ITV

Tag: TV Network

  • Eurosport & Jio TV acquire broadcast rights for 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

    Eurosport & Jio TV acquire broadcast rights for 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

    Mumbai: Eurosport India, Discovery Network’s sports brand, and Jio TV Network have acquired the broadcast rights for AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022. India hosts the 20th edition of Asia’s showpiece women’s football tournament between 20 January and 6 February.

    Eurosport India will telecast the tournament on television. Meanwhile, Jio TV will stream the matches of the competition on its online platform and across its network.

    The Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which currently holds the media rights for all Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions in the Indian subcontinent, has accorded the PayTV broadcast rights to Eurosport India.

    The 20th edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will feature 12 teams, which have been divided into three groups. Group A includes India, China PR, Chinese Taipei, and IR Iran, while Group B includes Australia, Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Japan, Korea Republic, Vietnam, and Myanmar have been slotted in Group C.

    The tournament will begin in a round-robin format where each team will face the other three teams of the group to secure a place in  the quarter-finals which will be held on 30 January. Hosts India will play their opening game against Iran on 20 January as they aim to gather home points to seal the top spot on an opening day.

    The sports event will act as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. With Australia having already qualified as co-host, five more teams will qualify for the main event directly while two of them will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs.

  • CNN announces streaming service CNN+, set to launch in early 2022

    CNN announces streaming service CNN+, set to launch in early 2022

    New Delhi: As news media companies look for ways to survive and thrive in a fiercely aggressive digital market, the latest TV network to enter the crowded market of streaming news is AT&T’s CNN. The US-based Cable News Service (CNN) has announced its new venture CNN Plus – a streaming platform which will exist alongside its existing linear TV networks.

    According to the announcement, the subscription-based streaming service will feature eight to twelve hours of live programming daily. The network has already begun developing dozens of programs and hiring the requisite employees as part of an urgent bid to keep up with changing consumer demands amid cord-cutting trends across the US.

    CNN+ is the start of a new era of the company, said WarnerMedia News and Sports chairman and CNN Worldwide president, Jeff Zucker on Monday. “CNN invented cable news in 1980, defined online news in 1995 and now is taking an important step in expanding what news can be by launching a direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service in 2022,” he said in a statement.

    Terming it as “the most important launch for CNN” since the launch of the network in June, 1980, chief digital officer Andrew Morse said CNN+ will be launched in the US in the first quarter of 2022 and roll out in other countries later.

    Apart from at least eight hours of live programming which the company says, will be different from “what CNN produces on TV”, the new service will have original series, and interactive programming, that will allow subscribers to engage directly with talent and experts about the issues that matter most to them.

    The company is yet to disclose how much it will cost consumers.

    With around 4,000 employees, CNN has one of the largest news operations in the world. It is hiring about 450 people for CNN+, from producers to engineers to marketers, said Morse on Monday. “The sizable number of job openings is a reflection of CNN parent WarnerMedia’s investment in the product on the heels of the HBO Max streaming service launch in 2020,” he added. 

  • Zeel promoter stake sale gets confidence vote from SBICap and Edelweiss

    Zeel promoter stake sale gets confidence vote from SBICap and Edelweiss

    MUMBAI: There’s a sense of relief at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel). Chairman Subhash Chandra, and managing director & CEO Punit Goenka said they would go the whole hog to repay their obligations. Even if it meant dropping the promoter holding in the group to never-before-imagined levels. On the morning of 20 November, Chandra, Goenka and their team of hardworking financial men and number crunchers did exactly that. Their offer putting on sale 16.5 per cent of the Essel group’s pledged holding in Zeel, was quickly mopped up by existing and long term investors in Zeel at a price of Rs 304 per share.

    While news items pegged  the the sale proceeds Rs 4,343.18 crore, those in the know believe the figure is higher at Rs 4,560 crore. The money raised would help the Essel group pay back a majority of its debt. Following this, the promoter group still owes Rs 2,400 crore to its debtors.

    Two brokerage and investment advisory firms –  SBI Cap Securities and Edelweiss – expressed their confidence and continue to be bullish on the Zeel stock, in research reports sent out to investor clients. They have revised their target price estimate to Rs 400 and Rs 443 respectively. The Zeel share was trading at around Rs 340-350 level at the last closing.

