ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • AOL to launch new video portal

    AOL to launch new video portal

    MUMBAI: AOL, live and on-demand entertainment video programming and video search provider, has announced that it will preview a beta version of its new AOL Video portal later this week.

    Available for free at http://www.aolvideo.com, the new AOL Video is an all-in-one, high-quality entertainment destination to find, watch and share millions of videos across the Web, informs an official release.

    New features on the AOL video portal include, over 45 new video-on-demand content channels with thousands of hours of video programming from entertainment brands, organised and accessible via video search, browse, or an interactive programming guide; free streaming content as well as the ability to purchase and download full-length content that can be viewed on multiple devices and PCs, online or offline; and access to millions of music videos, news clips, movie trailers, full length TV shows, and more, adds the release.

    It includes more than 45 new video channels with content from entertainment brands including A&E Television Networks, MTV Networks, Turner Networks, Warner Bros. Entertainment, among others.

    “AOL has long been a leader in online video and with the new AOL Video portal we have created the best and easiest place online for anyone on the Web to find, watch and share the videos they’re looking for,” said AOL executive VP Kevin Conroy.

    “From originally produced and licensed programming to branded online video-on-demand channels to user-created videos that people create, upload and share on the Web themselves, AOL Video is truly the first one-stop source that brings the best videos on the Web together in one place and gives consumers more choice. If a video is out there, you’ll find it here on AOL Video.com,” he adds.

    AOL Video also includes AOL Video Search, which is based on video search technology from Truveo and Singingfish, and a video player that can go full screen without losing picture quality and that supports AOL’s exclusive Hi-Q video format to watch DVD-quality videos online.

    In addition, the portal includes AOL’s new UnCut Video offering, which makes it easy to upload and share videos online by providing full device support, letting consumers upload and share videos directly from their camcorder, Webcam, video-enabled mobile phone, as well as their PC.

  • US adults with DVR’s belong to upscale and print-oriented group: Study

    US adults with DVR’s belong to upscale and print-oriented group: Study

    MUMBAI: US adults whose households have a digital video recorder (DVR) are more upscale than those that do not and are more likely to be heavy readers of magazines and newspapers and are also heavy users of the Internet.according to the latest data from Mediamark Research Inc.,(MRI).

    According to the Fall 2005 MRI data release, 8.6 per cent of US adults reported having a DVR in their household. That percentage rose to 11.2 per cent of adult households in the Spring 2006 release. The survey period for this release was March 2005 to early May 2006.

    The spring 2006 data show that 36.8 per cent of adults with DVR’s have a college education and 17.1 per cent have average household income exceeding $150,000. Within the entire adult population, 25.2 per cent graduated college and 8% have an average income exceeding $150,000, states an official release issued by the research firm.

    Of adults with DVR’s in the household, 15.7 per cent have home values exceeding $500,000 compared with 9 per cent of the entire adult population.

    In terms of media usage, adults in DVR households are 43 per cent more likely to be heavy readers of magazines (defined as the top quintile of users, based on number of magazines read) than the general adult population. They are 40% more likely to be heavy readers of newspapers (defined as the top quintile of readers, based on number of newspapers read) than the general population.

    Adults in DVR households also tend to use the Internet more than households without DVR’s, as they are 81 per cent more likely to be heavy Internet users (the top quintile of users based on number of times used in a month) than the general population, the release adds.

    On the other hand, adults in DVR households tend to watch less TV than households without DVR’s; they are 23 per cent less likely to be heavy TV viewers (the top quintile of users based on number of one-half hours viewed per week) than is the general adult population.

  • Eight Mumbai kids shortlisted at Hungama TV’s ‘John Aur Kaun?’ auditions

    Eight Mumbai kids shortlisted at Hungama TV’s ‘John Aur Kaun?’ auditions

    MUMBAI: Hungama TV’s Oral-B John aur Kaun (JAK) auditions that were held in Mumbai on 29 July saw over 1000 kids auditioning. The judges had to screen through kids between the age group of 4 -14 years in the first round of Oral-B JAK before short listing 50 kids.

