ITV

Category: DTH Services

  • Ericsson catalyses Tata Sky HD channels to reach 50 by ’16-end

    Ericsson catalyses Tata Sky HD channels to reach 50 by ’16-end

    MUMBAI: Tata Sky has chosen Ericsson AVP 4000 compression platform to deploy 200 new channels Ericsson’s innovative encoding technology delivers enhanced picture quality, lower transmission delay and bandwidth efficiency. This deployment extends Ericsson and Tata Sky collaboration, which first began in 2004.

    The Ericsson AVP 4000 is powered by the company’s first video processing chip, designed to deliver outstanding picture quality at HD and SD, in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC and offers a strong roadmap for operators who wish to extend their service offerings to 4K and high dynamic range (HDR) technologies.

    Ericsson’s AVP 4000 compression platform has been selected by Tata Sky, one of India’s leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) service-provider. The solution addresses the operator’s requirement for an encoding platform that meets the complex video processing demands associated with HD content.

    The platform will transform Tata’s service offering and enable the delivery of 200 additional channels (150 standard definition and 50 HD) by the end of 2016. Part of the award winning Ericsson AVP encoding range, the Ericsson AVP 4000 compression platform offers superior quality system encoding for IPTV, cable, satellite and broadcast. It delivers greater reliability and flexibility with lower transmission delay to ensure media organizations use bandwidth more efficiently and ensure consumers receive a high quality viewing experience.

    Tata Sky chief technology officer Yigs Riza, says: “As a long-term strategic partner of Tata Sky, Ericsson has continuously delivered significant bandwidth efficiencies year-over-year and its expertise will enable us to develop and deliver 50 new HD channels which respond to today’s growing market expectations. Ericsson’s AVP 4000 compression platform will not only significantly extend our channel offering, but also deliver the high quality, reliability and operational flexibility that our subscribers expect.”

    Ericsson head of technology, TV & media, Giles Wilson, says: Ericsson is focused on providing its customers with the necessary technologies, innovations and services to help them do this. This latest project with Tata Sky reflects our continued commitment to offering market leading services that help our customers to achieve success through the delivery of more high quality content experiences to wider audiences.”

    Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services. Its services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

    Listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York, Ericsson supports networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty per cent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks.

  • Ericsson catalyses Tata Sky HD channels to reach 50 by ’16-end

    Ericsson catalyses Tata Sky HD channels to reach 50 by ’16-end

    MUMBAI: Tata Sky has chosen Ericsson AVP 4000 compression platform to deploy 200 new channels Ericsson’s innovative encoding technology delivers enhanced picture quality, lower transmission delay and bandwidth efficiency. This deployment extends Ericsson and Tata Sky collaboration, which first began in 2004.

    The Ericsson AVP 4000 is powered by the company’s first video processing chip, designed to deliver outstanding picture quality at HD and SD, in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC and offers a strong roadmap for operators who wish to extend their service offerings to 4K and high dynamic range (HDR) technologies.

    Ericsson’s AVP 4000 compression platform has been selected by Tata Sky, one of India’s leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) service-provider. The solution addresses the operator’s requirement for an encoding platform that meets the complex video processing demands associated with HD content.

    The platform will transform Tata’s service offering and enable the delivery of 200 additional channels (150 standard definition and 50 HD) by the end of 2016. Part of the award winning Ericsson AVP encoding range, the Ericsson AVP 4000 compression platform offers superior quality system encoding for IPTV, cable, satellite and broadcast. It delivers greater reliability and flexibility with lower transmission delay to ensure media organizations use bandwidth more efficiently and ensure consumers receive a high quality viewing experience.

    Tata Sky chief technology officer Yigs Riza, says: “As a long-term strategic partner of Tata Sky, Ericsson has continuously delivered significant bandwidth efficiencies year-over-year and its expertise will enable us to develop and deliver 50 new HD channels which respond to today’s growing market expectations. Ericsson’s AVP 4000 compression platform will not only significantly extend our channel offering, but also deliver the high quality, reliability and operational flexibility that our subscribers expect.”

