POP - news archive

This is an archive of news about POP. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Telegraph.co.uk: Twitter popularity in UK soars by 631%
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 25 2008, 1.20pm
The number of UK users of the microblogging service Twitter has risen by 631 per cent in the last year, according to figures from the company. (more)

Radio 2 breakfast show is UK?s most popular
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 24 2008, 8.39am
Wogan reaches 7.75m (more)

Anita Anand to co-host 'Politics Show' on TV
From Biz Asia. Posted July 23 2008, 6.25pm
Anita Anand will co-present 'The Daily Politics' on BBC Two from September 2008. Anita said: "It isn't often that you get the chance to work on a programme of which you are such a long-standing and enthusiastic fan. This is certainly one of those times. "The Daily Politics tackles the important issues with the people who have the power to affect change. "It is an honour to be part of this excellent team. I am also very much looking forward to working with Andrew Neil, who is – let's face it – a legend!" Robbie Gibb, Editor, 'The Daily Politics', said: "Anita has a natural warm broadcasting style which she has developed so successfully on BBC Five Live. "She has a lightness of touch, genuine connection with the audience and effortless wit. She is a great addition to the Daily Politics." The Daily Politics airs every lunchtime during the Parliamentary term on BBC Two and is hosted by Andrew Neil. The programme specialises in tough interviews and discussions on the top political stories of the day. It also covers issues away from Westminster and speaks to people not normally directly involved in the world of politics. Anita will continue to present on BBC Radio 5 Live where she has established herself as a popular broadcaster. Anita has worked on Radio 5 Live Drive, The Anita Anand Show, BBC Radio 4's The World Today, BBC World Service radio, BBC Asian Network and BBC One's Heaven And Earth Show. This will be Anita's first regular TV appearance after fronting ZEE TV's UK news bulletins between the late 90s to 2003. Related links: Anita Anand lands 'Drive' on BBC Radio 5 Live Ashish quits ZEE TV, ZEE News UK in major changes (more)

ABC Australia launches its own version of the BBC iPlayer
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 3.41pm
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation tonight launched an Internet platform that streams five new ABC channels onto computer screens. The service, called ABC iView, is modelled on the BBC’s iPlayer and enables viewers to catch up on some popular programmes they might have missed and to watch the latest news bulletins. It also has a children’s cartoon channel, a [...] (more)

Lil' Chris backstage at T4 On The Beach
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 3.28pm
Popstar-turned-presenter Lil' Chris tells DS about his new TV series. (more)

My Mentor: Julie Etchingham on Nick Pollard
From The Independent. Posted July 21 2008, 12.00am
I was on air presenting breakfast news for the BBC when this email popped up from Nick Pollard saying: "Do you fancy coming to work at Sky?" (more)

Pop band enters Dragons' Den in search of fame - and £75,000
From Media Guardian. Posted July 20 2008, 11.02pm
Manager hopes to establish 'social release' model, allowing artists greater control of rights (more)

Pope hits out at TV sex and violence
From Digital Spy. Posted July 18 2008, 10.15am
Pope Benedict XVI criticises TV and the internet for presenting sex and violence as "entertainment". (more)

TV ratings - July 12: Casualty bears up well
From Media Guardian. Posted July 14 2008, 11.22am
BBC1's veteran hospital drama Casualty was the most popular show in a quiet night for the main channels. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Pope to launch Bible-reading marathon on TV
From Media Guardian. Posted July 9 2008, 11.08pm
An Italian Muslim association has signalled it too is keen to take part in the reading. By John Hooper (more)

INX Media to launch 9XM in the UK imminently
From Biz Asia. Posted July 9 2008, 5.20pm
INX Media's music channel 9XM is on course to launch in the UK on Sky Digital imminently. According to a source close to BizAsia.co.uk, a deal has been sought and the channel will join its flagship Hindi GEC 9X shortly. INX Media is keeping tight-lipped and refused to comment on a date of the launch. 9XM has fast become India's leading music channels. Recently 9XM retained a massive lead over its rivals with 54 GRPs in C&S 4yrs+, followed by MTV – 19 GRPs and Channel [V] -7 GRPs. 9X is currently available free-to-air on Sky Digital EPG 828. B4U Music, ZEE Music and Music India are the only other Bollywood music channels broadcasting in the UK. Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for the exclusive news break. Related links: 9X & 9XM consolidate their positions in India EXCLUSIVE: EX-STAR Nick Thind joins 9X UK STAR UK's Vice President Nick Thind leaves 9X continues steady climb; now India's No.3 9X makes official UK launch on Sky Digital EXCLUSIVE: Interview with 9X on UK launch UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday? EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

Another reality show set to debut on Sony TV
From Biz Asia. Posted July 8 2008, 6.20pm
Sony Entertainment Television Asia has announced the launch of yet another reality TV show called 'Kabhi Kabhii Pyaar, Kabhi Kabhii Yaar', this time jointly produced by Balaji Telefilms and Popcorn Entertainment. The show launches on Wednesday 9th July and will air every Wednesday and Thursday at 20:00. The judges are filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, choreographer Ganesh Hegde and actress Sameera Reddy. TV actress Rakshanda Khan and TV actor Sachin Tyagi will host the show. The show features seven celebrities. Seven contestants will dance with their real as well as reel partners. The judges and the studio audience will vote for the pair, which has the most chemistry. The channel claims that the show will be a novel concept in the clutter of dance reality shows. Said Albert Almeida, executive vice-president and business head, Sony Entertainment Television, "We at SET believe that this show will become a trendsetter among dance reality shows. In Kabhi Kabhii Pyaar, Kabhi Kabhii Yaar, the viewers will witness for the first time the actual chemistry between their favourite star and his/her reel and real partner respectively." Balaji Telefilms has recently forayed into non-fiction shows. Apart from the Sony TV show, the production house is also launching an talent hunt reality show, 'Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket', on 9X. (more)

BBC Worldwide sees record profits
From BBC News. Posted July 8 2008, 11.52am
Strong sales of popular programmes to overseas broadcasters has helped the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, boost operating profit by 17% to �117m. (more)

Record profits for BBC Worldwide
From BBC News. Posted July 8 2008, 11.52am
Strong sales of popular programmes to overseas broadcasters has helped the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, boost operating profit by 17% to �117m. (more)

TV ratings - July 7: New series of BBC1's New Tricks wins 9 million viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.08am
BBC1's popular detective drama New Tricks returned strongly for the start of a new series last night, attracting nearly 9 million viewers in the 9pm hour. By Ben Dowell (more)

TV ratings - July 7: New series of BBC1's New Tricks wins 8.7 million viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.08am
BBC1's popular detective drama New Tricks returned strongly for the start of a new series last night, attracting almost 9 million viewers in the 9pm hour. By Ben Dowell (more)

Flat-screen TVs are contributing to global warming - report
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 6 2008, 12.12pm
It seems the rising popularity of flat screen TVs has not been good for the environment. A gas used in their manufacture, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), is being blamed for damaging the atmosphere, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. Almost half of the TV sets sold around the world so far this year have plasma or LCD [...] (more)

BBC's Charles Wheeler dies
From The Independent. Posted July 4 2008, 12.30pm
Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died, the corporation announced today. He was 85. (more)

Veteran BBC correspondent Charles Wheeler is dead
From Press Gazette. Posted July 4 2008, 12.00am
Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died, the corporation announced today. He was 85 and was suffering from lung cancer. (more)

ArtsDiary poll: Has the BBC iPlayer changed your life?
From Media Guardian. Posted July 2 2008, 11.45am
The Beeb's hugely popular iPlayer, which integrates radio with on-demand TV claims to 'make the unmissable unmissable'. Yet it has been called a 'multi-million pound failure'. Has it made a difference to your daily viewing habits? (more)

DTH Spize TV rebranded to Roots Global
From Biz Asia. Posted June 29 2008, 1.40pm
The recently launched Pan-European DTH platform Spize TV has been rebranded to Roots Global. The service is available on the Eutelsat Eurobird 9 satellite at 9 degrees East. Channels such as ZEE TV, 9X, ARY Digital, Ten Sports and B4U Movies are a few of the broadcasters available on Roots Global. Spize TV of Singapore, which is owned by Pyramid Saimira of Chenai, India, will have a selection of free-to-air and "a-la-carte" channels. To access Roots Global, the provider will install a dual-LNB on subscriber's satellite dishes to enable reception from EB-9 and also the Hotbird satellites of Europe. Last year, World TV, a subsidiary of content management and delivery company, GlobeCast, launched a similar service in Europe offering ten popular channels at a competitive price. Related links: TV channels join World TV package in Europe DM Digital to beam channels from Pakistan (more)

