ITV

Category: Multi System Operators

  • Punjab govt. vows to break cable monopoly, rules out blocking MSO Fastway

    NEW DELHI: Even though the Congress government in Punjab has made it clear it would not tolerate monopoly in information and news distribution via cable TV, the state government clarified no particular MSO company or TV channel would be targeted and action would be taken if found guilty of tax law violations.

    MSO Fastway, which holds sway in Punjab resulting virtually in a monopoly, is allegedly owned and operated by close aides of former Punjab chief minister’s family — the Badals. The decade-old MSO company also has sizable presence in neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Union territory of Chandigarh.

    In an official statement, the present CM Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ruled out any “censorship” (read blacklisting) of MSO Fastway and Punjabi-language TV channel PTC News or any other media organization. However, he made it clear that action would be taken against media companies if charges of tax violations are proved to be correct.

    Reiterating his government’s stand of providing a level-playing field to TV channels and cable operators, and, thus, encouraging healthy competition, the chief minister ruled out “vendetta politics” against political opponents, but vowed to take action against media companies indulging in malpractices.

    Earlier in April, a Punjab government official was quoted by local media outlets as saying the administration was committed to break any television or cable network monopoly in the state and that it proposes to undertake a study to explore legislating setting up of a Cable Network Authority for the purpose of implementing rules and regulations to be framed for broadcasters, MSOs and LCOs to operate in the State.

    On Thursday, Singh welcomed all segments of broadcasting and media businesses to establish their presence in Punjab, reiterating that his government was committed to “ending the cable mafia”.

    “Let them all come and compete for the viewers’ attention,” CM Singh said in the statement, adding that with wider choice, people would reject any channel found to be engaged in “biased dissemination of news or information”.

    However, the CM warned that if any channel or network, be it PTC or Fastway, is found indulging in “illegal activities in defiance of the legal provisions”, they would be prosecuted.

    Also Read:

    Probe Punjab ‘cable mafia,’ demands minister, Fastway refutes charges

  • Hathway’s outgoing exec Panesar yet to firm up future plan

    MUMBAI: In a dramatic development, Hathway video business CEO TS Panesar has quit following the move where Hathway Cable and Datacom chose to opt out of its cable TV business to a wholly-owned subsidiary retaining the broadband operations in the parent company. Confirming the news, Panesar communicated to indiantelevision.com that he was yet to firm up his new plan and future course of action.

    The reformist Panesar, having a multifaceted 20 years of experience in the broadcasting sector, decided to call it off after spending two and half years in the cable TV distribution entity. The executive, who had moved in from Star India, played a pivotal role in reforming the TV and cable operations unveiling a battery of value-added services (VAS).

    The CEO also launched ‘Hathway Connect’, an online portal for local cable operators (LCOs) which helped them maintain their expenditures, revenues, reduce operational costs, to raise the profits and make transactions more transparent. Among other things, the former CEO contributed to the growth of Hathway in DAS Phase III areas and led the company’s foray into VAS. Panesar was responsible for the launch of an ad-free value added services (VAS) titled ‘Hathway Special’ for subscribers who wanted quality content. 

    Panesar’s exit comes after Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar quit in November 2016. Following Kumar’s exit, Hathway had reshuffled its top management team.

    Also Read:

    Hathway builds brand Special, adds two service categories 

    We believe the new cable TV tariff order will benefit everyone – Hathway Cable video CEO TS Panesar

  • Public authorities can deny cable laying permission to MSOs & LCOs

    NEW DELHI: Stressing that multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) are required to lay and establish cables and erect posts from  time to time under, over, along, across, in or upon any immovable property  under the control or  management of a public authority, the operator can be directed to remove it or  shift it or alter its position, as the case may be, at  its own  cost in  the  time frame indicated by the  authority.

    In new Guidelines to enable the State Governments to put in place an appropriate mechanism for speedy clearances of requests by operators for Right of Way, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said that operators can be asked by the public authority in public interest to remove or shift or alter the position.

    In a letter sent to Chief Secretaries of all states, the Ministry said Cable Operators sometimes are required to lay and establish cables and erect posts from time to time under, over, along, across, in or upon any immovable property ever vested in or under the control or management of a public authority, after due permission.                                                            

    Section 48(5) of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 specifies that the Central Government may lay down appropriate guidelines to enable the State Governments to put in place an appropriate mechanism for speedy clearance of requests from cable operators for laying cables or erecting posts in properties with a public authority.

