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Tag: Paramount Pictures

  • Washington, Zemeckis in Paramount’s Flight

    Washington, Zemeckis in Paramount’s Flight

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures has signed Denzel Washington and director Robert Zemeckis for its new film Flight.
     
    Written by John Gatins, the film tells the story of Whip (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people.


     
    The film marks the first time teaming of Washington and Zemeckis, who had earlier directed films like Castaway, Forest Gump, Back To The Future and the live-action and animated classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
     
    The film, being produced by Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald under the Parkes/MacDonald banner, is set to go on the floors this October in Atlanta.

  • Bennett Media Worldwide licenses select library programming to Microsoft for Xbox 360

    Bennett Media Worldwide licenses select library programming to Microsoft for Xbox 360

    MUMBAI: Bennett Media Worldwide (BMW) has licensed select productions from its vast library of high-definition programming to Microsoft Corp. for the company’s Xbox 360.

    Included in the programming slate from Bennett are series like Bikini Destinations, The Wild Side, and The Extremists.

    BMW is the latest programming supplier to launch content on the Xbox 360 platform, joining a stellar list of entertainment distributors that includes CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

    Together, the content companies are responsible for delivering an initial line-up of more than 1,000 hours to the vast community of Xbox 360 gamers, asserts an official release.

    Bennett Media Worldwide president Paul Rich said, “With Xbox 360, Microsoft is leading the way in integrated game playing with entertainment and at the same time building a unique bridge for producers to connect directly with this extremely important consumer marketplace. We are delighted to be a part of this exciting new entertainment platform.”

  • Paramount Pictures goes mobile

    Paramount Pictures goes mobile

    MUMBAI: US film studio Paramount Pictures has launched a mobile phone portal to deliver content to mobile devices and act as a platform to promote theatrical and DVD releases.

    Visitors to the mobile movie sites will be able to browse and purchase movie-related content from their mobile phones, and opt-in to receive alerts about Paramount Pictures. Crisp Wireless, a provider of mobile content management solutions, was selected as the content management software partner.

    The company is delivering a movie destination site that will enable users to learn about new releases, find theatres, purchase content, buy tickets and participate in promotions.

    Paramount Pictures will now have a direct-to-consumer relationship to deliver revenue generating content, mobile campaigns, tailored promotions, DVD/retail tie-ins and collaborative partnerships with technology and media partners.

    Crisp Wireless CEO Boris Fridman says, “Paramount has developed a unique blueprint for promoting movies to a mobile audience, and we are thrilled to help them deliver this user experience. We are truly excited about Paramount’s innovative approach to the mobile medium. This is an ideal site for our mLogic Media platform as we are committed to providing our partners with the flexibility to continually enhance mobile strategies.”
        
          

  • Xbox 360 unveils TV shows and movies on Xbox Live

    Xbox 360 unveils TV shows and movies on Xbox Live

    MUMBAI: On its one-year anniversary Xbox 360, is digitally delivering an initial lineup of TV shows and movies to gamers in the U.S. via Xbox Live, the online games and entertainment network from Microsoft.

    Xbox Live Marketplace will now provide gamers with easy access to hundreds of full-length TV shows for download to own and movies for download to rent from CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with more content rolled out through Xbox Live Marketplace every week, asserts an official release.

    Expected to be available in 37 countries, Xbox 360 continues to retain record game and accessory attachment rates, according to NPD.

    Xbox 360 is prepared with consoles readily available at retail along with a host of new accessories such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, Xbox Live Vision camera and Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, and games such as Gears of War and Viva Piñata.

    Examples of the download-to-own TV shows and download-to-rent movies available on the network include the following:

    – CSI, CSI: Miami,CSI: New York, NCIS and Star Trek from CBS

    – Chappelle’s Show, Drawn Together and South Park from Comedy Central

    – Pimp My Ride and Punk’d from MTV

    – Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon

    – Skyland and Invader Zim from Nicktoons Network

    – Chinatown, Star Trek VII: Generations, Patriot Games, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Sum of All Fears, The Untouchables and We Were Soldiers from Paramount Pictures

    – Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Frisky Dingo, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Sealab 2021 and The Venture Bros. from Turner Broadcasting

    – Some of the fights from Ultimate Fighting Championship

    – Breaking Bonaduce and Hogan Knows Best from VH1

    – Perfect Storm, Poseidon, The Shining, Three Kings and V for Vendetta, as well as The Nine and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip along with the CW show Veronica Mars from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

    Using the family settings feature, parents and individuals can choose the video content that can be played on their family’s Xbox 360. With the availability of this new entertainment content, gamers now can set controls based on movie, TV and video ratings, or they can entirely block explicit and unrated video content for themselves or their children, adds the release.

