ITV

Tag: MANHATTAN

  • Star World Premiere HD to launch Crazy – Ex Girlfriend

    Star World Premiere HD to launch Crazy – Ex Girlfriend

    MUMBAI: English entertainment channel, Star World Premiere HD, will launch a new show titled as Crazy – Ex Girlfriend. The show premieres on 19 November at 10 pm.

     

    Crazy – Ex Girlfriend stars Rachel Bloom played by Rebecca Bunch, as an unhappy lawyer who quits her job and moves across the country in search of love, with her inner monologue providing irreverent musical interludes. Rebecca’s contagious, sometimes delusional enthusiasm begins to stir the citizens of West Covina, California, shaking them up and giving a new soundtrack to their lives. 

     

    Successful and driven, Rebecca Bunch seemingly has it all at an upscale apartment in Manhattan and a partnership at a prestigious law firm, but she feels like something is missing. After a chance meeting with a former romantic interest, Rebecca impulsively decides to give up her life in New York and relocate to a Los Angeles suburb, she hopes will be the perfect home base as she embarks on a quest for love, adventure and true happiness.

     

    Speaking about how people will relate to her character, Rachel said, “It first sounds like the show is going to be from a male point of view. But actually it’s from the point of view of a woman and deconstructing how do you get to this place where you are stalking someone? How do you get to the place where you move from New York to West Covina? And I think that women will really connect with the emotional highs and lows and the desperation of someone who is otherwise very intelligent doing something that a moron would do.”

  • Lionsgate roars with 24 Emmy nominations

    Lionsgate roars with 24 Emmy nominations

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate’s series Orange Is The New Black, Mad Men, Nurse Jackie and Manhattan, and its limited series Houdini earned a total of 24 Emmy nominations.

     

    These include an eighth consecutive Outstanding Drama Series nomination for four-time Emmy winner Mad Men (AMC); a Drama Series nomination for Orange Is The New Black (Netflix); and four lead acting nominations including Mad Men’s Jon Hamm (his eighth consecutive drama nod) and Elisabeth Moss (her fifth nomination in this category), Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco (an Emmy winner and six-time nominee for this role), and Adrien Brody, who landed his first Emmy nomination for Houdini.

     

    Mad Men’s 11 nominations also include nods for Christina Hendricks as Supporting Actress (her sixth nomination), two Writing nominations, as well as nods for Production Design, Casting, Editing, Hairstyling and Makeup.

     

    Orange Is The New Black scored a total of four nominations, including nods for Uzo Aduba as Supporting Actress, Pablo Schreiber as Guest Actor, and Casting, along with its Drama Series nomination.

     

    In addition to Edie Falco’s nomination for Nurse Jackie and Adrien Brody’s nomination for Houdini, Lionsgate picked up six additional Houdini nods in the Directing, Cinematography, Picture Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Makeup categories, as well as a Main Title Design nomination for Manhattan. 

     

    “We’re extremely proud of our incredible roster of nominated shows and we thank the TV Academy for this tremendous recognition. These nominations underscore our commitment to producing highly entertaining and original programs that resonate deeply with viewers and inspire broader cultural conversation,” said Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs. 

  • “Asia is a priority market for Lionsgate”: Kevin Beggs

    “Asia is a priority market for Lionsgate”: Kevin Beggs

    CANNES: Lionsgate is scrutinising the Asian market.  For the company which has been in the channel business in Asia through joint ventures for the past five years, the region now features in the priority market list.

     

    Addressing the audience at MIPCOM 2014, Lionsgate chairman Kevin Beggs said that with its Hong Kong office, the company is also pushing into India. “Shows like Orange is the New Black in China represent a huge revenue growth for us, which before was pretty close to nothing,” he said, adding that while the region is temperamental in a way, it is also very promising.

     

    The theatrical side of Lionsgate is in deep discussions about bringing more films into Asia. “We are looking at developing shows that could find itself in the market now. It’s a priority for the company, but it is also an emerging market for us, that will go a long way at making us strong, and we are focused on it,” informed Beggs.  

     

    Lionsgate, the creators of ‘Orange is the New Black’, ‘Manhattan’, ‘Mad Men’ is a firm believer of having a global look, while making a show. “Both Mad Men and Orange Is The New Black are high quality shows, which we were hoping would be liked by the global audiences. It has exceeded expectations,” he said.

