ITV

Tag: VH1

  • Vh1 India celebrates 2 million likes on Facebook

    Vh1 India celebrates 2 million likes on Facebook

    MUMBAI: Vh1 India has become the first English entertainment channel in India to have two million fans on Facebook.

    The international music channel has built a continuous relation by connecting with its viewers through birthday celebrations, dedications, paying homage to famous artists and by presenting the best in international music.

    Recently, the channel has launched a music streaming app – Vh1 Pulse for the music lovers. The app has a series of contests like the ‘Ticket 2 Ride‘ where the winner gets a chance to attend concerts of different artists and to become a part of different events abroad.

    Concert tickets, official merchandise and meet and greets are some of the other things that fans have been able to enjoy over the years.

    Talking on the achievement Ferzad Palia English entertainment Viacom18 senior VP and GM said, “A big thank you to all our ardent fans for helping us reach this mark. It truly feels wonderful to know that the channel has got 2 million likes on our Facebook page which only goes to prove their loyalty. Vh1 India re-affirms the endeavour to provide its fans with cult entertainment.”

    Digital Media VP and business head Rajneel Kumar added, “This is definitely a time for us to celebrate. We are extremely thrilled at reaching this milestone figure. Vh1 has always been a leader in engaging with its fans on digital platforms. This just goes to prove that our efforts have paid off and our fans like the content. We really can‘t thank them enough.”

    To celebrate this occasion, Vh1 has lined up some plans for its fans. The channel will be holding a two-week ‘Superfan Contest‘ to find the biggest fans of the channel. These fans will be shortlisted on the basis of their knowledge of music and the latest trends. Ten lucky winners will get a chance to win gratifications such as free passes to Vh1 associated events and much more. Few winners will also be able to cover Vh1 events across India and reviews new albums and videos.

  • Vh1 launches music streaming app with Hungama

    Vh1 launches music streaming app with Hungama

    MUMBAI: Vh1 has set foot on the digital space to launch a new generation app, Vh1 Pulse, which will help their fans to be in sync with their favourite tracks anytime of the day.

    Powered by Hungama.com, Vh1 Pulse is a music streaming application on Facebook which will enable over 1.7 million fans of the channel to listen to Vh1‘s picks of the best international music. The application that went live this week is the largest Facebook community amongst international music in India.

    On the application, all songs will be picked by Vh1 and fans can listen to the playlist specially created which includes the best of all English music. ‘Pulse‘ will be the one stop shop for different genres of music and artists.

    Fans can not only listen to Vh1‘s playlist but can also create a playlist of their own. They can pick and listen to tracks that their friends and other music lovers are listening to.

    Viacom18 Media SVP and GM – English Entertainment Ferzad Palia says, “With a fan base of nearly 2 million ardent music lovers, this cutting addition to the Vh1 India Facebook page is part of our philosophy of ‘Vh1 Everywhere‘. Vh1 Pulse powered by Hungama, is a destination where our fans can hang out, listen to their favourite tracks, discover new artistes, chart toppers, create playlists and above all, share with their friends. We‘re sure our fans will get hooked on and love the experience.”

    Hungama Digital Media Entertainment COO – Consumer Business and Allied Services Siddhartha Roy added, “Social communities are the new media real estate for brands where they can increase interaction and engagement with their consumers. Vh1 and Hungama bring Vh1 Pulse – a one stop destination for great International Music spread across various genres. There is an increasing demand for International Music and Hungama is committed at satiating this need by powering this service via its platform and content.”

  • Vh1 in marketing push for Grammy Awards

    MUMBAI: Vh1 is airing the Grammy Awards which is the biggest awards show for the US music industry on 11 February live at 6:30 am with a prime time repeat at 9 pm.

    Nescafe is the sponsor and the broadcaster is doing marketing activities for the event. Night club, Hard Rock Café has tied up with Vh1 for promoting the Grammy Awards at their outlets across the country. In addition to this, Hard Rock Café will also be hosting ‘Grammy Special Weekend‘ wherein the club will rock with the music of all the Grammy nominees.

