In a similar vein to last year’s award winning ‘Beach Day’ and ‘Night-time’ TV commercials, Thomson’s new ad uses the backdrop of Thomson’s Sensatori resort concept to tell the story of staff busily attending to the finer details and personal touches of people’s holidays, showing how Thomson staff go to extraordinary lengths to create the perfect experience for people to enjoy when travelling with the holiday company.
The difference this time round is that the majority of the staff seen in the ad are real staff who’ve been recognised by their colleagues for the care and attention they give to our customers.
“For the advert, we asked every line manager in each department to recommend a member of staff they felt had delivered outstanding customer service,” said Rebecca Edwards, Senior Marketing Manager, Thomson. “From the hundreds of nominations that were received, a shortlist was drawn up of those employees who had gone the extra mile to feature in the TV advert.“
A total of eight Thomson employees from across the country will feature in the new ad. These are: Katie Windsor, a Cabin Crew Ambassador from Yorkshire; Mary Beth Johnson, a Retail agent from Newcastle; Donna Wells, Customer Services, Northants; Alison Porter, Cabin Crew Customer Experience Manager, Glasgow; Gemma Bowe, Agent Support Team Leader, Coventry; Charlotte Leany, Assistant Manager Retail, Chelmsford; Lindsay Baldry, Customer Services, Luton; and Delia Read, Cabin Crew Customer Experience Manager, Lincolnshire.
Concludes Rebecca: “Whilst we couldn’t feature everyone, it’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to highlight how our colleagues across the business do their utmost to ensure that our customers enjoy the very best of holidays.”
In addition to the thrilling experience of filming at one of the world’s most famous movie studios, the cast’s magical experience also saw them meet Daniel Radcliffe and the rest of the Harry Potter cast, who were filming Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsTM next door.
The TV advertising campaign, created by Thomson in collaboration with creative agency Beattie McGuinness Bungay, centres on Thomson’s exclusive ‘Sensatori’ holidays; which are designed around sensory luxury and are the benchmark for the Thomson holiday experience. There are three Sensatori resorts (Crete, Mexico and new from next summer Tenerife) each with a unique appeal. The final images of the commercial were filmed over two days on location at the Gran Melia Palacio di Isora, which will become Sensatori, Tenerife from Summer 2010. The advert specifically dramatises the astonishing infinity pool, one of Europe’s longest, available at Thomson Sensatori Tenerife.
Thomson’s new TV commercial is set to air across terrestrial and satellite channels throughout the Festive period, with a 40" spot premiering on December 17 during Five News at 5.45 pm. The ad will air in this form across a variety of channels, including network spots during Coronation Street on Christmas Eve, as well as exposure during the network premier of ‘Happy Feet’ and the all new episode of ‘Poirot’ on Christmas Day. Satellite highlights include ITV2’s Xtra Factor on Christmas Day, Sky 1’s Noel’s Christmas Presents on December 21 and Channel 4’s ‘The Noughties: Review of the Decade’ on New Year’s Eve.
Editors' Notes
The Television advert used:
A pick and mix sand machine especially made for the advert
A real life size Jacuzzi
16 hand made snowflakes
Additional Extras including the man who played Mr Muscle and Jabba the Hutt’s accountant in Star Wars!
3 large boxes of sand and a sand castle
A 150m x 100m stage in Pinewood studios
Friday, 18 December 2009
Thomson staff star in new 'Built with you in mind' advert
When you think of Pinewood Studios, the names of James Bond, Harry Potter and Obi Wan Kenobi may well spring to mind. Well, from December 17 2009, you can add a lucky group of Thomson holidays staff from all over the business to that list! Colleagues from departments including retail, overseas, airline and customer services spent three days at the world renowned film studio filming Thomson’s all-new ‘Built With You In Mind’ TV commercial after being nominated for the great customer service they provide.
Monday, 16 November 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Free Online Fitness Video Content Offered by Change 4 Life and ThinQ Fitness
ThinQ Fitness, the digital TV content company, and The Department of Health’s Change4Life movement, today announce the offer of a free month of online fitness videos to promote family health.
