ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Demonetisation: UFO Moviez reports slight fall in results for Q3-17

    Demonetisation: UFO Moviez reports slight fall in results for Q3-17

    BENGALURU: Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) reported a 5.2 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in advertising revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The company reported advertising revenue of Rs 42.7 crore in Q3-17 as compared to Rs 40.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q3-16). Average advertisement minutes sold per show per screen decreased to 3.88 minutes (Q3-16 – 4.36) minutes during Q3-17.

    Theatrical and In-Cinema advertisement (consolidated excluding new businesses) revenues grew by 2.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 147.3 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 143.7 crore). Consolidated revenues improved by 2.5 percent y-o-y in Q3-17 to Rs 148.8 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 145.2 crore).

    Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) had 2..7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) decline in Earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA, operating profit) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s EBIDTA for Q3-17 was Rs 43.22 crore (34.6 percent of Total Income from Operations or TIO, margin), for Q3-16, it was Rs 44.42 crore (30.7 percent margin). EBIDTA including other income saw a 3.9 percent y-o-y fall in the current quarter to Rs 44.49 crore from Rs 46.30 crore

    Company speak on demonetisation

    “We believe that the decision to demonetise high denomination currency notes is a positive step to bolster the economy in the long run,” said UFO Moviez joint managing director Kapil Agarwal. “In the short-term, the media and entertainment sector is one of the most adversely impacted sectors. In this challenging environment, UFO demonstrated resilience and delivered growth in advertisement revenues. While demonetisation has slowed down growth in the second half of fiscal 2017 making it difficult to achieve our advertisement growth target, we are extremely confident of delivering on our long term growth plans.”

    “This is a positive set of results, both operationally and financially given the difficult market conditions, highlighting the strength of our business model,” said UFO Movies founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad. “Advertisement revenues achieved mid-single digit growth despite extreme pressure across sectors and dented advertising spends. We believe that the impact is transitory and the early signs of recovery are already visible. Going forward, re-monetisation along with the implementation of GST are expected to drive overall economic growth and UFO is well positioned to benefit from higher advertising spending by the government, corporates and hyperlocal advertisers.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by UFO Moviez

    Total Expense in Q3-17 increased 5.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 126.48 crore from Rs 119.62 crore in Q3-16. Ad revenue share (expense) in Q3-17 increased 10.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 12.90 crore from Rs 11.65 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Visual Print sharing expense in Q3-17 declined 4 percent y-o-y to Rs 17.47 crore from Rs 18.19 crore in Q3-16.

    The company’s expense towards purchase of digital cinema equipment and lamps in the current quarter declined 22.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 14.08 crore as compared to Rs 18.21 crore in Q3-16.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

  • Demonetisation: UFO Moviez reports slight fall in results for Q3-17

    Demonetisation: UFO Moviez reports slight fall in results for Q3-17

    BENGALURU: Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) reported a 5.2 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in advertising revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The company reported advertising revenue of Rs 42.7 crore in Q3-17 as compared to Rs 40.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q3-16). Average advertisement minutes sold per show per screen decreased to 3.88 minutes (Q3-16 – 4.36) minutes during Q3-17.

    Theatrical and In-Cinema advertisement (consolidated excluding new businesses) revenues grew by 2.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 147.3 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 143.7 crore). Consolidated revenues improved by 2.5 percent y-o-y in Q3-17 to Rs 148.8 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 145.2 crore).

    Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) had 2..7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) decline in Earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA, operating profit) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s EBIDTA for Q3-17 was Rs 43.22 crore (34.6 percent of Total Income from Operations or TIO, margin), for Q3-16, it was Rs 44.42 crore (30.7 percent margin). EBIDTA including other income saw a 3.9 percent y-o-y fall in the current quarter to Rs 44.49 crore from Rs 46.30 crore

    Company speak on demonetisation

    “We believe that the decision to demonetise high denomination currency notes is a positive step to bolster the economy in the long run,” said UFO Moviez joint managing director Kapil Agarwal. “In the short-term, the media and entertainment sector is one of the most adversely impacted sectors. In this challenging environment, UFO demonstrated resilience and delivered growth in advertisement revenues. While demonetisation has slowed down growth in the second half of fiscal 2017 making it difficult to achieve our advertisement growth target, we are extremely confident of delivering on our long term growth plans.”

