ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • CVNO Alert: Kolkata LMOs sign MoU with Meghbela

    CVNO Alert: Kolkata LMOs sign MoU with Meghbela

    KOLKATA: The Cable Virtual Network Operator (CVNO) in Kolkata is moving fast in order to meet its 15 December launch deadline. In the latest, more than 200 Kolkata based last mile owners (LMOs) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with city-based multi-system operator (MSO) Meghbela Cable & Broadband Services.

     

    The MoU, which will see Meghbela provide the infrastructure to the LMOs will be valid for 36 months.  

     

    “Yes, the MoU is signed and now based on this, we can initiate our work.  Around 205 LMOs have come together so far,” confirmed Cable Operators Sangram Committee general secretary Apurba Bhattacharya to indiantelevision.com.

     

    “Our brand name will be Meghbela, since the MSO is a DAS license holder. The watermarked logo of the MSO will also be displayed on the TV screen,” he further added.

     

    The nature of agreement is based on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) regulations as well as on the demand and requirements of both the parties.

     

    The CVNO model, according to the LMOs will operate in all areas of Kolkata. “The MSO will levy a minimum price against every set top box (STB),” informed a LMO, who is part of the business model. 

     

    Talking on the cable TV tariff, Bhattacharya said, “While the package rates will be the same but the LMOs will have the freedom to allow discounts from their pocket to subscribers.”

     

    Meghbela Cable has already installed around 1.26 lakh STBs in Kolkata DAS I areas. While in places which fall under DAS III and IV like Haldia, Bankura, Arambagh and Hooghly, the MSO offers 9-10 lakh cable TV connections, majority of which is analogue.

     

    The CVNO model is set to empower LMOs to give their subscribers the choice of channels according to affordability.

  • After Tamil Nadu, Karnataka state govt eyes cable TV business

    After Tamil Nadu, Karnataka state govt eyes cable TV business

    MUMBAI: Even though the demand for getting the Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence for J Jayalalithaa run Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) is still pending with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B), there is another state government that is looking at entering the cable TV industry.

    The Karnataka state government Minister for Information, Public Relations and Infrastructure R Roshan Baig has been making headlines after his conference where he expressed interest in setting up cable television system, provided the Centre permitted it.  In the meeting, the Minister said that the Ministry has been receiving complaints from consumers who have to pay Rs 400-Rs 500 for cable TV service.

    Baig in the conference, while applauding the model of Arasu Cable in Tamil Nadu, said that the Karnataka government will also apply the same module, where consumers won’t be paying more than Rs 100 per month for the cable TV channels.  
    In response to the statement, Karnataka State Cable TV Operators’ Association (KSCOA) met the Minister to apprise him of the situation. “We told him that in the Rs 70 that Arasu charges for its services, it gives only free to air and regional channels, while the others give all the leading channels, which is what the consumers want,” informs Karnataka State Cable TV Operators’ Association spokesperson Sudhish Kumar adding that they have also addressed the matter to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman Rahul Khullar.

    “Khullar in his address to the media has already made it clear that any government body or agency getting into the cable TV or distribution business is against the rules,” adds Kumar.

    “But, if it still happens, we will move the court,” he states.

    The association has suggested that the government could through DD Freedish give cable services at a lower tariff.

    The multi system operators (MSOs) in the region are shocked with even the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam backing the demand for DAS licence for Arasu Cable.

    In order to ensure that the Karnataka government does not get the nod from the Centre, the South Indian Federation will be meeting the I&B Minister Arun Jaitley. “We are seeking his appointment and could be meeting him between 21 January to 23 January,” informs Kumar while adding that they want the I&B Minister to come out with his clear statement on the matter.

     

  • Kolkata LMOs CVNO project likely to rollout from 15 December

    Kolkata LMOs CVNO project likely to rollout from 15 December

    KOLKATA: The year seems to be ending on a good note for the Kolkata based last mile owners (LMOs), who post digitisation, have been wondering if they would still have ownership of their customers. The LMOs can now breathe a sigh of relief as the cable virtual network operator (CVNO) is taking shape and should be up and running by 15 December 2014.

    As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the LMOs apart from uniting to set up their own control room and headend have also tied-up with existing DAS license holders. This apart, in order to speed up the launch, the LMOs are now also talking to the Set Top Box (STB) and headend suppliers and other vendors in India and abroad.

    The LMOs have already signed an agreement with a DAS license holder, who will levy a minimum price against every STB. If sources are to be believed, more than 150 LMOs have signed and given consent with an entry fee.

    Not revealing much on the operation model Cable Operators Sangram Committee general secretary Apurba Bhattacharya says, “It would be affordable to subscribers.”

    Tying up with existing license holders ensures LMOs the power of billing subscribers, distribution of package according to the choice of viewers, share of carriage fee and ownership of STBs, further explains Bhattacharya.

    There are some DAS license holders who might go ahead and increase their topline and bottomline by strengthening their presence in the market.

    When asked if the LMOs are setting up the headends, other LMOs, who are part of this initiative inform, “The concept is very clear, to either set up our own headend or to partner with MSOs. The investment for every LMO will be according to how much they can afford. In fact some financiers are also ready to invest.”

