The third chapter of the Corporate Challenger Quiz organised by ESPN Star Sports took place last night in Mumbai. Earlier this month the event took place in Delhi and Bangalore.

The well attended affair was bubbly thanks in no small part to the compere Charu Sharma who made sure things moved along smoothly. However at the end of nearly four hours, three teams were tied with 90 points. It finally came down to a couple of questions. Jeet and Malavika Banerjee of Gameplan, a company with huge sporting connections, ran out the winners by a whisker with 110 points, Infosys Pune (100) took second spot while HSBC (95) came in third.

Introducing the show,Manu Sawhney, managing director, ESPN Software, said Corporate Challenger Quiz was a natural extension of the School Quiz Olympiad started a couple of years ago which now covers 2000 schools in 23 cities. ESPN was committed to promoting excellence in sports both physical and intellectual, he said. Sawhney also said that the channel would take the initiative forward by taking the show on air next year and so more companies will send in their entries.

With two participants making up a team representing their company, the quiz began with a written test for all the 49 participating teams. Based on the number of correct answers, six teams (Gameplan, HSBC, Infosys Pune, Phillips, NSE and Cadbury India) qualified to participate in the finals. The six teams went through 10 rounds before the winners were decided.

Next year UK broadcaster BBC will launch the connecting-with-consumers digital campaign. This will go along with its launch of eight new digital TV and radio services.

This follows the British government?s approval in September of five new digital radio networks and three new television services from the BBC.

The theme of the campaign is "Everyone?s BBC: connecting with our audiences". It aims to educate consumers about the tremendous advantages a digital world will give them not only on the tube but also on the airwaves. The campaign will let people know how digital TV and radio can add value to their lives. The BBC is aiming at helping people adapt to the digital way of life according to their convenience. Research has shown that consumers are concerned more about digital content in terms of the channels and programmes. Technology, the platforms or equipment to receive them takes a backseat.

The television campaign will draw attention to BBC?s new high quality digital programmes and channels. In addition there will be a major fulfilment programme consisting of phoneline, website and new literature. This will help explain to the consumer in layman jargon information about platforms, equipment and how to access digital TV. The BBC has also roped in retailers and manufacturers to keep consumers up to speed with the latest developments.

The three new digital TV channels BBC 4, CBBC and CBeeBies are free to air digital feeds. BBC 4 aims at promoting culture by having shows on arts, science, history, and current affairs. CBBC is meant for teenagers, It will include a live interactive magazine programme, online communities and clubs. There will also be a daily news service. CBeeBies is targetted at pre-schoolers. It will showcase live-action and puppet-based series and new landmark commissions alongside Tweenies and Teletubbies.

One of the new digital Radio networks is Asian Network which is the country?s first-ever national radio network for Asian communities.

The BBC in a release says that it wants to encourage the availability of long term, sustainable non-subscription options - and affordable equipment to receive them. For this to happen it needs the support of the Government, regulation bodies and other industry players.

Andy Duncan, the BBC?s Director of Marketing and Communication made these remarks. "The launch of the BBC?s new digital TV and radio services is a major opportunity for the BBC to connect with consumers in 2002." The communications challenge is substantial but the BBC has a great opportunity to help simplify the confusion for people and present them with a compelling proposition based on our new and enhanced programmes and channels."

Grab your opportunities with both hands. That?s exactly what the recently launched Star Vijay TV appears to have succeeded in doing in its bid to give a run for its money to lead (by a long way) Tamil language regional language Sun TV.

When Vijay TV launched on 1 October, programming pivoted around one blockbuster serial - Marumugal, with filmstar Kushboo making her small screen debut. According to Star Vijay, that effort has paid off.

Marumugal now occupies the number one slot among the top 50 shows during prime time, in the SEC A & B homes in Tamil Nadu, an official release says, quoting the latest market research agency ORG MARG?s INTAM report (26 November -1 December).

It obviously helped that Sun TV?s top serial Chiththi ended its record shattering run recently. But then that?s what taking your chances requires. Kaveri, the show that replaced Chiththi, has not managed to bring in the numbers inspite of also having a film actress - Madhu - playing the central role.

Star Vijay also claims to be the fastest-growing channel in terms of viewership in the SEC A and B segments, which account for 26 per cent of cable and satellite homes in the state. The prime time share for Vijay in the SEC A&B segment has grown to 8.2 per cent (Nov. 2001) compared with 6.8 per cent in the previous month.

According to the report, 41 of the top 50 programmes belong to Sun TV in the prime time band. Across time bands, however, Sun has an even bigger hold on the top 50. Forty-five of its shows, including the top slot (Swayam Waram), is taken by Sun shows.