ITV

Tag: Indian Idol

  • 21st Century Fox, Apollo combine Shine, Endemol and Core Media to create content powerhouse

    21st Century Fox, Apollo combine Shine, Endemol and Core Media to create content powerhouse

    BENGALURU: Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox and private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC (Apollo) announced an awaited agreement to create a leading global multi-platform content provider. The agreement brings together Apollo’s Endemol and Core Media with 21st Century Fox Shine Group and to form one of the largest content creators in the world. Sophie Turner Laing, former managing director of content at BSkyB, will serve as the group’s CEO.

    Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions. Industry sources say that this is a 50:50 partnership between 21st Century Fox and Apollo.

    In 2011, Apollo bought Core Media, which owns the Idol franchise. Also, in 2011, Murdoch’s News Corp (now 21st Century Fox) paid $ 673 million for Shine Group, a UK producer of Biggest Loser. Elizabeth Murdoch then owned 80 per cent of the Shine Group.

     
    Prior to completion of the transaction, Endemol, Shine and Core will continue to operate as separate companies. Upon completion of the transaction, Core will retain its own capital structure. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year. AGM Partners is serving as financial advisor to 21st Century Fox.

     
    Current Endemol CEO Just Spee and Shine Group CEO Alex Mahon will remain with their respective companies for an extended period following the close of the transaction, working with Turner Laing on the transition and integration of business operations. Following the transition period, both will step down in 2015 to pursue new opportunities. Upon the transaction’s close Elisabeth Murdoch will step down as non-executive chairman of Shine Group.

     

     
    “This partnership advances our strategy of accelerating Fox’s growth in worldwide television production,” said 21st Century Fox president and CEO Chase Carey. “The combination of these assets will create a leading global format business with a deep and diverse portfolio of products, enhanced distribution capabilities, and world-class creative talent. We are extremely grateful to Alex Mahon for her leadership of Shine and are delighted to partner with Apollo in supporting Sophie Turner Laing, and the talent at Shine, Endemol and Core, in our shared mission to form an unrivalled team to lead this truly global content creation business.”

     
    Turner Laing said, “Content has never been more creatively vibrant and exciting and our exceptional production and distribution capabilities will be a magnet for talent to realise their creative ambitions across all platforms on a regional and global scale.”

     
    Apollo senior partner Aaron Stone said, “The group will have impressive capabilities to offer the creative community and to invest in all aspects of media’s future.  At the heart of this partnership are the businesses’ thousands of employees around the world.”

     
    The combined company will have disparate shows like the MasterChef which has more than 50 editions around the world, Big Brother, Hell on Wheels, Idol and So You Think You Can Dance properties.

    Turner Laing has spent the last decade at BSkyB, where she oversaw content strategy and was instrumental in the expansion of its portfolio of entertainment channels, including the Company’s partnership with HBO says 21st Century Fox.
     

     

  • BBC Worldwide production head Roshan Dutt resigns

    BBC Worldwide production head Roshan Dutt resigns

    MUMBAI: Everybody remembers the face on the screen, but how many ever notice the sweat and toil that goes behind the camera?

     

    With more than 15 years of expertise in the field of production, BBC Worldwide Productions head of production Roshan Dutt has resigned from his current position.

     

    Dutt confirmed the development to indiantelevision.com and said that he will be serving his notice period till 18 July. He had put down his papers on 18 June.

     

    Dutt wants to take a break before he moves on to his next assignment. “I haven’t fixed up on anything yet. I will probably work as a consultant for some time. I want to do interesting work and move beyond the regular things which I have been doing.” Movie production houses are on his mind.

     

    He has shows like Indian Idol and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and many more to his credit. “Today with so much dominance from broadcasters, producers don’t get too much creative freedom but just end up executing what is told to them,” he adds.

     

    Dutt started his career with Channel V in 1999 as a production head OAP. He worked in the position for more than two years, after which he was elevated to senior production manager shows. He continued in that capacity till 2004. Later, he worked as a unit production manager at Miditech to execute Indian Idol season one for eight months.

     

    In 2005, he was appointed as a head of production at FremantleMedia, where he worked for a year and then joined Dong Tay, VAC, Vietnam as executive producer for nine months.