    Ericsson head of technology, TV & media, Giles Wilson, says: Ericsson is focused on providing its customers with the necessary technologies, innovations and services to help them do this. This latest project with Tata Sky reflects our continued commitment to offering market leading services that help our customers to achieve success through the delivery of more high quality content experiences to wider audiences.”

    Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services. Its services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

    Listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York, Ericsson supports networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty per cent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks.

  • FY-16: Videocon d2h adds 16.8 lakh subs, Op Profit up 32.5 percent

    FY-16: Videocon d2h adds 16.8 lakh subs, Op Profit up 32.5 percent

    BENGALURU: Videocon d2h Limited (Videocon d2h) led by executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot reported 16.8 lakh net subscriber additions during the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). The company reported a subscriber base of 118.6 lakh at the end of the current year as compared to 101.8 at the end of the previous fiscal (FY-15), hence a growth of 16.5 percent in FY-16 as compared to FY-15. Gross subscribers increased by 26.5 lakh in FY-16. Incremental subscriber churn in the current year reduced by 7 basis points to 0.73 percent as compared to 0.80 percent in FY-16.The company claims to have added the largest number of subscribers amongst its peers in India for the sixth year in a row in FY-16.

    Videocon d2h reported simple EBIDTA (Operating Profit, Earnings before Interest-Depreciation-Tax-Amortisation) of Rs 789.52 crore (EBIDTA margin of 27.6 percent) for FY-16 which was 32.5 percent more than the Rs 595.64 crore (25.5 percent EBIDTA margin) in FY-16.

    Revenue in the current year increased 22.2 percent to Rs 2,855.86 crore from Rs 2,337.71 crore in the previous year. Subscription and Activation revenue in FY-16 grew 26.4 percent to Rs 2,607 crore compared to Rs 2,063 crore in FY-15.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Average Revenue per User (ARPU) in FY-16 increased by Rs 11 from Rs 196 in the previous year to Rs 207 in FY-16.

    The DTH major reported a lower loss in FY-16 at Rs 92.21 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 272.66 crore in FY-15.

    Total Expenditure (TE) in FY-16 increased 17.8 percent to Rs 2,675.19 crore (93.7 percent of revenue) from Rs 2,270.75 crore (97.1 percent of revenue) in FY-15.

    Videocon d2h reported higher content costs for FY-16, which increased to 37.8 percent of revenue as compare to 36.2 percent of revenue in the previous year.

    Fourth Quarter of 2016 numbers

    The fourth quarter – quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter), has been a great quarter for the company in terms of financial and operational performance.

    For Q4-16 Videocon d2h added 5.9 lakh net subscribers. The company reported 5.2 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) growth in subscribers for Q4-16 at 118.6 lakh as compared to 112.7 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter Q3-16. Gross subscribers increased by 7.9 lakh in Q4-16. Incremental subscriber churn in Q4-16 increased 16 basis points to 0.58 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) from 0.42 percent but declined 15 basis points q-o-q from 0.73 percent.

    Simple EBIDTA in the current quarter increased 33.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 216.20 crore (28 percent EBIDTA margin) from Rs 161.71 crore (25.9 percent margin) and increased 9.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 197.71 crore.

    Subscription and activation revenue in the current quarter grew 20.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 706 crore and grew 6.2 percent q-o-q from Rs 665 crore. SAC in the form of hardware subsidies at Rs 1,776 per subscriber during Q4-16 was higher than the Rs 1,726 in the immediate trailing quarter. SAC in FY-15 averaged Rs 1,984

    ARPU in the current quarter increased by Rs 12 y-o-y from Rs 202 in the corresponding year ago quarter to Rs 214 in Q4-16. ARPU in Q4-16 increased q-o-q by Rs 3 from Rs 211 in Q3-16.

    Videocon d2h reported lower y-o-y and q-o-q loss in Q4-16. Loss in the current quarter declined to Rs 21.18 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 75.74 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and a loss of Rs 22.05 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    TE in Q4-16 increased 19.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 721.77 crore (93.6 percent of revenue) from Rs 605.55 crore (96.7 percent of revenue) and increased 5.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 684.58 crore (93.6 percent of revenue)

    Content cost in Q4-16 was lower in terms of percentage of revenue at 37.5 percent as compared to 38.4 percent in Q4-15 and 38.5 in Q3-16.

