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Tag: Kapil Dev

  • THANK YOU SACHIN!

    THANK YOU SACHIN!

    NEW DLHI: After guiding Mumbai to a four-wicket win over Haryana in the Ranji Trophy, which was his final domestic game, Sachin Tendulkar said that he is now looking forward to his 200th Test match against West Indies. This match will mark an end to the God of Cricket’s 24-year cricketing career. CNN-IBN and IBN7 will pay tribute to the legend through their special programming – Thank You Sachin.

    Under this, four special half-hours will showcase fellow cricketers or eminent personalities from the fields of arts and music paying tribute to Sachin and talking about the impact he has had on modern India. Among them will be Rahul Dravid, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeshkar.

    A special one-hour documentary on 3rd November on IBN7 and on 10th November on CNN-IBN will chronicle the journey of the legendary cricketer, from his time as a child prodigy in Mumbai to becoming the greatest batsman in the world.

    In another special segment starting 4th November till 18th November, there will be bytes from renowned personalities from various walks of life paying tribute to the master blaster.

    On IBN7, special shows and segments dedicated to the sport’s greatest retirement will include ‘God of Cricket’, which will capture the journey of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar from his childhood to becoming the God of Cricket; and ‘Great on Greatest’, in which some of the biggest names in international cricket such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Brian Lara will share their memories and talk about the star & his game.

    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, said, “In a cricket-crazy country like ours, there are hardly a handful of individuals who can generate the kind of frenzy and adulation that Sachin Tendulkar can. After years of excellence on the cricket field, Sachin finally bids adieu to his 24-year-long career. It is with great pride that we dedicate this special series of programming to the cricket icon who has won the hearts of billions across our nation and the world.”

    Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, “While the entire nation is sad and emotional at the news of Sachin’s retirement, our special programming will take a walk down memory lane and celebrate the success story of the cricketer who has carried the expectations of a billion people and won their hearts over the years. The programming will also showcase rare photographs and interviews of Sachin with those who tracked his journey of becoming one of the greatest cricketer ever.”

  • Astill’s study of India through cricket binoculars

    Astill’s study of India through cricket binoculars

    The book came out last month; but our review has found space on indiantelevision.com only in September. Readers, who have not yet got their hands on the book, would be wise to do so. I am a cricket fanatic and thoroughly enjoyed reading this fast paced close peek of the evolution of modern India. And would advice you to do the same if you love the game of the red cherry – or white one – if one looks at what’s in use in modern day cricket.

    James Astill

    James Astill, the Economist’s correspondent in India between 2007 and 2010, watched the rise of IPL. With cricket’s biggest shebang as the back ground, he has gone on to narrate a wider story of modern India.  Much of this story is known. Yet while Astill relies on previously published material, what makes his book exceptional is his first-hand reporting.

    The ‘tamasha’ of Astill’s title is a Hindi word meaning entertainment or show. As he tells the story, it was inevitable over time that the Indian public would forsake the extended dramas and longueurs of Test cricket for the shorter, more colourful and energetic forms of the game. This process began with India’s completely unexpected victory at the 1983 World Cup under the leadership of Kapil Dev, and has now reached its ultimate incarnation in the cat and mouse game also termed as the Twenty20 format and controversy’s favourite child the Indian Premier League.

    Astill is a keen follower of the game and says “the story of Indian cricket is not only about cohesion and success, but is deeply pathetic.” He has very objectively and figuratively described the poor state of infrastructure in the country; a place where millions of children aspire to wear the Indian jersey someday. But the harsh truth is they are unlikely to even get a chance to play an organised version of the game, with a good bat and leather ball. One of the most touching stories is of the railway clerk in Rajkot who, using a concrete pitch and tattered nets, has coached several first-class cricketers, including his son – now a leading light of India’s Test team.

