Category: Software

MUMBAI: Dish TV is likely to merge its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Agrani Satellite Services and Integrated Subscriber Management Services, with itself.

The move will result in operational efficiencies for Dish TV, India‘s largest direct-to-home (DTH) company. “Dish TV is likely to merge its subsidiaries with itself,” market sources said.
 
When contacted, Dish TV managing director Jawahar Goel declined to comment. The company‘s board will meet on Friday to consider a proposal for internal business restructuring between the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

According to sources, Agrani Satellite Services has shelved its plans to acquire a stake and invest $64 million in ProtoStar satellite. The plan was to have the Ku-band transponders for Dish TV as it expanded its channel offerings to its DTH subscribers.

Meanwhile, ProtoStar has filed for bankruptcy. The satellite services provider was formed to acquire, launch and operate high-power geostationary satellites to lease capacity to Asian DTH and broadband service providers.  
 
Agrani, which owns a licence to own, operate and launch a satellite, has invested Rs 940 million in the last fiscal.

Integrated Subscriber Management Services, a company that deals with data management services, was initially designed to service other DTH service providers as well. But with Dish TV posting rapid growth and spreading its subscriber base to over seven million, the subscriber management system handles only its parent company‘s operations.

Dish TV also holds 51 per cent stake in Agrani Convergence Ltd, a company that is in a dormant stage.

Shares of Dish TV rose 5.35 per cent to close Thursday at Rs 42.30 on the BSE.

NEW DELHI: The Government has said that while it is prepared to give temporary live uplinking permission for major events to private television channels, applications should be sent at least 15 days prior to the date of the event.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has made it clear that it will not entertain applications made less than 15 days before the event.
 
Temporary uplinking permissions are granted for live uplink of various events from India for a short duration on a case to case basis according to the uplinking guidelines.

The Ministry usually examines details relating to teleport service provider, DSNG service provider, use of satellite, programme details (with timing/duration), uplinking & downlinking locations, etc.

The notice was issued as it had been observed that more often such applications are received in the Ministry at a very short notice. This does not give sufficient time to process such requests and examine the issues involved.
 
Even after getting permission from the I&B Ministry, the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications also examines such cases for issue of wireless operating licence. They will also need sufficient time to process the case.

MUMBAI: International Cricket 2010™, the latest game to join Codemasters’ best-selling cricket portfolio, was showcased for a special preview by online gaming company Zapak.

This game was unveiled by fast bowler Ishant Sharma and actress Prachi Desai who also were the first ones to pre-book the game.
 
Produced by Codemasters and developed by Trickstar Games, the Australian developer with a pedigree that includes Ashes 2009 and the Brian Lara series, International Cricket 2010 will look to set a new standard in cricket gaming. This title will look to redefine cricket experience on consoles with special features.

The game is scheduled to hit the retail stores on 18 June. It is published for the Playstation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Pre booking now open on www.zapakshop.com.

User can smash home 90mph+ deliveries and thunder down the track to bowl from Action Cam’s new on-field perspectives.

There is also a ‘Power Stick’ which delivers 360° degree batting control and gives players the widest selection of shots possible, from pushing quick singles to riskier slogs to the boundary.
 
Desai said, “I think that cricket games are as exciting as a live match. I am a huge fan of Ashes 2009 and have already booked a copy of International Cricket 2010. I tried playing this game and it was an awesome experience. For once I felt that I am actually playing a live game on a cricket pitch.”

Zapak COO Arun Mehra said, “Cricket is a passion in India and International Cricket 2010 will take this passion onto a whole new level. International Cricket 2010 promises the most immersive and engaging gameplay with action like never before to all cricket enthusiasts. We know that International Cricket 2010 will be the most selling console game in India on PS3 and XBOX 360.”

Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens says, “The significance of the alliance with Reliance Big Entertainment is being rapidly demonstrated. Within the group, Codemasters will leverage the market leading status of Zapak Digital Entertainment in India to publish International Cricket 2010. This partnership with Zapak Games takes our genre-leading Cricket series to its biggest potential audience ever.”

MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel has increased its stake in Bharti Telemedia, the subsidiary company that holds the DTH, broadband, wireline and IPTV businesses.

Bharti Airtel, which earlier was holding 40 per cent in Telemedia, has now upped its stake to 95 per cent.
 
Bharti Airtel has bought back the stake from Bharti Enterprises for Rs 74 million. 
 
Airtel Digital TV, the brand of the DTH service, has close to three million subscribers. It recently launched the personal video recorder (PVR) service, which offers customers the convenience to record shows using their mobile phones from anywhere in the world.

Airtel Digital TV is yet to launch its HD services.

NEW DELHI: With the Pan-India total crossing Rs 120 billion to close at just over Rs 122.57 billion, the Bandwidth Access (BWA) auction has proved the confidence providers have in the growth of the Internet in the country, even as the bidding is expected to close shortly.

