ITV

Tag: broadcaster

  • BBC Weather app hits a million downloads in two weeks

    BBC Weather app hits a million downloads in two weeks

    MUMBAI: The BBC Weather app for iOS and Android devices has reached the milestone of a million downloads.

    Taking just two weeks to hit the landmark figure, the application is said to have driven mobile traffic to BBC Weather up from 20 per cent to 25 per cent post-launch.The broadcaster reported a 47 per cent increase in mobile access on the weekend of the apps launch, compared to the previous weekend, and the hourly forecast feature accounted for 84 per cent of those users.

    Both the Android and iOS builds of the BBC Weather app offer many of the same features, though the former version includes the option to create a homescreen widget and NFC support.

    The BBC also revealed that the app is most commonly used between 6.00 am and 9.00 am in the morning.

  • TAM-Broadcaster face-off: Media agencies give their perspective

    TAM-Broadcaster face-off: Media agencies give their perspective

    MUMBAI: The mighty fallout between broadcasters and TAM Media which has left the entire television and media fraternity in a tizzy, will take some time to be mended. While leading broadcasters including MSM, Star India, Viacom18, Zee TV and Network18 obviously think it is okay to unsubscribe from TAM‘s TV ratings service, some media agencies believe that such a sudden halt is not ideal, or rather unfair.

    As ZenithOptimedia managing partner Navin Khemka puts it: “There needs to be an industry metric, a consensus has to be reached. However, just stopping something, which has been in the industry for the past 14 years, is very abrupt and I don‘t agree with it. It could take four to five months to resolve all the issues and there can be a blackout until then. But at the end of everything, an amicable solution has to be reached.”

    A media planner on condition of anonymity said that not subscribing to TAM will not solve any problem. “I expect clients to continue using TAM data. The system is not perfect but there is no alternative. You need some measurement in place. Media buying cannot be done only on the basis of perception.”

    On the contrary, Big CBS business head Anand Chakravarthy says that the company has not yet taken a decision on whether or not to continue with TAM. “We have had issues with data. We have noticed vagaries and we raised it with TAM in the past.”

    He further adds: The issues with data are obvious. A change is needed. It is good that the large broadcasters have noticed it as well. If action can result in a positive change in the ratings system then it is good. A measurement system has to serve a purpose which is helping channels understand what viewers are watching so that they can plan their content better and also help companies plan their ad and marketing campaigns better. If the measurement system is flawed then it does not help either party. You cannot have a measurement system for the sake of it.”

    Khemka throws some light on the contributing factors of this sudden decision taken by the broadcasters: “I think there are a lot of environmental factors responsible for this fallout by the broadcasters- DAS, LC1 and many other factors are at play because of which gauging the viewership has become an issue.”

    Following the fiasco, TAM Media CEO LV Krishnan proposed this morning that he was open to doing away with LC1 markets and deploying people meters elsewhere where they are needed. Asked if removing LC1 cities is a wise solution, most agencies replied in the negative.

    “If you ask me, I think that there should be national representation. Doing away with LC1 is not right and probably not the best solution,” says Khemka.

    Another media planner tells us: “The representation according to me is the issue. The sample size needs to be larger. One thing that the broadcaster‘s decision will do though is wake TAM up and make them do something. If the industry had concerns then TAM should have addressed them.”

    He also thinks that there will be conflict in the future if advertisers rely on TAM but the channels do not. “Things will become clearer in the coming days. But in doing deals if one party (channels) is not using TAM data and the other party (advertisers, agencies) is using TAM data then arguments will happen.”

    Commenting on Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the alternative suggested by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), Vivaki exchange CEO Mona Jain says: “I am fine with any organisation until they provide me an authentic viewership data. The idea for BARC has been only conceptualised. So, I won‘t be able to comment anything on this.”

    She also added that “Removing TAM in LC1 markets is not going to help anyone or the data,”

    Either way, probability hints at no ratings in the coming months. In that case, on what basis will advertisers make an informed decision? Khemka tells us the way forward: “For now, we haven‘t received an official statement about the ratings but yes, if all major broadcasters pull out, it will be very difficult for TAM to sustain itself. In the absence of ratings, we would decide on the basis of historical benchmarks and trends. Past records will be our guide.”

  • NDTV turns profitable in Q3 on back of digital gains and cost tightening

    NDTV turns profitable in Q3 on back of digital gains and cost tightening

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) has turned profitable in the fiscal-third quarter due to gains from digitisation and internal cost controls.

    The company posted a small profit in the three-month period ended 31 December against a loss a year earlier, as cost reduction outstripped fall in income.

    NDTV earned a profit of Rs 23 million in the third quarter ended against a net loss of Rs 23.9 million a year ago.
        
