MUMBAI: Qualcomm Incorporated and British Sky Broadcasting Limited (BSkyB) today announced that the companies have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to conduct technical trials of Qualcomm‘s MediaFLO technology in the United Kingdom. |
Expected to begin during the summer of 2006, the technical trial will feature 10 channels of BSkyB content on a small number of non-commercial devices provided by Qualcomm. The technical trial is intended to allow BSkyB to closely evaluate the performance capabilities of FLO technology, an open, cellular network-agnostic wireless multicasting technology, as it continues to explore the growing number of opportunities to deliver video services to mobile devices in the UK. |
FLO technology, a multicast innovation and key component of the MediaFLO system, is an air-interface technology designed to increase capacity and coverage, and reduce cost for multimedia content delivery to mobile handsets. The BSkyB technical trial is expected to be the first such trial of FLO technology in Europe. In addition to this technical trial, Qualcomm and KDDI have formed a joint venture to explore the deployment of MediaFLO services in Japan. Also, MediaFLO USA, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, is working with Verizon Wireless to deploy wireless multimedia services based on FLO technology in the US. “BSkyB is committed to offering customers flexible ways to enjoy our services. We have led the way in the delivery of mobile TV over existing platforms and we look forward to working with Qualcomm in this technical trial to evaluate the potential of MediaFLO,” said BSkyB group director of business development Stephen Nuttall. “As one of Europe‘s largest, most successful and best-known multichannel television platform operators, BSkyB is the ideal company to team up with Qualcomm on our first MediaFLO trial in Europe. We expect this trial to demonstrate a strong validation of the value Qualcomm believes FLO technology offers both in Europe and other markets around the world. The openness of the MediaFLO system, as well as its significant advantages with respect to coverage, power consumption and cost, set MediaFLO apart from other competing technologies,” said Qualcomm Internet Service and MediaFLO Technologies president Peggy Johnson. Engineered specifically for the mobile environment, FLO technology is intended to offer several advantages over other mobile multicast technologies, including higher-quality video and audio, faster channel switching time, superior mobile reception, optimised power consumption and greater capacity concurrently as compared to other multicast technologies. In addition, FLO technology-based multimedia multicasting will complement wireless operators‘ CDMA2000(R)/EV-DO and WCDMA/HSDPA cellular voice and data services, delivering content to the same cellular handsets used on these 3G networks. |
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Qualcomm, BSkyB to conduct MediaFLO Technology trial in UK
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Star News scores big with Wah! Cricket
STAR News scores big with Wah! Cricket
” 7 of top 8 cricket programmes amongst the Top 100 news programmesMumbai, May 10, 2006: STAR News, the Channel known for its programming competence and diversity has reiterated its pre-eminence in cricketing news too, proving that when it comes to reporting on cricket, India tunes in to STAR News. The Top 100 programmes for TAM Week 17 (April 23-April 29) include 8 cricket/sports related programmes, out of which 7 are on STAR News. Wah! Cricket and Operation Vijay, the premium cricket properties on STAR News hit the competition out of the ground.
Wah! Cricket has consistently scored as the top cricket-related programme. It reiterated its top billing in all three time slots for its well-applauded coverage of the recently concluded highly emotive India-Pakistan cricket series. However, for TAM Week 17, which did not have any significant cricketing developments on-field, STAR News scored for its well-rounded reporting off-field too. By presenting an overall analysis and impact on the happenings in the cricket world, including Sachin’s Birthday, Brand Dhoni, Team Selection etc., STAR News scored big to feature 7 of its cricketing programmes in the Top 100 programmes. Amongst the cricketing programmes, Aaj Tak’s cricketing programme came in only at # 6 with a TVR of 0.36. Besides, it also garnered 26% of the marketshare in the 7.30 to 8 pm slot, leaving Aaj Tak behind at 22% and NDTV India far behind at 12%. India TV and Zee News followed next at 10% and 9% marketshare.
ChannelDateDaysTime FromTime ToProgrammeTVRStar News 23/04/2006 Sun 19:30 19:59 WAH CRICKET KHEL KA PEEC 0.5 Star News 26/04/2006 Wed 8:30 9:00 WAH CRICKET KHEL KA PEEC 0.4 Star News 25/04/2006 Tue 19:31 20:00 WAH CRICKET KHEL KA PEEC 0.39 Star News 23/04/2006 Sun 22:31 22:59 KHEL KHEL MEIN 0.39 Star News 28/04/2006 Fri 8:32 9:00 WAH CRICKET KHEL KA PEEC 0.38 Star News 24/04/2006 Mon 19:30 20:00 WAH CRICKET KHEL KA PEEC 0.38 Star News 26/04/2006 Wed 22:31 22:59 OPERATION VIJAY AAKRAMAN 0.34 Wah! Cricket has been one of the channel’s best performing properties ever since its inception. The programme has enjoyed its position as the highest rated cricket news bulletin on news television for a long time. Little wonder then that the programme has had an enviable guest list with cricketing stalwarts like Bishen Singh Bedi, Zaheer Abbas, Sandeep Patil, and others offering incisive insight.
