ITV

Tag: Warner

  • Warner acquires filming rights of Roger Hobb novel

    Warner acquires filming rights of Roger Hobb novel

    MUMBAI: Beating out several other interested parties, Warner Bros. has acquired filming rights of Roger Hobbs‘ novel The Ghostman. The deal for the thriller is said to be in the low six figures.

    Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Appian Way Productions was among the suitors interested in acquiring rights to the novel, according to a source.
    The Ghostman centers on a man who aids bank robbers in disappearing after they pull off their heists. Hobbs‘ novel will be released by Knopf in September 2013.
    The film also stars Ryan Gosling and Sean Penn.
    The film will be produced by Kevin McCormick under his Langley Park Pictures banner.

  • Ben Affleck set to star in Warner’s Nathan Decker

    Ben Affleck set to star in Warner’s Nathan Decker

    MUMBAI: Ben Affleck has been signed on to star in Warner Bros Pictures‘ Nathan Decker. In the political comedy will have the 39-year old Affleck play a politician who is caught in an affair and returns home to confront his past.

    Since the Daredevil star will not direct the film because of his current busy schedule doing the post-production stage of Argo, the Studio is currently looking for a director to helm the project.
    His upcoming directorial venture includes a big-budgeted adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel The Stand. Affleck has also been attached for an untitled Terrence Malick project that is said to be a romantic drama also starring Javier Bardem, Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams.

    Affleck was last seen in 2010‘s The Town that he also directed.

  • Warner creates animated version of ‘Smallville’ for mobile

    Warner creates animated version of ‘Smallville’ for mobile

    MUMBAI: The Warner Bros. Television Group in the US and The CW Network have teamed up with mobile firm Sprint for a new shortform animated wireless series based upon the drama Smallville. In India Smallville airs on Star World.

     
    Smallville Legends: The Oliver Queen Chronicles is a six-episode animated wireless series created for the mobile and broadband environment. It premiered a few days ago on the Sprint TV mobile video service.

    A new episode will launch every Thursday and remain exclusive to Sprint for the six-week duration of the series. After Sprint’s exclusive window, the entire wireless animated series will be available for streaming at www.CWTV.com, the online home of The CW Network from 22 February 2007.

    The initiative marks the first time Warner Bros. and The CW have created original animated content as a marketing platform to help drive tune-in for the Smallville television series.

     
    Warner Bros. Television Group executive VP, worldwide marketing Lisa Gregorian says, “Our goal at Warner Bros. Television is to look for unique, innovative ways to entertain and engage our fans, resulting in a deeper connection to our shows and providing value to our broadcast partners.

    The producers of Smallville recently introduced the new character of Oliver Queen, who arrives in Smallville to continue his covert quest for justice in the guise of the super hero Green Arrow. Possessing phenomenal skills with a high-tech bow and arrow, Queen learns Clark has super powers and tries to recruit him in his current mission against Lex Luthor, Queen’s former schoolmate. It is the fascinating back story to this new plotline that unfolds in the animated wireless series Smallville Legends: The Oliver Queen Chronicles. Viewers will go on a journey back in time to experience the pivotal events that led to a young Oliver Queen becoming Green Arrow.

  • IOL Broadband to soft launch IPTV services on BSNL network in Mumbai

    IOL Broadband to soft launch IPTV services on BSNL network in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: IOL Broadband Ltd is set to soft launch its IPTV services on the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) network in Bangalore on 14 January.

    The company, which has a non exclusive tie up with BSNL for setting up the content delivery network, has already started trial runs in Bangalore. “We are also looking at launching in Kolkata, Chennai and Bhopal,” says IOL Broadband executive director Oberai.

    IOL is yet to make a commercial launch of its IPTV services in MUmbai, the first city where it kickstarted operations on the MTNL network. “We will make a commercial launch when we are able to offer 100 TV channels. We are currently offering 40 channels and have signed up with Star,” says Oberai.

    The company has also signed a revenue share agreement for its IPTV service with Anytime, a consortium of major Hollywood Studios comprising Disney, Fox, Warner, and Universal which will provide access to Hollywood movies.

    Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL), which is the holding company of the Times Group, has picked up a small stake in IOL Broadband for Rs 50 million.

  • NGC, Warner to push ‘Happy Feet’ film

    NGC, Warner to push ‘Happy Feet’ film

    MUMBAI: This holiday season, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrates Warner Bros’. animated family adventure Happy Feet.

    The film releases in cinema halls in India on 22 December. NGC has partnered with the studio to promote the film in India through on-air and off-air activities.

    In the film into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce. The film has the voices of Australian actors Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Hugo Weaving among others. As part of the initiative, the channel has planned a Happy Feet Week. This is a week of programming featuring selections from Nat Geo’s acclaimed library of films on and about penguins, starting on Christmas Day 25 December at 4 pm.

    There is also a Happy Feet themed contest for viewers who tune in to Nat Geo to participate. The grand prize is a trip for two to witness the world famous Penguin Parade in Phillip Island, Australia.

