Tehelka, 25 Dec 2010. Page36

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Tehelka
25 Dec 2010

Movies Now Launched In HD; Available On Analog, Digital Cable & DTH Platforms

For the first time in India, viewers experiencing the best of audio-video standards.

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | December 19, 2010

Times Television Network has launched its latest offering, MOVIES NOW in HD today giving the viewers an opportunity to experience the best of audio-video standards for the first time in India!

Speaking on the launch of the channel Sunil Lulla, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Times Television Network, said "TIMES TELEVISION NETWORK is proud to announce the launch of another contemporary brand – MOVIES NOW. It complements the urban focus of the network, where it has met with great success via TIMES NOW, ET NOW and zoOm. MOVIES NOW challenges the status quo of the category to ensure the audience the best of entertainment. MOVIES NOW with its first of a kind; state-of-the-art HD Broadcast facility will furnish upscale Indian audiences with clearer, crisper picture quality, superlative sound quality and a wider viewing experience."

Further commenting Ajay Trigunayat, Channel Head, MOVIES NOW said, "We have aligned the channel to be in sync with viewer preferences to consume Hollywood movies on Indian Television. We strongly recognize that Television movie consumption is significantly different from Theatrical movie consumption! Thereby, with exhaustive quantitative & qualitative research & analysis, we have put together a very well thought through Movies Library & FPC to resonate Indian viewer preferences who love to watch many Popular Hollywood Blockbuster titles again & again & again, to name a few – Rocky 1-6, Pink Panther 1&2, I Robot, Night at the Museum, Never Back Down, True Lies, Titanic, 36^th Chamber of the Shaolin etc.. The piece-de-resistance to the Indian viewer – they will now get to watch their most preferred movies in incredible High Definition (HD) with Stunning Pictures in 1080i & Awesome 5.1 Surround Sound!"

With a focused objective to enthrall the Indian viewers through the best of Hollywood Blockbusters coupled with phenomenal picture and sound quality, MOVIES NOW will enhance the viewing experience with a wide aspect ratio of 16:9, which is naturally suited to the human eye.

MOVIES NOW will be available across analog, digital cable and DTH platforms throughout the pop strata of 1mn+ towns in India. One can now have a theatre like movie watching experience in the comfort of their home!

Big Digital Launches India’s First Talk Internet Radio

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | November 11, 2010

Reliance Broadcast Network Limited's initiative in the digital space, offering mobile and online solutions – BIG Digital, announces the launch of India's first ever talk internet radio christened BIG Net Radio. Through this pioneering initiative, BIG Digital is looking at capitalizing on the growing internet user base, both in India as well as the global Indian diaspora, seeking this entertainment. This specialized talk internet radio channel will offer entertainment across the pegs that most appeal to Indians, ranging Bollywood, spiritual and humor.

The content available on BIG Net Radio is designed to appeal to audiences who seek quick and brief entertainment capsules which help them de-stress. Designed as a snack in – snack out entertainment option, fresh content will be uploaded each day to ensure entertainment is latest and current. Launching as a free of charge service to users, the content of BIG Net Radio has been specifically crafted to offer complete entertainment, as well as to put forth unique opportunities for advertisers to reach out to a rich specific audience base of over a million entertainment seekers on the internet.

With an excellent opportunity to monetize through page branding and banners and the 3G revolution knocking at the doors, the opportunity for BIG Digital's BIG Net Radio is tremendous. Marking the beginning of its ambitious plans, this business division will take BIG Net Radio beyond talk, penetrating various facets of people's lives via local & regional music playouts, thereby encouraging local talent and serving hyper-local  tastes. Ensuring promotion of this latest offering, the product will be promoted across the media vehicles of the multi-media entity of Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd., ranging radio, outdoor, below the line and more

Speaking on the launch Soumen G. Choudhury, Head of Radio and Digital Business, Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd. said, "This pioneering initiative from Reliance Broadcast Network, re-affirms our endeavor to provide India with the entertainment of their choice, which is latest and in keeping with the times. India has over 50 million internet users, out of which consumers in the age group between 18-30 years are increasingly using internet as a medium to stay connected as well as use it to attain greater source of entertainment, posing an excellent audience base, which advertisers seek. Online advertising in India is expected to grow at the rate of 32 percent between 2010 and 2013 to touch Rs. 20 billion in 2013, only highlighting the humongous potential that lies before us."

