ITV

Category: IPTV

  • 80k illicit streaming consumers lost connections in Asia, CASBAA says

    80k illicit streaming consumers lost connections in Asia, CASBAA says

    MUMBAI: Tens of thousands of consumers of illegal TV services in Asia have lost their connections in recent weeks, as enforcement action against networks operating through illicit streaming devices (ISDs) picks up speed. Asian regional pay-TV association CASBAA applauded recent police actions in Thailand and Malaysia, which resulted in takedowns and arrests of operators of ISD networks.

    “The criminal syndicates selling ISDs have defrauded many consumers into believing their services were legitimate,” said CASBAA Chief Policy Officer John Medeiros. “They are not. And anyone buying an illicit IPTV box takes the risk of losing their money without warning when the network is taken down.”

    After the Thai raids, an estimated 50,000 consumers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and other places all lost service, despite having pre-paid substantial amounts for “Expat.tv” services. The enforcement action that shut down the service led to the arrest of two British nationals and one Thai citizen, as well as the seizure of a considerable amount of equipment.

    In Malaysia, police estimated that 30,000 consumers were receiving service from a syndicate illegally retransmitting programming from Astro channels. Six men were arrested in raids in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

    CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter said the TV industry — including creators of all genres of TV content as well as leading distribution companies like Astro, PCCW, and True Visions – are determined to keep up enforcement actions against ISD networks. “It’s important for consumers to understand that if a bouquet of TV programming offered on a box seems “too good to be true”, then it probably is not legitimate,” he said. “Money invested in an ISD is at risk of loss at any time.”

    Consumers also risked infection with malware when they attach ISDs, with their dodgy apps, to home networks, warned Medeiros. “Researchers in the UK have found ISD boxes importing viruses that could allow hackers access to all devices on home networks. This could result in the theft of personal data, credit card fraud or even being held to ransom. It’s only a matter of time before this problem hits consumers in Asia, too.”

    “Legitimate, licensed TV services are a far more reliable and more secure way to obtain programming.”

  • Vitel to develop IPTV business in India, hires Castle to raise Rs 50 cr

    Vitel to develop IPTV business in India, hires Castle to raise Rs 50 cr

    MUMBAI: Vitel Global Communications has announced that it has engaged Castle Placement as its exclusive placement agent to raise US$ 7.5 million (Rs 50.29 crore) of capital.

    Proceeds will be used to expand Vitel’s VoIP business and develop its IPTV business for Vitel’s business and residential customers in the US and India.

    Based in the United States, with a division in India, Vitel develops and sells a broad range of telecommunications products. Vitel has established a footprint in both countries with clients including AT&T, IDT, BT, Sprint, Qwest, iBasis, PRIMUS and RailTel India. The management team of Vitel has over thirty years of experience and expertise in communications, networking, software development, and marketing.

    Founded in 2009, Castle Placement raises equity and debt private capital for start-up, early-stage and middle market companies across a broad spectrum of industries. It uses the latest technology to connect its issuers with global institutional investors. Castle Placement has over 27,000 private equity, venture capital and strategic investors, family offices, pension funds, foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, hedge funds and lenders.

  • Extron exec Gary Tay joins Tripleplay Asia

    Extron exec Gary Tay joins Tripleplay Asia

    MUMBAI: Leading developer of Digital Signage, IPTV and Video Streaming solutions, Tripleplay has appointed former Extron consultant liaison manager, Gary Tay to head up its Asian business based from its regional headquarters in Singapore.

    Highly respected, and with over 18 years as a part of the Extron team in Asia, Gary Tay comes to Tripleplay with an unrivalled experience in the Asian market, is CTS certified, delivering Infocomm accreditation training across the region. Commenting, Gary Tay said, “As we witness the market trend of AV/IT convergence, we should also consider embracing system solutions around IP or cloud platforms. Therefore, I see that the cutting-edge software technology developed by Tripleplay has continued to embrace integration with network infrastructure to provide a single platform solution for digital signage, IPTV, Video on Demand streaming applications and services.”

    On the appointment, Tripleplay CEO Steve Rickless commented, “We have the right man to build our business and help our clients and partners achieve their project and business objectives.”

    Having experienced significant business growth, Tripleplay now has regional headquarters in UK, Florida – USA, Spain, Australia and Singapore, regional operations in New Jersey – USA, Turkey, UAE, South Africa, DACH, France and the Benelux.

