ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Mary Hockaday is BBC Radio News deputy head

    Mary Hockaday is BBC Radio News deputy head

    MUMBAI: Mary Hockaday has been announced as the BBC’s Deputy Head of Radio News, a new post working across the whole department in the UK. At present she is BBC Radio’s Editor of World Service News and Current Affairs.

    The move follows the appointment of Ceri Thomas as Editor of Radio 4’s Today programme. Ceri and Mary both deputised for Radio News head Stephen Mitchell, will be covering domestic and world affairs respectively.

    Mitchell said, “Mary has significant editorial experience both in the field and on programmes on World Service and Radio 4. I am very confident that she will now help us to transform the way we deliver our journalism across the board in the light of the major changes that are affecting our audiences and the wider BBC. Mary has been an outstanding part of the radio news family for several years and I am delighted to be able to appoint her to this important new post.”

    Part of Mary’s new role will be to further enhance coverage of foreign affairs across the department. She said, “I am really looking forward to working with colleagues right across BBC Radio News, to help deliver traditional and modern news services to big and varied audiences and to help bring closer together the editorial strength and creativity of staff from across domestic and World Service news departments.”

    Hockaday begins her new role at the end of the month. BBC Radio News will now seek to appoint a new editor of World Service News and Current Affairs, as well as a Radio newsgathering editor, to replace Ceri Thomas.

  • CBS launches broadband television network ‘Innertube’

    CBS launches broadband television network ‘Innertube’

    MUMBAI: US network CBS has launched a new broadband television network to capture a greater share of the booming internet advertising market.

    The network Innertube will offer streaming video of programmes developed specifically for the internet, programmes that serve as companions to existing CBS shows, as well as material from the media group’s vast library.

    The revenue model for Innertube, which is offered as free to viewers, is based on paid advertising. “In every discussion we’re having with advertisers, the discussion includes interactive possibilities,” CBS Digital president Larry Kramer has been quoted in media reports as saying.

    Kramer supported the new revenue model, describing CBS’s recent success offering an advertising-supported webcast of the annual college basketball tournament. Reportedly, the webcast drew 5 million visits, and led to more than 15 million downloads.

  • B4U’s Gautam joins UTV as film distribution, India head

    B4U’s Gautam joins UTV as film distribution, India head

    MUMBAI: B4U Network chief operating officer of India operations BL Gautam has quit the company. He has joined UTV Software Communications where he will head the film distribution business in India. He will also commercially facilitate greenlighting of movie projects.

    “Gautam has joined us. He will head our domestic film distribution business. He will also work closely with our movie project heads and be engaged in the commercial side of it like budgeting, reviewing the production process and negotiating,” says UTV Software Communications COO Ronald D’Mello. Aditya Shastri, who had joined UTV as COO motion pictures production, recently left the company.

    Before joining B4U, Gautam was with Zee Telefilms where he served as senior vice-president and moved on to become director commercial from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that, Gautam served the Indian Government as the superintendent of customs and was awarded the presidential Award in 1998 for distinguished service in that role.

    UTV has been enjoying major successes on the movie front with productions like the Aamir Khan super hit Rang De Basanti hitting the jackpot. The company has also distributed products in various territories including heavyweight titles such as Lagaan, Lakshya, Mission Kashmir, Parineeta and Viruddh.

    B4U Network is yet to announce a replacement for Gautam. The company owns and runs B4U Movies and B4U Music.

  • Hasbro wins game & toy rights to BBC & Ragdoll series ‘In the Night Garden’

    Hasbro wins game & toy rights to BBC & Ragdoll series ‘In the Night Garden’

    MUMBAI: Hasbro has been awarded the master toy and game license to BBC Worldwide and Ragdoll Ltd’s new upcoming preschool television series In the Night Garden.

    The series is due to launch on the BBC next year. Under a multi-year, global deal, Hasbro has been given rights for a wide range of toy categories, including preschool, infant and toddler toys, games, jigsaw puzzles, creative play products, proprietary interactive formats and ride-ons. Hasbro’s product line, to be marketed under its Playskool banner, is expected to debut in the U.K. in fall 2007, with rollout to other markets, including the U.S., expected to begin in 2008.

    The 100×30-minute show for kids aged 1 to 3 was devised by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport, the creative partnership responsible for Teletubbies.

    Hasbro VP of marketing for licensed products Leigh Anne Cappello said, “In the Night Garden is a truly enchanting property with characters that will translate beautifully to a fun and engaging product line. The unique and wholesome message that In the Night Garden delivers to both parents and kids fits in perfectly with our mission for Playskool.”

    It will spotlight “a host of wonderfully silly characters living together within a happy and caring community,” according to BBC Worldwide. The series, filmed in a forest, will blend live costumed characters with computer generated animation.

  • Buena Vista Intl TV EMEA appoints Taylor as VP legal & business affairs

    Buena Vista Intl TV EMEA appoints Taylor as VP legal & business affairs

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) EMEA has appointed Simon Taylor as vice president legal and business affairs. This was announced by BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis and Disney senior vice president and European general counsel Peter Wiley.

