ITV

Tag: Desperate Housewives

  • Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Quantico’ makes smashing debut on ABC with 7 mn viewers; India awaits premiere

    Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Quantico’ makes smashing debut on ABC with 7 mn viewers; India awaits premiere

    MUMBAI: This girl tread on the trail that none before her have. She wiped out all boundaries and it seemed as if to her, no goal or dream was unachievable or out of bounds. We’re talking about the golden girl of Indian cinema – Priyanka Chopra, who is currently making waves on American television courtesy Quantico and living her dream Queen size. With 7.1 million viewers tuning in for the premiere episode, Quantico has shattered ratings records on ABC.

     

    It was a bold move on Disney owned ABC Network’s part to cast an Indian actress as the lead for their television series but the ‘no risk, no gain’ policy seems to have paid off for the network. Quantico’s premiere episode has given ABC its best Sunday ratings since the 2012 telecast of Desperate Housewives’ finale.

     

    Be it the larger than life scripting and narrative, the top notch production, or the fan base that Chopra has in the US as a Bollywood actress as well as a pop singer — the fact is that Quantico may just be perfect answer to what ABC Network was looking for. With an average demo rating of 1.9, the pilot episode aired on 27 September topped other popular shows on the network like Revenge and Once Upon A Time by a good margin, as per reports from international media. To reiterate, that’s over seven million viewers in a single day!

     

    Chopra’s growing popularity internationally, especially after her pop album release, is no secret. Her recent public appearance during the NBA match between Warriors and Cavaliers where they played the Quantico promo, made headlines instantly. However, having said that, it certainly doesn’t compare to her fan base back home in India.

     

    It’s a proud moment for Chopra’s fans, who are waiting with bated breath for Star World and Star World HD to premiere the show in India on 3 October.

     

    Chopra was recently seen reassuring a fan on Twitter, who questioned why her Indian fans have to wait seven days for the show to air in India. “@priyankachopra -:))) we are so deprived in India…why do we have to wait for one whole week to see your first episode? Not fair #Quantico,” a fan tweeted.

     

    Chopra responded back saying, “Tried my hardest @priyaguptatimes to show in India ASAP! Can’t wait for u all to c it on 3rd October!”

     

    It does seem a tad uncanny that while shows like Downton Abbey, Modern Family, Homeland and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, are being simulcast in both the US and Indian network on Star World and Star World HD, a show likeQuantico, which has an obvious Indian connect and the potential to be more successful on home turf, is airing seven days after its airtime in the US.

     

    It will be interesting to see, if the broadcaster buckles under pressure from Indian fans, if they continue to demand Quanticoto be simulcast after the pilot episode is released.

     

    While it will be a one of a kind fan service for Chopra on the network’s part to allow the show to be simulcast here, the current air-time schedule might actually work in the show’s favour. Some argue that it couldn’t have been a better way to introduce the show in India — among a flurry of excitement of its international success. After all, having a Bollywood star as a cast isn’t always an assurance of the show’s success, as we observe from the fate of shows like Yudh, which starred none other than Amitabh Bachchan.

     

    While the show’s fate in India will only be decided after the pilot episode on 3 October, the broadcaster can easily piggy back ride its marketing and promotions on the buzz, which is already stirring around the show. What’s more with Chopra and the entire Bollywood fraternity cheering her on social media, the excitement is palpable.  

     

    Social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are already abound with gossip about the show. Whatever little screenshots, dialogues and status updates that Indians can source online is effective in working them up for the premiere. Now, whether the show and Chopra’s role as an FBI agent will be able to live up to this hype, we will know soon enough.

  • Zee Café lines up new shows, this July

    Zee Café lines up new shows, this July

    MUMBAI: The viewers of Zee Café are going to be glued to their screens in the month of July. The English entertainment channel is rounding up the band and marching in full swing with a lineup that will consist of everything from drama and mystery to romance and comedy.

     

    Zee Café is starting the parade with season 10 of Grey’s Anatomy starting 6 July, which will reveal the fate of the unconscious Richard Webber as we say farewell to the much loved Christina Yang.

     

    Zee Café has added a brand new show to the programming bouquet, The Mysteries of Laura, which will premiere on 20 July. The comical show follows the life of Laura Diamond, a brilliant NYPD homicide detective who seems rather unassuming but gets the job done while juggling her twin boys and ex-husband.

