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  • OTTv Mumbai 2018, the Monetization Challenge of OTT Platforms

    OTTv Mumbai 2018, the Monetization Challenge of OTT Platforms

    OTTv Mumbai 2018, powered by Limelight Networks, is scheduled for 17th May 2018 at Taj Lands’End, Bandra, Mumbai.

    The 2nd Edition of OTTv Mumbai, organized by Dveo Media, will bring together major players and leading executives in the OTT and Content Business in India to debate and explore the strategies, models and challenges for monetization of digital video platforms

    The Keynote Address will be delivered by Archana Anand, EVP – Head of Digital, ZEE5 India Business (OTT)
    – ZEE Entertainment, with theme: Creating a digital video platform to meet the entertainment needs of audiences in India & beyond.

    The key topics that will be highlighted at the summit in the panel discussions include How the content strategy can drive monetization? – The weightage of news & sports content in platform monetization – What Business models and pricing strategies to open doors for monetization? – Has the entry of players like Netflix and Amazon created new dynamics for OTT revenue growth in India? – How is the Telco’s and OTT partnership increasing monetization prospects? – How are Facebook’s video ambitions likely to impact on digital video business?

    Over 20 C-Level Executives and Business Heads will attend as Executive Panelist and Speaker from ZEE Entertainment, ALTBalaji, Sony Pictures Networks India, Viacom 18 Digital Ventures(Voot), Hungama, Eros Digital (ErosNow), HoiChoi TV, VIU, Robosoft Technologies, Verizon Digital Media services, Google India, NexGtv, Muvi, TAM Media Research, Vidooly, Atechnos, Syntropic Systems, Republic TV, India Goes Global, iCom Global among others.

    Commenting on the event Deepak Ramsurrun, CEO and Director of Events of Dveo Media, said “OTTv Mumbai 2018 will focus on one of the main challenges in digital video business, that is Monetization. The debates will trigger on the content strategies and revenue models to enhance monetization potential, and on how the evolution and trends in the industry will impact on the future monetization prospects. This 2nd edition of OTTv Mumbai will also allow OTT Business executives to have more insight on the monetization solutions and the latest content delivery trends to enhance the customer experience.”

    OTTv Mumbai 2018 expects to welcome an audience of over 150 executives from Broadcasters, OTT TV players, Telco’s in TV Business, Media & Publishers, Content providers and OTT Technology suppliers & solution providers.

    The Media & Entertainment Association of India is the industry partner to OTTv Mumbai 2018. The technology solution partners include Limelight Networks, Digital Convergence Technologies & L&T Technology Services. Indian Television is the Online Media Partner.

  • Zee, Turner to work independently for subscription revenue

    Zee, Turner to work independently for subscription revenue

    MUMBAI: After nearly two decades of successful collaboration, Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) and Turner International (Turner) have mutually decided to work independently in order to drive up subscription revenue. ZEE and Turner joined hands back in 2002 to manage distribution and trade marketing for a bouquet of channels in India.

    A release issued jointly stated: “As both parties continue to explore avenues for growth, we jointly take this opportunity to thank our value chain partners to have supported us through our journey.”

    ZEE has presence in over 173 countries and a reach of more than 1.4 billion people around the globe. The media conglomerate is among the largest global content companies across genres, languages and platforms. With its new brand ideology and purpose, ZEE aspires to provide a unified brand experience to consumers across the world by creating extraordinary entertainment and experiences.

    Turner Asia Pacific is the parent company of Turner International India, which operates 63 channels in 13 languages in 37 countries in the region.

  • TDSAT rules in favor of DEN Networks, directs ZEE entertainment to provide channels on RIO basis

    TDSAT rules in favor of DEN Networks, directs ZEE entertainment to provide channels on RIO basis

    In a major victory for DEN Networks – TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) directed ZEE Entertainment Limited (ZEEL) to provide channels to DEN Networks on RIO basis dismissing ZEEL’s claim that SMS and CAS of DEN were not compliant with the regulations. 

    TDSAT has passed this order in favour of DEN Networks after taking cognizance of Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) audit report which found that DEN’s systems are fully compliant with TRAI regulations. 

    Earlier, DEN had filed a petition in TDSAT to go on RIO with ZEEL till the time both the parties are not able to negotiate for agreed terms of settlement and further agreement on Content Subscription. And TDSAT in its order dated 15th January 2018 had directed  BECIL to hold an audit of the DEN Networks’ to find out whether it is regulation compliant or not.

