ITV

Tag: Mark Burnett

  • Startup finding reality TV series The Vault makes debut

    Startup finding reality TV series The Vault makes debut

    MUMBAI: The Indian version of Dragon’s Den – on which the iconic Mark Burnett show Shark Tank is based – is being readied to hit Indian TV screens come 1 October 2016. Called The Vault, the reality TV series is looking to fund start ups and nouveau entrepreneurial ideas.

    Each wannabe entrepreneur will get a chance to pitch his idea before a six member strong investor panel and get his or her idea funded to the tune of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

    The 12 episodic show spanning over 30 minutes will enable startups, household businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs with an extraordinary idea, or an established venture an opportunity to expand. The idea is to finance and mentor 36 entrepreneurs by the end of the show.

    But even before The Vault has gone on the floors, it seems to have to run into some sort of controversy. Which is what its American predecessor- Shark Tank – is known for.

    Jatin Goel, the creative brains behind it, says that it will air every Saturday at 7:30 pm on ET Now and every Sunday at 11:30 pm on Times Now. But the channel spokesperson told indiantelevision.com that nothing has been finalized yet.

    However Goel says that he has a signed contract with the Times Group for The Vault.
    Says he: “We have signed a contract with Times Group to discover the next big idea for startups to expand through The Vault. This show is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India towards developing a robust environment that fosters innovation and drives growth for promising business ideas irrespective of the sector they operate in.”

    Goel added that he will be helming the show.

    And he says the procedure to get a shot at the millions on the show has been kept very simple. Entrepreneurs have to register themselves on the show’s website by filling an application form with personal, company or idea related details and the funding expected by coughing up Rs 300 as a one time non-refundable fee. Applicants have to also mention how much equity they are willing to part and for what value. The last announced date of applications is 31 August 2016.

    Accepted applications will be screened and will be shortlisted for the first round of auditions in which each entrepreneur will be grilled about his idea by experts telephonically. A total of 100 applications will be taken forward from this round.

    The shortlisted 100 applications will have to upload a two minute video for the second audition round. From this, the list will be whittled down further to the final list of just 50.

    Goel strongly believes that the Indian entrepreneurial landscape is currently at its peak. “India has the third-largest and the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world. The growth witnessed by SMEs and household and rural businesses also indicates that there are many more milestones yet to be achieved.”

    The jury of six will – consisting of self-made millionaires who have already proven their mettle in various backgrounds- retail, technology, real-estate, FMCG, food, health, automobile industry- will judge the entrepreneurs on their idea or startup’s uniqueness and feasibility.

    The investors will be revealed one-by-one on TV and social media through various campaigns.

    A crew of 30 will be filming the show in Film City, Noida, starting the first week of September. An eight multicamera set up is being designed – with four cameras profiling the investors and their closeups when they are talking, two will zoom in on the entrepreneurs as they are pitching and their product showcase, and two will be used for long shots showing both the investor and entrepreneurs in one frame.

    As far as marketing is concerned, Goel says the show will be promoted highly on digital and will have some brand integration involved in it. He and his team are currently in talks with seven or eight advertisers to hop on board for this show.

    “We have not fixed any deals yet. There is no specific sector that we are targeting. Any company which can relate to our concept can be on board,” voiced Goel.

    Plans are afoot to launch a YouTube channel post the show’s run. Apart from a big push on digital, the show will also be marketed on TV, radio, print with various hoardings in metros mainly Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. The anchors from various channels falling under Times Network will also talk about the show.

    Will it do well in India? The wagers are on. The Subhash Chandra show on Zee Business has also been running for a couple of years . Shark Tank, which aired on Viacom18 English entertainment channel Colors Infinity earlier this year , met with a muted audience response according to reports. The challenge for The Vault does not only lie in securing advertiser backing but also in gaining its audience.

  • Startup finding reality TV series The Vault makes debut

    Startup finding reality TV series The Vault makes debut

    MUMBAI: The Indian version of Dragon’s Den – on which the iconic Mark Burnett show Shark Tank is based – is being readied to hit Indian TV screens come 1 October 2016. Called The Vault, the reality TV series is looking to fund start ups and nouveau entrepreneurial ideas.

