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Indian Premier League - a huge hit for ITV4

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:22:52 +0000

The Indian Premier League's debut on free-to-air terrestrial television has been declared a monster hit, according to official figures released today.

Starfish agency forms alliance with HPI Research

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:06:01 +0000

Ethnic research specialist, Starfish Research, has formed a strategic alliance with HPI Research – the UK’s largest independent research agency.

The alliance will provide Starfish with access to HPI’s resources, whilst HPI will benefit from much increased presence in the ethnic research sector.

Starfish are architects of MinorityReportTM, a large scale study identifying media consumption, attitudes and behaviour amongst England’s non-white ethnic groups. Their clients include Asda, Ofcom and ZEE Network.

Commenting on the alliance, Parveen Bdesha, Director of Starfish Research said, "HPI is a highly respected and long established research agency and we see this alliance as a real opportunity to put the needs of ethnic minorities on the agenda with some of the UK’s major corporations".

HPI conducts both UK and international research and its clients include Vodafone, Visa, British Airways and Premier Foods. Commenting on the alliance, HPI’s Senior Partner David Iddiols said,
"We are already working with Starfish and this tie-up will undoubtedly enhance our expertise and credentials in the ethnic research sector."

Rakhi Sawant: Rahul & Dimpy won't last long

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:30:05 +0000

Loud mouthed, Bollywood 'item girl', Rakhi Sawant has spoken out about Rahul Mahajan and Dimpy's relationship and says the two won’t last long.

Channel 4 News promotes Faisal Islam

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:16:32 +0000

Channel 4 News' Faisal Islam has been promoted to economics editor, the first time the role has been filled for 20 years at the news organisation.

Islam who has been with Channel 4 News since 2004 was previously a business reporter and then became an economics correspondent. Channel 4 News has not had an economics editor since 1986, when Sarah Hogg – now a Conservative peer – held the position.

"As we head into an election that may well be fought on an economic battleground, Faisal is the right person to explain and explore the key issues for our audience," Dorothy Byrne, head of news and current affairs at Channel 4 told MediaGuardian.

ZEE Cinema lines up 10 premieres in April

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:03:22 +0000

ZEE Cinema has lined up ten new and old movie premieres during the month of April.

On Easter weekend (2nd - 5th April) itself, the channel will telecast five premieres including 'Money Hai To Honey Hai' on Saturday 3rd April, 'Lajja' on Sunday 4th April, 'Gauri' and 'Khallas' on the same day. On Easter Monday, the classic Dharemdra and Hema Malini movie, 'Dreamgirl' will air at 20:00.

Other premieres during April are, 'Hijack' on Saturday 10th April, classic for Vaisakhi, 'Azaad' on Tuesday 13th April, Sanjay Dutt's debut movie, 'Rocky' on Sunday 18th April and Madhuri Dixit's 'Maha Sangram' on Sunday 21st April.

However, the biggest movie premiere has been reserved until the end of the month, 'Yuvraaj' starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. The channel holds the exclusive telecast rights for the Subhash Ghai romantic movie. 'Yuvraaj' will be shown on Saturday 24th April.

ZEE Cinema will also be holding an Amitabh Bachchan movie season in April, showing movies of the Bollywood legend every Friday night.

Zing rides high on the success of hockey

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:35:13 +0000

ZEE Network's lifestyle and music channel, Zing has witnessed a surge in its TV ratings, owing it to the ongoing telecast of the hockey world cup.

The channel holds the exclusive UK/Europe rights of the tournament, which kicked off on Sunday 28th February. On the first day itself, Zing registered a 225% increase in its audience share, according to BARB.

This upsurge in viewing continued with ratings rising by 145% for the hockey timeslots by the end of the first week.

The matches have been declared a hit for all types of audiences, with the Spain v England match attracting a 96% White British audience – an impressive achievement for this ethnic channel.

The 12-nation tournament was hosted in India.

