ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • Arasu licence for ‘affordability’, pvt MSOs concern to be studied, says Naidu

    MUMBAI: Affordability and world-class service were the main reasons for granting last month Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence to Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV), the union minister for information and broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu said at an event of All India Radio in Chennai. 

    Naidu, however, said the government would take into consideration the concerns of private multi-system operators. He hoped that the state government would be mindful of the conflict of interest issue amid competition. 

    The Central decision had come as a surprise as it was against Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommendations of permitting state government in broadcasting or distribution of television channels. 

    MIB was working to strengthen radio and Doordarshan owing to increasing competition, Naidu said. The minister, who paid a surprise visit to the Doordarshan office, said the Press Information Bureau website will be operational in Tamil from 15 August.

    Also Read:

    Arasu gets provisional MSO licence subject to analogue switch-off in three months

    BARC India to halt analogue measurement from July, up overall data collection

    Arasu says MIB can’t enforce analogue switchoff in Chennai on 31 Dec ’16

  • MSOs prepared for new regime, AIDCF stresses on ‘a la carte’ offers from 1 Sept

    MUMBAI: All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the apex body of Digital Multi System Operator’s (MSOs), has urged all its members to gear up for the new tariff regime. 

    In its meeting held on Monday, the members were advised to gear up to meet the requirement under the new regulation and prepare their backend to handle dynamic offerings including offering channels on à la carte basis. While the broadcasters and MSOs are free to form their own bouquets, the ultimate “right to choose” to end-consumers will happen by giving them the ability to choose channels on à la carte basis.

    This step has been taken to stream-line MSOs services so that the end-consumer does not face any hiccup when the new regime kick-in on 1 September 2017. It should be noted that the members of the apex body are fully committed to migrate to the new tariff and interconnect regime.

    AIDCF would also like to put on record that the new tariff regime will bring in more transparency and fuel growth by regulating the broadcast distribution system. It will also help in creating a more synergetic environment unlike the current unfettered one and will give the end-consumers, the freedom to choose what they want to watch and provide safeguard to ensure that the channels are being offered with fair trade margin, thus harmonising the entire eco-system.

    The Federation also welcomed the Supreme Court judgment as it will be an ideal scenario if all the legal procedures are put to rest before the new regime kicks in. This way there will be no ambiguity and application of the new regime will be smooth and seamless.

    AIDCF president TS Panesar said, “We are happy to note that the Supreme Court has requested the  Madras High Court to hear this matter on a daily basis beginning 12 June 2017  and come out with the judgement in 30 days. This does not affect the 1 September implementation deadline and we are hopeful that it will be implemented on time.”

    Also Read:

    MSOs upload channel capacity & RIO, AIDCF requests b’casters too

    Upload channel capacity & RIO immediately, AIDCF urges MSOs

    Furnish details of cable connections, Delhi Govt asks operators, MSOs wary of cascading effect

  • J&K operators in a quandary, claim banned channels have GEC & all-religion content

    MUMBAI: The Indian Government’s directive to the Jammu and Kashmir Government to stop the transmission of 34 television channels from Muslim countries including Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia has put the cable operators in a quandary. Several foreign channels went off air in most parts of the Valley on Sunday after the Indian government order.

    Most of these channels broadcast programmes about sports, religion and lifestyle and none incites violence, Kashmir Cable Operators Association stated. The ban comes around a month after the state blocked social media web sites throughout the Valley.

    The Indian government had asked the J&K administration to take stern action against private cable operators airing illegal Pakistani and Saudi Arabian channels. Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has reportedly directed the J&K government to submit a report at the earliest. www.indiantelevision.com could not speak to the director (BP& L) in the ministry on the concrete plan of action in spite of several attempts.

    Operators reportedly broadcast around 34 channels illegally such as Peace TV, Ary QTV, Saudi Sunnah, Karbala, Saudi Quran, Al Arabia, Paigham, Hidayat, Sehar, Hadi TV, Sehar, Noor, Madani, Bethat, Ahlibat, Falak, Dawn News, Geo News, Ary News, TV One, ARY Masala, PTV Sports, A TV, Abb Tak News, 92 News, Duniya News, Waseb TV, Samaa News and Express News.

