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FIFA and adidas celebrate women’s football
Berlin/Herzogenaurach, June 22, 2006 – Today, the Match Ball for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup* was officially unveiled at the Women’s Football Day at the adidas World of Football in Berlin. adidas Brand President and CEO Erich Stamminger and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter handed over the new match ball to the General Secretary of the Organizing Committee Nan Yong and Chinese football star and FIFA Ambassador Sun Wen.
Women’s football continues to expand its size, its participation, recognition and audience around the globe. At adidas we are firmly dedicated to supporting women’s football and to developing products that allow female players to further enhance their performance. We are already looking forward to the FIFA Women’s World Cup* in China next year,” commented Erich Stamminger, President and CEO of the adidas brand. The Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World CupT China 2007 will feature the same performance characteristics as the adidas +TeamgeistT, the Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup 2006T. The revolutionary 14-panel ball construction brings down the number of three-panel touch points by 60% (from 60 to 24) and the total length of the panel lines is reduced by over 15% (from 400.05 cm to 333.93 cm) and will now also provide the world’s best female players with significant improvements in both accuracy and control. The design is inspired by the event logo and the traditional Chinese colors red and blue. The Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World CupT China 2007 will be available in retail from 2007 onwards. Women’s football is on the rise worldwide. FIFA and adidas, the global leader in football, are firmly committed to contribute to the further development of this beautiful sport wherever it is being played, shared and celebrated. adidas will be the Official Partner, Official Supplier & Official Licensee of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup* and will equip some of the world’s best teams such as reigning FIFA World CupT Champion Germany and host China. For any further information, you may contact: Tina Mahajan |
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adidas unveils Match Ball for 2007 FIFA women’s World Cup
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Mega finale of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge ‘Dwitiya’ airs on 23 June
Mumbai, June 23, 2005: Its time to roll out the red carpet; blow the trumpets & applaud the ‘best of the best!’… After weeks of laughter clubbed with high levels of anticipation, the much-awaited MEGA FINALE of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge ‘Dwitiya’ is here… where the 7 final contenders Khayali Saharan from Chandigarh, Rajkumar Javkar, Dr. Tushar Shah, Rajeev Nigam from Mumbai, Pratap Fauzdar from Agra, Rauf Lala & the comic duo Ali Hasan & Irfan Malik from Pakistan gear up to clash in the nationwide comic talent hunt for the coveted ‘Hasi Ka Shahenshah’ Title and win the Chevrolet Aveo! And hotting up the MEGA FINALE on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 10 p.m. would be the gorgeous & scintillating Bipasha Basu as the race for the title reaches its finish line!
Last week (part 1 of the finals), saw macho actor Suniel Shetty as the celebrity judge who was enthralled by the rare performances and brilliant comic antics!
The temperatures will soar & the anticipation will rise during the MEGA FINALE, as the final episode will witness the clash of the 7 Finalists (unlike season 1 which had 6 contenders) who will perform to prove their talent to garner maximum viewers’ votes.
The countdown has begun… Whether it’s Dr. Tushar Shah’s subtle style of comic delivery or Rajeev Nigam’s political sattire. Not to forget Khayali’s witty gags, one-liners and punches or Rajkumar Javkar’s heroic muppet Ranchoo. The perfect laurel and hardy, Ali Hasan & Irfan Malik with their perfect chemistry hailing from across the border are worth a watch! An exciting tie in the 3rd semi-finals also saw Rauf Lala making it to the Finals with his spontaneity and comic timing. And last but not the least Pratap Fauzdar who has managed to tickle everybody’s funny bone and is one of the favourites in this competition. From 60 contestants to 13 and now 7, the race to win the coveted title – Hasi Ka Shahenshah has just gotten tougher.
