ITV

Tag: June

  • Jio, Airtel add millions of mobile subscribers in June: TRAI

    Jio, Airtel add millions of mobile subscribers in June: TRAI

    Mumbai: Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel (including Tata Teleservices) added 5.4 million and 3.8 million mobile subscribers whereas Vodafone Idea lost 4.2 million subscribers, according to the latest subscription data shared by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Reliance Communications added 917 subscribers growing its subscriber base by 10 per cent, it showed.

    Total wireless subscribers increased from 1176.84 million to 1180.83 million at a monthly growth rate of 0.34 per cent. The number of active wireless subscribers stood at 984.79 million. Bharti Airtel had the maximum proportion of active subscribers at 343.71 million. Jio had 340.34 million and Vodafone Idea had 241.71 million active subscribers. Excluding Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, all service areas showed growth in wireless subscribers for the period.

    The number of telephone subscribers increased from 1198.50 million to 1202.57 million. Urban telephone subscriptions increased from 661.18 million to 666.10 million. However, rural telephone subscriptions decreased from 537.52 million to 536.47 million. The overall teledensity increased from 87.84 per cent to 88.07 per cent. The wireless teledensity increased from 86.25 per cent to 86.48 per cent, the data showed.

    As per reports received from 440 operators in the month of June, the number of broadband subscribers increased from 780.27 million to 792.78 million. The top five service providers constituted 98.77 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers. These service providers were Reliance Jio (439.91 million), Bharti Airtel (197.14 million), Vodafone Idea (121.42 million), BSNL (22.69 million), and Atria Convergence (1.91 million).

    The top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL (6.03 million), Bharti Airtel (3.37 million), Reliance Jio Infocomm (3.22 million), Atria Convergence Technologies (1.91 million), and Hathway Cable & Datacom (1.06 million).

    The top five wireless broadband subscribers were Reliance Jio Infocomm (436.69 million), Bharti Airtel (193.74 million), Vodafone Idea (121.41 million), BSNL (16.67 million), and Tikona Infinet (0.31 million).

    Wireline subscribers increased from 20.36 million to 21.66 million. The overall wireline teledensity increased from 1.49 per cent to 1.59 per cent. BSNL and MTNL held 48.72 per cent of the wireline market. BSNL added 1.1 million new wireline subscribers whereas Reliance Jio 0.1 million new wireline subscribers at the end of June.  

  • SPN to launch English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD by June 2016

    SPN to launch English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD by June 2016

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited is all geared up to launch its new high definition premium English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD. The network is in the process of seeking regulatory clearances and approvals. Subject to obtaining such approvals, the launch is planned around June 2016.

    The channel will serve the discerning audiences who seek entertainment beyond the mainstream movies from Hollywood.

    Sony Le Plex HD will serve avid movie viewers with films that are popular and critically acclaimed. The focus for the channel would be to present the movies in a manner not seen before.

    The network has made significant investment in securing rights for movies from Hollywood and the premieres on the channel which includes Spotlight, Ex-Machina, Foxcatcher and Straight Outta Compton to name a few and will also be home to critically acclaimed movies like The Inglorious Basterds, Schindler’s List, Taxi Driver, Gladiator, Philadelphia, etc.

  • SPN to launch English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD by June 2016

    SPN to launch English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD by June 2016

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited is all geared up to launch its new high definition premium English movie channel Sony Le Plex HD. The network is in the process of seeking regulatory clearances and approvals. Subject to obtaining such approvals, the launch is planned around June 2016.

    The channel will serve the discerning audiences who seek entertainment beyond the mainstream movies from Hollywood.

    Sony Le Plex HD will serve avid movie viewers with films that are popular and critically acclaimed. The focus for the channel would be to present the movies in a manner not seen before.

    The network has made significant investment in securing rights for movies from Hollywood and the premieres on the channel which includes Spotlight, Ex-Machina, Foxcatcher and Straight Outta Compton to name a few and will also be home to critically acclaimed movies like The Inglorious Basterds, Schindler’s List, Taxi Driver, Gladiator, Philadelphia, etc.

  • SAB to extend its wings into digital; to produce an array of shows

    SAB to extend its wings into digital; to produce an array of shows

    MUMBAI: Known to be one of the pillars of Indian media, the Sri Adhikari Brothers (SAB) group founded by Gautam and Markand Adhikari, has plans to enter the digital space with a new initiative. The group will create original comedy content in Hindi catering to the digital masses. The various shows will be launched under Happii-Fi and will roll-out by June.

