ITV

Tag: HBO

  • HBO to premiere ‘Band Of Brothers’ by year-end in Asia

    HBO to premiere ‘Band Of Brothers’ by year-end in Asia

    HBO, Asia's leading entertainment provider, has announced plans to premiere the new epic ten-part miniseries Band of Brothers in late 2001. This new $120 million miniseries is the most expensive original production by HBO to-date.

    Based on Stephen Ambrose's nonfiction bestseller about a World War II US Army unit, the miniseries is slated to debut in Asia, exclusively on HBO, in the latter part of 2001.

    Band of Brothers is produced by Band Of Brothers Ltd. on behalf of the Playtone Company and DreamWorks SKG. Tom Hanks (executive producer of the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon) and Steven Spielberg serve as executive producers. Tony To (co-executive producer of From the Earth to the Moon) is co-executive-producer.

    "Band is the kind of exciting quality programme that makes HBO a unique provider of entertainment. Combining an epic, heroic story with the production talents of Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and HBO, it is sure to result in a stunning treat for HBO viewers. This is another part of our ongoing efforts to bring "the best" to our subscribers in Asia. We are very excited about this programme," said Dan Murrell, president and CEO, HBO Asia. 

    Band Of Brothers tells the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, US Army. Starting with their rigorous training in Georgia in 1942, it recounts the achievements of the elite rifle company, which parachuted into France early on D-Day morning, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and captured Hilter's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. Drawn from hours of interviews with survivors, as well as soldiers' journals and letters, Band Of Brothers chronicles a unit that became true American heroes.

    As a kick-off, HBO premiered screening of the first two parts of 'Band Of Brothers' on Wednesday 6 June, the anniversary of D-Day, on the grounds of the Utah Beach Memorial in Normandy, France.

  • BTVI’s Megha Tata steps down as chief operating officer

    BTVI’s Megha Tata steps down as chief operating officer

    Mumbai: Megha Tata, chief operating officer of business news channel BTVI , has stepped down from her role, Indiantelevision.com has learnt. 15 March 2019 will be her last day at the organisation, Tata informed colleagues via an email last week.

    “Till such time the management decides on the way forward, my direct reports will report into Siddharth (Zarabi),” the veteran executive went on to add.

    The former HBO India MD – South Asia was roped in by BTVI in August 2016. Under her leadership, BTVI has made major gains in terms of viewership, especially on digital platforms.

    With over 25 years of media experience under her belt, Tata has worked for some of the most formidable brands in the media and entertainment business.

    Before joining HBO, Tata worked for Turner International India as general manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia.

    Prior to her stint at Turner, Tata was the senior vice president -advertising sales, Star India.

    With another round of success behind her, all eyes will now be on Tata’s next move.

  • The Age of Heroes has arrived

    The Age of Heroes has arrived

    Mumbai: Humanity plunges into despair; panic spreads like plague. The death of Superman spells a terrible reign of darkness. Will a band of unlikely allies vanquish supervillain Steppenwolf, as he returns to claim his rightful place as the ruler of this world? Can Batman and his troop of gifted meta-humans defeat this invincible abomination? To find out, tune in to the premiere of the much-awaited, Justice League, only on Sunday, 28th October, 2018 at 12pm and 8pm, only on HBO and HBO HD!

    Justice League brings together an unprecedented situation that calls for an equally exceptional team of warriors. The entry of one of the New Gods, Steppenwolf and his Parademons wreak havoc to collect all ‘Mother Boxes’, as Batman recruits superheroes with the help of Wonder Woman. The movie, much to the delight of die-hard DC fans, introduces champions from different worlds – from Men, to Atlanteans, to Amazonians. That’s the cue for a cocky and self-sufficient Aquaman; The Flash as an impressionable University student with superhuman speed; and a techno-organic Cyborg!

