Category: Software

MUMBAI: DTH operator Sun Direct has launched ‘World Pack’ which has nine top English entertainment channels in addition to all the channels available on the regular South Value pack and Cinema Plus at Rs 199 per month.

The nine new channels included in this new ‘World Pack’ are Star Movies, HBO, Zee Studio, Sony Pix, AXN, Discovery, Animal Planet, NGC and BBC World.

The new packages have been introduced as part of its new theme to ‘Think regional: Go metro’, thereby redefining the entertainment quotient of urban customers while retaining the core values of regional entertainment basket.

In the past, the regional operator has been harping on ‘Think regional: Go national’ theme.

Sun Direct CEO Mahesh Kumar said, “We have always been quick to spot a gap in the existing entertainment offerings and the new ‘World Pack’ is tailor made to address the city customers who are looking for world-class English channels which retaining the core regional/language channels. The icing on the cake is the additions of two new HD channels which will increase the quality of entertainment value to the customer.”

The operator is also wooing sports fanatics by launching “World Pack + Sports” which is being offered as an acquisition pack to the new customers at the rate of 1590 for one month and 2250 for four months subscription and existing customers can buy in the offer at 249 for one month.

Customers can choose any two sports channels under the plan – Star Cricket + Star Sports or Star Cricket + ESPN channels. Sun Direct also increased its HD channel offerings with the addition of Star Movies HD and Zee Studio HD at no extra cost.

The World pack is currently offered as an upgrade pack to existing customers.

MUMBAI: Consumer value added services (Vas) are set to triple from $125 billion worldwide in 2011 to $420 billion in 2020.

This was the predication made at the recently concluded trade event CommunicAsia 2012 in Singapore by Point Topic CEO Oliver Johnson. Point Topic is an industry analyst firm for global broadband statistics, information and reports.

As competition reduces margins in the basic broadband business, and with increasing penetration of broadband value-added services, their contribution to revenues is becoming increasingly more important.

VoIP is currently the top revenue earner. However, Point Topic predicts that this will be trumped by IPTV by 2020.

Johnson also pointed out that growth may not be easy for some services, particularly when faced with competition from online and traditional offline services.

Johnson said, “Development may be harder for some markets than other. For example, security already has a penetration rate of over 85%, so being able to grow this further will depend on developing other security related services, or on the advent of a virulent and destructive online threat.”

Access revenues, subscriptions charged for a broadband service, are similarly a tough area to grow revenue, especially as saturation permeates through more and more markets.

Offering the right bundles for their consumers in a particular market, signing the right deals and maintaining a customer base in the face of global competition will be the mark of a successful ISP in the next few years. Get it wrong and they won’t see growth – get it right and their prize will be an income base worth several multiples of its yearly value.

“Challenges lie ahead for all and the internet can be fickle, but the right player with the right service, or more likely set of services, has the chance to sweep all before them,” concluded Johnson.

MUMBAI: YOU Scod18 has installed Thomson Video Networks‘ ViBE VS7000 convergent video platform to launch HD channels and OTT services to customers in the Mumbai area.

The MSO, which is a joint venture between You Broadband and Cable India, plans to launch HD, OTT channels, and many value-added services including audience metering/ TV viewership, Catch Up TV and Video-on-Demand (VoD) in the near future.

The company said it chose Thomson‘s ViBE VS7000 fully integrated IP video system for its superior image quality and the combination of encoding and multi-format capabilities it offers in a convenient package.

“The ViBE VS7000 provides a very strong combination of high-quality encoding with robustness and versatility in a unit that makes it easy to launch and develop both cable and Internet-based media services,” said You Scod18‘s director N K Rouse.

MUMBAI: Mobile advertising network InMobi has appointed Monisha Tambay to the post of VP global people operations.

The post has been newly created to develop a strategic approach to talent management at InMobi and the team will focus on fostering new talent and provide continued support and development for its employees as the company continues to expand rapidly.

Tambay will be based out of Bengaluru.

