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  • NHK-Japan, Discovery-Canada tie up for HD programming

    NHK-Japan, Discovery-Canada tie up for HD programming

    MUMBAI: NHK-Japan and Discovery channel Canada team up to leverage their shared high-definition (HD) programming, production, and distribution.

    The agreement will see each broadcaster’s existing science magazine show – Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet and NHK’s Science Zero – mutually benefit from exchanging footage and segments.

    Discovery Channel Canada president and general manager Paul Lewis said: “As leaders in factual programming, Discovery Channel continues to make great strides in high-definition content and technology in Canada, and this alliance with NHK fits our strategy perfectly.

    “We have enjoyed a relationship with NHK in recent years and we’re excited to see this agreement solidify our relationship and take it to the next level as partners, enabling us to work together on projects that will continue to benefit Discovery, NHK and the audiences we serve.”

    Besides collaborating on content, NHK & Discovery will regularly discuss and explore opportunities to work together on other areas of mutual interest, including new technologies and distribution in all media platforms.

    NHK’s Multimedia Development Department director general Yoshinori Sekimoto said, “NHK and Discovery Channel Canada share a passion for science programming and HD broadcasting. Taking our already-successful relationship to a higher level opens the door to exciting possibilities in terms of co-production, broadcasting and media strategy.”

  • Discovery commissions new travel series ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’

    Discovery commissions new travel series ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’

    CANNES: Discovery Networks International, has commissioned a new lifestyle series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. It is based on the popular series of travel guides, for launch on Discovery Travel & Living in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

    The 5×30-minute series will reach 147 million homes outside the U.S. when it launches this fall. The series is executive produced by Helen Veale for Outline Productions and Robert Curran for Discovery Networks International.

    Discovery Networks International executive VP of creative development and brand management Rebecca Batties said, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith goes beyond the standard travel series format to focus on luxury, style and design trends in some of the most inviting locales in the world. The series embodies the true essence of the Discovery Travel & Living brand as it encourages viewers to explore their world, imagine possibilities and live life to the fullest.”

    In each episode of the series, the co-creators of the books-Andrew Grahame and Juliet Kinsman-will investigate rural spa retreats, funky boutique hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and other sites in locations around the world to determine which deserve a place in the latest Mr. and Mrs. Smith guide.

  • New 2006 edition of Limca Book of Records unveiled

    Showcases over 10,000 awe-inspiring feats in 18 easy- to-understand-sections describing the highest levels of human endurance and seemingly impossible achievements

    • Atul Singh, President and CEO of Coca-Cola India, felicitated Padma Vibhushan Shri Satish Gujral and Dr. Vijaypat Singhania, renowned industrialist and aviator, J.N Kaul, President, SOS Villages, all being part of the eminent “People Of The Year” section in the 2006 edition of the record book
    • As part of the launch of Limca Book Of Records 2006, inspiring efforts of some of the record holders were also recognized – Cdr Uday K. Sondhi, Shaurya Chakra winner and a helicopter pilot with special abilities and Nishant Kasibhatla, record holder for memorizing 200 binary numbers in just 3 minutes 21 seconds and recall them in 5 minutes
    • With the launch of the 2006 edition, the record book entered into its 17th year of tribute to Indian achievers from across the globe. Limca Book of Records was first launched in 1990
    • Out of a total of 18 sections, some of the most interesting chapters include Human Story, Education, Medical Sciences, Business, Sports, Nature, Adventure etc

    New Delhi, 8th June 2006 – Limca Book of Records marking the beginning of an all-new year of Indian records was launched at a special ceremony. With 18 refreshing & informative sections, the record book celebrates over 10,000 remarkable achievements of Indians from around the world. The book was unveiled amidst a felicitation ceremony by Atul Singh, President and CEO of Coca-Cola India and Vijaya Ghose, Editor – Limca Book of Records for the “People of the Year” including Shri Satish Gujral, India’s world-renowned painter, sculptor, muralist, graphic designer and architect, ace aviator and industrialist Dr. Vijaypat Singhania Chairman Emeritus of Raymond Ltd and J.N Kaul- President of SOS Villages, a renowned NGO providing shelter to orphaned and homeless children. Also present were record holders, Shaurya Chakra winner Cdr. Uday K. Sondhi (the only Indian to be cleared to fly a helicopter with an artificial leg), and Nishant Kasibhatla (has the unmatched ability to memorize 200 binary numbers in just 3 minutes 21 seconds and recall them in 5 minutes without any mistake).

