ITV

Tag: Warner Bros.

  • Plans for MipCube unveiled

    Plans for MipCube unveiled

    MUMBAI: Creative platform MipCube will have a line-up of events and conferences which includes speakers from Twitter, Warner Bros. and Machinima, a new Brands and Content Masterclass and the inaugural Women in Tech and Media networking breakfast.

    MipCube 2013 will feature innovators in the digital content space. An integral part of MipTV, the world‘s content market, MipCube takes place in Cannes, France from 8-11 April.

    As part of a series of case studies, Twitter UK head of broadcast partnerships Dan Biddle will explore how the future of the micro-blogging site is linked to TV, thanks to its ability to cultivate audiences. MipCube participants will also get an insight into what tomorrow‘s media business will look like in the hands of the new media moguls.

    Content producers Warner Bros. director/producer Kevin Tancharoen and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution head of digital programming and development Lance Sloane will explain how they produced ‘Mortal Kombat: Legacy‘, a split-screen blockbuster which was the most-viewed web series in 2011.

    Experts in the interactive content space will describe how to attract, build, and scale audiences, with contributions from video entertainment network Machinima president, co-founder Philip Debevoise, and 22-year-old entrepreneur Jamal Edwards who is SB.TV Global founder, CEO.

    Cisneros‘ AdsMovil company COO Jorge Rincón will also be on hand to provide a focus on the mobile Hispanic population. Meanwhile branding agency Huge chief strategy officer Gene Liebel, who developed the strategy and built the HBO Go digital platform, will discuss the importance of intuitive design and user interface in encouraging audiences to consume more content.

    In a session on reinventing distribution in the ‘anywhere‘ age, digital media company Base79 founder Ashley MacKenzie, which is YouTube‘s biggest content partner in Europe, will discuss which distribution models exist for professional content creators, and how best to leverage them.

    Underlining the networking opportunities which MipCube offers, a string of matchmaking sessions will involve broadcasters, including Canal + Head of Digital, Fabienne Fourquet; Canada‘s CBC executive director, studio and unscripted content Julie Bristow; brand representatives such as Paolo Bonsignore from Illy Café; and branded content experts such as Victor Knaap of Media Monk.

    A new feature this year is the Brands and Content Masterclass, sponsored by Ogilvy and Mather and in partnership with Hyper Island. The Masterclass will bring together more than 80 executives working in branded entertainment from brands, agencies, production companies, TV networks, digital platforms and social networks. The objectives of this Masterclass are to learn how to create engaging branded entertainment, meet potential partners in this field, and to share best practices from a selection of some of the most successful branded entertainment campaigns.

    The Masterclass will be introduced by Hyper Island CEO Johanna Frelin, and will feature contributions from ITV MD Commercial, Online and Interactive Fru Hazlitt; McLaren Group Brand Director John Allert, and Framestore executive producer Simon Whalley. Other participating brands include Renault and Swarovski, while the Newcast (Publicis), MEC and Havas agencies will also take part. In the following lunch, the 2013 Brand of the Year award will be delivered (succeeding 2012 Heineken and 2011 Amex).

    Another new feature is the Women In Tech and Media Breakfast, during which the challenges women face as they shoot for greater influence in the industry will be discussed. The talents of tomorrow will be showcased in the Content 360 Pitch Competition for transmedia producers and creative agencies, this year sponsored by Russian independent broadcaster CTC Media and telco MTS; the MipCube Lab, an international competition for startups innovating in the TV field; and the TV Hack Day, featuring 15 selected developers and designers who have 48 hours to come up with what might be the next big app. All of the winners plus Brand of the Year will be showcased in the Innovation show.

    MipCube also provides hands-on opportunities through workshops like the YouTube Creators Masterclass for Content Producers, run by Head of YouTube Next Lab EMEA at Google David Ripert or the Social TV Bootcamp, which will provide a live consulting session on strategies to build social TV projects.

    On 7 April, as a preamble to the main event, MipCube Plus will offer a one-day think-tank dedicated to unlocking fresh business opportunities for new content creation, user engagement and monetisation models.

