Category: Software

MUMBAI: Discovery Kids, the new 24-hour kids channel, has expanded its direct-to-home (DTH) reach following an agreement with Tata Sky with immediate effect.

The kid‘s channel, which is part of One Alliance bouquet, is already available on DTH services like Dish TV and Videocon d2h. Discovery Kids is available on channel no. 617 on Tata Sky.

Discovery Kids covers a variety of programming ranging from iconic global content to multiple India-themed series. Its programming formats include highest-quality animation and engaging live action series under multiple genres such as adventure, mythology, nature, history and science.

The channels programming slate features fun, enriching and entertaining programmes such as Papyrus, Sally Bollywood, Howzatt, The Legend of Enyo and Wild Kratts.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific SVP and GM – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Kids has ushered in a new wave in kids‘ entertainment in India – one which will have kids engaged and their parents satisfied. The encouraging response has reiterated our commitment to offer enhanced value to the viewers, affiliates and advertisers alike.”

Tata Sky Chief Content and Business Development Officer Nicola Bamford added, “We are happy to partner with MSMD and enlarge the Discovery portfolio brand in India with its latest addition. Both brands deliver on the brand promise to provide a broad range of quality programming across every genre keeping in mind every member of the family. With the launch of Discovery Kids, we have further strengthened the learning based entertainment push amongst our younger audiences. We are certain the informative and entertainment quotient provided by Discovery Kids would be a perfect blend to keep children entertained in the comfort of their homes.”

MSM Discovery President Rajesh Kaul said, “Discovery Kids is present on most of MSOs and DTH platforms since the time of the launch of the channel. Inclusion of Discovery Kids on Tata Sky is a perfect fit as both the brands carry the common trait of high quality content offerings to their end consumers. The channel adds further variety to the multifaceted bouquet of Tata Sky.”

MUMBAI: One year after its launch on DStv in Africa, Studio Universal has launched in high definition (HD) on the platform, while Universal Channel has also launched in HD. The HD launches correlate to remarkable viewership growth for both channels across Africa and demonstrate Universal Network International‘s (UNI‘s) on-going commitment to the African market.

Universal Networks International MD emerging markets Colin McLeod said,”We are marking the phenomenal success of Studio Universal and Universal channel in Africa with HD launches of both channels. The channels‘ high-quality international series and movies, tailored to the local market, have resonated with the African audience and we will continue our investment in the region to further enhance viewer experience”.

Studio Universal offers action and comedy movies. The movie channel‘s programming, on-air packaging, as well as communications strategy have been specifically tailor-made for Africa.

Universal Channel offers drama, comedy and crimes series and its autumn line-up includes the premieres of the season finale of ‘Law and Order‘ as well as a new season of ‘Rookie Blue‘. Both launches are supported by extensive marketing campaigns.

MUMBAI: The Casbaa Convention 2012, to be held in Hong Kong between 29 October and 1 November, will field speakers to debate the multichannel TV industry in the Asia Pacific.

Themed ‘18 Reasons Why‘, Casbaa has lined up its list of speakers.

Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies said,”The Convention continues to attract the most respected and influential speakers from the multichannel TV industry, solidifying its position as one of the most important forums taking place anywhere in the world”.

The roster will feature:

Ben Silverman (Founder & Chairman, Electus)
Winn Maw (CEO, Forever Group)
Anthony Bay (VP, Digital Video, Amazon)
Saul Berman (Partner & VP, Global Strategy Consulting Leader, IBM Global Business Services)
Richard Freudenstein (CEO, Foxtel)
Shuichi Mori (Representative Director, President & CEO, J:COM)
Gerhard Zeiler (President, Turner Broadcasting System International)
Jana Bennett (President, BBC Worldwide Networks & Global iPlayer)
Ye Htut (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Information, Myanmar)
Rohana Rozhan (CEO, ASTRO)
Harit Nagpal (MD & CEO, Tata Sky)
 
Additional confirmed speakers at CASBAA Convention 2012 include A+E Networks executive VP, international Sean Cohan, Scratch/Viacom Media Networks executive VP Ross Martin, Dolby senior VP, broadcast business group Giles Baker and ESPN Star Sports MD Peter Hutton.

