ITV

Category: Multi System Operators

  • GTPL says Star Sports is simply acting tough

    GTPL says Star Sports is simply acting tough

    MUMBAI: Indiantelevision.com earlier today reported on Star Sports Network filing eight FIRs against GTPL Hathway in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar and Jharkhand for illegal transmission of its channels during the recently concluded India-West Indies test series.

     

    But there’s actually a battle royale brewing between the sportscaster and the MSO, if sources are to be believed, and that there’s more to it than meets the eye.

     

    On its part, GTPL Hathway says it is unaware of any FIRs, and a senior executive has issued a rejoinder to Star Sports allegations and the notices it has been publishing since October.

     

    Says the GTPL Hathway executive: “We started switching off Star Sports channels in the areas which fall under DAS phase III from 16 October. It was after this that the channel put out a notice telling consumers that it will deactivate signals due to non-payment. The notice also stated that the consumers will be unable to watch Sachin play for the last time due to non-compliance by GTPL. It was just a way to malign our image and take awayconsumers. The channel started switching off signals from GTPL in the digitised areas in retaliation of our move to switch off signals in areas running on analogue signals.”

     

    GTPL says it is one of the first MSOs to implement digitisation in DAS phase III areas. “We have a large area to cover under digitisation and so we have already started the work. And it was due to this that we had to switch off some analogue channels to get more space for digital channels. The first option was Star Sports because the money that the network is asking is very high. Also in analogue, sport channels are carried on the last frequency and it is the last frequency that is required to be digitised first,” he informs.

     

    The legal notice is nothing but a retaliation to this, feels the GTPL Hathway executive. GTPL has a valid agreement with the network till March 2014.

     

    “The issues they have raised are frivolous. They are asking for subscriber reports, which is not relevant in our case, since we pay them the fixed amount for any number of subscribers,” he explains. “As far as the outstanding fee is concerned, we have had outstanding amounts in the past as well, but then we have always cleared the dues. We have had payment plans with Star Sports, which were agreed upon, but now they are going against it.”

     

    “It is just a move to get their channel started in the non-digital areas as well,” concludes the GTPL Hathway official.

     

    Will GTPL Hathway give in to the alleged pressure tactics?

  • Star Sports plays hard ball with Siti Cable

    Star Sports plays hard ball with Siti Cable

    MUMBAI: Star Sports has come out with a pan India notice against India’s Multisystem operator Siti Cable. The notice that was issued in select newspapers on 15 November as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) guidelines has hauled up the multiple system operator (MSO) on several grounds.

     

    “A huge outstanding and non-signing of agreement in both DAS as well as non-DAS markets are the two major reasons for this notice,” says Star Sports India COO Vijay Rajput.  “I would like to point out here that Siti Cable has not submitted subscriber reports for any of the DAS I and DAS II markets.  Also there have been instances of piracy. Earlier in October, we had filed an FIR against Siti Vision Digital, a joint venture unit of Siti Cable Network at Saifabad police station in Hyderabad, for illegal transmission of the Star Sports channels.”

     

     The sports network has come out heavily against Siti Cable for not playing with a straight bat.   “We have been following up with Siti Cable for all these issues but have not received a favorable response from its  officials. Therefore, as per the law of the land we have issued a 21 day public notice. We will avail all options available to us if in case Siti Cable fails to resolve the stated issues within the stipulated period,” adds Rajput.

     

     Star Sports had earlier played hardball with GTPL and yanked its channels off the cable network. Now it’s the turn of Siti Cable. Rajput says that he has been forced to take these steps. “These are the two specific cases that we are trying to address primarily due to non-payment and non-renewal of agreements.”

     

     So what is it that Siti Cable plans to do post this notice? Answers Siti Cable chief operating officer Anil Malhotra, “Well, this is a regular practice adopted by every broadcaster as per the TRAI regulation, when an agreement is about to end or has ended. The notice is a precursor to negotiation.”

     

     Malhotra claims that his cable network is already intalks with the sports channel for the renewal of contract. “We had signed the agreement last year in October-November. So the agreement is due for renewal and, so, this notice. We will amicably resolve the issue.”

    Star Sports says it is ready to revisit the matter if the MSO resolves the issues in the set deadline.

  • Kolkata MSOs to blackout TV tonight

    Kolkata MSOs to blackout TV tonight

    KOLKATA: Looks like cable TV consumers in Howrah will have to sacrifice on their favourite shows with few multiple system operators (MSOs) deciding to switch off signals if they do not receive duly filled customer application forms (CAFs) till end of the day today. The decision comes in view of the deadline set by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for submission of CAFs by 15 November.

     

    Around 40 per cent cable TV viewers in the city are subscribed to SitiCable. The MSO has not requested the regulator for any extension for CAF submission. SitiCable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia says, “We have already collected 90 per cent of CAFS. We expect the rest to be submitted today, if not, we will switch off signals from tonight.”

