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  • Consumer Electronics Show in the US to host technical Emmies next year

    Consumer Electronics Show in the US to host technical Emmies next year

    MUMBAI: The International Consumer Electronics Show (Ces) which takes place in Las Vegas each year will host the Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards for the first time next year.
    The Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards will be CES’ opening evening event on 8 January 2007. The tradeshow will be held in Las Vegas from 8-11 January 2007 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

    The technology and engineering Emmy awards honour achievements in two areas. One area is science and technology for television. This includes broadcast, cable and satellite distribution. The second area is advance media technology.

    This encompasses interactive television, gaming technology, and for the first time, the Internet, cellphones, private networks, and personal media players. In addition, for the first time, Emmy awards will be presented for the best use of advanced media technology by commercials as well as programmers.

    Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) president and CEO Gary Shapiro says, “As Ces becomes a global cultural event featuring the best of technology and content, we are thrilled to partner with the Emmy Awards to announce at Ces the best in science and technology for television.

    “For the content, technology and engineering industries, CES is the place to be this January. We look forward to helping promote the world famous Emmy Awards at Ces.”

    National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Natas) president and CEO Peter Price says, “The International CES has long been the launch pad of entertainment technology. So it is fitting that our Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards, which recognise achievement in both television engineering and advanced media technology be showcased there. With the National Television’s Academy’s new efforts this year to recognise television anytime anywhere with Emmy Awards for content and technology, this move is particularly fitting.”

    The National Television Academy is currently accepting entries for the advanced media technology Emmy awards in nine categories. In order to be eligible, the production must occur from 1 May 2005 to 30 April 2006. The entry deadline is 22 September 2006. The advanced media technology entries will be judged by panels of industry professionals in New York later this year.

    Among the keynote speakers for the 2007 International CES will be Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, Motorola chairman of the board and CEO Ed Zander, and Disney president and CEO Robert Iger. CES will also feature product debuts from 2,700 exhibitors, covering more than 30 product areas, including the latest in wireless, digital imaging, mobile electronics, home networking and more.

  • Sahara One, Endemol present Super Star reality show

    Sahara One, Endemol present Super Star reality show

    NEW DELHI: You think you look like Shah Rukh Khan. You think you move like Khan. You think you act like him. But for one night, can you make millions believe you really are Shah Rukh Khan?

    Coming this September, Sahara One Television brings alive a brand new reality concept, Super Stars, in association with Endemol India.

    The new show proposes to provide Bollywood fans with an opportunity to showcase their talent and perform as their favourite star.

    This international format has seen a production of over 70-odd series in 20 countries across the globe under different names like Sound Mix and Stars in the Eyes.

    The Indian version of this show kick starts with a five-city audition on Sahara One starting 10 August, 2006.

    In each episode, contestants compete by copying their favourite artist as faithfully as possible.

    “India is a nation obsessed with Bollywood. There are temples, clubs, associations dedicated to film actors. Dancing and singing is not only about performing; it’s a passion that drives the souls of many. It’s our endeavour to provide a national platform for such talent,” Sahara One COO Purnendu Bose says.

    The jury for Super Stars includes Bollywood heavy weights like the gorgeous Urmila Matondkar and ace choreographer Shiamak Davar. There would be floating judges too for particular episodes.

    The whole of August, Super Stars will do a nation-wide hunt in an attempt to unearth the flair people possess to be like their stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Kajol, Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor, Hritik Roshan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

    The contestants will be judged on three parameters – look and style, acting and dance — and will vie for the ultimate honour: the title of Super Star.

    According to Endemol India MD Rajesh Kamat, “We are very excited to partner with Sahara One Television on this special format. It is a show people will connect with and it will feature people that they will connect with.”

    Kamath added that they have received “tremendous response” from people. Aspirants aged 18 years and above can walk in and audition at the city level. This would be applicable to five cities that include Ludhiana (August 10-12), New Delhi (August 13-14), Kolkata (August 17-18), Bhopal (August 20-21) and Mumbai (August 22-23).

    Hundred and twenty winners from the regional auditions will be invited to Mumbai and groomed by experts.

    Sahara One Television is part of the umbrella brand Sahara One, whose other businesses include Sahara One Motion Pictures, which is India’s largest player in the motion pictures business.