     

    The company keeps its eyes open for finding great partnerships across the globe. “We are talking to people all the time. We are finding the perfect shows that we can co-commission or commission simply for the UK or Germany or France pay market. It is a high priority for us,” informed Beggs.

     

    Lionsgate has auctioned many formats so far in different markets. “We always look for the right thing to adapt,” he added.

     

    Beggs also touched upon the streaming services that have started playing a key role. “While television has ad breaks with 42 or 43 minutes of drama, the streaming services have no advertising obligation. And they have a much longer running time and no breaks. The storytelling of ‘Orange is the New Black’ on Netflix is very different. It takes a lot of digressions on the shows, and because people will re-watch, one has a lot of freedom to tell a story in a much more serialised and novelised way. There is no need for a dramatic ending before a commercial break, so that people can come back. So the pacing is interesting from our standpoint as well,” he said.

     

    He feels that in a scenario like this, the writers have to do a great job and also as producers “we need to understand the audience and what would hold them back. Audiences can watch the whole season of a series in a few hours and would wait for the next season, which would take a year. So this is different,” he informed.

     

    Beggs believes that there will be more streaming players in the future. “It the next two years or so, there will be six to seven new streaming services or may be more,” he stated. Citing the reason for the change, which could see some big players jumping into it, he said that streaming business, on a pay basis, does not need a huge number of subscribers to breakeven.  “Brands will follow where the audiences are,” he concluded.

     

  • PROMAX&BDA to study consumers’ viewing choices

    PROMAX&BDA to study consumers’ viewing choices

    MUMBAI: PROMAX&BDA has commissioned media and entertainment research and consulting firm Frank N. Magid Associates to conduct a research study for the benefit of marketing and promotions executives in attendance at the 49th annual PROMAX&BDA conference.
    The study will cover the methodology behind consumers making their viewing choice as well as what influences those selections. Results from the study will be presented during the PROMAX&BDA Conference, to be held at the New York Hilton and Towers in Manhattan, 23 June to 26 June.
    PROMAX&BDA is a global, non-profit association dedicated to advancing the role and effectiveness of promotion, marketing and broadcast design professionals in the electronic media.
    Frank N. Magid Associates president and CEO Brent Magid is quoted in media reports as saying that the study would examine those trends, particularly focusing on how viewers decide to watch a certain program and what influences their advanced planning for TV viewing.

  • Murdoch-Wendi get divorced

    Murdoch-Wendi get divorced

    MUMBAI: It’s done and over with. Media baron Rupert Murdoch and his third wife Wendi Deng got divorced on Wednesday. And there was none of the drama that is normally associated with the end of celebrity marriages. The duo –first Murdoch and then Wendi – arrived quietly in the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan and agreed to the terms of the divorce before Judge Ellen Gesmer, and the hearing was over in just about 15 minutes.

     

    The couple had signed one prenuptial and two postnuptial agreements delineating the division of assets in the event of a divorce. As part of the final terms, Wendi will continue to keep the couple’s apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan valued at $44 million and their home in Beijing.

     

    Murdoch and Wendi have two daughters 12 year old Grace Helen, and 10 year old Chloe. The octogenarian has four other children from his two earlier marriages – Prudence, James, Lachlan and Elisabeth.

     

    Murdoch’s personal fortune which was estimated in excess of $13 billion is held in a family trust in which all this six children have an equal economic interest though his two youngest daughters have no voting interest.  The trust owns about 40 per cent stock News Corp and Twenty First Century Fox. News Corp is the owner of India’s $1billion plus turnover Star India network which runs India’s No 1 Hindi GEC Star Plus and also India’s leading sports television network.

     

    Married for 14 years, the couple decided to part ways when Murdoch said he wanted a divorce in June this year as the marriage had irretrievably broken down.  They later issued a joint statement which said: “We are pleased to announce that we have reached an amicable settlement of all matters relating to our divorce. We move forward with mutual respect and a shared interest in the health and happiness of our two daughters. We will not comment on this any further.”

