FLASH OF LIGHTNING
Lightning International, a Hong Kong-based content and channels business, is unveiling Flash, a new turnkey channel management service, designed to help media companies streamline video distribution to their customers.
The news was announced on the first day of the APOS conference in Indonesia.
Developed with tech firm Amagi, Flash offers a suite of services including broadcast playout powered by Amagi, supply and management of all tech, ingestion of programming and video content, oversight of operations, including scheduling and EPG creation, 24/7 monitoring, alerts and back-up solutions, and delivery via satellite or IP, and delivery of VOD assets.
Lightning uses the service to power the more than a dozen FAST channels that it now operates including Pet Club TV, Pulse Documentaries, People & Planet, Docsville and Now 70s.
“The goal of our new Flash service is to help content providers navigate the complexities of the broadcasting business and to provide an economical, one-stop solution that will take care of all video distribution logistics,” said James Ross, CEO, Lightning International.
Srinivasan KA, co-founder and chief revenue officer at Amagi, said, “We are delighted to serve as Lightning’s technology partner for the launch of Flash, a solution that promises to significantly enhance the content landscape. Broadcasters will now effortlessly connect with their audiences, expanding the reach of their extensive content libraries.”
Lightning was earlier this year acquired by AsiaSat, the leading satellite solutions provider in Asia.
ROCK ON
Rock Entertainment Holdings, a global content and channel company, will see its Rock Action channel launch on Singtel TV on Oct. 1, as part of the ongoing efforts to expand the brand’s footprint in Singapore. Rock Action is now available in over 10 countries and 70 platforms. Sourcing films from studios including Sony, Lionsgate and Paramount, the channel serves up titles including “The Hunger Games” and independent films such as “The Commando,” starring Mickey Rourke and Michael Jai White, and “Peter Five Eight,” with Kevin Spacey. The group also owns general entertainment channel Rock Entertainment, Rock Extreme, where entertainment meets gaming; Global Trekker, a multi-genre channel that aims to broaden your mind and open your heart and pre-school channel ZooMoo.
MORE MOONBUG
Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media, is to launch its Moonbug Channel launches in The Maldives and Mongolia. The channel, which is partnering with MediaNet in the Maldives and Univision in Mongolia. Moonbug now has seven channel partners in Asia in six markets. The Moonbug Channel airs in English and has been designed to support parents and carers throughout their daily routines such as mealtime, bath time and more. All Moonbug IP will be featured including “CoComelon,” “Blippi,” “Gecko’s Garage,” “Arpo,” “Little Baby Bum” and recent acquisitions “Little Angel” and “Oddbods.”
PHILIPPINES SPORTS
Philippines premium content provider, Cignal TV has expanded its use of Quickplay’s cloud-native OTT platform with the launch of Pilipinas Live, the first international OTT app dedicated to Pinoy sports. Pilipinas Live includes UAAP, which kicks off its new season starting with men’s basketball on Sept. 30, the Philippines Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League (PVL), and Spiker’s Turf, to Filipinos everywhere.
The Quickplay platform permits multiple tech innovations, including multi-channel viewing, different game action views, interactive in-game polls and quizzes. It will also introduce a chat function.
HITS NOW
Singapore-based Rewind Networks will launch Hits Now on Cignal’s pay-TV platform in the Philippines from Oct. 1. Hits Now will be available as part of Cignal’s postpaid and prepaid packs. “We are delighted to introduce our really exciting, people-pleaser channel, HITS NOW, to viewers on Cignal,” said Avi Himatsinghani, CEO of Rewind.
SINGAPORE FRIENDS
Friend MTS, a content security specialist for live and on-demand sports and entertainment, has opened a regional office in Singapore. The new office will provide sales and support services for customers throughout the territory, helping rights holders, broadcasters and OTT operators to enhance content security and revenue protection. It uses techniques including dynamic server blocking, large-scale monitoring, subscription and distribution-level watermarking and effective enforcement.