ITV

Tag: Europe

  • HBO Max partners with Series Mania Institute to boost video production in Europe

    HBO Max partners with Series Mania Institute to boost video production in Europe

    Lille, France: The shortage of writing, production, and directorial talent is being bemoaned by one and all at a time when demand for content is booming worldwide. WarnerMedia EMEA is doing something about it in France to start with. EVP & head of original production, EMEA Anthony Root at the content powerhouse- on 23 March – announced that it is going to be putting in a million dollars over the next three years behind an initiative SeriesMania Institute being pushed by fast growing TV series festival SeriesMania.

    Present at the Series Mania Forum during the announcement were the festival’s founder & general director Laurence Herszberg, and Series Mania Institute project manager Pierre Ziemniak. HBO Max will be joining Newen (founding partner), France Télévisions, and Entreprises et Cités, The Series Mania Institute, launched last year, is an initiative devoted entirely to training the professionals of tomorrow’s European TV series.

    The organisation also benefits from the support of the Lille European Metropolis (MEL), the Hauts-de-France Region, and the CNC, as well as partnerships with some of the leading European schools, including La Fémis and Sciences Po Lille. Its European course Eureka Series is supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the European Union.

    Herszberg says, “Since its creation, our mission with the Series Mania Institute has been to be the incubator for creating new talent and developing an impressive European network, while reinforcing the training of these professionals in the field of series and audiovisual content, including scriptwriters, directors, producers, and broadcasters. Now, thanks to HBO Max and their generous funding, along with all of our partners, we are well positioned to devote the necessary training to these new talents who will create the European series of tomorrow. I could not be prouder than to be making this announcement today.”

    HBO Max EMEA General Manager Christina Sulebakk adds, “Europe is home to an incredible breadth and depth of talent and in partnership with the Series Mania Institute, we’re thrilled to provide the support and resources to nurture the next generation. At HBO Max, we recognise that programming is only as good as those who are empowered to make it and through this initiative, we’re excited to play a meaningful role in helping creatives to do their best work.”

    Unit Audiovisual Industry and Media Support Programmes, European Commission head Lucia Recalde highlights, “Creative Europe MEDIA is proud to be a partner of the Series Mania ecosystem, first through Series Mania Forum, and now with Eureka Series, the European training programme of Series Mania Institute. HBO Max supporting the Institute marks an important step in the integration of international SVOD platforms to the European industry, and a major creative opportunity for European series professionals”.

    Opened in 2021, the Series Mania Institute is the first school entirely devoted to training future series professionals. The Institute is made up of three programmes, including: Eureka Series, an intensive three-month training course for emerging television drama series writers and producers from all over Europe, a Master’s Programme at Science Po Lille for future managers, and Le Tremplin/Springboard, a platform to help identify, initiate, and guide young talents in the Hauts-de-France region. Through these programmes and future initiatives, the Series Mania Institute delivers world-class training to creators and storytellers from diverse backgrounds and origins and develops the next generation of remarkable European series makers, contributing to a strong future for the European audiovisual industry.

  • Pixis names Neel Pandya as CEO for Europe business

    Pixis names Neel Pandya as CEO for Europe business

    Mumbai: Pixis (formerly known as Pyxis One), a provider of contextual codeless AI infrastructure for complete marketing optimisation, on Thursday named Neel Pandya as chief executive officer of its operations in Europe, in addition to his responsibilities of leading the APAC business.

    Pandya joined Pixis in its Bengaluru office as the APAC CEO in July 2021. “Under his leadership, Pixis witnessed a 185 per cent growth in revenue in the APAC region, with India independently recording 150 per cent of growth. Over the last seven months, in addition to greatly stabilising customer churn, Pandya has also been instrumental in adding close to 30 new enterprise customers,” said the company in a statement.

    “Neel has been doing a remarkable job navigating and growing the business in APAC. In addition to the new volley of customers we’re signing up, we’re also seeing record retention rates with our existing customers,” stated co-founder and global CEO Shubham A Mishra. “Over the last few months, we’ve been noticing steadily increasing traction in Europe, and I believe we have the right person in Neel to lead our Europe business.”

    As CEO of Pixis’ Europe business, Pandya’s key responsibilities will include leveraging existing traction in the region to profoundly grow the business and brand. 

