ITV

Category: Technology

  • DEN doubles borrowing cap to Rs 20 bn; Q3 consolidated up 10% QoQ

    DEN doubles borrowing cap to Rs 20 bn; Q3 consolidated up 10% QoQ

    MUMBAI: With digitisation firm on the government‘s agenda, DEN Networks Ltd, a leading multi-system operator (MSO), has got the board approval to double its borrowing power from existing Rs 10 billion to Rs 20 billion.

    The company also said on Tuesday that its consolidated net profit for the third quarter ended 31 December rose 10 per cent to Rs 171.7 million from Rs 155.9 million in the previous quarter, in line with revenue growth.

    Incidentally, this quarter saw the rollout of the first phase of digitisation in the four metros. The government stuck to the deadline of 1 November, though digitisation got disrupted in Chennai due to a Madras High Court order.

    DEN’s consolidated Ebidta for the three-month period beginning 1 September jumped 22 per cent to Rs 603.9 million from Rs 308.4 million in the trailing quarter.

    The company’s consolidated net revenue grew 12 per cent to Rs 2.41 billion from Rs 2.16 billion in the previous quarter. Its expenditure during the quarter increased to Rs 1.81 billion from Rs 1.66 billion due to rise in operation expenses.

    DEN’s net profit from cable business was up 19 per cent to Rs 159.5 million from Rs 133.9 million in the previous quarter. Its operating profit rose 26 per cent to Rs 585.3 million from Rs 463 million.

    Its revenues from the cable business grew 13 per cent to Rs 2.29 billion from Rs 2.02 billion in the previous quarter.

    DEN’s net profit from distribution business was Rs 12.4 million on income of Rs 123.3 million and expenditure of Rs 104.7 million.

    On the first phase of digitisation, the MSO said it along with its affiliates seeded over 1.8 million set-top boxes (STBs) in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. About half of these STBs were deployed in the third quarter.

    DEN has presence in 23 of the 38 cities where digitisation will happen in phase 2, including all the seven cities of Uttar Pradeh, five towns in Maharashtra, 3 in Gujarat, two each in Rajasthan and Karnataka, and 1 each in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Haryana. Den said it has already seeded over 600,000 STBs in these markets.

    The company said it was also gearing to build a high speed broadband internet service and offer bundled double play and triple play services to consumers in fully digitised markets over the next few quarters.

  • Netflix adds animated and live-action content for its kid’s bouquet

    Netflix adds animated and live-action content for its kid’s bouquet

    MUMBAI: Time Warner subsidiaries Turner Broadcasting System and The Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) have inked licensing agreements with Netflix which will allow US Netflix members access to previous seasons of animated and live-action programming from Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation and Adult Swim, as well as the TNT serialized drama Dallas (produced by Warner Horizon Television).

    Beginning 30 March, complete past seasons of Cartoon Network shows as Adventure Time, Ben 10, Regular Show, Johnny Bravo, and Warner Bros. Animation‘s Green Lantern will become available on the popular "Just for Kids" section of the world‘s leading Internet TV subscription service.

    At the same time, Adult Swim shows, such as Robot Chicken, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Sony Pictures Television‘s The Boondocks and the Emmy-winning Childrens Hospital from WBTVG‘s Studio 2.0, will be made available.

    Coming exclusively to Netflix in January 2014 will be season one and two of the critically acclaimed Warner Horizon Television-produced TNT series Dallas.

    "We are delighted that Netflix will become the exclusive over-the-top streaming subscription destination for past seasons of favorite Cartoon Network and Adult Swim titles. We‘re also thrilled to be able to offer the latest seasons of Dallas, one of the greatest all-time guilty pleasures," said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.

    "The industry has evolved so that TV Everywhere and subscription video on-demand services can coexist with the appropriate windowing strategy, while allowing for more content flexibility to meet consumer demand in the changing digital landscape. We‘re happy to offer our popular programming to Netflix members, as SVOD services have become another way to grow audiences and can introduce new viewers to our programming," said Turner Broadcasting SVP of program acquisitions Deborah K. Bradley.

    "We are thrilled to continue our great relationship with Netflix giving their subscribers access to more and more of our programming. This represents another evolutionary step in the TV ecosystem working with Netflix, on the SVOD platform, to improve the consumer experience while being respectful of existing business models," said Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution President Ken Werner.

  • Lionsgate, American Greetings Properties expand home entertainment distribution deal

    Lionsgate, American Greetings Properties expand home entertainment distribution deal

    MUMBAI: Global diversified entertainment company Lionsgate and American Greetings Properties (AGP), the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings, have announced a home entertainment distribution agreement for the new CGI Animated TV series ‘Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot‘.

