ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • OTTs give much needed fillip to stand-up comedy

    OTTs give much needed fillip to stand-up comedy

    MUMBAI: Even as recently as a decade ago, making a decision to become a full-time stand-up comedian in India was fraught with uncertainty. Today, however, the business of being funny is taken seriously.

    The genre is still just beginning to get popular in semi-urban and rural areas and the growth of over-the-top (OTT) platforms has given it a much-deserved boost. Offline stand-up shows have time, place and ticket constraints whereas the web takes away all these pains and enables access on a click.

    Comedy as a genre is a hit in India in both movies and TV shows since the 1950s. The stand-up comedy era is a new one and is increasingly being banked upon Youtube, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and ALTBalaji among other digital platforms.

    Women like Aditi Mittal, Mallika Dua, Radhika Vaz, Sumukhi Suresh, Kaneez Surka and Neeti Palta have proved that they can tickle your funny bone too. In mid-2017, TLC India launched an all-female stand-up comedy show to break the stereotype that women cannot be inherently funny.

    Most comedians get a breakthrough from YouTube and Facebook where anyone can upload their content. These platforms are open for beginners as well as professionals and have helped transform amateurs into professionals. One of the most viewed and subscribed channels on YouTube in India is ‘BB Ki Vines’ that belongs to comedian Bhuvan Bam, who started his career as a YouTuber and is a celebrity now.

    Amazon Prime India continues to bet heavily on comedy for its original content in India. After the streaming service released a slew of stand-up specials last year, betting high on faces like Kanan Gill, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Kenny Sebastian and others, it has released a new special with 23 acts from 16 March. The new show features Indian artists like Kunal Rao, Sorabh Pant, Zakir Khan and Sumukhi Suresh, among others, as well as sketch shows like The Improvisers, Put Chutney and Sketchy Behaviour featuring well-known comedians from all over the country.

    Since its entry, Netflix has delivered a high-profile comedy special every week. Aditi Mittal is the first Indian female comedian who made her debut on Netflix with Things They Wouldn’t Let Me Say. On the international front, Netflix has Indian-origin comedians like Vir Das, Hansal Minhaz and Brahman Naman to convert the chuckles into belly laugh.

    Looking at the Indian platforms, ALTBalaji has been at the forefront of regional language stand-up shows which has tremendous scope as cultural nuances in India are far and wide. ALTBalaji is the only platform to launch regional stand-up comedy videos in Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages. It focuses more on the last two languages for now because of their presence in India and abroad. In all, it has short, snacky and hilarious videos with 65 episodes and five hours 30 minutes of content featuring famous comic artists like Bharat Ganeshpure, Sagar Karande, Anirudh Madesia, Suresh Albela, Pratap Faujdar, Amit Khuva, Dharsi Baredia, Shanti Kumar, Shaik Baba Sharifuddin, Baggy, Manoj and Mervyn.

    ALTBalaji CMO Manav Sethi says that the platform saw viewership rise by 10-15 per cent after adding these comedy bits into its content lineup. He further added, “We have seen significant double-digit growth in this genre especially in 18-40 age segment from top 30 cities. We have seen new consumers coming to our platform because of our comedy content.”

    ALTBalaji COO Sunil Nair believes, “Users on ALTBalaji consume snacky content during commute time and we see a jump in consumption of stand-up acts during these time periods.” Sethi adds that by adding comedy content from various languages, each with its own flavours, they have been able to hit the sweet spot.

    Earlier, comedy was driven by broadcaster demands who would decide on the content and even own the intellectual property. But OTT platforms are willing to experiment with unconventional content.

    By far, stand-up comedy is emerging as a high growth genre for web audiences. Until a few years ago, career and stand-up comedy in a sentence together would only come up as an example of an oxymoron. But gladly times have changed and people have become more audacious, informed, and most importantly accepting and online platforms have been quick to realise the hidden potential in it.

