ITV

Tag: Animax

  • B’cast Bill likely to skip domestic content clause for English movie channels

    B’cast Bill likely to skip domestic content clause for English movie channels

    NEW DELHI: The government is likely to exempt English movie channels from sourcing 15 per cent of their total weekly programming from India.

    “We realize that not enough of English movies are made in India and mandating such sourcing of films from India for English movie channels would be difficult,” an official of the information and broadcasting ministry has told Indiantelevision.com.

    This would mean that the likes of Star Movies, HBO, Zee Studio, MGM and TCM (the last two are available on Dish TV’s DTH service) can breathe easy.

    The draft Broadcasting Bill 2006 had said that all TV channels should source from India 15 per cent of their total content broadcast every week.

    For Indian channels, dishing out primarily Indian entertainment programmes, this clause in the draft Bill should not cause much of a problem, but for foreign news and kids channels (Cartoon Network, BBC, Disney, etc) and niche ones like Discovery Travel and Living, Animax, it would mean reworking programming line ups.

    Channels like Animax, Disney, Toon Disney, Cartoon Network and Pogo would have to make more programmes in India or source them from here, which is not done up to the proposed 15 per cent.

    The government official explained that the proposed clause, which is based on similar laws elsewhere in the world, was more aimed towards addressing the concerns of the Indian animation industry.

    A section of the growing Indian animation industry, led by some big companies, had petitioned the government some months ago that foreign channels, especially kids’, should be directed to source a certain quantum of their programming from India.

    However, the government doesn’t propose to specify the quality of sourced programmes as and when the Broadcast Bill is enacted into a law. “That’s up to a respective channel to decide,” the official said.

    Even foreign news channels like BBC, CNN and Euro News need not worry unnecessarily.

    The proposed 15 per cent local programming does not mean live news, as had been envisaged buy some channels.

    It could be in the form of even current affairs pro

  • Animax to launch four new shows

    Animax to launch four new shows

    MUMBAI: As Animax grows up to appeal to an older audience, the channel will be introducing four new shows with a focus to target youth and young adults between the age of 15 – 24 years.

    Animax will premier the hit action series about Full Metal Alchemist as well as the series about the teenage Ghostfighter with supernatural powers on 26 July, followed by the award winning Animax series, Count of Monte Cristo, the futuristic adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas’ classic and Samurai 7, the adaptation of the immortal classic Seven Samurai.

    Ghostfighter will be aired on Wednesdays at 7 pm, whereas Full Metal Alchemist will be aired at 7.30 pm. Count of Monte Cristo will be aired on Fridays at 11 pm and Samurai 7 at 11.30 pm.

  • Animax Asia signs output deal with Japanese anime studio Gonzo

    Animax Asia signs output deal with Japanese anime studio Gonzo

    MUMBAI: Animax has sealed a new long term output deal with Japan’s leading animation studio Gonzo to bring the latest edgy animation to Asia.

    With this, Asian viewers will now get the chance to watch anime programmes from Gonzo soon after viewers in Japan. The deal commences immediately for Animax.

    Animax vice-president Programming and Production Betty Tsui says, “We are delighted to have a strong partner like Gonzo as the studio’s original creative direction is in sync with Animax’s overall strategy to provide world-class anime entertainment for the youth of today. With the recent launch of the Animax refresh campaign, the timing of this output deal is a fantastic opportunity for both Animax and Gonzo to showcase more unique anime that wows and inspires viewers.”

    Responsible for some of the most innovative and stylish animation using 2D and 3D computer graphic techniques, Gonzo has brought to viewers around the world extremely popular titles like Samurai 7, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Hellsing. The synergy of Gonzo and Animax is apparent as both partners strive to provide the youth and young adult market with varied and quality programme offerings that wow audiences.

    With a reach of over 25 million households across Asia 24 hours a days, the new partnership represents enormous potential for Gonzo to showcase its new titles and become a household name in the Asian region.

    Rolling out the output deal is the spectacular animation creation, Trinity Blood. Having premiered first and exclusively in Hong Kong on 1 June 2006, Trinity Blood is broadcast on Animax every Thursday at 10 pm.

  • India now a focus market for Animax

    India now a focus market for Animax

    MUMBAI: Until now India was not as important a market for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE) anime channel Animax and that reflected in its poor and negligible ratings. But now, with the repositioning of Animax Asia, which took place on 1 June, 2006, the network will be pushing it in India will renewed vigour.

    Animax Asia has been repositioned as a lifestyle channel for the youth and will target the age group of 15 – 24-year-olds. One of the reasons for this shift was the fact that animation from Japan was moving towards a more youth-driven demographic. Hence, keeping with the pace of change, Animax too was repositioned.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, SPE Networks Asia vice president Animax programming and production Betty Tsui says, “In the last couple of years, we were not very focused on the Indian market because we underestimated the Indian youth’s consumption of animation. Our focus initially was on the kids’ but now we will be targeting the youth and the Indian market with renewed focus.”

    “We are not a kids’ channel and we’re not competing with the likes of Cartoon Network and Pogo. Animax will be creating a category of its own. We are not followers. Animax will be charting out its own path,” she adds.

