ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • Sanjay Berry rejoins Siti Networks

    Sanjay Berry rejoins Siti Networks

    MUMBAI: Sanjay Berry has been appointed as chief financial officer of Siti Networks.

    Berry joined Siti Network in December 2016 but after four months he quit the organisation. Prior to this, he was working with Bharti Airtel as corporate financial controller.  

    In his 25 years of work life he has had experience with computer sciences corporation, Patni Computer  Systems,  HCL  Technologies  and  Arthur  Andersen  &  Associates.  

    Commenting on the appointment,  chief business transformation officer  Rajesh Sethi said, “We welcome back Sanjay Berry on board. He brings with him specialized expertise of handling the finance function at large & diverse range of industries.  Siti Networks  has  been  a  pioneer  in  compliances  and  adherence  to regulations.  Berry will play an instrumental role in further strengthening systems, processes  &  compliances.  He  also  brings  to  us  a  competitive  edge  in  strategizing business, and accomplishing organizational goals.”

    Berry will be based at the corporate office of Siti Networks, Noida.

    Also Read:

    Siti Networks appoints Sanjay Berry as CFO

    Siti Networks’ operating profit more than doubles in first quarter

  • Arasu to formally launch DAS in Chennai on Sept. 1

    Arasu to formally launch DAS in Chennai on Sept. 1

    NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation, which is still to get a permanent digital licence necessary for an MSO, is formally launching its digital system on 1 September 2017. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is expected to grace the occasion.

    Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had in April this year given a provisional MSO licence to Arasu on the condition that it adopts DAS within three months, a condition that has been extended from time to time.

    Taking the ground that it had failed to get an adequate number of digital set top boxes, TACTV or Arasu had sought extension for three months beyond mid-July, but the centre had only agreed to one month till 17 August 2017. Consequently, TACTV has been asked to complete the digitisation process by 17 August failing which the provisional the “registration may be suspended/revoked.”

    A TACTV official, who did not want to be named, had then told indiantelevision.com that the state government-controlled MSO already put up most of the digital head-ends and would be ready to transmit signals by mid-August.

    According to an Arasu official, the real problem lay in the availability and seeding of seven million digital set top boxes, which may take more time. It had floated tenders in this connection to get India-made STBs, the official had said.

    Arasu is aiming at six million standard definition (SD) set-top boxes and one million high definition (HD) set top boxes.

    The proposed TV services (300 channels to start with that would be expanded to 500) will be in MPEG 4 standard definition. About 30 TV channels would be beamed in HD, while there would be also provision for 20 FM audio services.

    Though the regional party in Tamil Nadu AIADMK, which regained hold over Tamil Nadu few years back, had promised to give free STBs to subscribers as part of its election campaign, Arasu sources said a final call on that will be taken by the chief minister.

    AIADMK, a political ally of the ruling BJP-led coalition in New Delhi, is presently in turmoil and witnessing intra-party churning.

    Few days back, local cable operators had held a protest rally against Arasu alleging that it was being handed favourable treatment by MIB and that distribution of free STBs would upset the business model other players in the state.

    Meanwhile, the government is still to take a final decision on repeated reports by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that states, political parties, and religious groups should not be permitted in broadcasting or distribution sectors.

    ALSO READ:

    Arasu gets a month’s extension to go digital

    Arasu seeks more time to go digital as it waits for STBs

    Arasu ‘monopolistic practices’ decried by LCOs, TN body seeks GST exemption

    Godfather, Kal, Digi Cable & Intermedia licence cancellation stayed, 50 ‘pan-India’ MSOs’ op area changed

  • Arasu ‘monopolistic practices’ decried by LCOs, TN body seeks GST exemption

    Arasu ‘monopolistic practices’ decried by LCOs, TN body seeks GST exemption

    MUMBAI: A Tamil Nadu federation of unions to which hundreds of cable operators owe allegiance has alleged that the Arasu MSO has been following  ‘monopolistic practices’ and acting against the welfare of its members.

    It also made a series of demands from the state and central governments including forming a welfare board for cable TV operators, strict monitoring of Arasu operations by the union ministry and exemption of cable TV operations from Goods and Services Tax (GST).

    The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited (TACTV) had set the subscription fee as Rs 70, which was below the fee recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Of this, cable operators were expected to pay 50 per cent to Arasu, the federation alleged.

    Hundreds of cable TV operators from across Tamil Nadu on Monday observed a fast condemning TACTV for acting against the welfare of cable TV operators.

