ITV

Tag: Echostar

  • US media companies unite in effort to help parents monitor kids’ TV

    US media companies unite in effort to help parents monitor kids’ TV

    MUMBAI: The American Advertising Council has joined a broad cross-section of the media and entertainment industries to launch a national multi-media public service advertising (PSA) campaign calling on parents to take a more active role in their children’s television viewing habits.

    The campaign, entitled Media Management, was produced in partnership with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) representing cable programmers and operators, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); television broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and direct-to-home satellite providers DirecTV and Echostar.

    The new PSAs are being distributed to media outlets nationwide this month and will appear in advertising time and space donated by the media. The media company campaign partners have committed to donate $300 million in advertising time and space for the new PSAs during the next 18 months.

    Children’s bedrooms have increasingly become multimedia centers, raising important issues about supervision and exposure to unlimited content. Ad Council research shows the majority of parents (70-80 per cent) have serious concerns about age-inappropriate television content. However, according to a Kaiser Generation M study, 53 per cent of 8-18 year-olds say their families have no rules about TV watching.

    In addition, of the remaining 46 per cent who say their families do have rules, the vast majority (80 per cent) say these rules are enforced only some of the time, a little of the time, or never. Despite their general lack of awareness about blocking technologies, many parents are open to ideas that promise more control, and agree that these technologies can be an effective tool.

    “For the first time parents have total power to control all TV programming in their home. Through TV, cable and satellite blocking mechanisms, parents can become the TV Boss in their homes. Whatever programs parents believe to be unsuitable for their nine and ten year olds, can be easily blocked, so that when parents go out to dinner, they can be secure in the knowledge they have blocked out all programs they don’t want their young children to watch. By going to a website, TheTVBoss.org, they can learn how to control all programming in the home,” said former MPAA president and CEO Jack Valenti.

    Created pro bono by advertising agency McCann Erickson New York, the Media Management campaign includes new television, radio, print and web advertising, which aims to educate and inform parents with young children about how they can monitor and supervise their children’s television consumption.

    “We are proud to join Jack Valenti and all of our media and entertainment partners in this unprecedented campaign to give parents the tools they need to block from their homes television programming they feel is inappropriate for their children. This campaign is compelling, engaging and innovative, and I believe it will be generously supported by the media and – more importantly – motivating for parents,” said The Advertising Council president and CEO Peggy Conlon.

    The new television spots humourously feature scenes in which parents take steps to protect their children from exposure to inappropriate behavior. All of the ads say to parents, “You’re the boss of what your kids watch. Make the rules. Know the ratings. Use parental controls.”

    The new PSAs can be viewed at www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=360.

    “It is important for parents to know that they have the power and the responsibility to monitor what their children watch on TV. We decided to show that empowered parent in a humourous, relevant way,” said McCann Erickson New York chief creative officer Joyce King Thomas.

    The campaign encourages parents to visit a new comprehensive website, www.TheTVBoss.org, which provides information on how they can take a more active role in their children’s media consumption. Developed by Ripple Effects Interactive, the website features tips on managing television programming, (including using the V-chip and cable/satellite blocking mechanisms), making program choices together, talking to children about what they’re watching and checking program content and ratings.

  • Speculation runs high on Echostar DirecTV merger

    Speculation runs high on Echostar DirecTV merger

    MUMBAI: Last few days, the American media industry has been full of speculation over a potential move that could change the dynamics of that country’s pay TV industry.

    The news is that DirecTV in which News Corp has a stake is looking at buying rival Echostar. However, the two companies have refused to comment on reports that have appeared in several publications.

    The two parties account for almost all viewership of satellite television in the US. Rumour mongering escalated at the recently held Allen & Co. media and technology conference in Idaho. Charlie Ergen who owns Echostar had attended the conference and The New York Times had reported on the rumours.

    In a recent piece in Reuters Wall Street, analysts were of the view that the presidential election in a few years time could spur a wave of mergers including DirectTV-EchoStar due to concerns that should the Democrats come into power, it would be more difficult to merge.

