May 30, 2012 – A powerful television documentary charting the anti-regime protests in Bahrain has earned Al Jazeera English another accolade, courtesy of this year’s Amnesty International UK Media Awards.

The 50-minute long ‘Shouting in the Dark’, was filmed, written and directed by Al Jazeera journalist May Ying Welsh during three months spent undercover in the Gulf Kingdom.

“Last year was a year of revolution across the Middle East, with significant media focus on uprisings in Egypt and Libya. Protests in Bahrain risked being forgotten when the government expelled all foreign media,” she said.

Read the full story at http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2012053022135/al-jazeera-english-nets-amnesty-award.html#ixzz1wRBQ51K0?utm_source=newsletter_686&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rapid-tv-news-current-edition-3105

May 31, 2012 – Pay-TV operator attitudes towards multiscreen and over-the-top (OTT) content consumption have changed dramatically in the last year, with most accepting TV Everywhere as the next evolutionary stage in pay-TV. A number of multiscreen initiatives have been clumsy however, with most operators approaching it as a defensive afterthought when an aggressive strategy can yield so much more.

The key thing is to approach mobile devices as more than just companion or extension screens. Tablets, smartphones and other digital devices can be leveraged to reach more people in a household, plus new customers that don’t subscribe to traditional pay-TV services – much like the way cellular phones enabled telcos to narrow down to individual subscribers.

“Multiscreen does the same thing for the TV experience,” said Doug Lowther, EVP for digital TV at software security and media technology firm Irdeto, in an interview with Media Research Asia “All of a sudden, every person is a potential customer.”

Read the full article at http://www.mediaresearchasia.com/view.php?type=analysis&id=0746

30 May 2012: BBC Worldwide Channels today announced that its coverage of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will air on the BBC channels across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, India, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The live coverage will be taken directly from BBC ONE in the UK, bringing global audiences the top British presenters, experts and top music talent to its coverage. The celebrations will also be available via the BBC Global iPlayer in selected markets.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations lead the London Calling season, an ambitious global television event which will run for two months and features a fantastic line up of exclusive dramas, comedies and documentaries that celebrate the wonderful city that is London. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, along with three-part documentary The Diamond Queen, will also be available as part of BBC AMERICA’s Summer of London season.

Jana Bennett, President Worldwide Networks and Global BBC iPlayer said: “I am delighted that we are able to deliver this truly British affair under a British brand to viewers all around the World. These joined-up broadcasts unite our viewers around the world and make them feel part of the celebrations from the comfort of their own home”.

More details on the comprehensive live coverage have also been revealed:

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Thames Pageant- 3 June 2012

A massive four-and-a-half hour broadcast spanning the pageant route and more, the broadcast will follow the 1000 boats from the UK and the Commonwealth accompanying The Queen along the River Thames.

Unprecedented eight-camera coverage on the specially converted Royal Barge means the BBC will be able to capture the reactions of the Royal Family on this momentous occasion.

Coverage will be led by Matt Baker and Sophie Raworth from their special studio at the historic former Thames fish market Old Billingsgate, looking right over the river and the climax point of the flotilla at Tower Bridge.

Clare Balding will be aboard the Royal Row Barge The Gloriana, which will lead the rowing section, rowed by 18 oarsmen including ex-servicemen, Olympic Gold Medallists and Thames watermen.

A surprise celebrity guest has been learning the art of bell ringing and will be on board the specially built belfry that will lead the entire flotilla. Its peeling bells will ring out and be answered by churches along the river.

On board the BBC’s exclusive presentation boat, The Zephyr, right at the heart of the Pageant will be comedians Frank Skinner, Griff Rhys Jones, Omid Djalili and Sandi Toksvig providing an alternative and amusing reflection on the pageant as it takes place.

Ben Fogle (Year of Adventures) will row a Triple Skiff with some friends and give us an insight into what it’s like to take part in the man-powered section, at the front of the pageant.

John Sergeant will be at Westminster Bridge with John Major, Richard E Grant and others taking a political, literary and satirical look at the Thames’s place in our culture and history. Richard E Grant will read the famous Wordsworth poem On Westminster Bridge.

The BBC will also be aboard one of the music boats, the “Symphony”, which has a full symphony orchestra and choir aboard. They will perform the musical finale, being the last boat in the flotilla.

In Asia, the live telecast of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Thames Pageant will air on BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment on 3 June starting at 8.30pm.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Concert- 4 June 2012

The BBC and Gary Barlow are bringing together a galaxy of great musicians from the last 60 years of rock, pop and classical music, on a stunning stage built around The Queen Victoria Memorial, right in front of Buckingham Palace.

Along with The BBC Concert Orchestra, artists taking part include Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Cheryl Cole, Renée Fleming, Jools Holland, Jessie J, JLS, Elton John, Grace Jones, Tom Jones, Lang Lang, Annie Lennox, Madness, Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Cliff Richard, Ed Sheeran, will.i.am, Robbie Williams and Stevie Wonder.

The concert concludes with HM The Queen lightning The National Beacon.

In Asia, the live telecast of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Concert will air on BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment on Tuesday 5 June starting at 2.30am. It will repeat that evening at 10.50pm.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Service of Thanksgiving and Royal Procession

The final day of the Diamond Jubilee weekend, Tuesday 5 June, is a State Occasion and will be marked by a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh together with other members of the Royal Family.

