MUMBAI: TV networks in the US, Fox, NBC Universal and CBS, have separately sued satellite broadcaster Dish Network to battle the latter?s ad-skipping DVR service AutoHop service that allows consumers to skip television ads.

At the same time, Dish has taken a step to protect its new service by filing a lawsuit against Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC, although ABC has not sued Dish. The network provider sought a "declaratory judgment" that its AutoHop feature is legal arguing, "viewers have been skipping commercials since the advent of the remote control."

Since 10 May, Dish has been advertising a digital video recorder service called ?Primetime Anytime? that gives consumers access to the last eight days of prime-time programming from the four major broadcast networks - ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox - sans the commercials.

Fox released a statement saying that Dish?s service may "destroy the fundamental underpinnings of the broadcast television ecosystem." It added that the wrongheaded decision requires Fox to take swift action in order to aggressively defend the future of free, over-the-air television.

NBC also released a statement explaining that advertisements generate the revenue that makes it possible for local broadcast stations and national broadcast networks to pay for the creation of the news, sports and entertainment programming. The statement further said that Dish did not have the "authority to tamper" with the ads from broadcast replays on a "wholesale basis for its own economic and commercial advantage".

According to CBS, this service takes existing network content and modifies it in a manner that is "unauthorized" and "illegal" making it a clear violation of copyright law.

According to TV ratings and research provider Nielsen, about 40 per cent of the 115 million television households in the US have a DVR. About 8.4 per cent of all TV viewing among adults aged 18 to 34 last year constituted watching programs on DVR which is an increase from about 7.9 per cent in 2010.

MUMBAI: Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra has announced the creation of a $250 million content development, production, co-production and acquisition fund for Veria Living, the network devoted to showcasing wellness programming and related content across multiple media platforms.

Chandra said that the establishment of the $250 million fund is yet another step in Zee Groups? strategic five-year plan to further expand Veria Living?s presence in the US and beyond as the go-to-source for all things health and wellness.

?We are firmly committed to growing the Veria brand across television, Internet, mobile and OTT platforms. By focusing on original content development and production we?re not only looking to build a broad US audience for Veria Living, but also setting the table for the expansion of the brand globally over the next couple of years,? he said.

Veria Living claims of offering the world?s largest line-up of first-run, original programming ? connecting viewers in a contemporary and accessible manner to the benefits and joys of living a healthy lifestyle.

The New York-headquartered Veria Living television network is available throughout the US on Dish Network, Verizon FiOS and Frontier Communications subscribers.

Veria.com, the website, complements the network by extending the Veria Living philosophy through online recipes and nutrition, holistic health tips, body-mind conditioning and all-natural products.

The news comes on the heels of Veria?s recent announcement regarding its new primetime programming line-up, launch of its new comprehensive website (www.Veria.com) and rebranding as Veria Living scheduled for a January 2012 premiere. The network also recently unveiled a new lifecycle logo combining Eastern influence with Western design (sunshine yellow and tangerine orange) and its new tagline ? ?Go Well?.

Veria Living and Zee TV suite of Indian language channels are managed in the US by Asia TV USA and overseen by its CEO Suresh Bala Iyer. Iyer said, ?We not only want to appeal to our core 35-44 Adult and 25-54 Women demos, but to all Americans who are looking to lead healthier lives. Veria Living helps them to achieve this by passionately advocating for quality and vitality of life by following proven wellness and nutritional activities. This fund will go a long way towards helping us to achieve our goals while creating the most entertaining content possible that fits our mission.?

Chandra founded Veria as way to promote wellness to the West, was in New York to receive the 2011 International Emmy Directorate Award.

MUMBAI: US sports broadcaster One World Sports (OWS), which showcases Asian sports for American viewers, has signed an agreement with World Sport Group (WSG) to distribute Asian soccer qualification matches for next year?s London 2012 games on a multi-media basis in North America.

OWS will present live and same-day coverage from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Qualifiers for both the men and women?s tournaments in English for select matches.

OWS COO Preston Bornman said, "The AFC Asian Qualifiers multi-platform rights are on strategy with the long-term commitment of One World Sports to deliver Asia?s best soccer events live to U.S. sports fans on any device. Exclusive coverage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers is a natural follow-up to the American response to the Women?s World Cup, and we expect the men and women?s Asian qualifying matches to generate great interest among US soccer and sports fans, particularly among the Asian population."

The acquisition of the AFC Asian Qualifiers follows the success of OWS? live and exclusive exhibition of the 32-game AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 in the US and the ongoing 2011 AFC Champions League, the region?s premier club competition. The AFC Champions League and the AFC Asian Qualifiers as well as other top soccer events from Asia are on OWS, which is now available on Dish Network and local cable.

World Sport Group president Asean and Australia Mark Hardess said, "One World Sports is doing an outstanding job introducing the US to Asian soccer. World Sport Group is excited to expand our relationship with One World Sports to include the AFC Asian Qualifiers and to extend our partners? broadcast reach to U.S. fans.

Soccer fans in the United States can now follow the exciting year-long build-up to next year?s games in London."

The AFC Asian Qualifiers begin from 1 September 2011 with the Women?s Final Qualification Round featuring Fifa Women?s World Cup champions Japan and Thailand. The round also includes teams from Australia, Korea Republic, Democratic People?s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China in matches being held on 3, 5 and 8 September.

The Men?s third round of the Asian Qualifiers begins on 21 September. This round comprises 12 of the region?s top teams including Japan, Australia, Korea, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The first day?s matches feature Australia and the United Arab Emirates, followed by Japan versus Malaysia.