ITV

Category: Technology

  • Sugato Banerji moves from Airtel to What’s-On-India as COO

    Sugato Banerji moves from Airtel to What’s-On-India as COO

    MUMBAI: TV search and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) technology company What‘s-on-India on Wednesday appointed Sugato Banerji as its chief operating officer. Banerji comes in from Airtel DTH & Media where he held the position of CMO.

    At What‘s-on-India he will lead the company‘s growth strategy in the TV search, EPG and recommendations space and consolidate key partner and client relationships. Under him, What‘s-On will also look at expanding into newer international markets just as the company set up What‘s-On-Arabia in the Middle East in 2012.

    Sugato Banerji‘s move from a large corporate set-up to the new, racy, disruptive world of start-ups comes in as What‘s-On-India rapidly expands into international markets as well as launches new solutions in the domestic TV sector, in the wake of the ongoing government efforts to digitise cable.

    What‘s-on-India CEO and founder Atul Phadnis said, "What‘s-On-India is at an exciting crossroads of TV Search and new TV devices in an increasingly digitalising television sector. Sugato brings in tremendous experience in the TV and media business that would be extremely valuable as What‘s-On-India charts a new, growth and expansion agenda in the coming months."

    Banerji said, "I am excited to join What‘s-On-India at the cusp of a transformation of the TV industry into digital. Digital TV would mean more programs, more channels, increase in regional and local content, greater diversity of set-top-boxes, recorder devices, increased viewing of TV on wireless devices, leading to an explosion in the demand for sophisticated TV search, recommendations and personalisation. What‘s-On-India with its suite of new products is perfectly poised to ride this digital wave, from both ends — the broadcaster & distributor."

    What‘s-On-India raised funds in Series B funding round with Intel, Nexus VP and Sequoia Capital in September 2011 and later acquired TV STREET MAPS, a TV channel distribution monitoring company in December 2011. The company also launched a series of TV search and preview apps on Android, iPad, iPhones, Windows Mobile and other platforms. The most recent announcement was that of an expansion in the Middle East via an acquisition in Jordan.

  • Siti Cable gets KU Rao as CEO to drive digital biz

    Siti Cable gets KU Rao as CEO to drive digital biz

    NEW DELHI: Essel Group-promoted Siti Cable has filled up its chief executive position after a year to keep pace with its digital cable TV expansion plans. Kancharan Upendra Rao (K U Rao) has moved from Diligent Media Corporation Limited (DCML) where he was chief executive officer to take charge of the cable company.

    After the exit of Sudhir Agarwal, Siti Cable functioned with Anil Malhotra as chief operating officer. The company went on a restructuring exercise and Malhotra was assisted by Sanjay Goyal as chief financial officer and Sanjay Jindal as chief technology officer.

    As Siti Cable CEO, Rao will have his hands full with the second phase of digitisation across 38 cities set for a deadline of 31 March 2013. New to the cable TV industry, he will bring fresh thinking to a sector that is moving from analogue to digital systems. Siti Cable has seeded 1.3 million set-top boxes (STBs) in the first phase.

    Rao served as the CEO of Diligent Media, the company that runs English daily DNA, for more than six years where he was tasked with the challenge of launching the newspaper in the tough Mumbai market and later taking it to other markets. DMCL started as a joint venture between Zee and Dainik Bhaskar group.

    A commerce graduate and MBA from Andhra University, Rao has more than 25 years of experience in the management field. Prior to DMCL, Rao was associated with Royal Dutch / Shell in various senior positions. He is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Zee News Limited since 2006.

    Rao served as International Sales head – Car Care Products of Shell International Petroleum for more than a decade till October 2006. He was the Head of Sales at Onida for more than four years. Prior to that, he was with Philips India as Area Manager.

    Siti Cable (erstwhile known as Wire and Wireless India Ltd) has 54 analogue and 13 digital head-ends and a network of more than 12000 Kms of optical fibre and coaxial cable. It provides its cable services in India‘s 58 key cities and the adjoining areas, reaching out to over 10 million viewers.