Tambay has previously served at senior roles at Hewitt Associates, StorageTek, Genpact and Subex Limited. During the course of her career, she has been awarded “The Women Super Achiever Award” at the Asia Pacific HRMCongress Awards in September 2011 and “The Women at Work Leadership Award” at the Rasbic Awards during the World HRD Congress in February 2012, for her work as global head and VP human resources at Subex.

InMobi founder and CEO Naveen Tewari said, “This is an exciting time for InMobi as it continues its rapid expansion. With over 700 employees, attracting the best talent, and developing our staff is fundamental to the success of our business. Monisha‘s previous experience in hiring and retaining top-notch talent will play a significant role in the development and growth of InMobi.”

NEW DELHI: ZengaTV, India’s leading mobile TV service provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Turner Broadcasting System which will allow its users to access channels like CNN, Pogo and Cartoon Network free on their mobile phones.

The channels will provide the content to almost all mobile phones, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Nokia and Blackberry and viewers.

Commenting on the partnership, ZengaTV CEO Shabir Momiin said, “In line with our expansion strategy, we are absolutely delighted to partner with Turner Broadcasting System. As a premier broadcaster of CNN, Pogo and Cartoon Network, Turner Broadcasting can take full advantage of Zenga mobile TV network to deliver audiences the most comprehensive catalogue of cartoon channels and international news on mobile devices. With Tuner’s content going live on ZengaTV, I am sure we will reach out to larger audiences including children.”

India has over 900 million mobile subscribers and 13.7 million broadband subscribers. “We are rapidly becoming a digitally connected nation. Mobile TV is an exciting way to leverage technology and create an additional touch point, bringing kids and families closer to the universally popular stories in one of the largest and fastest growing mobile markets in the world,” Momiin added.

MUMBAI: Sony‘s Internet Player powered by the Google TV platform will be available at retailers nationwide in August priced at $199.99.

Pre-order for the new set-top device that allows television viewers to stream online video content through their home theatre systems began Wednesday at Sony‘s website.

“We are proud to continue our relationship with Google and be the first manufacturer in Canada to introduce a product powered by the Google TV platform,” said Sony Canada Senior Director of Marketing, Home Network Products Hideki Ito. “Through the introduction of the Sony Internet Player with Google TV, we are expanding the reach and connectivity of the powerful Android platform which includes Sony‘s smartphones, tablet and renowned Audio & Video products.”

In addition to the NSZ-GS7 Internet Player, Sony‘s newest Internet Blu-ray Disc player with Google TV, the NSZ-GP9, will be available at retailers in time for the holiday season, priced at $329.99 The NSZ-GP9 player features Full HD with remarkable Blu-ray Disc technology and a built-in microphone for easy and convenient voice search.

In 2010, Sony pioneered the Internet-TV convergence as one of the first manufacturers to launch products powered by Google TV. With the new Internet Player with Google TV, Sony will also be the first manufacturer to launch Google TV products outside of the United States, initially starting with the United Kingdom in July, followed later by Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico.

This next step into the future of home entertainment convergence evolves the hardware to complement the continually updating Google TV.

The Google TV difference starts with cross-search functionality and the Internet to deliver customized video results on demand.

Both new devices come complete with a redesigned remote control equipped with a backlit QWERTY keyboard, a touch pad for easy operation and a three-axis motion sensor to enjoy games. Additionally, the bluetooth remote control can also be utilized as a universal remote to control connected devices such as TV,set- top-box and A/V receivers — the NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray Disc player even incorporates voice search capabilities.

MUMBAI: Gaming company UTV Indiagames has launched a java mobile game for Disney Pixar‘s new animated movie Brave.

This game is set against the landscape of the Scottish Highlands and is based on the movie‘s lead-Merida. It requires the user to use their archery skills to unfold the mystery and save Merida‘s family. The games has features that allow users to freeze opponents, shoot ropes, set fire with precise archery attacks and solve the mysteries of the magical land through the game‘s five levels.

