ITV

Category: DTH Services

  • PEMRA announces DTH licence bidders; Indian DTH eviction to continue

    PEMRA announces DTH licence bidders; Indian DTH eviction to continue

    MUMBAI: The countdown has begun. Amidst protests from cable TV operators and even private broadcasters, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) earlier this week announced the shortlist of 12 companies which will be participating in the bidding for the first direct to home service (DTH)  licences auction which is scheduled to take place on
    23 November. The Pakistan government is on a drive to evict Indian channels, DTH services and content from its shores following the border skirmishes between the two countries over the past few months.

    Among the firms which have got into the shortlist include: Lahore-based firms Orient Electronics and Mag Entertainment, Islamabad-based companies Skyflix, Smartimes Communications, Sardar Builders, Smart Sky, Parus Media and Broadcast, Naya Tel, Maestro Media Distribution, Shahzad Sky, and HB DTH and Karachi-based IQ Communications. This was revealed by PEMRA chairman Absar Alam.

    Alam told reporters that the auction of three licences would be held through open competitive bidding.

    Alam appeared unwavering in his intent to completely eliminate all Indian DTH services from Pakistan. The authority has been urging its ministry of defence to take action against residential and housing societies which continue to use Indian DTH services.

    He also emphatically stated that Indian content stands banned in Pakistan, and there was no going back on the decision.

    “A lobby seems to be working for ending the ban on airing of Indian content and dramas on Pakistani channel,” he informed Pakistani media on Monday. “But they will be unsuccessful in their conspiracy,” he said.

    Alam probably was also referring to the petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association’s  (PBA’s) petition filed in Pakistani courts against the ban. Around a dozen broadcasters took PEMRA to court late last month for issuing an order banning Indian content completely from Pakistan’s general entertainment channels.

    Also read:

    Pakistan Broadcasters Association to oppose PEMRA Indian content ban

     

  • PEMRA announces DTH licence bidders; Indian DTH eviction to continue

    PEMRA announces DTH licence bidders; Indian DTH eviction to continue

    MUMBAI: The countdown has begun. Amidst protests from cable TV operators and even private broadcasters, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) earlier this week announced the shortlist of 12 companies which will be participating in the bidding for the first direct to home service (DTH)  licences auction which is scheduled to take place on
    23 November. The Pakistan government is on a drive to evict Indian channels, DTH services and content from its shores following the border skirmishes between the two countries over the past few months.

    Among the firms which have got into the shortlist include: Lahore-based firms Orient Electronics and Mag Entertainment, Islamabad-based companies Skyflix, Smartimes Communications, Sardar Builders, Smart Sky, Parus Media and Broadcast, Naya Tel, Maestro Media Distribution, Shahzad Sky, and HB DTH and Karachi-based IQ Communications. This was revealed by PEMRA chairman Absar Alam.

    Alam told reporters that the auction of three licences would be held through open competitive bidding.

    Alam appeared unwavering in his intent to completely eliminate all Indian DTH services from Pakistan. The authority has been urging its ministry of defence to take action against residential and housing societies which continue to use Indian DTH services.

    He also emphatically stated that Indian content stands banned in Pakistan, and there was no going back on the decision.

    “A lobby seems to be working for ending the ban on airing of Indian content and dramas on Pakistani channel,” he informed Pakistani media on Monday. “But they will be unsuccessful in their conspiracy,” he said.

    Alam probably was also referring to the petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association’s  (PBA’s) petition filed in Pakistani courts against the ban. Around a dozen broadcasters took PEMRA to court late last month for issuing an order banning Indian content completely from Pakistan’s general entertainment channels.

    Also read:

    Pakistan Broadcasters Association to oppose PEMRA Indian content ban

     

  • Cancel DTH licence auction, cable operators urge PEMRA

    Cancel DTH licence auction, cable operators urge PEMRA

    MUMBAI: Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) has been urged to cancel the auction of Direct-to-Home (DTH) licence and postpone launch of the services for three years. PEMRA was scheduled to auction DTH license on 23 November, adding that this decision would affect several thousand cable operators across Pakistan.

