ITV

Tag: agreement

  • NH Studioz paves the way for Doordarshan’s grand revival

    NH Studioz paves the way for Doordarshan’s grand revival

    Mumbai: NH Studioz, one of India’s premier content houses with a colossal copyright library of over 2500 feature films, has been awarded the tender and entered into a landmark agreement with Doordarshan (DD), India’s pioneering and most widely watched television channel. In a significant move that marks a new era of content synergy, NH Studioz has leased slots on DD for a two-year period, taking complete ownership of daily afternoon slots from 1 pm to 4 pm and weekend prime time slots from 8 pm onwards. They will be taking care of entire programming, advertising sales, marketing, and promotions.

    The agreement includes exclusive programming, advertising sales, marketing, and promotional responsibilities. Doordarshan, with its historical significance as India’s first and oldest television channel, boasts an unparalleled reach. The channel’s cultural impact, strategic placement on all platforms, government partnership, and emotional connect with viewers from diverse demographics make it the ideal platform for NH Studioz to expand its reach and engage with audiences nationwide.

    NH Studioz director Shreyans Hirawat expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Doordarshan represents a historic moment for NH Studioz. We are excited to bring our extensive content library and programming expertise to DD’s platform, and we look forward to providing captivating entertainment to viewers across the nation.”

    NH Studioz’s decision to collaborate with Doordarshan aligns with DD’s aggressive approach to revitalise its platform with new and engaging content. Recent initiatives by DD include shows by renowned creators like Subhash Ghai (“Janaki”), Shilpa Shetty (“Yoga”), and a collaboration with Netflix for “Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.”

    NH Studioz sees this partnership with Doordarshan as a significant step in shaping the future of entertainment in India. It combines the strength of NH Studioz’s vast content library and programming expertise with Doordarshan’s historic presence, wide reach, and enduring cultural significance. Together, they aim to provide engaging content to viewers across the nation, from tier 2 and tier 3 markets to cultural and festive occasions, reinforcing Doordarshan’s position as an integral part of Indian families.

    With a history of delivering exceptional cinematic experiences, NH Studioz has established itself as a major contributor to the programming of leading movie channels like Star Gold, Zee Cinema, and Set Max, consistently accounting for impressive programming of their content. The studio’s diverse film library, spanning from classics of the 1950s to contemporary releases in 2023, caters to audiences of all demographics and features the biggest names in Indian cinema, including icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Kartik Aryan, Ranbir Kapoor, and more. NH Studioz boasts a vibrant social media presence, with an engaged audience viewing approximately 50 million hours monthly across 33 channels, serving a subscriber base of 35 million users.

  • PVR Cinemas partners with Cinionic to provide 100 percent laser projection

    PVR Cinemas partners with Cinionic to provide 100 percent laser projection

    MUMBAI: PVR Cinemas has announced an expanded preferred partnership agreement with Cinionic, the world’s leading provider of laser cinema solutions, to power 500 screens with Barco Series 4 4K laser projection. On completion of the rollout on new and existing screens, PVR will be the first exhibition chain in India to go 100 percent 4K RGB laser projection. The announcement was made at CineEurope, a European convention and trade show for major, regional and independent cinema exhibitors, which is taking place this week in Barcelona.

    The Barco Series 4 family from Cinionic features next generation 4K laser projection that supports sustainability with reduced waste, lower energy consumption, and an extended lifetime. The thoughtfully designed Series 4 moves away from the use of consumables, utilizing reusable components like air filters, and the laser light source eliminates the need for lamps and their subsequent replacement and disposal. All models within this leading laser projection range are also exceptionally efficient, reducing power consumption with smart power management, minimized heat dissipation, and increased operational efficiency.

    PVR chairman & managing director Ajay Bijli said, “PVR is aligned to the Climate Action SDG goal of the United Nations and has committed to lower its emission and reduce its carbon footprint. The BARCO Series 4 4K RGB laser projectors is a sustainable investment from PVR as part of its endeavor to make changes in operational practices for reducing emissions and conserve energy for a sustainable future”.