    Apart from the re-positioning, Tsui also informed that Animax will also be looking at targeting the youth with the gaming and mobile platforms. “We will be connecting with the youth not only with animation but also with gaming and mobile. However, it is still too early to talk about it,” she says.

    Animax is also undertaking an extensive lifestyle survey of their target audience in order to understand what’s important to them and where they get their messages from. Once the results of the survey are out, the channel will be analyzing the responses received and accordingly bring about changes in the channel and its promotions.

    Queried whether the channel was looking at going totally Hindi, unlike the Hinglish feed that it has now, Tsui says, “One of the questions in the lifestyle survey that we will be conducting will be Animax’s language preference of our target audience. Based on the results, we will take the necessary changes. South Indian languages may also be a possibility as we are open to everything.”

    The channel has streamlined its programme structure to target the youth segment and has also introduced an on-air creative campaign – Imagine Nation – to capture the minds of the youth. Imagine-Nation features popular personalities that are connected to the creative world of games, film, anime and design from the Asian region to share with viewers their success stories, aspirations and passion for their work. For starters, F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and Indian Idol 2 winner Sandeep Acharya will be featured on this from India.

    “We will be featuring people who are successful but not necessarily in the conventional sense of the term. Our aim is to inspire our viewers to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be,” says Tsui.

    The programming line up will be spruced up with popular anime that have garnered massive followings in Japan and around the world. Animax features programmes of various genres, from action (Blood+, Trinity Blood) to sci-fi (Ghost in the Shell), romance (Paradise Kiss and Honey & Clover) to drama (Black Jack, Jigoku Shojo), and also favorites like (Dragon Ball).

    A new integrated brand campaign in India will also be rolled out in a couple of weeks.

  • Animax to launch in Korea on 29 April

    Animax to launch in Korea on 29 April

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) and Korean satellite TV broadcaster SkyLife will be launching their joint venture channel Animax in Korea on 29 April.

    The announcement was made by SPTI international networks president Andy Kaplan and SkyLife CEO Dong-Koo Surh.

    Animax in Korea will be a 24-hour local program provider focusing on animation programming that will be carried exclusively on SkyLife’s DTH platform, which has a subscriber base of about 1.9 million in Korea.

    Unlike other animation channels in Korea, which focus mainly on programming for young children, Animax will air programs for teens and young adults. With various genres from anime producers, Animax will offer a wide variety of programming choices, including comedies, science fiction, action, dramas and thrillers.

    God Save Our King!, Monkey Typhoon, The Count of Monte Cristo, Otogi Zoshi, The Adventures of Tweeny Witches and Galaxy Angels, are among the first-run programs airing exclusively on Animax in Korea. Additionally, Animax will air popular local Korean animation programs such as Yorang-Ah and Black Rubber Shoes.

    Animax in Korea is part of SPTI’s expansion plans for its international network portfolio which now includes over 40 channels around the world.

    Animax Korea representative director Marty Hong said, “Animax Korea will be differentiated by a line-up of high quality programs and sophisticated graphic design elements. We will lead a new trend among animation channels and we also hope that by leveraging the distribution network of Sony, we will be able to contribute to the local animation industry.”

    “Sony Pictures Television International is committed to growing its international networks group, and Korea figures prominently in our plans. We launched our AXN channel in Korea on SkyLife last year and we’re thrilled to be working with them again on launching Animax in Korea. We now have Animax channels in Japan, South and Southeast Asia and Latin America, and the channels have been embraced by audiences everywhere. The thirst for quality anime programming is apparent and we’ll strive to make sure Animax in Korea offers the best anime shows,” said Kaplan.

    Surh added, “We are pleased to launch such a global channel as Animax, which will create a buzz in the animation industry. We think that the addition of Animax will add great value in terms of content differentiation of SkyLife and we will continue our efforts to secure strong content in various ways in the future.”

  • Animax to launch in Korea later this month

    Animax to launch in Korea later this month

    MUMBAI: Animation channel Animax will be launched in Korea later this month. It has hired three experienced senior staff members to ensure a smooth launch and successful programming and operations.

    A joint venture between Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) and Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting (KDB), Animax Korea will be carried exclusively on KDB’S DTH platform, SkyLife, which has a subscriber base of about 1.9 million in Korea.

    Marty Hong, Sang-Im Kim and S.K. Kim, have been appointed in various senior capacities, bringing with them rich experience in their areas of expertise to ensure the successful launch of Animax Korea.

    Hong is the channel’s representative director. He has more than 15 years of working experience in the media and pay TV industry. He was previously MBC Dramanet MD.

    Hong will be supported by Sang-Im Kim and S.K. Kim. Sang-Im Kim has assumed the post of programming director and will report directly to Hong. She will be responsible for the programming of Animax Korea, as well as on-air promotion and off-air marketing activities. Kim’s experience spans more than 11 years in the pay TV industry, and was previously KDB channel manager where she oversaw and supported foreign retransmission channels on the DTH platform.

    S.K. Kim will be Animax Korea’s finance director/CFO and will be in charge of all financial aspects of the channel. He is a US CPA and has more than 14 years of financial and accounting experience.