29 Dec, 2015 – Online marketplace Flipkart has partnered with Viacom18 for licensing of its three brands in an initiative that it claims will ease the process for international brands to enter India. The initiative, Flipkart claims, will not only help global brands to enter India but also solve their biggest problem, that is fake products that have swarmed the Indian market.
“It gives us great pride to introduce a concept like this for the first time in India where a global player can connect with Flipkart and have their product licensed across any number of sellers they want,” said Manish Maheshwari, vice-president and head, Seller Ecosystem, Flipkart.
“International brands that issue licenses through the offline model face several challenges when it comes to sales reporting and product quality control which in turn heavily impacts their royalty. Through this online licensing concept, we want to simplify this process by connecting International brands with the top performing sellers on our platform, giving the brands the power to keep a track on the product sales as well as the quality,” Maheshwari said.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, DECEMBER 29, 2015: MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT), has chosen Cisco® AnyRes Live ultra-high-definition (UHD) encoders to launch its ultra-high-definition (4K) viewing experience. This marks the first deployment by satellite of a 24-hour English-language ultra-HD channel.
4K provides a significant jump in clarity and detail, with its 8.3 million pixels able to deliver vivid colors and picture details of the highest quality and display a virtually flawless picture even when viewed up close. The 4K service will be especially welcome as viewers are becoming increasingly used to high-resolution images, as well as the pixels generated by today’s Retina-style HD screens on mobile devices.
As ultra-high-definition viewing increases, Cisco is redefining the video viewing experience, offering best-in-class quality for real-time media delivery applications such as live sports and 24-hour programming delivered in 4K.
Cisco’s reliable and comprehensive platform can be scaled up to stream multiple formats to any device, including iPhones, iPads, feature phones and smartphones, as well as delivering pristine ultra-HD video to any size television screen.
Technical highlights: Cisco AnyRes Live ultra-high-definition (UHD) encoders deliver:
• Highest-quality encoding using an HEVC/H.265 codec developed by Cisco
• Wide range of frame rates from 24 fps all the way up to 60 fps
• Virtually flawless pictures achieved with 10-bit color depth
• Reliable transmission with an UHD input front end offering robust synchronization to the live signal feeds
• Standard-definition, high-definition, full HD or multiformat average bit rate (ABR) encoding using H.264 as well as H.265
• Various baseband graphics-processing features, including logo insertion
Powered by the Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®), Cisco AnyRes Live ultra-high-definition (UHD) encoders enhance reliability, promise a faster time to market, and provide the strongest technical foundation for the 4K infrastructure.
Supporting Quotes
Ajmair Heer, Managing Director, Sales, Asia Pacific, Cisco:
“MEASAT, as one of the leading regional satellite operators in Asia Pacific, will be offering one of the most advanced viewing experiences available in the world with 4K-enabled services, and Cisco is proud to be at the forefront of the 4K revolution.”
Mr. John Loke, Vice President – Network Engineering & Operations, MEASAT, said, “Cisco’s UHD encoders are at the forefront of UHD technology. MEASAT is delighted to partner with Cisco in bringing a new, enhanced viewing experience to audiences across Asia. We look forward to delivering even more exciting UHD content in the months to come from our 91.5°E video hot-slot.”
Tags/Keywords: Cisco, MEASAT, 4K, Ultra High Definition, UHD, encoders, advanced TV viewing, 4K
About MEASAT
MEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communication services to leading international broadcasters, Direct-To-Home (DTH) platforms and telecom operators. With capacity across six (6) communication satellites, the company provides satellite services to over 150 countries representing 80% of the world’s population across Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia.
The MEASAT fleet includes the state-of-the-art MEASAT-3, MEASAT-3a and MEASAT-3b satellites co-located at 91.5°E, supporting Asia’s premium DTH and video distribution neighborhood; MEASAT-2 at 148.0°E; and, MEASAT-5 at 119.5°E. In Africa, the AFRICASAT-1a satellite at 46.0°E provides satellite capacity across the African continent with connectivity to Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia. The MEASAT fleet will be further strengthened with the addition of MEASAT-2a at 148.0°E end 2017 / early 2018.