  • Paramount, Warner Bros to co-produce and distribute Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’

    Paramount, Warner Bros to co-produce and distribute Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures has said that writer/director Christopher Nolan‘s ‘Interstellar‘ will be co-produced and distributed by the two studios, with Paramount Pictures handling Domestic distribution and Warner Bros. Pictures distributing the film Internationally.
     
    ‘Interstellar‘ will be released beginning 7 November, 2014, in theaters and Imax.
     
    Directed and written by Academy Award-nominee Nolan, ‘Interstellar‘ is based on a script by Jonathan Nolan. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan of Syncopy Films and Obst of Lynda Obst Productions. Kip Thorne will executive produce. The film will depict a heroic interstellar voyage to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding.
     
    Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey said, "As a filmmaker and storyteller, Chris has continuously entertained the world with his extraordinary and unparalleled talents. I am pleased beyond measure to welcome him to the Paramount Pictures family. Partnering with Chris, Emma, Lynda and Warner Bros. to release this original idea next November is the perfect way to start the Thanksgiving and holiday movie season for audiences around the world."
     
    Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov said, "Christopher Nolan is truly one of the great auteurs working in film today, and we‘re extremely proud of our successful and ongoing collaboration with him and Emma Thomas. We are excited to be teaming with Paramount, and look forward to working with the Nolans, and producer Lynda Obst, on this extraordinary new project."

  • Matrix directors sued for alleged copyright infringement

    Matrix directors sued for alleged copyright infringement

    MUMBAI: Andy and Lana Wachowski, the writer-director duo behind films like The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution are being sued for USD 300 million by a writer who claims that the siblings stole his idea.

    Hawaii-based writer Thomas Althouse has filed a lawsuit against the siblings, along with Joel Silver and Warner Bros in a Federal Court for copyright infringement. Althouse is representing himself in the case, it is understood.

    Althouse claims that the two films were based and formulated in substantial part upon his screenplay. He has further accused all defendants of willfully infringing on his copyright for purposes of commercial advantage.

    In his complaint, the Hawaiian born says that he wrote a screenplay titled The Immortals that was registered with the Writers Guild of America in 1993 and copyrighted with the US Copyright Office in 1996.

    He also claims that he subsequently submitted his screenplay to Warner Bros through his attorney in 1993 and the studio acknowledged receipt of his play at that time.

    Although the ‘Matrix‘ sequels released in 2003, Althouse says he didn‘t see the films until 2010, and it was then that he began investigating the similarities.

  • Warner Bros signs Adam Sandler for romantic comedy

    Warner Bros signs Adam Sandler for romantic comedy

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. has signed Adam Sandler to star in its untitled romantic comedy that centers on blended families.
     
    The project, which was initially called Blended when it was set up in 2007, centers on a man and woman who, after a disastrous first date, get trapped at a family resort with their kids from previous marriages in tow. An attraction begins to grow despite comedic mishaps.
     
    The film is to be produced by Happy Madison with Mike Karz‘s Gulfstream Pictures, and the project and has no director at this point of time. The move puts Sandler‘s Western comedy The Ridiculous 6, set up at Paramount, on the back burner for the time being.
     
    The casting is in process to find the female lead. Sandra Bullock was previously attached to star when it was titled Blended. It is now understood that it would be Drew Barrymore, who co-starred with him in films like The Wedding Singer and Fifty First Dates.

  • You On Demand expands to IPTV platform for VoD service in China

    You On Demand expands to IPTV platform for VoD service in China

    MUMBAI: Pay-Per-View (PPV) and Video On Demand (VOD) platform service in China YOU On Demand, has signed a distribution agreement with Tianjin IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), which covers households across 16 major districts and counties in the greater Tianjin metropolitan area.

    You On Demand will officially launch with Tianjin IPTV immediately following the completion of the Chinese New Year celebration which began on 10 February, 2013.

