ITV

Category: Multi System Operators

  • JioStar, Zee and Sony release new channel and bouquet pricing

    JioStar, Zee and Sony release new channel and bouquet pricing

    MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year when broadcasters disclose how much the distribution platform operators will have to pay for the channels they pipe into Indian TV homes. The three major networks JioStar, Zee and Sony Pictures Networks India have rolled out their reference interconnect orders  (Rios) regarding the broadcast tariffs that cable ops, DTH ops and IPTV players have to cough up for 2025. At first glance, it appears s if broadcasters have been reasonable in their rate increases by hiking channel prices between five and 15 per cent on the higher side. And quite a few channel prices have been maintained as well. The rates become effective 1 February 2025.

    Let’s begin with JioStar.Its 134 channel offering after the merger of Star and Jio definitely looks impressive. As do the number of packs its distribution team has come up with: 83 in all packs, which includes 85 standard definition channels, 44 HD channels, five FTA channels. The bouquets also include 19 news channels from Network 18, infotainment channels from both National Geographic and AETN18, general entertainment channels in various languages from both Star and Colors, kids channels (including Disney), music channels (MTV and Maa Music), regional language channels and of course above all sports channels in various languages.

    On an a la carte basis, JioStar’s channels in various languages in standard definition have been priced at between Rs 25 (for Maa TV and Colors Kannada respectively)  and 10 paise (all its news channels).

    Its HD channels are priced between Rs 25 a(Maa HD, Star Plus HD, Vijay HD, Colors Kannada and Asianet) and 10 paise(VH1 HD, MTV Beats HD and MTV HD). .

    On the bundle side, its cheapest pack, apart from the free to air channels, is at     Rs 17 for the Disney Kids SD pack with the most expensive one being the Star Premium Pack Marathi Lite Hindi HD at Rs 240.

    The  Star Value Pack  SD Hindi pack,  priced at Rs 110 has 30 channels including both Star Plus and Colors, a chunk of news channels, movie channels, infotainment channels, kids channels – but no Disney – the sports channels Star Sports 1 Hindi, Sports 18, and Star Sports 3. The Star Premium Pack Lite Hindi HD which is priced at Rs 210 has 43 channels, including seven sports channels, Colors HD but no Star Plus.

    The broadcaster has built clever packs which are a mix of regional language channels only and it has also mixed regional languages to create special packs and regional language channels with its  Hindi channels to create even more niche packs to meet the requirement of nomadic domestic Indians.

    Network Status Action
     JioStar if you already have an agreement  click here  
      if you are new to Jiostar and want one click here
    Zee TV To get the Zee updated RIO form  click here
    Sony Pictures Networks India to get the a la carte pricing  click here
      to get the Happy India bouquet pricing  click here
    Source: networks and Indiantelevision.com 

    Let’s now take a look at Zee. Zee has kept the number of packs limited to 30 and it’s a la carte rates are also pretty much simpler. It’s mainline general entertainment channels in every language apart from Malayalam have been kept at a price of Rs 19 (Zee TV Hindi, Zee TV Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Sarthak, Zee Telugu and Zee Kannada). Zee Keralam, however, has been priced at Rs 10 on a la carte basis. Its movie channels have been kept between a band of Rs 19 (Zee Cinema) and 10 paise (Zee Classic). It has priced most of its HD channels at Rs 19 with the lowest one priced at Rs 3 (& prive HD).

    Zee TV has bundled its regional language channel packs at a higher price than its Hindi ones. For instance, the Zee all-in-one pack Hindi HD has a sticker price of Rs 89 while its all-in-one Telugu and Tamil packs are priced at Rs 120.It has also thrown in penetration incentives if the distribution platform operators place the channels in the preferred LCN number that are agreed upon between Zee and the DPO.

    Now on to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI). SPNI has increased the a la carte pricing for some of its  channels, while keeping them steady for others. For example, Sony Wah  which was priced at Rs 0.1, is now priced at Rs 1. Similarly, Sony Max 2 has increased to Rs 2 from Rs 1, and Sony Sports Ten 4 is now priced at Rs 19, up from Rs 17. Additionally, the pricing for bouquets has been revised which has gone up  between four per cent and 12 per cent. The Happy India Smart – Hindi pack is now priced at Rs 54 (previously Rs 48), while the Happy India Smart – Marathi pack is now priced at Rs 56 (previously Rs 51). The Happy Smart Bangla too has risen from 51 to Rs 56 but with the channel Max 1 being added to it.

