ITV

Tag: Bollywood

  • Sahara Filmy to present ‘Live and Filmy’

    MUMBAI: Sahara Filmy, the Bollywood film channel arm of Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited, has announced the launch of its new series ‘Live and Filmy.’

    The channel has roped in music stalwarts Sukhvinder Singh and Daler Mehendi to perform live on 27 January at the Somaiya Hospital ground in Sion. The musical extravaganza will also have Tanushree Dutta performing to her hit numbers.

    Speaking on the launch Sahara Filmy business head Ashutosh said, “Every film channel shows back to back Hindi films. While we also showcase the best of Bollywood cinema, we have always taken an initiative to introduce various types of Bollywood- based content.

    We launch this series called ‘Live and Filmy’ with a musical extravaganza by Daler Mehendi and Sukhvinder with Tanushree performing some sizzling numbers.”

    The channel aims to take the event across the country with a host of other Bollywood stars depending on the response. The channel will also have other properties like contests and interactive shows in a run up to its telecast. “Since it is not easy to do such a large scale event on a regular basis, we do not promise that it will be a monthly event. But 2007 would certainly have more such Bollywood and filmy content programming,” says Ashutosh.

    “I have seen these two perform and you won’t get this type of energy anywhere.The idea was to bring together this amazing energy of to our viewers and audience- Live. We are expecting a huge audience turn out for the same.”An increasing number of television channels are now incorporating on ground activity in its programming to increase the viewer connect.

  • Zoom adds ‘Bollywood Laffs’ to humour quotient

    Zoom adds ‘Bollywood Laffs’ to humour quotient

    MUMBAI: Lifestyle channel Zoom kicks off a new comedy show Haff Hour Laff Hour on 26 January 2007 at 8:30 pm.

    Stand-up comedian Sajid Khan will host the show along with impersonator Suresh Menon. This show is a complete stand-up comical rhapsody with the funny twosome taking viewers on a laughter trip disguised as Bollywood, cricket, music personalities and celebrities from the entertainment world.

    Right from spoofing celebrity interviews, to reviewing Bollywood movies in their witty style, the hosts will give viewers their expert fake-take on the latest news trends, fashion, politicians and celebrities who are in the news for all kinds of reasons.

    Sajid says, “This association with Zoom is turning out to be a fabulous experience. We hope to offer a fresh twist to comedy via the show”.
     

  • Eros International signs mobile content license deal with Mauj Telecom

    Eros International signs mobile content license deal with Mauj Telecom

    MUMBAI: Eros International has announced that it has signed a license deal involving minimum guarantee revenues with telecom solutions company Mauj Telecom for distribution of mobile content.

    In the past the two companies have collaborated on films including “Omkara” and “I See You”. The deal includes films such as “Namaste London”, “Eklavya – The Royal Guard”, “No Smoking” and “Friends Forever.”.

    “With mobile and wireless connectivity in India growing at an impressive 80 per cent CAGR, the opportunity to monetise Bollywood content through mobile properties such as ringtones, wallpapers, songs and video clips is becoming increasingly lucrative,” Eros said in a statement.

    Eros’ content will be distributed on Mauj’s international telecom network. “The Mauj deal is a significant landmark in Eros’ commitment to tap into the new media opportunities presented by digital convergence. The deal enhances Eros’s recent expansion into music publishing as most mobile content is derived from Bollywood musicals. Mauj has created a niche in the mobile space within a short span of time and we are pleased to be working with them to unlock further value in our mobile content,” said Eros International chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla.

    Added Mauj chairman and managing director Anupam Mittal, “Eros International is one of the largest content owners in the Bollywood business and has a very strong pipeline of forthcoming films. We were keen to secure the deal to distribute that premium content on mobile platforms in an increasingly competitive environment. Eros’ content combined with Mauj’s technical infrastructure and relationships with mobile networks operators make this an attractive deal for both companies.”

  • Big Bro loses sponsor over racist bullying row

    Big Bro loses sponsor over racist bullying row

    MUMBAI: It has become the ‘big brother’ of all controversies, with accusations of racism, the parliaments of two country’s wading in, and the show’s producers Endemol and UK broadcaster Channel 4 on a fast ride to ratings nirvana.

    And it doesn’t stop there. The latest twist to the story comes with one of the major sponsors pulling the plug on Celebrity Big Brother, the low brow reality show that is at the centre of a storm over the treatment meted out to Bollywood starlet Shilpa Shetty by her fellow “housemates”.

