ITV

Tag: Ahmedabad

  • Jetix to go live with Power Rangers in India

    Jetix to go live with Power Rangers in India

    MUMBAI: Jetix, the action-adventure programming block on Toon Disney, is bringing Power Rangers to India. The Walt Disney Company India will present Jetix live, which will bring the action adventure icons Power Rangers Dino Thunder to perform at 24 shows across six cities for their fans in India.

    Following the success of Disney Magic in January this year, Indian audience will be the first ever to witness the performances of the Power Rangers as a part of Jetix Live.

    Each show will comprise a music and action based performance with Power Rangers Dino Thunder showcasing their individual powers, asserts an official release.

    The six cities that will host Jetix Live Power Ranger Dino Thunder in the month of January are Mumbai (14th), Ahmedabad (18th), New Delhi (21st), Kolkata (26th), Hyderabad (28th) and Bangalore (31st).

    Each city will witness a whole day packed with four half-hour shows held at intervals, games and on-ground contests at leading malls in each city.

    The tour is being sponsored by brands like Dukes Waffy, Nutrine Maha-Lacto, Dabur Real Fruit Juice, Boost Chocoblast, Nerolac, Newboy Toys and Wrigley’s Boomer.

    Power Rangers is the highest performing property on JETIX. There are four hours of Power Rangers on the programming block everyday with four distinct series: Power Rangers Dino Thunder; Power Rangers Lost Galaxy; Power Rangers Space Patrol Delta and Power Rangers Mystic Force.

    The super-hero action on JETIX content is available for kids across India on Toon Disney in Tamil, Telegu, Hindi and English and reaches over 30 million households in India, adds the release.

  • Hungama TV Captains Hunt auditions kick off 28 October

    Hungama TV Captains Hunt auditions kick off 28 October

    MUMBAI: Currently in its third year, the Parle-G Hungama TV Captains Hunt 2006 is set to kick off the audition stage. With the inclusion of Indore, Baroda and Hyderabad, the hunt will travel across 10 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Lucknow . The first two-day audition will commence in Kolkata on 28 and 29 October at St. Thomas Boys School.

    Having received a favourable response, of about 1,68,318 kids, Hungama TV will finally select 10 kids in the age group of 8-14 years to represent their respective cities as the Hungama TV Captains providing their valuable inputs in running the channel.

    At this stage, the articulation ability and confidence levels would be tested through a method of extempore speech. The uniqueness, level of achievement and ambition to pursue the talent at this level will also be measured. This year, instead of the evaluation rounds being based on artistic abilities, a balance of the right and left-brain skills will be tested.

    Qualified judges from the event’s knowledge partner – Origentest would evaluate all the rounds to arrive at two candidates per city who would compete in the Grand Finale to be held in Mumbai on 9 and 10 December, informs an official release.

    What’s different, is that the premise for this year’s talent hunt is to ‘Find and Shape the Future Leaders of India’ thus, several leaders from various industries will form a Captains Advisory Council (CAC) to meet the Captains on a regular basis and provide them with a sound platform to hone their nascent talent, while giving them advice and direction to emerge as leaders of tomorrow.

    As reported earlier, the channel has set aside a budget of Rs 10+ million for this year’s Captain’s Hunt. Hungama TV will be pushing the initiative via on air promotions and on-ground initiatives primarily through the intensive School Contact Program.

    Initiated in 2004, this concept allows a Board of Kid directors to give active and regular feedback on running of the channel specifically in the area of programming, marketing, distribution and competition.

  • BCCI tells ICC to keep off its players

    BCCI tells ICC to keep off its players

    MUMBAI: “Stay away from our players.” That was the message that the Indian cricket board today shot off to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with which it is currently at loggerheads over the Members’ Participation Agreement (MPA).

    “It has been made clear to the ICC that they cannot deal directly with the Indian players. They have to come through the Board,” BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India News Service.