    Hopefully, these marginal price revisions don’t start a battle between the  cable TV and DTH fraternity and broadcasters like they did the last time in 2023 when broadcasters had to resort to switch offs because cable TV operators resisted. The DPOs must remember the price of almost everything has gone up: the rupee is at Rs 85, potatoes are at Rs 60 and even petrol is at a high.

    Already, consumers are turning away from cable TV and DTH as is evident in the drop in the number of subscribers in the past six months. For the sake of the entire cable and satellite TV industry, the entire trade must work together and not battle against each other. Otherwise, the number of cord cutters and cord-nevers will only increase. And along with it, the tribe of streamers. 

  • Hathway Cable & Datacom acquires 61.15 per cent shares of its Nanded subsidiary

    Hathway Cable & Datacom acquires 61.15 per cent shares of its Nanded subsidiary

    MUMBAI: It’s acquisition  and consolidation time in cable TV land. Multisystem operator Hathway Cable & Datacom informed the BSE on 27 November 2024 that it had acquired the balance 61.15 per cent  equity stake ( 20,54,832)  equity shares from the existing shareholders (including Hathway MCN Pvt Ltd  – a Hathway offshoot) of Hathway Cable MCN Nanded Pvt Ltd  (“Hathway Nanded”), a subsidiary of the company for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs. 11 (Rupees eleven only). 

    The acquisition of equity shares is for consolidation of business operations. Post-acquisition, Hathway Nanded has now become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hathway Cable & Datacom.  

    Hathway Nanded, incorporated in India on 11 March 2008, runs cable TV operations and has a presence in Nanded, Maharashtra. It had a turnover of Rs 5.58 crore in FY 2023-2024, Rs 7.08 crore in FY 2022-2023 and Rs 8.79 crore in FY 2021-2022.  

    It informed the stock exchange that one of the transferors (out of eleven), namely  Hathway MCN Pvt Ltd, is a related party of Hathway Cable  and the acquisition is on an arm’s length basis. None of the company’s promoter / promoter group / other group companies have any interest in the above transaction.  No governmental or regulatory approvals were required for the acquisition.

     

  • SN Sharma gets AIDCF responsibilities once again

    SN Sharma gets AIDCF responsibilities once again

    MUMBAI: It’s back to being president of the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF). DEN Networks CEO S.N. Sharma who led the AIDCF from April 2019 to March 2021 as its president has once again been appointed to that post. His term will continue till March 2025 when a new head will hopefully be selected. 

    The AIDCF was set up in 2014 with VD Wadhwa, the then CEO of Siti Networks as its head.

    Sharma, a veteran and popular figure in the cable TV industry, succeeds Fastway CEO Peeush Mahajan, who stepped down from the position in May 2024 due to personal reasons (apparently, he’s migrated to Canada and won’t be coming back). Peeush took over as president in April 2023 and his term was supposed to end in March 2025.

    Sharma had been acting president of the association since then. 

  • Prasar Bharati, RailTel, and PlayboxTV launch the affordable ‘Freedom Plan’

    Prasar Bharati, RailTel, and PlayboxTV launch the affordable ‘Freedom Plan’

    Mumbai: In a groundbreaking collaboration, Prasar Bharati, RailTel Corporation of India, and PlayboxTV unveiled the Freedom Plan under RailWire broadband. This OTT bundled internet service aims to deliver high-speed connectivity and premium entertainment to underserved regions across India.

    At an event attended by PlayboxTV, founder & CEO, Aamir Mulani; RailTel, CMD, Sanjai Kumar; and Prasar Bharati, CEO, Gaurav Dwivedi, the Freedom Plan was announced as an affordable and accessible solution tailored for Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas.

    For just Rs 299 monthly, subscribers will enjoy 30 Mbps internet speed, access to 10 premium OTT platforms, including Prasar Bharati’s Waves, over 400 live TV channels, and 200+ games. This collaboration marks RailTel as the first telecom provider to integrate Prasar Bharati’s Waves OTT platform, developed to showcase India’s rich cultural and entertainment legacy.

    The Freedom Plan underscores India’s mission to bridge the digital divide. RailWire’s extensive reach will empower rural households with a unique combination of connectivity and entertainment. The partnership also focuses on engaging millions of daily commuters, ensuring seamless on-the-go access to top-tier content.