    The 17th avatar of the Limca Book Of Records incorporates achievements across 18 ‘buzzing’ fields like Medical Science, Radio, television, Entertainment, Transport etc. showcasing records made and broken across India giving out a wealth of information to readers of all age groups. There are interviews with 10 leading personalities – Shuba Mudgal, Ekta Kapoor etc. The book also features SOS villages, Bajaj Group of Companies, LIC and BHEL as part of its “Doing India Proud” section. Other “People Of The Year” in the 2006 edition include Dr V. Shantha, Magsaysay award winner and Chairperson of Cancer Institute and Joshna Chinnappa, first Indian to win U-19 British Junior Squash title and the youngest national women’s champion.

    Speaking on the occasion Atul Singh, President and CEO Coca-Cola India said, “We at Coca-Cola India are proud to launch the all-new and invigorated Limca Book of Records 2006. This book goes beyond just paying tribute to Indians who have the drive to excel; it in fact inspires us to believe that nothing is impossible. The record book is clearly a succinct summarization of India at her best.”

    According to Vijaya Ghose, Editor of the Limca Book of Records, “Limca Book of Records has since its inception in 1990, been a book with the aim to seek out, encourage and applaud efforts of Indians conquering the impossible. Over the years we have diversified our sections, changed the records, added new types of entries and changed the look of book time and again. Today, the book has truly become the most trusted and the most valued infotainment source, read as much for its authenticity as for its presentation of rare and little-known facts.

    About Limca Book of Records

    Limca Book of Records is an extension of the Limca brand. Launched in India in 1990, it is the second book of records in the world after Guinness Book of Records. The book aims to identify people who have the spirit to excel and follow their goal with single-minded passion. It lays emphasis on unique achievements of our countrymen and is a salute to all those people who want to do something different and be remembered for their distinctive deeds. Being the first of its kind, this book was an instant hit with people from all generations.

    The book divides records into easy sections like Agriculture, Education, Business, Sports, Nature, Adventure, etc. In its efforts to recognize the best in all fields, starting 1992, the book selected outstanding achievers in their chosen field. Called ‘People of the Year’, it included stalwarts like Ameen Sayani, Koneru Humpy, Chandrababu Naidu, Prannoy Roy, Bachendri Pal. The People of the Year for 2005 included Dr Naresh Trehan, Mike Pandey, Lt. Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Sheila Dixit and Navin Gulia. While this year’s list includes – Satish Gujral, J. N Kaul, Dr. V. Shantha, Dr. Vijaypat Singhania and Joshna Chinnapa

    About Coca-Cola

    The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most-valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world’s top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day

    For further information please contact –
    Perfect Relations
    Sonika Hussain shussain@perfectrelations.com
    Vidhya vidhyaa@perfectrelations.com
     
  • CAS: IBF to push for level playing field

    CAS: IBF to push for level playing field

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has decided to exhort the government to mandate all other addressable systems in the country like DTH and IPTV, for example, as was being done with CAS or conditional access system.

    This suggestion was one of the many that were discussed today by the board of IBF, an apex body of broadcasting companies operating in India, during a debate to help formulate a stand on the issue of CAS, which can be taken to the government by 7 April.
    Another issue that the IBF would note down in a communication to the information and broadcasting ministry, which is holding meetings with industry stakeholders to finalise a rollout plan for CAS, is the pricing of such addressable services.

    Though the exact words are still to be formalized, IBF sources told Indiantelevision.com it was suggested that the government should be petitioned to follow a recommendation of the sector regulator on the pricing mechanism of addressable systems like CAS, DTH and IPTV with an aim to provide a level playing field to broadcasters vis-à-vis the cable fraternity.
    In a set of recommendations on addressable systems made in 2004, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had suggested that since addressable services depend on offering a choice to consumers, unlike non-addressable system like present-day cable TV services, pricing should be allowed to be formulated by market forces and not mandated.

    Another issue that is likely to find its way in the letter for the government involves the free-to-air bouquet of channels and its pricing.

    The IBF board feels that since the scenario has undergone a change from the time CAS was mooted in 2003 when the free-to-air (FTA )bouquet was to comprise 30 channels and priced at Rs. 72 (exclusive of taxes), more channels should now be added to the FTA package for consumers in a CAS-enabled regime.

