ITV

Category: iWorld

  • NexGTv ties- up with SAB Group on regional content

    NexGTv ties- up with SAB Group on regional content

    MUMBAI: In a major move, nexGTv has announced its partnership with SAB Group. As a part of the alliance, nexGTv has acquired the worldwide digital rights to broadcast the group’s most sought-after regional channels such as Masti, Dabang, Dhamaal, Maiboli and Dillagi for its users across the globe.

    Started by brothers Gautam Adhikari and Markand Adhikari in 1985, SAB Group has gone on to establish its brand proposition as a pioneer in the field of Indian Media, pushing through various stages of growth over the last 25 years from a production house to a broadcaster. SAB Group has successfully identified the gap in the regional market and has emerged as a leader in the space by delivering highly relevant localized content.

    Speaking on the announcement, nexGTv COO Abhesh Verma said, “Since its inception, nexGTv has endeavoured to deliver the most tailored entertainment solutions to the rich and diverse consumer base it enjoys across the country. The partnership with SAB will allow us to curate and deliver popular regional entertainment solutions on-the-go to our viewers. We are confident that the latest addition will enhance our regional offering and add greater value to the mobile viewing experience of our users by providing them with seamless access to locally relevant video-based entertainment content.”

    NexGTv’s latest association will no doubt delight the country’s digital viewership, who will now be able to view their preferred regional entertainment content at their convenience anytime, anywhere. All the channels from SAB Group are a part of the paid category at nexGTv, and can be accessed either through www.nexGTv.com or through the nexGTv mobile app for Android and iOS.

  • NexGTv ties- up with SAB Group on regional content

    NexGTv ties- up with SAB Group on regional content

    MUMBAI: In a major move, nexGTv has announced its partnership with SAB Group. As a part of the alliance, nexGTv has acquired the worldwide digital rights to broadcast the group’s most sought-after regional channels such as Masti, Dabang, Dhamaal, Maiboli and Dillagi for its users across the globe.

    Started by brothers Gautam Adhikari and Markand Adhikari in 1985, SAB Group has gone on to establish its brand proposition as a pioneer in the field of Indian Media, pushing through various stages of growth over the last 25 years from a production house to a broadcaster. SAB Group has successfully identified the gap in the regional market and has emerged as a leader in the space by delivering highly relevant localized content.

    Speaking on the announcement, nexGTv COO Abhesh Verma said, “Since its inception, nexGTv has endeavoured to deliver the most tailored entertainment solutions to the rich and diverse consumer base it enjoys across the country. The partnership with SAB will allow us to curate and deliver popular regional entertainment solutions on-the-go to our viewers. We are confident that the latest addition will enhance our regional offering and add greater value to the mobile viewing experience of our users by providing them with seamless access to locally relevant video-based entertainment content.”

    NexGTv’s latest association will no doubt delight the country’s digital viewership, who will now be able to view their preferred regional entertainment content at their convenience anytime, anywhere. All the channels from SAB Group are a part of the paid category at nexGTv, and can be accessed either through www.nexGTv.com or through the nexGTv mobile app for Android and iOS.

  • Face-off between Amazon Prime, Netflix & Hulu

    Face-off between Amazon Prime, Netflix & Hulu

    MUMBAI: Folks at Amazon India are popping champagne bottles. The e-commerce giant has launched its Prime service for a free 60 day trial after which the annual subscription will be available at a special introductory price of Rs 499. Though Prime in the US and UK, offers more than the free one or two day deliveries, early access to offers and same day deliveries, the company also promises to bring its streaming video and music services here soon. Prime Video will include Amazon original TV series and movies besides other Indian and global content, is expected to be launched as a part of this service later.

    The Prime membership subscription fee in India might later be increased to Rs 999., which is much lower as compared to its other market like $99 (Rs 6,633) for US and £96 (Rs 8,691) for UK. Benefit to the US subscribers being that they can also enjoy other features like access to over a million e-books via Kindle Owners’ Lending Library and free unlimited photo storage, in addition to music and video.

