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  • CMM-I extends 3-year deal with Shanghai TV Festival

    CMM-I extends 3-year deal with Shanghai TV Festival

    MUMBAI: The independent trade consultancy for China’s media industries CMM Intelligence has announced an extended three year deal with the Shanghai TV Festival (STVF). This deal will see CMM-I further consolidating European presence at one of China’s biggest international TV festival to be held from 17 to 21 June.

    Under the new agreement, CMM-I will offer a one stop service for European media companies attending STVF’s International Film & TV Market (18 to 20 June) through the CMM-I European (EU) Pavilion. In addition to management of the central exhibition space, the new agreement allows CMM-I to extend its delivery of value added services, including meeting facilitation, networking functions and trade publications.

    Welcoming the agreement, STVF’s market director Zhang Ming noted, “CMM-I is not only one of STVF’s longest standing partners, it continues to be one of the most innovative. This new agreement strengthens Europe’s presence on the trading floor and creates new opportunities for companies to build sustainable trade relationships”.

    According to CMM-I MD Anke Redl, STVF continues to be Europe’s preferred trade destination and the new agreement will have a significant impact on how EU companies engage with Chinese media. “Europe still faces massive knowledge gaps and this deal means we can now provide clients with full before, during and post market services. You will see Europe becoming far more prominent in the market”.

    First established in 2004, the CMM-I EU Pavilion is the largest international group exhibition at the Shanghai event and brings together broadcasters, production houses and distributors from across the EU. Previous exhibitors have included Granada Media, Channel 4, RTVE, Deutsche Welle, Belgium TV etc. EU Pavilion participants will also benefit from exposure in CMM-I functions and publications, including the European Programming Guide and CMM-I’s proprietary intelligence products.

  • Discovery acquires British tour firm to build new travel media group

    Discovery acquires British tour firm to build new travel media group

    MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has acquired the U.K.-based Antenna Audio as part of its efforts to build the newly formed Discovery Travel Media group. Antenna Audio is a specialist in audio tours and multimedia interpretation for museums, historical sites and cultural attractions around the globe.

    Discovery Communications the president and CEO Judith A. McHale said, “The acquisition of Antenna Audio immediately gives Discovery a major presence in the growing audio and multimedia market around the world. The company’s global assets nicely complement Discovery’s television and digital services as we continue to aggressively pursue business opportunities that extend our trusted brands, increase revenue, and allow Discovery to package top quality content to consumers wherever they are and however they want it.”

    Antenna Audio provides audio and multimedia tours in more than 20 countries and offers translations in multiple languages at more than 350 museums and cultural sites worldwide. Discovery plans to draw on Antenna’s resources to expand into the market for downloadable travel guides, as well as destination, city and walking tours. Antenna Audio sold more than 20 million audio and multimedia tours last year.

    “Culture travelers are a coveted segment of the travelling public, and the power and reach of Discovery’s assets will allow us to strengthen and expand Antenna Audio’s position even further in the growing consumer travel market,” said head of Discovery Travel Media and the EVP and GM of Travel Channel Patrick Younge.

    Discovery Travel Media includes the Travel Channel, available in more than 84 million U.S. homes, online assets including www.travelchannel.com and a broadband offering, Travel Channel Beyond (www.travelchannelbeyond.com) as well as travel related content for VOD and mobile platforms.

  • Banff Outstanding Achievement Award goes to CBS

    Banff Outstanding Achievement Award goes to CBS

    MUMBAI: CBS Television will be the recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Achievement Award at the Banff World Television Festival. CBS Paramount International Television president Armando Nuñez, Jr., will be accepting the award on the company’s behalf.

    The Banff World Television Festival takes place 11 to 14 June at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta.

    According to a Banff press release, CBS is being honoured for “its groundbreaking programming, consistently solid ratings and overall contribution to the television industry.”

    Nuñez said, “I am pleased to accept the award on behalf of Leslie Moonves and the entire team at CBS. This honour reinforces the high regard to which the international community holds for CBS’s legacy of high quality and successful programming.”

  • VH1 Classic to air BBC music shows

    VH1 Classic to air BBC music shows

    MUMBAI: VH1 Classic will expand from a 12-hour to a full 24-hour schedule, with BBC’s offerings from 1 May.