    Company speak

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Dhoot said, “Fiscal 2016 has been a landmark year for Videocon d2h, as it was the first fiscal year after our NASDAQ listing, and it has been a great journey. I am delighted to share that our strong net subscriber additions, rising revenue realization and operating leverage benefit resulted in 31.5 percent Adjusted EBITDA growth for fiscal 2016, in spite of increases in service tax rates and the implementation of a new ‘clean India initiative’ tax during the year.”

    “During the year, we accomplished numerous technological advancements, such as the development of HD Smart Connect Set Top Box, our new connected set-top box which allows customers to view normal DTH services as well as internet and over-the-top content and applications. This development demonstrates our expertise and innovation in creation, delivery and execution of technologically advanced products,” revealed Dhoot.

    Speaking on the business outlook for the DTH sector, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said “There have been a series of industry developments in fiscal 2016, which we believe will provide for growth opportunities in the DTH sector in India. The implementation of Phase III digitization of the Digital Addressable Cable TV System program of the government of India that began in January 2016 was an example of such a development. It led to a surge in new subscriber additions for various distribution platforms. While the momentum slowed down as many state high courts issued a temporary stay order against digitization, we are still seeing higher subscriber additions from Phase III markets as compared to previous years.”

    “In addition, the deadline for Phase IV digitization is December 31, 2016, which we believe covers approximately 80 million (8 crore) television homes,” added Khera.

  • FY-16: Videocon d2h adds 16.8 lakh subs, Op Profit up 32.5 percent

    FY-16: Videocon d2h adds 16.8 lakh subs, Op Profit up 32.5 percent

    BENGALURU: Videocon d2h Limited (Videocon d2h) led by executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot reported 16.8 lakh net subscriber additions during the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). The company reported a subscriber base of 118.6 lakh at the end of the current year as compared to 101.8 at the end of the previous fiscal (FY-15), hence a growth of 16.5 percent in FY-16 as compared to FY-15. Gross subscribers increased by 26.5 lakh in FY-16. Incremental subscriber churn in the current year reduced by 7 basis points to 0.73 percent as compared to 0.80 percent in FY-16.The company claims to have added the largest number of subscribers amongst its peers in India for the sixth year in a row in FY-16.

    Videocon d2h reported simple EBIDTA (Operating Profit, Earnings before Interest-Depreciation-Tax-Amortisation) of Rs 789.52 crore (EBIDTA margin of 27.6 percent) for FY-16 which was 32.5 percent more than the Rs 595.64 crore (25.5 percent EBIDTA margin) in FY-16.

    Revenue in the current year increased 22.2 percent to Rs 2,855.86 crore from Rs 2,337.71 crore in the previous year. Subscription and Activation revenue in FY-16 grew 26.4 percent to Rs 2,607 crore compared to Rs 2,063 crore in FY-15.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Average Revenue per User (ARPU) in FY-16 increased by Rs 11 from Rs 196 in the previous year to Rs 207 in FY-16.

    The DTH major reported a lower loss in FY-16 at Rs 92.21 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 272.66 crore in FY-15.

    Total Expenditure (TE) in FY-16 increased 17.8 percent to Rs 2,675.19 crore (93.7 percent of revenue) from Rs 2,270.75 crore (97.1 percent of revenue) in FY-15.

    Videocon d2h reported higher content costs for FY-16, which increased to 37.8 percent of revenue as compare to 36.2 percent of revenue in the previous year.

    Fourth Quarter of 2016 numbers

    The fourth quarter – quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter), has been a great quarter for the company in terms of financial and operational performance.

    For Q4-16 Videocon d2h added 5.9 lakh net subscribers. The company reported 5.2 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) growth in subscribers for Q4-16 at 118.6 lakh as compared to 112.7 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter Q3-16. Gross subscribers increased by 7.9 lakh in Q4-16. Incremental subscriber churn in Q4-16 increased 16 basis points to 0.58 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) from 0.42 percent but declined 15 basis points q-o-q from 0.73 percent.