After 110 rounds on the fourteenth, the bids for Mumbai and Delhi crossed the Rs Rs 20 billion mark with Rs 21529.5 million and Rs 21010.2 million respectively.
 
Tamil Nadu closed at Rs 19310.6 million, Karnataka was at Rs 15279.8 million, Andhra Pradesh clocked Rs 9977.8 million; and Gujarat was at Rs 5783.1 million.

While Kerala was at Rs 2437 million; East Uttar Pradesh closed at Rs 1329.5 million; Madhya Pradesh clocked Rs 1163 million, and Haryana closed at Rs 1118.7 million.

Rajasthan closed at Rs 935.4 million, Bihar at Rs 983 million; West Bengal clocked Rs 643 million; Orissa closed with Rs 630 million, Assam at Rs 308.3 million; the North-East and Jammu and Kashmir closed at Rs 198.7 million each, and Himachal Pradesh was at 194.9 million. 
 
The bids for four service centres remained unchanged: the rest of Maharashtra at Rs 9156.4 million; Kolkata at Rs 5232 million; Punjab at Rs 3322.7 million; and West Uttar Pradesh at Rs 1784.7 million.

The rest of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kolkata, Punjab, West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Orissa are unlikely to see any increase with no applications for price increment for tomorrow’s rounds.

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and North-East are expected to see minimal increase with bids of just over Rs one million each.

The telecom operators in the race are Aircel, Augere (Mauritius) Limited, Bharti Airtel, Infotel Broadband Services Private Limited, Qualcomm Incorporated, Reliance WiMax Limited, Spice Internet Service, Provider Private Limited, Tata Communications Internet Services Limited, Tikona Digital Networks Private Limited and Vodafone Essar Limited.

The successful bidders would be allowed to start commercial operations from 1 September.

NEW DELHI: Airtel Digital TV today announced the addition of Rupashi Bangla, the popular Bengali entertainment channel to its bouquet.

With nine Bengali channels available on its platform, Airtel digital TV now claims to offer the largest number of Bengali channels for DTH customers.
 
The new channel will be added automatically to the subscription plans for all existing Airtel Digital TV customers across the country at no extra cost.

Rupashi Bangla is a Bengali general entertainment channel which broadcasts different shows including Bengali movies along with regular soaps and serials. Samay, Suhashini, Yugantar and Antaheen Adda are some of the popular shows on Ruposhi Bangla.  
 
Airtel Digital TV currently has ETV Bangla, Zee Bangla, Akash Bangla, DD Bangla, Channel Eight, Star Jalsa, 24 Ghanta and Star Ananda.

MUMBAI: Mobile Streams has teamed up with UTV Indiagames to distribute mobile content to network operators as well as via the mobile internet throughout India. 
 
Indiagames will use its established relationships with India‘s major network carriers to distribute content from Mobile Streams‘ content catalogue. This includes over 270,000 items from top content providers including the ever popular Mr Bean and Happy Tree Friends as well as a wide range of World Cup 2010 content such as wallpapers, tones, video and games.

Mobile Streams COO Arnd Aschentrup said, “Our aim is to extend our global footprint and offer our content partners the best exposure for their brands to increase their fan base and mobile revenues. We are happy to be building on our existing relationship with UTV Indiagames and to be gaining access to mobile phone subscribers in India.”  
 
Added UTV Indiagames founder and CEO Vishal Gondal, “Our new agreement with Mobile Streams is a testament to the success of our existing relationship. We look forward to introducing content from the Mobile Streams library to our network operator partners and help them to expand their footprint in India.”

Mobile Streams‘ distribution network also includes UK, Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. The company also owns and operates the mobile internet portals, www.ringtones.com and www.mobilegaming.com.
 

MUMBAI: Turner‘s kids channels Cartoon Network and Pogo kicked off the year with a combined 40 per cent ad revenue growth in the first quarter and now will be building digital products across all platforms -PC web, mobile, social web – to perk up the inflow.

Turner is planning to open up new consumer revenue streams through online games from its two channels. It is also looking at The Cartoon Network online store to attack the currencies.
 
Says Turner International India VP and deputy GM – entertainment networks, South Asia Monica Tata, “The year will also see us consolidate our efforts in expanding our revenue base by generating revenues from non linear content like syndication, VOD, games, as well as from platforms like mobile and broadband.”

According to Tata, Turner’s kids channels’ online destinations have experienced an aggressive growth and will soon become a key platform wherein content is consumed, widening the audience profile and giving access to newer audiences across the globe. 
 
“In 2009, our sites alone attracted over 15 clients and 21 campaigns across categories – be it FMCG, confectionery, toys, footwear and sports gear,” she says.

Cartoon Network and Pogo are already available on Tata Photon cards (mobile Internet TV) and Aplaya – MTS (mobile data card service provider). Cartoon Network is almost present on all major GSM and CDMA operators for TV streaming, notes Tata. “And soon our channels will also be launched on new mobile operators like Virgin Mobile.”

In 2009, Cartoon Network launched comics of its toon stars – Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo and Dexter on mobile handsets. These comics are available through Airtel, Idea, Reliance Mobile and TATA DoCoMo amongst others.

