ITV

Category: Technology

  • Techzone gets exclusive mobile rights for Honey Singh’s ‘Bring me back’

    Techzone gets exclusive mobile rights for Honey Singh’s ‘Bring me back’

    MUMBAI: Continuing its efforts to bring authentic mobile music and entertainment content to its consumers, aggregators, developers, publishers and distributors of entertainment Techzone has clinched the exclusive rights for the song-track ‘Bring Me Back’ by Honey Singh.

    The company has entered exclusive right agreement with MTV for providing the song content on mobile and desktop internet. Through this right, Techzone will provide music tracks downloads, videos, ringtones, caller ring back tones and other digital entertainment formats for the song.

    ‘Bring me back’ is the controversial rapper’s latest single hit. Unlike Honey Singh’s other famous party song tracks which have a fun theme to their lyrics, ‘Bring me back’ touches the soul with a hard hitting message, the premise of MTV Spoken Word.

    Techzone MD Naveen Bhandari said, “Yo-Yo Honey Singh is an extremely famous Indian artist and his songs have a mass appeal. Acquiring the exclusive songs for Honey Singh’s ‘Bring me back’ is a very exciting moment for Techzone. The song has already gauged a record of mobile downloads on the first day of the availability which is phenomenal.”

    MTV, India’s leading music channel has a great youth appeal and is followed by youngsters across the country. ‘Bring me back’ was launched by Honey Singh at MTV‘s brand new music show, MTV Spoken Word.

    MTV EVP and business head Aditya Swamy said, “Bring Me Back is a very special collaboration between Honey Singh and MTV and is the opening track on our latest music project MTV Spoken Word. We have always been successful at leveraging platforms beyond television and this partnership with Techzone will ensure the track is available across every single mobile VAS vertical.”

  • Hathway ropes in K V Anand as president – digital platforms

    Hathway ropes in K V Anand as president – digital platforms

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited has appointed former Tata Sky chief service officer (CSO) K V Anand as president – digital platforms.

    Anand will be part of core senior management team and will work across functions like revenue enhancement, subscriber management, CRM capability and leveraging infrastructure across cable and broadband platforms.

    “We are very excited with the opportunities and challenges that will come our way during our transition from a wholesale business to a retail consumer business. We welcome K V Anand who will be part of the core senior management team at Hathway and will work across functions to develop strategies for Revenue Enhancement, Subscriber management, CRM capability and leveraging our infrastructure across Cable and Broadband platforms to introduce new products, services and enhancing customer experience as we begin our journey to be a customer centric organisation,” says Hathway Cable and Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar.

    Anand comes with rich and varied experience spanning 18 years in the Media/Pay Television industry where he held senior positions in Star TV across Asia and Middle East regions, a short stint at BSkyB in the UK and a long stint at Tata Sky.

    His expertise straddles strategy, design, execution and delivery across all Customer Facing functions relating to CRM, Products /Services management, Billing & Subscriber management, Consumer marketing, Field Services and IT.

    K V Anand was part of the core start-up team that launched Tata Sky‘s DTH service and held the position of CSO at Tata Sky prior to joining Hathway.

  • Ericsson to acquire Microsoft’s IPTV biz Mediaroom

    Ericsson to acquire Microsoft’s IPTV biz Mediaroom

    MUMBAI: Ericsson has reached an agreement with Microsoft to acquire its TV solution Mediaroom business. The acquisition, Ericsson believes, will make it one of the leading providers of IPTV and multi-screen solutions with a market share of over 25 per cent.

    Mediaroom is situated in Mountain View, California and employs more than 400 people worldwide. Ericsson expects to close the acquisition during the second half of 2013.

    Ericsson SVP and Head of Business Unit Support Solutions Per Borgklint said, “Ericsson‘s vision of the Networked Society foresees 50 billion devices to be connected via broadband, mobility and cloud. Future video distribution will have a similar impact on consumer behavior and consumption as mobile voice has had. This acquisition contributes to a leading position for Ericsson with more than 40 customers, serving over 11 million subscriber households. In addition, Ericsson will be powered with senior competence and some of the most talented people within the field of IPTV distribution.”