    He further explains that the investment would be based on the size of the LMO’s network and requirement of STBs.

    LMOs are the founder of this business. “It can be assured that the quality as well as performance will be competitive with the existing MSOs,” he points out.

     

  • TS Panesar joins Hathway

    TS Panesar joins Hathway

    MUMBAI: TS Panesar, who recently quit Star India as EVP distribution has joined Hathway Cable & Datacom as head-video business.  

    Confirming the news to indiantelevision.com, Panesar, who had a few options to choose from, says, “Distribution has a long way to go and with Hathway leading the way, I think it’s a sector with a bright future.”

    As for the plans for the multi system operator (MSO) Panesar, who joined the company on 8 December, says it’s too early to comment.

    Hathway which has two verticals: broadband and video, created the new portfolio for head-video starting today. “Yes, Panesar has joined Hathway to head the video segment. In his new role he will look after carriage, subscription and placement,” informs Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar.   

    “He will help us grow the video business,” adds Kumar.

    Panesar had been entrusted with the responsibility of handling distribution for national DTH and digital addressable systems (DAS) earlier this year when the JV between Star and Zee- MediaPro was broken. He was earlier ESPN Software India VP for affiliate sales.

     

  • Hathway’s googly; comes up with new Star packaging

    Hathway’s googly; comes up with new Star packaging

    MUMBAI: A month after Star India’s reference interconnect offer (RIO) deals came into effect in the DAS areas, multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable & Datacom has come out with its new pricing and packaging system.

     

    Hathway has been conducting meetings with operators in various areas, the last ones being in Aurangabad, Pune and Pimpri. As per cable operators, who were a part of the meetings, Hathway has said that it will be empowering and training the operators to run the business of collection from subscribers.

     

    Four new packs have been introduced. The first is the ‘Basic Pack’ for Rs 230 that will, along with other channels, have seven Star channels. These are: Star Plus, Life OK, Star Gold, Movies OK, Channel V, NGC and Star Pravah, for Marathi regions and Star Jalsha in Bengal. This will depend on the stronghold of Hathway in the states.

     

    The second pack is for Rs 289 and called ‘Popular Pack’. This will have, in addition to the above, a choice of one out of the two sports channels from Star Sports 1 or Star Sports 3. Both these channels show the same content in English and Hindi respectively.

     

    The third pack will be for Rs 349 and will have Star Movies, Star World, Movies Action and FX while the last ‘Premium Pack’ for Rs 419 will consist of an addition of its other niche channels such as Fox Crime, Nat Geo Music, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo People, Fox Life etc.

     

    Regional channels such as Asianet, Asianet Suvarna and Star Vijay have been kept out of packs and will be available on a-la-carte while all of Star’s channels will be available on a-la-carte as well.

     

    Hathway will embark on a big marketing campaign to inform viewers about this and viewers can immediately switch over to new packs. For now, the MSO is not disconnecting signals to its subscribers. 

     

  • Bibhash Jha quits Star Sports, joins Siti Cable

    Bibhash Jha quits Star Sports, joins Siti Cable

    MUMBAI: Multi system operator (MSO) Siti Cable has roped in Bibhash Jha as its head-content & carriage. Jha in his capacity will provide a fillip to the growth momentum of Siti Cable. The MSO is taking giant strides in this exciting phase of digitisation and Jha will play an instrumental role in this leap from analog to absolute digitisation.

     

    Jha has over 20 years of distribution work experience with 15 years at Star Sports India, where he played an instrumental role in the transition of ESPN channel to Star Sports India. In 2007, he played a key role in the launch of new sports channel Star Cricket. Under his ambit, a separate vertical of MSO business was created which was profitable in its very first year of operation. He was also responsible for the distribution of sports channel for Star on pan India basis.

     

    Siti Cable executive director and CEO VD Wadhwa said, “We are delighted to have Bibhash Jha on board. With his rich experience of broadcasting & distribution business, he brings to us a competitive edge in strategizing business and accomplishing organisational goals.”

     

    Jha will be based at the Corporate Office of Siti Cable, Noida.

     

  • Kolkata LMOs in talks with STB and headend vendors

    Kolkata LMOs in talks with STB and headend vendors

    KOLKATA: The last mile owners (LMOs) in Kolkata are gearing up to stake claim on their subscribers. Apart from uniting and setting up their own control room and tie-ups with existing DAS license holders, the LMOs have initiated talks with the STB and headend suppliers and other vendors in India and as well as abroad.

     

    The LMOs have already made an agreement with a DAS license holder, who will levy a minimum price against every set top box (STB). “Recently, more than 150 LMOs signed the deal. And thousands of LMOs from different MSOs are also showing interest to join in this mission,” says a LMO on the condition of anonymity.

     

    “The LMOs have already formed a company as they intend to counter the MSO business. We are also trying to take control over our business,” informs Cable Operators Sangram Committee general secretary Apurba Bhattacharya.