    The agreement gives Lionsgate packaged and digital rights in both the US and UK to all 26 episodes of the series, which debuted on The Hub last year. In addition, the two companies are extending their existing contract, with Lionsgate retaining its rights to the two previous ‘Care Bears’ television series and five ‘Care Bears’ movies.

    Under the new agreement, Lionsgate will also distribute three additional American Greetings properties in the US through packaged and digital media. The three series are the Weta produced show ‘The WotWots‘, ‘The Twisted Whiskers Show‘ and ‘Maryoku Yummy‘. Finally, Lionsgate will acquire US digital rights to three seasons of the classic Strawberry Shortcake series.

    Lionsgate senior VP of marketing Michael Rathauser said, “We have enjoyed tremendous success over the years with the Care Bears franchise and are pleased to extend our relationship with the new ‘Care Bears: Welcome to Care-A-Lot‘ series. We look forward to helping the Brand grow to new heights with the combination of new entertainment content and American Greeting‘s new Care Bears toy launch in 2013. Furthermore we are excited to have the opportunity to not only expand the Care Bears digital home entertainment footprint, but to also bring some of American Greetings‘ other quality children‘s entertainment to digital retailers for the first time; creating both new business opportunities and more awareness for these great brands.”

    American Greetings Properties VP of programme sales Gia DeLaney said, “We are extremely honored to continue our partnership with Lionsgate. The Care Bears‘ highly-anticipated return to U.S. television in June was a huge success and we are thrilled to continue bringing the series to fans through innovative avenues.”

  • US consumers embrace built-in features in HDTVs: CEA Study

    US consumers embrace built-in features in HDTVs: CEA Study

    MUMBAI: Consumers in the US are using the built-in features on their HDTV at a high rate, with an increasing number gaining access to Web-enabled content directly through their televisions.

    More than one in five US adults owns a smart app-enabled HDTV and almost all (90 per cent) use the apps available on their displays in some capacity.

    In addition, more than four in ten HDTV owners connect their primary displays to the Internet, with 76 per cent connecting at least one external device with smart app capabilities to their primary displays. Half of all HDTV owners connect a video game console or a DVD/Blu-ray player to their primary displays. Smart app users are most likely to stream video content from the Internet (61 per cent), browse the Internet (56 per cent) and view pictures (54 per cent) using smart apps on their televisions.

    Consumers are also looking for displays with built-in Wi-Fi and Internet browsing when purchasing a new HDTV, which trail only high-quality audio and video as the most important purchase factors of HDTVs. Approximately one in three consumers plans to purchase a new HDTV within the next 12 months.

    Another way many consumers are experiencing Web-enabled content for HDTV is through a second screen on a portable connected device. Social networking is the most common activity on the second screen. Among HDTV owners who also own a tablet, two-thirds (67 per cent) use their tablets for social networking while watching TV. Among HDTV owners who also own a smartphone, more than half (58 per cent) are using a social network on that device while watching TV.

    CEA senior research analyst Kevin Tillmann said, “We are living in an app-dominated world, whether it’s on your smartphone, tablet or television. Consumers want access to their apps at all times and they will use whatever device, TVs included, that offer the best and most convenient user experience.”

    As 3D becomes a more common feature on HDTVs sold in the US, consumers have not only become more aware of the technology, but, according to the study, they are also beginning to embrace it. Today, 21 per cent of US homes own at least one 3D-enabled television. CEA’s most recent U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast shows that unit sales of 3D televisions will reach an estimated 5.6 million in 2012, representing 18 per cent of total TV sales, up from eight per cent of total TV sales in 2011.

    Nearly half (42 per cent) of 3D-capable HDTV owners watch five or more hours of 3D content a week. By comparison, three-quarters (75 per cent) of 3DTV owners watch more than five hours of 2D content on their 3DTV a week. However, one in ten (nine per cent) report watching more than 15 hours of 3D content a week.

    Movies are the most common content source for viewing 3D, with nearly half (48 per cent) of 3DTV owners having watched a 3D Blu-ray disc. Live programming (42 per cent) and video games (30 percent) are also popular sources of 3D content. Overall, two-thirds (68 percent) of 3DTV owners rate the visual experience of 3D programming as excellent or good.

    “Consumer interest in 3DTVs and 3D content continues to grow as ownership rates increase. Continuing to expand and innovate with 3D content will be extremely important for future usage and will continue to drive sales,” said Tillmann.

