ITV

Tag: AXN

  • ‘CSI’ drives Alliance Atlantis’ 3Q results

    ‘CSI’ drives Alliance Atlantis’ 3Q results

    MUMBAI: Canadian television firm Alliance Atlantis Communications has reported revenue and earnings growth for the third quarter ended 30 September, 2006.

    The company benefitted from strong sales for the CSI franchise. In India CSI airs on AXN.

    Alliance Atlantis CEO Phyllis Yaffe says, “We are exceptionally pleased with the performance of the CSI franchise and the previously announced licensing of certain international second window rights which demonstrate the strong interest of CSI around the world .

    “In our broadcasting business, we were pleased with continued strong subscriber revenue gains as well as strong audience growth. While ad revenue was down slightly year over year, we are pacing well in the fourth quarter and in 2007 we believe advertising revenue will increase in line with the Canadian specialty television market expectations. Over the past 12 months, our advertising revenue is up seven per cent.”

    Broadcasting revenue of $66.7 million represented an increase of four per cent over the prior year’s quarter. Subscriber revenue grew by 10 per cent to $33 million in the quarter compared to $30.1 million in the prior year reflecting steady growth in paid subscribers. Advertising revenue decreased slightly to $32.1 million for the quarter compared to $33.0 million in the prior year due to slightly lower demand for ad inventory.

    In the entertainment segment, CSI revenue of $140.2 million was up $89.9 million from $50.3 million in the prior year’s quarter. The increase was primarily due to second window license fees recognized in the current quarter offset by a stronger Canadian dollar. The company recognises second window license fees from licensing arrangements with existing broadcasters of the CSI franchise when the company has fulfilled its obligations, which typically occurs ahead of the actual second window availability and payment of the license fees.

    During the current quarter, the company entered into several second window licensing arrangements with existing CSI broadcasters and recognised $91.3 million in revenue from these arrangements.

  • Excel Home Video looks to grow the TV DVD segment

    Excel Home Video looks to grow the TV DVD segment

    MUMBAI: Earlier this year Excel Home Video entered the television segment. It released the first seasons of Desperate Housewives and Lost.

    Encouraged by the response the company is now looking to add more titles to that list.
    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com this afternoon, Excel Home Video MD MN Kapasi says, “Our focus is only on English shows as those in the SEC A and A+ segments watch them. They can thus afford to buy them. We will be releasing the second seasons of Lost and Desperate Housewives. These rights were got from Buena Vista.

    “We will now be releasing seasons 1-5 of 24 as well as Prison Break and The Simpsons. These rights we got from Fox. Other titles include Boston Legal and Grey’s Anatomy. The Hindi segment is not cost effective. If you want sell a DVD of a Hindi soap like a Saas Bahu then you would have to price it cheap.

    “By the end of the fiscal year March 2007 we will have eight English TV DVD titles. For the next fiscal we will add another seven to eight titles. We are looking at specialised content like aerobics and possibly adventure sports.” The television venture helps Excel build on the relationship it already has with Fox and Disney as far as films are concerned.

    Excel Home Video has 1,000 English film titles on DVD. One of its latest releases has been Ice Age 2. To push it kicked off an offer in association with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Each DVD has a hologram. If the hologram matches the hologram shown on the channel then the consumer gets Ice Age 2 merchandise which has been imported. This way Kapasi says consumers become more aware of legal products as pirated stuff do not have holograms.

    On the retail level when a consumer buys a DVD he can get an Excel VCD exchanged for a DVD and just pay the price difference. The Ice Age 2 DVD has a coupon. The consumer just has to mail the coupon. To push Ice Age 2 Excel also did wall executions in retail outlets like Planet M, Rhythm House. The dubbed version of Ice Age 2 in Hindi will be released later this month. New titles coming up are Cars, X-Men 3 and Pirates Of The Carribean 2. To push X Men 3 Excel will have ads on Pix and AXN. This too will be a hologram linked effort.

    Excel also did the innovation of re – releasing the first Pirates film on DVD to coincide with the release of the sequel. It also re released the first two X Men films to coincide with the theatrical release of X Men 3. “This strategy of synergy marketing has worked well for us” adds Kapasi.

    He says that 50 per cent of Excel’s above the line marketing activities are done through television. Print he adds has not really delivered. Excel not surprisingly also advertises in select multiplexes through slides as that is one place his TG frequents.