Leveraging facilities at the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre, and working with a select group of world-class partners, MEASAT also provides a complete range of broadcast and telecommunications solutions. Services include ultra-high definition, high definition and standard definition video playout, video turnaround, co-location, up-linking, broadband and IP termination services. For more information, please visit www.measat.com.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com.
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Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the US and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.
23 Dec, 2015 – 2015 was a year of revamp for Star India’s English channel portfolio. While Star pulled the plug on Fox Crime, it also launched Star Movies Select HD to break away from the incessant clutter of action on English movie channels. There was also an HD version of FX. With Star Movies and Star World lying comfortable, Star’s aim over the past three years has been to give its second-tier of English entertainment channels a push and taking advantage of cable TV digitisation. Accordingly, in 2013, Star Movies Action and Star World Premiere were launched. The focus in 2015 was also to cater to more sophisticated English movie audiences.
Singapore, 21 December 2015 – HISTORY’s hit drama series “Vikings” returns for a gripping fourth season led by Travis Fimmel, star of the upcoming film Warcraft, on Friday, 19 February at 10pm on StarHub TV Ch 401. The network has added four episodes to its initial 16 episode order. Beginning 19 February, a new episode will air every Friday for ten weeks with the remaining episodes to air later in the year.
Season three culminated with the extraordinary battle in Paris, where Ragnar (Fimmel) seized victory from the jaws of defeat – but still returns to Kattegat dangerously ill. Thoughts of his death galvanize the forces who seek to succeed him as king, including his wife Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) and his oldest son, Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). Meanwhile, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) continues power struggles with her calculating, former second in command, Kalf (Ben Robson); Rollo (Clive Standen) betrays his Vikings heritage by remaining in Frankia and Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) is seized for his brutal actions to the Christian priest Athelstan.
Joining the stellar cast this season is Peter Franzén (The Gunman) as “King Harold Finehair,” a complex character who seeks to be King of Norway and a potential threat to Ragnar; Jasper Pääkkönen (Jet Trash) as “Halfdan The Black,” King Harold’s violent younger brother; and Dianne Doan (“Descendants”) as “Yidu,” a completely different character within the world of the Vikings who fascinates Ragnar.
“Vikings” is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Academy Award® winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series “The Tudors”) and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages.
Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; “The Tudors”), Sheila Hockin (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”). Jana Bennett and Arturo Interian are the executives in charge of production for HISTORY.
VIKINGS is an international Irish/Canadian co-production by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY broadcasts domestically in the U.S. MGM Television brought the series to the network and brings VIKINGS to the global audience, serving as the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. VIKINGS is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series also airs on HISTORY in Canada.
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About HISTORY™ and HISTORY HD™
HISTORY™ and HISTORY HD™ are the leading destinations for entertaining hit series and revealing, award-winning event specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and fascinating manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of genres ranging from real-life characters who bring history to life every day, to natural history, contemporary history, technology and science, as well as archaeology and pop culture. Hit series include Kings of Restoration, Pawn Stars, The Vikings, Ancient Aliens, Duck Dynasty, Counting Cars, Hidden Cities Extreme and Ride N’ Seek. For more information, please visit:
About A+E Networks®
A+E Networks® is one of the world’s leading media companies and America’s second largest cable television network. A+E Networks’ channels are watched all over the world, reaching more than 330 million subscribers in over 200 territories. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation. Its networks and divisions include A&E®, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, LMN®, bio.®, H2™, HISTORY en Español™, LRW®, Crime + Investigation™, Military HISTORY®, A&E IndieFilms®, A+E Networks International®, A+E Networks Digital®, and A+E Networks Consumer Products®.
21 Dec, 2015 – Lifestyle media specialist Scripps Networks Interactive has launched its HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel brands on Apple TV, meaning they are now available on all major streaming platforms.
