ITV

Tag: YouTube

  • YouTube says TV is passe; announces 1 bn unique visitors per month

    YouTube says TV is passe; announces 1 bn unique visitors per month

    MUMBAI: For long, traditional linear TV professionals have been kind of pooh-poohing the emergence of YouTube as a challenge to their traditional business model and as the destination for video consumption. Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt however cautions TV executives that the TV vs YouTube – if ever there was one – is over and has conclusively swung in favour of the online streaming portal.

    Speaking to advertisers in New York on Wednesday night at an initiative titled NewFronts (digital media‘s version of the TV tradition of promoting programming and selling ads); he disclosed that YouTube was now crossing a billion visitors a month. Last month‘s figures from YouTube claimed that almost one of every two people on the World Wide Web now uses the video streaming site, making it the third largest country in the world behind China and India.

    Google executives at the event said that visitors are watching more than six billion hours of video content on YouTube every month. That‘s a humungous number, which equals to one hour a month for every human on earth. Just three months ago, the figure was four billion. Schmidt expects the figure to go up soon and told attendees to wait “till the numbers rise to six to seven billion. The future is now for YouTube,” he said.

    Executives point out that a good proportion of the visitors are those under forty – the connected to the internet generation; and that there is no better medium to reach out to them than YouTube.

    “I thought that YouTube was like TV, but it isn‘t. I was wrong,” said YouTube‘s global head of content Robert Kyncl, “TV is one-way. YouTube talks back. TV means reach. YouTube means engagement.” He further added.

    Schmidt explained that YouTube is not a replacement for something we know. “It‘s a new thing that we have to think about, to program, to curate and build new platforms,” he pointed out.

    DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made an appearance at the event to announce that his company had earlier in the day signed a deal to acquire AwesomenessTV, a popular teen focused YouTube network, for $33 million.

    YouTube meanwhile brought in its troops to coax brands to snap up media on the site, put in sponsorship dollars behind it and build channels. They cited a study saying that brands “that invest about 10 per cent to 15 per cent of their media budget on YouTube post a one per cent to three per cent sales rise.

  • The future of television rests in apps: Netflix

    The future of television rests in apps: Netflix

    MUMBAI: OTT subscription service Netflix has published a report called Long Term View. The report says that the evolution to Internet TV apps is already starting. It notes that existing networks, such as ESPN and HBO that offer amazing apps will get more viewing than in the past, and be more valuable. Existing networks that fail to develop first-class apps will lose viewing and revenue.

    “Apps that provide on-demand viewing are critical because people don‘t love the linear TV experience where channels present programmes at particular times on non-portable screens with complicated remote controls. Finding good things to watch isn‘t easy or enjoyable. In addition to Netflix, most of the world‘s leading linear TV networks are moving into Internet TV,” Netflix says.

    It has given the examples of HBO and ESPN. ESPN, Netflix notes will keep improving their app to try to stay ahead of MLB.tv, which it says is another terrific Internet TV sports app.

    “The HBO Go app makes HBO‘s films and series much more accessible than on HBO‘s linear channel. The BBC iPlayer app in the UK provides a rich and popular on-demand interface for a wide range of BBC programming. The other major linear networks are not far behind,” according to Netflix.

    Netflix adds that while Internet TV is only a very small per cent of video viewing today, the expectation is that it will grow every year because:

    1. The Internet will get faster, more reliable and more available;
    2. Smart TV sales will increase and eventually every TV will have Wifi and apps;
    3. Smart TV adapters (Roku, AppleTV, etc.) will get less expensive and better;
    4. Tablet and smartphone viewing will increase;
    5. Tablets and smartphones will be used as touch interfaces for Internet TV;
    6. Internet TV apps will rapidly improve through competition and frequent updates;
    7. Streaming 4k video will happen long before linear TV supports 4k video;
    8. Internet video advertising will be personalized and relevant;
    9. TV Everywhere will provide a smooth economic transition for existing networks;
    10. New entrants like Netflix are innovating rapidly.

    Netflix goes on to note that eventually, as linear TV is viewed less, the spectrum it now uses on cable and fibre will be reallocated to expanding data transmission. Satellite TV subscribers will be fewer, and mostly be in places where high-speed Internet (cable or fibre) is not available. The importance of high-speed Internet will increase.
     
    It cites examples of this transformation taking place in different nations. “In the UK, for example, the BBC is already starting to programme more for its iPlayer app than for its linear channels, given the large and growing viewing on the iPlayer. For most existing networks, this economic transition will occur through TV Everywhere. If a consumer continues to subscribe to linear TV from a multi-channel video programme distributor (MVPD), they get a password to use the Internet apps for the networks they subscribe to on linear.”