    Prime will be available to customers in 100 cities, and members in 20 cities can also choose same-day, morning or scheduled delivery at a discounted fee of Rs 50 per order on over 10,000 products. These deliveries typically cost Rs 150.

    Amazon is not launching their content service which includes Amazon Video and Amazon Music. Although the company said that the video streaming is coming soon. Amazon Prime Video includes shows such as Mr. Robot and The Man In The High Castle. Reports suggest that the company will be investing a huge sum of $300 million for the original Prime video content in India.

    The biggest prime competitor for Amazon still would be Flipkart who also has a similar service called Flipkart first. The membership fees of Flipkart first is 500 per year. Like Amazon Prime, it also offers free fast deliveries and discounted one-day deliveries. Although, Flipkart customers get a Priority Customer Service or early access to deals and offerings. But returns, replacements and exchange policy remains the same.

    But the streaming showdown does not stop here. In the past, we have seen global streaming services Netflix and Hulu Plus entering Indian markets. With subscription fee of Rs 650 per month, Netflix offers a wide selection of movies and TV shows, with several series being exclusive to the platform or even made and funded by Netflix like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and Marvel original TV shows, like Daredevil and Jessica Jones. In terms of films, it is mainly back catalogue stuff, although the occasional partnership deal will throw up a modern movie, such as The Hobbit trilogy. It has also started to produce and release films on Netflix at the same time as a cinematic release for example Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny. Adam Sandler flick, The Ridiculous 6, was made by and especially for Netflix.

    InstantWatcher.com, a site plugged into the databases of both Netflix and Amazon Prime. On one hand, Amazon Prime offers more than 17,000 standard- and high-definition movies and TV series, significantly more than Netflix, which had more than 10,000. But Netflix pulled ahead overall by offering more than 7,500 HD videos vs. almost 3,500 for Amazon Prime.

    The one thing Netflix and Amazon both falter at is recent shows. There’s almost always a several month long delay between a season wrapping up and its arrival on streaming services. This is where Hulu Plus picks up the slack. Hulu Plus had 92 of the 250 shows surveyed. However, only 40 of them included backlogs of older seasons. 52 of the shows Hulu Plus carried were either the most recent season or a rotating set of the most recent few episodes of a show.

    It offers a one-week trial period in which if the viewers dislike the service, they must cancel it before the week is up otherwise will automatically be charged for a full month of service. It has original content which mostly comes from other countries and production companies, including the UK’s BBC. There are a few original web series that have made a dent, however, at the service, including The Awesomes, Deadbeat and Behind The Mask. However, Hulu Plus needs to buck up seeing the competition it has.

    Talking about compatibility, Netflix leads as you can watch it via your PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, Internet-ready TV, Roku, Android, Blu-ray player, Nook or other e-reader table, and iOS devices.

    Hulu Plus comes in at a close second, offering compatibility and support for many of the same devices that Netflix does. Unfortunately, Hulu currently lacks compatibility for many Internet-ready TVs and Blu-ray players. Still, it can show movies through gaming devices, Android, iOS devices, Roku, and various tablet computers.

    Amazon Prime doesn’t yet feature the extensive compatibility of the other two services, but it is slowly building its network. Presently, you can watch shows via internet-ready TV, Blu-ray player, Roku, Kindle Fire tablet, and iOS or Android phone. However, it cannot yet be streamed via any gaming devices.

    With this new entry, Amazon Prime is set to further intensify the competition and the intensity will only compel Amazon, Flipkart and others to improve services that can be offered to customers.

  • Face-off between Amazon Prime, Netflix & Hulu

    Face-off between Amazon Prime, Netflix & Hulu

    MUMBAI: Folks at Amazon India are popping champagne bottles. The e-commerce giant has launched its Prime service for a free 60 day trial after which the annual subscription will be available at a special introductory price of Rs 499. Though Prime in the US and UK, offers more than the free one or two day deliveries, early access to offers and same day deliveries, the company also promises to bring its streaming video and music services here soon. Prime Video will include Amazon original TV series and movies besides other Indian and global content, is expected to be launched as a part of this service later.