    Peshawar chapter cable operators of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan have urged Pemra to cancel the auction and postpone the launch.

    The Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (COAP) Peshawar chapter also sought take strict action against those providing non-permitted services of operating Indian TV and C-Line across Peshawar. They also sought removal of Indian television channels from all broadcast sources.

    Around 14,000 operators having legal cable license were operating cable system across the country, of which 200 had been operating in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In Peshawar alone, around 45 operators are delivering cable services.

    Cable Operators Federation of Pakistan coordinator Ali Raza Khan said that they would raise their voice at every forum and would stage protests. Khan said that PEMRA was soon scheduled to auction DTH license.

    Khan told journalists at a conference that the cable operators had put in billions in the digital system on the orders of PEMRA but neither the DTH nor the digital policy was clear to the operators since 2000.

    Cable TV in Pakistan was earlier operated on the analogue system but later switched to digital cable system for which operators invested huge sums. Khan complained against authorities who were planning to launch DTH system.

    PEMRA, Khan said, had received billions as taxes from the operators,. COAP expected that the authorities, instead of adopting dual policy, formulate separate policies for DTH and the digital system. The coordinator added that the sale of C-Line and Dish TV had already multiplied in Pakistan.

    Khan urged the Chief of Army Staff to launch an operation against the illicit sale of C-line and Dish TV, bemoaning that they had met Pemra authorities to seek a solution to the issue, but it did not yield results.

  • Cancel DTH licence auction, cable operators urge PEMRA

    Cancel DTH licence auction, cable operators urge PEMRA

    MUMBAI: Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) has been urged to cancel the auction of Direct-to-Home (DTH) licence and postpone launch of the services for three years. PEMRA was scheduled to auction DTH license on 23 November, adding that this decision would affect several thousand cable operators across Pakistan.

    Peshawar chapter cable operators of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan have urged Pemra to cancel the auction and postpone the launch.

    The Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (COAP) Peshawar chapter also sought take strict action against those providing non-permitted services of operating Indian TV and C-Line across Peshawar. They also sought removal of Indian television channels from all broadcast sources.

    Around 14,000 operators having legal cable license were operating cable system across the country, of which 200 had been operating in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In Peshawar alone, around 45 operators are delivering cable services.

    Cable Operators Federation of Pakistan coordinator Ali Raza Khan said that they would raise their voice at every forum and would stage protests. Khan said that PEMRA was soon scheduled to auction DTH license.

    Khan told journalists at a conference that the cable operators had put in billions in the digital system on the orders of PEMRA but neither the DTH nor the digital policy was clear to the operators since 2000.

    Cable TV in Pakistan was earlier operated on the analogue system but later switched to digital cable system for which operators invested huge sums. Khan complained against authorities who were planning to launch DTH system.

    PEMRA, Khan said, had received billions as taxes from the operators,. COAP expected that the authorities, instead of adopting dual policy, formulate separate policies for DTH and the digital system. The coordinator added that the sale of C-Line and Dish TV had already multiplied in Pakistan.

    Khan urged the Chief of Army Staff to launch an operation against the illicit sale of C-line and Dish TV, bemoaning that they had met Pemra authorities to seek a solution to the issue, but it did not yield results.

  • ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    MACAU: Leading satellite operator ABS has announced today that it will partner with PT Sarana Media Vision (SMV), using SMV’s DTH license to launch a consumer FreeView satellite service – FreeViewSat – across Indonesia in January 2017. The service will be called SMV FreeViewSat and will initially broadcast over 60 television channels via the ABS-2, ABS-2A and ABS-6 satellites in both Ku and C-band.

    For the first time in Indonesia, a free-to-view platform will be available throughout the entire country, allowing advertisers the opportunity to reach the full potential of the Indonesian audience.

