Category: Over The Top Services

  • Vikram Bhatt banks on pay per view for new OTT app

    Vikram Bhatt banks on pay per view for new OTT app

    MUMBAI: Riding on the growing demand for OTT content is producer Vikram Bhatt who recently launched his app VB on the Web.

    Within two days it got 7000 downloads. But Bhatt is being cautious in over anticipating. He says, “It is quite early to judge the performance of app but it has got around 7k downloads in just two days, which is not bad. Let us see what will happen next.”

    He said that India has a history of buying tickets, not subscribing, is where the idea emerged. “VB on the Web is like a theatre. We are making more of a theatre than a subscription-based app. Everything is moving online, whether it is a book show or a retail shop or a music shop. We realised that eventually, theatres are also going to move online. VB on the Web is the first theatre. Just like theatre, you buy tickets for whatever you want to watch on the app,” he said.

    The model is what he calls as TVoD with a charge of Rs 18 for the entire series/season. Currently, Untouchables is now showing on the app and available for Rs 18, which is around Rs 1.2 per episode. There are other deals offers like season pass in which viewers can watch different web series on the app at a discounted price. For example, one for Rs 18 and two for Rs 30.

    Using Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote ‘You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time’ he says that if they get people to pay and give irrelevant content, they won’t return. VB on the Web also gives people the option to watch trailers and then pay for content.

    One of the app’s speciality is its availability to producers so they can display their web series directly.  

    His 2018 line-up for the app includes Twisted 2, Maaya 2, Breaking News and Saharankot. He will not include movies on the platform. “We are now concentrating on original shows and short films of one hour and more are in the pipeline,” he adds.

    Bhatt’s daughter Krishna Bhatt is currently working on Maaya 2 series and will be releasing it in March or April this year.

    While talking about the investment per show, Bhatt opines that the cost per episode in digital is much more than the cost per episode of any general entertainment channel (GEC) show. Ideally, GEC shows cost between Rs 8-10 lakh per episode. But, according to Bhatt, it takes around Rs 1-1.5 crore to create one entire series, which is between Rs 12-15 lakh per episode.

    VB on the Web has tied up with many payment gateway platforms. Airpay has a scheme of watch now and pay later and will soon launch a voucher system with tie ups with general stores.

    Bhatt’s content is also available on other OTT platforms like YouTube and Viu, though they are now VB’s online competitors. But, while talking about the content on the other platforms Bhatt says, “YouTube doesn’t have Untouchables, maybe after 3-4 months we will upload it there and I am just a content provider for Viu. The platform has a different set of content that is created specifically for the platform. It has Spotlight, Gehraiyan and Memories and it will be with them only.”

    Bhatt said that there is no competition with other platforms because they bunch many things. “I am a theatre, I don’t have something or the other to give every day. But, eventually, I will have 6-7 quality web original releases a month. Like a multiplex, even if five shows are running on the app, people can see the one they like and pay for that only,” he adds.

    Whether Bhatt’s theatre will revive audiences will be known soon.

    Also Read :

    Vikram Bhatt to launch OTT platform on 27th Jan

    2017: The year OTTs went regional in India

    Viu set to launch musical drama spotlight 2 on 26th January

  • Blush and ITC Vivel collaborates with Pad Man present

    Blush and ITC Vivel collaborates with Pad Man present

    health at immense risk during menstruation. From using mud & ash to dirty clothes, menstrual hygiene takes a backseat due to financial constraints and inaccessibility to clean products.

    Culture Machine’s digital channel ‘Blush’ along with ITC’s Vivel collaborated with the cast of Pad Man to create a video titled ‘#AbSamjhautaNahin – The Shopping List’. An eye opening, spoken word piece, listing alternatives to sanitary pads that women in most parts of the country resort to during periods. What may seem like an innocuous list of household items on a shopping list for some, is unfortunately a de facto substitute to hygienic sanitary napkins for a majority of women in India.  Right from old & dirty rags to unsafe objects like ash, coconut husk and hay, Sonam Kapoor & Akshay Kumar bring attention to the grave situation of menstrual hygiene in the country. The video concludes with the lead actors requesting viewers to donate a minimum of Rs. 400 to The Vatsalya Foundation in order to facilitate a year-round availability of sanitary pads to women in various parts of the country.  