    The final round was held on 30 July in Andheri where celebrity judge Poonam Narula Goel zeroed in on the eight finalists who would represent Mumbai for the final leg. The kids were judged on the basis of their confidence quotient, expressions and creativity in the reaction round.

    The final 8 kids selected from Mumbai are: Kritika Sharma (14), Tanya Sharma (10), Chandni Bhagwanani (13), Smriti Sukhija (11), Anashwar Rurup (7), Rohit Jetwani (10), Gaurav Jetwani (11) and Kevin Johi (11).

    The Oral-B JAK auditions, which received a good response in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai, will now travel across Kolkata and Ahmedabad and will culminate in August. The talented eight contenders per city will be flown to Mumbai for the final rounds. This nationwide audition will be aired as a reality show on Hungama TV where these kids will be seen displaying their singing, acting and dancing talents. The selected kids will be further groomed by eminent industry professionals at every step of the contest.

    Finally, one boy and one girl will be chosen to act in a UTV-produced movie with Hungama TV’s brand ambassador John Abraham. The winners will also be presented with a cash prize of Rs 500,000 each, along with a three year contract with UTV to manage their acting careers.

    Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta said, “Hundred’s of hugely talented children gathered at the Mumbai auditions and Poonam had a very tough time to finally shortlist the eight kids. The excitement, energy and enthusiasm of the kids and their parents was an inspiration to all of us at Hungama TV. We are truly delighted with the response.”

  • BES Expo 2006 concludes; good response from participants

    New Delhi February 12, 2006: BES Expo 2006, the 12th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting, organized by the Broadcast Engineering Society (India) at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, concluded today. The Expo witnessed overwhelming response from delegates, exhibitors, and visitors. This year’s edition of BES Expo registered over 6,000 visitors, which represents a 20 percent growth as compared to the last year. More than 1,000 delegates from India and abroad participated in the exhibition and conference, representing a growth of 25 percent as compared to the last year. A total of 65 companies representing 300 broadcast equipment manufacturers and solution providers from 25 countries across the globe exhibited at BES Expo this year.

    The Conference Proceedings for the concluding day were spread over three sessions. The highlight of the first session was Future Satellite Technologies. Mr. A Bhaskarnarayana, Director SCP, ISRO, chaired the session. The speakers included Mr. D Venugopal of ASTS; Mr. Sanjay Jasola of IGNOU; Dr. PC Jain of STMicroelectronics; and Mr. ND Acharya of Infinium.

    Elaborating on the techniques for overcoming blockage and multi-path effects for satellite communications and broadcasting in mobile environment, Mr. D Venugopal said, “Recently, there has been a lot of interest in providing satellite broadcast services to cars fitted with omni directional antennae.
    As these services are one-way services without return acknowledgement, special techniques need to be used to overcome multi-path fading and short signal blockage due to foliage and buildings.’’

     

    The focus of the second session was Digital Radio: Present & Future. The merits of various digital radio broadcast standards vis-?-vis their counterparts have been dwelled upon in this session, presided over by Mr.

    Philip Laven, Director (TD), EBU, Geneva. The speakers in this session included Mr. Nick Banks of Radioscape, UK; Mr. Roger Johansson of Factum, Sweden; Mr. Jeff Astle of World DAB, UK; and Mr. Lindsay Cornell of BBC Research, UK. Commenting on the critical factors for planning digital radio rollout by broadcasters, Mr. Jeff Astle said, “The main consumer benefit of DAB is much more choice, as also better sound quality, reception improvements, and ease of use of digital receivers.”

    The last session of Conference Proceedings for BES Expo 2006 broached on Content Protection and Broadcast Rights. It was chaired by Mr. KS Sarma, CEO, Prasar Bharati. The major concerns before the broadcast industry remains maintaining integrity of the broadcast content once it is broadcast.

    The speakers including Mr. Andy Nobbs of Teletrax, UK; Mr. Philip Laven of EBU, Geneva; Mr. Paul Cheesbrough of BBC, UK; and Mr. R Vardarajan of Silicon Image, USA; provided an insight into the use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems to prevent users from copying or redistributing protected content.

