Zee Muzic to hunt for anchors in new reality series

Zee Muzic, which is in the process of rebranding the channel as Zing, is launching a new reality series, Cornetto Anchor Hunt.

The series will also be aired on Zee Trendz at 10 pm every Monday, starting 20 April.

The channel will be on a nationwide search for three fresh faces that will go on to become anchors of new shows on Zee Muzic (Zing), ETC and Zee Trendz. The hunt will begin from 19 April at 11 am.

Zee Muzic (Zing), ETC and Zee Trendz business head Anurag Bedi says “Cornetto Anchor Hunt aims to provide aspiring anchors a chance to prove their mettle, a platform to network with mentors and bag plum assignments as anchors of our new shows. We are very pleased with the kind of talent we’ve unearthed through this series and have no doubts that our winners will emerge as extremely popular, engaging television hosts.”

The show will see Lubna Adam, Manasi Scott, Arjan Bajwa, Celina Jaitley and Tusshar Kapoor donning the judges’ hat. The reality hunt will see Bobby Darling as an unlikely candidate participating in the show.

Vh1 brings Big Brother to India from 14 December

Vh1, the international musicand lifestyle channel from Viacom18 stable, is set to launch the format reality show Big Brother on Indian television.

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After the success of Bigg Boss2 on network channel Colors, Vh1 is bringing the international version of Big Brother for Indian audience starting 14 December. The show will be aired every Sunday-Wednesday at 10 pm.

The season – Till Death Do You Part Season 9 USA – is claimed as the “Most Explosive” Big Brother season of all time, the company said in a release.

The launch episode will see 16 houseguests entering the house to compete for the prize sum of $500,000 and to find their true love.

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Vh1 India associate GM Ferzad Palia said, “We are excited about bringing Big Brother to the Indian screens. Indian audiences have loved Bigg Boss2 on Colors. With the launch of Big Brother on Vh1, we will take reality experience to a newer high.”

Vh1 brings Laura Critchley to India

Viacom18’s international music and lifestyle channel Vh1 is set to bring British songwriter/singer Laura Critchley to India in second leg of Rayban Vh1 Global Music Xpress.

Critchley will kick start her India tour on 10 December in Mumbai and will perform in Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune on the 12, 13 and 14 December respectively.

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Critchley’s début album, ‘Sometimes I,’ was released in November 2007. She has supported artists like the Sugababes and Boyzone on their respective arena tours, and sung duet with Ronan Keating and sung for Robbie Williams. For her last single Today’s Another Day, released in June 2008, she has won the Irish Entertainment Award for best live performance in October 2008.

Critchley said, “I am excited about coming to India and spending a week touring India, as the people of India really appreciate the kind of music we make back home. I look forward to meeting all my fans and friends in India and playing some of my new music and also grooving with the audiences to my latest single Today’s Another Day.”

Vh1 associate GM Ferzad Palia added, “We are partnering with Rayban for the second time for this initiative. Together, it is our aim to present the best musicians and artists to our audiences and make them part of a world-class musical experience. After the successful stint of British R&B artist Jay Sean, we decided to bring down the young and popular British singer Laura Critchley.”

Channel [V] to kick off game show on 31 October

Channel [V] is launching a game show Bingo [V] Full On at 7 pm from Friday-Sunday.

Starting 31 October, the show will measure the strength of participants through various activities like rock-climbing, football, para-sailing, trekking, go-carting, Bhangra, running treadmills, scuffle with mechanical boxing gloves, using bodies as human bowling balls among others.

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The 13-week game show will be hosted by Channel [V] VJs Juhi and Neil.

Channel [V] VP content and communication Saurabh Kanwar said, “Full On! surpasses all standards of insanity ever portrayed on television before. We call it the IPL of television- ‘Indian Pagalpanti League’. For this show, besides youth focused promotion, we will also be exploring content innovation.”

Channel [V] has selected participants to test their IQ (insanity quotient) from colleges across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and other metros.

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The show will see 10 teams consisting three members each at the beginning. Each successive week will see two teams fight it out in the ultimate battle for supremacy. The game would be made trickier each day by adding new twists and turns resulting in a crazier experience for the six participants.

The activities will be followed by a set-based game with Channel [V]’s VJ Lola Kutty, where viewers also can participate via sms.

Vh1 bets high for its Dance 101 initiative

Vh1, the 24-hour music and lifestyle channel from Viacom 18, has announced that its Dance 101’s first initiative in India brings the Ministry of Sound – on tour. This tour consists of three events back-to-back in Hyderabad (Bottles & Chimney), Kolkata (Tantra) and Delhi (Elevate) on July 2, 4 and 5 respectively.