    The impending catastrophe and superhero battles mark a new milestone in the DC Extended Universe. Directed by Zack Snyder, the movie is aplenty with stylistic action, slow-motion shots and visual effects that elevate every combat sequence. The plotline cleverly balances action and drama, peppered with moments of humour.

    HBO and HBO HD is set to elevate movie magic with exciting social and digital fan engagement. Fans too can #JoinTheLeague and become a Superhero! Viewers need to simply visit http://hbosouthasia.com/jointheleague/ to take part in the contest and enter their Desired Superhero Name and Power. The lucky winner will get to watch his or her Superhero avatar featured in a cool animated short movie that will be aired on HBO! The contest will be promoted on air and run on all social media platforms. And the superhero bug never spared anyone! So popular stand-up comedian and superhero fan Sahil Shah will also be sharing his excitement for this contest on his social media pages!

    Check out HBO India on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to know more! Justice League set cash registers ringing worldwide and won millions of hearts. Now it’s your turn to experience the magic only on HBO and HBO HD, on Sunday, 28th October, 2018 at 12pm and 8pm!

  • HBO asia partners with Viu on viu original “The Bridge”

    HBO asia partners with Viu on viu original “The Bridge”

    MUMBAI: Today, HBO Asia and Viu, a leading OTT Video service by PCCW and Vuclip, announce that the Viu Original “The Bridge” licensed by Endemol Shine Group, will be available on HBO Asia’s channels and services throughout Asia. From November 26th, 2018, the show will be available day and date on Viu in all available markets and on HBO, HBO GO and HBO ON DEMAND in the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Fans of Viu Originals will now have the opportunity to view this latest adaptation of global phenomenon, “The Bridge,” on multiple platforms.

    “HBO Asia is committed to quality original local programming and working with Viu on ‘The Bridge’ is another step towards that,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia. “This adaptation of ‘The Bridge’ will add to our ever-growing line up of Asian Original content that will resonate with audiences in the region and around the world.”

    “Our approach is not just to produce great content, but also continue investing in the local ecosystem by providing a platform for sustained growth. It is great to partner with HBO Asia on the Bridge, because they share our vision and passion when it comes to Original content,” said Kingsley Warner, Country Manager Malaysia and Executive Producer of The Bridge, Malaysia and Singapore.

    Viu is working with longtime partner, Double Vision, to produce a Malaysia-Singapore localised, ten-episode adaptation of global phenomenon, The Bridge, starring Bront Palarae, Rebecca Lim, Cheryl Samad and Tony Eusoff. The Bridge will be directed by Lee Thean-jeen and Jason Chong. A body is found on the border of two countries, Malaysia and Singapore, forcing an investigator from each country to work together to solve the case. This is a licensed format from international production and distribution house, Endemol Shine Group and is a compelling storyline which lends itself to great localization.

    The Bridge (Bron/Broen) was originally created and written by Hans Rosenfeldt as a joint production of Sweden’s Filmlance International, part of Endemol Shine Group and Denmark’s Nimbus Film. The Bridge (Bron/Broen) was produced in co-production with Sveriges Television, DR, ZDF German Television network, ZDF Enterprises Gmbh, Film i Skåne, NRK, Copenhagen Film Fund, Lumiere Group, Stiftelsen Ystad Österlen Filmfond, with from Norvision and in co-operation with Malmö Stad.

  • On 12th August, ‘You’ll float too!’ Watch spooktacular blockbuster ‘IT’ exclusively on HBO & HBO HD

    On 12th August, ‘You’ll float too!’ Watch spooktacular blockbuster ‘IT’ exclusively on HBO & HBO HD

    MUMBAI: This August, HBO and HBO HD welcomes you to unravel the terror that Derry, Maine of Circa 1989 harbours! Betraying its idyllic townscape, a sinister secret is ready to prey on the deepest fears of little children and haunt them in unspeakable ways. Brace yourself for the re-emergence of ‘IT’, an eternal entity that masquerades as notorious killer clown called Pennywise!

