ITV

Tag: Emmy

  • FY-2015: Time Warner revenue up 2.8%

    FY-2015: Time Warner revenue up 2.8%

    BENGALURU: Time Warner Inc reported 2.8 per cent growth in revenue for the year ended 31 December, 2015 (current year, FY-2015) at $28,118 million as compared to the $27,349 million in FY-2014. Adjusted Operating Income increased 18.7 per cent in the current year to $6,923 million as compared to $5,833 million while Operating Income increased 14.9 per cent to $6,865 million in the current year as compared to $5,975 million in the previous year.

    Time Warner attributes overall revenue growth to growth across all operating divisions. It says that the growth in Adjusted Operating Income benefited from lower programming charges at Turner and restructuring and severance charges across the company, partially offset by a swing in inter-segment eliminations. It says further that Revenues and Adjusted Operating Income included the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange rate.

    Time Warner chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Bewkes said, “We had another very successful year in 2015, demonstrating once again Time Warner’s ability to deliver strong financial performance as well as creative and programming excellence. Revenues grew three per cent and Adjusted Operating Income was up 19 per cent. All three of our operating divisions increased revenue and profits while also investing to capitalize on the shift to on-demand viewing and growing worldwide demand for the very best video content. Warner Bros. had its best year ever in videogames, led by Mortal Kombat X and Batman: Arkham Knight, and remained the number one supplier of broadcast television programming, including the biggest new hit of the TV season in Blindspot. As we embark on what promises to be a very strong year for Warner Bros. theatrically, Mad Max: Fury Road and Creed received a combined 11 nominations for the 88th Academy Awards.”

    Bewkes continued, “Home Box Office grew subscribers both on its linear networks and through HBO Now, our new stand-alone streaming service. Once again, HBO distinguished itself with the combination of the biggest Hollywood hits and best original programming. In 2015, HBO received 43 Primetime Emmys, the most in a single year by any network in at least 25 years — led by a record 12 Emmys for Game of Thrones. Turner continued to prove its tremendous value to its audiences, distributors, and advertisers with TBS, TNT and Adult Swim all ranking among ad-supported cable’s top 10 networks in primetime among adults 18-49 for the year. CNN was the fastest-growing top 40 cable network in its key demographic in the U.S. for the year, and Cartoon Network was the only top 3 kids network to grow ratings. Further demonstrating our commitment to shareholder returns, during 2015 we returned $4.8 billion to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, and this morning announced a 15 per cent increase to our dividend and a new $5 billion share repurchase program.”

    Turner

    Revenues increased 1.9 per cent ($200 million) to $10,596 million in FY-2015 as compared to $10,396 million, benefiting from increases of 16 per cent ($88 million) in Content and other revenues, two per cent ($69 million) in Advertising revenues and one per cent ($43 million) in Subscription revenues. Time Warner says that the increase in Content and other revenues was due to higher subscription video-on-demand revenues, primarily from licensing select Turner original programming to Hulu.

    Advertising revenues benefited from domestic growth, primarily due to Turner’s news business, and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in Subscription revenues was due to higher domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates and lower domestic subscribers.

    Adjusted Operating Income increased 32.3 per cent ($1 billion) to $4,110 million in the current year as compared to $3,106 million primarily due to lower programming and restructuring and severance expenses. Programming costs declined 11 per cent due to a decrease in programming charges ($395 million). Excluding the charges from both years, programming costs declined in the low single digits primarily due to lower syndicated programming expenses as a result of the abandonment of certain programming in 2014 and the absence of NASCAR programming, partially offset by higher costs associated with airing the MLB playoffs.

    Operating Income increased 38.4 per cent ($1,133 million) to $4,087 million. The current and prior years included $17 million and $137 million, respectively, of foreign currency says Time Warner.

    Home Box Office

    Revenues increased four per cent ($217 million) to $5,615 million, due to increases of four per cent ($170 million) in Subscription revenues and six per cent ($47 million) in Content and other revenues. Subscription revenues grew primarily due to higher domestic rates, partially offset by lower international revenues, which included the impact of the transfer to Turner of the operation of HBO’s basic cable network in India. The increase in Content and other revenues primarily reflects higher licensing revenues, partially offset by lower home entertainment revenues.

