ITV

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  • DD to be available now in Canada, US

    DD to be available now in Canada, US

    NEW DELHI: Finally pubcaster Doordarshan will be available in the US and Canada.

    Prasar Bharati, which manages DD, has said that it has entered into agreements for the distribution of DD India channel in Canada and the US.

    Briefing fellow parliamentarians, information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said earlier in the week that a similar distribution agreement for the UK is under finalization.

    In the UK, DD is negotiating to be on the News Corp-controlled BSkyB’s pay platform.

    DD India carries news bulletins, features on topical events, entertainment programmes, feature films, music and dance shows, including children programmes in some regional languages.

    Dasmunsi said that the content medley of DD India is expected to serve the interests and needs of the Indian diaspora.

    A study on the reach and impact of DD India channel in Middle-East countries is also on the anvil.

    DD, AIR INITIATIVES ON REVENUE EARNINGS

    All India Radio (AIR) is charging tower rentals (including maintenance charges) for the infrastructures being offered to private broadcasters during Phase-II FM service as part of revenue generating prospects.

    The rentals for category A+, A, B, C and D cities are Rs. 1.3 million, Rs 0.8 million, Rs 0.4 million, Rs. 0.3 million and Rs. 0.18 million respectively.

    According to the I&B minister, Doordarshan has also decided to charge a carriage fee amounting to Rs. 10 million per annum from private channels that are interested in becoming part of the bouquet of channels carried on its DD Direct Plus subscription free DTH service.

    What’s more, AIR has introduced on line computerized booking system (Central Window Booking) at its Central Sales Unit, Mumbai, which has been linked to all its 15 Commercial Broadcasting Service (CBS) centres for all advertisers and clients.

    The minister said AIR is constantly devising new programming formats to suit local audiences. Local variation components of Vividh Bharati stations on AM frequencies are being increased to augment listenership and attract more
    advertisers.

    AIR has also introduced 1:1 bonus scheme for spot booking to attract more advertisers.

    For the fiscal ended 31 March 2006, AIR generated revenues of over Rs 1oo crore.

    Doordarshan too has taken various steps with a view to increase revenues, including opening marketing divisions in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore and setting up of Development Communication Division
    for securing business and catering to the publicity requirements of various government agencies and public sector undertakings.

    Cable operators have now been given the option to download signals either in analog or digital mode to improve the transmission quality as digitalization increases.

    DD’s commercial rate card is being constantly reviewed and revised to bring it in tune with market practices and the amount of bank guarantee to be submitted by accredited agencies increased from Rs 300,000 to Rs. 25 lakhs.

    Dasmunsi also said that an empowered committee, comprising Prasar Bharati CEO and other senior members of the board have been constituted for quick decisions in commercial matters and payment behaviour is regularly
    monitored.

    For FY06 DD’s total revenue earnings were over Rs. 10 billion.

  • US adults with DVR’s belong to upscale and print-oriented group: Study

    US adults with DVR’s belong to upscale and print-oriented group: Study

    MUMBAI: US adults whose households have a digital video recorder (DVR) are more upscale than those that do not and are more likely to be heavy readers of magazines and newspapers and are also heavy users of the Internet.according to the latest data from Mediamark Research Inc.,(MRI).

    According to the Fall 2005 MRI data release, 8.6 per cent of US adults reported having a DVR in their household. That percentage rose to 11.2 per cent of adult households in the Spring 2006 release. The survey period for this release was March 2005 to early May 2006.

    The spring 2006 data show that 36.8 per cent of adults with DVR’s have a college education and 17.1 per cent have average household income exceeding $150,000. Within the entire adult population, 25.2 per cent graduated college and 8% have an average income exceeding $150,000, states an official release issued by the research firm.

    Of adults with DVR’s in the household, 15.7 per cent have home values exceeding $500,000 compared with 9 per cent of the entire adult population.

    In terms of media usage, adults in DVR households are 43 per cent more likely to be heavy readers of magazines (defined as the top quintile of users, based on number of magazines read) than the general adult population. They are 40% more likely to be heavy readers of newspapers (defined as the top quintile of readers, based on number of newspapers read) than the general population.

    Adults in DVR households also tend to use the Internet more than households without DVR’s, as they are 81 per cent more likely to be heavy Internet users (the top quintile of users based on number of times used in a month) than the general population, the release adds.

    On the other hand, adults in DVR households tend to watch less TV than households without DVR’s; they are 23 per cent less likely to be heavy TV viewers (the top quintile of users based on number of one-half hours viewed per week) than is the general adult population.

