ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Bending Spoons acquires streaming tech firm Brightcove

    Bending Spoons acquires streaming tech firm Brightcove

    MUMBAI: Streaming technology firm Brightcove today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an Italian mobile technology  company  Bending Spoons, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $233 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Brightcove shareholders will receive $4.45 per share in cash for each share of Brightcove common stock that they own. The per share purchase price represents a 90 per cent  premium over Brightcove’s 60-day volume weighted average share price as of the close on 22 November 2024, says a company press release.  

    The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, including approval by Brightcove’s stockholders, and the receipt of required regulatory approvals. Upon the completion of the transaction, Brightcove will become a privately held company and its common stock will no longer be listed on any public stock exchange. 

    “We are pleased to have entered into this definitive agreement with Bending Spoons, which represents the culmination of a comprehensive strategic review process led by our board of directors and with the support of our management team and advisors,” said Brightcove chairman Diane Hessan. “As the board considered the long-term path for Brightcove, we unanimously determined that this transaction represents the best opportunity to maximize the value of the business and deliver compelling, certain, and immediate cash value to our stockholders.” 

    Brightcove chief executive officer &  director Marc DeBevoise added: “Brightcove is a storied and successful enterprise SaaS leader with 20 years of history, 12 of them as a public company. We have been a pioneer and innovator in the streaming market, from the early days of video player technologies to the leading video-powered engagement platform we are today. Today’s announcement will enable Brightcove to leverage the technology and market expertise of Bending Spoons and best position Brightcove to continue to thrive in the streaming and engagement technology market.” 

    Bending Spoons CEO &  co-founder Luca Ferrari said, “We’re delighted to welcome Brightcove into the Bending Spoons portfolio. Brightcove is a trusted and respected name in the streaming technology space, and we look forward to serving its large global customer base. When Bending Spoons acquires a business, we do so with the intention of owning and operating it indefinitely. With this in mind, we’re excited about building on the strong work of the current team, and ensuring Brightcove thrives for many years to come.” 

    BrightcoveBrightcove provides customers  with the a scalable, and secure platform to deliver video.  It also provides  video interactivity to take audiences from passive to active, and beautiful live or on-demand experiences and insights  fueled by analytics that provide customers  clear and effective instruction on how to maintain, grow, and better engage  their audiences.

    Bending Spoons already owns products such as Meetup, EverNote, Remini, Splice, StreamYard, Issuu and WeTransfer which it has acquired over the past couple of years. It also has some celebrity investors such as Andre Agassi, Andrew Traggart, Chloe Zhao, Dude Perfect, Eric Shcmidt, Kerry Trainor, Maluma, Gabrielle Union, among many others. It claims to have 200 million monthly active users. 

    The company is also known to right size companies which it has acquired, according to online tech publication SiliconAngle. Reports are that Evernote laid off 129 of its 400 workforce, relocating the entire workforce to Europe. Bending Spoons also handed pink slips to 75 per cent of WeTransfer’s employees a few months after acquiring it.  

  • Nazara’s FAU-G: Domination shines at IGDC 2024 with massive playtest success

    Nazara’s FAU-G: Domination shines at IGDC 2024 with massive playtest success

    Mumbai: FAU-G: Domination, the latest military shooter from Nazara Publishing, received overwhelming support during its playtest at the Indian Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024, held in Hyderabad from 13-15 November. The game, developed by Mumbai-based Dot9 Games, captivated nearly 1,000 attendees, solidifying its position as a crowd favorite.

    Attendees eagerly lined up to experience the highly anticipated sequel in the FAU-G universe, which has already seen over 40 million downloads across its past games.

    The playtest offered critical insights into gameplay performance and player preferences, ensuring a refined and community-driven development process:

    1    Gameplay performance: 80 per cent of players praised the fluid gameplay, highlighting its performance on mid and low-end devices.

    2    Popular game modes: Arms Race emerged as the top choice, preferred by 70 per cent of players over other modes like Team Deathmatch and 1v1.

