Category: Software

MUMBAI: Leading film entertainment company, Yash Raj Films, has entered into a licensing deal with Novex Communication for all existing Hindi movies and forthcoming movies for cable TV viewing.

The one-year deal with YRF is through to 31 March 2013, with the option to renew it.

Yash Raj Films has 53 Hindi movies in its library including the likes of Daag, Kabhi Kabhi, Noorie, Silsila, Faasle, Chandni, Lamhe, Daar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil toh Pagal Hai, Dhoom 1, Dhoom 2, Bunty Aur Babali and Band Baaja Baraat.

The company also has a stream of movies lined up for release in the current year namely Ishqzaade, Ek Tha Tiger (Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif), Untitiled film directed by Yash Chopra releasing in Diwali (Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif & Anushka Sharma), Dhoom 3 (Aamir Khan , Katrina Kaif , Abhishek Bachchan releasing on 2nd half of 2013) and 4 to 6 more movies till December 2013.

“We are licensed to offer their existing and forthcoming movies to MSOs for showing on their wide network in digital mode. These top class movies will be available for release on cable TV at appropriate rates,” Novex said.

Yash Raj and Novex have also tied up since last year for ground license for Yash Raj music. In addition to Yash Raj, Novex has also entered into arrangements with Shemaroo, UTV and Big Net songs and music. Today, Novex has license of more than 20,000 songs and is seen as an alternate to old companies who have created monopolistic situation in the market.

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is issuing its Tariff Order and other related guidelines relating to digitisation next week, almost three weeks after the deadline of 31 March set by the Government.

With the government sticking to its deadline of switching off analogue in the four metros on 30 June, this may create complications as the multi-system operators and cable operators will have to rework their agreements with the broadcasters on the one hand and with the subscribers on the other.

Cable industry sources indicated that the delay in announcement of tariff appeared to have been dictated by the elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi slated for 15 April.

The sources also said that many cable operators had not even begun the ground work for converting their analogue systems to digital addressable systems.

Trai had held a day-long meeting earlier this week with stakeholders – first half devoted to broadcasters, and the latter half to MSOs and cable operators – in which it heard the problems being faced by various sections because of delay in announcement of tariff and the reluctance of the government to permit both systems to co-exist for some time after 1 July till all homes had switched over to DAS.

It is expected that there will be a provision of 45 days for final disposal for applications of licences for DAS for cable operators, thus giving them little time to prepare for the change.

The government has allayed fears of any shortage of digital set top boxes. While a total of ten million STBs are required for the first phase, Delhi needs 3.3 million of which 700,000 had been installed. Another one million are in stock and orders have been placed for 2.8 million.

The STBs, says the government, would cost less than Rs 1000 and could be had on rent for as low as Rs 30 a month.

The must-carry clause for Doordarshan and Parliamentary channels would continue even after digitisation.

After the four metros, the target date for completely digitising cable sector in cities with population of more than one million was 30 March 2013, all urban areas by 30 September 2014, and the whole country by 31 December 2014.

MUMBAI: India has become the fourth largest online video consumption market, aided by 50 per cent growth over the last couple of years. This sudden explosion has made video marketing an obvious choice for marketers.

“Internet is no longer the medium that brands invest in when they do not have budgets for TV. The scenario has now changed, thanks to two main factors – television has become increasingly fragmented and the youth has shifted online,” said Visa marketing director- India & South Asia Shubhranshu Singh.

The challenge rises in the fact that the medium needs to be optimised. With smartphone penetration increasing every year, generating contextual and relevant content for the medium is the main challenge. “For this medium to be used to its potential, the offline and online planners need to work hand in hand. The content creation for this medium needs to be done creatively and not simply picked from that generated for TV,” said Vdopia Media vice president Debadutta Upadhyaya, while speaking at the 8th Marketing Conclave organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

In case of video marketing online, the context of the ad becomes very important. It is no longer a case where people watch the ad without an option as it appears along the side panels of its screen during a match or in between a movie or serial on TV.

Singh said, “Online, the consumer may see an ad and search about the product or conversely see the product and search for a video on it. The toggle between the viewing and search is five to ten times faster than in the offline case. This makes it very interesting.”

