ITV

Blog

  • Ceva & Astri in alliance to develop new generation multimedia for Hong Kong & China

    MUMBAI: Ceva, Inc., the California-headquartered licensor of digital signal processor (DSP) cores, multimedia and storage platforms to the semiconductor industry, and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Ltd (Astri) have announced the Ceva-TeakLite DSP and associated multimedia software. The software will be developed into a fully integrated, low power audio SoC platform solution.


    This is one of the projects driven by Astri IC Design Group‘s Multimedia Platform (MMP) initiative. The mission of MMP is to enable a platform-based solution with comprehensive video/audio codec Intellectual Properties (IP) for semiconductor companies in Hong Kong and Greater China. This solution is for developing a cost-effective SoC for a wide range of multimedia applications, including portable multimedia players and IPTV, informs an official release.


    The Ceva-TeakLite‘s unique feature, which combines optimal performance and complete audio and imaging codec software, is the key factor for Astri‘s decision to licence the DSP. Using a single source for both the DSP and the software, the platform offers Astri the benefit of a highly optimized system that delivers power and performance advantages, and ease-of-integration — all crucial factors in the successful development of a product for the highly competitive portable multimedia markets, the release further informs.


    “By collaborating with a world-class IP company like Ceva, we are able to provide state-of-the-art technologies for manufacturers that compete at the highest level within the semiconductor industry,” says Astri IC Designs Group VP and R&D director Raymond Chiu.


    “Partnering with Astri is of significant importance to our expansion strategy into the growing semiconductor industry in Greater China,” says Ceva CEO Gideon Wertheizer. “Astri‘s relationship with local China-based fabless companies and proven track record in IP deployment provide an excellent platform from which we can deliver our Ceva-TeakLite DSP and multimedia software in highly optimized and affordable solutions to the portable multimedia markets.”

  • Shemaroo to offer cable operators movies on licensing model

    Shemaroo to offer cable operators movies on licensing model

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo has entered into an exclusive agreement with Novex Communications for licensing rights of all its movies to cable TV operators. The home video player, which also has a huge movie library for satellite telecast, was earlier selling its cable TV rights directly to multi-system operators (MSOs).

    The movies for cable TV telecast which are already with Hathway Cable & Datacom will also be transferred to Novek after the expiry of its term. Hathway had bought five year rights in a bulk deal, a majority of which are expiring by the end of this year.

    Shemaroo will, thus, be doing away with the fixed fee model whereby it was selling cable TV rights to MSOs. “We will be able to maximise our revenue through the licensee model. We are given a minimum guaranteed amount and on increased growth, will have a revenue share,” says Shemaroo Films MD Raman Maroo.

    Already in the kitty is a collection of over 500 Hindi movies, while at least 15-16 will be added every month. “Almost 80 per cent of what we had sold to Hathway would expire by the end of this year. We will be assigning all our movies to Novex for cable TV exploitation. We have struck a two-year exclusive deal with them,” confirms Maroo.

    Novex Communications plans to charge cable operators a fee of Rs 35 per subscriber, though in reality most of the agreements will be lumpsome deals. “We will enter into annual deals with cable operators. Unlike most of the other movie content suppliers, we will provide actual software to cable operators. We will have at least 700 movies for licensing,” Novex Communications promoter Ketan Kanakia says.

    Novex has already signed a deal with the HFCL Infotel subsidiary Connect Broadband Services Ltd for J&K, Himachal, Punjab and parts of Haryana.

    MSOs, who run cable movie channels bank on the acquisition model. Cable movie channels CVO and CCC, promoted by MSOs Indusind Media and Hathway respectively, acquire movies for cable TV telecast. On the other hand, it is the licensing model which is popular with bulk of the cable TV operators.

  • Media scrips soar as Sensex recovers

    Media scrips soar as Sensex recovers

    MUMBAI: Bucking the trend of a sustained dip over the last few days, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark Sensex gained over 345 points today, recording the biggest single day gain for the month. The bounce back was fuelled by massive buying by foreign and domestic funds even as global markets firmed up.

    The Sensex closed at 10,352.94, after touching an intra-day high of 10,409.58 points. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) index Nifty registered a gain of 90.30 points and closed at 3,023.05.

    Among the media stocks, Sun TV recorded the maximum gain on the back of healthy FY06 results. Inspired by an almost 70 per cent jump in net profits, the Sun TV scrip closed at 1,083.60 in the BSE, higher by Rs 38.10. At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), it ended the day’s trade at 1,085.50 with a gain of Rs 35.30. The rally was significant as the scrip had tumbled yesterday from Rs 1099 to Rs 1045, a fall of Rs 54.

