ITV

Tag: Mipcom

  • SPTI unveils official film of 2006 Fifa at Mipcom

    SPTI unveils official film of 2006 Fifa at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) gets Mipcom 2006 off to a lively start with the announcement that it has secured the worldwide excluding Japan, the distribution rights to The Grand Finale, the only officially sanctioned film about the 2006 Fifa World Cup.

    Directed by Michael Apted and narrated by Pierce Brosnan, The Grand Finale exhibits never before seen footage of the excitement and drama of the 2006 Tournament. It provides a film-style overview of the tournament’s most captivating moments. The announcement was made today by SPTI executive VP distribution Keith LeGoy.

    Commenting on the deal, LeGoy said: “The 2006 Fifa World CupTM was a spectacular event viewed by an audience of 30 billion people around the planet. The Grand Finale captures cinematic footage of the tournament that has never before been seen, footage that truly depicts the character, stamina and strength of the world’s best players, the excitement of the games and the passionate support of the fans. The cinematic quality of The Grand Finale along with the huge appeal of football among an ever widening worldwide audience makes this an incredible property for general and sports broadcasters alike.”

    Also commenting, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: “We are pleased that a Hollywood studio of Sony Pictures’ global relevance has acquired the distribution rights for the Official 2006 Fifa World Cup Film. Through their expertise and market relevance around the world, millions of football aficionados will gain access to a unique and exclusive film production that allows the viewer to feel part of the action and the excitement of the Fifa World Cup. I am sure that the film will rapidly become a collector’s item because of its convincing and creative approach to some of the best the Fifa World Cup Final had to offer”.

    The Grand Finale not only portrays the excitement of the matches played in the World Cup but also uniquely captures the emotions, excitement and tension from the initial knockout stages through to the Final.

    The close-up, intimate style filming of The Grand Finale provides a compelling look at the highs and lows of the players and fans as they face the triumphs and adversities of the most beautiful game. Moreover, the film uniquely goes further than just highlighting the best moments of the tournament – it provides an inside perspective on the feelings of the players, their coaches, the fans and the officials.

    Michael Apted is best known for directing the award-winning Up! series of documentaries, and his feature film credits include Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorky Park, Gorillas in the Mist, Class Action, Nell and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. The Grand Finale is produced by ECN Motion Pictures and runs approximately 100 minutes.

  • BVITV inks agreements with Miravista, TF1 Vision & CGV Choice at Mipcom

    BVITV inks agreements with Miravista, TF1 Vision & CGV Choice at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) has secured the international TV distribution rights for Miravista, The Walt Disney Company- owned label for Buena Vista International Latin America’s local theatrical co-productions. BVITV will offer titles from the Miravista portfolio to international TV buyers for the first time at Mipcom.

    As announced by Buena Vista Worldwide Television president Laurie Younger and The Walt Disney Company Latin America president and Walt Disney Television Latin America general manager Diego Lerner.

    Titles include the forthcoming Only God Knows which recently had its North American premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and will launch across the US in 2007. Other titles include Ladies Night and Romeo and Juliet Get Married.

    BVITV has also signed an agreement with TF1 Vision, such that movie releases and blockbusters from BVITV’s portfolio will be available on demand on the TF1 Vision website. This agreement is in line with The Walt Disney Company’s focus on the application of technology to enhance its content and expand its distribution, informs an official release.

    With this broadband VOD rental agreement, almost 100 titles are available on the TF1 VOD website. Titles will include recent releases such as Cinderella Man, Flightplan, Derailed and Dark Water, and box office hits such as Pretty Woman, Dead Poets Society, Face Off and Pearl Harbor. Brand new titles can be downloaded for a fixed price of 4,99 euros each (all taxes included) and library movies can be rented for 1,99 euros each (all taxes included).

    BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis said, “We are pleased to be working once more with TF1 to bring content from our portfolio to consumers in France in new flexible ways, as and when they want to watch it.”

    In addition, Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), the international television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, has also concluded a multi-year agreement with Korean pay-per-view (PPV) and video-on-demand (VOD) operator CGV Choice, a subsidiary of CJ Media, for current and library features from BVITV-AP’s features portfolio.
    Under this licensing agreement, subscribers to CGV Choice are able to enjoy a selection of Hollywood blockbusters from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. 
    Titles include Disney’s second highest grossing film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Pirates of The Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl, Flightplan, National Treasure and Casanova.