     

    India has seen phenomenal growth of news channels and FM radio channels, and there still remains potential for further growth. Display of technologies encompassing news automation, satellite broadcasting, and radio broadcasting will help the Indian broadcasters in adopting one that suits them the most. For the first time ever in India, BES Expo 2006 provided a platform for Live Demos on Mobile Broadcasting and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting. The ball has been set rolling for the next year’s edition – BES Expo 2007, which will highlight the theme “Multifaceted Broadcasting”.

    Issued for favor of publications, broadcast and telecast.

    DK Gupta
    Hon. Secretary,
    Broadcast Engineering Society

  • AOL to launch new video portal

    AOL to launch new video portal

    MUMBAI: AOL, live and on-demand entertainment video programming and video search provider, has announced that it will preview a beta version of its new AOL Video portal later this week.

    Available for free at http://www.aolvideo.com, the new AOL Video is an all-in-one, high-quality entertainment destination to find, watch and share millions of videos across the Web, informs an official release.

    New features on the AOL video portal include, over 45 new video-on-demand content channels with thousands of hours of video programming from entertainment brands, organised and accessible via video search, browse, or an interactive programming guide; free streaming content as well as the ability to purchase and download full-length content that can be viewed on multiple devices and PCs, online or offline; and access to millions of music videos, news clips, movie trailers, full length TV shows, and more, adds the release.

    It includes more than 45 new video channels with content from entertainment brands including A&E Television Networks, MTV Networks, Turner Networks, Warner Bros. Entertainment, among others.

    “AOL has long been a leader in online video and with the new AOL Video portal we have created the best and easiest place online for anyone on the Web to find, watch and share the videos they’re looking for,” said AOL executive VP Kevin Conroy.

    “From originally produced and licensed programming to branded online video-on-demand channels to user-created videos that people create, upload and share on the Web themselves, AOL Video is truly the first one-stop source that brings the best videos on the Web together in one place and gives consumers more choice. If a video is out there, you’ll find it here on AOL Video.com,” he adds.

    AOL Video also includes AOL Video Search, which is based on video search technology from Truveo and Singingfish, and a video player that can go full screen without losing picture quality and that supports AOL’s exclusive Hi-Q video format to watch DVD-quality videos online.

    In addition, the portal includes AOL’s new UnCut Video offering, which makes it easy to upload and share videos online by providing full device support, letting consumers upload and share videos directly from their camcorder, Webcam, video-enabled mobile phone, as well as their PC.

  • I&B ministry clears Rs 29.7 billion expansion plan for Doordarshan, AIR

    I&B ministry clears Rs 29.7 billion expansion plan for Doordarshan, AIR

    MUMBAI: As part of the tenth five year plan outlay, the Information & Broadcasting ministry has approved Rs 25.63 billion towards Doordarshan’s development.Additionally, Rs 4.11 billion has been set aside for the expansion of All India Radio’s (AIR) services.

    The total outlay earmarked for DD and AIR in the Tenth Plan is Rs 29.74 billion.

    As part of the expansion plans for AIR, a special package will be provided for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the north-eastern states, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N).
    This was announced by Information & Broadcasting and parliamentary affairs P R Dasmunsi yesterday in the Lok Sabha.

    According to an official statement, 12 new/upgradation projects have been identified for the J&K. Kathua and Rajouri will have FM radio stations as part of the schemes.

    Under Phase I, North East special plan, 10 kW FM transmitters will come up at Itanagar, Kohima and Port Blair.

    Under Phase II of North-Eastern special plan, the undernoted transmission/relay facilities will be provided with
    #10 kW FM transmitter, playback studio, staff quarters at Gangtok – (additional channel).

    #5 kW FM transmitter, playback studio, at Silchar – (additional channel).

    #1 kW FM transmitters, voice over recording/dubbing, field production facilities, staff quarters at 19 places i.e. Daporijo, Anini, Bomdila, Changlang, Khonsa (Arunachal Pradesh), Karimganj, Lumding, Goalpara (Assam), Ukhrul, Tamenglong (Manipur), Dawki (Meghalaya), Tuipang, Chemphai, Kolasib (Mizoram), Wokha, Zunehboto, Phek (Nagaland) and Udaipur, Nutan Bazar (Tripura).

    #100 W FM transmitter at different locations in North Eastern region (100 places) to cover uncovered area.

