ITV

Tag: Alpha Punjabi

  • Canada-based ATN’s million dollar debenture renewed

    Canada-based ATN’s million dollar debenture renewed

    MUMBAI: Toronto-based Asian Television Network (ATN) has announced that the company’s debenture holders have agreed to the extension and repayment plan agreement of its million dollar debenture for a further period of three years. The debenture will now be due on 9 June 2005.

    “The debenture holders have recognized our outstanding growth in revenue and earnings over the past three years and have extended this debenture for a further three years to June 2008,” said an official release quoting ATN CEO and president Shan Chandrasekar.

    “With this agreement ATN will continue to present an improving balance sheet for our investors with future pay-down of a significant portion of the debenture principal and the transfer of this debt to long-term.” said ATN CFO Byrne Fulton.

    ATN, a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange, owns and operates five television channels across Canada. It has programming alliances with broadcasters such as ZEE TV, B4U, Sony Entertainment Television, Alpha Punjabi, Jaya TV and ARY Digital.
     

  • Alpha Punjabi show ‘Aaj Da Rashiphal’ completes 1000 episodes

    Alpha Punjabi show ‘Aaj Da Rashiphal’ completes 1000 episodes

    MUMBAI: One of the most popular programmes on Alpha Punjabi, Aaj Da Rashiphal is nearing its 1000 episodes. Aaj Da Rashiphal is a daily show centered on the enigma called the Zodiac. The programme is telecast at 8:30 am from Monday to Saturday on Alpha TV Punjabi.

    During this half an hour programme the famous pandit Pawan Sharma unveils several subjects like the mysteries behind the sun-signs, how the day would be for different zodiac signs and also gives advice based on the queries sent in by the viewers. The programme was started around three and half years back, informs an official release.

    According to Alpha TV Punjabi business head , “The completion of 1000 episodes of Aaj Da Rashiphal has become possible only because of the viewers whose immense response always motivated our team to do better.”

    Says Alpha TV Punjabi VP programming Rajiee M Shinde, “The popularity of the programme can be measured from this fact that everyday the channel receives around 200 letters, 50 e-mails and 8-10 phone calls addressed to this programme. Though the queries range from buying a new flat to staring a new business but mostly the queries revolve around marriage, settling abroad and getting a new job especially government job”.

  • Alpha Punjabi, ETC Punjabi ride high on talent show

    Alpha Punjabi, ETC Punjabi ride high on talent show

    MUMBAI: They claim that they have beaten Star Plus’. While that might be quite an opportunist statement, but both ETC Punjabi and Alpha TV Punjabi,say that they have beaten all other channels in the PHCHP region during telecast of their mega event Miss World Punjaban 2004.

    Quoting the Tam data, Zee Network’s Punjabi channels claim that during the five and a half hour live telecast of the mega event of the season on 6 November 2004 they had a combined share of 39 per cent, whereas Star Plus had a share of 28 per cent for PHCHP, total market, C&S, 15+ABC, 15 Minutes +, all channels share. The event was held at GRD Academy at Ludhiana.

    ETC Punjabi president, as quoted in the relase, Rabindra Narayan say, “Through Miss World Punjaban 2004, we had attempted to take a normal beauty pageant to a different level where contestants were judged not on their physical attributes, but on their knowledge of their culture, tradition and heritage.”

    “We are overwhelmed by the fact that while all over the world beauty pageants are losing popularity due to their exploitation of women, Miss World Punjaban has received such tremendous response from viewers not just in India but all over the globe,” he added.

    The event, touted as first of its kind on television, was broadcast live to an estimated 112 countries around the world.

    “We have been inundated with requests and inquiries from viewers in several countries. Seeing the amazing response, we are soon going to telecast the event on our channel in the UK and also on Zee Network’s various platforms in the US and other parts of the globe.” said ETC Punjabi vice president Rajiee M. Shinde.

