ITV

Category: Specialised and Niche

  • Acquisition by RIL not to affect listing of HomeShop18 in NYSE

    Acquisition by RIL not to affect listing of HomeShop18 in NYSE

    NEW DELHI: Homeshop18 is to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the fact that Reliance industries has acquired Network18 which holds 54.5 per cent in Homeshop18 is not expected to bring about any change of plans.

     

    In fact, Homeshop18 CEO Sundeep Malhotra has assured his employees that its $75M IPO and the future of its management team will not change. However, it is learnt that three board members will change. There are expectations that Reliance may in fact double the IPO.

     

    The concern of the employees flows out of the fact that many of them have stock options in the firm.

     

    According to Homeshop18’s filing, in the TV18 HSN Holdings Limited Employee Stock Option Plan 2008 it says, “As of September 30, 2013 options for a total of 2,486,500 ordinary shares were outstanding, of which options for a total of 2,111,500 ordinary shares had vested and options for a total of 2,070,750 ordinary shares had become exercisable. As of September 30, 2013, 209,750 ordinary shares had been issued upon exercise of options granted under the plan.”

     

    Following the preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this April, the company is expected to submit a revised offer document soon.

     

    NW18 HSN SEC, registered in Cyprus, is not expected to receive any proceeds from the sale of ordinary shares. However, the parent company NW18 which will be participating in the IPO will provide funds in rupee equivalent of $42.3 million to HomeShop18 from the proceeds, and HomeShop18 can use these funds to purchase equity interest in its Indian subsidiary.

     

    HomeShop18 in October 2013 entered into a $14-million follow-on funding round with Korea’s GS Home Shopping (GS) funds managed by OCP Asia Ltd (OCP Asia) and Network18.

     

    NW18 continues to be the majority shareholder (54.5%) in HomeShop18. SAIF Partners (25.2%), GS Home Shopping (17.1%) and OCP Asia (6.4%) are the other existing investors.

  • TLC presents ‘Jamie & Jimmy’s Food Flight Club’

    TLC presents ‘Jamie & Jimmy’s Food Flight Club’

    MUMBAI: TLC presents an exciting food show that brings together two popular food aficionados and old school chums – Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty. They will take their food fight out on the road, travelling abroad to take on big food challenges and see how their culinary creations measure up against the best of the rest.

     

    The two Essex natives appear together for the first time in the four-part series Jamie And Jimmy’s Food Fight Club and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8pm.

     

    Each Week Jimmy and Jamie will head across Europe in their Ford Capri to dig up British Food, and take on the best the European neighbors have to offer. The series will feature the theme of cheese and sausages, where they will go up against their original makers – the French and Germans respectively.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and general manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan- Regional Ad Sales & Southeast Asia, Rahul Johri said: “TLC celebrates life by presenting relatable themes ranging from food to fashion in its distinct and inimitable style. Jamie & Jimmy’s Food Fight Club is a unique format that combines food knowledge with humour and mischief in Britain’s culinary world.”

     

    The two childhood friends will bring together friends, locals and special guests for a food fight where anything goes. It will showcase appetizing dishes cooked by Jamie, a touch of foodie science by Jimmy and lots of laughs with some special friends, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Alan Carr, Gary Barlow, Jonathan Ross and many more.

  • Providence Equity to buy out Star India from Star CJ venture

    Providence Equity to buy out Star India from Star CJ venture

    Mumbai: Star India has been getting out of non-core activities to focus on its  broadcasting (entertainment and sports) and digital businesses. Among the operations it bailed out on figure cable distribution where it exited from Hathway Cable & Datacom and news where it moved out from Media Content & Communication Services (the Star News venture).

     

    Earlier this week, both Korea Bizwire and  Variety.com reported that Star India has decided to sell its 50 per cent stake in the Indian home shopping joint venture venture Star CJ with South Korea’s CJ O Shopping  to Providence Equity Partners following approval from the previous Indian government.  The approval process took close to a year and got the Foreign Investment Promotion Board go-ahead just as the previous government’s tenure was ending.

     

    The quantum that the $40 billion corpus Providence Equity would be paying to buy out Star’s holding was not disclosed but it would be done through a Mauritian subsidiary of the private equity fund. The deal between Star and Providence was signed on 29 May, said the Korea Bizwire report.

