Zee New Media launches Ditto TV

Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Zee) Limited's digital arm, Zee New Media has launched what it calls India’s first and only OTT (Over-The-Top TV) distribution platform, Ditto TV, with an aim to offer live TV Channels and on-demand video content to consumers on their mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, entertainment boxes and connected TVs. 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. Along with this India launch, Ditto TV will also be available in the global markets of UK, UAE, New Zealand and Australia with US soon to follow by the end of this quarter. 

Commenting on the launch of this all new revolutionary content distribution platform, Punit Goenka, managing director and chief executive officer, Zee, said, “The over-the-top (OTT) 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.” Goenka aims to have around 1 million active users of Ditto TV by the end of first year of operations. He also added that the company expects to earn around 10% of its revenues from the digital space in a couple of years.  

Vishal Malhotra, business head - New Media, Zee, 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 the 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.