ITV

Category: Local Cable Operators

  • SITI Networks’ FY20 Operating EBITDA surges 1.2X Y-o-Y to Rs.3,538 Mn

    SITI Networks’ FY20 Operating EBITDA surges 1.2X Y-o-Y to Rs.3,538 Mn

    New Delhi: SITI Networks Limited (BSE: 532795, NSE: SITINET), an Essel Group Company, one of India’s largest Multi-System Operators (MSO), has released its Consolidated Audited Financial Results for Q4 and full year FY20, ending March 31, 2020. On the back of sustained efforts in FY20, SITI reported continuous growth through operational efficiencies and strict control on expenses across all metrics.  

    SITI’s Operating EBITDA for FY20 surged by 1.2x to Rs.3,538 Mn by efficiently leveraging existing operating resources. SITI’s Operating EBITDA for Q4FY20 also jumped 2.5% to Rs. 861 Mn year on year. Q4FY20 also saw further consolidation in SITI’s Operating EBITDA Margins which grew 1.02X to 21.6% on y-o-y basis. 

    Subscription Revenue for Q4FY20 grew 25.3% y-o-y to Rs. 2,842 Mn. For FY20 too, Subscription Revenue surged 21.3% to Rs.11,567 Mn. Total Revenue (excluding activation) for Q4FY20 surged ~23% y-o-y to Rs. 4,128 Mn. FY20 Total Revenue (excluding activation) also jumped 15.3% over FY19 to Rs.16,354 Mn. 

    SITI Broadband continued its focus on providing the best technology to its customers by launching a composite FTTX based network architecture which would make enable customer premises with the best of online and linear content. Implementation of this composite model will benefit both SITI Networks and SITI Broadband, while providing IOT based services to customers.  

    In the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, SITI’s team and 24,000+ strong distribution network is playing a significant role. During lockdown, SITI’s field staff, Contact Centre and Distribution Partners worked diligently on the ground to ensure that customers stayed indoors and provided best in class infotainment and keep the world connected to them. To cope with the lockdown and the need to protect its staff, SITI also ensured remote work from home for all its staff while maintaining strict quality control and monitoring of services.   
     
    While commenting on the results, Mr. Anil Malhotra, CEO of SITI Networks Limited mentioned:  
     
    “SITI Networks continued its consistent growth focus while maintaining a strict control on operational efficiencies during FY20. Our subscription revenue for Q4FY20 grew by 25.3% YoY, while our total revenue grew by ~23% YoY. Even for FY20, our total revenue jumped by 15.3% to Rs. 16,354 Mn. Our constant mantra of improving operational efficiencies while improving monetization helped us to deliver strong operating EBITDA at INR3,538 mn, in FY20, a surge of 1.2 times. Our response to COVID-19 pandemic has been widely appreciated. Our teams and partners have left no stone unturned to ensure that our customers get the best services."

  • Kolkata cable TV network rebuilding after cyclone Amphan

    Kolkata cable TV network rebuilding after cyclone Amphan

    KOLKATA: Amid the Covid2019 crisis, several districts of West Bengal including Kolkata had been devastated by powerful cyclone Amphan last month. Cable TV and broadband service providers are reeling across the state due to huge infrastructural losses. Although the players are putting high effort to normalise connections, many areas are still in dire straits. Siti Cable director Suresh Sethia estimates that 1-1.5 lakh set-top boxes and fibres of few crores have been damaged across the state.

    Sethia says that none of the operators had the preparation to protect themselves from this disastrous cyclone given its magnitude. Even now, some areas in Kolkata have seen electricity resume a few days ago while there are areas in West Bengal where electricity is still a challenge. This coupled with limited manpower due to Covid2019 is making the task tougher.

    He adds that more than 1,50,000 trees fell down and a number of lampposts which bear cables were razed. The operators have to work from scratch in those areas. 

    Talking about the magnitude of damage, he states more than 50,000 set-top-boxes have been damaged of Siti Networks. However, the numbers might increase. Along with that, there are many control rooms where headends have been blown away incurring more losses. 

    Siti Cable teams have been working round-the-clock to normalise the situation. Many of the workforce are staying in office for 20-25 days to ensure the network is on everywhere. However, he also adds that now they are looking at rebuilding it. All players in Kolkata have come to work together in the crisis and very soon they may have a common plan of pulling the cables and maintaining them together.

    Sethia happily shares that majority of consumers have understood the situation. While they were also struggling with damages from the cyclone, they started contacting cable operators after eight days. “Had the cables be underground, maybe the disruption would have been less,” he believes. While Siti Networks is now focusing on rebuilding the network after temporary damage control, it will look at more underground cable lines.  

