Category: Technology

MUMBAI : Orange and BBC World have extended their current mobile distribution offering by signing a global deal which will allow Orange mobile phone customers in eight new countries to watch the channel live.

BBC World, the BBC‘s 24-hour international news information service will be the only English language news channel to be streamed live to mobiles in Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Portugal, Jordan, Egypt and the Dominican Republic, asserts an official release.

Orange mobile customers in France have been able to watch BBC World for the past two years. Orange France recently signed a renewal deal to continue this relationship and also offer the channel to IPTV customers.

BBC World‘s regional director and business development Europe, Middle East, South Asia, and America Gerry Ritchie said, “Orange is one of the most forward thinking new mobile distribution platforms for television so we are thrilled to extend our relationship with them. This new live streaming deal makes our channel even more accessible to mobile users who like to keep in touch with breaking global news while on the move.”

France Telecom executive VP content division Patricia Langrand added “Orange was first in several countries to offer mobile TV to our customers. This agreement allows us to extend and enhance our mobile TV offer ensuring Orange customers have access to a variety of channels at any time. We are now delighted to increase the scope of our partnership with BBC World to include multiple territories.”

The Conference agreed that the transition period from analogue to digital broadcasting, which begins at 0001 UTC 17 June 2006, should end on 17 June 2015, but some countries preferred an additional five-year extension for the VHF band (174-230 MHz).

MUMBAI : Essel Shyam Communication Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Essel Group and Shyam Group, is looking at an initial public offering (IPO) size of Rs 600 million to fund its expansion plans.

The company plans to set up four teleports, three of which are to be funded from the IPO proceeds. While it has obtained licenses for Mumbai and Noida (in the outskirts of Delhi), the other two teleports will come up at Cochin and Chennai or Hyderabad. The company has earmarked Rs 130 million from the IPO towards installation of teleports and Rs 15 million for playout facilities.

“We hope to come out with the IPO in January-February. The final size will be decided through the book building process. We are looking at Rs 600 million and if there is a necessity, we will fund it through internal accruals,” Essel Shyam Communication ED and whole time director Lalit Jain tells Indiantelevision.com.

The new facility at Noida will be for Ku band. Essel Shyam has an existing teleport in Noida where Zee and several other channels are uplinked. The new teleports in Mumbai and Noida are expected to be completed by 2007.

For the expansion of VSAT operations, the company plans to invest Rs 85 million. Essel Shyam, which has seven hubs, proposes to add another three.

The fund requirement for expanding deployment of DSNG (digital satellite news gathering) vans is Rs 80 million. These services are offered to customers for the purpose of news gathering, content transfer, live coverage and live uplinking of events. A further investment of Rs 175 million is planned to extend its existing BPO of 32 seats to a BPO/KPO of 500 seats. This will include KPO of 70 seats. New businesses will need Rs 50 million (Rs 10 million for system integration and Rs 40 million for radio frequency identification).

Post-IPO, the promoters‘ holding, which stands at 97 per cent, will faill to 70 per cent. Essel Shyam has filed Draft Red Herring Prospectus for an IPO with SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India) and proposes to offer 55,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each through the book building process.

MUMBAI: Tivo which works in the area of creating television services for digital video recorders (DVR) in the US has announced that it will debut a break-through new service early next year which will provide friends and families scattered across the US with an easy way to share their home videos, by sending them directly to the television.

Rather than burning and mailing DVDs, or viewing videos uploaded on a computer, friends and family will now be able to set-up their own private channel to send home videos directly to a Tivo subscriber’s TV set.

Tivo has partnered with One True Media an online service that helps people easily turn their video and photos into online video stories, to create an end-to-end solution for the person who took the home movies and to whomever he or she would like to show them.

After uploading their home movies to One True Media, consumers will be able to edit their videos online and will receive a personal TiVo channel code which they can then distribute to other Tivo subscribers. With a few clicks of the Tivo remote, and the personal Tivo channel code, friends and family will be able to get a Season Pass recording that will deliver to their TiVo all the current and future home movies from the video creator. Videos will be displayed in the Tivo subscriber’s Now Playing List — the same location all of their favorite television programming is stored within Tivo.

