Zee TV's Punit Goenka; photo courtesy of Campaign India
Zee New Media has launched India’s first and only OTT (over-the-top) TV distribution platform, Ditto TV, in the country and selected international markets.
The new platform offers live TV channels and on demand video content to consumers on their mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, game consoles, web-TV boxes and connected TVs. Different price points offer control of channel selection, with prices starting from INR49 (€0.75).
Along with this India launch, Ditto TV will also be available in the global markets of the UK, UAE, New Zealand and Australia, with the United States following by the end of this quarter. The project was first announced last October in Broadband TV News.
Currently hosting a total of 21 channels, Ditto TV has already partnered for content with Multi Screen Media (Sony Entertainment Television), TV Today Network, BBC, and ZEE. Ditto TV expects to offer a complete set of 50 channels shortly.
Punit Goenka, managing director and CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said, “The over-the-top category presents a powerhouse of potential and adds an exciting new dimension to Zee’s business model. As a pioneer in the entertainment and content business, we have been systemically investing in our digital outreach; Ditto TV was created to bring cutting-edge wireless broadband digital services to customers across the world. Over the years, we have launched many industry-firsts, but this is a launch that I am especially excited about; I believe that Ditto TV will transform the way content is consumed, and monetized and we are thrilled to be at the helm of this revolution.”
Vishal Malhotra, business head of new media at Zee further elaborated, “Ditto TV offers extreme versatility both, in terms of content as well as device and bandwidth compatibility. With the increasing number of smart phone users, Ditto TV will allow subscribers to access premium content from across the world, at the simple click of a button. For partners, it will create unique revenue generation opportunities– namely, for content owners, distributors, retail, OEMs, and service providers.”
Ditto TV has partnered with Siemens Communication and Media Technology to develop a strong technology platform that will offer adaptive streaming. This technology ensures an optimal feed basis the available bandwidth strength and allows users to select the feed based on their data connection, which includes 3G, Wi-Fi and Fixed line broadband connections.
Ditto TV, as an application, is available in the Apple App Store, Android Market, & BlackBerry Application World; In India, Ditto TV’s prepaid cards will be retailed at high footfall outlets like Croma and Vijay Sales with whom Ditto TV has entered a distribution alliance. For Windows PC and Macs the software can be downloaded from the web.
