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  • UK study highlights the need for more innovative TV on mobile phones

    UK study highlights the need for more innovative TV on mobile phones

    MUMBAI: The results of a new study, Mobile TV – Attitudes to Broadcast on Mobile, confirms the need for broadcast and entertainment brands to work harder to tailor their content to mobile phones.

    The qualitative study by Red Bee Media (formerly BBC Broadcast) and digital media research agency, iBurbia, aimed to research consumer attitudes to specially made or tailored mobile content compared to TV streamed to mobile phones.

    The findings suggested that full length programming on mobile is not as popular as made for mobile TV because screen sizes are too small, opportunities to watch full length programmes on-the-go are rare and subjects preferred to watch full-length programming on the TV.

    iBurbia’s Omar Bakhshi says, “We talked with a broad range of people in this study and there was significant interest in concepts that complemented TV viewing with extra and exclusive content on mobile phones. But, the content had to be sufficiently compelling to be worth the effort and there is a fear of billing abuse, meaning that cost needs to be made clear”.

    The results have also suggested that the most effective way to market mobile TV will be using on-screen prompts within related television shows. The most successful mobile TV will also be of the right quality to work on a mobile screen and targeted to a specific audience. Participants in the study found that, on the smallest of mobile screens, any content over three minutes was too long and anything over one pound was too expensive.

    The recent Oxford trials confirmed that there is an appetite for mobile TV, but this research highlights how ‘TV’ for mobile is wildly different from the ‘TV’ of linear broadcasting. New rules for advertising, navigating and entertaining apply. We worked with iBurbia to find out what viewers really want to watch on their mobile phones. Red Bee Media has built a successful business in understanding consumers’ needs in order to create and tailor content and communicaton for multiple platforms and formats.

    Red Bee Media business director new creative content Catriona Tate says, “The results point towards the mobile TV market being driven in the short term by advertiser funded content and mobile video that compliments or promotes TV programmes”.

    The qualitative study was produced by iBurbia in its interactive media research centre in West London. It included six focus groups – two groups made up of people aged 16-25, three 26-40 and one 41-60. One of these groups consisted of ‘gadget’ users (26-40 age group), the rest only having freeview TV at home and mostly using their mobile phones just for calls.

    The subjects were shown content specially made for mobile on mobile handsets that was created by Red Bee Media. The content included a sport clip, comedy clip, one minute mobidrama, advertiser funded programme, interview with football manager and reality TV clip. As a comparison, subjects were also shown a full length High Definition programme on a PSP (portable Play Station) and a Freeview channel streamed live to a mobile phone.

  • American Idol judge Paula Abdul signs new multi year deal

    American Idol judge Paula Abdul signs new multi year deal

    MUMBAI: Pop star Paula Abdul has agreed to continue her role as a fan-favourite judge on US broadcaster Fox’s show American Idol for at least three more years

    Fox Entertainment president Peter Ligouri says, “Paula is an integral member of the Amerian Idol family, and we are excited to have her continue as the show’s beloved judge. As someone who rose to the top of the charts as a solo artist, she has unique insights into the contestants’ hopes, dreams and fears.”

    In India, the show airs on Star World. Fox executive VP special programming Mike Darnell says, “Paula’s warm and nurturing nature is vital to the balance of the show. We are thrilled to have her alongside – or actually in between – Randy and Simon”.

    Abdul said, “It is truly an honour to be a part of the American Idol phenomenon. As an artist myself, it is a pleasure to have a connection with each of the contestants and be able to fully support their dreams and aspirations. They truly inspire and amaze me each week. Of course, I also look forward to putting Simon in his place for years to come.”

  • Hong Kong to launch digital TV next year

    Hong Kong to launch digital TV next year

    MUMBAI: The Hong Kong Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau has set up working groups with Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to ensure timely and smooth launch of digital services next year.

    Led by the Hong Kong office of the Telecommunications Authority, the groups will work with the TV stations to solve technical issues related to the transmission and reception of digital terrestrial TV, and facilitate inter-departmental coordination to ensure successful migration from analogue to digital TV at different stages.

    Media reports indicate that a new website has also been launched as part of a major publicity drive to raise awareness and improve understanding of digital TV. Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Games are the driving force speeding up the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Hong Kong. The administration will require the territory’s two terrestrial television broadcasters to start digital transmissions by next year.