    Shah, who was speaking from Ahmedabad, claimed it was not the BCCI alone, but the cricket boards of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh as well who were against the ICC’s dealing directly with players.

    “Not only me (BCCI), but Sri Lanka Cricket, Pakistan Cricket Board and Bangladesh Cricket Board, have said at the recent ICC meeting that on any issue related to the players, the ICC has to approach the boards first,” Shah told PTI.

    Shah’s riposte was in reaction to comments made yesterday by ICC general manager – Cricket, David Richardson, who said, “While the ICC is required to deal directly with the Indian board on player issues, I’ve always enjoyed a good relationship with the Indian captain Rahul Dravid and several of their leading players and, should the BCCI permit, I’d welcome an opportunity to answer any queries they may have.”

    India, which hosts the ICC’s Champions Trophy from Saturday, won the right to hold the 2011 World Cup jointly with neighbors Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

    The ICC has given the BCCI till next Monday (9 October) to notify it of any and all difficulties it has with the MPA. About the deadline, Shah had earlier said that the board would “meet that date”.

    However, today he took on a more belligerent tone when he said, “Are they going to hang us otherwise?” Shah told PTI the BCCI had already sent a reply to the ICC detailing its stand on the MPA.

  • Walt Disney brings ‘High School Musical’ to India

    Walt Disney brings ‘High School Musical’ to India

    MUMBAI: The Disney channel original movie High School Musical will premiere in India on the channel on 24 September at 11 am. Customized for India’s kids, tweens and families, the dialogue and hugely popular songs are re-recorded in Hindi with Indian instruments added for Bollywood flair.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director programming & production Nachiket said, High School Musical symbolises all that Disney Channel means for kids in terms of following ones dreams and believing in oneself. Millions of kids across the globe have not just cherished the movie, they have adopted it into their lives. They have learnt the dance steps, sung the songs and relate their dreams and aspirations in those of the characters and the plot of the movie.”

    “We have made the music all the more relevant to our Hindi audiences across India by adding the artistry of music industry stars including Sunidhi Chauhan, Naresh Kamath, Shweta Pandit, Neuman Pinto, director John Stewart and programmer DJ G & John Stewart”, Nachiket added.

    Disney Channel will also provide an interactive experience for kids to express themselves through a nationwide music video dance contest, My School Rocks, with announcement of audition venues and dates to be detailed Sunday, September 24 on Disney Channel, states an official release.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) Marketing & Communications director Tushar Shah said, “Research has shown the universal appeal of song and dance among all Indian kids. My School Rocks will be a first of its kind event that will celebrate the talent of kids while providing them a nationwide platform for translating their dreams into reality. We are excited about the response this event has already garnered among advertisers and sponsors.”

    The initiative includes dance along interstitials, a viewer poll and ultimately, the televising of the winning school’s music video. My School Rocks will be offered to 500 schools in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Ahmedabad and Amritsar wherein principals and arts teachers will be presented with the High School Musical kit complete with the VCD, lyric sheets, instructional dance moves and more, the release adds.

    The events in each metro will be spread across two days, videotaped by Disney Channel and judged by celebrity choreographers who will designate individual city winners. Those winners will travel to Mumbai, receive professional dance training and have their school music videos open to a viewer poll. The winning school’s team will then star in a special My School Rocks music video to premiere Monday, December 25th on Disney Channel.

    Packed with laughter, memorable songs and spectacular dancing, High School Musical tells the story of two high school students – Troy, a popular basketball player and Gabriella, a shy, brainy newcomer – who share a secret passion for singing. When these two seemingly polar opposites decide to join forces and go out for the lead roles in the school musical, it wreaks havoc on East High’s rigid social order. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school’s various cliques conspire to separate the pair and keep them from performing. But by defying expectations and pursuing their dreams, Troy and Gabriella inspire other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

    Since its premiere on January 20, the movie televised 14 times on Disney Channel US and was seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers, approximately 21 million households, 11.0 million Kids 6-11 and 11.6 million Tweens 9-14. The TV movie has delivered best-ever ratings on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. It has also been licensed by free to air broadcasters including Australia’s Seven Network (where it was #1 in the timeslot) and in December, will air on the BBC in the UK. By the end of the year, it will reach over 100 countries.

