Category: Video On Demand

How Digital India will foster VoD growth: Spuul Global CEO

MUMBAI: India is a market with enormous potential for digital services, and it is expected to continue to grow with a very rapid speed and much higher than many other markets in the world, as far as data traffic is concerned. In fact, some estimates suggest while the rest of the world will grow 10-12 times maximum when it comes to data traffic, India will grow 17 times.

In the West, people went from a single TV to multiple TVs and then to the mobile, but India seems to be jumping directly from TVs to watching content on their smartphones, leaning on improving mobile internet to consume digital content. TV is becoming a static screen in your living room, while consumers are looking forcustomized viewing experiences.

With a number of video on demand platforms coming together the Indian consumer is all set to enjoy a wide variety of video content as each VOD platform has something unique to offer to its viewers.

Having said that,the online video space provides a fantastic platform for experimenting with various content formats. It isn’t constrained by the economics of satellite television. A show prepared for the web, doesn’t necessarily need to be in ~30 minute slots. It could be a few minutes or a few hours. This has allowed content creators to experiment with multiple formats.

At the same time there is a clutch of factors that could play spoilsport in the near future. Despite falling costs of technology and production, producing content is prohibitive and added to that distribution costs too are significant. The state of the broadband speed remainsspotty.

A July report by Akamai, a US-based content delivery and cloud services provider, suggests that India had an average 3.5 Mbps Internet speed. Yet, it was the lowest average Internet speed in the Asia Pacific region.

On consumption of data, the report said the country is on the cusp of significant growth in data traffic driven by rising data users as well as growing data usage per user.For 2016, the number of smartphone users in India is estimated to reach 204.1 million, with the number of smartphone users worldwide forecast to exceed 2 billion users by that time.

Watching a movie of 2-3 hours could take up about 200-250 MB of data, which costs around INR 40-50. For VOD platforms to succeed in India costs of 4G have to come down drastically.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said that there are 1.06 billion wireless telecom subscribers in the country. The Cellular Operators Association of India, said, the number of 3G users in India is expected to more than double (to 330 million) and 4G to grow by over 10 times (to 42 million) from 2015 base till 2017. 4G will be a game changer in the way video is being consumed in the country.

The way consumers consume information and entertainment will change from TV to video on demand over multiple devices, but one thing that won’t is that content will continue to be king. Because how the content is consumed depends on ease, convenience of the video on demand platforms and ultimately technology will decide who gets the most viewership. India though has room for many video on demand services to survive and thrive because preferences and tastes of viewers vary from region to region.

The writer of this article is Subin Subaiah. The views expressed here are personal, and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them

February 6, 2017
Yatra.com partners with YouTube sensation Prajakta Koli

MUMBAI: Yatra.com has partnered with YouTube sensation Prajakta Koli. Koli aka Mostly Sane, who has over one lakh subscribers on her channel, will now create a special Yatra playlist called ‘Mostly Yatra’

Known for adding humor to the most mundane things that we come across in our daily life, through this series, she will be seen imparting her Yatra gyaan which is her witty take on being a traveler and various experiences and encounters that one comes across while you are travelling. The playlist consist of videos that range from the types of people on a road trip to the Types of Indian Travellers. ‘Mostly Yatra’ is a fortnightly property with videos being released every alternate Thursdays on Prajakta’s handle.

Commenting on the association, One Digital Entertainment co-founder and CEO Gurpreet Singh Bhasin said, “It’s great to be able to collaborate with India’s leading travel website, and for them to be interested in Prajakta Koli only reinforces our belief in the digital talent we nurture. Mostly Yatra is a great concept and Prajakta being youth favorite because of her relatable fresh and quirky content, we are sure to appeal to the masses. This is a great collaboration for all three brands we think – Yatra.com, One Digital Entertainment and Prajakta Koli.”

Yatra.com CMO Vikrant Mudaliar said, “Yatra has always been exploring new and innovative digital ideas. With youth being the largest consumer of digital content and Prajakta, being such a popular youth icon, we decided to collaborate with her. The idea was to showcase a light hearted, tongue – in – cheek take on various travel situations and that’s exactly what has been executed very well by Prajakta and her team.”

February 3, 2017
Yatra.com partners with YouTube sensation Prajakta Koli

MUMBAI: Yatra.com has partnered with YouTube sensation Prajakta Koli. Koli aka Mostly Sane, who has over one lakh subscribers on her channel, will now create a special Yatra playlist called ‘Mostly Yatra’

Known for adding humor to the most mundane things that we come across in our daily life, through this series, she will be seen imparting her Yatra gyaan which is her witty take on being a traveler and various experiences and encounters that one comes across while you are travelling. The playlist consist of videos that range from the types of people on a road trip to the Types of Indian Travellers. ‘Mostly Yatra’ is a fortnightly property with videos being released every alternate Thursdays on Prajakta’s handle.

