Category: Software

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that Verizon Fios TV and Mediacom subscribers will have access to Fox on Demand (VOD), and both providers are scheduled to offer Fox‘s recently launched online authentication service.

Verizon has already launched Fox on Demand and Mediacom will be launching the service in the coming weeks. Fox on Demand offers viewers an opportunity to easily access and catch up with Fox content. Almost all Fox primetime programming, including ‘Glee‘, ‘Family Guy‘, ‘Bones‘, ‘Raising Hope‘ and ‘The Simpsons‘, is available for viewing on VOD the day after each episode airs and remains on the service for 28 days. This includes Fox‘s new series, such as ‘The X Factor‘, ‘New Girl‘ and ‘Terra Nova‘.

To watch new episodes of Fox shows online the day after each program‘s initial air date, subscribers will be able to visit Fox.com or Hulu.com and log in with their subscriber user IDs and passwords. Verizon subscribers will also have access to the content on www.verizon.com/fiostvonline. Currently, viewers who do not subscribe to a participating distributor will only be able to watch new episodes on the eighth day following each program‘s initial air date.
 
Fox VP distribution Oren Lieber said, “We want viewers who subscribe to participating pay television providers to have the most access possible to Fox programming. We‘re pleased that Verizon and Mediacom have recognised the value these services will provide in enhancing the products they offer to consumers.”

Verizon VP of content strategy and acquisition Terry Denson said, “Fox programming is an important addition to both our VOD and online offerings. We continue to put the best content in the hands of our Fios TV customers, offering a convenient way to access Fox programming in more ways and more places – whether it‘s on the TV, online or on a mobile device.”

MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV, the DTH service from Bharti Airtel, has added 15 more channels to its offering taking the total channel count to 262.

The DTH platform has added four high definition (HD) channels – UTV Stars HD, The History Channel HD, Colors HD and CNBC TV 18 Prime HD taking its true HD channel count to 11.

The 11 SD channels include Sahara Samay, Sahara Samay UP, Sahara Samay Bihar, UTV Telegu Action and Sony Mix. With the addition, Airtel digital TV now offers 240 channels in SD.
 
The company has also priced its HD pack at Rs 89 per month (inclusive of taxes). Customers can also choose to go in for the Hindi HD Pack of four channels- Star Plus HD, Star Gold HD, Colors HD, UTV Stars HD for Rs 35 per month (inclusive of taxes).

Bharti Airtel CEO- DTH/ Media Shashi Arora said, “The growth of the HD category over the past year together with rising sales of flat panel TVs has added a new dimension to viewing experience. The recent initiatives of broadcasters over the past few months to look at different genres for True HD, has lent a welcome impetus to the process of the entire production, storage and distribution chain moving to HD. We will continue to strengthen our True HD content mix while continuing to bring in more content that suits regional preferences.”

Airtel Digital TV said that it is “committed to offerings its viewers a true high definition experience and thus carries no upscaled HD versions of SD channels”.

MUMBAI: The fight between US media company DirecTV and broadcaster Fox has gone to a new level with DirecTV sending a complaint letter to US media watchdog the FCC.

The letter has accused Fox of running misleading ads over the dispute over carriage fees. Fox wants to charge cable providers more for its channels, and DirecTV is reluctant.

DirecTV CEO Mike White has said that Fox‘s parent News Corp is seeking a nearly 40 per cent jump in its fees for the programming. He has said that DirecTV will start pulling programming from its lineup by 1 November 2011 if a deal isn‘t reached.
 
Fox, meanwhile, says that DirecTV hasn‘t replied to its offer of an extension in contract talks. It has accused DirecTV of taking an unnecessarily aggressive posture and going public. Fox adds that it is willing to continue offering its programming for the same price and terms as they are currently carried in the interim.

DirecTV has complained over ads run in local papers in the US indicating that Fox owned-and-operated channels — and not just select Fox networks and regional sports channels — will be pulled off the satellite service as part of the dispute.

MUMBAI:Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia has announced availability of its Korean entertainment channel One on Singaporean operator SingTel’s IPTV platform Mio TV starting 1 November.

One will be available in high definition (HD) on Mio TV at channel 39. The channel will be available as a free preview to all mio TV customers till 30 November.

One will be available for subscription in Jing Xuan pack at launch. The channel offers prime Korean entertainment as the exclusive destination of programmes produced by Seoul-based content supplier and broadcaster SBS through an output deal. One also serves up the latest Korean drama series, with selected titles premiering 3 – 5 weeks after their debut broadcasts in South Korea. In addition, the K-pop variety and music shows complement the channel’s drama line-up. The programmes air with Chinese subtitles and selected shows with Mandarin dubbing.

“There is great demand for fresh Korean content of high quality and One offers just that to viewers in the region. We are confident One will be a must-have channel for fans on Mio TV and are pleased to find a great partner such as SingTel, to bring One to a wider audience base in Singapore,” said Sony Pictures Television Sr VP and GM, Networks, Asia Ricky Ow.

