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Tag: Videocon

  • Videocon teams up with Cisco for 4K broadcast

    Videocon teams up with Cisco for 4K broadcast

    MUMBAI: Direct-to-Home (DTH) company Videocon d2h tied hands with Cisco AnyRes Live UHD Encoders to launch its 4K-enabled Ultra High Definition viewing experience.

     

    This is the global launch of Cisco’s 4K encoder and a redefinition of TV viewing. The 4K encoder brings best-in-class quality for real-time media delivery applications such as live sports and 24-hour programming. The announcement comes in the midst of the on-going ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

     

    4K resolution offers 8.3 million pixels to display a high definition picture even when viewed up close. This comprehensive platform can be scaled up to stream multiple formats to any device, including iPhone, iPad, feature phones, and smartphones, as well as delivering pristine Ultra HD video to televisions.

     

    Technical highlights:

     

    • Delivers highest quality encoding using an HEVC/H.265 codec developed by Cisco

    • Wide range of frame rates from 24 fps all the way up to 60 fps

    • Virtually flawless pictures achieved with 10 bit colour depth

    • Reliable transmission with an UHD input front end offering robust synchronisation to the live signal feeds

    • Capable of SD, HD, Full HD or Multi format ABR encoding using H.264 as well as H.265

    • Various baseband graphics processing features, including logo insertion.

     

    The launch of 4K encoders on the Videocon d2h platform marks the first ever deployment of Cisco AnyRes Live UHD Encoder in the world and will be followed shortly by two more customer deployments in Asia Pacific.

  • Videocon capitalizes on World Cup frenzy

    Videocon capitalizes on World Cup frenzy

    MUMBAI: From HD Streaming to live drone footage, constructive efforts are made to constantly enhance the viewing experience of audience. And when it is cricket World Cup, it becomes mandatory.

     

    Cricket has taken a centre stage in our lives and with World Cup this year; the frenzy has already begun. To define the moment for the customers and make their experience livelier, Videocon has introduced its special World Cup offer, ‘World Cup to World Cup.’

     

    Known for its premium product offering and durability, via this offer Videocon is targeting to secure customers’ purchases and make this year’s World Cup experience memorable.

     

    World Cup to World Cup offer thrives on Videocon’s promise of world class products. Under this offer, on purchase of a Videocon LED, customers will not only enjoy a crisp and detailed picture quality but will also take home a warranty of four years on the LED. Thus, customers will be able to secure their Videocon LEDs from this year to the next World Cup.

     

    The World Cup to World Cup offers is applicable on all Videocon LEDs in the screen size of 39” and above. The extended warranty worth Rs 15,600 will be presented to the customers free of cost. This offer is valid from 10 February till 31 March, 2015.

  • “Govt. should reconsider extending excise duty concessions to consumer durables”: Anirudh Dhoot

    “Govt. should reconsider extending excise duty concessions to consumer durables”: Anirudh Dhoot

    MUMBAI: With the government of India deciding to withdraw the sops offered to the consumer durable industry, the move has come as a shocker to the sector.

     

    Commenting on the decision taken by the government, Videocon director Anirudh Dhoot said, “The Indian government’s decision to not extend excise duty concession has come as a setback to the consumer durable industry.”

     

    Dhoot further requested that the government should reconsider the increased excise duty sops in the upcoming budget as it will give a boost to manufacturing and bring revival to the sector.

     

    Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s highly anticipated and pet project, ‘Make in India’ campaign, Dhoot said that the country was capable enough to hold up the “Make in India” campaign. But going further he cautioned that in order to achieve this vision, the foremost action was to formulate policies and grant infrastructural support favouring electronic components and panel manufacturing in India. Dhoot’s Direct To Home (DTH) company Videocon d2h is also into the manufacturing of indigenous Set Top Boxes (STB).

     

    “We expect better guidelines and framework that strengthens consumer durable industry and benefits homegrown produce from this budget,” Dhoot added.

