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  • Brides-to-be run across Times Square marks ‘Bridezellas’ return for 3rd season

    Brides-to-be run across Times Square marks ‘Bridezellas’ return for 3rd season

    MUMBAI: Rainbow Entertainment’s WE TV celebrated the third season of their hit series Bridezillas with the Running of the Bridezillas. In a wedding themed obstacle course 20 brides-to-be ran across New York’s Times Square for a chance to win $25,000 towards their dream wedding.

    32-year-old Casey Scheulen of Washingtonville, NY walked away with the cash prize.

    Scheulen and her fiance, Tim McGowan, plan on using the money for their dream wedding, scheduled for 30 September at their Washingtonville home. Scheulen also added that if there was any money left she may just let Tim use it for a Las Vegas bachelor party.

    According to an official release, Bridezellas was recorded as the highest rated original series in the history of the network. On WE TV’s website www.we.tv, there is a mini-site for Bridezillas that features episode information, profiles of this seasons Bridezillas, wedding tips, a discussion board, downloads of a Bridezillas theme song, ringtones and AIM icons and a blog on wedding highs and lows.

    Recently the network had announced that it would be dropping the Women’s Entertainment from its name and adding a new tagline “WE Have More Fun” and Bridezellas was the first to feature the new tagline and logo, adds the release.

    In keeping with the essence of the channel that aims to appeal to women’s interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style, Running of the Bridezillas will air every Sunday at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT.

  • Essel Group to expand media education venture

    Essel Group to expand media education venture

    MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra-promoted Essel Group is planning to expand its media education venture, Zee Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA). The company will invest about Rs 350 million in the venture over a period of three years.

    “Zima was launched as a high level pilot project and we are planning a major expansion of the project now. We will keep adding new courses to the curriculum apart from bolstering the facilities. The whole process will take at least three years to complete,” states Zee Interactive Learning Systems Ltd (ZILS) CEO Arun Khetan.

    According to Khetan, Zima will be trying to position itself as a complete media institute through the new initiatives. “We are looking to introduces courses in the areas of radio, mass communication and various other new media segments evolving. We will be doing training programmes on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as well,” he says.

    Essel Group launched Zima in the banner of ZILS in November 2004, on an initial investment of Rs 30 million. The institute presently offers one year diploma, six months advanced certificate and six months certificate courses in the streams of direction, acting, production, editing, cinematography, writing, sound and animation-visual effects. The fees charged by Zima range from Rs 60,000 to Rs 150,000 depending on the course.

  • Zee TV slots ‘Shabaash India’ for prime time Monday to Wednesday

    Zee TV slots ‘Shabaash India’ for prime time Monday to Wednesday

    MUMBAI: Zee TV will launch Shabaash India, a tribute to this never-say-die attitude of the Indian, on 19 June. The show will run from Monday to Wednesday at 10:30 pm.

    Hosted by Hussain Kuwajerwala, the serial has half an hour of extraordinary feats performed by people from all across the country, states an official release. Soft Focus Productions is producing the show.

    Speaking on the launch of the serial, Zee TV programming head Ashvini Yardi says, “We have introduced fresh programming for the prime time band. Shabaash India is a step in that direction. After the recent launch of Johny Aala Re at 10 pm, Shabaash India at 10.30 pm will help us keep the viewer entertained through the entire hour. It is amazing and rather inspiring to see the endurance levels of the people who we assume to be ordinary. In each of us there is a spark to outperform. Shabaash India is the showcase of that spark.”
     

  • Infront TV deal brings World Cup telecast to North Korea

    Infront TV deal brings World Cup telecast to North Korea

    MUMBAI: Switzerland based sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media has inked a broadcast agreement with the Korean Broadcasting Commission of South Korea (KBC) for Fifa World Cup for the territory of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

    KBC has acquired the broadcasting rights on behalf and for North Korean’s national broadcaster, Korean Radio and Television (KRT), and agreed to support KRT with the broadcast of all 64 matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup via satellite transmission, according to an official release. 

    KRT is planning to transmit the matches of South Korea’s national team as often as possible.

