ITV

Tag: TV

  • BIG 92.7 FM hits Chandigarh

    BIG 92.7 FM hits Chandigarh

    Mumbai: BIG 92.7 FM, the radio initiative from Adlabs Films Pvt. Ltd launched its station in Chandigarh. This would make it ths12 station of the network.

    Commenting on the station’s entry into Chandigarh, Big 92.7 FM COO Tarun Katial said, “We are very excited about launching in the city of Chandigarh and we want the tunes of BIG 92.7 FM to echo across the length and the breadth of the country. The programming mix of the station has been put together after much research and understanding of our listeners requirements. We are completely geared and are eagerly looking forward to entertaining the city of Chandigarh.”

    In the first phase of its launches, Big 92.7 FM set up Stations in the cities of Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai, Jammu, Srinagar, Aligarh, Jhansi & Bikaner. The second phase of launches will take Big 92.7 FM to several mini-metros, taking the total count of stations to 45.

  • Nimbus seeks court protection on showcause notice

    Nimbus seeks court protection on showcause notice

    NEW DELHI: Following the issuance of a showcause notice by the information and broadcasting ministry to Nimbus Communications for failing to give live feed of cricket matches to Prasar Bharati, the broadcaster today urged the Delhi High Court to provide it protection from a possible cancellation of licence.

    However, Justice BD Ahmed, before whom the matter was mentioned this morning, said the broadcaster should raise the issue before the Division Bench that is already hearing two cases on the issue – one by Nimbus who own Neo Sports, challenging the Sports Broadcasting (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Ordinance 2007 and an appeal by Prasar Bharati against a single bench order permitting a seven-minute deferred telecast of the cricket matches.
    Justice Ahmed said: “It is improper for the single bench to pass any order when the matter is being heard by a Division Bench (headed by Justice Vikramajit Sen).”

    The ministry, in its notice issued on 13 February, had asked Nimbus to file its reply by this evening. Under the Ordinance, which was promulgated with retrospective effect, the Neo Sports channel can face cancellation of licence for violation of the Uplink and Downlink Guidelines issued in November 2005 and / or a fine up to Rs 10 million.

  • CNBCTV 18 ‘Emerging India Awards’ enters Limca Book of Records

    CNBCTV 18 ‘Emerging India Awards’ enters Limca Book of Records

    Mumbai: The Emerging India Awards on CNBC-TV18 partnered by ICICI Bank and Crisil awards the performance by Indian SMEs. This year the event received over 35, 000 SME applications to power the Emerging India Awards into the Limca Book of Records as the biggest business awards in India.

    The Emerging India initiative was launched in 2004 to understand the dynamics of India’s small and medium enterprises. The awards have grown from 5000 applications in its first year to over 35, 000 applications this year.

    Speaking on the landmark occasion CEO & MD, ICICI Bank K V Kamath said, “This achievement is a reconfirmation that the growth in India is broad based. It is indeed a far more wide platform that what we all had thought of earlier and that is what took it from 5000 to 35,000 companies standing up to be counted.

    I think this process of recognition provides them the stimulus to grow. I wish this event a great success for this year and I think it’s a great recognition to be counted in the Limca Book of Records for the event.”

    A spokesperson for CNBC-TV18 also said, “The Emerging India Awards are designed to recognize the most sustainable Value Creators among SMEs in the country.

    With the tremendous response of over 35,000 entries received from all across the country this year, The Emerging India initiative is a true testimony to the power of the SME story. It is also extremely heartening that the future for Indian SMEs looks bright across all Industry sectors. We will continue to take up the SME cause at the TV18 network”

  • CNN YJA ’07 honours 12 awardees across India and Pakistan

    CNN YJA ’07 honours 12 awardees across India and Pakistan

    NEW DELHI: The Fifth CNN Young Journalist Awards saw an amazing entry in the “Citizen Journalist” category and Kusum Devi, a poor woman from the outskirts of Delhi, walked away with the first prize while Anchal Vohra (NDTV 24 X 7) and Priyanka Pathak Narain (Mint, Mumbai) won the CNN YJA of the Year 2007 for the TV and print/online categories.

    The winner for the two new categories to mark the 60th anniversary of India and Pakistan’s Independence, Journalist Award and Photo Journalist of the Year Award, went to Rubab Karar (The Herald, Karachi, Pakistan) and Sujan Singh (Planman Media) respectively.

    While Ananya Sengupta (The Telegraph, Mumbai) was adjudged runner up in the CNN Young Journalist in the print/online category, the runner up for the CNN YJA 2007 in the TV category was Maryam Pervaiz of Dawn News from Lahore, Pakistan.