     

    The Indian discerning viewers will continue to enjoy the popular shows Pretty Little Liars season 6 and Mistresses season 3, which will be aired along with the US. In addition, Zee Café will also air season 3 of Scandal beginning 10th of July. The Big Bang Hour- a special hour dedicated to The Big Bang Theory – will continue to air season 1-8. The channel will also air season 4-6 of The Middle with 2 back to back episodes starting 13th of July where the hilarious life of Frankie Heck and her family will take a new turn.

     

    Zee Café will end the parade with a bang, showing The Princess Diaries on 26 July as The Sunday Brunch Special. The movie follows the comical journey of Mia Thermopolis, a shy San Francisco teenager, who is thrown when she learns that she is a real princess.

     

    Zee Café will continue to entertain its viewers with their favourite ongoing shows –Ground Floor season 2, American Idol season 16, Reign season 2, and House of Cards season 3.  The channel will air the season Finale of Desperate Housewives on 19 July.

  • Zee Café brings all eight seasons of Desperate Housewives

    Zee Café brings all eight seasons of Desperate Housewives

    MUMBAI: Zee Café will be airing all eight seasons of the American television comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives, and is spinning a new flavour to the show giving it the theme of Sin is In. Targeting young urban females this time around, Zee Café is promising to ensure engagement levels a notch higher.

     

    Zee Café is running a digital campaign for the promotion of the show through a website created especially for the show: www.sinisin.in . The site is created to intrigue young urban women about the show as well as give them an opportunity to engage with activities on the website which are related to the show. The site has been designed in such a way that without answering a few basic fun questions in the beginning, one cannot access the site. The site also includes pictures, trivia, and more.

     

    Speaking on the occasion Zee Niche Cluster and ZMC EVP and business head Anurag Bedi stated, “We are quite excited about the different viewer engagement activities and have been getting a great response from the viewers so far. Airing all eight seasons of the most watched show worldwide is definitely a milestone”

     

    In addition to the digital consumer engagement , Zee has also roped in radio channels for direct outreach in the metros for that will not only push for episode tune ins, but engage the viewer via hashtags, contests and RJ mentions. In an effort to connect with the audience pan India the channel will be airing promos of the show during the Diwali blockbuster movie-Happy New Year across premium multiplexes in the metros.

     

    ZEEL English entertainment head content and marketing Sharlton Menezes commented that the campaign is a very targeted one with clear mindset of reaching out to young urban women. “Therefore  we have opted for radio, social media and movies in addition to network promotions on television. Every little detail, be it the theme or the language used, everything has been created and designed as to what would appeal to young urban women.” he added.

     

    Sensodyne is the powered by sponsor with Snapdeal and Emirates is the associate sponsor for the show. Desperate Housewives starts 29 October, Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Zee Café.

  • At Zee Café, this festive season, ‘Sin is in’!

    At Zee Café, this festive season, ‘Sin is in’!

    MUMBAI: Ushering in festive revelry, Zee Café brings to you all 8 seasons of the American television comedy-drama series; Desperate Housewives.

     

    Zee Café is spinning a new flavour to the show giving it the theme of ‘Sin is in’. Much like the protagonists in the show whose lives are surrounded by temptations, there is a dormant desire in all of us to give in to indulgence but we usually refrain due to numerous reasons. Well, not anymore, atleast that’s what Zee Café is communicating via their campaign. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of indulgence as long as it makes you feel great!

     

    A show that defined every woman’s innumerable situations in a creative and humorous way, Desperate Housewives has been much adored by the urban female who is modern and ahead of her time. The Multiple award winning show has also got the critics, viewers and industry nod as well.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head of Zee Cafe, states, “The winner of many awards and appreciation, Desperate Housewives has beautifully captivated the interest of women ranging from a college go-er to a housewife. It also adds to Zee Café’s programming mix. Airing all 8 seasons of the most watched show worldwide is definitely a milestone and we, at Zee Cafe look forward to delivering up to the viewer’s expectations all over again”

     

    Just like the show’s lead characters, this season, Zee Café tells its viewers to give into temptation, and temptations can be a good thing! Follow your dream job while carrying familial responsibilities, indulge in an exquisite piece of jewelry without being answerable to anyone, because you deserve it or even appreciate a good looking guy across the street! Like we said, this season sin is in!