    BVITV-AP’s senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister said, “This is another groundbreaking new media deal for BVITV in Korea and reflects our commitment to finding new and innovative ways to deliver our quality content whenever consumers want it.”

  • Peace Arch Entertainment to push drama ‘The Tudors’ at Mipcom

    Peace Arch Entertainment to push drama ‘The Tudors’ at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Film and television firm Peace Arch Entertainment Group has launched a multi-media marketing campaign for its 10 episode TV series The Tudors at the television trade event Mipcom which is currently on in Cannes, France.

    The launch consists of an extended trailer of the series, an eight page brochure, a multi-page print ad campaign, a focussed publicity effort, and a strong market floor presence led by Peace Arch executive VP Mary Herne.

    The Tudors is nearing the completion of principal photography, and now shooting on location in Ireland. It will air in the US next year on the Showtime cable network, a subsidiary of CBS. The series stars Golden Globe-winning actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point, Bend It Like Beckham) as the young, dynamic and seductive Henry VIII, as well as Golden Globe nominated actor Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Merlin) and actor Henry Czerny (Mission Impossible, Clear and Present Danger).

    The Tudors will focus on the early years of King Henry VIII’s famous — and sometimes infamous — four-decade reign over England, which was wrought with personal and political intrigues, including tumultuous relationships with Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

    The series will also depict such influential figures as the philosopher Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, who led the Catholic Church of England during its break with Rome.

  • Asia’s First Cross-Media Interactive TV Game Format introduced at Mipcom

    Asia’s First Cross-Media Interactive TV Game Format introduced at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Robert Chua, producer of original television programming for the Asian marketplace and founder of The Interactive Channel (TIC), introduced Asia’s first cross-media interactive TV quiz/game format You Are History! at Mipcom 2006.

    The Frapa registered show will soon launch on TIC. The one-hour game show is the first of its genre using TV and Internet pairing of contestants. The unique concept is to have two competing teams each consisting of one studio-based contestant and one home-based contestant interacting via webcam. Each team will answer general knowledge, ‘IQ’ and current affairs questions, solve puzzles and answer questions asked by a celebrity.

    The studio-based contestant will be the team leader and decide who will be his/her partner, choosing from a number of home-based contestants. Along the one-hour show, the studio-based contestant or home-based contestants can decide whether to keep his/her partner or to ‘fire’ that person and choose a replacement.

    Viewers can via SMS and the internet participate by predicting the winning team or the final scoring to win prizes.

    “We’re excited to have created You Are History!, a very promising unique cross-media interactive TV program,” said Chairman and founder of The Interactive Channel Company Limited Robert Chua.

    “You Are History! sees the convergence of broadcast TV, Internet and Telephony (SMS) and is available to international buyers who want to broadcast cross-media interactive TV shows generating SMS revenue and ratings. TIC provides the ideal technical support and software platform to integrate the internet, TV and SMS technologies,” added Chua.

    Over the past decade, Chua has produced and launched such format hits as Everyone Wins, You Be The Judge and The Entrepreneur Show. TIC licenses its cross-media interactive technology as an enhancement to existing TV channels’ programs or to start an entire TV channel with program formats.

  • Saban Entertainment Group brings a Virtual Studio product to Mipcom

    Saban Entertainment Group brings a Virtual Studio product to Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Saban Entertainment Group (SEG) has launched a new venture dedicated to incubating, developing and marketing family entertainment properties.

    The new virtual studio will unveil its first project, Hollywood Star Dogs, at the upcoming television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France. The event takes place from 9-13 October 2006
    Led by Haim Saban and Saban Capital Group chief creative officer, Joel Andryc, the new venture will leverage the executives’ access to world-class financial and creative resources, including industry-leading producers, writers, artists, production houses and grass roots marketers, to create a virtual studio that employs targeted freelance teams for every project.

    The new venture will focus on identifying and creating intellectual properties and brands capable of being distributed across numerous multi-media platforms and connecting with audiences across a variety of entertainment genres, with a particular focus on new media.

    Haim Saban said, “I am thrilled to return to my roots and focus on developing media properties for children and families. The SEG team’s extensive background in children’s entertainment gives us unique expertise in recognizing breakthrough creative content. We will bring together specialized freelance talent to help develop, brand and promote each project. This strategy will enable us to create a best-in-class studio that is custom tailored for the needs of each individual project.”