     

    On a concluding note Dhoot feels that at an overall level, the Union Budget needs to adopt a pragmatic approach towards addressing the needs of the consumer durable sector to manage its fiscal position. “This can take India back to a higher growth trajectory,” declared Dhoot.

  • “Our focus will be on digital, mobile & activation”: Dhunji Wadia

    “Our focus will be on digital, mobile & activation”: Dhunji Wadia

    Regarded as someone with strong business acumen, great entrepreneurial instincts and affinity towards clients’ businesses, Dhunji Wadia was anointed as Rediffusion-Y&R president in December last year.

     

    With the Rediffusion-Y&R Group since 2010, Wadia had moved from JWT after spending 18 years there. Helming Everest Brand Solutions, he will now have greater responsibilities on his shoulders as he steps into the shoes of predecessors like Mahesh Chauhan, D Rajappa and Sam Ahmed.

     

    The 40-year-old company surfaced from choppy waters by reinventing itself. The years 2014 saw the agency bag a number of new accounts, including Videocon, Virgin Atlantic and Biba Fashions in Delhi; PC Chandra Jewellers and Cordlife in Kolkata; and Revtron in Mumbai.

     

    Indiantelevision.com’s Meghna Sharma spoke to the man, who has over 25 years of industry experience and has worked closely on brands like Parle, Tata, Unilever and Nike amongst others, to know his plans for the agency.

     

    Excerpts…

     

    A new year, a new beginning. What will be on your agenda for 2015 for Rediffusion Y&R and Everest Brand Solutions?

     

    2015 will be the year of focus. The number one priority is to focus on the creative work. Creative work is the whole agency. Of course, creative and strategic thinking are interlinked. But it’s the final output that moves the consumer. Once the creative work is in place, all good things will start to happen. It will positively impact the health of our brands, the agency’s fortunes, new business acquisitions and taking better care of our people.

     

    Having understood the destination, we are working on the strategy to get there. In the process, people who are excited about the opportunities will make it big rather than people who are happy to sit back and wait for things to happen. The results will speak for themselves.

     

    The year 2014 saw Rediffusion Y&R bagging new accounts like Videocon, Virgin Atlantic and Biba amongst others. The agency also regained its spot amongst the 10 advertising agencies in the country. What does this mean for the agency and how will this impact the future?

     

    Winning new business is always great. It gives us a chance to showcase new work. Regaining our spot in the top 10 was a great moral booster. It fills us with the confidence and enthusiasm to go further.

     

    What were the key lessons learnt from 2014 for you and the agency? And how will you implement those learnings in 2015?

     

    Today, the size of the agency makes no difference at all. Neither does the scope or the geographic reach of the agency. The difference for any client is really in the people. Do they bring the experience, knowledge and insight to a client that will make a big impact in that organisation’s results and bottom line?

     

    People are going to be the key going forward. We have a promising lot with immense potential and unleashing this potential will be a priority in 2015.

     

    What are the key areas that the agency has been working on?

     

    We have been focusing on our existing clients. Last year, more than half of our new business came from existing clients. It feels terrific when your existing clients trust you with their critical new brand launches. It’s a responsibility we cherish and specialise in.

     

    We are living in a ‘Breaking News’ world where what’s trending today is forgotten tomorrow, so we need to be in the news for the right reasons. We not only need to do the work but we also will have to come out and tell the world ‘Hey look, here’s what we’ve been doing.’

     

    According to you, what will be the highlights for the coming years?

     

    We hope to make our work the single biggest highlight of 2015 and beyond.

     

    What is your take on digital video format becoming a go to formula for advertising? Why are brands as well as advertising agencies opting for it?

     

    This is going to become a key differentiator in content marketing – one will be able to cut through online clutter to attract customers, increase engagement and guide customers throughout their buying journey. This would be possible on any screen, anytime, anywhere.