    The Prime membership subscription fee in India might later be increased to Rs 999., which is much lower as compared to its other market like $99 (Rs 6,633) for US and £96 (Rs 8,691) for UK. Benefit to the US subscribers being that they can also enjoy other features like access to over a million e-books via Kindle Owners’ Lending Library and free unlimited photo storage, in addition to music and video.

    Prime will be available to customers in 100 cities, and members in 20 cities can also choose same-day, morning or scheduled delivery at a discounted fee of Rs 50 per order on over 10,000 products. These deliveries typically cost Rs 150.

    Amazon is not launching their content service which includes Amazon Video and Amazon Music. Although the company said that the video streaming is coming soon. Amazon Prime Video includes shows such as Mr. Robot and The Man In The High Castle. Reports suggest that the company will be investing a huge sum of $300 million for the original Prime video content in India.

    The biggest prime competitor for Amazon still would be Flipkart who also has a similar service called Flipkart first. The membership fees of Flipkart first is 500 per year. Like Amazon Prime, it also offers free fast deliveries and discounted one-day deliveries. Although, Flipkart customers get a Priority Customer Service or early access to deals and offerings. But returns, replacements and exchange policy remains the same.

    But the streaming showdown does not stop here. In the past, we have seen global streaming services Netflix and Hulu Plus entering Indian markets. With subscription fee of Rs 650 per month, Netflix offers a wide selection of movies and TV shows, with several series being exclusive to the platform or even made and funded by Netflix like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and Marvel original TV shows, like Daredevil and Jessica Jones. In terms of films, it is mainly back catalogue stuff, although the occasional partnership deal will throw up a modern movie, such as The Hobbit trilogy. It has also started to produce and release films on Netflix at the same time as a cinematic release for example Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny. Adam Sandler flick, The Ridiculous 6, was made by and especially for Netflix.

    InstantWatcher.com, a site plugged into the databases of both Netflix and Amazon Prime. On one hand, Amazon Prime offers more than 17,000 standard- and high-definition movies and TV series, significantly more than Netflix, which had more than 10,000. But Netflix pulled ahead overall by offering more than 7,500 HD videos vs. almost 3,500 for Amazon Prime.

    The one thing Netflix and Amazon both falter at is recent shows. There’s almost always a several month long delay between a season wrapping up and its arrival on streaming services. This is where Hulu Plus picks up the slack. Hulu Plus had 92 of the 250 shows surveyed. However, only 40 of them included backlogs of older seasons. 52 of the shows Hulu Plus carried were either the most recent season or a rotating set of the most recent few episodes of a show.

    It offers a one-week trial period in which if the viewers dislike the service, they must cancel it before the week is up otherwise will automatically be charged for a full month of service. It has original content which mostly comes from other countries and production companies, including the UK’s BBC. There are a few original web series that have made a dent, however, at the service, including The Awesomes, Deadbeat and Behind The Mask. However, Hulu Plus needs to buck up seeing the competition it has.

    Talking about compatibility, Netflix leads as you can watch it via your PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, Internet-ready TV, Roku, Android, Blu-ray player, Nook or other e-reader table, and iOS devices.

    Hulu Plus comes in at a close second, offering compatibility and support for many of the same devices that Netflix does. Unfortunately, Hulu currently lacks compatibility for many Internet-ready TVs and Blu-ray players. Still, it can show movies through gaming devices, Android, iOS devices, Roku, and various tablet computers.

    Amazon Prime doesn’t yet feature the extensive compatibility of the other two services, but it is slowly building its network. Presently, you can watch shows via internet-ready TV, Blu-ray player, Roku, Kindle Fire tablet, and iOS or Android phone. However, it cannot yet be streamed via any gaming devices.

    With this new entry, Amazon Prime is set to further intensify the competition and the intensity will only compel Amazon, Flipkart and others to improve services that can be offered to customers.