The show has been a phenomenon in itself, bringing the entire nation to a groundbreaking experience that has taken millions of Indians voting for their favourite contestants. In its second avatar this year, the show also created a grandeur platform for upcoming comedians from India and across the border who demonstrated their creativity and gained phenomenal recognition amongst the comic aficionados. The show also witnessed high celebrity quotient such as Sameera Reddy, Soha Ali Khan, Koena Mitra, Priyanka Chopra & heartthrob Hrithik Roshan amongst others as a part of the discerning panel of judges.
After 16 weeks of non-stop entertainment, laughter & tough competition, the countdown has begun! And now its time for the final verdict…as the fate of these 6 finalists will depend equally on the decision of the judges and the viewer votes. So gear up for the GRAND FINALE and vote for your favourite contestants…
Tune into STAR ONE for fun, laughter and entertainment this Friday, June 23, 2006 at 10:00 p.m. for the battle between the best!
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IC Chip magazine offers World Cup 2006 Special
MUMBAI, May 31, 2006 – Technology changes fast and one needs to keep abreast of developments. IC CHIP magazine, which is at the heart of technology, brings you technology updates, reviews and tests on computing products. But IC CHIP now goes behind the scenes to explore the technology behind the world’s biggest sporting event – the FIFA World Cup 2006.
The world’s most watched event draws the attention of millions of spectators from almost every country, regardless of participation. Indian’s may be hooked on to cricket, but the football World Cup is a much-watched event. Everyone here is gearing up for a month long football extravaganza. And the event will be aired live on prime time television by India’s premier sports channels.
A significant annual investment goes towards research and development. That improves the game, both for players and spectators. The World Cup may also be regarded as a stage to display the fruits of this technology research.
Computerized ticketing using embedded chips with RFID technology, will ensure security. The authorities are also taking comfort levels to a new high by constructing state-of-art stadiums and facilities for spectators. Broadcasting the World Cup in HDTV, the high-definition format with crystal clear images, will be a giant step towards making the TV audience feel like they are actually there in the stadium.
The footsteps of technology can not only be seen in world-class facilities for the spectators, but also in the new wave of technology implants that promise to change the way the game is played today. For example, chip-embedded balls in conjunction with a computer are helping referees make crucial goal-line decisions.
IC CHIP aspires to sensitize its readers with the latest in technology, and that extends beyond personal computers. Since the country has caught football World Cup fever, IC CHIP magazine planned an all-color 16-page supplement dedicated to the World Cup. In this supplement, it takes a behind-the-scenes look at the technology driving football’s finest event.
Within its pages you’ll learn how technology is an enabler for the World Cup. Another article looks at moments of controversy from past World Cup tournaments, where technology could have helped resolve never-ending controversies. At the end of the supplement, there’s a run down of what you can expect in this season’s tournament.
The schedule of matches unfolds in a colourful center spread. And its large pullout posters will soon find a place on your walls. Don’t miss the review of the movie “Escape to Victory” which has its exciting and dramatic moments. And to wrap it up there’s some interesting world cup trivia.
With this supplement, IC CHIP takes a bold step towards diversifying its reader-base. By reaching out to a larger, varied audience, CHIP continues to be the leader when it comes to innovation and delivering the latest in technology.
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Roller coaster ride on Reality TV this June
New Delhi, June 1, 2006: Throughout June a series of exciting and gripping shows will be premiered on Reality TV – a 24-hour entertainment channel that showcases programmes on real people with true stories. The interesting line-up for the month includes shows like The Great Shark Hunt, The Repossessors, Video Vigilantes, Cheaters Series 4, Daring Capers, Dr G Medical Examiner and Patient Files.
Reality TV has been captivating audiences worldwide through an eclectic mix of real life programmes that portray myriad experiences, feats, idiosyncrasies, aspirations and sentiments. Each programme captures events as they actually happened.
Announcing the new shows, Flecka Picardo, Marketing Manager of Reality TV – Asia, said, “It has been Reality TV’s conscious attempt to provide meaningful, real life entertainment filled programmes to our Indian viewers. We are confident that these new programmes will further strengthen the position of the channel in India and will be appreciated by our viewers.”
