Ericsson has announced that Swisscom has deployed its Video Storage and Processing Platform to power all of the time-shifted and cloud DVR features of its TV 2.0 offering. Live since April 2014, the highly successful service now has 564’000 subscribers, transforming subscriber retention and satisfaction.
Read more at Advanced Television
In a $725 million (€649m) deal, 21st Century Fox has taken a majority control of the National Geographic brand through a new joint venture that will combine National Geographic Channels with its other digital, media and publishing, travel and licensing assets.
Read more at Advanced Television
Disney has announced multiple partner and device additions to its cloud-based digital movie service, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA), continuing to expand upon its promise to provide more ways to buy and watch your Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies at home or on the go.
Read more at Disney
Ericsson and Intelsat have joined forces to showcase at IBC an HD contribution feed in HDR (High Dynamic Range) the Intelsat 905 satellite located at 24.5○W, using the DVB-SX2 standard and an open, non-proprietary workflow. The companies say this proof-of-concept will enable media companies to delight consumers with improved picture quality and new experiences with HD HDR, while gaining even greater efficiencies in transponder utilisation.
Read more at Advanced Television
SINGAPORE AND TOKYO (September 10, 2015) Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) today announced that their joint-venture Asian general entertainment channel GEM will roll out across Asia on October 1, 2015. Launch platforms include nowTV in Hong Kong; TrueVisions in Thailand; MyRepublic, Matrix TV, Nexmedia, Skynindo, and Transvision in Indonesia; and Phnom Penh Municipal Cable TV (PPCTV) in Cambodia.
GEM features first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan as well as other Asian territories including South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Hui Keng Ang, senior vice president and general manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said: “As its name suggests, GEM is poised to be a glittering jewel within the genre, meeting the growing viewer demand for premium Asian content. Our partnership with leading content producer Nippon TV will ensure a steady pipeline of compelling primetime content featuring the hottest Japanese stars.”
Yukiko Kimishima, divisional president of International Business Development at Nippon Television Network Corporation, said: “Nippon TV already has a proven track record in our country as the first and most watched commercial broadcaster, so we are extremely delighted at the opportunity to launch GEM in partnership with SPT Networks to deliver Nippon TV’s captivating fresh lineup of dramas and variety entertainment shows along with the finest programs from the rest of Asia.”
Spanning action, period, comedy, family and romance genres, GEM is anchored by a wide range of Asian drama with captivating stories and multi-dimensional characters to keep audiences returning for more. Headlining the October launch of GEM is the hit psychological thriller Death Note. The series features Japanese stars Masataka Kubota, Kento Yamazaki and Mio Yuki, and follows the adventures of college student Light Yagami who finds a notebook known as the Death Note, which contains the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it.
Other popular titles include Angel Heart, starring award-winning actor Takaya Kamikawa, which will be available on GEM within a week of the Japan telecast. The primetime lineup also includes top-rated office drama series Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out S2, and Chinese romance series Lady & Liar, starring Hong Kong heart throb Harwick Lau and Chinese idol Tiffany Tang.
The channel will also boast variety programs that spotlight the latest entertainment buzz around popular celebrities in the region.
GEM adds to SPT Networks’ considerable presence in the region, where it is the leader in Asian general entertainment. The portfolio includes ONE, the No. 1 South Korean entertainment destination across Southeast Asia, which has delivered more than 50 percent growth over the past four years in key markets like Singapore and Malaysia; as well as Japanese anime channel Animax, which is especially popular among youth and young adults. Both channels are available as over-the-top platforms and actively engage fans throughout the region with large-scale events featuring high profile talent from key shows. GEM Vietnam, which is also part of the Asian channels portfolio, will continue to be wholly-owned and operated by SPT Networks.
SPT Networks is also a leading pay TV broadcaster in the English general entertainment space with top-rated AXN and Sony Channel; and operates joint-venture channels Baby TV and Vision 2 in Indonesia with Dori Media Group.
See www.GEMtvasia.com for more information.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing and distributing programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. In addition to its US production business, SPT has 19 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 13 countries and also maintains offices in 31 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 150 channel feeds available in 178 countries, reaching more than 1.3 billion cumulative households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages the studio’s premium streaming network, Crackle. Additionally, SPT own US production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of the cable channel Game Show Network (GSN). SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as the Rural Media Group and DoctorOZ.com.