    3    Gunplay feedback: 70 per cent rated the gunplay as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’, demonstrating a positive reception among industry professionals and creators.

    4    Improvement areas: 10 per cent of participants noted hitbox registration issues, while eight per cent flagged technical concerns like overheating.

    With a release scheduled for early 2025, the Dot9 Studios team plans additional community-driven playtests to fine-tune the game and enhance transparency in its development process.

    Given the Indian shooter market’s staggering base of 500 million players, such meticulous pre-launch testing ensures FAU-G: Domination can thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

    Pre-registrations for FAU-G: Domination are now live on the Google Play Store for Android, with iOS and iPadOS pre-registrations following soon. Early registrants will receive the Beast Collection, a limited-edition set of in-game cosmetics inspired by the Tiger, India’s national animal.

    This exclusive collection includes:

    1    Accessories: Frame, banner, avatar, sticker, spray, and charm.

    2    Gun Skins: Sawed-off shotgun, USP, Scout rifle, M4, Uzi, and Kabar.

    The Beast Collection is only available to players who pre-register and will not be accessible post-launch.

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dotnine.faug

  • Relaxo Footwear recruits Vishal Pathania as head of digital marketing

    Relaxo Footwear recruits Vishal Pathania as head of digital marketing

    MUMBAI: Relaxo Footwear has roped in Vishal Pathania as assistant general manager – head of digital marketing & performance. He will lead digital marketing initiatives for iconic brands like Sparx, Bahamas, and Flite.

    With an experience of more than a decade. Pathania last worked for Hindware Home Innovation as senior  manager (lead)- digital/social/D2C & performance.  Prior to that he worked as lead manager – digital/PR/D2C & performance marketing at Timex group. He also has had a stint with Micromax Informatics.

    Pathania is excited about his new posting at Relaxo Footwear. “In today’s dynamic digital landscape, I aim to craft impactful campaigns and contribute to these brands’ continued growth and success,” he said on Linkedin.

     

  • Gukesh vs Ding: World Chess championship battle begins 25 November

    Gukesh vs Ding: World Chess championship battle begins 25 November

    MUMBAI:  Hardcore chess fans and players will be glued to their phones, TVs and computers come 2:30 pm 25 November 2025.  The Fide World Chess Championship, which is being  held at the Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa, between China’s Ding Liren and 18 year old Indian chess wiz Gukesh Dommaraju,  is slated to be streamed live on Fide’s official chess channels, including YouTube and Twitch. Additionally, it can also be viewed on  Chess24 India and ChessBase India You Tube channels.

    Gukesh is bidding to become one of the youngest ever World Chess champions as he takes on Ding in a best of 14 games match. Gukesh and Ding will earn a point for each win and 0.5 each for a draw, with a score of 7.5 enough to win the championship. If the score is equal after 14 games, tiebreakers with faster time controls will be used to determine the winner. At stake is a total prize money of $2.5 million, with $200,000 being awarded for every game won. 

    For Indian fans, they are going to be able to follow the match on YouTube with commentary from international master Tania Sachdev, the voice of Indian chess content and founder of Chessbase India, international master Sagar Shah, and one of the biggest comedians and a prominent chess personality himself, Samay Raina.

    Sagar shah Tania Sachdev Samay Raina

    “It’s a huge moment for India. Will Gukesh, at 18, become the youngest-ever World Champion? Will he be the one to take forward Vishy Anand’s legacy by once again bringing the title back to India, or will Ding, the reigning World Champion, prevail?” said Chess.com commentator Tania Sachdev. “As a player, a commentator, and foremost a fan of the game, I am thrilled to be a part of this very special broadcast team. We hope to bring everyone as close as possible to the minds and emotions of two brilliant players playing for ultimate glory.”

    Set at the venue Habitat, this will be a one-of-a-kind collaboration between three of the most influential voices in chess. Together, they will provide insightful commentary and analysis for audiences of all levels. Viewers can look forward to special appearances by celebrities, comedians, and chess players, adding a new twist to each day’s broadcast.

