7 April, 2017

Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending Apr 7th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!

Mark Lay Vice President, Singapore Youtube TV launched in the U.S. this week. From previous reports about the service I wasn’t too excited though I have significantly warmed to it because of the functionality of the app.  The service provides linear channels but with unlimited DVR of favourited shows which essentially turns this into a VOD platform….with ads. And the ability to easily cast to any TV, while turning the phone/tablet into a remote control with picture-in-picture, ensures that one can get a high-end viewing experience anywhere, anytime. Definitely something to watch, especially if they start rolling out internationally and/or use this as a platform for third party internet TV providers.

Kevin Jennings Vice President

Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten has announced it plans to integrate its online film and series streaming operations in Europe (Wuaki), US (Viki) and Japan (Showtime). The group say that this is the next step in its strategy following the upcoming change of Wuaki.tv to  Rakuten.tv in the coming few months. Showtime and Viki will also be rebranded to Rakuten.tv, with all three operations being coordinated out of Barcelona. The rebrand of Wuaki in Europe coincides with the start of a global sponsorship agreement between Rakuten and FC Barcelona announced last November for the next four seasons, worth around €60 million a season.

John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer

Blocking of flagrant piracy websites continues to progress in Europe.   An Irish court ordered that country’s first blocks (against three well-known pirate sites), leading the Irish film industry to praise the judgement. In Italy, the regulator orders blocking (not the courts), but a Rome court blessed the process, and the country’s record industry called the decision “a big win.”

Kevin Jennings Vice President

Indonesian Pay-TV provider NexMedia has teamed up with telecommunications operator Indosat Ooredoo to announce a new package with a high-speed internet connection in response to rising demand. The partnership agreement will launch a joint services bundle which will offer Ooredoo’s 4G Plus internet service and include Indosat and NexMedia’s TV channel offerings, including a slew of international channels. The monthly fee for the service will be just over USD14 per month.

Andrew Lin Regulatory Assistant

Differential speeds on the subcontinent: India is wrapping up its conversion to 100% digital cable transmission, and Nepal is just getting started.