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  • CNN’s daily audience base up 35%: Pax Survey

    CNN’s daily audience base up 35%: Pax Survey

    MUMBAI: Global market research company Synovate Pax’s survey results reveal that CNN’s audience growth across the Asia Pacific region out-paced all gains for the news genre, with daily audiences up by a remarkable 35 per cent year-on-year.

    Further evidence of CNN’s pre-eminence is supported by results that show, the network is viewed by 14 per cent more people each week, and 16 per cent more each month, than all other news and business channels combined, informs an official release.

    This represents the sixth successive set of Pax results to show growth in CNN’s audience, claiming that one which also added 56 per cent more past-week viewers and 65 per cent more past-month viewers than the next placed news channel (BBC World).

    Turner International Asia Pacific VP of research Duncan Morris says, “With the fast pace of globalization more and more people find they need an international perspective so we are absolutely delighted with
    this further ringing endorsement of CNN’s newsgathering credentials.”

    “Our award winning coverage of global events has clearly resonated with our audience, particularly so as we are watched by 39 per cent more top management each day than any other measured channel.

    ” The benefits of this audience growth for advertisers are real as, for example, each month CNN now reaches 169,000 (+40per cent) more people planning to buy an LCD or plasma TV than it did a year ago, as well as 479,000 or 23 per cent more car owners,” adds Morris.

    The full-year survey results, conducted by Synovate, further reveal almost half (46 per cent) of CNN’s weekly audience view no other news/business channel during the course of a week, and 39 per cent of them remain loyal across a month.

    CNN.com remains the leading regional website, visited by 54 per cent more Pax respondents across a month than the next largest broadcaster or publisher’s website.

    Pax represents a universe of 14.2 million adults aged 25-64 within 11 Asia Pacific markets, including Australia (Sydney + Melbourne), Bangkok, Hong Kong, India (Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore), Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo.

    These 14.2 million individuals consist of 13.0 million affluent adults, 3.8 million business decision makers and 0.8 million top management.With a total sample size of over 20,000, Pax fieldwork takes place continually throughout the year. Results are released each quarter on a rolling 4-quarters basis. The Q1-Q4 2005 period represents the latest Pax data release.

  • CBS unveils ‘real-life cross platform media event’ ‘Gold Rush’

    CBS unveils ‘real-life cross platform media event’ ‘Gold Rush’

    MUMBAI: In a significant online, offline and on-air partnership, AOL and Mark Burnett announced a partnership with CBS television to bring the online reality game Gold Rush to life.

    An official release explains, “This is not a television show; this is a real-life cross platform media event where each week new clues will be found within CBS television programs, sponsor commercials, AOL.com and other media properties. After identifying and combining the clues, real-life treasure seekers will embark on a race to find the gold, resulting in a national treasure hunt.”

    Gold Rush begins as thirteen armored trucks laden with gold head off into the darkness, their caches are about to be hidden somewhere in America. Twelve of these trucks contain $100,000 in solid gold and the thirteenth, $1 million dollars in solid gold. Together, over $2 million in solid gold is up for grabs.

    “Gold Rush is a massive cross platform reality event,” says Mark Burnett. “Unlike reality TV shows, where 16 hopefuls can take part to win, Gold Rush will allow potentially millions of players to look for the gold in mediums which are omnipresent, such as the Internet, radio, network television and print magazines. It is a game-changer in the way that the first survivor changed the game.”

    “The combination of the reach of AOL.com, our next-generation free broadband portal, with CBS and the talent of Mark Burnett will make Gold Rush a landmark interactive event not to be missed,” says AOL EVP Kevin Conroy.

    CBS, the exclusive broadcast partner, will work collaboratively with Gold Rush producers to promote the network’s new Fall lineup by integrating aspects of CBS programs and advertising into the game. At the same time the companies will work together to develop online, offline and on-air marketing and cross-promotional activities, states the release.

    “We are thrilled that CBS will be the broadcast home of Gold Rush, which is sure to be this season’s most innovative integrated marketing event,” says CBS Marketing president George Schweitzer. “We believe this partnership will excite our viewers while also attracting new treasure-seeking players who tune into our fall premieres, like what they see and come back for more.”

    Gold Rush, available through the free AOL.com portal, will give players the opportunity to find gold treasure. CBS Television will be deeply integrated into the Gold Rush challenges enriching the game experience by engaging casual players, pop culture junkies, and truly devoted treasure seekers through an integrated web of challenges and entertainment.

    The hunt for gold begins this Fall on AOL.com. For more information, check out www.aol.com/goldrush and www.goldrush.aol.com.

