ITV

Tag: BBC

  • BBC Weather launches mobile app

    BBC Weather launches mobile app

    MUMBAI: BBC Weather has launched a mobile application for iOS and Android devices in the UK. The free app enables users to keep ahead of the weather by allowing users to take BBC Weather‘s information on-the-go.

    As soon as a user opens the app it will automatically detect one‘s location and gives one an instant overview of the weather conditions wherever one is. It also gives quick access to the five day forecast with the option to look up further detail such as hourly UK forecasts, and three hourly forecasts for international locations, for the next 48 hours. One can find other destinations from the UK and abroad with a simple search and save them to a customisable list of favourite places.

    The app lets one make the most of this summer‘s big events with Glastonbury, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix all approaching. There are regular updates for the weather and other information including UV, pollen count, wind speed and humidity.

    The UK pubcaster adds that the app follows an increase in users accessing BBC Weather‘s services from mobile devices over the last year, and brings the breadth of its information into a simple design. The look and feel is consistent across iOS and Android with differences, such as navigation and search, that are designed to be instantly familiar to users of each platform.

    All information and data can be found in either version of the app, but Android users can also add a widget on the device‘s home screen and share favourite locations over NFC (Near-Field Communications) by simply touching two compatible devices together.

    BBC Weather head Liz Howell said, “The new BBC Weather app is the perfect companion for this summer‘s great British sport and music events. We know that our audiences really want that at-a-glance forecast when they‘re out and about, with the option of digging for further detail when they need or want to. That‘s exactly what we‘ve delivered, squeezing in all of our trusted data into an app that‘s simple to use and looks fantastic.”

    BBC Future Media senior product manager for Weather James Metcalfe said, “We‘re making BBC Weather truly mobile with the launch of our new app. As so many of our audiences access BBC Weather from iOS and Android devices, we can now offer them an even better way to keep ahead of the weather on-the-go. This represents a significant milestone in our commitment to provide a world-class weather service to audiences across four screens – desktop, mobile, tablet and connected TV.”

  • BBC to live-stream the tennis grand slam Wimbledon

    BBC to live-stream the tennis grand slam Wimbledon

    MUMBAI: The BBC will offer a never before seen 10 live streams as part of its coverage of this year‘s Wimbledon tennis tournament.

    The BBC said the streams, which will give viewers access to alternative courts, will be accessible across PC, tablet, mobile and connected TV from the BBC Sport website.

    Live text commentaries, news, videos, highlights and a regular column and Q&As with British tennis star Andy Murray will be featured online, with the BBC Sport app available free for Apple and Android devices.

    Coverage of the event will also be carried on the linear BBC One and BBC Two networks and on their respective HD feeds, and on BBC Radio 5 Live.

  • BBC closes Digital Media Initiative

    BBC closes Digital Media Initiative

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that it is to close its Digital Media Initiative (DMI).

    Beginning in 2008, DMI set out to move the BBC‘s production and archive operations to a fully integrated, digital way of working. The decision to close DMI follows an operational review of the project which was launched in October 2012. The report found that DMI was not going to deliver on its stated objectives and as a result BBC DG Tony Hall, took the decision to close it with the agreement of the BBC Trust. The total cost of DMI to the BBC will be ?98.4 million.

    Following the decision to close the project, the BBC Trust has launched an independent review to establish what went wrong and why.

    Hall said, “The DMI project has wasted a huge amount of License Fee payers‘ money and I saw no reason to allow that to continue which is why I have closed it. I have serious concerns about how we managed this project and the review that has been set up is designed to find out what went wrong and what lessons can be learned. Ambitious technology projects like this always carry a risk of failure, it does not mean we should not attempt them but we have a responsibility to keep them under much greater control than we did here.”

    The DMI set out to create new digital production tools and link them with a central, digital archive that would allow BBC staff to access a seamless digital chain throughout the production process, from camera to archive. The BBC has worked digitally for some time, DMI aimed to bring those processes together so that everything could be accessed from the same system and stored on a computer.

    The individual components of DMI were: new production tools that could be used to create content digitally on a desktop; a store to house the newly created digital content; a database to search BBC archives and a place to store production reports digitally.

  • Micro-blogging site Twitter to beef up security following recent high-profile breaches

    Micro-blogging site Twitter to beef up security following recent high-profile breaches

    MUMBAI: Twitter in an effort to guard their users from being hacked. The site would soon be introducing a new system to ensure the user logging in is genuine.

