ITV

Category: DTH

  • Insat-4B launch set for early March

    Insat-4B launch set for early March

     MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro) Insat-4B satellite is scheduled to be launched from Kourou in French Guiana in the first week of March.

    This was confirmed by Isro chief G Madhavan Nair on Monday. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram in the southern state of Kerala, Nair was quoted in media reports as saying: “Final tests are being conducted on the satellite and it will be moved to French Guiana by the end of this month.”

    The Insat-4B, the second satellite in the Insat-4 series, will be carrying 12 KU band and as many C band transponders for communication and broadcasting services.

    One likely customer for the KU band transponders is Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Group, which had booked space last year on the failed Insat-4C for its DTH venture Sun Direct.

    Sun TV had booked six transponders for DTH and one for DSNG (digital satellite news gathering) on the Insat-4C.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision last August after the failure of the Insat-4C launch mission, Isro contract management and legal services director SB Iyer had said: “We have the flexibility to accommodate Sun. If there is an early requirement, we can give them space on an Indian or foreign satellite.”

    Current indications are that Insat-4B, which was originally meant for Doordarshan’s DTH service DD Direct Plus will likely be used to accommodate Sun as well.

    When asked about it today, Iyer was noncommital though, stating, “We are still deciding we will be accommodating one or two DTH providers.”

  • IAMAI to kick off India Digital Summit on 18 January

    IAMAI to kick off India Digital Summit on 18 January

    MUMBAI: The Internet And Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), flagship event, the India Digital Summit is slated to kick off on 18 January in New Delhi. The summit will consist of a two day event.

    According to an official release, the first day will focus on Internet and will address issues such as “What will drive the growth of Internet in India?, How to leverage Internet to E-nable businesses?, Is youth the driving force behind Internet?”

    Meanwhile, day two will throw light on topics related to “Mobile Value Added Services (VAS) such as What makes a successful mobile marketing company in India?, How can mobile VAS be source of critical Information and Interactivity?, Will mobile payments change the rules of transaction?, Is the policy environment right for MVAS Industry?”

    Commenting on the need for a Digital Summit president Dr.Subho Ray said, “The Summit this year will focus on two distinct areas: internet and related issues of current and future policies, communications tools and commerce; and mobile devices and connected issues of mobile value added services over two days”.

    Much like last year, the Summit in 2007 would also have an array of speakers including:

    – People Group chairman Anupam Mittal
    – eBay India chairman Avnish Bajaj
    – Info Edge Ltd founder and CEO Sanjeev Bikhchandani
    – Makemytrip.com founder and CEO Deep Kalra
    – Google India head sales & operations Sundarraman Kalyanraman
    – Ministry of Communications and IT Joint Secretary Pankaj Agrawala
    – Connecturf managing director & CEO Neville Taraporewala,
    – Mouthshut.com founder Faisal Farooqui,
    – MSN and Windows Media Live CEO Jaspreet Bindra,
    – Zapak Digital Entertainment COO Rohit Sharma
    – Pinstorm Technologies founder and CEO Mahesh Murthy
    – Malayala Manorama COO Mariam Mathew

  • Mukta Arts sells music rights to T Series for Rs 60 million

    Mukta Arts sells music rights to T Series for Rs 60 million

    MUMBAI: Mukta Arts Ltd has has assigned music rights of five of their forthcoming films to Super Cassettes Industries Ltd (T Series) for a consideration of Rs 60 million.

    The basket of films will include two films directed by noted filmmaker Subhash Ghai. While one will have a multi star cast, the other will be a small budget film.
    The other three small budget movies will be from outside directors, the company has said.
     

  • Chinese Telematics and Infotainment Market set for high growth in five years

    Chinese Telematics and Infotainment Market set for high growth in five years

    MUMBAI: Although at a nascent stage, the Chinese telematics and infotainment markets is likely to witness considerable growth and development over the forecast period. Factors expected to contribute to this include the continued growth in demand as well as production of passenger cars, increasing disposable incomes, growing acknowledgement of the benefits of telematics and infotainment, as well as the upcoming Olympic Games in 2008 and the 2010 World Trade Exhibition.

    Additionally, newer telelematics and infotainment systems are becoming more affordable and many car companies are also planning to incorporate navigation system as a standard offering, thus boosting their overall uptake.

