• Septuagenarian Murdoch becomes proud papa

    Submitted by ITV Production on Nov 21, 2001

    You are never too old to be a parent. At least that‘s the message global media baron Rupert Murdoch seems to be sending out to other septuagenarians. The News Corp owner became a father of a nine-pound girl on Monday evening in New York. His third wife Wendi Deng delivered a healthy baby who has since been named Grace Helen, according to media reports.

    Grace Helen Murdoch is Rupert Murdoch‘s fifth child and first through Wendi. His eldest is Prudence MacLeod (38) through first wife Patricia, Elisabeth (33), Lachlan (30), and James Murdoch (28) were born during his 31 year marriage with second wife Anna, who he divorced two years ago surprisingly to marry Wendi who worked within Star TV in Asia.

    Sources indicate that Grace will be handed a stake in News Corp some time in future through Murdoch‘s holding company Cruden Investments.


    The parents at the time of their wedding two years ago
    Pix courtesy: The Guardian, London

    Additionally, Grace is likely to inherit a 10 per cent stake in Cruden held by Rupert‘s mother Dame Elizabeth Murdoch. Cruden Investment‘s holds a 30 per cent stake in News Corp.

    News Corp is run by President & COO Peter Chernin, though Lachlan and James both hold key position in the Murdoch empire. His daughter Elisabeth runs a production house independent of her father‘s media interests, while eldest daughter Prudence also does her own thing.

    This is what she had told AFP a couple of years ago describing her father: "I‘m sure he can be unpleasant, but dad is not evil... he is very fit and very much in control of everybody and he ain‘t going to retire. I can‘t ever see him slowing down."

    Shall we say Amen to that?

  • Septuagenarian Murdoch becomes proud papa

    You are never too old to be a parent.

  • Zee changes programme timings in a bid to improve ratings

    In a bid to find some of that old magic with viewers, Zee TV has once again gone in for a change in its programming s

  • Zee changes programme timings in a bid to improve ratings

    Submitted by ITV Production on Nov 21, 2001

    In a bid to find some of that old magic with viewers, Zee TV has once again gone in for a change in its programming schedule. One show has been pulled off midway, another introduced in its place and existing shows have had their timings changed. Deewane To Deewane Hai has been pulled off air from 14 November and Hip Hip Hurray, earlier telecast on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, will now be shown only on Fridays.
    Aan, a new serial that‘s all about old world traditions, has stepped into the 7:30 pm slot on weekdays from 19 November. Produced by Anand Mahendroo‘s Advance Entertainment, the weekly soap is directed by Sunil Salgia and stars Dimple Inamdar, Ela Bhate and Sushil Johri and has a repeat telecast at 12:30 pm.

    Sarhadein has been shuttled around once again. It has been pulled out of the late night 10:45 pm slot into the 8:00 pm slot from 19 November. Daily soap Ek Tukda Chaand Ka finds itself removed from the prime time slot of 8:00 pm and pushed further back to the 11:00 pm slot.

    Zee Telefilms senior vice president Partha Sinha justifies the move thus: "Ek Tukda Chaand Ka has been forwarded to the 11:00 pm slot, as it is aimed at a more mature audience. Since Sarhadein is doing well we have brought it forward to 8:00 pm."

    Sinha claims that Kohi Apna Sa,Choti Maa - Ek Anokha Bandhan are doing well, Nilaamghar is looking up, and Justajoo and Sansaar are picking up slowly. About its interactive experiment Aap Jo Bole Haan To Haan,Aap Jo Bole Na To Na, Sinha says: "We will be doing something to increase the value of Aap Jo Bole Haan?, but the plans are still on the drawing board."

    The juggling exercise is not new to Zee. Barely two months after its relaunch campaign, the channel shifted three shows in October to increase its audience share. Nilaamghar, hosted by the irrepressible Shekhar Suman, was shifted from the weekend (Saturday-Sunday 7:00 pm) to a weekly slot - Tuesday-Wednesday 10:00 pm, with effect from 16 October. Sarhadein, earlier telecast at 11:00 pm Mondays to Wednesdays, was shifted to 10:45 pm from 15 October.

    At the time, Aap Jo Bole? was cut down from four days a week to two days. Instead of Sundays to Wednesdays, it was telecast only Sunday and Monday from 14 October.

  • ESPN Star Sports spices up 'Super Selector'

    ESPN Star Sports' Super Selector has toughened up the competition for its December line up.

  • CNBC India rolls out Auto Evolution 2001

    Submitted by ITV Production on Nov 20, 2001

    CNBC India is dealing with wheels now.
    The business channel has organised Auto Evolution 2001, a high powered forum for the automobile industry that will bring together leading lights of the auto sector and allied businesses. The theme for the forum, held on 19, 21 and 23 November, is Roadmap to the Future. The meet is a panel discussion led forum and encourages interaction among participants.

    It will seek answers to challenges facing the auto industry and attempt to outline its role in shaping the future of the Indian economy. The meet is being held in New Delhi, Pune and Chennai. Invitees include top brass from auto manufacturing companies, auto finance services, ancillary industries and large auto dealerships to share their perspectives on the auto industry at the Auto Evolution 2001.

    CNBC India, has, in the past year, launched a series of on-ground events that focus on different sectors of the Indian economy, in addition to its wide range of programs on air that bring in-depth business information and analysis.

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