Category: TV Channels

  • TVHead inks deal with Hit Entertainment to create games for preschoolers

    TVHead inks deal with Hit Entertainment to create games for preschoolers

    MUMBAI: Interactive games-on-demand TV network, TVHead has inked a deal with Hit Entertainment, a provider of preschool entertainment to create games targeting the preschoolers.

    The deal calls for the premier games-on-demand television network to develop the first-ever, specially designed iTV games based on the popular characters Barney, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina.

    Aiming to launch in the last quarter of 2006, the California-based TVHead is developing new interactive games specifically for the preschool audience and unique to each of the London based Hit’s world-class properties, according to an official release.

    Each game will offers children a range of activities; Barney will focus on music and imagination; Thomas will focus on navigation and problem solving; Bob the Builder will focus on teamwork, problem solving and spatial relationships; and Angelina Ballerina will focus on dancing, friendships and determination to make your dreams come true.

    “Children the world over adore Barney, Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina,” said TVHead founder and CEO Sangita Verma. “We are delighted at the opportunity of giving kids a new way to interact with these amazing properties that entertain, captivate and educate the growing preschool segment of our audience.”

    “Hit Entertainment is excited to be working with TVHead to deliver age-appropriate, innovative content for their new gaming platform,” said Hit Entertainment senior VP Jamie Cygielman. “As the Barney & Friends, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina TV series all provide educational entertainment that kids love and parents trust, this new gaming platform will allow children to deepen their relationship with these characters, creating an even more engaging learning experience.”

    Families will be able to play these games using the standard remote controls for their television sets, as TVHead’s proprietary technology simply plugs into existing VOD infrastructures and requires no special set-top boxes. The Hit offerings will join TVHead’s current games-on-demand lineup, which includes titles for casual and enthusiast gamers of all ages.

  • Digital lifestyle, the latest buzz word

    Digital lifestyle, the latest buzz word

    SINGAPORE: There’s a rather feel-good atmosphere here at Broadcast Asia 2006. The rain gods have stopped their onslaught on Singapore, leaving a slight chill in the air. Though the conference is nearing its fag end, professionals from across the world continue their discussions while sipping endless cups of black coffee with steamed momos.

    Apart from the other sessions on the digital space, Day Four saw a special seminar on Digital Living 2006: Trends in digital Homes & Lifestyle.

    Chalking out the company’s plans to fuel the growth of digital homes across the world, a Microsoft executive said, “Microsoft’s Media Center PCs (a digital lifestyle device) have been fuelling the digital lifestyle in the US. Almost every second PC in the US is a Media Center PC and we predict more than 19 million digital homes by 2008 across Europe. In effect we expect an exponential growth rate of more than 1,200 per cent.”

    Well, so what are digital homes? The term connotes huge plasma screens, a remote to orchestrate all the devices and automatic functioning of one’s home. It is definitely this, but in the present scenario with the proliferation of technology, consumers lapping up devices and digital content, digital home lifestyle concept has also moved much further.

    Today, hardware, software, content and service companies across the world are working hand-in-hand to complete this ecosystem with high-end connectivity and supporting technologies.

    Shedding further light on the concept, Philips MD Emmaneul Dieppedalle said, “The concept has definitely moved away from just entertainment. It is about offering a device which can integrate and personalize all the information that is there. So, along with high-speed Net connections, exchange music, video, and other content and of course video-on-demand,

    He further added, “A lot of the developments are taking place in Japan, Korea and S Asia on the consumer products side; whereas all the innovations on the PC front are happening in the US. Now, the real digital home experience phenomenon will emerge, when we try to combine the best of both the worlds.”

    From the seminar which also comprised of Awox, director and GM, Alexis Martial, Orca Interactive, Alon Laor, VP, Sales and Professional Services, what came across was the digital home is currently receiving a lot of impetus behind it with a lot of people pulling in the same direction.

    What’s the real value proposition of a digital lifestyle home? Colin Png said, “Currently there are three main hubs of connectivity – the PC, mobile and the consumer items like DVDs, MP3 players, etc. The big challenge is to interconnect all these and bring in a simplified and personalized service which can comprise Digital music, Gaming, Educational tools, Photos with slide shows, MP3 players. Live TV, video on demand record. So, here you can record your favourite TV programme and watch it whenever want. Walk from your bedroom to your living room or take that official call and you will still not miss the last bit of your favourite TV programme.”

