ITV

Tag: Endemol

  • Endemol buys back Endemol France from Telefónica

    Endemol buys back Endemol France from Telefónica

    MUMBAI: Endemol has announced a deal to buy back Endemol France from parent company Telefónica.

    Endemol has valued the transaction up to 450 million euros. Of this amount 194 million euros will be deferred over a period of four years and will be subject to the performance of Endemol France, linked to the realisation of the business plan 2007- 2010 approved by the Board of Endemol France. The transaction will be financed by bank debt and future cash flow.

    In 2006 Endemol France is expected to realise net turnover of around 175 million euros at a normalised EBITDA margin which is considerably above the average of the Group. Endemol France’s business mix is 10 per cent digital media and 90 per cent non-scripted, led by formats such as Star Academy, Deal or No Deal and Watch Your Step.

  • Channel 4 extends ‘Big Brother’ to 2010

    Channel 4 extends ‘Big Brother’ to 2010

    MUMBAI: British broadcaster Channel 4 has extended its partnership with reality show Big Brother for another three years, to continue till 2010.

    The re-commissioning of the Endemol produced show will also include the spinoff programming Celebrity Big Brother, Big Brother/Little Brother and Big Brother/Big Mouth.

    After tasting success in the global market, Endemol brought the format to Indian shores earlier this year, in the form of Bigg Boss on Sony Entertainment Television.

  • Endemol expects organic growth in turnover to the tune of 15 per cent

    Endemol expects organic growth in turnover to the tune of 15 per cent

    MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has announced that the sound performance in the first half-year of 2006 continued into the third quarter of 2006. The company has enjoyed growth in all genres and most of its territories.
    The overall financial outlook for 2006 remains good. Turnover is expected to grow organically by more than 15 per cent. The previous guidance 11-13 per cent.

    The performance has been fuelled by the success of the game show Deal or No Deal. The show Endemol says has enjoyed popularity in most of the 45 territories where it has been produced so far this year, the most significant examples being the US and the UK. The success of DOND triggered an increasing demand for game shows worldwide. This has had a very positive effect for Endemol, helping the company to close a number of deals in several territories for other game shows.

    These include 1 vs. 100 a revamped format from Endemol’s library, and new formats Show me the Money and Set for Life. 1 vs. 100 is already sold in 15 territories, and is likely to roll out further in the near future thanks to successful debuts in the USA on NBC and in the UK on BBC One. The show’s mid-October launch on NBC scored the highest 18-49 rating for any non-sports Friday telecast on any network since January 2005. NBC ordered 10 additional episodes just after its launch. On BBC ONE the show has been achieving very strong ratings, peaking at 7.4 million viewers and a 33.6% share.

    Endemol CEO Elías Rodríguez-Viña says, “In the third quarter we have continued to perform strongly across the group. We are confident that the full year results will continue to show growth in turnover and looking further ahead we remain optimistic about the future of the group.”

  • Endemol announces deal with Hong Kong broadcasters

    Endemol announces deal with Hong Kong broadcasters

    MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has announced its first ever license deals in Hong Kong. The two main broadcasters in the territory have bought game shows.
    Asia Television (ATV) has ordered over 60 episodes of 1 vs. 100. The show is due to launch at the end of September and will run initially as weekly specials then as daily shows.

    The series will have attached to it a range of digital media applications including a fully interactive 3G TV game – the first time this has been done in the region.

    Over on Television Broadcasts (TVB), more than 50 episodes of Deal or No Deal are due to run as weekly shows launching in early October. The deals will see both series also broadcast into southern Chinese Cantonese provinces, Guangdong and Guangxi.

    Endemol International’s Licensing Manager, Asia Julian Curtis says, “This is the first time Endemol has sold its shows into Hong Kong and it’s great to have secured deals with both broadcasters at once.”

    1 vs. 100 has now been sold to 11 countries worldwide including US broadcaster NBC and the UK where it will launch on BBC One later this year.

    Endemol says, Deal or No Deal has been picked up by over 45 countries including NBC in the US and in the UK where Channel 4 have signed a two year deal.

  • Sony to launch ‘Kaajjal’ on 9 Oct; ‘Bigg Boss’ coming mid-November

    Sony to launch ‘Kaajjal’ on 9 Oct; ‘Bigg Boss’ coming mid-November

    MUMBAI: The channel may have dropped out of the ratings reckoning, but Sony Entertainment India is now making its best efforts to make a comeback.

    Sony will unleash its big ticket soap Kaajjal, produced by K Sera Sera’s Twenty Twenty TV, on 9 October, whereas the much-awaited Bigg Boss, the Indianised version of Big Brother, is targeting a mid-November launch.