Neil Clark: Britain has turned away from European cultural influences
From Media Guardian. Posted June 28 2008, 1.00pm
Neil Clark: In the 1960s, European cultural influences were everywhere in Britain – from the pop charts to television screens. Not any more (more)

Shaan makes comeback on 'Voice Of India'
From Biz Asia. Posted June 26 2008, 8.37pm
Singer and TV host Shaan is making a comeback on STAR Plus' reality show 'Voice Of India: Chhote Ustaad'. Shaan had opted out of the previous series due to personal commitments. Previous contestant Abhaas Joshi had covered the popular singer whilst he spent some quality time with his children. Shaan confirms the news to TellyChakkar and says, "I am back with Voice of India which is a talent hunt for the youth. I wanted a break so I opted out of Chhote Ustaad. Now I am back. The show will commence from 18th July." When asked about the judges, Shaan said, "We are still contemplating on some names." Related links: Singer Shaan quits 'STAR Voice Of India' New host for 'STAR Voice Of India' announced (more)

Popular ex-editor lands new training role
From Hold the Front Page. Posted June 25 2008, 7.00am
Murray Morse to be new editorial consultant to develop NCTJ's courses (more)

Lollopop gets 20k from Pudsey
From Radio Today. Posted June 22 2008, 11.17pm
Radio Lollipop Newcastle has received a donation of twenty thousand pounds from the Trustees of Children in Need, which will help towards funds for a new studio development. (more)

Lollipop gets 20k from Pudsey
From Radio Today. Posted June 22 2008, 11.17pm
Radio Lollipop Newcastle has received a donation of twenty thousand pounds from the Trustees of Children in Need, which will help towards funds for a new studio development. (more)

Channel 4's 'Britz' to be aired in America
From Biz Asia. Posted June 20 2008, 4.33pm
Channel 4's popular one-off drama 'Britz' two British-born Muslims has been acquired by cable channel BBC America. The deal means, 'Britz' will be shown on US TV later this year. The 2 x 120-minute miniseries, directed by Peter Kosminsky (The Government Inspector) and produced by Daybreak Pictures, was sold to BBC America by Channel 4 International. 'Britz' was shown on Channel 4 last October. Related link: Channel 4 to air post 9/11 Britain thriller (more)

Mail Online becomes most popular UK newspaper site in ABCe figures
From Media Guardian. Posted June 19 2008, 11.59am
Mail Online overtook Telegraph.co.uk and guardian.co.uk in May to become the UK's most popular national newspaper website, with 18.7 million unique users. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Mail replaces Telegraph as the UK's most popular newspaper website
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted June 18 2008, 11.00pm
Independent debuts figures, record traffic for the Sun, Guardian holds most domestic users (more)

Music sales fall to their lowest level in over twenty years
From The Times. Posted June 18 2008, 12.00am
Worldwide music sales have tumbled to their lowest level since 1985, the year that Jennifer Rush topped the singles charts in Britain with The Power of Love and Dire Straits released Money for Nothing. The equivalent of 1.86 billion albums were sold last year, counting ten sales of individual songs as the equivalent of one album, according to figures published yesterday by the IFPI, which represents music companies worldwide. Album sales were down 11 per cent, from 2.09 billion, in figures that include paid-for downloads. In 1985, unit sales were 1.8 billion, as the CD began to increase in popularity, a run of growth that peaked in 1996 with sales of 3.4 billion. The main cause of the decline continues to be collapsing CD sales, hurt by illegal copying, that are not being offset by growth in download sales. Record company revenues tumbled 8 per cent last year to $19.4 billion, after CD sales fell 13 per cent $– more than offsetting the 34 per cent growth in the smaller digital business. In Britain alone, revenues tumbled 13 per cent to £1.02 billion, with Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black as the top-selling album. Industry revenues from CD sales plunged 16 per cent to £871 million, while digital sales in the world’s third-biggest music market increased 28 per cent to £132.2 million. Presenting the statistics, the IFPI called for internet providers to work with the music business to stop illegal copying. John Kennedy, its chief executive, said that between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of internet service provider traffic was accounted for by illegally swapped content. The IFPI wants internet providers to reveal details of their customers who illegally share music and possibly cut off any subscriber who breaches copyright three times. Mr Kennedy said that providers should engage constructively, before the tools of legislation or litigation were invoked to require them to act. Governments are beginning to look hard at copyright enforcement. Ministers have considered legislating for a “three-strikes” policy that could punish internet users with disconnection, but they want music companies to try to reach voluntary agreements with internet suppliers first. Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, said that while regulation was not the first preference, he did not feel that he could stand by and ignore wholesale breaches of copyright. “British music is one of our biggest success stories. I don’t want to see it wasted away,” Mr Burnham told the Broadcasting Press Guild yesterday. Music companies and lobbyists are trying to reach agreement with internet providers. This month Virgin Media agreed that it would write to consumers who were engaged in large amount of music copying, based on information supplied to it by the BPI, Britain’s record company trade body. However, industry executives said that the gloomy data was nothing new. A spokesman for Vivendi’s Universal Music, the market leader, said: “This must be the tenth consecutive year we’ve read the obituary for the music business, but we are still here.” We hummed Top five songs in 1985 We Are The World — USA for Africa Take On Me — Aha I Want to Know What Love Is — Foreigner Shout — Tears for Fears Into The Groove — Madonna (based on worldwide chart positions) Bestselling UK single: The Power of Love — Jennifer Rush (it did not chart in the US) For the record Top ten global bestselling albums of 2007 1 High School Musical 2 — High School Musical 2 (Walt Disney Records/Universal/EMI) 2 Back to Black — Amy Winehouse (Universal) 3 Noel — Josh Groban (Warner) 4 The Best Damn Thing — Avril Lavigne (Sony BMG) 5 Long Road Out of Eden — Eagles (Eagles Recording Co/Universal) 6 Minutes to Midnight — Linkin Park (Warner) 7 As I Am — Alicia Keys (Sony BMG) 8 Call me Irresponsible — Michael Bublé (Warner) 9 Life in Cartoon Motion — Mika (Universal) 10 Not Too Late — Nora Jones (EMI) Source: IFPI (includes physical and digital formats) (more)

Sales manager wins 'Apprentice'
From Financial Times. Posted June 12 2008, 3.00am
Recruitment sales manager Lee McQueen emerged victorious from last night's finale of The Apprentice, the BBC's popular show about business wannabes. After 11 weeks,... (more)

Obituary: Joseph Pevney
From Media Guardian. Posted May 30 2008, 11.54pm
Obituary: He made his name as an actor before going on to direct popular television series (more)

Guardian is most popular online newspaper
From UTalk Marketing. Posted May 29 2008, 10.22am
But Sun is most engaging (more)

Guardian most popular newspaper website in UK, according to Nielsen Online
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted May 28 2008, 4.43pm
Some significant differences between the figures for unique users visiting UK newspaper sites released by Nielsen Online today and those announced by the Audit Bureau of Circulations Electronic (ABCe) last week. While both rank the Guardian as the most popular in the UK, Nielsen's figures suggest the site attracted 3 million unique users in the UK [...] (more)

Smriti Irani announces new soap for ZEE TV
From Biz Asia. Posted May 28 2008, 4.25pm
Lady-in-demand Smriti Irani has announced her first production for ZEE TV. The drama titled 'Waaris' consists of stars like Iqbal Khan, Yuvraj Malhotra, Rucha Gujrati and Aashka Goradia. Yuvraj Malhotra, one of the leads of the show, told Telly Chakkar, "Rucha and Aashka have been penned down to play the lead actresses in the show. Rucha will be opposite me while Aashka will play love interest to Iqbal." When contacted Rucha said, "It is a youth centric show and the role offered to me is that of a rich girl named Aditi who has been pampered a lot by everyone around. I have given a look test for the role but nothing has been finalised as yet. Negotiations are on and if everything works out properly then I’ll start shooting in the next couple of days." Previously Smriti was working on a sitcom, also for ZEE TV, called 'Bai Bole Toh Gangu Bai', which was scrapped after it was alleged that the show’s concept was lifted from a Marathi popular 'Kumari Gangubai Non Matric'. Related links: Smriti Irani planning family show for ZEE TV Smriti Irani producing comedy for ZEE TV (more)