    The FreeViewSat model will promote maximum distribution and the cost of the STB & dish will be less than US$35. Customers will only need to make this one-time purchase to enjoy all the TV channels on the platform (with no monthly recurring subscription fees).

    Tom Choi, CEO of ABS commented that “SMV’s FreeViewSat will be very attractive for Indonesia by providing great quality international and unique domestic programming to the entire country. The goal is to deliver high quality entertainment and educational content affordably to all – For the first time, everybody, not only the affluent or those in the urban areas, will be able to receive high quality programming for free, with just a one-time purchase of a set-top box and dish. FreeViewSat will also give advertisers the first real opportunity to reach the whole population of Indonesia, even in rural areas. ABS is delighted to be partnering and supporting this highly worthwhile venture.’’

    At launch in January, FreeViewSat will carry at least 30 local Free-to-Air channels and more than 30 high quality international channels. The number of channels will continue to grow to over 100 channels in the first 6 to 12 months as new and interesting content is added.

    FreeViewSat will be available via 75cm Ku band dishes from 75E on ABS-2 and ABS-2A, and via 1.6m C-band antennas from 156E on ABS-6 simultaneously, so that consumers have the choice of small dishes, or larger ones with better rain protection. Since Indonesia already has over 10 million C-band antennas installed, the adoption rate is expected to be rapid.

    ABS has selected the ABV conditional access and middleware system, along with Ali chips for its Set-Top Boxes.

    Confirmed channels for launch include:

    TV9 Nusantara, TVRI Nasional, DAAI TV, TV One, ANTV, Metro TV, Trans 7, Trans TV, SCTV, Indosair, Kompas TV, Net TV, Bali TV H2, Bloomberg TV, France 24, Fix & Foxi, Action Hollywood Movies, Pulse TV, Al Jazeera English, CCTV-News, CCTV-4, CCTV-9, Russia Today, MediaCorp Channel, Landscape HD, TRACE Urban and TRACE Sport Stars, B4U Music, B4U Movies, NDTV 24/7 and NDTV Good Times, and many more

  • ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    MACAU: Leading satellite operator ABS has announced today that it will partner with PT Sarana Media Vision (SMV), using SMV’s DTH license to launch a consumer FreeView satellite service – FreeViewSat – across Indonesia in January 2017. The service will be called SMV FreeViewSat and will initially broadcast over 60 television channels via the ABS-2, ABS-2A and ABS-6 satellites in both Ku and C-band.

    For the first time in Indonesia, a free-to-view platform will be available throughout the entire country, allowing advertisers the opportunity to reach the full potential of the Indonesian audience.

    The FreeViewSat model will promote maximum distribution and the cost of the STB & dish will be less than US$35. Customers will only need to make this one-time purchase to enjoy all the TV channels on the platform (with no monthly recurring subscription fees).

    Tom Choi, CEO of ABS commented that “SMV’s FreeViewSat will be very attractive for Indonesia by providing great quality international and unique domestic programming to the entire country. The goal is to deliver high quality entertainment and educational content affordably to all – For the first time, everybody, not only the affluent or those in the urban areas, will be able to receive high quality programming for free, with just a one-time purchase of a set-top box and dish. FreeViewSat will also give advertisers the first real opportunity to reach the whole population of Indonesia, even in rural areas. ABS is delighted to be partnering and supporting this highly worthwhile venture.’’

    At launch in January, FreeViewSat will carry at least 30 local Free-to-Air channels and more than 30 high quality international channels. The number of channels will continue to grow to over 100 channels in the first 6 to 12 months as new and interesting content is added.

    FreeViewSat will be available via 75cm Ku band dishes from 75E on ABS-2 and ABS-2A, and via 1.6m C-band antennas from 156E on ABS-6 simultaneously, so that consumers have the choice of small dishes, or larger ones with better rain protection. Since Indonesia already has over 10 million C-band antennas installed, the adoption rate is expected to be rapid.

    ABS has selected the ABV conditional access and middleware system, along with Ali chips for its Set-Top Boxes.