    To take their content paradigm further, Microsoft has also tied up with Reuters for content. Here, consumers get very personalised content, which they can browse and choose from the news items along with videos, being delivered on broadband.

    Alon Laor added, “Simply put its all about time shifting and space shifting.” According to Laor, the single biggest challenge is lack of education amongst consumers and lack of connectivity between the different hardware components. Also, we are still not able to offer that one important value proposition to the consumer.

    But then, as Parks Associates USA director of research John Barrett, aptly said, “Consumers too crave for hi-tech technology, but it should be no-fuss technology. Digital homes should be able to make life easier for consumers.”

  • TVHead inks deal with Hit Entertainment to create games for preschoolers

    MUMBAI: Interactive games-on-demand TV network, TVHead has inked a deal with Hit Entertainment, a provider of preschool entertainment to create games targeting the preschoolers.


    The deal calls for the premier games-on-demand television network to develop the first-ever, specially designed iTV games based on the popular characters Barney, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina.


    Aiming to launch in the last quarter of 2006, the California-based TVHead is developing new interactive games specifically for the preschool audience and unique to each of the London based Hit’s world-class properties, according to an official release.


    Each game will offers children a range of activities; Barney will focus on music and imagination; Thomas will focus on navigation and problem solving; Bob the Builder will focus on teamwork, problem solving and spatial relationships; and Angelina Ballerina will focus on dancing, friendships and determination to make your dreams come true.


    “Children the world over adore Barney, Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina,” said TVHead founder and CEO Sangita Verma. “We are delighted at the opportunity of giving kids a new way to interact with these amazing properties that entertain, captivate and educate the growing preschool segment of our audience.”


    “Hit Entertainment is excited to be working with TVHead to deliver age-appropriate, innovative content for their new gaming platform,” said Hit Entertainment senior VP Jamie Cygielman. “As the Barney & Friends, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina TV series all provide educational entertainment that kids love and parents trust, this new gaming platform will allow children to deepen their relationship with these characters, creating an even more engaging learning experience.”


    Families will be able to play these games using the standard remote controls for their television sets, as TVHead’s proprietary technology simply plugs into existing VOD infrastructures and requires no special set-top boxes. The Hit offerings will join TVHead’s current games-on-demand lineup, which includes titles for casual and enthusiast gamers of all ages.

  • Disney in merchandising overdrive for new preschooler shows

    Disney in merchandising overdrive for new preschooler shows

    MUMBAI: With the trend in licensing moving toward younger ages, The little big Mouse is not one to be left behind. The Walt Disney Company through its merchandise division Disney Consumer Products is gearing up for a marketing blitz to strengthen its preschool portfolio.

    Disney Consumer Products (DCP) merchandise will feature elements of the interactive learning specific to the shows. Little Einsteins and My Friends Tigger and Pooh will kick off in spring 2007, focusing on different aspects of early child development and combine to address the needs of the “whole” child. Disney Consumer Products (DCP) merchandise will feature elements of the interactive learning specific to each show.

    “Parents have enjoyed Mickey and Pooh for years, and now a new generation of preschoolers are being introduced to these characters with a fresh CG-animated look. Little Einsteins rounds out a very strong preschool block that blends entertainment with education,” said DCP chairman Andy Mooney. “Retailers are also seeing potential in these shows and clearing shelf space based on the strength of Playhouse Disney as a preschool platform.”

    Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (MMCH), which premiered in May on Playhouse Disney channels and Disney Channels around the world — the first-ever same-day global launch of Disney Channel programming. The show focuses on problem solving and early math curriculum. 

    MMCH toys will launch this Fall with all other product categories launching in spring 2007. The toy line from licensee, Character Direct, will feature interactivity and gadgets direct from the television series, as well as new technology and innovation. Name That Song Mickey is a key item in the line – the product features a wireless piano combined with a soft Mickey plush that interactively teaches kids music through numbers.

    Little Einsteins which premiered in October 2005. The show, which fosters creativity through music and art, began debuting around the world, most recently in Australia and New Zealand and will next launch in France, India and Taiwan. DCP will launch a broad cross-category assortment of product in spring 2007.

