ITV

Tag: Sky

  • Sky invests in US online TV company TV4 Entertainment

    Sky invests in US online TV company TV4 Entertainment

    MUMBAI: Sky has invested $0.3 million, via convertible debt security, in LA-based TV4 Entertainment, which owns a growing portfolio of special-interest television channels aimed at audiences which are typically underserved by traditional TV companies.

     

    The channels are distributed across multiple online platforms in the US including Hulu, Amazon, Sony, Vimeo, YouTube and Roku. 

     

    TV4’s portfolio includes a dozen channels, reaching millions of unique users every month. It has more than 30 new channels in development. The current portfolio includes: DocComTV aimed at documentary devotees; All Warrior Network for fans of the warrior genre; Motorland, a video network for automotive enthusiasts; the Ultimate Champion Network which has programming for combat sports fans; and The Clarity Project, a channel exploring child illness. 

     

    TV4’s strategy has been to acquire and aggregate high-quality video content into recognisable channel brands. Through more than 200 content partners, TV4 has licensed over 5,000 feature length and short form titles as well as many TV and web series. 

     

    The investment in TV4 builds on Sky’s ongoing programme of investing in innovative startups that help Sky bring new ideas, insight and services into its business. This follows recent investments in leading online sports network Whistle Sports, Pluto TV, the online video aggregator and the US ad tech firm Sharethrough. Sky has previously invested in a number of other pioneering US technology companies, including the IP streaming service provider Roku, the immersive 360 video specialists Jaunt and the OTT video delivery firm 1 Mainstream.

     

    Sky director – corporate business development Emma Lloyd said, “This exciting investment will help us develop our understanding of niche content genres and what audiences are most passionate about. We are committed to developing partnerships right across our business that support and extend our leadership position in content and innovation. We look forward to working with the team at TV4 Entertainment as they continue to grow.”

     

    TV4 Entertainment founder and CEO Jon Cody added, “Our goal in this round of investment was to bring on strategic global investors that could unlock business opportunities as we expand internationally over the next year. Bringing Europe’s top entertainment company in Sky into the TV4 Entertainment family is the perfect fit for this mandate. We look forward to growing the value of the Company for our shareholders while bringing tomorrow’s television to viewers across the globe today.” 

  • Times Now launches in UK today; other European launches to follow

    Times Now launches in UK today; other European launches to follow

    MUMBAI: The Indian and south Asian diaspora in the UK will get a dose of television news celebrity anchor Arnab Goswami from this week onwards. The reason: Times Now is slated to launch this week in the UK on channel 576 as a free to air channel on Sky on 15 November, after testing its signals for the past weeks or so.

    It joins the ranks of NDTV 24×7, Aaj Tak, ABP News and News18 India which too are airing in the UK.

    Times Now will be targeting the 1.4 million strong Indian diaspora in the UK, and the management says it is the first of its launches in Europe. It is slated to be rolled out in France and Germany, according to company sources quoted in the Financial Times.  The channel is already available in the US since 2011.

    Times Television Network MD & CEO MK Anand told the British financial daily that  the UK “can be our biggest diaspora market and a bridge into Europe … over the longer run there is no reason for us not to envisage Times Now as a global brand. Al Jazeera is an English-language channel which is talking about the world with an Arabic lens, and in time we can do the same for an Indian world view.”

    Times Now President & Editor in chief Arnab Goswami – who has built up a cult status  for himself and India’s  most watched English news channel – told the paper that initially only India focused news would be covered on the UK service. But the intent is  to develop local and global programming to appeal to global audiences, he revealed, bringing it in competition with France24, CNN, RT, and Al-Jazeera.

    The company is going all out to promote the channel in the UK with an outdoor, radio, online and press commercials and advertorials in the pipeline.

    It has set up an office in the UK in a bid to grab a share of the Britain’s estimated TV ad market of pounds sterling 4.04 billion.  The UK is one of the few countries where digital spending  is slated to account  for 50 per cent of the overall annual adex of 16.26  billion pounds by end this year, according to  research firm emarketer.  Ad spending on mobile and online devices is slated to attract more than twice the ad spending that goes to TV.