    The global IPTV market is estimated to reach 76 million subscribers in 2013 with revenues of $32 billion growing to 105 million subscribers and $45 billion in 2015.

    “Mediaroom is the leading platform for video distribution deployed with the world‘s largest IPTV operators. This strategic acquisition positions Ericsson as an industry leader thanks to the skills and experiences of the talented people of Mediaroom combined with Ericsson‘s end to end service capabilities,” Borgklint concluded.

    The total media solution portfolio of Ericsson in the TV and video space combined with a further increased focus on consumer needs will be the foundation for providing services to end users. The importance of video distribution capabilities for the customers and their consumers will be increasing as more and more LTE networks are deployed and filled with smartphone users.

    “We are proud of the number one IPTV market position that we have achieved with Mediaroom. Ericsson‘s complementary portfolio of TV and networking services will help drive the future growth and development of Mediaroom,” said Microsoft Corporation Corporate VP Tom Gibbons. “Ericsson is positioned to be a valuable strategic partner for operators and TV service providers around the world as the IPTV market evolves.”

    Microsoft Mediaroom is the TV technology behind many of the world‘s leading television service providers like AT&T U-verse, Entertain of Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, TELUS Optik TV(TM) and Swisscom. Mediaroom-powered TV services are offered on more than 22 million set top boxes deployed throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC.

    Ericsson already sees that the ever-changing behaviors of TV consumers are evolving faster than ever. Speed of innovation and intelligent solutions drive consumer propositions in TV anywhere. This development will continue to fuel the industry as convergence becomes reality. The development requires content owners, broadcasters, TV service providers and operators to re-think their propositions.

  • MSM launches Sony Mix in US on Dish Network

    MSM launches Sony Mix in US on Dish Network

    MUMBAI: Sony Mix, Multi Screen Media‘s (MSM) Hindi music channel, has launched on leading US direct-broadcast satellite service provider, Dish Network.

    Moving into the gap created by erstwhile music channels rechristened as ‘youth channels‘ and other music channels dishing out non-music content as interstitial programming, the channel is confident that viewers shall enjoy Mix as a channel that remains true to the music genre.

    Mix also aims to maintain its focus on content by producing packaged shows offering right from user generated content to people profiles executed in the most unmistakably musical fashion.

    Says Sony Entertainment Television (SET) SVP International Business and Head of North America Jaideep Janakiram, “We are proud to announce the launch of our music channel – Mix on DISH Network for the discerning South Asian lovers of Hindi film music. We are confident that MIX will connect with every viewer with its variety of music and special programming. Mix is and shall stay true to music.”

    Dish Network Director of Programming Sruta Vootukuru states, “Sony Mix‘s unique theme-based music format helps Dish deliver a better experience to our customers. Adding the Sony MIX channel compliments Dish‘s robust international programming and enhances our South Asian offerings.”

    In a related development, SET has launched its flagship HIndi general entertainment channel Sony Entertainment on RCN, the all-Digital Cable, Internet & Phone provider in New York City effective 2 April.

    The channel is part of the brand-new RCN “Sona” tier, including other premium South Asian networks.

    “We‘re very excited to announce the launch of Sony Entertainment Television in New York City,” said RCN New York General Manager Bruce Abbott. “It falls perfectly in line with our goal to continually add more networks that provide maximum entertainment and value for our customers.”

    Adds Janakiram, “At Sony Entertainment Television, we continue to lead in ways to make our programming available to the widest possible audience. We are proud to announce the launch of SET Asia on RCN and are committed to bring our viewers the best family entertainment and Bollywood blockbusters.”