    According to the operators, they could neither defy the ban order nor could they afford to stop telecasting channels which are highly popular among the masses in the Valley. Kashmir Cable Association stated that there were around 300 channels in the Valley which include 22 channels for the Sikh community, 15 for Hindu and 25 Islamic.

    The Cable Operators Association stated that it has decided to defy the order as their business heavily depends on these channels. Asked about the consequence, it stated that they were prepared if the authorities seize their equipment and close down their business.

    Channels such as ARY Musik telecasts Sufi music, ARY Zauq or Ham Masala are cooking channels from Pakistan while Saudi 1 airs live feed from Haram Sharif in Makkah 24×7 as does Karbala TV from the shrine of Imam Hussain, a TV viewer said.

    An order issued by the principal secretary, home department, R K Goyal, to all the deputy magistrates (deputy commissioners) of the state said. “It needs being noted that transmission of non-permitted TV channels apart from attracting the violation (of the law), has the potential to encourage or incite violence and create law and order disturbances in the Kashmir Valley.”

    Some cable operators alleged that the Delhi-based communal media, motivated by anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan politics of Hindutva, is behind the closure of Pakistani and religious channels in the territory. The operators said that they were showing all the religious channels belonging to every faith, which includes Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and others.

    Meanwhile, prominent Islamic scholars on Monday expressed serious concern over the ban, saying the curbs on religious teachings would have repercussions. They said that channels such as Saudi Al-Quran and Saudi Sunnah only telecast Islamic teachings.

    While Delhi has banned the channels, operators in Kashmir cite the Ranbir Penal Code, a separate law in Kashmir, according to which the ban is not applicable.

  • Time Warner revenues, net income up in first quarter

    BENGALURU: Time Warner Inc., (Time Warner) reported growth in revenue across all its segments – Turner, Home Box Office (HBO) and Warner Bros in the quarter ended 31 March 2017 (Q1-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter (y-o-y). Reported total revenue in Q1-17 was $ 7,735 million 5,8 percent more than  in Q1-16, at $7,308 million. Net Income attributable to Time Warner shareholders increased 17.3 percent y-o-y to $1,424 million in the current quarter from $1,214 million in Q1-16.

    Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said: “We’re off to a strong start to 2017, as we continue to benefit from the investments we’re making in the best content while also developing new revenue streams that will drive growth and meet consumer demand for great experiences built around their favorite programming and brands. Warner Bros. delighted audiences in both film and television, with global hits in Kong: Skull Island and The LEGO Batman Movie and more series across broadcast for the current season than any other studio. Turner had another successful airing of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament across platforms, while CNN grew its total day ratings by 21 percent among adults 25-54, and remained the leader in digital news. Together, Turner and Warner Bros. also launched our new Boomerang-branded SVOD service, adding to our growing portfolio of products that are reaching consumers directly.”

    “Home Box Office shined in the quarter highlighted by our limited series Big Little Lies, which was both a critical and cultural breakout. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is having its most-watched season to date, and we recently had the much anticipated returns of Silicon Valley and Veep. Looking ahead, we remain on track, pending completion of regulatory reviews and receipt of consents, to close our merger with AT&T Inc. before the end of 2017. We remain excited about the potential for this combination to accelerate the pace of innovation in our businesses,” Bewkes continued.

    Turner

    Revenues increased 6.3 percent ($182 million) to $3,088 million, due to increases of 12 percent ($175 million) in Subscription revenues and 16 percent ($29 million) in Content and other revenues, partially offset by a decline of 2 percent ($22 million) in Advertising revenues. The company says that Subscription revenues benefited from higher domestic rates and growth at Turner’s international networks, partially offset by lower domestic subscribers. Content and other revenues increased due to higher domestic licensing revenues. The decline in Advertising revenues was primarily due to lower delivery at certain domestic networks, partially offset by increases at Turner’s sports and news businesses and growth at Turner’s international networks.