    Confirmed channels for launch include:

    TV9 Nusantara, TVRI Nasional, DAAI TV, TV One, ANTV, Metro TV, Trans 7, Trans TV, SCTV, Indosair, Kompas TV, Net TV, Bali TV H2, Bloomberg TV, France 24, Fix & Foxi, Action Hollywood Movies, Pulse TV, Al Jazeera English, CCTV-News, CCTV-4, CCTV-9, Russia Today, MediaCorp Channel, Landscape HD, TRACE Urban and TRACE Sport Stars, B4U Music, B4U Movies, NDTV 24/7 and NDTV Good Times, and many more

  • Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    BENGALURU: Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited’s Digital TV Services segment (DTH segment) reported 21.9 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating revenues for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). Also, Operating Profit (Earnings Before interest and Tax – EBIT) of the DTH segment in the current quarter more than quadrupled (by 4.11 times) y-o-y.

    Airtel DTH reported revenues of Rs 854.5 crore in Q2-17 and Rs 706.8 crore in Q2-16. EBIT for the corresponding periods was Rs 69.9 crore (8.2 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) and Rs 1.7 crore (2.4 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) respectively.

    However, quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) the segment reported 42.7 percent drop in EBIT for the current quarter as compared to Rs 121.9 crore (14.6 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) in the immediate trailing quarter. Revenue in Q2-17 was 2.1 percent higher q-o-q than Rs 836.9 crore in Q1-17.

    Subscription numbers, ARPU

    Airtel’s DTH segment added 18.29 lakh subscribers between Q2-16 and Q2-17, or a 17.3 percent y-o-y increase. The company says that this is the highest growth in percentage terms over seventeen quarters. It had 124.05 lakh subscribers as on 30 September 2016. Q-o-q, the segment witnessed a 2.1 percent growth (2.56 lakh adds) in subscribers from 121.49 lakh in Q1-17.

    ARPU in Q2-17 increased to Rs 232 from Rs 224 in the corresponding year ago quarter, but declined marginally (by Re 1) from Rs 233 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Airtel numbers

    Bharti Airtel Limited saw a 3.4 percent increase in operating revenue to Rs 24,651.5 crore in Q2-17 as compared to Rs 23,835.7 crore in Q2-16, but witnessed a 3.5 percent q-o-q decline from Rs 25,546.5 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter declined 4.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,460.7 crore (5.9 percent margin) from Rs 1,536.1 crore (6.4 percent margin) and was almost flat (0.1 percent decline) q-o-q as compared to Rs 1,462 crore (5.7 percent margin).

    The JIO effect – Company speak.

    In a statement, Airtel MD and CEO, India & South Asia, Gopal Vittal said, “Our strong focus on enhancing customer experience and building a robust network has resulted in continued acceleration of revenue market share. Overall revenue momentum in India has been sustained during Q2 with a growth of 10.1 percent y-o-y. This is primarily due to the strong performance of our non-mobile businesses which grew in aggregate at 18.8 percent y-o-y, albeit our mobile business has experienced a slowdown in growths due to free services being offered by a new operator. But, we remain excited about the long term opportunity in India and believe that with the recently acquired spectrum, we are well positioned to lead India’s data revolution”.

     

  • Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    BENGALURU: Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited’s Digital TV Services segment (DTH segment) reported 21.9 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating revenues for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). Also, Operating Profit (Earnings Before interest and Tax – EBIT) of the DTH segment in the current quarter more than quadrupled (by 4.11 times) y-o-y.

    Airtel DTH reported revenues of Rs 854.5 crore in Q2-17 and Rs 706.8 crore in Q2-16. EBIT for the corresponding periods was Rs 69.9 crore (8.2 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) and Rs 1.7 crore (2.4 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) respectively.

    However, quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) the segment reported 42.7 percent drop in EBIT for the current quarter as compared to Rs 121.9 crore (14.6 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) in the immediate trailing quarter. Revenue in Q2-17 was 2.1 percent higher q-o-q than Rs 836.9 crore in Q1-17.

