ITV

Tag: Streaming Platform

  • Roku reports strong growth in 2024, surpassing $4bn revenue

    Roku reports strong growth in 2024, surpassing $4bn revenue

    MUMBAI: Streaming platform specialist Roku has announced robust financial results for 2024, with total net revenue reaching $4.1 billion (£3.2bn), marking an 18 per cent year-over-year increase. Platform revenue grew to $3.5 billion, up 18 per cent year-over-year, or 15 per cent excluding political advertising spend. Gross profit rose 19 per cent to $1.8 billion.

    The company reported significant growth in its user base, with streaming households reaching 89.8 million, representing a net increase of 9.8 million from 2023. Streaming hours climbed by 21.1 billion to 127.1 billion hours, whilst average revenue per user reached $41.49 on a trailing 12-month basis, up 4 per cent.

    In a letter to shareholders, Roku highlighted its fourth quarter achievement of surpassing $1 billion in platform revenue, a 25 per cent year-over-year increase. The company noted that its US market penetration has exceeded half of all broadband households.

    Device Business Performance:  The company maintained its position as the leading TV operating system in the US, Canada and Mexico. Device revenue rose 20 per cent to $590.1 million in 2024, with fourth-quarter revenue of $165.7 million, up 7 per cent. However, increased seasonal discounts affected fourth-quarter device gross margins, which stood at negative 29 per cent.

    Content Platform Growth:  The Roku Channel, the company’s content platform, reached approximately 145 million people in US households during the fourth quarter, maintaining its position as the third most popular app on the platform. Streaming hours on the channel increased by 82 per cent year-over-year, with more than 80 per cent of streaming hours originating from the Roku Experience in December.

    Future Outlook:  For the first quarter of 2025, Roku forecasts total net revenue of $1.005 billion, a 14 per cent increase year-over-year. The company projects platform revenue growth of 16 per cent, whilst device revenue is expected to remain flat due to elevated inventory levels following the holiday period.

    For the full year 2025, Roku anticipates total net revenue of $4.61 billion, with platform revenue reaching $3.95 billion, representing 12 per cent growth. The company expects to achieve positive operating income by 2026.
    The company will discontinue quarterly reporting of streaming households and average revenue per user metrics from the first quarter of 2025.

  • Zee5’s Hisaab Barabar gets a fresh twist with Paytm’s Soundbox-powered campaign

    Zee5’s Hisaab Barabar gets a fresh twist with Paytm’s Soundbox-powered campaign

    MUMBAI : Home-grown streaming platform Zee5 has teamed up with Paytm, the trailblazer in mobile payments and Soundbox techy, to launch a groundbreaking promotional campaign for its latest original film, Hisaab Barabar, featuring R. Madhavan.

    The campaign, which took place across 100+ cities, including key metro and Hindi-speaking regions, greeted Paytm Soundbox users with personalised audio messages from Madhavan when making payments. The initiative transformed everyday transactions into an engaging film promotion, resonating deeply with audiences and bringing the film’s themes of financial transparency and trust to life.

    Hisaab Barabar is a gripping drama focused on the consequences of financial fraud, aligning closely with Paytm’s ethos of promoting accountability in financial transactions. The collaboration showcases how modern technology can blend entertainment with everyday experiences, creating memorable moments for users.

    Zee5 vice president of Marketing Shresth Gupta  commented, ‘This campaign seamlessly integrates entertainment with daily life, demonstrating how tech innovations can connect brands and consumers in a meaningful way.’

    A Paytm spokesperson added: ‘We are excited to see the Soundbox being utilised as a creative marketing tool, proving that technology can transform everyday interactions into impactful experiences.’
     

  • HBO Max and Discovery+ to merge into single streaming platform by 2023

    HBO Max and Discovery+ to merge into single streaming platform by 2023

    Mumbai: On a second-quarter earnings call on Thursday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced the merger of HBO Max and Discovery+. The media conglomerate set a timeline for integrating the two services.

