ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • TRAI may introduce lighter form of regulation on OTT communication services

    TRAI may introduce lighter form of regulation on OTT communication services

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) may impose a lighter form of regulation on over-the-top (OTT) players such as Skype and WhatsApp. While there have been several debates on the issue, the regulatory body has scheduled its first open house session on Monday, 1 April 2019. According to media reports, the recommendations are expected to come out by May.

    “There is a need for a light-touch regulation. A final decision will be taken after discussion in the open house. By May, TRAI should be able to come out with its views,” a senior TRAI official said as quoted by DNA Money.

    TRAI released a new consultation paper last November on OTT services seeking to expand the definition of the sector and also the regulator’s jurisdiction over the sector. However, the present consultation paper is more focussed on OTT voice or communications services (OTTs) like WhatsApp, Facebook’s Messenger and similar Indian products like Hike.

    The consultation paper mainly revolves around the topic of level playing field between telecom service providers and OTTs. With the fall in data prices, OTT communication services have emerged as important mediums of communication. While TSPs are highly regulated, the main point of the debate is whether there is regulatory imbalance.

    In response to the paper, major broadcasters, as well as OTT platforms, did not favour any further regulatory intervention on OTTs. Most of the players clearly depicted their view that OTTs should not be seen as a substitute to Television Service Providers (TSPs). However, some of the cable operators and DTH platforms spoke in favour of the regulation.

  • MX Player Forays into Branded Content with MX Original ‘Love Ok Please’, Powered by Too Yumm!

    MX Player Forays into Branded Content with MX Original ‘Love Ok Please’, Powered by Too Yumm!

    MUMBAI: MX Player, the world’s largest local video player and India’s leading streaming platform has forayed into branded content with its latest MX Original Series – ‘Love Ok Please’, powered by Too Yumm!. Hosted by Karan Wahi, this 12-episode travel reality show explores the possibility of love on the road when 8 single and ready to mingle travel enthusiasts embark on an epic 10-day trip across Himachal Pradesh. And that’s when dating takes a U -turn!

    With love whilst travelling at the forefront, Too Yumm! is a snack brand that fit the bill as a seamless product integration since it’s easy to eat and small enough to carry along with you. What’s more – it’s a healthier option to munch on since they provide a range of baked chips in multiple flavours that are low on calories and therefore appeal to consumers across segments.

    Speaking about this development, Viraj Jit Singh – Head of Revenue, MX Player said, “MX Player hosts a varied mix of content across formats and genres that caters to 75 million daily active users, thereby making it a lucrative platform for advertisers and brands. We are constantly looking at integrations that suit the content offerings we have which is relevant for both, us and the brand.  ‘Love Ok Please’ is a show based on love standing the test of travel and no journey is complete without having some quick munching options along the way. Therefore, this association with Too Yumm! was an ideal fit and we are delighted to have them onboard as our partner for this journey.”

    Anupam Bokey, CMO RP Sanjiv Goenka Group FMCG further added saying, “Too Yumm! has a stated purpose of liberating the Indian youth of unhealthy snacks. The brand is a new age snacks brands where all products are ‘baked not fried, high on taste and available in more than 25 different flavours! So, you will always have something new and exciting to keep you company. During travel and exploration, we usually prefer being accompanied with bingeing snacks and Too Yumm! would be your best travel buddy! The audience for Love OK Please matches our consumer profile hence, it is the perfect fit.” 

    Love Ok Please streams in two parts, the first six episodes drop on 25th March and the second bunch of six episodes drop one week later on 1st April.

  • hoichoi brings exciting offers for its subscriber-base by associating with GrabOn

    hoichoi brings exciting offers for its subscriber-base by associating with GrabOn

    MUMBAI: hoichoi, world’s largest digital content platform for Bengali movies & shows has entered into a unique partnership with coupon giants GrabOn. This tie-up will provide users with amazing discounts on a wide variety of verticals from food, fashion, travel, recharge and more from their merchants. hoichoi will be promoting these coupon & promo codes sourced from GrabOn on their social media platforms and also through other channels, to give their consumer base enthralling concessions in varied categories. At the same time, GrabOn would be creating a microsite and list all the offers available across categories which users who subscribe to hoichoi can avail. The microsite will again be promoted through hoichoi’s social channels and their user base through email, sms and other mediums. 