    Weighing in on his appointment, partner at Chiratae Ventures Venkatesh Peddi added, “Neel’s success in the APAC region is testament to his belief in the Pixis vision, as well as his charisma as a leader. His prior experience with the European markets will serve him excellently in executing and staying on top of the expansion roadmap.”

    Pandya is a seasoned leader who possesses the global experience and a deep understanding of consumers in APAC and Europe. Prior to Pixis, he exemplified vast professional capabilities at L’Oréal, Vodafone and GroupM. Additionally, he was named one among India’s Top 40 under 40 Most Disruptive Minds, two years consecutively, and has also served as the youngest media head of all times at L’Oreal and Vodafone.

    “The past seven months at Pixis have seen my learning curve grow steeply, and I’m beyond honoured at being given the responsibility to grow the Europe business now,” said Neel Pandya. “The continent is currently undergoing an interesting and exciting phase in marketing. In fact, digital advertising spends alone have amounted to over 69.4 billion Euros, making it the second-biggest market after the US. I’m thoroughly looking forward to building strong teams that can support us in growing our European operations.” 

  • Madhav Sheth elevated to lead realme brand expansion in Latin America

    Madhav Sheth elevated to lead realme brand expansion in Latin America

    Mumbai: Chinese smartphone brand realme has elevated its vice president (VP) and India and Europe CEO Madhav Sheth to spearhead the company’s business operations in the Latin America region.

    Under the new designation of realme VP and India, Europe and Latin America CEO, Sheth will lead the product, marketing, brand-building, and sales functions in these regions, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

    In Mexico and Brazil, realme will prioritise product development, which is always a top priority for the company and will aim towards building a strong local workforce in the Latin American region. In addition, realme will optimise its market and channel strategies in Mexico and Brazil.

    “Under Sheth’s stewardship, realme has ascended to the top five vendors in Europe in Q2 2021 as per Strategy Analytics, and the company plans to do the same in Mexico and Brazil next year,” the brand said.

    According to a report by Counterpoint Research, realme now ranks among the top six smartphone brands globally. It is the fastest brand ever to reach 100 million shipments in the history of the global smartphone market, as per Strategy Analytics. The brand ranks among the top five smartphone makers in 18 markets in Q2 2021, as per Canalys.

    “The foray into a new and promising market reflects realme’s vision to bring trendsetting technology and leapfrogging performance to the consumers in the region, enabling it to achieve its ambition of gaining dual 100 million users by 2023 and build its way to a leading tech brand,” realme said.

  • Rakuten TV turns to Amagi for FAST channel distribution

    Rakuten TV turns to Amagi for FAST channel distribution

    Mumbai: Rakuten TV has partnered with the cloud-based SaaS tech firm Amagi for channel distribution and monetisation across Europe. The video-on-demand (VOD) streaming service company has deployed Amagi’s free ad supported streaming TV (FAST) solutions.

    In Europe, Amagi supports premium content brands, including A+E Networks UK, Horse & Country TV, NBCUniversal International, News UK, Sofy TV, Koch Media, ADN, Ofive TV and Viceland UK among others, on its cloud broadcast platform.

    “This partnership with Amagi is key for Rakuten TV as we continue our European expansion,” said Rakuten TV CEO and founder Jacinto Roca. “It has provided access to a great line-up of third-party content across a wide range of genres.”

    For Rakuten TV, Amagi delivers a line-up of nearly 50 third-party linear channels, working alongside Rakuten TV’s primary monetisation partner Rakuten Advertising. These include Bite, Bon Appétit, Brat TV, IMG EDGEsport, Insight TV, PopSugar Fitness, Qwest TV, Talk Radio TV, and Xite.

    “Our channel creation, distribution and monetisation solutions are already the preferred choice for some of the largest OTT platforms and content brands in the market. We are pleased to add Rakuten TV’s FAST service in Europe to Amagi’s distribution network,” said Amagi co-founder Srinivasan KA. “With our premium content partners, viewership and advertising analytics capabilities, we are confident of accelerating Rakuten’s market share in the region.”

    With over 90 free linear channels, Rakuten TV provides an unlimited audiovisual entertainment through a catalogue that features the latest releases, on-demand access to premium subscription services, free films and TV shows.

  • Sarika Shankarnarayan elevated as business head – Star UK, Europe & South Africa

    Sarika Shankarnarayan elevated as business head – Star UK, Europe & South Africa

    Mumbai: Sarika Shankarnarayan has been elevated as business head for Star TV Network UK, Europe, and South Africa. She is the first woman business head for Star TV Network UK.

