Category Archives: ET

Etc., TV

Entertainment the DTH way…

Couch potatoes all over India and south-east asia, will sure have a field day as DTH segment has a new player. Tata-Sky (a joint venture between Tata and Star TV) hits the markets with its DTH platform, ending the two-year monopoly of Subhash Chandra’s Dish TV (which has 1.3 million subscribers in the private DTH platform space, so far restricted to non-metros).

The direct to home (DTH) format is to leverage its superior technology and woo away discerning customers from cable. Apart from appealing to the quality conscious, Dish TV is all set to throw in a few goodies to the cricket fanatics. Come September, Zee Sports will beam the cricket tri-series in Singapore (where India is playing) with an array of choices. The viewer can choose the camera angle to see his favourite batsman or bowler, get player statistics at a press of a button, or listen to commentary in a choice of six languages. All this at no extra cost to Dish TV customers — which could become a major selling point.

The local cablewallah is in for a tough battle to keep his strangle-hold on the last mile, while the customer has every reason to smile.

More at Business Standard Online

Related links
 Wikipedia
 DTH Market
 

Etc., Movies

Hollywood Stock Exchange

In Night at the Museum, Ben Stiller plays a bumbling security guard who accidentally unleashes an ancient curse that brings to life all the statues and preserved animals in the American Museum of Natural History, wreaking havoc on New York City. Going by the data from Hollywood Stock Exchange, this movie slated for Thanksgiving release, is projected to bring in $215 million for 20th Century Fox, the highest box office receipts for any film released during the critical holiday season.

The exchange was founded by two men, one who worked in financial services and the other an economist, who both loved movies. HSX gives traders just enough information to be able to play the market. But it collects a great deal more data and uses sophisticated models to project the demographic makeup of a movie audience. It can tell if a certain film will appeal to men in the 18 to 34 age group or whether it will play well with women over 35.

Related links
 Hollywood Stock Exchange 
 Businessweek article
 Wikipedia
 

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

The Angrez

There is something about Hyderabad which every Hyderabadi feels strongly about and misses its flavor, specially when he is away. There could be many things contributing to this unique flavor…Biryani, irani chai, Charminar, the inimitable slang with which every word is served, being some of them.

‘The Angrez’ does a good a job of presenting as many things as possible and showcases the Hyderabadi flavor. Infact, it does such a good job that it becomes difficult to enjoy the entire movie, if you are not a die-hard Hyderabadi yourself.

Now, to analyse the story or the discuss the craft of the film would be a gross injustice to the spirit of this film. However, there is enough material to keep you interested for the entire duration aided by adequate technique. There are good performances from the lead cast, with the ‘old city’ gang standing out.

Overall, it is a must see for every Hyderabadi.

And, if you take a leaf out of ‘Salim Pekhu’ ways, at the end of the movie, you will sure say ‘The hyderabadi flavor is so strong that you could smell the biryani and irani chai while watching ‘The Angrez’.’:-)

Final word: You will like it better if had no ‘Hyderabad Blues’ hangover.