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Tag: CBS

  • Bennett Media Worldwide licenses select library programming to Microsoft for Xbox 360

    Bennett Media Worldwide licenses select library programming to Microsoft for Xbox 360

    MUMBAI: Bennett Media Worldwide (BMW) has licensed select productions from its vast library of high-definition programming to Microsoft Corp. for the company’s Xbox 360.

    Included in the programming slate from Bennett are series like Bikini Destinations, The Wild Side, and The Extremists.

    BMW is the latest programming supplier to launch content on the Xbox 360 platform, joining a stellar list of entertainment distributors that includes CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

    Together, the content companies are responsible for delivering an initial line-up of more than 1,000 hours to the vast community of Xbox 360 gamers, asserts an official release.

    Bennett Media Worldwide president Paul Rich said, “With Xbox 360, Microsoft is leading the way in integrated game playing with entertainment and at the same time building a unique bridge for producers to connect directly with this extremely important consumer marketplace. We are delighted to be a part of this exciting new entertainment platform.”

  • Digital media connectivity fuels TV viewing in the US: Study

    Digital media connectivity fuels TV viewing in the US: Study

    MUMBAI: CBS Research has revealed surprising new data showing that as the American public at large becomes more connected to digital media, the more engaged they become in primetime television programming.

    Additionally, as more TV viewers become aware of the 2009 deadline for broadcasters to switch to full digital transmissions, the likelihood of them investing in new digital TV sets increases by 40 per cent.

    Those are just two of the major findings revealed by a study CBS Research has conducted examining consumers’ attitudes towards digital media, and the role television will play in the near future.

    US broadcaster CBS chief research officer David F. Poltrack says, “This data clearly show a correlation between connectivity and primetime television viewing. Consumers who embrace the new media are the heaviest viewers of the top network primetime programs, and this sector of the audience is growing. By offering them new ways to connect to their favorite shows — whether it’s websites, podcasts, ringtones or other mobile features — we’ve been able to deepen the bond these fully connected viewers have with our programming.

    “The research also illustrates that as viewers learn about the 2009 deadline for digital transmissions their attitudes towards investing in technology, like advanced home entertainment centers, to watch their favorite shows, changes radically. These findings really demonstrate the potential the broadcast networks have to further engage the public with our content as new technology expands our distribution options.”

    The population is gradually moving up to higher levels of connectivity, This “fully connected” segment of the population, the segment with both a broadband and a digital television connection at home, has grown from 22 per cent in the fall of 2005 to over 30 per cent this fall. The ‘fully connected’ segment of the population is the segment that is most likely to watch the top broadcast network programs.

    In addition, this segment visits network television web sites and is increasingly likely to stream clips and full episodes of network television programs on the Internet. Members of this upscale, better-educated ‘fully connected’ segment are today the most engaged with the popular network programs.

    Although less than 30 per cent of the population is aware of the 2009 deadline for broadcasters to switch to full digital transmissions, approximately one-half of these people have already purchased a digital set and another 30% plan to before the changeover. Of those who are not aware, when told of the change, 40 per cent stated that they would upgrade to a digital set before 2009.

    It is clear that, as people become aware of the upcoming digital changeover in 2009, the likelihood of them upgrading their home entertainment equipment increases. This is very encouraging since previous research has shown that people watch more television after obtaining a High Definition television set.

    Just over one-half (56 per cent) of those surveyed were aware that you could watch network television programmes by streaming them over the Internet. Of those aware of this streaming option, 46 per cent have already streamed at least one programme. Of those not aware of this streaming option, whentold which programs were available for streaming, 62 per cent selected at leastone of the 33 available programmes that they probably would watch via streaming over the in the future.

    It is clear that the potential for network programme distribution over the Internet is just beginning to be tapped.

  • CBS launches new music label

    CBS launches new music label

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate CBS is launching a new music label that will draw upon CBS Records and the mass media assets across its company to market and distribute new music.

    An emphasis of the new label will be to build awareness for CBS Records’ artists and songs by integrating music into CBS television series.

    CBS also announced plans to make songs, music videos and other music-related content from CBS Records available for purchase and download at the iTunes Store. Offering an alternative approach to introducing music into the marketplace, CBS Records will build a select roster of artists from the limitless ranks of independent musicians who write and perform their own songs with an initial focus on digital distribution of their content.

    In addition to the iTunes Store, the music will be offered through www.cbsrecords.com , as well as other agreements with online and wireless providers that will be announced at a later date. CBS Records will also offer physical distribution through partnerships with outside companies.

    CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves says, “CBS is one of the most powerful entertainment brands in the world, and music represents a natural and complementary extension of our content
    assets.

    “With more consumers choosing the online download model as the preferred way to purchase their favorite songs, we have an opportunity to use our unique and broad collection of media platforms to create a new music label paradigm for a small price of admission.”

    CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group president Nancy Tellem says, “The marriage of television and music with CBS Records offers tremendous creative and commercial potential for everyone.

    “Our artists will have access to an incredibly powerful medium (television) to drive music sales; our television producers will have greater flexibility to use music as a creative enhancement in their shows; and our company will be able to reduce the Network and studio’s music licensing cost center while transforming it into a new revenue stream.”

  • Letterman extends CBS deal through 2010

    Letterman extends CBS deal through 2010

    MUMBAI: The Late-night television comedian David Letterman has extended his contract with the CBS network in a deal that will keep his Late Show on the network through the fall of 2010.

    Letterman hosted his original show, Late Night on NBC in the time slot immediately following The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and was long considered a likely successor to Carson.

    CBS Corp chief executive Les Moonves said, “We are truly honored that one of the most revered and talented entertainers of our time will continue to call CBS home.”

    Letterman, who began his network TV career on NBC, will celebrate 25 years in late-night comedy this coming February. Letterman came to CBS in 1993 after 11 years on NBC, asserts an official release.

    CBS shares rose 1.5 per cent to close at $30.20 on 4 December after the announcement, adds the release.

  • Xbox 360 unveils TV shows and movies on Xbox Live

    Xbox 360 unveils TV shows and movies on Xbox Live

    MUMBAI: On its one-year anniversary Xbox 360, is digitally delivering an initial lineup of TV shows and movies to gamers in the U.S. via Xbox Live, the online games and entertainment network from Microsoft.

    Xbox Live Marketplace will now provide gamers with easy access to hundreds of full-length TV shows for download to own and movies for download to rent from CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with more content rolled out through Xbox Live Marketplace every week, asserts an official release.

    Expected to be available in 37 countries, Xbox 360 continues to retain record game and accessory attachment rates, according to NPD.

    Xbox 360 is prepared with consoles readily available at retail along with a host of new accessories such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, Xbox Live Vision camera and Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, and games such as Gears of War and Viva Piñata.

    Examples of the download-to-own TV shows and download-to-rent movies available on the network include the following:

    – CSI, CSI: Miami,CSI: New York, NCIS and Star Trek from CBS

    – Chappelle’s Show, Drawn Together and South Park from Comedy Central

    – Pimp My Ride and Punk’d from MTV

    – Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon

    – Skyland and Invader Zim from Nicktoons Network

    – Chinatown, Star Trek VII: Generations, Patriot Games, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Sum of All Fears, The Untouchables and We Were Soldiers from Paramount Pictures

    – Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Frisky Dingo, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Sealab 2021 and The Venture Bros. from Turner Broadcasting

    – Some of the fights from Ultimate Fighting Championship

    – Breaking Bonaduce and Hogan Knows Best from VH1

    – Perfect Storm, Poseidon, The Shining, Three Kings and V for Vendetta, as well as The Nine and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip along with the CW show Veronica Mars from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

    Using the family settings feature, parents and individuals can choose the video content that can be played on their family’s Xbox 360. With the availability of this new entertainment content, gamers now can set controls based on movie, TV and video ratings, or they can entirely block explicit and unrated video content for themselves or their children, adds the release.

    Pricing is competitive and will vary based on format, media type and whether the content is a new release movie or a classic feature film. High-definition TV shows will be 240 Microsoft points per episode, and standard-definition TV shows will be 160 Microsoft points per episode.

    New release movies in high definition will be 480 Microsoft points, and standard-definition new release movies will be 320 Microsoft points each. Classic feature films in high definition will be 360 Microsoft points, and standard definition will be 240 Microsoft points. After purchasing a high-definition TV show or movie, gamers can download the standard-definition version at no additional charge.

    Microsoft points can be purchased at retail or via Xbox Live. Gamers can get a 1600 Microsoft points card at retail for $19.99 or 1000 Microsoft points through Xbox Live for $12.50.

  • Viacom chairman Redstone sued by nephew

    Viacom chairman Redstone sued by nephew

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone has been sued by his nephew Michael Redstone. Michael has also named his own father in his suit.

