ITV

Category: Software

  • Net2TV launches cloud-based TV service

    Net2TV launches cloud-based TV service

    MUMBAI: Net2TV Corporation, headed by industry veterans from MTV/Nickelodeon, Black Arrow, NBC, TiVo and Netflix, has launched its cloud-based television service, Portico.

    The company provides advertising-supported, cloud-based television programming services.

    Portico, which is Net2TV’s first television service, features free, ad-supported programming from CBS Interactive’s food site CHOW.com, Popular Science and WSJ Live from The Wall Street Journal. The Portico TV service is available now on 2011 and later Philips connected TVs in the US.

    Net2TV’s Portico brings to Internet-connected TVs a traditional television viewing experience — free, program-length shows from recognized brands — using advanced cloud technology from ActiveVideo Networks. The programs are grouped by areas of interest such as food, science and technology, and entertainment.

    “Good television — the television viewers love — is an art, not an algorithm,” said Net2TV CEO Thomas Morgan. ”We’re building television programming that lets viewers enjoy smart TV just like they do traditional television.”

    Net2TV is working with online TV programmers like Discovery’s Revision3, CBS Interactive’s CHOW.com, and traditional print media brands including WSJ Live from The Wall Street Journal and Bonnier’s Popular Science to develop full program-length television shows.

    Portico programming is updated daily and new types of entertainment and informational programming will be added in the future.

    Net2TV works with television programmers to create packaged, long-form shows running 30 or 60 minutes per episode.

    “Watching the living room TV, viewers have different expectations than when using a tablet or laptop. We create an experience for viewers who want to sit back, relax and watch,” said Net2TV co-founder and senior vice president of programming Jim Monroe.

    "Our program partners have good-quality, short-form pieces. We work with them to curate these pieces and package them into program-length shows.”

    Net2TV’s Portico service will be supported by a television advertising model. Advertising revenue will be split with program partners.

    “Viewers appreciate that commercials help keep programming free, but commercial loads must be reasonable,” said Morgan. “A sustainable advertising-based business model comes from balancing the needs of the advertiser with those of the viewer.”

  • Disney deal a huge step forward for Netflix: Sarandos

    Disney deal a huge step forward for Netflix: Sarandos

    MUMBAI: At the UBS media Conference in New York, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said the company‘s content deal with Disney is a major step forward.

    “It is going to be a huge step forward for our programming.” Sarandos also stressed the importance of getting more exclusive programme rights and developing additional original content. He also called Disney a near perfect media company.

    Sarandos also said that the children’s content on Netflix shouldn’t cut in to conventional TV viewing. “Every month we stream hours of content so you’d think we’d be cannibalising linear television like crazy”. But Disney Channel is doing well.
    Nickelodeon ratings fall has nothing to do with Netflix. “Before Netflix they used to have ratings slumps”. The company is working on its user interface to make it more kid-friendly.

    He described the relationship with Carl Icahn who bought a stake in the company as being good so far. "This relationship is pretty new, but it has been very positive,"

    Harvey Weinstein interviewed Sarandos. Weinstein asked him why Netflix let the exclusivity of a content deal with premium TV service Epix go. Sarandos explained that it wasn’t valuable relative to the premium. Epix content from Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate was already available on Epix and comes to Netflix only three months later.

  • Vision Asia chooses Telstra for managed satellite services

    Vision Asia chooses Telstra for managed satellite services

    MUMBAI: Direct-to-home (DTH) services provider Vision Asia has selected Telstra to provide managed satellite services for its Australian and New Zealand viewers in a deal worth more than $24 million over 10 years.

    Telstra Global head of voice, satellite business, Peter Hobbs said, “Telstra’s new managed global satellite service offers a quality alternative for Australian broadcasters and continues the company’s growth in its suite of network application and services. Vision Asia will be the first organisation to benefit from Telstra’s DTH broadcast services.”

    “We receive the Vision Asia content from its international source, encrypt, encode and multiplex at our Perth teleport, and then transmit the complete package to Vision Asia’s customers across Australia and New Zealand.

    “These new solutions add to our already substantial experience in providing services to the media sector. These include our wholly owned and operated Digital Video broadcast network, our IPTV Content Delivery Network, and our recent managed content cloud services, which provide clients with end-to-end solutions reaching web, phone, tablet and connected TV viewers.”