    Operating Income decreased 5.6 percent ($69 million) to $1,170 million. The growth in revenues was more than offset by higher expenses mainly due to increased programming costs. Programming expenses increased 17 percent primarily due to higher sports costs related to the first year of Turner’s new agreement with the NBA and higher original programming costs.

    HBO

    HBO revenues increased 4 percent ($62 million) to $1.6 billion, due to an increase of 5 percent ($66 million) in Subscription revenues, partially offset by a decline of 1 percent ($4 million) in Content and other revenues. Subscription revenues increased due to higher domestic rates and subscribers and international growth. The decrease in Content and other revenues was primarily due to lower home entertainment revenues, partially offset by higher licensing revenues.

    Operating Income increased 22 percent ($106 million) to $583 million, reflecting the growth in revenues and lower selling, general and administrative, programming and distribution expenses says that company. Programming costs decreased 2 percent, reflecting lower original programming expenses related to a reduction in amortization resulting from using a longer estimated utilization period for original programming beginning in the second quarter of 2016, partially offset by higher acquired theatrical programming expenses.

    Warner Bros

    Revenues increased 8.2 percent ($256 million) to $3.4 billion, primarily due to higher television and theatrical revenues partially offset by lower videogames revenues. Television revenues increased primarily due to higher domestic licensing revenues related to certain library series. Theatrical revenues grew due to an increased number and the mix of box office releases, which included Kong: Skull Island and The LEGO Batman Movie, as well as higher home entertainment revenues primarily related to the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and higher carryover revenue. Videogames revenues declined due to a fewer number and the mix of releases in the current year period and lower carryover revenue.

    Operating Income increased 15.1 percent ($64 million) to $488 million, due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher associated theatrical and television costs of revenues and print and advertising expenses.

  • Slow rise in number of MSOs, a month after DAS implementation

    NEW DELHI: With registration being given to eight more multi-system operators, the total number of MSOs has risen to 1384 by the end of April 2017.

    Following the decision of the government to deem all provisional multi-system operators as having regular licence and giving a provisional licence to the Tamil Nadu Arasu TV Corporation, the total number of MSOs went up to 1376 by the third week of April.

    Interestingly, the new list of MSOs now also gives the e-mail and mobile numbers of the MSOs as it has done away with the columns specifying area of coverage or date of registration. Thus, TACTV is the only MSO on the provisional list and all the others are deemed to have a permanent licence for ten years.

    Thus, there has been increase of 202 MSOs in the country since the end of February as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had given registration to 1182 MSOs by the end of February 2017 which included 230 which had valid ten-year licences.

    But, 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 ten 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 mib.nic.in specified.

    All other terms and conditions depicted in the provisional registration letter(s) wlll 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.

    The Tamil Nadu-Government-run TACTV was granted provisional licence on 18 April 2017 to operate as a MSO in the state on condition that it switches off analogue signals in the entire state within three months.

    The Ministry had told indiantelevision.com that it had been made clear that the provisional licence was subject to the Centre taking a final decision on the recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that no government owned body should be permitted in the field of running or distributing television channels.  TRAI had in 2008, 2012 and 2014 held that state governments and political parties should not be permitted to own TV channels or distribution channels.

    In Tamil Nadu where there is a court stay in operation since Phase I, TACTV had warned MSOs and LCOs against switching off analogue signals anywhere in the state after 31 March 2017.

    The sources said that Arasu had been granted provisional licence in 2006 at the time of the Conditional Access System on certain conditions based on the TRAI report but this had not been renewed when Digital Addressable System came into force.

    Also read :

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

  • MSOs upload channel capacity & RIO, AIDCF requests b’casters too

    MUMBAI: Multi-system-operators (MSOs) in India which fall under the aegis of All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) yesterday night uploaded their RIO, channel carrying capacity and interconnect agreements on their respective websites. AIDCF, a few days back, had advised its member-MSOs to upload the same before the deadline set by TRAI.

    It is not clear when or whether broadcasters will follow TRAI guidelines and upload RIO on their respective websites.

    In this digital era, MSOs are now ready to pass on the benefits of the new tariff order to 120 million viewers of TV channels.