As part of the Change4Life campaign to “eat well, move more and live longer,” ThinQ Fitness is providing a month’s free access to its range of online fitness videos to support the national Change4Life initiative. Available online at http://www.thinqfitness.com/, the videos are aimed at celebrating health for men, women and children to help impact the health related issues of obesity and heart disease linked with inactivity and poor diet.
Access to the family, age and gender focused workouts include a high BMI programme, together with strategies suggested by the recent government campaign, including inexpensive ways for families to exercise together and an ‘Eat Slim Lunchbox’ for parents.
With limited household budgets many families are unable to achieve improved health through local fitness services. Change 4 Life partnered with ThinQ Fitness earlier this year to address this by offering a professional exercise site, with inexpensive subscription fees, to families with limited cash or access to gym facilities.
The content aims to get families together for regular exercise and users can comment on how they are getting on by using the comments section at the bottom of the web page. There is also a section in the forum where children and families can get their Change4Life questions answered.
Lucy Case, Fitness Director at ThinQ Fitness comments; “The gym is fine for people who fit a certain health and financial criteria, but it doesn’t cater for the many who have limited budgets, special health requirements or specific exercise preferences. Our partnership with Change 4 Life offers an affordable alternative with workouts for those with high BMI, the elderly, children, teens and parents alike. ”
Change 4 Life are offering the free content as part of ThinQ Fitness channel, which offers online interactive fitness content and ‘one stop’ gym resources using the latest online video technology. Users can use their PCs or laptops or connect them to their TVs, to interact with workout presenters on sessions including fat loss, step, yoga, pilates, pre/post natal, and gym, holistic or dance.
The channel also allows interaction with other members and offers healthy lifestyle news and articles plus access to social networking features, giving users a single location for all their fitness needs.
As part of the Change4Life campaign to “eat well, move more and live longer,” ThinQ Fitness is providing a month’s free access to its range of online fitness videos to support the national Change4Life initiative. Available online at http://www.thinqfitness.com/, the videos are aimed at celebrating health for men, women and children to help impact the health related issues of obesity and heart disease linked with inactivity and poor diet.
Access to the family, age and gender focused workouts include a high BMI programme, together with strategies suggested by the recent government campaign, including inexpensive ways for families to exercise together and an ‘Eat Slim Lunchbox’ for parents.
With limited household budgets many families are unable to achieve improved health through local fitness services. Change 4 Life partnered with ThinQ Fitness earlier this year to address this by offering a professional exercise site, with inexpensive subscription fees, to families with limited cash or access to gym facilities.
The content aims to get families together for regular exercise and users can comment on how they are getting on by using the comments section at the bottom of the web page. There is also a section in the forum where children and families can get their Change4Life questions answered.
Lucy Case, Fitness Director at ThinQ Fitness comments; “The gym is fine for people who fit a certain health and financial criteria, but it doesn’t cater for the many who have limited budgets, special health requirements or specific exercise preferences. Our partnership with Change 4 Life offers an affordable alternative with workouts for those with high BMI, the elderly, children, teens and parents alike. ”
Change 4 Life are offering the free content as part of ThinQ Fitness channel, which offers online interactive fitness content and ‘one stop’ gym resources using the latest online video technology. Users can use their PCs or laptops or connect them to their TVs, to interact with workout presenters on sessions including fat loss, step, yoga, pilates, pre/post natal, and gym, holistic or dance.
The channel also allows interaction with other members and offers healthy lifestyle news and articles plus access to social networking features, giving users a single location for all their fitness needs.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
StartinTV.com launches countrywide competition to find best new TV ideas - kit and b roll available
StartinTV.com is calling on undiscovered TV talent across the UK to join forces and enter their film/TV ideas in a competition on Facebook, as part of a major drive to find the next generation of creative programme-makers.
The competition is backed by the National Film and Television School (NFTS), Staffordshire University, and Screenhouse Training which are offering the winners short courses and master classes ranging from Final Cut Pro editing, to Single-Camera direction and Presenting. The courses are led by industry experts, including the award-winning director David G Croft, head of television at the National Film and Television School, StartinTV Managing Director David Wheeler and BAFTA winning Director Patrick Titley.