The channel will premiere shows including period drama Deep Rooted Tree starring Jang Hyuk (Midas); romance drama Scent of a Woman featuring Lee Dong Wook (My Girl); espionage thriller Athena: Goddess of War featuring Cha Seung-Won (City Hall) and Choi Si Won (Oh! My Lady), singer of Korean pop group Super Junior; as well as family drama Pure Pumpkin Flower starring Bae Jong Ok (My Man’s Woman).

One was first launched in October 2010 in Malaysia and is also seen in Cambodia and Indonesia.

NEW DELHI: Following the approval of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to the ordinance to make digitisation of cable services mandatory by 2014, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has set in motion the process to put the infrastructure in place for meeting the deadlines.

The ordinance aims at complete digitisation of cable television in the four metros by March 31, 2012. The target date for completely digitising cable sector in cities with population of more than one million is September 2014, while the whole country will be fully digitised by December 2014.
 
This will also mean an end to the analogue era and customers of cable networks must have a set top box irrespective of whether they wish to receive free-to-air or encrypted (pay) channels.
Ministry sources however said the deadlines given by the Government are flexible and may change. They also said it was possible that digital and analogue signals may co-exist for some time even after December 2014.

The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 13 October cleared the proposal for an ordinance for digitisation of TV services and sent it to the President for her assent.
 
The sources said the ordinance, which may be notified today or tomorrow, was being brought forward as the next session of Parliament was still about two months away and the deadline for digitizing the cable television operations in the four metros by March 2012 was fast approaching. (Under the Constitution, any Ordinance has to be approved within six weeks of the commencement of the next session of Parliament, otherwise it will lapse.)

The sources stressed that the ordinance was also being resorted to as there was sharp division among the broadcasting and multi-system operators community with regard to the dates, particularly since digitisation would help control the carriage fee. (Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) President Roop Sharma, who is a member of the Task Force on Digitisation headed by I and B Additional Secretary Rajiv Takru, told indiantelevision.com that three different groups had formed which was creating an impediment to the digitisation process.)

The new ordinance aims to amend Section 4A of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 as it currently does not have any provision for beaming free-to-air channels through the digital set top box.

Presently, a total of around 116 million homes are receiving cable TV signals from broadcasters and MSOs in the country‘s Rs 200-billion cable and satellite television industry.

Also Read:

Cabinet nod on ordinance on digitisation

Govt working on ordinance to speed up digitisation

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has appointed David Wertheimer as president, digital. The announcement was made by Fox president of entertainment Kevin Reilly.

In this newly created role, Wertheimer will report to Reilly and will be responsible for the network‘s strategy, operations and ventures in digital entertainment and emerging media platforms, including online viewing, websites, apps, games, digital network incubation and audience engagement through social networks.

The broadcaster adds that Wertheimer‘s hire underscores its commitment to creating and maximising value for the company‘s product in the digital marketplace. Wertheimer will interface with Fox Networks Group and News Corp. leaders in building new digital platforms and sharing best practices.

Reilly said, “We are taking significant steps forward in engaging our Fox audience across the digital and social realms and David is the ideal person to help us envision and realise the amazing potential that presents. I‘ve known David for over 10 years and have always been impressed with his understanding of the intersection between technology and culture. He has a unique skill set – a demonstrated expertise in the digital and tech businesses, experience within a traditional media company and passion for television – all of which make him the ideal guy to guide our strategy in this increasingly vital area.”

Wertheimer added, “This is an unprecedented time to be in digital entertainment, and I am really thrilled to be joining Fox. Peter Rice, Kevin Reilly and the team at Fox share my belief that anytime/anywhere access, combined with social media, creates a tremendous opportunity for the network, its partners and fans of the shows. Fox‘s programming, marketing and distribution leadership provides an unparalleled springboard for consuming and engaging with content on digital devices and for driving the future of Social TV.”

Wertheimer joins Fox from the Entertainment Technology Center USC (ETC), where he was CEO and executive director of the strategic think-tank funded by movie studios, TV networks and leading technology and services companies.

At the ETC, he served as a strategic resource to many of the media and entertainment industry‘s top executives and helped bring companies together to collaborate on projects of joint interest related to the creation, distribution and consumption of entertainment content. In addition, Wertheimer created the Anytime/Anywhere Content Lab and the Social Entertainment Lab at the ETC – both valuable resources that have helped digital entertainment stakeholders examine and develop solutions based on the next generation consumer point of view.

Wertheimer will remain actively engaged in the Entertainment Technology Center‘s efforts, joining ETC‘s board as Fox‘s board member.

Wertheimer previously served as the first President of Paramount Digital Entertainment and founded WireBreak Entertainment, one of the earliest digital content distribution and television production companies.

MUMBAI: The CW Television Network, a joint venture of US media conglomerate CBS Corporation and Warner Bros Entertainment, has announced a five-year licensing agreement with Hulu, a site and over-the-top (OTT) subscription service, for the rights to stream in-season episodes of The CW‘s programming on the Hulu Plus subscription service and the free, ad-supported Hulu service.

