ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Brazil gives the green signal to AT&T to acquire DirecTV

    Brazil gives the green signal to AT&T to acquire DirecTV

    NEW DELHI: Brazil’s Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacoes (ANATEL) and Trinidad & Tobago have given approval to American telecom service provider AT&T for the proposed $48.5 billion acquisition of DirecTV.

     

    Earlier, AT&T had received an anti-trust approval in Brazil. Regulatory review is now complete in both countries.

     

    In July, the merger review process was completed among regulators at the US state level.

    AT&T’s Petitions with the Public Service Commissions in Louisiana and Arizona did not receive protests or interventions and the Petitions were deemed approved in July.

     

    AT&T has also filed an informational notice with the Hawaii Commission.

     

    It has committed to expand and enhance its deployment of both wireline and fixed wireless high-speed internet to cover at least 15 million customer locations across 48 states – most of them in underserved rural areas.

     

    Meanwhile, DirecTV extended its exclusive $1.5 billion contract to sell the Sunday Ticket package of National Football League games.

     

    The deal removes a potential roadblock to AT&T’s proposed $48.5 billion purchase of the satellite TV provider. AT&T had the right to pull out of the deal if DirecTV was unable to renew its Sunday Ticket pact.

     

    DirecTV’s annual payments to the NFL would average $1.5 billion for eight years.

     

    Reuters reported that DirecTV sells the package of Sunday games to its subscribers for about $300 a year, a key marketing advantage over cable TV competitors. Roughly two million people receive the service, which allows them to watch games outside of their local markets. 

  • Flipkart joins hands with PC Jeweller

    Flipkart joins hands with PC Jeweller

    MUMBAI: Continuing the string of announcements, Flipkart has now joined hands with jewellery retailer PC Jeweller to create a platform for online jewellery shopping, reported PTI. “With the aim to revolutionise the trend of jewellery buying in India, this partnership will provide an online go-to platform for the shoppers,” both the companies said in a statement.

     

    The focus will be on the replicating the comfort, convenience and brilliance that is associated with shopping at a PC Jeweller’s large format showroom online on Flipkart, it also added.

     

    PC Jeweller executive director and chief operating officer RK Sharma said, “We are focussed on our online jewellery brand WearYourShine by PC Jeweller and going forward, we would also like to work with Flipkart towards creating a seamless offline-online integration wherein customers get a flexibility to buy online and exchange or return offline across over 46 showrooms of PC Jeweller.”

     

    “We see online jewellery sales becoming a huge market in the next few years, contributing a good share to our business,” he added.

     

    Flipkart’s deep data analytics and online cataloguing assistance will further refine the online shopping experience.

     

    Flipkart retail senior VP Kalyan Krishnamurthy said, “Our access to the country’s largest customer base allows us to predict market needs and list new products on our site that we feel will cater to current customer demands. We are confident that precious jewellery, as a category, has huge potential if done right.”

     

    “The association of Flipkart and PC Jewellers, both names that are trusted widely by customers, is well positioned to take online jewellery shopping to the next level,” he added.

  • Americans adopt digital apps for Netflix

    Americans adopt digital apps for Netflix

    NEW DELHI: A growing number of American households are relying on dedicated set-top/plug-in devices (otherwise known as Digital Media Players) to watch Netflix on a TV set, according to a GfK study, Over-the-Top TV 2014.

     

    By contrast, video game systems – while still the most common hardware for Netflix viewing on a TV screen – are used much less than they were three years ago

     

    The report shows that 28 per cent of those who stream Netflix on a TV used a digital media player (such as Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast) to do so; this is nearly double the 2013 level (15 per cent) and roughly five times the 2011 figure (6 per cent). The surge comes as ownership of the players among all homes has increased tenfold – from 2 per cent to 21 per cent – since 2010.

     

    Streaming capabilities built into today’s higher-end TV sets have also become popular, with use of built-in streaming reported by 28 per cent of those who watch Netflix on TV – up from 20 per cent a year ago and 13 per cent in 2011.

