ITV

Category: Video On Demand

  • Celebrity led-VOD platform Wakau ropes in Big B, Tendulkar & others as contributors

    Celebrity led-VOD platform Wakau ropes in Big B, Tendulkar & others as contributors

    MUMBAI: CA Media Digital and Jetsynthesys have jointly launched their first of its kind, freemium celebrity video blogging app called Wakau in India.

    The app, which allows users to access unseen candid celeb moments to help them connect further with their favourite stars and celebs, was launched by Amitabh Bachchan.

    Apart from Bachchan, Wakau has also roped in celebs like Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Nirahua, Shaan, Manju Warrier, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sophie Choudry, Arman Malik and Elli Avaram, who will contribute to the platform.

    The app will upload new content including landmark moments from the celebs lives, hobbies and interests and career stories, for subscribers on a daily basis. On Wakau, fans can watch, share and comment on a variety of videos categorised topically and by celebrity. The app, has a celebrity interface feature that enables celebs to upload premium video content, while allowing them to track fan comments on their videos and respond directly.

    Talking about his association with Wakau, Bachchan said, “Social media is an integral part of my life today. I have always tried to stay connected with my fans and respond to them whenever possible through my blog and other social media platforms. I am glad to be associated with an interactive platform like Wakau, through which I can share some of my candid moments from my day to day life with my fans and inch closer to them.”

    Freely downloadable to users across India, this freemium app allows consumers to view celebrity videos for free, with the videos being interspersed with advertisements. The app also supports an ad-free experience via its subscription service.

    CA Media India EVP operations Rishi Negi said, “Wakau is a great opportunity for celebrities to connect with their fans and share personal stories, interests, sepia moments and cherished thoughts through their video blogs. The app is a celebrity hotspot that enables consumers to gain easy access to insightful videos of their favourite superstars and personal heroes on their phones.”

    Jetsynthesys vice chairman and managing director Rajan Navani added, “Through constant and continuous innovation we at Jetsynthesys strive to offer the best in digital technology and Wakau is no exception. With a deep focus on creating a personal connect with the consumer through leveraging analytics, the Wakau experience will eventually pave the way towards many firsts for the world. We are excited to launch this unique world class Indian product that would become the social digital media screen of the 21st century.”

  • ‘On Air With AIB’ will set a new template in India: Ajit Mohan

    ‘On Air With AIB’ will set a new template in India: Ajit Mohan

    MUMBAI: While satire has been a large part of the Irish and British culture, closer home, the nation woke up to it with websites likes Faking News and The UnReal Times. On the video content front, mainstream mockery and ridicule touched newer heights when hearty laughs were laughed as the comedy group All India Bakchod (AIB) roasted actors Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh… well… at least until they were forcibly stifled when some inconsequential people took offence and created a hullabaloo.

    Notwithstanding that, taking a cue from AIB’s popularity and its posse’s talent in satirical entertainment, Star India was quick to recognise the potential and tap into the new space by roping them in for a new satirical news show called On Air with AIB. The first episode (Hindi and English version) was unveiled on Hotstar today (29 October).

    Star India digital head Ajit Mohan is of the opinion that On Air with AIB will set a new template in India.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Mohan said, “AIB over the years has established themselves as one of the best in what they do and it’s great to have them on board. We wanted to offer our huge youth following a series of satire news. At the same time, we also felt there can be no better option than AIB and that’s how On Air with AIB came in picture.”

    On Air with AIB will have both Hindi and English versions. While the English version will be aired on Star World, Star Plus will share the Hindi feed. “We will premiere both English and Hindi firstly on Hotstar every Thursday. Then two days later on Sunday, the shows will be aired on the two respective channels,” informed Mohan.

    The English version is curated by Ashish Shakya and Rohan Joshi, while Tanmay Bhat and Gursimran Khamba will be orchestrating the Hindi narrative.

