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  • 83 countries invited to submit foreign language films for Oscars

    83 countries invited to submit foreign language films for Oscars

    MUMBAI: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) in the US has invited 83 countries to submit films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 79th Academy Awards.

    The Oscars will take place on 25 February, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center. In the US it will air on ABC while in India it will air on Star Movies. To qualify for the 2006 awards year, a film must be released in the submitting country between 1 October, 2005 and 30 September, 2006 and be publicly screened in 35mm or 70mm film for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater.

    The dialogue track must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English. Accurate English subtitles are required. Entry forms must be received at the Academy by 2 October, 2006, and film prints must be received by 13 October. Only one picture will be accepted from each country. Five films will be chosen.

    Since the category’s establishment in 1956, 102 different countries have submitted films to compete for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The 1956 award went to Italy for La Strada.Most recently, the South African film Tsotsi won the Oscar over a field of nominated films from France, Germany, Italy and the Palestinian Territories.

    Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan will receive this year their first invitation to participate. The last time India featured was in 2001 when Lagaan was nominated. There have been cases when a film has not been nominated because it was not in the language of the submitting country.

    An example was last year when Austria submitted Cache that some critics felt was the best foreign film of 2005. Unfortunately as the film was in French it was deemed ineligible. The director Michael Haneke is Austrian. Then there was the case of The Motorcycle Diaries in 2004. As it was a co-production between three countries no one country was willing to submit it.

  • Tata-Sky approaches TDSAT against Zee over bouquet pricing

    Tata-Sky approaches TDSAT against Zee over bouquet pricing

    MUMBAI:There seems to be no end to the thrust and parry going on over the DTH airwaves. Close on the heels of Dish TV wresting a favourable decision against Star India, Tata Sky has moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement And Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) — against what it terms as Zee’s exhorbitatnt terms for providing its network channels to its still-in-the-pipeline DTH service.

    The petition by Tata Sky before the appellate tribunal makes Zee Turner Ltd, Zee Telefilms Ltd,Turner International India and Dish’s managing company ASC Enterprises LTD as party to the case.

    The Tata Sky petition alleges that the Zee Group has denied supply of Zee Turner bouquet of channels to the former’s yet-to-be-launched DTH service under reasonable terms.

    The petitioner has sought “to obtain appropriate direction for the signals of the channels,” alleging that respondent Zee Turner has quoted unreasonable terms for supply of its signals to Tata Sky.

    Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, a senior executive at Dish TV today refrained from commenting on the issue, saying, “We have yet not received any direction from TDSAT.”

    The disputes tribunal has given the respondents three days from the day they receive an official intimation to file its replies.The next date of hearing is 25 July 2006.

    As per regulatory norms, all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a non-discriminatory basis.

    Last week, the tribunal had delivered a verdict laying down benchmark rate for channel prices for DTH platforms, while directing Star to make available its channels to Dish TV.

    Main respondent Zee Turner is a 74:26 distribution joint venture between Zee Telefilms and Time Warner company Turner International India.

    The cable pricing of the two Zee-Turner bouquets is Rs 83.65 plus service tax. Zee-Turner’s bouquet one comprises Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Movies, Zee English, CNN, Cartoon Network, CNBC, Trendz, Reality TV, Zee Marathi, Zee Punjabi, Zee Bangla and Zee Gujarati and is priced at Rs 58.85 per subscriber/per month. The second bouquet carries HBO, Vh1, Pogo, Zee Business and Awaaz, which is available at Rs 25 per subscriber/per month.

    Tata Sky’s complaint before TDSAT is that Zee is seeking the same pricing terms for supplying its channels to its DTH service as is its cable rates.

    In what manner TDSAT responds to the Tata Sky complaint will be watched with close interest. After all, in its earlier order in favour of Dish TV, TDSAT, while directing the sector regulator to set a benchmark for channel prices for DTH services, said that Star channels should be made available to Dish TV at half the price at which they are available to cable operators.

