ITV

Tag: Visiware

  • Den improves Q1-18 numbers, betters ARPB, net loss down

    BENGALURU / NEW DELHI: Indian multi-system operator (MSO) Den Network Limited (DEN) reported 38 per cent year-over-year increase in cable revenue at Rs 1,540 million for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current quarter) as compared to Rs 1,110 million for the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal (Q1-17).

    Cable business reported post activation operating profit (EBIDTA) of Rs 850 million and pre-activation operating profit of Rs 490 million for the current quarter. Corresponding IND-AS EBIDTA numbers for the year ago quarter were Rs 500 million and Rs 150 million respectively. (Some numbers in this report have been rounded off).

    The company reported an overall higher y-o-y Average Revenue Per Box (ARPB) at Rs 74 in the current quarter as compared to Rs 52 in the corresponding year ago quarter. ARPB across all the four DAS phases was up, with DAS IV ARPB more than tripling to Rs 38 in the current quarter as compared to Rs 12 in Q1-17. DAS phase III ARPB increased to Rs 59 in Q1-18 as compared to Rs 36, DAS II ARPB increased from Rs 73 in Q-17 to Rs 91 in Q1-18, while DAS IV ARPB increased to Rs 110 in Q1-18 from Rs 101 in Q1-17

    Quarter-over-quarter APRB however was slightly lower. For the quarter ended 31 March 2017 (Q4-17) DEN had reported ARPB of Rs 76, with ARPB of Rs 117, Rs 85, Rs 62 and Rs 46 for DAS phases I, II, III and IV respectivley. Only DAS Phase II ARPB has increased in Q1-18 as compared to the immediate trailing quarter.

    Den Networks CEO SN Sharma said, “Den turned another quarter of impressive results by registering a stupendous performance on cable business. We remain focused on consumer needs and continue to take technology initiatives that will help our consumers make their lives convenient and connected. On the basis of IGAAP numbers, Den has broken even at the PNT level and the cable business has turned positive at the PAT level. We continue to add subscribers to our broadband business. The average data consumption for broadband business has already crossed 75 GB per month. We are very hopeful to continue this performance and are eagerly awaiting the the final verdict on the new TRAI tarriff order from the industry standpoint.”

    Overall, Den has reported y-o-y growth across all its revenue streams – whether considereed on the basis of cable business, broadband business, other income, or considered on the basis of subscription income, placement revenue and other income.

    The company says that it has deployed about 0.3 million boxes in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 in DAS phase III and IV areas and claims a digital subscriber base of about 10.7 million as on 30 June 2017.

    Broadband business revenue in the current quarter increased to Rs 211.9 million from Rs 177.9 million. Broadband business EBIDTA reduced to a loss of Rs 82.6 million versus a loss of Rs 142.6 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

    Overall, Den Networks total income increased 15.75 per cent in Q1-18 to Rs 3,224.2 million from Rs 2,785.5 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. Overall consolidated EBIDTA increased 31.2 per cent y-o-y in Q-16 to Rs 694 million as compared to Rs 52.9 million. The company narrowed consolidated net loss to Rs 101.1 million for the quarter led by a good performance from the cable segment.

    In the immediate trailing quarter, the company had said that it had focused largely on cash collections during the year which had brought down the net debt of the company to Rs. 1810 million as at March 31, 2017, thereby deleveraging its balance sheet. The net debt of the company has been further reduced to Rs 1340 million as on 30 June 2017.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Den Network

    Den’s total expenses in Q1-18 increased 5.2 per cent y-o-y to Rs 3,305.1 million from Rs 3,142.3 million in Q1-17. Content Costs in Q1-18 increased 16.3 per cent y-o-y Rs 1,307.7 million from Rs 1,124.7 million. Placement fees costs in Q1-18 reduced 5.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 101.3 million from Rs 107.5 million in Q1-17.

    Employee Benefits Expense in Q1-18 increased 25.5 per cent to Rs 317.4 million from Rs 253 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Other Expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 4.2 per cent to Rs 803.8 million from Rs 771.2 million in Q1-17.

