Tag: NBCUniversal

  • Vice Media to build largest OTT platform, expand to 80 markets by early ’18

    MUMBAI: Capital infusion of $450 million in Vice Media, which is a partner of Times of India, will help accelerate its expansion from 30 to 80 markets by early 2018 for the youth-focused media group. Known for its online videos and edgy reporting, Vice operates a popular YouTube channel and also produces news programming for Time Warner’s HBO.

    Boosting Vice’s reported valuation to around $5.7 billion, and making CEO Shane Smith a billionaire, the Brooklyn, New York-based company has received investment from the equity fund group TPG, saying that the funds would help it “build out its content portfolio and delivery capabilities in the US and internationally.” Vice has earlier received investments from Disney, Comcast’s NBCUniversal, and 21st Century Fox, among others.

    The funds “will allow us to build up the largest millennial video library in the world — enabling Vice to widen our offering to include news, food, music, fashion, art, travel, gaming, lifestyle, scripted and feature films,” Smith said in a statement.

    Smith said Vice would be working on a standalone video platform (OTT) that could deliver video on demand, in the manner of Netflix, and a direct-to-consumer offering, Arab News reported.

    Vice said that it would put TPG’s investment toward building subscription streaming and video services to complement its video on digital channels as well as Viceland cable network. Vice will also use the new investment to help fund its push into scripted programming, Multichannel News added.

  • Vice & Telemundo tie up, former also expanding to MENA & India

    MUMBAI: Times Network’s India partner Vice Media, a publishing and video site and Telemundo, a Spanish-language TV network, will be tying up to produce content for NBCUniversal’s two Spanish-language networks — Universo and Telemundo with the aim of tapping into the young generation in the U.S. Hispanic market. According to PEW research, 20% of the U.S. millennial population are Latinos.

    Vice Media has additional plans to expand to different languages. It soon wants to expand into Africa, India, and around 18 other southeast Asian countries.

    Vice Media, in March this year, made plans to start expanding into the Middle East. It hopes to launch a digital channel and a web site this summer, and, in all likelihood, a 24-hour regional cable channel, to produce lifestyle and news content for MENA (Middle-East and North Africa) region in English, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish and Urdu.

    Vice and Telemundo will be work in alliance to produce weekly documentary segments on topics such as sports, music, food and culture with the plan to telecast it on Telemundo News.

    The two will also jointly launch a weekly one-hour show for the Spanish-language entertainment cable network in the U.S. Universo which reaches over 40 million households. This will the first time that Vice would produce a show particularly aimed at the U.S. Hispanic market.

    Telemundo and Universo president Luis Silberwasser said that the innovative partnership would permit them to increase the appeal of their factual content to the millenials (Latinos) and for Vice to reach the growing U.S. Hispanic market.

    Vice Media in the U.S. and Mexico also plan to produce content for Telemundo’s digital and social platforms. Vice would eventually be present in around 50 countries.

  • Hulu to live-stream top TV channels with NBCUniversal tie-up

    MUMBAI: Hulu and NBCUniversal have reached a comprehensive, new distribution agreement that will bring NBC and Telemundo Owned Television Stations and portfolio of leading cable networks to Hulu’s upcoming new live TV streaming service when it launches this Spring. The deal will provide live and on-demand streaming access to networks including NBC, Telemundo, USA, Syfy, Bravo, E!, MSNBC, CNBC, NBCSN and more, bringing the total number of channels in Hulu’s live TV service to more than 50. The agreement also includes a framework for licensing the NBC and Telemundo broadcast affiliates for carriage on Hulu’s new service.

    “NBC Universal is home to many of today’s leading sports, news, entertainment and lifestyle networks – brands that not only draw large audiences but also drive pop culture,” said Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins. “With this agreement in place, Hulu will soon provide an affordable, complete live TV package that includes all four major broadcast networks, the top-rated cable news channels, a massive sports offering and our deep existing premium streaming library for under $40.”

    “We’re pleased to partner with Hulu to make NBCUniversal’s leading portfolio of entertainment, news and sports networks available on this new service,” stated NBCUniversal Content Distribution chairman Matt Bond. “Growing our audiences is an important priority and this partnership will help bring our networks to new customers.”