    However, the fun does not end here. The HRC crew will groove to the tune of LMFAO‘s famous track ‘I‘m Sexy and I Know It‘.

    Vh1 India is also undertaking various contests to give their fans a chance to be part of the Grammy‘s mania. In addition to the Ticket 2 Ride Contest, which was announced sometime back, where the winners get a chance to visit Los Angeles and witness the awards live, Vh1 is also organizing many other contests through their partner outlets like TGIF, Crossword and Juice who will be giving special Vh1 meal, book and gift vouchers to the lucky winners of the contests in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. The winners can enjoy an exciting Vh1 look or a platter free with these vouchers. The contests will be promoted by Vh1 on-air as well as on their Facebook Page www.vh1india.com/grammycontest

    The Grammy Awards will be hosted by two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J. Also burning the stage with performances will be pop stars like Black Keys, Fun, Mumford & Sons, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift amongst others.

  • Vh1 runs contest for ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’

    Vh1 runs contest for ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’

    MUMBAI: Vh1 India and Viacom Motion Pictures have partnered to allow movie fans to watch an advance screening of the new ‘Mission Impossible‘ film.

    The viewers get a chance to be a part of the exclusive screening and catch the action before it unravels to the world by participating in ‘Vh1 All Access Contest to Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol‘.

    The viewers need to SMS MIGP to 56882 to enter the contest and the few winners get a chance to watch the film at the special fan screening at IMAX Wadala on Sunday 4 December, 2011.
     
    ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol‘ will release on 7 December, 2011. The film sees Tom Cruise return. The other cast members include Tom Wilkinson, Simon Pegg and also Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor.

    Vh1 India channel head Ferzad Palia said, “The ‘Mission Impossible‘ series has an ardent fan following in India and Tom Cruise continues to rule the hearts of many. We at VH1 India have always tried to offer our viewers an experience which is unforgettable and hence we wanted to give the fans here in India a chance to be a part of this phenomenon much before the rest of the world does”.

  • ‘We are getting into the broader international entertainment space’ : Ferzad Palia – Vh1 India associate GM

    ‘We are getting into the broader international entertainment space’ : Ferzad Palia – Vh1 India associate GM

    In May, Viacom18’s international music and lifestyle channel Vh1 started the makeover process. Repositioned as an international entertainment channel, it ushered in new shows and introduced a new tag line ‘Vh1 – Get with it’.

     

    Vh1 will, thus, stand on three legs – music, shows, and fashion and lifestyle. Music, however, will still constitute 50 per cent of the programming mix.

     

    In an interview with Indiantelevision.com’s Ashwin Pinto, Vh1 India associate GM Ferzad Palia says 25 shows will be launched during the fiscal and the new-look image will result in a 100 per cent revenue growth.

     

    Excerpts:

    What factors prompted the rebranding of Vh1 to an English GEC?
    We launched in 2005 when there was a need to fill the gap for international music. Music channels had all gone desi and mass. Vh1 came in as a flanker and a need gap fulfiller for lifestyle and international music. It has now been four years and we have achieved our targets. We have repopularised international music. We have also ensured that good international acts come into the country.

     

    In 2008 we did research as we felt there was a new need gap. The lifestyle shows on our channel like Pimp My Ride were popular. The audience felt that we were taking the lead towards differentiated international entertainment. This buoyed us into getting into the broader international entertainment space.

     

    Music still constitutes 50 per cent of our mix. But now we are also going towards international entertainment with a renewed vigour.

    What about content repositioning?
    The channel has a new look and feel to it. Our tagline is ‘Get with it’ and is demonstrative of our brand, personality and content that is new and cutting edge. We bring in trends from across the world. We have launched four reality shows in the Monday-Thursday 11 pm slot. We also launched an animation show, South Park. The good news is that these shows cut across our TG.