    The recent attacks broke into news organisations‘ accounts, such as the Financial Times and the newswire service the Associated Press (AP).

    One tweet sent from AP‘s hacked account said President Obama had been injured.

    Some attacks have come from political organisations, notably the Syrian Electronic Army, which appears to act in support of President Assad‘s government.

    It claimed credit for hacking several news organisations, including AP.

    Twitter product security head Jim O‘Leary said that despite the new security plans, users should start out with a strong password adding, “Of course, even with this new security option turned on, it‘s still important for you to use a strong password and follow the rest of our advice for keeping your account secure.”

    Twitter said the new system would allow users to opt for a two-step system that would require a verification code for each sign-in.

    O‘Leary said this would be simple: “You‘ll need a confirmed email address and a verified phone number. After a quick test to confirm that your phone can receive messages from Twitter, you‘re ready to go.”

    A message would then be sent to the account holder‘s mobile phone with a verification code to login with.

    Other security breaches suffered by Twitter included one in February, when 250,000 users had their passwords stolen in an attack.

    News organisations including the BBC were warned by Twitter last month to tighten security in the wake of the high-profile hacks, one of which got into the BBC‘s weather feed.

  • The future of television rests in apps: Netflix

    The future of television rests in apps: Netflix

    MUMBAI: OTT subscription service Netflix has published a report called Long Term View. The report says that the evolution to Internet TV apps is already starting. It notes that existing networks, such as ESPN and HBO that offer amazing apps will get more viewing than in the past, and be more valuable. Existing networks that fail to develop first-class apps will lose viewing and revenue.

    “Apps that provide on-demand viewing are critical because people don‘t love the linear TV experience where channels present programmes at particular times on non-portable screens with complicated remote controls. Finding good things to watch isn‘t easy or enjoyable. In addition to Netflix, most of the world‘s leading linear TV networks are moving into Internet TV,” Netflix says.

    It has given the examples of HBO and ESPN. ESPN, Netflix notes will keep improving their app to try to stay ahead of MLB.tv, which it says is another terrific Internet TV sports app.

    “The HBO Go app makes HBO‘s films and series much more accessible than on HBO‘s linear channel. The BBC iPlayer app in the UK provides a rich and popular on-demand interface for a wide range of BBC programming. The other major linear networks are not far behind,” according to Netflix.

    Netflix adds that while Internet TV is only a very small per cent of video viewing today, the expectation is that it will grow every year because:

    1. The Internet will get faster, more reliable and more available;
    2. Smart TV sales will increase and eventually every TV will have Wifi and apps;
    3. Smart TV adapters (Roku, AppleTV, etc.) will get less expensive and better;
    4. Tablet and smartphone viewing will increase;
    5. Tablets and smartphones will be used as touch interfaces for Internet TV;
    6. Internet TV apps will rapidly improve through competition and frequent updates;
    7. Streaming 4k video will happen long before linear TV supports 4k video;
    8. Internet video advertising will be personalized and relevant;
    9. TV Everywhere will provide a smooth economic transition for existing networks;
    10. New entrants like Netflix are innovating rapidly.

    Netflix goes on to note that eventually, as linear TV is viewed less, the spectrum it now uses on cable and fibre will be reallocated to expanding data transmission. Satellite TV subscribers will be fewer, and mostly be in places where high-speed Internet (cable or fibre) is not available. The importance of high-speed Internet will increase.
     
    It cites examples of this transformation taking place in different nations. “In the UK, for example, the BBC is already starting to programme more for its iPlayer app than for its linear channels, given the large and growing viewing on the iPlayer. For most existing networks, this economic transition will occur through TV Everywhere. If a consumer continues to subscribe to linear TV from a multi-channel video programme distributor (MVPD), they get a password to use the Internet apps for the networks they subscribe to on linear.”

    The key to avoid cord cutting for networks, according to Netflix, is to keep their prime-time programming behind the authentication wall. It proposes that same consumer who today finds it worthwhile to pay for a linear TV package will likely pay for a ‘linear plus apps‘ package. Netflix further says that Internet TV apps will improve just like the mobile phone over the next 20 years.

    In addition to creating opportunity for linear networks, the emergence of Internet TV also enables new apps like Netflix, YouTube, MLB.tv, and iTunes to build large scale direct-to-consumer services that are independent of the traditional MVPD bundle. Netflix notes that while it competes for entertainment time with traditional networks, the scope of such time is quite large. Consumer time devoted to web browsing and video games, for instance, has expanded hugely over the last two decades without a corresponding diminution of TV viewing.