  • New Yatra.com app launched on Windows 8

    New Yatra.com app launched on Windows 8

    MUMBAI: In an attempt to innovate and exemplify the best user experience online, travel portal Yatra.com launched an app on Windows 8 exclusively. The application is a built in feature for all the laptop/computer and tablet users using Windows 8.

    This is another effort by the portal to enhance customer satisfaction to justify the company’s message of ‘Creating Happy Travelers’. With this app it aims to further strengthen its relations with the existing customers and attract the new ones by offering them technology at ease of their convenience.

    The new app lets the user book a domestic flight instantly removing the tedious process of sifting through a plethora of steps and thus leading to a much simpler and intuitive interface. Once the user logs in, the app will offer to not only book their flight tickets but also check multiple statuses such as viewing the list, modifying a search and finally making the choice.
    Yatra.com CEO and co- founder Dhruv Shringi said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of this app on Windows in association with Microsoft and to be the pioneers of next generation technology. We at Yatra believe in creating an edge over competition and build lasting relationships with our customers. With this app we aim to reach out to a wider target group who is technologically updated and prefers a complete autonomy in terms of end-to-end multiple scenarios”.

  • Eutelsat’s 70B satellite delivered into orbit

    Eutelsat’s 70B satellite delivered into orbit

    MUMBAI: Eutelsat Communications has said its Eutelsat 70B satellite has been successfully delivered into orbit by a Zenit-3SL rocket operated by Sea Launch AG from the ocean-based Odyssey Launch Platform in international waters of the Pacific Ocean.

    Lift-off of the rocket carrying the 5.2 tonne satellite took place on 3 December at 20.44 GMT/UTC, the company said.

    After a 1-hour 6-minute flight, the Zenit-3SL booster released Eutelsat 70B into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Partial deployment of the solar array was carried out successfully approximately two hours after spacecraft separation, it added.

    Following early orbit operations managed by Eutelsat and Astrium engineers and which include circularising the satellite‘s orbit, fully extending the solar arrays and deploying the antennas, Eutelsat 70B will undergo a full series of in-orbit tests.
    The latest satellite to Eutelsat‘s fleet is expected to enter full commercial service in mid-January 2013.

    Commenting after launch and the first manoeuvres, Eutelsat CEO, Michel de Rosen said: “We are delighted to announce that Eutelsat 70B is on its way to 70.5 degrees East and thank Sea Launch, Energia Logistics and RSC Energia for this flawless launch. With a footprint connecting Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, Eutelsat 70B will be a powerful asset to our in-orbit resources. Its reach into Asia will also be a strong complement to the Eutelsat 172A satellite integrated into our fleet in September following the acquisition of this satellite from GE Capital.”

    Built for Eutelsat by Astrium using its E3000 platform, Eutelsat 70B is designed to optimise resources from the 70.5° East orbital slot. With high frequency reuse, four powerful regional beams connected to 48 Ku-band transponders are located on a single platform, more than doubling current capacity at 70.5° East for data and government services, broadband access, GSM backhauling and professional video exchanges.

    Eutelsat 70B will replace the Eutelsat 70A satellite which will subsequently be redeployed to another location for continued commercial service.

  • AsiaSat signs long-term contract with EBU

    AsiaSat signs long-term contract with EBU

    MUMBAI: Asia Satellite Telecommunications, Asia‘s leading satellite operator, has signed long-term contract renewals with European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the world‘s leading alliance of public service media organizations, for two C-band transponders on AsiaSat 5.

    Furthermore, a new contract was signed to secure additional AsiaSat 5 capacity to support EBU‘s substantial growth of media content delivery services in the Asia-Pacific region.

    These contracts confirm and further extend the existing long-standing relationship between the two companies, which began in 1999.

    AsiaSat 5 is now an integral part of the EBU‘s global content delivery network which distributes entertainment, culture and music content, and live sports and news events such as the Olympics, World Cup, and the Uefa Champions League from Europe and across Asia.