    Vishnu Mohta, Co-Founder of hoichoi, commented: “hoichoi will be the one of the first OTT platforms to enter in an interesting partnership with GrabOn. This will enable our subscribers to get offers from GrabOn through their website to avail them at their own accordance. We are a ‘customer-first’ company and we have always been focused at giving something extra to our subscribers. This partnership with GrabOn allows exactly that!” 

    GrabOn’s Founder & CEO, Ashok Reddy stated: “The partnership will help the market leaders break through to a whole new user demographic helping them save big on online shopping and purchase. This alliance will benefit both the parties, as hoichoi subscribers can avail the best discounts while GrabOn users can enjoy the extensive content library like originals and movies which hoichoi provides.” 

  • Netflix global marketing chief exits

    Netflix global marketing chief exits

    MUMBAI: Netflix global marketing chief Stephen Bruno has exited the company, according to reports. The veteran will join MGM and will be named chief marketing officer (CMO) to advise on both its film and television ambitions.

    He’ll work closely with MGM COO Chris Brearton, as well as MGM Worldwide TV Group chairman Mark Burnett — in addition to MGM Motion Picture Group chairman Jon Glickman and TV executive director Nancy Tellem.

    Bruno had served as VP creative marketing at Netflix since 2015. There, he executed campaigns for a broad range of original series, including Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why, Orange Is the New Black, The Crown and Narcos. He also handled Netflix features like Bird Box, Mudbound and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, as well as high-volume documentaries and comedy specials. Before heading to the Ted Sarandos-led company, Bruno worked at the Weinstein Company and Miramax Films.

    His exit comes within two weeks of the departure of Netflix CMO Kelly Bennett who had been with the streaming giant for over seven years.

  • Promax india 2019 announce their boot camp workshop with award winning creative director, Richard Holman

    Promax india 2019 announce their boot camp workshop with award winning creative director, Richard Holman

    MUMBAI: Last month, Promax India announced the innovative theme for their annual awards and conference as ‘The New Wave’. In keeping with this year’s theme that honors the dynamic digital wave, Promax India has just announced an exciting full-day boot camp with the renowned thinker, writer and speaker, Richard Holman.

    At the workshop themed “Creative Rocket Fuel”, one can expect a day of inspiration, edification and enrichment, as Richard, to his own admission, aims to bring joy to the hearts of promo makers and designers.

    Speaking about the boot camp, Holman says, “Over the course of the day you’ll get to the heart of what makes a great idea great; you’ll learn how to find your own creative state of mind; you’ll discover 20 different creative strategies you can employ to make your work stand out; you’ll get the inside track on some of the most provocative, inspirational and genre busting campaigns of the moment; and you’ll get to grips with making the right kind of mistakes. So, bring a note book, a pencil and a very open mind.”

    Andrew Jones, VP Production Music (Asia Pacific) of BMG Production Music said, “We’re thrilled to be a part of Promax India 2019. BMG Production Music has always been an integral part of this annual event, which consistently pulls together the biggest & best from world of TV promos and marketing.”

    This promises to be an energetic & entertaining seminar, which will invigorate creative professionals at all levels, as Richard brings with him experiences from his mammoth professional trajectory. As the mastermind behind a creative studio that built brands like the BBC, Canal+, Sky, Discovery, Nat Geo and ITV, Holman aims to “put a spring back in the step of the most jaded old hand, as well as excite those starting out about the extraordinary possibilities ahead”.

    Early bird registration for the boot camp and masterclass has started, so register now at http://www.promaxindia.tv/registration-prices/

    Promax India is accepting entries for all categories for 2019. The deadline to enter the Promax India awards has been extended to 18th March’19. Entry details, information on the boot camps & masterclasses, and award rules & regulations can be found on the Promax India website promaxindia.tv

  • IPL 2019: YuppTV bags digital broadcast rights for Australia, continental Europe, south east Asia

    IPL 2019: YuppTV bags digital broadcast rights for Australia, continental Europe, south east Asia

    MUMBAI: YuppTV, the world’s leading OTT platform for South-Asian content, has acquired the digital broadcasting rights for Vivo IPL 2019 outside of India. With this development, cricket fans across the globe can catch all the action of Season 12 of the world’s biggest T20 tournament, right as it unfolds. 