  • DisneyUTV Digital bindass Facebook Jukebox

    DisneyUTV Digital bindass Facebook Jukebox

    MUMBAI: The digital business of DisneyUTV launched ‘bindass Facebook Jukebox‘ which is a digital platform that allows users to choose their favourite music on world‘s most popular social networking website – Facebook and watch their interaction live on television on bindass.

    With bindass Facebook Jukebox, users can rank music by voting for their favourite songs listed on the application. It does not only play music but allows the users to interact with each other. The Jukebox allows users to dedicate songs to their friends and loved ones and watch their dedication along with their profile images live on the bindass Jukebox show – Monday to Friday from 5-7 pm.

    DisneyUTV director – video and celebrity Sameer Pitalwalla said, “Combining our music show on bindass with our Facebook audience and giving them the power to select songs and see themselves along with their comments and dedications on TV is not only a great reward for our fan-base but also a step forward in the direction of making TV more social. The bindass Facebook Jukebox is an innovative product which converges social media with television through music, which appeals to our audience. bindass on Facebook has the most engaged audience base for any youth channel on Facebook in India and we wanted to create something special for our audience.”

    Understanding the symbiotic relationship between mobile phones and social media usage through them amongst the youth, the App will be soon available on smartphones too. The mobile version will allow users to vote for their favourite songs and dedicate songs through the Facebook App on their smartphones.

  • Vishwaroopam’s DTH premiere on 2 Feb, after theatrical release

    Vishwaroopam’s DTH premiere on 2 Feb, after theatrical release

    MUMBAI: After buckling under pressure from theatre owners, Kamaal Haasan‘s spy thriller Vishwaroopam is all set to premiere on direct-to-home (DTH) platforms on 2 February, almost a week after the theatrical release.

    The Hindi version of Vishwaroopam will be released on 1 February across India. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film will be released on 25 January as announced by the actor earlier.

    "While the original DTH premiere was on a Thursday (January 10) and hence inconvenient for most, I am now releasing it on a Saturday at the end of the first week of release (January 25) which will be on February 2," Haasan said in a statement.

    The trilingual action film was earlier supposed to premiere on DTH on 10 January a day before the theatrical release on 11 January which met with fierce resistance from a section of theatre owners who saw the move as an attack on their livelihood.

    The protest by cinema owners in Tamil Nadu, who had also urged the Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa to intervene, had Haasan change his mind.

    The actor and film-maker had also moved the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against certain theatre associations for restricting the release of his film.

    However, Haasan did not reveal the name of DTH operators who will telecast the movie. Haasan‘s production had earlier signed a deal with all the six DTH operators to air the film.

    "I will announce the names of my DTH partners who will be involved in this endeavour soon," he said.

  • Govt serious on tracking down illegal channels, teleport ops to submit monthly reports to I&B

    Govt serious on tracking down illegal channels, teleport ops to submit monthly reports to I&B

    NEW DELHI: The Indian government is getting serious on tracking down illegal transmission of television channels. In an attempt to step up monitoring of the channels being downlinked to the viewers, all teleports operating in the country have been directed by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry to submit every month the list of channels being uplinked by them.

    The teleports have to report the details of the channels they uplink latest by the 15th of every month. The directive for all teleports comes into effect with immediate effect, and the first list of channels uplinked or downlinked has to be submitted by 15 January.

    I&B Ministry sources told Indiantelevision.com that the monthly reporting to it will bring greater transparency and also help check uplinking of unlicensed or illegal channels.

    A teleport or a telecommunications port is a satellite ground station connecting a satellite network with a terrestrial network.

    According to the ministry directive, the teleports are to supply information about the name of the teleport operator, the STV licence number, the satellite being used, the names of all TV channels, names of the companies which own the TV channels, date of start of uplink, and current operational status.

    The teleports were hitherto sending this information every month to the Network Operations Control Centre (NOCC) under the Communications ministry.

    "It is less than a year that we started reporting to the NOCC. Now the I&B ministry also wants us to report to them. The government feels that this is a better way to filter out those unlicensed channels who get distributed in India. We have no problems providing such details," said a senior executive at Essel Shyam Communication, a leading teleport operator in India.

  • Haier introduces TV capabilities through Roku Streaming

    Haier introduces TV capabilities through Roku Streaming

    MUMBAI: Haier has announced this year‘s line of televisions characterised by new designs such as an ultra-thin frame, enhanced sound solutions, and other features such as Roku® streaming. This line-up the company says continues its plan to further its goal of making technology simple and accessible to the consumer, helping to take consumers‘ home entertainment experience to new heights.