    Politics in democratic India, Astill observes, is “feudal, corrupt and vindictive”, and the administration of cricket is no more than an aspect of politics. Money was everything in the establishment of the IPL, the cricket itself almost incidental. More than $700 million was paid for the first franchises. The Indian captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is reckoned to earn $21 million a year from the game. Foreign mercenaries such as Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne were bid for like prize bulls at a livestock market. At some matches the players’ salaries were flashed up on the scoreboard alongside their batting averages; going on to emphasis the fact that the sport has been portrayed in a completely different light.

    Astill seems to have talked to everyone who is anyone involved in this deeply unattractive business – including Lalit Modi, the now-disgraced founder of the IPL, whose capacity for intrigue was exceeded only by his genius for making enemies. Almost equally disconcerting is the formidable Sharad Pawar, who combines the job of India’s agriculture minister with controlling the Indian Cricket Board and being president of the International Cricket Council.

    In comparison with the corporate (read: administrators) and the Bollywood stars who keenly follow the action from the boundary’s edge, the players seem considerably more likeable. Astill tracks down the inspirational Warne, former captain of the Rajasthan Royals. Warne speaks up expressively on behalf of Twenty20, before innocently sabotaging his case by admitting that “for me it’s always about Test cricket”.

    The striking thing about most of those in charge of the IPL is their lack of real passion for cricket itself. They are in it to seek exposure, to sell advertising, to exercise power. Almost none of the money filters down to fund coaching or grass-roots facilities. As for the games themselves, Astill’s judgment is that most lack tension and the real edge of competition.

    Astill relentlessly highlights all this and comes to the sad conclusion that India may end up killing the great traditions of cricket. And yet Astill finds that in the streets and on patches of waste ground in the slums and villages of India, (during his stint in the Indian-subcontinent) the game is furiously alive, uniting millions in the simple desire to hurl a ball fast or spin it with conniving intent, and to hit it far. “This is where Indian cricket resides,” Astill writes eloquently, “far from the elite, the corrupt politicians and turkey-cocking film stars who have laid claim to it.” And therein lies the hope that this most beautiful of games will survive.

  • Gulf Oil presents ‘LEADER TALK’ with Ratan Tata and Kapil Dev

    Gulf Oil presents ‘LEADER TALK’ with Ratan Tata and Kapil Dev

    NEW DELHI: At a time when India is looking for young and dynamic leadership in all spheres, CNN-IBN, in association with Gulf Oil, brings you LEADER TALK, a unique new talk show that will explore the ever-evolving aspects of leadership, be it in a corporate boardroom or in a sports arena.

     

    This week, IBN Network Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai talks to one of India’s most respected and admired business leaders,former Chairman of Tata Group Ratan Tata, and legendary cricketer Kapil Dev. On the show, Ratan Tata stresses on the need for leading from the front and doing business without compromising on ethics and core values. Kapil Dev narrates how he led the unlikely Indian cricket team to World Cup victory in 1983 and explains that a good leader is the one who credits the team for success and takes the blame for failures.

     

    The show will be aired on Sat, Sept 7th at 12:30 PM, followed by a repeat telecast on the same day at 10:30 PM and on Sun, Sept 8th at 10:00 AM and 7:30 PM only on CNN-IBN.

     

    More details on this series can be viewed on www.ibnlive.com/leadertalk.

  • 4th Edition of My Earth My Duty’s to kickstart from 1 August, 2013

    4th Edition of My Earth My Duty’s to kickstart from 1 August, 2013

    New Delhi, 29th July, 2013: Zee Media Corporation Ltd., India’s largest news network, has launched the fourth edition of India’s biggest environment awareness initiative ‘My Earth My Duty’, today. My Earth My Duty has proven to be an essential platform provided by an Indian media house in bringing behavioral change in Indian Citizenship, especially youth. Since 2010, the initiative has been able to sensitize and encourage people to take adequate steps to conserve Earth and more so for our children and grandchildren.

