ITV

Category: DTH

  • Echostar buys a stake in South Korea’s TU Media

    Echostar buys a stake in South Korea’s TU Media

    MUMBAI: US satellite service provider Echostar has become the second-largest shareholder in South Korea’s TU Media.

    It operates a satellite digital mobile broadcasting (S-DMB) service.

    TU Media has raised $74.7 million.

    The company said that its largest shareholder, SK Telecom, and Echostar purchased 9.95 million new shares of TU Media to raise the company’s capital to 288.2 billion won.

    TU Media said that the partnership with Echostar would help accelerate its efforts to make inroads in overseas markets.

    In 2005, TU Media started the S-DMB service. This allows users to watch TV on a mobile device.

    The company cliams to have attracted more than 1 million subscribers for the fee-based mobile broadcasting service since its launch. It aims to raise the number to two million this year.

  • Nielsen, DirecTV to test measurement of interactive viewing

    Nielsen, DirecTV to test measurement of interactive viewing

    MUMBAI: US pay TV service provider DirecTV and researcgh firm Nielsen have entered into an agreement to test the development of information.

    This will enable them to understand the daily viewing behaviors, trends and characteristics of customers who use DirecTV’s interactive television services.

    In developing its new metrics for measuring interactive usage, Nielsen will use aggregated and anonymous clickstream data from a new television measurement panel of 300,000 DIRECTV interactive customers. Information from the test could lead to an enhanced consumer experience and the creation of more valuable interactive opportunities for advertisers.

    DirecTV adds that it respects the privacy of its customers. Unless customers provide consent through an opt-in process, DirecTV only provides viewing data on an aggregated and anonymous basis.

    DirecTV Entertainment executive VP Eric Shanks says, “As the DirecTV interactive TV space continues to rapidly evolve, we need to develop a complete and accurate understanding of how our customers use these services. Through our test with Nielsen we hope to develop the usage information our programming and advertising partners need to take full advantage of our interactive platform and reach their target audiences in a truly unique way.”

    The agreement is the first of its kind to be announced since the creation of Nielsen DigitalPlus, a new service created by Nielsen to help clients better understand information opportunities available through consumer interaction via digital set top boxes.

    Nielsen senior VP Scott L Brown says, “This agreement with DirecTV is an exciting new opportunity to gain valuable insight into how new technology is influencing the behavior of interactive satellite subscribers. The television industry is at the very beginning of understanding the uses and applications of expanding digital services. Nielsen is using our full resources to help clients create valuable new uses for their digital information.”

  • Ofcom to review Sky’s DTT plan

    Ofcom to review Sky’s DTT plan

     MUMBAI: Last week UK pay TV service provider Sky had announced that it proposes to launch a new service on the digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform.

    Following a series of requests for clarity on the regulatory process regarding the proposed launch, UK media regulatory body Ofcom confirms that it will consult on any such proposals.

    Sky’s announcement noted that the launch of the new service will be subject to approval by Ofcom including the necessary variations to licences held by Sky and National Grid Wireless, which provides Sky with DTT transmission and multiplexing services.

    When Ofcom receives a request for approval of the necessary variations, the issues that would require consultation are likely to include:

    – Firstly, the impact on consumers of Sky’s proposal to use MPEG4 compression technology via new set-top boxes, in order to increase the amount of content which can be carried. Ofcom would need to assess:

    – The potential benefit of a rapid migration from the current compression standard MPEG2, to MPEG4 which will ultimately increase the number of channels available on digital terrestrial television.

    – The potential detriment associated with a reduction in the number of channels received by existing set-top boxes or digital televisions; The risk that existing set-top boxes or digital televisions might be incompatible with multiplexes broadcast using a combination of MPEG2 and MPEG4 coding;

    – The overall effect on consumer confidence in the digital switchover process.

    – Whether any variation to the channel line-up might unacceptably diminish the appeal of the channels to a variety of tastes and interests and whether a reduction in the current range of free-to-air channels would be compensated for by the proposed introduction of the new pay television channels.