Your Opinion! Rate ITV4's coverage of the IPL

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:21:27 +0000

It’s been 30 years since ITV last showed cricket but that all changed this year when the terrestrial broadcaster acquired the UK TV rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

While pictures are being beamed over from host broadcaster MAX India (a part of Multi Screen Media), ITV has made the effort of adding local features to its coverage such as local presenters, studio experts and interaction with viewers.

ITV4 has also opted to block out commercial elements such as IPL's website address and BCCI promos and commercial texts.

So, BizAsia.co.uk asks you, how would you rate ITV4's coverage of the IPL? Should the rights been awarded to a more experienced broadcaster? Would you have paid a premium channel for better coverage? Has ITV done well considering it hasn't broadcast cricket for 30-years?

Get interactive and let us and others know Your Opinion!

Disclaimer: The views expressed below on BizAsia.co.uk are those of readers alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of BizAsia.co.uk/Media247.co.uk or its staff.

ZEE TV to launch kids 'Dance India Dance'

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:08:55 +0000

After the hugely popular run of 'Dance India Dance', ZEE TV has confirmed it is launching a children's special of the show titled, 'Dance India Dance - Lil Masters'.

The show will feature children aged between 5 and 13 years old from across India.

"DID Lil Masters aims to open doors for talented children of our country who dream of becoming the biggest child dancing star. This season will only double up the dance mania as L’il kids will bring the house down with their unbelievable flair for dance and enduring effervescence," a ZEE Network spokesman said.

Auditions are underway in India for the show, which is expected to launch later this year after the current run of 'Dance India Dance'.

Updated: 15/03/10

Asian Network presenters slam BBC plans

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:08:20 +0000

Two BBC Asian Network presenters have slammed the BBC's plans to axe the station.

Sports presenter Nikesh Rughani and reporter Rahila Bano have both reacted with dismay at the reasons for shutting it down.

Rughani wrote in Broadcast's Ariel magazine saying that the BBC had "ruined" the network with "poor management". He added: "Commercial radio simply cannot provide the British Asian audiences with the quality of content we produce.

"We cover sport in a way that nobody else in the Western world would even dream of. We talk about British Asians in sport…and we’re the only radio station in the world that gives a platform to UK Asian artists. Seriously, how can the BBC even think about getting rid of us?"

Rahila Bano said: "The proposal to close the Asian Network is a devastatingly backwards step. We should be looking to strengthen the national network, return to the format that was popular with audiences a few years ago.

"Please Mr Thompson, if you care about growing the audiences, reconsider your decision it will do in the long term is incalculable."

Nihal wins 'Best Radio Show' at UK AMAs

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:26:23 +0000

Nihal has walked away with the prestigious 'Best Radio Show' gong at the UK Asian Music Awards, which were held last night (Thursday 11th March) in London.

He fought off competition from fellow BBC Asian Network presenters, Bobby Friction, Noreen, Kiss 100's Neev and Buzz Asia's Mr Kay.

Nihal was up for the award for his radio show on BBC Radio 1. He presents the Asian music show on Tuesday midnights. He also presents 'Review Show'.

Other winners on the night were Jay Sean who walked away with all four awards that he was up for - 'Best Album', 'Best Urban Act', 'Best Male Act' and 'Best Video' for 'Down'.

Miss Pooja won 'Best International Album' for 'Romantic Jatt' and 'Amplifier' singer; Imran Khan was awarded 'Best Desi Act'.

The 'Best International Act' award was won by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who will be in the country later this month for the latest leg of his UK tour.

'Best Club DJ' went to DJ H. 'Best Producer' was given to Sukhshinder Shinda and Biddu was given further recognition and awarded the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Radio partner, the BBC Asian Network will telecast highlights of the event through BBC television's Red Button facility (on digital TV)from Wednesday 17th March. Television partner, B4U Music will broadcast the whole show in the coming weeks.

Related link:
Five radio shows up for UK AMAs 2010