ITV

Category: Software

  • LinkedIn acquires Pulse for $90 million

    LinkedIn acquires Pulse for $90 million

    MUMBAI: LinkedIn, the world‘s largest professional network, has agreed to acquire Pulse, a leading news reader and mobile content distribution platform, for $90 million as it seeks to expand its ecosystem of content offerings.

    The transaction is a combination of 90 percent stock and approximately 10 percent cash, and the stock being issued in the transaction will be done so in a private placement. The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of 2013.

    Pulse was founded in 2010 by Akshay Kothari and Ankit Gupta while they were students at Stanford University. It quickly grew to become one of the most widely used platforms for content consumption on the Internet.

    Pulse currently has more than 30 million users who have activated its iOS and Android-based news reader apps in more than 190 countries. Pulse is available in nine languages, and approximately 40 per cent of users are outside the United States. More than 750 of the world‘s leading publishers distribute their content through Pulse.

    “We are thrilled to be able to add Pulse‘s considerable talent, technology, and products to our growing ecosystem of content offerings, and we believe that they will help us accelerate our ability to deliver to our members the insights they need to be better at what they do, on any device,” said LinkedIn SVP of Products and User Experience Deep Nishar.

    “To continue to deliver that value to our members, our vision for content is that LinkedIn will be the definitive professional publishing platform, and Pulse is a perfect complement to this vision.”

    “News-the people, the places, the stories-is part of our daily conversation. Over the past three years, Pulse has established itself as a key part of that conversation; it has grown from a small project, to a platform for millions of readers to access their favorite content,” said Kothari.

    Gupta added, “Now that our team is part of LinkedIn, we‘ll work together to expand the possibilities for content discovery, helping readers engage in conversations with colleagues, mentors, industry leaders, and beyond.”

    Following closing, members of the Pulse team, including those from Engineering, Product and Design, will join LinkedIn at the company‘s Mountain View, Calif., headquarters. The existing Pulse apps will continue to be supported as the integrated Pulse and LinkedIn teams work to build future generations of professional content consumption products.

  • Twitter buys out We Are Hunted; sparks talk of music

    Twitter buys out We Are Hunted; sparks talk of music

    MUMBAI: Micro blogging site Twitter has acquired music search company We Are Hunted sparking off speculations that it will be launching its music service soon.

    While the financial details of the deal remain elusive to the public, We Are Hunted announced the acquisition on its home page saying, “We Are Hunted has joined Twitter… While we are shutting down wearehunted.com, we will continue to create services that will delight you, as part of the Twitter team…There‘s no question that Twitter and music go well together… We can‘t wait to share what we‘ve been working on at Twitter.”

    Set up in 2007 in Brisbane, Australia by Stephen Phillips, Richard Slatter and Michael Doherty, We Are Hunted recently shifted base to San Fransisco. The company developed proprietary search technology which continuously scanned the Internet to identify the hottest new music in the world.

    Twitter has become an engagement platform for music celebrities with them ‘tweeting‘ about things ranging from gratitude to concert experiences to random everyday incidents.

  • Netflix expands partnership with Hasbro

    Netflix expands partnership with Hasbro

    MUMBAI: Netflix and Hasbro have signed an expanded agreement making two new Hasbro Studios shows, Littlest Pet Shop and Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters, available to Netflix members in the US. Kaijudo is available now and Littlest Pet Shop will be available summer 2013.

    Through this agreement, Netflix becomes the exclusive over the top streaming subscription destination in the US for five of Hasbro Studios most popular shows – My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, Transformers Prime, Transformers Rescue Bots, Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters, and Littlest Pet Shop. New seasons of each of the shows will be available for members to watch instantly one month after their finale airs on The Hub Network.

    Popular Hasbro titles are now available to Canadian members for the first time, including My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, Transformers Prime, Pound Puppies and The Adventures of Chuck & Friends. Additional shows will become available in Canada throughout 2013 including Transformers Rescue Bots, Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters and Littlest Pet Shop.

    “The success of Hasbro Studios content on Netflix has been remarkable and we are proud to add more shows and extend our relationship throughout North America,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “In a very competitive field, Hasbro Studios has risen to become a major content player with shows that kids watch and families trust.”

    “Through our Littlest Pet Shop and Kaijudo expanded relationship with Netflix we look to bring even more Hasbro Studios shows to additional geographies reaching an expanded audience,” said Hasbro Studios President Stephen Davis.

    In 2012, Netflix members streamed more than 2 billion hours of kids content.