    As one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, NBCUniversal’s suite of networks includes NBC, with broadcast hits such as This Is Us, Blindspot and The Voice, as well as late night series The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Seth Meyers; leading cable networks like USA— home of the critically acclaimed cable drama Mr. Robot — Syfy, Bravo and E!; top-rated news programming from NBC’s The Today Show and Dateline, to live, breaking coverage from MSNBC and CNBC news networks; leading American Spanish-language network Telemundo; kids programming from Sprout; and sports programming like Sunday Night Football and the Olympics and networks including NBCSN, Golf Channel and NBC Sports Regional Networks in Chicago, Philadelphia, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Bay Area, California and Northwest.

    NBCUniversal’s portfolio of networks adds to a growing list of more than 50 popular channels that will all be offered through Hulu’s new live TV service at launch. The deal follows Hulu’s recently announced agreement with A+E Networks, as well as its agreements with 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, Turner Networks and CBS Corporation.

    In addition to the company’s current ad-supported and ad-free subscription video on demand products, Hulu’s new service will offer viewers the most valuable pay-TV option on the market in a groundbreaking, new user experience for under $40 per month. With no set-up costs or installation, only Hulu will bring together live and on demand channels, original series and films, and premium library TV shows and movies, all in one place, across living room and mobile devices.

  • Fifth milestone: Comedy Central with 67 mn viewership observes 10 pc FCT growth

    Fifth milestone: Comedy Central with 67 mn viewership observes 10 pc FCT growth

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central launched in India on 23 January 2012 and has grown to be a famous English entertainment channel and a multi-platform brand offering best ever consumer products and on-ground events such as the Chuckle Festival. The channel has today become one of the most preferred channels for advertisers, across automobiles, e-commerce, FMCG and electronics categories. By providing quality television content from four of the biggest studios- NBCUniversal, Warner Bros, Sony Picture & CBS, Comedy Central enjoys a viewership of over 67 million and claims to be number one on social media platforms in its genre. The channel’s FCT has grew by 10 per cent in the financial year 2017.

    Giving a High5 to all its fans on its fifth anniversary, Comedy Central is all set to celebrate in style. With something for everyone, such as a pro-social campaign Comedy Central Spread the Cheer, a unique initiative to spread happiness in places you least expect, exclusive collection of South Park merchandise for die-hard fans and a world preview of the latest season of Suits for its viewers – along with a host of other exciting activities on offer!

    “When we launched Comedy Central five years ago, we were entering into completely virgin territory. Seeing how the channel has now grown to become the country’s No. 1 English Entertainment channel and a multi-platform brand is proof that quality entertainment will always be appreciated – and I’m not just talking about the viewers who keep coming back for more but also the advertisers who keep believing in us. Staying true to our commitment this year, we plan to focus on bringing the latest seasons of our popular shows and spreading cheer with our initiatives,” said Viacom18 head youth and English Entertainment cluster Ferzad Palia.

    In the second edition of Comedy Central Spread the Cheer, Comedy Central aims to take its signature brand of happiness to the differently-abled, through a special combination of on-air programming and off-air initiatives. In partnership with The Rotary Club, Comedy Central will upgrade the education infrastructure for the visually-impaired in 3 schools – Hellen Keller Institute, Victoria Memorial School for the Blind and NAB Centre. This initiative will empower over 500 visually-impaired youth every year, making them employable under the Government’s quota for the differently-abled.

    The channel has partnered with well-known brands like Costa Coffee, Gold’s Gym, Mad Over Donuts, Kidzania and Radio One to roll out special initiatives for the differently-abled across more than 100 outlets and help spread awareness. The channel has also partnered with Give India, enabling the viewers to join the movement and contribute in their own way. As a special gesture, the channel will also be taking 100 differently-abled kids to spend a day at KidZania, Delhi.

    Viacom 18 is all set to make Vh1 Supersonic India’s first ever fully accessible music festival through its college-connect program, some reputed educational institutes will also upgrade their infrastructure and conduct workshops. The channel is also exploring ways to showcase the achievements of differently-abled sportsmen and other achievers, through radio and social media, to encourage the community.

    Comedy Central fans will also get a chance to attend a Before The World premiere party for the post season-break episode of one of Comedy Central’s most popular shows, Suits season 6, in Mumbai and Delhi at Summerhouse Café and Monkey Bar at Bangalore on 25 January.

    On digital media, Comedy Central will host an epic boomerang video contest, where viewers can show off their moves with a 5-step dance, to celebrate the channel’s birthday and win exclusive official merchandise.

