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  • Channel 7 brings in CNN-IBN’s ‘Citizen Journalist’

    Channel 7 brings in CNN-IBN’s ‘Citizen Journalist’

    MUMBAI: With the launch of CNN-IBN, the English news channel had brought in a new initiative of empowering ordinary citizen through the show Citizen Journalism. The new sibling Channel 7 is all set to follow the path taken by the big brother by launching Citizen Journalist.

    The show Citizen Journalist encourages the viewers to document in pictures or videos, anything around them that should be brought to the nation’s notice. The most relevant reports sent will be aired on the channel, duly crediting the viewer, informs an official release.

    Citizens can report on news items of importance across the country by sending in a MMS to 2622, SMS CJ (Story) to 2622 or by calling Channel 7’s help-line at 0120-2515340. Citizen Journalists may also e-mail their stories to citizen@ibnlive.com or even post their stories on www.ibnlive.com.

    Citizen Journalist, the initiative started by CNN-IBN and has over 2000 stories in its bank within just six months. Channel 7 managing editor Ashutosh says, “We at Channel 7 endeavour to infuse our mission statement ‘Khabar Har Keemat Par’ in every individual’s life, and ‘Citizen Journalist’ an ideal route to capture it. This initiative by CNN-IBN is exemplary and laudable. We are confident that Channel 7 will also receive an encouraging response and attain similar success.”

    CNN-IBN and Channel 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Citizen Journalist is an idea whose time has come. It’s a way of engaging the viewer, of making him/her an active participant in the process of newsgathering, of making television news truly interactive. The big idea is to build a citizenry that is engaged with public life.”

    Earlier this year, the management of Channel7 changed hands. The channel also relaunched on 5 June with a new on-air look and a tag line to boot – ‘Khabar, Har Keemat Par’ (News, No matter what the cost).

  • Podcasting growing in the US: Nielsen survey

    MUMBAI: Nielsen//NetRatings, which works in the field of Internet media and market research has announced that 6.6 per cent of America‘s adult online population, or 9.2 million Web users, have recently downloaded an audio podcast.


    Four per cent, or 5.6 million Web users, have recently downloaded a video podcast. These figures put the podcasting population on a par with those who publish blogs, 4.8 per cent, and online daters, 3.9 per cent. However, podcasting is not yet nearly as popular as viewing and paying bills online, 51.6 per cent, or online job hunting, 24.6 per cent.


    For the uninitiated podcasting is a relatively new technology that enables users to quickly and easily download multimedia files, including audio and video, for playback on mobile devices including iPods and other MP3 players, as well as cell phones.


    Nielsen//NetRatings analyst Michael Lanz says, “The portability of podcasts makes them especially appealing to young on-the-go audiences. We can expect to see podcasting become increasingly popular as portable content media players proliferate”.


    As is often typical with new technologies, young people are more likely than their older counterparts to engage in audio or video podcasting. Web users between the ages 18 and 24 are nearly twice as likely as the average Web user to download audio podcasts, followed by users in the 25-34 and 35-44 age groups, who were also more likely than the average Web user to do audio podcasting.


    Video podcasters showed 25-34 year olds indexing the highest. Web users above the age of 45 were less likely than average to engage in podcasting of either sort. Since the popularity of Apple‘s iPod is largely responsible for the spread of podcasting, not surprisingly podcasters enjoy using Apple products and visiting Apple Web sites. For example, audio and video podcasters are over three times as likely as the average Web user to use Apple‘s Safari as their primary Internet browser.


    Among audio podcasters, Macworld is the most-visited content site, with a composition index of 606 (see Table 4). Apple and iTunes are the No. 2 and 3 e-commerce sites visited by audio podcasters, with composition indexes of 455 and 396, respectively. The Apple connection is not as clear for video podcasters, who flock to Startrek.com among content
    sites, with an index of 864. Live365.com and eMusic are the two most popular e-commerce sites for video podcasters, with indexes of 730 and 656, respectively.


    Lanz adds, “Competitors to the iPod are now in the marketplace, but Apple got a big head start. It will take time before other portable media players make significant in-roads with the early-adopters who are currently podcasting”.

  • Global mobile media firm Mobile Streams gains foothold in Asia

    MUMBAI: Global mobile media specialist Mobile Streams has acquired the mobile entertainment group Mobilemode.


    Founded in 1999, Mobilemode delivers mobile entertainment content and services to mobile phone operators and portals in the Asia Pacific region.


    The acquisition of Mobilemode will give Mobile Streams a comprehensive position in Asia Pacific, with a particularly strong focus on Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. In addition, the acquisition will offer Mobile Streams the immediate benefit of Mobilemode’s experienced management team, and their strong relationships with portals and mobile network operators.


