ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • WWE Network on track to hit a million subs by end 2014

    WWE Network on track to hit a million subs by end 2014

    MUMBAI: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on 6 April showcased the first pay-per-view (PPV) on its WWE Network with WrestleMania XXX. 

     

    It was on 24 February this year that WWE commenced its first-ever 24/7 streaming network and ever since then it has generated immense traction and buzz among its fans.

     

    The company recently announced in a release that WWE Network has 667,287 subscribers (as of 7 April) and is well on its way to reaching its goal of a million subscribers by the end of 2014 just 42 days after launching in US. It claims to be the fastest-growing digital subscription service.

     

    This announcement comes on the heels of a historic WrestleMania XXX, which aired live on WWE Network as well as on pay-per-view through satellite and cable providers from a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

     

    The Network was first rolled out in the US and will soon travel to Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics in late 2014 or early 2015.

     

    WWE Network is the first 24/7 streaming network that provides access to live and scheduled programming, including all 12 live pay-per-view events, as well as the most comprehensive video-on-demand library. Available for a price of $9.99 a month – with a six month commitment – fans can subscribe to WWE Network at WWE.com.

     

    WWE Network is available on connected devices including Apple TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360. WWE Network is also available through the WWE App on iOS devices, including Apple iPad and iPhone, Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices and Android devices, as well as on desktops and laptops via WWE.com.

  • Datawind partners with PayUMoney

    Datawind partners with PayUMoney

    MUMBAI: DataWind the makers of Aakash and Ubislate Tablet PC, and a leading provider of wireless web access products and services ties up with PayUMoney to benefit its consumer base with the 10% of cash-back deal on the purchase of DataWind products.

     

    The tie up between DataWind & PayUMoney gives consumer liberty of cash back of a 10% for every transaction.  Payment can be made though CreditCard, DebitCard and other mobile payment option available on the website.

     

     This Offer can be availed only through PayUMoney payment option on the payment page of the Datawind’s website, buyer need to register them on PayUMoney before making the payment. The Buyer will receive a cash-back for all payments made through PayUMoney. The cash-back will be credited back to the Buyer’s PayUMoney Wallet is valid up to one year, which may then be used for paying for goods or services provided by PayUMoney’s Seller partners. Also the maximum cash-back per transaction will not exceed Rs. 50/- and consumer can utilize it as a discount on the very next purchase as well.

    In event the Buyer initiates a refund in respect of a transaction, the amount of cash-back credited to the Buyer’s PayUMoney Wallet shall be debited. In event of initiation of a refund, where the balance credited to the Buyer’s PayUMoney Wallet as cash-back has been utilized by the Buyer towards purchase of goods/services, the Buyer’s PayUMoney Wallet shall be debited by the amount of cash-back and in case the PayUMoney Wallet has zero balance, the PayUMoney Wallet shall show a negative balance equaling the amount of cash-back. Where the cash-back is utilized towards a new transaction and a refund is initiated with respect to such new transaction, the cash-back from the original transaction shall be credited back to the PayUMoney Wallet while the cash-back from the new transaction shall be debited from the PayUMoney Wallet.

  • Streaming service Spuul.com shuffles senior management

    Streaming service Spuul.com shuffles senior management

    MUMBAI: The online streaming service for Indian cinema and TV shows – Spuul.com – has appointed a new CEO in Rajiv Vaidya to strengthen its position across markets, and bring in a focus on brand and ad-sales.

     

    Speaking on the development Spuul’s co-founder and global CEO Subin Subaiah said in a statement: “Spuul has successfully established itself in India as a top of the line content platform and a front runner in the OTT space. With that set, the restructure will allow us to take the business to its next level of engagement with this fast evolving ecosystem. This will include expanding to new markets, generating access to the ballooning digital ad spends and building mutually beneficial partnerships.” 

     

    Vaidya joins Spuul from Hughes Networks. He was based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he headed sales and marketing for US and later for the APAC region. He started his career in advertising with DDB Mudra and went on to head Triton BDDP in India. 