    In the first Hindi episode of On Air With AIB, which is titled Zaban Sambhal Ke, Khamba and Bhat wonder about why we should be good. We all hate corruption, yet whistleblowers get the raw end of the stick for calling evil out – every single time. The episode will also see Abhish Mathew talking to the Limca Book world record holder Dr K Padmarajan for losing the most elections! On the other hand, the first English episode of 25 minutes duration is titled Why Be Good? and will see Joshi and Shakya ponder over the same issue.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Shakya said, “The two series will have two different blends, in how they are written and presented. Despite the topic being the same, there are enough differences in the presentation for viewers to find both versions equally interesting. Hence a person who has seen the Hindi feed can also tune in to watch the English one and vice-versa.”

    Since television is a community viewing medium in India, it comes with numerous guidelines and restrictions that content creators need to follow – something, which the internet based maestros AIB are hardly accustomed to. They are renowned for a blend of comedy, which complies to no rules or regulations. 

    When quizzed on how they are planning to adapt with the restricted medium, Shakya replied, “The general perception is that we know only one form of comedy, which is not true. Whenever we interacted with Star, we interacted with Ajit or Uday Shankar and we always found them very likeminded, which made it very comfortable for us. On Air With AIB we will talk about important issues with a blend of satire and use our creativity to explore new dimensions. The constraints of television media will not impact the presentation at all.”

    Speaking about the target audience for the show, Mohan said, “Every technology takes time to evolve and video streaming requires a certain level of bandwidth, which at this stage is mostly available in urban regions. So currently, we are targeting urban India.”

    From OOH to TVC to digital, Star India is backing the initiative with a 360 degree marketing and is leaving no stones unturned to generate awareness about their new offering. The collaboration had a role to play in the marketing too as all the television commercials were executed by AIB’s new ad wing Vigyapanti. Other marketing initiatives were taken care of by Star India and its partners.

    Hotstar follows a advertising led revenue model where all its content is available for free. Despite the venture’s aggressive foray into original content, it is not looking to impose a subscription based model anytime soon. “We are very happy with the position that we are in at this moment. Advertisers have been reacting well to our innovations and we are not looking to change our revenue model. We have a strong portfolio with content spread across different genres and languages,” informed Mohan.

    AskMe Bazaar has been roped in as the presenting sponsor of the show, which is co-powered by Tata Motors and Idea.

  • Sony LIV to launch two new online shows

    Sony LIV to launch two new online shows

    MUMBAI: Buoyed by the response to its recently launched original content online show, Multi Screen Media (MSM’s) digital video entertainment brand Sony LIV is all set to roll out its two new exclusive digital web series. 

     

    The first one is called LIV Shutter and will go online on 21 October. Viewers can watch the show’s episodes every Wednesday on the Sony LIV mobile app as well as on the website.

     

    The second exclusive digital web series is called Tan Lines will also be launched soon. Its theme, flavor and medium of consumption are tailored exclusively for Sony LIV’s viewers between the ages of 15 – 24. 

     

    LIV Shutter is centred on self-realisation and inspiration. It turns the spotlight on how the youth can push the limits of achievement and with a little positive nudge can overcome any shortcomings that they believe they possess. 

     

    According to Sony LIV, this is also the first ‘social’ show on a digital platform, which invites viewers to be a part of a show that gives them once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shed their inhibitions, shatter their fears, pick up the self-esteem and show the world what they got.

     

    MSM EVP and head – digital entertainment Uday Sodhi said, “LIV Shutter’s format is refreshingly new and something that our young and cosmopolitan audiences will connect with instantly. It is a show about finding your own hidden talent and unleashing your full potential. It is inspirational, snappy and extremely engaging, making it the perfect kind of entertainment to catch on-the-go on one’s preferred mobile device. Moreover, it is a show where the audience can move from behind the scenes, into the show; thereby making it the first of its kind interactive show.“

     

    “With this show and its unique treatment, Sony LIV has established its deep commitment to enthralling viewers with original content tailored specifically for the digital medium,“ he added.

