ITV

Category: Technology

  • Zapak Solutions’ #DhansooDialogue contest for BigFlix trends on Twitter

    Zapak Solutions’ #DhansooDialogue contest for BigFlix trends on Twitter

    MUMBAI: Zapak Solutions, the social media arm of Zapak Digital Entertainment, on 18 July executed a Twitter contest for film fanatics of the country. The contest which was executed using the hashtag #DhansooDialogue, was executed for BigFlix, the movie-on-demand service by Reliance Entertainment Digital. The hashtag reached out to 66,257 Twitter accounts and generated nearly 300,000 impressions in a matter of six hours as #DhansooDialogue trended nationally is what the media firm claims.

    The objective of the contest was to engage movie enthusiasts in conversations about films and dialogues that have created history in Bollywood. A series of Bollywood questions which were mainly a dialogue from one of the movies was asked; participants had to guess the name of the movie correctly. Winners of the contest were rewarded with goodies. During the campaign, more than 3000 interactions were recorded using the hashtag #DhansooDialogue. The total mentions received were 1202 and the total retweets were 740 is what Zapak Solutions claim in a release they sent out.

    Commenting on the digital strategy of the contest Zapak Digital Entertainment, head digital marketing and social media Rahul Avasthy said, “The BigFlix contest on Twitter was designed to spread a word about BigFlix‘s existing and continuously growing Bollywood catalogue. We used the hashtag #DhansooDialogue as it strikes a chord with Bollywood fans. We received interesting replies and abundant tweets and retweets with the hashtag, due to which we trended at No. 1 nationally. More than anything else, it meant good fun for the participants and our team alike, afterall, all of us are born filmy! “

  • TV5Monde to distribute programming through ClearVision

    TV5Monde to distribute programming through ClearVision

    MUMBAI: The French-language entertainment network TV5Monde USA will now distributing 16 travel, food and lifestyle shows via ClearVision‘s digital television network, which is meant for airports in major US markets.

    Titles being broadcast include Fine Foods (Epicerie Fine), Eco-home (Echo-logis), Custom Made (Sur Mesures), Villages in France (Villages de France), Travel Diaries (Carnets de Voyage) and Dream Hotels (R?ves d‘Hotels). ClearVision is currently offered at airports in Raleigh-Durham, New Orleans and Dallas. The television channel will begin airing in other parts of the country later in the year.

    “We are broadcasters in the away-from-home spectrum operating a program day that is scheduled hour by hour, minute by minute,” noted ClearVision COO David Tetreault. “We program many unique channels similarly to a TV station or cable MSO – partnering with TV5Monde USA provides us with rich and dynamic programming content that adds superior international flare to our broadcasts.”

  • Sony to offer 4K movie downloads this fall

    Sony to offer 4K movie downloads this fall

    MUMBAI: Sony will begin offering 4K movies for download via its video unlimited service in early fall, company executives announced Wednesday. The movies will be from Sony Pictures, as well as other independent production houses.

    Sony‘s chief operating officer Phil Molyneux, announced the company would launch Video Unlimited 4K in early fall. Previously, 4K TV owners could only get native 4K content from Sony‘s 4K media server, which is delivered to users with the content pre-loaded. Any content updates are done manually through a hard-wire connection.

    “We will be first in the world with a native 4K downloading service,” said Molyneux during the launch event. “We‘re populating that now with 4K feature films, primarily from Sony Pictures, but there are other short-form films from other production houses.”

    As far as 4K content from other major studios, Molyneux would only say Sony had a “good relationship” with studios for Video Unlimited for its standard-definition and HD content. Molyneux couldn‘t say whether the launch would include the PlayStation 4 since that product is on a “different timeline.”

    4K, also called Ultra HD, is the next high-resolution video format. Loosely, it doubles the pixel count in both the horizontal and vertical directions, leading to a 4x increase in overall resolution. The first TVs were very large and expensive, but manufacturers, including Sony, have debuted TVs in the 55-inch size that are more affordable (Sony‘s is about $5,000).

  • Google appears poised to unveil new Nexus tablets

    Google appears poised to unveil new Nexus tablets

    MUMBAI: Google appears to be getting ready to introduce the next generation of its Nexus tablets.

    The unveiling is likely to come at a 24 July event in San Francisco. Google sent invitations on Wednesday to the media.

    The event will be hosted by Sundar Pichai, a Google executive who oversees the company‘s Android and Chrome operating systems.

