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  • 4k Media Continues To Expand International Streaming Media Partnerships For The Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise

    4k Media Continues To Expand International Streaming Media Partnerships For The Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise

    MUMBAI:  Adding to its digital distribution dominance, 4K Media Inc., the Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. subsidiary that manages the licensing and marketing of the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand, and its distribution partner Cinedigm have announced that the brand has added  a number of  SVOD/VOD partners in Europe to its already impressive roster of global digital partnerships.

    Among 4K Media’s latest digital media distribution agreements are:

    Germany:

    236 German-language episodes of the complete series “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” and 155 German-language episodes of the complete series “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX,” in cooperation with the German distribution partner KSM GmbH, have been licensed to:

    RTL networks’s German online portal ClipFish

    Maxdome, the SVOD platform owned by Prosieben Sat 1. Media

    My Video, one of Germany’s most popular online video destinations, also owned by  Prosieben Sat 1. Media

    Italy:

    TIM will be offering its TIMvision’s subscribers all 49 episodes of “Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V” Season 1, the latest series from the franchise.

    Multi-Territory Agreements:

    Crunchyroll, the U.S. based international online community focused on streaming Asian media with a special emphasis on anime and manga, has expanded its worldwide (outside of Asia) distribution arrangement with 4K Media with the addition of the original, uncut Japanese-language versions of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” and “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX” series with English subtitles.

    4K Media joins leading Hollywood studios in partnering with Tubi TV (www.tubitv.com), the world’s largest and fastest-growing — free and legal — video app on Connected TV devices, Mobile, and the Web. The free, video-on-demand service has licensed 154 original and uncut episodes of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” with English subtitles, as well as 123 English-language episodes of the series. 

    In commenting on the digital distribution partnerships, Mark Kirk, 4K Media Senior Vice President, Digital Operations, said:  “We’re thrilled to have episodes of the various

    Yu-Gi-Oh! series available to fans throughout the world. 4K Media has been embracing digital media platforms as a viable method for distributing content for over a decade and will continue to do so as the numbers of fans accessing the vast Yu-Gi-Oh! library of episodes online and on mobile devices validates that decision.”

    This latest round of digital distribution agreements expands 4K Media’s vast number of existing streaming partnerships for the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, including Hulu (US), Netflix (multi-territory), ClaroVideo (Latin America) and TV4 (Sweden), among others.

    The Yu-Gi-Oh! animated franchise, with over 700 episodes available in up to 15 local languages, consists of the original “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters,” “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX,” “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s,” “Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL” and the newest installment, “Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V,” as well as the highly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game, video games, licensed product and feature films.

     

  • Consumer products segment leads Disney’s record profits for Q1-2015

    Consumer products segment leads Disney’s record profits for Q1-2015

    BENGALURU: The Walt Disney Company Inc (Disney) reported 17.4 per cent higher operating income (op inc) of $3545 million (27.7 per cent of all segment operating revenue or TIO) for Q1-2015 (quarter ended 27 December, 2014, current quarter) versus $3020 million (24.5 per cent of TIO) in quarter ended 28 December, 2013 – Q1-2014.Op Inc in Q1-2015 was 27.7 per cent more than the Op Inc reported for the immediate trailing quarter (Q4-2014, previous quarter, quarter ended 27 September, 2014) at $2775 million (22.4 per cent of TIO).

     

    Leading the growth with a 45.6 per cent y-o-y increase in Q1-2015 at $626 million from the $430 million was its Consumer Products segment (CP).CP’s Op Inc in Q1-2015 grew 65.2 per cent from the $379 million in Q4-2014.Though a couple of Disney’s segments reported drops in revenues, Op Inc of all of Disney’s other segments – Media Networks (MN), Parks & Resorts (P&R), Studio Entertainment (SE) and Interactive, also showed positive y-o-y and q-o-q growth.

