ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    New Delhi: With the Supreme Court stating that the stay on Phase III of digital addressable system by the Bombay High Court is not pan-India, stakeholders in three states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh – have received further extensions for varying periods.

    While the Hyderabad High Court has clubbed the two cases of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and granted a four week extension, the Allahabad High Court extended the stay for three more months.

    The Hyderabad High Court which received the counter-affidavit from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, gave time to the petitioners in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – AP MSOs Federation and Federation of Telangana MSOs – to file their replies,

    The plea taken by both the petitioners had been the shortage of set top boxes, which had in late December led to a two month extension.

    The Supreme Court had made the observation on an appeal by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, which was subsequently withdrawn.

    In Allahabad, where the petitioners have also taken the plea of shortage of STBs, the High Court directed I&B Ministry as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to file counter-affidavits within four weeks.

     “In the meanwhile, we direct the respondents not to disconnect the cable TV network operated by the petitioner through the analogue system for a period of three months from today,” the court said.

    DAS Phase III has already been stayed for varying periods by High Courts in Assam, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, for the entire states, apart from Tamil Nadu where prolonged legal cases have been pending since Phase I.

    In Karnataka, three individual stakeholders have got stay orders in Mangalore and Mysore areas while there is no state-wide stay. However, MSOs and Local Cable Operators in various parts of Karnataka told indiantelevision.com that transmission is still being use in analogue mode even in areas that fall in Phase III but for which no stay has been obtained.

    Interestingly, Ministry sources admitted to indiantelevision.com that there was a misreading of the Bombay High Court directive. The Court had merely refereed to the Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd vs the Union of India 2004 case to say that if one High Court gives a stay, another High Court can act in similar fashion if the facts are similar – in this case, shortage of STBs. Thus, they agree that the High Court stay was only confined to Maharashtra and not pan-India.

    The Bombay High Court passed a unique judgment stating that the Hyderabad High Court order would be applicable across India as per the Supreme Court judgment in.

    Meanwhile, The Ministry has filed a similar petition and sought not merely vacation of the stay orders by various High Courts, but also clubbing the cases together.

    The meeting of the Phase III and Phase IV Task Force – the first to be held after the 31 December deadline of Phase III – was told by Ministry Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya that the percentage achievement had increased from 76.45 per cent as on 30 December 2015 to 90.44 per cent as on 15 February 2016.

    It was also claimed that the seeding of set top boxes by multi system operators increased from 6.91 million (69.1 lakh) to 12.43 million (124.3 lakh) for the same period.

    DAS Phase III covers 33.18 million (331.8 lakh( TV households across 29 states and five Union Territories, after changes made in updates for various states.

    Although Phase III was aimed at covering all remaining urban areas in the country, Ministry sources admitted that several urban may now be clubbed with the rural areas where the deadline is 31 December 2016.

  • DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    New Delhi: With the Supreme Court stating that the stay on Phase III of digital addressable system by the Bombay High Court is not pan-India, stakeholders in three states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh – have received further extensions for varying periods.

    While the Hyderabad High Court has clubbed the two cases of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and granted a four week extension, the Allahabad High Court extended the stay for three more months.

    The Hyderabad High Court which received the counter-affidavit from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, gave time to the petitioners in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – AP MSOs Federation and Federation of Telangana MSOs – to file their replies,

    The plea taken by both the petitioners had been the shortage of set top boxes, which had in late December led to a two month extension.

    The Supreme Court had made the observation on an appeal by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, which was subsequently withdrawn.

    In Allahabad, where the petitioners have also taken the plea of shortage of STBs, the High Court directed I&B Ministry as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to file counter-affidavits within four weeks.

     “In the meanwhile, we direct the respondents not to disconnect the cable TV network operated by the petitioner through the analogue system for a period of three months from today,” the court said.

    DAS Phase III has already been stayed for varying periods by High Courts in Assam, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, for the entire states, apart from Tamil Nadu where prolonged legal cases have been pending since Phase I.

    In Karnataka, three individual stakeholders have got stay orders in Mangalore and Mysore areas while there is no state-wide stay. However, MSOs and Local Cable Operators in various parts of Karnataka told indiantelevision.com that transmission is still being use in analogue mode even in areas that fall in Phase III but for which no stay has been obtained.

    Interestingly, Ministry sources admitted to indiantelevision.com that there was a misreading of the Bombay High Court directive. The Court had merely refereed to the Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd vs the Union of India 2004 case to say that if one High Court gives a stay, another High Court can act in similar fashion if the facts are similar – in this case, shortage of STBs. Thus, they agree that the High Court stay was only confined to Maharashtra and not pan-India.

    The Bombay High Court passed a unique judgment stating that the Hyderabad High Court order would be applicable across India as per the Supreme Court judgment in.