    “This is a positive set of results, both operationally and financially given the difficult market conditions, highlighting the strength of our business model,” said UFO Movies founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad. “Advertisement revenues achieved mid-single digit growth despite extreme pressure across sectors and dented advertising spends. We believe that the impact is transitory and the early signs of recovery are already visible. Going forward, re-monetisation along with the implementation of GST are expected to drive overall economic growth and UFO is well positioned to benefit from higher advertising spending by the government, corporates and hyperlocal advertisers.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by UFO Moviez

    Total Expense in Q3-17 increased 5.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 126.48 crore from Rs 119.62 crore in Q3-16. Ad revenue share (expense) in Q3-17 increased 10.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 12.90 crore from Rs 11.65 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Visual Print sharing expense in Q3-17 declined 4 percent y-o-y to Rs 17.47 crore from Rs 18.19 crore in Q3-16.

    The company’s expense towards purchase of digital cinema equipment and lamps in the current quarter declined 22.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 14.08 crore as compared to Rs 18.21 crore in Q3-16.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

  • Ooyala to serve b’casters across video, publishing, analytics & monetisation

    Ooyala to serve b’casters across video, publishing, analytics & monetisation

    MUMBAI: Ooyala, a Telstra subsidiary and leader in video monetisation, has introduced its Ooyala Solutions Partner Program, through which technology and reseller partners can access and deploy a full set of technologies to modernize any video business at any stage, from a single partner. Providing everything from video production workflow technology, data-driven OTT solutions, robust monetisation capabilities and rich analytics, Ooyala allows its reseller partners to go beyond traditional broadcast capabilities, push into digital and deploy more strategic and scalable next-generation video services for broadcasters and media companies around the world.

    As video business challenges differ significantly from company to company, solution providers such as value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators, managed services providers and consultants are tasked with piecing together multiple technologies in order to build complete solutions for their customers. This is particularly true as video challenges vary across sectors such as broadcasters and publishers, media companies, production teams, studios, and sports leagues. Offering Ooyala’s core video platform and its media logistics solution, Ooyala Flex, the program provides solutions to more efficiently produce, edit, archive and syndicate content, as well as more strategically and more profitably manage, publish, measure and monetize premium video.

    The program is built on a three-tier system, comprised of Referral Partners, Associate Resellers and Premier Resellers. It is designed to enable partners to grow their business and extend their capabilities with Ooyala technology and services. As partners become more successful in providing solutions based on or integrated with Ooyala technology, they can qualify for a higher tier, and the increased benefits. Key partner benefits vary by tier and include free online training, co-selling support, demo accounts, technical support seats, product discounts and executive sponsorship. To date, more than 30 international partners have joined the program including VCS Productions (Switzerland), Videoelec (Colombia), Digital Logistics (Australia), among others.

    “At Ooyala, we want all customers to thrive in the future of TV delivery and production and have built our business around it. Our increased commitment to our channel program is designed to attract and enable our customer’s preferred suppliers and align with their typical buying patterns,” said Ooyala CEO Issac Vaughn. “The bottom line is Ooyala succeeds only if our customers succeed, and this program is designed to help broadcasters, media companies and studios succeed.”

    “Our reseller partners now have immediate access to a wide portfolio of video solutions from video production, delivery and analytics, backed by a technology partner committed to providing the support and collaboration required for them to meet and exceed their business goals,” said Ooyala senior channel director Aanal Bhatt. “The new, tiered partner program arms them with the resources required to continue to see increased success with their customers and provide solutions that solve the most complex video challenges in the industry today.”

    Fujisoft Inc operating officer director – system development business division Kiyofumi Matsuzaki says, “Ooyala and Fujisoft continue to provide the infrastructural backbone for large broadcast customers in Japan to evolve their traditional, linear TV businesses to personalized online media experiences. Between our expertise and experience in networking, IT technology and security, paired with Ooyala’s extensive know-how in building global video services we offer a robust solution that matches the need in the Japanese market.”

    VCS Productions CEO Peter Hossfeld says, “Ooyala allows us to build more creative solutions for customers, making them more strategic, flexible and able to scale at pace with the rapidly changing video market. Customer success is at the heart of our business and we see Ooyala, and its unique set of technologies, as an important factor in the growth of our company as well as our customers.”

    Videoelec GM Jesus Lozano sys, “With the arrival of multiple platforms and new ways to access and distribute video content, Ooyala solutions allow end users to correctly manage their assets and make the right strategic decisions through rich, data-driven insights. We are very happy to partner with Ooyala as we exist for the common purpose to help our customer’s video business succeed, and are confident our customers in Colombia will see success through our evolving and growing portfolio, now backed by Ooyala.”

