ITV

Tag: Fox

  • Fox puts select archives on auction for Motion Picture and Television Fund in the US

    Fox puts select archives on auction for Motion Picture and Television Fund in the US

    MUMBAI: The Motoion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) in the US has announced that Twentieth Century Fox has culled its archives and donated more than 200 rare documents including signed contracts and internal memos to be sold at an auction to benefit the Fund.

    Items in the auction represent dealings with over 50 Hollywood legends including: Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and Elvis Presley. Films involvef include Seven Year Itch, Miracle on 34th Street, The King and I, All About Eve and Love Me Tender.

    The auction called From the Twentieth Century Fox Archives: Documents from the Golden Age of Hollywood, will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue available at www.swanngalleries.com.

    The auction, scheduled for 25 January, 2007, will be conducted by Swann Auction Galleries in New York City. Proceeds from the sale will directly benefit the MPTF insurance fund that provides health insurance for actors.

    Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman and CEO Tom Rothman says, “Fox’s heritage reflects Hollywood itself and our well maintained document archives are a Tut’s Tomb of movie history. These papers are so cool that, as a fan of that history, I will have to restrain myself from bidding on each item. This donation is intended to get the past out of file cabinets into the hands of film lovers and let it serve the present through the MPTF. We also hope this auction might inspire other studios to follow suit.”

  • Fox to release dubbed film in India

    Fox to release dubbed film in India

    MUMBAI: On 29 December, Twentieth Century Fox International will be releasing Museum Ke Andar Phas Gaya Sikandar in India.

    This is the first time ever in the history of Indian cinema that Twentieth Century Fox is releasing a film only in the dubbed versions all over India. The English comedy, featuring Ben Stiller , Robin Williams and Owen Wilson, is called Night At The Musuem.

    Fox will be releasing Museum Ke Andar Phas Gaya Sikandar only in Hindi all India. The film will also be released in Tamil and Telegu in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh respectively. It will be released in metros, mini metros, B & C grade towns in over 300 screens across India.

    Fox marketing manager George John says, “Over the past three years, we have seen tremendous potential for Hollywood films in India. It is our endeavor to expand the market for Hollywood in India and to provide the best entertainment available to the family audiences in a language that cuts across all audiences!.”

    The Hindi script has been written by Kiran Kotrial and is voiced by Damandeep Singh, Anil Datt and Saurabh Agarawal for Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson respectively. The script has been written keeping in mind Indian sensibilities interspersed with local wit and humour.

    John adds, “Museum Ke Andar Phas Gaya Sikandar is a comedy adventure film with state of the art special effects of the scale that’s not available in Indian films! It is our intention to give the movie audience for Museum Ke Andar Phas Gaya Sikandar the right kind of screens to enjoy the movie. As a result, the ambience will be right, language will not be a hindrance and the whole movie experience will be more enjoyable.”

  • Fox, Ciwen, Fortune Star to co-produce Chinese martial arts film

    Fox, Ciwen, Fortune Star to co-produce Chinese martial arts film

    MUMBAI: MFox, Beijing Ciwen Digital Oriental Film & TV Production (Ciwen) and Fortune Star have entered into an agreement to co-produce a costume martial arts film in China – Gold Bandits (working title) – with an anticipated production start date of June 2007.

    Hong Kong filmmaker Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs, Initial D) will produce and direct the film and writer/director Gordon Chan is currently working on the script. The film will also be produced by Ciwen GM Ma Zhong-Jun and Fortune Star GM Peter E. Poon.

    Under the agreement, Ciwen will be responsible for the film’s distribution in mainland China (excluding home video). Fortune Star will oversee distribution in India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea. Fox will distribute the film to the rest of the world and also holds home video distribution rights for mainland China.

    Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment president Mike Dunn says, “Last month, we commemorated a momentous milestone for the studio with the establishment of a Fox representative office in China and a newly formed distribution partnership with Zoke Culture Group.

    “Following up on our promise to contribute to China’s growing consumer market and to support development of the country’s film industry, we are thrilled to announce our first Chinese language co-production deal. This project represents an exciting opportunity for Fox to work with China’s own creative community and to meet the ongoing consumer demand in China for high-quality entertainment choices.”

    Twentieth Century Fox senior VP film acquisitions Tony Safford says, “Co-financing Gold Bandits is part of the studio’s country-by-country strategy to align ourselves with credible third party producers — in this case Ciwen and Fortune Star — to create distribution partnerships that begin locally, spread regionally, and ultimately reach film audiences worldwide.”