     

    Our focus for the next few weeks will be to launch content that allows people to gather information on entertainment on a real-time basis. We will look at new gadgets, gizmos, Formula One and Hollywood.

     

    Vh1 currently stands on three legs – music, shows, and fashion and lifestyle.

    What is the brand philosophy of Vh1?
    Vh1 is a combination of entertainment and edutainment. The brand is young and vibrant. The tagline, ‘Get with it,’ expresses that.

    What value is Vh1 looking to bring to the English general entertainment landscape?
    While other general English entertainment channels run similar shows, our product mix is different and daring. Nobody has taken the lead on international music. Going forward, you will see that Vh1 will cover the fashion and lifestyle segment the most.

     

    I don’t think that we fit into the English GEC space per se. Our focus is on international entertainment and it covers different formats.

    Who is your TG?
    Our TG is 15-45 SEC A,B. Most of our viewership comes from the southern metros. The interesting thing is that the mature audience from 25-45 watches us as much as the youngsters do due to the variety in our offerings.

     

    Our audience is 60 per cent male. We talk to different audiences at different time bands. Youngsters watch us in the morning, early in the evening and also after 11 pm which is when we air reality shows. The mature audience tune in at around 9 pm and, to an extent, early in the morning. While we do Hip Hop hustle for the youth, we also have Vh1 Jazz Masters for the older and more discerning viewer. Our analysis tells us that our audience watches news to get information – and then for entertainment they tune in to Vh1.
    ‘We have 110 advertisers on board. We expect 100 per cent revenue growth for the year‘

    Could you talk about the shows that allow Vh1 to be differentiated and daring?
    Pimp My Ride is about taking a thrashed automobile and making it a wow machine. The audiences took note of us with this show. Then our positioning got accentuated with a show called Yo Ma Ma (it is about kids trash talking each other). This concept had never entered India. This was a big point. All our shows have had some sort of twist. Punked with Ashton Kutcher gave birth to MTV Bakra. The difference is that Kutcher punks his celebrity friends. We launched Saturday Night Live.

     

    We will launch 25 shows this fiscal.

    What are the plans for the weekend?
    Sunday Brunch with Jim Morisson will return. This airs rare, unseen footage about an artist. We are launching a party block from 10:30 pm-2 am on Saturday and Sunday. We also air stacks of episodes of shows like South Park on the weekend for people who might have missed out on episodes over the week. At the same time we are conscious of not repeating our content too much.

    You had mentioned giving people the latest news on fashion and Hollywood. How would this work?
    Content will be filmed and shown weekly. So we will launch a weekly show on Hollywood called The Scene over the next 10 days. We have a daily show at 10 pm from Monday to Friday, Daily 10, which is about the 10 top things that have happened in the world of entertainment. It is slightly gossipy in nature. Then there is The Fabulous Life which is one of our flagship shows. It takes you into the lives of the rich and famous celebrities. We also have a show that profiles what happens each week in the world of fashion. Another show BG Racing on Track is about Formula One. It tells you what happened in the previous race and also goes behind the scenes with the drivers and sees what they are doing and where they are partying.

    What marketing activities is Vh1 doing to spread awareness among viewers and advertisers about the repositioning?
    We have done a high decibel outdoor campaign. We used radio. We tied up with about 50 gyms and salons across the country. We use this as an activation platform. We are also on Facebook and Yahoo.

    Are you looking at creating local versions of any of your international shows?
    Yes! However we will be very selective in what we do or else there will no difference between us and competition. We are in the process of finalising a few concepts. A Pimp My Ride India is a distinct possibility.

     

    Then we will be doing an initiative called India Rules later this year. Here we will take Indian Acts abroad and give them an international platform. For us , it is a reverse migration and cross pollination of ideas.

     

    We have a lot of local talent but there is no platform to allow it to go to the next level. We feel that it is our responsibility to give them a platform. This I would like to clarify will not be a hunt for a rock band. Anybody with musical talent can approach us. Our message is that the world is waiting for you.