  • Industry comes together at first annual NYC Television Week

    Industry comes together at first annual NYC Television Week

    MUMBAI: The first NYC Television Week, presented by Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, Next TV, and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), drew more than 1500 television industry executives to the Waldorf Astoria and the Metropolitan Pavilion from 28-30 October. Sony was the Founding Sponsor.

     

    NYC Television Week comprised conferences, events, and an exhibition – including the “State of Television,” Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, the two-day “TV Summit,” “TV on Wall Street,” and the Solutions Center exhibit floor, presented by NAB Show – bringing them to the heart of Manhattan.

     

    NYC Television Week’s conferences featured 87 industry leaders as keynotes and presenters, including DirecTV president, chairman and CEO Mike White; National Basketball Association commissioner David J. Stern; WWE executive VP – creative Stephanie McMahon and Twitter chief media scientist Deb Roy, to name a few.

     

    “The incredible line-up of speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors is a good indication of how the television industry needed a place to get together after the start of the fall season to discuss the status quo and the direction in which we are headed,” stated Broadcasting and Cable and Multichannel News EVP/group publisher Louis Hillelson, “I am happy that we and NAB were able to provide the platform for these high-level discussions.”

     

    “Given the transformative state of the industry, NYC Television Week could not have been more timely and relevant, providing valuable takeaways for attendees,” said NAB executive VP conventions and business operations Chris Brown. “We had a very strong ‘TV on Wall Street’ program that was an immediate hit, and the Solutions Center featured a provocative mix of innovative products and services for the industry. We look forward to building on this event going forward as we continue to extend the NAB and NAB Show brands.”

     

    NYC Television Week opened Monday morning, 28 October, at the Waldorf Astoria with the “State of Television” conference, and featured in-depth discussions about various areas of the television industry, including cable, sports, advertising, and new technologies. This was the 23rd annual Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, hosted by CBS News correspondent 60 Minutes Lesley Stahl and NBC News special correspondent and host of The Meredith Vieira Show Meredith Vieira.

     

    On Tuesday, 29 October, NYC Television Week took over the Metropolitan Pavilion with “TV Summit Day 1,” “TV on Wall Street,” and the Solutions Center exhibition. “TV Summit Day 1” covered a wide range of topics, such as indie production, syndication in the digital age, showrunning, and the state of network television. “TV on Wall Street” examined how content competition and consumer consumption trends are driving the evolution of television and featured chief executives, venture capitalists, and leading financial analysts sharing their views of the TV industry. The summit concluded with a cocktail reception sponsored by National Geographic Channels.

     

    NYC Television Week wrapped up on Wednesday, 30 October, with a second day of both “TV Summit” and the Solutions Center exhibit floor. “TV Summit Day 2” featured discussions on ad buying, 4K, new platforms, and content distribution.

     

    Solutions Center exhibitors included Sony, placemedia, Dolby Laboratories, and Verizon Digital Media Services, among many others. Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, and Next TVare all published by NewBay Media.

  • Woody Allen is 2014 recipient of Cecile B DeMille award

    Woody Allen is 2014 recipient of Cecile B DeMille award

    MUMBAI: A formal announcement from the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Theo Kingma that the 2014 Cecile B DeMille award will be presented to Woody Allen for his immense contribution to filmmaking.

    Each year this award is given to a talented person whose contribution to the world of entertainment has had a great impact. Previously this award has been given to Jodie Foster (2013), Morgan Freeman (2012), Robert De Niro (2011), Martin Scorsese (2010), Steven Spielberg (2009).

    Woody Allen is known for movies such as Annie Hall, Manhattan, Vicky Christina Barcelona and Midnight in Paris. Currently his movie Blue Jasmine is running in theaters currently.
    The Golden Globes are given to both motion picture and television achievements.

  • B4U brings Bollwood to Manhattan

    B4U brings Bollwood to Manhattan

    A day of fun and excitement in New York as B4U Television Network vows the crowds at the annual India Independence Day Parade >on Sunday 18th August 2013.

    The India Day Parade, celebrating its 33rd anniversary attracted a diverse audience from all around America and is considered the largest Independence Day parade in the world outside India. Madison Avenue was closed for the festivities as decorative floats brought a slice of Indian culture to scores of onlookers.