    Rooted in its core brand philosophy Ab Samjhauta Nahin, Vivel, continues to empower and educate women to challenge stereotypes and help enable self-action. It firmly believes that no one should have to compromise on their dignity or be discriminated against. Vivel actively stands in support of equality and believes that for a more equal life, awareness and education is the first step to empowerment. This is reflected in the recent launch of www.absamjhautanahin.com, a website designed for a simplified understanding of laws and rights that women should be aware of. Vivel Ab Samjhauta Nahin is working relentlessly towards women empowerment with its continued support to organisations like Apne Aap Women Worldwide fighting to end sex trafficking of women and girls and Azad Foundation to help empower women feminist leaders at the grassroots level.

    Culture Machine’s digital channel ‘Blush’ that stirred a debate with the release of a video around First Day of Period in the past says, “Blush Originals is reviving the conversation on menstruation.  But this time, the purpose is much larger, and the canvas, bigger.  We’d like to take the conversation beyond metros and air-conditioned offices.  Vivel with its brand philosophy of Ab Samjhauta Nahin enables purpose and a deep rooted conviction to make changes at the grassroots level. This collaboration brings together some of the most influential voices to take the conversation about menstrual hygiene, methods of managing menstruation, cost of sanitary pads, ease of availability, taboos and habits, lifestyle choices and overall well-being to the masses. Conversations that lead to awareness, awareness that leads to knowing one’s rights, knowing that leads to action – and there’s only one action, that needs to be achieved: a perfect menstrual health card for this country.”  

    The Vatsalya Foundation, Director, Ms. Swathi Mukherjee, comments, “Inaccessibility to sanitary pads is one of the primary reasons for young girls and women to drop out of schools and work, respectively. The Vatsalya Foundation is focused on needs of our young women. It encourages a performance based livelihood with a dual purpose of enabling access and empowering women through financial independence. We are glad that menstrual hygiene is now set to become mainstream with a feature film focused on the issue and brands like Vivel supporting the initiative. With the funds raised through this video, we will be purchasing and distributing Sakhi Pads to underprivileged women.”

    Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah25qCdEpG8

    Donation link on Ketto: https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/absamjhautanahin

  • Known actors profitable to web series: ALTBalaji’s Manav Sethi

    Known actors profitable to web series: ALTBalaji’s Manav Sethi

    MUMBAI: Bollywood actors are seeking refuge in TV and online series. The spurt of content with known big-screen faces points to a trend of getting value out of their established names.

    ALTBalaji has launched a plethora of shows with A-list names. “It is more profitable to sign an actor when he does justice to the role and the script does justice to the actor. It is not about celebrity or non-celebrity. We are the first one to sign Rajkumar Rao for an online series. We, as creative shop and storytellers, don’t go behind celebrities, we go behind actors,” says ALTBalaji CMO Manav Sethi.

    Actor selection is not dependent on his one time success or failure. “When we script, we check which talent will be suitable,” he adds.

    The actor’s fee in movies is significantly higher than web series. Actors are paid in the range of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore for a series, which is significantly less than their movie fee. What makes them settle? Sethi answers, “Movie is a medium that is restricted and constricted whereas online shows give them a lot more freedom, versatility and options and I believe that entices them.” He adds that another crucial factor is the ability of web series to reach out to far and diverse audiences.

    The tactic also works for the creator because they can ensure their work reaches millions of people with less marketing and communication. The production cost goes up by 25-50 per cent if they sign a known face.  

    ALTBalaji launched a web series The Test Case on Republic Day with actors like Juhi Chawla, Nimrat Kaur and Rahul Dev. A few days back, ALT had roped in Vivek Oberoi for its upcoming web series Family (working title). Before that, it came up with Bose: Dead or Alive with Rajkumar Rao. Earlier, Ragini MMS Returns had the Bengali beauty Riya Sen. Soon, Haq Se will stream with Bollywood actors like Rajeev Khandelwal and Surveen Chawla in the lead.

    ALTBalaji is heating up the online content game by releasing web series back to back in 2018 with the promise of doing about 200-250 hours of original content this year. The VoD player is betting high on popular Bollywood and TV actors, which increases the cost but still gets them significantly better results.

    Also Read :

    Regional content on ALTBalaji to constitute 15% of show hours 

    Selective, snackable, short episodes, niche mktg vital, says Manav Sethi as ALTBalaji ranks among top OTTs

    ALTBalaji bets big on first-time producers with Haq Se

  • Facebook to ban cryptocurrency ads

    Facebook to ban cryptocurrency ads

    MUMBAI: Facebook is banning ads on its social network that promote cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings and binary options saying they’re “frequently associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices.”

    In a blog post on Tuesday, the company outlined a new policy prohibiting ads that “promote financial products and services that are frequently associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices.”

