ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Culture Machine and Bench Flix join hands for Bench Culture

    Culture Machine and Bench Flix join hands for Bench Culture

    Mumbai: A digital video entertainment company Culture Machine and  Karthik Subbaraj founded Bench Flix, announced the launch of Bench Culture, which will curate short films and documentaries across the world. Bench Culture will open up the world to short film-makers while making it easier for the viewers to access content from domestic and international markets.

     

    “With respect to content quality and viewership, short film segment is surely main stream material and ‘making short films big’ is our core vision. Bench Culture, the collaboration between Bench Flix and Culture Machine is powerful and complementing in building a brand for quality short films across the world” says Karthik Subbaraj.

     

    Commenting on the launch of the platform Culture Machine CEO and co-founder Sameer Pitalwalla said, “ Bench Culture is a great platform that will provide the best of short films that are still unrecognised and create great entertainment for the Internet generation.”

     

    Stone Bench Creations’ Bench Flix is an integrated aggregation and distribution platform for short films and is uniquely positioned in the space with over 1400 short films being curated under their banner. Besides, Bench Flix has played an integral role in bringing a mainstream credibility to this segment. Their most recent wins being the  ‘Bench Talkies’ the successful theatrical release of short film as a feature and soon to be followed by ‘Aviyal’ in December this year. Culture Machine, the only digital entertainment company that brings together great content with great technology giving it an undisputed edge, reaches out to 4 Million subscribers through its expansive network.

     

    The collaboration sees the coming together of the two powerhouses bringing their strengths to Bench Culture and build a platform that provides unprecedented opportunities for both the films and their makers.

  • PlayStation Vue inks content deal with Disney, ESPN, ABC

    PlayStation Vue inks content deal with Disney, ESPN, ABC

    MUMBAI: Disney and ESPN Media Networks and Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (SNEI) have entered into an agreement to bring the company’s media networks to PlayStation Vue, the cloud-based live TV service.

     

    Disney will offer ESPN, ABC-owned local stations, Disney Channel, ABC Family, and more networks on PlayStation Vue with the service’s unique features, including the ability to play multiple streams from one account and a powerful, intuitive user interface.

     

    In addition, local ABC affiliate stations will also have the opportunity to opt-in to the PlayStation Vue service with their live linear programming.

     

    “This deal demonstrates our continued commitment to offer the best content on TV to PlayStation Vue users. The addition of Disney and ESPN’s primetime programming and live marquee sports to our portfolio ensures subscribers will have access to the most popular network programming on television today. We’re also proud to be the first Internet-based pay TV service to offer Disney’s networks with the streaming features that set PlayStation Vue apart from the industry, making TV viewing a more enjoyable experience for the whole household,” said SNEI vice president, head of PlayStation Vue Dwayne Benefield.

     

    Disney and ESPN Media Networks EVP of affiliate sales & marketing Justin Connolly added, “PlayStation Vue provides a unique way to engage with our content and an opportunity to reach a segment of viewers who want a different kind of television experience. The addition of our content to the PlayStation Vue platform will make the offering more compelling as consumers navigate their video options.”

     

    Users will be able to watch content from Disney and ESPN Media Networks on a pay TV service over the Internet, using features like on demand offering, unmatched viewing experience and simultaneous streaming.

     

    Additional details, including launch timing, will be announced at a later time.

     

    Disney and ESPN Media Networks will offer the following networks on PlayStation Vue: ABC Owned Stations Group, ABC Family (becoming Freeform in January), Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN College Extra, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, Fusion, Longhorn Network and SEC-ESPN Network.

  • YouTube adds two new virtual reality features on Android

    YouTube adds two new virtual reality features on Android

    MUMBAI: YouTube has trained its eyes on the next big thing in the digital video space – Virtual Reality (VR). The video network has added two new VR features to YouTube’s Android app.

     

    “If we’ve learned anything in the past 10+ years at YouTube it’s that capturing and sharing videos is a great way to bring people there with you—whether “there” is an Icelandic glacier, a special performance by violinist Tim Fain, or just a friend’s birthday party,” YouTube VR senior product manager Kurt Wilms, YouTube product manager Sanjeev Verma and Jump product manager Husain Bengali collectively said in a post. 

     

    “Virtual reality makes the experience of being there even more awesome and immersive, so today we’re bringing two new VR features to YouTube’s Android app. All you need is your current phone, and a Google Cardboard viewer,” they added.

     

    YouTube now supports VR video – a brand new kind of video that makes you feel like you’re actually there. Using the same tricks that we humans use to see the world, VR video gives you a sense of depth as you look around in every direction. Near things look near, far things look far. “So if you were excited about 360° videos, this is pretty freakin’ cool,” they added.