One point of view is the possible change in definition of the term TV itself. Now the medium may be classified as Internet screen and non Internet screen. “This is the main reason why the content for the mediums needs to be differentiated. The two media attract different audience and, thus, the same content will just not do. Also, video offers a tool for measurability which marketers look for in any medium they use.”

Additionally, content on the Internet never dies or goes offline; it only gets buried. This is one of the main reason why there is an urgency to seek creative thought process in generation of online video marketing content. “There is a certain ‘whackiness’ in online video content that is accepted which cannot be replicated on TV,” averred Singh.

Amagi Media Labs co-founder KA Srinivasan, however, refused to accept that this is a case of TV versus online video marketing. “Television penetration is only going to increase in the future. Also as we adopt new technologies, television will be able to provide targeted regional advertising options. This will give the marketers a chance to change the message according to the demography and geography,” he said.

For many, the term ‘online video’ translates to YouTube. While YouTube uses a lot of user generated content, online video marketing also includes the development of professional videos. It is the latter that marketers can use to actually market the product while the former may provide valuable insight into consumer psyche.

“India is experiencing an industrial and digital revolution simultaneously. So where one part of the country is laying down new roads and building buildings and bridges, the other part is going viral. Today, the focus is shifting from penetration to consumption,” Singh said.

While TV and print will always figure in a planner’s marketing plan, digital, specifically online video marketing, will find its own place and importance.

MUMBAI: Indian broadcasters having international subscription revenues have reasons to be worried. A sharp rise in housing vacancies due to the mortgage crisis alone has led to five million fewer U.S. households viewing pay-TV services, according to a recent market research study.

Total pay-TV subscriptions in the US have not declined much, due to bulk-service pay-TV contracts with apartment complexes and home owners associations that have allowed pay-TV operators to retain subscriptions in vacant homes.

According to information from NPD’s recent “Digital Video Outlook” report, 16 per cent of US households do not currently subscribe to pay-TV services.

The NPD Group research director Keith Nissen said, “As pay-TV costs rise and consumers’ spending power stays flat, the traditional affiliate-fee business model for pay-TV companies appears to be unsustainable in the long term. Much needed structural changes to the pay-TV industry will not happen quickly or easily; however, the emerging competition between S-VOD and premium-TV suppliers might be the spark that ignites the necessary business-model transformation of the pay-TV industry.”

Based on the latest information from NPD’s “Entertainment Trends in America” report, pay-TV cord cutters reported cancelling their subscriptions primarily because of economic considerations; however, they are still accessing TV programming from free-to-air broadcast, free Internet TV, as well as via lower-priced subscription video-on-demand (S-VOD) services, like Netflix.

NPD Group senior VP of industry analysis Russ Crupnick said, “Despite the plethora of OTT options for movies and TV, most consumers want their pay-TV providers to be central and relevant to the acquisition and viewing experience. In fact 59 per cent of pay-TV subscribers preferred having one single provider for their pay-TV services, compared to 21 percent who desired multiple providers, and 21 per cent who expressed no preference. Sixty-two percent of subscribers wanted premium TV either delivered by their pay-TV provider directly, or from a service affiliated with their pay-TV provider. Only 20 percent of pay-TV subscribers were likely to cancel their pay-TV service, if they could get their favourite shows online.

The average pay-TV subscription for basic pay-TV service and premium-TV channels in the US reached $86 in 2011, according to market research company NPD.

As TV programme licensing fees have risen, pay TV monthly rates have also grown an average of six per cent
per year, even as consumer household income has remained essentially flat. If nothing changes, NPD expects the average pay-TV bill to reach $123 by the year 2015 and $200 by 2020.

Crupnick said, “Pay-TV providers offer a convenient, one-stop shop for subscribers, and the majority of customers like it that way. There is an open window for the industry to meet consumer needs and become to television what iTunes is to music; however, there is also a definite risk if pay-TV providers don’t capitalize on the opportunity — and soon.”

MUMBAI: Technicolor India has reached the milestone of supplying five million set-top boxes (STBs) to Tata Sky, the DTH operator with 6.5 million subscribers.

Technicolor has bagged a fresh contract from DTH operator Tata Sky for the supply of High Definition (HD) set-top boxes. This important win comes in addition to a contract signed in 2011 for the supply of Standard Definition MPEG4 set-top boxes.

