ITV

Tag: Warner Bros.

  • Eros to buy stake in Anytime for Asia Pacific VoD distribution

    Eros to buy stake in Anytime for Asia Pacific VoD distribution

    MUMBAI: Eros International Plc, the company that owns, creates and globally distributes Bollywood content, is in the process of investing up to £2.1 million (Rs 178 million) for a minority stake in Singapore-based Anytime Pte Ltd.

    As part of the deal, Eros-branded Bollywood video-on-demand (VoD) service showcasing its library of over 1300 titles will be launched in the 14 Asia Pacific countries where Anytime service has a license to operate. Anytime, one of Asia’s leading supplier of VoD Hollywood entertainment, has shareholders which include CPE Holdings Inc. (Sony), Fox Media Services Inc, Intel Capital, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc, YTC Group (a Singapore based multinational conglomerate), the Macquarie Bank Group and Coote/Hayes Productions LLC (a U.S.-based TV and film production company).

    The agreement also provides for the formation of a joint venture that will be majority owned by Eros to distribute Hollywood movies on digital platforms throughout India. “The JV will provide fully programmed and customized premium Hollywood content services to local service providers as well as to consumers over the open internet,” Eros said in a statement.

    The deal, which will give Eros a seat on Anytime’s board, is, however, subject to final due diligence and agreement of full terms. Said Eros International CMD Kishore Lulla, “Anytime’s Hollywood digital entertainment services, world-class technical programming and marketing expertise complement Eros’ strategic vision for expanding choice for consumers in India. Working with Anytime will help us further expand the reach of our extensive Bollywood film library.”

    Added Anytime president and CEO Craig Zimbulis, “We are excited about the tremendous value this partnership with Eros International will bring to our shareholders and consumers by expanding ANYTIME’s Hollywood on demand entertainment to a massive Indian market and taking Eros’ premium Bollywood content on VOD to the Asia Pacific region.”

    Anytime is the leading VoD channel over IPTV, broadband and digital cable networks in Asia and the Pacific. With four of Hollywood’s major studios and Intel as its shareholders, Anytime has an extensive content of current and library titles available on demand.

  • Electronic Arts, Warner team up for Harry Potter game

    Electronic Arts, Warner team up for Harry Potter game

    MUMBAI: Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in the US have announced that the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix video game is in development. The game is scheduled for a July 2007 release to coincide with the film based on J.K. Rowling’s fifth book of the same title.

    EA UK executive producer Harvey Elliott says, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the first in the franchise that we have developed for the next generation consoles. Together with current generation versions, we are creating an immersive and, above all, faithful Harry Potter experience that will both accurately reflect the world showcased in the film and also delight fans of all ages.”

    Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment senior VP Jason Hall says, “Working with EA, we look forward to offering fans the most authentic Harry Potter game to date, one which captures the compelling story of the fiction and high visual quality of the movie. After reading the book and seeing the film, fans will be able to take advantage of the complete interactive experience with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix game.”

    The close and synergistic relationship between book, film and videogame is more defined in the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix videogame than ever before the two parties state. Players will be able to explore the many key locations within Hogwarts in minute detail, each one a visual match to its film equivalent, while being engrossed in the thrilling adventures outlined in the rich narrative of the book.

    In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community is in denial about the teenager’s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, preferring to turn a blind eye to the news that Voldemort has returned. Fearing that Hogwarts’ venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort’s return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students.

    But Professor Dolores Umbridge’s Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves “Dumbledore’s Army,” Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.

    With the ability to play multiple characters, including Harry Potter, Dumbledore and Sirius Black, the video game offers fans the opportunity to wield a wand, explore all around Hogwarts.

  • Samsung joins ‘DVD6C’ in licensing DVD patents

    Samsung joins ‘DVD6C’ in licensing DVD patents

    MUMBAI: The DVD6C licensing group (DVD6C), has announced that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd has joined its worldwide joint licensing program which provides manufacturers of DVD products the ability to license essential DVD patents owned by the group’s members.