    Around 30 Indian channels are competing for the estimated 20-25 million pounds in ad spend  by Indian-targeted brands in the UK.

  • 21st Century Fox sees growth in cable & television; film segment disappoints

    21st Century Fox sees growth in cable & television; film segment disappoints

    MUMBAI: Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (21st Century Fox) reported total quarterly revenues of $6.08 billion in the quarter ended 30 September, 2015, which is a decrease of $406 million, or six per cent from the $6.48 billion of adjusted revenues reported in the prior year.

     

    This decline in adjusted revenues was primarily the result of a seven per cent revenue increase at the Cable Network Programming segment due to higher affiliate and advertising revenues being more than offset by lower revenues generated at the Filmed Entertainment segment due to lower theatrical revenues and the absence of revenues from Shine in the current quarter.

     

    The adverse impact of foreign exchange rates and the absence of revenues from Shine in the current quarter each impacted adjusted revenue growth by approximately $200 million, or six per cent in total.

     

    Quarterly total segment operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) of $1.54 billion decreased $37 million, or two per cent, from the $1.57 billion of adjusted OIBDA reported in the prior year. This decline in adjusted OIBDA reflects double-digit growth at both the company’s Cable Network Programming and Television segments, which was more than offset by reduced contributions from the Filmed Entertainment segment. The adverse impact of foreign exchange rates impacted adjusted OIBDA growth by $109 million, or seven per cent.

     

    The company reported quarterly income from continuing operations attributable to stockholders of $678 million ($0.34 per share), compared with $1.04 billion ($0.48 per share) in the prior year.

     

    Excluding the net income effects of Other, net and gains and other adjustments related to Sky and Endemol Shine Group included in Equity earnings from affiliates, adjusted quarterly earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to stockholders was $0.38 compared with the adjusted year-ago result of $0.39.

     

    Commenting on the results, 21st Century Fox executive chairman Rupert Murdoch said, “Our cable networks business generated strong growth in the first fiscal quarter, delivering double-digit earnings gains both domestically and internationally on sustained increases in overall affiliate fees, higher advertising revenues and lower expenses. Our quarterly results also reflect the expected impact of challenging comparisons for our film studio due to the timing of key releases, as well as the poor performance of The Fantastic Four. We are pleased with the recent success of The Martian, and as we look forward, we have an exciting film slate, which includes this weekend’s The Peanuts Movie, the holiday release of Joy, as well as the summer releases of the newest X-Men and Independence Day. Good progress is being made at the Fox Network both from our returning series, including the continued success of Empire, as well as some of our new series. We are focused on creating compelling storytelling and enhancing the customer experience of our digital video brands as we respond to changing consumer preferences.”

     

    CABLE NETWORK PROGRAMMING

     

    Cable Network Programming quarterly segment OIBDA increased 26 per cent to $1.31 billion, driven by a seven per cent revenue increase on strong affiliate revenue growth and higher advertising revenues combined with lower expenses. The two per cent decline in expenses was primarily due to the absence of the prior year broadcast of the India vs. England cricket series at Star Sports. Foreign exchange fluctuations, primarily in Latin America and Europe, adversely impacted segment OIBDA growth by five per cent.

     

    Domestic affiliate revenue increased 11 per cent reflecting strong growth at FS1 and sustained growth across all of the other domestic cable networks. Domestic advertising revenue grew four per cent over the prior year period reflecting solid growth at the sports channels and Fox News. Domestic OIBDA contributions increased 19 per cent over the prior year led by higher contributions from FS1, FX Networks and Fox News.

     

    International affiliate revenue decreased one per cent as 11 per cent local currency growth at Star and the Fox International Channels (FIC) was more than offset by a 12 per cent adverse impact from the strengthened US dollar.

     

    International advertising revenue decreased one per cent as continued local currency growth at FIC and the Star entertainment channels was offset by an 11 per cent adverse impact from the strengthened US dollar as well as the absence of advertising revenues from the prior year broadcast of the India vs. England cricket series at Star Sports. Quarterly OIBDA at the international cable channels increased 53 per cent reflecting strong local currency growth partially offset by the adverse impact of the strengthened US dollar.