  • BMI Film & TV Awards honour composer Harry Gregson-Williams and Earle Hagen

    BMI Film & TV Awards honour composer Harry Gregson-Williams and Earle Hagen

    MUMBAI: Composers Harry Gregson-Williams and Earle Hagen were recipients of the annual BMI Film & Television Awards. BMI, the U.S. performing rights organization, honoured the composers and songwriters of the music from the past year’s top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs at its annual Film & Television Awards.

    The ceremony was hosted by BMI president & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations VP Doreen Ringer Ross.

    Film composer Gregson-Williams recieved the Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. This is annually awarded to a composer who has made significant contributions to the field of film and television music.

    This British-born Golden Globe nominee has scored such diverse films as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, Man on Fire, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Shrek, Shrek 2, Spy Game, Chicken Run, Kingdom of Heaven, Antz and Domino. Williams was also named the Composer of the Year at the 2005 Hollywood Film Festival.

    Former recipient of the Richard Kirk Award, BMI composer Hagen received the Classic Contribution Award in recognition of more than 50 years as a BMI affiliate and for 10 years of dedication as a mentor and teacher of the BMI workshop he founded in 1986. Hagen’s contribution includes some of the most memorable themes in TV music history like The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy, Make Room for Daddy, Gomer Pyle, USMC, That Girl and The Mod Squad.

    BMI’s Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy winning composers were also celebrated, including Latin rock pioneer Gustavo Santaolalla, whose Brokeback Mountain music earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for A Love That Will Never Grow Old from the movie’s soundtrack.

    Danny Elfman’s Emmy winning theme of Desperate Housewives gave the composer two of his three wins; his score to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory also earned him a BMI Film/TV Award.

    Founded in 1939, BMI is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world, the non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

  • MTV and Nickelodeon to launch in New Zealand on Sky Television

    MTV and Nickelodeon to launch in New Zealand on Sky Television

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins has announced plans to launch a wholly-owned and operated localised MTV and the re-launch of Nickelodeon as a fully-customised channel for audiences in New Zealand.

    MTV New Zealand will launch as a 24-hour network, with localised and signature MTV programming beginning 19 August 2006.

    Nickelodeon, the widely distributed network for kids, will re-launch in New Zealand on 1 August as a fully-customised channel.

    Both channels will be carried by Sky Television and made available to more than 650,000 homes, representing 43 per cent of all television homes in New Zealand. The channels will benefit from local productions, locally-tailored programming, scheduling, on-air promos and feature New Zealand presenters.

    “Young people in New Zealand enjoy a lifestyle, sensibility and appetite for pop culture and entertainment that is totally unique, so it is particularly exciting to bring them dedicated MTV and Nickelodeon channels that reflect these nuances,” said Robbins.

    Key management appointments for the services will be announced soon, with MTV Networks Asia Pacific’s director of business development Chris Keely leading set-up efforts for the businesses.

  • Zee Studio presents ‘An Unfinished Life’

    Zee Studio presents ‘An Unfinished Life’

    Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 9:00 p.m.

    Director : Lasse Hallstrom

    Written by : Mark Spragg, Virginia Korus Spragg
    Produced by : Alan Ladd, Jr. Kelliann Ladd, Leslie Holleran

    Cast : Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, And Moregan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Camryn Manhein, Damian Lewis, and introducing Becca Gardner

    Set against the rugged ranchlands of Wyoming, An Unfinished Life is the story of a modern-day western family, as stoic as they are divided, learning the true meaning of forgiveness. Robert Redford stars as Einar Gilkyson, a toughed-skinned, retired rancher who long ago turned his back on memories. Still in shock from his only son’s death a decade ago Einar has left his ranch fall into ruin along with his marriage.

    Now, Einar spends his days caring only for his hired hand, and last trusted friend, Mitch (Morgan Freeman), who was gravely injured in an encounter with a grizzly bear. Einar intends to live out his days in this heartbroken solitude…. until the very person he blames for his son’s accident comes to town; his daughter-in-law Jean (Jennifer Lopez).

    Jean shows up broke, on the run and with a girl named Griff (Newcomer – Becca Gardner), who she swears is the granddaughter Einar never knew he had. Suddenly, Einar’s quiet life is turned upside down as anger and accusations resurface. But slowly, miraculously, 11 year-old Griff’s curiosity about Western life, and longing for family and a father figure, begin to chip away at the stone that has become Einar’s heart – opening up the way for unexpected connection, adventure, mercy and true reunion.

  • Radio City 91 FM Mumbai celebrates its fourth anniversary with panache!