     

    Resonating the same is Manthan, which has installed 20-25 per cent STBs of the total five lakh STBs installed in the region.  “While a few have submitted CAFs, others will send it soon,” informs Manthan director Sudip Ghosh.

     

    The announcement is a shocker for many, as confusion over the city being a part of DAS phase II still remains. It is learnt that MSOs like KCBPL-GTPL among others are running analogue signals in DAS II areas.

     

    Industry insiders blame lack of an organisation for irregularities. “There is no such designated organisation that can regulate the system here,” says a source.

     

    The cause of ineffectiveness could also be because a few local cable operators (LCOs) have assured customers that they do not fall under DAS phase II and thus customers have not invested in the set top boxes (STBs).

     

    Talking about the prevailing confusion over DAS in Howrah, Sethia says, “Though most areas were covered during phase I, TRAI has to define whether the border of Howrah falls under phase II or not? There needs to be a clarification.”

     

    The city faces another issue. If Cable Operators Sangram Committee general secretary Apurba Bhattacharya is to be believed, subscribers who have submitted the duly filled CAFs are yet to see the change on their TV screens. “Even after filling the CAF and opting for preferred bouquet of channels, nothing has changed for viewers in Howrah,” he informs.

     

    Bhattacharya however believes that the MSOs will not switch off signals. “I foresee an extension in the cutoff date,” he says.

     

    Earlier a few LCOs had blamed festivities for slow down of work. “Since festivities are over now, both customers and LCOs should take the initiative and submit their details to MSOs,” opine city-based analysts.

  • Pay TV growth spurred by BRIC nations, says ABI Research

    Pay TV growth spurred by BRIC nations, says ABI Research

    MUMBAI: India is just a year into the process of digitisation, and, in another year, it is quite likely all of the nation’s 100-odd million cable TV homes will be having a set top box (STB) perched on top of their TV sets. The rapid spread of the STB and pay TV is ensuring that India increasingly pops up in research reports on pay TV as a major contributor of growth. Other countries which are also helping spike pay TV growth are Brazil, Russia and China.

     

    Take a dekko at the latest report released by international research firm ABI Research. It states that the pay TV subscriber base across the world surpassed 886.5 million at the end of Q3 2013, a six per cent YoY increase and generated $ 62.6 billion service revenue. Maintaining its Q2 2013 status, BRIC (Brazil Russia India China) nations were a major contributor and will continue to be in the future years, ABI has stated.

     

    The research predicts that by 2018, global pay TV subscribers will shoot to more than 1 billion out of which BRIC countries will be responsible for 68 per cent of total net additional subscribers.

     

    “Emerging markets are key drivers of global growth in pay-TV subscribers as developed markets are experiencing flat growth rates,” said ABI Research VP and practice director Jake Saunders.

     

    The US Pay TV market grew at less than one per cent as compared to Q3 2012, due to increasing cord cutting by cable TV subscribers who are switching over to cheaper OTT services such as Netflix and Hulu. According to the report, approximately 1.7 million subscribers were lost from cable TV last year in North America. However, revenues increased due to high ARPUs (Average Revenue per User) driven by increasing HD and advanced DVR (Digital Video Recorder) subscribers.

     

    European countries also showed marginal growth with less than two per cent increase than Q3 last year. Service providers in Spain lost over seven per cent of their pay TV subscribers and Italy over two per cent as compared to a year ago due to the weak economic environment. However, markets such as the UK, France and Germany along with other Western Europe countries saw IPTV subscribers increase by 1.9 million from Q3 2012 to Q3 2013.

     

    According to a 2012 report by the Singapore-based Media Partners Asia (MPA) overall pay TV subscribers in India were expected to cross 170 million in five years. Much like the US, India is also set to see revenue increase due to HD TV sets. India has one of the lowest ARPUs in the world at approximately Rs 140 ($ 2.2) but the industry is optimistic that it will grow to Rs 550 ($ 8.73) once digitisation is complete.

  • MSOs miss 15 November CAF deadline

    MSOs miss 15 November CAF deadline

    MUMBAI: Multi system operators (MSOs) have bought themselves some more time to collect duly filled consumer application forms (CAF) from cable subscribers across 38 cities falling under DAS phase II.

     

    The earlier deadline for CAF collection was today, that is, 15 November, and consumers failing to comply would have had their transmission cut off, even after possessing set top boxes. However, as learnt from several sources in the industry, MSOs failed to meet the timeline and are now seeking further extension.  

     

    While a few MSOs including Hathway Cable & Datacom have extended the deadline to 20 November, smaller Kolkata-based MSOs say the procedure will be complete by 23 November.