    Zee Media through My Earth My Duty 2013 aims at encouraging people to participate in Awareness Sessions and Pan-India Plantation Drive. The month long activities will start from August 1, across various cities of India. Under the first phase, Indian citizens will be educated about environmental degradation and generate concern about the hazardous changes taking place in the environment with a view to motivate them to take positive consequential actions. The campaign will mobilize people to adopt eco-friendly measures in their daily lives and bring about a change in their outlook.

    Discussions about the changing environment and handy solutions to fight against it, pledge ceremony, cultural programs on the theme, signature campaigns and rallies across the city would mark the ground activities being conducted in over 15 cities across the Nation.

    Mr Alok Agrawal, CEO, Zee Media Corporation Ltd said, “Our effort is to create environmental awareness through My Earth My Duty among the youngsters who are the future of India. Inculcating awareness amongst them will promise a greener Earth both for themselves as well as their successors. Zee Media Corp is committed to carry on this campaign till Earth restores its normal ecological system. Zee Media has always been on the forefront of bringing around a positive change in the lives of people it touches and this is what it is trying to promote through this initiative as well.”

    A week long pan-India plantation drive will start from 15th August to mark the 66th year of India’s Independence mobilizing citizens for highest number of plantation. Zee Media hopes its 100 million viewers will come out with supporting hand to contribute in this Green Revolution which is the only alternative to control environmental degradation.

    As a responsible media house, Zee Media has been committed to engage the youth of India whose contribution is crucial for a greener and sustainable future. In a short span of time My earth My Duty has been recognized as India’s biggest environmental awareness initiative and received well by over 50 million youngsters, who along with other partners of this initiative have planted more than 1.4 crore trees in 1.5 lakh villages. Dignitaries such as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Kapil Dev, Irfan Khan, have associated with this noble initiative.

    Rohit Kumar, VP, Zee Media Corporation Ltd said, “While global warming, natural calamities and solutions therein have become the talk of the town after witnessing disasters in Uttarakhand and Tsunami in coastal regions sometime back, not much initiative has been taken to increase environmental consciousness. Zee Media Corp, as a responsible and environmentally conscious media house, has been constantly trying to address this national concern and raise awareness towards conserving the environment under its My Earth My Duty initiative, since last couple of years. We hope to make a significant contribution towards a greener and brighter future.”
    Infact in an unparallel achievement for any initiative, ‘My Earth My Duty’ was selected to represent India’s action against Climate Change at the 2012 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The revolutionary movement has also been recognized by Limca Book of Records besides winning several coveted awards.

    Zee Media has partnered with Ministry of Youth – National Service Scheme & Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Para-military forces-Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Reserve Police Force, ETF, Brahm Kumari Samaj, Centre for Media Studies and others to maximize the reach and impact of the initiative.

  • “With IPL you have the power of 10”

    “With IPL you have the power of 10”

    It’s the festival of lights. And for many the festival of noise courtesy exploding fireworks. In the hope of reducing the number of those belonging to the latter tribe, we, at indiantelevision.com, decided to put a display of firecracker articles for visitors this Diwali. We have had many top journalists reporting, analysing, over the many years of indiantelevision.com’s existence. The articles we are presenting are representative of some of the best writing on the business of cable and satellite television and media for which we have gained renown. Read on to get a flavour and taste of indiantelevision.com over the years from some of its finest writers. And have a happy and safe Diwali!

    Written By Thomas Abraham

     

    Posted on 28 April 2008

     

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) has got off to a solid start. The ratings have been positive and crowds have thronged the stadiums. For Sony the IPL marks their return to cricket. Set India CEO Kunal Dasgupta offers Thomas Abraham and Ashwin Pinto his views on what he expects IPL to do for the game, telecast channel Max, as well as the importance of sustaining the brand. Excerpts:

     

    As a broadcaster what do you expect?
    T20 is a made for television format. When India played a T20 match against Australia at the Wankhede stadium, ratings touched 20. I am looking for a rating of 4 or 5, which is possible, given that ICL, which has retired players, got 2.5. This is a good base for us to take off from.

