Category: Technology

MUMBAI: Insat 4A, the satellite which Tata Sky uses for its direct-to-home (DTH) operations, saw a minor disruption in services for about 30 minutes at around 4 pm due to solar disturbances. 

Insat 4A lost earth lock when one of the momentum wheels used for stabilizing the spacecraft got switched off, Indian Space Research Organisation said today in a release.

Isro engineers at master control facility, Hassan, immediately took action to recover the earth lock and orient the satellite properly within about half an hour.

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) today asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to look into the issue of transponder capacity as raised by direct-to-home (DTH) service provider Tata Sky as a limiting factor.

The Tdsat has also asked Trai whether it would like to regulate prices for channels on DTH operations, as it has done in the case of cable operations in the Cas regime, or let market forces operate as they are now, in terms of broadcasters fixing their own prices.

Trai had been asked to state the time they would need to do so, and their counsel wanted two weeks. Trai has been asked to file an affidavit by 19 January.

Tdsat was hearing the ongoing case between Tata Sky and Zee-Turner, regarding the fixing of channel offered by the latter, which Tata Sky found too high. Tata Sky had filed the case earlier also because according to it, Zee-Turner had not acceded to its request to stream signals over the issue of prices, violating Trai regulation.

The matter came to head when Tata Sky alleged that Zee-Turner was indulging in cartelisation, since it was not only a MSO, but also part of a broadcaster on behalf of Turner.

While the Tata Sky counsel was addressing the court, the Zee counsel intervened to say that though Tata Sky was challenging Zee‘s contentions on the ground that it was an arm of broadcaster Turner, the same was the case with Tata Sky, which had an agreement with Star television, and could simply not seek to plead as just a DTH operator.

Tata Sky had said during the arguments that it had to operate through various transponders, and the total capacity of these was limited; but Zee rebutted that over and above the channels Zee was giving Tata Sky, the latter was still able to beam local channels, so the issue of a limited capacity of transponders did not hold good.

This is when the court decided to rise and discuss the issue between the brother judges.

On resumption of hearing, the court, instead of allowing the parties to continue arguments, directly addressed the Trai counsel and said that there are “larger issues that are worrying us”, and asked Trai to come out with their position.

While the counsel for Tata Sky referred to an earlier judgement of the same court (July 14, 2006), the court said certain issues may have been overlooked and hence, it was only Trai that would first need to state its position.

MUMBAI: Hinduja TMT has initiated talks and would prefer inducting a strategic rather than a private equity investor into its demerged media company.

The possibility of roping in an investor would be only after the listing of the two entities. The demerger process is underway and a listing is expected by February-end after the restructuring process gets the necessary regulatory approvals.

“We would prefer to go with a strategic rather than a private equity investor. We feel inputs from a strategic partner would give us a competitive edge,” said IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) director-in-charge Ravi Mansukhani.

On being queried as to whether global major Liberty was in talks, Mansukhani said “there were a bunch of them” who were interested in India‘s cable story. “All investors are waiting for conditional access system (Cas) to roll out before they come with definite valuations,” he added.

Unlike Zee‘s Wire & Wireless Ltd (WWIL) which is keen to acquire 51 per cent in cable networks, IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) is adopting a different business plan where it wants to partner rather than buy out operators.

The Hinduja Group, which operates its cable TV business under Incablenet brand, is planning to offer cable TV operators a share in the demerged media company based on the subscribers they declare. No decision has been taken as to the exact ratio that would be on offer.

“Our expansion plan includes offering shares in HTMT (after demerger) to operators as they form an integral part of our distribution chain. Our idea is to partner with the local cable operators rather than buy them out,” said Mansukhani.

HTMT is unifying its media subsidiaries under one umbrella while spinning off its IT/ITES business into a separate entity. As part of the restructuring, In2Cable (subsidiary which is into broadband business) and InNetwork Entertainment (content) are being merged into IMCL (cable TV distribution under Incablenet brand). The parent company for the consolidated media business will be HTMT (an existing listed entity). The demerged IT/ITES entity will be listed under HTMT Technologies.

MUMBAI: Online video sharing site YouTube and Warner Music Group (WMG) have announced the YouTube New Year‘s Eve Countdown presented by Chevrolet.

The promotion will celebrate New Year‘s as it happens around the world with new videos featured every hour from New Zealand to Los Angeles.

