MUMBAI: Colors Infinity is all set to premiere the latest seasons of two of the most critically acclaimed TV shows of recent time. After the gripping season finale, the channel is all set to showcase Season 3 of Better Call Saul along with the latest season of Fargo, adding to the library of Instant Premieres.
The second season of Better Call Saul allowed fans into a new world of complexity by deepening one of the shows pivotal relationships. Colors Infinity lawyers up this April to showcase season three, as it kicks off with Jimmy and Kim dealing with Chuck and the fallout of their Mesa Verde scheme. The all new season is set to premiere within 12 hours of its US premiere.
Globally acclaimed show Fargo returns to Colors Infinity with its third season on 20 April, 2017, bringing in an all new story and fresh cast. The second season of Fargo received numerous accolades and awards including three Golden Globe as well as several Emmy nominations.The new season of Fargo promises to be the closest tothe original Fargo storyline and theme, starring Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, David Thewlis and Jim Gaffigan.The Fargo story dials back the scale from its second season; making it more intimate neo-noir about desperate people doing things for dubious reasons, triggering a cascade of consequences for a widening array of people. In plot and tone, the premiere strongly evokes the 1996 classic by the Coen brothers that inspires the show’s wintry milieu.
Viacom18 English Entertainement programming head Hashim D’Souza said “While shows such as Fargo and Better Call Saul have immense global popularity, we were pleased to receive a welcoming response from the Indian audience. Viewers today are discerning and are more accepting to fresher, newer content. We have constantly aimed at offeredgy, unique content and are excited to bring the new seasons of Better Call Saul and Fargo for the eager audience. Committed to showcasing engaging content, we are certain that the viewers will welcome the new addition to our line-up.”
In addition to the season premieres, Colors Infinity will also continue to showcase Instant Premieres of shows such as Riverdale, Arrow, The Flash, Shades of Blue, Taken and Blindspot after their respective mid-season hiatuses. Viewers will also get a chance to bid adieu to their newest favorite crime-thriller show The Blacklist: Redemption, until it returns with a new season.
Shows to watch out for in April
Show: Better Call Saul
Date: Tuesday 11 April | Time: 7 pm
Synopsis:
Follow the journey of Jimmy McGill, a con man turning into the ethically clean Saul Goodman. Latch on to the whole new episodes of Better Call Saul as every wrong step ever taken by Saul comes back to haunt him, every wrong decision unraveling deeper drama. Catch Better Call Saul Season 3, to know more about the rip-roaring conflict that engulfs Saul Goodman.
Show: Fargo
Date: Thursday 20 April | Time: 7 pm
Synopsis:
The all new episodes of Fargo on the channel scream out how Every bad decision leads one to many more bad decisions, and it set out a chain that engulfs everyone into madness. Don’t miss out on any bit of insanity as Fargo Season 3 returns with the story of an escalating feud between a pair of brothers, and the intriguing turn of actions that take place.
Ongoing on Colors Infinity
Show: Arrow
Date: Wednesday 26 April | Time: 7 pm
Synopsis:
Jump into the action packed bandwagon as Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak are about to fall out over the Helix hacker group. Is this the last chance for Team Arrow to stop the psychotic Adrian Chase, who recently added a few fresh victims to his murderous rampage? Stay tuned to know more on Arrow Season 5 only on Colors Infinity.
Show: Blindspot
Date: Wednesday 26 April | Time: 8 pm
Synopsis:
As Jane Doe and Roman struggle to get back as much as they can from their past life, lives in New York are in danger with Shepherd planning the massive destruction. Will the FBI ever manage to be a step ahead of the attack that Shepherd has on cards? Stay tuned as Blindspot Season 2 returns from its hiatus only on Colors Infinity.
Show: The Blacklist Redemption
Date: Friday 14 April | Time: 8 pm
Synopsis:
Do not miss the final episode of The Blacklist Redemption as a war strikes between Tom and Scottie before the truth unravels. Watch the final episode Americas most watched crime drama show The Blacklist Redemption only on Colors Infinity.
Show: Riverdale
Date: Thursday 13 April | Time: 7 pm
Synopsis:
Twisted, gooey and messy, expect nothing less from the season finale of the much loved Riverdale! Don’t miss out on the Archie- Betty – Veronica saga as alot of relationships break and many more come together on Riverdale only on Colors Infinity.
Show: Taken
Date: Monday 24 April | Time: 8 pm
Synopsis:
Would things get even messier for Robert and Frances? Or is there something darker that still remains to unravel. Don’t miss the action packed finale of the much anticipated Taken Season 1 only on Colors Infinity.
Tag: Fargo
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Colors Infinity brings new seasons of ‘Fargo’ & ‘Better Call Saul’
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Speculative media reports caused Wells Fargo downgrade: Eros
BENGALURU: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) listed Eros International Media lost nearly 20 per cent of its market value on Monday on the back of American multinational banking and financial services holding company Wells Fargo downgrading its parent company Eros International Plc, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Reacting to a notice from the bourses about the downgrade by Wells Fargo, Eros International Media (Eros) held speculative media reports responsible.
Eros said that analysts downgrade or upgrade stocks regularly and ‘as such that is not a cause for much concern’. Also, the company has responded by pointing out in its reply that Wells Fargo did not revise their own earnings estimate for the quarter or the year end and their price target is $22, well above the price the stock was trading the date it was published. Eros claims in its response that another analyst from Macquire-Tim Nollen, published a very positive report and maintained outperform rating with a $25 target, on the same day as the Wells Fargo report that was published on 23 October, 2015.
