Category: English Entertainment

Q3-16: DIRECTV mitigates AT&T U-Verse TV subscriber numbers fall

BENGALURU: AT&T acquired DIRECTV added 323,000 net subscribers and hence helped mitigate the company’s Entertainment and Internet Services Group (Entertainment) segment’s loss of 326,000 U-Verse subscribers for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q3-16, current quarter). About 70 percent of DIRECTV net additions were consumers transitioning from U-Verse says the company. The Entertainment Group ended the quarter with 25.3 million (2.53 crore) video subscribers. Further, the company says it has added 156,000 broadband subscribers during the current quarter.

However, the total number of video connections of the Entertainment Group were slightly lower than the 25.4 million connections in Q3-16. At September 30, 2016, Entertainment had approximately 51.0 million revenue connections, compared to 52.6 million at September 30, 2015,

Total revenues of the segment were $12.7 billion ($1,270 crore), up 17.1 percent versus the year-earlier quarter mostly due to the acquisition of DIRECTV. Also contributing to the gain was continued growth in consumer IP services informs the company. Video and Ad sales constitute about 70 percent of the Entertainment Group’s revenue, IP Voice/Data about 19 percent legacy and other revenues the balance 11 percent. Broadband revenues were up 5 percent in the quarter with IP broadband growing by 12 percent. AdWorks has grown to a $1.5 billion ($150 crore) annualized revenue stream with double-digit revenue growth year to date and strong margins.

Consolidated Numbers

AT&T’s consolidated revenues for the third quarter totaled $40.9 billion ($4,900 crore) , up 4.6 per cent versus the year-earlier period due to the July 24, 2015 acquisition of DIRECTV. Excluding the impact of the DIRECTV acquisition and foreign exchange, revenues were essentially flat, as growth in video and IP-based services mostly offset pressures from declines in wireless and legacy services. Compared with results for the third quarter of 2015, operating expenses were $34.5 billion ($3,450 crore) versus $33.2 billion ($3,320 crore); operating income was $6.4 billion ($s 640 crore) versus $5.9 billion ($590 crore) ; and operating income margin was 15.7 percent versus 15.2 percent. When adjusting for $0.14 of amortization, $0.03 in merger- and integration-related costs and $0.03 of employee-separation costs, operating income was $8.3 billion ($830 crore) versus $7.9 billion ($790 crore); and operating income margin was 20.3 percent, consistent with the year-ago quarter.

Third-quarter net income attributable to AT&T totalled $3.3 billion ($330 crore) or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to $3.0 billion ($300 crore), or $0.50 per diluted share, in the year ago quarter. Adjusting for $0.20 of amortization, merger- and integration related costs and other expenses, earnings per diluted share was $0.74 compared to an adjusted $0.74 in the year-ago quarter.

Time-Warner takeover

As mentioned earlier, AT&T plans to take over Time Warner in a blockbuster $85.4 billion ($8,540 crore) that will completely change the media landscape, A Senate subcommittee responsible for competition will hold a hearing in November 2016. Media reports say that the announcement of the deal has raised concerns in the US, ‘with lawmakers, analysts and advocacy groups closely watching to see if the union, or any that follow in its wake, poses harm to consumers’ says a New York Times report.

According to a BBC report, a spokesman for the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has said there were “a number of questions and concerns” about the deal that regulators needed to scrutinise, but added “there’s still a lot of information that needs to come out before any conclusions should be reached”.

The BBC report further alleges that Republican candidate Donald Trump has said that he would block the merger if he wins, because it was “too much concentration of power in the hands of too few”.

October 25, 2016
Q3-16: DIRECTV mitigates AT&T U-Verse TV subscriber numbers fall

BENGALURU: AT&T acquired DIRECTV added 323,000 net subscribers and hence helped mitigate the company’s Entertainment and Internet Services Group (Entertainment) segment’s loss of 326,000 U-Verse subscribers for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q3-16, current quarter). About 70 percent of DIRECTV net additions were consumers transitioning from U-Verse says the company. The Entertainment Group ended the quarter with 25.3 million (2.53 crore) video subscribers. Further, the company says it has added 156,000 broadband subscribers during the current quarter.

