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Tag: Zone Vision

  • Zone Vision to launch new reality channel on BSkyB

    Zone Vision to launch new reality channel on BSkyB

    MUMBAI: Zone Vision will launch its latest reality channel offering Reality Extra on BSkyB on 28 February. The channel will feature entertainment fare as well as docudramas and documentaries.

    Chris Wronksi, the chairman of Zone Vision Networks, noted, “The on-going growth and demand for our Reality TV and Reality TV+1 channels has given us the impetus to launch an additional and expanded Reality TV service. As the audiences for reality programming continue to rise around the world, we are delighted to be able to provide a number of channels dedicated to this diverse and well-loved genre.”

    Steve Cole, the senior VP of channels at Zone Vision Networks, said of the Reality Extra slate, “The schedule for Reality Extra varies from our other Reality channels as we are now adding a diverse range of shows including reconstructed real life dramas and feature documentaries that tell fascinating true stories, all of which have huge appeal to our core viewers.”

    Zone Vision already offers Reality TV and Reality TV+1 on BSkyB. The Reality TV channel was launched in Europe six years ago and has since rolled out to 125 territories, airing in 22 languages to more than 134 million subscribers. In India, the channel is available on Dish TV DTH.

  • Zone Vision makes inroads in China with Encore International acquisition

    Zone Vision makes inroads in China with Encore International acquisition

    MUMBAI: Zone Vision Networks, which owns and operates Reality TV, has announced a deal for China in association with Liberty Media Corporations Encore International (EI).

    Zone Vision has acquired the assets of EI and Asian Television and Communications International (ATCI) from Liberty Media. EI operates a daily branded block, Everyday Jiayi, on Chinese state broadcaster China Central Televisions CCTV-8.

    Zone Visions operations in China, meanwhile, include a five-year agreement with CCTV to represent its English-language service, CCTV-9, around the world. Deals have already been inked for the channel in 13 countries.

    EI founder John J Sie will continue in his role as chairman, and his venture, JS International, together with Liberty Media Corporation, will hold a five per cent stake in the combined entity. The China activities of Zone Vision, EI and ATCL will be operated under the Encore International banner.

    Zone Vision founder and chairman Chris Wronski says, This is an incredible opportunity for Zone Vision. Encore International has established an excellent brand and foundation that our global content networks can build upon in China.

    Sie said, Our original vision for Encore International in China has been to develop a platform of channels when Chinese law allows it. Zone Vision has the programming library and international business savvy to see that goal through.

    Zone Visions China representative Sarah Jiang, will be Encore International Beijing (EIB) GM and chief representative. She will manage the daily operations of Everyday Jiayi, oversee EIs interest in the advertising joint venture with CCTV, bring Zone Visions program block in China under EIB, and she will seek out additional business opportunities for the company.

    ZONE VISION ACQUIRES THE HORROR CHANNEL

    Meanwhile, in the UK, in order to expand upon its portfolio of thematic channels that includes Reality TV, Romantica, Club and Europa Europa, Zone Vision has announced the acquisition of The Horror Channel, a UK digital channel featuring films, studio and movie reviews in the horror genre. Zone Vision Networks is acquiring the channel from founder, Tony Hazell.

    Zone Vision senior VP, business development and legal Tanya Gugenheim said, The Horror Channel has established a solid following in the UK over the past year and we feel it has excellent potential for a European roll-out. As a new subsidiary of chellomedia, one of our goals is to seek out opportunities such as this to utilise our expertise in the global channel market.

    The Horror Channel is available to 7.3 million subscribers on UKs BSkyB platform.

  • Zone Vision, Jupiter form JV to launch Reality TV in Japan

    MUMBAI: Zone Vision Enterprises has entered into a joint venture agreement with Jupiter Programming to launch a 24-hour Reality TV channel in Japan.

    The channel will be broadcast in Japanese and launches in February 2005. The announcement was made by Zone Vision Enterprises chairman and president Chris Wronski and Jupiter Programming representative director, COO and EVP Jack Matthews.

    “This is tremendous step in our worldwide expansion efforts for Reality TV,” said Wronski. “We’ve made great strides throughout Asia in the past year and have always felt this channel would do well in Japan. By teaming with Jupiter, we will have the ability to reach cable and satellite subscribers across the country and become the source for reality programming in Japan.”

    Under the terms of the deal, the JV sees the formation of a new company, Reality TV Japan Co. Ltd., which will be based in Tokyo. Zone Vision and Jupiter Programming will each have a 50 per cent stake in the company.

