Category: TV Channels

NBC, YouTube in strategic partnership

MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC and online video destination YouTube have announced a strategic partnership that will combine NBC’s programming with YouTube’s vast audience to enhance the entertainment experience on YouTube while engaging viewers in new ways to promote NBC’s Fall program lineup and other preferred shows over the next year.

The agreement also includes an integrated, cross-promotional advertising relationship on the YouTube service and significant on-air promotion provided by NBC.

NBC will create an official NBC Channel on YouTube to house its Fall Preview area with exclusive clips to promote NBC’s The Office. In addition, over the next year, NBC will upload several video presentations and longform promos per week to the NBC Channel on YouTube from primetime and late-night programs like Saturday Night Live, The Office, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. YouTube will also promote NBC’s videos throughout the site.

NBC Universal Television Group chief marketing officer John Miller says, “The YouTube and NBC partnership symbolises what can happen when traditional media companies and new media companies find common ground. YouTube is the perfect online media partner to promote NBC’s marquee entertainment to their audience and explore new and creative ways to harness the power of viral video in a manner that respects copyrights. We applaud YouTube for their continued willingness to work with us to remove any unauthorised NBC content and protect our copyrighted material. We are thrilled to be partnering with this forward-thinking company.”

YouTube co-founder and CEO Chad Hurley says, “We are delighted to work with NBC on an official basis. Bringing more entertaining and exclusive content to YouTube helps further our goal of providing the best video entertainment experience on the Internet. This partnership provides greater visibility and access to both NBC and YouTube’s audiences, providing both companies with new outlets for growth and opportunity.”

Additionally, NBC will launch a contest for its comedy The Office where people can submit their own creative 20-second promotional videos to NBC’s YouTube Group (www.youtube.com/theoffice). NBC will publicise the campaign on air regularly during the first three weeks of the contest, encouraging YouTube users to enter. User-generated videos must be compelling and entertaining and create interest for potential viewers to watch “The Office.” Examples can be seen in the NBC YouTube Group.

The contest runs till 21 July 2006. The winning video will air within the network broadcast of The Office during August. NBC will also offer a ‘how-to’ video featuring writer-producer Bill Lowery, who normally writes and produces all the network’s promos for The Office.

Miller adds, “We are excited about customising the NBC channel and sharing with our subscribers all the entertaining promotional content we are offering to encourage them to watch our Fall line-up and other programmes. With the contest, we want to have some fun and allow an artistic avenue for fans of The Office. We know they have a lot of great ideas that deserve to be shared and we can’t wait to see what they upload to YouTube.”

People now watch more than 70 million videos per day on YouTube, and it is the 17th most trafficked Web site in the world.

June 28, 2006
Visits grow for Fifa fan fest venues

MUMBAI: Since the 2006 soccer World Cup began on 9 June, around 11 million fans have celebrated at the official ‘Fan Fest’ sites in Germany in a peaceful, joyful and colourful manner and in keeping with the official slogan, A Time to Make Friends.

Football’s governing body Fifa says that the popularity of the Fan Fest sites in all 12 host cities has exceeded its expectations. Fifa president Joseph S. Blatter says, “We thought that around eight million fans would turn up over the course of the tournament, but that mark was easily surpassed at the halfway point. The host cities and Fifa wanted to do something for the fans without tickets.

“I can only congratulate the 12 host cities on these wonderful Fan Fest parties, which have taken the authentic stadium atmosphere into the city centres. The 18th Fifa World Cup will long be remembered for the unique sense of excitement and passion it has generated”.

Prime sites in the 12 host cities were chosen as “second venues” in the official World Cup design. Entry into the Fan Fest sites is free of charge, and as well as broadcasting all matches live on giant screens, the Fan Fest sites offer various other events that differ from region to region.

Berlin World Cup office head Jürgen Kiessling says, “Happiness has spread throughout the 12 host cities. We never expected such a sensational response. The whole world has seen some fantastic images from the host cities, which have joined together in this way for the first ever time, and with FIFA, they have created something unique.”