    Both the parties are in dispute due to outstanding dues and non-renewal of their commercial arrangement which expired on December 31, 2017.  

    In its order, the Tribunal had also directed both the parties to appear before CA Mediator on February 5, 2018 and asked the Mediator to submit / furnish the result of the mediation proceedings within 10 days. 

    Accepting the request of BECIL for additional time, the Tribunal had granted it six weeks’ time to submit the audit report of three JV companies of DEN Networks having independent DAS license alongwith independent head-end separate CAS and SMS servers.  

    The Tribunal also asked DEN Networks to release the pending / outstanding dues of Rs 23.50 Crore which DEN had withheld subject to resolution of the dispute. 

  • MIPCOM 2017 – Content Really is King!

    MIPCOM 2017 – Content Really is King!

    Eye-opening, international, new content for multi-platform that fully embraced digital and VR were my key takeaways from MIPCOM 2017. The world may be going digital but content will always be king!

    MIPCOM is an education and has the power to reinforce your own strategies as a business as well as support and network you to grow the future. As an individual, I was pleased to see how broadcasters and the industry are defining 360 degrees digital strategies as well as traditional TV protocol. With keynotes and sessions on how to stand out in the over the top (OTT) and mobile space as well as defining strategies for new digital commissions e.g., ViaPlay (Nordics), Vivendi’s STUDIO+ (France) and others, it was great to see how they are attracting new audiences.

    New partnerships are flourishing too as Sky Original programming and Amazon launched their co-production of Britannia, a TV series to rival Game of Thrones. Even Sean Mills, senior director of content programming, Snap INC and NBC Universal announced their JV to produce content for a digital audience. Facebook head of global creative strategy Ricky Van Veen director of video product Daniel Danker announced the launch of their video product, Facebook Watch as well as the launch and remake of a Norwegian teen video drama SKAM.

    The Palais, La Croissette and Riveria were basking in the sun as meetings, conversations and networking were taking place over lunch, crepes, bagettes, champagne and canopes. It was mind blowing to see the number of exhibitors and new content within the Palais from Zee Entertainment, BBC Worldwide, Discovery and new platforms and services like One Life Studios and Jukin Studios. I could be in a queue for lunch and meet Russian content distributors one minute and then sit outside in between sessions and openly chat with African distributors after which they invited us to parties on the Croisette. Every hour there, I gained a new learning or a new contact or a new view on the content marketplace.

    Spanish and Russian content were celebrated magnificently this year. TV Azteca CEO Benjamin Salinas Sada launched ‘Dopamine’ at the 25th anniversary celebrations and confirmed their international and new programming formats (https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2017101849301/mipcom-2017-grupo-salinas-aims-for-international-production.html#axzz4x5WNBzyd). In addition, there truly was a Russian content revolution where the spotlight was on the world premiere of Trotsky, an epic biopic of Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky, with his famously complicated romantic life featured as well as his political beliefs. NTV broadcasting and other Russian studios also showcased a wide array of high quality products. (http://pressroom.mipcom.com/press-release-en-2017/russian-content-revolution-set-to-shake-up-mipcom-2017-1004-5793).

    Diversity also was a huge theme this year. Sir Lenny Henry launched Diversify TV and the Diversify TV Excellence Awards evening celebrated those that had achieved brilliance in these groups (https://mipblog.com/2017/10/diversify-tv-excellence-awards-winners-mipcom-report/). The sponsors were A+E Networks, Viacom and Ebony TV and the evening paid tribute to international programming that provides a fair, accurate representation of ethnic groups, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) and disabled communities.

    In all of this, my own question as a British-born, international Indian was…where are you India? The traditional studios and broadcasters from Star India, Zee Entertainment, Eros and more were, of course, well represented and as humble as ever and welcomed meetings and future opportunities for content buyers and sellers. However, Baahubali, Dangal…the world was asking me where were you at MIPCOM! I know you very well and your content is beyond outstanding on many levels. I want to see more of the Indian industry there, coming to showcase, use and learn from MIPCOM and to then come back with more and more blockbusters. Although India has been the country of honour before at MIP, I look forward to hearing what you do next especially in the animation space (http://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/mipcom-2017/mipcom-2017-sees-signing-of-big-deals-in-india-and-asian-market) and I also look forward to producing the future with you (http://www.artsforindia.org/areas/cinema/)
    Baaaaaahhhuuuubbbhhhaaaaallllliiiii   !!!

    public://Sonal_Patel.jpgSonal Patel,  Digital Queen by Day; Charity Committee, Arts for India & Producing the Future.The views expressed are personal and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them. 