    Each wannabe entrepreneur will get a chance to pitch his idea before a six member strong investor panel and get his or her idea funded to the tune of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

    The 12 episodic show spanning over 30 minutes will enable startups, household businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs with an extraordinary idea, or an established venture an opportunity to expand. The idea is to finance and mentor 36 entrepreneurs by the end of the show.

    But even before The Vault has gone on the floors, it seems to have to run into some sort of controversy. Which is what its American predecessor- Shark Tank – is known for.

    Jatin Goel, the creative brains behind it, says that it will air every Saturday at 7:30 pm on ET Now and every Sunday at 11:30 pm on Times Now. But the channel spokesperson told indiantelevision.com that nothing has been finalized yet.

    However Goel says that he has a signed contract with the Times Group for The Vault.
    Says he: “We have signed a contract with Times Group to discover the next big idea for startups to expand through The Vault. This show is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India towards developing a robust environment that fosters innovation and drives growth for promising business ideas irrespective of the sector they operate in.”

    Goel added that he will be helming the show.

    And he says the procedure to get a shot at the millions on the show has been kept very simple. Entrepreneurs have to register themselves on the show’s website by filling an application form with personal, company or idea related details and the funding expected by coughing up Rs 300 as a one time non-refundable fee. Applicants have to also mention how much equity they are willing to part and for what value. The last announced date of applications is 31 August 2016.

    Accepted applications will be screened and will be shortlisted for the first round of auditions in which each entrepreneur will be grilled about his idea by experts telephonically. A total of 100 applications will be taken forward from this round.

    The shortlisted 100 applications will have to upload a two minute video for the second audition round. From this, the list will be whittled down further to the final list of just 50.

    Goel strongly believes that the Indian entrepreneurial landscape is currently at its peak. “India has the third-largest and the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world. The growth witnessed by SMEs and household and rural businesses also indicates that there are many more milestones yet to be achieved.”

    The jury of six will – consisting of self-made millionaires who have already proven their mettle in various backgrounds- retail, technology, real-estate, FMCG, food, health, automobile industry- will judge the entrepreneurs on their idea or startup’s uniqueness and feasibility.

    The investors will be revealed one-by-one on TV and social media through various campaigns.

    A crew of 30 will be filming the show in Film City, Noida, starting the first week of September. An eight multicamera set up is being designed – with four cameras profiling the investors and their closeups when they are talking, two will zoom in on the entrepreneurs as they are pitching and their product showcase, and two will be used for long shots showing both the investor and entrepreneurs in one frame.

    As far as marketing is concerned, Goel says the show will be promoted highly on digital and will have some brand integration involved in it. He and his team are currently in talks with seven or eight advertisers to hop on board for this show.

    “We have not fixed any deals yet. There is no specific sector that we are targeting. Any company which can relate to our concept can be on board,” voiced Goel.

    Plans are afoot to launch a YouTube channel post the show’s run. Apart from a big push on digital, the show will also be marketed on TV, radio, print with various hoardings in metros mainly Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. The anchors from various channels falling under Times Network will also talk about the show.

    Will it do well in India? The wagers are on. The Subhash Chandra show on Zee Business has also been running for a couple of years . Shark Tank, which aired on Viacom18 English entertainment channel Colors Infinity earlier this year , met with a muted audience response according to reports. The challenge for The Vault does not only lie in securing advertiser backing but also in gaining its audience.

  • MGM buys out Mark Burnett, names him as president of TV & Digital

    MGM buys out Mark Burnett, names him as president of TV & Digital

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) is acquiring full control of United Artists Media Group (UAMG), in which reality TV producer Mark Burnett owned a 23 per cent interest with his wife Roma Downey.

     

    Additionally, Burnett has been named president of MGM Television and Digital Group.

     

    Burnett, who signed a five-year contract, will report directly to MGM CEO Gary Barber. Burnett’s new appointment will occur simultaneously with the closing of MGM’s acquisition of the remaining 45 per cent of Hearst’s, Burnett’s and Downey’s interests in UAMG, which will be absorbed under the MGM Television Group umbrella.