    Carphone Warehouse, the biggest mobile phone retailer in Europe, has pulled out its sponsorship of the current series saying that it did not want its name associated with claims of racist bullying. “We had already made it clear to Channel 4 that were this to continue, we would have to consider our position. Nothing we saw last night gave us any comfort. Accordingly we have instructed Channel 4 to remove our sponsorship name and branding with immediate effect,” Carphone Warehouse said in a statement.

    The statement added, “Nothing we saw last night gave us any comfort. Accordingly we have instructed Channel 4 to remove our sponsorship name and branding with immediate effect.”

    Carphone Warehouse has sponsored the show since 2004. The deal with Channel 4 and programme makers Endemol is understood to be in the region of £3million, Britain’s Sun tabloid reported.

    What would come as no surprise to most media watchers is that the controversy has also fuelled the ratings for the show. Tuesday’s telecast of the show was watched by over 4.5 million viewers almost 1 million more than the previous day. Interest in the show has skyrocketed both within UK’s Asian and white communities.

    UK’s broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has received a record 27,000 complaints, while Channel 4 has received 3,000 about alleged racism by the house mates towards Shetty. The show has also become a hot topic amongst bloggers making sure the interest in the show is kept alive.

    Ratings and voting revenues are likely to soar further after Goody and Shetty are now pitted against one another and depending on the most nominations received, one will be evicted from the house.

    Meanwhile Channel 4 released a statement insisting that there had been no overt racism, and claiming that the clashes were based on class and cultural differences.

    Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards has made it clear that he would not conduct a “kangaroo court” over the row. Richards was responding to questions over what action his organisation would be taking following accusations of racism in the show after his keynote speech at the Oxford Media Convention.

    One of the more ridiculous ofshoots of the controversy that everyone and their big brother is trying to cash in on came from online community Gottabet.com which is offering £10,000 to anyone “who can get a custard pie in the face of any one of the trio of girls” – Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara – who have been at the centre of allegations of bullying in the house.

    Celebrity Big Brother is now in its fifth season on UK’s Channel 4. Netherlands based Endemol is the series producer and had adapted the format to Indian television under the title Big Boss, currently running on Sony Television.

  • Eros, Intel team up to bring Bollywood movies from PC to TVs

    Eros, Intel team up to bring Bollywood movies from PC to TVs

    MUMBAI: Eros International and Intel Corporation have announced the debut of Eros’s latest Bollywood service on Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

    Accelerating the on-demand, broadband-delivered Bollywood content to PCs connected to TVs, the companies announced plans for the pre-DVD online premiere of the Arjun Rampal starrer I See You, within weeks of its global theatrical release. The film released on 29 December 2006.

    At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Eros and Intel demonstrated the new service, which delivers access to Bollywood entertainment, including high-definition movies, music videos, day and date premieres, evergreen blockbusters and timeless classics, from the web to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs for viewing and enjoyment on large screen TVs. The Eros service will offer rental, subscription, download to own at launch and even download to burn models in the future, informs an official release.

    “Our effort with Intel will give us the opportunity to serve an even broader audience worldwide, enter new markets and gain new revenue streams, while exploring and embracing a variety of exciting new digital distribution technologies, such as Intel Viiv technology. We are a content company that believes in empowering consumers so they can watch what they want, when they want, how they want,” said Eros chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla.

    “Through Intel Viiv technology and our collaboration with Eros, we’re bringing the world directly into consumers’ living rooms at the touch of a button. Intel’s goal is to accelerate the availability of broadband-delivered entertainment into every home. And, with Intel Viiv technology, we’re helping to change the economics of distribution and allow more people around the world to enjoy exciting content, irrespective of their physical location,” said Intel’s Digital Home Group vice president and content services group GM Kevin Corbett.

  • Hungama Mobile, GSM Association, Roamware unveil a mobile Bollywood film initiative

    Hungama Mobile, GSM Association, Roamware unveil a mobile Bollywood film initiative

    MUMBAI: Bollywood is all set to go mobile! Global roaming solutions provider Roamware, Hungama Mobile and the GSM Association have joined hands to launch a Mobile Bollywood initiative. The aim is tio create short films for the mobile. This is one way in which film lovers from across the world can sample what the Indian film industry has to offer.

    The three parties have partnered with director Sanjay Gupta to premiere Bollywood short films for the mobile. The films titled Dus Kahaniyah will premiere at GSMA’s 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona from 12-15 February 2007. Th event is expected to attract 60,000 executives from the mobile world. This initiative follows an initiative by Roamware in the US where it sponsors the Sundance Film Festival Short film Project. This is a JV between Roamware and the Sundance Institute.

