Solutions
Media and Entertainment | September 14, 2023
Entertainment technology industry leader IMAX Corporation® (NYSE: IMAX) and PFT, the creator of AI-powered technology solutions for the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry, today announced plans to expand their strategic relationship beyond theatrical and into the streaming ecosystem.
Under the arrangement, IMAX will expand access to its Stream Smart™ technology to PFT customers across Europe, Asia, and Australia. The expanded partnership will dramatically increase the global availability of Stream Smart™, which helps streaming platforms deliver maximum picture quality while significantly reducing distribution and storage costs.
"We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with IMAX, an industry trailblazer with a remarkable legacy of revolutionizing the global entertainment industry," said Ramki Sankaranarayanan, Global CEO of PFT. "For over a decade, CLEAR®, our flagship product, has spearheaded digital packaging and delivery services for prominent streaming platforms worldwide. CLEAR® & Stream Smart will help optimize our customers' encoding pipeline, so they deliver better streaming quality while optimizing CDN & storage costs."
"Many of Hollywood's biggest streaming platforms use Stream Smart™ to ensure quality and reduce costs, and we're excited to work with our partners at PFT to extend the reach of our technologies throughout key markets in Europe, Asia, and Australia," said Vikram Arumilli, General Manager of Streaming and Consumer Technology at IMAX. "Our suite of streaming technology products, including Stream Smart™, provides a best-in-class service for direct-to-consumer broadcast and streaming companies, and PFT's' ability to leverage this for their customers is a win-win for both organizations."
PFT and its parent company, DNEG, are industry leaders providing a full suite of technology and creative solutions, including IMAX post-production and 3D mastering.
IMAX and DNEG joined forces in 2022 for post-production, which included Indian films like Jawan, Pathaan, and RRR. This extended partnership will build upon the established theatrical relationship between IMAX and DNEG to develop a comprehensive video optimization solution. Stream Smart™ is an enterprise software product designed to deliver the best image quality and optimize delivery to unlock cost savings. This product was built from cutting-edge scientific advancements, state-of-the-art engineering, trusted studio relationships, and rooted in a real-world at-scale Emmy®-winning collaboration with Disney Streaming Services and SSIMWAVE.
Stream Smart™ will be the centerpiece of the IMAX showcase at IBC 2023. Sign up to meet with PFT and IMAX Streaming & Consumer Technology group at IBC:
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX's network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of June 30, 2023, there were 1,718 IMAX systems (1,638 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 68 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."
About Prime Focus Technologies
Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the creator of CLEAR® and CLEAR® AI. It offers streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters transformational AI-led technology and media services powered by the cloud that help them lower their Total Cost of Operations (TCOP) by automating their content supply chain. PFT works with major companies like Walt Disney-owned Star TV, Channel 4, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Media, PBS, CBS Television Studios, 20th Century Fox Television Studios, Lionsgate, Showtime, HBO, NBCU, TERN International, Disney+ Hotstar, BCCI, Indian Premier League and more.
About DNEG
DNEG (www.dneg.com) is a world-leading visual entertainment services company for the creation of feature film, television, and multiplatform content, with worldwide offices and studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
DNEG's critically acclaimed work has earned the company seven Academy Awards® for Best Visual Effects and numerous BAFTA and Primetime EMMY® Awards for its high-quality VFX work. Current and upcoming DNEG projects on behalf of its Hollywood and global studio and production company partners include Spy Kids Armageddon (September 2023), No One Will Save You (September 2023), The Gilded Age S2 (October 2023), Nyad (November 2023), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (December 2023), Lift (January 2024), Dune: Part Two (March 2024), Mickey 17 (March 2024), Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (April 2024), Garfield (May 2024), Borderlands (August 2024), Furiosa (2024), That Christmas, Coyote vs. Acme, The Gorge, and Animal Friends.
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Solutions
prnewswire | August 28, 2023
QYOU Media Inc., a company operating in India and the United States producing and distributing content created by social media stars and digital content creators, has announced that it's flagship Hindi language channel Q TV has bolstered its 'Zara Hatke' ( "A Little Offbeat") proposition by launching a first-of-its-kind initiative via an exciting new original series, 'Viral Hua Re' driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Combining creativity with cutting-edge technology, the series aims to revolutionize the way programming content can be created with the introduction of an AI generated anchor across the new series.
In a pioneering move that unleashes a completely new approach to content creation, for Q TV, Viral Hua Re', marks the beginning of efforts to leverage technology to drive channel content. Led by a sassy animated AI anchor, 'Viral Bhabhi' with her witty one-liners and anecdotes, Viral Hua Re features viral videos sourced from social platforms spanning various sub-genres including comedy, pranks, gags, falls, and fails. The series is being launched this week and airs daily at 6:00 PM followed by a repeat telecast at 1:00 PM.
