integrated into one global division — Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment (BVWHE).

    BVWHE president Bob Chapek says, “With the rapidly changing landscape facing the home entertainment industry, we need to embrace not only new technologies but the global nature of our business as well. This new
    organisation addresses the need for global strategies and allows for market customisation.”

    Chapek will lead BVWHE along with executive VP worldwide sales, distribution and trade marketing Pat Fitzgerald; executive VP of worldwide marketing, creative content and business development Gordon Ho, VP worldwide HR and communication Richard Ramsey and senior VP worldwide business and legal affairs Kristin McQueen.

    In addition to this core worldwide team, Bill
    Segil has taken on the newly created position of senior VP worldwide operations. In this capacity, he will broaden his operational scope to include all worldwide supply chain strategies under Fitzgerald. Andy Siditsky has been named senior vice president of Worldwide Creative Services & DVD Production and will continue to lead the development of worldwide creative advertising and DVD production under Ho.

    Siditsky will also add new programming to his responsibilities. Eric Maehara will serve as VP of worldwide communications and will manage worldwide publicity along with trade and home entertainment communications for the new division under Ramsey.

    Commenting on the new global team Chapek said, “Pat Fitzgerald is one of the most aggressive and savvy executives in this industry. I am delighted that he will bring his considerable talents to overseeing our worldwide sales and operational teams.

    “Gordon Ho has been an industry leader and major force in our key marketing and product strategies for BVHE titles. His creative and strategic contributions will be critical to our continued success in the global marketplace. Richard Ramsey has helped build the best team in the industry and will play a key role in building our global team. Kristin McQueen
    possesses a tremendous ability to quickly assess legal situations and gauge their commercial implications. We are confident that she will continue to successfully lead BVHE business and legal affairs in the global marketplace.”

    In addition to the worldwide team, the new division will incorporate regional teams to manage day to day operations in the markets. The three regions include North America, Asia Pacific/Latin America, and Europe/Middle East and Africa. Lori MacPherson has been named the new GM for the US. Daniel Solnicki has taken on the role of GM for Asia Pacific and Latin America.Julie Sneddon continues in her position as GM for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

    Chapek adds, “Lori MacPherson’s tremendous managerial and leadership skills will continue to drive the North American business. Her successful track record as a marketing leader will continue to innovate with consumer and trade programmes and keep us at the forefront of the market.

    “Strong regional marketing, sales and distribution executives are key to the successful integration of BVHE product into the marketplace. Daniel Solnicki and Julie Sneddon have demonstrated their formidable talents and abilities to integrate our marketing and sales strategies into diverse cultures. We are delighted that they will help lead our international organisations.

    “Entertainment is a rapidly changing business and with our dynamic and talented team in place we are poised to maximise our opportunities across the globe,” said Chapek.

  • SS Music attempts to grow ‘younger’ in its sixth year

    SS Music attempts to grow ‘younger’ in its sixth year

    MUMBAI: Southern Spice Music (SS Music), the Chennai-based multi-lingual music channel targeting the youth, has entered its sixth year of operations. The channel is firing on all cylinders to keep up with its young and contemporary image, and on the anvil are a few new properties.

    This year, the new program line-up begins with Reliance Launchpad, a new programme aimed at discovering new singing talents. The show will be a contest for aspiring singers, hosted by a VJ/singer and judged by a prominent personality. All shortlisted participants will be promoted by the channel and the public will vote to choose the winners.

    Cinema Central is a new film-based programme on Southern Spice Music, hosted by VJs Pooja and Gibran. Cinema Central focuses entirely on film personalities and their respective films. It flows as either a film-based episode or artist-based episode. Each episode shall be a weekly, 30 minutes programme featuring about a film or film-star. The interaction mainly focuses on the star’s entry into the film Industry and the developments in career of the artiste to date. Cinema Central screens exclusive clips of an particular film star and also focusses on the performance of the team behind the camera.