    Excel has also come out with the strategy of having Movies and More outlets. This is a place where one can buy DVDs and VCDs. Right now there are 11 mostly situated in multiplexes. The plan is to increase the number to 40 by the end of the fiscal. There will also be a presence in malls.

    Excel has around 30 Hindi films in its library including Dor and Lagaan. Kapasi rues the fact that there is no method in the price one pays to get the rights for a Hindi film. A producer according to him often quotes a price without looking at factors like the market size. He is hopeful that with new producers like Farhan Akhtar coming in the situation will improve.

    In terms of targets he says that the company expects a 40 per cent growth in turnover for this fiscal. Bottomline growth is expected to be in the range of 18-22 per cent. The efforts of Excel have not gone unnoticed. Fox is happy about the way Ice Age 2 has fared on DVD. Fox VP intl licensees Richard Crook says, “The success has sharpened our focus on India’s growing home entertainment market. Excel Home Videos our licensee in India, has delivered a fantastic job by successfully targetting the festive holidays”.

  • CBS lets viewers test their CSI: Q on the mobile

    CBS lets viewers test their CSI: Q on the mobile

    MUMBAI: From today 1 November viewers of US broadcaster CBS’ drama CSI: NY can use their mobile phone to play CSI: Q.

    This is an interactive, live text-messaging game in which audiences test their crime-solving skills by predicting the outcome of the episode, with an eye on winning $10,000. This marks the first time that CBS has applied an interactive text messaging component, previously used on reality programmes and game shows, to one of its prime time dramas. In India the CSI franchise airs on AXN.

    CSI creator and CSI: NY executive producer Anthony Zuiker, who also created the CSI board game, Senses, came up with the idea for CSI: Qand is formulating the questions.

    He says, “CSI: Q invites viewers to watch CSI: NY in an interactive fashion with a level of game play to track the ‘criminal,’ ‘science,’ and ‘intent’ (motive) of the story. Our goal is to use the mobile phone in an unprecedented fashion to drive viewership back to the television while at the same time enhancing the viewing experience for the CSI fan.”

    During the CSI: NY episodes being broadcast on CBS on 1, 8, 15 November, an on-air promo will run with one question that asks viewers to predict what will happen at the end of that night’s episode. Viewers will send their responses via text message to 38383 and will be entered into the drawing to win the weekly prize of $10,000. Additionally, viewers can enter for free by going to the CSI: NY site through CBS.com (where the Official Rules are also posted).

    Each weekly winner will be announced on-air during the following week’s episode of CSI: NY. The questions will differ for the Eastern, Pacific and Hawaiian time zones.

    CSI: NY is about forensic investigators who use high-tech science to follow the evidence and solve crimes in the Big Apple. The show stars Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes, Carmine Giovinazzo, Hill Harper, Eddie Cahill and Anna Belknap.

  • AXN to roll out The Amazing Race Asia online race

    AXN to roll out The Amazing Race Asia online race

    MUMBAI: AXN is rolling out The Amazing Race Asia Online Race, an interactive online competition that gives viewers a chance to taste the action of the race. Contestants will have to decipher clues and execute challenges in the race to the grand prize, just like teams in The Amazing Race Asia.

    The Amazing Race Asia Online Race is launched to further connect with viewers of The Amazing Race Asia, slated for broadcast on 9 November 2006. The online race is a manifestation of AXN’s commitment to deliver a 3600 entertainment experience for its viewers.

    Contestants will have to search for clues and weave their way through a web of challenges, including tasks like assuming the role of an Amazing Race cameraman chasing contestants through the cities, a memory game and more.

    The Amazing Race Asia Online Race is played in teams of two and the goal is to race from checkpoint to checkpoint online. Each team will have to complete a special task in order to get the clues to the next checkpoint. A tutorial of the race can be found at http://amazing-race-asia.axn asia.com/promotions/ online-race/index.html.

    Registration for The Amazing Race Asia Online Race is open and registration would close on 5 November 2006. The race will run in two legs. The first leg will be held from 6 November 7 pm to 9 November 7 pm. Participants have to navigate and complete all the checkpoints in the specified sequence within this period to qualify for the next leg of the race.

