Category: Technology

MUMBAI: Alloy Digital, a leading next generation media company for the 12-34 demographic and a top-10 video network, has acquired YouTube‘s top entertainment news provider, Clevver Media.

The addition of Clevver makes the company one of YouTube‘s top content producers in the world. Clevver Media was the first company to launch programming with ClevverTeVe, its newest channel focused on the rapidly expanding Latin market, as part of YouTube‘s original programming initiative.

Clevver Media‘s seven entertainment and celebrity focused YouTube channels that include ClevverTV, ClevverMovies, ClevverMusic, ClevverGames, ClevverNews, ClevverStyle and the Spanish language ClevverTeVe, attract top-tier Hollywood talent and garner more monthly views from prime 12-34 viewers than the next seven most popular entertainment channels on YouTube combined.

Launched in 2006, Clevver has earned a trusted reputation for entertainment news geared toward the digital generation and consistently ranks in the Top 10 YouTube networks, according to industry measurement leader ComScore Media Metrix. The acquisition instantly pushes Alloy Digital‘s network to the top of the entertainment news category.

The company, which is eyeing inorganic growth, had in the last year acquired three content creators which included Smosh, an online leader in teen and young adult comedy content and the third most subscribed YouTube channel; Generate, a next generation studio and talent management company in January 2012; and B5 Media, the fastest-growing women‘s lifestyle digital publishing and media networks, in April 2012.

With these moves, Alloy Digital‘s network of media platforms further strengthens its leadership position in reaching the coveted 12-34 consumer market with branding opportunities across multiple, highly specialized and vertically integrated platforms.

Alloy Digital‘s CEO Matt Diamond stated, “Through an aggressive acquisition strategy and organic growth, we continue to strengthen our connection with the 12-34 demographic with quality programming tailored to their pop culture cravings and distributed via their preferred media platforms.

“Clevver represented a logical step in this expansion with its wildly popular entertainment brand. No one does entertainment news better or has been more successful at it, and we are thrilled to have their channels join Alloy Digital‘s family.”

The Clevver properties will be combined with Alloy Digital‘s own YouTube channels, including Smosh and its spinoff Shut Up! Cartoons.

“The combination of a YouTube powerhouse that we‘ve created with Clevver Media and Alloy Digital‘s network makes for an interesting pairing with tremendous possibilities,” said Michael Palmer, co-founder and executive producer of Clevver Media, who will continue to lead the operation along with co-founder Jorge Maldonado.

“We are excited to leverage our brand as part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking media company, and differentiate ourselves both creatively and strategically in the marketplace.”

MUMBAI: NDS will provide an advanced user interface for Astro, Malaysia’s largest pay-TV operator, to support the launch of an enhanced video on demand (VOD) service as part of the Astro B.yond platform.

The enhanced user interface enables subscribers to easily order VOD services without having to contact the customer service centre. This solution greatly enhances the Astro VOD service, including through their pure IPTV service.

Acknowledging the demand for their on-demand service and the increasing penetration of broadband in Malaysia, Astro has chosen to upgrade their VOD service to enable advanced functionality, including the ability to purchase previously broadcast programmes, a whole series, or access subscription-based VOD services through a more advanced and user-friendly user interface.

Astro Chief Innovation Officer Brian Lenz commented: “We pride ourselves on providing innovative services and quality content to our subscribers and this deployment combines the two by enabling our subscribers to easily access, purchase and enjoy our on-demand content library.” He added “NDS has supported us in a number of deployments to enhance our platform and we value their ongoing commitment to enriching our service.”

NDS SVP and GM Asia Pacific Sue Taylor added, “The Astro platform is one of the most advanced in Asia and this development will enhance their on-demand offering to support increased ARPU from subscribers. As an innovator in the market, Astro strive to provide their subscribers with advanced services that will enhance their experience and we are proud to be their technology partner of choice.”

MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. has partnered with leading South Korean game developer, BlueArk Global, to create a multi-platform social game starring Toonix, Cartoon Network‘s loveable online avatars.