     

    Disney’s TIO for Q1-2015 grew 8.8 per cent y-o-y to $13391 million from $12309 million and was 8.1 per cent higher q-o-q than the $12389 million in Q4-2015.

     

    “This was yet another incredibly strong quarter for our Company, with diluted EPS up 23 per cent driven by record revenue as well as significant growth in segment operating income, ” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert A Iger.”Our results once again reflect the strength of our brands and high quality content and demonstrate that our proven franchise strategy creates long-term value across all of our businesses”

     

    Disney Segment results

     

    Media Networks

     

    MN is Disney’s largest segment, both in terms of revenue and Op Inc.MN reported 2.7 per cent growth in Op Inc to $1495 million (41.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in the current quarter from the $1455 million (48.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2014 and a growth of 4 per cent from $1437 million (51.8 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q4-2014.

     

    During Q1-2015, MN revenue grew 10.8 per cent to $5860 million (43.8 per cent of TIO) from $5290 million (43 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 12.3 per cent more than the $5217 million (42.1 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    Two sub-segments contribute to MN – Cable Networks and Broadcasting

     

    Cable Networks

     

    Cable Networks reported 11 per cent growth in revenue in Q1-2015 to $4166 million from $3759 million in Q1-2014.Cable Network’s Op Inc fell two per cent to $1255 million from $1277 million in Q1-2014.

     

    Disney says that Operating income at Cable Networks decreased two per cent due to a decrease at ESPN, which was partially offset by increases at the worldwide Disney Channels and ABC Family.

     

    The decrease at ESPN was due to higher programming and production costs and, to a lesser extent, higher marketing, general and administrative and technical costs and lower advertising revenue.These decreases were partially offset by affiliate fee contractual rate increases, a reduction in revenue deferrals as a result of changes in contractual provisions related to annual programming commitments and an increase in subscribers, taking into account the new SEC Network.

     

    Programming and production cost increases were due to a contractual rate increase for NFL programming and rights costs for the SEC Network.ESPN advertising revenue decreased due to lower ratings for certain of our programs, partially offset by higher rates.

     

    The increase at the worldwide Disney Channels was due to higher affiliate rates for the domestic channels and higher international advertising revenues, partially offset by higher programming costs.

     

    International advertising revenues were driven by the company’s new channel in Germany, which was launched in January 2014.Increased programming costs were driven by higher pilot write-offs and costs for the new channel in Germany.The increase at ABC Family was due to higher affiliate revenue due to higher rates and increased advertising revenue reflecting higher units sold.

     

    Broadcasting

     

    Revenue from Broadcasting grew 11 per cent to $1694 million in Q1-2015 from $1531 million in Q1-2014.Op Inc for this sub-segment grew 35 per cent to $240 million from $178 million in Q1-2014.

     

    The company says that Operating income at Broadcasting increased due to an increase in affiliate fees and higher program sales.These increases were partially offset by lower advertising revenue.

     

    The increase in affiliate revenues was due to contractual rate increases and new contractual provisions.Program sales growth included higher sales of Criminal Minds, Scandal and Once Upon A Time.Lower advertising revenue was due to fewer units sold at the ABC Television Network, partially offset by an increase at the owned television stations due to higher political advertising and an increase from higher primetime rates.

     

    Parks & Resorts

     

    P&R revenue in the current quarter at $3910 million (29.2 per cent of all revenue) was 8.7 per cent more than the $3597 million (29.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 but was 1.3 per cent lower than the $3960 million (32 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    P&R reported 20 per cent growth in Op Inc to $805 million (22.7 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2015 from $671 million (22.2 per cent of all Op Inc) and a growth of 17.2 per cent from the $687 million (24.8 per cent of all Op Inc) in the previous quarter.

     

    Disney says that Operating income growth for the quarter was driven by an increase at domestic operations, partially offset by a decrease at its international operations.

