ITV

Tag: entertainment

  • Ofcom hits Gamecast UK with £100,000 fine

    Ofcom hits Gamecast UK with £100,000 fine

    MUMBAI: UK’s regulator Ofcom has slapped a hefty £ 100,000 fine on Gamecast UK Limited for the breaching of broadcasting guidelines by its service You TV2.

    Cellcast UK Limited, the parent company of Gamecast, was hauled up before the Ofcom sanctions committee after complaints that its service had transmitted six minutes of sexually explicit material on the afternoon of 1 September 2005 on TV2, which is a free-to-air service.
    You TV2 currently transmits material promoting adult chat lines and is placed in the adult section of the Electronic Programme Guide under its You TV2 licence.

    Ofcom also received a complaint that Gamecast was broadcasting a pre-recorded quiz, on 28 July 2005, but had not informed viewers that the telephone number was not live.

    A complaint was made by a member of the general public concerning a quiz called Guess the Celebrity Live, part of a programme called Play2Win.

    You TV2 is a free-to-air service provided by Gamecast UK Limited. At the time of the investigation You TV2 was a family entertainment service operating in the entertainment section of the Electronic Programme Guide.

  • Eros, Intel team up to bring Bollywood movies from PC to TVs

    Eros, Intel team up to bring Bollywood movies from PC to TVs

    MUMBAI: Eros International and Intel Corporation have announced the debut of Eros’s latest Bollywood service on Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

    Accelerating the on-demand, broadband-delivered Bollywood content to PCs connected to TVs, the companies announced plans for the pre-DVD online premiere of the Arjun Rampal starrer I See You, within weeks of its global theatrical release. The film released on 29 December 2006.

    At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Eros and Intel demonstrated the new service, which delivers access to Bollywood entertainment, including high-definition movies, music videos, day and date premieres, evergreen blockbusters and timeless classics, from the web to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs for viewing and enjoyment on large screen TVs. The Eros service will offer rental, subscription, download to own at launch and even download to burn models in the future, informs an official release.

    “Our effort with Intel will give us the opportunity to serve an even broader audience worldwide, enter new markets and gain new revenue streams, while exploring and embracing a variety of exciting new digital distribution technologies, such as Intel Viiv technology. We are a content company that believes in empowering consumers so they can watch what they want, when they want, how they want,” said Eros chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla.

    “Through Intel Viiv technology and our collaboration with Eros, we’re bringing the world directly into consumers’ living rooms at the touch of a button. Intel’s goal is to accelerate the availability of broadband-delivered entertainment into every home. And, with Intel Viiv technology, we’re helping to change the economics of distribution and allow more people around the world to enjoy exciting content, irrespective of their physical location,” said Intel’s Digital Home Group vice president and content services group GM Kevin Corbett.

  • Rive Gauche Television to slate array of reality, docu shows at Natpe

    Rive Gauche Television to slate array of reality, docu shows at Natpe

    MUMBAI: Rive Gauche Television SVP sales Dorothy Crompton, has announced that its slating out a catalogue of reality and documentary programming to international broadcasters at Natpe.
    Crompton said, “We look forward to bringing our ever-growing line-up to global broadcasters at Natpe because it reflects Rive Gauche’s commitment to refreshing the content level and quality of our properties. Rive Gauche has experienced tremendous growth over the last year and we anticipate continued success for our entire catalogue in 2007.”

    Entertainment and Reality Series:

    The Dog Whisperer, season three (20 x 60’) is hosted by canine psychologist Cesar Millan. Millan teaches dog owners to become the pack leader to resolve their pet’s behavioral issues. The series follows Cesar as he visits homes, and works with dogs and their distraught owners to solve the behavior problems.

    Produced by MPH Entertainment, The Dog Whisperer is already sold in 15 territories, including BskyB (UK); NHK B.F. (Japan); TV4 (Sweden); SBS (Netherlands); TV2 (Denmark) and TVNZ (New Zealand) and UBC (Thailand), asserts an official release.

    Is That A Nail In Your Head? (6 x 60’) showcases the shocking, true stories of medical science – all caught on tape. The series features patients who cope with real-life medical battles, facing staggering odds of recovery. Featuring video coverage of medical procedures, Is That a Nail In Your Head? allows viewers to explore the extremes of medicine and health conditions. The series is produced by LMNO.