Eros’ response to the bourses goes onto assure its shareholders that the company’s fundamentals are strong and there have been no material changes in the previous announced fundamentals. “We continue to be market leaders in the Indian film industry with a dominant share in the global Indian box office. Our library of over 2000 films continues to be of a unique competitive advantage, which we monetise in conjunction with our new release slate of 65-70 films comprising Hindi and regional languages each year, across theatrical, television and digital and ancillary distribution platforms which constitute our diversified revenue streams,” the company said.
The company added that its Q1 results have been strong and nothing materially has changed since then, in fact a further string of hits by the company such as Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Q2. Eros’ Q2 results, which are to be announced towards mid-November, will be strong and will be another opportunity for the company to answer further questions regarding all aspects of its operations and finances during that earnings call.
The response to the BSE and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has been signed by Eros company secretary and compliance officer Dimple Mehta.
At the end of the day’s trade on the BSE, Eros International Media’s stock was down 19.11 per cent to close at Rs 354.40 as compared its Friday close of Rs 438.10. On Monday, the stock opened at Rs 418.80 but saw a drop as word of the Wells Fargo downgrade spread. The stock reached an intra-day low of Rs 351.
On NYSE, shares of the parent company Eros International Plc, which has a market cap of $842.9 million, too have been losing ground over the last one week. As of 23 October, the company’s shares were down 45 per cent to $14.65 in one week on NYSE.
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Videocon d2h expands HD offering to 39, adds two new channels
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has upped its HD channel offering to 39 with the addition of two new channels namely Viacom 18’s Colors Infinity and Fox Group’s Nat Geo Wild HD.
Additionally, the DTH operator has also added Colors Infinity (SD) to its portfolio of channels.
Colors Infinity airs critically-acclaimed series such as Fargo, Orange Is The New Black, Better Call Saul, Forever, The Big C, The Musketeers, My Kitchen Rules and The Flash for the first time in India.
On the other hand, Nat Geo Wild HD will feature wildlife related programs and factual content involving nature, science, culture, and history.
Colors Infinity will be available as channel 183, Colors Infinity HD as channel 184, whereas Nat Geo Wild HD will be available as channel 462 on Videocon d2h.
Subscribers can access Colors Infinity standard definition channel as a part of Diamond Pack available at Rs 385 per month for 407 channels & services. Colors Infinity HD & Nat GeoWild HD will be part of Videocon d2h’s Premium HD add-on and Platinum HD pack available at Rs 590 per month for 452 channels & services.
“We believe that our ability to provide a substantial lineup of top entertainment choices in English, infotainment and HD is the key in serving the needs of India’s premium consumers. And the more such stellar options we provide, the more Videocon d2h will emerge as India’s definitive DTH choice,” said Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot.
Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “By adding new English entertainment channels like Colors Infinity and infotainment channel Nat Geo Wild HD, Videocon d2h is creating a television viewing experience our subscribers can’t get anywhere else. Our aim is to ensure that every Indian home is able to experience top quality entertainment that rivals the world’s most established television markets.”
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Colors Infinity to go on air from 31 July in SD & HD
MUMBAI: The new channel from the Viacom18 stable – Colors Infinity is all set to hit the television screens on 31 July, 2015.
Opening up the doors to international content, the channel’s content is co-curated by Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt.
The channel will showcase a gamut of genres, ranging from drama, superheroes, comedy, fantasy, crime and thrillers to reality television with some of the world’s biggest shows across dancing, cooking, magic, singing and other lifestyle interests.
Colors Infinity will be available across all the major direct-to-home (DTH) and digital cable platforms in standard definition (SD) as well as 1080p high-definition (HD) format with Dolby S5.1 surround sound.
The launch line-up of the channel has international television series like My Kitchen Rules at 8 pm from Monday to Sunday, and back-to-back episodes of a new show like The Flash (season one), The Musketeers (Seasons 1 and 2) Forever (Season 1), The Big C (Seasons 1 to 4), Orange Is The New Black (Seasons 1 to3), Better Call Saul (Season 1) and Fargo (Season 1) everyday at 9 pm.
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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.
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Frances McDormand honoured in Venice
MUMBAI: Oscar-winning actress Frances McDormand has been honoured with the visionary talent award at the Venice Film Festival, ahead of the premier of her new HBO mini-series, Olive Kitteridge which she called the culmination of her life’s work.
McDormand, who is married to director Joel Coen and has starred in several Coen brothers films including Fargo and Burn After Reading, was presented with the Visionary Talent Award for a career that began on Broadway in 1984.
Talking about her new project, McDormand said that she was gratified to be at a film festival with Olive Kitteridge.
In Olive Kitteridge, McDormand plays a witty, acerbic maths teacher in a New England town in a story that spans 25 years, based on a Pulitzer prize-winning collection of short stories by Elizabeth Strout, and directed by Lisa Cholodenko. It is set to air in the US in November.
The actress made her feature film debut 30 years ago in Coen’s Blood Simple. Talking about working in television she said, “Television has allowed all of us to reinvent on our own terms what we want our professional lives to be. For a female elder, action roles in films are limited, but television opens up new possibilities.”
McDormand won the Best Actress Oscar for Fargo and has also been nominated three more times for Mississippi Burning (1988), Almost Famous (2000), and North Country (2005).