‘We know there’s a wealth of new TV talent out there, with untapped ideas, and the ability to create great productions, who are struggling to get their foot in the door of the film and television industry, says David Wheeler.
‘At the same time, the fall in advertising revenues and growth of digital channels puts even greater pressure on commissioners to track down exciting content at a realistic cost – if they are to grow audiences and market share. To achieve this, we need to find more ways to bring the two together.’
StartinTV.com provides help to TV production companies and networks to find skilled, competent and talented people through its free online search service, and will be providing expert guidance on how to create a professional Programme Treatment.
Talented people often work in isolation. That’s why the StartinTV.com competition will use the advantages of social networking on Facebook to bring talented individuals together, and for the first time get them to collaborate with other talented people in their region to develop ideas and create compelling sizzle tapes that will get their talents noticed.
“Ideas are crucial in getting your first foot in the door which is the toughest part of getting into TV” says Grant Mansfield, managing director and chairman of RDF Television. “If you assume that everybody that comes along for an interview is clever then the difference that will give someone the edge is having loads of ideas. It gives them an instant head start.”
It's an excellent idea which addresses an important issue in the TV industry. People making programmes need to be aware of the huge resource of talent waiting to get into the industry. It has long been missing out on this unknown talent. Now it no longer has to be about who you know rather than what you know. The site will be of huge benefit to the industry and the viewer. StartinTV, means they are able to select talented new people with the skills they need.
The competition is being judged by David G Croft of the NFTS, David Wheeler, producer/director and StartinTV Managing Director, and Trevor Hill, industry leader and former asst. head of network programmes, BBC Manchester.
The deadline for competition entries is 9th September 2009. The winning entries will be announced at a screening led by leading figures from TV at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank in September 2009.
(Ends)
To set up an interview with David Wheeler, Managing Director of StartinTV.com, Zilpah Hartley, Georgina Burnett or Trevor Hill, please contact David Wheeler at StartinTV.com 01428 722468 m: 07850 771108 e: DavidHwheeler@btinternet.com
Notes to editors
A three minute news package about the Facebook competition will shortly be available by email, online, and DVD, for editors, to accompany the story.
How to enter:
1. Register on the StartinTV pages on Facebook. (facebook/com/StartinTV). StartinTV currently has regional groups at London, Manchester, Birmingham, Devon, Cornwall, Taunton, West Midlands , Liverpool, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire and North West - with more coming on stream all the time..
2. Gather your talented crew and start developing your idea.
3. See the proposal writing techniques/rules on StartinTV.com/news and email your entry in to competition@StartinTV.com
4. If you have a taster video, send it in to: StartinTV, P.O. Box 891, Cheltenham, GL50 2WT
About StartinTV.com
The www.StartinTV.com website offers expert help and advice to newcomers to the television and film industries.
Since 2001, StartinTV.com has helped talented people across the UK to start their television or film careers. Founded by David Wheeler and a leading TV Presenter, StartinTV matches television producers like BBC TV, ITV, Channel 4 and MTV with exciting new talent. It has also expanded its roster to include Camera Operators, Researchers, Scriptwriters, Sound and Lighting Technicians, Editors and Presenters who are launching their careers in the film and television industry.
The Judges
David Wheeler is a BBC trained Producer/Director with over 20 years experience in the industry, David is a Film Production Lecturer at Staffordshire University. He has also judged Broadcast Talent awards, IVCA awards, Assisted with Princes Trust Film-makers.
David G. Croft has directed and produced some of the most well known entertainment programmes on network television over the past 25 years. He is highly experienced in Studio and Outside Broadcast multi-camera directing of both live and recorded programmes and has directed and produced single camera documentaries. His credits include Live Aid (BAFTA winner), Crystal Maze (BAFTA Nominated), Shooting Stars (SILVER ROSE of MONTREAUX winner), Top of The Pops, Wogan
Trevor Hill was a key player in searching for new talent in the past, and was responsible for starting the careers of Judith Chalmers, Geoffrey Wheeler, Ben Kingsley, Tony Warren, Robert Powell and Billie Whitelaw to name a few. He understands the importance of finding good talent and giving them a chance.
