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  • Disney & Adlabs give family entertainment a ‘Movie Magic’ experience

    Disney & Adlabs give family entertainment a ‘Movie Magic’ experience

    MUMBAI: The weekend is fast approaching and the family and kids are all geared up for some fun! What if you could catch a movie, play some games and maybe even watch a magic show, all in just a couple of hours? Well, Disney has given the family entertainment experience a new meaning, as they unveiled the Disney and Adlabs Movie Magic experience.

    Known for their story telling heritage, Disney has now tied up with Adlabs to bring to their audience what they call “experiential engagement.” The Disney Movie Magic experience is primarily based on getting kids to use their “pester power” to drive the whole family into the theatre every weekend. Adlabs across six cities including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Mangalore, Meerut and the National Capital Region (NCR), will be dedicated to showing classics from the Disney stable such as The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Aladdin, Tarzan, Chicken Little, The Princess Diaries, 102 Dalmatians and many more.

    This new initiative was kicked off here in Mumbai with newly launched animated feature Cars. What’s more, for this special screening about 150 kids from NGO’s including Make-a-Wish Foundation and St. Katherine were invited. From games, tattoos, face paint to a magic show, all the kids sported various Disney characters on their arms and faces and it seemed like they had a frolicking time. Also, Rand De Basanti star and avid Disney fan, Kunal Kapoor was present to pep up the kids.

    Keeping up this spirit every weekend, kids will be able to avail of special food and beverage offers along with monthly in-cinema contests and a chance to win Disney merchandise. The branding experience is taken a step further with specially designed movie tickets incased in Disney’s Movie Magic branded envelope, which will contain a token gift related to Disney movies. Adlabs locations will also be decorated in keeping with the fantasy world of Disney.

    Unveiling the new logo and commenting on their efforts to enhance the Disney entertainment experience, The Walt Disney Company (India) managing director Rajat Jain said, “There is no such concept as a children’s movie, but rather a family viewing experience. The endeavor of the brand will be to build the emotional connect between the content and the consumer and we are working on constant innovations to deliver this.”

    “‘We’re pleased to provide families with a new weekend entertainment option that engages the whole family together. Disney’s Movie Magic is a unique wholesome entertainment experience for families, which will be available through leading multiplex chains across India,” adds Jain.

    Disney’s Movie Magic will be promoted extensively through a comprehensive marketing campaign including television, in-cinema and print advertising bolstered by onground, ATL and online initiatives. Going forward, this initiative will include a loyalty programme, special schemes with schools and more exciting offerings to add the magic of Disney to special festivals and holidays.

    Adlabs Films Limited COO Tushar Dhingra said, “Movie going is a social activity and an emmersive experience and we attempt to create an experiential journey for the family. We should never underestimate the repeat power of this segment of the audience. The before and
    after experience will keep them coming back for more.”

    Commenting on their marketing efforts, Dhingra added, “We have the advantage of an in house inventory, that will produce advertisements to attract the kids segment and apart from the media mix, word of mouth should give it a good start.”

    When queried as to why this offer has strategically omitted other bigger metros Dhingra said that even tier 2 and tier 3 cities have reflected a great demand for such forms of entertainment however, they do plan to roll out similar initiatives in the other metros soon.

    The in-cinema promotions show a bored father and son playing table tennis in an unenthusiastic way, until they find out about the new Disney and Adlabs Movie Magic offer. The next scene catches the whole family enjoying the entertainment and fun. Similar advertisements have been rolled out in the print including the Mumbai Mirror and Bombay Times.

    This offer will be applicable to the morning shows on every weekend between 9 to10 and will be priced at a Rs. 90.

  • BBC sinks its teeth into Dracula

    BBC sinks its teeth into Dracula

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC has announced a new version of the classic Bram Stoker 1897 novel, Dracula. Filming begins this month on location in and around the West Country for transmission later in the year on BBC One.

    Marc Warren plays the title role. David Suchet who is best known for the television series Poirot plays vampire scholar and Dracula’s nemesis, Van Helsing.

    Returning to the original novel for his inspiration, Stewart Harcourt’s script draws both on elements of Bram Stoker’s own life and Victorian society to give this version of the vampire classic a new, modern sensibility.

    Executive producer Julie Gardner said, “Stewart Harcourt’s adaptation is a visceral, sexy and bold re-telling of Bram Stoker’s classic chiller which will blow the cobwebs off traditional period drama. And we’ve brought together a cast of thrilling young talent to bring it to life.”

