ITV

Category: Local Cable Operators

  • Eutelsat KabelKiosk selects HTTV middleware to deploy HbbTV IPTV

    Eutelsat KabelKiosk selects HTTV middleware to deploy HbbTV IPTV

    MUMBAI: HTTV has announced that httvLink, its HbbTV open-middleware for connected TV STBs, has been selected by Eutelsat KabelKiosk to power its new wholesale HbbTV IPTV offering. This will be the first time worldwide, that HbbTV will be deployed on IPTV networks.

    KabelKiosk is the leading provider of ready to use TV products and services in Europe for network operators. It is operated by Eutelsat Germany, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Eutelsat S.A, one of the worldwide leading satellite operators.

    KabelKiosk will use HbbTV 1.5 compliant httvLink middleware and IP STB’s from leading Korean manufacturer, Kaon Media, for its new HbbTV IPTV offering. It will enable IPTV Network Operators (IPNO) such as cities carrier or local communities to provide advanced connected TV set top boxes to more than five million German households. These IPNO would be able to operate pay TV networks under their own brands by using KabelKiosk’s infrastructure and content.

    Eutelsat KabelKiosk will make the content available on HbbTV STBs as well as on iOS, Android smartphone, tablets, PCs and Mac.

    “HTTV is proud to have been selected by a leading provider such as KabelKiosk for this first HbbTV IPTV network wholesale offer” said HTTVCEO Regis Saint Girons in a release.  “This demonstrates that HbbTV is a flexible and powerful standard not only for free to air but also for PayTV and IPTV networks,” he added.

    “Our KabelKiosk platform is the engine of innovation in the German speaking cable and IP network markets. Therefore working with httv, one of the true digital TV software innovators, is a perfect match. Its leading position on HbbTV middleware has made it the natural choice to contribute to our new offer and to consolidate our technological leadership”, said Eutelsat Germany managing director Martina Rutenbeck.

  • DirecTV, Dish Network to hike price

    DirecTV, Dish Network to hike price

    MUMBAI: Dish Network and DirecTV subscribers will have to gear up to shell out more for using their services. Come 2014 and DirecTV’s base ‘entertainment’ package will cost $58 per month, a $3 hike from 2013, the ‘premier’ package will cost $130, up $5 from a year ago. Rising content cost and desire to keep the satellite TV provider’s operating profit flat are being cited as the reason for the price hike.

     

    Dish Network on the other hand will hike its fees by 5.5 per cent. This following its 16.3 per cent price hike in the beginning of 2013. While, the ‘welcome plan’, ‘America’s choice 120+ plan’ will cost the same, the other packs will get a $5 price hike and a $3 hike in the ‘smart pack’ which will cost $33 in 2014.

     

    DirecTV, which has close to 20.16 million US subscribers, according to reports, will increase its price at an average of 3.7 per cent starting February.

     

    Media reports have confirmed that both the companies will raise the prices of their various television packages and also increase the service fees as well.

     

    Can’t say if pay TV service providers are looking at any such New Year surprise for consumers in India, but it surely doesn’t seem to be a happy start to the New Year for DirecTV and Dish Network subscribers in the US.

  • Disappointed Assam cable ops to meet to decide on further agitation

    Disappointed Assam cable ops to meet to decide on further agitation

    MUMBAI: A huge remonstration by the cable operators of Guwahati Metro seems to be in the coming. After all their measures to get a respite from the troubles that has come in their lives after the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) asked them to pay Rs 25 for the usage of poles failed, this seems to be the last rescue.

    The troubled cable operators are now organising an all Assam cable operators meet on 29 December to decide the date for the next blackout. They will also decide the date for the meeting with Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

    The Greater Guwahati Cable TV Operators’ Association (GGCTOA) is disappointed with the outcome of the meeting with Assam Power Minister Pradyut Bordloi. On 24 December, a 10-member committee had met the minister to discuss the issue. The meeting was organised after the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) on 17 December issued a letter to the cable operators in Guwahati Metro to pay for the electric poles.

