Category: Software

Accedo launches TV Everywhere service

MUMBAI: Accedo, a leading TV application solutions provider, has launched its TV Everywhere (TVE) Solution to enable the next generation of pay TV.

Accedo‘s TVE Solution enables pay TV operators and media companies to launch new multi screen services across a range of connected devices more quickly than ever before.

It provides an integrated solution, which connects content distribution and management platforms with Pay TV applications on any connected device.

"Over the past years, we have deployed numerous multi-screen applications with tier 1 operators and media companies. Customers and partners have repeatedly asked us for an attractive application-centric TVE Solution with off-the-shelf high performance products. We are excited to launch this solution at CES 2013," commented Accedo CEO Michael Lantz.

"We believe that this will complement current products on the market and will provide the most attractive combination of time to market and solution flexibility, while at the same time fulfilling customer requirements on functionality and performance."

Accedo will be demonstrating its TV Everywhere Solution at CES at its suite in the Venetian in Las Vegas from 8-11 January.

January 8, 2013
New devices, tech demos highlight mobile TV TechZone at 2013 CES
MUMBAI: The latest developments in live mobile broadcasting, which brings TV shows to mobile devices, are being highlighted in the Mobile TV TechZone of the International CES in Las Vegas this week. Consumer demand for live, on-the-go TV content is driving new products and services coming from broadcasters and device manufacturers, many of which will be on display at CES.

With more than 130 local broadcasters now on-air, Mobile TV is both a growing service in more than three dozen broadcast markets nationwide and a platform to demonstrate future capabilities in mobile emergency alerts and 3D broadcasting. The chief advantage of Mobile TV is its use of over-the-air broadcast signals, which are ideal for delivering video. Wireless cell phone networks, on the other hand, are susceptible to congestion, and users subject to costly data charges, particularly when accessing video content.

The 2013 Mobile TV TechZone at CES will include new products and demonstrations from Mobile Content Venture (MCV), the Mobile Emergency Alert System, the Mobile500 Alliance, and the ETRI research centerfrom Korea:
- Building on its earlier introduction of the Samsung Lightray smartphone and Elgato Apple iOS adapter compatible with Dyle mobile TV, the Mobile Content Venture will be showing the first tablet integrated with Dyle mobile TV technology: the RCA 8” Mobile TV Android tablet. Dyle mobile TV will also announce that Rentrak has been selected to provide the first-ever, mobile-broadcast TV measurement for local markets. Lastly, ESCORT Inc., will also announce plans to expand its Dyle™ mobile TV service to Android tablets and smartphones in 2013.
- Mobile TV is an ideal method to keep viewers informed during emergencies, and the Mobile Emergency Alert System will demonstrate how consumers can avoid cell phone congestion by tuning to Mobile Digital TV broadcasts for video, audio, photos, maps, and other vital information.
- The Mobile500 Alliance plans to showcase its MyDTV application for the iPad and iPhone demonstrating enhanced functionality at CES in 2013. The MyDTV application, which the Mobile500 Alliance first introduced at CES in 2012, will continue to offer live television recording, fully integrated social media, audience measurement and interactive advertising. The Mobile500 Alliance is made up of over 400 television stations from around the nation, all with the common goal of bringing broadcast television to consumers on their mobile devices.
- Mobile TV could also serve as a method for broadcasters to distribute 3D TV signals, with both stereoscopic signals sent through a single radiofrequency channel — with one “eye” using the standard ATSC stream and the second “eye” transmitted using the Mobile TV stream. Korean research institute ETRI, LG Electronics, and DTVInteractive will demonstrate terrestrial broadcasts of 3D TV in the Mobile TV TechZone
January 8, 2013
BBC Sport launches mobile app in the UK

MUMBAI: BBC Sport has launched a mobile application for iPhone and iPod touch devices in the UK. The free app brings together BBC Sport’s coverage to deliver news, live scores, stats, commentary and analysis on-the-go.

Arriving in time for a start to the 2013 sporting calendar, the app’s customisable menu allows users to keep up with sporting events – from breaking football transfer news and gossip, to live text coverage of the Premier League, Rugby Union Six Nations championship and the upcoming F1 season.

A new mobile football live scores section has been introduced allowing you to follow the action, whether you’re at the match or out and about. It provides a league-by-league overview of the latest scores and goal scorers at a glance, with dedicated match pages for more in-depth information, bringing together starting line-ups, match stats, live text commentary and the post-game report.

In addition, a new fixtures and results section has been developed to help users keep on top of all the UK and international football competitions, by simply selecting any day in the season from the app’s calendar. There’s also access to live streams from Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra for even more great sports coverage.