    In July 2004, Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority announced the implementation framework for digital TV in Hong Kong.

    The bureau approved the investment plans of ATV and TVB for their digital TV programme service and network rollout.

    According to the blueprint, ATV and TVB will start broadcasting their existing services in both analogue and digital format (simulcasting) and launch a new digital service on the respective additional frequency channel assigned to them by 2007.

    The government has yet to decide its transmission standard. If the mainland has not promulgated a national standard before the end of 2006, ATV and TVB will adopt the European digital video broadcasting – terrestrial standard which has been widely adopted internationally.

    The government has set up two working groups, led by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, to work with the two broadcasters to ensure an integrated launch of digital TV.

    According to the government timetable, ATV and TVB shall provide their existing services in both analog and digital format by 2007.

    Subject to further market and technical studies, the government will direct ATV and TVB to cease analogue broadcasts by 2012, Lai said.

  • UK study highlights the need for more innovative TV on mobile phones

    UK study highlights the need for more innovative TV on mobile phones

    MUMBAI: The results of a new study, Mobile TV – Attitudes to Broadcast on Mobile, confirms the need for broadcast and entertainment brands to work harder to tailor their content to mobile phones.

    The qualitative study by Red Bee Media (formerly BBC Broadcast) and digital media research agency, iBurbia, aimed to research consumer attitudes to specially made or tailored mobile content compared to TV streamed to mobile phones.

    The findings suggested that full length programming on mobile is not as popular as made for mobile TV because screen sizes are too small, opportunities to watch full length programmes on-the-go are rare and subjects preferred to watch full-length programming on the TV.

    iBurbia’s Omar Bakhshi says, “We talked with a broad range of people in this study and there was significant interest in concepts that complemented TV viewing with extra and exclusive content on mobile phones. But, the content had to be sufficiently compelling to be worth the effort and there is a fear of billing abuse, meaning that cost needs to be made clear”.

    The results have also suggested that the most effective way to market mobile TV will be using on-screen prompts within related television shows. The most successful mobile TV will also be of the right quality to work on a mobile screen and targeted to a specific audience. Participants in the study found that, on the smallest of mobile screens, any content over three minutes was too long and anything over one pound was too expensive.

    The recent Oxford trials confirmed that there is an appetite for mobile TV, but this research highlights how ‘TV’ for mobile is wildly different from the ‘TV’ of linear broadcasting. New rules for advertising, navigating and entertaining apply. We worked with iBurbia to find out what viewers really want to watch on their mobile phones. Red Bee Media has built a successful business in understanding consumers’ needs in order to create and tailor content and communicaton for multiple platforms and formats.

    Red Bee Media business director new creative content Catriona Tate says, “The results point towards the mobile TV market being driven in the short term by advertiser funded content and mobile video that compliments or promotes TV programmes”.

    The qualitative study was produced by iBurbia in its interactive media research centre in West London. It included six focus groups – two groups made up of people aged 16-25, three 26-40 and one 41-60. One of these groups consisted of ‘gadget’ users (26-40 age group), the rest only having freeview TV at home and mostly using their mobile phones just for calls.

    The subjects were shown content specially made for mobile on mobile handsets that was created by Red Bee Media. The content included a sport clip, comedy clip, one minute mobidrama, advertiser funded programme, interview with football manager and reality TV clip. As a comparison, subjects were also shown a full length High Definition programme on a PSP (portable Play Station) and a Freeview channel streamed live to a mobile phone.A

  • GRB Entertainment is all set to ‘Rumble’

    GRB Entertainment is all set to ‘Rumble’

    MUMBAI: Continuing its move into the scripted world of dramatic series, GRB Entertainment has signed a deal with screenwriter John Milius for a new one-hour dramatic series entitled Rumble.

    Rumble is loosely based on the life and bestselling book of Chuck Zito, the former president of the New York City Hells Angels who rose to become one of the most famous Hells Angels in their history. Zito will serve as executive producer and story consultant for the series.