    Through this initiative, the company plans to have strategic tie-ups with various OTT platforms, OEM’s and telecos. “Happii-fi will create comedy content in Hindi for the masses unlike the rest who create content to match with the English elite sensibilities. There are several hundred million online active users who have come up, but there is no platform that completely caters to them. We have already started the productions”, informs Sab Group chief executive officer Manav Dhanda.

    As there are different output commitments for various platforms, the group has not decided on the specific number of videos that it intends to produce. The branded content will derive its revenue from the many advertisers on board, although the IP rights will remain with SAB Group.

    The platform will only stress on Hindi language and is primarily focused on HSM markets which consume 40 per cent of all online content.

    “There are too many platforms which are not required. A person can only hold access to 3 or 4 platforms on a smart-phone. Creating one more would not solve anything. Hence, we decided on producing content which the audience can relate to”, adds Dhanda.

    The group has already produced a digital comedy show titled Gharbar which features Shakti Kapoor, Neelu Kohli, Rishab Chadda, Rakesh Shrivastav and Vaishali Thakkar. The show has been conceptualized by Dhanda and is directed by Sagar Bellary of the Bheja fry fame. It depicts a twisted take on the modern Indian family and their adventures when they decide to bring in a bar into their home. The series features Shakti Kapoor as Sharmaji the most seedha (staright forward) man ever.
    Promising a very unique doze of humor like never before, the series portrays BAR as a lead protagonist.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) has been producing multi-lingual, multi-genre content and already has an established regional presence in various Indian languages including Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada amongst others.

    The group not only has a fair amount of experience in the production of content, but also in the broadcasting sector by creating a light humour centric television brand, SAB TV. With many firsts in its hat, it will be interesting to see how far this initiative takes the SAB group.

     

  • SAB to extend its wings into digital; to produce an array of shows

    SAB to extend its wings into digital; to produce an array of shows

    MUMBAI: Known to be one of the pillars of Indian media, the Sri Adhikari Brothers (SAB) group founded by Gautam and Markand Adhikari, has plans to enter the digital space with a new initiative. The group will create original comedy content in Hindi catering to the digital masses. The various shows will be launched under Happii-Fi and will roll-out by June.

    Through this initiative, the company plans to have strategic tie-ups with various OTT platforms, OEM’s and telecos. “Happii-fi will create comedy content in Hindi for the masses unlike the rest who create content to match with the English elite sensibilities. There are several hundred million online active users who have come up, but there is no platform that completely caters to them. We have already started the productions”, informs Sab Group chief executive officer Manav Dhanda.

    As there are different output commitments for various platforms, the group has not decided on the specific number of videos that it intends to produce. The branded content will derive its revenue from the many advertisers on board, although the IP rights will remain with SAB Group.

    The platform will only stress on Hindi language and is primarily focused on HSM markets which consume 40 per cent of all online content.

    “There are too many platforms which are not required. A person can only hold access to 3 or 4 platforms on a smart-phone. Creating one more would not solve anything. Hence, we decided on producing content which the audience can relate to”, adds Dhanda.

    The group has already produced a digital comedy show titled Gharbar which features Shakti Kapoor, Neelu Kohli, Rishab Chadda, Rakesh Shrivastav and Vaishali Thakkar. The show has been conceptualized by Dhanda and is directed by Sagar Bellary of the Bheja fry fame. It depicts a twisted take on the modern Indian family and their adventures when they decide to bring in a bar into their home. The series features Shakti Kapoor as Sharmaji the most seedha (staright forward) man ever.
    Promising a very unique doze of humor like never before, the series portrays BAR as a lead protagonist.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) has been producing multi-lingual, multi-genre content and already has an established regional presence in various Indian languages including Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada amongst others.

    The group not only has a fair amount of experience in the production of content, but also in the broadcasting sector by creating a light humour centric television brand, SAB TV. With many firsts in its hat, it will be interesting to see how far this initiative takes the SAB group.

     

  • BroadcastAsia 2014 to focus on 4K technology and monetisation of second screen

    BroadcastAsia 2014 to focus on 4K technology and monetisation of second screen

    MUMBAI: One of Asia’s largest information and communications technology events, BroadcastAsia, returns this year between 17-20 June at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. BroadcastAsia 2014 will focus on 4k technology and monetisation of second screens by broadcasters. Showcasing the ‘pay TV boom’ will be various technological displays at the exhibition as well as keynotes, case studies and conference topics.