     

    Being with BBC Worldwide Productions for seven years, he believed it was time to move on and take up something which gives him the creative freedom.

  • FOODFOOD integrates with Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi

    FOODFOOD integrates with Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi

    MUMBAI: FOODFOOD, the No 1 food lifestyle channel in India joins with director Nagesh Kukunoor’s film,  Lakshmi,  based on women trafficking, a frightening reality that haunts women from deprived backgrounds. A true story of a child-woman whose spirit could not be broken in spite of trauma and emotional battering she faced.

     

    As a part of the integration FOODFOOD is hosting a contest during its popular TV show Cook Smart with Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor who is joined by director Nagesh Kukunoor, stars Shefali Shah &the protagonist Monali Thakur (ex Indian Idol) on the show. During the episode, January 23rd, 5.00 PM, viewers will be asked three contest questions from the said episode and the questions will be posted on Facebook page of FOODFOOD. The winners will get Lakshmi movie merchandise and exciting prizes.

     

    Stay tuned to FOODFOOD on January 23rd, at 5.00 PM, to Cook Smart and win fabulous prizes.

  • Sony adds 2 associate sponsors for Indian Idol

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television (Set) has roped in two more associate sponsors for its popular singing reality show, Indian Idol, that airs from 1 June.

    Nissan Motors and Ambuja Cement add to the list of associate sponsors that include Flipkart.com, TVS Tyres, Vivel, Max New York Life Insurance, Amul Macho, Sunsilk and Suzuki Motorcycle. Close Up is the presenting sponsor of the show while it is powered by MTS.

    The ad inventory for the 26-episode weekend property is almost running full. Indian Idol will air at 8.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

    MSM president network sales, licensing and telephony Rohit Gupta told Indiantelevision.com that only few slots are available for advertisers. “We will be selling that soon,” he added.

    Indiantelevision.com earlier reported that Set is targeting advertising revenue of Rs 900 million from the sixth edition of the Indian Idol.

    The show will be hosted by Hussain and Mini Mathur.

    Also Read:
    Sony eyes ad rev of Rs 900 mn from Indian Idol

  • Sony set to launch ‘Bigg Boss’ on 3 November

    Sony set to launch ‘Bigg Boss’ on 3 November

    MUMBAI: Sony is ready to roll on its its big ticket property for the latter of half of 2006 – Bigg Boss, the Indianised version of the international format Big Brother.

    Can a show that has a highly voyeuristic core with a lot of negative machinations at play work in the Indian context? Most certainly, asserts Sony chief creative director Sandiip Sikcand. The reality show will have all the elements and more that make saas-bahu weepies such a rage in India, avers Sikcand, giving his reasoning on why he expects the concept to replicate the success it has enjoyed in territories like the UK.

    Bigg Boss launches Friday, 3 November, with the unveiling of the 13 celebrity participants. It will have a 12-week run, with telecast running from Monday through to Friday.

    On Fridays, Bigg Boss will run the elimination episode, where as the Monday to Thursday episodes will be packed with the regular drama and reality content. Significantly, Sony has opted for the 10 pm slot (Monday to Thursday) at a time when an interesting fight is going on between Star Plus and Zee TV in that time band. Bigg Boss will be confronting Star Plus’ Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, which airs from Monday to Thursday and Zee TV’s newly launched show Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann.

    The Friday episodes are slotted for 9 pm. On Friday, Bigg Boss will be attacking Star Plus’ Baa, Baho and Baby and Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs’.

    Bigg Boss, the real life soap will have 13 celebrities confined inside a specially designed house where every single point in the house is within view of a video camera. The housemates will be watched by 28 cameras.

    They will not be permitted any contact with the outside world: no TV, radio, telephone, internet, not even writing materials. The public is invited to vote to evict one of the contestants. The last remaining is the winner who bags Rs 500000/-. The ‘Bigg Boss’, an omnipresent voice will be watching all the moves of the housemates. And the popular ‘Circuit’ of Munnabhai MBBS – Arshad Warsi – will be anchoring the show.

    The repeat telecast will be aired in the afternoons. Bigg Boss is regarded as Sony’s next big offering after Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi and Indian Idol. Set India COO NP Singh believes that Bigg Boss, the format show that has successfully attracted millions of viewers over multiple seasons in some of the countries will change television viewing in India too.

