ITV

Category: iWorld

  • ShipRocket offers high-speed dispatch and shipping service for e-retailers

    ShipRocket offers high-speed dispatch and shipping service for e-retailers

    MUMBAI: KartRocket, an e-commerce platform for SMEs and retailers, has launched a new powerful order-processing and shipping service for its e-retail clients, ShipRocket.

    The one-click service, based on the SAAS (Software as a Service) model, allows e-commerce ventures to enjoy the benefits of the highly efficient delivery management service. ShipRocket enables its clients to dispatch a shipment, pick a courier company, assign an airway bill number and print a shipping label amongst other facilities.

    The service prints all packing slips in batches providing easy access to all customers and order information in one place. Order statuses change automatically from ‘dispatch’ to ‘shipped’ and from ‘shipped’ to ‘delivered’, facilitating the tracking of order history for a particular order.  The final consumer is notified via auto-emails and SMSes when the order moves through dispatch and delivery. ShipRocket manages remittance from various companies and is fully integrated with Amazon and eBay.

    Kartrocket.com CEO and co-founder Saahil Goel commented on the new service saying, “ShipRocket is a phenomenal new technology that we have introduced to smoothen the work of those who want to sell their products online. The service has extended coverage with shipping enablement to over 12,000 pin codes including 6,000 COD pin codes. We follow the policy of a uniform contractual agreement for all clients, enabling multi-vendor management with vendor panels for all our clients. We truly hope to revolutionize the e-commerce space with this excellent introduction.”

    Keeping true to its promise of providing unmatched coverage and reach to its clients, the company is looking at adding more shipping service providers in local regions in the quarters to come.

  • Viewster adds Red Bull Media House content

    Viewster adds Red Bull Media House content

    MUMBAI: The VOD service Viewster has added to its catalogue a slew of sports and culture content from Red Bull Media House, which will be available on demand for viewers in the UK, Benelux, Germany and the Nordics.

    The content package includes Red Bull Art of Motion, which showcases the disciplines of free running, parkour and martial arts; Red Bull Beat Battle, featuring epic dance battles in a range of styles; Red Bull Tops seasons one and two, highlighting the best of the best in a range of extreme athletics; and Red Bell Cliptomaniacs, a compilation of sports and action footage. Also part of the deal is Ryan Doyle Travel Story, a travel doc that features Ryan Doyle, a world champion in freestyle running.

    “Five years ago, when consumers wanted to be entertained, they switched on the TV. Today, they are turning to the web and on-demand video services,” said Viewster CEO Kai Henniges. “Smart brands like Red Bull with its media company Red Bull Media House have recognised this and are now looking at new distribution channels that will introduce their content to new audiences. By making content available on-demand, sports and music fans worldwide can watch this unique content whenever and however they choose. And with our ever-increasing library of film and TV content also available, it’s not surprising that we’re continuing to see month-on-month growth worldwide, as audiences discover new and interesting content.”

    “As the models for providing content continue to evolve, Red Bull Media House is committed to engaging audiences with high-quality programming on the platforms that are relevant to them,” added Red Bull Media House chief commercial officer Alexander Koppel. “Digital options are an integrated part of our delivery system, and we look forward to sharing compelling content with Viewster’s expansive audience.”

  • Thinkbox: Portable devices account for 1.5% of TV viewing

    Thinkbox: Portable devices account for 1.5% of TV viewing

    MUMBAI: New TV viewing figures from Thinkbox reveal that 98.5 per cent of television viewing is still done on the traditional TV set in the UK, while 1.5 per cent is on other screens such as tablets and mobile devices.

    The average daily TV viewing in the UK (during January to June 2013) was four hours, one minute a day per person. This was comprised of three hours, 58 minutes a day of linear TV on a TV set – this is three minutes a day less than the same period last year – and three minutes, 30 seconds a day via devices such as tablets, smartphones and laptops. The majority of this is on-demand viewing, with some live streams.

    Viewing on non-TV devices via established services such as ITV Player, Sky Go, 4OD and BBC iPlayer, as well as new services like Dave on-demand, accounted for 1.5 per cent of overall TV viewing in the country during the first half of 2013. This is a slight increase from the full-year figure for 2012, when it accounted for 1.2 per cent.