Digitalisation By 2013 Tough: I&b Ministry

Publication: Business Line
Provider: Kasturi & Sons Ltd.

December 10, 2010

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New Delhi, Dec. 9

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry feels complete migration of broadcasting services from analog to digital by 2013, as recommended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, may not be feasible.

Huge investment Such an exercise entails huge investment in infrastructure and creating massive awareness among consumers.

?Complete migration will be a complex exercise. It requires huge investments from various stake holders. All their needs must be protected," said Mr Raghu Menon, Secretary, I&B Ministry on Thursday.

Based on the Ministry's reactions with the industry, complete switchover from analog to digital by 2013 may not be feasible. The switch-over should be aligned with the Ministry's road-map for which target is 2017, Mr Menon said.

He was speaking at ?Addressable India 2020', an industry event organised by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia and eight other industry associations.

Stating that consumers have to be educated about the benefits of digitisation, Mr Menon said manufacturing of set-top boxes and other infrastructure equipment need to be taken up on a huge scale. Prasar Bharati, the national broadcaster, is on the path of digitisation and the Government is spending Rs 1,562 crore in the first phase by 2013.

Despite global recession, the Indian television industry grew at 8.5 per cent in 2009 to Rs 26,500 crore, Mr Menon said. Further, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13 per cent for 2009-14.

Stating that it was time for the industry to tap the regional market, Mr Menon said opportunities were immense. The direct-to-home (DTH) industry, which is on a high growth path, has been a key driver for the growth of digitalisation in the country, Mr Menon. About 23 million of the 230 million homes in India are being serviced by DTH, he added.

Prasar Bharati will continue to get govt fund

Publication: Financial Express
Provider: The Indian Express Online Media Ltd
December 13, 2010

Making a U-turn from its earlier resolve, the government has again made a case for continued financial support to Prasar Bharati, the public broadcaster, in order to make it financially viable. Six months ago, a group of ministers (GoM) on Prasar Bharati had recommended a 50% cut in the non-plan outlay component given to Prasar Bharati from the budgetary allocations of the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry. However, the GoM decision never got a formal Cabinet approval. Now, sources said, the government has given several assurances to the agitating employees of Prasar Bharati including retaining both assets and employees of Prasar Bharati under its umbrella, comprehensive amendments of the Prasar Bharati Act, and continued financial support among others. It is after these assurances that the 38,000 employees of Doordarshan and All India Radio decided to indefinitely defer their call for 72-hours strike from Monday. Of course, all such assurance will require the nod of the GoM and Cabinet.
"Prasar Bharati can not become financially viable if it earns four rupees and spends six rupees. After continued efforts, now the government has seen our financial and understands that without support Prasar Bharati is not viable," a senior official in Doordarshan said. In the hectic discussions between the I&B ministry officials and the representatives of the employees union last week, the National Federation of AIR and Doordarshan Employees (NFADE) gave it in writing that the employees will not go on mass causal leave for 72-hours and beyond starting from Monday. In return, the government has agreed for an active involvement of NFADE in any recommendations that goes before the GoM on Prasar Bharati. Also, NFDAE and top officials in Prasar Bharati will form a committee that will suggest a roadmap for the comprehensive amendments to be included in the Prasar Bharati Act. The government is also said to have assured the AIR and Doordarshan employees that their salaries will be paid on time.
According to sources, the I&B ministry officials told the NFADE representatives that while the assets of Prasar Bharati like buildings, lands, equipments of AIR and DD stand transferred to Prasar Bharati as per the act, technically, there has not been any such transfers. Also, Prasar Bharati can not sell, mortgage or dispose off these assets without prior approval of the government. Also, all employees of Prasar Bharati who joined before October 2007 will continue to be treated as government employees on "deemed deputation".
The government assurances came after sustained efforts from the 38,000 employees of Prasar Bharati who went on two-day mass casual leave in November which virtually brought the functioning of AIR and Doordarshan to halt. Again, from Monday, the employees had given the notice to go on an indefinite strike if their various demands were not met including repealing of the Prasar Bharati Act.
Recently, the I&B minister Ambika Soni had said that repeal of the Prasar Bharati Act was "out of question". "Prasar Bharati is an autonomous body made under an act of Parliament. The government cannot simply end its autonomy and turn in back into a government-controlled body," Soni said on Friday.
"A committee is already constituted within Prasar Bharati to make active suggestion to the I&B ministry for comprehensive amendments required in the Prasar Bharati Act. Apart from member personal, the committee will have five members of NFADE, DG Doordarshan, DG AIR and any other officials," Kulbhushan Bhatia, secretary general, NFADE told FE. 