So far, 5,500 national and international media representatives have reported on the Fan Fest sites, with some TV channels as well as official German broadcaster ARD often reporting live from the sites themselves.

The Fan Fest system was developed by the 12 host cities and Fifa with the support of the local organising committee over a period of two years, thereby creating the biggest ever football party in Germany. The Fan Fest parties are organised by the cities themselves, together with regional organisers whose untiring efforts have helped to make them such a huge success.

Fifa is responsible for coordinating the entire operation, as well as for providing the basic infrastructure such as the giant screens, stages, sound, lighting and decoration of a total of 20,000 square metres in the official World Cup design. The Fan Fest system has received financial support from four Fifa partners: Coca-Cola, Hyundai, MasterCard and Toshiba.

Huge logistical operations have provided the foundations for the success. Around, 17,000 people have ensured that everything has run smoothly on the 14 stages and 34 giant screens, which have been provided by another FIFA Partner, Philips. Local authorities have developed comprehensive security measures, which have been implemented without any major incidents.

The local organising committee’s “Fan Embassies” also provide a first point of contact for the fans. TV rights holder Infront has provided the broadcasting licences free of charge. The biggest football party of all time is now ready for the second half.

June 28, 2006
David Gale is MTV US executive VP, new media, specialty film content

MUMBAI: David Gale has been named to the newly created position of MTV US executive VP, new media and specialty film content.

In this new role, Gale will find, develop, acquire and produce long-form narrative content and branded films for all platforms including online, wireless, theatrical, DVD and VOD.

As the technology, delivery platforms and audience experiences for films continue to expand Gale will help lead MTV’s efforts in finding new, cutting-edge talent to bring a diverse slate of content to audiences, from branded films and long-form narrative productions, to documentaries and more.

In addition to continuing to work with MTV, he will bring projects to all global MTVN brands, including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1, Logo and CMT, coordinating his efforts with their production teams. In this new position, Gale will will also continue to run the day-to-day operations of MTV Films until his successor is named.

Gale’s new role helps fulfill a key component of MTV’s global digital strategy — to combine its mission to discover, produce and showcase unique new talent and entertainment, with its continued goal of launching audience-engaging platforms such as MTV’s Overdrive, Comedy Central’s Mother Load, VH1’s VSpot, Nickelodeon’s Turbo Nick, countless 3G wireless channels and MTV Networks’ recently launched digital music service URGE.

MTV chairman Judy McGrath says, “Our amplified efforts in creating visually rich experiences on television, as well as on computers, wireless screens and in theaters, allow us to personalize each entertainment experience our audience engages in. With David‘s new role, we’re looking to launch a new paradigm in finding, producing and distributing long-form digital content across the globe.”

In addition to coordinating with each of the MTV Networks’ International Brand and Group Leaders (MTVN Entertainment president Doug Herzog, MTVN International president Bill Roedy and Nickelodeon & MTVN Kids & Family Group president Cyma Zarghami) for new content under the specific brands, Gale will also work closely with key executives for digital platforms on the release of film and other original long-form projects.

Gale will also continue to work with the Paramount specialty film divisions, Vantage and Classics, to seek out the type of unique and original feature films that have made the MTV brands so distinctive in the entertainment industry.

June 28, 2006
Soccer fever: Zee Sports sets itself ‘Goal 2010’ with AIFF

MUMBAI: Just imagine! With football fever spreading across the country thanks to the football World Cup, Zee Sports has set itself an ambitious target.

Zee Sports and the All India football federation (AIFF) are looking to spread the popularity of football over the next four years. The two parties have announced a visionary project Goal 2010.

The ultimate aim is to see India play in the soccer World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. Hence the tagline Just Imagine! The two parties will have public relations, youth outreach, training and marketing activities. The first step in the long journey will be a three week long Soccer Carnival in 11 cities including Goa, Mumbai and Delhi. The carnival kicked off in Chandigarh on Monday.

Elaborating further on the initiative Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody said, “Football is an international sport for which there is a vast following among the masses in India. We have put in lot of hard work to present Indian Football in a high quality format at viewer friendly times with in depth analysis.

