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Tag: HBO

  • HBO new year eve special on 31 December

    HBO new year eve special on 31 December

    MUMBAI: Max (Jamie Foxx, Ray) has lived the mundane life of a cab driver for 12 years. The faces have come and gone from his rearview mirror, people and places he’s long since forgotten…until tonight. Vincent (Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible III) is a contract killer. Tonight, Vincent arrives in L.A. and five bodies are supposed to fall, including District Attorney Annie (Jada Pinkett Smith, The Matrix Revolutions). Circumstances cause Vincent to hijack Max’s taxicab, and Max becomes collateral – an expendable person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    Through the night, Vincent forces Max to drive him to each assigned destination. And as the authorities race to intercept them, Max and Vincent’s survival becomes dependent on each other in ways neither would have imagined.

    Watch Collateral starring Jamie Foxx, Tom Cruise, Jada Pinkett Smith on Sunday, December 31, 2006 8.00 pm onwards.

     

    Our friendly neighborhood Spider-man is back in this sequel to the 2002 action blockbuster. It’s been 2 years since Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire, Seabiscuit) was bitten by a radioactive spider and he’s having a rough time. His public life as the superhero Spiderman is having a devastating impact on his private life.

     

    And just when things couldn’t get any worse, the love of his life Mary-Jane (Kirsten Dunst, Elizabethtown, Wimbeldon) gets engaged to somebody else. Things are so bad he declares that he’s quitting, and never putting on the suit again. However, his sense of duty forces him to resume his heroics when the brilliant scientist Dr. Otto Octavius is deformed in an accident and becomes Dr. Octopus. With four metal tentacles sticking out of his back, he’ll be more than a handful for everyone’s favourite webslinger.

     

    Watch Spiderman 2 starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina on Sunday, December 31, 2006 10:45 pm onwards.

  • HBO US takes podcast route to push new shows

    HBO US takes podcast route to push new shows

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO has announced that two shows Entourage and Deadwood are back again.

    Fans can go ‘on location’ for footage, cast interviews and other original features via www.HBO.com/podcasts or Apple’s iTunes Music Store – all for free.

    Viewers will also be able to go behind-the-scenes of HBO’s new comedy series Lucky Louie. It stars Louis C.K. as head of a blue collar family. Then there is Dane Cook’s Tourgasm, a docu-style comedy series that follows the rising stand-up comic during his college tour last spring.

    These new editions join the other HBO podcasts already existing. These include video and audio clips for The Sopranos, Rome, Big Love, Real Time with Bill Maher as well as select HBO Films, documentaries, sports shows, and HBO Latino’s Habla y Habla and El Perro y El Gato.

    HBO VP, marketing and strategic partnerships Steve Pamon says, “The additional content for iPods give fans more exposure to their favorite HBO programs, characters and actors as well as introduces them to our newest shows.

    “We launched the site several months ago and have already seen incredible success, most recently hitting the 1 million download milestone for Real Time with Bill Maher.”

    Fans can visit the HBO.com site or the ‘HBO Room’ on iTunes for the latest mix of free video and audio clips that will role over time:

    For Entourage HBO is offering recaps from seasons one and two. These revisit important moments and reconnects fans with major characters. There will also be an insiders scoop on the series. There will also be clips from the new season. There are similar features for Deadwood.

  • TV channels can still seek downlink OK: Govt

    TV channels can still seek downlink OK: Govt

    NEW DELHI: Television channels that have not yet applied for registration under downlink norms in India need not loose heart, though the deadline expired on 11 May 2006.

    The government said that a channel can apply for registration in India for re-distribution clearance even after the expiry of the deadline.
    However, there is a rider. Those applying for landing rights after 11 May 2006 would not be carried by cable networks legally till the time the government gives it a clearance.

    “There’s no bar on TV channels applying for registration still. The only difference being that such channels can only be seen in Indian cable homes once the government clears them, which may take longer time compared to those who applied within the deadline,” an official of the information and broadcasting ministry told Indiantelevision.com today.

    Last week, the government had clarified that from 11 May, all TV channels uplinking from outside India and having applied for registration with the government by that date could be carried on cable networks for the next six months or till the time government decides on their applications.

    The official explained that a channel applying for registration after the deadline would be given less priority compared to those who made an attempt to adhere to norms within the stipulated time.

    The registration process is two-fold. First a TV channel will be registered with the government, which will make it easier for the authorities to monitor errant ones on various counts, including breach of the programming code.

