ITV

Tag: pay TV

  • Fox starts live streaming prime time entertainment programmes

    Fox starts live streaming prime time entertainment programmes

    MUMBAI: It’s one of the major broadcast networks in the US. But the Twenty First Century Fox owned Fox is now haring into live streaming its prime time entertainment programmes on its website and apps for mobile consumers, becoming the first US major to do so.

    The snag: viewers all over the US need a valid pay TV subscription – either cable TV or satellite and have to use their TV everywhere log in from the provider to be able to watch the live streams. Fox pointed out that around 96 million Americans using pay TV will have access to this service.

    The offer started with the hit series So You Think it Can dance: The next generation which users could watch on Fox.com and on Fox Now on their PCs, their iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Rokus, Kindle Fire, Apple TV and ChromeCast, simultaneously as live broadcast television.

    Local Fox affiliates could insert local market advertising and display station branding in the live streams.

    “From the start of the on-demand and over-the-top viewing revolution, Fox has been at the forefront of providing greater access to our buzz-defining shows, like “Empire,” “Lucifer, “Scream Queens” and “Family Guy,” said Fox Television Group chairman and CEOs Diana Walden and Gary Newman. “Adding nationwide primetime live streams is just another great example of how the Fox Digital Consumer Group, under Brian Sullivan’s leadership, is innovating to give viewers the convenience and flexibility to watch our programming whenever and wherever they want.”

  • Fox starts live streaming prime time entertainment programmes

    Fox starts live streaming prime time entertainment programmes

    MUMBAI: It’s one of the major broadcast networks in the US. But the Twenty First Century Fox owned Fox is now haring into live streaming its prime time entertainment programmes on its website and apps for mobile consumers, becoming the first US major to do so.

    The snag: viewers all over the US need a valid pay TV subscription – either cable TV or satellite and have to use their TV everywhere log in from the provider to be able to watch the live streams. Fox pointed out that around 96 million Americans using pay TV will have access to this service.

    The offer started with the hit series So You Think it Can dance: The next generation which users could watch on Fox.com and on Fox Now on their PCs, their iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Rokus, Kindle Fire, Apple TV and ChromeCast, simultaneously as live broadcast television.

    Local Fox affiliates could insert local market advertising and display station branding in the live streams.

    “From the start of the on-demand and over-the-top viewing revolution, Fox has been at the forefront of providing greater access to our buzz-defining shows, like “Empire,” “Lucifer, “Scream Queens” and “Family Guy,” said Fox Television Group chairman and CEOs Diana Walden and Gary Newman. “Adding nationwide primetime live streams is just another great example of how the Fox Digital Consumer Group, under Brian Sullivan’s leadership, is innovating to give viewers the convenience and flexibility to watch our programming whenever and wherever they want.”

  • Sky Television NZ and Vodafone NZ to merge to offer content

    Sky Television NZ and Vodafone NZ to merge to offer content

    BENGALURU: Sky Network Television of New Zealand and Vodafone New Zealand have agreed to a merger that that will enable offering customers packages of entertainment, broadband and mobile. Sky Network Television NZ has no connection with the European pay-TV company with a similar name. The deal will create a leading integrated player capable of delivering content across all platforms and devices.

    “The value of this transaction is bringing together two of New Zealand’s leading brands in their field. Together, we will serve 3.5 million customers. Video over mobile is the fastest growing field of our industry. I believe this combined entity will be in the best position to exploit this opportunity. With Vodafone we will be able to distribute our content to more customers with more devices than ever before,” said Sky CEO John Fellet.

    Vodafone NZ CEO Russell Stanners said: “The merger brings together SKY’s leading sports and entertainment content with our extensive mobile and fixed networks, enabling customers to enjoy their favourite shows or follow their team wherever they are.

