ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • Hinduja Ventures declares 175 per cent interim dividend for FY-2016

    Hinduja Ventures declares 175 per cent interim dividend for FY-2016

    BENGALURU: Hindustan Ventures Limited (HVL), the holding company of one of India’s largest integrated media companies, – IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (IMCL) and Grant Investrade Limited which has launched the headend in the sky (HITS) platform, announced an interim dividend of 175 per cent (Rs 17.50 per equity share of face value of Rs 10) for the current financial year.  The dividend will result in a pay out of Rs 4329.53 lakh. (100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore)

    HVL had announced a standalone net profit after tax of Rs 86.41 crore for the nine month period ended December 31, 2015 as compared to a PAT of Rs 74.82 crore in the corresponding year ago period. The interim dividend will be paid on or after March 29, 2016.

    HVL’s HITS platform was launched on September 16,2015 by the Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Arun Jaitley, under the brand name NXT DIGITAL. The Hinduja‐HITS Network will enable seamless transition from analogue to digital in phase III and IV markets.

    At the time of filing of this report, share price of HVL on the Bombay Stock Exchange was up by Rs 12, or 2.88 percent higher than the previous close of Rs 416 with a total turnover of 2.65 lakh. The share had opened today at Rs 425, with a high if Rs 428 and a low of Rs 421.50.

  • Hinduja Ventures declares 175 per cent interim dividend for FY-2016

    Hinduja Ventures declares 175 per cent interim dividend for FY-2016

    BENGALURU: Hindustan Ventures Limited (HVL), the holding company of one of India’s largest integrated media companies, – IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (IMCL) and Grant Investrade Limited which has launched the headend in the sky (HITS) platform, announced an interim dividend of 175 per cent (Rs 17.50 per equity share of face value of Rs 10) for the current financial year.  The dividend will result in a pay out of Rs 4329.53 lakh. (100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore)

    HVL had announced a standalone net profit after tax of Rs 86.41 crore for the nine month period ended December 31, 2015 as compared to a PAT of Rs 74.82 crore in the corresponding year ago period. The interim dividend will be paid on or after March 29, 2016.

    HVL’s HITS platform was launched on September 16,2015 by the Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Arun Jaitley, under the brand name NXT DIGITAL. The Hinduja‐HITS Network will enable seamless transition from analogue to digital in phase III and IV markets.

    At the time of filing of this report, share price of HVL on the Bombay Stock Exchange was up by Rs 12, or 2.88 percent higher than the previous close of Rs 416 with a total turnover of 2.65 lakh. The share had opened today at Rs 425, with a high if Rs 428 and a low of Rs 421.50.

  • Kochi Cable TV Operators protest levy of Rs ten per connection as entertainment tax by local corporation

    Kochi Cable TV Operators protest levy of Rs ten per connection as entertainment tax by local corporation

    New Delhi: Over 500 cable operators including some multi system operators in Kochi today demanded the scrapping of the entertainment tax on cable connections, insisting that they were providing an essential service to the consumer. Led by the Kochi Cable TV Operators Association, the protesters who marched to the office of the Kochi Municipal Corporation presented a memorandum to both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. Describing it as a draconian move, the memorandum on behalf of two associations says that the local cable operators are already burdened with a lot of taxes, and that the consumer will refuse to reimburse the tax

    An LCO told indiantelevision.com that they had demanded a complete scrapping of the Rs ten per connection levied upon them. The levy had been imposed by the corporation in its budget last month. The budget proposed to generate Rs. 2 crore by collecting entertainment tax of Rs 10 for each connection from cable TV operators.

    A delegation of Cable TV Operators Association met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi earlier this week with a petition seeking their intervention to persuade the local body to drop the plan.The Kerala Cable TV Federation also submitted a memorandum to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Opposition leader with a similar demand.

    The Federation State president E. Jayadevan said since almost all households in the Kochi Corporation have a cable TV connection, the move to collect entertainment tax is just a ploy by the corporation to tax every household albeit indirectly through cable TV operators.

    “The high cable TV penetration in the state is owing to the reasonable prices charged by small and medium operators. The taxation move will force us to hike the rent, thus distancing subscribers from us leaving the field wide open for direct-to-home operators, who are out of this tax net,” he said.

    The Federation said the tax may even force many subscribers to turn to direct-to-home operators and affect the LCOs business. Furthermore, other local bodies would also be tempted to follow suit.