     

    Since brands are banking on creating films for digital platforms what do you enjoy the 30-second clip for TV or the long ones for digital?

     

    As opposed to bombarding the viewer with repeat telecasts of TV commercials, this is an option where you create a long duration commercial and hope the viewer likes, comments and shares the video.

     

    Going forward, clients won’t care about web hits because majority of the hits are now just bots. The main parameter for them will be sales. That’s what it was supposed to be in the first case.

     

    What are the plans lined up for the digital side of your business?

     

    We have done quite a few award-winning digital initiatives for our clients – SAB TV, Ranbaxy Volini and TATA Housing to name a few. Going forward there will be additional drive and focus on digital, mobile marketing and activation.

     

    How has storytelling evolved over the years?

     

    Thanks to the advancement in technology, storytelling is becoming increasingly compelling over the years. The recent Honda Type R commercial is a good example.

     

    One mandate which you are really proud of and why?

     

    Every mandate comes with its own unique challenges. And our credo is – To Resist The Usual. It would be impossible to isolate any one instance.

     

    Everest has won the Brand Revitalisation Award for Brand Everest, at the ‘Global Excellence Awards’ by World Brand Congress and also adjudged the ‘Happiest Agency in India’. What initiatives do you take to make sure employees are happy? And how productive are happy people?

     

    Happy people make a happy agency and in turn happy clients. It’s a happy circle. Most people join advertising in order to follow their passion. Majority of the work related grievances turn out to be minor issues when there is a common consensus. You need to have your heart in the right place.

  • Silver Eagle to invest in Videocon d2h for at least one third stake

    Silver Eagle to invest in Videocon d2h for at least one third stake

    BENGALURU: Silver Eagle Acquisition Corp (Silver Eagle), founded by former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  (MGM) chairman and chief executive Harry Sloan and veteran television executive Jeff Sagansky, has announced that it will invest between $ 300 million to $375 million in Videocon d2h for a stake of between 33.5 per cent to 38.6 per cent. Sloan and Sagansky are expected to join the Videocon d2h board when the deal closes. Silver Eagle hopes to take Videocon d2h public in the US.

    In exchange for cash, Silver Eagle will receive new equity shares of Videocon d2h initially valued at no less than $303.7 million representing no less than 33.5 per cent of the equity capital of Videocon d2h.  The shares issued by Videocon will be represented by American Depositary Shares (ADSs) which will be distributed directly to Silver Eagle’s stockholders.

    The actual amount of cash to be contributed by Silver Eagle and the number of Videocon d2h shares represented by ADSs to be issued by Videocon d2h will depend, in large part, on the number of public shares which its stockholders elect to redeem in connection with the transaction.

    The current shareholders of Videocon d2h, who are all members of the Videocon Group, will also be entitled to be issued additional equity shares of Videocon d2h following the closing representing, in aggregate, 3.88 per cent of the post-closing issued share capital of Videocon d2h, subject to the achievement of certain trading price targets over a three year period after closing.

    The investment proceeds will be used for reducing debt and expanding operations in India that will undergo the third and fourth phases of cable television digitisation in India, offering large growth opportunities say industry sources.

    Sloan said, “We created Silver Eagle for the purpose of finding a fast-growing media opportunity which is taking full advantage of the digital revolution.  With almost 10 million digital subscribers, this well-managed company has passed the inflection point to become a leader in India’s explosive television growth.”

    Sagansky said, “Videocon’s DTH business is in what we believe to be the fastest growing segment of the media industry in India in part because of the government’s ongoing mandatory digitisation plan in addition to millions of Indian homes subscribing to pay TV for the first time.  Together there is an expected 33 million new Pay-TV subscribers over the next four years and we are pleased to become part of Videocon d2h’s dynamic growth story.”

     

    Videocon Group chairman Venugopal Dhoot said, “Our DTH service already offers the highest number of channels in each of our packages and we were the first company to launch HD channels in India.  We anticipate that the transaction with Silver Eagle will not only give us additional capital to continue development of our services, but also unparalleled expertise and experience.  We look forward to working closely with Harry and Jeff on expanding our market share and services.”