     

  • Desperate Housewives gets an African flavour

    Desperate Housewives gets an African flavour

    CANNES: Looks like Disney Media Network is on a roll with its president global distribution Ben Pyne, making a slew of announcements on day two of Mipcom.

    First up, a local production of Disney’s iconic series Desperate Housewives is on the cards. Christened Desperate Housewives Africa and filmed in Nigeria, the series, co-produced by EbonyLive TV and Disney Media Distribution EMEA, is slated to hit television screens in the summer of 2014.

    Disney Media Distribution general manager emerging markets Giovanni Mastrangelo said: “Co-producing the series with EbonyLife TV offers an opportunity to engage African audiences through locally relevant and entertaining storytelling. The local version of the series, starring pan-African cast, will bring to life the universal stories and characters created by ABC Studios.”

    Said an excited EbonyLife TV CEO and executive chairman Mo Abudu: “In Desparate Housewives, we find one of the most amazing formats for TV and are extremely excited to be co-producing it with Disney. On our part, and in line with our mission which is to bring original, home-grown and premium content with an African soul, we will work to ensure parity with the original storyline and production values that have characterised the global series, without compromising on the African essence.”

    The series will feature established and emerging African talents and is being shot 
    in Lagos, Nigeria, where a local ‘Wisteria Lane’ too has been found.

    Secondly, Pyne announced the launch of Disney Movies on Demand, a Disney-branded subscription-based video-on-demand service in Hungary.

    Scheduled to air on FUSO on 25 October, Disney Movies on Demand includes classic and live action titles such as Cars, Toy Story, Wall-E, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mary Poppins and Aladdin among others. The FUSO platform is available on Sony LG, Samsung and select Android tablets and iOS devices and will soon be made available on Xbox One and Sony PS4 as well. 

     
    Speaking of its very first branded subscription-based SVOD service for Disney in Hungary and Eastern Europe, Fuso Ecosystem president Csaba Lazar said: “Fuso’s subscribers will be delighted about the content, which will be available on Fuso premium service. We are excited to be the first eastern-European country to launch such a SVOD service.” Pyne informed that the deal was mediated and negotiated by Eastwest Entertainment, the Australian movie and television distribution company and Profour Film.

    The third and last announcement was about Disney Media Distribution licensing ABC Studios and Marvel Television’s new series Marvel’s Agents if S.H.I.E.L.D to broadcasters across the globe in 155 territories including Channel 4 in the UK, Kanal 5 in Sweden, Viasat 4 in Norway, Digiturk in Turkey, OSN in the Middle East and North Africa and Star World Premiere HD in India, among others.

    Which means episodes of the series will be available to distributors who show English language programming within 24 hours of its US debut on ABC, as well as in the dubbed in local language form 14 days after the airing. Pyne informed that a number of agreements with new media platforms have been concluded to complement the show’s linear transmission. As part of this, even viewers in China can access the series 24 hours post the US transmission on Sohu LeTV, iQiyi, Tencent and Tudou.

  • Watch ‘HEROES’ every Wednesday at 9 p.m. on STAR WORLD

    MUMBAI: They thought they were like everyone else… until they woke with incredible powers! When they all come together, these ordinary people with extraordinary abilities will realize that their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world…Tune in to the most anticipated series of the year- HEROES, this Wednesday, 31 January 2007 at 9 p.m. only on Star World.

    This Wednesday, in another exciting episode of Heroes, watch Nathan refusing to admit that he can fly. Peter discovers that his father had depressions and killed himself. Someone in Mohinder’s apartment plants surveillance bugs, but he and his father’s friend discover them. Hiro finds a comic book that shows exactly what happened to him last episode.

    The author of the comic book is Isaac and he goes to his apartment. There he finds Isaac dead. Niki realizes that her mirror alter ego is helping her in tough situations. We meet Matt, a cop who can hear what people say before they say it, who gets arrested for a murder because thanks to his gift he knows suspiciously much about it. And Claire continues to hide the truth about her, until her father, the evil man looking for our “heroes”, sees her tape where she shows her abilities.