Quirky and hugely entertaining, players or “planeteers” will go forth with the mission to save the Toonix universe by transforming lifeless planets into flourishing, sustainable communities.

Fully customizable, planeteers can unleash their creativity to design their unique Toonix worlds, while building rich reserves of natural resources and volunteering for mini missions to rescue other Toonix. The cross-platform game will be available in Asia-Pacific on mobiles (iOS and Android), tablets and computers.

Turner‘s Associate Director of Interactive Media Mark Counsell said, “Toonix has really taken off across Asia Pacific as Cartoon Network‘s fans love the ability to express themselves via their own personalized avatars. Our partnership with BlueArk takes the Toonix experience to an inter-galactic level with the launch of the first Toonix digital universe.”

The game is set for launch in late 2012 and its official name will be decided through a regional contest that runs until the end of June. Cartoon Network fans have been central to Toonix‘s success and can continue to be part of its development by logging on to cartoonnetworkasia.com.

The new social game complements other Toonix initiatives in development including mobile applications and original video content, set to debut on Cartoon Network later in the year.

BlueArk‘s CEO Yangre Yim is equally excited by the potential of Toonix in the social gaming space.

“We are thrilled to partner with Turner and work with this amazing digitally-inspired character. We will look to harness all the creative talent that exists here in South Korea to produce a truly next-generation, multi-platform gaming experience,” Yim said.

MUMBAI: Digital media solutions IMImobile has powered the launch of Sky News Arabia iPad app that was developed in conjunction with Sky News Arabia‘s content management and editorial teams.

The bespoke app, which launched on 3 May, delivers Arabic-language breaking news videos and articles by geographical region or category.

The custom built tablet interface displays a rotating photo wall carousel, allowing users to select live-streaming news videos in a 3D environment. News stories are automatically uploaded to the app via an open API to ensure users have seamless access on the move to breaking news as it happens.

“IMImobile had an exciting vision for the app that revealed not only a deep understanding of the rapidly changing media landscape in the Middle East and North Africa but also our business objectives,” said Sky News Arabia Head of Digital Strategy Thair Soukar.

“We delivered against these expectations both on time and under budget. Our approach to app development has given the team at Sky News Arabia confidence in our ability to deliver and has subsequently engaged us to provide its forthcoming Android tablet products,” said IMImobile Commercial Director, Brands and Media Steve Godman.

MUMBAI: Multi-system operator You Scod18, a joint venture between You Telecom and Cable India, has selected Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) architecture to provide revenue security for its new digital cable service.

You Broadband India and cable operators in Mumbai selected VCAS 3 to fuel its analog-to-digital transition due to its ability to combine all required conditional access system (CAS) functionality together with the interactivity of an IP-based network via a single robust security solution.

You Scod18‘s new digital cable service offers subscribers access to more than 200 channels, including regional channels and local movie channels, and the MSO plans to add video-on-demand (VoD) services in the near future.

The Verimatrix cardless security solution is able to secure live and interactive content delivery via a single security head-end, reducing Opex and Capex as the operator expands its services.

“We evaluated several CAS vendors and ultimately chose to partner with Verimatrix because of its ability to provide us with a true, integrated multi-screen platform. We believe that partnering with Verimatrix will result in many unique benefits, including enhanced revenue security and the flexibility to easily develop and deploy new multi-screen services,” says You Scod18 director N K Rouse.

For the initial rollout, VCAS for DVB was deployed over You Scod18‘s existing hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network using the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards-based technology for broadcast distribution.

The solution was deployed in Simulcrypt mode, which allows You Scod18 to deploy VCAS for DVB where new services are introduced, but enables the legacy CAS to operate in parallel, serving subscribers who chose not to upgrade immediately.

“The digitalisation of cable TV networks in India presents operators with challenges and opportunities like never before in the history of television in India. We feel that revenue security is at the core of this transition, and we are delighted to have partnered with You Scod18 to fuel their digitalisation efforts,” said Verimatrix chief sales and marketing officer Steve Oetegenn.

NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni met local cable operators today to seek their opinions on digitisation deadline in the four metros.

The LCOs said that Soni has asked them to move the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) about their revenue share of Rs 45 in the basic service tier of Rs 100 with the MSOs, if they were unhappy about it.

The cable operators further stated that Soni had assured them that Additional Secretary Rajiv Takru, who is the Ministry‘s representative to Trai, would also accompany any delegation that decided to meet the regulator on this issue.

Around 15 local cable operators, who had demonstrated outside Shastri Bhavan on 15 June against the low share in the BST, had been called by the Minister for a discussion today.

A S Kohli, who led the delegation of the LCOs from West Delhi, told indiantelevision.com that while not giving any direct indication, Soni sought their opinion on the period of deferment of digitisation which is scheduled for 1 July in the four metros.

Soni did not agree with some of the operators who wanted a deferment of up to one year, but indicated that a lesser period could be considered.

The LCOs said that Rs 45 was too small an amount since they had to interact with the consumer and not the multi-system operators (MSOs).

The LCOs told Soni that their fee prior to digitisation has been Rs 82 on the basic service tier under CAS and, therefore, it cannot be reduced below that level.

The LCOs also complained about the poor quality of the STBs in the market.

In the memorandum submitted to her office on 15 June, the LCOs had also said that none of the MSOs have declared the pay channel rates or packages, but the government still wants them to force subscribers to buy STBs. Consumers do not know what they will get in the digital regime and at what price. It has become difficult for the LCOs to answer inquiries from consumers.

MUMBAI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is playing a cat-and-mouse game as the industry waits anxiously to hear the last word on whether the digitisation deadline in the four metros is set for later date.

The ministry is, perhaps, waiting for the High Courts in Mumbai and Delhi to give a verdict so that it will be saved the task of taking the tough decision itself. The news broadcasters in particular have been pressing for the government to stick to its deadline of 1 July for digitisation in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

Pushed on all quarters by a sliding economy, a weakening currency, shaky financial markets, charges of scams and arrival of state elections, the least the government wants is antagonising the media. And the best cushion would be the High Courts directing a six-month extension.

A petition by a clutch of cable operators will come up for hearing in Mumbai on Tuesday and in Delhi on Wednesday. Later on 25 June, the Tdsat will hear the petition filed by Hinduja-owned MSO IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) challenging the Trai order for digital addressable systems.

The central government is crippled in a way by political compulsions, with its allies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal wanting an extension. The state-owned Arasu Cable, floated under the Jayalalithaa government, is not ready for digitisation and has called for tenders to kick-start the process. The digital set-top boxes (STBs) will have to come, the infrastructure has to be built and the logistics ready for digitisation. All this takes time and a six-month extension is the only practical solution.

Let‘s move to the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state of West Bengal. The situation in Kolkata is better than Chennai but it is not too healthy either. There is a shortfall in supply of STBs and the MSOs are not ready to take up the digital challenge. Not yet. Kolkata has a sprinkling of regional multi-system operators (MSOs) in the city and they are still arranging for finances and STBs. The state government, in any case, wants digitisation to knock at the door of the consumers only after Dussehra, Bengal‘s most popular festival.

So even if I&B minister Ambika Soni and her lieutenants were to listen to their radical voice or buckle under the pressure of the broadcasters, there is very little headroom to manoeuvre a case for complete digitisation in the four metros by 1 July. The truth is that nobody is completely ready yet. The Trai traiff order came too close to the deadline date and there are no MSO-LCO or MSO-broadcaster deals yet. They are all in various stages of negotiations and we have already crossed the mid-month stage. So even a miracle can‘t bring in digitisation over the four metros by 1 July.

The I&B ministry is only too aware of this grim reality. If there is a reluctance to announce an extended date, it is because it has the luxury of shifting the blame to the courts.

There is another reason for the government to wait like Godot. A court verdict will ensure that the extended date (if it allows for that to happen) will become the final word and there will not be any possibility of a further shift in timelines after that.