Other features, including live and on-demand video highlights, and an application for Android devices will be introduced soon.

The rapid growth of smartphones over the last few years has made mobile a particularly important platform for BBC Sport audiences. Mobile devices account for a third of BBC Sport’s total traffic, rising to over 40% at weekends and peaking at 45% on Saturday afternoons, as the nation accesses the final scores from wherever they may be.

BBC Future Media executive product manager for sport Lucie McLean said, “Through the huge success of the Olympics we know that audiences love to access sport services through both mobile browser and apps. The new BBC Sport app builds on the success of London 2012 to give users an even easier way to get the content they love, whether it’s checking out how their team got on, following live text updates on the day’s sporting action or catching up with the latest news.”

January 8, 2013
Rohit Arora quits ESS to join TheOneAlliance

MUMBAI: MSM Discovery, the distribution joint venture company between Multi Screen Media (MSM) and Discovery Communications, is strengthening its team as India‘s cable networks move from analogue to digital mode of delivery.

The company, which operates under TheOneAlliance brand, has appointed Rohit Arora as Senior Director – Business Development. Himanshu Dhoreliya was occupying this post earlier.

Arora, who was earlier with ESPN Star Sports, will be heading the direct-to-home (DTH) business of TheOneAlliance. He will report to MSM Discovery president Rajesh Kaul.

Confirming the new appointment Kaul said, "In this digitisation era, where the industry is evolving at a faster pace, Arora brings with him 12 years of rich and diverse experience in the industry at various levels and functions. He will be playing a significant role in providing strategic direction to the DTH business. I am confident that TheOneAlliance DTH business will scale new heights under his leadership and experience."

At ESPN Software India Limited (ESIL), Arora was Marketing Director looking after the trade related communications. He was closely associated with Affiliate Sales and strategy for both analogue and DTH businesses.

Arora, who had spent almost 12 years at ESIL, had joined the sports broadcasting company in 2000 as Area Sales Manager. He rose to the rank of Marketing Director in 2004, a position that he held till the time of quitting the company.

Along with MSM and Discovery channels, TheOneAlliance also distributes outside channels such as Headlines Today, Aaj Tak, Neo Prime and Neo Sports.

January 8, 2013
Zovi.com launches app for Android phones and tablets

MUMBAI: After launching a shopping application built specifically for Windows 8 based PCs and tablets, e-tailer Zovi.com has now introduced the Zovi.com Android App for mobile phones and tablets.

Through the app, users can view the entire Zovi.com catalogue on an intuitive interface and buy immediately with simplified checkout process using the Cash On Delivery option. Users will be updated directly through the app about new launches and will not miss any offer. In addition, there will be exclusive offers available for users who shop on the app. Customers can enjoy privileged customer service as the app can connect the users directly with the Zovi.com customer help line.
Zovi.com CEO Manish Chopra said, "The launch of the Zovi Android app is in line with our plans to be mobile ready and to capitalise on the m-commerce potential for Zovi.com."

January 7, 2013
Bharti Airtel launches mEducation services

MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel has launched mEducation services to bring education on the mobile device.

The new service platform now enables Airtel mobile customers across the country to easily access a host of education services including courses for language skills, entrance exam preparation and career counseling from the best of universities and professors in the country with their mobile phones.

Bharti Airtel president – consumer business K Srinivas said, "In many parts of the country, access to formal education is still restricted. Mobile platform has the potential to bridge this restriction using technology. Airtel mEducation service uses technology-enabled platforms to address the challenging issues of education with an endeavor to enrich the lives of our customers. Airtel mEducation has been designed to replicate a classroom experience for a mass market and enable learning at a convenient, accessible and affordable platform."
With the service, customers can now improve their capabilities with new skills and build self-confidence by improving their use of English language, through test preparations for entrance exams or personality development sessions. Regular assessment tests also help customers to evaluate their progress. Additionally, customers can also easily access the details of campuses and the scholarships on their fingertips.

January 7, 2013
Amazon in content licensing deal with A+E Networks

MUMBAI: Amazon.com, has signed a content licensing agreement with A+E Networks to add prior seasons of popular series from A&E, bio, History and Lifetime to the Prime Instant Video service.

Prime Instant Video now features more than 33,000 movies and TV episodes for Amazon Prime members to stream instantly, at no additional cost, on Kindle Fire HD or any of the hundreds of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices, including iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Wii U.

