ITV

Category: Technology

  • Virgin Media launches YouTube app in TV guide

    Virgin Media launches YouTube app in TV guide

    MUMBAI: Virgin Media has created a channel for YouTube in its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), enabling Virgin Media TiVo customers to access the video community’s online content from listings that have until now been available only to traditional linear broadcast channels.

    YouTube is the first app to be included in a TV guide and is available to all Virgin Media TiVo customers.

    In addition, Virgin Media has integrated YouTube clips and channels more deeply in TiVo’s ‘My Shows’ and ‘Search and Browse’ areas, giving viewers the widest choice in how to access entertainment. The app is free to access and can be launched by scrolling through the channel listings and selecting number 198.

    Virgin Media Associate Director of content acquisition Peter Chapman said, “As the first and fastest growing next generation TV service, Virgin Media TiVo is transforming the way we watch television. The distinction between different types of entertainment – from channel schedules to On Demand TV, from linear broadcasts to online content – is blurring all the time. By giving YouTube a place in our channel listings we’re breaking the mould of the traditional EPG and giving our customers even more choice in how they can watch the great content on our platform.”

    YouTube Global Director Platform Partnerships Francisco Varela, “We’re always looking for new ways to bring the exciting content generated by our creator community to viewers and are delighted that the YouTube app now has a place in Virgin Media’s channel listings.”

    In addition to being available through Virgin Media’s TV guide, the YouTube app can be found within the ‘Apps and Games’, ‘My Shows’ and ‘Search & Browse’ areas on Virgin Media TiVo.

    YouTube search results are even instantly available on every programme information page as bonus features, allowing viewers to easily become immersed in bloopers, fandom content and more, all directly related to the show they’re interested in.

  • HBO to launch broadband streaming service in Hong Kong

    HBO to launch broadband streaming service in Hong Kong

    MUMBAI: HBO Asia has announced the Asia launch of HBO Go to now TV‘s HBO subscribers in Hong Kong.

    HBO Go, a new broadband streaming service, enables subscribers to enjoy over 1,000 hours of HBO Original content on multiple devices including PCs, MACs, tablets and mobile devices (iOS and Android) anywhere, anytime. The service includes new episodes of shows such as ‘Game of Thrones‘, ‘The Newsroom‘, ‘True Blood‘ and ‘Veep‘ 12 hours after being shown in the US.

    Winner of the Best On-Demand Solution at IBC 2012 in Amsterdam, HBO Go will make its Asian debut in Hong Kong on 28 February exclusively and free to now TV‘s HBO subscribers.

    HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink said, “HBO GO is a versatile service enabling subscribers to maximise their HBO entertainment across multiple devices, whether at home or on the move, and Hong Kong subscribers of our long-term exclusive partner, now TV, are the first to enjoy this brand new broadband streaming service. With over 1,000 hours of quality HBO Original content to choose from, HBO GO subscribers will be spoilt for choice and can also watch the latest HBO shows 12 hours after US telecast. This helps combat piracy and gives subscribers an opportunity to catch the newest episodes of their favourite shows earlier.”

    PCCW MD TV, new media Janice Lee said, “We are excited to be the first in Asia to offer HBO Go and our customers will soon be able to access HBO‘s great movies and TV series anytime and anywhere. HBO Go complements our hugely popular now Player and other mobile apps for enjoying on-the-go content. With more than 1.4 million downloads of our apps, users are able to enjoy more than 25 live channels and 80 on-demand programmes.

    HBO GO subscribers will have access to current HBO Original series as well as past series like ‘Band of Brothers‘, ‘Sex and the City‘, ‘The Sopranos‘ and ‘Rome‘ plus HBO movies, documentaries, comedies, family content, entertainment specials and more.

    “HBO Go is packed with features all giving maximum choice to the subscriber. We will continue to update HBO Go with new features, for example, in addition to streaming content on HBO GO, downloading of content will be made available in the third quarter of 2013,” added Spink.

  • Auction of 800 Mhz spectrum to commence on 11 March

    Auction of 800 Mhz spectrum to commence on 11 March

    NEW DELHI: Only one applicant – SSTL – registered for the auction of 800 MHz spectrum while no applicants registered for the auction of 1800 and 900 MHz spectrum at the time of close on the last date for receipt of applications, 25 February.