     

    The format will mean that besides country against country, one will also view it as being team versus team. This is what exists in other sports like soccer, hockey, and baseball.

     

    IPL is being pushed as being the ultimate in reality television. In that case how do you get that competitive environment?
    The prize money (Rs 48 million goes to the winner) will ensure this. This is much more than you get for playing for the country and so the players will go all out. The matches will be hard fought. Here all the teams are evenly balanced and so you do not know the result. It will be unpredictable and matches will go down the wire. All teams have a good mix of batsmen, bowlers and youth.

     

    What are you hoping for in the first year as the telecast partner?
    Ideally I would want the IPL to be a successful brand that has a long term play. After June, I will continue to do promotions to keep the team brands alive. This was one of the conditions on which we bid.

     

    We will do shows around the IPL. You could see teams (franchises) practicing and discussing strategies for the next season.

     

    ‘The trick for us is not getting ratings for the first season. The challenge is to sustain the excitement after that’

     
    But wouldn’t an ideal situation be for a franchise to build a brand without the big names who might be on national duty?
    This might happen. Apart from April-May, you cannot have another period where all the stars are available. What will happen is that once the league is built the new players who are playing will become the core. You can then have matches in different parts of the world to popularise the game there using these new players.

     

    The trick for us is not getting ratings for the first season. This will happen as a matter of course because of the way the IPL has been hyped. The challenge is to sustain the excitement after that and it is here where we will have to take a leaf out of the book of the EPL. Teams have marketed themselves and have thus become iconic brands.

     

    So Mallya for instance, will use the Royal Challenger brand name to go out there and create opportunities for exhibition matches. They can do charity work in Bangalore and build a fan base. Each franchise will have its own website where clips will be available. They can create merchandise.

     

    Sony will pitch in through magazine shows. Otherwise it will just be a flash in the pan. As we come closer to the next season you will see transfers and there will be speculation.

     

    New heroes will be born. It is possible that the likes of current heroes like Glenn McGrath, Kumble, and Saurav will not play beyond two seasons. Once that happens, then the brand will live outside the big names.

     

    One of the aims is to broaden the viewer base is to get in more children, women, But for that you have to create marketing that speaks to those demographics. What is Sony planning?
    One of the major attractions will be the presence of big Bollywood stars. Akshay Kumar will perform for Delhi. SRK will perform for Kolkata You will see proper Bollywood entertainment.

     

    We have even tweaked the timings of some of the matches to accommodate our entertainment specials. One match was supposed to start at 4 pm but we have pushed it back to 5:30 pm. We will even have stand up comedy for Extraaa Innings. On air we have gone in for fresh faces. We did not want Mandira (Bedi) for this. She is more suited for ODI cricket. I want 20-year-olds in T20. We also did not want Kapil Dev, Gavaskar. We wanted anchors who represent today’s kids. With the ICC World Cup we broke the mould and brought in females. Now we are breaking the mould back

     

    What is the distribution upside from IPL?
    This is a question mark. We are supposed to have a dip but we will retain the same level. There is no minimum guarantee now. Had Ten Sports still been present it would have been difficult to determine the value of IPL. Our team is happy as they are closing deals for the year and it is one of the distribution cornerstones.

     

    At $ 59 million in Year 1 and an average of $ 61 million over five years, IPL was literally sold at floor price. Wasn’t that a great deal?
    It was. Most of the payout ($ 612 million) is from the next five years. ESPN’s bid was $150 million for the first five years. They had put in conditions that the top players should be there. We did not put in any conditions.

     

    Anyway, the way it has turned out, all the top players are taking part.

  • Cricket reality show ‘Cricket Star’ to kick off on DD & Zee on 14 January

    Cricket reality show ‘Cricket Star’ to kick off on DD & Zee on 14 January

    MUMBAI: Cricket based reality talent hunt show called Cricket Star will hit television on DD National and the Zee Network on 14 January.

