ITV

Tag: TBS

  • TNT, TBS to offer live streaming 24/7

    TNT, TBS to offer live streaming 24/7

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Time Warner has announced that its cable networks TBS and TNT are about to become the first entertainment networks in the US to stream on-air content live across multiple platforms 24/7, including through the networks‘ websites and a pair of newly created Watch TNT and Watch TBS apps. The announcement was made during TNT and TBS‘ annual Upfront presentation in New York.

    Live streaming the company adds is the latest phase in the rollout of TV Everywhere, the industry-wide initiative that gives subscribers to cable, satellite and telco video services access to more of their favorite shows across a wide range of digital platforms.

    Turner Entertainment Networks president Steve Koonin said, “Starting this summer, subscribers will be able to watch TBS and TNT live – anytime, anywhere, on multiple devices. Tablets and smartphones become television sets, bringing new opportunities for us and for advertisers”

    TNT and TBS will begin their live streaming just as both networks are in the midst of the their summer programming, which for TNT includes returning series ‘Rizzoli and Isles‘, ‘Falling Skies‘, ‘Major Crimes‘. TBS‘ summer lineup includes the second season of the sitcom ‘Sullivan and Son‘ and the new series ‘Deon Cole‘s Black Box‘ and ‘Deal With It‘. Also available through live streaming will be TNT‘s coverage of the NBA; TBS‘s regular-season and playoff coverage of Major League Baseball; and both network‘s coverage of the NCAA Division I Men‘s Basketball Championship.

  • Andy Forssell is Hulu acting CEO

    Andy Forssell is Hulu acting CEO

    MUMBAI: Jason Kilar who stepped down as Hulu CEO has announced that Andy Forssell will be stepping up to lead Hulu as acting CEO.

    Hulu is a site and an OTT subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, TBS, and other networks and studios. It is co-owned by NBC, Fox and Disney.

    In a blog post Kilar wrote, “Andy has been a critical senior executive and has been here from the start of this great adventure. Andy exemplifies the Hulu culture and has been central to Hulu‘s journey, helping to grow this company from two content partners and no revenue to over 450 content partners and approximately $700 million revenue in 2012.

    “In his role, Andy has built strong relationships with many of our Board members. Andy has the Board‘s strong support in leading the team during this important time.”

    Kilar added that Disney and News Corp are currently finalising their forward-looking plans with Hulu, and the senior team has been working closely with them in that process. Once the plans are finalised, a permanent decision will be made regarding the CEO position.

    “As I mentioned to you all at the beginning of this year, Hulu‘s focus remains on delivering a fantastic 2013 for customers and shareholders. Hulu is well on its way, with new records being set in Q1 across both revenue and subscriber additions. The unwavering focus on delighting Hulu‘s customers is clearly showing up in the outputs of the business.”

  • Turner, NCTC reach deal

    Turner, NCTC reach deal

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Turner Broadcasting and NCTC have reached a long-term distribution agreement.

    The renewal grants NCTC members continued access to Turner‘s portfolio of networks including CNN, TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network. Financial terms were not disclosed.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Turner‘s portfolio of networks including CNN, HLN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), truTV, CNN International, CNN en Espa?ol and Boomerang will continue to be carried by NCTC‘s nearly 1,000 independent cable operator members across the US.

    As part of the deal, NCTC members will have rights to carry a myriad of entertainment, kids, news, sports and young adults programming, as well as on-demand content that is available across the Turner networks, including award-winning news and information from CNN, marquee sports programming such as the NBA and NCAA® Division I Men‘s Basketball Championship, TBS‘s ‘Conan‘ and TNT‘s ‘Rizzoli and Isles‘ and ‘Falling Skies‘ and Cartoon Network‘s ‘Regular Show‘ and ‘Adventure Time‘.

    Turner Broadcasting System president of sales, distribution and sports David Levy said, “The extension of our comprehensive renewal agreement with the NCTC highlights the growing value of the Turner portfolio and drives home our commitment to deliver marquee content to their customers. We‘re proud to continue our long relationship with the NCTC and the viewers they serve.”

