ITV

Category: Video On Demand

  • YouTube to experiment new feature ‘Explore’

    YouTube to experiment new feature ‘Explore’

    MUMBAI: The world’s largest video streaming platform ‘YouTube’ is now experimenting with new feature known as Explore that will help the users to find the new channels and videos while browsing on mobile.

    The Explore feature will pop up as a “tab” at the bottom of the app’s home screen for a select one per cent of iOS users, according to YouTube’s director of product Tom Leung, and host of the platform’s Creator Insider channel.

    Commenting on this development, Leung said “Explore is designed to help you to be exposed to different kinds of topics, videos, or channels that you might not otherwise encounter. But they are still personalised, but they’re still personalized, so they are still based on your viewing activity”.

    Twitter provides a similar service which lets users scroll through different types of feeds that aren’t necessarily full of people that they follow.

  • 15-20% of total WC viewership for SonyLiv was female

    15-20% of total WC viewership for SonyLiv was female

    MUMBAI: FIFA World Cup (WC) 2018 has surpassed the expectation of Sony Pictures Networks India’s digital arm, SonyLiv, by miles in terms of viewership numbers and brand associations. It had just 15 brands on board in the first week but completed the event with a total of 36.

    The matches falling into India’s primetime slot may have worked well in its favour giving it 70 million online viewers. Surprisingly, 15-20 per cent of viewership was contributed by female fans and the remaining by male supporters.

    SPN head-digital business Uday Sodhi noticed some interesting things in this WC. “Firstly, India has become a big football nation globally on digital. Secondly, in the first couple of days of the tournament, we crossed the numbers of entire Euro 16. We have seen a huge growth in terms of advertiser and the approach of brands to digital advertising.” In Euro 16, Sony had just five to seven brands.

    Sodhi believes that football has finally arrived in India. The second big event after Olympics garnered eyeballs from Kerala, Bengal, Pune, Ahemdabad and Lucknow apart from the metro cities. “In terms of traffic and concurrency, we are among the top two platforms in Asia Pacific and Japan, according to Akamai,” he added.

    “The overall complexity that we were handling was very high because of six language feeds, two streams, paid and free feed (with five minutes delay). On an average, a viewer spent close to 15-16 minutes per match and the finals registered 1.5-2 million concurrent users on the digital platform.”

    There were a few hiccoughs. The first match of the WC didn’t go as planned. Instead of a five-minute delay on the ad-supported feed, there was a slightly longer delay of 10-15 minutes. But it picked and surged forward.

  • YouTube announces new tool to prevent copyright issues

    YouTube announces new tool to prevent copyright issues

    MUMBAI: YouTube has a number of ways for copyright owners to protect their work like content ID, but has taken another big step towards solving this long time problem for creators with its Copyright Match tool.

    The tool works by scanning videos that have been uploaded to the platform and seeing if there is anything that is the same or similar. If there is a match, it will show the user, and then, action can be taken. YouTube does stress that it is important that original creators be the first to upload their video to the service because that is the way that it will determine who should be shown matches.

    The creator can get in touch with the other channel or simply request the video to be removed if matches are found. This action can happen instantly or after a seven-day delay, the latter option is there in order to give the offender time to correct the issue. This could become a slippery slope for YouTube and, as such, the firm has also made it clear that when creators are taking action, they should carefully consider whether the matched videos are fair use or fall under some other exception.

    “Before taking action, we ask that you carefully evaluate each match to confirm that you own the rights to the matched content and ensure that you believe it infringes on your copyright. You should not file a copyright takedown request for content that you do not own exclusively, such as public domain content. You should also consider whether the matched content could be considered fair use or could be subject to some other exceptions to copyright and hence not require permission for reuse,” reads the creator blog by YouTube.

    Next week, YouTube will start rolling this tool out to creators with more than 1,00,000 subscribers. As this is a powerful feature, it will monitor usage closely and will continue to expand over the coming months with the long-term goal of making it available to every creator in the YouTube Partner program.

  • India’s video content budget up by 14% in 2017: MPA

    India’s video content budget up by 14% in 2017: MPA

    MUMBAI: The video content expenditure for TV, movie and online video across India, Korea and Southeast Asia’s five biggest growth markets (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) has seen a growth of eight per cent in 2017 to reach $10.2 billion, according to the 2018 edition of Asia Video Content Dynamics from analyst firm Media Partners Asia (MPA).

