ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • DPOs, consumer data and the art of upselling content

    DPOs, consumer data and the art of upselling content

    KOLKATA: In the age of online content platforms, knowing what consumers want has become the key to customer acquisition and retention. While these platforms have tons of data to woo the target audience, it is tough for traditional players in cable distribution ecosystem, especially multi-system operators, to have robust consumer profiling.

    However, (direct-to-home) DTH players like Tata Sky have already started innovating the area and MSOs are following suit slowly. At a distribution-related panel, ‘Broadcast and distribution challenges and the road ahead’, hosted by Indiantelevision.com, all the panellists agreed that if they need to upsell or cross-sell content, a significant amount of data is needed.

    “We do a bit of analytics. In the DTH industry, there is only one way of communication, the return path data (RPD) is not there. However, we have tens of thousands of dongles, through which we get some back-channel data, the reverse path identification based on which we do some customer segmentation like what channels they are watching, which regions are focusing on which channels. We are seeing as a trend that there is an inclination towards watching more regional content that has accelerated during Covid2019 pandemic,” said Tata Sky chief financial officer G Sambasivan.

    “We try and do a lot of upselling based on customer analytics so that our hit rate in terms of conversion is on the higher side so that we don’t do carpet bombing. We select those customers and we try to upsell channels to them based on our estimate of which will be appealing to which type of consumer,” he added. According to him, Tata Sky has tasted success in the method and so, keeps improving analytical capabilities.

    IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) CEO Vynsley Fernandes said that the problem is bigger for MSOs due to two major issues. Firstly, RPD will come at a high cost. Secondly, unlike DTH players, MSOs don’t have access to last mile-consumers directly since local cable operators (LCOs) act as the medium of connection. However, he mentioned that some MSOs are studying consumers but have not deployed any system yet. Moreover, if they deploy anything there is a concern about what is a valid sample size. He also mentioned that IMCL has been working with LCOs to build its database. Although he acknowledges that it is not optimal like other industries, it is getting better slowly.

    “Since the customers are with us for 25 years, it is impulse and intuition that helps us drive the ARPUs. Around 60 per cent customers go with DPO packages,” Metro Cast Network Services Pvt Ltd promoter Nagesh Narayandas Chhabria said. 

    Indian Cable Net Company Ltd director Suresh Sethia also spoke of the broadband box integrated with the network of cable users that gives them data on who is watching what. They have at least 3000 such boxes.

    Siti Networks Ltd CEO Anil Malhotra said that as they are in b2b business, they can’t have direct contact with consumers, especially with LCOs in the middle. “But whatever choices customers have made are saved in our back end. Based on that, if any upselling or marketing has to be done, we can easily do it. As our business model is b2b, we consider what operators are doing in real-time is better. On a single way of communication, there will be a limitation,” he added. 

    PwC India Entertainment partner media and sports advisory leader Raman Kalra did not agree to this view as he thinks every business is b2c in the M&E sector. He cited the example of print industry that did not have a direct connection to consumers and now the industry is struggling to adjust with digitisation. 

    “Until and unless you [DPOs] go and check with you customers and have a reverse path, you will always be conjecturing what your customers are watching. While in past we could not have it, going forward we can align our LCOs also to the idea that is important to know what our consumers are watching. It would help you to build a business for yourself as well as for your direct consumer. So, it’s time we get LCOs on partnership mode, teach them, educate them, and only then will it unlock. Otherwise, all will keep going in circles,” Star and Disney India distribution and international business president and head Gurjeev Singh Kapoor commented.

    IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd president Amit Arora said that they have to offer various propositions so they can hold on to consumers.

  • Siti Networks reports improved numbers for FY 2020

    Siti Networks reports improved numbers for FY 2020

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s MSO major Siti Networks Limited reported 5.3 percent higher consolidated simple EBIDTA for the year ended 31 March 2020 (FY 2020, year or period under review) as compared to the previous year FY 2019. The company reported a 12.2 percent increase in operating revenue for the period under review as compared to the previous year. All numbers mentioned in this report are consolidated unless stated otherwise.

    The company has managed to reduce its major expenses, but for Pay Channel, Carriage Sharing & Related Costs (pay channel costs) in FY 2020 which increased 29 percent as compared to the previous year. Overall expenses increased 7.7 percent on account of these pay channel costs. In a note to the financial statements, Siti has explained that its operating revenue includes broadcaster share of subscription revenue, hence it has shown the broadcasters share in its pay channel costs as an expense.