    Also Read :

    Localised content the way forward for Netflix in India

    2017: The year OTTs went regional in India

    Regional OTT content more than just catch-up TV 

    Indians among top commute streamers for Netflix

  • Airtel and ALTBalaji join hands to offer exciting digital content

    Airtel and ALTBalaji join hands to offer exciting digital content

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s largest telecommunications services provider, and ALTBalaji, a wholly owned subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms, today announced a strategic partnership to bring exciting digital content from ALT Balaji’s portfolio to Airtel TV app users.

    ALTBalaji’s complete range of original shows and hit movies is now available on Airtel TV app. This includes popular shows like Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, Haq and Bollywood hits like One Upon a Time in Mumbai and Lootera. This will help ALTBalaji in extending its content distribution to Airtel TV app’s fast growing user base. 

    With this strategic partnership, Airtel TV has further strengthened its content catalogue, which is amongst the largest in India. Customers can choose from over 350 + LIVE TV channels and 10,000 + movies and shows on Airtel TV app. All content on Airtel TV app is completely free for Airtel Postpaid and Prepaid customers till June 2018.   

    Wynk – CEO, Sameer Batra said, “We are thrilled to partner ALTBalaji and bring their rich content on to Airtel TV app. This will add to the wide range of exciting digital content available to our users. As Airtel TV continues to rapidly expand its user base, we remain focused on offering our users easy access to differentiated line up of entertainment content on the go.”

    Airtel has forged partnerships with all leading broadcasters and production houses to bring the best of content on a single platform and offer a compelling experience to customers.

  • OTT players aim to carve a niche with originals

    OTT players aim to carve a niche with originals

    MUMBAI: Catch-up content, popular TV shows and a library full of good movies can make an over-the-top (OTT) platform an attractive proposition to viewers but it is a good original show that can turn the viewer into a subscriber. With more than 30 frontline OTT players, platforms are frantically working to create originals to boost subscription or advertising revenue.

    Good content will ensure you stand out anywhere with a seasoning of marketing and advertising. Hence, platforms, such as Sony Liv, Eros Now, Hooq and Hotstar, which started out with syndicated content, are looking to invest increasingly in original content. Zee5 and AltBalaji, however, launched with original offerings right from the start.

    Initially, they acquired rights for movies and TV shows and knew it was time to come up their own stuff when audiences stuck to TV. A recent Hotstar report claimed that there was a five-fold growth in online video consumption with 96 per cent of it coming from content longer than 20 minutes. According to market research firm Counterpoint, the OTT market is expected to grow 35 per cent year-on-year, currently holding 100 million subscribers.

    Even international players in the Indian market are planning specific originals for audiences of the country. Netflix India recently premiered Love Per Square Foot, a full-length Hindi romance. The OTT giant will premier Sacred Games on 6 July, an episodic show starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, which will be available for the global audience too. To make the local connection strong, Netflix has chosen Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane as directors and their production house Phantom Films.

    Netflix is aware that India is a big market and second only to Mexico when it comes to binge watching in public. For 2018 itself, it has kept aside a chest of $8 billion for original content. For India, it is looking at increasing partnerships with local content creators. It has just announced another original Indian film. Titled Lust Stories, it will be directed by four prominent names – Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee.

    In an earlier interview with Indiantelevision.com, Netflix VP communications-Asia Jessica Lee said, “We are committed to working with producers, creators, talent and crew in India to create more great content. We are constantly innovating to enhance our member experience to be able to better serve members and provide more control over their watching experience.”

    Amazon Prime Video, the big competitor of Netflix has also started huge investment in original Indian shows going beyond its rich collection of Bollywood movies. After the success of Inside Edge and Breathe, the platform will gift viewers many originals including Made in Heaven and Mirzapur. Not surprisingly, each episode costs Rs 1-2 crore to create and it is hoping the return will happen soon.

    According to FICCI’s latest media report, 70 per cent of content consumed was less than a year old while those beyond this range made up just 15 per cent. It is no wonder that creators must always be giving people something new to snack on.

    Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh mentioned earlier that the platform will come up with six to eight originals in FY 2018-19. Show launches will happen in the second half of the year. While renowned directorial talents will extend their creative support for Eros Now Originals, the shows will be across diverse genres.

    Zee5 has also announced the launch of 20 new originals across different languages and diverse genres. Zee5 digital head Archana Anand believes original content is a powerful tool to draw viewers. The OTT space even allows for more experimentation than TV broadcast. The main aim is to ensure the viewers can’t get enough of your content and will not hesitate to spend some bucks.

    Among other platforms, Hooq, which is famous for its Hollywood movie collection, will launch its first ever original series soon, selecting the best from five original selected screenplays premiered as pilot episodes. Among the five competing pilots is also an Indian series: Bhak (India), Haunt Me (Singapore), How To Be A Good Girl (Singapore), Aliansi (Indonesia) and Heaven and Hell (Indonesia). The new trend is also expanding scope for production houses, aspiring actors and new directors in the industry.

    OTT is also waking up to the giant within the country – regional content. They’ve realised that English and Hindi won’t cut out for people. With the existent content online, the FICCI report states that just 7 per cent viewership comes from English content, 63 per cent from Hindi and 30 per cent from other languages. It is the last set that players are keen to tap and grow.

    Instead of mass marketing, OTT platforms are targeting individuals by providing them with options of their taste and preference.

    With eyes shifting from TVs to your palm-held devices, even broadcasters (such as Zee) aren’t far behind in wooing audiences. The best is yet to come.

    Also Read :

    Zee5 launches 20 originals to drive up subscription

    OTT experts discuss future of India’s hybrid market

  • BBC admits struggling to compete with Netflix, Amazon

    BBC admits struggling to compete with Netflix, Amazon

    MUMBAI: Even a broadcaster and ancient brand like the BCC cannot escape the threat of the new digital transformation and change in audience habit. In its second annual report, the British broadcaster admitted that it is facing a crisis as the viewing habits of younger audiences change.

    The kids of today find on-demand content more appealing. 82 per cent of children in the UK prefer YouTube for on-demand content, 50 per cent log into Netflix and only 29 per cent use BBC iPlayer. The report says children spend more time each week online than watching TV.

    “At the same time, maintaining the reach and time that audiences spend with our output is equally difficult, when they have so many other choices at their disposal,” BBC said in the report.

    The report estimates 16 to 24 year-olds spend more time with Netflix in a week than with all of BBC TV including the BBC iPlayer.

    Against this context, BBC wants to keep its commitment to the highest production and editorial standards. It will sustain investment in new and original British output, made all over the UK. “We will take creative risks and keep the right balance between new series and returning favourites,” BBC said.

    “Major new entrants such as Amazon and Netflix have meant that the global media market is increasingly dominated by a small number of US-based media giants with extraordinary creative and financial firepower,” BBC fears.

    BBC’s urgent challenge is to develop new ways to grow its income to keep pace with rich competitors like Amazon, Netflix whose money supply seems to have no end.

    Also Read:

    Netflix announces new Indian original film ‘Lust Stories’

    BBC launches news in Indian languages, ties up with Eenadu and India News

  • Netflix announces new Indian original film ‘Lust Stories’

    Netflix announces new Indian original film ‘Lust Stories’

    MUMBAI: In order to connect more with Indian audiences, over the top (OTT) giant Netflix has announced the premiere of another original film for India after the huge success of Love Per Square Foot. The new title Lust Stories is directed by the prominent faces of industry, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, and Dibakar Banerjee.

    Lust Stories laces four short films that deal with real life relationships in modern India each directed by one of the names above. It has a stellar cast from the Indian film industry including actors such as Radhika Apte, Manisha Koirala, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar and Kiara Advani.

    For this venture, Netflix has again collaborated with Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP as producer in association with Ashi Dua of Flying Unicorn Entertainment.

