Tag: 20th Century Fox

  • Disney rebrands historic 20th Century Fox Television as 20th Television

    Disney rebrands historic 20th Century Fox Television as 20th Television

    KOLKATA: The historic brand in media and entertainment, 20th Century Fox, officially sees its end. Media conglomerate Disney announced that it would be rebranding 20th Century Fox Television as 20th Television. 

    According to media reports, the move is aimed at curtailing consumer confusion over the two brands after last year’s merger. Earlier in January, Disney shredded 'Fox’ from 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight.

    After the rebranding, the famous logo and title card, which has the words 20th Television on focus, will remain the same but without the words ‘Century’ and ‘Fox’. Disney has also renamed its other television studios. It has changed ABC Studios and ABC Signature Studios to ABC Signature while Fox 21 Television Studios will become Touchstone Television.

    "Our new studio names and logos mark a new day for ABC Signature, 20th Television and Touchstone Television while honoring their rich histories and the creative power of The Walt Disney Company," Disney television studios president Craig Hunegs said.

  • Rewind networks expands Philippines presence with launch of Hits Movies on cignal

    Rewind networks expands Philippines presence with launch of Hits Movies on cignal

    SINGAPORE/MANILA: Rewind Networks has launched HITS MOVIES on Cignal, Philippines’ premier DTH satellite provider. The channel is available on Channel 58. HITS MOVIES joins sister channel HITS, which has been on the platform since October 2016. HITS MOVIES will be available for free to all Cignal subscribers for the first three months of the launch.

    Across Asia, HITS MOVIES is available on major pay-TV platforms in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. The Cignal launch comes shortly after three major milestone launches for Rewind Networks in just the first two months of 2020: the launch of HITS on Tata Sky in India and the launch of HITS MOVIES in CANAL+ (Myanmar) and Astro (Malaysia). The launches signal a growing demand for the channel among leading pay-TV operators in the region.

    “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Cignal and bring HITS MOVIES to their viewers in the Philippines,” said Avi Himatsinghani, CEO of Rewind Networks. “We are confident Cignal subscribers will enjoy HITS MOVIES’ blockbuster line-up of top-rated Hollywood movies from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, just as they have enjoyed its sister channel HITS.”

    Guido R. Zaballero from Cignal said: “The launch of HITS MOVIES on Cignal is a testament to our commitment in giving our subscribers the best viewing experience with awesome curated entertainment. We look forward to working with Rewind Networks to replicate the success of HITS on Cignal with HITS MOVIES. We will have a three-month blowout to all Cignal postpaid, prepaid and SatLite after which, it will be made available to all postpaid plans as well as prepaid load 300 and up and SatLite 299.”

    HITS MOVIES celebrates the best blockbuster films ever made from the ‘60s to the ‘90s. The channel’s slate includes hot favorites like The Sound of Music, Sister Act, Magnificent Seven, Freaky Friday (1976), Mary Poppins, Teen Wolf, Conan The Barbarian, Halloween, Wall Street, French Connectionand Three Men and a Baby. The channel features a carefully curated selection of hit films from Hollywood majors such as The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, Warner Bros and Sony Pictures and will be progressively introducing more titles from other leading studios.

  • Is Sony Pictures getting a raw deal as studios war over Bond rights?

    MUMBAI: Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, and 20th Century Fox are among the Hollywood studio majors fighting for the rights to distribute ‘Bond 25’. Universal Pictures, Times and Annapurna are also warring for the rights to distribute the forthcoming James Bond movie.

    The rights to all 007 films are owned by EON and MGM, but they only produce the movies and need a distributor to handle the marketing, PTI reported. Sony Pictures was chosen for the job starting with ‘Casino Royale’ in 2006 and continued until 2015 with ‘Spectre’.

    Sony, under its previous agreement, paid 50 per cent of the production costs for ‘Spectre’ — which was around USD 250 million — but only received 25 per cent of certain profits, once costs were recouped, according to a report.

    Sony also shelled out tens of millions of dollars for the sake of marketing and gave MGM a share of the profit from non-Bond films Sony had in its pipeline, including ’22 Jump Street’.

