ITV

Category: Software

  • Sky strengthens movie offering with SPT deal

    Sky strengthens movie offering with SPT deal

    MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider Sky has further strengthened its movie offering through a new deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) that will provide customers with access to movies like ‘Men in Black 3‘, ‘The Amazing Spider-Man‘ and ‘Django Unchained‘ before any other TV channel or subscription service.

    Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Sky Movies will be the first subscription service in the UK and Ireland to screen new movies from Sony Pictures, including upcoming titles such as Smurfs 2, This is the End and After Earth. Sky Movies customers will be able to enjoy exclusive subscription access to Sony Pictures‘ new releases around six months after they have ended their run in cinemas. Once on Sky Movies, the titles will be exclusively available for at least a year.

    Alongside the new releases, Sky Movies customers will also get access to an extensive collection of classic films from the Sony Pictures library, including the first three Spiderman movies, The Da Vinci Code and Bad Santa, available on an exclusive basis while they are on the service.

    Continuing Sky‘s commitment to offer customers new ways of accessing Sky content, the full range of new and classic titles included in the agreement will be available to Now TV customers with a Sky Movies monthly pass. NOW TV, Sky‘s internet TV service, offers easy and flexible access to Sky Movies across many connected platforms and devices.

    All movies will be available on demand, on Sky Go, HD, and, where available, 3D, further enhancing the viewing experience and adding more value for Sky customers. For customers who want to take movies with them on the move, the films will also be available on Sky‘s new subscription service Sky Go Extra. For Â?5 a month, Sky Go Extra customers can download movies and entertainment shows to their smartphone, mobile tablet, laptop or MacBook.

    Alongside access to the first pay TV window titles, the two parties have also agreed a non-exclusive deal for pay-per-view movies, which will be available to Sky customers through Sky Movies Box Office and on demand through Sky Store. Through these services, all Sky customers can rent Sony Pictures titles, from the latest movies – many at the same time as they are available on DVD – through to an extensive library of classic films.

    Customers who subscribe to Sky Movies via Virgin Media, UPC and TalkTalk will also be able to enjoy the full range of subscription films from Sony Pictures.

    Sky Movies director Ian Lewis said, “We‘re delighted to have secured Sony Pictures content for our customers, further extending our leadership in movies. We are committed to providing our customers with the biggest and best movies, available to watch when and how they want. That‘s why Sky Movies customers enjoy access to the biggest movies first, in HD, on demand, on the go and in 3D. And with the launch of Sky Go Extra, they can now even download movies to their smartphones and tablets to watch offline.”

  • IPTV Q4 growth decelerates in the US: Study

    IPTV Q4 growth decelerates in the US: Study

    MUMBAI: The growth of the US Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) market continued to decelerate in the fourth quarter of 2012, due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy and the slowing expansion of Verizon‘s FiOS service.

    The two major US IPTV players, Verizon and AT&T, reported a combined gain of 326,000 video subscribers in the fourth quarter, down by 19 per cent from the 402,000 acquired during the same period in 2011, according to the IHS Screen Digest.

    This marked the second consecutive year of slowing subscriber growth in the fourth quarter, with the total for the last three months of 2011 down 7 percent from 430,000 in 2010, as presented in the figure below.

    For the year 2012, net subscriber adds for the two US IPTV services amounted to 1.3 million, down 14 per cent from 1.5 million in 2011.

    Through 2017, both the major US IPTV players will continue to see their subscriber gains moderate as the market becomes more mature. By 2017, IHS Screen Digest expects that IPTV in the United States will account for 13.4 million pay-TV households, or 10.8 per cent of all pay-TV subscribers.

    IHS senior analyst for television research Erik Brannon said, “Verizon‘s Fios accounted for the majority of the slowdown, as the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service added only 134,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2012, down from the 194,000 gained during same period in 2011.

    “The disruption caused by hurricane Sandy may have slowed FiOS‘s progress. However, the major reason for the deceleration is that FiOS is largely finished expanding its footprint into new geographic areas of the United States. FiOS‘s penetration is significantly higher than that of U-verse, causing long-term growth to slow for Verizon‘s IPTV service.”

    Fios Slowing-but Still Growing: Fiox in 2012 increased its video subscriber base by 553,000 to reach 4.7 million, up 13.3 percent from 4.2 million in 2011. This represents a 21 percent reduction from the 701,000 increase in 2011.