The Ministry of Sound, which was established in 1991, has now grown from a famous nightclub in London, to becoming a big dance brand. With live events, nightclubs, record sales across the world and thousands of people tuning into Ministry of Sound Radio and TV, it is the home of dance music.

Vh1 Dance 101’s vision, which coincides with that of the Ministry of Sound, is to enable dance music fans access to the music they are passionate about and the DJ’s that play and produce it. Vh1 Dance 101 is getting two of the top DJs of the Ministry of Sound – Paul Jackson and Paul Deighton.

Ferzad Palia, associate general manager, Vh1 India, says, “Vh1 is the only lifestyle and entertainment channel that goes beyond the norms and creates experiential activities that give the audience a first hand experience of enjoying music they love. Vh1 Dance 101’s first event ever, is your ticket to great music, international DJ’s and a party that you’ll never forget.”

The channel is also coming up with Vh1 Divas, which would showcase the powerful women of music. The show would be aired every weeknight at 8 pm throughout July. Vh1 is also mulling a tech show that aims to showcase the best guitarist, drummer, saxophone player, etc.

Zee Muzic to launch Unplugged & Salt and Pepper shows

Zee Muzic, the 24-hour music channel from Zee Entertainment Enterprises, will launch two shows – Unplugged, and Salt and Pepper.

Unplugged from June 29 will hit the TV screens every Sunday at 7.30 pm. While, Salt and Pepper, debuts June 30, running through Monday to Thursday at 7.30 pm. The channel has roped in Paras Tomar as the anchor for the shows.

Unplugged gives an insightful glance into the lives of singers minus the gloss and glamour, providing unadulterated music. Unplugged will showcase most of the music stars, who will talk about their success and failures, hopes and despairs, insecurities and shortcomings and how they make music.

Salt and Pepper will have mix of news, views, reviews and gossips with Page 3 parties, events, celebrities, fashions, and controversies of tinsel town.

Irshwin Balwani, business head, Zee Muzic, said, “With both the shows, we are confident we will be able to make a mark with our young viewers. Unplugged is unadulterated music and Salt and Pepper is full of off stage lives of the movers and shakers of the entertainment industry.”

Channel [V]’s Get Gorgeous season 5 begins May 16

Channel [V] is coming up with the fifth season of Get Gorgeous series. The new season begins on May 16 at 7:30 pm, the show will include higher levels of competition and drama that leads the way to find India’s next super model.

Sheetal Sudhir, Creative director, Channel [V] says, “Modeling as a profession has got more serious over the years. It has become more competitive and many youngsters want to take it up as a full-time profession. And this is why we are coming up with the fifth season of the show.”

To catch a viewer’s attention there should be something different from the previous season. So, what is the USP of the show this time? “Besides celebrity judges, this time there would be mentors too. Models Diandara Sores and Gauhar Khan will guide the contestants about the nuances of Modeling Moreover, unlike the previous season, this time the contestants are shooting for actual projects, that will give them more experience about Modeling as a career,” says Sheetal.

The show is coming up with a new panel of judges. Fashion designers Rahul Khanna and Rohit Gandhi, fitness expert Yasmin Haz, photographer Nisha Kutty and actor Upen Patel, will test the contestants focusing on different aspects of modeling.

Speaking about the show and the contestants, Yasmin, who helped Kareena Kapoor get a size zero, says, “This time we are looking for someone who can make an impression on the viewers as well as the judges. She should have all the qualities to carry herself well. She should know how to walk with balance and speak with confidence.”

Photographer Nisha Kutty feels that in Modeling posing for a shoot is the most important thing. “A model who poses confidently in front of the camera is the most sought after. Their potential, height and looks all add up to it,” says Nisha.

Talking about the fitness regimen, Yasmin says, “Most of the girls slouch, so we are focusing more on their posture. We have included circuit training, boot camping and pilates training to make them fit. Similarly, we have also given them diet schedules. Moreover, to boost their morale, many interactive sessions will be organised to clear their doubts.”

Talking about the shooting sessions, Nisha says, “Earlier the contestants were informed about their shoots in advance, but this time, to check their natural look, surprise-shooting sessions too will be organised. Besides bikini shots, shots with male partners are also being organised to verify their level of confidence and the way they carry themselves in different situations.”

So it seems, the show has become tough for the contestants. The focus is not just on physical fitness or looks, it will also lay emphasis on all the aspects of modeling.

Revealing more about the show, Sheetal says, “The show is going to be more dramatic and the contestants are fiercely fighting for the Get Gorgeous title.”