    Android, the world‘s leading mobile operating system, powers Google‘s line-up of Nexus tablets. Those devices have emerged as a popular alternative to Apple‘s iPad since Google released the first Nexus tablet with a seven inch display screen last July.

    It has become customary for top-selling devices to be upgraded at least once a year, fueling speculation that is what Google is about to do with the Nexus next week.

  • TRAI warns MSOs and LCOs in Kolkata to get their act together

    TRAI warns MSOs and LCOs in Kolkata to get their act together

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) held a meeting with the leading Multi System Operators (MSOs) in Kolkata to review the progress of implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS).

    The regulator has brought up the fact that though sufficient time has elapsed since 1 November 2012 the Subscriber Management System (SMS) of DAS has not been effectively operationalised by the MSOs, providing cable TV service in Kolkata. The SMS is to have complete details of the subscribers including their choice of channels. Unless this is done the full benefit of digitisation cannot be extended to all the stakeholders including the subscribers. This will also help the subscribers to budget their bills.

    In an effort to educate and sensitise the subscribers, TRAI has been issuing public notices from time to time. The broadcasters and the cable TV service providers have also been running scrolls in the TV channels and TV advertisement for the last few months requesting the subscribers to submit the duly filled-in Consumer Application Forms (CAFs). Through these public notices, scrolls and TV advertisements the subscribers were also alerted about deactivation of cable TV services, in case of non-submission of the forms.

    The reason for this was that, in terms of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems Regulations 2012, MSOs can transmit digital signals and activate the Set Top Box (STB) only after receiving the CAF from the consumer with his/her preference and entering all the details in its SMS. If there is no form, the MSOs are obliged under law not to transmit the signal and deactivate the cable TV services.

    TRAI expressed its serious concern to the fact that only 20 per cent of the subscriber‘s details and their choices are available in the subscriber management system in Kolkata. Whereas this figure is more than 80 per cent in other metro cities and that the inaction on the part of MSOs and LCOs in implementation of DAS will not be tolerated.

    Accordingly the MSOs have been directed to take immediate steps to ensure that the subscribers details and their choice of channels/bouquets/services are entered into the SMS. The regulatory body would be keeping a close watch on the progress in this regard and would take all possible actions, including penal action as per the TRAI Act to ensure compliance of its regulatory framework.

    Cable TV subscribers have been requested to cooperate and submit the CAFs complete in all respect, to the respective LCO/MSO at the earliest, to enjoy the full benefit of digitisation. In event of failure to do so MSOs will have no option but to switch off the signal to those consumers who have not submitted their CAFs otherwise such MSOs would be in breach of the law.

  • Disney UTV Studios goes gung-ho on digital movie marketing

    Disney UTV Studios goes gung-ho on digital movie marketing

    MUMBAI: As one of the TVC‘s says ‘In the age of technology its criminal to think one is stranded,‘ similarly, in 2013 it will be stupid to think that a movie release is only limited to the theatres.

    Today, the social media has changed the way people connect, discover, and share information. Production houses are not leaving any stone unturned to promote their films – from promotions on television to launching various campaigns on the digital space. The digital space is now the new entrant in the list of marketing and promotion strategies of most media houses.

    How can one forget the craze created by Kolaveri Di when it was leaked on the internet, and everyone wanted to watch the movie 3 after the hype generated by it. Similarly, before Himmatwalareleased, snippets of the making of various days was uploaded on YouTube for fans to see what happens behind the scenes. This was also done to create hype about the movie before its release.

    In the past two years, Disney UTV Studios has tried to make the optimum use of the fact that digital has increased in importance progressively. The studio feels that the medium is perfect to engage with young movie consumers, always on-the-go, and to also build a loyal community of Hindi film fans online.

    “We have a Klout score of 84 which is highest for a Hindi film studio. We have a million fans on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/utvmotionpictures), 90, 000 followers on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utvfilms) and 200, 000 subscribers on our YouTube channel,” says Disney UTV executive director, marketing, studios, Shikha Kapur.

    The latest movie to come out of the production house stable is Ship of Theseus. And even before the movie‘s official release date, the production house created a special ‘Vote for your city‘ campaign to promote it. Through this campaign, movie lovers in other cities (The movie is releasing in five cities – NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Kolkata on 19 July) can get the film released in their city via an online voting mechanism on Facebook.

    “All they have to do is log on and vote for their city from the list provided or add their city and get a chance to watch the movie in their city. Based on the responses so far, we have already added Hyderabad to the list of cities where the movie will be released. We are getting a good response for the same,” explains Kapur.

