ITV

Tag: MTV

  • MTV India forays into films; spoofs ‘Dhoom’

    MTV India forays into films; spoofs ‘Dhoom’

    MUMBAI: Spoofy! That’s how MTV India can be best described. After the latest spoof on Star World’s Rendezvous With Simi Garewal that gave birth to Rendezvous With Semi Girebaal on the small screen, MTV is now eyeing the big screen.

    The plan this time round is to spoof big banner movies and their first movie is titled – Ghoom. No prizes for guessing that it’s a spoof on Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) Dhoom, which starred Abhishekh Bachchan, John Abraham, Uday Chopra, Esha Deol and Rimi Sen.

    MTV India plans to make two more films this year. Spoofs, a la Scary Movie and Hotshots!

    Ghoom, which will be released theatrically on 2 June, comes at a time when YRF is busy with its schedule for Dhoom 2, which is slated to release in October this year.
    Coca Cola has been roped in as the presenting sponsor of Ghoom, which will be a one hour film. Inspired by the success of the show on MTV called Fully Faltoo, MTV India has produced the film under the MTV Fully Faltoo Films banner. The company is touting Ghoom as a blockbuster movie and has tied up with the Inox chain of multiplexes for distributing and screening the film. The movie will be released across Inox theatres in four cities – Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Kolkata and will be later aired on MTV on 17 June.

    The star cast includes Sumeet Raghavan (of Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai fame) as Inspector Vijay Dikshit essaying the role of Abhishekh Bachchan; Ajay Gehi (Maqbool) as The Fool will portray the character of Uday Chopra and Gaurav Chopra as Balbir will play John Abraham’s character. The female brigade comprises Benika Deepak as Tweety Dikshit (Rimi Sen’s character) and Purbi Joshi will play Esha Deol’s character of Dilbaara.

    MTV Networks India vice president and general manger creative and content Ashish Patil says, “This is one of MTV’s biggest initiatives for 2006. It’s the next level of comedy with a full-on, Fully Faltoo, full length feature film. It is guaranteed to make your head go ghoom, ghoom, ghoom. Watch it at your own risk!”

    The channel is also planning to have a premiere of Ghoom at the Inox theatre in Mumbai on 31 May. What’s more, plans are also underway to launch the DVD of Ghoom for which the channel is in talks with a couple of players.

    Coca Cola, on the other hand, is spinning a contest around the movie wherein winners will get a chance to meet Aishwarya Rai. With its latest ‘Thande Ka Tadka’ summer campaign already underway, the soft drink major had recently also tied up with Aamir Khan starrer Rang De Basanti.

    Coca Cola India Ltd vice president marketing Vikas Gupta says, “Coca Cola, this summer, is constantly on the look out for exciting opportunities to add its ‘Thande Ka Tadka.’ Being in association with MTV’s Ghoom is part of the same endeavour. The first-of-its-kind initiative on television, it is all about using wit and humour to capture the imagination of the youth. After all, what is life without a twist or shall we say tadka.”

    Inox vice president marketing Shrikant Hazare said, “Ghoom is an unprecedented initiative that is sure to create excitement in theatres. We are glad to partner with MTV on this.”

    Like is true of any movie promotion and marketing activity, MTV India will also be going the whole hog to promote Ghoom. MTV has planned an extensive 360 degree push with print, television, outdoor, radio, online, mobile and viral marketing. Promos will also run across Inox multiplexes in the four cities.

    Apart from this, the channel will also be supporting the film on-air across its key properties like Piddhu The Great (a spoof on cricketer turned commentator Navjot Singh Siddhu) amongst others. The trailers of Ghoom will break on MTV this week, followed by trailers on AXN and Zee Cinema. The music video and a show on the making of the film will start airing sometime next week.

    Besides Coca Cola and Inox, MTV has also roped in Nokia and Parle Hide and Seek as associate sponsors and 93.5 Red FM as radio partner.

  • MTV and Nickelodeon to launch in New Zealand on Sky Television

    MTV and Nickelodeon to launch in New Zealand on Sky Television

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins has announced plans to launch a wholly-owned and operated localised MTV and the re-launch of Nickelodeon as a fully-customised channel for audiences in New Zealand.

    MTV New Zealand will launch as a 24-hour network, with localised and signature MTV programming beginning 19 August 2006.

    Nickelodeon, the widely distributed network for kids, will re-launch in New Zealand on 1 August as a fully-customised channel.

    Both channels will be carried by Sky Television and made available to more than 650,000 homes, representing 43 per cent of all television homes in New Zealand. The channels will benefit from local productions, locally-tailored programming, scheduling, on-air promos and feature New Zealand presenters.