    Media reports state that in the suit Michael says that both his uncle and father cheated him of a stake in the media conglomerate. Redstone accuses his uncle and father Edward of ‘self- dealing’, ‘breaches of fiduciary duties,’ and ‘unjust enrichment’ in buying back shares of National Amusements (NAI) the company that controls Viacom, CBS and Midway Games – at low prices.

    In response a spokeswoman for NAI said that the allegations are knowingly baseless regarding entirely proper transactions that occurred decades ago. NAI will therefore defend vigorously against what it terms as a meritless and frivolous lawsuit.

    Reports add that Michael Redstone is looking for money damages amounting to what the present value of the plaintiffs’ approximate 50 per cent share of National Amusements are worth today.

    Joining Michael Redstone in the suit are trustees of the trusts representing Sumner and Edwards’ children. The buybacks occurred in 1972 and 1984 and the company is estimated to be worth about $8 billion.

    It is the second suit recently filed against Redstone by a family member. Sumner Redstone’s son Brent filed a suit against his father earlier this year, claiming that he was entitled to a one-sixth interest in National Amusements, valued at more than $1 billion. No trial date has been set for that suit state reports.

  • Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon, Christiane Amanpour to present at intl Emmies

    Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon, Christiane Amanpour to present at intl Emmies

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon and CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour will join the cast of celebrity presenters, which includes actors Rosie Perez (Do the Right Thing), Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), Dominic Chianese (The Sopranos) and Lorenzo Lamas (The Bold and The Beautiful) for the 34th International Emmy Awards Gala which will take place on 20 November, 2006 at the New York Hilton.

    Returning as host for this year’s event is award-winning British comedian and talk show host Graham Norton.
    Couric will present the Founders Award to Steven Spielberg for his career in television. Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons will present the Directorate Award to CME & Ronald S. Lauder. Presenters for this year’s event also include actress & Bravo TV chef Padma Lakshmi, French actor and 2005 International Emmy winner Thierry Fremont, Indian film and TV celebrity Anuj Saxena, Brazilian star Milton Gonçalves and Hong Kong news anchor Rose Liuqi.

    The International Emmy Awards recognise excellence in television programming produced outside of the US. Over 1,000 international entertainment decision-makers attend the International Emmy Awards Gala in New York every year.

    This year’s sponsors include Phoenix TV, Accenture, Microsoft, Globo TV, NBC Universal, Savvis, Ascent Media, Reed Midem, Sofitel Hotels, Variety and Sun Media Investment Holdings. Chip Quigley, Kingdom Entertainment, will produce the show for the sixth year in a row.

  • CBS operating income up 4% to $646 million

    CBS operating income up 4% to $646 million

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate CBS Corporation has reported results for the third quarter ended 30 September, 2006.

    CBS’ operating income rose by four per cent to $646 million led by television and outdoor. Net earnings from continuing operations went up by 26 per cent to $324 million.

    Revenues of $3.4 billion for the third quarter of 2006 were up slightly from the same quarter last year, as growth at outdoor and publishing was offset by a decline at radio, the shutdown of broadcaster and lower home entertainment revenues due to the switch from self-distribution in 2005 to third party distribution in 2006.

    For the nine months ended 30 September 30, 2006, revenues were $10.4 billion which marked an increase of one per cent from the same prior-year period, as growth at outdoor, television and publishing was partially offset by a decline at Radio. Results for the first nine months of 2006 reflected $24.0 million of expenses related to the UPN shutdown as well as the impact of stock-based compensation expense of $51.7 million versus $13.1 million for the nine months ended 30 September, 2005.

    For the quarter, television revenues of $2.2 billion decreased slightly from the prior year as growth in television license fee revenues and affiliate fees was more than offset by lower advertising and home entertainment revenues.

    Television license fees increased by seven per cent principally due to the domestic syndication sale of CSI: Miami and higher foreign syndication revenues. Affiliate fees increased six per cent due to rate increases and subscriber growth at Showtime and the inclusion of CSTV Networks since its acquisition in January 2006. Ad revenues decreased by three per cent primarily due to the shutdown of UPN in September of 2006 and the absence of the Primetime Emmy telecast in 2006, partially offset by strong political advertising sales at the television stations.

    Home entertainment revenues decreased by 35 per cent principally due to the switch from self-distribution in 2005 to third party distribution in 2006. The CW, a 50/50 per cent joint venture broadcast network with Warner Brothers Entertainment, was launched in September 2006 and has been accounted for as an equity investment in the third quarter of 2006.