Actress quits 'Maayka'; show's future in doubt?
From Biz Asia. Posted May 28 2008, 3.47pm
ZEE TV's popular drama 'Maayka's' future could be in doubt after its lead actress announced she is leaving the show when her current contract ends in June. (more)

Bidding war begins as rivals try to tempt Alan Carr away from Channel 4
From The Independent. Posted May 28 2008, 12.00am
The days of working as a struggling comedian on the Manchester circuit are long gone for Alan Carr. With his thick-rimmed spectacles and impossibly white teeth, the co-host of Channel 4's Friday Night Project has become one of television's most instantly recognisable faces during the past three years and now his growing popularity seems about to pay off. (more)

Culture Show to Relocate Partly to Glasgow
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted May 22 2008, 7.01am
One of the most popular programmes on BBC Two is soon to be partly presented from Scotland. The Culture Show is to be half-presented from BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow, and half in London - its current full-time home. BBC Scotland has provided production... (more)

ZEE set to revitalise Indian Cricket League
From Biz Asia. Posted May 21 2008, 10.02pm
In order to counter the heat generated by the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) launched by BCCI, the rebel cricket body — Indian Cricket League (ICL) — is all set to take its tournament outside the country. Not only will the Subhash Chandra-owned Twenty20 tournament go to West Asia in September, its prize money will also go up. ICL will also launch a high-voltage multi-media campaign beginning August-September other than considering roping in film stars to not only own cricket teams, but to play the Twenty20 matches. The bottom line is that the Essel Group is gearing up to take on the Indian Premier League which has kept television viewers glued to Sony's SET Max channel. Says a senior ZEE executive: "The ICL is now very big on the agenda for the group. Several steps are being taken to increase the interest of both the viewers and the advertisers when the tournament starts in September-October this year. Don't forget, we saw the big potential in the Twenty20 format much before anyone else did." To lend freshness to the game, the ICL executives are looking at several international cricketing venues in the Gulf. The belief is that the company may finally zero in on Dubai or Sharjah as Taj Television, the holding company of Ten Sports that shows the matches, is based in Dubai. ZEE owns a 50 per cent stake in Ten Sports. However, in the face of competition from IPL, establishing ICL as a vibrant television property will be an uphill task for the Essel Group. "IPL is a successful television property with consistent ratings of about 4-5, similar to any popular show on a general entertainment channel. The initial tournaments of ICL got ratings of 1-2. To attract the viewers to another Twenty20 tournament will be a tough challenge for the ICL team," says a senior media planner. Winning against IPL will be a challenge on other counts as well. For a start, IPL is an official tournament with the backing of the International Cricket Council (ICC) while ICL is a rebel league comprising either retired international cricketers or not so known cricket players from both within and outside the country. Also, the ICL matches aired on ZEE Sports and later on Ten Sports as well, managed to attract viewers for 6-12 minutes on an average. The average time spent on Set Max (for IPL) has been over 40 minutes. Himanshu Modi, business head, ICL, however, is unfazed. In an emailed response to Business Standard earlier, he said: "It is important for everyone involved or following the league to understand that in terms of product life cycle we are in the introductory stage. Like any other sporting product, the ICL will need time to build its support base…" IPL has become a phenomenal television success, agree advertising experts. "If any one has to even match its intensity in future, they will have to put in something 'extra'," a senior executive in an advertising agency concludes. International venues and celebrities may work wonders for the sub-continent expats, but for the viewers back home, much more may be required," a senior executive in a Gurgaon-based advertising agency concludes. Related links: Hyderabad to host ZEE's ICL World Series IPL outperforms Shah Rukh show on STAR Plus ZEE Network thanks BCCI for ICL success Confirmed: ZEE Music to show ICL cricket Buzz surrounding BCCI's T20 IPL cricket ZEE's Indian Cricket League teams confirmed ZEE Network to form own Indian cricket league (more)

EXCLUSIVE: EX-STAR Nick Thind joins 9X UK
From Biz Asia. Posted May 21 2008, 11.59am
Ex-STAR Vice President Nick Thind has joined the up and coming Hindi entertainment channel 9X, BizAsia.co.uk can exclusively confirm. He has been appointed as 9X UK's sales representative. 9X launched on Sky Digital in April, with an official roll-out of programming expected in June. Thind was a part of STAR UK for seven years until he left in September. Whilst a source confirmed the new appointment, BizAsia.co.uk did not receive any further clarification. Related links: STAR UK's Vice President Nick Thind leaves 9X continues steady climb; now India's No.3 9X makes official UK launch on Sky Digital EXCLUSIVE: Interview with 9X on UK launch UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday? EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

STAR confirmed as "womens awards" partner
From Biz Asia. Posted May 20 2008, 10.54pm
Popular broadcaster STAR has announced its partnership with the ninth Asian Women of Achievement Awards, and as a result will exclusively broadcast the esteemed ceremony on STAR Plus on Sunday 22nd June at 19:00. The prestigious awards, which took place on Tuesday 20th May held at Park Inn, London, included a shortlist of 44 remarkable Asian women had been shortlisted for the event. Previous attendees of the event include HRH The Princess of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Liz Hurley and Patron, Cherie Blair. Eloborating on the deal, a press statement from STAR said, "The partnership with the Asian Women of Achievement Awards reaffirms STAR's fundamental principle of broadcasting the widest possible spectrum of programming across entertainment, community and current affairs, as well as the highest level of news and sports reporting. The commitment to telecast the awards ceremony also reflects the channel's commitment to celebrating the achievements of Asian women in the UK." The eight coveted awards to be announced on the night comprise: Arts & Culture Award, Business Woman of the Year Award, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Media Professional of the Year Award, Professional of the Year Award, Public Sector Award, Social & Humanitarian Award and the Young Achiever of the Year Award. A special award will also be presented to one outstanding Woman of Achievement. (more)

Channel 4 News embeds video in news stories
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted May 20 2008, 2.36pm
Channel 4 has overhauled its online video offering by embedding clips from its programming in news articles across the site. Clips and interviews from the evening news programme, News at Noon show and More 4 News will be embedded and available in a separate pop-up window. And, even better, the code for the footage is available [...] (more)

Eurythmics star slams reality TV
From Digital Spy. Posted May 20 2008, 11.11am
Dave Stewart says reality TV popstars are "manufactured" and have no longevity. (more)

New Research Shows That 57% Of UK Viewerstime-Shift TV Content
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted May 19 2008, 3.45pm
LONDON, UK, May 19, 2008 ? Redback Networks Inc., an Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) company that makes video-centric routers for 75 percent of the world?s largest triple-play networks, today announced the results of a nationwide survey in the United Kingdom, measuring the popularity of on-demand TV and Internet video. In a survey of 2168 online adults, the Redback sponsored research showed that more than half of UK residents (57%) watch up to 10 hours or more... (more)

Michael Grade says sorry to ITV stars for telephone line scandal
From The Times. Posted May 16 2008, 12.00am
Michael Grade, the executive chairman of ITV, has apologised to stars such as Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, popularly known as Ant & Dec, after the phone-in scandal that led to ITV being fined £5.7 million over the abuse of premium-rate lines. (more)

Despite US popularity domestic users still the 'key metric' for Guardian online, says digital head
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted May 14 2008, 11.00pm
Unique users based in UK are key to attracting advertisers, despite plans to expand the Guardian internationally (more)

Video: Hoosiers scrap at pop festival
From Digital Spy. Posted May 13 2008, 10.56am
Pop three-piece The Hoosiers are filmed scrapping backstage at Radio 1's Big Weekend. (more)

TV ratings - May 10: Talent sizzles as heat hits ratings
From Media Guardian. Posted May 12 2008, 11.25am
ITV1's Britain's Got Talent remained the most popular show on Saturday, pulling in 7.5 million viewers on another day of hot sunshine. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Video: Thunderbirds' Brains stars in Britvic ad
From Media Guardian. Posted May 8 2008, 6.53am
Watch Thunderbirds' Brains body-popping to Snap!'s Rhythm is a Dancer in an ad for Britvic's Drench spring water (more)

