ITV

Tag: lines up

  • Cartoon Network Enterprises lines up birthday bashes, home videos and more

    MUMBAI: Kids are in for a treat this Diwali. From Cartoon Network, to Disney Channel to Hungama TV; channels are out there in full force to woo and seek the attention of capricious kids.

    With Diwali crackling in the festive season, Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) – the licensing division of Cartoon Network – is going the whole hog by making available more merchandising and fun things for kids this quarter.

    One of the things that CNE has up its sleeves is the Cartoon Network Birthday Blast. As of now, Cartoon Network provided kids with the opportunity of having their birthdays flashed on the channel. Now, it has gone a step further in order to leverage the equity of Cartoon Network Birthday Blast on ground too.

    Cartoon Network and Clockwork Events (a Mumbai based event management company) will be organising birthday parties for kids wherein the complete background and theme of the party will be strewn with the characters such as the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and Johnny Bravo.

    Apart from this, the crockery, theme games, return gifts and the Emcee will also be stamped with the Cartoon Network branding. A party that has a minimum number of 30 guests will only be organised by CNE and Clockwork Events for a cost of Rs 13,000.

    Speaking on the same, Cartoon Network Enterprise director India and South Asia Jiggy George says, “If the number of guests increase from 30, then we will charge accordingly. But as of now, this is the price we have zeroed on. We will be starting these birthday parties in Mumbai from December and will eventually take it to Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad early next year.”

    Apart from this, the network is also ramping up merchandising aroundPowerpuff Girls, Dexter and Beyblade. CNE has tied up with stores like Lifestyle, Pantaloon and Shopper’s Stop, wherein a shop-in-shop experience will be created. The existing Powerpuff Girls and Dexter merchandising will see the addition of skipping ropes, scooters and skateboards.

    CNE has also tied up with Bombay Dyeing for Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and Johnny Bravo bed sheets, pillow covers, linen etc. While the Powerpuff Girls and Dexter range will be available by the end of November, Johnny Bravo products will make a splash in the market in summer next year. A notable fact here is that earlier this year, Nick had also tied up with Bombay Dyeing for SpongeBob SquarePants and Blue’s Clues linen.

    Liliput, which is a kids’ retail brand with a strong presence in Mumbai, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Rajashthan, will be pushing the apparels featuring Cartoon Network’s characters.

    On the other hand, Pyramid Plastics will be rolling out a range of plastic products like Buckets, dust bins, mugs, soap boxes, bath stool with Powerpuff Girls and Dexter branding.

    “All our deals are for a minimum of two to three years. We look at partners who can create a fantastic product and at the same time be able to distribute it widely. The focus is to look at the big licensees who can be our long term partners and also be sustainable,” said George.

    Speaking on the price of these new products, George said that while the products are premium, the prices are moderate and hence made accessible to as many people as possible.

    While the Beyblades have been a sold out success, CNE is now encashing on its popularity by introducing puzzles and board games around the property. When queried as to whether the spurious Beyblades (especially those from China) were impacting the sales of the original Funskool Beyblades, George said, “Yes, there are a lot of spurious Beybaldes in the market but that has in a way helped grown the market for Beyblades and has not impacted our sales. Kids today want the original product and are smart enough to recognise the fake ones.”

    And if that was not all, CNE will also be rolling out home videos of Pogo’s live action show – M.A.D. CNE has tied up with Excel Video for the same. The VCDs will be priced at Rs 199 and the DVDs at Rs 299. “The home videos of M.A.D.will be available at Planet M, Music World, Crossword, Lifestyle and Landmark. The concept of the show is such that it fosters creativity among kids. It is a show that can be watched over and over again because kids can learn a lot while watching it. So it seemed like a perfect fit to launch it on home video,” said George.

    He also informed that advertising campaigns by Bombay Dyeing and Liliput towards the end of the year will push the new range of merchandising that is going to be launched.

    Speaking on the revenue growth that CNE has seen since it launched new merchandising in May this year, George said, “We are expecting a growth of at least 30 per cent by the end of December. On the other hand, if we talk about the one property that has seen a 30 per cent month on month growth in sales, it is Beyblade.”

