Category: Software

MCV selects Rentrak to provide mobile TV measurement service

MUMBAI: Mobile Content Venture (MCV), a joint venture consisting of 12 major broadcast groups that operates the Dyle mobile TV service, has selected Rentrak to provide the first-ever mobile broadcast TV measurement for local markets.

MCV will leverage Rentrak’s Mobile Essentials solution in combination with Rentrak’s StationView Essentials solution to help MCV members align traditional TV ratings with broadcast mobile TV performance.

As opposed to other measurement services that provide sample-based data, Rentrak will offer MCV members census-level data, giving them insight into the entire population using live mobile TV services.

MCV represents 35 markets across the US and more than 93 stations from broadcast groups including Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media, all of which are part of the standalone entity known as Pearl, LLC, as well as Fox, ION Television and NBC.

“With more than 200 station clients, Rentrak is proud to provide members of MCV with the opportunity to capitalize and monetize multi-platform advertising sales opportunities by having broadcast mobile TV performance aligned directly with TV ratings,” said AMI Division at Rentrak Corporate President and President Cathy Hetzel.

“Rentrak’s advanced capabilities – which provide detailed TV viewership measurement for all screens, including mobile TV – will enable stations, advertisers and networks to gauge the incremental value of live TV viewing from a mobile device.”

With the launch of Dyle mobile TV – a service offering consumers a new, easy way to experience and enjoy live broadcast television on their mobile devices at home or on-the-go – there is an immediate need for local stations to have viewership data across mobile devices in order to determine how consumers are interacting with live mobile TV.

Rentrak has the unique ability to integrate massive amounts of mobile viewing activity with the linear viewing behaviors from a correspondingly massive linear viewing database. This combination will provide a better understanding of how best to incorporate mobile for future campaigns and advertising initiatives.

“Live mobile TV is an emerging medium, so it’s critical that we take the necessary steps to ensure it will scale as traditional TV has over the years. This new data will provide valuable insight into consumers’ mobile viewing habits, which will be leveraged to drive continued growth for the ecosystem of devices and applications enabling live mobile TV," said MCV co-General Managers Salil Dalvi and Erik Moreno.

January 5, 2013
Zee TV launches app to promote new show ‘Housewife’

MUMBAI: Zee TV has announced the launch of an online app on Facebook to promote their recently launched prime-time fiction property ‘Housewife‘.

Aiming to give housewives appreciation for their hard work, the app allows them to upload pictures of their personal achievements and exchange notes with other housewives about the same.

According to the channel, the idea of the app for ‘Aaj Ki Housewife Hai … Sab Jaanti Hai‘ is that only a housewife would rightly be able to appreciate the achievements of another.

The app is available on Zee TV‘s Facebook page.

The show that has launched on 31 December highlights how being a housewife is not just a respectable choice but a challenging job that calls for resourcefulness, creativity and tact.

Set in Allahabad, the show features Sona, a journalist who consciously decides to leave her job and be a housewife on getting married. The show will explore how she applies her intelligence to being a smart housewife, plays her cards well and sets an otherwise dysfunctional family back on track.

January 4, 2013
130 Million Mobile Internet Users by March 2014: IAMAI

MUMBAI: India will have 130.6 million mobile internet users by March 2014 according to the Mobile Internet Report by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB).

According to the report, in December 2012 there were 87.1 million mobile internet users. Meanwhile, in October 2012, there were 78.7 million mobile users who had accessed internet in the last one month, which include Laptop with dongles, tablet, dongles that connects to Internet. Of this number, there are 61 million Off-Deck Users (accessing sites other than sites of the operator), 15 million On-Deck Users (accessing only sites specified by the operator) and the rest 2.7 million users accessed the internet using dongles (i.e. connected to Internet using 2G, 3G or high-speed data cards).

The report further reveals that an average monthly bill of a user who access Internet on mobile devices is Rs 460. Of which, the user spends Rs 198 towards Internet expenses.

According to the company, this is a very healthy trend as it shows willingness of the users to spend nearly 40 percent of the bill towards Internet access. The rest is spent on voice services.

Email, social networking services (SNS) and messengers have high usage among mobile internet user. Accessing online videos, games or reading online news are done approximately 2-6 times a week. While online games are accessed by nearly 50 per cent of the Mobile Internet users, less than 30 per cent of users read online news and watch online videos.

January 4, 2013
Inter-ministerial group to study Trai recommendations

MUMBAI: An inter-ministerial group headed by J S Mathur, additional secretary in the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry, will examine the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India‘s (Trai) recommendation against allowing government or government entities in television broadcasting and distribution.

The I&B Ministry has already cleared a proposal for the setting up of an inter-ministerial group, which would in fact function as an institutional mechanism to study all the recommendations made by Trai.

The I&B Ministry will take a view on the recommendations of Trai after the inter-ministerial group gives its views. This could mean a decision on the application by The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation for a digital addressable system (DAS) licence for Chennai would be delayed.

Any prolonged delay in deciding on Arasu‘s application, which was submitted in July, could also have an implication for implementation of digitisation in Chennai.