     

    The remainder 50 per cent equity will continue to be with CJ O Shopping, which is part of the CJ group.

     

    Both CJ and Star have invested $55 million in the joint venture, which began in 2009 as a six hour slot on Star Utsav, which was then expanded into a 24 hour Star CJ home shopping channel. It reportedly had estimated revenues of about $98 million and can continue to use the Star CJ brand for the next 12 months.

     

    CJO Shopping is optimistic of ramping up business through Star CJ following its bringing in Providence as a “financial partner.”  Providence also owns equity in European home shopping venture  HSE24, apart from having holdings in Indian cable TV distribution company Hathway Cable & Datcom and UFO Moviez.

     

    The move comes at a time when the Network18 (now Reliance Industries) owned HomeShop18 is preparing for a public offering in New York.

  • Discovery Communications acquires controlling interest in Eurosport International

    Discovery Communications acquires controlling interest in Eurosport International

    NEW DELHI: Discovery Communications today announced the completion of its acquisition of the controlling interest in Eurosport International, Europe’s leading sports entertainment group.

     According to an announcement made in France, Discovery increased its interest in Eurosport to 51 per cent from 20 per cent as part of a larger strategic partnership with TF1 Group that began in December 2012.

     

    Discovery was one of the first American media companies to launch channels in Europe in 1989 and has invested steadily and significantly in its international business for 25 years.

     

    With the addition of Eurosport’s six pay-TV brands, Eurosport, Eurosport HD, Eurosport 2, Eurosport 2 HD, Eurosport Asia-Pacific and Eurosportnews, Discovery Communications now operates more than 210 worldwide TV networks reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers.

     

    The closing price for Eurosport International was based on an average enterprise valuation for the Eurosport Group of €902 million (approximately $1.2 billion), partly corresponding to the initial valuation and partly to a higher valuation linked to the control of the company.

     

    From this group valuation, the value of Eurosport France (€85 million, approximately $115 million) has been deducted. TF1 expects to retain its 80 per cent interest in Eurosport France until at least 1 January 2015. Also, today’s closing does not impact the other two elements of the original deal – the 20 per cent interest Discovery acquired in TV Breizh, Histoire, Ushuaia TV and Stylia channels, and a production alliance with TF1 Group.

     

    TF1 will retain the ability to exercise a put option over the remaining 49 per cent in Eurosport International, which would potentially increase Discovery’s ownership to 100 per cent.

     

    “Today is an exciting day for Discovery Communications and our leadership as the number one pay-TV programmer in the world. Eurosport is a perfect strategic fit for growing market share, strengthening relationships with advertisers and affiliates, and bringing ‘must have’ content to passionate viewers across the globe,” said Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav. “By combining Eurosport’s popular sports programming with Discovery’s global brands and local expertise, we will continue to capitalise on the international growth of pay-TV and create long-term value for our shareholders.”

     

    Discovery intends to make long-term strategic decisions and targeted investments to strengthen and expand Eurosport’s sports programming and services to nourish and maximize Eurosport’s audience and reach. As part of that effort, Discovery will be working with Eurosport management and employees on a long-term business plan that fully optimizes Eurosport’s channels as part of Discovery’s suite of global networks.

     

    “Together, Discovery and Eurosport are undoubtedly stronger. Discovery has built the most successful international pay-TV business in all of media and we are excited to utilize that expertise to further strengthen Eurosport’s programming and platforms,” said Discovery Networks International president Jean-Briac Perrette. “We would like to thank TF1 for its leadership of Eurosport International and for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to expand our partnership.”

     

    “Eurosport is perfectly poised for its next phase of growth and I can think of no better partner than Discovery to make this vision a reality,” said TF1chairman and CEO Nonce Paolini. “Discovery has a proven track record of a long-term investment strategy that creates value for advertisers, affiliates and audiences around the world.”

     

    Eurosport, marking its silver jubilee of leadership in live sports broadcasting and digital innovation, is Europe’s leading sports entertainment group. Eurosport, the number one pan-European TV channel, broadcasts in 20 languages and reaches 135 million homes across 54 countries. Eurosport HD is the high definition simulcast of Eurosport. Eurosport 2 broadcasts to 72 million households in 18 languages across 51 countries. Eurosport 2 HD was launched in August 2009. Eurosport Asia-Pacific reaches 16 countries in the region and launched an HD channel in September 2011. Eurosport News is the sports news channel transmitted worldwide.