     

    He adds, “It is a survival battle; either we set up our own headend or partner with MSOs. As for the investment, every LMO will put in the amount according to their pockets. In fact, some financiers are also ready to invest in it.” He further explained that the investment would be based on the size of LMO’s network.

     

    Tying up with existing license holders ensures LMOs power of billing to subscribers, distribution of package according to the choice of subscribers, share of carriage fee and ownership of STBs.

     

    There are some DAS license holders who might go ahead and increase their topline and bottomline by strengthening their presence.

     

  • No progress in Arasu application for MSO licence for DAS

    No progress in Arasu application for MSO licence for DAS

    NEW DELHI: There is no progress in the application of Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited for the MSO licence, if one goes by the reply given in Parliament by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore.

     

    He said the matter is being examined in the light of the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding entry of government entities in the broadcasting and distribution activities.  TRAI had in reports in 2008 and early this year reiterated that government entities and political parties should not be permitted to enter the broadcasting sector.

     

    The Ministry had received a letter of 3 June 2014 from the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha for grant of multi system operator registration to Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited for operating in the Digital Addressable System (DAS) notified areas of Tamil Nadu.

     

    The Ministry has so far granted 129 permanent MSO registrations for operating in DAS notified areas. The details are available on the Ministry’s website www.mib.nic.in.

     

    “No licences have been granted in respect of DTH services during the last three years,” the Minister said. DTH licenses are granted under “DTH guidelines issued on 15 March 2001.”

     

    Under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, Cable Operators are required to get registrations from Post Offices. However, under the amendment in Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 2011, the multi system operators are required to get registration from the Ministry for operation in Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) notified areas. 

  • HSBC raises Hathway’s target price to Rs 432

    HSBC raises Hathway’s target price to Rs 432

    MUMBAI: HSBC Securities and Capital Markets’ latest report on multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable & Datacom has improved its rating from ‘normal’ to ‘overweight’.

     

    While it continues to value Hathway using a DCF based approach, it has raised the target price from Rs 276 to Rs 432. This is on the assumption of 12.5 per cent WACC, cost of equity of 13.5 per cent and cost of debt of 11 per cent.

     

    One of the main reasons for this is the expectation of increase in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). HSBC expects gross billing to increase in phase I markets by around 15 per cent and phase II by around 10 per cent over the next two quarters. Gross ARPU is estimated to grow at 16 per cent CAGR from its earlier 8 per cent.

     

    Increase in ARPU would mean a near 10 to 20 per cent rise in cost, despite the incentives that are being offered by Star’s new RIO deals. The report also says that moving to prepaid would be necessary, even if it is restricted to Star  channels for now as in the long run it would allow MSOs to scale up to full prepaid gradually over the next 18-24 months.

     

    “LMOs will need to move to a prepay backend. Both these factors are positive for the sector and in our view build a long-term case for ARPU improvement, fewer bad debts, reducing friction between MSO and LMO relations, improving the industry structure and allowing the industry to benefit from sector consolidation,” it states.

     

    The report also highlights that if Star is successful in reaping benefits out of its new RIO policy, other big networks may follow suit, though not in the immediate 12 months.

     

    This apart, HSBC also sees broadband ARPUs increasing with a more robust DOCSIS 3.0 platform but with a slight concern on the slow pace of subscriber net addition. The delay in digitisation is positive for cable TV industry to consolidate market share in the first two phases. Side by side, issues such as revenue share and prepaid billing can be sorted and easily applied in phases III and IV.

     

    HSBC has raised its medium- term EBITDA estimates by 11 per cent (FY16e-21e CAGR of 13.5 per cent), cable TV ARPU assumptions by 12 per cent (FY16e-21e CAGR of 11 per cent) and broadband ARPU by 8 per cent for the same period.

     

  • Leading MSOs decide to put Star channels on a la carte in Mumbai

    Leading MSOs decide to put Star channels on a la carte in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: The leading multi system operators (MSOs) in Mumbai, except Hathway Cable and Datacom, have agreed to put all Star channels on a la carte. With IndusInd Media and Communications Limited (IMCL) being the first one to agree to the demands of Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF), the others including Den Networks, Digicable and Siti Cable have also agreed to give the Star network channels only on viewer’s choice.

    Starting immediately, all the Star channels will go off air from all the platforms. “A landmark decision has been taken today. All the leading MSOs have agreed to put Star channels on a la carte, on the rate published by the broadcaster in the Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO),” informs MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo adding that the MSOs have agreed to forego their share and will sell the channels on the RIO price only.

    “The last mile owner (LMO), depending on the area he is dealing with, will add the collection charges and give it to his customer,” he says.

    As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the cable operators in Mumbai have already started with their surveys to find out which customer wants which Star channels. “We will start informing the customers about the Star channels going a la carte and will switch on those channels which the subscriber wants,” informs Prabhoo adding that the only way to increase the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is by putting channels on a la carte.

    With all the other MSOs, at least in Mumbai moving to a la carte, one will have to wait and watch the packaging that Hathway comes up with. “We will be announcing the packages by 1 December,” says a source from Hathway.