  • Checking illegal IPTV streaming: ISP raided

    Checking illegal IPTV streaming: ISP raided

    MUMBAI: This could be the beginning of things to come in the illicit streaming business. Despite a variety of security software and combat gears, illegal streaming seems to be continuing unabated across the globe. Physical checks need to be conducted now with subsequent arrests and severe penalties may need to be imposed now.

    The Spanish National Police has announced that they have successfully raided a store in a Calahonda shopping center in Málaga, Spain, owned by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) suspected of hosting a large-scale illegal IPTV streaming business, thanks to a collaborative effort with Premier League and Irdeto.

    Investigations revealed that the ISP in question, known as “Y Internet,” was being run by two U.K. citizens and providing unauthorized online subscription services featuring more than 100 international pay TV channels, including Premier League matches. At the time of the raid, five of the company’s 10 employees were present, including the system administrator who was in charge of the operation of the servers used to provide illegal access to the channels, an IT technician in charge of preparing the illicit devices and three sales managers.

    Y-Internet sold illegal IPTV service packages with annual contracts to the large foreign population in the Malaga region, including hotels, pubs, neighborhoods and individuals. This included reception devices that were adapted to receive decrypted pay TV signals without authorization. An Irdeto investigator told the Police that he went to the store in the shopping center where the employees showed him the device and services available. The representative supplied as evidence the reception device and a premium subscription purchased for 450€ from the store.

    The investigation was initiated by the Premier League as part of a global crack down on illegal online redistribution of its live broadcasts. Engaged by the Premier League for piracy detection and investigative services, Irdeto’s team of experts worked closely with the Spanish National Police to gather information and evidence leading to the raid.

    Premier League director of legal services Kevin Plumb, said: “The raids conducted by the Spanish authorities, supported in this case by Irdeto’s expertise, are a positive example of law enforcement taking piracy and IP infringement seriously. This approach is essential for organisations like the Premier League – and other creative industries – as our model is predicated on the ability to market and sell rights and protect intellectual property. It is because of this that clubs can invest in star players and managers, and world class stadiums – the very things fans enjoy about our competition.”

    “These raids follow a recent case we brought in the U.K that saw a supplier of IPTV devices which enable mass piracy of Premier League football sent to prison for four years. It was the first case of its type and the fact police, both in the UK and in Spain, are now targeting and arresting others selling similar devices is further evidence for consumers that they are illegal.”

    Once sufficient evidence of illicit activity was found, the store in Malaga was raided by the Police. While entering the premises, the agents were confronted with strong security measures inside including a surveillance system that allowed the owners to supervise the employees from the UK, where they are currently living. The raid alerted the owners who tried to remotely delete and destroy files, payment transactions and clients’ records. However, the quick and effective actions of the Police prevented this from happening.

    “We are grateful to the Spanish Police for their support and decisive action against IPTV piracy,” said Irdeto senior director – cyber services & investigations Mark Mulready. “We will continue to work closely with our customers, partners and law enforcement agencies to detect, analyze, investigate and counter all types of piracy affecting on-demand and live real-time content. This is a growing problem affecting content owners, broadcasters and operators across the world. Efforts like this are more critical than ever and set an example that piracy will not be tolerated.”

  • VICE to launch digital service with ToI Group 1Q 2017

    VICE to launch digital service with ToI Group 1Q 2017

    MACAO: VICE Media, the Canadian-American digital media and broadcasting company, will be launching its digital services in India, as part of a slew of other product offerings, in association with Times of India Group in the first quarter of 2017, while actively exploring the option of starting its pay TV service under Viceland brand sometime in the near future.

    “”We are working towards a launch of our digital offerings in Q1 of 2017 in India,” VICE Media Co-President James Schwab told indiantelevision in an exclusive interview.

    Schwab, who also went off to visit India to confabulate with his India partners this week, was in Macao to deliver a keynote at the CASBAA Convention 2016, which also saw a galaxy of other media industry stalwarts, including GroupM global boss Irwin Gotlieb; Bennett Pozil, Head of Corporate Banking & EVP, East West Bank; Chad Gutstein, CEO, Machinima; Avigail Gutman, Programme Director, Operational Security, Cisco; Nickhil Jakatdar, CEO & Founder, Vuclip; Basil Chua, CEO, AsiaMX; Dave Downey, CEO, INVIDI; Zaid Mohseni, COO, MOBY Group, apart from heads of Indian platform operators like Jagdish Kumar of Hathway and Tony D’Silva of the Hinduja Group.