     

    Vaidya said: “Within a short span, the brand has garnered a tremendous customer base not only in India but also internationally. With online video consumption gaining popularity in India, I am excited to join the team to further enhance the brand promise amongst advertisers and consumers.”  

     

    Along with this appointment, Spuul’s current India-CEO, Prakash Ramchandani will move to the Spuul headquarter office based out of Singapore and assume a global responsibility of chief content officer. His portfolio will also include overseeing international marketing. Ramchandani held management positions across TV networks in India and then out of Sydney where he worked in the DTH space prior to moving to Mumbai to establish Spuul’s Indian subsidiary office. 

     

    Taking on the new role, Ramchandani said: “Having been involved with the company since inception and establishing its presence in India has been an extremely rewarding experience. Spuul is a global play and we want to connect with the broader audience base. Content has been the crux of the brand and I look forward to unlocking its value across key markets.”

  • WWE Network not quite ready yet

    WWE Network not quite ready yet

    MUMBAI: So, WWE finally offered wrestling fans a trial of its much-hyped over the top platform, WWE Network for a week starting last Monday. At an offer price of $9.99 for a period of six months, avid followers of the sport readily lapped up the opportunity.

     

    I happened to be one such and though my experience was enjoyable on the whole, I’d say a lot of things can be improved before this beta graduates into the full-fledged video streaming service it is expected to be.

     

    To begin with, the network got off to a shaky start and though that was expected somewhat, users got a better feel of the service only towards the second half of last week.

     

    The good news is you can put on the 24×7 stream in the background and continue working or doing whatever it is you are doing. If talk of a particular match crops up during the conversation, you can quickly turn it on and watch it, friends in tow.

     

    In many ways, the WWE Network could be the beginning of a new era in both WWE and pay-per-view (PPV) television.

     

    However, while every PPV event has been included live on the network, the first such event i.e. Wrestle Mania 30, is still five weeks away. So, apart from the fact that you’d be paying a lot less for PPV shows, there isn’t much else to say.  

     

    Repetition of content is a major issue, especially with recent PPV events. Of all the shows WWE could pick, why does Survivor Series 2012 pop up so many times? While it’s good entertainment, there are only a few PPVs in rotation and that does not make sense. When WWE can plug in a wealth of PPVs, including a six-year-old library of high-definition shows, at a moment’s notice, why is it being so stingy with the content on offer on the network?

     

    In case of exclusive content, shows like Beyond the Ring have just two episodes so far. One can understand it being created as a weekly series but given that WWE isn’t doing much beyond recycling existing DVD documentaries, replication of shows makes watching the network stream a boring experience.

     

    Coming to home video content, what happened to the announcement made by WWE chief revenue and marketing officer, Michelle Wilson, in Las Vegas that the network’s on-demand archive would include their complete home video library? Where is it? Even if WWE dug into its archives and managed to offer on the network only its DVD era or everything it has released since 1985, it would give the network a more substantial and diverse on-demand library than the current one.

     

    Yes. The WWE Network is easily the most marketable content the company has but a hard-core wrestling fan would certainly want to see more of rare or off-beat content.

     

    Technically speaking, not all shows in the on-demand library have chapter marks added but wherever they have been, it’s a good thing. You can link anyone with a subscription to a specific match or even the match finish, which is great. 

     

    However, the biggest limitation is that only app and Web versions have a fully-featured search functionality which lets users look for specific shows and moves. On gaming consoles and dedicated streaming devices, users still require the app to auto-complete the performer name being searched, else there will be no results.

     

    At this stage, there’s not much to say about what’s good or bad about the WWE Network. Having access to old and new PPVs at a price tag of $9.99 for six months is pretty neat in itself. Overall, it’s an enjoyable product though a lot of things can be improved – some major, others minor.

     

    In my opinion, WWE Network has a lot of potential but isn’t completely ready. It feels like a product that needs quite a few months in beta testing mode though the company is comfortable charging for it now. The content line-up is great but has the potential to become brilliant. Hopefully, WWE will be able to make the network the service it has aspired for.