    The latest film adaptation of Stephen King’s eponymous novel, not only set cash registers ringing but also struck a chord with critics and movie-goers alike. Brought to fans by Domino’s, the much-awaited premiere on HBO and HBO HD promises bone-chilling horrorin the form of IT, a nefarious eternal entity that takes the form of a killer clownpopularly known as Pennywise. Disturbingly, IT can also shapeshift, and go absolutely unseen by adults. 

    The movie deftly combines Pennywise’s chilling capers, with a coming-of-age story that is brought alive by a brilliant star-cast. Bill Skarsgard as the clown embodies the classic nightmarish characteristics with much élan. Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Lieberher, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chosen Jacobs, are the innocent but strong-willed ‘Losers’, whose performances make you root for them in their war against IT. With a great cast, gripping story and critically lauded screenplay, director Andy Muschietti moves away from the dog-eared cliché book, and creates a classy horror masterpiece. 

    You can run, you can hide but you cannot escape because IT will find you. Watch the mega premiere of spine-chilling IT only on HBO and HBO HD, and experience the magic on Sunday,12thAugust, 1pm and 9pm. Use the #YouCantEscapeIT on social media to post your experience.  
     

  • US DOJ to appeal AT&T-Time Warner deal

    US DOJ to appeal AT&T-Time Warner deal

    MUMBAI: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) will appeal the AT&T-Time Warner merger approval which was cleared last month by a lower court. Following the announcement, AT&T’s share fell down more than one per cent in after-hours trading .

    Last month, a federal judge ruled approved the $85.4 billion deal as legal without any imposed condition. The DOJ maintained that the deal would make the pay TV market less competitive and less innovative as well. It also said that it would lead to higher prices for consumers.

    “The court’s decision could hardly have been more thorough, fact-based and well-reasoned. While the losing party in litigation always has the right to appeal if it wishes, we are surprised that the DOJ has chosen to do so under these circumstances. We are ready to defend the court’s decision at the DC Circuit Court of Appeals,” AT&T general counsel David McAtee said.

    Other than AT&T, the ruling was also a green light for similar deals on the way. The company has already started moving ahead with plans and holding discussions for what to do with properties like HBO.

  • Netflix dethrones HBO’s 17-year reign at Emmys with 112 nominations

    Netflix dethrones HBO’s 17-year reign at Emmys with 112 nominations

    MUMBAI: HBO needs to guard its territory. The New York based network has been holding the position of the most nominated network for the last 17 years at the prestigious Emmy Award. Netflix, the new content king, has dethroned HBO this year with 112 nominations.

    The 70th annual Primetime Emmy awards is to be held on Monday, 17 September. Last time, the streaming giant scored 91 awards. High-profile projects including The Crown, Stranger Things, Godless and GLOW added big to the list each with ten or more than ten nominations.

    “We are particularly enthused to see the breadth of our programming celebrated with nominations spread across 40 new and returning titles which showcase our varied and expansive slate—comedies, dramas, movies, limited series, documentary, variety, animation, and reality,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said.

    However, HBO is also not far behind Netflix with 108 nominations with Game of Thrones leading the way for the network. “HBO is very pleased with its 108 nominations, especially the wide range over so many categories,” the network also said in a statement. But it’s a real challenge for networks to keep pace with Netflix’s spending on content. The streaming giant has planned to spend $8 billion this year, focusing highly on originals.

    Other streaming platforms including Hulu, Amazon have also gathered a good number of nominations with 27 and 22 respectively. Critically acclaimed The Handmaid’s Tale has worked as the game changer for Hulu and Amazon is indebted to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

    “If you look at Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon and you add together their nominations at 161, and you add four platforms called networks together and you have 159, I think you see where things are headed. And Apple isn’t even in the game yet,” executive producer of The Handmaid’s Tale Warren Littlefield said.