    Schwab, who announced VICE’s launch in Indonesia at the CASBAA Convention, said that India was an exciting market in Asia and that he’s looking at bringing the whole suite of company products in India, of course in association with the Indian partner.

    Originally based in Montreal, Canada, VICE re-located to New York City in 2001. In 2014, VICE Media got injected by US$200 million investment (10 per cent equity) by American broadcasting company A&E Networks, a joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation. Disney made a second 10 per cent (US$200 million) investment in 2015. Known for some edgy content, VICE also has Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox as an investor.

    VICE Media, according to Wikipedia, after starting with a magazine expanded primarily into youth and young adult-focused digital media, including online content verticals and related web series. The news division VICE News, a film production studio, and a record label are among other properties. In February 2016, VICE launched a cable television network in Canada and the United States, Viceland, which is a millennial-targeted network that draws upon the resources of the lifestyle-oriented verticals of the company.

    Though India has foreign investment restriction in news ventures of a non-majority stake of 49 per cent, VICE Media feels that it would not hamper their news offerings in association with the Times of India Group. “VICE creates local content in various territories around the world, produced by local hosts, editors, and shooters. VICE looks at each market on an individual basis and makes sure that the content that airs in specific territories is content that young people in those territories care about,” Schwab said.

    The Indian market that is witnessing a slew of new product offerings to consumers on traditional and new technology platforms, including OTT, for VICE offers opportunities that could be monetised and exploited. And, as part of the strategy, the launch of pay TV service Viceland with local and foreign content too is in the pipeline.

    “As we would like to be on all platforms, including digital, at some point of time we would look at launching our pay TV service too in India. But the launch won’t be soon as we still are working on distribution strategies. We’d launch when we feel the product is right (for the Indian market). But we would like even Indian consumers to experience all our products,” Schwab said.

    While speaking at the CASBAA Convention, he admitted that TV was a “powerful tool to reach audience(s) and revenue from subscription TV preserved the “quality of good content.”

    With estimated revenues of US$ 915 million in 2015 and total assets worth about US$ 2.5 billion as on 2014, VICE Media is betting big on Asia-Pacific, including India. Partnership with the TOI Group in the form of two joint ventures is part of that strategy, which will witness creation of new local production studios with leading journalists and filmmakers hired for 24-hour local news and lifestyle programming.

    “We would like to bring all our capabilities to Asia. However, before we enter a market, we think through the local market economics as we would like our businesses to be self- sustaining. Indonesia and India are great examples (of such strategies) as the population of young people is huge as is growth in mobile usage,” Schwab explained.

    VICE also feels that the Indian market is economically viable for the company’s creative agency service despite presence of strong and existing global and domestic players. As VICE’s creative agency, Virtue, works closely with both brands and other media agencies to deliver for clients, Schwab said, “We believe there is interest (in India)…some of our global customers have evinced interest.

  • VICE to launch digital service with ToI Group 1Q 2017

    VICE to launch digital service with ToI Group 1Q 2017

    MACAO: VICE Media, the Canadian-American digital media and broadcasting company, will be launching its digital services in India, as part of a slew of other product offerings, in association with Times of India Group in the first quarter of 2017, while actively exploring the option of starting its pay TV service under Viceland brand sometime in the near future.

    “”We are working towards a launch of our digital offerings in Q1 of 2017 in India,” VICE Media Co-President James Schwab told indiantelevision in an exclusive interview.

    Schwab, who also went off to visit India to confabulate with his India partners this week, was in Macao to deliver a keynote at the CASBAA Convention 2016, which also saw a galaxy of other media industry stalwarts, including GroupM global boss Irwin Gotlieb; Bennett Pozil, Head of Corporate Banking & EVP, East West Bank; Chad Gutstein, CEO, Machinima; Avigail Gutman, Programme Director, Operational Security, Cisco; Nickhil Jakatdar, CEO & Founder, Vuclip; Basil Chua, CEO, AsiaMX; Dave Downey, CEO, INVIDI; Zaid Mohseni, COO, MOBY Group, apart from heads of Indian platform operators like Jagdish Kumar of Hathway and Tony D’Silva of the Hinduja Group.

