ITV

Category: Multi System Operators

  • Subhash Chandra’s brothers step down as Siti Networks promoters

    Subhash Chandra’s brothers step down as Siti Networks promoters

    Mumbai: There’s change in the list of promoters at Siti Networks (earlier known as SitiCable). The national Indian MSO informed the Bombay stock exchange last week that – as part of a family arrangement and agreement – Jawahar Lal Goel, Laxmi Narain Goel and Ashok Kumar Goel along with their respective family members and persons acting in concert with them have been declasifeid as ‘promoters.’

    All three are brothers of Essel group (of which Siti Networks is a part) promoter Subhash Chandra. Over the past few years, Chandra has been working on separating the roles of his brothers and settling the ownership structure within the Essel Group (of which Siti Networks is a part).

    Around eight years ago, he gave independent charge to Laxmi Narain, Jawahar and Ashok Goel. Although seen as one group, the businesses are run independently. Their moving aside as promoters of Siti Networks is a continuation of the division process.

    Chandra’s two sons Punit and Amit are looking after his media interests in Zee Entertainment Enterprises with Punit functioning as the MD and Amit being given the responsibility of international sales and digital.

  • Subhash Chandra’s brothers step down as Siti Networks promoters

    Subhash Chandra’s brothers step down as Siti Networks promoters

    Mumbai: There’s change in the list of promoters at Siti Networks (earlier known as SitiCable). The national Indian MSO informed the Bombay stock exchange last week that – as part of a family arrangement and agreement – Jawahar Lal Goel, Laxmi Narain Goel and Ashok Kumar Goel along with their respective family members and persons acting in concert with them have been declasifeid as ‘promoters.’

    All three are brothers of Essel group (of which Siti Networks is a part) promoter Subhash Chandra. Over the past few years, Chandra has been working on separating the roles of his brothers and settling the ownership structure within the Essel Group (of which Siti Networks is a part).

    Around eight years ago, he gave independent charge to Laxmi Narain, Jawahar and Ashok Goel. Although seen as one group, the businesses are run independently. Their moving aside as promoters of Siti Networks is a continuation of the division process.

    Chandra’s two sons Punit and Amit are looking after his media interests in Zee Entertainment Enterprises with Punit functioning as the MD and Amit being given the responsibility of international sales and digital.

  • Siti Cable Network renamed as Siti Networks

    Siti Cable Network renamed as Siti Networks

    MUMBAI: A new name brings in new vibes and possibly a new direction. At least that ‘s what the Essel group is aiming for if one goes by the name change it has resorted to at its national cable TV MSO Siti Cable. Last week, It informed the Bombay stock exchange, that it will be called Siti Networks as it has got shareholders (earlier) and the Registrars’ approval on 5 August for the renaming. The company was originally incorporated as Wire and Wireless (India) Ltd.

    As reported by Indiantelevision.com earlier, Siti Networks reported 29.4 per cent growth in revenue for the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current fiscal). The company reported revenue of Rs 1213 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 937 crore in the previous year. Operating profit (EBIDTA) in the current year increased to Rs 323 crore as compared to Rs 168.4 crore in FY-15.

    The company has reported a profitable turnaround for the first time in its history. Neglecting the impact of minority interest, Siti profit after tax in the current year was Rs 6.84 crore as compared to a loss (without factoring in minority interest) of Rs 101.88 crore in FY-15.The company’s loss in the current year declined to Rs 1.71 crore from a loss of Rs 109.10 crore in FY-15. Siti reported profit before tax (PBT) at Rs 22 crore in FY16 as compared to a negative PBT of Rs 85.2 crore.

    Siti’s cable subscribers in FY-16 grew to 1.22 crore from 1.05 crore reported at the end of FY-15. The growth happened in Q3-16.

    On the other hand the digital subscribers in FY-16 increased to 79 lakh (64.8 percent of cable subscribers) as compared to 53.8 lakh in FY-15 (51.2 percent of cable subscribers). Digital subscribers in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter) increased by 11 lakh to 79 lakh as compared to 68 lakh in Q3-16.