  • Kochi Cable TV Operators protest levy of Rs ten per connection as entertainment tax by local corporation

    Kochi Cable TV Operators protest levy of Rs ten per connection as entertainment tax by local corporation

    New Delhi: Over 500 cable operators including some multi system operators in Kochi today demanded the scrapping of the entertainment tax on cable connections, insisting that they were providing an essential service to the consumer. Led by the Kochi Cable TV Operators Association, the protesters who marched to the office of the Kochi Municipal Corporation presented a memorandum to both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. Describing it as a draconian move, the memorandum on behalf of two associations says that the local cable operators are already burdened with a lot of taxes, and that the consumer will refuse to reimburse the tax

    An LCO told indiantelevision.com that they had demanded a complete scrapping of the Rs ten per connection levied upon them. The levy had been imposed by the corporation in its budget last month. The budget proposed to generate Rs. 2 crore by collecting entertainment tax of Rs 10 for each connection from cable TV operators.

    A delegation of Cable TV Operators Association met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi earlier this week with a petition seeking their intervention to persuade the local body to drop the plan.The Kerala Cable TV Federation also submitted a memorandum to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Opposition leader with a similar demand.

    The Federation State president E. Jayadevan said since almost all households in the Kochi Corporation have a cable TV connection, the move to collect entertainment tax is just a ploy by the corporation to tax every household albeit indirectly through cable TV operators.

    “The high cable TV penetration in the state is owing to the reasonable prices charged by small and medium operators. The taxation move will force us to hike the rent, thus distancing subscribers from us leaving the field wide open for direct-to-home operators, who are out of this tax net,” he said.

    The Federation said the tax may even force many subscribers to turn to direct-to-home operators and affect the LCOs business. Furthermore, other local bodies would also be tempted to follow suit.

  • Mukesh Ambani 20 billion investment plans in television and telecom

    Mukesh Ambani 20 billion investment plans in television and telecom

    MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani’s recent focus in the telecom sector hasn’t gone unnoticed, where he has spent at least $18 billion ($1,800 crore) on 4G telecom brand RJio. Industry insiders observe that Mukesh Ambani’s aggressive take on the telecom and television sector may also pit him against his brother Anil Ambani and his company.

    Now reports are out that he intends to spend another $2 billion ($200 crore) over three years to capture TV sets as he eyes an opportunity to use his financial clout in what is a highly fragmented sector.  To put matters into perspective, Mukesh Ambani’s television unit has been aggressively signing up deals with hundreds of small players in a street-by-street effort to root out any final hurdle in its cable TV drive, reported Reuters.

    Industry observers note that this could also snap up rival operators as part of that push, those sources and analysts said, driving tie-ups in a crowded sector that includes Hathway Cable, Den Networks and Siti Cable.

    Industry sources quoting un-named Reliance officials say that Reliance’s mid-year goal of 1 million (10 lakh) subscribers would rise to 5 million (50 lakh) homes in the medium-term. Within three years, the aim is 20 million (2 crore).

    With only 20 million (2 crore) homes in India having a broadband or another Internet connection, it goes without saying that there is a huge growth potential in a country with a population of some 1.3 billion (130 crore).

    “Once the company manages to crack the last mile… it will be a formidable player,” Den Satellite Network MD Rajev Gavi shared with Reuters.

    Reliance executives say it will offer a bundled package with hundreds of channels and video-on-demand in high definition, along with broadband Internet, a landline phone and home surveillance. It will also offer Jio Play, its version of the Netflix movie and TV series streaming service.

  • Mukesh Ambani 20 billion investment plans in television and telecom

    Mukesh Ambani 20 billion investment plans in television and telecom

    MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani’s recent focus in the telecom sector hasn’t gone unnoticed, where he has spent at least $18 billion ($1,800 crore) on 4G telecom brand RJio. Industry insiders observe that Mukesh Ambani’s aggressive take on the telecom and television sector may also pit him against his brother Anil Ambani and his company.

    Now reports are out that he intends to spend another $2 billion ($200 crore) over three years to capture TV sets as he eyes an opportunity to use his financial clout in what is a highly fragmented sector.  To put matters into perspective, Mukesh Ambani’s television unit has been aggressively signing up deals with hundreds of small players in a street-by-street effort to root out any final hurdle in its cable TV drive, reported Reuters.

    Industry observers note that this could also snap up rival operators as part of that push, those sources and analysts said, driving tie-ups in a crowded sector that includes Hathway Cable, Den Networks and Siti Cable.

    Industry sources quoting un-named Reliance officials say that Reliance’s mid-year goal of 1 million (10 lakh) subscribers would rise to 5 million (50 lakh) homes in the medium-term. Within three years, the aim is 20 million (2 crore).