    Shankarnarayan has been associated with Star TV Network for almost 14 years and was previously the vice president – marketing and sponsorship sales. She began her career at J Walter Thompson (Wunderman Thompson) and has been associated with Sony Pictures Networks India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises before joining Star TV India in October 2007.

    With two decades of experience under her belt, Shankarnarayan is a media professional with strong cross-cultural and multi-market experience in brand building and marketing. She is an alumnus of Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi and completed her post-graduation in management from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad.

    The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of Star TV Network in 2019. The network broadcasts over 65 channels across 110 countries worldwide. In the UK, Star Plus the flagship channel was sampled by an average of 596,500 viewers every week across 2019, with a viewership of 10,797 individuals every minute of the year, garnering a staggering 0.8+ billion eyeballs (Source: Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB), Wk 1-32’2019). Star Network is a leading TV destination in the UK reaching 4+ million Asians and partnering with 2600 brands to leverage the purchasing power of UK’s Asian audiences.

  • Times Network expands its global footprint with DistroTV

    Times Network expands its global footprint with DistroTV

    Mumbai: Times Network has partnered with California-based media technology company, DistroScale to distribute its news channels globally. DistroTV is an independent, free, ad-supported streaming television service available across international markets.

    Through the partnership, the network channels Times Now, Times Now Navbharat, and Zoom will be available in the UK and Europe. Mirror Now will be available across the UK, US, and Europe. Times Network is now present in over 100 countries, said the broadcast network in a statement.

    The channels will be a part of DistroTV specialised Southeast Asian package ‘DistroTV Desi’.

    “Catering to the appetite of the rapidly growing global audience, DistroTV is a robust network that offers us the opportunity to strengthen our reach amongst oversees South-Asian viewers and I am confident that with our holistic offering we will continue to keep them informed and entertained,” said Times Network, chief operating officer and executive president, Jagdish Mulchandani.

    “Times Network is part of India’s largest media conglomerates and a great brand that provides news and entertainment channels to audiences in India and around the world,” said Distroscale, co-founder and chief executive officer, Navdeep Saini. “We are thrilled to welcome a multitude of their channels, including their news channel Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, to our diverse, and growing fast platform. The addition of these channels signifies our ongoing commitment to deliver thought-provoking and engaging content to a globally-minded audience.”

    “We are excited to launch four channels from the Times Network for our audiences from UK, Europe, and the US on our specialised SE Asian package ‘DistroTV Desi’. Our international audiences will consume their daily dose of news and infotainment on the Times Now, Mirror Now, and Times Now Navbharat channels and be entertained by the glitzy showbiz, music, and celebrity updates on Zoom,” added Distoscale, vice president of business development, Rajesh Nair.

  • UEFA partners with AVIWEST for Euro 2020 coverage across Europe

    UEFA partners with AVIWEST for Euro 2020 coverage across Europe

    Mumbai: Live video contribution solutions provider AVIWEST was appointed by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to support selected off-venue events, including official team training and press conferences from Europe’s biggest football show — UEFA Euro 2020 — using a bonded cellular ecosystem.

    UEFA leveraged AVIWEST’s PRO380 bonded cellular field units, StreamHub transceiver, and manager unified management platform to address its mobility, flexibility, and reliability challenges. AVIWEST also provided UEFA with SIM cards and data, and accompanied their broadcast team throughout all stages of the project, including expeditions across Europe, team training, installations, and follow-ups with a 24/7 support service.

    The AVIWEST PRO3 Series enabled UEFA’s host broadcast team to securely provide live high-quality feeds over aggregated cellular networks. They were also able to use IP networks to send first-class images from the field.

    “The AVIWEST Manager offers greater flexibility, efficiency, and simplicity than other systems on the market, so it was the perfect match for UEFA’s remote live video production requirements,” said AVIWEST’s area sales manager Alexandre Augereau. “We are proud of the support that our team of experts provided to UEFA. During the event, they worked together closely to streamline UEFA’s workflows and help them to reach their goals.”