    Subject to regulatory clearance Vodafone will have a 51 percent stake in the combined group through the cash and share deal that has an equivalent enterprise value of NZ$3.44 billion (€2.15 billion). Sky will acquire all of the shares of the mobile phone provider through the issue of new Sky shares and a cash payment of NZ$1.25 billion, which will be funded through new debt, and the rest in new Sky shares.

    The new Sky Network Television shares are to be issued at NZ$5.40 which represents a 21 percent premium to the last close of NZ$4.47 and a 27 percent premium to one month value weighted average premium (VWAP) of $4.25 as at June 7, 2016.

    Besides being the largest media company in New Zealan, Sky Network Television is the country’s largest subscription television operator with 830,000 subscriptions serving almost half of the country. It has exclusive sports rights including rugby, cricket, netball, the Rio Olympics and the next 2 FIFA world cups. 90 percent of the company’s estimated NZ$929 million revenues for 2016 are likely to come from subscription, with advertising contributing around 8 percent and ‘others’ the rest.

    60 percent of Vodafone NZ’s 2016 revenues of NZ$ 1,999 came from the mobile phone segment and it is a market leader with about 2.35 million customers. 40 percent of its 2016 revenue came from the 500,000 fixed line broadband and home phone subscribers.  55 percent of Vodafone NZ’s revenue comes from consumers,36 percent from enterprise and the rest from wholesale.

  • Sky Television NZ and Vodafone NZ to merge to offer content

    Sky Television NZ and Vodafone NZ to merge to offer content

    BENGALURU: Sky Network Television of New Zealand and Vodafone New Zealand have agreed to a merger that that will enable offering customers packages of entertainment, broadband and mobile. Sky Network Television NZ has no connection with the European pay-TV company with a similar name. The deal will create a leading integrated player capable of delivering content across all platforms and devices.

    “The value of this transaction is bringing together two of New Zealand’s leading brands in their field. Together, we will serve 3.5 million customers. Video over mobile is the fastest growing field of our industry. I believe this combined entity will be in the best position to exploit this opportunity. With Vodafone we will be able to distribute our content to more customers with more devices than ever before,” said Sky CEO John Fellet.

    Vodafone NZ CEO Russell Stanners said: “The merger brings together SKY’s leading sports and entertainment content with our extensive mobile and fixed networks, enabling customers to enjoy their favourite shows or follow their team wherever they are.

    Subject to regulatory clearance Vodafone will have a 51 percent stake in the combined group through the cash and share deal that has an equivalent enterprise value of NZ$3.44 billion (€2.15 billion). Sky will acquire all of the shares of the mobile phone provider through the issue of new Sky shares and a cash payment of NZ$1.25 billion, which will be funded through new debt, and the rest in new Sky shares.

    The new Sky Network Television shares are to be issued at NZ$5.40 which represents a 21 percent premium to the last close of NZ$4.47 and a 27 percent premium to one month value weighted average premium (VWAP) of $4.25 as at June 7, 2016.

    Besides being the largest media company in New Zealan, Sky Network Television is the country’s largest subscription television operator with 830,000 subscriptions serving almost half of the country. It has exclusive sports rights including rugby, cricket, netball, the Rio Olympics and the next 2 FIFA world cups. 90 percent of the company’s estimated NZ$929 million revenues for 2016 are likely to come from subscription, with advertising contributing around 8 percent and ‘others’ the rest.

    60 percent of Vodafone NZ’s 2016 revenues of NZ$ 1,999 came from the mobile phone segment and it is a market leader with about 2.35 million customers. 40 percent of its 2016 revenue came from the 500,000 fixed line broadband and home phone subscribers.  55 percent of Vodafone NZ’s revenue comes from consumers,36 percent from enterprise and the rest from wholesale.

  • Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Comprehensive showcase of latest content protection and cloud/IP technologies enable a secure, engaging and everywhere pay-TV experience for consumers

    Cheseaux, Switzerland And Singapore – May 24, 2016 – Nagra, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen television solutions, will be at Communicasia 2016, From May 31-June 3 In Singapore, highlighting new growth opportunities and IP-based strategies designed to help the region’s pay-TV operators deliver a secure, engaging and everywhere experience to consumers. Nagra will be located on booth 1H-214, along with Kudelski Group subsidiaries Conax and Smardtv, at the Marine Bay Sands convention.

    “Pay-TV Operators, particularly in the asia-pacific region, are at the crossroads of exciting new opportunities to reach consumers on any screen, anytime and anywhere, as well as engage into a more interactive viewer relationship,” said Stéphane Le Dréau, Nagra’s general manager for Southeast Asia. “Largely driven by the accelerated adoption of IP-based delivery networks, these opportunities also bring about new technical challenges – from content protection to the consumer experience – where Nagra is uniquely positioned to help. We look forward to unveiling our latest innovations and demonstrating how service providers can embrace the new IP environment.”

    Nagra’s technology showcase will feature the award-winning intuiTV solution, a managed cloud-based platform that can be configured with a full line-up of premium content and advanced TV services featuring live TV, VOD, SVOD services (like Netflix and YouTube), PVR/nPVR, social TV and other standard TV features such as search and recommendation (including voice) – all accessible via an innovative streaming device, ‘swipe-to-tune’ user interface and a contextual, programmable e-ink remote control. 

    Visitors will also learn about Nagra’s growing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and see latest deployments of the MediaLive Suite, including OpenTV 5 connectware and Nagra’s set-top box reference solution for Netflix which was recently deployed at StarHub in Singapore. Such innovations have enabled operators to deploy next generation services – from basic to more advanced – and expand their offering by enabling them, for instance, to seamlessly integrate SVOD services in their content line-up through a single user interface and TV input.

    New developments in content protection will complement the showcase and feature anyCAST’s unique adaptive security concept which comprehensively addresses all devices and use cases for a new generation of enhanced content, featuring connected security, 4K content protection and watermarking. Nagra anyCAST gives pay-TV service providers the industry’s largest and most trusted range of conditional access (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) solutions. Using a single Security Services Platform, Nagra anyCAST seamlessly controls an entire range of cardless, card-based, embedded and two-way connected secure clients as well as 3rd-party DRMs, enabling any service provider to create the perfect security solution for their network or combination of networks.

     

  • Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Comprehensive showcase of latest content protection and cloud/IP technologies enable a secure, engaging and everywhere pay-TV experience for consumers

    Cheseaux, Switzerland And Singapore – May 24, 2016 – Nagra, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen television solutions, will be at Communicasia 2016, From May 31-June 3 In Singapore, highlighting new growth opportunities and IP-based strategies designed to help the region’s pay-TV operators deliver a secure, engaging and everywhere experience to consumers. Nagra will be located on booth 1H-214, along with Kudelski Group subsidiaries Conax and Smardtv, at the Marine Bay Sands convention.

    “Pay-TV Operators, particularly in the asia-pacific region, are at the crossroads of exciting new opportunities to reach consumers on any screen, anytime and anywhere, as well as engage into a more interactive viewer relationship,” said Stéphane Le Dréau, Nagra’s general manager for Southeast Asia. “Largely driven by the accelerated adoption of IP-based delivery networks, these opportunities also bring about new technical challenges – from content protection to the consumer experience – where Nagra is uniquely positioned to help. We look forward to unveiling our latest innovations and demonstrating how service providers can embrace the new IP environment.”

    Nagra’s technology showcase will feature the award-winning intuiTV solution, a managed cloud-based platform that can be configured with a full line-up of premium content and advanced TV services featuring live TV, VOD, SVOD services (like Netflix and YouTube), PVR/nPVR, social TV and other standard TV features such as search and recommendation (including voice) – all accessible via an innovative streaming device, ‘swipe-to-tune’ user interface and a contextual, programmable e-ink remote control. 

