ITV

Category: Software

  • Rediff.com launches improved news app

    Rediff.com launches improved news app

    MUMBAI: Online provider of news, information, communication, entertainment and shopping services Rediff.com India Limited has modified and upgraded its Rediff News App service. Users will now be able to access news from over 30,000 Indian and International sources for free by downloading the news app.

    As part of the enhancements, the app also aggregates news from top news sources such as Reuters, The New York Times, Washington Post, The Times of India, The Economic Times, and The Hindu.

    In order to make sure that the app can be used by maximum mobile users, Rediff has released multiple versions of the app for mobile devices ranging from those using the latest versions of iOS, BlackBerry, Windows 8, and Android, to feature phones using the classical Java and Symbian operating systems. Each version is designed to provide the best user experience on the respective operating system and provides aggregated news content from multiple sources.

    The app has a tiled interface design that displays the latest news with images and a short description across popular categories such as top news, world, business, sports, cricket, and entertainment. A user can tap on an image to get a summary of the news and a further tap takes him/her to the full article on the original news source.

    The app also provides an offline access to previously downloaded news content even when the user is not connected to the internet, providing each user with a unique and differentiated news search and viewing experience.

    Rediff.com chairman and CEO Ajit Balakrishnan said, “The Indian mobile internet user base is expected to grow exponentially on the back of initiatives by the Government of India and leading Indian telecom service providers. Our launch of the Rediff News app that can work on almost all mobile phones provides users with better access to worldwide news and enhances search functionality. This is part of our continued strategy of enhancing our offerings to improve the Rediff user experience and positions Rediff to take advantage of future growth opportunities.”

  • Over 60 per cent growth in worldwide OTT video revenue in 2012, ABI Research

    Over 60 per cent growth in worldwide OTT video revenue in 2012, ABI Research

    MUMBAI: Companies like Netflix, Hulu, Apple, and Amazon have helped drive the over-the-top (OTT) video market past $8 billion in 2012. The three largest markets-North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific-experienced year-on-year (YoY) growth in excess of 50 per cent in 2012. The continued spread of connected CE and increasingly mobile devices, like tablets, are expected to push the market past $20 billion by 2015, according to ABI Research.

    ABI Research senior analyst Michael Inouye said, “The shift to digital and OTT distribution is accelerating, particularly as content providers increasingly warm up to these channels. While Pay-TV services are still afforded many advantages we are approaching the proverbial fork in the road when content owners will decide if they continue down the same path or forge ahead, shaking up the primary means of media distribution as we‘ve known it.”

    The dynamics around revenue generation continue to change and currently vary by region (e.g. subscriptions more significant in North America than Europe or Asia-Pacific). In time, however, we expect a greater diffusion of revenue across the various business models. For instance, in 2012 58 per cent of OTT video revenue came from subscription service, but we anticipate this share to fall to less than 32 58 per cent by 2018. In large part this is driven by a continual shift in consumer demand towards newer forms of digital content distribution.

    ABI Research practice director, Sam Rosen said, “While we still see great value and strength in the Pay-TV sector we are also starting to see the pieces that will accelerate change fall into place .”Whether it‘s Netflix expanding to International markets or ABC and CBS enhancing catch-up services the building blocks that will restructure the how, when, and where consumers view content are starting to give shape to a new media future. This future, however, isn‘t devoid of traditional media nor is it a matter of new channels necessarily winning, but rather a redistribution of wealth within the value chain.”

  • Martial Arts TV HD channel to be distributed via Measat-3a satellite

    Martial Arts TV HD channel to be distributed via Measat-3a satellite

    MUMBAI: Measat Satellite Systems has signed an agreement with Martial Arts Networks to distribute the Martial Arts TV HD channel via the Measat-3a satellite.

    Martial Arts TV HD provides a wide variety of combat sports, such as mixed martial arts and kickboxing, as well as martial arts programmes including anime, movies, reality, video game and lifestyle programming. The channel is dedicated to showcasing the beauty and strength of martial arts from around the world.