    Sponsored by Lux Orchid, the massive two month long exercise had begun in September with the channel inviting entries. In the biggest ever strength of more than 1000 applicants, there were several entries from countries like Canada and the UK. The winner of the title, Kirandeep Jakhar from Firozpur was chosen by an elite panel of Judges comprising singer and actor Harbhajan Mann, actress Preeti Sapru, Dr Sunita Dhir and Gill Surjit, adds release.

  • Zee UK to launch Alpha Gujarati early ’05

    Zee UK to launch Alpha Gujarati early ’05

    MUMBAI: Zee Network UK is planning to add a fifth channel to its bouquet early next year. The long in offing Alpha Gujarati will cater to the sizable Gujarati community in the UK.

    Channel officials hope that by bringing over Alpha Gujarati from India, it will serve to further grow its subscriber base.

    Zee’s subscriber base in the UK comprises 166,000 households and the overall international revenue has seen an increase of 44 per cent.

    With the addition of a fifth channel to its bouquet, Zee network could be then deemed as the biggest Asian TV network in the UK. Currently the network includes the flagship Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Music and Alpha ETC Punjabi.

    The new channel, coming from the network’s Alpha brand, will become the second regional language channel to be added as part of Zee TV’s European operations since the launch of Alpha Punjabi in August 2002. Alpha Gujarati is often touted as one of India’s most watched Gujarati channels.

    The new business head of Zee’s UK and European operations, Subroto Bhattacharya, has been quoted in media reports as saying, “The way I look at it, the UK is a very mature market. The Hindi speaking population is coming to a saturation point. Our growth is going to come from adding local flavour, just like what we did in India.”

    “We introduced Alpha Punjabi [in the UK] and it has done an extremely good job for us. We introduced it into Europe and also saw tremendous success there,” he added.

    The move, according to the reports, was aimed to target the biggest section of the Asian population in the UK, along with the Punjabis — the Gujarati speaking population.

    One thing that the network has made clear is that Alpha Gujarati will not be operating as a general entertainment channel like Zee TV or Zee Cinema. The aim of the channel is to provide Gujarathis their own local flavour, as well as local news from their state.

    While the reports dismiss likelihood other two regional channels Marathi and Bengali, currently operational in India, to be brought over in the foreseeable future, the move despite the saturation of the Asian channels in the UK is touted as a smart move.

  • ETC, Alpha Punjabi to air live Indo-Pak friendship music tribute

    ETC, Alpha Punjabi to air live Indo-Pak friendship music tribute

    MUMBAI: ETC Channel Punjabi and Alpha TV Punjabi of the Zee Network are organising a two day cultural and musical extravaganza in collaboration with Panj Paniyan DI Virasat Trust.

    The event is tailored to offer a tribute to the friendship between India and Pakistan.

    The musical event Saanjh Dillan DI will be held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Jalandhar on 19 and 20 November from 6:30 pm onwards.

    Saanjh Dilaan DI will telecast live in India and abroad simultaneously on ETC Channel Punjabi and Alpha TV Punjabi.

    ETC Channel Punjabi and Alpha Punjabi president and business head, Rabindra Narayan said, “The concert will see Hans Raj Hans, Sukhwinder, Jatt Brothers, Afshaan, Suraiya Khanum belting out their biggest hits in a non-stop parade of unadulterated mix of Punjabi pop and Bhangra.”

    The concert will feature musicians performing from India and Pakistan. The event will also witness a group of delegates from Pakistan. A royal heritage procession will precede the musical show.

    The procession would march through the whole city and finally at the end of the day all of them would gather at the stadium.

    ETC channel Punjabi VP (programming), Rajiee M Shinde says, “A musical concert involving artistes of India and Pakistan is an excellent way to pay tribute to the new bonhomie and friendship between two neighbours.”