    GSM Association chairman Craig Ehrlich says,”The Sundance and Bollywood communities represent some of the most creative, vibrant and diverse talent in the movie world. In showcasing the films at Barcelona we hope to create a compelling mobile experience for mobile users across the globe. The aim of the GSM Association is to make the mobile experience go beyond text and picture messaging. India is the fourth largest mobile subscriber nase. The GSM Association represents every GSM operator in the world. “

    Hungama Mobile MD and CEO Neeraj roy says, “Hungama mobile has exclusive rights to over 70 per cent of Bollywood content on the mobile and digital platforms and trhis content from India. We believe that Bollywood offers tremendous potential as a content category for carriers in over 125 countries. The revenue sharing arrangement will see around 50 per cent go to the content creator.

    At the first stage we wanted established filmmakers to come on board. Later on when the mobile becomes viral we will look at offering our platform as a springboard for emerging filmmakers. Firstly we want to test the model to see if it works and makes money for everybody in the value chain.”

    Each story in the film runs for 10 minutes and stars established stars like Madhuri Dixit, Jimmy Shergill and Dia Mirza. Mirza notes that this represents a huge opportunity for the Indian film industry to move into the international market. This she notes comes at a time when the international market is becoming more interested in what Bollywood has to offer. Gupta thanked the three parties for providing established filmmakers with the chance to make short films.

    That is something that they do not often get a chance to do. The fact that the short films have known faces will make them reach the masses that much quicker he notes. “It is exciting to be part of a move that has the potential to create a new distribution model for Bollywood. The market for short films has been given an impetus by the fact that the quality of the video experience on the mobile has improved a lot.”

  • Mumbai school wins Disney Channel’s My School Rocks competition

    MUMBAI: Five cities and two months later, St Xavier’s High School, Vile Parle, Mumbai is the winner of the My School Rocks contest organized by Disney Channel.

    St Xavier’s emerged winners after beating 240 other schools including five semi finalists. In every city the performances were recorded and reviewed by noted Bollywood dance choreographer Saroj Khan. The winning group stars in a special music video which was choreographed by Saroj Khan and will be aired on Disney Channel.

    My School Rocks is the biggest-ever interschool group-dance competition held across India. The contest draws inspiration from this year’s sensational Disney Channel original movie, ‘High School Musical’ which continues to be a rage across the globe.

    650 schools from five cities including Amritsar, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Ahmedabad participated in this mega interschool group dance competition. The kids choreographed their own dance sequence on the High School Musical hit song ‘Ho ek hi aim’. Saroj Khan pronounced five schools with the best dancing talent as semi finalists. Vignettes of these five semi finalists’ performances were aired for audience poll via various voting mechanisms on Disney Channel.

     

  • Kingfisher Airlines and DishTV introduce Live TV In-flight

    Kingfisher Airlines and DishTV introduce Live TV In-flight

    MUMBAI: Dishtv and Kingfisher Airlines have joined hands to bring Live TV entertainment for the very first time in the Indian skies. As a part of the tie-up, DTH player DishTV, will demonstrate its services on Kingfisher Airlines.

    The first aircraft empowered by DishTV complete with the Live TV service, will be ready to take-off by the end of December.

    Now on flying with Kingfisher Airlines, guests will be able to keep themselves updated and entertained with critical news or business event, sporting action, Hollywood and Bollywood movies, latest music, and popular sitcoms, with DishTV’s technology of making digital content services available on board, asserts an official release.

    Speaking on the occasion Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra said, “We are extremely pleased to join hands with Kingfisher Airlines, marking dishtv’s presence and dominance in the Indian skies. This marks a red letter day, yet again in the history of Indian entertainment when we have been able to take TV entertainment to completely unprecedented levels. This reiterates our commitment to not just be the pioneers in the DTH category but as true leaders, continue to innovate and lead from the front, giving the consumer the best he could ever imagine in entertainment, constantly. We look forward to such historical innovations with like minded corporates in the future as well.”

    Kingfisher Airlines Limited chairman and CEO Vijay Mallya added, “Today we take our commitment to take the best of Good Times, one step further for our guests. Our association with DishTV has helped us create yet another path-breaking innovation which will revolutionise the way Indians perceive In-flight Entertainment and we are very proud that dishtv will now enable Live TV onboard every Kingfisher Airlines flight. With the launch of Live TV onboard, we are not re-defining In-flight Entertainment, but creating history”.