The shipment will start later this year.

Says Tata Sky MD Harit Nagpal, “We have always been satisfied by Technicolor’s level of service, and that is why we decided to further strengthen our collaboration in STBs. Thanks to their MediaPlay set-top boxes, we will extend our product portfolio and strengthen our position in the delivery of HD video.”

The contract win reinforces Technicolor’s footprint in the APAC region, where the Group already holds leading market positions.

Technicolor’s Connected Home division president Michel Rahier says, “As a highly original pioneer and long-term leader in the satellite, cable and telecommunication industries, Technicolor is recognized by its customers for its strong technology expertise that brings innovation right into the heart of the digital home. We are proud to support Tata Sky’s success for so many years, and to provide this leading satellite operator with our latest solutions.”

MUMBAI: Western Europe will not reach full digital TV penetration until 2017, despite it being as high as 85 per cent by end-2011, according to a new report from Digital TV Research.

In fact, only two of the 15 countries covered in the Digital TV Western Europe report had fully converted to digital by end-2011, with another two expected to join them by the end of this year.

Report author Simon Murray said: “Six countries will not reach full digital TV conversion until after end-2015. However, Switzerland, which has the lowest digital penetration rate in Western Europe, will rapidly convert from the 56% penetration it recorded at end-2011.”

The 25 million analog homes remaining at end-2011 will be the hardest to convert to digital. Analog DTH signals will cease in 2012 and the last analog terrestrial home will be switched off in 2013 in Portugal.

Murray commented: “Analog cable homes will be harder to convert to digital as many of these subscribers pay for basic packages as part of their rent. Operators have difficulties in accessing these households as they have to persuade landlords and housing committees to upgrade to digital.”

Western Europe will pass 150 million digital TV households during summer 2012, the study predicts. This total will grow to 175 million by 2017. FTA DTT will remain the most popular platform. Digital cable will not be far behind, by recording 45 million subs in 2017.

The regions pay TV penetration will average at 59 per cent by 2017, up by only three percentage points on 2011. By 2017, pay TV penetration will range from nearly 100 per cent in the Netherlands to only 29 per cent in Spain.

The number of pay TV subs will grow by nearly 10 million between 2011 and 2017 to reach 104 million. This comes despite the loss of 16.5 million analog cable subs over the same period. Digital cable will grow by nearly 16 million subs and IPTV will climb by 6.5 million. However, pay DTH will only increase by 2.5 million and pay DTT by 1.5 million.

Despite the increasing number of pay TV homes, pay TV revenues will remain flat at $33 billion. ARPU is falling in most countries and on most platforms, the study noted.

Murray said: “The pay TV arena is more competitive than ever as IPTV platforms launch and as cable operators’ upgrade. Furthermore, rapid growth in higher-speed broadband connections allows more online video viewing. So cable operators now offer cheaper and scaled-down basic TV packages to retain subs and to attract new ones. The knock-on effect saw DTH operators also dropping their basic package prices and reducing channel choice.”

He continued: “TV ARPU also falls as cable operators and telcos convert their subscribers to double-play or triple-play bundles. These subscribers provide operators with higher overall ARPU than standalone TV subscribers, but lower TV ARPU. Bundles are particularly attractive during harsh economic times as consumers hunt for bargains. Additionally, double-play and triple-play subs are more loyal than standalone ones, thus cutting churn and the related subscriber-retention costs.”

Timeline for full digital TV conversion by country

2008	Finland (100%)
2011	Spain (100%)
2012	Italy (87%); UK (95%)
2013	Portugal (63%)
2014	France (98%); Ireland (72%); Norway (89%)
2015	Denmark (79%)
2016	Austria (73%); Netherlands (76%)
2017	Belgium (70%); Germany (74%); Sweden (69%); Switzerland (56%)

MUMBAI: QuickPlay Media, which provides managed solutions for the distribution of premium video to IP-connected devices, has revealed the results of its annual independent Market Tools survey focused on mobile TV and video consumption in the United States.

Conducted with current US mobile subscribers, the survey results show growing interest in multiscreen services, with the smartphone continuing to be the primary device for consumption of mobile video. However, tablets continue to drive extended viewing of long-form video entertainment.