Virgin Media and BBC partner to bring BBC iPlayer to TV
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 30 2008, 11.17am
Virgin Media today announced a partnership with the BBC to launch BBC iPlayer onto its platform, making its 3.5 million TV customers the first in the UK to get the popular service via a TV platform. Viewers using BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media will be able to watch full screen pictures at full quality on their television [...] (more)

Disney star regrets flashing her flesh for Vanity Fair's Leibovitz
From The Independent. Posted April 29 2008, 12.00am
Sitting for Vanity Fair photographer Annie Leibovitz may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old television superstar who plays Hannah Montana in the popular Disney Channel show of the same name, is now wishing she hadn't. (more)

Peter Kay to spoof reality TV
From Digital Spy. Posted April 28 2008, 11.06am
Peter Kay is to parody reality TV in his new show Britain's Got The Pop Factor. (more)

TV ratings - April 27: Let them watch Midsomer Murders
From Media Guardian. Posted April 28 2008, 10.52am
Police detective Tom Barnaby proved more popular than Jane Austen, as a French revolution-themed Midsomer Murders drew 7.4 million viewers to ITV1. By Chris Tryhorn (more)

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with 9X on UK launch
From Biz Asia. Posted April 27 2008, 12.32am
9X will be launching in the UK on Sky Digital this Monday (28th April), the broadcaster has confirmed to BizAsia.co.uk. In an exclusive interview with us, Indrani Mukerjea, founder and CEO, INX Media Pvt Ltd, confirmed an initial test phase before switching to full programming. Q. Will actual programmes begin on Monday or is this a test run? If so how many hours will you broadcast initially? We hear its 16. A. Yes the actual programmes will commence from Monday 28th April at 20:00 (BST). It's 4 hours of 9X programming looped to make the 24-hour schedule. Q. Are there plans to broadcast free to air or encrypted? A. It is free to air. Q. Will your music channel 9XM programmes also be screened in the UK feed or are you launching that service separately here? A. We are using 9XM music clips as programme fillers on 9X. We may decide to launch 9XM as a separate channel at a future date. Q. Will the channel logo also appear on screen from Monday as we understand you're awaiting the DD News transition to go through fully before your idents are shown. A. The current 9X logo will appear on the channel. Watch out for an exclusive full interview with Indrani Mukerjea on BizAsia.co.uk. According to TV audience measuring body aMap's data in India for week 17 C&S 4+, 9X is giving other channels a run for their money by staying put at number three in all Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GECs). Whilst STAR Plus remains the market leader with 291 GRP points, ZEE TV is second with 182 points, 9X follows with 88, NDTV Imagine in fourth with 80. STAR One (67), Sony Entertainment Television Asia (66) and Sahara One (54) were holding their own in distance places. Updated: 27/04/08 Related links: UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday? EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

Population explosion means oil at $100 a barrel is here for years
From Daily Telegraph. Posted April 27 2008, 12.01am
'A whole load of stuff could come apart here," warned Art Cashin last week on CNBC - the US business channel. "This oil thing - it's gettin' crazy". (more)

Exclusive: Working out the future with Shigeru Miyamoto
From The Times. Posted April 27 2008, 12.00am
JAPAN has come up with some cruel and unusual punishments over the years: toilets that blast you where and when you least expect, the TV game show Endurance and Hello Kitty, the popular cartoon cat character. Nothing is more terrifying, though, than the latest product to emerge from the laboratories of Tokyo and Kyoto. (more)

Reuters: China becomes world’s largest Internet population
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted April 25 2008, 9.37am
China has moved past the US as the country with the most internet users, it was reported by Chinese state media. According to Reuters, Xinhua news agency quoted the China Internet Network Information Centre, claiming that the number of internet users in the country had risen to 221 million by the end of February - surpassing the number of internet users in the US for the first time. (more)

Everybody expects the Spanish telecoms acquisition
From Financial Times. Posted April 25 2008, 3.00am
One of the catchphrases of the popular Monty Python television series was "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition". Invariably, the infamous inquisition would... (more)

Deal or No Deal? Underworked president makes TV joke on $3 trillion budget
From Media Guardian. Posted April 22 2008, 11.08pm
Bush 'thrilled to be anywhere with high ratings' as he puts in an appearance on popular game show (more)

UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday?
From Biz Asia. Posted April 22 2008, 7.20pm
One of India's most popular channels 9X could finally be making a splash into the UK on Monday (28th April). According to the DD News EPG for next week, data has been replaced with 9X show information. Other details for the channel remain ambiguous. It was revealed by BizAsia.co.uk earlier this month that 9X was to buy the EPG slot 832 presently occupied by DD News. Since then, the channel has been in negotiations with media regulator Ofcom for approval on its UK launch. For more information, keep it with BizAsia.co.uk. Related links: EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

Taylor Podcast 'Charts' at No.16
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted April 22 2008, 7.46am
A podcast by BBC Scotland’s political editor, Brian Taylor, is proving to be pretty popular, with more than 150,000 visits per week. Among the podcasts recently produced by the BBC, Taylor’s ‘Blether with Brian’ was lying a very respectable 16th, not too... (more)

Daily Mail group claims it now reaches 45 per cent of the British population
From Press Gazette. Posted April 15 2008, 12.00am
New research shows that Associated Newspapers' print and online titles have a combined reach of 45 per cent of the British population, the company's digital division claimed today. (more)

STAR Plus widens gap over ZEE TV in India
From Biz Asia. Posted April 13 2008, 3.12am
STAR Plus has consolidated its position as the nation's most watched channel, according to latest figures out this week. The latest TAM ratings data (week ended 5th April) show STAR Plus at 361 GRPs, well ahead of ZEE TV, which is at 232 GRPs. This is a huge gain by STAR Plus, particularly if you take into account the fact that in the week ended 16th February, ZEE TV had narrowed the gap to as little as 4 GRPS (STAR Plus 291, ZEE TV 287). ZEE TV could not hold on to the momentum it had built up though and in the weeks that followed, STAR Plus steadily built up its lead. Even with the grand finale of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs' (on 1st March) fetching 6.73 TRPs, it was not enough for ZEE TV to bridge the widening gap. Whilst ZEE TV's shows 'Dulhann', 'Betiyan' and 'Maayka' have been performing well, its new reality show 'Rock-n-Roll Family' has proved less popular than 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in the same slot. Average ratings of around 4 TRPs has proved a dampener for ZEE TV. In weeks to come, STAR Plus will be stregnthening its output further with the re-introduction of Smriti Irani in 'Kyunki' and the launch of Shah Rukh Khan's gameshow 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?'. Sony TV back in Top 3! After a shoddy start to the year, Sony Entertainment Television Asia is back in the wreckening by toppling NDTV Imagine from the number three slot in India. In the week ended 5th April, Sony TV with 88 GRPs is just ahead of NDTV Imagine, which has pocketed 82 GRPs. On the back of reality shows, events (Filmfare awards) and a blockbuster film (Chak De India) Set managed to up its GRP to 110 in the week ended 1st March but in the subsequent week it slipped again. Sony TV too is launching some big shows including the Salman Khan presented 'Power of 10' and the Indian Premier League cricket, which it is showing in India. And the rest... 4. NDTV Imagine & 9X 5. Sahara One (70 GRPs) 6. STAR One (66 GRPs) 7. STAR Utsav (40 GRPs) 8. Sony SAB (32 GRPs) 9. ZEE Next (9 GRPs) Related links: Confirmed: Salman to front show for Sony TV Setanta scoops rights to Indian Premier League Shah Rukh to host another show on STAR Plus (more)