    “Gukesh has achieved something that is unprecedented. The fight for the World Championship title at the age of 18 is nothing short of a celebration! A huge moment for Indian chess,” said ChessBase India  founder Sagar Shah. “Through these 14 days, we are going to follow each and every moment of action closely and enjoy this amazing event.”

    The three-week event will include a live audience, bringing the excitement of the championship directly to fans in Mumbai. The show will also be streamed simultaneously on ChessBase India and Chess24 India, ensuring fans nationwide can join in the excitement.

    With India on the cusp of its biggest chess moment in a generation, this broadcast will cover the passion and energy surrounding Gukesh’s historic journey. Fans are invited to join live in Mumbai or tune in online to witness every move, every moment, and every memory.

  • IndiaDotcom Digital ropes in Nirmal Shah as revenue head

    IndiaDotcom Digital ropes in Nirmal Shah as revenue head

    MUMBAI: Zee Media offshoot IndiaDotcom Digital has roped in Nirmal Shah as its revenue head – digital. IndiaDotcom – (formerly Zee Digital) has around 34 digital properties as part of its portfolio. Shah will be responsible for the revenues of ZeeNews.com, Dnaindia.com, Techlusive, India.com, Bollywoodlife, and Healthsite.com. 

    Shah has around a score of years of experience on his CV. His last posting was as sales head of FanCode where he worked on  selling sponsorships and ad sales across a bouquet of sports.

    Prior to that he was employed at SonyLiv for five years as national sales head. His other stints were at Network18 Mobile, Sify  Technologies, Hindustan Times.com, and CIOL.com.

     

  • Yamaha Motor teams up with Netflix for sci-fi anime Tokyo Override

    Yamaha Motor teams up with Netflix for sci-fi anime Tokyo Override

    Mumbai: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced it has collaborated with Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services, on the production of Tokyo Override, an original anime streamed globally, exclusively on Netflix on 21 November 2024.

    Tokyo Override is set in Tokyo 100 years in the future where AI has been integrated into daily life and all aspects of urban living is automated. In this sci-fi anime full of motorcycle action, existing and originally designed motorcycles roar through the streets of Tokyo.

    Yamaha Motor’s collaboration with Netflix for this project began when we received their request for permission to select and use Yamaha motorcycles in the anime. We cooperated by providing 3D data, images, and sound recordings of the YZF-R1, superbike, and the VMAX, muscle cruiser. In addition to these iconic models, hoping that we could attract the audience to become interested in the world of motorcycles, we also assisted in building the anime’s world of 100 years in the future, offering ideas for mobility, designing the race machine concept “Y/AI”, and providing other support such as supervising the sound effects.

    The YZF-R1, VMAX, and Y/AI are all featured in the anime series. We also created a full-scale concept model of the Y/AI, to be world premiered at the Motor Expo 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand running from Nov 29 to Dec 10.

  • Mortal wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at Esports Awards 2024

    Mortal wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at Esports Awards 2024

    Mumbai: Naman Mathur, famously known as Mortal, has etched his name in global esports history by winning the prestigious ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the Esports Awards 2024 part two. The ceremony, held in Los Angeles, celebrated the finest in the gaming world, with Mortal triumphing over global heavyweights such as Tarik Celik, Ibai Llanos Garatea, and Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont.

    This landmark achievement highlights Mortal’s exceptional contribution to the gaming ecosystem, solidifying his status as India’s biggest gamer. With over seven million YouTube subscribers and 5.3 million Instagram followers, Mortal has become a beacon of inspiration for millions of gamers in India and beyond.

    S8UL Esports co-founder, Mathur aka Mortal expressed his gratitude, stating, “Winning this award is an incredible moment of pride, not just for me but for the entire Indian gaming and esports community. My journey began with a simple passion for gaming, and seeing that passion resonate with millions of people is truly humbling. I hope this achievement inspires more young gamers to chase their dreams and believe that they too can earn global recognition through dedication and hard work. I am deeply grateful to S8UL for being the backbone of my journey. This success is not mine alone- it belongs to every fan, every teammate, and every supporter who believed in me and in the potential of Indian esports.”

