ITV

Category: Video On Demand

  • Nagesh Kukunoor to direct Alt Balaji’s first original show

    Nagesh Kukunoor to direct Alt Balaji’s first original show

    MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor’s Alt Balaji has announced its first digital series. Not yet titled, the platform has roped in actor Nimrat Kaur to essay the central character and Nagesh Kukunoor to direct the series.

    The fiction series has been jointly conceptualized by Balaji Telefilms joint managing director Ekta Kapoor and Samar Khan, and is produced by Endemol Shine India.

    “Set in the backdrop of the Indian Army, we are presenting a riveting story that is bound to resonate with the youth of the country. Having Nimrat and Nagesh aboard, definitely takes the show to a new level. When we announced the launch of ALT Balaji, we promised to break stereotypes in storytelling; this series is a strong reinforcement of that commitment,” said Kapoor.

    Kaur will be seen portraying the role of the first woman preparing to be inducted in a combat role in the Indian Army.

    “Disruption, innovation and scale is the core of what we want to do. From our strategy to our content, everything on ALT Balaji will reflect this ethos. Through ALT Balaji, we are targeting urban audiences who are always on the lookout for differentiated content, one that is not available on television or even on silver screen for that matter. ALT Balaji aims to satisfy the need of this very consumer. We have just announced our first exclusive show and will be making many such exciting announcements in the weeks to come,” added Alt Balaji CEO Nachiket Pantvaidya.

    Alt Balaji is aimed at disrupting the market with avantgarde and exclusive content catering to urban masses.

    “Nimrat was our first choice for this and producing content for ALT Balaji at this scale will set new standards in the digital landscape,” stated Endemol Shine India managing director and CEO Deepak Dhar.

    To this, Khan added,“The army and the armed forces have always fascinated me and stories with an army background draw me towards them naturally. I am excited about this opportunity to work with ALT and Endemol and am looking forward to telling a lot such stories in the future”

  • Pauline Fischer exits Netflix as VP original films

    Pauline Fischer exits Netflix as VP original films

    MUMBAI: Netflix’s Pauline Fischer has called it a day at the streaming service as the vice-president of original films. According to reports, Fischer is leaving her post in order to establish a business consultancy company. She will be transitioning out of the company over the coming weeks, and will remain as a consultant on active productions during this period.

    The streaming service’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos shared his opinion about Fischer’s departure in a statement. Sarandos opined that she has mounted an incredible slate of original films for Netflix and the team is grateful to her for getting this important initiative underway.

    He has also stated that Netflix, in the year ahead, will exclusively premiere David Ayer’s Bright starring Will Smith, War Machine from David Michod starring Brad Pitt, Bong Joon Ho’s Okja featuring Tilda Swinton, Jake Gylenhaal and Paul Dano; Our Souls at Night from Ritesh Batra starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, etc.

    Netflix will continue to build its original film initiative to give consumers around the world great new movies to enjoy when and how they want.

    Fischer joined Netflix in 2008 and has worked closely with Sarandos on building the company’s slate of acquired and produced new titles. Among the many projects she has overseen, Beasts of No Nation which reportedly was Netflix’s $12 million purchase in 2015 directed by Cary Fukunaga which coincided with the release on Netflix. She has also played a critical role in the Adam Sandler film The Ridiculous 6 and the Adam Wingard-directed Death Note.

  • Pauline Fischer exits Netflix as VP original films

    Pauline Fischer exits Netflix as VP original films

    MUMBAI: Netflix’s Pauline Fischer has called it a day at the streaming service as the vice-president of original films. According to reports, Fischer is leaving her post in order to establish a business consultancy company. She will be transitioning out of the company over the coming weeks, and will remain as a consultant on active productions during this period.

    The streaming service’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos shared his opinion about Fischer’s departure in a statement. Sarandos opined that she has mounted an incredible slate of original films for Netflix and the team is grateful to her for getting this important initiative underway.

    He has also stated that Netflix, in the year ahead, will exclusively premiere David Ayer’s Bright starring Will Smith, War Machine from David Michod starring Brad Pitt, Bong Joon Ho’s Okja featuring Tilda Swinton, Jake Gylenhaal and Paul Dano; Our Souls at Night from Ritesh Batra starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, etc.