    In its earnings release, Siti says that Subscription Revenue for Q4 2020 grew 25.3 percent y-o-y to Rs. 2,842 million. For FY 2020, Subscription Revenue surged 21.3 percent to Rs.11,567 million.

    The consolidated operating revenue figures reported by Siti are Rs 1,618.59 crore and Rs 1,442.13 crore for FY 2020 and FY 2019 respectively, hence a growth of 12.2 percent as mentioned above. Simple EBIDTA as calculated by the author for FY 2020 was Rs 340.64 crore (21 percent of operating revenue) and for FY 2019 it was Rs 323.61 crore (22.4 percent of operating revenue). Loss for the year under review reduced to Rs 188 crore from Rs 264 crore in the previous year.

    For Q4 2020, Siti’s consolidated operating revenue was Rs 27.8 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 408.29 crore as compared to Rs 415.06 crore in Q4 2019. Simple EBIDTA for Q4 2020 as calculated by the author increased 22.1 percent to Rs 81.58 crore (20 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 66.78 crore (20.9 percent of operating revenue). Loss for the quarter was lower at Rs 70.30 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 123.93 for Q4 2019.

    CEO of Siti CEO Anil Malhotra mentioned: “SITI Networks continued its consistent growth focus while maintaining a strict control on operational efficiencies during FY 2020. Our subscription revenue for Q4 2020 grew by 25.3 percent y-o-y, while our total revenue grew by approximately 23 percent y-o-y. Even for FY 2020, our total revenue jumped by 15.3 percent to Rs. 16,354 million. Our constant mantra of improving operational efficiencies while improving monetization helped us to deliver strong operating EBITDA at INR 3,538 million, in FY 2020, a surge of 1.2 times. Our response to COVID-19 pandemic has been widely appreciated. Our teams and partners have left no stone unturned to ensure that our customers get the best services."

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Siti

    Total expense in FY 2020 increased 7.7 percent to Rs 1,781,33 crore from Rs 1,654,21 crore in the previous year. Amongst the major expense heads, Pay Channel, Carriage Share & Related Costs increased 29 percent in FY 2020 to Rs 843.96 crore from Rs 654.14 crore in FY 2019. Finance costs in FY 2020 declined 7.6 percent to Rs 157.68 crore from Rs 170.72 crore in FY 2019. Employee benefits expense in FY 2020 declined 8 percent to Rs 74.78 crore from Rs 81.32 crore in the previous year. Other expenses in FY 2020 declined 5.6 percent to Rs 357.70 crore from Rs 378.79 crore in FY 2019.

    Total expense in Q4 2020 increased 16.7 percent to Rs 451.03 crore from Rs 386.39 crore in Q4 2019. Amongst the major expense heads, Pay Channel, Carriage Share & Related Costs increased 47.9 percent in Q4 2020 to Rs 212.82 crore from Rs 143.94 crore. Finance costs in Q4 2020 declined 20.5 percent to Rs 35.52 crore from Rs 44,66 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Employee benefits expense in Q4 2020 declined 9.4 percent to Rs 16.95 crore from Rs 18.71 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Other expenses in Q4 2020 increased 9.1 percent to Rs 96.53 crore from Rs 88.44 crore in Q4 2019.

  • SITI Networks’ FY20 Operating EBITDA surges 1.2X Y-o-Y to Rs.3,538 Mn

    SITI Networks’ FY20 Operating EBITDA surges 1.2X Y-o-Y to Rs.3,538 Mn

    New Delhi: SITI Networks Limited (BSE: 532795, NSE: SITINET), an Essel Group Company, one of India’s largest Multi-System Operators (MSO), has released its Consolidated Audited Financial Results for Q4 and full year FY20, ending March 31, 2020. On the back of sustained efforts in FY20, SITI reported continuous growth through operational efficiencies and strict control on expenses across all metrics.  

    SITI’s Operating EBITDA for FY20 surged by 1.2x to Rs.3,538 Mn by efficiently leveraging existing operating resources. SITI’s Operating EBITDA for Q4FY20 also jumped 2.5% to Rs. 861 Mn year on year. Q4FY20 also saw further consolidation in SITI’s Operating EBITDA Margins which grew 1.02X to 21.6% on y-o-y basis. 

