ITV

Category: Software

  • DigiVive bags mobile streaming rights for Ind-Zim series

    NEW DELHI: DigiVive has bagged the mobile streaming rights for live and repeat ODI matches between India and Zimbabwe from Seven Sports.


    The master distributor of the India-Zimbabwe series is Taj sports. The five ODI match series scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe between 24 July and 3 August will be streamed on DigiVive‘s mobile TV platform nexGTv. Over 14 million users of nexGTv and nexGTv HD will be able to enjoy the live matches right on their handsets.


    Also, users will be able to watch matches at their convenience by watching repeat matches under the Video-on-Demand section.







    DigiVive‘s mobile TV service nexGTv is second only to YouTube in video streaming space on mobile experiencing over 30,000 downloads every day is what the mobile service claims. In the past also DigiVive had picked up rights to stream live events, especially cricket series like T20 World Cup, IPL 2013 and others, attracting huge audience on nexGTv.


    nexGTv‘s continuous strive towards providing appropriate and desirable content like Indian cricket matches, live channels, short and full-length movies, premium content during festivals, etc. has made it the people‘s choice for entertainment.


    nexGTv has maintained its top position on various online stores and on other app stores as it remains among top five apps in the entertainment category.


    DigiVive director G.D. Singh said, “Cricketing events on nexGTv help us to connect with masses at large because this is what they want to see and stay connected to.”


    “Cricket on mobile platform has become a popular phenomenon through nexGTv. Now people are not only watching live action on the move on nexGTv but it is becoming a second television at homes. We have been living to our commitment of offering all Indian cricket extravaganzas to our end users. This will enable them to watch entire five match series”, Singh added. 

  • TDSAT directs Media Pro to restore signals to Lucknow MSO

    NEW DELHI: In an order that may help multi-system operators whose applications for DAS licence are pending with the government, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Media Pro Enterprises to restore television signals to Lucknow-9 Cable Network of Lucknow as an interim measure.

    The Lucknow-based operator had said that its application for licence under Digital Access System (DAS) has been pending before the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for several months.

    Chairperson Justice Aftab Alam and member Kuldeep Singh also directed the Lucknow network to file an affidavit to the effect that its application filed in the Ministry for grant of license under Rule 11 C of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 was not defective but was complete and in order, in all respects. It would also file a copy of the application in a sealed cover.


    Meanwhile, the Lucknow-based operator would pay to content aggregator Media Pro all dues following a reconciliation of accounts and further to file an undertaking before this Tribunal that it would transmit or retransmit programmes of any channels following the provisions of section 4 A of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. This undertaking has already been filed.


    Media Pro counsel Tejveer Singh Bhatia had told the Tribunal that his client could not supply the signals as it was prohibited from doing so under clause 3(2) of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Television Systems) Regulations, 2012 ‘for the simple reason that the Petitioner did not have a license under Regulation 11 C of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.’


    But Counsel for the operator Vikram Singh said as there was inordinate delay in the grant of license, the operator had approached the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court which had disposed off the Petition by order dated 2 June 2013 directing the concerned authority to rid the application for license within 15 days from the date of receipt of the certified copy of that order. Counsel also stated that the date stipulated in the High Court’s order has expired on 2 July 2013 but it has so far not received any communication in regard to its application for the license.

  • Tata Sky to relay Pankaj Udhas live in concert on Actve Music

    NEW DELHI: The eminent ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas will now feature in the musical concert ‘Khazana – a festival of Ghazals‘ live on Tata Sky‘s interactive platform, Actve Music. While the event takes place in Mumbai, Tata Sky subscribers across the country will enjoy the Ghazal maestros live from the comfort of their homes.






    Celebrating eleven glorious years of soulful melodies, “Khazana – a festival of Ghazals”, will raise funds for Cancer and Thalassemic patients and children through an annual event that provides a rare opportunity for Ghazal aficionados to experience the rich and vibrant performances of India‘s top performers on 26 and 27 July.


    This year, “Khazana” will feature a multitude of talents including Bhupinder and Mitali Singh, Anup Jalota, Talat Aziz, Ahmed Hussain and Mohd. Hussain, Kavita Seth, Sudeep Banerji, Runa and Neha Rizvi, Anita Singhvi, Sumeet Tapoo, Pooja Gaitonde and Pankaj Udhas.


    Tata Sky has associated with Hungama.com (which powers the Actve Music service), to bring to its customers, a first of its kind event where Pankaj Udhas will officially launch his Album ‘Sentimental‘ exclusively on Tata Sky Actve Music. A sneak peak of the album was made available exclusively to the Tata Sky.

  • Google’s North America web traffic bigger than FB, Netflix and Instagram combined

    MUMBAI: Search engine giant Google on an average day reportedly handles 25 per cent of web traffic running through North American internet service providers (ISPs) which makes it bigger than Facebook, Netflix and Instagram combined.


