Tag: UK

PVR picks up Ritesh Batra’s ‘The Sense of an Ending’ for India

MUMBAI: FilmNation Entertainment, which holds the worldwide rights of Ritesh Batra’s The Sense of an Ending, has completed international sales for the movie at Berlin’s European Film Market.

In major deals across various territories, PVR has acquired the India rights of the film from FilmNation Entertainment.

On the other hand, Sony has acquired Latin America and Eastern Europe; Wild Bunch has closed France, Germany, Italy and Spain; Studiocanal took the UK; and Fox International Channels has acquired Pan-Asian pay TV rights.

In other deals, Longride (Japan), Roadshow (Australia), Svensk (Scandinavia), Mediasoft (South Korea), and Lumiere (Benelux) have picked up the drama that stars the Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent along with Harriet Walter, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Dockery and Charlotte Rampling.

Among other territories closed are Greece (Spentzos), Israel (Lev), the Middle East (Italia), Portugal (Lusomundo),Switzerland (Frenetic), Turkey (Aqua), Hong Kong (Edko), India (PVR), Indonesia (Prima Cinema), Singapore (Shaw Renters) and South Africa (Ster Kinekor).

The movie stars Broadbent as a recluse who is forced to face the devastating legacy of his first love and revise his understanding of his own nature.

The film is co-financed by BBC Films and produced by Origin Pictures.

Batra says, “It’s been a real pleasure to adapt Julian Barnes’s great novel to the screen, I loved working with the writer Nick Payne and with production. These are exciting times as the film has sold all over the World, I do believe that it is a matter of time before we make Indian stories with great Indian actors that will travel more than or as much as English language cinema does.”

Batra’s previous film, the critically acclaimed hit The Lunchbox, starring Irrfan Khan, and Nimrat Kaur, was BAFTA nominated and won the Viewers’ Choice Award at the 2014 Cannes Festival.

February 27, 2016
Gemporia TV hops on to Tata Sky platform

MUMBAI: India’s live jewellery shopping channel Gemporia TV has hopped on to the Tata Sky direct to home (DTH) platform.

The channel will be available on channel no. 155 in Tata Sky.

It may be recalled that Indiantelevision.com had reported earlier this month that the channel was eyeing revenue of Rs 60 – 100 crore by the end of 2016 and was looking at expanding its presence in the market by launching on Tata Sky. The shopping platform has been available on other DTH operators like Dish TV and Videocon d2h since September 2015.

With a market presence of 11 years in the UK, the channel has seen a rapid growth in the overall jewellery retail, and claims to achieve almost eight per cent market share of all hallmarked jewellery sold in the UK. The platform also claims to sell over nine million pieces worldwide all through e-commerce and television.

Gemporia TV co-founder Manuj Goyal said, “In India, we bring you these exquisite pieces, directly from our factories to your home, eliminating all middlemen, bringing the costs lower and at direct-to-home prices. We are enlivened with Gemporia’s expanded audience base of over 50 million homes with the launch on Tata Sky, one of the leading DTH providers in India. Our intention is to be available across DTH platforms and gradually move our presence on cable.”

He further added, “Our product size is constantly increasing to fit the business needs. The jewellery ranges from earrings to necklaces to charms to rings for women and men, in multiple styles. Our average item value has been Rs 4216. For Sterling Silver jewellery, our sweet spot is Rs 999. For Gold Jewellery, we have seen maximum sales in Rs 5000 to 8000 pricing category. Rings are currently 50 per cent of our sales, I guess as most retailers find it challenging to stock rings in different sizes. We keep a wide variety of gemstone jewellery – Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Tanzanites, Pearls, Topaz, Opals, Amethyst, Citrines, Garnets, Onyxs, Tourmalines besides Diamonds. Our presence on Tata Sky brings a whole new audience with a completely different demographic. We are excited to see how these numbers will shift.”

February 25, 2016
Gemporia TV hops on to Tata Sky platform

MUMBAI: India’s live jewellery shopping channel Gemporia TV has hopped on to the Tata Sky direct to home (DTH) platform.