    “We are planning to launch Kaajjal, a daily soap, on 9 October. The schedule and slot details for this soap are yet to be finalised,” Sony COO NP Singh tells indiantelevision.com, while not revealing his plans for Bigg Boss.

    However, market sources inform that Bigg Boss will hit the airwaves by mid-November – immediately after the Champions Trophy gets over. “Bigg Boss will be a prime time show, running Monday through Friday. The show will feature about 15 celebrities and the participants will include Bollywood stars, cricketers and politicians. Bigg Boss will get over by January 2007,” says a source.

    According to Singh, Sony will kick off the Bigg Boss promotions by the second week of October. “The on-air promotions are already on. Now we will be looking at outdoors and the other media platforms in a big way for the second phase of the campaign,” he says.

    The Indian version of Bigg Brother will be Sony’s fourth Endemol acquisition after Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul and Fear Factor India. Reportedly, Big Brother contributes to over 25 per cent of the format owner Endemol’s revenues internationally.

    The Big Brother (Bigg Boss) format requires 10 – 15 contestants living in a house rigged with cameras recording every moment of their lives. The contestants are deprived of contact with the outside world except those allowed by the editorial team. Every week there are tasks to perform, which test their community spirit and team-work. Throughout the series, the contestants are required to nominate two of their number to be voted out of the house.

    Bigg Boss acquires a crucial place in Sony’s gameplan for the coming days as nearest rivals Star and Zee have also unveiled big projects to sustain their performance. To boost is daily 8 pm slot, Star Plus has opted for a sci-fi series, Antariksh. Zee has launched its mega soap project Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann for the crucial 10 pm slot and has Antakshari and Cine Star Ki Khoj coming up next in the pipeline.

    Star One is gunning for huge jump in channel shares with Nach Baliye 2, the celebrity dance show that propelled the channel’s performance in 2005, and a brand new soap Betiyaan apni yaa…Paraaya Dhan. Countering the Star property on the reality front is Sony’s Jhalak Dikhla Ja, the Indian adaptation of the ABC reality show Dancing with the Stars.

    For the time being, Sony’s gameplan has a lot to do with these well acclaimed international formats. It remains to be seen, whether these international properties will be able to drive Sony to a position of strength in the coming days.

  • Endemol expands presence with acquisition

    Endemol expands presence with acquisition

    MUMBAI: Global television format creator and distributor Endemol will acquire a 51 per cent stake in Germ, an interactive television format firm Callactive.

    It has also launched a new participation TV show in the US. The transaction in Germany is subject to the approval of the German anti-trust authorities. Endemol has options to further increase its stake in the future.

    Callactive specialises in call TV interactive television formats in Germany and Switzerland. Its customers include Viva Plus (Germany). Callactive is located in Munich and will serve as Endemol’s call TV platform for German speaking countries/areas. Callactive will continue to operate under the same name, headed by its current MD Stephan Mayerbacher.

    Meanwhile in the US, Endemol has launched a live participation TV show called Midnight Money Madness. The two-hour show went to air two weeks ago. This is the first time Endemol has brought its interactive television experience to viewers in the US.

    Endemol digital media director Job van Wagensveld says, “With the acquisition of 51 per cent of Callactive in Germany and the launch of Midnight Money Madness in the United States we are adding two important new territories to our participation TV activities. We are now operating successfully world wide in over 25 countries with more to come. We are very pleased with these developments and expect to grow our leading position in this business further in the coming years.”

  • Sahara One, Endemol present Super Star reality show

    Sahara One, Endemol present Super Star reality show

    NEW DELHI: You think you look like Shah Rukh Khan. You think you move like Khan. You think you act like him. But for one night, can you make millions believe you really are Shah Rukh Khan?

    Coming this September, Sahara One Television brings alive a brand new reality concept, Super Stars, in association with Endemol India.

    The new show proposes to provide Bollywood fans with an opportunity to showcase their talent and perform as their favourite star.

    This international format has seen a production of over 70-odd series in 20 countries across the globe under different names like Sound Mix and Stars in the Eyes.

    The Indian version of this show kick starts with a five-city audition on Sahara One starting 10 August, 2006.

    In each episode, contestants compete by copying their favourite artist as faithfully as possible.

    “India is a nation obsessed with Bollywood. There are temples, clubs, associations dedicated to film actors. Dancing and singing is not only about performing; it’s a passion that drives the souls of many. It’s our endeavour to provide a national platform for such talent,” Sahara One COO Purnendu Bose says.

