ITV

Tag: Sky News

  • Murdoch pledges funding to Sky News

    Murdoch pledges funding to Sky News

    MUMBAI: Even as 21st Century Fox seeks clearance for its £11.7 billion (€13.2 billion) takeover of Sky, Rupert Murdoch has pledged to guarantee funding Sky News for up to five years. He has also agreed not to interfere editorially.

    Fox has also pledged that no Fox employee or board member who was a trustee or beneficiary of the Murdoch family trust “will influence or attempt to influence the editorial choices made by the head of Sky News”.

    Fox has strengthened the so-called “firewall” remedies it had already tabled, including “establishing a fully independent, expert Sky News editorial board”. This would be made up of two existing independent directors of Sky and a third member nominated by the Sky independent directors who would have “senior editorial and/or journalistic experience”.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had said in its provisional findings last month that Murdoch’s bid raised media plurality concerns because the deal would give his family too much control over UK news media.

    Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch cast doubt on the future of Sky News saying that the service was no longer critical to the pay-TV broadcaster. Sky has previously said that it could close Sky News if the Fox deal was blocked, a move that would eliminate the media plurality issue at a stroke.

    Fox did not submit any responses to the CMA’s consultation on other options for Sky News, including a full sale or spin-off.

    Also read:

    Comcast may renew bid for 21st CF

    James Murdoch could be next Disney CEO: FT

    Star India, FNG help prop up 21st CF Q2 numbers

  • TV5 appoints Dinesh Akula as editor

    TV5 appoints Dinesh Akula as editor

    MUMBAI: 2016 has seen several key movements in the television news industry. The latest addition to that is Dinesh Akula who has joined  Telegu news channel TV5 as its editor. He joins the news channel from  Hyderabad based channel Express TV where he was senior VP-editorial and operations.  Akula will be responsible for the channel’s overall editorial content that goes on-air for TV5, which is run by  Shreya Broadcasting P ltd.

    When asked about his new role, Akula said, “At present I am trying to the understand the system and then will work on the new packaging for the channel. There are lot of ideas which the managing director B.Ravindranath has and it will be my main job to implement it smoothly and successfully.” 

    The move has come after he spent one year in Express TV and close to seven years in TV9 where he was responsible for the on-air content, the look and feel, planning and execution of content strategies for TV9 Telugu and was earlier handling national news desk  for all the six TV9 channels. 

    With 22 years of experience in media, Akula has worked with BBC in Bristol, Sky News in London, Star News (Now ABP News) and Hindustan Times in India among others.

  • TV5 appoints Dinesh Akula as editor

    TV5 appoints Dinesh Akula as editor

    MUMBAI: 2016 has seen several key movements in the television news industry. The latest addition to that is Dinesh Akula who has joined  Telegu news channel TV5 as its editor. He joins the news channel from  Hyderabad based channel Express TV where he was senior VP-editorial and operations.  Akula will be responsible for the channel’s overall editorial content that goes on-air for TV5, which is run by  Shreya Broadcasting P ltd.

    When asked about his new role, Akula said, “At present I am trying to the understand the system and then will work on the new packaging for the channel. There are lot of ideas which the managing director B.Ravindranath has and it will be my main job to implement it smoothly and successfully.” 

    The move has come after he spent one year in Express TV and close to seven years in TV9 where he was responsible for the on-air content, the look and feel, planning and execution of content strategies for TV9 Telugu and was earlier handling national news desk  for all the six TV9 channels. 

    With 22 years of experience in media, Akula has worked with BBC in Bristol, Sky News in London, Star News (Now ABP News) and Hindustan Times in India among others.

  • Sky News makes senior editorial appointments

    Sky News makes senior editorial appointments

    MUMBAI: Sky News has announced a host of foreign and domestic editorial appointments.

     

    Dominic Waghorn has been appointed diplomatic editor. Waghorn is one of Sky’s most experienced foreign journalists, most recently as US correspondent based in Washington where he has reported on major stories including the recent riots in Ferguson, Superstorm Sandy and the Boston Marathon bombing. Previous to that Waghorn spent five years as Sky’s Middle East correspondent reporting extensively from across the region. He was named the RTS Television Journalist of the Year in 2007 for his exclusives from China.

     

    Mark Stone is to become Europe correspondent, based in Brussels, and will play a key role in covering the EU Referendum. Stone’s appointment follows three years as Sky News’ Asia correspondent, where he covered a variety of stories, including travelling to North Korea and explaining the complexities of China for which he was nominated for an RTS Award.