The success of Wah! Cricket reinstates and endorses the channel’s proficiency in alternate programming. The discerning and increasingly demanding viewer is always looking for a little more bang from a news channel. STAR News seems to be producing just the right cricketing shots!
And coming on the very threshold of the India-West Indies cricket series, the recent ratings are an endorsement of the patented excitement to watch for on STAR News. Catch the fever only on STAR News!
ABOUT STAR NEWS
STAR News, the first Indian news channel, is a joint venture between ABP TV – a 100 % subsidiary of ABP Pvt. Ltd. – and STAR India Pvt. Ltd., two of the biggest brands in Indian media. The Channel is best defined by a fair and balanced approach that combines prompt reporting with insightful analysis of news and current affairs. Living up to its motto of “Aapko Rakhe Aagey’, STAR News is a people’s channel that focuses on relevant news in a cutting-edge format. Since its conception, the Channel has grown to command a viewership of over 20 million Indian homes. Today, STAR News is available in the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia, Central Asia, UK, USA and Australia, making it the first and only Global Indian News Channel.For further information, please contact:
Navin Tauro / Swati Sundareswaran
Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
Tel: 022 5656 8787 / Fax: 022 5656 8788 -
‘Nick News’ with Linda Ellerbee turns 15
MUMBAI: The Emmy, duPont and Peabody award-winning Nick News with Linda Ellerbee, the longest-running and most-watched kids‘ news show in television history, celebrates 15 years on Nickelodeon in May 2006.
Informed by a philosophy that ignorance is not bliss, that kids deserve and need information about the world and events that shape it, Nick News has covered major world events and other issues that affect kids in a way that no show on television ever has, earning the respect of parents, educators and, most important, kids.
To celebrate this milestone, Nickelodeon will air Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Celebrating 15 Years of Nick News on 28 May.
The half-hour, commercial free special is a retrospective of 15 of Nick News‘ most compelling stories over the last decade and a half, and a fast-forward to meet some of the players and see what their life is like today, when they‘re grownups. It shows how Nick News — and kids-have never shied away from talking, in no-nonsense language, about the crucial issues of our time-war, AIDS, terrorism, natural disasters, gay parenting, homelessness, racism, genocide-and how kids have responded by working to change their world for the better.
“No other show gives kids the opportunity to speak their minds on important issues quite like Nick News. Nick News and Linda Ellerbee present stories about issues in a manner that empowers kids and enables them to take action. The show provides a great way for kids to initiate a dialogue with their parents. Nickelodeon is proud that for the past 15 years, we have been able to offer our audience a unique outlet like Nick News to help them do that,” said Nickelodeon Television president and MTVN Kids and Family Group head Cyma Zarghami.
“I am the luckiest journalist in television. We tried to teach kids about life. Instead, they taught me what life is all about. I look forward to my continuing education on Nick News,” said Nick News host and executive producer Ellerbee.
A sneak peek of Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Celebrating 15 Years of Nick News will be broadcast on TurboNick, Nickelodeon‘s broadband video service on Nick.com, two weeks before the on-air special.
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Balaji’s V Devarajan joins Adlabs Films as CFO
MUMBAI: Anil Ambani is busy poaching executives from rival media organisations. The latest to join Adlabs Films Ltd is Balaji Telefilms chief financial officer V Devarajan.
“We are taking in Devarajan as our CFO. He willl be joining us soon,” says a senior executive in Adlabs Films.
Devarajan joined Balaji Telefilms as CFO in 2002 and was responsible for putting in place processes that resulted in operational cost efficiencies.
Devarajan’s resignation as Balaji CFO was effective 9 May and India’s leading soap factory moved swiftly to put in a replacement. Sandeep Jain takes over from the departing Devarajan as the new Balaji CFO with immediate effect.
Adlabs is in a major expansion spree and is ramping up its film exhibition and production businesses. The company recently bought out the entire stake of Mukta Arts in a joint venture company for digital distribution of movies.