    “Measat is pleased to support Martial Arts TV distribute its HD channel throughout the Asia Pacific region. Martial Arts TV HD is the ninth HD sports channel on the Measat-3/3a video platform, underlining 91.5°E as a prime location for quality HD content in the region,” said Measat VP Broadcast Sales Jarod Lopez.

    The MEASAT-3/3a satellites at 91.5°E support Asia‘s key HD video neighbourhood which features a wide variety of news, general entertainment, sports and factual programming. The addition of Martial Arts TVHD brings to 39 the number of HD channels distributed by the satellites.

    “We are delighted to be working with Measat on their Measat-3a satellite which gives us broad coverage throughout Asia,” said Martial Arts Networks CEO Patrick O‘Connor-Read. “Through our partnership with Measat, we are charging ahead to bring Martial Arts TV to operators and fans throughout the region.”

  • 2013 NAB Show sees growth in registered attendees

    2013 NAB Show sees growth in registered attendees

    MUMBAI: The 2013 NAB Show has attracted at total of 92,414 registered attendees this year up from 91,565 in the previous year, according to preliminary figures released by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

    The international attendees comprise more than a quarter of the total registered attendees. The 2013 NAB Show has attracted 24,461 attendees representing 155 countries. The event has also attracted 1,703 news media attendees.

    NAB reported exhibit space grew nearly 10 percent over 2012. The event comprised 1,600 exhibitors spanning 900,000 net square feet of exhibit space, up from 815,000 net square feet in 2012.

    “Once again, NAB Show serves as the premier event for content and communications professionals from around the globe,” said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. “We‘re thrilled by the continued support from our exhibitors and attendees, and delighted that NAB Show‘s brand remains a powerful enabling force for technological advancement in media and entertainment.”

    The NAB Show is the world‘s largest electronic media event covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums.

  • Avid unveils upgraded digital audio and video technology at NAB

    Avid unveils upgraded digital audio and video technology at NAB

    MUMBAI: Avid, the creator of digital audio and video technology, has introduced a new and upgraded solution for audio production, professional editing, multi-platform content distribution, on-air graphics production, and asset management at the Nab television technology trade convention in Las Vegas.

    The company also shared its strategic vision, termed “Avid Everywhere,” which expresses the company‘s commitment to create the most fluid end-to-end, distributed media production environment in the industry.

    ‘Avid Everywhere‘ recognises that flexible deployment options, including remote and cloud-based collaboration technology, have become critical to content creators and distributors as they face relentless pressure for operational excellence.

    Intense cost pressures and content creation complexity are key challenges for media and content professionals in this ever more mobile and social world. ‘Avid Everywhere‘ helps our customers meet these challenges by empowering distributed work teams, multi-platform delivery, and the ability to work in any production environment.

    Avid president, CEO Louis Hernandez Jr said, “Over the past 25 years, Avid has built a strong heritage of industry leadership; we‘re proud of the role we play in empowering our customer community to create the most compelling media in the industry. As a critical element of Avid‘s growth strategy, Avid Everywhere inspires our next phase of innovation around our entire product suite. We look forward to sharing more announcements over the next year.”

    Specific new and upgraded products announced at Nab include:

    Creative Tools-Avid‘s professional creative tools set the industry standard for the highest quality content creation and production solutions to power the complete professional content creation environment.

    • Avid Media Composer 7 – The nonlinear editing solution is now available and the aim is to bring value to post production editors. The new version features accelerated and simplified file-based workflows including optimised HD delivery from high-res source material and automated media operations. The new release also offers Interplay Sphere for Mac support, extending real-time production everywhere.
    • Avid Pro Tools 11 – Avid‘s digital audio workstation features audio and video engines, 64-bit architecture, expanded metering, and direct HD video workflows.
    • Avid Motion Graphics 2.5 – Avid‘s next-generation platform of on-air graphics production includes a new dual-channel configuration option and stand-alone playout engine to increase deployment flexibility and speed graphic workflows, to create stunning imagery and get work quicker to air.
    • Avid Fast Track Solo and Duo – Avid‘s two new portable audio interfaces for composing and recording high-quality audio come equipped with Pro Tools Express software for Mac and PC, and connect directly to the iPad, providing high-quality I/O for any iOS app.Media Management Solutions-From the largest media enterprises to independent professionals, Avid provides the most open, flexible, and scalable solutions in the industry.
    • Avid Interplay Production 3.0 – Avid‘s latest version of the production asset management solution simplifies and speeds file-based workflows for post production and broadcast customers, and offers Interplay Sphere with full Mac support.
    • Avid Interplay Pulse – Avid‘s enhanced multi-platform content distribution solution delivers content to online, mobile, and social platforms everywhere, in the right form and format for each, while featuring integration with Avid‘s connected newsroom solution set and unified web client.
    • Avid AirSpeed 5000 2.5 – Avid‘s latest-version video server delivers slow motion playback for SD and HD, fast media replay, and continuous record.
  • DAS extension: Karnataka HC reserves order till 16 April

