ITV

Tag: Viacom

  • Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    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.

  • Colors Infinity & HOOQ acquire ‘Mad Dogs’ from Sony for India

    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.

  • Viacom’s Sumner Redstone & Philippe Dauman see compensation cuts in 2015

    Viacom’s Sumner Redstone & Philippe Dauman see compensation cuts in 2015

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc executive chairman Sumner Redstone received an almost 85 per cent cut in his pay for the 2015 fiscal in the light of his ailing health.

     

    Redstone, who is 92 years old, was paid $2 million in salary in Viacom’s 2015 fiscal year, according to a company filing Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In comparison, he was paid $13 million in salary, bonuses and other perks in 2014.

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, a shareholder has filed a lawsuit in which it was alleged that Redstone was incapable of continuing to run the company.

     

    On the other hand, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman also saw a cut in his pay. In 2015, he received compensation of approximately $36.9 million, which was 17 per cent lower from his 2014 compensation of $44.3 million. On the other hand, Dauman drew a $4 million salary last year. His bonus dropped 30 per cent to $14 million as compared to $20 million in 2014.

     

    In a statement to explain the drop in compensation, Viacom said, “Mr. Redstone’s salary was unchanged in fiscal 2015. He became ineligible to receive a bonus beginning in fiscal 2015, and has not been eligible to receive an annual equity award since fiscal 2012.”

     

    However, the company did not give any specific reasons for the cut in pay and compensation.

     

    While Redstone is Viacom’s controlling shareholder, he holds about 80 per cent voting shares of Viacom and CBS Corp through his family investment vehicle – National Amusements.

     

    According to the lawsuit filed in Delaware by Viacom shareholder E.F. Greenberg, Redstone received $169 million in executive compensation for his role at Viacom from 2012 to 2014. In addition, he also receives compensation for his role as CBS executive chairman.

  • Viacom’s Sumner Redstone & Philippe Dauman see compensation cuts in 2015

    Viacom’s Sumner Redstone & Philippe Dauman see compensation cuts in 2015

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc executive chairman Sumner Redstone received an almost 85 per cent cut in his pay for the 2015 fiscal in the light of his ailing health.

     

    Redstone, who is 92 years old, was paid $2 million in salary in Viacom’s 2015 fiscal year, according to a company filing Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In comparison, he was paid $13 million in salary, bonuses and other perks in 2014.

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, a shareholder has filed a lawsuit in which it was alleged that Redstone was incapable of continuing to run the company.

     

    On the other hand, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman also saw a cut in his pay. In 2015, he received compensation of approximately $36.9 million, which was 17 per cent lower from his 2014 compensation of $44.3 million. On the other hand, Dauman drew a $4 million salary last year. His bonus dropped 30 per cent to $14 million as compared to $20 million in 2014.

     

    In a statement to explain the drop in compensation, Viacom said, “Mr. Redstone’s salary was unchanged in fiscal 2015. He became ineligible to receive a bonus beginning in fiscal 2015, and has not been eligible to receive an annual equity award since fiscal 2012.”

     

    However, the company did not give any specific reasons for the cut in pay and compensation.

     

    While Redstone is Viacom’s controlling shareholder, he holds about 80 per cent voting shares of Viacom and CBS Corp through his family investment vehicle – National Amusements.

     

    According to the lawsuit filed in Delaware by Viacom shareholder E.F. Greenberg, Redstone received $169 million in executive compensation for his role at Viacom from 2012 to 2014. In addition, he also receives compensation for his role as CBS executive chairman.

  • Nickelodeon greenlights first new global series to be produced in Viacom’s Miami studio

    Nickelodeon greenlights first new global series to be produced in Viacom’s Miami studio

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon has announced the first series that will be produced in the new state of the art Viacom International Studios in Miami. The studio, which boasts two 15,000 sq. foot stages and was completed in late 2015, will serve as a multiplatform production hub for all of Viacom’s brands.

     

    I Am Frankie, originally produced as Yo Soy Franky by Nickelodeon Latin America in Colombia was created by Argentine writer Marcela Citterio. The English language version, I Am Frankie, is now being adapted for global audiences by Catharina Ledeboer, who has written multiple Nickelodeon hits, including most recently Every Witch Way, which completed four seasons and Talia in the Kitchen.

     

    I Am Frankie, is the story of Frankie – an experimental android who navigates the perils and wonders of being a teenager.

     

    Already in development, production on I Am Frankie will begin in the second half of 2016. Nickelodeon has ordered 20 x 30 minute episodes, which will be distributed to Nickelodeon’s global audiences spanning 160 countries and territories via the brand’s more than 80 channels and branded blocks.