“That football has entered a new level has become obvious with the strong response we have received from fans and the corporates in the last one-year. Goal 2010 is an assertion of our commitment to make football as the most watched and played sport in the country. We believe that this project will help Indian football make a place for itself in world football.”

The channel notes that the level of interest in the ongoing soccer World Cup shows on one level that the interest in the game is alive and well. At the same time the poor standard exhibited by the Indian football team in the past few decades is responsible for the domestic clubs and national team’s performances not being followed. The channel rightly notes that should India take part in the soccer World Cup in 2010 interest will skyrocket.

The parties are looking to take advantage of the rise of interest in football in the public’s consciousness and build the players, leagues and clubs on the plank of “Support your team and it’s player’s in their crusade for the next World Cup”. The Goal 2010 project will encompass all activities undertaken by Zee and AIFF in their preparation to get India to South Africa in 2010.

Activity Plan: The earlier mentioned carnival will be in the form of roadshows. For three weeks they will travel to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Kolkata. The roadshows will have branding, MC, music, Zeebras and a roll of Canvas on which the channel will make Indians pledge their support to Indian Football’s World Cup 2010 campaign. The promoters will drive traffic to this Graffiti wall.

In the morning, the channel shall park outside a school or academy to rally student support. In the evening, the channel will cover public parks and the main market areas. There will also be a giant replica of the Fifa World Cup. The channel is hoping that this will instill dreams in Indians that just like cricket their football team too can do their country proud on the global stage.

During the three-week period in each city the road show will last for three days and will visit various hip and happening locations in each place. The aim is to create fan awareness about different facets of Indian Football, which includes various tournaments and leagues, football players, clubs, legends of Indian football, etc. Besides providing an opportunity to fans to know about Indian football, the carnival will also host a variety of interactive games and contests where they will have the opportunity to win Zee Sports merchandise.

The carnival will first visit Chandigarh with the football cheerleading squad, the Zeebras. A huge inflatable football will be placed at a prominent indoor location in each city and will remain there for six months. People can come and pledge their support to the Indian Football’s World Cup campaign. All signatures collected during the campaign will be presented to Fifa president Sepp Blatter in October, during his visit here and his support for India’s dream will be sought.

Zee Sports VP marketing Gaurav Seth says that later in the year the channel and AIFF will conduct inter school competitions where probables for the under 17 and under 19 teams will be considered. The Japanese team comes down in October to play in qualifying matches for next year’s Asia Cup in Malaysia. If the Indian team is able to qualify for the Asia Cup then that will give them excellent practice ahead of the World Cup qualifiers which start in 2008.

Zee Sports and the AIFF will also conduct clinics for coaches and teachers. This is important in growing football at the grasroots level. A couple of weeks ago, AIFF, with advice from Zee Sports, had chosen Bob Houghton as the Indian football team’s coach. Houghton has in the past helped take China to the soccer World Cup. Seth is hopeful that with the carnival Indian soccer fans will not forget about the sport once the World Cup (which is airing on rival ESPN) ends.

Zee Sports had introduced the Zeebras as their mascots of promoting Indian football. Dressed in funky outfits, the Zeebras will perform on hit tunes during the carnival.

Zee Sports had signed a 10 year deal with the AIFF last year. The channel says that since then it has taken prudent steps to popularise Indian Football. For the first time, 100 matches of Indian football comprising of matches from National Football League, Federation Cup and Santosh Trophy were shown live.

Zee Sports flew down international experts in football production for the telecast of Indian Football. This included directors, sound engineers, visual graphic specialists from the UK, South Africa and South East Asia. Using a 12-camera setup to cover the action from the field, Zee Sports ensured every shot and dribble was viewed from multiple angles ensuring exciting viewing to its consumers.

The coverage involved more replays, international commentators, new graphic look and various in studios programming leading to the build up. For the 10th edition of ONGC Cup, two world-class units simultaneously broadcast the matches from Kolkata, Mumbai and Goa. British Match director David Horridge, produced the telecast.

