MUMBAI: Asian pay-TV association Casbaa has congratulated Australian police for a dramatic raid on a pirate TV syndicate operating in Australia via high-capacity Internet servers based in China.

The raid on the B&L LED Sign company in Hurstville, in the suburbs of Sydney, signaled the latest stage in a long term campaign to track down the promoters and users of Internet-based networks distributing illegal TV signals in Australia. Based on the cash raked in by the Hurstville operation, police estimated that 150 million Australian Dollars could have been effectively stolen from the legitimate TV distribution industry by multinational criminal gangs.

Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies said, "This time the primary victim was TVB Australia, and the Hurstville police have done a great job to get this far. And so has TVB Australia, which brought the initial information to them."

TVB, based in Hong Kong, creates and sells Chinese-language TV programming, distributing its programming in Australia through a satellite-based pay-TV service, TVB Australia. The piracy network was stealing and reselling TV signals from TVB as well as a host of other international pay-TV channels, in English as well as Chinese.

Other channels distributed included high-value TV networks such as CNN, ESPN, MTV, Discovery, National Geographic, HBO, Fox and the BBC, alongside a library of Video on Demand shows and movies not yet released on legal DVDs -- all streamed from China directly to the user‘s TV set.

Police said they will file charges that carry heavy fines and potential maximum jail terms of five years. They will also interview homeowners who have received the stolen programming, some of whom may face charges themselves.

Increases in broadband penetration throughout Asia are making it easier for criminals to steal TV programming they do not own, and to re-sell to others. Too often, consumers sign up as accomplices in the theft. "Australia has strong laws to protect copyrighted broadcasts including holding end-users responsible for the consumption of stolen signals" said Davies

Casbaa held up the Hurstville raid as evidence that Australia is committed to enforcing its laws, and that policing there is effective. "We wish that other governments in this region would demonstrate the same commitment as Australia to preventing misuse of the Internet for TV piracy The problem is only going to grow, if other governments don‘t get serious" added Davies.

MUMBAI: Star India, the leading broadcasting company, is gearing up to launch two new television channels in the next two months, a top executive confirmed.

The two proposed channels include one Hindi action movie channel and one English movie channel in the movie genre.

Star India has already got the license for the Hindi channel and awaiting the license for the English one.

"We will launch the English and Hindi action movie channels sometime in the next two months. Wh have got license for Hindi channel," Star India COO Sanjay Gupta told Indiantelevision.com.

It is pertinent to note that Star India runs a Hindi movie channel - Star Gold and an English Movie channel - Star Movies. Industry observers believe that there might be cannibalisation in the two genres as the movie offerings may not be very different.

However, Gupta said that there is enough scope for both the channels. "Hindi channel will have dubbed content as well," he said.

Currently, only UTV has a dedicated action movie channel UTV Action, which airs action films dubbed in Hindi.

Star India provides 35 channels in seven languages in India. The network?s portfolio includes Star Plus, Life OK, Star Gold, Star Movies Star World, Channel [V] and regional channels such as Star Jalsha and Star Pravah. It also has joint venture channels Asianet, Asianet Plus, Star Vijay, Suvarna, ESPN and Star Sports.

MUMBAI: World Series boxing (WSB) franchise Venky?s Mumbai Fighters are hosting an international boxing match in a mall. Venky?s Mumbai Fighters will host LA Matadors in their fourth match for the 2011/12 season at the T-Box Mobile Arena, Inorbit Mall, Malad, on 9 December.

The team is aiming to take boxing to a larger audience. The organisers are confident that this initiative will change the way Boxing is perceived and spectators will only go back home with wonderful memories.

Venky?s Mumbai Fighters Team Principal Udit Sheth said, "One cannot feel the excitement of Boxing unless seen live. This is a game of controlled aggression, strength and endurance and a pugilist combines his punches with building strategies in mind simultaneously. A real bout of WSB, gives the audience a real high and an adrenaline rush. We are proud of bringing this high-energy sport close to the people by setting it up at In-Orbit Mall.

"The owners of In-Orbit share our vision and we thank them for their support. With T-Box Mobile Arena the people will enjoy the match from a certified safe arena, which is approved for quality as per global standards and will be a great change from regular unstable scaffolding."