    Haier America senior VP digital products group Thomas D‘Angelo said, “As a global leader in consumer electronics, we are thrilled to be in a position to introduce consumers to technology in a simple and easy way that opens up new possibilities for them. CES 2013 will showcase the breadth of our television line and the flexibility and options we offer.”

    Select Haier televisions will come ready for use with the new Roku Streaming Stick™ which instantly gives consumers access to movies, television shows, music, casual games and other entertainment. The Roku Streaming Stick plugs into the MHL port of a Roku Ready Haier HDTV and streams entertainment from any household high-speed Wi-Fi connection. A number of new LED models feature ultra-thin frames that provide a virtually edgeless picture for a truly immersive viewing experience.

    Along with content and picture quality, Haier is focussed on enhancing the audio experience by incorporating a 2.1 channel built-in audio solution into select models. These new developments come in response to the evolving consumer lifestyle that has accompanied the rapid emergence of smart and connected TV technologies in the past few years.

    The 2013 line-up will open up with the Core Series LED, which includes select Roku Ready models with a built-in speaker box for enhanced sound. The line then steps up to the Encore Series, which includes Roku Ready models engineered with their own 2.1sound system. The Encore+ series brings together Haier‘s LED technology and crystal clear high-definition picture with a bundle that includes the Roku Streaming Stick for effortless access to streaming entertainment.

  • Exset, Digital Telemedia partner

    Exset, Digital Telemedia partner

    MUMBAI: Exset, a broadcast technology and solutions company which offers TV ecosystems for emerging markets, and Digital Telemedia (DTM) have announced their co-operation with Digital Telemedia becoming a Digital Monitization System (DMS) technology partner.

    DTM, a Shenzhen Jiuzhou subsidiary will develop value-based MPEG-4 set-top-boxes for digital cable in South Asia as well as for deployment with some key DTH platforms using Exset CAS.

    The boxes will also be suitable for use with Exset‘s DMS technology. DMS allows digital television platforms to be created that can then be monetised where previously impossible. This means populations can benefit from new information and entertainment services, while partnering governments can achieve digital switchover bringing social transformation.

    Exset CTO Gary Ellis said, "DTM‘s management vision, global presence and ability to address customers need in the context of Indian and African digitisation was a defining factor in this cooperation."

    DTM director international sales Huang Wie said, "Exset‘s DMS philosophy – that digitisation can be monitised across emerging markets, allowing digital switchover and empowering populations via TV screen-based information dissemination – is very exciting to us. The DTM set-top boxes that are designed and implemented for DMS will be a game-changer globally. We‘re very pleased to be able to jointly offer high-value STB‘s across emerging markets and in particular the Indian cable market".
     
    Exset global head of sales and marketing Rahul Nehra said, "Exset is delighted to extend its philosophy of ‘Digitisation is Monetisation‘ through its award-winning DMS technology to these markets using its CAS, which is implemented on more than 13 million STB‘s globally. This includes the largest DTH in EMEA, which has more than 10 million subscribers. A proven STB partner like DTM helps us in offering value-based technologies to our Indian cable partners and our pay-TV customers globally."

    DMS is a solution which bridges the gap between technology and value-added services. It allows digital television platforms to be created that can then be monetised where previously impossible. The result allows populations to benefit from new information and entertainment services, while partnering governments to achieve digital switchover and bringing social transformation.

  • Star Network program clips on mobile through TELiBrahma’s ‘Buzz’

    Star Network program clips on mobile through TELiBrahma’s ‘Buzz’

    BENGALURU: Star Network is India’s first broadcaster to tie up with Buzz. Through Buzz, a mobile user could view 30 to 60 second clips of all the popular channels on the network including Star TV, Star World, Star Movies, Star Gold, Channel V etc.

    Says Star India marketing head Gayatri Yadav,”Through Buzz our viewers have access to their favourite Star Network promos. This is also a great way to be in direct touch with our consumers where they have the convenience to choose the information they wish to access.”

    TELiBrahma COO and founder Ravi says, “Brands are slowly able to understand the importance of location based service providers delivering rich media content and how effective they can be as a marketing tool.”

    TELiBrahma further claims that BUZZ as a platform delivers contextual content and a variety of exciting engagements like the movie listings, music video, deals, branded content etc., at zero cost to the users. Buzz hotspots are available at 1200 locations across India and include favourite hangout places like Café Coffee Day, Barista, malls, supermarkets and more. To connect to BUZZ, all one has to do is turn on their mobile’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to instantly receive exciting information, messages and offers for free.