    Adjusted Operating Income rose 5.2 per cent ($88 million) to $1,878 million in FY-2015 as compared to $1,790 million in FY-2014, reflecting the higher revenues partially offset by increased expenses. The growth in expenses was mainly due to higher marketing and technology costs related to HBO Now, HBO’s stand-alone streaming service, as well as higher programming costs, partially offset by lower restructuring and severance costs. Programming costs grew 3 per cent reflecting higher original programming expenses, including programming charges.
    Operating Income increased 5.2 per cent ($92 million) to $1,878 million in the current year as compared to Rs 1,786 million in the previous year.

    Warner Bros.

    Revenues increased 3.7 per cent ($466 million) to $12,992 million in FY-2015 as compared to $12,576 million, reflecting higher videogames and television revenues, partially offset by lower theatrical and home entertainment revenues as well as the impact of foreign exchange rates.

    The increase in videogames revenues was mainly due to the releases of Mortal Kombat X, LEGO Dimensions and Batman: Arkham Knight. Television revenues increased primarily due to higher licensing revenues, including from the domestic availabilities of 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest, Friends and Seinfeld. Theatrical revenues declined as the prior year included revenues from the final two instalments of The Hobbit trilogy as well as The LEGO Movie and Godzilla.

    Adjusted Operating Income increased 15 per cent ($187 million) to $1.4 billion, reflecting higher revenues as well as lower restructuring and severance charges and related cost-savings.

    Operating Income increased 22.2 per cent ($257 million) to $1,416 million. The prior year included a $36 million foreign currency charge related to the re-measurement of Warner says Time Warner.

  • Star World Premiere HD to air ‘Baskets’

    Star World Premiere HD to air ‘Baskets’

    MUMBAI: Star World Premiere HD, home to day and date viewing, is known to bring some of the best and latest English television series to its discerned audience. Taking its offering a notch higher, the HD only channel is all set to premiere the highly anticipated television series Baskets that follows master clown Chip Baskets as he descends from prestigious French clowning academy to dusty bull-dodging shenanigans as a rodeo clown. The series will premiere on 24 January 2016 at 9:30 pm.

     

     Baskets is the first television collaboration of comedy dream-team Zach Galifianiakis and Louis CK.  The six-time Emmy-winner comedian and writer Louis CK is known for his critically acclaimed TV show Louie and use of observational, self-deprecating and satirical humour for his stand-up acts. The series also marks Zach’s foray into television with his first character portrayal on the small screen. The show takes a dig at the world constrained by corporate interests and the homogenization of society where one man in Bakersfield, California dares to follow his dream of becoming a professional clown.  But after an unsuccessful enrolment at a prestigious clowning school in Paris, the only job he can find is with the local rodeo.

     

    The ground-breaking actor who gained immense popularity with his movies – The Hangover series, Due Date alongside Robert Downing Junior and Emmy award-winning comedy talk show Between Two Ferns is considered the master of mining awkwardness for comedy gold. Safe to say, Zach is synonymous to all things funny. His portrayal as Chip Baskets on the show has been the highlight among fans of the comedy genre. 

  • FX to air the sixth instalment of American Horror Story

    FX to air the sixth instalment of American Horror Story

    MUMBAI: FX has ordered the sixth instalment of the groundbreaking and award-winning anthology limited series American Horror Story. The news was announced by the CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions John Landgraf. The sixth instalment will air in 2016 with the next chapter of the Emmy and Golden Globe winning franchise co-created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk.

     

    “With the sixth instalment coming next year, American Horror Story has unquestionably joined the ranks of television’s landmark series,” Landgraf said. “From Murder House to Hotel, AHS has pioneered a new television form as well becoming FX’s highest rated show — while also pushing every conceivable boundary of creative excellence and audacity. This is even more remarkable because Ryan and co-creator Brad Falchuk tear up the playbook every year, challenging the entire creative team to come up with something even more spectacular, frightful and entertaining. You could not ask more of an artist, their team or a series and with every new installment they deliver.”