     

    Summing up the event, BroadcastAsia assistant project director Calvin Koh said, “As India moves into its final stages of digitisation, the demand for higher quality digital content looks set to escalate. The industry has never been more ready to embrace the latest and most advanced technologies, and BroadcastAsia provides the ideal platform for Indian industry professionals to get acquainted with the world’s best.”

     

    Spread over an area of 57,000 sq m across five levels will be key Indian companies including Essel Shyam Communication, Indiasign, Interra, Monarch Innovative Technologies, Prime Focus, RGB Broadcasting Equipments, Studio Systems, Wasp 3D and Cable Quest Satcom. The event will also see participation by new exhibitors such as Akamai, Mstar Conductor, Anevia, NEC, DJI, DYVI, Rosco, Brightcove and Arris. “Nearly 90 per cent of the exhibitors are direct manufacturers,” informed Koh.

     

    Also present will be Blackmagic Design, which will unveil in Asia many of its recent launches including the 4K studio camera and the Cintel film scanner. Blackmagic Design Asia country manager India Vishal Alex Chacko said, “Our products with UltraHD and 6G SDI technology lead the industry in production, broadcasting and post-production workflows.”

     

    On the content value chain side, focus will be on sportscasting, professional audio technology and cinematography/film/production zones. While on the technology front, the spotlight will be on 4K/UHD, DVB-T2, NextGen broadcasting-OTT/Hybrid/LTE/Broadband/Cloud, video content delivery network and multi-screen streaming.

     

    Tracks to look out for at the conference are: Second Screen- the TV viewing transformation, second screen and social TV- redefining user experiences and DVB in Asia and advanced broadcast solutions with key speakers such as BBC Global News CEO Jim Egan, YouTube APAC head and marketing partner Benjamin Grubbs, and Twitter media director of Australia Danny Keens.

     

    CommunicAsia 2014 and EnterpriseIT 2014

     

    This year, CommunicAsia will focus on technologies including 4g/LTE, mobile marketing/payment/security, OTT, sustainable ICT and smartphones and devices. EnterpriseIT 2014 will highlight cloud computing and services, enterprise applications, enterprise networks and technologies and IP technology.

     

    The summit will see topics such as consumerisation of the enterprise-BYOD vs CYOD, monetizing fibre broadband for your business and digital and social disruptions being discussed. A visionary keynote will be given by Twitter APAC, America and emerging markets vice president, Shailesh Rao.

     

    Over 715 exhibitors from 12 international groups including China, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Singapore, Spain, US/Canada and UK will participate in BroadcastAsia this year

     

    Indiantelevision.com had a little chat with Koh along the sidelines of the event. Excerpts…

     

    Do you see the role of BroadcastAsia changing over the years?

     

    Koh: Yes. Now, we have a lot of new non-traditional exhibitors with us unlike the past when we had a lot of camera exhibitors. Now we have companies such as Akamai and Arris who are participating for the first time this year. We are witnessing a new dynamic which is good for the show and the businesses that come to see not just camera exhibition but also management and delivery. BroadcastAsia and CommunicAsia allow businesses to see everything from acquisition to delivery.

     

    What are the key trends for this year?

     

    Koh: 4K is surely one of it. The other is that though second screen technologies took off about two years ago, it is important for broadcasters to know how to monetise them. Some of the conferences and case studies will discuss and show how successful businesses have monetised the second screen.

     

    Is adoption of technology on a rise because of reduction in rates of equipments?

     

    Koh: Adoption is certainly increasing but at the end of the day, broadcasters have to see what technology will give them the best ROI. For some broadcasters, second screen is an early adoption while for others, it has already been implemented. So, the need is not just to go for technology that costs less but to know where to invest and how to get good ROI. We do see companies getting efficient and providing things at a lesser price but efficiency matters.

     

    Where are the new entrants coming from to BroadcastAsia 2014?

     

    Koh: We are seeing an increase in participation from China, Singapore, UK and parts of Europe and some growth in the US.

     

    How does Asia stand?

     

    Koh: Asia is surely a place to reckon with. India, Indonesia and Malaysia are big markets for media consumption which is why a lot of exhibitors want to be present at BroadcastAsia.