     

    “Mark Burnett is one of the most successful producers in television and a highly sought-after executive in content creation. His leadership is the next step in our never-ending quest to expand and grow our television and digital businesses,” said Barber. “Combining all of our TV content efforts under the purview of this unparalleled chief is incredibly exciting. Additionally, we believe this synergistic transaction will be very accretive to MGM.”

     

    Burnett and Downey will exchange their 23 per cent interest in UAMG for 1,337,360 shares of MGM stock valued at $90 per share. Hearst will receive $113.5 million in cash for their 22 per cent interest. This transaction will enable the complete integration of UAMG’s and MGM’s television businesses and the consolidation of their operations. The transaction is expected to close at the beginning of 2016 and was valued based upon the original deal parameters established when MGM acquired the initial 55 per cent of UAMG in 2014, less distributions.  The planned OTT channel will remain a separate entity controlled by its investors, Downey, Burnett, Hearst and MGM.

     

    “Joining MGM under the incredible leadership of Gary Barber is an exciting new chapter of my television career,” said Burnett. “Demand for quality content is stronger than ever and the opportunities to grow our pipeline and develop projects from the wealth of Intellectual Property in the MGM and United Artists libraries are enormous. There is no better time to be creating premium content for distribution across multiple platforms. “

     

    Downey added, “We have entered into an era where faith-based and family programming is experiencing a creative renaissance. I am so excited and grateful to head up the team at LightWorkers Media under MGM. This is an enthusiastic marketplace that inspires us every day to create and curate new, thoughtful and dynamic content for all screens in the distribution landscape.”

     

    In 2016, MGM Television will now have numerous unscripted and scripted television shows airing on network and cable or in production including: The Voice (NBC); Survivor (CBS); Shark Tank (ABC); Beyond the Tank (ABC); Celebrity Apprentice (NBC);Fargo (FX); Vikings (History); Teen Wolf (MTV);  500 Questions (ABC); The People’s Choice Awards (CBS); Lucha Underground (El Rey Network) and America’s Greatest Makers (INTEL/Turner).

     

    As part of the new structure, Downey will serve as president of LightWorkers Media, which will be the faith and family division of MGM Television, and will report to Burnett.  Downey will also serve as the chief content officer for the planned OTT channel. 

     

    Additionally, Chris Ottinger has been promoted to president of worldwide television distribution & acquisitions for MGM, reporting directly to Barber. MGM president of television development & production Steve Stark will continue to oversee all scripted content and will report directly to Burnett in an expanded role.

     

    MGM president of domestic television distribution John Bryan will continue in his role overseeing domestic distribution. Roma Khanna has stepped down from her position as head of television and digital. “Roma has done a terrific job at MGM. We are thankful for her efforts in helping grow MGM and wish her much success in her future endeavours,” said Barber.

  • ABC renews ‘500 Questions’ for second season

    ABC renews ‘500 Questions’ for second season

    MUMBAI: The innovative event game show 500 Questions, from Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell, has been picked up for a second season by the ABC Television Network.

     

    Produced by United Artists Media Group in association with Warner Horizon Television, the series will return in 2016.

     

    Season one of 500 Questions aired in May 2015 as a multi-night primetime event. A standout summer performer for the network, the show delivered consistent ratings throughout its run, with the season finale providing ABC’s best summer entertainment performance in its Thursday time period in two years.

     

    Darnell said, “When we created 500 Questions, our hope was to bring the event game show back to primetime. Thanks to ABC, we had a great summer run and achieved that goal. We are excited that the show is coming back for a second season.”

     

    Burnett added, “I am so glad we are back; I love this game show event. To win, these geniuses need both brains and endurance as they tackle television’s toughest questions.”

     

    500 Questions challenges the smartest people in the country to achieve the seemingly impossible task of answering 500 of the most difficult general knowledge questions ever devised. There’s only one simple rule: never get three wrong in a row — or you’re gone. No saves, no helps, no multiple choice. 500 Questions keeps you on the edge of your seat to see if any of these geniuses can do it. It is the ultimate test, where intellect, strategy and stamina are all equally essential in order to win.