    Second, an authorized company, responsible for the actions of a channel beaming into India, will be registered. This entity can either be an authorized distributor of a channel in India or the channel-owning company’s Indian subsidiary.

    Now that the deadline for adhering to downlink norms is over, the government will compile the information, including shareholding patterns, provided by various channels and companies and scrutinize their authenticity.

    “This task will take some time and that’s why we have indicated a six-month period. The work can be completed earlier also,” the ministry official pointed out.

    Conspicuous by their absence are Pakistan TV family of channels, including PTV, Geo TV, the ARY channels and Q TV.

    “If they haven’t applied for registration, then their carriage on any (Indian) cable network or a DTH platform (beaming to Indian consumers) would be termed illegal,” the I&B ministry categorically said.

    The ministry is also in the process of issuing a notification in this regard, which will amend the Cable TV Act of 1995 and the DTH guidelines to incorporate the features of downlink norms.

    “The notification in this regard should be out in a day or two,” the official said. The downlink norms, announced in November 2005, have been termed stringent by many a broadcaster and industry lobbying bodies.

    Those TV channels that have got permission to uplink from India will be deemed as registered after furnishing some additional details.

    Meanwhile, according to the I&B ministry’s website, a total of 65 TV channels have applied for registration till 11 May.

    The channels are Star Utsav, Star Plus, Star World, Star Gold, Star One, Star Movies, Channel V, Deutsche Welle TV, Angel TV, Hallmark Channel, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Star Vijay, Sony TV, Set Max, Animax, SET Pix, SAB(Sony), AXN, National Geographic Channel (NGC), History Channel, MTV, Nick, Vh 1, MTV2, Ten Sports, Channel News Asia, B4U Music, B4U Movies, Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel & Living, Animal Planet, Zee Studio, Zee Café, Zee Trendz, CNN International, HBO, POGO, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TV5 Monde, ESPN Sports, Star Sports, BBC World, Fashion TV, Voyages Television, Miracle Net TV, God TV, Reality TV, ABC Asia Pacific, Zee Arabia, Goal TV-1, Goal TV-2, Zee MGM, Day Star Television, DAN Tamil Ozhi, DAN Cinema, DAN Music, Trace TV, Euro News, Family Entertainment TV, CT Buzz, Raj Musix and Vissa TV.

    Indiantelevision.com learns that Essel Shyam, a joint venture between Shyam Electronics and Zee’s parent Essel Group, has applied for registration on behalf of over a dozen of TV channels, most of which are foreign owned.

  • HBO to kick off final seasons of ‘Sex and the City’ on 14 May

    HBO to kick off final seasons of ‘Sex and the City’ on 14 May

    MUMBAI: HBO will air the final two seasons of its show Sex And The City from 14 May. Two episodes will air every Sunday after the 8 pm movie.

    HBO says that Sex And The City has spawned into a pop-culture phenomenon, amassing fans the world over with its candid yet honest take on the issues women face. The last two seasons won three Emmy Awards and 24 Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe awards and 10 Golden Globe nominations.

    The show’s four heroines represent a contrasting mix of archetypes. For the uninitiated, there’s columnist Carrie Bradshaw, who is in search of “butterflies-in-the-stomach” true love; Miranda Hobbes, a single mother who is trying to juggle the pressures of work, motherhood and dating; Charlotte York who comes to realize that her world need not be so perfect and Samantha Jones, a public relations executive who lives life on her own terms without regrets.

    By focussing on issues women face, from the good to the bad, the ugly and the fun, the fifth and the sixth season of the show sees Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda – return: older and wiser, but no less hopeful.

    Carrie played by Sarah Jessica Parker finds success in her professional life when she publishes a new book. Later in the season, Carrie meets a new love interest in the form of Jack Berger– but will she be lucky in love?

    We see the ‘softer’ side of Samantha played by Kim Cattrall as she discovers that she too, is capable of not only loving someone but also being in a monogamous relationship. That is until, her boyfriend’s roving eyes prove too much of a handful for even a tough cookie like Samantha.

    The usually acerbic-tongued and fiercely independent Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) turns vulnerable following the birth of Baby Brady as she learns to cope with motherhood while Charlotte (Kristin Davis) realizes that the “perfect man” can come in a less-than-perfect package, in the form of her divorce attorney.