    The Ministry has laid the basic guidelines for this purpose which covers the procedure and the obligations of both the operators and the public authority in this regard.

    It has also made it clear that no application by an operator can be rejected unless has been given an opportunity of being heard on the reasons for such rejection. The permission will be deemed to have been granted if the public authority fails to either grant permission or reject the applicationwithin 65 days of the receipt of the application.

    Where the  public  authority  accepts  the  undertaking  by  the licensee to discharge the  responsibility to  restore any damage that be cause, it may   seek a bank guarantee for  an amount in  lieu   of expenses for   restoration  of  such  damage, as  security for   performance  in   the discharge of the  responsibility.

    Any application to a public authority will be accompanied by a copy of the  registration granted by the  Government – by the Head Post Master for LCOs under Rule 5, and Central Government for MSOs under Rule 11C of  the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994;

    The extent of land required for establishment of the overground cable infrastructure will also have to be indicated.

    Also Read:

    LCOs to get unique TRAI number to ensure fair deals, says advisor Gupta

  • 37 new MSOs in 45 days takes total to 1421, seven among 59 cases sub-judice

    NEW DELHI: In an attempt to give a spurt to digitisation, as many as 37 multi-system operators were registered during May and the first fortnight of June to take the total number to 1421.

    Following the decision of the government to deem all provisional multi-system operators as having regular licence and giving a provisional licence to the Tamil Nadu Arasu TV Corporation, there is a composite list instead of separate lists for provisional or permanent (ten year) licencees.

    In addition, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has released a list of 59 MSOs, of which seven are pending in courts and the others have been treated as closed. Faced with just less than a month before the switch-off of analogue signals, the government had, on 6 March 2017, decided to treat all MSOs as permanent but with the condition that the period of 10 years commences from the date they got registered as provisional MSOs.

    However, if the continuation of registration of any MSO is at any time found to be or considered detrimental to the security of the state, then the registration so granted is liable to be cancelled/suspended, the order placed on the ministry’s website specified. All other terms and conditions stated in the provisional registration letter(s) will continue to apply.

    Earlier, on 27 January 2017, it was decided that all registered MSOs are free to operate in any part of the country, irrespective of registration for specified DAS notified areas. However, they have to submit the details of Headend, SMS, subscribers list and a self-certificate that they are carrying all the mandatory TV Channels, within six months from date of issuance of MSO registration, to the ministry, failing which the MSO registration is liable to cancelled/suspended.

    Hence, all deemed regular registered MSOs also are required to submit the details to the ministry within six months.

    The Tamil Nadu-Government-run TACTV was granted provisional licence on 18 April 2017 to operate as a MSO in the state on the condition that it switches off analogue signals in the state within three months which has now been extended to 17 August 2017.

    The MIB had then told indiantelevision.com that it had been made clear that the provisional licence was subject to the Centre taking a final decision on the recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that no government-owned body should be permitted in the field of running or distributing television channels. TRAI had, in 2008, 2012 and 2014, held that state governments and political parties should not be permitted to own TV channels or distribution channels.

    In Tamil Nadu where there is a court stay in operation since Phase I, TACTV had warned MSOs and LCOs against switching off analogue signals anywhere in the state after 31 March 2017.

    Arasu had been granted provisional licence in 2006 at the time of the Conditional Access System on certain conditions based on the TRAI report but this had not been renewed when Digital Addressable System came into force.

    Also read

    Including Arasu, total number of MSOs goes up to 1376, to ensure DAS implementation

  • Arasu gets a month’s extension to go digital

    NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation, which had been granted a provisional licence with the condition to digitise completely within three months, has now got an additional months time following a request by the state government.

    The original grant period was scheduled to expire on 17 July 2017, and it is understood that TACTV had already commenced work to acquire digital STBs. However, the principal secretary of the Tamil Nadu government had, in a letter dated 6 June 2017, sought three more months.

    However, in a letter sent to TACTV dated 21 June, the ministry of information and broadcasting ministry has said that the request was considered but it was decided to grant only a month’s extension.

    Consequently, TACTV has been asked to complete the digitisation process by 17 August 2017 failing which the provisional the “registration may be suspended/revoked.”