As New Year‘s Eve rings in around the world, special messages from YouTube celebrities Boh3m3, Smosh, Terra Naomi, Renetto, Chad Vadar, The WineKone and YourTube News, as well as award-winning artists from WMG labels Atlantic Records, Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music International will be featured on the homepage.

In addition to videos from YouTube personalities, WMG will provide special video content from New Year‘s celebrations with its artists as well as music videos and concert footage. ‘Almost-live‘ videos from New Year‘s concerts will be uploaded directly from the venues as the events occur with ShoZu-enabled mobile phones, featuring Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Records artist Panic! At the Disco from New York City‘s Times Square, Atlantic Records artist Paolo Nutini from Scotland and Warner Bros. Records artists The Flaming Lips and the Goo Goo Dolls from Los Angeles, Mike Jones from Houston, Muse, My Chemical Romance from New York City‘s Times Square and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The New Year‘s Channel will also feature comedy skits from select performers as well as specially recorded live songs for the event.

YouTube director of advertising strategy Jamie Byrne says, “Our community served as the inspiration behind this idea. In 2006 we witnessed an influx of New Year‘s resolution and celebration video postings as the New Year began. Thanks to support from our users, Chevrolet, and exclusive content from Warner Music Group artists, we will be able to offer a special venue for the community and the world to share their New Year‘s celebrations and begin a new tradition.”

YouTube is encouraging users to upload their New Year‘s resolutions and wishes for a chance to be featured on the homepage alongside the YouTube celebrities and Warner Music Group artists. Users can upload their videos in a special New Year‘s YouTube group at www.youtube.com/group/newyears.

Warner Music Group states that it is continually seeking new ways to empower our artists and their fans. This New Year‘s Eve Bash with YouTube further redefines how its artists and fans are coming together around the world through platforms that are transforming all of our lives.

On 31 December and 1 January 2007, Chevrolet will serve as the exclusive sponsor of YouTube which will feature a special edition homepage to host all of the specially created New Year‘s content.

Chevrolet GM Ed Peper says, “New Year‘s Eve is a truly global holiday and Chevrolet is a truly global brand. We sell cars and trucks in more than 120 countries around the world, so we‘re very happy to be part of YouTube‘s worldwide stage to showcase how different cultures celebrate New Year‘s Eve”.

Featured New Year‘s YouTube messages will be posted by WMG artists including Adrienne Pauly, Beatsteaks, Big and Rich, Blake Shelton, Bloc Party, Brainstorm, Crime Mob, Cute Is What We Aim For, and Danity Kane.

MUMBAI: 5Fad, the web site of digital music service in China, has announced that it has signed a partnership contract with BrainMedia LLC. (music hookup) to launch a mobile streaming service that will enable customers in China to enjoy 3G quality services on their existing 2.5G data network.

Currently, 5Fad has released a music wireless search and music streaming service and will be beta testing in a controlled test group environment. Users only need to download the 5Player in order to enjoy stereo CD quality music from their mobile handset.

BrainMedia CEO Jim Herbert said, “The mobile handset has become the focus of the personal multimedia experience. This 5Fad/BrainMedia Mobile Streaming Service is one of the most important developments for the wireless value-added service industry. We look forward to joining 5Fad in opening up China‘s vast market and become the leader in this market.”

5Fad CEO Duanping Wu added, “China is the biggest wireless communication market, having over 500 million mobile subscribers, achieving above 40 per cent of the global market share. The Mobile Music market is estimated to grow its revenue over tens of billions RMB. With the 3G deployment, more and more domestic companies will enter this market and face fierce competition. Now 5Fad has actively seized the first position in the 2.5G mobile streaming service market. So its future will be very promising.”

The official commercial release of the mobile streaming music service using the 5Player will be in the first quarter of 2007.

MUMBAI: LG wears Prada! Consumer electronics major LG Electronics and luxury brand Prada have announced a partnership to develop an iconic mobile phone.

The first Prada telephone by LG will combine high-end technology with avant-garde design offering the best in both style and performance. This forward-thinking product is the result of a different approach to the typical fashion designer and mobile phone manufacturer co-branding exercise.

Leveraging on their respective expertise and know-how, Prada and LG have jointly explored and developed all aspects of this new product. The collaboration focussed on the key elements inside the phone, such as software, user interface and music as well as its look, for example design and packaging.

