Content Transform

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Multi-country syndicated TXmaster transcode and delivery

Viacom18 - a case study

About Viacom18 MediaViacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is a 50-50 joint venture operation in India between Viacom Inc. and the Network18 Group, with interests in television, Internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content & allied businesses, comprising brands like CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz, Newswire18, moneycontrol.com, CNN-IBN, IBN 7, Homeshop18 and E18 amongst others.

Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. operates six general entertainment channels - MTV, Nickelodeon, Vh1, COLORS, SONIC, Comedy Central and film business through Viacom18 Motion Pictures, that produces, acquires and distributes Hindi films.

Business needWith increasing pressures on revenue, Viacom18 was in need of new ways to maximise its return on the investment made in creative programming. They also wanted to minimise lost revenue from viewers sourcing content through non-revenue generating routes (e.g. video piracy).

Key challenges Need to move transcode and deliver large media files between different locations across the

world

Physical shipping of hard drives and CDs was time consuming and costly

HD broadcast quality transcodes were required for the source and the output material

Options like FTP were time consuming and posed limitations in terms of security features

Other file acceleration solutions required significant upfront expenditure and hardware installations

Simple automated solution with drag and drop actions, linked to notifications for a seamless workflow

Files received from third party production houses needed to be on air 1 hour after play out in India, so time was of the essence

Working with Viacom18 in Mumbai, India, Tata Communications Media Services team created a solution to meet their needs for daily delivery of HD Masters of leading Indian soap programs to customers in other countries for same day syndicated play out. Previously, customers who purchased rights to new content were putting previous seasons content on air and this left a gap where their audience was sourcing illegally copied content to stay up to date with their favourite shows. Same-day distribution of play out, removes the need for viewers to source from alternate, illegal sites and maximises the value of the content for the broadcaster. In addition, this increases the value of the rights owned by Viacom18, allowing it to increase the revenue earned from each show.

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Content Delivery/Viacom18 - a case study

The solutionTata Communications' cloud-based Transcode-as-a-Service (in partnership with Harmonic and FileCatalyst) provides an integrated end-to-end workflow for moving file based content to the cloud, transcode into broadcast quality formats ready for immediate transmission (including the use of the customer�s existing transcode profiles where available) and secure delivery of the transcoded output to the customer�s selected destination.

The Content Transform service is accessed via a simple UI browser to submit jobs, select profiles and monitor progress to delivery. Viacom18 requested a simple drag and drop workflow with notifications so we worked with them to develop a modified workflow to achieve Viacom18�s business need. We created designated hot folders at the Viacom18 location in Mumbai where the version of the content approved for TX in India could be dropped into. From this folder, the files are automatically transferred to the cloud based service utilising secure and accelerated connections across the Tata Communications network. The agreed transcode profile would take the source and create a TX ready variant for the broadcasters in other countries allowing them to receive the file over another secure and accelerated connection. Utilising this workflow, the broadcaster can then insert local ad breaks and broadcast the content during the same evening. Notifications are issued to confirm that the file has been received, transcode completed and delivery started. A final confirmation of file received and the duration keeps all parties informed of the progress at all stages of the workflow. Web-based dashboards and control provide additional visibility of the workflow progress.

Content Delivery/Viacom18 - a case study

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Tata Communications' cloud-based Transcode-as-a-Service provides an integrated end-to-end workflow for

moving file based content to the cloud, transcode into broadcast quality

formats ready for immediate transmission and secure delivery of the

transcoded output to the customer�s selected destination.

Ease of implementationContent Transform is service based model accessed via UI or pre-configured with automation via hot folders combining broadcast quality with file acceleration for upload and download of the content. It has a browser-based drag-and-drop interface that supports Windows/Mac operating systems and can be used to send any file format or size. New users can be easily added within 48 hours. Bulk physical transfers are supported for large customers.

Lower cost, faster go to marketThe commercial model is simple and intuitive. It is based on a price per hour of content transcoded and delivered with very low minimum commitment levels, allowing the customer to use the service on an occasional use basis if required. This allows Viacom18 to de-risk the project by removing the upfront investment that would be required if it procured transcode capacity, a file movement capability and built its own service.

Improved management and reliabilityThe service leverages Tata Communications' world leading global network ensuring a high level of reliability and availability while offering broadcast quality Transcode as a Service combined with delivery in an integrated web based service.

�Tata Communications' simple, cost- effective and intuitive service has

meant that our shows are picked up, transformed to formats as required by our international customers and

delivered to them in a seamless manner. Authorised content available

for simulcast in high quality has meant more revenue for us while it

discourages piracy."

Rajasekharan Harikrishnan, Chief Technical Officer,

Viacom18

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Content Delivery/Viacom18 - a case study

ConclusionThis innovative solution shows how technology can be harnessed to drive business benefit through giving viewers what they want, when they want it and eliminating the need for them to access illegal content. The solution has demystified the cloud concept through an integrated combination of proven, trusted technologies delivered as a service over a global network infrastructure at a simple, affordable price. As a result, it benefits all parties including advertisers, local broadcasters, content owners and viewers.

Why Tata Communications for Content DeliveryTata Communications, a member of the $83 billion Tata Group, is a leading global provider of a new world of communications. The emerging markets communications leader leverages advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multinational and Indian enterprises, service providers, and Indian consumers.

Tata Communications' range of services includes transmission, IP, converged voice, mobility, managed network connectivity, hosting and storage, managed security, managed collaboration, and business transformation for global enterprises and service providers, as well as Internet, retail broadband, and content services for Indian consumers.

Tata Communications working with strategic partners

Content Delivery/Viacom18 - a case study

"Like most commercial innovations, this solution is based on adaptation rather than invention. It addresses a gap in the market for a simple end-to-end workflow that delivers TX-ready broadcast content globally, with minimal intervention and in a cost-effective way".

Alex Sharp Strategic Partner

Manager,Tata Communications

"We are in lock step with Tata Communications as we both agree that future business is going to be a combination of services, software licensing models and ultimately a completely virtualized cloud service".

Ian Jefferson Vice President,

Strategic Alliances, Harmonic

"FileCatalyst has been working closely with Tata Communications for the last three years, developing a reliable cloud-based file delivery and encoding service by combining our secure and accelerated file transfer solutions with the Tata Communications global network".

John Tkaczewski President,

FileCatalyst

India

Tata Communications Limited Plots C21 and C36Block G, Bandra Kurla ComplexBandra (East)Mumbai 400 098

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For more information about Tata Communications Content Transformvisit or email www.tatacommunications.com tcms@tatacommunications.com

About Tata Communications Tata Communications is a leading global provider of a new world of communications. With a leadership position in emerging markets, Tata Communications leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers. The Tata Global Network includes one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, with connectivity to more than 200 countries across 400 PoPs, and nearly 1 million square feet of data center and collocation space

worldwide. Tata Communications' depth and breadth of reach in emerging markets includes leadership in Indian enterprise data services, leadership in global international voice, and strategic investments in operators in South Africa (Neotel), Sri Lanka (Tata Communications Lanka Limited)and Nepal (United Telecom Limited).Tata Communications Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (NYSE: TCL)

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Singapore 534103Registration Number: 20040025G

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Tata Communications Deutschland GmbHDomicile: Frankfurt am MainRegistry Court: AG Frankfurt am Main United States

Tata Communications (America) Inc.2355 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Suite 700Herndon, VA 20171

CommercialRegister number: HRB 54483Bettinastr. 30, 60325 Frankfurt am Main

Content TransformMulti-country syndicated TXmaster transcode and delivery

Viacom18 - case study

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