ITV

Category: Multi System Operators

  • Den Networks and Wipro join hands for enhancing customer experience

    Den Networks and Wipro join hands for enhancing customer experience

    MUMBAI: Multi system operator (MSO) Den Networks is not only expanding its business, but with that is looking at enhancing customer experience as well. And with this, the MSO has entered into a strategic partnership with information technology giant Wipro. The alliance aims at accelerating Den Networks’ evolution from being a B2B organisation to a B2C one.       

     

    The strategic partnership will empower Den Networks’ customers with seamless connectivity and integration. Through this decade-long alliance, the MSO will be able to provide its customers, local cable operators (LCOs) and partners with real time efficient services, thereby ensuring continuous engagement and zero downtime. The initiative will also help Den Networks to streamline the deployment of its next generation services and provide quicker service activation, accurate rating and billing and excellent customer service.

     

     “As the industry continuously evolves, it is imperative to drive innovations for an enhanced customer experience. This initiative will help us connect better with our customers, and meet operators’ demand for quicker and accurate dissemination of a variety of services, thereby driving increased loyalty, adoption and efficiency. We are looking at automating our backend processes as a part of this deal, to provide a seamless subscriber experience and build customer loyalty,” said Den Networks COO M.G. Azhar.

     

    According to the agreement, Den Networks can offer SMS and BSS user friendly solutions, which allows cable operators to deliver more personalised and sophisticated services to cable and broadband subscribers at sharply improved delivery time.

     

    “We are delighted to be chosen as a strategic partner for Den. Wipro will leverage its extensive experience in business and technology transformation, combined with platform-driven integrated delivery of IT to ensure we deliver a robust, flexible and scalable infrastructure to help Den do business better,” added Wipro Infotech chief executive Soumitro Ghosh.

     

     

    The cloud based platform will use a highly extendible patented model that consolidates all subscriber, product, service and infrastructure based operational data, allowing operators to reliably and rapidly create and manage a wider range of residential and business products that deliver increased operational efficiency and a greater user experience.

     

    “This partnership will enable both the companies to meet the changing needs of the customer, providing them with more choices and market solutions, using a blend of onboard and cloud-based distributed analytics. Our user-centric architecture and expertise in the broadband & cable space will help DEN Networks engage with customers at a deeper level,” concluded Wipro senior vice president and business head-global communications Anil K. Jain.

  • Hathway Bhawani Cabletel & Datacom FY-2014 loss triples, EBIDTA down

    Hathway Bhawani Cabletel & Datacom FY-2014 loss triples, EBIDTA down

    BENGALURU: Hathway Bhawani Cabletel and Datacom Limited (HBC&DL) reported consolidated loss of Rs 4.05 crore in FY-2014, 3.19 times the loss of Rs 1.27 crore in FY-2013. The company’s EBIDTA (including other income) in FY-2014 at Rs 4.74 crore (28.9 per cent of Total Income of Tot Inc) was down 19.4 per cent from the Rs 5.89 crore (32.1 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.

     

    Note :  (1)100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

    (2) Annual figures are on a consolidated basis, quarterly figures are standalone.

     

    HBC&DL reported consolidated Tot Inc of Rs16.38 crore in FY-2014, which was 10.6 per cent lower than the Rs 18.32 crore in FY-2013. Its Q4-2014 standalone Tot Inc at Rs 4.08 core was 18.8 per cent more than the Rs 3.43 crore in the immediate trailing quarter and 16.8 per cent more than the Rs 3.5 crore in the year ago quarter Q4-2013.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by HBC&DL for FY-2014 and Q4-2014

     

    The company’s consolidated Total Expense (Tot Exp) in FY-2014 at Rs 20.09 crore (123.4 per cent of Tot Inc) was 1.6 per cent more than the Rs19.78 crore (108.5 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.