The initial launch is planned for early 2007, with distribution starting in Europe (firstly in Italy, the UK, France, and Germany), followed by countries in Asia such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. The Korean version of the phone is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2007.

LG Electronics Mobile Communications president and CEO Mun-Hwa Park says, “ Prada’s legacy for classic and sophisticated design meant they were the perfect partner to develop this shared vision of innovative technology and ultimate style. We are passionate about developing exclusive phones that appeal to consumer’s desire to express their personality through their choice of mobile and feel very strongly that Prada shares this belief.”

Prada president and CEO Patrizio Bertelli said, “As we do with ready-to-wear and accessories, we were looking at a break-through. Consistently with our approach, we are not branding an existing product. Rather we have been working with LG to give this new phone a very strong character and unique style, both in its contents and in its design. We, just like our partners at LG, are known for the attention to detail and uncompromising quality of our products. And we find these characteristics in the new mobile phone.”

MUMBAI: TV4U,Inc., one of the ad supported internet broadband networks, has expanded to 16 channels of special interest video programming for free internet TV.

TV4U Western programming, which includes Bonanza, Wagon Train, and the Rifleman, can now be seen on www.westerntv4u.com. TV4U detective programming, which includes Dragnet, Dick Tracy and Sherlock Holmes can now be seen on www.detectivetv4u.com. TV4U Variety Programming, which includes Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle shows, can now be seen on www.varietytv4u.com.

TV4U Comedy programming, which includes Dick Van Dyke, Beverly Hillbillies, and Andy Griffith shows, can now be seen on www.comedytv4u.com. TV4U action shows, such as Combat, The Master, and Passport to Danger, can now be seen on www.actiontv4u.com. TV4U sports programming remains on www.sportstv4u.com.

New channels include TV4U kids programming, to be seen on www.hitopstv4u.com, TV4U travel programming on www.traveltv4u.com, and TV4U tavern style sports programming, which can be seen on www.taverntv4u.com.

Other new channels are TV4U game show programming on www.gameshowtv4u.com, E Commerce on www.shoptv4u.com, and TV4U feature films on www.tv4udriveinmovie.com.

The www.primetimetv4u.com and www.vintagetv4u.com channels plus the home www.tv4u.com channel complete the 16 channel TV4U network.

TV4U Inc. CEO Charry Kennedy said, “We are very excited to be expanding our programming selection. We have had a wonderful reaction to our classic and our current programming in our first six months of operation. Now, we‘re expanding from 400 to 3,000 shows that will be available on the TV4U channels in 2007.”

MUMBAI: The price war is on. Hinduja-owned Incablenet announced its bouquet options to subscribers in the Cas (conditional access system) areas of Mumbai and Delhi, retaliating against rival offers from direct-to-home (DTH) service providers and other multi-system operators (MSOs).

Subscribers can own their digital set-top box (STB) at Rs 1500 (plus taxes) and will be provided free cable TV subscription for six months on three bouquet packages. Incidentally, DTH operator Tata Sky has come out with an offer in Cas areas of free subscription for six months if customers book during the period 28 December-10 January.

For those who want Incablenet‘s Sitara (Star) package, 18 pay channels will be available including all the 12 Star India distributed channels. Besides CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNN-IBN and BBC, customers will have the liberty to choose a single channel each from the Zee-Turner and SET-Discovery bouquets.

In the Sona (Gold) package, Incablenet is offering 20 channels. This includes 13 Sony channels, CNN-IBN, CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz and two channels each from the Zee-Turner and Star bouquets.

The Zabardast scheme has on offer 35 channels which include 33 Zee channels. Sunscribers can also choose a single channel each from the Sony and Star bouquets.

Neither of the three packages have sports channels included in them. “We are offering consumers total choice from all the three distribution platorms. They can select a Star-loaded or Sony or Zee package. We have covered all the categories and consumers can plan their monthly cable bills,” said IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd director-in-charge Ravi Mansukhani.

Wire & Wireless Ltd (WWIL) has on offer outright purchase of STBs for Rs 1800 inclusive of a one-year subscription for 33 channels. These include a load of Zee-Turner and SET-Discovery distributed channels like Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Smile, Zee News, Zee Trendz, Zee Jagran, Sony, Discovery, Animal Planet, Animax, Pix, Sab and MTV. Only Star Plus from the Star bouquet is being offered. BBC, CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz and Cartoon Network are also available in this package.