    GRB Entertainment plans to take the project out in the next 2-3 months and is offering the series at next week’s television event MIPTV in Cannes, France. It is looking to secure a co-production deal with a European partner.
    Milius says, “I have always been fascinated with motorcycle gangs having grown up around them and if I had not been a surfer, I would have been a biker. The biker image is shrouded with mystery, fear, and admiration and the outlaw biker gang is an authentic international counter culture that has lasted a long, long time. This series will tell all.²

    Set in the volatile streets of New York City, Rumble follows the life of Johnny Ringo, a tough, take-no prisoners, brute of a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Loosely based on a true story, this gritty series chronicles Ringo’s reign as he assumes the presidency of the largest and most ruthless biker gang in the world.

    Milius created and served as the executive producer on HBO’s series Rome.

  • Revenue for Canada’s private TV stations up four per cent

    Revenue for Canada’s private TV stations up four per cent

    MUMBAI: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released its annual report with statistical and financial data on conventional Canadian private television stations for 2001-2005.Overall, these stations remain profitable, and posted increased revenues and profits over this period.

    From 2004 to 2005, total revenue and profit before interest and taxes for private television stations rose by close to four per cent coming in at $2.2 billion and $242.2 million respectively in 2005. The ad revenues for these stations grew by nearly five per cent, totalling $1.5 billion, while local time sales decreased by 1.1 per cent to $362.9 million.

    Overall, broadcasters’ operating expenses increased by 4.3 per cent from 2004 to 2005, reaching $1.9 billion in 2005. Of that amount, $1.3 billion was invested in acquiring and producing programming, including $587 million for Canadian programmes. This figure includes the $138.5 million that broadcasters paid to independent producers in order to acquire programming.

    Private broadcasters’ spending on Canadian programmes included $86.6 million for drama, $310.2 million for news programs, $59.4 million for other information programs, $83.1 million for general interest programming, and $29.2 million for musical and variety shows.

    The report was produced using the financial summaries of private Canadian television undertakings. It also provides data from the CBC’s financial summaries. It is the first in a series of reports on broadcasting that the CRTC publishes every year in order to inform interested parties of the current financial situation of this industry in Canada.

  • ‘Rainbow’ voted best children’s TV show in UK

    ‘Rainbow’ voted best children’s TV show in UK

    MUMBAI: A survey conducted by BBC Worldwide in the UK to celebrate the launch of the new CBeebies Weekly pre-school magazine, takes a nostalgic look at the favourite kids programmes of yesteryear.

    George, Zippy and Bungle came out soaring up above the roofs and houses as Rainbow was voted number one show most fondly remembered from early childhood (3-6 years old). The show aired in the UK from 1972 to 1992. It was a children’s puppet programme featuring music and stories.

    The study confirms that they are still as cherished as today’s the Teletubbies, Tweenies and Charlie & Lola, all featured in the new weekly magazine.

    1000 people took part in the Omnibus survey, which asked 25-45 years old to take a trip down memory lane and select their favourite kids programme of all time.

    The Magic Roundabout with Zebedee, Ermintrude and Dougal came in a close second, and as if by magic, bowler-hatted Mr Benn and his costumed world of adventures grabbed joint third position with Little Ted, Big Ted, Jemima and Humpty still holding a firm place in Play Schoolers’ hearts. Slumbering Bagpuss came in at number five.

  • Anthony Dale is FCC acting MD

    Anthony Dale is FCC acting MD

    MUMBAI: US media regulatory body Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Kevin J. Martin has named Anthony Dale as FCC acting MD and Mark Stephens as acting CFO.

    Dale has been with the FCC for almost 10 years working on a broad range of management and policy roles. Most recently, Dale served as acting deputy M D in the commission’s office of MD. Dale also served as interim director of the Commission’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

    He served in management positions in the Wireline Competition Bureau where he also served as special advisor for homeland security, the International Bureau, the Enforcement Bureau, and the Common Carrier Bureau. In these roles, Mr. Dale supervised a variety of issues, including Universal Service Fund policy and management issues, budget presentation and execution, financial reporting and compliance, audits and investigations, mergers and competition policy, homeland security matters, and various proceedings addressing telecommunications issues.