    The BBC deal includes the legendary anthology series The Old Grey Whistle Test, one of the most influential music shows in Britain in the 1970s.

    VH1 Classic will begin premiering select episodes from the series this September, and roll out performances from popular 1970s and 1980s artists such as Tom Petty, The Police and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It will premiere under VH1 Classic’s original series umbrella Classic in Concert.

    VH1’s SVP and GM Eric Sherman said,”VH1 Classic’s audience and its appetite for classic music continues to grow, leading us to effectively double our music program offerings each day. We’re particularly pleased to deliver rare BBC gems such as The Old Grey Whistle Test which presents performances never seen before on this side of the Atlantic.”

    The new weekly movie franchise Rock and Roll Picture Show with Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story will be launched on 6 May. Other movies include The Wall, The Song Remains The Same, Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna: Truth Or Dare and Imagine: John Lennon.

    The Class Of … stunt becomes a regular monthly offering in June, kicking off with Class of 1984. Other new initiatives include a 27-episode series Classic Albums, with each hour telling the story behind the making of one of rock music’s most seminal albums.

    Also, the network has licensed Classic Artists, a series of documentaries tracking the twists and turns in a single artist or band’s career. The first episode set to premiere in the fall 2006 will feature Cream.

  • FremantleMedia ups Schneider-Sickert to director of operations & strategy

    FremantleMedia ups Schneider-Sickert to director of operations & strategy

    MUMBAI: One of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world FremantleMedia has announced the appointment of Christian Schneider-Sickert as director of operations and strategy.

    In this newly created position, Schneider-Sickert will be responsible for driving FremantleMedia’s global company strategy, investment policy and central operations. In addition, he will be responsible for FremantleMedia’s central business diversification activities, states an official release.

    The roll-out of the successful Quizmania participation TV format, currently on air in the UK and Poland, will also be part of his extended remit. Schneider-Sickert will become a member of the FremantleMedia Operating Board with immediate effect.

    Schneider-Sickert joined FremantleMedia from arvato, part of Bertelsmann, in June 2004, where he held the position of head of strategy. He previously worked in mergers and acquisitions for Bertelsmann and in the principal investment group at Goldman Sachs.

    FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen said, “Christian has done an outstanding job in helping define FremantleMedia’s strategy in an industry that is undergoing significant change, and I am looking forward to him driving our diversification activities.”

    Schneider-Sickert added: “I am delighted to have been asked to take on this new role and am looking forward to further developing FremantleMedia’s commercial strategy and improving our operational efficiency.”

    Schneider-Sickert holds an M.A. in Oriental Studies from Oxford University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

  • Yahoo launches ‘Go for TV’ to record TV shows

    Yahoo launches ‘Go for TV’ to record TV shows

    MUMBAI: Yahoo Inc. has unveiled software ‘Go for TV’ that helps people to record television shows on their personal computers and use Yahoo services through televisions.

    It has launched a test version of Yahoo Go for TV and the software is now available for download at Yahoo’s website. Users should have computers equipped with a TV tuner circuit board and cables to connect to a television.

    The launch emphasises Yahoo’s plans to move beyond PC-based services. The company already offers photo and e-mail software for some mobile phones.

  • Discovery Channel to premier series ‘More Than A Game’ on World Cup

    Discovery Channel to premier series ‘More Than A Game’ on World Cup

    MUMBAI:Starting 28 April, Discovery Channel is set to premiere six-part series More Than a Game, which will chronicle the emergence of international football’s greatest teams and players interwoven with the story of how the World Cup evolved as a tournament and shaped the nature of football worldwide.

    This series will air every Friday at 9 pm and each episode will be repeated on the following Saturday at 10 am.

    More Than A Game will feature the six giants of the game – Brazil, Germany, France, England, Argentina and Italy.

    The football World Cup has evolved into a cultural event that unites the entire world for one exhilarating and unforgettable month. More than just a sporting extravaganza, it has impacted the economy of countries and their presence on the global map, informs an official release.

    Made in collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and featuring exclusive footage from FIFA’s film archive and recollections from some of the world’s greatest players including Beckham, Beckenbauer, Zidane, Platini and Zoff, the show will present the definitive account of the World Cup – its glorious goals, legendary players, fanatical fans and enduring appeal.