    India’s video content budget soared by 14 per cent to $4.2 billion in 2017, purely driven by pay-TV. Content investment in India’s online video market is also growing rapidly, driven by competition among well-capitalised global and local platforms. This trend is expected to continue over the next three years.

    India is followed by Korea, where investment in video content increased by seven per cent over the year to approach $3 billion. The investment in Korea is also starting to accelerate and will continue to do so over the course of 2018-19. Growth here will likely accelerate when China eventually lifts its ban on Korean dramas, movies and talent.

    The biggest contributors to aggregate incremental growth in video content spend across the seven markets in 2017 were pay-TV (38 per cent) and online video (30 per cent).

    MPA VP Stephen Laslocky said, “In general, content investment dynamics are favourable with content investment growing. Pay-TV content costs in the surveyed markets grew five per cent, led by India and Korea, driven by local entertainment and sports.”

    Free to air content investment was up by six per cent in 2017. Scale and growth in free to air content investment are largely attributable to Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, driven by local entertainment.

    Film production budgets in the surveyed markets were up 10 per cent, driven by Korea and India. Online video investment is growing rapidly from a low base, up almost 80 per cent during 2017.

    Laslocky believes that rising competitive intensity is driving up online video content costs as rival platforms produce and acquire local series and movies, especially in India and Korea. “We expect online video content investment to also pick up in emerging markets across Southeast Asia, led by Indonesia and the Philippines,” he added.

    Malaysian market witnessed a decline in video content investment in 2017 mainly due to Astro cutting spend on international pay channels. The outlook for Malaysia could improve as new government policies bolster economic growth, broadening consumer spend and ad dollars.

    Growth in production spend across emerging Southeast Asia markets was generally satisfactory in 2017, according to the report.

  • UFO Moviez board recommends 125% dividend for fiscal 2018

    UFO Moviez board recommends 125% dividend for fiscal 2018

    BENGALURU: The board of directors of Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform UFO Moviez Ltd (UFO) has mooted a dividend of Rs 12.50 (125 per cent) per equity share of face value of Rs 10 each subject to shareholder approval for the year ended 31 March 2018 (FY 2018, year or fiscal under review). UFO says that this dividend including dividend distribution tax translates to 68 per cent of its FY 2018 consolidated PAT.

    UFO reported almost flat (up 0.8 per cent) consolidated PAT for FY 2018 at Rs 60.64 crore as compared to Rs 60.13 crore in the previous fiscal. Total comprehensive income or TCI for the fiscal under review increased 3.2 per cent to Rs 60.35 crore from Rs 58.50 crore in FY 2017. Simple EBITDA including other income for FY 2018 declined 7.5 per cent to Rs 172.93 crore (29 per cent of total revenue) from Rs 186.89 crore (31.1 per cent of total revenue) in the previous year.

    UFO’s operating revenue in the fiscal under review was almost flat (reduced 0.8 per cent) at Rs 594.03 crore as compared to Rs 598.95 crore in FY 2017. Total revenue declined 0.6 per cent in FY 2018 to Rs 596.96 crore from Rs 600.65 crore in FY 2017. In its earnings press release, UFO says that advertisement revenue grew by 19.3 per cent to Rs 213.6 crore (In FY 2017 it was Rs 179 crore) million. Average advertisement minutes sold per show per screen grew to 5.19 per cent (FY 2017 – 4.34) minutes during FY 2018.

    Total expenditure in FY 2018 increased 2.5 per cent to Rs 424.03 crore from Rs 413.76 crore in the previous year. Purchase of digitalcinema and lamps in the year under review was flat at Rs 67.56 crore as compared to R 67.57 crore in FY 2017. Ad revenue share expense in FY 2018 increased 26 per cent to Rs 65 crore from Rs 51.58 crore in the previous fiscal. Virtual print fees sharing expense in FY 2018 reduced 28 per cent to Rs 52.36 crore from Rs 72.72 crore in FY 2017. Other operating direct costs in FY 2018 increased 2.4 per cent to Rs 55.22 crore from Rs 53.40 crore in FY 2017. Employee benefit expense in FY 2018 increased 3.2 per cent to Rs 83.70 crore from Rs 81.12 crore in FY 2017. Other expenses in the year under review increased 11.3 per cent to Rs 94.81 crore from Rs 85.15 crore in FY 2017.

