ITV

Tag: YouTube

  • 4K content, TV and OTT players: Why India needs to take note

    4K content, TV and OTT players: Why India needs to take note

    MUMBAI: Here’s why Indian OTT players, TV broadcasters and content creators need to take 4K seriously. A new research report Digital TV & Video: Network and OTT Strategies 2016-2021 from Juniper Reseatch has predicted that 4K OTT services will attract over 189 million unique users globally by 2021, up from just 2.3 million this year, driven by greater content availability and compatible devices.

    While connected TVs will be the dominant platform, viewership will take place through a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets and PCs.

    The report points out that a large part of the adoption will take place in the US, as an increasing amount of viewers there take to 4K internet TV and video content watching taking number of the tribe up to 1 in 10 by 2021 as against the 1 in 500 consuming it, there will be offtake in India too. With the dropping of bandwidth and data costs courtesy telecom price wars, and the spread of 4G LTE, India which is a mobile rich country, should see increasing video – even 4K – being consumed on the go on hand held devices and at home.

    The new research found that although YouTube, Netflix and Amazon already offer some 4K video, network providers have been waiting for a critical mass of content to become available before launching their own 4K offer. However, 2016 has seen roll-out of a number of new 4K offerings, such as the launch of the Sky Q 4K service in the UK, coupled with new hardware launches to provide a means of streaming online 4K content.

    Indeed, device compatibility in the past has proved to be a significant barrier for online 4K video.

    Research author Lauren Foye explained: ‘The popularity of online video has seen the use of set-top boxes from vendors such as Roku and Amazon soar. However, delivery mechanisms for content have seen slower adoption, as the availability of 4K capable streaming devices is limited. New device launches, such as the 4K capable Xbox One S this month, among others, are likely to spur a boost in 4K usage.’

    Juniper is cautiously optimistic about the progress of 8K. Whilst there is one commercially available 8K TV currently on the market (priced at $133,000), 8K content is a long way from becoming mainstream. In a similar form to 4K, Juniper sees 8K smart TVs emerging first, followed by streaming devices and set-top boxes, making this a drawn out process.

    With Japan seeking to broadcast the 2020 Olympics in 8K, the industry is likely to use this as an opportunity to drive sales of 8K smart TVs. Juniper forecasts that 8K smart TV shipments will grow more than threefold between 2020 and 2021, to reach over 400,000 per annum by the end of the forecast period.

  • 4K content, TV and OTT players: Why India needs to take note

    4K content, TV and OTT players: Why India needs to take note

    MUMBAI: Here’s why Indian OTT players, TV broadcasters and content creators need to take 4K seriously. A new research report Digital TV & Video: Network and OTT Strategies 2016-2021 from Juniper Reseatch has predicted that 4K OTT services will attract over 189 million unique users globally by 2021, up from just 2.3 million this year, driven by greater content availability and compatible devices.

    While connected TVs will be the dominant platform, viewership will take place through a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets and PCs.

    The report points out that a large part of the adoption will take place in the US, as an increasing amount of viewers there take to 4K internet TV and video content watching taking number of the tribe up to 1 in 10 by 2021 as against the 1 in 500 consuming it, there will be offtake in India too. With the dropping of bandwidth and data costs courtesy telecom price wars, and the spread of 4G LTE, India which is a mobile rich country, should see increasing video – even 4K – being consumed on the go on hand held devices and at home.

    The new research found that although YouTube, Netflix and Amazon already offer some 4K video, network providers have been waiting for a critical mass of content to become available before launching their own 4K offer. However, 2016 has seen roll-out of a number of new 4K offerings, such as the launch of the Sky Q 4K service in the UK, coupled with new hardware launches to provide a means of streaming online 4K content.

    Indeed, device compatibility in the past has proved to be a significant barrier for online 4K video.

    Research author Lauren Foye explained: ‘The popularity of online video has seen the use of set-top boxes from vendors such as Roku and Amazon soar. However, delivery mechanisms for content have seen slower adoption, as the availability of 4K capable streaming devices is limited. New device launches, such as the 4K capable Xbox One S this month, among others, are likely to spur a boost in 4K usage.’

    Juniper is cautiously optimistic about the progress of 8K. Whilst there is one commercially available 8K TV currently on the market (priced at $133,000), 8K content is a long way from becoming mainstream. In a similar form to 4K, Juniper sees 8K smart TVs emerging first, followed by streaming devices and set-top boxes, making this a drawn out process.

    With Japan seeking to broadcast the 2020 Olympics in 8K, the industry is likely to use this as an opportunity to drive sales of 8K smart TVs. Juniper forecasts that 8K smart TV shipments will grow more than threefold between 2020 and 2021, to reach over 400,000 per annum by the end of the forecast period.

  • Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    MUMBAI: An Indian court has provided relief to Indian DTH TV operator Tata Sky. It had approached the Delhi high court last month with a plea that the video sharing site YouTube should take down user generated videos which taught viewers how to hack the encryption of its set top boxes. Tata Sky had also demanded that the latter should respond promptly to complaints about illegal videos. YouTube had responded that it could have responded to the DTH operators complaint had it been less vague.

    The court ruled in its favour, according to a report in the Times of India. “In terms of Rule 3(1)(e) of the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines, YouTube is obliged not to host content that violates any law for the time being in force,” Justice S Muralidhar said.

    The court also said that in cases where YouTube would be required to act immediately, it should not insist upon the complainant to demonstrate that the complaint falls in the categories identified by it for taking action.

    Even as YouTube told the court that it had pulled down the offending Tata Sky videos, others continue to be present on the video platform. One describes how users can hack Airtel and Dish TV India STBs by using software on a pen drive.Another one talks about hacking into a Dish TV box by using a code.

  • Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    MUMBAI: An Indian court has provided relief to Indian DTH TV operator Tata Sky. It had approached the Delhi high court last month with a plea that the video sharing site YouTube should take down user generated videos which taught viewers how to hack the encryption of its set top boxes. Tata Sky had also demanded that the latter should respond promptly to complaints about illegal videos. YouTube had responded that it could have responded to the DTH operators complaint had it been less vague.

    The court ruled in its favour, according to a report in the Times of India. “In terms of Rule 3(1)(e) of the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines, YouTube is obliged not to host content that violates any law for the time being in force,” Justice S Muralidhar said.

    The court also said that in cases where YouTube would be required to act immediately, it should not insist upon the complainant to demonstrate that the complaint falls in the categories identified by it for taking action.

    Even as YouTube told the court that it had pulled down the offending Tata Sky videos, others continue to be present on the video platform. One describes how users can hack Airtel and Dish TV India STBs by using software on a pen drive.Another one talks about hacking into a Dish TV box by using a code.

  • Qyuki and A. R. Rahman launch Jammin on YouTube

    Qyuki and A. R. Rahman launch Jammin on YouTube

    MUMBAI: YouTube is a global platform for independent media artists and many have achieved star status driving millions of views everyday. In India, Qyuki a leading creator focussed multi-platform media company today unveiled Jammin’, a unique digital collaboration between YouTube’s leading music creators and bollywood’s iconic composers including Grammy and Academy Award Winner A. R. Rahman, Salim-Sulaiman, Clinton Cerejo and Mithoon.

    Jammin – presented by Airtel and Signature, will bring together YouTube’s top musical talent SANAM, Shraddha Sharma, Siddharth Slathia,Jonita Gandhi, Arjun Kanungo, Maati Baani, Sanah Moidutty, Raaga Trippin and Mumbai’s Finest collaborating with four of Bollywood’s most accomplished music composers to create ten original soundtracks and music videos.

    The first music video is scheduled to release on 19th August, with a new original music video releasing every week thereafter, culminating into a mega live concert at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai on 11th November. All the music video’s will be curated on the Jammin’ channel on YouTube.

    Speaking about Jammin’, Co-founder and MD of Qyuki, Samir Bangara, said, “Jammin’ represents Qyuki’s vision of empowering creators to challenge the status quo. We are super stoked to launch the first ever mega collaboration between the world of Bollywood and YouTube stars and are grateful for YouTube’s backing to make this one of the biggest musical properties to be launched in India”

    Speaking at the launch of Jammin’, co-founder of Qyuki and India’s music maestro, A. R. Rahman said, “YouTube has created an amazing platform for artists to reach their audiences, and independent creators need the backing of a partner to bring discoverability and scale to their talent. Through Jammin’ I am glad Qyuki is being able to be that true partner to creators and bring them on a level playing field with mainstream music.”

    Speaking about Jammin’, YouTube in India head of entertainment Satya Raghavan said, “There has never been a better time to be an Independent artist on YouTube. Some of these artists posted their first video from their bedrooms and today it’s really exciting to see Qyuki bring India’s most popular music composers to work together with these talented creators on a canvas as large as Jammin’. We hope this will inspire many more talented artists in the country to start their journey on YouTube and find success.”

