• Consumers benefit from bundling of pay TV: Bewkes

    Submitted by ITV Production on Dec 08
    indiantelevision.com Team

    MUMBAI: Consumers without bundling will pay more for less. "I don?t think it?s desirable for consumers to break the bundle. You end up paying more for less," said Time Warner chairman, CEO Jeff Bewkes at the UBS Media and Communications Conference in New York.

    There isn?t much opportunity for the cable operators to unbundle networks or create more tiers. The issue, however, is about sports where the content costs dor distribution platforms is shooting up. "The escalation of sports rights, I don?t know what will happen with that. That may be an issue. Other than the concentrated viewing and cost of sports, the rest of the bundle is a better value than ever," said Bewkes.

    He also spoke about CNN saying, "It is true, to criticize ourselves, that we have not programmed it to keep it interesting if you wanted to stay for hours".

    CNN gets high ratings during breaking news but has fallen off during slower times. "We need to do a better job of producing the full 24 hours. It doesn?t all have to be politics, although that is a part of it. We?re going to be a little bit more vigorous and broad," said Bewkes.

    Asked about the movie business, Bewkes said business is decent in the US and strong overseas, but warned of the trend toward lower-margin rentals vs. buying in the home video market. The studios are trying to combat this trend with the cloud-based UltraViolet venture that promotes home video ownership.

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  • CNN's Latino programming block to launch in US

    Submitted by ITV Production on Dec 04
    indiantelevision.com Team

    MUMBAI: CNN en Espanol has said it will launch its new Spanish language programming block CNN Latino in US for the Hispanic market.

    CNN Latino is a new brand extension that targets the growing and diverse U.S. Hispanic market, delivering a broad spectrum of programming that will cover news, lifestyle, documentary, talk and debate as an alternative to traditional Hispanic networks.

    "The U.S. market is so diverse and so large that there is room for two distinctive content options," said CNN en Espanol and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S SVP and GM Cynthia Hudson-Fernandez.

    "There is a real demand for relevant, dynamic, quality programming and CNN Latino is a unique product designed specifically for the growing U.S. Hispanic audience, representing the dual reality of U.S. Latinos today who are multi-generational and proud to be bilingual. The launch of CNN Latino is the first step to bringing this syndicated programming block to local broadcast stations in key Hispanic media markets across the country."

    CNN Latino will first launch in Los Angeles late January 2013, with a branded programming block of eight hours of customized content directed at the U.S. Hispanic audience. CNN Latino will broadcast in Los Angeles on KBEH-DT Channel 63, which is owned by Hero Broadcasting, and can be seen throughout the Los Angeles area, reaching more than 14 million people.

    KBEH-DT Channel 63 will carry CNN Latino from 3pm-11pm (PT) and will include a locally produced debate show, along with unique lifestyle, documentary and talk programs and will engage with its audience through social media, local events and website. CNN Latino and its affiliate stations will have their own dedicated section on the world-wide Spanish-language site cnnespanol.com/ cnnespanol.com.

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  • CNN launches digital travel platform 'CNN Travel'

    MUMBAI: CNN International has announced the launch of a new digital channel, CNN Travel, for the world‘s luxury, busi

  • CNN expands live programming in Asia Pacific region

    MUMBAI: CNN is expanding its live programming in the Asia Pacific region with the launch of a primetime morning and a

  • CNN launches show on China

    Submitted by ITV Production on Oct 16
    indiantelevision.com Team

    MUMBAI: As China prepares for its most significant leadership transition in decades, CNN has announced the launch of its first ever regular series focussed on the country. The new monthly show hosted by CNN correspondent and anchor Kristie Lu Stout provides viewers with an insider?s view of China from within its own borders.

    The first episode ?Inside the Chinese Communist Party? airs on 17 October at 3 pm, 20 October at 10 am, 21 October at 5 pm, 27 October at 5 pm and on 28 October at 10 am.

    The second episode: ?Chinese Consumerism? airs on 21 November at 4 pm, 24 November at 11 am, 25 November at 7 pm, 1 December at 3 pm and on 2 December at 11 am.

    The third episode ?Chinese Exploration? airs on 19 December at 4 pm, 22 December at 11 am, 23 December at 7 pm, 29 December at 7 pm, and 30 December at 11 am.

    Shot on location in Hong Kong at Hullett House, in each 30-minute show Lu Stout sits down with thought and business leaders from within China?s borders for a roundtable discussion about what really drives this world power and economic giant.

    With China?s leadership transition expected within a month, the first episode delves into the Chinese Communist Party, exploring how membership is obtained, factions within the party, the personality traits of China?s presumed next leader, and the impact of the ongoing Bo Xilai scandal. At the table helping to demystify the Chinese Communist Party is Hung Huang, a celebrated Chinese media personality and publisher brought up among China?s political elite, Victor Gao, a former official in the Chinese Foreign Ministry and English translator for Deng Xiaoping and John Pomfret, award-winning journalist and China commentator.

    CNN International senior VP Mike McCarthy said, "The world is watching China more than ever and our new show delivers in-depth, intelligent insights on its economic, political and cultural drivers. We?re proud to be the first international news network to dedicate a regular show to China, enabling viewers within China?s borders and around the world to better understand the country and its people."

    Lu Stout said, "China is a country of dramatic change, political intrigue, and dynamic economic growth. I?ve been writing and reporting about China since the late 1990s, and the nation continues to fascinate me. I?m excited to host a regular discussion on current affairs and trends inside China."

    The November episode looks at the growing strength of Chinese consumerism and in December, the show focuses on Chinese exploration.

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    CNN
  • CNN to air 'Our Mobile Society' from 24 September

    Submitted by ITV Production on Sep 12
    indiantelevision.com Team

    MUMBAI: CNN, the 24-hour news network, is launching ?Our Mobile Society?.

    Beginning 24 September, a full week of ?Our Mobile Society? coverage will air on CNN International as segments in ?News Stream? at 5:30 pm.

    The show is an editorial initiative that examines the impact of mobile technology on our lives. It will explore the new world where mobile technology has shifted from nicety to necessity.

    Appearing across all of CNN platforms, the month-long coverage will examine the impact of mobile devices on topics including personal relationships, work habits, cultural quirks, heath, finance, and etiquette.

    CNN VP-mobile Louis Gump said, "With the emergence of new capabilities, mobile has become increasingly important to CNN?s global business and the way we interact with our users. Inspired by our own dynamic evolution of content delivery and consumption, CNN launched ?Our Mobile Society? to further uncover the impact of mobile on the world around us."

    Additionally, CNN?s apps and mobile site will feature a special section dedicated to ?Our Mobile Society,? and CNN iReport will launch a new uploader, allowing users to create and share iReports directly from CNN?s mobile website for the first time ever.

    CNN Digital vice president and managing editor Meredith Artley added, "We?re excited to launch this cross-platform coverage that will focus on the many ways mobile devices have changed our lives and our world. The impact is profound -- from industry innovations to our own attention spans, our relationships, the way we work, how we entertain ourselves and beyond."

    Throughout the month, CNN Digital will investigate a wide range of topics related to our mobile society, including special reports from CNNMoney.com. Personalised tablet magazine Zite will be adding a section entitled ?Our Mobile Society? to its apps as well.

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    CNN mobile society
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