     

    Standalone Q4-2014 Tot Exp at Rs 5.06 crore (124.9 per cent of Tot Inc) was 16.4 per cent more than the Rs 4.35 crore in Q3-2014 and 12.2 per cent more than the Rs 4.51 crore (129.3 per cent of Tot Inc) In Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s pay channel cost in FY-2014 at Rs 7.35 crore (54.2 per cent of Tot Inc) was 13 per cent less than the Rs 8.45 crore (46.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.  The company’s standalone and consolidated pay channel cost for the year and the quarters is the same. Pay channel cost in Q4-2014 at Rs 0.87 crore (21.4 per cent of Tot Inc) was 57.1 per cent less than the Rs 2.02 crore (59.1 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and 63.2 per cent lower than the Rs 2.35 crore (67.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s consolidated inventories in FY-2014 have dropped by 24.5 per cent to Rs 2.39 crore from Rs 4.35 crore in FY-2013.

     

    The company’s consolidated trade payables in FY-2014 has gone up by 47.3 per cent to Rs 6.66 crore from Rs 4.52 crore in FY-2013. HBC&DL’s trade receivables have also gone up in FY-2014 by 67.2 per cent to Rs 0.54 crore from Rs 0.32 crore in FY-2013.

     

    Standalone EBIDTA details for the three quarters: Q4-2014 Rs (-0.77) crore: Q3-2014 Rs (-0.72) crore: Q4-2013 Rs (-0.8) crore (all the three quarter have reported negative EBIDTA.)

     

    Results for the three quarters: Q4-2014 loss Rs 1 crore; Q3-2014 loss Rs 1.02 crore: Q4-2013 loss Rs 0.78 crore.

     

     

    Click here for the full report:

  • FY-2014: Sea TV reports loss of Rs 6.82 crore

    FY-2014: Sea TV reports loss of Rs 6.82 crore

    BENGALURU: Sea TV Network Ltd, (Sea TV) an MSO and a media and entertainment house of Uttar Pradesh & Uttrakhand reported loss of Rs 6.82 crore in FY-2014 as compared to a profit of Rs 1.29 crore in FY-2013. Though the company incurred a 35.3 per cent drop in EBIDTA as compared to last year, it was still EBIDTA positive at Rs 2.79 (14.3 per cent of Total Income or Tot Inc) crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 4.32 crore (20.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013

     

    Note:  (1)100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million. 

     

    (2) Annual figures are on a consolidated basis, quarterly figures are standalone.

     

    The company reported 11.4 per cent lower Tot Inc in FY-2014 at Rs 18.82 crore as compared to the Rs 21.24 crore in FY-2013. Tot Inc in Q4-2014 at Rs 4.71 crore was 12.8 per cent more than the Rs 4.17 crore in the immediate trailing quarter and 15.5 per cent more than the Rs 4.05 crore in the year ago quarter Q4-2013.

     

    Sea TV incurred Total Expense (Tot Exp) of Rs 20.73 crore (110.2 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2014 which was 11.8 per cent more than the Rs 18.55 crore (87.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013. During Q4-2014, the company’s Tot Exp at Rs 4.7 crore (99.8 per cent of Tot Inc) was 3.9 per cent more than the Rs 4.52 crore (108.3 per cent of Tot Inc) of Q3-2014 and 38.3 per cent more than the Rs 3.40 crore (83.4 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    A major portion of Sea TV’s expenditure is Pay Channel Charges (PCC). In FY-2014, PCC at Rs 5.56 crore (29.6 per cent of Tot Inc) was 28.6 per cent more than the Rs 43.3 crore (20.4 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013. PCC in Q4-2014 at Rs 1.41 crore (30 per cent of Tot Inc) was 14.6 per cent lower than the Rs 1.65 crore (39.6 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and 1.5 per cent higher than the Rs 1.39 crore (34.1 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    EBIDTA for Q4-2014 at Rs 1.2 crore (25.5 per cent of Tot Inc) was 40.5 per cent more than the Rs 0.86 crore (20.5 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and 7.4 per cent more than the Rs 1.12 crore (27.5 per cent of Tot inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s interest cost increased by more than fivefold (5.78 times) to Rs 3.98 crore (21.1 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2014 from Rs 0.89 crore (3.2 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013. Interest cost in Q4-2014 at Rs 1.44 crore (30.5 per cent of Tot Inc) was 13 per cent more than the Rs1.27  crore (30.4 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and almost seven times (6.8 times) the Rs 0.21 crore (5.2 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s result for the three quarters: Q4-2014 – loss of Rs 1.7 crore: Q3-2014 – loss of Rs 1.78 crore: Q4-2014 – Profit of Rs 0.32 crore.