The channel will be available on channel no. 155 in Tata Sky.

It may be recalled that Indiantelevision.com had reported earlier this month that the channel was eyeing revenue of Rs 60 – 100 crore by the end of 2016 and was looking at expanding its presence in the market by launching on Tata Sky. The shopping platform has been available on other DTH operators like Dish TV and Videocon d2h since September 2015.

With a market presence of 11 years in the UK, the channel has seen a rapid growth in the overall jewellery retail, and claims to achieve almost eight per cent market share of all hallmarked jewellery sold in the UK. The platform also claims to sell over nine million pieces worldwide all through e-commerce and television.

Gemporia TV co-founder Manuj Goyal said, “In India, we bring you these exquisite pieces, directly from our factories to your home, eliminating all middlemen, bringing the costs lower and at direct-to-home prices. We are enlivened with Gemporia’s expanded audience base of over 50 million homes with the launch on Tata Sky, one of the leading DTH providers in India. Our intention is to be available across DTH platforms and gradually move our presence on cable.”

He further added, “Our product size is constantly increasing to fit the business needs. The jewellery ranges from earrings to necklaces to charms to rings for women and men, in multiple styles. Our average item value has been Rs 4216. For Sterling Silver jewellery, our sweet spot is Rs 999. For Gold Jewellery, we have seen maximum sales in Rs 5000 to 8000 pricing category. Rings are currently 50 per cent of our sales, I guess as most retailers find it challenging to stock rings in different sizes. We keep a wide variety of gemstone jewellery – Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Tanzanites, Pearls, Topaz, Opals, Amethyst, Citrines, Garnets, Onyxs, Tourmalines besides Diamonds. Our presence on Tata Sky brings a whole new audience with a completely different demographic. We are excited to see how these numbers will shift.”

February 25, 2016
FremantleMedia acquires two factual docs from Arrow Media

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has extended its relationship with UK’s Arrow Media, having acquired international distribution rights to two new factual titles namely Operation Burma (2 x 60) and Nightmare on Everest (1 x 60).

FMI director of non-scripted, UK, EMEA and Asia Pacific Angela Neillis said, “It’s great to be working with the Arrow Media team again and to represent them on such diverse stories. Arrow’s trademark ability to deliver a compelling narrative, uncover new footage and gain the trust of first-hand eyewitnesses is unparalleled, and that’s why FremantleMedia International is proud to have these shows in our catalogue.”

Arrow Media joint creative director John Smithson added, “Our heritage is in unearthing fascinating stories and telling them in a way that will appeal to audiences all over the world. Operation Burma and Nightmare on Everest are a testament to this. Both reveal the truth behind two very different events, but equally take viewers on an emotional journey back in time. We are delighted to be working with Fremantle on both docs and extending our relationship further.”

Operation Burma – tells the story of world-renowned mountaineer, Joe Simpson as he embarks on a journey of discovery to learn more about the father he barely knew. Best known for his book and film adaptation, Touching the Void, Joe takes viewers on a unique 160 mile adventure in an unexplored part of the world as he undertakes this most personal of quests. Accompanied by survival expert, Ed Stafford, the first man to walk the length of the Amazon, Joe uses details recorded in his father’s secret, coded diary, to retrace the steps his father took seventy years ago as part of the second Chindit “Special Forces” campaign against the Japanese. Operation Burma is a BBC Two commission and Nick Metcalfe is executive producer.

Nightmare on Everest – tells the gripping and emotional story of two days in the spring of 2015 which saw two catastrophic earthquakes strike the Himalayas killing 18 mountaineers and trapping many more for days. Almost one year on from this momentous event which took place on 15 April, the series uses a combination of user-generated content, previously untold stories and CGI to capture the impact of the natural disaster which sparked a series of devastating avalanches on Mount Everest. It has been commissioned in the UK by Channel 4.

FremantleMedia International also represents two additional Arrow Media titles. Dogs: Their Secret Lives, which has gone on to sell into 43 territories and is a fascinating hidden-camera series that captures the extraordinary behaviour of some of the nation’s dogs and their owners; and Hitler: The Biography (w/t) a six-part documentary series which chronicles Hitler from childhood to his downfall and has several pending deals across global territories.