Mumbai and Delhi have already switched over to digital delivery of television channels, while Kolkata is almost through.

The I&B Ministry had in November made a reference to Trai to re-examine its 2008 recommendations which said government, government entities and government-owned companies should not be allowed in television broadcasting and distribution. Trai stuck to its 2008 views and also reiterated that any government entity allowed in television distribution should be allowed an exit route.

Apart from central government ministries, the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab also have expressed intentions of launching their own television channels.

January 3, 2013
Star India launches video portal starsports.com

MUMBAI: Star India, which holds the BCCI media rights, has launched an India-focussed online platform starsports.com to exploit the digital media rights that it owns along with its sister concerns.

The website which flagged-off with the Pakistan tour of India will provide a video experience for cricket fans that includes high definition video streaming, an advanced player that can be individually controlled and the ability to catch up on the game through both a video scorecard and a video timeline that marks the key moments of the game.

Commenting on the launch, Star India CEO Uday Shankar said, "At Star, we have always focused on dramatically enhancing the overall consumer experience. Smart technology, combined with powerful content, can be disruptive and we are excited about offering Indian fans an entirely new way of experiencing their favorite game."

The live streaming and video content will playback on select iOS devices and Android OS version 3.0 and above. However access to video content is currently limited to select operators.

The non-video sections of the website pages will work on all tablets. The Live streaming and Video content will play back on select iOS devices and Android OS version 3.0 and above.

January 3, 2013
Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroop signs up with three DTH ops

MUMBAI: Even as theatre owners in Tamil Nadu threaten to boycott Kamal Haasan‘s Vishwaroopam, Raaj Kamal Films International, the production company owned by the Tamil superstar, has gone ahead and signed up with third direct-to-home (DTH) operator Dish TV to premiere the movie one day before its theatrical release.

Vishwaroopam, the first ever Indian film to premiere on DTH before its theatrical release, had earlier signed up with Videocon d2h and Airtel digital TV.

Dish TV along with Videocon d2h and Airtel digital TV will showcase the movie on 10 January, one day before its theatrical release on 11 January.

Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association and Madurai-Ramanathapuram United Film Distributors, who have been opposing the actor‘s decision, have threatened to boycott the film if the actor doesn‘t reconsider his decision. The theatre owners have also urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to intervene and protect their interests.

However, DTH operators feel the DTH premiere is an idea whose time has come. Even Haasan had made it clear that there was no going back on the decision to premiere it on DTH first.

Says Dish TV COO Salil Kapoor, "It is an idea whose time has come; we are glad that the movie fraternity is looking at this technology as a new revenue stream. As a pioneer in the DTH space, this is yet another first to Dish TV‘s credit.

This Indian spy thriller which is being writtend Directed and co-produced by Haasan is priced at Rs 1,000 per view for the Tamil version, if the subscriber books the order till 5 January. After 5 January, subscribers would need to pay Rs 1,200 per view.

The Hindi and Telugu versions of the movie are priced at Rs. 500. Tamil and Telugu versions are called Vishwaroopam and Hindi version of the same is named Vishwaroop.

January 3, 2013
France 24 expands distribution in key markets

MUMBAI: International news network France 24 has concluded a series of new distribution agreements, allowing the channel to strengthen its worldwide distribution in Denmark, Burma, Singapore, Thailand and Australia.

In Denmark, the French and the Arabic versions of France 24 have joined the English version on the Digital terrestrial network (DTT) operated by Open Channel in Copenhagen. This new agreement allows France 24 to be available in three languages to 700,000 households throughout the Danish capital city.

In Burma, France 24 English version has just launched on the new IPTV network Skynet (channel 45), allowing the channel to be available to 50 000 subscribers across the country.

The news broadcaster has also signed an agreement with Telkom Vision in Indonesia which will ensure France 24 English version‘s availability on the operator‘s cable, IPTV and DTH offers. France 24 is now accessible to an additional 100,000 subscribers in major Indonesian cities, such as Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Denpasar.

France 24 has extended its agreement with Singtel, the largest telecommunications company in Singapore, allowing its English version to be available on the operator mobile offer to 90 000 subscribers (Mobile TV subscribers).

In Thailand, France 24 is now available on major IPTV operator ME TV. France 24 English version is now available 24/7 in the basic offer, while the French version will be available "?-la-carte" for 220 Bahts (5,5 Euros) per month.

In Australia, France 24 has partnered with SBS, allowing its English version to be broadcast 30mn per day at 3pm on SBS ONE. This 30-minute news segment is also available for free on the Australian network website.

January 3, 2013
inext gets new brand identity

MUMBAI: Bilingual compact daily inext has launched a brand new ensemble coinciding with the onset of New Year.

The tabloid has undergone a complete revamp in terms of content and design. A lot of new editorial fixtures have been incorporated to entice and engage the youth.

