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  • MatrixStream introduces internet based IPTV encoders

    MatrixStream introduces internet based IPTV encoders

    MUMBAI: MatrixStream Technologies, Inc, a technology company specialising in full integrated, end to end IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) solutions, introduced a new series, offering standard definition MPEG 4 AVC / VC-1 and a MPEG 4 AVC high definition encoder, respectively dubbed IMX4000 and IMX4500.

    Most video encoders currently available on the market are not optimized for IPTV and work over multi-cast enabled networks only. However, MatrixStream’s IMX4000 series digital encoders as part of MatrixStream’s end to end IPTV platform resolves systems integration issues, problematic issues which previously posed enormous NRE and deployment barriers and costs, allowing broadband providers the capability to offer broadcast quality television and video related services over the public internet.

    Moreover, MatrixStream IPTV encoders supports Matrixstream patent pending XMS streaming solution, optimised for 750 kbps for DVD quality streams and 2.5 Mbps for high definition quality streams – an extremely responsive with instant channel changing with multiple picture in picture and robust solution suited for high quality video deployment over any best effort broadband connection.

    Also the video signal is kept all digital, resulting in an IPTV platform that rival or exceed the experience of cable or satellite TV. The IMX4000 series high definition encoders are expected to be released in Q4 2006, and will be marketed along with MatrixStream’s IMX1020 1080P set top box, which shall create a complete high definition IPTV platform solution that can stream over any best effort broadband connection without quality of service (QoS).

  • Dish TV to come down hard on pirating cable ops

    Dish TV to come down hard on pirating cable ops

    NEW DELHI: India’s first direct-to-home service Dish TV today issued an ultimatum to cable operators filching its signals.

    In a rear guard action against piracy, a massive operation has been announced to crackdown on pirating cable operators who are using the Dish’s set-top boxes as a medium to illegally distribute TV channels (some of which are exclusively on the DTH platform) to the cable consumers.

    According to Essel Group of Industries additional vice-chairman Jawahar Goel, “It is important to send out the message that product counterfeiting will not be tolerated as it has an extremely detrimental effect on the whole fraternity, including content creators, broadcasters, and the government.”

    ASC Enterprises, an Essel Group company, holds the licence for a DTH service in the country, which is marketed under the brand name Dish TV.

    According to an official statement from Dish TV, a local cable operator in Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh was caught by the police, along with Dish’s anti-piracy team, on Saturday for illegally showing ESPN and Star Sports through a Dish TV box when he did not have an agreement with ESS to re-distribute the sports channels.

    The police has seized the errant cable operator’s infrastructure and the chip of Dish TV, which gives access to the DTH service.

    Commenting on the development, Goel added, “We expect support from broadcasting and the film industry as well to take up this effort to curb piracy, which is to the tune of over 10 billion annually.”

    The official statement said that of the 1.1 million subscribers of Dish TV, about 5,000 have been found to be allegedly indulging in piracy of signals. While their connections have been switched off, legal action too has been initiated against them.

  • Government mulls USO Fund for Prasar Bharati

    Government mulls USO Fund for Prasar Bharati

    NEW DELHI: Private broadcasters and big MSOs in the country might soon be called to lend a helping hand in the financial restructuring of pubcaster Prasar Bharati.

    According to one of the options relating to funding of Prasar Bharati, suggested by a government panel, a corpus can be created from contributions from the broadcast and cable industry on the lines of the universal service obligation (USO) fund in the telecom sector.

    Five per cent of a private telecom operator’s annual revenues go towards the USO fund, which is used to finance new rural telephony projects identified by the government.

    The panel on Prasar Bharati’s financial restructuring has suggested that private broadcasters and MSOs can be asked to contribute between 5-10 per cent of their annual revenues for a USO fund-type corpus, which can be used to support the over 45,000 workforce of the pubcaster.

    Prasar Bharati, which manages Doordarshan and All India Radio, is in the middle of a debate over ways to augment its earnings.

    This recommendation, along with others in a nearly 300-page report, is being presently studied by a group of ministers (GoM) before the issue is taken to the Union Cabinet for a formal okay.
    The GoM met briefly last week, information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told Indiantelevision.com. He did not give any time frame on taking the Prasar Bharati matter to the Cabinet.