    The tribunal’s reasoning in the earlier case was that DTH is an addressable system where loss of revenue down the value chain is negligible, if not zero.

  • Satyam Computer Services joins hands with a UK consultancy to focus in M&E space

    Satyam Computer Services joins hands with a UK consultancy to focus in M&E space

    MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based Satyam Computer Services Ltd. has recruited The Publishing Practice, Ltd. (TPP), a specialist UK consultancy in the media and entertainment industry, to spearhead the development of a new Consulting Group for its global Media and Entertainment practice. 

    The move will enable Satyam to combine an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the publishing business with the technical breadth and scale of Satyam’s billion-dollar global services organization. 

    According to an official release, TPP’s experienced consultancy group — including Mike Abell, Sharon Duckworth and Stephen Ryden-Lloyd — will join Satyam’s global Media and Entertainment practice to provide strategic consulting services and project-based delivery work for the publishing, online, broadcast, music and related industries. 

    The new group’s consultancy services will complement Satyam’s existing application delivery-based services to include new digital and online consulting — ranging across content acquisition, publishing, production and supply chain.
    Satyam and TPP have already established a track record working with customers on joint projects, since they formed an alliance in 2005. TPP’s customers include Blackwell, Elsevier, Financial Times, Harcourt Education, LexisNexis, London Business School, Reed Business Information and Sweet & Maxwell. 

    Satyam’s global media and entertainment practice senior VP Kevin English says, “We believe that the in-depth industry
    knowledge that Satyam acquire with the new addition of this senior consulting team will provide a real competitive advantage for us in our media and entertainment business — both here in Europe and in the US. The initial reaction from our customers has been most encouraging.”

    The Publishing Practice co-founder and director of Mike Abell adds, “In an environment in which media companies are challenged to deliver more through ever more diverse and complex channels of communication, the new Satyam Media and Entertainment group will be able to provide a very cost-effective solution in end-to-end programmes of work, from consulting, through delivery to an extensive support and maintenance capability.”

  • Sahara One’s music channel named Hit; Ganapathy is ntwk distribution head

    Sahara One’s music channel named Hit; Ganapathy is ntwk distribution head

    MUMBAI: Sahara One Media & Entertainment Limited’s new music channel has been christened Hit. The company has also appointed Sameer Ganapathy as head of distribution for the Sahara One Television Network, which includes Sahara One, Filmy and also the proposed music channel – Hit.

    Ganapathy, who will report to Sahara One CEO Shantonu Aditya, steps into Rakesh Lamba’s shoes, who had quit the company late last year. He comes on board from SET Discovery where he was assistant vice president distribution for the western region. Prior to that he was with Discovery for four years as regional manager distribution (west).

    Aditya said, “I am delighted to welcome Sameer to our company. Sameer has over 10 years of experience in distribution and has an excellent track record. With his joining the company, Sahara One will now focus on distribution in a major way and am sure the results will be seen soon.”

    Ganapathy added, “I am very happy to join Sahara One and take on this responsibility. Sahara One is run professionally and has a great team. I look forward to taking up this challenge and working in an excellent environment.”

  • Mainland China exports of CCTV DVRs to reach US$139 million in 2006

    MUMBAI: Mainland China exports of CCTV (closed-circuit TV) digital video recorders are expected to reach US$139 million in 2006, up 70 per cent from last year.


    A new report released, “China Sourcing Report CCTV Digital Video Recorders,” indicates that buyers sourcing CCTV digital video recorders from Greater China and South Korea can expect increased supply and lower price quotes in the coming months. These findings are based on in-depth manufacturer interviews, factory visits and surveys, states an official release.
     
    Report publisher Mark Saunderson says, “The worldwide security boom has makers expanding production capacity and predicting big export increases this year – some larger makers are even setting up overseas offices to sell own-brand products.”


