ITV

Tag: Fox

  • Fox garners billion dollars in overseas film revenues

    Fox garners billion dollars in overseas film revenues

    MUMBAI: It pays to make sequels in Hollywood. Fox has become the first studio this year to cross the billion dollar mark in film revenue earned outside the US.

    Two sequels Ice Age 2 and X Men 3 helped achieve this result.A report in Hollywood Reporter states that Ice Age 2 has made $441 million. This is more than double the $192 million made in the US.

    X Men 3 made $160.1 million, the Oscar winner Walk the Line made $64.8 million. Even the critically lambasted The Pink Panther made a decent $64.3 million. In the pipeline for the studio are potential box office hits including a Garfield sequel and a Meryl Streep film The Devil Wears Prada.

    It is the second year in a row that Fox has been the first studio to hit the billion dollar mark abroad. Last year, the Star Wars movie helped it cross the mark. Meanwhile, Sony Pictures has made over $800 million, mainly due the critically panned The Da Vinci Code.

  • American Red Cross to benefit from sale of American Idol Taylor Hicks’ single

    American Red Cross to benefit from sale of American Idol Taylor Hicks’ single

    MUMBAI: As the ‘soul’ survivor of US broadcaster Fox’s music based reality show American Idol’s fifth season, the Alabama native, Taylor Hicks, had signed a record deal with 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records.

    A portion of the proceeds from the sales of his single Do I Make You Proud will benefit the American Red Cross.For every CD sold, $0.25 will go to the American Red Cross, as well as $0.15 for every digital download sold, and $0.20 for every ringtone and ringback. The single to be released tomorrow 13 June marks the fourth American Idol single to provide financial support to the mission of the Red Cross and the people it serves. Sales of the past three recordings generated more than a quarter million dollars in donations.

    BMG US president and COO Charles Goldstuck says, “It has been a privilege these past three years to support the American Red Cross in their fundraising efforts and on behalf of the RCA Music Group and 19 Entertainment we are proud of our association with them.

    “With an active hurricane season predicted, what better time to continue support of their enormous efforts and everything they stand for.”19 Entertainment’s Simon Fuller says, “Great traditions are meant to be extended. It’s been a wonderful experience working with the American Red Cross over the years and 19 Entertainment is proud to continue helping those who need their services the most.”

  • Comcast launches HD ESPN 2 on 9 June

    Comcast launches HD ESPN 2 on 9 June

    MUMBAI: Just in time with the Fifa World Cup, Comcast, the country’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services launches ESPN2 HD, the high-definition simulcast of ESPN2.

    ESPN HD, ABC HD and ESPN2 HD will combine to present live coverage of all 64 matches of the 2006 Fifa World Cup in high definition from 9 June. In addition, the high- definition services will feature the 2006 World Cup studio programmes including the pre-match, halftime and post-match segments, states an official release.

    “We’re thrilled to expand our leading HDTV lineup with the addition of ESPN2 HD,” said Comcast executive VP content acquisitions Matt Bond. “Watching events like the World Cup and the NCAA College World Series in crystal-clear HD is the next best thing to being in the stadium for all of the action.”

    “We look forward to ESPN2 HD joining ESPN HD on Comcast’s lineup to enhance viewing for high-definition subscribers and sports fans across the country,” said Disney and ESPN Networks affiliate sales and marketing president Ben Pyne. “Comcast has a proven focus on high-definition television with its robust package of compelling high-definition content.”

    Comcast now offers an average of 15-17 HD channels per market, including ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD, TNT HD, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, Starz HD, INHD, INHD2, regional sports networks and local affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, UPN and PBS.

  • Scott Grogin is Fox senior VP, communications

    Scott Grogin is Fox senior VP, communications

    MUMBAI: Veteran Fox spokesperson Scott Grogin has been promoted to senior VP, corporate communications.

    Grogin will continue to be responsible for developing and executing business and tactical communications strategies on behalf of the network as well as serving as primary liaison to the daily trade, financial and business media.

    In addition, he will work closely with Fox Networks Group President and CEO Tony Vinciquerra and Fox Network President Ed Wilson on inter-divisional and affiliate relations initiatives, as well as serving as communications liaison between the broadcast network and various Fox Entertainment divisions, including Fox Networks Group, Fox Mobile Entertainment and Fox Interactive Marketing.

  • The 2006 New York TV Festival announces MSN as the official online sponsor

    The 2006 New York TV Festival announces MSN as the official online sponsor

    MUMBAI: The New York Television Festival (NYTVF) has announced that MSN will provide online support and awareness as an official signature sponsor for the 2006 NYTVF scheduled to be held from 12-17 September 2006, in Manhattan.

    Currently in its second year, the festival provides an opportunity to artists to showcase original, independently produced TV pilots directly to network executives and industry officials.

    Commenting on the same, NYTVF founder and executive director Terence Gray said, “The goal of the NYTVF is to provide independent artists with a platform for getting their work seen by the decision-makers in the TV industry.”

