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  • BBC to air Fifa World Cup matches on broadband in the UK

    BBC to air Fifa World Cup matches on broadband in the UK

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has signed a deal with Infront Sports & Media, the company responsible for the worldwide marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2006 World Cup.

    This will allow internet users in the UK to watch all the games online.

    All of the BBC’s TV games will be live and free-to-air with online viewers able to access the games at bbc.co.uk/worldcup and bbc.co.uk/sport – viewing of these matches will be restricted to those that live in the UK.

    All of the BBC’s group games as well as all the subsequent games that the BBC has in the knockout stages will be available on these sites.

    The BBC will also have the exclusive rights to England’s second round and quarter-final games should they reach that stage.

    Furthermore, the BBC has non-exclusive rights to short highlights from every 2006 World Cup game. There will be four-minute clips from all of the 64 matches available on-demand whenever users want to view them.

    For the BBC’s matches, viewers will be able to stream the same coverage and commentary as on TV as will appear on terrestrial television.

    Also, in addition to watching the games, online users will be able to hear and read about the latest action – BBC Radio Five Live will have an audio stream from 2006 World Cup game and there will also be live minute-by-minute reports on every match written by BBC journalists.

    BBC director of sport Roger Mosey said, “Our audiences now expect to get BBC Sport on television, on radio and online – and the World Cup on broadband is our biggest commitment yet to bringing people major events where and when they want them.

    “You can watch the World Cup from the BBC at home on TV – or listen in the car on your radio – and now also see full live coverage on your PC. We know that a lot of online viewing is done in the office, so we suspect this will allow people both to do their job and to keep up with the very latest action from Germany.”

    BBC director of sports rights Dominic Coles says, “The BBC has great traditions in sport but we also want to be the most modern provider of content, and our move into broadband reflects this.”

    The BBC has successfully broadcast football over the internet before, but this is by far its biggest-ever single commitment.

    In 2005 the BBC showed the final of the Fifa Club World Championship Toyota Cup Japan between Liverpool and Sao Paulo online to UK internet users.

    Similarly the BBC also broadcast online all the interactive streams from Athens 2004 Olympics.

    This latest deal follows this week’s announcement that the BBC will provide UK broadband users with access to five courts of live tennis action during the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.

    The service will replicate coverage from the BBC’s live terrestrial coverage plus the remaining digital interactive feeds. The BBC already has the broadband rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

  • MTV Movie Awards to honour Jim Carrey, Spike Lee

    MTV Movie Awards to honour Jim Carrey, Spike Lee

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that it will honour actor Jim Carrey and director Spike Lee at the MTV Movie Awards which will air in the US on 8 June.

    Carrey will receive the MTV Generation Award for his career and acting roles that have captured and entertained MTV audiences for years.

    Tom Cruise was the first to receive the honour at last year’s Movie Awards ceremony. In addition, MTV will honour Spike Lee with the Silver Bucket of Excellence Award for his film Do The Right Thing

    The show will be hosted by Jessica Alba. Presenters at the awards will include Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves, Eva Mendes, Colin Farrell, Samuel L. Jackson and Matt Dillon.

  • Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    MUMBAI: For the first time, television content from the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has been made available on a download-to-own basis in the US.


    The company has entered into a licensing agreement with CinemaNow Inc. Under this agreement, CinemaNow will be able to sell Warner Bros. TV‘s products electronically. Customers can legally purchase and download content from Warner Bros. through the website, www.cinemanow.com.


    “We‘re very excited to add Warner Bros.‘ content to our electronic-sell-through offering and to be the first to make Warner Bros. Television‘s product available on the open Internet for purchase,” said CinemaNow president Bruce Eisen.


    CinemaNow recently struck a licensing deal with Buena Vista Home Entertainment


    The Warner Bros. TV series already available from 1 June include Babylon 5 and Dukes of Hazzard, with additional titles to be added soon. In addition, movies such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey are also available through this facility , informs an official release.


    Also, as soon as DVD releases hit retail stores, they will simultaneously be available on the site. These include, Firewall and 16 Blocks to be out on 6 and 13 June respectively. All content will be copy protected by Microsoft‘s Windows Digital Rights Management software, adds the release.


    “This is an important step for our US distribution efforts,” said Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group SVP Digital Distribution Jim Wuthrich. “This is one more way for consumers to enjoy Warner Bros. high quality digital entertainment.”
    Besides Warner Bros., and Buena Vista, CinemaNow has agreements in place with content providers including 20th Century Fox Corp., ABC News, The Walt Disney Co., HDNet, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., Miramax Films, NBC Universal, Sony Entertainment Corp. and Sundance Channel.

  • Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show by Anita Dongre

    Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show by Anita Dongre

    Concept: MusicScapes

    This year, the fashion showcase at the Mercedes Golf Tournament is all about rhythm and music put together in a distinctive style. An excellent way to express rhythm is through stylized fashion showcase.