    Mulani expressed, “It is very exciting to see Prasar Bharati, India’s premier entertainment and Infotainment hub, launch its very own OTT platform Waves. I feel proud to be the first OTT aggregation platform to onboard them and offer it to our customers. The Freedom Plan being launched by RailTel under RailWire broadband is packed with rich content including Waves. Priced at Rs. 299 monthly I feel it is the perfect entertainment plan for every household in India.”

    Waves, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, delivers a curated blend of nostalgic classics like Mahabharat, Ramayan, and Shaktiman, along with live TV, movies, podcasts, and games. The platform is available on Android, iOS, connected TVs, Firestick, and Chromecast.

    Dwivedi remarked, “Waves OTT platform represents a transformative leap for Prasar Bharati as we embrace the digital revolution to connect with India’s vast and diverse audience like never before. RailTel through Freedom Plan under Railwire broadband with its wider reach in 2/3 tier towns including rural & remote areas along with capabilities of OTT aggregator PlayboxTV will help us reach a newer and wider audience through their vast network of ISPs and LCOs. This collaboration with RailTel Corporation of India and PlayboxTV reflects our vision of making high-quality, culturally rich, and family entertainers accessible to every corner of the nation. Together, we aim to redefine digital engagement and bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and modern streaming, empowering millions across India with seamless connectivity and premium entertainment”

    Kumar highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative, saying, “Our Home internet service RailWire aims to bring affordable internet to underserved parts of the country. This collaboration aligns with India’s vision of becoming a knowledge economy by promoting digital literacy and ensuring every household can participate in the country’s digital transformation. The Freedom Plan delivers content for all age groups including children, youth, adults, and senior citizens by making it a perfect fit for family consumption. The Freedom Plan is a step toward achieving a digitally empowered society by connecting even the remotest parts of India with high-quality internet and entertainment,”

    RailTel, known for its pan-India optical fiber network, partners with PlayboxTV to extend the Freedom Plan to regions overlooked by mainstream providers. The initiative will connect remote areas with seamless browsing and rich digital content, driving India closer to becoming a digitally empowered society.

     

  • Comcast to spin off cable TV networks into new company SpinCo

    Comcast to spin off cable TV networks into new company SpinCo

    MUMBAI: The reshaping of legacy behemoth media and entertainment companies continues. US media megacorp Comcast today announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company comprised of a strong portfolio of NBCUniversal’s cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets including Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and Sports Engine, through a tax-free spin-off. 

    The well-capitalised independent company (SpinCo) will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. Over the past twelve months ended 30 September 2024, SpinCo generated approximately $7 billion in revenue.

    It will be an industry-leading news, sports and entertainment cable television business with a focused strategic direction. SpinCo’s stable of marquee brands will provide a diverse and differentiated content offering that will reach approximately 70 million US households. 

    Comcast is targeting to complete the spin-off in approximately one year, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including obtaining final approval from its board, satisfactory completion of SpinCo financing, receipt of tax opinions and receipt of any regulatory approvals. 

    “When you look at our assets, talented management team and balance sheet strength, we are able to set these businesses up for future growth,” said Comcast chairman & CEO Brian L. Roberts. “With significant financial resources from day one, SpinCo will be ideally positioned for success and highly attractive to investors, content creators, distributors and potential partners.” 

    The planned spin-off will also strategically position NBCUniversal with its leading broadcast and streaming media properties, including NBC entertainment, sports, news and Bravo – which all power Peacock – along with Telemundo, the theme parks business and film and television studios.

    “This transaction positions both SpinCo and NBCUniversal to play offense in a changing media landscape,” said Comcast president Mike Cavanagh. “Taken together, the entirety of NBCUniversal will be on a new growth trajectory, fuelled by our world-class content, technology, IP, properties and talent – all working in concert with each other as an integrated media company.”

    The company said in a press release that “as a global media and technology company, Comcast will be well-positioned to continue to invest in its strategic core growth businesses across its content & experiences and connectivity & platforms businesses, including residential broadband, wireless, business services, streaming, studios and theme parks. The transaction is expected to be accretive to revenue growth at Comcast and approximately neutral to Comcast’s leverage position.”

    While SpinCo will operate as an independent business, it will enter into a transition services agreement with NBCUniversal to allow SpinCo to operate seamlessly from day one. 

    The new firm will be led by CEO Mark Lazarus, the current chairman of NBCUniversal Media group. Anand Kini who is the current chief financial officer of NBCUniversal and EVP of corporate strategy at Comcast, will serve as SpinCo’s  chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Together, the press release said, the duo will lead the development of an independent strategy, while also establishing SpinCo as a potential partner and acquirer of other complementary media businesses.