This new distribution will provide Apple TV viewers with fast and direct access to the vast library of premier home, food and travel content offered by Scripps Networks Interactive.
Viewers who sign in and authenticate with their pay-TV provider credentials will be able to access their favourite lifestyle brands on demand. As an added benefit, by selecting Live TV, viewers can watch what is currently airing on the networks.
Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending Dec 18th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!
As John has mentioned above, I spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon last weekend with a couple dozen industry folks — including people from Time Warner, Turner, Fox, and TVB — sequestered in a small windowless room for about an hour. What was meant to be a press conference in support of the Copyright Bill was hijacked by this lot, who were as unsmiling as they appear in the photo. After scuffling with security guards and trying to knock down the door, police were called, and the event was cancelled. Outside, unable to even get into the room because of the protestors, were more industry supporters, including representatives from Turner, 21st Century Fox, and ITV, among others. Ah, the diversions of Hong Kong during the political season!
Social media wags questioned Google’s Loon project saying the loonies are all over (the obvious ones are left out here as they are elected representatives), but chai pe charcha (discussion over tea) with PM Modi in Silicon Valley earlier, notwithstanding, this project was questioned on security grounds (what else?) despite the end mean of getting more Indian linked to the Net. But the company CEO India-born Sundar Pichai, on a visit to India, seems to have charmed the hard-boiled Indian politicians on Loon for the time being, pitching with his vision for Digital India and later telling college students that Google’s new Android app may carry an Indian name based on his mom’s advise. That’s what we call an Indian charm offensive as moms seldom are wrong.
A few weeks ago Disney launched DisneyLife in the UK. And now they have teamed up with Alibaba to launch a DisneyLife service in China. "The service connects customers, physical products and digital entertainment in a ‘holistic home-based kids and family digital destination.’” "Like other foreign groups, Disney is unable to operate its own TV channels in China." It will be very interesting to see if there are more such launches in Asia from other content companies and specifically how all these types of products fare in the market.
Netflix has formed a partnership with Bell, one of Canada’s largest telecommunications and media companies. Bell’s Fibe TV subscribers will now be able to access an existing Netflix account through their set-top box, without buying new equipment or switching TV inputs. This is the third TV partnership Netflix has established in Canada, after Cogeco Cable and TELUS. These companies pay taxes, so does this mean that finally Netflix consumers are paying their fair share of taxes?
Tis the season for crystal-ball gazing – a recent study has predicted that broadcasters will be using IP for live production in the next 10 years. According to the research, more than 40% per cent of respondents said they had already begun the transition to using IP in live production. This includes production of large set-piece events, such as the Olympic Games or World Cup, and weekly football matches. Only 7 per cent of respondents said they had no plans to transition to IP in live production. While IP and Ethernet production isn’t new, live events have been one of the last bastions of hardware –based systems and the move to IP will also help drive the inexorable push toward the adaptation of 4K signals and the march of OTT.
Anjan Mitra
Executive Director, India
It’s very subtle and under-the-radar as some may say, but the Indian media needs to be careful and alert. A self-regulatory body, set up by the industry itself, is red flagging issues. So, where does that leave the news media; especially when it’s targeted for being sensational?
John Medeiros
Chief Policy Officer
The Digital Citizens Alliance, in the USA, has focused a lot of attention on the ills associated with content piracy. This week, they released a new report, “Digital Bait“ which noted that injections of malware are so common on torrent piracy websites that 12 million users each month, in the US alone, get infected. They studied 800 popular torrent sites, and found that fully a third have malware ambushes pre-loaded – and that doesn’t count the stuff a user gets by actually clicking on ads or from the torrent files themselves.