“We had our successful innings with Cartoon Network Toon Cricket and BEN 10 mobile game in 2009. Ben 10: Battle for the Omnitrix mobile game phone has achieved 1 million mobile paid downloads in India as of March 2010.

“Chhota Bheem is doing approximately 2000 – 2500 downloads a day. We are incorporating a contest and this will drive download to 5000 per day per our estimate.

We have also extended our original shows such as M.A.D as part of active learning for all Tata Sky viewers,” she informs.

Ad sales will still remain the primary medium to drive in revenues. With a base of 153 unique advertisers, 475 brands across Cartoon Network and Pogo, the top 10 advertisers grew by 20 per cent in 2009.

“60 new advertisers came aboard Cartoon Network and Pogo in 2009. Additionally, the non kids advertiser spends grew at over 25 per cent CAGR. This is because advertisers such as P&G, Reckitt, LG, Whirlpool, Godrej, LIC and SC Johnson continued advertising on Cartoon Network and Pogo despite the cautionary sentiment in 2009,” Tata avers.

NEW DELHI: The upward spiral in the Bandwidth Access (BWA) auction appears to have caught speed even as the bidding is expected to close sometime this week, with a pan-India total touching Rs 115.18 billion.

After 102 rounds on the 13th day, the bids for Mumbai and Delhi remained at the top with Rs 19.93 billion and Rs 19.42 billion respectively.
 
Tamil Nadu closed at Rs 17.83 billion, Karnataka was at Rs 14.11 billion, Andhra Pradesh at Rs 9.31 billion; and. Kolkata clocked Rs 5.23 billion.

While Punjab closed at Rs 3.32 billion, Kerala was at Rs 2.25 billion; Madhya Pradesh and Haryana closed at Rs 1.03 billion each, Rajasthan at Rs 908.1 million, and Bihar at Rs 860.8 million; Orissa clocked Rs 550.8 million, Assam closed at Rs 285.1 million; the North-East and Jammu and Kashmir closed at Rs 183.9 million each, and Himachal Pradesh was at 180.3 million. 
 
The bids for five service centres remained unchanged: the rest of Maharashtra at Rs 9.16 billion; Gujarat at Rs 5.73 billion; West Uttar Pradesh at Rs 1.78 billion; East Uttar Pradesh at Rs 1.24 billion, and West Bengal at Rs 643 million.

The rest of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kolkata, Punjab, East and West Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are unlikely to see any increase with no applications for price increment for tomorrow’s rounds.

Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and North-East will also see only minimal increase with bids of just over Rs one million each.

The telecom operators in the race are Aircel, Augere (Mauritius) Limited, Bharti Airtel, Infotel Broadband Services Private Limited, Qualcomm Incorporated, Reliance WiMax Limited, Spice Internet Service, Provider Private Limited, Tata Communications Internet Services Limited, Tikona Digital Networks Private Limited and Vodafone Essar Limited.

The successful bidders would be allowed to start commercial operations from 1 September.

MUMBAI: MTV Music Group has announced that Adam Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and All Time Low will serve as the premiere artists for the launch of a new cross-platform digital franchise Posted.

The new digital programme, presented by AT&T, www.att.com, will provide music fans with a destination to find social media updates, videos, news and photos of artists.
 
Each month CMT, MTV and VH1 will spotlight its own artist. The new franchise will live on each channel’s web and mobile properties as a space that connects artists directly with their fans in real time. Participating artists will use the devices to submit content, including videos and photos, to their individual Posted sites.

For the programmes kick-off, VH1 selected Adam Lambert, who recently filmed an episode of Unplugged;CMT selected Grammy award winner LeAnn Rimes; and MTV chose pop punk band, All Time Low who will be joined on Posted by June tour mates Boys Like Girls, LMFAO, and Forever The Sickest Kids. Other bands and artists expected to participate in the programme during the coming months include Maroon 5 and Sara Bareilles.
 
MTV Networks Music and Logo executive VP Dermot McCormack says, “Posted not only gives fans unparalled access to their favorite bands through a myriad of mediums, it also provides the kind of exclusive daily content and social interaction that hyper-connected music fans are demanding. As a device that’s deeply rooted in the social media space, AT&T’s Motorola BackFlip phone is the perfect way to bring this franchise and its content to life.”
As presenting sponsor of the franchise, AT&T will receive exclusive branding across the site. An interactive calling unit featuring the Motorola Backflip will enable fans to take a demo of the phone and scroll through the features to access such content as tour dates and photos of participating artists. In addition, fans can use the interactive calling unit to leave suggestions for future Posted content ranging from photo suggestions to interview questions.

Featured content from Posted artists will include:

* Exclusive photos and videos captured by participating artists using the Motorola Backflip form AT&T,
* Facebook and Twitter updates,
* FourSquare tips and tricks,
* Current tour dates,
* New music videos,
* The latest news and interviews; and
* Artist-related blog entries.