In the continued proliferation of new satellite TV channels and increasing competition from several other ‘screens’ be they Internet, mobile phones or outdoor, TV as a mass medium in India is being challenged to brace itself for future. The role of TV in the overall communication strategy remains as critical as ever before. Especially considering the fact India has 219million households with 112million TV homes (64million color TV homes and 68million homes have access to cable and … [Read more...] about India in focus
Pay-TV
The start-up upstarts
NBC Universal (NBCU) are finally set to deliver on their promise of new channels, with general entertainment Universal Channel, Sci-Fi and 13th Street slated for roll-out in the second quarter of 2008. The hold-up thus far is believed to have stemmed from the internal tussle for content between the proposed channels and NBCU’s (estimated US$8billion) syndication business. Indeed it will be interesting to see the new channels’ programming line-up given that many of NBCU’s most … [Read more...] about The start-up upstarts
High hopes for Hindi GE
Back in the late 1980’s, Sunday mornings used the see the streets of India seem strangely deserted. It was an era, in which audiences across all age-groups, would be at home practically glued to their TV screens watching a weekly show based on the great Indian epic Ramayan. The series’ home channel, state-run Doordarshan, used to reign supreme in the absence of any competition from DTH satellite TV. Fast forward to 2008 and Ramayan is back on air. But a lot has changed in the last … [Read more...] about High hopes for Hindi GE
Strategic alliances abound in India
2008 has seen newly-signed strategic alliances between NBC Universal, Inc. (NBCU) and New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV), and between Turner International and Alva Brothers. These follow similar deals over the last couple of years joining Walt Disney Television International with United Home Entertainment Ltd / UTV Software Communications; Sony Entertainment Television (SET) with Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network; and Star Group with Balaji Telefilms Ltd. Majority of the deals have a similar … [Read more...] about Strategic alliances abound in India
StarHub Digital Cable to launch TVBS-News channel
Singapore – Singapore’s cable TV operator StarHub is launching 24-hour Mandarin language news channel TVBS-News on StarHub Digital Cable’s Chinese Entertainment Basic Group at no extra charge on March 3, 2008. TVBS-News is the first Mandarin news channel to be available on the service’s basic tier. TVBS-News channel is based in Taiwan and offers current affairs programming and coverage on Taiwanese, regional and global news through its correspondents and partnerships with … [Read more...] about StarHub Digital Cable to launch TVBS-News channel
Period dramas a hit at BBC Showcase 2008
Brighton, UK – The BBC Showcase 2008 event taking place at the Brighton Centre in the UK from February 24 - 27, 2008, saw British period dramas snapped up. The new adaptation of Oliver Twist was sold to seven broadcasters from markets including India, United Arab Emirates and Canada. Writer Andrew Davies’ 2007 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility was also picked up by 11 international broadcasters from countries including Japan and Sweden, along with Miss Austen Regrets which was sold … [Read more...] about Period dramas a hit at BBC Showcase 2008
