ITV

Tag: TV

  • Tandberg Television appoints Emmanuel Boureau as sales VP, EMEA

    Tandberg Television appoints Emmanuel Boureau as sales VP, EMEA

    MUMBAI: In a move designed to further strengthen and expand its leadership position in Europe, the Middle East amd Africa (EMEA), Tandberg Television has appointed Emmanuel Boureau as VP of Sales for the region.

    Reporting to Eric Baron, Tandberg Television’s EMEA president, Boureau will be responsible for managing and growing the company’s direct and indirect sales channels in EMEA. He will lead the introduction of advanced compression, on-demand and interactive content solutions to cable, satellite, terrestrial and telco operators across the region, states an official release.

    Boureau joins Tandberg Television having spent the past eight years at Harmonic, most recently as European director of sales and pre-sales. Prior to his time at Harmonic, Boureau had a distinguished sales career within the computer industry where he held senior positions at the Digital Equipment Corporation and sales engineering positions at ITT Data Systems.

    “Tandberg Television is the clear leader in the European video compression space and continues to make first-to-market moves that strengthen and secure its pole position. With a best-in-class combination of solutions for IP, HD, on-demand and interactive television, Tandberg Television is in a unique position to help content owners, programmers and network operators leverage new digital media opportunities. Joining Tandberg Television provides me with a senior management role in which I can use my digital television experience as part of a dynamic, winning team,” says Boureau.

    “Emmanuel is an impressive operator with a strong sales track record and exceptional experience of driving a multicultural dispersed sales team. He has a solid understanding of the technology and commercial drivers in the digital television industry that will be of great benefit to Tandberg Television customers. I am delighted that he is joining to lead our EMEA sales team and looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to accelerate our leadership position in the region,” says Baron.

  • MyNetworkTV’s nine new affiliates help expand coverage to 65 per cent in U.S.

    MyNetworkTV’s nine new affiliates help expand coverage to 65 per cent in U.S.

    MUMBAI: Fox Television Stations’ new prime-time network MyNetworkTV announced that it has signed on nine more affiliates, expanding its coverage to 65 percent of the U.S.

    Four of the additional stations are owned by Pappas Telecasting Companies. They include KDMI-DT in Des Moines, Iowa; KKAZ-KPTM-DT in Omaha, Nebraska; KDBC-DT in El Paso, Texas; and KPTH-DT in Sioux City, Iowa.

    The remaining five new affiliates are WZDX in Huntsville-Decatur, Alabama; WFXI in Greenville, North Carolina; KZOU in Columbia-Jefferson City, Missouri; KIDZ in Abilene-Sweetwater, Texas; and KGJT in Grand Junction-Montrose, Colorado.

    Pappas Telecasting Companies chairman and CEO Harry J. Pappas said of the deal, “17 years ago, we took a gamble on a fledgling enterprise, the FOX Network. We affiliated the three TV stations we then owned with FOX, despite the fact that many pundits said a fourth network couldn’t possibly succeed. Were they ever wrong! Our relationship with FOX has been mutually-beneficial. Now, we are affiliating four of our TV stations with FOX’s newest enterprise, MyNetworkTV. When you consider Rupert Murdoch’s consistent track record of success, it’s easy to understand why we’re betting on News Corp. again with MyNetworkTV-a bet that Pappas Telecasting expects to pay off handsomely for all involved.”

    MyNetworkTV launches on 5 September with the new scripted primetime drama strips Desire and Secret Obsessions.

  • TSA, IBF launch interactive badminton game

    TSA, IBF launch interactive badminton game

    MUMBAI: The International Badminton Federation (IBF) and its marketing agency Total Sports Asia (TSA) have launched Badminton Manager, an interactive fantasy game.

    IBF executive deputy president Datuk Punch Gunalan says that Badminton Manager allows badminton fans from around the world to become more actively involved in the game, managing their own team of players.

    “Fantasy games are very well known in other major sports like football and formula one. It creates a new level of enjoyment for the badminton fan by giving them an interactive experience of the game.”

