ITV

Category: DTH Operator

  • DD Free Dish fills up 3 vacant MPEG-2 slots

    DD Free Dish fills up 3 vacant MPEG-2 slots

    MUMBAI: Public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati has allotted vacant slots to three channels on its direct-to-home (DTH) platform DD Free Dish in the 41st e-auction. According to media reports, the pubcaster has garnered Rs 21.69 crore in the latest round of e-auction.

    Hindi GEC Manoranjan Grand, Hindi movie channels Zingaat and Skystar Telugu have been allotted MPEG-2 slots for the period from 16 August 2019 to 29 February 2020. Manoranjan Grand, the new free to air (FTA) Hindi GEC will launch on 15 August while the test signal of the channel is already on.

    The Prasar Bharati board gave a green signal to e-auctioning of DTH slots on DD Free Dish in January. The e-auctioning was arbitrarily called off in October 2017. Earlier, FreeDish would conduct the e-auction every couple of months to award vacant channel slots to private broadcasters. The last e-auction was held in July 2017.

  • Independent TV’s service remains unavailable due to failure of payment to Antrix

    Independent TV’s service remains unavailable due to failure of payment to Antrix

    MUMBAI: The service of troubled DTH operator Independent TV still remains unavailable as it has neither made the required payment nor furnished the bank guarantee to Antrix Corporation for reconnection of signals.

    The DTH operator’s signals were disconnected by Antrix on 12 June due to non-payment of outstanding dues. While Independent TV had filed an application before the tribunal to direct Antrix to resume supply of signals, TDSAT had directed Independent TV to pay up to Rs 12 crore in order to get signals reconnected by Antrix Corporation.

    The DTH operator was directed by TDSAT to pay Rs 5.83 crore along with a bank guarantee of Rs 6 crore or furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 12 crore valid for at least two months for the restoration of transponder service.

    “Since the petitioner has not been able to make the required payments or furnishing the bank guarantee, as indicated in the last order passed on 2.7.2019, the resumption of supply of signals has not happened. Petitioner should make the payments at the earliest,” TDSAT said in its order on Thursday.

    Moreover, the interim renewal of DTH licence to the operator has been suspended by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the present and would be reconsidered only on the basis of retransmission of channels.

  • DD Free Dish exit of top broadcasters can help DTH companies: Dish TV’s Anil Dua

    DD Free Dish exit of top broadcasters can help DTH companies: Dish TV’s Anil Dua

    MUMBAI: All four major broadcasters decided early this year to pull out their free-to-air channels from Prasar Bharati-run direct-to-home (DTH) operator DD Free Dish, the platform which was earlier a great challenge to private DTH players. Dish TV India group CEO Anil Dua stated that the decision has opened up opportunities for other existing players.

    In an earnings call after Dish TV’s quarterly results, Dua answered that customers have been in a wait and watch mode but some of the ‘creamy layer’ has definitely moved to other options. The second segment has also benefited Dish TV.

    “A large number of customers are still hoping that they will have their channels back or other new channels substituting for the ones which have gone. And there are, of course, bare minimum channels in terms of entertainment and movies still available,” Dua added.

    Although many customers are staying put, Dua stated it has opened up opportunities for other players. Dish TV has also capitalised upon this new opportunity during the first quarter of FY 20. However, he also noted that it really depends upon how that platform evolves and how customers react to that going forward.

  • MIB suspends interim renewal of licence of Independent TV

    MIB suspends interim renewal of licence of Independent TV

    MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has temporarily suspended the interim renewal of license of DTH operator Independent TV until it resumes transmission. Indiantelevision.com has learnt from sources close to the development that the renewal would be reconsidered only on the basis of retransmission of channels.

    MIB has also directed the troubled DTH operator in a communication to take immediate steps to settle the grievances faced by consumers within a tight time frame and an external audit as well. It has also restricted the soliciting of new customers until retransmission of channels.

    Independent TV abruptly shut its services more than a month ago creating confusion among consumers. As a result of failure of payment to Antrix Corporation directed by Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), the  DTH operator’s service is still unavailable. 

    The DTH operator’s signals were disconnected by Antrix on 12 June due to non-payment of outstanding dues. While Independent TV had filed an application before the tribunal to direct Antrix to resume supply of signals, TDSAT had directed Independent TV to pay up to Rs 12 crore in order to get signals reconnected.

  • Dish TV management on new tariff order, subscriber addition, content cost

    Dish TV management on new tariff order, subscriber addition, content cost

    MUMBAI: The last quarter of financial year 2018-19 was not very smooth for any player in the cable and broadcast industry due to the implementation of the new tariff order (NTO). India’s largest direct-to-home (DTH) operator also saw few bumps on the way but the entire transition process has now settled down. Dish TV India group CEO Anil Dua noted the positive change and also highlighted that the NTO has created level playing field between cable operators and DTH players.

