Tag: VOD

Amazon seals Rajini film deal; dares Netflix, hikes sellers’ commissions

MUMBAI: Amazon India has signed a content agreement with the Tamil Nadu-based V Creations. The alliance has been negotiated at a time when Amazon is all set to launch Prime Video India, competing with Netflix streaming and Star India’s Hotstar.

Amazon is bringing the cheapest VOD subscription service in India with Amazon Prime, which comes with a complementary Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Amazon has been focusing on the two most popular categories in India, that is, sports and of course Bollywood, Mint reported. With this alliance, Prime would have exclusive subscription streaming rights for two of Tamil Nadu’s highest grossing films — Rajnikanth’s Kabali and Theri, a crime drama released earlier this year. Amazon India recently launched its global Prime membership programme, offering fastest product deliveries for an initial fixed price of Rs 499 a year.

The largest global online retailer Amazon has signed the long-term content partnership with the film production company V Creations when the former is gearing up for launching of its Prime online television service in India which is dubbed as a leading market for entertainment.

In the UK and the US, Amazon Prime Video is available for $8.99 a month. Now, it is bringing the same service in India for as low as $15 a year. This significantly dents Netflix India regardless of content availability since the subscription price difference is vast.

As part of its localization efforts, Amazon has been signing content rights in India. Recently, it teamed up with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

Amazon meanwhile has hiked the sellers’ commission in categories such as electronics, while reducing it in others such as large appliances, after a festive season confrontation with its competitor Flipkart. Amazon at present has over 120,000 sellers on its platform in India.

Amazon, Snapdeal and Flipkart operate as marketplaces charging fees and other charges for connecting customers with third-party sellers.

November 8, 2016
Gema – YouTube conflict resolved

MUMBAI: The long running legal tussle between YouTube and the German IP right body Gema that represents artists and publishers has finally resolved, according to international media.

Since 2009, several affected clips and videos, including those carrying conflicted background music, returned an error message on the video on demand platform, when users tried to access it.

Now that the payments will be made, these videos will be accessible to users although neither side has disclosed the terms.red banners that had prevented thousands of YouTube’s clips from playing in Germany have now been removed as a consequence.

And, as per Google’s Content ID system, clips containing Gema-protected tracks can now have adverts automatically added to them to recompense the songs’ creators.

YouTube’s head of international music partnerships Christophe Muller shared in a blog that it was a win for music artistes around the world, enabling them to reach new and existing fans in Germany… and for YouTube users in Germany, who will no longer see a blocking message on music content.

However, Gema officials remain skeptical on whether YouTube or the person uploading a clip was ultimately responsible for licensing the music it contained but termed the new agreement with the VOD giant as a”milestone”.

Gema chief executive Harald Heker told media that they remained true to their position that authors should also get a fair remuneration in the digital age, despite the resistance that they met.

(source: BBC news)

November 2, 2016
Gema – YouTube conflict resolved

MUMBAI: The long running legal tussle between YouTube and the German IP right body Gema that represents artists and publishers has finally resolved, according to international media.

Since 2009, several affected clips and videos, including those carrying conflicted background music, returned an error message on the video on demand platform, when users tried to access it.

Now that the payments will be made, these videos will be accessible to users although neither side has disclosed the terms.red banners that had prevented thousands of YouTube’s clips from playing in Germany have now been removed as a consequence.

And, as per Google’s Content ID system, clips containing Gema-protected tracks can now have adverts automatically added to them to recompense the songs’ creators.

YouTube’s head of international music partnerships Christophe Muller shared in a blog that it was a win for music artistes around the world, enabling them to reach new and existing fans in Germany… and for YouTube users in Germany, who will no longer see a blocking message on music content.

However, Gema officials remain skeptical on whether YouTube or the person uploading a clip was ultimately responsible for licensing the music it contained but termed the new agreement with the VOD giant as a”milestone”.

Gema chief executive Harald Heker told media that they remained true to their position that authors should also get a fair remuneration in the digital age, despite the resistance that they met.

(source: BBC news)

November 2, 2016
e-comm: Amazon gung-ho on India sales; dares Flipkart

MUMBAI: Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, paid Rs 40 crore to acquire Westland Ltd’s publishing arm, thus giving it access to local content and a library of popular books, which continue to be a popular item on India’s e-commerce. It aims to push higher sales of its Kindle readers in India. The acquisition, which includes Mikros, Tranquebar and EastWest, may aid Amazon compete with Flipkart.