    Among surveyed manufacturers:


    – 29 per cent say exports will increase by more than 100 per cent;
    – 17 per cent expect increases of between 50 and 100 per cent;
    – 52 per cent foresee increases of up to 50 per cent and;
    – 2 per cent expect a decrease in exports.


    Manufacturers forecast huge capacity growth, price declines for CCTV DVRs.  Buyers can expect greater supply, with 100 per cent of surveyed Greater China and South Korea manufacturers of CCTV digital video recorders planning to increase production capacity:


    – 40 per cent of suppliers plan to increase capacity by 100 per cent or more;
    – 7 per cent plan increases of between 50 and 100 per cent and;
    – 53 per cent plan to increase capacity by up to 50 per cent.


    Manufacturers cited fierce competition as a key factor in their expectations of lower prices in the coming year. More than half of surveyed makers project declines:


    – 62 per cent say prices will likely decline in the next 12 months;
    – 25 per cent foresee stable prices and;
    – 13 per cent expect price increases.


    The 122-page “China Sourcing Report CCTV Digital Video Recorders” report includes detailed profiles of 47 Greater China and South Korea manufacturers and features a product gallery with 126 top-selling export models. It also includes production and pricing forecasts as well as in-depth reports on major supply centers, adds the release.

  • Mainland China exports of CCTV DVRs to reach US$139 million in 2006

    Mainland China exports of CCTV DVRs to reach US$139 million in 2006

    MUMBAI: Mainland China exports of CCTV (closed-circuit TV) digital video recorders are expected to reach US$139 million in 2006, up 70 per cent from last year.

    A new report released, “China Sourcing Report CCTV Digital Video Recorders,” indicates that buyers sourcing CCTV digital video recorders from Greater China and South Korea can expect increased supply and lower price quotes in the coming months. These findings are based on in-depth manufacturer interviews, factory visits and surveys, states an official release.

    Report publisher Mark Saunderson says, “The worldwide security boom has makers expanding production capacity and predicting big export increases this year – some larger makers are even setting up overseas offices to sell own-brand products.”

    Among surveyed manufacturers:

    – 29 per cent say exports will increase by more than 100 per cent;
    – 17 per cent expect increases of between 50 and 100 per cent;
    – 52 per cent foresee increases of up to 50 per cent and;
    – 2 per cent expect a decrease in exports.

    Manufacturers forecast huge capacity growth, price declines for CCTV DVRs.
    Buyers can expect greater supply, with 100 per cent of surveyed Greater China and South Korea manufacturers of CCTV digital video recorders planning to increase production capacity:

    – 40 per cent of suppliers plan to increase capacity by 100 per cent or more;
    – 7 per cent plan increases of between 50 and 100 per cent and;
    – 53 per cent plan to increase capacity by up to 50 per cent.

    Manufacturers cited fierce competition as a key factor in their expectations of lower prices in the coming year. More than half of surveyed makers project declines:

    – 62 per cent say prices will likely decline in the next 12 months;
    – 25 per cent foresee stable prices and;
    – 13 per cent expect price increases.

    The 122-page “China Sourcing Report CCTV Digital Video Recorders” report includes detailed profiles of 47 Greater China and South Korea manufacturers and features a product gallery with 126 top-selling export models. It also includes production and pricing forecasts as well as in-depth reports on major supply centers, adds the release.

  • China Digital Media Corp completes digital TV migration for 200,000 households

    MUMBAI: China Digital Media Corporation, a provider of cable and digital television services and content in China, has announced that it has reached a record level of households that have installed digital set-top-boxes (STB). As of 30 June 2006, approximately 200,000 subscribers had installed over 220,000 digital STBs, with over 15 per cent subscribing for additional digital STBs, according to a media release issued.


    The company receives a portion of the subscription fees from each customer. It installed over 30,000 STBs in May 2006, the highest number of installations in a single month, and these newly installed STBs are equipped with Java platform and Ethernet port, the release adds.


