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  • Amazon’s content spend at $5 bn a year, confirms report

    Amazon’s content spend at $5 bn a year, confirms report

    MUMBAI: Amazon is bucking up by opening its treasure trove for content. A recent Reuters report says that leaked documents show the company spends $5 billion a year for original and licensed content, which is a big chunk of the company’s expenditure.

    Amazon has tough competition because Apple recently said it would spend a whopping $4.2 billion a year on original content by 2022, much higher than its earlier estimate of $1 billion.

    The Reuters report also stated that Amazon’s top TV shows drew more than 5 million people worldwide to its Prime shopping club in early 2017. Amazon has never released figures for its total audience. The report adds that Amazon has about 26 million people in the US who watch its Prime Video content. The video content includes films and TV shows it licenses from other companies.

    Rival Netflix is way ahead in terms of US subscribers at 55 million. The company says that it is growing at a fast pace and the extra revenue it earns via subscribers will help it in invest more in original content. The company upped its spending for 2018 by nearly $1 billion. Hulu, which has subscribers mainly from the US, claims to have 17 million subscribers.

    The first season of the popular drama The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime Video had 8 million US viewers as of early 2017, according to the documents. The show cost $72 million for production and marketing and attracted 1.15 million new subscribers worldwide based on Amazon’s accounting. The Grand Tour had more than 1.5 million first streams from Prime members worldwide, at a cost of $49 per subscriber in its first season.

    It has often been said that Amazon’s strategy is to use video to convert viewers into shoppers. If it is wooing you with amazing content, such as the $200-250 million on Lord of the Rings, it is only to convince you to keep returning to it to make purchases. Amazon’s investment in Prime original shows has enabled these shows to bring nearly a quarter of the total viewership from 2014-2017.

    Amazon’s Prime club includes two-day package delivery and other perks for an annual fee making shopping more attractive. But these internal documents don’t indicate how much the Prime subscribers shop on Amazon. In interviews, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has been vocal about how people who use the Prime Video service end up staying longer with the shopping club. These people even agree to become paying members after the free trial, willingly paying a higher rate than those who don’t watch Amazon videos.

    Some of Amazon’s videos have even won awards and thus you have Bezos saying, “When we win a Golden Globe, it helps us sell more shoes.”

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  • Obama may make showbiz debut with Netflix

    Obama may make showbiz debut with Netflix

    MUMBAI: The admirers of Barack Obama could watch their favourite leader on screen regularly soon. According to media reports in the US, the former American president is in advanced negotiations with Netflix to produce a series of high-profile shows.

    Till now, it remains unconfirmed whether he will appear on camera or stay off-camera as a producer. Netflix would pay Obama and his wife, the famous former first lady Michelle Obama, for exclusive content that would be available only on the streaming service.

    People familiar with discussions about the programming have claimed that Obama does not intend to use the shows to respond to Donald Trump or conservative critics. Rather, they will opt for inspirational stories.

    “Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories,” Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to the former president, was quoted by The New York Times.

     The number of episodes and the formats for the shows are to be decided.

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  • Marvel’s Runaways to telecast same day as US on Hooq

    Marvel’s Runaways to telecast same day as US on Hooq

    MUMBAI: Hooq announced a new exclusive Marvel offering- the first three episodes of Marvel’s Runaways will debut on 21 Nov with brand new episodes coming every week to Hooq, same day as the US telecast.

    Hooq chief content officer Jennifer Batty said, “We’re very excited, Runaways ticks all the boxes that we are looking for in a comic book Entertainment series! Everyone thinks their parents are evil when they are a teenager BUT what happens when you find out they really are evil!?! With showrunners like Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, producers of The O.C. and Gossip Girl, also available on Hooq, we can expect the series to break away from some of the conventions and tropes that muddle teenage dramas. The 1st 3 episodes of Runaways drop on Hooq within 12 hrs of the US on Nov 22nd, and a brand-new episode will follow each week, same day as the U.S. and fully localized for our viewers.”

    The series, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name, follows the story of six teenagers who unite against a common enemy: their parents, who reveal themselves to be super-villains in a sinister group called the Church of Gibborim. Running away from their respective homes, the teenagers decide to work together to right the wrongs of their parents, and set on a journey to discover the secret of their origins in a fun and original spin on the superhero narrative. Helping them in this struggle are larger-than-life characters such as Gert, a superheroine with a telepathic connection to a genetically engineered dinosaur known as Old Lace.

    Runaways stars Rhenzy Feliz (Teen Wolf), Lyrica Okano (The Affair), Virginia Gardner (Project Almanac), Ariela Barer (Yo Gabba Gabba!), Gregg Sulkin (Sixty Six, Wizards of Waverly Place) and Allegra Acosta (100 Things To Do Before High School).

    Runaways comes at the back of an exclusive landmark deal between Hooq and The Walt Disney Company that gives Hooq exclusive rights to three of Marvel’s series: Marvel’s Inhumans, Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger.