    Schwab, who announced VICE’s launch in Indonesia at the CASBAA Convention, said that India was an exciting market in Asia and that he’s looking at bringing the whole suite of company products in India, of course in association with the Indian partner.

    Originally based in Montreal, Canada, VICE re-located to New York City in 2001. In 2014, VICE Media got injected by US$200 million investment (10 per cent equity) by American broadcasting company A&E Networks, a joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation. Disney made a second 10 per cent (US$200 million) investment in 2015. Known for some edgy content, VICE also has Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox as an investor.

    VICE Media, according to Wikipedia, after starting with a magazine expanded primarily into youth and young adult-focused digital media, including online content verticals and related web series. The news division VICE News, a film production studio, and a record label are among other properties. In February 2016, VICE launched a cable television network in Canada and the United States, Viceland, which is a millennial-targeted network that draws upon the resources of the lifestyle-oriented verticals of the company.

    Though India has foreign investment restriction in news ventures of a non-majority stake of 49 per cent, VICE Media feels that it would not hamper their news offerings in association with the Times of India Group. “VICE creates local content in various territories around the world, produced by local hosts, editors, and shooters. VICE looks at each market on an individual basis and makes sure that the content that airs in specific territories is content that young people in those territories care about,” Schwab said.

    The Indian market that is witnessing a slew of new product offerings to consumers on traditional and new technology platforms, including OTT, for VICE offers opportunities that could be monetised and exploited. And, as part of the strategy, the launch of pay TV service Viceland with local and foreign content too is in the pipeline.

    “As we would like to be on all platforms, including digital, at some point of time we would look at launching our pay TV service too in India. But the launch won’t be soon as we still are working on distribution strategies. We’d launch when we feel the product is right (for the Indian market). But we would like even Indian consumers to experience all our products,” Schwab said.

    While speaking at the CASBAA Convention, he admitted that TV was a “powerful tool to reach audience(s) and revenue from subscription TV preserved the “quality of good content.”

    With estimated revenues of US$ 915 million in 2015 and total assets worth about US$ 2.5 billion as on 2014, VICE Media is betting big on Asia-Pacific, including India. Partnership with the TOI Group in the form of two joint ventures is part of that strategy, which will witness creation of new local production studios with leading journalists and filmmakers hired for 24-hour local news and lifestyle programming.

    “We would like to bring all our capabilities to Asia. However, before we enter a market, we think through the local market economics as we would like our businesses to be self- sustaining. Indonesia and India are great examples (of such strategies) as the population of young people is huge as is growth in mobile usage,” Schwab explained.

    VICE also feels that the Indian market is economically viable for the company’s creative agency service despite presence of strong and existing global and domestic players. As VICE’s creative agency, Virtue, works closely with both brands and other media agencies to deliver for clients, Schwab said, “We believe there is interest (in India)…some of our global customers have evinced interest.

  • Bharati Airtel to switch off IPTV service?

    Bharati Airtel to switch off IPTV service?

    MUMBAI: It persisted with its service for more than seven years. But now Bharati Airtel, which launched its IPTV offering in 2009, is reportedly shutting it down.

    The company has been sending out notices to its less than 50,000 subscribers that it would be pulling the plug on it by 31 July first and now on31 August, according to news reports.

    The service is available in Bengaluru and Delhi. In Delhi, it has been offering two packs, according to the Airtel website: SD 399 (Rs 399 for 196 SD channels, including 48 time shift channels), and HD599 (Rs 599 for 196 chax fonnels, 48 time shift channels and 12 HD channels). Bengaluru subscribers could avail of only the SD399 pack. A free wifi modem was thrown in when customers bought a set top bor Rs 3,500.

    In both the cities, it appears to be making a sweet offering: IPTV, though running on top of the consumer’s broadband connection, would not consume bytes from his or her existing broadband plan. Additionally, the service allowed users could access seven days of recorded programmes.

    Reports are that Airtel has written to its triple play customers saying that it would be offering an upgrade to its Airtel Digital TV DTH service at zero installation and activation cost (worth Rs 500), complementary HD USB set top box (Rs 1,300), 10 HD channel bouquet free for a month (Rs 111), free three months of recording (Rs 90), and a complimentary 8 GB pendrive (Rs 300).

    Some irate Airtel customers have been clogging consumer complaints websites online expressing their unhappiness about the one-sided decision to shut down its IPTV service and pushing them to subscribe to Airtel Digital TV.

