ITV

Tag: iTunes

  • 50 mn TV shows, two billion songs sold on iTunes

    50 mn TV shows, two billion songs sold on iTunes

    MUMBAI: Computer major Apple has announced that more than two billion songs, 50 million television episodes and over 1.3 million feature-length films have been purchased and downloaded from its online iTunes Store

     
    Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs says, “iTunes has crossed another major milestone by selling over two billion songs—with over a billion of them sold in the last year alone—making it by far the world’s most popular music store. By selling 50 million TV shows and over 1.3 million movies to date, iTunes is already the largest online video store in the world as well.”

     
    The iTunes Store now features over four million songs, 250 feature films, 350 television shows and over 100,000 podcasts. iTunes has just added more than 100 movies from Paramount Pictures priced at $9.99. They include School of Rock, The Italian Job, Mean Girls and Zoolander.

  • Apple launches TV interface

    Apple launches TV interface

    MUMBAI: Apple is moving steadily towards its aim of changing the way consumers view entertainment in the digital arena. The company’s founder and CEO Steve Jobs has unveiled a new mobile phone and a set-top box that allows people to stream video from their computers to their televisions.

    Apple TV, the company says allows users to wirelessly play iTunes content from the Mac or PC onto the teelvision. This service can be used for movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts.

    Using Apple TV’s interface, one can browse and view his/her entire collection of digital media from across the room using the simple and intuitive Apple Remote. Apple TV connects to almost all modern widescreen television sets.

    Jobs says, “Apple TV is like a DVD player for the 21st century—you connect it to your entertainment system just like a DVD player, but it plays digital content you get from the Internet rather than DVDs you get from a physical store.

    “Apple TV plays the same iTunes content that users enjoy on their computers and iPods, so now they can even watch part of a movie in their living room, and watch the rest later on their iPod.”

    Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering high-definition 720p output. Apple TV can be connected to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort® 802.11 wireless networking, Apple TV can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers right to your TV without any wires.

    The integration of Apple TV and iTunes lets users choose from over 250 feature-length movies and 350 TV shows in near DVD quality; four million songs, 5,000 music videos, 100,000 podcasts and 20,000 audiobooks.

    Apple also unveiled the iPhone. it has partnered with and Cingular which cloaims to be the largest wireless carrier in the US. It will be Apple’s exclusive US carrier partner the iPhone. As part of this multi-year partnership, Apple and Cingular are working together to provide innovative new features to mobile phone users, such as iPhone’s pioneering and unique Visual Voicemail, a first on any mobile phone in the world.

  • Disney’s Robert Iger unveils redesigned Disney.com at Consumer Electronics Show

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert Iger unveiled the newly redesigned and enhanced Disney.com web site at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show.

    The site will be launched later this month, informs an official release.

    “We are witnessing an explosion of media and Disney is both reaping the benefits of that explosion and acting as a catalyst by taking a technology-friendly approach,” said Iger, noting that the company was the first to offer movies and TV shows for download on iTunes last year.

    Taking advantage of the growth of broadband and new web tools, Disney.com is an interactive experience that offers personalization and community-building amidst a broad array of Disney entertainment, products and services.

    Disney Xtreme Digital (Disney XD), the broadband centerpiece of the new site, will allow guests to personalize their favorite Disney content as well as watch and share with others videos, including television shows and shorts; chat with friends, listen to music; create playlists; and enjoy an array of games.

    Disney.com guests will also be able to access premium content through Disney XD, such as the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean Online multiplayer game, which is set to launch in 2007, adds the release.

    “Disney.com is the digital doorway into Disney and both a destination and a portal into a vibrant, rich online entertainment experience for children, parents and people genuinely interested in Disney,” Iger said.

     

  • BMG Japan catalogue is available at iTunes

    BMG Japan catalogue is available at iTunes

    MUMBAI: Music label BMG Japan and software major Apple have announced the availability of Japanese and international artists on the iTunes Store in Japan.

    The addition of the BMG Japan catalogue brings Japaenese pop and international artists to the iTunes Store beginning today, including Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, Kasabian, Outkast, Pink, Seamo, Suga Shikao, Sukima Switch, Usher and more.

    v executrive VP, co GM Daniel DiCicco says, “BMG Japan is delighted to join forces with Apple to make the wealth of our catalogue available through the iTunes Store in Japan. We look forward to continuing to drive BMG Japan’s digital development through this very important relationship by connecting the iTunes community to top J-Pop and international artists from BMG Japan.”