    According to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and president of global streaming and interactive JB Perrette, who spoke on the company’s Q2 earnings call, HBO Max and Discovery+ will launch in the United States as a single service in the summer of 2023. “At the end of the day, putting all the content together was the only way we saw to make this a viable business,” he said.

    Bringing HBO Max and Discovery+ together is aimed at cutting churn, so “there’s something for everyone in the household,” he added. WBD did not reveal the new brand name for the combined service, nor did executives discuss pricing for the unified stream.

    According to Perrette, Warner Bros. Discovery is initially focused on the ad-supported and ad-free versions of the combined HBO Max-Discovery+ but is also “exploring how to reach customers in the free, ad-supported space” with content that is distinct from what is available on premium VOD services.

    He added that HBO may or may not be included in the name of the unified direct-to-consumer WBD platform; Perrette stated that the company is conducting consumer research on the HBO Max name. “HBO will always be the beacon and the ultimate brand that stands for television quality.”

    The combined HBO Max-Discovery+ service, according to Perrette, will combine the best features of both services. According to him, HBO Max has performance and customer issues but offers a rich set of features, whereas Discovery+ has fewer features but a more robust underlying delivery capability.

    Following the launch of the unified HBO Max-Discovery+ platform in the United States in summer 2023, WBD plans to bring the platform to Latin America in the fall of 2023, Europe in early 2024, Asia-Pacific in mid-2024, and other markets in the fall of 2024.

    WBD’s HBO Max, HBO, and Discovery+ subscribers reached 92.1 million in the second quarter, up 1.7 million from the previous quarter’s 90.4 million. On a pro-forma basis, this is a 22 per cent increase of $75.8 million over the previous year.

    WBD expects to have 130 million global streaming subscribers by 2025 and to generate one billion dollars in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation from its direct-to-consumer businesses (Ebitda). He shared that the company’s Ebidta losses in the streaming division are expected to peak in 2022, with a long-term margin potential of 20 per cent or higher.

    Currently, HBO Max costs $14.99 per month without ads and $9.99 per month with ads in the United States. Discovery+ costs $6.99 per month without ads and $4.99 per month with ads.

    The company, on 17 May 2021, announced its plans to merge its two flagship streaming platforms, HBO Max from the legacy WarnerMedia (spun off from AT&T) and Discovery+. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels broadly sketched out a strategy to combine the streamers in March 2022, ahead of the close of the deal forming Warner Bros. Discovery, saying that it would initially sell the pair as a bundle before fully integrating them.

    The merged HBO Max-Discovery+ streaming platform will combine thousands of hours of programming spanning scripted, reality, and documentary content and will resemble a mini-cable TV bundle.

  • Charter Communications, Comcast collaborate to develop streaming platform

    Charter Communications, Comcast collaborate to develop streaming platform

    Mumbai: Charter Communications, Inc and Comcast Corp on Thursday announced a formation of a 50/50 joint venture to develop and offer a “next-generation” streaming platform.

    Comcast will license Flex, its aggregated streaming platform and hardware to the joint venture, contribute the retail business for XClass TVs and also will contribute Xumo, a streaming service it acquired in 2020. Charter will make an initial contribution of $900 million, funded over multiple years.

    The service will be available on a variety of branded 4K streaming devices and smart TVs, all the top apps, and more choice in the streaming marketplace. The joint venture will offer app developers, streamers, retailers, operators, and hardware manufacturers the opportunity to reach customers in major markets across the country with the platform.

    The XClass TVs will be available through national retail partners and potentially direct from Comcast and Charter to provide more customer choice. Xumo will continue to operate as a free global streaming service available through the joint venture’s products and third-party devices. Charter will offer the 4K streaming TV devices and voice remotes beginning in 2023. Comcast will continue to offer the Flex streaming platform as a streaming device and service to its customers.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with Charter to bring this platform and its award-winning experience to millions of new customers,” said Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson. “These products are all designed to make search and discovery across live, on-demand and streaming video seamless and incredibly simple for consumers. This partnership uniquely brings together more than a decade of technical innovation, national scale and new opportunities to monetise our combined investment.”