  • Cartoon Network HD+ adds Tamil, Telugu feeds

    Cartoon Network HD+ adds Tamil, Telugu feeds

    MUMBAI: Joining the bandwagon of launching local language feeds in the kids’ TV sector is Turner India’s Cartoon Network. The company has undertaken a soft launch of its new channel Cartoon Network HD+ from 15 April 2018 and has Hindi, Tamil and Telugu feeds along with English.

    Turner India has started testing signals for Cartoon Network HD+ for a phased roll out over the next few weeks, according to a Turner India spokesperson.

    Nickelodeon, Disney, Sony Yay, Cartoon Network and Discovery Kids all have Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and English feeds for their kids. Broadcasters are finally realising the viewership addition that the South Indian languages can add. Only Sony Yay stands out of the crowd as it has Bengali and Malayalam feeds as well.

    According to FICCI-KPMG’s report for 2018, there has been increased interest across broadcasters to be able to provide better quality and fresher content to regional consumers. It also suggests that the increase in weightage to rural India by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) had a positive impact on the kids’ genre, which saw a jump in absolute terms of viewership numbers in 2017 compared to the previous year.

    Another BARC report found that just 14 per cent of kids watch children’s content while the rest end up co-viewing with elders, thus giving broadcasters an opportunity to grab this passive young audience.

    Original programming from Cartoon Network will be available on the channel. Shows like Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, We Bare Bears and some brand new exclusive shows are in the pipeline.

    After nearly two decades of successful strategic collaboration, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEE) and Turner International (Turner) had mutually decided to work independently for driving subscription revenue. Both companies joined hands back in 2002 to manage distribution and trade marketing for a bouquet of channels in India.  Turner appointed IndiaCast Media distribution as its exclusive distribution agent.

    In September 2016, Turner had launched HBO HD by rebranding its erstwhile HBO Hits channel. Turner’s India portfolio includes CNN International, Cartoon Network, POGO, Toonami, HBO, and WB.

    Also read:

    20 years later, ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ still breaking stereotypes

    Japanese kids’ content going strong despite home-grown onslaught

    Sony Yay tests Bengali, Malayalam feeds

  • This March Gal Gadot comes to your television screen as wonder woman exclusively on HBO & HBO HD on 25th march

    This March Gal Gadot comes to your television screen as wonder woman exclusively on HBO & HBO HD on 25th march

    MUMBAI: This March, fix your date with Gal Gadot – who plays DC Comics character Wonder Woman – an Amazonian warrior in training, leaves home to fight a war, discovering her full powers and true destiny. HBO and HBO HD, home to the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, is excited to Premiere Wonder Woman in the month where the entire World celebrates International Women’s Day. Bringing the first ever Woman superhero story from DC Comics’ expanded universe, ‘Wonder Woman’ is our way to celebrate this month.

    The epic action adventure premier, co-powered by Levis & Kellogg Muesli, is a treat for fans as director Patty Jenkins takes the audience through Wonder Woman’s origin, told in a flashback that traces the demi-goddess’s evolution from an idealistic, innocent girl to a powerful vigilante saving mortals. Talented Israeli actor Gal Gadot steals millions of hearts, as she effortlessly portrays her transformation from an Amazonian Warrior Princess to Wonder Woman. The female actor-director duo has dished out the 3rd most successful movie of 2017 at the box-office.

    And that’s not all. HBO and HBO HD are geared up to take the excitement up a notch. In the lead up to the film premier, from 9th to 13th March, fans and viewers can participate in a fantastic #SheIsWonderWoman contest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! All fans need to do, is ‘Upload a picture with the person who is Wonder Woman to them, and explaining why’ in less than 250 words. There resides a strong sense of power, courage, grace and Wonder in every woman – and the contest celebrates exactly that! Being a contest, which touches the emotional chord of the viewers, the gratification is a money can’t buy experience. Three lucky winners would get a golden chance to be featured on HBO & HBO HD during the Television premiere of the movie along with a staycation with their Wonder Woman. During the contest period we would have 5 lucky winners daily, who will get gift vouchers from HBO! The shortlisted entries will be a part of the music video which will be aired at the end of the movie.