However, the total number of video connections of the Entertainment Group were slightly lower than the 25.4 million connections in Q3-16. At September 30, 2016, Entertainment had approximately 51.0 million revenue connections, compared to 52.6 million at September 30, 2015,

Total revenues of the segment were $12.7 billion ($1,270 crore), up 17.1 percent versus the year-earlier quarter mostly due to the acquisition of DIRECTV. Also contributing to the gain was continued growth in consumer IP services informs the company. Video and Ad sales constitute about 70 percent of the Entertainment Group’s revenue, IP Voice/Data about 19 percent legacy and other revenues the balance 11 percent. Broadband revenues were up 5 percent in the quarter with IP broadband growing by 12 percent. AdWorks has grown to a $1.5 billion ($150 crore) annualized revenue stream with double-digit revenue growth year to date and strong margins.

Consolidated Numbers

AT&T’s consolidated revenues for the third quarter totaled $40.9 billion ($4,900 crore) , up 4.6 per cent versus the year-earlier period due to the July 24, 2015 acquisition of DIRECTV. Excluding the impact of the DIRECTV acquisition and foreign exchange, revenues were essentially flat, as growth in video and IP-based services mostly offset pressures from declines in wireless and legacy services. Compared with results for the third quarter of 2015, operating expenses were $34.5 billion ($3,450 crore) versus $33.2 billion ($3,320 crore); operating income was $6.4 billion ($s 640 crore) versus $5.9 billion ($590 crore) ; and operating income margin was 15.7 percent versus 15.2 percent. When adjusting for $0.14 of amortization, $0.03 in merger- and integration-related costs and $0.03 of employee-separation costs, operating income was $8.3 billion ($830 crore) versus $7.9 billion ($790 crore); and operating income margin was 20.3 percent, consistent with the year-ago quarter.

Third-quarter net income attributable to AT&T totalled $3.3 billion ($330 crore) or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to $3.0 billion ($300 crore), or $0.50 per diluted share, in the year ago quarter. Adjusting for $0.20 of amortization, merger- and integration related costs and other expenses, earnings per diluted share was $0.74 compared to an adjusted $0.74 in the year-ago quarter.

Time-Warner takeover

As mentioned earlier, AT&T plans to take over Time Warner in a blockbuster $85.4 billion ($8,540 crore) that will completely change the media landscape, A Senate subcommittee responsible for competition will hold a hearing in November 2016. Media reports say that the announcement of the deal has raised concerns in the US, ‘with lawmakers, analysts and advocacy groups closely watching to see if the union, or any that follow in its wake, poses harm to consumers’ says a New York Times report.

According to a BBC report, a spokesman for the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has said there were “a number of questions and concerns” about the deal that regulators needed to scrutinise, but added “there’s still a lot of information that needs to come out before any conclusions should be reached”.

The BBC report further alleges that Republican candidate Donald Trump has said that he would block the merger if he wins, because it was “too much concentration of power in the hands of too few”.

October 25, 2016
Content a ‘Game of Thrones’; AT&T’s control over HBO, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros faces regulatory lens

MUMBAI: The global media landscape is resulting in a new juggernaut as an internet and cable behemoth yesterday purchased an entertainment conglomerate making the former unmatched in its size and reach to consumers through home broadband, smartphones, satellite television and a battery of movies and cable channels. This deal could lead to more cautionary flags than Comcast’s merger with NBCUniversal in 2009.

The US$ 108.7-billion AT&T, Time Warner merger has been met with suspicion as analysts raised antitrust concerns that it would create unfair pricing and lead to further media consolidation. The
cash-and-stock deal values Time Warner – with CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros Studios – at over $85 billion, and involves AT&T taking on its debt.

AT&T, over a year ago, became the nation’s largest pay-TV operator when it acquired DirecTV. Now, Time Warner would give AT&T HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and Warner Bros., Hollywood’s biggest television and film studio. The massive deal has become a subject of discussion in the US presidential campaign. Donald J. Trump, condemning the deal, said he would block it if he were the president, “because it’s too much concentration of power in the hands of too few.” Hillary Clinton has assured to be tough on consolidation and corporate megapowers.

Although the latest merger is considered “vertical integration” as the two broadly do not compete against each other as compared to other “horizontal integration” of similar businesses, regulators could look at other ways AT&T might affect the media ecosystem if the deal were to consummate.

AT&T may possibly make it more expensive for its competitors to gain access to HBO or Time Warner’s content or give preferential treatment to its own programming.

A brief history of media/telecom deals

1995
Turner Broadcasting System and Time Warner announced a $7.5-billion merger, bringing together brands including Warner Brothers, CNN, Time magazine, and the Cartoon Network.