    S8UL Esports co-founder, Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, shared his elation, “This award holds a deeply personal meaning for me. Watching Mortal achieve this recognition feels like a shared victory- one that takes me back to where it all began. From the late nights to the sacrifices, every moment has led us here. Together, we’re not just creating history; we’re shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. A victory for him, a milestone for Indian esports!”

    S8UL Esports co-founder, Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain added,  “When we first started this journey, we had no idea how far it would take us, but we always knew we were in this together. Mortal has always been like a brother to me, and seeing him win this award feels like a personal achievement. For him to be honoured with this accolade today is a reflection of the countless hours, effort and heart we’ve poured into building who we are and what we stand for.”

    Mortal’s milestone victory shines a spotlight on India’s growing influence in the global esports and gaming content scene, inspiring a new generation of dreamers and achievers.

  • Bollywood Icon Sherlyn Chopra signed on MelBet as brand ambassador

    Bollywood Icon Sherlyn Chopra signed on MelBet as brand ambassador

    Mumbai: MelBet has announced the appointment of Bollywood legend Sherlyn Chopra as its brand ambassador. Known for her fearless approach and dynamic career in film and television, Chopra will promote MelBet in international markets while creating exclusive content for the brand.

    Chopra’s success in the entertainment industry, including her breakout role in the psychological thriller “Red Swastik”, has made her a household name in India. She continues to make waves with her web series, music albums, short films, and other creative ventures. As the first Indian to appear in Playboy magazine, Sherlyn’s ability to challenge conventions and embrace bold choices aligns perfectly with MelBet’s innovative spirit.

    “I am incredibly excited to become a part of the MelBet family,” Chopra shared. “Sports are more than just games or competitions as they unequivocally bring people together. I am proud to contribute to its popularisation with such a reliable partner. MelBet is not just about gaming, casinos, or sports. It is about team spirit towards involvement in the games, followed by highs and lows which are inevitable in the pursuit of success and victory. MelBet is an experience that brings us closer as a community and in setting our goals and achieving them. I am looking forward to starting our collaborative journey and the opportunities that we can create and explore for our growing game lovers!”

    A MelBet representative expressed excitement about the collaboration: “We are very pleased that Sherlyn Chopra has joined our team! She is not only a talented actress, but also a person who is not afraid to push the boundaries. This quality is crucial because we always strive for innovation and development at MelBet. We are confident that our collaboration will open up new opportunities for our clients and make the MelBet brand even more special for sports lovers, gamers, and those who share an undying passion for the game!”

  • Nagarjuna launches season two of Krish, Trish and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum, at IFFI Goa

    Nagarjuna launches season two of Krish, Trish and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum, at IFFI Goa

    Mumbai— The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launched the second season of the celebrated animated series Krish, Trish, and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa.

    Nagarjuna graced the event along with Information & Broadcasting secretary Sanjay Jaju; Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwiwedi; CBC, DG, Yogesh Baweja; Graphiti Studios creators Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty ; Prime Video, India director & head – SVOD, Shilangi Mukherji and Netflix India director of public policy Mahima Kaul.

    The groundbreaking animated series, which celebrates India’s lesser-known freedom fighters, made history with its season one debut across multiple platforms.

    Season two of the animation series, like season one, will premiere simultaneously across Doordarshan, Prime Video, and Netflix.

    The series will be available in 12 Indian languages—including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, and Odia—and seven international languages – French, German, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Chinese and Arabic making it accessible to a global audience in 150 countries, further amplifying its reach.

    Season two continues the mission to highlight unsung heroes from all across the country, including Taji Dele and Ponge Dele from Arunachal Pradesh, Wazir Ram Singh Pathania from Himachal Pradesh, and Birsa Munda from Jharkhand, among others.

    These stories are meant to inspire pride in India’s history while celebrating the diversity and resilience of the country’s freedom fighters.

