ITV

Category: Technology

  • Nickelodeon US releases app for Windows 8

    Nickelodeon US releases app for Windows 8

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon will re-imagine Nick.com for Windows 8, tailoring it to the platform‘s fun and gesture-based interface.

    Providing a hub for all things Nickelodeon and available for free download in the Windows Store, fans can play more than 1500 games, view photos and watch videos featuring series including iCarly, Victorious, Big Time Rush, The Legend of Korra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants.

    Nickelodeon Group executive VP, GM Digital Steve Youngwood said, "Nickelodeon strives to be everywhere kids are — with this multiscreen generation, it is especially important to offer companion experiences featuring their favourite content. We are thrilled to bring Nickelodeon to Windows 8 as we further extend our offerings to platforms where our fans are."
    Microsoft senior director of Windows App Marketing John Richards said, "Nickelodeon is one of the top brands for kids, and we are excited to bring the brand to Windows 8."

  • Half of internet users in UK unsure if content legal: Ofcom

    Half of internet users in UK unsure if content legal: Ofcom

    MUMBAI: Nearly half of all internet users in the UK are unsure whether the content they are accessing online is legal, UK media watchdog Ofcom‘s research has found.

    However, one in six people online believed they downloaded or accessed content illegally over a three-month period this year.

    The findings come from the first wave of a large-scale consumer study into the extent of online copyright infringement among internet users aged 12 and above.

    This ongoing research will identify trends over time, examining infringement of copyright on music, films, TV programmes, software, books and video games.

    According to the report, 47 per cent of users cannot confidently identify whether the online content they download, stream or share is legal or not, highlighting the importance of increased efforts to educate and inform consumers.

    In June, Ofcom published a draft Code that would require large fixed internet service providers (ISPs) to inform customers of allegations that their internet connection has been used to infringe copyright, and to explain where they can find licensed content on the internet.

    Under the amended Communications Act 2003, Ofcom will report to the Government on efforts made by content owners to invest in awareness campaigns to help educate consumers about the impact of copyright infringement.

    The consumer study also found that:

    • One in six (16 per cent) internet users aged 12+ downloaded or accessed online content illegally during the three month period from May to July 2012;
    • Reported levels of infringement varied considerably by content type: eight per cent of internet users consumed some music illegally in the three months, but just two per cent did so for games and software;
    • The most common reasons cited for accessing content illegally were because it is free (54 per cent), convenient (48 per cent) and quick (44 per cent). Around a quarter (26 per cent) of infringers said it allows them to try before they buy;
    • Infringers said they would be encouraged to stop doing so if cheaper legal services were available (39 per cent), everything they wanted was available from a legal source (32 per cent) or it was more clear what content was legal (26 per cent). One in six said they would stop if they received one notifying letter from their ISP;
    • Those who consumed a mixture of legal and illegal online content in the form of music, films and TV programmes reported spending more on legal content in these categories over the three-month period than those who consumed entirely legal or illegal content.
  • CNN launches digital travel platform ‘CNN Travel’

    CNN launches digital travel platform ‘CNN Travel’

    MUMBAI: CNN International has announced the launch of a new digital channel, CNN Travel, for the world‘s luxury, business and leisure travellers.

    Through a network of more than 800 travel contributors around the world, CNN Travel delivers up-to-the-minute travel news, destination insights, inspirational travel ideas, original observation and thoroughly-researched city and country insider guides with directions to the world‘s hottest restaurants, bars, hotels and activities.

    CNN Travel brings together the best of CNN‘s existing digital travel portfolio and CNNGo.com, the Asia Pacific-focussed travel start-up, launched in 2009. The Hong Kong-headquartered team which launched CNNGo.com and has managed the popular site ever since, will continue at the helm of the international CNN Travel platform, working with international travel contributors to provide users with the distinct voice, authority and local insights which have made CNNGo.com such a hit.

    CNN Travel editor in chief Andrew Demaria said, "CNN Travel takes the best of CNNGo.com, shakes it up and expands its horizons to create an online travel destination unlike anything else out there. We are incredibly proud of the success CNNGo.com has had over the last three years and are thrilled to be taking it global with the creation of CNN Travel".