     

    Ryan Murphy serves as co-creator, Showrunner, executive producer, writer and director of American Horror Story: Hotel and Brad Falchuk is co-Creator, executive producer and writer. Tim Minear, Brad Buecker, Jennifer Salt, James Wong and Alexis Martin Woodall also serve as executive producers. The American Horror Story franchise is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television.

      

    American Horror Story: Hotel will return with a new episode on 21 November 2015 at 11 pm entitledFlicker.

     

    American Horror Story: Hotel features an all-star cast of Lady Gaga, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Wes Bentley, Matt Bomer, Chloë Sevigny, Denis O’Hare, Cheyenne Jackson, Evan Peters and Finn Wittrock.

     

    The first four instalments of the American Horror Story limited series franchise have received 71 Emmy Award nominations and 13 Emmy Award wins, including five Emmy awards for its fourth instalment, American Horror Story: Freak Show.

  • Lionsgate and Skydance Media ink global television distribution pact

    Lionsgate and Skydance Media ink global television distribution pact

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate and Skydance have formed a global television distribution pact. The launch of newly-created label Skydance International, which will feature Skydance Media’s current and emerging premium television properties around the world following their initial US broadcast, augments Lionsgate’s worldwide distribution pipeline and permits the two companies to tap opportunities across the global television marketplace.

     

    The global distribution pact will encompass programming led by Skydance’s Emmy-nominated television series Grace and Frankie and the dramaManhattan (produced in partnership with Lionsgate and Tribune Studios), as well as a number of new properties that Skydance is developing for the international television marketplace.

     

    These include Lore, which is executive produced by McG and written by Zack Stentz, and Madness of Angels, which is inspired by Kate Griffin’s six-book fantasy series. The project is executive produced by Neil Burger, who is also slated to direct, and written by rising star UK-based writer Ben Vanstone.

     

    “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Skydance Media, one of the hottest and most dynamic film and television studios in the industry. The Skydance brand is synonymous with big, bold, quality entertainment events, and their television slate complements our global distribution pipeline. We’re excited to partner with them on all forms of global distribution, from the traditional to the disruptive, and we’ll focus on innovative deals that reflect today’s dynamic television ecosystem,” said Lionsgate president of worldwide television & digital distribution Jim Packer.

     

    “We believe joining together with Lionsgate – one of the most cutting-edge and creative content companies in the world – will strongly position the Skydance Media brand for success as we make our debut in the international television marketplace. We’ve worked hard to create premium, branded content that will resonate with audiences worldwide, and this new partnership with Lionsgate will accelerate our ability to distribute our shows far and wide across platforms and around the globe in conjunction with the launch of Skydance International,” added Skydance Media founder and CEO David Ellison.

     

    As part of today’s announcement, Brandon Zimon has been named as Skydance Media senior vice present of international television sales and co-productions. 

     

    “In this important new role, Brandon will be responsible for collaborating with Lionsgate to expand the reach of our new and existing television properties around the world and for independently executing international television acquisitions for Skydance Media,” said Skydance COO Jesse Sisgold.

     

    Zimon joins Skydance Media from Sony Pictures Television, where he spent over a decade, most recently as vice president of international distribution.

  • David Hill & Reginald Hudlin tapped to produce 88th Oscars

    David Hill & Reginald Hudlin tapped to produce 88th Oscars

    MUMBAI: After this year’s ho-hum response to the Oscars show, which was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the Academy has named two new producers for the 2016 show.

     

    Emmy-winning live television producer David Hill and Oscar-nominated producer-director Reginald Hudlin have been tapped to produce the 88th Oscars telecast.

     

    It will be their first involvement with the Academy Awards, which will be held on 28 February, 2016.

     

    Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said, “We’re delighted to have this talented team on board. David is a true innovator with a dynamic personality. His vast experience as a live events producer, coupled with Reggie’s energy, creativity and talent as a filmmaker, is sure to make this year’s Oscar telecast a memorable one.”