    The release also adds that with previously unseen footage from matches dating back over 40 years, viewers will get a fresh perspective on even the most familiar football legends. They will also witness how winning or losing a game can change the fortunes of a nation.

    Discovery Channel’s spokesperson said, “More Than A Game showcases how the World Cup has been a carnival of innovation, advancing both the game and the business of football. It presents the fascinating account of the extraordinary brilliance and the gallant failures of the superpowers of world football. Identifying and capturing the defining moments of the football World Cup is what makes More Than A Game so captivating.”

    The Ambassador of Brazil, His Excellency Jose Vicente Pimentel said “I am delighted to be part of this special programme by Discovery Channel which will provide the football enthusiasts in India an insight into the history of the World Cup. Each of the six nations covered in the programme represent football in its truest form. Each episode will give viewers an insight into the various manifestations of the sport and how single-handedly football can bind an entire nation.”

    MORE THAN A GAME programme schedule:
    • Brazil on 28 April at 9 pm
    The World Cup has defined Brazil as a nation. The five-time winners have given the world legends like Pele, Carlos Alberto, Tostao, Socrates and Ronaldo. In this episode, you can also watch 17-year-old Pele leading the Brazilian charge to their first World Cup win in 1958 and then taking it to the event to its greatest height: the superlative final of 1970.

    • Argentina on 5 May at 9 pm
    Argentina’s Diego Maradona became the biggest football star since Pele. Never has one man so dominated the World Cup. But after the bravura and brilliance of 1986, it has all been downhill for Maradona. His well-publicised descent into drug addiction and psychological deterioration mark a sad end to an incredible career. Also see the memorable celebrations in Buenos Aires in 1978 after Argentina won against a background of intimidation and corruption with a military junta governing the country.

    • England on 12 May at 9 pm
    The British boycotted the World Cup till 1950 and have won it only once – in 1966. They were the first nation to win as hosts. With a passionate (and infamous) fan base and the superstar status of their players, it has always shared a love-hate relationship with the sport they invented. Their story of the World Cup ranges from disaster to gallant failure.

    • Germany on 19 May at 9 pm
    It’s hard to imagine a time when Germany was not a footballing superpower. But in the 1954 final, they were definitely the underdogs against the talented Hungarians. An extraordinary comeback set the foundations for future dominance, and till now they remain one of the most difficult sides to overcome. Watch how the World Cup has helped Germany to emerge as one of the leading nations in world football.

    • Italy on 26 May at 9 pm
    Paolo Rossi’s hat-trick helped Italy beat Brazil 3-2 in one of the greatest World Cup games. Their World Cup victory in 1982 ended a fifty-two year wait for their demanding supporters. The famous Azzuri are characterised by their stubborn, defensive approach that has, according to their critics, overshadowed the beauty of their game. They have, however, won the World cup three times and those who underestimate them, do so at their own peril.

    • France on 2 June at 9 pm
    The 1998 World Champions had included 15 squad players from different ethnic backgrounds embodied by Zidane, Desailly and Lizarazu. As the most racially troubled country in Europe, France was divided by the question of immigration. The multiracial make up of the French national team was openly criticised till their stunning 3-0 victory over favourites Brazil, which led to four days of euphoric celebrations across the nation. The win also summed the international nature of a sport which is More Than A Game.

  • Singapore’s MediaCorp & M1 set to launch mobile TV

    Singapore’s MediaCorp & M1 set to launch mobile TV

    MUMBAI: Singapore’s MediaCorp is working with telecommunications provider MobileOne (M1) to launch a mobile channel featuring English and Mandarin language content from MediaCorp Studios.

    The channel, available on M1’s mobile portal – MiWorld Mobile – will feature programmes that range from drama serials to infotainment shows.

    A media report quoted MediaCorp Studios senior controller Doreen Neo as saying: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to bring to our viewers an additional platform. With this 3G collaboration, viewers can get to see our artistes on a different platform other than TV. It also provides additional exposure for our artistes.”

    M1 Consumer Marketing assistant general manager Joseph Loy said: “Over the last few months, we’ve been gearing for 3G. There are more content, more 3G phones in the market and more users as well.”

    Users can access the programmes through MiWorld Mobile on their 3G handsets and choose to pay through video-streaming charges or a monthly flat fee.

