MUMBAI: The UK pubcaster the BBC‘s children‘s channel CBeebies is bringing old friends and a new feel to its early evening schedule for the Autumn, with the return of ‘The Adventures Of Abney & Teal‘, ‘64 Zoo Lane‘ and ‘Waybuloo‘. And for the first time, the new-look Bedtime Hour will see different schedules on weekday evenings (Sunday-Thursday) and weekend evenings (Fridays and Saturdays).

From 28 October, new episodes of ‘The Adventures of Abney and Teal‘ will be seen at 6 pm, taking young viewers off to the island in the middle of the lake where Abney & Teal live, for some animated adventures with their friends. Then at 6.10pm, it‘s time to join Lucy in ‘64 Zoo Lane‘ as she goes on some magical night-time exploits with the animals living at the zoo near her house. The regular bedtime programming of ‘In The Night Garden‘ and ‘The Bedtime Story‘ will remain in their slots to draw the early evening schedule to a close.

Then, as the weekend approaches, the popular Piplings return to the Bedtime Hour on 2 November. This series of shorter episodes of ‘Waybuloo‘ will be seen every Friday and Saturday after ‘The Adventures of Abney and Teal‘ at 6.10 pm, taking children on a journey into the world of Nara where the Piplings practice their unique Yogo moves, helping little ones wind down.

CBeebies controller Kay Benbow said, "The Bedtime Hour is a particularly important part of CBeebies programming and we are always looking at ways to refresh the schedule and keep it interesting and engaging.

"We recognise that families‘ routines often vary on weekdays and weekends so we wanted to try something a little different with our schedules to reflect this. It also allows us to include more programmes in The Bedtime Hour so that all of our young viewers have the chance to watch their favourite shows as they settle down for bedtime."

Fans of current bedtime shows ‘Charlie and Lola‘ will still be able to catch up with the popular show every day from 29 October.

And, as ever, parents and children can catch up with their favourite programmes at any time through the CBeebies iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbeebies

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has signed a new contract for audience analysis and reporting with Television Research Partnership Ltd (TRP Ltd) after a nine-month procurement process.

The contract covers the bulk of the BBC‘s audience analysis and reporting needs across television, radio and online. This includes a wide range of television overnight reports based on BARB (Broadcasters‘ Audience Research Board) data, extensive quarterly RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research) reporting and analysis of BBC online usage using the BBC‘s own iStats system, and reporting on the BBC‘s own tracking studies and panels.

The new contract will commence in January 2013 and initially last for two years, with the provision to extend up to a further two years.

In addition to the main contract with TRP Ltd, BBC Audiences has also entered into a framework agreement with five data analysis agencies that will be able to compete for significant ad hoc data analysis requirements that fall outside the main contract. The agencies in the framework are TRP Ltd, Terrington and Company, GfK NOP, Attentional Ltd and Digital-i Ltd.

BBC head of audiences James Holden said, "This contract and framework is hugely important for BBC Audiences. Having accurate, timely and insightful reporting and data analysis is the bedrock of keeping in touch with how our audiences are behaving in an increasingly complex world.

"Through the procurement process TRP demonstrated the skill, experience and commitment that we need to carry forward this important task and we very much look forward to continuing to work with them in future. We also welcome the opportunity to work with the other agencies in the framework."

MUMBAI: BBC has announced that Sam Taylor is to lead its news channel.

The editorial and creative leader of the BBC‘s move into a new HD ready digital newsroom was appointed BBC News Channel, BBC News at One controller.

The BBC News Channel is a 24-hour rolling news service available on Freeview, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and online via the BBC News website, mobile services and on tablets. It was first launched in November 1997 as BBC News 24.

The BBC News Channel is the BBC‘s flagship continuous news channel, reporting on breaking news and the main stories of the day. It shows the main BBC One bulletins at 1 pm, 6 pm and 10 pm, as well as BBC Breakfast. There are headlines on the hour as well as UK and foreign news, sport, business news and weather.

Taylor joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1997, and has worked as a producer and editor on the BBC News Channel, before becoming editor of BBC News at One and editor of BBC Newswire, the Corporation‘s multimedia internal news service.

As an output editor on BBC One bulletins, he helped shape the BBC‘s coverage of some of the biggest stories of recent years - 7/7, the London Olympic Bid, the 2005 election and the death of Dr David Kelly. Most recently he has been responsible for the design and delivery of the BBC‘s plan to move its newsrooms from Television Centre and Bush House into one building at New Broadcasting House (NBH), and has led the development of BBC News output on social media.

The BBC adds that his track record in television news combined with a deep expertise in digital news media mean he is very well placed to lead the News Channel, and take forward its role at the heart of the BBC‘s live and breaking news services on all platforms.