    In this London-based role, Taylor will be responsible for managing all legal and business affairs for BVITV’s television and new media distribution business. Within this, he will work closely with both Toumazis and Wiley, and will manage a BVITV legal and business affairs team of 11 based in London and Paris. He will also become a member of BVITV’s executive team.

    Taylor will join BVITV next month from his role as business consultant to a range of clients in the entertainment broadcasting, production and distribution sectors. Prior to this, he was HIT Entertainment’s legal and business affairs director from 2000 to 2002. Before that he was at BBC TV Programme Acquisition as head of business and legal affairs from 1994 to 2000.

    Toumazis said, “I’m delighted that someone with Simon’s experience and knowledge of the industry will help us manage the number of business opportunities and legal issues we face in the industry, including emerging new technology platforms and assisting with our continued efforts against piracy.”

    Wiley added, “Simon’s extensive track record of in-house legal experience in the international media industry will prove invaluable for our whole company.”

    “I’m excited to be joining such a dynamic business and looking forward to working with the team to further success, working with the great content BVITV has, and helping take advantage of the opportunities that the market has to offer,” said Taylor.

  • Entertainment networks off air as Bangalore mourns Rajkumar’s death

    Entertainment networks off air as Bangalore mourns Rajkumar’s death

    BANGALORE / MUMBAI: India’s I-T hub of Bangalore shut down today as increasingly violent mourners gathered from around the state for Karnataka cinema’s legendary icon Rajkumar’s funeral.

    As a mark of respect (and also fearing possible attacks) cable networks in the city switched off all their entertainment channels. Only news channels were beaming ahead of Rajkumar’s cremation this evening, which will be conducted with full state honours.

    “The Kannada Sanga has requested us to switch off all entertainment channels in Bangalore today, as a mark of respect to Dr Rajkumar,” said the head of an MSO, while speaking to indiantelevision.com.

    Only the news channels are being telecast. Local Kannada channels Udaya and ETV are running on the cable networks as they have taken serials off air and are only showing programmes related to Dr Rajkumar. The entire Star, Zee and Sony-Discovery’s One Alliance channels are off.

    “Cable operators in Bangalore decided to switch off all entertainment channels from midnight. We expect to put the channels on from tomorrow once Rajkumar’s body is cremated,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom head of digital in Bangalore Mathur Nath.

    Cable operators were also contacted by the Kannada activists yesterday. Popular Tamil channels including Sun TV and Jaya TV were pulled off air.

    The entertainment channel blackout seems restricted to Bangalore alone, since enquiries from Mysore reveal that entertainment channels are on there, as has also been confirmed by a Bangalore MSO who has a network in Mysore too, though shops and businesses have remained closed there too.

    As per reports, policemen have been a target of the public ire and TV news channels showed scenes of unruly mobs chasing and beating up policemen.

    Rajkumar, known to fans as “Aannavru” or elder brother, died yesterday aged 77, following a cardiac arrest. The thespian, winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke and Padma Bhushan awards along with a host of other citations, has encouraged the use of Kannada language in the state. His 45-year career in cinema included more than 200 Kannada-language films.

  • ESPN launches 10th International edition of flagship show ‘SportsCenter’

    ESPN launches 10th International edition of flagship show ‘SportsCenter’

    MUMBAI: ESPN has launched the 10th international version of its news and information show SportsCenter. The Japanese edition will air on J Sports ESPN every Monday night.

    The show covers the major weekend sporting events relevant to Japanese viewers, as well as international sports with particular appeal to local fans. It is hosted by Yoko Umeda from the J Sports ESPN studios in Tokyo.

    ESPN Asia Pacific VP and GM Bernard Stewart said, “The Japanese version of SportsCenter is a perfect example of ESPN’s commitment to provide locally relevant news and information to sports fans in each region of the world.”

    SportsCenter is produced in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and now Japanese. The local SportsCenters air on ESPN and ESPN+ in Latin America, ESPN Dos Mexico, ESPN Brasil, TSN Canada, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) across Asia, ESS India, ESS Hong Kong, ESS Taiwan, MBC Korea and J Sports ESPN.

  • Europe’s RTL takes complete stake in n-TV

    Europe’s RTL takes complete stake in n-TV

    MUMBAI: Europe’s largest broadcaster, RTL Group has taken full control of the German news network n-tv, acquiring CNN’s 50 percent stake for an undisclosed sum.

    The Bonn-based German Cartel Office approved the move for RTL to acquire the 50 percent stake owned by Atlanta, Georgia-based CNN, the European broadcaster said in a statement.

    RTL had applied to the German Cartel Office last November to take 100 percent control of the channel. The regulatory authority has approved the acquisition without any stipulations, according to media reports.

    The German Cartel Office said it has approved Bertelsmann AG’s TV station RTL Television GmbH’s takeover of the German news station n-tv, despite expressing reservations.

    The cartel office noted that RTL Group – with its stations RTL, VOX, Super RTL and n-tv – and its rival ProSiebenSat.1 GruppeMedia AG, enjoy a duopoly control of the German television market.