    Copies of the letter have been sent to the principal secretary of the Tamil Nadu IT Department, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and the Commissioner/Superintendent of Police in Chennai.

    A TACTV official, who did not want to be named, told indiantelevision.com that Arasu had already put up most of the digital head-ends and would be ready to transmit signals by mid-August.

    However, the official said that the real problem lay in the availability and seeding of seven million digital set top boxes, which may take some more time.

  • GTPL Hathway allots Rs. 1450 mn to anchor investors, IPO opens today

    MUMBAI: GTPL Hathway has finalised the allocation of 8,555,294 Equity Shares at Rs. 170 per Equity Share (upper end of the Price Band) aggregating to Rs. 145.43 crore (Rs 1450 million) to anchor investors.

    Anchor investors include: Acacia Banyan Partners – 30.94%; Government Pension Fund Global – 18.56%; BNP Paribas Equity Fund – 5.03%; BNP Paribas Long Term Equity Fund – 2.92%; BNP Paribas MidCap Fund – 5.85%; BNP Paribas Dividend Yield Fund – 2.34%; BNP Paribas Balanced Fund – 1.05%; HTCL-HDFC Prudence Fund – 15.13%; DB International Asia Limited – 10.62%; Vittoria Fund SR LP – Asia Portfolio – 7.56%.

    The Company proposes to open on Wednesday, 21 June, the initial public offering of equity shares of face value of Rs. 10 each (“Equity Shares”) for cash (including a share premium) (the “Offer”) comprising a fresh issue of Equity Shares aggregating up to Rs. 2,400 million (“Fresh Issue”) and an offer for sale of up to 14,400,000 Equity Shares – comprising up to 1,136,000 Equity Shares by Aniruddhasinhji Jadeja, up to 440,000 Equity Shares by Kanaksinh Rana, up to 5,480,000 Equity Shares by Gujarat Digi Com Private Limited, up to 7,200,000 Equity Shares by Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited and up to 144,000 Equity Shares by Amit Shah (collectively the “Selling Shareholders”) (“Offer For Sale”).

    The Bid/ Offer will close on Friday, 23 June.

    The Price Band for the Offer is fixed at Rs. 167 to Rs. 170 per Equity Share. Bids can be made for a minimum of 88 Equity Shares and in multiples of 88 Equity Shares thereafter.

    The Book Running Lead Managers (“BRLMs”) to the Offer are JM Financial Institutional Securities Limited, BNP Paribas, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited and Yes Securities (India) Limited.

    The Equity Shares offered through the RHP are proposed to be listed on BSE Limited (“BSE”) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (“NSE”).

  • Hathway builds brand Special, adds two service categories

    MUMBAI: Hathway Digital, a leading MSO, has announced the introduction of ‘Play My Play’ – an exclusive and first-ever kind of service on television featuring full-length plays for Hathway’s theatre-loving patrons, and ‘Hare Krsna’ focused on eternal well-being by bringing out the deep learnings associated with ISKCON.

    Hare Krsna will be available initially only in Maharashtra with a subsequent rollout across India. Available under the Hathway Special brand, subscribers can view Hare Krsna and Play My Play at no additional cost for the first month starting 15 June. Later, a nominal price of Rs. 40 for Play My Play and Rs. 25 for Hare Krsna will be charged on a monthly basis. Hathway Special was launched earlier in February which made Hathway the first among MSOs to launch VAS.

    Play My Play will bring to Indian homes the leisure of watching over 350 of the best and never before seen plays produced and dramatised for Indian theatre. The 24×7 service will screen plays in English, Hindi, across a range of genres and will feature plays by renowned writers like Premchand, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Shakesphere, Manto in addition to popular Bollywood writers like Piyush Mishra, D P Sinha, Danish Iqbal, Badal Sarkar and many more. Khidki, Perfect Wedding, Roop Aroop, Aik Machine Kabadi Ki, Aurangzeb, and Gang of Girls are a few plays available on Play My Play.

    Hare Krsna on the other hand will be catering to the spiritually inclined and focus on transformation and wellbeing of its followers. This service will feature International music festivals, documentaries, human interest stories on how ISKCON has transformed lives, the most vivid and assorted Rath-Yatras from around the world, complete recitals of the Bhagavad Gita, lessons on SATVIK cooking, Kirtans, etc. It will also have a special section dedicated to kids with animated stories on Lord Krsna.