    According to Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB), it’s estimated that 58 per cent of households own digital TV recorders, and in these homes 83.8 per cent of linear TV was watched live during the period, down from the 84.4 per cent in the same period a year ago. Also, 81 per cent of all time shifted viewing is watched within two days of recording, while 47 per cent is seen within 24 hours of it being recorded. BARB’s figures suggest that the growth in the number of TVs that is recorded and played back is slowing down.

  • Video consumption on mobile phones on a rise

    Video consumption on mobile phones on a rise

    MUMBAI:  have become the prime medium for video consumption. As per the reports sent by sonyliv.com, 53 per cent of viewers watch videos on their mobile phones, 32 per cent view them online while 15 per cent, on their tablets.  

    The data was revealed in the two-quarter report of Multi Screen Media (MSM) operated sonyliv.com. Elaborating further, the report gives insights on the type of audience viewing digital content. The general entertainment content sees higher consumption by females compared to the overall internet video consumption in India. According to the report, video consumption trends 47 per cent female viewers and 53 per cent male; compared to the overall internet video consumption split of 71:29, male to females.

    Additionally, it is interesting to note that elderly people also watch videos online. Though the number is comparatively less, a three per cent, but it puts forth the fact that an upward shift in video consumption is witnessed in this bracket of audience as well. About 46 per cent of viewers are from the age group 15 to 24 years, 32 per cent from the age bracket of 25 to 34 years, followed by 17 per cent between the age group 35 and 44 years.

    The analytics also reveal that comedy and daily dramas have a higher viewership on digital platforms. Nearly 78 per cent of the videos consumed are comedy, drama and thriller. Comedy is viewed by 30 per cent of the audience, followed by drama at 25 per cent and thrillers at 23 per cent. Reality shows and other genres of shows are watched by the remaining 22 per cent.

    “At sonyliv.com, we are captivated with data and analytics and believe in leveraging the insights to drive a superior world class viewing experience. We publish insights based on real data that we study every hour of the day. This is done by monitoring the consumption behavior of over 50,000 unique visitors on an average who log on to our website, across all platforms i.e. online, mobile and tablet,” informs Sony Entertainment Network executive VP–new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani.

    The report also suggests that viewers today increasingly prefer short content formats on digital platforms. The audiences opt for formats like catch-up episodes, quickisodes and short crunch episodes. As per the data, 64 per cent of viewers watch catch-up episodes, whereas more than one-third of viewers consume shorter crunched episodes, or called as quickisodes.

    The data also reveals that the average time spent by consumers per video has increased from eight minutes to 11.5 minutes (73 per cent of average duration of content) and the maximum number of videos is being watched between, 1pm to 4 pm and 9 to 11 pm.

  • Smartube Entertainment launches trendspotters.tv

    Smartube Entertainment launches trendspotters.tv

    MUMBAI: Now track trends across all genres online with www.trendspotters.tv. This online channel launched by Smartube Entertainment comprehends trends from fashion and lifestyle to business, politics, sports, music, gadgets and much more.

    The inauguration took place at APREE 2013 at Riviera De Goa, a three day event which kick-started today and will be on till 25 August. APREE is an annual interactive knowledge exchange platform that brings advertising, PR, entertainment and event management companies together on one platform for social and business networking.

    www.trendspotters.tv founder Kunal Kishore Sinha elaborated, “APREE has achieved immense credibility over the past few years and is a buzzing congregation of industry experts, marketing geniuses and thought leaders. We could not have asked for a better platform than this to unveil the first look of trendspotters.tv. APREE has always given special emphasis to emerging social media and we are confident of trendspotters.tv becoming a significant part of this social media gamut. ”

    The website is a medium for bringing the next generation trends and talents to light, especially for the upwardly mobile audience. It brings out a cluster of micro trends every day for the new age audience who take inspiration from out-of-the-ordinary discoveries.

    Expressing excitement on the launch he said, “We are glad to launch India’s first digital TV which promises to be an exciting platform for next generation consumers. In the initial phase, we have launched trends for music, fashion and entertainment, and going ahead, we will be extending content pertaining to sports, advertising and consumer technology.”

  • India.com launches in true Bollywood style, the new online destination for everything Indian

    India.com launches in true Bollywood style, the new online destination for everything Indian

    MUMBAI: India.com, a Zee Entertainment initiative, launched in the United States with a big Bollywood fanfare at the 33rd annual India Day Parade in New York City. The parade which is the largest gathering of the Indian community outside India, had more than 150,000 footfalls.