    Radio City 91 FM Mumbai celebrates its fourth anniversary with panache!

    Radio City 91 FM ne mara ‘chauka’ aamchi Mumbai mein Radio City 91 FM Mumbai celebrates its fourth anniversary with panache!
    * Join the festivities and win a host of exciting prizes, as
    your only ‘Music Buddy’ becomes 4 years old
    * Meet celebrities and music experts of the likes of Sushma
    Reddy, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Tabassum, Mika, Sanjeev Kapoor, Sandeep Acharya, Parizad Zorabian, Ashmit Patel, Abhijeet Bhatacharya, Harsha Bhogle, Mahalaxmi Shankar, Roopkumar & Sunali Rathod

    Mumbai, May 17, 2006: Conceived, arrived and conquered the hearts of millions of music lovers. Radio City 91 FM, Mumbai’s favourite radio station celebrates its four years of successful existence and leadership position in the radio space in the Mecca of the Indian entertainment and music industry, Mumbai.

    4..3..2..1….Starting May 18, 2006, the four-day celebrations at Radio City Mumbai, will be a treat for the listeners with a number of on-air and on-ground activities revolving around the theme of ‘four’. With the objective of creating touch points in the city, Radio City through the series of initiatives looks forward to celebrate the milestone with its listeners and give them some memorable experiences to celebrate for their lifetime.

    On the occasion, Ms. Apurva Purohit, CEO, Radio City says, “It has been a memorable journey for the last four years with a number of milestones achieved by the Mumbai station. As we stand at this juncture, I am proud to say that I have an extremely dedicated & enthusiastic team working round-the-clock to build the brand. Riding on the pillars of the brand philosophy: music leadership and thought leadership, Radio City has today become a trusted & loved member of every household in Mumbai. Taking this relationship forward with our listeners as we enter the fifth year, Radio City promises to bring to its listeners a whole new set of initiatives, thus providing them with a musical retreat as always.”

    The anniversary celebrations at Radio City will be kicked of by the second edition of the ‘City mein Kho Jao Race’. Through this initiative, Radio City will help the listeners to rediscover the Mumbai City. Led by Radio City RJs, this ultimate chase will be between two teams riding on bikes. Rule of the game – Follow the clues given by the on air RJ and reach the strategic points spread across the City known as City mein Kho Jao points. The two teams will start from two different locations. Their clues will be different and their City mein kho jao Points will be different. Each City mein kho jao point will lead them to the another, leading them to a common end point- “The Final Destination”. The team which reaches the destination first will win the race and will be awarded with exciting prizes by none other than the heartthrob of Bollywood, Ashmit Patel.

    The second day (May 19, 2006) will see Sandeep Acharya of the Indian Idol 2 fame come LIVE on Radio City with RJ Lavanya on Masala Mix to promote his first album “Mere saath saara jahaan”. Also celebrating the ‘Sounds of Aamchi Mumbai’, the RJs of Radio City will air sounds typical to the city of Mumbai like the sound of the Mumbai locals, a coldrink vendor striking the opener against the bottles, inviting listeners to guess the source of the sound.

    Adding to the revelries and the spirit of Radio City, the third day (May 20, 2006) will see listeners call-in and sing the Radio City Anthem, ‘Life ki Dhun Gun Gunao, City Mein Kho Jao’ which is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and sung by Shaan, Nihira Joshi and Shankar Mahadevan.

    Fourth day (May 21, 2006) will commemorate the D-Day and Radio City will be hosting special parties all over the City in Pizza Hut outlets. Surprise celebrities will be visiting these outlets to celebrate the anniversary along with the Radio City Crew and listeners. The highlight of the anniversary day celebrations will be the anniversary cake being prepared by the celebrity cook Sanjeev Kapoor, especially for the occasion.

    With on-air contests like guess the first song that was played on Radio City, guess the first jock on Radio City, RJs of Radio City will take the listeners down memory lane. Also some of the most famous links from the past, including the first ever link on Radio City will be played on-air.

    Full with numerous contests and exciting prizes the listeners can win prizes like Agni Gold Jewellery, Home theatre systems, Barbie Dolls, DVDs, Sanjeev Kapoor’s special dessert Recipe autographed by him, 15 specially baked cakes to be given out on each of the day during the four day long celebrations and much more.

    So join the bandwagon of celebrations and ‘City Mein Kho Jao’ only with Radio City 91 FM!!