    In the media block, TV18 scored the next best gain for the day, going up by Rs 35.70 to close at Rs 578 on the BSE. At the NSE, it gained Rs 36.7 to reach 577.35 points. TV18 has been maintaining a steady run since a long time. Since the last one month, the scrip has gone up by Rs 92 at the BSE.

    UTV Software Communications, riding on the market expectations of an equity deal with an international major, gained Rs 14.35 at the BSE today, to close at 165.65 points. At the NSE, it gained Rs 13.00 to touch Rs 164.45. Gemini Communications rose Rs 14.7 at the BSE, to reach 396. Navneet Publications gained Rs 10.45 at the BSE and Rs 11.45 at the NSE to close at 278.55 and 279.30 respectively. Hinduja TMT recorded a gain of Rs 9.8 to close at 479.75 at the BSE.

    Other prominent media scrips which also recorded gains for the day included NDTV, Zee Telefilms, Entertainment Network India, Adlabs Films and Balaji Telefilms. However, Saregama India was the only major loser as the scrip dipped by Rs 7.3, to close at 142.45 at the BSE.

  • Star News introduces two lifestyle shows

    Star News introduces two lifestyle shows

    MUMBAI: Star News is creating space for lifestyle shows, by introducing two new programmes, Apna Khayal Rakhiyega, a health-based show and Top Speed, a handbook for automobile fans. With Apna Khayal Rakhiyega, Star News will address a holistic view on health with a unique programming mix, updating viewers with the latest in the world of medicine and health-breakthroughs, food and fitness trends.

    Starting on 22 July, Apna Khayal Rakhiyega will sport a flexible magazine format and promises refreshing outdoor anchoring from scenic locations, and will have different segments that will feature breakthroughs in the world of medicine, guidelines to leading a healthy life, tips and trends in fitness and advice on food and diet programmes, according to an official release.

    The programme, laced in the 12:30 pm slot, will showcase various segments featuring interviews of renowned medical/health experts and celebrities from various walks of life who will provide their opinions and share their secrets on fitness. Dr. R K Bharadwaj, an ENT specialist, will be the channel’s in-house expert for this programme.

    As the Indian automobile sector is clearly on a boom right now with vehicle sales growing at a rate of 8-10 per cent a year and many international players setting shop in India. The current scenario is exciting, yet equally vexing for the potential buyer. This forms the second weekend offering from Star News, a racy auto show Top Speed, adds the release.

    The show, which will kick off on 23 July in the 5:30 pm time slot, will be anchored by the consulting editor of Auto Magazine Rajiv Mitra along with Manpreet Waraich. The half-an-hour show will focus on test drives, vehicle reviews, expert advice on vehicle maintenance, the latest must-haves in accessories and reporting on auto shows.

    Each episode of Top Speed will comprise of two to three main modules which could be any of the segments mentioned in the box.

  • ‘Miami Vice: The Original Picture Soundtrack’ set to release on 25 July

    ‘Miami Vice: The Original Picture Soundtrack’ set to release on 25 July

    MUMBAI: Atlantic Records has announced the release of Miami Vice: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The album arrives in stores on 25 July, followed on 28 July by the nationwide release of the Universal Pictures crime drama.

    The first single from Miami Vice: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be Lava/Atlantic recording group Nonpoint’s cover of the Phil Collins classic, In The Air Tonight.

    The original version of the song, which was featured in the first episode of the original Miami Vice TV series, appeared on Collins’ breakthrough 1981 Atlantic solo debut, Face Value. Nonpoint, which is based in Florida, will perform the song at the film’s Miami premiere on 25 July.

    In addition, Miami Vice: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack includes a wide variety of sonic styles, from electronica and soul to salsa and post-rock. Among the artists featured are India Arie, Goldfrapp, Mogwai, Nina Simone, Emilio Estefan, King Britt, and Moby, who is joined on one track by the legendary Patti LaBelle (track listing below), informs an official release.

    The album also includes selections from the film’s original score, composed by John Murphy (28 Days Later, Snatch) and Klaus Badelt (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Ultraviolet).

    Ricardo Tubbs (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx of Ray, Jarhead) is urbane and dead smart. He lives with Bronx-born intel analyst Trudy, played by British actress Naomie Harris (28 Days Later, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest), as they work undercover transporting drug loads into South Florida to identify a group responsible for three murders.

    Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell of S.W.A.T., The New World) is charismatic and flirtatious until — while undercover working with the supplier of the South Florida group — he gets romantically entangled with Isabella, the Chinese-Cuban girlfriend of an arms and drugs trafficker. Isabella is played by the Chinese actress Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern, Memoirs of a Geisha).

    The best undercover identity is oneself with the volume turned up and restraint unplugged. The intensity of this case pushes Crockett and Tubbs out onto the edge where identity and fabrication become blurred, where cop and player become one — especially for Crockett in his romance with Isabella and for Tubbs in the provocation of an assault on those he loves.

    Miami Vice stars Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciarán Hinds, Justin Theroux, Barry Shabaka Henley and Luis Tosar, and is written and directed by Michael Mann, who also produces along with Pieter Jan Brugge; Anthony Yerkovich serves as executive producer.

  • BBC reorganises to focus on digital future

    BBC reorganises to focus on digital future

    MUMBAI: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has announced organisational changes to meet the challenges and opportunities of its Creative Future vision, placing future media & technology at the heart of its strategy. Launched in April 2006, the changes have been made following consultation with senior managers across the BBC.

    Creative Future is designed to deliver more value to audiences. These reforms are built on the vision that the best content should be made available on every platform at the audience’s convenience and they will simplify how programme ideas – both from in-house and independent producers – move from original concept to audiences.

    The changes, due to be fully operational by April 2007, will enable 360 degree commissioning and production and ensure creative coherence and editorial leadership across all platforms and media.

    They will also streamline the way funding flows across the organisation, bringing in-house production together under a single head, while reinforcing commitments made to the independent production sector through the Window of Creative Competition, informs an official release.

    BBC director general Mark Thompson told staff across the organisation: “Today is about making Creative Future a reality. It’s about how we can make the BBC the most creative organisation in the world, delivering content that our audiences will simply love.

    “We need a BBC ready for digital and for 360 degree multi-platform content creation, which brings different kinds of creativity together – in technology as well as content – to deliver what we need in this converging world. And we need a simpler, more open BBC with the licence-fee flowing down simple, direct lines to the right people, a simpler structure, clearer responsibilities and fewer layers.”

    Thompson stressed it was not about more large scale efficiencies and redundancies, but about making the BBC more creative and efficient. A three year value for money efficiency programme is already underway to deliver savings of £355m a year by 2008 to reinvest in to content.

    The new organisation chart places marketing communications and audiences at its centre, which will be led by Tim Davie, is designated as a creative division, putting audiences at the heart of the BBC and working ever closer with content areas and future Media & Technology to bring audience insights to the creative process.

    A new future media and technology division (FM&T) will be led by Ashley Highfield and will concentrate on emerging technologies, playing a leading role in finding and developing new ways for audiences to find and use content. Technology resources will be centralised and prioritised in FM&T and three new FM&T controllers will be based in the three main content areas – Journalism, BBC Vision and Audio and Music.

    FM&T will manage all new media platforms and gateways like bbc.co.uk, the emerging i-player and web 2.0, as well as metadata, search and navigation and BBC Information & Archives which is vital to opening up the BBC’s archives.

    The multi-media journalism group, led by Deputy Director-General Mark Byford, will now also include BBC Sport along with BBC News, Global News and Nations & Regions.

    The creation of an Audio & Music group, led by Jenny Abramsky, will deliver not just network radio but audio content for all platforms from on-demand in the home to podcasts and mobile phones. This group will also lead on music across all media, including TV, for the whole BBC, informs the release.

    BBC Television, Factual & Learning and Drama, Entertainment & Children’s come together in a new group, BBC Vision, led by Jana Bennett.

    This group will be responsible for in-house multimedia production, commissioning and audio visual services, including the TV channel portfolio, and digital services like High Definition and Interactive.

    Multimedia, 360 degree production, under a single Production Head, will be more closely aligned to – while still physically separate from – the 360 degree commissioning teams. Commissioning will be grouped under four controllers of: Fiction (drama, comedy, BBC Film and programme acquisitions), Entertainment, Knowledge (including all factual and Learning) and Children’s.

    Funding for multimedia content provision will move to the new vision and audio & music groups, allowing 360 degree commissioning and a one stop shop for all producers, including independents.

    The Production Head for BBC Vision, reporting directly to Jana Bennett, will also have an overview of network production outside London through the controller of network production Anne Morrison.

    BBC creative director Alan Yentob will ensure that the Creative Future recommendations are implemented across all content and services. He will chair both the Creative Training Board and Creative Network as well as chairing the board of BBC Films and a new Arts Network which will pull together arts programme-makers from across the BBC. He also continues to lead BBC Talent and to present Imagine.