    Vision Asia CEO Gurudutt Satigrama, said that the Telstra deal was a win-win situation both for his company and his customers. “Through the new Telstra solution, we are able to benefit from not only a higher quality and more efficient international satellite service, but also from the local market service expertise and track record Telstra has in delivering best in class content distribution and management services to the Australian media Industry.

    “We have recently completed the transition to Telstra and are now offering Vision Asia customers an enhanced viewing experience.”

    Telstra’s managed satellite solutions are provided via Telstra’s teleports in Perth, Sydney and Hong Kong. These teleports provide access to a global network of major satellite systems, which enables Telstra satellite customers to efficiently and quickly acquire live international television feeds, as well as a comprehensive suite of other satellite services.

    The Vision Asia services are delivered via the IS-19 satellite which utilises advanced, high-powered transponders giving single beam and single footprint coverage of both Australia and New Zealand. Telstra’s platform supports the latest media transmission technologies including DVBS2 and MPEG4, and HD encoding.

    Telstra Global provides innovative and flexible global communications services and solutions for organisations looking to maximise the benefits of globalisation, particularly across growth regions such as Asia, whilst driving sustainability and enhancing business agility.

  • Indian DTH market could touch 100 mn subscriber mark by 2018: Frost & Sullivan

    Indian DTH market could touch 100 mn subscriber mark by 2018: Frost & Sullivan

    MUMBAI: The Indian direct -to-home (DTH) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.2 per cent to get to the 100 million subscriber mark by 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan research report.

    While the DTH market is on an exceptional growth trajectory, the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) market in India is still in its early days and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 79.5 per cent to touch the 6 million subscriber mark by 2018.

    The growth in the IPTV market can be stupendous if the dismal infrastructure and broadband penetration is taken care of, the report added.
    "Riding high on the digitization mandate, the DTH market is on an unprecedented growth trajectory, and India is set to become the largest DTH market in the world. Growing television penetration, emerging middle class and rising disposable income has resulted in increased spending and rising demand for quality viewing experience,” says a Frost & Sullivan analyst.

  • BT Vision in deal with Universal Networks for live streaming channels

    BT Vision in deal with Universal Networks for live streaming channels

    MUMBAI: BT Vision in the UK has signed a contract with Universal Networks International, the international channels division of NBCUniversal. This will see leading channel brands, Universal Channel, Syfy and E! Entertainment added to its linear line-up, which will launch in the coming weeks.

    The three channels will be streamed live and, early in 2013, BT Vision customers will also be able to watch specific programmes on-demand.

    Universal Channel’s drama offering includes UK premieres of US crime franchises ‘Law&Order: Special Victims Unit‘ and ‘Criminal Intent‘, as well as ‘Rookie Blue‘ and ‘Flashpoin‘t.

    Syfy’s blend of programming comprises drama, movies, reality and factual entertainment from the fantasy, supernatural and science fiction genres. The channel’s content includes dramas ‘Haven‘ and ‘Warehouse 13‘, futuristic thriller ‘Continuum‘ and paranormal investigation series ‘Fact or Faked‘.

    Recently refreshed with a new on-air look and “Pop of Culture” tagline, E! is the destination channel for fans of celebrity, entertainment news and popular culture. The channel’s popular original programming includes the reality show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians‘; the Joan Rivers’ hosted weekly celebrity fashion report, ‘Fashion Police‘ and ‘Live from the Red Carpet‘, offering viewers unparalleled access to the awards season’s red carpet action.

    The three new channels join BT Vision’s linear offering, which now includes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Real Time, British Eurosport 1 and 2, FX, National Geographic, National Geographic WILD and UKTV’s Gold, Watch and Alibi. BT will be announcing more new channels shortly.

    BT CEO TV Marc Watson said, “Universal Channel, Syfy and E! make a fantastic contribution to our channels offering at launch. They offer the best quality drama, hit supernatural thrillers and popular entertainment shows that viewers love. As we expand the number of channels available soon for BT Vision customers, we hope that there will be something there for everyone. We will cater for drama lovers, comedy addicts and sports fans in equal measure. We are not finished yet and we will be announcing some more much-loved channels to complete our roster.”