    The Federation of Cable TV Associations of Tamil Nadu (FCTATN) has alleged that Arasu had claimed that it owned the complete cable the infrastructure and subscribers although TACTV was formed with almost zero investment since the necessary infrastructure and last mile connectivity were provided by the LCOs (local cable TV operators). “This is unfair,” FCTATN chief coordinator D.G.V.P. Sekar said.

    Alleging that TACTV was formed with almost zero investment since all the necessary infrastructure and last mile connectivity were provided by the local cable TV operators, the participants said that it was unfair on the part of TACTV to claim that all the infrastructure and subscribers as its own.

    The operators also accused TACTV of taking away from them the responsibility of collecting subscription fee, and asking the subscribers to directly pay it online. “Now, operators will have to wait for TACTV to credit the share to us,” Sekar said.

    FCTATN members also alleged that TACTV’s taluka-level and district-level control room operators were often appointed on the recommendation of ruling political party functionaries, and acted in an ‘high-handed behaviour’ towards the cable TV operators.

    ALSO READ :

    Arasu seeks more time to go digital as it waits for STBs

    Punjab govt. studying Arasu & other regulatory models on distribution

    Kal Cables can continue analogue transmission, says Madras High Court

  • MIB seeks all new MSO applications online

    MIB seeks all new MSO applications online

    NEW DELHI: Multi-system operators seeking registration for distribution of digital addressable signals to cable television networks can only do so online from 1 September 2017.

    In a directive, the information and broadcasting ministry has said that MSOs can apply on broadcastseva.gov.in and digitalindiamib.com. The directive says it had earlier on 1 May this year given the facility to apply both online and offline (physical submission) but had decided to stop taking offline applications.

    It noted that a number of applications had in fact been received online since then. The procedure for submission of applications online is available on these two websites.

    The total number of registered MSOs as on 31 July was 1455. Early this year, the government had said all provisional multi-system operators will be deemed as having regular licence.

    Faced with just less than one month to go before total switch-off of analogue signals, the government had on 6 March 2017 decided to treat all MSOs as permanent but with condition that the period of 10 years commences from the date they got registered as provisional MSOs.

    However, if the continuation of registration of any MSO is at any time found to be or considered detrimental to the security of the State then the registration so granted is liable to be cancelled/suspended, the order placed on the Ministry website specified. All other terms and conditions depicted in the provisional registration letters will continue to apply.

    Earlier, on 27 January 2017, it had been decided that all registered MSOs are free to operate in any part of the country, irrespective of registration for specified DAS notified areas granted by this Ministry.

    However, they have to submit the details of Headend, SMS, subscribers list and a self-certificate that they are carrying all the mandatory TV Channels, within six months from date of issuance of MSO registration, to the Ministry, failing which the MSO registration is liable to cancelled/suspended.

    Hence, all deemed regular registered MSOs also are required to submit the details to the Ministry within six months.

    ALSO READ :

    Godfather, Kal, Digi Cable & Intermedia licence cancellation stayed, 50 ‘pan-India’ MSOs’ op area changed

    Including Arasu, total number of MSOs goes up to 1376, to ensure DAS implementation

     

  • HVL reports lower loss for fiscal ’17, media & communications segment revenue up

    HVL reports lower loss for fiscal ’17, media & communications segment revenue up

    BENGALURU: Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL) reported lower consolidated loss of Rs 566.08 million for the fiscal ended 31 March 2017 (FY-17, current fiscal) as compared to the consolidated loss of Rs 812.068 million for the previous financial year (FY-16). HVL’s consolidated total revenue increased 21.47 percent in FY-17 to Rs 8,260.06 million as compared to Rs 6,799.789 million in the previous year.

    The company’s media and communications segment reported 24.5 percent higher revenue at Rs 6,131.949 million in the current year as compared to Rs 4,925.454 million in the previous fiscal. Loss from the Media and Communications segment operating loss in the current year was higher at Rs 3,148.046 million as compared to Rs 1,858.129 million as compared to the prevision financial year.

    As reported by www.indiantelevision.com, HVL had informed the stock exchanges yesterday that the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has sanctioned the Scheme of Arrangement for the vesting of its direct subsidiary Grant Investrade Limited’s (GIL) Head-end-in-the-sky (HITS) business undertaking to its indirect subsidiary Indusind Media & Communications Limited. Consequently, the company has filed revised financial results for fiscal 2017.