    Total Sports Asia CEO Marcus Luer says, “Playing Badminton Manager will bring fans closer to the players, tournaments and the new points system with its fun and educational elements. We want to share this opportunity with as many fans as possible and we are offering this top of the line product at absolutely no cost for the users.”

    Badminton Manager is launched in conjunction with the Thomas & Uber Cup. Gunalan said that “Starting with Thomas & Uber Cup just seems right. It represents a terrific opportunity for badminton enthusiasts to get acquainted with the game. We have plans to extend Badminton Manager to the World Championships in September and continue with a year-long version by the 2007 season.

    “Being a truly global sport, an online presence is increasingly important for the game of badminton. Badminton Manager will be featured on the official IBF and Thomas & Uber Cup websites. It will also have its own dedicated website at www.badmintonmanager.net”.

    Sportdreams, a European fantasy sports company from Europe produced Badminton Manager 2006. The company’s CEO Gerald Smith says, “We believe that the fantasy badminton audience will grow rapidly. We are not only creating a true fun experience for fans around the world, but at the same time build a database with the incredibly dedicated and loyal following that is treasured by commercial partners.

  • Zee launches dramedy ‘Jabb Love Hua’

    Zee launches dramedy ‘Jabb Love Hua’

    MUMBAI: Zee TV today announced the launch of its latest kid in the prime time soap block. The dramedy Jabb Love Hua will run Monday through Thursday in the 8:30 pm slot, starting 24 April.

    With Jabb Love Hua, Zee TV is exploring the dramedy genre once again, after the success it had with Kareena Kareena. The serial, set in a scenic village in Uttar Pradesh, also brings back producers Tony and Deeya Singh of the DJ’s Creative Unit to the Zee team after a gap.

    “We have something different in Jabb Love Hua. A serial, set in a rustic backdrop, is something we don’t see often, and we have explored this aspect with Jabb Love Hua,” says Zee TV programming head Ashwini Yardi.

    Zee TV kicked off the promotional campaign for the serial today. Zee TV is exploring outdoors, radio, print and its network platform to promote the serial.

  • TV18 to pump in Rs 2.5 billion in new ventures, raise Rs 3 billion equity

    TV18 to pump in Rs 2.5 billion in new ventures, raise Rs 3 billion equity

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen India Ltd. board has approved a Rs 2.5 billion expansion plan in new ventures and potential acquisitions.

    The majority of these projects are intended to be in the television, internet and “triple convergence” areas. “We are looking at expansion on the TV, internet and even at opportunities on the mobile space. For all these new ventures that we get into, we will not go alone but with globally reputed partners,” says TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla.

    While some of the investments will create greenfield projects, others are likely to result in acquisitions of operating companies. “A significant amount of this investment shall be raised by the sale of strategic stakes in some of these downstream subsidiary companies to globally reputed investors. The company will seek shareholder approval for these investments in accordance with law, as the investment plans firm up,” the company informed the BSE.

    The board also authorised the management to seek shareholders approval for raising Rs three billion in equity over a period of time. “At the present stage, the management is seeking only an enabling approval from its shareholders. The management does not expect to issue any immediate equity under this approval,” the company said.

  • Isro to ramp up number of satellite launches

    Isro to ramp up number of satellite launches

    BANGALORE: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has responded positively to the increasing demand for satellite space. Speaking at the launch of the Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment (ISITE) facility in Bangalore, Isro chairman G Madhavan Nair hinted at Isro upping its ante in this area.

    “Presently, we are doing about one and a half Insat class satellites a year and one remote sensing satellite launch in every eighteen months. The demand from all segments is high and rising and we should actually be doing around four Insat class satellites, two to three remote sensing satellites and around three to four micro satellites of the around 100 kg payload,” said Nair.

    Nair added that Isro had its hands full with many projects including a couple of commercial satellites for Europe. He said Isro was expecting orders for two more satellites from this region.

