ITV

Tag: Jennifer Harkness

  • BBC wins third Banff World Television Festival Outstanding Achievement Award

    MUMBAI: The BBC has been named winner of this year’s BWTVF Outstanding Achievement Award, becoming the first broadcaster to win the prestigious global award three times.

    The award winner is chosen annually from the world’s broadcasters by the Banff Television Foundation Board of Governors for work over a period of time.

    The judges commended the BBC’s exceptional programmes including: Strictly Come Dancing, Planet Earth and Doctor Who, and for leading the development of digital television, radio and online services.

    “The Banff World Television Festival salutes the many outstanding achievements of the BBC,” says Jennifer Harkness, BWTVF Director of Content. “The BBC continues to lead the way with its outstanding television programming and brand.”

    Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, will accept the award on behalf of the BBC on Sunday 10 June. He will also be speaking at the closing session of nextMEDIA, BWTVF’s sister event.

    BBC departments who have previously received the award are the Natural History Unit in 1990 and Drama in 1998. Other winners have included America’s CBS and HBO and UK broadcaster Channel 4.

    Mark Thompson said today: “I am delighted to be accepting the Outstanding Achievement Award on behalf of everyone at the BBC.

    “It is an honour for our high quality and successful programming across several genres to be recognised by the Banff World Television Festival and celebrated before the international broadcasting community.

    “I am particularly pleased for the recognition of the BBC’s forward-looking role in innovating for new digital platforms and audiences across television, radio and online.”

  • New York Times journo Carter to deliver closing address at Banff World Television Festival

    New York Times journo Carter to deliver closing address at Banff World Television Festival

    MUMBAI: The Banff World Television Festival has announced that bestselling author and New York Times journalist Bill Carter will provide the Global Television Closing Address at this year’s Festival.

    Carter, author of The Late Shift and Desperate Networks has reported on the television industry for more than 30 years and will share his industry insight with Banff delegates on 14 June, 2006 in Banff in Alberta, Canada. 

    The Festival’s director of content, Jennifer Harkness says, “With his rich background, Bill Carter has an insider’s knowledge of how the television industry works. We are excited and honoured at the opportunity to have him close out Banff 2006.”

    In Desperate Networks the author goes behind-the-scenes of the television industry to reveal the elaborate inner-workings, capturing portraits of larger-than-life moguls and stars who make it such a cut-throat business. His bestselling book, The Late Shift, provides an inside account of the power struggles for Johnny Carson’s seat on the Tonight Show.

    The Banff World Television Festival takes place from 11-14 June. It positions itself as being an event where great television is born.

     

  • Dan Marks is keynote speaker at Banff World Television Festival

    Dan Marks is keynote speaker at Banff World Television Festival

    MUMBAI: In keeping with its tradition of delivering television’s greatest power players as keynote speakers, The Banff World Television Festival announced that its first speaker will be Dan Marks, CEO, Television Services, British Telecommunications (BT).

    Dan Marks joined BT from Universal Studios where he was president of Universal Studios Networks UK. He is responsible for developing BT’s next-generation television service, for launching it and for managing its marketing, programming, legal, commercial, operational and development activities. Television Services is the group within BT’s consumer business responsible for BT’s new consumer television offering launching in 2006. Dan brings a wealth of television knowledge to his keynote address with his experience in broadcast, on-demand services and production.

    Previously, Marks was senior vice-president, business development for Universal Studios’ worldwide TV channels business. Marks also held positions at Video Networks Limited and TV3 Russia and worked over 10 years in Los Angeles as a documentary film producer and director. Dan’s background in strategic development, content partnerships and development of new TV opportunities based on new technologies will be instrumental in enabling the launch of BT’s world-leading next-generation TV launch later this year.

    Banff World Television Festival, director of content Jennifer Harkness commented, “I am especially thrilled to announce Dan Marks as one of our 2006 keynote speakers. He has had a distinguished television career and delegates will greatly appreciate his particular knowledge of the industry. The 27th Banff World Television Festival is committed to bringing television industry leaders from around the world for our attendees to learn from and network with – and it does so year after year.”