     

    “What a great and exciting honour! The quest is to honour the year in film, honour the art, and above all, make it fun,” said Hill.

     

    “I’m looking forward to working with the Academy again. I love every kind of film and this year’s awards will be a celebration of the total range of cinema,” said Hudlin.

     

    “We’re excited to work with David and Reggie. With their enthusiasm and breadth of experience, they will bring a fresh perspective to the Oscar show,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.

     

    An executive with the Fox group of companies for more than 25 years, Hill most recently served as 21st Century Fox senior executive vice president, overseeing programming, digital initiatives, and other opportunities on five continents. He was previously Fox Sports Media Group chairman and CEO. Hill began his career with News Corporation in Great Britain, where he helped launch Sky Television, introduced the multilingual sports channel Eurosport, and created the subscription channel Sky Sports. He recently left Fox to start his own production company, Hilly, focusing on live and reality television. 

     

    On the other hand, writer, director, producer and executive, Hudlin received a 2012 Best Picture Oscar nomination as a producer of Django Unchained.  Hudlin’s film credits includeBoomerang, The Great White Hype and the award-winning comedy House Party, which he also wrote. He executive produced the TV series The Boondocks and The Black Panther; and has directed for Modern Family, Murder in The First, New Girl and The Office. Last year, Hudlin produced the Academy’s 6th Annual Governors Awards ceremony and has been the executive producer of the NAACP Image Awards since 2012. Hudlin was the first president of entertainment for BET Networks from 2005 to 2009. He is a partner in Milestone Media, a multi-ethnic comic book company distributed by DC Comics, as well as New Nation Networks, a premium content provider in partnership with Google.

  • Q2-2015: Warner Bros revenue growth boosts Time Warner revenues by 8.2%

    Q2-2015: Warner Bros revenue growth boosts Time Warner revenues by 8.2%

    BENGALURU: A 14.9 per cent revenue growth in its Warner Bros segment at $3298 million in the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 (Q2-2015) as compared to the $2870 million in Q2-2014 helped boost Time Warner Inc by 8.2 per cent. 

     

    The other two segments – Turner and Home Box Office (HBO) also reported revenue growth to the extent of 2.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively. Time Warner’s revenue in Q2-2015 was $7348 million as compared to the $6788 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Adjusted Operating Income grew 15 per cent to $1862 million due to increases at Turner and Warner Bros., partially offset by a decline at HBO. Operating Income increased 19 per cent to $1859 million.

     

    Company speak

     

    Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said, “We had a very strong second quarter, with revenues up 8 per cent and Adjusted Operating Income growing 15 per cent to a quarterly record of $1.9 billion. Our results were led by Turner and Warner Bros and were achieved at a time when we’re investing aggressively to position the company for continued growth, including the successful launch of HBO NOW, our standalone domestic streaming service. HBO and its sister service Cinemax recently received a combined 131 Primetime Emmy nominations, with a record 126 for HBO – the 15th year in a row that HBO has led in nominations. In addition to being nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, Game of Thrones‘ fifth season set a new record for viewers of an HBO series.”

     

    Bewkes continued, “At Turner, TNT and TBS ranked as the #1 and #2 ad-supported cable networks, respectively, in primetime among adults 18-49, and together with Adult Swim claimed the top 3 spots in primetime among adults 18-34. Cartoon Network was again the only top 3 kids network to grow its 6-11 audience during the quarter and claimed the #2 spot for the first time. And CNN grew primetime viewership in its key 25-54 demo 25 per cent with the help of its award-winning original programming. Warner Bros concluded a very successful upfront, with 62 programs slated for the upcoming television season, including 29 on broadcast networks. That includes a record 20 returning shows and makes Warner Bros. the top supplier of broadcast series again this year. In the quarter, Warner Bros games business also shined with releases of Batman: Arkham Knight and Mortal Kombat X helping make it the top videogame publisher for the first half of the year. Reflecting our commitment to provide direct returns to shareholders, we have returned more than $2.6 billion in dividends and share repurchases year-to-date.”