    Andryc said, “In today’s new media environment, we plan to capitalize on cutting-edge interactive technologies to engage the youth market. Our audience will discover and experience unique characters and story content through the media outlet they prefer; be it broadcast, cable, VOD, broadband/internet, direct-to-home-video, videogames or mobile devices.”

    For their first virtual studio project, SEG has partnered with Holly Goldberg Sloan. Hollywood Star Dogs features a troupe of live-action talking dogs portraying classic fairy tales.

    Andryc ads, “We were instantly drawn to Hollywood Star Dogs because of the property’s innovative take on classic literature. With its unique use of live animals and advanced CGI animation to tell timeless tales and other stories, it is a high quality, distinctive property that lends itself to number of distribution outlets. It has been a pleasure to work with Holly. She is a great creative talent and together we are confident that we can build Hollywood Star Dogs into a successful entertainment franchise and an enduring evergreen brand.”

    As part of its new virtual studio, SEG has also entered into a development deal with Tiny Island Animation, a Singapore-based animation studio led by David Kwok, a veteran leader in the Singapore animation industry. SEG will provide development resources to Tiny Island Animation, which focuses on producing computer-generated entertainment for international television audiences. A comedic CGI animated series is already currently in development and is expected to make its debut in 2007.

    SEG’s virtual studio, which will focus on developing a limited number of projects at any given time, is currently in the advanced stages of negotiation and/or development of several other properties, which will be announced shortly.

  • BBC Worldwide to showcase British dramas at Mipcom

    BBC Worldwide to showcase British dramas at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide the commercial arm of UK pubcaster comes to the television trade event Mipcom with new British dramas. Mipcom takes place in Cannes, France from 9-13 October 2006.

    The psychological thriller Torchwood will be presented for the first time at this year’s market. The sci-fi drama follows the adventures of a team of investigators who use scavenged alien technology to solve mysterious crimes. Led by the enigmatic Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, the Torchwood team delves into the unknown and fights the impossible.

    There is also a new adaptation of Robin Hood starring Jonas Armstrong as the lead and Keith Allen as the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, will also be making its debut. Produced by Tiger Aspect, the series is a blend of exhilarating action-adventure, wit and romance – updating the popular legend for a contemporary audience.

    Primeval sees evolutionary zoologist Nick Cutter make the terrifying discovery that prehistoric creatures are alive and well in the twenty-first century. The natural world is turned on its head and humanity faces extinction as unexplained anomalies rip holes in the fabric of time and allow creatures from the earliest stages of Earth’s development to roam the modern world.

    As well as fighting off evil forces in a range of cutting edge action-dramas, BBC Worldwide also premieres a raft of wonderful new children’s and factual programming in Cannes. From the creative team behind the global phenomenon Teletubbies, comes In the Night Garden. This is a modern interpretation of a nursery rhyme picture book aimed at preschoolers. It takes children on an imaginative journey to meet a host of wonderfully silly characters living together within a happy and caring community.

    The classic saga of Jane Eyre sees Toby Stephens takes on the role of the fiery Edward Rochester while Ruth Wilson plays Jane Eyre in the star-studded BBC adaptation of this infamous tale.Following the global success of Planet Earth, the BBC presents Galapagos, a look at the islands, which inspired Darwin’s ‘Origin of the Species’.

    Presented in a pioneering new visual style combined with exhilarating cinematography, the series examines the spectacular variety of wildlife and evokes the different characters of the islands.

    In addition, BBC Worldwide will be showcasing a wide range of other new titles at Mipcom including Nuremberg, Ancient Rome – The Rise and Fall of an Empire.

  • World Poker Tour to introduce progressive platforms, content at Mipcom

    World Poker Tour to introduce progressive platforms, content at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: World Poker Tour Enterprises (WPTE) will attend the global television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France, from 9 – 13 October 2006.

    The firm works in the area of poker entertainment. It also claims to be behind the worldwide poker television boom. WPTE will offer new sponsorship, licensing and programming opportunities for 2007.

    To foster increasing worldwide penetration, the WPTE aims to build its international partnerships via joint-ventures, local programming, merchandising, and other strategic alliances. WPTE will showcase the World Poker Tour Season IV, the flagship show in poker television at Mipcom.