     

    Burnett and Phil Parsons are the executive producers. Ed Egan is the co-executive producer. The show was created by Darnell and Burnett.

  • Turner, Intel and Mark Burnett ink content partnership

    Turner, Intel and Mark Burnett ink content partnership

    MUMBAI: Compelling branded storytelling, strategic content distribution and advanced advertising are the pillars of a partnership that was inked between Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Intel Corporation.

     

    In 2016, the two companies will team up with Emmy-winning executive producer Mark Burnett to launch a brand new TBS original series – America’s Greatest Makers (working title). Building on the success of last year’s Intel ‘Make It Wearable’ challenge, the series will be an entertainment event spanning the breadth and scope of the Turner portfolio, across multiple screens and levels of engagement.

     

    At the core of the series, Burnett will encourage makers to develop the next big innovation. Innovators will be tasked with producing breakthrough technology that is built on the Intel Curie, an integrated hardware module that can power a range of wearable and smart connected consumer devices.

     

    Digital and socially driven content will kick off the early stages of the challenge leading up to the announcement of the semifinalists. TBS will then launch the series America’s Greatest Makers, which will showcase the excitement of the semifinals. The series will debut with a kick-off special introducing the semifinalist teams who are determined to create the next big innovation in wearable technology.

     

    Turner and Burnett will immerse viewers in the America’s Greatest Makers experience through long and short-form content presented across Turner’s multi-screen portfolio of leading brands. TBS’s chronicle of the high-stakes semifinals will be joined by an array of short-form, sharable content that will expand the storytelling to brands like TNT, Adult Swim, truTV, HLN, CNN and Bleacher Report. Produced in the style and voice of each brand, the short-form content will feature various lifestyle innovations that resonate with the brand’s particular audience.

     

    In addition to the content elements, the partnership will utilize Turner Broadcasting’s position in advanced advertising capabilities by aligning around Sociology, a new marketing capability that allows brands to engage key segments of Turner’s massive social media following.

     

    “This first-of-its-kind partnership starts with a compelling content idea, then uses Turner’s capabilities to distribute that storytelling at scale, across all of our premium properties and platforms. As we embark on this new partnership with Intel and Mark Burnett, we have the opportunity to encourage innovative spirit, empower and inspire viewers to share content, reach the right audiences and, in the end, drive business results that matter,” said Turner Broadcasting Ad Sales executive vice president of integrated marketing and branded content Dan Riess.

     

    “This is much more than just a linear TV series. This is the next evolution of storytelling, told simultaneously across many platforms and in many different ways. This is the future. Intel drove the past from ‘inside,’ and now we will watch it drive the future from both ‘inside AND OUTSIDE!’” said Burnett.

     

    “Through this exciting collaboration with Intel, we are celebrating the spirit of innovation across the Turner portfolio. We look forward to working with Intel and Mark Burnett onAmerica’s Greatest Makers and can’t wait to see the truly awesome technology that emerges from it,” said TBS and TNT senior vice president of unscripted development, late night and specials David Eilenberg.

     

    “The next big technology innovation may be just a concept in someone’s mind or an invention being built in someone’s garage. Intel welcomes America’s inventors, makers and entrepreneurs to inspire us all with their ideas on this new and powerful stage provided by Turner Broadcasting and the imagination of Mark Burnett,” added Intel chief marketing officer Steve Fund.

     

    America’s Greatest Makers (http://www.americasgreatestmakers.com/) is a key component of Intel’s global initiative to inspire ideas and fuel innovation. It encourages makers to create groundbreaking wearable technology and smart connected consumer electronics that are fresh, exciting and practical. Last year’s challenge winners created a drone camera that can wrap around a person’s wrist and a cost-effective prosthetic hand created using a 3D printer.

     

  • Warner Bros. unveils 12 new show formats at MIPTV

    Warner Bros. unveils 12 new show formats at MIPTV

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) has unveiled 12 all-new primetime formats at MIPTV. These include Repeat After Me (ABC, U.S.), The Gift (BBC One, UK), Weight for Love (in development at NBC),Backyard Survival (RTL4, Netherlands) and Our First Home (TVOne, NZ).