    Videocon d2h started in 2009 is a member of the global conglomerate Videocon Group, which owns interests in consumer electronics, oil and gas, power, retail and insurance, among others.  Videocon d2h has grown to a subscriber base of 1.18 crore or a market share of about 16.5 per cent of India’s direct-to-home market as of last September. It distributes more than 500 digital television channels.

    The deal, when it goes through, will put the valuation of Videocon d2h at around $ 1 billion plus ($ 100 crore).

    Other acquisitions by Sloan and Sagansky include the in-flight entertainment companies Row 44 and Advanced Inflight Alliance AG through Golden Acquisition Corp.

     

  • Big Magic launches weekend property ‘Shahi Shanivaar’

    Big Magic launches weekend property ‘Shahi Shanivaar’

    MUMBAI: Big Magic, the flagship Hindi general entertainment channel from Reliance Broadcast Network brings another new offering in its bouquet of shows.

     

    Riding on the immense popularity of ‘Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal’, the channel is extending the show now on weekends with a one hour new episode every Saturday at 9 pm.

     

    Titled ‘Shahi Shanivaar’, the latest weekend property stands on the backdrop of magnificent look and historical stories and aims to retain its audience attention even on weekends.

     

    Commenting on announcement of Shahi Shanivaar, Reliance Broadcast Network COO Lavneesh Gupta said, “We are delighted to announce a weekend property called ‘Shahi Shanivaar’ on the popular show ‘Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal’ that keeps up the historical comedy quotient on Saturdays too.”

     

    “The one hour shows will have new and interesting plots backed by historical research on the backdrop of royal splendour and special appearances by celebrities. We have maintained the same timing of 9pm so that from Monday to Saturday our audience’s experience the show same time thus offering greater value and consistency for marketers,” he added.

     

    Beginning on 1 November 2014, popular artist and celebrity Chetan Hansraj will be a part of a major conspiracy plot in the show, which will be followed by an episode on ‘Vishkanya’ on 18 November and a ‘Maha-episode’ on 15 November. Each of these episodes will also be integrating local festivals of the Hindi heartland that characterises India and is backed by strong local research and insight.

  • FC Goa announces Virat Kohli as its new co-owner cum ambassador

    FC Goa announces Virat Kohli as its new co-owner cum ambassador

    MUMBAI: The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) franchise of Goa, FC Goa today unveiled its new co-owner, celebrity cricketer Virat Kohli. With Kohli coming on board, the team now is composed of four owners. The other three are Venugopal Dhoot of Videocon, Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar, both businessmen from Goa. Videocon d2h was named as the principal sponsor for the team.

     

    FC Goa also introduced its marquee coach, Brazilian football legend Zico and its marquee player, Robert Pires. Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has been named as the team’s ‘first friend’.

     

    Present at the ceremony were Football Sports Development founding chairperson Nita Ambani who said that one of the main goals of the ISL was to promote the game at the grassroots levels by involving millions of kids through various programmes of the eight franchises.

     

    The Adidas team kit consisting of the jersey was also unveiled at the ceremony. Talking about the team kit Adidas India brand director, Tushar Goculdas says that the Goa team represented one of the ‘most passionate centres’ of football in India. He adds, “The team is supported by a strong backbone with owners having great footballing heritage, Virat- a world class athlete and Zico, one of the greatest artists of the beautiful game.” The team jersey will be available to FC Goa fans to purchase in a few weeks time.

     

    Speaking about his new venture, Kohli comments, “The experience of stalwarts like Zico and Pires will further strengthen the already strong DNA that the team possesses, thanks to the Salgaocar, Dempo and Videocon Groups’ involvement.”  According to sources from the team  it was Kohli  himself who approached the team owners to gain a stake in FC Goa.