    DAS extension: Karnataka HC reserves order till 16 April

    BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: The Karnataka High Court is set to decide on 16 April whether the stay on Digital Addressable System (DAS) roll-out in Bengaluru and Mysore will continue after the hearing in the matter concluded today.

    The HC reserved its order after hearing arguments of Union of India represented through Information & Broadcasting (I&B) ministry and the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), which had impleaded itself in the case on Monday.

    Earlier, the HC had heard arguments from petitioners Karnataka State Cable TV Operators (KSCOA) and Mysore Cable TV Operators Association (MCOA) and Multi System Operators (MSOs), the respondents in the case.

    The interim order restraining MSOs from disconnecting analog signals continues in both the cities.

    The KSCOA and MCOA had filed petitions, which were later clubbed together, seeking relief in digitisation deadline due to shortage of Set Top Boxes (STBs) and lack of clarity on STB ownership.

    The MSOs and IBF have sought the dismissal of petition on the ground that a large number of homes have already been seeded and there is no need for an extension to seed STBs in the remaining homes.

    Hearing in Gujarat adjourned till 16 April

    Meanwhile, the hearing of digitisation extension case in the Gujarat High Court could not take place as the court was pre-occupied with other matters. The HC has adjourned the case till 16 April which means that the stay in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara will continue.

    The Cable Operators Association of Gujarat (COAG) had filed a petition seeking postponement of digitisation due to shortage of STBs. The COAG through its president Pramod Pandya has filed a rejoinder to an affidavit filed by I&B ministry.

    Pandya said STBs ordered from China has failed to arrive because of internal problems in that country and therefore the local cable operators (LCOs) should be given more time to seed STBs in all the homes.

    The Government has already switched off analogue signals in the remaining 30 cities that were covered under phase II of digitisation beginning 1 April.

    Along with Karnataka and Gujarat, digitisation has also been stayed in two cities of Andhra Pradesh – Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam – where the hearing is expected to commence next week.

    Also read:

    Stay continues in Karnataka and Gujarat as courts adjourn hearing to 10 April

    IBF joins MSOs to oppose DAS extension in Bengaluru and Mysore

    Stay continues in Bengaluru and Mysore as HC pushes hearing to 8 April

    DAS Phase II: Karnataka HC extends hearing to 5 April, stay to continue in Bengaluru

  • Microsoft to provide live streaming service for NBC Sports’ digital platforms

    Microsoft to provide live streaming service for NBC Sports’ digital platforms

    MUMBAI: NBC Sports Group has partnered Microsoft to use the latters Windows Azure Media Services across its digital platforms, including NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com and GolfChannel.com.

    Through the agreement, which rolls out this summer, Microsoft will provide both live-streaming and on-demand viewing services for more than 5,000 hours of games and events on devices, such as smartphones, tablets and PCs. These services will allow sports fans to be able to relive or catch up on their favorite events and highlights that aired on NBC Sports Group platforms.

    “NBC Sports Group is thrilled to be working with Microsoft. More and more of our audience is viewing our programming on Internet-enabled devices, so quality of service is important. Also, our programming reaches a national audience and needs to be available under challenging network conditions. We chose Microsoft because of its reputation for delivering an end-to-end experience that allows for seamless, high-quality video for both live and video-on-demand streaming,” NBC Sports Group SVP and GM of digital media Rick Cordella.