    Subuhi Khan from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, won the CNN Aspiring Journalist Award in the TV category and Nina Mehta from the Asian College of Journalism won in the print/online category.

    The runners up for the for the category are Jamma Jagannath and Divya Gojer, both from the Indian Institute of New Media, Bengaluru, for the print and TV categories respectively.

    Shabaz Khan from Press Trust of India, New Delhi came runner up in the Indian Photo Journalist of 2007 category, while Dharmesh Shah from Chennai and Puneet Joshi from Bengaluru shared the runner up award in the Citizen Journalist category.

    The two outstanding reportages, by any standards, were those by Kusum Devi and Rubab Karar.

    Kusum Devi was refused admission for her two children in schools and used the Right to Information Act to get them in, but followed it up with an AV coverage of the antipathy of government school officials that led to 50 (so far) children getting admitted.

    Rubab Karar’s work was also equally gutsy, as she recorded on video the statements of women on what happened in the infamous Lal Masjid stand off between Pakistani army and Taliban fighters in July, and it was more unusual because it got women to respond to allegations that the ladies’ madrasa inside was being used for flesh trade.

    The Journalist of the Year 2007 won a laptop and citation, while the Photo Journalist of 2007 received an SLR digital camera and citation for his series of photographs titled “Police Comes to Culprits Rescue”.

    The extraordinary eight-day sting operation of an Ashram where the Baba was systematically raping mentally challenged children, an operation from NDTV 24 X 7, by Anchal Vohra bagged the CNN YJA in the TV category. The expose had shaken the establishment and forced the government to act.

    Speaking on the occasion, CNN’s India head Phil Turner said that the basics of being fair, objective and balanced must be also seen along with for whom the story is being done: for the camera, for your self aggrandisement or for the reader of viewer.

    Ananya Sengupta, who came runner up in the print category for her story “Heartbreak House” on why young women with loving partners are increasingly committing suicide, along with Maryam Parvaiz for his TV reportage “Chained People”, got Nokia N Series Phones, trophies and citations.

    And for the first prize winners in the category, Priyanka Pathan Narain (Sethsamudram Series) and Anchal Vohra of NDTV 24 X 7, it is an all expenses paid trip to the News Xchange Conference 2008, a meet of global leaders of the media professionals and broadcasters.

  • Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

    Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are unrolling a public education campaign this month.

    It encourages kids and tweens to use the Nutrition Facts information on the food label to make healthier food choices.

    Known as Spot The Block, the campaign uses online and customised public education on-air spots featuring characters from popular programs like Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends to promote portion control and a healthy eating lifestyle. This first of its kind partnership between Cartoon Network and the FDA kicks off today 14 February 2007.

    Spot The Block will feature two public education on-air spots produced by Cartoon Network and showcase favorite characters from the networks original programming lineup. The first on-air spot, Spot The Block, Yo! includes a funky, soulful song, ala School House Rock!, performed by characters from series, Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Camp Lazlo, and My Gym Partners a Monkey.

    The fun song and dance number demonstrates where to look for (spot) the Nutrition Facts label (the block) and the useful information it contains to help kids and tweens make healthy food choices. Creative components for the second public education on-air spot unveiled later in the year will be available at a later date.

    Spot The Block will also feature a custom micro site. The online destination will offer kids the opportunity to engage with the FDAs key messaging and offer tools to enable them to better understand the Nutrition Facts label on their favorite foods.

    Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus says, “We are extremely honoured that the FDA has selected Cartoon Network as their media partner for communicating these important nutrition messages directly to kids and tweens, said president . The campaign fits in with our overall commitment to kids and Cartoon Networks Get Animated programme, which helps to teach and inspire kids to get healthy, active and involved; and our beloved characters are the perfect ones to deliver such a message.”

    Launched in February 2005, Cartoon Networks Get Animated provides on-air, online, print and off-channel programs to teach children the value of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, good eating and helping others. Featuring the networks roster of popular cartoon characters, Get Animated currently includes multiple animated PSAs, a mobile tour, community programmes and its 2006 Rescuing Recess initiative.

     

  • Netflix to produce and globally distribute Tony Bennett doc

    Netflix to produce and globally distribute Tony Bennett doc

    MUMBAI: Netflix in association with its Red Envelope Entertainment division has acquired worldwide rights to produce and distribute a new documentary exploring and celebrating the life and career of the legendary recording artist and concert performer, Tony Bennett.

    “Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends will be directed by Bruce Ricker. Multiple Oscar winner and nominee Clint Eastwood Flags Of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima will serve as executive producer.

    Bennett is beloved as one of the premiere interpreters of the Great American Songbook. The new documentary will follow Bennett’s more than 50 years in the music and entertainment industries against the backdrop of a changing America.

    Weaving seldom seen archival footage with never before seen excerpts of Bennett’s recent premier performance at the Monterey Jazz festival — highlighted by an on-camera interview conducted by Eastwood that explores the essence of Bennett’s artistry — the film will present an exceptional man in a rare way: a living legend through his life, times and music.
    This cinematic portrayal of Tony Bennett caps a year-long celebration of a singer who celebrated his 80th birthday last August. Bennett’s most recent chart topping CD Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic. It won three Grammy Awards a couple of days ago.

    Netflix says that it is committed to providing consumers with access to the widest variety of films available and, in association with Red Envelope Entertainment, will fully finance the production. An innovative release plan will include DVD rental and sale, online and TV distribution, as well as an event-driven premiere and theatrical release this summer. The film is currently in production at locations around the country, including Astoria, Queens in New York City, where Bennett was born, as well as Hollywood, California.

    Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos says, “The coming together of Tony Bennett and Clint Eastwood — two enduring and iconic figures in the world of American entertainment — is a cultural flashpoint. Netflix spearheading this prestigious project showcases our abilities to bring unique content to our subscribers and, in this case, a global audience.”

    Richter says, “‘Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends is an historical record of an American icon. We wanted the film to reach the widest audience possible and Netflix achieves that goal.”

  • Adobe Flash Lite to support video for mobile handsets

    Adobe Flash Lite to support video for mobile handsets

    MUMBAI: At the 3GSM World Congress in Spain Adobe Systems has announced that support for video will be integrated in the next generation of Adobe Flash Lite software, Adobe’s award-winning Flash Player runtime specifically designed for mobile phones.

    Flash Lite 3, expected to be available in the first half of this year, will bring the Adobe Flash Player video format from the desktop to mobile phones and devices, enabling operators, handset manufacturers and developers alike to deliver more experiences to mobile users.

    The firm says that the release will be an addition to its family of video technologies that includes Adobe Production Studio for professional video editing, Marcomedia Flash 8 from Adobe for video encoding, and Adobe Flash Media Server for video distribution. Adobe says that itsFlash technology is impacting the way video is distributed over the Internet.

    Today, television shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy are being delivered online through FLV, the Adobe Flash Player video format, while the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace.

    The firm adds that video support in Flash Lite will change the way the way users engage with mobile content and open up new revenue opportunities for developers worldwide. This release will allow users to view vibrant video content from popular Internet sites like YouTube or MySpace and enable developers to create new applications across a variety of mobile and consumer electronics platforms.”

    Flash Lite will support the same video formats supported by Adobe Flash Player and will directly support video streams delivered by the Adobe Flash Media Server, allowing users to view a broad spectrum of Flash Player compatible content. Videos can be viewed in different forms within the Flash environment, including downloadable video clips, streaming videos, applications with user interfaces based on Flash or personalized content such as wallpapers or screensavers.

    Flash Lite runs on multiple platforms, including Symbian S60 v2/v3, Qualcomm Brew 2.x/3.x and Microsoft Windows Mobile 5, in addition to embedded operating systems on a variety of OEM platforms. This allows consistent content delivery across device types, broader distribution of engaging mobile experiences and simpler publishing, testing and selling of Flash Lite content for developers.

    By leveraging the Flash ecosystem – which includes the Flash authoring tool, Flash Lite player runtime and an established community of more than one million designers and developers – Flash Lite reduces deployment costs up to five times faster than competing solutions. Today, more than 200 million Flash-enabled devices have shipped worldwide

  • Asiasat to be privatised

    Asiasat to be privatised

    MUMBAI: Asian satellite service provider Asiasat has said that its major shareholder plans to take the company private to allow management to focus on business development in a competitive market.

    Under the proposed privatisation there will be a scheme of arrangement under which all shares, including all shares underlying American Depositary Shares (ADS), not already held by Asiasat’s controlling shareholder will be cancelled in exchange for the share offer price of HK$18.30 per share.

    For Asiasat shareholders, the cancellation price of HK$18.30 per share represents a premium of approximately 30.7 per cent over the closing price of HK$14 per share as quoted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 8 February 2007, the day prior to the suspension of Asiasat’s shares.

    An announcement said that the privatisation follows persistent over-supply of transponder capacity and the slow introduction of new applications in the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, the satellite market in the region remains very competitive, and Asiasat’s share price has not performed satisfactorily.

    The offeror is a BVI incorporated company jointly owned by Able Star, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Group, and GE Equity, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Capital Corporation. The General Electric group is also proposing to acquire an interest in AsiaSat’s controlling shareholder. On completion of the acquisition and the privatisation, Asiasat will be jointly indirectly owned by CITIC Group and General Electrical Capital Corporation.