    The company said that the arrangement is expected to strengthen HVL’s investment in the media business, which will in turn unlock the value of its shareholders. Accordingly, pursuant to the aforesaid arrangement, the Headend-in-the- Sky (HITS) business undertaking of GIL vested in to IMCL with effect from 01 October 2016, being the appointed date.

    GIL had received the HITS licence in March 2014. Last year in September, the Hinduja Group had received shareholders’ approval to restructure its media business, which includes cable TV business under IndusInd Media and headend-in-the-sky (HITS) under GIL.

    ALSO READ :

    HVL receives NCLT nod for GIL’s HITS to de-merge into Indusind Media

    Hinduja Ventures PAT rises marginally Q1FY18, Nxt Digital HITS 640 districts

    Hinduja’s NXT Digital enters Fastway-dominated Punjab

    Retransmission law contravened: Sidhu, Fastway refutes ‘monopoly’ charge

  • HVL receives NCLT nod for GIL’s HITS to de-merge into Indusind Media

    HVL receives NCLT nod for GIL’s HITS to de-merge into Indusind Media

    BENGALURU: Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL) has informed the stock exchanges that the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has sanctioned the Scheme of Arrangement for the vesting of its subsidiary Grant Investrade Limited’s (GIL) Head-end-in-the-sky (HITS) business undertaking to its subsidiary company Indusind Media & Communications Limited. The company said that the arrangement is expected to strengthen HVL’s investment in the media business, which will in turn unlock the value of its shareholders.

    HVL says that the certified copy of NCLT’s approval has been filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) Mumbai on 21 August 2017. Accordingly, pursuant to the aforesaid arrangement, the Headend-in-the- Sky (HITS) business undertaking of GIL vested in to IMCL with effect from 01 October 2016, being the appointed date.

    GIL had received the HITS licence in March 2014. Last year in September, the Hinduja Group had received shareholders’ approval to restructure its media business, which includes cable TV business under IndusInd Media and headend-in-the-sky (HITS) under GIL.

  • DishTV hires Reliance Cap’ Kataria as HR chief

    DishTV hires Reliance Cap’ Kataria as HR chief

    MUMBAI: DishTV has appointed Pushkar Singh Kataria, as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) with immediate effect.

    In his new role, Kataria will be responsible for reshaping the organisational structure. He will also provide strategic leadership, oversee talent management and drive HR excellence. The announcement comes ahead of DishTV and Videocon’s merger post which Kataria will be leading the HR operations of the merged entity — Dish TV Videocon Limited.

    Prior to joining DishTV, he served as the chief people officer and President at Reliance Capital.

    DishTV group CEO Anil Dua stated: “Having worked across all specialized areas of the HR domain, he comes with solid experience. With DishTV at the cusp of significant transformation, this experience should stand us in good state, on both business and employee fronts. Kataria’s leadership and dynamism will help us steer future growth in this new phase of our journey.”

    With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kataria has worked in various organizations such asReliance Capital, Vedanta Resources and Praxair. Kataria brings in understanding and knowledge about the industry, and showcases expertise in many aspects of human resources management including organisational development, talent management and performance management. He has also introduced several change management initiatives.

    Kataria, an engineer by training, has done his post-graduation in HR. His interests includes travelling and cricket.

  • Den receives Law Tribunal nod for restructuring

    Den receives Law Tribunal nod for restructuring

    BENGALURU: Indian multi system operator (MSO) Den Network Limited (Den) and wired broadband internet services provider has informed the bourses today (Friday) that the National Company Law Tribunal has approved a composite a composite scheme of arrangement for merger of 23 subsidiaries and demerger of one subsidiary.

    On 16 February 2017, the board of directors of Den had informed the stock exchanges that its board had mooted merger of 23 of its subsidiaries in the cable business into one wholly owned subsidiary. The merger would lead to the strengthening of the single brand leading to a stronger market presence, providing customers with a seamless on-board experience and remove any other brand perceptions/distinctions in the consumers’ minds. The merger would also result in economics of scale and reduce administrative and regulatory compliances; would help in more focused operational efforts, realizing synergies in terms of compliance, governance, administrative and cost synergies explained the company.

    Den said that the broadband demerger would enable a focused attention on the ISP business and achieve structural and operational efficiency, enhanced competitiveness and greater accountability besides accelerating value creation for shareholders. The company felt that the separation would allow the company to aggressively focus on significant growth potential for high speed data and related services in India; and that Den intended in taking the lead in driving wireline broadband penetration in India.