    – Finally, the effect of any change to existing licence conditions and / or the need to include any new licence conditions to ensure fair and effective competition for the benefit of consumers.

    The content of the consultation and its timing will be announced once a request for an approval has been received. Ofcom’s normal consultation period is 10 weeks.

  • MTV, Adobe showcase mobile applications at 3GSM conference

    MTV, Adobe showcase mobile applications at 3GSM conference

    MUMBAI: At the 3GSM World Congress in Spain US broadcaster MTV Networks and Adobe Systems are previewing new mobile media applications featuring exclusive MTV Networks programming and leveraging Adobe Flash technology.

    The mobile media applications, available later this year, will deliver music, comedy and entertainment content from the MTV, VH1, Logo and Comedy Central brands directly to handsets that support Adobe FlashCast.

    The new FlashCast channels are the latest example of the ongoing alliance between Adobe and Viacom. Last year the two companies announced that Adobe would serve as the preferred technology provider for rich media authoring tools and interactive online video solutions for Viacom’s extensive array of television, motion picture and digital properties.

    In September, a number of new casual games based on franchises like Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and MTV’s Pimp My Ride were published as part of the Shockwave Minis launch using Adobe’s Flash Lite technology. Additionally, several of MTV Networks’ broadband channels – including COMEDYCENTRAL.com, MTV.com, VSPOT at VH1.com, LOADED at CMT.com, LogoOnline, and TurboNick at Nick.com – have since standardised on Flash technology to deliver streaming video.

    MTV Mobile Media senior VP Greg Clayman says, “The MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Logo FlashCast channels that we are jointly demonstrating at 3GSM are indicative of the rich experiences that can be created on the handset when the power of programming meets the power of technology. With FlashCast technology, we’re able to create innovative mobile experiences that allow our viewers to connect with the music, comedy and entertainment programming they love.”

    Adobe senior VP mobile and device solutions Al Ramadan says, “Viacom is at the forefront of defining great mobile experiences and we are excited that our partner is choosing Flash to make it happen.

    “The first results of our partnership can be seen in our booth at 3GSM demonstrating our commitment to working closely together in the future to advance the innovation of mobile experiences.”

    Adobe’s FlashCast is a client-server solution that delivers mobile data experiences. Building applications with FlashCast technology gives MTV another option to quickly and easily extend the reach of its premium programming to the handset, connecting viewers with their favorite content wherever they are. The MTV FlashCast channel, for instance, features artist interviews, features and breaking stories from MTV News, as well as news for the game community.

    The VH1 application features the Best Week Ever blog and VH1 news; the Logo channel features its popular NewNowNext blog as well as programming from the recently acquired 365 Gay, After Ellen and After Elton web sites; and the Comedy Central FlashCast application features jokes, Booty Call pick-up lines, What’s Your Sign horoscopes and more.

  • Al Gore, Cameron Diaz throw weight behind ‘Live Earth’ concerts to fight climate crisis

    Al Gore, Cameron Diaz throw weight behind ‘Live Earth’ concerts to fight climate crisis

    MUMBAI: Detailing an effort to engage billions of people across the globe, Kevin Wall, former US VP Al Gore, Pharrell Williams, film star Cameron Diaz, and the MSN Network have launched Save Our Selves (SOS) – The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis. The announcement was made at the California Science Center.

    SOS is designed to trigger a global movement to combat our climate crisis. It will reach people in every corner of the planet through television, film, radio, the Internet and Live Earth, a 24-hour concert on 7/7/07 across all 7 continents that will bring together more than 100 of the world’s top musical acts. Live Earth alone will engage an audience of more than 2 billion people through concert attendance and broadcasts. MSN has partnered with SOS to use its reach to make the Live Earth concerts available across the globe.

    The Live Earth audience, and the proceeds from the concerts, will create the foundation for a new, multi-year global effort to combat the climate crisis led by The Alliance for Climate Protection and its Chair, Vice President Al Gore. SOS was founded by Kevin Wall, who won an Emmy as Worldwide Executive Producer of Live 8.