    Now, MGM and EON are allegedly offering a one-film contract only. MGM, which is owned by private equity firms, including Anchorage Capital Partners, probably wants to keep its options open as it considers a public offer or sale, the report added.

  • Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    MUMBAI: Ignition Creative – a leading, global integrated marketing agency headquartered in Los Angeles – has announced the development of its Asia Pacific operations, launching first in India and led by the newly appointed Ignition’s chairman APAC and Middle East Jaideep Singh.

    Ignition creates culturally relevant entertainment, offering: strategy, print, audiovisual, digital, social, motion design, music, post-production, sound, computer generated (CG) visual effects and physical production. Clients include: 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, TNT, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Amazon, A&E, AT&T | U-verse, Cirque du Soleil, HBO, Paramount Pictures, Netflix, Nike, Mattel, Yahoo and many more.

    Ignition is bringing a new realm to creative integrated marketing campaigns for brands in India. In addition, it intends to partner with leading Indian film production houses leveraging its recognized experience in creating some of Hollywood’s best integrated film campaigns.

    Ignition is a one-of-a-kind, full service marketing agency. Founded in 2003, its vision was to build an offering that combined CEO Martin Kistler’s renowned entertainment expertise with the deep strategic rigor of brand advertising. Starting as a small trailer house, Ignition quickly saw the future development of the entertainment marketing space, adding an integrated department, physical production division and cutting-edge digital and social tools to respond to clients’ evolving needs. This foresight made Ignition Hollywood’s go-to shop for driving new kinds of audience engagement through innovative, viral campaigns.

    To date, it has delivered hundreds of award-winning campaigns – from Cannes Lions to Clios – for film studios, TV networks and blue chip brands. Notable work includes Netflix and Marvel’s Daredevil, Transformers, Nike’s NIKEID: LeBron’s Homecoming, The Hunger Games, ESPN / Land Rover, LA Dodgers, Game of Thrones and 2K Games’ awaited Civilization VI, to name a few.

    Jaideep Singh’s board consists of veteran, global creatives and business leaders who will be announced over the next two months. Singh will develop, launch and guide Ignition’s expansion in to the APAC and Middle Eastern markets opening its first office in Mumbai, followed by branches opening in Delhi and Bangalore.

    “We have experienced rapid growth thanks to Ignition’s proprietary creative process, Ignite360, which led us to become recognised globally for our ability to help clients unleash new revenue streams while also meeting their marketing needs. As we’ve gained organic momentum, we have seized the opportunity to expand our international footprint, bringing the agency’s diverse talent-pool and full-service offering to more markets,” said Ignition Creative founder, CEO and chief creative officer Martin Kistler.

    “We feel fortunate to have found a perfect partner in Jaideep Singh whose relevant experience of India and solid understanding of global media industries will help us grow our international operations. His extensive knowledge of international partnerships and expertise in cultural and social trends make him an invaluable addition to Ignition’s leadership team,” added Kistler.

    Earlier this year, Singh was appointed as the managing director of creative technology innovation group, Volocity Media, to launch its India and APAC operations. He continues to spearhead Volocity’s expansion plans alongside his new role at Ignition. Singh holds to his credit 20 years of diverse experience across marketing, media and entertainment. A decorated ex-army major who for the last 15 years has worked with notable companies, including, JK Tyres, Confederation Of India Industries and Radio Mirchi. His last stint was a stellar 10-year position at Viacom India, where — as Senior Vice President and Business Head of Integrated Network Solutions — he launched hosts of domestic and global impact’s (IP’s), secured strategic media partnerships with brands, government sectors and engaged with entertainment and media divisions across the globe.

    “There is high demand from businesses in the Middle East, India and across Asia to work with an agency that combines data-driven strategy, purposeful creative and cutting-edge technologies to deliver measurable campaign results. Ignition offers a unique, integrated package of services plus award-winning experience marketing global brands and Hollywood blockbusters. So it’s a thrilling venture applying its success to explore new markets and push new creative boundaries,” said Singh.

  • Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    MUMBAI: Ignition Creative – a leading, global integrated marketing agency headquartered in Los Angeles – has announced the development of its Asia Pacific operations, launching first in India and led by the newly appointed Ignition’s chairman APAC and Middle East Jaideep Singh.