    Whereas, the broadband subscribers in FY-16 grew 93.3 percent to1.355 lakh from 0.701 lakh in FY-15. Broadband subscribers in Q3-16 were 1.07 lakh.

  • Siti Cable Network renamed as Siti Networks

    Siti Cable Network renamed as Siti Networks

    MUMBAI: A new name brings in new vibes and possibly a new direction. At least that ‘s what the Essel group is aiming for if one goes by the name change it has resorted to at its national cable TV MSO Siti Cable. Last week, It informed the Bombay stock exchange, that it will be called Siti Networks as it has got shareholders (earlier) and the Registrars’ approval on 5 August for the renaming. The company was originally incorporated as Wire and Wireless (India) Ltd.

    As reported by Indiantelevision.com earlier, Siti Networks reported 29.4 per cent growth in revenue for the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current fiscal). The company reported revenue of Rs 1213 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 937 crore in the previous year. Operating profit (EBIDTA) in the current year increased to Rs 323 crore as compared to Rs 168.4 crore in FY-15.

    The company has reported a profitable turnaround for the first time in its history. Neglecting the impact of minority interest, Siti profit after tax in the current year was Rs 6.84 crore as compared to a loss (without factoring in minority interest) of Rs 101.88 crore in FY-15.The company’s loss in the current year declined to Rs 1.71 crore from a loss of Rs 109.10 crore in FY-15. Siti reported profit before tax (PBT) at Rs 22 crore in FY16 as compared to a negative PBT of Rs 85.2 crore.

    Siti’s cable subscribers in FY-16 grew to 1.22 crore from 1.05 crore reported at the end of FY-15. The growth happened in Q3-16.

    On the other hand the digital subscribers in FY-16 increased to 79 lakh (64.8 percent of cable subscribers) as compared to 53.8 lakh in FY-15 (51.2 percent of cable subscribers). Digital subscribers in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter) increased by 11 lakh to 79 lakh as compared to 68 lakh in Q3-16.

    Whereas, the broadband subscribers in FY-16 grew 93.3 percent to1.355 lakh from 0.701 lakh in FY-15. Broadband subscribers in Q3-16 were 1.07 lakh.

  • SNL Kagan says US cable TV will be robust despite decline in video

    SNL Kagan says US cable TV will be robust despite decline in video

    MUMBAI: The naysayers have been making a cacophony of sound about the upcoming gradual squeezing out of life of the US cable TV sector. They have been citing the rampant cord-cutting, slimming down of bundles and the explosion in cheaper alternative OTT services as clear indicators that the countdown clock is ticking away.

    But long time cable TV bellwether SNL Kagan, a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence says that things are looking cheery enough for US operators. 

    A recent report by it indicates that the industry’s broadband advantage and bundling stance will enhance revenues from 2016 to 2026. The revised cable forecast incorporates a slightly improved outlook for the video segment and continued upside for the broadband services, which will translate into revenue growth.

    Kagan states that residential revenues are projected to increase from $108.38 billion in 2016 to $117.7 billion in 2026, or $9.32 billion over the 10-year interval. Contributions from commercial services will help push total industry revenue from $130.57 billion in 2016 to $140.99 billion in 2016, or $10.42 billion over the 10-year period.

    Following are some additional highlights from SNL Kagan’s 10-Year Cable Projections:

    . Subscriber Growth: Broadband subscriptions are forecast to swell by more than eight  million  over the next 10 years, reaching 71 million, and coming in at more than 1.6x the number of video subscriptions

    . Less Dramatic Decline: Basic video subscriptions are projected to drop by an annual compounded growth (CAGR) rate of 1.5% to 45.4 million by 2026, slower than the 1.7% CAGR in last year’s 10-year projection

    . Cord-Shaving Worries: Mounting anxiety around reduced spending on multi-channel video has been most evident in the advanced services. Combining basic cable and advanced services, SNL Kagan anticipates total revenues generated from residential video services to fall at a CAGR of -0.5% over the next 10 years, totally $55 billion annually in 2026

    . Advertising Strength: Despite a decline in net subscribers, net advertising revenue is expected to grow at a 4.3% CAGR through 2026 to reach $6.3 billion

    “Like many industries, cable isn’t immune to shifting preferences, but continued growth in broadband may propel revenue growth on both the residential and commercial end,” said Tony Lenoir and Ian Olgeirson, the SNL Kagan researchers behind the report. “Despite ongoing declines in video, the next 10 years look pretty good for this sector.”