     

    Higher operating income at Disney’s domestic operations reflected both higher volumes and guest spending growth at its parks and resorts and, to a lesser extent, at its cruise business, partially offset by higher costs.Guest spending growth at Disney’s parks and resorts reflected higher average ticket prices and increased merchandise, food and beverage spending.The volume increase at its cruise business reflected higher passenger cruise ship days due to the impact of the Disney Magic being in dry-dock for a portion of the prior-year quarter.Increased costs were driven by labour and other cost inflation, higher pension and post-retirement medical costs and increased depreciation driven by new attractions.

     

    The decrease at Disney’s international operations was driven by higher Shanghai Disney Resort pre-opening expenses, the impact of a weaker Japanese yen on Tokyo Disney Resort royalties and higher costs at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, partially offset by an increase at Disneyland Paris.The increase at Disneyland Paris was due to higher guest spending, attendance and occupied room nights, partially offset by higher costs driven by higher volumes, new guest offerings and marketing costs.The increase in guest spending was driven by higher average ticket prices.

     

    Studio Entertainment

     

    SE reported a 1.8 per cent drop in revenue to $1858 million (13.9 per cent of TIO) in the current quarter from $1893 million (15.4 per cent of TIO) reported for the year ago quarter and a 4.5 per cent growth from the $1178 million (14.4 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    SE Op Inc in Q1-2015 grew 30 per cent to $544 million (15.3 per cent of all Op Inc) in the current quarter from $409 million (13.5 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2014 and more than doubled (up 2.14 times) from $254 million (9.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in the previous quarter.

     

    The company says that higher operating income was due to an increase in home entertainment results, higher revenue share with the Consumer Products segment due to the performance of Frozen merchandise and higher TV/SVOD distribution results driven by more titles available internationally.These increases were partially offset by lower theatrical distribution results.

     

    The increase in home entertainment results was driven by higher unit sales and lower per unit costs.

     

    Unit sales growth was driven by Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen and Maleficent in the current quarter compared to Monsters University and The Lone Ranger in the prior-year quarter, which did not include the release of a Marvel title.The decrease in unit costs reflected distribution cost savings and lower production cost amortization reflecting a higher amortization rate on The Lone Ranger in the prior year quarter.

     

    Lower theatrical distribution results reflected the performance of Big Hero 6 in the current quarter compared to Frozen in the prior-year quarter.In addition, the current quarter included the continuing performance of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which was released in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 whereas the prior-year quarter included the release of Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World.

     

    Consumer Products

     

    CP Op Inc has been mentioned above.CP revenue in Q1-2015 grew 22.5 per cent to $1379 million (10.3 per cent of TIO) from $1126 million (9.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 28.6 per cent more than the $1072 million (8.7 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Disney says that higher operating income was due to increases at its Merchandise Licensing and Retail businesses.The increase in operating income at Merchandise Licensing was due to the performance of merchandise based on Frozen and, to a lesser extent, Disney Channel properties, Mickey and Minnie, Spider-Man and Avengers.

     

    At Disney’s Retail business, higher operating income for the quarter was due to comparable store sales growth and higher online sales in all regions driven by sales of Frozen merchandise.

     

    Interactive

     

    Interactive is Disney’s smallest in terms of revenue and Op Inc.Interactive reported revenue of $384 million (3.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015, $403 million (3.3 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and $362 million (2.9 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014.

     

    Op Inc for the Interactive segment grew to US 73 million in Q1-2015 versus the $55 million in Q1-2014 and $18 million in Q4-2014.

     

    The company says that improved operating results were due to an increase at its mobile games business driven by the success of Tsum Tsum and Frozen Free Fall as well as lower product development costs due to fewer titles in development.This increase was partially offset by lower results at our console games business reflecting higher per unit costs driven by the mix of Disney Infinity products sold, lower unit sales and higher marketing costs.The decrease in unit sales was driven by lower sales of Infinity accessories and catalogue titles, partially offset by higher sales of Infinity starter packs.

