ITV

Category: iWorld

  • NBL signs five-year deal with VEQTA

    NBL signs five-year deal with VEQTA

    MUMBAI: The National Basketball League (NBL) has signed a five-year deal with the Indian digital sports network VEQTA to increase its international footprint.

    VEQTA is a digital platform dedicated to streaming live sport and providing video-on-demand sports content on smartphones. The long-term agreement sees VEQTA gain exclusive rights to stream all NBL games in India up until the 2020-21 season.

    NBL general manager Jeremy Loeliger said, “They are a young ambitious digital company that is taking an innovative approach to digital sports broadcasting. They also have a pedigree of amazing success in this space.”

    “Just like Australia, India is a sports mad country and by partnering with VEQTA we have a fantastic opportunity to take the NBL to yet another one of the biggest sports markets in the world.”

    Loeliger also said that in addition to loving their sport, Indians love their technology. “There are currently in excess of 300 million smartphone users in India and, by 2020, this figure is set to grow a staggering 260 per cent to 800 million users. The opportunity to engage with India’s large, knowledgeable sports loving public is something the NBL is very excited about,” he said.

    VEQTA co-founder and director, Gaurav Gill, is similarly enthusiastic about how digital technologies can foster a better viewing experience and allow sports like the NBL to grow a substantial following in India.

    “Basketball is the number one school sport in tier 1 & 2 cities in India and has a very strong following in the young urban audience. National Basketball League (NBL) is one of the most popular and well known brands in the world of basketball and we are delighted to be partnering with them to bring NBL action to the growing base of basketball fans in India,” he said.

    “Indian sports fans have a growing appetite for high quality global sports content and VEQTA is committed to bringing them the best content from around the world.”

  • NBL signs five-year deal with VEQTA

    NBL signs five-year deal with VEQTA

    MUMBAI: The National Basketball League (NBL) has signed a five-year deal with the Indian digital sports network VEQTA to increase its international footprint.

    VEQTA is a digital platform dedicated to streaming live sport and providing video-on-demand sports content on smartphones. The long-term agreement sees VEQTA gain exclusive rights to stream all NBL games in India up until the 2020-21 season.

    NBL general manager Jeremy Loeliger said, “They are a young ambitious digital company that is taking an innovative approach to digital sports broadcasting. They also have a pedigree of amazing success in this space.”

    “Just like Australia, India is a sports mad country and by partnering with VEQTA we have a fantastic opportunity to take the NBL to yet another one of the biggest sports markets in the world.”

    Loeliger also said that in addition to loving their sport, Indians love their technology. “There are currently in excess of 300 million smartphone users in India and, by 2020, this figure is set to grow a staggering 260 per cent to 800 million users. The opportunity to engage with India’s large, knowledgeable sports loving public is something the NBL is very excited about,” he said.

    VEQTA co-founder and director, Gaurav Gill, is similarly enthusiastic about how digital technologies can foster a better viewing experience and allow sports like the NBL to grow a substantial following in India.

    “Basketball is the number one school sport in tier 1 & 2 cities in India and has a very strong following in the young urban audience. National Basketball League (NBL) is one of the most popular and well known brands in the world of basketball and we are delighted to be partnering with them to bring NBL action to the growing base of basketball fans in India,” he said.

    “Indian sports fans have a growing appetite for high quality global sports content and VEQTA is committed to bringing them the best content from around the world.”

  • Netflix-iPic Entertainment tie up; to release original films

    Netflix-iPic Entertainment tie up; to release original films

    MUMBAI: The subscription led video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming service Netflix has partnered with iPic Entertainment theater chain to release selective original films. These movies will shown simultaneously on the streaming service and at iPic theaters across the US.

    With this deal, several reports have surfaced mentioning the red light on rival theater owners.

    The partnership is set to launch from Friday with Netflix’s war thriller The Siege of Jadotville, opening at iPic theaters in Los Angeles the same day it’s released on the streaming service.

    “Consumer choice is a pillar of our philosophy and the unparalleled level of comfort and hospitality offered at iPic made this a natural partnership,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos in a statement.