    It said that rejecting the takeover would not weaken this duopoly nor reduce the advertising customers that RTL enjoys from the n-tv station.
    RTL Germany head. Anke Schaeferkordt said, “We welcome the decision of the cartel office and are excited that n-tv has become the most important member of the RTL family.”

  • Vijay TV announces special line up for Tamil New Year day

    Vijay TV announces special line up for Tamil New Year day

    MUMBAI: On the occasion of the Tamil New Year day on 14 April, Vijay TV will begin the day with Kandha Shashti Kavasam, a tribute to the Lord Muruga at 5:30 am.

    This will be followed by Mangala Isai at 6 am, a divine Nadhaswaram recital by famous exponents. Stay tuned to Arul Urai at 6:30 pm – One of the most respected spiritual leader comes to your living rooms through Vijay TV for this Tamil New Year.

    Nammai Marandarai Naam Marakka Mattom at 7 am: A classical dance presentation by the actress Swarnamalya. With the help of a diverse combination of music, dance and poetry, she beautifully portrays an extract of the great Tamil literature Silapadikaram.

    Leoniyin Sirappu Pattimandram at 8 am: A debate, hosted by Dindugal Leoni a famous mediator who steers a debate through comic interjections & humorous anecdotes. Pattimandram are immensely popular with a Tamil viewing audience on a topic pertinent to the society – watch this space for some serious laughter.

    Sabaash – Sariyana Potti at 9 am: A Karaoke based musical game show hosted by a celebrity as the popular singers of the industry like Harish,Tippu,Chinmayi,Saindavi,Devan,Ranjith among many others face each other in this battle of the sexes. Stay tuned for loads of excitement.

    Ready Joot at 10:30 am: Three popular TV artistes have to convince 3 other celebrities Meera Vasudevan, Venkat Prabhu and Chetan to go on an all-expense paid vacation abroad but in the next 4 hours. Then begins the race to the finish among the 3 individuals. The celebrity whose participants wins also wins an all expense paid trip to one destination abroad.

    Shreya Udan Oru Naal at 11:30 am: A great opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the leading celebrities from the Tamil film industry. Watch out.

    Sigaram Thotta Thamizhargal at 12:30 am: The winner of the viewer poll of Airtel Sigaram Thotta Thamizhargal will be announced on this special day. Along with a special feature about the winner, the show will also feature the other nominees and their achievements.

    Special Movie – Terminator 2: Judgment Day at 1:30 pm
    Manadhodu Oru Mazhai Kaalam at 4:30 pm : A sneak peek into the making of the film Manadhodu Oru Mazhai Kaalam starring popular hero Shyam and Samiksha of Arindhum Ariyamalum fame. Tune in for interviews, snippets and much more.

    Vijayin Diary at 5 pm: A one hour special interview with the biggest star of Kollywood Vijay.Tune into find out more about this intense actor as he talks about work, life and everything in between.

    Kalooori Kanavugal at 6 pm: A show sprinkled with doses of humor, featuring the flavor of the different colleges across the state, highlighting the culture, the students, the achievements and college life. Directed at a young audience and hosted by a vibrant anchor.

    Isai – The Legends at 7 pm: On this special day, Vijay brings to you some of the best moments of events held by Vijay featuring popular singers, artistes and other performers.

  • Asianet, Asianet Plus line up Vishu fare on 14 April

    Asianet, Asianet Plus line up Vishu fare on 14 April

    MUMBAI: Asianet is celebrating this Vishu on 14 April with a host of special programmes. The Programme packag is branded as Vishu Kazhcha.

    Vishu songs by cine star Mahathi will be followed by Vishu forecast by kanippayyoor Krishnan Namboothiripad. A telefilm , Kanikonna Poothapol, will be telecast on the day. Cine star Meera Jasmine recollects her memories of Vishu celebrations and also discusses her new movie Rasathanthram in the morning show , Suprabhatham.

    The other programmes in the day include comedy skits and a special music programme in which Vidhu Prathap, Rimi Tomy , Sheela Mani, Pradeep Babu and many others will participate.

    The Mohanlal – starrer Vamanapuram Bus route will be shown on the mini-screen for the first time through Asianet on Vishu morning, at 9:30 am. Another movie in the offing on the day is Vellinakshathram , which will be telecast at 1:30 pm.

    The Ujala Asianet Film Awards nite ( Part-2) will be telecast at 11:05 pm on Vishu day.

    Vishu is being planned as a musical Vishu on Asianet Plus. The day opens with reviving the nostalgic memories of Vishu through musicals and proceeds to the young and upcoming singers of Kerala with the choicest of songs. This follows a tele film – Vishukkeni.

    From 9 – 11 am, a two hours live show is planned with tele-chat with the celebrities from Malayalam movie world. Followed by the one and only SP Balasubramaniam performing selected songs from Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.

    At 1 pm, Hrudayaragam will be featuring Vishu based songs and at 2 PM, the special programme featuring the favourite songs of celebrities.

    An exclusive interview with Sonu Nigam is scheduled at 9 pm and a one hour freewheeling chat with music sensation AR Rahman is scheduled at 10 pm.