    Another thing disturbing the operators is a newspaper announcement made by APDCL on 25 December. “The APDCL has issued a public notice, stating that the cable operators are not following the safety norms by laying cable wires on electric poles and also that the cable operators are not ready to pay for using the services of APDCL,” informs GGCTOA general secretary Md Iquebal Ahmed. “But, this is all false. We are abiding by the safety rules and also are ready to pay. Our demand is to reduce the fee from Rs 25 to Rs 8 – Rs 10. The issue of this notice has brought all our negotiations to zero,” he adds.

    Earlier, on 23 December, the operators in order to show their discontent towards the decision of APDCL had already carried a blackout. The next blackout, the date for which is yet to be decided, will be due to the non-conclusive meeting with Bordloi and also the newspaper announcement made by APDCL.

    “The minister has neither fully supported us, nor has gone against our demand. But, he has avoided any commitment,” remarks Ahmed.

    Stating that APDCL is a private company, Bordloi told the cable operators that he cannot compel them to do anything. “I can only talk to them and put forth your demands to them,” is what the minister told the 10 member committee.

    “This is not the response that we had expected,” says Ahmed.

    While the blackout on Monday lasted for five hours, the next blackout will be for 12 hours. “We will decide the date in the meeting on 29 December. Our first attempt of blackout was successful and well supported by the consumers as well,” says Ahmed.

    The cable operators may also go for a “dharna” as an option to ensure their voice is heard.

  • Tamil Nadu & DAS: Arasu issues notice against MediaPro

    Tamil Nadu & DAS: Arasu issues notice against MediaPro

    BENGALURU:  Even as the Madras High Court has warned the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) not to take any coercive actions against Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV), the latter has taken steps to protect its interests in the state. 

    The government owned MSO issued a public notice on 25 December, cautioning subscribers that the channels under MediaPro Enterprises India (MediaPro) would be disconnected 21 days after the issue of the notice.

    Arasu has a presence in 27 districts in Tamil Nadu, having leased the headends of private MSOs there. 

    The public notice states that the MSO has decided to take this action as the aggregator is in breach of letter of acceptance and non-conclusion of price negotiation between the two.  It warns subscribers and LCOs that they may not be able to view the channels on their TV sets 21 days from the date of publication of the notice. However, the MSO informs its subscribers and LCOs that alternate channels will be available for viewing in place of these 59 channels.

    The notice has been issued under section 4.2 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) Telecommunications (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection Regulations 2004.

    Unconfirmed reports allege that TNACTV has been arm twisting pay channel broadcasters and distributors to pay carriage fees to make up a for a mismatch of revenue and payouts to pay channels  of about 40 percent. According to TRAI, Arasu Cable, that is still delivering its services on analogue, has about 6 million subscribers under it in Tamil Nadu making up for a huge chunk of the 13 million cable TV homes in the state.

    MediaPro was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report. There are 59 channels listed including Star Vijay, Zee Tamizh, Asianet, Asianet Plus and several other Hindi, English and regional channels from the Star and Zee stable which MediaPro distributes. 

    Whether the impact of Arasu clipping Mediapro will be heavy or not, nobody is willing to bet. However, prima facie the channels which would be impacted would be the English entertainment and movie channels, Zee Tamizh, Star Vijay, Asianet, and to a certain extent the kids, sports, news and factual entertainment channels which go to form the Mediapro  bouquet  However, the main drivers of the bouquet Zee TV and Star Plus would be impacted marginally, since Hindi is not a preferred viewing option in Tamil Nadu. 

  • MCOF gets entertainment tax extension in Maharashtra

    MCOF gets entertainment tax extension in Maharashtra

    MUMBAI: The last mile operators (LMOs) in Maharashtra have got a further extension until 21 January from filing joint affidavits along with the multi-system operators (MSOs). The cable operators can also in the interim continue paying entertainment tax to the Bombay High Court, following an extension given by it today. The next hearing of the case is on 21 January.

    The Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) had on 13 December moved the Court challenging the Maharashtra state government’s amended gazette resolution (GR) regarding entertainment tax. According to the amended GR, it was mandatory for the LMOs to file a joint affidavit with the MSOs while paying entertainment tax.