    Founder of Deepfield, the internet monitoring company, Craig Labovitz said that over the past year Google has become pervasive not just in Google data centers, but throughout the North American internet and 62 per cent of smartphones, tablets and other devices that tap into the internet from throughout North America connect to Google at least once a day. According to the report, Google‘s lion share of the web traffic comes from YouTube and the growing traffic is the reason why Google is building data centers as fast as possible and has data centers on four continents.


    Google has added thousands of servers called Google Global Cache servers to ISPs around the world which store the most popular content from Google‘s network and then serve it directly from the ISP‘s data center, rather than streaming it all the way from Google‘s data center.


    Labovitz said that Google and Netflix‘s move into so many of the ISP network operation centers is likely to be followed by other internet giants like Apple and Facebook, the report added.

  • Big Flix joins hand with Shemaroo Entertainment

    MUMBAI: Reliance Entertainment Digital‘s movie-on-demand service, Big Flix, has formed a licensing agreement with one of the leading content houses of the country – Shemaroo Entertainment. The alliance will allow users of Big Flix to stream a wide range of blockbusters movies by Shemaroo Entertainment – ranging from black and white films to some of the most recent releases.







    The catalogue offers an assortment of classics to latest hits with a blend of genres in multiple languages – Hindi, Marathi and Tamil. Few of the finest Hindi classics like the iconic film Mughal-E-Azam, Raj Kapoor‘s Anari, Mithun‘s Disco Dancer, Rajesh Khanna‘s Roti to some of the contemporary films like Amitabh Bachchan‘s Black, Aamir Khan‘s Sarfarosh, Vidya Balan‘s Ishqiya & The Dirty Picture and so on form the part of the list.


    The Marathi catalogue will feature key titles like Aaichcha Gondhal, Abhimanyu, Joshi ki Kamble and Juiley, while Tamil titles like Balam, Ivar, Mahesh Saranya Matrum Palar and Manja Velu will the add to the variety of the Shemaroo catalogue on Big Flix.







    Commenting on the association with Shemaroo Entertainment, Big Flix business head Shreyash Sigtia said, “There is a definite demand for classic films amongst movie enthusiasts and Shemaroo Entertainment is credited to have given Indian audiences some iconic and successful titles in Bollywood for decades now. We are delighted to partner with Shemaroo Entertainment to add an array of blockbusters from every decade to the existing catalogue on Big Flix. The multi-lingual catalogue will cater perfectly to the movie enthusiasts who desire an assortment of film entertainment anytime, anywhere. Also with this alliance, Big Flix continues to tie up with leading entertainment companies, thereby acquiring internet rights of some of the best titles of the industry.”


    Shemaroo Entertainment director Jai Maroo said, “We are glad to join hands with Big Flix as the association is in line with our strategy to be one of the major content providers across countries. Our vision is to be present on all devices, any time and on any connection. Big Flix being a prominent online platform in digital space will help us cater to wider range of audience across geographies. Shemaroo has turned into a one-stop-shop for many of the platforms where we not only provide the content but also manage it.”

  • DTT households to double by 2018 according to Digital TV Research

    MUMBAI: The number of homes receiving DTT signals is forecast to more than double in the next five years, reaching 553 million, according to Digital TV Research.


    According to the Digital Terrestrial TV Forecasts report, the number of primary DTT homes – those not subscribing to cable, IPTV or satellite TV and using DTT on their main set – will also double between 2013 and 2018, reaching 280 million.


    This would mean that 173 million homes – which is 31 per cent of the DTT total – will only watch DTT signals on secondary sets by 2018. This is up from the 64 million at the end of 2012.







    By 2018, more than one-third of the world‘s TV households will receive DTT signals; this figure was only 15 per cent at the end of 2012. Of this total, nearly one-quarter will be primary DTT homes by 2018, up from the one-tenth in 2012.


    Western Europe accounted for more than 40 per cent of the global total at the end of last year. The region, however, is poised to lose market share, contributing 19 per cent of the total by 2018. This is despite its total DTT household figure increasing by 20 per cent, to 105 million. Western Europe will be primarily losing its market share to the Asia Pacific, which is set to increase from 28 per cent of the global total in 2012 to 43 per cent by 2018.


    Even though the US has low DTT penetration, it still claimed the top spot in 2012 as the largest country by DTT households. These rankings are set to shift quite a bit over the next five years, though. China is expected to add 132 million DTT homes by 2018, becoming the largest DTT country by a wide margin. Brazil will add 30 million, taking second place, with number three Russia adding 19 million. India will have 15 million DTT homes by 2018, and it had none at end-2012.

  • TRAI releases consultation paper on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum”

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 23 July released a consultation paper on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum”.