    The second leg will be held on 11 November, where all eligible participants have to log in from 12 pm onwards in the final race to the finishing line where the grand prize of USD$2,000 awaits the winner. Results will be announced on 13 November 2006.

  • i-Pop propels AXN’s move from TV to mobile

    i-Pop propels AXN’s move from TV to mobile

    MUMBAI: Asian mobile media services firm i-Pop will kick off the inauguration of action adventure network AXN Asia’s mobile interactive WAP site wap.axn-asia.com.

    The mobile launch is in conjunction with the debut of AXN’s biggest original production in Asia – The Amazing Race Asia between 9-14 November. The series will be broadcast across Asia through AXN’s four programming feeds.

    i-Pop has been appointed to develop and manage an interactive, user-friendly mobile Wap site that will further bridge AXN’s on-air offerings with its viewers. The mobile platform will immerse viewers through value-added interactivity of their award-winning series and original productions, allowing them to have a seamless, well-rounded, enriching entertainment experience that complements their TV viewing.

    i-Ppop says that it will play a key role in facilitating the network’s tri-media approach of on-air, online and mobile platforms in promoting the key properties of AXN. The SMS entry mechanism enables content downloads and on-air contests to be accessed via the ease of a mobile phone. The aim is to optimise viewer participation and create greater synergies in the branding prowess of AXN as well as its advertisers, through integrated campaigns that will enhance viewer experience.

    Jointly working with telecommunication and cable operators in the various regions – Starhub (Singapore), Astro (Malaysia), Smart (Philippines) and other major operators in Hong Kong, i-Pop spearheaded the Phase One launch of AXN Mobile that will allow viewers to download funky ringtones and wallpapers at AXN mobile storefront.

    Fans of the The Amazing Race Asia can also subscribe to a video streaming service for interviews and clips from the latest episodes. Viewers can also expect MMS content, mobile gaming and other services to be made available in more countries in the coming months.

    iPop executive VP Colin Miles says, “i-Pop has had four years of front line experience working strategically with the topmost media brands in Asia to effectively enable mobile integration across all their key touch points. We are delighted to support AXN’s suitably adventurous approach, grasping the challenge and setting a strong direction to utilise mobile in a truly connected way for their viewers across the region. i-Pop is proud to be able to work with this leading network in delivering dynamic rich media content to its mobile viewers”.

    Mobile phone content, such as music, gaming and video, is forecast to reach $43 billion in sales worldwide by 2010, according to a report by research firm iSuppli Corp. Media organisations are now seeing the significant value and a new source of revenue in applying mobile media services to their brand output and viewer relationships. Even the most casual viewer cannot fail to see SMS interactions and mobile contest being widely propagated across both terrestrial TV stations and cable networks.

  • AXN goes mobile to spread the buzz

    AXN goes mobile to spread the buzz

    MUMBAI: The mobile is increasingly becoming a way for channels to reach their consumers. A case in point is the action oriented AXN.

    AXN Mobile, a mobile Wap entertainment portal by AXN, is ready to be launched in Asia and will be available to consumers from early November 2006.

    Now viewers acros Asia will not only get to catch high-octane action and adventure programmes on TV; supplement their programme knowledge and have fun with games and contests via the website; live the AXN lifestyle by participating in specially formatted made-for-TV challenge-reality shows… but to top it all off, AXN Mobile is now available to continue providing the AXN buzz while on the move – giving consumers an adrenaline-charged “power snack bar” to get them freshened up for their next appointment.

    Through the mobile AXN is looking to catch viewers whether they are on a lunch or coffee break from work, commuting on public transport to meet friends, or soaking their stress away in the Jacuzzi.

    AXN Mobile offers exclusive streaming video on demand (SVOD) services and downloadable personalisation products such as ringtones and wallpapers from the channel’s flagship programmes that have garnered a huge loyal following around the region.

    In Singapore and Malaysia, AXN has expanded its partnership with affiliates like StarHub to carry the mobile products on their platform and with Astro to distribute AXN mobile to major telcos. In the Philippines, AXN has partnered with Smart Communications. Direct deals with major telcom firms are also in negotiation in Hong Kong and Taiwan, which will be announced at a later date.