    The channel is also planning a multiple season run for Bigg Boss. This time, they have roped in celebrities primarily because curiosity and obsession about the stars have exploded in the country, explains Sikcand.

    The channel has already started marketing this property through a 360 degree campaign. This would be the first time that the channel will be creating mobisodes for the format show. The users can access 30-second to 90-second clips, but Singh refused to divulge as to which telecom operator, the channel had inked a deal with.

    Internet will be yet another medium through which the channel will exhibit its property. A mircosite will be created, through which the streaming of the show will be offered and the mobile episodes will also be accessed, informs Singh.

    It remains to be seen if Bigg Boss brings in the big audiences that will help propel Sony back into the ratings reckoning.

  • Will Smith gets ‘Jiggy’ with Indian Idol’s top 6!

    Will Smith gets ‘Jiggy’ with Indian Idol’s top 6!

    MUMBAI: The mega Hollywood star and OSCAR WINNER WILL SMITH visited the TOP 6 Finalists of Indian Idol!!! The sets of Indian Idol was set ablaze with his presence! The smart ‘Jiggy’ walk accompanied by a typical rap singer’s hat and a brown suede blazer left the TOP 6 Finalists awestruck!!! For the first time ever is an International Icon like Will Smith be seen on an Indian Television show. The “Man” of the Men in Black fame was in equal awe with INDIA and it’s to be Idols!

     

    “I have fallen in love with Indian cinema! It is difficult for me to understand and pronounce the Hindi words but I love the music…and I enjoy humming Indian music!” said the energetic lively rap singer cum Hollywood star Will Smith. This was his FIRST visit to the sets of Indian Idol and his excitement in meeting up with Indian singers was hugely evident! He gave excellent vocal tips and performance advices to the finalists for their own improvisations. “Letting go off the fear and consciousness to perform in public is very essential for a performer, thus my remedy is to once in a while scream out loud in public or do something crazy!” advised the Smith.

     

    “Man! I am so happy to be a part of the show and am so looking forward to it. I don’t understand Hindi music, but I can feel the meaning in the voice of the singer. After all, the best part about music is that it sees no boundaries!” said Smith about Hindi music and Indian Idol. As a token of love and appreciation of visiting them and advising them the two Indian Idol female stars presented him with a “Maharaja’s Turban” which he wore and carried like a true Indian Maharaja!

     

    Now that’s what we call “will getting ‘Jiggy’ with India!” Catch all the live action and thrill on Indian Idol only on Sony Entertainment Television Mondays and Tuesday at 9 PM only!

  • ‘Indian Idol’ with a cricketing spin

    ‘Indian Idol’ with a cricketing spin

    MUMBAI: This would be right up Sony Entertainment Television India’s street, more so considering the fact that reality television and cricket are such key programming ingredients for the network. The cricket board today announced a reality TV show ‘Cricket Star India’ that purportedly aims to find the best young cricketer in the country.

    The show, on the lines of ‘Indian Idol’, is being launched by UK-based firm Investors in Cricket (IIC) in association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    Both organisations are in final negotiations with two television partners and a final decision is expected in July. One of the partners will screen the cricket matches, while the other will screen the tests and selection process. In addition, IIC has signed up a leading reality TV production house in India and has agreements with a number of high profile corporate sponsors, according to an official release.

    Cricket Star India is the first programme in a 5-year international roll out, with Cricket Star UK already slated for Summer 2007. The winner of the first series, Cricket Star India, will earn a place at the Indian national trials, a year’s expenses paid contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club (one of 18 professional first class teams in the UK).

    The initiative will kick off in August, when young cricketers in India can apply on-line and by post. A nationwide application and screening process will lead to a shortlist of talented candidates being invited to attend auditions in one of several regional centres under the auspices of local cricket boards.

    There they will be assessed by celebrity cricket judges, including national selectors, and BCCI technical and cricket staff, who will select the final group to attend the Cricket Star Academy, the release adds.