    The movie chain operates 15 theaters with 113 screens nationwide, including in New York, Miami Beach, Houston and Scottsdale, Ariz.

    iPic Entertainment president and CEO Hamid Hashemi added, “ This is a significant game changer for consumers and fans, paving way for a new frontier in shared experience viewing of Netflix entertainment.”

    Netflix has previously released its original films in theaters, like 2015’s Beast of No Nations, bypassing the exclusive theatrical window viewed as vital to many movie chains.

    “Movie theaters are worried. Netflix is already their biggest competitor right now,” voiced Exhibitor Relations analyst Jeff Bock to USA Today. “This represents a direct hit to their business that shakes them to the core.”

    The president and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners John Fithian has also opined his unhappiness with this practice. “Simultaneous release, in practice, has reduced both theatrical and home revenues when it has been tried. The theatrical window is a longstanding industry practice that has benefited studios, theaters and moviegoers. We all should tread lightly and be mindful that over the years, the film industry’s success is a direct result of a highly successful collaboration between filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors,” said Fithian in a statement.

  • Netflix-iPic Entertainment tie up; to release original films

    Netflix-iPic Entertainment tie up; to release original films

    MUMBAI: The subscription led video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming service Netflix has partnered with iPic Entertainment theater chain to release selective original films. These movies will shown simultaneously on the streaming service and at iPic theaters across the US.

    With this deal, several reports have surfaced mentioning the red light on rival theater owners.

    The partnership is set to launch from Friday with Netflix’s war thriller The Siege of Jadotville, opening at iPic theaters in Los Angeles the same day it’s released on the streaming service.

    “Consumer choice is a pillar of our philosophy and the unparalleled level of comfort and hospitality offered at iPic made this a natural partnership,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos in a statement.

    The movie chain operates 15 theaters with 113 screens nationwide, including in New York, Miami Beach, Houston and Scottsdale, Ariz.

    iPic Entertainment president and CEO Hamid Hashemi added, “ This is a significant game changer for consumers and fans, paving way for a new frontier in shared experience viewing of Netflix entertainment.”

    Netflix has previously released its original films in theaters, like 2015’s Beast of No Nations, bypassing the exclusive theatrical window viewed as vital to many movie chains.

    “Movie theaters are worried. Netflix is already their biggest competitor right now,” voiced Exhibitor Relations analyst Jeff Bock to USA Today. “This represents a direct hit to their business that shakes them to the core.”

    The president and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners John Fithian has also opined his unhappiness with this practice. “Simultaneous release, in practice, has reduced both theatrical and home revenues when it has been tried. The theatrical window is a longstanding industry practice that has benefited studios, theaters and moviegoers. We all should tread lightly and be mindful that over the years, the film industry’s success is a direct result of a highly successful collaboration between filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors,” said Fithian in a statement.

  • Netflix hires Dipashree Das as partner marketing -SEA & India

    Netflix hires Dipashree Das as partner marketing -SEA & India

    MUMBAI: Video streaming OTT Netflix is slowly and steadily building up its management in Asia and in India. The latest recruit in the firm is Dipashree Das who has hopped on board as partner marketing for south-east Asia and India.

    Das is a senior digital and content marketing professional with more than 11 years of experience across TV, digital and brand marketing.

    She began her career with Hindustan Lever and worked there for five years before being posted as regional brand manager personal and wash. Following that she worked at NDTV Profit as the head of ad-funded programming and correspondent.

    She then moved on to Channel News Asia and went on to lead the 360 digital strategy and content team. She was with Singtel for the last three years working on marketing, advertising, trade marketing, regional partnerships and sales strategy.

    In August, Netflix announced the appointment of two professionals – Swati Shetty — who has got the designation of Director, International Originals & Acquisitions – and Gaurav Pradhan, who joined the company as director of business development.

    The streaming service launched in India with premium pricing and has managed to attract less than a guesstimated 50,000 subscribers in India.