    DVD6C has licensed DVD patents owned by its member companies since June 1999 (adding licensing for DVD-recorders, DVD-audio players, DVD-R, -RW and -RAM drives, DVD-audio, -R, -RW, -and -RAM discs and cases in September 2003). DVD6C’s licenses cover patents owned by the 6C member companies that are essential for products that comply with the DVD-format specifications defined by the DVD forum, asserts an official release.

    The company claims that membership of Samsung in the joint licensing program will benefit existing and future licensees of DVD6C, who will obtain a license to additional essential patents for the DVD products at no additional charge.

    Interested parties will remain free to negotiate individual license agreements with DVD6C’s member companies, rather than taking licenses from DVD6C. The member companies have committed to provide such licenses under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions, adds the release.

    The existing list of DVD6C members include eight developers of DVD technology and formats — Hitachi Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sharp Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

  • Microsoft’s XBox to digitally deliver TV shows, movies to gamers

    Microsoft’s XBox to digitally deliver TV shows, movies to gamers

    MUMBAI: Software major Microsoft has announced agreements with US broadcasters CBS, MTV, film studio Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

    The aim is to to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360 gamers in the US by the end of the year.

    Microsoft says that Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the American consumer. From 22 November 2006, which marks its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live® network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional ‘firsts’:

    • For the first time, consumers will get an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console that includes downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360, whether they want to play games or play a movie on a disc or as a download in high definition or standard definition.

    • CBS will deliver high-definition download-to-own TV shows including CSI, Jericho, Numb3rs and remastered Star Trek episodes. Gamers can buy them and watch them repeatedly.

    • For the first time on any platform, Nascar.com will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select Nascar Nextel Cup Series races from Race Rewind.

    • The Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.

    Microsoft corporate VP interactive entertainment business Peter Moore says, “This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone. It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it.”

  • THQ launches ‘Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who?’ video game in US

    THQ launches ‘Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who?’ video game in US

    MUMBAI: THQ Inc., worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, has announced that Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who?, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, has shipped to retailers throughout North America for the first time on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and is also available on the Nintendo DS. 

    Inspired by the classic Scooby-Doo cartoon, the game is rated “E” for everyone and is now available at the retail price of $19.99.

    “Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who? captures the charm of one of the most popular characters of several generations and features authentic voiceover work from the Scooby-Doo voice actors,” said THQ director of global brand management John Ardell.

    “We are excited to release this new Scooby-Doo adventure on today’s most advanced handheld systems, allowing fans of all ages to interact with their favorite characters and drive the Mystery Machine for the very first time.”

  • HBO proudly presents the second season of the award winning series ‘Huff’

    HBO proudly presents the second season of the award winning series ‘Huff’

    NMumbai, August 16, 2006: HBO, the world’s leading movie channel, returns with the most critically acclaimed Emmy® Award winning and Golden Globe® Award nominated series Huff Season 2 premiering exclusively for the first time on Indian TV starting 24th August at 11:15 pm and thereafter every Thursday right after the Prime-Time Movie with two back-to-back brand new episodes.

    The first season of `HUFF’, premiered on HBO last year, dexterously chronicled the comedy and the pathos of a psychiatrist, Dr. Craig ‘Huff’ Huffstodt, entangled in a web of dilemma and dysfunction in his personal life. This year, HBO celebrates the comeback of the series with Heff Season 2, starring Hank Azaria (3-time Emmy® Award Winner for Actor, as also an Emmy® Award 2005 Lead Actor nominee), Oliver Platt (of ‘Kinsey’ and ‘Ice Harvest’ fame) and Blythe Danner (of ‘Meet the Parents’ and ‘Meet the Fockers’ fame). While this season showcases the gripping storylines that are distinctly characteristic of the series, it also welcomes Emmy® Award winner Sharon Stone and Academy Award® winner Anjelica Huston as guest stars in multi-episode arcs.

    Celebrating the premiere of HUFF Season 2, Shruti Bajpai, Country Manager, HBO South Asia, said, “We are proud to be associated with an award winning series like Huff. This special presentation of Huff Season 2 is part of our constant endeavor to bring the best of English programming to our patrons.”