    Netflix will continue to build its original film initiative to give consumers around the world great new movies to enjoy when and how they want.

    Fischer joined Netflix in 2008 and has worked closely with Sarandos on building the company’s slate of acquired and produced new titles. Among the many projects she has overseen, Beasts of No Nation which reportedly was Netflix’s $12 million purchase in 2015 directed by Cary Fukunaga which coincided with the release on Netflix. She has also played a critical role in the Adam Sandler film The Ridiculous 6 and the Adam Wingard-directed Death Note.

  • Hulu signs deal with Walt Disney & Fox

    Hulu signs deal with Walt Disney & Fox

    MUMBAI: Hulu has announced pacts with The Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox. This deal means that Hulu will offer content from Fox, ABC, FX, FXX, Freeform, Disney Channel, Fox News, Fox Sports 1 and ESPN, making more than 35 networks available to stream live and watch on-demand through its new streaming service, set to debut in early 2017.

    It has already signed a deal with Time Warner, which will bring TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network and CNN to the service as well.

    Though the date of the launch is not yet announced, Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins has stated that there are additional partners to come.

    Hopkins and the team plans to build a service that can offer subscribers good quality programming on TV. With these two new deals in place, Hulu plans to provide TV fans of all ages live and on-demand access to their favourite programs in a whole new, more flexible, highly personalized way.

    Only time can say whether this service proves to become a threat to the cable companies.

  • Hulu signs deal with Walt Disney & Fox

    Hulu signs deal with Walt Disney & Fox

    MUMBAI: Hulu has announced pacts with The Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox. This deal means that Hulu will offer content from Fox, ABC, FX, FXX, Freeform, Disney Channel, Fox News, Fox Sports 1 and ESPN, making more than 35 networks available to stream live and watch on-demand through its new streaming service, set to debut in early 2017.

    It has already signed a deal with Time Warner, which will bring TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network and CNN to the service as well.

    Though the date of the launch is not yet announced, Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins has stated that there are additional partners to come.

    Hopkins and the team plans to build a service that can offer subscribers good quality programming on TV. With these two new deals in place, Hulu plans to provide TV fans of all ages live and on-demand access to their favourite programs in a whole new, more flexible, highly personalized way.

    Only time can say whether this service proves to become a threat to the cable companies.

  • Gema – YouTube conflict resolved

    Gema – YouTube conflict resolved

    MUMBAI: The long running legal tussle between YouTube and the German IP right body Gema that represents artists and publishers has finally resolved, according to international media.

    Since 2009, several affected clips and videos, including those carrying conflicted background music, returned an error message on the video on demand platform, when users tried to access it.

    Now that the payments will be made, these videos will be accessible to users although neither side has disclosed the terms.red banners that had prevented thousands of YouTube’s clips from playing in Germany have now been removed as a consequence.

    And, as per Google’s Content ID system, clips containing Gema-protected tracks can now have adverts automatically added to them to recompense the songs’ creators.

    YouTube’s head of international music partnerships Christophe Muller shared in a blog that it was a win for music artistes around the world, enabling them to reach new and existing fans in Germany… and for YouTube users in Germany, who will no longer see a blocking message on music content.

    However, Gema officials remain skeptical on whether YouTube or the person uploading a clip was ultimately responsible for licensing the music it contained but termed the new agreement with the VOD giant as a”milestone”.

    Gema chief executive Harald Heker told media that they remained true to their position that authors should also get a fair remuneration in the digital age, despite the resistance that they met.

    (source: BBC news)

  • Gema – YouTube conflict resolved

    Gema – YouTube conflict resolved

    MUMBAI: The long running legal tussle between YouTube and the German IP right body Gema that represents artists and publishers has finally resolved, according to international media.

    Since 2009, several affected clips and videos, including those carrying conflicted background music, returned an error message on the video on demand platform, when users tried to access it.

    Now that the payments will be made, these videos will be accessible to users although neither side has disclosed the terms.red banners that had prevented thousands of YouTube’s clips from playing in Germany have now been removed as a consequence.