    The Court during the 17 December hearing gave interim relief to the LMOs from filing joint affidavits along with the MSOs. The case was up for hearing today. “The state government advocate wasn’t ready with its response and hence the case was adjourned to another date,” says advocate Sudeep Nargolkar.

    While the case is still on in the Court, the public accounts committee (PAC) of the Maharashtra state legislature has come up with the recommendation of bringing in a few amendments in the Entertainment Duty Act, 1923. The amendments have been recommended based on: one, the numerous advertisements running on cable TV networks, which according to a Times of India report runs into crores; and two, while private TV channels need to follow procedures and seek permission from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) before launching a new channel, there is no body governing the channels that the cable TV operators run.

    The committee has also objected to the absence of tax that should be levied on cable TV operators for running advertisements on their network.

    The PAC has suggested measures to increase the revenue from entertainment tax. This includes: creating a database of cable and DTH viewers; decentralising entertainment tax collection at district and taluka levels; and regular inspection by both the IT department and revenue officials to find out the number of cable TV subscribers under each operator.

    The changes are being thought of at a time when the LMOs are fighting against the high entertainment tax fees.Are we in for another round of litigation? 

  • Cable operators demand a 10 year licence for better operations

    Cable operators demand a 10 year licence for better operations

    MUMBAI: If the entire digitisation process has affected any of the related bodies the most, it is the local cable operators (LCOs), who are unsure about their future completely. Keeping this in mind, the Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) has written to the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minster Manish Tewari requesting him to give the LCOs a 10 year licence so that they can work on various expansion plans.

     

    The letter was sent to the minister on 18 December. However, the association still awaits a response.

     

    What is notable is that when COFI earlier met the minister on 29 October along with the Cable Operator Association of Gujarat and Rajkot, member of parliament, Mohan Bavaliya requesting for a 10 year licence for the LCOs, Tewari had accepted the proposal, but there was no development on the issue thereafter.

     

    In the absence of a response, the association has resorted to sending a reminder letter to Tewari.  

     

    “You had assured us that the licensing for registered cable operators will be for 10 years at par with the multi-system operators (MSOs) and direct-to-home (DTH) operators and that ‘registration’ for LCOs in post offices will cease,” writes COFI in the letter.

     

    The move, according to the association president Roop Sharma, will help cable operators show more interest in upgradation of technology and expanding business. “When the MSOs and DTH players have been given 10 year licence citing security of business as a reason, why should the LCOs not be given such a security,” she says.

     

    While the MSOs and DTH operators are given the licence by the I&B Ministry, “the LCOs are the only distributers of content without a licence and have registration in post offices for more than 20 years”, states the letter.

     

    MSOs currently have to pay Rs one lakh for a 10 year licence. “The LCOs are anyway paying Rs 1000 to the post office for one year registration. So why not charge them for a 10 year licence? At least this will guarantee them security,” informs Sharma.

     

    In fact, the LCOs have become more certain about attaining a 10-year license because as per the new DAS rules, the LCO has to seek permission from the MSO for renewal of the yearly post office registration. Though the association hasn’t received any response to the letter, Sharma says, “We will soon meet the minister again.”

     

  • Why Assam cable operators are going on strike?

    Why Assam cable operators are going on strike?

    MUMBAI: It was in September that the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) sent out its first circular, making it mandatory for cable operators in the state to pay Rs 25 per electric pole per month, with the deadline being 7 October. However, the cable operators had requested APDCL to lower the rate as they would earn revenue from many other service providers who are using the electric poles as well.

     

    But all their efforts seem to have gone in vain as the APDCL seems unconvinced on the issue. After reviewing the request made by the operators in October, while APDCL has reserved its views on the other parts of Assam and lower Guwahati, it has asked the operators in Guwahati Metro to pay Rs 25 per electric pole every month starting 15 January.