Adlabs Films’ board recently approved the proposal for demerger of its FM radio business to a wholly owned subsidiary, Adlabs Radio Pvt Ltd. Adlabs plans to list the new entity on the stock exchange.
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Filmy’s ‘Aaj Ki Fimly Khabar’ features Raveena Tandon
Astonished by a direct query about the incident where she poured wine on somebody’s head in a party, Raveena Tandon replied that the person was her husband’s ex-wife, she enjoyed doing it, and it was not at all impulsive. To enforce her point she said that she had decided two years back how she would react on seeing her husband’s ex-wife. Watch the entire episode of Aaj Ki Filmy Khabar (AKFK), India’s first authentic filmy news show, which airs this Wednesday, 10th May 2006 at 7:30 pm, only on FILMY.
Raveena used this opportunity to reveal the true story & defend all allegations levied on her. The ex- wife was bad mouthing Raveena and her husband Anil Thadani, and taking undue advantage of her husband’s good and dignified nature. Why she did not take the legal route? Asked, Mayank. “I did not have proof, had I gone legal, the person would have been trapped badly. My objective was to publicly humiliate and teach her a lesson and not spoil her life,” said Raveena.
On being asked why there is so much disparity between the life span of an actor vis-?-vis an actress she said, “an actor is accepted as a superstar at the age of 64 whereas actresses are written off as early as 30”. On her plans of getting back to mainstream cinema or television, Raveena said she is hearing scripts but still enjoys her sabbatical.
Aaj Ki Filmy Khabar (AKFK) is India’s first authentic filmi news program aired Monday to Friday at 7:30pm, only on “FILMY”. Every Wednesday AKFK has a non-interrogative session hosted by Mayank Shekhar – a platform for a celebrity to express his or her opinion on any controversy – this week’s episode will feature Raveena Tandon.
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Walt Disney 2Q earnings climb 19 per cent
MUMBAI: Riding on the strong ratings success of ABC Network and cable channels shows coupled with the increased attendance at its theme parks, The Walt Disney Company‘s profits in the second quarter have risen by 19 per cent.
The company‘s net income rose to $733 million from $657 million. Sales advanced 2.5 per cent to $8.03 billion in the period ended 1 April. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased 19 per cent to $0.37, compared to $0.31 in the prior year quarter. For the six months period, diluted EPS increased 16 per cent to $0.74 compared to $0.64 in the prior year period.
“Disney‘s ongoing commitment to creative and operational excellence is evident in our strong second quarter results. At the same time, the strategic initiatives we pursued during the quarter help position us for future creative success, new opportunities to reach consumers with our products, and long term value creation for our shareholders,” said the Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A Iger.
The company‘s Media Networks revenues for the quarter increased 18 per cent to $3.6 billion and segment operating income increased 20 per cent to $969 million driven by strong performance at broadcasting.
The operating income at Cable Networks increased $41 million to $ 809 million for the quarter primarily due to growth at ESPN, which was driven by higher affiliate revenues from increased contractual rates. This increase was partially offset by higher revenue deferrals at ESPN, investments in ESPN branded mobile phone service, increased programming and production expenses and higher administrative costs at ESPN. ABC‘s hit dramas such as Desperate Housewives and Grey‘s Anatomy also help boost the network‘s revenues.
Revenue deferrals at ESPN increased by $31 million versus the prior year quarter due to new programming commitments in an affiliate contract and higher affiliate rates. Revenue deferrals for the six month period increased $137 million as compared to the prior six month period. Cable Networks also experienced modest profit growth at the Disney Channel and ABC Family.
Broadcasting
Operating income at broadcasting increased $122 million to $160 million for the quarter primarily due to improved performance at the ABC Television Network and Television Production and Distribution, partially offset by investments in new initiatives at the Internet Group.
The growth at ABC Television Network was due to increased primetime advertising revenues resulting from strong upfront sales and continued strength in ratings. Ad revenues also increased due to the Super Bowl and the timing of Bowl Championship Series games, although this increase was essentially offset by related programming and production expenses. The increase at television production and distribution was driven by higher third party license fees for Scrubs, as this series entered its fifth season of network television, and increased international sales of Touchstone Television dramas.
Parks and Resorts
Parks and Resorts revenues for the quarter increased seven per cent to $2.3 billion and segment operating income increased 17 per cent to $214 million. Operating income growth at the resorts was due to increased theme park attendance, higher hotel guest spending and occupancy and strong sales at Disney Vacation Club.
