Category: TV Channels

Asia-Pacific leads IPTV growth: In-Sat research

MUMBAI: The Asia/Pacific region is leading the global revolution of IPTV in infrastructure deployments, applications development and subscriber adoption, reports global research firm In-Stat. The study reveals that the region’s broadband penetration and regulatory support help to foster the fastest-growing IPTV market in the world.

“With IPTV, incumbent telcos have the opportunity to fundamentally change their broadband customers’ video service experience from the traditional video clip streaming and downloading model,” says In-Stat analyst Bryan Wang. “IPTV is expected to be the real killer application in the telcos’ broadband services portfolio that will increase ARPU and preserve user stickiness.”

A recent report by In-Stat found the following:

— By 2011, the Asia/Pacific market is expected to reach 39 million IPTV subscribers.

— Total IPTV revenue in the region will reach US$8.1 billion by 2011.

— Providers will need to find a unique approach to packaging and bundling in order to attract customers and maintain a competitive edge. As a result, most IPTV service providers have strategically integrated services in their triple-play bundled offerings.

The research, “Asia/Pacific IPTV Market: Hype and Hope?”, covers the market for IPTV in the Asia/Pacific region. It contains forecasts for IPTV subscribers for the region and by major national markets, along with revenue for the region through 2011. It includes analysis of market drivers, challenges, and the regulatory environment. Also included is a look at specific conditions in major regional markets including China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, states an official release.

July 20, 2006
Films Division and NFDC to digitise archives

MUMBAI: The archives of Films Division and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) will be converted into digital format by 31 March 2007.

The information & broadcasting (I & B) and parliamentary affairs minister P R Dasmunsi has made the announcement at the Consultative Committee yesterday. The consultative committee is attached to the I & B ministry.

According to Dasmunsi, the film archives are part of the India’s heritage and money will be no constraint in the preservation of these treasures.

The NFDC had produced several highly acclaimed films over the years and the issue of strengthening its financial base will be taken up to enable it to sponsor at least 2-3 films every year, Dasmunsi says.

He added that this had become necessary in view of the increased costing of film production and says, “Films export and the promotion of children’s films will also be high on the NFDC agenda.”
The members were unanimous in suggesting that the strengths of Films Division and NFDC needs to be utilized to bring about awareness among new generation about Indian history, culture and freedom struggle.

Some members wanted to know whether the government could make it mandatory for private TV channels to broadcast the documentary films produced by the Films Division, informs the release.

One of the members had suggested that classics available with NFDC could be dubbed in other Indian languages and screened in different parts of the country. While, another suggestion made was to provide adequate space to entertainment in NFDC films so that their quality improves and the films generate viewers’ interest.

Those who attended the meeting included Kirip Chaliha, S. Mallikarjunaiah, Mahendra Prasad Nishad, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Ramdas Athawale, Vijay J. Darda, Ajay Maroo, Shatrughan Sinha, Dr. Satyanarayan Jetiya, Usha Verma and Nirmala Deshpande – all MPs, besides senior officers of I & B ministry.

July 20, 2006
Nat Geo Junior Hunt searches for India’s superkid

MUMBAI: This year, infotainment channel National Geographic (NGC), is setting its sights on connecting better with kids through an on ground initiative.

Nat Geo Junior Hunt is a quest to find India’s superkid who is curious, adventurous, articulate, energetic and smart, in short, an all rounder.

NGC has partnered with ICICI Pru Smart Kid and Lenovo for this innovative initiative, with more in the pipeline. The channel says that the endeavour aims to extend its children’s block Nat Geo Junior on-ground to provide an intelligent platform for kids to showcase their talent through a fun-filled, learning experience.

Elaborating on the initiative NGC senior VP programming Joy Bhattacharjya said, “With Nat Geo Junior Hunt we are looking for the brightest, smartest and the coolest Indian kid who likes his books as much as sports, likes to learn and discover new things, is adventurous, out-going and ready to take on challenges.

“Nat Geo’s endeavour is to stimulate the intellect of our young audiences to ‘Think again’ and encourage them to learn more about the world they live in, while enjoying the experience.”

NGC says that its kids block Nat Geo Junior which launched last year is proving to be popular amongst kids and is appreciated by both teachers as well as parents for its fun and educational format. The hunt will span across 10 cities, 380 reputed schools and will target approximately 364800 kids between 10 to 14 years of age.

NGC VP marketing Rajesh Sheshadri says, “National Geographic Channel is committed towards providing entertainment that makes our viewers think and learn more about the world they live in. In keeping with these values, Nat Geo Junior Hunt is an first of its kind, a school challenge programme that has been developed for a younger set of Nat Geo audiences.