    “I’m really excited and proud to have been able to do this with Ronnie Screwvala and the four most exciting and exuberant filmmakers in India on a platform that not only gives us the liberty to tell the stories exactly the way we want to, but also tell them to people from countries and cultures that are vastly different from ours. The artist and the aesthetes all connected through the language of films,” said Dua.

    Netflix is banking on Indian content being its gateway to the hearts of the people. Another original Sacred Games is set to release on 6 July. All the Indian originals will be available globally increasing the scope of Indian talent to reach a wide audience worldwide.

    Also Read :

    Netflix announces 3 new India originals

    Netflix and YG Entertainment to launch YG future strategy office Bigbang’s Seungri

     

  • 24i acquires Vigour to boost growth in OTT multiscreen solutions

    24i acquires Vigour to boost growth in OTT multiscreen solutions

    MUMBAI: Streaming applications developer 24i Media (24i) has acquired Vigour, a leading multiscreen video platform provider. The acquisition further enhances 24i’s leadership position globally and accelerates its innovation and growth, with its technology platform at the heart of its ambitions.

    According to release issued by 24i, the Dutch video technology providers have joined forces to build a partnership within the global market that will develop foundational multiscreen solutions to meet the evolving needs of today’s digital subscribers. “With the acquisition of Vigour, 24i executes on its vision to drive innovation for video application technology, grow its international market share and build the most talented team in the industry,” the release stated. For Vigour, the acquisition provides an opportunity to expand the reach of its unique multiscreen vision across a much larger network, within an environment that provides the optimal operational conditions for the execution of a shared vision.

    “Reaching consumers regardless of the devices they use is crucial in securing their long-term business. The more devices they use, the more hours of content they will consume, and the more value they will gain from their subscription. In pursuit of these goals, the rate of innovation has accelerated considerably over the last few years,” said Martijn Van Horssen, CEO at 24i Media. “Our acquisition of Vigour strengthens our ability to lead this innovation curve and provide attractive, cutting edge applications that empower our customers to deliver immersive experiences for their subscribers across any device.”

    24i’s module-based technology framework allows broadcasters, operators and media companies to create and launch personalised streaming services on all screens, tailored to their needs.

    “This is a tremendous step forward for 24i and our growth as a company. Bringing together our two companies ties directly to 24i’s strategy to deliver valuable outcomes to our customers and to extend our leadership in the rapidly expanding market for personalised cloud TV and video app technology. Together, our strong engineering talent, leading technology and deep video app expertise will unlock incredible innovation, choice and value for customers around the world,” Van Horssen added.

    For 24i, the acquisition will enable the creation of an integrated set of flexible products for creating cross-screen, personalised internet TV applications, better positioning 24i to help companies rapidly develop OTT business models and capture new revenue streams in the high-growth and fast-evolving market.

    “At Vigour we have always worked from vision and content,” said Ramon Duivenvoorden, CEO at Vigour Duivenvoorden. “We are enormously driven by innovation to push the boundaries in the way we deal with technology and media in our daily lives. The acquisition by 24i offers us the opportunity to pursue this shared vision together with much more power, resources and scope.”

    Also Read :

    Hotstar launches AdServe to empower advertisers

    Regional OTT content more than just catch-up TV    

    Vice Media to build largest OTT platform, expand to 80 markets by early ’18

  • SLA Digital powers Viu carrier billing

    SLA Digital powers Viu carrier billing

    MUMBAI: SLA Digital has partnered with Vuclip, a PCCW Media company, and the leading premium video-on-demand service provider for emerging markets, making its service, Viu, available to more customers via carrier billing.

    Viu provides compelling original content in addition to the freshest regional and premium TV shows and movies to its 16 million users across 15 markets including the Middle East countries of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

    “SLA Digital is committed to delivering new and innovative services for Asian and Middle Eastern mobile customers to consume via carrier billing. This exciting partnership with Vuclip enables us to expand our content offering and ensures that Vuclip’s customers are treated to a frictionless entertainment experience to consume at their leisure.” commented Ashley O’Kane, Head of Marketing at SLA Digital.

