Tag: TV

Rainbow Media signs deals for Mag Rack Vod content

MUMBAI: US media firm Rainbow Media Holdings has added international broadcasters to the growing reach of its Mag Rack video-on-demand (Vod) content.

The latest round of deals delivers several Mag Rack titles into the UK, Sweden, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Continuing Rainbow’s international expansion, the deals represent 319 VOD segments.
Launched in 2001 in the US, Mag Rack is an on-demand television service, delivering made-for-Vod programming. Mag Rack is available to 12 million on-demand customers in 50 US markets, and several of its series were sold into Scandinavia, Hungary and Greece earlier this year.

iD MD Sally Miles says, “Our continued momentum with Rainbow’s stable of brands is truly a testament to the international appeal of this top-quality programming. With Mag Rack, buyers are getting a rich array of series that speak to the diverse tastes of their viewers’ evolving, on-the-go lifestyles. Mag Rack is a truly progressive brand to be working with in the VOD marketplace.”

The newest round of international Mag Rack deals includes:

Inside Weddings has been Sold to Wedding TV (UK), TV7 (Sweden), Club Channel (Poland & Hungary), CTC Domashy Network (Russia) and Spektrum (Czech Republic). The show has advice on everything from gowns and formal wear, flowers and photography to places to celebrate.

Mama Gena has been sold to TV7 (Sweden) and Club Channel (Central & Eastern Europe). In this “school of womanly arts,” Mama Gena’s lessons teach women to take control of their power of pleasure to have their way with the world and men, with each episode offering new tips and techniques.

Eight segments of Wild Wheels have been sold to TV4 (Sweden) and 24 sold to Prava/Prevodi (Bosnia & Herzegovina). This series takes viewers into a world of crazy cars—rock crawlers, aqua cars, modified stretch limos, mud/ice racers and more—for a drive on the wild side.

Let’s Go Garden has been sold to ACE (Russia). Let’s Go Garden, hosted by Jackie Albarella. This focusses on the practical side of gardening with projects real people can achieve whether a beginning gardener or a passionate green thumb.

Motorcycle Freedom has been sold to Ananey (Israel). These short segment programs take viewers onto the open road with a virtual ride on some of the latest superbikes.

January 3, 2007
AZN adds shows for the year

MUMBAI: US channel AZN Television, a cable network for Asian Americans, is adding new series to its lineup in 2007.

Handsome Siblings is a drama starring Chinese pop star Nicholas Tse and TV star Dickie Cheung, recently premiered. Another show that recently commenced airing is Mars with Vic Chou and Barbi Xu.

Style: Asia meanwhile is a guide to fashion from cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Shangai. Then there is the Vietnamese drama Drunken Kung Fu.

Then there is Music Bang, a music-video series featuring Asian and Asian-American musicians.

January 3, 2007
Toon Disney is FTA in Chennai, Trai clarifies

NEW DELHI: Toon Disney in English and in Tamil are distributed as free-to-air (FTA) channels in the areas covered by conditional access system (Cas) in Chennai.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) clarified today in a release, placing the details of maximum retail prices fixed by the broadcasters in respect of Cas areas on the basis of the reporting done by them in terms of clause 7 (ii) of the Tariff Order of 31 August last year.

The change had been made as the Authority was informed that some of the pay channels listed in its website are not pay channels in some of the notified areas and also some new pay channels for the CAS notified areas, have been reported, asserts an official release.

TRAI has accordingly updated its list of channels with the charge per channel.

Meanwhile, CAS has come into effect in South Delhi and some parts of Mumbai and Kolkata. Cable operators had begun blacking out pay (encrypted) channels from the evening of 31 December itself.

January 2, 2007
IBN 7 rebrands ‘Breakfast Show’ to ‘Breakfast News From Kumbh’ during festival

MUMBAI: Starting 3 January IBN 7 will rebrand its Breakfast Show to Breakfast News From Kumbh for the duration of the Kumbh mela.

The show will get live news updates from the heart of Mela Sthal everyday at 7 am. IBN 7 will continue its coverage of Mela till Mahashivratri on 15 February.

IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “The Kumbh mela holds special significance in the lives of most Hindus across the country and beyond. We at IBN 7 are thus celebrating this occasion by bringing our viewers up-to-the-minute news directly from the banks of the Ganga. I am confident this Kumbh special will be well received by our audience.”

The Ardha Kumbh Mela signifies one of the most auspicious times and place (at the sangam or confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Allahabad) for Hindu devotees. The mela lasts for over six weeks, and is wrapped up on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

January 2, 2007
FiddleFork Online to launch new cartoon series

MUMBAI: Having partnered with Canadian cartoon artist Bob Jadis, FiddleFork Online has developed a cartoon series directed towards fiddle players and violinists. The weekly series includes single frame FiddleFork Funnies in which imaginary characters are depicted in humourous fiddle and violin situations.