     

    Sea TV claims to own a number of media establishments. Through its subsidiary Sea News Network, it runs a 24×7 news satellite channel SEA NEWS UP/UK, primarily having an eye over the happenings of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Through its another subsidiary Sea Print Media & Publications, it operates its first venture in print media, Hindi Daily ‘The Sea Express’. In addition to it, through its third subsidiary Jain Telemedia Services, the company operates another satellite channel focusing on Jainism – ‘Jinvani’. Besides, it says that it has been serving news and entertainment content to as many as 3.75 lakh households of Agra for past nine years through its MSO (Multi-System Operators) service.

     

    Click here for the full report

  • Den Network’s profit run continues in FY-2014; topline rises

    Den Network’s profit run continues in FY-2014; topline rises

    BENGALURU: At a time when most companies involved in carrying television signals from the broadcaster to the consumer via cable have reported losses and are complaining about poor collections, Den Networks Ltd  (Den Networks) has reported profits, albeit slightly lower by 3.6 per cent as compared to last fiscal’s.

     

    The company’s assets and liabilities show that its trade receivables in FY-2014 has gone up by 20.4 per cent to Rs 391.92 crore (35.1 per cent of Operating Revenue of Op Rev) as compared to the Rs 325.62 crore (35.6 per cent of Op Rev) in FY-2013 as is obvious, in terms of percentage of Operating revenue vis-a-vis the previous year, the percentage of trade receivables has dropped fractionally.

     

    Den Networks reported a PAT of Rs 75.14 crore (6.7 per cent of Op Rev) for FY-2014, as compared to the PAT of Rs 77.94 crore (8.5 per cent of Op Rev) in FY-2014. In Q4-2014, the company reported a PAT of Rs 15.21 crore (5.04 per cent of Op Rev), lower by 5.4 per cent than the Rs 16.08 crore (5.9 per cent of Op Rev) during the immediate trailing quarter and 41.7 per cent lower than the Rs 26.08 crore (9.61 per cent of Op Rev) in Q4-2014.

     

    On the topline front, Den Networks has crossed the Rs 1000 crore operating revenue mark in FY-2014. The company reported Op Rev of Rs 1116.69 crore which was 22.2 per cent more than the Rs 914.05 crore last fiscal. Op Rev for Q4-2014 at Rs 301.86 crore was 10 per cent more than the Rs 274.46 crore in Q3-2014 and 11.2 per cent more than the Rs 271.43 crore in the year ago quarter Q3-2013.

     

    Here’s what the company has to say in its investor update:

     

    The company’s income from operations in Q4-2014 at Rs 930.43 crore can be broken in to streams –Rs 281.69 crore from its cable business and Rs 648.65 crore from its distribution business. After cost of distribution rights of Rs 633.57 crore, net revenue from the segment along with other income is Rs 17.44 crore, while the net revenue from the cable including other income is Rs 308.23 crore. The cable business has shown a positive result before tax of Rs 11.78 crore, while its distribution business a negative result or loss of Rs 4.6 crore.

     

    Consolidated Full Year EBITDA for FY-2014 was Rs 367.71 crore, a 52 per cent jump from Rs 242.70 crore in FY-2013. The Company says that it has incurred expenses of Rs 15 crore (approx) towards broadband and DAS Phase III and IV cities in this year, which have been considered in the EBITDA.

     

    Full Year EBITDA for FY-2014 Rs 357.51 crore, a 54 per cent jump from Rs 231.72 crore in FY-2013 EBITDA margins stood at 32.1 per cent.

     

    Subscribers and Set Top Box Deployment

     

    In Q4-2014, Den Networks claims to have deployed 450,000 set top boxes.  It says that it now has digitised approximately 6.1 million homes of its total subscriber base of 13 million homes. The company says that it has an estimated analog base of 7 million homes in its Phase III and IV markets. It confirms that it is well capitalised to meet the deployment requirements of its existing analog subscriber base in these cities. 