    What are Vh1’s plans on the events and digital space?
    We constantly do on-ground experiential events. We bring down international artists often. We are now looking at the consumer product space. A lot of brands have evinced interest in associating with Vh1 as there is synergy. We are looking at like minded brands. They have to be premium and have a certain amount of audience respect. Categories could be telecom, handsets, apparel, footwear. The tie ups will be in the nature of products and services.

     

    We will also make a big play on the digital space. It could involve packaging content for the mobile and the Internet.
    Do you see the brand tie up business growing to become a significant source of revenue, apart from advertising?
    It will eventually be a big source of revenue. At this point of time, our objective is to build the brand.

    How is the channel being pitched to advertisers?
    It is being pitched as a unique content channel. The way we integrate brands sets us apart. These days you have to work harder for every rupee. Nokia has an express music phone. We created a show Nokia Vh1 Playlist. Viewers decide what plays here; they send us their playlists. Nokia’s brand proposition is touch, play, share. On Nokia’s site you can see the playlist. When we play the song, your mug shot comes along with a few lines like why you like Bryan Adams’ song Summer of 69. You could dedicate it to your girlfriend.

     

    We started it last year as a weekly and now as it worked, we have made it a daily show. With Airtel we have an initiative Hello tunes Made Easy.
    How many clients do you have?
    We have 110 advertisers on board. We expect 100 per cent revenue growth for the year. The client list is diverse from a 50 paise candy to a Rs 500,000 jewelry set. We have not been affected by the slowdown to the extent that we had originally feared.
  • MTV, Adobe showcase mobile applications at 3GSM conference

    MTV, Adobe showcase mobile applications at 3GSM conference

    MUMBAI: At the 3GSM World Congress in Spain US broadcaster MTV Networks and Adobe Systems are previewing new mobile media applications featuring exclusive MTV Networks programming and leveraging Adobe Flash technology.

    The mobile media applications, available later this year, will deliver music, comedy and entertainment content from the MTV, VH1, Logo and Comedy Central brands directly to handsets that support Adobe FlashCast.

    The new FlashCast channels are the latest example of the ongoing alliance between Adobe and Viacom. Last year the two companies announced that Adobe would serve as the preferred technology provider for rich media authoring tools and interactive online video solutions for Viacom’s extensive array of television, motion picture and digital properties.

    In September, a number of new casual games based on franchises like Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and MTV’s Pimp My Ride were published as part of the Shockwave Minis launch using Adobe’s Flash Lite technology. Additionally, several of MTV Networks’ broadband channels – including COMEDYCENTRAL.com, MTV.com, VSPOT at VH1.com, LOADED at CMT.com, LogoOnline, and TurboNick at Nick.com – have since standardised on Flash technology to deliver streaming video.

    MTV Mobile Media senior VP Greg Clayman says, “The MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Logo FlashCast channels that we are jointly demonstrating at 3GSM are indicative of the rich experiences that can be created on the handset when the power of programming meets the power of technology. With FlashCast technology, we’re able to create innovative mobile experiences that allow our viewers to connect with the music, comedy and entertainment programming they love.”

    Adobe senior VP mobile and device solutions Al Ramadan says, “Viacom is at the forefront of defining great mobile experiences and we are excited that our partner is choosing Flash to make it happen.

    “The first results of our partnership can be seen in our booth at 3GSM demonstrating our commitment to working closely together in the future to advance the innovation of mobile experiences.”

    Adobe’s FlashCast is a client-server solution that delivers mobile data experiences. Building applications with FlashCast technology gives MTV another option to quickly and easily extend the reach of its premium programming to the handset, connecting viewers with their favorite content wherever they are. The MTV FlashCast channel, for instance, features artist interviews, features and breaking stories from MTV News, as well as news for the game community.