  • FHM India App is available on Windows Phone 8

    FHM India App is available on Windows Phone 8

    MUMBAI : Men‘s lifestyle magazine For Him Magazine India has recently launched its app on Windows phone 8 for free. According to FHM Windows phone was the natural choice for the company. The app has special features such as the lockscreen where the images continually change on a schedule pre-set by the user.

    It can be downloaded from the Windows Phone store where the content will be uploaded twice a week which it will include different sections like cover girl, the girl next door, an extended image gallery, jokes, witty one liners and the latest on bikes, cars and gadgets as well as contests.

    To access favorite sections of FHM users can pin the sections onto the start screen and directly access one‘s favorite sections. If one is more interested in gadgets than cars or in the Girl Next Door rather than the Cover Girl, one can increase and decrease the tile accordingly. Readers can choose their favorite pictures available on the FHM app and set them as a lockscreen (aka a wallpaper). Besides choosing their lockscreen wallpaper, readers can also access content exclusive to the app from FHM India.

    FHM India editor Kabeer Sharma said , “The ethos of the app is Sexy, Edgy, Useful content on the go. We‘ve taken the best parts of FHM and put them in an app for your Windows 8 Smartphone. But, for those who scandalise easily, we have put in gadgets, music, cars and trivia in there too. The app is your daily dose of content broken down bite sized just like your mother used to do.”

    Commenting on the same Microsoft Corporation India, director Vineet Durani said ,”Microsoft is very pleased to debut the FHM India app adding to the growing list of exclusive fun apps on the Windows Store. As the Windows Phone 8 offers consumers a great experience across different price points and app publishers a high level of security features, the Windows Phone Store is fast becoming the app store of choice for the best apps in India and the world. The FHM India app with its exciting mix of content is a great match for the features of the Windows Phone 8 device. It is as unique and cool as Windows Phone 8 itself”.

  • DAS Phase II: Analogue signals switched-off in 5 states

    DAS Phase II: Analogue signals switched-off in 5 states

    NEW DELHI: Analogue signals have been completely switched-off in five states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, according to information provided by nodal officers to the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) ministry.

    The ministry said it is in constant touch with the Nodal Officers and MSOs to ensure that the cities in remaining states also speed up the process of digitisation.

    However, analogue signal continues un-interrupted in the eight cities of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat that are covered under DAS Phase II as the respective High Courts have passed orders against switching off analogue signals.

    In addition, stay continues in Chennai which was part of the DAS Phase I covering four metros which also included Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

    Sharing the latest figures about DAS implementation in 38 cities covered under Phase II, the ministry claims that over 85 per cent digitisation have been achieved so far.

    Out of the 38 cities, fifteen cities have achieved nearly 100 per cent digitisation, 24 cities in all have achieved more than 75 per cent digitisation, and 34 cities have achieved more than 50 per cent digitisation.

    The review by I&B ministry also reveals that as against a target of 16 million STBs, 13.6 million have already been installed by the MSOs and DTH operators.

    Of these, the total number of installed Cable TV STBs is 9.15 million while DTH operators have installed a total of 4.45 million STBs. In the last one month alone about four million STBs have been installed in the Phase II cities.

    The I&B ministry has meanwhile cautioned multi-system operators (MSOs) to implement digitisation in a ‘sensitive manner‘ so as to avoid causing inconvenience to consumers.

    The ministry stated that the objective of the entire exercise is to implement the process in a seamless, sustained yet sensitive manner that causes least amount of disruption to the consumer.

    Wherever necessary the process has been implemented in a circumspect way so as to ensure that consumers can get access to STBs, I&B ministry said.

    Separately, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has also been convening the meeting of broadcasters, MSOs and cable operators to sort out issues pertaining to agreements and service conditions.

    The ministry said that digitisation would usher in a new era in broadcasting sector reforms by bringing more transparency in the subscriber base and would lead to several benefits for stakeholders including government.

    It would bring in enhanced revenue by way of improved tax recovery for government, enhanced TV viewing experience due to digital picture quality and multiple choices of channels to subscribers and improved subscription revenue for broadcasters and cable industry.

    The ministry has also assured cable operators that digital addressable system (DAS) will provide them an opportunity to provide competitive services to their subscribers and help them retain their business in the wake of competition from DTH and other platforms.

