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Tag: ErosNow

  • China’s LeEco makes India debut; partners ErosNow & YuppTV

    China’s LeEco makes India debut; partners ErosNow & YuppTV

    MUMBAI: Internet and technology company and one of the largest online video companies in China LeEco has forayed into the Indian smartphone market with the launch of LeEco Max smartphone. What’s more, the company has inked content partnerships with over-the-top (OTT) players ErosNow and YuppTV.

     

    LeEco has launched their flagship superphones, Le Max & Le1s, in the Indian market. As their partner, ErosNow will be integrated within the Le ecosystem of internet enabled smartphones and smart televisions, showcasing ErosNow’s Bollywood films, music and Originals. Devices will include a one-year premium subscription to ErosNow service pre-bundled with the purchase of the phones.

     

    On the other hand, YuppTV will provide 250 live channels across 12 languages, offering entertainment, news, movies, music, kids, lifestyle and spiritual content.

     

    With a focus on maximum user engagement and satisfaction, the ErosNow service will be seamlessly integrated into the user interface of Le devices purchased in India.

     

    Eros International group CEO and MD Jyoti Deshpande said, “Content consumption is surging across consumers with patterns changing rapidly and internet entertainment networks becoming increasingly popular. Our partnership with LeEco is part of our philosophy to provide consumers entertainment whenever and wherever they want it.”

     

    “When content owners and platforms come together like Eros and LeEco, we provide a compelling consumer proposition. We are confident the LeEco range will be able establish its success in the attractive Indian market bundled with our premium content that consumers will love,” she added.

     

    LeEco Asia Pacific CEO Tin Mok said, “We are excited to be entering the attractive and vibrant Indian market and partner with some great companies here like Eros who is a proven market leader in Indian entertainment. We sold four million phones in China last year and our target this year is 15 million and we hope to replicate that success in India and wow the Indian consumer with our super phones and televisions packed with features. We are pioneers and innovators in the technology world and creating a seamless ecosystem has worked for us very well in China. We believe the Indian consumer will get great value and user experience from our cool phones at compelling prices with annual subscription of ErosNow built into the price.”

  • China’s LeEco makes India debut; partners ErosNow & YuppTV

    China’s LeEco makes India debut; partners ErosNow & YuppTV

    MUMBAI: Internet and technology company and one of the largest online video companies in China LeEco has forayed into the Indian smartphone market with the launch of LeEco Max smartphone. What’s more, the company has inked content partnerships with over-the-top (OTT) players ErosNow and YuppTV.

     

    LeEco has launched their flagship superphones, Le Max & Le1s, in the Indian market. As their partner, ErosNow will be integrated within the Le ecosystem of internet enabled smartphones and smart televisions, showcasing ErosNow’s Bollywood films, music and Originals. Devices will include a one-year premium subscription to ErosNow service pre-bundled with the purchase of the phones.

     

    On the other hand, YuppTV will provide 250 live channels across 12 languages, offering entertainment, news, movies, music, kids, lifestyle and spiritual content.

     

    With a focus on maximum user engagement and satisfaction, the ErosNow service will be seamlessly integrated into the user interface of Le devices purchased in India.

     

    Eros International group CEO and MD Jyoti Deshpande said, “Content consumption is surging across consumers with patterns changing rapidly and internet entertainment networks becoming increasingly popular. Our partnership with LeEco is part of our philosophy to provide consumers entertainment whenever and wherever they want it.”

     

    “When content owners and platforms come together like Eros and LeEco, we provide a compelling consumer proposition. We are confident the LeEco range will be able establish its success in the attractive Indian market bundled with our premium content that consumers will love,” she added.

     

    LeEco Asia Pacific CEO Tin Mok said, “We are excited to be entering the attractive and vibrant Indian market and partner with some great companies here like Eros who is a proven market leader in Indian entertainment. We sold four million phones in China last year and our target this year is 15 million and we hope to replicate that success in India and wow the Indian consumer with our super phones and televisions packed with features. We are pioneers and innovators in the technology world and creating a seamless ecosystem has worked for us very well in China. We believe the Indian consumer will get great value and user experience from our cool phones at compelling prices with annual subscription of ErosNow built into the price.”

