ITV

Category: Software

  • WatchIndia.tv introduces packages to tap South market

    MUMBAI: WatchIndia.tv has unveiled two special online packages targeting the South Indian native market.









    Priced at $14.99 per month, the first offering is the ‘Tamil Indian TV pack‘ that combines four Tamil channels – Tamiz, Raj TV, Raj Digital Plus and Raj Musix.


    The second package is the ‘Telugu Indian TV Pack‘ that includes ETV Telugu, ETV2, Zee Telugu and Vissa.

     

    Also, on selecting a preferred package, a customer is entitled to two weeks of free trial subscription.

    WatchIndia.TV director marketing Sanjay Prahab said, “The South Indian population, both resident and non-resident, has a culture rich in entertainment, music and ethnicity. Our aim is to bring live Indian channels to this segment.”

  • BBC’s programmes now available on iTunes store in Canada







    MUMBAI: The BBC has announced that its shows will be available for purchase and download from the iTunes Store in Canada.










    This marks the first time that episodes of BBC programmes are available from a digital outlet in Canada. The new partnership complements iTunes deals already in place in the UK, US, France and Germany.

     

    On iTunes, fans can purchase single episodes and entire seasons of BBC series including Season 11 of car entertainment series Top Gear, Season four of sci-fi series Doctor Who and the first two seasons of sci-fi series Torchwood.


    Says BBC Worldwide, Canada COO Hilary Read, “BBC shows that are aired on a number of Canadian channels including BBC Canada have a huge loyal following. This is BBC‘s first digital deal specifically for Canada and we‘re delighted to be partnering with iTunes and offering our fans another way to view our wide range of top quality programmes.”


    Making BBC programming available on the iTunes Store is key to the strategy of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, in securing the broadest possible distribution for its huge range of television content.


    BBC Worldwide claims to be the first British broadcaster to offer its TV shows for download in Canada.

  • Web18 appoints new group editor & technology head

    MUMBAI: Web18 has roped in Hatim Kantawalla as group editor.









    Prior to this, Kantawalla was associate publisher at PC Magazine and was responsible for the business unit‘s P&L in Dubai, UAE.

     

    In his new capacity, Kantawalla will oversee the editorial operations of tech2.com and biztech2.com, websites in the consumer and enterprise technology spaces respectively. As group editor, he will also lead editorial for Infomedia18‘s tech media brands, Chip and T3.


    Meanwhile, the company has also appointed Keshaw Sinha as VP and head – technology. Prior to Web18, he was head – technology team at Zapak.








    Web18 CEO Surya Mantha said, “Technology is a key focus area for us and we look to only the best in the business to lead us in this space. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kantawala and Sinha. Their expertise will be crucial in helping our fast -growing businesses and in maintaining our competitive edge in the technology space.”

     

  • HBO, Cinemax content available on broadband in the US









    MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO and Comcast have stitched a partnership deal that will offer television and movie content from HBO and Cinemax online for the first time as an added value to Comcast’s HBO and Cinemax customers across the US.


    The HBO and Cinemax broadband services will be available as part of Comcast’s On Demand online trial, accessible via Comcast.net and Fancast.com. On Demand Online is a new service that will expand the number of top-rated TV choices available online to Comcast cable customers free of charge.

     

    The HBO and Cinemax broadband services will initially provide a combined total of 750 hours of programming a month and will grow over time.


    At launch, the HBO and Cinemax broadband services on Comcast’s On Demand Online will include:



    • Full-length episodes of current and classic HBO series like True Blood, Hung, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Wire, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and Real Time with Bill Maher.

    • Theatrical movies include Transformers, The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Atonement, and The Bourne Ultimatum. Titles coming soon include: Juno, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who, Mama Mia! and Burn After Reading.

    • Classic films such as Jurassic Park, Big, Mrs. Doubtfire, Speed and Rosemary’s Baby.

    • HBO Family programming such as Harold and The Purple Crayon.