    Simple EBIDTA in the current quarter increased 33.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 216.20 crore (28 percent EBIDTA margin) from Rs 161.71 crore (25.9 percent margin) and increased 9.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 197.71 crore.

    Subscription and activation revenue in the current quarter grew 20.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 706 crore and grew 6.2 percent q-o-q from Rs 665 crore. SAC in the form of hardware subsidies at Rs 1,776 per subscriber during Q4-16 was higher than the Rs 1,726 in the immediate trailing quarter. SAC in FY-15 averaged Rs 1,984

    ARPU in the current quarter increased by Rs 12 y-o-y from Rs 202 in the corresponding year ago quarter to Rs 214 in Q4-16. ARPU in Q4-16 increased q-o-q by Rs 3 from Rs 211 in Q3-16.

    Videocon d2h reported lower y-o-y and q-o-q loss in Q4-16. Loss in the current quarter declined to Rs 21.18 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 75.74 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and a loss of Rs 22.05 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    TE in Q4-16 increased 19.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 721.77 crore (93.6 percent of revenue) from Rs 605.55 crore (96.7 percent of revenue) and increased 5.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 684.58 crore (93.6 percent of revenue)

    Content cost in Q4-16 was lower in terms of percentage of revenue at 37.5 percent as compared to 38.4 percent in Q4-15 and 38.5 in Q3-16.

    Company speak

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Dhoot said, “Fiscal 2016 has been a landmark year for Videocon d2h, as it was the first fiscal year after our NASDAQ listing, and it has been a great journey. I am delighted to share that our strong net subscriber additions, rising revenue realization and operating leverage benefit resulted in 31.5 percent Adjusted EBITDA growth for fiscal 2016, in spite of increases in service tax rates and the implementation of a new ‘clean India initiative’ tax during the year.”

    “During the year, we accomplished numerous technological advancements, such as the development of HD Smart Connect Set Top Box, our new connected set-top box which allows customers to view normal DTH services as well as internet and over-the-top content and applications. This development demonstrates our expertise and innovation in creation, delivery and execution of technologically advanced products,” revealed Dhoot.

    Speaking on the business outlook for the DTH sector, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said “There have been a series of industry developments in fiscal 2016, which we believe will provide for growth opportunities in the DTH sector in India. The implementation of Phase III digitization of the Digital Addressable Cable TV System program of the government of India that began in January 2016 was an example of such a development. It led to a surge in new subscriber additions for various distribution platforms. While the momentum slowed down as many state high courts issued a temporary stay order against digitization, we are still seeing higher subscriber additions from Phase III markets as compared to previous years.”

    “In addition, the deadline for Phase IV digitization is December 31, 2016, which we believe covers approximately 80 million (8 crore) television homes,” added Khera.

  • Tata Group’s Cyrus Mistry plans Rs 2,000 crore IPO for Tata Sky

    Tata Group’s Cyrus Mistry plans Rs 2,000 crore IPO for Tata Sky

    MUMBAI: In 2012 Tata Group chairman Cyrus Pallonji Mistry is believed to be offering Rs 2,000 crore for the Tata Sky’s amount of issue, according to a report.

    Mistry had had initiated the process to sell part of Tata Sky in his first initial public offering (IPO) move after becoming the group chairman and a recent report by Times of India says Tata Sky will also be the 30th publicly listed company from the Tata Group which currently has a combined market cap of nearly Rs 7.2 lakh crore.

    Early next week, the company’s investors, management, underwriters and counsel will hold the kickoff meeting to thrash out the red herring prospectus, Times of India reported.

    To take matters forward, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Kotak Mahindra Capital will manage the DTH provider’s offering in which Tata Sons owns 51per cent, media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has 30 per cent, Singapore state investor Temasek 10 per cent, and Tata Opportunities Fund holds 9 per cent.