    Subscription Revenue for Q4FY20 grew 25.3% y-o-y to Rs. 2,842 Mn. For FY20 too, Subscription Revenue surged 21.3% to Rs.11,567 Mn. Total Revenue (excluding activation) for Q4FY20 surged ~23% y-o-y to Rs. 4,128 Mn. FY20 Total Revenue (excluding activation) also jumped 15.3% over FY19 to Rs.16,354 Mn. 

    SITI Broadband continued its focus on providing the best technology to its customers by launching a composite FTTX based network architecture which would make enable customer premises with the best of online and linear content. Implementation of this composite model will benefit both SITI Networks and SITI Broadband, while providing IOT based services to customers.  

    In the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, SITI’s team and 24,000+ strong distribution network is playing a significant role. During lockdown, SITI’s field staff, Contact Centre and Distribution Partners worked diligently on the ground to ensure that customers stayed indoors and provided best in class infotainment and keep the world connected to them. To cope with the lockdown and the need to protect its staff, SITI also ensured remote work from home for all its staff while maintaining strict quality control and monitoring of services.   
     
    While commenting on the results, Mr. Anil Malhotra, CEO of SITI Networks Limited mentioned:  
     
    “SITI Networks continued its consistent growth focus while maintaining a strict control on operational efficiencies during FY20. Our subscription revenue for Q4FY20 grew by 25.3% YoY, while our total revenue grew by ~23% YoY. Even for FY20, our total revenue jumped by 15.3% to Rs. 16,354 Mn. Our constant mantra of improving operational efficiencies while improving monetization helped us to deliver strong operating EBITDA at INR3,538 mn, in FY20, a surge of 1.2 times. Our response to COVID-19 pandemic has been widely appreciated. Our teams and partners have left no stone unturned to ensure that our customers get the best services."

  • MPA announces launch of APOS 2020 Virtual Series

    MPA announces launch of APOS 2020 Virtual Series

    MUMBAI: APOS, the defining voice and global platform for the Asia Pacific media, telecoms and entertainment industry, is shifting online in 2020 with two virtual editions on 21-23 July and 1-3 September 2020.

    Created and curated by Media Partners Asia (MPA), the APOS 2020 Virtual Series provides unparalleled conversations, insights and connectivity across global markets, uniting diverse industry leaders and players focused on addressing the challenges and future catalysts for growth and investment across media, entertainment, sports, telecoms and technology sectors. 

    “Bringing together TMT industry leaders across continents to provide strategic vision online with interactive and on-demand functionality, the APOS 2020 Virtual Series will be a definitive experience and knowledge platform, enabling key stakeholders to navigate the future of video globally with a special focus on Asia Pacific,” said MPA executive director Vivek Couto.

    KEY TOPICS

    Asia's Path to Recovery

    The world faces major economic challenges in the midst of the pandemic. What does the path to recovery look like and which countries have momentum as economic activity resumes? What policies need to be emphasized?

    Investment Dynamics

    With depressed valuations, markets are signalling downgraded views of profitability. How true is this narrative and what structural changes do key players need to embrace? How can consolidation across key verticals and geographies generate synergies and value? What are the potential sources of funding?

    Priming the Advertising Pump

    After more than three months of Covid2019-induced hibernation, brands and advertisers are re-engaging with consumers. What are the new priorities for marketers and advertisers? How are advertisers working with media owners to engage with audiences to accelerate growth?

    Rise of The Streaming Economy

    1H 2020 has witnessed unprecedented growth in online video consumption. Does this represent a fundamental change in behaviour or is it temporary? Has this accelerated OTT scalability? Will libraries be sufficiently deep and the consumer experience positive enough to retain users? What specific strategies need to be implemented to see that gains are expanded?

    The Future of TV

    With viewership higher than any time in recent history, traditional TV retains vitality. But ad revenues are shrinking and, in most markets, subscription revenues are under pressure as existing business models are stressed. How are key players managing the present and positioning themselves for the future?

    Connectivity and The Bundle

    The demand for broadband is stronger than ever. What are the implications for fibre broadband and 5G in emerging markets? What is the potential for new bundles and partnerships to meet consumer entertainment needs?

    Live Sport's Future

    With shortened or eliminated play seasons, dramatically reduced sports attendance, TV rights obligations under review, and pay-TV sports bundles under pressure, many issues are compressing professional league profits. How are leagues responding? Will an incremental bridge to next year surface or is a more radical approach required?

