ITV

Tag: Mipcom

  • Sky News, Channel 4 triumph at Intl Emmy Awards

    Sky News, Channel 4 triumph at Intl Emmy Awards

    MUMBAI: The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Iatas) has announced the 2010 International Emmy Awards winners for its News and Current Affairs categories.

    UK coverage of The Taliban in Pakistan won in both categories. Sky News Pakistan-Terrors‘ Front Line presenting exclusive coverage revealing that the Taliban are in control of a large part of Pakistan, won the News Category. Dispatches – Pakistan‘s Taliban Generation, a special produced by October Film for Channel 4, which investigates how the war on terror is creating a generation of child terrorists- both inside and outside Pakistan, won the Current Affairs Category.

    Iatas president and CEO Bruce L Paisner says, “We congratulate the men and women behind these ground-breaking reports. Despite the danger surrounding them, they are committed to journalistic excellence and we are pleased to be recognising their outstanding work with an Emmy.”

    Nominees for 10 other International Emmy Awards categories will be announced on 4 October at the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France. Winners will receive their awards at the 38th International Emmy Awards Gala on 22 November in New York City.

  • 2008 Intl Emmy Awards winners for news, current affairs announced

    2008 Intl Emmy Awards winners for news, current affairs announced

    MUMBAI: The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Iatas) in the US has announced the 2008 International Emmy Awards winners for its News and Current Affairs categories.

    The Pro-TV News report Any Idea of What Your Kid is Doing Right Now?” about abandoned children made history by winning the first News Emmy ever for Romania and for Eastern Europe.

    Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries’ undercover camera report on the Natalee Holloway case, produced by SBS Broadcasting BV/Endemol Entertainment won the Current Affairs category. De Vries investigated the disappearance and possible murder of a young American in Aruba.

    The International Emmys were presented to the winners by Iatas president Bruce L. Paisner in New York City. He says, “We continue to marvel at the spread of news capabilities and excellence in television reporting in an increasing number of countries. The winners will cause even more organisations around the world to aspire to win International Emmys in future years.”

    Nominees for 10 other International Emmy Awards categories will be announced on 13 October at the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France. Winners will receive their awards at the 36th International Emmy Awards Gala on 24 November, in New York City.

  • BBC Worldwide opens local production office in India

    CANNES: UK pubcaster the BBC‘s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has announced the opening of its Indian production office.
    The office, headed up by Saul Nassé, will be responsible for bringing the production expertise of the BBC to the Indian market and working with local talent in India to produce and deliver world class television.

    The Indian office, which will trade as BBC Worldwide Productions India, is BBC Worldwide‘s third local production base. It will complement BBC Worldwide‘s hugely successful Los Angeles production studio – which currently works with all the major US networks and is responsible for producing the record-breaking Dancing with the Stars on ABC – and its production company in Australia, a joint venture with Freehand.

    Making the announcement at the ongoing television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France BBC Worldwide MD content and production Wayne Garvie said, “India is one of the most important and successful territories for BBC Worldwide. This local production office underlines our commitment to Indian broadcasters and audiences and firmly positions BBC Worldwide as a leading global content network. Under Saul‘s leadership, I‘m confident that the office will quickly become a key player in India‘s growing television industry.”

    Nassé added, “I have spent the past year in India, setting up the office and meeting representatives from all the many broadcasters with whom BBC Worldwide works. Two indisputable facts: local productions are by far the most popular programming in India and BBC Worldwide has one of the world‘s richest catalogues of television content and formats. Taken together, therefore, the Indian production base offers genuine synergy. I‘m delighted that the office is now open for business.”

    BBC Worldwide has enjoyed a strong distribution business in India for many years as well as close relationships with all the networks. Standout local production successes include Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Dancing with the Stars, which has just started its second series on Sony. Other shows that have been done are The Weakest Link, Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.

    Nassé recently led the BBC‘s India & Pakistan ‘07 season, having previously been Editor of Tomorrow‘s World and Acting Head of Religion and Ethics at the BBC. Working alongside Nassé will be Sonia Chowdhry, Creative Director, Development and Special Projects, BBC Worldwide Productions India. Chowdhry launched the award-winning Haath Se Haath Milaa (Let‘s Join Hands) programme for the BBC World Service HIV/Aids campaign in India and was Head of Programming for Nickelodeon in India. She will be driving the future business of the company, working with the development teams in London and pitching to local broadcasters.

  • Mipcom keynotes celebrate power of the great story

    Mipcom keynotes celebrate power of the great story

    CANNES: Taking the cue delivered by CBS Corp. president and CEO Leslie Moonves at yesterday’s opening day main keynote, today’s keynotes harked on quality content as becoming ever more critical in a digitally enabled world.