    Music is a poignant way to express depth and simplicity. Fashion is the finest way to express style and elegance. The theme Music Scapes celebrates both music and fashion on the same platform in a simple yet elegant entertainment format.

    The Collection:

    The collection has been specially designed keeping in mind the theme for the Mercedes Trophy. Each of the five sequences represents a different style of music and rhythm.

    The collection is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz attributes of Attitude, Technology, Tradition, Different Definition and Sophistication.
    Each of these attributes are linked to a distinctive genre of music and presented as a musical élange of fashion excellence.

    Designer: Anita Dongre

    Anita Dongre is renowned designer, who has been a part of the fashion industry over 15 years. Both her couture label and pr?t line ‘AND’ are available across India. Anita’s clothes have always been synonymous with elegance and sophistication.

  • DoCoMo & Hutchison partner for i-mode deal

    DoCoMo & Hutchison partner for i-mode deal

    MUMBAI: Japan’s NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong, have jointly announced a partnership to bring i-mode services to Hong Kong and Macau by the end of the year, thus, extending Hutchison Telecom’s outreach in Asia.

    The parties also agreed to launch an IC card technology service, often referred to as the wallet-phone in Japan, on i-mode enabled handsets.

    According to a release, DoCoMo will provide the technology and marketing expertise to the partnership, enabling Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong to offer i-mode services. Hutchison phone customers would be able to download credit onto their cell phones, swipe and use it whenever required. However, the financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

    First introduced in 1999 by NTT DoCoMo, i-mode allows mobile phone users to access the Internet and provide for facilities such as emailing, web surfing, paying bills and shopping.

    Stating that the service will be available within a few months, Hutchison Telecom CEO Dennis Lui, added, “We are delighted by this partnership. In addition to providing cutting-edge services for our customers, it consolidates our position as Hong Kong’s most forward-looking mobile operator, as we continue to lead innovative developments in the mobile industry and seek to shape the communications market into the future.”

    NTT DoCoMo senior VP and MD of Multimedia Services, Takeshi Natsuno commented, “We are confident that this strategic partnership will bring multiple synergies for both companies as well as other member operators. We are also proud to announce our common strategy in bringing our wallet-phone experience from Japan to the region. This new partnership will certainly drive further expansion of i-mode in the global arena.”

    “With its proven business model and unique service platform, i-mode creates an open gateway for content providers. They will be able to immediately tap into the vast potential of one of the largest mobile customer bases in Hong Kong supported by one of the most advanced mobile networks in the world. We will work with content providers to spearhead the next generation of mobile Internet development in Hong Kong,” added Lui.

    In addition to DoCoMo in Japan, the signing of this agreement, will have licensed 16 i-mode operators in 24 countries around the world. Also, SMART Communications, Inc. is currently preparing to launch the service in the Philippines, adds the release.

  • Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    MUMBAI: For the first time, television content from the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has been made available on a download-to-own basis in the US.

    The company has entered into a licensing agreement with CinemaNow Inc. Under this agreement, CinemaNow will be able to sell Warner Bros. TV’s products electronically. Customers can legally purchase and download content from Warner Bros. through the website, www.cinemanow.com.

    “We’re very excited to add Warner Bros.’ content to our electronic-sell-through offering and to be the first to make Warner Bros. Television’s product available on the open Internet for purchase,” said CinemaNow president Bruce Eisen.

    CinemaNow recently struck a licensing deal with Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

    The Warner Bros. TV series already available from 1 June include Babylon 5 and Dukes of Hazzard, with additional titles to be added soon. In addition, movies such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey are also available through this facility , informs an official release.

    Also, as soon as DVD releases hit retail stores, they will simultaneously be available on the site. These include, Firewall and 16 Blocks to be out on 6 and 13 June respectively. All content will be copy protected by Microsoft’s Windows Digital Rights Management software, adds the release.

    “This is an important step for our US distribution efforts,” said Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group SVP Digital Distribution Jim Wuthrich. “This is one more way for consumers to enjoy Warner Bros. high quality digital entertainment.”

    Besides Warner Bros., and Buena Vista, CinemaNow has agreements in place with content providers including 20th Century Fox Corp., ABC News, The Walt Disney Co., HDNet, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., Miramax Films, NBC Universal, Sony Entertainment Corp. and Sundance Channel.

  • Channel7 re-launches with new on-air look

    Channel7 re-launches with new on-air look

    MUMBAI: Starting 5 June, Hindi news channel Channel7 will relaunch donning a new on-air look.

    Florida-based VDO has developed the new look for the channel where the management control was recently taken over by the Television Eighteen Group from Jagran TV.