    “We are very excited to be partnering with Zone Vision to bring Reality TV to Japan for the first time,” said Matthews. “There are no other channels and few sources on Japanese television for reality programming so we feel we will be a stand-out on the digital television landscape in this country.”

    The JV has acquired the existing channel BB Factory, a gaming and computer channel from Softbank and Yahoo. As a result, when Reality TV launches this coming February, it will be available on Sky Perfect DTH platforms and be distributed by JPC to cable and broadband platforms throughout Japan.

    “The fact that we were able to negotiate the acquisition of pre-existing channel space really made this an exceptional deal for us,” noted Zone Vision senior vice president, legal and business development Tanya Gugenheim. “We are entering this exciting new market at the right time and with the added benefit of a strong local partner and extensive carriage. It’s really an ideal situation for us and we are very confident about the channel’s future in Japan.”

    The new Reality TV channel will originate out of Tokyo and be distributed on a single, dedicated feed for Japan. Programming will include content from Zone Vision’s vast library of reality series and specials. All programming will be dubbed in Japanese for local audiences.

  • Reality TV plans media drive to expand viewership

    Reality TV plans media drive to expand viewership

    NEW DELHI: Having tasted some success with selective advertising campaign in cinema halls during the festival season, Reality TV is now planning to unleash a mass media campaign in the early part of 2005. Aim: broadbase viewership.

    “We have done some below the line campaigns when we launched. But seeing the success of the present one, we have drawn up plans to introduce a mass media campaign next year,” Zone Vision’s marketing manager Flecka Picardo told indiantelevision.com today over phone from London.

    Since it first launched in 1991, Zone Vision has grown to become a leading international broadcaster and distributor of thematic television channels and at present controls Reality TV, Europa Europa and Romantica, which are broadcast to over 135 million paying subscribers throughout the world.

    According to Picardo, the mass media campaign, including outdoors and cinema halls, would kick-off “sometime in April-May as it would depend a lot on the programming line up.”

    What Reality TV is attempting to do is broadbase not only its viewership base, but also bring in more eyeballs from its present target audience that comprises people in the age group 16-44 from SEC A and B.

    “I must admit that we have a more youthful audience, but our feedback (in India) has shown that lot of housewives and older people too come on to our channel to watch programmes in the afternoon,” Picardo said, pointing out that a mass media campaign would help in this direction.

    As part of its ongoing initiative, Reality TV is executing a month-long cinema campaign in India, which is the first time that such an outlet has been chosen by the channel that claims its USP is ‘unstaged reality’ (may be, competition goes in for ‘staged’ reality shows).

    This particular campaign has been conceived with the objective of promoting Reality TV among the key target audiences and covers multiplexes and cinema halls in four key cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune.

    As regards the creative, it is a 60-second commercial reflecting the Reality TV branding and the core values that the channel represents — incredulity, bravery, astonishment, unbelievable, but true, heart warming and unstaged fare. In short: real people; true stories.

    The campaign launch was kept in line with the festive season of Diwali as cinemas were and are still premiering some of their most popular films, thus giving Reality TV an opportunity to reach large audiences, Picardo pointed out.

    The channel claims to have a fairly good distribution across India, which has made the channel promoters keen on reinforcing “the distinct nature of the channel in India and establish it as one that offers a unique entertainment value as with regard to the other channels in the genre of real life programming”.

    Without giving any figures, Picardo said that India is an important market for the company as far as Reality TV is concerned and serious efforts have been made to promote the channel, including having India-specific programming fillers.

    Picardo joined Zone Vision in March 2004 and has taken over as marketing manager for India and Asia Pacific. She has over four years of experience in the television industry having worked in CNBC India (formerly part of the Sony channel bouquet) and with MAX. After moving to London, she has worked with Asia Television Network.

    Parent company Zone Vision was founded in London in 1991 by Chris Wronski and was originally formed to distribute television programmes to the Central and Eastern European market.

    In addition, Zone Vision’s programme distribution arm, Zone Licensing, continues to acquire formats, series and specials from leading producers around the world.

  • Reality TV sibling might come to India

    Reality TV sibling might come to India

    NEW DELHI: UK-based Zone Vision, which has brought Reality TV to India in association with Zee Turner, is open to bringing a sibling of the action channel too.

    Some initial discussions were held, Zone Vision marketing manager Flecka Picardo admitted during a chat with indiantelevision.com when asked whether the company was contemplating introducing some other channels from the stable to India.