  • Ooyala to serve b’casters across video, publishing, analytics & monetisation

    Ooyala to serve b’casters across video, publishing, analytics & monetisation

    MUMBAI: Ooyala, a Telstra subsidiary and leader in video monetisation, has introduced its Ooyala Solutions Partner Program, through which technology and reseller partners can access and deploy a full set of technologies to modernize any video business at any stage, from a single partner. Providing everything from video production workflow technology, data-driven OTT solutions, robust monetisation capabilities and rich analytics, Ooyala allows its reseller partners to go beyond traditional broadcast capabilities, push into digital and deploy more strategic and scalable next-generation video services for broadcasters and media companies around the world.

    As video business challenges differ significantly from company to company, solution providers such as value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators, managed services providers and consultants are tasked with piecing together multiple technologies in order to build complete solutions for their customers. This is particularly true as video challenges vary across sectors such as broadcasters and publishers, media companies, production teams, studios, and sports leagues. Offering Ooyala’s core video platform and its media logistics solution, Ooyala Flex, the program provides solutions to more efficiently produce, edit, archive and syndicate content, as well as more strategically and more profitably manage, publish, measure and monetize premium video.

    The program is built on a three-tier system, comprised of Referral Partners, Associate Resellers and Premier Resellers. It is designed to enable partners to grow their business and extend their capabilities with Ooyala technology and services. As partners become more successful in providing solutions based on or integrated with Ooyala technology, they can qualify for a higher tier, and the increased benefits. Key partner benefits vary by tier and include free online training, co-selling support, demo accounts, technical support seats, product discounts and executive sponsorship. To date, more than 30 international partners have joined the program including VCS Productions (Switzerland), Videoelec (Colombia), Digital Logistics (Australia), among others.

    “At Ooyala, we want all customers to thrive in the future of TV delivery and production and have built our business around it. Our increased commitment to our channel program is designed to attract and enable our customer’s preferred suppliers and align with their typical buying patterns,” said Ooyala CEO Issac Vaughn. “The bottom line is Ooyala succeeds only if our customers succeed, and this program is designed to help broadcasters, media companies and studios succeed.”

    “Our reseller partners now have immediate access to a wide portfolio of video solutions from video production, delivery and analytics, backed by a technology partner committed to providing the support and collaboration required for them to meet and exceed their business goals,” said Ooyala senior channel director Aanal Bhatt. “The new, tiered partner program arms them with the resources required to continue to see increased success with their customers and provide solutions that solve the most complex video challenges in the industry today.”

    Fujisoft Inc operating officer director – system development business division Kiyofumi Matsuzaki says, “Ooyala and Fujisoft continue to provide the infrastructural backbone for large broadcast customers in Japan to evolve their traditional, linear TV businesses to personalized online media experiences. Between our expertise and experience in networking, IT technology and security, paired with Ooyala’s extensive know-how in building global video services we offer a robust solution that matches the need in the Japanese market.”

    VCS Productions CEO Peter Hossfeld says, “Ooyala allows us to build more creative solutions for customers, making them more strategic, flexible and able to scale at pace with the rapidly changing video market. Customer success is at the heart of our business and we see Ooyala, and its unique set of technologies, as an important factor in the growth of our company as well as our customers.”

    Videoelec GM Jesus Lozano sys, “With the arrival of multiple platforms and new ways to access and distribute video content, Ooyala solutions allow end users to correctly manage their assets and make the right strategic decisions through rich, data-driven insights. We are very happy to partner with Ooyala as we exist for the common purpose to help our customer’s video business succeed, and are confident our customers in Colombia will see success through our evolving and growing portfolio, now backed by Ooyala.”

  • Verizon completes purchase of XO Comm fiber business

    Verizon completes purchase of XO Comm fiber business

    MUMBAI: As part of the company’s continual plans to build and deliver next-generation networks, Verizon Communications Inc. has announced completion of the US$ 1.8 billion purchase of XO Communications’ fiber-optic network business.

    Verizon’s purchase and integration of XO’s fiber network will help the company extend its suite of high-quality network services to its enterprise and wholesale customers. In addition, it will help the company in its plans to densify its cellular network, and to deploy new 5G technologies.

    “This transaction with XO will bring significant benefits in how we deliver superior services to our customers,” said Verizon executive vice president and president of operations John Stratton. “XO’s fiber network will add ever greater capacity and reach to Verizon’s networks, a combination that will lead to enhanced capabilities, better services and faster rollout of next generation communication networks.”