Disney UTV MD – digital Samir Bangara said, “Disney Pixar‘s Brave has an excellent storyline which has all the elements – adventure, mystery, action – that lend itself into an engaging game, deepening the fantastical movie experience. With this Java game we want to reach out to 60% of India‘s mobile phone population.”

MUMBAI: AMC/Sundance Channel Global has announced the launch of Sundance Channel on the DTH platform n in Poland.

Sundance Channel launched to n‘s subscribers in high definition as part of the Film Hits package. Through a combined programming offer with n, Orange subscribers on the Film Hits tier will also become subscribers to Sundance Channel.

This news follows the announcement of several new European and Asian carriage deals for Sundance Channel over the past few months, including countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Hungary and Taiwan.

Sundance Channel was established by Robert Redford and offers audiences independent films, documentaries and original programmes.

AMC/Sundance Channel Global president Bruce Tuchman said, “Poland continues to be a priority market for the expansion of Sundance Channel across Central and Eastern Europe and we are thrilled that this launch will greatly increase our footprint in the country. This exciting partnership with n reflects the growing demand for Sundance Channel in Poland and will offer audiences high quality, globally renowned film and TV programming and VOD offerings in high definition.”

Sundance Channel is currently available on cable systems across Poland including UPC Polska which first launched the channel.

MUMBAI: AMC/Sundance Channel Global has announced the launch of Sundance Channel on the DTH platform n in Poland.

Sundance Channel launched to n‘s subscribers in high definition as part of the Film Hits package. Through a combined programming offer with n, Orange subscribers on the Film Hits tier will also become subscribers to Sundance Channel.

This news follows the announcement of several new European and Asian carriage deals for Sundance Channel over the past few months, including countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Hungary and Taiwan.

Sundance Channel was established by Robert Redford and offers audiences independent films, documentaries and original programmes.

AMC/Sundance Channel Global president Bruce Tuchman said, “Poland continues to be a priority market for the expansion of Sundance Channel across Central and Eastern Europe and we are thrilled that this launch will greatly increase our footprint in the country. This exciting partnership with n reflects the growing demand for Sundance Channel in Poland and will offer audiences high quality, globally renowned film and TV programming and VOD offerings in high definition.”

Sundance Channel is currently available on cable systems across Poland including UPC Polska which first launched the channel.

MUMBAI: JadooTV, a leading distributor of internet based South Asian television content, has partnered with Pearl Media Group, a content aggregation and dissemination company, to launch the JadooPlus premium entertainment service on JadooTV‘s set-top box streaming platform.

The service featuring high quality licensed content from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan will be available to customers of the JadooTV set-top boxes.

“We are thrilled with the partnership with PMG as this relationship is pivotal to our mandate of being the premier South Asian platform for Internet-based content. Our loyal JadooBox owners will now get to enjoy an even more diverse selection of Live TV and On-Demand Videos from their homelands,” said JadooTV CEO Sajid Sohail.

“We‘re excited about partnering with JadooTV as the first platform to launch JadooPlus our OTT entertainment service, enabling us to reach the largest base of South Asian IPTV customers worldwide. We believe customers will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this relationship with an enhanced content selection and access to their favorite content on multiple screens whenever they desire,” said Pearl Media Group co-founder and CEO Faisal Aftab.

The service comprises an extensive offering of South Asian channels including: UTV Movies, UTV Stars, UTV Bindaas, Manoranjan, Dhamaal, Mastiii, Big Magic, E24 Bollywood, News 24 Online, Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, Dilli Aaj Tak, Tez, Dunya News, Express News, Express Entertainment, Aaj TV, Aaj Entertainment, Play TV, Samaa TV, Waqt TV, Indus Vision, Indus Music, Oxygene, Kohenoor, City 42, Sindh TV News, Awaz, ABC TV Nepal, Nepal TV, NTV Plus and Vision Nepal and Nooor TV.

In addition, JadooPlus will include a large selection of On-Demand TV shows, videos, and movies.