    YuppTV is bringing the highly engaging action to all of its existing and new users in Australia, Continental Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and RoW including South & Central America and Central & Southeast Asia.

    Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Uday Reddy, Founder & CEO, YuppTV, said, “We are glad to acquire the digital broadcasting rights for the IPL 2019 and would be enabling on-the-go-access to all the action unfolding in the Season 12 of IPL. We are determined to provide our global audience with convenient and real-time access to their favorite sporting action, through a wide gamut of internet-enabled devices.”

     As one of the biggest and most-awaited cricketing extravaganzas, Season 12 of Indian Premier League will finally hit the stands on March 23. Promising an enthralling season, the 8 teams will be headed against each other in a total of 60 matches. The season will open with the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challenger Bangalore. 

    Cricket fans in Australia, Continental Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and RoW including South & Central America and Central & Southeast Asia can catch all the action from IPL 2019 on YuppTV. The may log on to http://www.yupptv.com/cricketor access the same via the YuppTV app on smart TVs, smart Blu-ray players, streaming media players, gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets.

  • Airtel led broadband subscriber growth in Jan-19

    Airtel led broadband subscriber growth in Jan-19

    BENGALURU: The Sunil Mittal-promoted Bharti Airtel Ltd (Airtel) led broadband subscriber growth, both wired as well as wired internet, for the month ended 31 January 2019 (1 January 2019 to 31 January 2019, Jan-19) according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for the period. In Jan-19, Airtel added 0.997 crore (9.97 million, 99.7 lakh) wireless subscribers, hence upstaging the Mukesh Ambani’s juggernaut Reliance JioInfocomm (Jio) which added 0.932 crore (9.32 crore, 93.2 lakh) subscribers in Jan-19. Airtel also added 30,000 or about 30 percent to the growth of 1,00,000 in wired broadband internet subscribers Jan-19.

    Overall, the number of broadband subscribers grew by 2.149 crore (21.49 million, 214.9 lakh) in Jan-19, much higher than the 1.532 crore (15.32 million, 153.2 lakh) subscribers that were added in Jan-18, and even higher than the 2.054 crore (20.54 million, 205.4 lakh) subscribers added in Mar-18, the month which saw the highest number of subscribers added in any month in 2018. In percentage terms, India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 4.1 percent in Jan-19 to reach 54.004 crore (540.04 million, 5,400.4 lakh) from 51.855 crore (518.55 million, 5185.5 lakh) in Dec-18.

    In Jan-19, wireless broadband internet subscribers constituted about 96.5 percent of the broadband internet services base in India, followed by wired broadband internet services (3.4 percent) and Fixed Wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to- Point Radio & VSAT) at about 0.1 percent. While the subscriber base of the former two grew in Jan-19, in the case of Fixed Wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to- Point Radio & VSAT) the base declined by about 10,000 .

    Please refer to the figures below:

    In Jan-19, the top five service providers constituted 98.63 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Jan-19. These service providers were Jio 28.994 crore (289.94 million, 2,899.4 lakh), Airtel 11.025 crore (110.25 million, 1,102.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.986 crore (109.86 million, 1,098.6 lakh), BSNL 2.081 crore (20.81 million, 208.1 lakh) and Tata Tele group 0.226 crore (2.26 million, 22.6 lakh).

    Wireless broadband internet – mobile device users (phones and dongles)

    As mentioned above, India’s wireless broadband internet services have been leading broadband internet subscriber base as well as subscriber growth in the country  – wireless broadband internet subscriber base grew 4.28 percent in Jan-19 to reach 52.135 crore (521.35 million, 5213.5 lakh) from 49.995 crore (499.95 million, 4999.5 lakh) at the end of Dec-18.