  • Etc Punjabi, Alpha Punjabi to telecast ‘Miss World Punjaban’ live

    Etc Punjabi, Alpha Punjabi to telecast ‘Miss World Punjaban’ live

    MUMBAI: The Lux Orchid Miss World Punjaban 2004 will be held on 6 November at Ludhiana. The contest will air live on Alpha Punjabi and Etc Punjabi simultaneously.

    ETC Punjabi began the two-month long exercise in September. The channel had invited entries from all the participants along with their photographs and a brief profile. Girls from all over Punjab and even other states came forward in the biggest ever strength of more than 200 applicants.

    Entries were also received from other countries like Canada and the UK. Out of these, 30 contestants were selected for the semi finals at Mohali and Chandigarh, informs an official release.

    Etc Punjabi president Rabindra Narayan added, “It is our constant endeavor to reach out to our viewers by going beyond television. To discover the new Lux Orchid Miss World Punjaban is part of that effort. We are grateful to Lux Orchid for believing in this concept and going all out to patronise this venture”.

    This will be the eight exclusive beauty pageant based on Punjabi culture, which will be organised by Sabhyacharak Saath Punjab and Etc Punjabi.

  • Alpha Punjabi marks fifth anniversary with music show

    Alpha Punjabi marks fifth anniversary with music show

    MUMBAI: Zee TV’s Punjabi channels ETC channel Punjabi and Alpha TV Punjabi will present a music show Rangla Punjab live. The show, which will be held on 24 October at Kalagram, Chandigarh will mark the fifth anniversary of Alpha TV Punjabi.

    The three-hour musical extravaganza will feature Sarbjit Cheema as the star attraction.Giving Sarabjit Cheema a company on the stage will be singers Jassi Sidhu and Shael. The event will be hosted by Gurpreet Ghuggi, informs an official release.

    ETC channel Punjabi president Rabindra Narayan has been quoted in the release as saying, “These artists are very popular across all age groups in Punjab and it is due to their contribution that Punjabi music got mass appeal among mainstream audiences. This is proven by the popularity which Punjabi music enjoys today both nationally and internationally.”

    Says ETC channel Punjabi VP (programming), Rajiee M Shinde, “There possibly could not have been a better finale to the Fifth anniversary celebrations of Alpha TV Punjabi than a concert by the biggest star of them all. The audience will be dazzled with 20,000 watts of music, computerized lights and dazzling firework display.”

    Rangla Punjab Live will be broadcast all over the country and abroad simultaneously on ETC Channel Punjabi and Alpha TV Punjabi from 6:30 pm onwards on 24 October.

  • Dhol music live on Alpha Punjabi, ETC Punjabi

    Dhol music live on Alpha Punjabi, ETC Punjabi

    MUMBAI: Alpha TV Punjabi and ETC Channel Punjabi will live telecast a ‘dhol’ music extravaganza on 30 September from 6:30 pm onwards. The event ‘Dhol Punjabi Live’ will be telecast live simultaneously on both the channels.

    The array of artists taking part in the event include Mika Singh, Sarabjit Cheema, Ashok Masti, Balkar Sidhu, Manpreet Sandhu and comedy artists Sudesh Lahiri and Bhajna Amli. The show will be anchored by Satinder Satti.

    ETC Channel Punjabi president and Alpha Punjabi business head Rabindra Narayan has been quoted in an official release as saying, “We are endeavoring to take high quality entertainment and television to smaller towns and cities. It is imperative and inevitable that television channels connect directly with the viewer in these areas. We want to provide quality shows and set trends in bringing forth all styles of music.”

    According to Alpha Punjabi VP programming Rajiee M Shinde, “It is for the first time that a show of this magnitude is being organised in Kapurthala. The event is planned on a large scale where a blend of Punjabi music and rib-tickling comedy would enthrall the audience. Besides good quality software, this show would help in raising the quality of shows in smaller towns and cities of Punjab.”

    The venue – Kapurthala Palace – will don a completely new look, as it will be bedecked with the computer controlled lighting on the evening of the event, informs the release.