About Nippon Television Network Corporation
Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) is Japan’s number one rated broadcaster, having won the Triple Crown title for the entire year of 2014 by topping the charts in the All Day, Prime Time, and Golden Time categories. Since becoming Japan’s first commercial broadcaster in August 1953, Nippon TV has come to be known as the country’s finest producer and broadcaster of all genres of programs ranging from news, documentaries, sports, dramas, entertainment shows to animation. One of the biggest successes for Nippon TV is its format Dragons’ Den. To date, the format has been sold in over 25 countries and regions. Nippon TV also has a wide variety of group companies that deal with movies, animation, events, TV shopping, and merchandising.
http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/
For More Information Contact:
Jennifer Doig
Sony Pictures Television Networks – Asia
+65 6622 4278
jennifer_doig@spe.sony.com
Yuki Akehi
Nippon Television Network Corporation
+81 3 6215 3036
yuki-tak@ntv.co.jp
Turner Broadcasting has greenlit a new co-production with Synergy Media and Studio Goindol, marking the network’s biggest ever animation project in Korea.
The series – entitled Beat Monsters – is a comedy starring alien monsters from outer space on the lookout for the ultimate beat. There will be 52×2’ shorts and additional micro-shorts. Each episode will fuse live-action footage and CGI animation techniques to create a rich and colourful environment.
“These fun and fresh shorts are exactly what we’re looking for as part of our International Shorts Program,” said Mark Eyers, Chief Content Officer for Turner’s Kids Networks in Asia Pacific. “Turner has made a firm commitment to generating and supporting the production of original comedy animation right around the world – and we’re really pleased to find a likeminded and globally-focused partner in Korea. When it launches, Beat Monsters will deliver world-class laughs around the world from London to Lagos, and Madrid to Manila.”
Read more at Content-Technology
MUNICH / LUXEMBOURG, 9 September 2015 – SES Platform Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has announced its new product, LUCID online video platform (OVP). The solution comprises all the building blocks a customer will need to launch its own online video offering, from setting up an Internet-TV channel to on-demand services: Video Processing (including Content Ingest, Management, and Encoding, Transcoding, DRM Integration and Playout); Monetisation Services, with support of flexible business models (such as SVoD, TVoD); and Applications with an intuitive and easy-to-use User Interface (for iOS, Android) and an HTML5 realisation for an IP Box.
LUCID OVP is an integral part of SES Platform Services’ new “Media Toolbox” concept. The Media Toolbox is a modular all-in-one solution for the optimal distribution of audio-visual content. From linear distribution to all forms of on-demand services, it covers all technological aspects in a highly flexible and scalable way, reducing technical complexity for customers in order that they can concentrate on their core business.
Combining Linear TV Streaming, Catch-up TV and video-on-demand (VoD) into one powerful online video platform, LUCID OVP is a complete, ready-to-launch, end-to-end solution for Platform Operators, Broadcasters and OTT-Players looking to optimise their operations and boost subscriber growth. It allows platform operators to create an online video and multi-screen user experience to complement their video strategy. Also, broadcasters and content providers can easily and quickly set up an online video service as a supplement to Direct-to-Home (DTH) services to address new customer groups.
“For many broadcasters, broadcasting linear TV programmes is just not enough anymore. People watch more and more online and mobile content. With ready-to-start workflows and ‘out-of-the-box’ features, LUCID OVP ensures fast time-to-market and enables our customers to reach viewers and customers anywhere and on any device. We have been a leading provider of backend services, and now we can also deliver our customers everything for the front-end to create a great user experience,” said Daniel Kiessling, Senior Manager Solution Management SES Platform Services.
LUCID OVP will be presented at the SES stand at Hall 1, stand 1.B51 during IBC 2015, Amsterdam.
For further information please contact:
Markus Payer
Corporate Communications
Tel : +352 710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com
Follow us on:
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SES Pictures are available under https://extranet.ses.com/18706236/pictures
SES White papers are available under http://www.ses.com/18681915/white-papers
About SES
SES is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.
SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.
SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.
HONG KONG (SEPTEMBER 9, 2015) – Turner Broadcasting has greenlit a new co-production with Synergy Media and Studio Goindol, marking the network’s biggest ever animation project in Korea.
The series – entitled Beat Monsters – is a comedy starring alien monsters from outer space on the lookout for the ultimate beat. There will be 52×2’ shorts and additional micro-shorts. Each episode will fuse live-action footage and CGI animation techniques to create a rich and colourful environment.
“These fun and fresh shorts are exactly what we’re looking for as part of our International Shorts Program,” said Mark Eyers, Chief Content Officer for Turner’s Kids Networks in Asia Pacific. “Turner has made a firm commitment to generating and supporting the production of original comedy animation right around the world – and we’re really pleased to find a likeminded and globally-focused partner in Korea. When it launches, Beat Monsters will deliver world-class laughs around the world from London to Lagos, and Madrid to Manila.”
Beat Monsters is expected to air in late 2016 on Turner’s portfolio of kids’ channels in Asia Pacific including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Toonami, as well as on Cartoon Network in EMEA. The project is under development with the assistance from Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and, in 2014, the pilot short was named ‘Best-in-Show’ at the Asian Animation Summit.