    Hathway Video Business CEO T.S. Panesar said, “The success and continued positive response we have been receiving for Hathway Special reiterates the fact that we are living up to our promise of delivering unique v-added service. With the two launches, we will be adding two categories of services under the brand. We will continue to expand our service categories.”

  • GTPL Hathway IPO proceeds may help increase subs base & penetration, hike stake in JVs

    MUMBAI: GTPL Hathway, India’s leading cable TV distribution company reaching an estimated eight million households in 10 states, proposes to open on 21 June an initial public offering of equity shares of face value of Rs. 10 each for cash (including a share premium) comprising a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs. 2,400 million and an offer for sale of up to 14,400,000 equity shares – comprising up to 1,136,000 equity shares by Aniruddhasinhji Jadeja, up to 440,000 equity shares by Kanaksinh Rana, up to 5,480,000 equity shares by Gujarat Digi Com Private Limited, up to 7,200,000 equity shares by Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited and up to 144,000 equity shares by Amit Shah (collectively the “selling shareholders”). 

    The bid will close on 23 June, 2017. The price band of the IPO has been fixed at Rs 167 to Rs 170 per share. 

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, GTPL Hathway head – investor relations Piyush Pankaj said that they planned to increase its cable television subscriber base as well as penetration into the markets. “There are joint venture (JV) companies where we are considering to increase our stake — (it is a) pipeline where we would need the board’s approval,” Pankaj said. On stake dilution, Pankaj said that it was a strategic decision by the promoters to dilute only around 25 per cent stake, and not up to 30 per cent. As stated in the official parlance, GTPL Hathway would use the proceeds for debt reduction and general corporate purposes.

    The book-running lead managers to the offer are: JM Financial Institutional Securities Limited, BNP Paribas, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited and Yes Securities (India) Limited.

    Also Read:

    GTPL Hathway gets SEBI nod for Rs 600-cr June IPO, to repay loans, expand cable & b’band with new tech

    GTPL Hathway files listing prospectus

  • DEN Networks exits TV home shopping channel business

    MUMBAI: It’s focusing on its core competence: cable TV distribution and broadband. Three years after it announced its intention to get into TV home shopping, the Samir Manchanda-promoted multi systems operator Den Networks Ltd is now exiting from it.

    The company had launched a channel called DEN Snapdeal Home Shop in 2016 (in partnership with the ecommerce site) only to have its partner exit from it in March 2017.

    DEN Networks has now signed a deal with Noida-based Vijender Singh promoted Pimex Broadcast under which the latter will be acquiring 100 per cent of Macro Commerce – the company which runs the home shopping channel. Singh is also one of the directors of Pantel Technologies which manufacture telephones, mobile handsets, and tablets and computers.

    Pimex will take over all the existing liabilities and dues of Macro and both together aspire to be one of the significant players in the TV shopping business, says the DEN Networks press statement to the Bombay stock exchange (BSE). The name of DEN and Snap deal will be dropped off from the branding.

    DEN has already made provisions for its investment in Macro in its books of accounts in the previous financial year and hence, there will not be any further impact in the profit and loss account, points out the company’s statement to the BSE.

  • GTPL Hathway gets SEBI nod for Rs 600-cr June IPO, to repay loans, expand cable & b’band with new tech

    MUMBAI: GTPL Hathway, a part of Hathway Cable and Datacom which offers cable TV and broadband services, is preparing to raise around Rs 600 crore through an initial public offer (IPO) in June.

    Proceeds from the IPO will be utilised towards repayment of loan and other general corporate purpose, PTI reported.

    A company statement stated that they had received capital markets’ regulator SEBI approval to float the IPO.

    According to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP), the company’s public issue comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 300 crore and offer for sale of 1.8 crore scrips by the existing shareholders.

    BNP Paribas, JM Financial Institutional Securities, Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Pvt Ltd and Yes Securities will manage the public issue.

    By 30 September last year, GTPL Hathway’s digital cable TV services reached 169 towns across India, including towns in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

    With around 5.41 million active digital cable subscribers, the company is now preparing to expand both its cable TV and broadband services with newer technology.

    The company is gradually phasing out analogue services so as to comply with the government’s policy on digitisation, which will provide it an opportunity to expand products with broadband services and additional high definition channels.