Jadis said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of this new project. I’ve been a musician and cartoonist most of my life and blending my two passions into one with FiddleFork is very exciting for me.”

During the early half of 2007 FiddleFork Online will unveil it’s proprietary character, named FiddleFork Freddie. FiddleFork Freddie will be featured in a weekly three-frame cartoon story line. Kids and families alike will be able to follow the life and times of Freddie as he travels through his fiddling boyhood. Along with FiddleFork Freddie will be his companion pet dog, to whom a name has yet to be found.

Throughout the first half of 2007 Internet visitors will be encouraged to vote on the website and submit their preferred name for FiddleFork Freddie’s dog and by the end of 2007 FiddleFork Freddie’s dog will have a name chosen by popular global demand.

FiddleFork Online president Mike McGee said, “This is a considerable advancement for a niche online community devoted exclusive promotion and exchange of fiddle music. It is amazing to see how many people around the world enjoy fiddle music and show their appreciation by joining together in such a vibrant online community.”

FiddleFork Online (http://fiddlefork.com) is fiddle player’s community on the internet.

January 2, 2007
Tata Sky, Zee Turner case: TDSAT asks for Trais’s position on DTH operations

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) today asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to look into the issue of transponder capacity as raised by direct-to-home (DTH) service provider Tata Sky as a limiting factor.

The Tdsat has also asked Trai whether it would like to regulate prices for channels on DTH operations, as it has done in the case of cable operations in the Cas regime, or let market forces operate as they are now, in terms of broadcasters fixing their own prices.

Trai had been asked to state the time they would need to do so, and their counsel wanted two weeks. Trai has been asked to file an affidavit by 19 January.

Tdsat was hearing the ongoing case between Tata Sky and Zee-Turner, regarding the fixing of channel offered by the latter, which Tata Sky found too high. Tata Sky had filed the case earlier also because according to it, Zee-Turner had not acceded to its request to stream signals over the issue of prices, violating Trai regulation.

The matter came to head when Tata Sky alleged that Zee-Turner was indulging in cartelisation, since it was not only a MSO, but also part of a broadcaster on behalf of Turner.

While the Tata Sky counsel was addressing the court, the Zee counsel intervened to say that though Tata Sky was challenging Zee’s contentions on the ground that it was an arm of broadcaster Turner, the same was the case with Tata Sky, which had an agreement with Star television, and could simply not seek to plead as just a DTH operator.

Tata Sky had said during the arguments that it had to operate through various transponders, and the total capacity of these was limited; but Zee rebutted that over and above the channels Zee was giving Tata Sky, the latter was still able to beam local channels, so the issue of a limited capacity of transponders did not hold good.

This is when the court decided to rise and discuss the issue between the brother judges.

On resumption of hearing, the court, instead of allowing the parties to continue arguments, directly addressed the Trai counsel and said that there are “larger issues that are worrying us”, and asked Trai to come out with their position.

While the counsel for Tata Sky referred to an earlier judgement of the same court (July 14, 2006), the court said certain issues may have been overlooked and hence, it was only Trai that would first need to state its position.

January 2, 2007
Japanese entertainment group urges Youtube to take copyright action

MUMBAI: A Japanese entertainment group has asked video-sharing site YouTube to implement a system to prevent users from uploading videos that would infringe copyrights.

The Japan Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers media reports state has said that YouTube should proactively check if uploaded videos are copyrighted. They sent an email to Youtube’s founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen on this matter. The Japanese entertainment group was the one that had earlier requested YouTube take down 30,000 video clips that infringed on copyright.

Most videos posted on YouTube are homemade, but the site also features copyrighted material posted by individual users.

YouTube’s policy has been to remove clips that infringe copyright after it receives complaints. The Hapanese group says that Youtube should warning in Japanese on the home page that reminds people of the civil and criminal penalties associated with copyright infringement. In addition media reports state that the group wants YouTube to maintain records of the names and addresses of people uploading video, and to terminate the accounts of users who upload illegal clips.

December 7, 2006
Sky, Google unveil broadband alliance

MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider BSkyB and the world’s most valuable media firm Google have announced plans to work together in bringing ground-breaking web-based services to Sky’s community of broadband internet customers.

The set of multi-year agreements sees two of innovators in technology and entertainment join forces to create a customised experience for Sky Broadband customers.

Sky will be Google’s first partner globally to deploy Google’s suite of search, advertising, communications and video services, all of which will be tailored and branded for Sky’s fast-growing broadband platform. Sky aims to ensure that its broadband customers enjoy the best possible online user experience with customised access to the full benefits of Google’s evolving suite of innovative products for PC, TV and mobile.