    This was followed up with further details about the merger / demerger that were submitted to the stock exchanges on 5 September 2016.

  • Arasu seeks more time to go digital as it waits for STBs

    NEW DELHI: Even as the deadline for it to go digital concludes tomorrow, the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation has sought more time from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

    The Ministry had given the state-owned multi-system operator three months to switch off analogue and later extended this till 17 August 2017.

    TACTV sources told indiantelevision.com that orders had been placed for an adequate number of digital set top boxes but these had still not been received.

    Simultaneously, the sources said they had sought time from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for launch of digital signals.

    The Principal Secretary to the state Government had sought thee months extension from 17 July but the centre agreed to give only one more month in a letter sent to TACTV dated 21 June 2017.

    Consequently, TACTV had been asked to complete the digitization process by 17 August 2017 failing which the provisional ‘registration may be suspended/revoked.’

    Copies of the letter were sent to the Principal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu IT Department, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and the Commissioner/Superintendent of Police in Chennai.  

    Meanwhile, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma had said that as the Authority’s recommendations for not permitting state governments, political parties or religious groups into broadcasting or its distribution was still ‘under consideration’, it could only wait and watch.

    Meanwhile while the Punjab government has also expressed a desire to enter distribution, the Telengana government wants satellite transpoders for TV channels it wants to launch.

    Also read:

    TRAI’s final recommendations on net neutrality likely by September

    TRAI keeping watch over Arasu, TN MSO extends digital hardware bids deadline

  • Restructuring brings Hathway to black in first quarter

    BENGALURU: Restructuring at Indian multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited (Hathway) has brought for it a positive bottomline. The pared company reported a profit of Rs 27.16 million (including an exceptional item –gain from the sale of shares of Rs 17.13 million) or 21 per cent of total income for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current quarter).  Even if one were to neglect the exceptional income during the quarter, profit of Rs 101.3 million works out to about eight per cent of total income. The numbers above basically represent the numbers that Hathway has reported from its broadband business.

    The Hathway group structure can be divided into three – Broadband business, CATV business which includes joint ventures, associates and subsidiaries and GTPL Hathway in which it has 37 per cent shareholding. The broadband business is managed by the parent company while the CATV business is managed by wholly owned subsidiary Hathway Digital Private Limited (HDPL).

    Hathway has reported higher y-o-y average revenue per broadband user (ARPU) at Rs 730 as compared to Rs 724 in Q1-17, but lower than the Rs 740 reported for the immediate trailing quarter (Q4-17). The company says that it has added 30,000 broadband subscribers in Q1-17, bringing its broadband subscriber base to 0.66 million.

    For its CATV business, the company says that it has seeded about 0.25 million set top boxes (STB) in Q1-18, bringing its digital CATV subscriber base to 7.2 million, or approximately 96 per cent of its overall subscriber base. It says that it has seeded 1.6 million, 2.3 million and 3.3 million in DAS phases I, II and III & IV respectively. ARPUs’ in Q1-18 were Rs 105, Rs 95 and Rs 55 for DAS phases I, II and III, respectively.

    Broadband business

    Hathway has reported standalone total income of Rs 1,295.7 million for Q1-18 (from its broadband business). Total expenditure in Q1-18 was Rs 1,195.4 million or 92.3 per cent of total income. Employee benefits expense for the quarter was Rs 89 million (6.9 per cent of total income), other operating expenses was Rs 307.9 million (23.8 per cent of total income) and other expenses was Rs 401.7 million (31 per cent of total income). EBIDTA for broadband business was Rs 497.1 million (38.4 per cent of total income).

    CATV business excluding GTPL Hathway business

    For HDPL, Hathway has mentioned total income of Rs 2,365 million for Q1-18 in investor presentation. The breakup of total income is Rs 1,325 million from cable TV subscription, Rs 702 million from placement, Rs 242 million from activation and other operating income of Rs 96 million. Total expenditure in Q1-18 has been reported at Rs 2,093 million (88.5 per cent of DHPL total revenue). Major expense heads include pay channel cost (57.2 percent of HDPL total revenue), employee cost Rs 214 million (9 per cent of HDPL total revenue), other expense Rs 527 million (22.3 per cent of HDPL total revenue). Finance costs for Q1-18 for HDPL was Rs 162 million (6.8 per cent of HDPL total revenue). The company has reported HDPL EBIDTA of Rs 272 million (11.5 per cent of HDPL total revenue).