    The policy will be “intentionally broad” while Facebook works to understand which ads are deceptive or misleading, from companies “not currently operating in good faith,” the company said in the post. Facebook, along with its other properties including Instagram, won’t allow ads that say “Use your retirement funds to buy Bitcoin!” for example, or those that promote binary options trading, a risky derivative with an all-or-nothing payoff.

    As public interest in bitcoin and other digital currencies has skyrocketed, Facebook users may have seen an uptick in ads for investing in cryptocurrencies. Late last year, bitcoin’s popularity and value surged. In December, one bitcoin was worth $17,000. It has since fallen to $10,000.

    “We want people to continue to discover and learn about new products and services through Facebook ads without fear of scams or deception,” Facebook product management director Rob Leathern wrote in the post. “That said, there are many companies who are advertising binary options, ICOs and cryptocurrencies that are not currently operating in good faith.”

    A spokesman for Facebook said ad policies will be enforced through both automated and manual reviews, and ads that lead to websites where the main business model is cryptocurrency, ICOs, or binary options won’t be allowed. Facebook users can also report ads that they believe violate the policy.

    Also Read:

    YouTube, FB to corner major ad spend globally over 5 years

    Social media most significant for snackable content: NBA India MD

    MIB to collect data on satellite capacity needs, digital chatter

  • BTVI to now bring live budget updates on Hotstar

    BTVI to now bring live budget updates on Hotstar

    MUMBAI: At a time when OTT players are striving hard to build their content partnerships, Hotstar is adding a new pipeline of content to its news category. After Republic and ABP News, now BTVI is also live on Hotstar.

    BTVI will be giving all the Budget 2018 updates from today 8pm onwards.

    In May 2017, Republic joined hands with Hotstar to shape the future of news online. Republic TV claimed the partnership to be a stunning debut on Hotstar by crossing a million viewers within a day of its launch. Meanwhile, ABP has been live on Hotstar since October 2017.

    News as a genre is continuously spreading its wings. The ratio of watching news on television is on a whopping increase. In Indiantelevision.com’s 13th Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS 2017), Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India CEO Partho Dasgupta sounded a positive note on the growth of news as a genre. He said, “Hindi news grew by 93 per cent in 2017 over week 41 of 2015,” which means the news content is being consumed more and more on television as well as online.

    Also Read:

    Hotstar is an important platform for us: ABP’s Avinash Pandey

    Republic TV claims  ‘stunning’ debut on Hotstar

    Hotstar announces partnership with awesomeness

  • Regional content consumption overtakes Eng on digital: report

    Regional content consumption overtakes Eng on digital: report

    MUMBAI: Times Internet has released a study titled ‘The Changing Lingual Face of Digital India’ highlighting the rapid shift of digital users towards regional content consumption. With this study, Times Internet has validated the rising trend of online content consumption across the eight most widely consumed regional languages in the country. To map the magnitude of this trend, online content consumption patterns of over 90 million netizens were evaluated, unveiling many future possibilities and the impact of content in regional languages.

    According to the study, out of the 90 million plus surveyed digital users, more than half of the Indian internet user base is non-English. More than two thirds of Hindi readers are also reading English. Regional languages have surpassed English with a 66 per cent share in overall content consumption.

    Across all regional languages, news as a genre sees the highest content consumption at 67 per cent, followed by Sports at 17 per cent and Entertainment at 16 per cent. Whereas, News in Bangla language tops the chart with 72 per cent.

    Out of the 66 per cent, the ratio of specific regional language consumption is that 4.49 per cent user base consumes Kannada, 5.61 per cent Tamil, 5.61 per cent Telugu, 7.44 per cent Bangla, 8.98 per cent Marathi, 3.08 per cent Malayalam, 4.49 per cent Gujarati, 35.6 per cent Hindi and 24.57 per cent in English.

    The regional language user base in India has grown at a CAGR of 41 per cent between 2011 and 2016 to reach the current 234 million. This is expected to grow by 18 per cent CAGR to reach 536 million by 2021 versus English, which is expected to grow at 3 per cent CAGR to reach 199 million by 2021. By 2012, regional language users will account for 75 per cent of India’s internet user base.

    Regional language content consumption is not limited to native state/cities anymore but it is a countrywide trend now. Delhi consumes 52 per cent in English, 47 per cent in Hindi, 0.4 per cent in Marathi, 0.4 per cent in Bangla and 0.2 per cent in Kannada. Mumbai consumes 62 per cent in English, 18 per cent in Hindi, 19 per cent in Marathi, 0.4 per cent in Gujarati and 0.6 per cent in Kannada.

    The study highlights that content consumption in regional languages among younger audiences is fast growing, with consumption among Indians in the 25-34 age group being the highest.