Mumbai Fighters boxer Akhil Kumar said, "It is really an innovative step to enhance the sport as well as the boxer?s name. It will attract a lot of new spectators to the sport, especially the common people. It is a good way of promoting boxing. People will be able to see boxing from close quarters and understand the rules and regulations better. Such an event will also enhance the chances of aspiring boxers taking the sport seriously."

Inorbit Malls CEO Kishore Bhatija added, ??Inorbit has always been known for the one of a kind marketing and promotional activities across its 4 centers. It has been our constant endeavor to bring to our patrons a unique experience each time they visit Inorbit Mall. Our association with Mumbai Fighters this year will bring to our patrons an opportunity to witness semi-professional Boxing bouts of global standards at our mall in Malad. Inorbit will become the first ever mall in the world to have hosted a World Series of Boxing bout within their premises.??

The match will be aired live on ESPN from 8 pm onwards on 9 December.

Two previous matches of Mumbai Fighters have recorded 75,000 hits on Youtube so far which witnesses increasing interest in the sport worldwide.

Maharashtra Boxing Association president Jay Kowli said, "The atmosphere will be electrifying. It would be a great experience and a great way to take the sport to the masses."

Venky?s Mumbai Fighters have played two matches this season in Group A. The team got a walk-over in the third match against Bangkok Elephants. There are six teams in the group and the match against LA Matadors would be the fourth one. In the points table, Venky?s Mumbai Fighters are placed fifth with four points.

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney president, CEO Robert A Iger has named George Bodenheimer as ESPN executive chairman. Also John Skipper is ESPN president, co-chair, Disney Media Networks, effective 1 January, 2012. The moves continue the company‘s focus on ensuring strategic continuity and succession planning.

Bodenheimer is currently ESPN, ABC Sports president and Disney Media Networks co-chair. He will relinquish his day-to-day operating responsibilities on 1 January 2012. As ESPN executive chairman Bodenheimer will continue to chair ESPN‘s board of directors, provide strategic direction and support a seamless transition to Skipper, who will assume day-to-day operating responsibilities on 1 January. Skipper has served as ESPN executive VP, content, since October 2005.

Bodenheimer will continue to report to Iger. Skipper will have a dual report to Iger and Bodenheimer.

Iger said, "George has said repeatedly that ESPN‘s success has been led by its collaborative corporate culture and a deep bench of executive talent. While that remains true, it obviously and intentionally downplays his leadership and many significant contributions. We‘ve focussed on succession at all levels of Disney for some time now, and consistent with that approach, George initiated conversations last spring that led to today‘s announcement.

"With George‘s continued presence, John‘s experience and vision and an executive management team and workforce that are unparalleled in the sports media business, ESPN is extremely well positioned for continued success."

Bodenheimer‘s 13 years as ESPN president have been marked by expansive growth domestically and internationally across every available metric and media platform.

Today, ESPN is comprised of eight US television networks, five HD services, a 3D TV network, 48 international networks, 13 international editions of SportsCenter, 18 web sites, 750 radio affiliates, the largest mobile sports operation and 7,000 employees worldwide. ESPN‘s Bristol, Conn., headquarters has increased to 116 acres, featuring a state-of-the-art digital production center with construction of a second facility underway.

Bodenheimer said, "I‘ve been with ESPN 31 years - my entire professional career. Constant change and consistent growth have marked each of those years, and to me those two themes underscore today‘s news. We‘ve demonstrated that change managed well is healthy - for companies and for people. After 13 years as President, I felt it was a good time to step away from the day to day management of ESPN and let others take the lead. I very much appreciate Bob‘s support over the years, and look forward to my future role with ESPN.

"We are in great shape on many fronts. The people of ESPN have made us the great company we are today. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished together, and excited about our future."

As executive VP, content, Skipper is responsible for the creation, programming and production of ESPN content across all media platforms, including television, radio, the Internet, broadband, wireless, interactive games and home entertainment. Under his leadership, ESPN has consistently set records for television ratings and digital consumption; negotiated several major rights agreements with the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, FIFA, the Masters Tournament, the British Open, the USTA, Wimbledon and several college conferences; and launched a variety of creative programming including the critically acclaimed ESPN Films sports documentary series.