    Fios‘ video penetration now stands at 33.3 percent, compared to 31.5 per cent at the end of 2011. Still, the largest US IPTV provider grew its video subscriber base by 13.3 per cent this past year.

    The Expanding U-verse: AT&T continues to maintain its growth in its U-verse video services, as 192,000 subscribers joined in the fourth quarter of 2012, only 8,000 less than during the same period in 2011.

    U-verse video subscribers grew 19.6 percent for the year and now stand at 4.53 million, closing in on FiOS‘s total video subscribers. With a much broader rollout of U-verse, the fiber-to-the-node service passes 72 percent more eligible video homes than FiOS. Given a significantly larger reach and low video penetration of just 18.7 percent, AT&T is also able to maintain steady growth in gains for its IPTV services.

    All told, U-verse added 745,000 subscribers in 2012, down just 7.3 percent from 2011‘s net gain of 804,000 subscribers.

    IPTV for Everybody: IPTV growth continues in the US, although at a reduced pace. Plenty of room for expansion remains as Fios focusses on penetration levels and U-verse stresses marketing to its lightly penetrated footprint.

  • Tewari says govt pursuing Phase II digitisation deadline

    Tewari says govt pursuing Phase II digitisation deadline

    MUMBAI: Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Manish Tewari said the government will pursue implementation of the second phase of switchover to digital delivery of television channels in 38 cities with population of one million.

    The government has mandated digitisation in the 38 cities by 31 March, after going ahead with the first phase of digitisation in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The switchover to digital delivery in Chennai is stuck in court proceedings initiated by Tamil Nadu cable operators against digitisation itself.

    “We will stay the course,” Tewari said in response to a question about digitisation in the 38 cities when he was in the city to give away the first edition of International Advertising Association’s leadership awards. He further said, “Phase II digitisation is on track.”

    He said the government has the learning from the implementation of phase I digitisation and expected all the stakeholders to be firmly backing the effort.

    Addressing the advertising fraternity, advertisers and the media, the I&B Minister dwelled on the issues concerning the media and advertising industries. These included freedom of speech with reasonable restrictions, imperfect television audience measurement model, the need to observe advertising regulations on television and self-regulation vs statutory regulation of content.

    He asked all concerned to think whether content can remain in the self-regulation domain, while suggesting an overarching statutory mechanism to address issues related to convergence across media, entertainment and telecom.

    Tewari assured the media and advertising industries that they will be taken into confidence before taking any decision on any of the contentious issues.

  • HP teams up with Universal Music & Hungama.com to launch music service

    HP teams up with Universal Music & Hungama.com to launch music service

    MUMBAI: HP has joined forces with entertainment giants Universal Music and Hungama.com to launch subscription-based music service in India called HP Connected Music.

    The service provides unlimited rental downloadable music free of charge for one year. This brand new service is available on selected HP notebooks with the imbedded Windows 8 launcher.

    With the new range of HP consumer notebooks featuring Windows 8, consumers can now enjoy music on the move – with acess to their favourite music anywhere, anytime. HP Connected Music is available in India on selected consumer notebooks.

    HP Connected Music has been introduced in India to provide HP customers exclusive content and access to Hungama.com’s and Universal Music‘s diverse catalogue which includes over 1 million songs from more than 20,000 artists from different genres inlcuding Bollywood, Devotional, Rock, Classic, Hip Hop, Jazz, Regional, R&B, Country and others.

    Consumers will have access to unique content such as previews, behind the scenes, VIP events and many more, to connect with their favourite artists, including the likes of A. R. Rehman, Sonu Nigam, Priyanka Chopra, Anoushka Shankar, Euphoria and international artists like Justin Bieber, Lady GaGa, Aerosmith, Akon among others.

    Speaking about the service, HP PPS India Head, Marketing Ranjivjit Singh said, “Our consumers have told us they want a seamless music experience, while using their device and this is exactly what HP Connected Music provides. Through its subscription service, it allows people the chance to explore a whole new world of music and exclusive content, while using their HP device.”

  • Cameron Pace Group rolls out new 3D technology

    Cameron Pace Group rolls out new 3D technology

    MUMBAI: The Cameron Pace Group debuted new 5D technology at the 2013 Winter X Games that made an irreversible dent in the barriers that have traditionally limited 3D growth.