    Opportunities in Online Gaming

    A multibillion-dollar industry with its own ecosystem, from IP creation to distribution, has seen unprecedented demand over the last 6 months. What does the future roadmap look like for the online gaming ecosystem and which parts of the value chain will benefit most?

    The Creative Economy

    With unparalleled demand for video content and social distancing norms stressing traditional production processes, how are the current challenges for content creation being navigated and what is online video’s evolving impact on storytelling?

    Premium Video Advertising

    While consumption has spiked, low realization rates plague the sector. What are the strategies to fuel the growth of AVOD as global social video platforms, connected platforms and local broadcasters expand the digital video advertising pie?

    Theatrical Trends

    Theatres have been closed. Hollywood tentpoles delayed while other films go direct to VOD. Social distancing is the new normal. How are producers and exhibitors responding to this unprecedented environment?

    Phygitisation and the Video-First Future of E-commerce

    E-commerce is pervasive. Short video apps are starting to look more like commercials, but e-commerce apps may also have to become video apps as the lines between the two start to blur. In parallel, new hybrid ‘phygital’ models are developing in large scale emerging markets.

    CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

    Over two series (alphabetical company order): 

    .          Allen Lew, Chairman, AIS

    ·         Somchai Lerstutiwong, CEO, AIS

    ·         Mike Hopkins, SEVP, Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Studios 

    ·         Henry Tan, Group CEO, Astro

    ·         Nicholas Swierzy, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Axiata

    ·         Sunil Taldar, MD, Bharti Airtel DTH India 

    ·         Kishore Moorjani, Senior MD, Blackstone Group 

    ·         Kevin Mayer, CEO, TikTokand COO, ByteDance

    ·         Manuel Rougeron, EVP, APAC, Canal+

    ·         Peter Chernin, Founder and CEO, Chernin Entertainment

    ·         Jean-Briac (JB)Perrette, President and CEO, Discovery Networks International

    ·         Alvin Sariaatjama, CEO, Emtek

    ·         Ajit Mohan, CEO, Facebook India

    ·         Scott Lorson, CEO, Fetch TV

    ·         Patrick Delany, CEO, Foxtel

    ·         Ernest Cu, President, Globe Telecom

    ·         Ashutosh Srivastava, CEO, APAC, GroupM

    ·         Gong Yu, CEO, iQiyi

    ·         Xianghua Yang, SVP, iQiyiand President, Overseas Business Group, iQiyi

    ·         Joy Lee, CEO, Kakao Page 

    ·         Andy Kaplan, Co-Founder, KC Global Media Entertainment

    ·         Jae-Ho Song, EVP, Korea Telecom

    ·         Johannes Larcher, MD, Digital and VOD Websites, MBC

    ·         HaryTanoesoedibjo, CEO, MNC Group 

    ·         Michael Nathanson, Partner, Moffett Nathanson 

    ·         Vivek Couto, Executive Director and Co-Founder, MPA

    ·         Andre Kudelski, Chairman and CEO, Nagra

    ·         Juliet Dongwha Kim, Director, Business Development (Korea), Netflix

    ·         Hugh Marks, CEO, Nine Entertainment 

    ·         Patrick Tillieux, CEO, OSN

    ·         Janice Lee, MD, PCCW Media 

    ·         Alfred S. Panlilio, CEO, Smart and Chief Revenue Officer, PLDT

    ·         Joseph Ravitch, Co-Founder and Partner, Raine 

    ·         Arthur Lang, CEO, International, Singtel 

    ·         Jared Grusd, Chief Strategy Officer, Snap 

    ·         Nana Murugesan, MD, International Markets, Snap

    ·         Joonpyo (JP) Lee, CEO and Managing Partner, Softbank Asia Ventures

    ·         Soo Hugh, Executive Producer and Writer

    ·         Peter Kaliaropoulos, CEO, StarHub 

    ·         Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-Founder, Starz Play Arabia

    ·         Jinhee Choi, CEO, Studio Dragon 

    ·         Hyun Park, MD, Studio Dragon International

    ·         Abe Peled, Chairman, Synamedia

    ·         Jamie Lin, President, Taiwan Mobile

    ·         Harit Nagpal, CEO, Tata Sky 

    ·         Dan Brody, MD, International, Tencent Investments

    ·         David Goldstein, CEO, Towers AP

    ·         Afshin Mohebbi, Senior Advisor, TPG     

    ·         Robert Bakish, President and CEO, ViacomCBS 

    ·         David Lynn, President and CEO, ViacomCBS Networks International

    ·         Nancy Dubuc, CEO, Vice Media

    ·         Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star and Disney India 