Tivo president, CEO Tom Rogers says, “TiVo is not only the best way to watch television, but it is also the best way to get television programming of all types. TiVo is committed to ensuring that its subscribers can enjoy their favorite video content no matter what the source. With the introduction of home movies, TiVo is once again delivering new service features that expand the universe of choices available to our subscribers.

“Video that stars the important people and events in a subscriber’s life should be viewable on TV. It is not TV until it is on the TV and that is one reason we say ’It’s not a TiVo unless it’s a TiVo.’”

To share home movies or slide shows privately the video creator gives his personal Tivo channel code to friends and family. Only people with the unique personal code assigned to the subscriber’s channel can see the published channel. Thus, creators can share their videos with friends and family, while assuring that their most treasured memories are not publicly available to anyone.

One True Media CEO Mark Moore says, “One True Media makes it easy to tell the most important stories of our lives and share them with friends and family. We are excited to work with TiVo to enable consumers to now create their own personal TV channels and enjoy their videos on the big screen in their living room.

“Tivo revolutionised the way we watch TV, putting consumers in charge of what they want to watch and when. Now, our two companies are taking that empowerment to the next level.”

MUMBAI: The National Association of Television Programme Executives (NATPE) in the US has announced the schedule for its annual conference. This takes place from 15-18 January 2006 in Las Vegas.

A highlight is the daylong NATPE Mobile++. This is is a specially focussed and separate conference addressing the impact and business opportunities for wireless, mobile and digital distribution platforms for television producers, developers, technology companies, broadcasters and advertisers.

The conference will analyse the rapid evolution occurring in the digital media industry, its impact on the traditional media industry and the many lucrative business opportunities it presents. It will explores cutting edge audience behaviours – the rapid consuming of mobile and digital entertainment. It will look at

– Branded entertainment and the important role of advertising in the digital media industry

– The ever-growing role of mobile media and mobile services

– Mobile technology‘s role in social networking and community building

– Monetisation strategies for user generated content

– The importance of user-centric design in the digital media industry

Another session looks at The Long Tail. Online services carry far more inventory than traditional retailers. Even as consumers flock to mainstream books, music and films there is a real demand for niche fare found only online. To one degree or another, the same is true for all other aspects of the entertainment business.

These potential markets may be twice as big as they appear. If the biggest money is in the smallest sales, how do we get over the economics of scarcity? Attendees will find out more about the markets that lie outside the reach of the physical retailer – they are big and getting bigger says Natpe. The panelists are Wired Magazine editor-in-chief Chris Anderson; ICM (International Creative Management) vice chairman Robert Broder, USA Networks president Bonnie Hammer and Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn.

There will also be a sesion on IPTV in terms of the lessons learned from global Rollouts and what the implications are for the US. IPTV Natpe notes has already achieved significant penetration in both Asia and Europe; however, the degree to which IPTV will successfully penetrate the United States market is still anyone‘s guess. With that said, insights into how IPTV has achieved this success overseas foreshadow the coming challenges for the US market.

What will compel subscribers to leave their existing provider and switch to IPTV. Is it interactivity? specialised programming? price? Will telcos find new revenue streams or simply a way to reduce churn?

There will also be a Shoot Out session that looks at Hollywood. This is a live extention of the TV show Shoot Out which is hosted by Variety editor Peter Bart and Mandalay Entertainment chairman/CEO Peter Guber. On the TV show which kicks off in India on Star World next month they take their best shots at the industry, the movies, and each other. If Hollywood is talking about it, they‘re fighting about it.

Now at Natpe the two hosts will conduct a session in order to get an international perspective on the industry‘s changing landscape. The speakers are MGM worldwide TV Group Harry Sloan and Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.

Another session is called The Currency of Content “In a time where content development and its marriage to marketing can cause chaos, adult supervision is at a premium,” says panel moderator Media Link‘s Michael Kassan. How best to quantify, monetise and harness the explosive energy that is the result of ever more personalized and divergent content delivery?

That is the challenge faced by businesses who work in the field of cross-platform content delivery and marketing. This panel chosen Natpe says has demonstrated the ability to recognise opportunity, bring disparate creative forces to bear on initiatives, and convert the resulting content into business currency. The panelists include Microsoft corporate VP global marketing Jeff Bell; Cingular Wireless VP, advertising and marketing communications Daryl Evans; FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Digitas president Laura Lang and Unilever US head of worldwide media Alan Rutherford.