     

    What are the key changes at this year’s BroadcastAsia?

     

    Koh: We have improved the physical experience. We have streamlined level four exhibition by anchoring key exhibitors to get people to come to level four. We are moving from a vendor speaking to user speaking format, where we are engaging people to talk about their experiences.

  • Discovery’s Hollinger to step down in June 2014

    Discovery’s Hollinger to step down in June 2014

    MUMBAI: For many broadcast vets in Asia, Mark Hollinger is a familiar face. The president & CEO of Discovery Networks International has pushed growth for the network outside of the US, especially in Europe and Asia in its early days of expansion globally. Come June 2014, Hollinger will no longer be winging it to Asia on Discovery business. The reason: he has decided not to renew his contract with the network when in it expires mid next year.

    The 20 plus year old Discovery veteran informed president and CEO David Zaslav of his decision last week, the network says. What prompted him to do so was the fact that he is tired of the many air miles his job demands in countries in times zones out of kilter with the US (more than 150 days each year for the past several years). Hollinger added that he wants to spend more time staying rooted in Uncle Sam and with family.

    Hollinger joined Discovery in 1991 as Vice-President & Deputy General Counsel. In 1994, he was named Acting General Manager for Discovery Channel Asia. Based in Hong Kong, he was responsible for overseeing and coordinating all activities related to the operation and launch of the flagship network in Asia.

    Hollinger today oversees the strategic development and daily operations for a division that distributes 42 entertainment brands, in 45 languages, to more than 1.6 billion cumulative subscribers in 224 countries and territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

    In 2012 and 2013, Hollinger oversaw the expansion Discovery’s international operations with the acquisitions of Takhayal Entertainment and its affiliated companies in Dubai and Egypt, including its flagship TV network, Fatafeat, the No 1 food network in the Middle East; Switchover Media in Italy and its portfolio of four free-to-air channels and one pay-TV channel, making Discovery the third largest broadcaster in the country; and the largest transaction in Discovery’s history with SBS Nordics, a top-three portfolio of television brands across Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland that feature leading nonfiction content, locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Hollinger also engineered the investment of a 20 per cent stake in TF1’s Eurosport, a top destination for live sporting action for viewers across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

    Said Zaslav: “Mark is a consummate professional and amazing leader who has made a huge impact on all of us at Discovery Communications over the 23 years he has been at the company, and I am so grateful for his contributions, leadership and unwavering integrity.”

    Discovery Communications announced that it would be looking for a successor for Hollinger immediately.

  • Roller coaster ride on Reality TV this June

    Roller coaster ride on Reality TV this June

    New Delhi, June 1, 2006: Throughout June a series of exciting and gripping shows will be premiered on Reality TV – a 24-hour entertainment channel that showcases programmes on real people with true stories. The interesting line-up for the month includes shows like The Great Shark Hunt, The Repossessors, Video Vigilantes, Cheaters Series 4, Daring Capers, Dr G Medical Examiner and Patient Files.

    Reality TV has been captivating audiences worldwide through an eclectic mix of real life programmes that portray myriad experiences, feats, idiosyncrasies, aspirations and sentiments. Each programme captures events as they actually happened.

    Announcing the new shows, Flecka Picardo, Marketing Manager of Reality TV – Asia, said, “It has been Reality TV’s conscious attempt to provide meaningful, real life entertainment filled programmes to our Indian viewers. We are confident that these new programmes will further strengthen the position of the channel in India and will be appreciated by our viewers.”

    The Great Shark Hunt documents the struggle for regulation of the shark meat industry in order to maintain the shark population. The programme promises an extensive new footage of sharks in their natural habitat.

    The Repossessors will take you to the front lines of the ongoing war between car lenders and delinquent debtors. Witness firsthand behind-the-scenes planning and successful execution of a wide variety of auto repossessions. Follow a variety of other repo men from different parts of the country as they prepare for and carry out their high stakes missions. Surveillance, hidden cameras, disguises, extensive planning, sheer instinct and sometimes partnering with Federal Marshals are all a part of the process of devising the perfect hit.

    Video Vigilantes is a show that showcases curtain twitching into the 21st Century. The camcorder revolution has taken Neighbourhood Watch to new extreme levels. From shopping kerb crawlers and drug dealers to nabbing knicker thieves and randy rozzers, video vigilantism is rife and it’s here to stay.