     

    Sony LIV launched its original show exclusively for the online platform earlier this year called Love Bytes.

  • Smartphones & pay TV growth in China & India to spur A-Pac VOD demand: FMI report

    Smartphones & pay TV growth in China & India to spur A-Pac VOD demand: FMI report

    MUMBAI:  A-Pac rules and how. The Asia Pacific region is slated to overtake Western Europe as the second largest market for video on demand (VOD) services by 2020. And the growth in the region is going to be driven by the insatiable demand for smart phones in the fast growing economies of China and India.  The Asia Pacific VOD market is expected to touch revenues of $80.5 billion, fuelled additionally by the consumer hunger for pay TV services too in the region. From 13 per cent share of the global VOD sales in 2014, it is expected to rise to 22 per cent in the next five years. These are the findings of a US-based Future Market Insights (FMI) report released recently.

     

    Titled Video on Demand (VoD) Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014-2020 the FMI report  states that the demand for pay-TV services will continue to remain strong during the forecast period 2014 to 2020. The study has stated on a global scale the VOD market will scale $263 billion by next year.

     

    Popularity of Pay TV services, especially digital cable services, is increasing on account of deployment of 4K Ultra HD technology. Pay TV service providers are focusing on clubbing several advanced technologies, such as ITV and DVBS-2 based MPEG-4 video format with HD DTH. Integration of these technologies has given consumers a broad array of options to choose from, increasing the Pay TV subscriber base.

     

    The report sub-segments the global VOD market into seven major regions in which North America and Western Europe are the two largest markets globally currently.

     

    The North America VOD market is expected to surpass US$ 100 billion mark by the end of this year.  Proliferation of connected devices and increased spending on video services is expected to fuel the market in North America in the near future.

     

    As is the global trend, pay TV services account for the bulk of the revenues in North America as well. Valued at US$ 91.6 billion in 2014, the Pay TV services market in North America is expected to reach US$ 103 billion by the end of 2016.

     

    Cisco, SeaChange, Massive, and Pace are among the leading software players in the global VOD market whereas the leading service providers include Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, and Hulu.

     

    The Western Europe VOD market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 55.6 billion by the end of 2015. Demand for VOD services in Western Europe is growing at an annual rate of over 4%. The key players in the Western Europe VOD market include Agama Technologies, Exterity, Youview, BBC, and Orange. 

  • AIB launches ad wing with Truly Madly’s ‘Creep Qawwali;’ plans major expansion

    AIB launches ad wing with Truly Madly’s ‘Creep Qawwali;’ plans major expansion

    MUMBAI: The rather (in)famous comedy group All India Bakchod (AIB) has some ambitious expansion plans up their sleeves. The group has launched its advertising wing called Vigyapanti, which kick-started with their latest comic presentation – Creep Qawwali. A keen observer would notice that the video is in fact an advertisement for the start-up dating portal – Truly Madly.

     

    What’s more, brand AIB isn’t putting a stop to their expansion plan with just Vigyapanti as the group also has plans to foray into long-form content production as well as movie production. 

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com about the group’s plans for the next couple of years, AIB’s Tanmay Bhat says, “There is no precedent to what we do — from entertainment to working with brands and start-ups. We are soon getting into long form productions and hopefully into movie production by the end of next year.”

     

    Coming to Vigyapanti, while AIB has taken on embedded branding projects for various established brands, their latest output is a first from their newly conceived advertising wing.

     

    Bhat says, “One of our copy writers suggested the term. It sounded almost like ‘adgiri,’ which rings close to the way we approach a brand. The name Vigyapanti just fits with brand AIB.”

     

    Bhat is on a mission to establish a 15 members strong team of copywriters by the start of next year.