Commenting on the association, One Digital Entertainment co-founder and CEO Gurpreet Singh Bhasin said, “It’s great to be able to collaborate with India’s leading travel website, and for them to be interested in Prajakta Koli only reinforces our belief in the digital talent we nurture. Mostly Yatra is a great concept and Prajakta being youth favorite because of her relatable fresh and quirky content, we are sure to appeal to the masses. This is a great collaboration for all three brands we think – Yatra.com, One Digital Entertainment and Prajakta Koli.”

Yatra.com CMO Vikrant Mudaliar said, “Yatra has always been exploring new and innovative digital ideas. With youth being the largest consumer of digital content and Prajakta, being such a popular youth icon, we decided to collaborate with her. The idea was to showcase a light hearted, tongue – in – cheek take on various travel situations and that’s exactly what has been executed very well by Prajakta and her team.”

February 3, 2017
Demonetisation: UFO Moviez reports slight fall in results for Q3-17

BENGALURU: Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) reported a 5.2 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in advertising revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The company reported advertising revenue of Rs 42.7 crore in Q3-17 as compared to Rs 40.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q3-16). Average advertisement minutes sold per show per screen decreased to 3.88 minutes (Q3-16 – 4.36) minutes during Q3-17.

Theatrical and In-Cinema advertisement (consolidated excluding new businesses) revenues grew by 2.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 147.3 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 143.7 crore). Consolidated revenues improved by 2.5 percent y-o-y in Q3-17 to Rs 148.8 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 145.2 crore).

Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) had 2..7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) decline in Earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA, operating profit) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s EBIDTA for Q3-17 was Rs 43.22 crore (34.6 percent of Total Income from Operations or TIO, margin), for Q3-16, it was Rs 44.42 crore (30.7 percent margin). EBIDTA including other income saw a 3.9 percent y-o-y fall in the current quarter to Rs 44.49 crore from Rs 46.30 crore

Company speak on demonetisation

“We believe that the decision to demonetise high denomination currency notes is a positive step to bolster the economy in the long run,” said UFO Moviez joint managing director Kapil Agarwal. “In the short-term, the media and entertainment sector is one of the most adversely impacted sectors. In this challenging environment, UFO demonstrated resilience and delivered growth in advertisement revenues. While demonetisation has slowed down growth in the second half of fiscal 2017 making it difficult to achieve our advertisement growth target, we are extremely confident of delivering on our long term growth plans.”

“This is a positive set of results, both operationally and financially given the difficult market conditions, highlighting the strength of our business model,” said UFO Movies founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad. “Advertisement revenues achieved mid-single digit growth despite extreme pressure across sectors and dented advertising spends. We believe that the impact is transitory and the early signs of recovery are already visible. Going forward, re-monetisation along with the implementation of GST are expected to drive overall economic growth and UFO is well positioned to benefit from higher advertising spending by the government, corporates and hyperlocal advertisers.”

Let us look at the other numbers reported by UFO Moviez

Total Expense in Q3-17 increased 5.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 126.48 crore from Rs 119.62 crore in Q3-16. Ad revenue share (expense) in Q3-17 increased 10.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 12.90 crore from Rs 11.65 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Visual Print sharing expense in Q3-17 declined 4 percent y-o-y to Rs 17.47 crore from Rs 18.19 crore in Q3-16.

The company’s expense towards purchase of digital cinema equipment and lamps in the current quarter declined 22.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 14.08 crore as compared to Rs 18.21 crore in Q3-16.

Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

February 2, 2017
Demonetisation: UFO Moviez reports slight fall in results for Q3-17

BENGALURU: Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) reported a 5.2 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in advertising revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The company reported advertising revenue of Rs 42.7 crore in Q3-17 as compared to Rs 40.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q3-16). Average advertisement minutes sold per show per screen decreased to 3.88 minutes (Q3-16 – 4.36) minutes during Q3-17.

Theatrical and In-Cinema advertisement (consolidated excluding new businesses) revenues grew by 2.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 147.3 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 143.7 crore). Consolidated revenues improved by 2.5 percent y-o-y in Q3-17 to Rs 148.8 crore (Q3-16 – Rs 145.2 crore).

Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) had 2..7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) decline in Earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA, operating profit) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s EBIDTA for Q3-17 was Rs 43.22 crore (34.6 percent of Total Income from Operations or TIO, margin), for Q3-16, it was Rs 44.42 crore (30.7 percent margin). EBIDTA including other income saw a 3.9 percent y-o-y fall in the current quarter to Rs 44.49 crore from Rs 46.30 crore

Company speak on demonetisation

“We believe that the decision to demonetise high denomination currency notes is a positive step to bolster the economy in the long run,” said UFO Moviez joint managing director Kapil Agarwal. “In the short-term, the media and entertainment sector is one of the most adversely impacted sectors. In this challenging environment, UFO demonstrated resilience and delivered growth in advertisement revenues. While demonetisation has slowed down growth in the second half of fiscal 2017 making it difficult to achieve our advertisement growth target, we are extremely confident of delivering on our long term growth plans.”

“This is a positive set of results, both operationally and financially given the difficult market conditions, highlighting the strength of our business model,” said UFO Movies founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad. “Advertisement revenues achieved mid-single digit growth despite extreme pressure across sectors and dented advertising spends. We believe that the impact is transitory and the early signs of recovery are already visible. Going forward, re-monetisation along with the implementation of GST are expected to drive overall economic growth and UFO is well positioned to benefit from higher advertising spending by the government, corporates and hyperlocal advertisers.”

Let us look at the other numbers reported by UFO Moviez

Total Expense in Q3-17 increased 5.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 126.48 crore from Rs 119.62 crore in Q3-16. Ad revenue share (expense) in Q3-17 increased 10.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 12.90 crore from Rs 11.65 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Visual Print sharing expense in Q3-17 declined 4 percent y-o-y to Rs 17.47 crore from Rs 18.19 crore in Q3-16.

The company’s expense towards purchase of digital cinema equipment and lamps in the current quarter declined 22.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 14.08 crore as compared to Rs 18.21 crore in Q3-16.

Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
(a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
(b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

February 2, 2017
Ooyala to serve b’casters across video, publishing, analytics & monetisation

MUMBAI: Ooyala, a Telstra subsidiary and leader in video monetisation, has introduced its Ooyala Solutions Partner Program, through which technology and reseller partners can access and deploy a full set of technologies to modernize any video business at any stage, from a single partner. Providing everything from video production workflow technology, data-driven OTT solutions, robust monetisation capabilities and rich analytics, Ooyala allows its reseller partners to go beyond traditional broadcast capabilities, push into digital and deploy more strategic and scalable next-generation video services for broadcasters and media companies around the world.

As video business challenges differ significantly from company to company, solution providers such as value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators, managed services providers and consultants are tasked with piecing together multiple technologies in order to build complete solutions for their customers. This is particularly true as video challenges vary across sectors such as broadcasters and publishers, media companies, production teams, studios, and sports leagues. Offering Ooyala’s core video platform and its media logistics solution, Ooyala Flex, the program provides solutions to more efficiently produce, edit, archive and syndicate content, as well as more strategically and more profitably manage, publish, measure and monetize premium video.

The program is built on a three-tier system, comprised of Referral Partners, Associate Resellers and Premier Resellers. It is designed to enable partners to grow their business and extend their capabilities with Ooyala technology and services. As partners become more successful in providing solutions based on or integrated with Ooyala technology, they can qualify for a higher tier, and the increased benefits. Key partner benefits vary by tier and include free online training, co-selling support, demo accounts, technical support seats, product discounts and executive sponsorship. To date, more than 30 international partners have joined the program including VCS Productions (Switzerland), Videoelec (Colombia), Digital Logistics (Australia), among others.

“At Ooyala, we want all customers to thrive in the future of TV delivery and production and have built our business around it. Our increased commitment to our channel program is designed to attract and enable our customer’s preferred suppliers and align with their typical buying patterns,” said Ooyala CEO Issac Vaughn. “The bottom line is Ooyala succeeds only if our customers succeed, and this program is designed to help broadcasters, media companies and studios succeed.”

“Our reseller partners now have immediate access to a wide portfolio of video solutions from video production, delivery and analytics, backed by a technology partner committed to providing the support and collaboration required for them to meet and exceed their business goals,” said Ooyala senior channel director Aanal Bhatt. “The new, tiered partner program arms them with the resources required to continue to see increased success with their customers and provide solutions that solve the most complex video challenges in the industry today.”

Fujisoft Inc operating officer director – system development business division Kiyofumi Matsuzaki says, “Ooyala and Fujisoft continue to provide the infrastructural backbone for large broadcast customers in Japan to evolve their traditional, linear TV businesses to personalized online media experiences. Between our expertise and experience in networking, IT technology and security, paired with Ooyala’s extensive know-how in building global video services we offer a robust solution that matches the need in the Japanese market.”