    For the first time in history of the FIFA World Cup there will be licensed coverage of the world’s single biggest sport event in the closed Communist country.

    “The power of the Fifa World Cup is able to bring down barriers of all kinds. The fans in North Korea are now able to enjoy world-class football and experience first hand how the Fifa World Cup brings nations together,” said Infront executive director Oliver Seibert.

    Infront is exclusively responsible for the worldwide marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2006 Fifa World Cup. The company has made the event more widely available than ever before. The release also add that there will be the highest number of broadcasters (more than 500) in the history of the Fifa World Cup and coverage provided in virtually every country of the world.

  • Internet TV ‘Speaking Channel’ debuts in the US

    Internet TV ‘Speaking Channel’ debuts in the US

    MUMBAI: The US-based TVWorldwide.com, in cooperation with Media Training Worldwide, has announced the details for the formal launch of The Speaking Channel, www.speakingchannel.tv, an internet TV channel featuring live and on-demand content for people who want to learn from great speakers and improve on their own speaking skills.

    The companies stated the channel would feature a free video webcast during today’s launch party, live from The Speaking Channel studios near Times Square in New York City, beginning at 6:30 pm, ET. The Speaking Channel was soft-launched during TV Worldwide’s webcast of Streaming Media East in New York City, on the 23 and 24 May.

    Since that time, this internet TV channel has leveraged compelling new content to attract strong audience participation from those interested in honing their presentation skills, whether they are speaking to large or small audiences, the news media or in civic or social arenas, states an official release.

    The channel features content that addresses speaking excellence to build individual presentation skills in the following areas. 1. Business (large and small group presentations). 2. Public life (civic affairs and politics). 3. Work life (employee communication/job interviews). 4. Family/social communication (parties/networking events). The Channel will continue to feature television programming that celebrates outstanding spoken communication and gives viewers learning tools on how to build and improve their own speaking skills, the release adds.

    “This Internet TV Channel has attracted healthy audiences since we soft-launched it in May and we’re excited about the prospects of working with Media Training Worldwide on The Speaking Channel as we launch with the webcast from the Channel’s Times Square Studios,” states TVWorldwide.com CEO Dave Gardy. “By creating and deploying global/local, ‘lean-in’ interactive content for speaking enthusiasts as we’ve done for our other Internet TV channels, we believe we can effectively present a whole new forum for the community of those interested in speaking excellence and improvement. Most important, we know The Speaking Channel will offer our industry partners a unique innovative avenue for communicating with their target demographic audiences through viral on-line distribution as we build the channel’s community.”

  • Zee Cafe announces three new shows for prime time

    Zee Cafe announces three new shows for prime time

    MUMBAI: Zee Café will unveil three new shows in June 2006. The shows ER season IX, Bikini Destinations and Full House Season II & IV will be launched this month in the prime time.

    ER Season IX – Launches June 15, 2006, Thursdays at 10:00 pm: The most nominated drama series in Emmy history, ER, begins its latest season on Zee Café. Even after a record 104 Emmy nominations, 22 Emmy Awards and two prestigious Peabody Awards, ER continues to thrill and entertain audiences around the world. 

    Bikini Destinations – launches June 19, 2006 from Monday to Friday at 11:30 pm: Follow top bikini models as they set sail on a array of adventures to the world’s most alluring locations. Every half-hour episode will witness glamorous swimsuit models on calendar photo shoots around the world. From the beautiful white sand beaches of the Bahamas to the exotic islands of Tahiti, Bikini Destinations is an invitation to enchantment, states an official release.

    Full House Seasons III & IV – Launches on 20-June from Tuesday to Saturday at 6:30 pm : Zee Café is bringing back the first family in American sitcoms to your telly tubes.

  • Scorcese film on Dylan takes grand prize at Banff World Television Awards

    Scorcese film on Dylan takes grand prize at Banff World Television Awards

    MUMBAI: As part of the Annual Banff World Television Festival being held this year from 11 to 14 June, the 27th Annual Banff World Television Awards have announced its winners. In the Grand Prize category, Martin Scorsese’s film, No Direction Home: Bob Dylan walked away with the award.