February 1, 2016
FremantleMedia acquires two factual docs from Arrow Media

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has extended its relationship with UK’s Arrow Media, having acquired international distribution rights to two new factual titles namely Operation Burma (2 x 60) and Nightmare on Everest (1 x 60).

FMI director of non-scripted, UK, EMEA and Asia Pacific Angela Neillis said, “It’s great to be working with the Arrow Media team again and to represent them on such diverse stories. Arrow’s trademark ability to deliver a compelling narrative, uncover new footage and gain the trust of first-hand eyewitnesses is unparalleled, and that’s why FremantleMedia International is proud to have these shows in our catalogue.”

Arrow Media joint creative director John Smithson added, “Our heritage is in unearthing fascinating stories and telling them in a way that will appeal to audiences all over the world. Operation Burma and Nightmare on Everest are a testament to this. Both reveal the truth behind two very different events, but equally take viewers on an emotional journey back in time. We are delighted to be working with Fremantle on both docs and extending our relationship further.”

Operation Burma – tells the story of world-renowned mountaineer, Joe Simpson as he embarks on a journey of discovery to learn more about the father he barely knew. Best known for his book and film adaptation, Touching the Void, Joe takes viewers on a unique 160 mile adventure in an unexplored part of the world as he undertakes this most personal of quests. Accompanied by survival expert, Ed Stafford, the first man to walk the length of the Amazon, Joe uses details recorded in his father’s secret, coded diary, to retrace the steps his father took seventy years ago as part of the second Chindit “Special Forces” campaign against the Japanese. Operation Burma is a BBC Two commission and Nick Metcalfe is executive producer.

Nightmare on Everest – tells the gripping and emotional story of two days in the spring of 2015 which saw two catastrophic earthquakes strike the Himalayas killing 18 mountaineers and trapping many more for days. Almost one year on from this momentous event which took place on 15 April, the series uses a combination of user-generated content, previously untold stories and CGI to capture the impact of the natural disaster which sparked a series of devastating avalanches on Mount Everest. It has been commissioned in the UK by Channel 4.

FremantleMedia International also represents two additional Arrow Media titles. Dogs: Their Secret Lives, which has gone on to sell into 43 territories and is a fascinating hidden-camera series that captures the extraordinary behaviour of some of the nation’s dogs and their owners; and Hitler: The Biography (w/t) a six-part documentary series which chronicles Hitler from childhood to his downfall and has several pending deals across global territories.

February 1, 2016
Sky & CBS ink pan-European deal for Showtime programming portfolio

MUMBAI: Sky and CBS Corporation have inked a long-term licensing agreement for Sky Atlantic to be the exclusive home to Showtime’s growing portfolio of programming across all its territories in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Previously, Sky has licensed select Showtime content from CBS on a programme by programme basis.

The deal will span all new and future series including Billions, which premiered in the US with the best series debut performance ever for a Showtime original series. Other new series include the return of Twin Peaks and new seasons of hits such as Ray Donovan and The Affair. The agreement also means customers will have on-demand access to an acclaimed catalogue of premium Showtime programming including Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, The Borgias and Brotherhood.

Additionally, customers can watch these shows where they want using mobile TV service – Sky Go. Customers who use Sky’s streaming platforms, NOW TV and Sky Online also have access to this must-see channel live and on demand.

The deal is the latest multi-territory agreement secured by Sky as it extends its market-leading offering across entertainment, sports, arts and movies. Alongside an expanding portfolio of the best shows from the US and around the world, Sky is also growing its investment in original production, which includes a successful partnership with Showtime to co-produce the gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful.

For CBS Corporation, this is the largest and most expansive international deal to date for Showtime and the first time its content portfolio has been licensed to a single media company across multiple European territories. It also marks a significant next step in the company’s global expansion strategy to distribute Showtime’s prestigious brand and broad programming slate as a bundled offering.

