22 November, 2013

News Views

Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending Nov 22nd. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!

Christopher Slaughter

Christopher Slaughter

CEO

It looks like computer chip manufacturer Intel might be getting out of the TV business — before they ever really got into it.  Recent reports had suggested there was trouble afoot at the chipmaker’s OnCue project, which had aimed to set up an OTT service.  Now Intel Chairman Andy Bryant has told an investor conference that the company “…seemed to have lost its way.”
Jill Grinda

Jill Grinda

Executive Vice President

Wheel back the crash cart – vital signs looking strong! The cable industry is not a “dying business” but has a promising future, despite the rise of OTT services such as Netflix, according to Cable Europe executive chairman Matthias Kurth.
Jenny Setnicker

Jenny Setnicker

Head of Advertising Development

Word-of-mouth is most potent form of advertising among Filipinos, Nielsen says. But TV, magazine and newspaper — remain the most trusted forms of paid advertising across Southeast Asia.
Jill Grinda

Jill Grinda

Executive Vice President

It looks like BRIC is providing the building blocks for global subscription pay TV growth as the number of pay-TV subscribers worldwide topped 886.5 million at the end of the third quarter. For more concrete evidence of this, BRIC countries will account for 68 percent of total net additional subscribers by 2018.
Sara Madera

Sara Madera

Director, Member Relations & Marketing

In an effort to help empower a sizeable segment of the population in South Asia, Google India has developed a campaign to teach and encourage women to use the internet. It’s been proven that education is a way out of poverty, and providing women access to knowledge can not only better their lives, but their family’s lives and their country’s outlook as well.

Desmond Chung

Associate Director, PR & Communications

If television today is an all-you-can-eat buffet, then those crazy young ‘uns are bringing their Tupperware containers to the table and loading up on their favourite dishes! Stats show that 24% of 16-24s download a TV series and binge watch entire seasons in one sitting, while another 52% say they watch at least two episodes at a time.
Some additional links you might be interested in:

Cinema XXI EpiCentrum Debuts Dolby Atmos

dolby123
The first multiplex operator in Indonesia to bring Dolby Atmos’ lifelike storytelling to moviegoers

Jakarta, November 20, 2013—Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) and Cinema 21, the largest cinema chain in Indonesia, announced today that the cinema exhibitor is the first in Indonesia to install the Dolby® Atmos™ sound platform. The first Dolby Atmos film to be showcased at Cinema XXI EpiCentrum, one of the biggest theatres owned by Cinema 21, will be Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which begins screening today.

Cinema XXI EpiCentrum is one of the top destinations for most filmmakers in Indonesia to host their premiere events. It is also one of the more popular venues for film festivals and other important events attended by government officials, including the president of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“Dolby is honored that Cinema 21 has chosen Dolby Atmos to be deployed in one of their largest premiere theatres. With Dolby Atmos, the audience is no longer just watching a movie; they are experiencing it,” said Leong-Yan Yoong, Regional Director, South East Asia, Dolby Laboratories. “We are confident that moviegoers will go back again and again for the extraordinary experience that only Dolby Atmos can deliver.”

“Cinema 21 is delighted to be the first exhibitor in Indonesia to introduce the latest groundbreaking audio technology with Dolby Atmos. With the latest in digital projection and an astounding sound system, we look forward to offering our patrons the most epic movie experiences,” said Catherine Keng, Corporate Secretary, Cinema 21.

In addition to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, moviegoers around the world can look forward to a slate of upcoming movies in Dolby Atmos:

  • DreamWorks Animation, Mr. Peabody and Sherman
  • Lionsgate, I, Frankenstein
  • Twentieth Century Fox, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
  • Twentieth Century Fox, Rio 2
  • Twentieth Century Fox, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
  • Twentieth Century Fox, X-Men: Days of Future Past
  • Warner Bros., The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
  • Warner Bros., 300: Rise of An Empire

Moviegoers can visit Cinema 21’s website (www.21cineplex.com) and local listings for information on Dolby Atmos.