  • SNL Kagan says US cable TV will be robust despite decline in video

    SNL Kagan says US cable TV will be robust despite decline in video

    MUMBAI: The naysayers have been making a cacophony of sound about the upcoming gradual squeezing out of life of the US cable TV sector. They have been citing the rampant cord-cutting, slimming down of bundles and the explosion in cheaper alternative OTT services as clear indicators that the countdown clock is ticking away.

    But long time cable TV bellwether SNL Kagan, a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence says that things are looking cheery enough for US operators. 

    A recent report by it indicates that the industry’s broadband advantage and bundling stance will enhance revenues from 2016 to 2026. The revised cable forecast incorporates a slightly improved outlook for the video segment and continued upside for the broadband services, which will translate into revenue growth.

    Kagan states that residential revenues are projected to increase from $108.38 billion in 2016 to $117.7 billion in 2026, or $9.32 billion over the 10-year interval. Contributions from commercial services will help push total industry revenue from $130.57 billion in 2016 to $140.99 billion in 2016, or $10.42 billion over the 10-year period.

    Following are some additional highlights from SNL Kagan’s 10-Year Cable Projections:

    . Subscriber Growth: Broadband subscriptions are forecast to swell by more than eight  million  over the next 10 years, reaching 71 million, and coming in at more than 1.6x the number of video subscriptions

    . Less Dramatic Decline: Basic video subscriptions are projected to drop by an annual compounded growth (CAGR) rate of 1.5% to 45.4 million by 2026, slower than the 1.7% CAGR in last year’s 10-year projection

    . Cord-Shaving Worries: Mounting anxiety around reduced spending on multi-channel video has been most evident in the advanced services. Combining basic cable and advanced services, SNL Kagan anticipates total revenues generated from residential video services to fall at a CAGR of -0.5% over the next 10 years, totally $55 billion annually in 2026

    . Advertising Strength: Despite a decline in net subscribers, net advertising revenue is expected to grow at a 4.3% CAGR through 2026 to reach $6.3 billion

    “Like many industries, cable isn’t immune to shifting preferences, but continued growth in broadband may propel revenue growth on both the residential and commercial end,” said Tony Lenoir and Ian Olgeirson, the SNL Kagan researchers behind the report. “Despite ongoing declines in video, the next 10 years look pretty good for this sector.”

  • Hathway goes mobile with Hathway Connect

    Hathway goes mobile with Hathway Connect

    MUMBAI: Hathway has taken its path breaking LCO portal- Hathway Connect to the next level by launching the Mobile APP version for its local cable operators (LCOs), which will further enhance and empower the operators in strengthening their business operations while “On The Move.”

    As the cable industry is paving its way through the digitization phase, technology is transcending to new platform avenues. Shifting from online to mobile gives the necessary, added tool to our LCOs to manage their business from anywhere and be more widely connected with their subscribers. They no longer need to be restricted to the confines of their offices and can easily manage their subscriber base from any location, thus, creating better efficiencies, communication and turnaround time.

    Commenting on the launch of the Mobile APP of Hathway Connect, Hathway Cable and Datacom video business president Tavinderjit Panesar said, The “Hathway Connect” online portal has been a huge success as operators have benefitted by an increase in their collections from customers. Further, there was a demand from our LCOs for a mobile version which would enable them to operate from anywhere, anytime. This transformational initiative needs to be beyond traditional platforms and this mobile APP will take customer experience to the next level and improve & speed up the operational process in our distribution chain and strengthen brand ‘Hathway.’

    Hathway Connects’ Mobile APP will be available for download on Android only and will provide all major functionalities of the online portal version required by the LCOs for conducting daily operations in an easy and convenient way. The mobile APP facilitates a series of features to LCOs such as Balance management including instant top-up of his online account with immediate credit, Pack management (renew pack, add new packs or change existing packs), bulk renewal and activation of packs in almost real-time, managing & monitoring of ground collections through field executives, thus, enhancing customer experience. The APP also sends SMS updates to customers for renewals done and the LCO can provide a printed payment receipt to customers via a Bluetooth-enabled printer.