    After last quarter, Dish TV pointed out that consumers were in a state of transition, trying to understand how to create their new packaging. While the company gave them a lot of options to select packages under new regime, those also led to a certain amount of time taken by the customer to settle down with new choices.

    “Consumers are now watching the packs that they want to watch. It's a combination of à la carte channels that they have chosen, the DPO packs that we have provided and, of course, also the broadcaster bouquets, which are part of those packs. So, the customers are taking a combination of various things to their liking, to their choice, to their price point,” Dua said in an earnings call after Dish TV’s quarterly result.

    The implementation of NTO was followed by speculations and several studies whether consumers are paying more than the pre-NTO era. Dua said there are Dish TV customers, a little less than half, who have gone for a price point lower than what it was earlier and a little more than half have gone for a price point which was higher than earlier. He also mentioned that with cricket and election season and other things during the quarter, consumers also added channels.

    Dish TV India chief financial officer Rajeev Dalmia said the consumer level average revenue per user (ARPU) was around Rs 270-275 in the new regime. According to Dalmia, it varies on a month-on-month basis, because things are still not completely settled at the consumer’s end. He also added that the second half of this year would give an idea what is going to be the run rate as far as the consumer ARPU is concerned.

    “If I remove the effects of cricket, we definitely see it (ARPU) going up. But because of cricket, customers come and go, and they add packages, they remove packages. So, the steady state figure will emerge. This is the first quarter with the new accounting, and first time we are talking of a figure like Rs 116. I think we will have to wait and watch. But fundamentally, the way we have planned things and the way we see things during the first quarter, the underlying growth in ARPU should be there,” Dua commented.

    “As far as licence fee is concerned, now that will be on the basis of Rs 926 crore, rather than the earlier regime where it was including the content cost. So, it will go down to the extent of the content cost. To give you an example, like we paid say Rs 2,000 crore last year, so this year license fee will be less by Rs 200 crore,” Dalmia said.

    There has been a delay by Dish TV in terms of making payments to broadcasters like ZEE and Star. Dalmia blamed certain issues in terms of how the billing would be done and how the incentive would be allocated to the company for the delay. He also added that all the outstanding dues would be cleared by the month of September giving a fresh start from 1 October as the things are more or less settled now.

    EBITDA in the earlier regime was Rs 476 crore which is now Rs 536 crore. But the expenses were higher in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter because of selling commission, service payout, and overall marketing costs as the number of subscribers added were quite high as compared to the fourth quarter.

    “But if I go line-by-line, then we have saved on general administration expenses, we have saved on collection cost, and we have also saved on the personnel cost, because personnel cost used to be Rs 65 crore to Rs 70 crore per quarter, which has gone down to Rs 45 crore. And we further see some Rs 1 crore or Rs 2 crore going forward saving on account of personnel costs. So, overall line-by-line it has gone down. But of course, because the savings and service is linked to the number of new installations, that has gone up in the first quarter,” Dalmia added on expenses.

    Content cost for the first quarter, which was a cricket-heavy one was around Rs 610 crore. On the other hand, the capex was Rs 205 crore for the quarter and for the full year  it will be in range of Rs 650 crore to Rs 675 crore. The company reset the guidance of net subscriber addition for the year which is to the tune of 8 lakh.

  • DishTV India ensures uninterrupted TV services in Jammu & Kashmir by providing “Auto Pay-later” facility for its subscribers

    DishTV India ensures uninterrupted TV services in Jammu & Kashmir by providing “Auto Pay-later” facility for its subscribers

    MUMBAI: In a proactive measure to ensure uninterrupted TV services for its subscribers in the territories of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s biggest DTH service provider – DishTV India Limited is providing “Auto Pay Later” service for both its brands (DishTV and d2h).  

    This is aimed at easing out temporary inconvenience in accessing internet services for online recharges or possible hindrances in reaching out to retail recharge points in Jammu & Kashmir. This move will allow unhindered Dish TV and d2h service for a period of 4 days beyond recharge date so that subscribers may keep themselves abreast & updated on the latest news and other content.

    On this Mr. Jawahar Goel, Chairman & Managing Director, DishTV India said, “TV is an essential service and especially so in times when keeping up with the latest happenings and entertainment is critical. While there might be temporary and necessary restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir, Dish TV India limited will ensure uninterrupted service to our Dish TV and d2h subscribers in J&K. DishTV and d2h connections will not switch off if any subscriber finds it difficult to recharge their account during this period. We have introduced special benefit of Auto Pay Later facility to our patrons which will provide them continuity in entertainment and current affairs in the present scenario.”