    The channel says that a clear differentiation about AXN Mobile, is the exclusive made-for-mobile contents offered to consumers, in an effort to ensure the desirability and relevance of AXN Mobile. Unlike other mobile TV services that are mostly an extension of the TV contents (like news updates or the linear channel service), AXN offers a library of video clips from its stable of signature shows that are specially produced for streaming via mobile.

    AXN Mobile will be available in various Asia markets in early November, in conjunction with the much-awaited premiere of AXN’s biggest original production – The Amazing Race Asia. Special made-for-mobile contents have been created that will allow viewers of The Amazing Race Asia to supplement their knowledge of the show – like host Allan Wu’s Host Video Diary, where he shares his thoughts at the end of each race day; interviews with eliminated teams on their reflection of what may have caused their elimination and their thoughts on which team they believe will emerge victorious.

    In the final stages of the race, viewers can also download clips of interviews with the remaining teams after every episode to see what would be each team’s strategy going into the next leg of the race. These videos will serve to “whet the appetite” of viewers as they wait in anticipation for the next episode. Of course, there will also be the ever-popular “unseen footages” or “behind-the-scene” shots of the funny moments, big arguments or even too-hot-for-TV catfights…

    Similar offerings from other shows like Mondo Magic Singapore and The Contender are also in the pipeline, as well as a special segment known as AXN Moments featuring great moments of fun, courage, and laughter from some of the best daredevil record-breaking challenges from AXN original productions and events.

    SPE Networks Asia GM Ricky Ow says, “AXN has always been a leading trendsetter, being the first action and adventure channel, the first to bring the reality craze to Asia, the first in Asia to take on such a mega scale production like The Amazing Race Asia. And now we will also be the first to provide a true-blue entertainment WAP portal that allows our viewers to have a seamless, well-rounded, enriching entertainment experience that complements their TV viewing.

    “Mobile technology is very much a part of our viewers’ lifestyle, our core audience being the working executives and professionals. With the rapid advancement and pick-up of mobile technology in Asia, we feel that it is the right time to venture into mobile TV, and I am confident that our viewers will appreciate the unique content offerings we have.”

  • AXN unveils identity of the Indian team for ‘The Amazing Race Asia’

    AXN unveils identity of the Indian team for ‘The Amazing Race Asia’

    MUMBAI: One of the action oriented channel AXN’s on ground initiatives for this year is The Amazing Race Asia. The initiative kicks off on the channel on 9 November 2006 at 11 pm and the channel has revealed the ten teams selected to race around Asia and beyond for the $100,000 prize. 

    The show was shot earlier this year and cost millions of dollars. For the uninitiated, the show sees couples travelling across the Asia through specified modes of transport. Each couple is linked by a relationship like husband and wife, brother and sister.

    AXN adds that the initiative reached a broad spectrum of people from various Asia countries, cultures and different walks of life since the call for participation that was made in February 2006. Some begged, some bragged, some even cried, just to attract the eyes of the selection committee. It was a tough process, but after much deliberation, a diverse group of contestants living in different parts of Asia, of various backgrounds and life experiences were thrown into the mix to outrun, outsmart and conquer in the race.

    Out of more than 10,000 applications from all over Asia an Indian team comprising of male models Prashant Raj Sachdev and Sahil Shroff were chosen and they will compete against nine teams from Asia to win that coveted prize of fame and money. The teams will be travelling around Asia and beyond where language barriers, time constraints and foreign environments become too hot to handle. 

    The show’s host Allan Wu says, “The producers definitely took the time and did their homework to select the most diverse, entertaining, and controversial batch of contestants for our first season. Expect to see the usual tantrums and arguments between teams and teammates. Furthermore, expect to see clashes that you’ve never even seen on the US-version. Our contestants are from all over the region and not just one country so you are definitely going to see some major drama and rivalries.”

    SPE Networks – Asia GM Ricky Ow says, “The participants are the key drivers of any challenge-reality show with the humor and drama that they create onscreen. Viewers will definitely not be disappointed by our selection of the contestants. They are a colourful and vibrant mix that will truly make The Amazing Race Asia an exceptional and really unique first-of-its-kind viewing experience for Asia viewers.”