    Integration of all XO operations and facilities is expected to commence immediately. The company expects to achieve significant synergies by incorporating XO’s fiber assets as part of its current network operations. Verizon anticipates the transaction will deliver in excess of US$ 1.5 billion in operating and expense savings in net present value.

    In addition to the fiber transaction, Verizon has entered into an agreement to lease certain wireless spectrum from former XO affiliate NextLink Wireless. Verizon has an option, exercisable under certain circumstances, to buy NextLink.

  • Verizon completes purchase of XO Comm fiber business

    Verizon completes purchase of XO Comm fiber business

    MUMBAI: As part of the company’s continual plans to build and deliver next-generation networks, Verizon Communications Inc. has announced completion of the US$ 1.8 billion purchase of XO Communications’ fiber-optic network business.

    Verizon’s purchase and integration of XO’s fiber network will help the company extend its suite of high-quality network services to its enterprise and wholesale customers. In addition, it will help the company in its plans to densify its cellular network, and to deploy new 5G technologies.

    “This transaction with XO will bring significant benefits in how we deliver superior services to our customers,” said Verizon executive vice president and president of operations John Stratton. “XO’s fiber network will add ever greater capacity and reach to Verizon’s networks, a combination that will lead to enhanced capabilities, better services and faster rollout of next generation communication networks.”

    Integration of all XO operations and facilities is expected to commence immediately. The company expects to achieve significant synergies by incorporating XO’s fiber assets as part of its current network operations. Verizon anticipates the transaction will deliver in excess of US$ 1.5 billion in operating and expense savings in net present value.

    In addition to the fiber transaction, Verizon has entered into an agreement to lease certain wireless spectrum from former XO affiliate NextLink Wireless. Verizon has an option, exercisable under certain circumstances, to buy NextLink.

  • MatrixCloud OTT enables IPTV operators roll out OTT services in 60 days

    MatrixCloud OTT enables IPTV operators roll out OTT services in 60 days

    MUMBAI: MatrixStream has introduced the MatrixCloud OTT solution for IPTV operators enabling end-to-end IPTV and OTT platform rollout in less than 60 days. Operators can utilize MatrixCloud OTT to launch skinny channel bundles and subscription VOD to complement existing IPTV offerings or to release a standalone video package to bundle with high-margin broadband and wireless services.

    MatrixCloud OTT dramatically reduces time-to-market, even for the largest IPTV operators, enabling service providers to deploy next generation TV services as quickly as possible to increase sales from existing customers and to protect user-base from competitors choosing other IPTV and OTT platforms.

    In-house OTT solution rollout can add up to tens of millions of dollars or more and thousands of hours of integration across multiple hardware and software providers. The MatrixCloud OTT platform and SaaS- based pricing is specifically designed avoid CAPEX and OPEX nightmares through a one-vendor, end-to- end IPTV and OTT solution.

    Tier one operators with millions of customers on many continents are already capitalizing upon Matrixstream’s years of successful IPTV and OTT solution experience to increase average revenue user (ARPU) MatrixStream and to overcome slower-moving competitors.

    In 2017 alone, Matrixstream is launching and expanding services with many of the world’s top multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). Take advantage of our easy, incredibly-customizable ITPV and OTT solution to generate far higher profits from existing users and reach new users with next generation TV offerings.

    The MatrixCloud OTT platform for IPTV and OTT operators includes the following:

    1. Operator-branded apps and clients for Android and iOS mobile phones and tablets, PCs, Macs, Apple TV boxes, Android TV boxes, Roku, Chromecast and Amazon Fire.

    2. Support for up 100 live linear channels in each 42u rack with full MatrixCloud DVR support.

    3. SaaS capacity-based pricing that delivering savings of up to 80% over typical per-user pricing and hardware service agreements.

    4. Highly-customizable, targeted advertising across all user devices.

    5. Cloud-based operator BSS and OSS with integrated voucher payment, multiple currencies and third-party mobile money support.

    6. End-to-end MatrixStream OTT IPTV solution can be deployed live in less than 60 days.

  • MatrixCloud OTT enables IPTV operators roll out OTT services in 60 days

    MatrixCloud OTT enables IPTV operators roll out OTT services in 60 days

    MUMBAI: MatrixStream has introduced the MatrixCloud OTT solution for IPTV operators enabling end-to-end IPTV and OTT platform rollout in less than 60 days. Operators can utilize MatrixCloud OTT to launch skinny channel bundles and subscription VOD to complement existing IPTV offerings or to release a standalone video package to bundle with high-margin broadband and wireless services.

