From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 2 16:44:59 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2003 21:14:59 +0530 Subject: [icernet] New spirit in film merchandising Message-ID: <3EDB70FB.4080702@vasnet.co.in> Film merchandise, an established industry in the West, is still nascent in India. Though there have been instances of film memorabilia becoming popular — the 'Friend' cap worn by Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kiya, Aamir Khan's silver ring in Ghulam, most of the clothes and accessories in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, and the occasional Madhuri lehenga or Shah Rukh shirt on the Internet — Indian filmmakers are only now waking up to the benefits of introducing merchandise before their films. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_269373,0008.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 2 16:46:44 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2003 21:16:44 +0530 Subject: [icernet] CAS regime: market not fully ready to make switch Message-ID: <3EDB7164.8080105@vasnet.co.in> The CAS regime is, in all likelihood, being ushered into a market not fully prepared to make a switch. The entire issue today revolves around the technical arrangements for CAS' introduction and not about content. Who would benefit from CAS is a big question. Broadcasters like Star would be apprehensive because it would definitely lead to a dip in advertising revenues due to a shrinkage in the number of viewers. The MSOs or cable operators such as Hathway or Siticable would not want it as they then would be open to strict monitoring. The customer or TV viewer would certainly not want it because they have to pay extra to buy the STB and monthly rentals would most certainly be higher. Barring the overseas suppliers of the STBs, the urgency shown in implementing CAS could unfortunately work to the detriment of all concerned. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/06/01/stories/2003060100451300.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 3 15:50:17 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 20:20:17 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Indian animation gets global recognition, funds Message-ID: <3EDCB5A9.3040309@vasnet.co.in> It's possible that great American animation movies like "Shrek" and "Nemo" could be made in India in the future as the country is focusing on strengthening its multimedia services. The government is encouraging this $500 million industry in India and so are other donors and investors who see the potential of such American movie hits being made at lower costs in developing countries like India. The global multimedia industry is expected to grow at 30 per cent annually for the next few years and as large production houses are seeking alternative locations to traditional production centres to reduce rising labour and technical costs, India presents an opportunity. Several animation schools have been founded throughout the country and New Delhi has spurred this through investments. The animation industry, which requires highly skilled and creative professionals, is increasingly outsourcing to developing countries, according to the World Bank and the IFC. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_270765,0003.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 3 15:50:24 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 20:20:24 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Reality Television - A new genre of entertainment Message-ID: <3EDCB5B0.4040208@vasnet.co.in> Zone Vision Enterprises Limited, the London-based International Thematic Channel Creators, has entered the Indian market with a host of reality shows. Launched in India in February 2003, its brand of programming is different from some of the reality-based shows aired on the Star Bouquet or AXN. In India, the channel boasts a reach of an approximate 14 million within the first three months of operation. Reality TV is distributed in India by Zee Turner, the distribution alliance between Zee Telefilms Limited and Turner International. Reality TV features India’s first fully dedicated schedule of hard-hitting, action-packed, adrenaline and emotion filled programming. Setting up Reality TV around the world has so far cost around US $ 25 million, say the official sources. As far as competition in the Indian market goes, AXN is a perceived competitor. The channel however feels that Reality TV does not have any real competition. Source: http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IE420030602022002 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 3 15:50:32 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 20:20:32 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Let's not do it our way Message-ID: <3EDCB5B8.9050500@vasnet.co.in> It's becoming increasingly difficult to watch Hindi serials these days, what with serial killer Ekta Kapoor's K obsession growing by the day and her imagination running riot. Much has been said and written about the substandard stuff she churns out with unimaginable frequency. What is perhaps most damaging though is that the stereotypical representation of women, in an age when power equations have changed dramatically, sends out very wrong signals. Source: http://dailypioneer.com/vivacity1.asp?main_variable=MEDIA&file_name=med2%2Etxt&counter_img=2 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 15:02:40 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 19:32:40 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Indo - British Digital Film Festival - msg from Megha Message-ID: <3EDDFC00.1010005@vasnet.co.in> Hi all Haven't really been contributing. Have decided to start contributing my little bit. Hope this turns out to be useful for a lot of people. Am working with the British Council now. Here's a bit the students and film buffs can use. Regards Megha Abraham meghaabraham@hotmail.com Reproduced from the june 2003 issue of the British Council newsletter CONNECTING. The Indo-British Digital Film Festival The Indo British Digital Film Festival, curated by Madhureeta Anand Negi, brings together filmmakers and artists who want to break the hegemony of mediocre films and video art. This specially curated film festival aims to showcase a selection of films that represent a new thought process in the world of digital media in both India and Britain. It is hoped that this amalgamation of nascent and new creations will become an annual meeting point for filmmakers from both countries, allowing for collaborations in digital film and art between the two countries. The festival will screen a total of 45 films over four days. There will also be digital video art displays and seminars. Films of all durations and genres are eligible for entry, as long as they are shot or post-produced on the digital format. Please note that this festival carries no entry fee. The deadline for submission is 10 June 2003. Application forms are available at www.britishcouncil.org.in or at the British Council, Chennai. Please send the completed forms along with a VHS/DVD/VCD copy of the film to Rachna Kalra at the British Council, 17, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 1100 01. For further information please contact 28525002 Ext 335 If you would like to avail of any information about the British council and it's activities please feel free to browse through our website www.britishcouncil.org.in From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 17:49:20 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 22:19:20 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Channels vie to CAS in on timing Message-ID: <3EDE2310.5020807@vasnet.co.in> Indian and foreign broadcasters are divided over the implementation of conditional access system (CAS) and polarisation is complete. Indian broadcasters like TV Today, Zee, Sahara, NDTV, Sun, Doordarshan and Eenadu have extended support for a smooth launch of CAS on July 14, 2003. But, foreign broadcasters like Star, Sony, Discovery, ESPN-Star Sports are lobbying hard to defer the launch by 12-18 months. The reason for the battle is clear. Foreign broadcasters like Star and Sony bouquets have more pay channels than domestic broadcasters. And, over 70 per cent of the ad spend is on pay channels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Indian broadcasters don't have much to lose from CAS. They don't have many pay channels and have a strong regional presence for mass viewership. Foreign broadcasters, however, depend on ad and subscription revenues in the metros. Also, being able to uplink from India, domestic broadcasters can tap the local ad market. So, if CAS' take-off is bad and it takes a few years to stabilise, then foreign channels lose but Indian broadcasters see a big revenue shift to their business. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=5678 ======== Will Zee's Rs 200 crore CAS project be a success http://www.business-standard.com/ice/story.asp?Menu=8&story=15668 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 17:49:32 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 22:19:32 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Hollywood to Bollywood, without love Message-ID: <3EDE231C.3010803@vasnet.co.in> Take a Hollywood plot, sprinkle in cheesy song-and-dance numbers and pour in a jug of melodrama. Shake well, and you've got a Bollywood movie. But Bollywood, which churns out some 800 movies annually, may be forced to alter its recipe after best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford persuaded India's Supreme Court last month to ban a 260-part TV series she claimed stole heavily from her novels. Bradford's A Woman of Substance and two sequels deal with a woman's struggle to establish herself. In the TV series, Karishma - The Miracles of Destiny, Bollywood actor Karishma Kapoor overcomes her obstacles to become a business tycoon. India's movie industry has never hidden its fascination for Hollywood. Even its name suggests it's a happy clone. Bollywood writers told of how colleagues furiously scribble dialogue while watching the latest Hollywood DVD and directors study the DVD on the set before copying the movie frame by frame. Source: http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.asp?id=3C5B320B-A173-4166-AFFD-408B8AFCD313 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 17:48:43 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 22:18:43 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Reporter launches showcase site for recent grads Message-ID: <3EDE22EB.5060604@vasnet.co.in> A young British journalist, Richard Powell, decided to help novice journalists beat a down market by starting a showcase site for them, greatreporter.com, reports the BBC. It's an online press agency with news articles from young reporters all over the world; submitted stories are checked and sold to newspapers. Since its inception in April 2002, the site has had 90,000 hits. The site has been created in close collaboration with the 'BBC News Online' team. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/2950070.stm Details at: http://www.greatreporter.com/ From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 5 23:48:08 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 17:48:08 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Are we ready for CAS? Message-ID: <44625.203.90.115.198.1054853288.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> What is common to the telecom and the cable tangles? A regulatory regime that is short-sighted, inconsistent, and fails to take into account market realities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States is guided by very simple doctrines— consumer interests, prevention of monopolies, lower prices, and choice. What such spirit guides our government? Protecting our culture just does not cut ice when FTV is free to air, readily accessible to millions of young minds, and Zee English can show the foul-mouthed mob hit Sopranos at 8.30 on Sunday nights. It is much easier to uproot a sapling than to uproot a tree. And in India, the current cable system is a tree that has grown wild because the Government did not do anything about the industry when it was young and budding. Indian viewers simply do not have a choice of pay-TV providers. We are stuck with cable, which is accountable to no one, and has very poor transmission quality. Those who can afford it should be able to have an alternative — DTH. The Government should encourage the rise of DTH to provide competition to cable TV. As the American experience shows, only competition from satellite can prod cable operators to do better, and lead to rapid evolution of enhanced TV services. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/bline/2003/06/05/stories/2003060500060800.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 5 23:51:13 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 17:51:13 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] CAS & Effect: Foreign Players To Float New Body Message-ID: <46856.203.90.115.198.1054853473.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Broadcasters in India are all set to take position across the swadeshi-videshi divide. In the run-up to the controversial conditional access system (CAS), the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) is headed for a split, formally. IBF is an apex body for television broadcasters. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35618 =========== You Can’t Buy Boxes From These MSOs, Only Rent Them http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35592 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 5 23:52:57 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 17:52:57 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Broadcasters Lobby To Ramp Up Basic FTA Tier To 60 Channels Message-ID: <47554.203.90.115.198.1054853577.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> So you thought the conditional access system (CAS) was all about pay channels, right? But, as the rollout time approaches in metros, free-to-air (FTA) channels are getting active. On Wednesday too, the FTA group was in full force at the information and broadcasting minister’s chamber, lobbying hard for raising the mandatory number of channels in the basic tier. From the current 30 to at least 60 channels. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35591 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 6 15:40:18 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 20:10:18 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Booming Indian cable TV industry has fight on its hands with viewers Message-ID: <3EE0A7D2.206@vasnet.co.in> Millions of Indian television viewers used to enjoying dozens of channels for free have been jolted by a government move to make them pay for watching the most popular channels. Such has been the disgruntlement caused by the upcoming Conditional Access System (CAS) that it is even threatening to blow into an election issue with opposition political leaders berating the new set-up. The government has said consumers in four cities - New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras - will have to install set-top boxes on all television sets by July 14 to view a large number of cable and satellite channels. This will mean they will have to fork out around 2,000 rupees (US$40) for a set-top box in addition to paying extra money for watching the most popular channels, which will all charge their viewers. India had perhaps the lowest charges for television viewers in the world as they could view between 30 to 100 channels for paying cable operators monthly sums of around 250 rupees (US$5.3). Anand V. Patwardhan, chairman of the Consumer Guidance Society of India, said the 6.4 million cable consumers in the four cities will find their combined monthly charge of one billion rupee (US$20 million) shooting up.