    United Artists CEO Paula Wagner and NBC Entertainment NBC Entertainment & NBC Universal Television Studio co-chairman Ben Silverman both stressed on how important quality content would be in a world of infinite choice.

    Wagner pointed out how global box office receipts of American movies were worth $ 26 million last year, a growth of 11 per cent CAGR. Not surprisingly, more than two thirds of revenues from the movie business came from international markets.

    Wagner pointed to the days of the captive consumer being over and which in turn necessitated ever higher spends on marketing and distribution. 

    Wagner, who with business partner Tom Cruise reached a deal last November with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to take over United Artists, said her studio was committed to promoting original and daring commercial projects that would have one key underpinning – great storytelling.

    Wagner made it clear though that these were business propositions so there had to be clarity on the finacial aspects of any project that UA would undertake.

    Creativity with financial discipline would determine their business model, Wagner stated.

    Following on her talk on the movie business was Silverman who declared that his network was committed to and believed strongly that what would work was content built for the global market.

    Silverman cited the Bourne movies as an example of cinema that has an international outlook in terms of cast and shooting locations. He pointed to how that kind of international outlook was also coming into his network’s shows with more characters from the UK, India, Japan, China, etc having important roles in the shows that were being green lighted as well as those already on air.

    As did Wagner, Silverman also noted how important it was to help foster creative vision and ensure the servicing of creative voices.

  • Ficci gears up for Frames convention

    Ficci gears up for Frames convention

    MUMBAI: Frames, the convention for the business of Indian entertainment organised by Ficci, will take place from 26 – 28 March in Mumbai.

    Business delegation from over 20 countries is expected for the event which is in its eight year. This year Italy is a partner country.

    The television track kicks off with a plenary session – Regulatory Framework for Entertainment Industry on the opening day.

    There has been a regular debate among various stakeholders on regulation. How much of regulation should be there? Should the content regulation be consistent across all delivery mediums such as TV, radio, films and print? Should there be a price regulation? Or the industry should be left to market forces to evolve on its own?

    With the boom of news channels, there will be a session on Changing face of News. In order to survive, news channels along with newsworthiness should have something different. Along with managing editorial content, the gatekeepers are also acting as brand managers.

    Viewers wanting a global perspective of television can attend Fresh TV around the World. This special session, now a regular item at the television trade events in Cannes, France Mip TV and Mipcom, presents the world’s freshest and most popular TV shows of the season, specially edited for Frames participants.

    This includes clips from the world’s most successful, innovative and most talked about TV shows. Based on the monthly The Wit Fresh TV Report which spots new shows launched in more than 30 markets worldwide, the presentation also covers the most creative trends in different programming genres.

    With Cas and DTH already introduced, Frames will have a Plenary Session on The Last Mile: Battle of reaching consumers. The challenge of retaining existing consumers is going to be tough. Are existing distributors well equipped to take up this challenge?

    Another plenary session examines the importance of content. Innovative marketing and promotional campaigns can be of little hope unless it is fuelled with winning content. Irrespective of platform, the key to success is high quality content. Can anybody afford to disagree?

    There will also be a focus on the Asian TV Market in a session. Asia has common cultural values thereby having huge potential of sharing content with countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Singapore. How the trade of content can be further strengthened among these countries?

    The Film Track kicks off with the crucial topic of marketing and distribution. This has always been an integral part of the business plan for film producers. The success of a film no longer depends on just the content, storyline and the starcast, but also on how well the film is marketed. The successes of Krissh, Don and Dhoom 2 in India scenario are prime example.

    The session will discuss the new methods employed to get to the target audience especially in international markets. Another session looks at digital cinema. From Celluloid to digital …Indian multiplexes and stand alone theatres are adopting the digital technology. Earlier business models were driving the technological applications. The scenario is just the opposite now, it’s the technology driving the business of Indian Cinema. The digital technology is changing the way the movies are being watched…. What lies in the future?

    Another session examines whether remakes and sequels revisits the past or is it the result of intellectual bankruptcy. Indian films now have a lot of sequels and remixes. Sequels of Munnabhai, Krissh, Hera Pheri, Dhoom and remakes like Don and Umrao Jaan and their success has added a new dimension to the Indian film industry. Some see it as a case of intellectual bankruptcy. In the era of commercialisation does storytelling hold a chance?

    What makes popular cinema tick? Is there a magic formula for success at box office? Increasingly the taste and sensibilities of the Indian audiences are changing. This is reflected in the different genres of movies making box office history this year. Films like Dhoom 2, Krishh, Rang De Basanti and Munnabhai have generated mass hysteria. There is a radical change in the scripts, treatment and presentation. The changing trends of Hindi films will be looked at in a session.