    Following the launch, HBO and Cinemax programming will be updated frequently, with subscribers able to choose from a number of programmes in HD including HBO films, series, documentaries, sports, specials and comedy as well as theatrical films. Customers will be able to view certain new programmes online immediately after they air on television and will have access to a library of past programming.


    HBO co-president Eric Kessler says, “The broadband services are the latest in a line of digital offerings that have dramatically changed the viewing experience for our subscribers, providing them with more access, choice, and even greater value to their subscriptions.”


    Comcast executive VP content acquisition Matt Bond adds, “For the first time HBO and Cinemax customers around the country will be able to watch their favorite shows and movies online at no additional cost. The agreement is an important milestone in our long-term strategy of enabling customers to watch popular television and movie content when and where they want it.”

  • Casbaa partners SNL Kagan to help TV & ad industry market

    MUMBAI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) and SNL Kagan have announced a joint initiative to provide market information to the broadcast and advertising industry across the region.

    SNL Kagan is a financial and operational information provider on the global media and communications sector.

    The alliance enables Casbaa members to access SNL Kagan’s global multichannel video market data via its website casbaa.com with further analysis available via Casbaa‘s advertising portal Atac (Asia TV Advertising Coalition).

    With 44 subscription-based channels, Atac represents the majority of regional TV advertising expenditure in Asia Pacific.

    Says Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies, “With this initiative, Casbaa members and their clients gain immediate access to data and analysis which puts our markets into a global perspective.”

    SNL Kagan senior analyst Ben Reneker adds, “The alliance with Casbaa provides clients of SNL Kagan an opportunity to access the Asia Pacific market.”

  • Online gaming on the rise in US: Study

    MUMBAI: Online gaming activity among consumers in US has seen a significant growth as compared to that of last year, reveals data released by comScore Inc, an internet marketing research company.









    The category attracted 87 million US visitors in May 2009, up 22 per cent compared to the prior year, as users opted for cheaper entertainment alternatives driven by current economic crisis, says the report.


    Yahoo! Games has been rated as number one site, attracting 19.4 million visitors, and representing a six per cent increase to that of last year. It is followed by EA Online with 18 million visitors, Nickelodeon Casual Games with 14.8 million visitors and WildTangent Network with 13.8 million.

     

    Among others, GSN Games Networks managed to bring in six million users with its newly created WorldWinner.com and CrazyMonkey.com, taking its growth to 563 per cent.


    “Online gaming continues to be one of the top gaining categories over the last year growing at ten times the rate of the total US Internet population and reaching nearly one out of every two Internet users,” said comScore director – gaming solutions Edward Hunter. “The growth in the category is occurring not only at the top gaming destination sites but also through viral distribution platforms, including widgets and applications. In fact, some online gaming companies that distributed their games across sites are reaching as many people as the top online gaming sites,” adds Hunter

  • China Digital TV reports low smart cards sale in Q2









    MUMBAI: China Digital TV Holding, the provider of conditional-access-systems (Cas) to the country‘s digital television market, has announced that it has shipped 2.13 million smart cards in its second quarter, ended 30 June.


    The company had earlier expected to ship around 2.35 to 2.55 million smart cards.

     

    The company is blaming consolidation in the cable industry among the other reasons for the low sales. Says China Digital TV president Dong Li, “Shipment of smart cards during the quarter was lower than anticipated. Some cable operators have chosen to delay digitisation projects due to uncertainties resulting from the ongoing consolidation in the cable industry and the lack of mature value-added services for digital TV platforms presently.”


    Also, there may not be a fast growth considering the fact that some operators may maintain a wait-and-see attitude towards digitisation.


    However, Li has shown hopes of improved condition in the near future as government has mandated full digitisation by 2015. “We are confident that China Digital TV‘s experience in providing CA (conditional access) solutions for large and complex projects, stable financial position, existing partnerships with more than 200 cable television operators and leadership in value-added services development will position us to play a leading role in China‘s ongoing digital mass migration and beyond,” he adds.


    The company has entered into 12 out of a total of 18 new contracts to install CA systems in China in the second quarter of 2009.

