Category: Software

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has come out with a report that states that digital sales now account for around 10 per cent of the music market as record companies experiment and innovate with an array of business models and digital music products, involving hundreds of licensing partners.

Among new developments in 2006, the number of songs available online doubled to four million, thousands of albums were released across many digital formats and platforms, classical music saw a “digital dividend” and advertising-funded services became a revenue stream for record companies.

However, despite this success, digital music has not yet achieved the “holy grail” of compensating for the decline in CD sales. Meanwhile, digital piracy and the devaluation of music content are a real threat to the emerging digital music business.

Research suggests that legal actions against large-scale P2P uploaders – some 10,000 of which were announced in 18 countries in 2006 – have helped contain piracy, reducing the proportion of internet users frequently file-sharing in key European markets. Yet actions against individual uploaders are only the second best way of dealing with the problem. IFPI is stepping up its campaign for action from ISPs and will take whatever legal steps are necessary.

IFPI‘s report shows how the record industry is combining digital technology with its traditional skills of discovering and marketing music. It also sets out where the music sector needs action by government and its industry partners to tackle piracy and prevent the undermining of its intellectual property rights.

Digital is empowering the music consumer: Consumers are finding that digital technology is helping to change their purchasing habits. They are taking advantage of the unlimited ‘shelf space‘ in online stores, buying recordings that would have long vanished from the shelves of even the largest offline stores.

Recent months have also seen digital music distribution channels diversify. A-la-carte download services, led by iTunes, remain the dominant digital format, but they compete in a mixed economy with subscription services, mobile mastertones and more recently new advertising-supported models and video licensing deals on sites like YouTube and MySpace.

Mobile music accounted for about half of global digital revenues in 2006, but the split between mobile and online varies sharply by country. In Japan around 90% of digital music sales are accounted for by mobile purchases. 2007 could prove to be a landmark year in the mobile music market, as handset makers such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson develop their music phone series. Meanwhile, Apple has announced the launch of the much anticipated iPhone.

Portable players are one of the major drivers of growth in the digital sector. New figures show that the proportion of portable player owners who source mainly from paid downloads is roughly the same as the proportion who source mainly from unauthorised P2P and free websites (14 per cent). Yet there is still concern at the relatively low levels of digitally purchased music that is stored on devices.

There is mixed news for the industry when it comes to digital piracy. Independent research analysts Jupiter suggest that record number of high-profile lawsuits against large-scale uploaders in 2006 did have a deterrent effect on illegal file-sharers. As broadband penetration across Europe doubled to 40 per cent between 2004 and 2006, the proportion of users regularly file-sharing fell from 18 per cent to 14 per cent. In the US, lawsuits were the most cited reason by computer users for changing from unauthorised P2P to legal downloading (NPD Group, June 2006).

Key successes against illegal operators were recorded in 2006; including Kazaa in Australia, Bearshare in the US, ZoekMP3 in Netherlands and Kuro in Taiwan.

Yet digital piracy is still a massive problem for the music industry and one of the major reasons that the surging legitimate digital market is not expected to make up the shortfall in the decline of the physical market in 2006.

IFPI chairman and CEO John Kennedy said, “The record industry today has evolved into a digital thinking, digitally literate business. Revenues in 2006 doubled to about $2 billion and by 2010 we expect at least one quarter of all music sales worldwide to be digital. This is a market combining evolution and revolution, where the learning curve is changing direction on a regular basis.

“The chief winners in the rise of digital music are consumers. They have effectively been given access to 24-hour music stores with unlimited shelf space. They can consume music in new ways and formats – an iTunes download, a video on YouTube, a ringtone or a subscription library.

“Yet the market remains a challenge. Other industries, such as film and newspapers, are struggling with the same problems that we have had to live with. As an industry we are enforcing our rights decisively in the fight against piracy and this will continue. However, we should not be doing this job alone. With cooperation from ISPs we could make huge strides in tackling internet piracy globally. It is very unfortunate that it seems to need pressure from governments or even action in the courts to achieve this, but as an industry we are determined to see this campaign through to the end.”

This launch follows StarHub’s successful HDTV trial that kicked off with the 2006 Fifa World Cup on 10 June 2006 and ended at the close of the year. During this trial, 1000 StarHub Digital Cable customers enjoyed all 64 World Cup matches as well as quality programmes from Discovery and National Geographic Channel in full high-definition (HD) splendour.