    All this over and above Comedy Central’s fabulous Birthday programming, including the best episodes of its five most beloved shows – Penn & Teller: Fool Us! In Vegas, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Citizen Khan, Mom, Whose Line Is It Anyway? from Monday to Friday at 8 pm. On Sundays, treat yourself to a 10-hour marathon of Impractical Jokers and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (all 10 seasons).

  • Fifth milestone: Comedy Central with 67 mn viewership observes 10 pc FCT growth

    Fifth milestone: Comedy Central with 67 mn viewership observes 10 pc FCT growth

    MUMBAI: Comedy Central launched in India on 23 January 2012 and has grown to be a famous English entertainment channel and a multi-platform brand offering best ever consumer products and on-ground events such as the Chuckle Festival. The channel has today become one of the most preferred channels for advertisers, across automobiles, e-commerce, FMCG and electronics categories. By providing quality television content from four of the biggest studios- NBCUniversal, Warner Bros, Sony Picture & CBS, Comedy Central enjoys a viewership of over 67 million and claims to be number one on social media platforms in its genre. The channel’s FCT has grew by 10 per cent in the financial year 2017.

    Giving a High5 to all its fans on its fifth anniversary, Comedy Central is all set to celebrate in style. With something for everyone, such as a pro-social campaign Comedy Central Spread the Cheer, a unique initiative to spread happiness in places you least expect, exclusive collection of South Park merchandise for die-hard fans and a world preview of the latest season of Suits for its viewers – along with a host of other exciting activities on offer!

    “When we launched Comedy Central five years ago, we were entering into completely virgin territory. Seeing how the channel has now grown to become the country’s No. 1 English Entertainment channel and a multi-platform brand is proof that quality entertainment will always be appreciated – and I’m not just talking about the viewers who keep coming back for more but also the advertisers who keep believing in us. Staying true to our commitment this year, we plan to focus on bringing the latest seasons of our popular shows and spreading cheer with our initiatives,” said Viacom18 head youth and English Entertainment cluster Ferzad Palia.

    In the second edition of Comedy Central Spread the Cheer, Comedy Central aims to take its signature brand of happiness to the differently-abled, through a special combination of on-air programming and off-air initiatives. In partnership with The Rotary Club, Comedy Central will upgrade the education infrastructure for the visually-impaired in 3 schools – Hellen Keller Institute, Victoria Memorial School for the Blind and NAB Centre. This initiative will empower over 500 visually-impaired youth every year, making them employable under the Government’s quota for the differently-abled.

    The channel has partnered with well-known brands like Costa Coffee, Gold’s Gym, Mad Over Donuts, Kidzania and Radio One to roll out special initiatives for the differently-abled across more than 100 outlets and help spread awareness. The channel has also partnered with Give India, enabling the viewers to join the movement and contribute in their own way. As a special gesture, the channel will also be taking 100 differently-abled kids to spend a day at KidZania, Delhi.

    Viacom 18 is all set to make Vh1 Supersonic India’s first ever fully accessible music festival through its college-connect program, some reputed educational institutes will also upgrade their infrastructure and conduct workshops. The channel is also exploring ways to showcase the achievements of differently-abled sportsmen and other achievers, through radio and social media, to encourage the community.

    Comedy Central fans will also get a chance to attend a Before The World premiere party for the post season-break episode of one of Comedy Central’s most popular shows, Suits season 6, in Mumbai and Delhi at Summerhouse Café and Monkey Bar at Bangalore on 25 January.

    On digital media, Comedy Central will host an epic boomerang video contest, where viewers can show off their moves with a 5-step dance, to celebrate the channel’s birthday and win exclusive official merchandise.

    All this over and above Comedy Central’s fabulous Birthday programming, including the best episodes of its five most beloved shows – Penn & Teller: Fool Us! In Vegas, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Citizen Khan, Mom, Whose Line Is It Anyway? from Monday to Friday at 8 pm. On Sundays, treat yourself to a 10-hour marathon of Impractical Jokers and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (all 10 seasons).

  • Moana, Doctor Strange & Star Wars on Star India with multi-year deal with Disney India

    Moana, Doctor Strange & Star Wars on Star India with multi-year deal with Disney India

    MUMBAI: Disney India has signed a multi-year output deal with Star India to telecast some of its successful films across the latter’s network in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, English, Telugu and Bengali.