``The consumers will now be required to pay 35 billion rupees by July 14, 2003, if they wish to receive the same channels they are receiving today, in addition to the monthly subscription,'' he said. ``Since all these set-top boxes are required to be imported, can the nation afford such extravagence?'' he added. Political opposition has been equally strong and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, who belongs to the main opposition Congress party, wrote a letter to the government that the move would burden poor and middle-class consumers. The government sought to appease irate consumers by slashing the import duty on television set-top boxes from 50 percent to around five percent bringing the price down to about 2,000 rupees (US$40). The government says the new ``Conditional Access System'' will enable viewers to pay only for the channels they want to watch. But consumers say this was trying to pull wool over their eyes as they will have to shell extra money for all the channels which they get free-to-air paying only small monthly charges. ``I would like to know what has changed that those television channels which were happy to show their programmes with only advertisement support now want to charge extra money from viewers,'' said Raghuvansh Prasad, a resident of New Delhi. On the other hand, television industry officials say the regime will bring greater transparency as advertisers will clearly know the viewership of individual channels and give the freedom of choice to consumers. Jawahar Goyal, head of Zee Network's distribution, told AFP that many of the television channels would fall by the wayside as they would not be able to support their viewership claims with advertisers in the new regime. He said it would help the cable television operators as they were having to shell out large sums of money to broadcasters although their programmes were free-to-air for consumers. ``The Conditional Access System regime is the right thing, otherwise the whole cable industry will dwindle,'' said K.D. Khanna, president of the Cable Networks Association. ``Who is saying that the consumer can not afford to pay? Today even an average middle-class household has at least two television sets, if not three to four,'' he added. An explosion in cable television channels has taken place in India in the last 10 to 15 years under an economic reforms programme and the popularity of television sets with cable and satellite connections has soared. Nearly half of the 80 million televison sets have such connections - more than India's total telephone connections. Foreign and Indian private television channels such as Sony, Star and Zee have virtually crowded out the staid state-run Doordarshan which used to dominate India's airwaves. Source: AFP June 4, 2003 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 6 15:40:33 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 20:10:33 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Independent regulator for broadcasting needed Message-ID: <3EE0A7E1.1020101@vasnet.co.in> Whose interest is the government trying to service now? Why should it meddle with the CAS with implications of destabilising cable TV? If the CAS is advantageous, it will be taken to by TV households the same way they had gone for the cable.Why should the government make it an obligatory and fix a deadline and create a controversy? Why should it fix the numbers of channels or even go about fixing charges. If cable TV operators are under-reporting their subscriber base, there are other ways of validating the same; if quality of cable TV is not up to the mark, their technology requires to be streamlined; if the ground level tyranny from operators is becoming unbearable, there should be ways to tackle it as was demonstrated by subscribers themselves in a couple of instances. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/06/stories/2003060604481200.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 6 15:40:43 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 20:10:43 +0530 Subject: [icernet] 'Journalism practised by Gandhi no longer exists'' Message-ID: <3EE0A7EB.2000500@vasnet.co.in> The former Prime Minister, Inder Kumar Gujral, expressed concern over the fact that journalism had become a profession where the editor no longer mattered. ``Editors do not matter any more. It is the proprietor who has become more important than the editor,'' he rued while inaugurating a function here to mark the centenary of Indian Opinion, a weekly newspaper started by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. Mr. Gujral hailed Gandhi as a great communicator. "Journalism practised by him and other stalwarts no longer exists. Gandhi used every possible medium to give his message. Even the "Charkha" was an innovative medium used by him to communicate his ideals and philosophy.'' Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/06/stories/2003060604491200.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 6 15:40:09 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 20:10:09 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Profile - RK Swamy: The 'Grand Old Old Man' of Indian advertising Message-ID: <3EE0A7C9.10006@vasnet.co.in> R K Swamy, 80, the founder chairman of the Chennai-based advertising agency, R K SWAMY BBDO. Swamy is said to be among the first few entrepreneurs in the advertising industry to have set up his own agency at the ripe age of 50. He launched R K SWAMY Advertising Associates Pvt Ltd in Chennai, after having worked nearly 30 years at Indias largest agency JWT. And thanks to Swamys passion, RK Swamy featured among the top 10 agencies in India within the first five years of its operations. To ramp up growth, he brought in an international partner BBDO Worldwide in the late 80s and converted his company into R K SWAMY BBDO Advertising. As early as 1986-87, he foresaw the need for quality television programming and set up a TV software division, HansaVision, which became a well-recognised name among advertisers and agencies all over the country. Around the same he set up another division for corporate and final advertising. RK Swamy also wrote a book India - How to succeed without tears which revealed his deep understanding and analysis of what India needed to do to emerge as a serious economic power. Swamy was probably the only person who had held almost all the top posts of the all industry bodies related to advertising. He was President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India from 1982-84, Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation in 1983-84 and the founder member and chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India in 1988-89. For his invaluable contribution to the advertising industry he was presented the prestigious AAAI-Premnarayan award by the industry body in 1998. The Advertising Clubs in Madras and Calcutta also recognised him for his life-long service to the industry in their respective Awards. He was actively involved in the formation of the All India Management Association and served as its President in 1977-78. Source: Business Standard June 6, 2003 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 8 15:43:51 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2003 20:13:51 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Fellowships for journalists Message-ID: <3EE34BA7.1030200@vasnet.co.in> In order to facilitate a more informed policy dialogue and to encourage publication of well-researched articles on development issues, the National Foundation for India has announced eight fellowships under its National Media Fellowships Programme. Two fellowships are for projects with a specific emphasis on conditions in rural areas. One fellowship is exclusively for a photojournalist. Journalists from non-metro areas can also apply. The selected fellows are expected to publish at least 10 articles or a reasonable number of photographs (in the case of a photojournalist) on the chosen subject during the period. Out of these two or three should be in-depth research articles/photo essays. The last date for receipt of applications is August 22, 2003. The details of the fellowship programme can be obtained from the Programme Assistant, National Media Fellowships NFI, Core 4A, Upper Ground Floor, India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road New Delhi 110 003. Tel 011-2464/1865/8490/8491/8492, Fax 0114641867 email: sentimong@nfi.org.in / info@nfi.org.in Source: The Hindu June 8, 2003 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 8 15:44:02 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2003 20:14:02 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Are celebrity icons puppets in the hands of promoters? Message-ID: <3EE34BB2.5090801@vasnet.co.in> All this hoopla over his birthday, it is now said, was organised by Tendulkars business partners, advertisers and promoters so that they could build an incredible icon out of the sportsman, which would make him God in the eyes of the poor millions in India. "Building such icons and then milking them to create profits for the celebrity concerned, the media and the promoters or publicity and event designers has become the biggest marketing game of the decade," says a senior executive of a public relations company which specialises in celebrity management, "Sachin is an all-time favourite of the endorsement market... Entire campaigns for some products are based on his huge popularity. But the agencies handling his endorsements have also to keep this popularity quotient going to make Tendulkar an attractive proposition for advertisers. Companies like ours create the circle effect, whereby we promote him as an icon in the media and then plan events or campaigns around him to enable the sponsors to increase the sales of their products, using his brand value." According to marketing gurus, Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan continue to be the strongest brands in the Indian market. Aishwarya Rai comes next with her international success in Devdas... Her endorsements for diamonds, beauty products, soft drinks, film rolls and now her international contract with Garnier  for their range of Asian beauty products  have made her the numero uno female icon in India. Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030608/spectrum/main3.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 8 15:44:11 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2003 20:14:11 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Just in CASe, Govt hurries with Direct to Home service Message-ID: <3EE34BBB.1070300@vasnet.co.in> Finance Ministry clears DTH project  forget CAS troubles, your cablewallah may soon be history. The DTH requires a one-time investment of Rs 6,000 on a set-top box and a pizza-sized dish to receive signals from a satellite. The rest is free. Because the Prasar Bharati Corporation is a public service broadcaster, it has decided to keep its DTH operation free. This means the consumer does not have to subscribe to the channels  he gets them free. And being digitally transmitted, he neednt worry about the quality either. The Finance Ministry has said yes to the Prasar Bharati Corporations DTH project. At a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee on Friday, the corporation was given the approval to start its DTH operations. Just in case you are wondering why the Government is pushing through with DTH, when it is still battling for CAS, its because in all evolved markets, whether it be the US, or UK  the consumer gets the first right to choose what he wants. DTH, cable service, Conditional Access System or terrestrial transmission, all can co-exist, say sources in the corporation. As for the goodies on the plate, the corporation will be wooing broadcasters and niche channels around the world to join its platform for a token fee. They can make money through advertisements. The bait? The entire country gets connected, including the North East. So far, three players have applied for DTH licences  Agrani, Essel Shyam (promoted by Zee), and Space TV (backed by Star)  all of whom have been issued letters of intent. Once they deposit a sum of Rs 10 crore, applications will be scrutinised by Home, Defence and Communication ministries. Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=25404 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 8 15:44:20 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2003 20:14:20 +0530 Subject: [icernet] A CAS Primer For Dummies Message-ID: <3EE34BC4.60502@vasnet.co.in> All through the week, the government was on a communication overdrive, trying to remove uncertainties on whether the conditional access system (CAS) would be implemented in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai from July 15. CAS implications on pay channels, FTAs, and set-top boxes are being written about and hotly debated. Yet, no one has been able to say for sure how it works for the couch potato. Is it good or bad? Cheaper or more expensive? The real answers will take a few months to unfold. Meanwhile, heres a selection of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you decide on the governments case for CAS: Details at: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35761 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 9 14:55:54 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 19:25:54 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Trendz gets FTV jumping Message-ID: <3EE491EA.1050707@vasnet.co.in> Conditional access system (CAS) has certainly turned a lot of things around. Even in those particular niche segments not believed to be of much consequence in mainline advertising stakes. The fashion television genre is one such case. Till the first quarter of this calendar year, there wasn't much action in the genre apart from occasional protests from the "morality" brigade. Come July 14 and everything is set for a revamp. It's great to see perfectly shaped bodies cavorting on the ramp, and have choice too. Competition, they say, induces dynamism into an otherwise static market. The entry of Zee-Turner's fashion channel Trendz has "shaken and stirred" Fashion TV. The minimal T against a backdrop of pink adorning the right hand corner of the television screen has really set the small screen on fire in several Indian homes. Due to its monopoly, Fashion TV had become monotonous and repetitive over the last few months. Then came Trendz! Imagine watching svelte divas walking down a flight of steps and wading through a "liquid" ramp made up of water. Another instance had the camera moving with the music even as the models danced and indulged in affable bonhomie. Some even indulged in "notorious" activities such as dancing around poles. Soon the buzzword became "movement" - innovative and creatively conceptualised backdrops. It's a treat watching "angels and fairies" hanging from the ceiling even as models walk the ramp below. In another case, sceptres adorned the backdrop even as models carried them in their hands while posing for photographs. Viewers got to see fashion shows wherein models strutted across a swimming pool located in the midst of green lawn. At the end of the show, the designer walks up front and jumps into the pool while taking a bow! Source: http://dailypioneer.com/vivacity1.asp?main_variable=MEDIA&file_name=med1%2Etxt&counter_img=1 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 9 14:56:05 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 19:26:05 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Trust in media keeps slipping Message-ID: <3EE491F5.4040209@vasnet.co.in> "Public confidence in the media, already low, continues to dip," reports Peter Johnson. In a recent survey, only 36 percent of respondents, among the lowest in years, believe news organizations get the facts straight. Source: http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-05-27-media-trust_x.