    “Young people in New Zealand enjoy a lifestyle, sensibility and appetite for pop culture and entertainment that is totally unique, so it is particularly exciting to bring them dedicated MTV and Nickelodeon channels that reflect these nuances,” said Robbins.

    Key management appointments for the services will be announced soon, with MTV Networks Asia Pacific’s director of business development Chris Keely leading set-up efforts for the businesses.

  • MTV to explore internet and MVAS markets in China

    MTV to explore internet and MVAS markets in China

    MUMBAI: Viacom owned music broadcaster MTV is planning to broaden its sphere in the areas of internet and mobile value-added services (MVAS) in China, according to China Daily.

    MTV Networks vice chairman and MTV Networks International president William Roedy has been quoted in a report as saying that, the company will launch broadband services in China at the earliest. According to Roedy, MTV’s services in China will be provided either by partnership with local firms or through acquisitions.

    The report said, MTV and China Mobile, one of China’s mobile carriers, had agreed last year to offer MTV content to China Mobile users in the form of ring tones, music and picture downloads.

    In China, MTV is aired only in the Pearl River Delta in southern province and at a number of upscale residential compounds and hotels in other areas.

  • MTV, Microsoft launch digital music service Urge

    MTV, Microsoft launch digital music service Urge

    MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Viacom’s unit MTV Networks, which brought in the music video fad, is foraying into new digital music service and will be competing with the music store of Apple Computer Inc’s iTunes, which has a strong dominance in the online music market.

    The broadcaster has teamed up with Microsoft to launch the beta of a new online music service, called Urge, that will be integrated in Windows Media Player 11, which is set to make its debut on 17 May.

    Offering more than two million songs from the major labels and thousands of independents, Urge will encompass all musical genres from alt-country to zydeco. In addition to a broad catalogue of music choices, Urge will deliver a deep well of exclusive MTV Networks programming and original, hand-crafted content.

    Urge, the subscription and download music service, though not first in the market, can be purchased for 99 cents each or as full albums starting at $9.95. The service will also offer a two-week trial without requiring any commitment or credit card number, according to media reports.

    The service also will offer unlimited downloads at a monthly rate of $9.95 or $14.95 for the ability to transfer songs to any or more than 100 compatible portable music players.

    It has celebrity playlists, streaming radio stations, artist profiles and an increasing number of blogs. One can download billboard charts by genre and year, watch music videos, and explore music by genre.

    MTV Networks’ music group president Van Toffler said, “Urge will serve as a ‘psychic concierge,’ introducing fans to new artists and helping them to develop a deeper connection to old favorites.”

    “By combining our expertise in digital media with the music leadership and marketing savvy of MTV Networks, we have created a powerful and unique way to experience music. This landmark collaboration will bring innovative new experiences to millions of music fans,” said Microsoft media/entertainment and technology convergence group corporate vice president Blair Westlake.

    “As with everything we do at MTV Networks, every element of Urge will be developed with our audience in mind. Beyond providing a simple transactional service, Urge will provide a musical playground where fans can experiment, customise, discover and download new music,” said MTV Networks chief digital officer Jason Hirschhorn.

    Urge will be promoted through multiple venues, including the MTV, Vh1 and CMT channels, which on average collectively reach more than 165 million US viewers, as well as through the respective brands’ web sites and Urge.com.

  • Dish TV appeals to govt against MTV, Nick

    Dish TV appeals to govt against MTV, Nick

    MUMBAI: Subhash Chandra’s DTH service Dish TV has upped the ante by invoking government help in getting those TV channels on board who have refused to do so till now.

    Dish TV’s wrath has been particularly directed at MTV and Nick with which the former has been fighting a legal battle since last year.

    In a letter to the information and broadcasting ministry, Dish TV has petitioned that despite sector regulator’s directive on making available content to all platforms and a favourable judgement from disputes tribunal TDSAT, the “conduct of MTV” has been “clearly in violation” of the interconnection regulation of 2004.

    Dish TV’s parent ASC Enterprises has contended despite carrying on commercial negotiations with MTV Networks India for several months, the content provider and its distributors in India (One Alliance) have stalled any fruitful conclusion of such talks.

    The Dish TV letter to the government states, “We would request you to take cognizance of the consistent refusal of MTV Networks to provide the channels, MTV and Nick, on our DTH platform and non-compliance of the interconnect regulation of Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)
    and the order of TDSAT before the registration certificate for downlinking of (the) channels is granted to the broadcaster.”

    The government while acknowledging the letter from Dish said it hasn’t taken a view on the issue yet.