    Apple VP iTunes Eddy Cue says, “Top artists, breakthrough pricing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights have made iTunes the number one online music service in Japan. We’re thrilled to bring BMG’s impressive catalog to iTunes so fans in Japan can download and enjoy even more great music.”

    The iTunes Store in Japan now features more than two million songs, 3,500 music videos, Disney and Pixar short films, 65,000 podcasts and 16,000 audiobooks. With over 90 percent of songs priced at just 150 yen per song, the iTunes Store offers the great value and features that have made iTunes the number one online music service in the world, with over 1.5 billion songs purchased and downloaded. BMG Japan will continue to add more of its extensive catalog to the iTunes Store in the coming months.

  • US pubcaster PBS inks deal with iTunes

    US pubcaster PBS inks deal with iTunes

    MUMBAI: US pubcaster PBS has launched content on the iTunes Store.

    Users can purchase and download documentary specials and episodes from PBS primetime and children’s programming.

    Episodes are priced from $1.99 each and immediately available for shows including Antiques Roadshow; Nova; Now and Arthur. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said, “Working with our member stations and producers, PBS is excited to deliver a variety of PBS’ award-winning primetime and kids’ television programs through iTunes.

    ” The remarkable success of PBS podcasts on iTunes over the past year indicates that PBS members and viewers of all ages are enjoying the new, expanded access to the content they want, when and where they choose.”

    Apple VP iTunes Eddy Cue says, “The success of TV on iTunes continues and we now offer over 220 hit TV shows from more than 40 networks. We are thrilled to partner with PBS to bring such educational and entertaining programming to iTunes Store customers.”

    Additional content attached to episodes will underscore the unique role consumers can play to ensure the continued creation and multi-platform delivery of PBS content by becoming a member of their local PBS station. The iTunes Store sells over one million videos per week. The iTunes Store began selling TV shows with five shows from ABC/Disney less than a year ago, in October 2005, and rapidly expanded its library to over 220 television shows from over 40 networks today.

    The iTunes Store now features over 3.5 million songs, 65,000 podcasts, 20,000 audiobooks, over 5,000 music videos, more than 75 feature films and 220 television shows.

  • ‘American idol’ winner Hicks sues record producer

    ‘American idol’ winner Hicks sues record producer

    MUMBAI: The winner of the fifth season of US broadcaster Fox’s music based reality show American Idol Taylor Hicks has filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the release of his first recordings.

    The soul singer has been granted a temporary restraining order, which will prevent producer William Smith from cashing in on Hicks’ early tracks. Hicks hopes that the court will make the injunction permanent. He is also seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit filed against Smith.

    Media reports state that Smith has been using ITunes to sell some very old tracks that Hicks recorded back in 1997, including a song titled “The Fall”. E! Online has quoted Smith as saying, “I have the legal right to use these recordings for a period of seven years to further his musical career. I am not going to radio, I am going to iTunes. This is the best way to make this single a number one hit.”

    Hicks has sued Smith and his production company for more than $75,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. Reports indicate that the singer’s lawyer received a letter in July from Smith stating that he planned to release a song on iTunes that Hicks had laid down in 1997 called The Fall.

    Hicks stated in his complaint that Smith has no ownership rights to any of the songs in question, and he is maintaining that Smith is in violation of the agreement the two arrived at after the songs unlawfully hit iTunes the first time around.

  • MGM makes science fiction available on iTunes

    MGM makes science fiction available on iTunes

    MUMBAI: Film and TV company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc (MGM) has announced it has made current episodes of the hit science fiction/adventure series Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis available for purchase and download from the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com).

    The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    Effective today the first five episodes of Stargate SG1 season 10 and the first five episodes of Stargate Atlantis season 3 will be available for download and subsequent episodes for both series will be within 24 hours after airing on the Sci Fci Channel.

    “By making these popular series available through iTunes we’re able to extend the reach of the MGM brand and the Stargate franchise,” said MGM New Media Division executive VP Doug Lee. “We’re always delighted to enhance the consumer’s experience of our popular content and see this as a win all the way around.”

    The deal marks the first step in MGM’s strategy to expand its electronic distribution footprint globally with more announcements expected in the future. Since forming the New Media Division in April of this year and the recruitment of Lee to supervise it, MGM is now positioned to expand in the new media world, which will bring upside potential for the company’s library.