    The EBU will continue to use AsiaSat 5 to serve its members and media organizations with top quality broadcast services, while the capacity expansion is set to boost its ability to meet the growing demand for content distribution in the Asia region.

    EBU Network Director Graham Warren said, "Our relationship with AsiaSat has been a long and fruitful one, and we are pleased to further strengthen this valued partnership through these renewed and new contracts. AsiaSat has been and remains a steadfast partner for EBU. We look forward to continuing to work with AsiaSat to provide professional and high-quality services to the media community in a reliable and cost-effective way."

    "We are proud to have established an enduring relationship with EBU which is built on the proven performance and reliability of our satellite products and services. We are pleased to see that our successful collaboration will continue for many years to come. We thank the EBU for their trust and the opportunity to continue providing the service quality and flexibility needed to meet their expansion objectives," said AsiaSat President and CEO William Wade.

  • NDS launches state-of-the-art R&D campus in Bangalore

    NDS launches state-of-the-art R&D campus in Bangalore

    MUMBAI: Cisco-owned NDS has launched its new R&D campus in Bangalore as it reaches 12 years of operations in India.

    The new campus is NDS’ largest R&D facility and will support development for nearly 50 per cent of the company’s service provider customers around the world.

    Spread across 330,000 sq. ft, the state-of-the-art facilities R&D campus is capable of scaling up from its current 2,100 skilled technical and development employees.

    The new R&D campus was inaugurated by Cisco’s Service Provider Video Technology Group SVP and GM Jesper Andersen.

    While the Bangalore Centre supports innovative development worldwide, the R&D centre in India also strives to provide locally-developed solutions and set-top-box integration services specifically for the Indian market, the company said in a statement.

    Solutions developed locally in Bangalore enable the launch of digital platforms with a full roadmap of features and functionality for small and medium-sized operators looking to digitalize their service ahead of the deadlines in the mandate, including hosted solutions to enable a fully managed service that reduces upfront software, hardware and integration cost.

    The NDS R&D centre in Bangalore plays a key role in the company’s global development activity, with full product management and product ownership. The centre provides support for market-leading operators worldwide including Astro (Malaysia), BSkyB (UK), CCTV (China), DIRECTV (US) and Sky Italia (Italy) to name but a few.

  • ESPNFC expands availability with Windows 8 app

    ESPNFC expands availability with Windows 8 app

    MUMBAI: ESPNFC, the sports media company’s multi-platform global football initiative, is expanding its availability with the launch of a new free multi-device, multi-screen Windows 8 app which provides football fans a new design and user experience optimised for the new operating system and the variety of devices which will feature it.

    Available worldwide now through the Windows Store, the ESPNFC app is optimised for multiple devices, including touch screen tablets and laptops, and desktop PCs. The app utilises the Windows 8 live tiles, which provide users with dynamically updated content, and offers ESPN’s Gamecast function, providing access to the live digital experience with commentary, in-game stats, graphical visualisation, match reports and more.

    ESPN Digital Media International VP Arne Rees said, “ESPNFC is increasing the number of fans and brands who connect with our football coverage worldwide. ESPNFC is one of ESPN’s most significant global commitments to the sport of football and leverages the core strength of what ESPN does well – serve sports fans.”

    As football heads towards the winter transfer window, ESPNFC has also launched TransferCenter, a responsively-built digital destination that will provide fans a real-time catalogue and multi-media connection to the stories, rumours, updates and player transfer news in leagues worldwide during the run-up to, and throughout, the winter transfer window.

    As players complete transfers, ESPNFC will also team with Electronic Arts’ EA Sports to produce images and simulations of that player in their new club kit, based on EA Sports popular Fifa’13 game engine and graphics. Additionally, ESPNFC PressPass, the football debate and discussion TV show, will provide exclusive reaction and analysis video from its stable of analysts and experts throughout the winter transfer season.