Westland, a unit of Trent, a Tata company, received Rs 9.5 crore from Amazon to part with 26%, with the option to buy out the remainder. Without disclosing the number of users, Amazon India offers over three million books to Kindle users. Amazon India vice-president and country manager Amit Agarwal said in a statement that their acquisition continues their commitment to India, enabling Amazon to bring Westland’s learned authors and their books to even more customers in India and around the world.

Amazon is gung-ho about its investments in India and the response it had received from sellers and customers. Amazon CFO Brian T. Olsavsky said Amazon, which just reported quarterly profits, indicated that its India investments are starting to show results but may impact international margins as it plans to go whole hog to conquer the significant internet market.

Amazon, which is investing in digital content, plans to launch its VOD platform Prime in India soon. Prime is one of the top selling units based on Amazon.in. Being a third-party market has caused a lot of invention for Amazon.

Amazon’s finance chief also indicated that the company would continue to add resources to India. Over the past two months, Amazon has outsold Flipkart in terms of monthly sales, Mint reported in September. However, including sales from Jabong and Myntra, Flipkart continues to leave Amazon behind. Amazon’s India business, which is aggressively expanding its consumer products and fashion categories, aims to launch its global programme for start-ups called Launchpad in India shortly.

Amazon’s team in India has been very creative — it creates on its own, from delivery stations to working with small merchants. Amazon is happy with both, the seller engagement as well as the customer engagement.

October 29, 2016
e-comm: Amazon gung-ho on India sales; dares Flipkart

MUMBAI: Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, paid Rs 40 crore to acquire Westland Ltd’s publishing arm, thus giving it access to local content and a library of popular books, which continue to be a popular item on India’s e-commerce. It aims to push higher sales of its Kindle readers in India. The acquisition, which includes Mikros, Tranquebar and EastWest, may aid Amazon compete with Flipkart.

Westland, a unit of Trent, a Tata company, received Rs 9.5 crore from Amazon to part with 26%, with the option to buy out the remainder. Without disclosing the number of users, Amazon India offers over three million books to Kindle users. Amazon India vice-president and country manager Amit Agarwal said in a statement that their acquisition continues their commitment to India, enabling Amazon to bring Westland’s learned authors and their books to even more customers in India and around the world.

Amazon is gung-ho about its investments in India and the response it had received from sellers and customers. Amazon CFO Brian T. Olsavsky said Amazon, which just reported quarterly profits, indicated that its India investments are starting to show results but may impact international margins as it plans to go whole hog to conquer the significant internet market.

Amazon, which is investing in digital content, plans to launch its VOD platform Prime in India soon. Prime is one of the top selling units based on Amazon.in. Being a third-party market has caused a lot of invention for Amazon.

Amazon’s finance chief also indicated that the company would continue to add resources to India. Over the past two months, Amazon has outsold Flipkart in terms of monthly sales, Mint reported in September. However, including sales from Jabong and Myntra, Flipkart continues to leave Amazon behind. Amazon’s India business, which is aggressively expanding its consumer products and fashion categories, aims to launch its global programme for start-ups called Launchpad in India shortly.

Amazon’s team in India has been very creative — it creates on its own, from delivery stations to working with small merchants. Amazon is happy with both, the seller engagement as well as the customer engagement.

October 29, 2016
Zee Mundo hires Steinbranding

MUMBAI: Steinbranding, the international design agency with headquarters in Buenos Aires, responsible for the image of more than 50 channels worldwide, was chosen by the major Indian media group, Zee Entertainment Enterprises to create the brand, naming and on-air & off-air branding for Zee Mundo, the new Bollywood movie channel which was recently launched in the US Hispanic Market.

Steinbranding has been delivering successful branding projects in Latin America, US and Asia, for more than 16 years. In addition to the channel branding, the company is in charge of producing daily and monthly promos for ZEE Mundo, with special campaigns and stunts.

Zee Mundo provides exclusive and original HD Bollywood movies from the Zee library to the Hispanic audience in the US. It was recently launched in Dish Latino and Sling Latino. The programming offering includes titles that cover five genres (action, suspense, romance, drama and comedy), all dubbed completely in Spanish.

“The fact that we were chosen as partners for Zee Mundo’s arrival in the USH market is very important for us, especially after having produced 15 projects exclusively in India and more than 35 in Latin America. We are pleased to create new commercial opportunities in the region”, said Guillermo Stein, Steinbranding CEO.

Furthermore, he added: “Our experience is mainly focused on the creation of brand architecture. We work together with the networks’ in-house teams and produce promos, graphic packages, full-on rebrandings, design for Over-The-Top services (OTT), Subscription VOD (SVOD), news graphic packages, sport events, Idents, special promos, upfronts, trailers and other audiovisual media.”