    Mobilemode’s key network operator customers are SingTel-Optus, Virgin Mobile and Hutchison 3G in Australia, SingTel and M1 in Singapore and Maxis and Astro in Malaysia. Mobilemode also has strong distribution relationships with eBay, Electronic Arts, Nokia and Discovery Networks, an affiliate of Liberty Media, Mobile Streams’ strategic investor.


    Mobilemode’s management team has worked in Asia for many years and will be invaluable in supplementing Mobile Streams’ existing business in the region. The two founding members of Mobilemode, its CEO Jarno Salmivuori and and VP business development Norma Salmivuori will assume management positions within Mobile Streams’ Asia Pacific business unit.


    For the year to 31 March 2006, Mobilemode recorded turnover of €1.1m and profit before tax of approximately €48,000.


    Mobile Streams CEO Simon Buckingham said, “This acquisition represents a key milestone in the development of Mobile Streams’ global footprint. Mobilemode will provide us with an excellent stepping stone into the advanced markets of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore whilst at the same time providing a platform for growth in the emerging markets of Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines.”


    Jarno Salmivuori said, “Mobilemode has established strong relationships and operations in Asia which we look forward to developing and growing further through the combination with Mobile Streams”

  • ‘Lost’ producer Abrams leaves Disney for Warner, Paramount

    ‘Lost’ producer Abrams leaves Disney for Warner, Paramount

    MUMBAI: With one of the biggest television shows in the US Lost under his belt J.J. Abrams is hot property. The man who also directed Mission Impossible 3 has signed a five-year film deal with Paramount Pictures and a six-year TV contract with Warner Bros.

    Together, they are worth more than $55 million.
    With this, Abrams leaves Disney’s Touchstone. ABC later this year will unveil three Abrams-produced shows. Media reports indicate that he had been there for seven years making many shows.

    However what made the difference was the fact that Disney was firm on the fact that revenue from his current shows would be included in the amount of money it would have guaranteed him each year under a new deal.

    Reports add that if Abrams’ shows for Warner are successful the sky is the limit. He will get around 35 per cent of the backend. This means revenues from syndication, DVDs, net downloads etc. His production firm is called Brad Robot.

    Abrams will get around $five million for directing a Star Trek film for Paramount and he will get some backend, should the film make a tidy profit. He is said to be keen to make films that cost less than $25 million as there are important stories that can be told.

  • KickApps launches online video generated user solution

    MUMBAI: KickApps has released a hosted community solution that invites any website to quickly and easily deploy user-generated video and social networking functionality directly on their Web pages.


    KickApps says that it provides a highly customised, enterprise-quality platform intended to serve all websites, including major media brands like reality television shows, cable channels, talk shows, magazines, newspapers, and sports teams.


    KickApps addresses the needs of webmasters looking to provide their visitors with all the functionality typically found at leading Web 2.0 portals like MySpace, YouTube, Flickr and Facebook. It also provides webmasters with a set of sophisticated media management, reporting and administrative tools designed to protect websites from pornography, copyrighted material and user content that may hurt their brands or offend advertisers.


    KickApps founder and CEO Eric Alterman says, “By powering brands with community-building functionality at many diverse websites we are helping those brands aggregate audiences within specific contexts. We believe context is the next major driver for Web 2.0 traffic and for advertisers looking for a safe, effective way to promote their brands to identifiable communities with known demographics.”


    KickApps provides webmasters with a suite of technologies that deploy instantly with a cut-and-paste “widget” implementation. Visitors to websites powered by KickApps can upload videos, photos and audio files, create their own personal pages, invite friends, and create instant video blogs. Webmasters are empowered with a sophisticated Affiliate Center environment that allows them to quickly create a highly customized user experience complete with a robust set of media management tools.


    Spark Capital co-founder Santo Politi says, “High-traffic media and content websites need competitive user-generated content and social networking functionality. But they also require the kind of administrative tools necessary to protect their brand. KickApps is well ahead of the market in providing webmasters with the features and controls required to deploy an effective community platform.”


    KickApps says that it fully embraces the concept of widgets in the form of Flash-based objects that contain video and other media aggregated by affiliate websites. Visitors to websites powered by KickApps can ‘steal‘ these widgets and place them on their own social networking personal pages.


    Widgets can contain both user-generated video and premium video uploaded by affiliate webmasters, and all widgets link back to affiliate websites in a highly viral fashion.