    What one has to look out for in the new year is apparels, linen and toys’ range from the Johnny Bravo property and also merchandising for the pre-schoolers from the CNE kitty.

  • Radio City lines up slew of new shows for Bangalore listeners

    MUMBAI: Radio City 91 FM is introducing a whole new host of English shows for its Bangalore station, starting 22 August.

    Nite Mix from 9 pm – midnight will be a one-stop shop for world class English music. While on Sundays from 2 – 5 pm Vintage 91 will treat listeners with classics from the yesteryears. And to top it all, there is an International Top 25 featuring the latest chartbusters in English music on Saturdays from 6 – 9 pm.

    Radio City 91 FM’s shows will be hosted by Rohit Barker. Says he, “Now I’m hosting the Night Mix every week night as well as the International Top 25 every Saturday. It’s going to be your destination for the best International music. It’s going to be very interactive… your voice… your station… your music!”

    That’s not all, Bangaloreans are in for more treat with six more new exciting shows that are being launched. For fans of hit Kannada music the station has added Total Time Pass every week day from 4 – 5 pm – a Kannada show with a little bit of Bollywood music.

    Students have something exciting to look forward to with Brunch with the Boss on Saturday from 11 am – 12 noon. The first chat show on-air focusing on top CEO’s talking about their official and personal lives and career opportunities in their area of work.

    Sunday will see an exciting slew of shows with mornings with RJ Kiran on Chow Chow Baat entertaining his listeners with the best from Kannada Music from 7 – 11 am.

    Building Blocks is a show for all your queries and guidelines on house hunting from 11 am – 12 noon. Followed by Destination 91 from 12 noon to 2 pm that will introduce listeners to places of interest in India with details on how to get there and what to do there.

    For matters of the heart the in-house specialist will be there on air to discuss problems and issues faced by lovers on Saturday from 2 – 5 pm on Stupid Cupid.

    Radio City COO Apurva Purohit says, “Bangalore is the city where fun never stops and Radio City 91 FM is the only private FM radio station which truly catches the pulse of the city. On popular demand we have a new programming schedule where we have re-introduced English music with a bang and with this we hope to offer the very best to our listeners. Our main aim is to keep everyone entertained with our innovative programmes like Stupid Cupid, Under Construction and Destination 91.”

  • Radio City lines up new shows for Lucknow listeners

    MUMBAI: Radio City 104.8 FM has introduced a slew of new shows for its Lucknow listeners.

    Lucknow’s popular on-air show – Radio City Hotline with RJ Varsha will now entertain listeners for an additional hour everyday from Monday to Saturday between 6 – 9 pm.
     
     

    Another show ranging from subjects such as home care to relationships, Radio City has lined up Lajawaab hosted by RJ Aamir, will be aired every Monday to Saturday between 11 am to 2 pm.

    Lajawaab is an interactive show and will focus on important aspects related to cuisine, home care, relationships, parenting, lifestyle, fashion and beauty. In addition to this there would be contests with loads of prizes to be won daily along with a chance to come on-air live and interact with the RJ.
     
     

    For the night, the radio channel has lined up Disco Nites with RJ Vinay, which will be a one stop shop with the latest foot tapping tracks. On Sundays Radio City will bring three new shows.

    From 12 – 1 pm, Zindagi Zindabdad, a lifestyle chat show with city seniors, industry captains, civic authorities, celebrities and achievers will be aired.

    Through the show, listeners will be given inputs on the latest happenings in and around the city and a chance to interact and get their queries answered from the experts in various fields. For die-hard Bollywood fans, Radio City presents Bol Bollywood a one hour show every Sunday from 1 – 2 pm dedicated to Bollywood artists. This show will also include exclusive celebrity interviews.

    Kehkeshaan, a show which will have ‘shayris’ and soulful ghazals amidst interesting facts revolving around the legends and contemporary artists of the century will also be aired on Sundays from 9 pm till mid night.

  • Vijay lines up special shows for 15 August

    MUMBAI: Vijay has announced its various programming initiatives to celebrate the 59 Independence Day. The channel will showcase a debate show, an interview with a well-known actor, a musical show and also a movie to mark the celeberation of 15 August.