    However, industry players observe whether there would be increased accountability of Prasar Bharati if a USO fund is created via private sector players’ contribution to partly fund pubcaster’s activities. More importantly, whether the funds would be properly used.

    According to Hindu Business Line, of the Rs 107.53 billion collected by the government from telecom companies in the form of USO fund since its inception in 2002-03, a staggering Rs. 70 billion is yet to be disbursed.

    The newspaper quoted the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India as saying that undisbursed amount is estimated to cross Rs 250 billion by 2010 against a total collection of Rs. 375 billion, which means only 48 per cent of the fund is expected to be utilised for extending telephone services in the rural areas. The numbers assume significance even as the digital divide between rural and urban is ever increasing.

    Meanwhile, letting the pubcaster tap the capital markets and levying a cess on sale of every TV and radio set in the country are amongst some of the other options suggested by the committee on financial rejig of Prasar Bharati.

    Though Prasar Bharati closed FY 2006 with record-breaking revenues of over Rs 12 billion, its expenses are so huge that the government is finding it difficult to bridge the chasm between income and expenditure.

  • Radio City to launch in Hyderabad on 30 May

    Radio City to launch in Hyderabad on 30 May

    MUMBAI: Hyderabad will have its second private FM radio channel with Music Broadcast Pvt. Ltd.’s (MBPL) Radio City 106.4 FM going on air on 30 May.

    Recently, Radio Mirchi kicked off in Hyderbad.
    The station was launched today by South superstar Nagarjuna, who unveiled the Radio City logo and frequency.

    The launch of Radio City 106.4 FM is supported by 360 degree marketing campaign. Some of the off-air initiatives to connect with the listener include road shows, human inflates at high density areas, Radio City booths at malls and multiplexes, on-ground contests & events, Radio City branded buses, cavalcade around the city.

    Radio City debut in the city with an exclusive tête-à-tête with Nagarjuna and RJ Vamsee on his early morning show Kusalama…Hyderabad.

    According to an official release, Radio City 106.4 FM programming is an outcome of an extensive and in-depth research undertaken by the industry experts. This has resulted in a host of customized Hindi and Telugu programmes reflecting the ‘true Sound of Hyderabad’.

    Radio City 106.4 FM will cater to the tastes of discerning music lovers cutting across students, housewives, working men which will ultimately give advertisers a great value for their money spent.

    With shows like Re-charge Hyderabad, Chalo Chalte Raho and Life ho to Aiseech, Filmcity Express, specially developed for Hyderabad, the programming mix of Radio City 106.4 FM includes shades of romance, comedy, josh, fantasy, novelty, unpredictability & masti – something to please everyone, in every mood, adds the release.

    Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit said, “Hyderabad is an extremely important market for us and we are eagerly looking forward to engage with our listeners. Our music expertise, innovative programming line-up, and our brand promise of ‘City Mein Kho Jao’ will enthuse listeners to indulge and escape with the help of music. We hope the success we have enjoyed in cities like Bangalore, Mumbai & Delhi with listeners making Radio City an integral part of their lives would be duplicated here in Hyderabad as well. ”

    As a prelude to the launch, Radio City had organized a RJ Hunt in the city of Hyderabad. The selected RJs were provided rigorous training to hone their skills to develop them into all-round professionals.

    Radio City has lined up a host of RJ’s with RJ Anuj for Recharge Hyderabad, RJ Apoorva for Life Ho To Aiseech with RJ Kamesh and RJ Vamsee.

  • TV18 to hive off its internet biz; Q4 net up 112% at Rs 219 million

    TV18 to hive off its internet biz; Q4 net up 112% at Rs 219 million

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen has decided to hive off its internet ventures and consolidate it into a new wholly owned subsidiary to bring sharper focus and growth momentum to these operations.

    The internet subsidiary plans to raise capital from financial or strategic investors. TV18 board, which met today, has authorised the subsidiary of any such exercises to raise capital.