  • Discovery US launches a consumer mobile site

    Discovery US launches a consumer mobile site

    MUMBAI: US media firm Discovery Communications has launched its US direct-to-consumer mobile website.

    This allows consumers to download wallpapers, ring tones, podcasts and other special features directly to their cell phones through the mobile URL at www.discoverymobile.com.

    Discovery’s fans can now personalise their cell phones with a wide assortment of ring tones including nearly 30 different animal sounds and Animal Planet’s Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin saying “G’Day Mate.” Additionally, consumers can choose from wallpapers ranging from over a dozen kinds of sharks to tattoos from TLC’s hit series Miami Ink.

    Highlighting both current hit shows as well as programming genres that viewers have come to know and love from Discovery such as nature, science, exploration and animals, the mobile website also offers previews, scheduling information and short-form video clips.

    Discovery executive VP strategy and development Don Baer says, “Our new mobile portal is the latest example of our strategy to expand the Discovery universe and provide consumers with informative and entertaining content and useful features when and where it fits their lifestyles”.

    Designed to complement its television networks by strengthening viewers’ loyalty as well as attracting new audiences to Discovery’s brands, the mobile portal offers programming extensions that consumers can use while on-the-go. The features range from recipes and corresponding grocery lists from TLC’s new series Take Home Chef to fashion tips from the hosts of What Not To Wear. Pregnancy calendars, health tips and smoking cessation guides related to Discovery Health will also be added in the near future.

    Discovery senior VP, new media Clint Stinchcomb, says, “Whether it’s a busy parent trying to feed the kids or a teenager looking to put a personal touch on their cell phone, our mobile portal is a way for consumers to simplify, enhance and enjoy their lives with Discovery features at their fingertips.”

    Features on Discovery’s new mobile portal also include:

    • Downloadable ring tones, wallpaper and podcasts from Discovery favorites such as Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, TLC’s Miami Ink and Animal Planet’s The Crocodile Hunter, as well as over two dozen animal sounds and a variety of breathtaking nature scenes from around the globe, among others. The cost per download is $1.99.

    • Discovery News text reports offering information in the areas of science, nature, health, travel, all things about planet earth and current affairs. Updated daily, Discovery News offers perspective and commentary from multiple sources including the company’s in-house development and editorial team and Associated Press Television News.

    • Fan sites where consumers can view exclusive video clips, learn more about on-air personalities and access program schedules.

    • Short-form spotlights of shows from Discovery’s entire family of U.S. networks offering program descriptions and scheduling information.

    Discovery’s mobile portal can be accessed from any US network through the mobile URL at discoverymobile.com. The company will also introduce Discovery Mobile, a dedicated, 24-hour mobile programming network designed specifically for portable platforms available through mobile carriers this quarter. Updated weekly, Discovery Mobile will push content to consumers such as original made-for-mobile series, abbreviated versions of Discovery’s most popular programs, never before seen footage, one-of-a-kind extras and user-generated content.

    The launch of the US mobile portal builds on Discovery’s strong foundation of success in the international mobile marketplace where it has already launched a direct-to-consumer mobile portal in the UK. Discovery Mobile is available in nine countries. The company also has a global partnership with Nokia, which carries customized Discovery content on its newest and most sophisticated devices.

    This announcement follows a series of new media initiatives Discovery has recently unveiled. Discovery has been launching new services and working with strategic partners to bring its high-quality, informative and entertaining content to consumers wherever they are and whenever they want it.

    Discovery says that it is the first media company to provide its world-class video content on Google Earth, the revolutionary satellite imagery-based mapping product, and the first nonfiction programmer to offer video content through the iTunes music store. Discovery also launched the first of its U.S. broadband channels: Discovery Channel Beyond, TLC Beyond, Travel Channel Beyond and Animal Planet Beyond, as well as the new TURBO broadband channel.