  • Q2-16: Twitter revenue up 19.8 percent

    Q2-16: Twitter revenue up 19.8 percent

    BENGALURU: Twitter Inc., (Twitter) reported 19.8 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in total revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q2-16, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The social media player reported total revenue of $601.96 million in Q2-16 as compared to $502.38 million in Q2-15. US revenue totalled $360.68 million, an increase of 12.3 percent y-o-y as compared to $321.19 million. International revenue totalled $241.28 million, a y-o-y increase of 33.2 percent from $181.19 million.

    Ad revenue in the current quarter increased 18.2 percent y-o-y to $534.52 million as compared to $452.29 million in Q2-15. Mobile advertising revenue was 89 percent of total advertising revenue. US advertising revenue increased 9.4 percent y-o-y to $313 million from $286 million. International advertising revenue increased 33.7 percent y-o-y to $266 million from $166 million. Total ad engagements grew 226 percent y-o-y, driven by the adoption of auto-play video and increased ad load. The average cost per engagement fell 64 per y-o-y, primarily due to the shift to auto-play video says the company.

    Twitter’s Data licensing and other revenue totalled $67.43 million, a y-o-y increase of 34.6 percent as compared to $ 50.11 million..

    Adjusted EBIDTA in Q2-16 increased 45.3 percent to $174.60 million from $120.19 million in Q2-15. Non-GAAP net income was 91.5 percent higher at $92.93 million as compared to $48.52 million in Q2-15. The current quarter’s GAAP net loss was lower at $107.22 as compared to $136.66 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Average monthly uses (MAU)

    Average monthly users (MAU) increased 3 percent y-o-y to 330 million in Q2-16 from 304 million in Q4-16 and increased 1 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from 310 million. Average US MAUs were 66 million for Q2-16, up 1 percent y-o-y and compared to 65 million in the previous quarter. Average international MAUs were 247 million for Q2-16, up 4 percent y-o-y and compared to 245 million in the previous quarter. Mobile MAUs represented 82 percent of total MAUs

    Company Speak

    “We’ve made a lot of progress on our priorities this quarter,” said Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. “We are confident in our product roadmap, and we are seeing the direct benefit of our recent product changes in increased engagement and usage. We remain focused on improving our service to make it fast, simple and easy to use, like the ability to watch live-streaming video events unfold and the commentary around them.”

    “This quarter we saw year-over-year and sequential growth in both monthly active and daily active usage,” said Twitter CFO Anthony Noto. “We continue to believe that, with disciplined execution against our priorities, we can drive sustained engagement and audience growth over time. We also have exciting momentum with live-streaming video initiatives underway. We’re partnering with the providers of the world’s most popular live content to bring more and more of those events onto Twitter to provide a unique and compelling consumer experience.”

  • Q2-16: Twitter revenue up 19.8 percent

    Q2-16: Twitter revenue up 19.8 percent

    BENGALURU: Twitter Inc., (Twitter) reported 19.8 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in total revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q2-16, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The social media player reported total revenue of $601.96 million in Q2-16 as compared to $502.38 million in Q2-15. US revenue totalled $360.68 million, an increase of 12.3 percent y-o-y as compared to $321.19 million. International revenue totalled $241.28 million, a y-o-y increase of 33.2 percent from $181.19 million.

    Ad revenue in the current quarter increased 18.2 percent y-o-y to $534.52 million as compared to $452.29 million in Q2-15. Mobile advertising revenue was 89 percent of total advertising revenue. US advertising revenue increased 9.4 percent y-o-y to $313 million from $286 million. International advertising revenue increased 33.7 percent y-o-y to $266 million from $166 million. Total ad engagements grew 226 percent y-o-y, driven by the adoption of auto-play video and increased ad load. The average cost per engagement fell 64 per y-o-y, primarily due to the shift to auto-play video says the company.

    Twitter’s Data licensing and other revenue totalled $67.43 million, a y-o-y increase of 34.6 percent as compared to $ 50.11 million..