    TV18 has been acquiring internet properties to create a bouquet. The company recently acquired a 50 per cent stake in the Indian arm of Jobstreet.com. Eariler in the year, it had invested in Yatra Online where other investors included Anil Ambani’s Reliance Capital and Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) – Promod Haque’s leading venture capital firm.

    The company also manages online platforms which include moneycontrol.com, commoditiescontrol.com, poweryourtrade.com and ibnlive.com.

    The board of TV18 also announced the results. The company’s consolidated net profit is up 112 per cent to Rs 219.15 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2006 as against Rs 103.36 million a year ago.

    The company’s revenues rose 66 per cent to Rs 535.10 million in the last quarter of the fiscal with news operations contributing Rs 474.75 million (up from Rs 310.96 million). The earnings from the internet and software operations were at Rs 60.35 million, up six times from a year ago period.

    The revenues from Awaaz and CNN-IBN channels are not reflected in the Q4 result. The company’s operating profit stands at Rs 306.59 million while operating margins are at 57 per cent.

    The group is all set to re-launch Channel 7 in new avatar in June. The group has recently, acquired a 50 per cent interest in Indian arm of Jobstreet.com.

    Commenting on the result Television Eighteen promoter Raghav Bahl said, “We are delighted to report a record quarter for the company – in terms of revenue performance and the spectacular success of CNN-IBN – which in just five months of launch has become the dominant player in the English General News category, firmly establishing the TV18 Group as India’s Premier News Network. We believe our new initiatives in the internet and home shopping spaces too will contribute significantly to our future growth.”

    TV18 opened at Rs 609.85 and closed the trading day at Rs 627.60, after touching a high of Rs 646 and a low od Rs 625.

  • Times Now brings you the Big action, from the cities

    Times Now brings you the Big action, from the cities

    Launches ‘ACTION CITY’ – city centric show With News Now Overnight

    Mumbai, May 29, 2006: TIMES NOW, soon after successfully completing 100 days of bringing urbane viewers the ‘Big Story’, announced the launch of ‘Action City’ – the show that covers all the action from the big cities of India. Recognizing the urbane viewers need for a quick catch up on the action of the day, its added ‘Action City’ at 10:30 pm and News Now Overnight 11:00 pm, Monday to Friday only on Times Now. Viewers can now look forward to a fresh new power-packed hour every weekday evening with ‘Action City’- an energetic, slick, high spirited city-centric show giving a daily doze of what’s buzzing in the city; and a classic round-up news bulletin ‘News Now Overnight’- that will empower you with the days’ relevant news.

    Speaking on the launch of the show, Sunil Lulla, CEO, TIMES NOW said, “With just over 3 months of being on-air, TIMES NOW presentation of the big stories has made the channel capture quality market share. The success of accurate exit polls, insightful analyses and wide variety of guests during Assembly Elections has made a mark in the News Broadcast Space. The launch of two new shows with City focus and Big Story Focus will give our viewers a fulfilling news experience in the late prime time band.”

    Action City – ‘Your city’s barometer!’ tells viewers what’s hot, happening and buzzing in the city and about its people. The show with its fast paced, racy and distinct content will give viewers a closer look at the happenings in their own city. The show has exciting segments like 60 seconds, Action Headlines, Action Nuggets and Entertainment packed – Action E, offering viewers a dose of heady adrenaline-and-testosterone news, all packaged in thirty minutes. The show will be anchored by Ekta Kumar Nagpal.

    Speaking on the launch of the show, Arnab Goswami, Editor in Chief said, “With a strong focus on the big story, Times Now brings the action from the big cities adding to the news centric 7 to 11 PM Prime Time band. The show will be relevant to our target audience, making sense of all that is going on around them, bringing them face to face with the news from their environment and reporting on all that matters to them”

    News Now Overnight is a classic wrap of the day’s important and significant, big stories that are relevant and will impact the lives of the viewers. The format of the show provides the viewers a complete news experience that are uniquely packaged with slick production values.

    The shows will be anchored by Ekta Kumar Nagpal which will go beyond the conventional studio reporting and take the viewers in the city streets and lanes experiencing the news as it is.