    My Friends Tigger and Pooh will premiere in spring 2007, wherein the show teaches life lessons, such as friendship, as well as early earth science. Tigger and Pooh are “Super Sleuths” and the audience helps them solve mysteries in the Hundred Acre Wood. A licensing program is currently in development for mass and mid-tier retail distribution for spring 2008.

  • Disney in merchandising overdrive for new preschooler shows

    MUMBAI: With the trend in licensing moving toward younger ages, The little big Mouse is not one to be left behind. The Walt Disney Company through its merchandise division Disney Consumer Products is gearing up for a marketing blitz to strengthen its preschool portfolio.


    Disney Consumer Products (DCP) merchandise will feature elements of the interactive learning specific to the shows.
    Little Einsteins and My Friends Tigger and Pooh will kick off in spring 2007, focusing on different aspects of early child development and combine to address the needs of the “whole” child. Disney Consumer Products (DCP) merchandise will feature elements of the interactive learning specific to each show.


    “Parents have enjoyed Mickey and Pooh for years, and now a new generation of preschoolers are being introduced to these characters with a fresh CG-animated look. Little Einsteins rounds out a very strong preschool block that blends entertainment with education,” said DCP chairman Andy Mooney. “Retailers are also seeing potential in these shows and clearing shelf space based on the strength of Playhouse Disney as a preschool platform.”


    Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (MMCH), which premiered in May on Playhouse Disney channels and Disney Channels around the world — the first-ever same-day global launch of Disney Channel programming. The show focuses on problem solving and early math curriculum.


    MMCH toys will launch this Fall with all other product categories launching in spring 2007. The toy line from licensee, Character Direct, will feature interactivity and gadgets direct from the television series, as well as new technology and innovation. Name That Song Mickey is a key item in the line – the product features a wireless piano combined with a soft Mickey plush that interactively teaches kids music through numbers.


    Little Einsteins which premiered in October 2005. The show, which fosters creativity through music and art, began debuting around the world, most recently in Australia and New Zealand and will next launch in France, India and Taiwan. DCP will launch a broad cross-category assortment of product in spring 2007.


    My Friends Tigger and Pooh will premiere in spring 2007, wherein the show teaches life lessons, such as friendship, as well as early earth science. Tigger and Pooh are “Super Sleuths” and the audience helps them solve mysteries in the Hundred Acre Wood. A licensing program is currently in development for mass and mid-tier retail distribution for spring 2008.

  • Animax Asia signs output deal with Japanese anime studio Gonzo

    MUMBAI: Animax has sealed a new long term output deal with Japan‘s leading animation studio Gonzo to bring the latest edgy animation to Asia.


    With this, Asian viewers will now get the chance to watch anime programmes from Gonzo soon after viewers in Japan. The deal commences immediately for Animax.


    Animax vice-president Programming and Production Betty Tsui says, “We are delighted to have a strong partner like Gonzo as the studio‘s original creative direction is in sync with Animax‘s overall strategy to provide world-class anime entertainment for the youth of today. With the recent launch of the Animax refresh campaign, the timing of this output deal is a fantastic opportunity for both Animax and Gonzo to showcase more unique anime that wows and inspires viewers.”


    Responsible for some of the most innovative and stylish animation using 2D and 3D computer graphic techniques, Gonzo has brought to viewers around the world extremely popular titles like Samurai 7, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Hellsing. The synergy of Gonzo and Animax is apparent as both partners strive to provide the youth and young adult market with varied and quality programme offerings that wow audiences.


    With a reach of over 25 million households across Asia 24 hours a days, the new partnership represents enormous potential for Gonzo to showcase its new titles and become a household name in the Asian region.


    Rolling out the output deal is the spectacular animation creation, Trinity Blood. Having premiered first and exclusively in Hong Kong on 1 June 2006, Trinity Blood is broadcast on Animax every Thursday at 10 pm.

  • ‘The Orange County’ Season II on Zee Cafe from 30 June

    ‘The Orange County’ Season II on Zee Cafe from 30 June

    MUMBAI: Zee Café will unveil the second season of The O.C. (Orange County) this month. The second season will premiere on 30 June at 10:00 pm.

    Announcing the launch, Zee Café business head Neil Chakravarti said, “The first season of The O.C. on Café was immensely popular. We received innumerable requests from loyal viewers across the country to air the second season and we are indeed happy to be able to respond to those requests, and to bring it exclusively on Zee Café.”