    This announcement continues a long-standing partnership between PVR and Cinionic as together they work to elevate the cinematic experience for audiences in India. Laser Projection by Cinionic delivers exceptional presentation quality with vivid colours, high brightness, and clear on-screen images. Through the expanded agreement with Cinionic, PVR will also benefit from Cinionic’s enhanced services with Cinionic Cloud, a digital platform for managed services through remote connectivity, improving the performance and optimizing the cost of operation over time. Cinionic services help to ensure worry-free operations for cinemas, by monitoring the health of the projector, predicting service interventions in advance, and minimizing screen downtime.

    “PVR continues to enhance the theatrical experience for India, offering cinematic excellence and a commitment to a sustainable future. We are proud to expand our strong relationship with PVR to deliver a fully laser-powered theatrical experience. The eco-friendly Barco Series 4 offers audiences across India a greener way to go to the movies” said Cinionic CEO Wim Buyens.

    In observing evolving trends in the cinema exhibition industry, energy-efficient and eco-friendly product designs are gaining momentum. Energy is no longer simply an internal cost factor. Today’s leading exhibitors are looking for ways to reach their sustainability goals without sacrificing quality and identifying how every part of their cinema value chain can contribute towards supporting a greener value proposition.

  • Twitter to address Elon Musk’s demands by providing crucial tweet data

    Twitter to address Elon Musk’s demands by providing crucial tweet data

    MUMBAI: In a bid to end the standoff between the company and Elon Musk, Twitter will grant Tesla’s CEO unprecedented access to its “firehose” of public tweet data, The Washington Post reported. With this, the tech giant seeks to assuage Musk’s concerns over fake or automated accounts by yielding access to the firehose API, which contains ‘every tweet as it is posted.’

    Twitter’s firehose API, in its entirety, shows what a user would see if they followed every account on Twitter — although the sheer volume of data is impossible to obtain or analyse without automation. Due to its value for ad-targeting and platform surveillance, it is also one of the company’s most closely held resources.

    Firehose data could be immensely valuable as raw material for a study on automated activity. However, conducting a full study of automated activity would require significant time and resources, given the sheer scale of the data.

    Providing valuable data could help Twitter score political points over Musk, as the micro networking platform seeks to fend off Musk’s qualms over the number of bots or automated accounts on the platform, and ensure that he honours his part of the buyout deal.

    The news comes just days after the maverick billionaire once again threatened to back out of his deal to purchase Twitter, accusing it of failing to provide data on fake accounts.

    In his filing with the US Securities Exchange on Monday, Musk accused Twitter of breaching its April agreement by not providing him sufficient data on automated accounts, rejecting the company’s offer to provide more detail on its internal studies of the issue.

    Musk legally committed to purchasing Twitter in April this year, but since then has been increasingly vocal about growing bot activity on the platform, in what is seen by many as an attempt to renegotiate the deal on more favourable terms or cancel it altogether.

    ALSO READ |The Twitter-Elon Musk tussle: To be ‘bot’ or not to be

    “Twitter’s latest offer to simply provide additional details regarding the company’s testing methodologies is tantamount to refusing Musk’s data requests,” Musk’s representatives said in the filing. “At this point, Musk believes Twitter is transparently refusing to comply with its obligations under the merger agreement.”

    Despite all this, Twitter Inc. remains confident the deal will proceed as planned. In an internal meeting, a senior company executive assured employees that the deal was proceeding normally and set for a shareholder vote in late July or early August.

    Meanwhile, the networking giant’s stock continues to trade well below the $54.20 price set by Musk, reflecting market skepticism that the deal will go through as agreed.

    In response to Musk’s SEC filing, Twitter issued a statement earlier this week. “Twitter has and will continue to cooperatively share information with Musk to consummate the transaction by the terms of the merger agreement,” the statement reads. “We intend to close the transaction and enforce the merger agreement at the agreed price and terms.”