    Dasmunsi also spoke on the expenditure incurred by AIR and Doordarshan up to June 2006, which has been Rs 592.6 million and Rs 9 billion, respectively, informs the official statement.

    Interestingly, under the second phase of private FM radio stations, the policy prohibits allocation of more than 15 per cent of total allocated channels in the country to a single company – including its holding, subsidiary, inter-connected companies and companies with the same management.

    Moreover, networking of channels by any two entities has also been specifically prohibited.

    Thus, following this restriction, the Reliance-owned Adlabs and Sun-promoted South Asia FM and Kal Radio had to surrender some circles to adhere to the government mandated national cap of 15 per cent. Both the companies had given up on the stations in the north-east zone to abide by the policy. For example:Adlabs Films had surrendered the frequencies, which included Gangtok, Imphal, Kohima, Port Blair, Shillong, to name a few. While, South Asia FM had given up Imphal, Kohima, Port Blair, Rourkela, Muzzaffarpur, amongst others.

  • Modavox forms strategic partnership with INDOlink

    Modavox forms strategic partnership with INDOlink

    MUMBAI: Phoenix-headquartered internet broadcasting pioneer in producing and syndicating online audio and video Modavox has formed a strategic business partnership with INDOlink, an internet media company serving Asian-Indians.

    As per the agreement, Modavox will deliver Internet pay-per-view, podcasts, on-demand movie trailers and streaming video advertising to targeted audiences including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and India with an estimated audience size of 300 million people.

    INDOlink, the first ethnic niche portal serving Asian-Indians worldwide, specialises in providing valuable and exclusive content and services catering to the core needs of the Asian-Indian community. INDOlink owns internet portals such as PlanetBollywood.com and Nettravel.com.

    Modavox’s VP, Nathaniel Bradley, commented, “Our StreamSyndicate(TM) and StreamSafe(TM) technologies are ideal for security, control and promotion of INDOlink’s Internet content. INDOlink’s niche marketing focus provides an exciting, sizeable opportunity. The capabilities of our proprietary software provide new sources of revenue and business opportunities for advertisers and content providers seeking to access this key demographic.”

  • DQ Entertainment in JV with French firm; plans to invest Rs 2.5 billion over 3 yrs

    DQ Entertainment in JV with French firm; plans to invest Rs 2.5 billion over 3 yrs

    MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE) is eyeing joint venture deals with international animation companies that would assure it of a product pipeline. As a step in this direction, the company has entered into a 51:49 per cent joint venture with France’s animation powerhouse Onyx Films to produce high-end CGI feature films.

    “We are looking at more such deals with other companies which would boost our product pipeline. That will form a part of our expansion strategy,” says DQ Entertainment MD and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.

    The JV with Onyx Films, in which DQE will make an initial investment of Euro 1.5 million (around Rs 90 million), has identified three feature films valued at $89.5 million including Skyland (budget of $31.5 million), Night of the Child King ($30 million) and The Enchanted Boy ($28 million). While Skyland is funded fully, the process of arranging money is on for Night of the Child King. “Besides these three movies, the aim of the JV is to launch one feature film every year from 2008 onwards,” says Chakravarti.

    DQE is also buying a 20 per cent strategic stake in TV production company Method Films, a sister concern of Onyx, for Euro 2.5 million (around Rs 150 million). Already lined up is a slate of nine TV series for major broadcasters in the US, Canada and Europe, six of which are currently under production. “The strategic stake in Method Films will help us access global revenue and overseas funds for the entire production. It will also provide DQE a huge order pipeline in the area of animation, VFX and post production work in the years to come,” says Chakravarti.

    DQE is planning to invest Rs 2.5 billion over three years while ramping up its 3,000-seater capacity to a strength of 5,000. The company is currently capitalised to the extent of $12 million and has private equity investors including International Finance Corporation (IFC), India Value Fund, IL&FS Investment Managers Ltd and TDA Capital Partners.

    The company clocked $12 million in FY06 and is projecting a turnover of $25 million this fiscal. The target will be much higher once DQE has established itself in the value chain game. The JV will help it leap into the status of feature film producers while guaranteeing utilisation of production facilities and additional streams of revenue.

