MUMBAI: The Elite Football League of India has roped in Fox SportsCenter?s (ESPN SportsCenter) anchor Kevin
Negandhi to join the Board of Directors of the EFLI.

Negandhi will advise the league with regard to broadcasting issues and opportunities.

EFLI CEO Richard Whelan said, "Having a broadcaster of Kevin?s caliber joining our growing ELFI team - which includes Ron Jaworski, Mike Ditka, Michael Irvin, Kurt Warner, and Brandon Chillar - further confirms our belief in the future success of the league. Kevin?s commitment as a Director and knowledge as an advisor will be invaluable in guiding the EFLI as we continue to grow and gain momentum."

Kevin Negandhi is the first ESPN SportsCenter anchor of Indian descent. The award-winning sports journalist anchors multiple ESPN shows in addition to SportsCenter, including Baseball Tonight, College Basketball Final, College Football Live, ESPNews, First Take and NFL Live. His favorite sport is football. His favorite team is the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I have always dreamed of seeing American style football played in India," said Negandhi. "With the continued growth of the economy in India and the passion the country has for sports, bringing American football to this new fan base will be an energizing experience."

The Elite Football League of India?s second season will kick off ?Live? in November of 2013 and conclude in February of 2014 with a total of eight teams consisting of Indian player and coaches trained by Americans.

MUMBAI: TV producer Dick Clark expired at the age of 82 following a massive heart attack.

The TV producer suffered from a debilitating stroke in 2004 although he continued to make appearances on New Year?s Rockin? Eve.

Dubbed the world?s oldest teenager, Clark had interests in dozens of projects across various media, from books to radio to TV. His contribution to music and television have been virtually unparalleled. American Bandstand was a daily fixture for millions of teens from 1957 to 1989 while his production house Dick Clark Productions still remains a TV production powerhouse.

The production house is probably the medium?s most prolific producer of awards shows including the Golden Globes, Academy of Country Music Awards and American Music Awards.

Clark began his career in the mailroom of a Utica, Ney York radio station in 1945. By the time he was 26, he was a broadcasting veteran with nine years? experience on radio and TV stations in Syracuse and Utica and Philadelphia.

He held a bachelor?s degree from Syracuse University. While in Philadelphia, Clark befriended McMahon, who later credited Clark for introducing him to his future Tonight Show boss, Johnny Carson.

Twice divorced, Clark had a son, Richard Augustus II, from his first wife Barbara Mallery and two children, Duane and Cindy, from his second wife Loretta Martin. Kari Wigton was his third wife whom he married in 1977.

MUMBAI: The BBC has announced a new deal to launch BBC World News, in markets across the US through Comcast‘s Xfinity TV.

By the end of 2011, the channel will be available in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Portland, as well as across Northern California, Michigan and Western New England. BBC World News will launch in additional Comcast markets next year.

BBC World News has the largest audience of any BBC channel in the world, broadcasting in over 200 countries and territories worldwide with access to more than 70 international newsgathering bureaus globally. BBC World News is expected to be in nearly 15 million US homes by end of 2012.

The channel will bring US audiences high-quality international news, as well as documentaries, lifestyle programs and interviews. Its programming includes the daily newscast, BBC World News America, anchored by Katty Kay.

BBC‘s director of global news Peter Horrocks called the agreement "one of the most important breakthroughs for the BBC‘s international commercial news channel, as it extends its global footprint."

"This deal represents huge progress for BBC World News in the most competitive television marketplace in the world. We know that US viewers increasingly value the smart and impartial international journalism provided by the BBC.

"The BBC and BBC World News are uniquely positioned to offer this via our multilingual, multimedia journalists based around the world. From the changing markets in Europe and Asia to coverage of the Middle East, we know our audiences highly value this global perspective. We will aim to bring Comcast viewers the best of BBC journalism, providing trusted information and in-depth global analysis."

BBC Worldwide America executive VP network distribution Sandy Ashendorf said, "The BBC is renowned for its journalistic integrity and audiences are increasingly hungry for an impartial view on global affairs. We are pleased that XfinityTV is bringing its customers a new and fresh perspective through these BBC World News channel launches. We think this is a significant step towards changing the conversation about news in the US."

Comcast senior VP, GM of video services Marcien Jenckes said, "Our goal is to bring Xfinity TV customers the best and most-current content, and the addition of BBC World News to our line-up is a perfect example of how that is being accomplished.

"We‘re continually enhancing our Xfinity TV service and are pleased to be able to work with the BBC to provide a broad array of international programming to meet the diverse interests of our customers."

The announcement comes as the BBC is strengthening its focus on news targeted for the US.

Earlier this month, it announced the appointment of Dick Meyer as Executive Producer for the BBC‘s news services in America. He will take direct editorial oversight of television and online content produced for US audiences, and coordinate coverage across all platforms, including BBC World News.