     

    Eurosport.com has up to 23 million unique users per month (comScore) across an international network of sports websites in 11 languages, including Yahoo! co-branded sites in Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK. The Eurosport.com free mobile applications are available in 10 languages. Eurosport Player, Eurosport’s online TV service, provides live and on-demand sports to fans’ PCs in 53 countries and the Player application is available for mobile, tablet and connected TV in up to 40 countries. Eurosport Events is the group’s expert division in the management and promotion of international sporting events.

  • FoodFood launches e-commerce section

    FoodFood launches e-commerce section

    MUMBAI: FoodFood brings to its patrons a value-added service. The channel launched its e-commerce section on 1 June in its website – www.foodfood.com. It focuses on brining a variety of selective quality products from kitchen appliances, kitchen accessories, lifestyle products all shown on television shows

     

    The service will facilitate safe transactions on both card payments and cash on delivery, thus integrating with leading payment providers in the country. The site offers customers the best shopping and buying experience. According to the channel, the products are of outstanding quality, value, good service and guarantee. Every product that sells will give complete satisfaction and money’s worth.  Service will be provided in India only.

  • National Geographic Channel and FOX Traveller win big at PromaxBDA 2014

    National Geographic Channel and FOX Traveller win big at PromaxBDA 2014

    NEW DELHI: Establishing their prominence and leadership amongst Indian television brands, National Geographic Channel and FOX Traveller have won five awards at the prestigious PromaxBDA India annual award ceremony, held in Mumbai recently. The awards are a testimony of the channels’ inventive and holistic approach towards creating campaigns that connect with the audiences and marketers.

     

    India’s favourite infotainment channel with highest numbers of Facebook fans, National Geographic picked up Gold in the categories of Best Use of Social Media for its 80’s campaign, Best script and copy writing along with most exciting station image campaign for its Unlock Campaign. The channel also received Silver in the category of Best Launch campaign for Emergency Ready, India’s first medical reality show which focused on sensitizing and educating people on emergency etiquettes. FOX Traveller, with its innovative integration with Bollywood super-hit Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, won Silver in the category of Best Brand Integration Promo.

     

    Debarpita Banerjee, Vice President, Marketing and Communication, NGC and FOX Traveller on winning the awards said, “It’s been a year of many experiments, starting with the market success of our initiatives followed with new creative recognition, makes these experiments successful. Getting Irffan Khan on Emergency Room, creating an inspirational piece on NGC with John, playing around with the 80’s fashion, music, icons online have all been delightfully fresh and creatively satisfying. Receiving these Promax was a cherry on the cake.”

     

    Promax was established in 1956 as a non-profit, full-service, membership driven association for promotion and marketing professionals working in broadcast media. In 1997, The Broadcast Design Association (BDA) who had partnered with Promax for years on their annual conference, officially joined forces with Promax and became PromaxBDA. Throughout the world, the PromaxBDA Awards competitions stand for marketing excellence in the media marketing space and collectively, through its numerous regional and sector-specific competitions, are regarded as the most prestigious awards for creative endeavour in this field.

  • Discovery to launch three new channels

    Discovery to launch three new channels

    GOA: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has announced the launch of three new channels in India at the ongoing GoaFest. Widely recognised for enhancing the television viewing experience in India over the last two decades, Discovery will launch a refreshing new concept Hindi entertainment channel named ID – Investigation Discovery.

    One of the pioneers in high definition genre in India, the company will also expand its HD offering with the launch of two differentiated gold standard channels – TLC HD World and Animal Planet HD World.

    The company’s expanded portfolio of 11 differentiated channels reflects India’s potential and resonates the core promise of digitisation in India.
     

    ID will be India’s first Hindi entertainment channel dedicated to offering compelling true stories of mystery, crime and suspense. The channel promises to ‘always reveal’ intriguing twists and turns that culminate into thrilling conclusions. Providing fascinating stories of human nature, the channel’s alluring series, in-depth specials and thought-provoking one-offs will challenge viewers’ perceptions and expand the Hindi entertainment genre.