The Great Shark Hunt documents the struggle for regulation of the shark meat industry in order to maintain the shark population. The programme promises an extensive new footage of sharks in their natural habitat.
The Repossessors will take you to the front lines of the ongoing war between car lenders and delinquent debtors. Witness firsthand behind-the-scenes planning and successful execution of a wide variety of auto repossessions. Follow a variety of other repo men from different parts of the country as they prepare for and carry out their high stakes missions. Surveillance, hidden cameras, disguises, extensive planning, sheer instinct and sometimes partnering with Federal Marshals are all a part of the process of devising the perfect hit.
Video Vigilantes is a show that showcases curtain twitching into the 21st Century. The camcorder revolution has taken Neighbourhood Watch to new extreme levels. From shopping kerb crawlers and drug dealers to nabbing knicker thieves and randy rozzers, video vigilantism is rife and it’s here to stay.
Reality TV Channel continues with some of its popular programmes like Cheaters Series 4, Daring Capers, Dr G Medical Examiner and Patient Files in June.
Cheaters, a popular part of the Reality TV schedule continues with new episodes in June, with presenter Joy Greco uncovering yet more infidelity. Cheaters follows Joey and his team of private investigators as they sneak their way into suspects’ houses and plant surveillance cameras to keep a beady eye on what the mice get up to when the cat’s away. Discretion and tact are never allowed to get in the way of a good catfight on this show, and Grand’s clients are always shown the steamy evidence against their naughtier halves before being led by the crew to confront them.
Enticingly dangerous and devilishly clever: Daring Capers involves con artists to cat burglars, who tiptoe through the high-stakes world of the cunning crooks who mastermind the world’s most daring capers. Daring Capers reveals a rogue’s gallery of bank robbers, art thieves and debonair con artists who tried to steal their way to wealth through brilliant ploys and slick transactions.
One of America’s most respected and charismatic forensic pathologists, Dr. Jan Garavaglia takes viewers on an unprecedented look behind-the scenes at the world of science, mystery and justice in Dr G: Medical Examiner. Each one-hour episode will include actual, in-depth examinations and autopsies, as well as the exploration and investigative filed work conducted by Dr. G and her team at the Orange-Osceola County Medical Examiner’s office in Florida. With extraordinary 24/7 access to the medical investigators, the morgue staff, Dr. G reveals the intimate, inner workings of an extraordinary forensic pathology lab. This gripping medical series is currently number-one in prime time for Discovery Health. Audiences can’t seem to get enough!
Patient Files is a dramatic documentary series that explores the world of an emerging generation of medical pioneers and their patients. The stories are set in North America’s renowned Sunnybrook & Women’s College Hospital — one of the first hospitals in the world geared towards the research and treatment of women’s health. Each episode will feature patients as they make critical journeys from illness and treatment to recovery – all at the hands of courageous and compassionate medical teams dedicated to women’s medicine. It will portray the challenges patients and medical professionals face in receiving and delivering care differently. The series will draw audiences into the dramatic stories of women facing everything from cardiovascular disease to cervical cancer; from high-risk pregnancy to facial reconstruction and more.
About Reality TV
Reality TV is an entertainment channel that tells stories of real people in real life situations and events as they actually happened. Reality TV is successfully reaching all corners of the globe providing thrills, spills and unbeatable round-the-clock entertainment 365 days a year. Zone Vision’s Reality TV channel was first launched in Europe in late 1999 and has gained distribution in more than 120 territories in just four years. The most significant recent launches were in the UK, where the channel is now available to more than 8 million cable and satellite subscribers and consistently rates in the top 50 channels in a 300+ channel market, and in the US where the channel launched in December 2003 on the Dish Network satellite platform. Worldwide, Reality TV is now broadcast in 16 different languages and is available to over 35 million subscribers.Reality TV has a viewership of over 15 million Indian households across the country. The channel is distributed by Zee Turner and is also available on the DTH platform, Dish TV.