    India.com built a 70ft replica of the Red Fort, aka “Lal Qila”. The Red Fort is the 255-acre complex in New Delhi built in the 17th century by Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. Every 15 August on Independence Day, the Red Fort is the chosen location where the Prime Minister of India hoists the country’s flag and delivers a national speech from its ramparts to a loud and proud crowd.

    Inside the fort, a royal red carpet welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and invited them to sign up for a new @india.com email ID. There were more than 40 Macintosh computers laid out on a glass table. The inside walls of the fort were decorated with images that defined India.com. After registration, people went home with fun India.com freebies.

    India.com is a new online platform for everything Indian in an instant – from breaking news, business, and Bollywood to sports, travel and free classifieds. The website combines these one-of-a-kind features with an e-mail portal that will keep you connected. India.com launched in India back in 2011 and has since gained 28 million unique users making it one of the fastest growing portals.

    Other highlights of the parade included marching bands, over 40 floats, 100 food vendors, and the presence of famous Bollywood actress Vidya Balan and anti-graft crusader, Anna Hazare.

    Zee America GM Sameer Targe said, “The timing of our launch in North America could not have been any better. India Day Parade, which celebrates India’s Independence Day, by any measure, is the biggest, most vibrant south Asian event that happens on the east coast. We had a tremendous response for the site. India.com is customised for the south Asian diaspora and the Indophile segment. It was about time someone catered to the real needs of the Indian-American digital consumer.”

  • Now, Shah Rukh Khan is just a phone call away

    Now, Shah Rukh Khan is just a phone call away

    MUMBAI: In this era of social engagement with audiences and fans alike Bollywood’s King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, takes one step ahead to reach out to his fans and become the first celeb to enable all his Indian fans to ‘Dial to follow him on Twitter’.

    Riding on the success of Chennai Express, in response to the love and affection shown by his fans worldwide SRK announced a groundbreaking global integration with Twitter India and ZipDial in which everyone living in India can follow and engage with him on Twitter via SMS.

    Effective immediately, anyone with a mobile phone in India can follow @iamsrk on Twitter by dialing (or giving a missed call) at 09015500555. The experience works for 100 per cent of mobile users in India on any phone, any operator network and is completely free, irrespective of whether they have a Twitter account or data-enabled phone.

    On calling the number this is the text message that is received – Thanks for dialing. Enjoy my Tweets by SMS. To reply to me or see my photos, just follow me on Twitter. Love, Shah Rukh Khan; followed by his latest tweet.

    Commenting on the integration, Shah Rukh Khan said, “I have always believed in the power of technology and use it in various ways to further my connection with my audience. In recent years, Twitter has been a magical place for me to engage with my fans. I hope all my fans in India will avail this new service to connect with me. I thank ZipDial and Twitter India for helping me inaugurate this innovation and help bring together my entire national audience who don’t access Twitter. Very soon I hope to also expand this to multiple countries, languages and platforms.”

    Twitter’s India market director Rishi Jaitly said, “Twitter is the world’s leading real time information network where hundreds of millions of people follow the people and organisations that interest them. In India, Twitter among other things brings our users closer to their favourite stars and icons. We are pleased to see Shah Rukh Khan and ZipDial use the Twitter platform in this way.”

  • Cellular Association welcomes central advisory to state govt on mobile towers

    Cellular Association welcomes central advisory to state govt on mobile towers

    NEW DELHI: The Cellular Operators Association of India has welcomed the advisory sent by the Department of Telecommunications to state governments on mobile tower guidelines, saying the norms clearly segregate emission aspects from structural requirements.

    The DoT has asked the states to refrain from sealing mobile towers or disconnecting power supply to them without the permission of its unit, TERM cell, on account of radiation related issues.

    COAI director general Rajan S Mathews said in a statement: “We are working closely with the DoT to ensure that all safety norms are made universal and fears of the public about the telecom towers are removed”.

    He said the positive aspect of the guidelines is a clear distinction and segregation of emission (EMF) aspects from structural requirements. “The new guidelines have clearly stated that EMF aspects, compliance of RF exposure field emissions, issues related to SACFA, licence etc are to be handled solely by the DoT’s TERM Cells,” it added.