  • ‘There are lot of shows out there about Hollywood and actors. But if it does not contribute to the movie watching experience, then it will not suit Pix’ : Sunder Aaron – Pix business head

    ‘There are lot of shows out there about Hollywood and actors. But if it does not contribute to the movie watching experience, then it will not suit Pix’ : Sunder Aaron – Pix business head

    These are busy times for Sony in the English entertainment space. Earlier this year it launched an English movie channel Pix. It also revamped Animax which is now a youth and lifestyle brand as opposed to being a kids brand earlier.

     

    AXN meanwhile is taking its local initiatives to the next level with Amazing Race Asia which kicks off next month.Indiantelevision.com‘s Ashwin Pinto and Renelle Snelleczk caught up up with Pix business head and AXN, Animax India country manager Sunder Aaron for a lowdown on the plans.

     

    Excerpts:

    How much of a challenge has it been to push Pix into homes both on a distribution level and on a sampling level for the consumer? In a sense it is a niche within a niche.

    Our library is a mix of older and newer films. The point is that we want to show films that have great stories It does not matter if it is old or new. When you say niche within a niche you are thinking of a classic film channel. We are not that. Our marketing and positioning focusses on telling good stories.

     

    What you find is that a lot of English movie channels are focussed on brand new titles, big stars, big budgets, big special effects, big Hollywood stars. That gets you as lot of people who don’t even speak English just checking the channel. They touch it which gives wide reach. What we have though is a high tel appeal. My audience is a little more older, more affluent and they stay with us a little longer.

     

    Strong stories are what guarantees a good movie. There are lots of examples of films with big stars, budgets etc which are not good. Getting into homes wasn’t that big a challenge as we are with the One Alliance. It already has relationships with the cable fraternity Our focus is on the main Metros. Cable operators make it difficult. We are growing though and have surpassed Zee Studio.

     

    We have been careful in our communication and marketing efforts. Our communication makes sure that our viewer gets the message that films are specially chosen after going thousands of titles.

    Then there is the question of adult films not being allowed. How is Pix coping with this situation in terms of getting titles cleared?

    The different parties are meeting with the I&B secretary this week. Hopefully a solution will be found. When you think Adult you normally think of nudity or sex.

     

    However a lot of English films are rated ‘A’ because the themes are mature.

    Do you feel that an exception should be made for DTH as technology allows for parental control?

    While the technology is there how many people will use parental locks? The greatest control at the end of the day is parental. What you are saying is taking the job of the parent and putting it on the programmer and service provider. It also comes down to what one considers to be an adult film.

    A show like Inside the Actor’s Studio gives Pix variety. What plans do you have as far as showing content other than films is concerned?

    We have ideas. But the important thing is that it should not distract from the fact that Pix is a movie channel.

     

    There are lot of shows out there about Hollywood and actors. But if it does not contribute to the movie watching experience, it it does not feel like a cinema oriented show then it will not suit Pix.
    ‘The Man’s World returns for a second season. There
    will be a kickoff on 17 November. It has been on my
    mind to look at a sports based reality show‘

    You had earlier mentioned plans for localisation as as getting titles from independent studios. Has any progress been made here?

    We will be airing Being Cyrus next month and 15 Park Avenue soon after that. Down the road we will create original shows that are reality based.

     

    We are going to Mipcom this week to get titles. We will also go to the American Film Market in Los Angeles. Pix will be also be used as a vehicle to push theatrical films like Casino Royale. This will be part of an integrated 360 degree marketing campaign.

    You are now going after the advertisers with Pix. What is the pitch being made?

    The pitch is that we have content that have great stories which will draw in viewers. Our philosophy which is stated in the film Field of Dreams is that if you build it they will come.

    What is happening with AXN?

    AXN will unveil The Amazing Race Asia next month. It was produced out of Singapore and was a pan regional effort. The Indian team taking part will add local interest.

     

    The teams basically travel across Asia in a race to finish first. As is the case with the US edition there is a gradual process of elimination. We have been secretive about the show in terms of locations the teams will visit and other details since if word gets out about who won or lost interest will dissipate.

    What else can we expect from AXN on the localisation front?

    The Man’s World returns for a second season. There will be a kickof on 17 November. It has been on my mind to look at a sports based reality show. Once these two initiatives that I mentioned conclude then we will be in a position to focus on the other ideas.

    Any other new initiatives?

