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Tag: Sony BMG

  • T-Series YBR label announces summer music launch

    T-Series YBR label announces summer music launch

    MUMBAI: T-Series big boss Bhushan Kumar is looking at transforming his very Indian music group, Super Cassettes into one that has international music on its roster. To achieve this goal, earlier this year, he flagged off YBR Records, headed by former Universal executive Vinay Sapru.

    Since then YBR has been jetting around the world, in order to sign on artistes at various festivals and markets. And Sapru reveals that his push has been a success. “We are on the verge of doing deals with two artistes from the US, a band and a girl singer from Czechoslovakia, and an artiste from Germany,” he says.

    Sapru points out that the artistes will have crossover appeal, in the sense that though they may be international in their broad approach, their music will have Indian elements built in so that it would appeal to Indian audiences. “It was earlier done with a band like Truth Hurts wherein we strung in strains like Kaliyon Ka Chaman into its track and the ploy worked like a charm,” he elucidates.

    Releases under the new label are expected to debut in the summer. “We will take the 360 degree marketing approach with radio, TV, live, outdoors, digital, online – the works while promoting the albums and the artistes. We have been very successful with Himesh Reshmaiyya if you see our track record.”

    Sapru, who is just back from Midem, believes that the annual music market which just concluded in Cannes a week ago is the best platform for the music trade. “We shook hands with most of our partners and the new artistes I am talking about at Midem,” he says. “We will be signing on the dotted line with them very soon.”

    Kumar points out that the group is looking at tying up with an international major very soon. With Universal, Sony BMG, Virgin already entrenched in the market who could it be? Both Sapru and Kumar are not telling but when it does happen it will bring in a new sound to the Indian music market surely.

  • Sony Electronics focusses on transformation this year

    Sony Electronics focusses on transformation this year

    MUMBAI: Sony Electronics says that it is continuing its transformation into an entertainment powerhouse.

    At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas it has a 100,000 square-foot exhibit that brings together all of the company’s strengths from electronics, music and gaming to movies, television and online entertainment.

    In a press conference kicked off by Sony BMG Music Grammy award-winning musician Joshua Bell, several of the company’s US business leaders announced products and technologies related to four strategic growth areas — gaming, high definition, digital imaging and mobile products.

    Sony Electronics president and COO Stan Glasgow unveilled the company’s first Internet video system. He announced that in 2007 the majority of new Sony televisions — starting
    with several Bravia flat-panel LCD TVs this year– will accept an attachable module that can stream broadband high-definition and other Internet video content with the press of a remote control button. The module will be available this summer.

    Glasgow said, “While other companies struggle with standard definition, Sony has developed a scalable Internet HDTV solution with some notable partners providing content”. Those partners include AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper, now part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as Sony Pictures itself and Sony BMG.

    Sony’s Xross Media Bar (XMB), an icon-based user interface similar to what is already found on Playstation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable
    and a recently introduced Sony A/V receiver, made its debut in conjunction with the Internet video demo.

    Glasgow also reported that Sony Electronics enjoyed strong holiday sales in the US, which have put the company on track for a year of double-digit growth.

    PlayStation: Sony claims to have shipped one million units of PS3, equipped with high-definition, Blu-ray disc drives, in the US by the end of December.

    More High Definition: Acknowledging its position in what the company calls ‘Full HD’ across practically every product category in both consumer and professional
    arenas Sony Electronics’ home products division senior VP Randy Waynick highlighted a continuum of HD technology from the lens
    to the living room.

    Waynick previewed a prototype 55-inch SXRD Grand Wega rear projection micro-display television with a new laser light engine
    technology that enhances color uniformity and brightness, while maintaining a slim profile.

    He also recounted the success of Sony’s Bravia flat-panel LCD line, which comprises 16 models ranging in size from 23- to 52-inch screens,
    before announcing the newest member of the family, a 70-inch 1080p HD television.

    The model features a new backlighting system and contrast ratio enhancements, as well as three HDMI inputs for full 1080p connectivity to
    the latest Blu-ray Disc players. It is also distinguished by its high refresh rate and x.v.Colour technology, which is Sony’s name for xvYCC, a new international standard in colour technology for personal video applications.

  • Rajshri.com launches pay downloads

    Rajshri.com launches pay downloads

    NEW DELHI: With 10 million video streams across its site in its first month, Rrajshri.com has introduced pay media.

    Viewers are now able to download and own any of the movie content available on the site for their personal consumption, starting last weekend. And coming up is download-for-keeps for their entire music content as well. Prior to this, films could be downloaded on payment but for a limited period of 72 hours.

    “We have ensured that the price points are very aggressive and have chosen to offer downloads without DRM,” Rajshri Media (P) Limited VP sales William D’souza tells indiantelevision.com.

    “Over the past month, we have received huge requests from viewers asking for downloads of the content,” he says, adding, “We are also at the final stage of introducing our ad-supported platform, through which we will soon integrate video ads and rich media banner ads on our site.”

    This has been done at the “constant behest of advertisers, who see www.rajshri.com as an ideal destination to reach out to a global audience interested in Indian entertainment,” says D’Souza.