  • Den Networks cable operations revenue up; broadband revenue doubles

    BENGALURU: Indian multi system operator (MSO) Den Network reported 21.8 percent increase in operating revenue for its Cable distribution (cable) business  for the year ended 31 March 2017 (FY-17) at Rs 1,075.54 crore as compared to Rs 883.24 crore in the previous year (FY-16). The company’s broadband internet revenue in FY-17 more than doubled to Rs 81.80 crore from Rs 39.80 crore in FY-16.

    The company claims in its earnings release that Cable business EBIDTA increased to Rs 144 crore in FY-17 from Rs 18 crore in the previous year. The company’s EBIDTA in FY-17 doubled to Rs 254 crore from Rs 127 crore in FY-16. Broadband business EBIDTA reduced to a loss of Rs 10 crore versus a loss of Rs 66 crore in the previous year. Pre-activation EBIDTA in FY-17 grew to Rs 135 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 107 crore in FY-16.

    Overall, Den Networks revenue increased 19.1 percent in fiscal 2017 to Rs 1198.26 crore from Rs 1,005.87 crore in the previous fiscal. Cable subscription revenue grew 33 percent to Rs 646 crore in FY-17 from Rs 487 crore in FY-16. Den Networks reported a lower net loss of Rs 189.57 crore in FY-17 as compared to a loss of Rs 431.30 crore in the previous year.

    The company says that it has focused largely on cash collections during the year which has brought down the net debt of the company to Rs. 181 crores as at March 31, 2017, thereby deleveraging its balance sheet.

    Den Networks CEO SN Sharma said, “The cable subscription revenues grew by 33 percent in the current financial year and contributed to the financial turnaround for the company. The EBITDA for DAS I has grown from 23 percent to 30 percent and the EBITDA for DAS II has grown from 11 percent to 18 percent this year. The company continues to focus on core businesses, while preparing for HD Box deployment, cost optimization and technology up gradation to enhance consumer experience and improve operational efficiency.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Den Network

    Den’s total expenses in FY-17 reduced 1.8 percent to Rs 1,321.19 crore from Rs 1,344.83 crore in FY-16. Content Costs in FY-17 was almost flat at Rs 473.28 crore as compared to Rs 473.22 crore in the previous year. Placement fees costs in FY-17 reduced 6.2 percent to Rs 50.20 crore from Rs 53.50 crore in FY-16.

    Employee Benefits Expense in FY-17 was also almost flat (increased 0.3 percent) to Rs 123.37 crore from Rs 123.01 crore in the previous year. Other Expenses in fiscal 2017 declined 19.1 percent to Rs 331.68 crore from Rs 409.91 crore in fiscal 2016.

  • DEN Networks ties up with Visiware, launches premium gaming service

    MUMBAI: DEN Networks, one of the largest cable TV service providers in India, has launched Playin’TV, a premium interactive gaming service that will usher in rich gaming experience for its subscribers.

    The company has partnered with France-based Visiware International, the world leader in interactive games for television to offer these services. This is Visiware International’s first association with a CATV company in India.

    – Partners with France-based Visiware International to launch Playin’TV

    – Offers Playin’TV to subscribers for free until 31 May

    Type of Games on Playin’TV

    – Arcade / Adventure – Carrot Mania or Zombie Market

    – Brain teasers – Incan-Tatris or Match 3 type of games;

    – Board and Cards – Solitaire Club

    – Sports – Bowling or Cricket and much moreThe company has partnered with France-based Visiware International, the world leader in interactive games for television to offer these services. This is Visiware International’s first association with a CATV company in India.

    Commenting on the launch of Playin’TV, DEN Networks CEO S.N. Sharma said, “We are excited to partner with Visiware International and launch Playin’ TV on our cable TV and broadband networks. Playin’ TV is an internationally-renowned interactive gaming channel and we always strive to provide world class entertainment to our customers.

    He further added, “The launch coincides with the arrival of Indian summers, a time when most people prefer indoor entertainment. Playin’ TV’s comprehensive suite of games ranging from board and card games to adventure and sports will provide the ideal indoor recreation to DEN subscribers across all ages.  With DEN Networks’ 13 million plus subscriber base spread across 400+ cities, Visiware International is set to gain a massive entry into the Indian market while our subscribers will enjoy premium games of international repute.”

    The company is offering these games to its cable TV subscribers for free until 31st May. Post that, it will provide membership subscription at a promotional price of Rs 35 per month till September 2017.  The launch of Playin’TV on DEN Boomband, the company’s broadband service is to follow soon.  