  • Hathway goes mobile with Hathway Connect

    Hathway goes mobile with Hathway Connect

    MUMBAI: Hathway has taken its path breaking LCO portal- Hathway Connect to the next level by launching the Mobile APP version for its local cable operators (LCOs), which will further enhance and empower the operators in strengthening their business operations while “On The Move.”

    As the cable industry is paving its way through the digitization phase, technology is transcending to new platform avenues. Shifting from online to mobile gives the necessary, added tool to our LCOs to manage their business from anywhere and be more widely connected with their subscribers. They no longer need to be restricted to the confines of their offices and can easily manage their subscriber base from any location, thus, creating better efficiencies, communication and turnaround time.

    Commenting on the launch of the Mobile APP of Hathway Connect, Hathway Cable and Datacom video business president Tavinderjit Panesar said, The “Hathway Connect” online portal has been a huge success as operators have benefitted by an increase in their collections from customers. Further, there was a demand from our LCOs for a mobile version which would enable them to operate from anywhere, anytime. This transformational initiative needs to be beyond traditional platforms and this mobile APP will take customer experience to the next level and improve & speed up the operational process in our distribution chain and strengthen brand ‘Hathway.’

    Hathway Connects’ Mobile APP will be available for download on Android only and will provide all major functionalities of the online portal version required by the LCOs for conducting daily operations in an easy and convenient way. The mobile APP facilitates a series of features to LCOs such as Balance management including instant top-up of his online account with immediate credit, Pack management (renew pack, add new packs or change existing packs), bulk renewal and activation of packs in almost real-time, managing & monitoring of ground collections through field executives, thus, enhancing customer experience. The APP also sends SMS updates to customers for renewals done and the LCO can provide a printed payment receipt to customers via a Bluetooth-enabled printer.

  • DAS effect: MIB registered MSOs’ list nears 1,000

    DAS effect: MIB registered MSOs’ list nears 1,000

    NEW DELHI: Although the government is adamant about extending the deadline of the final phase of digital addressable system, the couutry which claims to have more than 60,000 cable operators is finally nearing a total of 1000 multi-system operators who provide signals to them.

    The total of MSOs went up to 966 by 28 July 2016, with 26 MSOs gettomg the green signal as provisional licencees after 28 June 2016. The number of permanent licencees (up to ten years) remains at 229.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had cancelled the licences of 27 MSOs and closed their cases by 2 June 2016. In most of the other cases in the list of cancelled registrations, it is because of failure to get security clearance from the Home ministry. However, there are cases of many MSOs holding provisional licences for failing to complete certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    According to the latest list upto 28 July 2016, the area of operation of three MSOs including one permanent licensee have been revised after 28 June, one of which – Radiant Digitek Network Pvt. Ltd of Kota – which already had a permanent licence for has now got licence to operate pan-India on a provisional licence. .

    The other new registrations include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

    With the Home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

  • DAS effect: MIB registered MSOs’ list nears 1,000

    DAS effect: MIB registered MSOs’ list nears 1,000

    NEW DELHI: Although the government is adamant about extending the deadline of the final phase of digital addressable system, the couutry which claims to have more than 60,000 cable operators is finally nearing a total of 1000 multi-system operators who provide signals to them.

    The total of MSOs went up to 966 by 28 July 2016, with 26 MSOs gettomg the green signal as provisional licencees after 28 June 2016. The number of permanent licencees (up to ten years) remains at 229.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had cancelled the licences of 27 MSOs and closed their cases by 2 June 2016. In most of the other cases in the list of cancelled registrations, it is because of failure to get security clearance from the Home ministry. However, there are cases of many MSOs holding provisional licences for failing to complete certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    According to the latest list upto 28 July 2016, the area of operation of three MSOs including one permanent licensee have been revised after 28 June, one of which – Radiant Digitek Network Pvt. Ltd of Kota – which already had a permanent licence for has now got licence to operate pan-India on a provisional licence. .

    The other new registrations include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

    With the Home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.