     

    Click here to read first quarter earnings for fiscal 2015

  • ABP news Nielsen opinion poll- Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri

    ABP news Nielsen opinion poll- Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri

    AAP gains from both INC and BJP in Delhi polls, hung assembly likely; Kejriwal most preferred CM candidate : ABP News-Nielsen survey

     

    New Delhi 25th Oct 2013: Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to gain from both the Indian National Congress (INC) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in the upcoming Delhi polls. According to the opinion poll conducted by ABP News and Nielsen, AAP is likely to bag around 18 seats. BJP is likely to emerge as the single largest party surpassing the incumbent Congress in the assembly polls with around 28 seats and a vote share of about 34 per cent.

     

    The poll predicts Congress is likely to get 22 seats in the 70-member assembly. AAP is seen gaining with a vote share of about 15 per cent from the Congress and the BJP. Other parties and Independents are likely to manage only two seats in the upcoming Delhi polls.

     

    According to the survey, with Kejriwal’s AAP gaining momentum it has become a three-corner contest, where BJP has a slight edge. The scenario emerging with the survey could change once the candidates are announced.

     

    Even more good news for the BJP would have emerged if they didn’t have AAP as their competitor they would have gained another 15 per cent share from the Congress displaying them as the clear winner.

     

    According to the ABP News-Nielsen survey, there is a reduction in the loyalist base for both Congress and BJP in the last 2 months, resulting in a gain for Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP.

     

    Kejriwal most preferred CM candidate for Delhi

     

    According to the ABP News-Nielsen survey, around 32 per cent of respondent surveyed prefer Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi, followed by equal split for Vijay Goel and Sheila Dikshit. The scores have improved for Arvind Kejriwal as a leading candidate for CM from 24 per cent in August 2013 to 32 per cent in October 2013. There is an increase for Shiela Dikshit from 22 per cent in August 2013 to 27 per cent in October 2013.Though the survey predicts mariginal increase in score of BJP’s Vijay Goel who gets 27 per cent in 2013.

     

    According to the ABP News-Nielsen survey, the performance of current chief minister Sheila Dikshit has been rated by the younger voter (18-23 years) with a mean score of 2.98. The performance continues to be below average.

     

    Corruption, inflations dents Congress’ prospects

     

    The survey reveals that at an overall level, Corruption and Price rise are the main issue for change in voting intention from INC to BJP. Price rise is a major influencer for female respondent.

  • NDA, Modi ahead of UPA if polls held now: ABP News-Nielsen Survey

    NDA, Modi ahead of UPA if polls held now: ABP News-Nielsen Survey

    NEW DELHI: According to the latest survey conducted by ABP News-Nieslen, if the Lok Sabha elections were to be held now, 40% respondents intend to vote for NDA and only 27% would vote for UPA.

    These statistics observed from the respondents could be a major setback for PM Manmohan Singh as his performance has been rated below average; people in North zone have rated his performance even poorer.

    Prime Minister’s performance is rated below UPA-II government’s performance.

    BJP wins support (36%); higher in North (48%) and among youngsters (40%) and affluent (44% among SEC A).

    Mixed response on UPA II performance; North zone and older generation (51+) are the unhappiest lot.

    40% respondents feel that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is responsible for poor economic situation of the country. In south Zone 45% feel that it is Finance Minister – P. Chidambram who is responsible.

    BJP emerges as a clear winner across all zones (more so in North and West zones) and gender. Major support is seen gained from younger lot (18-30 years). Congress, however, is neck and neck with BJP in the Southern zone.

    Major fraction (42%) of people in North zone are unhappy with the performance of UPA-II. People in age group 51+ years seem to be least happy with UPA-II, and this could be the reason for increase in margin of votes (from 3% in favour of BJP in 2009 to 8% now in favour of BJP) for BJP and INC amongst 51+ years age group.

    Across zone, gender and age people have rated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s performance slightly below UPA-II government’s performance.

    At an overall level people are in support of Food security Bill and (48%) feel that it is a step in the right direction.