The 2012 Market Tools survey found increased interest and adoption of mobile TV and multiscreen services with 57 per cent of respondents reporting that they are interested in a multiscreen video service, up from 48 per cent in 2011.

35 per cent of respondents reported trying a mobile TV and/or video service with 27 per cent of respondents reporting they currently use mobile TV and/or video services. Of those users:

– 72 per cent have been mobile TV and video users for a year or less; and

– 81 per cent of users indicate that that they watch more mobile TV and/or video on their mobile phone or tablet than a year ago.

Viewing preferences: The survey showed a high level of usage and changing preferences for mobile programming. 43 per cent of current users consume mobile TV and video at least once per week with 23 per cent of users reporting daily usage.

In addition:

– 48 per cent of current users most often use the service at home, far more than other reported locations: “between activities” (13 per cent), at work (10 per cent), while in transit (8 per cent) and while waiting in line (8 per cent).

– 38 per cent of current users report TV episodes as their most frequently watched programming, followed by sports at 28 per cent and news at 19 per cent.

– 51 per cent of current users expressed a preference for live programing for sports (30 per cent) and TV episodes (21 per cent), whereas 34 per cent prefer an on-demand format.

The role of the tablet and WiFi in mobile entertainment: For those who currently use mobile TV and/or video services, 63 per cent use mobile phones and 33 per cent use tablets as their primary device for watching mobile video content.

In addition:

– 91 per cent of those respondents who own an iPad or similar tablet device have watched a TV programme or full-length movie on their tablet, up from 68 per cent in 2011; and

– 75 per cent who are tablet owners who have viewed full-length content have a WiFi only device, which is how most users indicated that they connect to access their TV or video content.

Bundled services are most popular payment option for mobile video: Bundled services are the primary payment mechanism for mobile TV and video services with most respondents preferring subscription models to pay-per-use pricing models:

– 51 per cent of those who currently use a mobile TV and/or video service pay for it as part of a service bundle from their provider;

– 31 per cent of current mobile TV and/or video users report that they pay an additional subscription fee for their service; and

– Respondents in general prefer a subscription service (38 per cent) for mobile TV and video services (e.g. unlimited TV programs for a set monthly fee) compared to a pay-per-episode (13 per cent) or a pay-per-season (5 per cent) payment model.

– Cost continues to be the primary barrier of usage for mobile TV and video services, according to those who haven’t tried a mobile TV/video service (32 per cent).

Competition heats Up among multiscreen providers: The study provided a clear indication of the growing role of Over-the-Top (OTT) providers as competitors to established mobile operators and TV service providers. When asked who they use as their primarily provider for mobile TV and video services, 34 per cent report it is their OTT provider, 34 per cent report it is their TV service provider and 28 per cent of respondents report it is their mobile operator.

Other noteworthy results from the survey include:

– Only 20 per cent of respondents recall viewing ads on their device while using a mobile TV and/or video service.

81 per cent of these respondents highlighted the lack of ad variety as they report seeing the same ads either played across the entire TV service (47 per cent) or across the individual channel (34 per cent).

– 74 per cent of respondents are interested in viewing mobile TV and/or video channels that integrate social media such as Facebook or Twitter.

QuickPlay Media president, CEO Wayne Purboo said, “As the market matures, consumers are increasing both their consumption of mobile video and the number of devices on which they access entertainment. This demand presents a significant opportunity for TV service providers to grow their customer base by offering multiscreen services in attractive bundles. However, to manage the complexities of delivering high volumes of content across a broad array of devices, we are seeing a growing number of providers looking for managed service options in order to do so securely and cost effectively.”

NEW DELHI: The spending on Facebook has grown by 93 per cent year-on-year and now represents three to five per cent of search spend, indicating that social continues to be a strong, emerging digital advertising channel.

According to the Adobe Digital Index providing insights for the first quarter of 2012 as well as an outlook for the remainder of the year, digital advertising continues its rapid growth across all channels.

According to the report, while Facebook is still an emerging digital advertising channel, search remains the biggest driver of ROI for marketers. Previous versions of this report were published by the former Efficient Frontier, acquired by Adobe in January 2012.