  • Dish TV adds Star India’s five HD channels to its bouquet

    Dish TV adds Star India’s five HD channels to its bouquet

    MUMBAI: Dish TV Monday said it has added five new HD channels from Star India bouquet comprising Star Plus HD, Star Gold HD, Star World HD, Star Movies HD, and Life OK HD effective 8 April.

    Star bouquet of HD channels will be included and made available in all existing HD packages starting from Rs. 399. With this addition Dish TV now boasts of 25 HD channels and 17 HD services.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dish TV COO Salil Kapoor said, “We are excited to add the most anticipated Star channels bouquet in HD and give our customers a viewing experience that is incredibly lifelike. We recognise that our customers have already been enjoying many of their favorite programmes in HD, and I‘m delighted that we can now broaden their choice with maximum 25 HD channels and 17 HD services.”

  • Prime Focus enhances partnership with deltatre

    Prime Focus enhances partnership with deltatre

    MUMBAI: Global digital media and technology firm, deltatre, and, Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the technology arm of media and entertainment industry services leader Prime Focus, have engaged in a partnership agreement after successfully delivering their first joint project in India, the launch of starsports.com.

    PFT‘s award winning Clear Hybrid Cloud technology platform and digital content services can now be integrated with deltatre‘s digital media technologies including their market leading CMS, Forge, and world renowned data integrated video application, Diva.

    PFT Founder, President and CEO Says Ramki Sankaranarayanan said, “Our customers have been urging us to develop a solution that effectively addresses their need for Over The Top (OTT) platforms and an enhanced consumer experience. We are thrilled to join hands with deltatre to offer our customers a solution that will allow direct consumer outreach and enhanced viewer experience. In this area we are targeting a business of Rs. 100 crore in the next three years.”

    PFT and deltatre have shared local human resources to ensure both teams understand the technologies and have the expertise across the relevant platforms, allowing the best possible coordinated solutions for clients.

    “This new partnership with PFT and our successful Starsports.com project marks our entry in to the Indian market. By working so closely together, our companies benefit from sharing international experiences and knowledge while providing local manpower and expertise to our clients,” says deltatre CCO Paul Bristow.

    The working relationship between the two media companies will provide clients with the most innovative digital solutions using an efficient global workflow at competitive local rates.

  • IBF joins MSOs to oppose DAS extension in Bengaluru and Mysore

    IBF joins MSOs to oppose DAS extension in Bengaluru and Mysore

    NEW DELHI: The   Foundation (IBF) has got itself involved in the on-going legal battle between MSOs and LCOs over extension of digitisation deadline in Bengaluru and Mysore.

    The apex body of television broadcasters has impleaded itself in the case contending that there are no grounds for extending the government mandated cable TV digitisation in these two cities.

    IBF president Man Jit Singh confirmed that the IBF has impleaded itself in the case without getting into the specifics of the case.

    MSOs including Hathway Cable & Datacom, InCable, Den Networks, Siti Cable and Atria Convergence Technologies, who have been made party to the case, are opposed to extension of deadline in both the cities.

    The Karnataka High Court (HC) has posted the matter again for hearing on Tuesday which means that the interim order granted earlier restraining MSOs from disconnecting analog signals continues for another day in both the cities.

    The Karnataka Cable TV Operators Association (KCTVOA) and Mysore Cable TV Operators Association (MCTVOA) had filed separate petitions seeking extension of digitisation in Bengaluru and Mysore respectively due to unavailability of set-top boxes (STBs).

    However, the Karnataka HC is hearing both the petitions together.

    The sunset date for phase II of digitisation covering 38 cities including Bengaluru and Mysore was 31 March However the Information & Broadcasting ministry on 2 April allowed a 15 day grace period to the industry to allow smooth transition from analogue to digital cable.

  • Tata Elxsi introduces consulting services for M&E industry

    Tata Elxsi introduces consulting services for M&E industry

    MUMBAI: Global technology and engineering services provider Tata Elxsi has announced the launch of Strategy & Technology Consulting services (S&TC) for the Media & Entertainment industry.