INX Media's NewsX joins two platforms in India
From Biz Asia. Posted April 12 2008, 2.47pm
INX Media's recently launched NewsX has announced it has struck a deal with two platforms in India to garner extra eyeballs to its service. NewsX and dishtv have signed an agreement which will ensure that all subscribers on India’s largest digital platform will receive India's first HDTV-ready premier news channel in English, starting Monday 14th April 2008. Jawahar Goel, Managing Director, dishtv and Additional Vice Chairman Essel Group, said, "It gives us extreme pleasure to announce this coveted alliance. As India's Number 1 direct-to home service provider, dishtv has always been leading from the front and providing the best in entertainment to its subscribers. With the addition of NewsX, dishtv has further enhanced its content basket that stands strengthened to an unmatched 185 channels- by far the largest in the industry today. All major new channels in English, Hindi and even regional languages are available to the dishtv subscriber base, which currently stands over 3 million and growing at a fast pace of nearly a lakh new subscribers per month." The channel will also be available across India on DTH too. On the same day, NewsX will launch on the popular DTH platform of Tata Sky. Vikram Kaushik, MD & CEO, Tata Sky Ltd., said, "Tata Sky has always been at the forefront in providing world class news and entertainment and other programming to its subscribers. We are delighted to add the premier English news channel NewsX to our platform. This will further enhance Tata Sky’s strong bouquet for its huge community of satisfied TV viewers across the country." Indrani Mukerjea, Chairperson - INX News, said, "NewsX aims to provide viewers in India and overseas with a world-class product which is analytical, in-depth and unbiased, striving to deliver 'Clarity in a Complex World.'" INX Media will also be making a huge splash in the UK by launching its entertainment channel 9X in the coming weeks. Related links: EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

Special delivery Pat to get helicopter
From Media Guardian. Posted April 9 2008, 11.23pm
Popular children's TV postman to be given new series on BBC in the autumn (more)

Postman Pat to get helicopter
From Media Guardian. Posted April 9 2008, 11.23pm
The popular children's TV postman is to be given a new series on the BBC in the autumn. By Richard Wray (more)

BBC in hot water over Live Earth swearing
From Digital Spy. Posted April 9 2008, 3.42pm
The BBC broke the broadcasting code by airing pop stars swearing at the Live Earth charity gig. (more)

BBC launches iPlayer on the Wii
From Financial Times. Posted April 9 2008, 1.52pm
Users of the BBC iPlayer will be able to watch programmes on their televisions as well as their PC under a new agreement that brings the popular catch-up service to the TV for the first time. (more)

iPlayer to be available via Wii consoles as The Apprentice tops list
From Media Guardian. Posted April 9 2008, 1.12pm
The BBC has signed a deal with Nintendo as new figures show that The Apprentice is the most popular show on the iPlayer. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Top shows on the BBC iPlayer
From Media Guardian. Posted April 9 2008, 1.05pm
Most popular shows on the BBC catch-up TV service for the first three months of 2008 (more)

9X surges to fourth position in India
From Biz Asia. Posted April 8 2008, 4.25pm
INX Media's 9X has stormed into fourth position amongst Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GEC) in India. Launched just under five months ago, 9X continues to maintain a steady growth, week on week with it now hoping to catch up with established channels ZEE TV, STAR Plus and Sony Entertainment Television Asia. In Week 14 of data released for India's West, North and East amongst C&S 4+ audiences, 9X is at 83 GRPs. Other GEC channel ratings are as follows: STAR Plus (346 GRPs), ZEE TV (188 GRPs) and Sony (88) GRPs. In terms of time spent, 9X was at number three amongst the GECs in terms of viewing time; viewers spent 58 minutes on 9X. Time spent on other channels was as follows: STAR Plus (176), ZEE TV (105), Sony (57), Sahara One (57), NDTV Imagine (57), STAR One (53), ZEE Next (32), SAB (29). As BizAsia.co.uk exclusively reported earlier this week, 9X is set to launch in the UK with tests beginning this week. Related links: EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

Fremantle gains allies for foray into Japan
From Financial Times. Posted April 7 2008, 3.00am
Fremantle, the Bertelsmann-owned creator of Pop Idol , will today announce a broad-based alliance with one of Japan's biggest independent television producers... (more)

Fremantle gains allies for Japanese TV foray
From Financial Times. Posted April 6 2008, 6.23pm
The creator of Pop Idol plans an alliance with a Japanese producer to break into the country's television market (more)

Radio Nepal told to ?enhance its popularity?
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 5 2008, 11.29am
Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Bhojraj Ghimire has stressed that Radio Nepal should enhance its popularity by upgrading its programmes. In a programme,organized on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the establishment of Radio Nepal, Chief Secretary Ghimire, said Radio Nepal has been losing its credibility in urban areas in comparison to rural [...] (more)

Lil' Chris
From Digital Spy. Posted April 4 2008, 6.22am
We find out more about the pint-sized popstar's first ever TV show. (more)

Satellite Radio in April Offers Jazz, Hockey, and the Pope
From radio.about.com. Posted April 4 2008, 1.00am
As XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio desperately await final approval of a proposed merger, programming continues in separate mode. XM is teaming up with EWTN Global Catholic Network to start the... (more)

TV ratings - March 31: Poppy Shakespeare makes healthy debut
From Media Guardian. Posted April 1 2008, 11.15am
Channel 4's gritty drama starring Naomi Harris as a woman diagnosed with mental health problems attracted 1.3 million viewers. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Sam Wollaston on Brian Keenan: Back to Beirut | Poppy Shakespeare
From Media Guardian. Posted March 31 2008, 11.04pm
Sam Wollaston on Brian Keenan: Back to Beirut | Poppy Shakespeare (more)

ZEE Cine Awards nominations list announced
From Biz Asia. Posted March 29 2008, 11.40am
After our exclusive news breaks on the ZEE Cine Awards returning back to the UK on Saturday 26th April, we now reveal the full nominations list as to who is favourite to win on the glitzy night. Best Film Chak De! India- Aditya Chopra, Yash Raj Films Guru - Mani Ratnam, G. Srinivasan Jab We Met - Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Pvt. Ltd. Life in a Metro - Ronnie Screwvalla, UTV Motion Pictures Om Shanti Om - Shah Rukh Khan, Red Chillies Entertainment Taare Zameen Par - Aamir Khan, Aamir Khan Productions Best Director Aamir Khan – Taare Zameen Par Anurag Basu - Life in a Metro Farah Khan - Om Shanti Om Imtiaz Ali - Jab We Met Mani Ratnam - Guru Shamit Amin - Chak De! India Best Actor (Male) Abhishek Bachchan - Guru Akshay Kumar - Namastey London Amitabh Bachchan - Cheeni Kum Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De! India Shah Rukh Khan - Om Shanti Om Shahid Kapur - Jab We Met Best Actor (Female) Aishwarya Rai Bachchan- Guru Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met Katrina Kaif - Namaste London Tabu - Cheeni Kum Vidya Balan - Bhool Bhulaiyya Most Popular Track Of The Year Barso Re - Guru Dard-E-Disco- Om Shanti Om Do You Wanna Partner - Partner Hare Ram Hare Krishna - Bhool Bhulaiya In Dino - Life In A Metro Mauja Hi Mauja - Jab We Met Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male) Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par Bobby Deol - Naqaab Irrfan Khan Life In A.. Metro Mithun Chakraborty - Guru Shreyas Talpade - Om Shanti Om Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female) Chitrashi - Chak De! India Konkona Sen Sharma - Life In A.. Metro Lara Dutta - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Shilpa Shetty - Life In A.. Metro Tisca Chopra - Taare Zameen Par Best Actor In A Negative Role (Male/Female) Arjun Rampal - Om Shanti Om Neil Nitin Mukesh - Johnny Gaddar Pawan Malhotra - Black Friday Shilpa Shukla - Chak De! India Viveik Oberoi - Shootout At Lokhandwala Best Actor In A Comic Role (Male/Female) Anil Kapoor - Welcome Nana Patekar - Welcome Riteish Deshmukh - Heyy Baby Tusshar Kapoor - Dhol Vinay Pathak - Bheja Fry Best Playback Singer (Male) KK - Aankhon Mein Teri (Om Shanti Om) Shaan - Jab Se Tere Naina (Saawariya) Soham - In Dino (Life In A.. Metro) Sukhwinder Singh, Salim Merchant & Marianna D’Cruz - Kuchh Kariye (Chak De! India) Sonu Nigam - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om) Best Playback Singer (Female) Mahalaxmi Iyer - Bolna Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) Mahalaxmi Iyer - Salaam-e-Ishq (Salaam-e-Ishq) Shreya Ghosal - Barso Re Megha (Guru) Shreya Ghosal - Yeh Ishq Haaye (Jab We Met) Sunidhi Chauhan - Sajnaji Vaari Vaari (Honeymoon Travels P Ltd) Best Lyrics Gulzar - Tere Bina (Guru) Javed Akhtar - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om) Prasoon Joshi - Maa (Taare Zameen Par) Sameer - Jab Se Tere Naina (Saawariya) Sayeed Quadri - In Dinon (Life In A.. Metro) Best Music A R Rahman - Guru Pritam - Life in a Metro Pritam, Sandesh Shandilya - Jab We Met Sajid-Wajid - Partner Vishal-Shekhar - Om Shanti Om Most Promising Debut Director Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par Feroz Abbas Khan - Gandhi My Father R Balakrishna - Cheeni Kum Reema Kagti - Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd Sajid Khan - Heyy Babyy Most Promising Debut (Male) Himesh Reshammiya - Aap Ka Suroor Neil Nitin Mukesh - Johnny Gaddar Ranbir Kapoor - Saawariya Most Promising Debut (Female) Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om Jiah Khan - Nishabd Sonam Kapoor - Saawariya Most Promising Debut (Child Artiste) Darsheel Safary - Taare Zameen Par Druv Piyush Panjuani - Apna Aasmaan Swini Khera - Cheeni Kum Related links: EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Cine Awards performers EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Cine Awards return to London (more)