     

    Click here to read the full report

    Click here for investor update

  • Hathway FY-2014 Operating Income up 40 per cent; reports loss of Rs 141 crore

    Hathway FY-2014 Operating Income up 40 per cent; reports loss of Rs 141 crore

    BENGALURU: Indian Multi System Operator (MSO) Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited (Hathway) reported a jump of 39.8 per cent in consolidated net Total Operating Income (Op Inc) to Rs 1583.25 crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 1132.52 crore in FY-2013. The company reported a loss of Rs 140.69 crore in the current year as opposed to a PAT of Rs 37.59 crore in the previous fiscal.

     

     Note :  (1)100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

     

    (2) Annual figures are on a consolidated basis.

     

    The company’s Operating EBIDTA (without other income) in FY-2014 at Rs 309.8 crore (19.57 per cent of Tot Inc) was 13.1 per cent more than the Rs 273.84 crore (24.3 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Operating EBIDTA in Q4-2014 at Rs 40.70 crore (13.9 per cent of Op Inc) was 10.8 per cent more than the Rs 36.74 crore (15.65 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 but less than half (46 per cent) of the year ago quarter’s EBIDTA of Rs 88.48 crore (38.3 per cent of Op Inc).

     

    For Q4-2014, Hathway reported Op Inc of Rs 292.72 crore which was 24.7 per cent higher than the Rs 234.78 crore in the quarter ended 31 December 2013 and 26.6 per cent lower than the Rs 231.18 crore in the year ago quarter Q4-2013.

     

    Let us look at the other FY-2014 and Q4-2014 numbers reported by Hathway.

     

    Hathway reported consolidated Total expense (Tot Exp) in FY-2014 at Rs 1572.75 crore (99.3 per cent of Op Inc), 53.5 per cent higher than FY-2013 Tot Exp of Rs 1024.74 crore (90.5 per cent of Op Inc). Q4-2014 Tot Exp at Rs 313.53 crore (107.1 per cent of Op Inc) was 23.4 per cent more than the Rs 254.03 crore (108.2 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 67.8 per cent more than the Rs 186.89 crore (80.8 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    A major expense for Hathway is Pay Channel Cost. The company paid Rs 666.42 crore (42.1 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2014 towards this head, which was 54.1 per cent more than the Rs 432.51 crore (38.19 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Hathway paid Rs 115.41 crore (39.4 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2014 towards pay channel cost, which was 37.85 per cent more than the Rs 83.72 crore (35.7 per cent of Op Inc) in the immediate trailing quarter and more than double (2.33 times) the Rs 49.50 crore (21.41 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    Hathway’s Stock-in-trade purchase (Stock Pur) more than doubled in FY-2014 (went up by 2.23 times) to Rs 13.85 crore (0.87 per cent of Op Inc) from Rs 6.20 crore (0.55 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Stock Pur in Q4-2014 at Rs 10.25 crore (3.5 per cent of Op Inc) was more than 8 times (8.36 times) the Rs 1.23 crore (0.52 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 6.28 times the Rs 1.63 crore (0.71 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s results during the quarters were: Q4-2014 – Loss of Rs 49.27 crore; Q3-2014 – loss of Rs 36.86 crore: Q4-2013 – PAT of Rs 28.27 crore.

  • Digi-JPR Networks to offer Dolby Digital Plus in HD STBs

    Digi-JPR Networks to offer Dolby Digital Plus in HD STBs

    MUMBAI: Digi-JPR Networks, Mumbai based cable TV network operator has selected Dolby Digital Plus as the audio solution for its HD set-up boxes (STBs). With this move, Dig-JPR HD subscribers will experience the capability of up to 7.1 surround sound, designed to transform the way people experience their favourite sports, movies and television programmes.

     

    Digi-JPR Networks managing director Raja B. Nadar opined, “With digitisation, the broadcast industry in India is evolving at a fast pace by delivering better and more enhanced quality of services to consumers. We are excited to combine high-definition video with Dolby Digital Plus surround sound to bring the best television experience to our customers.”

     

    With Digi-JPR’s HD set-top boxes featuring Dolby Digital Plus, consumers will be able to enjoy Dolby surround sound by connecting their home theatre or sound bar to their HD set-top box.