    COAI said the guidelines encourage a nominal one-time fee, single window clearance, and electricity connection on priority for mobile towers.

    “These are welcome steps for the industry which has been contending with a complex system and procedural delays which are hindrance towards the much required development of telecom infrastructure in the country,” it added.

    India has already implemented stricter radiation norms than are followed by other countries, DoT officials said.

    Industry representatives maintain that due to the lack of awareness on radiation, people object to the installation or working of mobile towers.

    Around 5,000 towers in Delhi and Mumbai were termed illegal by local authorities and shut down.

  • Millennials may opt for Net TV over traditional pay TV

    Millennials may opt for Net TV over traditional pay TV

    MUMBAI: Pay TV providers may want to skip peeking into the crystal ball.

    New research from The Diffusion Group (TDG) finds that younger consumers are less likely than their older counterparts to subscribe to legacy pay-TV services, opting instead for the likes of Netflix or Hulu Plus.

    TDG’s Late Millennials: A Study in Media Behavior surveyed a random sampling of more than 2,000 broadband users between the ages of 18 and 24, half of which were living at home with their parents. Of this latter group, 49 per cent said they were highly inclined to sign up for an online subscription video service once they moved out on their own, compared to 31 per cent that were highly inclined to sign up for a traditional pay-TV service when they set up their own households. This is a difference of 58 per cent.

    TDG president and principal analyst Michael Greeson admits these dispositions could change over time if OTT TV services are unable to acquire the content these consumers will want as they marry, have children, and move up the career ladder. “In the end, it will still be less about the conduit and more about the content and value the service provides.”

    “While this data can be spun to rationalise a number of arguments, the simplest insight may be the most profound,” noted Greeson. “The very fact that young consumers perceive online video services as somehow more desirable or necessary than incumbent pay-TV services says volumes about the future of video.”

  • OTT, Multiscreen and Cloud TV Spark Innovation for MENA’s Connected TV Market

    OTT, Multiscreen and Cloud TV Spark Innovation for MENA’s Connected TV Market

    NEW DELHI: Connected TV is rapidly evolving in MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), with providers, broadcasters and manufacturers such as STC, OSN (Orbit Showtime Network) and Samsung already offering consumers increased access to content through smart devices.

    This growing saturation of the market provides the backdrop for this year’s TV Connect MENA, which has developed in recent years to focus on IPTV, OTTtv, multiscreen and cloud TV services for regional service providers.

    The number of connected devices, particularly tablets, is fuelling demand for OTT, cloud and multiscreen services in MENA, and is expected to dramatically increase over the next five years. Informa Telecoms and Media reports that 6.5 million tablets were sold across the Middle East and Africa in 2012. That figure is forecast to increase to a staggering 32.1 million in 2016.

    Informa Telecoms & Media research analyst Michael Dean comments on the growth opportunity: “The OTT-content and services landscape across MENA has traditionally been rather barren, but the situation is changing quickly with OTT start-ups starting to emerge, and the number of rival operator initiatives increasing.

    “Mobile broadband may currently be in the nascent stages across much of the region but it is increasingly becoming a greater growth area for rural internet users in many MENA markets. In addition, the Gulf Cooperation Council is scheduling to have LTE networks in place by end-2013, meaning there will be a further rise in mobile data usage. This will undoubtedly place more demand on increased content delivery. Saudi Arabia and the UAE alone already have traditionally high levels of TV content consumption. For example, according to OSN, the average household watches six to seven hours of TV content per day,” adds Dean.

    Focussing on OTTtv, multiscreen and cloud TV services, and the opportunities within the IPTV industry, the annual TV Connect MENA, holds more relevance than ever for service providers, telecom/cable/satellite operators, broadcasters, content providers, gaming aggregators and CE manufacturers.

    TV Connect MENA conference director Kamelija Stefanova comments: “The event will explore OTT and IPTV convergence; offer presentations about developing content monetisation strategies; look at the business of CDNs and data centers for telecom operators; assess the role of advertising agencies in the connected media space; show best practise OTT and IPTV projects; and see how multiscreen services are becoming part of the digital home. We as organisers are in a unique position to provide one meeting place for broadband, LTE and TV markets and offer learning opportunities for maximising the power of 4G/LTE network to offer TV on the Go, utilising user interface for improved content discovery and using apps for on-demand video services.”