Joost jumps into play with March Madness
From Financial Times. Posted March 28 2008, 8.24pm
Joost, the online television service, is using this weekend's March Madness US college basketball games to test a live streaming technology that it hopes will reduce the financial and technical burdens of broadcasting popular events online (more)

BBC orders two more series of My Family
From Media Guardian. Posted March 27 2008, 10.08am
The BBC has ordered a further two series of popular BBC1 comedy My Family, which will see the show stay on air until at least 2009. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

First Night: The Apprentice, BBC1
From The Independent. Posted March 27 2008, 12.00am
One of the most important lessons for any aspiring business tycoon is that you cannot overestimate the importance of stating the obvious and eliminating all possible ambiguity. Thus Sir Alan Sugar explained to the 16 hopefuls queuing up work for him on The Apprentice: "Mary Poppins I am not" (just in case any of them thought they had ended up on House Of Tiny Tearaways by mistake). (more)

Rock and pop concerts for Dubai after Live Nation buys Gulf promoter Mirage
From The Times. Posted March 24 2008, 12.00am
The world’s biggest live music companies are to take their battle for supremacy to the Gulf states after announcing plans to turn the region into the next lucrative staging post for rock’s biggest stars. Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which reinvented the Dome as a live music venue, plans to lure acts such as Prince and Bon Jovi to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to perform in new, purpose-built arenas. Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter and AEG’s leading global rival, is beating a similar trail. It has acquired a controlling stake in Mirage, a leading Dubai-based promoter, which has hosted concerts by Aerosmith and Shakira. Madonna, who has signed an exclusive music and concert deal with Live Nation, is expected to add Dubai, the UAE’s main city, to her tour circuit. The race to bring rock and pop to the Gulf is part of a wider effort to develop the region as a centre of tourism. Emirates is intent on making itself the world’s airline of choice, for example, a world in which millions use it to fly to the area’s rapidly expanding resorts and developments. Those resorts are already among some of the most exclusive on the planet, The World, perhaps the best-known of them, and its peers built on so grand a scale that they can be seen from space. And some of music’s most famous names are allegedly buying their slices of these exclusive spots. Yet if the superstars are intent on spending money on seven-star hotel suites and private islands, the Gulf remains a source of untapped income. Despite a wealthy expatriate population, a young music-loving local audience and the fact that 15 million visitors are expected to visit Dubai in the next decade, the Gulf region has yet to establish a consistent infrastructure for live music. With live performances replacing record sales for artists’ pension plans, the region, overlooked so far by the likes of U2 and the Rolling Stones, is seen as the next frontier for promoters to conquer. AEG Live has hired Thomas Ovesen, the man behind some of Mirage’s biggest concerts, to oversee a new live promotions office in Dubai. AEG Live hopes to operate arenas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, seating 10,000 to 15,000 fans and styled after its own O2 in London, inside two years. Mr Oveson plans to draw young, wealthy music fans from neighbouring states by staging Las Vegas-style residencies featuring big names. Mr Ovesen said: “My vision is that the UAE will be the hub for entertainment for the entire region. We believe the O2 model, where Prince played 21 nights, could really work in the region. The right type of artist can expect to clear $1 million. But until now, the local live music scene has been fairly insignificant.$” AEG plans to host Broadway musicals as well as pop concerts in its new arenas, with the shows marketed at foreign expats living in Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. The company has promised to balance ticket prices so that the local Asian population can attend. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, said: “A presence in that region is very important to us in terms of growth and finance opportunities.” His Dubai-based rival Mirage Promotions, which secures acts such as Diana Ross and Bryan Adams for corporate clients in the region, will be rebranded as Live Nation after the US giant took a 65 per cent controlling stake. Elissa Murtaza, its managing director, said: “Whilst our current focus is to be on the burgeoning UAE, our position in the Middle East provides us with the opportunity to expand our operations. Our new partnership with Live Nation will help us to accelerate our growth by providing us better access to talent and resources.” The Gulf does have a flourishing local music scene, which is reflected in the recently launched MTV Arabia service and the arrival of a concert infrastructure, but it does present some logistical problems for touring international rock stars. Some artists have been unwilling to undertake a four-day round trip to Dubai for a one-off show. Promoters also have to make provision for an entirely car-bound audience. This month Celine Dion played her first Dubai concert, at the Four Seasons Golf Club, charging £135 for a platinum seat. Organisers had to promise the authorities smooth-flowing traffic and car-parking for 9,000 vehicles before the concert could take place. Western stars will have to respect local sensibilities. Last month, the Radio 1 DJ Grooverider was sentenced to a four-year prison term in Dubai after admitting to carrying cannabis into the country. “They can have the rock’n’roll but not the sex and drugs,” Mr Oveson said. He added: “Given the wealth of the country, the possibilities for charging for high-end, quality shows are endless. Frankly, if Elvis were alive, he’d consider a visit to Dubai in the next couple of years. I believe the future is here.” (more)

Rock and pop concerts for Dubai after AEG buys Gulf promoter Mirage
From The Times. Posted March 24 2008, 12.00am
The world’s biggest live music companies are to take their battle for supremacy to the Gulf states after announcing plans to turn the region into the next lucrative staging post for rock’s biggest stars. Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which reinvented the Dome as a live music venue, plans to lure acts such as Prince and Bon Jovi to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to perform in new, purpose-built arenas. Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter and AEG’s leading global rival, is beating a similar trail. It has acquired a controlling stake in Mirage, a leading Dubai-based promoter, which has hosted concerts by Aerosmith and Shakira. Madonna, who has signed an exclusive music and concert deal with Live Nation, is expected to add Dubai, the UAE’s main city, to her tour circuit. The race to bring rock and pop to the Gulf is part of a wider effort to develop the region as a centre of tourism. Emirates is intent on making itself the world’s airline of choice, for example, a world in which millions use it to fly to the area’s rapidly expanding resorts and developments. Those resorts are already among some of the most exclusive on the planet, The World, perhaps the best-known of them, and its peers built on so grand a scale that they can be seen from space. And some of music’s most famous names are allegedly buying their slices of these exclusive spots. Yet if the superstars are intent on spending money on seven-star hotel suites and private islands, the Gulf remains a source of untapped income. Despite a wealthy expatriate population, a young music-loving local audience and the fact that 15 million visitors are expected to visit Dubai in the next decade, the Gulf region has yet to establish a consistent infrastructure for live music. With live performances replacing record sales for artists’ pension plans, the region, overlooked so far by the likes of U2 and the Rolling Stones, is seen as the next frontier for promoters to conquer. AEG Live has hired Thomas Ovesen, the man behind some of Mirage’s biggest concerts, to oversee a new live promotions office in Dubai. AEG Live hopes to operate arenas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, seating 10,000 to 15,000 fans and styled after its own O2 in London, inside two years. Mr Oveson plans to draw young, wealthy music fans from neighbouring states by staging Las Vegas-style residencies featuring big names. Mr Ovesen said: “My vision is that the UAE will be the hub for entertainment for the entire region. We believe the O2 model, where Prince played 21 nights, could really work in the region. The right type of artist can expect to clear $1 million. But until now, the local live music scene has been fairly insignificant.$” AEG plans to host Broadway musicals as well as pop concerts in its new arenas, with the shows marketed at foreign expats living in Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. The company has promised to balance ticket prices so that the local Asian population can attend. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, said: “A presence in that region is very important to us in terms of growth and finance opportunities.” His Dubai-based rival Mirage Promotions, which secures acts such as Diana Ross and Bryan Adams for corporate clients in the region, will be rebranded as Live Nation after the US giant took a 65 per cent controlling stake. Elissa Murtaza, its managing director, said: “Whilst our current focus is to be on the burgeoning UAE, our position in the Middle East provides us with the opportunity to expand our operations. Our new partnership with Live Nation will help us to accelerate our growth by providing us better access to talent and resources.” The Gulf does have a flourishing local music scene, which is reflected in the recently launched MTV Arabia service and the arrival of a concert infrastructure, but it does present some logistical problems for touring international rock stars. Some artists have been unwilling to undertake a four-day round trip to Dubai for a one-off show. Promoters also have to make provision for an entirely car-bound audience. This month Celine Dion played her first Dubai concert, at the Four Seasons Golf Club, charging £135 for a platinum seat. Organisers had to promise the authorities smooth-flowing traffic and car-parking for 9,000 vehicles before the concert could take place. Western stars will have to respect local sensibilities. Last month, the Radio 1 DJ Grooverider was sentenced to a four-year prison term in Dubai after admitting to carrying cannabis into the country. “They can have the rock’n’roll but not the sex and drugs,” Mr Oveson said. He added: “Given the wealth of the country, the possibilities for charging for high-end, quality shows are endless. Frankly, if Elvis were alive, he’d consider a visit to Dubai in the next couple of years. I believe the future is here.” (more)