  • Airtel Digital TV’s ARPU fell to Rs 157 in Q1 20

    Airtel Digital TV’s ARPU fell to Rs 157 in Q1 20

    MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV’s average revenue per user (ARPU) fell to Rs 157 per month in the first quarter (Q1) of FY 20 from Rs 233 in the last quarter of FY 19. The ARPU for DTH services of Bharti Airtel also saw a 31.6 per cent decline on a year-on-year basis.

    Revenue from Digital TV services stood at Rs 7,389 million while it was Rs 9,924 million in Q1 FY 19. EBITDA for this segment continued to improve and was Rs 5,263 million as compared to Rs 4,010 million in Q1 of FY 19.

    Airtel Digital TV saw net addition of 634K customers in the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel had 16 million customers with a year-on-year 9.4 per cent growth.

    “Subsequent to the new tariff order (NTO), the service providers are responsible only for re-transmission and are not in a position to control content and pricing. Accordingly, the gross revenue is only to the extent of net value retained i.e. customer payments received net of broadcaster’s fee (erstwhile content charges) w.e.f quarter ended 30 June 2019,” the company noted.

  • Dish TV India reports Rs. 8,261 million subscription revenue in the first quarter of FY 20

    Dish TV India reports Rs. 8,261 million subscription revenue in the first quarter of FY 20

    MUMBAI: Dish TV India Limited today reported first quarter fiscal 2020 consolidated unaudited subscription revenues of Rs. 8,261 million and operating revenues of Rs. 9,263 million. EBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs. 5,360 million.

    Owing to the netting off of programming cost from revenues, to better reflect the New Tariff Regime, subscription and operating revenues for the quarter are not comparable with the corresponding period last year.

    The Board of Directors in its meeting held today, has approved and taken on record the unaudited consolidated financial results of Dish TV India Limited and its subsidiaries for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

    A Solid Start to the Fiscal

    With the television and distribution industry finding its feet, the New Regulatory Regime seems to have finally stabilized. For Dish TV, a lackluster January and February 2019 followed by a turnaround in March had paved way for a solid start to fiscal 2020.

    Building on the foundation set by the last month of the previous fiscal, the Company continued to add subscribers through the first quarter. Net additions for the quarter stood at 209 thousand.

    Dish TV India maintained its dominance in the DTH market, with more than half of the net additions being High Definition subscribers. Economical yet more efficient HD boxes launched some time back continue to add value to the HD net adds. The Company bagged the ‘Fastest Growing DTH Brand in HD Category’ tittle for the second year in a row at the 10th BCS Ratna Awards, 2019, held at New Delhi. The annual event aims to recognize the contribution of different players in the Broadcasting and Cable Satellite industry.

    In line with expectations, subscription revenues were strengthened due to an engrossing cricket season.

    Leveraging the Cricket World Cup, the Company launched ‘Predict & Win’ contest for its subscribers. The contest was a huge hit and was one of the many initiatives taken during the quarter to win back and upgrade existing subscribers as well as enable new subscriber additions. All new & existing Dish TV & d2h subscribers were eligible for this contest.

    Dish TV India also launched recharge offers that offered free-to-air movie and entertainment channels that were erstwhile available on DD Free Dish along with channels that showcased the entire Indian cricketing action.

    The general elections too had TV viewership going up significantly which ultimately positively impacted the subscriber additions and revenues.

    “Positive contribution from the Cricket World Cup and elections no doubt strengthened the first quarter performance but due credit should also be given to the team for dexterously working through the challenges thrown by the New Tariff Regime. I am glad to say that the technological challenges experienced during the migration are now a thing of the past. Majority of our subscribers are well settled in their channel combinations and Dish TV India should continue to raise the bar both in terms of service delivery and financial performance in the coming quarters,” Dish TV India CMD Jawahar Goel said.

    Dish TV India also introduced a first-of-its-kind value added service, ‘Ayushmaan Active’, to offer unique and engaging content to senior citizens on both brands; Dish TV and d2h. This is the first ever service dedicated to engage senior citizens with meaningful TV time and enables them to choose amongst nostalgic music, evergreen classic movies and knowledge on healthy living and wellness. The service is available at Rs. 40 per month and is expected to increase brand loyalty in large and joint family settings which constitute a significant percentage of the Indian family system.

    The Company achieved an EBITDA margin of 57.9% under the New Tariff Regime.

    Beginning of a New Era

    Fiscal 2020 is going to be the first full year of the Tariff Order implementation and should witness its positive impact as well. Dish TV India strongly believes that the New Regulatory Regime will enable large distribution players like itself to emerge stronger than ever before.

    Speaking on that, Mr. Anil Dua, Group CEO, Dish TV India Limited, said, “The Tariff Order has led to the beginning of a new era with programming cost becoming a pass-through expense. Apart from the accounting significance, the move indicates a massive shift from the traditional way of content negotiation. With the New Regime emphasizing the role of ala-carte, content would be subject to subscriber’s filtration. As a distributor, we would only be procuring content that sells while adding value through our packaging, quality of our service and new products.”