    NBC Sports Group‘s unique portfolio of properties includes the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, “Sunday Night Football,” Notre Dame Football, Premier League soccer, Major League Soccer, Formula One and IndyCar racing, PGA Tour, US Open golf, French Open tennis, Triple Crown horse racing, and more.

    “Microsoft is constantly looking for innovative ways to utilize the power of the cloud, and we see Windows Azure Media Services as a high-demand offering,” said Microsoft corporate vice president Scott Guthrie.

    “As consumer demand for viewing media online on any available device grows, our partnership with NBC Sports Group gives us the opportunity to provide the best of cloud technology and bring world-class sporting events to audiences when and where they want them.”

    Microsoft has a broad partner ecosystem, which extends to the cloud. To bring the NBC Sports Group viewing experience to life, Microsoft is working with iStreamPlanet Co. and its live video workflow management product Aventus. Aventus will integrate with Windows Azure Media Services to provide a scalable, reliable, live video workflow solution to help bring NBC Sports Group programming to the cloud.

  • App Downloads show 11 per cent quarterly growth from leading app stores

    App Downloads show 11 per cent quarterly growth from leading app stores

    MUMBAI: App downloads across the four stores – Apple’s App Store, Google Play, the Windows Phone Store and BlackBerry World – climbed 11 per cent in the first quarter of the year 2013 worldwide over the Q4 2012 total, while direct revenue from paid-for apps, in-app purchases and subscriptions combined grew by a slightly more modest nine per cent.

    A Canalys’ App Interrogator research, covering the leading app stores in more than 50 countries, shows combined downloads from the stores totaled more than 13.4 billion, and revenue reached $2.2 billion (before revenue sharing is taken into account).

    Globally, Apple’s App Store accounted for the largest indexed proportion of revenue between the four stores at around 74 per cent, while the Google Play store saw the greatest number of downloads accounting for about 51% of the stores’ collective total, with Apple close behind.

    Canalys Chief Analyst, Analytics, Adam Daum said, “Apps have had a huge impact on the way consumers use mobile devices, what they value, and what they expect from smart phones and tablets. They are now central to how consumers engage with content and connected services, and how they personalize their devices around the app-enabled features that are important to them. This is a multi-billion-dollar growth market, with more and more consumers around the world now comfortable and confident in finding apps, downloading them and making in-app purchases, on a growing addressable base of smart phones and tablets.’

    The strongest growth was seen in emerging markets such as South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia, helped by the growing base of smart device users in those countries. But robust growth, both in revenue terms and download volumes, was seen in mature mobility markets such as North America, up by eight and six per cent respectively, and Western Europe, up by eight per cent and 10 per cent in the first quarter.

    Canalys Senior Analyst Tim Shepherd said, “Apple’s App Store and Google Play remain the heavyweights in the app store world. In comparison, BlackBerry World and the Windows Phone Store remain distant challengers today, though they still should not be ignored. Each of these four stores represents a different market proposition for developers, and remains the primary outlet to reach users on the platforms they serve. BlackBerry and Microsoft particularly need to continue to proactively work to attract fresh, innovative content and services to their respective catalogues, and fill gaps in their inventories. But they also need to increase device sales around BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone 8 to increase the addressable market opportunities on offer to developers.”

    He added: “The strength of app ecosystems will increasingly help to determine winners and losers in the smart device industry. BlackBerry 10 now has more than 100,000 apps available through its storefront, showing good growth from the 70,000 it boasted at launch, and the new devices on the platform has given BlackBerry a much greater chance to compete for consumer attention. Its app story is going from strength to strength, but there is no room for complacency. Microsoft, with the help of partners such as Nokia, is also making good progress attracting some important titles to the Windows Phone platform, but it also needs to do more to make building apps for its platform a priority for developers and also do a better job of marketing and communicating the already established strength of its app story.”

    “The Apple-Google duopoly creates certain challenges for app publishers, carriers, investors and device vendors, so there is intense interest in the possible emergence of a third ecosystem,’ added Daum.