  • Sky buy: Fox disappointed at US secy’s statement, hopes for closure by 30 June

    Sky buy: Fox disappointed at US secy’s statement, hopes for closure by 30 June

    MUMBAI: 21st Century Fox (21CF) notes the statement by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that she intends to refer the combination of 21st Century Fox and Sky plc to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on the grounds of both media plurality and genuine commitment to broadcasting standards.

    21CF had written to the Secretary of State expressing disappointment that she had changed her mind and decided not to follow the advice of the independent and expert regulator Ofcom regarding broadcasting standards, but informing her that it did not intend to make further representations and encouraged her to make a prompt referral.

    “We now, therefore, look forward to engaging constructively with the CMA, as independent authority, and hope that the findings of this process will be respected by the Secretary of State,” 21CF stated.

    “Subject to any further delays in the decision-making process, we anticipate that the transaction will close by 30 June, 2018,” 21CF added.

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  • India, US lead in VoD subs as global viewing increased 34 per cent

    India, US lead in VoD subs as global viewing increased 34 per cent

    MUMBAI: Millennial consumers worldwide lead the growth of online video consumption, according to a research report from Limelight Networks, a leader in digital content delivery.

    Taking a close look at consumers’ changing viewing habits, the annual report shows that the average global viewer watches online video five hours, 45 minutes each week and subscribes to one or more video on-demand (VoD) services.

    The report is based on a survey of 4,000 consumers ranging in age, gender, and education in France, Germany, India, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the US.

    The increasing shift to online viewing video is a global trend with viewers in India, Singapore, and the US spending the most time watching online videos, averaging seven hours, seven minutes; six hours, 37 minutes; and six hours, 35 minutes per week, respectively. Germany had the lowest rate of online video viewership at four hours, 14 minutes, and nearly half of respondents watching only one to two hours per week.

    “With the proliferation of online video content, viewers are moving away from traditional broadcast television viewing and have increasing expectations for broadcast-quality experiences,” said Limelight Networks senior director Michael Milligan.

    “Our research over time has shown a clear increase in expectations and decreasing patience with poor quality experiences.”

    Additional insight from the report includes:

    Millennials watch the most online video: Younger people watch the most online video, with viewers 18-25 averaging seven hours, 18 minutes per week and people 26-35 watching six hours, 53 minutes per week. Viewers 60 and older only watch three hours, 46 minutes per week.

    Growth of eSports: Although traditional sports programming was the third most watched type of online video content by men, males 18-25 watch more eSports and online video gaming than traditional sports programming.

    Consumers won’t waste time on a poor experience: Rebuffering (when a video pauses during playback to load more content) is the top frustration when viewing videos online – surpassing poor video quality and limited device access. If a video rebuffers twice, more than 61 per cent of viewers will stop watching. Only 15 per cent will continue watching after rebuffering happens for a third time.

    Smartphones gain popularity for viewing: Although computers and laptops are the primary online video viewing device globally, smartphones are the preferred device in India and South Korea. Smartphones are also the preferred device for millennials.

    Cable subs keep the cord, go further over-the-top: Despite cord-cutting concerns, the report uncovered that people subscribing to cable have twice as many over-the-top subscription services than those without cable.

    US and India lead subscriptions to online video streaming services: Consumers globally are signing on to streaming with 30 per cent of viewers noting they subscribe to two or more services. Subscription rates are highest in the U.S. and India, where 50.8 per cent and 46.8 per cent, respectively, subscribe to two or more services. In comparison, only 16.7 per cent of respondents in France subscribe to two or more services.

    Movies and TV shows lead online viewing: Globally, viewers spend more time online watching movies than any other type of content. However, viewers in South Korea and the U.K. watch TV shows most often. When viewed by gender, men prefer movies, while women prefer TV shows.

  • US$ 232-bn TV ads market expanding at 7% CAGR, online TV fastest growing: Report

    MUMBAI: The global television advertisement market has reached a value of around US$ 232 bn in 2016, exhibiting a CAGR of around 6.8% during 2009-2016. “Research and Markets” recently announced the addition of the “Global Television Advertising Market Report & Forecast 2017-2022” report to their offering.

    Some of the key global players operating in this market are CBS, Comcast, News Corporation, Viacom and Cox Communications, the report states.

    In spite of the competition from new media platforms, television is expected to remain as the largest advertisement segment. Moreover, the increasing penetration of television in emerging markets, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle-East, China and India is also expected to drive the television advertisement market in these regions, thereby facilitating the overall growth of the global television advertisement market.

    The report has segmented the market on the basis of service type. Currently, terrestrial TV networks dominate the market, accounting for the majority of the total global share. Terrestrial networks are followed by multi-channel and online television segments.

    Online television currently represents the fastest growing segment. The report has also segmented the market on the basis of industry, listing the key industries which are actively using television advertising.

  • Netflix originals may get mobile-specific cuts

    MUMBAI: Video streaming service Netflix plans to explore streaming mobile-specific cuts of its original movies and TV shows. With this plan, the platform’s chief product officer Neil Hunt wants to satisfy the growing audience of mobile Netflix watchers.