    According to an official release, the Festival’s alliance with MSN is one component of a larger initiative the NYTVF is launching to unite independent artists from TV, music and film in the NYTVF Online Community. NYTVF will collaborate with MSN integrated services, MSN TV and MSN Spaces to create a resource to pilot-makers looking to interact or collaborate with other creative people locally and globally, where anyone with an original script can receive the guidance and support necessary to get an independent pilot off the ground.

    As the official online sponsor, MSN will provide the following services:

    MSN Video will have exclusive online rights to stream all NYTVF pilots submitted to the Festival’s Independent Pilot Competition at http://tv.msn.com/NYTVF, beginning in July.

    MSN Video will deliver an Internet webcast of the Festival and on-demand video content of panel discussions and special events featured at the 2006 Festival.

    MSN Spaces will be the official blogging platform for NYTVF participants for the organization’s Online Community.

    In an attempt to present independent pilots to a worldwide audience, MSN GM Entertainment and Video Services Rob Bennett said, “Through the MSN relationship with NYTVF, consumers have the unique opportunity to see new television concepts and pilots in their purest form.”

    The release states that officially selected pilots featured at the 2006 NYTVF will be placed in one of the following five categories: comedy, drama, reality, educational or animation. To be considered for competition, pilots in all categories except animation must have a running time of between 15 and 22 minutes. Animation pilots must have a running time of between two and 20 minutes.

    The date of submission for the 2006 Independent Pilot Competition is 7 July. There is no fee for students with a valid ID.

    In its inaugural year, the 2005 NYTVF received more than 230 original independent pilots produced by artists from 24 states and seven foreign countries. The 2005 NYTVF was presented in association with TV Guide. The Festival worked in partnership with the William Morris Agency and in conjunction with the mayor’s office of New York City. Official network sponsors included NBC Universal, FOX, Comedy Central, VH1, VH1 Classic, Spike TV, A&E Networks, Rainbow Media, TV Land and Court TV, adds the release.

  • Channel7 re-launches with new on-air look

    Channel7 re-launches with new on-air look

    MUMBAI: Starting 5 June, Hindi news channel Channel7 will relaunch donning a new on-air look.

    Florida-based VDO has developed the new look for the channel where the management control was recently taken over by the Television Eighteen Group from Jagran TV.

    The new logo, look and packaging are designed to contemporize the network, informs an official release from Channel7.

    The entire on-air environment, which includes the channel identity, show openers and on-air graphic packages, has been created keeping in consideration the changing preferences of the viewers, the channel claimed.

    The channel’s director marketing Dilip Venkatraman said in a statement, “The idea behind the new logo is to give it a contemporary look. The new logo is also aimed at communicating the core brand values of the channel and its
    philosophy.”

    According to VDO senior producer Dianne Streyer, “The idea behind changing the on-air look of the channel was to make it more modern and connect with the viewers. The Indian market is cluttered with plethora of news channels and it was important to give it a distinctive look to create a unique identity for Channel 7.”

    VDO was also instrumental in developing the on-air look for CNN-IBN. The company designs brand packaging solutions for networks, broadcast groups, stations and cable channels. Its client portfolio boasts of well known
    broadcasters such as NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox.

  • Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    Warner Bros inks deal with CinemaNow for download of TV content

    MUMBAI: For the first time, television content from the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has been made available on a download-to-own basis in the US.

    The company has entered into a licensing agreement with CinemaNow Inc. Under this agreement, CinemaNow will be able to sell Warner Bros. TV’s products electronically. Customers can legally purchase and download content from Warner Bros. through the website, www.cinemanow.com.

    “We’re very excited to add Warner Bros.’ content to our electronic-sell-through offering and to be the first to make Warner Bros. Television’s product available on the open Internet for purchase,” said CinemaNow president Bruce Eisen.

    CinemaNow recently struck a licensing deal with Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

    The Warner Bros. TV series already available from 1 June include Babylon 5 and Dukes of Hazzard, with additional titles to be added soon. In addition, movies such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey are also available through this facility , informs an official release.

    Also, as soon as DVD releases hit retail stores, they will simultaneously be available on the site. These include, Firewall and 16 Blocks to be out on 6 and 13 June respectively. All content will be copy protected by Microsoft’s Windows Digital Rights Management software, adds the release.

    “This is an important step for our US distribution efforts,” said Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group SVP Digital Distribution Jim Wuthrich. “This is one more way for consumers to enjoy Warner Bros. high quality digital entertainment.”

    Besides Warner Bros., and Buena Vista, CinemaNow has agreements in place with content providers including 20th Century Fox Corp., ABC News, The Walt Disney Co., HDNet, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., Miramax Films, NBC Universal, Sony Entertainment Corp. and Sundance Channel.

  • MGM to consolidate its home entertainment biz with Fox

    MGM to consolidate its home entertainment biz with Fox

    MUMBAI: Revitalised by the recent reinvigoration of its motion picture distribution and marketing organisation as well as by the formation of its new media division, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) continues along the path of controlling its library.

    Moving in that direction, MGM will be re-establishing its worldwide television distribution efforts by bringing the business back in-house. Similarly, the studio will no longer divide its home entertainment releases between Sony Pictures Entertainment and 20th Century Fox home entertainment divisions. Instead, MGM will consolidate its home entertainment business with Fox. Additionally, MGM and Fox will continue their international theatrical distribution relationship.