    Endemol is a global leader in television and other audiovisual entertainment. The company creates premium entertainment ideas and sells them to the world’s leading broadcasters. Subsequently, the company exploits the value of its brands across other media and communications platforms including mobile phones and the Internet.

  • Google to distribute ad supported MTV content

    MUMBAI: Media company Google has inked a deal with US media conglomerate Viacom.


    The online search behemoth will distribute clips of MTV‘s shows that contain advertising to other web sites.
     
    Media reports state that sites that are part of Google‘s AdSense Network will get MTV‘s content. Google, Viacom and the AdSense partners will split revenues derived from the tie-in of advertising and content.


    The content will include SpongeBob SquarePants and Laguna Beach. The move will give Viacom a much broader reach than traffic to its own Web Sites. Google now uses the AdSense network to place paid-search ads for advertisers.

  • Dish TV set to create niche channels to beat the competition

    Dish TV set to create niche channels to beat the competition

    NEW DELHI: With a second player in the DTH arena round the corner in the form of Tata Sky, Dish TV is finalizing creation of new channels for its subscribers.

    According to Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna, work has started on new niche channels to be introduced on the DTH platform over the next 12-24 months.

    Pointing out that the target is to have a between 190-200 channels on Dish TV, Khanna said, “Some of the new channels would be created within the Zee group, while few may be brought in as part of third party distribution.”

    The reason behind creating niche channels instead of importing products from outside India is that not all niche channels available are suited for Indian viewers.

    For example, Khanna said, if Dish wants to introduce a premium gardening channel, there was no use getting one from outside as the weather conditions and local environment is different in India.

    “To give an instance, if we have a gardening channel, then it’s best to create it in India and in-house. This way we would also be able to study the feasibility of such niche channels, which may have limited, but loyal viewership that would be ready to pay even a premium,” Khanna said.

    Dish TV, country’s first pay TV platform, is managed by the Subhash Chandra-controlled ASC Enterprises that is the DTH licence holder. Another Chandra company, Zee Network, has a programme supply agreement with ASC.

    Dish TV, which is pumping up the noise around the usefulness of subscribing to a DTH service, is also increasing its investment in the project.

    “We have spent around Rs 3.5 billion in the DTH project till now, out of which a major part has been spent on customer acquisition,” Khanna said.

    He added that investment would be upped “as needed from time to time to expand operations and offerings.”

  • Dish media campaign draws flak from cable ops

    Dish media campaign draws flak from cable ops

    NEW DELHI: Dish TV’s media campaign revolving round freedom-from-cable-problems theme has incensed a section of cable community, which feels it’s “unethical.”

    In a letter e-mailed to Dish TV, All India Aavishkar Dish Antenna Sangh (AIADAS), one of the many bodies representing the cable fraternity, has exhorted the DTH company to withdraw the “misguiding advertisement.”

    “The whole cable TV community is shocked on seeing the business-damaging and misguiding advertisement campaign launched by Dish TV through various news papers, hoarding, and bus shelters. This type of advertisement campaign has hurt the cable TV fraternity in India as a whole,” the AIADAS letter states.

    The letter further highlights that the latest Dish campaign would severely hurt the business of cable operators; almost to the extent of crushing them out.

    “In case the (cable) consumer shifts (to DTH), who is going to pay compensation to the cable TV operator?” Dr. AK Rastogi, head of AIADAS, has asked in the letter.

    Though Rastogi claimed that Dish has agreed to withdraw the damaging ad campaign in deference to the cable industry’s anguish, Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna denied any such move.

    “We are not withdrawing any campaign, nor altering it,” Khanna told Indiantelevision.com today afternoon.

    He added that instead of being cry babies, cable operators should seize this opportunity to digitize their networks and offer consumers better services than before.

    “With competition around in DTH sphere, there is bound to be consumer awareness campaigns highlighting the advantages of a DTH service. The cable operators should brace themselves for reality,” Khanna said.

  • Apple integrates the iPod in US automobiles

    Apple integrates the iPod in US automobiles

    MUMBAI: Apple has teamed up with Ford, General Motors and Mazda in the US to deliver seamless iPod integration across the majority of their brands and models.

    This makes it easy for iPod users to enjoy and control their iPod’s high-quality sound through their car’s stereo system. With the addition of these models, more than 70 per cent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration.

