ITV

Tag: India

  • RTL Group joins forces with CBS Studios International

    RTL Group joins forces with CBS Studios International

    MUMBAI: The RTL Group is joining forces with CBS Studios International to launch two channels, one focused on general entertainment and the other featuring reality, action and extreme sports, across South East Asia.

     

    RTL Group began targeting Asia in 2011, partnering with Reliance Broadcast Network to launch the BIG RTL Thrill network in India in 2012. CBS Studios International also has a partnership with Reliance in India for three channels: BIG CBS Prime, BIG CBS Spark and BIG CBS Love.

     

    The RTL-CBS venture, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, will be based in Singapore, reporting to a board featuring representatives from both companies. It will operate RTL CBS Entertainment, slated for a September 2013 launch, delivering shows like FremantleMedia’s The X Factor, America’s Got Talent and Celebrity Apprentice and CBS’s Elementary and Under the Dome. In spring 2014, RTL CBS Extreme will roll out offering action/adventure, reality series and extreme sports, such as NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0 and Fear Factor. The channels will have ongoing access to content from FremantleMedia and CBS Studios International.

     

    RTL Group co-CEO Guillaume de Posch said, “We are delighted to team up with CBS Studios International. By joining forces with such a renowned global partner, we are continuing our tried-and-tested build strategy, expanding our business to more countries in Asia with high growth potential. CBS is a highly creative and professional organisation with world-leading content which complements FremantleMedia’s catalogue very well. I am very confident that this venture will benefit strongly from the combined broadcasting and production expertise of both parties.”

     

    CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, “This is another opportunity to use CBS’s internationally successful content to be part of a new channel venture in one of the world’s fastest growing TV regions. It’s even better to do it with a best-in-class partner such as RTL Group, one of the most accomplished and respected broadcasters anywhere. We’re excited to create an additive way to monetise our content in Asia and provide audiences throughout the region the best television from two of the world’s most successful programming companies.”

  • IndiaSpend to present data journalism initiative at World Newspaper meet in India

    IndiaSpend to present data journalism initiative at World Newspaper meet in India

    NEW DELHI: IndiaSpend.com director of research Dr Julie Hudman will present a case study on the country’s first data journalism initiative at the forthcoming WAN-IFRA India 2013 / Publish Asia Conference in India.

     

    Organised by the World Association of Newspapers, the meet will be held from 11 to 13 September at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore.

     

    IndiaSpend’s mission is to tell stories focused on governance, transparency and accountability in India using data analysis and also produce smart, engaging articles and formats disseminated in a manner that is appealing to young India and others. Dr Hudman’s presentation will focus on why data journalism is important, both to media and to consumers of media. Indian speakers include KSL Digital, India assistant vice president P.D Sundar.

     

    Other speakers at the conference include: Erik Bjerager, editor-in-chief & managing director, World Editors Forum, Denmark president Kristeligt Dagblad; Financial Times, United Kingdom managing editor James Lamont; Polaris Media, Australia operations manager Rod Kenning; Mediterranean Media Centre, France founder Terry Maguire; Paragram, Norway consultant Hakan Helander; design consultant, Germany Robb Montgomery and Luxemburger Wort, Luxemborg managing editor Andreas Holpert.

  • Muslim Clerics globally feel posting photos of women on Facebook is un-Islamic

    Muslim Clerics globally feel posting photos of women on Facebook is un-Islamic

    NEW DELHI: A Pakistani website quotes Muslim clerics in India agreeing with their counterparts in Pakistan that posting pictures of girls on Facebook is un-Islamic.

    The website moremag.pk says ‘this problem is not just limited to Pakistan where social media has become subject of criticism but Muslim leaders all over the world are somehow trying to establish their writ on social networks where it is virtually impossible to ban anything permanently.’

    It says Muslim clerics in India have shown reservation on posting pictures of girls on Facebook. The viewpoint is divided and according to few, it is un-Islamic to post pictures of girls on Facebook since it becomes a cause of social evils and creates problems for girls.