    On 10 July 2013 the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) sought the TRAI‘s recommendations on the applicable reserve price for the auction of spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. In this context, TRAI has issued this consultation paper raising specific issues for consideration of stakeholders. The key issues raised in the consultation paper are quantum of spectrum to be auctioned, eligibility for participation, roll-out obligations, methods to be used for valuation and estimation of reserve price of spectrum, review of spectrum usage charges and spectrum trading.


    Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 14 August 2013 and counter-comments by 21 August 2013 by the regulator. Stakeholders have been requested to send their comments by the due dates as there is an urgency to complete the consultation process. In its reference, the DoT has stated that, in light of the Honourable Supreme Courts‘s directive, TRAI may consider an expedited process; hence there will be no further extension of timelines.


    This is also an advance notice that open house discussion on the consultation paper will be held on 26 August 2013 in New Delhi.

  • Hathway Broadband launches High speed Wi‐Fi Broadband Homes

    Hathway Broadband launches High speed Wi‐Fi Broadband Homes

    MUMBAI: Hathway Broadband Internet, one of the largest cable broadband companies in India, has announced a tie up with D‐Link to offer High speed Wi‐Fi routers bundled in the market under the “Wi‐Fi Broadband Homes” initiative.

    All existing and new customers of Hathway Broadband across the country can avail this offer and convert their wired homes into “Wi‐Fi Broadband homes” with speed of upto 15Mbps. Hathway has achieved a significant penetration into the consumer home segment since the implementation of DAS through its Digital Cable Business . The company intends to leverage on its robust Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) network to deliver a superior Broadband Experience to the Home Internet users.

    “Consumer Broadband usage has shifted to concurrent multiple wireless device consumption at home” said Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar. “Hathway Wi‐Fi Broadband Home Solution, combines a high speed broadband delivered on our superior HFC network combined with the best in class D‐Link Wi‐Fi router. It is the most efficient and economical way to harness the power of all your Wi‐Fi enabled devices like tablets, smartphones and laptops at home.”

    Expressing his views on this association with Hathway, D‐Link CEO Tushar Sighat said, “Hathway is leading broadband service provider in the country, while D‐Link is an undisputed leader offering internet connecting devices for over two decades. Thus this unison will definitely result in an uninterrupted, reliable & revolutionary wireless internet service for home users. With   the unique mydlink cloud router on the offering we are confident to bring alive a never before secured Wi‐Fi broadband experience.”

    “A typical modern family by using the Wi‐Fi Broadband Home solution at home can save upto Rs 500 per month” said Hathway Broadband business head Kunal Ramteke. “All modern Wi‐Fi devices like tabs and smartphones seamlessly switch their data usage from a cellular Edge/3G network to the Wi‐Fi Broadband home network where‐ever available. Therefore customers will now enjoy a significantly superior internet experience at a lower cost with D‐Link Wi‐fi Broadband homes.”

    Hathway will not charge any one time fee or monthly rentals for the Wi‐Fi device. D‐Link Wi‐Fi router will be given to the customers for free at zero cost.  However customers would be charged a nominal fully refundable security deposit. 

    All D‐Link Wi‐Fi routers provided by Hathway will also enjoy a hassle free replacement advantage at no cost and will be supported by D‐Link Direct Service (DDS)

  • Set Max goes big on marketing for Aashiqui 2

    Set Max goes big on marketing for Aashiqui 2

    MUMBAI: It is the world television premier of one of the biggest blockbusters and Set Max is doing it in style. Sony Entertainment Television network that had recently added a horde of movies to its library has been going gung-ho with its marketing for the world television premier of Aashiqui 2. The musical blockbuster premieres for the first time on the movie channel on 28 July.
    Aashiqui 2‘s lead actors have been roped in to promote the premiere on various platforms including a few channels and the digital space

    “We have retained the essence of the movie, which is romance and music, while marketing it to our audiences. Through the marketing initiatives undertaken, we are trying to recreate and refresh the blockbuster movie amongst the viewers,” informs Multi Screen Media head of marketing Vaishali Sharma.

    The marketing plan which spans over 15 days prior to the telecast and covers Mumbai and Delhi captures the mood of the movie, using different mediums. The lead actors of the movie Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor have been roped in to shoot promos for on-air contests, digital contests, YouTube promos, on-air-main-day date-time-and-coming-soon promos as well as three contest questions and winner announcement bytes that will play during the movie. The actors have also posed for Facebook love top stills.

    “The actors are personally inviting people to see the movie on Max and also to take part in the digital contests. We have also used them to motivate people to send their Aashiqui photos and moments,” adds Sharma. The best photo amongst the lot will feature on the channel on the movie‘s telecast date.