    With carrier billing, SLA Digital provides customers with an alternative mobile payment solution to subscribe to Viu’s comprehensive catalogue of content where the amount is charged to their post-paid bill or deducted from their prepaid balance. This option, therefore, provides customers with a seamless and secure payment alternative to credit or debit cards.

    Speaking about the partnership, Wesam Kattan, Vice President Content & Brand Marketing, Vuclip MENA, said, “Viu is happy to partner with SLA Digital to facilitate our consumers with a convenient and secure payment solution for our service. Through the integration of carrier billing, viewers can now easily subscribe to our comprehensive catalogue of TV shows, movies and original content. This partnership also enables us to expand in the region to include SLA Digital’s Middle Eastern and Asian mobile operator portfolio. We are excited to kick off with an initial offering with Zain Kuwait and look forward to developing our relationship further.”

    The carrier billing partnership is now live with Zain Kuwait, with plans to further leverage SLA Digital’s mobile operator connectivity across the region.

    PIX COURTESY: ZAWYA

  • Hotstar launches AdServe to empower advertisers

    Hotstar launches AdServe to empower advertisers

    MUMBAI: Hotstar, the video streaming platform from Star India, has launched Hotstar AdServe – a self-service ad tool aimed at empowering advertisers. With the introduction of this service, small and medium advertisers with smaller budgets will now be able to effectively use the power of premium content like live sports to reach their target audiences and followers.

    The tool, currently in beta, is potentially one of the first in the world that allows advertisers to associate with a big sporting event. The tool also offers regional players an opportunity to scout for new markets nationally at affordable prices.

    Advertisers on Hotstar can leverage this transformation, as buying options on Hotstar AdServe allow them to target their communication by language and team. These options effectively marry the massive scale and depth of cricket viewership with highly relevant targeting.

    The beta version of the service will allow advertisers to place in-stream video ads for Vivo IPL 2018. The service will be expanded to include entertainment programming over the next few weeks.

    The comprehensive rights for Vivo IPL for the next five years were won by Star in the last quarter of 2017. The tournament, starting 7 April, will be available in six Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali, thereby taking cricket deeper into a wider array of languages and markets.

    Also read:

    Star to air IPL on 10 channels, in 6 languages; live on Hotstar

    Hotstar Trends 2017: Women, small town, cross-language consumption rises

    OTT players up the ante with niche content

    Star unveils Re.Imagine Awards for IPL ad campaigns

  • Zee5 launches 20 originals to drive up subscription

    Zee5 launches 20 originals to drive up subscription

    MUMBAI: Within days of entering the market, over-the-top (OTT) player Zee5 has announced 20 original shows across a variety of languages and genres to be launched by the end of April 2018 under Zee5 Originals. The regional languages in focus are Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali.

    Most of them are web series but three are Hindi short films along with one Bengali movie. The company has been brainstorming for a year to decide what will attract millennials. As a result, seven genres have been targetted–thriller, action, drama, comedy, satire, biopics and reality.

    The company is working towards driving up monetisation by putting all the content behind a paywall. Currently, Zee5 earns from both AVOD and SVOD but aims to increase the share of the latter going forth.

    Every month will see the launch of one new web series and one short film taking the total tally to over 90 shows by the end of March 2019.

    The most eye-catchy of the bunch is Karenjit Kaur, a biopic of Sunny Leone where you can see how she shot to stardom in Bollywood from an adult film actress. Other Hindi shows on offer are Life Sahi Hai 2, Lockdown, Babbar Ka Tabbar, Zero Kms, Table Number 5, The Story, The Big Cover Up and Dhatt Teri Ki and three Hindi short films Mehmaan, Tamashree, Sone Bhi Do Yaaron. There are two Marathi web series Liftman and Horn OK Please, two Telugu web-series Nanna Koochi, Chitram Vichatram, two Tamil web-series Kallachirippu, America Mappillai, one Malayalam web-series Utsaha Ithihasam and one Bengali movie Aranya Deb.