    Alterman adds, “While KickApps enables the usual features found on most user-generated content websites our widget-based platform is designed to create a far more dynamic and viral media experience. Our affiliates will have thousands of content widgets positioned all over the Internet, all linking back to their websites. Widgets take content syndication to a whole new level.


    The company will announce a number of customer deployments over the coming weeks.

  • ‘We will be a Rs 5 billion company by 2008’ : Atul Goel – E-City Ventures CEO

    ‘We will be a Rs 5 billion company by 2008’ : Atul Goel – E-City Ventures CEO

    His is a tale that is not just about multiplexes. E-City Investments and Holdings chief Atul Goel is hooking up a film exhibition, distribution and digital delivery business.

    At the centre of this game is the multiplex business. Fun Multiplex Pvt Ltd is on a massive scale up exercise, planning to ramp up from 23 screens to 150 by FY08 while acquiring 100 single screens to gain a pan-India presence.

    E-City Digital Cinemas will deliver movies to theatres via satellite as well as hard disk in a format that operates on low margins but is profitable. Being part of the Essel group, it will use the Essel Shyam facility at Noida near Delhi which is also utilised by Zee for uplinking its channels.

    Goel recently got IL&FS to invest Rs 1 billion for a 26 per cent stake in E-City Entertainment, the hived off entity that handles real estate development. His next big target: a combined turnover of Rs 5 billion by FY08.

    In conversation with Indiantelevision.com’s Sibabrata Das & Bijoy AK, Goel unveils the expansion plans he has chalked out for E-City.

    Excerpts:

    Why did you decide to hive off the multiplex and real estate businesses into separate companies?
    The best way to attract investors is to divide the two segments of business. They can enjoy their own valuations and investors. For instance, the investors in real estate may not necessarily want to take exposure in the multiplex business. We got Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) to pick up a 26 per cent stake in E-City Entertainment, which handles real estate development like setting up malls, for Rs 1 billion.

    Are you in the hunt for an investor in the multiplex business as well?
    Fun Multiplex Pvt. Ltd. still needs to scale up as we ended the last fiscal with a turnover of just Rs 450 million and a net profit of Rs 60 million. We are planning to pump in Rs 2.5 billion and have 150 screens by FY08. We have already put in Rs 300 million. We plan to raise money in a debt-equity ratio of 1.5:1. Our target in FY08 is to have a total income of Rs 2.5 billion and operating profit of Rs 720 million by FY08.

    What makes you project such a fast rate of growth in two years?
    The revenues will come mainly because of newer developments. We have 23 screens and are opening up three properties this month. We, in fact, will be adding 10 more screens by 15 August.

    Do you see revenue growth also coming from increase in ticket rates?
    Pricing power will continue to be more a movie-based strategy rather than a rate hike in tickets across the board. In case of Krrish, we increased the ticket rates. We will also see the emergence of differential pricing for off-time shows. We have, for instance, lowered the rates for early morning screenings.

    Multiplex operators are in a build up phase and Inox has even taken the acquisition route in Kolkata to enhance its pan-India presence. How are you planning to scale up your operations?
    We are also planning to take the inorganic route. We will be acquiring single screen theatres across the country. We aim to have 100 single screens by FY08. This will be in addition to the 150 multiplex screens we will have by then.
    ‘The future trend could be special alliances between distributors and multiplex operators‘

    Multiplex operators have been made to pay more for premium film content by Yash Raj Films (YRF). When YRF asked for an increase in revenue share for the Aamir Khan blockbuster Fanaa, you took a hard stance. What made you compromise later?
    Initially, all the multiplex operators protested against the hike. But the unity didn’t stay and some of them went ahead to sign the new terms with YRF. Let me reiterate here that we were in a pure business deadlock and not a confrontation of any kind.

    Has YRF, with a lineup of Hindi blockbusters like Fanaa, Krrish and Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna, started a trend where film content distributors would push for higher revenue shares from multiplex operators?
    We are not in a position where we can take a hard stance against YRF. We have a business relationship going with them and are showing Krissh. The new terms are exceptional to YRF but with such high ratios, we can only break even. The future trend could be special alliances between distributors and multiplex operators.

    Are you in any such alliance with a big distributor?
    It is too early to carve out such relationships. In fact, we urge the distributors not to start hiking rates or getting into special relationships with certain multiplexes at this stage. The industry needs to scale up the infrastructure, there is an opportunity sitting out there. We should take measures that grow rather than kill the industry at this early stage.