    About Radio City
    Radio City is India’s first and leading hit music FM radio brand. Promoted by Music Broadcast Private Limited (MBPL), the private FM network has captured the hearts of millions of listeners across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore & Lucknow. Radio City broadcasts 24/7, using state of the art digital stereo FM for unmatched quality in signal strength, clarity and brilliance. Backed by expertise in programming, sales and marketing, Radio City is characterized by exciting shows that give it unmatched popular appeal.
    Innovative programming, vivacious radio jockeys and popular contemporary music uniquely position Radio City to deliver targeted audiences across India’s most important cities.

    For further information please contact:
    Supriya Sonde / Arushi Agrawal
    Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
    Mobile: 9867035854 / 9867250201

  • AXN to hold video shoots for applicants of The Amazing Race Asian edition

    AXN to hold video shoots for applicants of The Amazing Race Asian edition

    MUMBAI: For the niche English entertainment channels the challenge this year will be to hook audiences better by offering a 360 degree experience.

    The action oriented AXN has done that succesfully over the years with efforts like Extreme Dhamaka and Hot ‘N’ Wild. This year it is doing an Asian version of the reality show The Amazing Race.

    Last month indiantelevision.com had reported that AXN was on the lookout for participants to join the show. Ten to 12 teams will be selected from across Asia to participate in the race, which will be produced for a 13-episode television series.

    Now the channel has announced that it has extended the application deadline. It is also holding open video shoots to help people make their application videos.

    Interested applicants can visit AXN’s website to find out the locations for the video recording services. The shoot will be conducted on 25 March 2006 and interested applicants can register their interest by 22 March online. Basically the channel is looking for teams with the chemistry, attitude, personality and the X-factor needed to conquer this gruelling race.

    SPE Networks GM Ricky Ow explains that the initiative is in line with the channels aim to give adventure-seeking audiences in Asia their best chance to experience the adventure of a lifetime. “So we decided to help them out by holding open video shoots and giving them some more time to apply. The open video shoots will add a lot of fun to the process.”

    Ow is also satisfied about the response to date. “So far, nearly 10,000 application forms have been downloaded from our website and we cannot wait to select some outstanding teams that will demonstrate the passion of Asians in a show that will surely excite and surprise viewers. The diversity of language and cultural practices in Asia will add a colourful mix of sensational drama and action, as we have seen in some excellent audition videos so far.”

    AXN further says that it has received many enquiries from potential contestants, one of the common ones being the need for both team members to have international driving licenses. The channel says that The Amazing Race Asia is a challenging adventure and contestants will need to drive through all kinds of conditions and over great distances. While the producers will accept entries where only one member can drive, applicants are still strongly encouraged to form teams with two drivers in order to be competitive.

  • Pogo comes alive with new original programming

    MUMBAI: Turner Entertainment Networks Asia‘s (Tena) kids‘ channel Pogo, created specifically for the Indian market, has more original programming up its sleeves this year. Game shows, sitcoms, documentaries and fiction shows is what‘s on the kiddies‘ channel‘s agenda for 2006-07.


    What‘s more, Pogo is now garnering a lot of interest from international markets as well. In April this year, Turner‘s Latin American kids channel Boomerang was re-launched with the Pogo branding. While the name of the channel remains the same, a lot of elements in terms of promos and on-air look were borrowed from Pogo.


    Coming back to new original programming; taking a cue from the popularity of shows M.A.D (Music Art Dance), Bam! Bam! Bam! Gir Pade Hum, Prime Pogo and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards (2004 and 2005), the channel is now set to launch a new half hour comedy show called It‘s Alive! from 21 May. The 13-episodes show, which has been produced in-house, will air Sundays at 11 am and will star Prime Pogo stars Niall and Chinu.


    What‘s more, Galli Galli Sim Sim, the Indian version of Sesame Street, is also slated to launch around mid-August and is likely to air from Monday to Fridays. The third edition of Pogo Amazing Kids Awards is also on the cards this year. Apart from this, a new season of M.A.D. coupled with a summer special of the same is also in the pipeline.


    “Pogo itself is an original production and we are constantly looking at innovative, smart and fun ideas that will back up the Pogo brand. The success of our original productions on Pogo has inspired us to do more such shows,” says Tena vice president creative and original content Orion Ross.


    Plans for the annual Pogo Amazing Kids Awards are also big this time round. The channel plans to film ‘amazing‘ kids across the country and develop a 13-week series around the same, which will lead up to the grand finale. “This time on the Pogo Amazing Kids Awards the emphasis is going to be on the kids themselves. Sixty kids across 10 categories will be profiled. We will be finding out their stories and air them every week and towards the last two weeks before the awards, the series will be aired every night,” informs Ross.