    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the Strategic Analysis of the Chinese Telematics and Infotainment Markets reveals that revenues in this market totaled 422.3 million in 2005 and can reach 3896.9 million in 2012.

    ‘Among the market segments, the Chinese productivity market, the roadside assistance market, and the rear seat entertainment market are yet in their introductory stages,’ notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Angielina Tay.

    ‘In comparison, the navigation market is in its growth stage and holds significant promise, especially considering China’s high vehicle occupancy rate, ‘maintains Tay.

    The Chinese vehicle occupancy rate was greater than three million in 2005 and this ensures huge potential for navigation systems (both the portable and personal navigation device). Navigation is likely to become a daily requirement for people, regardless of whether they are driving or not, because a navigation system does not just simply help them to get from point A to B, but also provides them with other value-added services, such as providing points of interest (POI). This driver is likely to have a high impact on the market throughout the forecast period.

    Notwithstanding the promise, Chinese consumers still lack sufficient knowledge of telematics and infotainment system functions. Besides, there are too many varieties available for the consumers at present, and this coupled with unpleasant experiences such as low-quality products and lack of after sales service are likely to hurt customer confidence in this developing market.

    ‘The non-availability of all functions in a single system is an added barrier to penetration, much like the current high prices of telematics and infotainment systems,’ says Tay. ‘For example, the average price for an original equipment (OE) navigation system was about $1,463.4 in 2005 which is relatively high compared to the North American and Japanese markets.’

    Given these challenges, distributors and manufacturers need to work together on campaigns to raise awareness and promote the use of telematics and infotainment systems. Moreover, to make these systems more affordable, vehicle manufacturers should explore methods of lowering product costs, such as sourcing from local suppliers instead of importing parts.

  • Digital cinema co. Interworld releases first production on 19 January

    Digital cinema co. Interworld releases first production on 19 January

    MUMBAI: Interworld, a digital cinema firm, has announced the release of its first movie Mr. Hot Mr. Kool on 19 January and is aiming to produce around 15 movies a year.

    Mr. Hot Mr. Kool is a romantic comedy targeting college going youth and young professionals. The company says that the other movies in the pipeline would be produced keeping in mind the target audience, trends in cinema and towns with digital theaters.

    Interworld Digital’s platform “DigiCine” claims to be the only platform in India which is based on high end technology and provides opportunity to show movies broadcast by various digital cinema operators in the same theater during different shows. The firm also proclaims to be the first to present a pay per use model for theater owners.

    “We are proud of being India’s first Digital Cinema Company certified with ISO 9001:2000.”

    The company also states in an official release that they are confident that the Motion Pictures Division will make good profits as the first venture itself has recovered the full amount even before the release of the movies by selling various rights.

    Interworld is currently in the process of selecting and finalizing of the theaters in Mumbai, Delhi and UP circuit for up-gradation to show movies on digital mode. The distribution of movies to these theaters will be via satellite mode, adds the realese.

    “DigiCine is end-to-end Digital Cinema Solution. Our equipments are fitted with high precision and are fit to work in extreme Indian climate of very cold, humid or hot even up to 45 degrees. We have designed and architected the equipment like Digital Servers and projectors to suit Indian environment and needs, and they are manufactured in Norway and Singapore,” says Interworld.

  • Digital rights management market to cross billion dollar mark by 2011: Study

    Digital rights management market to cross billion dollar mark by 2011: Study

     MUMBAI: As organizations continue to digitize content in the current business environment, there is substantial need to emphasize the rights on its usage and establish control to avoid any loss of data. This need is expected to have a huge bearing on the enterprise digital rights management (DRM) systems market.

    Frost & Sullivan (www.ITservices.frost.com) and World Digital Rights Management Market, reveal that the market was worth $369.5 million in 2005 and is likely to cross the billion-dollar mark in 2011.

    As companies continue to lose sensitive data such as financial information, customer profiles and marketing collateral through e-mail or other forms of data transfer, there is a rising need to deploy systems that not only track but also control the use of information. Theft of sensitive data can not only cause a company financial loss, but can also result in brand erosion and eventually, reduce its revenue generation capacity.

    “The need to minimize liability by ensuring that only authorized users have access to appropriate documents will have a positive impact on the demand for DRM solutions,” says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Zippy Aima. “DRM solutions enable content owners to assign specific rights such as view, copy, edit and print to files that need to be protected and these rights remain active and travel with the protected file unless changed by the content owner.”