There will be updates about latest mobile apps for school going teen, to job opportunities for the young professionals. The presentation and styling of the content has been switched to a higher side, with a new font, aggressive packaging and racier headlines, the company said.

inext COO and editor Alok Sanwal said, "The facelift has been given to impart the young readers a taste of unique reading experience in terms of distinctiveness of news, quality of information and entertainment quotient. i next now has an accentuated youth feel and I am sure it shall be closer to their hearts and more in conjunction with their needs and aspirations."

The design and layout has also changed to a more user friendly one. The website of i next- inextlive.com has also undergone changes and is coming up with a sleeker version of the youth infotainment junction. A lot of new fixtures for engaging and connecting with the young audience have also been introduced.

"Lot of crucial and quick changes have happened in the last 5-6 years in the print/digital industry. Most of them are triggered by the young audience who is now savvier, smarter and more aware. Therefore, continual innovations in terms of content marketing are needed to reach them and give them the content they want, in the way they relish," Sanwal added.

Emphasising on inext‘s upcoming audience engagement initiatives, Sanwal believes that social media plays a key role in connecting to its readers. "Engaging the young audience is not a virtue anymore, it is the need. Social media being the catalyst is also the key tool to cultivate and measure their reading habits, pattern and behaviour. The latest avatar of i next, both digital and print imbibes a plethora of avenues for this relationship building by providing new reader connectivity initiatives."

January 2, 2013
Disney, Charter Communications renew distribution deal

MUMBAI: Charter Communications has extended its distribution agreement with The Walt Disney Company to deliver Disney‘s lineup of sports, news and entertainment content to Charter TV customers across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and internet-enabled televisions.

As part of the new multi-year deal, The Longhorn Network will launch in Texas, Louisiana and Virginia systems by football season next year. Charter and The Walt Disney Company will also introduce several new services, including the full suite of authenticated WATCH products, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, as well as the upcoming ABC News/Univision Joint Venture, a 24/7 news, information and lifestyle multi-platform network for English-dominant and bilingual Hispanics, the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S.

In total, approximately 70 services are covered by the broad scope of this agreement including: ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN 3D, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN Full Court, ESPN3, The Longhorn Network, and retransmission consent for WABC-TV, KABC-TV, WLS-TV, KGO-TV, KTRK-TV, WTVD-TV and KFSN-TV, as well as more than 10 high-definition networks.

Charter customers will receive broad access to existing products like WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WATCH Disney Junior, the to-be-launched WATCH ABC and WATCH ABC Family services and WatchESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater). These products will give Charter customers more opportunities to access live and video on demand content, both in-home and out-of-home, on their computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles.

"This agreement enables us to offer our customers additional value, choice and convenience," said Charter‘s Senior Vice President, Programming Allan Singer. "More and more content is being enjoyed on tablets and other Internet-connected devices, and today‘s viewers are sharing their TV experiences in new ways. Our agreement with Disney enables more robust ways to enjoy and socialize TV."

Disney & ESPN Networks Group EVP, Affiliate Sales and Marketing David Preschlack added, "Our agreement with Charter represents the sixth top ten distributor renewal encompassing Disney‘s full suite of products and services. With this deal, Charter‘s video customers will derive even greater benefit from the value of their multichannel subscription model, including 24/7 live access to our content via the WATCH Disney services and WatchESPN across more platforms than ever before, as well as other new and advanced services."

Launch of content across these new distribution platforms is planned to begin in the first half of 2013.

January 2, 2013
NBCUniversal renews carriage deal with NCTC

MUMBAI: NBCUniversal has renewed its carriage deal with National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) that encompasses broad distribution for the programmer‘s full portfolio of cable and broadcast services, as well as a first-ever retransmission consent deal for NBC and Telemundo Owned Stations.

With completion of this renewal agreement, NBCUniversal‘s national cable networks, including Bravo, cloo, Chiller, CNBC, CNBC World, E!, G4, Golf Channel, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Sports Network, Oxygen, Sprout, Style, Syfy, Telemundo, Universal HD and USA will be carried by NCTC‘s nearly 1,000 independent cable operator members nationwide.

Included in the deal are rights to carry the Olympic Games, as well as on-demand content from NBCUniversal‘s cable and broadcast network portfolio, and access to live channels across multiple platforms, both in and out of the home.

NBCUniversal EVP Content Distribution Matt Bond said, "NCTC‘s members will continue to have access to the best English and Spanish language cable network and broadcast programming. This agreement reflects NCTC‘s understanding of the value that NBCUniversal delivers to their members."

NCTC EVP of Programming Judy Meyka said, "NCTC is pleased to extend our long relationship with NBCUniversal and provide members continued access to their linear networks. In addition, we are excited to add NBCU‘s broad portfolio of on-demand content for multiple platforms to the agreement. We had over 80 members participate in delivering the 2012 Olympics to multiple platforms, demonstrating that members have both the capability and interest in serving customers on new platforms. Including retransmission consent for NBC and Telemundo owned stations are another valued addition to this agreement."

The agreement with NCTC follows NBCUniversal‘s recent distribution agreements with Cablevision, Mediacom, Suddenlink and Verizon.

January 2, 2013