About Dolby Atmos
Dolby Laboratories is equipping the cinema world with its new Dolby Atmos technology. Dolby Atmos unleashes the potential of sound in storytelling by making it easy for filmmakers to place or move specific sounds anywhere in the movie theatre. The result is what moviegoers have described as a virtual reality of sound and the most engaging and lifelike cinema experience ever.

Introduced in April 2012, Dolby Atmos has been embraced by all major Hollywood studios, six Academy Award® winning directors, and 11 Academy Award winning sound mixers, among others. More than 400 Dolby Atmos screens have been installed or committed to in 33 countries with more than 100 exhibitor partners. Eighty-five films from 10 different countries—representing a broad range of genres—have been or are scheduled to be released with Dolby Atmos sound since the first film debuted in June 2012. Dolby Atmos has received technical achievement awards from both the Hollywood Post Alliance and the Cinema Audio Society.

For the latest list of Dolby Atmos titles, visit dolby.com/atmosmovies. To learn more about Dolby Atmos, visit dolby.com/Atmos.

About Cinema 21
Cinema 21, the biggest cinema chain in Indonesia, started its first multiplex cinema in year 1987. Today Cinema 21 already has 667 screens at 134 locations. Cinema 21 has always committed to showcasing the best movies from all around the world. From Hollywood blockbusters to award winning films. Cinema 21 also commits to support Indonesia filmmakers by showcasing the best Indonesian films in the cinemas.

Cinema 21 plans to keep expanding its cinema chains all across Indonesia and will continue to strive to be among the best cinema exhibitors in the world.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Atmos is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. “Academy Award®” is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. S13/27467 DLB-G

National Geographic Channels International offers viewers a once-in-a-lifetime look at Ison

fox123
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNELS INTERNATIONAL OFFERS VIEWERS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME LOOK AT ISON, THE COMET OF THE CENTURY, IN NEW PRODUCTION FROM DARLOW SMITHSON

(Asia – November 21, 2013) National Geographic Channels International has announced the co-production of Comet of the Century from Darlow Smithson Productions. A year in the making, the special tracks what promises to be one of the most stunning comets in modern times, as comet ISON prepares its death-defying trek around the sun. Comet of the Century will premiere later this month in 170 countries.

Premiering across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia this Sunday November 24th at 10PM HKT/SIN on the National Geographic Channel, Comet of the Century offers viewers a front row seat to this once-in-a-lifetime event. With breath-taking images captured using cutting edge technology, audiences come as close to our new comet as the world’s most complex and high-tech telescopes can bring them. Following world-class scientists who are tracking ISON’s every move to glean key insight into this comet, the special illuminates the cosmic secrets hidden on and beneath ISON’s surface. Along the way, it also highlights ISON’s origins, what will happen on its trajectory around the sun and planet Earth, and mankind’s fiery relationship with epic comet phenomena.

“Comet of the Century brilliantly illuminates comet ISON – a rare, spectacular wonder, which can capture the imagination of viewers around the world,” said Hamish Mykura, Executive Vice President and Head of International Content for NGCI.

“Comet of the Century takes us on a rollercoaster ride into some mind-boggling science in a way that will be thoroughly entertaining to a global audience. We are thrilled to be working with NGCI and PBS on this spectacular project,” said Iain Riddick, Head of Special Projects and Digital Media for Darlow Smithson.

###

This press release was issued on behalf of FOX International Channels Asia by Tactic Public Relations Limited (Tactic). For further information, please contact:

FOX International Channels
Kelly Jang
Director, Pan Regional Trade Marketing & PR
DID: +852 2621 8875
kelly.jang@fox.com

Tactic Public Relations Limited (Tactic)
Kristen Gallagher Tactic – Hong Kong
DID: +852 2114 4345 FAX: +852 2114 0880
kristen.gallagher@tacticpr.com.hk

Diana Low Tactic – Singapore
DID: +65 6325 8264 FAX: +65 6325 8262
diana.low@tacticpr.com.sg

About National Geographic Channels International
National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) inspires viewers through its smart, innovative programming that questions what we know, how we view the world and what drives us forward. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Ventures and FOX Entertainment Group, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education through its six channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo Mundo.

Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S., which is a joint venture of NGV and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages.

For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.

About FOX International Channels
FOX International Channels (FIC) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, factual, sports, movies and lifestyle channels across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, in 45 languages. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 1.6 billion cumulative households worldwide.

In Asia, FIC operates or distributes 30+ channel brands, including the FOX, STAR and National Geographic brands, with over 100 feeds across 14 markets. As the leading pay-TV network in the region, we reach more than 550 million cumulative subscribers across Asia Pacific and the Middle East with offices in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia and the UAE. For more information, please visit www.foxinternationalchannels.com.

PwC Sees Boost in Entertainment, Media Deal Activity

PwC 123
November 21, 2013, NEW YORK: Continued demands by consumers to access content anywhere, anytime, will help drive further deal activity in the entertainment, media and communications sector in the U.S., PwC reveals in its latest report.

PwC’s 3rd Quarter U.S. Entertainment, Media & Communications (EMC) Deal Insights survey out today observes a 9-percent boost in deal volume in 2013 so far to 648, following declines in 2011 and 2012. Further, deal value is up 55 percent to $207.2 billion, largely driven by “megadeals” in the broadcasting, telecom and advertising and marketing spheres. Private equity remains active in the EMC space, backing 20 percent of deals this year.

International expansion is also still important, PwC says, but announced deals declined to 126 this year compared with 158 in 2012.

Read more at World Screen

Cartoon Network commissions first APAC content for global distribution

turner silver 123
SPAA CONFERENCE, MELBOURNE (November 21, 2013) – Cartoon Network today announces it has started production on the first Asia Pacific-made series developed for global distribution. Exchange Student Zero will be ready to air in 2015 on screens across the world. Another new project in the pipeline for the leading kids’ network is Monster Beach, an original TV special that will also be available internationally.

“Since the very early days at Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific we have produced local content,” says Mark Eyers, Chief Content Officer. “Exchange Student Zero confirms our continued commitment to producing exclusive and compelling creator-driven local content with export potential.”

The show’s director, Patrick Crawley, from Bogan Entertainment Solutions (BES) in Australia, adds: “It’s fantastic that we’ll be able to turn this character-driven, inter-dimensional story into a complete Cartoon Network series. Our Australian animation creative team is a formidable talent and we’re thrilled to have the chance to work with an international broadcaster to bring Exchange Student Zero to a global audience.”

Exchange Student Zero (13×22′) tells the story of two boys who bring an anime character from a fantasy card game to life and pass him off as an exchange student. However, Hiro wreaks havoc amongst his western styled animated world. Attempts to return him back to the game result in even more anime characters being released with disastrous results. The series tagline is: “300 super-powered cards. Two different worlds. One crazy adventure.”

Monster Beach (1×70′) is also a BES production. The special tells the story about surfing, scary locals and two kids battling to save their worst nightmare. Silas Hickey, Turner’s Creative Director – Animation, based in Hong Kong, is executive producer for both productions.

– Ends –

Notes to editor

More about Exchange Student Zero:
300 super-powered cards. Two different worlds. One crazy adventure. Exchange Student Zero (13×22′) is a series where fantasy becomes reality, when the dark forces from a tactical anime card game are unleashed on our world. The good news? The most powerful card in the deck, Hiro, is on our side. The bad news? Two 12-year-old boys are running the show! Their attempts to explain away Hiro as an exchange student are bizarrely successful – with the adults at least – despite the havoc he creates. Civilization as we know it might be teetering on the edge but rest assured our heroes are on the case… as long as they can fit it in between bin duty, an errant older sister and the eternal quest for a date.