    In a related development, an executive of Dish TV said it will be “placing the execution appeal” at the TDSAT within few days.

    Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, MTV senior vice-president, network development South Asia (licensing and merchandising) Sanjeev Hiremath, refused to comment saying the matter relating to Dish TV was subjudice.

    A spokesperson for Discovery-Sony joint venture One Alliance today said that negotiations with Dish TV have been continuing fruitfully and are “likely to be concluded in a few days time.”

    ASC Enterprises, the DTH licence holder for Dish TV, had moved TDSAT in 2005 against MTV’s refusal to provide its channels for the DTH platform.

    Early this year, TDSAT directed MTV to make available its channels to Dish TV on a commercial basis within 30 days by 10 March, 2006.

    MTV Networks appealed against the TDSAT order in the Supreme Court, which admitted the appeal, but did not stay the disputes tribunal’s order.

    During the last hearing on 9 May, the apex court said the case would be taken up again on 12 July after the summer recess.

    Dish TV has also moved the TDSAT against Star India on similar grounds of noncompliance of interconnect regulations.

  • MTV greenlights global show ‘Meet Or Delete’

    MTV greenlights global show ‘Meet Or Delete’

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV and mtvU have greenlit Meet or Delete. This is the first MTV series to premiere to a global audience and roll out on every MTV platform.

    The series, developed in collaboration with Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) PC business as a core component of its new global marketing campaign, follows college students as they size each other up and decide if they’d like to meet, based solely on the contents of their hard drives.

    The show will roll out internationally and utilise virtually every MTV asset, including mtvU, mtvU.com, MTV, MTV.com MTV2, broadband channels mtvU Uber and MTV Overdrive, MTV wireless, the MTV Store and even the massive MTV 44 1/2 high definition TV in Times Square.

    The first episode will premiere on mtvU Uber at mtvU.com on 10 May and subsequently debut across MTV’s global network, including local channels in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Five more episodes will follow in the fall. In addition, each of the local MTV channels outside the US will air another four locally produced episodes of Meet or Delete on-air, online and on wireless handsets.

    As a complement to the programming and marketing campaign, MTV and mtvU are launching 14 regionalised Meet or Delete online hubs with episodes from around the globe, unseen footage, interactive games, free music downloads, updates on previous cast members, casting calls and more. The global hub will launch on 10 May and be available at www.meetordelete.com. Meet or Delete will also hit college campuses and other hot spots across the US this summer as part of mtvU’s upcoming VJ search.

    MTV president and COO Michael Wolf says,”PCs have become the emotional hard drive of our global audience, making the premise of Meet or Delete relevant everywhere in the world. We are thrilled to collaborate with HP on this groundbreaking project – a milestone in our drive to deliver great content, worldwide, on every device – and it’s a prime example of the innovative programs we are developing for top global companies.”

    HP senior VP global marketing for the personal systems group Satjiv Chahil says, “We are delighted to join with MTV, working together at the forefront of the entertainment industry to meet the emerging demand for more personal, digital content that is always available, always connected.

    “HP is the one company with the digital expertise to simplify the entire digital entertainment experience, making access to personal content – through any medium, using any device, at any time – a reality.”

    MTVu GM v says, “College students are the first adopters of emerging media and technologies, which enables mtvU to serve as a creative laboratory for new types of on-air, online and wireless short form programming. Meet or Delete offers a fascinating look at the degree to which students now live their lives online, and we look forward to working with HP to tell this story on a global stage.”

    Meet or Delete offers a new twist on getting to know someone, be it for dating, identifying your next roommate or picking a new band member. In the pilot episode, Amanda Alpert of the University of South Carolina Columbia is given unlimited access to the computers of three potential dates she’s never met.

    With the opportunity to explore the deepest reaches of the guys’ hard drives, from a remote location and with nothing else to go on, she checks their e-mail, music playlists, pictures, recently visited websites, video files, IMs with their friends, etc. The guys watch in horror as she goes deeper and deeper into their digital persona, finding info and files they never planned to share with anyone.

    The pilot episode premieres on mtvU and the network’s all-access broadband channel, mtvU Uber at mtvU.com, on 10 May. Meet or Delete is executive produced by Eric Conte.

    HP’s new PC marketing campaign, themed The Computer is Personal Again focusses on the highly individual and personal relationships people have with their computers. The worldwide campaign includes traditional, web and viral marketing elements, such as the Meet or Delete series and online community, that will be rolled out across key countries in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia over the next six months. The deal with MTV was brokered and will be managed on a global level by Zenith Optimedia and CBS Viacom Plus.

