ITV

Tag: BBC

  • BBC iPlayer Radio app scores high on downloads

    BBC iPlayer Radio app scores high on downloads

    MUMBAI: BBC has announced its iPlayer Radio app, launched in October this year, has been downloaded more than a million times. The most popular activity to date in the app has been listening live to The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw.

    BBC iPlayer Radio, the new dedicated home for BBC radio, has seen record-breaking audiences since launch, with around six million UK unique weekly browsers, an increase of 30 per cent compared to October 2011 and nearly a third of traffic from mobiles and tablets. Audiences can now wake up to their favourite BBC station and listen on the move, discover the full breadth of BBC content across PC, mobile and tablet, and catch-up on programmes, clips and videos when they want.

    On the BBC iPlayer Radio app:
    – The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw tops live listening in the morning, with Radio 2’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show and Radio 4’s Today in joint second place

    – The most popular on-demand programme to date is Radio 4’s ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue‘, with comedy the top search category

    – On-demand listening increases in the evening, with dance music shows by Radio 1’s Annie Mac and Pete Tong performing strongly

    – After 10 pm, Radio 4 overtakes Radio 1 for live listening, with programmes like Book at Bedtime proving popular

    Since launch, the BBC has released a number of updates to BBC iPlayer Radio including the optimisation of the app for iPhone 5 devices, together with improved programme search and the ability to favourite a specific series on the website.

    BBC Future Media head of radio and music and audience facing services Andrew Scott said, “With over one million downloads of the app and record-breaking audiences to BBC iPlayer Radio, we are thrilled that more and more listeners can take BBC Radio with them whenever and wherever they want. We’re looking forward to bringing even more exciting features over the coming months, and to launching the app on other mobile platforms in 2013.”

  • BBC launches service connecting TV, radio and online content

    BBC launches service connecting TV, radio and online content

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has launched Connected Red Button. The aim is to reinvent the red button service for the future by effortlessly bringing TV, radio and online content together in the simplest possible way.

    The service will launch first on Virgin Media’s TiVo service as part of the innovation partnership agreed between the two organisations to create next-generation TV experiences. BBC Connected Red Button will be rolled out to other internet-connected TVs over the coming months.

    BBC Connected Red Button enables users to:
    – Watch programmes from BBC children’s channels, BBC Three and BBC Four anytime – day or night – even if the channel is off-air

    – Catch up on previous episodes of the shows you love and discover new gems

    – Get closer to the latest sporting action, with more streams, clips and content from your favourite events

    – Immerse yourself in news and weather headlines and clips that matter to you, when you want them, all at the touch of a button

    BBC Connected Red Button arrives in around 1.2 million Virgin Media TiVo homes today and will be available on other internet-connected TVs over the coming months. With new functionality and features added to the service over time, Connected Red Button will redefine how audiences watch, engage and interact with BBC content on their TV.

    The BBC has over 13 years of experience developing and evolving its red button services, which have brought viewers closer to the action at major events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon and Formula 1. BBC Red Button now attracts an audience of 20 million per month, peaking during this summer’s Olympic Games, where 24.2 million viewers watched up to 24 live streams via the red button.

    With predictions that by the end of 2016 there will be almost 22 million connectable TVs installed in the UK, and that over 50 per cent of UK TV households will have a connectable primary set – either directly or via a set top box**, BBC Connected Red Button will give viewers even more reason to connect their TV, and provide a platform to make BBC TV, radio and online content more interactive and engaging in the future.

    BBC Programmes, On-Demand GM Daniel Danker said, “With today’s launch of BBC Connected Red Button, the BBC is seamlessly bringing the Internet together with live TV, while making the technology completely invisible. This is red button reinvented, and the beginning of the exciting future of television.”

    IPTV, TV Online Content head Victoria Jaye said, “With BBC Connected Red Button, we’re starting with the TV audience who love our broadcast output and we’re curating online content on the big screen in ways that add value to their TV viewing. The audience can sit back and relax – the internet just made TV better.”