  • Netflix a damp squib; broadcasters long term gainers: Edelweiss

    Netflix a damp squib; broadcasters long term gainers: Edelweiss

    MUMBAI: While the world is going gaga over Netflix’s simultaneous launch in 130 countries across the globe including India, financial services company Edelweiss is not too impressed, at least in the medium term.

     

    So when all and sundry are trying to predict and second guess the impact Netflix’s launch will have on the over-the-top (OTT) scene as well as on the broadcast industry in India, according to Edelweiss, the impact of Netflix in India will be limited on direct to home (DTH) and cable TV players over the medium term.

     

    Citing the reasons for the same, Edelweiss lists:

     

    1) Netflix does not have local content

    2) Free content is easily available on Erosnow, Hotstar, YouTube

    3) Steep pricing at 2-3x prevailing cable TV/DTH rates

    4) Broadband speed beyond top cities will be a huge challenge

    5) Lack of India cricket matches

     

    The Indian pay TV market is on its way to embrace OTT platforms, especially for sports content, following increasing usage of internet. According to the company, this will be an additional source of revenue for broadcasters like Zee, Sun TV and TV18 over the longer term. “However, most broadcasters already have their OTT platforms and are yet to sign content deals with Netflix,” the company said in its report.

     

    A successful OTT in US:

     

    Netflix is a successful OTT in US as cable TV ARPU is $60 per month versus Netflix’s ARPU of $20-24. Secondly, the US has higher broadband penetration (~80 per cent) with good speed; and original content is dished out by Netflix. However, in India, Netflix currently lacks these advantages.

     

    “Hence, we do not expect Netflix to have any major impact on Indian DTH/cable TV players over medium term. Netflix has a long way to go before tasting success in India,” Edelweiss said.

     

    Pricing, slow broadband key challenges in India:

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, in India, Netflix’s subscription rates are Rs 500, Rs 650 and Rs 800 for basic, standard and premium packs respectively. “These are 2-3x the prevailing cable TV/DTH rates. Besides, broadband will entail additional costs,” the report added. 

     

    Internationally, Netflix has done well riding attractive pricing, which is almost half the cable TV/DTH rates, and original content. While the company currently does not enjoy these benefits in India, in a bid to attract subscribers, it is offering free services in its first month of operations. 

     

    According to Edelweiss, plans are also afoot to facilitate streaming via laptops, TV, smart phones and tablets. “However, we believe in India where subscribers pay ~Rs250-450 per month for cable TV (includes sports channels), Netflix’s rates are on the higher side. Broadband speed will also be a challenge. Netflix requires minimum speed of 512kbps and recommends 3mbps speed for SD content and 5mbps for HD videos, which further limits its expansion plans,” the report said.

     

    Sports missing, India savours diverse content:

     

    Netflix is currently beaming international TV shows in India along with English and Hindi movies. “The company is currently not offering local content. Sports content, the main driver of the OTT platform, is also not offered. With India being a country with diverse culture it consumes content in eight different languages. Currently, Netflix is beaming only English content which will attract only niche audience,” the report added.

     

    With Netflix’s subscription price being by far the steepest in India as compared to competition, some of whom even offer content for free on their platform, it remains to be seen whether other players up their price, match Netflix’s or continue to offer content at a lower price. That said, with growing competition in the space from the likes of Arré, ALT Digital, DittoTV, ErosNow, HOOQ, Hotstar, Netflix, nexGTV, Sony Liv, Spuul, Voot and YuppTV, Netflix’s content strategy in the near future will be the key differentiator, which will separate the best from the rest.

  • Audioboom partners ErosNow for India foray

    Audioboom partners ErosNow for India foray

    MUMBAI: Prepping up for its launch in the Indian market, audio content providing on-demand platform Audioboom has entered into an agreement with Eros International’s digital OTT platform  ErosNow. 

     

    The two companies will operate on an advertising revenue share arrangement.

     

    Under the deal, ErosNow will equip its 30 million registered users with access to exclusive Audioboom local and global podcasts and entertainment, comedy, sports, news and current affairs content.