    The Window of Creative Competition (WOCC). Clear safeguards are in place to build confidence in commissioning and the WOCC now that production and commissioning are in the same BBC Vision group.

    There will be a new commissioning compliance role in BBC Operations with a direct line to the director general and the new BBC Trust will also keep the changes under review to ensure they do not prejudice the WOCC.

    BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith will concentrate on his ambitious development strategy for Worldwide, on course to treble profits, and to lead the sale BBC Resources Ltd in 2007. Over the next six months he will relinquish all responsibilities to the public service side of the BBC.

    Caroline Thomson, currently BBC director of strategy, becomes COO for the BBC, with overall responsibility for strategy, policy, distribution, property, legal and business continuity, in a new BBC Operations division.

    The reorganisation does not affect BBC Finance, led by Zarin Patel, which is already undergoing transformational change. Procurement will however, move into Finance.

    BBC People already has a major change programme underway and is largely unaffected by the reorganisation. The new director of BBC People, Steve Kelly, joins the BBC from BT in the near future.

  • ICTV demonstrates ActiveVideo Platform at Broadcast Asia

    SINGAPORE: VOD solutions provider ICTV has introduced its ActiveVideo platform at the 11th Annual Broadcast Asia Conference and Exhibition being held from 20-23 June 2006.


    In its demonstration, ICTV has showed how the ActiveVideo platform combines the attributes of television and the web and enables operators, programmers and advertisers for the first time to successfully bring broadband video programming and advertising models from the internet to the television, informs an official release.


    The platform delivers web-driven programming and both live and VOD streams. ActiveVideo programming is delivered through the widely deployed VOD infrastructure through any VOD-capable set-top and navigated with standard remotes, adds the release.


    Capitalising on the ability to deliver web programming as MPEG video to any digital set-top box, the ICTV ActiveVideo platform is entirely standards- based, requiring no custom integration or proprietary development. Live and VOD programming can be blended with content that is created and modified quickly using standard web tools and talent, and distributed to the headend via standard web infrastructure. The ActiveVideo platform runs within the existing VOD infrastructure, delivering all programming from the headend as MPEG video, and integrates with and extends existing set-top based interactive approaches.


    “Viewers have been taking greater control of their video experiences, particularly on the PC and increasingly on mobile devices,” said ICTV president and CEO Jeff Miller. “The ActiveVideo platform enables the delivery of programming that most precisely meets the needs of the individual viewers, as well as high-CPM ads that are targeted, auditable and interactive.”


    The ICTV demonstration at Broadcast Asia also includes two applications of the ActiveVideo platform: An ActiveVideo Mosaic, the multichannel, customizable, personalized mosaic for video-rich navigation, and ActiveVideo Channels, which enable existing broadband networks to be delivered to the TV in real time, adds the release.


    The ICTV ActiveVideo Mosaic creates a simplified, personalised navigational experience by providing live video from, and navigation through, multiple channels simultaneously. The ActiveVideo Mosaic can be personalized based upon subscriber, operator, or programmer choice, or via system response to subscriber viewing habits- all on any digital set-top box. Interactive elements, including web-driven targeted advertising, can be incorporated within the mosaic screens.


    With ActiveVideo Channels, network operators and programmers can enhance the value of existing channels by allowing viewers to take active control of what they see and when they see it. With the use of their remote controls, television viewers can select an ActiveVideo Channel from the standard program guide and enter a broadband experience that includes video, navigational elements, channel branding, banner advertisements, and links to different video segments. Screens can be manipulated to reflect personal viewing interests and purchasing preferences.

  • Sun TV FY06 net profit up by 70%, declares 20% dividend

    Sun TV FY06 net profit up by 70%, declares 20% dividend

    MUMBAI: Sun TV Limited has announced the financial result for the fiscal ended 31 March 2006. For the 2005-2006 fiscal, the company has reported 69.65 per cent increase in profit after tax at Rs 1302.3 million and revenues for the year are up at Rs 3219.1 million.

    According to an official release, the program licence income has registered a growth of 101 per cent. The Earnings per share (EPS) is up 70 per cent at Rs 21 from Rs. 12.38 for the same period last year. The Board of Directors have recommended a dividend of 20 per cent for the year.

    Inspired by the good FY06 performance, the Sun TV scrip closed at 1,083.60, recording a jump of Rs 38.10 at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) today. At the National Stock EXchange (NSE), it ended the day’s trade at 1,085.50 with a gain of Rs 35.30.