With HDTV, StarHub says that viewers can expect up to four times greater picture clarity. The 16:9 screen ratio will also provide a panoramic view that can be up to 33 per cent more than what they can enjoy on the standard 4:3 TV screen. As many HD programmes contain Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, viewers with a Dolby Digital Home Theatre system can also be treated to superior audio quality, not unlike the quality available at the cinemas.

In addition to an enhanced audio and visual experience, customers using the HD set-top box will also enjoy all innovative features that users of StarHub’s digital set-top box currently have access to. These include the Onscreen TV Guide, Programme Alert, Auto-Tune, Video Mosaic, Info Bar, Quick Surf, Chat, access to Demand TV and complimentary FunZone games.

StarHub president and CEO Terry Clontz says, “We are very excited about our HDTV launch, and are proud that we are the first operator in Southeast Asia to introduce the service.

“StarHub is constantly enhancing its customers’ TV viewing experience. Our introductions of Digital Cable in 2004, Demand TV in 2005 and Smart TV in 2006 are examples of how we give customers more control over what they watch, and when they watch their favourite programmes. And who knows, maybe someday we can even give customers choice on where they can view their favourite programmes too. ”

With StarHub’s launch of its HDTV service, a new content group named “HD Plus” will be introduced. HD Plus, with a subscription fee of $15 comprises two new HD channels – Discovery HD and National Geographic Channel (NGC) HD.

Clontz adds, “Discovery and National Geographic Channel are longtime content partners of StarHub, and both are very well-known for their production of high-quality programmes. We know that our customers will be delighted with the quality of the content, and with the superior viewing experience that HDTV brings.”

Discovery HD Channel showcases on the channel include science, world culture, natural history, wildlife, engineering, travel and lifestyle.

Discovery Asia MD, executive VP Tom Keaveny says, “Discovery is once again happy to be pioneering HD. We were the first international HD channel to launch in Japan in 2005, and with this launch in Singapore, Discovery HD is now available in 15 international markets and over nine million households. Discovery is committed to providing our viewers with the highest quality content available and Discovery HD will deliver an audio and visual experience that is richer, deeper and more expansive than ever before”.

NGC HD takes viewers into the heart of the action from science, the modern world and investigations to lost cultures and natural history, National Geographic Channel in high definition will bring viewers unique insights, groundbreaking new findings and unforgettable television experience.

NGC International executive VP, group MD– Asia PacificWard Platt said, “Today is a heartwarming moment as we witness the launch of the brand new National Geographic Channel HD in Singapore. We congratulate Singapore and StarHub for being the most innovative country and the first operator in Southeast Asia to launch a commercial high-definition television service. Singapore viewers can now truly enjoy National Geographic Channel’s unsurpassed quality programming and compelling stories in stunning visuals and cinematic surround sound.”

Consumers must subscribe to a minimum of three Basic Groups and HD Plus, and own StarHub’s HD set-top box and a HD-ready TV set in order to enjoy StarHub’s new HDTV service.

MUMBAI: To coincide with the Midem music trade show, mobile firm Orange is bringing out a new unlimited subscription plan for video-on-demand, available on Orange TV in France.

A catalogue of music programmes will be on offer for 4.99 euros a month with more than 300 long clips like concerts, documentaries, TV programmes, etc and 2,000 video clips.

The new offer is the latest addition to the extensive Orange music portfolio which covers nine countries and allows customers to access an international catalogue of 1 million titles following agreements with both major international and independent record labels.

The new offer gives Orange TV subscribers in France unlimited use of a wide choice of music content. They can enjoy on-demand access to the entire catalogue of music programmes with leading artists including Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Shakira.

Subscribers can select a title from more than 300 longer clips (concerts, documentaries, TV programmes, etc.) and 2,000 video clips from any musical genre. These titles are made available through partnerships with:

* Sony BMG

* EMI Music

* I-Concerts

* Eagle Rock

The forthcoming arrival of two new partners, Warner Music and Universal Music, will further enhance the offering.

A portfolio of music services available in nine countries.