  • eBay India community annnounces the Bollywood Barometer

    eBay India community annnounces the Bollywood Barometer

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    Indiantelevision.com’s News Releases
     

    eBay India community annnounces the Bollywood Barometer
     

    MUMBAI : eBay India, India’s leading online marketplace,announces a unique eBay Bollywood Barometer.The eBay Bollywood Barometer gauges Bollywood star popularity based on the number of products up for saleon eBay India (www.eBay.in).

    eBay Bollywood Barometer: Actors

    Ranking
    Actors
    No. of Live Listings*
    1 John Abraham 497
    2 Shahrukh Khan 266
    3 Hrithik Roshan 164
    4 Amitabh Bachchan 142
    5 Akshay Kumar 100
    6 Salman Khan 91
    7 Sanjay Dutt 62
    8 Abhishek Bachchan 58
    9 Saif Ali Khan 57
    10 Aamir Khan 31

    eBay Bollywood Barometer: Actresses

    Ranking Actresses No. of Live Listings*
    1 Rani Mukherjee 134
    2 Aishwarya Rai 122
    3 Preity Zinta 93
    4 Madhuri Dixit 66
    5 Kareena Kapoor 61
    6 Bipasha Basu 41
    7 Priyanka Chopra 36
    8 Rekha 36
    9 Sushmita Sen 34
    10 Vidya Balan 16

    Interestingly, eBay India sellers have listed products in keeping with buyer demand and hence the popular choices all figure in the Barometer with a few surprise entries. The eBay Bollywood Barometer has ranked both the Top 10 Actors and the Top 10 Actresses. The range of products vary from Movie Memorabilia like Film Magazine Covers, Posters, Movies & Books and you can log onto www.ebay.in <http://www.ebay.in> to bid or buy the exciting products on offer.

    Key Highlights

    Rani, Aishwarya & Preity are the Top 3 Actresses on the Barometer.

    Madhuri’s comeback announcement seems right on time as she is No. 4 on the Barometer.

    The eternal Rekha actually ties with Priyanka Chopra at 36 listings
    each.

    John, Shahrukh & Hrithik are Top 3 Actors on the Barometer.

    The thinking man’s actor Aamir is actually ranked at No. 10.
  • Valentine’s Day… Book your date with Star Movies

    Valentine’s Day… Book your date with Star Movies

    Mumbai, February 14, 2006… Valentine’s day is incomplete without watching a valentine’s movie! This Valentine’s Day, Star Movies pays homage to the trials and tribulations of romance with a full-day marathon of romantic films. If you want to have some cheerful moments of laughter and joy, with your loved ones, you can catch some romantic comedy films like ‘Woman on Top’ and ‘There’s Something about Mary’, and of course you can re-live the romance by watching some romantic valentine day movies like ‘Glitter’, ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘Malena’. So book your date with Star Movies, this Valentine’s Day, February 14th beginning 12:10 pm

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 12:10
    GLITTER
    Starring: Mariah Carey, Max Beesley, Tia Texada, Terence Howard, Da Brat Pop star Mariah Carey plays Billie Frank, a shy, young mixed-race girl who is sent away by her alcoholic mother at a very early age. At an orphanage, she befriends Louise (Da Brat) and Roxanne (Tia Texada). Flash forward to 1983. Billie and her friends are spotted by a record-producer, who wants them to sing backup vocals for his latest pop-music discovery. But when super DJ Dice (Max Beesley) hears Billie’s incredible voice, he makes a shady deal with Timothy to get her out of that dead-end situation. Soon, Billie and Dice are making hits inside the studio, and falling in love outside of it. Eventually, the pressure of her newfound celebrity puts too heavy a strain on Billie, forcing her to decide what it is she really wants from Dice, and what she wants for herself.

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 14:20
    NOTTING HILL
    Starring: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant
    Every man’s dream comes true for William Thacker (Grant), an unsuccessful Notting Hill bookstore owner, when Anna Scott (Roberts), the world’s most beautiful woman and best-liked actress, enters his shop. A little later, he still can’t believe it himself, William runs into her again – this time spilling orange juice over her. Anna accepts his offer to change in his nearby apartment, and thanks him with a kiss, which seems to surprise her even more than him. Eventually, Anna and William get to know each other better over the months, but being together with the world’s most wanted woman is not easy – neither around your closest friends, nor in front of the all-devouring press.

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 16:45
    WOMAN ON TOP
    Starring: Penelope Cruz, Murilo Benicio, Harold Perrineau
    Isabella is a great cook, making her husband’s restaurant in Bahia, Brazil, a success. To control her motion sickness, she must do the driving and be on top during sex, which drives her macho husband, Toninho, to infidelities. Heart-broken, she leaves for San Francisco, moving in with her childhood friend, Monica, a cross-dresser. To mend her heart, she makes an offering to Yemanja, the goddess of the sea. The goddess responds: Isabella no longer loves and the fish in Bahia no longer bite. Stricken, Toninho heads north to get her back; he finds her hosting a popular TV show, Passion Food, courted by its producer. Can he learn humility? Can she find happiness without him?

