ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • Outbrain sets date for 2022 annual advertiser conference ‘Unveil’

    Outbrain sets date for 2022 annual advertiser conference ‘Unveil’

    Mumbai: Outbrain Inc has announced the date of its 2022 annual advertising innovation conference ‘Unveil,’ which is set to take place in March.

    Unveil 2022 is a digital innovation roadshow that will run for a single day across three time zones – on 15 March for the Americas, 16 March for EMEA and 17 March for APAC. The event is now open for early registration.

    “Unveil is a key event for advertisers” said Outbrain chief revenue officer Eytan Galai. “It’s Outbrain’s chance to share our most exciting innovations and new platform capabilities as an opportunity for advertisers to learn about new tools and platform features designed to help them stay ahead of the game.”

    “We are wrapping up one of the most exciting years in Outbrain’s history,” said Outbrain vice president of product Lior Charka. “We have invested a lot in product innovation and have been working on powerful new ways for advertisers to engage and acquire customers in the open web using Outbrain.”

    Unveil 2022 will be a fully virtual event featuring Outbrain’s creativity, performance and simplicity solutions.

  • Eros Now extends partnership with Airtel

    Eros Now extends partnership with Airtel

    Mumbai: Eros Now, an over-the-top (OTT) South Asian entertainment platform owned by Eros STX Global Corp on Wednesday announced the extension of its partnership with Airtel. The alliance will bring Eros Now’s content library to Airtel Xstream Premium, a newly launched aggregation-oriented video streaming service by Airtel.

    The partnership is in line with Eros Now’s strategy to focus on direct-to-consumer relationships while strengthening and expanding key distribution partnerships. As part of this collaboration, Eros Now will also be available across new bundled offerings to customers on Airtel Xstream Android set-top-boxes and Airtel Xstream Fiber.

    “Airtel users will get access to Eros Now’s content of over 12,000 films, originals, music, and short-form content across languages and genres. All this will be accessible through a simplified search, customised recommendations and single access login on the Airtel Xstream Premium app on mobile and large screens (TV, tablet and PC),” said the statement.

    “Video-on-demand has emerged as the key driver of data consumption on telecom networks making content and its delivery channel equally important and Airtel has been a market leader in video and 4G penetration,” said Eros Now CEO Ali Hussein. “This partnership allows for a symbiotic play wherein both entities can analyse the customer data and precisely target subscribers with the content of their choice. The collaboration also entitles Eros Now to be a part of Airtel’s preferred channel network and further strengthens our leading position in the Hindi-speaking markets.”

    As per a Redseer report, Hindi and other Indian languages dominated the comprehensive streaming growth. Hindi language content accounted for more than 50 per cent of the overall streaming in April-July 2020. This also indicates that video experience is becoming increasingly important to Indian consumers, hence any operator who provides greater video experience has an edge. As per the latest OpenSignal’s Mobile Network India Report, Airtel won the best video experience category nationally for the fifth time in a row.

    “We are witnessing a huge surge in video consumption amongst our customers. And this growth is not limited to big cities but is also coming from smaller cities and towns,” stated Airtel Digital CEO Adarsh Nair. “This strategic partnership with Eros Now enables us to provide the most sought-after content to consumers in the true heartland of India in their preferred language. It also allows us to enhance our offering and enrich our customer’s digital experience.” 

  • Roposo joins ‘The Battle of Beatboxers 2.0’ as live entertainment partner

    Roposo joins ‘The Battle of Beatboxers 2.0’ as live entertainment partner

    Mumbai: In an attempt to mainstream beatboxing in India, creator-led live entertainment commerce platform Roposo has teamed up with Rawdust as the official live entertainment partner for ‘The Battle of Beatboxers 2.0’ (TBOB).

    The event will also be showcased on Glance, the lock screen platform with over 163 million users in India. Roposo will exclusively live-stream the event to its users. 

    “With this partnership, Roposo aims to provide beatboxers across India an opportunity to expand their fan base by introducing the craft of beatboxing to a much larger audience,” stated Roposo VP and GM Mansi Jain. “Our ongoing effort is to identify different genres, artists and subcultures that will help niche music segments, such as beatboxing, explore new avenues and monetise their talent.”

    TBOB will be hosted by songwriter, rap and RnB artist Shaikhspeare aka Aamir Shaikh and Roposo creator Bhawna Munjal. The event will combine performances along with a special showcase by the judges. Selected participants will get a chance to be part of Roposo’s growing creator community, the platform said.