    In the US, the Platinum-selling High School Musical soundtrack is the #1 album of the year, having sold more than 3.5 million units. It is also Platinum-selling in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines and Mexico and Gold selling in Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, the release further informs.

  • TDSAT directs Zee Sports to restore Incable feed

    TDSAT directs Zee Sports to restore Incable feed

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Zee Turner Ltd to restore the feed of Zee Sports to Incablenet.

    Incablenet, on its part, will have to deposit a sum of Rs 2 million with the tribunal. The matter will come up for hearing again on 10 October.

    TDSAT has asked Incablenet to, meanwhile, negotiate with Zee Turner and try to conclude the subscription agreement by 10 October. If both the parties fail to conclude a mutually acceptable agreement by then, the tribunal will finally hear the matter and decide the issue.

    Zee Turner raised an apprehension that Incablenet may choose not to enter into an agreement after the DLF cricket tri-series which ends on 24 September. The MSO may get away by paying just a month’s subscription. “The TDSAT has asked us to raise the issue on 10 October, depending upon factual matrix,” says a Zee Turner spokesperson.

    Following TDSAT’s interim order today, Zee Sports will be available on Incablenet’s network in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Nashik and Baroda. For Bangalore, Incablenet already has an agreement with the sports channel.

    Incablenet had earlier moved the TDSAT, arguing that Zee Turner had not served 21-day notice before blacking out the signals of Zee Sports. Zee Turner, which distributes Zee Sports, had submitted its reply yesterday.

    Zee Sports, which has the exclusive rights to the DLF tri-series, has been asking several cable operators to enter into commercial agreements for carrying the pay channel on their networks. The sports channel is priced at Rs 10 a month per subscriber.

  • Cartoon Network Enterprises unveils branded merchandise ‘Pogo Wheels’

    Cartoon Network Enterprises unveils branded merchandise ‘Pogo Wheels’

    MUMBAI: Following on the heels of the announcement of the two theme parks slated to launch next year, the Cartoon Network Enterprises’ (CNE) merchandising programme has rolled out a new range of Pogo branded consumer products, ‘Pogo Wheels’.

    The consumer products division was launched last year in India and following the success of the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and Johnny Bravo merchandise, they are now focusing on extending the width of consumer products. Following the success of Beyblade, this eight-product range represents a sophisticated version that combines Formula 1 racing and the Beyblades concept. As the company forsees a strong competitive streak in Indian kids these days, they believe such toys will be a big rage.

    The range will be priced between Rs 399 (Basic Launcher) to Rs 1129 (Turbo Launcher) and will be available at multi brand retail outlets with over 450 retailers across 38 cities such as Lifestyle, Shoppers’ Stop, Pantaloon, Pyramid, Landmark, Hypercity and Crossword. Pogo Wheels will be manufactured and distributed by Cybershop Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Besides the main metros, it will also be launched in cities like Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bhopal, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Nasik, Aurangabad and Surat amongst others.

    The consumer products division has specifically kicked off with toys. However, they have plans to launch more Pogo merchandise across other categories inculding apparel, innerwear, stationery, gifts and novelties, bags and activity games amongst others.

    Commenting on the same, Cartoon Network Enterprises India and South Asia director Jiggy George said, “We decided to start with toys and thus, wanted to bring out a product with a brand like Pogo that has great resonance with kids. Pogo lends itself to extending properties and building brands therefore we decided to foray into the retail segment. We don’t however, want to continue within the space of toys with just a one off therefore, we will come up with a whole range of toys under Pogo. As most of the brands on Cartoon Network are TV property based, this would be completely on the brand level.”

    Although it appears to be catering more to the boys segment George said, “We have tried to keep this product as ‘gender neutral’ as possible, even in terms of packaging.”