    Visitors will also learn about Nagra’s growing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and see latest deployments of the MediaLive Suite, including OpenTV 5 connectware and Nagra’s set-top box reference solution for Netflix which was recently deployed at StarHub in Singapore. Such innovations have enabled operators to deploy next generation services – from basic to more advanced – and expand their offering by enabling them, for instance, to seamlessly integrate SVOD services in their content line-up through a single user interface and TV input.

    New developments in content protection will complement the showcase and feature anyCAST’s unique adaptive security concept which comprehensively addresses all devices and use cases for a new generation of enhanced content, featuring connected security, 4K content protection and watermarking. Nagra anyCAST gives pay-TV service providers the industry’s largest and most trusted range of conditional access (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) solutions. Using a single Security Services Platform, Nagra anyCAST seamlessly controls an entire range of cardless, card-based, embedded and two-way connected secure clients as well as 3rd-party DRMs, enabling any service provider to create the perfect security solution for their network or combination of networks.

     

  • Q1-2016: Dish Network reports higher revenue despite subscriber decline on higher ARPU

    Q1-2016: Dish Network reports higher revenue despite subscriber decline on higher ARPU

    BENGALURU:  US Pay-TV player Dish Network Corporation (DNC) reported 1.7 percent higher  year-on-year (YoY) total revenue for the quarter ended 31 March, 2016 (Q1-2016, current) at $3,787.24 million as compared to $3,724.23 million in the year ago quarter. Subscriber related revenue increased 2.2 per cent YoY to $3,775.48 million in the current quarter as compared to $3,693.53 million in Q1-2015. The company lost 139,000 Pay-TV subscribers. Its subscriber base in the current year declined 1 per cent to 13.874 million in the current year as compared to 14.013 million in Q1-2015.

    The company reported 2.6 per cent growth in average revenue per user (ARPU) in Q1-2016 to $87.94 from $85.73 in the corresponding year ago quarter. DNC says that increase in Pay-TV ARPU was primarily attributable to the DISH branded Pay-TV programming package price increases in February 2016 and 2015. These increases were partially offset by a shift in DISH branded Pay-TV programming package mix, an increase in Sling TV subscribers and a decrease in premium and pay-per-view revenue.  The company says that Sling TV subscribers generally have lower priced programming packages than DISH branded Pay-TV subscribers, and therefore, to the extent  that Sling TV subscribers increase, it has a negative impact on Pay-TV ARPU.

    DNC’s subscriber churn declined by a single basis point to 1.63 per cent in the current quarter as compared to 1.64 per cent in Q1-2015. DNC added 657,000 gross subscribers in Q1-2016 as compared to 723,000 subscribers in Q1-2015. The company says that its Pay-TV churn rate continued to be adversely affected by   increased competitive pressures, including aggressive marketing, bundled discount offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers, as well as cord cutting.

    DNC reported lower subscriber acquisition costs in the current quarter at $648 per subscriber as compared to $667, or a drop of 2.9 per cent or $19 per subscriber. DNC says that this change was primarily attributable to a   decrease in hardware costs per activation. The decrease in hardware costs per activation was driven by a higher percentage of remanufactured receivers being activated on new DISH branded pay-TV subscriber accounts and by a reduction in manufacturing costs related to certain receiver systems

    DNC reported 628,000 broadband subscribers in Q1-2016 as compared to 591,000 subscribers in Q1-2015

    Net income attributable to DNC increased 10.8 per cent to $389.29 million in the current quarter as compared to $351.49 million in Q1-2015.

  • Q1-2016: Dish Network reports higher revenue despite subscriber decline on higher ARPU

    Q1-2016: Dish Network reports higher revenue despite subscriber decline on higher ARPU

    BENGALURU:  US Pay-TV player Dish Network Corporation (DNC) reported 1.7 percent higher  year-on-year (YoY) total revenue for the quarter ended 31 March, 2016 (Q1-2016, current) at $3,787.24 million as compared to $3,724.23 million in the year ago quarter. Subscriber related revenue increased 2.2 per cent YoY to $3,775.48 million in the current quarter as compared to $3,693.53 million in Q1-2015. The company lost 139,000 Pay-TV subscribers. Its subscriber base in the current year declined 1 per cent to 13.874 million in the current year as compared to 14.013 million in Q1-2015.