    The top 32 participants who are selected for the ‘KnockOut Round’ will battle it out for the top two winning titles in Mumbai at YB Chauhan auditorium on 19 February. Popular beatboxers, “Gully Boy” fame D-Cypher aka Gaurav Gambhir, and BeatRawaka Roshan Gamare are the judges along with Dilip Sakhrani who was the first Indian to win an international beatboxing competition.

    The contestant with the highest number of views on Roposo will receive various prizes and benefits from Rawdust. Additionally, the top four participants will receive a unique partnership opportunity with Roposo. These beatboxers will be able to be part of various artist collaborations and live shows on Roposo as well as on Glance, enabling them to live stream at a massive scale, said the statement. 

    “Beatboxing is still an underrated form of music in India. While the first season of ‘The Battle of Beatboxers’ received a great response, we are certain this season will attract new audience as we partner with a prominent live platform like Roposo. This will give beatboxers a platform to become content creators as well, which is a huge plus point for them,” shared Rawdust founder Nikunj Mehta.

    “Only in recent times have genres like beatboxing and rap received eminence in the Indian music industry. Competitions like ‘The Battle of Beatboxers’ helps us find the most talented beatboxers who deserve more listeners”, remarked D-Cypher aka Gaurav Gambhir renowned Indian Beatboxer and judge on The Battle of Beatboxers 2.0. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Roposo, create live content on the platform and increase our fanbase.”

  • Original Content is Going to Be the Winning Factor for OTTs like ZEE5!

    Original Content is Going to Be the Winning Factor for OTTs like ZEE5!

    The Indian OTT space is experiencing an exciting phase with the influx of new content. And leading the race is India’s home-grown platform, ZEE5. With a path-breaking bouquet of offerings spanning multiple genres, ZEE5 is set to wow audiences with an exciting line-up of original movies and web series. Ramping up its diversified content portfolio, the streaming giant has promised the audience a vast catalogue that will appeal to audiences of all backgrounds. Let’s explore how this strategy can be a winning factor for the OTT player. 

    An Exclusive Portfolio of Multilingual Content

    Smartphone penetration coupled with easy accessibility has enabled audiences from Tier 2 and 3 cities to get uninterrupted entertainment at their fingertips. Audiences are open to a wide range of content, pushing the envelope of creativity for content creators. From Hindi films to Tamil blockbusters, ZEE5 has an exclusive selection of movies that viewers can access from anywhere in the nation. With original content at the forefront, the streaming platform has a burgeoning selection of flicks that adds a silver lining to its popularity. 

    Manish Kalra, ZEE5’s Chief Business Officer, commented that “2022 will see fresh content from ZEE5 on the movies front as we have commissioned new inventory. The streaming platform will see 2X growth in original content with a special focus on regional content.”

    Along with Hindi films, the entertainment platform has movies and web series in over 12 languages. The multiple offerings connect people from varied demographics, regions, and cultural differences under one roof. The streaming giant is investing in building an exclusive library of original content in languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi, and more. ZEE5 started the year with a bang by launching exclusive movies that include 36 Farmhouse, Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee, Ellam Sheriyakum, and more. These movies received wide critical acclaim conquering the hearts of millions.  

    Entertaining Audiences with Original and Engaging Storylines

    Taking inspiration from India’s diverse culture, ZEE5 has a selection of movies that provide the audiences with different narratives, offering a fresh perspective. Many of the stories on the platform have original content inspired by the lives of ordinary people. From breaking stereotypes in 14 Phere and Rashmi Rocket to fighting injustice in 200 Hallo Ho, ZEE5 has a good line-up that features unique themes. Besides a solid screenplay with a stellar cast, these movies also tackle varied social themes plaguing our society today. Along with fiction programming, the platform also has non-fiction content for viewers, including chat shows, news stories, and more. ZEE5 has irrevocably changed streaming for Indian viewers for the better, bringing unique plots to viewers globally.

    Experimentation is the Driving Force Behind ZEE5 Originals

    While ZEE5 is increasingly focusing on regional content to retain viewers, the main driving force behind the success of ZEE5 Originals is experimentation. Hindi films like Bob Biswas, Kaagaz, 420 IPC, and more have received wide critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. The streaming giant has also collaborated with various creators and filmmakers like Applause Entertainment, Red Chillies Entertainment, TVF, and more to churn out original content and explore new territories. 

    The streaming giant has created a creative outlet that audiences feel drawn to. With the vision of ‘Entertainment Inclusivity’, ZEE5 collaborates with creators to bring local stories that connect with audiences emotionally and give them a global stage by making them available across 190+ countries.  