More about Monster Beach:
Monster Beach (1×70′). An ordinary summer holiday gets complicated when two kids – Jan and her brother Dean – are packed off to stay with their drop-out uncle, Woody. It should be paradise: a secluded island, great waves and a non-attentive adult in charge. What could be better? But why is this place so deserted? Why has the town been overrun by the jungle and what are those strange noises coming from the beach? The terrible truth is revealed when it turns out the locals are in fact monsters – and they don’t take kindly to tourists. Well not at first anyway. The arrival of a rampaging property developer changes all that, when sibling rivalry and genetic differences are swept aside. Everyone bands together to save the strange little place they’ve all decided to call home. Monster Beach is a Bogan Entertainment Solutions production in conjunction with Cartoon Network.

About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network, the number one kids’ channel in the Asia Pacific region, offers the best in original animated entertainment while drawing from the world’s most iconic cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles. Original series showcased on Cartoon Network include the globally popular series Ben 10, The Amazing World of Gumball, Regular Show and Adventure Time. Cartoon Network is available in 23 territories throughout the Asia Pacific region and is currently seen in over 74 million cable homes. Online, Cartoon Network Asia Pacific reaches nearly four million unique visitors a month.

Cartoon Network is owned and operated by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., a Time Warner company.

About Turner International
Turner Broadcasting System International operates versions of core TBS brands, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies, as well as country- and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. It runs Pay- and Free-TV-channels, as well as Internet-based services, and is a commercial partner with various third-party media ventures; it teams with Warner Bros. and HBO to leverage Time Warner’s global reach. TBS operates more than 150 channels showcasing 33 brands in 36 languages in over 200 countries. Turner Broadcasting System International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS), a Time Warner company.

For media enquiries and image/interview requests, please contact:

James Moore
Turner International Asia Pacific Limited
Tel: (+852) 3128-3720
E-mail: James.Moore@turner.com

I’m A Celebrity global premiere hits record high

itv-Choice-RGB-MultiColour-Pos-123

Broadcasts on ITV Choice within 48 hours of the UK premiere

(Hong Kong, 21st November 2013) I’m A Celebrity…Get me Out of Here! series 13 burst back onto screens across Asia and the Middle East on Monday evening on ITV Choice within 48 hours of UK broadcast. The UK premiere achieved a record breaking audience of 12 million viewers – the highest launch audience figure in the show’s history.

This year’s launch was the highest live overnight audience of the year, after the Wimbledon Final (12.1 million viewers). The audience peaked with an incredible 12.9 million viewers, and a 48% share of UK viewing.

The top rated show sees celebrities leave their beautiful homes, families and luxuries behind as they enter the wilderness of the Australian jungle. Award winning duo Ant and Dec have returned as the show’s hosts, giving viewers the gossip from the jungle and overseeing those infamous Bush Tucker Trials.

The ten celebrities this series are Rebecca Adlington (Olympic Gold medalist), Steve Davis (Snooker World Champion), Kian Egan (Westlife singer), David Emanuel (Royal Fashion Designer), Joey Essex (The Only Way Is Essex star), Laila Morse (EastEnders actress), Lucy Pargeter (Emmerdale actress), Alfonso Ribeiro (The Fresh Prince Of Belair actor), Amy Willerton (Miss Universe GB) and Matthew Wright (Talk Show Host).

Peter Fincham, Director of Television at ITV said, “A peak audience of nearly 13 million viewers in its 13th series is fantastic, a real testament to the continuing power of this brilliant show.”

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! broadcasts weekdays on ITV Choice within 48 hours of the UK premiere. Primetime viewing – MALTA: 1830, IND: 1900,
THAI: 2030, SIN/UAE/TWN: 2130, MAL/KOR: 2230

About ITV Choice
Part of ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV Choice is the heart of new British drama and the Middle East, reaching over 8 million households across 40 countries. ITV Choice shows a wide variety of award winning drama, top entertainment, cool comedy, and soaps, fresh from UK broadcast in high definition.