    Briefing indiantelevision.com, SS Music programming & production manager James D’Cruz states, “It is popularly observed that it is a mammoth task to retain attention of the youth for any period of time. A vibrant youth-targeting channel as ours needs to retain not only their interest and viewing, but also encourage involvement through interactions with our VJs. And this quest for new programming from our end has led to introduction of new programs, currently welcomed by our target viewers. We do hope that our upcoming properties will go on to make a big success of themselves and in the process, help maintain the top of the line ranking among music channels, particularly in South India.”

    Alternately, Southern Spice Music will propose a theme for every month and scenes from movies within that theme will be telecast accordingly. For instance, if it’s the Vijay month, the viewer will have the pleasure of getting to see excerpts from four movies starring Vijay that month. This will be accompanied by interviews and reviews of the star.

    The channel will retain its ‘senior-most’ property Reach Out, which is into its sixth year. VJ Craig continues to host the show.

    One of the recent properties SS Music has launched, Room with a View, delves into the glitzy world of cinema with our movie aficionado VJ Shyam, who interviews stars, reviews the latest block-busters and takes you into the world of movie-making. An add-on to this show is the premiere night titled Red Carpet, which covers film premieres and celebrity parties.

    New properties Is-cool and Between the Lines mainly target viewers, who are looking for non-film/non-music content. Is-cool is a programme that captures the snapshots of the school life. The show incorporates the history of the school that is being profiled, its vision, academic curriculum and extra-curricular activities. Is-cool was launched in March.

    Between the Lines, which also launched in March 2006, is a 20-minute talk show. The programme features high profile personalities from the world of literature and the fine arts.

  • Nat Geo Intl commissions two hour global special on ‘Bin Laden’s Spy’

    Nat Geo Intl commissions two hour global special on ‘Bin Laden’s Spy’

    MUMBAI: Following the success of the documentary special Inside 9/11, National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and National Geographic Channel have commissioned Towers Productions for a two-hour special Bin Laden’s Spy in America.

    Bin Laden’s Spy in America, details the secret case of an Islamic fundamentalist who joins the US Army while playing a key role in terrorism plots on the road to 9/11. The two-hour documentary will premiere in the US on 28 August and internationally on 10 September 2006.

    NGCI executive VP content Sydney Suissa says, “This is an unknown and astounding story of the deception that allowed 9/11 to happen. It’s far more riveting than any spy novel could ever be”.

    The film tells the story of an ex-Egyptian Special Forces major who infiltrated the US intelligence community while working for terrorist organisations like Egyptian Islamic Jihad and al Qaeda. He successfully enlisted in the US Army despite having been listed as a suspected terrorist on a State Department’s watch list.

    While serving in the US Army, he provided training to several of the terrorists who took part in the 1993 World Trade Center attack. He also compiled an al Qaeda terror manual using information from documents taken during his stay at Fort Bragg; and coordinated bin Laden’s relocation from Afghanistan to the Sudan. He later became an FBI informant at around the same time that he was training terrorists in al Qaeda camps in the Middle East.

    The documentary is in part based on the upcoming investigative book Triple Cross by Peter Lance. Following its premiere, Bin Laden’s Spy in America will be available for international distribution at the television event Mipcom, which takes place in Cannes in October.

  • Sesame Workshop promotes Schneiderman to manager of international TV distribution

    Sesame Workshop promotes Schneiderman to manager of international TV distribution

    MUMBAI: Sesame Workshop has promoted Celia Schneiderman to manager international television distribution. Responsible for program sales in Asia, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and in-flight, Schneiderman will report to Sesame Workshop international television distribution vice president Renee Mascara.

    Schneiderman was recently international television distribution coordinator where she oversaw details of the Workshop’s participation at international television trade shows including Mipcom, MipTV, Natpe, LA Screenings and Asia TV Forum. She was responsible for generating sales reports and served as a liaison to the Workshop’s broadcasters.

    “Since joining Sesame Workshop, Celia has demonstrated a deep interest in learning all aspects of international television sales and has developed a strong knowledge of the market that will be an asset to our broadcasters,” said Mascara.

    Previously, Schneiderman was a research specialist at Cushman & Wakefield where she wrote market reports and provided market analysis information. She also served as an advertising service coordinator at Cahners Publishing.