ITV

Tag: George Bodenheimer

  • Disney, Sky expand agreement to unveil two UK channels

    MUMBAI: A new deal announced between the Walt Disney Co. and Britain’s BSkyB paves the way for the rollout of two new channel brands. This restructured programming deal adds one new channel, Disney Cinemagic, featuring its library of animated films and another, ESPN Classic, with historic sporting events.

    The deal also includes the availability of Disney features on the Sky HD and broadband services, and the basic-tier carriage of Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney.

    It is the largest distribution deal that Disney has arranged outside the US for HDTV and legal broadband movie downloads.

    Available from 16 March, Disney Cinemagic is a new premium channel offering Disney’s latest animated films such as Pixar’s The Incredibles as well as classics like Lady and the Tramp and Cinderella. Disney Cinemagic will be available to Sky digital customers as a stand-alone premium channel or as a bonus channel for subscribers to Sky Movies 1 and 2.

    ESPN Classic, launching on 13 March, as part of Sky’s ‘News and Events Mix’, will be the only sports channel in the U.K. devoted entirely to the greatest moments and legends of sport.

    Said Disney Media Networks co-chair and ESPN, Inc and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer, “ESPN has built up a passionate bond with sports fans. We are confident that ESPN Classic, designed specifically for the UK market, will capture the attention of the UK sports fan as it has in over 40 countries across Europe.”

    Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney join the Kids Mix package of basic channels on 16 March from their previous position as premium channels. Disney Channel will be even more kid-focussed, complementing Cinemagic, and offering live action favourites like That’s So Raven, popular animation series and Disney Channel Original Movies. Playhouse Disney will premiere the new CG animated, learning-focussed series, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, in May.

    There will also be more ways to enjoy great films from the Walt Disney Studios as movies distributed by Buena Vista International Television join Sky’s legal broadband download service, Sky by broadband, and its forthcoming high definition television offering, Sky HD. These titles will also be available, for a set period, via the Sky by broadband service, which since last month has allowed dual Sky Movies subscribers to download films to their personal computers to enjoy when they want at no extra cost.

    The co-chair of Disney Media Networks and Disney-ABC Television Group president Anne Sweeney noted, “This agreement is great news for viewers, who will now be able to access an even broader array of Disney content, either through their TVs or via broadband on personal computers. We look forward to this deal enhancing an already rich association with Sky, and our viewers in the UK and Ireland.”

    Also, under an amended distribution agreement, Sky digital customers will continue to have access to Jetix and Jetix+1 for up to a further five years from the expiry date of the current deal in 2007.

    Sky’s outgoing COO Richard Freudenstein said, “Working with outstanding brands like Disney and ESPN allows us to offer great entertainment for every family member and to break new ground in multiplatform content distribution. With today’s announcement, we are creating another compelling reason for families to join Sky digital and demonstrating again the strengths in content and innovation that position Sky well for sustained growth.”

  • ABC News’ journalist Ted Koppel to open Promax&BDA ’05 seminar

    ABC News’ journalist Ted Koppel to open Promax&BDA ’05 seminar

    MUMBAI: The upcoming Promax & BDA conference, slated for 21 -23 June at the New York Marriott Marquis, has invited ABC News broadcast journalist Ted Koppel to open the edition of the conference, it was announced by Promax & BDA CEO Jim Chabin.

    At the a super on 22 June session that will feature other orators such as NBC Jeff Zucker, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Ron Reagan, Electronic Arts Bing Gordon, Microsoft J Allard, and G4 Charles Hirschhorn, all on one stage besides Ted Koppel.

    The 40-year veteran of ABC News, Koppel was named anchor of Nightline when the broadcast was first introduced in March 1980. Koppel is the principal on-air reporter and interviewer for television’s first late-night network news program in addition to serving as the program’s managing editor, states a media release.

    “We are pleased to present this lineup of high caliber speakers who are sure to leave a lasting impression on our membership,” said Chabin. “From start to finish, this year’s Promax will present an impressive lineup of top speakers and panels designed to help local promotional managers and graphic artists produce winning campaigns in an increasingly fragmented and complicated media world.”

    TVLand/Nick at Nite president and general manager Larry Jones and OLN’s CEO and president Gavin Harvey are among the senior cable executives to participate at this year’s Promax&BDA conference. 

    The other speakers at the sessions include HBO president documentary and family programming Sheila Nevins, ESPN and ABC Sports president and Disney Media Networks co-chairman George Bodenheimer, to name a few.

  • ESPN to launch wireless service in the US

    ESPN to launch wireless service in the US

    MUMBAI: ESPN will use the mobile phone in a big way in the US to connect further with sports fans. The broadcaster will create a wireless phone service specifically targetted at sports fans. It has tied up with Sprint for this purpose. ESPN Mobile, will launch next year.

    ESPN Mobile will offer fans sports programming and entertainment from ESPN on a mobile phone, delivering not only wireless voice service, but applications such as easy access to sports news, information, commentary, analysis, statistics, ring tones, graphics, photos and logos as well as streaming audio and video. this will be made possible by Sprint’s wireless high-speed data network. ESPN Mobile will sell ESPN-branded handsets, accessories and applications tailored to its target audience of sports fans.

    ESPN president George Bodenheimer said, “Our goal is to extend our leadership and expertise in the two-screen environment, the television and computer, to a third screen that is becoming increasingly important to sports fans – the wireless device. This enhances our mandate to serve fans anytime, anywhere, and Sprint’s leadership in this medium will help lay the foundation for our success.”

    Sprint provides telecom services. The agreement complements its brand image as a retail provider and represents its first sports-specific affiliation for nationwide wireless services.

    In addition to providing sports content, ESPN Mobile will be responsible for billing, customer relations, pricing, packaging, distribution and other operational aspects of the business.