ITV Choice is available in Cambodia – PPCTV 44, India – Hathaway, Indonesia –TelkomVision 503, Malaysia – Astro 735, Maldives – MediaNet 815, Malta – Go Cable 305 & Melita Cable 309 & 332, Middle East – OSN 217, Mongolia – Sky C&C 502, Oman – Omantel, Papua New Guinea – HiTRON 113, Singapore – StarHub 523, South Korea – CJ TVing, Taiwan – MOD TV 78, and Thailand – MeTV TOT IPTV 331 and Banglamung Cable 42.

www.itv.asia
www.facebook.com/ITVChoice
www.twitter.com/ITVChoice

– ENDS –

For further information:

Jennifer Tattersall
Marketing Manager
jennifer.tattersall@itv.com

SCM the first TV network to broadcast The Golden Horse Awards live in multiple markets

fox123

The Emperor of Chinese Entertainment delivers the prestigious celebration of the year’s best Chinese films to 7 countries including Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Hong Kong, November 21 2013 – For the first time ever STAR Chinese Movies (SCM), FOX International Channels’ (FIC) leading Chinese movies channel, will broadcast the 50th Golden Horse Awards in 7 countries across Asia, the Pacific and North America, evidence of the growing popularity and power of Chinese content outside of Asia. The Taiwan-based awards ceremony is widely recognized as one of the premier events amongst Asia’s film industry and will air live on Nov 23 in Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. SCM is the only network to broadcast the awards event on such a wide global scale and this move is in line with FIC’s ambitious goals to deliver and promote premium Chinese content to audiences across Asia and internationally.

In addition to the linear broadcast on SCM, the 50th Golden Horse Awards will also simulcast LIVE in Hong Kong on SCM Play, SCM’s authenticated online player. The awards ceremony will also be made available as on-demand catch-up content on SCM Play in Singapore 1 week after the live broadcast. SCM Play is available as a value-added service to SCM’s linear channel subscribers in Hong Kong and Singapore via www.scmplay.com or the iOS and Android app.

As Asia’s #1 Chinese movies channel, SCM secures exclusive first-window TV rights for the top Chinese-language movies from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other countries across Asia after their theatrical debuts. This year, twelve films broadcasted on SCM scored an impressive 40 nominations across every key category, underscoring FIC’s commitment to delivering only the very best premium Chinese content to viewers in Asia and globally. Among the list of nominees, Wong Kar Wai’s The Grandmaster, received a grand total of 11 nominations, including ‘Best Feature Film’ and ‘Best Director’, while critically-acclaimed Singaporean film, ILO ILO, was shortlisted for ‘Best Feature Film’ along with five other nominations.

“SCM is proud to be bringing the prestigious Golden Horse Awards this year to so many countries around the world, especially as many of the films from our line-up have garnered such an impressive number of nominations,” says Cora Yim, Senior Vice President of the Chinese Channels Group at FOX International Channels. “This is just the beginning of Chinese content’s rise in popularity not just across Asia but in western countries as well, and FIC will continue to lead the curve in catering to this need globally.”

The 50th Golden Horse Awards will air on SCM on November 23rd at 7pm HK/SIN. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/scmclub.

For a full list of nominations garnered by films on SCM, please see appendix in the attached press release.

-End-

About SCM
STAR Chinese Movies (SCM) is the no. 1 Chinese movies channel in Asia and is the premier destination for lovers of blockbuster Chinese cinema, with more than 1,000 titles in its film inventory. SCM is dedicated to providing first-run, premium content as well as cutting-edge advanced services. Premiering box-office hits from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan, SCM guarantees exclusives from top Chinese and Asian producers and major studios such as Emperor Motion Pictures, Media Asia, Pegasus and Fortune Star. In addition to hit movies, SCM also offers a powerful combination of live events, major concerts and acclaimed Asian documentaries in Cantonese or Mandarin with Chinese and English as well as Bahasa Indonesia and Thai subtitles. This unrivalled content together with HD viewing, a VOD service and a market-leading online catch-up service called SCM Play, the channel provides an unmatched entertainment experience.