  • Qyuki and A. R. Rahman launch Jammin on YouTube

    Qyuki and A. R. Rahman launch Jammin on YouTube

    MUMBAI: YouTube is a global platform for independent media artists and many have achieved star status driving millions of views everyday. In India, Qyuki a leading creator focussed multi-platform media company today unveiled Jammin’, a unique digital collaboration between YouTube’s leading music creators and bollywood’s iconic composers including Grammy and Academy Award Winner A. R. Rahman, Salim-Sulaiman, Clinton Cerejo and Mithoon.

    Jammin – presented by Airtel and Signature, will bring together YouTube’s top musical talent SANAM, Shraddha Sharma, Siddharth Slathia,Jonita Gandhi, Arjun Kanungo, Maati Baani, Sanah Moidutty, Raaga Trippin and Mumbai’s Finest collaborating with four of Bollywood’s most accomplished music composers to create ten original soundtracks and music videos.

    The first music video is scheduled to release on 19th August, with a new original music video releasing every week thereafter, culminating into a mega live concert at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai on 11th November. All the music video’s will be curated on the Jammin’ channel on YouTube.

    Speaking about Jammin’, Co-founder and MD of Qyuki, Samir Bangara, said, “Jammin’ represents Qyuki’s vision of empowering creators to challenge the status quo. We are super stoked to launch the first ever mega collaboration between the world of Bollywood and YouTube stars and are grateful for YouTube’s backing to make this one of the biggest musical properties to be launched in India”

    Speaking at the launch of Jammin’, co-founder of Qyuki and India’s music maestro, A. R. Rahman said, “YouTube has created an amazing platform for artists to reach their audiences, and independent creators need the backing of a partner to bring discoverability and scale to their talent. Through Jammin’ I am glad Qyuki is being able to be that true partner to creators and bring them on a level playing field with mainstream music.”

    Speaking about Jammin’, YouTube in India head of entertainment Satya Raghavan said, “There has never been a better time to be an Independent artist on YouTube. Some of these artists posted their first video from their bedrooms and today it’s really exciting to see Qyuki bring India’s most popular music composers to work together with these talented creators on a canvas as large as Jammin’. We hope this will inspire many more talented artists in the country to start their journey on YouTube and find success.”

  • Screenwriters, broadcasters, and digital freedom: ISC’2016

    Screenwriters, broadcasters, and digital freedom: ISC’2016

    MUMBAI: What do we really mean by digital media? When did it start? Why did it start? If you too are concerned about these questions and wanted a detailed insight, the Fourth Indian Screenwiters’ Conference 2016’s session on ‘The Digital Explosion’ was the place to get all your answers. Held last week, it saw writers, producers, film makers, broadcasters get together to discuss the issues plaguing the writing community today.

    The panelists included ‘newcomers’ such as the screenwriter of Masaan, standup comedian and National award winning lyricist Varun Grover, The Viral Fever (TVF) creative director Biswapati Sarkar and Y-Films senior manager Nikhil Taneja, with 16 years experience across broadcast media Youtube India operations head content Satya Raghvan and Mukta Arts strategy vice president and Whistling Woods International business development vice-president Chaitanya Chinchlikar.

    Session moderator and FWA activist and Malamal Weekly and Bhool Bhulaiyya screenwriter Manisha Grover set the ball rolling by asking when did digital writing really start in the Indian context and what sparked it off.

    “We initiated the web series Jay Hind when the internet was in its early stages here but it has grown so rapidly that now we have vanished, says Grover. Jay Hind was a popular Indian stand-up comedy show made exclusively for the internet platform and was launched in 2009.

    Grover recalls the day when he pitched the show to NDTV Imagine. “In those time there were only two comedy shows – Movers and Shakers and Aisi Taisi Democracy – which were also written by me. The broadcasters were very excited about the script. We made the pilot and they loved it and sent it to their focus group. The focus group didn’t like our host as they couldn’t relate to him. The channel asked us to shoot the pilot again with a different host. But it was my arrogance that didn’t allow me to do what the broadcaster wanted me to do.”

    Other writers on the panel to narrated how rejection by broadcasters led them to move on to digital. A move that turned out to be a boon for them as it allowed their ideas to come to fruition as completed episodes for the web.

    “My seniors were pitching a show for which I wrote a few episodes,” recollected Biswapati. “We went to MTV and after reading the script, they said the content is too intelligent for Indian audiences. We didn’t understand what they meant but i guess our timing was better at that time because YouTube was growing and it slightly became easy to make the series. For me digital is not a ‘also’ medium.”

    In the digital world, Youtube is pioneer, which has given a creative platform to many writers, was the consensus of the panel. “I think the big conclusion that we have drawn that digital Youtube is a ‘writers’ first’ platform. It’s probably the only medium where the writer can dictate the entire product that will come out,” added Raghvan.