    The argument in favour of increasing the number of channels to at least 50 is backed by the fact that the subscription-free DTH service of Doordarshan will also carry more than 50 FTA channels from May. This was announced by DD today at a press conference.

    The IBF board is also likely to express its reservation against providing a la carte pricing of channels as it might be against consumer interest.

    Though such a line of thought had been forwarded by the broadcasting industry in the US to the American regulator, the Federal Communications Commission recently put out a statement saying that the earlier report on a la carte pricing was lopsided and individual pricing of TV channels actually works to the benefit of consumers. This too is being contested by broadcasters in the US.

  • Security concerns threaten enterprises rollout of mobile technology: Global survey

    Security concerns threaten enterprises rollout of mobile technology: Global survey

    BANGALORE: Security concerns are the biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of wireless and remote computing in businesses worldwide today, according to a global survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Symantec Corp.

    More than 60 per cent of companies are holding back on deployment, citing security concerns. Close to 47 per cent of respondents cite cost and complexity as a major obstacle to deployment. All the while, almost one in five businesses has already experienced financial loss due to attacks via mobile data platforms.

    The Economist Intelligence Unit’s research highlights serious weaknesses in firms’ present security arrangements for mobile devices. While 82 per cent of businesses worldwide, indicate that they see the damage from virus attacks as the same or greater on a mobile network than on a fixed network, only 26 per cent have actually assessed security risks of smart phones, compared with 81 per cent of enterprises conducting security assessments for laptops. Despite the proliferation of mobile device use in the enterprise, only 9 per cent of companies have incorporated a new security architecture designed to include mobile device access. Of the rest, ten per cent of the companies have no measures for addressing mobile security, 39 per cent are granting mobile devices access to corporate networks on an ad hoc basis and another 39 per cent are integrating mobile devices into their existing fixed network security architecture.

    “It’s prudent for enterprises to gain experience in mobile deployments and security before a serious attack makes it mandatory and time critical,” said Paul Miller, director mobile and wireless solutions, Symantec Corporation. “In today’s enterprise, there are multiple end points to account for and proper protection cannot be tackled as one-size-fits-all. While most enterprises are aware of the risks introduced with mobility, they continue to lack the appropriate security measures and policies required to protect themselves from potential threats.”

    The Economist Intelligence Unit, surveyed more than 240 global company executives and conducted a number of in-depth interviews with executives across a range of industries, to explore awareness of security risks associated with the widespread adoption of mobile data solutions. The research also looked at business readiness to respond, should a security threat be realized. Regional responses were aligned on a number of matters, with regional contrast strongest around security risk assessment on specific devices and security software deployment. For example, 55 per cent of Western European businesses have deployed security software to protect mobile data, compared to 44 per cent in Asia-Pacific and just 36 per cent in North America.

    “Security is the one particular issue that continues to impede the widespread adoption of mobile computing in the workplace and if it continues to be overlooked there is a danger that some businesses will miss the advantages mobility can bring to their workforces,” said Economist Intelligence Unit director of custom research Gareth Lofthouse.

    The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report Volume IX, published in March 2006, highlighted that malicious code that targets mobile devices, particularly smart phones, continued to grow through the second half of 2005. The report also highlighted several new examples of malicious code for smart phones including Cardtrp, which was the first cross-platform threat with the ability to affect both Symbian and Windows operating systems. The end of 2005, also saw the emergence of Pbstealer, which is distributed as a file that represents itself as a phone book utility for smart phones, in order to entice a user to download and execute it. Once a device has been compromised by one of these Trojan horses, information such as the user’s phonebook, notepad, calendar, and to-do list will be transmitted to Bluetooth-enabled devices that are within range. This may pose a serious breach of confidentiality if a corporate device is compromised in this manner, as sensitive contact information and appointments could be shared. The risks connected with mobile data will increase as larger mobile networks become a more attractive target for cyber-criminals.

    “A coherent strategy for mobile security would work towards alleviating the concerns of many enterprises. Companies can begin leveraging mobile technology as a competitive advantage by adding mobile protection to 5 or 10 per cent of their mobile workforce and heeding to best practices. This measured approach will help tremendously in preparing for major deployment,” said Miller.

  • Distraction’s spoof ‘Sins Of Love’ sold to FremantleMedia France

    Distraction’s spoof ‘Sins Of Love’ sold to FremantleMedia France

    MUMBAI: Distraction has announced the sale of the spoof Sins of Love to Fremantle in France. The latter is currently negotiating with a number of French networks. With pre-production already under way, Distraction hopes the show will start airing as early as next fall.