With this agreement, Hulu Plus will be the only online subscription service to carry in-season episodes of The CW‘s drama and reality series, with the five most recent episodes of each show available to subscribers the next day after broadcast. Users of the free, ad-supported Hulu service will be able to watch five episodes of current season programming eight days after airing on The CW.

Available later this year, programming on Hulu and Hulu Plus will begin with the nine series on The CW‘s Fall 2011 schedule, including new series Ringer, Hart of Dixie and The Secret Circle, as well as returning shows The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Supernatural, Nikita, 90210 and America‘s Next Top Model.
 
The CW president Mark Pedowitz said, “Our new arrangement with Hulu only affirms the incredible value of The CW‘s series, as well as amplifying the immense power of the broadcast network model. As we increase the amount of year round original programming on The CW, this deal provides our shows with greater exposure on a new platform, helping build even more awareness that will drive viewers back to the network and its affiliates. We see this as a win for everyone involved, the network, the stations, Hulu and ultimately, the viewers.”

Hulu senior VP of content Andy Forssell said, “The CW programming is a great example of the kind of in-season content we want to make available on our service – high-quality, engaging, serialised shows that fans passionately love. Making these shows available on Hulu and Hulu Plus will allow new and existing fans to get their fix of The CW‘s great shows anytime and anywhere.”
 
The new agreement with Hulu delivers more ways for viewers to catch up with The CW‘s serialised dramas and reality series, and provides the network with valuable off-air promotion and marketing to grow its brand, as well as increase awareness for its series. The CW‘s content can also be made available online through authenticated cable providers.

The CW, which last year introduced a digital convergence strategy for broadcast and online ad sales, will continue to present its programming on cwtv.com with a full complement of advertising, prior to streaming on the free Hulu service.

MUMBAI: Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment said that Batman: Arkham City, the videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios, has shipped more than 4.6 million units worldwide since its launch in US on 18 October on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system.

The week one sales figure for Batman: Arkham City is more than double the number of units sold of Batman: Arkham Asylum in the same time period and solidifies the game‘s place as a contender for one of the top-selling titles of 2011, the company said.

Additionally, the game currently stands as the highest reviewed PS3 and Xbox 360 game of 2011 on Metacritic.com with average scores of 96 and 95 respectively.
 
Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment president Martin Tremblay said, “Batman: Arkham City is one of the best action adventure games, proven by the tremendous reviews, and it further establishes the Batman brand as a marquee franchise for our growing business. Rocksteady Studios went above and beyond in delivering an incredible game and the support of the entire team at Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment drove the excellent campaign a game like this deserves.”

Rocksteady Studios game director Sefton Hill said, “The true test for any game is what the players think and we have been thrilled by their reaction to Batman: Arkham City. The team at Rocksteady put every ounce of effort into making the best Batman experience we possibly could, so we are overwhelmed by the incredible feedback from the community.”
 
The game builds upon the foundation of the earlier game Batman: Arkham Asylum. It sends players flying through Arkham City – five times larger than the game world in Batman: Arkham Asylum – the new maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City‘s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds.

Featuring an incredible Rogues Gallery of Gotham City‘s most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr Freeze and others, the game allows players to experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight delivering justice on the streets of Gotham City.

NEW DELHI: News Express, the Hindi HD news channel, said today that the channel is now available on the DD Direct Plus.

The company also said that it has signed distribution deals with more than 100 regional cable operators and some big multi-system-operators (MSOs).

The channel is already available on Dish TV and is in talks with other major DTH platforms for carriage. 
 
Positioned as a hard-core political news channel, News Express is owned by Sai Prasad Media Group.

News Express CEO and Editor Mukesh Kumar said, “News Express is now available on DD Direct Plus DTH Platform making it accessible to direct-to-home subscribers all across the country. Within three months of its launch in the country, News Express has covered approximately 60 per cent of the DTH Platforms available in India which talks much about the success of the channel. We are really pleased with the response of the viewers and seek to extend our coverage to subscribers across the country through partnership with other dish operators as well.” 

BANGALORE: Bangalore-based software startup Hidden Reflex has added nine more news channels to its Indian audience targeted free web browser Epic, bringing the tally of live channels to 14.

The new channels are Times Now, ET Now, Zoom, Star News, Aaj Tak, India TV, Sahara Samay, Manorama News and Star Majha. The channels that were already available on Epic browser are those from the NDTV group stable- NDTV 24X7, NDTV India, NDTV Profit, NDTV Good Times, and NDTV Hindu.

Besides the 14 television channels, Hidden Reflex claims that its India sidebar supports Indian content by providing users access to the latest national and regional news from 100 plus publications, hundreds of TV shows, thousands of feature length films, live cricket scores and much more.
 
Also, users can choose from 1500 plus customised Indian themes and wallpapers ranging from freedom fighters to landscapes to famous Bollywood and regional film stars.Writing in Indian languages is supported in Epic. Users can write in 13 Indian languages on any webpage or in write Epic‘s free built-in word processor.

Hidden Reflex had launched Epic, the first browser targeted at Indian audiences in 2008. At present, the browser works with windows operating systems only. Hidden Reflex claims that a version for Linux and Mac operating systems is on the way.