  • RTL CEO Gerhard Zeiler to deliver keynote at Mip TV 2007

    RTL CEO Gerhard Zeiler to deliver keynote at Mip TV 2007

    MUMBAI: Reed Midem, which organises the television markets Mip TV and Mipcom in Cannes, France, has announced that European entertainment network RTL CEO Gerhard Zeiler will give a keynote speech at Mip TV/Milia 2007.

    Gerhard Zeiler returns to Cannes after being named Personality of the Year at Mipcom 2004 for his career. During his keynote, Zeiler will share his vision of how the leading networks across the world are responding to fragmented media distribution and embracing change.

    He says, “There’s an amazing amount of intuition involved in television. If you strike the right note, you don’t just reach viewers, you genuinely move and captivate them. Your content wins them over. That’s why, for me, television is the most complete medium.”

    Mip TV/Milia’s 2007 conference programme entitled ‘Capture Innovation’ will be taking a close look at cross-platform content, innovative formats and concepts. Other key topics to be discussed are the latest global developments in television programming, new business models, new marketing concepts, mobile TV content and new digital platforms such as mobile TV, IPTV, VoD and broadband TV.

  • Optimystix’s ‘Nirvana’ rated amongst top 5 Mipcom formats by ‘Broadcast Magazine’

    Optimystix’s ‘Nirvana’ rated amongst top 5 Mipcom formats by ‘Broadcast Magazine’

    MUMBAI: Optimystix Entertainment’s format ‘Nirvana’ has been picked by Broadcast Magazine as one of the top five formats of Mipcom 2006.

    Whereas India is now a big player in sourcing formats from the world market, this will be the first time an Indian content producer has created content for the world market, informs an official release.

    Executive chairman of Optimystix, Sanjiv Sharma said “This is a format what we pitched to our fellow members at the Sparks Network at MIP TV in April this year. Whereas the format was extremely well received, it really exciting to be picked as one of the top five formats of the world’s biggest content market. We have serious interest for Nirvana from Networks in the US, France, Finland, Belgium, Poland and Italy.”

    Nirvana is a format where seekers from a country will come to India to seek spiritual solutions that will help them cope with modern life, the release adds.

    Managing Director and Head of Creative Services at Optimystix, Vipul D Shah said “This is matter of pride for the entire country. Whereas India will continue to consume creative ideas from the world market, it is very important to create content which can be pitted against the best of the best in the global arena.”

    Chairman of the Sparks Network, Nicola Soderlund said “This is the first time an Indian Format has hit the international TV market and this proves that Optimystix can compete with global players. We are very proud that Sparks has played a part in this achievement and expect several more original and ground breaking ideas to come out from this talented team. This is just the beginning.”

  • Mipcom attendance up by 9%

    Mipcom attendance up by 9%

    MUMBAI: The television trade event Mipcom which recently concluded in Cannes, France saw attendance of 15,900 people, about nine per cent more than last year.
    More programme buyers than ever jetted in for the event to take advantage of new media platforms. Reed Midem television director Paul Johnson has been quoted in media reports saying that buyers from China, the Middle East and India, in particular, showed healthy increases.

    There were 519 stands, an eight per cent increase, and 1,643 exhibiting companies, also an 8-percent growth rate. The number of exhibiting countries rose by five per cent, with new participants including Angola, Cambodia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Macedonia and Sudan.

    A report in Worldscreen states that at Mipcom Junior, registered companies were up three per cent to 529, with 53 countries represented. Sellers were up two per cent to 315, but buyers were down two per cent to 460, because of Reed Midem’s new policy of charging a flat nominal fee for all buyers to participate in the kids’ programming event.

    The number of programmes presented rose by 12 percent to 937, and new programmes were up 22 percent to 562. Screenings on site rose by nine per cent to 42,848. The most screened program at Mipcom Junior was Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep.

    A report put out by Prensario International states that at Mipcom there were attempts to push new ventures in all the regions, in addition to ancillary businesses such as home video, merchandising, mobile telephony and digital platforms. It is noticeable how these last two items are growing, from any given show to the next one. The technology is ready, but the business models are not yet fully developed. Digital transportation of content and High Definition are two more specialties that are gaining force; those who have HD content available were able to close deals that are out of reach for those who don’t. Regarding genres, there was a worldwide search for family and kid product, both live action and animated; programming about paranormal incidents is also intensely sought. At this Mipcom, Asia joined this trend with determination, states the report.

    Markets that were traditionally closed are now opening its doors. This adds investment in structures and alliances that allow farther reach. An example: the deal signed at the show by Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Venevision International (covering the US Hispanic market and Latin America) by which each ally will promote its partner’s product in its region.

    Everybody wants Latin content – The report notes that in this emerging landscape, the demand for Latin product is growing. Telenovelas are be the new trend, both in the US based networks and the largest Western Europe networks; this effect is contagious to other territories, even those where the genre was mature, giving it a new life. And the most important thing: both local production and finished product are creating synergy, against what was initially expected to happen. This is key to keeping the Latin industry in upbeat mood.