    NGC India VP marketing Rajesh Sheshadri, said, “Happy Feet is about breaking free from the crowd, recognising your uniqueness and making it your strength. Through this unique association with Warner Bros. Pictures we look forward to further our reach and enhance the connection with our audience.”

    Warner Bros. Pictures (India) marketing manager Sanjay Narayanan says, “National Geographic Channel – which is devoted to deepening and enriching India’s understanding and appreciation of our natural world – is an ideal partner for us on Happy Feet, which through storytelling shines a light on the very special world of Emperor Penguins”

    The series will feature films like Emperor Penguins, Game for It, Fairy Penguins: The Secret of Sydney Harbour and Penguin Death Zone.

  • Uefa in global licensing deal with Warner

    Uefa in global licensing deal with Warner

    MUMBAI: Just a few weeks after unveiling the new brand identity for the Uefa Champions League for the next three seasons, Uefa has announced plans for a new worldwide multi-category licensing programme in association with Warner Bros Consumer Products.

    A report on Uefa’s site states that the licensed products will support and reflect the image and values of the Uefa Champions League, and will further help to promote the global approach of the competition through their availability via a wide range of distribution channels. The product collections will be comprehensive and will include: watches, eyewear, stationery, writing instruments, travel goods, gifts and men’s accessories.

    Warner Bros Consumer Products has been appointed to manage the licensing programme on a worldwide basis. The first product collection is expected for the coming spring in time for the build-up to the UEFA Champions League final in Athens in May.

    Uefa marketing and media rights director Philippe Le Floc’h says, “The retail roll-out will include an online component to allow fans across the globe to access the new range. With the launch of the new UEFA Champions League identity this season, we were keen to utilise opportunities to maximise the brand visibility.

    “Extending the Uefa Champions League experience into a selective range of quality products that are widely available will bring the Uefa Champions League closer to the fans. We are therefore very happy to be working in collaboration with a partner as experienced in licensing and distribution as Warner Bros Consumer Products.”

    Warner Bros Consumer Products in Europe senior VP, GM Pilar Zulueta says, “This is fantastic news for Warner Bros Consumer Products and UEFA. The UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious and recognisable sporting brands in the world and we are confident the range of licensed products will also reflect the prestige and quality of the competition. It is our intention to take a selective licensing approach and to focus on developing the appropriate level of retail distribution and visibility to support the new brand identity.”

  • Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    MUMBAI: At a recently held investor conference US media conglomerate Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons says that the firm is looking at acquiring net properties.

    Media reports state that Parsons is looking to stregthen its ad position. Warner is said to be looking at firms that offer technology that allow for ad insertion. The etchnology that Warbner is looking for lets companies place ads that are relevant to a particular viewer’s tastes.

    Parsons acknowleged that 2006 has not been a good year as far as films are concerned. However he is optimistic that things will be different next year with films like Harry Potter And The Order Of the Phoenix, Oceans 13 set for release. He hinted that there may a small reduction in the number of films made.

    As far as television is concerned he notes that the challenge is to ride the wave of technology, as opposed to getting too far in front or lagging behind. “Television viewing is still going up. So this business is not going away tomorrow. We want to maintain our strength in that business. We’re realigning so that we have a digital production studio, so to speak, so that things produced for television can find their way to other purely digital platforms.”

    Parsons also noted that it is unfortunate that a war should be taking place in the HD DVD arena. This he says is leading to confusion. The war is between Sony which is championing the cause of Blu Ray and Toshiba which is fighting for HD DVD.

    Parsons was quoted in reports saying that the releases for movies for platforms could be affected if current efforts to allow customers to download movies and then burn them on DVDs gain traction.

    At the same time he maintains that the download-to-burn idea, which needs to be worked out carefully with existing distributors of movies such as retailers in order to succeed.

  • Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    Warner CEO Parson looking at net acquisitions; optimistic on better entertainment performance next year

    MUMBAI: At a recently held investor conference US media conglomerate Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons says that the firm is looking at acquiring net properties.

    Media reports state that Parsons is looking to stregthen its ad position. Warner is said to be looking at firms that offer technology that allow for ad insertion. The etchnology that Warbner is looking for lets companies place ads that are relevant to a particular viewer’s tastes.

    Parsons acknowleged that 2006 has not been a good year as far as films are concerned. However he is optimistic that things will be different next year with films like Harry Potter And The Order Of the Phoenix, Oceans 13 set for release. He hinted that there may a small reduction in the number of films made.

    As far as television is concerned he notes that the challenge is to ride the wave of technology, as opposed to getting too far in front or lagging behind. “Television viewing is still going up. So this business is not going away tomorrow. We want to maintain our strength in that business. We’re realigning so that we have a digital production studio, so to speak, so that things produced for television can find their way to other purely digital platforms.”

    Parsons also noted that it is unfortunate that a war should be taking place in the HD DVD arena. This he says is leading to confusion. The war is between Sony which is championing the cause of Blu Ray and Toshiba which is fighting for HD DVD.