  • US pubcaster PBS announces online download initiative

    US pubcaster PBS announces online download initiative

    MUMBAI: US pubcaster PBS has announced the launch of a download to own initiative that lets viewers purchase episodes of its programmes via the Internet for viewing anytime, anywhere.

    PBS has teamed with Open Media Network, a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing the best of public broadcasting and educational programming to the Internet via
    www.omn.org.

    PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger says, “PBS and our local stations are undergoing a transformation from traditional television broadcasting to a vibrant 21st century digital public media service.

    “Open Media Network is helping us accomplish this by offering favourite PBS programs for sale directly to the online audience. We’re excited to partner with another non-profit organisation committed to bringing PBS’ award-winning content to the public.”

    Open Media Network (OMN) uses the Internet to bring online audiences educational programming. It provides its service free of charge to other non-profit and service institutions while utilising advanced video and audio delivery technology. Programming is delivered in full DVD quality and is then viewable on a variety of devices, including notebook computers, portable media players, cell phones and set top boxes.

    Open Media Network founder Mike Homer says, “Some of the most informative, thought provoking programmes on television are brought to us by PBS and its member stations. Making this content available through Internet downloads for anytime, anywhere viewing means that we can help PBS bring it to a much larger audience than ever before.”

    OMN says that it brings advantages to PBS, NPR and public broadcasters that extend viewership and encourage audience participation. OMN lets public broadcasters across the country, like KQED (San Francisco), Idaho Public Television and WGBH (Boston), offer their television and radio programs from their own websites using their own brands or through OMN’s website, increasing their potential audiences.

    Showcasing the local associations PBS stations have within their communities, PBS programmes downloaded through OMN will soon carry a spot encouraging viewers to become members of their local PBS station.

    Viewers can start watching PBS content now by going to www.omn.org and downloading the free OMN internet TV player. Each episode is $1.99 for unlimited playbacks, except for Nova which is priced at $7.99 per episode.

  • Cartoon Network US to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Game with Grigon Entertainment

    Cartoon Network US to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Game with Grigon Entertainment

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network has announced that it is developing its first massively multi-player online game (MMOG) in a partnership with a leading MMOG developer, Seoul-based Grigon Entertainment.

    Cartoon Network New Media will debut the game in the US. This is the first-ever partnership between a US entertainment company and a Korean developer to create an MMOG for the global marketplace.

    The Cartoon Network MMOG will launch in 2008 and target the growing and sophisticated kids’ interactive gaming market. The game will be free to download, with subscription and micro-transactions available to players to enhance the gaming experience. New areas for exploration and play are planned and will be added regularly over a span of several years.

    The game brings Cartoon Network’s characters and sensibility to the online gaming realm with an “East-meets-West” creative approach. Grigon Entertainment is best known for successfully developing and launching several online games in Asia, including Seal Online, a light-hearted role-playing game (RPG) that took the online gaming world by surprise. Localized versions are available in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Thailand.

    Cartoon Network executive VP, GM Jim Samples says, “Cartoon Network is an immersive experience for our fans, and this MMOG will allow our fans to interact with their favorite characters like never before. Not only will kids be able to play with their favorite characters like Mac and Bloo, Ben 10 and the Kids Next Door, but they will also be able to develop their own online gaming personalities and interact, virtually, with other players in a safe way.

    “This MMOG is a key part of Cartoon Network’s growth strategy, and is an important complement to our mobile, broadband and existing online business. With the MMOG, mobile content, our Web sites and, of course, our linear network, Cartoon Network is always on for kids.”

    Cartoon Network new media senior VP, GM Paul Condolora says, “Online games have been the most important driver of Cartoon Network New Media’s success over the last few years. With more than 84 million U.S. homes expected to have broadband Internet access by 2008, and Cartoon Network’s reach and creative vision, we’re excited to enter the fast-growing world of massively multiplayer online gaming.

    “In Grigon Entertainment, we have found a partner who understands how to build a successful MMOG for the casual marketplace. With our characters and creative direction, along with Grigon’s experience and technical know-how, we think Cartoon Network’s MMOG will have great success and longevity.”

    Massively multiplayer online gaming has expanded in the US in recent years, with games like World of Warcraft and EverQuest achieving large and loyal followings. Most MMOGs have been driven by high-intensity fighting and action with fantasy elements and have attracted an older, adult audience. To date, few games have targeted younger audiences. In Asia and Europe, where broadband penetration is ahead of that in the United States, MMOGs have been developed for all audiences, from kids to teens and adults.