Studio Entertainment
Studio Entertainment revenues for the quarter decreased 22 per cent to $1.8 billion and segment operating income decreased 39 per cent to $ 147 million. This was mainly because the company‘s DVD releases have not sold well. “Lower segment operating income was due to a decline in worldwide home entertainment partially offset by increases in domestic theatrical motion pictures distribution and worldwide television distribution,” an official statement said.
Consumer Products
Consumer products revenues for the quarter decreased three per cent to $451 million and the operating income decreased eight per cent to $104 million. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower results at Buena Vista Games and Merchandise Licensing.
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Walt Disney 2Q earnings climb 19 per cen
MUMBAI: Riding on the strong ratings success of ABC Network and cable channels shows coupled with the increased attendance at its theme parks, The Walt Disney Company’s profits in the second quarter have risen by 19 per cent.
The company’s net income rose to $733 million from $657 million. Sales advanced 2.5 per cent to $8.03 billion in the period ended 1 April. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased 19 per cent to $0.37, compared to $0.31 in the prior year quarter. For the six months period, diluted EPS increased 16 per cent to $0.74 compared to $0.64 in the prior year period.
“Disney’s ongoing commitment to creative and operational excellence is evident in our strong second quarter results. At the same time, the strategic initiatives we pursued during the quarter help position us for future creative success, new opportunities to reach consumers with our products, and long term value creation for our shareholders,” said the Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A Iger.
The company’s Media Networks revenues for the quarter increased 18 per cent to $3.6 billion and segment operating income increased 20 per cent to $969 million driven by strong performance at broadcasting.
The operating income at Cable Networks increased $41 million to $ 809 million for the quarter primarily due to growth at ESPN, which was driven by higher affiliate revenues from increased contractual rates. This increase was partially offset by higher revenue deferrals at ESPN, investments in ESPN branded mobile phone service, increased programming and production expenses and higher administrative costs at ESPN. ABC’s hit dramas such as Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy also help boost the network’s revenues.
Revenue deferrals at ESPN increased by $31 million versus the prior year quarter due to new programming commitments in an affiliate contract and higher affiliate rates. Revenue deferrals for the six month period increased $137 million as compared to the prior six month period. Cable Networks also experienced modest profit growth at the Disney Channel and ABC Family.
Broadcasting
Operating income at broadcasting increased $122 million to $160 million for the quarter primarily due to improved performance at the ABC Television Network and Television Production and Distribution, partially offset by investments in new initiatives at the Internet Group.
The growth at ABC Television Network was due to increased primetime advertising revenues resulting from strong upfront sales and continued strength in ratings. Ad revenues also increased due to the Super Bowl and the timing of Bowl Championship Series games, although this increase was essentially offset by related programming and production expenses. The increase at television production and distribution was driven by higher third party license fees for Scrubs, as this series entered its fifth season of network television, and increased international sales of Touchstone Television dramas.
Parks and Resorts
Parks and Resorts revenues for the quarter increased seven per cent to $2.3 billion and segment operating income increased 17 per cent to $214 million. Operating income growth at the resorts was due to increased theme park attendance, higher hotel guest spending and occupancy and strong sales at Disney Vacation Club.
Studio Entertainment
Studio Entertainment revenues for the quarter decreased 22 per cent to $1.8 billion and segment operating income decreased 39 per cent to $ 147 million. This was mainly because the company’s DVD releases have not sold well. “Lower segment operating income was due to a decline in worldwide home entertainment partially offset by increases in domestic theatrical motion pictures distribution and worldwide television distribution,” an official statement said.
Consumer Products
Consumer products revenues for the quarter decreased three per cent to $451 million and the operating income decreased eight per cent to $104 million. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower results at Buena Vista Games and Merchandise Licensing.
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Tata Sky ties-up with Humax for set-top-boxes
MUMBAI: Tata Sky Ltd, the joint venture between the Tata Group and Star, has inked a partnership with Humax to support the launch of its Direct-to-Home (DTH) service in mid 2006.
Humax, a provider of digital satellite set-top boxes (STBs), will manufacture set-top boxes in India and also provide after-sales service and support network for Tata Sky customers.
Tata Sky LTD CEO Vikram Kaushik said, “We are committed to building a state-of-the-art DTH operation in India and offer customers with the best satellite TV services available. Our DTH service will completely redefine the television viewing experience in India and our agreement with Humax takes us a step closer to our goal.”
“We are excited to be a part of one of the largest DTH businesses in India. Our worldwide set-top box experience and expertise in the development of the most advanced digital television solutions will play a pivotal role in Tata Sky’s new business growth,” said Humax head of digital media business unit Dr. J U Kim.