  • Peter Roth extends tenure as president at Warner Bros.TV

    Peter Roth extends tenure as president at Warner Bros.TV

    MUMBAI: One of the most successful and respected executives working in television today, Peter Roth, has signed a long-term deal extending his tenure as Warner Bros. Television president, while expanding his duties to include oversight of the newly created Warner Horizon Television.

    The newly created television arm is designed to create lower-budget scripted and reality primetime series for network and cable. These announcements were made today by Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) group president Bruce Rosenblum.

    “Peter’s track record at Warner Bros. Television really speaks for itself, not just in the quantity of successful shows he’s launched, but more importantly, in the quality of the series created under his leadership,” said Rosenblum. “To say that we’re absolutely thrilled that Peter will be with us for many, many more years would be a gross understatement. He is truly the best in class. His creative instincts and execution, as well as his relationships with people both in front of and behind the cameras, from the writers’ rooms to the network boardrooms, are unmatched.

    “As the television business continues to change and business models evolve, Warner Horizon Television will enable us to take more creative risks,” continued Rosenblum. “We’re incredibly excited about the prospect of this new television arm at the Studio and know that it couldn’t be in better hands than Peter’s.”

    Roth joined Warner Bros. Television as its president in March 1999 and has maintained the company’s position as the industry’s preeminent producer of award winning primetime television series. In addition to being the most prolific television studio in Hollywood the last three years, WBTV has been the leading supplier of primetime series 16 of the last 19 television seasons. For the 2005-2006 season, WBTV placed 33 series on the primetime schedule, including a record 17 returning series, 11 new series and five midseason series.

    During his tenure, Roth has been responsible for such series as the multiple Emmy Award winning The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, Without a Trace, The O.C., Cold Case, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, George Lopez, Supernatural, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Nip/Tuck and The Closer, as well as the successful continuation of such series as Friends and ER.

    Prior toWBTV, Roth served as Fox Broadcasting Company president. There, he was responsible for the development and programming of the Emmy Award-winning Ally McBeal, That ’70s Show, Family Guy and King of the Hill. He also held posts as president of 20th Century Fox Television, Twentieth Network Television (currently 20th Century Fox Television), and of Production at Twentieth Network Television, where he oversaw such hits as the multiple Emmy Award winning Picket Fences, The X-Files, The Practice, Chicago Hope and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    Before working at Twentieth, Roth was president of Stephen J. Cannell Productions, where he was involved with the creation and sale of such critically acclaimed series as 21 Jump Street, Wiseguy and The Commish.

    Roth began his television career at the ABC Television Network in children’s programming where he served as both a manager and later a director before moving into current programming where held both director and vice president posts, states an official release.

  • Reliance Info intl business president Garg to head Flag Telecom

    Reliance Info intl business president Garg to head Flag Telecom

    MUMBAI: Reliance Infocomm Ltd international business president Punit Garg has moved to Flag Telecom as its new head.

    Flag Telecom, which owns and manages an extensive optical fibre network connecting key business markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, was acquired by the Reliance Group and became a Reliance Infocomm company on 12 January 2004. Flag offers a focused range of global products, including global bandwidth, IP, internet, ethernet and co-location services.

    Garg will be replacing Patrick Gallaghar. Punit will also continue to be a member of the parent’s senior management team, while Patrick will move on to become the Flag Telecom non-executive vice chairman.

    Garg’s appointment is expected to hasten the process of assimilation for the global carrier with its parent company under the new management and put it on a faster growth trajectory.

    “Punit’s long stint at Reliance Infocomm and his understanding of its objectives and approach will be extremely beneficial for Flag Telecom, Reliance Infocomm and, our customers. The change will help us in charting out a new growth path for the global carrier,” said Flag Telecom chairman Anil Ambani.

    An engineer by training, Garg joined Reliance Infocomm in January 2001 and went on to hold a number of key leadership positions in the company. Planning and launch of fixed call fixed wireless phones, public calls office and broadband are some of the initiatives he spearheaded in Reliance Infocomm.

    Prior to joining Reliance Infocomm, Garg was Lockheed Martin Global Telecom managing director, responsible for joint ventures and business management for South Asia. He has also held senior executive positions in leading global organisations such as Comsat and Equant.