ITV

Tag: Banff World Television Festival

  • AOL, Charter Communications ink broadband marketing partnership

    AOL, Charter Communications ink broadband marketing partnership

    MUMBAI: Reinforcing its commitment to the global HDTV industry, the Banff World Television Festival in Canada has joined forces with NHK, Japans public broadcaster, to offer up the NHK Presidents Prize for the sixth consecutive year.

    NHK will sponsor the special award, which includes a $25,000 cash prize for the best HDTV programme.

    All HD programmes entered into the 2006 Banff World Television Awards will be eligible for nomination. The winner will be announced at the 2006 Banff World Television Awards ceremony during The 27th Banff World Television Festival, from 11 to14 June 2006.

    Banff World Television Festival CEO Robert Montgomery says, As a public broadcaster, NHK is also a leader in advanced HD technology, which is an incredibly important focus for us. We are delighted at the opportunity to work with NHK again in recognizing HDs true visionaries.

    NHK president Genichi Hashimoto says, “NHK always has a keen eye on the potential of new broadcasting technologies, so we’re delighted to encourage producers and directors who are leading the way in HDTV production. Given the increasing global dominance of HDTV and the Banff World Television Awards’ commitment to recognizing excellence, we look forward to seeing outstanding HD work in the competition”.

    The Banff World Television Awards include 18 categories covering the major program genres andnew this yeara category recognising excellence in interactive television. A Banff Rockie will be awarded to the best entry in each of the 18 categories. Entry forms and the detailed regulations for the 2006 Banff World Television Awards international program competition are available at www.banMUMBAI: AOL and Charter Communications, Inc have inked a partnership to offer consumers the AOL service and Charter’s high-speed internet access.

    The combined offer provides AOL members access to the AOL service’s leading security features and exclusive content via Charter’s true high-speed Internet connection at the price of $25.90 per month.

    Beginning on 6 February, AOL members in the Charter footprint will be able to sign-up for the new combined offering, as well as order a cable modem, making it simple and convenient to upgrade from dial up.

    “With the addition of Charter to AOL’s coast-to-coast broadband network, we’re expanding our footprint so that more AOL members around the country are able to take advantage of a competitively-priced high-speed offering. We’re happy to add this major new cable partner to our network of Internet providers as we are entering this new phase for our company,” said AOL Access Business president Joe Redling.

    Charter executive vice president and chief marketing officer Bob Quigley said, “Through this innovative marketing partnership, we’re targeting new high-speed customers and expanding our customer base. Our robust high-speed product makes all aspects of the Internet experience better, and together with AOL’s popular online service, provides a very compelling offer.”

    Key features of the new offering will include:

    Speed: The high speed of broadband makes all aspects of the Internet experience more valuable.
    Fast and Easy Setup: Makes getting up and running quick and easy.
    Customer Service: Help that’s available 24/7, including help via phone, e-mail or instant message.
    Safety: A comprehensive set of safety and security tools available to keep users safer against viruses, spyware, identify theft, and other online threats for no additional charge.
    Content: AOL exclusive and original programming including commercial free radio, streaming video and additional Charter content offerings through charter.net.
    Storage: Additional benefits like unlimited email and picture storage on AOL.
    ff2006.com.

  • Banff TV Festival to honour ‘Crash’ director Paul Haggis

    Banff TV Festival to honour ‘Crash’ director Paul Haggis

    MUMBAI: Recognising an individual who exemplifies achievement and advancement in the Canadian entertainment industry, the Banff World Television Festival has announced that director and writer Paul Haggis will be honoured with the first-ever “NBC Universal Canada Award of Distinction.”

    This award, presented by NBC Universal Canada, will be bestowed during a special luncheon at the Banff World Television Festival on 12 June. Haggis directed Crash which earlier this year had won the best picture Oscar. Haggis also won an Oscar for his screenplay.

    Haggis joins the growing list of esteemed guest speakers confirmed for Banff’s In Conversation With series. In these special one-hour forums, speakers are interviewed one-on-one in front of the Festival audience. The informal conversations draw unique insights from participants and are among the most popular with Banff delegates. Haggis will be at Banff to discuss The Black Donnellys, a show he is currently developing for US broadcaster NBC.