    The VH1 application features the Best Week Ever blog and VH1 news; the Logo channel features its popular NewNowNext blog as well as programming from the recently acquired 365 Gay, After Ellen and After Elton web sites; and the Comedy Central FlashCast application features jokes, Booty Call pick-up lines, What’s Your Sign horoscopes and more.

  • Vh1, Nokia to create music video from ‘user generated content’

    Vh1, Nokia to create music video from ‘user generated content’

    MUMBAI: Vh1 and Nokia will partner to launch ‘Shot by You’ an initiative which will see the creation of a music video with ‘User-Generated-Content’.

    The music video for Indian contemporary rock band Pentagram’s single ‘Voice’ will be created using video clips sent in by Nokia consumers. This is bound to push ‘user interactivity’ into the mainstream media. The music video would be made for Pentagram’s latest album, ‘It’s OK. It’s All Good’.

    Commenting on the partnership, MTVN India managing director Amit Jain said, “This partnership with Nokia best exemplifies ‘Viacom Brand Solutions’, our approach that goes beyond traditional advertising or sponsorship and focuses on providing innovative marketing solutions to our key clients and brands.”

    He further added, “We’re happy that in Nokia we’ve found a partner who is willing to take the leap of faith and associate itself with a ground breaking concept that takes their approach of ‘connecting people’ even further.”

    Nokia consumers are invited to listen to the latest track by Pentagram – ‘Voice’ posted online on www.nokia.co.in, and use their camera phones or video recording devices to shoot video footage that they believe is most appropriate for the sound track and send them to Vh1. The most relevant of the video clips would be selected and integrated by Vh1 to create the music video, which will be launched exclusively on Vh1 in March 2007.

    Starting February, Vh1 and Nokia will launch a nation-wide campaign to promote the concept across multiple platforms. The promos of the concept will be seen on Vh1, followed by multi-city ground activation.

    Talking about the Nokia initiative Nokia India director marketing Devinder Kishore said “Nokia’s association with VH1 is an extension of our ‘Music Connects’ theme, aimed at giving young talent an opportunity to express their creativity with the fusion of music and technology “.

    Kishore further added, “With the power of mobility, music enthusiasts will surely have an interesting experience by capturing, sharing and editing their interpretations and creating a video of Pentagram’s chart topping soundtrack.”

    Lead singer of Pentagram Vishal Dadlani says, “It’s a great way to get our people directly involved with the music, and also, hopefully, to include a wider-than-usual audience. So many thanks to both Nokia and Vh1.”
     

  • MTV Networks’ Music & Logo Group launches ‘hyper-programmed’ online verticals

    MTV Networks’ Music & Logo Group launches ‘hyper-programmed’ online verticals

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks’ Music and Logo Group have announced an aggressive development of more than 20 “hyper-programmed” online experiences or vertical channels, that are web content plays designed for the interactive, on-demand environment.

    The channels, many of which have been in development for months, will debut in the first and second quarters of 2007 and will enable their users to explore and engage in their personal interests, obsessions and topics of choice by covering a range of subjects including: music genres and sub- genres, celebrity fashion and style, personal growth and faith and spirituality, among others, informs an official release.

    Delivering on a two-way proposition, audiences will be able to actively “hyper-program” a number of these vertical channels themselves through next- generation web tools that allow users to help discover, curate, edit and upload content. MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo will seek to acquire, partner on or organically develop the properties, depending on the topic.

    A number of verticals under development will serve as companion sites to existing popular television franchises and focus on relevant topics that resonate with their fans. For instance, a vertical built around VH1’s “Web Junk 20” is geared toward serving as a guide and daily source of viral videos, while others will be stand-alone creative propositions, without television companions, informs an official release.

    Earlier this year, as an experiment in this direction, VH1 launched a stand-alone site bestweekever.tv. As a companion vertical to the popular “Best Week Ever” TV franchise, this new site offers a selection of pop culture nuggets and includes a host of exclusive mobile and video content in real-time. The site also allows users to create their own front page gossip by uploading their own video and news.