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 9 16:09:11 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 20:39:11 +0530 Subject: [icernet] New Book - Asia.com Asia Encounters the Internet Message-ID: <3EE4A317.4000605@vasnet.co.in> Asia.com Asia Encounters the Internet -- edited by K.C. Ho , Randy Kluver , C.C Yang The Internet is developing quicker in Asia than in any other region of the world. This book is the first comprehensive analysis of the information society in an Asian context and the impact of these technologies in Asia. These impacts are inevitably uneven and conditioned by issues of telecommunications infrastructure, government politics, cultural and social values and economic realities. The combination of original research, theoretical innovation and detailed case studies make this an important book for scholars and students in Asian studies, media studies, communication studies and sociology. Table of Contents Introduction 1. Asia Encounters the Internet, K.C. Ho, Randolph Kluver and Kenneth C.C. Yang PART I. Perspectives and Critical Orientations 2. The State of Internet Use in Asia, Tim Beal 3. Catching Up and Falling Behind:Inequality, IT and the Asian Diaspora, Anthony P. D'Costa 4. Cyberspace, Surveillance and Social Control:The Hidden Face of the Internet in Asia, David Lyon 5. Global Technology meets Local Environment:State Attempts to Control Internet Content, Carolyn Penfold 6. Piracy, Open Source and International Intellectual Property Law, Debora Halbert PART II. Issues and Impacts:Case Studies 7. From Real to Virtual (and back again):Civil Society, Public Sphere, and the Internet in Indonesia, Merlyn Lim 8. MalaysiaKini.com and its Impact on Journalism and Politics in Malaysia, James Chin 9. Who is Setting the Chinese Agenda? The Impact of Online Chatrooms on Party Presses in China, Li Xiguang, Qin Xuan and Randolph Kluver 10. Clicking for Votes:Assessing Japanese Political Campaigns on the Web, Leslie M. Tkach-Kawasaki 11. The Tamil Diaspora, Tamil Militancy and the Internet, Shyam Tekwani 12. Construction and Performance of Virtual Identity in the Chinese Internet, Karsten Giese 13. Opening a Pandora's Box:The Cyber Activism of Japanese Women, Junko R. Onosaka 14. Support and Spewing:Everyday Activities of Hindu Online Groups, K.S. Arul Maragatha Muthu Selvan 15. Communication and Relationship in Online and Offline Worlds:A Study of Singapore Youths, Waipeng Lee and Brenda Chan From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 10 15:36:37 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 20:06:37 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Broadcasters, Cable Operators Pass The Pricing Buck Message-ID: <3EE5ECF5.3030805@vasnet.co.in> It’s a hide-and-seek game between pay broadcasters and cable operators now, as far as declaring channel prices goes. While a government notification puts the onus on cable operators to announce the individual channel prices by June 15, broadcasters are not in a hurry to reach out to cablewallahs with their pricing. Even as some multi-system operators (MSOs) are pursuing broadcasters for the channel pricing details, independent cable operators constituting 40 per cent of the metro market are reluctant to make the first move. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35892 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 10 15:36:47 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 20:06:47 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Star is rising for British Asians Message-ID: <3EE5ECFF.1020209@vasnet.co.in> Since arriving in the UK two and a half years ago, Star TV has attracted 90,000 customers, who pay £12.99 a month for its two channels on top of a basic subscription. Now, Star TV is looking for a "great leap forward", says Star India chief operating officer Sameer Nair. "Star TV is the dominant player in the Indian market, with 87 of the top 100 shows, but for some reason the Asian viewer in the UK is not aware of how good we are. They think Zee is good, which is bad," he says drily. Nair wants Star Plus in the UK to replicate the success of its sister service in India, where, with 42 million subscribers, it is the top cable channel. The reason for its success is simple, says Star TV chief executive Peter Mukerjea: "What's got us there is Hindi entertainment: family drama, soaps. Programming that appeals to Indian Hindus and is in the right language." Until four years ago, Star TV's Indian broadcasting operation was part of a joint venture with Zee TV, under which the News Corp outfit had to put out channels in English. After the alliance with Zee was dissolved, Star TV switched to Hindi and began its climb to the top of the Indian ratings. Source: http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,7558,973266,00.html From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 10 15:36:54 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 20:06:54 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Nasscom sees animation sunrise Message-ID: <3EE5ED06.6060100@vasnet.co.in> With the global animation industry set to touch $50 billion by 2005, India could be well positioned as a significant provider of animation production services, leveraging on twin advantages of lower costs of production and technical manpower, according to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). While the industry estimates that the total animation production by Indian producers is expected to touch $1.5 billion by 2005, the entry of major Indian software service companies into the animation production space is expected to trigger a demand for outsourcing work to India. According to a study by Arthur Andersen on the Indian animation industry, it is forecasted that the global animation market will generate revenues worth $50-70 billion by 2005, with the total animation production by Indian producers expected to touch $1.5 billion . According to Nasscom, estimates the production costs of a half-hour animation film in the US or Canada range between $250,000-400,000. The same film can be produced in India at $60,000, which can be a huge incentive for customers to outsource work to India. Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=14893 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 10 15:37:02 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 20:07:02 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Animation Needs Training Boost: APAI Message-ID: <3EE5ED0E.6050003@vasnet.co.in> With long and short-term objectives in mind, the Animation Producers Association of India (APAI) has submitted a report to the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry on how the industry can realise its full potential, with government support. The thrust of the report is on education, training, workshops, international collaboration, production, marketing, job creation and even roadshows. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35893 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 10 15:37:12 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 20:07:12 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Sex now selling in Bollywood Message-ID: <3EE5ED18.8070300@vasnet.co.in> Traditionally in Bollywood -- the world's largest film industry with 6 million workers -- films steer clear of sex. The hero usually romances the heroine by singing and dancing. They hug but shy away from anything more. Even a kiss is a no-no in this conservative society. But a string of films released this year suggest skin may finally be hot -- and not the least because it sells. The Indian film industry is battling a recession. In 2002 more than 90 percent of all films released failed, resulting in more than $80 million in losses. Almost the only films that made profits were ones with a sexy edge, like "The Body," which raked in more than $2 million. People in the industry say it is a trend for a low-budget film to have a little bit of sex thrown in, and that's enough to draw an audience. FACT BOX - 124 of 132 films released last year made losses. - Six million people are employed by India's film industry -- the world's largest. - Typical theater occupancy is 30-40 percent, and a full house is rare. Source: http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/06/10/bollywood.sex/ From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 10 15:37:19 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 20:07:19 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Marathi film industry in deep trouble Message-ID: <3EE5ED1F.10008@vasnet.co.in> The once flourishing Marathi film industry, which boasted of hit films like Kunkoo, Manus, Pinjra and Shejari and left an indelible mark on Indian cinema with its original storyline, screenplay, and direction, is now gasping for breath. Once heralded as cinematically wealthy -- it boasted of icons like V Shantaram, Baburao Painter, Bhalji Pendharkar, Acharya P K Atre and Master Vinayak -- the industry is, in an ironic twist of fate, now begging for recognition from its own 'Marathi manse (people)'. Queues in front of the advance booking counters of cinema houses screening Marathi films are a rarity as middle-class audiences switch from 'amchi' [our] Marathi' to Hindi films. The industry has reached an all-time low with only 22 films produced in recent times. Source: http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/09songs.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 11 16:42:20 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 21:12:20 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Pay channels to offer invitation prices Message-ID: <3EE74DDC.2070608@vasnet.co.in> Pay TV broadcasters are now planning to woo viewers in the four metros with an invitation price strategy to induce them to go in for set-top box. The broadcasters are working on various early-bird schemes to offer popular pay channels within a price band of Rs 100 to Rs 150 if they hook on to a set-top box early on. The discounts to be offered by various pay channel bouquets are expected to be valid for a window of three to six months. Leading broadcasters  STAR, Sony, Zee, CNBC, Turner, TV Today, Doordarshan, Sahara, Eanadu, SAB TV - met under the aegis of the Indian Broadcast Foundation (IBF) on Wednesday to work out a common strategy to offer various pay TV packages on a tier basis, based on themes such as entertainment, sports and movies. Talks are also on with major multi-service operators (MSOs) to iron out distribution deals under conditional access regime. Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=17607 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 11 16:42:07 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 21:12:07 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Deadline over, pay channels buy more time Message-ID: <3EE74DCF.2040008@vasnet.co.in> It was meant to be a day of declarations. But with pay channels Star, Sony and Zee pleading for more time to declare the price of their channels, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry relented by not insisting on the June 15 deadline set for them. Though a notification from the Ministry issued last week had set the deadline for cable operators to declare the price of their channels individually for the sake of consumers, broadcasters met I&B Secretary Pawan Chopra today to seek more time. In another significant rollback, Ministry officials did not seem to be averse to quantity discounts and tiering of pay channels on the basis of genres. So one could have all entertainenment channels as one pay band, movie channels as another and sports as yet another tier. Incidentally, the notification, while cautioning cable operators against bundling of channels, is silent on tiering. It is also learnt that the officials wanted the broadcasters to fix the entire pay tier around Rs 150  with the very basic tier at a subsidised rate of Rs 25. Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=25588 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 11 16:42:32 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 21:12:32 +0530 Subject: [icernet] India adds to cable television confusion Message-ID: <3EE74DE8.8040504@vasnet.co.in> In mid-December last year, when the Indian government approved the Cable Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2002, it was touted as a harbinger of harmony to the chaos that prevails in the television distribution and broadcasting sector in India. The bill paved the way for the introduction of a "conditional access system" (CAS) for the distribution and broadcast of TV content, which in simple terms means that instead of paying for blanket channels, the viewer can choose, through a "set-top" box, which channels are wanted, and pay only for those. This will be in addition to a fixed amount of US$1.5 that viewers would have to pay each month for a clutch (a minimum of 30) free-to-air channels. This system will be introduced initially in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. When the policy was announced, the first reactions were positive, from the multi-system cable operators who distribute TV channels to cable operators, who in turn distribute to millions of homes across the country, to TV broadcasters who would know exactly how many people were watching their channels and would be able to charge them accordingly, to TV viewers. But now, with the four cities just over month away from switching over to CAS, chaos and uncertainty rule supreme. To understand how CAS is meant to bring order to the sector, it is important to understand the peculiar functioning of the TV, particularly cable and satellite, market in India. Industry estimates put the total number of TV households in India at about 85 million. About 60 percent of these depend on (un)friendly neighborhood cable operators to bring channels to their homes - the rest are catered for directly by multi-system operators. During the Gulf War of the early 1990s Indians were first exposed to satellite TV when a few enterprising cable operators started distributing CNN to affluent neighborhoods in Mumbai and Delhi. A couple of years later, when the satellite Asiasat, launched by Hong Kong-based Asia Satellite Telecommunications, Asia's first privately-owned regional satellite operator, became available for broadcasting TV channels to India, a few consumer-savvy channels, mostly foreign-owned, like Rupert Murdoch-owned Star TV, Zee TV - in which Murdoch also has a stake - the BBC and MTV emerged to beam TV content to Indian homes. A few more local language channels soon followed. Suddenly, most homes in larger Indian cities had a cable operator in their neighborhood stringing coaxial cables across their rooftops. In the absence of any regulatory laws, local goons, petty politicians and smart entrepreneurs joined in the free-for-all cable operating business. For about $2 a month, an Indian home could receive a dozen or so channels, including a movie channel running pirated videos of the latest Indian films. This unfettered growth created one of the largest cable markets in the world. Low-tech, homegrown cable operators became as ubiquitous as the local grocer. The mid-1990s saw the first consolidation. The Cable TV Act was promulgated in 1995, which saw the emergence of six multi-service operators, all owned by large and influential businessmen. These operators took the "last mile" operator as a franchisee and upgraded networks to offer up to 100 channels, which were distributed through a network of over 50,000 cable operators. On the ground, however, nothing much changed. While many channels became pay channels and cables passed millions of homes, piracy continued. There were constant turf battles between cable operators in which some people were even killed. And worst, despite the array of channels, the consumer hardly had a choice. Whatever the cable operators offered and charged was what a TV viewer had to gulp. And since there were no laws or system to control the cable operators, there was a rampant under-declaration of the TV viewership. This was because TV broadcasters charged multi-service operators, who in turn charged the cable operators on the basis of connected homes. No pay channel, therefore, has a declared subscriber base of more than 10 million as of date. Amid all this chaos, the government thought that the time had come for a regulatory framework, not only to curb piracy but to protect consumers from paying for what they did not watch and to ensure that broadcasters, too, get their due share. But the simple-law CAS is proving to be no match for the highly unorganized cable and satellite market where the rule of the jungle prevails. Critics say that the government wanted to put an end to the broadcaster-cable operator dispute over subscriber numbers. And therein lies the problem: Although broadcasters should be happy, most of them that have now to serve as pay channels are scared. STAR TV's head honcho, James Murdoch, says that "CAS is not a magic bullet that will solve the problem of under-declaration". Channels like STAR and Sony, which have been consistent toppers