    Exclusive to DEN Cable subscribers, Playin’TV is accessible 24/7 on Channel No. 444. Subscribers need no other accessories other than their set top box and remote control to start playing on the TV. Some of the popular genres of games that will be available to Playin’TV subscribers include Adventure, Board & Cards, Brain Teasers, and Sports. DEN will offer 6 games at the launch in May, with 1 new game added every month until September 2017. Post that, the games will be refreshed each month with favorite games staying on air for longer duration.

    Visiware International COO Frederic Fellague said, “Visiware International being one of the pioneers and market leader is proud to partner with one of India’s largest cable distribution companies. We believe that gaming is one of the key to increase ARPU on cable. Partnering with DEN Networks will allow us to demonstrate in the future our capability to develop new forms of gaming interactions with the evolution of the set top box market.”

  • Reliance Digital TV joins hands with Visiware to power iGames service

    Reliance Digital TV joins hands with Visiware to power iGames service

    NEW DELHI: Reliance Digital TV has partnered with Visiware to power iGames service on its DTH platform.

     

    Reliance Digital TV’s customers will have access to a richer and improved gaming experience with twice the number of games for the same price. Accessible through the Interactive button on the remote control, the iGames service does not require any additional equipment.

     

    The portal offers a selection of 16 games split up in four genres primarily for people between 8 – 25 years old to enjoy. Each category proposes four different games selected out of a 300-game catalogue. The portal is updated with two games getting refreshed every month.

     

    The games include Adventure with arcade and action titles with hundreds of levels to conquer, Board & Cards with classics such as Solitaire and Freecell; Brain Teasers with mind boggling thinking references; and Sports with games like Football and Basketball amongst others.

     

    Reliance Digital TV’s customers can subscribe through phone or SMS to one of the two available offers. They can either select the monthly option at Rs 34 a month or the quarterly option at Rs101 for three months with the fourth month free.

     

    iGames’s revamp and enhancement bring new additional features. The portal is updated every month with two new games replacing old ones without any fee necessary for both the monthly and the quarterly subscribers.

     

    Reliance Digital TV business head Ashutosh M Srivastava said, “We are glad to partner with Visiware and confident of introducing a completely new breed of TV gaming on iGames platform. The advantage with Reliance Digital TV gaming service is that it is easily accessible, affordable and can be enjoyed by every member of the family with no age bar. This opens up a large market, not only in the larger cities, but also in the Tier II-Tier III cities and small towns.”

     

    “With this new launch, in partnership with a major DTH network such as Reliance Digital TV, we take another defining step into the Indian market. We are really delighted that our games will bring real interactivity to the Indian television market and for Visiware and Reliance Digital TV this is the perfect team in order to propose a really good and innovative interactive TV offer. The size of the distribution is critical in this market and we are very proud to be partners of all the top operators across Europe, America and Asia,” added Visiware CEO Colas Overkott.

  • Visiware and Transgaming launch game channel on Dish

    Visiware and Transgaming launch game channel on Dish

    MUMBAI: Interactive TV expert Visiware and interactive entertainment platforms provider Transgaming Inc have collaborated to launch the on-demand Game Channel 96 on US satellite platform Dish.

    The new channel provides over 50 games like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, The Fast & The Furious and Carrot Mania. Transgaming has also added brands from its game platform GameTree TV such as Scrabble, Monopoly and Tetris.
    Dish‘s subscribers can access the game channel by subscribing to packs like Sports Arena, Brain Teasers or Kids Wise, for $6 a month, or to the whole catalogue for $10.

  • Visiware releases IPTV game channel

    Visiware releases IPTV game channel

    MUMBAI: Visiware has announced the release of its IPTV game channel, a turnkey solution with portals, back office and the Playin’TV catalog of casual games, available on Flash and HTML.

    This channel is fully compatible with Playin’TV triple play game offering, allowing players to continue to play and compete on TV, mobile and Internet.

    More than 25 games are already available, all of them specially made for the big screen experience and remote navigation. Visiware has already provided IPTV networks such as UCC in Kuwait and T-Online in Germany, asserts an official release.

    Visiware chairman Laurant Weill said, “This is a great opportunity for networks to generate new revenues and for Visiware to reach new markets. We will not only provide technology and content but also a 10 years expertise in successfully marketing iTV games.”