     

    On the other hand, reports of watching Netflix on TV through a videogame system have dropped to 43 per cent – down 5 percentage points from 2013, and almost 20 per cent below the 2011 level which was 62 per cent.

     

    The new report also indicates wide generational differences in how people access Netflix. Generations X and Y are twice as likely as Baby Boomers to use a videogame system to watch Netflix on TV. Capabilities built into TV sets are highly favoured by Gen Y Netflix viewers, and both Generations X and Y show strong use of digital media players.

     

    “The wide variations in devices used – and in preferred device by age – speak to a need for Netflix and other SVoD providers to optimise the user experience for each situation,” said GfK Senior Vice President and author of the report David Tice.

     

    “Not only do the device interface and remote control need to be user-friendly, but things like on-screen font size and menus need to be age-appropriate. With a quarter of Netflix users also being Amazon Prime or Hulu viewers, there is a potential battle in user experience as well as in variety and exclusivity of content,” he added.

     

    Meanwhile, Belgian telco Belgacom which has adopted a new identity as Proximus also plans to add entertainment streaming service Netflix to its Proximus TV offering.

     

    Confirming the news, Belgacom Chief Consumer Market Officer Phillip Vandervoort said that Netflix was without doubt a very eagerly-awaited new player. “I’m proud to announce this partnership which reflects the dynamics of our new brand and enables us to offer an amazing experience to our customers on Proximus TV.” 

     

    Netflix started offering its service in Belgium on 19 September, giving people access to a wide variety of TV shows, films, documentaries and other programming, according to Advanced Television.

     

    Installation of the Netflix application on the new-generation decoders will begin at the end of 2014. ‘Ultimately all Proximus TV customers will be able to access Netflix on their TV sets,’ added the telco.

     

     

  • Shankar’s ‘I’ trailer creates record on YouTube

    Shankar’s ‘I’ trailer creates record on YouTube

    NEW DELHI: The trailer of director Shankar’s much-awaited film I has clocked over two million views in 24 hours on Sony Music India’s YouTube channel, the fastest for any Indian film.

     

    Shankar, known for path breaking movies like Gentleman, Kadhalan, Indian, Enthiran, Anniyan, Nanban and 16 December is casting Vikram and Amy Jackson for his latest flick.

     

    Talking about the new record, Sony Music India’s south head Ashok Parwani said, “This is a first for us too, we have not witnessed such a huge pick up for any trailer. I will set new benchmarks across the film industry and we are proud to be associated with the magnum opus.”

     

    Weta Workshop, the company behind Peter Jackson’s film trilogy The Lord of the Rings, has worked on the digital make-up and background arts for the film.

     

    Produced by Aascar Films’ V Ravichandran, the music of the movie is by Grammy Award winner AR Rahman. Set to release in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and in all major Indian languages on 24 October, I will be the first Indian film to be dubbed into Chinese. 

     

    The movie’s music launch in Chennai was the talk of the nation with Hollywood Star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the chief guest at the spectacle. The evening witnessed a bevy of stars from the film industry with AR Rahman‘s music mesmerizing the stadium of 5000 fans and actor Vikram’s performance leaving everyone spell bound.

     

  • Celebrate ‘Mission to Mars’ with Amazon.in

    Celebrate ‘Mission to Mars’ with Amazon.in

    MUMBAI: In celebration of India’s successful Magalyaan mission, Amazon.in, has announced the launch of ‘Mission to Mars’ weekend for customers in India from 4th-6th October 2014. The Mission to Mars weekend will see out-of-the-world deals and great saving for customers in addition to the everyday great deals & savings that are ongoing as part of the Online Shopping Dhamaka on www.amazon.in this festive month.

     

    “We are very proud on the successful completion of India’s Mars mission. It is a great achievement for India and we are celebrating this success by hosting a ‘Mission to Mars’ weekend between October 4th -6th for our customers,” says Amit Agarwal, Country Manager & VP, Amazon India.

     

    The ‘Mission to Mars’ weekend will begin on 4 October offering customers a weekend full of out-of-the-world deals that will add immense excitement to their festive shopping.