     

    Through the partnership, ErosNow users will be able to personalise their own listening experience within the ErosNow app, with access to music and spoken word audio on-demand as well as films and TV shows. Eros will provide Audioboom with access to the very best of Bollywood acting talent for the creation and distribution of exclusive spoken-word audio content for the Indian market and beyond.

     

    A key element of the proposed partnership will see Audioboom responsible for all audio content curation (music and spoken word), ad sales and ad campaign delivery within the audio section of the ErosNow mobile and web applications. 

     

    Pending the signing of a long form agreement, the parties will work together closely around technical integration and ad sales implementation.

     

    Audioboom CEO Rob Proctor said, “I am excited to be partnering with Eros and continue our global expansion with the leading entertainment company in India. We’re delighted to bring Audioboom’s extensive audio content to Eros’ massive audience, and to be creating high-quality audio with some of Eros’ biggest Bollywood stars. The opportunity to create highly-sought after on-demand audio, along with the potential revenue opportunities that this brings, gives us significant first mover advantage in this very important and lucrative market.”

     

    Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh added, “We’re always looking for new ways to engage and connect our users to their favorite celebrities on ErosNow, offering behind the scenes exclusives and star cast interviews. With their focus on sharing content and social network integration, the Audioboom platform is the perfect partner for ErosNow, providing a new medium for our talent to connect with their fans.”

  • ErosNow ties up with Idea to provide Bollywood content on 4G

    ErosNow ties up with Idea to provide Bollywood content on 4G

    NEW DELHI: Eros International’s OTT (over-the-top) platform ErosNow has entered into a content deal with telecom company Idea Cellular to provide a platform for its 4G users.

     

    The partnership offers Idea 4G subscribers access to ErosNow’s premium bundled services including movies, music, TV content and ErosNow originals.

     

    Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh said, “With the growing penetration of data services across India, content consumption is surging across consumers. ErosNow’s association with a leading telecom player like Idea provides us the ideal platform to reach a larger subscriber base and offer a very compelling array of Bollywood and regional content. This strategic association with Idea is the beginning of a long term relationship we intend to build in the future.”

     

    Idea Cellular CMO Sashi Shankar added, “With Idea’s foray into 4G services, we are strengthening our 4G portfolio and digital presence through an assortment of digital content in partnership with leading content aggregators, handset manufacturers, and e-commerce retailers. ‘Movies and Videos’ is the highest consumed service category by data consumers on the Idea network, and I’m confident that our association with ErosNow will provide an enriching experience to our 4G customers.”

     

    Idea had recently announced the launch of 4G services across five southern states of India, and plans to expand to 750 towns in 10 service areas by June 2016.

     

    The association with ErosNow will enable Idea 4G customers in these markets to enjoy the content at a monthly subscription price of Rs 49. Idea is also offering a special subscription price of Rs 29 per month for its new 4G customers till 31 March, 2016.

  • ErosNow launches ‘Blazing Bajirao – The Game’

    ErosNow launches ‘Blazing Bajirao – The Game’

    MUMBAI: Eros International’s on-demand entertainment portal ErosNow launched the trailer of ‘Blazing Bajirao The Game’ for their upcoming film Bajirao Mastani. An extension of ErosNow’s digital marketing innovation, the web series, Blazing Bajirao, the game will be available on 10 December, 2015 for download on the Apple App and Google Play stores. The web version will be available exclusively on erosnow.com.

     

    The interactive game invites players to embark on a thrilling adventure as they battle as Peshwa Bajirao, the undefeated warrior of the Maratha empire. As players progress through the game, they must fight through hordes of enemy infantry and archers in search of Mastani roaring ‘Har Har Mahadev’!

    Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh said, “ErosNow has been pushing boundaries with unique digital initiatives for the promotion of Bajirao Mastani. After the success of India’s first graphic web series, Blazing Bajirao, the game was a natural progression to take digital promotions to the next level. The game is of stellar quality and gamers can now become Peshwa Bajirao, the great warrior themselves and experience the exhilaration of battle victory using swords, bows and arrows.”