    Experience the journey of the lasso-wielding superhero, Wonder Woman, as she traverses from the familiar cocoon of The Paradise Islands to the uncharted territory of human battleground. Tune in to HBO and HBO HD, and experience the magic of Wonder Woman only on Sunday, 25th March, 1pm and 9pm.

  • We place a very high premium on fan experience: Turner’s Rohit Bhandari

    We place a very high premium on fan experience: Turner’s Rohit Bhandari

    MUMBAI: Competition has brought the best out of the TV channels operating in the English movie genre. With 14 channels vying for the crown, the genre has witnessed a flurry of changes in programming strategy and content aggregation as well as viewer-engagement manoeuvres. In the quest for curating quality content, increasing the fan base and expanding the target audience, channels are in the race to bag rights for premieres and beefing up their content library. The viewership for the genre has been reasonably steady through the year even as the yearning for the consumption of movies increases on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

    Turner India senior director and network head- English entertainment Rohit Bhandari feels that there is no empirical data that proves any cannibalisation of viewership. They are currently driving all the strategies towards making the television-viewing experience an almost personal and incredible one rather than diverging into OTT for now.

    Both HBO and WB are available across all the DTH operators and key national networks and MSOs across India. Turner India is planning to strengthen its line-up of premieres for the year 2018, which will have movies from big studios like Warner Bros and Paramount and help in reaching the goals.

    Bhandari, in an interaction with Indiantelevision.com, said that the network intends to deepen the relationship with its fans by not only by expanding the content library but also by giving them more meaningful experiences through innovative ways by which they can participate and engage with its brands.

    Edited excerpts:

    What are your plans, innovations and strategies for 2018 for your English movies channels?

    We are a fan-first company, and our strategy for HBO and WB reflects our viewer-centric approach. Our plans are centered around growing and super servicing our fans, the successful execution of which will ultimately help us to achieve higher ratings and in turn enable us to deliver bigger advertising revenues. Through interesting content and continuous engagement with the audience, we intend to build upon the strong fan-base we have. This, of course, would be aimed at increasing the total number of viewers and increasing our revenue share.

    Ted Turner once famously said, ‘Just because your ratings are bigger doesn’t mean you’re better.’ We are driven by the same thought. While ranks are important and we are constantly monitoring what’s happening with the genre, we’re focused on being better. We are taking a `Kaizen’ approach to everything that we do. We look to improve continuously with not just our content acquisitions but also with our distribution, marketing and communication plans.

    We place a very high premium on the fan experience and we look for opportunities to create an environment that our viewers have come to expect from our brands and delivering that experience.

    Will there be a change in the programming line-up this year?

    In 2018 our fans can expect an even stronger line up of premieres. A line-up from Warner Bros and Paramount Studios that we now will help drive our reach and expansion goals. While we started the year with a bang, with the premiere of Kong: Skull Island, we have some great titles lined up for the year such as Wonder Woman, Transformers: The Last Knight, Baywatch, Dunkirk, Justice League to name a few. Creatively curated together from an extensive library of ever-popular hit titles in our library, we are confident of keeping and growing our fans with this great line-up.

    What is your current target group?

    The core target group that English Movies seeks is 16-30 years, with some spillover happening at both ends of the age spectrum. However, from a BARC measurement point of view, we evaluate our brands on 1 Mn+ markets, 15-40 age group, NCCS A audiences.

    We will expand this fan-base by empathising with our viewers. In 2017, we interacted with fans by using languages and mediums that they were most comfortable with viz. social media and instant messaging like WhatsApp. The idea of interacting with their favourite movie channel in real time generated a lot of excitement for our fans and created great value for us in terms of pure engagement and feedback. This almost personal experience with the brand is what we will be continuing with, going into 2018, thereby widening the fan pool.