     

    “We have witnessed a fabulous response in the first week of our Online Shopping Dhamaka. We wish to make Week 2 much more exciting by offering customers great deals and savings every day during the festival shopping peak. There has been a 250%  increase  in the number of customers who have taken advantage of the deals on the Amazon.in in the last one week.

     

    The Top 5 categories of last week were Customer Electronics (including PC), Books, Home & Kitchen, Health and Personal Care and Baby. The Micromax Canvas A1 was one of the top selling products last week. Amazon.in is on track to selling 100K units of the device in less than two weeks of its launch and is by far the best selling phone on Amazon.in. Amazon.in also sold more than 75 thousand cans of Coke Zero in less than a week of its launch; iPhone sales witnessed a 5x jump in sales while customers bought twice the number of books during the 1st week of the Online Shopping Dhamaka.

     

    As the Online Shopping Dhamaka enters its 2nd week, customers can save big everyday and get great deals on thousands of top-selling products. Customers can enjoy –

     

    •             Flat 40% off on branded watches

    •             Flat 50% off on movie titles

    •             Flat 50% or more off on Shoes

    •             Flat 30% off on Pet Supplies

    •             Flat 30% off on Diapers

     

    Customers will get to enjoy exclusive access to new brands and products that are set to launch on Amazon.in this week. In addition, customers can benefit from several cash back offers.

     

    Customers can find more deals on http://www.amazon.in/Gifts-Store which has huge savings across a variety of Amazon.in categories – i.e home décor, electronics, kitchen appliances, video games, apparels, jewellery and more.

     

    Customers on www.amazon.in and Amazon’s mobile shopping application can shop anywhere with ease and confidence from over 18 million products across a broad range of departments including Books; eBooks & Tablets; Movies & TV shows; Kindle Devices, Computers & Accessories; Mobiles & Accessories; Consumer Electronics; Toys & Games; Baby Products; Health and Personal Care products; Watches; Fashion Jewelry; Home & Kitchen products; Beauty Products; Video Games; Music; Luggage & Bags; Handbags & Clutches; Sports, Fitness & Outdoor equipment; Shoes; Men’s, Women’s & Kid’s wear; Pet Supplies; Gift Cards. Customers across several cities in India are increasingly enjoying Amazon’s guaranteed next-day delivery on more than 325,000 products fulfilled by Amazon.

     

    All customers on www.amazon.in benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, no-risk hassle-free returns policy, Amazon’s 24×7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee.

  • Jabong unveils an exclusive collection ‘Alia Bhatt for Jabong’

    Jabong unveils an exclusive collection ‘Alia Bhatt for Jabong’

    MUMBAI: After Karan Johar and Shilpa Shetty, it’s now Alia Bhatt who has turned designer. Alia Bhatt has joined hands with Jabong.com to launch her line of apparel ‘Alia Bhatt for Jabong’, which will retail exclusively on the portal.

     

    The new collection was launched today at a fashion show at Four Seasons in Mumbai where she showcased her collection on the ramp as designer and showstopper.

     

    While Jabong is known for its association with movie stars like the fair and lovely girl Yami Gautam and the Heropanti famed Kirti Sanonas, this is the first time Jabong has launched an entire line fashioned by an iconic star.

     

    Commenting on the launch of the collection Jabong.com founder and CEO Arun Chandra Mohan said, “We have been looking for someone who is young, confident, stylish and has a great connect with the youth, who better than Alia Bhatt who has ingenious sense of style and knack for fashion to be associated with. We are happy to introduce Alia Bhatt’s collection exclusively on Jabong.  This new collection is all about catering to the needs of young girls who want to make a style statement.”

     

     The collection is designed by Bhatt herself and befits the actress’s personal sense of style. The apparel range targeting the GenY includes bohemian line, the casual denim line or clubbing / party line, ripped jeans, leather jackets and floral. The collection makes a direct connect with Alia’s wardrobe. The collection also includes shoes for young girls.