    When queried as to the rationale behind the launch at this time, George said, “We are hoping that this will become the flavour for Diwali gifting, followed by December which is a peak season for toys. Secondly, we also needed to launch quickly enough in these and more categories before the summer launch of the Pogo theme park. As the key focus is that they will all be available at the theme park.”

    The toys will be rolled out in stores in the first week of October and it is estimated that 5 per cent of sales will be spent on marketing activities and giving a major push to this new category a TVC will be aired on both the networks. Also, the product will be placed within shows and given out via contests. Other on ground initiatives will include creating racing arenas at various stores like Landmark and Lifestyle where kids can play with the toy and get familiar with it. It is important to capture the consumer at the point of sale and thus, several retail outlets will have screens where the TVC will also be shown.

    Speaking to this website on their perception of the competition in this space, George opined, “The current toy market in India is approximatetly a 600 crore (Rs 6 billion) business, while only 40 per cent is organized. Within the 120 crore organsied space most of the share is maintained by Funskool and Mattel and a few smaller players. We will be a very small but significant player in this space.

    “We are not competing against the big boys but we know we will make a very important dent in the organized space. As a division we are growing year on year at 50 per cent and we contribute to 10 per cent of the overall Turner revenue but we are growing rapidly and so it is exciting times for us.”

  • McDonald’s & NGC kick off ‘Roboraptor Contest’

    McDonald’s & NGC kick off ‘Roboraptor Contest’

    MUMBAI: McDonald’s, food service retailer in association with National Geographic Channel flags of its latest in-store promotion for kids, the ‘Roboraptor Contest’.e

    McDonald’s outlets across Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bangalore and Hyderabad will promote the ‘Roboraptor Contest’, where kids can win toys from the animated series Dragonball Z with every happy meal.

    In addition, the ‘Roboraptor’ a remote controlled dinosaur, as the bumper prize is up for grabs.

    McDonald’s, food service retailer in association with National Geographic Channel flags of its latest in-store promotion for kids, the ‘Roboraptor Contest’. Every ‘Happy Meal’ entitles kids to participate in the ‘Roboraptor Contest’. With a coupon from the happy meal box kids can SMS the six-digit code to 7007 and winners will be chosen randomly and announced daily at the McDonald’s outlet.

    The bumper prize, will be announced at the end of the promotion, which will culminate on 7 October 2006.

  • Star News-A C Nielsen survey says 63% in Gujarat want ‘Fanna’

    Star News-A C Nielsen survey says 63% in Gujarat want ‘Fanna’

    MUMBAI: As Fanaa is all set to release tomorrow across the nation expect in the state of Gujarat, where the film exhibitors are hesitating to screen it till he tenders an apology for his recent anti-Narmada project statements.

    Admits all this Star News in collaboration with A C Nielsen conducted a survey in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat to ascertain the common man’s views on the issue. The findings indicate that 63 per cent of people in Gujarat want to watch the film and also prefers Aamir as a reel life hero as against a real life hero.

    But away from the hum drum of the politics of ‘water’, what does the ‘aam junta’ in Gujarat really want? The survey indicated some findings:

    * 63 per cent of people in Gujarat want to watch the film and only 33 per cent said they would not, 4 per cent said don’t know

    * 52 per cent of the people do not agree with the BJP’s appeal to boycott the film, 40 per cent subscribe to BJP’s statements, 8 per cent were undecided

    * 55 per cent of the respondents feel that Aamir’s statements on Narmada were inappropriate, 32 per cent felt it was appropriate, 13 per cent are undecided

    * 40 per cent of the people said that they do not want the Bollywood star to act like the Rang De Basanti hero in real life, 36 per cent vouch for him and 24 per cent were undecided

  • Hungama launches third Captains Hunt; to search for leaders of tomorrow

    Hungama launches third Captains Hunt; to search for leaders of tomorrow

    MUMBAI: Hungama TV has launched the third edition of its Captains Hunt, which will search for 10 of the smartest kids across the country, between the age group 8 – 14 years. These kids will be on the board of directors of Hungama TV and run the channel for the next one year.