    One roadblock here is that America’s media watchdog, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), had four years ago rejected a proposal for a merger saying that it contravened antithrust laws.

    Interestingly a few months ago, DirecTV CFO Mike Palkovic, had told an industry conference that his company was interested in buying Echostar. Reports also state that Ergen is reluctant to give up control of his company.

    A merger would result in cost savings that run into billions of dollars and they would be able to compete better with the cable TV industry. A report in tvpredictions.com states that both the firms are investing heavily in new satellites (and other infrastructure) to improve their HDTV offerings.

  • Intervoice to enhance EchoStar’s customer service

    Intervoice to enhance EchoStar’s customer service

    MUMBAI: The provider of digital television services EchoStar Communications Corporation will be using the Intervoice Voice Automation Platform of Intervoice, Inc. to significantly enhance customer self-service to its more than 12 million subscribers.

    With Intervoice’s highly-scalable and flexible voice platform, EchoStar will provide its subscribers with a quick and easy way to access information and complete transactions via phone at any time and from any location, states an official release.

    Subscribers will be able to check their account status, pay a bill or subscribe to a new service simply by saying a command such as, “check account balance”, rather than using the telephone keypad to complete transactions. Also, for subscribers who prefer to speak with a live agent, the self-service system will quickly and accurately direct them to the most appropriate agent who can answer their questions.

    “Providing top-quality customer service is integral to our long-term success and most importantly, toward strengthening the relationships with our rapidly growing customer base,” said EchoStar Rob chief information officer Strickland. “We continue to rely on our partner Intervoice for their deep knowledge and professional services expertise in enhancing the customer service experience with speech technology.”

    When fully implemented, EchoStar estimates that it will save nearly $11 million a year with this new customer-self service system.

    “For companies driven by customer service like EchoStar, finding the right balance between offering customers a self-service system and the opportunity to speak with a live agent is key to their success, ” said Intervoice president and CEO Bob Ritchey. “Intervoice is helping companies achieve this delicate balance with its innovative solutions that enable consumers to connect with businesses through the channel of their choice — voice, Web or multi-modal.”

    The release adds that the cumulative value of the purchase orders received by Intervoice last week is approximately $7.4 million. In addition, the company received purchase orders in the amount of approximately $1 million from this customer during the preceding four month period.

    The company currently anticipates recognizing approximately $1 million in revenue in its first fiscal quarter, which ended May 31, 2006, and the remainder of the revenues, other than maintenance revenues, during the rest of the fiscal year which ends 28 February, 2007. The company currently anticipates realizing maintenance revenues in the aggregate amount of approximately $1 million during its current and next fiscal years.

  • Zee, other ethnic channels in the US form an association

    Zee, other ethnic channels in the US form an association

    MUMBAI: Zee TV in the US along with other ethnic broadcasters have formed an association named the Ethnic Broadcasters of America (EBA) trade association.

    The organisation aims to provide ad sales and other business support to companies operating ethnic television networks in North America. Board members include American Desi TV chairman and CEO Vimal Verma, B4U US head Hari Srinivas, TV Asia VP Jaideep Jankiram, Zee TV USA country head S. Venkatasubramamian.

    Media reports indicate that Reach Media president Elie A. Kawkabani serves as chairman of the EBA’s Board of Directors.

    Reports add that it took two years for EBA to get underway. The organisation was the idea of Kawkabani. US satellite operator Echostar is the official corporate sponsor of the organisation. EBA will offer an environment where ethnic channels can work together to improve business.

  • ARY rolls out QTV and Musik on EchoStar’s Dish Network

    ARY rolls out QTV and Musik on EchoStar’s Dish Network

    MUMBAI: Pakistan’s ARY Digital Network has launched two more channels in the United States and North America .

    After the success of its flagship general entertainment channel, ARY Digital and its 24 hour news and current affairs channel ARY One World, the network now rolls out QTV – the 24 hour Islamic channel and a music channel Musik.