  • Netflix hires Dipashree Das as partner marketing -SEA & India

    Netflix hires Dipashree Das as partner marketing -SEA & India

    MUMBAI: Video streaming OTT Netflix is slowly and steadily building up its management in Asia and in India. The latest recruit in the firm is Dipashree Das who has hopped on board as partner marketing for south-east Asia and India.

    Das is a senior digital and content marketing professional with more than 11 years of experience across TV, digital and brand marketing.

    She began her career with Hindustan Lever and worked there for five years before being posted as regional brand manager personal and wash. Following that she worked at NDTV Profit as the head of ad-funded programming and correspondent.

    She then moved on to Channel News Asia and went on to lead the 360 digital strategy and content team. She was with Singtel for the last three years working on marketing, advertising, trade marketing, regional partnerships and sales strategy.

    In August, Netflix announced the appointment of two professionals – Swati Shetty — who has got the designation of Director, International Originals & Acquisitions – and Gaurav Pradhan, who joined the company as director of business development.

    The streaming service launched in India with premium pricing and has managed to attract less than a guesstimated 50,000 subscribers in India.

  • Reliance Jio announces acquisition of 269.2 MHz spectrum

    Reliance Jio announces acquisition of 269.2 MHz spectrum

    Mumbai, 6th October 2016: Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (“RJIL”) announces that it has successfully acquired the right to use 269.2 MHz (UL+DL) spectrum across all 22 Service Areas in India in the recently concluded spectrum auction conducted by DOT, Government of India. Service Area wise details of spectrum acquired are as per below:

    Service Area 800 MHz band (Paired)

    1800 MHz band

    (Paired)

    2300 MHz band

    (Unpaired)
    Andhra Pradesh – – 10.00
    Assam – – 10.00
    Bihar – 5.00 10.00
    Delhi – – 10.00
    Gujarat 5.00 – 10.00
    Haryana – 1.00 –
    Himachal Pradesh – 5.00 10.00
    Jammu & Kashmir – 10.00 –
    Karnataka – – 10.00
    Kerala – – 10.00
    Kolkata – – 10.00
    Madhya Pradesh – – 10.00
    Maharashtra – – 10.00
    Mumbai – – 10.00
    North East – – 10.00
    Odisha – – 10.00
    Punjab 3.75 5.20 –
    Rajasthan 5.00 – –
    Tamil Nadu – – 10.00
    Uttar Pradesh (East) 1.25 3.40 –
    Uttar Pradesh (West) – 5.00 –
    West Bengal – 5.00 10.00
    Total 15.00 39.60 160.00

    Enhancement of spectrum footprint

    RJIL has renewed its expiring spectrum in 800 MHz band in Gujarat circle and purchased additional spectrum in the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands at 6.5% premium to reserve price.

    Through this acquisition, RJIL’s total spectrum footprint has increased to 1,108 MHz(UL+DL) with an average life of over 16 years, further strengthening its leadership position in liberalized spectrum holdings. RJIL’s spectrum footprint ensures availability of spectrum in all the three bands across the country and enhances its network capacity at negligible incremental capital and operating expenditure.

    Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries Limited, said “We have expanded our spectrum footprint thereby significantly enhancing capacity of our all-IP data strong network and ensuring world class services for all Indians. Jio is committed to taking India to global digital leadership by bringing the power of data to all Indians.”

    Cost

    The payment to be made for the right to use of this technology agnostic spectrum for a period of 20 years is Rs. 13,672crore, as per the details below:

    (amount in Rs. crore)

    Frequency Band

    Total Payment

    800 MHz

    3,623

    1800 MHz

    2,154

    2300 MHz

    7,895

    Total

    13,672

    The above results are provisional and subject to DOTconfirmation.