  • MTV launches broadband and mobile community platform in Korea

    MTV launches broadband and mobile community platform in Korea

    MUMBAI: MTV Asia Pacific has entered into a collaboration with Korean multimedia developer Wizmax to launch a customizable on-demand music and entertainment broadband and mobile community platform in Korea called MTV BoomBox.

    The venture has established a state-of-the art prototype that will serve as a model for customisable MTV platforms in the broadband and wireless content services arena across Asia.

    MTV Boombox will be an online entertainment destination utilizing state of the art technology across online and mobile platforms. The service will provide Korean consumers a digital community featuring local and international MTV programming on-demand, a wealth of user-generated content and a vast library of local and international music video and audio downloads, all celebrating the vibrant culture of music. MTV Boombox marks the first MTV-branded broadband network in Asia and the first video-based music community site to launch in Korea.

    Featuring a combination of free and paid streaming and downloading services including MTV programming, music, music videos, radio and more, MTV Boombox will allow users to customise their experience with video blogs, podcasting, file uploading and personalized homepages all designed to seamlessly connect with PCs, mobile phones and MP3 players. MTV Boombox will roll out in three phases beginning in May with full applications available to consumers by the third quarter of the year.

    MTV Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins says, “Korea’s advanced technology allows us to deliver our world-renowned content in ways never seen before, and sets the tone for our future digital growth throughout the region.”

    Wizmax CEO Geoffrey H. Keum says, “The strategic alliance between the world’s best content provider and Wizmax’s digital multimedia service and technology will certainly make a global impact. MTV Boombox will introduce the next generation of new media services to Korea and throughout Asia.”

    MTV Boombox will provide users with an entertainment gateway, showcasing music and pop culture in MTV’s distinct editorial voice with applications allowing the user to customize and share their experience with others. Along with full episodes of original programming such as TRL Seoul available on-demand.

    MTV Boombox will also feature video clips from shows like Laguna Beach and access to events like the MTV Asia Awards. MTV says that the new venture also allows a wealth of sponsorship opportunities including full TVC streams and exclusive sponsored content not available on the free to access sections. Sponsors can provide MTV Boombox subscribers click-thru content such as the pre-release of music, performances and MTV series only available on broadband.

    MTV Boombox also offers advertisers creative re-skins reflecting corporate branding, all seamlessly integrated into the look and user-friendly design of MTV Boombox.

    MTV Boombox is the sixth MTV-branded broadband network launched by MTV Networks. MTV Overdrive was launched in April 2005 in the US, followed by the September launch of a customized service for Latin America called MTV Revolution. mtvU, MTV’s US-based college network, launched Uber in 2005, marking the company’s first network to be available in its entirety on broadband.

    Another localised service for MTV Overdrive launched in conjunction with the debut of MTV Canada in March 2006 and MTV Overdrive in the U.K and Ireland launched last month. The company has plans to launch additional online, on-demand services for MTV and Nickelodeon internationally throughout the year.

  • MTV, Paramount in global marketing tie up for Mission Impossible III

    MTV, Paramount in global marketing tie up for Mission Impossible III

    MUMBAI: MTV and Paramount Pictures are teaming with United International Pictures (UIP) for a global marketing partnership for the Mission: Impossible (M:i:III) film franchise in advance of the film’s release.

    Different content related to the film will roll out on MTV channels in Asia, US, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Russia.

    MTV channels across the globe will premiere two half an hour specials. The first, Making the Movie will be somewhat like a DVD feature and will have interviews with Tom Cruise and other cast members including Oscar winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

    The other special Diary of Tom Cruise With Sway, features the actor spending the day with the MTV presenter. Web content related to the partnership will include the M:i:III film trailer, an MTV at the Movies review of the film, banner ads and a link to the official M:i:III site.

    MTV channels will also make region specific content. MTV Italy is producing a special live TRL in Piazza del Poppolo in Rome dedicated to the film, and MTV UK is producing an M:i:III special for its new show 1 Leicester Square.

    In France, MTV will air news reports from the red carpet premiere in Paris. One of the stars from the film Maggie Q will make an appearance at the MTV Asia Awards 2006 in Thailand on 6 May. In Japan, MTV will produce an episode of its weekly film show MTV Screen, as well as air news reports on the film and editorial coverage in its free consumer magazine MTV Paper. And TRL in the US will host Tom Cruise and the cast of M:i:III on 2 May.

    The Yahoo Tie up: Meanwhile, Paramount and Yahoo will provide moviegoers a wide array of special features, behind-the-scenes footage, and music and movie content. As a result of the films presence on the Yahoo! network around the world, audiences will have the chance to see exclusive video from the film’s world premiere in Rome and US premiere in New York; a Q&A with Tom Cruise and director J.J. Abrams; music from the film; and never-before-seen clips.