    Haggis says, “Banff is a very prestigious event in the entertainment industry and I am truly honoured to be the first recipient of the NBC Universal Canada Award of Distinction.”

    Haggis also wrote and produced last year’s best picture Oscar winner Million Dollar Baby becoming the only person in Oscar history to write back-to-back best picture Oscar winning films. He also recently completed writing the next James Bond movie Casino Royale and Clint Eastwood’s next film Flags of Our Fathers. In addition, a small screen version of Crash is being developed for FX.

    Banff CEO Robert Montgomery says, “Paul Haggis’ achievements in the industry are remarkable. He is an accomplished filmmaker who is proudly Canadian; he has raised the bar and set industry standards for others to follow. I could not think of anyone else more deserving than him to receive this inaugural award.”

    NBC Universal Studios Canada senior VP says, “NBC Universal Canada is especially proud to support and partner with BANFF to honour Mr. Haggis. He exemplifies excellence in our industry and it is a true honour to bestow our first award to him at the Festival.”

    The Banff World Television Festival takes place from 11 to 14 June in Banff, Alberta.

  • Banff to focus on digital media with sister event nextMedia

    Banff to focus on digital media with sister event nextMedia

    MUMBAI: Recognising that new media platforms is an invaluable part of todays television industry, the Banff World Television Festival in Canada has ramped-up the programme for its lead-in, sister conference, nextMedia 2006.

    The aim is to offer delegates an all-encompassing experience. nextMedia from 9 to 11 June will deliver the latest information on cutting-edge multi-platform distribution and content. This will be followed by Banff 2006 from 11 to 14 June.

    Set amid the Canadian Rockies at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta, this years nextMedia is a three-day event, featuring keynotes, international panels, best practices, case studies, as well as pitching and networking events. All these will focus on the future of digital content.

    This years theme focusses on digital content that is seamlessly integrated into our lives and distributed across multiple media platforms. nextMedia will also offer attendees an insight into the future of television, providing an essential companion to the Banff World Television Festival.

    Achilles Media CEO Robert Montgomery who is producing the event says, “nextMedia is on the pulse of emerging technologies and the future of digital content on such mobile channels as mobile internet, videophones and other handheld devices. The nextMedia/ Banff 2006 coupling is a must-attend for all television industry executives interested in staying up-to-date on such advanced media distribution platforms and their expanding markets and audiences.”

    nextMedia 2006, now in its second year, has bolstered its offerings to include these new highlights:

    – Digital Delivery Briefings with content aggregators
    – Interactive Exchange Sessions with broadcasters, CEs and TV executives
    – The Digital Deli a working lunch for content creators, where delegates learn how to repurpose and sell their content
    – The Market Place a delegate lounge with screening facilities and market kiosks.

  • Dan Marks is keynote speaker at Banff World Television Festival

    Dan Marks is keynote speaker at Banff World Television Festival

    MUMBAI: In keeping with its tradition of delivering television’s greatest power players as keynote speakers, The Banff World Television Festival announced that its first speaker will be Dan Marks, CEO, Television Services, British Telecommunications (BT).

    Dan Marks joined BT from Universal Studios where he was president of Universal Studios Networks UK. He is responsible for developing BT’s next-generation television service, for launching it and for managing its marketing, programming, legal, commercial, operational and development activities. Television Services is the group within BT’s consumer business responsible for BT’s new consumer television offering launching in 2006. Dan brings a wealth of television knowledge to his keynote address with his experience in broadcast, on-demand services and production.

    Previously, Marks was senior vice-president, business development for Universal Studios’ worldwide TV channels business. Marks also held positions at Video Networks Limited and TV3 Russia and worked over 10 years in Los Angeles as a documentary film producer and director. Dan’s background in strategic development, content partnerships and development of new TV opportunities based on new technologies will be instrumental in enabling the launch of BT’s world-leading next-generation TV launch later this year.

    Banff World Television Festival, director of content Jennifer Harkness commented, “I am especially thrilled to announce Dan Marks as one of our 2006 keynote speakers. He has had a distinguished television career and delegates will greatly appreciate his particular knowledge of the industry. The 27th Banff World Television Festival is committed to bringing television industry leaders from around the world for our attendees to learn from and network with – and it does so year after year.”