    The bouquet of consulting services is directed towards Multi System Operators (MSOs), Broadcasters and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) facing challenges related to growth, expansion and technology in both mature and emerging markets, including US, Europe, Latin America and India.

    Tata Elxsi offers its experience in devising and improving customer-centric strategies to increase reach, engagement and monetisation, technology-led strategies to help clients identify, evaluate and deploy cutting-edge B2C technologies and operational aspects to help improve service delivery and quality.

    Tata Elxsi‘s VP and Head-Broadcast Business Unit M Thangarajan said, “Our customers face different and constantly evolving priorities and challenges across geographies. For example, government driven digital switchover policies in countries such as Brazil, India and Mexico present great opportunities as well as challenges for operators, including the choice of adopting technology in a phased manner versus leapfrogging, and related aspects of deployment and operations. The expertise and insight we have developed in mature markets will help us provide the right solutions and strategies for such customers.”

    Tata Elxsi has over 15 years of specialised and global experience in working with leading MSOs, Broadcasters, OEMs, platform and software vendors, supporting their technology, product and services roadmaps.

  • BBC Worldwide implements Mediamorph to track, manage global digital sales

    BBC Worldwide implements Mediamorph to track, manage global digital sales

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), recently implemented Mediamorph which offers business software for the global media industry to support and enhance its digital distribution channels through cloud-based contract and royalty management solutions.

    BBC Worldwide Senior Manager, Digital and Home Entertainment, Linda Passey said, “As we have evolved and grown our digital content licensing business, we have encountered challenges in managing commercial terms, understanding cross-platform viewership and handling royalty processing. Mediamorph has provided a solution that allows us to manage these issues with tracking, measurement and financial workflow for our digital distribution.”

    Mediamorph‘s bespoke solution suite offers BBC Worldwide data validation, royalty processing systems for revenue recognition, customised reporting, an interactive business analytics tool and a single-point tracking service that can be used by team members around the globe.

    Mediamorph CEO, and Founder Michael Sid said, “We are pleased to offer a robust suite of services to BBC Worldwide, which is a prime example of the ways in which digital content are changing the landscape of the entertainment media industry” .

    From April 2013, BBC Worldwide is restructuring its business to be based around geographic locations, supported by key global business areas.

  • SPT Networks unveils second screen app to accompany ‘Hannibal‘

    SPT Networks unveils second screen app to accompany ‘Hannibal‘

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks has unveiled a customised second screen viewing app to accompany the premiere of their hotly anticipated drama, ‘Hannibal’, which it co-commissioned for its global portfolio of channels.

    Developed by SPT Networks’ digital arm, the ‘Hannibal’ app will initially be made available in local languages to accompany the series on AXN channels serving pan Asia Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil, Spain and Portugal. It will be the first scripted second screen app in several territories.

    SPT’s second screen ‘Hannibal’ app will synchronise to each episode as it airs live, and also use audio watermarking technology that will trigger it to synchronise during any DVR and VOD playback. The app will be available through iTunes for all iOS mobile phones and tablets to accompany international premieres on AXN channels.

    Users will be able to access exclusive ‘Hannibal’ content, learn more about characters, watch relationships unfold, and access behind-the-scenes footage. Integrated social media elements will enable viewers to interact directly with the show and other fans in a hosted ‘Hannibal’ community.

    SPT executive VP – Digital Networks – Eric Berger said, “SPT’s second screen Hannibal app will be a first for drama series in many markets, breaking new ground for pay TV. ‘Hannibal’ is bursting with additional material and storylines that enrich the viewer experience through this app and which, thanks to the technology now available, we can synchronise live to any schedule, anytime.”

    SPT Executive VP Programming and Production Networks Marie Jacobson said, “‘Hannibal’ is tailor-made for this kind of real-time digital experience. We feel strongly the deep mythology and intricate character weaves of our series will drive core fans of the genre to seek out our app and engage at new levels.