    We have a marathon for Diwali. This is from 20-22 October 2006. It starts with a seven hour marathon of the World’s Most Amazing Videos. Then Fear Factor will have an eight hour marathon the next day. There will be three phases. The first is about adrenaline junkies facing their fears. The second phase deals with families and friends.

     

    The third is where people are competing to win a million dollars. Then there will be a movie marathon. We have the Elite Weekdays at 11 pm from Monday –Thursday and the Elite Weekends from Saturday to Sunday from noon to 2 pm. We have shows like Nip/Tuck,CSI airing here. This is for the serious, thinking audience.
    ‘Animax was originally positioned as a kids channel.
    What we realised was that the animation we are showing is much more sophisticated in the sense of the storylines. So it wasn’t really appealing for little kids‘

    Could you talk about the revamp of Animax?

    Animax was originally positioned as a kids channel. What we realised was that the animation we are showing is much more sophisticated in the sense of the storylines. It is like dramatic serials. There is more conflict, human emotions, deeper characterisation. So it wasn’t really appealing for little kids.

     

    The target audience that we are focussed on now that we should have focussed on in the beginning is 15-24. It is young adults who are just starting to consume. It is an exciting group to go after.

     

    They are going to cafes, getting a new phone every few months. They wear designer jeans. There is nexus between Animax and gaming and all those teenage aspirations. While Animax’s programming is animated it is not kiddie cartoons. It is what we call animation grown up. For the revamp we changed some of the colours. The appearance and look were changed. We also have animated hosts. We have also taken off shows that could be construed as being for kids. You will see more and more young, mature stuff. We also have new programming blocks.

     

    There is Aniblast in the evenings. A little later on there is AniSutra which is more cutting edge. AniFlix on Saturdays shows films. It will take time though for the viewers perception to change. It will take several months to completely change market expectations whether it is viewers or advertisers. It will feel like a lifestyle and animation channel.

    So you are also competing with the likes of Star World and Zee Cafe?

    I would say that we are also competing with the likes of MTV, Zoom, Discovery Travel And Living. Right now we are still seen as competing with kids channels and the challenge is to get the message out that we are not in the same space as Cartoon Network.

     

    We will talk more to our viewers. We wil go out talk to our TG and put them on the channel. There will be local vignettes. Gaming is an area we are looking at. We already have Gamemax on the channel.

     

    Eventually we will get to a point where we can commission some shows. But that is still some time away. Right now it is an English feed. The problem was that we had Hindi mixed in earlier which confused operators and viewers. Down the line as the channel gets re established we will look at a Hindi feed as well.

    You are also looking at on ground activities?

    Yes. We are planning one that will be campus oriented towards the end of the year. We are also looking at doing a gaming event year on year. We are looking to provide a touch feel experience which is what AXN has done really well. AXN is a badge of pride brand for viewers. That we are hoping will happen for Animax also. Even if you do not get the stories it is cool in terms of the visuals.

     

    Our marketing has also changed. We will not do a school contact programme. It will be a college campus connect initiative. Animax might help people get jobs in the animation industry or do career counselling. The profile of advertisers will also change. Brands like Nike, Pepsi will be seen instead of say a kids health drink brand.

    Is merchandising also an option?

    We feel that there are a few shows that look promising in this area. It will not be as big an area for us as Disney though. We will use merchandising to push the channel. Disney does the opposite.

    Looking at the English entertainment scene DTH and addressability does give players the chance to launch channels dedicated to specific genres like crime which AXN has done in Europe. Are there plans to launch more channels like this in India sometime in the future?

    Let’s see. We have a challenge to see that the channels we have including Pix which we launched earlier this year, Animax which has repositioned itself this year do well. We always have ideas and we are considering launching other channels in India.

     

    The best way for a channel owner to thrive is to launch new channels which I am sure we will do sometime down the line.

     

    If for some reason cable addressability again gets stalled is there a chance that Sony might take the English chanels off cable and put it only on DTH?

    I don’t think so. As distributors of content we want to take it to as many platforms as possible and as many modes of distribution as we can. We are agnostic when it comes to that. The basic game for any programmer is to distribute content on any platform whether it is DTH, IPTV, mobile or cable.