Shane Richie to play celeb agent for ITV
From Digital Spy. Posted March 21 2008, 6.51pm
Shane Richie signs up to play a ruthless publicity agent in a one-off ITV1 drama about pop culture. (more)

Jonas Brothers to star in reality show
From Digital Spy. Posted March 20 2008, 9.40am
The Disney Channel is to make a reality show about US pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers. (more)

UK’s first TV channel dedicated to British Asians
From Biz Asia. Posted March 18 2008, 8.30am
The first television channel dedicated to the British Asian population has launched on Sky Digital. Brit Asia TV will be an entertainment channel aimed at providing predominantly UK based programming. Featuring daily shows, music, latest entertainment news, entertaining chat shows, drama serials and reality TV shows. After months of talk and speculation, Brit Asia has this week appeared on Sky Digital channel 836 although an official launch is expected on 7th April 2008. Jaz Bal, director of Brit Asia TV, said: "This is a unique and highly entertaining television channel that will plug the gap for quality programming by British Asians for British Asians. The response even before our launch has been overwhelming." According to management at Brit Asia TV, the channel will remain free-to-air meaning no subscription will be required to view the channel. Related links: Brit Asia TV delays launch until April Sukhi Bart to present for Brit Asia TV Punjabi World TV becomes Brit Asia TV Punjabi World TV begins EPG testing on Sky Punjabi World TV to launch on Sky next month EXCLUSIVE: Sikh Channel to launch in March Rumour: Reena Combo to join Brit-Asian channel Brit-Asian magazine editor steps down (more)

Popbitch pays libel damages to Hotel Babylon actor
From Press Gazette. Posted March 17 2008, 12.00am
Hotel Babylon star Max Beesley today accepted a formal apology and "substantial" damages from gossip website Popbitch at London's High Court. (more)

New 60-minute strand to launch on Sony TV
From Biz Asia. Posted March 16 2008, 4.01pm
A new 60-minute strand by the name of 'Sitaare Zameen Par' launches on Sony Entertainment Television Asia on Monday (17th March). Three shows - 'Bura Na Maano Holi Hai', 'Television' and 'Ustaadon Ke Ustaad', will come under the banner 'Sitaarein Zameen Par - Television Ka Maha Event' between 22:00 and 23:00. The first show appears to be a take-off on 'Champion Chaalbaaz'. The second will crown the most popular male and female faces on the tube. And 'Ustaadon Ke Ustaad' sounds as if it will spark off controversies galore. Albert Almeida, Executive Vice-president and Business head, Sony Entertainment Television, said, "In line with our vision of offering the biggest and the best, we bring to our viewers an innovative Sitaare Zameen Par. Kicking off with the festival of colors the show promises to bring home the biggest stars in a celebration like never before on Indian television. This month long special offers some exceptional entertainment with a spirit of camaraderie and competition." This contest will pit the winners of reality shows against one another. Aamir Ali, one of the performers at the 'Bura na Maano...' finale, was apparently approached for 'Ustaadon Ke Ustaad'. Ali says that neither Sanjeeda Sheikh nor he (winners of Nach Baliye 3) need to prove themselves. "We don't want to take part in any contest right now," he states. Some of the celebrities who have been confirmed so far are Varun Badola and Rajeshwari Sachdev (Nach Baliye), Shveta Salve and Logines (Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa), Sandhya Mridul and Javed (Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa) and Poonam Narula and Mannish Goyal (Nach Baliye). Related links: Sony TV's 'Amber Dhara' in troubled water? Sony TV overhauls primetime programmes (more)

Sport on TV: A brush with royalty but not 'Off with his head'
From The Independent. Posted March 16 2008, 12.00am
Sport Relief came up with the intriguing concept of 'Sport Portraits' (BBC1, Monday and Tuesday), with five celebrated artists (and ex-cricketer Jack Russell) painting portraits of four sporting icons for a charity auction. The pop artist Sir Peter Blake, Jack Vettriano, Stella Vine, cartoonist Gerald Scarfe and photographer Rankin depicted the royal three-day eventer Zara Phillips, boxing funnyman Ricky Hatton and football's Fabio Capello and Didier Drogba. (more)

EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Cine Awards return to London
From Biz Asia. Posted March 12 2008, 10.23pm
The coveted ZEE Cine Awards are returning to the UK, we can exclusively confirm. The annual glitzy event held each year at various cities around the world, is returning to London after the success it had in 2005. The ZEE Cine Awards 2008 are sure to create the same excitement they did last time they were in the UK. Today's exclusive news break follows the announcement that the ZEE Carnival in London Olympia last month was a runaway success. The event, which had to turn away spectators at the door due to the overwhelming response attracted thousands from up and down the country. The ZEE Cine Awards 2008 will be held at a popular London venue on Saturday 26th April. The show will be telecast on ZEE TV in May. ZEE Radio will also broadcast special shows preceding the event as a build-up to the excitement. The Bollywood stars are yet to be confirmed but it does look like Shah Rukh Khan will be returning to the ZEE event after last month's stint at the ZEE Carnival. Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for more details. Related links: ZCA Special: Pictures from ZEE Cine Awards '05 Biz Asia Live at ZEE Cine Awards '05 The countdown on for ZEE Cine Awards 2005 ZEE Cine Awards ticket prices & seating arrangements ZEE UK postpone TV coverage of ZEE Cine Awards (more)

Carol Barnes
From Media Guardian. Posted March 10 2008, 12.02am
Obituary: Popular, experienced and tenacious broadcaster unfazed by fame as an anchor on News at Ten (more)

Hunting a pop hit? Radio pluggers are the people to chase
From The Independent. Posted March 2 2008, 12.00am
The NME Awards usually attract plenty of headlines for the antics of their pop stars. A celebrity-studded event, they make bands look cool and their antics even cooler. A year ago Kate Moss was chucked out for getting overly amorous with Pete Doherty. Last Thursday it was the drunken behaviour of Agyness Deyn, the supermodel girlfriend of Josh Hubbard from The Paddingtons. (more)

ZEE TV to launch 'Saath Saath' in 18:00 slot
From Biz Asia. Posted February 28 2008, 9.51pm
ZEE TV is launching yet another new soap to fill the weekday 18:00 slot from mid-March. 'Saath Saath' as the drama will be known, is produced by Dinesh Bansal who has old popular soaps like 'Basera', 'Kurukshetra' and 'Gharana' in his credits. According to a statement by the channel, "Saath Saath is an unusual friendship of two unusual women- one who is an illiterate village girl and the other a modern NRI and their trials and tribulations to fit in together with their in-laws." Currently ZEE TV UK's schedule at 18:00 is occupied by repeat shows; 'Saath Saath' will expand the channel's new policy of increasing original programmes during various dayparts. 'Saath Saath' launches on Monday 24th March at 18:00 and will air Monday through to Thursday. Related links: ZEE TV to add more new shows in October Ofcom approves four new licences for ZEE UK ZEE TV drops matinees for "original shows" ZEE TV increases original programming output (more)