Channel [v] presents ‘Bollywood Bang Bang’

 Channel [v] is all set to create television history by creating India’s first ever LIVE Bollywood flick titled ANDAZ APNA VERY HATKE which is scripted, directed and produced by Channel [v]. All the viewers will be able to watch the fun and excitement that goes into a LIVE flick at 9 pm on Sunday March 2nd, 2008 only on Channel [v]. This film stars the very beautiful & versatile Neha Dhupia and a renowned international celebrity. It will also cast artists chosen through a nation wide talent hunt who would get an opportunity to be a part of this unique initiative. All this will culminate into a LIVE FLICK on March 2nd, 2008 and will also be released on the same date making it the fastest produced film in Bollywood history.

This mini blockbuster which will be enacted, shot and telecast LIVE on television for the first time has all the ingredients of a typical Bollywood film – a zalim baap, a gareeb hero, one bheegi bheegi heroine and a kameena villain. Only, all this is happening LIVE – No Cuts, No Retakes, No Guarantees.

Tune in to witness the thrills of this LIVE mini blockbuster which will be shot amidst select audience and will be telecasted LIVE on that day itself at 9 pm on Sunday March, 2nd, 2008 only on Channel [v].

B4U Music made available on DD’s DTH

B4U Music has joined Prasar Bharti’s direct-to-home (DTH) platform DD Direct+.B4U Music was recently voted as UK’s No.1 Asian channel in the UK and with the availability on DD DTH, it will extend its viewership across India as Doordarshan is one of the world’s largest terrestrial broadcaster with over 1400 TV transmitters located throughout India covering 88 per cent of the country’s geographical area.

“We are absolutely delighted to be on board DD’s DTH service. With its enormous reach across the nation, a whole new audience will now view the exciting programmes and scintillating music that B4U Music offers. Something that millions of Indians in UK and USA have been experiencing for years,” said B4U Network Global CEO Sunil Rohra.

The Direct+ DTH platform will carry 33 FTA TV Channels and 12 All India Radio Channels on its DTH platform, which can be received throughout India on free to air basis by consumers. The number of TV channels will be increased to 50 and all India Radio channels to 40 in due course of time.

B4U Music at present is already available on more than 8 different satellites, in more than 100 countries including the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius Canada and India.

SCV-Hathway fight enters crucial phase

The much-gossiped spat between the Maran brothers and the family of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi seems to be reaching a contentious corner in the place where it matters the most — the control of the strategically-vital channel distribution and TV entertainment. The Sun group, which spread its wings thanks to political patronage and heavy-handed support on the streets, is now forced to face the same music as its lifeline is sought to be cuff.

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In what seems to be a multi-pronged strategy by the forces that want to blunt the Sun Group’s edge has slowly started to edge out SCV — the Sun Group’s all-powerful and all-important distribution arm —— in the market with the other sole MSO, the Hathway. In places like Perambur and in the outskirts of the city, Hathway, without any preamble or announcement, has taken over the rights of distributions in the place of SCV. A top level DMK leader, with huge support base in the area, is said to have facilitated this controversial switch-over. This change should be seen in the context of the Kalaignar TV being started to rival Sun TV and also the government announcing a cable distribution company, Arasu Cable Corporation. Hathway had hitherto struggled to compete against the SCV and had only a piffling presence in the city —— hardly 10 percent of the market. But now, with an image that it is being backed by forces that are politically very powerful, it has now managed to make more meaningful dent in the market. Sources say that the Hathway authorities have managed to meet cable operators individually and convince them to switch connections overnight. More than 60 operators in and around Perambur, Villivakam and Adyar have been shifted from SCV to Hathway. Talking to News Today, Lakshmanan, deputy general manager, Hathway, denied getting any support from the ruling regime. ‘We know that there is a problem running between them (Sun and the ruling party). Until recently, everyone knew the kind of support that the Sun TV Group enjoyed. It was difficult for us to compete with them then. But now with the support line cutoff, the battle line is clearly drawn on a level-playing field and we are ready to take them on’. In an aggressive strategy, which the SCV is finding hard to match, Hathway is distributing Set Top Boxes (STBs) free of cost. Further, it also provides 25 per cent revenue on each pay channel to the operator. This has become an instant hit among the operators and the consumers. ‘As a result, in the past one month, we have grown by 100 per cent in Chennai city’, he said. The offer by Hathway Cable TV Network to function as a Multi-System Operator (MSO) in Chennai through Tamilnadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (ACTVC) is also an attempt only to regain our lost ground and no political should be attached to it, he said.