Category: Software

MUMBAI: Singapore‘s free-to-air (FTA) TV channels will go fully digital by the end of 2013 using the DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial) broadcasting standard, according to the Media Development Authority (MDA).

With Singapore‘s migration to digital TV, free-to-air broadcaster MediaCorp will transmit all its seven free-to-air channels digitally by end 2013.

Channels 5, 8, Suria and Vasantham will be available in High Definition by end 2013. The remaining three channels – okto, Channel U and Channel NewsAsia will first be broadcast in Standard Definition from end 2013, before being broadcast in High Definition in 2016.

Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said, “The world is switching from analogue to digital TV broadcasting as digital TV not only offers better image and sound quality, but also frees up scarce spectrum for other services, such as wireless broadband”.

The adoption of DVB-T2 standard comes after a successful trial conducted last year with MediaCorp and pay-TV operator StarHub. The trial, which involved some 500 households in Ang Mo Kio and Bedok housing estates, showed that DVB-T2 was suitable for deployment in Singapore‘s urbanised environment.

To ensure a smooth switchover, there will be a simulcast period, where both digital and analogue free-to-air television signals will be broadcast to ensure all households have time to get accustomed to receiving their free-to-air TV signals digitally.

Singapore will complete the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting by 2020, in line with ASEAN‘s agreed timeframe for making the switch(1).

Benefits for consumers: Once DVB-T2 broadcasting begins, consumers can enjoy an enhanced viewing experience when watching MediaCorp‘s free-to-air digital television channels. This includes sharper and clearer images, cinematic surround-sound effects, and new content and services such as an electronic programme guide.

Consumers will have different options to tune into digital free-to-air broadcasts. Those who are currently watching MediaCorp channels via a StarHub or SingTel pay TV service are already receiving digital channels. Thus, no action is needed on their part.

Consumers who are non-pay TV subscribers will need a DVB-T2 digital receiver and an indoor or outdoor antenna to receive digital TV signals on their current TV sets.

MDA is working with manufacturers to develop the technical specifications suitable for Singapore‘s digital TV receivers. These digital TV receivers are expected to be available in Singapore from early next year before MediaCorp starts transmitting the free-to-air channels digitally at the end of 2013.

MDA will work closely with MediaCorp, as well as manufacturers and electronics stores on an educational campaign to help consumers prepare for the digital switchover.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Korea are planning to go digital between 2012 and 2015, while Japan has already gone fully digital since June 2011.However, should they have secondary TV sets not subscribed to Pay TV service, these TV sets would require a digital receiver and antenna each.

MUMBAI: US cable major Comcast has entered into an agreement with media entertainment conglomerate Disney/ABC Television Group which will allow the customers of its Xfinity TV service to access Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior through new innovative apps for iPhone, iPad iPod touch, and online at WatchDisneyChannel.com, WatchDisneyXD.com and WatchDisneyJunior.com.

Xfinity TV customers, who subscribe to Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior networks as part of their monthly video service, can now stream these channels live online and via the convenience of their iOS devices. In addition, Xfinity TV customers can view series like ‘Good Luck Charlie’, ‘Shake It Up’ and ‘Phineas and Ferb’ on these new Watch products, on Xfinity On Demand, Xfinity.com/tv and through the Xfinity TV app and Xfinity TV Player app on Android-powered devices.

The free Watch apps include a user interface that brings the current online viewing experience to the high-resolution, Multi-Touch displays of iOS devices. Once a user downloads one of the Watch apps or visits one of the Watch websites, they will receive sign-in instructions to verify their Comcast Xfinity TV credentials, allowing them access to their favourite Disney Channel, Disney XD or Disney Junior programs on their device.

Non-authenticated users of the Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior services will have access to a limited number of “on demand” episodes each month. Disney/ABC Television Group‘s Watch apps are available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at itunes.com/appstore.

Disney and ESPN Media Networks affiliate sales and marketing executive VP David Preschlack said, “We are excited to team with Comcast to be the first in the industry to offer authenticated products that provide both live linear streams of our Disney-branded kids television services and a robust selection of episodes on demand to viewers who verify their subscriptions.”

Comcast Cable senior VP, digital and emerging platforms Matthew Strauss said, “Working hand-in-hand with The Walt Disney Company, we‘re excited to be the first to deliver this best-in-class kids and family programming to customers – both in and out of the home across all of our video platforms. This launch is the latest in a series of TV Everywhere initiatives we‘re delivering that offer customers more choices and new ways to watch the best entertainment anytime, anywhere.”

Later this year, Xfinity TV will also integrate all of the content available through Watch apps on Xfinity.com/tv as well as on other viewing platforms. Today, Xfinity TV offers more than 75,000 TV shows and movies, including a variety of kids and family programming, across Xfinity On Demand, Xfinity.com/tv and the Xfinity TV and Xfinity TV Player apps for iOS and Android, respectively.