    In view of this, the Government today announced that it will commence the auction for 800 MHz on 11 March.

    Under the original announcement, auction for 1800 and 900 MHz bands was to begin simultaneously starting from 11 March and the 800 MHz band auction was to commence two days after the conclusion of the auction of 1800 and 900 MHz spectrum.

    The Department of Telecom also announced that the next steps in respect of the 1800 and 900 MHz spectrum will be decided shortly after placing the developments and issues arising therefrom before the Empowered Group of Ministers on auction of spectrum.

    A third auction (after the first auction in November 2012 and the second auction due to commence on 11 March) was already announced by the DoT on 20 February consequent to the Supreme Court directions of 15 February.

    This third auction was to cover only the 1800 MHz band to comply with the SC directive to put the entire spectrum surrendered (which was entirely either in the 1800 or 800 MHz bands) by holders of quashed licenses to auction immediately. This would, in any case, have necessitated auction in 20 of the 22 circles wherein the quantum of spectrum put to auction was less than what the apex court had directed on 15 February after the issue of the NIA for the March 2013 auction.

    In Delhi and Mumbai circles, the quantum of spectrum put to auction in March 2013 was already in accordance with the latest orders of the Court. This was also the case in respect of spectrum in the 800 MHz band both in the November 2012 auction and again in the March 2013 auction.

    In the light of these developments, DoT will review the need to include the remaining two circles – Delhi and Mumbai – for 1800 MHz bands in the next round of auctions as also the need for a re-auction in the three metro circles of the 900 MHz band. The quantum of spectrum, the reserve price and the timelines for this auction will be decided after necessary directions are obtained from the EGoM and where required, the cabinet, in this regard.

    DoT is also in the process of filing an affidavit of compliance in the Supreme Court regarding implementation of its orders of 15 February. Any further directions issued by the Court in the matter will be incorporated into the plan of action for the next round of auction to be held as soon as possible after the 11 March auction is completed.

    Separately, the DoT will also take action as directed by the Delhi High Court to dispose of the applications for extension of licenses received from licensees whose licenses are due to expire in November 2014. This action will be completed before the timeline fixed by the High Court of Delhi.

  • LG buys out HP’s mobile operating system WebOS

    LG buys out HP’s mobile operating system WebOS

    MUMBAI: Global consumer durables and electronics maker and marketer LG has acquired Hewlett-Packard‘s mobile operating system WebOS.

    As part of the acquisition, LG gets source code for WebOS, related documentation, engineering talent, related WebOS Web sites and HP licenses for use with its WebOS products along with the patents HP obtained from Palm.

    The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

    LG said that it intends to use the operating system in its smart televisions and not mobile phones. LG is focused on Android as its mobile operating system of choice.

    WebOS is an operating system that showed promise but many feel that it was mismanaged by HP. It was supposed to be the feature that would save Palm who then sold it to HP. The operating system‘s luck seemed to flounder further when HP decided to pull the plug on its mobile initiatives in 2012.

    The deal isn‘t a complete surprise, with LG already reportedly looking at the platform for use in its products. In fact, the company had been eyeing WebOS for a while.

    A media report quoted LG Electronics, president and chief technology officer Skott Ahn saying that the deal “creates a new path for LG to offer an intuitive user experience and Internet services across a range of consumer electronics devices.”

    The report further said, “WebOS team will make up the heart and soul of the new LG Silicon Valley Lab, with its Sunnyvale, Calif., and San Francisco sites joining LG‘s global R&D locations in the Valley, alongside WebOS offices in San Jose and Chicago.”

  • Isro’s PSLV-C20 launches joint Indo-French satellite Saral

    Isro’s PSLV-C20 launches joint Indo-French satellite Saral

    BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation‘s (Isro) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C20 Monday successfully launched the joint Indo-French satellite Saral, along with six other satellites in its 23rd flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.

    Other satellites that launched with Saral include Unibrite (NLS 8.1) and Brite (NLS 8.2) from Austria, Sapphire and Neossat from Canada, Aaausat-3 (NLS 8.3) from Denmark and STRaND-1 from the United Kingdom.