    Airtel is switching ofF its IPTV service at a time when Reliance Jio is working on rolling out its own offering to customers. It imported a consignment of IPTV settop boxes a couple of months ago.

    Attempts to contact Airtel officials were unsuccessful.

  • Bharati Airtel to switch off IPTV service?

    Bharati Airtel to switch off IPTV service?

    MUMBAI: It persisted with its service for more than seven years. But now Bharati Airtel, which launched its IPTV offering in 2009, is reportedly shutting it down.

    The company has been sending out notices to its less than 50,000 subscribers that it would be pulling the plug on it by 31 July first and now on31 August, according to news reports.

    The service is available in Bengaluru and Delhi. In Delhi, it has been offering two packs, according to the Airtel website: SD 399 (Rs 399 for 196 SD channels, including 48 time shift channels), and HD599 (Rs 599 for 196 chax fonnels, 48 time shift channels and 12 HD channels). Bengaluru subscribers could avail of only the SD399 pack. A free wifi modem was thrown in when customers bought a set top bor Rs 3,500.

    In both the cities, it appears to be making a sweet offering: IPTV, though running on top of the consumer’s broadband connection, would not consume bytes from his or her existing broadband plan. Additionally, the service allowed users could access seven days of recorded programmes.

    Reports are that Airtel has written to its triple play customers saying that it would be offering an upgrade to its Airtel Digital TV DTH service at zero installation and activation cost (worth Rs 500), complementary HD USB set top box (Rs 1,300), 10 HD channel bouquet free for a month (Rs 111), free three months of recording (Rs 90), and a complimentary 8 GB pendrive (Rs 300).

    Some irate Airtel customers have been clogging consumer complaints websites online expressing their unhappiness about the one-sided decision to shut down its IPTV service and pushing them to subscribe to Airtel Digital TV.

    Airtel is switching ofF its IPTV service at a time when Reliance Jio is working on rolling out its own offering to customers. It imported a consignment of IPTV settop boxes a couple of months ago.

    Attempts to contact Airtel officials were unsuccessful.

  • NHK WORLD TV expands IPTV footprint in ASEAN

    NHK WORLD TV expands IPTV footprint in ASEAN

    MUMBAI: NHK World TV continues to reach out to new subscribers in ASEAN with its IPTV launch on 17 March, 2016 on Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) which is one of the largest mobile phone network providers in Thailand.

    This launch sees NHK WORLD TV’s extensive programs being made available in HD to AIS Fibre broadband subscribers on its TV platform, AIS PLAYBOX, as well as its mobile application, AIS PLAY, running on both Android and iOS systems.

    “Thailand, being a vibrant and robust ASEAN country, is an important market for us. We are confident Thai viewers will continue to find our news coverage objective and accurate, and our lifestyle programs entertaining and enlightening,” said Yoshihiko Shimizu, President and CEO, Japan International Broadcasting.

    Operating from Japan, NHK WORLD TV is a 24-hour English language television service for international viewers; providing the latest Asia-centered informative and entertainment programs. NHK WORLD TV is available to 290 million households in 150 countries and regions. It is accessible via free mobile app, online live-streaming and video-on-demand on its website.

  • NHK WORLD TV expands IPTV footprint in ASEAN

    NHK WORLD TV expands IPTV footprint in ASEAN

    MUMBAI: NHK World TV continues to reach out to new subscribers in ASEAN with its IPTV launch on 17 March, 2016 on Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) which is one of the largest mobile phone network providers in Thailand.

    This launch sees NHK WORLD TV’s extensive programs being made available in HD to AIS Fibre broadband subscribers on its TV platform, AIS PLAYBOX, as well as its mobile application, AIS PLAY, running on both Android and iOS systems.

    “Thailand, being a vibrant and robust ASEAN country, is an important market for us. We are confident Thai viewers will continue to find our news coverage objective and accurate, and our lifestyle programs entertaining and enlightening,” said Yoshihiko Shimizu, President and CEO, Japan International Broadcasting.

    Operating from Japan, NHK WORLD TV is a 24-hour English language television service for international viewers; providing the latest Asia-centered informative and entertainment programs. NHK WORLD TV is available to 290 million households in 150 countries and regions. It is accessible via free mobile app, online live-streaming and video-on-demand on its website.