BBC Newsroom head Mary Hockaday said, "This was a competition with high quality candidates. Sam won out because he has great news judgement in line with BBC News editorial values and a real sense of the channel‘s strengths and how to build on them. He takes a creative approach to leadership combined with great integrity. A real track record in covering hard news takes nerves of steel. Having clear strategic vision and knowledge of the new media landscape takes intellect and editorial flair. Sam combines all these qualities. He is a creative leader with his feet on the ground.‘‘

BBC News Group director Helen Boaden said, "The channel is vital to the success and credibility of BBC News; Sam‘s creative flair, digital savvy and editorial experience make him the ideal Controller at a time of great change" Taylor said, "I am delighted to take on this role. The BBC News Channel has been part of my life since its launch 15 years ago. I‘m taking over a channel that in the past few years has become the clear market leader, and is more respected and widely available than ever before. I‘m looking forward to taking the channel and its very strong team into New Broadcasting House where not only will we have a fantastic new studio, we will also be able to work even more closely with colleagues across the BBC - and ensure that our audience gets the very best live, breaking and developing journalism, wherever and whenever they want it."

He will take up his role later in the month.

MUMBAI: Anshuman Misra has quit Turner International Asia Pacific as SVP and MD of Networks and Content Distribution to embark on his next career move, the company announced.

Hong Kong-based Misra, who had spent almost 14 years with Turner in Asia, has resigned from his position with effect from 12 October .

Commenting on Misra?s resignation, Turner International Asia Pacific President and MD Steve Marcopoto said, "On behalf of everyone at Turner in Asia, I?d like to thank Anshuman for his significant contribution to the company?s success since 1998. He has been a first class colleague and trusted business partner throughout and we wish him every success in the next stage of his career."

Misra commented, "After working without a real break for more than two decades, I look forward to taking a few months off before I start the next chapter of my work life. I hope it?s as exciting as the time I?ve had with Turner. I want to thank everyone at Turner for all the support and camaraderie. I walk out of the company very satisfied but also sad to leave such a great bunch of people."

Prior to joining Turner, Misra was General Manager, BBC World (India) where he managed the distribution and sales of the news & current affairs channel.

Before joining BBC, Misra was with Turner Broadcasting System in Atlanta in the licensing and merchandising division, Turner Home Entertainment (THE) and in 1994 he moved to New Delhi to establish Turner Home Entertainment in India.

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has secured a deal with Emirates to launch CBeebies as the airline?s first-ever branded channel targeting children aged six and under. Loved by children and their carers the world over, CBeebies offers programmes which encourage the BBC?s youngest audiences to learn through play in a consistently safe environment.

From 1 November 2012, Emirates will feature CBeebies showing a selection of shows like ?Charlie and Lola? and ?Nina and the Neurons?. The CBeebies channel on Emirates will also be home to several titles developed by the BBC and BBC Worldwide for the international CBeebies television network, including ?Andy?s Wild Adventures?, ?Baby Jake? and ?Mr Bloom?s Nursery?.

The dedicated CBeebies branded channel on Emirates compliments additional programming from the BBC, such as ?Sherlock? starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the documentary series ?Frozen Planet?, narrated by naturalist Sir David Attenborough, and classic comedy series ?Absolutely Fabulous? and ?Fawlty Towers?. Also available on Emirates is the BBC?s Live Text News and Sport service, which has kept passengers up to date for almost a decade.

BBC Worldwide Channels senior VP, GM Europe, Midddle East and Africa Ian McDonough said, "As a company, we are committed to serving our international audiences - both young and old - with the best British content across a range of media platforms. This CBeebies branded channel on Emirates will keep young fans entertained and bring yet more children on a journey of learning and discovery."

The deal was brokered by BBC Worldwide Channels Travel Distribution Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa Zina Neophytou,.

She said, "We?re delighted to partner with Emirates Airline to bring the BBC?s flagship preschool brand CBeebies to its in-flight entertainment system, ice. We have worked closely with Emirates to tailor the new channel to complement their existing entertainment offering. With such a vast range of quality content available from BBC Worldwide, we welcome opportunities to forge partnerships in the travel space to create bespoke channel environments which reflect our international portfolio - CBeebies, as well as BBC Knowledge, BBC HD, BBC Entertainment and BBC Lifestyle."

Emirates VP corporate communications product, publishing, digital and events Patrick Brannelly said, "Emirates believes that providing the best in in-flight entertainment is one of the key factors in a successful flight and we continuously invest in expanding our offering to our passengers.

"Building upon the large selection of children?s TV channels already onboard, adding the dedicated CBeebies channel is just another example of how Emirates meets the needs of our passengers - be they young in age or young at heart."