     

    The company will also be previewing its all-new event game show format 500 Questions (ABC, U.S.) from executive producer Mark Burnett and creator Mike Darnell at MIPTV.

     

    Inspired by a highly successful signature segment from the Emmy-winning daytime talk program The Ellen DeGeneres Show and produced by Ellen’s A Very Good Production in association with Warner Horizon Television, Repeat After Me sees Wendi McLendon-Covey instruct superstar talent, via a remote earpiece, to interact with everyday people in high-energy, comedic hidden-camera situations. Guests include Harry Connick, Jr., Usher and Justin Bieber, whose sketch reached more than 800 million users on Twitter.

     

    From the makers of worldwide success Who Do You Think You Are? comes The Gift for BBC One. This unique factual entertainment series follows the unexpected and heart-warming personal stories of ordinary people given the extraordinary opportunity to be reunited with someone who changed their life forever. The Gift premiered in February on BBC One and is the highest rated new factual format series at 9 pm on the network in 2014/15.

     

    From 5×5 Media in association with Warner Horizon Television, Weight for Love sees the emotional and physical transformation of overweight couples who commit to separate for a long period of time in order to regain their health. The couples will be documented and united in an emotional reveal, as they begin to plan the next part of their new lives.

     

    Coming soon to RTL4 (Netherlands) is Backyard Survival, from the creators of Adam Looking for Eve. The show challenges four famous faces to live and survive without shelter and food in the wilds of the nation’s countryside, revealing personal and touching stories of the stars as they attempt Backyard Survival.

     

    From the producers of The Bachelor New Zealand is Our First Home for TV One (NZ). Currently outperforming all international formats in its primetime slot, the show is feel-good and competitive. Part observational documentary and part soap opera, parents sacrifice everything for their kids, as they buy a ‘do-up’ and work together to help them with their first step on the property ladder. Competing against the clock to win big – families will be pushed to the limit in TV’s most exciting new property renovation show.

     

    The new format slate also includes the market debut of Adoption Stories (Nelonen, Finland), Bring Back Borstal (ITV, UK), Back in Time for Dinner (BBC Two, UK),Ellen’s Design Challenge (HGTV, U.S.), Push The Red Button (RTL4, Netherlands),Soundtrack of Love (YLE, Finland) and Wanted – A Very Personal Assistant (BBC Three, UK).

     

    Warner Bros. International Television Production includes new productions worldwide for The Bachelor, produced in 30 territories including ABC (U.S.) and RTL (Germany); the recently launched Adam Looking for Eve, produced in seven countries including RTL (Germany) and Cuatro (Spain); and First Dates, the top rated format created for Channel 4 (UK) and recently commissioned by NBC for a primetime US version produced by Shed Media (part of the unscripted/alternative programming department at Warner Bros.).

  • NBC show will send someone into space

    NBC show will send someone into space

    MUMBAI: The network has announced that it is teaming with Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic and veteran TV producer Mark Burnett on ‘Space Race’, a competition where the winner gets a ride on the space liner that is expected to begin commercial flights sometime next year.

     

    “The term  trip of a lifetime’ has for once been delivered on,” said NBC’s president of alternative and late-night programming Paul Telegdy. “This will be a remarkable experience for anyone who has looked at the night’s sky and dared to dream of space flight.”

     

    Virgin has been testing its rocket-powered space vehicle this year, with pilots reaching a height of 69,000 feet on a 5 Sept flight that landed in the Mojave Desert near Virgin Galactic’s facility there. Virgin has said the goal is to begin commercial flights next year, with Branson and his family taking the first ride.

     

    Virgin has already collected $80 million in deposits from 640 people interested in experiencing the weightlessness of space.

     

    A TV show could be great publicity for Branson’s company. Competitors, such as billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX, are also working to make commercial spaceflight a reality.

     

    Burnett, the producer behind ‘The Voice’ and ‘Survivor’, said he has wanted for 10 years to make a show with the goal of letting an average person experience looking down on Earth from the black sky of space.

     

    However, NBC offered no estimate on when ‘Space Race’ would air.