    HBO Asia country manager Shruti Bajpai says, “HBO’s Sex And The City has proven itself to be a phenomenon in television entertainment, which is exemplified by the laurels it has won as well as the overwhelming response that the past seasons have received from its patron viewers in India. With Season 5 and 6, HBO’s Sex And the City is all set, once again, to touch the hearts of women and men alike with its engaging storyline and relatable content.“

    In this final season of HBO’s Sex And The City, the ladies come full circle, with each of them experiencing the panacea of friendships, the pain of heartbreaks and the pleasures of relationships.

  • 14 more TV channels apply for downlink okay

    14 more TV channels apply for downlink okay

    NEW DELHI: Fourteen more TV channels have applied for downlinking permission in India taking the total number to 55 as the deadline shutters down on 11 May.

    According to information posted on the website of the information and broadcasting ministry as of 11 May 1.10 a.m., the likes of ESPN, Star Sports, Reality TV, BBC World, Fashion TV and God TV were amongst those seeking landing rights in India.

    The government had stated all TV channels wishing to be downlinked into India will have to apply for landing rights after fulfilling various norms by 11 May 2006.

    The government had also clarified that from 11 May, all TV channels uplinking from outside India and having applied for registration with the government by that date could be carried on cable networks for the next six months or till the time government decides on their applications.

    The TV channels that have applied, according to the I&B ministry website, till 10 May include TV5 Monde, ESPN, Star Sports, BBC World, Fashion TV (that has applied under the entertainment category), Voyages Television, Miracle Net TV (entertainment), God TV(entertainment), Reality TV (entertainment), ABC Asia Pacific, Zee Arabia, Goal TV-1, Goal TV-2, MGM.

    The channels that sought landing rights earlier include Star Utsav, Star Plus, Star World, Star Gold, Star One, Star Movies, Channel V, Deutsche Welle TV, Angel TV, Hallmark Channel, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Star Vijay, Sony TV, SET Max, Animax, SET Pix, SAB(Sony), AXN, National Geographic Channel, The History Channel, MTV, Nick,Vh 1, MTV2, Ten Sports, Channel News Asia, B4U Music, B4U Movies, Discovery, Discovery Travel & Living, Animal Planet, Zee Studio, Zee Café, Zee Trendz, CNN International, HBO, POGO, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network and Boomerang.

    The ministry has informed TV channels that those who have obtained uplinking permission from India before 2 December, 2005 are not required to file with the government for downlinking.

    These channels will also not be required to pay an initial fee of Rs. 500,000 on grant of permission agreement or the annual downlinking fee of Rs. 100,000 per channel.

    However, those TV channels obtaining uplink permission from the government after 2 December, 2005 are required to submit some additional information relating to downlink okay, but are exempt from any processing and annual fee.

  • FremantleMedia deploys Artesia DAM solution to hasten access to TV shows

    FremantleMedia deploys Artesia DAM solution to hasten access to TV shows

    MUMBAI:The international creators and producers of television programmes FremantleMedia has implemented Open Text’s Artesia Digital Asset Management solution (Artesia DAM) for a new Web-based system that will dramatically speed up access to programmes for broadcast customers in countries around the world.

    The international creator has deployed the Digital Asset Management to speed up access to television shows globally.

    The announcement was made at the National Association of Broadcasters conference, NAB 2006, the electronic media show at Las Vegas.

    The Open Text’s Artesia Digital Media Group has a major presence at the event as sponsor of the Digital Asset Management Pavilion and the DAM Theater.

    According to an official release, with this Web-based application, all of FremantleMedia’s regional offices have the ability to preview more than 1,000 hours of programming as well as new shows in more than 20 countries where FremantleMedia has production offices.

    The solution initially supports the worldwide drama department and will soon scale across other departments.

    “This is already one of our most important sales tools, letting broadcasters around the world tap into the breadth of our programming quickly and easily. We look forward to expanding the system across all of our departments,” said FremantleMedia Production executive VP production Worldwide Entertainment Rob Clark.

    An important aspect of FremantleMedia’s business is identifying and selling “formats” globally. For example, the company reviews programmes when they are aired and determines whether the programmes have potential for remarketing in other markets.

    A recent example is The Apprentice, which FremantleMedia brought to the UK and other international markets. A traditional format like The Price is Right, the world’s number one game show, took about 40 years to get to the point where it is now broadcast in 40 different countries.

    Today improved communications and digital broadcasting mean that a format like Pop Idol in the UK has reached 30 countries in three years. By using Artesia DAM, the company is compressing this time even further.