Horridge is involved in directing Champions League matches and is now Germany to work for Fifa on the World Cup coverage. The telecast package will include preview and review shows, half time match analysis and various studio programming.

In line with Zee Sports promise to deliver international quality coverage of Indian football, John Helm and former England International player Russell Osman were flown from England for commentary for all the three major domestic football tournament. Assisting them were Zee Sports commentator Debayan and football expert Noel da Lima Leitao.

June 28, 2006
DMK to distribute 30,000 TVs in September

MUMBAI: The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has announced that it would start phase one of its free colour TV distribution plan with the purchase of 30,000 units.

The plan is one of the key elements of the DMK’s promise to the electorate of the southern Indian state that if voted to power it would provide colour TVs to families not owning them. The date fixed for distribution of free TVs is 15 September. The localities where the sets will be distributed have also been identified.

In the second and main phase, a global tender would be issued, a release issued by the state government said.

According to media reports, if fully implemented, the whole exercise would involve the distribution of 8 million 14-inch colour TV sets. Considering that the total number of CTVs sold in the country last fiscal was 10.5 million, whichever company ultimately wins the contract will have a bonanza on its hands. How much this exercise will ultimately cost is still unclear though with media reports quoting figures ranging from Rs 10 billion to as high as Rs 56 billion.

June 28, 2006
IP video test and measurement market to hit $289 million in 2010: US Study

MUMBAI: From being a virtually non- existent market in 2003, the IP video test and measurement market saw significant growth in 2005.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, World IP Video Test & Measurement Market, finds that this market earned revenues of $52.2 million in 2005 and is likely to reach $289 million in 2010.

With telecom and cable TV companies aggressively offering triple play services, there is a rising trend among test equipment and solution vendors to offer IPTV test capability ‘within the same box’. Telecom companies are increasingly launching VoIP and offering bundled video, data and voice services to meet the intense competition from cable TV providers and the growing migration of customers to VoIP-based telephony and wireless networks.

IPTV enables telecom companies to leverage their DSL access networks, and thereby offer their customer base an additional video service to supplement existing voice and data offerings. By adopting such measures, they are able to contain losses while retaining valuable customers.

“With such intense competition among service providers, subscriber experience and quality of service become key differentiators, compelling them to roll-out monitoring systems and protocol analyzers at the same time as they launch their IPTV services,” remarks Frost & Sullivan industry manager Jessy Cavazos. “This factor is considered to be a strong driver, particularly for the network monitoring systems market segment, and is expected to have a very high impact on market revenues throughout the forecast period.”

Tolerance levels in IP video services are minimal compared to VoIP services, in which the conversation can be continued even if a couple of packets are lost. Thus, it becomes highly essential to have effective monitoring and troubleshooting tools when networks are deployed in the present market scenario, increasing the demand for suitable test equipment.

Again, the emphasis on quality is higher in the IP video and TV market than in the VoIP market. This poses a significant challenge to test equipment providers catering to this market. The capital costs of the test equipment used for IPTV and video are very high, running into billions of dollars. Since these costs eventually get passed on to the users, it is hardly surprising that they demand the highest quality possible to get maximum value from the service.

The challenge for test equipment providers is to keep pace with the latest technologies in IP video and TV and to be able to develop suitable solutions to test them.

“With end users looking at channel change time issues before roll-out and measuring channel change infrastructure in networks after deployment, this presents a significant opportunity for test vendors,” says Cavazos. “Frost & Sullivan believes that channel changing performance test to assess the functioning of one or more devices under test (DUT) or systems under test (SUT) in IPTV deployment is the biggest opportunity, from a customer target application perspective, in the near future.”

June 28, 2006
Zoom attempts comedy with Santa & Banta Unlimited; to air from 10 July

MUMBAI: The original Indian rap king Baba Saigal and popular RJ Siddharth Kannan team up to entertain viewers with Zoom’s first comic bonanza, Santa & Banta Unlimited. This new show aims to redefine ‘time pass viewing’, with it’s two hosts Siddharth Kannan aka Santa and Baba Saigal aka Banta.