     

     

     

  • Reliance Jio announces acquisition of 269.2 MHz spectrum

    Reliance Jio announces acquisition of 269.2 MHz spectrum

    Mumbai, 6th October 2016: Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (“RJIL”) announces that it has successfully acquired the right to use 269.2 MHz (UL+DL) spectrum across all 22 Service Areas in India in the recently concluded spectrum auction conducted by DOT, Government of India. Service Area wise details of spectrum acquired are as per below:

    Service Area 800 MHz band (Paired)

    1800 MHz band

    (Paired)

    2300 MHz band

    (Unpaired)
    Andhra Pradesh – – 10.00
    Assam – – 10.00
    Bihar – 5.00 10.00
    Delhi – – 10.00
    Gujarat 5.00 – 10.00
    Haryana – 1.00 –
    Himachal Pradesh – 5.00 10.00
    Jammu & Kashmir – 10.00 –
    Karnataka – – 10.00
    Kerala – – 10.00
    Kolkata – – 10.00
    Madhya Pradesh – – 10.00
    Maharashtra – – 10.00
    Mumbai – – 10.00
    North East – – 10.00
    Odisha – – 10.00
    Punjab 3.75 5.20 –
    Rajasthan 5.00 – –
    Tamil Nadu – – 10.00
    Uttar Pradesh (East) 1.25 3.40 –
    Uttar Pradesh (West) – 5.00 –
    West Bengal – 5.00 10.00
    Total 15.00 39.60 160.00

    Enhancement of spectrum footprint

    RJIL has renewed its expiring spectrum in 800 MHz band in Gujarat circle and purchased additional spectrum in the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands at 6.5% premium to reserve price.

    Through this acquisition, RJIL’s total spectrum footprint has increased to 1,108 MHz(UL+DL) with an average life of over 16 years, further strengthening its leadership position in liberalized spectrum holdings. RJIL’s spectrum footprint ensures availability of spectrum in all the three bands across the country and enhances its network capacity at negligible incremental capital and operating expenditure.

    Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries Limited, said “We have expanded our spectrum footprint thereby significantly enhancing capacity of our all-IP data strong network and ensuring world class services for all Indians. Jio is committed to taking India to global digital leadership by bringing the power of data to all Indians.”

    Cost

    The payment to be made for the right to use of this technology agnostic spectrum for a period of 20 years is Rs. 13,672crore, as per the details below:

    (amount in Rs. crore)

    Frequency Band

    Total Payment

    800 MHz

    3,623

    1800 MHz

    2,154

    2300 MHz

    7,895

    Total

    13,672

    The above results are provisional and subject to DOTconfirmation.

     

     

     

  • Hotstar innovates; to explore 3D virtual reality with Kabaddi World Cup

    Hotstar innovates; to explore 3D virtual reality with Kabaddi World Cup

    MUMBAI: The Twenty First Century Fox owned video streaming platform is setting new benchmarks. First, it announced that it had become the most downloaded video app in India with the figure at about 90 million. Then it announced that it was looking at a watch time of a billion minutes a day. And then it made it possible for users to download its portfolio of local TV shows, movies and sports highlights to the phone Now it has announced that it will be streaming the upcoming Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad from 7-22 October in stereoscopic 3 D virtual reality, something which has been rarely attempted in more developed streaming markets.

    All that viewers have to do to enjoy the 3D VR experience on is don the Samsung VR headsets and Google Cardboard devices while watching the action on both IoS and Android handsets. The VR experience will allow sports fans to get a complete panoramic view of the game and the stadium using touch and gyroscope. Fans will also be able to switch between different cameras in a 360 degree experience, thereby taking full control of their experience

    “We owe our loyal and growing platform users the very best video experience in the world,” says Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan. “Fans in India look to Hotstar to set the benchmark for video streaming. We are excited to bring a dramatic new live experience to sports fans.”

    To enable this dramatic new experience, the Kabaddi World Cup games are being shot in stereoscopic 3D using two camera pods (in addition to the multi camera setup of the traditional production) including 12 cameras per pod, which allows for an immersive production and stereoscopic capture. Users of Samsung Gear VR will have access to the Hotstar app on the Oculus store, another groundbreaking initiative from the video streaming service.

    The live VR stream for the Kabaddi World Cup will be available to fans in two formats: a personalized, 2D user-controlled experience for viewers without headsets, and in full stereoscopic, TrueVRTM for Google Cardboard and Gear VR headsets. It is the first time VR content from a live event of this magnitude will be available on multiple headsets and mobile operating systems.