    Is there any change in the prime time band?

    Our strategy around prime time band remains the same as last year. We follow a differentiated strategy during weekdays and over weekends. Given that weekdays are busy times for people, we play more of the action oriented blockbuster titles as the viewer is looking for a quick fix and blockbusters offer them an easy entry into the film. However, the weekends allow us to expose more of our library to our viewers. With 1 pm and 9 pm being the key slots which are reserved for popular titles, the other slots like 11 am, 3 pm, 7 pm etc. allow us to play a variety of titles across genres. 

    In terms of viewership, how are the channels performing?

    With its brand promise of Experience The Magic, HBO focuses on presenting its viewers with some of the biggest blockbusters from Hollywood and we ensure that our loyal fans are provided the best in movie entertainment and with our exciting and highly popular library. HBO continues to be amongst the top performing movie channels in India.

    Youth brands and male brands dominate our channels. Auto, mobile handset, e-commerce and IT products are key categories.

    With increasing digital content consumption, are you planning to launch an OTT platform?

    ‘Experience The Magic’ is an intended consumer experience that we want consumers to feel every time that they engage with HBO. Given the variety of choices available to the consumer today, we realise that it is important to convert our consumer from a viewer into a fan, and the only way of doing that is putting the fan at the center of everything. A majority of fans in the multi-tiered Indian market love the experience of films – visual as well as audio – that television brings them, and we are currently driving all our strategies towards making this television-viewing experience an almost personal, incredible one rather than diverging into OTT for now.

    What are your marketing and promotional strategies for the new content?

    Our industry is evolving and consumers demand not just choice – which they already have a lot of – but also convenience, value and more than just great content. They are also looking for unique experiences. Which explains why we at Turner have a fan-first strategy and been so focused on fan experiences. This transcends further into our promotional and marketing strategies for new content. For example, for our recent premiere of Kong: Skull Island, we made the experience even more special for fans, with HBO and HBO HD releasing cool ‘Stand with Kong’ filter available on Facebook camera filters. Fans could use the filter for a cool picture that would visually bring them face to face with Kong himself. Further, we also created a unique Facebook SmartApp, so fans could see how they measure up to the gigantic legend. This was accompanied by exciting contests on HBO’s social platforms.

    All major titles throughout the year will see similar strategies that bring fans closer to experiencing the magic.

    Has the trend of watching movies on OTT platforms affected business?

    We believe that even though OTT is growing, TV will continue to be the main source of entertainment for a majority of the audience in the Indian market. It is a multi-tiered market, and for OTT to have a significant impact on TV viewership, there needs to be economic affordability and the access to good bandwidth. Also, the experience of television, which complements the largeness of a film and its effects, cannot be compared to that of OTT. Over the last couple of years, our ratings have been rather stable and while there certainly has been higher acceptance to the various OTT players, there is no empirical data that proves any cannibalisation of viewership.

    Do you think ad revenue will pick-up this year? 

    HBO as a brand is iconic that advertisers have appreciated and respected over the years. With the launch of HBO HD coupled with its new look, we saw a steady positive response from advertisers in the last couple of years.

    2017 was a challenging year for everyone with demonetisation and GST implementation. 2018 has opened far better and we expect to see a pickup from March onwards. A trend we hope will strengthen even further. 

    HBO is perceived as an aspirational brand, identified with big premieres, large blockbuster titles and hence, has always commanded a very strong premium on rates over competition.

    2018’s exciting lineup has piqued advertiser interest. At the end of the day, advertisers need some big vehicles to get their brands onto and this year HBO has the right mix of titles to attract some of the biggest brands and advertisers.

    Also Read :

    &Privé HD to showcase top notch film titles at prime time

    SPN English cluster innovations for 2018