  • Tokyo 2016 releases Countdown ‘app’ for Apple iPhone

    MUMBAI: Tokyo 2016, the organisation in charge of trying to secure the Japanese city‘s bid to host the 2016 Olympics, has announced that Apple iPhone users have a new way to experience the thrilling last months of the race for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games following the launch of the application for the device.









    Now available for free download from the ‘Utilities’ section of the iPhone’s App Store, Tokyo 2016 Bid Countdown marks the approach of 2 October when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will select the 2016 host city at a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The application brings users a variety exciting Tokyo 2016-related functions, including news updates and a new blog as well as the countdown calendar and clock. Bilingual support is available in both English and Japanese.

     

    On milestone dates – such as ’50 days to go’, entry to the final month and the 10th day before the decision – the application displays special decorative graphics in Japanese style.


    Tokyo 2016 chief Internet officer Takao Ozawa said, “I am very excited by the release of the Tokyo 2016 Bid Countdown application today. A highly user-friendly application, the app makes it easier than ever before for our Bid’s huge number of passionate supporters to access the very latest Tokyo 2016 news and information. We are sure that iPhone users around the world will enjoy this new illustration of the cutting-edge technology at the heart of the Bid.”


    Tokyo 2016 chairman and CEO Dr Ichiro Kono added, “The Tokyo 2016 iPhone application brings up-to-the-minute Bid news on one of the most popular consumer technology formats anywhere, and is therefore another example of how we are setting the stage for heroes with a Games at the heart of everyday life. From the ultra-compact and sustainable Tokyo 2016 venues plan to the use of cutting edge technology to ensure Japan’s dynamic capital city is fully accessible to visitors from across the world, our Bid is innovating at every turn to ensure a memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.”

  • Foxtel joins Macrovision’s EPG licensing programme under NDS agreement

    MUMBAI: Foxtel, Australia’s subscription television provider, has signed a multi-year agreement for licenses to Macrovision’s electronic program guide (EPG) patent portfolio.







    Foxtel, a current NDS customer, is licensing Macrovision’s EPG patents under the agreement between Macrovision and NDS on EPG patents, announced in April 2009. Foxtel joins Macrovision’s existing list of leading international pay-TV operator licensees that includes British Sky Broadcasting Limited and Sky Italia.


    Macrovision senior VP licensing Samir Armaly says, “Macrovision continues to make strides in furthering our relationship with the major operators worldwide. We are pleased to welcome such a well renowned system operator as Foxtel to our patent licensing program and to continue the extension of our licensing program worldwide.”





     

  • CNN to cover Michael Jackson’s memorial service live

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN International will air Michael Jackson‘s memorial service live on Wednesday. Web users will also be able to share thoughts with others on Facebook while viewing the events on the CNN.com live video player if they choose.









    Anderson Cooper, Larry King, Don Lemon and Soledad O‘Brien will host coverage live from Los Angeles, with Campbell Brown and Roland Martin anchoring live from New York, starting at 12:00 am (HKT) on CNN International and CNN/U.S. CNN‘s international bureaus will provide coverage of memorial events happening around the world.

     

    Online at www.CNN.com/MichaelJackson, CNN.com will provide special coverage of Jackson‘s memorial service and all related events in their entirety through a wide variety of elements, including live streaming and on-demand video, in-depth articles, photo galleries, and special interactives. In addition, CNN.com producers and correspondents will blog live from Los Angeles throughout the day.


    CNN.com is once again utilising Facebook Connect granting Internet users across the globe the ability to watch the memorial service live while communicating with their Friends on Facebook – and other Jackson fans around the world – without leaving the CNN.com Live video player. CNN.com Live begins live coverage starting on Tuesday at 8:30 pm (HKT) with a special midnight show before the complete live coverage of the memorial service begins.


    Additionally, CNN.com will offer replays of the entire memorial service. iReport.com, the network‘s user-generated online news



    community, continues to invite contributors to share their thoughts and memories of Michael Jackson, as well as submit and share their videos and photos.




    CNN will provide live coverage to its radio and television affiliates worldwide.