Another session looks at TV formats. From American Idol to Project Runway to Next Top Model, some of the most successful shows on TV today started as international formats and in some cases spawned their own international versions. Producers of hit shows have had to learn to adapt success for audiences that speak different languages, live in different cultures and even have different senses of humour.

Producers of some of these shows talk about what makes a successful format that can be taken worldwide and the challenges of adapting a format for multiple markets.

Another session aims to impaort knowlege on generations X, Y, and Z. Natpe notes that it is important for media firms to keep up with how our most wired, engaged and media savvy generation of consumers experience media content? Brian Seth Hurst, one of The Hollywood Reporter‘s Digital 50, interviews members of this on-demand, user-engaged community. The panel of 18 -25 year olds will break it down for attendees – how they experience brands, consume content and, yes, even create their own networks for themselves and their peers. Where does traditional media fit in and how can firms capture this audience?

There will also be a chat with Elise Doganieri who co-created the reality show The Amazing Race.From the creative processes to strategic decisions to the seemingly infinite logistics, this hands-on executive producer oversees every single detail of The Amazing Race which airs in India on AXN. So, what is the recipe for reality TV success and how do you create award-winning programming that consistently beats the competition and is considered the real must-see TV? That is what the sesion looks to answer

MUMBAI: Software firm Apple has announced it is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver the first seamless integration between its music player on the go the iPod and in-flight entertainment systems.

These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

Apple VP worldwide iPod product marketing Greg Joswiak says, “There is no better traveling companion than an iPod, and now travelers can power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat back displays. We are excited to work with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to offer iPod users an even better in-flight experience.”

In-flight iPod connectivity will be available to Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United passengers beginning in mid 2007. Additionally, Apple is working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more leading airlines in-flight iPod connectivity in the future.

The iPod ecosystem continues to flourish with more than 3,000 accessories made specifically for iPod that range from fashionable cases to speaker systems, and more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles currently offer iPod connectivity

MUMBAI: Tata Sky has moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against the south Indian media major Sun TV Group‘s reluctance to make available channels to its direct-to-home platform.

The petition, filed today before the tribunal, alleges that the Sun TV Group has refused to supply its bouquet of channels to the DTH player. The case is scheduled for the first hearing tomorrow (15 November).

Tata Sky approached the disputes forum after repeated requests to provide the signals of the channels of Sun‘s bouquet of channels on “non-discriminatory terms” proved futile.

Tata Sky has sought an appropriate direction in the matter from TDSAT, alleging that Sun TV has quoted unreasonable terms for supplying its signals.

When contacted by Indiantelevision.com, Tata Sky managing director and CEO Vikram Kaushik today refrained from commenting on the development.

Earlier speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Kaushik mentioned, “We are in talks with Sun TV, the most popular network in the southern states, but no commercial agreement is expected soon. We gave them a proposal and are in negotiations with them. But a deal is still far away.”

A point of note is that Tata-Sky is simultaneously also battling for Zee-Turner channels. Although the tribunal has directed Zee Turner Ltd, distributors of Zee and other channels, to provide its signals to Tata Sky, the issues of pricing, capacity and other related issues have yet to be sorted out.

According to the norms laid down by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Interestingly, Sun TV promoter Kalanithi Maran has set forth plans to enter the DTH space through the still to launch commercially Sun Direct TV. He runs a string of successful channels, which include SunTV, GeminiTV, SuryaTV, UdayaTV, KTV, TejaTV, UsheTV, KiranTV, AdithyaTV, Sun News, KiranTV, GeminiTV, TejaTV, Teja News, Udaya2 and Udaya News.

MUMBAI: Tanderberg Television has announced the appointment of Robin Main as senior vice president of application software development.

Earlier Main served as senior vice president of engineering at Movaz Networks and prior to that he was vice president of software engineering at Scientific-Atlanta, asserts an official release.

Tanderberg Television CEO Eric Cooney said, “Robin is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of successful product development and tremendous experience working with major network operators and service providers around the world. He brings a wealth of experience and technical expertise to our organisation as we strive to be at the forefront of technology innovation that is changing the television industry.”