The competition is backed by the National Film and Television School (NFTS), Staffordshire University, and Screenhouse Training which are offering the winners short courses and master classes ranging from Final Cut Pro editing, to Single-Camera direction and Presenting. The courses are led by industry experts, including the award-winning director David G Croft, head of television at the National Film and Television School, StartinTV Managing Director David Wheeler and BAFTA winning Director Patrick Titley.
‘We know there’s a wealth of new TV talent out there, with untapped ideas, and the ability to create great productions, who are struggling to get their foot in the door of the film and television industry, says David Wheeler.
‘At the same time, the fall in advertising revenues and growth of digital channels puts even greater pressure on commissioners to track down exciting content at a realistic cost – if they are to grow audiences and market share. To achieve this, we need to find more ways to bring the two together.’
StartinTV.com provides help to TV production companies and networks to find skilled, competent and talented people through its free online search service, and will be providing expert guidance on how to create a professional Programme Treatment.
Talented people often work in isolation. That’s why the StartinTV.com competition will use the advantages of social networking on Facebook to bring talented individuals together, and for the first time get them to collaborate with other talented people in their region to develop ideas and create compelling sizzle tapes that will get their talents noticed.
“Ideas are crucial in getting your first foot in the door which is the toughest part of getting into TV” says Grant Mansfield, managing director and chairman of RDF Television. “If you assume that everybody that comes along for an interview is clever then the difference that will give someone the edge is having loads of ideas. It gives them an instant head start.”
It's an excellent idea which addresses an important issue in the TV industry. People making programmes need to be aware of the huge resource of talent waiting to get into the industry. It has long been missing out on this unknown talent. Now it no longer has to be about who you know rather than what you know. The site will be of huge benefit to the industry and the viewer. StartinTV, means they are able to select talented new people with the skills they need.
The competition is being judged by David G Croft of the NFTS, David Wheeler, producer/director and StartinTV Managing Director, and Trevor Hill, industry leader and former asst. head of network programmes, BBC Manchester.
The deadline for competition entries is 9th September 2009. The winning entries will be announced at a screening led by leading figures from TV at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank in September 2009.
(Ends)
To set up an interview with David Wheeler, Managing Director of StartinTV.com, Zilpah Hartley, Georgina Burnett or Trevor Hill, please contact David Wheeler at StartinTV.com 01428 722468 m: 07850 771108 e: DavidHwheeler@btinternet.com
Notes to editors
A three minute news package about the Facebook competition will shortly be available by email, online, and DVD, for editors, to accompany the story.
How to enter:
1. Register on the StartinTV pages on Facebook. (facebook/com/StartinTV). StartinTV currently has regional groups at London, Manchester, Birmingham, Devon, Cornwall, Taunton, West Midlands , Liverpool, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire and North West - with more coming on stream all the time..
2. Gather your talented crew and start developing your idea.
3. See the proposal writing techniques/rules on StartinTV.com/news and email your entry in to competition@StartinTV.com
4. If you have a taster video, send it in to: StartinTV, P.O. Box 891, Cheltenham, GL50 2WT
About StartinTV.com
The www.StartinTV.com website offers expert help and advice to newcomers to the television and film industries.
Since 2001, StartinTV.com has helped talented people across the UK to start their television or film careers. Founded by David Wheeler and a leading TV Presenter, StartinTV matches television producers like BBC TV, ITV, Channel 4 and MTV with exciting new talent. It has also expanded its roster to include Camera Operators, Researchers, Scriptwriters, Sound and Lighting Technicians, Editors and Presenters who are launching their careers in the film and television industry.
The Judges
David Wheeler is a BBC trained Producer/Director with over 20 years experience in the industry, David is a Film Production Lecturer at Staffordshire University. He has also judged Broadcast Talent awards, IVCA awards, Assisted with Princes Trust Film-makers.