    Viewers will also be asked to vote for their favourite ‘amazing‘ kid via SMS. The winner in each category will be chosen on the basis of the votes as well as the jury for the awards. Ross says, “The aim is to build ways for viewers to be more involved in the process.”


    TURNER OPEN TO PRODUCE / COMMISSION INDIAN ANIMATION IDEAS


    Until now, Turner‘s strategy has been to acquire original animation series from Indian studios and air them on their channels. Some of them are – Akbar & Birbal, The Legend of Buddha, Son of Aladdin, Tenali Rama and Ramayana – The Legend of Prince Ram.


    Now the network is planning on something big and a first of sorts. “We are open to hearing animation script ideas from individuals as well as studios in India and then develop the series for Cartoon Network and Pogo. They could be series, feature films or pre-school shows,” says Ross.


    Ross is in charge of overseeing the overall strategy for Tena‘s two existing teams – the Hong Kong based Creative Services as well as the India based Original Productions. One of Ross‘ mandate at Tena is to set up and manage a new Asia Pacific animation development structure in India, which will focus on new Indian animation projects.


    The network will decide whether to produce the new series in-house or commission it to Indian studios. Tena will be funding the production for the series.


    “The approach is creative driven. We are looking for the big idea in Indian animation. We are open to talking to people who have a distinct creative vision. The aim is to find the next William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Chuck Jones or Craig McCracken,” says Ross.


    However, whether the series will be solely for the Indian market or will be aired in the international markets as well is a decision the network will take at a much later stage. Ross‘ 12-member team will look to set the ball rolling in this direction.


    This surely could be music to the ears of aspiring animators in India… provided they have the Big Idea!

  • Microsoft India develops Office Communicator Mobile

    BANGALORE: Microsoft‘s India Development Center (MIDC) today announced their involvement in an end-to-end project to develop ‘Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile‘ – a unified communications client that provides information workers with a premier mobile collaboration experience through native integration of mobile applications with enterprise-grade, real-time communications tools.


    Communicator Mobile will extend features of Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and Microsoft Office Communicator to the Windows Mobile 2003 SE and Windows Mobile 5.0 platform, both Pocket PC Edition and Smartphone, the company said in an official release.


    The development process included getting feedback from usage within Microsoft, Beta users outside Microsoft, and TAP (Technology Adoption Program) partners. The suggestions and feedback from user groups were incorporated into the product in the early stages of the development cycle, the release adds.


    Recently unveiled during Steve Ballmer‘s keynote at 3GSM in Barcelona Spain and based on the user interface of the Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 desktop client, the client goes beyond simple voice services, incorporating connected communication modes such as more secure instant messaging (IM), presence awareness and integrated VoIP-telephony.


    Commenting on the product being completely developed out of India, MIDC VP & MD Srini Koppulu said, “Our India Development Center plays an important role in contributing to future innovations at Microsoft and we are proud to be at the core of Microsoft‘s global development initiatives. The release of Communicator Mobile is an endorsement of Microsoft‘s mission to “innovate, energize, and support Microsoft investments for the mobile user experience.”


    Communicator Mobile client increases potential data revenue for mobile operators by driving demand for business-class devices with an enterprise-grade client, adding rich, real-time collaboration capabilities to mobile data networks, the company claimed in the statement.

  • Sahara to take FCCB route for raising $50 million

    Sahara to take FCCB route for raising $50 million

    MUMBAI: Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd has decided to take the foreign currency convertible bond (FCCB) route to raise around $50 million (Rs 2.2 billion).

    “We are in the final stages of documentation for issue of FCCBs. We plan to raise around $50 million,” says a source in Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd.

    Earlier the shareholders of Sahara had approved the issue of securities in the international market in the form of FCCBs, global depository receipts (GDRs) or other securities through public issue, private placements or preferential allotment. Sahara had also taken an enabling clause to raise up to $50 million.

    The funds will be deployed for movie production, launch of a music channel, content acquisition for Hindi movie channel Filmy and general entertainment channel Sahara One.

    Sahara has already tied up Rs 1.58 billion by diluting stake to investors. While C Sivasankaran’s Aircel Televentures Ltd. (ATL) has put in Rs 1.2 billion for acquiring 14.98 per cent stake, Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd (publishers of The Times of India) has invested Rs 378 million for a six per cent equity. Sahara is in the process of issuing a preferential allotment of 322.5 million equity shares to ATL with a face value of Rs 10 each at a price of Rs 372 per share.

    Sahara is also in talks to rope in a strategic investor. After divesting stake to ATL, the promoters holding in Sahara stands at 73 per cent. While Bennett, Coleman and Company’s holding is a little less than six per cent, the balance is with the public.