    Apple VP worldwide iPod product marketing Greg Joswiak says, “We are delighted that Ford, General Motors and Mazda will support iPod connectivity in nearly all of their new models. Now more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration, with General Motors alone making it available on all 56 of its models, representing millions of cars and trucks.”

    Ford and General Motors will feature iPod integration in the majority of their 2007 models in the US beginning later this year, while Mazda’s entire global 2007 lineup of cars and SUVs will offer iPod connectivity. iPod offerings for Ford, General Motors and Mazda provide drivers with outstanding sound quality while charging the iPod, while conveniently storing the iPod in the glove compartment. Seamless iPod integration also allows drivers to use their car’s multifunction controls to select their music using artist, album, playlist or shuffle songs, as well as to easily skip between tracks and playlists.

    Apple says that the iPod and iTunes are leading the digital music revolution, providing the best way to listen to music on the go, at home and in the car.

  • Janmat Shows Train Searchlight on Issues and Leaders

    WATCH DOG
    JANMAT, India’s first 24 hour Views channel carries on its crusade to have responsible politicians and leaders, cleaner politics and society and social reforms that improve the lives of the underprivileged.

     

    In the hard-hitting show ‘Watch Dog’, on air on Thursday 23rd February at 9.30 p.m., the JANMAT team focuses on criminals who dabble in politics and the growing political- criminal nexus. In the story of gang wars in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, the discussion is about the deaths of four political leaders including Raju Pal who got killed over a year in the ongoing political-criminal battle. Raju Pal died in January 2005, Shiv Sagar got killed in February, BSP Leader Niranjan Pasi and Samajvadi party Leader Mobin were murdered.

     

    Veiled political patronage makes it impossible for the police and administration to nab the murderers. As a city, Allahabad is in the grip of criminal politics and the citizens also are sucked into the vortex of crime. College and university students are often trapped in these gang wars. As the gang wars continue and Assembly elections knock on Uttar Pradesh’s door, the ongoing gang wars may turn into a bloodbath.

     

    AAP KA NETA

    Every Monday at 9.30 p.m., ‘Aap Ka Neta’ on JANMAT meets one Member of Parliament. The aim is to acquaint ourselves with our Parliament representatives and find some replies to thoughtful questions.

     

    On Monday, 27th February, catch Sandeep Dixit, Member of Parliament from New Delhi (East) and also son of Chief Minister of New Delhi Sheila Dixit.

     

    Involved in the social development sector before he joined politics, Mr Dixit schooled at Modern school and St. Stephens. Committed to social welfare, he joined the reputed NGO Seva Mandir in Udaipur where he served for several years. Later he founded his own NGO Sanket in Bhopal. In all, he has spent 15 years serving various social sectors and through his entry into politics he is a carrying across a familial legacy. After being elected a MP, Mr Dixit has initiated several development project in his constituency; among them is the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Hospital.

  • Nikhil crowned as ‘Airtel Super Singer’ on Vijay TV

    Nikhil crowned as ‘Airtel Super Singer’ on Vijay TV

    MUMBAI: The wait is over and Nikhil Mathew from Chennai was crowned as the Airtel Super Singer by popular singer S.P. Balasubramaniam. He was prized with a Maruti Swift car, and a trophy apart from the grand opportunity of singing for music director Harris Jeyaraj.

    Vijay TV launched Airtel Super Singer in the month of April 2006 with the motive of finding the one unique voice out of 6.5 crore Tamilians. The grand prize for the winner is an opportunity to sing for Music Director Harris Jeyraj in his forthcoming film.

    Auditions were conducted across the entire state of Tamilnadu targeting three major zones, viz., Kovai, Madurai and Chennai. The mode of entry of participants for the audition was through CD’s and cassettes, Airtel registration, and also on spot registrations.

    The judges’ panel for the initial ground auditions was constituted by personalities in the music industry such as, singers Malaysia Vasudevan, S.P. Sailaja, Jensi, Dr. Seergazhi Siva Chidambaram and music director D.Imman, Singer Malathi and singer Mahathi. These judges short-listed the candidates in various zones to proceed to the next level of the competitions held in Chennai, informs an official release.