    Pricing is competitive and will vary based on format, media type and whether the content is a new release movie or a classic feature film. High-definition TV shows will be 240 Microsoft points per episode, and standard-definition TV shows will be 160 Microsoft points per episode.

    New release movies in high definition will be 480 Microsoft points, and standard-definition new release movies will be 320 Microsoft points each. Classic feature films in high definition will be 360 Microsoft points, and standard definition will be 240 Microsoft points. After purchasing a high-definition TV show or movie, gamers can download the standard-definition version at no additional charge.

    Microsoft points can be purchased at retail or via Xbox Live. Gamers can get a 1600 Microsoft points card at retail for $19.99 or 1000 Microsoft points through Xbox Live for $12.50.

  • Nickelodeon US hits record with SpongeBob ‘Best Day Ever’ marathon

    Nickelodeon US hits record with SpongeBob ‘Best Day Ever’ marathon

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants all-day marathon titled “Best Day Ever” which was held on 10 November, earned the network it’s most-watched and highest-rated total programming day in its history, averaging 1.9/4.4 million total viewers (P2+).

    An official release issued by the channel stated that overall, during its total programming day (from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT) on 10 November, Nick averaged a 7.6/2.5 million kids 2-11, a network high average in terms of kid 2-11 viewers, and a 7.5/1.5 million kids 6-11.

    The Nickelodeon celebration of the happy-go-lucky sponge began on 9 November at 8 pm featuring viewers’ top 100 cartoon picks, and culminating in an all-new “Best Day Ever” SpongeBob SquarePants special on 10 November at 7:30 pm ET/PT. The marathon was followed by the network premiere of the Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies feature film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie at 8 pm ET/PT.

    The “Best Day Ever” special recieved an average of 12.0/4.0 million kids 2-11, 12.8/2.6 million kids 6-11 and 6.7 million total viewers. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie averaged a 13.3/4.4 million kids 2-11, 14.6/2.9 million kids 6-11 and 7.3 million total viewers, adds the release.

    The marathon kicked off on Thursday with the initial telecast on 9 November at 8 pm – 9 pm earned a 7.1/2.3 million kids 2-11, 7.7/1.5 Kids 6-11, with 3.9 million total viewers (P2+). The portion of the SpongeBob SquarePants marathon on Nick at Nite (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.) increased ratings and delivery by triple digits among kids 2-11 and 6-11 with a 5.3/1.8 million K2-11, an increase of +204 per cent, and 6.1/1.2 million K6-11, an increase of +188 per cent. An average of 3.2 million viewers tuned in during primetime, with 831,000 adults 18-49.

    The “SpongeBob Best Day Ever” game went live on 9 November and in three days, generated 1.3 million game plays and more than 867,000 unique visitors. SpongeBob’s “Best Day Ever” full length music video was the number-two video of last week on TurboNick (Nov. 6 to Nov. 12) generating more than 1.4 million streams, with 471,000 unique visitors. The “Best Day Ever” promotion video on TurboNick ranked within the top 10 videos on the broadband player during the same time period with 370,000 streams, adds the release.

    In addition, during the week of 6 November, Nick.com experienced a +35 per cent increase in unique visitors over last year, and page views were up 16 per cent over year ago levels. TurboNick also witnessed a +327 per cent increase in streams over year ago levels. Activity increases can be attributed to the online campaign surrounding the SpongeBob “Best Day Ever” television event (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst 2006 & 2005).

    Leading up to the “Best Day Ever” event, Nickelodeon invited kids to vote (beginning Oct. 5) for their favorite SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons on a new super-site http://www.nick.com/bestdayever. Kids were encouraged to choose their 10 favorites by viewing clips from multiple SpongeBob SquarePants episodes. The super-site received almost 5 million streams and 3.2 million votes. The fans’ votes determined the order of the 24-hour marathon leading up to the premiere of the “Best Day Ever” special. Overall, SpongeBob’s “Best Day Ever” campaign was the most successful online campaign for the property to date.