     

    The decision which was taken in a meeting held on 17 December is set to affect more than 250 cable operators providing cable TV service in Guwahati Metro area. The operators represented by Greater Guwahati Cable TV Operators’ Association (GGCTOA) general secretary Md Iquebal Ahmed were asked to file a confirmation letter accepting the fee module.

     

    However, while they didn’t follow what they were asked to, around 100 cable operators met on 19 December to discuss the issue and have decided to switch off cable TV signals today from 4 pm – 9 pm.

     

    Apparently, GGCTOA held a press conference on Sunday and made an announcement about the same.

     

    The operators in Guwahati Metro area have refused to pay Rs 25 per pole per month. “Though we have been told that the electric poles will be given exclusively to us and that we can even give it to advertisers to put up hoardings, or collect revenue from the broadband or telecom operators who are also using the pole, but this is all verbal. Nothing has been given to us in writing,” informs Ahmed.

     

    There are approximately 2.8 lakh electric poles in Guwahati Metro area, of which around 1.8 lakh poles are being used by the cable operators. The matter is currently being handled by APDCL Lower Assam division CGM commercial P. Buzarbauah. “We need a written agreement of all that has been proposed in the meeting. When we asked for it, we were asked to sign the letter first. But, how can we be sure that whatever has been said will be followed later,” he says.

     

    Also the APDCL has given no clarity on who will be collecting the money from the operators and also the advertiser who uses the electric pole to put the hoarding. GGCTOA has also requested the APDCL to directly deal with operators to collect the fee. “We had asked them to sign an agreement with each cable operator, so that they can directly be made responsible for payment or non-payment of the fee. But, the APDCL is passing the buck on to us,” informs Ahmed.

     

    “According to what the body has proposed, it is GGCTOA which will need to collect the pole fee from operators and submit it to APDCL. But how am I responsible if say of the three operators who are using the pole for laying cable wires, two pay the electric pole usage fee, while one doesn’t? So we are demanding that the APDCL signs an agreement with operators directly and not hold us responsible,” he adds.

     

    After waiting for almost two months, while decision is still pending for other regions of Assam, Guwahati Metro region cable operators are surely unhappy. “We even plan to meet Assam Industries & Commerce, Power (Electricity) and Public Enterprises minister Pradyut Bordoloi and also chief minister Tarun Gogoi in order to resolve the issue,” concludes Ahmed.

     

  • MCOF-MicroScan broadband package for Maharashtra LMOs

    MCOF-MicroScan broadband package for Maharashtra LMOs

    MUMBAI: We have often heard broadband delivered over cable TV is pure moolah. Now, last mile operators (LMOs) in the western state will also be able to pocket some of that courtesy the Maharashtra Cable Operator Federation (MCOF) and Mumbai-based MircoScan Computers which signed a proposal on 17 December to promote a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the name SCOPE.

    “This is a joint venture with Microscan which will help provide high speed broadband service to all LMOs,” says MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo. Microscan is an ISP and fibre infrastructure provider to telcos in Mumbai and Pune.

    “Broadband until now wasn’t well structured in the LMO universe,” points out Prabhoo, who had earlier, in September during the India Digital Operators Summit 2013 (IDOS) organised by Indiantelevision.com in Goa mentioned about the huge pipeline lying with the LMOs which was being unutilised. “We needed an internet service provider to partner with us to provide high speed internet to serve consumers in a better way,” he reveals.

      
    Microscan provides fiber to the homes under an arrangement with Sterlite Technologies and MCOF has pooled in LMO fibre rings for optimising mutual resources. “SCOPE will offer true high speed broadband services under BOLT, the trade mark announced by it a few weeks ago,” says Prabhoo. 

    The deal was signed between Prabhoo and Microscan managing director Sandeep Donde on Tuesday. “This is set to alter the broadband service space in a major way,” adds Prabhoo.

    Microscan, which was established in 1996, by engineer turned entrepreneur Donde has more than 450 km of underground fibre. “The partnership will help us provide standardised broadband services to the existing 1500 MCOF members and also those who join later,” he informs.

