MUMBAI: Infotainment broadcaster Discovery Networks Asia Pacific president, MD Tom Keaveny will be moving to London.

He will be Discovery Networks International (DNI) president of international affiliate sales. This is a newly created role.

Keaveney?s new role is effective from 1 September. The infotainment broadcaster has begun its search for Keaveny?s successor in the Asia Pacific region.
 
Keaveny?s new role will combine being Discovery joint sales organization CEO, which manages affiliate sales efforts for DNI in Western Europe, the Nordics, Ceemea and the Eurosport business. He will also head global affiliate sales strategy.

MUMBAI: The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced new investment in London?s film, TV and animation industries to boost jobs, support home grown talent and attract high-end productions to the capital.

With additional funding, the Mayor?s agency can set its sights on new investment opportunities from markets like India, US, China and South America.

This week, a new tax relief came into effect operating in the UK for TV and animation production. To make the most of this opportunity, the Mayor is expanding the remit of Film London to bring in ?200 million worth of additional expenditure through TV and animation production and create 1000 industry jobs. He will invest ?2 million to broaden Film London?s reach, with ?750,000 ear-marked to promote the development of these sectors.

Already enjoying tax relief for film, London is now the third busiest city in the world for film-making after LA and New York. Film London, already working to facilitate major motion pictures shot in the capital, generated ?770 million in investment over the last four years alone and hopes are running high for the agency?s expansion into high-end TV, such as dramas, mini-series, franchise shows, international co-productions and animations.

Film London has been working with the Mayor since 2003 to deliver production opportunities and has the unique skills and expertise to help TV companies ? small businesses ? who lack experience, working with tax relief or securing inward investment.

The Mayor visited Ealing Studios - the longest continuing film studio in the UK - and home to the Downton Abbey set, as well as the pioneering ?performance capture? special effects studio Imaginarium.

Johnson said, "We are at the dawn of a new golden age of TV production in London. We have an unprecedented opportunity to grow this exciting sector to deliver jobs, produce more world class British drama and, above all, make London the city of choice for TV and animation production. It is time for London to fulfill its potential as the world leader and employer it is destined to be in this field. Let us make sure that all future Downtons are filmed on our turf".

BBC DG Tony Hall said, "These are certainly exciting times for television production. The BBC is already a huge supporter of talent in the UK, with Sherlock and Silk shortly due to begin shooting in London. The capital is already one of the most TV-friendly cities in the world and we look forward to continuing to play our part in this vital part of the British broadcasting ecology."

The creator of ?Downton Abbey? for ITV, Julian Fellowes said: "It is encouraging to feel that the tremendous, worldwide success of British high-end television is at last receiving some recognition and help".

Founders of The Imaginarium, Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish, said, "For us, basing the Imaginarium in London is crucial. We have set up Europe?s leading Performance Capture studio here because of access to the best creative people and the most interesting clients, partners and co-ventures in the field of next generation story-telling. The introduction of tax relief beyond film to animation, games and television is very important to our business, and helps us in setting up our Academy to train young people into the digital future."

Film London Chairman David Parfitt said, "I would like to thank the Mayor for his continued support of Film London and the capital?s production industries. We are proud of the return on investment Film London has delivered for the city over the past 10 years, and with these new opportunities in the television, animation and games industries, we can cement London?s reputation as the greatest city in the world for all visual arts".

Ealing Studios CEO and MD of film and television James Spring said, "Ealing Studios are delighted that the government is continuing its support for the creative industries. The extension of the tax credit system for high-end TV has already led to increased activity from foreign productions as well as UK originated television. This, together with the continued and increased support from Film London and the Mayor?s office, help make London and Ealing Studios a world class destination for the best producers of film and television."

?Downton Abbey? Executive Producer Gareth Neame said, "We are fortunate to have one of the most vibrant TV production industries in the world here in the UK and much of that work has traditionally been located in the London area, which also boasts many of our most iconic locations. Britain is the second biggest exporter of TV content in the world and a tax incentive to boost local production and encourage incoming content is long overdue. As British producers we welcome this commitment by the government and particularly the Mayor?s increased investment in Film London to expand its remit so we can boost this vital sector of the creative industries."

Film London and the British Film Commission CEO Adrian Wootton said, "Having worked with the Mayor?s office for the last 10 years to transform the capital into a film friendly city, we now welcome the same task for high-end TV and animation. With the new fiscal incentives, coupled with investment from the Mayor, the capital has the potential to become a world leader for the production industries, retaining and creating valuable jobs and encouraging new investment to boost the economy".

In addition to this year?s budget (?1.3m) to promote London and a world film destination and provide a bespoke facilitating/brokerage service to those planning to film in the capital, the Mayor is investing a further ?750,000 through Film London for TV and TV animation.

This additional funding is from the Mayor?s Growing Places Fund (GPF), a fund used to support innovative ways of creating jobs and skills in emerging sectors, and is overseen by the London Enterprise Panel (LEP). Film London will report monthly to the LEP.

In 2012, there were 17,604 filming days ? making it the busiest year for filming since statistics began to be compiled in 2003. Filming volume was up by 21 per cent on 2011.

Although the city also hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 was the busiest year ever for feature film (1,778 days) ? with a 42 per cent increase on feature filming in 2011.

