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Tag: Japan’s

  • WWE in broadband deal with Japan’s Plala Networks

    MUMBAI: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has signed a contract with Tokyo-based Plala Networks. The deal allows the Japanese Internet Service Provider to broadcast WWE 24/7, a subscription video on demand (VOD) service, on its 4th Media broadband content distribution services through the end of this year.

    Plala is a subsidiary of NTT East Corporation, a Japanese telecom company. In addition to being one of Japan’s most popular ISPs, Plala is a content aggregator for the 4th Media service.

    Plala Networks president Koji Bando says, “We are extremely pleased to have reached an agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment® to offer WWE 24/7 content in the Japanese market. With this agreement, we hope that this will be the first step towards building a long-term mutually beneficial relationship between both our companies. We strongly believe that offering WWE 24/7 through a new medium that is 4th Media holds strong appeal for WWE fans in Japan. Furthermore, we see it as our role to offer in Japan such valuable content that has, up until now, never been broadcast nor distributed through any other platforms in Japan.”

    WWE 24/7 is a part of the growth strategy for Plala and its affiliated ISPs to subscribe as many of their users as possible to the 4th Media service. Plala and its affiliated ISPs have a subscription base of several million users.

    WWE Enterprises executive VP Tom Barreca says, “WWE is a global franchise, and WWE 24/7 was conceived as salable concept that would scale worldwide for partners and fans. Signing with a leader like Plala is a significant breakthrough for WWE 24/7 internationally, and we see a great future in contracting with other telephony and telecommunications providers around the globe.”
     

  • Zee TV president Apurva Purohit quits

    MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: The Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Telefilms may see another round of churning at the top with Zee TV president Apurva Purohit having put in her papers.
    Purohit is currently serving her notice period and will cease to be an employee of Zee from 31 January 2004. Purohit’s is not some sudden exit though. The talk has been floating across the industry grapevine for months now that the well respected media professional was on her way out. Information available with indiantelevision.com indicates that Purohit has been in touch with some top headhunters in the last few months in this regard.
    Meanwhile, at Zee TV’s offices in Andheri East, Mumbai, Chandra has been conducting extensive meetings across the board since the past one week. Chandra has not only met department heads but even executives much lower down the corporate hierarchy, informed sources say. What all this could mean is some more corporate restructuring at Zee.
    An official statement from Zee Telefilms says, “Arrangements are being finalized for a suitable replacement of Purohit, which would be announced next week.”
    Pointing out that Purohit has decided to “move for better prospects”, the statement says the team of Zee Network wishes her success in all her future endeavours. Purohit joined Zee from FCB Ulka’s media unit Lodestar in June 2002.
    After Sandeep Goyal left Zee telefilms as the group broadcasting CEO, Chandra had taken over the managing director’s post too and, hence, Purohit and other channel heads used to report to him directly.
    Though Purohit was not available for comment, industry sources indicate that Lodestar would happily take her back. Lodestar executive director Shashi Sinha is known to have high regard for Purohit’s professional capabilities.
    Another possibility that is being bandied about is that she may team up with the man who got her into Zee – Goyal.
    Goyal recently set up Dentsu Communications Pvt Ltd, in which he is a 26 per cent stakeholder along with Dentsu Inc, Japan’s largest advertising agency, which holds a 74 per cent stake in the new entity.
    A management graduate from IIM Bangalore, Purohit has been in the advertising and media business for 15 years before joining Zee in mid-June 2002. Starting with client servicing, she crossed over to media planning in the mid-90’s.

  • Hip hop outfit triumphs at Japan’s MTV awards

    SINGAPORE: Last night Japanese hip hop group Rip Slyme won kudos at the second annual MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2003 (VMAJ 2003). The group won three awards for the best video of the year; the best group video; and the best hip hop video this year. 
    The group was the 2002 winner of the best new artist and the best hip hop at the inaugural show last year. The three-hour event will premiere on MTV South East Asia on 27 June at 8 pm.
    An official release informs that the programme which featured Japanese and international presenters and performances is the only international music event and award ceremony in the land of the rising sun this year. Portions of the show will also be available through MTV’s 38 channels around the world and through syndication, reaching a potential viewing audience of over 377.1 million households in 164 territories.
    MTV fans and viewers voted for their favourite local and international artists in 14 different categories from April till May 2003 via the MTV Web site (www.mtvjapan.com) and via the official mobile phone site (MTV Mobile).
    Hosted by hip hop artist Zeebra and pop singer/actress Nana Katase, the event saw performances from international acts Blue, Craig David, Run-D.M.C and Eve along with Japanese acts 175R, Chemistry, Crystal Kay, M-Flo, Rip Slyme, Rize, Sketch Show, Sphere of Influence and Supercar.
    International celebrity presenters included Courtney Love, Johnny Knoxville. Keanu Reeves, Jada Pinkett Smith, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Joel Silver from the box office smash Matrix Reloaded were also on hand.
    Unlike other awards ceremonies, the VMAJ 2003 gives music fans the opportunity to select Japanese and international artists in the same category fields. Finalists in each of the 14 categories were selected by MTV Japan viewers and the special selection committee.
    Any Japanese or international artist who released a CD in Japan between 1 March 2002 and 28 February 2003 and also produced a music video was eligible for VMAJ 2003 nomination.