ITV

Tag: Huw Bevan

  • ESPN Star Sports to showcase soccer show ‘Kick Off’

    ESPN Star Sports to showcase soccer show ‘Kick Off’

    MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports has launched a soccer based show called Kick Off. The game show based on a quizzing format features two popular ex-EPL players; Lee Sharpe and Les Ferdinand. The show will be hosted by the presenter of the popular soccer show Nokia Football Crazy, Andy Penders.

    Kick Off will launch on 21 February and air every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 pm. The show will run concurrently with the EPL and the UEFA Champion’s league.

    The end of the show will coincide with the end of the 2005-06 season for both the popular leagues and will also telecast live and exclusive on ESPN Star Sports.

    Kick Off is an affirmative step by ESPN Star Sports towards providing innovative sports entertainment content to viewers across Asia.

    Kick Off will showcase competition among 20 teams participating from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

    These 20 teams will quiz against each other in an interesting game show format. 40 member participants comprising the teams were selected by inviting entries via Nokia Football Crazy and Here We Go. These participants will be specially flown into Singapore to shoot for Kick Off.

    Highlighting a unique aspect of the game show, ESPN Star Sports senior VP Huw Bevan said, “Kick off is poised to be a very exciting program. Contestants from countries like Singapore and Malaysia where the EPL is so popular and contestants from countries like India where EPL’s popularity is still growing will come on a common platform to compete for the first time.

    “It will be an interesting contest among the SEA country teams as well, where each country vies for the title of the most knowledgeable soccer-nation. On the other hand there will be a contest between SEA countries and India where SEA will come with their exposure of EPL against Indian teams’ insatiable hunger for quizzing and game shows, popularity of EPL not withstanding.”

    Huw added, “As a network we continue to increase our strength by acquiring new sports properties. Simultaneously, our efforts will now focus on creating interesting sports entertainment programs like Kick Off to increase viewer involvement.”

    Each episode of Kick Off will be 30 minutes in duration and feature two teams. The teams will be captained by Les Ferdinand and Lee Sharpe and named after popular EPL and UEFA Champions League clubs.

    Andy Penders will present the show. Penders, in his inimitable style will challenge the captains, competitors and the audiences alike to make the show lively and competitive.

    The penultimate chapter of Kick Off on 9 May will be a unique episode, shot with the soccer pundits of ESPN Star Sports. This show will pitch two teams comprising of John Dykes and Andrew Leci, captained by Lee Sharpe and Paul Mansfield and Jamie Reeves captained by Les Ferdinand against each other.

    The final of Kick Off has been scheduled for 11 May, two days before the final of the FA Cup, which will be telecast live and exclusive on 13 May at 10 pm on Star Sports.

    Winners of Kick Off will be presented a unique gold trophy and the runner-up team will receive the silver Trophy. Besides the title both the winners, with a companion will have a chance to go on a five-day trip to UK to see an EPL match of their choice in the 2006-07 season. Through a special, ‘Name the Goal’ contest viewers will also get a chance to win an attractive Nokia mobile phone.

  • Steve McMahon joins ESS for football analysis

    Steve McMahon joins ESS for football analysis

    MUMBAI: Steve McMahon, ex Liverpool and ex England footballer has joined ESPN Star Sports (ESS). McMahon joins the team of analysts to provide his views on various football events showcased worldwide.

    ESS senior VP production Huw Bevan said, “Steve McMahon, with his vast experience as a player and as a manager, will be an asset to our network. Viewers will definitely enjoy his inimitable style. I am sure that Steve will endear himself to the fans in no time with his direct, frank and incisive comments on football. He will be seen on the network giving his expert views on EPL, Uefa Champions League, the Fifa World Cup 2006 for India and other football properties. He will also feature as an expert on SportsCenter.”

    McMahon said, “This is my first long term association with any broadcaster. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a footballer. Now I look forward to my new role as an expert analyst. I will give my best to the fans of the game and play my part to grow the popularity of this fantastic sport.”

    A former Everton ball boy, McMahon graduated through the ranks at Goodison to captain the Blues during the early eighties. McMahon’s signature was first sought after by the Reds two years before.

    Not wanting to risk the wrath of the Evertonians he opted instead to join Aston Villa but failed to settle in the Midlands. A month into Liverpool’s momentous double winning season of 85/86, Kenny Dalglish paid £350,000 to acquire his services.

    A fine striker of the ball, McMahon scored many memorable goals during his time at Anfield. In one of his early games for the Reds he famously hit the back of the net in a memorable 3-2 Merseyside derby success.

  • ESS promotes Huw Bevan as senior VP production

    MUMBAI: In recognition of the network’s corporate leadership team, ESPN Star Sports has promoted Huw Bevan as senior vice president, production.
    Bevan who was previously vice president, production, will continue to report directly to ESS MD Jamie Davis.
    On Bevan’s promotion, Davis said, “Bevan has overseen our production operations, introduced new production and programming initiatives and built a talented staff that keeps our production ranked among the very top in Asia. I look forward to Bevan’s contribution in his expanded role which will help to lead the company into the next stage of our growth.”
    With his promotion, Bevan will assume a broader strategic and leadership role in the company including advancing the network in product development and new programming initiatives. He will continue his key role of overseeing ESPN STAR Sports production operations with additional emphasis on capitalising on potential synergies across the Company’s networks, states an official release.

  • Paula Malai Ali to host a sports show for men on ESS

    Paula Malai Ali to host a sports show for men on ESS

    MUMBAI: Asian television personality Paula Malai Ali has joined ESPN Star Sports (ESS). She will host a new magazine show on Star Sports – For Men Only.

    From 6 October the show will be broadcast on Star Sports every Friday night at 7 pm. For Men Only is dedicated to men and their lifestyle. It will cover topics from fashion, electronics, sports, film, music and motoring – all things bright and shiny that matter to men.

    Paula and co-host Kui Jien will anchor the show with a refreshing new take. Guests will also be invited onto the show to share their views across a range of subjects that are of interest to men. It may be recalled that AXN had done a similar initiative in India called The Man’s World.

    ESS senior VP, production, Huw Bevan said, “Paula is a great addition to ESPN Star Sports, which already has a strong pool of talents. The unique positioning for the two channels – ESPN and Star Sports, paves the way for us to find personalities that fit each brand.”

    “Paula’s popularity, and her invaluable experience and passion for working in television made her the obvious choice to present the new show on Star Sports.”

    Over the past nine years, Ali has worked for various channels, the last being Channel [v]. Besides her work on TV, Paula has also presented several radio programmes in Malaysia. One of the highlights of her career was being featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

    Known for her consummate professionalism, Paula is a hot favourite with everyone in the industry. Her celebrity status has also seen her become the ‘face’ of many international brands.

    She says, “Having hosted a variety of programmes on Channel [v], this exciting move into the arena of sports broadcast will be a welcome challenge – I am looking forward to my new assignment. Sports is fast becoming a very popular form of entertainment in Asia and ESPN Star Sports is at the forefront of sports broadcasting. This is a fantastic opportunity and I know I will enjoy my new role.”