    Rahul Johri executive vice president and general manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific and head of revenue, pan-regional ad sales and Southeast Asia said, “The launch of three new channels    ID, TLC HD World and Animal Planet HD World demonstrates Discovery’s commitment to entertain Indian viewers and offer high-quality and differentiated programming. ID is one of the great success stories in US cable and we are thrilled to present the impactful and entertaining investigative programming to viewers in India.” 
     

    “Steering the premium audience in the country, TLC HD World promises to celebrate every moment of life by offering the finest experiences from across the world. With its dedicated 24-hour programming, the channel will indulge the audience through its captivating content on destinations, personalities and trends underscoring its ‘live more’ promise,” stated the release.

     
    Offering the gold standard in high definition, Animal Planet HD World will bring alive the warm and intimate bond that exists between humans and animal kingdom. “Surprisingly Human, it will broadcast premiere content, scheduled as per Indian viewers’ preference with gripping on air packaging,” the release added.

    Discussing the growth potential of high definition in India, Johri said, “The launch of the two new high definition channels TLC HD World and Animal Planet HD World has further extended Discovery’s leadership in the HD genre. Both the new networks, along with existing Discovery HD World, will enrich television viewing experience and satisfy the emerging demands of audience, advertisers and affiliates.”

     Discovery’s existing portfolio in India includes eight channels: Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Tamil, TLC, Discovery Kids, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD World.

  • TLC presents food series ‘Heston’s Fantastical Food’

    TLC presents food series ‘Heston’s Fantastical Food’

    MUMBAI: Join the imaginary world of culinary alchemist Heston as he will create amazing supersized versions of meals and treats, bringing back the wonder and excitement of childhood food in Heston’s Fantastical Food. The spell-binding series will rekindle the love for the most important meal of the day, by making the most amazing Breakfast Britain has ever seen.

     

    Premiering on June 2, Heston’s Fantastical Food will air Monday to Friday at 7 PM only on TLC.

     

    In each episode of Heston’s Fantastical Food, Heston will tackle the meal mum’s told us never to miss – Breakfast. Heston will create the world’s largest boiled egg and cereal on a massive scale. He will then construct the biggest ‘99 ice cream and flake the world has ever seen and large enough to feed a whole town.

     

    Tea break will be celebrated with an enormous pyramid tea bag creating a gigantic pot of tea; not forgetting the supersized packet of Heston’s extra special dunking biscuits. Heston will turn Willy Wonka and celebrate all things ‘sweets’ – from the world’s biggest packet of Rolos to lickable paintings. These are some of the creations Heston will produce and awe the viewers in Heston’s Fantastical Food

     

    Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President and General Manager- South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan- Regional Ad Sales & Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia – Pacific said, “TLC continues to deliver extraordinary lifestyle entertainment with its eclectic programming mix. The magical series Heston’s Fantastical Food will wow, entertain and enthral the Indian audience.”  

     

    Everything is grand and created on a larger-than-life scale. The fun continues when Heston takes on great British institution by creating an entire pub inside a giant pie, an edible pool table and fruit machines dispensing snacks enough food to feed an entire village.

     

    Heston will challenge himself by showcasing massive feats of food engineering. It’s certainly not easy cooking but Heston’s skill and scientific knowhow will be put to the test. TLC will awaken the kid in every viewer through Heston’s Fantastical Food.

  • Discovery Channel to telecast ‘Everest Avalanche Tragedy’

    Discovery Channel to telecast ‘Everest Avalanche Tragedy’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel will broadcast a 90-minute programme titled Everest Avalanche Tragedy on 29 May 2014 at 8 pm. The programme will include unprecedented access and eyewitness accounts from the rescue and recovery efforts that took place after the avalanche struck the Khumbu Icefall, the area just above Mount Everest base camp, during the morning of Friday, April 18 this year, killing 13 and leaving three missing.

     

    “This programme is in honour of all the Sherpas who lost their lives”, said Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President & General Manager, South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.

     

    Everest Avalanche Tragedy, produced by NBC News’ Peacock Productions, will document the weeks leading up to the climb through the moment the avalanche struck the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most treacherous parts of the mountain, and its aftermath. Cameras rolled immediately following, as blocks of ice plummeted down the mountain, making it the deadliest single-day avalanche in history on Mount Everest.