    Ignition creates culturally relevant entertainment, offering: strategy, print, audiovisual, digital, social, motion design, music, post-production, sound, computer generated (CG) visual effects and physical production. Clients include: 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, TNT, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Amazon, A&E, AT&T | U-verse, Cirque du Soleil, HBO, Paramount Pictures, Netflix, Nike, Mattel, Yahoo and many more.

    Ignition is bringing a new realm to creative integrated marketing campaigns for brands in India. In addition, it intends to partner with leading Indian film production houses leveraging its recognized experience in creating some of Hollywood’s best integrated film campaigns.

    Ignition is a one-of-a-kind, full service marketing agency. Founded in 2003, its vision was to build an offering that combined CEO Martin Kistler’s renowned entertainment expertise with the deep strategic rigor of brand advertising. Starting as a small trailer house, Ignition quickly saw the future development of the entertainment marketing space, adding an integrated department, physical production division and cutting-edge digital and social tools to respond to clients’ evolving needs. This foresight made Ignition Hollywood’s go-to shop for driving new kinds of audience engagement through innovative, viral campaigns.

    To date, it has delivered hundreds of award-winning campaigns – from Cannes Lions to Clios – for film studios, TV networks and blue chip brands. Notable work includes Netflix and Marvel’s Daredevil, Transformers, Nike’s NIKEID: LeBron’s Homecoming, The Hunger Games, ESPN / Land Rover, LA Dodgers, Game of Thrones and 2K Games’ awaited Civilization VI, to name a few.

    Jaideep Singh’s board consists of veteran, global creatives and business leaders who will be announced over the next two months. Singh will develop, launch and guide Ignition’s expansion in to the APAC and Middle Eastern markets opening its first office in Mumbai, followed by branches opening in Delhi and Bangalore.

    “We have experienced rapid growth thanks to Ignition’s proprietary creative process, Ignite360, which led us to become recognised globally for our ability to help clients unleash new revenue streams while also meeting their marketing needs. As we’ve gained organic momentum, we have seized the opportunity to expand our international footprint, bringing the agency’s diverse talent-pool and full-service offering to more markets,” said Ignition Creative founder, CEO and chief creative officer Martin Kistler.

    “We feel fortunate to have found a perfect partner in Jaideep Singh whose relevant experience of India and solid understanding of global media industries will help us grow our international operations. His extensive knowledge of international partnerships and expertise in cultural and social trends make him an invaluable addition to Ignition’s leadership team,” added Kistler.

    Earlier this year, Singh was appointed as the managing director of creative technology innovation group, Volocity Media, to launch its India and APAC operations. He continues to spearhead Volocity’s expansion plans alongside his new role at Ignition. Singh holds to his credit 20 years of diverse experience across marketing, media and entertainment. A decorated ex-army major who for the last 15 years has worked with notable companies, including, JK Tyres, Confederation Of India Industries and Radio Mirchi. His last stint was a stellar 10-year position at Viacom India, where — as Senior Vice President and Business Head of Integrated Network Solutions — he launched hosts of domestic and global impact’s (IP’s), secured strategic media partnerships with brands, government sectors and engaged with entertainment and media divisions across the globe.

    “There is high demand from businesses in the Middle East, India and across Asia to work with an agency that combines data-driven strategy, purposeful creative and cutting-edge technologies to deliver measurable campaign results. Ignition offers a unique, integrated package of services plus award-winning experience marketing global brands and Hollywood blockbusters. So it’s a thrilling venture applying its success to explore new markets and push new creative boundaries,” said Singh.

  • Turner subscribes to ‘Star Wars’ library

    Turner subscribes to ‘Star Wars’ library

    MUMBAI: The entire Star Wars library is coming back to cable TV after being off regular television for more than two years. Turner Broadcasting has acquired the commercial-television rights to the complete library of Star Wars movies, including four future theatrical releases. The films will play at some point on Turner’s channels — TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies.

    Turner, reportedly have spent a whopping amount of $ 275 million to acquire the entire library for a pact of eight years.