    Leonin Pattimandram will air at 8 am. The debate show, hosted by Dindugal Leoni a famous mediator who steers a debate through comic interjections and humorous anecdotes on the title Aangalidamirundhu Pengalukku Suthanthiram Venduma.

    Suryavin Diary, interview with the popular actor Surya will be on air at 9 am. The actor will speak about the journey from Saravanan to Surya.

    Ivan Aniyan Alla an chat show with a famous actor Vikram will air at 10 am.

    Isaignaniyin Isaivasagam – The Musical Journey will be on air at 11 am. The ace music director and the legend of Tamil music maestro Ilayaraja’s chats about the latest creation the Thiruvasagam in Symphony, a classical crossover by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, which was released on 30 June in India and on 2 July in the USA.

    Tamizh Manam In Macau, will feature the exotic locales of the Macau Islands and also a sneak-peak into the lives of the Tamilians, cinema, their likes, dislikes and their patriotism to their motherland India at 12 pm.

    Kamaraj – special movie for the Independence Day at 1 pm.

    The movie that charts the life of one of the greatest patriots of our land Kamaraj starring Richard Madhuram.

    Simbuvin Thottijeyaa will showcase an exclusive curtain raiser of the most talked new released movie Thotti Jeyaa, starring Simbu. Exclusive footage and interviews with the movie crew as a part of the show at 5:30 pm.

    Isaiyodu Pirandhein, which will air at 9 pm is a musical show featuring the singer Hariharan who will sing his all time favorite melodies. Along with the talented performers like Chithra, Srinivas, Mahathi, Sujatha, Tippu, Harini, Mathangi among others.

  • SAB Q1 net Rs 11 mn; lines up aggressive growth plans

    MUMBAI: Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network (SABTNL) has declared a six-fold increase in net profit in financial results anounced for the quarter ended 30 June 2005. Its net was Rs 10.82 million.

    SABTNL also stated that it had aggressive growth plans for its production business.

    Post its board of directors meeting held on 26 July, the production house plans to raise funds up to $ 15 million through FCCB/GDR’s and has also appointed former Star TV and Channel [V] hand Divya Sharman Mehta as creative director.

    The approval to raise funds upto $ 15 million by issuing ADRs / GDRs / FCCBs or any other financial instrument has been given by BSE. That apart, BSE has also given its nod for the proposal to issue 12,10,500 warrants convertible into even number of equity shares at a price not less than Rs 90 per share, on preferential basis u/s 81(1A) of the Companies Act, 1956 to the core promoters of the company.

    Mehta has been roped in to strengthen the creative and ideation portfolio at SABTNL.

    SABTNL, in its realigned focus on the expansion of its content production, has signed an agreement with Sony Entertainment Television (SET) to supply content worth Rs 750 million and is in the process of signing several deals with mainstream and niche Hindi channels. The company has also decided to venture into telefilms, animation content and motion pictures.

    Although, the company has announced that it is presently debt free with a cash surplus, the aggressive plans ahead will require intensive outlay of efforts and funds. SABTNL is in the process of sprucing up its production infrastructure which will be supported by large-scale investments, the company has said in a statement.

    Recently, the company carried out its restructuring plan with the sale of the Sab TV channel and brand to the global entertainment major SET.

  • Cartoon Network US lines up action series ‘Ben 10’ for 2006

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network US has announced that it will air the action series Ben 10 next year. In the show the main protagonist is a 10-year-old boy who has the power to transform into ten superheroes.

    Ben Tennyson is a normal 10-year-old boy. What makes him unique though is that with a flick of his wrist, he can transform into any one of 10 alien beings with amazing superpowers, like the powerful Four Arms or the slime-spitting Stinkfly. Despite his ability to change physically, Ben is still a kid at heart and has a little trouble figuring out how to act like a superhero when the pressure is really on. Ben 10 will debut on Cartoon Network in the US in May 2006.