    FremantleMedia France president Bibiane Godefroy said, “The unusual humour of this format struck me from the moment I saw it first at Mipcom. Set in a vibrant city, Sins of Love sends up the ‘soaps’ with a completely whacky universe of love triangles, family dramas and conspiracies that pay gloriously uproarious tribute to the genre’s every cliché. I think this new genre of scripted format will be attractive to French broadcasters.”

    “We are very excited to be working with Fremantle on this project. Not only are we assured of the quality of their adaptation, but we are also confident that it will become a cult series,” said Distraction president and CEO Michel Rodrigue.

    As the development of interactive content from such formats is already proving an asset on properties such as Love Bugs, Distraction has already begun work on a strategy for Sins of Love with Interactive Rights Management (IRM). The services will range from fixed line telephony brand extensions to MMS comic strips and mobile video downloads for the show, states an official release.

  • Voting begins for BBC World Service online campaign on favourite quote

    Voting begins for BBC World Service online campaign on favourite quote

    MUMBAI: Will it be a quote from Mahatma Gandhi or William Shakespeare, Saint Luke’s Gospel or Lao Tzu? Voting has started for BBC World Service’s Moving Words online campaign to find the world’s favourite quotation.

    Voting ends on 12 April 2006 and the results will be announced on 13 April.

    Last month, people around the world were invited to nominate their most loved quotations via the Moving Words website. Their selections could come from a wide range of sources – novels, short stories, poems, plays, speeches, religious texts and songs from anywhere in the world and from any era.

    Famous people taking part included the Dalai Lama who chose an extract from Shantideva, an eighth century Buddhist monk. Crime writer PD James selected lines from Hamlet and Dr Michio Kaku, a physicist and inventor of String Field theory, was inspired by Albert Einstein.

    Asian writer Hari Kunzru found parallels to today’s infringement of personal and public space in the rhyme: “The law locks up the man or woman/ who steals the goose from off the common/ but lets the greater villain loose/ who steals the common from the goose.” (Anon).

    Nominations flooded in from people in more than 100 countries. Their selections have now been whittled down to a shortlist of ten.

    The shortlist is:

    Woody Allen “To you I’m an atheist; to God, I’m the Loyal Opposition”.

    Dalai Lama “You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist”.

    Sir Isaac Newton “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.”.

    Saint Augustine “It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

    Gospel of Luke -“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

    Lao Tzu “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

    The US Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

    William Shakespeare who wrote in the play As You Like It “All the world’s a stage, And, all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.”

    Nelson Mandela – “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

    Mahatma Gandhi “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”

  • Katie Couric to be anchor & managing editor of CBS News

    Katie Couric to be anchor & managing editor of CBS News

    MUMBAI: CBS Corporation President and CEO Leslie Moonves and CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus announced that one of broadcasting’s most respected and popular journalists, Katie Couric is joining CBS News.

    With the appointment, Couric becomes the first female solo anchor of a network evening news broadcast.
    As part of the multi-year agreement, Couric will become anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric beginning in September. Couric will also contribute to 60 Minutes and will anchor CBS News primetime specials as well, states an official release.

    Couric said, “It has been a great privilege to be one of the caretakers of a television institution like the ‘Today’ show for 15 years. Joining CBS is a unique opportunity that came at the right time for me. I’m thrilled to become part of the rich tradition of CBS News and look forward to working with the many extraordinarily talented people there.”

    Said Moonves. “With this move, our News Division takes yet another giant leap forward. Katie is simply one of the best in the business and represents a tremendous addition to CBS News, which continues to grow and improve every day under Sean’s leadership. Seasoned broadcasters who are at once respected, charismatic and known throughout this country and beyond are increasingly important in this fragmented media landscape. I’m proud to have a talent like Katie who personifies this rare combination of qualities, and look forward to the many contributions that she will make not only to our developing evening news broadcast, but to our entire news operation.”

    Couric joined NBC News in 1989 as deputy Pentagon reporter. She began work on Today in June 1990 as its first national correspondent, which included two stints covering the Gulf War. Couric served as substitute co-anchor from February 1991 until taking over the job permanently in April 1991. She also was a contributing anchor for Dateline NBC.