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 18:40
    THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
    Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, Chris Elliott
    Ted was a geek in high school, who was going to go to the prom with one of the most popular girls in school, Mary. The prom date never happened, because Ted had a very unusual accident. Thirteen years later he realizes he is still in love with Mary, so he hires a private investigator to track her down. That investigator discovers he too may be in love with Mary, so he gives Ted some false information to keep him away from her. But soon Ted finds himself back into Mary’s life, as we watch one funny scene after another.

    Tue, Feb 14 @ 21:00
    MALENA
    Starring: Monica Belluci, Giuseppe Sulfaro
    On the day in 1940 that Italy enters the war, two things happen to the 12-year-old Renato: he gets his first bike, and he gets his first look at Mal?na, a beautiful, silent outsider who’s moved to this Sicilian town to be with her husband Nico who promptly goes off to war, leaving her to the lustful eyes of the men and the sharp tongues of the women. During the next few years, as Renato grows toward manhood, he watches Mal?na suffer and prove her mettle: her loneliness, then grief when Nico is reported dead, the effects of slander on her relationship with her father, her poverty and search for work, and final humiliations. Will Renato learn courage from Mal?na and stand up for her?

    So tune- in to Star Movies this Valentine’s Day and get set for that perfect date, you had always wished for!!!

    About Star
    STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 50 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world’s largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com

    For further information please contact:
    In Mumbai
    Zeenat Khan Shiraz Bhavnani / Aditi Chada
    Communications Department Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
    STAR (India) Ltd. Tel: 91-22-5656 8787
    Tel No. 91-22-56305555 Fax: 91-22-5656 8788
    Email:sbhavnani@vccpl.com / achada@vccpl.com

     

  • Animax goes all English from 15 August

    Animax goes all English from 15 August

    NEW DELHI: Animax, the international animation channel, adopts a complete English language feed as a continuation of the Animax Refresh to meet the requirements of an ever growing and discerning Indian viewership starting this month.

    With slick blockbuster animation series and shows that are more youth and young adult focused, Animax is punching into a different market segment to better attract the 15 to 24 years old, an age group with the real purchasing power. Operating a single English language feed is meant to better serve this segment.

    Animax has been a pioneer seeking to change the face of animation in India by offering Indian viewers animation for grown-ups, and not just cartoons for kids. Animax programming tends to be more developed, dramatic animated series portraying human emotions and conflicts.

    These series attract viewers that want intelligent, substantial themes along with the fun in their animated entertainment. The Animax audience are young adults who enjoy daily viewing of their favorite animated series on Animax.

    Says Animax-Country manager- Sunder Aaron, “We’ve converted the Animax feed into English-only to better meet the interests of our target audience in the metros. We’ve targeted the young adults of India who we all see at cyber cafes, playing video games, downloading music and wearing branded clothes. Animax is focused on engaging this discerning audience with our programming. Broadcast in English also meets the demands of our various user-groups who have expressed this preference to us online. “

  • One-on-one to make its worldwide debut at ‘Premier Hockey League’

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) and Leisure Sports Management (LSM), the architects of India’s very own domestic hockey league- The Premier Hockey League (PHL), today made a landmark announcement with regards to the rules of the third edition of the league.

    International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) latest innovation, one-on-one, will make its world-wide debut at the Premier Hockey League scheduled to begin in January 2007. The IHF also announced the composition of all the seven teams of the league along with their respective Coaches and Managers. As many as 20 foreign players are expected to add international flavor to the league scheduled in Chennai and Chandigarh. ESPN STAR Sports also announced continuance of the third umpire and special mikes for the on-field umpires, successfully implemented last year, as part of broadcasters’ strategy of making PHL telecast amongst the best in the world.

    Announcing the team compositions, KPS Gill said, “With the top seven teams from the last edition vying for the title and the increasing number of foreign players showing interest to participate, this season the league will showcase the quality of hockey Indian audiences have not witnessed so far. We are delighted to announce the captains for the seven teams, the names are as follows:

    ” Devesh Chauhan – Hyderabad Sultans
    ” Dilip Tirkey – Orissa Steelers
    ” Kanwalpreet Singh – Sher-e-Jalandhar
    ” Viren Rasquinha – Maratha Warriors
    ” Arjun Halappa – Bangalore Lions
    ” Adam Sinclair – Chennai Veerans
    ” Rajpal Singh – Chandigarh Dynamos

    “We have continued our policy of empowering the local IHF unit to choose the respective team composition in consultation with IHF. The foreign players will be allotted to each team, in a meeting with the coaches of all seven teams. The foreign players will be allotted in such a manner that all the seven teams achieve that critical balance which will ensure pulsating hockey in PHL,” added Gill.