    Cartoon Network senior VP development Sam Register says, “What kid doesn’t want to be a superhero? And wouldn’t being 10 superheroes be 10 times as cool?. Ben 10 will continue in the tradition that Cartoon Network has established of creating a new generation of superhero shows, like Teen Titans and Justice League Unlimited, for a new generation of kids. It’s an undeniably original premise with amazing alien heroes and incredible villains.”

    At the start of the show Ben discovers a strange device, the Omnitrix, that locks itself on his wrist. With “the watch,” Ben has the ability to morph into bizarre aliens like Heatblast, Upgrade, Grey Matter, Stinkfly, Ghostfreak, Razorjaws, Wildmutt and Diamondhead, each with its own set of special abilities, while still maintaining his 10-year-old personality. With these powers, he can play the part of a superhero, righting wrongs, saving the world and getting into some old-fashioned kid-style trouble. Ben and the Omnitrix catch the attention of an intergalactic bad guy named Vilgax who will stop at nothing to get the kind of power that Ben has managed to acquire.

    When he’s not tangling with Vilgax’s cronies or other earthbound villains, Ben is traveling the country in his Grandpa Max’s car. Grandpa Max is a good-humoured, open-minded and unsuspecting mentor who wants to put a little more excitement into his grandson’s life by taking him on a cross-country summer vacation. Ben and Grandpa are joined on their road trip by Ben’s cousin Gwen, who is smart, level-headed and not exactly thrilled to be along for the ride. Still, as the voice of reason, she’s invaluable in times of chaos, which is pretty much all the time.

    Ben’s main challenges are finding the best way to harness his power and making good decisions about when to summon his inner superheroes. It’s a good thing that his worldly and wise grandfather and shrewd cousin Gwen are there to keep him in check – and bail him out of trouble when he needs it.

  • 10th AdFest announces agenda, lines up 14 sessions

    MUMBAI: With the 10th AdFest just around the corner, the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival president Jimmy Lam has announced the agenda for this year consisting of 14 speaker sessions. The festival will kick off on 14 March and culminate on 17 March at Peach, Royal Cliff Beach resort, Pattaya in Thailand.

    “This is the laregst AdFest ever and I am delighted that we have been able to provide such a rich content for our delegates. This year’s speakers and topics are simply too good to be missed,” says Lam

    Confirmed creative speakers at the event include David Droga speaking on how ‘The future isn’t what it used to be’, John Hunt will talk about how ‘If it ain’t got that swing, it don’t mean a thing’ and Benjamin Palmer giving advice on ‘Learning by doing’. Peter Souter valiantly tackles the unpredictable with ‘The future of advertising.’
    This year, the AdFest has invited speakers to throw some light on consumer insights. David McCaughan runs McCann-Erickson’s Pulse survey. His topic is ‘Don’t call them consumers’. Daniela Krautsack’s from Mediacom Vienna will throw light on the influence of ambient media in ‘Cows in Jackets’.

    The panel discussions that are popular at AdFest have been brought back and include Paul Kemp-Robertson from Contagious leading a panel discussion on “Brand Utility” with creative leaders from the Asia Pacific region. Lewis Blackwell advises delegates to ‘Look, don’t read”, and will lead a panel discussion with some of AdFest judges.

    Japan Advertising Federation will share with delegates ‘The Practical Guide to Planet Japan’. Three speakers from Dentsu, Hakuhodo and ADK will be joined by moderator Chris Kyme, informs an official rekease.

    Japan Association of Commercial Film will present its all time favourite ‘Remarkable Five’, introducing five young TVC directors from Japan, Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore and Bangladesh. Each budding director will present his or her short film based on the “Turning Ten” theme of AdFest 2007.

    AdFest has invited festivals from other regions to showcase the best work. Among these, Daniel Marcet will present FIAP – the Latin American advertising festival with its winning ads. Jure Apih will present the award winners from Golden Drum – the new Europe advertising festival. Michael Conrad will talk about the mission of the first ever, InterContinental Advertising Cup to be held in Spain in November 2007.

    Last but not least, Donald Gunn will release the Gunn Report for the year 2006 and reveal the tally of most awarded ads, the most awarded agencies, clients and countries.