Zee Mundo programming manager David Cabán emphasized: “Steinbranding consistently gives us the highest level of creativity and production. Its work reflects the outstanding quality values of modern Bollywood cinema presenting our audience a complete product full of elegance and magic.”

Likewise, Zee Mundo marketing and communication manager Rolando Figueroa stated: “We are very satisfied with the support Steinbranding‘s creative team gives us. It is a very professional company and they are helpful with all our requirements.”

Steinbranding has been in charge of several projects in Latin America such as the creation of Doki, Discovery Kids’ brand character, graphic campaigns for Discovery Channel, the complete re-branding for Canal (á), TV Azteca 7 and Azteca 13, Telefé, TV Pública Argentina, Elgourmet.com, Encuentro, Fox, Film &Arts, Fox sports, Paka Paka, Studio Universal, Yups, Cosmopolitan, DeporTv, Ecuador TV and HBO, among other channels. Stein branding has also created the visual language for projects such as Cablevisión, América, Utilísima, Hallmark, CityMundo, CityFamily and MovieCity.

October 25, 2016
Zee Mundo hires Steinbranding

MUMBAI: Steinbranding, the international design agency with headquarters in Buenos Aires, responsible for the image of more than 50 channels worldwide, was chosen by the major Indian media group, Zee Entertainment Enterprises to create the brand, naming and on-air & off-air branding for Zee Mundo, the new Bollywood movie channel which was recently launched in the US Hispanic Market.

Steinbranding has been delivering successful branding projects in Latin America, US and Asia, for more than 16 years. In addition to the channel branding, the company is in charge of producing daily and monthly promos for ZEE Mundo, with special campaigns and stunts.

Zee Mundo provides exclusive and original HD Bollywood movies from the Zee library to the Hispanic audience in the US. It was recently launched in Dish Latino and Sling Latino. The programming offering includes titles that cover five genres (action, suspense, romance, drama and comedy), all dubbed completely in Spanish.

“The fact that we were chosen as partners for Zee Mundo’s arrival in the USH market is very important for us, especially after having produced 15 projects exclusively in India and more than 35 in Latin America. We are pleased to create new commercial opportunities in the region”, said Guillermo Stein, Steinbranding CEO.

Furthermore, he added: “Our experience is mainly focused on the creation of brand architecture. We work together with the networks’ in-house teams and produce promos, graphic packages, full-on rebrandings, design for Over-The-Top services (OTT), Subscription VOD (SVOD), news graphic packages, sport events, Idents, special promos, upfronts, trailers and other audiovisual media.”

Zee Mundo programming manager David Cabán emphasized: “Steinbranding consistently gives us the highest level of creativity and production. Its work reflects the outstanding quality values of modern Bollywood cinema presenting our audience a complete product full of elegance and magic.”

Likewise, Zee Mundo marketing and communication manager Rolando Figueroa stated: “We are very satisfied with the support Steinbranding‘s creative team gives us. It is a very professional company and they are helpful with all our requirements.”

Steinbranding has been in charge of several projects in Latin America such as the creation of Doki, Discovery Kids’ brand character, graphic campaigns for Discovery Channel, the complete re-branding for Canal (á), TV Azteca 7 and Azteca 13, Telefé, TV Pública Argentina, Elgourmet.com, Encuentro, Fox, Film &Arts, Fox sports, Paka Paka, Studio Universal, Yups, Cosmopolitan, DeporTv, Ecuador TV and HBO, among other channels. Stein branding has also created the visual language for projects such as Cablevisión, América, Utilísima, Hallmark, CityMundo, CityFamily and MovieCity.

October 25, 2016
Voot launches show on 2016 urban marriages

MUMBAI: Voot, Viacom18’s digital VOD platform, has added one more feather to its original shows’ hat. It has announced the launch of their new web-series, It’s Not That Simple. Slated to go online from 6 October, the six-part show is a first of its kind relationship drama that explores the complexities of urban marriages.

Written by Charudutt Acharya and directed by Danish Aslam, the story is about a school reunion, which along with fond memories also brings back a little part of Meera that was lost in the process of just being a wife. Tempting her to go on a journey to find her lost self again, is an unfinished love triangle from days bygone. The story further develops based on the decisions the lead protagonist takes.

“The one box that digital content needs to check is being relatable to the viewer. And relationships & marriage in India are going through a dynamic change from the classic interpretation we are used to. We really wanted to take a closer look at urban marriages in 2016 with all their pressures and challenges… because at the end of it, marriage is the one choice that is life altering, good or bad, it’s really not that simple,” said VOOT head programming Monika Shergill.

The starcast of the show includes Swara Bhaskar as Meera, along with Vivan Bhatena as Rajeev, Akshay Oberoi as Sameer and Karanveer Mehra as Jayesh.