"In a year we have more than doubled the Prime Instant Video selection for our Prime members," said Amazon Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition Brad Beale. "We remain focused on adding TV episodes and movies to Prime Instant Video that we think our customers will enjoy. A+E Networks has some of the most popular shows on television and we know our customers will love streaming the A+E content with Prime Instant Video."
The deal with A+E Networks will bring Prime customers more TV episodes from some of their highest rated television programming including Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms, which are also available for purchase through Amazon Instant Video.

January 7, 2013
Ubitus to launch cloud gaming services on Google TV

MUMBAI: Ubitus, a cloud gaming solutions provider, has said that it is bringing console and MMO games to Google TV with low latency mode and broad range of gaming controller devices in the market.

As bandwidth quality keeps improving, Ubitus foresees opportunities to satisfy consumers‘ demand beyond existing TV/movie streaming services.

By deeply optimizing for the Google TV platform to achieve low latency cloud gaming mode, Ubitus can enable OEMs to offer over-the-top (OTT) cloud gaming services to their customers at ease and timely.

Going forward, any Smart TVs and Set-top-boxes running on the combined solution will allow end users to access cloud gaming services with a single click of button.

"Google TV is an ideal platform for cloud gaming and we have tackled the obstacles to achieving low latency streaming game experience with multi-gaming controller devices support on Google TV," said Ubitus CEO Wesley Kuo. This brings tremendous benefits to consumers, particularly with the increasing adoption of Smart TVs and new generation of Set-top-boxes in every consumer‘s home."

January 7, 2013
Videocon d2h’s Arpu in 2012-13 first half at Rs 135

MUMBAI: The average revenue per user (Arpu) per month of Videocon d2h, the direct-to-home (DTH) television service of Bharat Business Channel, was Rs 135 in the six months ended 31 October 2012, up from Rs 113 in the fiscal year beginning 1 April 2011.

Videocon d2h‘s gross subscriber base as on 31 October was 6.62 million, up 21 per cent from 5.48 million as on 31 March 2012.

The company‘s subscriber acquisition cost in the first half of 2012-13 was the lowest at Rs 2,021 per subscriber as it procures set-top boxes (STBs) locally from a group company.

Videocon d2h will buy from group firm Trend Electronics Ltd (TEL) 1.6 million standard definition STBs at Rs 1,400 per piece, 0.4 million high definition STBs at Rs 1,700 per piece and two million outdoor units and accessories at Rs 627 per unit.

Bharat Business Channel has filed a draft prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) to raise Rs 7 billion.

Videocon d2h has the highest subscriber addition rate with a 25 per cent share in the total additions by DTH players in the first half of 2012-13. In the whole of 2011-12 too Videocon d2h had the highest share of 24.4 per cent in new subscriber additions.

The company‘s monthly churn rate too was lower at 0.89 per cent in the first half of 2012-13 from 1.16 per cent in the whole of 2011-12.

Airtel DTH and Dish TV, the competitors of Videocon d2h, had monthly Arpu of Rs 171 and Rs 154, respectively, while the monthly churn rate of Airtel was 1.9 per cent and Dish TV 0.8 per cent in the first half of 2012-13.

January 5, 2013
Sun Direct launches SD Digital Recorder box service

MUMBAI: Sun Direct, South India‘s leading DTH player, has launched a Standard Definition Digital Video Recorder box service, Sun Direct+, with unlimited recording facility that brings the features of pause, record and rewind at virtually the same price as the regular SD set-top box (STB).

The new Sun Direct+ boxes will allow customers to attach external storage devices like a USB drive and gain full control of their TV viewing through functions like ‘Pause’ live TV, ‘Record’ programs for later viewing and ‘Rewind’ for reviewing any program.

Features of Sun Direct+: recording programs you like from a channel as you watch it, schedule recordings up to a week in advance, pause any program on live TV and resume where you left and rewind and watch your favourite episodes or movies any number of times.

Consumers opting for Sun Direct+ for Rs 1590 pack can avail of three months of super value pack free, while those selecting Sun Direct+ for Rs 1990 pack will get seven month of Super value pack free.

Sun Direct+ is available with free subscription to the newly launched Super Value Pack four regional languages. Over and above the Tamil content and exclusive Cinema Club services, this pack also offers the best of Hindi language channels like Star Plus, Zee, Sony, Max, Star Gold, Zee Cinema and many others at Rs. 189 per month.

Speaking on the new launch, Sun Direct MD Mahesh Kumar said, “We, at Sun Direct, strive to put great content and services within the reach of the widest cross-section of consumers. The contemporary, world-class features of pause, record and rewind will now be within reach of every consumer. True to our claim of being the best value DTH brand, Sun Direct + will bring these features at virtually no extra cost."

January 5, 2013