The launch of Watch Disney Channel, Watch DisneyXD and Watch Disney Junior, as well as the recent launch of WatchESPN with Comcast is part of a long-term, comprehensive distribution agreement between Comcast Corporation and The Walt Disney Company that was announced in January 2012.

The agreement will deliver Disney‘s top quality sports, news and entertainment content to Comcast‘s Xfinity TV customers into the next decade on televisions, computers, tablets and handheld devices.

The new agreement enhances the multichannel business model and supports the companies‘ mutual goal to deliver the best video content to customers across multiple platforms using the latest technology and cloud innovation.

MUMBAI: IndiaCast Media Distribution, a JV between TV18 and Viacom18, has appointed Govind Shahi as the business head for its UK and Europe operations.

The company has recently opened a new office in London to manage distribution, marketing and advertising sales for Colors UK and other upcoming channels from the group.

The London office is the third International office, after opening offices in the US and the UAE. It is in line with the group’s overall expansion strategy of taking Viacom18 and TV 18 brands overseas.

Shahi will be managing IndiaCast’s operations in the UK. He will report to IndiaCast COO Gaurav Gandhi.

Gandhi said, “UK is a key market for Indian entertainment, which has been amply demonstrated with the response that we have received for our flagship brand Colors. Given our expansion plans in the market, Govind is best suited, with his understanding and experience of the UK and Europe market, to take our business to the next level.”

Shahi added, “I am delighted to be part of this dynamic team at IndiaCast. Colors has made a tremendous mark in the UK market in a short span of two years. There are exciting plans for expansion into this territory in the near future. I look forward to using my experience and knowledge to the best of abilities for the growth of this fast growing organisation.”

Prior to joining IndiaCast, Shahi was with the Heath Media group as a co-promoter. He has also worked with Zee as business head for Europe operations.

MUMBAI: Alloy Digital, a leading next generation media company for the 12-34 demographic and a top-10 video network, has acquired YouTube‘s top entertainment news provider, Clevver Media.

The addition of Clevver makes the company one of YouTube‘s top content producers in the world. Clevver Media was the first company to launch programming with ClevverTeVe, its newest channel focused on the rapidly expanding Latin market, as part of YouTube‘s original programming initiative.

Clevver Media‘s seven entertainment and celebrity focused YouTube channels that include ClevverTV, ClevverMovies, ClevverMusic, ClevverGames, ClevverNews, ClevverStyle and the Spanish language ClevverTeVe, attract top-tier Hollywood talent and garner more monthly views from prime 12-34 viewers than the next seven most popular entertainment channels on YouTube combined.

Launched in 2006, Clevver has earned a trusted reputation for entertainment news geared toward the digital generation and consistently ranks in the Top 10 YouTube networks, according to industry measurement leader ComScore Media Metrix. The acquisition instantly pushes Alloy Digital‘s network to the top of the entertainment news category.

The company, which is eyeing inorganic growth, had in the last year acquired three content creators which included Smosh, an online leader in teen and young adult comedy content and the third most subscribed YouTube channel; Generate, a next generation studio and talent management company in January 2012; and B5 Media, the fastest-growing women‘s lifestyle digital publishing and media networks, in April 2012.

With these moves, Alloy Digital‘s network of media platforms further strengthens its leadership position in reaching the coveted 12-34 consumer market with branding opportunities across multiple, highly specialized and vertically integrated platforms.

Alloy Digital‘s CEO Matt Diamond stated, “Through an aggressive acquisition strategy and organic growth, we continue to strengthen our connection with the 12-34 demographic with quality programming tailored to their pop culture cravings and distributed via their preferred media platforms.

“Clevver represented a logical step in this expansion with its wildly popular entertainment brand. No one does entertainment news better or has been more successful at it, and we are thrilled to have their channels join Alloy Digital‘s family.”

The Clevver properties will be combined with Alloy Digital‘s own YouTube channels, including Smosh and its spinoff Shut Up! Cartoons.

“The combination of a YouTube powerhouse that we‘ve created with Clevver Media and Alloy Digital‘s network makes for an interesting pairing with tremendous possibilities,” said Michael Palmer, co-founder and executive producer of Clevver Media, who will continue to lead the operation along with co-founder Jorge Maldonado.

“We are excited to leverage our brand as part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking media company, and differentiate ourselves both creatively and strategically in the marketplace.”

MUMBAI: NDS will provide an advanced user interface for Astro, Malaysia’s largest pay-TV operator, to support the launch of an enhanced video on demand (VOD) service as part of the Astro B.yond platform.