October 5, 2016
Voot launches show on 2016 urban marriages

MUMBAI: Voot, Viacom18’s digital VOD platform, has added one more feather to its original shows’ hat. It has announced the launch of their new web-series, It’s Not That Simple. Slated to go online from 6 October, the six-part show is a first of its kind relationship drama that explores the complexities of urban marriages.

Written by Charudutt Acharya and directed by Danish Aslam, the story is about a school reunion, which along with fond memories also brings back a little part of Meera that was lost in the process of just being a wife. Tempting her to go on a journey to find her lost self again, is an unfinished love triangle from days bygone. The story further develops based on the decisions the lead protagonist takes.

“The one box that digital content needs to check is being relatable to the viewer. And relationships & marriage in India are going through a dynamic change from the classic interpretation we are used to. We really wanted to take a closer look at urban marriages in 2016 with all their pressures and challenges… because at the end of it, marriage is the one choice that is life altering, good or bad, it’s really not that simple,” said VOOT head programming Monika Shergill.

The starcast of the show includes Swara Bhaskar as Meera, along with Vivan Bhatena as Rajeev, Akshay Oberoi as Sameer and Karanveer Mehra as Jayesh.

October 5, 2016
Eleventh IDOS to commence in Goa today

GOA: The 11th Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS 2016) is slated to be flagged off today evening – 30 September — at south Goa’s prestigious Hotel Leela. India’s largest gathering of India’s broadcast, distribution, investment, technology players and the regulators is happening at a time when the industry is grappling with issues related to the government mandated digital addressable system (DAS) which seeks to digitize India’s 100-million viewer strong cable TV ecosystem.

While two phases of DAS have been progressing gradually, the third phase has been stalled awaiting a decision from the Delhi high court. The logjam despite, the countdown to the fourth phase deadline of 31 December 2016, has commenced.

It’s challenging times for the whole video distribution ecosystem. OTT live streaming and VOD platforms, telco companies are all marching into what was traditionally a broadcaster, cable TV operator’s or DTH or HITS operator’s turf. And, though they are yet to come up with robust business models, some of them have deep pockets. DTH players, on the other hand, are beginning to bear the fruits of their early investments in delivering quality, transparent services across India.

Churn rates are stable, and, in fact, the subscriber numbers for many of these players are rising.

A large part of the smaller cable TV community — especially in phase III and phase IV – is fragmented, undercapitalised and is fearful for its future and, in some areas, is resisting digitisation. Larger MSOs have brought in some organization to the ground in phase I and phase II over the past few years and will continue doing so as the years pass by, even in the interiors. Niggling issues such as interconnection and tariff agreements, carriage fees with broadcasters continue to seek resolution.

Free to air DTH services such as DD FreeDish serve the needs of some of the viewers in the heartlands. And HITs platforms are waiting on the sidelines and are hoping to plug the infrastructure gap for delivering video signals to the undercapitalized cable operators in the phase III and phase IV areas.

The regulators, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the ministry of information and broadcasting, are seeking to put in place a regulatory framework which would fuel DAS nationally, keeping everyone’s interests in mind.

“It is against this backdrop that IDOS 2016 is being held,” says Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO & editor in chief Anil Wanvari.

“Over the years it has proved to be a fertile ground for moving the needle on distribution further. We hope this year’s DAS will also help in supporting the progress.”

Among the major speakers at IDOS are: DEN Networks CEO SN Sharma, Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar, Hathway Cable CEO Jagdish Kumar, Times Television Network CEO M.K. Anand, Sony Pictures Networks India executive vice president and head – digital business, Uday Sodhi, Indusind Media CEO Tony D’Silva, Walt Disney Co India vice president Nikhil Gandhi, Asianet Satellite Communications president & COO G.

Sankaranarayana, India Cast EVP Amit Arora, Ortel Communication CEO Bhibhu Rath, CastleMedia executive director Vynsley Fernandes, Reliance BIG TV business head Vivek Garg, GTPL COO Shaji Matthews, Akamai head of mobile strategy Vijay Kolli and regional vice president, media sales Sid Pisharoti, Chrome Data CEO Pankaj Krishna, and TRAI adviser Sunil Kumar Gupta.

The conference will end on 1 October late evening.

Among the partners who have come forward to support IDOS 2016 are:
Walt Disney Co India (Title Partner); Discovery India (Summit Partner), Elemental and Hathway (Associate Partner), Akamai Technologies (CDN Partner), Friends MTS, Sony Pictures Network and Zee Distribution Networks (Support Partners), SES (Name Badge Partner), and IndiaCast (LanYard Partner).

September 30, 2016