     

  • ZEEL CEO Punit Goenka motivates youth, honours his one-millionth Twitter follower and family

    ZEEL CEO Punit Goenka motivates youth, honours his one-millionth Twitter follower and family

    MUMBAI: One of the leading traditional Indian broadcasters ZEEL acknowledges and recognises the importance of new media. It has kept its promise with India’s social media enthusiasts and followers, and honoured them.

    On touching the momentous milestone of ‘One Million Followers’ on Twitter, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) MD and CEO Punit Goenka surprised his one-millionth follower, Manjiri Sonar by inviting her to his office in Mumbai for an exclusive interaction. 

    Sonar, who is a resident of Pune, was driven across to Mumbai, along with her family, in a chauffeur-driven luxury car. Goenka then spent some quality moments with her and family, exchanging thoughts and interests. 

    Expressing her delight, Sonar said, “I feel extremely privileged to be the chosen one to meet and greet with Punit Goenka as his one millionth Twitter follower. It was overwhelming to know that such a successful business leader like Goenka chose to celebrate this milestone with a commoner. I can’t thank him enough to host me and my family in such a grand manner in his office. I was completely awestruck by his simplicity and greatness. His journey to success is an inspiration for me and many others, as I am just stepping into my career.”

    Sharing his experience, Goenka said, “It was a pleasure meeting my one-millionth follower, Manjiri Sonar. This is the least that I can do for my followers. Wish I could do this with all of them. While it’s always a pleasure to interact with them on Twitter, this time, thought I must meet and interact in person. As senior leaders of the industry, we must motivate the youth because that’s the future of our country.”

    Sonar, an aspiring business professional recently graduated with an MBA in HR from Pune University. Even though she joined Twitter in 2015, she recently became active and is more than happy with her 100 followers, and doesn’t call herself a ‘Twitterazzi’. As an aspiring professional, she sees Twitter as a great platform to follow successful personalities and to learn from them. Manjiri and her family are big fans of Dr. Subhash Chandra and they follow his show on TV. 

    During the meeting, Goenka shared his life lessons with Sonar. He also presented her with a personalised signed copy of the much celebrated autobiography – ‘The Z Factor: My Journey as the Wrong Man at the Right Time’ of Dr. Subhash Chandra, Rajya Sabha MP, and ZEE and Essel Group chairman.

  • Zeel closes sports broadcast business sales deal with SPN with slight alterations

    Zeel closes sports broadcast business sales deal with SPN with slight alterations

    BENGALURU: The Subhash Chandra-led Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) had informed the bourses on 28 February 2017 that it has closed the first phase of the transaction for the sale of its Sports broadcasting business with Sony Pictures Network India  and its affiliates (SPN) on receipt of US$ 330 million out of a total consideration of $385 million.

    The company has now informed the stock exchanges that since certain condition precedents relating to the closure of the second phase of the transaction were taking time, both the parties have mutually concluded the closure of the transaction upon Zeel’s receipt of remittance of US$ 36.32 million from SPN. The company has further informed that the adjustment to the consideration amount inter alia was mainly consequent to retention of a leasehold immovable property at Dubai and certain working capital adjustments of the sports business as per terms of the business. The leasehold immovable property had earlier formed a part of the transaction.

    In August-end 2016, Zeel had informed the stock exchanges about the approval of its board of directors for the proposed sale and transfer of Zeel’s broadcasting business to SPN in an all cash deal. Zee’s Ten Sports Network channels that consisted a number of Sports channels that operated in several countries including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Middle East.

    Also Read:

    Sony Pictures-Ten Sports deal cleared by CCI

  • Shemaroo cautiously optimistic on Indian Rlys’ entertainment service bid

    Shemaroo cautiously optimistic on Indian Rlys’ entertainment service bid

    MUMBAI: Well, it may be one of the 24 media and tech companies that have evinced initial interest in providing wi-fi delivered entertainment on demand content to passengers of Indian Railways, but Shemaroo Entertainment is still evaluating the business proposal. Reason: it involves investment of billions of rupees in setting up the whole system, especially on moving trains that may pass through broadband dark areas, which is a technologically challenging work.

    Shemaroo whole time director & CFO Hiren Gada told indiantelevision.com, “It is a technically complicated work. It involves latest technology access, hardware components and a big capex investment. The technology involves giving access to content via a wi-fi platform that will work within a rail coach when the train is moving.”