    ESPNFC is organising a developing worldwide network of writers, bloggers and analysts covering the latest news and developments 24/7, regardless of where they happen in the world. The ESPNFC blogger network includes a roster of its own blogs and contributors, and in the coming weeks will include an expanding affiliated blog network – pulling together some of the top independent voices in the football blogosphere.

    Over the coming weeks, ESPNFC will launch half a dozen new blogs, with new offerings around continental European clubs such as Roma, the MLS in the US, as well as subject-specific blogs — for example around the Road to the 2014 Fifa World Cup. These join existing topical blogs such as La Liga, the Boot Room (live matchday blogging), fantasy football, Tactics and Analysis and more.

    ESPNFC also features a growing network of correspondents who cover the latest news and stories from key football regions around the globe, including UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia, Latin America and the regional hot-beds of football such as Manchester and London.

    Online and on mobile, ESPNFC continues to expand its offering of video highlights and reviews of the key leagues and competitions around the world. In the months since launch ESPNFC has in certain territories globally, launched video around leagues including the UEFA Europa League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the FA Cup, France’s Ligue 1, Germany’s Bundesliga and will continue to add more video.

    Across the Indian sub-continent, ESPNFC has significantly increased the sports media company’s connection to football fans, and is the fastest-growing digital football destination among leading sites – with unique visitors up 49 per cent year on year.

    Across all devices and platforms, fans spent more than 36 million minutes on ESPNFC since the start of the season, up 52 per cent from the same period last season.

    On computers and mobile devices, fans on the sub-continent are accessing ESPN football content in increasing numbers, with total page views up nearly 20 per cent from last season to more than 15 million and site visits up 34 per cent. Via the mobile web alone, fans spent nearly 9 million minutes, which is up by 47 per cent from last season.

  • Social media revitalising future of television: Initiative

    Social media revitalising future of television: Initiative

    MUMBAI: Social media is having a profoundly positive impact on TV viewing, as a new group of “highly-engaged” TV viewers is using social media to talk about TV programming and advertising and to influence the content and brand choices of their social peer group, according to Initiative’s latest global report, a research and analytics into social television.

    Titled “The New Power of Television: How Social is Revitalising the Future of TV”, the report explores how television is enjoying a revival because of the new digital technology and the rise of social media.

    Initiative, IPG‘s media agency, said over the past decade, experts across the advertising world have been proclaiming the demise of TV, and marketers and agencies have been searching out creative and media options beyond the 30 second spot. However, the research conducted by Initiative shows that the future for TV has never looked so healthy.

    Using its online consumer panel The Connections Panels, Initiative spoke with consumers in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, the US and the UK to learn about how TV and social media are now working in combination to provide a hugely powerful advertising medium.

    The digital technology has given TV more screens and devices on which to broadcast and given rise to a social media phenomenon that is actually amplifying both programming and creative messaging, the report said.

    Television viewing working in tandem with social media has created a new group of highly influential consumers, the “TV Talker”. Making up more than half of TV viewers aged 16-54, they share ads they like and post frequently to their larger social network, sharing brand stories and driving ad messaging.

    The report also revealed that television is driving online conversation which, in turn, is driving people to watch more TV. Initiative has identified a series of key pointers for marketers looking to tap into this resource: Create fully-orchestrated TV Talking experiences over time – before, after and, critically, during broadcast, create a multi-screen and multiple element experience to make your brand easy to share and easy to explore, Implement social governance strategies to maintain your relationship with the valuable TV Talkers, Invest in analytics to prove the value of TV Talk on brand equity and Test and learn new technologies to give your brand “first-mover” advantage.

    Initiative director, EVP communication planning, worldwide Sarah Ivey said, “The synergistic effects between television and social are just the beginning of the possibilities. What is fascinating is that television is now a central navigation point in a brand experience where people can engage and create their own version of the brand story across many screens. Brands are being rewarded when they innovate in this space…it‘s a truly exciting opportunity.