    ·         Gerhard Zeiler, CRO, WarnerMediaand President, WarnerMediaInternational Networks

    ·         Stephanie McMahon, CMO, WWE

    ·         Punit Goenka, CEO, Zee Entertainment

  • Kolkata cable TV network rebuilding after cyclone Amphan

    Kolkata cable TV network rebuilding after cyclone Amphan

    KOLKATA: Amid the Covid2019 crisis, several districts of West Bengal including Kolkata had been devastated by powerful cyclone Amphan last month. Cable TV and broadband service providers are reeling across the state due to huge infrastructural losses. Although the players are putting high effort to normalise connections, many areas are still in dire straits. Siti Cable director Suresh Sethia estimates that 1-1.5 lakh set-top boxes and fibres of few crores have been damaged across the state.

    Sethia says that none of the operators had the preparation to protect themselves from this disastrous cyclone given its magnitude. Even now, some areas in Kolkata have seen electricity resume a few days ago while there are areas in West Bengal where electricity is still a challenge. This coupled with limited manpower due to Covid2019 is making the task tougher.

    He adds that more than 1,50,000 trees fell down and a number of lampposts which bear cables were razed. The operators have to work from scratch in those areas. 

    Talking about the magnitude of damage, he states more than 50,000 set-top-boxes have been damaged of Siti Networks. However, the numbers might increase. Along with that, there are many control rooms where headends have been blown away incurring more losses. 

    Siti Cable teams have been working round-the-clock to normalise the situation. Many of the workforce are staying in office for 20-25 days to ensure the network is on everywhere. However, he also adds that now they are looking at rebuilding it. All players in Kolkata have come to work together in the crisis and very soon they may have a common plan of pulling the cables and maintaining them together.

    Sethia happily shares that majority of consumers have understood the situation. While they were also struggling with damages from the cyclone, they started contacting cable operators after eight days. “Had the cables be underground, maybe the disruption would have been less,” he believes. While Siti Networks is now focusing on rebuilding the network after temporary damage control, it will look at more underground cable lines.  

  • Hathway appoints Pradeep Hejmadi as CMO

    Hathway appoints Pradeep Hejmadi as CMO

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom Pvt Ltd appointed Pradeep Hejmadi as the chief marketing officer in April. Among many developments, the appointment went unnoticed.

    Hejmadi comes with more than two decades of experience in the media and entertainment sector. He was associated with brands like Discovery India, Zee TV, Turner and MTV. 

    “Seasoned leader with deep knowledge of consumer research and advanced analytics, experienced in building and leading large, multi-disciplinary teams in matrix organizations. Passion of transforming datasets into business insights, driving operational efficiency and effectiveness in transnational organisations,” Hejmadi’s LinkedIn profile says. 

  • Decoding Covid2019 impact on GTPL Hathway’s cable, broadband business

    Decoding Covid2019 impact on GTPL Hathway’s cable, broadband business

    MUMBAI: As the country is struggling with the Covid2019 pandemic, cable TV and internet have acted as the nervous system to keep people informed and entertained. Due to the need of staying connected, the cable and broadband service providers like GTPL Hathway have seen a surge in demand on both sides of the business.

    GTPL Hathway will re-evaluate strategies after observing the Covid2019 impact; however, the company’s business is not much impacted at this stage as people are watching more TV, and consuming more data. This means that consumers are upgrading existing packs.

    “If you see the subscriber base (on the cable side), we have grown by 10 per cent this year. We are going to grow more, if all things go well. So the target is to grow more than 10 per cent on subscriber base. And on the revenue side also we want to maintain our CAGR of what we did in the last four years,” GTPL Hathway CATV business head and chief strategy officer Piyush Pankaj said in an earnings call.

    While on-ground collections have been a major issue for a large number of MSOs, the company has given online payment facilities to the local cable operators (LCO) also. “LCO has also started collecting online. We have given that facility to the LCOs that they can collect online from their subscribers, which is going directly to their bank account and then digitally they are paying us. And we have given some relaxation on that way. So the situation is totally under control. And we are getting the collections as projected,” Pankaj said.