    Ma Zhong-Jun said, “We are excited to work together with Fox and Fortune Star on the production of this Chinese major motion picture. This groundbreaking collaboration ensures the creation of a world-class quality production which will spur local box office sales, while also putting in place the capacity for worldwide distribution even before shooting begins.”

    Poon says, “We are delighted to work with Fox and Ciwen, as well as with renowned filmmakers Andrew Lau and Gordon Chan, all of which are synonymous with high quality, award-winning films. I am confident that we have a compelling story to tell here and that this film will engross audiences in Asia as well as in the rest of the world.”

  • MySpace to launch enhanced copyright protection tool

    MySpace to launch enhanced copyright protection tool

    MUMBAI: Social networking site MySpace.com, has announced plans to launch a new tool for copyright holders that makes it even easier and faster to remove content they allege is unauthorised.

    The tool is being tested with US broadcaster Fox and Major League Baseball (MLB) Advanced Media and will be expanded to include other verified copyright holders.

    The new tool will allow copyright holders to digitally flag any user-posted video containing content that they own and allege is unauthorized. MySpace will promptly remove all videos flagged by a copyright holder. In addition, MySpace has implemented a proprietary system to block videos that are removed at the request of a copyright owner from being re-uploaded to the site by other users.

    MySpace CEO and co-founder Chris DeWolfe says, “MySpace is firmly committed to protecting copyright holders’ rights. This is another important step we’re taking to ensure that those who create and own content are able to protect it.”

    The new tool will allow MySpace to more efficiently implement its long-standing policy against users uploading third-party copyrighted material by automating the ‘notice and take down’ process that has been in existence since MySpace’s inception.

    In compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, MySpace has enforced copyright protection through a traditional ‘notice and takedown’ process whereby copyright holders inform MySpace of infringing content and MySpace promptly removes it from the site. With the new tool, MySpace will make it even easier for copyright holders to identify and take down user-posted videos containing unauthorized content.

    The announcement comes on the heels of MySpace’s landmark licensing deal with Gracenote, which implemented fingerprinting technology to help prevent unauthorised music from being posted by users to the site.

  • Fox to kick off sixth season of ‘American Idol’ in January

    Fox to kick off sixth season of ‘American Idol’ in January

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that the sixth season of its music based reality show American Idol returns for its sixth season in a special two-night, four-hour season premiere on 16 January 2007.

    In India the show will air on Star World.
    The search for the next superstar began last summer, as the show travelled to several cities in the US. Over 100,000 people turned up at the auditions for the sixth season.

    The show’s host Ryan Seacrest is back, and judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson return to lend their professional expertise, personal comments and sometimes tough criticism to a new crop of aspiring singers. Some will get the judges approval and others will hear the cold, hard truth!

    Guest judges Olivia Newton John, Carol Bayer Sager and Jewel also joined the road trip this season. Viewers will find out what these celebrity judges had to say about the talent around the country and who gets the gold ticket to Hollywood.
    Last year’s season culminated in the crowning of Taylor Hicks as the fifth American Idol. Hicks joined previous winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood as holders of the coveted title. In total, American Idol artists have sold 10 million singles and 23 million albums since the show first aired in 2002. Now the stage is set to turn a sixth singer’s dream into reality.

  • News Corp, Nielsen sign eight-year contract

    News Corp, Nielsen sign eight-year contract

    MUMBAI: Nielsen Media Research and US media conglomerate News Corp have announced an eight-year agreement under which Nielsen will provide audience measurement services for 49 News Corp. television entities.

    The pact consolidates more than 150 individual agreements between the companies. Financial terms were not disclosed.ovie channels.

    News Corp executive VP corporate affairs Gary Ginsberg says, “This agreement, which was more than a year in the making, affords us much greater efficiencies and simplicity in our relationship with Nielsen. We are very pleased to put our differences with Nielsen behind us and to usher in a new era of constructive and even deeper relations between our two companies.
    “Nielsen’s willingness to take concrete and ongoing steps to ensure that its measurement systems accurately count all viewers was critical to achieving this deal.”

    Nielsen Media Research senior VP business strategy Dave Thomas says, “In an era of digital television and multiple delivery platforms, we believe it makes sense for our clients to take an integrated approach for audience measurement.