  • BRDS Digital Cable TV & Broadband Services celebrates 25 Years of Cable TV Entertainment Service!

    BRDS Digital Cable TV & Broadband Services celebrates 25 Years of Cable TV Entertainment Service!

    Entertainment is the art of instilling happiness away from the reality of lives. Having served as a medium of entertainment since its inception, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services (BRDS), now Metrocast Network India Pvt. Ltd., is celebrating 25 successful years of providing cable TV entertainment. What started off as a single-headed venture into the world of the cable TV entertainment services in 1995 in Belgaum, changed the face of entertainment across towns and villages, and is today one of the largest independent MSOs in India growing strong with each coming day. 

    India as a country has always been inclined to television as a medium for entertainment. Disrupting the regional, national, and international barriers, the oncoming of cable TV proliferated manifold into making entertainment a rich experience. Ever since its inception in the early 90s, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services has been a dedicated cable TV entertainment service connecting users across Karnataka and has, today, build up its network across Maharashtra and Goa too. 

    Overwhelmed with the response that his company has achieved over the years, Mr. Nagesh Narayandas Chhabria, CEO & Founder of Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, shares “It’s a dream milestone as an entrepreneur to celebrate 25 years of his business. I am thankful to our millions of subscribers, many more million viewers, broadcasters, TV Partners, the staff, managerial and technical team, and my family for all the love, support, and trust that made this company a success. It's been a journey that wouldn’t have reached here without this bunch of people who believed in our vision. ” 

    Mr. Nagesh further credits his wife, Mrs. Nisha Chhabria for playing a pivotal role in the handling of the business and being the pillar of success that took BRDS to new heights. Crafting new ventures and advents for the company in its technological and futuristic approach, Mr. Nagesh entrusts his daughter Riddhi and son Sumukh promising betterment of business for everyone in the chain of business. 

    Ever since its emergence, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, now Metrocast Network India Pvt. Ltd has navigated through the toughest of times nourishing its growth and making exemplifying achievements in every step. Connecting people through the beauty of entertainment, the company is taking these 25 years of cable TV entertainment as a benchmark to provide promising service in the coming years too! 
     

  • Cable operators seek discounted tariffs from pay channels

    Cable operators seek discounted tariffs from pay channels

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Cable Operators' Foundation (MCOF) has requested Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) to urge its members – the pay channels – to offer discounted pay tariffs, if not waiving them altogether, for a period of four months from 20 April to 20 August.

    The MCOF has primarily cited two reasons for making this request. First, there has been no original content for the past two months. Second is the subscribers’ inability to pay for the channels.

    In a letter addressed to IBF president NP Singh, the MCOF stated that the request is specifically regarding IBF members that operate pay channels with monthly tariff ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 19 for SD feed and variable extra for HD feed.  

    “Our subscribers have been pointing out that all the channels have been recycling programmes for close to two months. Further, no one is in a position to assure as to when fresh programmes will be aired. Same is the case with sports and movie channels, which will be slower in offering fresh content as compared to GECs and other genres,” said the letter.

    MCOF further stated: “The subscribers therefore will either discontinue these channels on their own, or we as the last-mile link will be compelled to do so since MSOs are pressuring us to pay upfront when our subscribers are unable to pay. We therefore believe that it would be in everyone's interests that pay channels offer steeply discounted pay tariffs, if not waive it altogether for a period of four months.”

    The situation, said the MCOF, may be reviewed in mid-July and a suitable call be taken in respect of “GECs as a class distinct from sports and movie channels.” The cable federation expressed hope that this “ethical action” will not only create goodwill with subscribers but also retain customers for the channels to ensure that advertising income does not go down much.

    “We hope that you will appreciate the fact we too will be sacrificing our marketing fee and yet are willing to do so in the interests of the entire value chain. We hope to receive an early revert in mutual interests,” concluded the letter.  

  • Cable subscription collection sees 80% drop due to COVID-19

    Cable subscription collection sees 80% drop due to COVID-19

    MUMBAI: Cable operators have been facing problems in the collection of subscription fees since the third week of March as restrictions on social distancing started. Moreover, the countrywide lockdown has caused them more distress. Subscription collection of the operators from customers has fallen down, as Maharashtra Cable Operators’ Foundation (MCOF) stated. 

    “After the ministry of information and broadcasting permitted cable TV as an essential service, cable operators have been able to get their limited staff to attend to network-related issues. With no public transport, workers staying at faraway locations have not been able to attend,” it stated.

    “Subscription collection from customers has come down drastically as many societies and colonies have imposed restrictions on any entry into their complexes,” it added.