  • WWE Network not quite ready yet

    WWE Network not quite ready yet

    MUMBAI: So, WWE finally offered wrestling fans a trial of its much-hyped over the top platform, WWE Network for a week starting last Monday. At an offer price of $9.99 for a period of six months, avid followers of the sport readily lapped up the opportunity.

     
    I happened to be one such and though my experience was enjoyable on the whole, I’d say a lot of things can be improved before this beta graduates into the full-fledged video streaming service it is expected to be.

     
    To begin with, the network got off to a shaky start and though that was expected somewhat, users got a better feel of the service only towards the second half of last week.

     
    The good news is you can put on the 24×7 stream in the background and continue working or doing whatever it is you are doing. If talk of a particular match crops up during the conversation, you can quickly turn it on and watch it, friends in tow.

     
    In many ways, the WWE Network could be the beginning of a new era in both WWE and pay-per-view (PPV) television.

     
    However, while every PPV event has been included live on the network, the first such event i.e. Wrestle Mania 30, is still five weeks away. So, apart from the fact that you’d be paying a lot less for PPV shows, there isn’t much else to say.  
     

    Repetition of content is a major issue, especially with recent PPV events. Of all the shows WWE could pick, why does Survivor Series 2012 pop up so many times? While it’s good entertainment, there are only a few PPVs in rotation and that does not make sense. When WWE can plug in a wealth of PPVs, including a six-year-old library of high-definition shows, at a moment’s notice, why is it being so stingy with the content on offer on the network?

     
    In case of exclusive content, shows like Beyond the Ring have just two episodes so far. One can understand it being created as a weekly series but given that WWE isn’t doing much beyond recycling existing DVD documentaries, replication of shows makes watching the network stream a boring experience.

     
    Coming to home video content, what happened to the announcement made by WWE chief revenue and marketing officer, Michelle Wilson, in Las Vegas that the network’s on-demand archive would include their complete home video library? Where is it? Even if WWE dug into its archives and managed to offer on the network only its DVD era or everything it has released since 1985, it would give the network a more substantial and diverse on-demand library than the current one.
     

    Yes. The WWE Network is easily the most marketable content the company has but a hard-core wrestling fan would certainly want to see more of rare or off-beat content.

     
    Technically speaking, not all shows in the on-demand library have chapter marks added but wherever they have been, it’s a good thing. You can link anyone with a subscription to a specific match or even the match finish, which is great. 
     

    However, the biggest limitation is that only app and Web versions have a fully-featured search functionality which lets users look for specific shows and moves. On gaming consoles and dedicated streaming devices, users still require the app to auto-complete the performer name being searched, else there will be no results.
     

    At this stage, there’s not much to say about what’s good or bad about the WWE Network. Having access to old and new PPVs at a price tag of $9.99 for six months is pretty neat in itself. Overall, it’s an enjoyable product though a lot of things can be improved – some major, others minor.
     

    In my opinion, WWE Network has a lot of potential but isn’t completely ready. It feels like a product that needs quite a few months in beta testing mode though the company is comfortable charging for it now. The content line-up is great but has the potential to become brilliant. Hopefully, WWE will be able to make the network the service it has aspired for.

  • SureWaves wins BCS Ratna Award

    SureWaves wins BCS Ratna Award

    BANGALORE: SureWaves MediaTech Pvt Ltd, a next-generation media convergence company was awarded ”Best Innovative Technology” for its groundbreaking technology at the 5th BCS Ratna Awards 2014 held yesterday at New Delhi. The awards honored organizations that have been playing the role of a catalyst in Broadcasting, Media, DTH, Technology Providers & Cable TV industry in all areas.  Founded in 2006, SureWaves, with over 30 technology patents, is one of the most innovative Indian start-up in recent times based out of Bangalore.