    The joint venture’s products will give consumers a state-of-the-art streaming experience to access their favorite apps, based on Comcast’s Flex product, which currently delivers all the most-watched streaming apps in the marketplace. The products will feature hundreds of free content choices through Xumo, a free, ad-supported service currently delivering more than 200 unique streaming channels. Peacock also will be featured on the joint venture’s streaming platform, alongside other popular apps.

    The closing of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions. This joint venture does not involve the broadband or cable video businesses of either Comcast or Charter which will remain independent.

    “Our new venture will bring a full-featured operating platform, new devices, and smart TVs with a robust app store providing a more streamlined and aggregated experience for the customer,” said Charter chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge. “As the video landscape continues to evolve, this venture will increase retail consumer options, compete at scale with established national platforms, and join our existing lineup of options for the Spectrum TV App available on most customer-owned streaming devices.”

  • Netflix elevates Ankit Gokani to India director – VFX

    Netflix elevates Ankit Gokani to India director – VFX

    Mumbai: Netflix has elevated Ankit Gokani to the position of India director – VFX, according to his LinkedIn update.

    Gokani has been associated with the streaming platform for more than three years. He joined Netflix as VFX specialist – international originals, India. He was later promoted to India manager – VFX in November 2019.

    He has more than a decade of experience working in the film industry, with a thorough understanding of post-production and VFX.

    Prior to Netflix, he worked with production houses such as Method Studios, Industrial Light and Magic, Double Negative, Jar Pictures, and Rhythm and Hues.

  • Zeel reports Rs 21,126 million revenue in Q3’FY22

    Zeel reports Rs 21,126 million revenue in Q3’FY22

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) on Wednesday reported its financial results for the quarter ended 31 December 2021. The media conglomerate has posted revenues of Rs 21,126 million for Q3’FY22, down three per cent from Rs 21,781 million in Q3’FY21.  

    Thr revenue from advertising and subscription stood at Rs 12,608 million and Rs 7,902 million respectively. The corresponding figures for Q3’FY21 were Rs 13,020 million and Rs 8,419 million. There was a six per cent increase in overall expenditure. 

    The A&P spends went up from Rs 1,798 million in Q3’FY21 to Rs 2,282 million in the quarter ended 31 December 2021.

    The company PAT showed a degrowth of 10.1 per cent, from Rs 3,321 million in Q3’FY21 to Rs 2,987 million this quarter.  

    Zee’s network share fell from 18.2 per cent in Q3’21 to 17.3 per cent this quarter. Share for the last quarter was 17.7 per cent. Total TV viewership went down, as compared to the previous quarter, due to lower contribution by movies.

    The company’s OTT platform Zee5 witnessed significant growth in MAUs on the back of robust content release in Q3. 51 shows and films (which includes 11 originals) released during the quarter.

    Global MAUs (Monthly Active Users) and DAUs (Daily Active Users) in December 2021 stood at 101.9 million (YoY up 36 million), and 9.6 million (YoY up 4.2 million) respectively.

    Q3 revenues reported were Rs 1,459 million; up 12 per cent sequentially. 9M revenues stood at Rs 3,882 million (up by 24.6 per cent).  

    Average watch time increased from 133 mins in Q3’ FY21 to 201 mins in Q3’FY22. The QoQ is up by 15 mins.

  • Disney+ Hotstar appoints Shweta Poojari as PR & publicity head for India

    Disney+ Hotstar appoints Shweta Poojari as PR & publicity head for India

    Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar has appointed Shweta Poojari as head of public relations and publicity for the Indian market. She will report to Disney+ Hotstar chief marketing officer Siddharth Sakdher. 

    She was previously managing publicity for Netflix originals in India for three years.

    “After an incredible three plus years at Netflix my exciting journey here comes to a close,” she announced on LinkedIn. “My time at Netflix has been something that I will cherish forever. It was an honour to be a part of the team that set the wheels in motion for the brand in the country. I am grateful to have worked alongside some of the brightest minds in the business. I am now excited to start this next phase of my life with Disney+ Hotstar.”