    The satellite was launched in the presence of President of India Pranab Mukherjee along with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, E. S. L. Narasimhan, Andhra Pradesh (AP) CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Minister of State (Prime Minister‘s Office) V Narayanasamy, and other dignitaries from the Government of AP.

    At the completion of the countdown, PSLV-C20 lifted off from the First Launch Pad at SDSC SHAR, at 1801 hrs (IST) with the ignition of the first stage of the launch vehicle. The important flight events, namely, stage ignitions, heat-shield separation, stage separations and satellite injections took place exactly as planned.

    After a flight of 17 minutes 55 seconds, the main payload, Saral, weighing 407 kg was injected to an orbit very close to the intended orbit. Following this, the six auxiliary satellites were also successfully injected.

  • Google remains India’s most trusted internet brand for 3rd time

    Google remains India’s most trusted internet brand for 3rd time

    MUMBAI: Google remains India‘s Most Trusted for the third year in a row but the gap with the second ranked Facebook is a miniscule 3 per cent, according to brand trust research agency Trust Research Advisory (TRA).

    An analysis of the All India Most Trusted ranks shows that Google (All India rank 44) fell 13 ranks and Facebook (All India rank 48) gained 17 ranks to bridge the gap, says TRA.

    Yahoo still stood as the third Most Trusted Internet brand despite its 62 rank fall in All India Brand Trust rank.

    Google‘s Orkut, steadied at 4th rank despite a significant fall in daily visitors from India. Ebay follows as India‘s fifth Most Trusted Internet brand with a very small difference in BTI from the previous. The top six of last year are repeated in the same order this year as well.

    TRA noted that the number of brands represented in the Internet category this year has gone up from just 14 in 2012 to 25 this year showing a direct increase in the trust internet based exchanges have begun to garner.

    The Brand Trust Report, India Study – 2013, is the third in its series researched and published by TRA. This year‘s research was conducted in 16 cities generating 19000 unique brands across 211 categories. Trust Research Advisory is a part of the Comniscient Group, a group of India‘s largest non-advertising based communication businesses.

    TRA CEO N. Chandramouli said, “Two reasons online brands rely significantly on trust more than any other. Firstly, the exchanges are without any physical interface, and secondly, the online world is cluttered with choices that make loyalty ephemeral. With most of the new brands entering the Most Trusted list this year being from Online Shopping or Internet Services, there will be no stopping this sub-category from seeing accelerated growth over the next 12 months.”

    The leaders in the various sub-categories are Naukri leading in Internet Services, Youtube in Online Sharing, Ebay in Online Shopping, Google in Internet Tools and Facebook in Social Networking.

    A study of the number of brands in each sub-categories shows that Internet Tools is represented by nine brands, Online Shopping by eight brands, Social Networking by four brands and Online sharing and Online Services by two brands each.

  • Opera Software launches ad platform arm

    Opera Software launches ad platform arm

    MUMBAI: Norwegian-based Opera Software has announced the launch of its fully-owned subsidiary, Opera Mediaworks.

    The subsidiary will focus on providing advertising, content distribution and monetisation services to the global mobile marketplace.

    Opera Mediaworks claims to service more than 80,000 mobile sites and mobile applications, managing more than 50 Billion ad impressions per month and enabling more than $400 million of publisher revenue in 2012.

    Making use of a variety of ad technology platforms and Opera’s mobile browsers, Opera Mediaworks is expanding Opera’s brand and presence, enabling a more open and efficient marketplace among mobile publishers and advertisers.

    Opera Mediaworks enables brands to reach their target audiences while making it possible for consumers to find, use and purchase the mobile content and services most relevant to their interests.

    Additionally, the company has also announced the launch of a new performance-based mobile advertising platform called Opera Mediaworks Performance, which provides advertisers with comprehensive tools to better reach their target audience and acquire new customers.

    Based on the idea that mobile advertising should entice consumers to connect directly with the advertiser, Opera Mediaworks Performance facilitates real-time targeting and reporting on mobile ad campaigns.

    Opera Mediaworks offers four service areas targeting advertisers, publishers, mobile operators and others that participate in the mobile economy. The services are- Ad mediation and Ad exchange services, Mobile ad agency and networks, Opera Mobile Store and Opera Payment Exchange (OPX).