  • Hathway – MSM imbroglio: MSO to not renew deal

    Hathway – MSM imbroglio: MSO to not renew deal

    MUMBAI: In a move that would surprise many, multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable and Datacom has decided to not renew the contract with MSM Media Distribution (MSMMD) in DAS phase II areas.

     

    As reported first by Indiantelevision.com, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on 14 August had directed Hathway to pay Rs 14.56 crore towards subscription dues to MSMMD for DAS Phase I till the expiry of the agreement i.e. 31 October, 2015 in three instalments.   

     

    In a statement issued today, Hathway said that it will not renew the contract with MSMMD for DAS phase II. It may be recalled that this contract between the two expired on 31 March, 2015 and was not renewed by Hathway then.

     

    “Dripping ratings and average content cannot be a base for a broadcaster to take distribution platforms for a ride by demanding hefty growth year on year. In fact, it requires major correction in the subscription fees that the broadcaster charges. The concern with Sony Entertainment Television, the flagship channel of Multi Screen Media (MSM), has been witnessed over the last year wherein their content lacks appeal and demand as compared to other leading networks and does not deserve a growth, which was raised by us to the broadcaster. All the other channels in the MSM bouquet are also irrelevant and don’t offer any compelling content,” said a Hathway spokesperson.

     

    Hathway has said that in DAS I markets, where the contract expires on 31 October, 2015, it will offer MSM channels on an a la carte basis to consumers and not as part of any of the packages till the expiry of the contract.

     

    Speaking on the dues that Hathway owes the company, MSMMD executive vice president sales and marketing Makarand Palekar said, “Hathway has a huge outstanding and they haven’t paid us for seven months. MSM as a network is very patient and does not switch off channels on any platform, but Hathway has tested our patience and even if it wants to put the channels on a la carte, it will have to clear the outstanding first, which is close to Rs 15 crore.”

     

    It now remains to be seen how this story between the two parties pans out.

  • DataWind expands its distribution reach; to leverage HomeShop18’s multimedia retail platform

    DataWind expands its distribution reach; to leverage HomeShop18’s multimedia retail platform

    NEW DELHI: DataWind, provider of wireless web access products, has announced expansion of its Indian retail footprint through a new partnership with HomeShop18, one of India’s comprehensive virtual retailer operating in an integrated multimedia environment. 
     
    HomeShop18 and DataWind as part of the agreement will jointly launch special sales programmes across broadcast, mobile and internet media to create greater access of UbiSlates, India’s largest selling low cost android tablets and internet access devices.
     
    DataWind, in the last couple of months, has aggressively expanded its distribution network through a series of modern, traditional and online retail distribution agreements.  DataWind’s UbiSlate range of tablets and PocketSurfer series of smartphones are now available across the country at specialist as well as general mobile stores and large format electronics retail superstores.  These new channels now support the company’s existing retail infrastructure that include online and direct to consumer channels.
     
    Speaking on the occasion, DataWind president &CEO Suneet Singh Tuli said, “We greatly value our partnership with HomeShop 18, given their experience and extensive reach across multimedia platforms of broadcast, internet and mobile shopping. The partnership augurs well for both the companies just as it increases access to our low cost android tablets, the addition of our range to HomeShop 18 platform enriches their overall offering.”
     
    DataWind in the last six months has tied up with UniverCell in the south, Spice Retail in the North and West and has established its own distribution network in the east.  The company values this new partnership to help close distribution gaps by leveraging HomeShop18’s wide TV shopping network.
     
    Speaking about the partnership, HomeShop18 founder and CEO Sundeep Malhotra said, “We at  HomeShop 18, aim to persistently bring to our customers superior technology at an affordable price. Our partnership with Datawind will ensure our customers from across the length and breadth of the country, have access to the company’s rich product portfolio. We are delighted to offer HomeShop 18’s extensive reach through TV, Web and Mobile to Datawind and look forward to a successful alliance.”
     