    Meanwhile, The Ministry has filed a similar petition and sought not merely vacation of the stay orders by various High Courts, but also clubbing the cases together.

    The meeting of the Phase III and Phase IV Task Force – the first to be held after the 31 December deadline of Phase III – was told by Ministry Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya that the percentage achievement had increased from 76.45 per cent as on 30 December 2015 to 90.44 per cent as on 15 February 2016.

    It was also claimed that the seeding of set top boxes by multi system operators increased from 6.91 million (69.1 lakh) to 12.43 million (124.3 lakh) for the same period.

    DAS Phase III covers 33.18 million (331.8 lakh( TV households across 29 states and five Union Territories, after changes made in updates for various states.

    Although Phase III was aimed at covering all remaining urban areas in the country, Ministry sources admitted that several urban may now be clubbed with the rural areas where the deadline is 31 December 2016.

  • Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    MUMBAI: The transition from analogue to digital in Phase 3 (all urban areas excluding those that were part of Phase 1 and 2 – municipal corporations/municipalities) has caused certain areas of the country to become ‘cable dark’. 

    There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when understanding why certain states are witnessing a higher amount of cable dark penetration than others. In Uttar Pradesh for example, the majority of cities use DTH, and due to the lack of a dominant MSO, cable penetration is low in this state. 

    Gujarat and Punjab are experiencing a more structured approach because they have a dominant player (GTPL and Fastway, respectively). On the other hand, a state such as Maharashtra does not have one defined player; but at the same time has been facing a shortage of set-top boxes – from where the stay has stemmed.

    Similarly, governments in the south support cable operators, so in Andhra Pradesh, cable still exists and despite the digitization mandate, cities still receive analog feeds; Tamil Nadu witnesses penetration of Arasu in most cities, but digitization boxes have not reached these areas either. ‘

    Alongside this, the size of the state also needs to be taken into account: Mizoram’s cable dark city is one which has a large population, thus resulting in more than half the population beingcable dark.

    Another hurdle that cable dark cities face is the fact that cable operators in some dark areas make cable available to consumers during prime timehours, to cater to a TV starved audience, Chrome Data Analytics& Media’s on-ground coverage reports.

    It is essential to understand that there is no fixed or systematic pattern according to which cable is out and different states are facing different factors.The state-wise percentage of cable dark population can be seen in the table below:

    “Each time a transition takes place, some kind of ‘switch off’ is inevitable – be it an electric transformer replacement in your colony or a human operation. We need to remember that digitization was mooted,  in the first place, to address four major broadcasting issues – taxation, transparency, choice for consumers and the quality of content. So dark outs, irrespective of the reason, should be taken as the minor issue they are when compared to the greater good digitization promises for Indian broadcasting”, says Chrome Data Analytics & Media founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna.

    Overall, digitization has brought with it several hurdles that all states must collectively overcome. One must collaboratively focus on the larger picture and be patient to reap the benefits of digitization in the long run.

     

  • Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    MUMBAI: The transition from analogue to digital in Phase 3 (all urban areas excluding those that were part of Phase 1 and 2 – municipal corporations/municipalities) has caused certain areas of the country to become ‘cable dark’. 

    There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when understanding why certain states are witnessing a higher amount of cable dark penetration than others. In Uttar Pradesh for example, the majority of cities use DTH, and due to the lack of a dominant MSO, cable penetration is low in this state. 

    Gujarat and Punjab are experiencing a more structured approach because they have a dominant player (GTPL and Fastway, respectively). On the other hand, a state such as Maharashtra does not have one defined player; but at the same time has been facing a shortage of set-top boxes – from where the stay has stemmed.

    Similarly, governments in the south support cable operators, so in Andhra Pradesh, cable still exists and despite the digitization mandate, cities still receive analog feeds; Tamil Nadu witnesses penetration of Arasu in most cities, but digitization boxes have not reached these areas either. ‘

    Alongside this, the size of the state also needs to be taken into account: Mizoram’s cable dark city is one which has a large population, thus resulting in more than half the population beingcable dark.

    Another hurdle that cable dark cities face is the fact that cable operators in some dark areas make cable available to consumers during prime timehours, to cater to a TV starved audience, Chrome Data Analytics& Media’s on-ground coverage reports.

    It is essential to understand that there is no fixed or systematic pattern according to which cable is out and different states are facing different factors.The state-wise percentage of cable dark population can be seen in the table below:

    “Each time a transition takes place, some kind of ‘switch off’ is inevitable – be it an electric transformer replacement in your colony or a human operation. We need to remember that digitization was mooted,  in the first place, to address four major broadcasting issues – taxation, transparency, choice for consumers and the quality of content. So dark outs, irrespective of the reason, should be taken as the minor issue they are when compared to the greater good digitization promises for Indian broadcasting”, says Chrome Data Analytics & Media founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna.