    The collaboration between Disney India and the Star India, over the years, has engaged viewers with blockbuster movies such as “Captain America: Winter Soldier”, Disney.Pixar’s “Inside Out”, Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and Disney’s “Cinderella”.

    The new deal will include titles such as “Moana” and “Doctor Strange” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, IANS reported. The extended partnership kicked off with of 2016’s biggest Hollywood blockbuster in India — Disney’s “The Jungle Book”s television premiere.

    Disney India, vice president, studios Amrita Pandey stated that they believed in bringing quality, family focused entertainment to the audience across all age groups and Star was an ideal platform to take its bouquet of movies across the country.

    Star India CEO-Entertainment Amit Chopra said that the partnership with Disney India was a testimony of its commitment to deliver the best Hollywood content to its viewers.

    Meantime, Hulu, a JV with 21st Century Fox, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Timer Warner’s Turner Broadcasting System, reached its first licensing pact for theatrical features with The Walt Disney Studios (DIS).

    The new, multi-year, deal allows the streaming service the exclusive subscription VOD (video on-demand) rights to a collection of successful movies and family favorites from Disney’s library of blockbuster films.

    Owing to the pact, Hulu became the exclusive S-VOD (subscription video on demand) home to a selection of Disney favorites including Mulan, Pocahontas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hercules, Sister Act and Air Bud, which are all available to stream on Hulu now.

  • Moana, Doctor Strange & Star Wars on Star India with multi-year deal with Disney India

    Moana, Doctor Strange & Star Wars on Star India with multi-year deal with Disney India

    MUMBAI: Disney India has signed a multi-year output deal with Star India to telecast some of its successful films across the latter’s network in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, English, Telugu and Bengali.

    The collaboration between Disney India and the Star India, over the years, has engaged viewers with blockbuster movies such as “Captain America: Winter Soldier”, Disney.Pixar’s “Inside Out”, Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and Disney’s “Cinderella”.

    The new deal will include titles such as “Moana” and “Doctor Strange” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, IANS reported. The extended partnership kicked off with of 2016’s biggest Hollywood blockbuster in India — Disney’s “The Jungle Book”s television premiere.

    Disney India, vice president, studios Amrita Pandey stated that they believed in bringing quality, family focused entertainment to the audience across all age groups and Star was an ideal platform to take its bouquet of movies across the country.

    Star India CEO-Entertainment Amit Chopra said that the partnership with Disney India was a testimony of its commitment to deliver the best Hollywood content to its viewers.

    Meantime, Hulu, a JV with 21st Century Fox, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Timer Warner’s Turner Broadcasting System, reached its first licensing pact for theatrical features with The Walt Disney Studios (DIS).

    The new, multi-year, deal allows the streaming service the exclusive subscription VOD (video on-demand) rights to a collection of successful movies and family favorites from Disney’s library of blockbuster films.

    Owing to the pact, Hulu became the exclusive S-VOD (subscription video on demand) home to a selection of Disney favorites including Mulan, Pocahontas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hercules, Sister Act and Air Bud, which are all available to stream on Hulu now.

  • Discovery Kids to beef up movie line-up in 2017

    Discovery Kids to beef up movie line-up in 2017

    MUMBAI: In its endeavor to offer finest entertainment to children, Discovery Kids has announced to premiere movies every weekend all through 2017.

    Discovery Kids has signed exclusive deals with leading studios including NBCUniversal, Reliance Media, Cosmos Entertainment and Toonz Animation for the same.

    The movie extravaganza will features kids’ favourite characters from India and round the world, including Shaktimaan, Kisna, Luv Kushh, Hanuman, Sheikh Chilli, Barbie amongst many others. Demonstrating its drive to up the local content on the channel, it will also produce movies in India. Offering a brand new look to its iconic local character Kisna, Discovery Kids will air the first from its Kisna movie franchise – Mahayoddha Kisna – on New Year Eve.

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific entertainment products VP Rajiv Bakshi said, “While our programme series offers daily dose of differentiated entertainment during the weekdays; the movies will provide an incremental attraction and build the weekend viewership. With this we continue to be ahead of the curve by offering the most exciting variety of content to kids across all formats in English, Hindi and Tamil languages.”

    To drive the channel as the biggest movie destination for kids, Discovery Kids will commence the offering with a Movie Megathon , starting 26 December to 8 January, wherein it will air Mahayoddha Kisna, Luv Kushh & The Serpent King, Barbie In A Christmas Carol, Hanuman Immortal 2 and many more.