This latest addition to Orange’s impressive line-up of music services is available to Orange mobile customers in nine countries (Belgium, France, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Slovakia, Switzerland and the UK) and internet customers in three countries (France, Spain, and the UK):

Orange customers can access music through the following services:

* Orange Music Store: gives access to an international catalogue of 1million titles,

* Orange Music Player: a multimedia player for downloading music or videos;

* Orange Music Cast: personalised mobile and internet radio. Launched in May 2006, Orange Music Cast is a mobile application that gives customers (with a compatible phone), access to a package of theme-based radio stations, which users can adapt to their own musical tastes (Urban, Pop/Rock, Latin, Jazz,…) as well as access their own favourite radio stations. Orange Music Cast is available both in a subscription service (EUR9.99) or in a 24 hour service (EUR2) ;

* Live Radio: This the firm says is the first independent wifi radio, lets users listen to thousands of radio stations from around the world and on the web, as well as podcasts and audio books, even without turning on your computer;

* SMS Jukebox, a new service which is being premiered at the Wifi Café Orange during Midem 2007. A playlist of songs is presented in a menu with a code for each one. All customers have to do is select a song and send the corresponding code by SMS. They then receive a message specifying the waiting time before the song is played… in the restaurant or cafe. Orange is looking to reinvent the jukebox, with a new mobile dimension.

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal on Friday adjourned the hearing in the appeal by Tata Sky against Zee Turner‘s demand for carrying all the channels they have on offer.

The case, which relates also to the technical issue of transponder constraint, has been adjourned till 9 February, as the counsel for Zee Turner contested the contention of Tata Sky that the regulations of Trai did not have a “must carry” provison., but just a “must provide” provision.

The Zee Turner counsel said that there exist two specific Trai-issued documents that could be placed in the court right away, or later, as the court thought fit, which show that Trai regulations carry a “must carry” provision. The court finally fixed 9 February as the date for filing those documents with a note from the Zee counsel.Reading out the affidavit to seek to prove his point, the Tata Sky counsel said that Trai had made four points in the affidavit: first, that it was considering the issue and consultative paper would be issued, without fixing a timeframe for that; secondly, that the affidavit does say that there are capacity constraints on the transponders; thirdly, that DTH is at par with the cable operations, being an addressable system; and finally, that Trai says its regulations did have a “must provide”, but not a “must carry” provision.Tata Sky‘s argument was that since the regulations did not enforce any “must carry” provision, the DTH operator was not bound to carry all the channels provided as package/s by a broadcaster.To this, however, the Zee counsel asserted that there were two earlier documents by Trai that specifically assert a “must carry” provision, and these could be produced in the court.
Part of the dispute between Tata Sky and Zee Turner rests on the fact that the latter has been insisting that the DTH operator carry all its channels and could not “pick and chose” from them.The former had argued that the transponder constraint does not allow them to run each and every channel from a broadcaster they take signals from.

In this context, in the earlier hearing on 2 January, Tdsat had asked Trai to look into the transponder issue as well as other issues. Trai has said today that transponder constraint is a reality.On this, Tata Sky today pleaded that since Trai was considering issuing a consultation paper, and yet, not fixed a date for that, Tdsat may ask Trai to fix a date and issue an interim order to that effect.However, the proceedings took a different turn with the Zee Turner counsel bringing up the issue of Trai documents mandating a “must carry” provision.

MUMBAI: The second wave of FM privatization will see Sun TV and four other private broadcasters launching their FM channels. In preparation for this Sun and the other private broadcasters planning to launch 57 frequencies ordered new transmitters from Broadcast Electronics (BE) in the past month.

These orders are in addition to the BE FM transmitters previously ordered as a result of privatization, which will eventually bring new FM licenses to 90 markets in India.A total of 70 BE transmission systems have been ordered by private FM broadcasters so far, putting BE in the lead according to Technomedia Solutions managing director P.S. Sundaram which represents Broadcast Electronics in India. BE is a turnkey provider of RF and studio systems and provides local, ongoing service for complete transmitter sites.

Of the 57 BE transmitter systems ordered in the past month Sun TV ordered 38 BE FM systems for its Kal Radio Ltd and South Asia Ltd operations. Sri Puran Ltd ordered eight BE transmitter systems, Malar Publications Ltd ordered six, Malayala Manorama ordered four and Purvy Ltd ordered one BE transmitter system.These recent orders are in addition to the nine BE FM systems ordered by Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL) for its Radio Mirchi brand, which broadcast the first private FM signals in April 2006 using BE transmitters. Kal Radio Ltd and South Asia Ltd, part of Sun TV, also set up BE transmitters in three centers and went on-air in Nov 2006. Malar Publications Ltd launched an FM service at Chennai, Hello FM, with a BE transmitter.