    The show will run for eleven weeks, with three weekly simulcast episodes on DD National and Zee Sports, on Sundays at 11:30 am, Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:30 pm and a weekly episode on Zee TV on Saturdays from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
    Investors In Cricket, a company specializing in the creation and management of sports rights that have relevance to the Asian Sub continent has conceptualized the show Cricket Star. The company then signed on cricket gurus Kapil Dev and Saurav Ganguly to be the selectors while Ajay Jadeja has been appointed as a cricket analyst and co-anchor. The show will be hosted by TV personality Shweta Salve.

    After weeks of mini and regional auditions conducted across the nation in 11 cities including Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Rajkot, Lucknow, Mysore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, 23 participants were shortlisted. These 23 will now be competing with each other to be the Cricket Star of India.

    The winner of the first series, Cricket Star India, will win a one-year all-expenses-paid contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club and attractive cash prizes and will also achieve international celebrity status. The final 11 contestants will also have the opportunity to participate in the global rollout of Cricket Star, which is slated for a UK launch in summer 2007 and a subsequent launch in Pakistan, where there is significant interest in the format, informs an official release.

    With Sourav being away in South Africa, the selection was conducted under cricket gurus Kapil Dev (Selector) and Robin Singh (Director of Academy). Ajay Jadeja (Cricket Analyst) was present throughout the regional rounds providing support and tips to the young cricket participants. Cricket Star aspirants will play a series of 20:20 cricket matches as part of the programme, which will be telecast on Zee Sports on Sundays at 3 pm – 6 pm.

    Each week at the Cricket Star Academy contestants will be subjected to specialized cricket tests, personal challenges and master class inputs from legends of the game, along with cricket coaching and fitness training. Based on their performances each week, the judges will nominate the bottom four performers, out of whom the other contestants will evict two. Following which, the final eleven contestants, will be voted by television by phone or SMS. The contestant receiving the maximum votes cumulatively will be declared the Cricket Star. The show will culminate in the final episode in the end of March.

    The IIC has signed on Miditech Pvt. Ltd as the production house for the show.

  • Investors In Cricket joins forces with DD, Zee, Miditech for cricket based reality show

    Investors In Cricket joins forces with DD, Zee, Miditech for cricket based reality show

    MUMBAI: With new sports channels coming in it is inevitable that new formats will also come in. One such format is a cricket based reality show called Cricket Star.

    This is an initiative to find a budding cricket star who has been bypassed by the system. The idea is the brainchild of Investors In Cricket (IIC) a firm that looks at sports rights relevant to the Asian subcontinent. This will be in the form of a reality hunt and will air as a television event for 11 weeks from 14 January 2007 on DD and Zee. DD and Zee Sports will each week simulcast three episodes. Zee TV will air an episode each week.Miditech has been roped in to produce the show. Airtel and HLL are the presenting sponsors. Aspiring cricketers can apply by calling 5052727 from GSM mobiles, 1277777 from MTNL landlines or 1255527 from MTNL and BSNL. One can also send an SMS CSTAR to 7575.

    Eight selection centres are open and one has to showcase one’s skills there, whether it is batting, bowling or wicket keeping. From there the chosen ones go to a pre academy phase. Finally 23 contestants will go to the Academy. There will be a countdown and thus an elimination process to find the winner.

    The channel has roped in Kapil Dev and Saurav Ganguly as judges. The flamboyant Ajay Jadeja will be the expert analyst. IIC chairman Manoj Badale points out that after the event in India is finished it will travel abroad to the UK and Pakistan among other countries. “This marks the first time a cricket based reality show is launching in India. This marks the first time a reality show that has originated from India travels abroad. Normally it is the other way around.

    This idea has taken a while to put together. We wanted the best possible reach, which is why we approached DD and Zee. DD as the national broadcaster can reach the small towns. Zee with its multi lingual channels will also help get the message across.”

    The winner gets an all expenses paid contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club and cash. The final 11 contestants will also get a chance to participate in the rollout of Cricket Star in the UK next Summer and in Pakistan. Also, Cricket Star aspirants will play a series of 20:20 matches.These will air on Zee Sports.