    IPTV is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal and cable television formats.
    The signing with Tianjin IPTV represents an expansion of YOU On Demand‘s services from cable to the IPTV platform, thus increasing the number of customers who can view the wide variety of films YOU On Demand delivers each month through its Transactional Video On Demand (TVOD) and Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) packages.

    You On Demand chairman, CEO Shane McMahon said, “You On Demand is always seeking to partner with new and exciting distribution platforms in order to deliver the highest quality entertainment experience to the broadest reach of existing and potential new customers.

    “We are honored to partner with Tianjin IPTV and are looking forward to reaching this new consumer base.”

    You On Demand currently has content deals in place with studios including Disney Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. and Miramax Films as well as a selection of content from Chinese filmmakers.

  • Denzil Dias takes charge of Warner Bros India as Blaise Fernandes quits

    Denzil Dias takes charge of Warner Bros India as Blaise Fernandes quits

    MUMBAI: After spending 22 years at Warner Bros. India, Blaise Fernandes has decided to call it quits at the Indian subsidiary of the Hollywood film studio to pursue other opportunities.

    Fernandes, who was Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Warner Bros. India, will be replaced by Denzil Dias, who is currently serving as the Deputy Managing Director.

    Dias has assumed the role of Managing Director, Warner Bros. Pictures International India.

    Warner Bros. Entertainment Executive Vice President International Richard Fox commented, “Blaise has made an important contribution to the Warner Bros. operation in India over the past 22 years and we wish him well in his new ventures.”

    In a related development, Time Warner has appointed Kevin Tsujihara as the next Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment.

    Tsujihara will become CEO beginning 1 March, succeeding Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer, who will remain as Chairman through 2013.

  • Netflix, Warner Bros sign deal

    Netflix, Warner Bros sign deal

    MUMBAI: OTT subscription service Netflix and Warner Bros Television Group have announced a licensing agreement allowing US Netflix members to enjoy complete previous seasons of serialised dramas produced by Warner Bros for top broadcast and cable networks.

    Among the shows coming to Netflix next year will be ‘Revolution‘, a drama for NBC from J J Abrams‘ Bad Robot Productions set in a post-apocalyptic America which ranks as the #1 new series of the 2012-13 television season; ‘Political Animals‘, the USA Network miniseries with Sigourney Weaver in a Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild Award-nominated role as a former First Lady serving as Secretary of State; ‘Longmire‘, A&E‘s Western mystery series based on the novels by best-selling author Craig Johnson; and ‘666 Park Avenue‘, the ABC supernatural thriller starring Terry O‘Quinn and Vanessa Williams.

    Also coming to Netflix will be the drama ‘The Following‘, starring Kevin Bacon as a former FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer played by James Purefoy and which premieres January 21 on Fox as well as hit serialised Warner Bros. Television series ‘Chuck‘, ‘Fringe‘ and ‘The West Wing‘.

    Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said, "This unprecedented agreement brings to Netflix members earlier and more exclusively than ever before complete previous seasons of some of the most prominent and successful shows on network and cable television. Through deals like this, Netflix is making the production economics right for the continued creation of the kind of compelling serialized dramas and thrillers that our members love."

    Warner Bros. Television Group president Bruce Rosenblum said, "SVOD has become an important window for our serialised dramas, allowing viewers a chance to discover a series that before might have been intimidating to tune into mid-run. We continue to adapt our business models to include SVOD when it makes sense for the long-term value of each show and are thrilled to have Netflix as one of our distribution partners."

    The agreement covers a current slate of eight Warner Bros. shows as well as potential future shows. Under the agreement, the shows can also be made available via traditional syndication windows, electronic sell-through services and on a catch-up basis for recently aired episodes.

  • Amazon adds TNT drama series to its Prime Instant Video catalogue

    Amazon adds TNT drama series to its Prime Instant Video catalogue

    MUMBAI: Amazon.com has signed an exclusive content licensing agreement with Turner Broadcasting System and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

    The deal will add the epic TNT drama series ‘Falling Skie‘s and the Warner Bros. Television-produced TNT series ‘The Closer‘ to Amazon.com‘s Prime Instant Video catalog, giving Prime members instant access to these titles at no additional cost.