‘Privatization of the FM band is going to have a wide-reaching impact on the people of India, and we‘re obviously very honored that so many of these private broadcasters are putting their trust in BE products, said Broadcast Electronics Asia Pacific sales manager Frank Massa.Transmitter models vary from BE‘s ultra-efficient solid state C series to its reliable, cost-effective single-tube T series, with output powers ranging from 3 kW to 10 kW. Every BE transmitter system has an FXi digital FM exciter which is the only exciter with direct-to-channel RF generator for superior RF and audio performance.

MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom has implemented Oracle 11i E-Business Suit as its ERP applications in order to manage data of different lines of its businesses. The multi-system operate offers services in areas of cable TV, broadband and cable channels.

Covered in the first phase were the purchase, stores and inventory, accounts and finance functions. This went live from 18 January. In the next phase, which will start shortly, the ERP solutions will involve the human resources, marketing and sales functions.

Hathway has engaged the services of Satyam Computer Services for the implementation of this project.

“Our business processes are ready and in line with Oracle‘s integrated solutions which will tightly integrate the various functions, business processes, key stakeholders and employees across the organisation through this ERP solution,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO K Jayaraman.

In April 2006, Hathway decided to implement Oracle Applications 11i E-Business Suite This was to run on HP servers using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 Advanced Server and Oracle 10g database on the Sun server platform.

“The implementation of this ERP solution is expected to provide better visibility on our transactions and inventory. This will improve our customer delivery performance, reduce inventory and process cycle while bringing down operating costs. The solution is also expected to better cost of compliance and resource utilization through standardized processes, and improve customer service with better controls,” said Jayaraman.

In the past the two companies have collaborated on films including “Omkara” and “I See You”. The deal includes films such as “Namaste London”, “Eklavya – The Royal Guard”, “No Smoking” and “Friends Forever.”.

“With mobile and wireless connectivity in India growing at an impressive 80 per cent CAGR, the opportunity to monetise Bollywood content through mobile properties such as ringtones, wallpapers, songs and video clips is becoming increasingly lucrative,” Eros said in a statement.Eros‘ content will be distributed on Mauj‘s international telecom network. “The Mauj deal is a significant landmark in Eros’ commitment to tap into the new media opportunities presented by digital convergence. The deal enhances Eros’s recent expansion into music publishing as most mobile content is derived from Bollywood musicals. Mauj has created a niche in the mobile space within a short span of time and we are pleased to be working with them to unlock further value in our mobile content,” said Eros International chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla.

Added Mauj chairman and managing director Anupam Mittal, “Eros International is one of the largest content owners in the Bollywood business and has a very strong pipeline of forthcoming films. We were keen to secure the deal to distribute that premium content on mobile platforms in an increasingly competitive environment. Eros’ content combined with Mauj’s technical infrastructure and relationships with mobile networks operators make this an attractive deal for both companies.”

MUMBAI: The Star Group‘s internet portal, indya.com has announced the launch of a digital entertainment store, by which users can download content. Among top shows on the network, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Koffee With Karan will be made available for download. indya.com is also working with other content providers to bring Indian documentaries, current affairs updates, films and music online.

The service is powered by Direct2Drive, Fox Interactive Media‘s digital retail store, which already offers an array of downloadable film, television and anime content from providers, such as 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Films, and Starz Entertainment. Users can access the service at http://broadband.indya.com.

Single episodes are now available for free on a trial basis in order to allow users to sample the quality of the content and service. Additional episodes are priced starting from US$0.99 though special discounts are available for bundle purchases. Additionally, indya.com‘s exclusive recap episodes will be available for top serials, chronicling an entire week of events in a 45-minute specially created recap. Recap episodes for shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, are available now in the same week as aired on TV, with other shows to be added to the mix in the near future, informs an official release.

It will be available worldwide and is targeted at broadband-enabled South Asian audiences in the U.S., U.K., Canada and South East Asia.