VCS Productions CEO Peter Hossfeld says, “Ooyala allows us to build more creative solutions for customers, making them more strategic, flexible and able to scale at pace with the rapidly changing video market. Customer success is at the heart of our business and we see Ooyala, and its unique set of technologies, as an important factor in the growth of our company as well as our customers.”

Videoelec GM Jesus Lozano sys, “With the arrival of multiple platforms and new ways to access and distribute video content, Ooyala solutions allow end users to correctly manage their assets and make the right strategic decisions through rich, data-driven insights. We are very happy to partner with Ooyala as we exist for the common purpose to help our customer’s video business succeed, and are confident our customers in Colombia will see success through our evolving and growing portfolio, now backed by Ooyala.”

February 2, 2017
Ooyala to serve b’casters across video, publishing, analytics & monetisation

MUMBAI: Ooyala, a Telstra subsidiary and leader in video monetisation, has introduced its Ooyala Solutions Partner Program, through which technology and reseller partners can access and deploy a full set of technologies to modernize any video business at any stage, from a single partner. Providing everything from video production workflow technology, data-driven OTT solutions, robust monetisation capabilities and rich analytics, Ooyala allows its reseller partners to go beyond traditional broadcast capabilities, push into digital and deploy more strategic and scalable next-generation video services for broadcasters and media companies around the world.

As video business challenges differ significantly from company to company, solution providers such as value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators, managed services providers and consultants are tasked with piecing together multiple technologies in order to build complete solutions for their customers. This is particularly true as video challenges vary across sectors such as broadcasters and publishers, media companies, production teams, studios, and sports leagues. Offering Ooyala’s core video platform and its media logistics solution, Ooyala Flex, the program provides solutions to more efficiently produce, edit, archive and syndicate content, as well as more strategically and more profitably manage, publish, measure and monetize premium video.

The program is built on a three-tier system, comprised of Referral Partners, Associate Resellers and Premier Resellers. It is designed to enable partners to grow their business and extend their capabilities with Ooyala technology and services. As partners become more successful in providing solutions based on or integrated with Ooyala technology, they can qualify for a higher tier, and the increased benefits. Key partner benefits vary by tier and include free online training, co-selling support, demo accounts, technical support seats, product discounts and executive sponsorship. To date, more than 30 international partners have joined the program including VCS Productions (Switzerland), Videoelec (Colombia), Digital Logistics (Australia), among others.

“At Ooyala, we want all customers to thrive in the future of TV delivery and production and have built our business around it. Our increased commitment to our channel program is designed to attract and enable our customer’s preferred suppliers and align with their typical buying patterns,” said Ooyala CEO Issac Vaughn. “The bottom line is Ooyala succeeds only if our customers succeed, and this program is designed to help broadcasters, media companies and studios succeed.”

“Our reseller partners now have immediate access to a wide portfolio of video solutions from video production, delivery and analytics, backed by a technology partner committed to providing the support and collaboration required for them to meet and exceed their business goals,” said Ooyala senior channel director Aanal Bhatt. “The new, tiered partner program arms them with the resources required to continue to see increased success with their customers and provide solutions that solve the most complex video challenges in the industry today.”

Fujisoft Inc operating officer director – system development business division Kiyofumi Matsuzaki says, “Ooyala and Fujisoft continue to provide the infrastructural backbone for large broadcast customers in Japan to evolve their traditional, linear TV businesses to personalized online media experiences. Between our expertise and experience in networking, IT technology and security, paired with Ooyala’s extensive know-how in building global video services we offer a robust solution that matches the need in the Japanese market.”

VCS Productions CEO Peter Hossfeld says, “Ooyala allows us to build more creative solutions for customers, making them more strategic, flexible and able to scale at pace with the rapidly changing video market. Customer success is at the heart of our business and we see Ooyala, and its unique set of technologies, as an important factor in the growth of our company as well as our customers.”

Videoelec GM Jesus Lozano sys, “With the arrival of multiple platforms and new ways to access and distribute video content, Ooyala solutions allow end users to correctly manage their assets and make the right strategic decisions through rich, data-driven insights. We are very happy to partner with Ooyala as we exist for the common purpose to help our customer’s video business succeed, and are confident our customers in Colombia will see success through our evolving and growing portfolio, now backed by Ooyala.”

February 2, 2017
Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India

NEW DELHI: Amazon and C International Sales, a subsidiary of Cinestaan Film Company, announced a long-term alliance that will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive home for two of Toronto International Film Festival’s official selection of Indian films titled Dev Bhoomi (selected for TIFF 2016, Hof International Film Festival), and A Death in the Gunj (Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, selected for TIFF 2016 and Busan International Film Festival).