    The musical blockbuster raked in the moolah (Rs 78.3 crore) at the box office in the domestic market. The channel has built its marketing campaign around the hype and response the movie had received during its release. Set Max has created one promo each for broadcast channels, YouTube channel, Facebook and the on-air contest. Special promos of the movie were also shot and screened during the screening of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Ramaiya Vastavaiya in both multiplexes and single screen theatres across Mumbai.
    To engage its 1.2 mn fanbase on Facebook, the channel has launched an Aashiqui 2LoveMeter application

    “It is a youth centric movie. Though strategically we are reaching out to the larger audience base, we have innovatively also reached out to the youth through our innovative marketing strategy,” she adds.

    Set Max has also taken television slots in various youth centric music channels. “To attract the young audiences, we will also have a contest which will run during the movie, the winner of the contest will get a chance to go on a dinner date with the lead actors,” informs Sharma.

    On the OOH platform, executed by Storyboard Brandcom , the channel has built its marketing strategy on the theme ‘romance’. “We realised that the music of the film was a big hit. With this in mind, around ten bus shelters across Mumbai are planned to be converted to musical bus stands, playing Aashiqui 2 music to attract audiences. The activity will be done three to four days prior to the telecast date,” she says.

    For on-ground promotions, the team will hold activities like ‘Give a rose to person you love’ outside National College in Bandra, Mumbai. While the dry run of the activity was held on 22 July, the final activity will be organised a day before the telecast of the movie. “A big poster of the movie, all covered with roses will be set up outside the college. Youngsters will be asked to stand next to the poster and pluck a rose from the poster and give it to their loved ones. There will be few secret roses which will have dinner vouchers for those participating in the activity,” reveals Sharma.
    In an effort to promote the premiere, a 360 degree campaign is being carried out in Mumbai and Delhi

    The channel wants to re-create the buzz around the movie and with this in mind it will also have models posing as mannequins on Saturday at Bandstand, in Mumbai. “Models will hold placards about the movie and depict the signature pose of the lead pair from Aashiqui 2. This is being done a day prior to the telecast to attract more people to Set Max on Sunday,” she adds.

    The Facebook page of Set Max which has 1.2 million followers started daily love tip for its followers, through which fans will be advised on their love life. Also a special ‘Aashiqui 2Lovemeter’ has been created that calculates the love quotient between partners.

    The lead actors of Lootera– Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha were also roped in to promoteAashiqui 2. “The theme for the movies aired this month was Ishq wala July. And Lootera, a romantic movie was also released this month.”

    The channel has a host of advertisers lined up for the telecast of the movie. Line (Android, iOS App) is the presenting sponsor for the movie, while Oral B is the powered by sponsor. The associate sponsors are Aquaguard, Cucumber, Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk, Godrej No.1, Videocon, Red Chief Shoes and Relispray Nitron.

    Ask why after so many world television premiers aired earlier on the channel, Set Max is going gung-ho on the promotional activity: answers Sharma, “We saw a great potential in this film. It was a blockbuster and hence, gave us the opportunity to scale up marketing.”

    The movie will be aired twice on 28 July: first at 1 pm and then at 8 pm. The channel is looking at getting audiences in both the slots, even repeat audiences. The on-air contest will be aired in the 1pm slot, while the winners will be revealed in the 8pm slot.

    The channel has carved a new space for itself in movie marketing. It definitely has started a trend, but will this effort add on to the GRPs of the channel?The coming Sunday will reveal.

  • Google to invest in Himax

    Google to invest in Himax

    MUMBAI: Taiwan based Himax Technologies announced that Google will acquire 6.3 per cent interest in the company‘s subsidiary, Himax Display (HD).

    The purpose of the investment is to fund production upgrades, expand capacity and further enhance production capabilities at HD‘s facilities that produce liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) chips and modules used in applications including head?mounted display (HMD) such as Google Glass, head?up display (HUD) and pico?projector products.

    Under the Agreement, Himax will also invest additional amount in HDI to fund its ongoing capacity expansion. HDI will also use a portion of the proceeds to substantially reduce its loan from Himax. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013 subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

    Google also has an option to make additional investment of preferred shares at the same price within one year from closing. If the option is exercised in full, Google will own a total of up to 14.8 per cent in HDI. Himax Technologies holds 81.5 per cent of HDI at present and will remain the major shareholder of HDI after the transaction. Google will join the core group of HDI share holders including KPCB Holdings, Khosla Ventures I, L.P. and Intel Capital Corporation.

    Google‘s investment in HDI will not have a dilutive effect on Himax‘s Nasdaq?traded shares, HIMX.

    Founded in 2004, Himax Display has focused on developing commercial applications for LCOS technologies, in?house manufacturing expertise and production lines with proven, high?volume shipment track records. Over the last few years, HDI has devoted its research and development of its LCOS technology for new applications of head? mounted display and other wearable computing applications.