    Upping its Entertainment Game with Every Release

    The regional film industry has created ripples in the Indian entertainment industry. This means that Indian cinema is no longer a place for formulaic storylines. By bringing diversity and authenticity to the cinematic landscape, ZEE5 has created a larger ecosystem of digital content creation. With new releases every month, the streaming platform provides quality entertainment to viewers with niche films bound to leave an impact. The OTT player has more than 40+ Originals lined up for release in FY22, promising viewers a new world for entertainment at the flick of a button. 

  • Lionsgate Play’s second Indian original ‘Jugaadistan’ out 4 March

    Lionsgate Play’s second Indian original ‘Jugaadistan’ out 4 March

    Mumbai: Lionsgate Play has announced that its second Indian original “Jugaadistan” will start streaming on the platform from 4 March.

    Directed by Akarsh Khurana and Adhaar Khurana, “Jugaadistan” features Sumeet Vyas, Arjun Mathur, Parambrata Chatterjee, Rukshar Dhillon, Taaruk Raina, Gopal Datt and Ahsaas Channa.

    The show will take the audiences through the dusty by-lanes of a campus. The campus drama explores college politicians, professors who make students go weak in their knees, young people navigating their own moralities and matters of the heart, said the platform in a statement. 

    “It’s a show that we’ve put all our might behind,” said Lionsgate MD South Asia and networks – emerging markets Asia Rohit Jain. “With ‘Hiccups and Hookups’ we explored modern family dynamics; this time we took a real tour of campus life. It’s not as hunky-dory as our pop culture makes it seem with their nostalgic songs and romantic stories. We get real and explore the gritty side that has never been seen on screen before. At Lionsgate Play, the endeavour is to chase stories that are out of the ordinary and I can’t wait for the world to watch it.”

    “This series is a delightful combination of all the colours of life that we experience in college,” said Lionsgate India vice president originals Mrinalini Khanna. “Akarsh and Adhaar along with the writers and cast have managed to bring to life the innocence of growing up as well as the seriousness of making life-changing decisions at a young age, effortlessly. We’re excited to showcase a series that is not only contemporary but also timeless in many ways. I guarantee, no matter what age you’re at – you’re going to relate and reminisce with ‘Jugaadistan’.”

    “As a filmmaker and storyteller, you are always looking to push the envelope and challenge yourself,” said director Akarsh Khurana. “I wanted to do just that when this presented itself. While I have done youth-centric, college stuff before, this was like a different take on it. Like the darker side of our college years, and Delhi like we don’t see often. We delve into an array of issues – college politics, student dynamics, side incomes – all of which are significant in how people’s lives are shaped in their formative years. After all, college is the beginning of the rest of your adult life. The decisions we take then usually have far-reaching consequences. I also really enjoyed the track of investigative journalism and the quest for the truth that runs parallel to all the student shenanigans.”

  • Karnataka HC order will pave way for progressive policy on online gaming: Industry

    Karnataka HC order will pave way for progressive policy on online gaming: Industry

    Mumbai: The Karnataka high court on Monday struck down the amendments to the Karnataka Police Amendment Act in 2021 that prohibited certain online gaming activities in the state.

    The judgement comes as a relief for online fantasy sports and online gaming companies such as Dream11, Mobile Premier League, Games24X7 and Ace2Three who had suspended operations in the state after the ban came into effect on 5 October last year.

    In October, the state government had prohibited and criminalised playing of games of skill including online games by risking money or otherwise by amending the Karnataka Police Act, 1963.

    The provision was challenged by Skill-gaming industry body All India Gaming Federation, fantasy sports industry body Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports and real money gaming firms such as Mobile Premier League, Games24X7, A23, Junglee Games, Gameskraft and Pacific Games who moved the high court against the law.

    The high court on 22 December reserved its judgement in the case after concluding the hearings from a series of petitioners that included industry associations, gaming companies and individuals who had challenged the constitutional validity of the state’s new online gambling law that came into effect on 5 October.

    On Monday, the division bench comprising chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and justice Krishna S Dixit declared certain provisions of the Karnataka Act number 28/2021, to the extent the provisions pertaining to regulate online gaming activities, “to be ultra vires to the Constitution of India.”

    All India Gaming Federation CEO Roland Landers welcomed the judgment that comes in succession of the positive judgements for online skill gaming by the Kerala and Madras HC in 2021. “With the FM’s announcement of AVGC task force that will give a major boost to the game development sector, we look forward to bringing in massive employment, through direct and indirect jobs and becoming a meaningful contributor,” he said.

    Games24X7 vice president corporate and regulatory affairs Dinker Vashisht, said he hopes that these judgements nudge state governments to frame progressive policy and regulatory structure for this sunrise sector.