  • Television maverick Mark Burnett to produce the 2007 MTV Movie Awards

    Television maverick Mark Burnett to produce the 2007 MTV Movie Awards

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that reality television producer Mark Burnett will executive produce the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

    For the first time the show will air live on 3 June 2007 from Los Angeles, California. Golden popcorn wil be up for grabs in such eccentric categories as Best Kiss, Best Villain and Best Comedic Performance along with the debut of several new awards.

    The star-studded event is MTV’s irreverent nod to the typical awards shows celebrating the year’s best in movies, stand-out musical performances and more. The show has had its moments like sexy lip locking from the likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair, and outrageous acceptance speeches such as Jim Carrey’s comedic rant surrounded by 60 angels.

    MTV president Christina Norman, says, “Mark has great ideas and vision for the movie awards, and I know he’s going to bring some fresh energy to the show. I can’t wait to see how his vision comes together to create a one of a kind experience for the movie awards, on television and on line.”

    Burnett notes, “I began my career at MTV with Eco-Challenge and worked closely with Salli Frattini on every aspect of that project. I love MTV and I especially love its Movie Awards, so when you combine MTV, Salli Frattini and movies it was easy to say yes. Adding a live element to the Movie Awards irreverence and spoofs, it simply means … anything can happen. Buckle your seatbelts!”

  • Spielberg, Burnett film based reality show to air on Star World, Star Movies from May

    Spielberg, Burnett film based reality show to air on Star World, Star Movies from May

    MUMBAI: Star World and Star Movies will air the upcoming film based reality show On The Lot in May 2007.

    The show is being done by reality TV guru Mark Burnett and film director Steven Spielberg.

    In the US the show kicks off on Fox from 16 May 2007. The aim of the show is to give aspiring filmmakers from around the world the chance to earn a $1-million development deal at DreamWorks.

    16 undiscovered filmmakers will compete to win the support of the show’s viewers, as their fate will be decided by a weekly audience vote.

    The show will have a one-hour Film Premiere episode, followed by a half-hour Box Office results show.
    After a global search, applicants will be winnowed to a group of 16 talented filmmakers. These finalists will be brought to Hollywood, where they will be divided into teams and begin the journey toward their ‘big break’.

    Every week, the hopeful filmmakers will produce short films from a chosen genre, running the gamut from comedies to thrillers, personal dramas to romance, sci-fi to horror. They’ll have access to the best resources the industry has to offer — professional writers, cast and crew, and maybe even Hollywood celebrities.

    After the teams have battled time frames, budgets and all the usual chaos that goes along with filmmaking, their films will debut and be critiqued in front of a live audience during the Film Premiere episode. Judges will include a high-ranking motion picture executive, a prominent film critic and a succession of well-respected guests, such as directors who are experts in the week’s featured genre. But the filmmakers ultimately will be judged by the harshest critics of all … the public.

    Fox viewers votes will determine which film should be left on the cutting-room floor. On the next night’s Box Office results show, the director whose feature garners the fewest votes will be sent home. Reports indicate that Fox will use American Idol as a vehicle to create awareness for this show.

  • Mark Burnett plays ‘Devil’s Advocate’ for Sci Fi Channel

    Mark Burnett plays ‘Devil’s Advocate’ for Sci Fi Channel

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Sci Fi Channel has unveiled a slate of original series and miniseries. Reality TV guru Mark Burnett The Apprentice and Dreamworks Television will make Devil’s Advocate.

    This is a one-hour conspiracy thriller about a theology professor who is thrust into the world of secret societies, religious espionage and genetic research.

    Hired by a global corporation, but motivated by his own personal search for the truth, the professor forms an eclectic team of ‘devil’s advocates’ who are charged with deciding whether bizarre cases can be explained naturally, or whether there are larger, more supernatural forces at work.

    The channel will also unveil a miniseries Outpost. It centers on a group of private explorers in the near future, that takes over an abandoned Nasa research base after the government has abandoned space exploration as too expensive. The intrepid explorers travel to a distant planet in our solar system to establish a potentially lucrative off-world colony. But, the real adventure begins when they discover an ancient artifact buried deep beneath the planet’s surface.