    The jury for Super Stars includes Bollywood heavy weights like the gorgeous Urmila Matondkar and ace choreographer Shiamak Davar. There would be floating judges too for particular episodes.

    The whole of August, Super Stars will do a nation-wide hunt in an attempt to unearth the flair people possess to be like their stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Kajol, Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor, Hritik Roshan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

    The contestants will be judged on three parameters – look and style, acting and dance — and will vie for the ultimate honour: the title of Super Star.

    According to Endemol India MD Rajesh Kamat, “We are very excited to partner with Sahara One Television on this special format. It is a show people will connect with and it will feature people that they will connect with.”

    Kamath added that they have received “tremendous response” from people. Aspirants aged 18 years and above can walk in and audition at the city level. This would be applicable to five cities that include Ludhiana (August 10-12), New Delhi (August 13-14), Kolkata (August 17-18), Bhopal (August 20-21) and Mumbai (August 22-23).

    Hundred and twenty winners from the regional auditions will be invited to Mumbai and groomed by experts.

    Sahara One Television is part of the umbrella brand Sahara One, whose other businesses include Sahara One Motion Pictures, which is India’s largest player in the motion pictures business.

    Endemol is a global leader in television and other audiovisual entertainment. The company creates premium entertainment ideas and sells them to the world’s leading broadcasters. Subsequently, the company exploits the value of its brands across other media and communications platforms including mobile phones and the Internet.

  • Star Plus partners HLL for kids talent hunt show; Endemol to produce

    Star Plus partners HLL for kids talent hunt show; Endemol to produce

    MUMBAI: Star Plus is kicking off its programming series with high advertiser participation with the kids talent hunt show Rin Mera Star Super Star. The channel has teamed up with the FMCG major Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) for the initiative. Endemol India has been roped in as the producer of the show.

    Rin Mera Star Super Star is a nationwide talent hunt dedicated to unearthing talent in children aged 5-14. The programme promises to offer a national platform for talented children to showcase their potential in three categories – singing, acting and dancing. The winning contestant will get a scholarship of Rs 5,00,000 to help him/her pursue the dream of becoming an artist or to take up future education, states an official release.

    Rin Mera Star Super will be aired every Friday on Star Plus at 7:30 pm beginning September 2006.

    With Rin Mera Star Super Star, HLL’s brand promotion, Rin Advanced White Star Hunt, is being taken to national television. Since June, over 1,00,000 children across 22 cities have already auditioned and the entries are still coming in. Around 2,000 schools are also participating in the audition process. The top 50 kids from across the country will compete for the coveted crown on Star Plus, the release adds.

    Speaking on the initiative, says Star India ad sales & distribution president Paritosh Joshi said, “This is our first show of this scale, which has focused on strategic brand solutions. And for the first time an advertiser, with the brand, Rin, is a strategic content partner. To enliven brands in the minds of consumers through content takes our partnership with advertisers to a new level, making us a partner of our advertisers.”

    HLL marketing manager Priya Nair adds, “Rin is all about making an impression and a talent hunt among kids is the perfect arena. Many children are blessed with amazing talent and Rin provides them with a great platform to make an impression.”

    Says HLL media services GM Rahul Welde, “This marks a new approach to brand building with a much higher level of engagement than the more traditional forms of commercial advertising. The launch of this show is a true win-win association for Rin and Star, providing Rin a nationwide platform from which to communicate with consumers and Star, an excellent format show to entertain its audiences”.

    Endemol India MD Rajesh Kamat offers, “Rin Mera Star Super Star is a combination of entertainment and branding, a concept which will be brought alive on TV in a fun and exciting show. This is one of the first local formats that we have developed and we look forward to creating many such shows for Indian television”.

  • Carter appointed as president of FremantleMedia Creative Networks

    Carter appointed as president of FremantleMedia Creative Networks

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has appointed Gary Carter to the newly created position of president, FremantleMedia Creative Networks. It is a new division combining the currently separate departments of Worldwide Drama and Worldwide Entertainment.

    He joins the FremantleMedia operating board with immediate effect and will report to FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen.

    In his new role, Carter will build on FremantleMedia’s creative success in drama and entertainment programming. He will also be responsible for driving the company’s increasing emphasis on in-house programme development, working with its global network of more than 20 production companies, as well as coordinating with FremantleMedia Enterprises, which comprises its ancillary exploitation businesses, Fremantle International Distribution and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide.