    According to Gada, an in-house team is preparing a business plan to get a “better sense” of the potential costs and return on investments though, admittedly, the Indian Railways do offer captive eyeballs. “Once we have worked out the costs and equipments needed to put the mechanism in place, we’d make a final decision. If revenues don’t match up to our costs, then it may not be viable for us to bid,” he added.

    The Indian Railways’ local wi-fi network will be available to everyone on board via a distribution box and passengers will be able to log in through their phones or other smart devises to access the entertainment content, according to some media reports.

    Shemaroo, along with 23 other media companies like Viacom18, Zee and Hungama, has shown initial interest in the Indian Railways’ proposal to offer entertainment content on 3,000 trains. The bid will be valid for five years and extendable by another five years.

    The proposal that seeks to raise approximately Rs. 5 billion in non-fare revenues is similar to entertainment services offered on all international and some domestic flights by airlines.

    According to reports where government officials have been quoted, a distribution box will be installed in the coaches, which will be updated regularly for a seamless experience for passengers. However, it is not clear yet how the Indian Railways proposes to monetize such a service from the passengers.

    “Based on the actual revenues that get generated, there could be some additional amount that Railways may share (with the service provider) if the revenue reaches a certain level,” Gada explained the revenue share model proposed by the Indian Railways.

    The tender documents are slated to be opened in the afternoon of 24 August 2017 after bidders have made their final submissions. Only one service provider (successful bidder) will be permitted per designated sectors. The project is being tendered on a revenue sharing model.

    The project shall be executed on a build operate and transfer model. Some of the pre-qualification demands made by the India Railways include the prospective bidders/consortium members having relevant experience in

    India or abroad in providing i) content either as content IP owner/linear broadcaster/aggregator/ OTT player (ii) in providing technology solution in entertainment domain for transport/Railways sector and (iii) experience in monetisation of content through either advertisements or subscriptions.

    Can this project help in making more enjoyable a journey on Indian Railways, apart from the scenic beauty of the country’s hinterland that is visible on long-haul trains? Only once the service starts, the question, probably, would get answered.

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  • Zee Entertainment one of ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For – ’17’

    MUMBAI: Global content company, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has announced that it has been named as one of the top 100 ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For 2017’ as well as the Best Company to work for in the Media Industry, in a study conducted by Great Place to Work® Institute and The Economic Times.

    Speaking on this achievement, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) chief people opfficer Praveer Priyadarshi said, “This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment towards fostering a high performance creative culture across the organization. To achieve our ambitious goals, we will continue to focus on our employees, whom we consider as our most important assets, with the belief that growth will only occur when employees are encouraged to experiment with new ideas, take challenges and perform with pride.”

    The award was accepted by the HR Team led by Priyadarshi, on behalf of Zee, from Bennett Coleman COO Shreejit Mishra.

    At Zee, a conscious effort is put in to attract, nurture and develop world-class talent who will fuel the next level of growth. The people philosophy centres around SAMWAD, which focuses on regular conversations between employees and their managers, and helps build better working relationships within teams. Other notable initiatives are ZEELOMPICS, an employee-recognition programme, where high performers in each role are recognised for their exemplary performance as ‘Heroes’, and ACE, the high-potential development programme to identify top-notch talent from performers in the organisation.

    Furthermore, to build a democratic culture and an environment of trust, the performance of all businesses is shared with employees on a quarterly basis through a webcast led by the MD & CEO, followed by a Q&A session with employees in India. Employees are also groomed to adapt to a dynamic environment through multiple training programmes conducted regularly. These programmes, aimed at employees at all levels, include technical workshops as well as behavioural workshops focused on decision making and execution excellence, and leadership programmers for executives from top Indian business schools.

  • ZEEL consolidates digital biz, buys remainder in India Webportal for Rs 1.97 bn

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) will be acquiring the remainder 49 per cent equity stake in India Webportal Pvt Ltd Rs 1.97 billion to consolidate the digital business. India Webportal distributes media content on digital platforms through websites such as Bollywoodlife.com, India.com, and Cricketcountry.com.

    The company will also be acquiring 12.5 per cent stake in Tagos Design Innovations for Rs 160 million, PTI reported.

    ZEEL said in a BSE filing: “In line with the strategy to consolidate digital businesses, the Board of Directors of the company…approved acquisition of balance 49 per cent equity stake in India Webportal, a 51 per cent subsidiary of the company.”

    Zee agreed to buy the 49% holding from existing investors Ashok Kurien (5%) and MMC Investments (44%).