    Virgin Media executive director of digital entertainment Cindy Rose said, “The BBC understands as passionately as we do how important connected television is for home entertainment. We’re delighted the BBC is working with us to launch another milestone in interactive services. Our commitment to this partnership of innovation means Virgin Media TiVo customers are the first to experience the latest interactive services at the press of a button.”

  • BBC and University College London announce new strategic partnership

    BBC and University College London announce new strategic partnership

    MUMBAI: BBC Research and Development has announced a new strategic partnership with University College London, to drive innovation, and collaborate on a wide programme of R&D activity.

    Building on the BBC‘s history of partnerships, this venture will bring together some of the brightest minds in the UK to discuss and tackle the challenges for digital media and the creative industry at large.

    Over the next four years, the new partnership between BBC and UCL will focus on an ambitious programme of research work that seeks to advance state-of-the-art communications technologies, Internet research, content production, user experience (UXD) and access services. The outcomes of this research will also be shared with the wider industry.

    As part of the partnership, the BBC and UCL will share facilities and resources, and create new opportunities for students, graduates, staff and third parties with a range of sponsored studentships for doctorate level research, internships, student placements and a staff exchange programme. This initiative will form the foundation for future collaboration with other academic and industrial partners and as such will act as a catalyst in accelerating UK performance in this sector.

    A new, joint space at 1 Euston Square will also be established. 80 researchers from BBC R&D and UCL will co-locate in a new, permanent home that will act as a gateway for participation with other universities and organisations.

    BBC R&D has a history of partnerships, working alongside the industry and universities in order to maximise research, share knowledge and influence emerging new systems and standards. The BBC and UCL have both committed to supporting the Connected Digital Economy Catapult (CDEC) and look forward to sharing knowledge and applied research.

    BBC R&D controller Matthew Postgate said, "BBC R&D is an industry-leading department with a rich heritage and history of innovation, and I am delighted to announce our new partnership with UCL. By bringing together two world-leading research institutions, this partnership will inspire new ideas, help position the UK as a leader in media technologies, and act as a gateway to further innovation. It will also lay the foundations for further collaboration across the industry in the future."

    Professor Anthony Finkelstein, Dean of UCL Faculty of Engineering, said, "UCL Engineering is committed to delivering research that changes the world. Applying our expertise in cutting-edge computing to create new ‘digital experiences‘ is an excellent example of one way university research can have a real impact on people‘s lives. BBC R&D is the ideal partner as they provide both technical excellence and a fantastic platform for exploiting the results of innovation."

  • SES launches Astra 2F Satellite

    SES launches Astra 2F Satellite

    MUMBAI: Leading satellite operator SES has said its new Astra 2F satellite has been successfully launched on 28 September, on board an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. This is SES’ 36th successful launch on Ariane.

     

    Astra 2F was built by Astrium in Toulouse using a Eurostar E3000 platform and carries Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the delivery of high-performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next generation broadband services. It is the first of a three satellite investment programme (Astra 2E, 2F and 2G), that provides replacement and growth capacity for the UK and Ireland at the 28.2/28.5 degrees East neighbourhood.

    The new satellites in this neighbourhood will, as of October 2013, also use additional frequency spectrum for which the right of use was granted to SES by Media Broadcast pursuant to an agreement entered into in 2005. The new Astra 2F spacecraft also provides Ku-band capacity for pan-European services and for Sub-Saharan Africa. Its Ka-band payload will allow SES Broadband Services to support download speeds of up to 20 Mps.

     

    “The successful launch of Astra 2F is part of our fleet replacement and expansion programme,” said SES CEO Romain Bausch. “Astra 2F will provide seamless replacement capacity for our UK customers like BSkyB, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and will allow us to operate additional capacity at 28.2/28.5 degrees East on SES satellites. This orbital neighbourhood today serves close to 13 million DTH homes in the UK and Ireland. We would like to thank our long-standing partners Astrium and Arianespace for this mission success.”