    Mistry has revived the plan to list Tata Sky on the domestic stock market, which will help the 47-year-old to part-monetize the asset by bringing in fresh funds to fuel the conglomerate’s growth plans and trim its debt. In fiscal 2015, its loss stood at Rs 267 crore.

    The report also stated that there are prospects of sale of new shares as well as of existing shares held by promoters including Tata Sons and Temasek, which has remained invested in Tata Sky since 2007. According to the report, Temasek wants to encash some of its holdings in the 12-year-old Tata Sky, which will have a gross profit of Rs 1,000 crore in fiscal 2016. Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox intends to retain its ownership, while Tata Opportunities Fund is undecided whether it wants to sell a stake in the IPO, the person added.

    Tata Sky intends to use the proceeds from the share sale to beef up its balance sheet. The company, which has emerged as the leader in the DTH field, will break even this financial year.

  • Tata Group’s Cyrus Mistry plans Rs 2,000 crore IPO for Tata Sky

    Tata Group’s Cyrus Mistry plans Rs 2,000 crore IPO for Tata Sky

    MUMBAI: In 2012 Tata Group chairman Cyrus Pallonji Mistry is believed to be offering Rs 2,000 crore for the Tata Sky’s amount of issue, according to a report.

    Mistry had had initiated the process to sell part of Tata Sky in his first initial public offering (IPO) move after becoming the group chairman and a recent report by Times of India says Tata Sky will also be the 30th publicly listed company from the Tata Group which currently has a combined market cap of nearly Rs 7.2 lakh crore.

    Early next week, the company’s investors, management, underwriters and counsel will hold the kickoff meeting to thrash out the red herring prospectus, Times of India reported.

    To take matters forward, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Kotak Mahindra Capital will manage the DTH provider’s offering in which Tata Sons owns 51per cent, media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has 30 per cent, Singapore state investor Temasek 10 per cent, and Tata Opportunities Fund holds 9 per cent.

    Mistry has revived the plan to list Tata Sky on the domestic stock market, which will help the 47-year-old to part-monetize the asset by bringing in fresh funds to fuel the conglomerate’s growth plans and trim its debt. In fiscal 2015, its loss stood at Rs 267 crore.

    The report also stated that there are prospects of sale of new shares as well as of existing shares held by promoters including Tata Sons and Temasek, which has remained invested in Tata Sky since 2007. According to the report, Temasek wants to encash some of its holdings in the 12-year-old Tata Sky, which will have a gross profit of Rs 1,000 crore in fiscal 2016. Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox intends to retain its ownership, while Tata Opportunities Fund is undecided whether it wants to sell a stake in the IPO, the person added.

    Tata Sky intends to use the proceeds from the share sale to beef up its balance sheet. The company, which has emerged as the leader in the DTH field, will break even this financial year.

  • Videocon d2h lines up new 4K UHD content across genres

    Videocon d2h lines up new 4K UHD content across genres

    MUMBAI: Direct to home (DTH) operator Videocon d2h has revamped its 4K content being shown on its 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) channel – d2h Life 4K, which is India’s only 24 hours DTH channel service in 4K.

     

    D2h Life 4K will now offer a plethora of 4K UHD services and will telecast fresh new content spread across genres like movies, cricket, extreme sports, travel destinations, infotainment, nature, lifestyle, fitness and cooking amongst others.

     

    Videocon d2h has been revamping its 4K library for nearly a year to deliver a comprehensive collection of 4K entertainment. D2h Life 4K offers a unique combination of rich pictures with custom soundtracks. The programming is created to delight viewers every moment of the day. The channel will offer premium UHD movies exclusively on High 4K, premium Fashion Reality, premium Ultra HD Fights, from Extreme Amateur Fighting to Ultimate Power lifting Championships, music videos and intimate interviews from some of the top names in music today in 4K. High 4K will also take you into the kitchen of some of the world’s most famous chefs, open the doors to innovation of Automotive Technology in 4K, exciting lessons in 4K from a top fitness trainer.

     

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “Our focus is on creating the highest-quality consumer experience possible. We will be focusing on providing a variety of content as the demand for 4K Ultra HD content continues to increase and evolve. 4K content is the future and with this development we are completely geared up and future ready. Our new 4K UHD content is another way for our customers to enjoy stunning premium 4K content on our active 4K UHD channel 4K Life.”