    The agreement with The Walt Disney for 10 films includes the network premiere windows to last year’s record-breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens and this year’s highly anticipated Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which opens in theatres on 16 December 2016. The Disney agreement also includes five of the six original classic Star Wars films, as well as the network television premieres of the next three yet-to-be-released movies. The installment that launched the franchise, Star Wars: A New Hope, comes to Turner through a separate arrangement with 20th Century Fox, thus making Turner the only company with basic cable rights to all 11 titles in the collection.

    The deal with Turner is separate from Disney’s pact with Starz. The Force Awakens will only air on Turner networks in early 2018, following its pay-TV availability on the streaming service. Once that window concludes, Turner can play Star Wars films past and future whenever it wants, as many times as it wants.

    The future titles will go to Netflix as part of the deal.

    Here’s a schedule for the upcoming marathon on TNT:

    Tuesday, September 20
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
    11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

    Wednesday, September 21
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
    11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

    Thursday, September 22
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
    11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

    Friday, September 23
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope
    10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope

    Saturday, September 24
    10:45 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
    1:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
    4:55 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
    10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

    Sunday, September 25
    5:15 a.m. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
    8:15 a.m. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
    11:20 a.m. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
    2:25 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope
    5:10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
    11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
    2 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

  • Turner subscribes to ‘Star Wars’ library

    Turner subscribes to ‘Star Wars’ library

    MUMBAI: The entire Star Wars library is coming back to cable TV after being off regular television for more than two years. Turner Broadcasting has acquired the commercial-television rights to the complete library of Star Wars movies, including four future theatrical releases. The films will play at some point on Turner’s channels — TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies.

    Turner, reportedly have spent a whopping amount of $ 275 million to acquire the entire library for a pact of eight years.

    The agreement with The Walt Disney for 10 films includes the network premiere windows to last year’s record-breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens and this year’s highly anticipated Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which opens in theatres on 16 December 2016. The Disney agreement also includes five of the six original classic Star Wars films, as well as the network television premieres of the next three yet-to-be-released movies. The installment that launched the franchise, Star Wars: A New Hope, comes to Turner through a separate arrangement with 20th Century Fox, thus making Turner the only company with basic cable rights to all 11 titles in the collection.

    The deal with Turner is separate from Disney’s pact with Starz. The Force Awakens will only air on Turner networks in early 2018, following its pay-TV availability on the streaming service. Once that window concludes, Turner can play Star Wars films past and future whenever it wants, as many times as it wants.

    The future titles will go to Netflix as part of the deal.

    Here’s a schedule for the upcoming marathon on TNT:

    Tuesday, September 20
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
    11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

    Wednesday, September 21
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
    11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

    Thursday, September 22
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
    11:05 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

    Friday, September 23
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope
    10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope

    Saturday, September 24
    10:45 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
    1:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
    4:55 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
    10:45 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

    Sunday, September 25
    5:15 a.m. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
    8:15 a.m. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
    11:20 a.m. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
    2:25 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: A New Hope
    5:10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
    8 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
    11 p.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
    2 a.m. (ET/PT) – Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

  • Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    MUMBAI: Three Hollywood studios namely The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate have invested $50 million in a theatrical mobile ticketing platform and app company Atom Tickets.

    Atom Tickets is a social, mobile ticketing platform designed to make movie-going simple. Movie fans can use the service to purchase tickets and concessions, coordinate and invite friends without having to pay for them, and skip the lines at the theater. The app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with some of the most forward-thinking media companies, exhibitors and trailblazers in the entertainment business. By bringing convenience to consumers and innovation to theaters, we will enhance the movie-going experience and bring additional revenue to studios and exhibitors,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and executive chairman Matthew Bakal.

    “The Atom Tickets app and platform is bringing innovation to the ticketing market by empowering social networks and mobile devices to make the movie-going experience seamless and convenient. Their technology not only adds value to the consumer, but also helps movie studios and theaters by providing deep consumer insights, advanced analytics, and concession and ticket couponing,” added The Walt Disney Company chief strategy officer Kevin Mayer.

    “Our innovative e-commerce platform utilises cutting edge data analysis and targeting techniques to help connect movie-goers to films that they and their friends will love,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and CEO Ameesh Paleja.