    Astra 2F had a launch mass of 6 tons, generates 13 kW of power, and has a design life of 15 years. It is the fifth Eurostar satellite in the SES fleet. The new spacecraft will be brought into commercial service in the next few weeks following the completion of the extensive in-orbit testing programme.
  • Daniel Craig, Tarantino to be handed BAFTA awards on 7 November

    Daniel Craig, Tarantino to be handed BAFTA awards on 7 November

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles has announced the winners of this year‘s Britannia Awards, to be handed out in a ceremony on November 7.
    The winners of this year‘s prizes include Daniel Craig (the latest James Bond) and director Quentin Tarantino, whose Western Django Unchained is soon to hit theaters.
    The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, will receive the prestigious Charlie Chaplin Britannia award for Excellence in Comedy.
    In the world of video games, Will Wright, the brain behind SimCity and The Sims, will be honoured.
    BBC and BBC America will both broadcast the ceremony.

  • Katy Xu is BBC Advertising’s regional director for Hong Kong, Greater China

    MUMBAI: BBC Advertising, part of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC, has announced the appointment of Katy Xu as regional director for Hong Kong and Greater China.

    Xu will be responsible for BBC Advertising’s business in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Philippines and China, and starts with immediate effect.

    Xu will be based in Hong Kong and report to senior VP sales Asia Sunita Rajan.

    She joins BBC Advertising from Eurosport Asia Pacific where she was regional account director (Greater China, Thailand and Singapore) for two years.

    Previous to that, Xu was regional sales manager for both Greater China and South East Asia at Microsoft Advertising, and regional account director (Asia Pacific) for MTV Asia. She has also held sales roles at Lycos Asia and ChinaQuest Software.

    Key achievements over her past 12 years of international media background have included helping major Chinese brands such as Haier and Huawei launch their first ever international advertising campaigns – Haier sponsoring MTV Asia Awards in 2006, and Huawei (device) sponsoring the broadcast of London 2012 on Eurosport.

    Rajan said: “With vast experience in both pan regional TV and digital, having worked with global media companies such as Viacom, Microsoft Advertising Solutions and most recently Eurosport, Katy is well poised to drive growth for our business from these markets with her expertise in multi-screen and content solutions Ad Sales and her added knowledge and fluency in Mandarin.”

    Xu said, “I am delighted to have joined the BBC Advertising team, and am looking forward to working with businesses in Hong Kong and Greater China to promote their goods and services alongside some of the world’s best, most watched and most trusted content.”

    She moves into the role vacated by Michael Rees, who has relocated to Singapore as BBC Advertising’s regional director for Singapore, Korea.

  • Euro 2012: Spain vs Portugal match delivers 2.04 TVR for Neo

    MUMBAI: The semi-final match between Spain and Portugal was the most watched match of Uefa Euro 2012 garnering 2.04 TVR in the six metros (Sec ABC 15+ CS male target group), broadcaster Neo Prime said quoting TAM data.

    The second semi-final match between Germany and Italy got only 1.37 TVR. The two semi-finals had average ratings of 1.70 TVR.
    The viewership data for the final between Spain and Italy is expected next week.

    Comparably, the semi-final matches in the previous edition of tournament had average ratings of 1.12 TVR with the first semi-final match between Germany and Turkey getting a TVR of 1.91 and the second semi-final between Russia and Spain attracting 0.91 TVR.

    The 2008 Uefa Euro was aired on ESPN in India.

    The event‘s reach also improved significantly with 19.28 million viewers tuning in for matches till the semi-final stage. The previous edition had a reach of 14.96 million.

    The four quarter final matches for the tournament was 1.09 TVR with the last two matches getting viewership of above 1 TVR. The 2008 edition had average ratings of 0.88 for the quarter final stage.

    On the whole, the average event viewership notched 0.73 TVR which is just a tad better than the 0.67 TV in the previous edition. Eleven out of 30 matches till the semi-final stage rated more than 1 TVR compared to seven matches in the 2008 Uefa championship.

    In US, the Uefa Euro 2012 final on ESPN set a record as the most-watched European Football Championship game in the United States. The match was seen by an average audience of 4.068 million viewers in 2.699 million average television households.

    Throughout the 31 matches of the three-week tournament, ESPN‘s live English-language TV presentation delivered an average of 993,000 households and 1,300,000 viewers, up 51 per cent in households and viewers respectively, versus 31 matches in 2008 (657,000 households and 859,000 viewers).