    The Banff International Jury met prior to the Festival to screen the 18 “Best-of” category winners to decide the Grand Prize winner. This category represents countries from around the world including Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    “The International Jury was proud to be able to choose a Grand Prize Winner from such an illustrious slate,” said Jury Chair, Loren Mawhinney. “All members of the jury felt privileged to be given both this responsibility and this opportunity to screen such wonderful television.”

    The NHK President’s Prize which recognizes excellence in the HDTV industry, was handed out to Queen of Trees. In addition, Y in Vyborg and The Rise and Fall of the Russian Oligarchs took home the Rockie Awards, which were the Special Jury Prizes. An official release stated that 2006 saw the largest number of entries submitted over the past five years. Awards were handed out in a variety of categories with 15 different countries taking home the honours.

    The list of the winners for the 27th Annual Banff World Television Award are as follows:

    Grand Prize
    No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
    Broadcaster: PBS, USA.

    Special Jury Prize
    Y in Vyborg
    Broadcaster: YLE Teema, Finland.

    Special Jury Prize
    The Rise and Fall of the Russian Oligarchs
    Broadcaster: ARTE, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands, Finland.

    NHK President’s Prize
    The Queen of Trees
    Broadcaster: BBC TWO, Kenya, Japan, USA, UK, Germany.

    Category: Animation Program
    Jane and the Dragon: Shall We Dance
    Broadcaster: YTV, Canada, New Zealand.

    Category: Arts Documentary
    No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
    Broadcaster: PBS, USA.

    Category: Children’s Program
    Odd one out: Very normal, really
    Broadcaster: Z@ppelin Channel 3, The Netherlands.

    Category: Comedy
    Extras: Kate Winslet
    Broadcaster: BBC TWO, UK.

    Category: Continuing Series
    Life on Mars
    Broadcaster: BBC, UK.

    Category: Family & Youth Program
    The Hobart Shakespeareans
    Broadcaster: PBS, USA.

    Category: Feature Length Documentaries
    White Platoon, Baghdad 2004
    Broadcaster: France 2, France, Belgium.

    Category: History & Biography Program
    Speer und Er (Speer & Hitler): The Devil’s Architect
    Broadcaster: ARD, Germany.

    Category: Information – Current Affairs
    Mischief: A Dirty Weekend in Hospital
    Broadcaster: BBC THREE, UK.

    Category: Interactive
    ReGenesis II: Extended Reality Game
    Broadcaster: The Movie Network and Movie Central, Canada.

    Category: Lifestyle Programs
    Jamie’s School Dinners
    Broadcaster: Channel 4, UK.

    Category: Made for TV Movie
    Maria’s Last Journey
    Broadcaster: German Television 1 Channel, Germany.

    Category: Mini-Series
    Bleak House
    Broadcaster: BBC ONE, UK, USA.

    Category: Performance Program
    Enough Rope
    Broadcaster: SVT (Sveriges Television), Sweden.

    Category: Popular Science & Natural History Programs
    The Cyborg Revolution
    Broadcaster: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Japan.

    Category: Social & Political Documentary
    Children of Beslan
    Broadcaster: BBC TV, UK, USA.

    Category: Sports Program
    Viva Baseball
    Broadcaster: Spike TV, USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico.

    Category: Unscripted Entertainment Programs
    Young Black Farmers
    Broadcaster: Channel 4, UK.

  • NRI group to launch terrestrial movie channel in Africa

    NRI group to launch terrestrial movie channel in Africa

    MUMBAI: Channel 2 Group Corporation in a joint venture with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has announced its plans to launch a 24 hour movie channel Channel 2 Movies.

    With this new initiative, the Channel 2 Group Corp. attempts to expand the terrestrial broadcast operations across Africa. It will incorporate a mix of the latest entertainment from Hollywood and Bollywood.

    According to an official release, the channel finds it “imperative to address the targeted audience with customized entertainment options.”

    Soaps like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, with English subtitles are said to be popular amongst African viewers.