    Universal Networks International UK MD Laurence Dawkin-Jones said, “We are delighted to be able to bring BT Vision customers three of our core channel brands and the range of high-calibre programming they boast. From exclusive hit dramas to the world’s most-talked about reality series, our channels will make a unique and compelling contribution to the BT Vision offering.”

  • Radiowalla.in launches seasonal channel “Christmas Café Radio”

    Radiowalla.in launches seasonal channel “Christmas Café Radio”

    NEW DELHI: The curated audio portal/platform, radiowalla.in, today announced the launch of its new winter seasonal channel called Christmas Café Radio.

    Christmas Café Radio is a 24/7 radio service available as a free to all, streaming on-line. The content is designed specifically around Christmas and New Year’s. The channel will exclusively play Christmas carols, along with covers and original Christmas albums from Top 40 artists, and will be interspersed with Christmas themed productions created by the talented radiowalla team.

    “Christmas is an uplifting time for everyone, no matter what their religion. This is a season that lifts my spirits and so we wanted to make a channel dedicated to this positive festive feeling and spread the joy and cheer” said Anil Srivatsa, CEO and co-founder, Radiowalla.
     
    “You can play the carols wherever you go, be it at a party, or at home, as long as you have an internet enabled device. Now you don’t need to spend time curating a list of carols, all you have to do is log in to radiowalla.in and press play!” said Harry Bhatia, co-founder of Radiowalla.

    The channel will be available online and via mobile for android, iphone/iPad, Symbian and java enabled phones.

  • BBC launches service connecting TV, radio and online content

    BBC launches service connecting TV, radio and online content

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has launched Connected Red Button. The aim is to reinvent the red button service for the future by effortlessly bringing TV, radio and online content together in the simplest possible way.

    The service will launch first on Virgin Media’s TiVo service as part of the innovation partnership agreed between the two organisations to create next-generation TV experiences. BBC Connected Red Button will be rolled out to other internet-connected TVs over the coming months.

    BBC Connected Red Button enables users to:
    – Watch programmes from BBC children’s channels, BBC Three and BBC Four anytime – day or night – even if the channel is off-air

    – Catch up on previous episodes of the shows you love and discover new gems

    – Get closer to the latest sporting action, with more streams, clips and content from your favourite events

    – Immerse yourself in news and weather headlines and clips that matter to you, when you want them, all at the touch of a button

    BBC Connected Red Button arrives in around 1.2 million Virgin Media TiVo homes today and will be available on other internet-connected TVs over the coming months. With new functionality and features added to the service over time, Connected Red Button will redefine how audiences watch, engage and interact with BBC content on their TV.

    The BBC has over 13 years of experience developing and evolving its red button services, which have brought viewers closer to the action at major events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon and Formula 1. BBC Red Button now attracts an audience of 20 million per month, peaking during this summer’s Olympic Games, where 24.2 million viewers watched up to 24 live streams via the red button.

    With predictions that by the end of 2016 there will be almost 22 million connectable TVs installed in the UK, and that over 50 per cent of UK TV households will have a connectable primary set – either directly or via a set top box**, BBC Connected Red Button will give viewers even more reason to connect their TV, and provide a platform to make BBC TV, radio and online content more interactive and engaging in the future.

    BBC Programmes, On-Demand GM Daniel Danker said, “With today’s launch of BBC Connected Red Button, the BBC is seamlessly bringing the Internet together with live TV, while making the technology completely invisible. This is red button reinvented, and the beginning of the exciting future of television.”

    IPTV, TV Online Content head Victoria Jaye said, “With BBC Connected Red Button, we’re starting with the TV audience who love our broadcast output and we’re curating online content on the big screen in ways that add value to their TV viewing. The audience can sit back and relax – the internet just made TV better.”

    Virgin Media executive director of digital entertainment Cindy Rose said, “The BBC understands as passionately as we do how important connected television is for home entertainment. We’re delighted the BBC is working with us to launch another milestone in interactive services. Our commitment to this partnership of innovation means Virgin Media TiVo customers are the first to experience the latest interactive services at the press of a button.”

  • RCom invites partners to distribute ICC mobile content rights

    RCom invites partners to distribute ICC mobile content rights

    MUMBAI: Reliance Communications, the global mobile content rights holder for ICC events, has invited partners to distribute the ICC mobile rights and content to various telecom service providers and content aggregators across the world for ICC Women World Cup 2013 to be held in India and ICC Champions Trophy 2013 to be held in England & Wales.