    “It’s not inconceivable that you could take a master [version] and make a different cut for mobile. To date, Netflix hasn’t been delivering different cuts for different viewing platforms, but it’s something we will explore over the next few years,” said Hunt.

    With small screens getting even smaller, the idea is to create versions that offer alternate shots, scenes and framing in order to make the most of the device the content is being streamed on.

    Hunt made the remarks as part of a two-day event at Dolby Laboratories and Netflix’s own headquarters, as the two companies gear up for the launch of Iron Fist, which launches this weekend.

    Netflix is now available globally, with the exception of a few markets, including China, and since then it has seen mobile usage soar. In established markets like the US and Canada, most Netflix watching still happens on TVs. Hunt added that Netflix’s expansion to over 190 countries across the globe now means that mobile screens are the majority consumption device.

  • India, US renew commitment to work on cyber security

    India, US renew commitment to work on cyber security

    NEW DELHI: India and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote closer co-operation and the exchange of information pertaining to the Cyber Security in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations of each economy on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.

    The MoU was signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- In) under the Electronics and Information technology Ministry and the US Department of Homeland Security on cooperation in the field of cyber Security. The MoU was signed by MeITY Secretary Aruna Sundararajan and US Ambassador Richard Verma.

    Earlier, United States and India signed an MoU on 19 July 2011 to promote a closer cooperation and timely exchange of information between the organisations of their respective Governments responsible for Cyber Security. Since 19 July 2011 regular interactions between CERT-In and US CERT are taking place to share the information and discuss cyber security related issues.

    The present MoU is in continuation to the cooperation in cyber security areas.

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  • India, US renew commitment to work on cyber security

    India, US renew commitment to work on cyber security

    NEW DELHI: India and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote closer co-operation and the exchange of information pertaining to the Cyber Security in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations of each economy on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.

    The MoU was signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- In) under the Electronics and Information technology Ministry and the US Department of Homeland Security on cooperation in the field of cyber Security. The MoU was signed by MeITY Secretary Aruna Sundararajan and US Ambassador Richard Verma.

    Earlier, United States and India signed an MoU on 19 July 2011 to promote a closer cooperation and timely exchange of information between the organisations of their respective Governments responsible for Cyber Security. Since 19 July 2011 regular interactions between CERT-In and US CERT are taking place to share the information and discuss cyber security related issues.

    The present MoU is in continuation to the cooperation in cyber security areas.

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    ‘Force 2’ piracy: Viacom18 registers FIR; KSS blames it on a theatre

    Guest Column: As digital spreads wings, bolstering security is paramount

     

  • India, US should resolve IPR issues at earliest: IACC

    India, US should resolve IPR issues at earliest: IACC

    NEW DELHI: India and the United States should exchange a bouquet of “wish lists” includig IPR issues aimed at fast tracking resolution of bilateral issues that impede accelerated flow of investment between the two countries, Indo American Chamber of Commerce national president N VSrinivasan said today.

    Broad contours of the wish lists should include amicable settlement of IPR issues leading to earliest conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), Totalization Agreement, a sound legal framework to expeditiously settle disputes, settlement of issues emanating from non-tariff measures and importantly a fast solution to nagging visa problems.

    He said that there was a growing realization among the US corporations that India, lying mid-way between West and the East, has the potential to emerge as a Gateway for serving both markets. Many corporations are seriously discussing these ideas in their board room meetings, while others are taking concrete steps towards investing in India with a renewed interest. “We have to capitalize on the situation by removing impediments to flow of investments and take concrete step toease doing business in India to leverage our position as an attractive investment destination,” according to Srinivasan.

    The US President – Elect Donald Trump is in the process of recalibrating the policies to deal pragmatically with each country by their level of importance and economic engagement. Against this backdrop, India’s recent policy initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Smart city project, high budget investments in infrastructure etc. where critical technical and financial investments are needed, would stand to benefit.

    Trump has has made it very clear that he is averse to regional trade agreements like NAFTA, emerging Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) etc. which according to him have been militated against the US interests.

    Flagging the contentious issues that are coming up in the bilateral economic negotiations, such as tardy intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and their enforcement, retrospective tax regime in India, insistence on deciding economic disputes under Indian laws etc, the IACC President said these issues can be settled in a spirit of give and take.

    There has been a proliferation of Indian companies and start-ups in the US, mostly in the ICT sector. These are set up mostly by people who migrated to the US at various stages, particularly during the dotcoms days. Their business enterprises are providing gainful employment to many US citizens. Most of the IT and technology platforms in India, such as mobile telephony, credit/debit card networks, climate tracking equipment, heavy duty computers, drones, sensors etc are working on equipment mostly imported from the US.

    “We are happy and privileged to have two administrations in the US and India, which are pro-business and believe in creating an environment for seamless business activities. Donald Trump’s significant business interests in India in various sectors and his statement of intent to forge a strong business relationship are pointers to an exciting bilateral business relationship”.