  • ErosNow user base jumps 58% in six months to cross 30 million

    ErosNow user base jumps 58% in six months to cross 30 million

    MUMBAI: Eros International’s over-the-top (OTT) service ErosNow has now crossed 30 million registered users worldwide as of 30 September, 2015, which is a jump of almost 58 per cent from the figure of 19 million six months back on 31 March, 2015.

     

    The platform’s user base has been steadily increasing over the months. As of 31 December, 2015, ErosNow’s subscribers were at 14 million and touched 23.8 million as of 30 June, 2015, a growth of 25 per cent as compared to 31 March, 2015. 

     

    At last count on 31 July 2015, ErosNow had 26.5 million users. The 30 million registered users for ErosNow represents an approximately 26 per cent increase as compared to 30 June, 2015.

     

    As was previously reported by Indiantelevision.com, the company is eyeing over 100 million registered users with its aggressive content and marketing strategies

     

    The OTT platform’s strategy is to upsell premium subscriptions to the large base. In the future, the services also plans to expand to gaming, e-commerce and other synergistic domains to monetise the large base beyond entertainment.

     

    As was previously reported by this website, ErosNow is planning to launch as many as six new original shows in the near future starring actors like Bipasha Basu, Chitrangda Singh, Radhika Apte, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Ayushmann Khurrana amongst others.

     

    The company has also introduced its pricing plans for the Indian as well as international markets, which will be rolled out in the coming months.

  • ErosNow readies six original shows with big stars; to adopt tiered premium pricing model

    ErosNow readies six original shows with big stars; to adopt tiered premium pricing model

    MUMBAI: As digital players strengthen their content, pricing and marketing strategy in the country with the impending opportunity that will be provided by 4G players, Eros International’s over-the-top (OTT) platform ErosNow has readied as many as six original made-for-digital shows.

     

    The shows will be young, fresh and edgy, which will be a differentiator from traditional television programming. Additionally, being a major player in the Indian film industry, Eros has also roped in big actors namely Bipasha Basu, Chitrangda Singh, Radhika Apte, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Ayushmann Khurrana amongst others to star in the digital shows.

     

     

    PRICING MODEL

     

    In a highly-competitive market place, ErosNow’s strategy will be to garner a large user base and migrate users to pay platform by offering premium services. The OTT platform plans to monetise its 26.5 million users under a tiered premium pricing model: (1) Advertising revenue, (2) Transaction revenue: ‘Pay As You Go’ model, (3) International Premium single tier subscription service priced at $7.99 per month and $79.99 per year, and (4) Indian quasi-premium two-tiered subscription service priced at Rs 50 and Rs 100 per month.

     

    While internet penetration is still in its early stages in India, the country’s digital ad market is poised to reach $2.8 billion by 2020 and ErosNow is eyeing a chunk of this revenue. In India, ErosNow will offer two pricing models. While in the Rs 50 per month subscription package, users can have access to all new content ad free content with subtitles, the Rs 100 per month model content will additionally also offer portability and HDTV content.

     

    The ‘Pay As You Go’ pricing model will have weekly, monthly and series passes.

     

     

    ORIGINAL SHOWS

     

    Upping the ante on original content, the six new shows, which will soon be loaded on ErosNow are of the thriller and drama genres and range from eight – twelve episodes. Boasting of big names from the Indian film industry, the shows are likely to pull in audiences on the platform.

     

    The first show is a thriller titled The Clients starring Bipasha Basu and will have 12 episodes. The show is based in the posh ‘murky’ corridors of power in Delhi, amidst rich industrialists and powerful politicians, where a woman uses the power of her body, mind and soul to clean their mess…or does she have another agenda?

     

    The second thriller is titled Khel and stars Chitrangda Singh. The 10 episodes show gives an insider’s look at the world of Indian Premier League (IPL), and the various stake holders in it. It will offer a behind-the-scenes story of the IPL match-fixing, politics, controversies. Drugs, sex, big money & criminal syndicates all play a big part. The real games are played not on, but off the field…beyond the boundaries.