  • How to build and engage TV audiences through Twitter

    How to build and engage TV audiences through Twitter

    CANNES: How do broadcasters mine into the social treasure trove that is Twitter? Twitter’s head of broadcast partnerships UK Dan Biddle attempted to answer this during one of the MipCube’s sessions in MipTV in Cannes.

    He pointed out that Twitter has 200 million users the world over who post about a billion tweets every two and a half days. 60 per cent of these users access twitter using their mobile phones.

    He disclosed that TV works like glue for Twitter citing UK’s example where 40 per cent of tweets are made during prime time and are about TV. “Twitter is the room we watch TV in,” he said with a confident smile. “While hash tag is the campfire around which people tell stories.”

    He cited examples like Dogging Tales – a documentary which covered people who wanted to have anonymous sex. Thanks to the right push, it got some 120 million tweets. The twitter buzz drew viewers to the show like bees to a honey pot who switched on their TV sets almost immediately. Others who could not watch it tuned into it with catch up TV.

    He then narrated the case of Saturday Night Takeaway one of the teams used to post a frozen pose before the kick off. They decided to get viewers to interact with their team and send in what their pose of the week should be. Audiences and followers on Twitter deluged them with poses before the show started.

    He also gave the example of a show Fishfight wherein viewers were given two minutes during a commercial break to send in tweets relating to “what are your prawns eating?” with the hash tag #fishfight to supermarkets. The exercise was to raise awareness of unsustainably fed prawns. Around 16,000 tweets poured in the 120 second window.

    “The effort worked well in making the show engaging,” said Biddle.

    Broadcasters and producers can also take a cue from what ESPN Sports Centre does with instant replays, he said.

    “They clip out key moments of the game and send it out as instant replays. They know users could do it; they decided to beat them to it,” he revealed.

    “It is very engaging for followers. ESPN has also got Ford to put in some money behind it through pre-roll ads and further promote to its own community.”

    Biddle’s believes that broadcasters and producers would do well to programme Twitter as they would programme their channels. “Bear in mind Twitter is the ultimate teaser, not spoiler,” he emphasized.

    “Also take advantage of feedback and amplify it further even if it something you did not expect. There’s opportunity even there if you look at it different.”

    His step by step bible for doing it right is as follows:

    Before the show: Preview clipspredictions and start the talent talking on twitter.

    During the show: Amplify the tweet spot by encouraging polling/voting and playing of games around it. And continue to get the talent tweeting.

    After the show: Have recaps, sneak peeks, reviews and feedback. Reward loyalty and keep the conversation going. Finally, drive audiences to VOD or other pay platforms which can help you monetize your content.

  • Eureka Mobile Advertising introduces mobile phone utility services

    Eureka Mobile Advertising introduces mobile phone utility services

    MUMBAI: Eureka Mobile Advertising has launched a mobile phone utility that monetises the idle screen to deliver relevant content to target subscribers.

    Eureka is currently available on the android platform, and will soon be made available on BlackBerry and Symbian as well as across other telecom operators.

    By utilising the idle screen space of the mobile phone, Eureka provides an opportunity for brands to engage with their customers.

    Built on the back of proprietary technology, Eureka works with both telecom operators and brands. For subscribers that opt to download and continue using Eureka, the service offers a one-time cash reward for early subscribers, along with continued cool deals, and relevant content. Headquartered in the UK, Eureka has offices in London and Mumbai.

    Meanwhile for brands, the opportunity lies in better utilisation of their advertising spend, more transparency and greater assurance.

    Eureka Mobile Advertising founder and CEO Rahul S Jayawant said, “With the kind of power that the mobile phone wields, it has become the single most important tool for marketers all over the world. With our pilot launch completed in India over the last one month, we have seen overwhelming enthusiasm for our service. Going forward, we will expand our services to more geographies and telecom operators as well as mobile operators. Over the next 12 months, we aim to be present in multiple markets across the world. We see immense potential in this technology, and are excited about the opportunities that it presents.”

    According to Berg Insight, a global telecom research firm, the global market for mobile ads is likely to grow at about 37 per cent every year to $ 22 billion in 2016, from the $ 3.4 billion in 2010. This is likely to increase the share of mobile marketing in overall advertising from 3.8 per cent to 15.2 per cent.