Category: Software

MUMBAI: Internet protocol television (IPTV) service provider, Internet Broadcasting Corp., has raised $500,000 in Series A equity financing as part of its $2 million offering.

The Series A funding was led by Washington DC area angel investors and the company‘s existing investor Silver Stone Capital came in as a co-investor.

This financing will help fund the roll out of Vibble TV, the company‘s initial offering that focuses on the three million plus South Asians in the United States.

Vibble TV‘s offering already includes leading Indian television content provider Zee TV and 60 other channels. In addition, Vibble TV offers to its subscribers over 500 Bollywood movies and the entire library of Amar Chitra Katha animated Indian fables through video on demand. The company is continuing to add compelling content to its lineup and plans on launching the service in May.

“We are excited to have the support of our new investors as we bring television viewing to the 21st century. Our goal is to create the world‘s leading IPTV company and our investors share our vision and passion. Vibble TV also plans to roll out service to other ethnic markets later in the year,” said IBC founder and CEO Suresh Kadagala.

MUMBAI: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has launched Discovery Kids on SkyCable in the Philippines.

In addition, its popular global lifestyle channel TLC will now reach a broader subscriber base with its move to SkyCable‘s Silver Pack.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific senior VP, head of content Kevin Dickie said, “With the entry of Discovery Kids and expansion of TLC, our portfolio in the Philippines now includes something for everyone from young to old. Both brands deliver on our brand promise to provide quality programming and provides our audience with an opportunity to explore their world from the comfort of their homes.”

SkyCable COO Rodrigo P. Montinola said, “SkyCable takes pride in being one of the first to launch Discovery Kids in the Philippines. We are now the only operator in the country to carry all of the Discovery networks available in the region. With the launch of Discovery Kids, we have strengthened the edutainment push amongst kids. TLC is one of the most popular travel and lifestyle channels in the Philippines and we are delighted that even more SKYCable subscribers can now enjoy the channel though SKYCable Silver.”

Discovery Kids is offering content that combines learning and entertainment. The aim is to offer children a fun and entertaining way to satisfy their natural curiosity and explore their world with stimulating and imaginative programming. The channel looks to help children develop their cognitive, social, emotional and personal skills, bringing families together by promoting co-viewing with parents.

The target audience for Discovery Kids is kids four to twelve years old and their parents with the core target audience being kids seven to ten years old.

MUMBAI: Media marketplace organiser Natpe has announced that more than 250 companies from 50 countries are confirmed to attend the inaugural Natpe Budapest content market, formerly known as Discop East, which takes place from 26 – 28 June 2012.

Close to 250 buyers representing 150 companies are already signed to attend the three day market at Budapest’s Sofitel Chain Bridge Hotel and organisers at NATPE expect this to increase to more than 300 registered buyers by the event opening.

Natpe Budapest will also welcome more than 100 sellers representing major Hollywood studios including Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, CBS Studios International, Lionsgate and MGM Worldwide Television Group alongside key international distributors such as A&E Networks, Alfred Haber Distribution, Artear, CableReady, Caracol Television, Dori Media Distribution, Endemol Group, FremantleMedia, Globo TV, ITV Studios, Televisa and Venevision.

Natpe will host evening events for all participants on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights during the market as well as offering myBudapest, a robust, online database allowing buyers and sellers to connect, set appointments and share information before, during and after the market. An onsite business concierge will also be available at the Sofitel Hotel to support these online tools.

Natpe president, CEO Rick Feldman said, “We are delighted to announce this latest update on activity and attendance at the upcoming first edition of Natpe Budapest – which promises three intensive days of meetings and deal making. This is a fantastic opportunity for Natpe to build on the established success of Discop East. Historically, more than 65 per cent of the TV content buyers attending the event never or seldom attended other major international markets, so we are looking forward to showcasing our proven successful market formula to a host of new attendees and organisations as part of our increased global focus.”

Following its acquisition last year, Natpe Budapest runs as a companion to NATPE’s highly successful Miami-based international content market, which takes place in January. Natpe is working with locally-based representatives throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East to raise the profile of both events in the global marketplace and together the events are expected to connect more than 6,500 television professionals from throughout the world.

Natpe continues to partner with Discop organisers Basic Lead on regional events Discop Africa and Discop Istanbul. Basic Lead GM Patrick Jucaud continues to oversee operational activities in these events and is working with Natpe as the Budapest based market transfers for 2012.

MUMBAI: Sony Creative Software, a global provider of professional editing and authoring applications, has announced new innovative audio and video editing tools for professionals set for release this summer.

The latest additions to the Sony Creative Software product line include: Spectral Layers, an audio editing platform featuring precise sound shaping capabilities and a unique visual workflow; and ThemeBuilder for Vegas Pro, a plug-in that enables intelligent template building for professional video projects. Both products are scheduled for technology demonstrations in the Sony booth at the on-going technology trade event Nab in Las Vegas.

