ITV

Tag: Spain

  • Xbox One TV tuner to launch in Europe in October

    Xbox One TV tuner to launch in Europe in October

    MUMBAI: Microsoft recently announced that it is going to release a digital TV tuner adapter to allow people in Europe to experience premium live TV features on Xbox One. Launching in October in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK, the digital TV tuner adapter will allow European Xbox One owners to turn their consoles into a TV set-top box.

     

    Announcing the news on its website, Xbox said, “Xbox One users in those markets will get an over-the-air digital terrestrial TV experience through the USB single tuner, an alternative to accessing TV content from a cable or satellite set-top box connected through the HDMI-In port. The new digital TV tuner will also support free-to-air DVB-T, DVB-T2 and DVB-C television standards.”

     

    This will give users the features like voice control through OneGuide, watching TV while in Snap mode, pause live TV, viewing TV listings in the OneGuide, OneGuide on Xbox SmartGlass , creating personal favourite channels and even checking TV On demand.

     

    The Xbox One Digital TV tuner will go on sale priced at Euro 24.99 in the UK and Euro 29.99 in France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

  • Get, set, goal…

    Get, set, goal…

    MUMBAI: A mysterious calm surrounds the sets of Café Rio and Football Extraaa, the two shows on Sony Six especially created for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The atmosphere is calm and dark, but then as a few spot boys enter, the eeriness begins to drift.

     

    As lights are lit, the crimson yellow, flame orange and sky blue colors of Brasil bring the set to life.

     

    Café Rio, a live primetime show at 8 pm leading up to the match kick-offs, entails interesting facts about victorious teams, historical venues and stalwart players along with in-depth analysis and discussion about squads, player forms, group standings and strategies.

     

    The adjacent set belongs to the live breakfast show Football Extraa, which is aired between 8 am to 9 am, relives the excitement and fun of the previous day matches.

     

    The two sets are designed with hand painted cutouts and buntings along with touch screen graphic screens. The innovatively created Café Rio set could have been created anywhere between the price range of 8 to 10 lakhs while the small scale Football Extraa set would be within the range of 5 to 6 lakhs.

     

    As several hands begin to spruce up the set, in walks the dapper Indian football team captain and panelist Sunil Chhetri who finds the set as an invigorating mix of colour and energy which helps him identify with the action in Brasil. Soon follows the make-up man to give him the right touchup over his clean shaven face.

     

    When questioned about the most surprising moment for him this World Cup, he raises his brow and matter-of-factly states, “It was definitely Chile beating Spain. Netherlands as a team too have done their homework.”

     

    He adds, “Thanks to Sony Six I am having a gala time. It’s been a combination of work and pleasure for me. I do my research well in advance and try to bring my knowledge to the table.”

     

    The shows need a tremendous amount of research and insight. The research team comprises of two people who are the ‘Wikipedia’ of football and act as statisticians too. The blueprint of the show is prepared in the morning while the information is computed three and a half hours before the show begins.

     

    A total of 120 people complete the production and post-production teams led by three senior producers and a senior executive producer which also includes camera persons and spot boys.

     

    The production and research teams work on the graphics together on the analysis software provided by wTVision. A total of five high definition (HD) cameras and a jib capture the various set angles.

     

    The anchor and the studio guests, who arrive just two hours earlier, are briefed about the day’s happenings. Their inputs too are taken into consideration, especially the narration style.

     

    Amidst the chaos, noiselessly walks in British sports presenter, Joe Morrison, who gobbles down two to three bananas hiding from other’s eyes.

     

    As we settle down to interview him, the slender presenter goes down memory lane and says that though the 1982 WC holds close to his heart, he isn’t complaining about the current one as well.

     

    When quizzed about the football scene in India, he quickly replies: “It has been steady. Pessimists say there is no talent. I think this thought is Bu**Sh**! Over the last eight to nine years, the appetite for football has grown in India. There is no shortage of talent here. The fundamental problem is that no one is searching for the right talent.”

     

    When asked which is the team he is supporting ardently? A crafty grin says it all. “England and it will always be England. But I do have a soft spot for Brasil,” he confesses.

     

    The set goes hush as it’s time to shoot before the big game. As the two guests, Robbie Fowler and Sunil Chhetri along with host Joe Morrison take their seats; loud voices turn into whispers as the floor manager commands everyone to put their mobile phones on silent mode. Everyone obeys.

     

    The final countdown to the show, produced at Reliance MediaWorks located in the heart of Filmcity, begins.

     

    As the producers’ voice nears 3,2,1… Morrison’s crystal clear voice rings in the air… “Someone is going home, tonight!”

  • 36% Indians Predict Brazil Will Win 2014 FIFA World Cup

    36% Indians Predict Brazil Will Win 2014 FIFA World Cup

    MUMBAI: A plurality of Indians (36%) expect host country Brazil to be victorious in the final game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, according to a new online study by global research company Ipsos.

     

    While considerably fewer Indians predict football world cup winner will be Germany (10%), Argentina (8%), Spain (7%), Italy (4%), United States and Australia (both 3%), England/ Portugal/ Russia/ Belgium/ France all at 2%, and 1% who chose each of Mexico/ South Korea/ Croatia/ Switzerland/ Colombia and Japan.

     

    As for the runner-up, Indians choose Brazil (13%), Spain (12%), Germany (12%), Argentina (10%), France (6%), Italy (6%), England (4%), Portugal (3%), Australia (3%), United States/ Belgium/ Mexico/ Chile at 2% and Uruguay/ Netherlands/ Colombia/ Japan/ Russia and South Korea all at 1%.
    “Football fever has gripped India with 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer event underway in Brazil. Ipsos study indicates that more than 65 percent Indians have heard the buzz around the global mega sporting event,” said Biswarup Banerjee, Head Marketing Communications, Ipsos India.

     

    A large majority (78%) of global respondents have heard at least something about the upcoming World Cup in Brazil with 46% indicating they’ve heard something ( “a great deal” (22%), “a fair amount” (24%)) compared with 54% who have not heard much or anything (“a little bit” (32%) and “not heard anything at all” (22%)).

     

    Those from Brazil (69%), the host country, are most likely to say they have heard “a great deal,” followed by those from Mexico (53%), Argentina (44%), Indonesia (43%), Belgium (34%), Saudi Arabia (32%), France (30%) and India (29%). One quarter or fewer are aware of the games from these countries: South Africa (26%), South Korea (23%), China (21%), Spain (19%), Poland (17%), Turkey (17%), Italy (15%), Japan (15%), Great Britain (13%), Egypt (12%), Germany (9%), Romania (8%), the United States (7%), Hungary (7%), Australia (6%), Sweden (6%), Canada (6%) and Russia (5%).

     

    The Ipsos poll was conducted in May among 19,032 respondents in 26 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

     

  • Who will take the glory home?

    Who will take the glory home?

    MUMBAI: The D-Day has finally arrived for football fans as the FIFA WC 2014 begins in Brazil in what is promised as a starry event. The fans across the world will be cheering for their favourite teams.

    With a few hours to begin, indiantelevision.com picks up the top five teams that hope to take home the trophy that truly matters.

    Brazil – The host country is a top favourite this season. The team being led by Paris Saint Germain defender Thiago Silva is hopeful of bringing back the trophy home for the sixth time. A key favourite in the team is 22-year-old star footballer Neymar. Tomorrow will be his 50th international when Brazil plays against Croatia in the opening match. Brazil previously won the World Cup in 1958,1962,1970,1994 and 2002.

    Argentina – Brazil’s biggest arch rival, the South American giant, won the world cup twice in 1978 and 1986.The team being led by another top contender Lionel Messi is slated to have its first match against Bosnia on 16 June.

    Spain – The team that is hopeful of retaining the world cup title after winning it the last time in 2010. The captain Iker Casillas has said in recent reports that he hopes of holding on to the title. Spain’s first match will be against Netherlands on 14 June.

    Germany – Having won the world cup three times previously in 1954, 1974 and 1990. A contingent of players who despite having injuries are led by the talented Phillip Lahm who are optimistic of lifting the world cup a fourth time around. They will meet Portugal in their first match scheduled for 16 June.

    Belgium – The underdogs this world cup, Belgium’s youthful squad is brimming with talent who are the favourites for fence sitters this time around. The team first match will be against Algeria on 17 June. The team’s best performance (they have never won the cup) so far has been at the 1986 world cup where they were placed fourth. The team is led by captain Vincent Kompany.

  • Keshet International has Asia Singing

    Keshet International has Asia Singing

    MUMBAI: Keshet International has sold its trailblazing interactive talent format RISING STAR and its high-rating children’s singing format MASTER CLASS into Asia. The deals mark a first for each format in terms of geographical reach.

     

    RISING STAR will air on Indonesia’s largest private broadcaster RCTI (Indonesian Idol, Masterchef) which reaches a gigantic potential audience of 180 million viewers. An initial 24 x 2 hr episodes have been commissioned and will be produced by RCTI to air in late Summer/early Fall 2014. ABC’s US version of the show will air on June 22 and is available to buyers at MIPTV as a finished 10 episode tape.

     

    Keshet International has closed deals for RISING STAR in more than 25 territories since its launch at MIPCOM 2013, making it the fastest-selling talent format on record (source: The WIT). Sales include the US (ABC), UK (ITV), Argentina (Telefe), Brazil (Rede Globo), Spain (Atresmedia), Portugal (TVI), Italy (Toro), France (M6 Group) Russia (Rossiya1), Germany (RTL), the Nordics (Nordisk), Hungary (TV2), Ukraine (1+1), Greece (MEGA) and Turkey (Acun Medya). Interest in the format continues to grow worldwide following unprecedented ratings for the show’s original series in Israel, the season finale of which peaked with a 58% share of the total domestic audience.

     

    MASTER CLASS will find a home in China on Jiangsu Satellite TV, launching in the last quarter of 2014 with a first season of 12 x 90’ episodes. The show is being adapted into a local version done through a co-development deal with Beijing-based production company 3C Media.  

     

    The original Israeli version of MASTER CLASS is a show in which children sing all-time classics with only positive reviews and no eliminations. It is currently the highest performing talent show on Keshet’s Channel 2. It has also performed extremely well in Hungary where its ratings exceeded TV2’s average for the timeslot by 250%.

     

    Kanti Mirdiati, Managing Director of RCTI, said, “It is an honor for RCTI to cooperate with Keshet International and be the first TV Station in Asia that will telecast Rising Star. This is a singing talent search program with a very interesting concept and totally interactive format, where the audiences at home can vote at a real time and decide who will stay or who will leave. We can’t wait to see how great this program will be. It will bring a new reality and voting sensation through the new platform called Mobile App.”

     

    Mr. Liu, CEO of 3C Media, said “We are very happy to be working with Keshet in co-developing this format into a version that’s more suitable to the Chinese audience and market. The core elements of the show remains intact while we bringing in a special local twist to it. We hope to establish a long-term relationship with Keshet in co-developing many future hit shows for China.”

     

    Keshet International CEO, Alon Shtruzman, said, “We’re delighted to see two more jewels in the Keshet crown airing in Asia. Having a strong presence in such rapid growth regions feels like a great frontier to have conquered.”

     

    Elsewhere in Asia, Keshet International has sold its hidden camera game show Deal With It to Mediacorp Channel 5.

     

    RISING STAR is a trailblazing interactive talent format which hails a new era in home entertainment. It enables the first real-time voting by viewers via an innovative free app ‘TV app to you’ which is fully integrated into the show. Making their debut on stage alone, behind a giant wall of TV screens, a performer can only make his or her entry to the studio by securing more than 70% of the viewers’, judges’ and live audiences’ vote. If the bar is met, the screen (which lights up with the face of each voting viewer in real-time) will slowly rise to expose the hopeful to their new fans and the judging panel. From the very first minute of the very first episode, viewers will play an integral role in every decision made on the show and continue to do so throughout the entire season.

     

    RISING STAR, produced by Tedy Productions for Keshet Broadcasting, marked a record-breaking debut on Keshet’s Channel 2 from September to December 2013, maintaining its audience throughout the full first season as the highest-rated show in 10 of its 15 weeks on air. Over 10 million votes were cast through the app during season one, which has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times. RISING STAR has far outperformed all second screen data ever recorded in Israel, with an activity rate 10 times higher than its nearest competitor. It maintained high ratings and conversion rates (i.e. viewers to second screen participation), in excess of 30%, throughout the series.

     

    MASTER CLASS is a talent show full of heart, and no heartbreak! It is a music talent show for children singing old classics with only positive reviews and without elimination. It has become a critically acclaimed program that taps into the global trend of family viewing because of its warm and humane approach. MASTER CLASS avoids the intrigue and harsh judgment of a ruthless competition, focusing on the nurturing relationships formed between the teachers and their young students, as they become familiar with the country’s rich musical history and cultural heritage.

     

    The sixteen stars of the show are children aged 8-14, with the most promising voices in the country. Four teachers – leading artists in the music industry – train them to make the most of their potential and become the best singers they can. The program is set at the music school and its auditorium, where the weekly performances take place. Towards the end of the season the best student in each performance is awarded a place in the graduation show. In this way, the six will sing for the last time in front of the committee, where one will be selected as the best in the class. Still, all the students continue their studies and perform at every show, including the final one.

     

    Entitled School of Music in Israel, MASTER CLASS became a breakthrough hit oh Keshet Broadcasting Channel 2 – it was the 2nd highest rated show in in 2011, with a season average of 48.1% share and 32.5% rating.

  • Endemol inks deal with Turner International for New Mr.Bean animated series

    Endemol inks deal with Turner International for New Mr.Bean animated series

    MUMBAI: Endemol, the world’s largest independent production and distribution company, today announced that Turner Broadcasting System International has acquired the all-new second series of MR BEAN ANIMATED SERIES for their services throughout Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and several European markets including the United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain and Italy.

     

    This deal comes off the back of the announcement that the series has been pre-sold to CITV in the UK and Super RTL in Germany.

     

    Mark Eyers, Chief Content Officer, Kids Networks, Turner International Asia Pacific, said: “This extraordinary universal comedy truly delivers on a premium and compelling content experience for both our audiences and affiliates. We’re proud to welcome Mr Bean into the Turner fold and to partner with Endemol, Tiger Aspect and the exceptionally talented Rowan Atkinson. This unique non-dialogue brand of funny, will delight viewers around the world.”

     

    Cathy Payne, CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution commented: “We are excited that Turner has come on board to join our other partners CITV and Super RTL Germany. To have such support at this early stage is incredible and proves the popularity of the wonderful Mr Bean”.

     

    Cecilia Persson, Turner’s Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-productions for EMEA and International, added: “It’s great to announce this deal across our international business. Our kids channels provide the best in animated comedy entertainment for young audiences and Mr Bean is truly an iconic comedy character which kids across the globe will love! Mr Bean has performed excellently across our EMEA region where our second flagship channel Boomerang brings contemporary iterations of timeless and classic properties to a family audience.”

     

    The 52 x 11 minute series follows on the success of the first series which has been licensed in over 70 territories and continues to be a ratings winner for a host of international broadcasters.

     

     

     

    Mr Bean will be produced in house by Tiger Aspect Productions using Celaction2D. Production commenced in October 2013 and delivery is scheduled for 2014/2015.

     

    Rowan Atkinson is across all aspects of the creative and will continue to voice the series which has a huge global audience.

  • 79% Indians look for best deals while shopping

    79% Indians look for best deals while shopping

    MUMBAI: A majority (79 per cent) of Indians would rather ‘spend time looking for a good deal,’ while only 21 per cent would rather ‘pay more to make a quick/efficient purchase.’ The findings reflect a new poll of 18,503 online respondents conducted by Ipsos OTX.

     

    “Indian consumers lately show both impulsive and compulsive buying behaviour. But at the same time they are dealaholics and hardcore value for money seekers. No wonder why sale/ discount offer periods record the highest revenue both for online and offline retailers,” said Ipsos India head of marketing Biswarup Banerjee.

     

    Those with a lower household income (82 per cent) are most likely to spend time looking for a good deal. Even those with middle (80 per cent) and high (74 per cent) levels of income, however, would take the time to find a better price. Similarly, those with a low level of education (100 per cent) are more likely than those with a medium (80 per cent) or high (79 per cent) level. Women (80 per cent) are more likely than men (78 per cent) to go hunting for a sale.

     

    The countries with the highest proportions of those indicating they would rather spend time looking for good deals are from: Hungary (94 per cent), Spain (94 per cent), Great Britain (93 per cent), Argentina (92 per cent), Belgium (91 per cent), France (91 per cent) and Germany (91 per cent). This group of deal-chasers is followed by: Australia (90 per cent), Italy (90 per cent), Mexico (90 per cent), Japan (88 per cent), South Africa (87 per cent), Canada (86 per cent), Poland (86 per cent), the United States (85 per cent), China (81 per cent), Russia (81 per cent) and South Korea (81 per cent). The lower group includes: India (79 per cent), Brazil (76 per cent), Saudi Arabia (76 per cent), Norway (75 per cent), Sweden (75 per cent), Turkey (74 per cent) and Indonesia (58 per cent).

  • Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown season two launches 20 Sept on CNN International

    Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown season two launches 20 Sept on CNN International

    MUMBAI: CNN’s popular original series ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown,’ which has been nominated for four Primetime Emmys in the 2013 competition, launches its second season on Friday, September 20 at 7.30pm IST. The season premiere episode “Jerusalem” features tours of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, marking the first time the host has filmed in these locations.

     

    The new season of the lifestyle series also takes Bourdain and his crew into “parts unknown” within Spain, New Mexico, Copenhagen, Sicily, Detroit, Tokyo and South Africa.

     

    Below are descriptions of ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown’ season two episodes (airdates, unless indicated, are TBA):

     

    “Jerusalem” (Sept 20) – In the season premiere, the host and crew make their first trip to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. While the political situation is often tense between the people living in these areas, Bourdain concentrates on their rich history, food and culture, and spends time with local chefs, home cooks, writers and amateur foodies.

     

    “Spain” (Sept 27) – Anthony Bourdain explores Andalucía during Semana Santa (Holy Week, leading up to Easter), a time filled with great pageantry and excitement. Featured in this episode is Bourdain’s longtime Director of Photography Zach Zamboni, who lives part-time in Granada and shows the host sights off the beaten path.

     

    “New Mexico” (Oct 4) – Bourdain takes a close look at the mash-up of cultures that comprise this uniquely American state by sampling its food – a combination of Spanish, Mediterranean, Mexican, Pueblo and even chuck-wagon influences. New Mexico is also a land of drugs, guns, monster vehicles, and possibly extraterrestrials. It may also be the perfect place to investigate the underside of the Western cowboy ideal.

     

    “Copenhagen” Denmark (airdate TBA) – This episode explores the food and natural beauty of Copenhagen, the economic and cultural center of Denmark. Home to famed chef Rene Redzepi and his brainchild Noma – regarded by critics as one of the world’s best restaurants – Parts Unknown delves into the city’s cuisine and the new Nordic creativity that infuses Redzepi’s work at Noma.

     

    Sicily (airdate TBA) – ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown’ explores the Sicilian way of life, which puts a premium on savoring family, life, and food.  Bourdain travels in search of those foods as he eats his way around the island.  He makes his home base at the Villa Monaci, on the outskirts of Catania with his enthusiastic, fast-talking sidekicks who counter the otherwise relaxed tempo and epic “food porn” of this episode.

     

    Detroit (airdate TBA) – Few cities have experienced such a dramatic economic rise and fall as Detroit. In this episode of ‘Parts Unknown’, Bourdain explores the past, present and future of the Motor City. He steps into the lives of Detroit natives and sees the glory days of the past at the famed Packard Plant, the current state of the city’s urban decay, and the promise of the future in the citizens who are rebuilding their communities.

     

    Tokyo (airdate TBA) – Japan is a paradox.  The low birthrate, the dedication, the conformity, and the life of a salary man are well known. There is also a competitive and rigid culture that gives way to some unique subcultures.  Bourdain has traveled to Tokyo countless times, but on this trip he is in search of the city’s dark, extreme, and bizarrely fetishistic underside.

     

    South Africa (airdate TBA) – Once considered the most dangerous city in the world, Johannesburg now barely makes the top 50. But the end of apartheid has led to vast changes in the city.  In this episode, Bourdain visits the suburb of Hillbrow (which remains a dangerous locale), spends a day in the life of a taxi driver and discovers the culture and food that make up modern day Johannesburg.

     

  • Big Brother enters Vietnam

    Big Brother enters Vietnam

    MUMBAI: Endemol has sold Big Brother into Vietnam for the first time, with VTV commissioning 65 episodes to air later this year.

     

    The local version will run over nine weeks on VTV6. In total, more than 20 series of Big Brother will air this year in more than 70 countries, including the US, the UK, Spain, Israel, Latin America, CEE, Asia and Africa.

     

    Endemol managing director of Asian operations Fotini Paraskakis commented: “Big Brother continues to be an unstoppable blockbuster more than a decade since it first launched. Following the format’s proven success in other Asian territories we are proud to be bringing it to Vietnam for the very first time and we’re in no doubt that VTV6’s audience will love it.”

  • Joel Edgerton to play Ramses in Ridley Scott’s ‘Exodus’

    Joel Edgerton to play Ramses in Ridley Scott’s ‘Exodus’

    MUMBAI: Joel Edgerton is in talks to star opposite Christian Bale in Ridley Scott’s Biblical epic Exodus

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    The actor, who cemented his in-demand status after a series of high-profile roles including Zero Dark Thirty and The Great Gatsby, would play the Egyptian ruler Ramses in the 20th Century Fox film that is moving toward a September start date. Bale is onboard to portray Moses.

     

    Exodus will shoot in Spain, Morocco and England.

     

    The project had picked up steam earlier this year when Steve Zaillian came aboard as scribe. Adam Cooper and Bill Collage penned a previous draft.

     

    Peter Chernin, who bought the project as a pitch, is producing alongside Scott. Both Chernin and Scott are based at Fox, as is Zaillian and Garrett Basch’s film rights.

     

    Edgerton, whose credits include the critically acclaimed crime drama Animal Kingdom, broke out in Gavin O’Connor’s 2011 MMA drama Warrior. He recently stepped into O’Connor’s Jane Got a Gun opposite Natalie Portman. The Aussie actor also is onboard to star opposite Michael Shannon in Jeff Nichols’ sci-fi film Midnight Special at Warner Bros.