     

    Segment performance

     

    Turner

     

    Revenues increased 2.8 per cent ($77 million) to $2827 million, benefiting from growth of 48 per cent ($69 million) in Content and other revenues and two per cent ($20 million) in Subscription revenues, partially offset by a decline of one per cent ($12 million) in Advertising revenues. The increase in Content and other revenues was due to the licensing of select Turner original programming to Hulu. Subscription revenues grew due to higher domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates. Advertising revenues declined due to the impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by growth at Turner’s domestic businesses and local currency growth at Turner’s international networks. The increase in domestic advertising was due to growth at Turner’s domestic news businesses and the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship tournament, partially offset by lower delivery at certain domestic networks and the absence of NASCAR programming. Advertising revenue growth was also adversely impacted by fewer NBA playoff games in the quarter.

     

    Adjusted Operating Income increased 20 per cent ($190 million) to $1130 million, due to the increase in revenues and lower expenses, including lower programming costs. Programming costs decreased nine per cent primarily due to the absence of NASCAR programming as well as lower syndicated programming expenses as a result of the abandonment of certain programming in 2014. Operating Income increased 22 per cent ($201 million) to $1130 million.

     

    Home Box Office

     

    HBO revenue increased one per cent ($21 million) to $1438 million, due to an increase of four per cent ($40 million) in subscription revenues, partially offset by a decline of seven per cent ($19 million) in Content and other revenues. Subscription revenues grew due to higher domestic rates, partially offset by lower international revenue, which included the impact of the transfer to Turner of the operation of HBO’s basic cable network in India. The decrease in Content and other revenues reflected lower home entertainment revenues.

     

    Adjusted Operating Income decreased eight per cent ($44 million) to $508 million, as the increase in revenues was more than offset by higher marketing and technology costs, primarily related to the launch of HBO NOW, HBO’s stand-alone streaming service. Operating Income decreased seven per cent ($40 million) to $508 million.

     

    Warner Bros

     

    The revenue increase mentioned above reflects higher videogames and television licensing revenues, partially offset by lower theatrical revenues and the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in videogames revenues was primarily due to the releases of Batman: Arkham Knight and Mortal Kombat X. Television licensing revenues benefited from the second-cycle syndication of The Big Bang Theory and the subscription video-on-demand licensing ofSeinfeld. Theatrical revenues decreased primarily due to lower worldwide television licensing revenues of theatrical product and a decline in home entertainment revenues due to the comparison against the release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in the prior year quarter.

     

    Adjusted Operating Income increased 46 per cent ($108 million) to $344 million, due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by associated film and print and advertising costs, as well as higher theatrical valuation adjustments. Operating Income increased 46 per cent ($107 million) to $341 million.

  • Lionsgate roars with 24 Emmy nominations

    Lionsgate roars with 24 Emmy nominations

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate’s series Orange Is The New Black, Mad Men, Nurse Jackie and Manhattan, and its limited series Houdini earned a total of 24 Emmy nominations.

     

    These include an eighth consecutive Outstanding Drama Series nomination for four-time Emmy winner Mad Men (AMC); a Drama Series nomination for Orange Is The New Black (Netflix); and four lead acting nominations including Mad Men’s Jon Hamm (his eighth consecutive drama nod) and Elisabeth Moss (her fifth nomination in this category), Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco (an Emmy winner and six-time nominee for this role), and Adrien Brody, who landed his first Emmy nomination for Houdini.

     

    Mad Men’s 11 nominations also include nods for Christina Hendricks as Supporting Actress (her sixth nomination), two Writing nominations, as well as nods for Production Design, Casting, Editing, Hairstyling and Makeup.

     

    Orange Is The New Black scored a total of four nominations, including nods for Uzo Aduba as Supporting Actress, Pablo Schreiber as Guest Actor, and Casting, along with its Drama Series nomination.

     

    In addition to Edie Falco’s nomination for Nurse Jackie and Adrien Brody’s nomination for Houdini, Lionsgate picked up six additional Houdini nods in the Directing, Cinematography, Picture Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Makeup categories, as well as a Main Title Design nomination for Manhattan. 