    Wall said, “Our climate crisis is the paramount challenge facing humanity. SOS is more than a global distress call. SOS will give the world the tools we need to answer that call with meaningful action. The most important part of SOS is how individuals, corporations, and governments respond.

    “Our climate crisis affects everyone, everywhere, and that’s who SOS is aimed at. Only a global response can conquer our climate crisis. SOS asks all people to Save Our Selves because only we can.”

    Gore featured in a documentary about the environment An Inconvenient Truth which is the favourite to win an Oscar. He says, “In order to solve the Climate Crisis, we have to reach billions of people. We are launching SOS and Live Earth to begin a process of communication that will mobilise people all over the world to take action.

    “The climate crisis will only be stopped by an unprecedented and sustained global movement. We hope to jump-start that movement right here, right now, and take it to a new level on July 7, 2007.”

    MSN corporate VP and chief media officer Joanne Bradford says, “At MSN, we have the worldwide audience and the technology stage to help unite a global community around SOS and Live Earth.

    “Anyone around the world with an Internet connection will be able to come to MSN to view not just the concert events, but also an extensive collection of interactive media that will entertain, educate, inspire and ultimately drive change.”

    Wall has announced that 25 of the 100 top musical acts that have answered SOS’s call and are performing at Live Earth. SOS is also engaging other celebrities, CEOs, athletes, academics and government leaders to engage their constituencies. Please see that attached list of 25 artists.

    Wall adds, “More than 100 artists are performing at Live Earth and they’re all headliners. That’s what it takes to engage billions of people. We’re not just engaging fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg, or the Foo Fighters and Faith Hill. We are engaging them and everyone in between.

    “We have been overwhelmed by the response from the artist community and are feverishly working out the logistics for all of the bands that want to be involved. Today we are announcing just the first 25 and will soon be announcing even more headliners who, for contractual reasons, cannot be announced today.”

    The campaign’s identity is based on SOS, the international Morse code distress signal: three dots, followed by three dashes, followed by three dots. SOS is the most urgent, universal message we have, and SOS will use that signal as a continuous distress call to prompt individuals, corporations and governments around the world to respond to our climate crisis with action.

    Wall says, “SOS is creating an unmatched communications platform to take on an unparalleled crisis. Our message must saturate the globe if we are to succeed, and we will. In the US, we’re partnering with NBC-Universal and its networks. On satellite radio, we have SIRIUS and XM. In the UK, we’re partnering with the BBC. In Japan, we have a historic partnership with two broadcast partners. We have already secured television, Internet and wireless coverage in 120 countries, and the rest are soon to come.”

    Wall announced that Live Earth concerts will take place in the Brazil, Shanghai, Japan, Johannesburg, London, Sydney, and the US. Live Earth will be broadcast worldwide on MSN, which was the first sponsor to answer SOS’s call. MSN is one of the world’s most popular Internet destinations, and as such will allow the SOS campaign to have a global reach. MSN has services in over 42 markets and 21 languages, and more than 465 million people around the world visit MSN each month. Beginning today, people can go to http://liveearth.msn.com and begin participating in the global movement, and on 7/7/07, to watch the Live Earth concerts.

    Live Earth is being produced by Control Room, of which Kevin Wall is the CEO. Control Room has produced and distributed more than 60 concerts since its founding a year and a half ago featuring Beyoncé, Madonna, Green Day, Dave Matthews Band, Keith Urban, James Blunt, Snoop Dogg, the Rolling Stones, among others. Its multi-partner network provides a global reach for live offerings through broadband, television, digital movie theatres and mobile phones throughout the U.S. and the world.

    Live Earth will implement a new Green Event Standard that will become the model for carbon neutral concerts and other live events in the future. The Green Event Standard is being developed in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Commission to create a way for venues to be Leed-approved.

  • Most rapid DTH growth to come from Asia

    Most rapid DTH growth to come from Asia

    MUMBAI: Western Europe and North America continue to lead the digital satellite pay-TV market in subscribers and revenue.

    However the fastest growth over the next several years will come from other areas, especially Asia, reports market research firm In-Stat.