    Currently, women are consuming regional language content highest than ever before. Among female users, Gujarati language sees the highest online content consumption at 44.78 per cent. Whereas, 22.02 per cent of Hindi content, 29.22 per cent of Marathi content, 29.75 per cent of Kannada content, 30.61 per cent of Bangla content, 22.37 per cent of Tamil content, 23.95 per cent of Telugu content and 38.83 per cent of Malayalam content is consumed by women.

    Mobile is fast becoming the primary screen for regional language content consumption with Hindi consumed for 69.7 per cent, Marathi consumed for 40.3 per cent, Kannada consumed for 61.8 per cent, Bangla consumed for 66.3 per cent, Telugu consumed for 65.6 per cent and Malayalam consumed for 72.7 per cent.

    The report states that India is inching closer to becoming a digital-first nation as affordable smartphones and low priced 3G and 4G connections are driving internet penetration and digital literacy in the country. Access to high-speed Internet connectivity is no longer restricted to metro cities, which is causing a massive shift in online content consumption patterns, across the country.

    Also Read :

    Chanpreet Arora appointed CEO of Vice Media India

    Times Internet buys MX Player for $200 million

    Garbage, A gritty socio-political drama directed by Q,the only Indian film, to premiere at Berlinale 2018

  • YouTube, FB to corner major ad spend globally over 5 years

    YouTube, FB to corner major ad spend globally over 5 years

    NEW DELHI: New data from UK-based Juniper Research has found that advertising spend on FVoD (free video on demand) content, such as media on YouTube and Facebook, will surge over the next five years reaching $37 billion by 2022. This is up from an estimated $16 billion in 2017.

    In addition, unique users of such content will reach just under 4.5 billion globally by 2022 as the appetite for free video media continues its expanse, a statement from Juniper Research said on Tuesday.
     
    The new research, Digital TV & Video: Network and OTT Strategies 2017-2022, found that leading FVoD provider YouTube, which sees over 1 billion hours watched per day, will face increasing competition from social media platforms. It observed that the delivery of live video content via social media channels will be one of the growth areas for 2018 as users increase the volume of live broadcast content posted to these platforms. Such examples include Instagram, which has over 800 million monthly active users, and Snapchat which has 178 million daily active users.

    Said research author Lauren Foye, “This content will increasingly be of interest to advertisers, especially in view of Facebook’s monthly active user base of over two billion people. The company has launched an app and website ‘Facebook for Creators’ to help users refine video content and generate viewership.”

    Juniper found that this will aid growth in content consumption, with data usage from OTT content surpassing 840 exabytes by 2022, the equivalent of 129 billion hours of 4K streaming.
     
    Recent changes to YouTube’s Partner Programme means that it will only accept channels with more than 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 viewing hours acquired across a year to its shared advertising revenue programme, the research highlighted. This change in strategy results from increased advertiser pressure following several high-profile, offensive, video posts by users.
    Nevertheless, Juniper forecasts YouTube to account for almost a quarter of all FVoD adspend by 2022.

    Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, giving consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.

    Also Read :

    We are seeing consumption in languages & low-connectivity areas, says Facebook India’s Saurabh Doshi

    Health & beauty YouTube’s fastest growing vertical in 2017 for India

    Apple commits $4.2 bn for original content

    News Corp’s new ad network takes on Facebook, Google

  • ALTBalaji’s ‘The Test Case’ stands out amongst the rest with raving reviews from the critics and the viewers

    ALTBalaji’s ‘The Test Case’ stands out amongst the rest with raving reviews from the critics and the viewers

    ALTBalaji’s eagerly awaited show ‘The Test Case’ featuring Nimrat Kaur in the lead, streamed on the ALTBalaji app and website on 26th January, 2018 and in just three days of its launch the #ALTBalajiOriginal has been a hit online!

    Nimrat Kaur who essays the role of Captain Shikha Sharma in the show has passed the test with raving reviews from critics and the audience alike. The internet has been abuzz with viewers and critics praising the show’s concept, storyline, direction and performance of every actor, part of the show.

    The show has been garnering tremendous support from women as well as men from the different strata of life as it attempts to break gender stereotypes with its concept. ALTBalaji’s social media campaign #WomenInGreen has been an instant hit too with celebrities as well as the aam aadmi joining the campaign and urging others to do so.

    While the critics and audience are bowled over by Nimrat Kaur’s bravura act in The Test Case, performances by the talented Atul Kulkarni, Annup Soni, Rahul Dev and Juhi Chawla are also being appreciated.