     

     Videocon Industries chairman of the board Venugopal Dhoot says that the four partners shared a common dream which was to make a valuable contribution to Indian football and elevate the standards of the sport in the country.

     

    FC Goa is also the first Indian sports club to launch a satellite TV channel  called  the FC Goa TV which will be telecast on Videocon d2h with exclusive and innovative programming. The shows will also include specials such as on field programmes.  In addition to this, a special magazine dedicated to the team’s fans was also revealed.

     

    Dempo Group of Companies chairman and managing director Shrinivas Dempo while speaking to indiantelevision.com says that the ISL has come at the right time just after the FIFA World Cup fever. Speaking on the role of the four owners, he says, “We will look after the administration and management side of the game while the technical aspect and strategies of play will be looked by Zico and the players. Together we will work for the team’s overall success.”

     

    V M Salgaocar and Company managing director Dattaraj Salgaocar too agrees and says, “The Dempo group and we share decades of support towards football through our local football clubs.” In terms of sponsorship he says they are still looking at getting brands on board and are also looking at local brands for tie ups.

     

    FC Goa will kick off the first game of the Hero Indian Super League against Chennaiyin FC at home ground on 16 October. The team was launched on 26 august 2014.

  • Medimix is presenting sponsor for Har Mushkil Ka Hal -Akbar Birbal

    Medimix is presenting sponsor for Har Mushkil Ka Hal -Akbar Birbal

    MUMBAI: Medimix Face Wash has come on board as presenting sponsor for India’s first Historical Comedy – HarMushkilKa Hal Akbar Birbalon Big Magic. Akbar Birbal stories have a timeless appeal across generations and this latest addition to the programming assortment of the Channel supported with a high decibel multi-media campaign synergises excellently with Medimix Face Wash’s endeavor to further brand reach.

     
    The popularity of the show and its potential to work excellently with Indian audiences, its novel format of presentation, the extensive reach of the campaign across the Hindi speaking belt, the multiple formats engaged for the campaign – across television, radio, outdoor, cinemas, on ground, social media and more, and most importantly the reach of the Channel, to the even the LC1 markets through its availability on DD Free Dish, and the audience overlap, made it the perfect platform to ride on creating the partnership.

    Mr. Lavneesh Gupta, COO, Television Business, Reliance Broadcast Network said in a statement, “The holistic media campaign for the show HarMushkilKa Hal Akbar Birbal provides for an excellent opportunity for brands looking for widespread depth in reach across multiple touch points. With both brand objectives in congruence, it just makes for the perfect partnership. It continues to remain our endeavor to offer audiences with superlative entertainment and marketers with properties that they can ride on to meet their business objectives.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Anish Rajan who is heading the marketing function in Cholayil Pvt Ltd said “Akbar Birbal requires no introduction and we are confident about the comedy entertainment quotient it will offer. With the 360 multi-media marketing plan that has been introduced to promote this high impact property across HSMs, we are assured of an excellent platform to amplify our brand promise as India’s most trustedAyurvedic personal care brand.”

    BIG MAGIC is available across key DTH players ranging Airtel, Videocon, DD Free Dish, Dish TV, Reliance Digital TV along with Hathway, Incable, Digicable, DEN, 7 Star, ABS, Siticable, Star Broadband and GTPL amongst others.

  • Zee Khana Khazana presents the Second Season of “Bacha Party”

    Zee Khana Khazana presents the Second Season of “Bacha Party”

    MUMBAI: Zee Khana Khazana, India’s premium 24 hour food channel brings back the second season of your most loved show – Bacha Party. Hosted by television actress cum mother cum Chef- Gurdip Kohli Punj, the show is designed foryoung mothers who face a daily challenge of feeding their children food that is both healthy and delicious. The show will premiere on 9th May and will air every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2.30pm only on Zee Khana Khazana.     