    When the 23 chosen contestants enter the cricket Star Academy each week the judges will nominate the four bottom performers out of whom two will be evicted by the participants., When it is down to the final 11 viewers will be able to vote by phone or through SMS. The final episode airs at the end of March 2007.

    Miditech CEO Nikhil Alva points out that the challenge begins from today as the lines are now open. Whether or not it is as big as Indian Idol will depend on the response. “We are confident that with our previous experience we will be able to handle the logistics of the event. There will certainly be drama as viewers get to know the human side of the candidates in addition to their cricketing abilities.

    Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody says that this is the first time a format has brought cricket and television together in an entertaining manner. “We aim to find the hidden wonders in India’s villages and towns And showcase them to the country along with their travails and struggles. At Zee Sports it has always been about showcasing sports and sportspersons from India. As they say may the best man or woman win.”

    Jadeja says that more than just a show this will also be a coaching platform for aspirants. Kapil Dev and Ganguly will offer advice to aspirants on how to improve their skills.

    Ganguly sees this endeavour as a way to give back to the game for the opportunities it has given him. Dev says that every youngster who is passionate about the game should at least be given an opportunity. It should not be that a youngster feels that he/she could have made it but an opportunity was not given.

    Airtel marketing director Gopal Vittal says, “In India cricket and Bollywood share a passion that cuts across geographies, cultures and religions. Today every street, nukkad or galli in this country has an enthusiastic budding cricketer waiting for an opportunity to perform on a bigger stage. Cricket Star offers them an opportunity to perform at the highest level.”

    HLL is involved through its product Faior And Lovely Mens Active. HLL VP Skin Care Ashok Venkatramani says, ” Our product has already changed the story of male gooming in India. This association will catch the fancy of every male in India who aspires to get that opportunity to see themselves as the next Cricket Star.

    This is our contribution to Indian cricket and we are certain that this will help discover the Sachin’s Dhoni’s, Pathan’s Sehwags etc. Our support is a sure way of changing the story of Indian cricket and taking it to greater heights of glory.

  • Zee Sports gears up for DLF Cup tri series

    Zee Sports gears up for DLF Cup tri series

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports will air the DLF Cup cricket ti series involving India, Australia and the West Indies exclusively. The event takes place in Malaysia from 12 -24 September. Real estate major DLF will be the presenting sponsor of the tri series.

    The channel will be conducting its studio show, Cricket Café from the stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Zee is also handling the production of the matches in Kuala Lumpur. For commentary it has roped in the likes of Tony Greig, Ian Bishop, Arun Lal, L Sivaramakrishnan, Jeff Thomson, Justin Langer and Kapil Dev. It will also make a Hindi feed available both on DTH and cable.

    Schedule of the India –Australia –West Indies DLF Cup live and excluisve on Zee Sports
    West Indies vs. Australia Sep 12 1st session 11:30 2nd session 16:10
    India vs. West Indies Sep 14 1st session 11:30 2nd Session
    16:10
    India vs. Australia Sep 18 1st Session 11:30 2nd Session 16:10
    India vs. West Indies Sep 20 1st Session
    11:30 2nd Session 16:10
    India vs. Australia Sep 22 1st Session 11:30 2nd Session 16:10
    Finals Sep 24 1st Session 11:30
    2nd Session 16:10

    Zee shall be showing these matches live on its UK/Europe, Middle East and South Africa beams, thus expanding its international subscriber base. Zee has been able to conclude deals with broadcasters internationally, in markets such as Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others like Echostar in the US, Fox Sports in Australia, Astro in Malaysia, Hong Kong Cable in Hong Kong to name a few. Live commentary of these matches will also be carried by All India Radio.