    In the three year period prior to the announcement date, the price of AsiaSat’s shares decreased by 11.9 per cent compared to an increase of 51.1 per cent in the Hang Seng Index over the same period. The proposed privatisation would give the management of AsiaSat greater flexibility to focus on the development of business and marketing activities.

    It would also relieve Asiasat of the heavy financial and administrative burden of dual listings on both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, which are disproportionate to the benefits of maintaining such listings. The proposed privatisation is subject to a number of conditions. It is the intention of Offeror to maintain the existing business of AsiaSat upon the successful privatisation of AsiaSat. No major changes to the existing operating and management structure are expected to be introduced as a result of the implementation of the privatisation. For AsiaSat customers, there will be no change.

    The total amount of cash required to effect the privatisation is approximately HK$2,235 million, which will be financed with from the existing resources of CITIC Group and GE Equity.

  • HBO launches SVoD service in the UK

    HBO launches SVoD service in the UK

    MUMBAI: Home Box Office (HBO) has launched a subscription video on demand (SVoD) service in the UK.

    The launch marks HBO’s first entry into the UK marketplace bringing its renowned programs to audiences in the region under a stand alone HBO branded destination.

    HBO president, programming distribution and international Simon Sutton says, “HBO’s programming has always done very well in the UK and the arrival of an HBO service has been long desired and anticipated. We are very excited to offer HBO programming in a subscription video on demand format, where we can deliver our acclaimed series and specials to UK audiences on their schedule. This opportunity enables us to raise our profile in the region, while providing viewers with a distinct HBO environment.”

    With launch dates to be determined by each of the distributors, the HBO SVoD service will be made available on BT Vision, Tiscali TV and Virgin Media. The service will provide at least 50 hours of HBO’s acclaimed original programming upon its full rollout, including award-winning series, miniseries, documentaries and comedy specials.

    On 1 July, 2001, HBO first launched its SVoD service, HBO On Demand, in the US. HBO On Demand not only allows subscribers to watch HBO programming when they wish and as much as they like, they can also enjoy the benefits of pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding their selections.

    The programming line-up on the UK HBO on demand service will be updated on a weekly basis and will provide consumers with the freedom to enjoy HBO programming whenever they want. Over time, the library on the service will build to include all episodes of the featured HBO series, starting with the first episode of season one and growing each consecutive week.

    Included among the programs available at launch will be the shows The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

    The service will also feature miniseries Band of Brothers, Angels in America and From the Earth to the Moon.

  • Nielsen’s new service to offer insights, services from TV STB data

    Nielsen’s new service to offer insights, services from TV STB data

    MUMBAI: US media research firm Nielsen is consolidating its initiatives involving digital television set top box data into a new service offering named Nielsen DigitalPlus.

    Nielsen DigitalPlus will work with set top box (STB) data from cable system operators (MSOs) and satellite providers to create new insights and services for clients by integrating set top box data with other Nielsen information.

    Nielsen DigitalPlus will draw upon the resources and information assets of numerous Nielsen businesses including: the television measurement services of Nielsen Media Research, commercial activity data from Nielsen Monitor Plus, retail and scanning information from A.C. Nielsen, as well as the modeling and forecasting capabilities of Claritas, Spectra and BASES.

    Initially, Nielsen DigitalPlus will focus on several high-potential client initiatives:

    – Exploring how set top box data can contribute to Nielsen’s Anytime Anywhere Media Measurement (A2/M2) goal of bringing electronic measurement to all local television markets

    – Providing measurement of advanced advertising applications such as interactive, targeted advertising

    – Bringing insights on advertising effectiveness through granular reporting of commercial activity

    – Providing analytics to support MSO Customer Relationship Management (CRM) by combining television viewing data with other data sets to provide new insights to MSOs and satellite providers about their subscribers’ activity.

    Nielsen DigitalPlus senhior VP Jed Meyer says, “With our wide array of media and marketing information services, expertise in advanced technology, and experience working with large volumes of data, Nielsen is uniquely positioned to help clients unlock the potential of set top box data.

    “As the industry begins to analyze and use the vast amount of information available through these devices, Nielsen will work with clients to develop comprehensive solutions to this new frontier of measurement. We are intensely focused on using all our resources to succeed at this challenge.”

    Nielsen DigitalPlus will build on Nielsen’s long history of set top box data projects going back to Warner Amex’s QUBE system in the 1980s. More recently Nielsen has worked with Comcast to process and develop insights from their Video On Demand server data. Nielsen also worked with Tivo to establish a joint panel of TiVo subscribers whose set top box data Nielsen processed on a daily basis. Nielsen is currently working on research projects with several MSOs and satellite providers to study set top box data for potential analytical and audience measurement purposes.