    Cartoon Network’s games will feature a persistent and expanding world, which will allow players to develop their own characters, attributes and possessions over the course of many months and even years. Players may also meet and interact with other players online, forming virtual friendships and communities. Cartoon Network’s MMOG will be compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (Coppa) and will offer a safe gaming environment for players.

  • Star World looks to tantalise viewers with Criss Angel’s freaky illusion

    Star World looks to tantalise viewers with Criss Angel’s freaky illusion

    MUMBAI: In a bid to add further excitement to its programming lineup, English general entertainment channel Star World will air the show Criss Angel: Mindfreak every Tuesday at 8 30 pm from 18 July.

    From levitating ordinary American citizens, to literally dangling by his skin from a helicopter one thousand feet above the Valley of Fire in Las Vegas, magician Criss Angel brings his talents to the streets of America, live, unstaged and without the use of any camera tricks.

    Each episode captures the creative genius at work, preparing and training for his often death-defying feats. The 16 episodes will have several elements – reality, focusing on Angel’s street demonstrations and the way people are mentally affected; surreality, a look into Angel’s mind’s eye as he contemplates his upcoming feats; and behind-the-scene glimpses – a candid and captivating look into the trials and tribulations that Criss and his team face from the moment he conceives of impossible, death-defying stunts to the actual performances of those stunts.

    In the first episode, Criss Angel takes on levitation. He executes maneuvers, such as levitating up an escalator while not touching any part of it, and grabbing people off the street and completely levitating them off the ground. The other mind-blowing demonstrations this season include Burned Alive, Bullet Catch (which will have Angel catching a bullet in a cup held by his mouth), and Body Suspension (featuring Angel suspended from a helicopter by four fish hooks through his skin while being flown over the Nevada desert).

    Special celebrity guests, such as rock group Korn’s Jonathan Davis (who also co-produced the show’s theme music), Rob Zombie, Amazing Jonathan, Mandy Moore, Penn & Teller and Lance Burton will take part in the series.

    In the US, A&E Network will pick up the show for a third season.

  • MTV to celebrate anniversary of Live8 concert globally

    MTV to celebrate anniversary of Live8 concert globally

    MUMBAI: One year on from the historic Live8 concert, MTV Networks International is celebrating the first anniversary of the momentous music event by airing a new special this month called Live8: What A Difference A Day Made. This is being done through a partnership with Network Live. An estimated three billion people all from all over the world watched Live8, billed as the greatest show on earth, where the crème of the world’s music artists came together to perform with one message – make poverty history.

    MTV will premiere the 90-minute special reaching 480 million households around the world in major markets including US, Japan, UK, France, Germany and Latin America. In addition to providing viewers the chance to relive the music spectacular of Live8, Bob Geldof will introduce the programme by giving a retrospective on how far we have travelled since the historic event and why it’s important to remember one year later.

    The programme is a selection of highlights from most inspirational performances and presentations that took place across 10 cities including London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Ontario, Toyko, Johannesburg, Philadelphia, Moscow and Edinburgh. Live8: What A Difference A Day Made relives the moments when U2, Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Madonna, Youssou N’Dour and Dido, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, R.E.M., Paul McCartney and others captured the hope and optimism of the world and rallied the crowds to fight against poverty in Africa and to lobby the G8 leaders to makes promises on debt relief, Aids drugs, trade tariffs and education.

    The special will air on MTV’s channels in the lead up the G8 Summit 2006 on 15 July in St Petersburg, Russia where G8 leaders are expected to discuss international issues such as global energy security, infectious diseases and education. Live8 was executive produced by Network Live CEO Kevin Wall.

    In 2005 in the week leading to the G8 Summit and Live8 concerts, UK Prime Minister and chair of the G8 summit Tony Blair and Live8’s leading force Bob Geldof took tough questions on African poverty, debt relief and US President George Bush’s policies on climate control from MTV viewers representing 24 countries around the world – including seven African nations.

  • News reporting in the US is perceived as biased

    MUMBAI: Over six in 10 adults in the United States agree that there is a bias in the reporting of news. However, there is less agreement as to whether there is a liberal or conservative bias. Furthermore, viewers of talk shows say that the hosts of these shows are equally critical of Republicans and Democrats. Greater numbers of adults say they turn to CNN and Fox News mostly when seeking news or information about public affairs or politics.