     

    TELEVISION

     

    Television generated quarterly segment OIBDA of $196 million, a $22 million or 13 per cent increase over the $174 million reported in the prior year quarter. The increase in segment OIBDA was driven by lower operating costs led by lower programming expenses at the Fox Broadcast Network and TV stations partially offset by higher marketing costs at the Fox Broadcast Network. Quarterly segment revenues were consistent with those from the corresponding period in the prior year as strong retransmission consent revenue growth was counterbalanced by a five per cent decline in advertising revenues primarily reflecting the expected impact of one less week of National Football League broadcasts in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter and lower political revenues at the TV stations, as well as lower general entertainment ratings at the Fox Broadcast Network.

     

    FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

     

    Filmed Entertainment generated quarterly segment OIBDA of $149 million, a $309 million decrease from the $458 million reported in the same period a year-ago. 

     

    Quarterly segment revenues decreased $691 million to$1.79 billion,primarily reflecting lower worldwide theatrical revenues, the absence of revenue contributions from Shine, lower syndication revenues reflecting the sale of How I Met Your Mother in the prior year and the adverse impact of the strengthened US dollar. The OIBDA decline over the prior year reflects lower contributions from the film studio attributable to the difficult comparisons to last year’s successful worldwide theatrical performance of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and the home entertainment performance of Rio 2 with this year’s worldwide theatrical release of The Fantastic Four in August as well as higher theatrical pre-release costs in the current year primarily related to the successful worldwide theatrical release of The Martian in early October, which has grossed over $430 million in worldwide box office to date. Segment OIBDA comparisons were also adversely impacted by lower contributions from the television production businesses and a negative comparative 11 per cent impact from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

  • Disney inks new multi-year deal with Sky

    Disney inks new multi-year deal with Sky

    MUMBAI: Extending its relationship spanning almost 25 years, UK pay TV operator Sky has inked a new multi-year movie and TV agreement with Disney.

     

    Sky Movies and NOW TV Sky Movies Pass customers will be able to watch new movies like Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the first pay TV window from around nine months after their release in cinemas.

     

    Additionally, Sky Movies subscribers can access the Disney channel and watch all the latest Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm movies in HD, and in some cases, 3D. In addition, they will have access to Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior TV channels through Sky’s subscription packages in both standard and high definition.

     

    As per the new agreement, customers will get more Disney Channels series through Catch Up TV and On Demand than now available, at no extra cost. Also included in this agreement are ABC Studios primetime drama and comedy series such as Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy andScrubs, available via ABC Studios on demand, through Sky Box Sets.

     

    Moreover, Sky Movies customers will be able to choose from a wide selection of classic Disney movies on demand in Sky’s library of more than 1,000 films including Frozen, Enchanted, Maleficent, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, as well as Disney Pixar hits such as Up,Monsters, Inc. and Toy Story. 

     

    Sky will be offering more flexibility for customers to watch where they want with Sky Go, the mobile TV service. The agreement means customers can access the Disney movies, channels and on demand content as part of their subscriptions on over 70 compatible devices including mobiles, tablets and games consoles. All new movie titles and a large selection of classic movie titles will also be available to buy and keep, or rent, via Sky Store.

     

    Sky MD content Gary Davey said, “Sky and Disney have been working together for almost 25 years. Our collaboration has continued to grow and the launch of the exclusive Sky Movies Disney channel two years ago has been a huge success. This new agreement means our customers can continue to enjoy the biggest blockbusters like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Inside Out before they are available on any other online subscription service. They also get access to a great portfolio of family channels and a growing on demand library of amazing shows and films which we know they love.”

     

    Disney EMEA SVP and general manager, media distribution Mark Endema?o added, “With our shared goal of bringing the highest quality, creative entertainment to audiences in the UK and Ireland in ever more flexible ways, we are extending our relationship with Sky to offer subscribers our movies, series, and our channels at home and on the go. Two years on from its launch, we are particularly proud of the shared success of Sky Movies Disney, and look forward to bringing more of our much-loved stories and characters to audiences in the UK & Ireland.”