David G. Croft has directed and produced some of the most well known entertainment programmes on network television over the past 25 years. He is highly experienced in Studio and Outside Broadcast multi-camera directing of both live and recorded programmes and has directed and produced single camera documentaries. His credits include Live Aid (BAFTA winner), Crystal Maze (BAFTA Nominated), Shooting Stars (SILVER ROSE of MONTREAUX winner), Top of The Pops, Wogan
Trevor Hill was a key player in searching for new talent in the past, and was responsible for starting the careers of Judith Chalmers, Geoffrey Wheeler, Ben Kingsley, Tony Warren, Robert Powell and Billie Whitelaw to name a few. He understands the importance of finding good talent and giving them a chance.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
TV and Video clips sought
TV and video clips are being sought for a European AIDS Video Clip Competition right across Europe for the first time. Formerly just held in Germany, entries are invited from anywhere in Europe this year.
'Clip & Klar Europe 09' is a creative competition hosted annually by the German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) with the aim of raising and strengthening awareness around the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention.
The competition seeks film and video clips no longer than 60 seconds in length that creatively and sensitively address the topic of AIDS and HIV prevention by reinforcing awareness to a broader public. They can be carried out in the form of documentary, narrative or similar productions.
Most importantly, the productions should be original, address young viewers and encourage an active awareness of Aids and Aids prevention. Live action animation, computer-animated films or a combination of these techniques, even short films that communicate their message without dialogue are welcome.
A prominent European jury will decide which clips will take the prizes. Three prizes will be awarded in each of the two main categories:
'Best National T.V. and Cinema Campaign against AIDS'
and
'Best AIDS Video Clip by a Filmmaker or Film Student'
Winners can look forward to cash prizes ranging from €2,000 - 5,000.
The official announcement of contest-winners will take place at the awards ceremony to be held at the Gloria Theater in Cologne on November 12th, 2009. The event is kindly supported by Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe e.V., Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung and Aidshilfe Köln e.V.
The deadline for entries is 8 September 2009 and entry regulations can be downloaded at www.clipundklar-bzga.de
Over 33 million people world-wide are either infected with the HIV virus or suffering from the disease itself - AIDS. World-wide, every 12 seconds a person is newly infected with HIV. For this reason AIDS is still one of the most life-threatening diseases for which there is neither a cure, nor vaccination. Therefore, protection against HIV / AIDS is essential, even if the face of AIDS has changed today.
It is for these reasons that the BZgA announces its Europe-wide call for submissions to the European AIDS Video Clip Contest "clip & klar europe 09".
Since 1987, Germany has been active in campaigning in the fight against HIV/AIDS, both in European and international sectors.
All entries will be shown on the website www.hivisible.euTV and Video
'Clip & Klar Europe 09' is a creative competition hosted annually by the German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) with the aim of raising and strengthening awareness around the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention.
The competition seeks film and video clips no longer than 60 seconds in length that creatively and sensitively address the topic of AIDS and HIV prevention by reinforcing awareness to a broader public. They can be carried out in the form of documentary, narrative or similar productions.
Most importantly, the productions should be original, address young viewers and encourage an active awareness of Aids and Aids prevention. Live action animation, computer-animated films or a combination of these techniques, even short films that communicate their message without dialogue are welcome.
A prominent European jury will decide which clips will take the prizes. Three prizes will be awarded in each of the two main categories:
'Best National T.V. and Cinema Campaign against AIDS'
and
'Best AIDS Video Clip by a Filmmaker or Film Student'
Winners can look forward to cash prizes ranging from €2,000 - 5,000.
The official announcement of contest-winners will take place at the awards ceremony to be held at the Gloria Theater in Cologne on November 12th, 2009. The event is kindly supported by Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe e.V., Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung and Aidshilfe Köln e.V.