    NDTV’s total income from operations in the third quarter was Rs 967.7 million, down 4.9 per cent from Rs 1.07 billion a year earlier. Its total expenses for the third quarter fell 8.13 per cent to Rs 912 million from Rs 992.7 million a year earlier.

    The news broadcaster cut sharply expenses in marketing, distribution and promotions. The broadcaster spent Rs 160.4 million on marketing, distribution and promotions in the third quarter, down 41.91 per cent to Rs 276.1 million a year earlier.

    For the nine months ended 31 December, NDTV’s net loss widened significantly to Rs 356.7 million from Rs 32.8 million a year earlier, while total income for the period was Rs 2.58 billion, 7.8 per cent lower than Rs 2.79 billion a year earlier.

    On a consolidated basis, NDTV reported a profit of Rs 148.7 million in the third quarter against a loss of Rs 60.5 million a year earlier. Its total income for the third quarter was flat at Rs 1.3 billion compared with Rs 1.27 billion a year earlier.

    In a statement, NDTV said “Profit this quarter is a result of gains from digitisation and internal cost controls.”

    A buoyant NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra said, “Yes, it’s been a good quarter. It comes on the back of cost rationalisation and by streamlining the business. Also, the benefits of digitisation are starting to flow.”

  • TV18 Broadcast returns to profitability in Q3

    TV18 Broadcast returns to profitability in Q3

    MUMBAI: TV18 Broadcast turned profitable in the third quarter ended 31 December on fall in operating expenditure and a small rise in operational income from a year earlier.

     

    TV18 Broadcast, which owns news channels CNBC TV18, CNB Awaaz, CNN IBN and IBN7, reported a net profit of Rs 223 million in the third quarter against a loss of Rs 138 million a year earlier. In the second quarter of this financial year, it had reported a loss of Rs 252 million.

     

    The company’s operating revenue rose 5 per cent to Rs 1.47 billion in the third quarter from Rs 1.40 billion a year earlier.

     

    The news broadcaster was able to report a profit in the third quarter as its operating expenses fell 16 per cent to Rs 1.09 billion from Rs 1.30 billion a year earlier, on lower staff costs, marketing and distribution expenses and flat production expenses.

     

    The company’s interest cost in the third quarter was Rs 216 million, flat compared to a year earlier but down by a sharp 51 per cent from a quarter earlier (Rs 365 million).

     

    The fall in interest cost was a result of part repayment of debt from the large flow of funds into the company through a rights issue in the previous quarter.

     

    Raghav Bahl, managing director, Network18, the holding company of TV18, said, “I am delighted …. that TV18 has returned to profitability this quarter. Our recast balance sheet has helped us rationalise our interest payouts.”

     

    “We are now entering an exciting phase in our journey as we strengthen our existing operations and consolidate our regional acquisition,” Bahl added.

     

    The rights issue was largely meant for the acquisition of ETV non-Telugu news and entertainment channels from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

        
    B Saikumar, Group CEO at Network18, said, “We are extremely pleased that all our broadcast operations grew their margins despite softness in the advertising environment. The News Network will further consolidate its leadership position with the addition of ETV News to the stable.”

     

    Business News operations had a strong quarter with margins expanding almost three-fold from a year earlier.

     

    In the third quarter, revenues from business news channels were up nearly 10 per cent at Rs 780 million. Operating profit from business news was Rs 307 million, nearly three times a year earlier and two times a quarter earlier.

     

    The significant improvement in margins in business news operations came on the back of expansion of net distribution income, the company said.

     

    TV18’s general news operations broke into positive territory with 10 per cent margins. In the third quarter, revenues from general news operations were Rs 723 million, nearly flat compared with a year earlier. Operating profit from general news was Rs 69 million in the third quarter against a loss of Rs 16 million a year earlier and loss of Rs 33 million a year earlier.

  • Nick US forms alliance with a zoo

    Nick US forms alliance with a zoo

     MUMBAI: Miami Metrozoo, one of the top 10 zoos in the US, the Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF) and US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon have entered into a five-year strategic alliance.

    Nick Jr.’s Go, Diego, Go! will be featured in the Zoo’s newest and largest exhibit, Amazon and Beyond.

    The partnership involves having Diego, a preschool show at the Zoo’s Amazon and Beyond exhibit, when it opens in late 2008. While the 27-acre tropical exhibit is under continued construction, until then, beginning spring 2007, Diego will make a temporary home at the Commercebank Children’s Zoo inside Miami Metrozoo, with special Nick Jr. programming and appearances.