    The key to avoid cord cutting for networks, according to Netflix, is to keep their prime-time programming behind the authentication wall. It proposes that same consumer who today finds it worthwhile to pay for a linear TV package will likely pay for a ‘linear plus apps‘ package. Netflix further says that Internet TV apps will improve just like the mobile phone over the next 20 years.

    In addition to creating opportunity for linear networks, the emergence of Internet TV also enables new apps like Netflix, YouTube, MLB.tv, and iTunes to build large scale direct-to-consumer services that are independent of the traditional MVPD bundle. Netflix notes that while it competes for entertainment time with traditional networks, the scope of such time is quite large. Consumer time devoted to web browsing and video games, for instance, has expanded hugely over the last two decades without a corresponding diminution of TV viewing.

  • CEA applauds New York Court ruling in Viacom Youtube copyright suit

    CEA applauds New York Court ruling in Viacom Youtube copyright suit

    MUMBAI: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in the US has said that New York throwing out Viacom‘s lawsuit against Youtube is a win for Internet freedom.

    CEA senior VP, government and regulatory affairs Michael Petricone said, “Today‘s ruling is a win for Internet freedom and the innovation ecosystem. In this ruling, the Court rightly recognized the importance of safe harbors established under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, without which many Internet-based businesses would not be viable.”

    YouTube he added is part of the fabric of daily life for millions of lawful Americans. “It offers exposure to new and upcoming artists, and provides content owners with a vast promotional and advertising platform. We urge the content industry to cease its litigation against YouTube and other new technologies, and embrace the innovative products and services that Americans want and enjoy.”

    The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is a trade association promoting growth in the $209 billion US consumer electronics industry.

  • Plans for MipCube unveiled

    Plans for MipCube unveiled

    MUMBAI: Creative platform MipCube will have a line-up of events and conferences which includes speakers from Twitter, Warner Bros. and Machinima, a new Brands and Content Masterclass and the inaugural Women in Tech and Media networking breakfast.

    MipCube 2013 will feature innovators in the digital content space. An integral part of MipTV, the world‘s content market, MipCube takes place in Cannes, France from 8-11 April.

    As part of a series of case studies, Twitter UK head of broadcast partnerships Dan Biddle will explore how the future of the micro-blogging site is linked to TV, thanks to its ability to cultivate audiences. MipCube participants will also get an insight into what tomorrow‘s media business will look like in the hands of the new media moguls.

    Content producers Warner Bros. director/producer Kevin Tancharoen and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution head of digital programming and development Lance Sloane will explain how they produced ‘Mortal Kombat: Legacy‘, a split-screen blockbuster which was the most-viewed web series in 2011.

    Experts in the interactive content space will describe how to attract, build, and scale audiences, with contributions from video entertainment network Machinima president, co-founder Philip Debevoise, and 22-year-old entrepreneur Jamal Edwards who is SB.TV Global founder, CEO.

    Cisneros‘ AdsMovil company COO Jorge Rincón will also be on hand to provide a focus on the mobile Hispanic population. Meanwhile branding agency Huge chief strategy officer Gene Liebel, who developed the strategy and built the HBO Go digital platform, will discuss the importance of intuitive design and user interface in encouraging audiences to consume more content.

    In a session on reinventing distribution in the ‘anywhere‘ age, digital media company Base79 founder Ashley MacKenzie, which is YouTube‘s biggest content partner in Europe, will discuss which distribution models exist for professional content creators, and how best to leverage them.

    Underlining the networking opportunities which MipCube offers, a string of matchmaking sessions will involve broadcasters, including Canal + Head of Digital, Fabienne Fourquet; Canada‘s CBC executive director, studio and unscripted content Julie Bristow; brand representatives such as Paolo Bonsignore from Illy Café; and branded content experts such as Victor Knaap of Media Monk.

    A new feature this year is the Brands and Content Masterclass, sponsored by Ogilvy and Mather and in partnership with Hyper Island. The Masterclass will bring together more than 80 executives working in branded entertainment from brands, agencies, production companies, TV networks, digital platforms and social networks. The objectives of this Masterclass are to learn how to create engaging branded entertainment, meet potential partners in this field, and to share best practices from a selection of some of the most successful branded entertainment campaigns.

    The Masterclass will be introduced by Hyper Island CEO Johanna Frelin, and will feature contributions from ITV MD Commercial, Online and Interactive Fru Hazlitt; McLaren Group Brand Director John Allert, and Framestore executive producer Simon Whalley. Other participating brands include Renault and Swarovski, while the Newcast (Publicis), MEC and Havas agencies will also take part. In the following lunch, the 2013 Brand of the Year award will be delivered (succeeding 2012 Heineken and 2011 Amex).