2000
AOL announced its plan to buy Time Warner for over $160 billion.

2005
SBC Corporation acquired AT&T for over $16 billion.

2008
Time Warner spins off its cable unit, which becomes Time Warner Cable (not a part of the current deal).

2009
Time Warner spins off AOL.

2011
Comcast receives regulatory nod for its $30-billion bid to buy a majority stake in NBCUniversal. Comcast took over NBCUniversalm completely in 2013, as GE divested its stake.

2013
Time Warner spins off its Time Inc magazine division.

2014
Verizon buys out Vodafone’s stake in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion, gaining complete ownership. Time Warner turns down $ 80-billion bid from Twenty-First Century Fox.

2015
Comcast drops its $45-billion bid to buy Time Warner Cable after the regulator opposes the merger over concerns of creating an Internet provider and a cable operator with too much control. Verizon purchases for $4.4 billion. AT&T gets government nod to purchase the satellite TV company DirecTV creating one of the largest pay-TV servicen providers to compete with Comcast.

2016

Regulators approved US$ 88-billion merger of Charter Communications with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, creating the third-largest video provider and the second-largest broadband
provider. (Comcast purchased DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion to compete against Disney.) Time Warner bought a 10 per cent stake in Hulu for $583 million.

Yahoo and Verizon announced a $4.8-billion merger that would give the latter ownership of the former’s Internet assets. AT&T acquires Time Warner.

Regulators could seek promises from AT&T and Time Warner to make content from HBO like “Game of Thrones” or cable networks like CNN available through apps or through streaming, not withholding them from competitors, which could be addressed in conditions attached to an approval.

October 23, 2016
Content a ‘Game of Thrones’; AT&T’s control over HBO, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros faces regulatory lens

MUMBAI: The global media landscape is resulting in a new juggernaut as an internet and cable behemoth yesterday purchased an entertainment conglomerate making the former unmatched in its size and reach to consumers through home broadband, smartphones, satellite television and a battery of movies and cable channels. This deal could lead to more cautionary flags than Comcast’s merger with NBCUniversal in 2009.

The US$ 108.7-billion AT&T, Time Warner merger has been met with suspicion as analysts raised antitrust concerns that it would create unfair pricing and lead to further media consolidation. The
cash-and-stock deal values Time Warner – with CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros Studios – at over $85 billion, and involves AT&T taking on its debt.

AT&T, over a year ago, became the nation’s largest pay-TV operator when it acquired DirecTV. Now, Time Warner would give AT&T HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and Warner Bros., Hollywood’s biggest television and film studio. The massive deal has become a subject of discussion in the US presidential campaign. Donald J. Trump, condemning the deal, said he would block it if he were the president, “because it’s too much concentration of power in the hands of too few.” Hillary Clinton has assured to be tough on consolidation and corporate megapowers.

Although the latest merger is considered “vertical integration” as the two broadly do not compete against each other as compared to other “horizontal integration” of similar businesses, regulators could look at other ways AT&T might affect the media ecosystem if the deal were to consummate.

AT&T may possibly make it more expensive for its competitors to gain access to HBO or Time Warner’s content or give preferential treatment to its own programming.

A brief history of media/telecom deals

1995
Turner Broadcasting System and Time Warner announced a $7.5-billion merger, bringing together brands including Warner Brothers, CNN, Time magazine, and the Cartoon Network.

2000
AOL announced its plan to buy Time Warner for over $160 billion.

2005
SBC Corporation acquired AT&T for over $16 billion.

2008
Time Warner spins off its cable unit, which becomes Time Warner Cable (not a part of the current deal).

2009
Time Warner spins off AOL.

2011
Comcast receives regulatory nod for its $30-billion bid to buy a majority stake in NBCUniversal. Comcast took over NBCUniversalm completely in 2013, as GE divested its stake.

2013
Time Warner spins off its Time Inc magazine division.

2014
Verizon buys out Vodafone’s stake in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion, gaining complete ownership. Time Warner turns down $ 80-billion bid from Twenty-First Century Fox.

2015
Comcast drops its $45-billion bid to buy Time Warner Cable after the regulator opposes the merger over concerns of creating an Internet provider and a cable operator with too much control. Verizon purchases for $4.4 billion. AT&T gets government nod to purchase the satellite TV company DirecTV creating one of the largest pay-TV servicen providers to compete with Comcast.

2016

Regulators approved US$ 88-billion merger of Charter Communications with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, creating the third-largest video provider and the second-largest broadband
provider. (Comcast purchased DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion to compete against Disney.) Time Warner bought a 10 per cent stake in Hulu for $583 million.

Yahoo and Verizon announced a $4.8-billion merger that would give the latter ownership of the former’s Internet assets. AT&T acquires Time Warner.