    An official statement issued states that despite these obvious advantages, DRM vendors will find it challenging to convince companies that DRM will not severely curtail access and that organizations can meet their revenue generation goals using this technology.

    DRM systems have garnered greater attention in the media industry than in the enterprise sector. Some end users consider DRM to be a hindrance to the entertainment sector, but the success of the iPod and iTunes is an indicator of the change in consumer buying behaviour. Users are gradually regarding DRM more as ‘enabler’ than a ‘disabler’ for accessing digital content.

    “Apart from the shift in perception, the need to comply with regulations such the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Gramm Leach Bliley, and Sarbanes Oxley is also driving the market ahead,” notes Aima. “Vertical markets such as financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy are focusing on regulatory compliance, thus ensuring the steady uptake of DRM solutions.”

    World Digital Rights Management Market is part of the Digital Media subscription. The study provides an overview of the enterprise and entertainment DRM segments and the factors that will affect its growth in future. The study’s evaluation of the market includes revenue and demand forecasts for DRM solutions in the coming years. Also, the study identifies factors driving and restraining the growth of the market along with key challenges faced by the industry.

  • Tata Indicom launches an online store for mobile connections; builds on Vas offerings

    Tata Indicom launches an online store for mobile connections; builds on Vas offerings

    MUMBAI: Telecom service provider Tata Indicom has launched an online store I-choose for mobile connections. Customers can buy postpaid connections at the click of a mouse with a commitment of activation and delivery of the handset within three days. The store is located at www.ichoose.com and can be accessed from over 400 cities across the country.

    The store allows consumers to choose froma range of Tata Indicom handsets, tariff plans and value added services (Vas). Customers can compare and select the appropriate tariff plan. Tata Indicom CEO Darryl Green says that the aim is to break away from the clutter of mobile offers by empowering customers to make an informed decision.

    “We are committed to introducing services which are in line with the changing lifestyles and needs of our discerning customers. I-choose will ehlp us extend our reach across different segments. It will also allow us to create awareness about our Vas which we have expanded during the course of last year.”

    Tata Indicom offers a library of 50 video games for download. One of its latest offerings was a Krrishh themed game. It also offers 3D sports games like motor racing. The games cost between Rs. 20- Rs. 100 a month. One can also access email and the Internet using a phone.

    That is because the firm provides high wireless speeds for the net. Tata Indicom also has a voice station where the user can listen to film songs, devotional hymns etc. Right now around five per cent of its revenues come from Vas but this is expected top grow.

    In terms of promotional activities for the i-choose store the company will use a lot of Internet banner advertising as well as outdoor hoardings. It also sponsors high profile events like the recent broadband convergence conference in Delhi.

  • Yahoo! India Answers unveils ‘Ask the Planet’ series to its knowledge sharing platform

    Yahoo! India Answers unveils ‘Ask the Planet’ series to its knowledge sharing platform

    MUMBAI: Yahoo! India has unveiled a new series titled ‘Ask the Planet’ on its existing knowledge sharing platform Yahoo! India Answers, which acts as a forum and social community for its users.

    The internet giant has zeroed in on India and following the launch of what they call the ‘social media search,’ with the ‘Ask the Planet’ campaign, Yahoo! has outlined a regionalization plan to be implemented within the first and second quarter of 2007. Similar to the localization of their messenger service ‘Indichat’ into eight languages, the company is also looking at expanding the ‘Ask the Planet’ series into several local languages.

    The latest series has roped in Indian luminaries from myriad backgrounds to pose questions pertaining to education, health, law and enforcement, games and recreation, society and culture. This series will continue for a period of six weeks, allowing users to answer string of questions posed by these achievers. On the opening day, the first question was posted by the president of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam who asked, “What should we do to free our planet from terrorism?”

    Taking the campaign forward, the company will conduct an All India School outreach program visiting 25 cities and urging kids to respond to the president’s question. Finally, president Kalam will select 10 lucky winners who will get the opportunity to go on an educational trip to the Silicon Valley. Additionally, the top 50 respondents will also get to interact with the president on a trip to Delhi. The winners will be announced at the end of February.