    Adjusted EBIDTA in Q2-16 increased 45.3 percent to $174.60 million from $120.19 million in Q2-15. Non-GAAP net income was 91.5 percent higher at $92.93 million as compared to $48.52 million in Q2-15. The current quarter’s GAAP net loss was lower at $107.22 as compared to $136.66 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Average monthly uses (MAU)

    Average monthly users (MAU) increased 3 percent y-o-y to 330 million in Q2-16 from 304 million in Q4-16 and increased 1 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from 310 million. Average US MAUs were 66 million for Q2-16, up 1 percent y-o-y and compared to 65 million in the previous quarter. Average international MAUs were 247 million for Q2-16, up 4 percent y-o-y and compared to 245 million in the previous quarter. Mobile MAUs represented 82 percent of total MAUs

    Company Speak

    “We’ve made a lot of progress on our priorities this quarter,” said Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. “We are confident in our product roadmap, and we are seeing the direct benefit of our recent product changes in increased engagement and usage. We remain focused on improving our service to make it fast, simple and easy to use, like the ability to watch live-streaming video events unfold and the commentary around them.”

    “This quarter we saw year-over-year and sequential growth in both monthly active and daily active usage,” said Twitter CFO Anthony Noto. “We continue to believe that, with disciplined execution against our priorities, we can drive sustained engagement and audience growth over time. We also have exciting momentum with live-streaming video initiatives underway. We’re partnering with the providers of the world’s most popular live content to bring more and more of those events onto Twitter to provide a unique and compelling consumer experience.”

  • Flipkart’s Myntra acquires Jabong for USD 70 million

    Flipkart’s Myntra acquires Jabong for USD 70 million

    MUMBAI: Flipkart’s Myntra has acquired Jabong in a cut-price deal at USD 70 million, thereafter claiming the number one spot in India’s fashion e-commerce marketplace in the face of an onslaught by Amazon India.

    Beating strong contenders like Snapdeal, Snapdeal, Future Group, Aditya Birla Group and Amazon which also bid to buy Jabong, Flipkart will pay cash for the acquisition, according to a statement by Jabong’s parent company Global Fashion Group (GFG).

    GFG has been looking for a buyer for Jabong for more than a year now. “Fashion and lifestyle is one of the biggest drivers of e-commerce growth in India. We have always believed in the fashion and lifestyle segment and Myntra’s strong performance has reinforced this faith,” said Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal.

    “This acquisition is a continuation of the group’s journey to transform commerce in India. I am happy that we will now be able to offer to millions of customers a wide variety of styles, products and a broad assortment of global as well as Indian brands,” he added, as reported by media.

    The sale marks one of the most dramatic declines in India’s online retail business. At the end of 2013, Jabong was worth as much as €388 million (about $508 million). In that financial year (year ended March 2014) Jabong reported sales of Rs438 crore. Even though its sales increased to Rs 869 crore in the last financial year, Jabong’s value collapsed because of a combination of leadership issues, market share losses and a funding crunch.

    For Flipkart-Myntra, the acquisition of Jabong will boost sales at a time when Flipkart is struggling to revive growth, and struggling to protect its leadership in a market where Amazon has made rapid strides.

  • Flipkart’s Myntra acquires Jabong for USD 70 million

    Flipkart’s Myntra acquires Jabong for USD 70 million

    MUMBAI: Flipkart’s Myntra has acquired Jabong in a cut-price deal at USD 70 million, thereafter claiming the number one spot in India’s fashion e-commerce marketplace in the face of an onslaught by Amazon India.

    Beating strong contenders like Snapdeal, Snapdeal, Future Group, Aditya Birla Group and Amazon which also bid to buy Jabong, Flipkart will pay cash for the acquisition, according to a statement by Jabong’s parent company Global Fashion Group (GFG).