Sony Creative Software VP of global marketing Dave Chaimson said, “Now more than ever, video editors require robust editing tools like ThemeBuilder to automate repetitive tasks while retaining complete control over their projects. ThemeBuilder for Vegas Pro is one of the only plug-ins available that takes an existing timeline and develops a reusable theme, giving users the ability to quickly exchange media without wasting valuable production time. On the audio side, Spectral Layers redefines what can be accomplished in the editor‘s suite by giving users the ability to reach directly into and operate on waveform spectra. Spectral Layers holds universal appeal for audio mastering engineers, sound designers, archivists, and professionals who demand deep, intelligent audio analysis tools.”

ThemeBuilder was developed by NewBlue, a California company known for its ability to merge art with technology. NewBlue has been offering a range of digital media technologies and products to the creative community since 2001.

NewBlue chief alliance officer Paul Devermann said, “Our partnership with Sony Creative Software continues to expand and yield significant rewards for our customers. NewBlue‘s ThemeBuilder software running in Vegas Pro will deliver an unprecedented workflow enhancement, offering even more creative options for video editors who depend on it for its robustness and ease of use.”

Spectral Layers was created by Paris-based Divide Frame, a developer specialising in software designs that bridge the gap between emergent technologies and broadcast professionals.

MUMBAI: The future of 3D technology is in television. That was the message that filmmaker James Cameron had for attendees at the Nab show in Las Vegas.

3D television will result in explosive growth, Cameron said.

Cameron along with his partner at Cameron Pace Group Vince Pace spoke about the technology and its future. “We’re in it to win it. And the future of 3D is in broadcast. Even though we’re ahead of the curve in movies relative to broadcast, we’re dealing with the same transition we saw from standard def to HD – the growing pains, the questions, the uncertainty, the doubts, the naysayers. But also, the success stories.

“We’re constantly raising the bar to improve the entertainment experience. Using 3D produces a sense of physical presence. It’s like, man, you’re right there. You feel like you’re involved.”

Cameron referred to his methodology as 5D – simultaneously producing 2D and 3D output – and unveiled several new CPG products at the show.

Pace reiterated Cameron‘s point by noting, “The industry success story is going to be in broadcast. ESPN threw their best people at it. The way I see it, we’re simply telling the story of the competition in sports. And in the Masters broadcast, we had a great opportunity with Bubba Watson hitting out of those trees. If you want to show a hook shot, there’s only one way to do it, and that’s in 3D.”

MUMBAI: With the digitisation sunset date of 30 June approaching in the four metros, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has asked all the cable operators – multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) – to furnish details of their operations.

The I&B Ministry said that it is proposing to generate and maintain statistical database of MSOs and LCOs operating in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

The Ministry wants details such as contact details, registration number, date of last renewal of registration and city and area of operation. In case of MSOs, further information asked for include city wise total number of LCOs being served, city wise total number of head-ends (existing and additionally planned), and channel capacity of each head-end.

Meanwhile, LCOs will have to provide details like total number of subscribers, total number of STBs required for digitisation, how many already installed, balance to be installed, number of STBs for which order is placed, what quality standards have been adopted for STBs and what mechanism has been put in place for redressal of grievances of subscribers.

The MSOs and LCOs are to provide the details latest by 20 April to Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BECIL).

As per Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2011, it is mandatory for cable operators to make the switchover from analogue cable TV network to Digital Addressable System.

MUMBAI: More than four in ten Indians (45 per cent) use the Internet to search for information on entertainment and hobbies due to diverse and vast amount of information that is available in the Internet these days, according to a new study by leading global research firm Ipsos.

Downloading and streaming media – music (43 per cent), movies (39 per cent) and television (27 per cent) – is a popular pursuit, as are video games (28 per cent) and gaming online for money (26 per cent).

Ipsos in India Head of Marketing Communication Biswarup Banerjee said, “While the internet may be a place for business and commerce, it is also a place for play. Growing popularity of internet has shifted search for information from traditional print media to the dynamic, comprehensive and on demand internet search engines”.

Well over half (57 per cent) of people globally use the Internet to search for information on entertainment and hobbies. But usage in the 24 countries surveyed varied widely, with 72 per cent of people in Turkey saying they visited sites for hobbies, while only 35 per cent in Saudi Arabia did.

Other heavy personal-interest, web-surfing nations included China, Hungary, Japan, South Korea and Sweden, while Argentina, Spain, India, Brazil and Mexico were among the lowest users.

The Web as a Source for Media: Downloading and streaming is a popular activity, particularly of music: four in ten (43 per cent) of global citizens online say they have downloaded/streamed music in the last three months while three in ten (34%) say so about movies and two in ten (22 per cent) do for television.

China is the world leader on all three forms of media by considerable margins. Majorities of Chinese Internet users say they downloaded/streamed music (72 per cent), movies (71 per cent) and TV (55 per cent). Turkey (62 per cent music, 58 per cent movies, 34 per cent TV) is also a global leader on this measure.