     

    It was the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that had previously extended the original deadline from 20 September to 15 November. When contacted, TRAI principal advisor N Parameswaran said considering it was a national holiday today, “any decision on the final date would be taken only on 18 November.”

     

    “The MSOs have voluntarily decided to extend the date to 20 November,” informed Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) president Arvind Prabhoo, adding that the regulator had asked the MSOs to send a review of DAS phase I, covering points like billing and CAF, in the interim.

     

    Kolkata-based Manthan and Siti Cable confirmed that they have achieved 100 per cent CAF collection whereas the Cable Operators Digitalisation Committee of the Association of Cable Operators convener Swapan Chowdhury said a 100 per cent CAF was impossible to achieve in the City of Joy with so many festivities. “We have increased the deadline for duly filled CAF to 23 November,” he said.

     

    Cable Operators Federation of India president Roop Sharma opined that CAF collection is a difficult task at hand for operators.

     

    “Considering that the broadcasters have not yet declared the rates for the channels, it is difficult for the consumer to decide which ones they want to subscribe,” she said.
    Clearly, we have not heard of the last of CAFs, phase II – as yet.

  • Close Charter launches TV streaming app

    Close Charter launches TV streaming app

    MUMBAI: Charter Communications launched its first mobile TV streaming app on Tuesday, offering a lineup of more than 100 live TV channels in the home, though the plan is to eventually allow authenticated customers to access live TV streams while they are on the go as well, Charter CEO Tom Rutledge said during Charter’s third quarter earnings call.

    Rutledge said the MSO anticipates that the new Charter TV app, offered first on Apple devices and coming later to the Android platform, will eventually add video-on-demand content to the mix and offer out-of-home access.

    Rutledge said: “Charter’s TV app is the beginning of a lot of things. It may ultimately be monetisable in ways that are different than we currently envision it.”

     “We may sell download-to-go services. We may sell video-on-demand everywhere. We may sell subscriptions everywhere,” he said. “But right now our primary business and our primary objective is to enhance our service offering and to make the total value of what we sell more valuable to the consumer.”

    Rutledge, who was a champion of Wi-Fi at Cablevision Systems, said Charter is drawing up a Wi-Fi plan of its own.

    “We think that Wi-Fi makes sense,” Rutledge said, noting that the MSO intends to start off by using dual SSIDs in Wi-Fi gear installed at commercial customer locations.

    “We want to start putting it out in our commercial customer base next year…While we don’t have a complete rollout plan yet, we’re working on beginning to deploy Wi-Fi at Charter,” Rutledge said.

    He did not mention if Charter has any plans to join the “Cable WiFi” roaming initiative that counts five members – Comcast, Bright House Networks, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision and Cox Communications – that have collectively deployed more than 200,000 Wi-Fi hot spots, with more than 500,000 on the horizon.

  • Howrah’s DAS travails

    Howrah’s DAS travails

    KOLKATA: To DAS or not to DAS? That is the question in West Bengal’s Howrah.
    Howrah, which is among those regions that are under phase II of DAS, has seen the implementation of DAS in only around 40 per cent of the million or so cable TV connections that dot the district.

    The remaining 60 per cent continues to be stuck watching analogue cable TV services. Subscribers have been loathe to pick up a set top box (STB) as local cable TV operators have clearly assured them that they fall under Howrah district and not Howrah city.

    A Howrah resident Rohan Das when contacted says: “I don’t mind buying the set top box (STB) but my operator has informed that it is not necessary to buy now.”

    Sources further add that not enough is being done to monitor or police how cable TV is making the transition to digital in Howrah. Cable Operators Digitisation Committee of the Association of Cable Operators convener Swapan Chowdhury confirmed that there is slackness in the DAS rollout.

    Manthan director Sudip Ghosh pointed out that things are doing well in “Howrah city which has around five lakh cable TV connections; most of these have been digitized. More over the CAF collection has also been completed by many, while some are doing it now.”

    Manthan has installed 20-25 per cent STBs in the region out of the four to five lakh STBs. Ghosh clarified that “Howrah district and Howrah city are different.”

    SitiCable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia also confirmed that the company has completed the work as mandated by TRAI. He however added, “TRAI has to define whether the border of Howrah falls under phase II or not. The regulator has to clarify the DAS area.”

    SitiCable controls a sizeable chunk of cable TV viewers in the region. It should be noted that broadcast regulator TRAI has extended the deadline for collection of Consumer Application Forms (CAF) in phase II cities including Howrah by MSOs to 15 November from its previous deadline of 30 September. MSOs operating in Howrah vicinity confirm that they will meet the deadline.

    While cable TV analysts say that CAF forms have not been received by many cable subscribers due to festive holidays – firstly, Durga Puja, and now Kali Puja followed by Diwali. “LCOs and MSOs will be back to work only after these are over.” 