The deadline for entries is 8 September 2009 and entry regulations can be downloaded at www.clipundklar-bzga.de
Over 33 million people world-wide are either infected with the HIV virus or suffering from the disease itself - AIDS. World-wide, every 12 seconds a person is newly infected with HIV. For this reason AIDS is still one of the most life-threatening diseases for which there is neither a cure, nor vaccination. Therefore, protection against HIV / AIDS is essential, even if the face of AIDS has changed today.
It is for these reasons that the BZgA announces its Europe-wide call for submissions to the European AIDS Video Clip Contest "clip & klar europe 09".
Since 1987, Germany has been active in campaigning in the fight against HIV/AIDS, both in European and international sectors.
All entries will be shown on the website www.hivisible.euTV and Video
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Friday, 20 March 2009
Zattoo takes BBC Alba online to the Highlands and Islands ahead of BBC
BBC Alba, the Gaelic channel, goes live online today for the first time, thanks to Zattoo. BBC Alba is a digital TV channel broadcasting Gaelic programmes daily from 1700-2330.
Zattoo beats the BBC in putting the channel fully live online. Until now it has only been available on digital satellite: Freeview carriage is subject to review by the BBC Trust in 2010.
Alex Guest, Country Manager UK for Zattoo, says: “There are people in Scotland who are unable to receive BBC Alba because they don’t have satellite receivers. Licence fee money is being invested in this channel but it has not been reaching all of the interested audiences. We were approached by representatives of these communities asking us to put the channel online. So Zattoo is happy to assist the BBC in delivering on its public service commitments at no additional cost to the licence fee payer.”
Zattoo is uniquely positioned to take part in the delivery of public service broadcasting to communities around the UK, through its online TV infrastructure. It is Zattoo’s intention to do all it can to give diverse local communities access to the content that is intended for them.
What is Zattoo?
Zattoo is an online TV player. Users download the player from http://zattoo.com and can watch live TV from the top broadcasters on their computers within minutes. The Zattoo player is available for all current operating systems (Windows XP and Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux). Just add broadband.
http://zattoo.com
Zattoo beats the BBC in putting the channel fully live online. Until now it has only been available on digital satellite: Freeview carriage is subject to review by the BBC Trust in 2010.
Alex Guest, Country Manager UK for Zattoo, says: “There are people in Scotland who are unable to receive BBC Alba because they don’t have satellite receivers. Licence fee money is being invested in this channel but it has not been reaching all of the interested audiences. We were approached by representatives of these communities asking us to put the channel online. So Zattoo is happy to assist the BBC in delivering on its public service commitments at no additional cost to the licence fee payer.”
Zattoo is uniquely positioned to take part in the delivery of public service broadcasting to communities around the UK, through its online TV infrastructure. It is Zattoo’s intention to do all it can to give diverse local communities access to the content that is intended for them.
What is Zattoo?
Zattoo is an online TV player. Users download the player from http://zattoo.com and can watch live TV from the top broadcasters on their computers within minutes. The Zattoo player is available for all current operating systems (Windows XP and Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux). Just add broadband.
http://zattoo.com
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Russian Broadcaster National Satellite Company Boosts Capacity On Eutelsat's EUROBIRD™ 9 Satellite For New Digital Package
Following on from the successful launch in 2008 of Platforma HD on the EUROBIRD™ 9 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), the Russian pay-TV operator National Satellite Company is complementing and significantly expanding its offer with a new package called Platforma DV of 20 Standard Digital channels. Platforma DV will launch on February 1 via a second transponder leased by National Satellite Company on Eutelsat's EUROBIRD™ 9 satellite, which provides reach to satellite homes across the European territory of Russia.
The 20 Standard Digital channels will include flagship Russian channels covering sport, music, cinema, news and lifestyle: Rossija, Sport, Vesti, Kultura, Bibigon, Pervyj, Pjatyj, NTV, TNT, STS, Ren TV, Muz TV, Zoo TV, Kinopokaz, Teleputesestvija, Tonus TV, Avto Plus, Kuchnja TV, Komedija TV and 365 Days. The new platform will be available to Direct-to-Home subscribers using 60-90cm antennas in western parts of Russia. Platforma DV will cost subscribers R900 (€20) a year and offer a supplement to Platforma HD, which broadcasts five HD channels (Kinopokaz HD, Eurosport, National Geographic Channel, HD Life and MTVN HD) for an annual subscription of R3,600 (€80). Subscribers choosing to take both SD and HD packages will pay R4,200 (€93) a year.