“With Nat Geo Junior Hunt, the channel is opting for a 360 degree marketing approach which will be promoted on-air and off-air, and through an extensive media campaign.”

How the Hunt works: The selection process for the contest will begin at the school level, where kids will be shortlisted through an innovative ‘Think again’ test. This test will incorporate questions that will examine kids’ general aptitude and logical reasoning. Post the school selection, ten city finalists will be selected based on a broader spectrum of rounds like games, puzzles, debates and think out of the box ideas.

These city finalists will be run through a grueling set of tests in the setting of an adventure camp and only four out of these ten city finalists will make it to the national finals. The lucky four will be groomed before they host their own show on Nat Geo Junior. The winner will be decided by a panel of judges.

The channel will open a fund for the winner for his/her future studies. In addition, the Nat Geo Junior will get a chance to host Nat Geo Junior shows on the channel for three months and will also win a bouquet of prizes from the partners of the hunt.

This renewed synergy between the channel, viewer and advertiser through Nat Geo Junior Hunt will give the channel the opportunity to engage viewers more strongly and drive longer-term relationships and extended associations with key advertisers.

July 20, 2006
Discovery’s new biz unit to launch Health On-Call VOD service

MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has formed a new integrated, multiplatform business called Discovery Health Media Enterprises, with plans to roll out the Discovery Health On-Call VOD service this October.

This new business unit includes the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV television networks and online assets including www.discoveryhealth.com, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business.

The Health On-Call sevice will offer cable viewers access to a slate of health information through short-form videos culled from the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV, as well as from organizations such as the March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association.

Also in the coming months, this unit will launch Discovery Health Mobile, a new service that will include programming alerts, expert tips and short-form content as an enhancement to its online, VOD and network program offerings.

With this initiative, Discovery Health Media Enterprises is the only fully integrated multi-platform health care media entity that provides access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for research tools, expert advice and customized products and services.

“Built upon a highly trusted brand, Discovery Health Media Enterprises will incorporate a new line of products and services to be the leader in providing consumers with the most relevant and credible health and medical information,” said president and CEO of Discovery Communications Judith A. McHale. “We believe there is a large business opportunity for the company in high quality health media. Our goal is to be the most trusted media source that enables consumers to better manage their families’ health and wellness needs.”

Discovery Communications has initiated an executive search to recruit a senior level executive from the health care sector to oversee the business unit. Discovery Health Channel and FitTV executive VP and general manager Eileen O’Neill will continue in her role and work closely with the Discovery Networks U.S. division, which currently supports both networks in the production, marketing, sales and research functions.

July 20, 2006
India TV expands editorial team

MUMBAI: The Rajat Sharma — promoted India TV has announced three new appointments within the editorial team in the Hindi news and current affair channel.

The news channel has roped in Aaj Tak’s senior special correspondent Kumar Rajesh as the executive editor. Rajesh, in the past had been associated with Rajat Sharma through the news property Aaj ki Baat as an anchor as well as the associate editor. Earlier, he had worked with Sahara news channel.

Channel7 senior editor news gathering Prashant Tandon has been brought in to take reponsibility in a similar position. Tandon had earlier worked with Star News, Sahara UP news channel and also for a news based show Rozana produced by BAG Films for DD.

Nepal 1 executive producer Kishore Kumar Malviya has been appointed as senior editor. Malviya had been associated with Zee News and Navbharat Times.

In an official statement issued, India TV editor in chief Rajat Sharma says, “We are delighted to welcome Kumar, Prashant and Kishore. I have no doubt that Kumar’s 14 years in television journalism will be a huge asset in India TV’s next phase of growth.

“Prashant has rich experience in strategic planning and content management and you will be seeing his impact in India TV’s news gathering operations almost immediately. Kishore brings in all-round skill sets across the news gathering and output functions besides having been out there in sensitive field assignments.”

July 20, 2006
JumpTV to beef up India operations; signs Cutting Edge Media as representative

MUMBAI: JumpTV, a global player in the delivery of international television over the internet, has entered into a strategic partnership with Cutting Edge Media, one of India’s independent media sales company, to expand JumpTV’s presence in South Asia.

JumpTV will work with Cutting Edge Media to secure new broadcast agreements using internet protocol; enter into distribution agreements for JumpTV’s global TV roster with Indian cable, mobile telephony, and IPTV providers and build on JumpTV’s existing menu of South Asian television content.

Currently, JumpTV has signed internet-broadcast agreements with Indian channels: Sony Entertainment Television Asia, India TV, Punjab Today and Balle Balle.