    “Strategic alliances are extremely important and will bring about strong presence of creativity, powered by massive production capabilities,” says Onyx Films chairman and Method Films CEO Aton Soumache.

    The private equity investors in DQE are bullish about the growth prospects of the company. “DQE is beginning to work on the content side of the animation business rather than being a pure outsourcing player. By entering into this joint venture, the company has shown that it is keen to participate in the financial risk of the animation business. This way there can be substantial upsides,” says Rajeev Agrawal, fund manager at India Value Fund.

  • Dopfner elected to join Time Warner Board of Directors

    Dopfner elected to join Time Warner Board of Directors

    MUMBAI: Time Warner Inc. has announced that Mathias Dopfner has been elected to join its Board of directors. Dopfner is chairman, CEO and head of the Newspapers Division of German publishing giant Axel Springer AG.

    Dopfner becomes the 12th member of Time Warner’s Board. His election is part of the company’s previously announced plan to add two new independent directors to its Board. Under the leadership of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the company is continuing the process of recruiting an additional independent director, informs an official release.

    Robert C. Clark, who chairs the Time Warner Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee, said, “We’re delighted that Dopfner has joined Time Warner’s Board. He’s an energetic and widely respected executive, with a solid record of leadership in the media industry. Dopfner not only brings the personal qualities that we seek in directors, but also enhances our Board’s independence and geographic diversity.”

    Time Warner Chairman and CEO Dick Parsons said, “Mathias Dopfner has done a terrific job of running one of the leading media companies in Europe, which is a key region of growth and opportunity for our company. In doing so, he has emerged at the top of a new generation of media industry leaders. He has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing media businesses around the world as well as the intelligence and character to enable him to serve the interests of our shareholders effectively.”

    Dopfner added, “I’m honoured to join Time Warner’s Board of Directors. I look forward to the opportunity to work with my fellow Board members and management in helping this great company achieve its strategic objectives and provide superior returns for its shareholders.”

    Since 2002, Dopfner has been CEO of Axel Springer which publishes more than 150 newspapers and magazines in 32 countries. He joined Axel Springer in 1998, as editor-in-chief of Die Welt. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the member of Axel Springer’s Management Board responsible for the company’s Multimedia and Newspapers Divisions. Before joining Axel Springer, Dopfner waseEditor-in-chief of Hamburger Morgenpost (1996-1998) and Wochenpost (1994-1996), adds the release.

    The other members of Time Warner’s Board are Richard D. Parsons, James L. Barksdale, Stephen F. Bollenbach, Frank J. Caufield, Robert C. Clark, Jessica P. Einhorn, Reuben Mark, Michael A. Miles, Kenneth J. Novack, Francis T. Vincent, Jr. and Deborah C. Wright.

  • Bollywood Fashion Awards recognise Indo-American talents

    Bollywood Fashion Awards recognise Indo-American talents

    MUMBAI: The Bollywood Fashion Awards were held in New York on 29 July 2006, with Broadway’s Bombay Dreams’ lead Manu Narayan as host.

    Kamal Dandona, who launched the Awards, has instituted an event that has become beacon for generations of designers drawing inspiration from both Indian and American traditions.

    Supermodel Iman, presented Rachel Roy with the award for “Outstanding Contribution to American Fashion” for her couture which is a celebrity-favourite in Hollywood.

    Another top honour was given to theater legend Ben Vereen who was felicitated with the specially instituted “Sammy Davis Jr. Award” for combining style and talent. The audience broke into loud applause when he spoke of his desire to go to Bollywood.

    Rouge, the girl-band toppping of the charts in the U.K. and India, was honoured with the award for “Most Stylish International Group.” Later in the evening, they captivated the crowd a performance including their hit song including “Don’t Be Shy.”

    Other awards were taken home by Aryan Vaid for “Model of the Year – Male”, Nethra for “Model of the Year – Female”, Manish Malhotra for “Designer of the Year – Film”, Sabyasachi for “Haute Couture” and Black for “Most Stylish Film.”

    Other performers included DJ Sanj, Sourabh Jain, Narayan and Amir Jamal.

    Among the designers to showcase their collections were Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra, Sushma Patel and Sabyasachi.