    CNN International Digital VP, GM Peter Bale said, "CNN Travel‘s blend of reporting, global network, international partnerships, contemporary voice and social media reach will position the site as a compelling travel destination. What Andrew calls ‘CNN in jeans‘ gives the site a fresh and vibrant tone."

    CNN Travel features standalone destination guides on Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, along with dedicated sections on Travel News, Aviation, Hotels, Food and Drink amongst others.

  • Media Pro deactivates Asianet channels in Kerala

    Media Pro deactivates Asianet channels in Kerala

    MUMBAI: The war between the Kerala cable operators and Media Pro Enterprise India, the distribution JV between Star Den and Zee Turner, is out in the open with the latter deactivating all its channels alleging non-payment of subscription fee.

    Media Pro, which aggregates and distributes Zee, Star, NDTV and Turner bouquet of channels in India, said it has been facing severe issues from a certain group of local cable operators in the state.

    A group of cable operators are creating unwarranted problems for Media Pro that has hampered the smooth telecast of channels across the state, Media Pro said.

    These cable operators have not paid their subscription fee for the bouquet of channels distributed by Media Pro more than a year now, Media Pro alleged.

    "Media Pro was forced to take this strong decision of deactivating all the channels after numerous reminders and notices failed to evoke any response from these operators," the company said.

    Media Pro also accused the "group of operators" of spreading rumours on ground by telling the consumers that they have to pay a very high amount if they want Media Pro channels when the fact is that it is not receiving the subscription fee that is being collected on the ground.

    However, in reality, these operators are catering to millions of households across the state and are paying only a miniscule amount of subscription fee collected per household to Media Pro, the company alleged.

    A senior official of Media Pro stated, "Few operators are spreading rumours that are misleading the viewers that they will have to pay higher subscription fees if they wish to view our channels which are absolutely not true. These operators retain a lion‘s share of all the subscription fees that they collect from the viewers and do not pay what is rightfully due to us. Despite repeated reminders and meetings to resolve the issue, we have received no response from these operators which has in turn forced us to take this tough decision of disconnecting the channels."

    "As a company we remain committed in doing our best to protect the interests of the viewers in particular. Once we receive the needed support from these operators we will be pleased to be able to restore the channels to our customers," he added.

    The Media Pro action follows a protest march by Kerala Cable Operators Association under Kerala State Committee of Communist Party Secretary Pannian Raveendran from Kasargod and Wayanad to pressurise the media distribution major.

    Contrary to Media Pro statement, the KCOA said they have stopped broadcasting Asianet, Asianet Plus and Asianet Movies from the Asianet Group from 11 November. The cable operators have alleged that Media Pro is asking operators to pay unreasonable old dues.

    The KCOA, which has 3,000 cable operators under its belt, said that the operators have an agreement with Asianet while the distribution of these channels was taken over by Mediapro later. The operators alleged that the Media Pro decision is aimed at helping DTH operators and cable operators affiliated to the broadcasters.

    "Mediapro started pressurizing the independent operators to make the payments for all the channels they are distributing for which the payment was not collected from the end users. We fear their motto has been to include other nationwide channels in to their fold, increase the rates and thus help DTH companies in which they have direct interest (Tata Sky and Dish TV). They are also promoters for Cable Operators like Hathway (ACV in Kerala), City Cable and Den," KCOA claimed.

    The electricity board has imposed the annual per pole rent from Rs 130 to Rs 311 which has made things difficult for the operators, who need 2 to 3 Poles for urban areas and 7 to 8 poles for rural areas to take the signals to the end user.

    The COA State Committee has urged the I&B ministry and Trai to interfere in the matter.

  • Madras HC to hear petition of cable ops on Tuesday

    Madras HC to hear petition of cable ops on Tuesday

    MUMBAI: The Madras High Court has pushed the hearing of Chennai cable operators petition challenging the government‘s digitisation notification to Tuesday.

    The petition filed by Chennai Metro Cable Operators Association (CMCOA) seeks to postpone the implementation of digitisation in Chennai.

    Counsels appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as the respondents requested the court for time before the case came up for hearing.

    Following the request, the two-member bench of Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Aruna Jagadeesan adjourned the matter till Tuesday.
    There are 18 respondents in the petition which includes the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) besides the Multi System Operators (MSOs) from Chennai.