    In the spirit of the Games, well known for their tradition of breaking records and defying limits, CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) rolled out new technology that effectively integrates 2D and 3D content production using cost-competitive, scalable methods to improve image quality and overall viewer experience.

    Specifically, this technology addresses the broadcast industry‘s central challenge – to produce multi-format live footage without multiplying production costs. CPG co-chairman, CEO Vince Pace said, “Our engineering efforts always focus on ways to enable broadcasters to do more with less. The X Games were a milestone in demonstrating that 3D innovation can also directly augment 2D production.”

    The debut of CPG‘s new broadcast solutions built on the company‘s efforts in producing the technology and methodologies necessary to make integrated 2D and 3D (known as 5D) productions attractive and scalable options for mainstream broadcasts. To accomplish this, CPG developed products that embed 3D functionality into existing 2D production models without sacrificing flexibility or mobility.

    “Our goal at CPG is to enable broadcasters to generate top quality footage under any circumstances, adapting to any approach they select. For this year‘s X Games, we were able to do just that” explains Pace.

    The Technology: To service the X Games, CPG deployed two Shadow mobile units, each equipped with newly engineered MaxRemote automated camera rigs. MaxRemote™ technology is at the core of CPG‘s new suite of production tools and puts total control of all camera rigs in the hands of the mobile unit production team. This technology also facilitates critical functions including matching back focus and vertical lens tracking, features that are being looked at for use in standard 2D production. MaxRemote reduces the amount of personnel needed to staff cameras in the field and facilitates centralized command of 3D image acquisition and quality control

    This technology was critical for coverage of the X Games, a complex live production with camera placements in hard-to-access locations. CPG CTO Patrick Campbell said, “The key to MaxRemote™ is you can place the camera anywhere and never have to physically visit during the production. At the X Games, the cameras were essentially only visited when they were bagged for the night and unbagged in the morning.”

    CPG‘s MaxRemote technology complemented its three additional innovations in 3D image capture and playback. One of these innovations, CPG‘s Dual Convergence Controller system, facilitated more precise alignment of camera rigs, an essential capability for optimizing 3D images, while halving dependency on gear. CPG also upgraded its handheld rigs to newer, more compact and lightweight beam splitter models which use larger imagers than previous designs to provide higher quality 3D images and lens performance.

    Finally, CPG debuted a custom-built, 3D high-speed camera integrated with its latest slow motion replay technology. This system captured shots at 420 fps and produced such high quality replay footage that the X Games judges used it for scoring purposes.

  • BBC launches a second-screen app for ‘Top Gear’

    BBC launches a second-screen app for ‘Top Gear’

    MUMBAI; When the new series of ‘Top Gear UK‘ returns to TV screens on BBC channels across the world next month – just days after UK transmission – a new second-screen app from BBC Worldwide will accompany the international broadcasts for the first time in the show‘s history.

    Top Gear Bingo! was developed using UK-based Monterosa‘s LViS platform, and encourages viewers to look out for well known phrases, cars and items synonymous with the hit motoring entertainment programme, ticking them off on their screens in a similar style to a traditional bingo game. The free-to-play web app is accessed by logging into the local BBC channel‘s site where viewers can invite friends to join them through Facebook, comparing scores while playing along with the live broadcast. A new game is available with every episode.

    BBC Worldwide commercial director of ‘Top Gear‘ Duncan Gray said, “We wanted to create a free Top Gear game that enhances our international viewers‘ enjoyment of the show‘s premiere broadcast. Top Gear Bingo! does just that, allowing fans to look out for words, phrases and items that appear, competing with their friends to see who can get the highest score each week via a leaderboard if you log in with Facebook. And we hope that the unique way we‘ve been able to integrate advertisers into the proposition will be well received.”

    Monterosa commercial director Tom McDonnell said, “LViS is our versatile platform that allows us to quickly and economically develop fantastic second-screen apps that can live anywhere and scale globally. Working with BBC Worldwide, we‘re giving fans a way to enhance their viewing experience and broadcasters a new way to activate sponsorships and to create additional advertising opportunities through the second-screen. It‘s an exciting time for second-screen and we‘re proud that LViS is becoming the best way to make and deploy global apps for mainstream TV shows.”