     

    Of course we want a fair price. This is where the challenge lies in India. English entertainment is a growing niche. The affluent English speaking
    population is very desirable. So though we are relatively small businesses compared to the main Hindi channels it is nonetheless expanding. Each English entertainment channel from Sony has a unique offering. The more the number of viewers exposed the better they will do. That will not be the case if we do not have it on one platform.
  • Movie channel ban: Govt. plans interim measure

    Movie channel ban: Govt. plans interim measure

    NEW DELHI: The Indian government is likely to come up with an interim plan to put some cooling balm on movie channels, which have been up against a wall in Mumbai due to a court ban on airing of `A’ certified movies.

    According to an official of the information and broadcasting ministry, in about a fortnight’s time “some interim measure” relating to movie channels would be put in place to ease the problem.

    “We are aware of the difficulties being faced (by movie channels). Some sort of an interim measure should be announced in the next 10-12 days,” the official said.

    However, the official admitted that the censor board is hamstrung by inadequate manpower to quickly re-certify all movies lined up by movie channels over the next two to three months.
    In the third week of August, the Bombay High Court ruled that broadcasters, including direct-to-home (DTH) service providers, could not air movies with ‘A’ certificates.

    The High Court bench, headed by Justice Lodha, had also pulled up the cable operators for their action of discontinuing transmission of all channels in Mumbai after the court ban.

    The court also specified that broadcasters, including foreign channels uplinking from outside India, have to obtain certificate from the Indian censor board before they air any movies.

    The affected channels belatedly petitioned the government to find some solution ahead of the festive season, which got flagged off with Dasher on 2 October, when corporate houses splurge advertising money on television.

    One of the options being toyed is to give channels some migration time to re-certify movies, especially in the light of slow working of the censor board.

    The nine channels affected by the court ban include Zee Cinema, Star Movies, HBO, Filmy, Star Gold, AXN and SET Max. The channels, however, can technically function normally in other parts of the country.

  • HK through eyes of an Indian filmmaker on AXN

    NEW DELHI: Action and adventure channel AXN from the Sony stable is trying out new marketing initiatives.
    After a Bollywood film bonanza, AXN has partnered with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to jointly create an innovative programming that showcases the excitement, action and adventure that Hong Kong offers to travelers.

    Most travel related television programming is produced in a typical documentary style and created by television producers. `Roll & Action! Discover Hong Kong’ is innovative in that it features the creative work of three up and coming movie directors from the three hottest movie making countries in Asia – India , Thailand and Korea.

    Each director has been engaged to film and produce two short “filmlets” on Hong Kong – one of which features one of three new star attractions in Hong Kong – Disneyland Hong Kong, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Ngong Ping 360 and the other simply their view and/or experience of Hong Kong.

    “Last year AXN worked with HKTB on a movie odyssey featuring Bollywood and now we have picked up three directors from three countries to showcase Hong Kong, which is trying to project itself as the Hollywood of the East,” said Gregory Ho, VP, advertising sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks, Asia.

    According to Ho, the “innovative approach” to promoting Hong Kong not only breaks through conventional norms but is also entertaining.

    The three directors had been given a free-hand to express their creativity

    From India, there is Imtiaz Ali (worked in films like `Socha Na Tha’) for whom this is his first directorial venture on television.

    Says David Leung, regional director, South and South East Asia, HKTB, “Our choice of having Imtiaz Ali direct the vignettes was driven by the fact that he is known as a ‘point of view’ director due to his very individualistic style. After seeing his directorial debut ‘Socha Na Tha’, we were looking forward to working with him and were extremely pleased when he expressed interest in this project.”

    Ali has produced two filmlets, one of which is focused on Hong Kong Wetland Park and the other is his very own unique perspective of his experience in Hong Kong.

    The other two directors who reflect their common passion for cutting edge film making are Kwak Jae Yong from Korea (My Sassy Girl) and Nonzee Nimibutr from Thailand (Nang Nak, Jan Dara).

    Imtiaz Ali’s inspirational views on Hong Kong together with those of Kwak Jae Yong and Nonzee Nimibutr will start airing from 25 September on AXN.

    Meanwhile, Ho also told Indiantelevision.com that AXN is well entrenched in the English entertainment TV market in India, which has seen “dramatic changes” over the last five years.

    However, Ho felt that the Indian cable TV viewers is “spoilt for choice” as he gets too much for too little and probably doesn’t really appreciate all that he gets as broadcasters spend huge amount of money on quality programming.