    Returning for the second season, HUFF continues examining the professional and personal life of a psychiatrist, Dr. Craig `Huff’ Huffstodt (Hank Azaria), who finds he’s drifting perilously close to the border between sanity and insanity. According to HUFF creator Bob Lowry, “HUFF is about the unpredictability of human nature. It is an episodic drama about people and their interactions with each other – not so much about what they do as much as how they react to what’s happening around them. We’re not a formulaic show that you typically see on television”

    HUFF Sesaon 2, spanning 13 episodes, finds the Huffstodt family ties slowly coming undone. While Dr. Craig is still clad in the guilt of the suicide of a 15-year-old gay patient in his office, he is also deeply disturbed by the paranoid ramblings of his schizophrenic younger brother Teddy (Andy Comeau). Huff’s once close friend, Russell Tupper (Oliver Platt) continues to be an adorable alcoholic misogynist drug addict. And HUFF finds an attractive new client Dauri Rathbun (Sharon Stone), who is in desperate need of his legal advice.

    HBO brings the best of Hollywood by premiering the top blockbuster movies on television first in South Asia through exclusive licensing deals with four major Hollywood studios – Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Columbia/ TriStar), Universal and Warner Bros.

    Prime time viewing on HBO includes HBO Blockbuster Of The Month, a special television event that premieres a mega blockbuster movie every month, HBO Saturday Nights, which premieres a new box office hit each week throughout the year; HBO Sunday Super Hits, which showcases the blockbuster hits, star-studded hits, favourite genre hits, Asian hits, highly acclaimed hits and so much more. In addition, HBO features at least 3- 4 new movie showcases every month to offer viewers an interesting mix of Hollywood movies based on exciting themes.

  • Warner makes classic TV shows available on iTunes

    Warner makes classic TV shows available on iTunes

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and Apple have announced that classic hit programming from Warner Bros.’ television library is available for purchase and download on the iTunesMusic Store.

    It will include shows like Friends, Babylon and sketches from MADtv, as well as animated classics including The Jetsons and The Flintstones. iTunes offers over 150 TV shows for $1.99 per episode for viewing on a computer or iPod.

    Also available is the pilot episode of Aquaman–a contemporary reinterpretation of DC Comics’ Aquaman mythology from the writing/producing team of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar Smallville.

    Warner Bros. Digital Distribution president Simon Kenny says, “Making our television content available to iTunes consumers is an important step in our digital distribution strategy. This deal fits perfectly with our philosophy of providing consumers with access to our world-class entertainment properties across the widest selection of platforms and devices available.”

    Apple iTunes VP Eddy Cue says, “We are thrilled to add hit programming from Warner Bros. as we continue to grow our video catalog with the best current and classic television programming. iTunes is the world’s most popular online video store with over 35 million videos sold.”

    With Apple’s ease of use, features such as integrated video and podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and videos online. The iTunes Music Store features a selection of over 9,000 music videos, Pixar and Disney short films, a variety of hit TV shows, and more than three million songs from the major music companies and over 1,000 independent labels.

  • NBC to air Madonna tour in November

    NBC to air Madonna tour in November

    MUMBAI: NBC will airMadonna: The Confessions Tour Live.

    This is a two-hour special and will air in November 2006.The special will be taped this summer at Wembley Stadium in London, UK during the pop icon’s worldwide sold-out 25-city Confessions Tour and marks the first time that NBC will air a concert of Madonna.

    NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly says, “Madonna is one of the greatest artists of our time and never fails to generate excitement. We think this is going to be a big event for television.”

    The concert special will feature songs from the artist’s recent multi-platinum Warner Bros. Records release “Confessions On A Dance Floor,” which debuted at No. 1 in 29 countries and has sold over eight million copies around the globe. The broadcast will also include some of Madonna’s greatest hits from her career.