The I&B Ministry has promised to finalise its decision this week. Indications, however, suggest that the government has informally taken a decision to shift the deadline by at least another three months. Some sources even indicate that after coming to grips with the ground reality, the government is thinking of a six-month extension.

We will know this week where the winds are blowing. And, hopefully, the government will end the cat-and-mouse game.

MUMBAI: Times Internet Limited (TIL) has named Satyan Gajwani as the new CEO of the company. Gajwani will replace Rishi Khiani, who has decided to move on after serving for three years at TIL.

According to a letter signed by Times Group MD Vineet Jain, Khiani has decided to pursue opportunities outside of the company and hence wished to step down from his current role.

Gajwani, who was director (new media) at The Times of India Group, will report to Jain.

Gajwani said, “We‘re sad to see Rishi move on, but excited for his future ahead. Indiatimes has made great progress under his leadership, and I‘m excited to take it forward to new and bigger heights. These are big shoes to fill but with such a strong team in place, I‘m sure we‘ll succeed.”

Jain said, “Under Rishi‘s leadership, TIL has grown its user base by 150 per cent to 28 million visitors, has seen significant growth in revenues and launched strategic properties such as gaana.com and the new Indiatimes.com. We thank Rishi for his contributions to the growth and success of TIL and wish him all the success in his entrepreneurial endeavors.”

Khiani will stay at TIL till 17 August, to transition in the new CEO.

Prior to Times Group, Gajwani has also worked with Lehman Brothers as consumer equities trader and Stanford Student Enterprises as director Stanford Store.

MUMBAI: Reliance Communications has partnered with group company BigFlix to provide premium full length movies to all Reliance 3G subscribers at Rs 30 per movie.

To avail this economic offer, Reliance subscribers can log on to http://vod.rcom.co.in using their Reliance Mobile. On this link, the subscribers can access a movie catalogue powered by BigFlix.

Reliance Communications senior VP, head Value Added Services (Vas) Kunal Ramtekke said, “We are thrilled to offer the first of its kind full length movie streaming service to our customers powered by BigFlix fulfilling the needs and desires of all the movie buffs on our superior Reliance 3G network with incredible affordability. Every movie lover will surely love to avail this service as we are now the home for full length mobile movies and experience seamless video on demand streaming through our superior 3G network.”

BigFlix‘s Movie on Demand service offers over 1000 movies. Movies that are available are ‘Dabbang‘, ‘Bodyguard‘, ‘Jab We Met‘ and ‘Force‘. There are many more Song Videos, Movie Clips and Short Clips which are currently available free for Reliance 3G subscribers.

“The service is available across the Reliance network nationally but for the best experience any 3G handset with 3G data connection is desired,” Reliance said.

MUMBAI: The number of US consumers currently accessing the internet through their TV sets is on the rise and will continue to grow dramatically in the year ahead, according to a consumer study conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates.

The research, conducted as part of the Magid Media Futures 2012 study, found that 21 per cent of consumers connect to the internet via their TVs in comparison to 16 per cent last year. They use the connected TV for web browsing, viewing videos through subscription services such as Netflix, online gaming and visiting Facebook, in addition to other Web services and content.

Game consoles (e.g. Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) are the primary means of connecting to the Internet via TV, followed by smart TVs, Blu-Ray players, and over the top devices (e.g. Roku, Apple TV, Google TV). Early adopters are more likely to be male (56 per cent male vs. 44 per cent female) with more than half of the adopters between the ages of 18-44.
 
The number of consumers accessing the Internet via their TVs will continue to grow, as 30 per cent of consumers who do not currently access the internet through TV say they are interested in doing so. These potential subsequent adopters also skew male (58 per cent male versus 42 per cent female) and tend to be slightly older than current users – ages 25-54.

Magid Advisors president Mike Vorhaus said, “Connected TVs will bring the Internet to the large screen, in contrast to how the smartphone has brought the Internet to the small screen. Consumers will be able to watch and browse what they want, when they want, on a big screen through connected TVs”.