    Besides, having the opportunity to answer questions posed by prominent Indians, the common man can even pose and answer the simplest of questions. What’s more, each registered user can earn points “reputation” for his participation.

    Speaking at the launch Yahoo! India MD George Zacharias said, “We are delighted to bring ‘Ask the Planet’ Series to India. In line with the objective of Yahoo! Answers in creating a rich knowledge repository, the ATP Series will provide an innovative platform for the millions of Indians based on their real life experiences, to answer some of the biggest questions that touch our lives today.”

    Yahoo! India Answers was initiated by Yahoo! in April 2006. Starting June 2006, Yahoo! began a series called ‘Ask the Planet’ on Answers where luminaries such as Dr. Stephen Hawking, former US vice president Al Gore, U2s Bono to name a few have asked questions on subjects ranging from survival of human race to eradication of poverty. The service currently exists in 16 languages across the world.
     

  • IOL Broadband to raise $390 million via QIP

    IOL Broadband to raise $390 million via QIP

    MUMBAI: IOL Broadband Ltd is in the process of raising Rs 390 million through qualified institutional placement (QIP) to part-fund its IPTV roll out in new cities. Prime Securities is lead managing the issue that will close on Saturday.

    “We are raising Rs 390 million which will be used for expanding into new cities,” says IOL Broadband executive director Oberai.

    IOL Broadband will soon soft launch its IPTV services on the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) network in Bangalore.

    The company, which has a non exclusive tie up with BSNL for setting up the content delivery network, is also looking at launching IPTV in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Bhopal.

    IOL is yet to make a commercial launch of its IPTV services in MUmbai, the first city where it kickstarted operations on the MTNL network.

    The company has also signed a revenue share agreement for its IPTV service with Anytime, a consortium of major Hollywood Studios comprising Disney, Fox, Warner, and Universal which will provide access to Hollywood movies.

    Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL), which is the holding company of the Times Group, has picked up a small stake in IOL Broadband for Rs 50 million.
     

  • Cellcast launches Sumo.TV in India

    Cellcast launches Sumo.TV in India

    MUMBAI: Cellcast Interactive India has launched Sumo.TV, a pioneering product offering India’s first end-to-end user-generated content (UGC) solution for broadcasters.

    “Sumo.TV invites individuals to share their personal or creative videos that could be featured on prime time television”, said Cellcast Plc, UK, vice president Mahesh Ramachandra. Sumo.TV has already been launched in the UK and China markets.

    “In the UK market we have started a 24-hour channel with the content contributed solely by viewers. This exceeds what even YouTube or MySpace can provide for their communities,” Ramachandra added. All content can be contributed through the newly-launched website, at www.sumo.in, where individuals can view, share and manage their own content.

    Said Cellcast Interactive India CEO Pankaj Thakar, “UGC reflects a fundamental change in audience behavior, especially in the 18-34 age group in India where most of them are spending time online or on mobile creating and sharing their own content. Sumo.TV offers them an outlet to share their content with millions through the power of television.”

    “Importantly, the content contributors can earn revenue whenever their videos are watched or shown on television,” he added. Every time a user’s content is downloaded by another user, shown on television, or streamed on mobile services, he will receive a percentage of received revenues. Effectively, Sumo.TV users are being invited to set up their own mini-channels.

    Sumo.TV, said Thakar, brings together a compelling consumer proposition, offering users new ways of finding that ‘15 minutes’ of fame, new ways of making money from personal content and new ways of expressing themselves and making friends. In the U.K., the Sumo.TV website (www.sumo.tv) alone has an average of 80000 unique visitors per day.

    “India is experiencing a truly dynamic phase in media technology convergence and we, at Cellcast, are delighted to launch the revolutionary product Sumo.TV in the market that will help us derive the benefits over a long period. Cellcast India plans to air the video content on local television and are currently in talks with a number of television channels about the same,” he added.

    All the best videos submitted to the website or via mobile phone are selected by trained staff and broadcast on Sumo.TV channels and programmes. Broadcasters who license Sumo.TV have immediate access to all the components of next-generation UGC programming including original user-generated content, UGC-oriented interactive TV formats, 3D video jukebox, content management system and production tools Video-sharing and community website mobile services. These tools and services allow a broadcaster to create anything from an hour-long weekly television show to an entire UGC-driven 24/7 television channel.