    And, as per Google’s Content ID system, clips containing Gema-protected tracks can now have adverts automatically added to them to recompense the songs’ creators.

    YouTube’s head of international music partnerships Christophe Muller shared in a blog that it was a win for music artistes around the world, enabling them to reach new and existing fans in Germany… and for YouTube users in Germany, who will no longer see a blocking message on music content.

    However, Gema officials remain skeptical on whether YouTube or the person uploading a clip was ultimately responsible for licensing the music it contained but termed the new agreement with the VOD giant as a”milestone”.

    Gema chief executive Harald Heker told media that they remained true to their position that authors should also get a fair remuneration in the digital age, despite the resistance that they met.

    (source: BBC news)

  • Netflix ties up with PTCL as Amazon woos India

    Netflix ties up with PTCL as Amazon woos India

    MUMBAI: As the world’s leading video-streaming network Netflix and e-commerce giant Amazon take different routes to reach out to the Indian audience while they expand globally, the former is partnering with a top-ranking company in India’s neighbourhood Pakistan, thus strengthening its hold in the sub-continent.

    While Amazon is relying on going local with its video streaming service, Netflix is depending on its global programming.Amazon meantime has commissioned “Baahubali: The Lost Legends,” a new animated series in India based on a local blockbuster movie.

    Pakistani telco PTCL has signed a partnership agreement with Netflix. The two companies will use their respective resources for a symbiotic relationship, maximising the viewing experience and penetration of Netflix services in the Islamic state. This pact will serve as the way forward for both Netflix and PTCL to provide digital content. PTCL will promote and aid original Netflix content in Pakistan.

    Amazon Studios chief Roy Price frequents India scouting for locally appealing programming for Amazon’s forthcoming video service.

    Though Netflix made its India debut around 10 months ago, it makes content-buying decisions out of Los Angeles, even for regional shows, to ensure they have global appeal. For example, the deal with Indian producer Phantom Films for its new Indian original series, based on the internationally acclaimed Mumbai crime novel “Sacred Games.”

    In Pakistan however PTCL became the only service provider with advanced caching servers and technical pairing with Netflix to offer the superior viewing experience since Netflix’s global launch in January 2016. The Netflix Pakistan website says users can start using services starting $7.99 a month, with a free month offer.

    Netflix made the announcement during a keynote by Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings: “Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network.” Members with a streaming-only plan will be able to watch instantly through the Netflix service. The movies and TV shows that are available to stream may vary by location, and will change from time to time.

    India, Nigeria, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among the major countries where the service was launched, Hastings said at a Consumer Electronics Show keynote in Las Vegas.

    The company recently said it was exploring options for providing its services in China. The company said in July that plans to enter China in 2016 could be delayed. However, Netflix added simplified and traditional Chinese to the 17 languages it already supports.

    PTCL’s chief commercial officer Adnan Shahid described digital entertainment as PTCL’s “key priority”. Netflix, which has expanded into some 190 countries following a near-global launch in January, doesn’t believe in a physical presence in every market.

    Amazon has been selective internationally, pushing Prime Video into some European markets, Japan, and now India. Its bet is that homegrown programming will win over Indian audiences, a strategy analysts say could also help increase Amazon shoppers’ loyalty.

    Netflix is generally reviewed as a stand-alone streaming business, with 87 million subscribers, while Amazon’s video operations are part of the giant’s much larger e-commerce business, with 60 million global Prime members, according to Morgan Stanley estimates.

  • Netflix ties up with PTCL as Amazon woos India

    Netflix ties up with PTCL as Amazon woos India

    MUMBAI: As the world’s leading video-streaming network Netflix and e-commerce giant Amazon take different routes to reach out to the Indian audience while they expand globally, the former is partnering with a top-ranking company in India’s neighbourhood Pakistan, thus strengthening its hold in the sub-continent.

    While Amazon is relying on going local with its video streaming service, Netflix is depending on its global programming.Amazon meantime has commissioned “Baahubali: The Lost Legends,” a new animated series in India based on a local blockbuster movie.