     

    One doesn’t need to look too far in history to notice AIB’s roots in advertising. Bhat has been associated with the advertising industry before. “I was supposed to become a copywriter before AIB and stand-up comedy happened,” says Bhat in his signature comical intonation. So why this call back to advertising? “Because our biggest source of income, even for the YouTube channel, is working brands,” comes his simple answer. “Brands is where the money is.”

     

    AIB’s ad wing idea didn’t pop out of nowhere. The four team members – Bhat, Gursimran Khamba, Rohan Joshi and Ashish Shakya – were toying with the idea of starting an agency for over eight months now. “We were dwelling on the thought without any copywriters on our team. After meeting a bunch of people for about six months, we were able to get some fine writers onboard with us,” says Bhat, referring to the new additions to the team namely Girish Narayandass, Devaiah Bopanna, Vignesh Raja and Mihir Lele.

     

    However, it wasn’t until AIB worked with Truly Madly that they locked the idea of using their strength to make start-ups massive. “Working with a start-up is a very refreshing experience. There’s no bureaucracy involved unlike the big brands. So we decided, maybe we should focus on start-ups, which are either getting funded or are looking to get funded,” shares Bhat, adding that the romantic idea of “using our popularity to good use” is part of the appeal.

     

    A pertinent question here is, how affordable Vigyapanti will be for such start-ups? If they go by their romantic ideologies and lessen the cost, how will this be a profitable business for the brand? To this, Bhat says, “We plan to go about this on a case by case basis. For those who can’t afford us, we might decide to do away with the creative cost and charge them only for the production cost. We are also seriously considering on picking up equities from them as opposed to monetary transactions.”

     

    This doesn’t however mean that AIB will cut all ties with the mega brands who seek their expertise. They will continue to do promotional videos for sponsors and other established brands through their YouTube channel.

     

    When quizzed about OML’s (AIB’s managing body) involvement with Vigyapanti, Bhat replies, “OML manages AIB and its business so they are with us on most of the things that we do. Now they have moved on from being just managers to consultants. I like having Vijay and Ajay Nair involved. In fact, the idea of pivoting to start-ups and picking up equities instead is an idea, which came from Vijay Nair. Given his experience, he is someone who can think long term in the ecosystem.”

     

    While Bhat declines to divulge the names of all the brands Vigyapanti has onboard, he does add that Hotstar is their next client. As was previously reported by Indiantelevision.com, AIB will be doing a news comedy series called On Air with AIB for Star India’s over-the-top (OTT) platform Hotstar. “Vigyapanti has also done promos for AIB’s upcoming show on Hotstar. We will take care of their digital and outdoor promotions as well,” says Bhat.

     

    Pertinent to note here is that the collaboration with AIB for the show made Hotstar an exception to Vigyapanti’s ‘start-up only’ rule.

     

    “We are already in talks with four or five start-ups regarding equity and stakes. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we can roll out our client list for the next five to six months,” says Bhat.

  • “Television will move to Internet completely:” Netflix CEO Reed Hastings

    “Television will move to Internet completely:” Netflix CEO Reed Hastings

    MUMBAI: As the digital era ushers in with full gusto, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is of the opinion that in a few years’ time, television will move to the internet completely, which has made many a international players in the cable and television broadcast industry shifty in their positions.

     

    In a recent interview with CNBC, Hastings said that in the next 10 to 20 years, television will shift completely to Internet, and his two cents are on the fact that Internet will be one of the fastest growing industry.

     

    Hastings may come off as bold, but his statement are in fact backed by facts and figures. The recent drop in subscription rates seen by television giants like Disney and Fox clearly indicates how rapidly the consumer is choosing internet as their staple platform for content consumption, be it entertainment, fiction or non-fiction. On the other hand, Netflix confirmed an addition of 3.3 million new subscribers in their quarter ending in July.

     

    When asked for his opinion on more and more people choosing to watch television on the internet rather than cable TV, Hastings told CNBC, “There are a few people that have cut the cord, but it is very, very small still today. But it’s a worry about the long term.”