Skipper joined ESPN in June 1997 as ESPN The Magazine senior VP, GM. Previously, he was The Disney Publishing Group senior VP, overseeing all of Disney‘s magazine, book and licensed publishing operations in the US.

Skipper said, "I am humbled and excited to be given the opportunity by Bob and George to lead this terrific company. George set a high bar and an impeccable example, and I will dedicate all of my energy to follow George‘s lead in both empowering and supporting my 7,000 ESPN colleagues who do such great work every day. I look forward to working alongside them in meeting the many challenges that lie ahead."

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney?s net income for the fiscal was up 21 per cent to $4.8 billion.

Disney president, CEO Robert A. Iger said, ?Fiscal 2011 was a great year financially and strategically, demonstrating the strength of our brands and businesses with record revenue, net income and earnings per share. We are confident the company is well-positioned to deliver long-term value for our shareholders with our focus on quality content, compelling uses of technology and global asset growth.?

Media Networks revenues for the year increased by nine per cent to $18.7 billion and segment operating income increased 20 per cent to $6.1 billion. For the quarter, revenues also increased by per cent to $4.8 billion and segment operating income increased by 20 per cent to $1.5 billion.

Operating income at Cable Networks increased $760 million to $5.2 billion for the year due to growth at ESPN and the worldwide Disney Channels and an increase in equity income. The increase at ESPN reflected higher advertising and affiliate revenue, partially offset by higher programming and production, labour and marketing costs. Higher advertising revenue was driven by higher rates while the increase in affiliate revenue reflected contractual rate increases.

The programming and production cost increase was driven by the addition of college football programming including Bowl Championship Series games and contractual rate increases for NFL, college football, NASCAR and Major League Baseball programming. These increases were partially offset by the absence of programming costs for the FIFA World Cup which was broadcast in the prior year.

Growth at the worldwide Disney Channels was driven by higher affiliate revenue due to higher contractual rates domestically and subscriber growth internationally, sales of Disney Channel programming and increased advertising revenues internationally. These increases were partially offset by higher programming and production costs due to more episodes of original programming. Increased equity income was driven by the absence of programming write-offs and higher advertising and affiliate revenues at A&E/Lifetime (AETN).

For the quarter, operating income at Cable Networks increased by $191 million to $1.3 billion due to growth at the worldwide Disney Channels, increased equity income and an improvement at ESPN. The increase at the worldwide Disney Channels was driven by sales of Disney Channel programming, higher affiliate revenue due to contractual rate increases domestically and advertising revenue growth internationally.

The increase at ESPN reflected higher contractual rates for affiliate fees and, to a lesser extent, growth in advertising revenue, partially offset by an increase in programming and production, labor and marketing costs. Advertising revenue growth was driven by higher rates, partially offset by fewer units sold and lower ratings, in part reflecting the absence of the FIFA World Cup. Programming and production cost increases were driven by higher contractual rates for college football and NFL programming, partially offset by the absence of programming costs for the FIFA World Cup. Increased equity income reflected the absence of programming write-offs at AETN.

Operating income at Broadcasting increased $254 million to $913 million for the year driven by lower programming and production costs at the ABC Television Network, higher advertising revenues at the Network and owned television stations, and higher affiliate fees, partially offset by a decrease in the cost charged to ESPN for programming aired on the Network. Decreased Network programming and production costs reflected a lower cost mix of programming in primetime due to a shift in hours from original scripted programming to reality programming, the shift of the Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship game to ESPN and lower news and daytime production costs. Higher Network advertising revenues reflected higher rates, partially offset by lower ratings.

For the quarter, operating income at Broadcasting increased $54 million to $201 million driven by lower programming and production costs and higher Network advertising revenues, partially offset by decreased political advertising at the owned television stations. Lower programming costs were driven by decreased write-offs. Higher Network advertising revenues were due to higher rates, improved news ratings and higher sports units sold, partially offset by lower primetime ratings.

Studio Entertainment revenues for the year decreased by five per cent to $6.4 billion and segment operating income decreased by 11 per cent to $618 million.