    “This is a major milestone for the company, as it represents a significant source of revenue,” says China Digital Media Corporation chairman and CEO Daniel Ng. “The launch of our new IP based STB has generated incredible interest in Nanhai and surrounding cities. We intend to focus on promoting our value added services and pay TV services, and searching for new projects elsewhere that we believe will enhance revenue growth.”

  • Fremantle Archive Sales launches catalogue online

    Fremantle Archive Sales launches catalogue online

    MUMBAI: Fremantle Archive Sales, the clip and still sales division of FremantleMedia, has launched a new website, www.fremantlearchivesales.com, which will allow users to browse through FremantleMedia’s entire Archive Sales catalogue online.

    For the first time in FremantleMedia history, the site will grant content users access to titles from the FremantleMedia catalogue online simply by inputting a programme or artist’s name into the search box. The development of this site will mean that FremantleMedia’s entire catalogue of footage and stills will be accessible worldwide and highlight the diversity and range of programmes that FremantleMedia has to offer, from American Idol to Neighbours.

    Users will also be able to search for footage and stills from third party catalogues represented by Fremantle Archive Sales, such as Fresh One (Jamie’s Kitchen, Jamie’s School Dinners), as well as the Thames News Archive, which includes London news from the 1970s right through to 1992. In addition, the website will act as a forum to announce any new developments and acquisitions and users will be able to sign up to receive regular email mailshots containing all the latest news.

    Fremantle Archive Sales business development executive Sam Partner said, “The development of this website presents a fantastic opportunity for the Archive Sales department to showcase our portfolio to an even broader market. It will enable us, as a company, to develop much closer relationships with our existing client base as well as help us continue to grow and establish new ones.”

    The Fremantle Archive Sales website is available at www.fremantlearchivesales.com and will also be linked to FremantleMedia’s corporate website, www.fremantlemedia.com.

  • China Digital Media Corp completes digital TV migration for 200,000 households

    China Digital Media Corp completes digital TV migration for 200,000 households

    MUMBAI: China Digital Media Corporation, a provider of cable and digital television services and content in China, has announced that it has reached a record level of households that have installed digital set-top-boxes (STB). As of 30 June 2006, approximately 200,000 subscribers had installed over 220,000 digital STBs, with over 15 per cent subscribing for additional digital STBs, according to a media release issued.

    The company receives a portion of the subscription fees from each customer. It installed over 30,000 STBs in May 2006, the highest number of installations in a single month, and these newly installed STBs are equipped with Java platform and Ethernet port, the release adds.

    “This is a major milestone for the company, as it represents a significant source of revenue,” says China Digital Media Corporation chairman and CEO Daniel Ng. “The launch of our new IP based STB has generated incredible interest in Nanhai and surrounding cities. We intend to focus on promoting our value added services and pay TV services, and searching for new projects elsewhere that we believe will enhance revenue growth.”

  • Star to decide on uplinking plan by next weekend

    Star to decide on uplinking plan by next weekend

    The recent decision taken by the government to allow broadcasters to uplink directly from India seems to have caught the fancy of almost all the television channels and most of them might be thinking about uplinking form India.

    Not to be left behind, officials at Star will be meeting through next week to decide about uplinking from India. According to a Star spokesperson, if the policy is there, they would definitely take a look at it. He also said that they might take some decision regarding this issue by next weekend.

    Asked whether Star’s content partner for Star News, NDTV, would be applying for an uplinking license, because it might be left behind in terms of live coverage of news by rival news channel Zee News, the spokesperson said that NDTV is using VSNL’s uplinking facilities and the time difference between uplinking directly form India and from Hong Kong is hardly be 2 to 3 minutes.

    It can be mentioned that Star has its own uplinking hub in Clearwater Bay – Hong Kong form where it uplinks all its channels. This gives the group economies of scale as it uplinks its entire bouquet from there.