“Tanderberg Television is a worldwide leader in advanced compression, on-demand and interactive television technologies with a diverse array of innovative products for this market.I am thrilled to be a part of such a talented team and contribute to the development of next-generation technologies for this industry,” added Main.

MUMBAI: The official Casino Royale website has announced the launch of James Bond In Casino Royale, a mobile game for the film by Sony Pictures Digital.

The game would be launched on Sony‘s K750i handset.

Based on the bond movie Casino Royale, James Bond In Casino Royale is an action game that captures the essence of Agent 007’s style and wits as he takes on missions for her majesty’s secret service.

The game follows the plot of the movie, set in and around the Le Casino Royale casino, and features cameos from the film‘s key characters, asserts an official release.

The website also features several wallpapers, which include the movie posters, Daniel Craig as Bond, Eva Green as Vesper Lynd, Caterina Murino as Solange, and many more. Ringtones are also featured, adds the release

MUMBAI: Indian mobile game development company Spiel Studios has announced their partnership with film actor Arshad Warsi for an worldwide contract to develop and distribute games based on his title.

Soon Arshad Warsi will be seen in a series of mobile games to be released by Spiel Studios. All the games will be developed by Spiel Studios and will be available on all the leading mobile service providers worldwide.

Arshad Warsi’s personality Spiel says is a perfect match to develop games, and the users will be able to relate to Arshad Warsi while enjoying the gameplay. All the games will be based on Arshad’s characters, hobbies, likings and personality. These games will revolutionize the Indian mobile gaming industry and set a new benchmark for itself.

Warsi has had a string of hits like Munnabhai MBBS, Salaam Namaste, Golmaal and Lage Raho Munnabhai. His forthcoming films include Kabul Express.

Going by the increasing popularity of Mobile games and the mass appeal that Arshad Warsi has in the country, the games will definitely prove to be a huge success in the Indian & International market. These games will be an exciting mix of strategy, skill and speed and will even feature some of Arshad Warsi’s signature dialogues which will be a treat for his fans.

Warsi says, “Mobile gaming is a new concept in India, and I am sure these games will create a rage in the Indian market. I am a game freak myself and I have seen some screenshots and demos of the games that Spiel has created and they’re great. I am looking forward to my affiliation with them as they recreate the magic on the screen of the mobile phone.”

Spiel Studios CEO Mohit Sureka said, “Arshad Warsi connects brilliantly with the audience, and a common man can relate to him in a much better way than any other star. He is one of the most prominent sought out actor in India and we look forward to a dynamic association with him.

“With India becoming a hub for the wireless platform, bollywood based Mobile games are particularly gaining a huge popularity with the audiences. Spiel, as an organisation, is committed to take Indian games to the International market by offering high quality performance based mobile games.”

The games will be available for downloads from all leading mobile service providers worldwide for a one time download fee or on a ‘pay-per-play’ model.

The first game to be released thisd month will feature Arshad battling the veteran baddies of Bollywood in a street fight combat. The game will be called Arshad’s Fight Club.

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate NBC Universal has launched a comedy broadband channel DotComedy at www.dotcomedy.com.

NBC Universal Cable Entertainment president Jeff Gaspin says, “The launch of this new digital brand is an important milestone for us. NBC Universal has built a great history of comedy from late-night to ‘must-see TV.‘ DotComedy is a digital extension in the same tradition. Comedy is one of the most successful genres on the web and this broadband channel will appeal to the advertisers‘ targeted demos.”

The focus of the programming on the new channel will be original, web-exclusive material developed specifically for DotComedy. The broadband channel will also feature content from NBC‘s legendary late-night shows, including the first ten years of David Letterman‘s late night career – NBC‘s Late Night with David Letterman along with Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O‘Brien.

Sitcom fans will find vintage material mined from the NBC Universal television library, featuring the HBO series Dream On, Leave It To Beaver, The Munsters, Coach and Significant Others. DotComedy will also be home to a wide selection of stand-up, sketch material and viral videos.

Additionally, DotComedy will give users an opportunity to showcase their own comedic talents by providing them with a virtual stage on which the site will feature user-generated content