in the TV (viewership) ratings for years, fear that forcing their viewers to pay for viewing channels and for set-top boxes that could cost between $80 to $150 a piece, would cause an unnecessary burden on viewers, resulting in a drastic fall in subscription. And lower subscription means even lower advertising revenues. That's not all. Broadcasters like STAR, which want to be players in the yet-to-be introduced direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting - where broadcasters can beam channels directly to homes through satellite and another types of set-top-boxes - fear that if CAS is implemented now, DTH will find very few subscribers willing to spend again in additional set-top boxes. As with the broadcasters, CAS should ease the woes of the cable operators. But they, too, say that they have to handle the toughest part of the CAS rollout. "First, we will have to sell the idea, make the initial investments in the set top boxes that will be sold to viewers as well as spend on software at our end," say officials of the Mumbai-based Cable Operators and Distribution Association. "Moreover, CAS will help pay channels to increase their rates at the cost of cable operators. CAS could destroy over 20,000 families in Mumbai alone that depend on the cable industry." Multi-service operators and set-top-box sellers are the only ones not complaining. Critics say that's because they get, at the TV viewers' expense, control over India's 42 million cable homes - in four cities. It is a control that will make them very profitable, increase valuations for their businesses and help them expand and stabilize revenues. As an added bonus, there will be transparency: one of the reasons why many international cable companies have not yet touched India. "Even if we get 30 percent penetration, we make more money," said Sunil Khanna of multi-service operator Zee-Turner. And ironically, the biggest losers would be the TV viewers themselves. "The debate over the conditional access system is meaningless," say officials of the Consumers Guidance Society of India. "There should be no debate at all. It's pretty clear that CAS, in its current avatar, benefits nobody - not the broadcaster, not the cable operator and definitely not the viewer. If the government sticks to its July 14 deadline of CAS compliance, it will go against all conventional principles of governance where legislation is meant to benefit the greatest number of people." Indeed, under the present CAS formula, although a TV viewer pays more for every extra channel, some basic benefits, like movies on demand, don't come with it because the technology currently used by cable operators and multi-service operators doesn't allow much of tweaking. Again, one gets to exercise some choice over viewing of channels, but that is already present today to some extent by paying a little extra to cable operators. Does the quality of broadcasting improve? No, it doesn't. So, for the extra money that one has to shell out, one gets virtually nothing in return. However, in spite of what many called a "half-baked" cable networks bill, some feel that CAS is a welcome step. "After a choppy six months of confusion and uncertainty, the cable and satellite industry should see reasonable growth," predicts Amit Khanna. Most others, though, can only keep their fingers crossed. Source: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EF12Df02.html From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 11 16:42:42 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 21:12:42 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Clear Signals - I&B Minister's Interview Message-ID: <3EE74DF2.9090807@vasnet.co.in> The proposed introduction of the conditional access system (CAS) for television viewers has attracted tremendous controversy. However, information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is undeterred, and asserts that the rollout will take place as scheduled. In an interview to Vikas Singh, he says the opposition to CAS is prompted by vested interests: Whats the rationale for introducing CAS? Direct-to-home (DTH) services are expected to be launched by the end of the year. Why not delay the introduction of CAS till then? On what basis does one presume that everyone will switch to DTH? There can be lots of people who find DTH too expensive. Details at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=16110 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 11 16:42:52 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 21:12:52 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Now, new Tamil films on TV Message-ID: <3EE74DFC.4060900@vasnet.co.in> With theatre halls in Chennai now giving way to shopping malls or marriage halls, the Tamil film industry has begun a number of initiatives in a bid to promote Tamil films. The Tamil Film Producers Guild and the South Indian Artistes Association in collaboration with cable television operators will float a new Tamil satellite television channel. Beginning September 15, this channel will beam new Tamil films and songs. Industry sources say this will help control video piracy and the income from this channel will be ploughed into the film industry. The decreasing filmgoing public has led to the closure of over 800 cinema houses over the last five years, says the Tamil Nadu Exhibitors Association. Famous cinema houses like Sun, Paragon, Uma and Wellingdon, which date back to over 100 years, have now given way to commercial complexes in the city. Soaring real estate value is another reason that seems to have influenced exhibitors to opt for marriage halls and shopping complexes over cinemas. The Tamil film industry, known to produce over 50 films annually, produced 43 films last year. The reason cited for this decrease is high production costs and video piracy -- CDs of newly released films are freely available on the day of their release. Now, in a bid to help producers, filmstars have been conducting Star Nites in Dubai and London, proceeds from which will go to producers, says Vijaykanth, President, South Indian Artistes Association. Source: http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/11tamil.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 11 16:43:02 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 21:13:02 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Govt opens doors to foreign film-makers to shoot in India Message-ID: <3EE74E06.8080101@vasnet.co.in> Opening its doors wide to foreign filmmakers, including those from Pakistan, to shoot in Indian locales, Government announced a liberalised visa regime for such proposals. Proposals to shoot foreign feature films or co-productions in India will now be cleared within a maximum of three weeks cutting the time taken. The extant requirement of showing the completed film before it is released anywhere to representatives of the Government or to any Indian Mission abroad would now apply only in exceptional cases. Prasad also said the issue of visas to come into the country for the purpose of shooting a film will henceforth be separated from the script clearance. Normal visa procedures will be followed and filmmakers need not approach Indian missions after getting an approval letter from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_277263,0008.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 13 00:43:38 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:43:38 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Online news readership beats offline news sales Message-ID: <34170.203.90.115.198.1055461418.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> A World Association of Newspapers (WAN) survey indicates that newspapers worldwide suffered a decline in paper sales last year, while Internet news consumption increased, reports ITWeb. In fact, Net news readership has been much stronger than anticipated and has tripled since 1999. In developed countries like Japan, America and Europe, circulation has dipped, notes Timothy Balding, the director-general of WAN. Realizing the importance of being online, 79% of newspapers have news sites in 2003, compared to only 52% in 1998. In Balding's words, "the print industry has weathered a particularly challenging year and while we may see our paper-based circulations under pressure; online readership is booming." Source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2003/0306111207.asp?O=FPT?O=FPQQ From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 13 00:46:12 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:46:12 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Goa to become India's Cannes Message-ID: <35362.203.90.115.198.1055461572.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> France has its Cannes Film Festival. Germany has its Berlin Film Festival. And now, India will have its very own Goa Film Festival, otherwise known as the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Announcing this Tuesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Goa would be the new, permanent venue for the IFFI, which had been moving around the country ever since its inception. Source: http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IE420030610140542 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 13 00:49:57 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:49:57 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Discount pricing to bait TV viewers? Message-ID: <38185.203.90.115.198.1055461797.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> In a bid to push STBs into living rooms in the metros where the conditional access system (CAS) comes into play from July 15, pay broadcasters are planning to announce invitation prices for various popular channels. However, industry sources said that these prices would be valid for a short duration after which the broadcaster would be free to revise rates. The Government has been stressing that to ensure a smooth rollover to CAS, prices of pay channels should not be revised for three-six months. But, after the transitional period, consumers could once again be subjected to price hikes. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/bline/2003/06/12/stories/2003061202510100.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 13 00:51:50 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:51:50 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Stop smoking on screen Message-ID: <39332.203.90.115.198.1055461910.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> The question now is, are we going to allow the death and destruction of our younger citizens? Was not Indian cinema also envisaged as a powerful social tool? Don't producers, directors and actors claim to have a responsibility towards the community which helps them to survive and shine? Talk to any movie-man, and he will readily acknowledge in private the venom of a cigarette. But transport him to a film set, and he transforms like a chameleon. The urge to play "hero", be one, and look like one is overwhelming in an industry bent on fantasising life, and worse, making audiences believe that this is what is true. Now with financiers and producers dictating terms to scriptwriters and directors in a market with many more flops than hits, the cigarette has come to be seen as a glamorous prop. The people who can really help are actors and actresses. They must refuse to smoke on screen. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/12/stories/2003061200201000.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 13 00:53:23 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:53:23 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] More liberty for print media Message-ID: <40056.203.90.115.198.1055462003.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> The Centre further liberalised the print media sector, allowing papers to publish foreign content in newspapers provided the percentage of Indian content remains about 92.5 per cent. In the past, the Centre had allowed publication of photos, cartoons, crossword puzzles, articles and features from foreign papers, but now, a formal arrangement is possible with certain conditions involved. The approval will be “automatic”. All Indian newspapers can now enter into such agreements but they cannot do certain things. For instance, a newspaper cannot have the entire editorial page or the entire front page of the foreign newspaper concerned. Nor can the masthead of the foreign newspaper be used and all content has to be credited. The material used would have to have been published in the foreign newspaper. Why such a move has been undertaken now is not clear as many newspapers already have such arrangements. Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=15219 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sat Jun 14 00:52:48 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 18:52:48 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Can blogs help students? Message-ID: <36996.203.90.115.198.1055548368.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> As the debate about blogs changing the face of journalism rages on, many media courses have already started including the topic in their curriculum When the University of California at Berkeley introduced weblogging as part of its curriculum for their new media course, it received equal doses of bouquets and brickbats. Source: http://www.rediff.com/netguide/2003/jun/12media.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sat Jun 14 00:54:44 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 18:54:44 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] More of the same Message-ID: <37849.203.90.115.198.1055548484.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Currently the flavour of the season, both TV news and Hindi movies are generating more heat than light, more hype than audience and more cynicism than revenue. Why? For a while now the film industry has been howling about films flopping at the box office. The primary reason is sheer audience fatigue, with similar kinds of films with predictable hackneyed plots being churned out. Why even the stars, locations, songs and the mandatory item numbers are repetitious and banal. One success spawns a hundred unwanted clones which the public contemptuously rejects. Although the new multiplexes and revenue streams like satellite rights and exports are keeping the film industry afloat, it is caught in a serious malaise – the creative wellsprings have dried up. Source: http://www.business-standard.com/ice/story.asp?Menu=69&story=15673 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sat Jun 14 00:57:07 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 18:57:07 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] BBC could soon AIR on your local FM station Message-ID: <39054.203.90.115.198.1055548627.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> A move is under way to bring BBC radio programming to All India Radio’s FM channels and, while the Board has approved the idea, the BBC is said to be open to exploring all possible opportunities before it spells out its mind. AIR’s aggressive forays with the BBC comes in the wake of the plight private fm operators in the country find themselves in today. While Win 94.6 radio station in Mumbai shut its operations in Mumbai only a few days ago, unable to pay up the steep licence fee, other private FM operators are lobbying hard for the reduction of what they call ‘‘steep licence fees’’ for private FM operators. Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=25703 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sat Jun 14 00:58:16 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 18:58:16 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Phony Analogy For CAS Message-ID: <40160.203.90.115.198.1055548696.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> The government is busy drawing parallels with the telecom industry, while referring to the conditional access system (CAS). For instance, when import duties on set-top boxes were slashed (till July 31) to make CAS popular, domestic manufacturers were upset that their business interests were ignored. But, officials in the information and broadcasting ministry maintain that initially CAS needs to be promoted through imports. Just like import of mobile phones was encouraged some 10 years ago. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=36110 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 15 15:07:51 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 19:37:51 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Online news is the journalism of today and tomorrow Message-ID: <3EEC7DB7.7070702@vasnet.co.in> Asia Times columnist, John Berthelsen, notes encouraging trends for online journalism worldwide and in Asia. According to the Online Publishers Association (OPA) ad revenues for online publications have increased to 40.2% during the first quarter of 2003. Anecdotal reports reveal the trend relevant to Asia. The online ad revenue surge is a continuation from the previous year indicative of long-term improvement. Many online publications went broke even in 2002, leading Berthelsen to draw the conclusion that, many reporters and editors in the print news business see themselves in basically a dying profession,' as the Internet becomes the preferred news medium. Readers have also turned to the net for real-time news, the Iraq war being a case in point. Asian news sites are catching on to the power of net journalism, while statistics arent available for Asia many examples abound. The Bangkok Post Web site now carries ads from Imperial Hotels Group, VAIO Computers, Sony products and art galleries. The South China Morning Posts Marketplace section has ads for products including hotels, fashion apparel, perfume and cosmetics, books and travel reservations. Other Asian news sites havent exploited the medium to the same extent, The Taiwan News only has an ad for the Ping Tom Blue Fin Tuna Cultural Festival and The China Daily carries a handful of ads, both in English and Chinese. The rise in advertising can also be linked to the increase in broadband users as Internet ads become more like welltargeted mini movies. The net also offers better rates for ads, Forbes Magazine reported in May that it costs about US$5 to reach 1,000 Internet users, against US$31 to broadcast the same message on prime-time network television to 1,000 viewers. The Internet audience is wealthier, younger and better educated, as statistics have shown. All in all, John Berthelsen, makes a pretty strong case for Internet journalism. Source: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/EF14Dj01.html From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 15 15:08:10 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 19:38:10 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Afghan's first private radio station takes to the air waves Message-ID: <3EEC7DCA.1060608@vasnet.co.in> Radio Arman FM 98.1 went on air April 16 as Afghanistan's first ever private radio station, serving up a mix of entertainment, information and education for the capital's millions. The station broadcasts Afghan, Indian, Tajik, Uzbek and Western music 24 hours a day, with bilingual DJs using Dari and Pashtu, Afghanistan's two main languages. Arman FM's format of music, gossip and chat has long been the staple of radio stations elsewhere, but the presenters' informal approach and use of colloquial Dari has drawn criticism from some listeners unused to hearing young men and women chat together on air even 19 months after the toppling of the puritanical Taliban. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_281133,00050004.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 15 15:08:23 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 19:38:23 +0530 Subject: [icernet] The great Indian television game Message-ID: <3EEC7DD7.1030705@vasnet.co.in> The majority of members of a Parliamentary Standing Committee had wanted implementation deferred, and expressed apprehensions over the availability and affordability of set-top-boxes (STBs). With one eye on the Delhi Assembly elections, representatives of both the Congress and the BJP  worried about the possible impact on middle-class voters  had come out strongly against CAS. Other parties such as the Shiv Sena declared their opposition and the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's remark that CAS should protect consumer interests was interpreted in some quarters (mistakenly as it turned out) as a sign that the new system didn't even have approval at the very top. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/15/stories/2003061500151400.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 15 15:08:33 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 19:38:33 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Direct to your home soon? - DTH Message-ID: <3EEC7DE1.6010700@vasnet.co.in> The introduction of CAS has provoked interest in what is likely to be the next phase in the restructuring of the satellite broadcasting industry in India: DTH. Direct-To-Home services are essentially those that deliver a bundle of encoded channels straight to a television set via a satellite. The viewer requires an antenna to receive the signals and a set-top-box to decode them. Transmission invariably is on Ku band as signals in the conventional C band require antennae that are much too large and unwieldy. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/15/stories/2003061500171400.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 15 15:08:42 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 19:38:42 +0530 Subject: [icernet] What Will You Do Post-CAS? Message-ID: <3EEC7DEA.90209@vasnet.co.in> The government has not yet talked about open-architecture of STBs in case of CAS as it has done with its Direct To Home (DTH) broadcast policy. Following this, different multi-service operators (MSOs) across the country like Siti Cable, InCable, Win Cable, Home Cable and RPG are using different software platforms for CAS. And the MSOs are the prime providers of the STBs. Initially, they will distribute the STBs through their last-mile franchisee cable operators, who will then sell or rent out the STBs to end users. The government is also insisting that the MSOs last-mile local operators will be responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the STBs within each individual house. With less than a month to go before CAS falls into place, local cable operators are still not exactly nimble-footed in pushing through the sales of STBs. Though some MSOs have already announced their individual prices and rental schemes for STBs, the local cable operators are showing little enthusiasm about picking up the stocks and selling them to end customers pending price announcements by individual pay channels. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=36233 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 15 15:08:51 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 19:38:51 +0530 Subject: [icernet] NFI Fellowships for Journalists Message-ID: <3EEC7DF3.3000801@vasnet.co.in> The National Foundation for India has announced six competitive fellowships for its seventh North East Media Exchange Programme (NEMEP - 2003). The fellowships include four for outward fellows (journalists from the North Eastern region) and two for Inward Fellows (journalists from other parts of the country). The programme will be open only to the print media and photo-journalists. Applicants will have to submit a 1000-word outline of their proposed area of study (both issuewise and geographical) and back it up with methodology and research tools. The last date for receiving applications is July 15.The names of those selected for the fellowships will be announced in the third week of August 2003. Correspondence for more details and applications should be made to the Senior Programme Officer, North East Media Exchange Programme, National Foundation for India, Core IV A, Upper Ground Floor, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003. e-mail: monica@nfi.org.in Source: The Hindu June 15, 2003 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 00:28:36 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 18:28:36 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Internet ownership the next frontier Message-ID: <38640.203.90.115.198.1055806116.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Internet could go to the big media fish, moving away from its initial democratic focus, reports PCWorld.com. Media ownership in the offline world has got more concentrated after the recent FCC ruling. The next frontier for media congloms is the Internet; Mark Cooper, research director at the Consumer Federation of America, feels that the Internet is "passing through a monopoly gateway into a walled garden." Cooper feels that ISPs will move from a sans-barrier Internet world to one where access is provided exclusively to its content. FCC's recent ruling recategorized broadband Internet access from a broadband service to an information service. The Internet could model itself on cable TV providing access to channels according to different price plans. Non-profit interests and start-ups would not feature in the new controlled-access Internet world. Brian Dietz, a spokesperson for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, says that the cable companies present stance is one of unfettered access to online content. In terms of protecting the First Amendment, there are two schools of thought, one believes that the technology breeds democracy and the other that the Internet is like any other media, it can be controlled. Source: http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111154,00.asp From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 00:30:31 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 18:30:31 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Films on the beach Futile bid to reproduce Cannes in Goa Message-ID: <39420.203.90.115.198.1055806231.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Editorial - The Statesman The Union information and broadcasting ministry’s decision to make Goa a permanent venue for Indian film festivals is the culmination of attempts to market Indian cinema abroad. Minister Sushma Swaraj had started the trend of leading large delegations to the Cannes film festival in the hope of finding buyers for popular Indian films. Ravi Shankar Prasad continues the trend and, on his return from Cannes, suggested that Goa would make it an attractive destination. The forgotten factor is that an Indian film festival, wherever held, is not likely to become as compelling a draw as Cannes, Berlin or Venice. There is no competition to begin with. The attractions of the Goa beach cannot compensate for lack of infrastructure. The state government has promised support but it is unlikely to be decisive. Questionable also is the assumption that the Goa festival will open doors for Indian films in the West. The market for Bollywood is confined almost wholly to the Indian diaspora. It will continue to lap up films like Lagaan and Devdas. The minister might have examined more closely the argument that film festivals organised by his department have lost their relevance after several state governments chose to launch festivals of their own. Regional shows with identities of their own, may be more viable than the expensive proposition of an Indian festival run by bureaucrats from Delhi. The cost to the exchequer from the Goa festival will certainly exceed the returns. The minister should think again. From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 00:36:54 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 18:36:54 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] A CAS for bullishness? Message-ID: <41779.203.90.115.198.1055806614.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> In theory, broadcasters and multi-system operators are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries in the long-term as they will see a significant improvement in subscription revenues under the CAS regime. However, there could be many a slip between the cup and the lip. The main uncertainties revolve around a few questions: will the overall monthly cable bills, including the cost of set-top boxes, free-to-air channels and the top pay channels be affordable to the average customer? How soon will customers switch to STBs? Will the top three broadcasters (Star, Sony and Zee) remain pay channels? If they don't, how badly will the MSOs be affected given that they have already committed resources to get ready for CAS? Will viewership for pay channels drop if subscription rates are too high? Or will the rise in subscriptions offset drops in ad revenues? Source: http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/jun/16cas.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 00:38:09 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 18:38:09 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Small screen, big battles Message-ID: <42488.203.90.115.198.1055806689.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> One way or another, one thing is certain — Indian television is moving from the saas-bahu era into an action-packed new viewing season. The fast-paced action indicates how competition is heating up to even greater levels in the television industry. Whether CAS (conditional access systems) comes into operation or not in July, broadcasters are nervous and they are suddenly willing to experiment with new serials and programme formats. Source: http://www.business-standard.com/weekend/story.asp?Menu=15&story=15953 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 00:47:59 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 18:47:59 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] 'CAS Success Will Determine The Next Step For TAM' Message-ID: <46909.203.90.115.198.1055807279.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> It is the success of the conditional access system (CAS) that will determine the next step for TAM (the agency responsible for measuring the popularity of TV programmes across the country), says TAM India CEO L V Krishnan. Television Audience Measure-ment (TAM) Media Research, a 50:50 joint venture between Nielsen Media Research (NMR)/AC Nielsen and Kantar Media Research (KMR)/IMRB, is the only TV measurement system in India. In an interview with eFE, Mr Krishnan says that the organisation has in place solutions for possible scenarios after CAS rollout. Excerpts: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=36300 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 15:33:09 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:03:09 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Virtual Reality Becomes Virtual Legality Message-ID: <3EEF26A5.8060701@vasnet.co.in> What is common to a Supreme Court decision on medical negligence and the Companies Amendment Bill 2003? Its the almost simultaneous recognition given to videoconferencing as being legally permissible. Clearly, the areas of operation are very different. The Supreme Court decision (State of Maharashtra Vs Dr Praful Desai) deals with recording of evidence through videoconferencing. The substituted Section 285 of the Amendment Bill permits holding of board meetings through teleconferencing or videoconferencing. This development ought not to surprise in a nation which claims to be a frontrunner in telecom/software, yet the legislature and judiciary have till very recently not really moved to reorient laws in recognition of social, political and technological changes. To dwell on the plethora of archaic laws is not the purpose of this column. But the resistance which the Information Technology Act and the Convergence Bill has faced speaks volumes for legislative inertia. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=36368 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 15:33:28 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:03:28 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Will CAS help organise the TV industry? Message-ID: <3EEF26B8.5080903@vasnet.co.in> Revenues in the Indian television industry are expected to grow from Rs 111 billion in 2002-03 to Rs 292 billion by 2007-08. Most of this growth is expected to come from subscription revenues (from Rs 60 billion i.e. the monthly bill that the consumer pays to Rs 202 billion by 2007 over the same period). Obviously, July 14, 2003 would be a landmark date as players in the value chain fight to grab a share of the subscription revenues. The CAS regime will mature into a stable cable industry and in the process reshape the value matrix, as each player (broadcaster/-MSO/LCO) will redefine its role and value proposition to the consumer in the “battle for control of the last mile”. Convergence of technology and media may broaden the competitive landscape as non-conventional players i.e. telecom companies and last mile connectivity players may make forays into this sector and bite into this pie. Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=26097 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 15:33:37 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:03:37 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Set top boxes, pay channels and free channels Message-ID: <3EEF26C1.7010207@vasnet.co.in> In foreign countries, pay channels are free from advertisements. But in our country pay channels do carry advertisements. India being a huge market place, the earnings of broadcasters through advertisements on satellite channels are ever increasing. Once a suitable amendment is made to bar advertisements in the transmission of pay channels, all the broadcasters will be compelled to declare all their channels as free to air channels. Government acquired many controls from the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, its amendments and the rules made there-under. But there is no explicit provision to prevent advertisements in the transmission of pay channels. Once a suitable amendment is made to bar advertisements in the transmission of pay channels, all the broadcasters will be compelled to declare all their channels as free-to-air channels. The broadcasters cannot afford to lose their earnings from advertisements. Consequently, the STBs would become unnecessary and the public would be saved from investing on STBs. The channels like, National Geography, Discovery and Animal Planet which are watched by children and adults with equal enthusiasm would become in the process free-to-air channels. The amendment to the said Act, 1995 can be simple but at the same time effective. Section 4A of the Act in its explanation at clause (f) reads, " `pay channel,' in respect of a cable television network, means a channel the reception of which by the subscriber would require the use of an addressable system to be attached to his receiver set." The clause (f) can be amended by adding at its end the sentence. "Pay channel shall be free from advertisements." Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/op/2003/06/17/stories/2003061700050200.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 17 15:33:46 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:03:46 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Hollywood turns to India for inspiration Message-ID: <3EEF26CA.3000704@vasnet.co.in> Aishwarya Rai to be the next Bond girl? Lagaan to script Bollywood history at the Oscars? Bollywood bad boy Salman Khan to star in Willard Carroll's romantic musical Marigold? The list goes on about tinseltown news that kept alive the Indian hopes of an indelible Bollywood mark on Hollywood. But each time they were just off the mark and proved to be "also rans". After a series of so-near-yet-so-far Bollywood bungles, hopes are soaring once again. This time around it is not Hindi filmdom's feeble attempt to grab the attention of Hollywood royalty. For Hollywood is finally recognizing the power of love, to conquer on celluloid the epic Indian saga of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Warner Brothers has just announced that it is producing a movie about the epic love story behind the building of the Taj Mahal. This is the first time a major Hollywood studio has decided to make a movie on a topic that is much beloved in India and Bollywood. Interestingly, the news came at a time when Bollywood actor-cum-director Akbar Khan is lending final touches to his very own dream project Taj Mahal, an opulent movie on the same subject. The WB movie, based on a screenplay by Pakistan-American journalist turned screenwriter Kamran Pasha, is also an example of the growing South Asian prominence in Hollywood. The WB executive in charge of the movie is Aditya Sood, an Indian-American who is a rising star at the studio. Source: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EF18Df04.html From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 00:10:08 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 18:10:08 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Tollywood hasn't grown up to kiddy cinema Message-ID: <52023.203.90.115.198.1055977808.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> That kids love to watch films, is common knowledge. So why hasn’t mainstream cinema cashed in on this category? Jajantaram Mamantaram (J2M2) is perhaps the only children’s film with a box office turnover of its scale -- five crores in the first two weeks. And last year, Vishal Bharadwaj’s Makdee was well received too. Evidently, Bollywood has caught on to both the commercial needs and the potential of children’s films. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=28864 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 00:16:46 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 18:16:46 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] `e-Govt efforts may fall flat soon' Message-ID: <55772.203.90.115.198.1055978206.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Striking a note of caution with regard to e-Governance applications across the globe, particularly in the Asia-pacific region and India, Gartner India, part of the global research and consultancy firm, Gartner Inc, says the Indian e-Government initiatives have reached the peak of inflated expectations. In effect puncturing the e-Government bubble, Gartner India says that through 2003, insufficient increases in service levels and difficulties in managing constituent relationships will push Indian e-Government efforts towards the trough of disillusion. Further, the initiatives are bound to lead to a mismatch among constituents' needs, political vision and ability to execute these projects. Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/18/stories/2003061801460700.htm/ From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 00:31:02 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 18:31:02 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Broadcasters Trying To Bundle Pay Channels At Lower Prices Message-ID: <64649.203.90.115.198.1055979062.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> A genre-wise pricing of channels is unlikely even as broadcasters are trying to work out a penetrative rate structure to drive consumers to buy set-top boxes. The genre-wise bundling will involve an agreement among broadcasters on how much each should get, something which they have not been able to agree upon. News channels will stay free-to-air. Star India chief executive officer Peter Mukerjea indicated that Star News would be free-to-air while other channels would be pay. The two NDTV news channels, which are distributed by Sony-Discovery’s One Alliance without any extra cost to the bouquet, will also be available as free channels. Broadcasters believe the tiering of channel services will not be possible in the initial stages. Instead, they are working out plans on how to put the bundle of pay channels at a lower price to drive penetration. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=36440 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 14:55:35 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 19:25:35 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Internet TV returns after 7-yr hiatus Message-ID: <3EF1C0D7.6070107@vasnet.co.in> Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. introduced a digital television with an Internet connection and new Linux-based OS, the Yomiuri Shimbun reports. Matsushitas Internet TV enables users to access Tnavi, their newly-launched portal. Tnavi contains 22 Web sites, listing schedules for programs and information on families general interests. Users can navigate by either using the TVs remote control or typing in the keyboard displayed on the screen. An official from Matsushita says: Its like a TV version of I-mode. Weve tried to introduce new functions for TV. Currently, there is no telecommunication technology standard for these televisions. The digital TV study group, which Matsushita formed with Hitachi, Sony, Sharp Corp. and Toshiba Corp. in April is planning to establish a standard for digital TV hardware and software. To trace the history, while media convergence, a combined TV and computer monitor with a net connection, has been attempted since the mid 1990s, it has met with little market success. One obstacle was that dial-up download rates were insufficient for TV multi-media content. The idea of Internet TV was reborn as broadband connections gained wide acceptance and open source code was a cheap and easy option to build a pre-installed OS. Source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20030617wo62.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 14:55:50 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 19:25:50 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Govt Dismisses Pay Channel Price List Message-ID: <3EF1C0E6.2060308@vasnet.co.in> Even as the government has not fixed any deadline for broadcasters and MSOs to return with consumer-friendly channel prices for the conditional access system (CAS), Mr Chopra made it clear that the government would come down heavily on errant broadcasters. All along, I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has been talking about a monthly cable bill of Rs 200 for all pay channels, free-to-air channels and a monthly rental for set-top boxes. As broadcasters failed to follow the consumer-friendly line, the government has decided to act tough now. In a media briefing following the meeting, Mr Chopra spoke about taking coercive measures against broadcasters if they did not quickly come with a reasonable package. Not elaborating on what the coercive steps would be, he said the government had the option of amending the Cable TV Act and introducing regulatory mechanisms. He said if (consumer-friendly) prices of channels are not declared soon, without giving any deadline, theyll have to either go free-to-air or off air. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=36514 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 14:56:00 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 19:26:00 +0530 Subject: [icernet] What Govt can do if broadcasters don't comply Message-ID: <3EF1C0F0.4060008@vasnet.co.in> " The law states that channels have to be either free-to-air or pay. After July 14, those who do not declare their prices will not be seen " If that sounds harsh, take a look at this. The Government, through a notification or suitable amendments to the Cable Act, can regulate advertising on pay channels. Canada has strictly enforced this. We can set limits on advertising on the pay channels, officials said, adding given that 70 per cent of revenue comes from advertising, we can control it " We can set a cap on the price of channels if they want to rake in both advertising and subscription revenues. Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=26060 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 19 14:56:08 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 19:26:08 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Cable operators accuse broadcasters of trying to "derail" CAS Message-ID: <3EF1C0F8.8040100@vasnet.co.in> "It is now evident that Star TV, Sony TV and ESPN Star Sports channel broadcasters want to derail the implementation of CAS and have no intentions of complying with Government directives," the National Cable and Telecommunication Association said in a letter to Pawan Chopra, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting. It said broadcasters were still not prepared with the final details on the channel rates and have devised a "super tier aimed at forcing the entire lot of pay channels down the throat of the Indian cable TV viewers". Describing the practice as undesirable, it said this will not enable the cable operators to declare rates of individual channels as required by a June 6 notification. It urged Government to strictly implement the notification which said channels which did not disclose their policy or pricing by June 15 will not be carried by cable networks after July 14 when CAS rolls out in the four metros. "This will be the most effective step in protecting the consumer interests also it will compel these channels to either go free-to-air or declare their stand alone individual pay channel prices," it said. Source: PTI June 19, 2003 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 20 23:48:24 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 17:48:24 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] I&B to review policy on operation of foreign news agencies Message-ID: <59113.203.90.115.198.1056149304.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> After keeping the issue of allowing foreign news agencies to operate directly from India in abeyance for over a year, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has now apparently decided to review the existing policy governing them. Now that a new regime is in place vis-à-vis news — following the contentious decision of June 25, 2002 to allow foreign investment/participation in the print media — the Ministry has decided to open the policy for operation of foreign news agencies in the country to scrutiny for possible modification. With this end in view, the Ministry will invite opinions and suggestions from the public in general and the media, in particular, on the existing policy. Now governed by a Cabinet decision of 1956, foreign news agencies are only allowed to distribute news within the country through an Indian news agency owned and managed by Indians. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/20/stories/2003062005591200.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 20 23:53:54 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 17:53:54 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] That Old Feeling: Bollywood Fever Message-ID: <62348.203.90.115.198.1056149634.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Things are exciting onscreen too — though in these three-hour extravaganzas there's not much violence, no nudity, hardly any kissing. Forced to sublimate, Bollywood taught itself to revel in full-blooded, full-throated drama. "The formula is essentially a family epic," says Indian writer (and Brooklyn resident) Suketu Mehta. "A family that breaks apart and then comes together. It's also the story of Partition." The partition of India and Pakistan, that is — but with vagrant, fragrant hope of union within diversity. A father denounces, then tearfully embraces his son ("Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"). A group of 19th century peasants battle their Brit overlords in a game of cricket (Lagaan, nominated for a foreign-film Oscar in 2002). A naive media star falls in love with a terrorist (many recent films have used this politically explosive plot device, including "Mission Kashmir," for which Mehta collaborated on the script). And in the midst of the starkest plot twists, everyone sings and dances. Virtually all Bollywood films are musicals. For 60 years, they have provided India with most of its hit songs (in effect, the movie industry is the music industry). And not just songs — immense production numbers. Dozens of chorus boys in leather and houris in saris frolic while the stars risk dislocating their shoulders and display '60s-style legwork not seen in the West since the Peppermint Lounge closed. The stars dance, but they don't sing. That's the job of "playback singers," unseen onscreen but famous on CDs. One playback diva, Lata Mangeshkar, has recorded some 50,000 songs in a 60-year career. (Sinatra, you slouch!) The Bollywood masala — savory cultural stew — restores melodrama to its Greek-tragedy and Italian-opera roots: melody-drama, in which emotions too deep to be spoken must be sung. Imagine Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich" dancing around the utility company's lawyers while lip-synching a tune sung by Faith Hill, and you have a hint of the divine madness that is Bollywood. Source: http://www.time.com/time/sampler/printout/0,8816,459899,00.html From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 20 23:55:51 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 17:55:51 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Indian TV Experiencing News Boom Message-ID: <63794.203.90.115.198.1056149751.