    Both these channels became available on the EchoStar’s Dish Network platform from 20 April.

    “One of our basic objectives is to help our music, entertainment, language, and basically our culture find a voice and reach the world over,” says ARY Digital Network president and CEO Salman Iqbal.

    “Our channels are trying to bridge the geographical divide that exists for that huge population of people that have migrated from their homelands.”

    The Network continues to expand its reach and distribution – with launch of Musik in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2006, adding to the existing ARY Digital, ARY One World and QTV packages.

    In June 2006, ARY Digital Network will also be launching ARY Digital, ARY One World and QTV in New Zealand and Australia.

    “We are proud to say that we are the largest South Asian Television network in the world with the most channels being distributed internationally, ” stated Iqbal. “It’s important for a network to be able to provide options to suit the taste buds of a wide cross section of viewers, be it in any region.”

    The Islamic channel QTV is also visible in India.

  • NBC Universal unveils new division to boost digital media

    NBC Universal unveils new division to boost digital media

    MUMBAI: NBC Universal has formed a new business unit, the Technology Growth Center (TGC), within the media giant to focus on new business opportunities in digital media. NBC Universal has tapped Darren Feher, the company’s chief technology officer, to run the group.

    Feher will be reporting to NBC Universal’s technology and operations division president and chief information officer of Media Works John Eck.

    “Today, consumers want to enjoy media any time and any where,” Eck said. “The TGC will help fulfill this demand by providing the necessary technology to foster a greater variety of distribution methods.”
    The new division will coordinate NBCU’s approach to technology across the company’s various distribution channels.

    TGC is organized into four divisions: Technical Product Development, developing technology in the areas of broadband, iTV, electronic-sell-through, mobile and wireless, DVRs and gaming; Policy, Strategy and Standards, focusing on increasing the influence of NBC Universal’s industry positions among standards consortia and in Washington; Emerging Technology and Research, working with GE’s Global Research Center and universities; and Anti-Piracy Technical Operations, with an emphasis on forensic watermarking, cracking down on Internet piracy, and raids and investigations, stated a media report.

    The division has already developed the technology that allowed NBC Universal to digitally send its TV content to Apple for distribution on iTunes, eliminating the need for digital beta tapes. Other TGC projects underway include DVD point-of sale activation, forensic watermarking, new peer based distribution technologies, download-to-own technology, DRM standards and automatic closed captioning.

    The TGC has also launched several interactive television projects, including a service that enabled DirecTV, EchoStar and Time Warner Cable subscribers to access medal counts, athlete biographies and news during broadcasts of the Winter Olympics in February. More recently, the TGC has facilitated online voting in several NBC shows, including Deal or No Deal.

  • Jabil completes $ 185 million acquisition of Celetronix

    Jabil completes $ 185 million acquisition of Celetronix

    MUMBAI: Jabil Circuit, Inc. has acquired Celetronix, a leading electronic manufacturing services (EMS) company in India, for around $185 million, including debt.

    The purchase price consists of around $155 million in cash plus the assumption of $30 million in debt. The acquisition process was completed on 31 March, a source said.

    Celetronix offers services from design and prototyping and is the strategic partner used by many of the world’s recognised brands in set-top satellite decoders, computers, home electronics, networking and server appliances. The company, for instance, does work for direct-to-home (DTH) service provider EchoStar in the US.

    Jabil, a premier EMS company in the world, will be able to get access to low-cost manufacturing from India while targeting new markets and customers. Also, its manufacturing footprint will expand in India. Jabil currently manufactures in 176,000 square feet in Ranjangaon, India. Celetronix has manufacturing facilities in Mumbai, Chennai and Pondicherry.

    Indiantelevision.com e-mailed a set of questions to the company on the acquisition details and its expansion plans. But Celetronix officials in Mumbai declined to comment.

    Celetronix, founded by the Tandon family, has low-cost manufacturing facilities in India and delivers through its worldwide locations including India, US, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.