     

    For the first time ever, Zee Khana Khazana will seechildren participate with chefs to recreate recipes.BachaParty will invite budding young chefs who have the passion and knowledge for food Theshow will be a blend of Chef Gurdip sharing exciting tips and recipes and sometimes learning from the amateur chefs This season promises to be an extremelyinteractive and educational and a lot of masti not just for the Chef and kids but also for the viewers.

     

    In every episode, Gurdip will lead you through innovative,healthyrecipes that are easy to make. Besides everyday snacks and lunch-box meals, she will demonstrate how to make party food, desserts, juices and much more.

     

    Commenting on this unique initiative, Amit Nair- Business Head at Zee Khana Khazana says, “With popular demand and being the number one show inthe genre of food and lifestyle,we are delighted to present the second season of Bacha party. In this season, we have children showcasing their talent by preparing delicious recipes with Chef’s guidance thereby providing mothers a child’s perspective of preferred food. It should prove to be quite interesting and engaging for all.”

     

    If you are wondering what to feed your child, especially when you have a picky eater on your hands, tune into Zee Khana Khazana and watch Bacha Party.

    TUNE INTO BACHA PARTY every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2.30pm ONLY ON ZEE KHANA KHAZANA. Zee Khana Khazana is available on Dish TV, Videocon, D2h, Tata Sky, Airtel and all major digital cable operators like Hathway, DEN, Siticable, and GTPL.

     

    For more information, please log on to – www.zeekhanakhazana.com

  • Indigenous STBs, courtesy ABS Productions

    Indigenous STBs, courtesy ABS Productions

    MUMBAI: Efforts have been on to spur Indian companies to manufacture cable TV set top boxes (STB) domestically – the government has been encouraging and nudging the private sector to do so.  The Mumbai-based ABS Seven Star group – which runs a health channel and a cable TV network in Mumbai – seems to have taken the bait. It has set up a new company called ABS Productions Pvt Ltd which has designed standard definition (SD), high definition (HD) and hybrid STBS – both MPEG2 and MPEG4 – and contracted Videocon group company Trend Electronics to manufacture them at its Aurangabad plant.

     

    “Trend Electronics also makes STBs for Videocond2h and it has very good experience doing so. Hence we have struck up a manufacturing alliance with it,” says ABS Seven Star CMD Atul Saraf.

     

    Saraf has hired a 20 member team for the STB manufacturing initiative – 14 of these are working on the software while the rest will be looking after the hardware. While the manufacturing unit has a 30,000 STBs per day capacity,  its first order will roll out of the assembly lines by 15 May.  “The first order is for our cable TV network ABS Seven Star, which is close to 50,000 boxes,” he says.

     

    Saraf points out that close to $1 million has been pumped into R&D while designing the STBs locally.

     

    Saraf is a firm believer of indigenous manufacturing of STBs. “When the government mandated implementation of digitisation, it was since then, that I was against importing boxes from abroad. These plain vanilla Chinese boxes are of poor quality and need to be replaced every couple of years. Also, a big disadvantage is that there are no service centers,” he says.

     

    He reveals that local manufacturing will ensure better service standards apart from generating employment.  “Phase III and IV markets will need approximately 100 million STBs.I hope to capture about 5 per cent of this by next year” he says.

     

    Based on the Broadcom chipset – ensuring better video quality – the higher end boxes will have a recording facility as well, apart from being able to deliver internet.  The Hybrid STB will also deliver a video on demand service. “We are not tying up with any OTT platform for this, but will create our own platform to facilitate the VOD service,” says he.

     

    In order to ensure better service, 200 Videocon d2h service centers, across India, have been roped in to bandage and spruce up the STBs should they face any problems in close proximity to their installation.

     

    ABS Productions has priced the  MPEG2 SD box at  Rs 1200-1300, the MPEG4 SD box at Rs 1400-1600, the MPEG4 HD box at  Rs 2,300-2,400 while Hybrid Box is priced at  Rs 3,500-3,800.