Regulators could seek promises from AT&T and Time Warner to make content from HBO like “Game of Thrones” or cable networks like CNN available through apps or through streaming, not withholding them from competitors, which could be addressed in conditions attached to an approval.

October 23, 2016
Sony Pix to telecast ‘Jurassic World’ on 22 October

MUMBAI: Sony Pix will take the viewers on a thrilling, adventurous journey with cloned dinosaurs in their Billion Dollar Premiere property. The channel plans to air Jurassic World on 22 October at 1 pm and 9 pm.

Owing to its visual spectacle and nail-biting narrative, the movie got an opening of over US$500 million worldwide.

“Jurassic World is the second highest grossing film of 2015 with Rs 1.6 billion in revenues. It was a natural choice for us to showcase a film of this scale first on our channel as Sony Pix is synonymous with Hollywood Blockbusters. In fact, other blockbusters of 2015 like Furious 7 and Minions also premiered first on Sony Pix. So our strategy is to invest in great content that will leave our viewers Amazed,” said Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) English entertainment cluster executive vice-president and business head Saurabh Yagnik.

Apart from having A-listers actors like Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Brian Tee, the movie also stars veteran actor Irrfan Khan in a suave role of Simon Masrani.

Khan said, “I have always enjoyed working in Hollywood movies and being a part of a record breaking movie – Jurassic World was a great opportunity. I am glad that Sony PIX will be airing the movie for the first time on Indian Television and this must-watch family entertainer will surely reach out to a larger audience. Kids, teens or grown-ups, this film is sure to be loved by all those who watch it!”

October 20, 2016
Sony Pix to telecast ‘Jurassic World’ on 22 October

MUMBAI: Sony Pix will take the viewers on a thrilling, adventurous journey with cloned dinosaurs in their Billion Dollar Premiere property. The channel plans to air Jurassic World on 22 October at 1 pm and 9 pm.

Owing to its visual spectacle and nail-biting narrative, the movie got an opening of over US$500 million worldwide.

“Jurassic World is the second highest grossing film of 2015 with Rs 1.6 billion in revenues. It was a natural choice for us to showcase a film of this scale first on our channel as Sony Pix is synonymous with Hollywood Blockbusters. In fact, other blockbusters of 2015 like Furious 7 and Minions also premiered first on Sony Pix. So our strategy is to invest in great content that will leave our viewers Amazed,” said Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) English entertainment cluster executive vice-president and business head Saurabh Yagnik.

Apart from having A-listers actors like Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Brian Tee, the movie also stars veteran actor Irrfan Khan in a suave role of Simon Masrani.

Khan said, “I have always enjoyed working in Hollywood movies and being a part of a record breaking movie – Jurassic World was a great opportunity. I am glad that Sony PIX will be airing the movie for the first time on Indian Television and this must-watch family entertainer will surely reach out to a larger audience. Kids, teens or grown-ups, this film is sure to be loved by all those who watch it!”

October 20, 2016
Sony AXN scripts deal with Pinewood; buys stake in SVOD service Hopster

MUMBAI: Folks at Sony Pictures Television (SPT) are in a celebratory mood. Not only has it signed a six-series deal with Pinewood Television but has also acquired a minority stake in the London-based video subscription service for kids content – Hopster.

With its partnership with Pinewood, Sony plans to develop and produce shows for their English entertainment channel AXN. The channel will carry the resulting drama originals across Asia, Australasia, Europe and Latin America. Co-financed by the two ventures, the creative director Helen Gregory will lead the initiative. The drama deal was brokered by SPT Networks (SPTN) executive VP, programming and production, Marie Jacobson, and Pinewood Television director Peter Gerwe.

Jacobson said that they were looking for alternative paths to expand original series development, and Pinewood TV made for ideal partners. She said she was looking forward to developing projects that play both, in the UK and on our channels around the world.

As for their investment in the digital service, the financial details weren’t disclosed. But, with this, Sony will become a strategic equity investor and take a seat on the company’s board. SPT Western Europe EVP Kate Marsh said that investing on this platform will offer an advantage to the entire network in this rapidly growing subscription led kids space. Additionally, this deal will also provide an opportunity to the network for its expansion in the on-demand services.

Hopster provides service for the preschool crowd at a cost of $4.99 per month and is available on iPad, Android and selects TV-connected devices. The company claims to have more than 800,000 users and aims to differentiate itself from the competition by offering videos, TV shows and interactive content. Kids can also use the app to play learning games and listen to nursery rhymes. The platform also makes it possible for parents to download shows for their kids for offline viewing.