    Company speak:

    “UFO ended fiscal 2018 on a strong note by delivering robust advertisement revenues,” said UFO founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad. “Growing advertisement contribution to overall profitability minimised the impact of planned reduction in D-Cinema VPF revenue. Additionally, the Scheme of Arrangement and Amalgamation between UFO and Qube is progressing as per schedule and is currently awaiting requisite approvals from regulatory bodies. We are extremely excited about the future of the merged entity and the opportunities across in-cinema advertising. Also, the board recommended an enhanced dividend of Rs 12.5 per equity share in fiscal 2018. This marks the third consecutive dividend in line with UFO’s shareholder value creation philosophy. Going forward, we will continue to achieve our goals and are confident of delivering long term sustainable growth and shareholder value creation.”

  • Spuul appoints Krishanu Singhal as CFO for Global Operations

    Spuul appoints Krishanu Singhal as CFO for Global Operations

    MUMBAI: Spuul, one of the leading video-on-demand (VOD) streaming platforms for Bollywood & regional movies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Krishanu Singhal as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the company for its global operations. Krishanu is a seasoned executive with a proven success record, he has over 18 years of experience leading the finance & accounts, investor relations, compliances, listings in Singapore and US markets. He has rich experience in the capital markets and compliances in his recent roles in Longfin Corp (a NASDAQ listed entity), Singapore and US and Indiabulls Properties Investment Trust, Singapore (formerly listed in Singapore exchange).

    Mr. Singhal‘s responsibilities will include and involvement in the finance and accounts for the global operations, expansion and keeping pace with the business expansion and together with fundraising and strategic advice to the board and management.

  • Vice Media to launch Vice India on April 2

    Vice Media to launch Vice India on April 2

    MUMBAI: New York-based millennial-targeted media brand Vice Media is all set to mark its presence in the Indian entertainment industry with Vice India on 2 April 2018.

    Hosi Simon, the CEO of Vice Media Asia Pacific, announced the launch date in Mumbai on the third day of FICCI Frames 2018.

    Vice Media has been around for 24 years. In June 2016, Vice Media and The Times Group collaborated for an ‘expansive partnership.’ The joint venture by Vice Media is done to bring its youth-focused content to many more territories, mixing local and international news, culture and lifestyle programming to young viewers across online, television and mobile. The content on Vice India will be an equal half split between local content and content from abroad.

    The launch of Vice Media’s TV service ‘Viceland’ with the name ‘Vice Now’ in India as a pay channel is also a part of the joint venture.

    Vice India will open up their offices in Mumbai and Delhi. Recently, Chanpreet Arora was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Vice India. Earlier, Vice India had appointed Pragya Tiwari as the editor-in-chief and Samira Kanwar as the head of video. Since then, Tiwari has left Vice India citing personal reasons and Kanwar has been designated as content head of the firm.

    For India, according to Simon, the goal is to be a deeply local, relevant company.

    Simon said that Vice would adopt a studio approach and the focus will be on the story, no matter from where and whomsoever it comes

    The company will have a production hub that will create different kinds of content including long form, short form and documentaries.

    Also Read:

    Localised content the way forward for Netflix in India

    2017: The year OTTs went regional in India

    Regional OTT content more than just catch-up TV    

    Indians among top commute streamers for Netflix

  • Falcon secures presence in India through deal with JPR Network

    Falcon secures presence in India through deal with JPR Network

    MUMBAI: Digital technology and media group Falcon Media House has signed a landmark deal with Mumbai-based cable network provider JPR Network. The company has agreed to provide live and on-demand digital streaming technology to the latter.

    “We’re looking forward to delivering the first of many such systems as OTT platforms represent the future of broadcasting,” Falcon’s executive chairman Gert Rieder said.

    “Local networks and mobile services in India, Africa and Southeast Asia are not always reliable enough to provide high-quality streaming experiences, which is where the Quiptel technology makes a big difference,” he added.

    After inking deals in Nigeria, South Africa, Canada and Mongolia, Falcon has entered India through the new pact. JPR reaps advantage from a partnership in which Falcon provides subsidiary Quiptel’s patented Q-Flow open internet streaming technology.