    A PR professional with over a decade of experience, Poojari has had stints at leading media organisations such as LINOpinion – the PR division of Lowe Lintas, Avian Media, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Inox Leisure.

  • Joe Earley becomes Hulu’s new president

    Joe Earley becomes Hulu’s new president

    Mumbai: Disney has announced the appointment of Joe Earley as president of streaming service platform – Hulu. He previously served as executive VP of marketing and operations at Disney Plus and is headed to its sister service after joining the media company in 2019.

    Earley succeeds former Hulu chief Kelly Campbell, who left the company in October to become the president of NBCUniversal’s Peacock.

    In the new role at Hulu, Earley will be responsible for building on the service’s brand and will liaise with its various content studios. He will report to Michael Paull, who has been promoted to a new role overseeing Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Star+ as president of Disney Streaming.

    “I am excited to embark on this new era at Hulu, a streaming pioneer that over the past 15 years has distinguished itself with an unrivaled offering of groundbreaking, award-winning series and films from our talented content partners,” Earley said in a statement. “I have been a longtime Hulu subscriber and fan and have admired the unbridled creativity of the service’s content and culture, and I’m looking forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, collaborating with our content studios, and tapping into the full power and strength of The Walt Disney Company.”

  • Pritish Wesley named head of creative marketing production at Netflix India

    Pritish Wesley named head of creative marketing production at Netflix India

    Mumbai: Netflix India has elevated Pritish Wesley as head of creative marketing production. He joined the streaming giant in 2018 as a marketing creative producer.

    In his previous role at Netflix India, Wesley served as campaign operations manager, where he worked with the marcomm teams to strategise, ideate and produce marketing campaigns for Netflix’s content.

    With over 13 years of work experience in the media and advertising industry in India, Wesley previously worked with agencies like Ogilvy & Mather, DDB Mudra, McCann Erickson and the Mullen Lowe Lintas Group. He has primary experience in account management, with a short stint in planning.

    He has worked with clients across industries and categories, such as entertainment, FMCG, alcohol, retail, automobiles, real estate and infrastructure, technology, DTH dish TV service providers, fashion, and jewellery.

  • ALTBalaji direct subs up 69% YoY; half-yearly revenue at 34cr

    ALTBalaji direct subs up 69% YoY; half-yearly revenue at 34cr

    Mumbai: Balaji Telefilms announced its financial results for the quarter and half year ended 30 September 2021.

    Selling 2.9m subscriptions during H1Fy22 (vs 1.7m in H1FY21) ts streaming platform ALTBalaji reached a current active direct subscriber base of over 1.45m. This excludes subs on partner apps. Direct subscription revenues stood at Rs 34cr vs Rs 24cr. ALTBalaji contributed Rs 39cr to the half-year Group revenues at Rs 141cr

    The platform added nine shows in the half-year taking the overall library to 87. Some of the hits launched in H1Fy22 include Punchh Beat Season two, Broken but Beautiful season three, and Cartel. ALTBalaji continues its strategy of driving deeper audience engagement through differentiated content targeted at mass India.

    During the half-year, the TV business produced 363.5 hours of content across seven shows for four broadcasters. Five new shows have been lined up, and should commence shortly, it said.

    Movie business also resumed production. With five projects in the pipeline, the company said it is making good progress, even as it waits for the availability of theatrical launch windows. Deals across direct to digital are also being explored. As part of its strategy, it continues to control investments in movies and pursue pre-sales and co-production deals where feasible.

    Balaji Telefilms Limited MD, Shobha Kapoor said, “ALTBalaji continues to drive subscription growth. We added 2.9m subscriptions during the half-year. We added nine shows in the half-year and now have a very strong lineup for the rest of the year. Our strategic content-sharing deals will ensure we maintain control on the cash spends while driving overall profitability.”

    Commenting further on the TV and movies business, she added, “Our TV business has shown good recovery in terms of production hours and we hope to improve this momentum as five new shows commence. In the movie business, production for some of the exciting projects are at various stages of completion and we are closely monitoring the availability for theatrical releases as well and direct to digital launches. Overall, the year has started well and we will build on this momentum through the year.”