    The channel has set aside a budget of Rs 10+ million for this year’s Captain’s Hunt. While in the initial phase the concentration will be on school contact programmes in 10 cities; the focus will shift to mass media during November – December, when the hunt will culminate.

    The hunt kickstarted on 15 August 2006 and will travel to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Indore and Baroda targeting more than 500,000 kids in 500 schools across these cities. These kids will offer regular inputs on programming, marketing, distribution and competition.

    This year the premise of the Captain’s Hunt has been changed. The aim is to find and shape the future leaders of India. The final 10 will be trained by industry leaders from various fields and will provide them with advice and direction to develop their potential and emerge as leaders of tomorrow. The kids will be judged on the basis of articulation, intelligence, confidence, ambition and talent.

    UTV senior vice president – marketing and communications Siddharth Roy Kapur said, “At Hungama TV, our Captains are always an integral part of decision making, be it programming, marketing initiatives or on-ground research. Hungama TV Captains have helped the channel reach the position it has today and we really value their inputs. This year we are looking for the best and brightest kids across the country to run the channel and benefit from personal mentoring by iconic leaders of today.”

    Once the entries are received from the 10 cities, 1000 kids will be shortlisted from each city in the second round. Thereafter, 50 kids will be chosen in the third round after which the number boils down to two kids from each city. Out of these 20 kids, 10 will then be chosen (one per city) to be the Captains.

    The last day for receiving entries is 30 September. The auditions will take place in November and the finale on 9 – 10 December.

    The 2007 captains will have many opportunities in store. A Captains Advisory Council (CAC), which will comprise leaders from various walks of life, will mentor these captains. The Captains will have exclusive access to the Council to seek advice and guidance on a regular basis. Also, Hungama TV will support a unique talent of every Captain by funding their coaching or training during their tenure.

    Origentest, the research and implementation arm of IMS Learning Resources Pvt. Ltd, has been roped in as the knowledge partner and will be responsible for developing the various tests of the hunt.

    This year’s hunt has Parle-G as the presenting sponsor and Boost Chocoblast as the co-presenting sponsor. The associate sponsors are Colgate, The Sugar & Spice, Reynolds, Kellogg’s Chocos, Dukes Big Bite and Boomer Mango Jelly.

  • Radio Mirchi swells ad rates by 25%

    Radio Mirchi swells ad rates by 25%

    MUMBAI: On the heels of recently launching new radio stations in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur, the Entertainment Network India Ltd, which manages the brand Radio Mirchi has introduced a hike in spot prices ranging between 10 and 25 per cent for all their stations.

     

    The prices for their older network of seven stations – Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune & Indore – have gone up by 25 per cent and for the newly launched stations an increase of 10 per cent has been announced from the introductory prices of April when the stations were launched, according to an official release.

     

    Radio Mirchi sales head Naveen Chandra says that the price increase was part of the normal price increase the brand takes every September.

     

    Radio Mirchi, Chandra adds, “Radio Mirchi had quickly attained leadership status in the Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur markets and added to its significant lead over its competition in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkota.”

     

    Chandra further states that Radio Mirchi was the only medium to provide large numbers of urban audiences when compared with TV where audiences are increasingly fragmenting and the reach is significant outside of the urban areas. Radio Mirchi for instance delivers 15.5 million listeners on a daily basis in its 10 cities of operation, compared with a reach of 9.9 million for Star Plus and a cumulative reach of 10.1 million for all the No. 1 newspapers in these 10 markets.

    Given the fact that radio is 60 per cent as effective as television in building awareness, while coming at a cost of just 14 per cent, it was felt that pricing for radio could increase marginally in the Indian context.

     

    In the April – June 2006 period, Radio Mirchi’s revenues grew by 63 per cent compared to the same period last year, informs an official release.