  • Turner to launch broadband network in the US in January

    Turner to launch broadband network in the US in January

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) is further expanding its portfolio of consumer businesses on emerging platforms.

    It will launch Super Deluxe, an online comedy channel combined with interactive online-community tools, will launch on broadband in January 2007. Super Deluxe will be ad-supported, making the network entirely free to consumers, and will integrate advertising in different ways.

    Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus says, “Super Deluxe is not only the latest innovation from Turner Broadcasting, which pioneered such concepts as the basic cable network and the 24-hour news channel, but also the most recent addition to the company’s growing broadband network portfolio that includes CNN Pipeline and GameTap, among others. Its combination of original content and extensive online community tools will make it an ideal destination for young adults eager for this type of material in a dynamic interactive environment.”

    Drew Reifenberger will be Super Deluxe senior VP, GM. He said, “Today, the online comedy experience is largely comprised of random clips and homemade movies contained within a generic experience. Super Deluxe is focused on original, ‘television-quality’ programming, presented with a distinct editorial voice and in a highly interactive and social environment. It will deliver an experience more akin to watching your favorite TV show with friends – hanging out and sharing a laugh.”

    Super Deluxe will offer original comedy from both established and rising comedy stars, developed exclusively for the network and celebrating the artists’ creative spirit, providing comedic talents a forum to showcase and share their own inspired concepts and performances. Each artist will have his/her own personalised area featuring exclusive content, a blog and opportunities to promote appearances and projects or further customize their part of the network.

    Original programming will range from short films and sketches to episodic series and more. In addition to being available online, Super Deluxe content will be available via cable VOD, wireless devices and personal media players.

    Programming is just the beginning, however. Super Deluxe’s community tools will allow fans to interact with artists and each other, adding an extra dimension of value for the consumer. Through these tools, fans can express their own sense of humuor and interact with artists and others by creating their own profiles, uploading their own videos, rating and sharing content, making comments, sending messages and more. Fans can even join or create groups with other artists and users to share and discuss their favorite humorous topics, comedians or anything else that strikes their interest.

  • TBS creates funny user video site

    TBS creates funny user video site

    MUMBAI: TViTrue, which positions itself as the first user-created online ad platform has partnered with US broadcaster TBS.

    ViTrue will create an online community, Funny or Not? This will enable TBS viewers and enthusiasts to create, produce and upload their own funny videos using ViTrue’s platform and tools. Funny or Not? will be available to viewers at tbs.com from next month.

    TBS says that it is embracing the digital world by bringing its ‘very funny’ programming to the internet in unique ways and providing viewers with comedy content in many forms. Funny or Not? is TBS’s first entrance into the user-generated content space. ViTrue’s technology will allow the TBS audience to fully become part of the TBS experience and engage with TBS at a previously unimagined level, through full-featured user-generated content creation that respects—and is truly a part of—the TBS brand.

    TBS and TNT senior VP branding and network strategy Jennifer Dorian says, “As TBS continues to build its online presence, especially in terms of broadband entertainment, we are focusing on ways to engage our audience of comedy lovers in new and exciting ways.

    “ViTrue provides us with an engaging technology platform that enables viewers to interact with our brand in a compelling way, while also being in line with TBS’s views regarding the protection of copyrighted material online.”

    TBS says that it has a strong, loyal television audience and its website is attracting a growing following, as evident by the recent response to veryfunnyads.com, which is receiving an overwhelming response from TBS viewers. TBS’s contemporary attitude and funny programming has made it a leading cable network brand that has both benefited from and continues to drive innovative and out-of-the box marketing.

    ViTrue founder and CEO Reggie Bradford says, “ViTrue provides TBS with a one stop shop for user created video, through which the network can connect directly with its audience and have them participate in creating the next generation of original comedic content.

    “Our ready-made platform will allow TBS’s Funny or Not? plans to be realized quickly and efficiently, while also ensuring the protection of copyright owners.”