    MCOF mentioned that cable operators have to make payments to their respective MSOs upfront if they wish to activate any channel/package. But all MSOs get almost 30 to 60 days’ credit before they make any payment to the broadcasters. This is mainly due to the fact that MSOs have to generate monthly usage reports for the month, based on which the broadcasters will raise their invoices. These broadcaster invoices will then be processed by respective MSO accounts teams and payments made. 

    Against this backdrop, various cable associations have appealed to TRAI, MIB, and respective MSOs to either adopt post-paid services for April or to issue credit facilities to cable operators who are unable to collect.

    The AIDCF (All India Digital Cable Federation), the body of MSOs, has decided to keep only the mandatory channels of Doordarshan active for any STB which is not renewed in April. 

    It stated that cable operators are not financially strong to fund the MSOs and activate channels, especially when collections have dropped by 80 per cent or more. 

    Cable associations have advised cable operators the following: 

    ·   Cable operators should push customers to pay online using NEFT/UPI/wallets/credit or debit cards and activate services for those who have paid.

    ·    For those customers who do not pay online, cable operators can downgrade them to Free To Air Channel (FTA) Packs, since most viewing is happening on news channels (most of which are FTA channels) and DD providing re-runs of its popular serials at nil cost. Pay broadcasters have run out of fresh programming and all sporting activities having come to a halt, these can be activated for customers who make payments to cable operators. 

    ·   Cable operators are free to levy a convenience fee of up to Rs 30/- per month from a customer to renew the services without any upfront payment. Customers can opt for this by calling/messaging their respective cable networks and confirming their willingness to pay the same.

    “In over 25 to 30 years of this business, cable networks have gone through various natural calamities but we have always ensured that the subscribers get near-uninterrupted services. We request customers to stand by their respective cable operators as a mark of solidarity by using any online method of convenience to pay their cable operators or speak to their cable operator and exercise their best option,” the federation urged. 

  • I&B ministry urges state/UT govts to ensure uninterrupted cable services

    I&B ministry urges state/UT govts to ensure uninterrupted cable services

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has requested the state and the union territories to make necessary arrangements for uninterrupted services of cable operation. Although cable services have been included under essential services, some cable operators are facing issues to run operations due to the ongoing lockdown.

    In a letter dated 1 April, the ministry mentioned that it has received complaints from some cable operators. The operators are facing issues in movement as they not being permitted by the local authorities in their operation.

    “As you are aware, the government of India and the state or UT governments are taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During the country-wide lockdown, in order to ensure uninterrupted operation of basic services, the government of India has issued various guidelines which include the uninterrupted flow of information networks including cable TV network operations,” MIB stated in the letter.

    MIB also mentioned that cable service operators are mandated to show DD channels free of cost to all the subscribers. Since DD provides authentic government-related information, it is important that correct news should reach the public to check rumours and fake news.

  • IMCL launches innovative packages for subscribers to stay connected

    IMCL launches innovative packages for subscribers to stay connected

    MUMBAI:  IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL), the media vertical of the global Hinduja Group, has implemented a slew of innovative products and solutions to help its Local Cable Operators (LCOs) and its millions of subscribers across India to ensure access to quality content amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

    IMCL – which owns a digital cable platform (InDigital) and the only HITS platform (NXTDIGITAL) in the country – has rolled out a significantly low-cost package for subscribers called the Vishesh Manoranjan Pack. 

    This pack, which gives subscribers access to over 400 television channels, includes the popular NXT Value Added Services package, comprising up to 20 unique channels for its subscribers. The package can be activated immediately and LCOs can make the payment till16 April 2020. The credit period effectively allows for LCOs to collect the payment after the lockdown is lifted.

    Further, to ensure uninterrupted dissemination of critical information during this challenging period, IMCL has worked with its LCO partners to activate its special InfoPack, at zero cost for customers who are unable to make any payment. This will enable subscribers to stay connected with all Doordarshan channels, including news and entertainment.

    These packages come close on the heels of a slew of initiatives taken by IMCL to ensure safety of its LCOs and subscribers. IMCL has provided critical awareness and education through its national network of LCOs, multiple platforms and portals – in 11 languages, through posters, pamphlets, e-books and video messaging. To help subscribers remain connected, IMCL has extended its online recharge facility through Easebuzz, where subscribers can make their payment directly to their LCOs online, thereby eliminating any level of interaction.

    IMCL CEO Vynsley Fernandes said: “We remain committed towards the well-being of our LCO partners and subscribers. At the time of a global crisis, our endeavour is to consistently create awareness and the dissemination of critical information, to ensure the safety and protection of all our stakeholders. These packages, especially our InfoPack at zero cost, are in line with that philosophy.”