    Depending on the script and the type of the movie, the production house designs its online communication to bring out the true essence of the film and at the same time engage with customers in the most innovative and interesting way possible.

    In the past too, Disney UTV Studios came up with various such campaigns to connect with its audience before the film release. For instance, for Rowdy Rathore an app was created where people could vote for the different mustached looks of Akshay Kumar. More than 3000 fans participated and the look that won the most votes was adopted by Akshay in the film.

    Acccording to the folks at the studios , Barfi! changed the way audiences consume content today. For this movie a digital app was created on YouTube (www.youtube.com/barfi). “People through this app could make Ranbir Kapoor dance, smile, cry and do anything else they desired. The app was a viral hit which gained over 250,000 users in two weeks and was hailed by the Google India team as the best online innovation that has been done on YouTube in the past one and a half years. The app also won a bronze in the video innovation category at the prestigious Yahoo Big Idea Chair Awards. The only media product to do so!” informs Kapur proudly.

    The production house has spread its wings in a big way in the online space and doesn‘t shy away from spending on it. “On an average between five and ten per cent of marketing spends is kept for social media marketing, but for small films like Ship Of Theseus (SOT) that spend could go up to 25 per cent. SOT is the first film that we are marketing predominantly online with a limited spend on print and no spend on TV,” says Kapur who clarifies that the spend depends from movie to movie.

    Now for its forthcoming movie, the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chennai Express, the production house had crowd-sourced the trailer launch to its fans. “The concept was that the more they tweeted the faster the trailer would be released. In fact the trailer was first broken online and several hours later SRK, Deepika and Rohit Shetty revealed it to the media at a press conference,” she adds.

    Digital space has thrown a new challenge for production houses: to engage the audiences to drive them to the theatres; to continuously evolve new ideas, better than their competitors. In a scenario when box office results are dependent on the marketing strategy, we can surely sense some creative war awaiting on the digital space!

  • Digiworld appoints Value 360 Communications as their strategic communication partner

    Digiworld appoints Value 360 Communications as their strategic communication partner

    MUMBAI: Digiworld has appointed Value 360 Communications, as their strategic communication partner to manage all the external communications and public relation activities across India. Value 360 Communications, an affiliate of Huntsworth, is one of the leading Public Relations (PR) Agencies, headquartered in New Delhi with five network offices and 36 regional partners in India. Value 360 claims to have helped more than 100 startup brands from across the world to fulfil their corporate communication requirements.

    Digiworld, a large network of stores showcasing leading brands in consumer electronics, home appliances, mobile phones, laptops, cameras and other IT accessories has partnered with Value 360 Communications to build brand awareness and manage external communication. The company looks forward to provide experience of latest technology by vast array of brands.

    Commenting on the tie-up Digiworld COO Jaideep Rathore said, “We were looking for an agency that can partner with us to further assist us in communicating our newly unveiled brand identity and building a progressive, dynamic and contemporary upholding. We are affirmative that Value 360 Communications‘, knowledge of emerging markets and capability to seamlessly implement national campaigns will be invaluable in positively putting across our brand‘s growth. Value 360 Communication‘s proficiency in establishing the reputation of businesses appealed to us and the company‘s strategic understanding of the industry landscape ascertains our belief in this association.”

    Value 360 Communications director and co-founder Kunal Kishore commented on the appointment, “We are extremely elated on our alliance with Digiworld. We anticipate establishing compelling PR activities around the brand messaging and the newly coined identity. Our successful experience and key learning congregated over the years will help us achieve the brand‘s communication objectives. Digiworld‘s vast network and multi brand availability are indication for its quality services and offerings. We are positive to highlight brand‘s growth and progress and the essence behind its new brand positioning.”

    Value 360 Communications will work with Digiworld on a nationwide mandate, spearheaded by its New Delhi office. The agency has been tasked with drawing on its strategic communications expertise to creatively engage consumers and stakeholders on a nationwide scale.

  • Hathway awards contract to Technicolor to enhance its digital cable offering

    Hathway awards contract to Technicolor to enhance its digital cable offering

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom has awarded two contracts to Technicolor for MediaAccess gateways and MediaPlay set-top boxes. The solution is set to enhance Hathway‘s digital cable offering by enabling the delivery of HD video content and ultra-high speed broadband services to end users.

    MediaAccess TCM471 features multiple channels aggregation (channel bonding) to maximise the performance over newly deployed cable infrastructure on DOCSIS 3.0, while remaining backward compatible with older networks. With the help of its innovative tuner management, it combines efficiently video over cable, video over IP and high-speed broadband services.