  • BBC America, Twitter in branded video partnership

    BBC America, Twitter in branded video partnership

    MUMBAI: As part of its strategy to go beyond 140 characters, micro-blogging site Twitter has tied up with BBC America to offer the first in-Tweet branded video synced to entertainment TV series.

    This news comes after reports that Twitter was in talks with NBCUniversal and Viacom for content. Twitter has also launched a music service.

    Twitter already has partnerships with Time Warner‘s TBS, sports broadcaster ESPN and the Weather Channel.

  • What’s-on-India’s TSM expands reach to 2200 head-ends

    What’s-on-India’s TSM expands reach to 2200 head-ends

    MUMBAI: TV guidance company What‘s-on-India today said it has expanded the reach of its TV channel distribution and connectivity monitoring system Television Street Maps (TSM) to 2,200 cable-head ends and control rooms across 1700 towns up from 700 head-ends and 250 towns that it used to cover.

    Some of the new markets added by TSM in the expansion plan include small (less-than-one-lakh) population towns in Hindi-Speaking-Markets (HSM LC1).

    These markets are being analysed anew by the industry as they become critical for subscription revenues with digitalisation. The HSM LC1 markets now play a more crucial role in TV Channel‘s ad revenues and TSM has already launched data for these markets.

    The company plans to make TSM a census of cable headends and control-rooms through aggressive expansion. The target is to reach coverage of 3,000+ head-ends by the end of 2013.

    TSM business head Joydip Kapadia said, “We‘ve seen tremendous support from broadcasters for our initiatives. They understand that in the fast evolving digital landscape, distribution, reach and quality play key roles. The consumer is spoilt for choice and the onus is on the broadcasters to ensure that their channel is readily available to viewers in the best possible quality. Last year, TSM promised the industry a huge expansion and we have delivered it.”

    TSM delivers day-to-day TV channel monitoring by head-ends and towns to the TV industry. It also monitors cable and DTH Channel Packs, pack prices and EPG quality.

    Over the last two years, it has sharpened the delivery of its Weekly Reports, alerts and other extended offerings such as neighbourhood analysis, sensitivity analysis, short term daily placement monitoring, EPG scan, EPG quality monitoring, leading & following gap analysis.

    Launched more than a year ago, TSM already counts the likes of TheOneAlliance, Star India, BBC, Multi Screen Media (MSM), Disney-UTV, and Viacom18.

  • BBC Worldwide implements Mediamorph to track, manage global digital sales

    BBC Worldwide implements Mediamorph to track, manage global digital sales

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), recently implemented Mediamorph which offers business software for the global media industry to support and enhance its digital distribution channels through cloud-based contract and royalty management solutions.

    BBC Worldwide Senior Manager, Digital and Home Entertainment, Linda Passey said, “As we have evolved and grown our digital content licensing business, we have encountered challenges in managing commercial terms, understanding cross-platform viewership and handling royalty processing. Mediamorph has provided a solution that allows us to manage these issues with tracking, measurement and financial workflow for our digital distribution.”

    Mediamorph‘s bespoke solution suite offers BBC Worldwide data validation, royalty processing systems for revenue recognition, customised reporting, an interactive business analytics tool and a single-point tracking service that can be used by team members around the globe.

    Mediamorph CEO, and Founder Michael Sid said, “We are pleased to offer a robust suite of services to BBC Worldwide, which is a prime example of the ways in which digital content are changing the landscape of the entertainment media industry” .

    From April 2013, BBC Worldwide is restructuring its business to be based around geographic locations, supported by key global business areas.

  • AXN to increase marketing spends by 30 to 40 per cent this year

    MUMBAI: English general entertainment channel AXN will increase marketing spends by 30 to 40 per cent this year with more new show launches.

    In fact 20 per cent of its marketing budget for the year is going towards ‘Hannibal‘ which kicked off on 5 April at 10.00 pm.

    The 13-episode weekly television show is a prequel to famous films that featured psychiatrist and psychopath Dr. Hannibal Lecter that include ‘Red Dragon‘ and ‘Silence of the Lambs‘.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, AXN Networks India Business Head Sunil Punjabi said the character Hannibal has strong brand recall due to the film series. “That is why we felt the need for a multimedia campaign. We have been doing activities for a few weeks. A lot of outdoor is being done including hoardings and bus-backs. We also air ads in cinema halls. We use pre roll ads on Youtube, and advertise on the Times of India.”