    Another new feature is the Women In Tech and Media Breakfast, during which the challenges women face as they shoot for greater influence in the industry will be discussed. The talents of tomorrow will be showcased in the Content 360 Pitch Competition for transmedia producers and creative agencies, this year sponsored by Russian independent broadcaster CTC Media and telco MTS; the MipCube Lab, an international competition for startups innovating in the TV field; and the TV Hack Day, featuring 15 selected developers and designers who have 48 hours to come up with what might be the next big app. All of the winners plus Brand of the Year will be showcased in the Innovation show.

    MipCube also provides hands-on opportunities through workshops like the YouTube Creators Masterclass for Content Producers, run by Head of YouTube Next Lab EMEA at Google David Ripert or the Social TV Bootcamp, which will provide a live consulting session on strategies to build social TV projects.

    On 7 April, as a preamble to the main event, MipCube Plus will offer a one-day think-tank dedicated to unlocking fresh business opportunities for new content creation, user engagement and monetisation models.

  • Alloy Digital gets $30 mn investment from ABS Capital Partners

    Alloy Digital gets $30 mn investment from ABS Capital Partners

    MUMBAI: Alloy Digital, a next generation media company for the 12-34 demographic and a top-10 video network, has announced a $30 million Series A investment from ABS Capital Partners, a leading investor in later-stage growth companies. They join existing investors, including Zelnick Media.

    ABS Capital general partner Deric Emry has joined the company‘s board as a result of the transaction.

    Emry said, “Alloy Digital made an extremely attractive investment opportunity. It is at the forefront of the shift in content consumption to digital media. This trend is fundamentally changing the way that entertainment is created, distributed and monetized by delivering interactive entertainment directly to consumers at scale and more economically.

    “Alloy Digital is perfectly positioned as major brands increasingly direct advertising dollars online, following a coveted demographic that has embraced multi-platform, digital media entertainment consumption. While online video viewing is increasing dramatically, there still remains an imbalance between time spent online and dollars spent by blue-chip advertisers, implying a significant opportunity for future growth as multi-platform media formats are expected to grow at a much greater rate than television.”

    The financing follows an acquisition spree by Alloy Digital that, since July 2011, has led its owned-and-operated channels to the top of YouTube in total subscribers with over 12 million.

    Alloy Digital CEO Matt Diamond commented, “This funding will allow us to rapidly accelerate future growth by adding complementary, relevant properties and talent appealing to the tastes and shifting consumption behaviors of P12-34 digital consumers. In just one year, we have built a solid foundation through the acquisition of best-in-class properties that have solidified Alloy Digital as the top digital media and advertising network for this demographic and propelled our owned properties to be among the most watched on YouTube.”

    The company will also look to bolster user experience by expanding resources for product development and technology advancements, while also continuing to provide advertisers innovative digital branding opportunities that keep up with P12-34 consumer expectations.

  • Aviva pads up with Sachin

    MUMBAI: Insurance provider Aviva has extended its campaign with brand ambassador cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to the social media realm.

    Aviva’s brand strategy, based on the father-child relationship, highlights the importance of a father’s role as a protector in his child’s life, whether financial, physical or emotional. With an objective to help young fathers realise the importance of financial planning for their children’s secure future, Aviva India unveiled its social media strategy based on creating and feeding engaging content in the social media channels.

    The core of the contention focuses on protection drawing analogies from cricket; the next levels will cover content on financial literacy, products and parenting for young fathers. This will be supported by a robust digital advertising campaign to promote content to our target audience – young parents in the age-group of 28-44 years.

    Through the new campaign called ‘Padding up with Sachin’ and ‘Sachin Off Guard’, Aviva aims to further strengthen its association with fatherhood and protection. These are a series of webisodes on cricket tutorials and interviews on importance of protection by Tendulkar. For the first time ever, netizens will have access to tutorials on cricketing by the Little Master himself.

    With 73 per cent of audience on social networking sites consuming video/ entertainment on the site, Aviva sees an increase of three fold in its engagement scores in its social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube leading to higher awareness on Aviva’s offerings. Aviva is shortly releasing its ‘Product Center’ and a series of engaging product related videos on Facebook to further enhance the same.

    Aviva India director marketing and bancassurance Rishi Piparaiya said, “Our vision on social media is to build a community of financially aware young parents and to achieve this, we see a significant role for both entertaining content for parents as well as infotainment around financial planning and Aviva’s products as key pillars. In the ‘Padding up with Sachin’ series, each webisode starts with Sachin reminding the viewers about the importance of protection.”