    The broadcaster has also struck a deal for the sitcom Nobody’s Watching. The pilot episode has been downloaded 600,000 times on youtube. The show’s concept centers on Derek and Will, two young television addicts from Ohio who are frustrated with the dreadful state of television programming.

    As a result, they decide to become the subjects of a reality show when a major network gives them the opportunity to create their own sitcom. Unaware that the network executives are manipulating and recording their every word and move, the two continue their crusade to develop what they hope will be great television.

    The pilot for the series had been lying virtually dormant since last eyar until it became available on www.youtube.com several weeks ago. It attracted a good fan base.

  • Turner to launch Cartoon Network in Korea

    Turner to launch Cartoon Network in Korea

    MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) has teamed up with South Korea’s media group JoongAng Ilbo (JAI) to launch Cartoon Network Korea.

    The agreement was signed by TBS Korea vice president Ron Lee and JoongAng Broadcasting Corporation (JBC)- a JAI media group company- president and CEO Mun-Yeon Kim.

    In keeping with the Korean broadcast regulations, the majority stake in the joint venture will be held by JAI’s JBC, with Turner holding a 49 per cent stake in the partnership. Cartoon Network Korea will be languaged in Korean.

    To debut later this year, Cartoon Network Korea will showcase the best in animation, offering both Korean and international animation. Predominantly an animation channel, it will bring together a unique mix of new as well as recognised programming to Korean kids.

    Kim said, “The launch of Cartoon Network Korea is a very significant event for us and for the Korean television industry as the launch of the Network officially kicks off. Cartoon Network Korea will combine the unique strengths of both partners, and will build on our unrivalled knowledge and expertise to create a kids’ channel that will raise the bar and set new standards of excellence in the kids’ entertainment genre. Cartoon Network Korea will offer a variety of multi-genre animation titles from its world-renowned library, and will provide more than just Japanese titles or a single style of animation genre.”

    Lee added, “To successfully operate in a highly developed market such as Korea, it is imperative to enter into an alliance with a local partner. In JoongAng Ilbo, we are partnering with an acknowledged leader in the Korean media business. The partnership is a natural extension of our long standing relationship with JAI and is further strengthened by JAI’s deep understanding of our brand philosophy. By making this strategic investment to create a unique kids’ entertainment channel in Korea, we are demonstrating our commitment to cater to the specific viewing preferences of the young Korean audience.”

    “As a leading player in the kids’ entertainment genre in Asia-Pacific, we understand that effective localisation is key for a network to resonate with the audience. Given our experience in successfully delivering specialised Cartoon Network services across the Asia-Pacific, we are confident that our compelling and diverse array of content, specially engineered for kids in Korea, will open up a whole new viewing experience for them,” said Turner Entertainment Networks Asia senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond.

    Cartoon Network Korea will provide a diverse mix of content drawn from production companies from around the world including Japan, Korea and Cartoon Network’s own library – comprising more than 14,000 Warner Bros., MGM, Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network Originals series and shorts. Cartoon Network Korea will also work closely with JAI to examine opportunities for the development of animation in Korea.

  • ‘Superman Returns’ first week earnings cross $100 million in the US

    ‘Superman Returns’ first week earnings cross $100 million in the US

    MUMBAI: The return of one of the most popular comic book characters Superman in the movie Superman Returns proved to be a bonanza for Warner at the US box office.

    The film has earned $108 million domestically in its first seven days, and more than $20 million from 11 overseas markets in its opening weekend. In India, it was the second highest opening weekend ever for a Hollywood film.

    Warner Bros president domestic distribution Dan Fellman says, “We’ve enjoyed an outstanding response to this film — from exit polls to critics, and where it counts the most: at the box office.

    “Few titles in motion picture history have generated more than $100 million in its first week of release. At Warner Bros., they include the four Harry Potter films and The Matrix: Reloaded.”

    The latest edition of the Man of Steel franchise opened in the number one spot in each of the overseas markets in which opened, including India, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan.

    In the Philippines, Superman Returns had the second biggest weekend of all time. In Indonesia, it was the industry’s all-time highest opening weekend.