    Since its initial launch in India in mid-2012, DataWind has consistently ranked as one of the top players in the tablet PC segment in India

  • Network18 enters into an agreement with Carnival Cinemas

    Network18 enters into an agreement with Carnival Cinemas

    MUMBAI: Multiplex chain Carnival Cinemas after having a great 2014 has set the right tune for the new year. While it was in December 2014 when Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) sold its multiplex business to Carnival Cinemas, 2015 has begun with Network 18 Media & Investments entering into an agreement with the multiplex chain. 

    The agreement has been done through Network 18’s venture capital arm, Capital18 Fincap. Network18 with this will divest its entire stake in Stargaze Entertainment, which operates multiplexes in emerging urban centers of India under the brand name ‘Glitz Cinemas.’ 

    Capital 18 is a majority shareholder at Stargaze and the transaction, expected to be completed within the current financial year, will result in a profitable exit for Capital18.

    It can be noted that the proposed transaction with Reliance MediaWorks had placed Carnival amongst the top three multiplex operators in the country, with over 300 screens nationwide.
    The agreement with Network 18 is yet another move by Carnival Cinemas to reach its target of 1,000 screens by 2017. 

  • Rentrak sings TV ratings agreement with Viacom 18 Media’s IndiaCast

    Rentrak sings TV ratings agreement with Viacom 18 Media’s IndiaCast

    MUMBAI: Rentrak, one of the leaders in measuring movies and TV everywhere, has announced an agreement with Viacom 18 Media’s IndiaCast for its two networks, Aapka Colors (known as Colors outside of the US) and MTV India.

     

    As part of the agreement, IndiaCast will utilise Rentrak’s TV ratings currency for programming research, as well as a business tool for its advertising sales initiatives.

     

    “Aapka Colors and MTV India are extremely popular services, not only in the US, but around the world,” said IndiaCast head of Americas business Sameer Goswami. “With expanded distribution and focused marketing, we are now getting into the next phase of our business in the US for these brands, which is where measurement systems such as Rentrak play a big role.”

     

    “Rentrak is happy to continue to serve the south Asian category and prove the value of these networks thorough our unique advanced demographic targets,” added Rentrak president of national television sales Chris Wilson.

     

    Rentrak’s television ratings service is the only fully-integrated system of detailed satellite, telco and nationwide cable TV viewing information from more than 29 million TVs and Video on Demand from more than 114 million TVs, including granular information for TV stations in all 210 markets projected to the US population.

     

  • PGN and MEASAT lock deal for international distribution

    PGN and MEASAT lock deal for international distribution

    MUMBAI: MEASAT Satellite Systems has announced its agreement with Pilipinas Global Network (PGN) for capacity on MEASAT-3.

     

    Under the terms of the agreement, PGN will use MEASAT-3’s global beam to distribute Aksyon TV International and Kapatid TV5 channels to over 120 countries across Asia Pacific, Australia, the Middle East and Eastern Africa.

     

    Kapatid TV5 is a 24-hour general entertainment Tagalog language channel and prides itself in its ability to capture the pulse of the Filipino people. AksyonTV International is a 24-hour Tagalog language channel dedicated to bringing the latest in News and Philippine Sports.

     

    “PGN will leverage on MEASAT-3’s excellent coverage to expand international distribution of Kapatid TV5 and AksyonTV International,” said PGN president and CEO Claro Carmelo “Ito” Ramirez. “MEASAT-3’s established orbital location is already accessible to many pay TV operators and we look forward to bringing our homegrown content across to more Filipinos all over Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa,” he added.

     

    “MEASAT is pleased to welcome PGN to Asia’s premier video neighbourhood,” said MEASAT SVP – sales and marketing Raj Malik. “We wish PGN much success in bringing high quality Filipino programming to audiences across Asia and Africa,” he concluded.