    Raghvan went on to explain that in the Youtube ecosystem the web series revolution was sparked off over a year and half ago and the biggest series we saw was Permanent Roommates season one which is a TVF product. The latter has also produced some formats but Permanent Roommates was the first finite story. “Till now we have seen 40 series on the platform in different shapes and sizes not only in Hindi but also in Tamil,and Telugu,” revealed Raghvan. “We are also waiting for some Marathi productions this year and people are working on it. We will also start doing this in Bengali in couple of months.”

    Till 2014, in India some 150 million internet connection were there that too from the big metros. Between 2014 -2015 we saw a lot of growth in south India, expounded Raghvan.

    “We are doing shows for a certain kind of audience that is there on the internet. The question that arises is what what can we give to them on the internet that they can’t find on television and in films. Digital is mostly about good writing,” adds Taneja.

    The panel concluded that writers need to hone the fine art of writing for digital, as in the future, it is going to emerge as the medium and not as an “also” medium.

  • Screenwriters, broadcasters, and digital freedom: ISC’2016

    Screenwriters, broadcasters, and digital freedom: ISC’2016

    MUMBAI: What do we really mean by digital media? When did it start? Why did it start? If you too are concerned about these questions and wanted a detailed insight, the Fourth Indian Screenwiters’ Conference 2016’s session on ‘The Digital Explosion’ was the place to get all your answers. Held last week, it saw writers, producers, film makers, broadcasters get together to discuss the issues plaguing the writing community today.

    The panelists included ‘newcomers’ such as the screenwriter of Masaan, standup comedian and National award winning lyricist Varun Grover, The Viral Fever (TVF) creative director Biswapati Sarkar and Y-Films senior manager Nikhil Taneja, with 16 years experience across broadcast media Youtube India operations head content Satya Raghvan and Mukta Arts strategy vice president and Whistling Woods International business development vice-president Chaitanya Chinchlikar.

    Session moderator and FWA activist and Malamal Weekly and Bhool Bhulaiyya screenwriter Manisha Grover set the ball rolling by asking when did digital writing really start in the Indian context and what sparked it off.

    “We initiated the web series Jay Hind when the internet was in its early stages here but it has grown so rapidly that now we have vanished, says Grover. Jay Hind was a popular Indian stand-up comedy show made exclusively for the internet platform and was launched in 2009.

    Grover recalls the day when he pitched the show to NDTV Imagine. “In those time there were only two comedy shows – Movers and Shakers and Aisi Taisi Democracy – which were also written by me. The broadcasters were very excited about the script. We made the pilot and they loved it and sent it to their focus group. The focus group didn’t like our host as they couldn’t relate to him. The channel asked us to shoot the pilot again with a different host. But it was my arrogance that didn’t allow me to do what the broadcaster wanted me to do.”

    Other writers on the panel to narrated how rejection by broadcasters led them to move on to digital. A move that turned out to be a boon for them as it allowed their ideas to come to fruition as completed episodes for the web.

    “My seniors were pitching a show for which I wrote a few episodes,” recollected Biswapati. “We went to MTV and after reading the script, they said the content is too intelligent for Indian audiences. We didn’t understand what they meant but i guess our timing was better at that time because YouTube was growing and it slightly became easy to make the series. For me digital is not a ‘also’ medium.”

    In the digital world, Youtube is pioneer, which has given a creative platform to many writers, was the consensus of the panel. “I think the big conclusion that we have drawn that digital Youtube is a ‘writers’ first’ platform. It’s probably the only medium where the writer can dictate the entire product that will come out,” added Raghvan.

    Raghvan went on to explain that in the Youtube ecosystem the web series revolution was sparked off over a year and half ago and the biggest series we saw was Permanent Roommates season one which is a TVF product. The latter has also produced some formats but Permanent Roommates was the first finite story. “Till now we have seen 40 series on the platform in different shapes and sizes not only in Hindi but also in Tamil,and Telugu,” revealed Raghvan. “We are also waiting for some Marathi productions this year and people are working on it. We will also start doing this in Bengali in couple of months.”

    Till 2014, in India some 150 million internet connection were there that too from the big metros. Between 2014 -2015 we saw a lot of growth in south India, expounded Raghvan.

    “We are doing shows for a certain kind of audience that is there on the internet. The question that arises is what what can we give to them on the internet that they can’t find on television and in films. Digital is mostly about good writing,” adds Taneja.

    The panel concluded that writers need to hone the fine art of writing for digital, as in the future, it is going to emerge as the medium and not as an “also” medium.