    Since free-to-air broadcasters have been adversely affected by dwindling advertising revenue, there might be re-negotiation on carriage fee and placement fee if the current turmoil persists. However, with 70-75 per cent revenue coming from placement, carriage and marketing side from pay broadcasters, the company is not foreseeing any impact on that.

    While upping the broadband game significantly, it has also added around 80k subscribers in FY20. As the company reached 30k net subscribers’ addition in the last quarter, it aims to maintain and increase that trend. Hence, it is looking at 120k to 150k subscribers in FY 21.

    “The residential customers have gone up in the last 30 days, both on the broadband side and cable side. But commercial customers like shops, offices, restaurants, hotels have come down. So you can say it's more of a net-net for both the businesses, for the broadband and the cable. We are not getting renewals for commercial restaurants, offices, and hotels. But there is a surge in the residential connections,” Pankaj said.

  • GTPL Hathway increases CAPEX in upgrading network, 70% transmitted into GPON technology

    GTPL Hathway increases CAPEX in upgrading network, 70% transmitted into GPON technology

    MUMBAI: Traditional distributors like cable operators are feeling the heat of the competition from a number of easily accessible streaming services. But large multi-system operators are not sitting idle to watch the ruin of their long-built businesses. Hence, constantly upgrading has become the key to adapt in changing business environment. GTPL Hathway is one of them which is putting more CAPEX in upgrading the network and moving towards a hybrid model of business.

    The company is looking at Rs 250-260 crore CAPEX for FY 21 and around Rs 150 crore to Rs 160 crore will go into the cable business; the rest will go into the broadband business. But it will have to reevaluate it somewhere in quarter two to see what is the Covid2019 effect and how much longer the effect is going to be. 

    GTPL Hathway chairman and non-executive director Rajan Gupta explains in an investors call that a significant amount of CAPEX has been invested in upgrading the network. While the MSO was earlier relying on Metro Ethernet Network (MEN) technology,  most of that has been upgraded now to fiber-to-building (FTTB) and fiber-to-home (FTTH). 

    He adds that they have seen see a huge increase in network training also in the last few quarters or a few months. 

    “We have to divide it into two parts. One is something called an access network and second is the last mile consumer equipment. So access network is capable of handling anything. On the last mile, you put two consumer premises equipment, or you put a hybrid equipment. And as far as legal is concerned, cable and broadband have separate licenses, one is MIB and second is the DoT. So, in any case, combined bill, etc., is not possible because both have different licensing requirement. So we have to differentiate between the access network technology and the last mile which is the consumer home,” Gupta speaks about the required investment for upgradation.

    GTPL Hathway CATV business head and chief strategy officer Piyush Pankaj says that now almost 70 per cent network is transmitted into GPON technology i.e, FTTH or FTTX. He also adds that they are working on the hybrid box and the order has been given. While the launch of the hybrid boxes, the combined business of cable, broadband and OTT together was scheduled somewhere in July, it may be extended it by one quarter due to Covid2019 crisis. He notes that they want to take benefit of these opportunities of all latest technologies to serve their customers better. 

    Jio, the shareholder of GTPL Hathway, is also focusing on broadband business highly. But GTPL Hathway promoter and managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja mentions that Jio is not launching any cable TV business, so it isn't posing any additional competition. “They are majorly into the broadband business. So, yes, it's a privilege that Jio is our partner and we have almost very good understanding and we have a lot of synergy in terms of the infrastructure sharing and content sharing. So, we are not seeing right now any competition from Jio. We are complementing each other,” he adds.

    “See, all the synergies (with Jio) and benefits we are getting as GTPL Hathway will continue as usual, such as, from all the vendor negotiations, lease line side, etc. Yes, GTPL Hathway is doing its own broadband business as we are mainly doing it in Gujarat. Jio is with us, it's our privilege and we are going to complement each other's business on the ground,” Pankaj adds.

    The MSO launched Giga HD last year where it started providing cable and broadband together but had to roll it back just because of the NTO which was getting implemented. Now, it is coming with the hybrid box where it will provide cable, broadband and OTT together to the customer. The endeavour is to get double, triple or quadruple customers to take up the stickiness much higher. The company also seems less bothered about competition as it says all the areas where GTPL is operating there is no other private player but BSNL being the primary competition. 