    Hotstar users will be able access the live TrueVR feed by either selecting the Google Cardboard feature in Hotstar’s iOS and Android apps or by downloading the Hotstar Gear VR app from the Oculus Store.

    The Kabaddi World Cup will see 12 National teams participating from across the globe. These teams have been divided into two groups, namely A and B. Group A comprises of India, Bangladesh, South Korea, Australia, England and Argentina, while Iran, Thailand, Japan, the US, Poland and Kenya are placed in Group B. Tournament favourites India begin their tournament journey with the first match against South Korea on 7 October , 8 pm IST onwards.

    The Kabaddi World Cup, meawhile, has managed to attract five sponsors among which figure Patanjali Special Chawanprash as co-presenting sponsor, Volini, Thums Up, Indo-Nissin as partners with the fifth sponsor being Syska LEDs. Star has made the telecast of the Cup available in four languages: while Star Sports 1 and 2 will provide English commentary. Star Sports 2 and 3 will provide the Hindi feed and Suvarna Plus and Maa Movies will telecast in Kannada and Telugu respectively

  • Hotstar innovates; to explore 3D virtual reality with Kabaddi World Cup

    Hotstar innovates; to explore 3D virtual reality with Kabaddi World Cup

    MUMBAI: The Twenty First Century Fox owned video streaming platform is setting new benchmarks. First, it announced that it had become the most downloaded video app in India with the figure at about 90 million. Then it announced that it was looking at a watch time of a billion minutes a day. And then it made it possible for users to download its portfolio of local TV shows, movies and sports highlights to the phone Now it has announced that it will be streaming the upcoming Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad from 7-22 October in stereoscopic 3 D virtual reality, something which has been rarely attempted in more developed streaming markets.

    All that viewers have to do to enjoy the 3D VR experience on is don the Samsung VR headsets and Google Cardboard devices while watching the action on both IoS and Android handsets. The VR experience will allow sports fans to get a complete panoramic view of the game and the stadium using touch and gyroscope. Fans will also be able to switch between different cameras in a 360 degree experience, thereby taking full control of their experience

    “We owe our loyal and growing platform users the very best video experience in the world,” says Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan. “Fans in India look to Hotstar to set the benchmark for video streaming. We are excited to bring a dramatic new live experience to sports fans.”

    To enable this dramatic new experience, the Kabaddi World Cup games are being shot in stereoscopic 3D using two camera pods (in addition to the multi camera setup of the traditional production) including 12 cameras per pod, which allows for an immersive production and stereoscopic capture. Users of Samsung Gear VR will have access to the Hotstar app on the Oculus store, another groundbreaking initiative from the video streaming service.

    The live VR stream for the Kabaddi World Cup will be available to fans in two formats: a personalized, 2D user-controlled experience for viewers without headsets, and in full stereoscopic, TrueVRTM for Google Cardboard and Gear VR headsets. It is the first time VR content from a live event of this magnitude will be available on multiple headsets and mobile operating systems.

    Hotstar users will be able access the live TrueVR feed by either selecting the Google Cardboard feature in Hotstar’s iOS and Android apps or by downloading the Hotstar Gear VR app from the Oculus Store.

    The Kabaddi World Cup will see 12 National teams participating from across the globe. These teams have been divided into two groups, namely A and B. Group A comprises of India, Bangladesh, South Korea, Australia, England and Argentina, while Iran, Thailand, Japan, the US, Poland and Kenya are placed in Group B. Tournament favourites India begin their tournament journey with the first match against South Korea on 7 October , 8 pm IST onwards.

    The Kabaddi World Cup, meawhile, has managed to attract five sponsors among which figure Patanjali Special Chawanprash as co-presenting sponsor, Volini, Thums Up, Indo-Nissin as partners with the fifth sponsor being Syska LEDs. Star has made the telecast of the Cup available in four languages: while Star Sports 1 and 2 will provide English commentary. Star Sports 2 and 3 will provide the Hindi feed and Suvarna Plus and Maa Movies will telecast in Kannada and Telugu respectively