  • Look ‘PhotoReady’ with Revlon’s digital campaign,Dimsy Mirchandi

    Look ‘PhotoReady’ with Revlon’s digital campaign,Dimsy Mirchandi

    MUMBAI: Revlon, the cosmetic company, has launched a new digital campaign for its make-up range PhotoReady.

    The campaign includes a Facebook application, Twitter handle and online contest called ‘CelebrityYou.’  Elaborating more on it, Revlon India marketing manager Dimsy Mirchandi says, “The objective of this campaign was to introduce and engage consumers with our new range of PhotoReady products. But our overall digital objective is to entice consumers; use the platform to share our common purpose of inspiring women to express themselves freely. And this is exactly what we have tried to do through this campaign. Based on the insight that women want to look photo-ready all the time, we encouraged her to share her best celebrity moment, i.e. find that one moment when she felt special, just like a celebrity. By sharing and realising her moments, she is not only being expressive but also inspiring others to do so.”

    The PhotoReady digital campaign has been introduced to promote new products within the PhotoReady Range namely – PhotoReady BB Cr?me, PhotoReady Dual-ended Kajal and PhotoReady Mascara. It also reinforces and further promotes the already existing products within the range.

    Mirchandi adds, “Since the campaign is based on a simple yet effective insight i.e. women wants to look photo-ready all the time, it is ought to resonate well with them. And the fact that close to 500 women participated in the contest validates that they found it relevant and interesting. More so, such campaigns help brand connect and co-create with consumers.”

    Throughout the campaign, Revlon’s make-up expert Bianca Hartkopf   will provide various make-up tips on ‘How to’ wear make-up along with Revlon’s guest photographer (Anushka Menon) who will share inside secrets to being PhotoReady.  There will also be various tips, trends that the photographer will write in terms of articles, posts, tweets etc.

    The campaign was developed by VML Quais.

  • Seven Indian channels added to StarHub TV in Singapore

    Seven Indian channels added to StarHub TV in Singapore

    MUMBAI: Festive season is the time when channels make the best use of the opportunity served to them. This time, it’s also happening overseas as StarHub TV, Singapore’s only cable operator service has decided to give its viewers a treat of seven new Indian channels to view, increasing its lineup of channels from the country to nine.

    The channels that are now a part of the bouquet include: Life Ok, NDTV 24 X 7, NDTV Good Times, Verna, Zee Tamizh, Zee Khana Khazana and Zee TV HD. While the channels became a part of StarHub from 18 October, subscribers can get a free preview till 4 November.

    StarHub TV also has a facility called ‘Anywhere TV’ that allows subscribers to view TV on their personal devices through a subscription plan. Except for Life OK, remaining six new channels along with three others Vannithirai, Zee Cinema and Zee TV can be viewed through ‘Anywhere TV’.

    “India is a colourful country with a rich cultural tapestry,” said StarHub TV head of media business unit Lee Soo Hui. “The diversity of content across these seven new channels will ensure that our customers are now spoilt for choice when it comes to Indian programmes,” she added.

    As part of Diwali celebrations, the existing channels will also be available for free from 1 to 4 November. These include Colors, Asianet, Channel V India, Sony, Star Gold, Sony Max, Star Plus, Star Vijay, Sun Music, Sun TV and Zee News apart from the nine that will be available on ‘Anywhere TV.’

    A ‘Manoranjan’ pack gives eight entertainment channels including Life Ok and Zee TV at $25.90 per month while the NDTV pack comes at $6.24 per month. Verna and Zee Tamizh are available at a la carte price of $8.56 and $6.42 respectively per month.

  • RTL CBS Asia now available on Sky Cable in Philippines

    RTL CBS Asia now available on Sky Cable in Philippines

    MUMBAI: The experience of RTL CBS Entertainment HD channel now reaches Philippines. With Sky Cable and RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network announcing a carriage deal, consumers in Philippines can get RTL CBS Entertainment HD channel to their homes.

    Sky Cable is the largest cable TV provider in the Philippines. The channel is available ? la carte and as part of Sky Cable’s silver, gold, dual def499, dual def999 and titaniumHD40 packages, offering content to all family members.

    Sky Cable COO Ray Montinola said, “The addition of RTL CBS Entertainment HD to Sky Cable’s widest and still growing channel line-up goes hand in hand with our mission to provide every Filipino family with quality entertainment. We are excited and honoured to be the first cable TV provider in the country to offer this world-class channel.”

    The Philippines is the fourth market to launch the channel since it began broadcasting in September this year, after Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

    RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network CEO Jonas Engwall commented, “RTL CBS Entertainment HD has received an extremely enthusiastic reception from all operators across the region and initial audience feedback has been very encouraging. We are delighted to bring the channel to Filipino viewers through our partner Sky Cable. The Philippines is a significant market where viewers of all ages value high quality content.”