    Abul Irfan Naimul Halim of Sunni sect said, “There are so many crimes taking place each day. The animal instincts of men are not sparing girls even within the four walls. In such a case posting pictures is extending an open invitation to such crimes.”

    A Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas Naqvi also endorses the thoughts of Abdul Irfan. He says that hundreds of Muslims call on helplines asking about if making an account on facebook and twitter is permitted in Islam or not.

    “There is no harm in making accounts on social networks as it is a practice to gain knowledge but posting a picture of women on internet for public without hijab is un-Islamic. Purdah should be practiced if it is important to post a picture”, Maulana Saif added.

    To some, it is better to maintain a physical relation than getting involved in virtual relation because the latter is more deceiving in case one of them is playing with a fake picture.

    But there are few like Ali Nasir Syeed who is of the view that the definition of Purdah should be clear and that there is nothing un-Islamic in posting a picture of facebook or other social networks without hijab.

    To him, coping up with the technological advancement is more important for Muslims today rather than getting lost in vague things.

  • Hathway EBITDA more than triples in Q1-2014 as compared to Q1-2013

    Hathway EBITDA more than triples in Q1-2014 as compared to Q1-2013

    BENGALURU: Indian Multi Systems Operator (MSO) Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited (Hathway) reported EBITDA (including other income) of Rs 77.04 crore for Q1-2014, more than three times (3.23 times) the Rs 23.84 crore for Q1-2013, but 14 per cent lower than the EBITDA of Rs 88.47 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    NOTE: As per Hathway management’s estimates, EBITDA inclusive of Hathway’s economic interest in the EBITDA of its several subsidiaries/JVs/associate companies would aggregate to about Rs 96.0 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    Let us look at Hathway’s other figures for Q1-2014

     

    Hathway reported a total income from operations of Rs 232.65 crore in Q1-2014 which was 70.74 per cent higher than the Rs 132.26 crore in Q1-2013 and almost flat (just 0.64 per cent more) income as compared to the Rs 231.18 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    Hathway’s expense for Q1-2014 at Rs 156.56 crore was 39.14 per cent more than the Rs 112.42 crore for Q1-2013 and 9.7 per cent more than the Rs 142.71 crore for Q4-2013. Hathway’s purchase of stock in trade in Q1-2014 at Rs 0.67 crore was one fifth (5.075 times less) the Rs 3.4 crore in Q1-2013 and only about 41 per cent of the Rs 1.63 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    Staff cost of Rs 13.77 crore for Q1-2014 was 35.53 per cent higher than the Rs 10.16 crore in Q1-2013 and 31.02 per cent higher than the Rs 10.51 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    Paycost of Rs 58.45 crore for Q1-2014 was 50.22 per cent more than the Rs 38.91 crore for Q1-2013 and 18.08 per cent more than the Rs 49.5 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    Other expense at Rs 83.67 crore for Q1-2014 was 39.57 per cent more than the Rs 59.95 crore for the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q1-2013) and 3.2 per cent more than the Rs 81.06 crore for the immediate preceding quarter (Q4-2013).

     

    PAT for Q1-2014 at Rs 5.32 crore was however less than one fifth the PAT of Rs 28.27 crore for Q4-2013. In Q4-2013, Hathway had a foreign exchange gain of Rs 5.73 crore, while in Q1-2014; it had incurred a foreign exchange loss of Rs 8.32 crore. Finance cost at Rs 21.61 crore for Q1-2014 was 53.6 per cent more than the Rs 14.07 crore in Q4-2013 and 62 per cent more than the Rs 13.32 crore for Q1-2013.

     

    For Q1-2013, Hathway had reported a loss of Rs (-15.87) crore. The foreign exchange loss incurred by Hathway in Q1-2013 was Rs 4.56 crore.

     

    Hathway’s income from operations mainly consists of subscription income from cable TV and broadband business, carriage and placement income, advertisement income, activation income from STB’s and other operating income.