Commentary from St Paul’s will be provided by James Naughtie. Sophie Raworth will be reporting from St Paul’s; Fiona Bruce will be at the Palace of Westminster; and Chris Hollins and Sonali Shah will be in The Mall. Clare Balding will be at the Knightsbridge Barracks meeting new trainees of the Household Cavalry who have been learning to ride in time for this historical day.

Following a reception at Mansion House and a Diamond Jubilee lunch in the Palace of Westminster, the route from there to Buckingham Palace will be lined by thousands of well-wishers as The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family travel in a formal carriage procession. The King’s Troop RHA pays tribute with a 60 gun salute from Horse Guards Parade.

The Royal Family will appear on the balcony to and watch the RAF fly past and a Feu de Joie – a cascade of rifle fire by The Queen’s Guard.

In Asia, the live telecast of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Service of Thanksgiving and Royal Procession will air on BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment on Tuesday 5 June at starting at 4.15pm. It will break for 30 minutes at 8pm and resume at 8.30pm following the Diamond Jubilee lunch at the Palace of Westminster.

The London Calling season will be supported off air through www.londoncallingbbc.com- an engaging digital destination based on an interactive map of London. Through the site viewers can explore the city online, take on challenges, solve clues and play quizzes to unlock codes to win prizes such as iPads and a trip to London2. The site will also host comprehensive information and schedules for the superlative programming line-up.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Jeanne Leong
Communications, BBC Worldwide Channels
Tel: +65 6849 5292
Email: Jeanne.Leong@bbc.coom

Notes to Editors:

1. London Calling will air between June and August on BBC Entertainment (Africa, Poland, the Nordic Region, Asia, India, Latin America and the channel’s pan-European service3), BBC Knowledge (Africa, Poland, the Nordic Region, Italy, Asia and Australia), BBC HD (Latin America, Poland, The Nordic region and Turkey), UKTV (Australia and New Zealand) and BBC World News (global). The season will also be available to users of BBC.com and to users of the global BBC iPlayer but will vary territory by territory.

2. Prizes vary per territory

3.  BBC Entertainment’s pan-European service covers Central and Eastern Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and a number of Western European markets

BBC Worldwide Channels is one of five core BBC Worldwide businesses. Formed in 2005, the business’ diverse portfolio of channel brands provides a global showcase for the best mix of British TV across factual, entertainment, children’s and lifestyle programming. The company is the UK’s leading international broadcaster, operating a network of localised channels that reach over 300 million homes in more than 100 countries around the world.

SONY PICTURES TELEVISION NETWORKS PARTNERS WITH GAUMONT INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION ON HANNIBAL

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 30, 2012) – Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks announced today they have signed a deal with Gaumont International Television to bring Hannibal, a new series based on the world-renowned mythology and infamous character portrait of Thomas Harris’ “Hannibal Lecter,” to AXN networks around the world. The announcement was made by Marie Jacobson, executive vice president, programming and production, Networks, SPT and Erik Pack, head international distribution and co-production, Gaumont International Television.

Produced by Gaumont International Television in association with SPT Networks, the series will be broadcast on SPT’s AXN networks in 63 countries, versioned in 18 languages around the globe. Executive Produced by Bryan Fuller (Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me) and directed by David Slade (Twilight Eclipse, 30 Days of Night, Awake pilot), Hannibal takes viewers back to the beginning and introduces two of fiction’s most enigmatic characters for the first time. Hugh Dancy (The Big C, Confessions of a Shopaholic, King Arthur) is set to play Will Graham, with casting underway for Hannibal. Production is anticipated to begin in late July.

“Hannibal continues our strategic efforts to develop defining shows for SPT’s networks,” said Jacobson. “Gaumont has assembled a world class team to bring this bold origin story to life.”

“We are delighted to be teamed up with SPT on this much anticipated series,” commented Pack. “They are the perfect partner for us as they are able to offer Hannibal to a worldwide audience in over 63 countries.”

In the US, Hannibal has received a 13-episode order from NBC and is set to launch mid-season. The series will have a near day and date release across AXN’s footprint.

Hannibal is SPT Networks’ latest co-production to air across AXN’s global footprint, following the launch of The Firm, whose international premiere event reached more than 126 million households. With Hannibal, SPT unveils an event series ideally suited for its portfolio of channels across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Central Europe, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Russia and Spain. AXN is SPT’s highly successful pay cable and satellite television network known for its high-quality international and locally produced programming. AXN is actively seeking and developing both global and local original series to expand its ratings-winning line-up and further differentiate itself as the drama destination of choice around the world.

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ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT produces 6,000+ hours of programming annually in over 70 countries. SPT is a leader in local language productions, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats around the world. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE’s long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 754 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in all of SPE’s digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

ABOUT GAUMONT INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION

Gaumont International Television is the newly launched production and distribution studio based in Los Angeles and part of Gaumont, the legendary European-based motion picture studio. Gaumont, formed in 1895, is one of the main European production companies with a film library holding over 900 titles. As an independent studio, Gaumont International Television is producing high-quality drama and comedy television programming for the U.S. and international markets with a number of projects currently in the works, including “Hannibal” for NBC and “Hemlock Grove” for Netflix.

For further enquiry, please kindly contact:

Peter Ip
Madison Communications
(852) 2881 8790 / 6275 7043
peter@madison.asia