Platforma HD and DV use DRE encryption for the system. Two types of decoder are available (the HUMAX HDCI-2000 and General Satellite's HD-9000) enabling reception of channels in DVB-S2, Standard Definition and in High-Definition.
Commenting on the launch of Platforma DV, Konstantin Yashin, Chairman of Platforma HD declared: "With the launch of our new package, subscribers already attracted by High-Definition television can add a valuable set of traditional Standard Digital channels offering excellent quality."
Olivier Milliès-Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director added: "The launch of Platform DV as a complement to Platforma HD shows the strong appetite of Russian satellite homes for a wide variety of content and further anchors EUROBIRD™ 9 as a neighbourhood of choice in this region. We are very pleased to accompany the expansion of new video platforms in Russia's dynamic new media landscape."
The 20 Standard Digital channels will include flagship Russian channels covering sport, music, cinema, news and lifestyle: Rossija, Sport, Vesti, Kultura, Bibigon, Pervyj, Pjatyj, NTV, TNT, STS, Ren TV, Muz TV, Zoo TV, Kinopokaz, Teleputesestvija, Tonus TV, Avto Plus, Kuchnja TV, Komedija TV and 365 Days. The new platform will be available to Direct-to-Home subscribers using 60-90cm antennas in western parts of Russia. Platforma DV will cost subscribers R900 (€20) a year and offer a supplement to Platforma HD, which broadcasts five HD channels (Kinopokaz HD, Eurosport, National Geographic Channel, HD Life and MTVN HD) for an annual subscription of R3,600 (€80). Subscribers choosing to take both SD and HD packages will pay R4,200 (€93) a year.
Platforma HD and DV use DRE encryption for the system. Two types of decoder are available (the HUMAX HDCI-2000 and General Satellite's HD-9000) enabling reception of channels in DVB-S2, Standard Definition and in High-Definition.
Commenting on the launch of Platforma DV, Konstantin Yashin, Chairman of Platforma HD declared: "With the launch of our new package, subscribers already attracted by High-Definition television can add a valuable set of traditional Standard Digital channels offering excellent quality."
Olivier Milliès-Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director added: "The launch of Platform DV as a complement to Platforma HD shows the strong appetite of Russian satellite homes for a wide variety of content and further anchors EUROBIRD™ 9 as a neighbourhood of choice in this region. We are very pleased to accompany the expansion of new video platforms in Russia's dynamic new media landscape."
Saturday, 24 January 2009
The Vatican On YouTube
The Vatican has launched its own Channel on YouTubeTM, the world's leading online video community. The Channel, available at www.youtube.com/vatican, will broadcast short video news clips updated daily on the Pope's activities and what's happening at the Vatican, with audio and text in English, Spanish, German and Italian. The Channel made its debut during a press conference at the Press Room of the Holy See, in Rome on the morning of Friday, January 23rd.
At launch, the Channel will contain some clips of Pope Benedict XVI, in particular on the Christmas Message and Blessing and on January 1st celebration of the World Peace Day, and about new technologies in social communication, the theme he choose for this year’s Catholic Church World Social Communication Day.
The motto for the day this year is "New technologies, new relationships: promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship", as explained by Mons. Claudio M. Celli, President of the Pontifical Council of Social Communication, while presenting the "Message" of Pope Benedict XVI for this Day.
At launch, the Channel will contain some clips of Pope Benedict XVI, in particular on the Christmas Message and Blessing and on January 1st celebration of the World Peace Day, and about new technologies in social communication, the theme he choose for this year’s Catholic Church World Social Communication Day.
The motto for the day this year is "New technologies, new relationships: promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship", as explained by Mons. Claudio M. Celli, President of the Pontifical Council of Social Communication, while presenting the "Message" of Pope Benedict XVI for this Day.