Starting 10 July, the half hour show will air every Monday at 8.30 pm.
The duo promise to deliver everything from topical news, lifestyle issues, film reviews, TV gags of other shows, parties, call ins for “love” problems and other gyaan, in true Santa Banta style, which is a comical rhapsody, witty repartees and award winning one liners.

Santa & Banta Unlimited being an extension of the personalities of the two hosts’ reflects the natural camaraderie between Banta, a “cut surd” and Santa, a typical “Tam Bram”. Kannan is known for his spontaneous sense of humor; hence Baba’s rapping will be a great foil to Kannan’s yakking.

Joking about his rapport with Baba, Kannan remarks with his trademark tongue-in-cheek twist, “We are like a husband and wife team. But we haven’t figured who is the husband and who is the wife. We are two contrasting people with a zest for life. As people in Mumbai would say, we are truly bindaas.”

“Anchoring is a part of me. It has a different kick, different popularity and a different feedback,” says Baba about his experience. “I have known Siddharth since the past 12 years. We’ve developed a great chemistry and that will be evident on-screen.”

June 28, 2006
Titan Global Entertainment unveils web music entertainment portal ‘Titan Tunes’

MUMBAI: Titan Global Entertainment, Inc. has announced the release of the second generation web music entertainment portal “Titan Tunes.” The “Titan Tunes” portal is the first of a series of portals that will be launched from the “Titan Universe” Entertainment Distribution Center.

The US-based, Titan Global Entertainment. Inc., is a multi-faceted entertainment company that specialises in audio and video digital distribution through its state of the art web portal — www.TitanTunes.com.

The new website is designed to provide users with the ability to customise both look and feel, creating a personalised design and a feeling of total control over the experience. The single-page navigation design concept and fixed viewing screen keep all of the controls in the user’s hands providing the simplest and most comfortable experience available in the marketplace, as per an official release. This general concept will reduce the amount of steps making the purchase process an easy, fast and secure one.

Titan Global Entertainment co-chairman & CEO Jim Pugh states, “This is another completed milestone in the company’s development. The music portal will provide users a full music and music video experience. The portal is currently being loaded with content from all over the world. It will contain a complete selection of international music and music video for all ages. Individuals will be able to access music and music videos for listening, viewing, downloading as well as purchase. Also included in ‘Titan Tunes’ is the ability to listen live to your favorite radio station as well as delayed broadcast of syndicated radio shows.”

Just like iTunes, this site will not only offer a vast selection of music and audio but will take the revolutionary next step and will also feature music video, the release further adds. Most websites that provide the option for online purchase have a system involving multiple steps. This results in more than half of the consumers (57 per cent) abandoning the shopping cart before finalizing the purchase. Titan Tunes’ unique design has differentiated itself from the rest of online music stores reducing the amount of steps. The user is provided a new online buying experience which makes the purchase process an easy, fast and secure one while never leaving the Titan Tunes page.

Titan Tunes will not only sell music and video, but will also sell artists’ merchandise of all types from CD/DVDs, clothing lines and other merchandising items such as T-Shirts, hats, jackets and gifts. This merchandise will be provided by Titan artists, independent artists and other licensed third party merchandisers approved by the company.

Titan has acquired music publishing licensing from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), for the rights to stream and sell music video and audio through the internet.

June 28, 2006
DIC Entertainment & AOL partner to create strategic TV & online programming block

MUMBAI: DIC Entertainment (DIC), an independent global brand management company based in the US, and AOL online kids destination, KOL, have formed a partnership to co-produce a new Saturday morning branded programming block, KOL’s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, which will premiere 16 September 2006.

DIC and KOL will also develop online and on-air co-production initiatives in conjunction with the block. DIC and KOL are also now in development on programs for the 2007 season, informs an official release.

As per the agreement, KOL and DIC will co-produce programming for the 2006 broadcast season, including the new television series Dance Revolution. This series is inspired by Konami’s hit video game franchise Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). The new dance competition series will be hosted by Radio KOL DJ Rick Adams, who will also continue to maintain his live online radio show for kids available on KOL.