     

    Viacom’s Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami said, “Miami has been a content hub for Nickelodeon for some time, creating global hits such as Every Witch Way, among others. Our talented team in Miami is truly expert at the daily serialized format – and continues to innovate their approach to both content and platforms. I Am Frankie is a fresh and different format and has incredibly talented team behind it.”

     

    Viacom International Media Networks, Americas president Pierluigi Gazzolo added, “Viacom’s commitment to top quality productions is greater than ever before – as audiences continue to demand more and more content. I am delighted that this innovative new show is among the first to be produced in this new turnkey facility.”

  • Nickelodeon greenlights first new global series to be produced in Viacom’s Miami studio

    Nickelodeon greenlights first new global series to be produced in Viacom’s Miami studio

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon has announced the first series that will be produced in the new state of the art Viacom International Studios in Miami. The studio, which boasts two 15,000 sq. foot stages and was completed in late 2015, will serve as a multiplatform production hub for all of Viacom’s brands.

     

    I Am Frankie, originally produced as Yo Soy Franky by Nickelodeon Latin America in Colombia was created by Argentine writer Marcela Citterio. The English language version, I Am Frankie, is now being adapted for global audiences by Catharina Ledeboer, who has written multiple Nickelodeon hits, including most recently Every Witch Way, which completed four seasons and Talia in the Kitchen.

     

    I Am Frankie, is the story of Frankie – an experimental android who navigates the perils and wonders of being a teenager.

     

    Already in development, production on I Am Frankie will begin in the second half of 2016. Nickelodeon has ordered 20 x 30 minute episodes, which will be distributed to Nickelodeon’s global audiences spanning 160 countries and territories via the brand’s more than 80 channels and branded blocks.

     

    Viacom’s Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami said, “Miami has been a content hub for Nickelodeon for some time, creating global hits such as Every Witch Way, among others. Our talented team in Miami is truly expert at the daily serialized format – and continues to innovate their approach to both content and platforms. I Am Frankie is a fresh and different format and has incredibly talented team behind it.”

     

    Viacom International Media Networks, Americas president Pierluigi Gazzolo added, “Viacom’s commitment to top quality productions is greater than ever before – as audiences continue to demand more and more content. I am delighted that this innovative new show is among the first to be produced in this new turnkey facility.”

  • Shareholder files lawsuit against Viacom & CBS over Sumner Redstone’s pay

    Shareholder files lawsuit against Viacom & CBS over Sumner Redstone’s pay

    MUMBAI: Investors targeted Viacom Inc and filed a lawsuit against Viacom and CBS’s boards on 19 January, alleging the companies improperly paid millions to executive chairman Sumner Redstone while he was physically and mentally incapacitated.

     

    Redstone’s health issues were heightened after his ex-girlfriend Manuela Herzer filed a lawsuit that raised doubts about the billionaire’s competence. Redstone’s lawyers have maintained that he is in full control of making decisions.

     

    The new shareholder lawsuit, filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, says payments to Redstone “for services not rendered” amounted to bad faith by the two boards and also says the Viacom board misrepresented Redstone’s deteriorated physical and mental condition in a January 2015 proxy statement.

     

    The Redstone controversy began last fall when his ex-girlfriend was thrown off his advance healthcare directive and escorted out of his sprawling hilltop estate. She sued, contending the mogul was in no position to make such decisions.

     

    Redstone named Viacom chief executive Philippe Dauman as his new healthcare agent. Dauman filed a motion on 15 January in a New York court to stop his deposition in connection with Herzer’s case. 

     

    As per media reports, an attorney for Herzer had no immediate comment on Dauman’s filing. Herzer’s attorney has previously said she sued solely over concern for Redstone’s health.

  • Shareholder files lawsuit against Viacom & CBS over Sumner Redstone’s pay

    Shareholder files lawsuit against Viacom & CBS over Sumner Redstone’s pay

    MUMBAI: Investors targeted Viacom Inc and filed a lawsuit against Viacom and CBS’s boards on 19 January, alleging the companies improperly paid millions to executive chairman Sumner Redstone while he was physically and mentally incapacitated.

     

    Redstone’s health issues were heightened after his ex-girlfriend Manuela Herzer filed a lawsuit that raised doubts about the billionaire’s competence. Redstone’s lawyers have maintained that he is in full control of making decisions.

     

    The new shareholder lawsuit, filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, says payments to Redstone “for services not rendered” amounted to bad faith by the two boards and also says the Viacom board misrepresented Redstone’s deteriorated physical and mental condition in a January 2015 proxy statement.