     

    After a successful tenure as Moscow correspondent, Katie Stallard will replace Stone as Asia correspondent, based in Beijing. She has been a major journalistic voice in the Ukraine crisis, as well as reporting closely on the Russian political landscape. 

     

    In the UK, Robert Nisbet has been appointed Political correspondent covering Anushka Asthana’s maternity leave. Following a successful term as Sky’s Europe correspondent, Nisbet will bring his wealth of experience to cover the UK political scene, including David Cameron’s campaign to reform the Union and the UK’s position in Europe. 

     

    Sky News director of newsgathering Jonathan Levy said, “Dominic, Mark, Katie and Robert are first class journalists who’ll bring a huge amount of expertise and journalistic endeavour to their new roles, offering our customers the very best analysis from their respective beats.”  

  • Dinesh Akula quits TV9, joins Express TV

    Dinesh Akula quits TV9, joins Express TV

    MUMBAI: It seems to be a season of movements in the news television sector. And the latest to join the long list is former TV9 executive editor Dinesh Akula.

     

    Akula has joined a Hyderabad based start up channel Express TV as senior VP-editorial and operations. In his new role, Akula will be responsible for the channel’s overall editorial content that goes on-air. “I will also be looking at the two websites-Telugu and English, of the network, apart from overlooking the entire operations,” says Akula.

     

    On the future plans, he says, “Well, it’s been just a couple of days since I joined and so currently I am understanding the structure of the organisation and then will start working on the network’s future plans.”

     

    Express TV is looking at launching two news channels in Tamil and Kannada languages. Not only this, the network is also hoping to launch an entertainment channel soon. “The biggest challenge this year was covering the general elections, and after that I was looking at changing my profile and Express TV gave me that opportunity,” he adds.

     

    The move has come after he spent close to seven years in TV9 where he was responsible for the on-air content, the look and feel, planning and execution of content strategies for TV9 Telugu and was earlier handling national news desk  for all the six TV9 channels. 

     

    With over 20 years of experience in media, Akula has worked with BBC in Bristol, Sky News in London, Star News (Now ABP News), Times of India and Hindustan Times in India among others.

     

  • CNN is the most widely consumed news brand amongst affluents in asia pacific

    CNN is the most widely consumed news brand amongst affluents in asia pacific

    MUMBAI: CNN has been named the leading news brand in the Asia Pacific region according to the inaugural Ipsos Affluent Survey Asia Pacific. The survey shows that CNN is the clear leader in daily, weekly and monthly reach, as well as the multi-platform leader across TV, online and mobile. 

     

    For the first time, the Ipsos Affluent Survey Asia Pacific takes a holistic, all-inclusive measure of media brand performance. The results show whether it’s TV, web or mobile, consumers turn to CNN above all other news brands, with 40% greater multi-platform reach than the next placed brand.

     

    Duncan Morris, Vice President of Research at Turner International Asia Pacific, says even with new methodology the results are the same with CNN still number one. “The long term strategy has always been to make CNN available anytime, anywhere. This data proves without a shadow of a doubt that it’s the right strategy and it’s working. CNN has embraced new technologies to further our reach. The region’s affluent consumers can and do access CNN anywhere – on TV, online and via smartphones and tablets. This multi-platform strength combined with first class journalism, in-depth stories, and quality video, is what sets us apart.”

     

     Highlights of the new research include:

     

    • CNN is the leading international news brand in the Asia Pacific region in all metrics: daily, weekly and monthly reach, and on all platforms: TV, online and via mobile

     

    • One third (34%) of the region’s affluent population consume CNN (TV, web or mobile) during the course of a month, rising to 46% of top management and 71% of frequent business travelers.

     

    • As a TV brand, CNN has 52% more weekly viewers than the next placed news channel, and is watched by twice as many (+103%) business decision makers as the leading business channel

     

    • Not only does CNN have more viewers overall, it has more exclusive viewers than any other news or business channel2. Over the course of a month, almost one in three (30%) CNN viewers watches no other news or business channel. This is 2.9 times more exclusive viewers than the next placed channel

     

    • In the digital realm (web sites + mobile), CNN has 71% more users than the next largest brand3

     

    Notes to editors:

     

    CNN multiplatform reach and CNN digital reach includes CNN Money

     

    1. Took 6+ international business trips by air in past 12 months
    2. Other news/business channels: Al Jazeera English, BBC World News, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg TV India, Channel NewsAsia, CNBC, CNBC TV18, SBS CNBC, Euronews, RT, Sky News
    3. Excluding social media, search and portal sites

     

    Source: Ipsos Affluent Survey Asia Pacific, Q3-Q4 2013

  • RTS crowns CNN International news channel of the year

    RTS crowns CNN International news channel of the year

    MUMBAI: Last night at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards, CNN International was crowned News Channel of the Year for the second year running beating Sky News and the BBC News Channel, plus won the coveted Best News Coverage – International category for its outstanding reporting of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines beating ITN and BBC One.