Mark Lay
Vice President, Singapore
For those of you who like looking forward, and have a hankering for VR/AR, I have something special for you. You have just got to see this presentation by virtual reality legend Jesse Schell at the VRX conference in San Francisco. Watch with the accompanying slide show. VR and AR predictions galore going to 2025. A taste: By 2018 Comcast will have a VR channel. By 2020, there will be at least ten virtual reality reality shows. By 2025, AR experiences synced with TV will be a thing. Plus, Jesse is total kick. Hmmmm…how to place him at a CASBAA conference.
21 Dec, 2015 – Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully landed a Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage on Monday following a satellite launch, marking a major success for the upstart space cargo company.
After separating in suborbit from the rest of the rocket, the first stage descended to an upright landing on a cement pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Employees in the control center immediately chanted, “U.S.A., U.S.A.”…
SINGAPORE, December 18, 2015 – Beginning this month, subscribers of all HBO channels in Singapore can watch movies from NBCUniversal and its subsidiaries following a deal with NBCUniversal International Distribution. As a result of this agreement, films such as Blackhat, Boyhood, Dracula Untold and Lucy will be available on HBO On Demand, in addition to top-grossing blockbusters such as Furious 7 and critically acclaimed films such as The Theory of Everything and Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, which will come to HBO On Demand in early 2016. Box office hits, Jurassic World and Minions will also launch on HBO On Demand later in 2016.
HBO On Demand’s ever-increasing catalogue currently offers close to 1000 hours of the biggest and latest Hollywood movies from major and independent studios such as Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate, and full access to complete seasons of current and well-loved HBO, Cinemax, HBO Asia Original series, films and documentaries, including Game of Thrones, True Detective, Veep, Band of Brothers and The Knick. HBO Asia’s new fantasy series, Halfworlds, is also available on HBO On Demand.
HBO On Demand is HBO Asia’s subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, available in Singapore through StarHub TV Ch 602 and anywhere, anytime, on multiple devices via StarHub’s online streaming service, StarHub Go. HBO On Demand is only available, at no extra cost, to subscribers of all HBO channels (HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Hits and HBO Family).
High res images can be downloaded here using the credentials below:
Username: external | Password: external123
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About HBO ASIA
Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes that are produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia and offers a bouquet of channels and services including 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels in standard-definition and high-definition – HBO, HBO SIGNATURE, HBO FAMILY, HBO HITS, CINEMAX and RED – as well as HBO GO and HBO ON DEMAND. HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and DreamWorks Channel in Asia. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.
HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, HBO HD, HBO Hits HD, HBO On Demand, HBO GO and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission.
ABOUT NBCUNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION
NBCUniversal International Distribution, a division of NBCUniversal, is responsible for the distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television and new media outside of the U.S. and Canada. This includes a rich library of more than 4,000 feature films and 100,000 television episodes, including current and classic titles, non-scripted programming, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming, and locally produced content from around the world.
The following statement was made today by CASBAA Chief Policy Officer John Medeiros, at a press event on the Copyright Amendment Bill sponsored by the Hong Kong Copyright Alliance.
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I am happy to join our colleagues from other copyright-related industries in expressing the strongest possible support for immediate passage of the Copyright Amendment Bill, without the three Committee Stage Amendments.
Passage of the bill is important to establish the legal basis for copyright in the digital age. We live in a time when technological development has far outraced the ability of existing laws to create clean practices in the digital world – and clean practices are needed online as much as in the real world.
For my industry – the television industry – we are facing an onslaught of digital piracy, fueled by multinational criminal syndicates operating streaming media “black box” networks and websites which intercept our signals, steal our programming, hijack our domains, defraud our advertisers and deceive our customers.
Currently Hong Kong law is powerless to deal with most of these activities; Hong Kong’s law enforcers agree that we desperately need a new legal framework, as well as new international enforcement practices to deal with the transnational aspects of these crimes.
With respect to the Committee Stage Amendments that are now before the legislature, I will just summarize the TV industry’s feeling: the amendments are unacceptable. They would create huge loopholes in copyright protection – so huge that the bill will have no value for us if the amendments are included. They would create massive uncertainty about questions like “what does ‘fair’ mean” that would take decades for the courts to sort out. There are very good reasons why the legal profession is aghast at the idea the legislature could make this kind of capricious change in the law.