    Created and produced by Emmy®-nominee Tim Kring (Crossing Jordan and Chicago Hope), Heroes chronicles the story of people who “thought they were like everyone else… until they woke with incredible abilities.” Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls), Hayden Panettiere (Ice Princess), Adrian Pasdar (Desperate Housewives), Ali Larter (Legally Blonde), Japanese actor Masi Oka (Scrubs) and Indian talent Sendhil Ramamurthy (Grey’s Anatomy) have become household names in the U.S. after the debut of this breakout series.

    A simple premise, compelling characters, incredible special effects and an enthralling story — perfect entertainment TV for those who feel special and, even now, still believe they stand out in a crowd. See if you have what it takes to help save the world! Tune in to Heroes on Wednesday, 31 Januaryat 9 p.m. only on Star World!

  • Second season of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Lost’ on DVD

    Second season of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Lost’ on DVD

    MUMBAI: The second season of Desperate Housewives and Lost are out on DVD and are released by Excel Home Videos.

    Excel Home Videos managing director M N Kapasi said, “Keeping in mind the high demand with the first season, we have increased the number of DVDs released this year to cater to the same.”

    Desperate Housewives the series that chronicles the lives of women at Wysteria Lane, has new plots with extra features like unaired story lines, deleted scenes, fashion and culture, juicy bites, directors views among others on the DVD.

    Lost, the drama about the survivors of the Oceanic Flight 815 now discover that they are not alone in the fight with the others.

    The second season reveals new realms of mystery and intrigue.The DVD consists of over two hours of bonus features like the Lost flashbacks, deleted scenes and bloopers amongst others.

  • ABC to keep ‘Lost’ fans entertained through moments

    ABC to keep ‘Lost’ fans entertained through moments

    MUMBAI: To keep fans enticed until the second half of the adventure show Lost premieres in February 2007, US broadcaster ABC and ABC.com will feature Lost Moments.

    From today 15 November the first Lost Moment will premiere randomly during the new drama Day Break. Comprised of 30 seconds of footage of upcoming episodes, there will be a total of 12 Lost Moments, one during each airing of Day Break. After Day Break the Lost Moments will be available on ABC.com. In India Lost airs on Star Movies.

    How did Locke ended up in a wheelchair? Will Sawyer be killed? Did Walt and Michael make it off the island? To answer these questions fans can can help create a Lost wiki with discussions on the latest episode, updates about season three or discussions about the previous seasons; definitions; mythology; message boards; profiles of the characters and how theyre connected; and even haiku! The Lost wiki is hosted and powered by Wetpaint.

    Also recently added to the Lost site on ABC.com are the Lost Theories board and weekly audio podcasts and regular video podcasts. All six complete episodes from season three will remain on the site available to viewers for free, to keep fans connected and allow new viewers to get caught up for the second half of the season.

    There were nearly 19 million episodes initiated online at ABC.com in the first six weeks since relaunching the enhanced broadband player on 22 September 2006. The broadband video player, winner of an Interactive Emmy in the category of enhanced or interactive programming-new delivery platforms, is a permanent feature on the website. The player offers full episodes of six primetime series including Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Six Degrees and The Nine, the day after they air on ABC.

  • Adobe wins Emmy for its Flash video technology

    Adobe wins Emmy for its Flash video technology

    MUMBAI: Adobe has won a Technical and Engineering Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its Flash video technology, in recognition of the software’s role in bringing television content to the Internet.

    The award for streaming media architecture and components was announced by the National Academy of Television and will be formally delivered to Adobe at a ceremony held during the Ces trade show, in January 2007 in Las Vegas.

    Today, television shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Friday Night Lights are being delivered online thanks to Flash video, while the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace.

    Adobe president and COO Shantanu Narayen says, “Flash Video is fundamentally changing the role of video on the Internet, and this prestigious award is further proof of this technology’s profound impact on how broadcasters deliver their content.

    “ABC and NBC and pop culture phenomena like YouTube and MySpace are relying on Adobe technologies to reach new audiences. Winning this Emmy is deserved recognition for our engineering teams and Adobe’s continued commitment to innovation in dynamic media.”