    That’s why the Mipcom organisation produced, once again, the Telenovela Screenings, on the Saturday and Sunday prior to the official opening of the show. For the first time the genre became the subject of two of the billboards at the Palais des Festivals entrance, taken by Dori Media Distribution. The screening had positive results.

    60 per cent more companies registered, 35 per cent more buyers attended and nine per cent more participating nations. 92 programmes were made available and 2,100 screenings were requested. On an average, the volume grew by 30 per cent compared to 2005. This is a significant increase, although the number of net participants remains focalized: 133 buyers vs. 99 last year.

    RCTV International sales head Jose Escalante, stressed that they helped to have more meetings during Mipcom instead of reducing their number, since buyers requested more information. Tepuy’s Accessory to Love was the most requested novela.

    The production of Latin formats has exploded -from MipTV to this Mipcom- in Romania, Russia and Portugal; each of these territories has currently five or six projects under development. This, on top of what is being seen in Germany, Spain, France and Italy. Televisa -both in entertainment and novelas-, Telefé, TV Azteca, Dori Media, RCN and Tepuy/TVN Chile appear as leaders of this trend; and, there are independent first moves, such as Argentine producer CTV’s, headed by actor Gabriel Corrado, who produces in Romania, and Chilean Feliú Group, which produces in Russia. In Eastern Europe, Romanian Mediapro Distribution is emerging in acquiring formats and producing.

    At the same time, the report notes that US networks are launching their first telenovelas, with promising results. If they become successful, the market will open fully. As a matter of fact, Fox had acquired at first three telenovelas for MyNewtorkTV, and now has rights to seven of them, predominantly from Colombian Caracol TV. Disney meanwhile is selling to the world its version of RCN’s Ugly Betty. Telenovelas are reaching the 18-34 target, which encourages investment.

  • BBC Worldwide signs deal with Australia’s Seven Network

    BBC Worldwide signs deal with Australia’s Seven Network

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Australasia has concluded a new deal with the Seven Network in Australia to license Michael Palin’s new travel series Palin’s New Europe. In addition, a raft of drama and factual programming has been acquired by broadcasters in New Zealand, through agreements signed in the run up to MIPCOM. Palin’s New Europe which will air on BBC One in the UK next year, follows the ex-Python as he explores 21 countries such as Bosnia, Albania, Moldova and Macedonia. BBC Worldwide Australasia’s sales manager Amber Knight says, “Michael Palin has that rare combination of integrity, wit and bravery which makes all his programs such hits. We are very excited to be bringing this program to Seven.” Seven Network’s director of programming and production Tim Worner says, “Australians are renowned travellers – as a youngster it is a virtual rite of passage and you always seem to bump into fellow Australians in the most far flung locations. Michael Palin captures that spirit in his very own way and we at Seven look forward to being able to have him take Australian audiences to places they have never been before. “Palin is the pre-eminent television travel communicator of his time – in his company you do not just see; you taste, you smell, you experience. And, above all, he makes it fun – that’s why we’re proud he’s coming to Seven.” A package of returning series has been licensed to New Zealand’s TVNZ including key titles from Kudos productions such as Hustle Series 4, and Life on Mars Series 2. TV One has taken series two of Clerkenwell Films’ Afterlife, as well as Hotel Babylon (Carnival Films), Waterloo Road (Shed Productions) and Bodies (Hat Trick Productions).

  • BBC’s show ‘Robin Hood’ racks up interest around the world

    BBC’s show ‘Robin Hood’ racks up interest around the world

    MUMBAI: Following its successful launch on UK television this weekend, attracting over eight million viewers, BBC Worldwide announces that it has already racked up a string of international television sales for the show Robin Hood. It has managed to secure deals in major territories including the US, France, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. Further deals are being concluded in Cannes this week.

    The Tiger Aspect show which has been co-produced with BBC America is available in full HD. BBC Worldwide’s brand team has worked in close partnership with Foz Allan and Dominic Minghella, the Tiger Aspect creators of the show, a collaboration which has made possible a 360 degree launch, with deals concluded for DVD, Children’s books, Audiobooks and Toys. DVDs and books deals were concluded in time for products to be on the shelves for Christmas. A soundtrack deal has also been concluded this week featuring music from Andy Price.

    BBC Worldwide’s independent unit director Helen Jackson, Director says: “Robin Hood might be an English legend, but Tiger Aspect’s fantastic contemporary production resonates with modern audiences across the world. The cross-platform deals we’ve done so far reflect this and we’re looking forward to encouraging further sales at Mipcom.”

    Robin Hood is one of BBC Worldwide’s key drama titles for the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France alongside ITV1’s £6 million new science fiction drama Primeval.