    Have you taken a cautious approach in the film distribution business?
    E-City Films (ECF) has distributed Hindi movies like 36 China Town in Gujarat where we control 90 theatres. The market is fragmented and will take time to consolidate. Some companies are also acquiring some movies for distribution at unrealistic prices. We are cautious and have no plans to set up a film distribution outfit overseas. For international movies, our strategy is to distribute 10-12 a year. In the past, we have distributed Alexander (December 2004), One Dollar Curry (February 2005), Million Dollar Baby (March 2005) and Sahara (July 2005). Among ECF’s recently acquired movies are Astronaut Farmer, Babel, Miss Potter and Michael Clayton.

    Have you closed down your content syndication business?
    It is in a state of lull now, but we have revival plans.

    What are the expansion plans for E-City Entertainment after IL&FS has taken a stake in it?
    We are investing Rs 1 billion each for the Kanpur and Coimbatore properties. Lucknow will attract a further funding of Rs 250 million. We have already pumped in Rs 2.17 billion in developing four projects (Rs 600 million for Andheri in Mumbai, Rs 750 million in Lucknow, Rs 550 million in Ahmedabad and Rs 270 million in Chandigarh). We will have 10-15 properties by FY08. We expect our turnover to climb from Rs 210 million to Rs 800 million by then. As these are rental incomes, E-City Entertainment will always be a profitable venture.

    How are you funding these properties?
    We will be raising fresh equity. But we have not started talking with anybody yet.

    When is E-City Digital Cinemas starting satellite delivery of movies to cinema theatres?
    We plan to launch it by the end of this month. We will be using the uplinking facility of Essel Shyam at Noida near Delhi. Currently, the hard disk is physically distributed to the 22 theatres in Gujarat (we control 90 theatres there) which we have taken on long term hire basis. We are using Real Image’s encryption technology so that piracy is safeguarded. The movie is first converted into digital master using the telecine machine, after which it can be taken on to D5 tape or captured directly on the encoding server. After encryption and compression, the movie is uplinked to the satellite via transmission server and downloaded at the playout local server which is installed at the theatre. A digital projector is used for screening of the film. E-City Digital Cinemas will target A-class towns where the current net collections are over Rs 100,000 per week.

    How many theatres will have the digital system?
    We plan to digitise 500 screens by FY08. We have already acquired 30 cinemas including a few in Mumbai. The business operates on low margins and, on a turnover of Rs 300 million last fiscal, we have reached a break even situation. As we ramp up theatre acquisitions, we expect our revenues to touch Rs 2.5 billion by FY08.

    So will E-City Holdings go for an initial public offering (IPO) or will the different entities have separate listings?
    We haven’t decided anything yet. We have no IPO plans, as of now. But by FY08 the entire venture will be a Rs 5 billion company.

  • Siemens hosts ‘Open the door to 3G’ targeting Indian telecom market

    MUMBAI: Siemens Communications has organized a workshop in India titled ‘Open the door to 3G‘ to share the latest trends in the communications industry. The workshop showcased 3G product offerings for network providers, presenting a view on the introduction of 3G in India.


    In addition to a demonstration of the technology range of 3G network solutions, the workshop also provided an insight into innovations in delivering effective, controlled and secure communications infrastructure over next generation mobile networks beyond 3G, informs an official release.


    Live demonstration of network solutions like HSxPA, Remote Radio Heads, DVB-H, Mobile TV via streaming, SIP-Applications were conducted during the workshop. These advanced network solutions enable carriers to provide and subscribers with a whole package of telecommunications applications.


    Siemens Public Communications Networks Ltd MD Michael Kuehner said, “Innovation and continuous buildup of strength in technology are growth drivers in any emerging market. India today is one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world and the opportunities are endless here. The spurt in spending power in the hands of consumers is further fueling demand for advanced technology. Siemens recognizes the challenges of the Indian telecom industry and offers best-suited products, services and cost-effective solutions. With the introduction of advanced network solutions in India, Siemens will support operators to usher in spectrum efficient, feature-rich seamless roaming, broad bandwidth and high-speed communication.”


    “The Indian market is at an exciting stage as it is poised for the rollout of 3G. We are providing technology, which enables smooth transition from 2G to 3G providing carriers the flexibility of adapting networks to meet increased voice and data traffic. With advanced technologies, there will be a lot of demand for strong network indoors as video applications would mostly be accessed indoors. Our Mobile Base Stations offer the best indoor connectivity as they can be placed at strategic locations and can be quite small in size,‘ said Utran Product Line Strategy head and director Dr. Dina Bartels.