We recognize that copyright law is always a balance between the interests of users and copyright owners; today we look around us, see blatant piracy everywhere online, with no legal recourse, and think Hong Kong has lost its balance. But after this law has been passed and the new legal framework is in place, we will be happy to take up the government’s challenge, engage with other interest groups, and discuss how a more proper balance can be achieved.
For now, Hong Kong has been bogged down for a decade in trying to update its law; its failures are beginning to be noticed globally. This controversy over copyright amendments is being reported in media journals from Europe to California to Bombay to Singapore. I noticed a press statement earlier this week by the American Chamber of Commerce, and I want to echo one thing they said: If Hong Kong’s legal regime cannot be updated, its attractiveness for international companies – and especially international media companies, will disappear. We can’t stay “Asia’s World City” if we don’t have a world-class business environment, including good copyright law.
PHOTOS
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(16 December 2015, Singapore) – A+E Networks® and HJ Holdings, LLC. (Hulu in Japan) announced today a programming partnership bringing an extensive catalogue of A+E Networks’ award winning programming to the Japanese subscription video-on-demand service.
Launching with global hits featured on The History Channel Japan such as “Pawn Stars” and “Counting Cars”, the programming will be made available to subscribers in an exclusive section of Hulu in Japan featuring A+E’s globally recognized brands such as History, Lifetime, Crime and Investigation and FYI. All of the content will be available in Japanese.
In the coming months the partnership will expand to include select programming from the full portfolio of A+E Networks’ global brands, marking the first time the Japanese audience will be able to experience content from Lifetime, Crime and Investigation Network and FYI.
“We are thrilled to bring our rich programing library to Hulu subscribers in Japan,” said Alan Hodges, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, A+E Networks. “Hulu is one of the pioneer OTT organizations in Japan and is the perfect platform for introducing A+E’s rich catalogue to a Japanese audience that is hungry for high-end video on demand content.”
“We are excited to be a home for A+E’s great content line-up in Japan as we believe this deal is fruitful for both A+E and Hulu in Japan. We will be able to help A+E to further establish and promote their brand though our distinctive promotional activities both on and off Hulu, while we can add great diversity to our content line-up.” said Kazufumi Nagasawa, Chief Content Officer, HJ Holdings.
Hulu launched its Japan service in September 2011, while Japan business was fully acquired by Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) in April 2014. Hulu in Japan currently offers subscriptions for unlimited viewing of premium content on internet-connected devices such as TVs, PCs, tablets, smartphones, STBs and gaming consoles.
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About A+E Networks®
A+E Networks®, LLC. is an award-winning, global media content company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from television networks to websites, gaming, watch apps and educational software. A+E Networks is comprised of A&E®, Lifetime®, History®, LMN®, FYI™, VICELAND, H2™, A+E Studios™, History en Espaňol™, Crime & Investigation Network™, Military History™, Lifetime Real Women®, A&E IndieFilms®, A+E Networks International®, A+E Networks Digital® and A+E Networks Consumer Products™. A+E Networks channels and branded programming reach more than 350 million households in over 200 territories. A+E Networks, LLC. is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation. A+E Networks and Super Network, Inc (SN) Japan operate The History Channel Japan, a leading factual entertainment channel, as a joint venture.
About Hulu in Japan
Hulu is an online SVOD service, operated by HJ Holdings, LLC., providing audiences in Japan with unlimited access to broad selections of premium content when, where and how they want it. Hulu’s extensive content catalogue varies from global-hit feature films to popular international and Japanese TV shows such as TV drama, animation, documentaries and reality shows, which can be viewed on a wide range of internet-connected devices including TVs, PCs, tablets, smartphones, STBs and gaming consoles. HJ Holdings is a full subsidiary of Nippon TV, Japan’s first and leading commercial broadcaster.