It's time to regulate

Publication: Pioneer
Provider: HT Media Ltd

December 14, 2010

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India, Dec. 14 -- Star India is going to host a unique two day workshop on, Comparative Perspectives on Media Self-Regulation and Society' to be held on December 14 and December 15 in the Capital. Leading personalities from different walks of life will discuss the global and comparative perspectives on media regulation as it affects current debates and the future role of information in society, Star India said in a statement. In India, media has had a mixed experience with the opposing tendencies of the freedom to express itself freely on the one hand, and regulation of content and questions of the greater good of society, on the other. Speakers at the workshop would include Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Ex-Chief Justice of India Justice J S Verma, Anupam Kher, Anuradha Prasad (Chairperson BAG Films and President, Association of Radio Operators of India) and Star India COO Sanjay Gupta among others. Leading international researchers in media regulation, Professor Monroe E Price from the University of Pennsylvania; Jonathan Blake of Covington and Burling and Professor Wolfgang Shulz from the Hans Bredow Institute will be a part of this Seminar. Published by HT Syndication with permission from Pioneer. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Japan Not To Establish Broadcasting Regulator, For Now

Publication: Asia Pulse
Provider: Asia Pulse Pty Ltd

December 15, 2010

en

TOKYO, Dec 15 Asia Pulse - A Japanese Ministry of Communications discussion group on protecting freedom of expression decided Tuesday not to propose establishment of an independent agency regulating broadcasting.

In compiling a report at its final meeting, the group failed to include specific conclusions on broadcasting regulation.

The discussion body was formed last December after the Democratic Party of Japan pledged to shift the responsibility of regulating communications and broadcasting from the Communications Ministry to an independent entity similar to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

Tuesday's report stated that "the issue would not be solved by formation of an organization alone" and that "independent efforts by concerned parties" are essential in protecting freedom of speech.

Google Instant by Martin Vinter

INSTANT RESULTS WITH EVERY KEY STROKE

After running "instant" in beta for almost 6 months, Google officially launched their latest marvel in 7 major markets including UK, US, France, Spain and Germany on the 8th September.

Google's quest to help consumers find things faster and serve them relevant information has stepped up a gear with the introduction of "Google Instant". In their own words they have managed to shave off an average of 2.5 seconds per search. By changing the search results page per key stroke a user types, Google are now serving their users highly relevant results at an even quicker pace. They use their vast amounts of historical and real time search behaviour data to predict what users are searching for and couple this with users' own search history where relevant to give highly accurate results.

In a nutshell Google Instant is the product of shifting through masses of search data in real time while users type to:

1. Predict what users are searching for – before they finish their sentence. An improvement on Google suggest or auto complete launched in 2006.
2. 2. Serve users natural listings and paid ads as they search. This means the page changes per keystroke based on what Google thinks you are searching for. With Google Instant users are served results without having to finish the full intended query.

For example: 
If a user who is looking for London Hotels pauses for a split second in typing in the search query, Google will serve natural and paid listings based on the query so far. As seen below typing in the letter "London h"

Google will always suggest what the system deems to be the most relevant results based on historical search data the user personal searches.

POTENTIAL IMPACT FOR ADVERTISERS AND BRAND OWNERS

Although Google Instant is the biggest change in the search landscape since universal search in 2008 it will not be available to users who are not signed into Google when searching. Searchers who do not sign in will see the Google results page in its current static form – with the auto complete dropdown but without the changes in results as you search. This means that the majority of Google users will not be using Google Instant when searching. Furthermore, when signed in users can toggle the functionality on and off.