    The network’s coverage of news events such as the Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi, the struggle for power in Egypt, the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the on-going crisis in Syria, and the rise of extremism in the former Soviet republic of Dagestan, won over the RTS jury.

    Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President of CNN International, said: “To win News Channel of the Year for the second year running, against some strong submissions from our peers, is a very special honour. Our profession is being tested today more than ever before, but the bravery, determination, skill and fortitude of my colleagues around the world has been unwavering.

    “Our coverage of Typhoon Haiyan was exemplary from start to finish. Our crews showed enormous bravery as well as great sensitivity on what was both a physically gruelling, emotionally draining, and very important assignment. I’m delighted that their efforts have been recognised here, and I couldn’t be more proud of their work.”

    These two awards are the latest recognition of CNN International’s editorial strength. The channel was recently named Cable & Satellite Channel of the Year at the Asian Television Awards, and had a strong showing in the Emmys, FPA Awards, Peabody Awards and the Overseas Press Awards. CNN is also the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.

     

  • 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.

  • CNBC to introduce new shows for Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: CNBC is planning to expand further into the Asia Pacific region by introducing new programmes and shows.

    CNBC will be launching new local programming initiative and introduce an expanded local news and operations team on October 2, said an official release.

    The business news channel is planning to launch two new shows which includes Trading Matters and Australia This Week to be anchored by Australian business news journalist Oriel Morrison. Morrison was formerly with the Nine Network, Sky News, Channel 7 and Bloomberg.

    The Trading Matters will provide Australian investors with real time, actionable information on local share and market performance with access to the country’s investors and money managers- revealing the inside track on opportunities for both the institutional and retail investor. While the half hour show Australia This Week will screen a summary of the key events after the close of trade that shaped the week – deals, market and policy decisions.

    CNBC Asia Pacific president and managing director Jeremy Pink said,”CNBC has enjoyed tremendous growth in Asia Pacific this year. These new Australian initiatives are part of a significant investment that we have committed to further expanding in the region.”

    CNBC Asia Pacific director, news and programming John Casey said, “We take our business seriously because there is nothing more important than getting it right when people’s money is on the line. 60 per cent of CNBC’s viewers act on the accurate and unbiased information they get from us so we are sure CNBC’s new initiatives will resonate with the business and investing communities, both in Australia, and also around in the region.”

  • Star to distribute Sky News across Asia

    MUMBAI: European news channel Sky News has appointed Star to distribute it across the Asian continent.

    Sky News is already available on various pay-TV platforms, including Now TV in Hong Kong and Starhub Cable Vision in Singapore, as well as a range of other cable and satellite operators across the region. Sky News is also available in the Middle East via Star’s bouquets on the ART/ADD platform.

    Sky News head John Ryley said, “Already around 100m viewers across Europe, plus a further 8m households in Africa and the Middle East, are able to access Sky News’ award-winning breaking news. I am delighted that this new partnership with Star will allow us to reach audiences in a range of fast-paced dynamic countries across Asia.”

    Under the deal, the distribution and marketing teams at Star will work to open up new markets for Sky News.

    Star executive VP, ad sales, distribution and marketing Bruce A. Oltchick said, “We’re delighted to fortify our partnership with Sky News with this new exclusive distribution agreement. Sky News is an internationally renowned channel known for its high quality reporting and breaking news coverage. We are very pleased to expand our partnership and we look forward to bringing Sky News to even more viewers in Asia.”

    While broadcast television remains hugely important for Sky News, the channel has a strong focus on bringing breaking news through new and emerging delivery mechanisms which, in the United Kingdom, now include mobile TV and railway station platforms. In April the Sky News website – sky.com/news – introduced a new, fresh look and feel, the first phase of the site’s redevelopment as a dynamic, video-rich site that maintains the channel’s record of innovating in the delivery of breaking news and innovation. Its video content, podcasts and live event coverage are designed to support channel output.