    MediaPlay DCI804 is a high-end DVR decoder delivering HD MPEG-4 video. Hathway leverages Technicolor‘s field-proven maturity with this platform to deliver robust HD video, DVR and Time-shifting services to its consumers.

    Technicolor president of connected home Michel Rahier said, “The new partnership with Hathway is a key milestone for Technicolor in the APAC region and contributes to reinforce our positions on this fast growing market.”

    “We are excited about this partnership with Technicolor, a worldwide leader in gateways and set-top boxes. Hathway firmly believes in bringing the best of technology and quality to its customers. With Technicolor‘s products, we believe that we will be able to take digitisation of our networks to the next stage and deliver more value to our customers in India,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar.

  • Prime Focus World wins its biggest VFX contract

    Prime Focus World wins its biggest VFX contract

    MUMBAI: Prime Focus World, a subsidiary of Prime Focus has been confirmed as the exclusive VFX partner on Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, Robert Rodriguez‘s long-awaited, ultra-stylised comic book sequel. Sin City 2 is PFW‘s biggest VFX project win ever to date and their global teams will work directly with Robert Rodriguez to produce over 2,000 visual effects shots for the stereo 3D movie, currently slated for an August 2014 release.

    Rodriguez, always the trailblazer, has been a highly influential filmmaker and is forging his own path since his earliest successes – El Mariachi (1992) and Desperado (1995). The original Sin City (2005) was a seminal film, and its use of stylised computer graphics environments and VFX inspired many films that followed.

    This contract further validates the unique business proposition of Prime Focus and catapults it to the league of being one of the few studios worldwide to break into, and contribute in a big way, to mainstream top-of-the-line Hollywood films.

    The size and scale of the project would require each of PFW‘s location to come together under localised VFX and stereo leadership, and collaborate via the PFW global pipeline and VFX workflow structure to deliver on the contract.

    Prime Focus continues to build a robust Order Book to fill its capacity across its various facilities worldwide. Currently, the group Order Book stands at a combined value of approximately Rs 750-800 crore, to be executed over the next 24-36 months.

    “Normally, it is common for a film maker to split its VFX work amongst multiple studios, especially for a film of this size and scale. Robert Rodriguez has backed us to be the exclusive VFX vendor for his film, which makes us even more proud and honored as it validates our scale and superior workflow management capabilities to handle the entire length of a VFX film, across our global facilities. We are constantly looking for such opportunities to challenge both ourselves, and the industry as a whole, by working on projects that question and change creative, practical and economic paradigms,” said Prime Focus World CEO and Founder NamitMalhotra. “Prime Focus has been backed by marquee global institutional investors including Standard Chartered Private Equity, AID Partners and Macquarie Capital. Recently in June 2013, Macquarie Capital invested US$ 38 million in Prime Focus World NV (PFW), at an Enterprise Valuation of US$ 300 million.”

  • SES and MNC sky vision sign capacity deal for DTH market growth

    SES and MNC sky vision sign capacity deal for DTH market growth

    MUMBAI: SES and MNC Sky Vision, Indonesia‘s premier satellite Pay-TV provider with its well-known brand, Indovision, has announced an agreement to provide capacity on the SES-7 satellite to support Indovision‘s future Chinese-language direct-to-home (DTH) package.

    The multi-transponder and multi-year deal provides Indovision with access to the Ku-band capacity aboard SES-7 at the prime orbital location of 108.2 degrees east. Indovision intends to offer more than a dozen Chinese language channels using the capacity, which would allow Indovision to reach a niche audience segment in Indonesia‘s fast-growing pay-DTH market, beyond its current base of more than 2 million subscribers. Use of the capacity by Indovision is subject to regulatory approval.

    Rudy Tanoesoedibjo, CEO of MNC Sky Vision, said, “We see continued growth in the pay-DTH market in Indonesia and are delighted to be able to leverage SES‘ global network and deep industry expertise to broadcast more content to meet the diverse needs of our subscribers in Indonesia.”

    “The increasing maturity of the Indonesian pay-DTH market requires pay-TV operators to react swiftly in meeting the demands of different audience segments, as Indovision has done with the new Chinese-language pay-DTH offering. We are pleased to be the satellite operator of choice for Indovision and look forward to supporting Indovision‘s fast and robust growth strategy in this important market,” said SES sr. VP commercial Asia-Pacific and Middle East Deepak Mathur.