    The next levels of competition saw the participants going through a series of extensive rounds testing their skills in music. These levels were judged by a special panel of judges constituting playback singers Anuradha Sriram, Srinivas and Unnikrishnan, who follow the progress of the participants through their journey in Super Singer. Singer Chinmayi anchored the show, the release adds.

    Anitha was announced as the viewer’s choice, as she had got the maximum number of votes and awarded a trophy and a Laptop. The jury award was given to Somya Mahadevan who participated in the show and was given a trophy and an E-Go electric bike. Sowmya has had classical music training for the past 5 years. She is a student of Meenakshi College, Kodambakkam.

  • Ten Sports to air WWE’s Great American Bash

    Ten Sports to air WWE’s Great American Bash

    4th August: WWE’s Great American Bash is set to explode on to TV screens across the country when Ten Sports airs exclusive coverage on Sunday, 6th August 2006 at 6.30 pm.

    The highlight of the evening is sure to be Rey Mysterio’s defence of the World Heavyweight Championship against King Booker. The diminutive Mysterio is the most unlikely of Champions and is bound to face a stiff challenge from the experienced and much larger Booker. But Mysterio has faced up to just as daunting challenges before and prevailed and his agility and speed will undoubtedly force the challenger to dig deep if he is to claim the title.

    The evening gets underway with WWE Tag Team Champions Brian Kendrick and Paul London taking on The Pitbulls. The Champions will have reason to worry as both have been defeated by the Pitbulls in individual match ups in recent weeks and they will have to rely on their superior teamwork to get them through.

    Next up will be United States Champion Finlay who faces the challenge of William Regal and this is followed by Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms up against Matt Hardy.

    The fourth match up on the card sees something completely new for WWE with the introduction of The Punjabi Prison Match between Undertaker and The Great Khali.

    The structure these two fighters have to find a way out of is made up of two imposing bamboo prisons and only a perilous exit out and they have to escape whilst fending off their formidable opponent.

    It’s a four way Bra and Panties match next with Ashley, Kristal, Michelle McCool and Jillian battling against each other to the delight of all the male fans.

    After six months away Batista will be looking to unleash his wrath on Mr Kennedy. The animal of the ring will have added frustration built up as he was originally expecting to fight Mark Henry, the man who caused his forced absence all those months ago.

    And then to wrap things up it’s the battle for the Heavyweight World Championship when King Booker hopes to finally get his hand on the coveted belt.

    ABOUT TEN SPORTS: Only launched in April 2002, Taj TV’s Ten Sports is watched by more viewers than any other sports channel in the sub-continent and is available in nearly 50 million cable/ satellite households worldwide. Ten Sports is the world’s biggest producers of cricket. The Channel broadcasts cricket from Sharjah, the West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Morocco throughout the Indian sub-continent and Asia, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. Other cricket properties broadcast by Ten Sports in certain territories include internationals from India, the World Cup 2003 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2004.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TEN SPORTS PROGRAMMES, CONTACT:

    Murtuza Madraswala – Taj Television India Pvt Ltd, 403 Manish Commercial Complex, Dr. A.B. Road, Mumbai, India. Tel no: +91 22 6662 3101; Fax no: +91 22 6662 629; Email: murtuzam@tajtv.com or visit www.tensports.com

  • Alfred Haber to distribute Madonna’s London tour

    Alfred Haber to distribute Madonna’s London tour

    MUMBAI: Alfred Haber, who founded Alfred Haber Distribution (AHDI), has announced that the company has been selected as the international distributor for the two hour Madonna: The Cconfessions Tour Live From London, which will premiere on US broadcaster NBC on 22 November.

    The special was taped this summer at Wembley Arena in London, UK during Madonna¹s worldwide sold-out 25-city Confessions Tour. It marks the first-ever broadcast network programme by this international musical icon.

    Haber says, ” 2006 has definitely been the Year of Madonna. With her top-rated Confessions On A Dance Floor album, her sold-out Confessions World Tour and now her first-ever U.S. Network special, we are delighted to be offering this musical superstar to her fans around the world.”

    The concert special will feature songs from the artist’s albym Confessions On A Dance Floor which debuted at No. 1 in 29 countries and has sold over eight million copies around the globe.
    The broadcast will also include some of Madonna’s greatest hits from her career, including Future Lovers, Like A Virgin, Music, Erotica, La Isla Bonita, Ray of Light and Live To Tell.