    Witzeal founder and CEO Ankur Singh too welcomed the order enabling the industry to resume business in Karnataka and provide gaming platform to users. “This move is in line with the initiatives proposed by the FM in the Union budget to set up an AVGC task force and will further help in giving a much-needed push to gaming companies and developers,” he added.

    “I am sure all state governments will also support the industry to realise its true potential, both for employment opportunities and revenue generation which can also be a big contributor to the GDP,” said Baazi Games co-founder and COO Puneet Singh. “This will also boost the investor sentiment towards the segment.”

    PlayerzPot co-founder Mitesh Gangar said it will pave the way for all brands to start its operations in Karnataka. “The state contributed to a sizable chunk of user base and revenue for us and this ban uplift will allow our users to come back to skill-based gaming,” he added.

    India is the fifth largest online gaming market globally with 80 million skill-based gamers in 2020 which is expected to grow to 150 million by 2023 according to an EY-All India Gaming Federation report. The sector is expected to generate revenues in excess of $3 billion by 2025.

  • Disney+ Hotstar to premiere ‘Rudra – The Edge of Darkness’ on 4 March

    Disney+ Hotstar to premiere ‘Rudra – The Edge of Darkness’ on 4 March

    Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar has released the second trailer for “Rudra – The Edge of Darkness.” The six-episode series starring Ajay Devgn in the lead is slated to go live on 4 March in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali.

    The show is an India rendition of the British series “Luther.” Directed by Rajesh Mapuskar, the series is produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India. The show features a stellar cast including Raashi Khanna, Esha Deol, Atul Kulkarni, Ashwini Kalsekar, Tarun Gahlot, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Satyadeep Misra in pivotal roles.

    “In Rudra – The Edge of Darkness, we are excited to bring a riveting thriller with one of India’s most loved actors, Ajay Devgn. Sameer Nair and his amazing team, Applause have helped deliver a show that we hope you will enjoy” said the head of content for Disney+ Hotstar and Disney Star HSM entertainment network Gaurav Banerjee.

    “We are truly excited to be part of Ajay Devgn’s digital debut at such an ambitious scale with Rudra – The Edge Of Darkness,” said Applause Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair. “It’s been a terrific experience working on this unique narrative together with an amazing cast, crew and our production partners, BBC Studios. At Applause, we believe in the power of stories and storytelling, and with Rudra, we take forward our creative partnership with industry leader Disney+ Hotstar, and hope to continue entertaining audiences across the globe.”

  • Jio Platforms, SES form JV for satellite-based broadband services in India

    Jio Platforms, SES form JV for satellite-based broadband services in India

    Mumbai: Indian digital service provider Jio Platforms Ltd (JPL) and SES, a Luxembourg-headquartered global satellite-based content connectivity solutions provider on Monday announced the formation of a joint venture – Jio Space Technology – to deliver the next generation scalable and affordable broadband services in India leveraging satellite technology. JPL and SES will own 51 per cent and 49 per cent equity stake in the joint venture, respectively. 

    “The joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks that are a combination of geostationary (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellations, capable of delivering multi-gigabit links and capacity to enterprises, mobile backhaul, and retail customers across the length and breadth of India and neighbouring regions,” said the statement.

    The joint venture will be the vehicle for providing SES’s satellite data and connectivity services in India, except for certain international aeronautical and maritime customers who may be served by SES. It will have availability of up to 100 Gbps capacity from SES and will leverage Jio’s premiere position and sales reach in India to unlock this market opportunity, the statement further said.

    As part of the investment plan, the joint venture will develop extensive gateway infrastructure in India to provide services within the country. Jio, as an anchor customer of the joint venture, has entered into a multi-year capacity purchase agreement, based on certain milestones along with gateways and equipment purchases with a total contract value of circa $100 million.

    “While we continue to expand our fibre-based connectivity and FTTH business and invest in 5G, this new joint venture with SES will further accelerate the growth of multigigabit broadband,” said Jio director Akash Ambani. “With additional coverage and capacity offered by satellite communications services, Jio will be able to connect the remotest towns and villages, enterprises, government establishments, and consumers to the new ‘Digital India’. We are excited about this new journey combining our massive reach and customer base with SES’s innovative leadership and expertise in the satellite industry.”

    The joint venture will leverage SES-12, SES’s high-throughput GEO satellite serving India and O3b mPOWER, SES’s next-generation MEO constellation to extend and complement Jio’s terrestrial network, thereby increasing access to digital services and applications. Jio will offer managed services and gateway infrastructure operations services to the joint venture.

    As Covid-19 has demonstrated, access to broadband is imperative for full participation in the new digital economy. This joint venture will be a catalyst for connecting the unconnected areas within India and the region to the full range of digital services, offering access to remote health, government services, and distance learning opportunities.

