ITV

Tag: DCI

  • Digiserv announces suite of content delivery services

    Digiserv announces suite of content delivery services

    MUMBAI: Digital Entertainment Services (Digeserv) in the US has announced that it will provide the complete suite of services necessary for the motion picture industry to move cost effectively and expeditiously from analogue to digital film and advertising delivery.

    Unlike many previous companies in the industry, Digeserv says that its diversified management team has performed film and advertising delivery in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. The firm says that it is committed to all industry participants to offer integrated, modular and complete services that expedite delivery and optimize cost and quality in the transition to digital. The firm adds that it is industry and participant neutral and is able to provide interfaces so any industry participant can benefit from its capabilities:

    Digital Network Services – Digeserv says that itsnetwork services will be open to each participant in the motion picture industry so any digital delivery companies, exhibitors and studios can move their content securely to ensure the digital delivery of films, pre-show and alternative content on a more cost effective basis. The digital network services will offer 24×7 service delivery with standardised protocols, thereby making access uniform throughout the industry.

    Digital Equipment Services – These the company says will accommodate any manufacturer’s equipment with the objective of increasing throughput while lowering cost and facilitating standards that permit DCI compliance throughout the industry. Each equipment package will accommodate both advertising as well as other digital content delivery.

    Funding Platform – The company says that it will make available to the industry a financial platform that permits the cost effective funding of exhibitor equipment that meets its compliance standards. In addition, the platform will monitor and settle all commercial trade transactions electronically between all parties in the distribution chain, whether they be digital delivery companies, studios, exhibitors, manufacturers or other vendors. The financial platform will allow all parties to minimize their working capital requirements with certainty of payment in settling all trade transactions.

    Alternative Content – The company adds that it has been approached by numerous content providers that would like to utilise the Digiserv open network services for offering new venues not currently available to the motion picture industry.

    The firm will provide a demonstration of its digital entertainment services and capabilities early next year in the US. After its demonstration, the firm will consult with all parties in the industry to exhibit how each participant can benefit by implementing a lower cost solution using proven technology and delivery partners.

  • Discovery’s revenue grows by 13 per cent

    Discovery’s revenue grows by 13 per cent

    MUMBAI: Global media firm Discovery Communications has announced its results for 2005. DCI’s revenue for the fourth quarter increased by 11 per cent to $772 million and 13 per cent in 2005 to $2.7 billion. DCI’s operating cash flow increased by one per cent in the quarter to $184 million and four per cent in 2005 to $687 million.

    In the US, its revenue increased by eight per cent in the quarter to $444 million and nine per cent in 2005 to $1.7 billion. Operating cash flow increased by six per cent in the quarter to $148 million and eight per cent in the year to $643 million. The growth in revenue was due to increases in distribution revenue for both periods combined with a five per cent decrease in ad revenue in the quarter and flat ad revenue for the year.

    Net distribution revenue increased by 24 per cent in the quarter and 22 per cent for 2005 as the US networks had a 10 per cent increase in paying subscribers in 2005 combined with contractual rate increases. Operating expenses increased by eight per cent in the quarter and 10 per cent in the year due to an increase in programming expense as the company continued its investment across all US networks in original productions and series and specials.

    Internationally, its revenue increased by 25 per cent in the quarter to $214 million and by 24 per cent in the year to $731 million. Operating cash flow increased by 27 per cent in the quarter to $33 million and 10 per cent for the year to $109 million. The increases in revenue were due to growth in distribution and advertising revenue. Net advertising revenue increased by 26 per cent in the quarter and 28 per cent in the year primarily due to higher viewership in the UK and an increased subscriber base in the UK and Europe.

    Net distribution revenue increased by 29 per cent in the quarter and 25 per cent in the year due to increases in paying subscription units in Europe and Asia combined with contractual rate increases in certain markets. Operating expenses increased by 25 per cent in the quarter and 27 per cent for 2005 due to an investment in the lifestyles category designed to develop and grow that market opportunity combined with an expected increase in headcount as the business expands.