    Key satellite market trends include consolidation in established markets, interactivity, HD, launches, and bundling, the high-tech market research firm says.

    In-Stat analyst Michael Inouye says, “Most DTH platform launches in 2006 occurred in the less mature markets, including India and Eastern Europe. As DTH pay-TV platforms in many American and European countries have been in operation for a number of years, their subscriber growth has slowed. Total net new subscribers are growing each year, but only by single digit percentages.”

    Rsearch by In-Stat found the following:

    – Total DTH pay-TV subscribers are expected to reach over 117 million in 2010.

    – Global DTH-TV revenues will exceed $88 billion by 2010.

    – Consolidation occurred in 2006 with service providers like TPS and CanalSatellite and conditional access providers (Irdeto/ Cryptoworks).

  • Two convergence meets on the Anvil next month

    Two convergence meets on the Anvil next month

    NEW DELHI: Just over a month after the international Convergence Exhibition and Conference organized by the Broadcast Engineering Society (India) early this month, two more such exhibitions are on the anvil next month – one in the capital and the other in Kolkata.

    The Fourth International Converging World 2007 Exhibition and Seminar at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata from March 9 to 11 has been organized by Zeal Broadband Solutions, while the 15th Convergence India International exhibition and conference at Pragati Maidan in Delhi from March 20 to 22 is being put together by Exhibitions India in collaboration with the Cellular Operators Association of India. Both Zeal and Exhibitions India are Delhi-based.

    The first Convergence India had been organized fifteen years earlier jointly by Exhibitions India and BES (I) but the two had parted ways after two shows and have been organizing separate events. The BES (I) meet this year had taken place from February One to three.

    The Kolkata event is focused on Broadband and Triple Play Solutions, Fibre to Home solutions, Satellite and Broadcasting Solutions, Internet Services and Solutions, Computer Networking, Mobile Communication and Accessories, Wireless Technologies, Total Telecom Solutions, Total Security Solutions, and Cable TV Services and Solutions.

    Zeal Broadband Solutions has already held the Converging World exhibitions and seminars in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Calicut. Zeal also publishes the ‘Satellite @ Internet India’ monthly magazine in English, Hindi and Bengali.

    There has been extensive promotion to support ‘Converging World 2007’ through Hoardings, Bus Back Panels, FM Radio Campaigning (RED FM-93.5), Mobile Balloon Campaigning, SMS Campaigning, E-Flyers Campaigning, Advertisements in Trade Magazines, and Campaigning in Television Channels like ‘Akash Bangla’ is promoting the event as the Official Channel Partner. Smart – Reliance GSM Service as the ‘Associate Sponsor’ doing an interesting SMS Campaign with the ‘Visit & Win’ concept.

    Meanwhile, the 14th Convergence India last year had attracted 386 participants from 25 countries and Exhibitions India founder Prem Behl told indiantelevision.com that the meet this year was expected to surpass that figure. The meet will see the participation of the telecom, mobility, broadcast, cable, satellite, information and technology, and information security sectors. A special feature is the theme pavilion to be set up by the International Security Industry Organisation being set up for the first time as part of this fete.

    There will be a workshop on e-governance, and the conference will bring together industry leaders, investors, government officials and users on a single platform to discuss all aspects of the ICT industry. Subjects include ‘Next Gen Telecom’, ‘Wireless Delivery: Broadband for all’, ‘Services on Demand: Business and Infotainment’, ‘Towards Mobile Information Society’, ‘Security Challenges for the Enterprise’, and “Enabling SMB’s and SME’s for tomorrow’s growth”.

    Exhibitions India also publishes the monthly ‘Convergence Plus’ journal to publicise the advantages of convergence of information communication, telecom and broadcasting.

  • Blackout continues, Karnataka cable ops plan rally

    Blackout continues, Karnataka cable ops plan rally

    BANGALORE: The blackout of Tamil channels by the cable TV trade in Karnataka continues following the Cauvery water verdict.