    Similarly, this past fall, MTV launched ‘Virtual Laguna Beach’, an entirely stand-alone virtual world tied to the TV series, and a first of its kind. Additionally, in June Logo acquired three stand-alone sites, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com and 365Gay.com independently complimenting Logoonline.com and serving the gay, lesbian bi and transgender audience, adds the release.

    “These serve as successful models for a new interactive, hyper-programming approach and represent the next phase in the evolution of media for consumers, from broadcast networks to cable channels and now to hyper-programmed verticals,” said MTV Networks’ Music and Logo Group president Van Toffler. “Just as MTV networks blazed new territory by establishing linear cable networks built around specific interests and lifestyles, we are now developing new online experiences around niche topics that resonate with our current audiences, as well as those subversive web surfers.”

    “These verticals can be viewed as ‘front doors’ into the wide spectrum of passionate and specific interests that reflect our audiences’ tastes and desires,” added Entertainment for the MTV Networks Music Group president and Logo president of Brian Graden. “Each project gives us a unique and liberating opportunity to indulge the unique aspects of Web 2.0 technology in an effort to do what we’ve always done well, super-serve niche audiences.”

  • Vh1 and Jack Black join to produce ‘Department of Acceptable Media’

    Vh1 and Jack Black join to produce ‘Department of Acceptable Media’

    MUMBAI: VH1, Jack Black and the team from Channel101.com have announced the launch of weekly comedy program Department of Acceptable Media.

    The user-generated content and material show will be responsible for a website that will launch in early 2007 followed by a 8 episode weekly TV series premiering on VH1 in the Spring of 2007, asserts an official release.

    On board as coconspirators for The Department are Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab as executive producers, who teamed with Black in 2003 to cofound Black Channel 101, a Website dedicated to screening digital shorts made by novice filmmakers in a competitive forum. Benjamin Cooley will oversee for Electric Dynamite Productions.

    VH1 SVP of films and scripted series Maggie Malina, will oversee television production for VH1, along with VH1 EVP production and programming Michael Hirschorn.

    Each week viewers will see new three-minute episodes of six proposed TV series, most produced by the ‘Department’ staff, some produced by web users. Viewers will then be able to vote, via the Web site www.acceptable.tv, for three of those series to return with a new episode.

    The three with the least votes are cancelled and replaced by three new pilots the following week. All shows acceptable and unacceptable will be shown on the website. The best of these shorts could eventually grow to a full series on VH1, adds the release.

    Actor and series producer Jack Black said, “Over the years, Dan Harmon and Rob Shrab have assembled an incredible group of young filmmakers at their internet event, Channel101.com.”

    “They have mastered the art of the three-to-five minute entertainment power nugget. I am proud to be a producer of this breakthrough television series. This is the first show in TV history to be programmed by the audience,” he added.

    “The formation of the Department places VH1 and its viewers again at the forefront of the user-generated content revolution. VH1 tapped into the online video explosion early with our weekly Web Junk 20 series nearly a year ago. The show found the funniest videos on the internet and shared them with our viewers — thousands of whom uploaded their own videos to us,” said MTV Networks music group and logo president entertainment Brian Graden.

  • Vh1 enters another dimension with ‘Video Mods’

    Vh1 enters another dimension with ‘Video Mods’

    MUMBAI: Vh1, India’s international music and lifestyle channel, has launched a new mixing concept with Video Mods.

    Video Mods transforms music videos by injecting a unique video game environment and featuring characters from one or even a few video games.

    This new concept presents video games and music videos all morphed in one, asserts an official release.

    In upcoming episodes, Video Mods will take on videos from the Beastie Boys, Ciara, Yellow Card, Taking Back Sunday, and The Killers with games like NBA Street V3, Medal of Honor European Assault, Dance Dance Revolution, Silent Hill, and Lineage II: the Chaotic Chronicle, adds the release.

    New 30 minute episode of Vh1’s Video Mods will be telecasted every Saturday at 5 pm.