About FOX International Channels
FOX International Channels (FIC) is 21stCentury FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, factual, sports, movies and lifestyle channels across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, in 48 languages. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 1.6 billion cumulative households worldwide.
In Asia, FIC operates or distributes 30+ channel brands, including the FOX, STAR and National Geographic brands, with over 100 feeds across 14 markets. As the leading pay-TV network in the region, we reach more than 550 million cumulative subscribers across Asia Pacific and the Middle East with offices in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia, New Zealand and the UAE. For more information, please visit www.foxinternationalchannels.com.

This press release was issued on behalf of FOX International Channels Asia by Tactic Public Relations Limited (Tactic). For further information, please contact:

FOX International Channels
Kelly Jang
Director
Pan Regional Trade Marketing & PR
DID: +852 2621 8875
Email: kelly.jang@fox.com

Tactic Public Relations Limited (Tactic)
Kristen Gallagher
Tactic – Hong Kong
DID: +852 2114 4345
Email: kristen.gallagher@tacticpr.com.hk

Diana Low
Tactic – Singapore
DID: +65 6325 8264
Email: diana.low@tacticpr.com.sg

Viaccess-Orca names Assayag EVP Sales

Viacess 123

(Nov 20, 2013) Viaccess-Orca, a global player in the protection and enhancement of content services, has announced that Chem Assayag has joined the company as its new EVP, sales. Assayag takes up responsibility for global sales strategy and business development, driving business in new markets, managing the expansion of the sales force, and feeding into the product development process.

Read more at Advanced Television

Subhash Chandra, Chairman, ZEE & Essel Group receives Honorary Doctorate

zee 123

Mumbai-India, 20 November 2013 – Mr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman, ZEE & Essel Group, received the Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of East London (UEL).

Mr. Chandra received the Doctorate from Lord Gulam Noon, the Chancellor of the University of East London at the ceremony for their Royal Dock Business School graduates. Accepting the award, Mr. Chandra thanked the entire senior management team at the Royal Dock Business School, saying, “It is indeed a privilege to be recognized outside one’s country, and in the presence of such highly acclaimed and respected individuals. I thank you all for bestowing this prestigious award that I feel honored to receive.”

Addressing the graduates present during this event, Mr. Chandra advised, “You all should never consider yourselves to be “Developed” at any point in time, but should always consider as “Developing” in order to never stop learning and enhancing yourself. The key to happiness is to Live in the Present, rather than regretting about the past, or worrying about the future.”

Mr. Chandra’s felicitation at this prestigious event adds a feather to the crown of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. and the entire Essel Group. In its presence for over two decades, ZEE has been a cultural ambassador for India to the entire world. Launched in 1992, brand ZEE has earned a global recognition in its reign over the M & E industry for the past 20 years. Being a global brand, ZEE entertains over 700 million viewers across the world. ZEE also enjoys a presence in 169 countries, offering a rich bouquet of 34 channels in India, and 32 dedicated international channels for the overseas markets. In this journey of over 20 years, brand ZEE has not just formed a family of millions of viewers, but has also enriched the lives of all the internal as well as external stakeholders. ZEE considers each one of these stakeholders, as Family and aims at making the entire World a part of this Family. Insprired with this thought, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is my Family”, is proposed to be the new positioning for Brand ZEE.

Mr. Chandra’s visit also marks the establishment of the broadcaster in the UK/Europe, and follows a recent launch of DittoTV, an online, tablet and mobile platform providing live streams and TV on demand from 17 ZEE channels. ZEE TV is now in the process of commissioning new programming produced specifically for the UK and European audience.