    As on 31 January, 2019, the top five wireless broadband service providers were Jio  28.944 crore (289.44 million, 2,894.4 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.984 crore (109.84 million, 1,098.4 lakh), Airtel  10.796 crore (107.96 million, 1,079.6 lakh), BSNL 1.164 crore (11.64 million, 116.4 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.179 crore (1.79 million, 17.9 lakh).

    Wired broadband internet

    Also, as mentioned above, India’s wired broadband internet subscribers grew by 1,00,000 (0.56 percent) in Jan-19. There were 1.827 crore (18.27 million, 182.7 lakh) wired broadband internet subscribers in the period under consideration as compared to 1.817 crore 18.17 million, 181.7 lakh) in the previous month, Dec-18.

    As on 31 January, 2019, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL 0.917 crore (9.17 million), 91.7 lakh, Bharti Airtel 0.23 crore (2.30 million, 23 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) 0.14 crore (1.40 million, 14 lakh), Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) 0.079 crore  (0.79 million, 7.9 lakh) and MTNL 0.077 crore  (0.77 million, 7.7 lakh).

    While the public sector BSNL’s subscriber base remained stagnant, its smaller public sector sibling MTNL lost 10,000 subscribers, as well its fourth rank in terms of number of wired broadband subscribers in Jan-19 to Hathway which had added 10,000 subscribers in the same period. The other player – ACT also added 10,000 subscribers in Jan-19.
     

     

  • Netflix testing Rs 250 mobile-only subscription in India

    Netflix testing Rs 250 mobile-only subscription in India

    MUMBAI: Giant video-streaming service Netflix is believed to be experimenting with a mobile-only subscription for a select group of users in India. Rs 250 per month is what the streamer is hoping to charge for its mobile-only plan, half of its Rs 500 entry-level subscription price in the country.

    According to ET Tech, subscribers can only consume standard definition (SD) content on one mobile or tablet screen at a time. This plan, however, is not part of Netflix’s currently monthly subscriptions that cost users Rs 500-800 depending on the nature of the plans.

    “We will be testing different options in select countries where members can watch Netflix on their mobile device for a lower price and subscribe in shorter increments of time. Not everyone will see these options and we may never roll out these specific plans beyond the tests," a Netflix spokesperson said commenting on the development.

    Last year, Netflix chief product officer Greg Peters, during earnings call, had said that the company would experiment with their pricing strategy in India in a bid to draw more users to its platforms.

    Competing against the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, ZEE5 among others, Netflix will remain the most expensive streaming service in India.

    Earlier this week, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings had described the Indian OTT market as ‘super competitive’ and ‘exciting’.

    "There is also lots happening on Amazon, and on Hotstar, which is now going to be owned by Disney… It's a super competitive, exciting market,” he said.

    One of the hallmarks of the Indian market, Hastings highlighted, is the ongoing telecom revolution triggered by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio. According to him, there is "nothing more impressive in the world than what Reliance Jio has done in the past four years in India" to democratise internet accessibility.

    This latest move by Netflix, in a sense, hopes to grab a share of the consumer’s attention and wallet by riding on Jio’s disruptive force.­

  • ZEE Tamil, ‘Yaman’, ‘Vadacurry’ and more…the Best of Tamil content now available EXCLUSIVELY on ZEE5 in malaysia!

    ZEE Tamil, ‘Yaman’, ‘Vadacurry’ and more…the Best of Tamil content now available EXCLUSIVELY on ZEE5 in malaysia!

    MUMBAI: Recently launched streaming platform ZEE5 today officially announced that, starting 1st April 2019, ZEE’s much-loved channel ZEE Tamil will stream EXCLUSIVELY on the platform for audiences across Malaysia. ZEE5 viewers will not only be able to live stream ZEE Tamil but also catch up on their favorite ZEE Tamil shows, anytime, anywhere.

    Subscribers can watch popular ZEE Tamil shows like Sembaruthi, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Poove Poochoodava as well as blockbuster movies including Mersal, Vadacurry, and Yaman. They can also watch ZEE5 Tamil Originals like Kallachirupu (directed by Karthik Subbaraj) and D-7, Hindi Originals (also dubbed in Tamil) including The Final Call (Arjun Rampal) and Rangbaaz (Saqib Saleem), as well as Bollywood hits Simba (Ranveer Singh), Veere Di Wedding (Kareena Kapoor Khan) and Kedarnath (Sara Ali Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput) along with a host of other exciting content across genres.