     

    Considering its humble beginnings as a mail-order DVD company in 1997 to being an internet colossus worth over $32 billion, it will be right to say that Netflix is in for the long haul may even outrun some of the world’s biggest cable networks.

     

    The credit goes to internet, says the CEO of one of the world’s largest online video streaming platform. “It’s really the Internet. The Internet is transforming so many sectors of our economy, and we are Internet TV; and that sector has grown from very small 15 years ago to starting to be significant now,” Hasting asserted enthusiastically in his interview.

     

    Armed with analytics tools, Hastings stressed the importance of learning and evolving through time and new technology updates to survive in the market. “We are just a learning machine. Every time we put out a new show we are analysing it, figuring out what worked and what didn’t so we get better next time,” he adds.

     

    He also mentions that Orange is the New Black and House of Cards — Netflix’s two original shows – are the platform’s trump cards. With their ambition to spread their reach in Asia Pacific and the Indian subcontinent, the question remains if this formula will have the same impact as it did in America and Europe, especially in India, where broadband speed is still not up to international standards.

  • Hotstar ropes in iRock’s Siddhartha Jain as creative director – original content

    Hotstar ropes in iRock’s Siddhartha Jain as creative director – original content

    MUMBAI: Star India’s video on demand platform Hotstar has leapfrogged towards original content creation by appointing iRock Production’s Siddhartha Jain as creative director – original content.

     

    Jain will report to Star India digital head Ajit Mohan.

     

    A source close to the development tells Indiantelevision.com, “Hotstar is aggressively marching forward towards original content and the appointment is a testimony of that.”

     

    Jain, is a serial entrepreneur and film producer. He headed iRock Films India and produced the horror film Ragini MMS.

    Prior to starting iRock with former Adlabs Films chairman Manmohan Shetty, Jain worked at Adlabs for two years. He also produced Marigold – the Salman Khan and Ali Larter starrer US-India film, directed by Willard Carroll, with Hyperion Studio (USA).

  • GSN & Channel 4’s Walter Presents acquires ‘Deutschland 83’

    GSN & Channel 4’s Walter Presents acquires ‘Deutschland 83’

    MUMBAI: Global Series Network (GSN) and Channel 4 new video streaming brand – Walter Presents, which is slated to launch in January 2016, has acquired the German drama Deutschland 83.

     

    Walter Presents will showcase the world’s best foreign-language drama free-of-charge to UK viewers and will be exclusively available in the UK via Channel 4’s new digital hub, All 4.

     

    To celebrate the launch of the service, Deutschland 83 will premiere on Channel 4 before being available exclusively as a box-set on Walter Presents. A taut, gripping and stylish eight-part German thriller set amidst the menaces of a divided Germany in the early 1980s, Deutschland 83 is one of Germany’s most hotly anticipated dramas of recent years and the first German-language drama ever to air in the US.

     

    Further announcements regarding other acquisitions on the service will be made at MIPCOM.

     

    Capitalising on the growing demand for premium world drama, Walter Presents will eventually host more than 600 hours of drama that will be available for box-set viewing on All 4, and will include the option to download episodes to watch on the go. In addition, a selection of the best series from Walter Presents will also broadcast on Channel 4 and More 4, the latter within a dedicated, regular scheduled slot.

     

    Titles that will be available through Walter Presents in the first year will originate from a wide range of territories, including Brazil, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Israel, Belgium, Poland, Chile and Denmark among others.

     

    GSN chief creative officer and Walter Presents curator Walter Iuzzolino said, “We live in the golden age of serial drama – with French and Scandi thrillers gripping audiences in their millions. This is the perfect time to introduce UK viewers to a much broader choice of the very best dramas and box sets from around the world, which they never previously knew existed.”

     

    Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt added, “Channel 4 has steadily grown its reputation for bringing the best of world drama to the UK – from The Returned to Saboteurs. The remarkable Deutschland 83 is a perfect launch for Walter presents – which will allow UK audiences to enjoy hand-picked global hits.”