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Six years ago, the electronic media was thrown open to private broadcasters, ending the monopoly of state-run Doordarshan. Then a handful of media began beaming news via satellite and cable into Indian homes - now they are mushrooming at a breathtaking pace. Bhaskar Rao heads the independent Center for Media Studies. "Television until a year ago in this country was primarily an entertainment media," he said. "Today it is remolding itself to become a news media. That is a major structural change that is coming in the television in India." In recent years, television has beamed live images of several dramatic stories into people's living rooms. TV cameras caught the aftermath of a militant attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001, and scenes from deadly communal riots in Gujarat last year. Some TV channels sent their own media teams to cover the Iraq war. Source: http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=236BD12A-B7EE-423D-A34D8BBA114D64F1 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 20 23:57:02 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 17:57:02 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Deadlock on CAS Message-ID: <64433.203.90.115.198.1056149822.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> The other issue that has been thrown up squarely is price. Although the Centre's formal position is that broadcasters are free to fix the prices of pay channels, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (which has even talked of a monthly cable bill of around Rs. 200) has an undeclared interest in ensuring that the CAS regime is consumer friendly and voter friendly. It was perhaps inevitable that the contradiction between professing laissez faire and practising regulation would emerge sooner or later. And in the face of some broadcasters electing to charge high rates for their pay channels, the Government is in a spot over an issue that it has no adjudicatory role in. It is obvious that the Centre suspects that some broadcasters have ganged up to have CAS deferred, if not scuttled, and views the high prices fixed for pay channels and the failure to reach an agreement with MSOs as calculated steps towards such an aim. Those broadcasters who fear CAS are concerned about the loss of revenue that could incur in the event of consumers failing to subscribe to the new regime; more important, the establishment of CAS would make it more difficult for them to penetrate their market with Direct-To-Home (DTH) services as planned. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/20/stories/2003062000221000.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sat Jun 21 17:22:42 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2003 11:22:42 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Common Ground Media Fellowships Message-ID: <50504.203.90.115.198.1056212562.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Common Ground Media Fellowships Deadline: Rolling Deadlines The fellowships seek to highlight techniques that re-enforce journalistic independence and also simultaneously promote public discussion on the search for common ground. Media Fellows will receive a stipend of US$300 - US$1,000 to research stories that bring new perspectives "on polarising issues or on the concept of common ground" for broadcast or publication anywhere in the world. The size of the grant depends on the journalist's experience, and the geographic reach of the targeted media outlet. The fellowship is open to working journalists from print or radio from anywhere in the world. Applicants must submit 2 samples of work that have been published or broadcast, a 1-page summary of the proposed story that would be produced for the fellowship, and a letter from a news outlet expressing interest in the proposed piece. Contact: Gil Kulick Search for Common Ground (SFCG) 1601 Connecticut Ave, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20009 Phone: (+1-202) 265-4300 gkulick@sfcg.org www.sfcg.org From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 22 15:23:41 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 19:53:41 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Potter and his poor Indian cousins Message-ID: <3EF5BBED.4000009@vasnet.co.in> While Potter's success is good news for an entire generation that was threatening to give up books for grotesque WWF shows, whats cause for concern is that Potter and a few other foreign writings are the only books Indian children seem to have heard about. The little Potter fans have collected every conceivable memorabilia of their favourite hero and proudly rattle off their Potter lingo (muggle, knut?!). But ask them about their favourite Panchatantra character or even of Ruskin Bond's books and they aren't half as enthusiastic. While Indian writing has been acknowledged worldwide  with Indian authors getting rave reviews and topping the best-sellers' charts  Indian children's authors haven't done as well. Though publishers agree there's no dearth of talent in India, something is definitely wrong. Is it that no one bothered to understand what our young readers are looking for? Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_287245,0008.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Sun Jun 22 15:23:58 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 19:53:58 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Star offloads 74% stake in news biz, applies for uplinking Message-ID: <3EF5BBFE.40007@vasnet.co.in> "Star Group has restructured News Channel business to be within the framework of the guidelines. In accordance to that, Star Group holds 26 per cent of the total paid-up capital in the Star News channel business. The balance 74 per cent is held by resident Indian," it said in a statement. It said an application has been made to the I&B Ministry for permission to uplink Star News from India, adding the application has been made as per guidelines issued by the Government on March 26 this year on uplinking of news and current affairs channels. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_286778,0002.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 23 23:44:47 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 17:44:47 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] After CAS for cities, MMDS for villages Message-ID: <44085.203.90.115.198.1056408287.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> With elections round the corner, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is determined to bring rural India to watch TV — captive channels tailormade for them with Doordarshan’s 21-odd channels thrown-in for good measure. By the time the four metros of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi heave under the choices made under CAS, rural India will be ready for Microwave Multi-Point Distribution System or MMDS , officials said. A digital wireless cable television system that can give 48 channels and can accomodate 9,000 subscribers in a place. Investment to be made on an antenna and a receiver —totalling Rs 300. Total channel price: Rs 50 Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=26324 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 23 23:48:06 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 17:48:06 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] DTH powered Zee hits overdrive Message-ID: <45763.203.90.115.198.1056408486.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Zee is already working towards implementing the government mandated CAS and also starting a KU-band DTH service, pipping nearest rival Space TV/Star to the post. Some Rs 4,000 million have been invested by the various Chandra companies in the HITS and DTH facility, which is close to being commissioned. The equipment from companies like Textronics, Philips and Sony are in place, transponders on Insat have been leased, the array of TV monitors are flickering for a demo and the wooing of cable ops for partnership for HITS (marketed under brand name Galaxzee) is in full swing. "In short, we are ready to go live with HITS from the D-day and follow it up with the DTH service," explains chief executive Puneet Goenka of another Chandra-promoted company, ASC Enterprise (the licence holder for uplinking channels for DTH and HITS.) The equipment landed in India around April 21 and in three weeks time, the facility was put together. Not satisfied with 3 C band and 4 KU band transponders on Insat 3A satellite, Zee-ASC has requested for more KU-band transponders, which, Goel says, are likely to come through soon The additional KU-band transponders would be needed for the DTH service where Chandra's companies are seeking to provide between 48 to 60 TV channels in the first phase, plus 12 satellite radio channels. What's more, the glitzy facility at Noida also has the total capacity to play out 40 channels on a deferred basis. Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity1.asp?main_variable=MEDIA&file_name=med1%2Etxt&counter_img=1 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 23 23:57:52 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 17:57:52 -0500 (GMT+5) Subject: [icernet] Film industry in doldrums: APFCC Message-ID: <50559.203.90.115.198.1056409072.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Hit by spiralling cost of production and "lack of response" from the State Government on several important issues, the Telugu film industry has said that urgent action is needed to rescue it from going the Bollywood way and help it survive the difficult times. While asking the Government to keep its promise on issues like subsidy and single-window system, the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce (APFCC) has urged producers to cut cost of production. Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/21/stories/2003062102231700.htm From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 25 16:32:28 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 21:02:28 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Indian investors buy into Star news channel Message-ID: <3EF9C08C.4010608@vasnet.co.in> Star News' two main local investors will be industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla group with interests in commodities, finance and telecoms, and Hemendra Kothari, who heads DSP Merrill Lynch, a leading investment bank, in Bombay. Both will take up a stake of 25 per cent each in their private capacity. Five other individuals - a former matinee idol, a newspaper editor, a TV actress, a lawyer and an advertising executive - will buy smaller stakes, taking the total share of equity held by Indian investors in the channel to 74 per cent as mandated by government. Star declined overtures from some members of parliament keen to invest in a channel that is well positioned in the fastest-growing segment of advertising on television. Star has reapplied for a licence that would, as a majority-owned Indian entity, allow it to "uplift" transmissions from Indian soil. This will remove the time lags that accompany uplifting from outside of India, which is what foreign broadcasters do now. As a locally owned channel, Star News would also be able to tap rupee-based advertising. The government's decision to limit foreign direct investment in news channels also forced the Indian arm of CNBC, which was 51 per cent foreign owned, to revise it ownership profile. Zee Telefilms, in which foreign investors including expatriate Indians hold a stake of about 55 per cent, has a year to comply. Source: http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1054966325697 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 25 16:32:41 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 21:02:41 +0530 Subject: [icernet] 'It is time to corporatise regional cinema' Message-ID: <3EF9C099.8090201@vasnet.co.in> The global box office success of Bend It Like Beckham and critical acclaim to Oscar-nominated Lagaan, has put the limelight on Indian show biz. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and consultancy major Ernst&Young has now turned the spotlight on regional film industry. The two have come out with a roadmap for the industry's recovery and to begin with have put Tollywood, the Bengali film industry, under the scanner. Farokh Balsara, head (media & entertainment practice), Ernst & Young, discusses with Sudipto Dey ways to bring structural reforms in the Indian entertainment industry. Excerpts: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=41091 From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 25 16:33:00 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 21:03:00 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Fact Box: Registered Periodicals in India Message-ID: <3EF9C0AC.9000908@vasnet.co.in> As per the RNI data posted end of 2001, out of a total of 45,974 periodicals, 27,027 dealt with news and current affairs. And news and current affairs in India mainly implies political content. The total number of registered publications at the end of 2001 was 51,960. From arulselvan@vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 25 16:33:09 2003 From: arulselvan@vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 21:03:09 +0530 Subject: [icernet] Indian cinema goes 3-D again Message-ID: <3EF9C0B5.7000103@vasnet.co.in> Kyunki, the first full length 3-D film -- Bwana Devil -- dates back to 1952. In Hollywood, however, with the exception of Vincent Prices House Of Wax (1953), the debut of this exciting new genre fizzled out quickly as too many film-makers treated the process as a gimmick. Flash forward to 1984. The magic of 3-D films was brought to India by Navodaya, whose Chhota Chetan became a rage. Then came the disaster Shiva Ka Insaaf (1985), which was followed by the lull -- till earlier this year, when Chhota Jadugar hit theatres and Aabra Ka Dabra is all set to follow. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=42277 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 2 22:14:59 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] New spirit in film merchandising Message-ID: <3EDB70FB.4080702@vasnet.co.in> Film merchandise, an established industry in the West, is still nascent in India. Though there have been instances of film memorabilia becoming popular ? the 'Friend' cap worn by Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kiya, Aamir Khan's silver ring in Ghulam, most of the clothes and accessories in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, and the occasional Madhuri lehenga or Shah Rukh shirt on the Internet ? Indian filmmakers are only now waking up to the benefits of introducing merchandise before their films. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_269373,0008.htm From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Mon Jun 2 22:16:44 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] CAS regime: market not fully ready to make switch Message-ID: <3EDB7164.8080105@vasnet.co.in> The CAS regime is, in all likelihood, being ushered into a market not fully prepared to make a switch. The entire issue today revolves around the technical arrangements for CAS' introduction and not about content. Who would benefit from CAS is a big question. Broadcasters like Star would be apprehensive because it would definitely lead to a dip in advertising revenues due to a shrinkage in the number of viewers. The MSOs or cable operators such as Hathway or Siticable would not want it as they then would be open to strict monitoring. The customer or TV viewer would certainly not want it because they have to pay extra to buy the STB and monthly rentals would most certainly be higher. Barring the overseas suppliers of the STBs, the urgency shown in implementing CAS could unfortunately work to the detriment of all concerned. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/06/01/stories/2003060100451300.htm From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 3 21:20:17 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Indian animation gets global recognition, funds Message-ID: <3EDCB5A9.3040309@vasnet.co.in> It's possible that great American animation movies like "Shrek" and "Nemo" could be made in India in the future as the country is focusing on strengthening its multimedia services. The government is encouraging this $500 million industry in India and so are other donors and investors who see the potential of such American movie hits being made at lower costs in developing countries like India. The global multimedia industry is expected to grow at 30 per cent annually for the next few years and as large production houses are seeking alternative locations to traditional production centres to reduce rising labour and technical costs, India presents an opportunity. Several animation schools have been founded throughout the country and New Delhi has spurred this through investments. The animation industry, which requires highly skilled and creative professionals, is increasingly outsourcing to developing countries, according to the World Bank and the IFC. Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_270765,0003.htm From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 3 21:20:24 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Reality Television - A new genre of entertainment Message-ID: <3EDCB5B0.4040208@vasnet.co.in> Zone Vision Enterprises Limited, the London-based International Thematic Channel Creators, has entered the Indian market with a host of reality shows. Launched in India in February 2003, its brand of programming is different from some of the reality-based shows aired on the Star Bouquet or AXN. In India, the channel boasts a reach of an approximate 14 million within the first three months of operation. Reality TV is distributed in India by Zee Turner, the distribution alliance between Zee Telefilms Limited and Turner International. Reality TV features India?s first fully dedicated schedule of hard-hitting, action-packed, adrenaline and emotion filled programming. Setting up Reality TV around the world has so far cost around US $ 25 million, say the official sources. As far as competition in the Indian market goes, AXN is a perceived competitor. The channel however feels that Reality TV does not have any real competition. Source: http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IE420030602022002 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Tue Jun 3 21:20:32 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Let's not do it our way Message-ID: <3EDCB5B8.9050500@vasnet.co.in> It's becoming increasingly difficult to watch Hindi serials these days, what with serial killer Ekta Kapoor's K obsession growing by the day and her imagination running riot. Much has been said and written about the substandard stuff she churns out with unimaginable frequency. What is perhaps most damaging though is that the stereotypical representation of women, in an age when power equations have changed dramatically, sends out very wrong signals. Source: http://dailypioneer.com/vivacity1.asp?main_variable=MEDIA&file_name=med2%2Etxt&counter_img=2 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 20:32:40 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Indo - British Digital Film Festival - msg from Megha Message-ID: <3EDDFC00.1010005@vasnet.co.in> Hi all Haven't really been contributing. Have decided to start contributing my little bit. Hope this turns out to be useful for a lot of people. Am working with the British Council now. Here's a bit the students and film buffs can use. Regards Megha Abraham meghaabraham@hotmail.com Reproduced from the june 2003 issue of the British Council newsletter CONNECTING. The Indo-British Digital Film Festival The Indo British Digital Film Festival, curated by Madhureeta Anand Negi, brings together filmmakers and artists who want to break the hegemony of mediocre films and video art. This specially curated film festival aims to showcase a selection of films that represent a new thought process in the world of digital media in both India and Britain. It is hoped that this amalgamation of nascent and new creations will become an annual meeting point for filmmakers from both countries, allowing for collaborations in digital film and art between the two countries. The festival will screen a total of 45 films over four days. There will also be digital video art displays and seminars. Films of all durations and genres are eligible for entry, as long as they are shot or post-produced on the digital format. Please note that this festival carries no entry fee. The deadline for submission is 10 June 2003. Application forms are available at www.britishcouncil.org.in or at the British Council, Chennai. Please send the completed forms along with a VHS/DVD/VCD copy of the film to Rachna Kalra at the British Council, 17, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 1100 01. For further information please contact 28525002 Ext 335 If you would like to avail of any information about the British council and it's activities please feel free to browse through our website www.britishcouncil.org.in From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 23:19:20 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Channels vie to CAS in on timing Message-ID: <3EDE2310.5020807@vasnet.co.in> Indian and foreign broadcasters are divided over the implementation of conditional access system (CAS) and polarisation is complete. Indian broadcasters like TV Today, Zee, Sahara, NDTV, Sun, Doordarshan and Eenadu have extended support for a smooth launch of CAS on July 14, 2003. But, foreign broadcasters like Star, Sony, Discovery, ESPN-Star Sports are lobbying hard to defer the launch by 12-18 months. The reason for the battle is clear. Foreign broadcasters like Star and Sony bouquets have more pay channels than domestic broadcasters. And, over 70 per cent of the ad spend is on pay channels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Indian broadcasters don't have much to lose from CAS. They don't have many pay channels and have a strong regional presence for mass viewership. Foreign broadcasters, however, depend on ad and subscription revenues in the metros. Also, being able to uplink from India, domestic broadcasters can tap the local ad market. So, if CAS' take-off is bad and it takes a few years to stabilise, then foreign channels lose but Indian broadcasters see a big revenue shift to their business. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=5678 ======== Will Zee's Rs 200 crore CAS project be a success http://www.business-standard.com/ice/story.asp?Menu=8&story=15668 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 23:19:32 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Hollywood to Bollywood, without love Message-ID: <3EDE231C.3010803@vasnet.co.in> Take a Hollywood plot, sprinkle in cheesy song-and-dance numbers and pour in a jug of melodrama. Shake well, and you've got a Bollywood movie. But Bollywood, which churns out some 800 movies annually, may be forced to alter its recipe after best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford persuaded India's Supreme Court last month to ban a 260-part TV series she claimed stole heavily from her novels. Bradford's A Woman of Substance and two sequels deal with a woman's struggle to establish herself. In the TV series, Karishma - The Miracles of Destiny, Bollywood actor Karishma Kapoor overcomes her obstacles to become a business tycoon. India's movie industry has never hidden its fascination for Hollywood. Even its name suggests it's a happy clone. Bollywood writers told of how colleagues furiously scribble dialogue while watching the latest Hollywood DVD and directors study the DVD on the set before copying the movie frame by frame. Source: http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.asp?id=3C5B320B-A173-4166-AFFD-408B8AFCD313 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Wed Jun 4 23:18:43 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Reporter launches showcase site for recent grads Message-ID: <3EDE22EB.5060604@vasnet.co.in> A young British journalist, Richard Powell, decided to help novice journalists beat a down market by starting a showcase site for them, greatreporter.com, reports the BBC. It's an online press agency with news articles from young reporters all over the world; submitted stories are checked and sold to newspapers. Since its inception in April 2002, the site has had 90,000 hits. The site has been created in close collaboration with the 'BBC News Online' team. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/2950070.stm Details at: http://www.greatreporter.com/ From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 5 18:48:08 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Are we ready for CAS? Message-ID: <44625.203.90.115.198.1054853288.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> What is common to the telecom and the cable tangles? A regulatory regime that is short-sighted, inconsistent, and fails to take into account market realities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States is guided by very simple doctrines? consumer interests, prevention of monopolies, lower prices, and choice. What such spirit guides our government? Protecting our culture just does not cut ice when FTV is free to air, readily accessible to millions of young minds, and Zee English can show the foul-mouthed mob hit Sopranos at 8.30 on Sunday nights. It is much easier to uproot a sapling than to uproot a tree. And in India, the current cable system is a tree that has grown wild because the Government did not do anything about the industry when it was young and budding. Indian viewers simply do not have a choice of pay-TV providers. We are stuck with cable, which is accountable to no one, and has very poor transmission quality. Those who can afford it should be able to have an alternative ? DTH. The Government should encourage the rise of DTH to provide competition to cable TV. As the American experience shows, only competition from satellite can prod cable operators to do better, and lead to rapid evolution of enhanced TV services. Source: http://www.hinduonnet.com/bline/2003/06/05/stories/2003060500060800.htm From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 5 18:51:13 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] CAS & Effect: Foreign Players To Float New Body Message-ID: <46856.203.90.115.198.1054853473.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> Broadcasters in India are all set to take position across the swadeshi-videshi divide. In the run-up to the controversial conditional access system (CAS), the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) is headed for a split, formally. IBF is an apex body for television broadcasters. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35618 =========== You Can?t Buy Boxes From These MSOs, Only Rent Them http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35592 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Thu Jun 5 18:52:57 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Broadcasters Lobby To Ramp Up Basic FTA Tier To 60 Channels Message-ID: <47554.203.90.115.198.1054853577.squirrel@mail.vasnet.co.in> So you thought the conditional access system (CAS) was all about pay channels, right? But, as the rollout time approaches in metros, free-to-air (FTA) channels are getting active. On Wednesday too, the FTA group was in full force at the information and broadcasting minister?s chamber, lobbying hard for raising the mandatory number of channels in the basic tier. From the current 30 to at least 60 channels. Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=35591 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 6 21:10:18 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Booming Indian cable TV industry has fight on its hands with viewers Message-ID: <3EE0A7D2.206@vasnet.co.in> Millions of Indian television viewers used to enjoying dozens of channels for free have been jolted by a government move to make them pay for watching the most popular channels. Such has been the disgruntlement caused by the upcoming Conditional Access System (CAS) that it is even threatening to blow into an election issue with opposition political leaders berating the new set-up. The government has said consumers in four cities - New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras - will have to install set-top boxes on all television sets by July 14 to view a large number of cable and satellite channels. This will mean they will have to fork out around 2,000 rupees (US$40) for a set-top box in addition to paying extra money for watching the most popular channels, which will all charge their viewers. India had perhaps the lowest charges for television viewers in the world as they could view between 30 to 100 channels for paying cable operators monthly sums of around 250 rupees (US$5.3). Anand V. Patwardhan, chairman of the Consumer Guidance Society of India, said the 6.4 million cable consumers in the four cities will find their combined monthly charge of one billion rupee (US$20 million) shooting up.``The consumers will now be required to pay 35 billion rupees by July 14, 2003, if they wish to receive the same channels they are receiving today, in addition to the monthly subscription,'' he said. ``Since all these set-top boxes are required to be imported, can the nation afford such extravagence?'' he added. Political opposition has been equally strong and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, who belongs to the main opposition Congress party, wrote a letter to the government that the move would burden poor and middle-class consumers. The government sought to appease irate consumers by slashing the import duty on television set-top boxes from 50 percent to around five percent bringing the price down to about 2,000 rupees (US$40). The government says the new ``Conditional Access System'' will enable viewers to pay only for the channels they want to watch. But consumers say this was trying to pull wool over their eyes as they will have to shell extra money for all the channels which they get free-to-air paying only small monthly charges. ``I would like to know what has changed that those television channels which were happy to show their programmes with only advertisement support now want to charge extra money from viewers,'' said Raghuvansh Prasad, a resident of New Delhi. On the other hand, television industry officials say the regime will bring greater transparency as advertisers will clearly know the viewership of individual channels and give the freedom of choice to consumers. Jawahar Goyal, head of Zee Network's distribution, told AFP that many of the television channels would fall by the wayside as they would not be able to support their viewership claims with advertisers in the new regime. He said it would help the cable television operators as they were having to shell out large sums of money to broadcasters although their programmes were free-to-air for consumers. ``The Conditional Access System regime is the right thing, otherwise the whole cable industry will dwindle,'' said K.D. Khanna, president of the Cable Networks Association. ``Who is saying that the consumer can not afford to pay? Today even an average middle-class household has at least two television sets, if not three to four,'' he added. An explosion in cable television channels has taken place in India in the last 10 to 15 years under an economic reforms programme and the popularity of television sets with cable and satellite connections has soared. Nearly half of the 80 million televison sets have such connections - more than India's total telephone connections. Foreign and Indian private television channels such as Sony, Star and Zee have virtually crowded out the staid state-run Doordarshan which used to dominate India's airwaves. Source: AFP June 4, 2003 From arulselvan at vasnet.co.in Fri Jun 6 21:10:33 2003 From: arulselvan at vasnet.co.in (Arul Selvan) Date: Tue Jan 4 13:40:53 2005 Subject: [icernet] Independent regulator for broadcasting needed Message-ID: <3EE0A7E1.1020101@vasnet.co.in> Whose interest is the governmen