Speaking on unveiling this exciting new series, Curt Marvis, CEO and Co-Founder, QYOU Media, said, "We are inevitably entering a new chapter in television entertainment with the introduction of AI-driven shows. We want to embrace and not ignore this new technology on Q TV as we believe as a brand we stand at the crossroads of innovation and storytelling with our young India creators and viewers. Harnessing the power of technology to enhance the viewer experience is core to our DNA, while staying true to the essence of captivating content that our audience cherishes. With this pioneering step, we not only embrace technology but also reaffirm our commitment to redefining how India experiences television."
Formerly known as The Q, Q TV's latest content line-up underscores its commitment to embracing social media creators and content while harnessing the power of AI to deliver fresh and captivating entertainment to viewers across India.
About QYOU Media
One of the fastest growing creator-media companies, QYOU Media operates in India and the United States producing, distributing and monetizing content created by social media influencers and digital content stars. In India, under our flagship brand, The Q and on connected TV, via channels Q Kahaniyan, Q GameX, Q Marathi & Sadhguru TV, we curate, produce and distribute premium content across television networks, VOD and OTT platforms, mobile phones, smart TV's and app-based platforms. In addition, QYOU has numerous additional content destinations, apps and gaming platforms poised to engage the over 125 million Indian households we reach weekly. Our influencer marketing company, Chtrbox, has been a pioneer in India's creator economy, leveraging data to connect brands to the right social media influencers. In the United States, we power major film studios, game publishers and brands to create content and market via creators and influencers. Founded and created by industry veterans from Lionsgate, MTV, Disney and Sony, QYOU Media's millennial and Gen Z-focused content reaches more than one billion consumers around the world every month.
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Technologies
prnewswire | July 24, 2023
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems and solutions, announced today that it has signed a long-term contract extension as the provider of Virtual Sports to leading online gambling operator and Inspired's long-time partner bet365.
Under the agreement, Inspired will continue to provide bet365 with their latest products including licensed games giving bet365 the advantage of leading content for their Virtual Sports offerings.
"We are extremely pleased to continue our long-term partnership with bet365, the world B2C leader in Virtual Sports, offering up more than 30 channels of Inspired content around the world. They were the first operator to offer our Multi-Stream Matchday and Basketball products," said Brooks Pierce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspired. "We're thrilled for them to be one of the first operators to take our latest licensed products to grow their popular Inspired Virtual Sports portfolio."
Inspired has the largest and most diverse content portfolio currently available, including the most popular sport for every market. Over the last five years, Inspired's Virtual Sports have seen big growth in North America with the introduction of basketball, football, the first-ever women's soccer game, and coming soon, baseball.
ABOUT INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Inspiredoffers an expanding portfolio of content, technology, hardware and services for regulated gaming, betting, lottery, social and leisure operators across land-based and mobile channels around the world. Inspired's gaming, Virtual Sports, interactive and leisure products appeal to a wide variety of players, creating new opportunities for operators to grow their revenue. Inspired operates in approximately 35 jurisdictions worldwide, supplying gaming systems with associated terminals and content for approximately 50,000 gaming machines located in betting shops, pubs, gaming halls and other route operations; virtual sports products through more than 32,000 retail venues and various online websites; digital games for 170+ websites; and a variety of amusement entertainment solutions with a total installed base of more than 16,000 terminals.
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Media and Broadcasting
prnewswire | August 04, 2023
Omdia will be returning to Amsterdam this year to join IBC2023 as exclusive premium research partner. Attendees of IBC's flagship content and technology event will have exclusive access to Omdia's latest research focused on the current hot topic of gaming IP and its meteoric rise across the entertainment industry.
Omdia's Media and Entertainment Senior Research Director, Maria Rua Aguete, commented: "Omdia research indicates that game revenues will reach $215bn in 2027 overtaking pay-tv. Content is being produced to appeal to a range of audiences from science fiction based The Last of Us, animated family films such as Super Mario Bros. and Pokémon: Detective Pikachu to sports-centric movies like the upcoming Gran Turismo.
"Omdia's latest consumer survey across all age groups showed that gamers outnumber cinema goers and, in some cases like Germany and Japan, are more than double. This potential market and prominent levels of expected revenue is a fantastic opportunity for content aggregators and telcos who must consider games and access to games services as core to their business services."
The IBC exclusive report authored by Omdia focuses on the key areas in which the closer bonds between games, movies, and TV are being noticed. The report will also offer insights into the hugely enhanced focus on games IP, explore streaming services and their gaming plays, review cinema and its own gaming investment, take a deep dive into what made The Last of Us TV show a prominent hit and evaluate the future of cross-media relationships.
In addition to releasing the exclusive report at IBC2023, Omdia's leading gaming analysts will host a variety of sessions from roundtables to clinics covering the latest trends and forecasts impacting the entertainment industry.
ABOUT OMDIA
Omdia, part of Informa Tech, is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets combined with our actionable insights empower organizations to make smart growth decisions.
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