    Siemens Communications claims to be setting benchmarks in quality and delivery thus targeting key growth areas, which include upcoming opportunities in semi-urban and rural markets, providing cutting-edge technology in urban markets and adding additional capabilities to existing infrastructure by continuously innovating its offerings for the Indian market. The company is focusing on enabling customer satisfaction for fast moving and emerging telecom markets like India, adds the release. 

  • Channel NewsAsia goes in for new look

    Channel NewsAsia goes in for new look

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster Channel NewsAsia dons a new look from today 17 July. The channel says that the transformation is a celebration of its evolution and achievement over the past seven years.

    In undergoing the transformation, the channel aimed to give a dynamic, smart and contemporary feel. The on-air look, in-house trailers and colour scheme have been changed.

    Apart from the staple top-of-the-hour news bulletins, there are also new weekend programmes.

    MediaCorp News, MD Woon Tai Ho says, “We have come out with a concept called platinum lifestyle; it’s really high-end leisure, high-end travel, high-end dining and high-end spending, so we could have programmes from watches to cars, hunting for wine to hunting for property. But eventually, the real challenge really would be technologically-driven programmes, that’s high-definition documentaries, and how we tap into the whole cyberworld.”

    The London-based broadcast design company, English & Pockett, was hired to revamp the channel’s studio, converting it from a virtual set to a new “hard set” where the news anchors will present news right from the busy newsroom.

    The channel will also move to a new digital newsroom environment by the end of the year when all the news gathering will be done on-line. The channel’s website, channelnewsasia.com has also been given a makeover.

    It has a new layout and clearer navigation. It now offers more entertainment content like movie reviews and trailers as well as special features and product reviews. There are also added features like photo galleries for selected news stories and streaming of video clips.

  • Siemens hosts ‘Open the door to 3G’ targeting Indian telecom market

    Siemens hosts ‘Open the door to 3G’ targeting Indian telecom market

    MUMBAI: Siemens Communications has organized a workshop in India titled ‘Open the door to 3G’ to share the latest trends in the communications industry. The workshop showcased 3G product offerings for network providers, presenting a view on the introduction of 3G in India.

    In addition to a demonstration of the technology range of 3G network solutions, the workshop also provided an insight into innovations in delivering effective, controlled and secure communications infrastructure over next generation mobile networks beyond 3G, informs an official release.

    Live demonstration of network solutions like HSxPA, Remote Radio Heads, DVB-H, Mobile TV via streaming, SIP-Applications were conducted during the workshop. These advanced network solutions enable carriers to provide and subscribers with a whole package of telecommunications applications.

    Siemens Public Communications Networks Ltd MD Michael Kuehner said, “Innovation and continuous buildup of strength in technology are growth drivers in any emerging market. India today is one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world and the opportunities are endless here. The spurt in spending power in the hands of consumers is further fueling demand for advanced technology. Siemens recognizes the challenges of the Indian telecom industry and offers best-suited products, services and cost-effective solutions. With the introduction of advanced network solutions in India, Siemens will support operators to usher in spectrum efficient, feature-rich seamless roaming, broad bandwidth and high-speed communication.”

    “The Indian market is at an exciting stage as it is poised for the rollout of 3G. We are providing technology, which enables smooth transition from 2G to 3G providing carriers the flexibility of adapting networks to meet increased voice and data traffic. With advanced technologies, there will be a lot of demand for strong network indoors as video applications would mostly be accessed indoors. Our Mobile Base Stations offer the best indoor connectivity as they can be placed at strategic locations and can be quite small in size,’ said Utran Product Line Strategy head and director Dr. Dina Bartels.

    Siemens Communications claims to be setting benchmarks in quality and delivery thus targeting key growth areas, which include upcoming opportunities in semi-urban and rural markets, providing cutting-edge technology in urban markets and adding additional capabilities to existing infrastructure by continuously innovating its offerings for the Indian market. The company is focusing on enabling customer satisfaction for fast moving and emerging telecom markets like India, adds the release.
     

  • TV show ‘Lost’ triumphs at the DVD technical awards

    TV show ‘Lost’ triumphs at the DVD technical awards

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC’s show Lost received two 2006 DVD Technical Awards for Best Commentary and Best Overall Presentation — Television Release at the VSDA Awards Show in the US.

    Entertainment Merchants Association president Bo Andersen says, “The DVDs available today feature an unprecedented amount of visual and audio quality as well as interactivity and special features for the die-hard movie fan. DVDs of Lost allow viewers to have a richer experience than when watching the programmes on television or pay-per-view, and the features that are included give legitimate retailers a huge advantage over pirated copies.”

    VSDA’s 2006 DVD Technical awards honour DVD titles that have demonstrated the most innovative and entertaining features through the use of the latest DVD technology.