    Parsons was quoted in reports saying that the releases for movies for platforms could be affected if current efforts to allow customers to download movies and then burn them on DVDs gain traction.

    At the same time he maintains that the download-to-burn idea, which needs to be worked out carefully with existing distributors of movies such as retailers in order to succeed.

  • Warner, Nokia sign mobile content agreement

    Warner, Nokia sign mobile content agreement

    MUMBAI: Mobile firm Nokia and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution have announced an agreement.

    Content based on Warner brands will be made available for consumer downloads through the Nokia Content Discoverer client. This feature is embedded in millions of Nokia devices currently available in markets around the globe.

    The multi-country agreement will create a dedicated Warner Bros. mobile content ‘storefront’ available to consumers through the device-resident Nokia Content Discoverer client, part of Nokia’s complete mobile content ecosystem. Compatible with leading Nokia handsets based on S60 and Series 40, Nokia Content Discoverer is embedded as an on-device portal in more than 20 Nokia handset models, comprising millions of devices currently in the marketplace through leading mobile operators and retail outlets worldwide.

    At service launch, mobile subscribers in select European and Asian countries will be able to explore the dedicated Warner Bros. Entertainment channel and discover images, tones, games and video clips. The consumer offer brings together premium and promotional content from Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, DC Comics and the films Superman Returns, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, V for Vendetta, Dukes of Hazzard and Batman Begins.

    Nokia’s global developer programme Forum Nokia director, business development and channels Brad Brockhaug, says “This agreement represents a key addition to our Nokia Content Discoverer program, providing Nokia customers with a convenient and familiar place to shop for the world’s most popular entertainment content.

    “Nokia Content Discoverer is part of a content ecosystem designed to improve access to mobile content downloads for millions of subscribers. These consumers now will be able to personalize their mobile devices with their favorite Warner Bros. content.”

    Nokia Content Discoverer facilitates easy access to downloadable content by mobile subscribers through a collection of shopping mall “stores” run by branded content providers, leading content aggregators and mobile service providers. Operators are able to build their own branded mobile shopping mall, with better positioning of content and the presence of the operator’s brand on the device, generating higher adoption. Consumers’ experience of content shopping is greatly enhanced through Nokia Content Discoverer’s advanced on-device caching of content catalog metadata which allows free browsing of the content stores in the mobile mall, as well as automatic content updates, integrated preview/prelisten and proficient content installation capabilities.

    Nokia Content Discoverer is currently embedded in select S60 and Series 40 devices available in the global marketplace, including the Nseries multimedia devices (Nokia N70, N71, N72, N73, N80 and N93), Eseries devices for enterprise users (Nokia E50, E60, E61 and E70), Nokia 5500, and Nokia 3250 handsets currently available in mainland China and on Nokia 6131 devices in China and other Asia-Pacific markets. Nokia Content Discoverer is expected to be in the hands of over 20 million consumers worldwide by the end of the year.

  • Warner creates digital production venture to make content for broadband, mobile

    Warner creates digital production venture to make content for broadband, mobile

    MUMBAI: The Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTG) is establishing a new digital production venture Studio 2.0.

    This will work with creative talent and advertisers to create original live-action and animated short-form programming for broadband and wireless devices.

    WBTVG has tapped producer and senior advertising executive Rich Rosenthal to head Studio 2.0. These announcements were made by WBTG president Bruce Rosenblum. The venture will be overseen by WBTG executive VP Craig Hunegs.

    Studio 2.0 will provide a creative platform for the Television Group’s established as well as up-and-coming talent to produce content of varying lengths – from multiple-episode series to one-offs. Rosenthal will actively align Studio 2.0 with advertisers seeking early identification and involvement with original programming. They will develop projects through independent creative resources as well as through the various in-place Warner Bros. Television Group production arms.

    Studio 2.0 will look to license the programming to online sites, portals and wireless providers in collaboration with the recently formed Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

    Rosenblum says, “What has become eminently clear is that our advertising partners in our traditional television businesses are anxious to work in collaboration with the creative community to develop original digital content.

    “At our core, we are a content creation company and Studio 2.0 is a natural, yet extraordinarily exciting, extension of our television production businesses. We are confident that Rich and Studio 2.0 will successfully provide advertisers with cutting edge tools that will integrate their brands with inventive digital content in fresh, impactful and meaningful ways.

    “At the same time, Studio 2.0 will present our creative partners in our television production divisions with a vibrant platform to express their vision in expanding digital arenas and allow us to collaborate with Simon Kenny (President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution) and his team on terrific content for digital distribution.”

    Hunegs says, “Rich’s breadth of advertising experience, both as a creative and production exec, and the wide array of advertisers, brands and companies for which he has created, make him the ideal choice to run Studio 2.0. It is a coup to have him join us”.

    Time Warner Global Marketing, the cross-divisional client partnerships arm of Time Warner, will work closely with Rosenthal and Time Warner advertising clients.