  • Alpha Punjabi launches ‘Music Night’; announces September plans

    Alpha Punjabi launches ‘Music Night’; announces September plans

    MUMBAI: Alpha TV Punjabi has announced its programme highlights for the month of September. In addition to all the popular shows currently on air, the channel is launching a new weekly show named Music Nights for Wednesdays.

    According to an official release, the channel is ready to churn out interesting programmes and has added some new programmes also to its existing chart.

    Alpha Punjabi is bringing for its viewers the happening party scenes in the UK with a new show Music Night. The show will cover upmarket parties attended by fans of Punjabi music and the music stars. Starting 8 September, the show will air every Wednesday at 8:30 pm.

    “Alpha TV Punjabi has brought a unique show for their viewers which gives them a sneak preview of all the up market celebrations and parties being held anywhere in UK and which has “saada Punjab” in it,” informs the release.

    Alpha Punjabi, which has recently introduced the viewers’ choice feature for its Saturday blockbusters, has lined up movies Baagi Surme, Lalkaren Sheran De, Kee Banu Duniyan Da and Sawa Lakh Te Ekk Ladao for viewers to choose from. This Sunday the channel is airing the superhit Punjabi movie Mela starring Girja Shanker, Chandani and Sardar Sohi.

    Sudesh Lahiri portrays the character of Yamraj, in the most popular comedy show Alpha Gaddi, on 11 September at 7:30 pm. In Saada Campus anchor Jasmin Bhatti takes the viewers to the Girls College, Shimlay to probe into what is the latest in the students circle out there. This episode will be aired on 9 September at 8 pm.

    The celebrity show Meriyan Gallan Mere Geet this week will feature Muscat based singer Zila Khan, daughter of legendary sitarist Ustaad Vilayat Khan through its programme on 12 September at 7:30 pm. Another music programme Kuch Pal Tere Naa will showcase the popular singer Nachhattar Gill this week on 11 September at 8:30 pm.

    Sitcom Jugnu Mast Mast has Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann taking part in an audition of a music company. It depicts in a delightful way the complexities involved in the whole process and how Bhagwant along with his partner Rana Ranbir takes up the issues and shows the lighter side of the problems, adds the release.

    Naachi Saade Naal is a dance based show full of energy and rhythm, in which contestants from different streams and different age groups (15 years to 30 years) are short-listed and then they are invited to perform in front of an elite panel of judges. The weekly show will air 11 September at 8:00 pm.

  • Zee fixes rates for DTO bouquet

    Zee fixes rates for DTO bouquet

    Zee Telefilms Limited (ZTL) has fixed up rates for their upcoming Direct-to-Operator (DTO) package which will be unveiled somewhere between 15 May, 2000 to 15 June, 2000.

    For a seven channel package (Zee Movies, Zee English, Zee Movies, Alpha Marathi, Alpha Gujrathi, Alpha Punjabi and Alpha Bengali), ZTL has decided to charge Rs 11.50 per subscriber. However, Zee is offering different rates for various subscriber slabs.

    For a subscriber base of under 500 cable homes, Zee will charge Rs 11.50 per subscriber. For 501-2500, 2501-10,000 and 10,001 homes onwards, the price will be reduced by 50 paise each.

    Other packages are also fixed up for combination of different channels. Zee will charge Rs 11 for a four channel package of Zee English, Zee Movies, Zee Cinema and any Alpha channel. The package consisting of Zee Movies, Zee English and Zee Cinema will be priced at Rs 10 while Zee Cinema and any Alpha channel would be priced at Rs 8.00.

    The individual pricing of the channels from the Zee bouquet is:
    Zee Cinema at Rs 6, Zee Movies at Rs 5 and Zee English, Alpha Marathi, Alpha Gujrathi, Alpha Punjabi, Alpha Bengali at RS 4 each.

    Zee TV, Zee News and Music Asia will, however, remain free-to-air.