NEW DELHI: Doordarshan, which is telecasting the Independence Day celebrations live from Red Fort, will in association with YouTube live stream the 67th Indian Independence Day celebrations and the Prime Minister‘s address to the Nation for 2013.

This association will enable millions of Indians worldwide to enjoy high definition live feed on Doordarshan?s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/DoordarshanNational) and get front row access to all the celebrations lined up for the grand event.

The live stream will be available on 15 August from 6:25 am onwards, capturing the flag-hoisting ceremony by the Prime Minister from the historic Red Fort, Delhi.
Users will also be able to enjoy highlight clips from the Independence Day celebrations.

Speaking on the association with YouTube, Doordarshan director general Tripurari Sharan said, ?We are delighted to associate with YouTube to share the Independence celebrations with Indians across the globe. Streaming Independence Day celebration live on YouTube will help us to reach the global audience in a format which best suits today?s generation. Our streaming of the 67th Republic Day Parade also received a tremendous response with over 100,000 views. Our objective is to cater to our Indian and global audiences and take events of national importance not only to their TV screens.

Commenting on the initiative YouTube director content partnerships Gautam Anand, said, "We are delighted to partner with Doordarshan to join the celebration of India?s 67th Independence Day live from the historic Red Fort on YouTube. This is the first time we are live streaming India?s Independence Day celebrations and we hope that our users will enjoy the telecast wherever they?re in the world."

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has stayed the proceedings against 13 websites, including Facebook and Google, on a complaint which accused them of promoting "class enmity" and "undermining national integrity".

Citing denial of assistance from the American authorities, Metropolitan Magistrate Jay Thareja stayed the proceedings against the websites, including Orkut, YouTube, Yahoo and Microsoft.

The court said: "The proceedings qua accused (13 accused websites)... Have already been stayed due to denial of assistance by the US department of justice," the court said.

The court said recording of pre-charge evidence against other accused websites would commence from 28 September.

The complaint was filed against the websites by transparency activist Vinay Rai for allegedly committing offences like selling obscene materials to the youth and hatching criminal conspiracy.

The central government earlier told the court that the US authorities were unable to execute the request for assistance in serving summons on these US-based websites.

BENGALURU: The Bennett, Coleman & Co. Limited promoted Indian private FM player Entertainment Network (India) Limited (ENIL) which operates FM radio broadcasting stations through the brand Radio Mirchi in 32 Indian cities announced that its shareholders had approved a dividend of 10 per cent for FY-2013.

ENIL‘s net profit for the year ended 31 March 2013 was Rs 67.7 crore and total revenue for FY-2013 was Rs 338.4 crore. Considering the consistent good performance of the company year-on-year and the strong cash position in FY-2013, the ENIL board of directors had recommended a maiden dividend of 10 per cent i.e. Rs 1 per equity share of Rs 10.

ENIL reported a 53.6 per cent PAT growth in Q1-2014 as compared to the corresponding quarter of 2013. ENIL‘s PAT was Rs 19.92 crore for Q1-2014 and Rs 12.97 crore in Q1-2013. ENIL‘s PAT for Q1-2014 was however lower by 22.5 per cent than the Rs 25.7 crore in Q4-2013.

Note: Tax expense for the quarter/year ended 31 March 2013 was net of Rs 2.866 crore of excess provision in respect of earlier years and written back pursuant to conclusion of assessment.

Let us look at ENIL‘s other figures for Q1-2014

ENIL‘s revenue for Q1-2014 stood at Rs 85.2 crore on a consolidated basis, up 23.8 per cent over the Rs 68.87 crore in Q1-2013, but 18.9 per cent lower than the Rs 105 crore for Q4-2013.

ENIL‘s EBITDA in Q1-2014 stood at Rs 35.1 crore, up 34.1 per cent as compared to Q1-2013. The company‘s EBITDA margin improved from 38.1 per cent to 41.2 per cent in Q1-2014.

Expenditure for Q1-2014 at Rs 63.15 crore was 9.8 per cent more than the Rs 57.5 crore for Q1-2013, but 18.8 per cent lower than the Rs 77.85 crore for Q4-2013.

ENIL spent Rs 10.61 crore towards marketing in Q1-2014, 36.7 per cent more than the Rs 7.76 crore in Q1-2013, but just a little more than a third (35.5 per cent) of the Rs 29.91 crore in Q4-2013.

It paid license fees of Rs 4.688 crore in Q1-2014, 27.5 per cent more than the license fees of Rs 3.677 crore in Q1-2013, but lower by 12.8 per cent than the Rs 5.375 crore in Q4-2013. The company had paid license fees of Rs 18.092 crore in FY-13.

ENIL‘s production expense of Rs 3.82 crore in Q1-2014 was 19.7 per cent lower than the Rs 4.76 crore in Q1-2013, but was 8.7 per cent more than the Rs 3.51 crore for Q4-2013.

Employee benefits at Rs 18.99 crore in Q1-2014 was 6.6 per cent higher than the Rs 17.82 crore in Q1-2013, but 8.7 per cent lower than the Rs 20.80 crore for Q4-2013.

ENIL ED and CEO Prashant Panday said, "It‘s been a surprisingly strong quarter for media, especially radio broadcasters including Mirchi. It appears advertisers are responding to the slowdown by launching new products, and even more promotional offers. This helps radio. We expect this to continue, even though we expect growth rates to taper off eventually. On Phase III, the radio industry is seeking a rationalisation of reserve fees on the same lines as is happening with 2G reserve fees, as well as an extension of Phase II licenses. We expect policy clarity in the next few months. Lastly, I am happy that the shareholders have approved ENIL‘s maiden dividend of 10 per cent."

MUMBAI: The RTL Group is joining forces with CBS Studios International to launch two channels, one focused on general entertainment and the other featuring reality, action and extreme sports, across South East Asia.

RTL Group began targeting Asia in 2011, partnering with Reliance Broadcast Network to launch the BIG RTL Thrill network in India in 2012. CBS Studios International also has a partnership with Reliance in India for three channels: BIG CBS Prime, BIG CBS Spark and BIG CBS Love.

The RTL-CBS venture, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, will be based in Singapore, reporting to a board featuring representatives from both companies. It will operate RTL CBS Entertainment, slated for a September 2013 launch, delivering shows like FremantleMedia‘sThe X Factor, America‘s Got Talent and Celebrity Apprentice and CBS‘s Elementary and Under the Dome. In spring 2014, RTL CBS Extreme will roll out offering action/adventure, reality series and extreme sports, such as NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0 and Fear Factor. The channels will have ongoing access to content from FremantleMedia and CBS Studios International.

RTL Group co-CEO Guillaume de Posch said, "We are delighted to team up with CBS Studios International. By joining forces with such a renowned global partner, we are continuing our tried-and-tested build strategy, expanding our business to more countries in Asia with high growth potential. CBS is a highly creative and professional organisation with world-leading content which complements FremantleMedia‘s catalogue very well. I am very confident that this venture will benefit strongly from the combined broadcasting and production expertise of both parties."

CBS Global Distribution Group president and CEO Armando Nu?ez added, "This is another opportunity to use CBS‘s internationally successful content to be part of a new channel venture in one of the world‘s fastest growing TV regions. It‘s even better to do it with a best-in-class partner such as RTL Group, one of the most accomplished and respected broadcasters anywhere. We‘re excited to create an additive way to monetise our content in Asia and provide audiences throughout the region the best television from two of the world‘s most successful programming companies."