     

    SureWaves’ ground-breaking technology enables large scale aggregation of audiences across multiple television channels and offers a single window interface to large national advertisers to effectively reach out to mass audiences on a market by market basis. The SureWaves Spot TV Network, one of the largest connected television networks of its kind anywhere in the world spans across 28 states and 7 union territories in India through partnerships with over 280 local TV channels that reach more than 80 million households and 400 million viewers.

     

    On receiving the award Mr. Mandar Patwardhan – Chief Operating Officer, SureWaves said “We are extremely delighted and on behalf of SureWaves, I thank BCS Ratna Awards and Aavishkar Media Group for having recognized us with this award. For us, to win the Best Innovative Technology award is, of course, very motivating. We pride ourselves on our innovative flagship product – SureWaves Spot TV Network, which has made advertising on local channels accountable, measurable and is enabling national advertisers to reach out to a hitherto untapped audience.”

    Since its inception in 2010, BCS Ratna Awards have become a symbol of excellence in the broadcasting and Distribution industry. This year, the awards focused not only on the excellence in the traditional media but also on path breaking initiatives in the case of new media as well. It was a one of its kind opportunity for Broadcasters, MSOs, LCOs, Technology & Content Providers, DTH stakeholders to come together on a single platform.

  • Vdopia Inc.’s work bags top accolades at the Mob-Ex Awards 2014

    Vdopia Inc.’s work bags top accolades at the Mob-Ex Awards 2014

    MUMBAI: Vdopia Inc., leaders in Online and Mobile Video Advertising, had its work in mobile recognized at the second annual edition of Mob-Ex Awards, 2014 held in Singapore. It’s much lauded Audi A3 SB launch campaign ‘Let us entertain you’  won two top accolades – Gold for “Best In-app advertising” and Bronze for “Best Mobile Advertising Solution”.  

    The Mob-Ex Awards is Singapore’s premier event which celebrates mobile excellence and recognizes the cr?me de la cr?me across the mobile marketing spectrum. It felicitates organizations that have successfully leveraged mobile platforms, through distinct mobile marketing strategies.

     

    Mimmie Ong, Regional Head – Sales, SEA, Vdopia Inc. said, “This award is an honor. It recognizes our depth of expertise and strategy in key areas of mobile and delivery, for us and our client. We are thankful to our client, our agency partners, and Mob-Ex for this accolade.”

    Vdopia recently also surpassed a record 10-million Unique Viewers in India (ComScore Video Ad Metrix) a first for a network as it continues on a wave of global and regional growth.   

     

    Preteesh Chouhan, VP-APAC, Vdopia Inc. reflected, “Creativity and technology investments have consistently enabled Vdopia to create engaging digital campaigns for a wide variety of clients across industries and regions. This is a fantastic beginning to a bigger and bolder 2014 for Team Vdopia.”

    Vdopia Inc. has seen a 100% growth and expansion in 2013, allowing the company to double its staff count globally and open new offices in several key markets. 

  • Ditto TV brings Zee Jaipur Literature Festival to your fingertips

    Ditto TV brings Zee Jaipur Literature Festival to your fingertips

    MUMBAI: Ditto TV, India’s first OTT (Over-The-Top) TV distribution platform from Zee New Media, the digital arm of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) will showcase events from the most eagerly awaited and the biggest annual literary event in Asia: Jaipur Literature Festival, this year. Viewers will be able to catch all the action from the five day literary commemoration including the keynote address, book readings, seminars, art and performances, and much more. It is indeed an exciting opportunity for avid book lovers, music and literary enthusiasts to experience the magic and euphoria of the festival on their mobile screens at their convenient time.  

    Speaking on this uniqueoffering, Manoj Padmanabhan, Business Head, Ditto TV said, “Zee Jaipur Literature Festival is one of the most sought after literary events in the year. Literature lovers can now watch videos of the festival at their convenience, anywhere, at any time.”

    The key events at the Jaipur festival will be packaged into multiple video clips and will be available for free.