    These are the results of a Harris Poll of 1,179 US adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive between 7 to 13 June 2006. Specific results from this poll include:

    * Almost four in 10 US adults (37 per cent) listen to talk shows on the radio at least once a week and about three in 10 (29 per cent) watch political or public affairs TV shows at least once a week.

    * CNN (20 per cent) and Fox News (18 per cent) are the television channels adults most often turn to when they want news or information related to politics or public affairs. These are followed by the networks, including ABC (nine per cent), NBC (eight per cent) and CBS ( seven per cent). Other channels include MSNBC (five per cent), C-Span (three per cent), PBS (three per cent) and CNBC (one per cent).

    * When comparing those who are ‘heavy’ users of the media (including talk radio and television) to ‘light’ users, a slightly different profile emerges. Among “heavy” media users, Fox News is the leading channel at 39 per cent, followed by CNN at 22 per cent. Among ‘light’ media users, CNN is at the top (21 per cent) followed by ABC (13 per cent), NBC (11 per cent), CBS (nine per cent) and Fox News (eight per cent).

    * When looking at the profile of viewers of TV channels that are watched most often for news about politics or public affairs, preferences emerge based on political affiliation and political philosophy. CNN’s viewers are more likely to be Democrats (42 per cent) or Independents (29 per cent) than Republicans (19 per cent.) Not surprisingly Fox News viewers are more likely to be Republicans (63 per cent) as compared to Democrats (12 per cent) or Independents (20 per cent).

    The potential biases associated with the media’s reporting have been discussed a great deal. This Harris Poll explores whether the public thinks that talk show hosts are more critical of Democrats or Republicans. Among those who watch talk shows at least once a month, 22 percent think that talk show hosts are more critical of Democrats and 25 percent say that hosts are more critical of Republicans. The remaining 52 percent say that the hosts are equally critical of both parties.

    However, over six in 10 (63 per cent) of Republicans agree that there is bias in the news reporting, with the remaining 36 per cent saying they are not sure (31 per cent) or think there is no bias (fiv per cent). Interestingly, the adult public overall thinks that there is more of a liberal bias (38 per cent) than a conservative bias (25 per cent). While this may not be altogether surprising, the fact that the findings don’t show an even greater liberal bias is noteworthy.

    * Furthermore, among those who are ‘heavy’ users of the media, a majority (54 per cent) say that there is a liberal bias in news reporting, compared to 24 per cent who say there is a conservative bias. Among “light” media users there is less of a difference, with similar numbers saying that there is
    a liberal bias (31 per cent) or conservative bias (25 per cent).

    * CNN viewers are split on this issue, with a third (33 per cent) saying that there is a liberal bias and another third (32 per cent) saying there is a conservative bias.

    * Fox News viewers, however, strongly feel that there is a liberal bias (69 per cent) as compared to 12 per cent who say there is a conservative bias. Among adults who say that there is bias in the media, television is perceived as having the ‘greatest bias in the reporting of news’ (41 per cent).

    17 per cent say that print media and seven percent say that radio is biased in their reporting. Three in 10 (31 per cent) say that the media overall are equally biased.

  • Celcom and NSS launch SecretSMS

    Celcom and NSS launch SecretSMS

    BANGALORE: Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad and NSS MSC Sdn Bhd today launched a revolutionary product called SecretSMS. SecretSMS is a simple software that encrypts SMS messages thereby offering security and privacy.

    Starting today, over 2 million Celcom subscribers with smart phones will be able to enjoy a whole new SMS experience, especially those seeking to keep their text life private, states an official release.

    SecretSMS is derived from a backbone technology called XMS (Xecure Message Service) that was developed by NSS. NSS is proud to partner with Celcom to introduce the SecretSMS to the market. Research statistics reveal that this product will appeal to the youth population who use messaging as their primary means of communications, the release adds.

    Text messages that are stored in the phones are readily accessible. Anyone can have access to your phone if it is left unattended. Some personal or sensitive messages might even get read by the wrong person without prior permission, which could eventually lead to unnecessary misunderstandings or even mishaps.

    SecretSMS transmits and stores sensitive messages that are accessible with a password known only to the mobile owners. SecretSMS is powered by 128-bit encryption that encrypts incoming and outgoing SMS’s in the transmission process. To read the encrypted messages, users have to key in the valid password. Hence, mobile users have complete control over their privacy in the SMS communications.

    XMS technology is set to penetrate the global market particularly in the US, UK, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka where NSS is already in talks with the local mobile operators and financial institutions, as per the official release.