Tata Sky had recently joined hands with Thomson for STBs to support the launch of its DTH service and also teamed up with NDS Group Plc in order to deploy NDS solutions to support and provide range of digital and interactive TV services, ahead of launch.
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‘Will & Grace’ series finale available on DVD soon
MUMBAI: An independent film entertainment studio Lionsgate and NBC Universal Television Distribution, will release a DVD of the Will & Grace Series Finale, twelve days after its premiere on 18 May 2006.
It will be available from 30 May for the retail price of $9.98.
Currently in its eighth season, the Will & Grace Series Finale DVD will contain special features including cast and crew interviews and a behind the scenes featurette produced exclusively for this release. The featurette and interviews will be filmed during the last weeks of production, following the cast from their first table-read of the script, through rehearsals and the final taping of the show.
Starring Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes, Will & Grace averaged a 4.5 rating, 12 share in adults 18-49 and 10.0 million viewers overall, during the 2004-2005 television season.
“The final episode of Will and Grace marks the end of an era,” said Lionsgate president Steve Beeks. “While the show’s success can be measured in so many ways – awards, ratings, longevity, acclaim – it is really about the ability of the viewers to identify and relate to the characters that made us want to tune in each week. We are well aware that this final episode will become an instant must-have piece of television history, and we jumped at the opportunity to be able to bring it to DVD so soon after its television airing.”
To date, Will & Grace has been nominated for 73 Emmys, 27 Golden Globes, 17 SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards and 12 People’s Choice Awards. Among its fourteen Emmy wins, in 2000, the show won for outstanding comedy series. In 2002 and 2003, it had more Emmy nominations than any other comedy series.
Plus, in 2005 Will & Grace was tied as one of the most-nominated series and also scored its highest number of Emmy nominations in a single year with 15.
Will & Grace has also won eight GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) media awards, two TV guide awards and one directors guild award. Additionally, the show has been nominated for six American comedy awards, seven television critics association awards and five producers guild awards.
The Chicago Tribune declared, “The show has always been funny, often as laugh-out-loud funny as anything else seen on TV.”
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BBC reveals interactive TV plans for Soccer World Cup ’06
MUMBAI: In conjunction with BBC Sport, BBCi announces its plans to offer interactive services for the Soccer World Cup 2006. These services will be available on all three major digital TV platforms (satellite, cable, terrestrial) both during and between game broadcasts.
In an attempt to enhance the football fever during live games, digital cable and satellite viewers can enter an interactive application by simply pressing a red button, whenever a “BBCi” icon appears on-screen.
This application will feature a menu bar along the top of the screen, with various options linked to the colour fasttext keys of their remote controls. According to the BBC, this service has been designed with step-by-step on-screen instructions.
The red menu key will provide alternative audio streams:which allows viewers to choose between listening to commentators from BBC Radio Five Live or selecting a “No Commentary” option which allows them to listen to the sounds of the crowd.
The green menu key will provide viewers with rolling highlights-enhanced with graphics-from the current game. In addition to this, the blue menu key will allow them to access a statistics menu with a review of updated facts and figures from the current game, such as possession, corners won, fouls conceded and results and tables.
Finally, the yellow button will take viewers to an area, dubbed “Your Shout,” devoted to user-generated content, including text messages, emails and player ratings (viewers will be able to rate players via interactive TV, the Web and mobiles). The simultaneous group matches in the final group phase will also be accessible here.
Viewers on UK’s free-to-air digital terrestrial platform, Freeview, will also have access to the above facilities.
Between live broadcasts, the BBC will offer a service called “BBCi World Cup Zone.” Digital cable and satellite viewers will be able to access the service by first pressing the text button on their remote to reach the BBCi-bar (appears on the bottom of the screen); then press “Select” to enter the service.
The service’s “homepage” will consist of a display with three mini-screens, providing a quick guide to what’s on currently and a schedule of upcoming games. Viewers will be able to scroll down to their preferred screen using the arrow keys on their remote and press “select” to watch it in full-screen mode.
Viewers will also be able to access an interactive service devoted primarily to the England team. It will provide interviews with team manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, coverage of press conferences, video profiles of players, news and opinions on the World Cup and repeats of England games.
In addition, viewers will be able to access 15-minute highlight reels of every game, and a reel dedicated to notable goals from the tournament. Also, Freeview viewers will be able to access the 15-minute game highlights, the goals round-up and a less comprehensive selection of content devoted to the England team.
The BBC will also offer a show, called BBC World Cup Extra, on its interactive TV platform. The show will provide analysis and commentary, after every England game and other significant games.