  • Nicktoons Network to offer animated TV content on iTunes

    Nicktoons Network to offer animated TV content on iTunes

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Nickelodeons aninmation network Nicktoons Network has launched a new line-up of content on the iTunes Store

    Programming on offer includes Skyland, the new animated adventure series, which will be available on iTunes prior to its network debut on Saturday, November 18 at 9:00 p.m. (ET), and short-form content from The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival, the world’s only multiplatform animation festival which showcases the diversity of independent cartoon filmmaking by animators from around the globe.

    Four episodes of Nicktoons Network’s upcoming animated adventure series, Skyland are being offered on iTunes for $1.99 each. iTunes will offer a free sneak-peek (available for four weeks) of the premiere episode. 28 compilations of approximately 180 short films from The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival will be available for purchase at launch which includes 13 compilations from the 2004 Animation Festival, eight from 2005, and seven from 2006.

    Nicktoons Network VP, GM Keith Dawkins says, “The launch of Nicktoons Network on iTunes will allow our viewers the chance to watch many of our hit shows whenever they want and wherever they are. We strive to provide our audiences with the opportunity to connect with our content in many different ways, and this launch is another step in Nicktoons Network multiplatform programming strategy.”

    For $1.99 per episode, consumers can download Nicktoons Network series from the iTunes(R) Store and view them on their iPods or computers. Skyland follows a heroic brother, Mahad, and his telekinetic younger sister, Lena, as they search for their parents in a new world order.

    The year is 2251 and the Earth has been shattered into millions of blocks that now drift aimlessly in orbit around the Earth’s core known as Skyland. The Sphere, led by a power-mad ruler with telekinetic powers named Oslo, has installed a dictatorship that controls water distribution, now a precious resource. Skyland’s young heroes along
    with the pirate resistance, try to free their mother from Oslo’s evil grasp and destroy the dreaded Sphere. Skyland Nick says uses the latest in animation techniques and technology such as motion-capture and CGI, to create a unique rich visual style and stunning imagery usually reserved for filmmaking.

    — The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival, which celebrated its third year this summer, showcases the diversity of independent cartoon filmmaking by animators from around the globe. Animators were asked to submit animated shorts no longer than 10 minutes in length that combined a unique look, great character designs and overall appeal and originality.

  • iTunes in Europe sells over 200 million songs

    iTunes in Europe sells over 200 million songs

    MUMBAI: Apple has announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 200 million songs from its European iTunes music stores in just over two years.

    The iTunes music catalog now includes more than three million songs from major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels.

    Launched in the UK, France and Germany in June 2004, the iTunes Music Store now operates in 17 European countries. All iTunes Music Stores offer features, breakthrough pricing and integration with iPod.

    Apple VP iTunes Eddy Cue says, “The number of songs downloaded and purchased from the iTunes Music Stores in Europe have tripled in the past year from 50 million to 200 million. We are thrilled that music fans in Europe have shown such enthusiasm for the artists and exclusive music content found only on iTunes and would like to thank them for making iTunes such a success.”

    With Apple saying that it has pioneered features such as integrated video and podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and videos online. The iTunes Music Store features a selection of over 2,500 music videos, Pixar short films, and more than three million songs from the major music companies and over 1,000 independent labels.

  • CNN, Cartoon Network US content available on iTunes

    CNN, Cartoon Network US content available on iTunes

    MUMBAI: The US media firm Turner Broadcasting System has announced that content from CNN, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network is now available for purchase and download on the iTunes Music Store.

    The new content includes Cartoon Network’s Johnny Bravo, Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force and episodes of the CNN’s documentary series CNN Presents. These are all available for viewing on a computer or iPod.

    For the last three months, Adult Swim has been offering free video podcasts via iTunes, ranking among the most popular television podcasts on the service. In addition to this new effort, CNN has been offering original podcasts, as well as Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer and Reliable Sources to iTunes users for free for just over a month.

    TBS executive VP, business development Dennis Quinn says, “Fans will enjoy this innovative way of purchasing and watching their favorite CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim shows from iTunes. We are delivering a variety of hit programming from three of our wildly popular networks, with shows for everyone of all ages.”

    Apple VP iTunes Eddy Cue says, “With Turner’s wide range of content available on iTunes, users now can download programming from CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. With well over 150 TV shows available for $1.99 per episode, iTunes is the leading destination for downloading network and cable programming.”