    Reality TV Channel continues with some of its popular programmes like Cheaters Series 4, Daring Capers, Dr G Medical Examiner and Patient Files in June.

    Cheaters, a popular part of the Reality TV schedule continues with new episodes in June, with presenter Joy Greco uncovering yet more infidelity. Cheaters follows Joey and his team of private investigators as they sneak their way into suspects’ houses and plant surveillance cameras to keep a beady eye on what the mice get up to when the cat’s away. Discretion and tact are never allowed to get in the way of a good catfight on this show, and Grand’s clients are always shown the steamy evidence against their naughtier halves before being led by the crew to confront them.

    Enticingly dangerous and devilishly clever: Daring Capers involves con artists to cat burglars, who tiptoe through the high-stakes world of the cunning crooks who mastermind the world’s most daring capers. Daring Capers reveals a rogue’s gallery of bank robbers, art thieves and debonair con artists who tried to steal their way to wealth through brilliant ploys and slick transactions.

    One of America’s most respected and charismatic forensic pathologists, Dr. Jan Garavaglia takes viewers on an unprecedented look behind-the scenes at the world of science, mystery and justice in Dr G: Medical Examiner. Each one-hour episode will include actual, in-depth examinations and autopsies, as well as the exploration and investigative filed work conducted by Dr. G and her team at the Orange-Osceola County Medical Examiner’s office in Florida. With extraordinary 24/7 access to the medical investigators, the morgue staff, Dr. G reveals the intimate, inner workings of an extraordinary forensic pathology lab. This gripping medical series is currently number-one in prime time for Discovery Health. Audiences can’t seem to get enough!

    Patient Files is a dramatic documentary series that explores the world of an emerging generation of medical pioneers and their patients. The stories are set in North America’s renowned Sunnybrook & Women’s College Hospital — one of the first hospitals in the world geared towards the research and treatment of women’s health. Each episode will feature patients as they make critical journeys from illness and treatment to recovery – all at the hands of courageous and compassionate medical teams dedicated to women’s medicine. It will portray the challenges patients and medical professionals face in receiving and delivering care differently. The series will draw audiences into the dramatic stories of women facing everything from cardiovascular disease to cervical cancer; from high-risk pregnancy to facial reconstruction and more.

    About Reality TV
    Reality TV is an entertainment channel that tells stories of real people in real life situations and events as they actually happened. Reality TV is successfully reaching all corners of the globe providing thrills, spills and unbeatable round-the-clock entertainment 365 days a year. Zone Vision’s Reality TV channel was first launched in Europe in late 1999 and has gained distribution in more than 120 territories in just four years. The most significant recent launches were in the UK, where the channel is now available to more than 8 million cable and satellite subscribers and consistently rates in the top 50 channels in a 300+ channel market, and in the US where the channel launched in December 2003 on the Dish Network satellite platform. Worldwide, Reality TV is now broadcast in 16 different languages and is available to over 35 million subscribers.

    Reality TV has a viewership of over 15 million Indian households across the country. The channel is distributed by Zee Turner and is also available on the DTH platform, Dish TV.

    About Zone Vision Networks
    Based in London, Zone Vision Networks is a leading international broadcaster and distributor of thematic television channels. The company was founded in 1991 and today has 18 offices and studios throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America.

    In addition to its operating group in London and international headquarters in Amsterdam, Zone Vision also has 18 regional offices. With over 250 specialist personnel, the company’s commitment to understanding and addressing the unique business needs of international broadcasting is unparalleled. Activities conducted by the Group include channel creation and management, channel representation and program sales.

    Zone Vision Networks owns and operates four thematic channels: Reality TV, Europa Europa, Romantica and Club, which are broadcast in over 125 countries in 18 languages, with over 135 million paying subscribers. ZVN are also equity affiliates in the studio blockbuster movie entertainment channel, Showtime (Turkey). In addition, Zone Vision has a successful channel representation business and currently represents over 30 international channels from such companies as Discovery, Viacom, Turner, Hallmark and Eurosport, managing over 60 million subscribers. Zone Vision also has a program distribution business and continues to acquire formats, series and specials from leading producers around the world.

    Zone Vision Networks is 87.5% owned by chellomedia, a division of UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (“UGC”) (NASDAQ: UCOMA).