    Paramount senior VP interactive marketing Amy Powell says, “Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams are bringing a fresh, high-tech look to the ‘Mission’ franchise and we wanted to deliver that to Internet users in an innovative way. As M:i:III kicks off the summer, we’ve got an outstanding lineup of behind-the-scenes and live content that rivals the very biggest interactive movie campaigns. We’re thrilled to be getting creative with Yahoo!.”

    Yahoo! Movies’ exclusive video coverage of the 3 May US premiere of M:i:III currently includes plans to offer a camera view from Tom’s perspective as he arrives at the premiere and steps down the red carpet. In addition, Yahoo! plans to offer users the chance to ask Tom questions in real time and see his answers live from the red carpet. Tom will also be announcing the winner of the People’s Premiere contest, in which one entrant will win a private screening in their hometown, attended by Cruise.

    Interviews with the star and co-writer/director will provide movie fans with DVD-style commentary on exclusive clips from the movie, and also give users a sneak peak into the “Top Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Mission: Impossible III.” Users also had the chance to use Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com), Yahoo!’s online Q&A community where real people ask and answer questions on any topic, to stump Tom Cruise on trivia from his many hit movies, with J.J. posing the users’ questions.

    All content will be available on Yahoo.com as well as Yahoo! Australia, Yahoo! France, Yahoo! Germany, Yahoo! Italy, Yahoo! Spain, Yahoo! Taiwan and Yahoo! UK.

  • Set Discovery promotes Gurjeev Singh Kapoor to SVP, sales & marketing

    Set Discovery promotes Gurjeev Singh Kapoor to SVP, sales & marketing

    MUMBAI: Set Discovery Pvt. Ltd., which distributes a bouquet channels under the brand name One Alliance, has promoted Gurjeev Singh Kapoor to the position of SVP, sales & marketing.

    In his new position, Kapoor will look after the company’s India sales and marketing operations. He will also take up the additional responsibility of international marketing.

    Based out of Mumbai, Kapoor will be reporting to Set Discovery President Anuj Gandhi.

    Set Discovery has also promoted about 17 executives in the junior and middle level management categories, across the country. “We have promoted people across the board. There are senior managers who have become AVPs and managers who have been assigned as senior managers,” informs Gandhi.

    Kapoor has earlier worked with ESPN and Zee International before joining Discovery Communications. He moved to Set Discovery in April 2002, when the joint venture between Sony Entertainment Television and Discovery Communications was formed.

    SET Discovery distributes channels including Sony Entertainment Television, Max, Discovery, Ten Sports, Discovery Travel and Living, MTV, Sab TV, AXN, NDTV India, NDTV 24×7, NDTV Profit, Nick, Animal Planet and Animax channels through the One Alliance brand.

  • MTV Movie Awards nominates ‘40-Year Old Virgin, ‘Wedding Crashers’

    MTV Movie Awards nominates ‘40-Year Old Virgin, ‘Wedding Crashers’

    MUMBAI: More than an award show, but a film unto itself! MTV in the US has announced the nominees, of the 2006 MTV Movie Awards.

    The comedies 40-Year Old Virgin and Wedding Crashers each received five nominations. The event will air in the US on 8 June.

    The show will have new categories of Best Hero, Sexiest Performance and the mtvU Student Filmmaker Award. And, in another first, all of this year’s categories, including Best Performance will make no distinction between male and female. Breaking the gender barrier and award show tradition, both actors and actresses will be vying for the same coveted golden popcorns.

    MTV US president Christina Norman says, “This year’s Movie Awards will be more than an awards show — it’s an experience completely inspired by the movies, and everything we love about them. This year’s cast of movies and stars are all deserving nominees, and there is no doubt this year’s Movie Awards will in itself, be a movie to remember.”

    Competing for best film are The 40 Year old Virgin, Wedding Crashers, Sin City, King Kong and Batman Begins. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall who play gay cowboys in Brokeback Mountain have been nominated for best kiss. Their heterosexual competition consists of Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard for Hustle and Flow, Anna Faris and Chris Marquette for Just Friends, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt for Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Rosario Dawson and Clive Owen for Sin City.

    For on screen sexiness Beyonce Knowles for The Pink Panther, Jessica Alba for Sin City, Jessica Simpson for The Dukes of Hazzard, Ziyi Zhang for Memoirs of a Geisha and Rob Schneider for Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo have been nominated.

    Showing the huge gap between what critics consider a great film and what the youth want, critically acclaimed films like Crash which won the Best picture Oscar, A History of Violence, Capote, Munich and Syriana have all been shut out.