  • Inside SITI Networks’ effort to grapple with COVID-19 crisis

    Inside SITI Networks’ effort to grapple with COVID-19 crisis

    MUMBAI: All of a sudden, our normal life has gone for a toss with the mandatory stay-at-home in place in order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. As all physical options of communication, entertainment are now out of reach, traditional TV, online content, and the internet have emerged as a boon. Government has also declared cable TV and broadband a part of essential services during this time.

    SITI Network’s business continuity plan:

    Quickly grasping this situation and the importance of maintaining its services, as an effort to keep customers at home, SITI Networks has been working with its partners and governmental agencies to ensure that “the show must go on”. Its employees have upped the ante and are striving to ensure that customers’ connectivity remains intact so that they can remain at home. Multiple teams of technically trained and dedicated personnel are continuously working at the grassroots level to deal with any inconvenience to ensure that digital TV and broadband run smoothly for SITI’s 45 million customers. All this is happening despite not having full support from local administrations.

    SITI even released a best practice guide for its customers and partners on the SITI Information Channel 999 on its network. This guide informs customers on how to keep their connectivity running while keeping social distancing. SITI has also made available the option of Quick Recharge on its website www.sitinetworks.com, for the convenience of the customers. Through this, customers can recharge their account by sitting at home and without contacting LCO. The MSO has shared an educational video also with its consumers.

    SITI Networks CEO Anil Malhotra said: “We are in this fight, and have to ensure that our customers stay at home. In the words of our Dr Subhash Chandra, this will be our national service. In this battle, SITI employees strive to keep people stay indoors by providing them entertainment and information of their choice and preferences at home. The entire team is engaged to run the services smoothly. Our teams are maintaining the chain by their sheer willpower so that the Corona virus chain can be broken”.

  • Don’t disconnect cable service for next 1 month due to non-payment: West Bengal govt tells operators

    Don’t disconnect cable service for next 1 month due to non-payment: West Bengal govt tells operators

    MUMBAI: West Bengal government has directed not to disconnect cable TV connections for the next one month if subscribers fail to pay monthly bill. This is in view of the fact that there are chances of households being unable to meet monthly expenses on account of the current impasse due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “In view of the lockdown, Cable TV connections should not be disconnected by the service providers for the next one month on account of non-payment of subscription fee,” the chief secretary stated in a letter dated 31 March. According to sources, other states may replicate the move.

    Indians have been spending more time in front of their television, as per data released by TV viewership measurement agency BARC India and global measurement and data analytics company Nielsen, ever since the government imposed a nationwide 21-day lockdown. The total TV consumption has increased by 8 per cent across India in the week ended 20 March (Covid-19 Week 1), while the total time spent per user on smartphones went up by 6.2 per cent to 25 hours a week.

  • Cable Operators Welfare Federation counters IBF’s comments regarding NCF and NTO 2.0

    Cable Operators Welfare Federation counters IBF’s comments regarding NCF and NTO 2.0

    MUMBAI: The Cable Operators Welfare Federation (COWF) has countered the IBF’s claims regarding NCF. The IBF had said that by keeping NCF at Rs 160, distributors could charge for something that DD Free Dish is giving out free.

    COWF said that DD Free Dish is run on taxpayers’ money and channels pay a hefty sum to get a slot on it which they recover through ad rev.

    In a letter, the COWF has said that since the advent of the TV business, broadcasters have been portraying the LCO community in poor light as “cheaters/goons who never declared proper numbers”.

    The letter states, “This is perhaps a rare industry where a major stakeholder blames its distributors whenever things do not go their way. Once commercial terms are achieved, things go back to normal.” It goes on to say that broadcasters are also guilty of showing inflated declarations such as reach in order to gain advertisement tariff.

    Over the years, cable operators have constantly kept abreast of all the latest technologies. MSOs and LCOs also run a business and need to recover costs, just as broadcasters, the letter goes on to mention.

    “On the NCF, our observation in the past year is that its calculation is cumbersome and many customers still do not understand it and it takes a lot of our time explaining to customers how we have billed them. Hence we had suggested that a higher limit be set up for a fixed NCF for SD channels and HD channels, just as broadcasters were permitted a higher cap of Rs 19 per month, which will give us the freedom to charge as per different market scenarios and as per our ROW needs,” the letter states.

    It even mentions that LCOs have tried to limit the rate increase by passing on benefits to customers. Some smaller MSOs have passed on the benefits to LCOs. Many MSOs have several channels in the FTA pack because they earn from carriage, marketing and placement fees, the letter adds.

    In the end, the COWF requests the broadcaster community to work together. “We are open to discuss all means by which we can reduce NCF on a mutual basis as long as you can find ways to ensure that our revenues are protected,” it says.