After celebrating business excellence through awards and featuring seasoned veterans of the business world, CNBC India now targets the whiz kids who are making it big in corporate India.

A new show called Young Turks goes on air on the business channel tonight. The series, a half-hour weekly show, will analyse the factors contributing to the success of the corporate climbers. It will celebrate the achievements of a whole new business generation and the culture of change that is being represented by them, says the channel.

Every week, the serial will profile two personalities, either young managers in highly influential positions in Indian corporates, or young entrepreneurs who have successfully implemented their ideas in real life.

The show airs on Tuesdays at 8:30 pm with repeat telecasts on Saturdays at 8:30 pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm.

The Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2002 may still be awaiting clearance by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), but the wheels are moving in other areas.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a set of specifications as regards the analog set top box that is the cornerstone of the roll out of the proposed conditional access system.

This specifies the performance parameters for analog set top boxes to be used by subscribers for viewing pay channels through the cable distribution system.

The second part of the six-page report outlines the specifications for digital set tops.

The systems - both analog and digital - are primarily intended for sound and television signals operating between 30 MHz and 1 GHz.

On the issue of subscriber management systems, which is one that has particularly worried broadcasters, the document states: "Operators free to choose but it should ensure consumer interest by efficient responsive and accurate billing and collection. At the same time an arrangement must be made between the broadcaster and the cable operator for access to the relevant data relating to the respective channels for billing purposes."

As far as general requirements go it is stated that: "It should be mandatory for the manufacturer / operator / service provider to declare to the subscriber the capability of the set top box and its inter-operability on other networks so that the subscriber is under no illusion whatsoever regarding the same. The manufacturer should ensure that compatibility / interfacing of set top box with standard consumer electronic goods such as television audio systems and VCRs in the country."

The BIS notification states that all the standards are subject to revision and invites comments on the issue on or before 15 June.

Click here for link to full draft of the set top box specifications put up on the Bureau of Indian Standards website.

MUMBAI: Seems like reality has finally come of age in India. While media might have pooh-poohed AXN‘s Hot ‘n Wild contest as yet another beauty pageant, the action adventure channel may just be having the last laugh.

Embarking on their second biggest local production, a hybrid version of Who Dares Wins and Fear Factor, AXN is all set to begin shooting forExtreme Dhamaka from 21 September.

The channel has stated that the two lucky winners of Hot ‘n Wild contest will get a chance to host Extreme Dhamaka. The contest is scheduled to be held on 20 September in Mumbai.

The channel has roped in ex-Australian cricketer and screen icon Mike Whitney and the Aussie model-cum-actress Tania Zaetta for its Extreme Dhamaka venture too. The two contest winners will host alongside these celebrities. It will pave the way for the biggest on-ground action and adventure initiative that India has ever seen, says a company release.

Taking a cue from the success of last year‘s AXN Who Dares Wins-India Special, which saw a large number of entries, the channel decided to launch the long awaited reality show, the release states.

Zaetta who was the host of Who Dares Wins for eight years, will be among the judges at the at the grand finals of Hot ‘n Wild contest.

Speaking about the venture, AXN‘s assistant vice president (marketing and sales), India, Rohit Bhandari says, "We have been realizing the growing popularity of adventure shows in India, more so since the launch on Fear Factor here. With the response that we received for Who dares Wins last year, we realized that India is finally prepared for a dare show."

More on executive movements in television land. Prashant Sanwal, former vice-president SET MAX, and till recently one of the four directors on the as yet stillborn MAK (Manoranjan, Aur Kya) Network, has joined Subhash Chandra‘s Zee Group.
Sanwal took charge yesterday as director of all Zee‘s regional language Alpha channels and will report to Sandeep Goyal, group broadcasting CEO, Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL).

With the I&B ministry‘s clearance, ZTL has received permission to uplink 10 channels from India through the teleport of Essel Shyam Communication Ltd at Noida.