    The SBI Cap Securities report says:  “We believe Zee remains well poised to continue with its market share gains. We expect the ad revenue growth to remain tepid in FY20 estimate, but pick up in FY21 estimate  (+13  per cent YoY), and subscription revenues to maintain their strong growth trajectory in FY20e (+27 per cent  YoY) and FY21e (+14 per cent YoY). We raise our (discounted cash flow) DCF based TP (target price)  to Rs 400 (from Rs 333 as we roll forward to FY21 estimates  and build for marginal improvement in working capital with better focus and execution.”

    “While FY20 suffered a slump in advertising, FY21 is likely to be better owing to the anticipated GDP revival and benefits from corporate tax cut. Given that a significant portion of the pledging has been now resolved, we are raising the target price earning multiple to 20x (from 18x), which yields a revised target price of Rs 443 (INR399 earlier). The stock is trading at 15x/13.5x on FY20/21E earning per share,” the Edelweiss report expounded.  

    Both did not give much weightage to the concerns around the promoter’s holding in ZEEL due to the sharp fall in shareholding. After this deal, the Essel group promoters will hold just 5 per cent stake in the company as against 42 per cent in December 2018 with Punit Goenka continuing to act in his current role as MD and CEO at ZEEL.

    Earlier, 96 per cent of the promoters’ stake was pledged in Zeel and the group had Rs 7000 crore worth of shares pledged. The brokerage firm Edelwieiss said the stake sale would remove the overhang related to promoter pledge—down from 96 per cent to 20 per cent (1.1 per cent of company stake).

    Analysts at Edelweiss further added:  “Despite multiple setbacks over the last 12 months such as group-level issues, new regulatory framework (NTO), liquidity crunch, and ad slowdown, ZEE sustained a strong business performance. In face of a sluggish advertising environment, the business managed to deliver better advertising growth than peers such as SunTV Network. We expect the advertising revenue growth to pick up in FY21 on the back of the anticipated GDP revival, increased product launches and strong market share position attained by ZEE’s channels portfolio.”

    SBI CAP Securities’ report says:  “We acknowledge that the existing promoter group has established a robust template of profitability and market share gains by establishing Zee as one of the most valuable franchises in the Indian media market. The management’s focus is expected to get clearer from hereon and reflect in better on the ground execution, in our view.”

    According to SBICAP Securities, divestments in other media or infra assets would gain more importance now in resolving promoters’ remaining debt issues. It has a deadline of April 2020 by which it has to clear its reaminder Rs 2,400 crore in debt.

    In November last year, Zeel had revealed the decision of its promoters to sell up to 50 per cent of their equity in the company to a strategic partner.

    Earlier in August, ZEEL reached an agreement with US-based Invesco-Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund for 11 per cent (around Rs 400 per share) of the promoter stake for Rs 4,224 crore. At that time, ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka did not rule out selling more stake in the company.

  • A-Pac’s affluent travellers prefer ‘Staying Informed’ on multiplatform, says CNN exec Sunita Rajan

    A-Pac’s affluent travellers prefer ‘Staying Informed’ on multiplatform, says CNN exec Sunita Rajan

    MUMBAI: ‘Staying Informed,’ an editorial segment, is launching on all of CNN International’s feeds in Asia Pacific to give the audience, especially business travellers, fast and easy access to the top stories of the day. ‘Staying Informed’ demonstrates CNN’s dedication to bringing reliable news to the world.

    ‘Staying Informed’ is sponsored by AccorHotels, a multinational hospitality group, and features 30-second headline summaries that will be updated in real-time throughout morning and evening primetime hours. The highlights will cover all topics, including current affairs, business, finance, lifestyle and sports. The campaign aligns AccorHotels’ commitment to Asia Pacific with CNN’s commitment to helping its viewers stay on top of the latest developments in global news.

    As the leading multiplatform international news destination, CNN is more relevant today.

    “We are delighted to be partnering with AccorHotels, who cater to the same affluent and globally minded travelers who rely on CNN for the news. Through ‘Staying Informed’, we showcase CNN’s best-in-class multiplatform offerings by combining the scale of our TV network’s reach with the precision and targeting enabled by digital and data,” says CNNIC senior vice-president – advertising sales – Asia Pacific Sunita Rajan.

