Star Plus, a channel of Satellite Television Asia Region (STAR) TV service owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, has unveiled its multi screen presence plan.
It has re-launched its Audio Zone, which enables users to listen to Star Plus serials, audio blogs of characters, contests and music. All a user needs to do is call 5057827. The channel will charge Rs 2 per day or Rs 10 per month for its Audio Zone service, which is available on Vodafone, Idea, Tata Docomo, BSNL and RCom. Daily plans offer 10 minutes of use, while monthly plans allow 30 to 60 minutes every day.
The company is also working on applications for mobiles such as iPhone, Android, Nokia N series and other touchscreen devices. These applications will enable live streaming of STAR Plus channel, including videos of earlier episodes, and news about latest happenings on sets.
The application will also enable users to post videos on social networks, rate content, view images of TV stars and schedules of upcoming shows, listen to songs, and download select pieces of content.
The channel plans to be present on popular tablets such as iPads and Samsung Tab devices. The applications for these devices will have the same features as their mobile counterparts but with richer content quality and personalisation options such as the ability to create playlists and mark favourites.
Star Plus also has plans for up coming internet TV technology, with what it calls The Wow Zone, wherein users of Google TV, PS2 and Xbox will be able to watch pre recorded Star Plus programmes. Wow Zone will also have features that are available on mobile and tablet devices. This service is currently targeted at overseas Indians who would like to watch the channel but do not have access to it. Although internet TV such as Google TV is yet to pick up in India, the future is certainly moving in that direction. The move will not only provide users with flexibility, but will also bring additional viewers to the channel, and the ability to deliver advertisements in a more engaging way, thereby improving revenue.
These services also have the potential of increasing interactivity with TV viewers whose only medium of interaction has been through SMSs. Now it will be possible for them to tell the channel if they like or dislike a programme on a real time basis.
The channel has not announced tariff plans or launch dates for services apart from the audio zone, but says it will do so in a few months.