    The Cricket Star Academy begins in November, where the successful finalists will spend up to 10 weeks. The students’ progress will be tested each week through televised cricket matches against, variously, state XIs, the Indian Under-19 XI ,and celebrity XIs which will include some of the game’s leading names and many current Indian stars.

    Apart from the cricketing abilities, the coverage promises to uncover the candidates’ human sides, portraying life at the academy, the interaction between the hopefuls, and insights into their passion for the game. The final selection will be informed by millions of television viewers voting by phone, online or by text, states the release.

    The anouncement of the launch was made in New Delhi today and was not without some controversy. Press trust of India quotes Cricket Star CEO Fraser Castellino as saying the programme would serve as a selection trial for the board and the winner would be fast-tracked into the national side. However, when it was pointed out to him that there had never been trials to pick the Indian team per se as players were picked on the basis of their performances in domestic tournaments, Castellino made a volte face. “We will use the board’s facilities and draw on the coaching staff but there is no guarantee of selection into the state or national team,” PTI quoted Castellino as saying.

    The release quotes BCCI V-P and marketing committee chief Lalit Modi as saying, “Cricket Star is a ground-breaking TV format we have developed with Investors in Cricket that will showcase the best of India’s unsung cricketing talent, and compliment the BCCI’s growing portfolio of media properties. This exciting project supports our aim of unearthing and developing talent to produce the future stars of the game.” Modi was not present at the press conference though

  • Will the new scripted dramas make an impact?

    Will the new scripted dramas make an impact?

    After two years, finally, some light ahead on the narrative television sightscreen? Hindi entertainment certainly needs it. 24 April will witness the launch of five new scripted dramas across the GEC channels, with three other prime time shows subsequently lining up for launch during this April-May phase.

     

    The K-shows continue to have a clamp on share of audience, but on share of mind, it has been the reality and gameshow genres that have held sway since 2004
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    One would really hope that some of these offerings hit bulls eye since it’s been a while since scripted drama got front row mindspace on Hindi entertainment television. It was way back then, in September 2003 to be precise, that narrative entertainment made headlines and IMPACT when Star Plus’ Kahiin To Hoga and Sony Entertainment’s Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin debuted almost simultaneously on the small screen.

     

    What of Balaji’s K-serials, one might ask? True, the K-shows (let’s not forget Kahiin To Hoga is one as well but it is different) continue to have a clamp on share of audience, but if one were to look at a share of mind + audience combo, it has been the reality and gameshow genres that have held sway since 2004.

     

    If end-2004 and beginning 2005 belonged to SET’s Indian Idol, the second half of 2005 belonged to Star Plus’ KBC2 and Star One’s Nache Baliye and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge (TGILC), with Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge also making a year-end splash.

     

    Barely have the viewers gathered their collective breaths on these shows, we’re already into Star One’s TGILC 2, Sony’s Fear Factor India and Zee’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu.

     

    It is pertinent to note that even Star, which has had by far the most success on its narrative offerings, would have reported a rather flat year had it not been for the success that KBC2, TGILC and Nache Baliye provided.

     

    Now coming back to the narrative tale, it has happened abroad, with scripted drama making a grand comeback thanks in particular to extremely strong and successful worldwide successes such as Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost.

     

    Star, which has had by far the most success on its narrative offerings, would have reported a rather flat year had it not been for the success that ‘KBC2’, ‘TGILC’ and ‘Nache Baliye’ provided
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    In India meanwhile, it is refreshing therefore, to know that in the middle of all this format overdose, Zee TV has been able to build a scripted success in Saath Phere – Saloni ka Safar (not your regular saas-bahu weepy) that rode beyond the spike provided by Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge. That is critical if such efforts are to get acceptance. Because while mind share is fine, the brutal truth is that the moolah is in audience share.

     

    To quote Star Entertainment India CEO Sameer Nair: “Going by the theory, ‘People watch programmes and not channels,’ you require really strong magnetic programming to be successful. TV programmes and channels are going to further focus on the differentiation.”

     

    More power to the drama is what we say. And since so much of television in India gets its cues from cinema, here’s hoping that the box office success of offerings as different and diverse as Rang De Basanti, Malaamal Weekly and Being Cyrus is reflected on the small screen as well with the new shows that are set to debut. And those which follow.