     

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “We are committed to continuously enhancing our products that make consumers interaction with content a greater experience. Our goal is to provide premium experience of quality 4K UHD content across various genres. We would be offering Ultra HD movies, sports and various other programs that raise the bar on quality and innovation that customers have come to expect from Videocon d2h.”

  • Videocon d2h reports higher EBITDA, revenues, adds 0.2 mn net subs in Q2 FY 2016

    Videocon d2h reports higher EBITDA, revenues, adds 0.2 mn net subs in Q2 FY 2016

    MUMBAI: Indian pay TV platform and DTH operator Videocon d2h is slowly but surely getting its act together. At least if one goes by the financials for the quarter ended 30 September 2015 it has filed with Securities Exchange Commission in the US. The company is listed on the US Nasdaq.

     

    It has announced lower net losses, higher subscription and activation revenues, higher  EBITDA,  and an increase in both gross and net subscribers in the latest quarter as compared to the previous fiscal quarter and Q1 FY 2016.

     

    Net loss for the second quarter of the 2016 fiscal year at Rs 24.6 crore is a 59.9 per cent improvement over the net loss in the second quarter of the 2015 fiscal year which stood at Rs 61.4 core. It is, however,  marginally higher than the Rs 24.6 crore loss it suffered in Q1 FY 2016.

     

     It has reported a sales growth in both subscription and activation revenue and revenue from operations to Rs 629 crore (Rs 505 crore previous fiscal quarter – a growth of 24.6 per cent) and Rs 690 crore (Rs 507.30 crore  in Q2 FY 2016 – a growth of 20.3 per cent growth) respectively.  The comparitive Q1 FY 2016 figures for subscription and activation revenue  and overall revenues for Q1 FY 2016 were Rs 599.61 crore and 662.83 crore.

     

    The company notched up higher net subscribers (10.84 million in Q2 FY 2016 vs 9.46 million in Q2 FY 2015).  Average revenue per user (ARPU) growth  was higher at Rs 205 in Q2 2016 vs Rs 190 in Q2 FY 2015 but stagnated when compared to Rs 205.30 in Q1 FY 2016.

     

    It added 0.20 million net subscribers in this quarter, while adding 0.57 million gross subscribers to end Q2 FY 2016 with 14.27 million gross subscribers.

     

    As a comparitive, the  DTH service provider addded 0.61 million gross subscribers and 0.46 lakh net subscribers in Q1-FY 2016.

     

    Churn was higher in Q2 FY 2016 at 1.19 per cent as against 0.85 per cent in the previous corresponding fiscal quarter. 

     

    The company’s adjusted EBITDA has also improved 32.3 per cent to Rs 191 crore in the quarter ended 30 September 2015 as against Rs 145 crore for Q2 30 September 2014. This is a 2.50 per cent rise in adjusted EBITDA margin to 27.7 per cent in the latest quarter, despite significant increases in content costs as a percentage of revenue. Videocon d2h has clarified that the adjusted EBITDA is calculated after accounting for impact of its ESOP Plan 2014 which amounted to Rs 2.94 crore. The company’s EBIDTA in Q1-2016 was  Rs 187.43 crore (28.3 per cent margin).

     

    Videocon d2h says it began operating under new long term content agreements in the second half of the 2015 fiscal year. Content costs as a percentage of revenue in Q2 FY 2016 stood at 38.1 per as against 34.8 per cent in Q2 FY 2015.  Comparitively, content cost as a percentage of revenue in Q1 FY 2016 was  37 per cent. 

     

    Subscriber acquisition costs in the form of hardware subsidies were Rs 1,775 per subscriber during the second quarter of the 2016 fiscal year as against Rs 1,793 in Q1 FY 2016.