  • SES uses MipTV to drive its Ultra HD Experience

    SES uses MipTV to drive its Ultra HD Experience

    MUMBAI: Satellite operator SES, which has got a fleet of 52 geostationary satellites, has launched SES Ultra HD Experience initiative at MipTV in Cannes which invites content providers and broadcasters to work with SES to support the development of the Ultra HD value chain.

    SES Senior VP Commercial Europe Norbert Hoelzle said, “With manufacturers launching larger and larger TV screens at increasingly affordable prices, consumers expect to receive content with the highest possible picture quality. As a global satellite operator, it is of utmost importance for SES to play a catalytic role and enable the industry to drive the deployment of the Ultra HD ecosystem.

    “The challenge for broadcasters is to access content in Ultra HD. As satellite is the most suitable infrastructure to deliver high resolution pictures to large audiences, SES is well-positioned to support content providers and broadcasters in testing their Ultra HD footage and distributing their content before Ultra HD becomes a commercial reality in the next few years.”

  • VTB Capital acquires minority stake in Russia’s Tricolor TV

    VTB Capital acquires minority stake in Russia’s Tricolor TV

    MUMBAI: VTB Capital acquired a minority stake in National Satellite Company, the largest Russian satellite TV operator operating under “Tricolor TV” brand.

    With its subscriber base over 12.4 million (registered subscribers) including paying subscribers of 9.12 million as of 25 March, Tricolor TV is the leader of Russia‘s pay TV market and one of the largest pay TV providers in Europe.

    VTB Capital as a global investment bank and a financial investor will help Tricolor TV to increase value of its assets and get prepared for an IPO in few years.

    VTB Capital Global Head of Private Equity and Special Situations Tim Demchenko noted, “Investment in Tricolor TV is further step in implementing VTB Capital‘s private equity strategy to invest in consumer-related industries in Russia. We believe its strong market position and countrywide footprint will enable the company to capitalize on opportunities in rapidly growing Russian pay-TV market and successfully complete IPO in the next few years.”

    National Satellite Company CEO Alexander Makarov said, “Partnership with VTB Group is a strategic step which will allow the Company to get prepared for the next level of Company‘s development.”

  • Trai issues draft tariff package for STBs/CPEs for DTH and cable TV ops

    Trai issues draft tariff package for STBs/CPEs for DTH and cable TV ops

    NEW DELHI: In order to ensure a smooth migration of customers from one service provider to another without having to re-invest in a new STB, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today issued draft tariff orders prescribing standard tariff package for set top boxes in digital addressable cable TV systems (DAS) and consumer premises equipments (CPE) for direct-to-home services.

    The standard tariff packages for STB/CPE on rental basis are to be offered mandatorily by DTH and cable TV operators. The draft tariff orders have been put on the TRAI site to seek comments of stakeholders by 26 April.

    The Tariff Order also assumes significance as it attempts for the first time to give inter-operability to consumers of DTH players.

    The authority is of the view that the interests of the consumers can be largely protected through the provision for commercial interoperability of STB. The commercial interoperability provides an exit option for a subscriber in case the subscriber wishes to change the operator for any reason.

    Accordingly, in the relevant Regulations/ Tariff orders of Trai, it has been mandated that the operators of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems and DTH operators shall give an option to every subscriber to procure the STB either on outright purchase basis or hire purchase basis or rental basis, or in accordance with the scheme, if any, prescribed by the Authority. The relevant provisions of various Trai Regulations/ Tariff Order in this regard are attached as Appendix-I.

    While interoperability is available to customers of LCOs, Trai observed that in case of DTH services, ‘the predominant DAS platforms at the moment, the schemes for CPEs offered to the subscribers by the DTH operators, have wide variations and at times are such that no viable exit option is available to the subscribers. Instead the consumer has to re-invest in new hardware in case of migration from a particular operator or platform. The same may also hold good in case of the upcoming Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems.‘

    The authority is of the view that in order to, provide an easy exit option to the subscribers, ensure availability of STBs at reasonable cost and terms and at the same time to protect the interest of the service providers a Standard Tariff Package, for STBs, as provided for in the existing Regulations/Tariff Orders be prescribed by the Authority.

    Accordingly Standard Tariff Package for STBs for DAS has been worked out. In addition to offering the STB as per the Standard Tariff Package prescribed by the Authority, the operators are free to offer their own schemes for supply of STB to its subscribers in accordance with the existing Regulations/ Tariff Orders and the subscribers shall have option to choose from the Standard Tariff Package prescribed by the Authority and the alternative schemes offered by the operators.