    Executives will also present the premiere season of the Professional Poker Tour (PPT), which is currently airing on the Travel Channel in the US.

    WPTE executive director of international distribution Gary MacKinney says, “We look forward to leveraging a premiere tradeshow like Mipcom to strengthen relationships and create opportunities to further expand poker throughout the globe. The World Poker Tour will continue to add international stops while exploring locally-produced televised tournaments in key markets.”
    WPT programming currently airs in 154 countries, including Spain, Canada and Philippines. It recently inked pacts with Kanal 5 in Sweden, Macau Cable in Macau and MediaCorp in Singapore.

    WPTE executive VP Robyn Moder says, “When the WPT made its television debut five years ago, it incited a national poker phenomenon that continues to escalate.

    “As the WPTE begins to roll-out its international formats, we hope to use our excellent and well-seasoned production experience to help our international partners create for their audiences compelling poker programming of the same magnitude.”

  • Mipcom announces nominations for annual Mobile TV Screenings and Awards

    Mipcom announces nominations for annual Mobile TV Screenings and Awards

    MUMBAI: The global television trade event Mipcom has announced the nominations for the second annual Mobile TV Screenings & Awards. 23 nominations and 10 special mentions will be presented during MIPCOM and the winners will be announced in a special screenings and awards Ceremony to be held in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes on 11 October, 2006.

    Sponsored by Orange, Ericsson and the Korean Broadcasting Commission, the Mobile Screenings & Awards 2006 brought in a record number of 290 entries from 34 countries. This marks a 30 per cent increase in submissions from 2005.

    For the second year running the competition recognises innovation and creativity in new mobile entertainment concepts and formats especially related to audiovisual TV and Film content.

    Reed Midem’s Television Division director Paul Johnson says, “Mobile TV represents a growing opportunity for the audiovisual content industry. Mipcom is proud to take an active role in promoting the development of made-for-mobile content and facilitating commercial transactions on a global level for both TV and film.”

    The Pre-selection Jury head and president of London based Any Screen Productions Ferhan Cook says, “The competition has attracted an even wider variety of genres, and new approaches from both existing well known entertainment companies as well as new ones.

    “It is clear that the world’s creative community is hard at work, innovating new formats for the mobile medium.”

    The 23 nominated entries are to be screened and judged by the Mobile TV Awards Jury at Mipcom from each of the following five categories: Best Original Made-for-Mobile Film or Video Content; Best Repurposed Content from Existing Film or TV Property; Best Made-for-Mobile TV Channel; Best Format for Interactive Mobile TV and Best Mobile format for User-Generated Content.

    In addition to these five categories, there will also be The Orange Grand Prize for Innovation and a special recognition mention for the Best Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) projects.

    The Mobile TV Screenings & Awards are a part of the Mobile TV focus on 11 October 2006. Included in the programme are a number of conferences focusing on the distribution, marketing and creation of audiovisual mobile content; including keynote addresses by Orange CEO Sanjiv Ahuja and ESPN president, and ABC Sports co-Chairman George Bodenheimer.

    The nominees in various categories are:

  • AETN to showcase 300 hours of programming at Mipcom

    AETN to showcase 300 hours of programming at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: AETN International reaches Cannes for Mipcom with over 300 hours of new programming, featuring real-life series from the A&E Network and documentary series and specials from The History Channel.

    The new real-life family series Gene Simmons Family Jewels (13 x ½ hr) follows Kiss. Mom is Shannon Tweed — former Playmate of the Year, actress and model. And their kids, Nick and Sophie, are, well…surprisingly charming, well-behaved teenagers dealing with the trials and tribulations of adolescence, even though Mom and Dad are like no one else’s parents. Gene and Shannon have been happily UNmarried for 23 years and have no plans of getting married any time soon. Gene is a rock star, and a multi-media magnate. He is also the kind of dad who brings Gatorade to his daughter’s soccer games and stands in the front row of his son’s rock band when they play gigs.

    Gene Simmons Family Jewels reveals the side of Gene that he has kept hidden until now, and shows how the most non-traditional, traditional family in America manages to make it work under the oddest of circumstances. Produced by The Greif Company/A Day With, Inc and the Gene Simmons Company for A&E Network, informs an official release.

