MUMBAI: The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced new investment in London?s film, TV and animation industries to boost jobs, support home grown talent and attract high-end productions to the capital.

With additional funding, the Mayor?s agency can set its sights on new investment opportunities from markets like India, US, China and South America.

This week, a new tax relief came into effect operating in the UK for TV and animation production. To make the most of this opportunity, the Mayor is expanding the remit of Film London to bring in ?200 million worth of additional expenditure through TV and animation production and create 1000 industry jobs. He will invest ?2 million to broaden Film London?s reach, with ?750,000 ear-marked to promote the development of these sectors.

Already enjoying tax relief for film, London is now the third busiest city in the world for film-making after LA and New York. Film London, already working to facilitate major motion pictures shot in the capital, generated ?770 million in investment over the last four years alone and hopes are running high for the agency?s expansion into high-end TV, such as dramas, mini-series, franchise shows, international co-productions and animations.

Film London has been working with the Mayor since 2003 to deliver production opportunities and has the unique skills and expertise to help TV companies ? small businesses ? who lack experience, working with tax relief or securing inward investment.

The Mayor visited Ealing Studios - the longest continuing film studio in the UK - and home to the Downton Abbey set, as well as the pioneering ?performance capture? special effects studio Imaginarium.

Johnson said, "We are at the dawn of a new golden age of TV production in London. We have an unprecedented opportunity to grow this exciting sector to deliver jobs, produce more world class British drama and, above all, make London the city of choice for TV and animation production. It is time for London to fulfill its potential as the world leader and employer it is destined to be in this field. Let us make sure that all future Downtons are filmed on our turf".

BBC DG Tony Hall said, "These are certainly exciting times for television production. The BBC is already a huge supporter of talent in the UK, with Sherlock and Silk shortly due to begin shooting in London. The capital is already one of the most TV-friendly cities in the world and we look forward to continuing to play our part in this vital part of the British broadcasting ecology."

The creator of ?Downton Abbey? for ITV, Julian Fellowes said: "It is encouraging to feel that the tremendous, worldwide success of British high-end television is at last receiving some recognition and help".

Founders of The Imaginarium, Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish, said, "For us, basing the Imaginarium in London is crucial. We have set up Europe?s leading Performance Capture studio here because of access to the best creative people and the most interesting clients, partners and co-ventures in the field of next generation story-telling. The introduction of tax relief beyond film to animation, games and television is very important to our business, and helps us in setting up our Academy to train young people into the digital future."

Film London Chairman David Parfitt said, "I would like to thank the Mayor for his continued support of Film London and the capital?s production industries. We are proud of the return on investment Film London has delivered for the city over the past 10 years, and with these new opportunities in the television, animation and games industries, we can cement London?s reputation as the greatest city in the world for all visual arts".

Ealing Studios CEO and MD of film and television James Spring said, "Ealing Studios are delighted that the government is continuing its support for the creative industries. The extension of the tax credit system for high-end TV has already led to increased activity from foreign productions as well as UK originated television. This, together with the continued and increased support from Film London and the Mayor?s office, help make London and Ealing Studios a world class destination for the best producers of film and television."

?Downton Abbey? Executive Producer Gareth Neame said, "We are fortunate to have one of the most vibrant TV production industries in the world here in the UK and much of that work has traditionally been located in the London area, which also boasts many of our most iconic locations. Britain is the second biggest exporter of TV content in the world and a tax incentive to boost local production and encourage incoming content is long overdue. As British producers we welcome this commitment by the government and particularly the Mayor?s increased investment in Film London to expand its remit so we can boost this vital sector of the creative industries."

Film London and the British Film Commission CEO Adrian Wootton said, "Having worked with the Mayor?s office for the last 10 years to transform the capital into a film friendly city, we now welcome the same task for high-end TV and animation. With the new fiscal incentives, coupled with investment from the Mayor, the capital has the potential to become a world leader for the production industries, retaining and creating valuable jobs and encouraging new investment to boost the economy".

In addition to this year?s budget (?1.3m) to promote London and a world film destination and provide a bespoke facilitating/brokerage service to those planning to film in the capital, the Mayor is investing a further ?750,000 through Film London for TV and TV animation.

This additional funding is from the Mayor?s Growing Places Fund (GPF), a fund used to support innovative ways of creating jobs and skills in emerging sectors, and is overseen by the London Enterprise Panel (LEP). Film London will report monthly to the LEP.

In 2012, there were 17,604 filming days ? making it the busiest year for filming since statistics began to be compiled in 2003. Filming volume was up by 21 per cent on 2011.