October 20, 2016
Sony AXN scripts deal with Pinewood; buys stake in SVOD service Hopster

MUMBAI: Folks at Sony Pictures Television (SPT) are in a celebratory mood. Not only has it signed a six-series deal with Pinewood Television but has also acquired a minority stake in the London-based video subscription service for kids content – Hopster.

With its partnership with Pinewood, Sony plans to develop and produce shows for their English entertainment channel AXN. The channel will carry the resulting drama originals across Asia, Australasia, Europe and Latin America. Co-financed by the two ventures, the creative director Helen Gregory will lead the initiative. The drama deal was brokered by SPT Networks (SPTN) executive VP, programming and production, Marie Jacobson, and Pinewood Television director Peter Gerwe.

Jacobson said that they were looking for alternative paths to expand original series development, and Pinewood TV made for ideal partners. She said she was looking forward to developing projects that play both, in the UK and on our channels around the world.

As for their investment in the digital service, the financial details weren’t disclosed. But, with this, Sony will become a strategic equity investor and take a seat on the company’s board. SPT Western Europe EVP Kate Marsh said that investing on this platform will offer an advantage to the entire network in this rapidly growing subscription led kids space. Additionally, this deal will also provide an opportunity to the network for its expansion in the on-demand services.

Hopster provides service for the preschool crowd at a cost of $4.99 per month and is available on iPad, Android and selects TV-connected devices. The company claims to have more than 800,000 users and aims to differentiate itself from the competition by offering videos, TV shows and interactive content. Kids can also use the app to play learning games and listen to nursery rhymes. The platform also makes it possible for parents to download shows for their kids for offline viewing.

October 20, 2016
‘Chance’: Star World Premiere HD to telecast Hugh Laurie show

MUMBAI: Star World Premiere HD will telecast psychological thriller ‘Chance’. Adapted from Kem Nunn’s noir-ish psychological thriller novel of the same name, it is also produced by Hugh Laurie who stars along with Diane Farr. The show, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, will air on 21 October at 10 pm.

Laurie is all set to make his comeback to prime time television with yet another story about a doctor, with a twist. Slated with entropy and darkness, the psychological thriller follows the story of Dr. Eldon Chance, a San Francisco-based forensic neuro-psychiatrist who reluctantly gets sucked into a violent and dangerous world of mistaken identity, police corruption and mental illness.

Hugh stated, “I honestly don’t see any similarities, maybe because I’ve artificially erected a wall between the two things [in my mind]. Maybe I’m incorrect and it will be a distraction for the audience, but I hope not, because the characters are massively different. Their attitude to life is different; the story that unfolds is infinitely removed from [the world of House].”

Laurie said, “Underneath there’s a story of passion, love, violence, fear joy, and the profound exploration of what it is to be human. That’s in the first 90 seconds.”

He further added, “Generally speaking, the older form of television was about the central characters remaining the same while the surrounding characters changed.We’re doing something rather different here, we’re seeing a genuine transformation where characters are unrecognizable from where they started.”

The show also comprises of Gretchen Mol and Paul Adelstein.

October 20, 2016
‘Chance’: Star World Premiere HD to telecast Hugh Laurie show

MUMBAI: Star World Premiere HD will telecast psychological thriller ‘Chance’. Adapted from Kem Nunn’s noir-ish psychological thriller novel of the same name, it is also produced by Hugh Laurie who stars along with Diane Farr. The show, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, will air on 21 October at 10 pm.

Laurie is all set to make his comeback to prime time television with yet another story about a doctor, with a twist. Slated with entropy and darkness, the psychological thriller follows the story of Dr. Eldon Chance, a San Francisco-based forensic neuro-psychiatrist who reluctantly gets sucked into a violent and dangerous world of mistaken identity, police corruption and mental illness.

Hugh stated, “I honestly don’t see any similarities, maybe because I’ve artificially erected a wall between the two things [in my mind]. Maybe I’m incorrect and it will be a distraction for the audience, but I hope not, because the characters are massively different. Their attitude to life is different; the story that unfolds is infinitely removed from [the world of House].”

Laurie said, “Underneath there’s a story of passion, love, violence, fear joy, and the profound exploration of what it is to be human. That’s in the first 90 seconds.”

He further added, “Generally speaking, the older form of television was about the central characters remaining the same while the surrounding characters changed.We’re doing something rather different here, we’re seeing a genuine transformation where characters are unrecognizable from where they started.”

The show also comprises of Gretchen Mol and Paul Adelstein.

October 20, 2016