On Thursday 21 November, Mr Chandra will deliver a keynote speech at AsPIRE, the annual event hosted by JP Morgan at Lord’s to promote Asian-Pacific global leadership. Mr. Chandra will take the audience through his life journey from humble beginnings in India to becoming a global billionaire. He will reveal his role models and advise on implementing ideas into successful business operations.

– ENDS –

Notes to Editors:

About Mr. Subhash Chandra
Mr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited and promoter of the Essel Group of Companies is amongst the leading lights of the global media & entertainment industry. A self-made man, and a true visionary, Mr. Chandra has consistently demonstrated his ability to identify new businesses and lead them on the path of success.

Mr. Chandra is rightly referred to as the Media Moghul. With his pioneering vision and entrepreneurial mindset to achieve growth, he revolutionised the television industry by launching the country’s first satellite television channel -Zee TV in 1992 and later the first private news channel, Zee News. ZEE as a brand today, has achieved global recognition, reaching over 700 million viewers in 169 countries offering a rich bouquet of 34 channels in general entertainment, sports, lifestyle, movies, english and regional genres and alternative lifestyles, having both local and international presence. Aiming to reach a billion viewers by the year 2020, ZEE is all set to join the league of Emerging Market Multinationals.

For his contributions to the industry, Mr. Chandra has been awarded the 2011 International Emmy Directorate Award at their 39th International Emmy Awards night in New York. Mr Chandra became the first Indian ever to receive a Directorate Award recognizing excellence in television programming outside the United States. He ranks No.22– Forbes, Richest Indians list, No.33 – Economic Times Corporate Dossier, Corporate India’s Definitive Power Listing 2012.

About ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) | www.zeetelevision.com
ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) is one of India’s leading television media and entertainment companies. It is amongst the largest producers and aggregators of Hindi programming in the world, with an extensive library housing over 120,000+ hours of original television content. With rights to more than 3,500 movie titles from foremost studios and of iconic film stars, ZEE houses the world’s largest Hindi film library. Through its strong presence worldwide, ZEE entertains over 700+ million viewers across 169 countries.

Pioneer of television entertainment industry in India, ZEE’s well-known brands include ZEE TV, ZEE Cinema, ZEE Premier, ZEE Action, ZEE Classic, & Pictures, ZEE Anmol, ZEE Smile, 9X, Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten Action, Ten Golf, ZEE Cafe, ZEE Studio, ZEE Trendz, ZEE Jagran, ZEE Salaam, Zing, ETC Music and ZEE Khana Khazana. The company also has a strong offering in the regional language domain with channels such as ZEE Marathi, ZEE Talkies, ZEE Bangla, ZEE Bangla Cinema, ZEE Telugu, ZEE Kannada, ZEE Tamizh and ETC Punjabi. The company’s recently launched HD offerings include ZEE TV HD, ZEE Cinema HD, ZEE Studio HD and Ten HD.

ZEE and its affiliate companies have leading presence across the media value chain including television broadcasting, cable distribution, direct-to-home satellite services, digital media, multiplexes, amusement parks and print media amongst others. More information about ZEE and its businesses is available on www.zeetelevision.com

About Asia TV Limited (ZEE UK) | www.zeetv.co.uk
Launched in 1995, ZEE Network, UK was the first South Asian Entertainment Network of its kind. Since then it has grown in popularity and become synonymous with South Asian entertainment. ZEE has continually entertained and engages audiences with a unique blend of high-quality, localised and innovative programming. It also offers the world’s largest Hindi film library, with an option of English and French subtitles. Worldwide ZEE reaches 169 countries and 700 million viewers through a global entertainment network.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

For more information, please contact:
Jayshree Kumar / Parag Darade
Corporate Brand – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE)
9769286661 / 9820085872
Jayshree.kumar@zee.esselgroup.com / parag.darade@zee.esselgroup.com