    The new logo, look and packaging are designed to contemporize the network, informs an official release from Channel7.

    The entire on-air environment, which includes the channel identity, show openers and on-air graphic packages, has been created keeping in consideration the changing preferences of the viewers, the channel claimed.

    The channel’s director marketing Dilip Venkatraman said in a statement, “The idea behind the new logo is to give it a contemporary look. The new logo is also aimed at communicating the core brand values of the channel and its
    philosophy.”

    According to VDO senior producer Dianne Streyer, “The idea behind changing the on-air look of the channel was to make it more modern and connect with the viewers. The Indian market is cluttered with plethora of news channels and it was important to give it a distinctive look to create a unique identity for Channel 7.”

    VDO was also instrumental in developing the on-air look for CNN-IBN. The company designs brand packaging solutions for networks, broadcast groups, stations and cable channels. Its client portfolio boasts of well known
    broadcasters such as NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox.

  • MTV launches celebrity romance reality show ‘Ishq Deewane’

    MTV launches celebrity romance reality show ‘Ishq Deewane’

    MUMBAI: MTV is premiering a celebrity romance reality show MTV Ishq Deewane on 3 June at 7:30 pm. 

    Through its 12 episodes, MTV Ishq Deewane will unravel the real world of the couples and introduce audiences to the little things that bind them together, states an official release.

    The half-hour format consists of three segments – meeting the couple, setting up the task and the big suprise in the end. 

    The channel will showcase the celebrity couples like Shweta & Manav Gohil, Rajeshwari & Varun Badola, Manasi & Rohit Roy and Delnaz & Rajiv Paul amongst others in the show, adds the official release.

    MTV Networks India VP and GM creative and content Ashish Patil says, “With shows like Loveline, Love ke liye and more, MTV’s always been a love guru. We now take it to level 2 with true life love stories and some really wicked surprises delivered MTV style by your favorite celebrities only on Ishq Deewane!”

    On the marketing front of MTV Ishq Deewane, the channel plans an aggressive push on-ground. Within the first two weeks, MTV plans to engage its audiences on-ground innovatively through road shows in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

    It has also tied-up with Baskin Robbins and launched a special double-scooped Ishq Deewane Sundae. Anyone who orders this sundae, gets another one of the same, free. 

    On the home entertainment front, the channel has tied-up with Excel Videos, to put out MTV Ishq Deewane Superstars Ka Super Pyaar DVD Collection Offer

  • Star India acquires four films including ‘Rang De..’ from UTV for Rs 160 million

    Star India acquires four films including ‘Rang De..’ from UTV for Rs 160 million

    MUMBAI: Star India has acquired the telecast rights to the Aamir Khan starrer Rang De Basanti from UTV. The block buster film has been bought over along with three other UTV productions as a package for around Rs 160 million, according to market sources.

    The other three movies Star has acquired are Chup Chup Ke, The Blue Umbrella and an un-titled David Dhawan project.

    Confirming the acquisition to indiantelevision.com, Star Entertainment India CEO Sameer Nair said Star channels would premiere Rang De Basanti in the last quarter of the calendar year. “We have acquired four movies, including Rang De Basanti, from UTV through a package deal. We will telecast Rang De Basanti some time around October 2006,” says Nair. However, Nair refused to confirm the acquisition price.

    Rang De Basanti has been the biggest grosser for UTV Motion Pictures this year. The movie, starring the ensemble cast of Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi and Alice Patten, is directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

    Scheduled for a 9 June release, Chup Chup Ke will see popular director Priyadarshan delivering yet another South remake. The film is the Hindi version of the Malayalam blockbuster laugh riot Punjabi House. Chup Chup Ke stars Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav and Om Puri.

    The Blue Umbrella, directed by Vishal Bharadwaj has Pankaj Kapur donning the title role. Released in December 2005, this low-budget movie had won a lot of critical acclaim. The fourth movie in question is a David Dhawan venture which is about to go on floor.

    The new UTV collection beefs up Star India’s blockbuster bank. The network has already acquired titles such as Krrish, Taxi No.9211 and Bluffmaster. Some of the other movies Star has acquired this year include Apaharan, Ankahee, Shikhar, Family and Aksar.

    While Star India has pocketed a significant number of big movies to telecast this year, competitiors Zee Cinema and Max are gearing up for some tough fight. Zee Cinema has re-branded its driver property Shaniwaar Ki Raat Amitabh Ke Saath and recently telecast the big movie Garam Masala. Other key telecast rights the channel holds include Umrao Jaan, Pyare Mohan and Home Delivery, according to sources.

    On the other hand, Max is banking on some of the 2005 blockbusters such as Salaam Namaste, Kalyug and Zeher. It is expected that Yash Raj Films’ latest release Fanaa and the upcoming biggy Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna will also go to Max.