     

    Commenting on the results, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said,  “I am happy to share that we have achieved EBITDA growth of 30.3 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal as against our guidance of 25-30 per cent growth. We are on track to deliver even stronger growth in the second half of this year, in line with the guidance shared earlier. During the quarter, we focused on enhancing our channel offering and added 14 Standard Definition and 4 High Definition channels. We have recently launched two proprietary services, namely d2h Hollywood HD and Darshan. With more than 50 million eye balls we also continue to gain traction on advertising revenue with marque advertisers coming on our platform.”

     

    Speaking on the near term subscriber growth outlook Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said,  “We estimate around 50 million television homes come under Phase III digitization, of which 24-25 million television homes are already on the digital platform. Thus, the target market under Phase III digitization is the remaining 25-26 million television homes that are currently on analog cable.”

     

    The company has also stated that its estimated market share stands at 21 per cent and it is among India’s fastest growing pay TV platforms.

     

    The Videocon d2h stock was trading at around $9.49  on Nasdaq at the time of writing as against $12.05 at the beginning of 2015.

     

  • Dish TV ties-up with Hungama to launch music service

    Dish TV ties-up with Hungama to launch music service

    MUMBAI: Keeping in mind the ever growing demand in music, direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV has tied up with Hungama to launch Music Active, which will provide subscribers with music across 10 different genres.

     

    The active service will enhance Dish TV’s portfolio in the field of value added services (VAS) and provide unlimited music to its subscribers.

     

    Catering to the need of Bollywood music lovers and other streams of music such as devotional, western, and pop music Music Active will have a mix of Bollywood hits and Bollywood retro. Simultaneously reaching out to the music lovers of other genres, Music Active will also have international hits, international classics, devotional, ghazals, Bhojpuri, Kannada, Tamil and Carnatic hits.

     

    Customers of the active service will be able enjoy uninterrupted music unlike music channels. Music Active is completely ad free. Another important advantage for music lovers would be that unlike music apps, there will be no buffering of songs leading to steady entertainment.

     

    The service while will be free from 27 August to 6 September, it will then be made available at an introductory price of Rs 35 till 31 October and will be priced at Rs 45 starting 1 November, 2015. The audio service can be availed by giving a missed call on 18002700096. Music Active will be available on channel number 671 on Dish TV.

     

    Dish TV chief operating officer Salil Kapoor said, “Being a pioneer and market leader, it has been our constant endeavour to make television viewing a wholesome experience for the entire family and to increase affinity with our audiences by providing them the choice of content they would like to watch. Dish TV has always taken the lead in enhancing the value proposition and believes in providing the maximum and the best in entertainment to its subscribers. We are delighted to tie up with Hungama for launching Music Active, with the launch of Music Active, we are continuing with our legacy of offering another unique service for our consumers who are inclined towards music and will have this great opportunity to enjoy music of all genres in the close comfort of their homes.”

     

    Hungama.com CEO Siddhartha Roy added, “Music Active co-launched by Hungama and Dish TV will bring uninterrupted and ad-free music to subscribers. We are proud to associate with the DTH service as we bring subscribers their favorite music across 10 different genres ranging from Bollywood, regional, devotional to international, etc. I am certain that Dish TV subscribers will enjoy grooving to Bollywood, regional and international music’s most popular hits and retro tracks only on Music Active.”

  • Videocon d2h adds two new Malayalam channels

    Videocon d2h adds two new Malayalam channels

    MUMBAI: In celebration of Onam, direct to home (DTH) operator Videocon d2h has added two new Malayalam channels, Flowers TV and People TV on its platform.

     

    The Malayalam general entertainment channel Flowers TV will be available on LCN 606, whereas Malayalam news channel People TV is available on LCN 641. With the addition of these new channels, Videocon d2h now offers 28 Malayalam channels and services.

     

    “This Onam, we are looking forward to strengthening our market share in Kerala, as we continue to expand our already-wide array of Malayalam channels and services. The addition of two new Malayalam channels will help bolster our leadership position in this market while showing Kerala consumers that we are committed to serving their entertainment needs,” said Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot.

     

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “We are proud to demonstrate our consumer-centric approach by adding Flowers TV and People TV to our platform on such a fitting and joyous occasion. A large number of our subscribers will celebrate Onam and Kerala is a very important region for us, so we are focusing on delivering them the best.”