“It‘s remarkable to think that the file-sharing technology, popularised for music only in recent history, is now being done by four in 10 internet users in 24 countries. Even in countries at the bottom of the global ranking lists, one quarter still do it” adds Banerjee.

On the flip side, only handfuls of Japanese web surfers say they downloaded or streamed media in the last three months (24 per cent music, nine per cent movies, nine per cent TV). France is also at the bottom of each list: music (24 per cent), movies (15 per cent) and TV (seven per cent). Notably, even the lowest-ranking countries show at least one in four have downloaded or streamed music online.

A Place to Play: Three in ten (27 per cent) say they have ‘played video games online’ and 13 per cent have done ‘online gaming or playing for money (e.g. poker, bingo).’ China is also the world leader of online video gamers (61 per cent), followed at some distance by Poland (47 per cent), Turkey (38 per cent) and Mexico (33 per cent). The Swedes (13 per cent) are least likely to play video games online, joining South Korea (16 per cent), Hungary (17 per cent), Japan (18 per cent) and France (18 per cent) at the bottom of the list.

“Online games are increasingly becoming popular among teens and young adults and it promises to be a booming industry,” added Banerjee.

With online gambling for money, Indians are the most keen among the 24 countries surveyed: one in four (26 per cent) say they did so in the past three months. Saudi Arabia (23 per cent), Poland (21 per cent), South Korea (20 per cent) and Sweden (20 per cent) are next. Those connected online in Italy (six per cent), Germany ( six per cent), Mexico (seven per cent), China (seven per cent) and Australia (seven per cent) are least likely to say so.

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom‘s channel dedicated to comedy Comedy Central has announced the launch of ‘The Daily Show‘ Headlines,” a new mobile and tablet app available as a free download for iOS and Android devices.

After listening to viewer and fan feedback, the free app provides users with easier access to the best moments of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” as well as digital exclusives and much more.

‘The Daily Show‘ Headlines” app delivers “The Daily Show” headlines through video clips from recent episodes as well as its library of video content, including the most popular clips from the show. Fans will also be able to enjoy extras including the ability to easily share videos on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter, set personalised tune-in reminders, access background information about the show‘s guests and relive classic segments of “The Daily Show” using the app‘s “Random Quotes” module.

The release of Headlines marks the first ‘Daily Show‘ app for Android users. Apple users will be treated to an updated ‘Daily Show‘ experience with “Headlines,” which has been optimised for the new iPad‘s retina display. The app is also compatible with Apple‘s AirPlay, allowing fans to watch their favourite “Daily Show” clips on-demand, through the “Headlines” app on their iOS devices and on the televisions at home via Apple TV.

Viacom Entertainment Group VP, mobile, emerging platforms Ben Hurst said, “We want to provide new and current fans with an app that delivers an easy, entertaining and highly shareable experience with ‘The Daily Show‘ . We‘re confident that fans will enjoy all of the new features included with the ‘Headlines‘ app, and are thrilled to offer it to our Android fans for the first time.”

MUMBAI: Social networking mobile application maker Path has raised about $30 million from venture capital firms like Greylock Partners and Redpoint Ventures and individual investors such as Virgin Group’s Richard Branson and DST Global’s Yuri Milner.

With this, the investment values of the company stands at $250 million. The company will use the funds to double its staff, expand internationally and do more marketing.

Path, which had previously raised $11.2 million, is riding the new wave of tech companies that are building for mobile, not the Web. The company has been compared to Instagram that is said to be bought by Facebook for $1 billion. Path limits users to networks of just 150 people, which Morin has said is more in line with the number of meaningful friendships people have in real life.

Path, which has nearly 3 million users, is looking to connect people in more intimate ways than Facebook. It limits its users to 150 connections. The average user connects with 40. It plans to sell a premium version of its app.

Just over a year ago, Path raised $8.65 million from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Index Funds, and others.

Path is the brainchild of former senior Facebook executive Dave Morin and Napster co-founder Shawn Fanning.

MUMBAI: The Global BBC iPlayer has secured the rights to the Virgin London Marathon. The news follows the announcement of The Xchanging Boat Race as the first ever sporting event for the pilot VOD service.

This month, coverage of both will be made available to international subscribers within days of the original broadcast in the UK. London will host the elite marathon runners from around the globe on 22 April.

Global BBC iPlayer GM Matthew Littleford said, “Our subscribers wanted iconic British sport, and here they have it. The Grand National and London Marathon are packed with action, heritage and some of the sporting year’s biggest talking points, and I’m glad that we can bring them to our users around the world.”

Virgin London Marathon joint race director David Bedford said, “I’m happy that the Virgin London Marathon can be given an even bigger international audience through the Global BBC iPlayer. The Marathon attracts a diverse range of runners, from elite athletes to social runners and celebrities, and this in turn appeals to many, many spectators around the world.”