    Carter will also continue in his role as chief creative officer, FMX (formerly known as New Platforms), part of FremantleMedia Creative Networks, working with producers to create new brands and concepts specifically for mobile, broadband, game consoles and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television).

    Carter joined Worldwide Entertainment in January 2005, having been a consultant for the company since August 2003. He worked closely with the division to set the overall strategic and creative direction and the operational agenda. He also provided central support to the development, acquisition and exploitation of entertainment formats which have international potential, and drove entertainment development activities across the company globally.

    Prior to setting up his own consulting business, he was executive director, programme affairs, at Endemol Entertainment International for five years and was responsible for the roll out of its key programme brands. Before joining Endemol, he was international business manager for Planet 24 Productions and a literary agent for Roger Hancock for almost 10 years.

    Alan Boyd, currently president of Worldwide Entertainment, will be changing his role in the company. He will take on a new role as a special advisor to Tony Cohen, where he will have particular responsibility for consulting on the Idols and The X Factor franchises, as well as consulting on creative and company issues and producer training. He will also act as a special advisor to RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler, consulting on programming matters and entertainment output across the RTL Group of channels as well as creative training for group executives.

    Mike Murphy, currently President of Worldwide Drama, will also change his role. He will remain a key part of the Worldwide Drama team working on FremantleMedia serial dramas around the world, as well as focussing on building FremantleMedia’s scripted business in the US, a priority growth area for the company. He is currently executive producer on Bianca, a 20-part primetime telenovela that FremantleMedia first made in Germany and that FremantleMedia North America is now producing for US network Lifetime Television. Murphy will oversee production of the US version of Bianca in Australia.

    Cohen said, “Gary is a very talented executive and will play a crucial role in future working with our producers to build on our tremendous success in scripted and unscripted programming around the world and to drive forward our in-house programme development. Mike has made a fantastic contribution to growing our international drama business over the past few years and I am delighted that he will now focus on the vital task of building on our scripted business in the US. I am also delighted that Alan has agreed to become a special advisor to FremantleMedia and RTL Group. He has done a tremendous job of overseeing the roll-out of the Idols brand and his years of production and commissioning experience will continue to prove a great asset to the company.”

    Carter added, “I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to drive FremantleMedia’s creative output into the global market with our exceptional team of producers and executives in both drama and entertainment. I look forward to building on the fantastic legacy that Mike and Alan have achieved and I’m excited about the challenge of creating new hits for television as well as for new platforms and working with FremantleMedia Enterprises to ensure the company develops programmes with significant off-air, interactive and international distribution potential.”

  • ‘Big Brother’ comes a knocking on Sony this November

    ‘Big Brother’ comes a knocking on Sony this November

    MUMBAI: Big Brother, Endemol’s top format show of 2005 in terms of turnover, is all set to launch on Sony Entertainment Television this year.

    Likely to hit the air waves right after the Champions Trophy ends in November; the show will have 12 celebrities from the films, television, music, modelling and sports frat under house arrest for 100 days and that too under constant surveillance by 35 cameras. Some of the personalities that the channel is in talks with are Pooja Bedi, Simone Singh and Arshad Warsi, to name a few.

    Big Brother, which contributes to over 25 per cent of Endemol’s revenues internationally, also has a lot of scope for spin-off segments. “We can have segments with psychiatrists talking about the behaviour of people who are participating in the show. There will also be an eviction talk show, wherein people who are voted out in each episode can speak about what transpired inside and why they feel they were voted out. More such spin-offs on the show like Big Brother’s Little Brother, Big Brain and Big Mouth will also be there,” says Endemol India managing director Rajesh Kamat.

    What’s more, Sony will also be looking at streaming Big Brother episodes on the internet. “Web streaming is definitely a possibility and we are looking at it very seriously,” says SET India senior vice president and programming head Anupama Mandloi.

    “In India we have seen that soaps and stories that are told well, deliver. Big Brother is a queen of all soaps and is very unpredictable too. We are sure that it is going to be huge and will break the clutter. The show will also be toned to match Indian sensibilities and culture,” Mandloi adds.

    Apart from Big Brother, preparations are also underway to launch Extreme Makeover some time early next year, which is being produced by Miditech. The call for entries began on 4 July and will continue till 18 July.

    And if you thought that was all from the Sony stable, think again! Shooting for the second season of Fear Factor India is also currently under way in Argentina. While last time we saw telly actors participating in the show, this time round one can look forward to some Bollywood actors doing some real time stunts – minus the body doubles – in Fear Factor India. Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan are two action stars who come top of mind… well we’ll have to wait and watch if they’re there!

    So it’ll sure be another reality bonanza on Sony!