    Nickelodeon executive VP marketing and worldwide partnerships Pam Kaufman says, “This is a truly unique and extremely fitting partnership of which we are thrilled to be a part. Diego is the perfect match for the Amazon and Beyond exhibit since his home on television is in the rainforest. This exhibit brings to life Diego’s sense of adventure and love of animals and science, and provides a tangible experience which kids can learn from, which is wonderful.”

    This exhibit of tropical American flora and fauna will be the largest of any zoo in the US. It will include more than 1,000 animals including harpy eagles, giant river otters (only the third Zoo in the US to house them), anacondas, and Orinoco crocodiles in different settings representing the flooded forest, Amazon forest, and clouded forest, among others.

    ZSF president and CEO Glenn Ekey says, “This high-profile partnership with Nickelodeon and one of the top preschool properties brings us closer to our goal of creating the best Zoo in the country. Children will be elated to see Diego everyday at the Zoo and we are making Amazon and Beyond one of the world’s most varied and comprehensive tropical exhibits .

    “Amazon and Beyond is a demonstration of the fundraising efforts of the ZSF as we partner with Miami Dade County to stretch the public’s commitment to the Zoo.”

    The Go, Diego, Go! presence within the Amazon and Beyond exhibit will include a regularly scheduled stage show, featuring Diego, a host, and various animals with handlers; Diego branded stamping stations at the animal exhibits; field journals that will be distributed to kids to customize as they learn about the animals; and integration of Diego into Zoo marketing collateral and educational materials that are distributed to schools. In addition, some of the animals within the Amazon & Beyond exhibit will be those that are featured in Go, Diego, Go!.

    Amazon and Beyond’s promise to be impressive is backed by the Zoo’s design firm Jones and Jones Architecture of Seattle who has designed many of the sections of the San Diego Zoo. The exhibit is funded by a combination of public and private donors, including the Building Better Communities general obligation bond and The Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond.

     

  • HBO, American Girl in multi-platform deal

    HBO, American Girl in multi-platform deal

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO and American Girl a direct marketer, children’s publisher and experiential retailer, have entered into an overall relationship to develop a variety of multi-platform ventures including theatrical films, series, specials and documentaries.

    The first project to be greenlit by HBO Films will be an American Girl live-action theatrical film based on the popular historical character Kit Kittredge. The film will tell the story of the clever and resourceful Kit Kittredge, a nine-year-old girl growing up in 1934 during America’s Great Depression. HBO Films senior VP Julie Goldstein is the executive in charge of the production, which is scheduled to go into production this summer.

    HBO Films president Colin Callender says, “We are thrilled to be working with Ellen Brothers and the team at American Girl, whose brand has become an extraordinary phenomenon in recent years.

    “This is an unprecedented opportunity to align the forces of both the HBO and American Girl brands in a groundbreaking collaboration that will enable us to take advantage of the rapidly expanding, multi-platform, multi-faceted promotional opportunities spanning all areas of distribution.”

  • Fox renews ‘House’ for a fourth season

    Fox renews ‘House’ for a fourth season

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has renewed the drama show House and Bones for next season. House, picked up for its fourth season, stars two-time Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie as Dr. Greg House, a brilliant and unconventional physician with a brutally honest demeanor.

    In India House airs on AXN which at the moment has been banned. Bones picked up for its third season, stars Emily Deschanel as forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan, who can read clues left behind in victims bones, and David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth.

    These unlikely partners take on homicide cases involving human remains most forensic specialists cant handle.
    Fox adds that for the psidoe that aired on 13 February 2007 House posted its highest rating ever among Adults 18-49; the shows highest-rated broadcast ever among Adults 18-34, Teens, Women 18-34 and Men 18-49/18-34; and its second-highest ever among Total Viewers, while achieving the highest retention of its American Idol lead-in among Adults 18-49 (86 per cent and Adults 18-34 (93 per cent).
     

  • CCTV renews deal for the Oscars

    CCTV renews deal for the Oscars

    MUMBAI: Disney’s TV distribution arm Buena Vista International Television–Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has announced a TV licensing agreement with China’s movie channel, CCTV-6.

    This agreement builds on the company’s existing relationship with the broadcaster.

    In the first agreement, CCTV-6 has renewed its multi-year licensing agreement with BVITV-AP to broadcast live The 79th Annual Academy Awards including the 30 minute Red Carpet pre-Show on its movie channel. Since 2003, CCTV-6 has been the exclusive broadcaster in China for the live telecast of The Annual Academy Awards® and pre-Show. In India the Oscars will air on Star Movies on 26 February 2007.