    The company reported 2.6 per cent growth in average revenue per user (ARPU) in Q1-2016 to $87.94 from $85.73 in the corresponding year ago quarter. DNC says that increase in Pay-TV ARPU was primarily attributable to the DISH branded Pay-TV programming package price increases in February 2016 and 2015. These increases were partially offset by a shift in DISH branded Pay-TV programming package mix, an increase in Sling TV subscribers and a decrease in premium and pay-per-view revenue.  The company says that Sling TV subscribers generally have lower priced programming packages than DISH branded Pay-TV subscribers, and therefore, to the extent  that Sling TV subscribers increase, it has a negative impact on Pay-TV ARPU.

    DNC’s subscriber churn declined by a single basis point to 1.63 per cent in the current quarter as compared to 1.64 per cent in Q1-2015. DNC added 657,000 gross subscribers in Q1-2016 as compared to 723,000 subscribers in Q1-2015. The company says that its Pay-TV churn rate continued to be adversely affected by   increased competitive pressures, including aggressive marketing, bundled discount offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers, as well as cord cutting.

    DNC reported lower subscriber acquisition costs in the current quarter at $648 per subscriber as compared to $667, or a drop of 2.9 per cent or $19 per subscriber. DNC says that this change was primarily attributable to a   decrease in hardware costs per activation. The decrease in hardware costs per activation was driven by a higher percentage of remanufactured receivers being activated on new DISH branded pay-TV subscriber accounts and by a reduction in manufacturing costs related to certain receiver systems

    DNC reported 628,000 broadband subscribers in Q1-2016 as compared to 591,000 subscribers in Q1-2015

    Net income attributable to DNC increased 10.8 per cent to $389.29 million in the current quarter as compared to $351.49 million in Q1-2015.

  • Videocon d2h named best ‘Pay TV Service’ at Content Innovation Award in Cannes

    Videocon d2h named best ‘Pay TV Service’ at Content Innovation Award in Cannes

    MUMBAI: Indian direct to home (DTH) company Videocon d2h bagged the ‘Pay TV Service of the Year’ award at Digital TV Europe’s inaugural Content Innovation Awards held in Cannes.

     

    Videocon d2h is India’s fastest growing pay TV operator. For the quarter ended 30 June, 2015, Videocon d2h’s subscription revenue grew 32.2 per cent year on year to Rs 599 crore. On the other hand, the company’s revenue from operations grew 23.3 per cent year on year to Rs 663 crore. Videocon d2h’s gross subscriber base stands at 13.70 million, whereas its net subscriber base is at 10.64 million.

     

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “As the fastest growing Pay TV operator in India and the DTH market leader for the fourth consecutive year in terms of incremental market share, Videocon d2h has worked hard for its success in what can only be described as a strongly competitive marketplace. Our focus of providing superior customer service for each and every single one of our 14 million gross subscribers has served as the foundation for several milestone accomplishments for Videocon d2h, including adding 2.64 million subscribers, growing subscription revenues by 38.3 per cent during this past fiscal year.”

     

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “2015 has certainly been a banner year for Videocon d2h. We started the year with the launch of India’s first 4K Ultra HD channel in January, became the most valued Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ with our successful IPO with a market cap of $1.24 billion as of 30 June, 2015. Being honoured with Pay TV Service of the Year award is a celebration of our customer delight approach.”

     

    Accepting the award, Videocon d2h deputy CEO Rohit Jain said, “Being named Pay TV Service of the Year, especially from a global field of innovative businesses, is truly the icing on the cake.”