    So feel the news on your city and watch out for what impacts your life the most…Don’t miss to watch out for Action City and News Now Overnight from Monday, May 22nd from 10.30pm to 11.30pm only on Times Now.

     

     

    About Times Now

    TIMES NOW, a Times Group & Reuters Service is an urbane, 24-hour cutting edge English news channel connecting viewers with news and shows, which are relevant, distinctive, & appealing.

    Focused at the Urbanite, TIMES NOW recognizes the varied television viewing habits across day parts and delivers news in relevant and distinctive formats at different times of the day. TIMES NOW weekend shows feature leading personalities from the field of theatre, business, defence and entertainment. The channel builds consumer associations through its various touch points – www.timesnow.tv, mobile and interactive voice response system.

    TIMES NOW, a Times Group & Reuters Service, brought to you by Times Global Broadcasting Co. Ltd. is based in Mumbai with studios in Mumbai and Delhi and bureaus across the nation.

    The Times Group is the largest media conglomerate in South Asia, with leadership in newspaper publishing; magazines; music; retailing; FM Radio; Internet; Interactive media; mobile services and lifestyle television.

    Reuters (www.reuters.com), the global information company, provides indispensable information tailored for professionals in the financial services, media and corporate markets. Its trusted information drives decision making across the globe based on a reputation for speed, accuracy and independence. Reuters has 15,300 staff in 91 countries, including staff from the acquisition of Moneyline Telerate (MLT) in June 2005. It also includes 2,300 editorial staff in 196 bureaus serving 129 countries, making Reuters the world’s largest international multimedia news agency. In the 2004 Annual Report and Form 20-F, Reuters Group revenues were ?2.9 billion.
    Reuters and the sphere logo are the trade-marks of the Reuters group of companies

    For further enquiries:

    Vishakha Singh
    TIMES NOW
    A Times Group & Reuters Service
    Times Global Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
    Trade House, 1st Floor,
    Kamala Mills Compound,
    Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
    Mumbai-400 013
    Tel: (+9122) 24990318
    www.timesnow.tv

    Ruchi Agrawal/ Sonia Huria
    Genesis Burson Marsteller
    1st Flr, Elegant House
    Raghuvanshi Mills Compound
    S.B.Marg, Lower Pare
    Mumbai-400 013
    Website: www.genesispr.com

  • Animax Asia to target youth with new image













    MUMBAI: Animax Asia is all set to refresh its image in order to target youth aged 15 to 24, and mature viewers with a youthful attitude. The new look Animax will hit television screens on 1 June.



    The channel announced today that as part of the its new look, it will be streamlining its programme structure to target this market segment, as well as introducing a creative campaign, Imagine-Nation, to capture the imaginative minds of the youth market.


    “Like all entertainment genres, animation continues to evolve, and we have noticed that the animation from Japan is moving towards a more youth-driven demographic. Animax too must move ahead with current trends to provide viewers with the coolest entertainment,” said SPE Networks – Asia vice president Animax, programming and production Betty Tsui.


    In line with the channel’s commitment to bringing the latest, hottest animation from Japan to its target audiences, helming the refresh programme this summer are two blockbuster animations, God Save Our King and Trinity Blood. Viewers can also expect unique programme content covering a wide variety of themes and styles in the next few months, including the latest Inuyasha: Fire on the Mystic Island, Paradise Kiss, Honey & Clover, Black Cat and Girl from Hell amongst others.


    The new initiative Imagine-Nation will roll out together with the channel refreshment. The Imagine-Nation project is Animax‘s showcase of successful or famous people from the region who are connected to the creative world of games, film, anime and design. This project also features those who dared to let their imagination lead them to success and fame.


    A host of talent, including local animation guru Nickson Fong and StickFas Toys founder Bany J from Singapore, and India’s first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan will share their visions and inspirations with viewers in a series of candid interviews.


    Fong said, “I am excited to be able to share my passion with youth through the Imagine-Nation project. Hopefully, this will inspire some local talent to go into designing, animation or film-making as a career choice, and take the burgeoning animation industry in Singapore to new heights.”