Other South Asian channels the company has roped in are: OnTV, Channel i, RTV from Bangladesh;TV One and HumTV from Pakistan.

Cutting Edge Media oversees brokering distribution, advertising and subscription deals for foreign media companies entering the Indian markets and those Indian outlets looking to grow their international audiences. Its clientele includes Cartoon Network, CNN, Reality TV, The Hallmark Channel and Channel News Asia.

“South Asia is an incredibly vibrant media market. Television stations create and broadcast truly innovative programming, which is closely followed by a passionate viewer base living all over the world. By partnering with Cutting Edge Media, JumpTV will develop new relationships and deepen existing relationships with leading broadcasters from the sub-continent, serving as a platform to internationalize their content over the Internet,” says JumpTV’s Asia Pacific general manager, Kevin Foong.

He adds, “While our Asian lineup of more than 25 channels includes highly popular South Asian broadcasters such as India’s SET Asia, Pakistan’s TV One and Hum TV, Jaya TV, as well as Bangladesh’s leading stations nTV and Channel i, we are always looking for new ways to serve the vast Pan-Asian communities living away from their respective homelands.”

Cutting Edge Media CEO Murtuza Kagalwala states, “The Internet provides the ideal platform for reaching audiences scattered around the globe. The partnership with JumpTV will allow us to develop significant channel partnerships with Pan-Asian television stations, providing them with the technological platform to become part of the Internet revolution.”

July 20, 2006
Fifa World Cup final generates viewership of 313 million: ZenithOptimedia

MUMBAI: According to ZenithOptimedia, the Fifa World Cup final between France and Italy on 9 July generated a television viewership of 313 million viewers across 56 countries. The largest audience came from China, where viewership peaked at 71.5 million, followed by Brazil, Germany, Vietnam, Indonesia, France, Russia, the U.K., Japan and Italy.

As per the study, Germany recorded an average match viewership of 11.8 million. The cumulative audience was 658 million, a 141-per cent increase on the 2002 World Cup. Germany’s 2-0 loss to Italy in the semi-finals was watched live by 29.7 million viewers in the host nation.

The study revealed that four Asian nations (China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan) ranked in the top ten for audience totals. They accounted for 49 per cent of viewing among the top eleven. Japan recorded a 64-per cent fall compared to 2002 audience levels. In China, the cumulative audience fell 58 per cent compared to 2002, when the matches were broadcast in prime time and China had qualified for the World Cup for the first time.

Viewership in the U.S. peaked at just 9.4 million, but the cumulative audience of 235 million was 48-percent up on 2002 and 55-percent up on 1998. This was largely the result of Univision, whose broadcast of the Argentina versus Mexico match was the most-viewed sports broadcast in the history of U.S. Spanish-language television, with 6.7 million viewers, as per the data.

In the U.K., the BBC attracted 53 per cent of the cumulative audience, but ITV broadcast the highest-rated match: the 2-2 draw between England and Sweden, which generated an audience of 18.8 million. The BBC’s best audience was 16.3 million for the match between England and Ecuador.

Largest World Cup television audiences in millions (2006):

Cumulative audience/Highest audience:

China 1,820 / 71.5

Brazil 1,140 / 60.5

Germany 658 / 29.7

Vietnam 650 / 29.8

Indonesia 589 / 23.5

France 388 / 22.2

Russia 369 / 12.9

U.K. 362 / 18.8

Japan 289 / 42.3

Italy 278 / 23.9

ZenithOptimedia’s specialist consultancy agency Sponsorship Intelligence (SI) is the official provider of 2006 Fifa World Cup audiences figures to both Fifa and its TV agency, Infront.

July 20, 2006
‘Kaun Hai Bond’ contest on Zee News

To capture the enthusiasm and spirit around during the India – England Cricket Series, Zee News had done a contest to create interactivity between the viewers and the channel. The contest ‘Kaun Hai Bond’ was a SMS and Internet based contest for which viewers were required to predict the ‘Bond’ or the Man of the Match till the 30th over of the 2nd innings.

The number of responses received through SMS on 7575 and through zeenews.com was more than overwhelming with responses coming from every nook and corner of the country. Nine handycams and a bumper prize of one car will be given to the lucky winners of the contest. The winner of the Bumper Prize is Amit Kharbanda (09815504551) from Amritsar. Sh. Laxmi Narain Goel, the Chairman of Zee News will hand over the bumper prize to the winner in a ceremony on 22nd April at 5 PM at MGF Hyundai 1 Jhandewaln Faiz Road.