From “Great Ad Brands at Work with Great Channel Brands” to “Socialising TV in Asia” and “How to Love Your Regulator” to “OTT”, executives from across the region and around the world will share their insights on a vast array of topics that directly influence the future of the pay-TV business.

The Convention 2012 will also feature workshops on “cross media” research, the magic of “transcoding” and “marketing strategies”, along with CASBAA TV Upfronts 2013, The Regulators Roundtable, the annual Golf Masters tournament, closing night Charity Ball, a delegate matching service and a dozen networking breakfasts, lunches and cocktails.

MUMBAI: Chinese Pay-Per-View (PPV) and Video On Demand (VOD) platform You On Demand has entered into a licensing agreement with NBCUniversal International Television Distribution for the Video On Demand rights in China to a selection of current, library and upcoming NBCUniversal feature films.

The titles will be available to subscribers on both You On Demand‘s Transactional Video On Demand (TVOD) and Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) platforms.

You On Demand‘s customers will now have access to many of NBCUniversal‘s recent hits that star some of Hollywood‘s most notable names. These include ‘Despicable Me‘, ‘It‘s Complicated‘, ‘Wanted‘, ‘Couples Retreat‘ and ‘The Five Year Engagement‘.

You On Demand chairman, CEO Shane McMahon said, “NBCUniversal‘s diverse and quality films demonstrate You On Demand‘s commitment to delivering the best premium content to our customers. We are excited to have NBCUniversal‘s titles appear on the You On Demand platforms.”

MUMBAI: SES‘ subsidiary SES Platform Services has signed a multi-year contract with global television network Fashion One to broadcast the free-to-air channel in SD at the orbital position of 19.2 degrees East starting 15 October.

Broadcasting the latest in fashion, entertainment, lifestyle news, profiles of A-list celebrities, luxury brands, holiday destinations and red carpet events, Fashion One delivers a strong line-up of original programming of reality shows, documentaries, beauty tips and street styles in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

The global fashion and entertainment television network has been utilising SES capacity at the ASTRA 19.2 degrees East orbital position and will now contract the required capacity directly from SES.

With its technical facilities in Munich, SES Platform Services is well-positioned to provide turnkey broadcast services into Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa and accommodate Fashion One‘s ambitions to further expand their operations globally.

Fashion One CEO Ashley Jordan said,”We are pleased to work with SES‘ broadcasting solution and provide additional access to our viewers in Europe. Following our recent milestone of launching our recent European headquarters in Antwerp, the 19.2 degrees East orbital position will allow us to further expand with a potential reach of 110 million television households in Europe.”

SES Platform Services CEO Wilfried Urner said, “Riding on the success we have achieved in important emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and Africa, we have expanded to focus on Asia as well, and therefore welcome the opportunity to facilitate Fashion One‘s broadcasting activities across Europe. We look forward to this new partnership with Fashion One and in supporting their global aspirations.”

Fashion One is also being broadcast via the ASTRA 5 degrees East orbital position.

New transponder parameters:
Service: Fashion One, ServiceID: 4707 (0x1263)
Satellite: ASTRA 1KR, 19,2 degrees East
Transponder: 1.015
Frequency: 11420,75Mhz (horizontal polarisation)
Modulation: DVB-S, QPSK FEC 5/6

MUMBAI: BSkyB-owned pay-TV broadcaster Sky Movies has strengthened its content offering by reaching an agreement with Warner Bros to deliver its customers exclusive access to all eight Harry Potter movies from next month.