  • Discovery Kids to beef up movie line-up in 2017

    Discovery Kids to beef up movie line-up in 2017

    MUMBAI: In its endeavor to offer finest entertainment to children, Discovery Kids has announced to premiere movies every weekend all through 2017.

    Discovery Kids has signed exclusive deals with leading studios including NBCUniversal, Reliance Media, Cosmos Entertainment and Toonz Animation for the same.

    The movie extravaganza will features kids’ favourite characters from India and round the world, including Shaktimaan, Kisna, Luv Kushh, Hanuman, Sheikh Chilli, Barbie amongst many others. Demonstrating its drive to up the local content on the channel, it will also produce movies in India. Offering a brand new look to its iconic local character Kisna, Discovery Kids will air the first from its Kisna movie franchise – Mahayoddha Kisna – on New Year Eve.

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific entertainment products VP Rajiv Bakshi said, “While our programme series offers daily dose of differentiated entertainment during the weekdays; the movies will provide an incremental attraction and build the weekend viewership. With this we continue to be ahead of the curve by offering the most exciting variety of content to kids across all formats in English, Hindi and Tamil languages.”

    To drive the channel as the biggest movie destination for kids, Discovery Kids will commence the offering with a Movie Megathon , starting 26 December to 8 January, wherein it will air Mahayoddha Kisna, Luv Kushh & The Serpent King, Barbie In A Christmas Carol, Hanuman Immortal 2 and many more.

  • SintecMedia buys Operative; creates largest SaaS TV, digital ad management offering

    SintecMedia buys Operative; creates largest SaaS TV, digital ad management offering

    MUMBAI: Operative, Inc. today announced its acquisition by SintecMedia and the transaction would create largest SaaS TV and digital advertising management offering for media companies globally.

    Since 2001, Operative Media, Inc. has developed software and services that help publishers, agencies, networks, and broadcasters simplify the business of advertising. Media companies rely on Operative to sell, traffic, and bill premium ad inventory, increasing revenue and decreasing overhead. Operative’s client base, which controls over 20 percent of the global ad market, features NBCUniversal, Wall Street Journal, Comcast, Clear Channel, BuzzFeed, and Schibsted

    Operative Media, Inc., the global leader in digital advertising business management solutions for major media companies, said the company will be acquired by SintecMedia, a portfolio company of Francisco Partners. The combined company brings together TV and digital ad management for media companies and publishers worldwide. Operative’s management team, including Lorne Brown, the company’s founder, are also investors in the combined business. Brown will take the role of president and remain part of the strategic leadership team within SintecMedia.

    “Operative’s fantastic customer base and digital advertising solutions are the perfect compliment to our own global client roster and television advertising products,” said SintecMedia CEO Amotz Yarden. “With Operative as a key part of our offering, SintecMedia brings TV and digital ad management together, allowing media companies to streamline advertising infrastructure, increase profitability and drive the long term strategic control of their business.”

    SintecMedia is the world’s leading television advertising management technology company. Their advanced TV advertising products maximize yield and streamline operations across direct and programmatic television advertising. SintecMedia systems are used by hundreds of the largest television media companies in the world.

    This year, according to eMarketer, US digital advertising spending will be US$ 72.09 billion, marking the first year that the digital advertising market matches television, with the global market following similar patterns in the near term. In addition to digital’s fast growth, television is rapidly embracing digital and data-driven elements, from smart TVs to audience-based media buying.

    Without the right partners, the rapidly changing TV and digital advertising markets can increase cost and complexity for media companies, from managing yield across direct and programmatic sales to operations and billing. The combined offering from SintecMedia and Operative empowers media companies to ensure a profitable advertising business across channels by seamlessly connecting the most important parts of their ad business while minimizing drag and waste.

    “SintecMedia’s acquisition of Operative is the best possible outcome for our clients and for all media companies working to maximize profitability as TV and digital channels start to intertwine,” said Operative’s incumbent CEO Brown. “We are thrilled to join the SintecMedia team and look forward to continuing to create solutions for media companies in the future.”

    GCA Advisors, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor and Dentons US LLP, the world’s largest law firm, acted as legal advisor to Operative. Morris Manning and Martin, LLP acted as legal advisor to Francisco Partners and SintecMedia. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions including customary regulatory review.