    Authority has observed that The operators are offering to its subscribers various types of STBs having different features/ capabilities such as “recording facility”, “Internet/broadband compatibility”, “High definition/ 3D reception capability” etc., in addition to the basic functionalities. Since for such STBs there would be wide variations in terms of features and cost and hence the Standard Tariff Package is provided only for the basic/ vanilla STBs meant for reception of Standard Definition TV signals (SDTV) conforming to the relevant Indian Standard set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

    The Standard Tariff Package for Cable TV operators has been worked out on the basis of the following facts and figures as provided by the Industry stakeholders/ Associations:-

    a) The total cost of STB has been taken as Rs. 1750/-.
    b) Life span of STB has been taken as 5 years.
    c) The residual value has been taken as nil.
    d) Rental per month is based on cost of STB on Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) Basis @15% per annum (@1.25% per month) for a period of 60 months.

    The Standard Tariff Package for DTH operators has been worked out on the basis of the following facts and figures as provided by Industry stakeholders/ Associations;

    a) The total cost of CPE has been taken as Rs. 2250/-.
    b) Life span of CPE has been taken as 5 years.
    c) The residual value has been taken as nil.
    d) Rental per month is based on cost of CPE on Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) Basis @15% per annum (@1.25% per month) for a period of 60 months.

    The authority has also noted that no monthly rentals will be payable after the period of five years and the Customer Premises Equipment will become the property of the subscriber (except smart card/viewing card) after the expiry of five years. An amount equal to the sum of security deposit to be refunded per month and interest per month on balance security deposit has been adjusted in Rent per month per Customer Premises Equipment. The Full amount of security deposit stands adjusted in a period of five years.

    Up to five years, on returning of the Customer Premises Equipment, the Security Deposit shall be refunded as per attached table-B, provided that the Customer Premises Equipment is not tampered with.

    In case of un-installation/discontinuance of service before the last day of the month, balance security deposit shown as refundable at the end of that month will be refunded on return of Customer Premises Equipment.

    No repair or maintenance charges would be levied by DTH operator on the subscriber, towards repair or maintenance of Customer Premises Equipment up to the period of five years from activation of the Customer Premises Equipment. The subscriber, however, shall be liable to pay repair and maintenance charges from sixth year onwards.

    No installation charges or re-installation charges (except in case of shifting of connection) or activation charges or smartcard/ viewing card charges is to be levied by the DTH operator on the subscriber.

  • SET launches in New York City through RCN deal

    SET launches in New York City through RCN deal

    MUMBAI: RCN, the all-digital cable, internet and phone provider in New York City, has added Sony Entertainment Television (Set) Asia as part of its 100 per cent per cent-digital TV platform beginning 2 April. The channel will be part of the brand-new RCN ‘Sona‘ tier, including other premium South Asian networks.

    “We‘re very excited to announce the launch of Sony Entertainment Television in New York City. It falls perfectly in line with our goal to continually add more networks that provide maximum entertainment and value for our customers,” RCN New York General Manager Bruce Abbott.

    SET SVP International Business-Head of North America Jaideep Janakiram said, “At Sony Entertainment Television, we continue to lead in ways to make our programming available to the widest possible audience. We are proud to announce the launch of Set Asia on RCN and are committed to bring our viewers the best family entertainment and Bollywood blockbusters.”

  • TalkTalk adds Star TV Boost pack to its offering

    TalkTalk adds Star TV Boost pack to its offering

    MUMBAI: TalkTalk has further extended its popular range of On Demand content with the addition of the Star TV Boost package comprising Star Plus, Star Gold, Life OK and Star Jalsha.

    The Star TV Boost is available to TV Plus customers via the TalkTalk Player on YouView on demand for just ?5.00 a month.

    Star Plus has also been added to TalkTalk‘s Entertainment Boost, alongside the likes of Sky 1, Sky Living and Comedy Central, at no additional cost.

    TalkTalk Commercial Director Tristia Clarke said, “We are delighted to offer more award winning entertainment from the number one Asian network as part of the diverse range of content available on the TalkTalk Player. Star TV already has a fantastic following amongst our customers so I‘m sure the addition of three new channels via a single boost will be a big hit.”

    Star UK and Europe SVP Yeshpal Sharma says, “We are delighted to team up with TalkTalk to make the best of Asian television available to our loyal and growing UK audiences. Star Plus is the first Asian television channel to be retailed in the TalkTalk Entertainment Boost and the launch of the Star TV Boost is testimony to the confidence that TalkTalk has on the channel‘s performance.”