ITV

Tag: British broadcaster

  • BBC mulls 20 % stake in Radio Mid-Day

    BBC mulls 20 % stake in Radio Mid-Day

    NEW DELHI: Star might have backed out of the FM radio sector for the time being, but British broadcaster BBC has proposed to pick up an equity stake in Mumbai-based Radio Mid-Day that runs a FM radio station.

    According to government sources, BBC Worldwide Ltds proposal envisages the British broadcaster picking up to 20 per cent equity stake in Radio Mid-Day.

    The quantum of investment has not been specified in an application moved before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which is examining the proposal in consultation with the nodal ministry, information and broadcasting ministry.

    Radio Mid-Day, where the paid up equity capital is slightly over Rs. 590 million, operates a private FM radio station in Mumbai.The company has expressed its intention to bid for licences in other cities too during the second phase, beginning early next year.

    In Radio Mid-Day, 82 per cent of the stake is held by Mid-day Multimedia, while the remaining shareholding is with a company called Ferrari Investment.

    Interestingly, BBC Worldwide has obtained permission from its board of governors to invest up to £ 7 million (approx Rs 550 million) in Indias FM radio sector.

    As and when government permission comes through for BBC Worldwide, it would be the second major investment in the Indian media sector.

    The first joint venture is with Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd — publishers of The Times of India and Economic Times, apart from a host of other media ventures — for publishing scientific and other specialty journals in India.

    Another foreign player that is expected to soon throw its hat in the FM ring is Richard Branson’s Virgin Radio HT Music in association with Hindustan Times. HT subsidiary Entertainment Pvt Ltd is among the companies that have indicated interest in bidding for the second round of FM licences.

    The companies that have expressed interest in running private FM radio stations in 91 cities range from traditional media outfits to clothing outfits to dairy product manufacturers to consultancy firms to trading establishments.

    Until now, 100 firms have shown interest in the two-stage bidding process for 338 FM frequencies across India. Quite a few companies have not yet specified the number of frequencies they would bid for as this is just a pre-qualifying round.

  • BBC signs first affiliate distribution pact in the US

    BBC signs first affiliate distribution pact in the US

    NEW DELHI: BBC World Ltd has announced its first major affiliate distribution deal in the US with Cablevision Systems Corporation.

    The new deal comes just two months after BBC World Ltd. announced a partnership agreement with Discovery to distribute the 24-hour channel in the US, an official statement from the British broadcaster said.

    Later this month, BBC World News will be available to all iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable customers throughout Cablevision’s New York metropolitan service area.

    Richard Sambrook, director of the BBC Global News Division, in a statement said, “Studies show us that there’s a huge increase in US audience demand for international news, but domestic US networks seem to be focusing on fewer and fewer international stories. The BBC’s massive newsgathering strength means we’re able to bring audiences breaking news stories from anywhere in the world within minutes. We are very pleased to have secured our first major distribution agreement in the US.”

    BBC World News has access to 2,000 journalists, 250 foreign correspondents and more than 50 newsgathering bureaux across the world.

    “BBC World News is a quality addition to our iO digital cable service, and we are pleased that our customers will be the first in the nation to experience this compelling programming service,” said Patricia Gottesman, Cablevision’s executive vice president of product management and marketing.

  • BBC Interactive looking for writers to create new sitcom ‘Cleaners’

    BBC Interactive looking for writers to create new sitcom ‘Cleaners’

    BBCi has announced that aspiring writers can apply to become a part of a six member team that will create Cleaners, a sitcom to be developed exclusively over the internet, through BBCi. 

    An official release says that for the first time the whole process – from the initial plot outline to the final draft – will be available for public viewing. The format has been developed by the BBC’s television comedy development unit and the storyline will rotate around a group of late-night office cleaners. 

    The six writers selected will work at a virtual writers’ table, viewable by everyone but accessible only to the writers. As the writers discuss characterisations, storylines and make decisions on their individual roles within the group, BBCi users can log on to www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom and tune in to the conversations. 

    Users can even be part of the process by adding their comments and ideas and on a weekly basis chat with one of the writers. The release states that the British broadcaster views the initiative as an opportunity to see something evolve as well as providing educational value and an insight into how an idea is turned into a fully fledged project. 

    Under the guidance of the BBC development staff, the writers will produce an episode of Cleaners, which when completed, will be read out and streamed via BBCi by actors, therefore completing the process. The successful writers will be announced on 2 August and the scheme is due to end in mid-November.

    BBCi is the name for the BBC’s interactive services working across the web, digital television and hand held mobile devices, providing a single signpost and easier way of getting to the BBC’s great information, entertainment and education services.