    The other TV channels controlled by Zone Vision include Romantica and Europa Europa.

    However, Picardo added that she would not be in a position to divulge any further information on other Zone Vision channels as nothing firm exists at the moment.

    Romantica is home to the world of world of passion, intrigue, glamour and high drama. The programming line-up is somewhat similar to what upmarket Hindi language mass entertainment channels dish out.

    On offer on Romantica are some of the best romantic dramas from around the world, including the US, Mexico, Italy, Argentina, Canada and Venezuela; music and entertainment from star performers; travelogues from exotic locations; and revolutionary interactive series. Romantica programmes are fully localised to cater to its vast audience that spreads across 20 territories in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

    The channel’s current reach is six million subscribers, with growth of 1 million homes recorded in the last six months.

    Europa Europa is the home of European cinema and with a diverse range of genres and styles, it showcases some of the finest talent in Europe.

    Europa Europa brings together the most significant filmmaking nations and presents the productions of its best directors and actors ranging from Truffaut, Von Trier, Almodovar, Loach, Polanski and Bertolucci, Hopkins,
    Belucci, Loren and Depardieu.

    Europa Europa’s 14-hour schedule extends to 20 hours on weekends. The channel is seen in 15 territories across Europe and the Americas by over eight million subscribers.

  • Reality TV sibling might come to India

    Reality TV sibling might come to India

    NEW DELHI: UK-based Zone Vision, which has brought Reality TV to India in association with Zee Turner, is open to bringing a sibling of the action channel too.

    Some initial discussions were held, Zone Vision marketing manager Flecka Picardo admitted during a chat with indiantelevision.com when asked whether the company was contemplating introducing some other channels from the stable to India.

    The other TV channels controlled by Zone Vision include Romantica and Europa Europa.

    However, Picardo added that she would not be in a position to divulge any further information on other Zone Vision channels as nothing firm exists at the moment.

    Romantica is home to the world of world of passion, intrigue, glamour and high drama. The programming line-up is somewhat similar to what upmarket Hindi language mass entertainment channels dish out.

    On offer on Romantica are some of the best romantic dramas from around the world, including the US, Mexico, Italy, Argentina, Canada and Venezuela; music and entertainment from star performers; travelogues from exotic locations; and revolutionary interactive series. Romantica programmes are fully localised to cater to its vast audience that spreads across 20 territories in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

    The channel’s current reach is six million subscribers, with growth of 1 million homes recorded in the last six months.

    Europa Europa is the home of European cinema and with a diverse range of genres and styles, it showcases some of the finest talent in Europe.

    Europa Europa brings together the most significant filmmaking nations and presents the productions of its best directors and actors ranging from Truffaut, Von Trier, Almodovar, Loach, Polanski and Bertolucci, Hopkins,
    Belucci, Loren and Depardieu.

    Europa Europa’s 14-hour schedule extends to 20 hours on weekends. The channel is seen in 15 territories across Europe and the Americas by over eight million subscribers.

  • Zone Vision, Minotaur sign extensive licensing agreement

    Zone Vision, Minotaur sign extensive licensing agreement

    MUMBAI: Zone Vision Enterprises has signed an extensive licensing agreement with Minotaur International which will bring 10 new series to its Reality TV channels around the world.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Zone Vision will gain the rights to the series for three years. Six of the series in the deal will air in the US for the first time beginning February 2005. The announcement was made by Zone Vision chief programming officer and general manager Chris Sharp.

    “This is one of our most significant licensing agreements in terms of quantity and quality,” said Reality TV vice president Steve Cole. “We are especially delighted to be able to provide our US feed with so many first-run series from the UK. Minotaur has been a fantastic programming partner and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

    Among the premiere series for the US are Jane Goldman Investigates (16 one-hour episodes), Sixth Sense with Colin Fry (40 half hours), Medics of the Glen (15 half hours), Baby ER (20 half hours), Drama School (nine half hours) and Don’t Drop the Coffin (six half hours). These series will also air on Reality TV’s various other feeds around the world. Other series in the deal include: Urban Angels of Medicine (13 half hours), LA Cops (five one-hour episodes), Honolulu PD (six half hours), and Club Reps (30 half hours for EMEA only).

    “Our focus moving forward is to aggressively pursue more deals like this one,” said Cole. “For the US and the UK especially, we are continually on the lookout for break-through programming that will help us further distinguish ourselves in the increasingly competitive digital channel environment.”