     

    Bhatt said, “I’ve had a great time creating a fashion line with Jabong; the shoot we did with Farrokh Chothia was very special and exactly how I imagined. And now comes the best part, sharing the experience and the brand with my fans and everyone out there who just loves clothes. Online shopping is the new rage which is enhancing the shopping experience altogether, and Jabong has the ability and the reach to deliver the experience right to your doorstep.”

     

    Having tied up with designer Rohit Bal, and having launched some leading international fashion brands like Miss Selfridge, River Island, the online e-tailer is looking for many more A-class designer collections and global fashion brand launches this year. 

  • Shilpa Shetty partners with Homeshop 18 for new saree collection

    Shilpa Shetty partners with Homeshop 18 for new saree collection

    MUMBAI: Shilpa Shetty, known for her immaculate dressing sense, has added a new feather to her cap. She has now turned into a designer and has launched her fashion brand Shilpa Shetty Kundra (SSK).

     

    The collection has been exclusively announced in partnership with HomeShop 18 and was launched at a special event in the capital recently. Shetty also walked the ramp wearing a sari from her new collection.

     

    Talking about the launch, she tweeted, “Excited to launch SSK sarees with India’s fav shopping channel. My first sari from the SSK line for Home shop 18 will be available from the 11 october.”

     

    Shetty also added, “In this exclusive collaboration, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with unique styles to suit different tastes. The SSK collection has been designed keeping in mind an Indian ethos with a modern twist, light fabrics and embellishments enhancing their richness, with the biggest prerequisite being budget-friendliness.”

     

    Sarees contribute to more than 25 per cent of the entire lifestyle range at HomeShop18 and the partnership with a film celebrity will further boost its brand presence.

     

    “We are adding to the festive cheer with our partnership with Shilpa Shetty Kundra for SSK line of designer sarees. It offers our customers a premium collection at affordable prices,” HomeShop18 CEO Sundeep Malhotra told PTI.

     

    Besides, the firm also aims to tap the growing interest for premium apparel from small cities like Dhanbad, Gulbarga, Gaya, Gorakhpur, etc.

     

    The firm launched India’s first 24 hour home shopping TV channel in 2008, while it ventured into online shopping in 2011 and introduced mobile shopping in 2013.

     

    Besides entering the fashion world, Shetty has also tried her hands in film production. She along with husband Raj Kundra co-produced the film Dhishkiyaoo in 2014.

     

  • We obsess about customer, not competition, says Jeff Bezos

    We obsess about customer, not competition, says Jeff Bezos

    MUMBAI: With the battle brewing in the e-commerce segment, the sector is making headlines every day; the latest being of Amazom chairman Jeff Bezos’s four-day visit to India.

     

    To make his business intentions in India clear, Bezos, who is on his second visit to India, carried out a road show on a supply truck at the premises of a shopping mall in Bangalore on 28 August handing a $2 billion cheque to Amazon India VP and country manager Amit Agarwal. This is by far the biggest expansion money from overseas that has come from a multi-national.

     

    According to the media reports, while handing the cheque, he said, “Amazon has unveiled a $2 billion investment in the country … we’ll work to better what Indians love most in shopping — vast selection, competitive pricing and fast delivery.”

     

    Amazon had announced a $2billion investment in India barely a day after homegrown Flipkart raised $1 bn from private investors.

    As per the reports, Bezos added that the cash pile will be spent on building performance centers, upgrading logistics services, developing the mobile platform and new tools and techniques to help the small and medium businesses.

     

    Amazon’s interest in the small and medium enterprises has been echoed by several homegrown e-tailers. While Snapdeal recently announced that it was inching close to the 100,000-seller mark, Flipkart has been tying up with industry bodies like FISME and NCDPD to penetrate the SME clusters.

     

    In an initiative called Amazon OneonOne, Bezos also had luncheon with about 100 customers on 28 September in order to find their views and opinions about the site and if there were any recommendations.

     

    According to various media reports, Bezos also indicated that policy hurdles in India is not impacting the company’s investment plans for the country. India is yet to allow FDI in online retail. Another issue is lack of clarity in tax laws that are impacting the company’s functioning in various states.

