Factual
‘Desperate Housewives’ travels to China
MUMBAI: Touchstone Television’s hit series Desperate Housewives will debut in China on December 19, 2005 on state run CCTV8. In the US, the show revived the fortunes of ABC while in India the show airs on Star World.
In an agreement brokered by BVITV-AP and London based Zone Vision Networks, the series will be dubbed into Mandarin and will air as three back-to-back episodes per night, with the entire first season running in one week.
Buena Vista International Television – Asia Pacific senior VP, MD(BVITV-AP) Steve Macallister says, “We are delighted to be working with Zone Vision as a partner in China. Desperate Housewives has been breaking records around the world and we are sure it will be a hit with Chinese viewers.”
Zone Vision Networks GM, chief programming officer Chris Sharp says, “As part of our commitment to our relationship with CCTV and our viewers in China, we have made it a priority to acquire the very best Hollywood and international series and movies for our ‘Jiayi’ programme block. Certainly the multi award-winning Desperate Housewives series satisfies those very high standards. It is a truly unique series and a worldwide phenomenon, and we are delighted to work with Disney and Touchstone Television to bring this incredible series to China for the first time.”
Desperate Housewives is a dark funny look into the secret lives of suburban families and neighbours living on Wisteria Lane.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