    Last but not least, Donald Gunn will release the Gunn Report for the year 2006 and reveal the tally of most awarded ads, the most awarded agencies, clients and countries.

    Among the Indian representatives at the AdFest this year, Ogilvy & Mather India, Mumbai executive chairman and national creative director Piyush Pandey has been invited to preside over the Press Lotus category chairperson, he has also been roped in as a speaker on 16 March.

    Leo Burnett India, Mumbai executive creative director Nitish Tiwari has been invited to join the judges panel for the Outdoor Lotus category, while McCann Erickson, Mumbai creative director Raghu Bhat will be on the panel of judges for the TV Lotus category.

  • DD-1 lines up agricultural programme

    MUMBAI: Doordarshan will telecast a Kisan Friendly programme titled Kisan ki Seva mein with effect from 16 May, 2005 at 6.30 am on the national channel on DD-1. The Programme will be telecast from Monday to Friday every week.
     
    AThe programme contents will be from different branches of agriculture. Efforts are being made to bring awareness among the farmers about the Modern Scientific Research and Development in the field of progressive farming, the present need of standard export quality vegetables, fruits, pesticides etc. One of the segments will be focused on in-house marketing direct from the farmers to the consumers through the data available from the 1551 call centres and also international marketing, states a DD release.
     
     

    A segment on meteorological forecast about the weather
    conditions in different parts of the country will be part of the
    programme. Different programmes will help in building up awareness among the farmers about the various Government Schemes such as Kisan Card, Cold Storage, Contract Farming, Seeds Storage, Water Management and the Daily Market Commodity Rates with an eye to enhance their
    welfare measures and boosting their economy.

  • Vijay TV lines up Star Wars series

    MUMBAI: After Star Movies, it is now Star Vijay’s turn. While the English movie channel is trying to capitalise on the hype around the upcoming release of Star Wars III with special Star Wars series screenings, Vijay TV is showcasing the movies in its dubbed English movie segment.
     
    The two episodes The Phantom Menace and The Attack of the Clones will be aired in two series.

    The movies will be aired in back-to-back weeks, 13 May and 20 May Friday, at 8:30 pm.
     
     
     

    The final chapter Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, which shows why Darth Vader turned to the dark side has its worldwide opening on 19 May (in India as well).

    To coincide with the excitement Star Movies will launch the initiative Experience Hollywood. The journey kicks off with a special double bill of Star Wars movies – Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones.

  • Zee lines up reality show to celebrate ‘Sa re ga ma pa’ success

     

    MUMBAI: Zee TV is celebrating 10 years of its famous musical bonanza Sa Re Ga Ma Pa by initiating Challenge 2005.

    The winners, a boy and a girl, would get a music contract with Universal, a chance to sing for the Zee Telefilms movie with the winners of India’s Best Cinestar Ki Khoj, a luxury car and an all furnished two bedroom flat in Mumbai.
     

    This will be one reality show that promises to go beyond just the participants. The epitomes of the music industry, the 4 mentors will come together only to battle against one another in a bid to make their team win the title of the Challenge 2005 series, states an official release.

    The audience will be exposed for the first time to onscreen rivalry between music wizards – Jatin Lalit (Hum Tum, Chalte Chalte), Ismail Darbar (Devdas, Kisna), Adesh Shrivastav (Baghban, Dev) and Himesh Reshammiya (Tere Naam, Humraaz) who will act as the mentors.

    The show will see 32 contestants selected from 10 cities compete with each other. Each of the 4 mentors will be given a team of young singers to nurture and develop. The mentors shall then come in the field with their respective teams and battle with each other to establish the winner, hence reiterating their supremacy in the music industry today.
     
     
     

    Speaking on the occasion Zee TV president Abhijit Saxena says, “Challenge 2005 is a step forward towards our constant endeavor to give all our audience members a fair chance to show their talents on a common platform.”

    With thousands of aspiring singers already auditioned in Delhi, Jamshedpur and Indore, auditions in Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Bangalore are keenly awaited in the coming weeks, the release adds.

    Zee TV will telecast Challenge 2005 starting 9 June Thursday-Friday in the 10 pm slot.