    The Jaipur Literature Festival brings together some of the greatest thinkers and writers from across South Asia and the world. The festival which will be hosted at the beautiful Diggi Palace in Jaipur between January 17-21st, 2014 will have some of the world’s most celebrated personalities like AmartyaSen, Jason Burke, JhumpaLahiri speaking at the event. This year,the festival is expected to have about 2 lakh literature lovers from across the world and over 240 authors for five days of debate and discussion, from fiction to biography, history to music.

    Today, Ditto TV offers the largest collection of premium content through 67 LIVE TV channels spread across leading genres like GEC, Sports, Lifestyle, Regional and Newsalong with rich on-demand video capabilities. Ditto TV canbe downloaded from www.dittotv.com

     

  • SureWaves raises Rs 35 crore in second round of funding

    SureWaves raises Rs 35 crore in second round of funding

    BANGALORE: SureWaves MediaTech (SureWaves) has announced that it has secured Rs 35 crore in a second round of funding that was led by Canaan Partners.

     

    It also saw participation from existing investors Accel Partners India and India Innovation Fund.

     

    SureWaves’ ground-breaking technology enables large scale aggregation of audiences across multiple television channels and offers a single window interface to large national advertisers to effectively reach out to mass audiences on a market by market basis. SureWaves claims that its Spot TV Network is one of the largest connected television networks of its kind anywhere in the world spanning across 28 states and seven union territories in India through partnerships with over 280 cable TV channels that reach more than 80 million households and 400 million viewers.

     

    SureWaves founder and CMD Rajendra Khare says, “Our vision is to leverage the power of media through use of technology for all-round and inclusive socio-economic growth. The funding will be used to invest in the growth of the company and support further innovation. The backing from such prestigious investors is a clear and strong sign that they believe in our vision and the market itself. ”

     

    Canaan Partners India partner Alok Mittal says, “SureWaves is revolutionising television advertising by infusing the smartness of digital media like internet and mobile into the mainstream medium of television. Canaan recognises the huge potential of SureWaves to become one of the foremost media company in television advertising and we are excited to be associated with them”.

     

    Accel Partners in India Partner Shekhar Kirani says, “SureWaves has built a completely disruptive technology that solves the challenges arising out of growing media fragmentation in television and we are excited to continue supporting SureWaves”.

     

    India Innovation Fund’s Rajesh Rai says, “We’ve been associated with SureWaves since 2011, since that time we’ve seen the business grow and evolve into a robust model and we wish them solid momentum in 2014”.

     

    SureWaves is headquartered in Bangalore with offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

  • Vdopia strengthens global footprint with 100% growth in 2013

    Vdopia strengthens global footprint with 100% growth in 2013

    MUMBAI: Vdopia Inc. a global leader in mobile video and rich media advertising announced its significant growth and expansion in 2013, doubling its staff count globally and opening new offices in several key markets.  

    Currently, the company has 230 employees as it builds its global presence, including opening offices in Germany and Australia in Q3, 2013, on the back of significant growth and demand for online mobile and video expertise.  Vdopia’s expanding presence means dedicated resources on regional campaigns for current global clients, while also bringing Vdopia solutions and services to new regional publishers and advertisers.

    “Over the past 12 months Vdopia has grown at a tremendous rate, enabling us to enter new markets and attract top talent globally,” said Srikanth Kakani, Founder and CEO, Vdopia.  

    He continues, “As a company we will continue to invest in new technology to ensure Vdopia remains the global leader in mobile video and rich media advertising. We already work with some of the biggest companies in the world across a wide variety of industries; however, we look forward to growing our business and expanding our global presence even further in 2014.”   

    “Vdopia has a seen a rapid growth in terms of business and publisher relations in the SEA market while embracing the market challenges of the time and working collaboratively to achieve engaging campaigns. Further to our expansion will be a new, state-of-the art office which will incorporate a Media Lab at Delhi-NCR region, factoring in innovation, R&D and technology to deliver global solutions.” said Preetesh Chouhan, VP, Vdopia APAC.

    The company, which opened its first office in the US in May 2007, also plans to move its New York and Los Angeles offices into new, larger spaces in early 2014 to accommodate continued growth.