The enhanced user interface enables subscribers to easily order VOD services without having to contact the customer service centre. This solution greatly enhances the Astro VOD service, including through their pure IPTV service.

Acknowledging the demand for their on-demand service and the increasing penetration of broadband in Malaysia, Astro has chosen to upgrade their VOD service to enable advanced functionality, including the ability to purchase previously broadcast programmes, a whole series, or access subscription-based VOD services through a more advanced and user-friendly user interface.

Astro Chief Innovation Officer Brian Lenz commented: “We pride ourselves on providing innovative services and quality content to our subscribers and this deployment combines the two by enabling our subscribers to easily access, purchase and enjoy our on-demand content library.” He added “NDS has supported us in a number of deployments to enhance our platform and we value their ongoing commitment to enriching our service.”

NDS SVP and GM Asia Pacific Sue Taylor added, “The Astro platform is one of the most advanced in Asia and this development will enhance their on-demand offering to support increased ARPU from subscribers. As an innovator in the market, Astro strive to provide their subscribers with advanced services that will enhance their experience and we are proud to be their technology partner of choice.”

MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. has partnered with leading South Korean game developer, BlueArk Global, to create a multi-platform social game starring Toonix, Cartoon Network‘s loveable online avatars.

Quirky and hugely entertaining, players or “planeteers” will go forth with the mission to save the Toonix universe by transforming lifeless planets into flourishing, sustainable communities.

Fully customizable, planeteers can unleash their creativity to design their unique Toonix worlds, while building rich reserves of natural resources and volunteering for mini missions to rescue other Toonix. The cross-platform game will be available in Asia-Pacific on mobiles (iOS and Android), tablets and computers.

Turner‘s Associate Director of Interactive Media Mark Counsell said, “Toonix has really taken off across Asia Pacific as Cartoon Network‘s fans love the ability to express themselves via their own personalized avatars. Our partnership with BlueArk takes the Toonix experience to an inter-galactic level with the launch of the first Toonix digital universe.”

The game is set for launch in late 2012 and its official name will be decided through a regional contest that runs until the end of June. Cartoon Network fans have been central to Toonix‘s success and can continue to be part of its development by logging on to cartoonnetworkasia.com.

The new social game complements other Toonix initiatives in development including mobile applications and original video content, set to debut on Cartoon Network later in the year.

BlueArk‘s CEO Yangre Yim is equally excited by the potential of Toonix in the social gaming space.

“We are thrilled to partner with Turner and work with this amazing digitally-inspired character. We will look to harness all the creative talent that exists here in South Korea to produce a truly next-generation, multi-platform gaming experience,” Yim said.

MUMBAI: Digital media solutions IMImobile has powered the launch of Sky News Arabia iPad app that was developed in conjunction with Sky News Arabia‘s content management and editorial teams.

The bespoke app, which launched on 3 May, delivers Arabic-language breaking news videos and articles by geographical region or category.

The custom built tablet interface displays a rotating photo wall carousel, allowing users to select live-streaming news videos in a 3D environment. News stories are automatically uploaded to the app via an open API to ensure users have seamless access on the move to breaking news as it happens.

“IMImobile had an exciting vision for the app that revealed not only a deep understanding of the rapidly changing media landscape in the Middle East and North Africa but also our business objectives,” said Sky News Arabia Head of Digital Strategy Thair Soukar.

“We delivered against these expectations both on time and under budget. Our approach to app development has given the team at Sky News Arabia confidence in our ability to deliver and has subsequently engaged us to provide its forthcoming Android tablet products,” said IMImobile Commercial Director, Brands and Media Steve Godman.

MUMBAI: Multi-system operator You Scod18, a joint venture between You Telecom and Cable India, has selected Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) architecture to provide revenue security for its new digital cable service.

You Broadband India and cable operators in Mumbai selected VCAS 3 to fuel its analog-to-digital transition due to its ability to combine all required conditional access system (CAS) functionality together with the interactivity of an IP-based network via a single robust security solution.

You Scod18‘s new digital cable service offers subscribers access to more than 200 channels, including regional channels and local movie channels, and the MSO plans to add video-on-demand (VoD) services in the near future.

The Verimatrix cardless security solution is able to secure live and interactive content delivery via a single security head-end, reducing Opex and Capex as the operator expands its services.

“We evaluated several CAS vendors and ultimately chose to partner with Verimatrix because of its ability to provide us with a true, integrated multi-screen platform. We believe that partnering with Verimatrix will result in many unique benefits, including enhanced revenue security and the flexibility to easily develop and deploy new multi-screen services,” says You Scod18 director N K Rouse.

For the initial rollout, VCAS for DVB was deployed over You Scod18‘s existing hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network using the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards-based technology for broadcast distribution.