  • Microsoft’s XBox to digitally deliver TV shows, movies to gamers

    Microsoft’s XBox to digitally deliver TV shows, movies to gamers

    MUMBAI: Software major Microsoft has announced agreements with US broadcasters CBS, MTV, film studio Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

    The aim is to to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360 gamers in the US by the end of the year.

    Microsoft says that Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the American consumer. From 22 November 2006, which marks its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live® network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional ‘firsts’:

    • For the first time, consumers will get an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console that includes downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360, whether they want to play games or play a movie on a disc or as a download in high definition or standard definition.

    • CBS will deliver high-definition download-to-own TV shows including CSI, Jericho, Numb3rs and remastered Star Trek episodes. Gamers can buy them and watch them repeatedly.

    • For the first time on any platform, Nascar.com will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select Nascar Nextel Cup Series races from Race Rewind.

    • The Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.

    Microsoft corporate VP interactive entertainment business Peter Moore says, “This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone. It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it.”

  • Tom Cruise, Paramount Pictures to part ways

    Tom Cruise, Paramount Pictures to part ways

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures and actor Tom Cruise are set for a bitter break up of their 14-year old association. The decision was revealed by Viacom Inc. Chairman Sumner Redstone, when he told the Wall Street Journal, “As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal.”

    Reportedly, the Viacom chief was hinting at the movie star’s off-screen behaviour. The actor’s camp has taken strong offence of Redstone’s comments as Paula Wagner, Cruise’ longtime partner in his movie company Cruise/Wagner Productions, termed the outburst “offensive” and “undignified.”

    “Whatever remarks Redstone would make about Tom Cruise personally or as an actor have no bearing on what this business issue is. There must be another agenda that the studio has in mind to take one of their greatest assets and malign him this way,” Wagner has been quoted in a Reuters report.

    As reported, five Cruise starrers co-produced by Cruise/Wagner Productions — these include the Mission: Impossible series — have generated theatrical revenues totalling over $2 billion (1 billion pounds) worldwide during the past decade. Wagner claimed that Cruise-starrers accounted for about 15 per cent of the studio’s overall box office gross over that period.

    Wagner has also been quoted as saying that she and Cruise chose to leave the Paramount lot and establish a new venture financed through a private equity fund of $100 million.

    The Los Angeles Times had earlier reported on Paramount’s intention to slash the amount of money the studio pays for the production company. Paramount wanted Cruise/Wagner to cut the remuneration from $10 million to $2 million a year, it said.

  • Viacom completes sale of Paramount Pictures’ DreamWorks film library

    Viacom completes sale of Paramount Pictures’ DreamWorks film library

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc. announced that it has completed the sale of Paramount Pictures’ DreamWorks film library to Soros Strategic Partners LP and Dune Entertainment II LLC, an affiliate of Dune Capital Management LP.

    The companies announced they had entered into an agreement for the transaction on 17 March.

    Viacom’s Paramount Pictures announced in February this year that, it closed on its acquisition of DreamWorks SKG for $1.6 billion in cash and assumption of debt. Under the agreement, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen of DreamWorks will remain in their respective roles as producer/director and chairman.

  • 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.

  • Paramount Pictures to premiere ‘M:i:III’ trailer across MTV Networks

    Paramount Pictures to premiere ‘M:i:III’ trailer across MTV Networks

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures will premiere an exclusive look at this summer’s most highly anticipated action-thriller, Mission: Impossible III (M:i:III) as Tom Cruise introduces the new trailer across MTV Networks on 16 March.

    The trailer will air simultaneously on MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT, BET and Spike TV on 16 March, one day before it runs in any movie theater. The exclusive material will also be available on the internet at mtv.com, mtv2.com, vh1.com, cmt.com, spiketv.com, and at iFilm.

    The film, starring Tom Cruise and directed by J.J. Abrams, the creator of Lost and Alias, opens in theaters in the US on 5 May 2006.

    Paramount Pictures president of worldwide motion picture marketing Gerry Rich said, “Tom and J.J. have come through with an amazing action movie and we think viewers across MTV networks will agree that M:i:III is the first must-see event film of the summer. When you’ve got the goods, it’s exciting to be able to share it with the audience in a special way. We’re thrilled to be pulling out all the stops with our partners at the MTV Networks.”

    Cruise returns as special agent Ethan Hunt, who faces the mission of his life in Mission: Impossible III. Abrams brings his unique blend of action and drama to the billion-dollar franchise.