  • Amazon’s Prime Instant Video greenlights children’s pilots for production

    Amazon’s Prime Instant Video greenlights children’s pilots for production

    MUMBAI: Amazon Studios, the movie and series production arm of online retail major Amazon.com, has announced that five children‘s test pilots have been greenlit for production. This announcement comes on the heels of the first pilot production commitment in December, which greenlit six comedy pilots, bringing the total number of Amazon Studios pilots currently in production to 11.

    Once completed, all 11 pilots will be posted on Amazon Instant Video, Prime Instant Video, Lovefilm UK and Lovefilm Germany for Amazon customers to watch for free. Viewer feedback will help determine which series Amazon Studios should produce.

    Amazon Studios director Roy Price said, “Production is already under way for the first set of comedy pilots we announced last month, and now we are excited to add even more pilots to the list-five amazing preschool children‘s series. Our children‘s series come from industry luminaries with credits such as ‘Blue‘s Clues‘, ‘Sid the Science Kid‘ and ‘Dino Dan‘. We think parents-and our very youngest customers-are going to love the magical combination of entertainment and learning that they‘ll discover in these children‘s series.”

    Angela C Santomero (Blue‘s Clues), creator and executive producer of the debut series, which is one of five children‘s series to receive a pilot order said, “We are thrilled to be working with Amazon Studios on our pilot and can‘t wait to soar into a creative arts curriculum with Creative Galaxy. We know that art can have a powerfully positive effect on children, and through our proven signature approach to preschool television, we will actively help young viewers learn how to think creatively in their own lives. Working with Amazon Studios has been fantastic, and we look forward to jumping into the production process.”

    Children‘s pilots include ‘Creative Galaxy‘ which is an animated interactive art adventure series, designed to inspire kids‘ creative thinking through crafts, story, music and dance.

    Meanwhile ‘Oz Adventures‘ is a problem solving series, Dot, Dorothy‘s daughter, goes off to Oz everyday with the children of the beloved characters from L. Frank Baum‘s classic book, The Wizard of Oz. In each episode, the yellow brick road leads Dot to a new magical location where she solves problems alongside her Oz friends.

  • Comedy Central US unveils division to create content for digital medium

    Comedy Central US unveils division to create content for digital medium

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Comedy Central has created CC Studios, a new, in-house creative initiative that will develop content, concepts and talent for digital platforms.

    The announcement was made by Comedy Central president, content development, original programming Kent Alterman and Viacom Entertainment Group executive VP, digital media Erik Flannigan. Allison Kingsley has been named Comedy Central VP of digital development, and will oversee CC Studios and the development of original digital content for the #1 brand in comedy.

    CC Studios will serve as a destination where comedy and technology collide across multiple platforms to produce original shareable content for millennials. The goal is to provide a creative playground for the comedy community where comedians, directors, writers and animators can develop and cultivate their passion projects and further engage their peers and fans. CC Studios will offer a home for established talent, as well as strive to nurture new voices, concepts and future franchises, all with social strategies integrated into every stage of development. Kingsley and her CC Studios team are additionally responsible for developing and initiating branded entertainment projects in collaboration with Comedy Central‘s integrated marketing and sales teams.

    Alterman said, “Allison uses techy words I don‘t understand, so I know she‘s the right person for the job”. Plus, as an added bonus, she has a great comedy sensibility.”
    Flannigan said, “Allison not only gets the Comedy Central filter, but she is helping to expand it by developing content beyond video as well. CC Studios talent will be playing with everything from animated GIFs to voice mail to comic strips.”

    Kingsley said, “CC Studios is an outlet for veteran and upcoming comedians to develop and incubate their ideas for whichever platform best serves the content. We‘re excited to launch a supportive environment where the talent community can be inspired by social media and technology to create the work they love.”

    Projects currently available for viewing and in development include:

    “Couched” Host Ben Hoffman spends a weekend crashing in a house full of college dudes. Ben‘s mission: get to know the typical Comedy Central fan as he prepares for production of his own show — “The Ben Show” (debuting February 28 on Comedy Central).
    “Bro-Dependent”Michael Croner and Greg Worswick of the Groundlings comedy troupe play Zack and Anderson — best friends who are equal parts douchebag, idiot and hopeless bromantic.

    The Lucas Brothers – Co-hosts Keith and Kenny bring their laid back twist to a morning show.
    Featuring sketches, interviews and guests like NBA stars Reggie Evans, Andray Blatche and Iman Shumpert, the show will tackle the guys‘ favorite subjects – sports, music and video games.