  • Zee Sports gears up for DLF Cup tri series

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports will air the DLF Cup cricket ti series involving India, Australia and the West Indies exclusively. The event takes place in Malaysia from 12 -24 September. Real estate major DLF will be the presenting sponsor of the tri series.
    The channel will be conducting its studio show, Cricket Café from the stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Zee is also handling the production of the matches in Kuala Lumpur. For commentary it has roped in the likes of Tony Greig, Ian Bishop, Arun Lal, L Sivaramakrishnan, Jeff Thomson, Justin Langer and Kapil Dev. It will also make a Hindi feed available both on DTH and cable.

    Schedule of the India –Australia –West Indies DLF Cup live and excluisve on Zee Sports
    West Indies vs. Australia    Sep 12     1st session    11:30     2nd session    16:10
    India vs. West Indies     Sep 14     1st session    11:30     2nd Session
        16:10
    India vs. Australia     Sep 18     1st Session     11:30    2nd Session     16:10
    India vs. West Indies     Sep 20     1st Session
        11:30     2nd Session     16:10
    India vs. Australia     Sep 22     1st Session    11:30    2nd Session    16:10

    Finals     Sep 24    1st Session    11:30

        2nd Session     16:10

     Zee shall be showing these matches live on its UK/Europe, Middle East and South Africa beams, thus expanding its international subscriber base. Zee has been able to conclude deals with broadcasters internationally, in markets such as Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others like Echostar in the US, Fox Sports in Australia, Astro in Malaysia, Hong Kong Cable in Hong Kong to name a few. Live commentary of these matches will also be carried by All India Radio.
     
    “We will be airing a 10 episode series that takes a look at the reality shoot at the training sessions at Goa and the finale. This is just the beginning. We will soon be lauching a hunt called Diva Quest, which will be a hunt for a face for Zoom” added Anand.

    L’Oreal Consumer Products Division (India) director Philippe Raffray added “L’Oreal Paris endeavors to make women around the world more beautiful. Which is why this association with Elite, one of the most prestigious modeling networks, and Zoom, India’s glamorous lifestyle channel, creates a unique showcase for contemporary Indian beauty.”

  • Zee Sports comes out with cricket show ’22 Yards’

    Zee Sports comes out with cricket show ’22 Yards’

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports has come out with a cricket show 22 Yards which has various segments.
    22 Yards airs thrice a week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9 pm. An overall theme is selected for the week. Then there are three different shows based on that theme. The shows are a magazine show, a panel discussion / one to one interview and an archive show. The themes for the first two weeks are Sachin Tendulkar and The Glamour Boys of Cricket.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Zee Sports VP marketing Gaurav Seth says, “Today Indian fans who are passionate about the bat and ball game want to go beyond just watching live matches. They are becoming more interested in issues around the game.

    “If you look at newspapers you will see pages on cricket even when the Indian team is not playing. Stories on Dalmiya, Ganguly, John Wright’s new book capture the public’s attention. Hence we felt that it was a good idea to come out with a variety show that will appeal to everybody from the connoisseur to the armchair enthusiast.”

    The magazine show is based around a short interview and various packages / vignettes that deal with the weeks happenings in the cricketing world. For example the Pinch Hitters segment looks at the players in the news. The Boardroom looks at the news from crickets governing bodies.

    The second show every week is an in-depth look at the week’s theme. This could be in the form of a one to one interview or a panel discussion depending on the week’s theme. The channel started by doing an interview with the Indian cricket team’s physiotherapist Andrew Leipus.

    The channel has also done a panel discussion on glamour and advertising in cricket featuring Kapil Dev, Lathika Khaneja and Sharada Ugra.

    The 22 Yards archive show is positioned as being quite literally a blast from the past. Here the channel dwells into the archives and feature a performance by a cricketer that best integrates with the theme for the week. For Sachin Tendulkar week the channel had showcased his first Test century.

    For the upcoming Glamour Boys week the channel will be featuring one of Ian Botham’s match winning performances in Bothams Test. Another theme that the channel is looking at is the upcoming tri series involving India, Australia and the West Indies in September. India has not played Australia for two years. So the anticipation is high.