In addition, KOL and DIC will develop a website designed to transform the programs airing on KOL’s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS into a comprehensive and interactive experience for kids. KOL will also offer special online programming including games, program clips, behind-the-scenes features and more to drive on-air viewership.

Dance Revolution and the online activities will support the schedule of programming debuting this fall on the E/I compliant branded block. Other programming on the Saturday Morning line-up includes Cake, Horseland, The Animated Trollz and Madeline.

Additionally, KOL will create public service announcements on healthy eating, to air during the block and online utilizing KOL’s popular original animated character Princess Natasha, adds the release.

DIC will seek initial guidance on all programming to air on the KOL’s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, from children’s experts from the DIC Educational Advisory Board — a group comprised of leading media experts, educators and pediatricians created to provide information, guidance, advice and general expertise to DIC in the development of multimedia programs and projects for children.

“With AOL’s expertise in developing online programming and our success in building brands such as ‘Princess Natasha’ and Radio KOL, appealing to millions of kids, we are confident that this landmark partnership with DIC will be a tremendous success,” says AOL Kids & Teens SVP Malcolm Bird. “Once again, AOL is leading the industry by building another initiative that taps the power of television and the online medium to ultimately grow a larger audience across both platforms.”

“Kids today continue to expand their entertainment options beyond television, and our new partnership with KOL will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to reach kids through the launch of the new Saturday morning programming block on CBS as well as through KOL’s growing online destination,” comments DIC Entertainment chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “We are thrilled to work with KOL to co-produce innovative programming and to create a unique cross-promotional program that will drive kids online; increase on-air viewership and provide our clients with an effective way to reach kids in a progressive safe environment.”

June 28, 2006
DIC Entertainment & AOL partner to create strategic TV & online programming block

MUMBAI: DIC Entertainment (DIC), an independent global brand management company based in the US, and AOL online kids destination, KOL, have formed a partnership to co-produce a new Saturday morning branded programming block, KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, which will premiere 16 September 2006.

DIC and KOL will also develop online and on-air co-production initiatives in conjunction with the block. DIC and KOL are also now in development on programs for the 2007 season, informs an official release.

As per the agreement, KOL and DIC will co-produce programming for the 2006 broadcast season, including the new television series Dance Revolution. This series is inspired by Konami‘s hit video game franchise Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). The new dance competition series will be hosted by Radio KOL DJ Rick Adams, who will also continue to maintain his live online radio show for kids available on KOL.

In addition, KOL and DIC will develop a website designed to transform the programs airing on KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS into a comprehensive and interactive experience for kids. KOL will also offer special online programming including games, program clips, behind-the-scenes features and more to drive on-air viewership.

Dance Revolution and the online activities will support the schedule of programming debuting this fall on the E/I compliant branded block. Other programming on the Saturday Morning line-up includes Cake, Horseland, The Animated Trollz and Madeline.

Additionally, KOL will create public service announcements on healthy eating, to air during the block and online utilizing KOL‘s popular original animated character Princess Natasha, adds the release.

DIC will seek initial guidance on all programming to air on the KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, from children‘s experts from the DIC Educational Advisory Board — a group comprised of leading media experts, educators and pediatricians created to provide information, guidance, advice and general expertise to DIC in the development of multimedia programs and projects for children.

“With AOL‘s expertise in developing online programming and our success in building brands such as ‘Princess Natasha‘ and Radio KOL, appealing to millions of kids, we are confident that this landmark partnership with DIC will be a tremendous success,” says AOL Kids & Teens SVP Malcolm Bird. “Once again, AOL is leading the industry by building another initiative that taps the power of television and the online medium to ultimately grow a larger audience across both platforms.”

“Kids today continue to expand their entertainment options beyond television, and our new partnership with KOL will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to reach kids through the launch of the new Saturday morning programming block on CBS as well as through KOL‘s growing online destination,” comments DIC Entertainment chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “We are thrilled to work with KOL to co-produce innovative programming and to create a unique cross-promotional program that will drive kids online; increase on-air viewership and provide our clients with an effective way to reach kids in a progressive safe environment.”

June 28, 2006