About Zone Vision Networks
Based in London, Zone Vision Networks is a leading international broadcaster and distributor of thematic television channels. The company was founded in 1991 and today has 18 offices and studios throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America.In addition to its operating group in London and international headquarters in Amsterdam, Zone Vision also has 18 regional offices. With over 250 specialist personnel, the company’s commitment to understanding and addressing the unique business needs of international broadcasting is unparalleled. Activities conducted by the Group include channel creation and management, channel representation and program sales.
Zone Vision Networks owns and operates four thematic channels: Reality TV, Europa Europa, Romantica and Club, which are broadcast in over 125 countries in 18 languages, with over 135 million paying subscribers. ZVN are also equity affiliates in the studio blockbuster movie entertainment channel, Showtime (Turkey). In addition, Zone Vision has a successful channel representation business and currently represents over 30 international channels from such companies as Discovery, Viacom, Turner, Hallmark and Eurosport, managing over 60 million subscribers. Zone Vision also has a program distribution business and continues to acquire formats, series and specials from leading producers around the world.
Zone Vision Networks is 87.5% owned by chellomedia, a division of UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (“UGC”) (NASDAQ: UCOMA).
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EMI releases music catalog on Qtrax
MUMBAI: EMI Group would make its music catalog available to the first advertising supported peer-to-peer service as the entertainment industry embraces the same technology that once nearly crippled it.
The service, called Qtrax, was developed by LTDnetwork, and at launch, will provide consumers the ability to download songs for free only as well as the option to subscribe to a premium version of the service or to purchase music tracks and albums on an a la carte basis.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Working with Qtrax is just one way EMI is actively supporting emerging business models, technologies and platforms to deliver music to fans,” said EMI Music North America chairman and CEO David Munns. “We believe Qtrax offers a good consumer experience and significant up-selling opportunities. Our collaboration with Qtrax will give us great consumer insight and help us gauge the boundaries between sampling and purchasing music. Ultimately, the feedback we get from Qtrax will help EMI be more responsive to consumer demand. The Qtrax service will also ensure that our artists are compensated for their works and that the value of their music and integrity of our content is protected.”
In an official release, Qtrax will offer two tiers of service: the first is a free, advertising-supported tier designed to work with and filter copyrighted content from existing peer-to-peer networks.
The second tier is a premium subscription service which will require a monthly fee. The two-tiered business model is intended to attract a broad base of consumers to try out the service, and then graduate those consumers to purchase music permanently or subscribe.
In the ad-supported, free tier, users will be able to search the network for specific tracks, and those tracks registered with Qtrax will be made available for download in Qtrax’s proprietary “.mpq” file format.
Users will then be able to play the downloaded .mpq file in full-fidelity sound quality for a pre-defined number of times. Each time a consumer plays a track, the Qtrax player will also offer fans click-to-buy purchase options, as well as the opportunity to upgrade to a premium subscription service for a flat monthly fee.
The premium subscription service tier uses Microsoft’s Janus DRM technology, which allows consumers to pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to music in the Qtrax network. Subscribers will also have the ability to transfer content to Windows Media enabled portable devices for as long as the subscription stays active.
The service will also include consumer-friendly community-building and music discovery tools, which enable fans to easily access to a vast selection of music and other content, all while generating revenues for artists and content owners.
In addition, Qtrax will offer incentive programs that will allow fans to accrue points redeemable for additional plays for tracks acquired through the free service, or for discounts off a la carte purchases or subscription fees.
