ITV

Tag: television production

  • 24 has attracted youngsters to TV: Anil Kapoor

    24 has attracted youngsters to TV: Anil Kapoor

    KOLKATA: Whether it’s on the social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, or applauds from the Hollywood counterparts, Anil Kapoor’s Hindi adaptation of the international TV series, 24 has been received quite well.

     

    Basking in the glory of his debut television production, the actor on Wednesday said that the biggest achievement of the thriller is that it has managed to hook youngsters. “The best thing is that youngsters who never used to watch TV are hooked to it. They have something to watch now. Even men have something to watch on TV besides the family soaps. I have heard that women and kids also like it,” said Anil while addressing reporters.

     

    “Usually my family is divided in opinion when it comes to my ventures. There is groupism in my family, but everybody loves 24,” added the 56-year-old, who was last seen in films like Shootout At Wadala and Race 2.

     

    Directed by Abhinay Deo, 24 airs on Colors on Friday and Saturday. In the show, Anil plays the lead role of Jai Singh Rathod, the chief of an anti-terrorist unit. The show captures 24-hours of Rathod’s life where he struggles to prevent the assassination of a prime ministerial candidate and also save his daughter and wife who have been kidnapped by terrorists.

     

    Anil cleared the air about the show being adapted to the big screen saying he had only the rights to the TV format.

     

    When he was quizzed about not foraying on television earlier, Anil said, “I had been offered to judge reality shows, but I didn’t feel good enough. However, with 24, it felt like my calling. I have never been scared of failure and I thought the maximum that could happen was the show wouldn’t work,” he said.

     

    On a lighter note, he expressed how he wanted the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who recently announced his retirement plans from Test cricket, to continue playing cricket for the rest of his life. “I wish he could go on and on for life, but Test cricket is a physical sport, and gradually youngsters have to take over. The demands are tough on the body,” he said.

  • Walt Disney 2Q earnings climb 19 per cen

    Walt Disney 2Q earnings climb 19 per cen

    MUMBAI: Riding on the strong ratings success of ABC Network and cable channels shows coupled with the increased attendance at its theme parks, The Walt Disney Company’s profits in the second quarter have risen by 19 per cent.

    The company’s net income rose to $733 million from $657 million. Sales advanced 2.5 per cent to $8.03 billion in the period ended 1 April. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased 19 per cent to $0.37, compared to $0.31 in the prior year quarter. For the six months period, diluted EPS increased 16 per cent to $0.74 compared to $0.64 in the prior year period.

    “Disney’s ongoing commitment to creative and operational excellence is evident in our strong second quarter results. At the same time, the strategic initiatives we pursued during the quarter help position us for future creative success, new opportunities to reach consumers with our products, and long term value creation for our shareholders,” said the Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A Iger.

    The company’s Media Networks revenues for the quarter increased 18 per cent to $3.6 billion and segment operating income increased 20 per cent to $969 million driven by strong performance at broadcasting.

    The operating income at Cable Networks increased $41 million to $ 809 million for the quarter primarily due to growth at ESPN, which was driven by higher affiliate revenues from increased contractual rates. This increase was partially offset by higher revenue deferrals at ESPN, investments in ESPN branded mobile phone service, increased programming and production expenses and higher administrative costs at ESPN. ABC’s hit dramas such as Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy also help boost the network’s revenues.

    Revenue deferrals at ESPN increased by $31 million versus the prior year quarter due to new programming commitments in an affiliate contract and higher affiliate rates. Revenue deferrals for the six month period increased $137 million as compared to the prior six month period. Cable Networks also experienced modest profit growth at the Disney Channel and ABC Family.

    Broadcasting

    Operating income at broadcasting increased $122 million to $160 million for the quarter primarily due to improved performance at the ABC Television Network and Television Production and Distribution, partially offset by investments in new initiatives at the Internet Group.

    The growth at ABC Television Network was due to increased primetime advertising revenues resulting from strong upfront sales and continued strength in ratings. Ad revenues also increased due to the Super Bowl and the timing of Bowl Championship Series games, although this increase was essentially offset by related programming and production expenses. The increase at television production and distribution was driven by higher third party license fees for Scrubs, as this series entered its fifth season of network television, and increased international sales of Touchstone Television dramas.

    Parks and Resorts

    Parks and Resorts revenues for the quarter increased seven per cent to $2.3 billion and segment operating income increased 17 per cent to $214 million. Operating income growth at the resorts was due to increased theme park attendance, higher hotel guest spending and occupancy and strong sales at Disney Vacation Club.

    Studio Entertainment

    Studio Entertainment revenues for the quarter decreased 22 per cent to $1.8 billion and segment operating income decreased 39 per cent to $ 147 million. This was mainly because the company’s DVD releases have not sold well. “Lower segment operating income was due to a decline in worldwide home entertainment partially offset by increases in domestic theatrical motion pictures distribution and worldwide television distribution,” an official statement said.

    Consumer Products

    Consumer products revenues for the quarter decreased three per cent to $451 million and the operating income decreased eight per cent to $104 million. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower results at Buena Vista Games and Merchandise Licensing.

  • Endemol UK & Cirque du Soleil Images sign 3 year collaboration deal

    Endemol UK & Cirque du Soleil Images sign 3 year collaboration deal

    CANNES: Producer of entertainment formats for the worldwide market Endemol via its U.K. arm Initial has signed a three-year deal with Cirque du Soleil Images to collaborate on the development and production of yearly Cirque du Soleil television specials.

    Specifically created for television, the one-hour specials will feature the best performances from Cirque du Soleil, as well as musicians and artists from around the world.

    Initial’s director of special projects Andy Ward said, “Cirque du Soleil are the most exciting, visual and popular artists in the world and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them to translate their spirit to television. Broadcasters are already very excited.”

    In addition to creating shows, Cirque du Soleil has for many years created original and innovative content for television, video and DVD and film through its multimedia division Cirque du Soleil Images. In every project, Cirque du Soleil Images aims to capture all the spirit of Cirque du Soleil shows.

    Cirque du Soleil will handle all creative content aspects of the stage show and Initial will be responsible for all aspects of the television production.