    “Reality TV is the natural home for these shows. Following the success of these series worldwide, we are extremely excited on behalf of our producers to have them premiere in the States, and for Colin Fry and Jane Goldman, among others, to become household names in America,” added Minotaur senior sales executive Dayna Donaldson.

  • Reality TV renews distribution deal with ADD

    Reality TV renews distribution deal with ADD

    MUMBAI: Zone Vision has renewed its distribution agreement for its Reality TV channel with Arab Digital Distribution (ADD).

    Under the terms of the agreement, Reality TV will be carried on the DTH platform for an additional five years. The announcement of the same was made today by Zone Vision senior vice-president, group sales and marketing Mark David.

    “This is a significant deal for Zone Vision we are delighted that we have renewed our partnership,” said David. “ADD has seen steady subscriber growth, enhanced further by their repackaged channel offerings. Now, we are well poised to further brand our channel in the region and contribute to that growth.”

    “We are pleased to extend our relationship with Reality TV, the region’s only 24-hour Reality Television channel. And we are confident that this association will enhance our subscriber growth and reaffirm our commitment to providing premium international entertainment to our subscribers,” said Arab Digital Distribution executive vice-president Vinod D’Mello.

    Reality TV is available in the Al Awael World, FirstNet and Pehla bouquets of channels offered by ADD.

  • Zone Vision’s Reality TV to launch on Dish TV in India

    MUMBAI: Extending the reach of its popular Reality TV channel, Zone Vision has signed a distribution agreement with ASC Enterprises Limited in India.

    As per the agreement, ASC will have exclusive rights to distribute the channel on its DTH platform – Dish TV, in India and non-exclusive rights for Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and The Maldives. The announcement was made by Zone Vision chief financial officer Kamlesh Patel.

    Dish TV’s growing subscription base and its sophisticated broadband technology, will help enhance the penetration of Reality TV in India.

    Speaking about the strategic tie-up, Patel said, “With the continued development and improvement of the cable and satellite infrastructure in India and throughout the adjoining region, this market has become an important part of our overall global strategy. ASC Enterprises is at the forefront of this change and have become pioneers in the television industry there. After our successful partnership with Zee Turner we are absolutely delighted at extending our distribution now to Dish TV.”

    Speaking on the occasion ASC Enterprises CEO Punit Goenka said, “We are pleased to have signed up with Zone Vision for carriage of Reality TV on Dish TV.”

    Reality TV is a 24 hour channel which launched in India in 2003.

  • Zone Vision to launch Reality TV in US on 1 Dec

    LONDON: London-based broadcaster and distributor Zone Vision, has announced a breakthrough deal for the carriage of its flagship Reality TV channel in the US. the deal was brokered with EchoStar Communication. .
    In India the channel is distributed by Zee Turner. In June it claimed that it beamed into 15 million households across the country. .An official release informs that the launch, scheduled for 1 December 2003 on EchoStar’s DISH Network platform, marks the final piece in the channel’s global coverage. This confirms the establishment of Reality TV as the world’s fastest growing TV brand. .
    Building on Reality TV’s unprecedented and rapid international success across the 125 countries in which it already broadcasts; the EchoStar deal makes the channel available to DISH Network’s 9 million subscribers, completing its global reach and representing a pioneering deal for European companies launching into the hugely competitive US television market.
    Reality TV will be the US’s first ever channel dedicated to real-life programming. As part of the far-reaching deal, the channel will be a localised feed featuring reality series and specials sourced from the world’s best producers including amongst others, CBS, Lions Gate, Hearst and Rive Gauche International Television, much of which will air for the first time in the US. In addition, the channel will include programming to premiere on the channel specially commissioned by Zone Vision for the US feed. ..
    Following the recent launches in the UK, Latin America and Asia, the US deal is a major extension to Reality TV’s existing subscriber base that already exceeds 35 million. The popularity of the channel has been extraordinary – launched only four years ago, Reality TV has seen a six-fold increase in subscriber numbers in the last eighteen months alone adds the release
    Reality television has taken many forms in the past few years, but Reality TV’s programming focus is on capturing real life drama as it actually happens. The channel documents everyday life from the breathtaking to the bizarre, providing insights into the experience of everyday people. Through footage captured on the spot, Reality TV takes viewers to the front lines of police units, emergency medical staff and rescue teams around the world. Outlandish home videos that provide lighter moments and in-depth investigations broaden the channel’s overall programming mix.. .
    The release informs that the DISH Network is the fastest growing US provider of satellite television entertainment services with nine million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, sports and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service.

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