    MGM’s library, recognised as the largest in the world, encompasses 4,000 movie titles and 10,000-plus episodes of television programming. A large number of such titles and episodes are available for home entertainment release.

    MGM chairman and CEO Harry Sloan said, “MGM’s motion picture distribution business is growing rapidly as we will release some 80 new feature films in North America over the next four years. We are now ready to turn our attention to our television and home entertainment distribution businesses. In so doing, we have identified another important opportunity to build out our business by returning our worldwide television sales operations in-house and by consolidating our home entertainment releases with a single distributor.”

    The changes do not affect Sony’s distribution of the upcoming James Bond release, Casino Royale, due out in theatres this November. Additionally, MGM and Sony have extended their relationship in regards to the Bond franchise with both MGM and Sony agreeing to co-produce and co-distribute the next Bond movie, as well as Pink Panther and others to be determined. MGM and Sony, along with Revolution Studios are also teaming up in a co-financing arrangement on Rocky Balboa, which will be released by MGM on 22 December 2006.

  • ABC, Fox up on Upfront, CBS flat, NBC to drop: Merrill Lynch report

    ABC, Fox up on Upfront, CBS flat, NBC to drop: Merrill Lynch report

    MUMBAI: Will it stay flat or will there be another fall? And how much longer will the annual highpoint event for television networks in the US – the broadcast upfront presentations – even matter to executives taking the call on where to put their advertising buck?

    As new digital media options open up, these are issues that TV execs in the US are having to grapple with increasingly in the upfront season but a report just out from investment firm Merrill Lynch does offer a window into what the future could hold. At least in the near to medium term. And contrary to the doomsayers, it is not all gloom for the networks in an age where a new generation of consumers are increasingly getting their entertainment fix outside of the TV screen.

    To quote from the report: “Generally speaking, we believe that traditional broadcasters may be better positioned for this market than credited given their multiple touch points with consumers, experience in content production, already large inventory of much sought after video content and strong relationships with advertisers.”

    The report further said that if advertisers opted to shift their spends to new digital platforms like broadband or mobile, “broadcasters are primed to attract a significant share of that spending with their offerings in the new arenas”.

    On the dollars gained front, the report predicts the major networks should wind up about flat or slightly lower than the $9.1 billion booked in 2005, when upfront spending fell 2 percent from the previous year. Among the networks, ABC again leads its rivals on the continued momentum delivered by its three big hit shows – Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey’s Anatomy. Upfront commitments are predicted to increase 7 per cent to $2.23 billion. News Corp’s Fox meanwhile, shows the biggest projected growth of 12 per cent to reach $1.78 billion.

    Though CBS will only be up 1 per cent this year, by virtue of its having the largest ad pie share among the top four US networks means it will rack up $2.63 billion from the upfront.

    NBC continues the slide after seeing its prime-time ratings drop 14 per cent over the last year. Merrill Lynch predicts that NBC will decline 3 per cent this year, to touch $1.84 billion. Some consolation for the ratings challenged former numero uno network is that it has somewhat bottomed out from the disastrous 33 percent free fall it suffered last year.

  • Fox and Burger King bring hit shows to MySpace.com

    Fox and Burger King bring hit shows to MySpace.com

    MUMBAI: News Corporation’s Fox Entertainment Group and Burger King Holdings, Inc. have teamed to offer hit Fox programming free of charge to the more than 75 million members of MySpace.com.

    MySpace.com is Fox Interactive Media’s popular online social networking site. This promotion marks the first time that network TV content is being made available on a series basis through MySpace, as well as MySpace’s entry into the ecommerce arena.

    The promotion launches 22 May, in conjunction with the season finale of the record-breaking fifth season of 24. MySpace users will be able to download-to-own two episodes of the Fox drama at no cost from a special ‘Have It Your Way’ page provided by Burger King. Both the very first episode from 24’s first season and the first episode of the current season will be available. Also offered at launch will be an episode of Speed’s Pinks and Fuel TV’s FirstHand.

    In addition, MySpace will create a social network around 24, where users can interact with each other, create user generated content and download the entire first and fifth seasons of the top-rated drama for $1.99 per episode.

    “This is truly the perfect marriage of compelling content, an extremely creative advertising partner and the Internet’s leading site for young adults. It really exemplifies our overarching strategy of doing deals that make sense organically, and we have high hopes that MySpace users will find it an attractive offering,” said Fox Entertainment Group president digital media Peter Levinsohn.

    “It’s the ultimate ‘Have It Your Way’ experience. We’re giving consumers what they want with the choice of free shows – wherever and whenever they want to watch them – and the ability to talk about those shows in the social networking environment of MySpace,” said Burger King Holdings senior director media Gillian Smith.

    “MySpace is the largest video site on the web with more video uploaded every day than any other site on the Internet. Our members are avid fans of these shows and are consuming video at a rapid pace, making MySpace the perfect distribution channel for programmers looking to innovate new models,” said Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn.