ITV

Tag: Star TV

  • Peter Jackson of AsiaSat wins Casbaa chairman’s award

    Peter Jackson of AsiaSat wins Casbaa chairman’s award

    MUMBAI: AsiaSat satellite system operator CEO Peter Jackson has been awarded with the Casbaa chairman’s award 2006 for outstanding contribution to the Asia Pacific multi-channel cable, satellite and broadband pay-TV industries in the previous 12 months.

    Jackson has been a member of Casbaa for almost all of the association’s 15 year history and a member of the board of directors for seven years.

    The Casbaa chairman’s award 2006 was presented at the conclusion of the Casbaa TV advertising awards held on the final day of the Casbaa Convention 2006 in Hong Kong.

    Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez said, “With his pan-regional responsibilities and a background in telecommunications, Peter has developed an almost unique understanding of media and telecoms issues which has hugely benefited our industry and the association.”

    The formal citation for Jackson’s award reads, “In recognition of Peter Jackson’s unparalleled professionalism and integrity in one of the most competitive sectors within our industry and his ongoing commitment to the association.”

    “Beyond that, Peter’s contribution’s to the association as a board member and the leading representative of the satellite sector has helped enormously to create the credible industry voice that we are today,” added Fenez.

    Jackson said, “I am honoured to receive this award. But the honour is as much for the team at AsiaSat as it is for me. I also think the award is an endorsement of the general achievements of Casbaa itself in the years that I have been involved. “

    Prior to joining the listed AsiaSat as CEO in 1993, Jackson was the regional director, Asia Pacific of cable & wireless, which he joined in 1970 with responsibilities for several satellite telecom ventures around the region. He has also worked in the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates and China.

    The other nominees for the 2006 Casbaa chairman’s award were:

    HBO
    For the launch (and marketing) of the new HBO multiplexes which maintain programming quality whilst adding to customer choice and ease of proposition understanding.

    Nokia
    For the promotion of the DVB-supported DVB-H standard and its efforts to generate a greater understating of the mobile TV opportunity to both mobile platform operators and content providers.

    PCCW – NOW TV
    For the continued expansion of its subscriber base and the proactive marketing of a secure and advanced pay-TV platform with a growing interactive capability.

    Star TV
    For establishing a broad range of tailored channels, to cater to specific needs (such as South India programming). The network has also demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry’s future, both on-air and into platforms such as mobile. And STAR TV has been a leader in branded content.

    Starhub
    For aggressively expanded its channel line-up and invested in enhancing and marketing its services. The total number of channels has increased to 94. Starhub recently introduced a digital video recorder set-top box; launched pay per view service, FlexiWatch – engaged in an HD trial; and, launched a new brand campaign ‘For the life that I love, I am a hub’ to drive subscription.

    Marketing Magazine (Singapore)
    In recognition of its excellent work in promoting the delivery of key demographics by cable and satellite channels to advertisers.

  • IOL Broadband to provide Star channels via IPTV

    IOL Broadband to provide Star channels via IPTV

    MUMBAI: IOL Broadband Ltd has signed an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) deal with the Star network.

    Following yesterday’s signing of the deal, all subscribers of the Mumbai based broadband company and those subscribing to the MTNL IPTV service will have access to all the channels from the Star bouquet.

    According to official statement, plans are underway to offer hundreds of channels on IPTV in the near future to the company / MTNL subscribers.

    “We are very pleased that Star TV has taken the lead in the IPTV Revolution, which is set to sweep the country. By signing up with IOL Broadband, Star TV will be the first bouquet of channels to be made available on the IOL / MTNL Broadband Networks,” IOL Broadband director Oberai said.

  • Sahara One COO Bose quits; CEO Aditya to take control

    Sahara One COO Bose quits; CEO Aditya to take control

    MUMBAI: Sahara One Television chief operating officer Purnendu Bose has resigned from the post. With Bose moving out, the hunt for the post has begun.

    Meanwhile, Sahara One CEO Shantonu Aditya will assume the charges, until a successor. Bose was reporting into Aditya.

    “I will be directly overseeing Sahara One till such time as a suitable replacement is found. We have interviewed a few people and a decision to the effect will be announced in due course,” Aditya tells Indiantelevision.com.

    Prior to joining Sahara One, Bose was associated with the kids’ channel Hungama TV as the COO. He earlier was associated with Star TV vice president special projects and was also actively associated with the launch of Radio City and Star News.

  • Star TV makes fun of Zee Cinema

    Star TV makes fun of Zee Cinema

    Star TV is taking potshots at its former ally Zee Telefilms. It has been airing an interstitial on its Star Movies channel which takes a dig at Zee TV’s pay TV Hindi movie channel channel Zee Cinema.

    The interstitial starts with a shot of an office building with a neon sign similar in all respects to the logo used by Zee Cinema except for a small change: the brand it is advertising ‘Bee Cinema’. An executive in the Bee Cinema office is shown throwing darts at a dartboard blindfolded.

    A voiceover tells the viewer that unlike other channels (Bee Cinema), Star Movies does not show its viewers movies they would not like to see. The interstitial goes on to tell viewers to log on to the startv.com website and vote for their favourite movies in the pick of the week section. Star promises that it will will then show these movies according to the viewer’s preferences and in order of their popularity.

    While the introduction of this scheme is commendable, Star’s swipe at Zee at this juncture seems surprising. For one, we all thought that the trench warfare between Star TV and Zee TV was a thing of the past. But apparently it does not seem to be.

    According to some inside sources Star’s move stems from a desire by the Star Network to get back at Zee for what many insiders believe was Zee’s hand in the controversial Channel [V] obscenity case.

    Others say that the mocking interstitial is just a teaser for the to-be-launched Star TV Hindi movie channel Star Box Office. The ground is being prepared for the launch of the classic-movies-cum new-movies channel. It is to be seen how and whether Zee will react and if we are in for another war between two industry partners-turned-rivals.

  • Todd Phillips is MTV Asia senior VP communications

    Todd Phillips is MTV Asia senior VP communications

    MUMBAI: MTV Asia has announced that Todd Phillips is its senior VP, communications.

    Phillips will provide leadership and direction to the corporate and regional Asia-Pacific communication teams, manage media relationship with trade and consumer media, support key MTV Networks International communications strategies and manage all internal and external company messaging. Mr. Phillips will be based in Singapore and report directly to MTV Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins.

    Robbins says, “Todd has been a global pioneer for our brands and an integral part of MTV Networks’ development in Asia and Australia. His passion for our brands, keen knowledge of linear and digital media and experience throughout the region makes him the perfect choice to lead our communications efforts in this exciting time of growth.”

    Phillips has been part of the MTV Networks communications team since 1990. He served as Publicity Manager for MTV on STAR TV in Hong Kong, spearheaded communications efforts for the re-launch of MTV Asia and the launch of MTV Mandarin in Singapore in 1995, and managed public relations around the Australian launches of Nickelodeon, MTV and VH1.

    He served as VP of corporate communications for MTV in Los Angeles until 2001, working across all the brands and businesses under the MTV Networks umbrella including television networks, feature films, online and broadband properties, and consumer products.

  • MGM to launch new media division

    MGM to launch new media division

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) has launched a new media division. Douglas A. Lee will oversee the new unit as executive VP.

    Lee will oversee MGM’s digital distribution strategy. He will also spearhead the studio’s broadband and wireless efforts and shepherd new digital media growth.

    MGM chairman, CEO Harry E. Sloan said, “MGM will be making significant moves in terms of new platforms, ranging from TV and the Internet to wireless, mobile and more. Doug has a wealth of senior management experience culled from several major media companies including Fox, HBO and Universal. This and his proven track record in new media will be a great benefit and addition to MGM’s already outstanding team. I am thrilled to have him at the helm as we capitalise on the myriad opportunities in the digital space.”

    MGM COO Rick Sands says, “Doug is an expert at navigating the new media space and identifying key opportunities. He will also be working closely with our strategic partner, Sony Corporation of America, which is at the forefront of Blu-ray and major electronic and digital initiatives.”

    Lee says, “There are numerous opportunities to grow and extend the MGM brand in the new media age. We will look to mine the library for new opportunities and also create new productions and initiatives for the plethora of new media opportunities that currently exist, as well as plan for new and emerging possibilities.”

    With over 20 years experience as a senior executive in the global entertainment business, Lee’s career highlights include the launch of HD Cinema 10 for Voom, the creation of Noggin, the first educational children’s network and a joint venture between Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon; a founder of Crime, a broadband platform that was sold to USA Cable; and he was instrumental in spearheading News Corp.’s acquisition of Star-TV.

  • Murdoch on India visit this weekend?

    Murdoch on India visit this weekend?

    Is global media baron Rupert Murdoch coming to town? If reports are to be believed a visit is being planned for the News Corp chief to visit Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, (if possible) over this weekend. Murdoch last visited India, if reports are to be believed in a hush-hush meeting with the then Congress (I) strongman, Sharad Pawar in 1996 at an army base in Pune.

    His earlier visit to India was in 1993-94 which was much hyped up when he was seen with various politicians, dignitaries and businessmen. He was feted wherever he went. Since 1996 he has been unable to fly into India because of a flimsy obscenity case that was pending against him for the airing of a bit of skin on Star Movies. The case apparently took an ugly turn when summons were sent to his residences/offices in Australia and the US, and an arrest warrant issued against him. The situation was so bad that he was not permitted to enter the country and declared a criminal because he did not attend court when he was summoned. He would have been arrested had he landed in the country. Since then, however, the case has been set aside and Murdoch can visit India.

    During his current visit – if it takes place over the weekend – he is expected to meet the Prime Minister, information technology minister, Pramod Mahajan. His focus is expected to be on the information technology sector, in which he has suddenly begun to see lots of promise. He is also expected to give a direction to Star TV India CEO Peter Mukerjea as to how much he is willing to commit to India and in which areas. And obviously, he is going to be tomtomming Star TV’s forays into the information technology and convergence sector.

    Currently, hectic preparations are on within Star TV and his once Indian partner in Star TV’s Indian DTH project Pramod Mittal who is trying to smoothen his visit out here. Obviously, a meeting with his old mate Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra is planned. For sure, he is going to thank him, Chandra has helped Murdoch make more money on his investment in Zee Telefilms than he has made through his entire Star TV operations in the past six years, thanks to an appreciation in Zee’s share price over the past six months.

    Meanwhile, the media can expect to have a rollicking time. Murdoch is eminently quotable as we have known him to be.