    With this alliance, DishTV will now empower Kingfisher Airlines’ Fun TV with 16 Live channels from its platform. Fun TV also has five channels of the broadcasted video content and one moving map channel. In addition guests can enjoy 10 channels of chartbusting music from hip-hop to retro to old Hindi melodies on Kingfisher Radio, adds the release.

  • Credit Suisse sees huge opportunities for Hollywood in Bollywood

    Credit Suisse sees huge opportunities for Hollywood in Bollywood

    NEW DELHI: Despite ‘striking’ lack of infrastructure, India is one of the four BRIC countries that Credit Suisse believes has significant revenue and profit opportunity for global media companies over the near to intermediate term. The other three countries are Brazil, China and Russia.

    The report, “Indian Media: Opportunities for Hollywood in Bollywood”, says News Corp, Disney and Sony are best positioned among the biggest global media companies to capitalise on opportunities in India. This is due in part to their existing operations and in the case of Disney also due to recent acquisitions. This list could expand significantly, and Viacom, Time Warner and Discovery are already on the ground.

    The report says each of the four “emerging growth” markets may hold significant long term opportunity for global media but we believe that the opportunities to distribute content and leverage a traditional advertising and subscription revenue model are now in place in India.

    It is poised to continue rapid growth for several years as the multi channel TV business is evolving toward a digital platform that will expand the market as well as the ability for content providers to actually get paid.”We expect most if not all of the major media companies to establish ‘play on India’ at some point, says the report filed by Credit Suisse Global Media analysts William Drewary, Jolanta Masojada and Ashish Gupta.

    Cable networks, syndicated TV shows and film production as well as Internet and mobile content will be the main products sold into India – many of these businesses are already established, the reports adds.

    “There is a large local media infrastructure in the country as well, with many publicly traded companies – though market cap size is a fraction of the US based companies. We would expect consolidation opportunities in country for the global media companies and Disney has been active in this regard lately” says the trio.

    But there is a slight disturbing note. “The lack of physical infrastructure in India is striking – a fact noted by any we met as an impediment of sorts to building businesses in the country.

    “Rather than a conclusion, this is an issue that will evolve over time, and the entrepreneurial spirit and democratic/capitalist society should eventually override the physical infrastructure limitations. We believe there are major opportunities emerging in India and hope this report will help to highlight that.”

  • Rajshri Media appoints Limelight as streaming content provider for its broadband website

    Rajshri Media appoints Limelight as streaming content provider for its broadband website

    MUMBAI: Rajshri Media, the digital entertainment arm of the Rajshri Group, has appointed content delivery network Limelight as the exclusive provider of streaming content delivery services for Rajshri.com, the recently launched broadband entertainment destination.

    Utilizing Limelight’s worldwide network, Rajshri.com will be able to deliver its library of content globally.

    As reported earlier, Rajshri.com, which aims to cater to the diaspora, was launched with the premiere of Vivah on the portal simultaneously with its theatrical release. Focusing on India centric video content, the site currently claims to serve more than 3,000 hours of full length Indian movies, music videos, TV shows, short films, documentaries and other video content and programming.

    The content offering is being scaled up and Rajshri.com will soon introduce new channels featuring content on spirituality, yoga, recipes, astrology and numerology. In addition, the website is also looking at original video programming, conceived and produced for distribution via new media to digitally connected consumers worldwide. The scalability of the Limelight network will ensure that viewers are provided with a high-quality media experience at all times, informs an official release.

    Rajshri Media managing director Rajjat A Barjatya said, “The non-resident Indian audience is estimated to be more than 25 million strong with an equally strong non-Indian audience. This audience is fragmented and difficult to reach through traditional media but connects very strongly with Indian entertainment, especially Bollywood. The penetration of broadband and 3G networks, especially in developed markets, gives us the ability to distribute rich content, including long form video, to consumers worldwide, including markets which traditional media has not been able to penetrate. We are proud to partner with Limelight and are happy to announce we have received a phenomenal response, having already crossed 4 million video streams within a fortnight of launch.”

    “We are delighted that Rajshri Media has chosen us as their exclusive partner to deliver high quality video content to audiences across the globe,” said Limelight Networks vice president Asia-Pacific Matthew H. Sturgess. “To make Rajshri’s vision a reality, our highly scalable next generation content delivery network enables them to simultaneously deliver huge video files–including feature films that are over three hours long–to audiences of any size, anywhere in the world.”