     

    The Redstone controversy began last fall when his ex-girlfriend was thrown off his advance healthcare directive and escorted out of his sprawling hilltop estate. She sued, contending the mogul was in no position to make such decisions.

     

    Redstone named Viacom chief executive Philippe Dauman as his new healthcare agent. Dauman filed a motion on 15 January in a New York court to stop his deposition in connection with Herzer’s case. 

     

    As per media reports, an attorney for Herzer had no immediate comment on Dauman’s filing. Herzer’s attorney has previously said she sued solely over concern for Redstone’s health.

  • Peter Chernin backs former Viacom exec Van Toffler’s new digital studio

    Peter Chernin backs former Viacom exec Van Toffler’s new digital studio

    MUMBAI: Former MTV and Viacom executive Van Toffler has launched a new digital content studio called Gunpowder & Sky, which is being backed by Peter Chernin.
     
    Toffler has joined hands with former Endemol global head of strategy Floris Bauer, and Otter Media, which is the digital joint venture between Chernin Group and AT&T – to form Gunpowder & Sky.
     
    The new studio will focus on cutting-edge entertainment for millennial audiences of varying lengths from 90 seconds to 90 minutes, which will be distributed online globally online.
     
    Chernin Group CEO Peter Chernin said, “Gunpowder & Sky is a bold move for us into what we think is the next great opportunity in content production — producing premium groundbreaking video with up-and-coming as well as established writers, directors and talent for primary distribution on emerging platforms.”
     
    “The organising principle is, we want to nurture and find people with new ideas about how to tell stories. And we want to do that globally, with stuff that lives primarily in the digital ecosystem,” said Toffler, who will head Gunpowder & Sky as CEO.
     
    In a statement, Chernin called Gunpower & Sky “the next great opportunity” in content production with new as well as established writers, directors and talent for distribution on emerging digital platforms.
  • Colors to launch second season of ‘Mission Sapne’ on 17 January

    Colors to launch second season of ‘Mission Sapne’ on 17 January

    MUMBAI: After the successful first season of Mission Sapne, Colors is all set to launch the second season starting from 17 January at 11 am every Sunday. 

    Produced by Sobo Films, Mission Sapne Season 2 will feature 10 celebrated entertainers who will showcase their talent as they work their magic to learn the professional ongoings and tricks of the trade to raise funds in support of a deserving commoner.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com about the second edition of Mission Sapne, Sobo Films director Smruti Shinde said, “I think television is a very strong medium to highlight causes which are read about in the newspapers or seen on news channels. The reason I want to do this show on a GEC was because of the show’s strong entertainment quotient. It doesn’t drag or get boring when you talk about social causes and through entertainment you are able to help that one person or highlight good causes, which needed that kind of attention.”  

    Mission Sapne provides dramatic entertainment with a strong social message as entertainers from different industries willingly live the common man’s professional life for a day. Talking about the research done for the show, Shinde informed, “We did three months of research before going on air. We have a research team, which systematically goes through a lot of cases. We interview people from different walks of life. India is a place where you have many such cases and we cannot help each one of them but with our small initiative we can at least highlight such cases.”

    The first season of Mission Sapne was launched on 27 April, 2014 on Colors. The show was aired at 8 pm every Sunday. This time round, the 10 episodes series will see some changes as the production house will focus more on creating awareness than raising funds for the people.

    “After the first season, we realised that there are many people that we need to help through the show. We decided that we should also talk about the different causes besides helping the individuals. We need to highlight social issues as well. Therefore, this season will have a few important causes, which need to be talked about. We are creating awareness and sending messages through celebrities on issues like farmer suicides, HIV and molestation. We are trying to highlight social causes this season rather than helping individuals. Also, this season we will have lot of women star power on the show,” she informed.

     

    The second season will also see some important issues like women empowerment. Talking about the selection process, Shinde said, “We picked up the cases, which are relevant in today’s time. There was no particular criteria as such for selecting people. We come across some people that really need help, so we help them.”

     

    Sharing her experience of working with Colors CEO Raj Nayak, Shinde shared, “A couple of years back we launched this show Bole Toh Malamaal in Marathi on Mi Marathi. Raj Nayak had wanted us to bring it on Hindi GEC so that we can create more awareness through the show. It’s been superb working with him. He has been a big support throughout the journey of Mission Sapne. Viacom, Colors and Raj Nayak supported it to a great extent and I think it’s their own CSR initiative to come on the show and not taking any money.”