Daily News Snippets: Tue 16th August
B4U Music re-launches interactive slot
B4U UK will be re-launching its interactive music slots in September. The daily two-hour slots left our screens in June for a revamp. Channel officials have confirmed that B4U Hum, Vibe and Toxic as the programmes were known will be making a comeback next month.
New Shweta in Piya Ka Ghar
In yet another game of musical chairs on the small screen, Smita Bansal has made way for Sonia Kapoor on ZEE TV?s daily Piya Ka Ghar. From what we hear, Bansal bid goodbye to the serial as she didn?t want to play the role of a mother and had no interest in continuing on the show given the current storyline. Replacing Smita in the role of Shweta is Sonia Kapoor who also plays the role of Sonia Ray in Star One?s Remix. She?s also done a cameo on ZEE TV?s Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. She?s excited about the part. ?I started shooting today and I think it?s a great role to perform. I don?t know about the issues Smita had with the role but I am enjoying playing Shweta?, says Kapoor (Source: Mid-Day).
ZEE Network to release animated movie
ZEE Network will be releasing a new animation love-story with Milind Suman and Tabu in lead roles. Bhaggmati – The Queen Of Fortunes will be releasing in India on 26th August, with an international release penned in for later this year. “At present, we are in talks with various players. We are very close to a deal and the film will have its international release probably one week after the India release,” ZEE Telefilms vice president Ashish Kaul said. The 2 hour and 40 minute film is written and directed by the National Award winner Ashok Kaul. Bhaggmati will be shown on ZEE TV next year.
Sony sees ratings climb for Fame Gurukul
After lagging behind in the ratings, Sony Entertainment Television Asia has now reason to smile with Fame Gurukul registering a decent run of late. Aired at 20:30-21:00 in India, the show has moved up from its debut rating of 1.4 TVR in week 27 to 2.2 TVR in week 32 according to TAM data. This is still far below industry expectations. But the slot was clocking an average rating of 0.8 TVR prior to the launch of the show (Source: IndianTelevision).