    Beyond The Badge (10 x 60’) showcases footages of catastrophic crashes, shootouts and attacks on officers captured from police cruiser dashboard-mounted cameras, helicopters and television news crew. The series is a co-production of Matchlight Entertainment and Rive Gauche Television.

    Outrageous Home Videos (3 x 60’) captures the hilarious, candid action of kids in Crazy Kids Clips, Party Fouls and bizarre holiday moments in Holiday Bloopers from unique home video footage. The series is produced by Discovery.

    Documentary Specials:

    Dino Lab (1 x 60’) combines the latest scientific technology with a cast of living, breathing digital dinosaurs created by the same electronic animators who first brought the creatures to life in the Discovery Channel’s Dinosaur Planet. A wide variety of prehistoric creatures are dropped into a modern, controlled laboratory setting where lab technicians attempt to assess the creatures’ abilities with a variety of experiments.

    Outside the lab, technicians put the digital dinosaurs through “real-life” trials, demonstrating their colossal size and strength. The testing space – part Olympic training facility, part obstacle course— is designed to illustrate paleontologists’ latest insights about these creatures in a dramatic and highly entertaining way. Dino Lab is produced by Quiet Motion and is distributed by Rive Gauche Entertainment.

    Cuba: A Lifetime of Passion (1 x 60’) looks at the current reality of the Cuban revolution and its uncertain future. This documentary highlights present-day Cuba, its revolutionary past and its impending changes. After four decades in power, Fidel Castro remains the central divisive figure in a decades-long struggle over what Cuba is, the meaning of the Cuban experience and the country’s future.

    With perspectives from the nation’s citizens, those within the exiled Cuban community in Miami, and American officials in Washington, this documentary reveals how Cuban-Americans and native Cubans are at odds about the country’s future.

  • Disney’s Robert Iger unveils redesigned Disney.com at Consumer Electronics Show

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert Iger unveiled the newly redesigned and enhanced Disney.com web site at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show.

    The site will be launched later this month, informs an official release.

    “We are witnessing an explosion of media and Disney is both reaping the benefits of that explosion and acting as a catalyst by taking a technology-friendly approach,” said Iger, noting that the company was the first to offer movies and TV shows for download on iTunes last year.

    Taking advantage of the growth of broadband and new web tools, Disney.com is an interactive experience that offers personalization and community-building amidst a broad array of Disney entertainment, products and services.

    Disney Xtreme Digital (Disney XD), the broadband centerpiece of the new site, will allow guests to personalize their favorite Disney content as well as watch and share with others videos, including television shows and shorts; chat with friends, listen to music; create playlists; and enjoy an array of games.

    Disney.com guests will also be able to access premium content through Disney XD, such as the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean Online multiplayer game, which is set to launch in 2007, adds the release.

    “Disney.com is the digital doorway into Disney and both a destination and a portal into a vibrant, rich online entertainment experience for children, parents and people genuinely interested in Disney,” Iger said.

     

  • Fujitsu Siemen’s new product looks to take entertainment on the PC to the next level

    Fujitsu Siemen’s new product looks to take entertainment on the PC to the next level

    MUMBAI: European IT provider Fujitsu Siemens Computers has launched its new range of entertainment PCs. the aim is to immserse th consumer into digital entertainment.

    The firm says that the high definition images and crisp surround sound makes users feel like they have dived into the PC game, or in the audience at a live concert. The flatscreen monitors are designed to fit seamlessly into the living room says the firm.

    The Scaleo EV PC has integrated Intel Viiv technology and is now more silent thanks to an improved housing and cooling concept.

    The Scaleo EV allows instant control of all TV, DVDs, music, films, photos and radio with one remote control. With the Intel High Definition Audio and 7.1 surround sound, one can listen to the cinema-like audio quality via the stereo.

    The digital video recorder (PVR) also lets viewers pause, record, and replay from the TV. This is the hub of the digital home – music stored on the PC can be played on the stereo, photos can be accessed on the television and stormed fils can be watched on other clients as laptops. It can store up to 320 GB of data, as well as thousands of photos.