    The prospective partners who choose to obtain VAS content rights from Reliance Communications are expected to have an excellent track record in generating revenue from mobile content and as such should present proposals with revenue business models for the partnership.

    The period of this partnership would be for one month from the date of the commencement of each event in 2013 covering prior and post duration of each tournament.

    Commenting on this partnership, Reliance Communication SVP and Head VAS Kunal Ramteke said, “We at Reliance understand the passion for Cricket that binds cricket enthusiasts across the globe and would like to enhance our customers’ experience through exclusive mobile content ranging from high quality video clips of the matches, wallpapers, themes, live audio commentary, score updates, animations, ringtones, CRBT, mobile quiz contest and predictions amongst others.

    He further added, “We would like to invite our prospective partners to exploit the exclusive sport content available over the mobile channel in multiple innovative ways through the distribution of ICC mobile rights and content to various Telecom service providers and Content Aggregators across the world for ICC Women World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.”

    Reliance Mobile currently holds the right for third party strategic partnership in order to distribute and promote mobile content worldwide for ICC Women World Cup 2013 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

  • Yahoo acquires video chat service provider OnTheAir

    Yahoo acquires video chat service provider OnTheAir

    MUMBAI: Video chat start-up OnTheAir has been acquired by Yahoo! The former made the announcement on its website. The financials of the deal have not been disclosed, though according to media reports, the acquisition has been made with the aim of acquiring more talent into Yahoo.

    Earlier this year in October, Yahoo acquired an app called Stamped that lets people keep track of and recommend things like restaurants and books. The app though is slated to be pulled out by the end of 2012. It was the first acquisition by Yahoo after Marisa Mayer took over as CEO.

    In the announcement posted on OnTheAir website, the team wrote, “When we started OnTheAir, we had dreams of building a company that made a difference in the daily lives of millions…Despite the challenges, our experience has been a rewarding one."
     
    "We got to launch multiple products to a wonderful community. We were coached and mentored by some of the brightest investors and advisors in Technology…While we haven’t yet attained our dream of building a widespread daily use product, we are just as committed to it. And this is why we’re so excited to be joining Yahoo!. When we first met with the team at Yahoo!, it was clear that everybody there is committed to making mobile products the backbone for the world’s daily habits. All in all, it’s a fascinating time to be joining Yahoo!”

  • Saavn launches Impact advertising platform in India

    Saavn launches Impact advertising platform in India

    MUMBAI: Indian music service provider South Asian Audio Video Network (Saavn) has launched its new advertisement platform named Impact. This platform will enable brands to identify, connect and engage with its 10.5 million users in India and across the globe.

    Impact’s approach to digital and mobile advertising aims at giving brands 100 per cent share-of-voice. Using Impact, brands get exclusive access to all advertisement units on the Saavn web site and mobile apps for a set time period. These include Custom Skin, Web Display, Web Audio, Mobile Spotlight, Mobile Display, and Mobile Audio. The impact model allows brands to build positive associations with their products and services through music. The model has proven to create strong brand awareness, shape brand preferences and increase purchase consideration through undivided mindshare of listeners of Saavn across platforms.

    Saavn co-founder and CEO Vinodh Bhat said, “In India, we all know that music plays an integral and meaningful part in every individual’s life. IMPACT is a powerful solution that enables the advertisers to build an emotional connection with their target audience during a passionate, social and engaging musical experience. The Saavn IMPACT model is based around engagement, curation and social sharing rather than the archaic click-through. Brands are able to measure ROI in meaningful ways, such as increases in perception, awareness, recall and purchase intent. The by-product of our strong focus on the consumer experience is helping brands grow their businesses.”
     
    Some brands utilizing Saavn to reach million of engaged users in India include Samsung, Lay’s, Pantene, Pepsi, Nokia, Vodafone, Airtel, Hyundai, Domino’s Pizza, 7Up, Nielsen, MakeMyTrip, Max NewYork Life, Google Plus, Nokia, Vanish, Groupon, Intel and several others.

    In addition to its popular web, iOS, Android and J2ME apps, Saavn is currently developing its popular music product for launch on Symbian, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile platforms.