    “We are thrilled with this new sponsorship with CNN because it gives us great visibility across one of the region’s most respected news sources,” said AccorHotels Asia Pacific – VP marketing and strategic partnerships Michael Parsons. “We know our guests are busy and want to get the latest news delivered quickly and efficiently when they are on the road and this allows us to deliver that service to them.”

    The on-air sponsorship of ‘Staying Informed’ will also be supported by a high-impact digital component.

    ALSO READ :

    CNN International announces Nikhil Kumar as New Delhi bureau chief

    CNN-News18’s editorial and programming refresh

     

  • Overhaul and strengthening of DD in full swing

    Overhaul and strengthening of DD in full swing

    NEW DELHI: Twenty studio centres of Doordarshan are being renovated with replacement of old ageing equipment as part of the 12th Plan Schemes, the Parliament has been told.

    In addition, old 100 W Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) are being replaced by 500W Automode LPTs, and upgradation is underway of 18 existing Earth Stations and replacement of Digital Satellite News Gathering System (DSNG).

    The minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said in reply to a series of questions that these are part of some schemes of modernisation/ upgradation of Studios, Transmitters and Satellite Broadcast equipment which have been approved.

    Replacement of old transmitters (LPT & HPT) has enhanced the system’s reliability & performance quality of Doordarshan.

    Rathore said digital transmission has enabled the viewers to receive multiple TV channels in their fixed/mobile receive sets with suitable additional hardware.

    With the induction of digital equipment, technical quality of programme production and post production has improved.

    Doordarshan has 228 High Power Transmitters (HPTs) and 806 Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) in its terrestrial TV network.

    Doordarshan has been assigning priority to strengthen TV coverage in border areas of the country. Special packages for expansion and improvement of Doordarshan services in the border areas have been formulated from time to time.

    Doordarshan’s FreeDish DTH signals can be received anywhere in the country including border areas with the help of small sized dish receiving units.

    The Minister said the technical quality of Doordarshan transmission both in satellite and terrestrial mode along the border areas is quite satisfactory.

    As part of continuing schemes of the 12th Plan, transmitter projects approved for implementation in Jammu and Kashmir are High Power Transmitters (HPTs) at Green Ridge; at Himbotingla, Natha Top (Patnitop), and at Rajouri (for DD National and DD News).

    The target to complete these projects in phased manner has been set for about two years.

    In Gujarat, three transmitters HPT Bhuj, LPT Punandhro and LPT Rapar are in operation in Kutch district. Parts of the district are covered by HPT Radhanpur. An old ageing HPT at Bhuj was replaced by new 10 KW HPT in 2015.

  • Overhaul and strengthening of DD in full swing

    Overhaul and strengthening of DD in full swing

    NEW DELHI: Twenty studio centres of Doordarshan are being renovated with replacement of old ageing equipment as part of the 12th Plan Schemes, the Parliament has been told.

    In addition, old 100 W Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) are being replaced by 500W Automode LPTs, and upgradation is underway of 18 existing Earth Stations and replacement of Digital Satellite News Gathering System (DSNG).

    The minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said in reply to a series of questions that these are part of some schemes of modernisation/ upgradation of Studios, Transmitters and Satellite Broadcast equipment which have been approved.

    Replacement of old transmitters (LPT & HPT) has enhanced the system’s reliability & performance quality of Doordarshan.

    Rathore said digital transmission has enabled the viewers to receive multiple TV channels in their fixed/mobile receive sets with suitable additional hardware.

    With the induction of digital equipment, technical quality of programme production and post production has improved.

    Doordarshan has 228 High Power Transmitters (HPTs) and 806 Low Power Transmitters (LPTs) in its terrestrial TV network.

    Doordarshan has been assigning priority to strengthen TV coverage in border areas of the country. Special packages for expansion and improvement of Doordarshan services in the border areas have been formulated from time to time.

    Doordarshan’s FreeDish DTH signals can be received anywhere in the country including border areas with the help of small sized dish receiving units.

    The Minister said the technical quality of Doordarshan transmission both in satellite and terrestrial mode along the border areas is quite satisfactory.

    As part of continuing schemes of the 12th Plan, transmitter projects approved for implementation in Jammu and Kashmir are High Power Transmitters (HPTs) at Green Ridge; at Himbotingla, Natha Top (Patnitop), and at Rajouri (for DD National and DD News).