  • DocuBay now available on Roku streaming devices in the US, Europe

    DocuBay now available on Roku streaming devices in the US, Europe

    MUMBAI: DocuBay, the global premium membership streaming service by IN10 Media Network, is now available on Roku streaming devices in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and France. The DocuBay channel is now available from the Roku Channel store on Roku devices, expanding DocuBay’s availability to millions of consumers. Roku users now have access to DocuBay’s premium documentary film library that includes HD and 4K titles across a variety of genres or “Bays” such as PoliticsBay, TravelBay, SportsBay, ScienceBay, and CrimeBay, as well as the latest TechBay, in partnership with US-based Big Media as previously announced.

    DocuBay vice president, strategy, Girish Dwibhashyam stated: “With DocuBay’s launch on Roku streaming devices, we’re continuing our efforts to expand across the world. We look forward to new viewers discovering the DocuBay app and premium content library that features truly unique stories and global perspectives. Being accessible to documentary film fans no matter which platform or device they happen to be using remains a top priority for us.”

    DocuBay is available in 180+ countries across devices and platforms such as the App Store, Google Play, Roku streaming players, Roku TV models, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, among others.

  • Disney+ launches in seven European countries

    Disney+ launches in seven European countries

    MUMBAI: Disney+ has launched in Europe as the coronavirus continues its macabre journey at different parts of the world. It may be recalled that just a few days ago, the streaming platform launched in India, only to withdraw abruptly the next day.

    The Walt Disney Company’s streaming service will launch in France on April 7.

    The European launch of Disney+ means that it will be available in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. Disney+ will come with a comparatively lower bandwidth utilisation in view of the growing worries about the capability of some broadband infrastructure to manage the likely surge in consumer demand.  

    In 2019 November, Disney+ launched its service in the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. 

    Disney+ provides a treasure-trove of more than 26 original movies and series, films, and television episodes and much more. The launch means that audiences in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland will be able to enjoy streaming of Disney+ on almost all major mobile and connected TV devices, which include smart television, streaming media players and gaming consoles. Disney+ provides commercial-free viewing and unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices, in addition to customised recommendations. While subscribers may set up to seven different profiles, parents are at liberty to set Kids Profiles which feature child-friendly interface. It enables parents to restrict inappropriate content.

    Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, said that launching in seven markets simultaneously is a new milestone for Disney. “As the streaming home for Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic, Disney+ delivers high-quality, optimistic storytelling that fans expect from our brands, now available broadly, conveniently and permanently on Disney+. We humbly hope that this service can bring some much-needed moments of respite for families during these difficult times.”

    Meanwhile, the streaming platform (DIS +14.5%) is enjoying its best day as a stock since October 2008. Though at $98.18, it's still significantly off a 52-week high of $153.41, or even the $140 mark of a month ago.

    According to MoffettNathanson, Disney was unencumbered by language barriers unlike Netflix which had to localize its content for various non-English-speaking regions. Moreover, Disney+ is rolling out in Europe at a time when a large part of the population is staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown is likely to help the service to boost its subscriber uptake. 

    Unlike other international markets, Disney already has its OTT presence in India through Hotstar which came under its umbrella after the 21st Century Fox acquisition. Bob Iger, the ideator of Disney’s streaming journey, wanted to exploit Hotstar’s popularity in the country and launch the merged and rebranded service during IPL. Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, the cricket tournament has been postponed and the entry of Disney+ got delayed in India.

  • Insight TV launches on LG Channels in Europe

    Insight TV launches on LG Channels in Europe

    MUMBAI: Insight TV, the world’s leading 4K UHD HDR broadcaster and producer of native UHD content, has announced that its channel is now available in Europe on LG Channels, exclusively powered by Xumo. This announcement follows on the heels of the same Insight TV launch on LG Channels powered by Xumo in the US and further highlights the company’s commitment to its growing audience around the world.

    LG Channels, powered by Xumo, is one of the leading innovative ad-supported TV services in the US.  The company announced its expansion into Europe earlier this year. This means Insight TV’s unique, high-quality content, based around global influencers and trending topics, will widen its reach in several European territories including the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Insight TV’s channel will provide viewers with linear and on-demand options, allowing viewers to choose whatever and however they want to watch the channel, providing flexibility and a more enjoyable streaming experience.

    Arun Maljaars, Director Content and Channels, Insight TV adds, “Expanding our relationship with LG and Xumo means that we’re continuing to fulfill our goal of providing impactful content that resonates with viewers across the globe. These types of advertising supported linear services delivered via connected TV are gaining more traction every single day.”