    In the U.K., the Spain-Italy final on pubcaster BBC and ITV averaged 12.3 million viewers during the game, compared with two million on ITV.

  • Filmfare (South) Awards on 7 July in Chennai

    Filmfare (South) Awards on 7 July in Chennai

    NEW DELHI: The Idea 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011 (South), to be held in Chennai on 7 July, will be based on votes across ten categories in each of the four southern languages: Tamil; Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil.

    The event will take place at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

    This was announced at a press meet in Hyderabad attended among others by the sensational Rana Daggubati and the charming Deeksha Seth along with Worldwide Media CEO Tarun Rai and Idea Cellular CMO Sashi Shankar.

    Over 2500 Black Ladies have been awarded till date. Musical maestro A R Rahman was the recipient of the 2500th Black Lady at the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards (Hindi) held in January this year.

    The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011 (South) celebrates the sparkling talent in the Southern film industry and also brings unparalleled entertainment to the audience.

    Rai said, “­­­­­­­­­­­­­The size and stature of the South Indian film industry never ceases to amaze me. This year, 451 films, across four states, are competing for the coveted Black Lady! It is four times the number of movies that were made in Hindi. The talent in the South is immense and, we at Filmfare are proud that over the last six decades we have celebrated and facilitated this talent.”

    The Filmfare Awards (South) were initially held at the prestigious Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. Eventually it shifted to the distinctive Music Academy. Initially, only Tamil and Telugu films were considered for the awards and later, Malayalam & Kannada films became part of the event in 1966 and 1969 respectively. The spirit of the awards lies in its popularity not just amongst the masses but also the film fraternity. It is the ultimate recognition of talent.

    Worldwide Media is a part of the Times Group, one of India’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates and publishes Filmfare, Femina, BBC TopGear, HELLO! GRAZIA, BBC GoodHomes, Lonely Planet, Home Trends, BBC Knowledge, and BBC GoodFood.

  • BBC’s Jamie Laurenson to head See-Saw Films

    BBC’s Jamie Laurenson to head See-Saw Films

    MUMBAI: See-Saw Films, the producer of The King’s Speech and Steve McQueen film Shame, has hired former BBC Films executive Jamie Laurenson to spearhead its move into TV.

    Laurenson, who takes charge in July, will be responsible for running development and overseeing all See-Saw Films’ television productions.

    “We are excited by his decision to focus solely on developing and growing our TV business,” Company founders Iain Canning and Emile Sherman said in a statement.

    “Increasingly there appears to be no distinction between film and television talent and hiring Jamie puts us in the best position to take advantage of that.”

    Laurenson added, “I have been very lucky to work with a host of immensely talented people whilst at BBC Films and am very grateful for all I’ve learned here from colleagues and collaborators. I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and to continuing a strong relationship with the BBC.”

  • BBC ups investments in international biz coverage

    BBC ups investments in international biz coverage

    MUMBAI: BBC is increasing its investments into newsgathering and international business coverage from emerging markets such as Asia and BRIC countries.

    The pubcaster has launched an international search for a new role of chief business correspondent as part of its drive to expand the breadth and depth of its international business coverage.

    Based in East Asia, the BBC is looking for a heavyweight journalist who can bring fresh global perspectives and break major stories from around the world.

    While their prime focus will be reporting for international outlets such as BBC World News, BBC World Service and BBC.com, the successful candidate will also bring major stories and reports to UK audiences across the BBC‘s flagship UK news services. They will report across all platforms – TV, radio and online.

    The announcement follows the BBC‘s decision last year in its Delivering Quality First report, to put new investment into newsgathering in global priority areas such as the BRIC countries and emerging markets such as Asia.

    BBC Global News director Peter Horrocks said, “This high-profile appointment is just one part of significant investment in global newsgathering. It will strengthen our international reporting from priority areas such as the emerging markets in Asia.”

    Added BBC‘s business and economics unit head Jon Zilkha said, “Robert Peston and Stephanie Flanders, who lead the BBC‘s business and economics coverage, ensure the BBC is widely renowned for its exclusive reporting and commentary. This new role will help enrich the way our programmes tell the story of business as a new economic world order emerges.”