    The target to complete these projects in phased manner has been set for about two years.

    In Gujarat, three transmitters HPT Bhuj, LPT Punandhro and LPT Rapar are in operation in Kutch district. Parts of the district are covered by HPT Radhanpur. An old ageing HPT at Bhuj was replaced by new 10 KW HPT in 2015.

  • Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    MUMBAI:  Continuing its no-tolerance stand against illegal transmission/re-transmission of Pay TV Channels by cable operators indulging in piracy of STAR TV Signals, officials of Star TV filed complaints against cable operators in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, which led to police raids on their premises, arrests and seizures of equipment.  The raids were conducted at the control rooms of RST Digital (Karnataka), Ganesh Communication (AP) and Tanishq Communications (MP), who were found indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels. (Details of initial investigations and action taken, below)

    Over the last 12 months, Star India’s anti-piracy campaign has resulted in 100+ FIRs against pirating networks across the country.

    The rampant issue of piracy in India has deprived the broadcast industry of reach as well as revenue worth thousands of crores. It is widely believed that the Piracy menace impacts the Television medium the most with cable operators under-reporting their subscribers as well as indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Pay Channels, resulting in significant losses to the broadcasters as well as the government exchequer. 

    While the implementation of Digitally Addressable Systems (DAS) in the country will be a big corrective and preventive step, the implementation of DAS all over the country is yet to be done. In the interim, Star India, since the last few years, has adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” against operators indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels.

    STAR TV’s proactive steps are expected to reap significant benefits for the entire broadcast industry. 

    Here are the details on the raids conducted by Star India – 

    Karnataka

    Initial investigations

    Star India conducted discreet investigations at Kakarla town and identified that RST digital (located at No.64/8, Simaz Complex, Taluk Office, Karkala, Udupi District, Karnataka, India- 574104), which has a subscriber base of over 2500 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was carrying illegal signals of Star India channels Star Plus, Star Sports 1, Life Ok, Suvarna & Asianet, along with Sony, Zee and Colors channels.

    RST Digital has monopoly in the Karkala region and so far not allowed any new network to set up a control room in this region. It is rumored to have high connections with the ruling political party in chair.

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR no. 135/2016 dated 25.05.2016) against RST Digital at Karkala Police Station, under section 379 of IPC r/w Sections 37,51,63,65,69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. During the raid, the operator resisted police entry into the control room and arguments were exchanged. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator, Star Boxes etc. were seized.  RST Digital’s owner Vijay Shetty is in remand since 25th May 2016 and his bail application has been rejected.

    Andhra Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India’s investigations at Rayadurg town in Ananthapur District, AP (on the border of Bellary district, Karnataka) revealed that local cable operator Ganesh Communication, which has a subscriber base of over 10,000 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was transmitting illegal signals carrying a total of 15 channels including Star India channels Star Plus, Suvarna and MAA TV along with Sony, Zee and Gemini. 

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Ganesh Communication at the Rayadurg police station, under section 420 IPC and 63, 69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct & Videocon), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator etc. were seized. During the raid, the operator resisted the entry of the Police in the control room and arguments were exchanged. The SHO (Mahanandi) then reported the matter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police and entered the control room forcefully, seized the equipment and arrested a Technician. The new owners of the network are well connected and have direct connection through MSO associations as well as ministers in AP government  

    Before Star India’s action, Sun Network’s Anti-Piracy team tried to conduct a raid on Ganesh Communication but failed. 

    Madhya Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India discovered that Tanishq Communications (located at Itarsi town in Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh) was indulging in the illegal transmission of channels such as Star Sports 3, Star Plus and Life Ok, through Area transgression by SV Enterprises, Hoshangabad. Tanishq Communications has a strong subscriber base of over 15,000 households in the state.  The proprietor of Tanishq Communication, Mahesh Chouksey is highly influential in the area and also well-connected with the ruling Political party.  

    Action taken

    Star India officials have been pursuing the matter with local police since August 2015 on 25 May 2016 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Tanishq Communication under section Sec 63 & 65 of Copy right Act, 1957. The officials also met with the Superintendent of Police (SP), Inspector General of Police (IGP) & Director General of Police (DGP), which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including one Node, one Transmitter, one Channel Mixer were seized, and a Technician was arrested.

  • Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    MUMBAI:  Continuing its no-tolerance stand against illegal transmission/re-transmission of Pay TV Channels by cable operators indulging in piracy of STAR TV Signals, officials of Star TV filed complaints against cable operators in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, which led to police raids on their premises, arrests and seizures of equipment.  The raids were conducted at the control rooms of RST Digital (Karnataka), Ganesh Communication (AP) and Tanishq Communications (MP), who were found indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels. (Details of initial investigations and action taken, below)

    Over the last 12 months, Star India’s anti-piracy campaign has resulted in 100+ FIRs against pirating networks across the country.

    The rampant issue of piracy in India has deprived the broadcast industry of reach as well as revenue worth thousands of crores. It is widely believed that the Piracy menace impacts the Television medium the most with cable operators under-reporting their subscribers as well as indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Pay Channels, resulting in significant losses to the broadcasters as well as the government exchequer. 

    While the implementation of Digitally Addressable Systems (DAS) in the country will be a big corrective and preventive step, the implementation of DAS all over the country is yet to be done. In the interim, Star India, since the last few years, has adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” against operators indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels.

    STAR TV’s proactive steps are expected to reap significant benefits for the entire broadcast industry. 

    Here are the details on the raids conducted by Star India – 

    Karnataka

    Initial investigations

    Star India conducted discreet investigations at Kakarla town and identified that RST digital (located at No.64/8, Simaz Complex, Taluk Office, Karkala, Udupi District, Karnataka, India- 574104), which has a subscriber base of over 2500 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was carrying illegal signals of Star India channels Star Plus, Star Sports 1, Life Ok, Suvarna & Asianet, along with Sony, Zee and Colors channels.

    RST Digital has monopoly in the Karkala region and so far not allowed any new network to set up a control room in this region. It is rumored to have high connections with the ruling political party in chair.

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR no. 135/2016 dated 25.05.2016) against RST Digital at Karkala Police Station, under section 379 of IPC r/w Sections 37,51,63,65,69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. During the raid, the operator resisted police entry into the control room and arguments were exchanged. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator, Star Boxes etc. were seized.  RST Digital’s owner Vijay Shetty is in remand since 25th May 2016 and his bail application has been rejected.

    Andhra Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India’s investigations at Rayadurg town in Ananthapur District, AP (on the border of Bellary district, Karnataka) revealed that local cable operator Ganesh Communication, which has a subscriber base of over 10,000 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was transmitting illegal signals carrying a total of 15 channels including Star India channels Star Plus, Suvarna and MAA TV along with Sony, Zee and Gemini. 

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Ganesh Communication at the Rayadurg police station, under section 420 IPC and 63, 69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct & Videocon), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator etc. were seized. During the raid, the operator resisted the entry of the Police in the control room and arguments were exchanged. The SHO (Mahanandi) then reported the matter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police and entered the control room forcefully, seized the equipment and arrested a Technician. The new owners of the network are well connected and have direct connection through MSO associations as well as ministers in AP government  

    Before Star India’s action, Sun Network’s Anti-Piracy team tried to conduct a raid on Ganesh Communication but failed. 

    Madhya Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India discovered that Tanishq Communications (located at Itarsi town in Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh) was indulging in the illegal transmission of channels such as Star Sports 3, Star Plus and Life Ok, through Area transgression by SV Enterprises, Hoshangabad. Tanishq Communications has a strong subscriber base of over 15,000 households in the state.  The proprietor of Tanishq Communication, Mahesh Chouksey is highly influential in the area and also well-connected with the ruling Political party.  

    Action taken

    Star India officials have been pursuing the matter with local police since August 2015 on 25 May 2016 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Tanishq Communication under section Sec 63 & 65 of Copy right Act, 1957. The officials also met with the Superintendent of Police (SP), Inspector General of Police (IGP) & Director General of Police (DGP), which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including one Node, one Transmitter, one Channel Mixer were seized, and a Technician was arrested.

  • Netflix launches in India; three pricing packages on offer

    Netflix launches in India; three pricing packages on offer

    MUMBAI: In one fell swoop, it is hoping to change the world of audio visual consumption. Netflix co-founder & chief executive Reed Hastings today announced the launch of the Internet TV network or OTT service in 130 countries all over the world at the CES show in Las Vegas. And India figures amongst the list, taking its footprint to 190 nations. 

