CW network inks a 5-year deal with Hulu to offer new TV episodes

CW television network has entered into a five year deal with Hulu to offer online streams of new episodes. The Hulu owned by media giants News Corp., NBCUniversal and the Walt Disney Co., will have the exclusive right to stream episodes of such new CW shows as "Ringer" and "Hart of Dixie" as well as returning series. 

This shift in CW’s strategy comes, which earlier delayed the online availability of its episodes and tightly held the digital rights to its shows, as the network is looking out for other revenue streams. 

Videocon d2h adds Colors HD to its bouquet of HD channels

Videocon d2h strengthens its niche position in the HD space even further. It now unveils HD feed of the Hindi entertainment channel Colors. This addition will not only enhance customer viewing experience but also go hand in hand with the company mantra of ‘delighting the customer always’.

Zeebox application now available on iPad

Social TV service Zeebox, is now live on iPad where it is the “App of the Week.”Zeebox shows users information, apps and further downloads about shows they are watching, creates live links to the material discussed in shows and lets users follow show-based social network chat and see what their friends are watching. 

Google introduces revamped 2.0 version of Google TV

The Internet search engine, Google Inc, unveiled a revamped version of its Google TV service on October 29, bringing new features aimed at making the product easier-to-use and more appealing to consumers. 

Supreme Court’s notice to Trai

The Supreme Court has issued a notice in order to seek a reply from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on ESPN’s plea seeking vacation of its earlier order that raised the channel distribution rates paid by cable operators from 35% to 42%.

ESPN is seeking vacation of the apex court’s April 18 order that stayed the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) order and raised the distribution rates to 42%.

DIPP suggests FDI hike in cable, DTH sector

An affirmative nod has been given by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in order to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) in broadcast carriage services sector, including cable TV and direct-to-home.

The DIPP has circulated a draft cabinet note which also includes raising overseas investments limits according to suggestions given by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

D2 Communication funds Affle

Mobile media startup, Affle, has secured over Rs 500 million in its second round of funding from D2 Communications Inc, a joint venture between Japanese telco NTT DoCoMo Inc. and ad agency Dentsu. 

The two companies had entered into strategic alliance, backed with a 'token investment' from D2C in February. This is a follow-up investment. 

The DTH provider Dish TV to offer 19 regional channels

Direct-to-home (DTH) services provider, Dish TV India Limited, will be offering 19 regional channels, across news, entertainment, movies and music genres, in Andhra Pradesh from October 4, said Ravi Chandra Mochrela, deputy vice-president (south-II zone).

yourfamily will be available on Deutsche Telekom's IPTV platform Entertain

The yourfamily pay-TV channel, an arm of Your Family Entertainment (YFE), will be a part of Deutsche Telekom's IPTV platform Entertain. yourfamily will be part of the pay-TV packages Kinder and BIG TV.

A social game based on Ra.One launched by UTV Indiagames in partnership with SRK’s Red Chillies

Ahead of the release of the much awaited movie, Ra.One, Shahrukh has launched a social game based on the movie, in association with UTV Indiagames as part of the promotional activity. The game is being seen as an attempt to woo the youth audiences.

New spectrum bands allocated for telecom services

The Communication and IT Ministry on 30 October, 2011 allocated at least five new frequency bands, including the 700 Mhz band, for telecom services. Small chunks of spectrum for developing indigenous technologies have also been reserved under the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) 2011. The new Plan, which gives the broad direction for future spectrum allocation, will come into effect from October 1. The Plan looks forward to earmark the entire 700 Mhz band for mobile broadband services. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had also set its sight on this band for Mobile TV services but NFAP has pushed the broadcasting services to another band. 

The S-band, currently being used exclusively by INSAT systems for satellite based services including meteorological data dissemination has been opened up for broadband services now. 

Govt response on Prasar Bharati Union de-recognition petition sought by CAT

On the issue of de-recognition of emloyees’ associations in Prasar Bharti, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has sought the Government's response on the petition filed by employees’ associations challenging the decision of the pubcaster.

A bench comprising Member Judicial Meera Chhibber and Member Administration Dr A K Misra directed the government to reply by 17 October on the plea of the employees for de-recognising their unions. The three petitioners - Association of Radio and TV Engineering Employees (ARTEE), AIR and DD Technical Employees Association, and the Programme Staff Association had earlier approached Delhi High Court challenging the office order of 8 September de-recognising all associations.

High Court upholds I&B Ministry's notice on TV reality show

The Delhi High Court on September 30 upheld the show cause notice issued by the information and broadcasting ministry to Star Plus channel for the telecast of two episodes of the controversial TV reality show 'Sach Ka Saamna' in 2009.

The court gave its order dismissing Star India Private Ltd (SIPL) plea against the I&B Ministry’s July 2009 notice and the November 2009 warning to adhere to the programme code.