    Speaking to media, Zee International and Zee5 CEO Amit Goenka said, “Our aim is to present thought-provoking and relatable content which stirs emotions, triggers conversations and leaves the viewers feeling entertained and refreshed. Zee5 Originals will feature a library of exclusive content which is relatable, understated, bold, progressive and layered making for an immersive experience keeping our core target engaged and stimulating their entertainment appetite in a language of their choice.”

    Zee5 digital head Archana Anand admitted that without any hard and fast regulation yet, there is more freedom. But she also mentioned that corporate honchos were aware of the type of content that needs to be shown or while keeping things fun and exciting.

    The ongoing concerns regarding data security on online platforms can keep viewers on their guard. Anand, however, said that the platform was committed to keeping people’s data secure and was even consulting international companies for strengthening it.

    A separate tab for kids’ content is on its to-do list by next month. Production of kids’ content will be ramped up in future along with acquisitions. The Zee network will leverage its global reach to tap into the vast Indian diaspora spread over the world.

    In an earlier interview Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd MD and CEO Punit Goenka said, ““Zee5 is poised to be the largest digital platform for Indian entertainment in the world, bringing the best of live television, Indian and international TV shows, movies and videos to viewers in the language of their choice and across all internet connected devices.”

    Also Read :

    OTT experts discuss future of India’s hybrid market

    OTT players up the ante with niche content

  • Jio Music, Saavn to merge; RIL to invest $100 mn in combined entity

    Jio Music, Saavn to merge; RIL to invest $100 mn in combined entity

    MUMBAI: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has executed definitive agreements for merging its digital music service JioMusic with music over-the-top (OTT) platform Saavn. The combined entity is valued at over $1 billion, with JioMusic’s implied valuation at $670 million.

    According to the release issued by RIL, the integrated business will be developed into a media platform with global reach, cross-border original content, an independent artist marketplace, consolidated data and a mobile advertising medium.

    RIL will also invest up to rupee equivalent of $100 million, out of which $20 million will be invested upfront, for growth and expansion of the platform into one of the largest streaming services in the world. The company will continue to operate the OTT media platform available on all app stores. The three co-founders of Saavn, Rishi Malhotra, Paramdeep Singh and Vinodh Bhat, will continue in their leadership roles and will drive growth of the combined entity.

    In addition, RIL is acquiring partial stake from the existing shareholders of Saavn for $104 million, while these shareholders retain their balance stake. The shareholder base of Saavn includes Tiger Global Management, Liberty Media and Bertelsmann.

    JioMusic has sourced content from all the major Indian and international labels, with over 16 million HD songs across 20 languages.

    The deal will combine the streaming media expertise of Saavn with the connectivity and digital ecosystem of Jio. With a massive addressable market opportunity of over 1 billion users in India and globally, the combined entity plans to invest aggressively to accelerate growth that would benefit all aspects of the ecosystem, including users, music labels, artists and advertisers.

    The combined platform will also build on Saavn’s award-winning original programming, artist originals (AO), which have redefined the development, marketing and distribution of original audio content. Saavn also conceptualises, produces, distributes and licenses original music with independent artists.

    Reliance Jio director Akash Ambani said, “The investment and combination of our music assets with Saavn underlines our commitment to further boost the digital ecosystem and provide unlimited digital entertainment services to consumers over a strong uninterrupted network. We are delighted to announce this partnership with Saavn, and believe that their highly experienced management team will be instrumental in expanding Jio-Saavn to an extensive user base, thereby strengthening our leadership position in the Indian streaming market.”

    Saavn co-founder and CEO Rishi Malhotra added, “Nearly 10 years ago, we had a vision to build a connected music platform, dedicated to South Asian culture across the globe. Vin, Param and I always envisioned the company for the long term with intense focus on products, data, and ground-breaking original content. Our alignment with Reliance enables us to create one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most capable media platforms in the world.”