Feature filming was down on 2011 in August (by 25 per cent) but rather than postpone filming to another year (or take the production elsewhere) productions filmed earlier in the year than usual ? for example there was a 50 per cent increase in feature filming in May.

MUMBAI: Samira Ahmed becomes the face of NewsWatch this week as the programme settles into its new home in New Broadcasting House.

‘NewsWatch‘ aims to hold BBC News to account, presenting viewers‘ opinions directly to journalists and editors and hearing lively debate about how different stories are covered.

Over the next few weeks, NewsWatch plans to explore the BBC‘s coverage of stories such as the US presidential election, the conflict in Syria and the on-going economic problems of the euro zone.

Ahmed said, "In my 20 years in broadcast news, I‘ve seen how technology has transformed what we see on screen and social media have broken down some of the barriers between newsmakers and audiences. But the same questions are still coming up: about fair dealing, balance and proportion. With viewers more willing to challenge coverage they think is not right, I‘m proud to be part of NewsWatch, which remains focused on getting answers from editors about their concerns."

NewsWatch Editor Barney Jones said, "We are delighted to be welcoming Samira Ahmed. Her experience as a distinguished broadcast journalist and presenter will be invaluable, as NewsWatch starts a new chapter, broadcasting from a state-of-the-art studio in the BBC‘s recently opened news headquarters in central London. The programme will continue its tradition of airing viewers‘ opinions about BBC News and Current Affairs, and putting their points to programme-makers and executives."

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate CBS has posted net earnings of $427 million for the second quarter ended 30 June 2012, up eight per cent.

Operating Income was $769 million, an increase of five per cent.

CBS executive chairman Sumner Redstone said, "CBS?s content continues to fuel the success of this great company. In a world where greatprogramming commands premium pricing, we continue to hit on allcylinders. I am extremely pleased with our terrific second-quarter results, and I am confident that Leslie and his management team willbuild on our momentum in the quarters and years to come."

CBS expects to show stronger performance in the second half of the year due to the US presidential elections and the Olympics. The prospects for 2013 also look good as the network has Super Bowl.

CBS president, CEO Leslie Moonves said, ?For all of these reasons, we?re confident 2012 will be a record year, and we will produce exceptional results in 2013 and beyond as well.?

Two factors in the second quarter of 2011 ? the Company?s initial multiyear digital streaming agreement (under which dozens of the Company?s library titles were first made available for streaming) and the semifinals of the NCAA Division I Men?s Basketball Championship (which aired during the first quarter in 2012) ? had an impact on the revenue comparison.

Second quarter 2012 revenues came in at $3.48 billion compared with $3.59 billion for the same quarter a year ago. Some of the impact was offset by growth in high-margin affiliate and subscription fee revenues, while underlying advertising revenues for the second quarter of 2012 reflected a steady marketplace. In addition, the OIBDA margin improved two percentage points, to a record 26 per cent and the operating income margin expanded two percentage points, to 22 per cent, in the second quarter of 2012.

Those increases, as well as the company?s record performance in the three key metrics mentioned above, reflect a higher profit margin on 2012 television licensing revenues as well as the growth in high-margin affiliate and subscription fees.

Free cash flow was $558 million for the second quarter of 2012, compared with $646 million for the second quarter a year ago. For the first half of 2012, free cash flow was $1.17 billion compared with $1.50 billion for the first half of 2011, reflecting higher investment in content (primarily television programming) and higher income tax payments. The company generated cash flow from operating activities of $1.26 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2012, versus $1.59 billion for the comparable prior-year period.

Entertainment

Entertainment (CBS Television Network, CBS Television Studios, CBS Studios International, CBS Television Distribution, CBS Films, and CBS Interactive) revenues of $1.71 billion for the second quarter of 2012 decreased 7 per cent from $1.84 billion in the same prior-year period. Last year?s second quarter benefited from the initial licensing of the company?s programming for digital streaming, the third-cycle domestic syndication sale of Frasier, and the semifinals of the NCAA Division I Men?s Basketball Championship, which aired during the first quarter of 2012 versus the second quarter of 2011. Some of the impact was offset by growth in high-margin retransmission revenues and higher international syndication revenues in the second quarter of 2012.

Cable Networks

Cable Networks (Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network, and Smithsonian Networks) revenues for the second quarter of 2012 increased by eight per cent to $446 million from $413 million for the same prior-year period. The results were driven by higher affiliate revenues, which reflect increases in rates and subscriptions at Showtime Networks (which includes Showtime, The Movie Channel, and Flix), CBS Sports Network, and Smithsonian Networks, as well as higher licensing revenues from the digital streaming of Showtime original series.

Outdoor

Outdoor revenues for the second quarter of 2012 decreased by two per cent to $481 million from $490 million for the same prior-year period, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rate changes. In constant dollars, revenues increased 1 per cent from the second quarter of 2011.

Revenues for the Americas (which includes North America and South America) increased by two per cent in constant dollars for the second quarter of 2012, principally driven by growth in the US billboards and displays businesses, partially offset by the impact from the nonrenewal of the Toronto transit contract.

Revenues for Europe increased by one per cent in constant dollars, primarily reflecting higher advertising sales associated with the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Some of this increase was offset by weakness in the European economy and the nonrenewal of certain contracts.