  • Isro unveils Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment

    Isro unveils Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment

    BANGALORE: Finding the current facility too small and congested, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has come up with a brand new facility spread over 100 acres of land on the outskirts of Bangalore. The facility is christened ISRO Satellite Integration and Testing Establishment (ISITE).

    So far, Isro had to carry the satellite from one part of the complex to the other for various tests. The new facility at Marthahalli offers world class Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) complex bringing all spacecraft integration under one roof. A tested satellite comes out of the same door through which its knocked down parts go into.

    ISITE is equipped with world class facilities and will enable Isro to assemble, and carry out various tests and then pack the assembled satellite for dispatch to the launch site. Some of the state of art facilities and equipment include:

    (1) Assembly Integration & Test (AIT) Clean room – this is a huge room of size 54.6mts (about 179 feet) x 34.6m (about 113.5 feet) x 16.7m (about 55 feet) height which is maintained at a temperature of about 22 deg C (72 deg F) with a relative humidity of around 55, a cleanliness level of 1,000,000 class maintained at a positive pressure of 20 mbar.

    The bare structure of Insat 4B, which is scheduled for launch in January 2007, was under assembly when Indiantelevision.com visited the site. This room can integrate up to six satellites in various stages of assembly simultaneously of Insat 4B class and is equipped to integrate around 800 elements in the bare structure of the spacecraft. This area has an Electro Static Discharge (ESD) floor to dissipate the micro electric charges from human bodies which could effect some sensitive equipment in the room.

    (2) Comprehensive Assemble and Test Vacuum Chamber (CATVC) is capable of testing satellites under vacuum conditions and at temperatures as low as 173 deg K {(-)100 deg C or (-)343 deg F }. Satellites up to 4.5m diameter (about 14.75 feet) and 6 meters length (about 20 feet) having a weight of 3 metric tons can be tested in this Chamber which has Ariane-5 adapter interfaces.

    (3) Comprehensive Assembly and Test Vibration Facility: This test facility has a peak sine force of around 29 ton-force and a maximum bare table acceleration capacity of 75 gm.

    (4) Compact Antenna Test Facility (CATF): This is a 30 meter long (100 feet), 20 meter wide (67 feet) and 16m high (52 feet) chamber for testing of antenna in space simulated conditions. ISRO officials claim that no other facility in the world has a similar arrangement.

    The facility was officially thrown open by national security advisor M K Naraynan. Other dignitaries who were present to witness the inauguration included former Isro chairmen U R Rao and K Kasturirangan, secretary Department of Ocean Development P S Goel (formerly from Isro and one of the persons who conceived the idea for the Integration and Testing facility) and ISAC director K Shankara. On completion, the project is estimated to cost around Rs 4 billion.

  • Professional video gaming set for TV debut in the U.S.

    Professional video gaming set for TV debut in the U.S.

    MUMBAI: With a view to bring professional video game playing to a wider audience, Major League Gaming (MLG) and USA Network have announced a programming deal in which USA Network will air seven one-hour episodes, featuring the pro circuit and its players.

    The episodes will air on USA Network this holiday season. MLG also announced that it has a new multiyear contract with Boost Mobile, under which that company’s mobile phones will feature content.

    Though video gaming fans have been able to follow competitions on game web sites, MLG’s television deal marks the first time that TV viewers would be able to track the ups and downs of a pro tournament, watching video gaming as a new kind of extreme sport.

    MLG’s president and chief operating officer Matthew Bromberg said, “This is the sign that pro gaming has finally arrived to the mass market. It’s like poker was two years ago, or Nascar 15 years ago.”

    The upcoming televised series will aim to engage viewers with not only with the game play itself – featuring top players of “Halo 2” on Xbox and “Super Smash Bros. Melee” on Nintendo – but also sports-like commentary and profiles of the players.

    Among them: Bonnie Burton, also known as “Xena,” a 15-year-old from Pennsylvania who is the only female in the pro league and one of the best “Halo2” players in the world; and Tom Taylor, who’s known as “Tsquared,” an 18-year-old from Florida and budding entrepreneur whose Gaming-Lessons business has already helped hone the video-gaming skills of numerous celebrities and star athletes.