    Stephens has over two decades experience in financial management, auditing, and accounting in both the public and the private sectors. Most recently, Stephens served as acting deputy CFO in the commission’s office of MD. In that capacity, he managed the commission’s financial reporting and compliance, oversaw preparation and implementation of the Commission’s budget, and provided advice on financial management and accounting matters.

    Stephens also served as special advisor for Universal Service Fund Oversight in the Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau, where he worked to strengthen the FCC’s safeguards against potential waste, fraud, and abuse. Stephens also worked as a senior audit manager and systems accountant in the Wireline Competition Bureau (including the former Common Carrier Bureau) and the Enforcement Bureau.

  • Fremantle beefs up ancillary rights operations in Latin America, Spanish speaking USA

    Fremantle beefs up ancillary rights operations in Latin America, Spanish speaking USA

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) has appointed Jack Alfandary as vice president licensing and new business development.

    In this newly created position, Alfandary will be responsible for overseeing sponsorship, licensing and digital activity throughout Latin America and Spanish speaking USA for key FremantleMedia brands such as American Idol, The Apprentice, The Price Is Right and the upcoming Latin American and Brazilian local versions of the Idols format, Latin American Idol and Idolos Brazil respectively.

    Additionally, he will manage the company’s new business development initiatives in South and Latin America. Alfandary will be based in Miami and will report to Fremantle Productions Latin America managing director Latin America and Spanish speaking USA Carlos Gonzalez and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas executive vice president Olivier Gers.

    Gonzalez said, “We are really excited to be launching Latin American Idol and Idolos Brazil in the region. The Idols format has been extremely popular with audiences around the world and Jack will be instrumental in ensuring the success of both local versions on and off-air. Jack will be invaluable to the Latin American operation and we’re pleased to welcome him to the team.”

    Gers added, “Latin America and Spanish speaking USA are increasingly important ancillary rights markets for us and Jack’s appointment is indicative of how seriously we view the region. We are really exited to have Jack on board and we are confident that, with his wealth of talent and experience, he will be a great asset to the team and really help further strengthen FremantleMedia’s position as one of the leading licensors and innovators in the Americas.”

    Alfandary joined FremantleMedia in January 2004 as a consultant. Prior to this, he was BMG senior director strategic marketing and business development. There he was responsible for the overall leadership of strategic marketing activities in Latin America and Spanish speaking USA including strategic alliances, new business development, partnership marketing, licensing, media buying and planning, advertising and promotions, catalogue and online marketing and new technology.

  • Nortel and Qualcomm claim industry’s fastest HSDPA data call

    Nortel and Qualcomm claim industry’s fastest HSDPA data call

    MUMBAI: Nortel and Qualcomm have successfully achieved the industry’s first 7.2 Mbps HSDPA mobile data calls. The tests achieved data downloads at speeds up to four times faster than most current fixed broadband connections, companies claimed in an official release.

    According to the official communiqué, the companies completed the initial series of pre-commercial category 8 HSDPA data calls using test terminals based on Qualcomm’s Mobile Station Modem (MSM), MSM6280 solution and HSDPA network equipment from Nortel.

    The calls covered frequencies in all commercially available UMTS spectrum currently used by mobile operators throughout the world. The 2100MHz spectrum is the basis for most European 3G networks and the 850MHz spectrum is now in use for new UMTS networks in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. As spectrum at 900MHz is expanded for UMTS services, Nortel believes this can also become an important part of European HSDPA roll out.

    “Nortel continues to be an industry leader in driving HSDPA technologies to faster, more cost-effective capabilities that will help power mobile communications to beyond 3G services such as high quality live TV and HD video on demand,” said Jean-Luc Jezouin, vice-president, GSM/UMTS product line management, Nortel. “Together with Qualcomm, Nortel is an industry pioneer in advancing the potential of HSDPA to help wireless operators maximize their existing UMTS infrastructures by offering new and faster services for subscribers.”

    HSDPA is designed to boost network capacity for data transmissions up to four times and enables twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to current UMTS networks. By making more efficient use of existing network capabilities, HSDPA helps reduce operating costs while delivering a high quality end-user experience.

    Nortel and Qualcomm will be demonstrating high-resolution video streaming enabled by HSDPA data calls at 7.2Mbps during CTIA Wireless 2006 in Las Vegas, 5 April to 7 April.