Zee News has been doing similar contests in the past and will be doing more such contest to create viewer interest and interactivity.

July 20, 2006
Samsung India launches slim mobile phones

MUMBAI: Samsung India has unveiled a new line of the World’s slimmest mobile phones with the launch of The Ultra Edition Series in India. The company claims this Ultra Edition transcends the current market offering by presenting consumers with unparalleled breakthroughs in technology while retaining simplicity of use.

The first model to be launched within the series is ‘The Ultra Edition 6.9’. Made with fiberglass re-infused plastic, the phone is a marvel in just 6.9mm thickness, packing along with it a 2 megapixel camera, MP3 Player, Direct TV Out function, 80 MB memory apart from a host of other features.

Ultra Edition 12.9 (D900) – The slimmest slider phone and the Ultra Edition 9.9 (D830) – The slimmest clamshell phone will be launched in the subsequent month.

Samsung says that the Ultra Edition series illustrates its sensitivity to consumer needs by delivering mobile phones with deceptively discreet but stylish exteriors while embedding world leading technology features inside. This path breaking slimness coupled with rich multimedia capabilities in The Ultra Edition phones is a result of Smart Surface Mounting Technology (SSMT) pioneered by Samsung worldwide.

The Ultra Edition phones have been constructed using Titanium, Magnesium and Fibreglass re-infused plastic to impart the solid strength to these Ultra Thin breakthroughs, basis which these are made to pass strict proprietary tests to certify each product’s durability.

Samsung India senior VP Ihn-Chul Chung said, “Samsung’s foray into Ultra Slim phones is part of the company’s aggressive global strategy to take on the leadership position in the mobile phone market. Understanding that each consumer has different needs Samsung has facilitated convergence in mobile communication with a rapid pace of technological advancement and aesthetic design”

Samsung india MD HCRyu said, “India is a very critical market for Samsung and the launch of The Ultra Slim Series in India is a testimony to our commitment to meet the growing aspirations of consumers for sleek phones that accentuate their personality without compromising on premium multimedia capabilities”

Samsung says that the Ultra Edition 6.9 (X820) is its commitment to create the slimmest and lightest product in the market today. Weighing a mere 66 grams and measuring a slim 6.9mm depth, the lightweight Ultra Edition 6.9 is today’s definitive tool to help users stay connected, take pictures with the 2 megapixel camera, or enjoy their favourite tunes with the music player. The Ultra Edition 6.9 balances slim elegance with a functional keypad and tops off its supreme design with a beautifully beveled cut surface for a natural grip.

Fiberglass-infused plastic is also used to increase durability to protect the features that are compressed into the 6.9mm frame using the Smart Surface Mounting Technology (SSMT).

Samsung claims that the Ultra Edition 9.9 (D830) raises the bar in slimness and design of clamshell handsets. The company says that the 9.9 mm ultra slim clamshell is the result of Samsung’s constant efforts to go above and beyond the boundaries of form and function. This lightweight mobile comes outfitted with a 2 megapixel camera to capture those special moments wherever the customer goes.

The Ultra Edition 12.9 offers the latest in multimedia technology with premium slide-up design for business professionals. The 12.9mm slide-up is the thinnest slider ever designed to come equipped with a powerful 3.13 megapixel camera — leading the 3 megapixel camera phone trend in the global market this year. Unique and dynamic user interfaces enhance user’s mobile experience.

The main screen will reflect networks and call status by displaying animated graphics to alert users of missed calls or unread messages, and imported documents can be viewed on the vivid 262K color screen. Users can also enhance the multimedia experience with the Bluetooth stereo headset. Whatever your desires may be, the Ultra Edition 12.9 will “slide up” next to the customer for his/her’s next command.

July 19, 2006
Channel [v] appoints Saurabh Kanwar as VP Content & Communication

MUMBAI: Saurabh Kanwar has been appointed as the vice president content and communication at Channel [v]. Kumar comes from Radio City, where he was the marketing head.

On taking up this new challenge, Saurabh Kanwar says, “Channel [v] is home to the country’s hottest creative team. It’s a real trip to get a chance to work with this gang, stretching the boundaries of irreverent, outrageous content. But, the truth is, I have this huge crush on Lola Kutty, and this is my only way of getting real close to her.”

Commenting on Saurabh’s appointment, Channel [v] head honcho Amar K Deb said, “Bringing ground-breaking content to viewers is Channel [v]’s top priority. Saurabh, with his proven credentials and ability to deliver results, will be a tremendous addition to our team. I have no doubt he will bring a new dimension to our product development, helping us to further enhance the diversity of our offerings.”

July 19, 2006