     

    Hathway says that it continued to deploy STBs in Q1-2014 and as of June, 2013 along with its JV partners had cumulatively deployed over 0.7 crore STBs all over India and approximately 0.18 crore STBs in Q1-2014. The company says that it has deployed approximately 0.25 crore STBs in Phase I and approximately 0.41 crore STBs in Phase II areas till June 2013, which it says, makes it the biggest MSO in Phase I and II areas.

     

    Hathway informs that it has adequate STBs in hand and continues to roll out its services in major Phase III and IV towns.

     

    Hathway further says that as per MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India) reports cable television is clearly the preferred choice in Phase II cities also with a near 90 per cent share of digital STBs seeded after 15 February 2013 being seeded by cable MSOs.

     

    In its broadband update Hathway states that the gross additions to its broadband subscriber base was around 27,000 for the Q1-2014. Hathway’s cumulative subscriber base stood at approximately 4,24,000. As on end June 2013, the company says that it has tested its DOCSIS 3 technology for its broadband subscribers in certain cities. With DAS being successfully implemented Hathway expects to increase its broadband customer base with bundled schemes that it plans to offer shortly at competitive rates.

     

    Hathway says that it is in the process of raising funds to the tune of Rs 149.8 crore from its promoters and new shareholders through preferential allotment. The shares of face value Rs10 each are to be issued at a premium of Rs 274 per share (adding up to Rs 284 per share).

  • Anupam Kher to anchor The Power of Shunya – Quest for Zero! on Times Now

    Anupam Kher to anchor The Power of Shunya – Quest for Zero! on Times Now

    NEW DELHI: Times Now has linked up with DuPont for the series Power of Shunya – Quest for Zero which commenced telecast over the weekend.

     

    This path breaking show is being anchored by the much celebrated Padma Shri awardee Anupam Kher. The series will examine the critical challenges facing a growing India, and showcase the various companies, individuals who have done pioneering work to find practical science based solutions for the same.

     

    The Power of Shunya: Quest for Zero is telecast on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and repeated on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

     

    In its journey across 16 episodes, the Power of Shunya will explore among various disciplines sustainable science based solutions to core issues plaguing a growing economy like A quest to feed a growing population with zero hungry mouths, a quest to build a new infrastructure with zero construction casualties, a quest to provide electricity to villages with a zero carbon footprint and a quest for zero nutrition deficiency while showcasing companies and everyday individuals who are in their own way striving to unlock the power of zero to deliver maximum growth at zero impact.

     

    Speaking on the initiative DuPont South Asia and ASEAN president Rajeev A Vaidya stated, “At DuPont India, we identify with this powerful idea; it is very close to DuPont’s philosophy that the way to make progress against a goal . . . a safer workplace, for example . . . is to embrace a commitment to zero workplace accidents. The Power of Shunya expresses both that commitment and our ambitions as a company to help find collaborative, science-powered solutions tailored to India’s unique challenges. We are delighted to be partnering with Times Now to showcase companies and individuals epitomising the spirit of Indian ingenuity that is already making a difference to the lives of millions of Indians every day and for generations into the future.”

     

    Speaking on his association, Kher stated “I personally believe that Shunya is the most powerful number. I have constantly gone back to ground zero and reinvented myself. To innovate you have to constantly unlearn and infuse new energy and thinking. I am excited to be a part of this path breaking initiative as I believe that scientific solutions showcased in the show truly have the power to solve India’s problems.”

     

    Speaking on the launch of the series Times Now, ET Now and Zoom CEO Avinash Kaul said “Times Television Network is proud to collaborate with DuPont on this quest. At Times Television Network we consistently strive to bring differentiated content to the viewers and the Power of Shunya series is a glowing example of it. The series is backed with extensive research and high production standards and has been meticulously put together in a slick format giving it a very international appeal.”

     

    Times Now, ET Now and Zoom business head branded content Hemant Arora, added: “The journey of making Project Shunya a reality has been simply fantastic. DuPont and Ogilvy entertainment teams brought unmatched passion to the table and that drove us to create something that would stand the test of any world class benchmark in terms of content as well as the desired impact.”