  • Niloufer Dundh calls it a day at Hungama Digital

    Niloufer Dundh calls it a day at Hungama Digital

    MUMBAI: Niloufer Dundh has resigned from Hungama Digital Media Entertainment as head – integrated media.

    Dundh told Indiantelevision.com that she will take a break for a while before she turns into an entrepreneur and launches her new venture in January-February.
    Over a stint of 3 years at Hungama, she was responsible for monetising properties across all of Hungama‘s lines of businesses like web, mobile, gaming and DTH.

    Prior to joining Hungama, she worked with UTV and Radio Mirchi in Sales division.

  • StarHub in multi-platform deal with ESS

    StarHub in multi-platform deal with ESS

    MUMBAI: Singapore telecom operator StarHub has signed a multi-platform deal with ESPN Star Sports (ESS) to carry its portfolio of multi-media assets including television, broadband, and mobile services on a non-exclusive basis.

    StarHub is a full-fledged telecommunications company providing a range of services over mobile, internet and fixed platforms in Singapore.

    The deal comprises six ESPN Star Sports channels, which brings the number of dedicated sports channels on StarHub TV to 22; the broadband video player ESPN Player; and the live streaming mobile service, Mobile ESPN.

    The channels and ESPN Player will be launched on StarHub TV on 14 December while Mobile ESPN will be introduced on StarHub’s Mobile platform later in December.

    Sports fans can look forward to a comprehensive line-up of sports coverage on ESPN, Star Sports, the high-definition 24-hour sports channel ESPN HD, the 24-7 sports news channel ESPNews and premium cricket channels in Star Cricket and Star Cricket HD.

    Customers will also be able to access ESPN Player via StarHub’s Internet TV service, TV Anywhere. Mobile ESPN apps for iPad, iPhone and Android devices will be launched soon, allowing Singapore sports fans Anywhere, Anytime access to their favourite sports.

    “We are excited to welcome ESPN Star Sports back to our sports content line-up. Combined with our current spread of sports channels, viewers can now look forward to the widest range of sports programming, including all the tennis and golf majors, on our trusted network. Customers can also take advantage of our TV Anywhere service to savour exciting ‘live’ sports coverage on their personal devices on their personal devices. By delivering a comprehensive range of sports content across multiple platforms, we are confident that customers will have the finest sports viewing experience possible,” said StarHub Head of Marketing & Products Chan Kin Hung.

    ESS features sports content that includes exciting football properties (the Spanish La Liga BBVA, Asian Football Confederation events); motor-racing (Formula One, SBK, MotoGP, Nascar, Dakar Rally); Grand Slam tennis (Wimbledon, Australian Open); events from the WTA Tour and ATP World and the Hopman Cup, the Golf Majors (The Masters, US Open and The Open Championship) as well as the PGA Grand Slam of Golf; popular American sports (Major League Baseball, NCAA College Football and Basketball), premier Asian sports (Asean Basketball League, OneAsia golf tournaments, HSBC Asian Five Nations); and top cricket properties (ICC events, Champions League Twenty20, international and domestic cricket from the BCCI, Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board).

    “We‘re very happy to be able to offer the full range of our programming to the widest possible audience in Singapore and to return back to StarHub after two-and-a-half years away with a new long term agreement,” said ESS MD Peter Hutton.

    ESPNEWS will be a complimentary channel available to all StarHub TV customers at no additional cost. With the addition of ESPN, Star Sports and ESPN HD to the Sports Group, the subscription to the Sports Group will be revised to $19.26 per month (with GST), effective from 15 January.

    The Sports Group subscription includes access to ESPN Player and other sports channels such as Racquet Channel, Football Channel, SuperSports, SuperSports Arena and Setanta Sports via TV Anywhere. Currently available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, Mobile ESPN will be added to StarHub’s Gee! portal later this month. Star Cricket and Star Cricket HD will be available on the Cricket Group, which is unchanged at $32.10 per month (with GST).