     

    “We’re extremely proud of our incredible roster of nominated shows and we thank the TV Academy for this tremendous recognition. These nominations underscore our commitment to producing highly entertaining and original programs that resonate deeply with viewers and inspire broader cultural conversation,” said Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs. 

  • Comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s debut performance in Mumbai cancelled

    Comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s debut performance in Mumbai cancelled

    MUMBAI: Emmy and Golden Globe-winning stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s debut in India has been cancelled due to issues related to traffic and parking at the venue. 

     

    The actor, best known for playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the sitcom Seinfeld, was to perform his stand-up routines on 14 and 15 March.

     

    The performance, a part of Stage42 festival, was supposed to be held at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium, Mumbai. 

     

    The stadium has a seating capacity of 4,000 people and was recently the venue for a charity fashion show attended by politician that led to traffic snarls. Police had been wary of the large turnout expected for Seinfeld’s shows.

     

    “This cancellation is unavoidable due to circumstances beyond the artist’s and our control. Issues related to traffic and parking at the venue, which were brought to our attention only a couple of days ago, forced the cancellation of all artist travel arrangements pending a resolution of these logical issues,” a statement released by the organisers said.

     

    The show’s tickets, which had a starting price tag of Rs 7500, will be refunded by 25 March, 2015. 

  • Fox Cable Network Programming business revenue up 14.2% in Q2-2015

    Fox Cable Network Programming business revenue up 14.2% in Q2-2015

    BENGALURU: Rupert Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (Fox) reported a 1.3 per cent drop in total revenue to $8055 million in the quarter ended 31 December, 2014 (Q2-2015, current quarter) as compared to the $8163 million reported for the year ago quarter (quarter ended 31 December, 2013).

     

    In November 2014, the Company sold its 100 per cent and 57 per cent ownership stakes in Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland, respectively, to Sky for approximately $8.8 billion comprised approximately $8.2 billion in cash received, net of $650 million of cash paid to acquire Sky’s 21 per cent interest in NGCI, increasing the Company’s ownership stake in NGCI to 73 per cent.

     

    Excluding the revenue from the satellite businesses that were sold, revenue rose 10 per cent to $7.42 billion in the current quarter over the $6.73 billion of adjusted revenue in the prior year quarter. Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland were a part of Fox’s Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (“DBS”) businesses.

     

    Fox reported OIBDA of $1.72 billion which included $27 million of OIBDA from the DBS businesses. Excluding the OIBDA contributions from the DBS businesses in the current and prior year quarters, adjusted OIBDA grew by $181 million or 12 per cent from $1.51 billion in the prior year to $1.70 billion. This improvement reflects OIBDA growth at the Company’s Cable Network Programming and Television segments says the company. Adjusted OIBDA growth was adversely impacted by approximately $90 million or 6 per cent from foreign exchange rate fluctuations, primarily in Latin America.

     

    Fox chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch said, “We delivered solid quarterly results despite continuing currency headwinds and ratings challenges at the Fox broadcast network. Our growth was led by sustained affiliate revenue growth in our channels business. I am also very proud of the creative successes that we have achieved at Twentieth Century Fox, which set a global box office record in 2014 and leads the industry with 24 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture nominations for Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel, as well as at our television production studios, which have produced the Emmy and Golden Globe winning Fargo, the critically acclaimed American Horror Story and the promising new series Empire.

     

    “In addition to the operational success achieved this past quarter, we also executed two significant strategic transactions, the combination of our European satellite television holdings, creating Europe’s leading pay television business, and the formation of the Endemol Shine Group joint venture. These transactions further enhance our ability to drive long-term value for all of our shareholders,” he added.

     

    Cable Network Programming

     

    Fox Cable Network Programming business (CNP), which is its largest segment in terms of revenue and operating profit, reported a 14.2 per cent jump in revenue in the current quarter to $3384 million from $2964 million in Q2-2014. OIBDA (Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization) of CNP segment rose 11.7 per cent to $1159 million in Q2-2015 from $1038 million in the year ago quarter.  The OIBDA improvement in the current quarter was driven by a 14 per cent revenue increase on strong affiliate and advertising revenue growth says the company.