     

    To give it a try, find a VR video on YouTube – like the Hunger Games Experience or TOMS Shoes Giving Trip – tap the new Cardboard icon, drop your phone into your Cardboard viewer, and you’re off! 

     

    Creators can also check out technologies like Jump to capture and share their own VR videos.

     

    “Our second bit of news is for the universe of existing YouTube content. And that’s the fact that you can now watch any video using Google Cardboard, and experience a kind of virtual movie theater. Just select the new “Cardboard” option from the watch page menu, drop your phone into your viewer, and you’re done. You’ll now have the largest VR content library right at your fingertips,” they said.

  • Quintype to invest in digital media start-ups via SpeakWrite

    Quintype to invest in digital media start-ups via SpeakWrite

    MUMBAI: Touting it as a “new kind of startup accelerator,” the Raghav Bahl backed digital publishing company Quintype has launched SpeakWrite. 

     

    SpeakWrite is a program for promising startups in the digital media space. So far, the company has accepted three startups into the program, and will be announcing the details soon.

     

    The company is looking at investing in a total of five start-ups this year and plans to take that number of 15 next year.

     

    “SpeakWrite will cost no money. However, in exchange for investing SpeakWrite and Quintype resources in the selected start-ups, Quintype will take a percentage of equity stake in the respective startups,” said Quintype founder and CEO Amit Rathore.

     

    Quintype will take anywhere between four – nine per cent equity stake in respective startups. The exact amount will depend on factors like the stage of the startup, amount of funding raised, complexity of the initial site/apps and business plan amongst others.

     

    By partnering with selected startups, SpeakWrite will advise, mentor, design, develop, and help launch their sites and apps. The company will mentor startups for a period of 12-24 months.

     

    SpeakWrite is based both in the United States, as well as in Asia.

  • Q3-2015: Facebook YoY revenue up 40.5% to $4.5 billion; net income $1.63 billion

    Q3-2015: Facebook YoY revenue up 40.5% to $4.5 billion; net income $1.63 billion

    BENGALURU: Social media major Facebook Inc reported a 40.5 per cent hike in YoY revenue to $4.5 billion in the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q3-2015) as compared to the $3.2 billion in the corresponding quarter of last year.

     

    The company’s non-GAAP net income rose 41.7 per cent YoY to $1.6 billion (36.2 per cent margin) in the current quarter as compared to $1.14 billion (35.9 per cent margin) in Q3-2014. Facebook’s GAAP income increased 11.2 per cent to $896 million in the current quarter as compared to $806 million in Q3-2014.

     

    “We had a good quarter and got a lot done,” said Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “We’re focused on innovating and investing for the long term to serve our community and connect the entire world.”

     

    Operational highlights

     

    Daily active users (DAUs) – DAUs were 1.01 billion on average for September 2015, an increase of 17 per cent YoY

    Mobile DAUs – Mobile DAUs were 894 million on average for September 2015, an increase of 27 per cent YoY.

    Monthly active users (MAUs) – MAUs were 1.55 billion as of 30 September, 2015, an increase of 14 per cent YoY.

    Mobile MAUs – Mobile MAUs were 1.39 billion as of 30 September, 2015, an increase of 23 per cent YoY.

     

    Financial highlights

     

    Growth in revenue was driven by a 45.4 per cent growth in Advertising revenue to $4.29 billion in the current quarter as compared to the $2.59 billion in Q2-2014.

     

    Mobile advertising revenue – Mobile advertising revenue represented approximately 78 per cent of advertising revenue for Q3-2015 2015, up from 66 per cent of advertising revenue in Q3-2014.

     

    Capital expenditures – Capital expenditures for Q3-2015 were $780 million.

    Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities – Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $15.83 billion at the end of Q3-2015.

    Free cash flow – Free cash flow for Q3-2015 was $1.41 billion.

     

    Zuckerberg also took to his Facebook page to say, “Our community now has more than 1.55 billion people, including more than 1 billion people active every day. Through Internet.org, more than 15 million people now have access to the opportunities of the Internet who didn’t before.”

    “In the last three months, we’ve also announced our first aircraft to beam down internet access, our first satellite launch to deliver connectivity, an AI-powered digital assistant and our first Oculus virtual reality consumer release. Our community has a lot to be proud of. Thank you for being a part of our community, and for helping to connect the world,” he added.

     

  • Sony LIV rolls out digital film ‘Chhoti Khushi’ for Diwali

    Sony LIV rolls out digital film ‘Chhoti Khushi’ for Diwali

    MUMBAI: In the lead up to the festival of Diwali, Sony Pictures Networks’ (erstwhile Multi Screen Media) OTT platform Sony LIV has rolled out a digital film called Chhoti Khushi to support its social media campaign ‘LIV This Diwali.’