    ‘Behind Amy Schumer’ This web series that gives “behind the scenes” insight into the life of burgeoning superstar Amy Schumer as she creates and stars in her first TV series ‘Inside Amy Schumer’ premieres on Comedy Central in April.

  • BBC Knowledge launches in Cyprus on Cablenet

    BBC Knowledge launches in Cyprus on Cablenet

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Channels has signed a brand new distribution deal with Cablenet that will see the launch of BBC
    Knowledge in Cyprus for the first time from today.

    This deal follows in the footsteps of BBC Knowledge launching for the first time in Romania and Hungary in January and is the third milestone in an ambitious roll-out plan for the channel across the CEE region in 2013.

    The deal with Cablenet arrives shortly after BBC Knowledge launched for the very first time on RCS & RDS in Romania, DIGI in Hungary on 1 January and Romania’s Romtelecom on 3 January.

    BBC Knowledge will be available in the Basic package on Digital cable, reaching over 6,500 subscribers in Cyprus. BBC Entertainment and BBC World News continue to be available in the Basic package on analogue and digital cable reaching over 35,000 subscribers.

    BBC Entertainment is already shown on Cablenet in English, and BBC Knowledge will follow its lead.

    BBC Worldwide Channels SVP and GM EMEA Ian McDonough commented, “We are delighted to announce that BBC Knowledge will air in Cyprus from 1st February 2013. As we’ve already seen with recent deals in Romania and Hungary, there’s a huge appetite in the Central and Eastern European market for the kind of quality content the BBC has to offer. We are looking forward to bringing our award-winning, factual programming to viewers in Cyprus, and to this latest exciting chapter in the story of BBC channels in the CEE region.”

    Cablenet MD Nicolas Shiacolas commented, “It is our constant goal to enrich our TV bouquets with quality channels, ensuring we continually offer our customers better value. The BBC has always stood for and offered the very best in TV entertainment, so we are truly pleased that BBC Knowledge has become available for Cyprus and we can add it to our digital service.”

    BBC Knowledge showcases British factual and natural history programming. Programmes include the epic series Wonders of the Universe in which Professor Brian Cox explores the link between humanity and the origins of the universe, Richard Hammond’s Crash Course which follows the Top Gear presenter take on America’s biggest working vehicles and the major global viewing astronomical event Stargazing, an original co-commission exclusive to BBC Knowledge.

  • Ping Digital launches online music channel with

    Ping Digital launches online music channel with

    MUMBAI: Ping Digital, India’s first internet HD start up network for digital audiences, has launched a digital music channel – India Music Network (IMN Tv).

    India Music Network‘s launch is in affiliation with OKListen!- India’s first pro-musician, digital platform where consumers can purchase music legally and support the musicians they love.

    The joint venture is aimed at encouraging the new generation of musicians and artistes on its dedicated YouTube platform
    showcasing original music/melodies/compositions created especially for the IMN TV audience.

    IMN TV is Ping Digital’s second genre launched after the India Food Network.

    IMN TV and OKListen! together aim to build artiste portfolios and help them not only be seen and experienced, but also enable them to earn revenue on their talent. They strongly believe that artistes need powerful new platforms, which will in turn facilitate the growth of their talent in a manner that sustainable.

    Ping Digital co-Founder Prashanto Das said, “IMN TV is a channel for music aficionados in the fast growing digital format. A channel that aims to introduce the very best in music talent by showcasing original compositions and unreleased music, with artists earning from the revenue their music can generate. We are particularly excited about our partnership with digital music label OKListen! who share a philosophy similar to ours. Together we aim to create a much needed platform for India‘s new generation of talented musicians and indie artistes.”

    IMN‘s repertoire spans the broad range of music from semi-classical thumris to ballads. IMN scouts for promising talent and creates a top notch viewing and listening experience for music lovers and musicians across the globe. IMN videos are shot in high definition video and studio quality audio, allowing fine music across devices, including of course big screen television.

    OKListen! Founder Vijay Basrur said, “This is an exciting collaboration for us and in association with IMN TV we will encourage musicians in showcasing their talent as well as earning revenue from it. With the digital trend evolving at such a dramatic pace we want to ensure we build a tight chord with our audience through music. Our motive, other than helping music artistes gain revenue and share their talent, is also to enable music enthusiasts to discover & buy music along with supporting the musicians they love.”