    Aviva’s Brand Ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar said, “Cricket is my passion and I am delighted to partner with Aviva to launch the ‘Padding up with Sachin‘ tutorials. These webisodes which showcase my successful moves on the pitch, will give fathers a chance to view and coach their children. The links to these videos will also be available on my Facebook page as well and I invite all to view and share the same”.

    Adding further, Rishi Piparaiya, Director Marketing and Bancassurance, Aviva India, said, “In an age where the internet is about content consumption and engagement, pure play product messaging only disrupts the consumer’s natural web behaviour. This is where we believe that we have bucked the trend by using content creation, rather than content disruption, as an approach. Testimony to this is the fact that we have crossed 1 lakh likes on our Facebook page in a short span and achieved a high engagement score on Twitter.”

  • YouTube presents new talent search platform

    YouTube presents new talent search platform

    MUMBAI: YouTube and Syco Entertainment announced the launch of a new worldwide entertainment concept named The You Generation. The concept is to provide a new internet talent search platform on YouTube.

    It is the first global audition process, giving people the chance to show off their skills and win prizes – simply by uploading a video. It will go live next month.

    The participants can be from across disciplines as diverse as singers, chefs, make-up artists and presenters. The You Generation runs over 52 weeks, across 26 countries and 15 languages. The platform is presented in partnership with Skype.

  • TechShastra wins Blaupunkt India’s social media duties

    MUMBAI: New-Age software and digital marketing company TechShastra has won the social media mandate for German car infotainment and sound maker and marketer Blaupunkt.

    The agency will manage social media interaction on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs and other collaborative media on the digital platform.

    Balupunkt India director Pankaj Jagwani said, “We are happy to partner with TechShastra as our digital agency. Having recently announced our re-entry in India, we are looking at launching several products in the near future. With TechShastra‘s expertise and knowledge on our side, we are sure we will be able to understand the minds of our customers and communicate with them effectively.”

    TechShastra CEO Nishith Shah said, “Blaupunkt has always been known for their high levels of consumer connect. By using the digital platform we would be able to further enhance that and build brand recall and engagement.”

    Germany based Blaupunkt has a nationwide presence in aftermarket (accessories retail and OE dealership) segments. An infotainment partner to passenger car OEs including VW, Audi, Bentley, GM, Proton, Hyundai, Kia, Tata, Mahindra as well as a number of commercial vehicle providers including Fuso, Isuzu, Fendt, Lada, Claas CAT etc, Blaupunkt provides a range of high-end infotainment, multimedia and navigation solutions.

    Other clients in TechShastra‘s kitty include Unilever, Nestle and HDFC bank. The agency is the force behind campaigns such as the Nestle Morning Band, Surf Excel-Fulfill A Wish and Maggi Guess the Taste.

  • Virgin Media launches YouTube app in TV guide

    Virgin Media launches YouTube app in TV guide

    MUMBAI: Virgin Media has created a channel for YouTube in its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), enabling Virgin Media TiVo customers to access the video community’s online content from listings that have until now been available only to traditional linear broadcast channels.

    YouTube is the first app to be included in a TV guide and is available to all Virgin Media TiVo customers.

    In addition, Virgin Media has integrated YouTube clips and channels more deeply in TiVo’s ‘My Shows’ and ‘Search and Browse’ areas, giving viewers the widest choice in how to access entertainment. The app is free to access and can be launched by scrolling through the channel listings and selecting number 198.

    Virgin Media Associate Director of content acquisition Peter Chapman said, “As the first and fastest growing next generation TV service, Virgin Media TiVo is transforming the way we watch television. The distinction between different types of entertainment – from channel schedules to On Demand TV, from linear broadcasts to online content – is blurring all the time. By giving YouTube a place in our channel listings we’re breaking the mould of the traditional EPG and giving our customers even more choice in how they can watch the great content on our platform.”

    YouTube Global Director Platform Partnerships Francisco Varela, “We’re always looking for new ways to bring the exciting content generated by our creator community to viewers and are delighted that the YouTube app now has a place in Virgin Media’s channel listings.”

    In addition to being available through Virgin Media’s TV guide, the YouTube app can be found within the ‘Apps and Games’, ‘My Shows’ and ‘Search & Browse’ areas on Virgin Media TiVo.

    YouTube search results are even instantly available on every programme information page as bonus features, allowing viewers to easily become immersed in bloopers, fandom content and more, all directly related to the show they’re interested in.

  • Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech on YouTube

    Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech on YouTube

    NEW DELHI: The historic ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has been put on YouTube.

    This has been done by the Tourism Ministry under instructions of Minister K Chiranjeevi, who wants the Ministry to upload all archival audio and video material in its possession.

    The speech has been digitally restored and can be heard at the end of the sound and light show on Red Show. It is followed by a historic recording of the National Anthem.

    These can been viewed on www.youtube.com/india.