Hollyoaks tops Channel 4 4oD service
From Media Guardian. Posted February 27 2008, 12.46pm
Hollyoaks has been the most popular TV show on Channel 4's 4oD broadband TV service since it launched in December 2006. By Mark Sweney (more)

Is Ekta Kapoor pulling the plug on 'Kasamh Se'?
From Biz Asia. Posted February 22 2008, 7.56am
The industry is abuzz with speculation that Ekta Kapoor is planning to wrap-up ZEE TV's popular drama 'Kasamh Se' by May this year. (more)

Israel Defense Forces launch wartime television studio
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 21 2008, 10.08am
As part of efforts by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to implement the lessons learned after the Second Lebanon War, an independent military broadcast studio was launched yesterday in the hopes of providing an effective means of relaying crucial information to the Israel’s civilian population during a time of national crisis. Costing over $1.3 million to construct, [...] (more)

My Life in Media: Helen Terry
From The Independent. Posted February 18 2008, 12.00am
Helen Terry, 51, is the executive producer of the Brits, the annual pop music award show. Terry's first taste of success was as a singer with Boy George in Culture Club and she later had several solo hits. She switched careers in her mid-thirties to work in television and refused to take part in Culture Club's 1998 reunion tour, having fallen out with George over his portrayal of her in his autobiography (the pair are reportedly friends again). Terry lives in Perthshire, spending four months of the year in London to make the Brits. This year's show, hosted by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, will be broadcast live from London's Earls Court on ITV1, from 8pm on Wednesday. (more)

Uproar on ZEE TV show 'Lil' Champs' show
From Biz Asia. Posted February 17 2008, 11.11pm
There is outcry all over India, after a popular contestant on a talent show was eliminated. 10-year-old Aamir Hafiz, who was leading the pack of youngsters on 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs' last night, has been voted out of the show. His elder brother Firoz has blamed ZEE TV for indulging in unfair practices. He has stated that Aamir has been deliberately been eliminated because he belongs to a minority community. He continued to say that ZEE do not want a member of the Muslim community to win the show. Aamir’s brother and uncle then went onto cause chaos on the sets of the show, claiming that Aamir was a much better singer than the others. ZEE TV executive vice-president Ashish Kaul expressed that anger and upset usually happens when people are eliminated. Aamir has been a sensation, since he has been on the show, even managing to grab a playback deal with 'Om Shanti Om' composers Vishal-Shekhar for a track in 'Bhootnath'. Related links: 'Little Champs' selected to sing in 'Bhootnath' (more)

BBC3 relaunch brought down to Earth
From Media Guardian. Posted February 13 2008, 1.03pm
BBC3's relaunch brought the channel underwhelming ratings, with pop star Lily Allen's chat show attracting just 255,000 viewers. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

In the Night Garden is lovely to watch, but is it good for babies?
From Media Guardian. Posted February 12 2008, 12.03am
Zoe Williams: In the Night Garden's popularity, since its true audience can't talk, must be with parents. And it is a lovely, restful watch (more)

Celebrity fund aAIM invests in India
From Daily Telegraph. Posted February 8 2008, 12.01am
The celebrity-backed property fund manager aAIM, which counts pop impresario Simon Cowell, Manchester United football manager Sir Alex Ferguson and TV presenter Sir David Frost among its investors, is to launch a $2bn (£1bn) property fund focused on the Indian market. (more)

Turkey puppet on Irish Eurovision list
From Digital Spy. Posted February 7 2008, 11.36am
A popular turkey puppet from Irish TV called Dustin is on the country's Eurovision entry shortlist. (more)

Hungarian radio authority unhappy with ?popular? MR2
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 6 2008, 4.38pm
Hungary’s National Radio and Television Board (Országos Rádió és Televízió Testület, ORTT) has found that national radio station Pet?fi Rádió’s programming includes only 6% “public service” content, despite it being a “public service radio.” As a result, it ordered the station to change its schedules, writes stop.hu. Pet?fi Rádió reformed its programming structure in summer 2007 to [...] (more)

STAR planning to launch Indian shopping channel
From Biz Asia. Posted January 30 2008, 10.39pm
STAR India and Bennett, Coleman & Company (BCCL) are planning to launch an Indian tele-shopping network in collaboration with a Korean company. According to reports, the Korean company will hold a minority stake, while STAR and BCCL will be equal partners. Both STAR and BCCL are keeping tightlipped about developments. Sources close to BizAsia.co.uk have suggested that Korea's popular TVHS channel CJ is advising STAR India and BCCL about entering the market. However this has not been confirmed. The parties involved are currently investigating costs and revenues. Speculation is also rife that NDTV is also looking into home tele-shopping. TV18's shopping channel is looking at launching February-end, early March. There are no plans to launch such channels in the UK market. (more)

Official: Internet radio gains popularity
From Biz Asia. Posted January 28 2008, 11.05pm
A new survey out today has suggested that listening to radio online has become "mainstream". (more)

BBC Worldwide to relive the ages of pop
From Media Guardian. Posted January 28 2008, 7.04am
BBC Worldwide is to focus on developing the corporation's huge archive of music programming from Top of the Pops to The Old Grey Whistle Test as part of a five-year plan to boost profits. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Problems still at Georgias Imedi TV
From Rapid TV News. Posted January 24 2008, 1.43pm
The Eastern European country of Georgia saw a popular TV station taken off the air for a period in early December, and again on December 26. Despite Rupert Murdoch’s management control, there are still problems. (more)

BBC finds a new friend in MySpace
From Financial Times. Posted January 24 2008, 3.12am
MySpace and the BBC's commercial arm will announce an agreement that will see clips from popular programmes distributed on the social networking site owned by News Corp (more)

Murdoch buries the hatchet with BBC
From Financial Times. Posted January 24 2008, 2.00am
MySpace and the BBC's commercial arm will today announce an agreement that will see clips from popular programmes distributed on the social networking site owned by... (more)

STAR, ZEE & Sony re-unite for Republic Day
From Biz Asia. Posted January 23 2008, 10.23pm
The three majors of Indian television STAR Plus, ZEE TV and Sony Entertainment Television Asia are reuniting for a special show to air on India's Republic Day this Saturday (26th January). The programme titled 'Rang De India' will bring together contestants of 'STAR Voice of India', 'Indian Idol' and 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' to pay a musical tribute to the national heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives to bring us freedom. This is the first attempt of its kind in the history of Indian television when contestants from rival Hindi channels will be seen together celebrating the spirit of freedom, harmony and togetherness and shaking a leg on one platform to celebrate our achievement as a nation. The special show commissioned by STAR Plus will be shown on the channel at 13:00 IST (UK TBC). "Rang De India will not only be visual and a musical treat for the music lovers across the country but also the largest pot pourri of talented and popular youngsters from various talent hunt shows across Indian television spreading the message of unity and harmony to all the Indians viewing the show", says Anupama Mandloi, Senior Creative Director. The show brings together the likes of 'STAR Voice of India' winner Ishmeet Singh Sodhi, the runner up Harshit Saxena and Ashprit, Sumitra Iyer, Irfan Khan from the clan; 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' stars Vineet Singh, Rajeev, Hemachandra and 'Indian Idol' stars Rahul Vaidya, Prajakta Shukre and Karunya. To tone the mood light, there will be performances by Shaan humming a track from 'Om Shanti Om'. 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' will be performed by Harshit, Karunya, Sumitra and Ujjaini, whilst 'Khalbali' will be sung by Amey and Vineet among many others. Alka Yagnik will also appear on the special episode. (more)

Sunrise TV begins testing ahead of Sky launch?
From Biz Asia. Posted January 23 2008, 8.59pm
Sunrise TV has commenced testing EPG data ahead of its official launch on Sky Digital next month. The news about Sunrise TV launching on Sky was exclusively revealed on BizAsia.co.uk last week. EPG data of the channel suggests that programmes will consist of shows imported from India such as 'Punjabi Pop', Mumbai Masala' and 'Hasya Factory'. Bollywood movies and locally recorded shows are also expected to form the schedule. Sources close to BizAsia.co.uk have said that the channel is likely to be available free-to-air initially before encrypted. There has also been speculation about Sunrise TV being added to the MAX Mix bundle of channels but this can't be confirmed at this stage. BizAsia.co.uk awaits an official response from Sunrise Radio a

Media UK

POP - news archive