“Qtrax is an innovative approach to creating a legitimate P2P offering, so we are pleased that EMI has agreed to be the first of the major music companies to participate. In addition to offering a great consumer experience which we believe will get more consumers excited about digital music, Qtrax will ensure that artists are getting paid when their songs are accesses in a P2P environment. In addition, EMI and other music companies will share in Internet advertising revenues, which according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers reached a new record of $3.9 billion for the first quarter of 2006 in the US — a 38 percent increase over Q1 2005,” said Brilliant Technologies parent company of LTDnetwork president & CEO Allan Klepfisz.
The Qtrax service is expected to enter a test phase later this year and will initially pilot the service in the United States. In preparation for the launch, EMI will immediately begin delivering and registering its content with Qtrax’s filtering system, powered by Audible Magic.
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Sify enters online travel space with Globe Travels’ acquisition
MUMBAI: Sify Limited has acquired Globe Travels, an online issuer of e-tickets in the India-US travel space. This acquisition marks Sify’s entry into the fast growing online travel business, particularly e-ticketing, the category with highest revenues and fastest growth in online ecommerce today.
In a country with low PC penetration, Sify is particularly well-placed with 3300 iWay cyber cafes across 153 cities from which more than a million people accessed the internet in the last quarter.
Each of these iWay cyber cafes can operate as an e-store from where existing and new customers can make online travel arrangements or purchase e-tickets. The company’s acquisition of Globe Travels will be leveraged to provide value for Sify’s users, while adding additional revenue streams for the company.
Sify Ltd CEO R Ramaraj said, “This strategic acquisition brings into our fold fast growing services that enhance our online offerings to customers, and opens up new sources of revenue. We will also have the benefit of having Globe Travels CEO Herman Noronha, on board along with his team, who will add value with their domain expertise.”
Noronha said, “We are delighted to be a part of the Sify online services network. We decided to partner with Sify, after much deliberation, given the company’s vision, range of online services, extensive reach across India and its technological capabilities.”
With over 20 years of travel industry experience in both India and the USA, Noronha founded Globe Travels in the US in 1993, and built a leading and profitable enterprise in the travel business focused on the US-India market.
Portals senior vice president Surya Mantha said, “The addition of a travel portal is in line with our strategy of providing end-to-end services to Sify users. We believe we are well positioned to emerge as leading player in the online travel space with the unmatched reach afforded by the 3300 iWay cyber cafes across 153 cities, 200,000 home broadband customers, and Sify’s leading online properties including www.SifyMax.in, www.Sify.com and www.Samachar.com, the popular portal for global Indians.”
The potential for the growth of travel and ticketing arrangements online in India cannot be underscored. India, today is considered to be one of the fastest growing airline markets in the world in terms of new airlines and the number of aircraft on order.
According to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the number of Indian internet users is slated to grow from the current 38.5 million to over 100 million by 2007-08. As internet users grow, the number of people making travel arrangements online is expected to increase substantially in future. IAMAI has projected a total of $ 262 million in online transactions for 2005-06, of which 57.85 per cent or $152 million is expected in the travel and travel related sectors. Airline ticket sales online are expected to account for $ 88 million, railway ticket sales will follow with $ 63 million. The growth of online sales of air tickets has been given a further impetus by the IATA deadline of 7 December for 100 per cent online ticketing in India, with the airlines promoting online tickets with special fares and benefits, as well as alliances.
Online travel arrangements for global Indians returning to India can also be leveraged on www.samachar.com, particularly in the US-India sector. This segment is growing at 40 per cent year on year, with the opportunity to provide other value added services around a visit to India
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Disney Channel Fun Zone creates rollicking time for over 15,000 kids
MUMBAI: Disney Channel brought yet another innovative opportunity for kids to experience the Disney Channel shows, win goodies and have a blast with their family. Over 15,000 kids and families had a rocking time this weekend at Disney Channel Fun Zone at the DNA YA! Station, an indoor festival for kids organised by the English daily DNA.
In response to a clear need gap for weekend activities that are fun and involving for the entire family, Disney Channel – the entertainment partner for the DNA YA! Station designed the Disney Channel Fun Zone offering kids an opportunity to enjoy themselves with involving activities along with their families.