  • Sky is UK’s best-performing pay TV provider in Q2 2015: Ofcom

    Sky is UK’s best-performing pay TV provider in Q2 2015: Ofcom

    MUMBAI: Of all the pay TV providers in the UK, Sky is the only company to generate fewer complaints than the industry average (0.01 per 1,000 customers) and was named the best-performing pay TV provider according to independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries – Ofcom.

     

    TalkTalk became the most complained about pay TV provider. Their complaints volume increased to 0.14 per 1,000 customers, compared to 0.12 in Q1 2015. The main reasons for TalkTalk complaints were fault, service and provision issues (36 per cent), billing, pricing and charges (28 per cent) and issues relating to complaints handling (17 per cent).

     

    In Q2 2015, BT saw a reduction in complaint volumes, generating 0.11 complaints per 1,000 customers, compared to 0.15 in Q1 2015. Virgin Media’s complaints volume increased to 0.05 per 1,000 customers, compared to 0.04 in in Q1 2015.

     

    In landline telephone services, EE continued to generate the highest volume of landline complaints as a proportion of its customer base (0.34 per 1,000 customers). Others like Post Office HomePhone, Plusnet and TalkTalk also generated landline complaint volumes above the industry average, whereas BT was broadly in line with the industry average. Sky and Virgin Media were the only providers with complaints volumes below the industry average.

     

    For broadband services too, EE generated the most complaints. BT and Plusnet both saw reductions in their complaint volumes since Q1 2015, Virgin Media complaints were below the industry average, whereas Sky had the lowest complaints volume for broadband.

     

    In mobile pay-monthly services, Vodafone continued to be the most complained about mobile provider in Q2 2015. The main drivers of Vodafone complaints were problems with billing, pricing and charges (34 per cent), complaints handling (27 per cent) and concerns around faults, service and provision (17 per cent).

     

    Ofcom published data on the volume of consumer complaints made against the major providers of telecoms and pay TV services. The latest report covers the three-month period from April to June 2015 (Q2), and includes complaints made about 13 providers of fixed line telephone, fixed line broadband, pay monthly mobile and pay TV services.

     

    The total volume of telecoms and pay TV complaints made to Ofcom continued to decrease in Q2 2015, even as the number of consumers taking up these services increased.

     

    Broadband, mobile pay-as-you-go and mobile pay monthly services saw the most notable reductions in total volume of complaints.

     

    Total complaints volumes for fixed line telephone and pay TV services remained at similar levels to Q1 2015. Broadband services continued to attract the most complaints, albeit at lower levels than previously.

     

    Ofcom Content and Consumer Group director Claudio Pollack said, “Our complaints data allow consumers to make meaningful comparisons that can be useful when looking for a new provider. While it’s encouraging to see a continued decrease in the total number of complaints, there is still room for improvement. We expect providers to make customer service and complaints handling top priorities.”

  • Sky completes full acquisition of Sky Deutschland

    Sky completes full acquisition of Sky Deutschland

    MUMBAI: European pay TV company Sky, in which Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox owns a 39 per cent stake, has completed the buyout of remaining shareholders to gain full ownership of Sky Deutschland.

     

    With this, the company claims to have “consolidated its position as Europe’s leading entertainment company.”

     

    Sky completed the acquisition of the remaining approximately four per cent minority shareholdings in Sky Deutschland AG, with the cash compensation for the minority shareholdings set at €6.68 per share, in accordance with the requirements of the German Stock Corporation Act.

     

    As a result of this acquisition, Sky Deutschland AG will be delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

     

    Sky group CEO Jeremy Darroch said, “The full acquisition of Sky Deutschland is the latest step in creating an even stronger business for the future. The opportunity ahead is substantial and we have a strong platform on which to build and deliver benefits for customers and shareholders alike.”

  • FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in Wildside

    FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in Wildside

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has acquired Italian television and feature film producer Wildside. Under the deal, FremantleMedia will have a 62.5 per cent holding with the opportunity to acquire the remaining shareholding in the future. 

     

    Wildside is currently producing The Young Pope, a joint Sky, HBO and Canal + production, directed by Academy Award winner Paolo Sorrentino, and starring two time Academy Award nominee Jude Law and Academy Award winner Diane Keaton. FremantleMedia International is distributing the title in the non-partner territories. 

     

    Founded in 2009, Wildside established itself as one of the most prominent high end drama producers for the Italian and international markets. Recent successes include the Italian version of In Treatment Season 1 and 2 (Sky) and 1992 (Sky), which premiered to critical acclaim at the Berlin Film Festival this year. On the big screen, Wildside Cinema’s successes include award-winning Hungry Hearts, directed by Saverio Costanzo and starring up and coming talent Adam Driver (recently cast in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens), the EFA Best Comedy 2014 winner The Mafia Kills Only in Summer directed by Pif, the award winning Me and You directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and The Solitude of Prime Numberswhich was nominated for the Golden Lion at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival in 2010. 

     

    FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz said, “This is a key strategic acquisition for FremantleMedia as we continue to strengthen our prime-time scripted presence. Wildside is fast becoming one of Europe’s most sought after drama producers and will complement our existing prime-time drama businesses in the US, Germany, Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Australia and the UK. The team have an impressive track record of attracting world class creative talent and delivering award winning drama so I’m really excited that they are joining our family of production companies.” 

     

    Based in Rome, the company was founded in 2009 by producers Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani, script writers and directors Marco Martani, Fausto Brizzi and Saverio Costanzo following the merger of Wilder and Offside production companies.

  • Sky pumps major investment in digital skills

    Sky pumps major investment in digital skills

    MUMBAI: Sky is stepping up its commitment to digital skills and innovation with the creation of a brand new, world-class technology hub in the north of England, and the expansion of its dedicated technology training schemes. 

     

    The new technology hub, which will create up to 400 highly-skilled jobs, will open later this year in Leeds. It will be focused on designing and developing Sky’s next generation of websites and apps across its offering.

     

    Based at Allied London’s Leeds Dock, in the heart of the city, the hub will establish a dynamic and creative environment for Sky’s technology teams, expanding their capabilities in order to continue to lead the growth of new ways of watching content on multiple devices, in and out of the home.

     

    Sky is also expanding its commitment to those starting out in their careers in technology by creating its second Software Engineering Academy, in Leeds, which will offer opportunities for young people across the north of England to gain skills and build a career in technology. In addition, Sky has increased the number of places on offer at its successful Software Engineering Academy in London.

     

    The Software Engineering Academy offers graduates a hands-on, accelerated learning programme, providing practical, on-the-job training including opportunities to develop and support software for teams across Sky, including Sky Sports. 

     

    In London, the number of places available at the Academy annually has increased from 24 to 36. The company aims to emulate the success of the London Software Engineering Academy in Leeds, initially recruiting 24 graduates and eight apprentices a year. These will join the 118 young people who’ve gone through the Software Engineering Academy since launch four years ago.

     

    Sky is mirroring its expansion in the UK by increasing its involvement in the US technology industry as it seeks to partner and collaborate with ambitious start-ups in Silicon Valley. Sky has already entered into successful partnerships with a number of tech start-ups, including IP streaming service provider Roku, multiscreen video leader Elemental and video delivery firm 1 Mainstream. 

     

    Sky group CEO Jeremy Darroch said, “Digital skills and innovation are at the heart of what we do at Sky, helping us give customers the best possible TV experience, whether at home or on the move. With our investment in Leeds, we’re creating one of the largest digital communities in the UK. We are looking forward to bringing hundreds of new jobs to the city and giving young people the opportunity to build their skills and help shape the digital services of the future.”

     

    MP, Secretary of State for Business, Skills and Innovation, the Rt Hon Sajid Javid added, “I’m delighted that Sky is furthering its investment in Leeds with the creation of 400 new jobs and a new technology hub. The announcement is a boost to the digital economy of the entire Northern Powerhouse, and will undoubtedly help to cement Leeds as a leading technology cluster.”