    Pakistani telco PTCL has signed a partnership agreement with Netflix. The two companies will use their respective resources for a symbiotic relationship, maximising the viewing experience and penetration of Netflix services in the Islamic state. This pact will serve as the way forward for both Netflix and PTCL to provide digital content. PTCL will promote and aid original Netflix content in Pakistan.

    Amazon Studios chief Roy Price frequents India scouting for locally appealing programming for Amazon’s forthcoming video service.

    Though Netflix made its India debut around 10 months ago, it makes content-buying decisions out of Los Angeles, even for regional shows, to ensure they have global appeal. For example, the deal with Indian producer Phantom Films for its new Indian original series, based on the internationally acclaimed Mumbai crime novel “Sacred Games.”

    In Pakistan however PTCL became the only service provider with advanced caching servers and technical pairing with Netflix to offer the superior viewing experience since Netflix’s global launch in January 2016. The Netflix Pakistan website says users can start using services starting $7.99 a month, with a free month offer.

    Netflix made the announcement during a keynote by Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings: “Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network.” Members with a streaming-only plan will be able to watch instantly through the Netflix service. The movies and TV shows that are available to stream may vary by location, and will change from time to time.

    India, Nigeria, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among the major countries where the service was launched, Hastings said at a Consumer Electronics Show keynote in Las Vegas.

    The company recently said it was exploring options for providing its services in China. The company said in July that plans to enter China in 2016 could be delayed. However, Netflix added simplified and traditional Chinese to the 17 languages it already supports.

    PTCL’s chief commercial officer Adnan Shahid described digital entertainment as PTCL’s “key priority”. Netflix, which has expanded into some 190 countries following a near-global launch in January, doesn’t believe in a physical presence in every market.

    Amazon has been selective internationally, pushing Prime Video into some European markets, Japan, and now India. Its bet is that homegrown programming will win over Indian audiences, a strategy analysts say could also help increase Amazon shoppers’ loyalty.

    Netflix is generally reviewed as a stand-alone streaming business, with 87 million subscribers, while Amazon’s video operations are part of the giant’s much larger e-commerce business, with 60 million global Prime members, according to Morgan Stanley estimates.

  • Diwali for poor: SonyLiv, UNICEF call for #FairStart

    Diwali for poor: SonyLiv, UNICEF call for #FairStart

    NEW DELHI: A #FairStart campaign which seeks to offer a better future to the underprivileged children through financial empowerment has been launched by the digital entertainment platform SonyLiv in collaboration with UNICEF for a short film on the subject.

    The film invites viewers to make contributions towards the goal of equal opportunity in whichever way they can. The poignant film sheds light on how many grudge the circumstances until they see someone who is less fortunate yet more content with the smaller joys of life.

    The video explores how street children revel in Diwali festivities and a small gift by an onlooker can enhance their joy manifold. It underlines the fact that the true spirit of Diwali lies not in extravagant spending, but in sharing the festive joy with others. The video ends with a heartfelt appeal to the viewers to donate to the #FairStart campaign and share their good fortune with those less privileged than them.

    With #FairStart, UNICEF has joined hands with SonyLiv to address the persisting inequities that large groups of children in India face and is aimed at engaging public debate and ensuring every child can have a fair chance in life. SonyLiv’s Diwali video supports this noble initiative by fostering greater public involvement and raising awareness about issues affecting the survival, growth and development of children in India. The heart-warming video can be viewed on YouTube, as well as on SonyLiv’s web and mobile platforms.

    Make India, Ek India Happywala.

    Link: http://www.sonyliv.com/details/short%20film/5187347703001/

    Donate here: http://bit.ly/FairStartLIV

    SonyLiv EVP and head – digital business Uday Sodhi said, “Children are the future; they are the builders of tomorrow’s India, the cornerstones of a better nation. This year, we at SonyLiv are focussing on sharing the festive joy with those who need it the most – the children. Through our Diwali video, we aim to highlight how just a small donation can bring untold happiness and joy in the life of an underprivileged child. We would urge all viewers to contribute to this initiative and truly help in giving a #FairStart to children across the country. As a specialised content provider, SonyLiv has taken initiatives on special occasions in the past e.g. Independence Day, Diwali – last year, reaching out to the millennials by leaving behind a social message.”