     

    The programme will feature highly emotional and real time footage, capturing the mobilization efforts of Sherpas and rescuers as they rushed to search for survivors. Through eyewitness accounts, viewers will hear from those who experienced this horrible tragedy and aftermath including sit down interviews with Joby Ogwyn; Expedition Leader Garrett Madison, who played a critical role in the recovery; Todd Burleson, President of Alpine Ascents International who lost five Sherpas and other key members of the expedition and production teams.

     

    The programme will serve as a tribute to all the Sherpas and their families affected by the tragedy. Discovery will be contributing to the American Himalayan Foundation Sherpa Family Fund, which gives 100% of all donations to help families of the deceased. To make a donation, visit http://himalayan-foundation.org/blog/119010.

     

    Everest Avalanche Tragedy will be followed by a 30-min special Bear Grylls: Everest Avalanche Tragedy at 9:30 pm. Trailing the tragic avalanche that occurred on Mt. Everest April 18, 2014, ear Grylls: Everest Avalanche Tragedy dissects the dangers and disasters of the mountain, through an insider perspective from Bear himself.  In this programme, Bear draws on his own experience as an Everest summiteer to share with viewers the danger and the allure of the world’s highest mountain, which was filmed following the disaster.

  • Edutainment channel Da Vinci Learning partners with Primary Plus Media

    Edutainment channel Da Vinci Learning partners with Primary Plus Media

    MUMBAI: Da Vinci Learning, an edutainment television channel for the whole family, in its commitment to provide the best in educational entertainment, has partnered with Primary Plus Media,  one of the leaders in creative content and revolutionary activity based papers for children.

     

    The partnership is Da Vinci Learning’s prelaunch outreach activity which will enable both the companies to provide innovative and engaging educational content to primary school children helping them to think productively while simultaneously developing their thinking, reading and self -confidence skills through meaningful, yet fun experience. This will also help establish a powerful edutainment platform adding value to the entire ecosystem of learning for young minds.

     

    Da Vinci Learning, which is targeted at 6 -12 year olds and their parents, is known for turning television watching from passive observation into a meaningful and fun experience. This helps children develop various skills during the early years, encouraging older viewers to keep asking questions and inviting families to take their learning journeys together.

     

    Primary Plus Media has been operating in India in association with Pearson & Longman (Singapore) since 2004. It is a leading educational content provider to primary school children between the age groups of 3-14 years basis age appropriate curriculum. The activities are designed specifically to enhance multiple intelligence of children with the result that they are able to grasp what is taught in the class in a more effective way.

     

    “Through our partnership with Primary Plus, we will be able to reach out to millions of children and their parents with increased visibility and excitement for the channel,” said Da Vinci Media managing director-India Mohit Anand. “We understand the rush of inspiration, the thrill of discovery and the pleasure to know and Primary Plus stands as a natural partner in our endeavor to create engaging educational content for the whole family,” he added.

     

    As part of the association with Primary Plus, Da Vinci Learning will enhance its presence across 12 metros in India through Primary Plus fortnightly activity papers, ‘Primary Plus Young Minds’ and ‘Primary Plus Next Steps.’

     

    This partnership will enable the extensive educative content of Da Vinci Learning to reach 2000 schools and over two million students in the age group of 6 – 12 year olds, nationwide.

     

    A direct outreach to kids and parents will follow during (PTMSs) Parent Teacher Meetings at the partner schools. Da Vinci Learning will also be conducting road shows inside the school premises encouraging interactive learning. The road shows are slated to begin July 2014 and will aim at showcasing Da Vinci Learning content to the children and their families. With this activity, the channel aims at reaching out to 1000-1200 schools with an estimated outreach of 1.5 million to 1.8 million student and their parents.

     

    “The extensive reach and strong relationships of Primary Plus across schools coupled with recognition of the value of such activities, makes this a great partnership and allows both organisations to provide world class content to students and their families in schools across India. Aligning our interests would drive growth, increase audiences, and provide an opportunity to students to learn about and be exposed to Da Vinci’s unique educational lifelong approach to learning and education”, said Primary Plus Media founder editor-in-chief Manbir Bedim.