    The first season saw Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie) fall in love with the girl next door, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) Their romance, however, is ill-fated, constantly tested by the young lovers’ inability to escape from their pasts. At the end of the season, Ryan returned to Chino to protect his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Theresa from her abusive ex-boyfriend.

    As the tumultuous summer comes to an end, both Seth (Adam Brody) and Ryan must make decisions on their futures in The O.C. and their futures with Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Marissa. And the adults in town face fresh challenges as well, with Caleb’s past coming back to haunt him causing big problems for Sandy, and Jimmy’s fortunes taking a turn. Meanwhile, Julie and Kirsten are thrown together in a surprising and contentious alliance.

  • Sony takes Dish TV basic tier pricing up by Rs 38

    Sony takes Dish TV basic tier pricing up by Rs 38

    NEW DELHI: Subhash Chandra’s Dish TV has increased the price of its basic tier of DTH service by Rs 38 after Sony-Discovery One Alliance came on board earlier this month.

    The basic tier would now cost a consumer Rs 180, plus taxes. Earlier it was priced at Rs 142, exclusive of taxes.

    The new pricing is a fair indicator as to the money that Dish TV is paying One Alliance for its channels per subscriber.

    However, AXN has been kept out of the basic tier, which includes all the other One Alliance fare and the likes of Zee TV, HBO and three sports channels (ESPN, Star Sports and Ten Sports).

    Dish TV’s other packages include Dish Plus package, which comes packed with a wide selection of national and international channels at Rs 125 per month and offers channels like Zee Studio, HBO, TCM, MCM, Reality TV; Dish Bioscope, which features Zee Premier, Zee Action, Zee Classic and Pakistani film channel Filmazia and costs Rs 55 per month. News is packaged in Dish News with Zee Business, Euro News, Euro Sports News, NDTV 24×7, CNBC TV18, Awaaz and CNN Headlines News. The cost: Rs 60 per month.

    Dish Pick is an a-la-carte package that allows subscribers to pick and choose extra regional channels. Two channels come for Rs 30 per month, five channels for Rs 50 per month and all regional channels come for Rs 100 per month. (All the prices listed here are exclusive of taxes.) Channels included in this package include Zee TV, Sahara One Zee Punjabi, ETV – Rajastan, ETV – UP, ETV – Bihar, Geo TV, Zee Telugu, Jaya TV, Jeevan TV, Akash Bangla, Zee Bangla, Zee Gujarati and Marathi, India TV and NDTV India.

  • E&M industry globally to touch $1.8 trillion in 2010: PricewaterhouseCoopers report

    E&M industry globally to touch $1.8 trillion in 2010: PricewaterhouseCoopers report

    MUMBAI: The media and entertainment industry as a whole is on an upscale growth curve. The global entertainment and media (E&M) industry has entered a solid growth phase and will increase at a 6.6 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to $1.8 trillion in 2010, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2006-2010, released today.Interestingly, the report indicates that the Asia Pacific will remain the fastest-growing region in this industry, led by explosive growth in the People’s Republic of China and India, while US remains the largest but growing at a slow pace.

    New revenue streams are growing rapidly, the growth of physical formats has slowed, and availability of licensed digital distribution now provides consumers alternatives to piracy, the report says.

    Digital technologies, chiefly broadband internet and mobile, are becoming established and increasingly lucrative distribution channels that are changing the way consumers acquire entertainment and media content. Global spending via online and wireless channels reached $19 billion in 2005 and will increase to $67 billion by 2010, the Outlook says. Digital technologies consist of five categories: online rental subscriptions and digital streaming in filmed entertainment, licensed digital downloads and mobile music in recorded music, online and wireless video games, electronic books, and online casino gaming.

    “Virtually every segment of the entertainment and media industry is shifting from physical distribution to digital distribution of content,” said PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Entertainment & Media Practice global leader Wayne Jackson. “As this shift continues, we see more revenue opportunities for entertainment and media companies. So while physical distribution of content is declining, that decline will be offset somewhat by digital distribution, which is driving and creating new growth opportunities.”

    “We expect that Asia Pacific will remain the fastest-growing region for the industry, reflecting both the underlying economic growth and local developments and initiatives. The growth will be led by double-digit increases in Internet, TV distribution, casino and other regulated gaming and video games,” said PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Entertainment & Media Practice Asia Pacific leader Marcel Fenez. “Significantly, we also expect that the People’s Republic of China will pass Japan in 2009 to become the largest market in Asia Pacific.”

