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Zee has surprised everyone in the media and entertainment landscape by striking a surprising merger deal with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India. Zee has successfully fended off a bid by its largest investor Invesco to oust Punit Goenka as the managing director of the company. If the deal goes through it will create India’s second-largest entertainment network by revenue and spawn an entity with 75 TV channels, two video streaming services (ZEE5 and Sony LIV), two film studios (Zee Studios and Sony Pictures Films India) and a digital content studio (Studio NXT). The deal will be the largest such transaction in the Indian media and entertainment space. Under the terms of the nonbinding agreement, SPN will infuse growth capital of $1.575 billion (Rs 11,615 crore) and end up with a 52.93% stake in the merged entity, while ZEE shareholders will own the remaining 47.07% The merger proposal proposes that Goenka stay as MD and CEO of the merged entity for at least five years after completion of the deal. The majority of the board will be nominated by Sony Group and NP Singh, MD and CEO of SPN, is likely to be on the board. “I am pleased to announce that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has entered into an exclusive, non-binding term sheet with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) to combine both companies’ linear networks, digital assets, productiion operations, and programme libraries,” Ravi Ahuja, chairman of Global Television Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment Corporate Development, wrote in an internal mail to employees that ET has seen. “The board of directors at ZEE has conducted a strategic review of the merger proposal between SPN and ZEE,” ZEE chairman R Gopalan said in a company release. “We have unanimously provided in-principle approval to the proposal and have advised the management to initiate the due diligence process.” Source: The article has been published by The Economic Times with minor edits by the ArdorComm News Network Team.

In recent years OTT platforms like Netflix and Hulu have widened up to replace the traditional television channels. This has become possible mainly due to the rapid growth of the internet. But along with all these reasons, there is one more significant reason that has made the OTT platform an inseparable part of people’s lives. It is the development of OTT technology. Over the top technology are the software and equipment that has made the unthinkable possible and has bypass the traditional streaming technology and famed video content over the internet. Earlier, video broadcasting was accessibleon television sets through satellite or cable. On the other hand, with OTT technology, viewers have become more prone to buying internet-enabled smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, laptops, or computers. Ott technology works in various ways. Accessing the video content via Over the top has become very convenient for the viewers. But behind the screen, the technicalities of OTT streaming has more complex as compared to traditional broadcasting. There is a bit more complicated process involved in OTT platform streaming. Broadcaster uploads video content on OTT video host. Then the video host transmits the data to the remote server via a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Then the viewers select the contentthey wish to stream on the user-facing video gallery. The video player on the device pulls off the video content from CDNs served through the internet. This is the overall process by which the video gets stream on an OTT platform. OTT video host is basic technology and the most required technology for streaming an online video on an OTT platform. Hence a professional-grade video hosting platform with OTT capabilities is needed. Few examples of this technology include Datacast, Vimeo OTT, and Brightcove. The video hosting platforms alsocome with a wide variety of tools at different prices.Some of the essential hosting features that hold a very high value and are highly important for creating an OTT platform include video monetization, gold-standard security, HTML5video players, white-label capabilities, and brand customization and API access. The following important factor in any OTT streaming platform is the Content Delivery Network (CDN); it is a network serverthat delivers the content to its end-user. Most online video platforms partner with professional CDNs; hence it is not the main concern for the broadcasters. But it becomes essential to ensure thatthe video hosting platform you choose uses a CDN with servers stationed around the globe. This will help in maintaining the quality of your stream for viewers everywhere in the world. It will help in avoiding buffering and lagging of the speed of the video. Several new technologies are coming along with the OTT platforms and making video streaming better everyday. It has almost erased the usage or viewership of traditional broadcasting channels from viewers’ life. We do not know what improvements video streaming OTT platforms are going to bring shortly. But it is for sure that it will keep improving and delivering better content. Source: dacast.com

One of the leading IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has entered into a strategic alliance with one of the premier OTT platforms of India, SonyLIV. The league has been done to help create an innovative business model enabled through digital technologies, for giving better customer experience and create a straight path for future growth. This parentship will explore TCS next-gen digital capabilities, global expertise, and innovation eco system to create a transformation roadmap for the SonyLIV platform in India and the Global Market. Alongwith that, TCS will help enhance its core OTT platform to enhance the use of AI and Machine Learning to provide personalized experiences for its subscribers across devices. It will also let SonyLIV use data and insight for monetization of content and create new revenue streams. With that, TCS will also be setting up an Experience Design Center Leveraging its innovation labs, where it will install its location Independent Agile Model to speed up innovation. Source: thebusinessstandard.com

Anurag Thakur recently took charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry at a crucial time when Indian Cinema was finding its way back from the setbacks received throughout the pandemic. Recent events include the uproar over specific streaming contents on the digital platform and criticism for the proposed changes in the censorship, certification and piracy, along with the shutdown of theaters due to social distancing norms. All these factors will become a trouble-making scenario for the newly joined Information and Broadcasting Minister. Various shows on different OTT platforms were pleaded to be stopped streaming, as per the litigations filed in multiple courts. Thus, keeping in mind these upcoming issues of censorship and changes made in the Cinematograph Act 1952. There will be a lot of challenges for the Minister. Source: firstpost.com