    With AdMarvel and Opera Mediaworks Ad Exchange, the advertising ecosystem can easily harness ad-mediation, ad-serving and real-time-bidding (RTB) technologies that bring everyone in the mobile advertising value chain to one common marketplace and participate in a public or private exchange, with increased transparency and control of advertising placement, the company said in a press statement.

    According to Opera, Mobile Theory and 4th Screen Advertising are two of the leading premium mobile advertising networks spanning North America and Europe. Going beyond clicks and management offerings to advertisers, they enable some of the largest global brands to deliver rich media campaigns that engage and immerse mobile consumers.

    Opera Mobile Store is a multi-platform app store which is accessible from any web-enabled phone; it offers a highly flexible white-label app-store solution for mobile operators, as well as handset manufacturers and distributors.

    Meanwhile, OPX is a payment-enablement solution that reduces friction for mobile publishers, payment providers and mobile operators, while building trust towards consumers. OPX allows operators and storefronts to gain merchandising intelligence and lower costs and to monetise their offerings.

    Opera Mediaworks EVP for consumer mobile for Opera Software and CEO Mahi de Silva said, “Opera has worked hard and smart to bring together a stellar portfolio of products and solutions to service all the various players in the mobile ecosystem. We are proud to launch the Opera Mediaworks brand to simplify our offering as the world’s largest mobile ad platform.”

  • HBO, Eros debut ad-free movie channels on Dish TV and Airtel digital TV

    HBO, Eros debut ad-free movie channels on Dish TV and Airtel digital TV

    MUMBAI: HBO Defined and HBO Hits, the two premium ad-free movie channels, have launched on Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV.

    These carriage deals come shortly after the signing of a strategic tie-up between HBO Asia and Eros International media to launch two new premium advertising-free movie channels in India.

    The channels are currently on air and will be available for a free preview in the initial phase of the launch.

    HBO Defined and HBO Hits will showcase the best of Hollywood and Bollywood content through HD and SD feeds on Dish TV (channels 24 and 25 on HD and 414 and 415 on SD boxes respectively) and SD feed on Airtel Digital TV (channels 199 and 200 respectively).

    Dish SD feed will go on air 28 February onwards.

    The two channels will be offered at a special introductory price of Rs 49 and Rs 69 for SD and HD services respectively.

    HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink says that the promotional offer is only for three months. The normal price for SD channels is Rs 99 while the HD channel pack is priced at Rs 129.

    Asked about expansion plans into digital cable given that the second phase of digitisation is happening.

    “Our distributor Turner India is talking to various Digital cable and DTH operators. The goal is to ultimately reach all addressable digital systems,” said Spink.

    A high impact multi-media marketing campaign will be launched to promote the two new channels across platforms. The campaign will commence mid March.

    Eros International Media Executive Director Jyoti Deshpande said, “We are excited about the quick response from the DTH operators to offer our premium channels to their customer base and are thankful to Dish and Airtel for partnering with us. We are confident that our compelling and unique content offering of Bollywood and Hollywood plus an advertising-free viewing experience will make this an instant hit with subscribers.”

    Catering to all movie lovers and each having a distinct identity, HBO Defined is the home of latest Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters and award-winning HBO Originals, while HBO Hits is a channel that indulges viewers with genre driven anchors and iconic HBO Original series.

    Over the next few months viewers can expect an overwhelming line-up of “first time in India” Hollywood blockbuster premieres such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Bollywood premi?res of titles such as Chakravyuh, Award winning titles such as The Iron Lady and exclusive and award-winning HBO Original programmes such as Veep, Game of Thrones, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire as they premiere close to U.S. airdates.

    In addition, dual language options of either English or Hindi are available for selected Hollywood blockbusters. Some of the upcoming titles in dual language are Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Kung Fu Panda 2 and Journey 2 Mysterious Island.

  • Sky Sports News HD makes intl debut via Viasat

    Sky Sports News HD makes intl debut via Viasat

    MUMBAI: As part of its international channels activity, UK pay TV service provider BSkyB (Sky) has entered into a multi-year agreement with Modern Times Group (MTG), parent company of European pay TV operator Viasat.