    The CMCOA had earlier filed a petition seeking postponement of cable digitisation in Chennai by at least three months following which the DAS implementation was stayed by the Court.

    The deadline for the first phase of digitisation in the four metro cities was 31 October.

    The Madras High Court had on 31 October stayed the digitisation in Chennai till 5 November. The Court again extended the deadline till 9 November following which it was put off till 19 November.

    The matter is still pending before the court which had told the CMCOA to challenge the centre‘s digitisation notification rather than seeking extension.

  • Digitisation: Hathway needs Rs 3 bn in 2nd phase; no plans to dilute equity

    Digitisation: Hathway needs Rs 3 bn in 2nd phase; no plans to dilute equity

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom plans to invest Rs 3 billion for the second phase of digitisation as it details a requirement of around 3.5 million set-top boxes (STBs) to place in consumer homes across the cities where its cable TV service is available.

    Hathway will not need to raise equity financing and will fund the second phase through a mix of debt and vendor financing.

    “We are under no pressure to raise equity financing and have adequate headroom for getting additional debt. We also have vendor financing facilities. Of the total investments that we make, 70 per cent will be through vendor financing,” Hathway Cable & Datacom managing director and CEO K Jayaraman tells Indiantelevision.com.

    Hathway’s net debt stands at Rs 4.60 billion, including Rs 1 billion of vendor credit.

    The multi-system operator (MSO) has already seeded 1.5 million STBs in the 22 cities that fall under the next round of digitisation. The government has mandated 31 March 2013 as the deadline for digitisation in 38 cities, but industry experts feel an extension would be granted for a limited period.

    “Our preliminary estimate is that we would have a demand for five million STBs. We have already deployed 1.5 million boxes,” says Jayaraman.
    Hathway expects to deploy 2.5 million STBS in the first phase of digitisation where it operates in three of the four metros. While in Mumbai and Delhi it operates directly, in Kolkata it has a presence through its joint venture company Gujarat Telelinks Pvt Ltd (GTPL). GTPL, in which Hathway has 50 per cent stake, acquired majority stake in Kolkata Cable and Broadband Pariseva.

    “We have already seeded 1.7 million STBs in the three metros. We have set an internal target of 2-2.5 million boxes as we see a rising demand,” elaborates Jayaraman.

    Hathway spent Rs 1.20 billon on capital expenditure in the first half of this fiscal. For the three-month period ended 30 September, Hathway narrowed its net loss to Rs 17.84 million against Rs 158.71 in the trailing quarter. Revenue fell three per cent to 1.32 billion from Rs 1.36 billion in the first quarter.

  • Ten Sports and Ten Cricket not on Hathway network

    Ten Sports and Ten Cricket not on Hathway network

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has stopped carrying Taj Television owned and operated channels Ten Sports and Ten Cricket on its cable network after the two parties could not reach an agreement.

    Taj TV, a subsidiary of Zeel, is looking for growth in annual subscription fee from the multi-system operator, sources said. Hathway, however, is resisting the offer contending that the two channels don‘t have the kind of content required for such an increase.

    Hathway had on 16 October issued a public notice saying that the two channels would not be available on its platform three weeks from then.

    "This is to inform consumers/public that after the expiry of three weeks we shall not re-transmit the channels Ten Sports and Ten Cricket distributed by Taj Television (India) Private Limited on account financial unviability of business," the notice read.

    Both Taj and Hathway confirmed that they failed to reach an agreement.

    According to an official from Hathway, the two channels are avalable on an a la carte basis in the package of channels for subscribers under the digital addressable system (DAS).

    The decision will mean that Ten Sports channels will not be available on as many as 33 networks under Hathway spread across across 22 cities in eight states.

    Negotiations are, however, on, sources added.

  • SiliconIndia.com appoints new CEO & COO

    SiliconIndia.com appoints new CEO & COO

    MUMBAI: SiliconIndia.com, a news and media company, has promoted two of its employees to the position of CEO and COO.

    Pradeep Shankar has been appointed as the chief executive officer while Alok Chaturvedi is the new chief operating officer.

    Shankar succeeds SiliconIndia founder and CEO Harvi Sachar who will be serving as the executive chairman of the company.
    Prior to this, Shankar was serving SiliconIndia as the editor-in-chief since 2008. According to the company, he has been instrumental in setting up an editorial team and steering content strategy for the portal. He also steered the events division of the company.