    The new set of Tariff and Interconnect Regulations issued by TRAI will help in creating a level playing field for all the stakeholders, specially the end viewers who will now have complete freedom at their disposal. It will also help in bringing more transparency and fuel growth by regulating and balancing the entire broadcasting eco-system.

    AIDCF, once again requests all the Broadcasters to upload their RIO on their websites without any further ado, as the deadline for the same has already expired.

    AIDCF president TS Panesar said,“To honour TRAIs deadline and pass on
    the benefits of new regulations to end viewers, MSOs are fully ready as
    they have already uploaded their RIO, Channel Carrying Capacity and
    Interconnect Agreement on their websites. We hope that esteemed
    Broadcasters would join hands with us and upload their RIO rates ASAP
    in true spirit of collaboration and indulgence.”

  • DEN Networks ties up with Visiware, launches premium gaming service

    MUMBAI: DEN Networks, one of the largest cable TV service providers in India, has launched Playin’TV, a premium interactive gaming service that will usher in rich gaming experience for its subscribers.

    The company has partnered with France-based Visiware International, the world leader in interactive games for television to offer these services. This is Visiware International’s first association with a CATV company in India.

    – Partners with France-based Visiware International to launch Playin’TV

    – Offers Playin’TV to subscribers for free until 31 May

    Type of Games on Playin’TV

    – Arcade / Adventure – Carrot Mania or Zombie Market

    – Brain teasers – Incan-Tatris or Match 3 type of games;

    – Board and Cards – Solitaire Club

    – Sports – Bowling or Cricket and much moreThe company has partnered with France-based Visiware International, the world leader in interactive games for television to offer these services. This is Visiware International’s first association with a CATV company in India.

    Commenting on the launch of Playin’TV, DEN Networks CEO S.N. Sharma said, “We are excited to partner with Visiware International and launch Playin’ TV on our cable TV and broadband networks. Playin’ TV is an internationally-renowned interactive gaming channel and we always strive to provide world class entertainment to our customers.

    He further added, “The launch coincides with the arrival of Indian summers, a time when most people prefer indoor entertainment. Playin’ TV’s comprehensive suite of games ranging from board and card games to adventure and sports will provide the ideal indoor recreation to DEN subscribers across all ages.  With DEN Networks’ 13 million plus subscriber base spread across 400+ cities, Visiware International is set to gain a massive entry into the Indian market while our subscribers will enjoy premium games of international repute.”

    The company is offering these games to its cable TV subscribers for free until 31st May. Post that, it will provide membership subscription at a promotional price of Rs 35 per month till September 2017.  The launch of Playin’TV on DEN Boomband, the company’s broadband service is to follow soon.  

    Exclusive to DEN Cable subscribers, Playin’TV is accessible 24/7 on Channel No. 444. Subscribers need no other accessories other than their set top box and remote control to start playing on the TV. Some of the popular genres of games that will be available to Playin’TV subscribers include Adventure, Board & Cards, Brain Teasers, and Sports. DEN will offer 6 games at the launch in May, with 1 new game added every month until September 2017. Post that, the games will be refreshed each month with favorite games staying on air for longer duration.

    Visiware International COO Frederic Fellague said, “Visiware International being one of the pioneers and market leader is proud to partner with one of India’s largest cable distribution companies. We believe that gaming is one of the key to increase ARPU on cable. Partnering with DEN Networks will allow us to demonstrate in the future our capability to develop new forms of gaming interactions with the evolution of the set top box market.”

  • Upload channel capacity & RIO immediately, AIDCF urges MSOs

    NEW DELHI: With the Madras High Court declining to stay the tariff order for television, the All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) which represents multi-system operators has said that this “will help in creating a level playing field for all the stakeholders, especially the end consumers who will now have complete freedom at their disposal”.

    In a press release on the three regulations issued on 3 March 2017 which will come into effect on 2 May 2017, AIDCF sad: “It will also help in bringing more transparency and fuel growth by regulating the entire broadcasting eco-system.”

    Star India and Vijay TV had challenged the orders of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on the ground that it had no jurisdiction over content which actually came under Copyright Act, which is not administered by TRAI. Resultantly, the Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy which administers intellectual property rights had been made the first respondent. AIDCF had intervened in the case to oppose any stay order.