    Modi leading the race for PM post

    More than 60% have rated Narendra Modi’s performance as good/ very good; much higher among younger age group and affluent. His performance is rated much higher among people from Gujarat.

    People feel that both INC and BJP are equally responsible for communalization of politics (29%)

    Narendra Modi is leading the race (47%) for Prime Minister followed by Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. Modi is popular among voters form North, younger generation and affluents.

    Gujarat’s Chief Minister has a strong support base not just in West Zone (70% rated his performance as ‘Very good’ or ‘Good’) but across other zones as well, with an overall mean score of 3.9

    79% of respondents in Gujarat have rated Narendra Modi’s performance as ‘Very good’ or ‘Good’, with a mean score of 4.3

    Across all zones except South, Narendra Modi emerges as the clear choice of the people for the position of Prime Minister of India. In South zone, it is neck and neck between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

    Majority of the respondents all across feel that Narendra Modi should be BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections

    In a scenario where it a competition between Priyanka Gandhi and Narendra Modi, BJP seems to be gaining more than Congress, even greater that it would have gained had it been some other candidate from Congress vs Modi, but we also observe no change in support base of Congress.

  • Xbox 360 unveils TV shows and movies on Xbox Live

    Xbox 360 unveils TV shows and movies on Xbox Live

    MUMBAI: On its one-year anniversary Xbox 360, is digitally delivering an initial lineup of TV shows and movies to gamers in the U.S. via Xbox Live, the online games and entertainment network from Microsoft.

    Xbox Live Marketplace will now provide gamers with easy access to hundreds of full-length TV shows for download to own and movies for download to rent from CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with more content rolled out through Xbox Live Marketplace every week, asserts an official release.

    Expected to be available in 37 countries, Xbox 360 continues to retain record game and accessory attachment rates, according to NPD.

    Xbox 360 is prepared with consoles readily available at retail along with a host of new accessories such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, Xbox Live Vision camera and Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, and games such as Gears of War and Viva Piñata.

    Examples of the download-to-own TV shows and download-to-rent movies available on the network include the following:

    – CSI, CSI: Miami,CSI: New York, NCIS and Star Trek from CBS

    – Chappelle’s Show, Drawn Together and South Park from Comedy Central

    – Pimp My Ride and Punk’d from MTV

    – Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon

    – Skyland and Invader Zim from Nicktoons Network

    – Chinatown, Star Trek VII: Generations, Patriot Games, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Sum of All Fears, The Untouchables and We Were Soldiers from Paramount Pictures

    – Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Frisky Dingo, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Sealab 2021 and The Venture Bros. from Turner Broadcasting

    – Some of the fights from Ultimate Fighting Championship

    – Breaking Bonaduce and Hogan Knows Best from VH1

    – Perfect Storm, Poseidon, The Shining, Three Kings and V for Vendetta, as well as The Nine and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip along with the CW show Veronica Mars from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

    Using the family settings feature, parents and individuals can choose the video content that can be played on their family’s Xbox 360. With the availability of this new entertainment content, gamers now can set controls based on movie, TV and video ratings, or they can entirely block explicit and unrated video content for themselves or their children, adds the release.

    Pricing is competitive and will vary based on format, media type and whether the content is a new release movie or a classic feature film. High-definition TV shows will be 240 Microsoft points per episode, and standard-definition TV shows will be 160 Microsoft points per episode.

    New release movies in high definition will be 480 Microsoft points, and standard-definition new release movies will be 320 Microsoft points each. Classic feature films in high definition will be 360 Microsoft points, and standard definition will be 240 Microsoft points. After purchasing a high-definition TV show or movie, gamers can download the standard-definition version at no additional charge.

    Microsoft points can be purchased at retail or via Xbox Live. Gamers can get a 1600 Microsoft points card at retail for $19.99 or 1000 Microsoft points through Xbox Live for $12.50.