    With Flash Video technology, users can view interactive video online as an instant-on web video experience. Flash Video is delivered via Adobe Flash Player, allowing content publishers to reach the largest possible audience on the web and to deploy consistent, high-impact online video across all major platforms and browsers, while lowering the costs of development, quality assurance, and support. Adobe Flash Player is installed on over 700 million Internet-connected desktops and mobile devices.

    Flash Video works with Flash® Media Server 2 to give organisations a scalable and secure way to stream video content, and partnerships with leading content delivery network providers — Akamai, Limelight, and VitalStream — to create the foundation for delivering web video and rich media applications to the widest possible audience on the Internet.

    The Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards honor achievements in two areas: Science Engineering and Technology for Broadcast Television, which includes broadcast, cable and satellite distribution and Broadband and Personal Television encompassing interactive television, gaming technology, the Internet, cell phone, private networks, and personal media players.

  • Excel Home Video looks to grow the TV DVD segment

    Excel Home Video looks to grow the TV DVD segment

    MUMBAI: Earlier this year Excel Home Video entered the television segment. It released the first seasons of Desperate Housewives and Lost.

    Encouraged by the response the company is now looking to add more titles to that list.
    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com this afternoon, Excel Home Video MD MN Kapasi says, “Our focus is only on English shows as those in the SEC A and A+ segments watch them. They can thus afford to buy them. We will be releasing the second seasons of Lost and Desperate Housewives. These rights were got from Buena Vista.

    “We will now be releasing seasons 1-5 of 24 as well as Prison Break and The Simpsons. These rights we got from Fox. Other titles include Boston Legal and Grey’s Anatomy. The Hindi segment is not cost effective. If you want sell a DVD of a Hindi soap like a Saas Bahu then you would have to price it cheap.

    “By the end of the fiscal year March 2007 we will have eight English TV DVD titles. For the next fiscal we will add another seven to eight titles. We are looking at specialised content like aerobics and possibly adventure sports.” The television venture helps Excel build on the relationship it already has with Fox and Disney as far as films are concerned.

    Excel Home Video has 1,000 English film titles on DVD. One of its latest releases has been Ice Age 2. To push it kicked off an offer in association with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Each DVD has a hologram. If the hologram matches the hologram shown on the channel then the consumer gets Ice Age 2 merchandise which has been imported. This way Kapasi says consumers become more aware of legal products as pirated stuff do not have holograms.

    On the retail level when a consumer buys a DVD he can get an Excel VCD exchanged for a DVD and just pay the price difference. The Ice Age 2 DVD has a coupon. The consumer just has to mail the coupon. To push Ice Age 2 Excel also did wall executions in retail outlets like Planet M, Rhythm House. The dubbed version of Ice Age 2 in Hindi will be released later this month. New titles coming up are Cars, X-Men 3 and Pirates Of The Carribean 2. To push X Men 3 Excel will have ads on Pix and AXN. This too will be a hologram linked effort.

    Excel also did the innovation of re – releasing the first Pirates film on DVD to coincide with the release of the sequel. It also re released the first two X Men films to coincide with the theatrical release of X Men 3. “This strategy of synergy marketing has worked well for us” adds Kapasi.

    He says that 50 per cent of Excel’s above the line marketing activities are done through television. Print he adds has not really delivered. Excel not surprisingly also advertises in select multiplexes through slides as that is one place his TG frequents.

    Excel has also come out with the strategy of having Movies and More outlets. This is a place where one can buy DVDs and VCDs. Right now there are 11 mostly situated in multiplexes. The plan is to increase the number to 40 by the end of the fiscal. There will also be a presence in malls.

    Excel has around 30 Hindi films in its library including Dor and Lagaan. Kapasi rues the fact that there is no method in the price one pays to get the rights for a Hindi film. A producer according to him often quotes a price without looking at factors like the market size. He is hopeful that with new producers like Farhan Akhtar coming in the situation will improve.

    In terms of targets he says that the company expects a 40 per cent growth in turnover for this fiscal. Bottomline growth is expected to be in the range of 18-22 per cent. The efforts of Excel have not gone unnoticed. Fox is happy about the way Ice Age 2 has fared on DVD. Fox VP intl licensees Richard Crook says, “The success has sharpened our focus on India’s growing home entertainment market. Excel Home Videos our licensee in India, has delivered a fantastic job by successfully targetting the festive holidays”.