    “From the outset we were looking for a DAM solution that could meet our needs for at least the next five years. That meant it had to scale in two dimensions by volume and by the nature of the content used,” said FremantleMedia information systems & technology head Nigel Dixon.

    “Other critical factors that led to the selection of Artesia DAM were the ability to integrate into our existing systems and other products, and production deployment within a six-month timeframe. We worked closely with the Artesia team to deliver the solution on time and under budget, ” briefs Dixon.

    The initial implementation of Artesia DAM will give the company’s sales staff and broadcasters around the world immediate access to shows shortly after they are broadcast. At present, this is done by the distribution of DVDs which results in significant delays.

    The company is already seeing a significant time-to-market advantage using the new system. In addition, more than 1,000 hours of FremantleMedia’s extensive programming archive is available in Microsoft Windows Media format through the Web application.

    “FremantleMedia is leading the trend globally toward central management of program content and distribution using digital asset management along with Web-based user interfaces,” said Open Text’s Artesia Digital Media Group president Scott Bowen.

    “Across the board we’re seeing that Artesia DAM delivers significant business value, helping to lower operational costs and improve the bottom line.”

    Artesia DAM is a leading solution for managing large volumes of digital content, such as video, audio and graphics files, in global organizations. The solution helps customers manage this content more efficiently, and helps them to reduce costs, safeguard copyrights and derive new revenue streams by re- expressing and reusing existing content. It complements every phase of the video asset lifecycle including production, review and approval, distribution, and content preservation.

    The company has a cliente based which includes leading media and entertainment companies, such as Comcast, Discovery Communications, DreamWorks, HBO, and MLB.com, informs the release.

  • HBO announces major programming initiative for the summer

    HBO announces major programming initiative for the summer

    MUMBAI: I Love Summer! That is the tagline for English movie channel HBO’s summer programming initiative in May and June. The channel will also be running a contest.

    The offerings include non-stop thrilling blockbusters, Hollywood hotties, Kung Fu fighting, HBO Whazz up and Sex and the City’ Finale Season Premiere.

    The channel gives viewers the chance to be a part of I Love Summer. Viewers just have to reply to the question “Why you love summer on HBO”?. Prizes up for grabs include an all expense paid family trip to Club Mahindra resorts, Nano iPods, HBO premiums and lots more.

    The summer kicks off with the sci-fi horror film Resident Evil: Apocalypse on 26 May at 9 pm. All of Raccoon City is contaminated with virus and Alice (Milla Jovovich) is stuck right in the middle. Now, she and a group of survivors must fight to escape the nightmare that has plagued Raccoon City.

    The finale of Sex And The City premieres on HBO starting May with more glitz and glamour, humour and trend setting fashion. The HBO Original Movie of the month is Lackawanna Blues, which is fuelled by rhythm, blues and a stellar cast. Based on a true story of the relationship between Ruben Santiago Jr. and his guardian Rachel “Nanny” Crosby, set in 1950’s Lackawanna, a city in Upstate New York, Lackawanna Blues will air on 2 May, at 9 pm.

    As far as HBO Saturday Nights are concerned on 6 May Catwoman will air. Halle Berry’s feline instincts take over as she dons the black leather cat suit and cracks the whip for her role as the glamorous anti-heroine. In Good Company airs on 13 May, a middle-aged ad executive is faced with a new boss who is nearly half his age and who also happens to be dating his 18-year old daughter.

    On 20 May Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed takes centrestage. Old villains come back to haunt the team in their hometown, Coolsville making them lose their cool and their reputations. On 27 May the channel airs A Cinderella Story.

    HBO has created a new band HBO Whazz Up. Films in this band will air before the 9 pm movie. Films like Connie And Carla, American Ninja, What Dreams May Come, The School Of Rock will air in this band.

  • HBO Latino new boxing series to debut 27 April

    HBO Latino new boxing series to debut 27 April

    MUMBAI: HBO Sports introduces an exclusive Spanish-language boxing series that will launch on HBO Latino on 27 April. Five additional boxing events will be presented in 2006.

    The Generación Boxeo series, an innovative and dedicated original program created for HBO Latino, will feature the best young Latino fighters, behind-the-scenes interviews and round-by-round Spanish-language commentary by Raul Marquez and Mario Solis.

    “The Generación Boxeo series captures the action, spirit and fury of the ring for boxing enthusiasts,” said director Brand Development at HBO Adrion Porter, “This is another great opportunity for us to continue the event-level type of sports programming that “Oscar De La Hoya Presenta Boxeo De Oro” did on HBO Latino previously.”