Kerala is India’s most brutal hit state due to Covid-19, as the rise of covid-19 cases is still visible in the state after 18 months. The state’s film exhibition industryis estimated to face Rs 500 crore revenue loss due to the pandemic. On average, Kerala releases around 100-120 movies in theaters. The state has around 545 theaters, including single screen and multiplexes. Although few stars like Fahadh Faasil found a ready audience for OTT streaming platforms, many films remain stuck and unable to find the apt buyer, with an uncertainty of reopening theaters. Also, no one is sure how the backlog of so many films will be screened in theatres while it reopens in the coming time. Source: Livemint.com

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced the appointment of the five-member All-India Junior Selection Committee. Sharath Sridharan (South Zone) will head the committee with Pathik Patel (West Zone), Ranadeb Bose (East Zone), Kishan Mohan (North Zone) and Harvinder Singh Sodhi (Central Zone) being the other appointments in the committee. Sharath, who has also played for Assam, was the first-ever Tamil Nadu cricketer to play 100 Ranji Trophy games for the state and in his 15-year-career, scored 8700 runs from 139 games with 27 hundreds and an average of 51-plus . It is widely believed that he missed out on a Test cap as his career coincided with the likes of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly. Harvinder Singh Sodhi, a lanky medium-fast bowling all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, has played 76 games and has 2000 plus runs and 174 wickets in his kitty and was also a BCCI match referee. Kishan Mohan represented Punjab as a batting all-rounder in 45 matches from 1987-1995. Ranadeb Bose, who had toured with the Indian team during the 2007 series in England, has played 91 first-class games and has 317 wickets. Source: India Today  

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, one of the leading media and entertainment houses, recently announced Nitin Mittal’s appointment as Data and Technology wing president. Zee entertainment enterprises limited is at the pace of taking various strategic steps to grow its digital pivot, drive exponential growth across digital platforms and look forward to better transformation to be looked upon and to stay in line with ZEE 4.0. The transformation process is targeted towards creating a digitally apt data-first company, which can be a leading payer in terms of all formats of content consumption, both linear and digital. Source: Zeenews.india.com

Based on predictions, India is expected to become the fifth-largest economy in the world by 2025 surpassing the UK. It is also the second-most populous country in the world. For such a massive population, do you wonder what kind of entertainment people like to indulge in? Well, when it comes to disposable income, India has a stark divide. But mostly, the middle-class seeks out ways of entertainment that are affordable and not too far-fetched. Sources of Entertainment for People in India 1) Social Media Well, when we talk about social media, it is not only the major source of entertainment for people in India, it is also widely relied on in other parts of the world. Since social media is cheap and affordable, many people turn to different platforms for entertainment, information and news. According to statistics, more than 51% of the Indian population has access to the internet and is present on social media platforms. The most widely used platform in India is Facebook at an astounding 79.3%. People turn to social media for documentaries, memes, storytellers, influencers, and much more. 2) Broadcast In India, people still prefer to watch and entertain themselves through television and soap operas. Most people watching television watch Bollywood and Hollywood movies and sports. Even with the boom in web series and OTT platforms, TV is still widely preferred in India because it has free entertainment.

The famous actress created a stir as she announced on social media that she is working on a new film –The Incarnation Sita. She shared the film’s poster on Instagram for her fans and followers. The actress recently starred in Thalaivii, a biopic on the life of Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The actress announced her next project – The Incarnation Sita. The film will be directed by Alaukik Desai. The story is written by screenwriter KV Vijayendra Prasad. Kangana shared the first poster of the film and said, “The Incarnation- Sita Glad to be on board for the title role with this immensely talented team of artists. With the blessings of Sita Ram Jai SiyaRam.” Talking about his upcoming film, filmmaker Alaukik Desai said in a press statement, “Universe does help those who surrender to it with belief. What was a mirage, is now clarity. A dream of a pious character never explored is now a reality. I am ecstatic to bring Kangana Ranaut on board as Sita. This pious journey will change the course of how we perceive our mythology. Thank you SS Studio for your immense support and belief.” The movie will be produced by A Human Being Studio and will be released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. Apart from The Incarnation Sita, Kangana has Dhaakad and Tejas for her future projects. Source: India Today

The Over-the-top video streaming platforms in India; Disney+Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Voot, and many more, might seem to have been making deeper roots in the country but are still very far from making profitable numbers in their account. This is due to the streaming firms being trapped with high content costs, low Arpus (Average revenue cost per user), an uncrowded market with an end number of options, the availability of free-of-cost ad-based platforms, and the challenges of piracy. Other than just creating web originals these big platforms of OTT are also acquiring digital rights for various films, and video streaming services. For this the OTT platforms are being expected to spend Rupees 1,920 crore. But as a matter of concern, as per a report by media consulting firm Ormax, 110.5 million out of 353.2 million only watch paid content on OTT. Source: livemint.com