    Subscription numbers, ARPU

    Airtel’s DTH segment added 18.29 lakh subscribers between Q2-16 and Q2-17, or a 17.3 percent y-o-y increase. The company says that this is the highest growth in percentage terms over seventeen quarters. It had 124.05 lakh subscribers as on 30 September 2016. Q-o-q, the segment witnessed a 2.1 percent growth (2.56 lakh adds) in subscribers from 121.49 lakh in Q1-17.

    ARPU in Q2-17 increased to Rs 232 from Rs 224 in the corresponding year ago quarter, but declined marginally (by Re 1) from Rs 233 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Airtel numbers

    Bharti Airtel Limited saw a 3.4 percent increase in operating revenue to Rs 24,651.5 crore in Q2-17 as compared to Rs 23,835.7 crore in Q2-16, but witnessed a 3.5 percent q-o-q decline from Rs 25,546.5 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter declined 4.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,460.7 crore (5.9 percent margin) from Rs 1,536.1 crore (6.4 percent margin) and was almost flat (0.1 percent decline) q-o-q as compared to Rs 1,462 crore (5.7 percent margin).

    The JIO effect – Company speak.

    In a statement, Airtel MD and CEO, India & South Asia, Gopal Vittal said, “Our strong focus on enhancing customer experience and building a robust network has resulted in continued acceleration of revenue market share. Overall revenue momentum in India has been sustained during Q2 with a growth of 10.1 percent y-o-y. This is primarily due to the strong performance of our non-mobile businesses which grew in aggregate at 18.8 percent y-o-y, albeit our mobile business has experienced a slowdown in growths due to free services being offered by a new operator. But, we remain excited about the long term opportunity in India and believe that with the recently acquired spectrum, we are well positioned to lead India’s data revolution”.

     

  • DishTV adds 32 educational channels to its bouquet

    DishTV adds 32 educational channels to its bouquet

    MUMBAI: Providing better quality entertainment to its subscribers and offering value for their money is DishTV. The DTH brand has taken its total count to more than 585 channels and services. It has reportedly added 32 new educational channels launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

    The content of the 32 channels is unique in order to provide maximum information through the visual medium. The educational channels are available from channel number 2001 to 2032 on DishTV and Zing.

    DishTV CEO Arun Kumar Kapoor said, “We support the Government’s initiative of driving education through TV sets, and are delighted that these educational channels from the Ministry of Human Resource Development are available to all DishTV subscribers. We feel proud and contented at the same time as we are reaching a new milestone of having more than 585 channels and services on our platform.”

    With the focus on using space technology to expand reach, these channels will offer high quality educational content to all subscribers designed by central universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Punjabi University, IGNOU, Kashmir University and other leading educational institutions.

    The service will also offer telecast of live classroom lectures from top-notch institutions including the prestigious IITs.

  • DishTV adds 32 educational channels to its bouquet

    DishTV adds 32 educational channels to its bouquet

    MUMBAI: Providing better quality entertainment to its subscribers and offering value for their money is DishTV. The DTH brand has taken its total count to more than 585 channels and services. It has reportedly added 32 new educational channels launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

    The content of the 32 channels is unique in order to provide maximum information through the visual medium. The educational channels are available from channel number 2001 to 2032 on DishTV and Zing.

    DishTV CEO Arun Kumar Kapoor said, “We support the Government’s initiative of driving education through TV sets, and are delighted that these educational channels from the Ministry of Human Resource Development are available to all DishTV subscribers. We feel proud and contented at the same time as we are reaching a new milestone of having more than 585 channels and services on our platform.”

    With the focus on using space technology to expand reach, these channels will offer high quality educational content to all subscribers designed by central universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Punjabi University, IGNOU, Kashmir University and other leading educational institutions.

    The service will also offer telecast of live classroom lectures from top-notch institutions including the prestigious IITs.