     

    It will offer a complete entertainment experience across a bouquet of HD channels including the Star HD network, Colors HD, Movies Now HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic Channel HD, and many more.

     

    “At Dolby, we constantly strive to bring extraordinary entertainment experiences for the audiences through innovative technology. With Dolby Digital Plus, Digi-JPR will be able to deliver a cinematic entertainment experience to the living rooms of their consumers-from sports, drama, reality TV, and movies,” concluded Dolby Laboratories India country manager Pankaj Kedia.

  • Siti Cable reports 45 per cent jump in EBIDTA for FY-2014

    Siti Cable reports 45 per cent jump in EBIDTA for FY-2014

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s Subhash Chandra-led Siti Cable Network Ltd (Siti Cable) has reported a 44.7 per cent jump in operating profit (EBIDTA) in FY-2014 to Rs 125.9 crore as compared to the Rs 87 crore in the previous fiscal. The company reported a 46.8 per cent jump in total revenue to Rs 710.3 crore in FY-2014 from the Rs 483.7 crore in FY-2013. Some of the digital dividend – courtesy the government mandated digitisation – seem to be accruing to its top line in terms of higher subsription revenues.

     

    Note :  Rs 100,00,000=100 lakh= 1 crore = 10 million.

     

    Siti Cable’s  operating revenue in FY-2014 at Rs 697.24 crore was 48.46 per cent more than the Rs 469.64 crore in FY-2014. Operating revenue in Q4-2014 at Rs 233.34 crore was 41.26 per cent more than the Rs 165.18 crore in the immediate trailing quarter and 65.15 per cent more than the Rs141.29 crore in the year ago quarter Q4-2013. Operating revenue in its case is derived mainly from subscriber related income, income from bandwidth charges, advertisements, and other operating revenues.

     

    Siti Cable chairman Subhash Chandra said, “The cable television industry in India is rapidly changing with the visible signs of progression towards the complete digitalization. Television viewers are getting familiar with inherent advantages of digitization through cable, digital cable is playing an instrumental role in digitization. Digital cable television is a major engine of growth for Siti Cable across all geographies. Our sustained investment in this segment will further enhance the customer television viewing experience.”

     

    Let us look at the other FY-2014 and Q4-2014 numbers reported by Siti Cable:

     

    The company’s total expense (Tot Exp) in FY-2014 was 47.5 per cent more at Rs 668.20 crore (95.83 per cent of operating revenue or Op Inc)  as compared to the Rs 453.01 crore (96.46 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Tot Exp in Q4-2014 at Rs 233.07 crore (99.88 per cent of Op Inc) was 41.04 per cent more than the Rs165.25 crore (100.04 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 59.99 per cent more than the Rs145.68 crore (103.11 per cent of Op Inc)  in Q4-2013.

     

    A major component of the Tot Exp are channel carriage, pay channel and related costs (CPRC). Siti Cable paid 42.5 per cent more towards CPRC in FY-2014 at Rs 333.95 crore (47.9 per cent of Op Inc) as compared to the Rs 234.35 crore (49.9 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, CPRC cost at Rs 124.16 crore (53.21 per cent of Op Inc) was 44.96 per cent more than the Rs  85.65 crore (51.85 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 42.39 per cent more than the Rs 87.20 crore (61.72 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    Siti Cable’s finance cost in FY-2014 at Rs119.11 crore (17.08 per cent of Op Inc) was 37.88 per cent more than the Rs 86.39 crore (18.39 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Finance cost in Q4-2014 at Rs 31.24 crore (13.39 per cent of Op Inc) was a mere 0.06 per cent more than the Rs 31.22 crore (18.9 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2013 and 21.2 per cent more than the Rs 25.77 crore (18.24 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    Clearly, the MSO -which has 56 analogue and 14 digital headend, a network of 12,000 km of coaxial and fibre optic cable, in 80 cities and reaching 10 million viewers – has more or less completed its investment in phase I and phase II towns and has hence gone easy on borrowings in the last quarter, leading to lower interest costs. With the mandate to complete phase III and phase IV of digitisation, it’s possible that its finance costs may rise again. Unless, of course, the fruits of digitisation in phase I and phase II in terms of higher subscriber revenue negate that need in the coming quarters.