    Unlike fiscal 2019 that saw the television industry struggle with challenges at the regulatory front, the current year is expected to be much more settled. The steep learning curve has ultimately brought players on a common ground which should be beneficial for the overall growth and expansion of all.

    “A lot of hard work has been put in by all players, be it broadcasters, MSOs, LCOs or DTH platforms, to prepare for the New Regulatory Regime. The TRAI also went all out to ensure a smooth implementation of the Regulation and in the process has acquired significant data insight that should be leveraged to ensure better pricing and higher consumption of channels going forward.” said, Mr. Goel.

    Macro Outlook and the Year Ahead

    Government’s thrust on social spending and upliftment should improve consumer sentiment thus benefitting consumer sector companies like Dish TV India Limited.

    At the same time, primary drivers of DTH like the ever increasing TV & multi-TV households and increasing urbanization should continuously fuel sustainable growth in the DTH space.

    Moreover, potential tie-ups and innovations in the category should reinforce DTH progression going forward.

    “Having jump-started the year, we find ourselves all set to leverage the possibility of multiple growth opportunities ahead. In the near term, operating efficiencies resulting from further realization of synergies due to the combination of Dish TV and d2h should continue to positively contribute to the business and financial performance of the Company,” said, Mr. Dua.

    Watcho, the in-house OTT app of Dish TV India should continue to strengthen its presence in the OTT space thus becoming an effective retention and value addition tool.

    The partnership between Watcho & ‘Kaltura’- a leading video technology provider, will enable seamless multiscreen presence for the app while enabling continuous learning on the content consumption habits of subscribers.

    Condensed Quarterly Statement of Operations

    The table below shows the condensed consolidated statement of operations for Dish TV India Limited for the first quarter ended June 30, 2019 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2018:

    Expenditure

    Dish TV’s primary expense includes cost of goods and services, personnel cost and other expenses. The table below shows each as a percentage of operating revenues:

  • Independent TV to resume DTH service on 15 August in ITV 2.0 avatar

    Independent TV to resume DTH service on 15 August in ITV 2.0 avatar

    MUMBAI: DTH operator Independent TV, whose signals were disconnected last month because of financial issues with Antrix, will be resuming services once again from the month of August. It will be re-launched as ITV 2.0 for channel partners from the first week of the coming month and the signals will be restored for customers from 15 August.

    As addressed by Independent TV director and CEO Vivek Prakash in a letter, the service provider is making a comeback with a well-defined plan being led by its SSD. It includes training of ZD and SSD engineers to replace and repair STBs.

    The STBs, which were returned to the sellers or are in stock with SSDs will be repaired and used to replace the ones at the customers’ house. The SSDs have been directed to complete this process by 31 October 2019.

    It will further start selling new connections from the month of September.

    The announcement comes a few days after TRAI questioned Independent TV over pending funds of consumers and directed it to ensure the compliance of various provisions of the new regulatory framework.

    Independent TV had faced disconnection of its signals post a tussle with its service provider, Antrix Corporation, over non-payment of dues. While Antrix has encashed the bank guarantees worth Rs 15 crore under the matter, TDSAT had further directed Independent TV to either pay cash of Rs 5.83 crore with Rs 6 crore worth of bank guarantees to Antrix or furnish Rs 12 crore worth of bank guarantees to the service provider to resume the connection.

  • Independent TV to re-launch as ITV 2.0 in August

    Independent TV to re-launch as ITV 2.0 in August

    MUMBAI: DTH operator Independent TV, whose signals were disconnected last month because of financial issues with Antrix, will be resuming services once again from the month of August. It will be re-launched as ITV 2.0 for channel partners from the first week of the coming month and the signals will be restored for customers from 15 August.

    As addressed by Independent TV director and CEO Vivek Prakash in a letter, the service provider is making a comeback with a well-defined plan being led by its SSD. It includes training of ZD and SSD engineers to replace and repair STBs.

    The STBs, which were returned to the sellers or are in stock with SSDs will be repaired and used to replace the ones at the customers’ house. The SSDs have been directed to complete this process by 31 October 2019.

    It will further start selling new connections from the month of September.

    The announcement comes a few days after TRAI questioned Independent TV over pending funds of consumers and directed it to ensure the compliance of various provisions of the new regulatory framework.

    Independent TV had faced disconnection of its signals post a tussle with its service provider, Antrix Corporation, over non-payment of dues. While Antrix has encashed the bank guarantees worth Rs 15 crore under the matter, TDSAT had further directed Independent TV to either pay cash of Rs 5.83 crore with Rs 6 crore worth of bank guarantees to Antrix or furnish Rs 12 crore worth of bank guarantees to the service provider to resume the connection.