    The focus of the campaign rests on the fact that the show is about a master manipulator. It is also focusing on the fact that the show has intelligent content and is about the shifting dynamics of the relationship between two people.

    “I don‘t worry about competition. ‘Hannibal‘ is a new genre that has not been seen on Indian television. In terms of quality it is a couple of notches higher than the competition whether you look at the storytelling or the technical aspects like the visual effects and the sound. It will set a new benchmark for quality in English entertainment,” says Punjabi.

    The focus of AXN will rest on airing shows as close to their US airing date as possible. “This way we can cut down on online piracy. Having a strip strategy works better for older seasons but not for the latest season. The temptation of viewers after they see the first episode of a new show is to try and download the later episodes. If we air it as soon as possible then there will be no need for them to go elsewhere”.

    He also does not feel that the Indian Premier League will affect viewing of ‘Hannibal‘ by much. That is because fans of the Twenty20 extravaganza are also AXN fans. So they will switch between watching the match and watching the show.

    Punjabi‘s focus since he joined AXN last year has been to have differentiated content, since the genre is getting fragmented with more entrants. Drama content is growing on the channel with the focus now resting on having content that thrills, as opposed to the earlier focus of being the heart of action and adventure.

    “Apart from ‘Hannibal‘ we have recently acquired ‘Sherlock‘ from the BBC. This is also a show that is unique to the Indian audience. Within drama there are five to six genres that are shown on the channel. For instance ‘Justified‘ is a traditional bang bang kind of show. ‘Chuck‘ on the other hand is geeky in nature and will appeal to those who are tech savvy. So it is not about repeating the same thing.”

    Finding sponsors for ‘Hannibal‘ was a challenge. So far only Blue Star has come on-board. Generally an AXN show has around four sponsors. “But I am confident that once the first episode airs, clients will want to come on-board when they see it. We are talking to other companies. Blue Star had conviction in the show and so they had come on-board.”

    “This show is something new and is seen as a kind of experimental. ‘CSI‘ on the other hand has eight sponsors. That is because it is familiar and clients know about it. I think that we should have more screenings for the media fraternity to create better awareness about a new show.”

    But there is a catch 22 situation. If a show airs very close to the US airdate then there may not be enough time to have enough screenings for the media ahead of the show‘s launch. That is something that the broadcaster will have to get around.

    Blue Star GM Corporate Communications and Marketing Girish Hingorani said the show will appeal to the 25-44 TG which is the target group for his company. “Since you cannot buy this genre on the basis of numbers we look at the quality and uniqueness of content, the plans that a channel has for social media, and the buzz that it generates on social media platforms. AXN scores strongly in these areas. ‘Hannibal‘ is intellectual in nature which is why we were drawn towards it.”

  • BBC commissions BBC Three drama strand for BBC iPlayer

    BBC commissions BBC Three drama strand for BBC iPlayer

    MUMBAI: BBC has commissioned a BBC Three drama strand exclusively for BBC iPlayer.

    The drama strand is a venture between BBC iPlayer, BBC Three and BBC Drama Production to commission six original short films over two years, written and directed by the best up-and-coming writing and directing talent from across the UK.

    This new drama strand builds on BBC iPlayer‘s strategy to showcase more exclusive content within the service in 2013 and on the BBC Writersroom‘s ongoing commitment to bring the best new writers to UK audiences.

    Last year the BBC brought selected online-only programmes to audiences via BBC iPlayer. These included BBC Three ‘Feed My Funny‘ new talent comedy pilots, a Doctor Who mini-series called ‘Pond Life‘ and curated archive programmes for BBC Four. These proved popular on BBC iPlayer, with Pond Life receiving over five million requests, the BBC Three comedy pilots over one million requests and the BBC Four archive programmes receiving over 2 million cumulative requests.

    BBC head of IPTV, TV online content Victoria Jaye said, “This ambitious new strand builds on BBC iPlayer as a creative platform to bring original British drama to audiences online, and explores storytelling outside of a scheduled TV slot or duration. Audiences will be able to discover, share and enjoy these dramas whenever and wherever they choose.”

    BBC Drama executive producer Hilary Salmon said, “This is a precious opportunity for BBC Drama Production to produce original content for the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Three audience and to build relationships with writing and directing talent that is on the way up.”

    BBC Three controller Zai Bennett said, “As a youth channel, BBC Three is at the forefront of new ways to commission and view programmes and to find up and coming talent both on and off the screen. This new drama strand is exactly the kind of venture BBC Three is all about.”