    “This joint venture with JPL is a great example of how SES can complement even the most extensive terrestrial networks to deliver high-quality connectivity, and positively affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people. We look forward to this joint venture whereby we can play a role in promoting digital inclusion in India,” stated SES CEO Steve Collar.

    The joint venture also aligns with the prime minister’s ‘Gati Shakti: National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity’ initiative to provide integrated and seamless connectivity by implementing diverse infrastructure. It will also accelerate the achievement of the ‘Connect India’ goals in the 2018 National Digital Communications Policy as well as the Digital India programme by expanding broadband connectivity to Indian citizens across Indian geography.

  • ALTBalaji adds 3.48 mn subscriptions in 9MFY22; direct sub revenue at Rs 45 cr

    ALTBalaji adds 3.48 mn subscriptions in 9MFY22; direct sub revenue at Rs 45 cr

    Mumbai: Balaji Telefilms announced its third quarter financial results for FY 2022. The company’s quarterly income from operations at the end of 31 December 2021 stood at Rs 76.2 crore. It posted a net loss after tax of Rs 26.4 crore for the quarter.

    The company reported that total subscriptions sold for their OTT platform ALTBalaji for the third quarter year-to-date FY22 stood at 3.48 million. The direct subscription revenue was recorded at Rs 45 crore.

    Engagement time on the video-on-demand platform was recorded at 82 minutes with a watch time of 15.45 billion in minutes. Till date, cumulative video views on the platform stands at 1.26 billion.

     ALTBalaji added 11 shows in the nine months and has taken the overall library to 89+ shows.

    The company said its TV business continued normal in the past nine months with 618 hours of production across seven shows and a strong pipeline for the year. “Three new shows have been lined up and should commence shortly,” said the company statement.

    The company also has five film projects in the pipeline. “Movie business resumed production and the company made good progress,” said the company adding that it continues to wait for availability for theatrical launch windows and looking at deals across direct to digital as well. As part of its strategy it continues to control investments in movies and pursue pre-sales and co-production deals where feasible.

    “ALTBalaji continues to drive subscription growth and we added 3.48 million subscriptions during the nine months,” said Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor. “We added 11 shows in the nine months and now have a solid line up for the rest of the year. Our strategic content sharing deals will ensure we control on the cash spend while driving overall profitability. Our TV business has shown good recovery in terms of production hours and we hope to improve this momentum as three new shows will commence. In the movie business, production for some exciting projects is at various stages of completion. We closely monitor the availability of theatrical releases and direct to digital launches. Overall, the year has been good and expected to continue the momentum.”

  • Nazara records Rs 4,466 million revenue for 9MFY22

    Nazara records Rs 4,466 million revenue for 9MFY22

    Mumbai: India-based diversified gaming and sports media platform Nazara Technologies has announced that its operating revenue grew by 35 per cent to Rs 4,466 million for the quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2021. In 9MFY21, it had reported Rs 3,308 million.

    According to the un-audited standalone and consolidated results shared by the company, it delivered a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 428 million, recording a growth of 355 per cent y-o-y. The EBITDA stood at Rs 797 million, a growth of 141 per cent YoY, while the EBITDA margins were recorded at 17.8 per cent vs 10 per cent for 9MFY21. This value excludes other income, it said.

    The esports segment demonstrated 75 per cent growth in revenue as well as 71 per cent growth in EBITDA in the first 9MFY22. According to Nazara, the e-sports segment now contributes the highest revenue in Nazara portfolio with a 48 per cent contribution in 9MFY22 revenue vs 37 per cent in 9MFY21.

    Gamified Early Learning grew by 22 per cent in 9MFY22 over 9MFY21 and added a net positive paying subscriber base in Q3. While the skill-based real money gaming grew by 53 per cent in 9MFY22 over 9MFY21 and delivered break-even EBITDA in Q3 as against losses in previous quarters.

    “We have witnessed 75 per cent YoY growth in the esports segment for 9MFY22 led by strong growth in revenue across all sub-segments in Nodwin and SportsKeeda,” said Group CEO Manish Agarwal. “The addition of original IPs such as NH7 Weekender and expansion of our esports business into the Middle East via our acquisition of Publishme has further accelerated the growth momentum.”

    According to Agarwal, Nazara’s strategy of having a diversified portfolio across business segments in gaming continues to provide the company with a stable and strong platform on which we can continue to build future growth and success. “The company continues to remain committed to building multiple growth levers across gamified learning, freemium, esports, and skill-based real money gaming via growth in its current portfolio and the addition of more offerings in the ‘Friends of Nazara’ network through strategic M&A.”