    BVITV-AP senior VP, MD Steve Macallister says, “CCTV-6 has been a key business partner for many years and so we are delighted to be continuing our relationship with this new arrangement. As the leading dedicated movie channel in China, it’s only fitting that CCTV-6’s viewers continue to enjoy exclusive and premier access to the biggest movie event of the year, the Oscars.”

    Disney executive VP, MD for China and Hong Kong Stanley Cheung says, “China is a key strategic priority for the company and with these TV licensing agreements we are delivering our strategy to bring great family entertainment to China”.

    Later this year, the movie High School Musical will air on CCTV-6, in a separate multiple movie package deal concluded with BVITV-AP.

    The High School Musical US premiere in January 2006 broke Disney Channel ratings records, and, for its 16 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. The movie has already reached over 100 million total viewers on a global basis and delivered best-ever ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie on Disney Channels in New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia and the UK.

    In the Asia Pacific region High School Musical has been licensed to six broadcasters including Seven Australia, The Movie Network Australia, TVNZ New Zealand, 8TV Malaysia, Fiji TV Fiji, and TVB Pearl Hong Kong. The made-for-TV movie made its international terrestrial TV debut in July 2006 in primetime on Seven Network Australia as the #1 movie in 2006 for Tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67% rating/share and the #2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19th August, and was the number one programme of the night among People 5+.

  • Neo Sports to give live feed to DD for 17 Feb ODI; no action against Nimbus

    Neo Sports to give live feed to DD for 17 Feb ODI; no action against Nimbus

    NEW DELHI: Following an assurance that it was prepared to give live feed to Prasar Bharati and action against it was unwarranted, Nimbus was today directed by the Delhi High Court to provide live feed for the cricket match between India and Sri Lanka to be played on 17 February in Visakhapatnam.

    The bench comprising Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice JP Singh passed the order after Nimbus counsel Gopal Jain mentioned the matter before the bench seeking protection against the showcause notice issued by the information and broadcasting ministry alleging there had been violation of the provisions of the Sports Broadcasting (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Ordinance 2007.
    Nimbus wanted the court to direct the Centre not to take action against it as it had offered to provide live feed of the match to the Prasar Bharati. Under the ordinance, the licence given to Neo Sports owned by Nimbus can be suspended.

    The court directed the government not to take any decision or action till 9 March, the next date of hearing.

    The court also issued notices to the Centre and Prasar Bharati on a petition filed by Nimbus challenging the ordinance, which makes it mandatory for private broadcaster to share live feed with the pubcaster.

    Earlier in the day, Nimbus had approached another Bench of the Delhi High Court presided over by Justice BD Ahmed seeking protection from the Centre’s threat to cancel its licence if it did not respond to the government’s show cause notice by today.

    However, Justice Ahmed had said then that the broadcaster should raise the issue before the Division Bench that was already hearing two cases on the issue – Nimbus’ challenge of the ordinance and the appeal by Prasar Bharati against a single bench’s order permitting a seven-minute deferred telecast of the cricket matches.

  • Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

    Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are unrolling a public education campaign this month.

    It encourages kids and tweens to use the Nutrition Facts information on the food label to make healthier food choices.

    Known as Spot The Block, the campaign uses online and customised public education on-air spots featuring characters from popular programs like Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends to promote portion control and a healthy eating lifestyle. This first of its kind partnership between Cartoon Network and the FDA kicks off today 14 February 2007.

    Spot The Block will feature two public education on-air spots produced by Cartoon Network and showcase favorite characters from the networks original programming lineup. The first on-air spot, Spot The Block, Yo! includes a funky, soulful song, ala School House Rock!, performed by characters from series, Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Camp Lazlo, and My Gym Partners a Monkey.

    The fun song and dance number demonstrates where to look for (spot) the Nutrition Facts label (the block) and the useful information it contains to help kids and tweens make healthy food choices. Creative components for the second public education on-air spot unveiled later in the year will be available at a later date.

    Spot The Block will also feature a custom micro site. The online destination will offer kids the opportunity to engage with the FDAs key messaging and offer tools to enable them to better understand the Nutrition Facts label on their favorite foods.

    Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus says, “We are extremely honoured that the FDA has selected Cartoon Network as their media partner for communicating these important nutrition messages directly to kids and tweens, said president . The campaign fits in with our overall commitment to kids and Cartoon Networks Get Animated programme, which helps to teach and inspire kids to get healthy, active and involved; and our beloved characters are the perfect ones to deliver such a message.”

    Launched in February 2005, Cartoon Networks Get Animated provides on-air, online, print and off-channel programs to teach children the value of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, good eating and helping others. Featuring the networks roster of popular cartoon characters, Get Animated currently includes multiple animated PSAs, a mobile tour, community programmes and its 2006 Rescuing Recess initiative.