The solution was deployed in Simulcrypt mode, which allows You Scod18 to deploy VCAS for DVB where new services are introduced, but enables the legacy CAS to operate in parallel, serving subscribers who chose not to upgrade immediately.

“The digitalisation of cable TV networks in India presents operators with challenges and opportunities like never before in the history of television in India. We feel that revenue security is at the core of this transition, and we are delighted to have partnered with You Scod18 to fuel their digitalisation efforts,” said Verimatrix chief sales and marketing officer Steve Oetegenn.

NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni met local cable operators today to seek their opinions on digitisation deadline in the four metros.

The LCOs said that Soni has asked them to move the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) about their revenue share of Rs 45 in the basic service tier of Rs 100 with the MSOs, if they were unhappy about it.

The cable operators further stated that Soni had assured them that Additional Secretary Rajiv Takru, who is the Ministry‘s representative to Trai, would also accompany any delegation that decided to meet the regulator on this issue.

Around 15 local cable operators, who had demonstrated outside Shastri Bhavan on 15 June against the low share in the BST, had been called by the Minister for a discussion today.

A S Kohli, who led the delegation of the LCOs from West Delhi, told indiantelevision.com that while not giving any direct indication, Soni sought their opinion on the period of deferment of digitisation which is scheduled for 1 July in the four metros.

Soni did not agree with some of the operators who wanted a deferment of up to one year, but indicated that a lesser period could be considered.

The LCOs said that Rs 45 was too small an amount since they had to interact with the consumer and not the multi-system operators (MSOs).

The LCOs told Soni that their fee prior to digitisation has been Rs 82 on the basic service tier under CAS and, therefore, it cannot be reduced below that level.

The LCOs also complained about the poor quality of the STBs in the market.

In the memorandum submitted to her office on 15 June, the LCOs had also said that none of the MSOs have declared the pay channel rates or packages, but the government still wants them to force subscribers to buy STBs. Consumers do not know what they will get in the digital regime and at what price. It has become difficult for the LCOs to answer inquiries from consumers.

MUMBAI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is playing a cat-and-mouse game as the industry waits anxiously to hear the last word on whether the digitisation deadline in the four metros is set for later date.

The ministry is, perhaps, waiting for the High Courts in Mumbai and Delhi to give a verdict so that it will be saved the task of taking the tough decision itself. The news broadcasters in particular have been pressing for the government to stick to its deadline of 1 July for digitisation in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

Pushed on all quarters by a sliding economy, a weakening currency, shaky financial markets, charges of scams and arrival of state elections, the least the government wants is antagonising the media. And the best cushion would be the High Courts directing a six-month extension.

A petition by a clutch of cable operators will come up for hearing in Mumbai on Tuesday and in Delhi on Wednesday. Later on 25 June, the Tdsat will hear the petition filed by Hinduja-owned MSO IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) challenging the Trai order for digital addressable systems.

The central government is crippled in a way by political compulsions, with its allies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal wanting an extension. The state-owned Arasu Cable, floated under the Jayalalithaa government, is not ready for digitisation and has called for tenders to kick-start the process. The digital set-top boxes (STBs) will have to come, the infrastructure has to be built and the logistics ready for digitisation. All this takes time and a six-month extension is the only practical solution.

Let‘s move to the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state of West Bengal. The situation in Kolkata is better than Chennai but it is not too healthy either. There is a shortfall in supply of STBs and the MSOs are not ready to take up the digital challenge. Not yet. Kolkata has a sprinkling of regional multi-system operators (MSOs) in the city and they are still arranging for finances and STBs. The state government, in any case, wants digitisation to knock at the door of the consumers only after Dussehra, Bengal‘s most popular festival.

So even if I&B minister Ambika Soni and her lieutenants were to listen to their radical voice or buckle under the pressure of the broadcasters, there is very little headroom to manoeuvre a case for complete digitisation in the four metros by 1 July. The truth is that nobody is completely ready yet. The Trai traiff order came too close to the deadline date and there are no MSO-LCO or MSO-broadcaster deals yet. They are all in various stages of negotiations and we have already crossed the mid-month stage. So even a miracle can‘t bring in digitisation over the four metros by 1 July.

The I&B ministry is only too aware of this grim reality. If there is a reluctance to announce an extended date, it is because it has the luxury of shifting the blame to the courts.

There is another reason for the government to wait like Godot. A court verdict will ensure that the extended date (if it allows for that to happen) will become the final word and there will not be any possibility of a further shift in timelines after that.

The I&B Ministry has promised to finalise its decision this week. Indications, however, suggest that the government has informally taken a decision to shift the deadline by at least another three months. Some sources even indicate that after coming to grips with the ground reality, the government is thinking of a six-month extension.

We will know this week where the winds are blowing. And, hopefully, the government will end the cat-and-mouse game.