     

    Each episode will outline the key challenges through three unique case studies. The focus will be on devising sustainable solutions and will reiterate the problem that requires to be addressed, the power of science and innovation in addressing the challenge and the impact of these innovations on companies, individuals and Indian society.

  • India’s first interactive movie channel brings India’s first crowd sourced film!

    India’s first interactive movie channel brings India’s first crowd sourced film!

    MUMBAI: With ‘instant gratification’ being the flavour of this generation, can ‘instant’ movie making be far behind? After causing a buzz in the trade media and agencies with an innovative marketing teaser campaign and a long list of big ticket acquisitions, India’s first interactive movie channel ‘‘&pictures’’ will now venture into previously unexplored territory by going all out to make a movie in just 48 hrs! Impossible you say? Well not if everyone pitches in!

    ‘& pictures’ is all set to create India’s first crowd-sourced film in just a week. From 5th August the channel has invited entries for online users to name the film that they will co-create on the channels micro-site, andpictures.in. Over 7th and 8th August, users can share their storylines and dialogues for the film via Twitter and Facebook. The best ideas will then be aggregated onto the micro-site where users can log in and view how the story is progressing while watching the entries being sent in real time. This unique and one of a kind initiative integrates facebook, twitter and youtube seamlessly.

    Who will have a part in the creation of this movie? While the channel is reaching out to anyone and everyone who has an online account and wishes to contribute to the making of the film, they are particularly reaching out to digital influencers like movie reviewers, Twitterati, film bloggers and Facebook communities of movie aficionados.

    So if you are a movie lover, or think you can write as well as the celebrated script writers of our industry, come join the movement and be a part of India’s first crowd-sourced movie!

  • U2opia Mobile Pioneers USSD Gateway on Cloud with Tigo Group

    U2opia Mobile Pioneers USSD Gateway on Cloud with Tigo Group

    New Delhi, August 6, 2013 – Singapore-based mobile technology start-up, U2opia Mobile, has pioneered the next wave in value added services by extending their USSD platform and hosting a USSD gateway on cloud.

    USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a session-based technology that enables access to social and content services on mobile without an Internet connection. Among its most popular implementations is Facebook for USSD, which allows users to access Facebook on mobile, without internet. Its other implementations include access to Twitter, Google Talk and a host of content services.

    With this innovation, the final barrier is removed for any telecom carrier to implement USSD services on its network, as it removes all dependency on the carrier’s own USSD gateway.

    By deploying the USSD gateway on cloud, implementing USSD services becomes a plug-and-play process for any operator, vastly reducing the time and resources required. It successfully removes all hardware dependency from the process, making its implementation, as easy as a single-day process.

    The first deployment of USSD gateway on cloud has been with the Tigo Group across El Salvador, Paraguay and Bolivia and the service has already racked up close to 70,000 users in the space of two weeks.

    Commenting on the innovation, Sumesh Menon, CEO, U2opia Mobile, said, ‘While services powered through Fonetwish were a runaway success in practically every country we entered, deploying services through the host carrier’s USSD gateway did present a layer of complexity. There would invariably be issues relating to hardware, bandwidth and so on, thereby increasing the time needed for implementation.

    By deploying the USSD gateway on cloud, that complexity is removed and the process is practically plug-and-play. It opens up a world of opportunity for every carrier globally, to provide value added services to their non-smartphone user base.’

    U2opia Mobile pioneered the implementation of social and content services through their USSD platform Fonetwish in 2010 and now have operations in 25 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, catering to millions of users in 6 global languages across 40 telecom carriers.

    The mobile technology start-up creates applications catering across the handset spectrum – from basic/feature phones to smartphones. With financial backing from Matrix Partners, they have offices across Singapore, India, Dubai and San Francisco.