     

    Other Expense in FY-2014 at Rs 202.64 crore (29.06 per cent of Op Inc) was 60.35 per cent more than the Rs126.37 crore (26.91 per cent of Op Inc)) in FY-2013. This expense head in Q4-2014 at Rs 75.39 crore (32.31 per cent of Op Inc) was 68.93 per cent more than the Rs 44.63 crore (27.02 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and more than double (2.22 times) the Rs 33.92 crores (24.01 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s loss in FY-2014 at Rs 94.06 crore was 46.8 per cent more than the Rs 64.07 crore in FY-2013. Siti Cable’s Q4-2014 loss at Rs 22.81 crore widened by 26.97 per cent as compared to the Rs 17.97 crore in Q3-2014, but was 17.98 per cent lower than the Rs 27.81 crore in Q4-2013.

     

    Here are some Q4-2014 highlights from the Siti Cable press release.

     

    Total revenue for the fourth quarter ended 31 March 2014 was Rs 243.4 crore as compared to Rs 147.4 crore during corresponding quarter of the last fiscal.

     

    The consolidated operating profit (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter ended 31 March 2014 was Rs 27.9 crores as compared to operating profit (EBITDA) of Rs 26 crore during corresponding quarter of the last fiscal. Gross Billing started in Delhi , Kolkata (DAS Ph-1 cities).

     

    Siti Cable CEO V D Wadhwa said, “Our continuous efforts towards expanding the subscriber base, faster implementation of gross billing in Delhi and Kolkata , high focus on adherence to regulatory compliances and cost controls measure has helped us in delivering the healthy performance on a quarter on quarter basis. During the year, we have set the benchmark in being the pioneer company to monetize the business by collecting higher subscription on per subscriber basis, best backend infrastructure, fair and transparent commercial policies in dealing with all our associates”.

     

    He further added, “We are well placed to benefit from the ongoing digitization implementation and fully geared up to grow revenue and profitability at a faster pace.”

  • TDSAT directs Manthan Broadband to pay dues to IndiaCast

    TDSAT directs Manthan Broadband to pay dues to IndiaCast

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Kolkata based multi system operator (MSO) Manthan Broadband Services to cough up dues worth Rs 2.3 crore to IndiaCast. The order comes after the content aggregator threatened to disconnect its signals failing payment from the petitioner’s (Manthan) side of its monthly subscription fees.

     

    Manthan had admitted to dues of Rs 2.18 crore while IndiaCast claimed it to be Rs 5.07 crore. Adjusting the placement fees, TDSAT has settled it at Rs 2.3 crore. Manthan has been ordered to pay Rs 80 lakh by 30 May while the balance of the Rs 2.3 crore has to be given in two parts on 20 June and 15 July. It will also have to keep paying its monthly fees apart from its dues.

     

    Until further orders come, the monthly subscription fee shall be given after adjusting the placement fees. However, the Tribunal states that by adjusting this, it is not endorsing Manthan’s demand for placement fees or any such in the fresh agreement as well.

     

    Apart from this, Manthan has been directed to carry ETV News Bangla channel apart from the other channels in the agreement. ETV News Bangla was launched recently in March 2014.

     

    However, if Manthan defaults in the payment of dues or subscription fees, IndiaCast is free to disconnect its signals to the former without any notice or order from TDSAT.

     

    The next date of hearing has been set to 21 July and the parties have been asked to negotiate and come up with a fresh agreement starting from 1 April.

  • DEN Networks introduces 22 HD channels in Kochi

    DEN Networks introduces 22 HD channels in Kochi

    MUMBAI: DEN Networks is looking at serving its Kochi subscribers better. The multi system operator (MSO) has announced the launch of its HD package comprising 22 channels for its existing subscribers in Kochi. With this launch, DEN has become the only cable TV distribution company in Kerala to offer highest number of HD channels.

     

    The HD package would include channels like, Star Plus, Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Star Gold, Star World, Life OK, NGC, NGC Wild, NGC Music, HBO Hits, HBO Defined, Star Movies, Movies Now, Romedy Now, Zee Studio, Star Sports HD1 and Star Sports HD2. 