    More than 25,000 people attended the event which was organised by the Federation Of Indian Associations With special guests including Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, and Tamil film star Sarath Kumar, the event celebrated India’s 67th Independence day with exclusive performances, marching bands, a procession of over forty floats and mouth-watering food. The veteran social activist Anna Hazare also marched along with hundreds of his supporters.

    B4U kept the crowds entertained with live music and a large float that was seen as one of the most colourful attractions of the event. DJ Ladla on the B4U float played some catchy Bollywood tracks and patriotic songs as the crowds swayed along. The colours of the B4U logo red, white and black adorned the float and were the cynosure of all eyes. B4U branded T-shirts and goodie bags were given away by the B4U team to thousands who lined up through the parade.

    As the worldwide pioneer of Bollywood entertainment, B4U certainly lived up to its reputation as it represented Indian cinema and celebrated Bollywood music at this prestigious event in New York City.

  • Court awards $4.6 mn to Dish in dispute with ESPN

    Court awards $4.6 mn to Dish in dispute with ESPN

    MUMBAI: A federal jury in Manhattan has awarded Dish Network $4.9 million in its disputes with ESPN for breach of
    contract.

    The 10-member jury unanimously decided that ESPN was liable for breaching a 2005 licensing agreement by allowing rivals to pay lower rates for its Spanish channel ESPN Deportes without extending the same offer to Dish.

    The award was, however, less than the $152 million that Dish had sought from ESPN.

    “We are gratified that the jury rejected all but one of Dish‘s claims and all but $4.8 million of the more than $153 million in damages they were seeking,” ESPN said in a statement.

    The Walt Disney affiliate also said that it had not yet decided whether or not it will appeal the case.

  • This Valentine’s Day.. Book your date with Star movies

    Mumbai: Valentine’s day is incomplete without watching a mushy movie! This Valentine’s Day, Star Movies pays homage to the trials and tribulations of romance with a full-day marathon of die-hard romantic films. So if you want to have some cheerful moments of laughter and joy, with your loved ones, don’t forget to tune into ‘Shallow Hal’ and of course you can re-live the romance by watching some romantic valentine movies like ‘Maid in Manhattan’ and ‘If Only’. So book your date with Star Movies, this Valentine’s Day, 14 February beginning 2:20 p.m.

    Wednesday, Feb 14 at 2:20 p.m.

    MAID IN MANHATTAN

    Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci

    Marisa Ventura (Lopez) is a single mother born and bred in the boroughs of New York City, who works as a maid in a first-class Manhattan hotel. By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, Marisa meets Christopher Marshall (Fiennes), a handsome heir to a political dynasty, who believes that she is a guest at the hotel. Fate steps in and throws the unlikely pair together for one night. When Marisa’s true identity is revealed, the two find that they are worlds apart, even though the distance separating them is just a subway ride between Manhattan and the Bronx.

    Wednesday, Feb 14 at 4:35 p.m.

    IF ONLY

    Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Paul Nicholls

    After his impetuous musician girlfriend, Samantha (Hewitt), dies in an accident shortly after they had a fight (and nearly broke up), a grief-stricken British businessman, Ian Wyndham (Nicholls), living in London gets a chance to relive the day all over again, in the hope of changing the events that led up to her getting killed…

    Wednesday, Feb 14 at 6:40 p.m.

    SHALLOW HAL

    Starring: Jack Black, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jason Alexander
    Following the advice of his dying father, Hal dates only women who are physically beautiful. One day, however, he runs into self-help guru Tony Robbins, who hypnotizes him into recognizing only the inner beauty of women. Hal thereafter meets Rosemary, a grossly obese woman whom only he can see as a vision of loveliness. But will their relationship survive when Hal’s equally shallow friend undoes the hypnosis?

    So tune in to Star Movies this Valentine’s Day and get set for that perfect date, you had always wished for!!!

    About Star

    STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 60 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel).

    STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world’s largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com

    For further information please contact:
    In Mumbai
    Zeenat Khan
    Publicity
    STAR (India) Ltd.
    Tel No. 91-22-28523880

    Shiraz Bhavnani / Aditi Chada
    Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
    Tel: 91-22-5656 8787
    Fax: 91-22-5656 8788
    Email:sbhavnani@vccpl.com / achada@vccpl.com