  • Sky acquires majority stake in Blast! Films

    Sky acquires majority stake in Blast! Films

    MUMBAI: Sky has taken a majority stake in Blast! Films, the independent production company responsible for hit series The Supervet, The Route Masters and 999: What’s Your Emergency?

     

    Founded in 1994, Blast! Films is one of the UK’s longest established independent production companies and has produced award-winning films, including Hunger, Steve McQueen’s debut feature, The Channel 4 film of the opera The Death of Klinghoffer and the Bafta-winning drama Soundproof. 

     

    Blast! Films will continue to operate as a distinct company under the new ownership structure, producing programmes and films for a variety of broadcasters. Blast! Films founder and creative director Ed Coulthard and managing director Claire Bosworth will run the company with their current team. 

     

    Sky’s international distribution business, Sky Vision, will become Blast! Films’ distribution partner, and will represent new programmes and formats. Blast! Films’ existing agreements with other broadcasters and distributors will remain unchanged.

     

    Coulthard said, “Sky really gets the Blast! Films DNA. As programme makers we are passionate about quality and this is a great fit for us as we continue to evolve the company. I’m really proud of the team we’ve built here and this deal allows us to continue to attract great talent, keep raising the bar and be ambitious about what we can achieve.” 

     

    Sky Vision managing director Jane Millichip added, “Blast! Films has an incredible pedigree. Ed Coulthard is a first-class producer, and together with Claire Bosworth and team, they have a production slate that combines creative excellence with real commercial appeal. We look forward to working with them to build on their success in the UK and internationally.”

     

    Sky has stakes in several independent production companies including Jupiter Entertainment, Love Productions, and Znak & Jones, all of which partner with Sky Vision on domestic and international distribution.

  • Sky ties-up with Disney-Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ to promote broadband offer

    Sky ties-up with Disney-Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ to promote broadband offer

    MUMBAI: Sky is making superfast broadband more accessible to everyone with the launch of its best ever fibre deal. Effective immediately, customers can get superfast, super reliable Sky Fibre broadband (normally ?10 a month) free for 12 months, the first time that any major broadband provider has offered a whole year of superfast speeds at such a low price.

     

    To launch the offer, Sky has joined forces with Disneymedia+ and Pixar Animation Studios to create a new TV ad featuring characters from Disney-Pixar’s latest feature Inside Out. 

     

    The new campaign, which launched on 10 July, features the characters from the new animated epic, which broke the record for the biggest-ever US opening for an original film and will be premiering in the UK on 24 July. 

     

    The 50 second animated advert introduces Riley Anderson and the little voices inside her head – Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust and Sadness – to showcase the emotions we all feel if our broadband fails to perform as we would like it to. 

     

    The offer is available to everyone switching to Sky Fibre when they take Sky line rental. A one year contract means there is no obligation beyond the free period.

     

    With more and more people wanting to try fibre, Sky Fibre is a great option for those who want superfast speeds but don’t need unlimited usage. It offers download speeds of up to 38Mbps and comes with a 25GB monthly usage cap, allowing customers to download an album in seconds or a full movie in just over 3 minutes. Customers who want unlimited usage can choose Sky Fibre Unlimited for just ?10 a month (normally ?20 a month).

     

    The offer represents a saving of ?186.13 over a year when compared with the closest comparable services from BT. According to research by Ofcom, Sky Fibre also has the most reliably consistent speeds and the fastest peak time speeds for up to 38Mb fibre broadband.

     

    The new campaign follows strong growth in Sky’s broadband business as customers continue to switch to Sky for better quality and value. More than five million customers now choose Sky for broadband including 100,000 new customers in the most recent reported quarter, up 43 per cent on last year.

     

    Sky Broadband director Lyssa McGowan said, “We know there are lots of people who would like to try superfast speeds but are put off by the high prices charged by some providers. With this ground-breaking offer, we’re making Sky Fibre even more accessible. Now superfast broadband is genuinely for everyone.”