    CBS executive chairman Sumner Redstone says, “CBS Corporation is right on track. “We remain committed to escalating shareholder value as we continue to drive our businesses forward. I am encouraged by the strategic vision Leslie and his team have put forth to capitalize upon the tremendous opportunities unfolding in the digital age.”

    CBS president, CEO Leslie Moonves says, “This was another strong quarter, posting solid profit increases in Television and Outdoor, generating significant free cash flow, and delivering the third of three dividend increases since the start of the year. In Radio, our plan to strategically reduce the number of markets in which we operate is well underway. We have signed agreements to sell 29 stations for a terrific value. We also believe that the growth we’re seeing in key formats such as Jack, Spanish and Talk bodes well for improved performance at Radio in 2007.

    ” Through innovative partnerships with YouTube, Yahoo, and many other key new media concerns, we’re aggressively pursuing opportunities that help us extend our world-class mass-appeal content to new digital platforms and channels and get paid for it. As a premier content company, we continue to be pleased with new technological developments that allow consumers to more easily enjoy our content, and extend our reach into the digital space.”

    The company expects to deliver low single-digit growth in revenues, mid single-digit growth in operating income and high single-digit growth in earnings per share.

  • Carl D. Folta is Viacom executive VP, corporate communications

    Carl D. Folta is Viacom executive VP, corporate communications

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom has appointed Carl D. Folta as executive VP, corporate communications.

    Folta, who will serve as Viacom’s chief communications strategist and spokesperson, will report to Viacom senior executive VP and chief administrative officer Thomas E. Dooley. Folta, most recently served as executive vice president, office of the chairman.

    In his new role, he will be responsible for Viacom’s overall communications activities, both internally and externally, as well as the coordination of communications at the Company’s operations, including MTV Networks, Bet Networks, the Paramount Motion Picture Group and Famous Music. Folta will have oversight for all financial communications, and will direct the Company’s media relations activities for industry issues and public affairs, including regulatory, legislative and legal matters.

    Additionally, he will be responsible for managing corporate events and overseeing the Company’s philanthropy activities and public affairs programs, including Know HIV/Aids, the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning cross- platform public education partnership with CBS and Kaiser Family Foundation, which he initiated in 2003.

    Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “Carl is a consummate communications professional who understands the strategic and financial complexities of our businesses and the industry. I know he will make a big contribution to Viacom in the future as we continue to expand and embrace the opportunities of the digital age. I am also pleased that I will have the opportunity to continue to work with Carole and that Viacom will continue to benefit from her knowledge, experience and talent as she moves to her new role at MTV Networks.”

    Dooley said, “Carl is a highly effective leader and a seasoned communications councelor with more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of the public relations field, including financial and investor communications. I couldn’t be more pleased to be teaming up with him again.”

  • CBS lets viewers test their CSI: Q on the mobile

    CBS lets viewers test their CSI: Q on the mobile

    MUMBAI: From today 1 November viewers of US broadcaster CBS’ drama CSI: NY can use their mobile phone to play CSI: Q.

    This is an interactive, live text-messaging game in which audiences test their crime-solving skills by predicting the outcome of the episode, with an eye on winning $10,000. This marks the first time that CBS has applied an interactive text messaging component, previously used on reality programmes and game shows, to one of its prime time dramas. In India the CSI franchise airs on AXN.

    CSI creator and CSI: NY executive producer Anthony Zuiker, who also created the CSI board game, Senses, came up with the idea for CSI: Qand is formulating the questions.

    He says, “CSI: Q invites viewers to watch CSI: NY in an interactive fashion with a level of game play to track the ‘criminal,’ ‘science,’ and ‘intent’ (motive) of the story. Our goal is to use the mobile phone in an unprecedented fashion to drive viewership back to the television while at the same time enhancing the viewing experience for the CSI fan.”

    During the CSI: NY episodes being broadcast on CBS on 1, 8, 15 November, an on-air promo will run with one question that asks viewers to predict what will happen at the end of that night’s episode. Viewers will send their responses via text message to 38383 and will be entered into the drawing to win the weekly prize of $10,000. Additionally, viewers can enter for free by going to the CSI: NY site through CBS.com (where the Official Rules are also posted).

    Each weekly winner will be announced on-air during the following week’s episode of CSI: NY. The questions will differ for the Eastern, Pacific and Hawaiian time zones.

    CSI: NY is about forensic investigators who use high-tech science to follow the evidence and solve crimes in the Big Apple. The show stars Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes, Carmine Giovinazzo, Hill Harper, Eddie Cahill and Anna Belknap.