     

  • ‘Lost’, ‘24’ get Television Critics Association nominations in the US

    ‘Lost’, ‘24’ get Television Critics Association nominations in the US

    MUMBAI: The shows Lost and 24 are among those competing for top honours at The Television Critics Association awards in the US.

    The winners will be announced on 23 July in Pasadena, California.

    They have been nominated for programme of the year. Joining them are Grey’s Anatomy, The Office and The Sopranos. NBC leads the list of most nominations by a broadcaster with 10 nominations on the strength of its comedy series. Freshmen series, My Name Is Earl and The Office. Each received three nominations. The West Wing received two nominations, including the Heritage Award..

    The Sopranos and 24 also earned three nominations apiece.

    PBS programmes dominated the news and information category, locking up four of the five nominations. Public television received seven notices overall. Fox received six nods, including a nomination for newcomer “Prison Break.”

    The 22nd annual TCA Awards honour the finest work of the 2005-2006 season as selected by the association’s 200-plus member critics and journalists.

  • Cable ops in US shift strategies to meet IPTV threat; report

    Cable ops in US shift strategies to meet IPTV threat; report

    MUMBAI: As telcos are gearing up to deploy competitive pay television offerings, a new report from market research division of Light Reading, Heavy Reading indicates that cable companies in US are revamping their video programming offerings.

    The cable ops are primarily doing it to fend off growing competition from IPTV services being launched by incumbent phone companies, adding more interactive services to their existing MPEG/QAM broadcast networks.

    The report suggests that the cable Next-Gen Video Plans and the Future of IP delves deeply into the next-generation video plans of North American multiple system operators (MSOs) as they prepare for the coming assault from telco IPTV and continue to defend against the competitive threat of direct-broadcast satellite providers.

    The report further analyzes the evolution of cable video from both a technology perspective and a business perspective, focusing not just on how MSOs are changing their networks, but also on how they are changing their business models with respect to video on demand (VOD) and the growing trend toward non- linear programming in general.

    “MSOs have no near-term plans to swap out their existing infrastructure to adopt end-to-end IP, nor is this type of move immediately necessary,” notes Heavy Reading and author of the report senior analyst Sterling Perrin. “In the near term, the MSOs plan to mimic the interesting features of IPTV using their existing MPEG/QAM networks.”

    Perrin adds, however, that switched digital video (SDV) could be a precursor to an MSO move to an end-to-end IP network — once SDV proves to be able to deliver quality equal to that offered now by conventional cable networks. “Cable end-to-end IPTV would require the final — large — step of replacing currently installed cable set-top boxes with IP STBs,” he says. “The rest of the network is moving to IP already.”

    Cable Next-Gen Video Plans and the Future of IP delivers a complete analysis of the Next Generation Network Architecture (NGNA) initiative from CableLabs, the cable industry’s research consortium, including how and when NGNA is likely to be deployed by leading MSOs. The report provides details covering product and market strategies of more than a dozen technology suppliers, including Ciena, Cisco Systems (and its Scientific-Atlanta subsidiary), Fujitsu, Motorola, and Nortel Networks.

    The methodology adopted has been exclusive one-on-one interviews with key executives from leading North American cable MSOs provide rich insight into this emerging market sector. Cable MSOs interviewed for the report include Comcast, Cox Communications, Rogers Cable, and Time Warner Cable.

    Other key findings of the report include:

    MSOs will leverage IP technology (and vendors) to expand their reach beyond the TV and set-top box as they branch into new areas, including delivery of content to mobile devices and to PCs. IP is well entrenched in MSO aggregation and core networks, but non-TV video service will likely be the first beachhead of IP in the access network — where preserving traffic in an IP form and building on the enormous industry support for IP (meaning lower costs) makes sense.

    MSOs are facing a spectrum crunch as they look to next-generation services to compete with both satellite and the telcos, but the situation is not dire. Cable executives interviewed for this report insist they have plenty of unused capacity in their networks. The efforts and innovation of the next three to five years will center on how best to tap that unused capacity.

    Deployment of SDV, when it does happen, will not necessarily boost sales of optical transport equipment. SDV is really about doing more with the same – – i.e., boosting the number of video channels available to subscribers without adding any new capacity to the network. The migration will likely be similar to that for VOD, which by its switched nature has allowed MSOs to ratchet up programming choices without having to dedicate much additional bandwidth (if any) to it.

    Cable Next-Gen Video Plans and the Future of IP costs $3,795 and is published in PDF format. The price includes an enterprise license covering all of the employees at the purchaser’s company.