    Being called #TheBestCase, it’s a show that’s ahead of its time and the one that should not be missed. The show attempts to highlight relevant issues around women in combat roles in Indian army as Captain Shikha Sharma (Nimrat Kaur) in the show is first such TEST CASE and her struggles and battles with traditionally male dominated but highly revered combat arm of Indian Army.

    Talking about the success of the show ALTBalaji of Officer Marketing Chief, Manav Sethi said, “We are elated with the response to The Test Case. It’s a powerhouse show of ALTBalaji and the one that’s ahead of its time. The show is different from other shows available on various other OTT platforms and we are glad that the show is appreciated for being distinct and stands out amongst the rest.”

    Directed by Vinay Waikul, featuring Nimrat Kaur, Atul Kulkarni, Rahul Dev, Manit Joura, Annup Soni, Sameer Kochhar, Akshay Oberoi and Juhi Chawla The Test Case is streaming now on the ALTBalaji app and the website.

  • Saare Jahan Se Achha web show hosted by Prakash Jha

    Saare Jahan Se Achha web show hosted by Prakash Jha

    Prakash Jha is all set to host a web show titled Saare Jahan Se Achha. The series will showcase the lives of ordinary individuals who try to create a change in the lives of many through their efforts.

    “I am full of gratitude after interacting with the common people who went out of their way to make a change in the lives of other people around them without any expectations in return. Sometimes small contributions make a big impact and it is essential that the story of these people is told; so that the positivity spreads.” Said Prakash Jha speaking on the occasion.

    Debutant Director Prakash Bhardwaj commenting on the occasion said; “In an atmosphere when there is so much negativity floating around us in Social Media and News, we were in dire need of something that will make us proud of our fellow citizens and their efforts that help us lead a better life. When the concept was narrated, Prakash sir readily agreed to host it.”

    Mzee Singh who was the CEO of the production house; which last produced Sanjay Dutt’s comeback film Bhoomi is producing the web show. “It’s a pleasure and honor to work with a veteran like Prakash Prakash Jha. Digital is the medium of the future. We are looking at creating a series of 52 such inspiring  films, once this is released.”

  • RCom’s 3rd quarter numbers improve on Big TV, consumer business exit

    RCom’s 3rd quarter numbers improve on Big TV, consumer business exit

    BENGALURU: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani-led Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) reported 95 percent lower loss for the third quarter ended 31 December 2017 (Q3 2018, the quarter under review) as compared with the immediate trailing quarter (Q2 2018). The company reported loss of Rs 130 crore in Q3 2018 as against a loss of Rs 2,712 crore in Q2 2018. It had reported loss of Rs 531 crore in Q3 2017.

    After the planned exit from its consumer business that included wireless, direct-to-home (DTH – Reliance Big TV) and PCO, RCom is left with the B2B business. RCom’s B2B business comprises global and Indian enterprises, internet data centres (IDC), a global submarine cable network and international long-distance voice.

    The company said in its media release that it had 40,000 B2B global and Indian customers. It reported a 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter (qoq) revenue increase for its B2B business at Rs 1,176 crore for the quarter under review. Year on year, revenue in Q3 2018 declined by 30.7 percent from Rs 1698 crore.

    EBIDTA for the B2B business increased by 5.9 percent qoq to Rs 252 crore. Net profit after tax (PAT) increased by 28.6 percent q-o-q to Rs 27 crore from Rs 21 crore and was 68.8 percent higher y-o-y that Rs 16 crore.

    Revenue from Indian operations declined both qoq and yoy in Q3 2018 by 7.6 percent and 42.9 percent, respectively, to Rs 596 crore. The company had reported revenue from India operations of Rs 645 crore for Q2 2018 and Rs 1,043 crore for Q2 2017. RCom’s Indian operations’ operating profit reduced by 7.7 percent qoq to Rs 60 crore in Q3 2018 from Rs 65 crore but increased yoy from Rs 40 crore.

    Global operations revenue grew by 4.1 percent qoq in Q3 2018 to Rs 709 crore from Rs 681 crore but reduced by 37.4 percent yoy from Rs 1,132 crore. RCom reported operating profit of Rs 20 crore from its global operations in Q3 2018 as against loss of Rs 3 crore in the immediate trailing quarter but 44.4 percent lower yoy than the Rs 36 crore reported for Q3 2017.   

    RCom chairman Anil Ambani said, “RCom’s planned exit from the consumer business has achieved more than the desired results. RCom has reduced its net loss by over 95 percent. RCom expects to deliver even better financial performance in the coming quarters.”

    Also Read :

    Reliance Jio acquires RCom’s wireless infra assets

    Veecon Media acquires Reliance Big TV