Online TV consumption up 388%

Key findings of the Adobe Digital Index report show that more people watched more TV online than ever before. TV consumption across devices grew 388 per cent year-over-year (YoY) and programmers saw broader use as unique monthly viewers increased by 146 per cent YoY across browsers and TV apps. While online TV consumption remains fragmented across platforms, gaming consoles and OTT devices gained the largest percentage of market share and Android apps surpassed desktop browsers as access points for watching TV online.

The findings from Adobe’s Video Benchmark Report are based on aggregated and anonymous data from more than 1,300 media and entertainment properties using Adobe Marketing Cloud and Adobe Primetime. The report includes 165 billion total online video starts and 1.53 billion TV Everywhere authentications across 250 pay-TV service providers covering 99 per cent of pay-TV households in the US. The analysis also examined TV Everywhere content from 105 TV channels and more than 300 TV apps and sites.

CASBAA urges swift uptake of HK copyright amendments

CASBAA, the Asia-Pacific pay-TV industry trade body, has urged the Hong Kong legislature to end a decade of delay and pass amendments to Hong Kong’s copyright law to give content creators and owners the right – at least in theory – to authorise electronic dissemination of their content.

At the same time, the Association – with membership including “globally-renowned broadcasters and news organisations with a strong vested interest in protecting creative and political expression” – said that worries that the amendments could represent “some sort of threat to free and open political expression” are off target. The comments came in a submission to the legislative committee considering the Amendments.

Adobe, Nielsen team for cross-platform measurement

Digital experience expert Adobe and global information and measurement company Nielsen have formed a strategic alliance that is expected to deliver the industry’s first comprehensive, cross-platform system for measuring online TV, video and other digital content across the web and apps.

The collaboration will integrate Nielsen’s digital audience measurement products, the most trusted ratings system in the industry, with digital analytics and online TV delivery platforms Adobe Analytics and Adobe Primetime.

Verizon warns over MVPD rethink

US telco Verizon has warned the FCC that in any possible rule-making determining that over-the-top (OTT) video providers offering pre-scheduled, linear channels of programming using the Internet are ‘Multichannel Video Programming Distributors’ (MVPDs) could be fatal to such services.

Verizon has filed an ex parte notice following a meeting with FCC officials noting that there are “potential benefits” to such a move, but also expressing concerns. While the potential rules may give online service providers the same access to channels as traditional TV companies, they would also involve certain obligations.

“4K is crucial” says Wim Wenders

Noted film director Wim Wenders has praised television’s increased use of 4K content capture.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the beatification of Pope Paul VI in Rome – captured by Vatican TV in Ultra-HD and with technical support from DBW Communications – Wenders said the technology is crucial.

TRAI gives additional time for comments on Regulatory Framework for Platform Services

The Telecom Regulatory Authority has given additional time till 29 Sept for further comments on its consultation paper on Platform Services in broadcasting industry including local video channels. 

TRAI had organised an Open House Discussion(OHD) with stakeholders at New Delhi on 24 September 2014, to discuss issues relating to the regulatory framework for platform services operated by TV distribution platform operators. Platform services include the local channels shown on Cable TV.

TRAI Open House on Platform services hijacked by LCOs

TRAI Chairman Rahul Khullar and his officers abandoned the Open House Discussion on regulating the Platform Services in distribution networks, being held at BSNL Office in New Delhi today.  

TRAI had organised an open house discussion as a concluding part of its consultation on regulating the platform services which include local video channels run by cable operators and MSOs at BSNL corporate office in New Delhi today. The conference hall was full of cable operators who had come from many North Indian states and did not let TRAI start the proceedings till it heard their grievances. Operators expressed their annoyance at TRAI’s attitude towards them and refusal to listen to their complaints in every such open house discussion in the past. Generally open house discussions are dominated by the lawyers and executives of broadcasters, MSOs and DTH companies who keep talking in English which operators do not understand. The LCOs have alleged that by the time it is their turn to speak, officer in the chair closes the discussion due to shortage of time.