    R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Since the inception of PHL, we have aimed at making Hockey viewing more friendly for the audiences in India. Last year, with the introduction of the third umpire and mobile mikes to the on field referees, domestic hockey got a taste of international standards. This year, with new innovation of one-on-one, Indian hockey will witness an unprecedented charisma on the field. Our world class production crew, with some of the finest equipment flown in from our Singapore offices, where we have a state of the art production centre, will ensure that PHL telecast is amongst the best in the world.”

    Elaborating on the new innovation, Venkateish added, “The one-on-one innovation adds to the change factor at the PHL. In case the match ends without a winning goal being scored in either of the two extra time periods then the winner of the match would be decided through a penalty shoot out competition. Each team will have five penalty shoot outs each where 5 players will play a one on one with the goal keeper of the opponent team. Each player will start with the ball on the 25 yard line and when the umpire blows the whistle, the player will have maximum of 8 seconds to score a goal with only the goal keeper defending the goal. The player can take as many shots possible within the stipulated 8 seconds.

    The rule offers a much interesting and competing dimension for the players as well as the viewers as unlike a normal penalty shootout, the one-on-one offers equal chances to the attacking and defending players.”

    Speaking on the occasion, SS Dasgupta, Managing Director, Leisure Sports Management, said, “To ensure an extravaganza again, we are finalizing the Tournament Director for both the venues along with the umpire manager and IHF coordinators who will ensure local association involvement for the tournaments as big as PHL. The setting up of the stadiums and other requirements at the venues will be completed by end of December.”

     

    Like previous two years, each game will have four quarters of 17 minutes and 30 seconds each, instead of the two halves. The winner, within the stipulated time, will get three points for each victory, while the team winning in the extra time will share the points 2:1.

     

    Their will be two periods of extra time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds each. Like last year the first half of the extra time will be played on a Silver Goal basis. In case, the second half of the extra time is required then like last year, the Golden goal rule will be followed.

     

    Every team will be given 2 x 2 minutes’ time outs in regulation time. These time outs will be mandatory and have to be taken once in each half of play. In addition, each team will also be allowed 1 x 2 minute timeout which is not mandatory and can be availed at any point during the regulation time. Each team will also be allowed 1 x 2 minute timeout which is non mandatory and can be availed during the extra time period only.

     

    The league this season has only one division, called the ‘Premier Division’ The League will follow a round robin format with all teams playing each other twice. The top two teams from the round robin will play in ‘Best of Three’ finals to decide the winner.

     

    The winner of the third edition will take home Rs. 40 lakhs, while the runners up will carry Rs 15 lakhs. The manner of division of prize money between players and their respective associations shall be specified by IHF.

     
     
  • Harris playout system helps put Fashion TV Arabia on air

    Harris playout system helps put Fashion TV Arabia on air

    MUMBAI: Harris has announced that Fashion TV Arabia, a subsidiary of Michel Adam’s Fashion TV in Paris, has taken delivery of a turnkey Harris play-out system as part of its recently launched channel dedicated to the Middle East region.

    The sale, which was made by the certified Harris software developer in the region, MT2, includes two Nexio transmission servers, two Nexio storage arrays, Nexio applications for remote control and clip playout, an Inscriber RTX real-time, 2D/3D graphics platform and the award-winning Panacea routing switcher, as well as a wide range of timing, distribution and processing products.

    MT2 head Naji Bouhabib says, “As a pioneer in interactive television, MT2 was invited by Fashion TV Arabia to provide a solution that would add value and help generate new revenue streams for the channel — which is one of the key reasons we chose the Nexio server system for this project. Nexio provides an Application Programming Interface (API) that enables applications partners to develop custom tools to further enhance the overall system’s utility beyond the capabilities of standard protocols. Using the NEXIO API, we will be able to build software solutions that enable interfacing between different platforms — basically, a library of functions for interactivity — which will help Fashion TV Arabia collate clip information, on-air logos, branding and instruction messages.”

    Like its parent company, Fashion TV Arabia’s programming includes exclusive coverage of the glamorous world of fashion, including reports from fashion shows, profiles of established and up-and-coming modeling talent and fashion photographers and features on general entertainment trends.