    With only 20 million (2 crore) homes in India having a broadband or another Internet connection, it goes without saying that there is a huge growth potential in a country with a population of some 1.3 billion (130 crore).

    “Once the company manages to crack the last mile… it will be a formidable player,” Den Satellite Network MD Rajev Gavi shared with Reuters.

    Reliance executives say it will offer a bundled package with hundreds of channels and video-on-demand in high definition, along with broadband Internet, a landline phone and home surveillance. It will also offer Jio Play, its version of the Netflix movie and TV series streaming service.

  • Fifteen cases for extension of Phase III DAS, Rathore says digitization nearly over in most parts

    Fifteen cases for extension of Phase III DAS, Rathore says digitization nearly over in most parts

    New Delhi: Parliament was told today that cases had been filed or were still pending in around fifteen cities or states seeking extension of the deadline of 31 December 2015 on the ground of shortage of set top boxes with regard to Phase III of Digitization Addressable System.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Rajya Sabha that courts in these places had either granted extension of two months or dismissed the petitions with the directions not to disconnect the cable TV network operated by the petitioners and allowed them to operate in analogue system for two to three months  

    These included Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Nashik, Orissa, Chandigarh, Allahabad, Indore, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Jaipur, Karnataka, Guwahati, Kolkata and Shimla etc.

    In its order, the Bombay high court had said: “Since the Andhra Pradesh high court and Sikkim high court have passed an order of status quo, in view of the observations made by the apex court in the case Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd. Vs. Union of India [(2004) 6 Supreme Court Cases 254] and more particularly, paragraph 22 of the said order, the question of grant of interim order does not arise in this case.”

    The Hyderabad high court in the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh cases further extended the stay for 4 weeks beyond 29 February.

    The minister said that the Government was defending all the cases and had also filed a transfer petition in the Supreme Court.

    Meanwhile, Rathore said digitization has almost been completed in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttrakhand, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar according to information received from stakeholders.

    The data provided by the multi system operators (MSOs), direct to home (DTH) and HITS operators shows that digitisation in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is nearing completion. In other states and Union Territories it is yet to be fully achieved.

    He said that public awareness campaigns were launched in print and electronic media to ensure timely completion.

    Since involvement of state governments was crucial for the implementation of digitization, 13 orientation workshops for state and district level nodal officers were held at both central and regional levels. Twelve regional units were established for coordination. Toll free helpline was made operational. A management information system (MIS) was developed wherein MSOs, DTH and HITS operators were entering the details of area wise seeding of STBs at least once a week.

    A total of 727 MSOs had been issued registration till 21 February and regular monitoring of progress was made.

    Referring to earlier phases, he said it had been completed in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai had been completed on 31 October 2012, except in Chennai since some court cases are pending there.

    Phase-II of the cable TV digitization which covered 38 cities having the population more than 10 lakh has been completed by 31 March 2013 except in Coimbatore where some court cases are pending.

  • Fifteen cases for extension of Phase III DAS, Rathore says digitization nearly over in most parts

    Fifteen cases for extension of Phase III DAS, Rathore says digitization nearly over in most parts

    New Delhi: Parliament was told today that cases had been filed or were still pending in around fifteen cities or states seeking extension of the deadline of 31 December 2015 on the ground of shortage of set top boxes with regard to Phase III of Digitization Addressable System.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Rajya Sabha that courts in these places had either granted extension of two months or dismissed the petitions with the directions not to disconnect the cable TV network operated by the petitioners and allowed them to operate in analogue system for two to three months  

    These included Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Nashik, Orissa, Chandigarh, Allahabad, Indore, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Jaipur, Karnataka, Guwahati, Kolkata and Shimla etc.

    In its order, the Bombay high court had said: “Since the Andhra Pradesh high court and Sikkim high court have passed an order of status quo, in view of the observations made by the apex court in the case Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd. Vs. Union of India [(2004) 6 Supreme Court Cases 254] and more particularly, paragraph 22 of the said order, the question of grant of interim order does not arise in this case.”

    The Hyderabad high court in the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh cases further extended the stay for 4 weeks beyond 29 February.

    The minister said that the Government was defending all the cases and had also filed a transfer petition in the Supreme Court.

    Meanwhile, Rathore said digitization has almost been completed in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttrakhand, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar according to information received from stakeholders.

    The data provided by the multi system operators (MSOs), direct to home (DTH) and HITS operators shows that digitisation in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is nearing completion. In other states and Union Territories it is yet to be fully achieved.

    He said that public awareness campaigns were launched in print and electronic media to ensure timely completion.

