Zee New Media, a digital arm of the Zee Entertainment Enterprise (ZEE) launched Ditto TV which is the first over-the-top TV distribution platform in India. Over-the-top distribution involves content delivery via the internet, over the existing network, rather than the closed network of conventional cable, satellite and cable operators.
It comes in the form of an application, that sits on your smartphone or tablet or even your laptop or desktop. With the help of this app, you can watch live TV content from around 21 channels including Zee’s bouquet across various genres, Ten Sports, BBC News among others. The app has fees depending on the number of channels you subscribe to and Zee is in talks with other players to increase their TV channel offerings. The offering start from as low as Rs. 49 plan to Rs.2499 for a yearly Platinum pack. Apart from live TV, the platform also offers Video-on-demand (VOD) services whereby you can stream movies from the Ditto TV servers at a price.
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. Another amongst industry firsts, Ditto TV offers features such as adaptive streaming, an elaborative electronic programme guide, a content recommendation engine and an elegant user interface, all of which will be integral to enhance the user experience. Moreover, it allows for complete customization, both in cost as well as choice of content- users are given the option to handpick a basket of channels as per their own personal preferences.
Vishal Malhotra, Business Head – New Media at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd further elaborates, “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.”
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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 on leading application stores viz. Apple App Store, Android Market, & BlackBerry Application World; 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 and Mac PCs the same can be downloaded fromwww.dittotv.com.
We got a demo of how the device works, the payment process and various other features. Stay tuned for a video hands on.