    Key Drivers of Global E&M Industry
    Continued expansion in the broadband household universe will be a major growth driver, and wireless subscriber growth and rollout of next generation handsets and high-speed wireless networks will stimulate mobile markets. In 2005, the broadband universe totaled 187 million households, up from only 30 million in 2001. By 2010, there will be an additional 246 million broadband households, bringing the total to 433 million globally.

    The number of people with a wireless telephone subscription is also growing rapidly, with a total of 1.8 billion globally in 2005. That figure will rise to 2.8 billion by 2010, adding one billion potential customers to mobile content during the next five years.

    Although piracy still cannibalizes sales in many markets, its incremental impact on legitimate sales will lessen. Industry trade associations, greater government action, the advent of convenient licensed alternatives and improved economic conditions are working to limit piracy.

    In the TV distribution market in Asia Pacific, piracy remains a significant problem showing no signs of improvement. However, for the overall E&M industry, incremental losses to piracy are slowing, which will have a positive impact on the overall end-user market.

    Global Advertising -Olympic Games and Fifa World Cups to Create Growth Spikes
    Global advertising will increase at a 6.2 per cent CAGR during the forecast period, to $521 billion in 2010 from $385 billion in 2005. Growth improvement achieved during the past two years will be sustained through 2008, but more moderate increases are projected during 2009-10 as the current economic recovery in many countries begins to falter. The Internet will remain the fastest-growing advertising medium, at an 18.1 per cent CAGR to $52 billion in 2010. The Internet will constitute nearly 10 per cent of global advertising in 2010 compared with less than 3 per cent in 2002.

    Growth by Region – U.S. Remains Largest but Slowest-Growing “The U.S. remains the largest E&M market, growing at a 5.6 per cent compound annual growth rate reaching $726 billion in 2010,” said James O’Shaughnessy, U.S. Leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers Entertainment & Media practice. “Video games and the Internet will be the fastest-growing segments, with compound annual increases of 8.9 and 8.4 per cent, respectively. Video games will be propelled by next generation console games and rapid growth in online and wireless games, while increased broadband penetration will enhance Internet access spending and stimulate online advertising.”

    EMEA, the second largest market, will expand at a 6.1 per cent CAGR to reach $580 billion in 2010. Led by Russia, Central and Eastern Europe will again be the fastest-growing area in EMEA, rising by a 12 per cent CAGR with double-digit growth expected in Internet and access spending, radio and out- of-home advertising, TV distribution, TV networks and video games.

    “During the next five years, TV distribution, Internet advertising and access spending, and casino and other regulated gaming will continue to record double-digit increases, as will video games for the EMEA region,” said PricewaterhouseCoopers Entertainment & Media practice European Leader John Middelweerd. “The sports market will also see a further boost due to a revitalized TV rights market and by revenues from sponsorship and merchandising around the two FIFA World Cups (Germany in 2006 and South Africa in 2010) and other major sporting events taking part in the territory.”

    Asia Pacific remains the fastest-growing region, led by explosive growth in the People’s Republic of China and IndiaSpending in Asia Pacific will average 9.2 per cent compound annual growth-the highest of all of the regions- reaching $425 billion in 2010. Latin America’s E&M market, the fastest growing region in 2005, is projected to rise at an 8.5 per cent CAGR to $60 billion in 2010. Canada is projected to expand at a 5.9 per cent CAGR to $41 billion in 2010, with double-digit growth in video games and the return of the NHL boosting its sports market.

    Key Findings by Segment – Internet Advertising and Access and Video Games to be Fastest-Growing

    Internet Advertising and Access: Increased broadband access will be principal driver of future growth, but it will come at the expense of dial-up spending in the U.S., EMEA and Canada. Internet advertising is growing rapidly, stimulated by an expanding broadband subscriber base and ad formats geared to broadband, including keyword search and full-motion video. Triple- play service bundles that combine broadband Internet access with telephone service and television distribution are making broadband increasingly attractive. Globally, Internet advertising will grow to $51.6 billion at an 18.1 per cent CAGR and Internet access will increase to $214 billion at an 11.9 per cent CAGR.