  • DVD rentals under legal scanner

    DVD rentals under legal scanner

    MUMBAI: DVD rental businesses across the country have come under heavy legal scrutiny following the judgment by the Delhi High Court to curb DVD rentals from issuing DVDs copyrighted by the Motion Pictures Association.

    In a judgment that is expected to have far-reaching impact on the film rental business in India, Justice Reva Khetrapal of the Delhi High Court has passed orders restraining the rental library, ‘Cinema Paradiso’ from renting out any films copyrighted by Motion Picture Association (MPA) member companies including Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Disney Enterprises, Inc., Paramount Pictures Corporation, Tristar Pictures, Inc., Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Universal City Studios, LLP., New Line Productions, Inc. and Orion Pictures Corporation.

    Head of Operations and legal counsel for the MPA in India Chander M Lall, said, “Although copyright law does not permit the unauthorized rental of films, rental libraries are functioning all over the country without licenses and without the authorization of the copyright owners. This ruling by the High Court sends a strong message that India is committed to the protection of copyright and intellectual property, not only to the benefit of MPA member companies, but to the benefit of local filmmakers and everyone in the film industry in India.”

    The development has resulted in many DVD rental outlets scurrying for permission from respective licensees.

    Excel Home Videos MD MN Kapasi says, “There has been a sudden growth in rental license applications from DVD rental outlets across the country. There is scarce knowledge among rental companies due to the lack of awareness of copyright laws. Due to this many innovations in rentals end up being on the wrong side of the law. We are happy plus ready to offer rental specific legal products and license support to whoever wanting to do rental business in India.”

    Piracy in India affects the Indian film industry more than American producers and distributors. It is estimated that only 20 percent of pirated goods infringe the copyrights of foreign film titles. The remaining 80 percent of pirated product infringes the copyrights of domestic films. According to Government estimates, the entertainment industry loses up to 1,700 crores annually on account of piracy. Since the beginning of 2004, the MPA has conducted close to 1,000 raids and seizure operations in India in cooperation with law enforcement authorities. Additionally, civil raids have been conducted through court-appointed Local Commissioners in civil suits initiated by MPA member companies.

  • AOL buys video game site GameDaily

    AOL buys video game site GameDaily

    MUMBAI: AOL has acquired GameDaily, one of the Internet’s leading independent video game publications, from Gigex, Inc, but did not disclose the financial terms.

    As part of the agreement, AOL will acquire both the GameDaily consumer website (http://www.gamedaily.com) and the industry-leading newsletter, (http://Biz.GameDaily.com).

    GameDaily will become the flagship video games brand within the AOL Games network, and will be united with content and community features currently found on the AOL Video Games website (http://www.aol.com/videogames), informs an official release.

    In addition, the AOL Video Games editorial team will be integrated into the GameDaily editorial staff to create the new GameDaily editorial team. The GameDaily Biz newsletter team will also operate under the newly combined AOL Video Games-GameDaily editorial team. Additionally, certain GameDaily content partnership agreements will be transitioned to AOL.

    “Video game sites have become a valuable resource for advertisers wishing to reach the young male audience, and GameDaily is a brand that resonates with these highly sought after consumers,” said AOL Games VP and GM Ralph Rivera. “We look forward to continuing to serve this audience, maximizing GameDaily content with AOL’s community features, and further expanding the AOL Games community.”

    “Video games are now a vital piece of the entertainment landscape along with music, video and online communities,” said Gigex Inc CEO Mark Friedler. “We’re thrilled to combine our experience delivering top-notch consumer content and leading business news with AOL’s tremendous reach to provide a new level of innovative entertainment content to online consumers everywhere.”

    According to the release, in addition to GameDaily.com, the AOL Games network also includes AOL Games (http://www.aol.com/games), destination for casual and downloadable games from leading publishers; AOL Video Games (http://www.aol.com/videogames), gamers’ leading online resource for video game news, previews, cheats and original programming such as the interactive Inside the Game feature; and the recently acquired Games.com, an extension of AOL Games’ best-of-breed casual games available at one of the most popular URLs among web users seeking games content.