    The Federation, which had advised its member-MSOs to upload their RIO, channel carrying capacity and interconnect agreement on their websites as soon as possible. AIDCF also urges all the broadcasters to upload their RIO by 2 May 2017 on their websites.

    AIDCF president T S Panesar expressed the hope that “the new tariff order and the interconnect regulations will put things in the right perspective. This new tariff order will give the end consumer, the power to choose what they want to watch and ensure content is made available to all distribution platforms without any discrimination, thus balancing the entire eco-system.”

    Chief justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar directed the main petition by Star India and Vijay TV to be heard on 12 June. However, the court said that Section 3 of the Tariff order and all other consequences of such implementation/enforcement would be subject to the outcome of the main petition.

    The Court said in its order of 27 April that “the situation prevailing on 3 March 2017 when the order was issued and that prevailing today ‘has not changed so drastically’ as to warrant an interim stay. The Court said that it had also kept in view the larger public plea made by the Government counsel.

    Earlier, on 28 March, both the broadcasters had not pressed their plea for stay of the order after TRAI told the court that implementation of these orders had been postponed from 2 April to 2 May. TRAI had issued the tariff order, Quality of Service, and Reference Interconnect Agreement orders after getting clearance on 3 March from the Supreme Court.

    Hearing on the petition has had a chequered history with three judges recusing themselves. Though it was not clear, it appeared that the judges Justice S Nagamuthu, Justice Anita Sumanth and later Justice Govind Rajan had received letters which prompted them to withdraw from the case.

    The fresh petitions became necessary as the matter is being heard afresh by the bench headed by the Chief Justice .

    Apart from the Tariff order which had originally been issued on 10 October last year, the regulator also issued the DAS Interconnect Regulations which had been issued on 14 October last year, and the Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Digital Addressable Systems) Regulations which had been issued on 10 October last year.

    The orders can be seen at:
    http://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Tariff_Order_English_3%20March_20…
    http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QOS_Regulation_03_03_2017.pdf
    http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Interconnection_Regulation_03…

    Also Read:

    HC orders on Star plea for stay on TRAI tariff today

    Decks cleared for TRAI tariff order implementation as HC declines stay (updated)

  • Siti Networks’ CFO Sanjay Berry resigns after four months

    MUMBAI: Barely four months into the new role, Sanjay Berry has resigned from the position of the chief financial officer of Siti Networks. Siti Networks Ltd, a sister company of Zee group, today informed the BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange that Berry has resigned with effect from the close of business on 28 April, 2017.

    Siti Networks had appointed Berry in December 2016. Prior to the Siti role, Berry was working as the corporate financial controller with Bharti Enterprises. Berry has been handling finance function with expertise in financial management, compliance and internal controls.

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

    Also Read: Siti Networks appoints Sanjay Berry as CFO

    Furnish details of cable connections, Delhi Govt asks operators, MSOs wary of cascading effect

  • Comcast’s Cable Comm segment adds video subs in first quarter

    BENGALURU: Comcast Corp (Comcast) reported its results for the first quarter of 2017 (Q1-17, current quarter). In a change from what has now become a norm for the US carriage industry, the US cable and media and entertainment major’s Cable Communications segment ended the current quarter with net quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) residential and business video subscriber additions of 32,000 and 10,000 respectively – totalling a net growth of 42,000 video subscribers in Q1-17.

    Year-on-year (y-o-y) also, Comcast’s Cable Communication Segment added net 98,000 residential and 52,000 video subscribers in the current quarter as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company says that over 50 percent of its 21.52 million residential video customers now have X1. Xfinity’s X1 Entertainment Operating System is an interactive platform that combines universal search results from live TV, Comcast’s On Demand programming, and DVR recordings, in addition to personalized recommendations, apps, and even Netflix.

    Comcast’s consolidated revenue for Q1-17 increased 8.9 percent y-o-y to $20,463 million from $18,790 million. Consolidated net income attributable to Comcast increased 20.2 percent y-o-y to $2,566 million from $2,134 million. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.4 percent y-o-y to $7,032 million from $6,367 million.