  • Russell Wolff is ESPN Intl executive VP, MD

    Russell Wolff is ESPN Intl executive VP, MD

    MUMBAI: Russell Wolff has been promoted to ESPN International executive VP and MD.

    The announcement was made by ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer.

    Wolff will continue to oversee all of ESPN’s businesses outside the US. These include television, radio, print, internet, wireless, consumer products, and event management. He and his team from ESPN International will work closely with ESPN’s domestic groups to grow the ESPN brand abroad by launching new businesses and expanding existing franchises.

    Under Wolff’s stewardship, ESPN International has evolved to include ownership, in whole or in part, of 30 television networks, as well as radio and internet businesses, which together extend the ESPN brand to more than 190 countries and territories. In addition, ESPN’s flagship programme SportsCenter has been developed into a franchise that now includes local editions for viewers in India, Canada, Brazil among other countries.

    Recently, Wolff oversaw the launch of a variety of ancillary international businesses including ESPN The Magazine in China, ESPN and X Games-branded consumer products in Japan, and X Games events in Latin America and Asia

  • Limbaugh quits ESPN over racist comments

    Limbaugh quits ESPN over racist comments

    NEW YORK: ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown commentator Rush Limbaugh resigned from ESPN Wednesday night, three days after making controversial statements against Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Limbaugh had said during last Sunday’s pre-game show that McNabb is overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

    ESPN stated it had accepted his resignation.

    Limbaugh issued a statement along with this resignation late Wednesday night in which he wrote:
    “My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated. I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret. I love NFL Sunday Countdown and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it. Therefore, I have decided to resign. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the show and wish all the best to those who make it happen.”

    ESPN and ABC Sports’ president George Bodenheimer issued the following response:
    “We accept his resignation and regret the circumstances surrounding this. We believe that he took the appropriate action to resolve this matter expeditiously.”

    Limbaugh in his pre-match comments had also said, “There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defence carried this team.”

    Negative reaction did not come immediately. But on Tuesday, McNabb told a newspaper: “It’s sad that you’ve got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal.”

  • Bodenheimer to take charge of ESPN, ABC Sports

    MUMBAI: ESPN President George Bodenheimer will assume responsibility for both ESPN and ABC Sports when Howard Katz steps down as president of ABC Sports at the end of next week.
    Bodenheimer has spent 22 years at ESPN, serving as president since 1998. He has been credited with playing a key role in landing last year’s six-year rights deal with the NBA.
    ABC Television president Alex Wallau said yesterday that consolidating control of ABC Sports and ESPN will improve the two networks’ ability to acquire sports rights. The first test of that will come in June, when bidding begins on cable and broadcast rights to the 2010 (winter) and 2012 (summer) Olympic games. Under the new arrangement, both television sports assets of The Walt Disney Company will be under his direction.
    Katz joined ESPN in 1993 and was promoted to president of ABC Sports in 1999. His successes include bringing John Madden to Monday Night Football and securing or extending the television rights to the NBA, the PGA Tour, the British Open, the Indianapolis 500 and the college football Bowl Championship Series.
    Speculation now has Katz joining the NFL Channel, which is headed by Steve Bornstein, former ABC Television president.
    “After the past decade at ABC and ESPN, and more than 32 nonstop years in the TV sports business overall, I feel it’s now time to consider new opportunities,” Katz told press persons after putting in his papers. “The outstanding quality and reputation of ABC Sports is a direct reflection of the many people I’ve been privileged to work with in the sports division.”

  • ESPN Classic Sport Network will launch in Europe

    ESPN Classic Sport Network will launch in Europe

    Last week ESPN. and Sports Capital Partners announced the creation of ESPN Classic Sport. This is a new network of European sports channels which will highlight greatest moments in sports history. Sports Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on sports, media, leisure and lifestyle related businesses. The company sees the creation of ESPN Classic Sport as a tremendous opportunity for their fund.

    TWI which claims to be the largest independent producer, packager, and distributor of sports programming in the world will also be involved by providing support services like production.

    Early next year France will first get a taste of ESPN Classic Sport with a minimum reach of 2.5 million homes, including the subscribers of CanalSatellite and TPS, France’s direct-to-home satellite TV operators.

    It will show highlights of domestic, European Club, and national team football matches; the best action from the tennis Grand Slams, historic races from the Tour de France, great moments in golf plus rugby, skating, skiing. Launches in other major European markets will occur over the next several years.

    ESPN Classic Sport is ESPN’s first branded network initiative in Europe. ESPN has a 70% stake while the remaining 30% is owned by Sports Capital Partners. It will be a 24 hours a day deal. The programming will be a mix of full length matches, event highlights, and produced retrospective programs. Some sports that will be covered are football, tennis, gymnastics and skiing.

    ESPN Classic Sport will be presented in the local language of each country where it is available.

    In America ESPN Classic claims to be the leader in presenting classic moments in sport. It claims to reach more than 43 million subscribers. ESPN also has an equity interest in ESPN Classic Canada which was launched in September.

    The headquarters and main production office for ESPN Classic Sport will be based in London, with sales, marketing and local production in Paris.

    President, ESPN George Bodenheimer said, “Launching ESPN’s first branded network in Europe is exciting. It reflects ESPN’s continued growth and the great interest in the quality services we provide to fans. With ESPN’s experience in classic-themed sports programming, the support of Sports Capital Partners, and the multifaceted television experience of TWI, we will offer European viewers a unique opportunity to relive the most memorable moments in sports history.

    ESPN International now has interests in 26 networks distributed to over 112 million households in more than 140 countries and territories outside of America.

    TWI produces 6000 hours of original programming each year for distribution to more than 200 territories and has production centers in London, New York, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Stockholm and Sydney.