Last year, CBS and Bell Media announced a similar exclusive agreement for Showtime in Canada.

Alongside scripted content, Sky will have an exclusive option to take all new Showtime distributed unscripted shows such as documentaries, late night and reality shows. Premiere dates for the programming may vary by country and current rights agreements with other platforms will remain unchanged.

Sky managing director – content Gary Davey said, “This is one of the most important content deals Sky has ever agreed, cementing Sky’s position as the market-leader in Europe for world-class drama. We are enormously proud that Sky will be the exclusive home to new Showtime programmes for many years to come, building on a relationship that has grown over time including producing three successful seasons of Penny Dreadful together. The agreement means our customers can enjoy an incredible slate of upcoming new dramas like Billions, Twin Peaks and also explore hundreds of hours of amazing series such as Dexter, Californication, The Affair and House of Lies on demand from the back catalogue of one of the world’s most exciting pay TV networks.”

CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, “This is the most significant international deal in the history of Showtime, and further signals the value and prestige of its content brand in the global marketplace. Showtime CEO David Nevins and his team have built an incredible roster of award-winning, critically acclaimed programming. This deal shows how robust and profitable Showtime has become as a stand-alone product and revenue stream. We look forward to working with our outstanding partners at Sky to present Showtime to its customers across Europe and on a wide range of their platforms.”

January 22, 2016
Sky & CBS ink pan-European deal for Showtime programming portfolio

MUMBAI: Sky and CBS Corporation have inked a long-term licensing agreement for Sky Atlantic to be the exclusive home to Showtime’s growing portfolio of programming across all its territories in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Previously, Sky has licensed select Showtime content from CBS on a programme by programme basis.

The deal will span all new and future series including Billions, which premiered in the US with the best series debut performance ever for a Showtime original series. Other new series include the return of Twin Peaks and new seasons of hits such as Ray Donovan and The Affair. The agreement also means customers will have on-demand access to an acclaimed catalogue of premium Showtime programming including Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, The Borgias and Brotherhood.

Additionally, customers can watch these shows where they want using mobile TV service – Sky Go. Customers who use Sky’s streaming platforms, NOW TV and Sky Online also have access to this must-see channel live and on demand.

The deal is the latest multi-territory agreement secured by Sky as it extends its market-leading offering across entertainment, sports, arts and movies. Alongside an expanding portfolio of the best shows from the US and around the world, Sky is also growing its investment in original production, which includes a successful partnership with Showtime to co-produce the gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful.

For CBS Corporation, this is the largest and most expansive international deal to date for Showtime and the first time its content portfolio has been licensed to a single media company across multiple European territories. It also marks a significant next step in the company’s global expansion strategy to distribute Showtime’s prestigious brand and broad programming slate as a bundled offering.

Last year, CBS and Bell Media announced a similar exclusive agreement for Showtime in Canada.

Alongside scripted content, Sky will have an exclusive option to take all new Showtime distributed unscripted shows such as documentaries, late night and reality shows. Premiere dates for the programming may vary by country and current rights agreements with other platforms will remain unchanged.

Sky managing director – content Gary Davey said, “This is one of the most important content deals Sky has ever agreed, cementing Sky’s position as the market-leader in Europe for world-class drama. We are enormously proud that Sky will be the exclusive home to new Showtime programmes for many years to come, building on a relationship that has grown over time including producing three successful seasons of Penny Dreadful together. The agreement means our customers can enjoy an incredible slate of upcoming new dramas like Billions, Twin Peaks and also explore hundreds of hours of amazing series such as Dexter, Californication, The Affair and House of Lies on demand from the back catalogue of one of the world’s most exciting pay TV networks.”

CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, “This is the most significant international deal in the history of Showtime, and further signals the value and prestige of its content brand in the global marketplace. Showtime CEO David Nevins and his team have built an incredible roster of award-winning, critically acclaimed programming. This deal shows how robust and profitable Showtime has become as a stand-alone product and revenue stream. We look forward to working with our outstanding partners at Sky to present Showtime to its customers across Europe and on a wide range of their platforms.”