For the quarter, revenues decreased by eight per cent to $1.5 billion and segment operating income increased 13% to $117 million. Lower results for the year reflected decreased worldwide theatrical and home entertainment results and higher technology infrastructure spending, partially offset by lower film cost write-downs and a higher revenue share with the Consumer Products segment primarily due to the performance of Cars merchandise.

Decreased theatrical results reflected the stronger overall performance of key prior-year titles, Toy Story 3, Alice in Wonderland, Iron Man 2 and Princess and the Frog compared to the current-year performance of Cars 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Tangled, Thor and Captain America. This decrease was partially offset by the poor performance of prior year summer releases, The Prince of Persia and Sorcerer?s Apprentice.

Decreased home entertainment results reflected a change in the transfer pricing arrangement between Studio Entertainment and Media Networks for the distribution of Media Networks home entertainment product and lower domestic sales volume. These decreases were partially offset by higher unit sales and improved net effective pricing internationally which benefitted from a higher Bluray sales mix.

Improved results for the quarter were driven by lower film cost write-downs and improved domestic theatrical results, partially offset by decreased international theatrical and worldwide home entertainment results. In both domestic and international theatrical markets, Cars 2 did not perform in line with the strong prior year performance of Toy Story 3.

However, domestic theatrical results improved due to the better overall performance of The Lion King 3D and The Help in the current quarter, compared to The Sorcerer?s Apprentice, You Again and Step Up 3 in the prior year quarter. Domestic theatrical results also benefitted from lower pre-release marketing expense. Decreased home entertainment results reflected lower overall sales volume domestically and decreased sales of catalog titles internationally. Consumer Products revenues for the year increased by 14 per cent to $3.0 billion and segment operating income increased by 21 per cent to $816 million.

For the quarter, revenues increased 12 per cent to $816 million and segment operating income increased 13 per cent to $207 million. The increase in segment operating income for the year and quarter was driven by higher Merchandise Licensing revenues reflecting the strong performance of Cars merchandise and higher revenue from Marvel properties. The increase in revenue from Marvel properties reflected the impact of acquisition accounting which reduced revenue recognition in the prior-year periods. These increases were partially offset by a higher revenue share with the Studio Entertainment segment primarily due to the performance of Cars merchandise. The increase in revenue from Marvel properties for the year also included an additional quarter of operations for Marvel which was acquired at the end of the first quarter of the prior year.

Additionally, results for the year reflected an improvement at the Disney Store North America driven by higher comparable store sales. Interactive Media Interactive Media revenues for the year increased by 29 per cent to $982 million and operating results decreased $74 million to a loss of $308 million. For the quarter, revenues increased by 19 per cent to $223 million and operating results improved $10 million to a loss of $94 million.

MUMBAI: Jon Gruden, analyst of ?Monday Night Football?, has agreed to an exclusive agreement with US sports broadcaster ESPN that will keep him on sports television?s signature series and out of coaching for the next five years.

The new contract begins in September 2012.

Since joining ESPN in May 2009, Gruden has teamed with play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico and analyst Ron Jaworski - earning two Sports Emmy Award nominations in the Best Analyst category - to help make MNF the most-watched series in cable television history.

The Super Bowl-winning coach has contributed to ESPN?s annual NFL Draft and Super Bowl week coverage and other platforms. He was also part of the MNF team that called the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl.

In addition to his NFL role, Gruden has called a handful of marquee college football telecasts for ESPN, including the Rose Bowl (2010) and Bowl Championship Series National Championship games (2010 and 2011) for ESPN Radio, and the 2011 Outback and Orange bowl games.

Gruden has been widely praised for his SportsCenter Special: QB Camp prime time shows which have become a popular part of ESPN?s annual pre-NFL Draft coverage. The in-depth, one-on-one interviews and film sessions have featured Gruden mentoring top quarterback prospects such as first-round NFL Draft picks Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, and Tim
Tebow.

Gruden said, "Our Monday Night Football crew is special, and to have the opportunity to continue to be a part of this team, working these big-time NFL prime time games every week on ESPN, I?m fired up".

ESPN executive VP production Norby Williamson said, "Jon has made a remarkable transition from Super Bowl-winning head coach to one of the premier football analysts in our business. His long-term commitment to ESPN will continue to elevate our Monday Night Football presentation and we look forward to finding even more opportunities to take advantage of his passion for football and unique insights into the game."