    GameDaily is AOL’s fourth announced acquisition of 2006, following the acquisition of Userplane last week, Lightningcast, Inc. in May, and Truveo, Inc. in January. Other recent corporate acquisitions in 2005 by AOL include Music Now, LLC, Weblogs, Inc., Xdrive, Inc. and Wildseed, Ltd.

  • Jakks Pacific and Hit Entertainment launch new TeleStory interactive books

    Jakks Pacific and Hit Entertainment launch new TeleStory interactive books

    MUMBAI: Jakks Pacific, Inc. has inked a worldwide licensing agreement with Hit Entertainment to market and distribute Jakks Pacific’s new TeleStory interactive books based on Hit’s popular Thomas & Friends, Barney, The Wiggles and Bob the Builder properties.

    The TeleStory system connects directly into a standard TV using Plug & Read technology and serves as a fun, introductory reading guide for preschool-aged children.

    The TeleStory product creates an engaging, interactive reading and learning experience that will help in the fundamental reading development of young children, while showing them how much fun reading can be. TeleStory interactive books take what children love, the TV, and use it to introduce children to the world of reading. The TeleStory system is book-shaped, plugs directly into the A/V jacks of any standard TV, and no DVD players are needed.

    Individual “mini-book” cartridges based on popular children’s books are inserted into the TeleStory system, so that children can build their own TeleStory libraries and collect their favorite books as they grow and master reading. By pressing the large, colored buttons on each TeleStory unit, kids can interact with the story and make the characters come alive on their TV screen, while also giving them the option to read at their own pace or with assistance.

    “The core concept of TeleStory interactive books is simple. The unit plugs directly into any standard TV. Just pop in batteries and turn it on to initiate an interactive reading experience through the use of various action buttons. We know that Thomas the Tank, Barney, Bob the Builder and The Wiggles will help provide hours of entertainment for children. The TeleStory system teaches them the fundamentals of reading, helps build vocabulary, encourages their reading confidence and nurtures a life-long appreciation of reading,” explains Jakks Pacific, Inc senior vice president of licensing and media Jennifer Richmond.

    Jakks plans to launch the TeleStory product line based on the Hit properties starting in summer 2006 with the Thomas the Tank TeleStory title at mass and specialty retailers nationwide. The suggested retail price for the TeleStory unit will be approximately $35, with each two-pack of ‘mini-book’ cartridges retailing for under $15.

  • UTStarcom, China Netcom ink largest IPTV deal

    UTStarcom, China Netcom ink largest IPTV deal

    MUMBAI: UTStarcom, Inc., a leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, has signed a contract with China Netcom for the deployment of its RollingStream end-to-end IPTV solution in northeast China. This deal represents the single largest IPTV capacity deployment in China to date.

    “We believe that UTStarcom’s IPTV technology and service epitomizes the evolution of network and service convergence. We believe the Harbin case indicates that a typical business model and value chain for IPTV in China is emerging and that there are large market opportunities and consumer demand throughout many regions. With this contract, UTStarcom continues to prove its position at the forefront of real-world IPTV deployments with the largest number of subscribers,” said UTStarcom China chief executive officer Ying Wu.

    The contract is based on a commercial trial that was launched in May 2005. The initial deployment had a capacity of 100,000 concurrent media streams, covering the major metropolitan areas of the city.

    Currently, the service offers channels of live broadcast television with “time-shifting” capabilities, 48-hour TV-on-demand, and approximate 5,600 hours of video-on-demand. At the same time, there are value-added services, such as on-line weather report, information browsing, and searching services available in the service package as well. The service has accumulated approximately 53,000 subscribers to date.

    UTStarcom has also announced commercial contracts in Shanghai and Fuzhou and Quanzhou in the Fujian Province, with an initial combined capacity of over 50,000 media streams.