    “I’m excited to compete on TV in front of an audience. This will take video gaming to the next level. It is an extreme sport. It’s about quick reflexes and also outsmarting people.” Taylor said in a media report.

    MLG’s chief executive and co-founder Michael Sepso said, “Some top players earn winnings in the range of a couple hundred thousand dollars a year, and the tournaments by MLG usually draw thousands of spectators at its arena venues and thousands more online. But, going before a mainstream television audience could raise video gaming’s visibility, leading to more sponsorships and advertising.”

    And drawing viewers shouldn’t be a stretch, since “video gaming has always had a spectator-element to it anyway,” said Sepso.

    Bromberg explained that the MLG is following a well-tried model for forming a new pro league: Build a credible governing body, sign the best players and then strike deals with major sponsors.

    “That’s what helps the league grow and feeds the machine,” Bromberg said in a media report. “If you have those pieces, then you can have a major sport.”

    MLG operates a seven-city pro circuit, which begins next week in New York and ends with a championship in Las Vegas in November. More than 1,500 players will compete for the championship in two games: “Halo 2” and “Super Smash Bros. Melee World.”

  • TiVo and DirecTV extend relationship for three years

    TiVo and DirecTV extend relationship for three years

    MUMBAI: The creator and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR) TiVo Inc., and digital television service provider DirecTV, Inc. announced a three-year extension to the TiVo-DirecTV commercial agreement.

    Existing DirecTV TiVo subscribers will be able to continue to receive the TiVo service, with TiVo providing ongoing maintenance and support. In addition, TiVo and DirecTV agreed not to assert patent rights against the other. The agreement also extends the advertising relationship between the two companies. DirecTV will continue to service existing DirecTV receivers with TiVo service. While specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the recurring monthly economics of the agreement are similar to the economics for DirecTV receivers with TiVo service activated since 2003.

    “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with DirecTV that will allow us to continue to provide our service to the more than 2 million DirecTV TiVo households. As the pioneer in the DVR market, we have created a service that is highly valued by consumers because of our technology, the wide range of our unique features and the unparalleled ease of our user experience. This agreement reflects TiVo’s popularity among DirecTV subscribers and importantly respects the value of our intellectual property as well,” said TiVo CEO Tom Rogers.

    “By extending our agreement with TiVo, we are ensuring quality support for DirecTV customers who already own a DirecTV TiVo unit. We are pleased to cooperate with TiVo in a way that will best serve DirecTV and our DirecTV TiVo customers,” said DirecTV chief technology officer Romulo Pontual.

  • CNN to air new monthly show ‘Revealed’

    CNN to air new monthly show ‘Revealed’

    MUMBAI: News channel CNN has expanded its programme line up with a new half hour monthly show Revealed This presents an intimate portrayal of those most admired in the worlds of business, the arts, science and sport commencing this April.

    Each month the show follows a different high profile individual’s every step in the run-up to a crucial event in their professional lives, travelling with them and gaining exclusive behind-the-scenes access. The first episode features British fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.

    The public personas of high profile personalities are often familiar due to press coverage and TV appearances and although these people are well known, they can also be elusive. The show provides an insight into their lifestyles, passions and inspirations; workspace and motivations.

    Westwood allows the show to spend time with her during the run-up to Paris Fashion Week meeting the people who have shaped her life and venturing into the future, looking at where her work is taking her. The show airs on 15 April at 5 pm, 16 April at 1 pm, 7 pm and on 17 April at 7 pm

    Westwood says, “On the one hand, I’m called avant garde, and on the other hand I know that ideas come from tradition, they come from the technique of tradition, and they come from looking at wonderful things that people did in the past. My opinions are formed from brilliant thinkers. ”

    CNN International senior VP Rena Golden said, “We are delighted to maintain CNN’s tradition of quality programming and expand our feature program line up with Revealed, a show that continues to demonstrate our access to high profile names. Revealed moves away from its traditional presenter-led format and is filmed as a ‘fly on the wall’ documentary, a new style for CNN.”