  • Business chambers welcome hike in FDI in telecom

    Business chambers welcome hike in FDI in telecom

    NEW DELHI: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indo – American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) has welcomed the decision of the government to increase the foreign direct investment in the telecom sector to 100 per cent.

     

    According to a decision on FDI taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it had been decided to allow up to 49 per cent FDI by the automatic route for basic and cellular services etc., and from 49 per cent to 100 per cent through the Foreign Investments Promotion Board.

     

    According to FICCI, the decision on enhancement of FDI limit in the Indian telecom sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent is a positive sign and showcases government’s commitment towards improving the current investment sentiment in the sector and aiding the telecom industry to recuperate from its debt issues. “Along with the National Telecom Policy 2012 and other necessary reforms, this pro-industry announcement will benefit the Indian economy and consumers in the long term,” said FICCI president Naina Lal Kidwai.

     

    Welcoming the proactive steps taken by the government to ease the foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the country, primarily to stem the deteriorating current account deficit, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) national president Shourya Mandal said, “These measures are inevitable against the backdrop of steep fall in the cross-country capital flows and subsequent heightened competition among the nations to attract the limited capital.”

     

    In a statement Mandal said, “Undoubtedly, we have to put in place a set of checks and balances to uphold our sovereignty and interest of the domestic industry, while attracting FDI. Our rules and regulations are framed taking cognizance of that factor. Unwarranted polemics on that count should be avoided to chase our goal of transforming ourselves into a developed country from an emerging economy.”

     

  • India, Senegal agree on joint cooperation in broadcasting and cinema

    India, Senegal agree on joint cooperation in broadcasting and cinema

    NEW DELHI: India and Senegal have agreed to form a joint working group in areas identified under the executive programme for cultural cooperation, including cinema and broadcasting, signed between the two countries.

     

    The areas identified are based on the Articles 4 and 11 of the agreement pertaining to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The Agreement to constitute the joint working group was taken during the meeting between I&B Minister Manish Tewari and Senegal Culture Minister Abdul Aziz Mbaye. Both Ministers agreed to draw a time bound roadmap in order to take the cooperation in the Information and Broadcasting Sector forward.

     

    During the discussions, Mbaye accepted the invitation to visit the International Film Festival of India in Goa in November this year. Both Ministers also agreed to identify cooperation in areas pertaining to co-production in the film sector, sharing the experience by India in setting up the National Museum of Indian Cinema and the efforts being made by India to establish a single window clearance for film shooting in the country.

     

    Tewari apprised the Minister from Senegal on the potential of the areas of cooperation in the film sector and the participation in festivals such as the Children’s Film Festival and the Documentary Film Festival organised by the Films Wing of this Ministry.

     

    Tewari also outlined the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry in the Broadcasting space. He specifically referred to the laws/rules/regulations formulated pertaining to Cable TV/DTH/HITS. Special mention was made regarding the digitisation process in the country and the endeavour to create a viable business model for the industry through this process.

     

    The Senegal Minister referred to the possibilities of cooperation between the Public Broadcaster and the Senegalese Government Broadcaster in the near future.

     

    Tewari also offered to cooperate in training and capacity building through the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. This segment could be promoted through workshops, training modules and orientation courses.

  • Next version of Aakash tablets to be ready by January 2014

    Next version of Aakash tablets to be ready by January 2014

    NEW DELHI: The government has finalised specifications of next version of low-cost tablet Aakash which would be ready by January 2014, Telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal has said.

     

    “The generation four Aakash is ready, all the specifications are frozen,” Sibal said while addressing at the Telecom Summit.

     

    The minister also said that around 12 manufacturers from around the world are ready to make the tablet in India.

     

    “There is no problem in terms of manufacture. In fact lines are ready for manufacture, what they need is orders. Now that specifications are frozen, we hope that the Aakash will be available to the people of India by January 2014,” he said.

     

    The Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) will start the process for orders, he added.

     

    Under the proposed specifications, the latest version of Aakash should be capable of supporting 4G services, phone calling features, 4 GB in built storage and Bluetooth connectivity.