Of the 2500 who registered at the Disney Channel Fun Zone, 40 kids got the opportunity to watch the ever best Disney movies in a specially designed Movie Theatre.
What’s more, kids tested their acting skills at a special audition booth mimicking their favorite Disney characters and two lucky winners will be featured on Disney Channel.
Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “We believe in providing a complete Disney brand experience every time we establish a contact with the viewer. There is a huge need gap today, of suitable content that has stickiness on-air which can also create involving on-ground-experiences. With innovative initiatives like Disney Channel Fun Zone, we aim to bridge the gap between TV content and on-ground brand experience for the viewers and enable viewers to develop a much stronger bond with Disney Channel.”
The DC Fun Zone comprised six sub-zones, each representing a key property, which include That‘s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire, Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Recess, American Dragon: Jake Long and the Disney Movies.
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Disney Channel Fun Zone creates rollicking time for over 15,000 kids
MUMBAI: Disney Channel brought yet another innovative opportunity for kids to experience the Disney Channel shows, win goodies and have a blast with their family. Over 15,000 kids and families had a rocking time this weekend at Disney Channel Fun Zone at the DNA YA! Station, an indoor festival for kids organised by the English daily DNA.
In response to a clear need gap for weekend activities that are fun and involving for the entire family, Disney Channel – the entertainment partner for the DNA YA! Station designed the Disney Channel Fun Zone offering kids an opportunity to enjoy themselves with involving activities along with their families.
Of the 2500 who registered at the Disney Channel Fun Zone, 40 kids got the opportunity to watch the ever best Disney movies in a specially designed Movie Theatre.
What’s more, kids tested their acting skills at a special audition booth mimicking their favorite Disney characters and two lucky winners will be featured on Disney Channel.
Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “We believe in providing a complete Disney brand experience every time we establish a contact with the viewer. There is a huge need gap today, of suitable content that has stickiness on-air which can also create involving on-ground-experiences. With innovative initiatives like Disney Channel Fun Zone, we aim to bridge the gap between TV content and on-ground brand experience for the viewers and enable viewers to develop a much stronger bond with Disney Channel.”
The DC Fun Zone comprised six sub-zones, each representing a key property, which include That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire, Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Recess, American Dragon: Jake Long and the Disney Movies.
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BBC, Pact agree on new media rights
MUMBAI: The BBC and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) which represents independent producers in the UK have finalised amendments to their existing terms of trade agreement. This gives BBC audiences enhanced opportunities to view their favourite programmes across all platforms and allowing independent production companies greater freedom to exploit new media rights.
The new deal is the first to be struck on new media rights by Pact and a major UK broadcaster and has been achieved within the 31 May deadline for agreement set by Ofcom as part of its TV Production Sector Review.
The key changes to the existing Terms of Trade provide for:
Enhanced opportunities to catch up on BBC programming via the public service window.Viewers will be able to catch up on any episodes of a series they have missed on-demand while the series is still going out. Viewers will also be able to download and store programmes locally to view later. Once accessed, they have seven days to view them. Commercial video-on-demand rights will be available to exploit in the UK for the first time. Independents will also have greater freedom to exploit other new media rights and enjoy an improved share of revenue from commercial exploitation in the UK.
In addition, the BBC will simplify and streamline its procedures in relation to its holdback policy – making the use of independent programmes in the UK much easier and more straightforward.
BBC Television COO Bal Samra said, “There have been some tough negotiations but there is agreement on both sides that these amendments strike a great deal for both the independent production sector and the licence fee payer.”
BBC director of television Jana Bennett said, “This deal has improved what was a fairly narrow public service new media window to view programmes. It creates the possibility – subject to the necessary approvals – for audiences to catch up with their favourite BBC programmes at their convenience. It’s great news for viewer choice and for anyone who wants flexibility as to when and how they watch our output.”