The new service is offered via a “download-to-own” model, in which content is downloaded to the end-user‘s PC. Purchased content is then playable on up to two Windows Media compatible devices, including portable players, allowing consumers to view their content on the go, adds the release.

“This is the first time an Asian internet portal has made this kind of scale of entertainment content available online,” said Star India executive vice president and head, interactive media Ajay Vidyasagar. “We are very pleased to be able to launch the service with a number of Star‘s popular properties and look forward to working with other content providers in order to offer broadband enabled South Asians the world over the best entertainment content for download.”

MUMBAI: Intelsat has announced that Intelsat Ltd., Board of Directors chairman (retired) Conny Kullman, is a 2007 inductee to the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Satellite Hall of Fame.

SSPI will induct its new Hall of Fame members at an invitational ceremony on 20 February, immediately before the start of the annual SSPI Gala, held on the opening day of the Satellite 2007 Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., informs an official release.”Conny led Intelsat through its privatization and began the challenging task of transforming the company from an intergovernmental organization to a commercial company, positioning Intelsat to become the leading global satellite operator,” said Intelsat CEO Dave McGlade. “His many achievements throughout his career shaped Intelsat and the industry.”

The release adds that Kullman led Intelsat and its global employee base through its privatization, and its metamorphosis into a highly competitive operator. In addition, he was a driving force behind commercial, operational and engineering changes during his tenure as Intelsat‘s chief executive officer from 1998-2005. Under his leadership, Kullman implemented a terrestrial strategy resulting in the development of Intelsat‘s GlobalConnex portfolio suite of services, which now represents approximately $130 million in annual revenues. In addition, Kullman led a $2.5 billion, three year fleet replenishment campaign that increased available capacity in growth markets. In 2003, Kullman was at the helm when Intelsat announced its acquisition of the North American satellites of Loral Space and Communications, providing Intelsat with access to the North American market and completing Intelsat‘s global system.In 2004, Kullman recognized the opportunity to achieve the goals of the Orbit Act while at the same time obtaining premium shareholder returns, by conducting an LBO process which resulted in the acquisition of Intelsat by a consortium of private equity firms at a competitive price. Kullman capped his career in 2005 as chairman of Intelsat, playing a critical role in the completion of Intelsat‘s acquisition of PanAmSat.

BANGALORE: Zapak Digital Entertainment (Zapak) a Reliance ADA Group venture, announced the launch of India’s first full-feature online ‘Multiplayer Chess’.

The Multiplayer Option provides the advantage of playing against your friend who could be anywhere across the world, and also has three difficulty levels; for beginners, advanced players and experts. Zapak.com also launched ‘Multiplayer Speed Chess’, where the player has only ten seconds to make a move.Koneru Humpy, the Reigning World Junior Champion, only 33 ELO points away from being called ‘Super Grandmaster Champion‘ and Tania Sachdeva, the Reigning Asian Junior Girls Champion, unveiled the game and showcased the gameplay.

Speaking about the performance of the portal on this occasion, Zapak COO Rohit Sharma, said, “We have become the fastest growing portal in less than two months from launch reaching 5,00,000 registrations and crossing 5,00,00,000 page views. The performance of the portal has surely exceeded our expectations and we are continuously adding new features on our website so that we exceed our players’ expectations. In fact we have even witnessed registrations from Vishakhapatnam, Siliguri, Jabalpur, Ludhiana, etc besides the Metros and even International Locations.

Computer gaming the world over is dominated by males – almost 85% of the gamers are male, however according to Sharma, Zapak has around 25-30% female subscribers, a swing from the norm, while discussing the current three TVC’s on air which focus on males. The TVCs’ have been created by Marketing Ants, while the Reliance internal team handles the media part. Over the last two months since the launch of the gaming site around Rs.45 million have been spent on the media campaign according to Reliance Entertainment president Rajesh Sawhney.

Currently on offer is a bouquet of 160 plus games on the site with plans to ramp this number up to 500 games by the end of March this year. Zapak also announced an online chess championship for the Zapak Grandmaster starting February 01 this year with a prize purse of Rs.100,000/- for the Grandmaster.

According to Reliance estimates, the global gaming industry is worth around US$45 billion and is expected to grow to US$53 billion (which would make it larger than the Hollywood film industry), while that of the Indian industry is expected to grow to US$424 million by 2010.