“We have a complete package including the regional channels. In Mumbai we are offering Zee Marathi while in Delhi it is Zee Punjabi and in Kolkata Zee Bangla. ETV Urdu and ETV Telugu are also available while consumers have a choice to take any other ETV channel of their choice. For Mumbai, ETV Marathi is free,” said WWIL CEO Jagjit Kohli.

Under the STB rental scheme, Incablenet is offering the Optimiser package at Rs 120 which will have the Star and Sony bouquets. For the second TV set, the subscription is Rs 55.

In the Super Saver scheme, the Star, Sony and Zee bouquets are available at a price of Rs 190. The second TV set will be priced at Rs 100.

Subscribers do not have to pay a deposit amount on the Rs 45 rental scheme, Mansukhani said.

Hathway Cable & Datacom has not come out with an outright purchase scheme for the STBs. Neither has the MSO included the Zee-Turner channels in its packages. “We haven‘t decided yet on the STB purchase scheme. As for the Zee channels, once we arrive at a settlement with them, we will be creating a new package,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO K Jayaraman.

MUMBAI: Fox Sports has announced that, for the first time ever, full-length games from the 2007 Tostitos bowl bash will be available on the internet via several digital download sites beginning 28 December.

Developed in partnership with the Bowl Championship Series, the complete content offering is a comprehensive collection of digital downloads made available online in association with a major sporting event. It also marks the first time that Fox Sports has made downloadable content available for sports fans on the Web, asserts an official release.

Fans can access the Tostitos Bowl Bash downloads by visiting Fox at http://Foxsports.com, http://direct2drive.com, Apple‘s iTunes, Amazon‘s Unbox, AOL Video, CinemaNow and Instant Media.

Fox Sports on MSN and Direct2Drive will also offer a comprehensive programming hub for the Tostitos Bowl Bash, including a free, live simulcast of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, which marks the first time a 1 January bowl game has been streamed live on the Internet, adds the release.

Through this digital distribution program, football fans will be able to purchase preview shows covering each of the BCS games airing on Fox Sports and also pre-order full-length games, highlight packages and Short Cuts – a condensed version that allows users to watch each game in approximately 20 minutes. Fans can purchase single-game highlights or a Best of the Bowl Bash highlight package that will feature the best plays from all five games in one program produced exclusively for digital distribution.

Fox Sports presidentd E Goren said, “Sports fans are consuming content on new and different platforms every day, and our goal is to expand the reach of Fox Sports and the BCS to as many of those media platforms as possible. By working with great distribution partners both within the Fox family and externally, we have given college football fans an incredible amount of choice when looking for official BCS content online.”

Fox Sports Enterprises executive vice president Gary Ehrlich added, “Our goal is to expand the reach of the Bowl Championship Series through as many platforms as possible, and digital rights have become a more important part of the media mix every year. This content offering represents important first steps in digital delivery for both the BCS and Fox Sports, and we look forward to finding more ways to deliver sports content to fans via digital download in the future.”

Preview shows will be available through all distribution channels starting 28 December and will in many cases feature both game overviews and team-centric preview packages. Though exact timing may vary, most full-length games will be available for download within 24 hours of a given game‘s completion, and several distribution partners will enable fans to pre-order any of the games starting 28 December.

Preview shows, Short-Cuts and the Best of the Bowl Bash highlight program is be priced at $1.99 each, while full-length games at $2.99. Every Bowl Bash full-length game and the Best of the Bowl Bash highlight package is priced at $19.99.

In addition, select retail partners will allow fans of participating teams to purchase all products related to a specific BCS Bowl game – including previews shows, the full-length game, the Short-Cut and the Best of the Bowl Bash highlight package for $6.99.

While serving as one of the distribution channels for downloadable BCS content, Fox Sports on MSN will also offer its users a wealth of free video and audio content related to college football‘s biggest week. The site will deliver free live audio streaming of four BCS games, provide pre- and post-game video reports from several bowl locations, and serve as the home for Fox College Bowl Pick ‘em – the official fantasy game of the Bowl Championship Series.

“With more than a month of hype leading up to the games, college football fans are hungry for any and all BCS content in advance of the broadcasts. From pre-game shows to live game streaming, we are delivering the same great Fox Sports content to fans, whether they‘re tuning into the games on television or visiting us on the Web,” said Fox Sports Interactive senior vice president Brian Grey.