    Comcast chairman and chief executive officer Brian L. Roberts, said, “2017 is off to the fastest start in five years. We are reporting outstanding growth at Cable and particularly NBCUniversal, which delivered 14.7 percent revenue growth and 24.4 percent Adjusted EBITDA growth. These impressive results were fuelled by exceptionally strong film performance, increased affiliate and retransmission revenues at our TV businesses, and continued growth in Theme Parks. Cable operations had a terrific quarter, driven by strength in high-speed Internet and business services revenue growth, as well as positive video, all highlighted by overall customer relationship net additions of 297,000, a 10 percent increase compared to last year.”

    “These results were balanced with financial discipline, which contributed to solid revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth. The transition from Neil Smit to Dave Watson has gotten off to a very successful and seamless start, and with our teams executing well across all of Comcast NBCUniversal, I am excited about our momentum headed into the rest of 2017 and beyond,” added Roberts

    Comcast has two segments – Cable Communications and NBCUniversal.

    Cable Communications segment

    Cable Communications segment reported 5.8 percent y-o-y growth in revenue in Q1-17 to $12,912 million from $12,204 million. Adjusted EBITDA for Cable Communications increased 6.3 percent y-o-y to $5,198 million in Q1-17 from $4,889 million, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 5.5 percent increase in operating expenses.

    High-speed Internet revenue increased 10.1 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to $3,606 million from $3,275 million, driven by an increase in the number of residential high-speed Internet customers and rate adjustments.

    Video revenue increased 4.3 percent in Q1-17 to $5,774 million from $5,538 million, reflecting rate adjustments, an increase in the number of customers subscribing to additional services and an increase in the number of residential video customers.

    Business services revenue increased 13.6 percent y-o-y to $1,490 million from $1,311 million, primarily due to an increase in the number of small business customers, as well as continued growth in our medium-sized business services.

    Advertising revenue decreased 6.3 percent y-o-y to $512 million from $536 million, partially reflecting a decrease in political advertising revenue says the company.

    Other revenue increased 4.4 percent y-o-y to $667 million from $638 million, primarily reflecting an increase in security and automation revenue and higher franchise and regulatory fees.

    NBCUniversal

    Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 14.7 percent y-o-y to $7,868 billion in Q1-17 from $6,861 million. Adjusted EBITDA in the current quarter increased 24.4 percent to $2,017 million from $1,622 million, reflecting increases at Filmed Entertainment, Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Theme Parks.

    Cable Networks revenue increased 7.6 percent y-o-y to $2,641 million in Q1-17 from $2,453 million, reflecting higher distribution and content licensing and other revenue, partially offset by lower advertising revenue. Cable Networks Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.8 percent y-o-y to $1,116 million in Q1-17 from $956 million, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a modest increase in programming and production costs.

    Broadcast Television revenue increased 5.9 percent y-o-y to $2,208 million in Q1-17 from $2,084 million, reflecting higher distribution and other and content licensing revenue. Distribution and other revenue increased 33.4 percent, due to higher retransmission consent fees. Adjusted EBITDA increased 13.4 percent y-o-y to $322 million in the current quarter from $284 million reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs.

    Filmed Entertainment revenue increased 43.2 percent y-o-y to $1,981 million in Q1-17 from $1,383 million, primarily reflecting higher theatrical revenue, as well as increased other, content licensing, and home entertainment revenue. Theatrical revenue increased by $415 million to $651 million in the current quarter, reflecting the strong performances of Fifty Shades Darker, Get Out and Split , as well as the continued success of Sing in Q1-17. Filmed Entertainment adjusted EBITDA increased by $201 million to $368 million in Q17, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by higher programming and production costs.

    Theme Parks revenue increased 9.0 percent y-o-y to $1,118 million from $1,026 million in Q1-17, reflecting higher attendance and per capita spending, despite an unfavourable comparison from the timing of spring break vacations. Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.1 percent y-o-y to $397 million in the first quarter of 2017, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses, including pre-opening costs to support new attractions opening in Orlando this spring.