     

    The third drama titled Legacy has the tagline – ‘When Music Demands Blood’ and will star names like Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Ayushmann Khurrana amongst others. The 10 episodes show focus on the music industry wherein a young man arrives from nowhere and takes the music industry by storm. But he has a secret hidden agenda – to destroy the country’s biggest music label by creating his own.

     

    The Radhika Apte starrer Lost, will be an eight episodes thriller, which will revolve around an eight year old girl who goes missing. Her NRI parents are forced to seek the help of a suspended female cop in their search for her. An ex-human trafficker is blackmailed to join the search or else risk his sinful past catching up with him.

     

    The fifth show is a drama called Showtime, which will take a look at the 1960s golden era of Bollywood and all that goes in front as well as behind the camera. The eight episodes drama will showcase legendary men and women of the era, their love stories, heartbreaks and more.

     

    The sixth show in the young drama genre is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Fairytale. Bhansali will revisit the most popular fairytales set in modern day India in the show spanning 12 episodes. Planned in the seasons format, each season of the show will recreate one fairytale with dazzling visuals in the form of a musical with a definite twist in the tale.

     

    As part of its content strategy for original programming, ErosNow will develop shows in the various genres like drama, fiction, reality and comedies. Additionally, the OTT platform is also eyeing remakes from hit international series.

     

    Targeting key markets like India, Australia, South East Asia, Middle East, Europe and America where there is demand for Indian content and stars from the Indian diaspora, ErosNow will take a 360 degree marketing approach utilising the medium of television, cinema, radio, print, outdoor, social media and advertising networks to promote its offerings. 

     

     

    ADVERTISING MODEL

     

    ErosNow will be moving away from the CPM rates and YouTube type inventory monetisation. The service will have selective premium advertisers and synergise partnerships with celebrities endorsing brands. Apart from having pre-rolls and other real estate on the player, ErosNow will have sponsorships rather than spots and offer higher ad premium based on levels of interactivity and user engagement. It will also look at in-film placements in movies and original series.

     

     

    PARTNERSHIPS

     

    Being platform agnostic, ErosNow will collaborate with telecom companies, cable and DTH platforms, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like TV, connected and personal devices as well as with others like broadband companies and the Indian Railways to be present across maximum platforms.

     

    ErosNow has inked marketing and distribution “carriage” with all major cable operators in India. It has also integrated with DTH players in India to capture digitisation trend. Moreover, the company has also inked cable partnerships in all major markets including US, Canada, Middle East & SE Asia.

     

    For OEMs, ErosNow has partnered with some television manufacturers so all major smart TVs will have the app and will offer cross-promotions worldwide. ErosNow content and apps will be featured on all connected devices worldwide.

     

    ErosNow has also inked carriage and cross-promotion deals on mobile handsets pre-loaded with the ErosNow app. In one such deal, Karbonn will soon be launching one million smart phones with the ErosNow app embedded in it.

     

    In a deal with the Indian Railways, the OTT platform is now also the exclusive content partner for entertainment rollout in thousands of railway stations in India with RailTel. What’s more, with Google poised to boost railway Wi-Fi rollout, this will receive a huge impetus.

     

    Additionally, ErosNow app is also offered in bundle deals with major broadband players in India.

     

    Internationally, distribution partnerships have been inked with cable companies as well as new platforms in the the US. Partnerships are also in place with major telecom providers in over 50 countries.

     

    OUTLOOK

     

    Apart from original programming, the content mix on ErosNow will also comprise movies, television and music. As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, ErosNow has acquired the UK based company PingTune to enhance its music offering.

     

    Eros is also looking at carving a new window for movie premieres on ErosNow between the theatrical release and television airing. It may be recalled that Star India recently premiered Bajrangi Bhaijaan on television first and then put the movie exclusively on its OTT platform Hotstar.

     

    ErosNow is one of the pivotal pillars of Eros International’s growth and profitability plans. The company’s aim is to maximise the full potential of its direct to consumer business and aims to garner over 100 million registered users. ErosNow’s strategy is to upsell premium subscriptions to the large base. In the future, the services also plans to expand to gaming, e-commerce and other synergistic domains to monetise the large base beyond entertainment.