The Catholic Church has ancient roots but it is convinced of its ability to express words that are still important and relevant in today's world, using language and communications technologies of today's world.
Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Press Room, Television Center and Vatican Radio, contends that the launch of the Vatican Channel on YouTube is a real and tangible example of the Church's commitment in the field of new technologies, to reach out to a global audience without regard for nationality or culture.
The Channel is expected to help establish relationships with Catholics from around the world, who will have easier access to updated information on what's happening in their Church, as well as with people of different beliefs or religions, who can turn to an authoritative source to understand what messages the Pope is sending to humanity today.
Henrique de Castro, Managing Director of European Sales and Media Solutions, YouTube, said: "YouTube is a communications platform open to all, where users, institutions and content producers come together in a global meeting place. We are honoured that the Vatican has chosen to use the site to communicate with people across the world, and delighted that our community will have access to the words of the Pope on some of the most important issues facing the world today."
The video news clips will be up to 2 minutes long and will be produced every day, based on what's happening at the Vatican, with footage provided by the Vatican Television Centre (CTV) in conjunction with journalists and the web team of Vatican Radio (RV).
For the translation in the different languages made available, CTV-RV is working with h2onews.org, a Catholic news service that focuses on the life of the Church, which in turn works with worldwide Catholic television stations and information agencies. H2onews will also be opening its own Channel on YouTube, dedicated to video news on the Catholic Church around the world.
The concept of social communication developed by the Catholic Church is based on extensive cooperation and incorporation of many views, not only from the Vatican, but also local churches and other initiatives, which thrive in the Catholic world. The Pontifical Council for Social Communication acts a guide and promoter in this partnership.
The daily feed from the Vatican is made up of short video clips of current events. In the future, YouTube is a likely arena for disseminating broader contributions (i.e., video clips of events with natural sound).
Friday, 9 January 2009
Hostelworld.com's competition winning video!
Www.Hostelworld.com are the largest online provider of hostels with over 18,000 hostels in 170 countries around the world. Hostels are experiencing a major resurgence at the moment with people looking for ways to save money on their holiday.
Hostelworld recently ran a competition among their customers to find the a video that best summed up the experience of travelling and backpacking in particular. The winner has just been chosen as Grace Conlan from Australia.
The result is a light hearted look at what makes backpacking the choice of so many young people leaving school or University.
Teliris InterACT TouchTable
Teliris, the market leader in Telepresence, recently launched its incredible InterACT touch surface technology. This technology is unique to the world of telepresence systems and features a number of innovative additions that allow users to digitise, manipulate, edit and share documents in real time. Telepresence systems are allowing professionals in a number of fields to collaborate effectively without the need for travel and this new addition brings the virtual meeting experience as close to the real thing as it has ever been. To get this message across to people who have never seen these systems in action, Teliris has recently released the following video demonstration of the Teliris InterACT TouchTable by CEO Marc Trachtenberg
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Government consults on proposals to reduce Sky stake in ITV
Competition Minister Gareth Thomas today published for consultation draft statutory undertakings which, if accepted, would require Sky (British Sky Broadcasting Group plc) to divest a proportion of its shares in ITV.
In January 2008, the Secretary of State announced his decision that Sky's shareholding in ITV should be reduced in order to remedy the substantial lessening of competition the Competition Commission had found arose from Sky acquiring 17.9 per cent of ITV shares.
The undertakings would require Sky to:Divest shares in ITV to a level below 7.5 per cent;
- Agree not to sell shares to persons associated with Sky/News Corporation;
- Agree not to seek or accept representation on the ITV Board; and
- Agree not to reacquire shares in ITV.
Following the Secretary of State's announcement, Sky has sought to appeal the decision via the Competition Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal. The Department for Business is today commencing the necessary consultation on these draft undertakings to ensure swift implementation of the remedies should the Secretary of State's decision be upheld by the Court.
The Department is inviting interested parties to submit views on the draft undertakings by Friday 23 January 2009.
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