    Since involvement of state governments was crucial for the implementation of digitization, 13 orientation workshops for state and district level nodal officers were held at both central and regional levels. Twelve regional units were established for coordination. Toll free helpline was made operational. A management information system (MIS) was developed wherein MSOs, DTH and HITS operators were entering the details of area wise seeding of STBs at least once a week.

    A total of 727 MSOs had been issued registration till 21 February and regular monitoring of progress was made.

    Referring to earlier phases, he said it had been completed in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai had been completed on 31 October 2012, except in Chennai since some court cases are pending there.

    Phase-II of the cable TV digitization which covered 38 cities having the population more than 10 lakh has been completed by 31 March 2013 except in Coimbatore where some court cases are pending.

  • Centre and states have gained from TV digitization, viewers to get better viewing experience: Economic Survey

    Centre and states have gained from TV digitization, viewers to get better viewing experience: Economic Survey

    New Delhi: The Government has claimed that preliminary data shows that central and state governments have gained significantly because of digitization of cable television, as transparency in the subscriber base through digitization has led to increase in tax collections.

    While stating this, the Economic Survey for 2015-16 did not give any figures specifically relating to increase in revenues because of digitization. But it said digitization achieved by December-end 2016 would usher a new era in broadcasting, as it would enhance the viewing experience of the users and upgrade the service, the survey said.

    The survey tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who also holds the Information and Broadcasting Ministry portfolio, said in order to achieve universal digitalization by 2017, the government is implementing the Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development Scheme for modernization and upgradation of Prasar Bharati.

    He said India has been experiencing higher volume of content consumption due to increasing per capita consumption, media penetration and use of 3G devices.

    It was noted that India is the world’s second largest TV market after China with 168 million (16.8 crore) TV households, implying a TV penetration of 61 per cent.

    There are about 847 satellite television channels, 243 FM radio channels and 190 community radio stations operating in India.

    India’s broadcasting distribution network comprises 6,000 multi system operators (MSO) and seven direct to home (DTH) operators.

    At the outset, the survey said the Indian media and entertainment industry has recorded unprecedented growth over the last two decades, making it one of the fastest growing industries in India.

    According to a report by FICCI-KPMG, the Indian media and entertainment industry grew by 11.7 per cent to Rs 1026 billion(Rs 1,02,600 crore) in 2014 from Rs 918 billion  (Rs 91,800 crore) in 2013 and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.9 per cent to reach Rs 1964 billion (1,96,400 crore) by 2019.

    DTH in India is also growing at a rate of about one million (10 lakh) subscribers per year. HITS (headend in the sky) technology will play a key role in achieving the goal of 100 per cent digital distribution in India. At present two HITS operators have been permitted by the Government to operate their set up.

  • Centre and states have gained from TV digitization, viewers to get better viewing experience: Economic Survey

    Centre and states have gained from TV digitization, viewers to get better viewing experience: Economic Survey

    New Delhi: The Government has claimed that preliminary data shows that central and state governments have gained significantly because of digitization of cable television, as transparency in the subscriber base through digitization has led to increase in tax collections.

    While stating this, the Economic Survey for 2015-16 did not give any figures specifically relating to increase in revenues because of digitization. But it said digitization achieved by December-end 2016 would usher a new era in broadcasting, as it would enhance the viewing experience of the users and upgrade the service, the survey said.

    The survey tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who also holds the Information and Broadcasting Ministry portfolio, said in order to achieve universal digitalization by 2017, the government is implementing the Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development Scheme for modernization and upgradation of Prasar Bharati.

    He said India has been experiencing higher volume of content consumption due to increasing per capita consumption, media penetration and use of 3G devices.

    It was noted that India is the world’s second largest TV market after China with 168 million (16.8 crore) TV households, implying a TV penetration of 61 per cent.

    There are about 847 satellite television channels, 243 FM radio channels and 190 community radio stations operating in India.

    India’s broadcasting distribution network comprises 6,000 multi system operators (MSO) and seven direct to home (DTH) operators.

    At the outset, the survey said the Indian media and entertainment industry has recorded unprecedented growth over the last two decades, making it one of the fastest growing industries in India.

    According to a report by FICCI-KPMG, the Indian media and entertainment industry grew by 11.7 per cent to Rs 1026 billion(Rs 1,02,600 crore) in 2014 from Rs 918 billion  (Rs 91,800 crore) in 2013 and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.9 per cent to reach Rs 1964 billion (1,96,400 crore) by 2019.

    DTH in India is also growing at a rate of about one million (10 lakh) subscribers per year. HITS (headend in the sky) technology will play a key role in achieving the goal of 100 per cent digital distribution in India. At present two HITS operators have been permitted by the Government to operate their set up.