     

    The revenue improvement was partially offset by a 16 per cent increase in segment expenses, approximately half of which reflected the combined impact of the planned investments in the new sports channels, Fox Sports 1 and Star Sports, coupled with the consolidation of the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (the YES Network). The expense growth at the new sports channels was led by increased rights fees related to the inaugural broadcast of Major League Baseball Divisional and League Championship playoff games at Fox Sports 1. Segment OIBDA growth was adversely impacted by over $65 million or approximately 6 per cent from foreign exchange rate fluctuations, primarily in Latin America, as mentioned above.

     

    Television business

     

    Fox Television business reported almost flat revenue (drop of 0.4 per cent) at $1623 million in the current quarter versus the $1630 million in the year ago quarter. Television business OIBDA increased 33 per cent in Q2-2015 to $290 million from $218 million in Q2-2014.

     

    The increase in segment OIBDA was driven by lower programming costs at the FOX Broadcast Network from the cancellation of ‘X-Factor’, the absence of’ Glee’ in the current year quarter and the shift of the Major League Baseball League Championship Series to Fox Sports 1, all of which were partially offset by higher rights fees related to the new National Football League contract. Quarterly segment revenues were consistent with those from the corresponding period in the prior year as strong retransmission consent revenue growth was counterbalanced by a 3 per cent decline in advertising revenues. This advertising revenue decline reflects the impact from lower general entertainment ratings at the Fox Broadcast Network, which was partially offset by increased political advertising revenue growth at the local television stations.

     

    Filmed Entertainment business

     

    Filmed Entertainment (FE) business reported revenue growth of 11.1 per cent in Q2-2015 to $2753 million from $2477 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. This growth was led by the performance of several successful worldwide theatrical releases including ‘The Maze Runner’ and ‘Gone Girl’, which have grossed over $340 million and over $365 million in worldwide box office to date, respectively. As a result of these and other successful releases in the year the studio has broken the all-time global box-office industry record, having generated more than $5.5 billion in 2014 claims the company.

     

    FE reported flat OIBDA (down 0.3 per cent) of $336 million versus $337 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. This was due to increased contributions from the film studio, led by a strong theatrical slate was offset by lower contributions from the television production businesses driven by fewer series deliveries, including the absence of ‘How I Met Your Mother’, ‘White Collar’ and ‘Glee’.

     

    Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (DBS)

     

    DBS segment revenue in Q3-2015 was down 56.3 per cent to $663 million from $1517 million in Q2-2014. DBS reported OIBDA of $27 million in Q2-2015 versus $30 million last year.

     

    Consolidated revenues by component

     

    Affiliate Fees grew 17 per cent to $2480 million in Q2-2015 from $2119 million in Q2-2014. Subscription was down 55.7 per cent due to the sale of Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland in Q2-2015 to $605 million from $1366 million in the year ago quarter. Advertising revenue was almost flat down 0.6 per cent) to $2370 million in Q2-2015 as compared to $2385 million in Q2-2014.

     

    Revenue from Content was up 15.4 per cent to $2487 million in the current quarter from $2156 million in Q2-2014. Revenue from ‘Other’ component was down 17.5 per cent to $113 million from $137 million in Q2-2014.

  • AXN welcomes the New Year with best of reality shows and political drama

    AXN welcomes the New Year with best of reality shows and political drama

    MUMBAI: Home to the longest running shows in India, AXN is bringing you the best of International Television this New Year 2015. The channel has a fresh line up of four new shows, fulfilling the promise to keep thrilling and exciting its viewers with – Madam Secretary, Wake Up Call, Top Chef Season 10 and Top Gear Season 21. Starting the year with fast paced cars is Top Gear Season 21 followed by the most spoken about political drama Madam Secretary co-produced by acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman. Emmy Award winning show, Top Chef Seattle with host Padma Lakshmi will be back along with the latest season premiere of Dwayne Johnson’s reality show Wake Up Call.