    Regarding other services on the site, D’souza says they have bagged the famous GaneshaSpeaks Bejan Daruwala’s astro service, and Sanjay Jumaani, numerologist, to provide that genre of content for them.

    “Besides generic advice and predictions, we plan to offer personalised video consultations to consumers worldwide,” he says.

    “The online ad campaign is currently ongoing and our communication will constantly keep changing as we continue to add newer and better features, categories and services to the website,” D’souza adds.

    Asked about the new alliances they are looking at, D’souza said: “The biggest names in the business are working with us. Many more alliances are at an advanced stage of negotiation and will be announced shortly. Some of our current partners include Sony BMG , Universal Music, T-Series, Mattel Toys, B R TV, Saregama HMV, Music Today, Films Division of India, Osho International Foundation, Baba Ramdev and others.”

    However the company has no alliances in the UK as of now. “While we have no alliance with any UK-based company, Rajshri.com has alliances with two US companies: Limelight Networks, the worlds leading content delivery network for digital media; and Brightcove, an internet TV service that empowers video producers and programmers to build broadband businesses while giving viewers more choices and control over their use of video and television,” D’souza clarifies.

  • BT, Microsoft & Philips join hands to unveil BT Vision in UK

    BT, Microsoft & Philips join hands to unveil BT Vision in UK

     MUMBAI: BT has announced the commercial launch of BT Vision, its new television and entertainment service. BT Vision uses the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform and an advanced Philips set-top box to deliver a next-generation digital television service to BT Total Broadband customers across the UK.

    BT Vision combines more than 40 DTT (digital terrestrial television )-based freeview channels, digital recording capability and a library of video-on-demand content delivered over broadband. This gives viewers more choice without the need to commit to a compulsory monthly TV subscription.

    An official release stated that BT, Microsoft Corp and Philips worked closely together to bring the full experience of BT Vision to the home. The Philips-designed set-top box offers advanced technology, including 80 hours of hard disk recording capability, two tuners, smart card reader, high-definition TV and numerous extension capabilities. The set-top box enables viewers to “time shift” programmes at their convenience, pausing live shows or recording them to watch at a later date. In addition, a “catch-up TV” feature gives viewers the convenience of viewing TV programmes they may have missed from the previous week.

    “BT Vision is a ground-breaking television service, giving consumers choice and flexibility without requiring them to be tied to a monthly TV contract,” said BT Vision chief executive Dan Marks. “Microsoft TV has given BT the power to build a service that we feel addresses a real market opportunity, enabling our customers to switch on to better TV.”

    BT Vision offers a variety of content combined with advanced television services. Further highlights include the following:
    – Varied content from Disney, Sony BMG, Universal, DreamWorks, National Geographic, Viacom and the BBC as well as independent programmers.
    – “Near-live” on-demand Premiership football action, starting in summer 2007.
    — Interactive services such as games.
    — Access to the phone book via the television.

    “BT Vision is a revolution for TV services in the UK. BT’s pioneering approach and Microsoft’s next-generation IPTV technologies have enabled a unique TV service that lets consumers control their TV experience,” said Microsoft’s TV division corporate vice president Enrique Rodriguez. “BT’s trusted brand is well-placed to bring exciting connected and personal television experiences to a wide range of consumers in the UK.”

    The announcement is the latest in a wave of European IPTV deployments based on the Microsoft TV software platform and heralds a new era of more compelling personal and connected TV experiences available to consumers.

  • MediaCorp Radio launches Chinese FM station on Visual Radio

    MediaCorp Radio launches Chinese FM station on Visual Radio

    MUMBAI: MediaCorp Radio has announced the launch of Singapore’s hit music station Y.E.S. 93.3FM, which is the first Chinese language radio station to be made available on Visual Radio.

    This makes MediaCorp Radio the first broadcaster to launch the service in Chinese.

    Developed by Nokia and offered by Hewlett-Packard (HP), Visual Radio adds a new dimension to FM radio with interactive content and services for mobile radio listeners, increasing listener loyalty for radio station operators while providing an opportunity to increase data services usage for mobile operators., states an official release.

    In conjunction with the launch of Y.E.S. 93.3FM, HP has also integrated M1 as the second mobile operator in Singapore to offer the Visual Radio service to their customers.

    M1 will be offering the Visual Radio service to its customers with Nokia devices with the Visual Radio application. With Visual Radio, M1 customers can access appealing visuals, information and entertainment of what’s playing over the air, check upcoming concert dates, purchase ring tones and other mobile content of the artiste, participate in radio station promotions, polls, contests, and interact with radio DJs and special guests.

    HP first engaged MediaCorp Radio to bring Visual Radio to Singapore and in December 2005, 987FM became the first radio station in Singapore and Asia Pacific to launch the Visual Radio service, adds the official release.

    Y.E.S. 93.3FM is now the second MediaCorp radio station to offer the service. HP continues to improve the mobile content available on Visual Radio by partnering with major record labels such as Sony BMG, EMI, Universal Music and Rock Records, to provide Visual Radio users with the coolest, original mobile artist content to download as they listen to the artist’s songs over radio.