    Also Read:

    Twitter to stream women leaders panel live at FICCI Frames

    Fox News launches OTT platform

  • Introducing QuizBiz: India’s first live quiz show Launched by Cheetah Mobiles’ latest broadcasting app Live.me

    Introducing QuizBiz: India’s first live quiz show Launched by Cheetah Mobiles’ latest broadcasting app Live.me

    Live.me app by Cheetah Mobiles today launched QuizBiz – India’s first dedicated live quiz show. QuizBiz is one of Live.me app’s most popular content offerings, with talented hosts conducting live QnA sessions and cash prizes being its most attractive feature. Cheetah Mobiles is the maker of popular mobile utility apps such as Clean Master, CM Security, and Battery Doctor, and allows users to interact with each other and social influencers ‘live’.

    On Live.me, participants can enjoy QuizBiz every day of the week and on weekends they can enjoy the quiz with special celebrity. Gaurav Gera, popular TV and Bollywood actor famous for his portrayal of funny characters such as Chutki and Shopkeeper, will host QuizBiz, adding lots of spunk and humour, further boosting the show’s engagement quotient.A participant will need to answer 12 questions, with 3 options each, to win cash prizes worth 200$ to 2000$ and it will go up to 10000$ in days to come. A wrong answer eliminates a participant, but he/she has the chance to join the quiz again by sending an invitation code to a friend on Facebook, WhatsApp, via email etc. The cash received from these shows can be redeemed using PayPal or converted to Live.me coins.

    Live.me is India’s first live broadcasting app that provides video-broadcasting features with interactive stickers and face-mapping technology that allows the user to interact with others in creative ways. Users can purchase digital “gifts” such as emojis for their favorite live content creators and share their favorite broadcasts with friends across the most popular social apps. Live.me app is available to download via Google Play and App Store.

    Elaborating further on the features of Live.me, Live.me, CEO, Yuki He said, “Recognizing the fact that Indian users prefer familiar content, Live.me has focused on localizing its content and promotion in a unique manner by hosting a show like QuizBiz. The app offers localized gifts such as authentic Indian food items including samosa, laddoo, jalebis, and festive stickers such as diyas and Holi colours. Going a step further to ensure the safety of the platform, Live.me has also identified sensitive Indian keywords in both English and Hindi and would block and report users uploading objectionable content. Additionally, Live.me features over 50 influencers to engage with, including popular models, singers and youth artists, such as Vishakha Sodha, Shruti Singh, Sonel Singh, Avanie Joshi, Shahzan Mujeeb, Nalin Swami, RJ Diamond and RJ Kalpesh.”

    Quizzes have always been extremely popular with Indians, who like nothing better than a good test of their grey matter while trying to answer interesting questions. The success of iconic shows such as KBC further underlines this idea, and QuizBiz has been modeled after such shows with questions across various categories such as Bollywood, trivia, general knowledge and sports, to name just a few.

    Live streaming and broadcasting apps are becoming the rage worldwide, thanks to the immediacy of communication guaranteed by them, which adds to the excitement of engaging with our favourite influencers. Live.me app aims to bring the joy of live engagement to Indians, offering a plethora of top-quality content presented by some of the best talents across various domains.  So, what are you waiting for? If you pride yourself in being the ‘Know-it-all’ of your gang, want to interact with your favourite stars on a quick-engaging, live public platform or are simply looking for spontaneous, rather than scripted content, just download the Live.me app and live the ‘LIVE’ life!

  • Reliance launches JioTV for web

    Reliance launches JioTV for web

    MUMBAI: After recently announcing a web version of its content platform, JioCinema, Reliance Jio has silently introduced the web version of its Live TV watching platform, Reliance JioTV. The launch of the platform has been imminent as the customers of Reliance are asking for a web version of the JioTV for quite some time.

    Jio customers can now head over to jiotv.com on any browser. All the content and live TV channels that are available in the JioTV application are made available on the web version. Moreover, the web interface is similar to the interface of the JioTV application for Android. The channels are displayed in a line-based interface and users can toggle between the SD and HD channels.

    Interestingly, unlike the Jio TV app on mobile phones, JioTV on the desktop can stream and play programmes with the help of internet service providers other than Reliance Jio.

    With this move, Reliance Jio is allowing its customers to watch online content anywhere. Furthermore, users can access the website in any mobile browser. This essentially removes the hassle of downloading the application to watch the content.

    JioTV has more than 525 channels and more than 90 channels in HD.