    “As a standalone company with these outstanding assets, we will be better positioned to serve our audiences and drive shareholder returns in this incredibly dynamic media environment across news, sports and entertainment,” said Mark Lazarus. “We see a real opportunity to invest and build additional scale and I’m excited about the growth opportunities this transition will unlock. Our financial strength will also provide capacity for an attractive capital return policy while allowing for investment in the growth of these businesses.”

  • Hathway Cable Q2 FY2025: Revenues rise, profits too

    Hathway Cable Q2 FY2025: Revenues rise, profits too

    MUMBAI: The cable TV sector is under pressure in India is known to many and  a lot has been written about the rampant cord cutters and cord-nevers. But this is one multisystem operator which seems to be bucking the trend – the Reliance Industries-owned Hathway Cable & Datacom. 

    At least that’s the first perception you get when you look at its financials for Q2FY2025 ended 30 September 2024, which were filed with the Bombay stock exchange on 11 October.

    Revenue from operations is up to Rs 5127.4 million as against Rs 4837.9 million in the previous year’s corresponding quarter. Profit before tax  is at Rs 398.8 million compared to Rs 339.3 million (Q2 FY 2024). Net profit too has  risen to Rs 257.8 million (Rs 200.3 million) a 28.4 per cent increase. EBITDA during the quarter showed a bit of an uptick at Rs 859.9 million (Rs 826.3 million).

    The company’s revenue from the broadband business for H1 FY2025 ended 30 September has slipped to Rs 3027.8 million (Rs  3132.2 million), even as it has risen for its cable TV business to  Rs 6801.5 million (Rs 6698 million).

    On a quarterly basis for Q2 FY2025  there has been a drop in its broadband revenues to Rs 1515.9 million (Rs 1564.6 million in Q2FY 2024) while cable TV has shown an increase to Rs 3440.1 million (Rs 3273.3 million). However, margins seem to be getting squeezed in both these segments with its cable TV business turning up negative segment results at Rs 143.2 million (negative Rs 138.1 million in Q2 FY2024). Its broadband segment too has reported  lower results  at Rs 56 million (Rs  115.8 million). 

     

    Picture courtesy Hathway Cable & Datacom Annual Report
     

  • Den Networks: Profitability rises; revenues drop in Q2 FY 2025

    Den Networks: Profitability rises; revenues drop in Q2 FY 2025

    MUMBAI: National multisystem operator Den Networks has reported a drop in revenues in Q2 FY 2025 ended 30 September 2024, even as its profitability has improved as compared to year ago same period on a consolidated basis.

    In regulatory filings with the Bombay stock exchange (BSE), DEN declared Rs 2490.80 million in operating revenue as against an operating revenue of Rs 2766.13 million in the year ago Q2 period. That is a drop of around 9.95 per cent. Its subscription revenue too saw a dip to Rs 1210 million from Rs 1460 million in the same year-ago period. EBITDA plunged 35 per cent to Rs 280 million in Q2FY2024 as compared to Rs 430 million in Q2FY 2024.

    Unlike GTPL Hathway which reported a drop in its net profit, DEN Networks said its net profit rose 13.94 per cent to Rs 520.5 million in  Q2 FY 2025 as against Rs 456.8 million in the quarter ended 30  September 2023. Its

    On a half yearly basis ended 30 September 2024, the company’s total consolidated revenue crashed to Rs 4966.08 million as against Rs 5497.94 million in the half year ended 30 September 2023. Its profit after tax for the latest H1 FY 2025 period rose to Rs 949.40 million as against Rs 878.85 million in H1 FY2023.Its operating profit  before working capital changes fell to Rs 465.74 million from Rs 589.15 million. The cash the company generated from operations nosedived to Rs 222.69 million (Rs 677.28 million).

    Den Networks’  share price was shaved by 47 paise to close at Rs 51.75 at the end of trading.

     

  • GTPL Hathway: net profit plummets, revenue rises nine per cent in Q2 FY 2025

    GTPL Hathway: net profit plummets, revenue rises nine per cent in Q2 FY 2025

    MUMBAI: Ahmedabad-hqed GTPL Hathway Ltd’s results for Q2 FY 2025 ended on 30 September 2024 are a bit of a mixed bag, according to the company’s filings with the Bombay stock exchange.