     

    Amazon’s main rivals in India are Bangalore-based Flipkart and Snapdeal, the Delhi-based company that counts eBay, Azim Premji and Ratan Tata as investors. Together, they have sold goods worth more than $4 billion, with Flipkart alone estimated to have crossed $2 billion. Alibaba, too, is keen on India, and the Chinese company has the money, experience and ambition to succeed here.

     

    Talking about the competition, Bezos also reportedly said, “We have a long history of obsessing over customers rather than competition.”

     

    With revenue of nearly $75 billion in 2013 the giant online retail site has a market value of $150 billion. It also runs a fast growing cloud computing business called Amazon Web Services and makes Kindle tablets and Fire smartphones. Bezos, in his personal capacity, bought The Washington Post newspaper last year. In India, Amazon started its technology operation first and employs a total of about 12,000 staff at offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi.

     

  • InMobi and NDTV bring native advertising on mobile to India

    InMobi and NDTV bring native advertising on mobile to India

    MUMBAI: NDTV Convergence (NDTV) and InMobi are together bringing the first fully native ad experience to mobile users in India.

     

    Talking about their latest offering, NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra said, “NDTV has always believed in providing users with the most credible content across all platforms and ensuring the best user experience while consuming this content. This is another step towards further enhancing the experience by ensuring native in-stream ad formats, which will provide great value to our advertisers in a non-intrusive environment. We are excited to partner with InMobi to launch this offering.”

     

    As NDTV continues to embrace native ads for mobile, the unique offering provides tangible benefits like five times the conversion rate and user engagement than standard display ads, higher ad viewership of up to 1.5 times more than banner ads and more importantly, a new-found trust for mobile ads, which are experienced as content and less intrusive.

     

    InMobi Revenue & Operations vice president Atul Satija said, “InMobi Native Ads match the app experience entirely in terms of visual form and function, so that your brand’s audience can enjoy a non-intrusive, engaging ad experience while using an app. We have witnessed a phenomenal increase in demand for Native ads worldwide. InMobi is thrilled to partner with NDTV to bring the Native Ad experience to India,” said Atul Satija, Vice President – Revenue & Operations, InMobi.

     

    NDTV has been at the forefront of creating best-in-class content experiences across all screens. Together with InMobi, NDTV will now offer a bouquet of innovative ad units native to its news content, thereby further re-inventing the user experience.

  • IBM Cloud to help MutualMind in expanding social media network

    IBM Cloud to help MutualMind in expanding social media network

    NEW DELHI: MutualMind, a startup that provides social media sentiment analysis, has leveraged IBM cloud to upgrade its infrastructure and double the computing power of its real-time, on-demand content analysis and visualisation application.

     

    MutualMind migrated to IBM after replacing Amazon Web Services and Rackspace.

     

    Through MutualMind, customers can monitor brand discussions on the social networks on which they have a presence, enabling them to gain valuable insights from social discussions.

     

    Major brands like Kraft, AT&T, Nestle and Walgreens use MutualMind to support various product development, market research and consumer care programs, the company said.

     

    IBM cloud powered by SoftLayer has allowed MutualMind to improve processing efficiency, performance and scalability while also meeting growing customer demand, said MutualMind CEO and co-founder Barbar Bhatti. “We now have the ability to successfully offer our products cost-efficiently and provide our customers the real-time support needed in today’s digitally social world.”

     

    By moving its application to SoftLayer, MutualMind is able to leverage the power of big data to help customers transform their operations and gain a competitive advantage.

     

    MutualMind’s platform can process between 30,000 to 80,000 different queries on these documents at any moment, and SoftLayer delivers the flexibility required to deliver accurate and continuous customer engagement in real time.

     

    Utilising SoftLayer’s bare metal infrastructure, MutualMind’s engineers can appropriately customise and configure the right kind of servers and apply these changes where needed – such as when a client needs extra support for a major new product launch or social media campaign, the company said.