     

    On the other hand, Discovery Networks International was named as the Best International TV Networks Group. Discovery Networks CEEMEA also won the Best Series Launch of the Year for Dynamo: Magician Impossible (season 4).

     

    Endemol Beyond was crowned MCN of the Year, whereas the Channel of the Year award went to Eurosport. The award for the Best New Channel launch went to AMC Global. 

     

    Some of the other major winners at the awards were Entertainment One, which won International Production Company of the Year, ITV Studios Global Entertainment was awarded as the Best Content Distributor.

     

    BT took home the award for 4K Initiative of the Year for its Ultra HD Service, whereas the Cloud TV Innovation of the Year award went to Easel TV for Curzon Home Cinema. Orange for Watch with Twitter bagged the Social TV Innovation of the Year award.

     

    The Industry Innovation of the Year went to VOO for the .évasion box and Videowall. Rovi bagged the TV Technology Award (content discovery) award for Personalized Discovery Solution 

     

    The awards were attended by more than 100 programming and technology industry executives in Cannes.

  • Is India ready to embrace 4K Ultra HD?

    Is India ready to embrace 4K Ultra HD?

    CANNES: Ever since Star Sports broadcast a few important matches in 4K Ultra HD featuring the Indian team during the ICC Cricket World Cup earlier this year, a question hovering on many a lips is: Is India ready to embrace 4K Ultra HD?

     

    On Day 1 of Mipcom 2015, a panel comprising Videocon d2h deputy CEO Rohit Jain, Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, BT Media & Broadcast VP Mark Wilson-Dunn and Travel XP CEO Prashant Chothani precisely attempted to answer this very question.

     

    Starting out, Jain gave an overview of how the direct to home industry has grown over the years and also how Videocon d2h has been a frontrunner in the recent past in terms of contributing heavily in helping India become a completely digitised country. “The last couple of years have seen some significant changes in how the television and broadcast ecosystem has evolved. India is among the fastest growing economics, and the biggest advantage is having an audience of 670 million under the age of 25 years,” he stated.

     

    “India also has the second largest market for Pay TV connections with 150 million homes. There are challenges of over-the-top (OTT) players coming in globally and India in a big way, but that must not be a hindrance for innovators like us to continue bringing about the best changes and continue being thought leaders in our space,” he added.

     

    Continuing the discussion and bringing a more global perspective to things, BT’s Wilson-Dunn said, “I honestly believe that India is a very strong content oriented market and has the right ingredients to grow as a 4K consuming audience. With the recently successful test of waters with the Cricket World Cup in India, it has certainly given a lot of confidence to us that India and Asia as a whole is ready for 4K consumption.”

     

    The panel agreed that sports would play a major role in establishing the future of 4K as well along with other live events and movies. “We are currently investing heavily in creating only 4K content and are confident that within the next two years, 4K will be huge in India,” said a confident Chothani. “I am currently also looking for the right partners for the distribution of the channel globally and I can already see the benefits of producing in 4K initially than going back and reinvesting in migrating from HD to 4K.”

     

    Indiantelevision.com’s Wanvari was more cautious in his approach on how India will embrace 4K. “I am sure 4K is the natural progression from HD, and with players like Prashant already investing heavily on creating the content pipeline, is an encouraging sign for the future of the content roadmap of the country. Although, the transponder space, which is currently available, is a cause of major concern and could be a downer for the spirits of many content distribution platforms like a Tata Sky and Videocon d2h,” he opined.

     

    The panel also discussed how 4K would ideally be for a niche audience, which would be in a position to generate higher average revenue per users (ARPUs) for distribution platforms that are currently generating anywhere between $3-4 on a monthly basis that could go up to $10-15 with 4K being introduced.

     

    At the end, the consensus amongst the panelists was that in the next five years, India will see a sizeable growth in the number of 4K content available on linear platforms, but these are still early days and one can only play the waiting game as the bigger challenge that still lies ahead is complete digitisation and accountability of users of content in the country.