In addition, Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream The Hungry, an international co-production between Cinestaan Film Company and Film London.

Cinestaan chairman Rohit Khattar said, “In our quest to champion Independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option and we are delighted that they have seen such merit in three of the titles that C International Sales represented and we are thrilled that within 6 months, our superb team has made C International the ‘go to’ sales agency for Indian filmmakers”

“At Amazon Prime Video India, our goal is to partner with the top content creators in India and worldwide to build the largest selection of latest and exclusive movies and TV shows for our customers,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection of features from India’s evolving independent filmmakers. This realistic style of film-making from an exciting breed of filmmakers, creates room for experimentation in content as well as form. Death in The Gunj, The Hungry and Dev Bhoomi are the first titles in our Indian offering in this exciting new genre – independent cinema.”

Devi Bhoomi is directed by international award winning director Goran Paskaljevic and narrates the story of Rahul who returns to his old Himalayan village carrying a heavy secret. His arrival is not welcomed by the locals and again he must face the isolated world of old prejudices in which women have no right to choose their own destiny.

Directorial debut feature, written and directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, Death in the Gunj is set in 1979 starts as an uneventful family holiday which takes a dangerous twist when the guests play with the spirits.

Revenge thriller The Hungry is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus brings together film-making talent from Cinestaan Film Company and Film London. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tisca Chopra, Neeraj Kabi, Suraj Sharma and Sayani Gupta.

Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

January 30, 2017
Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India

NEW DELHI: Amazon and C International Sales, a subsidiary of Cinestaan Film Company, announced a long-term alliance that will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive home for two of Toronto International Film Festival’s official selection of Indian films titled Dev Bhoomi (selected for TIFF 2016, Hof International Film Festival), and A Death in the Gunj (Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, selected for TIFF 2016 and Busan International Film Festival).

In addition, Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream The Hungry, an international co-production between Cinestaan Film Company and Film London.

Cinestaan chairman Rohit Khattar said, “In our quest to champion Independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option and we are delighted that they have seen such merit in three of the titles that C International Sales represented and we are thrilled that within 6 months, our superb team has made C International the ‘go to’ sales agency for Indian filmmakers”

“At Amazon Prime Video India, our goal is to partner with the top content creators in India and worldwide to build the largest selection of latest and exclusive movies and TV shows for our customers,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection of features from India’s evolving independent filmmakers. This realistic style of film-making from an exciting breed of filmmakers, creates room for experimentation in content as well as form. Death in The Gunj, The Hungry and Dev Bhoomi are the first titles in our Indian offering in this exciting new genre – independent cinema.”

Devi Bhoomi is directed by international award winning director Goran Paskaljevic and narrates the story of Rahul who returns to his old Himalayan village carrying a heavy secret. His arrival is not welcomed by the locals and again he must face the isolated world of old prejudices in which women have no right to choose their own destiny.

Directorial debut feature, written and directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, Death in the Gunj is set in 1979 starts as an uneventful family holiday which takes a dangerous twist when the guests play with the spirits.

Revenge thriller The Hungry is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus brings together film-making talent from Cinestaan Film Company and Film London. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tisca Chopra, Neeraj Kabi, Suraj Sharma and Sayani Gupta.

Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

January 30, 2017
Netflix facilitates downloads on Android memory cards

MUMBAI: OTT and VOD services have been adding a variety of content and myriad features to attract more and more consumers to their service in India. India is one of the fastest growing smartphone-owning countries as hinted by Ericsson recently.

Launched last year in India, Netflix, the entertainment streaming company, recently added the ability to download its dynamic entertainment content on memory card or expandable storage on Android operating system.

Users can now download content on Android smartphones and tablets. Earlier, the company had opened up the ‘watch offline’ feature as a response to the growing business race from players such as Amazon Prime and Hotstar.

The feature however is restricted to inbuilt storage. Players such as YouTube also have a similar limitation. But, the new feather in its cap could Netflix hike its user base in densely populated nations such as India.

But, the new feature does not surprise Nougat or Android Marshmallow users as they could already avoid limitations by using the adoptable storage option.

However, for those who can’t do this, they make use of Netflix app and move to the option of ‘download location’ and select from the storage options — SD card or internal storage.

Also Read:

Netflix confirms seven million subs; picks up Amazon gauntlet

OTT/VOD disrupted traditional ‘appointment viewing’ in India: Spuul’s Subin Subaiah

January 27, 2017