    Couric has anchored many major breaking news events over the past 15 years, including the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center; the Columbine tragedy in Colorado; six Olympic Games, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing; the funeral of Princess Diana; the Oklahoma City bombing; the Timothy McVeigh execution; the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings; and the end of the millennium coverage, which she co-anchored with Tom Brokaw.

    She has interviewed an extraordinarily diverse collection of newsmakers, from presidents and prime ministers to captains of industry and cultural icons and a myriad of authors, politicians and newsmakers.

    “This is an enormously proud day for all of us at CBS News. Katie joining our team signifies not only her commitment to doing first-rate journalism, but our strong commitment to producing the highest quality work done by the best reporters, producers and writers in television news. She is a key ingredient as we work towards our goal of making CBS News the number one news organization in America. This organization was built on quality and integrity, and Katie and her CBS News colleagues will continue to carry that legacy into the 21st century” said McManus.

    Couric is the recipient of a George Foster Peabody Award for her March 2000 series on colon cancer. She also has won six Emmy Awards, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award, a National Headliner Award, an Associated Press Award, a Matrix Award, two American Women in Radio and Television Gracie Awards, the Harvard University School of Public Health’s Julius B. Richmond Award and UNICEF’s Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award.

    Couric’s broadcast journalism career began as a desk assistant at ABC News in Washington, D.C. (1979). She worked for CNN (1980-84) as an assignment editor, associate producer, producer and, ultimately, political correspondent. Couric was a general assignment reporter for WTVJ Miami (1984-86) and for WRC-TV Washington, D.C. (1987-89), adds the release.

  • Nat Geo Intl to bring ‘Korea to the World’

    Nat Geo Intl to bring ‘Korea to the World’

    CANNES: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and Korean Broadcasting Institute (KBI) have announce the first co-production partnership to cultivate local filmmaking talent.

    The partnership will facilitate the production of quality made-in-Korea documentaries for global viewers. It will provide $1.2 million in filmmaking funds for 4 one-hour films, titled Korea to the World.

    NGCI CEO David Haslingden says, “We are proud to be the first international factual network to partner with KBI and are delighted to expand NGCI’s presence in Asia. We want to develop and bring Korean talent to the notice of our global audience in 162 countries and in 27 languages worldwide”.

    KBI president Gyun Yu says, “We are excited to establish this partnership with NGCI. As a renowned international television network, NGCI, provides the perfect platform for Korean documentaries to reach viewers globally”.

  • Zee Jagran to launch pilgrimage show ‘Jahan Jahan Ram Charan Chali Jahin’

    Zee Jagran to launch pilgrimage show ‘Jahan Jahan Ram Charan Chali Jahin’

    MUMBAI: Zee Jagran will launch a pilgrimage-based show Jahan Jahan Ram Charan Chali Jahin on the occasion of Ram Navmi, on 6 April.

    According to an official release, the pilgrimage will have none other than Shri Arun Govil as the guide. The pilgrimage covers two countries, 10 states, 72 districts and 250 places. The program will be anchored by veteran actor Arun Govil.

    Jahan Jahan Ram Charan Chali Jahin gives its viewers a unique chance to explore and know in detail, about all the places visited by Shri Ram during his journeys – first with Rishi Vishwamitra and Rishi Vasishta as a child, and then the famous 14 years spent in exile. They can experience the divinity of all the places blessed by the footsteps of Shri Ram but lost and forgotten over a period of time, states an official release.

    Viewers will discover places like ‘Makhauda’ a small village 20 Kms from Ayodhya where Raja Dashrath performed the Putrayesthi Yagna, and where the Havan Kund in which this yagna was performed is still present, the release adds.

    Says Zee Jagran channel head Anil Anand, “A sense of divine history discovery & exploration, an intrinsic urge to understand one’s roots and an opportunity to be at one with God will make viewers respond to this program.” He further states that “The Channel has spared no cost to make this program special and meaningful for its viewers. The program has been shot – on location – all 250 of them; many of these places are inaccessible by modern means of transport. We have also specially composed over 400 Chaupies which will feature in the program. The title song has been very soulfully given voice by Shri Pankaj Awasthi. The program also gives travel advice to its viewers, should they want to visit any of these places. To involve and reward the viewers, we have an interactive format wherein viewers can win special gifts by sending answers to questions asked by Shri Arun Govil during the program.”

    The program is being promoted heavily on the Zee Network and other TV Channels, apart from viewer contacts being made through van activities across North Indian States.