    This will see Sky Sports News HD and a selection of support programming and features distributed exclusively to sports fans in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

    From the end of this month, MTG will distribute Sky Sports News HD in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland through its Viasat pay TV platform, as well as through its channel packages on third party cable TV platforms and IPTV networks, including MTG‘s online service Viaplay. MTG will also add Sky Sports News HD to its Baltic platforms later in the year.

    Covering a range of sports – including the Premier League, Football League, Uefa Champions League, Formula 1, golf and rugby union – Sky Sports News HD offers fans a news service. From its breaking news around football transfers to its ‘Special Reports‘ series, the channel provides news, analysis and insight from across the sporting world.

    This agreement builds on Sky‘s growing international channels business that already sees Sky News reach millions of viewers across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The syndication and distribution of channels internationally is a growing part of Sky‘s business as the company seeks to leverage the quality of its brands and content by making programming available to new audiences.

    Sky Sports News HD already syndicates selected programming to other international broadcasters such as Fox Soccer in the USA, but this new agreement marks the first time that the entire Sky Sports News HD channel will be available on an international pay TV platform. On top of carrying Sky Sports News HD as a standalone channel on its Viasat platform, MTG will also have the option to insert Sky Sport News HD content, including Formula 1TM pre-race programming, into its own wholly owned sports channels for up to three hours each day.

    In addition, the agreement also enables MTG to exclusively broadcast a range of other premium Sky Sports content, including support programming and features such as Soccer AM and The F1 TM Show.

    BSkyB commercial group director Rob Webster said, “The demand for high quality sports news has never been greater and we‘re delighted to be working with MTG to bring the full Sky Sports News channel to an international audience for the first time. For sports fans, there‘s no better place for around-the-clock breaking news, expert commentary and interviews than Sky Sports News. We‘re thrilled to be developing the channel‘s distribution in Europe and are looking forward to sharing all of the action with MTG‘s customers.”

    MTG president, CEO J?rgen Madsen Lindemann said, “This is fantastic news for sports fans who already enjoy our world class and market leading offering of local and international sports coverage. Subscribers to our platforms and channels will now have access to even more of the latest breaking news and expert views from the best known sports stars, personalities and commentators. Sports news is a global headline grabbing phenomenon, and Sky Sports is a strong brand that consistently delivers high quality content. It is great that our viewers will now have access in and out of their homes to even more of the very best sports entertainment.”

  • Digitisation: Trai directs MSOs and LCOs to comply with QoS in DAS areas

    Digitisation: Trai directs MSOs and LCOs to comply with QoS in DAS areas

    NEW DELHI: For the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), it is time to take audit of the first phase of implementation of digital addressable system (DAS) by cable TV networks. Though satisfied with the deployment of set-top boxes (STBs), the broadcast sector regulator now seems to be wanting faster progress made on packaging of channels and billing so that cable TV subscribers can select their channels according to their budgets.

    In a toughening of stance, Trai has directed multi-system operators (MSOs) and the local cable operators (LCOs) to make their subscriber management system (SMS) fully operational in DAS areas. The systems are provided for under Regulation 20 of the Standards of Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations.

    Trai has asked the MSOs and the LCOs to file a compliance report of the QoS within seven days from the date of issue of this directive. The sector regulator had sent the directive on 22 February.

    “It has come to the notice of the Trai that this feature has not been implemented effectively by many MSOs. Also, in many of the cases the LCOs have not provided the completed subscriber application forms to their linked MSOs,” Trai said.
    The compliance report to be given to the Authority will contain total number of STBs received from the linked MSO, total number of STBs seeded and operationalised, total number of consumer application forms duly filled and complete in all respects (all the relevant consumer details and his choice of channels/ bouquets) and submitted to the linked MSO.

    An addressable system “enables the subscribers to exercise their choice of services and budget their bills accordingly”. It also “facilitates the MSOs to effectively manage their accounting and billing of the services rendered”.

    Though the process of SMS had started, senior executives of several MSOs said on condition of anonymity that the entire system would take some time. They also admitted that they faced resistance from some LCOs, following which there was delay in selling channel packages to their subscribers and implementing a proper billing system. Meanwhile, some LCOs have carried out protests to express their dissatisfaction over Trai‘s prescribed revenue share with the MSOs in DAS markets.