    Meanwhile, Chaturvedi has been responsible for all operations and online sales since the company was launched. In his role as the COO, he will oversee the operations, finance and sales of all online products.

    Shankar said, "I am excited about growth potential of SiliconIndia as we build out our media sections around news, email newsletters, events and different professional cities. The core competency which we have built around online media and events is being well recognised in India, especially given the strong brand advantage that SiliconIndia commands. We are extremely focused on driving revenue growth, online presence and establishing our brand leadership over the next few years."

  • Kudelski Group launches Kudelski Security

    Kudelski Group launches Kudelski Security

    MUMBAI: The Kudelski Group, which offers media content protection and value-added services technology, has announced the launch of Kudelski Security, its new Cyber Security division.

    Kudelski Group CEO André Kudelski said, "Having dealt with security for a few decades and having fought piracy on behalf of our customers for the last 20 years, we have developed an unmatched talent pool with a unique skill set that we want to leverage by offering a new protection paradigm to anyone exposed on the internet. In an increasingly connected world, companies, families, individuals are all targeted by the new cyber threats and action is needed now."

    Kudelski Security senior VP, head Christophe Nicolas said, "The purpose of Kudelski Security is to deliver tailored cyber security solutions and services to enterprises, financial institutions, government administrations and our media customers. Initial focus will be Europe, before expanding the offering worldwide, such as for our existing media customers".
    The Kudelski Security offering consists of a set of services initially focusing on assisting companies to assess risk and vulnerabilities in order to ensure privacy and confidentiality of their data and analytics as they move their business processes and applications in a cloud dependent ecosystem. The offer will include monitoring the evolution of the threats and keeping consumer data secured, while access to data becomes more dynamic and mobile, through new consumer devices like smartphones and tablets.

    Kudelski Security adds that it goes beyond a pure technology security offering by combining technological know-how and legal expertise, compliance, field investigation and crisis communication into a new type of global Cyber Alert Response Squad.

  • BBC and University College London announce new strategic partnership

    BBC and University College London announce new strategic partnership

    MUMBAI: BBC Research and Development has announced a new strategic partnership with University College London, to drive innovation, and collaborate on a wide programme of R&D activity.

    Building on the BBC‘s history of partnerships, this venture will bring together some of the brightest minds in the UK to discuss and tackle the challenges for digital media and the creative industry at large.

    Over the next four years, the new partnership between BBC and UCL will focus on an ambitious programme of research work that seeks to advance state-of-the-art communications technologies, Internet research, content production, user experience (UXD) and access services. The outcomes of this research will also be shared with the wider industry.

    As part of the partnership, the BBC and UCL will share facilities and resources, and create new opportunities for students, graduates, staff and third parties with a range of sponsored studentships for doctorate level research, internships, student placements and a staff exchange programme. This initiative will form the foundation for future collaboration with other academic and industrial partners and as such will act as a catalyst in accelerating UK performance in this sector.

    A new, joint space at 1 Euston Square will also be established. 80 researchers from BBC R&D and UCL will co-locate in a new, permanent home that will act as a gateway for participation with other universities and organisations.

    BBC R&D has a history of partnerships, working alongside the industry and universities in order to maximise research, share knowledge and influence emerging new systems and standards. The BBC and UCL have both committed to supporting the Connected Digital Economy Catapult (CDEC) and look forward to sharing knowledge and applied research.

    BBC R&D controller Matthew Postgate said, "BBC R&D is an industry-leading department with a rich heritage and history of innovation, and I am delighted to announce our new partnership with UCL. By bringing together two world-leading research institutions, this partnership will inspire new ideas, help position the UK as a leader in media technologies, and act as a gateway to further innovation. It will also lay the foundations for further collaboration across the industry in the future."

    Professor Anthony Finkelstein, Dean of UCL Faculty of Engineering, said, "UCL Engineering is committed to delivering research that changes the world. Applying our expertise in cutting-edge computing to create new ‘digital experiences‘ is an excellent example of one way university research can have a real impact on people‘s lives. BBC R&D is the ideal partner as they provide both technical excellence and a fantastic platform for exploiting the results of innovation."