    GFG has been looking for a buyer for Jabong for more than a year now. “Fashion and lifestyle is one of the biggest drivers of e-commerce growth in India. We have always believed in the fashion and lifestyle segment and Myntra’s strong performance has reinforced this faith,” said Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal.

    “This acquisition is a continuation of the group’s journey to transform commerce in India. I am happy that we will now be able to offer to millions of customers a wide variety of styles, products and a broad assortment of global as well as Indian brands,” he added, as reported by media.

    The sale marks one of the most dramatic declines in India’s online retail business. At the end of 2013, Jabong was worth as much as €388 million (about $508 million). In that financial year (year ended March 2014) Jabong reported sales of Rs438 crore. Even though its sales increased to Rs 869 crore in the last financial year, Jabong’s value collapsed because of a combination of leadership issues, market share losses and a funding crunch.

    For Flipkart-Myntra, the acquisition of Jabong will boost sales at a time when Flipkart is struggling to revive growth, and struggling to protect its leadership in a market where Amazon has made rapid strides.

  • YuppTV and Culture Machine partner for YuppTV Bazaar

    YuppTV and Culture Machine partner for YuppTV Bazaar

    MUMBAI: YuppTV Bazaar has tied up with India’s leading digital media firm, Culture Machine, to feature its network of media brands on the YuppTV platform.

    With over 500 million monthly views, Culture Machine has emerged as one of the leading producers of content across genres. Further to this association, YuppTV Bazaar viewers will now be able to watch various digital channels like- Being Indian, Epified, Old Delhi Films, Put Chutney, Blush, Rascalas, Being Indian’s Awesome Sauce, Whack and VIVA to name a few, all ‘owned and operated’ by Culture Machine.

    Speaking at the new alliance, YuppTV founder and CEO Uday Reddy said, “YuppTV Bazaar has gained traction within the young and dynamic internet users. We decided to associate with Culture Machine, following their repertoire of digital media brands and content that appeals to the South Asian internet audiences. We are positive that our users at YuppTV Bazaar would actively enjoy the refreshing new content.”

    Further elucidating on the same, Culture Machine CEO and co founder Sameer Pitalwalla said, “We are excited to partner with YuppTV and expand the reach of our brands to YuppTV Bazaar. The platform has already acquired a vast user base and we are looking forward to making our content available to them via YuppTV Bazaar.”

    The new and existing users at YuppTV Bazaar may now easily access vivid range of Youth Entertainment content, Recipes, Mythology, Audio Series, women’s & lifestyle channel, Tamil Humour and Desi Comedy.

  • YuppTV and Culture Machine partner for YuppTV Bazaar

    YuppTV and Culture Machine partner for YuppTV Bazaar

    MUMBAI: YuppTV Bazaar has tied up with India’s leading digital media firm, Culture Machine, to feature its network of media brands on the YuppTV platform.

    With over 500 million monthly views, Culture Machine has emerged as one of the leading producers of content across genres. Further to this association, YuppTV Bazaar viewers will now be able to watch various digital channels like- Being Indian, Epified, Old Delhi Films, Put Chutney, Blush, Rascalas, Being Indian’s Awesome Sauce, Whack and VIVA to name a few, all ‘owned and operated’ by Culture Machine.

    Speaking at the new alliance, YuppTV founder and CEO Uday Reddy said, “YuppTV Bazaar has gained traction within the young and dynamic internet users. We decided to associate with Culture Machine, following their repertoire of digital media brands and content that appeals to the South Asian internet audiences. We are positive that our users at YuppTV Bazaar would actively enjoy the refreshing new content.”

    Further elucidating on the same, Culture Machine CEO and co founder Sameer Pitalwalla said, “We are excited to partner with YuppTV and expand the reach of our brands to YuppTV Bazaar. The platform has already acquired a vast user base and we are looking forward to making our content available to them via YuppTV Bazaar.”

    The new and existing users at YuppTV Bazaar may now easily access vivid range of Youth Entertainment content, Recipes, Mythology, Audio Series, women’s & lifestyle channel, Tamil Humour and Desi Comedy.