     

    The film features Naveen Kasturia, Suneel Sinha and Ashish Verma. The social media campaign weaved around the digital film invites participants and viewers to send Diwali Wishes to their family and friends.

     

    The story explores the complex relationship that Indian siblings share with each other, and how Diwali can become the raison d’etre for bringing together those, whom circumstances and situations often pull apart.

     

    Chhoti Khushi is about two brothers, Gaurav and Sharad, who have stopped talking to each other following an argument. However, as the momentous occasion of Diwali approaches, the brothers reminisce about each other and realise how petty their fight was.

     

    The film was meant for especially for the millennial audience, which knows how tough it is to maintain the delicate balance between education, work and commitment to friends and family over ever-increasing distances. The story takes viewers through an eventful journey that finally results in the brothers being reunited on Diwali.

     

    Sony LIV EVP and head – digital business Uday Sodhi said, “With #LoveBytes and Tanlines, we have established our pioneering status in the industry as the first digital video-on-demand (VOD) platform to introduce a show exclusively for online viewers. With the launch of Chhoti Khushi, we are looking to providing our digital viewers with a heart-touching story that is bound to take their web content entertainment experience to a new level.”

     

    The film was aired exclusively on Sony LIV’s web, app and YouTube platforms from 4 November onwards.

  • Olivier Legrand to succeed Hari Krishnan as LinkedIn APAC MD

    Olivier Legrand to succeed Hari Krishnan as LinkedIn APAC MD

    MUMBAI: LinkedIn has appointed Olivier Legrand as its managing director for the Asia-Pacific region, effective 1 January, 2016.

     

    He will succeed Hari Krishnan, who is incidentally LinkedIn’s first employee in Asia. Krishnan, who has been managing director for the Asia-Pacific region since January 2013, is leaving the company after a stint of six years. Prior to his most recent post, he served as LinkedIn country manager for India from November 2009 to December 2012, Krishnan is slated to join PropertyGuru Group as president and chief business officer.

     

    Krishnan oversaw business in the region that continues to post healthy growth, including a member base that more than doubled to 78+ million (as at Q3 2015) in less than three years. This includes 33+ million in India, 7+ million in Australia and 15+ million in S.E. Asia.

     

    The Asia-Pacific region, home to some 40 per cent of the world’s professionals, is a key growth region for LinkedIn. More than 1,000 LinkedIn employees in 10 offices (across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Singapore) serve members and clients such as Singapore Post, Toshiba, HCL Technologies, Li & Fung and ANZ.

     

    “The Asia-Pacific region continues to be a key economic player in an increasingly connected and digital world where new opportunities emerge every day,” Legrand said. “I am excited about the opportunities for LinkedIn to help our members and clients become even more successful. While LinkedIn has come a long way in the region since establishing our presence here in 2009, there’s still a long runway for growth ahead for us.”

     

    Legrand will have a dual role, continuing to serve as head of marketing solutions for LinkedIn in the region.

     

    Singapore-based Legrand, who joined LinkedIn in 2012 to drive the marketing solutions business in the Asia-Pacific region, is a senior executive with more than a decade of leadership, marketing and business development experience in the region.

     

    Before joining LinkedIn, he was General Manager of The Wall Street Journal Digital Network for Asia.

  • Amazon beats others in mega pre-festive online sales: Ugam

    Amazon beats others in mega pre-festive online sales: Ugam

    MUMBAI: In an earlier feature done by Indiantelevision.com, we saw creative and ad gurus giving their opinion on the fiercely competitive campaigns that e-commerce brands launched, with Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal leading the pack.

    Be it their display ad wars, or their strategically placed jacket advertisements on newspapers, their digs at each other not only grabbed the consumers’ eyeballs, but have also created a stir within the ecosystem.

    The season was ushered in by two of the top e-commerce players conducting three mega sales in two weeks. Flipkart kick-started the celebrations with its second edition of the Big Billion Days sale, followed by Amazon’s Great Indian Festive sale, and most recently Amazon’s Great Indian Diwali Sale from 26 to 28 October.

    Now that we have Diwali is knocking at our doorsteps, an analysis by global analytics manager Ugam has put a perspective on the entire scenario.

    Ugam recorded Amazon’s pricing and assortment for likely bestsellers in three key product categories – Laptops, Home Appliances and Books – and compared it to Flipkart and Snapdeal to learn which retailer actually had the best offers for the likely best sellers.

    As per their survey, Amazon.in led the sale period, by offering lowers prices in two out of the three categories,  namely home appliances and books.