    Video Games: The video game market was in a transition year in 2005, awaiting the introduction of the next-generation consoles. Growth slumped to 3.3 per cent , the slowest increase during the past five years. The next generation of consoles and recently introduced handheld games will spur the console/handheld market in the U.S., EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Canada, while PC games will continue to decline or see little growth in the U.S. and EMEA. The introduction of new wireless phones capable of downloading games will boost the wireless game market in the US, EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Canada. Overall, the video game market will expand at an 11.4 per cent CAGR to $46 billion in 2010 from $27 billion in 2005.

    Casino and Other Regulated Gaming: Casino and other regulated gaming rose by 10.9 per cent, the second fastest growing segment in 2005. Rapid growth in online gaming and new casinos will propel growth, with Asia Pacific expected to experience the largest increase because new casinos in Macao will make that portion of the People’s Republic of China a major casino gaming destination. Spending will increase from $82 billion in 2005 to $125 billion in 2010, an 8.8 per cent CAGR.

    Television Distribution: Saturated markets will continue to dampen growth in the U.S. and will hold down growth in Canada as well. Conversely, in EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, large increases in the number of subscription TV households will generate double-digit gains. Continued piracy problems in Asia Pacific, however, will limit market potential in that region. Video-on- demand will expand in all regions, contributing to overall market growth. The introduction of IPTV will contribute to subscriber growth, and the migration of subscribers to higher-priced digital services will increase revenue per subscriber. The market will reach $230.3 
    billion in 2010 from $154.4 billion in 2005, at an 8.3 per cent CAGR.

    Television Networks (Broadcast and Cable): Digital platforms will support new channels and fuel multi-channel advertising, which will be the principal driver during the next five years. New analog channels, digital broadcasting, and HDTV will increase the appeal of free-to-air channels.
    Distribution to mobile phones will further expand viewing and advertising. Public TV license fees in EMEA and Asia Pacific will continue to be slow-growing components of the market. Spending will increase at 6.6 per cent CAGR to reach $227 billion in 2010 from $164 billion in 2005.

    Filmed Entertainment: While filmed entertainment declined in 2005, we expect a rebound in box office spending and introduction of high-definition DVDs to boost home video. Decreases at the box office and a sharp slowdown in home video spending caused the downturn. Box office spending rebound will be triggered by the construction of modern theaters and more screens in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America, and by digital cinemas in the United States, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Spending will increase at a 5.3 per cent CAGR, rising to $104 billion in 2010.

    Recorded Music: Growth in digital distribution and mobile music will drive spending in each market, offsetting further declines in spending on physical formats. Rising broadband subscribership will continue to fuel digital distribution, while an expanding wireless universe and upgrades to next generation wireless networks will foster mobile music growth. Globally, recorded music spending will rise at a 5.2 per cent CAGR to $47.9 billion in 2010. Spending in the US will rise to $14.7 billion in 2010, at a 3.7 per cent CAGR. The Outlook also includes in-depth global analyses and five-year market forecasts for seven other industry segments, including: radio and out-of-home advertising, business information, magazine publishing, newspaper publishing, book publishing, theme parks and amusement parks, and sports.

  • Sandy Smith the new editor of BBC’s flagship current affairs show ‘Panorama’

    Sandy Smith the new editor of BBC’s flagship current affairs show ‘Panorama’

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that Sandy Smith is the new editor of Panorama which is BBC One’s flagship current affairs series.

    He will take over the post in September. The appointment comes after the former Editor Mike Robinson announced in March this year that he was to step down and retire from the BBC.

    Sandy has worked at the BBC since 1988. The majority of that time has been spent producing and directing programmes for the corporation’s current affairs department but since August 2005, he has been editor of the BBC ONE programme Watchdog.

    BBC director of news Helen Boaden said, “Sandy has great flair in making creative television that delivers provocative, challenging and serious journalism to wide audiences. His energy and commitment will invigorate and refresh our most important current affairs programme.”

    BBC head of current affairs George Entwistle says, “Sandy is an exciting addition to Current Affairs’ strong senior editorial team. His commitment to original journalism and creative programme-making will ensure Panorama tells the biggest and most relevant stories of our time in an accessible and engaging way.”

    Smith said, “I am delighted to take over at Panorama which despite its long and illustrious career still has its best years ahead of it. I have enjoyed my time at Watchdog and will be very sad to part company with such a talented, young team but I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead.”