    “News Corp. has long been a valued Nielsen client and we have worked tirelessly for months to craft a landmark agreement ensuring that Nielsen will continue to provide News Corp. with the highest quality measurement services for their many television platforms.”

    News Corp entities and affiliates covered under the agreement include Fox, Fox News Channel, FX, Speed, National Geographic Channel, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports Net, Fox Sports en Espanol, DirecTV, Twentieth Television and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

    Nielsen Media Research also will provide News Corp with local television audience estimates for 35 Fox-owned local television stations, including Local People Meter (LPM) service for Fox television stations in markets measured by LPMs.

    As part of the agreement, Nielsen is investing approximately $50 million in programs designed to enhance the response rates of participants in its samples, with special emphasis on younger demographics and communities of color.

    Nielsen adds that it will continue its successful community outreach programs that include a variety of initiatives that promote broader awareness of the company and its role in the television industry.

  • Virgin America signs on Disney, Fox, Paramount & Warner Bros for in-flight content

    Virgin America signs on Disney, Fox, Paramount & Warner Bros for in-flight content

    MUMBAI: Virgin America, the new U.S. start-up airline has announced a collection of launch studio partners for its in-flight entertainment (IFE). The airline has reached individual agreements with Disney, Fox, Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers to provide theatrical content at every seat and on every flight.

    Although details of the deals are not being disclosed, the agreements will provide Virgin America’s guests with the best in motion picture and television entertainment. The airline’s industry onboard entertainment will offer its customers ‘pay-per-view’ movies, live TV via satellite, a wide array of audio music entertainment including the ability to compile individual audio playlists, a broad selection of popular electronic games, and even meals on-demand, informs an official release.

    “Our partnerships with Disney, Fox, Paramount, and Warner Brothers are helping us redefine the travelling experience as it exists for airline customers today,” said Virgin America director inflight entertainment and partnerships, Charles Ogilvie. “Our guests will be able to pick from the latest and greatest Hollywood has to offer and enjoy their entertainment selections on their own schedule from the comfort of their seat.”

    “Disney is happy to be part of the Virgin America team’s challenge to redefine the inflight entertainment experience,” said Disney Non-Theatrical Distribution senior vice president, Linda Palmer. “All arms of this studio are excited about Virgin America taking flight!”

    “Interactive entertainment is a space that Paramount is excited about. Being members of the Virgin America launch team is something that we are excited about and is an important milestone as the U.S. domestic industry progresses toward more interactive inflight entertainment,” said Paramount non-theatrical distribution senior vice president Joan Filippini.

    The airline previously announced entertainment partners including CoKinetic Systems Corporation, IMS, Inflight Canada, Pace Communications, Panasonic Avionics, Spafax, and Wunderman. A new addition to team is the New York-based Anomaly agency.

  • Fox launches on demand service in the US

    Fox launches on demand service in the US

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has launched FOX on Demand. This aims to bring full episodes of Fox primetime television series from the new fall season to millions of fans on an ad-supported basis through MySpace.com and the MyFoxLocal web sites, in 24 owned and operated markets in the US.

    In an industry first, Fox Interactive Media is leveraging both national and local online distribution channels to sustain enthusiasm for fall primetime programming while the network broadcasts Major League Baseball play-offs and the World Series games.

    Consumers can access previously-aired episodes from Fox’s shows like Bones, Prison Break and Standoff. Additional episodes of these and other Fox shows will be made available throughout October and November.

    On-air promotions during Major League Baseball broadcasts will push viewers to the sites to catch up on their favourite Fox shows through Fox on Demand.

    Fox president of entertainment Peter Liguori says, “We are fortunate to have partners like Fox Interactive Media and our Fox Stations Group making our entertainment programming available to viewers, while we turn over much of prime time to Fox Sports and post-season baseball.

    “MySpace provides tremendous exposure to our key demos and our O&O’s speak to local viewers and loyal fans of FOX in a very targeted way.”

    The launch of ad-supported streaming of FOX programming will support several strategic objectives, including building audiences during breaks in regular programming by utilizing an alternative distribution channel; demonstrating the value of online promotions to stations and advertisers; and allowing parallel entertainment offerings to grow audiences simultaneously.

    Fox Entertainment Group president, digital media Peter Levinsohn says, “Offering free access to Fox programming online during the MLB primetime take-over demonstrates the tremendous value that may be realized through a smart digital distribution strategy for premium content.”