January 22, 2016
Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

MUMBAI: Viacom18’s English entertainment channel Colors Infinity has picked up the rights of Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) US adaptation of the British black comedy and psychological drama Mad Dogs.

Additionally, the pan-regional SVOD platform HOOQ, which launched in India last year, has also picked up the rights for the series. Apart from India, HOOQ will air the series in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

SPT has sold Mad Dogs to over 140 countries around the world ahead of the series debut on Amazon in the US, UK and Germany.

“Mad Dogs has been a huge hit in the UK and there is clearly an equally high appetite for the US series. Mad Dogs is a high end drama with real global appeal and brings together exceptional talent both on and off screen. Sony Pictures Television has long been producing ambitious, acclaimed and award-winning dramas which sit perfectly on traditional linear channels and new platforms – as demonstrated by the range of partners we have around the world,” said Sony Pictures Television president, international distribution Keith LeGoy.

Across Europe, Movistar+ picked up the series in Spain and MTG acquired the show for Viaplay in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Other territories include Finland (Nelonen), Belgium (Telenet), Turkey (D-Smart) as well as AXN in Central Eastern Europe.

OSN picked up the series for the Middle East, Mnet will show it across Africa, and Sky bought the drama in New Zealand.

Based on the format created by Cris Cole for Left Bank Pictures and British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Mad Dogs is produced by Left Bank Pictures, MiddKid Productions and Amazon Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of 40 something underachievers who gather in Belize to celebrate the retirement of one of their friends. A series of dramatic events unfold, exposing dark secrets, a web of lies, deception and murder.

The series stars Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn and Billy Zane.

January 22, 2016
Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

MUMBAI: Viacom18’s English entertainment channel Colors Infinity has picked up the rights of Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) US adaptation of the British black comedy and psychological drama Mad Dogs.

Additionally, the pan-regional SVOD platform HOOQ, which launched in India last year, has also picked up the rights for the series. Apart from India, HOOQ will air the series in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

SPT has sold Mad Dogs to over 140 countries around the world ahead of the series debut on Amazon in the US, UK and Germany.

“Mad Dogs has been a huge hit in the UK and there is clearly an equally high appetite for the US series. Mad Dogs is a high end drama with real global appeal and brings together exceptional talent both on and off screen. Sony Pictures Television has long been producing ambitious, acclaimed and award-winning dramas which sit perfectly on traditional linear channels and new platforms – as demonstrated by the range of partners we have around the world,” said Sony Pictures Television president, international distribution Keith LeGoy.

Across Europe, Movistar+ picked up the series in Spain and MTG acquired the show for Viaplay in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Other territories include Finland (Nelonen), Belgium (Telenet), Turkey (D-Smart) as well as AXN in Central Eastern Europe.

OSN picked up the series for the Middle East, Mnet will show it across Africa, and Sky bought the drama in New Zealand.

Based on the format created by Cris Cole for Left Bank Pictures and British Sky Broadcasting Limited, Mad Dogs is produced by Left Bank Pictures, MiddKid Productions and Amazon Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Mad Dogs tells the story of a group of 40 something underachievers who gather in Belize to celebrate the retirement of one of their friends. A series of dramatic events unfold, exposing dark secrets, a web of lies, deception and murder.

The series stars Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn and Billy Zane.

January 22, 2016
Liberty-owned MSO Virgin Media to axe 900 jobs over 2 years

MUMBAI: Liberty Global owned MSO Virgin Media is planning to axe as many as 900 jobs in the UK over the next two years.

In this business reorganisation exercise, the company said it will now focus on network expansion. As a part of the restructuring, some employees will also be moved to other roles within the company.

Virgin Media CEO Tom Mockridge “Over the last three years Virgin Media has been transformed. We’re expanding, investing and growing our business. The proposed reorganisation will give us an even sharper focus on the customer, network expansion and business growth.”

Virgin Media, which is one of the UK’s biggest telecommunications brands, providing fixed and mobile telephone, TV, and broadband internet services, was bought by American tycoon John Malone’s Liberty Global in 2013 for ?15 billion.

January 22, 2016