  • Saregama to launch entertainment portal

    Saregama to launch entertainment portal

    MUMBAI: As part of its restructuring strategy, India’s oldest music company Saregama is increasing its digital presence. The RPG Group firm is launching an entertainment portal where it will make available music, movies and a whole host of other products.

    Consumers can download music through the portal and movies will be added on. “We will have a subscription and ad revenue model as well. The portal is likely to be called saregama.com. The aim is to make the portal the digital supermarket of entertainment,” says RPG Enterprises – Entertainment Sector president and CEO Subroto Chattopadhyay.

    Saregama generates 15 per cent of its revenues from the digital format. The company’s turnover stood at Rs 1.19 billion during the fiscal ended 31 March 2006.

    Saregama has also digitised 190,000 out of the 300,000 tracks it owns. “We will have the remaining content digitised. We will start work on it by April-May. We have a vast library of content. During the digitisation process, we discovered that we had 30,000 tracks in Tamil. The challenge is for us to go out and make our products locally relevant,” says Chattopadhyay.

    The company is making a re-entry into films and has taken on board BR Sharan of Lalita-ji Surf ad fame and noted film actor-director Aparna Sen who will look after the Hindi and Bangla movies. “We will be producing movies in these two languages initially. We have taken in Sharan and Sen for this purpose,” says Chattopadhyay.

    Saregama is also going to produce TV content in Hindi and Bangla. Sharan, Sen and noted cinematographer Vijaylakshmi will be taking care of the TV content business as well. The company already produces 14 hours of programming per week for the Sun network channels.
     

  • HBO launches mobile Vod service in Korea

    HBO launches mobile Vod service in Korea

    MUMBAI: HBO has announced a deal with telecommunications company SK Telecom for a mobile video on demand service in Korea. The service launched a few days ago.

    The mobile service features full episodes from HBO’s series Sex and the City, Six Feet Under and Curb Your Enthusiasm. SK Telecom is supporting the launch by offering a free one month trial period to 21 January, making four episodes of both Sex and the City and Six Feet Under available during that time.

    HBO International senior VP Stanley Fertig says, ” With one of the most advanced mobile networks on earth, SK Telecom is a leader in providing on-demand mobile entertainment to its subscribers. This deal is also an example of the many opportunities HBO is finding around the world as digital technology advances in the international marketplace.”

  • CNN-IBN celebrates the few who made a difference

    CNN-IBN celebrates the few who made a difference

    MUMBAI: As part of 60 years of Indian Independence celebrations, CNN-IBN is instituting an annual award CNN-IBN Indian of the Year. This will recognise the Indians whose contribution to the country in 2006 has strengthened the social foundation and helped build brand India in the process. The objective is to create the highest, non-governmental, civilian award conferred on an individual. Additionally, it will provide both a national and international platform to recognise, showcase and revere Indian achievements across different walks of life.

    The awards will salute the best and the most dynamic Indian icons across six main categories: Politics, business, entertainment, sports, public service and NRI. Votes from the public and the electoral college, both holding equal weightage, will then decide the most superlative candidate to be the Indian of the Year!

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “We at CNN-IBN feel that many Indians and their accomplishments often go unnoticed and so we took it upon ourselves to create an award that would do just the contrary. The CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award will not only recognise, but also felicitate such achievers. The sheer credibility of the channel as well as the involvement of great personalities in the thorough selection process will lend immense authority to this title.”

    CNN-IBN and IBN 7 national sales head Sanjay Dua says, “CNN-IBN Indian of the Year is a property that I am confident brands will find this platform very attractive and lucrative. They will find a sense of pride in being associated with such a prestigious title as it represents Indian achievements across various disciplines, and takes it to an international level”.

    The Judiciary council in concurrence with the TV 18 Editorial Group will undertake the preliminary step of generating a list of prospective nominees for each category. The Council is an elite club of five Padma awardees: Padma Shri Geet Sethi, six times World’s Billards Champion; Padma Vibhushan Soli Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India; Padma Bhushan Nandan Nilekani, CEO of Infosys Technologies; Padma Bhushan Deepak Parekh, Chairman of HDFC and Padma Shri Kiran Bedi, a Magsaysay award recipient.