    Microscan will provide an internet speed ranging between 2 mbps-50 mbps to the end user with a compression ratio of 1:1 or 1:8 as per their choice. “We have our own infrastructure across Maharashtra. This is a strategic partnership with MCOF, through which we will provide internet connection to all its members,” says Donde.

    According to Prabhoo, it is the broadband service that will give a push to the ARPUs for cable TV operators. “Broadband will help LMOs monetise customers.”

    Donde assures that the internet speed available will be standardised and at a lower price. “The rates could vary from Rs 300 to Rs 2,000 to the end customer,” informs Donde.

    Says Prabhoo, “Though the service tariff is low in comparison to other players providing the service, the LMOs will make more money than in any other arrangement they would have entered into.” 

    Not disclosing the revenue share model, Donde says, “We are still working on it.”

    The LMOs through Microscan can enjoy services like, ‘thin client internet connections’, ‘local area cloud’ and ‘content anywhere.’ “We will also be providing value added services like video-on-demand,” informs Donde. 

    Microscan, which has MSO DigiCable as one of its clients, incidentally holds a DAS license in 38 cities and an IPTV license for Mumbai. 

    “What we are offering is certainly a treat for cable TV subscribers and which may be a threat for legacy players,” concludes Prabhoo.

  • Maharashtra’s LMOs get favorable Bombay HC interim order

    Maharashtra’s LMOs get favorable Bombay HC interim order

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s last mile cable TV operators  (LMOs) have got some relief. The Bombay High Court today gave them interim relief to the LMOs from filing joint affidavits along with the multi-system operators (MSOs).

    The Court has given an interim stay on the amended GR. We can continue depositing the entertainment tax to the court, says Arvind Prabhoo

    The Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) had on 13 December moved the Court challenging the Maharashtra state government’s amended gazette resolution (GR) regarding entertainment tax. According to the amended GR, it was mandatory for the LMOs to file a joint affidavit with the MSOs while paying entertainment tax.

    “The case was heard today and the court has given us an interim stay on the amended GR. We can continue depositing the entertainment tax with the court,” inform MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo.

    The case comes up for further hearing next Monday, that is, 23 December.

  • MCOF takes Maharashtra govt to court on ent tax

    MCOF takes Maharashtra govt to court on ent tax

    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Cable Operators’ Federation (MCOF) moved the Bombay High Court on 13 December challenging the Maharashtra state government’s amended gazette resolution (GR) regarding entertainment tax. The association will send a notice to the state government on 14 December.

    Both MCOF and the Nashik District Cable Operators Federation had in April challenged the first GR issued by the government on 7 March in the courts, according to which multi-system operators (MSOs) were made responsible for paying entertainment tax. Now, MCOF has challenged the second GR which the government released in November as an interim solution.

    “What we don’t understand is that how can the government come out with an amended GR when the first GR is already in court,” asks MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo.

    The association has filed the petition on two issues. “The first issue is on renewal of licence for last mile owners (LMOs) according to section 4(2)(b) of the Entertainment Duty Act, Bombay 1923. Second, is the amended GR, which makes it compulsory for the LMOs to file a joint affidavit with the MSOs to pay entertainment tax,” informs Prabhoo.

    The Maharashtra government issued the new GR, stating it was losing out on tax collections. “What is the need for a joint affidavit, when with digitisation the whole system has become transparent? Also when we are depositing the entertainment tax to the court, till no verdict is announced, why this GR?” he questions.

    MCOF has filed the petition to ensure that the government doesn’t indulge in anymore GRs till the verdict is declared. The earlier petition filed in April is up for hearing in the Bombay High Court on 10 January.

    “We hope that while the first issue is resolved in the coming hearing, our new petition comes up for hearing soon,” he adds. The case will be represented by advocate-High Court Sudeep Nargolkar.

    It should be noted, that the joint affidavit means that in case of any irregularity in paying the entertainment tax, both the MSOs and LMOs will be either jointly or separately made responsible.

    “We are ready to pay the tax directly to the government. Why should the LMOs suffer, if the MSO doesn’t deposit the entertainment tax to the government collected by the LMOs?” asks Prabhoo.