    MatrixCloud OTT dramatically reduces time-to-market, even for the largest IPTV operators, enabling service providers to deploy next generation TV services as quickly as possible to increase sales from existing customers and to protect user-base from competitors choosing other IPTV and OTT platforms.

    In-house OTT solution rollout can add up to tens of millions of dollars or more and thousands of hours of integration across multiple hardware and software providers. The MatrixCloud OTT platform and SaaS- based pricing is specifically designed avoid CAPEX and OPEX nightmares through a one-vendor, end-to- end IPTV and OTT solution.

    Tier one operators with millions of customers on many continents are already capitalizing upon Matrixstream’s years of successful IPTV and OTT solution experience to increase average revenue user (ARPU) MatrixStream and to overcome slower-moving competitors.

    In 2017 alone, Matrixstream is launching and expanding services with many of the world’s top multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). Take advantage of our easy, incredibly-customizable ITPV and OTT solution to generate far higher profits from existing users and reach new users with next generation TV offerings.

    The MatrixCloud OTT platform for IPTV and OTT operators includes the following:

    1. Operator-branded apps and clients for Android and iOS mobile phones and tablets, PCs, Macs, Apple TV boxes, Android TV boxes, Roku, Chromecast and Amazon Fire.

    2. Support for up 100 live linear channels in each 42u rack with full MatrixCloud DVR support.

    3. SaaS capacity-based pricing that delivering savings of up to 80% over typical per-user pricing and hardware service agreements.

    4. Highly-customizable, targeted advertising across all user devices.

    5. Cloud-based operator BSS and OSS with integrated voucher payment, multiple currencies and third-party mobile money support.

    6. End-to-end MatrixStream OTT IPTV solution can be deployed live in less than 60 days.

  • dittoTV partners Idea to provide 90+ live channels

    dittoTV partners Idea to provide 90+ live channels

    MUMBAI: Zee Digital Convergence Limited’s (ZDCL) live TV platform dittoTV has partnered with Idea Cellular for its entertainment app, Idea Movies Club. Through this, Idea subscribers will get access to a bouquet of 90+ premium live TV channels. Idea Cellular will also offer its subscribers a subscription of dittoTV bundled with its data recharges and Movie Club packs.

    Idea Movie Club is a free video streaming app offering unlimited access to music videos, movies and Hollywood, Bollywood and regional TV shows across 10+ different languages. The live TV channels offered by the app can be accessed via ditto TV, which is featured as a separate tab in the app.

    “With dittoTV, our aim is to bring Live TV within the reach of every Indian and help them access a rich portfolio of content across genres and languages. With this collaboration, Idea customers can watch their favorite TV shows live anytime, anywhere, on any internet enabled device, along with all the other wonderful video and movies content offered by the Idea Movie Club app. This is a fantastic option especially for working professionals who are constantly on-the-go and hostel students who may not have easy access to a TV set and would otherwise miss out on their favorite programmes,” said dittoTV business head Archana Anand.

    Positioned as Desh ka TV, dittoTV has several strategic partnerships in place to strengthen its reach across the country. dittoTV is available to users on both Android and iOS platforms. The subscription charges for the platform start from INR 20 per month.

  • dittoTV partners Idea to provide 90+ live channels

    dittoTV partners Idea to provide 90+ live channels

    MUMBAI: Zee Digital Convergence Limited’s (ZDCL) live TV platform dittoTV has partnered with Idea Cellular for its entertainment app, Idea Movies Club. Through this, Idea subscribers will get access to a bouquet of 90+ premium live TV channels. Idea Cellular will also offer its subscribers a subscription of dittoTV bundled with its data recharges and Movie Club packs.

    Idea Movie Club is a free video streaming app offering unlimited access to music videos, movies and Hollywood, Bollywood and regional TV shows across 10+ different languages. The live TV channels offered by the app can be accessed via ditto TV, which is featured as a separate tab in the app.

    “With dittoTV, our aim is to bring Live TV within the reach of every Indian and help them access a rich portfolio of content across genres and languages. With this collaboration, Idea customers can watch their favorite TV shows live anytime, anywhere, on any internet enabled device, along with all the other wonderful video and movies content offered by the Idea Movie Club app. This is a fantastic option especially for working professionals who are constantly on-the-go and hostel students who may not have easy access to a TV set and would otherwise miss out on their favorite programmes,” said dittoTV business head Archana Anand.

    Positioned as Desh ka TV, dittoTV has several strategic partnerships in place to strengthen its reach across the country. dittoTV is available to users on both Android and iOS platforms. The subscription charges for the platform start from INR 20 per month.