    “This is an exciting opportunity for us and more importantly, for our audiences. Atom Tickets provides an enhanced social experience for consumers to discover and purchase tickets to movies, designed for ease of use on mobile devices. Atom’s unique interface and integration with movie fans’ social networks creates a streamlined, fun way to go to movies with friends,” said 20thCentury Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos.

    “We believe that Atom Tickets has the potential to revolutionize the way audiences go to the movies, and we’re delighted to partner with blue chip studios like Disney and Fox in this cutting edge initiative for the theatrical business. More than four billion seats go unsold in theaters each year, and Matthew, Ameesh and the Atom team have developed a state-of-the-art app that offers exciting new opportunities to pre-purchase tickets and concessions as well as paving the way for the successful introduction of dynamic ticket pricing,” said Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns.

    Established in 2014, Atom Tickets’ Series A funding was led by Lionsgate. The app is currently available in select test markets, with a full national rollout planned for later this year.

  • Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    MUMBAI: Three Hollywood studios namely The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate have invested $50 million in a theatrical mobile ticketing platform and app company Atom Tickets.

    Atom Tickets is a social, mobile ticketing platform designed to make movie-going simple. Movie fans can use the service to purchase tickets and concessions, coordinate and invite friends without having to pay for them, and skip the lines at the theater. The app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with some of the most forward-thinking media companies, exhibitors and trailblazers in the entertainment business. By bringing convenience to consumers and innovation to theaters, we will enhance the movie-going experience and bring additional revenue to studios and exhibitors,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and executive chairman Matthew Bakal.

    “The Atom Tickets app and platform is bringing innovation to the ticketing market by empowering social networks and mobile devices to make the movie-going experience seamless and convenient. Their technology not only adds value to the consumer, but also helps movie studios and theaters by providing deep consumer insights, advanced analytics, and concession and ticket couponing,” added The Walt Disney Company chief strategy officer Kevin Mayer.

    “Our innovative e-commerce platform utilises cutting edge data analysis and targeting techniques to help connect movie-goers to films that they and their friends will love,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and CEO Ameesh Paleja.

    “This is an exciting opportunity for us and more importantly, for our audiences. Atom Tickets provides an enhanced social experience for consumers to discover and purchase tickets to movies, designed for ease of use on mobile devices. Atom’s unique interface and integration with movie fans’ social networks creates a streamlined, fun way to go to movies with friends,” said 20thCentury Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos.

    “We believe that Atom Tickets has the potential to revolutionize the way audiences go to the movies, and we’re delighted to partner with blue chip studios like Disney and Fox in this cutting edge initiative for the theatrical business. More than four billion seats go unsold in theaters each year, and Matthew, Ameesh and the Atom team have developed a state-of-the-art app that offers exciting new opportunities to pre-purchase tickets and concessions as well as paving the way for the successful introduction of dynamic ticket pricing,” said Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns.

    Established in 2014, Atom Tickets’ Series A funding was led by Lionsgate. The app is currently available in select test markets, with a full national rollout planned for later this year.

  • Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    MUMBAI: Rentrak has acquired Hollywood Software, Inc. (HSI), a Los Angeles-based company that develops enterprise software for managing key elements of the digital movie distribution and exhibition industries.

     

    Rentrak’s acquisition of HSI advances its mission to provide highly valuable, never-before-seen analytic tools to the motion picture industry. By combining Rentrak’s movie and television intelligence—including Video on Demand viewing information—with Hollywood Software’s studio and theater planning systems, this partnership will give movie studios an enhanced scope of a film’s success and revenue streams by providing a more comprehensive understanding of a film’s total viewership over its lifespan.

     

    “Rentrak’s acquisition of Hollywood Software advances our commitment to the movie industry by continuing to provide products that enable studios and theaters to drive movie attendance and provide an enhanced movie-going experience,” said Rentrak’s worldwide movie measurement business president Ron Giambra.

     

    “I am excited to join the Rentrak team to help develop new systems that optimise the talents of both market-leading companies,” said Hollywood Software’s David Gajda.

     

    Hollywood Software’s Theatrical Distribution System (TDS) is installed in more than 30 studios in the US and Canada including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate. Its Digital Cinema Theatre Management System (TCC) product is currently used to manage more than 15,000 screens worldwide.