Spending on mobile platforms reached eight per cent of all search spend in the United States and 11 per cent in the United Kingdom. Tablets alone account for four per cent of total search spend in the US. Mobile devices and tablets are lower-cost channels and ultimately contributed to Google’s Cost Per Click (CPC) decline of five per cent year-on-year. In contrast, Bing/Yahoo’s CPC increased by 18 per cent year-on- year.

Traffic on mobile devices, specifically tablets, increased fourfold year-on-year, and advertisers were quick to respond, growing search investments in mobile and tablets by 250 per cent year-on- year.

Every month Adobe analyzes advertiser data from over $2 billion in annualised spend under management. Based on a client index from the past three quarters (beginning in Q2 2011), some key trends are emerging.

Search spend in the United States is expected to increase at a rate of 10 to 15 per cent for the rest of 2012 – consistent with macro trends.

Tablet and mobile spend will likely make up 15 to 20 per cent of all search spend by the end of 2012. Investments in tablet advertising will grow as tablet visitors are rapidly increasing. Conversion rates on mobile devices are comparable to desktop performance even though mobile CPCs are 30 per cent lower.

While Facebook ad CPCs have increased 40 percent quarter-on-quarter for the past three quarters, CPCs on Facebook ‘Sponsored Stories’ tend to be lower than Facebook ‘Marketplace Ads’, which may contribute to temporary decreases in CPCs.

MUMBAI: Digicable subscribers have stopped getting the 46 channels distributed by Sun18 North but negotiations are on to resume the service.

Effectively, channels like Colors, CNN IBN, CNBC TV18, Sun TV and Hungama will not be available to all Digicable subscribers in Central, North, West and East India. Sun18 North distributes channels from Viacom18, Network18, Sun TV Network and Disney.

Sun18 North said it had to take the harsh step following non-payment of subscription fees and breach of agreement by Digicable.

A senior Digicable official, however, said the carriage fee issue is part of the dispute.

Sun18 had given Digicable a 21-day notice to settle the delayed subscription payments, failing which it would black out the channels. The deadline ended on 12th April.

Sun18 North COO Gaurav Gandhi said that while conversations have been on, the channels are still switched off. “The issue has not been sorted out and all our channels remain switched off as we speak on Digicable network across Central, North, West and East India.”

The commercial dispute is expected to be settled within the next four days.

“Digicable wants its carriage terms to be revised but Sun18 is resisting as it has a three-year deal with the multi-system operator. The dispute should be resolved by Tuesday,” a source familiar with the development said.

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide is expanding the remit of Claude London, who becomes Digital Director, Consumer Products with immediate effect.

Reporting directly to BBC Worldwide MD consumer products Paul Dempsey, Claude will build on his previous role to execute an international eCommerce strategy for the business, as well as driving growth in the digital delivery of BBC Worldwide’s Consumer Product’s video output – both download-to-own and electronic sell through.

In addition, Claude will continue to partner with Consumer Product’s video, publishing, licensing and audio and music businesses, retail clients, and the rest of BBC Worldwide to create next generation, innovative digital consumer products that utilise the latest consumer technology and platforms.

In his previous role as BBC Worldwide senior VP global digital properties, he was responsible for encouraging the business to push digital boundaries, pioneering BBC Worldwide’s work with Facebook and other social media platforms as well as stewarding BBC Worldwide’s web and mobile properties such as TopGear.com and GoodFood.com, resulting in treble the number of visitors coming to these sites. He also created and delivered innovative partnerships between BBC Worldwide’s high profile brands with cutting edge digital operators in the mobile, connected TV and social media space. This includes the association between Dancing with the Stars and the world’s largest online community for teens, Stardoll, as well as the recently announced partnership between GoodFood.com and Ocado.

Prior to that, Claude was the VP of Digital Operations at Warner Music International, where he was central in driving digital commerce expansion outside the US.

Dempsey said, “As the Consumer Products Division continues to deliver on its strategy of extending fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows, our digital business is becoming an ever more vital part of our ongoing success.”

London said, “This is a very exciting time to be working in this space as we look to make BBC Worldwide’s great content available to audiences in new and ever more exciting ways.”