    Overall, digitization has brought with it several hurdles that all states must collectively overcome. One must collaboratively focus on the larger picture and be patient to reap the benefits of digitization in the long run.

     

  • Hathway Cable and Datacom launches E-KYC

    Hathway Cable and Datacom launches E-KYC

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom announced the launch of electronic KYC that will strengthen the create efficiency in the KYC process as defined and stipulated by TRAI.

    With the launch of electronic KYC, Hathway says that it endorses regulatory compliance with TRAI regarding completion of customer requisition form by the customer in a digitized format. With the electronic KYC, the entire distribution chain including the LCO will be able to easily store millions of forms at a lower operational cost, thus, simplifying Hathway’s daily business and improving customer relationships.

    This digital technology is also aimed at upgrading LCO partners and helping them to align with the current trends and service consumers effectively.  The electronic KYC feature also enables updation of customer details including proof of identity, proof of address and customer’s digital photograph by using an APP, at the same time activating the customer’s set top box in real time basis.

    The detailed process flow includes authenticating customers through their digital signature on a smartphone or via an OTP generated on the registered mobile number which is followed by the CRF being generated. The same will be circulated to the customer in person and also stored digitally, which can be easily accessed by the LCO as well.

    This environment-friendly initiative eliminates the need to print large number of paper forms in a fast growing digital world, thus, proving time-consuming and effective measure keeping in mind the ever increasing digital cable subscriber universe.Recently, Hathway launched a breakthrough initiative with an LCO portal Hathway Connect that aims to redefine and transform business dynamics and  further strengthen the role of the LCO in the distribution chain.

    Commenting on the E-KYC initiative,Hathway  video business president TS Panesar said, “Over the past year, Hathway has taken some defining steps in transforming the way the cable industry operates and with the launch of the E-KYC process, we truly comply with TRAI’s directive in easing out customer experience which will prove to be an important stepping-stone. It also coincides with ‘Hathway Connect’-our online portal for LCOs, which will overall help our LCO partners and  make their business operations more convenient. By upgrading the LCOs with E-KYC, our endeavour is to give our consumers, a world class and seamless experience from the word go.”

  • Hathway Cable and Datacom launches E-KYC

    Hathway Cable and Datacom launches E-KYC

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom announced the launch of electronic KYC that will strengthen the create efficiency in the KYC process as defined and stipulated by TRAI.

    With the launch of electronic KYC, Hathway says that it endorses regulatory compliance with TRAI regarding completion of customer requisition form by the customer in a digitized format. With the electronic KYC, the entire distribution chain including the LCO will be able to easily store millions of forms at a lower operational cost, thus, simplifying Hathway’s daily business and improving customer relationships.

    This digital technology is also aimed at upgrading LCO partners and helping them to align with the current trends and service consumers effectively.  The electronic KYC feature also enables updation of customer details including proof of identity, proof of address and customer’s digital photograph by using an APP, at the same time activating the customer’s set top box in real time basis.

    The detailed process flow includes authenticating customers through their digital signature on a smartphone or via an OTP generated on the registered mobile number which is followed by the CRF being generated. The same will be circulated to the customer in person and also stored digitally, which can be easily accessed by the LCO as well.

    This environment-friendly initiative eliminates the need to print large number of paper forms in a fast growing digital world, thus, proving time-consuming and effective measure keeping in mind the ever increasing digital cable subscriber universe.Recently, Hathway launched a breakthrough initiative with an LCO portal Hathway Connect that aims to redefine and transform business dynamics and  further strengthen the role of the LCO in the distribution chain.

    Commenting on the E-KYC initiative,Hathway  video business president TS Panesar said, “Over the past year, Hathway has taken some defining steps in transforming the way the cable industry operates and with the launch of the E-KYC process, we truly comply with TRAI’s directive in easing out customer experience which will prove to be an important stepping-stone. It also coincides with ‘Hathway Connect’-our online portal for LCOs, which will overall help our LCO partners and  make their business operations more convenient. By upgrading the LCOs with E-KYC, our endeavour is to give our consumers, a world class and seamless experience from the word go.”

  • NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    MUMBAI: Headend In The Sky (HITS) platform NXT Digital, which rolled out its services in September 2015, has added one more broadcaster to its kitty. Disney Media Distribution, which recently separated from the IndiaCast distribution platform, has signed a two year deal with the Hinduja-owned HITS company.

    The deal allows both active and passive distribution of the eight Disney channels.

    “This is a partnership deal for two years, we see HITS progressing thick and fast and hence when they reached out to us, we decided to move ahead and sign the deal,” a senior Disney official tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The deal has been signed on a cost per subscriber (CPS) model, and the channels are already available for NXT Digital’s subscribers.

  • NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    NXT Digital inks deal with Disney Media for two years

    MUMBAI: Headend In The Sky (HITS) platform NXT Digital, which rolled out its services in September 2015, has added one more broadcaster to its kitty. Disney Media Distribution, which recently separated from the IndiaCast distribution platform, has signed a two year deal with the Hinduja-owned HITS company.

    The deal allows both active and passive distribution of the eight Disney channels.

    “This is a partnership deal for two years, we see HITS progressing thick and fast and hence when they reached out to us, we decided to move ahead and sign the deal,” a senior Disney official tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The deal has been signed on a cost per subscriber (CPS) model, and the channels are already available for NXT Digital’s subscribers.

  • Buoyed by performance, Siti Cable gets fresh promoter funding of Rs 530 crore

    Buoyed by performance, Siti Cable gets fresh promoter funding of Rs 530 crore

    NEW DELHI: Encouraged by the significant improvement in performance in Q3-FY16 when the company achieved financial turn-around for the first time by reporting Profit Before Tax of Rs 56 crore, the promoters of Siti Cable Network Limited have infused fresh funding amounting to Rs 530 crore.

    This forms the first tranche of the previously announced Rs 680 crore funding.

    As part of this Rs 530 crore capitalisation, Siti Cable board has allotted Rs 8.57 crore equity shares to promoter group entities. With this, the total promoter holdings in Siti Cable has now increased to ~69.8 per cent. 

    In addition, Rs 5.71 crore warrants and Rs 5.1 crore optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCD) were also issued to promoter group companies. This funding was recently approved at the company’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held in Mumbai on 4 February, 2016. These funds will be utilised primarily to reduce debt.

    Siti Cable currently has 12 million subscriber base, out of which 7.8 million are digital customers. Despite deferment of digitisation in various states, during the current quarter, the company has added one million digital customers.

    Speaking about this fresh fund infusion by promoter group entities, Siti Cable executive director and CEO V D Wadhwa said, “Promoter fund infusion of Rs 530 crore re-affirms Siti Cable’s growth story and our commitment to create sustainable value for all stake-holders. Continuous focus on operational excellence has led to Siti Cable achieving a financial turn-around in Q3FY16 for the first time in the history of the company.”

    “During the current unstable economic environment, this is a significant development in the industry wherein other players are looking to further divest their equity in the market, Siti Cable’s promoters have shown greater faith in the business and its growth potential by infusing funds at a premium to the current market price,” he added. 

    “We believe that the Indian television distribution industry is at the cusp of an important phase, where customer needs and demands will guide overall growth. At Siti Cable, we have already been taking huge strides to offer great value to customers and this fresh funding will go a long way in ensuring the same,” Wadhwa concluded.

  • Buoyed by performance, Siti Cable gets fresh promoter funding of Rs 530 crore

    Buoyed by performance, Siti Cable gets fresh promoter funding of Rs 530 crore

    NEW DELHI: Encouraged by the significant improvement in performance in Q3-FY16 when the company achieved financial turn-around for the first time by reporting Profit Before Tax of Rs 56 crore, the promoters of Siti Cable Network Limited have infused fresh funding amounting to Rs 530 crore.

    This forms the first tranche of the previously announced Rs 680 crore funding.

    As part of this Rs 530 crore capitalisation, Siti Cable board has allotted Rs 8.57 crore equity shares to promoter group entities. With this, the total promoter holdings in Siti Cable has now increased to ~69.8 per cent. 

    In addition, Rs 5.71 crore warrants and Rs 5.1 crore optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCD) were also issued to promoter group companies. This funding was recently approved at the company’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held in Mumbai on 4 February, 2016. These funds will be utilised primarily to reduce debt.

    Siti Cable currently has 12 million subscriber base, out of which 7.8 million are digital customers. Despite deferment of digitisation in various states, during the current quarter, the company has added one million digital customers.

    Speaking about this fresh fund infusion by promoter group entities, Siti Cable executive director and CEO V D Wadhwa said, “Promoter fund infusion of Rs 530 crore re-affirms Siti Cable’s growth story and our commitment to create sustainable value for all stake-holders. Continuous focus on operational excellence has led to Siti Cable achieving a financial turn-around in Q3FY16 for the first time in the history of the company.”

    “During the current unstable economic environment, this is a significant development in the industry wherein other players are looking to further divest their equity in the market, Siti Cable’s promoters have shown greater faith in the business and its growth potential by infusing funds at a premium to the current market price,” he added. 

    “We believe that the Indian television distribution industry is at the cusp of an important phase, where customer needs and demands will guide overall growth. At Siti Cable, we have already been taking huge strides to offer great value to customers and this fresh funding will go a long way in ensuring the same,” Wadhwa concluded.