    “The FIM network of sites and particularly MySpace, combined with our local television sites, provide the optimal platform for maintaining momentum with our existing audience and also attracting new viewers.”

  • 4Kids Entertainment introduces ‘Viva Piñata’ at Mipcom 2006

    4Kids Entertainment introduces ‘Viva Piñata’ at Mipcom 2006

    MUMBAI: 4Kids Entertainment, Inc., has set Mipcom 2006 for the launch of the international sales efforts for its new 3D CGI animated television series Viva Piñata. 4Kids Entertainment executive VP International Brian Lacey announced that the 26 half-hour episodes in the series will be available to international buyers at this year’s market.

    “Viva Piñata will bring a fresh comedic appeal to kids with its witty writing, clever dialogue and colorful cast of characters,” said Lacey. “The series, which has stunning 3D CGI animation, will provide broadcasters with excellent scheduling flexibility, whether it’s broadcast as 26 half-hours or 52 eleven-minute cartoons. We’re also confident that because the show appeals to both boys and girls equally, it is a very advertiser friendly opportunity for broadcasters around the world.”

    4Kids has exclusive rights to represent Viva Piñata worldwide across broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing, informs an official release. According to Lacey, the animated kids television series is already set to premiere this fall on 4Kids TV in the US and Canada’s YTV.

    In Viva Piñata, viewers are introduced a cast of piñata “friends” who embark on wild adventures with mysteries to solve and parties to be had on Piñata Island. The ensemble cast of outrageous characters include the classic superstar Hudson Horstachio, the ever-nervous Fergy Fudgehog, the keenly observant Paulie Pretztail, and the practically perfect Franklin Fizzlybear — with more piñatas being discovered all the time, adds the release.

    4Kids Entertainment, provides high quality children television entertainment. Over the past decade, 4Kids has produced and launched such as Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles among others.

    4Kids has selected Bardel Entertainment, a Vancouver-based animation company, to execute the 3D CGI animation in hi-def format. With over 15 years experience in animation, Bardel Entertainment’s clients include Dreamworks SKG, Warner Brothers, Fox, Nelvana and Disney Interactive among others.

  • Fox to offer an online preview of new season of ‘The Simpsons’

    Fox to offer an online preview of new season of ‘The Simpsons’

    MUMBAI: As a way to whet fans appetitie for the new season of the longest running sitcom The Simpsons, US broadcaster Fox along with sister firm Fox Interactive Media (FIM) are offering fans a glimpse of the show on the web.

    Through a campaign sponsored by Burger King, FIM sites will offer a promotional first look at the first episode.

    In a Simpsons first, online fans on three FIM sites including MySpace.com, Fox.com and IGN.com’s new site will have the exclusive opportunity to see the first seven minutes of the first episode before it airs on television. In addition, viewers will get to see footage of an episode in the making including an animatic and the finished scene.

    Across the FIM network, a marketing campaign will drive fans to the video debut and promote tune in for the broadcast. Promotional initiatives specific to each property include: AskMen.com becoming “AskHomer” for the day and profiling Homer as the site’s Man of the Week; FoxSports.com on MSN presenting Homer’s week one NFL picks; a “Simpsons”-style graphic takeover of the homepage on Rotten Tomatoes and much more. The promotion will culminate with The Simpsons season premiere on 10 September.

    Fox president entertainment Peter Ligouri says, “This sneak peek at The Simpsons’ 18th season is a huge bonus for dedicated fans. Being able to preview the first episode of the new season will surely whet viewers’ appetite for the premiere on Sunday.”

    FIM president Ross Levinsohn says, “We are thrilled to be able to offer an exclusive first look at the Simpsons to our core audience of 18-34 year olds, who have embraced this show as one of the most popular TV programs of our time.

    “We are seeing an increasing demand for video content across FIM sites, and we are focused on delivering that content in a variety of ways – blending established media and user-generated content in a meaningful way.”

    Simpsons fans can visit MySpace, www.igntv.com and Fox.com to get the first look at the first episode before it airs on 10 September. Additional Simpsons features and promotions can also be accessed at www.rottentomatoes.com and www.scout.com in addition to the other three sites.

    The Simpsons will air their historic 400th episode in May 2007. The series features Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson who take traditional family life and turn them upside down.