    “Agreements with major IPTV partners raises the bar for compelling IPTV games which are missing from most current IPTV offers usually ported from the net, but on the web this is a very different experience and human interface. We are looking forward to deploying on many more markets within the next months,” he added.

    The triple play offer includes specific advantages: cross-platform contests and leaderboards, ranking and offering a game to a friend, adds the release.

  • Visiware makes interactive TV game from ‘Fast and The Furious’ film

    Visiware makes interactive TV game from ‘Fast and The Furious’ film

    MUMBAI: Further to the license agreement between Visiware and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group to bring Universal Pictures properties to interactive TV gaming, Visiware has driven its latest game, The Fast and the Furious to the starting line.

    Inspired by the action film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, this sporting arcade game challenges players to experience the atmosphere of the underground Tokyo drift. For the uninitiated, this is a form of racing that replaces simple drag racing with a rubber-burning, automotive art form that consists of an exhilarating balance of speeding and gliding through a course of hairpin turns and switchbacks racing world. Viewers can do this all on their television screens.

    The game features three different modes in which the goal is to become the new Drift King. In Drift King mode, players race head-to-head against one to three opponents. In Pursuit mode, players must prevent their opponents from catching their car, while in Time Attack mode, players strive to set the fastest lap time. Authentic sound effects and images from the film are featured in the game.

    Visiware chairman Laurant Weill says, “We are happy to be partners with a group that has really made efforts to understand the interactive TV gaming market. It is a pleasure to work with Universal’s creative and professional team, especially on such an exciting project as The Fast and the Furious. We believe this is the best racing game available to date on interactive TV.”

    Universal Studios Consumer Products Group VP interactive Bill Kispert says, “The new film is an adrenaline ride, and Visiware embraced the challenge of creating an innovative racing game for iTV.

    “Whether racing against the clock, or fender to fender with an opponent, it’s fantastic that players can become armchair racers — and experience The Fast and the Furious brand — all with a click of their TV remote controls.”

    NBC Universal director of interactive TV, Jon Dakss says, “Visiware continues to push the boundaries of gameplay on the iTV platform. This game has wonderful balance and will appeal to racing fans and casual gamers alike.”

    The Fast and the Furious is the third game released by Visiware in collaboration with Universal. The first two games developed under the partnership were based on the blockbuster King Kong — included a quiz game and an arcade game.

  • What content will work on Mobile still the big question

    What content will work on Mobile still the big question

    SINGAPORE: Though a lot is being said about mobile TV and visual content, yet what sort of content will really make waves is not very clear. At the recently concluded Broadcast Asiat 2006, one saw a considerable interest amongst vendors and operators, including broadcasters for the reduction of commercial mobile television services. Basically two methods are being used streaming and broadcasting.

    For broadcasting, a number of standards have been developed to offer mobile broadcast TV, including DVB-H, DMB, ISDB-T and NediaFLO.

    Speaking on a session on synergies and convergance on mobile TV, on how to optimise content for the mobile, Laurant Weill, president Visiware said, “The idea is to make use of interactive tools, and deliver video content on 3G platforms. Content providers should aim to convert mini series into four minute clips or so. Also, try to repurpose the available or create altogether new content. We should also try and summarise the existing standard TV formats. Make automatic clips of a existing news programming as conusmers want to see a V-navigator experience.”

    I-pop executive VP Colin Miles added, “The applications have to be synchronized with the existing TV shows and thanks to use of sms we already have interactive audience who will be more than willing to try new content.”

    While mobile TV services are in their infancy and both research and adoption levels suggest that in the medium term they have potential to generate significant revenues, Juniper Research believes that the total market for streamed and broadcast TV services will increase from $136 million to more than $7.6 billion by 2010.

    NPTV marketing director Laurent Chouraqui was of the opinion that the number of standards developed to offer mobile broadcasters including DVB-H, DMB, ISDB-T amd MediaFlo will help the synchronization of TV content. But over a period of time content users should ease the creation of mobile content for consumers. Make automatic clips of a existing news programming as consumers want to see a V-navigator experience.

    He added, “Linear content will not work on Mobile. New and interesting content will have to be developed. Like, for example the best moments of the World Cup. So, the challenge is really is developing fone minute content, special teasers and mini series.”