    Fans will be able to enjoy all seven seasons of ‘The Closer‘ and the current as well as future seasons of ‘Falling Skies‘ on Prime Instant Video.

    Prime Instant Video now features more than 30,000 movies and TV episodes for Amazon Prime members to stream instantly on Kindle Fire HD or any of the hundreds of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices, including iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Wii U.

    “Today’s agreements with TNT and Warner Bros. Domestic TV add two great TV series to Prime Instant Video. Falling Skies and The Closer are some of Turner’s most-watched and highly talked about series and we’re happy to offer them exclusively for Prime members to enjoy,” said Amazon Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition Brad Beale.

  • Kaleidescape to offer films from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

    Kaleidescape to offer films from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

    MUMBAI: Kaleidescape has announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution to offer films for purchase. In addition, the company will upgrade all Warner Bros. titles purchased through the Kaleidescape Store to UltraViolet in March 2013 – giving users a way to enjoy their collection across their various devices.

    This agreement also enables a Kaleidescape owner to convert Warner Bros. titles that were previously imported to their Kaleidescape movie server to UltraViolet or to upgrade their Warner Bros. titles from standard definition to high definition – both for a small fee.

    UltraViolet is an industry wide initiative that was launched last year in the US. It gives consumers the ability to buy and collect movies and TV shows from any authorized retailer, and download or stream the content to a wide range of connected devices such as compatible Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones and tablets. Over seven million consumers have registered for UltraViolet to unlock their digital film and television libraries and enjoy a more convenient and accessible entertainment experience.Kaleidescape develops movie servers that it says redefine how film enthusiasts purchase, organize and enjoy their movie collections. It has a user interface that gives viewers flexibility and control over the movies they watch.

    Kaleidescape founder, chairman, CEO Michael Malcolm said, "We couldn‘t be more excited about working with Warner Bros. and offering this extensive catalogue of well-known and well-loved titles to our customers. In addition, the inclusion of UltraViolet in our service will give owners of Kaleidescape movie servers a whole new way to enjoy their content."

    Through this licensing agreement, Kaleidescape System owners will initially have the ability to buy thousands of Warner Bros. titles via the Kaleidescape Store including the ‘Harry Potter‘ series and ‘The Lord of the Rings." When UltraViolet functionality is launched in March 2013, available titles that are purchased now will be automatically upgraded to UltraViolet at no additional charge. These titles can then be easily accessed through UltraViolet compatible applications including Flixster – a movie discovery application. With over 60 million downloads of the app to date, Flixster makes finding, managing and enjoying movies and TV shows simple.

    Warner Bros. Digital Distribution president Thomas Gewecke said, "Kaleidescape is well-known for its user-friendly system that lets consumers access and watch movies from their home collections with the touch of a button. Now their users have the same one-touch simplicity with purchasing new movies electronically. UltraViolet will extend its ease-of-use further, with automatic upgrades for purchased titles and even more ways to watch movie libraries both at home and on the go."

  • Netflix inks Warner Bros licensing agreement

    Netflix inks Warner Bros licensing agreement

    MUMBAI: A recent research reveals that there has been an explosion in UK OTT usage over the past year. Considering this, on demand cinema provider Netflix has entered a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros.

    Under this agreement, Netflix subscribers will get exclusive access to complete previous seasons of American TV series such as Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Fringe and Chuck.

    Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in the media, "We are thrilled to be the exclusive online subscription home for these incredibly entertaining shows from Warner Bros Television. We are giving fans the opportunity to relive their favourite moments from these programmes while hopefully attracting a lot of new ones who will be able to enjoy these serialised stories from their very beginning."
    Warner Bros International Television president Jeffrey R Schlesinger said, "We are pleased to be able to offer fans in the UK on-demand access to past seasons of these incredibly addictive series. Whether fans discover, catch-up or relive favourite episodes, Netflix is a terrific distribution partner and this deal demonstrates that there is now a viable new outlet for our programming after the initial telecast in the UK."