Although the city also hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 was the busiest year ever for feature film (1,778 days) ? with a 42 per cent increase on feature filming in 2011.

Feature filming was down on 2011 in August (by 25 per cent) but rather than postpone filming to another year (or take the production elsewhere) productions filmed earlier in the year than usual ? for example there was a 50 per cent increase in feature filming in May.

MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider Sky and media conglomerate Disney are working together to create a new television channel, Sky Movies Disney.

The new channel will be the home of new and classic Disney and Disney/Pixar movies in the UK and Ireland.

This is the first time that Disney has been involved in a co-branded linear movie channel anywhere in the world. It is also the first time that viewers in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch all new blockbuster Disney-branded movies, as well as classics from the past, on one single channel.

The launch of Sky Movies Disney builds on Sky and Disney?s 24-year relationship in the UK and forms part of a new wide-ranging agreement between the two companies, covering further movies, and Disney Channels, across multiple platforms and devices.

Launching in time for Easter on 28 March 2013, Sky Movies Disney will show films like ?Brave? and ?Wreck-It Ralph ?in their first pay TV window. Future releases that will be available include ?Oz: The Great and Powerful?, ?Monsters University? and ?The Lone Ranger?.

The new movies will be available on Sky Movies Disney from around six months after they have ended their run in cinemas and will be exclusive to Sky Movies for at least a year.

Alongside new releases, Sky Movies Disney will also offer a library of classic Disney films, including ?Bambi? and ?Pinocchio?, as well as Disney/Pixar films such as ?Finding Nemo?, ?Cars? and ?A Bug?s Life?. Live action titles such as ?Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man?s Chest? and ?National Treasure? will also be available.

In addition to broadcasting in standard and high definition on the Sky Movies Disney channel, all of the new and classic movies will be available to view on demand and on the go.

Sky TV customers will be able to watch movies on the move with Sky Go, on their smartphone, tablet, laptop or MacBook. NOW TV, Sky?s new internet TV service, will also offer easy and flexible access to the Disney titles to customers who buy the Sky Movies monthly. Disney films available in 3D will be shown on the Sky 3D channel.

In addition to the launch of the new channel, the agreement gives Sky Movies the first subscription pay TV movie rights in the UK and Ireland to other titles distributed by Disney, including new movies from Lucasfilm, and also Marvel Studios features such as ?Iron Man 3? and ?Avengers Assemble?, which will be broadcast across the Sky Movies portfolio of channels.

In addition to movies, the agreement covers Disney?s TV channels - Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior - which will continue to be made available to Sky customers, alongside a new HD version of Disney Junior, launching in April. All Disney-branded channels will also continue to be available on Sky Go across a range of internet-connected devices.

Additionally, Sky will launch a dedicated Disney section on its popular On Demand service, offering hundreds more hours of catch-up and library shows.

Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch said, "The launch of Sky Movies Disney is great news for our customers and builds on the strong relationship that Sky and Disney have enjoyed for more than 20 years. We?re delighted that an entertainment company of Disney?s international stature has chosen to work with Sky on its first co-branded linear movie channel. This is a world-first collaboration that will excite millions of families and further strengthen our market-leading movies service."

Sky Movies director Ian Lewis said, ?Disney?s movies are loved by all ages and generations, so we?re delighted to be bringing this new channel to millions of families at no extra cost. Sky Movies Disney will be the home of new and classic Disney and Disney/Pixar movies and will offer all new titles at least a year before other TV channels or subscription services. The combination of Disney?s fantastic movies and Sky?s award-winning innovation means that customers will have the chance to enjoy the very best of Disney on their own terms, whether that?s watching on demand, on the move or in 3D."

Disney president Europe, Middle East and Africa Diego Lerner said, "In launching these new initiatives, we are underlining Disney and Sky?s shared goal: bringing high quality, creative entertainment to audiences in the UK and Ireland. The ways in which people watch TV and movies have changed immeasurably in the past 20 years, but consumers always seek out Disney?s great stories and memorable characters."

Disney Europe, Middle East and Africa senior VP, GM, media distribution Catherine Powell said, "Through the launch of Sky Movies Disney, we will offer viewers our broadest range yet of popular current and classic Disney and Disney/Pixar films, featuring many of our much-loved stories and characters.

?Building on the strong performance of our movies and Disney channels in the UK and Ireland, this agreement will not only increase the range of Disney entertainment being made available, but also the devices and platforms that viewers will be able to enjoy them on."