MAM
Frost & Sullivan’s report on the streaming media market
MUMBAI: Media streaming over the Internet faces stiff competition from traditional television. The anticipated convergence of television, cable, and the Internet and high speed Internet access are expected to lessen the impact of this restraint.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan on the world media streaming platforms, reveals that revenue in this market totaled $720.5 million in 2003. The number is projected to grow significantly by 2010.
One of the company’s analysts Mukul Krishna was quoted in a company release saying, “Online content owners are under pressure to provide a value proposition that can draw customers from televisions to their desktop screens. This is an uphill task, considering the present quality of streaming over the Internet compared to that of television and the amount of content available to television viewers.”
The report further noted that in order to compensate for the lower visual quality, Internet content providers need to focus on niche markets such as adult and sports entertainment — otherwise available by subscription or pay-per-view. Delivering a richer viewing experience through higher bandwidth coupled with better video compression is also likely to attract new users.
There is also a rising demand for high quality video streaming, sparked off by the application of digital media in the phenomenally growing mobile wireless market. With end users looking for rich multimedia experiences, streaming platform providers are striving to enable delivery to portable wireless devices states the release.
These platform providers are usually multinational giants with the financial might and resources to provide free basic media players along with their systems. With two or three branded players installed in systems, there is hardly any demand for new units offered by new entrants. This lack of demand coupled with lack of resources proves to be a barrier to the entry of new market participants, and established companies usually acquire any new entrants. In addition, the market is beset by concerns such as piracy and digital rights management, patent infringement litigation, and anti-trust issues.
However the report has noted that in spite of these challenges, the media streaming platform market holds great potential for the participants. In fact, participants from the telecom and other allied technology markets are also seeking opportunities in the streaming space which adds a new dimension to the competitive environment.
“In a nutshell, market success of participants will hinge on the level of functionality, portability, and reliability they can provide to their customers” concluded Krishna.
International growth consultancy group Frost & Sullivan has been supporting clients’ expansion for more than four decades. Its market expertise covers a broad spectrum of industries, while the portfolio of advisory competencies includes custom strategic consulting, market intelligence, and management training.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