    Electing winners for each group will be a three-tier process involving the Judiciary Council, the Electoral College and the citizens of India. The Electoral College, composed of 250 eminent citizens, each recognised in their respective fields, will vote for their chosen aspirant(s). The process of Vox Populi will be conducted simultaneously, through two means: ibnlive.com – for online casting of the citizen’s franchise and 2622 – voting through people’s mobile phones. Both, the Electoral College and the Indian public will be assigned 50 per cent of the vote weightage in determining winners from within every category.

    The Indian of the Year besides being bestowed with this exalted title will also receive a trophy provided by Swarovski CCB at an event held in Delhi on 6 February.

  • Rajshri Media appoints Limelight as streaming content provider for its broadband website

    Rajshri Media appoints Limelight as streaming content provider for its broadband website

    MUMBAI: Rajshri Media, the digital entertainment arm of the Rajshri Group, has appointed content delivery network Limelight as the exclusive provider of streaming content delivery services for Rajshri.com, the recently launched broadband entertainment destination.

    Utilizing Limelight’s worldwide network, Rajshri.com will be able to deliver its library of content globally.

    As reported earlier, Rajshri.com, which aims to cater to the diaspora, was launched with the premiere of Vivah on the portal simultaneously with its theatrical release. Focusing on India centric video content, the site currently claims to serve more than 3,000 hours of full length Indian movies, music videos, TV shows, short films, documentaries and other video content and programming.

    The content offering is being scaled up and Rajshri.com will soon introduce new channels featuring content on spirituality, yoga, recipes, astrology and numerology. In addition, the website is also looking at original video programming, conceived and produced for distribution via new media to digitally connected consumers worldwide. The scalability of the Limelight network will ensure that viewers are provided with a high-quality media experience at all times, informs an official release.

    Rajshri Media managing director Rajjat A Barjatya said, “The non-resident Indian audience is estimated to be more than 25 million strong with an equally strong non-Indian audience. This audience is fragmented and difficult to reach through traditional media but connects very strongly with Indian entertainment, especially Bollywood. The penetration of broadband and 3G networks, especially in developed markets, gives us the ability to distribute rich content, including long form video, to consumers worldwide, including markets which traditional media has not been able to penetrate. We are proud to partner with Limelight and are happy to announce we have received a phenomenal response, having already crossed 4 million video streams within a fortnight of launch.”

    “We are delighted that Rajshri Media has chosen us as their exclusive partner to deliver high quality video content to audiences across the globe,” said Limelight Networks vice president Asia-Pacific Matthew H. Sturgess. “To make Rajshri’s vision a reality, our highly scalable next generation content delivery network enables them to simultaneously deliver huge video files–including feature films that are over three hours long–to audiences of any size, anywhere in the world.”

  • Zoom to launch shows on celebrities and entertainment

    Zoom to launch shows on celebrities and entertainment

    MUMBAI: Lets Talk a celebrity chat show produced by Miditech is scheduled for launch on 19 November at 11:30 am on lifestyle channel Zoom.

    The weekly show will be hosted by RJ and actor Tarana.

    Tarana brings viewers face to face with the Bollywood stars introducing them as personalities behind the famous faces and giving insights into their lives as regular people; not as celebrities.

    Let’s Talk offers a freewheeling chat with film personalities, which gives a peak into their personal lives.

    Miditech says that Lets Talk has been shot in select outdoor locations to create a positive environment and ambience to make the guest comfortable. The show has ingredients of fun, emotions, bonding and laughter with a general feel good factor. The forthcoming episodes of Lets Talk will feature Shreyas Talpade, Amrita Rao and Riya Sen as the celebrity guests.

    Miditech had previously produced Main Hoon for Zoom TV. The programme aired over 100 episodes in two years.

    Meanwhile, as already reported, Zoom will also launch an entertainment news show Popkorn Newz hosted by Barkha Bisht.

    The show will see apperances by stars both from the big and small screen. There will be news, interviews, entertainment trivia as well as in-depth insights on the news stories; from Bollywood to the Indian Tellywood.