    The secretary highlighted the importance of such initiatives in nurturing national pride among India’s young generation.

    “The diversity of India’s freedom struggle needs to be communicated in ways that appeal to children. By using animation, we’re making these rich histories not only accessible but also engaging. Through these animated stories, we’re offering young minds a chance to learn about the unsung heroes who played pivotal roles in shaping India’s destiny,” Jaju said.

    “We are delighted to launch a new season of Krish, Trish and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum on Prime Video starting 1st December. The series beautifully highlights the invaluable contribution of several heroes who played a significate part in India’s freedom struggle, giving viewers in India and around the world a chance to learn more about our rich history,” said Mukherji. “We would like to congratulate the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Central Bureau of Communication, and Graphiti Studios for producing this wonderful series. The series is a significant step in our efforts to foster the growth of India’s creative economy and give Indian stories a global showcase. We are confident that the new season will be as well-received by our viewers as the first season.”

    “I have grown up watching a lot of mythology, and stories of Shri Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, Arjun, but stories on our freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for our country is equally important. With the new show Bharat Hai Hum, the children and the next generation will get to know about our heroes,” said Nagarjuna.

    Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty, the series’ creators, added, “The stories of India’s unsung heroes have often been overshadowed, but through this series, we aim to ensure that their contributions are remembered and celebrated by the younger generation. It’s not just a story of the past; it’s a lesson for today’s youth to understand the values of courage, resilience, and patriotism.”

    The creators employed nearly 1,000 professionals across India, including animators, voice artists, and production experts, in order to meet an ambitious timeline and deliver the series in record time.

    Krish, Trish, and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum will also be available in an innovative format: a radio series and a podcast. The Krish, Trish and Baltiboy– Bharat Hain Hum Radio Series will premiere on 1 December on All India Radio (AIR), broadcasting in 12 languages across India. Each episode will be heard at 10:30 AM on Sundays, just 15 minutes before the animation series airs on Doordarshan at 11 AM. The radio show will promote the animated series, creating a seamless cross-platform transition that will help maximize the show’s audience. The unique scheduling strategy promises to offer a significant push for the animation series, ensuring that the young and diverse audience can transition from radio to television effortlessly.

    Additionally, a podcast will be available worldwide on Spotify in 180 countries. This podcast will feature episodes from the series, while also encouraging listeners to watch the animated show on Prime Video, Netflix, Waves and Doordarshan amplifying the reach of this cross-platform distribution strategy.

  • Moneycontrol’s 10 crore monthly users highlighted in a print ad

    Moneycontrol’s 10 crore monthly users highlighted in a print ad

    New Delhi: Moneycontrol has launched an ad campaign to announce its record-breaking 10 crore monthly users, solidifying its position as India’s largest financial platform. Moneycontrol is part of the Network 18 group. [NSE: Network18]

    In a front-page ad across all editions of The Economic Times, the financial platform announced that 10 crore (100 million) people used Moneycontrol in October 2024. (Source: Google Analytics, October 2024) The ad also showcased the 10 lakh paying subscribers of Moneycontrol Pro, the paid subscription-based service of Moneycontrol. Further, the ad highlighted Moneycontrol’s audience size, which is 30 per cent bigger than its nearest rival, (Source: Comscore MMX Multi-Platform, Business/ Finance News Category, September 2024) while also emphasising 70 lakh monthly active users of Moneycontrol App.

    The ad reiterates that Moneycontrol’s unique combination of market data, financial tools, exclusive stock research, combined with in-depth impactful business news, has made it an irresistible proposition.

    Moneycontrol continues to expand its footprint in the fintech space with personal loans, fixed deposits, bank account management tools and credit scores, cementing its role as a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

    Beyond audience and subscriber milestones, Moneycontrol has also strengthened its user engagement. In September 2024, its page views were almost 40 per cent higher than its nearest competitor, according to Comscore. Its time-spent was also the highest in the sector at 407.48 million minutes during the month.