    Sun TV had entered the capital market on 3 April 2006 with an IPO. Sun TV Ltd. offers four Tamil language channels, including the flagship channel, Sun TV and two Malayalam channels, including Surya TV. It also operates leading Tamil radio stations under the name Suryan FM.

  • Discovery’s new biz unit to launch Health On-Call VOD service

    Discovery’s new biz unit to launch Health On-Call VOD service

    MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has formed a new integrated, multiplatform business called Discovery Health Media Enterprises, with plans to roll out the Discovery Health On-Call VOD service this October.

    This new business unit includes the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV television networks and online assets including www.discoveryhealth.com, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business.

    The Health On-Call sevice will offer cable viewers access to a slate of health information through short-form videos culled from the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV, as well as from organizations such as the March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association.

    Also in the coming months, this unit will launch Discovery Health Mobile, a new service that will include programming alerts, expert tips and short-form content as an enhancement to its online, VOD and network program offerings.

    With this initiative, Discovery Health Media Enterprises is the only fully integrated multi-platform health care media entity that provides access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for research tools, expert advice and customized products and services.

    “Built upon a highly trusted brand, Discovery Health Media Enterprises will incorporate a new line of products and services to be the leader in providing consumers with the most relevant and credible health and medical information,” said president and CEO of Discovery Communications Judith A. McHale. “We believe there is a large business opportunity for the company in high quality health media. Our goal is to be the most trusted media source that enables consumers to better manage their families’ health and wellness needs.”

    Discovery Communications has initiated an executive search to recruit a senior level executive from the health care sector to oversee the business unit. Discovery Health Channel and FitTV executive VP and general manager Eileen O’Neill will continue in her role and work closely with the Discovery Networks U.S. division, which currently supports both networks in the production, marketing, sales and research functions.

  • Nat Geo Junior Hunt searches for India’s superkid

    Nat Geo Junior Hunt searches for India’s superkid

    MUMBAI: This year, infotainment channel National Geographic (NGC), is setting its sights on connecting better with kids through an on ground initiative.

    Nat Geo Junior Hunt is a quest to find India’s superkid who is curious, adventurous, articulate, energetic and smart, in short, an all rounder.

    NGC has partnered with ICICI Pru Smart Kid and Lenovo for this innovative initiative, with more in the pipeline. The channel says that the endeavour aims to extend its children’s block Nat Geo Junior on-ground to provide an intelligent platform for kids to showcase their talent through a fun-filled, learning experience. 

    Elaborating on the initiative NGC senior VP programming Joy Bhattacharjya said, “With Nat Geo Junior Hunt we are looking for the brightest, smartest and the coolest Indian kid who likes his books as much as sports, likes to learn and discover new things, is adventurous, out-going and ready to take on challenges.

    “Nat Geo’s endeavour is to stimulate the intellect of our young audiences to ‘Think again’ and encourage them to learn more about the world they live in, while enjoying the experience.”

    NGC says that its kids block Nat Geo Junior which launched last year is proving to be popular amongst kids and is appreciated by both teachers as well as parents for its fun and educational format. The hunt will span across 10 cities, 380 reputed schools and will target approximately 364800 kids between 10 to 14 years of age.

    NGC VP marketing Rajesh Sheshadri says, “National Geographic Channel is committed towards providing entertainment that makes our viewers think and learn more about the world they live in. In keeping with these values, Nat Geo Junior Hunt is an first of its kind, a school challenge programme that has been developed for a younger set of Nat Geo audiences.

    “With Nat Geo Junior Hunt, the channel is opting for a 360 degree marketing approach which will be promoted on-air and off-air, and through an extensive media campaign.”

    How the Hunt works: The selection process for the contest will begin at the school level, where kids will be shortlisted through an innovative ‘Think again’ test. This test will incorporate questions that will examine kids’ general aptitude and logical reasoning. Post the school selection, ten city finalists will be selected based on a broader spectrum of rounds like games, puzzles, debates and think out of the box ideas.

    These city finalists will be run through a grueling set of tests in the setting of an adventure camp and only four out of these ten city finalists will make it to the national finals. The lucky four will be groomed before they host their own show on Nat Geo Junior. The winner will be decided by a panel of judges.

    The channel will open a fund for the winner for his/her future studies. In addition, the Nat Geo Junior will get a chance to host Nat Geo Junior shows on the channel for three months and will also win a bouquet of prizes from the partners of the hunt.

    This renewed synergy between the channel, viewer and advertiser through Nat Geo Junior Hunt will give the channel the opportunity to engage viewers more strongly and drive longer-term relationships and extended associations with key advertisers.