    The 27 April event will feature the delayed broadcast of three fights: Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., son of legendary Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez, against undefeated challenger Tyler Ziolkowski in a junior welterweight bout; unbeaten Mexican-American Juan Diaz defends his lightweight title against Jose Miguel Cotto, brother of Puerto Rican boxing sensation Miguel Cotto; and Mexican Jorge Arce, considered one of the best young fighters of the moment, takes on veteran and two-time champion Rosendo Alvarez of Nicaragua in a flyweight title fight.

    Available in 45 per cent of HBO’s cable households, HBO Latino is a dedicated Spanish-language channel designed to reflect the diversity of Latino culture in the country. HBO Latino features U.S. premieres of Spanish-language movies and documentaries; music videos; and original short-form programming, such as “Habla,” that spotlights entertainment and cultural issues; plus a mix of popular Hollywood films and the best of HBO’s originals.

    Along with Generación Boxeo, boxing coverage on HBO Latino includes HBO’s flagship World Championship Boxing series, with live ringside Spanish-language commentary, and the critically acclaimed HBO Boxing After Dark, states an official release.

  • HBO US renews drama series ‘Big Love’ for second season

    HBO US renews drama series ‘Big Love’ for second season

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO has renewed the drama series Big Love for a second season.

    HBO Entertainment president Carolyn Strauss says, “Big Love is a unique and remarkable series. The second season will offer more of the terrific storytelling that has gripped critics and subscribers this year.”

    Big Love tells the story of Salt Lake City native Bill Henrickson, who balances the needs of his three wives – Barb, Nicki and Margene – their seven kids, three houses and his home improvement stores. Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin and Harry Dean Stanton star in the series.

    The second season kicks off next year.

  • Nominations announced for Banff World Television Awards

    Nominations announced for Banff World Television Awards

    MUMBAI: With the largest number of entries submitted over the past five years, the Banff World Television Festival has announced its 2006 Banff World Television Award nominees.

    This year’s festival boasts 101 nominated programmes across 18 categories, from more than 1,000 entries submitted. The Banff World Television Festival takes place from 11to 14 June 2006 in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
    TThe program nominees represent 24 countries including Australia, France, Germany, the UK, and the US.

    The nominees, as well as the 18 “Best-of” category winners, are chosen by the Banff selection jury. The jury meets for several days prior the Festival to screen the 18 category winners and ultimately decide the Grand Prize winner for the best overall program of the 2006 Banff World Television Awards.

    Banff selection jury chairman Jerry Ezekiel says, “This year’s volume signals a resurgence for the Banff competition. Moreover, we believe this year’s programme makers have set a new standard for quality. The cream of this year’s crop is an outstanding line-up from major content-creators in television and related media.”

    The jury also decides the winners of the $25,000 NHK President’s Prize, for the best HDTV program, and two Special Jury Prizes, awarded to the producers of two programs chosen from a shortlist of nominees designated by the Selection Jury. A separate all-Canadian jury will select the winner of the Best Canadian Programme in this year’s competition.

    Winners will be presented the coveted “Rockie” statuette at the Global Television Banff World Television Awards show on 12 June. Prior to the awards show, the nominees will be featured in Best of Banff World Television Award Tours and in the Best of Interactive Television From Around the World panel.
    In the animation category the nominees are Charlie & Lola: I Am Not Sleepy And I Will Not Go To Bed, HBO’s Classical Baby, UTV’s Jane and the Dragon: Shall We Dance, PBS’ John and Michael and Film Australia’s The Safe House. Comedies

    The comedy show nominees are ABC’s hit Desperate Housewives: That’s Good, That’s Bad,, BBC and HBO’s Extras: Kate Winslet, Channel 4’s IT Crowd, CBC’s The Rick Mercer Report III and Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s We Can Be Heroes. The interactive television nominees are Interactive Television BBC’s How to Sleep Better, Comedy Network’s Odd Job Jack: Odd Job Jack, Worldwide Web’s ReGenesis II: Extended Reality Game, BBC’s Shakespeare : Shakespeare’s Stories and Teletoon’s Zimmer Twins.

    The mini series nominees are BBC’s Bleak House, France 2’s De Gaulle, The Laser Man, HBO’s Rome and BBC’s Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky. Competing for the best unscripted entertainment programme are The Apprentice: Home Shopping Channel, Dragons’ Den, Paradise Lost, Setting Sail To The New World: Departure and Young Black Farmers.