  • Rajshri partners Bajaj for Youtube cookery show

    Rajshri partners Bajaj for Youtube cookery show

    MUMBAI: For long it had been said that digital content pioneer Rajshri Entertainment was getting its mammoth YouTube views courtesy its Bollywood catalogue. That was because of the million plus subscribers it had on the mother channel Rajshri featuring Bollywood content. However, the founder, the late Rajjat Barjatya had worked hard to correct it by launching a slew of channels right from Rajshri Soul to Rajshri Food to Get Curried to channels in languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati.

    Most of these had started getting traction: Rajshri Food has a subscriber base of almost 500,000, Get Curried 70,000, Rajshri Soul 64,000, Peekaboo Kids, 48,000 and Mind Body and Soul 59,000.

    The growth in its subscriber base and views in the non-Bollywood zone has encouraged it to launch its first brand integrated food show – Ruchi Unboxes with Bajaj on Rajshri Food, which offers only vegetarian recipes. Ruchi Bharani, the host of the show, is one of the channel’s flagship chefs and will be appearing in five episodes between 1 August and 29 August with each episode being of six to seven minutes duration.

    Within two days of its launch, the first episode which focused on the scrumptious Lebanese Falafel wrap, had managed to generate close to 100,000 views. The series has been shot in Ruchi’s home with a crew of five to seven over two weeks with Rajshri content head Kavya Krishnaswamy helming it.

    The standout of the series is the brand integration the Rajshri team has managed for Bajaj. Throughout the show, Ruchi works in a Bajaj kitchen with Bajaj appliances helping make her life easier as she cooks. And at the end of the show viewers can get Bajaj giveaways and hampers delivered to their homes if they answer the chef’s quiz question right. The contest is being run on Rajshri’s facebook page too.

    Rajshri Entertainment General Manager – Content Alliances Inderpal Singh Jaggi, says the Bajaj association is just a start. “We are looking at more and more brand integrations and not just with Rajshri Foods but with our other channels too,” he says.

    “Brand integration works in a two way benefit. It helps fund our content while we give the brand a wider and different audience,” he points out. “We have received an overwhelming response from brands as well, considering the reach of our platform” informs Inderpal.

    On the promotion front, Inderpal and team have lined up a social media marketing plan which includes ads on Facebook and Youtube. Hopefully it will cook up a storm for Ruchi Unboxes with Bajaj.

  • Rajshri partners Bajaj for Youtube cookery show

    Rajshri partners Bajaj for Youtube cookery show

    MUMBAI: For long it had been said that digital content pioneer Rajshri Entertainment was getting its mammoth YouTube views courtesy its Bollywood catalogue. That was because of the million plus subscribers it had on the mother channel Rajshri featuring Bollywood content. However, the founder, the late Rajjat Barjatya had worked hard to correct it by launching a slew of channels right from Rajshri Soul to Rajshri Food to Get Curried to channels in languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati.

    Most of these had started getting traction: Rajshri Food has a subscriber base of almost 500,000, Get Curried 70,000, Rajshri Soul 64,000, Peekaboo Kids, 48,000 and Mind Body and Soul 59,000.

    The growth in its subscriber base and views in the non-Bollywood zone has encouraged it to launch its first brand integrated food show – Ruchi Unboxes with Bajaj on Rajshri Food, which offers only vegetarian recipes. Ruchi Bharani, the host of the show, is one of the channel’s flagship chefs and will be appearing in five episodes between 1 August and 29 August with each episode being of six to seven minutes duration.

    Within two days of its launch, the first episode which focused on the scrumptious Lebanese Falafel wrap, had managed to generate close to 100,000 views. The series has been shot in Ruchi’s home with a crew of five to seven over two weeks with Rajshri content head Kavya Krishnaswamy helming it.

    The standout of the series is the brand integration the Rajshri team has managed for Bajaj. Throughout the show, Ruchi works in a Bajaj kitchen with Bajaj appliances helping make her life easier as she cooks. And at the end of the show viewers can get Bajaj giveaways and hampers delivered to their homes if they answer the chef’s quiz question right. The contest is being run on Rajshri’s facebook page too.

    Rajshri Entertainment General Manager – Content Alliances Inderpal Singh Jaggi, says the Bajaj association is just a start. “We are looking at more and more brand integrations and not just with Rajshri Foods but with our other channels too,” he says.

    “Brand integration works in a two way benefit. It helps fund our content while we give the brand a wider and different audience,” he points out. “We have received an overwhelming response from brands as well, considering the reach of our platform” informs Inderpal.

    On the promotion front, Inderpal and team have lined up a social media marketing plan which includes ads on Facebook and Youtube. Hopefully it will cook up a storm for Ruchi Unboxes with Bajaj.