The agreement means that Sky Movies will be the only place this Christmas where film fans will be able to enjoy the most successful movie franchise in box office history, from Harry’s first outing in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to his final, epic battle with Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

During the three months that they are showing on Sky Movies, none of the Harry Potter movies will be available on any other UK TV channel or streaming service. All eight movies will be available in HD, with each film shown ad-free and uncut.

Sky Movies customers will be able to watch all the Harry Potter films when they want on their Sky+HD box through Sky’s On Demand service. Customers will also be able to take all eight films with them while they are on the move, watching the movies on a range of internet-connected devices including iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones through Sky’s award-winning multiplatform TV service Sky Go. The last film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, will additionally be showing on Sky 3D.
The entire Harry Potter collection of movies will also be available via the Sky Movies monthly pass on NOW TV, the internet TV service powered by Sky which offers easy and flexible access to Sky Movies across a range of internet-connected devices.

The announcement is in addition to a multi-year agreement between Warner Bros.’ and Sky unveiled last month that will see Sky Movies become the first subscription service in the UK to show current Warner Bros.’ movies such as The Dark Knight Rises, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Dark Shadows and Wrath of the Titans, as well future releases including as Man of Steel, The Hangover Part III and The Great Gatsby.

Sky Movies Director Ian Lewis said, “We’re delighted to be extending our partnership with Warner Bros to deliver Sky Movies customers exclusive access to the entire Harry Potter collection, which will not be available on any other TV channel or streaming service this Christmas. To make it even better, Sky Movies customers can also enjoy the entire series of films on demand through their Sky+HD box, or watch them while they are on the move via their smartphone or mobile tablet.”

Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain President & Managing Director Josh Berger CBE said, “The Harry Potter film franchise is a uniquely British success story, one that was conceived and produced here in the UK with a largely British cast and crew and beloved by millions of people around the world. For the first time ever, Sky Movies customers can look forward to enjoying all of the movies in this record-breaking series in one place at one time.”

NEW DELHI: Cable TV operators in Delhi have told Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Ambika Soni that the ministry’s figures on deployment of set top boxes (STBs) in the four metros are way off the mark.

The cable operators said the ministry had failed to take into account homes with more than one television connection.

In a meeting called by Soni on Monday, the operators said homes with multi TV connections generally had only one set top box which served all the TV sets under the analogue system, but this would not be possible after 31 October when the digital addressable system comes into place.

Analogue delivery of cable television will be shut from 1 November as the government has mandated compulsory switchover to digital delivery.

Although LCOs from all the metros were invited for the meeting with the minister, only some operators from Delhi attended it.

The LCOs told the minister that they wanted police protection as they feared law and order problems after 31 October. The cable operators also informed the minister that all black and white TV sets, and many colour TV sets were not enabled to support DAS.

The operators also said many far-flung areas in the capital still did not have the digital feed, and could only take analogue feed.

The cable operators led by A S Kohli of West Delhi Cable Operators Association said there was a scheme under which direct to home (DTH) operators charged less for every additional connection in the same home, and said such a scheme should also be made applicable in cable homes to encourage people to take STBs for multi-TV homes.

Meanwhile, the Cable Operators Federation of India President Roop Sharma, who is a member of the ministry’s Task Force on DAS, has told the Chairman of the Task Force in a letter that many MSOs do not have channels from all the broadcasters in their packages and therefore, consumers will face problems in getting their favourite channels even after paying for digital STBs.

For example, she said DEN does not have any channel from Indiacast (Viacom 18 and Sun), while Digicable has no Star, Zee or Sports channels. Incablenet has not specified the channels it is offering. Only Hathway has all the popular channels in its packages.

She has also pointed out that none of the MSOs have given the a la carte rates of channels to enable selection of individual channels.

MUMBAI: Sundance Channel and WE tv have secured expanded carriage in Taiwan with CNS, which launched both networks in high definition on 10 October as part of its growing IPTV service.