  • Lockdown impact on cable operators: Drop in STB sale and collection from connections

    Lockdown impact on cable operators: Drop in STB sale and collection from connections

    MUMBAI: Despite higher viewership of linear television during the lockdown, the cable operators’ business in India has felt the heat of the Covid2019 pandemic. While sales of new set-top boxes and collection for existing connections witnessed a drop, customers down-traded packs. Due to these factors, especially in view of customers opting for cheaper packs, the multi-system operators (MSOs) expect a high double-digit decline in FY21 revenues.

    According to a survey done by INTIN on 92 MSOs (six per cent of overall base) across India, 63 per cent of cable operators maintained or improved their performance during the lockdown, overcoming several circumstantial challenges. Consumers also seem to be more satisfied as the number of received complaints increased for only 26 per cent operators.

    While many MSOs have stated during the period that they could not provide new connections due to restrictions, the survey points to their concerns. Sales of the new box dropped for 75 per cent of the operators. Moreover, the collection also dropped for 84 per cent of cable operators which could be attributed to the unwillingness for digital payment and the lack of infrastructure, coupled with the social distancing norms.

    Consumer sentiment is not high across industries due to the current economic scenario. It has reflected in the TV distribution business also as 41 per cent of operators experienced consumers down-trading to cheaper packs. Only nine per cent of the operators have witnessed addition of channels. There was an increase in demand for news channels and movie channels along with cable TV channels, but sports, GECs and infotainment reported a drop in demand.

    Owing to all the factors, 77 per cent of MSOs expect their revenues in 2020-21 to drop whereas 32 per cent expect this drop to be more than 25 per cent. However, 66 per cent also do not plan any drop in the pack prices. 

    OTT threat

    While Covid2019 has posed an unprecedented challenge for the MSOs, a larger – and long-term – challenge that is looming over them is the increasing consumer shift to over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Majority of cable operators (54 per cent) anticipate a negative impact of OTT on the cable TV business. However, some of the operators are already bringing change to their business model. For example, 25 per cent of cable operators have already launched their own OTTs. Fifty-seven per cent of operators are selling broadband service also with the hunger for data and higher bandwidth increasing across the country. But the statistics clearly indicate that a large number of MSOs are yet to upgrade their business models.

    Amid this difficult scenario, the report also suggests some healthy practices, such as 100 per cent online payment, launch of targeted consumers offers, easy instalment payment methods, focusing on own content, including launch of OTT and pure cable channels to prevent the de-growth. 

  • BRDS Digital Cable TV & Broadband Services celebrates 25 Years of Cable TV Entertainment Service!

    BRDS Digital Cable TV & Broadband Services celebrates 25 Years of Cable TV Entertainment Service!

    Entertainment is the art of instilling happiness away from the reality of lives. Having served as a medium of entertainment since its inception, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services (BRDS), now Metrocast Network India Pvt. Ltd., is celebrating 25 successful years of providing cable TV entertainment. What started off as a single-headed venture into the world of the cable TV entertainment services in 1995 in Belgaum, changed the face of entertainment across towns and villages, and is today one of the largest independent MSOs in India growing strong with each coming day. 

    India as a country has always been inclined to television as a medium for entertainment. Disrupting the regional, national, and international barriers, the oncoming of cable TV proliferated manifold into making entertainment a rich experience. Ever since its inception in the early 90s, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services has been a dedicated cable TV entertainment service connecting users across Karnataka and has, today, build up its network across Maharashtra and Goa too. 

    Overwhelmed with the response that his company has achieved over the years, Mr. Nagesh Narayandas Chhabria, CEO & Founder of Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, shares “It’s a dream milestone as an entrepreneur to celebrate 25 years of his business. I am thankful to our millions of subscribers, many more million viewers, broadcasters, TV Partners, the staff, managerial and technical team, and my family for all the love, support, and trust that made this company a success. It's been a journey that wouldn’t have reached here without this bunch of people who believed in our vision. ” 

    Mr. Nagesh further credits his wife, Mrs. Nisha Chhabria for playing a pivotal role in the handling of the business and being the pillar of success that took BRDS to new heights. Crafting new ventures and advents for the company in its technological and futuristic approach, Mr. Nagesh entrusts his daughter Riddhi and son Sumukh promising betterment of business for everyone in the chain of business. 

    Ever since its emergence, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, now Metrocast Network India Pvt. Ltd has navigated through the toughest of times nourishing its growth and making exemplifying achievements in every step. Connecting people through the beauty of entertainment, the company is taking these 25 years of cable TV entertainment as a benchmark to provide promising service in the coming years too!