    At the time of writing, a section of the cable operators was planning to voice their grievance to the authorities. The Karnataka State Cable Operators Association had planned a rally from Anil Kumble circle on MG road to the Governor’s residence on 20 February to hand over a memorandum against the verdict with the expectation of support from all the bodies involved in the cable TV distribution chain, including MSOs.

    A cable operator said that he expected participation from cable ops from the surrounding rural areas of Bangalore and from the interiors of Karnataka.

    Sources from the various associations representing cable operators and broadband service providers say that the black out of the Tamil cable channels was a voluntary decision, later reinforced by ‘requests from Kannada activists’ groups.

    A faction of the cable TV trade said that they were willing to restart the broadcast of Tamil channels saying that “it is the verdict that we are against, not the language, and we have given the longest support to the agitation against the verdict, but now we are willing to restart the Tamil feed.”

    Certain sources reveal that the trade is apparently becoming nervous about any backlash from vested parties and is considering asking for police protection should they go for the latter option. A meeting is expected to be held on 19 or 20 February to decide on the course of action.

    The Cauvery Tribunal verdict has already had its first victim in the form of union minister of state for information and broadcasting M H Ambareesh who put in his resignation from both the union ministry as well as Parliament in protest against it.

  • Broadband growth ups demand for premium online content in North America

    Broadband growth ups demand for premium online content in North America

    MUMBAI: Rapidly rising broadband penetration in North America has set the stage for increased demand and rapid growth of premium or paid online content applications such as music, gaming and video/movies. This is bringing in opportunities for the consumer broadband market and participants that can identify and deliver compelling content to their customers.

    This market has earned revenues of $2.45 billion in 2005 and is likely to exceed $10 billion in 2012, suggests the findings from Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com/communicationsservices) analysis North American Residential Online Content Services Markets.

    “For mainstream consumers, online content has been inextricably linked to Internet usage and rising broadband penetration is further cementing this bond,” notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Piyush Arora. “As broadband service providers continue to enhance speeds and bandwidth limits for their subscribers, new opportunities are cropping up in terms of content applications that can be delivered on these fast connections.”

    Premium online content applications such as music, video/movies and gaming offer broadband service providers a competitive advantage in a market where participants have largely competed on speed and pricing. Providing content can also help service providers sell ‘triple play’ or ‘quadruple play’ service bundles to customers.

    The study indicates tha online gaming is undoubtedly the most popular of these applications, currently accounting for the bulk of market revenues, at 59 percent. Music and video are fast catching up and becoming popular among broadband consumers. At present, online music and video revenues constitute 34 percent and 7 percent, respectively, of the total paid content market revenue, informs an official release.

    However, a key challenge facing all market participants is the need to strictly control unauthorized on-line content distribution as well as the piracy of copyright protected content. A related challenge is to ensure that the various competing digital rights management (DRM) technologies and standards, needed for the legal distribution of digital content, are compatible with each other. Currently, the leading on-line content distributors and device vendors use different proprietary standards.

    In 2004, the loss to the U.S. music industry due to illegal file sharing exceeded a massive $2 billion, which demonstrated the seriousness of this challenge. Unless the rights of artists and other copyright owners are protected, content owners – including music recording companies and movie studios – are not likely to consider the Internet on an equal footing with traditional media.

    “Online content distributors and specialist content providers must therefore, continue to collaborate with content owners, technology companies, broadband service providers and other stakeholders to curb the illegal distribution of digital content,” says Arora. “The online music market has already benefited from these efforts, which can reap similar results in the emerging video market as well.”

    Moreover, participants must take concrete steps to resolve the DRM interoperability issues, to encourage consumers to actively use the Internet as a mainstream medium for accessing paid content.

    North American Residential Online Content Services Markets, part of the Communications Services Subscription, provides an analysis of the current and future market for premium or paid online content services and applications along with the key market drivers and restraints and industry challenges faced by various stakeholders in the industry.

  • CAS REVIEW: MSOs claim adequate STB stocks, admit consumer order slowdown

    CAS REVIEW: MSOs claim adequate STB stocks, admit consumer order slowdown

     NEW DELHI: Multi-System Operators have told the sector regulator that there is no shortage of STBs anywhere in the country, but admit that there has been a slow-down of consumer orders, for which the MSOs themselves and broadcasters need to make various changes in their strategies.