    While that puts Amazon in the lead, it failed to spoil its consumers for choices. The e-commerce brand didn’t have a larger assortment of products when it came to home appliances and books, though it still led the books inventory.

    Snapdeal dominated the laptop category with 2026 Stock Keeping Units (SKU), and missed the top position in the home appliances category by a small margin, putting Flipkart on the top with 5319 SKUs in their inventory.

    Amazon made up for its lack of variety, by staying better stocked throughout the sale.

    If one were to go by prices, Amazon had a better score as per the data shared by Ugam. While Flipkart had lower prices for their Big Billion Day sales for likely best sellers in the laptop category, Amazon kept their prices low for home appliances and books sections.

    While the survey is inconclusive in revealing the revenue each player made throughout the sale, by tallying the pricing behaviour of the ecommerce players with consumer behaviour one can form an idea on who scored the most in the season of sales.

  • Yupp TV launches first web series with Brian Lara

    Yupp TV launches first web series with Brian Lara

    MUMBAI: Internet based TV streaming service provider YuppTV is all set to launch its first original web series production starring cricket legend Brian Lara.

     

    The five-episode web series titled Brian Lara is Not Out! will launch on 6 November. The web series will be available on subscription basis on the YuppTV app.

     

    YuppTV CEO and founder Uday Reddy has produced the series along with Madhura Sreedhar Reddy.

     

    The story of web series Brian Lara is Not Out! is based on Sachin Tendulkar, inviting Brian Lara to play in three- match All Stars Cricket 2015 series to be held in November 2015. All Stars Cricket 2015 is a platform for all legendary players to play their favorite game again after retirement on American soil. The two teams to play are Sachin’s Blasters and Warne’s Warriors.

     

    The script revolves round Lara’s personal Life, his passion for cricket, his tips on cricket for aspirants, more sneak peek into the real Brian Lara and how he prepares himself physically, mentally and emotionally to play again at 46 in the All Star Matches.

     

    This web series can be watched globally on all internet connected devices via the YuppTV app.

     

    Speaking about the launch, Reddy said, “Brian Lara web series is a major step for YuppTV towards providing access to high quality content to all its viewers over numerous internet connected devices using YuppTV app. We are excited to launch this original content with a passionate sportsman – Brian Lara. The first original content, the sports connect the debutant producer opportunity; adds more feathers to YuppTV.”

     

    Lara added, “I am excited to play again, I am more excited to see that people love me even more than before. I am overwhelmed to see the huge response for Not Out’s curtain raiser. I thank YuppTV and Uday for this great endeavour.”

     

    Madhura Sreedhar Reddy said, “Brian Lara was inspiration to all the cricket lovers across the world. But, it’s great to see him inspiring even at the age of 46 years. We are very happy to make this video series with Brian to inspire all the passionate sports lovers.”

  • Jombay and Pearson TalentLens unite to launch HiVE

    Jombay and Pearson TalentLens unite to launch HiVE

    MUMBAI: One of the biggest challenges in corporate India is leadership identification and development.  A recent global survey concluded that two thirds of all companies rank leadership identification as their biggest corporate hurdle.

     

    In a scenario like this, Jombay and Pearson TalentLens have partnered to launch their one-stop online leadership identification and development product, HiVE.

     

    HiVE combines behavioural and cognitive assessments to help corporate identify and develop leadership in a scientific, objective, and transparent manner. This product sees Jombay’s expertise in behavioural and psychographic analysis join hands with Pearson TalentLens’ expertise in cognitive science.

     

    Jombay co-founder and CEO Mohit Gundecha said, “As Jombay evolves its expertise from talent assessment company to a people-first engine to support the entire employee life cycle, we are excited about officially introducing the HiVE with Pearson TalentLens. A large part of our country’s workforce is young and aspires for fast-track growth, and this product will help companies make unbiased decisions to identify and nurture leadership within their organisations.”

     

    HiVE was launched to a closed group of 25 companies across BFSI, Pharma & FMCG, Pharma & Retail, ITeS and Hospitality sectors before its formal launch. The closed group helped HiVE to collaboratively test and fine tune the product for a full launch to corporate India.

     

    Pearson TalentLens India country head & director Philip Kurian said, “Jombay & Pearson and Talentlens’s HiVE is an interesting amalgamation of behavioural science, cognitive science, and technology. Its online identity will allow managers to use the product across the country significantly reducing the need for a face-to-face interaction. Moreover, it is easily customisable to any company’s competency framework.”

     

    HiVE provides the company leadership a quantified evaluation of strategic outlook, execution capability and people skills of the employee. The cognitive and psychographic evaluation helps companies in making smart decisions on leadership – it will enable them to confidently select the queen bees of their HiVE.