    Audiences can watch their favorite TV Shows and select movies and videos absolutely free or choose from a range of highly affordable subscription packs, including the recently introduced Tamil pack at 9.9 MYR per month, for uninterrupted access to premium content.

    Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global said, “It is our constant endeavour to bring to our audiences across the globe the content they love in any language of their choice and on any device they want. With Malaysia being such a high priority market for ZEE5, we wanted to ensure that our audiences here had easy access to the best of Tamil content. ZEE Tamil has met with much success in Malaysia since its launch and we are thrilled to offer this content along with the best of Tamil Movies and Originals, exclusively on ZEE5.”

    ZEE5 offers 100,000 hours of Indian Movies, TV Shows, News and Videos and a slew of exclusive Originals, across 12 languages – English, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and Punjabi. It also offers 60+ popular Live TV channels.

    ZEE5 can be downloaded from Google Play Store/ iOS App Store and is also on www.ZEE5.com. The app is also available on Samsung Smart TV, Apple TV Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.

  • ZEE5 set to premiere Simmba – the biggest blockbuster of the year

    ZEE5 set to premiere Simmba – the biggest blockbuster of the year

    MUMBAI: In another summer surprise for its viewers, ZEE5announces world digital premiere of SIMMBA – the biggest entertainer of the year.The blockbuster with a power packed star-cast comprisingRanveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, Sonu Soodand Ashutosh Ranain lead roles, icing it off with a special appearance by Ajay Devgn,is set to premiere on 21stMarch on ZEE5.

    After a having phenomenal run at the box office, Rohit Shetty’s high decibel cop drama is all set for a world digital premiere on ZEE5.The story revolves around Sangram Bhaleraoplayed by Ranveer Singh, a notorious cop who wants to make money. Until an event happens in his life, which alters him and makes him choose the moral path.

    Watch the trailer here: https://www.zee5.com/videos/details/simmba-trailer/0-0-33445

    ZEE5 also recentlyannounced a special 30% discount on both annual packs – all access @ INR 999/- and regional @ INR 499/- as part of its anniversary offer. This is applicable till 31stMarch; in case fans pay via their Paytm account, they will get an additional 50% cashback on these rates.

    Manish Aggarwal, Business Head, ZEE5 India, said, “For over a year, since our inception, Originals and World Digital Premieres have been our key content pillars. While we have had a good run with our Originals, we have also presented some of the biggest blockbusters on the platform straight after their theatrical releases. This year, we have two of the most popular and successful films– Uri: The Surgical Strike and Simmbapremiering back to back on the platform. Fans all over have been eagerly waiting for Simmba to release on ZEE5 and the film with its sheer mass appeal and striking performance by Ranveer Singh is certain to become a huge success just like it did at the box office.”

    Rohit Shetty, Director, Producer – SIMMBA, commented,“SIMMBA is a thorough entertainer yet the issue we are addressing had to be dealt with seriousness. I am glad that the audience loved the film along with the concept of our cop universe. World digital premiere on ZEE5 is a great opportunity for us to take the film to audiences across the globe.’

    With over 3500 films, 500+ TV shows, 4000+ music videos, 35+ theatre plays and 90+ LIVE TV Channels across 12 languages, ZEE5 truly presents a blend of unrivalled content offering for its viewers across the nation and worldwide. With ZEE5, the global content of Zindagi as a brand, which was widely appreciated across the country, has also been brought back for its loyal viewers.

    Availability: The ZEE5 App can be downloaded from Google Play Store http://bit.ly/zee5 and iOS App Store http://bit.ly/zee5ios. Also available at www.zee5.com, as a Progressive Web App (PWA), and on Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. ZEE5 also supports Chromecast.

    Pricing: Freemium pricing model with both free and paid premium content (including Originals) to cater to a mix of audiences. Viewers who subscribe to the ZEE5 subscription pack will get access to the entire library of content with – 99/- for 1 month and 999/- for a year.