    Key to Fashion TV Arabia’s new play-out system is the Inscriber RTX graphics platform, which puts full creative control in the hands of broadcasters, allowing them to create a purely custom broadcast solution. The development tool enables users to create stunning graphics consisting of advanced design elements and data from multiple sources, using common programming fundamentals.

  • MTV looks to stay ahead of digital curve in India

    MTV looks to stay ahead of digital curve in India

    MUMBAI: Even as the big media companies gather their forces for the upcoming battles for mind share in the new digital world, each are going about it in different ways. The aim is common to all of them though – multiplatform strategies of building an engaging universe of music, gaming, entertainment, news and interactivity for targeted audiences.

    And, while India may not be where the major digital battles are fought any time in the near future, MTV for one is attempting to stay ahead of the curve and preparing for more change by introducing new mobile and online services for the ‘networked generation’.

    For MTV Networks International senior vice president (digital media) Gideon Bierer, with opportunities unfolding, the country is approaching an inflexion point as regards the digital content delivery story. Bierer believes that new digital services will begin to be introduced in a significant way from next year on but it could take anywhere between three to five years for it to get serious penetration in India.

    Queried about revenue streams, Bierer said that like in television subscriptions and advertising would form the main component and digital services also offered revenue opportunities through transactions.

    For MTV, the aim is clearly to be the first mover in the digital space and helping it respond to changing tastes and compete with the internet and downloading could be channels like Flux, where the schedule is driven by the public. Flux, the multi-platform social-networking digital service originated by MTV Networks International in Japan last June, is launching in the UK & Ireland markets on 6 September. It is also being introduced in Italy around the same time.

    Flux is positioned as a digital community and content integrated youth service that enables viewers to access short videos and music through their mobiles or computers, make recommendations to others and provide feedback. The channel will be aiming to attract the key 13 to 34-year-old demographic.

    There is also the hybrid channel MTV Overdrive launched last April. Available through mtv.com, the initiative is aimed at entertaining viewers with both a linear viewing experience and video on demand capabilities in one web-based application. MTV Overdrive’s lineup features news, music, on tv and movies among the services it offers.

    Now while all this sounds very nice, what a certain Rupert Murdoch would have to say about all this remains to be seen. For in the west where the digital skirmishes are already on in full swing, it is News Corp’s Myspace that is creating the most frenzy among the demographic that MTV has “owned” for nigh on 25 years. In India, only time will tell whether MTV is able to square up to the Star juggernaught, which has already declared aggressive intent in this domain.

  • TNT kicks off broadband initiative DramaVision

    TNT kicks off broadband initiative DramaVision

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster TNT is diving into the world of broadband with DramaVision.

    This is an on-demand digital destination featuring broadband presentations of TNTs original productions and initiatives complementing the networks line-up of dramas.

    TNT will kick off its new broadband initiative tomorrow, 15 August 2006, by offering a first-time-ever broadband streaming of the networks blockbuster miniseries Into the West, which earned 16 Emmy nominations. DramaVision will be housed at the TNT Web site: tnt.tv.

    Future broadband offerings from DramaVision will include a showplace for TNTs arsenal of original movies; a collection of true crime stories promoted through the series Law & Order and presented in partnership with TNTs sister network Court TV. There wil also be tie-ins to such high-profile live events as the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Black Movie Awards.

    The broadband content TNT is planning to offer via DramaVision includes:

    Into the West: TNTs 16-time Emmy nominee Into the West gets its first-ever broadband presentation via tnt.tv and intothewest.com. Fans can watch the entire six-part television event, as well as extensive behind-the-scenes content.

    Drama Flicks: Future plans call for TNTs award-winning original movies to be offered via broadband through a variety of genre-specific channels. The slate of high-quality original movies TNT has created during its 18-year history includes the following:

    Westerns, including Crossfire Trail, which continues to hold the ad-supported cable record as the most-watched movie telecast of all time. Historical Dramas, such as Andersonville, which earned an Emmy for director John Frankenheimer.

    Then there are biopics, like George Wallace, which earned Emmys for Gary Sinise, Mare Winningham and director John Frankenheimer, as well as an Emmy nomination for Angelina Jolie.

    There will also be literary dramas like The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Mandy Patinkin and Salma Hayak as well as bible dramas, such as Joseph.

    Live Events: TNT will supplement such live-event programming as the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Black Movie Awards with special video content and camera feeds never before available to viewers. In addition to a presence on DramaVision, the Black Movie Awards will also have a digital presence on AOL.