    With numerous OTT players like Star India’s Hotstar, Multi Screen Media’s Sony Liv, Zee Entertainment’s DittoTV, HooQ, BoxTV, Big Flix, Balaji Telefilms’ yet to launch OTT platform etc, looking to ride the OTT bus, ErosNow is gearing up to clinch the first-movers’ advantage with its aggressive plans in the space.

  • Eros acquires UK based PingTune to strengthen music offering on OTT

    Eros acquires UK based PingTune to strengthen music offering on OTT

    MUMBAI: Eros International has acquired the UK based music messaging company PingTune, which allows people to discover, share and listen to music through their app on iOS & Android.

     

    The PingTune acquisition provides Eros’ digital platform ErosNow with a first mover advantage in building a differentiated, one-of-a-kind music experience in India.

     

    The PingTune platform allows a deeper social connection between music, fans, and artists. It allows fans to discover, share and listen to music through their app. In addition, PingTune enables artists to create and own official profiles so that they can interact and deliver content directly to fans.

     

    “Music plays an incredibly important role in Bollywood films. We believe our acquisition of PingTune extends our already robust music offering, and is an excellent addition to the ErosNow platform, adding features and functionality that provide our users with a highly differentiated music experience. PingTune adds a deeper level of social connectivity by eliminating the boundary between artists and fans, and allowing users to connect with artists in a more meaningful and enjoyable way,” said Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh.

     

    “Eros has always been at the forefront of Indian media and entertainment, adapting new technology to enable fans to experience content in new ways. Their online platform, ErosNow, is a great example of this. We are very excited to partner with Eros in this age of bite-sized content and mobile connectivity, where a content sharing experience for consumers is extremely valuable. Eros’ massive audience and existing relationships with artists will allow PingTune to achieve tremendous scale and visibility worldwide,” added PingTune founder and CEO Henry David Firth.

     

  • Star disrupts programming; moves Plus’ youth show ‘Badtameez Dil’ to hotstar

    Star disrupts programming; moves Plus’ youth show ‘Badtameez Dil’ to hotstar

    MUMBAI: ’Tis the age of disruption and leading from the forefront is Star India. Even as media pundits have been shouting from rooftops about how over-the-top (OTT) platforms are poised to disrupt the Pay TV business, Star Plus has gone ahead and done the unthinkable.

    In a first of sorts, the network is uprooting Star Plus’ youth fiction show Phir Bhi Na Mane Badtameez Dil from the channel and moving it exclusively to its OTT platform – hotstar. 

    The show will be available on hotstar exclusively from Monday, 28 September. New episodes of the show will be released every weekday morning.

    Produced by Tequila Shot Productions’ Saurabh Tewary, Star Plus launched the show on-air on 29 June. It was being aired six days a week from Monday to Saturday in the 8.30 pm slot.

    In an earlier interaction with Indiantelevision.com, Tewary had said that it would be a finite show with 300-350 episodes. “It is impossible to narrate a love story for ages and ages. Love stories are always finite shows and cannot be kept running for a longer period otherwise the show will lose its relevance and visibility,” he had said. 

    While internationally, seasons of shows like House of Cards amongst others have been exclusively released on the online platform Netflix, India is just waking up to the OTT game. A few baby steps have been taken by Indian OTT players like Sony Liv, ErosNow, DittoTV etc to churn out innovative and exclusive original content for the platform. However, this is the first time that a show from a linear channel is being uprooted and put on an OTT platform.

    Phir Bhi Na Maane… Badtameez Dil is a love story between a VJ and a business head. The story revolves around the two, who get separated because of their misunderstandings and the manipulations of others only to meet again after seven years to resolve unsettled issues.

    Star India has taken this step keeping in mind the fan following that Phir Bhi Na Mane Badtameez Dil has attracted on hotstar amongst digital users in the 18-24 age group. 

    The OTT space in India is rapidly picking up pace with companies churning out innovations and exclusive content. With competition heating up amongst players, disruption will be the only way forward to stay ahead in the game.