     

    Directed by Edward Berger and Samira Radsi, FremantleMedia International holds the global distribution rights to the series. 

     

    FremantleMedia International EVP and head of sales and distribution Jamie Lynn said, “With its strong characters and bold story lines, the series is an ideal and key series for the Walter Presents launch. We’re thrilled to be working with the teams at GSN and Channel 4 to bring one of the most anticipated series of 2015 to the UK.”

     

    Created by German-American couple Anna Winger and Joerg Winger, the series reveals the experiences of Germans from both sides of the wall during heightened Cold War tensions. The series was the first German-language drama ever to air in the US. 

  • Star disrupts programming; moves Plus’ youth show ‘Badtameez Dil’ to hotstar

    Star disrupts programming; moves Plus’ youth show ‘Badtameez Dil’ to hotstar

    MUMBAI: ’Tis the age of disruption and leading from the forefront is Star India. Even as media pundits have been shouting from rooftops about how over-the-top (OTT) platforms are poised to disrupt the Pay TV business, Star Plus has gone ahead and done the unthinkable.

    In a first of sorts, the network is uprooting Star Plus’ youth fiction show Phir Bhi Na Mane Badtameez Dil from the channel and moving it exclusively to its OTT platform – hotstar. 

    The show will be available on hotstar exclusively from Monday, 28 September. New episodes of the show will be released every weekday morning.

    Produced by Tequila Shot Productions’ Saurabh Tewary, Star Plus launched the show on-air on 29 June. It was being aired six days a week from Monday to Saturday in the 8.30 pm slot.

    In an earlier interaction with Indiantelevision.com, Tewary had said that it would be a finite show with 300-350 episodes. “It is impossible to narrate a love story for ages and ages. Love stories are always finite shows and cannot be kept running for a longer period otherwise the show will lose its relevance and visibility,” he had said. 

    While internationally, seasons of shows like House of Cards amongst others have been exclusively released on the online platform Netflix, India is just waking up to the OTT game. A few baby steps have been taken by Indian OTT players like Sony Liv, ErosNow, DittoTV etc to churn out innovative and exclusive original content for the platform. However, this is the first time that a show from a linear channel is being uprooted and put on an OTT platform.

    Phir Bhi Na Maane… Badtameez Dil is a love story between a VJ and a business head. The story revolves around the two, who get separated because of their misunderstandings and the manipulations of others only to meet again after seven years to resolve unsettled issues.

    Star India has taken this step keeping in mind the fan following that Phir Bhi Na Mane Badtameez Dil has attracted on hotstar amongst digital users in the 18-24 age group. 

    The OTT space in India is rapidly picking up pace with companies churning out innovations and exclusive content. With competition heating up amongst players, disruption will be the only way forward to stay ahead in the game.

  • Spuul inks deal with UTV; to stream ‘PK’

    Spuul inks deal with UTV; to stream ‘PK’

    MUMBAI: Online streaming service for Indian cinema and television content, Spuul has added the highest grossing Hindi movie of all time PK in its catalogue. Along with PK, subscribers can also watch other UTV titles like Rang De Basanti, Jodhaa Akbar, Kai Po Che, Barfi, Dev D and Chennai Express amongst others.

     

    All movies will be available across platforms like web, mobile (iOS, Android), Smart TV (Samsung, Panasonic, LG) Airplay on iOS, and Chromecast on Android. Spuul will be offering these movies to subscribers in India, UK, Middle East and other major territories around the world.

     

    Spuul global CEO Subin Subaiah said, “As one of the leading providers of Bollywood content to viewers across India, Pakistan, UK, US and Middle East, we are constantly investing in growing our library by adding new, popular and in many cases, offbeat titles to our list. PK’s addition to our rich UTV catalogue is yet another step in this direction.”