     

    BAFTA and Emmy award winning series Top Gear, the world best motoring show takes the viewers to amazing locations to test the world’s most powerful and exotic cars. The famous trio of cuttingly funny Jeremy Clarkson, quirky Richard Hammond and contemplative James May makes it hugely entertaining and visually fantastic. Started on Jan 3rd, watch it for the love of automobile and for the love of intelligent entertainment, every Saturday & Sunday at 8:30 pm on AXN India.

     

    Adding to The Not So Ordinary Weekend is the much awaited People’s Choice Award Nominee for New TV Series, Madam Secretary. With this show AXN aims to bring the best of the latest American Television to the Indian viewers. Co-Produced by Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman, the show is a political drama rooted in White House diplomacy. Tea Leoni portrays the role of an unusual politician Elizabeth Faulkner Mc Cord, a former CIA analyst turned college professor promoted suddenly to the position of United States Secretary of State under strange circumstances. In the US, Madam Secretary ranks as Sunday’s #1 scripted broadcast and #4 new series averaging 13.53 million viewers. Witness the drama unfold from Jan 10th every Saturday at 11 pm on AXN India.

     

    The classic and famous Emmy winner cult cookery show Top Chef Seattle Season 10 with the lovely Padma Lakshmi is back to set our taste buds to new gastronomic delicacies with 21 professional chefs. The master of all cookery shows has the judges- Tom Colicchio, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Gail Simmons and Hugh Acheson, all set to evaluate the contestants on some ordinary as well as not so ordinary culinary expertise like knife skills and creating a breakfast on a stick! The thrilling quick fire challenges are back in vogue on Top Chef, starting Jan 26th, Monday to Thursday at 8pm.

     

    A reality show like no other! Dwayne Johnson is back with Season 2 of The Hero – Wake Up Call.The former wrestler and Hollywood actor would be seen lending a helping hand to people who are facing enormous challenges in their lives whether they are dead beat dads, sports team with no team spirit or business owners struggling to survive. Wake up Call produced and hosted by Dwayne Johnson will bring in Rock style motivation on the TV screen, with the motto- when life gives you lemons, crush them! Catch him in all his glory with his team of contestants from Jan 31st every Saturday & Sunday at 9pm.

     

    Commenting on the onset of 2015, Saurabh Yagnik, Executive Vice-president and Business Head, Sony PIX & AXN India said “AXN’s new show line up is all about bringing the best of American TV to Indian television. Dwayne Johnson’s new show Wake Up Call could not have been launched at a better time, the show resonates with the way India feels right now- building a new future. We are delighted to premiere Madam Secretary, which is a welcoming addition to our already wide programming spectrum, a political drama produced by Morgan freeman and Lori McCreary. The channel has been home to Top Gear and Top Chef for years. Top Gear is the best show on automobile, meant for both who love cars and who don’t. We work dedicatedly to bring wide variety of shows and genres and these new shows are a step in the same direction, a New Year gift to our viewers. With world’s best reality shows and drama AXN is definitely a must watch destination for all age groups.”

     

    Drive in to the fast lane with Top Gear which premiered on 3rd January, Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 pm. Watch the captivating political drama unfolding on Madam Secretary starting 10th January, Saturday at 11 pm. Get the kitchen set for new recipes from Top Chef Seattle starting 26th January, Monday to Thursday at 8 pm. Last but not the least, a reality show with a difference Wake Up Call sees all-rounder Dwayne Johnson make a difference in the lives of the commoners premiering on 31st January, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm only on AXN.

    Later during the year 2015, Not so ordinary weekend would be new launching three shows- Golden Globe nominated legal procedural series Ray Donovan starring Wolverine famed Liev Schreiber. Home to singing reality show- The Voice, Season 8 will see the return of the global singing sensation Christina Aguilera making the audiences ask for more! The daily dose of action on the channel ups the ante for the adrenaline lovers with French- Canadian action adventure crime series Transporter Season 2 and the internationally acclaimed series 24. The year 2015 assures to be an exhilarating year for AXN fans.