Eugene Kang, President of Synergy Media, said: “To partner with Turner and have exposure for our IP across millions of households is a real boon for us. I am really happy to see humorous Asian ideas go global, and hope that this is just the first of many projects and co-productions that Turner and Synergy will be able to work on together.”
“Beat Monsters is so hilarious and we can’t wait to start production,” added Jeong-soo Hur, President of Studio Goindol and Director of Beat Monsters. “We have high hopes for this bunch of crazy and adorable alien characters, and we will soon get to meet these guys in real life. It is inspiring for us that Beat Monsters fits perfectly with Turner, and I hope that our little guys make a huge impact as a result of this cooperation.”
Turner Asia Pacific is currently working with studios and animators to produce original shorts and micro-shorts in Singapore, Taiwan, India, Australia, the US and Japan. There is an increase in demand for short-form content, not only on Turner’s linear channels, but also for its multi-platform services and apps such as Cartoon Network Anything and Cartoon Network Watch and Play.
-Ends-
For more information, please contact:
James Moore
Director of Communications,
Turner International Asia Pacific
James.Moore@turner.com
+852 3128-3720
Jarin Sohn
Manager, Synergy Media
jarin@synergymedia.co.kr
+82-2-540-4124
About Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. creates and distributes award-winning brands throughout Asia Pacific. In the region, Turner runs 55 channels in 13 languages in 38 countries, including CNN International, CNNj, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, POGO, Toonami, World Heritage Channel, Warner TV, Oh!K, TCM Turner Classic Movies, truTV, WB, MondoTV, TABI Channel and HBO in South Asia. Turner also manages distribution for HBO Defined and HBO Hits in India. Turner is a Time Warner company.
About Synergy Media
Since 2002, Synergy Media has been one of the pioneers globalizing Korean animations. We take core ideas into creative contents, and pursue expansion into various channels where ‘synergy’ is created. Supported by animation development, production, distribution, licensing, merchandising and interactive content team, we bring contents of quality, leads trends, pioneers emerging markets and seeks ‘synergy’ with cross-platform approach to the cultural contents. Produced BACKKOM, VICKY&JOHNNY, OSCAR’S OASIS, LARVA Season 1, ME AND MY ROBOT, BOING THE PLAY RANGER, WONDERBALLS, ALIEN MONKEYS, DOOODOLLS and more.
About Studio Goindol
Studio Goindol is one of the best pre-production studio in Korea, and currently working exclusively with Synergy Media as its design and pre-production team for many projects, namely WONDERBALLS, DOOODOLLS, T-BUSTERS, FLY SUPERBOARD and more. Since 2001, its members have worked on original shorts and the pre-production for notable Korean animated series and game trailers including Diablo 3: Wrath.
MUNICH / LUXEMBOURG, 9 September 2015 – SES Platform Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), is presenting a live showcase of LIQUID VOD, a new solution for video-on-demand services (VoD) via satellite, at IBC 2015.
LIQUID VOD is an innovative way to distribute video content over satellite, delivering a real VoD user experience. The IBC live showcase demonstrates how satellite distribution can provide an instantaneous and enriched video experience on demand. This solution bridges the lack of broadband internet connectivity in underserved areas and delivers content to an ever-increasing number of users without incremental distribution cost. It is designed to deliver premium content based on available encryption systems and supports all major business models (SVoD, TVoD).
“If there is one shortfall of satellite distribution in general, it is the current limitation to near-video-on-demand offerings based on fixed schedules for operators and platforms. SES is always looking to innovate and, by developing LIQUID VOD, we are very confident this obstacle will be overcome soon. There are still many areas in the world without area-wide broadband supply, and in these regions LIQUID VOD would be a perfect solution for operators to launch VoD services to exploit the growing demand for non-linear content,” said Wilfried Urner, CEO of SES Platform Services.
LIQUID VOD will be presented at the SES stand at Hall 1, stand 1.B51 during IBC 2015, Amsterdam.
For further information please contact:
Markus Payer
Corporate Communications
Tel : +352 710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com
Follow us on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SES.YourSatelliteCompany
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SESVideoChannel
Blog: http://en.ses.com/4243715/blog
SES Pictures are available under https://extranet.ses.com/18706236/pictures
SES White papers are available under http://www.ses.com/18681915/white-papers
About SES
SES is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.
SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.
SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.
LeTV Holdings Co., a Beijing-based internet video company, is reported to have won exclusive broadcast rights for Hong Kong for English Premier League matches for three years starting from the 2016-17 football season.
The Chinese company won the rights with a staggering bid, according to am730, which cited sources from an online media outlet.
Read more at ejinsight