Sky and Google will collaborate in three areas:

Video: Sky will launch a multi-platform User Generated Video (UGV) portal powered by the first global deployment of Google’s syndicated video content tools. The site will allow users to edit, upload and share their own video content, including the facility to upload and download from a mobile phone. The UGV portal will form part of a content-rich experience for Sky Broadband customers that will enhance the appeal of Sky’s broadband services, build community and promote Sky content to online audiences.

Communications: Sky Broadband customers will enjoy access to an online communications platform. This will include a fully customised version of Google’s email product, ‘Google Mail’, which will use the popular ‘@sky.com’ email address. Powered by Google with a user interface and functionality customised to Sky’s unique specifications, the platform will also offer access to key communications applications that attract and deepen relationships with internet users, such as contacts, calendar and instant messaging.

In addition, Sky will explore opportunities to provide further services such as Google’s VoIP (voice over internet protocol) telephony services, enhanced storage and future product developments.

Search and advertising Google will provide its search tools and targetted search advertising across Sky’s portfolio of online sites. The two companies will also explore future forms of web, TV and mobile advertising. Revenue generated by click-throughs on sponsored links will be shared between Sky and Google, increasing Sky’s exposure to the fastest growing segment of the UK’s advertising market.

Sky CEO James Murdoch said, “These agreements will bring Sky customers a valuable set of services from the world’s leading search company, including cutting edge tools for video sharing and communications. Google has pioneered many of the web’s most loved and used features, so I’m delighted that Sky Broadband customers will be the very first

online community to enjoy such unrivalled range and quality as well as a commitment to further innovation.

In a short time, Sky says that it has emerged as an effective challenger by offering high-quality broadband that offers greater value than traditional cable and telcos. Sky says that it is on track to build a large and successful broadband business and is increasingly well positioned to participate in the rapid growth of online search and advertising.’

Google chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt said, “Google is committed to giving people the power to explore, create and communicate. This alliance with Sky brings together two of the most innovative media and technology companies for the benefit of users. We will be delivering exciting new services for Sky Broadband customers all over the UK. We’re delighted to team up with Sky in one of the world’s most dynamic markets and we look forward to working together in the years to come.”

December 7, 2006
Research and Markets’ ‘Spotlight on Television 2.0 Leaders’ focuses on Disney

MUMBAI: Market research and market data provider Research and Markets has announced the addition of ‘Spotlight on Television 2.0 Leaders: The Walt Disney Company’, to their offering.

An exclusive analysis of Disney’s current and projected sale of downloadable video is spelled out in ‘Spotlight on Television 2.0 Leaders: The Walt Disney Company’, the latest report in the series that takes a close look at the companies shaping the new video-over-the-Internet and mobile TV businesses, informs an official release.

Disney’s agreement to sell TV shows and movies on iTunes could generate around $324 million in sales for the company in 2008, a new revenue stream that reflects just one of the entertainment and TV giants innovative forays into the TV 2.0 sector.

More than any other single event, Disney’s landmark deals to deliver TV shows via Apples iTunes store helped usher in the new era of Internet-delivered TV. Now, Disney stands alone among its studio peers in selling films on iTunes. Both of these moves have handed Disney a growing source of new revenue, one that promises to climb from only $44 million this year, to $150 million in 2007 and over $320 million in 2008, adds the release.

Despite the growth prospects, however, downloadable TV show and movie sales will still represent a tiny percentage of Disney’s overall revenue, less than 1% of the media and entertainment leaders current annual revenues. But Disney’s TV 2.0 initiatives cover a broad spectrum of activities, many of which — such as the streamed delivery of ad-supported primetime TV shows on the web — represent far bigger businesses than the sale of downloadable video.

December 7, 2006
Zee News producer Rajeet Sinha wins EU award for report on AIDS

MUMBAI: Zee News producer Rajeet Ranjan Sinha has won the ‘Reporting HIV/ AIDS – EU- India Media Awards 2006’ in the television Category.

The story was covered in the Program Jaago India wich aired on 8 November.

The EU-India-Media-Awards have been instituted under the EU-India Media Initiative on HIV/AIDS, a project implemented by The Thomson Foundation with the financial assistance of the European Union.

Six journalists have been felicitated under the scheme by the Commonwealth Broadcast Association. Two awardees each from television, radio and print respectively were selected, thereby rewarding the representatives of the most widespread communication chains. The awardees will get the opportunity to travel to the UK for a study tour in December 2006 in the field of HIV/AIDS and thus, through personal interactions and convergence of knowledge, further their professional awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Zee News will re-telecast the award winning episode of Jaago India on World AIDS Day (1 December) at 07:30 pm.

November 30, 2006