    Channel 2 also claims to have a strong network with the Indian Film Industry and has signed a strategic alliance with Kenya Film Commission (KFC). With support from the government, Kenya now opens its doors to the Indian Film Industry.

    The Channel 2 Group Corporation Chairperson Ajay Sethi said, “Channel 2 will be the first terrestrial unique movie channel in Africa, and will bring to its viewers the very latest in movie and entertainment mix. Channel 2 shall be expanded to other African countries on terrestrial platforms and has already entered into telecast agreement with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation on the national channel. Our expertise in this field is well established, and with this launch will further strengthen the group’s foothold in Africa.”

    “The total population of Kenya is 40 million, of which KBC already commands an 85 per cent viewership. KBC is a national broadcaster with its strong nationwide infrastructure adding great value to the joint venture and making it a commercially viable project. We expect that the dearth of terrestrial movie channels in Africa will turn Channel 2 into a hugely popular and much desired movie channel.”

    He added, “The channel has been stylized keeping African sensitivities in mind, so the look and feel of the channel will be very African. Channel 2 Movies not only promises its viewers premium quality entertainment, but also provides multinationals and other corporations a world class media vehicle to advertise their wares on.”

    Channel 2 will be hosting the IIFA post award party on the 16 June 2006 at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai. Kenya Film Commission CEO Wachira Waruru will be present at the awards, informs the release.

    In addition, another associate company of the Channel 2 Group Corp., UAE’s Channel 729, has already signed a telecast agreement with KBC, whereby KBC has broadcasted hours of Channel 729 free to air on its terrestrial channel to its viewers, adds the release.

  • eBay to add Skype phone link to listings

    MUMBAI: After paying a whopping $2.6 billion to acquire Skype last year, eBay has announced its first major business plan: to integrate the internet tele-calling service with its customer feedback system.


    Starting 19 June, sellers in 14 selected categories will be able to add a free “Skype Me” button to their listings. Potential buyers, who are looking for more information directly, can then communicate with the seller using voice, text chat, or both through the new facility.


    How does this work? Sellers will be able to embed simple “Skype Me” icons alongside product listing to allow users to contact them using a new feature, “Ask a seller a question.” The feature is free and designed to allow people to answer quick questions before completing specific purchases. When a potential buyer clicks the “Skype Me” button on the Web page, buyers can instantly be put into contact with the seller via a web-based voice call, a text message, or both.


    eBay‘s North American auction business president Bill Cobb said in a statement that, the company was set to begin a trial programme on its U.S. site to evaluate how Skype can be used to connect sellers to buyers seeking product information before they buy. “Skype represents a tremendous opportunity for our sellers to connect even more closely with their buyers,” Cobb said.


    Eyebrows were raised when eBay spent such a humungous amount to acquire Skype which had revenues less than $100 million. The recent move provides part of eBay‘s strategy as it targets to double Skype‘s revenues.

  • eBay to add Skype phone link to listings

    eBay to add Skype phone link to listings

    MUMBAI: After paying a whopping $2.6 billion to acquire Skype last year, eBay has announced its first major business plan: to integrate the internet tele-calling service with its customer feedback system.

    Starting 19 June, sellers in 14 selected categories will be able to add a free “Skype Me” button to their listings. Potential buyers, who are looking for more information directly, can then communicate with the seller using voice, text chat, or both through the new facility.

    How does this work? Sellers will be able to embed simple “Skype Me” icons alongside product listing to allow users to contact them using a new feature, “Ask a seller a question.” The feature is free and designed to allow people to answer quick questions before completing specific purchases. When a potential buyer clicks the “Skype Me” button on the Web page, buyers can instantly be put into contact with the seller via a web-based voice call, a text message, or both.

    eBay’s North American auction business president Bill Cobb said in a statement that, the company was set to begin a trial programme on its U.S. site to evaluate how Skype can be used to connect sellers to buyers seeking product information before they buy. “Skype represents a tremendous opportunity for our sellers to connect even more closely with their buyers,” Cobb said.

    Eyebrows were raised when eBay spent such a humungous amount to acquire Skype which had revenues less than $100 million. The recent move provides part of eBay’s strategy as it targets to double Skype’s revenues.