     

    The price: Rs 500 for the basic service, Rs 650 for the standard package and Rs 800 for the premium one. The Rs 500 tag allows viewers to watch the content in standard definition on one screen only at one time. For Rs 650 viewers get access to HD content and can watch on two screens simultaneously. The Rs 800 package brings in the full monty with subscribers being able to watch both HD and Ultra HD content on four screens at the same time. 

     

    However, the first month is being offered free for trial to new subscribers.

     

    “Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network,” said Hastings in Las Vegas. “With this launch, consumers around the world — from Singapore to St. Petersburg, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo — will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously — no more waiting. With the help of the Internet, we are putting power in consumers’ hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device.”

     

    Viewers in India will get to watch Netflix original series such as Marvel’s Daredevil and Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Narcos, Sense8, Grace and Frankie, and Marco Polo, as well as a catalog of licensed TV shows and movies.

     

    While largely available in English in most new countries, Netflix has added Arabic, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese to the 17 languages it already supports. He added that newer languages will be added from hereon.

     

    “From today onwards, we will listen and we will learn, gradually adding more languages, more content and more ways for people to engage with Netflix,” said Hastings. “We’re looking forward to bringing great stories from all over the world to people all over the world.” 

     

    He emphasised that the consumption on Netflix is on the up. “Our 70 million members consumed 12 billion hours of Netflix in Q4 of this year as compared to 8.5 billion last year,” he said. He also announced that Netflix will be adding high dynamic range (HDR) video delivery later this year, adding to the 4K or Ultra HD, which it produces most of its series in currently.

     

    Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos revealed that 600 hours of original programming will be delivered to its members in 2016. This will include 31 new and returning original series, two dozen original feature films and documentaries, a wide range of stand-up comedy specials and 30 original kids series — available at the same time to members everywhere. 

     

    Amongst the highlights are The Crown, which is about the young Queen Elizabeth while Baz Luhrmann will be directing a series called The GetDown about New York at a time when its crime scene was crumbling and giving way to the disco,  graffiti and hiphop culture. 

     

    Sarandos explained that Netflix is making a difference to piracy wherever it goes because it does not trap viewers in frustrating business models and linear viewing experiences in which television operates. 

     

    “We deliver all episodes at one go so viewers can watch when they want to watch and we are constantly improving our compression technologies to allow for a better viewing experience. We helped create binge viewing,” he said. 

     

    He stated that peer-to-peer torrent downloading via Bittorrent has dropped by 14 per cent in the first six months of the service’s launch in Australia. 

     

     

    A Netflix press release explained that the service is available on virtually any device that has an Internet connection, including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, Smart TVs and game consoles, and automatically provides the best possible streaming quality based on available bandwidth. Many titles, including Netflix original series and films, are available in high-definition with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound and some in Ultra HD 4K. Advanced recommendation technologies with up to five user profiles help members discover entertainment they’ll love.

  • Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos to keynote at MIPCOM

    Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos to keynote at MIPCOM

    MUMBAI: MIPCOM today announces that Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer of the world’s leading Internet TV network, Netflix, will give a keynote address as part of MIPCOM’s Media Mastermind Keynote Series.

     

    Organised by Reed MIDEM, the 30th anniversary edition of the MIPCOM entertainment content market will take place in Cannes, France, from 13-16 October 2014.

    Coming shortly after Netflix expands its European presence, the keynote interview, which will be conducted by Eric Scherer, Director Future Media, France Televisions, will take place from 11.15am on Tuesday 14 October.

    Ted Sarandos has led content acquisition for Netflix since 2000 and is recognised in the industry as a key innovator in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and TV series.

    Netflix, the world’s leading internet subscription service for TV shows and movies, has over 50 million members in more than 40 countries, who watch more than one billion hours of per month.

    Netflix has a burgeoning slate of must-see original series, including “House of Cards”, “Lilyhammer”, “Hemlock Grove”, “Orange Is the New Black”, “The Killing”, the fourth season of “Arrested Development”, “Bojack Horseman” and, coming in December, “Marco Polo”

    Netflix will soon launch in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg, giving broadband users in those countries access to a curated selection of Hollywood, local and global TV series and movies, whenever and wherever they like on TVs, tablets, phones, game consoles and computers.

    Besides North and South America and the Caribbean, Netflix is so far available in the UK and Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.