    Total consolidated income rose nine per cent to Rs 8,620 million as against Rs 7,900 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net profit however plunged 62 per cent at Rs 129 million as against Rs 344 million (Q2 FY2024). EBITDA for Q2 FY25 stood at Rs 1,138 million (Rs 1,351 million); EDITDA margin was at 13.2 per cent (17.1 per cent), operating EBITDA margin was at 22 per cent (25.2 per cent).

    GTPL Hathway’s active digital cable TV subscribers rose by 100,000 over the previous year’s corresponding quarter to touch 9.50 million, even as paying subscribers rose by a similar number reaching  8.80 million.

    Its broadband subs also jumped by 50,000 to get to 1.04 million with home passes standing at 5.95 million, a pole vault of 400,000 year on year.  Of the 5.95 million, 75 per cent are FTTX conversion ready, the MSO says. Average revenue per user for broadband stood at a chunky Rs 460 while data consumption per user was 350 GB per month, an increment of 13 per cent year on year.

    According to GTP Hathway managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja what helped the cable TV MSO retain its no 1 position as the largest operator in the country in Q2 2025 is its sharp focus on innovation and enhancing customer experience. 

    Anubhai (as he is called in the trade) added: “Broadband business is witnessing healthy subscriber growth, propelled by both direct customer additions and with strategic use of our extensive partner network to expand. In the cable business, our efforts are focused on growing our subscriber base through a mix of organic growth and industry consolidation via acquisitions of existing operators and MSOs. This dual strategy strengthens our market position and builds on our success.”

    He explained that the company added the customer app GTPL Buzz, relaunched its website (gtpl.net), introduced TV everywhere, Blacknut cloud gaming, Distro TV, while integrating its AI-enabled app Giva for sales as well as support during the quarter.

    “These customer touchpoints have been designed for a consistent user experience and to deliver seamless interaction across platforms and devices,” said Anubhai.

    GTPL’s shares rose Rs 2.65 to end the day at Rs165.65.

  • GTPL Hathway announces change in directorate

    GTPL Hathway announces change in directorate

    MUMBAI: There has been a change in the directorate at GTPL Hathway. The Anirudhsinh Jadeja-promoted network has accepted the stepping down of Falgun Shah and Kunal Chandra – as independent directors, having completed their second term from 27 September 2024.  It made this announcement to the Bombay stock exchange in end-September.

    The duo has been replaced by Dhiren Dalal and Sunil Sanghvi who came on board as independent directors from 28 September.

    It may be recalled that GTPL Hathway had disclosed in its annual report for the year ended 31 March 2024 that its rapid expansion in Andhra Pradesh , Telangana, Tamil Nadu, the north-east, Delhi, Harayana and Uttarkhand had led to an increase in its active subscribers by 550,000 to reach 9.5 million while its paying subscribers rose 600,000 to touch 8.8 million on a year on year basis. Its standalone revenue too rose to Rs 2028.52 crore and its net profit to Rs 76.24 crore. 

  • West Bengal cable TV operators raise tariffs by 5-10 per cent: PTI report

    West Bengal cable TV operators raise tariffs by 5-10 per cent: PTI report

    MUMBAI: Cable TV operators have increased customer tariffs by five to 10 per cent, according to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI) referring to the state of west Bengal.

    Quoting various cable TV network owners in Kolkata, the report revealed that the price hike was enforced on the fraternity, courtesy the rise in content costs demanded by broadcasters in August. The PTI report further stated that the cable TV ecosystem was trying to find a balance between rising costs and not put the entire burden on the end customer at home. 

    Meghbela Broadband co-founder Tapabrata Mukherjee was quoted as saying that his network has not yet raised customer prices as it has been absorbing costs for the past two months. 

    “We can no longer sustain it,” he told  PTI. “On an average, we will raise tariffs by five to six per cent, though other broadcasters have hiked rates by more than 10 per cent, and in some cases, by as much as 20 per cent.”

    India Cablenet Co director Suresh Sethia informed  PTI that SitiCable’s minimal tariff hike is a strategy to compete with mobile users who prefer short-form content on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. The network has also launched Tubers TV, allowing users to submit short-form content up to eight minutes long, which has gained popularity.

    “Our price hike ranges between 5-10 per cent across different packages,” Sethia explained. “Overall, cable connections in Bengal have decreased to around 68 lakh from one crore four years ago.”

    That’s a challenge, that pay TV distribution faces nationally.