    A high-speed real-life series, Driving Force (14 x ½ hr) stars racing legend John Force and his three drag racing daughters. John Force is the most accomplished and dominant figure in the sport of drag racing, a form of auto racing, with 119 career victories and an unprecedented 14 team championships in 16 years. The hook of the show: John is the father of four beautiful daughters – 36-year old Adria who has managed the finances for John Force Racing corporate headquarters since she was 20, and 23-year old Ashley, 19-year old Brittany and 17-year old Courtney, all of whom are following in their father’s tracks competing in the male-dominated field of high-speed drag racing. Racing is the backdrop for this true-life comedy that follows a father trying to bring his family together while also preparing for the next championship run. Driving Force is shot in HD. Produced by Schmaguuli, LLC for A&E Network.

    DOCUMENTARY FEATURES & SERIES

    Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company (two hours) is an unflinching look at the war in Iraq, literally seen through the eyes of the Marines of Lima Company, which was hit harder than any other combat unit in Iraq; out of a company of 183 Marines, 23 died in combat. Using footage shot by the Marines themselves, including firefights, road-side explosions, soldiers playing around in their barracks and video letters home, Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company tells the story of the men who died and those who survived. Shot in HD. Produced by Viewfinder Productions, Inc. for A&E Network.

    It is the oldest document of Western Civilization – a story that spans 4,000 years, and has remained secret… until now. The Book of the Dead is the first written description of any religion, the first time mankind wrote down their philosophy, the first time man expressed belief in heaven or a paradise afterlife, and is the likely source of the Ten Commandments. The Egyptian Book of the Dead (two hours) follows the ancient scroll from its creation in around 1800 BC near the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, to its re-discovery – and theft – in 1887, and the modern story its translation and resurrection. Shot in HD, the documentary features CGI and dramatic reenactments. Produced by Morningstar Entertainment for The History Channel.

    FORMATS

    Big Spender (13 x ½ hr) is a financial rescue series. Host Larry Winget, a behavioral change expert who has personally traveled the road from rags to riches, uses a combination of strategies to help couples and families move from financial wreckage to responsible spending habits. In each episode, Larry confronts a family about their problem and gets them to agree to three weeks of financial boot camp. During this time, Larry uses his “tough love” people skills to get the family to take responsibility for their actions with a myriad of activities customized to alleviate their particular situation and lead them to financial health. Larry Winget is a renowned speaker/ author/consultant, and is the author of Money Is Easy and Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life. Produced by North South Productions for A&E Network.

    Confronting Justice (10 x 1 hour) is a dramatic real-life series that explores the lives of people most affected by a serious crime: the victims, their families and the offender. The story of a painful event and its consequences are told first-hand by those directly involved as they prepare for an emotionally-charged face-to-face meeting. The victims and their family members hope to find answers to painful questions and the offender may find some answers too. Confronting Justice unflinchingly reveals this emotional, yet powerful encounter, which changes the lives of those involved forever. Produced by New Line Television in association with Cinemaria for A&E Network.

  • IBC to offer its new show, ‘VIP Passport’ at Mipcom

    IBC to offer its new show, ‘VIP Passport’ at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Taking viewers behind the velvet ropes and into the first-class life of a jet-setter, International Broadcast Communications (IBC) is bringing LUX Entertainment’s VIP Passport to Mipcom’s global marketplace.

    VIP Passport will take viewers into the exotic lifestyle of five American jet-setters as they party at the hottest nightclubs, dine at the most exclusive restaurants, shop at the trendiest boutiques and party at the finest locales around the world.

    The 13-episode weekly series serves up extravagant settings, with intriguing plotlines—sure to leave viewers craving more.

    “The world is obsessed with the lives of today’s socialites,” says Founder and president of IBC Jon Helmrich.

    “VIP Passport allows viewers to virtually experience a fantasy lifestyle. It takes you into a world full of the hottest parties, the finest champaigne and the world’s most exotic cars. I am confident that this visually stunning show will be a hit at this year’s market.”

    Destinations for the series include Paris, Milan, Monaco, Rome, Belize, Singapore, Tokyo, Las Vegas, New York, Miami and Los Angeles among others.

    The new weekly one-hour program has been cleared on the FOX Television station group in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and is on track to be cleared in 85% of US television households by 30 October 2006, when the first-run series debuts in broadcast syndication.