     

    Commenting on the development, DEN Networks CEO S.N. Sharma said, “At DEN Networks, we have always believed in consistent improvement – both in terms of customer service and our offerings. Our ability to keep our customers in pace with the times has led to us being among the fastest growing players in Cable TV distribution in Kerala. Our new HD Package is yet another step towards bringing a richer, high definition TV viewing experience for our customers in Kochi.”

     

    “Kerala has more than 1.2 million subscribers and most of them are early adapters when it comes to latest technology. At DEN Networks, our ability to sense the evolving demand and offer our customers customised solutions have helped us to garner increasing market share,” added Sharma. 

     

    “In the next few months, while we will increase our presence across all 14 districts of Kerala; we will also introduce this HD Package in other towns like Trivandrum, Kottayam, Kannur, Mallapuram, Pallakad etc,” he concluded.

     

    DEN Network’s Cable TV services are available in 10 of the 14 districts in Kerala, namely Eranakulam (Kochi), Allapuzha, Kottayam, Trivandrum, Thrissur, Mallapuram, Pallakad, Kozhikode (Calicut), Kannur and Kasargode.

     

    The MSO offers 200 SD channels and 22 HD channels in Kochi as of now, all the other places offering is 140 channels, which will be upgraded to 200 and 22 HD channels in the coming months. Also company will soon be introducing packages to subscribers in Kerala, that will offer the choice of deciding what bundle of channels to view and pay for. Kerala has a total market size of six million cable homes, out of which, DEN is having more than 20 per cent market share as of now and fast growing.

  • Digicable files police complaint against Hathway in Mumbai

    Digicable files police complaint against Hathway in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Jagjit Singh Kohli is furious. The cable TV industry veteran and promoter of Digicable  has  reportedly filed a police complaint against Hathway Cable and a distributor Santosh Ankolekar.  The police complaint – a copy of which is with indiantelevision.com – names Hathway promoter Viren Raheja,  western region in charge and President finance Milind Karnik, an executive Rajendra Rane and Ankolekar as the guilty parties.

     

    JSK – as he is known in the industry – is seeking justice. The reason for him taking such a drastic step is because the latter – who was a distributor of Digicable – did a deal with India’s leading cable TV MSO  as part of which he allegedly sold his  network to it. Ankolekar,  according to Digicable sources – was a small local cable operator  with a network of around 1,500 subscribers in the Andheri east area of Mumbai. Ankolekar grew rapidly  after his appointment as a distributor by Digicable in 2007. According to the MSO, he was given about 50,000 STBs to seed to local cable operators in the area and convert them to Digicable subscribers, which he did.

     

    “But the network was not really his,” says Kohli. “It was owned by Digicable, and we offered to show the documents to the Hathway management but they were not bothered about facts and continued using our network.”

     

    According to Kohli, Hathway swapped the Digicable boxes  for its own and when his team asked them to return them to him, it was not done. “The point is they may have inadvertently made a mistake but then they have to make amends which they are refusing to do,” says  Kohli.

     

    Hathway officials deny any wrongdoing. They state that it was Ankolekar who came to the MSO seeking help.

     

    “Digicable had not been able to make payments to broadcasters for quite sometime and his signals were consistently getting switched off,” says a senior Hathway executive. “When he came to us we offered to give him Hathway boxes as we were getting a large territory in the heart of Mumbai. And we would be in a position to provide consistent services to subscribers as our deals with broadcasters are in place.”

     

    The executive states that there was no swapping of boxes or anything of that sort. “Digicable had given the boxes to local cable operators,” says he. “We did too. But we did not take the Digicable boxes back  from the LCOs. If the boxes are with the LCOs, then Digicable should take them back from them.”

     

    The MSO stated – at the time of writing – that the company was unaware of Karnik or Viren Raheja being named in the FIR. “We would have got a call from the police station,” says a senior executive. “To the best of our knowledge only Rane and Santosh are named in the FIR and no one else. “

     

    Digicable had earlier had a run-in with Hathway last year when it had alleged that its former CEO Amit Nag had colluded with the latter  in “hijacking” its network in Kolkata.