    “None of the players, neither the cable operators, nor the broadcasters, not even us, have been reading the consumers’ minds, and we better take care of that from now,” a senior official of one MSO told indiantelevision.com today.

    Meanwhile, although these are “early days”, the trend that has emerged as a result of data analysis of customer choices as expressed in the forms submitted (for those who have opted for Cas in Delhi and Mumbai) “is bound to create major upsets in the market, especially in how the media buyers look at where to put their monies,” the official said.

    This was in the offing since the early days of Cas implementation, and the announcement could cause a mild to heavy temblor in the market.

    Meanwhile, cable operators here reported also that in some pockets people were not taking STBs because of regional preferences. In the predominantly Bengali neighbourhood of Chittaranjan Park, a fairly posh colony, many have stayed with the Bengali FTAs and decide to hang on to whatever rest they are getting in the FTA basic tier package (Rs 77, plus taxes).

    Likewise, in the Nepali dominated Vasant Gaon area and for people in RK Puram, where there is a predominance of South Indians from various states, it has been noted that since their most popular regional channels are FTAs, they have stayed away from STBs, Roop Sharma, president of Cable Operators Federation of India told this correspondent.

    None of the three MSOs approached in Delhi by this correspondent so far have divulged the clear analysis, saying that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has asked for these and they can reveal the data only after reporting to it.

    But it is known by now that most of those who have taken the STBs have opted for a la carte and not packages or bouquets. “This clearly shows that the Indian customer knows its mind far better than we had anticipated,” sources admitted.

    CUSTOMERS IGNORED: In the soul searching process, media experts are now saying that the slowdown has been because of various reasons, primarily ignoring the customer.

    First, the DTH players promised to supply boxes and dishes but could not do so on time. In the first instance, they gave dishes but not the STBs. Then, they gave prepaid boxes, so when the month was over, the streaming was disconnected. Then, people started comparing that this never used to happen with the “cablewallahs”, who would wait till you paid and not disconnect.

    In fact, the “facelessness” of the DTH players, who operate through the BPOs, have been one reason for people in chunks getting put off by them, though it is a fact that DTH players have scored heavily in the bordering areas of Delhi proper by giving attractive prices to housing colonies.

    At the same time, MSOs admit that they too had failed to gear up to the search in the first 14 or 20 days of Cas implementation. “The packages that we gave did not meet the needs of the consumer,” said one MSO spokesperson.

    “We also did not make a clear statement on what package a cable home having two or more TV sets would get as discount, and no clear policy emerged in the beginning, and the packages were arbitrarily decided by us,” he added.

    Analysis and feedback from ground level fitters from cable operators show that due to this, most families set a budget for themselves as per their pockets, and decided to take channels they wanted, which is why they chose a la carte.

    This has caused major changes in the viewership patterns, and a lot of “myths” of TRP supremacy claimed by channels could come for a shake up, media experts aver.

    FENCESITTERS APLENTY: Data analysis shows that a lot of people are sitting on the fence, so far as fresh demand for STBs is concerned.

    As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, MSOs say that there could be some kind of pace picking up with the World Cup cricket coming up, but they hold that much more than a global sporting event has to be looked into for the “second phase of Cas rollout” to be successful.

    MSOs have told broadcasters to tie-up with them to push for boxes. They have made several proposals so far on this with the major broadcasters.

    Though a recent seminar in Mumbai generally held that availability of STBs would be crucial for success of Cas and would rake in the moolah for all the players, reports emanating suggest that there is no shortage of boxes.

    All three MSOs, WWIL, Hathway as well as Incablenet have ample number of boxes, “which we have informed Trai about”.

    “We have told Trai that there is an urgent need for MSOs and broadcasters to tie up and create packages that are of substance to the consumers, which will be in their own best interest,” the official said.

    As of now, however, there is no such consensus emerging on a market that is there for the taking.