    Tsui added, “Like imagination and creativity, Anime is more than an art form. Anime is inspiring, innovative, unique and always on the edge. It is a lifestyle. We hope that the new Animax will inspire our youths to live out their dreams.”


    She further said that with the refreshed look of the channel, viewers will now be able to enjoy more edgy anime programmes that are most suited to their lifestyles, and viewers can certainly look forward to greater ‘out-of-the-box’ activities and off-air offerings to experience the ultimate animation lifestyle Animax presents.

  • BBC seeks suppliers for priority marketing campaigns

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC plans to acquire the services of a small roster of suppliers to provide strategic and creative content for its priority marketing campaigns commencing on 1 January 2007.

    This will be the result of a formal review of the BBC’s current Advertising Roster which is required to satisfy the BBC’s fair trading responsibilities.

    Suppliers will be required to work across the BBC’s public service portfolio including BBC One, BBC Two, its digital channels, radio networks and other New Media Services.

    Successful suppliers will work with the BBC’s marketing department to deliver communications plans and creative content for specific marketing campaigns. Campaigns will predominantly utilise the BBC’s own media – including TV, radio and online – with occasional use of external media such as posters and press advertising.

    The suppliers will have overall responsibility for successful delivery of the campaigns. Production of TV and radio executions, however, will be exclusively produced by the BBC’s preferred supplier in this area, Red Bee Media.

    Interested agencies need to apply via bbc.co.uk/supplying – see the link on the right-hand side of this page.

    The selection process will be completed by the end of the year.

  • Disney TV movie becomes fastest selling DVD title

    Disney TV movie becomes fastest selling DVD title

    MUMBAI: Disney US has announced that the television film High School Musical sold over 400,000 units on DVD on the first day of release.

    High School Musical has thus become the fastest selling television programme on DVD for the home entertainment industry this year and the industry’s fastest selling television movie of all time on DVD. In the film Troy and Gabriella – two teens who are worlds apart – meet at a karaoke contest and discover their mutual love for music.

    Gabriella Montez is a shy, studious new student at East High School; but all that changes when she is forced to sing at a karaoke contest with Troy Bolton, the captain of the school’s basketball team. After spending time with each other, both realise that they share a passionate love for music and singing. But will they retain this love when their school is telling them they cannot be together?

    Disney adds that the success of the film on DVD continues the phenomenon of the franchise. The film also has a triple-platinum selling soundtrack. The DVD contains bonus features including a ‘Learn the Moves’ feature led by Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega , a never-before-seen music video I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.

  • Cingular Wireless sets text messaging record for ‘American Idol’

    Cingular Wireless sets text messaging record for ‘American Idol’

    MUMBAI: US wireless carrier Cingular Wireless has broken its own record for wireless text messaging during the fifth season of American Idol on Fox.

    Cingular recorded more than 64.5 million text messages throughout the show’s season, breaking last year’s record of 41.5 million text messages.

    Text messages include votes, trivia, sweepstakes, entries, TXT chats, fan club and vote number reminder. Cingular introduced a lot of American Idol themed content this season, but its newest offering, Live Idol Tones, stole the show. Cingular claims to have broken new ground in the music industry with the tones letting Cingular customers purchase and download ringtones and answer tones of select American Idol performances just 24 hours after they were performed live on the show.

    Typically, traditional recorded music requires months to go from recording to distribution. Last week, Cingular’s Live Idol Tones category of ringtones was one of the top sellers.

    Cingular Wireless VP marketing John Burbank says, “We are pleased to have played a role in what was another great season of American Idol. We knocked Idol-related text messaging out of the ballpark and added another home run with our Live Idol Tones which capitalised on the passion American Idol fans have for their favourite contestants.”

    Cingular customers also had exclusive wireless access to American Idol throughout the season with services including TXT chats with Idol contestants and convenient vote number reminders listing all of the American Idol contestants who performed that week. In addition, Cingular customers also connected to the show through the Idol Wireless Fan Club which let them keep up with the latest Idol news, play Idol Trivia on their wireless devices or download “American Idol” -related ringtones such as the show’s theme song or songs from former Idol winners and contestants.