CNS customers may access the 24/7 linear channels in high definition, with Mandarin subtitles. Sundance Channel is available on Channel 323 and WE tv is available on Channel 314 on CNS.

AMC/Sundance Channel Global President Bruce Tuchman stated, “Today‘s news marks the continued Asian expansion for Sundance Channel and WE tv in Asia and Taiwan continues to be a significant market and a crucial part of our international growth strategy for both these networks. We‘re thrilled to launch on CNS and look forward to sharing our hit content with Taiwanese audiences.”

The company also announced the hiring of Keith Mak who will oversee affiliate distribution and marketing for Sundance Channel and WE tv in Asia. Based out of Hong Kong, Mak will report to AMC/Sundance Channel Global Executive Vice President, Global Distribution Ed Palluth.

“Keith has a tremendous amount of experience and a proven track record of expanding and developing television brands in Asia. He comes to us equipped with robust knowledge of the Asian TV market and has strong relationships throughout the region,” stated Ed Palluth.

“Keith joins AMC/Sundance Channel Global at a critical moment when we are expanding rapidly and are experiencing great momentum. We are thrilled to have him on board and are confident that he will make a strong impact on the growth of Sundance Channel and WE tv in Asia.”

MUMBAI: Only Much Louder, the organiser of music festival NH7, has launched a mobile festival guide app called ‘Festivapp’. It is currently available as a free download on the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store.

The app allows one to discover a cultural, literary, music or film festival/event in India and attend them.

Only Much Louder CEO and founder Vijay Nair said, “Music should be given away for free, and bands and artists should earn through events and live shows, and that the revenue earned from music sales can be matched with a few concerts.”
 
The app includes a festival wall which offers a stream of updates being posted from that specific event. These updates include organiser announcements, updates from their friends, and event related updates syndicated from social networking sites like Twitter and Instagram. The wall also features a pull-to-refresh feature and has a countdown clock that counts down to the start of the festival in days, hours and minutes.

MUMBAI: Reliance Communications has announced their exclusive partnership with WhatsApp in India.

Through this partnership Reliance Communications has launched “first-of-its-kind” prepaid plan ‘WhatsApp Plan‘ for all Reliance GSM subscribers and ‘My College Plan‘ for students across the country.

Reliance GSM customers can now enjoy unlimited usage of WhatsApp and Facebook across the country at Rs 16 per month.

Facebook is bundled complimentary in this pack for a limited period and hence a customer use of WhatsApp and Facebook is absolutely free on the Reliance network. “WhatsApp Plan” is available with a validity period of 30 Days from the date of recharge and the plan is auto-renewed every 30 days unless unsubscribed.

“My College Plan” by RComm offers unlimited social media access of WhatsApp to all college students on the prepaid Reliance GSM network across the country for Rs 16 per month. This plan allows students to call and SMS within their specified group at just 5 paise and also permits a student to broadcast a juicy tidbit in the campus through a SMS to the entire college group for Rs 3 by texting the message to 51112.

“My College Plan” is available with a validity period of 30 Days from the date of recharge and the plan is auto-renewed every 30 days unless unsubscribed. This plan is available with SMS based recharge and applicable to most of the colleges across the country and students can get their college IDs from the official website of Reliance Communications.

Reliance Communications group head – brand and marketing Sanjay Behl said, “We are confident that ‘WhatsApp Plan‘ and ‘My College Plan‘ with unlimited usage of WhatsApp is set to provide a compelling new experience with incredible affordability to Smartphone users across the country on our superior network along with free Facebook surfing as an introductory offer for a limited period. We are hoping this offer to trigger a significant shift of youth customers using Smartphones to our superior network.”

WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton said, “With the rapid growth of Smartphones in India, we are delighted to partner with Reliance Communications. We are currently working with industry leaders across countries and this exclusive partnership will enable millions of Reliance customers to experience the most innovative way to send messages, music, pictures and videos to leverage the power of data through their smart communication devices.”