ITV

Category: DTH

  • Tata Sky Binge adds Amazon Prime Video to its streaming bouquet

    Tata Sky Binge adds Amazon Prime Video to its streaming bouquet

    New Delhi: In a bid to bolster its OTT game, Tata Sky on Monday announced that it has extended its integrated content offering on the Tata Sky Binge Mobile app by bringing onboard the streaming giant, Amazon Prime Video.

    The partnership will enable Tata Sky Binge subscribers to subscribe to Prime Video via Binge and explore its vast content library including the Amazon Originals as well as its vast portfolio of international and regional movies and web series. Subscribers will be able to opt for a Prime Video subscription directly through their Tata Sky account at the cost of Rs 129 per month. Access to the Prime Video app can commence either by clicking on the Prime Video banner on the home page or by clicking any Prime Video asset on the content rail, it said on Monday.

    Further, Tata Sky has also integrated the Amazon Prime Video metadata within its Android enabled smart set-top box, Tata Sky Binge+.

    Tata Sky’s OTT aggregator service, Tata Sky Binge currently offers interface to 11 of the OTT apps including Disney+ Hotstar Premium, ZEE5, SonyLIV, SunNxt, Hungama Play, Eros Now, ShemarooMe, Voot Select, Voot Kids, CuriosityStream and now Amazon Prime Video. Viewers can access Tata Sky Binge service on their screens of choice via two plans to choose from – Rs 149 & Rs 299, said the company on Monday.

    Tata Sky, chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri said, “We are glad to further fortify our collaboration with Amazon Prime Video to bring to our subscribers its premium content both on our hybrid set-top box Binge+ as well as the Binge mobile app. We believe our continuous effort to scale up our offerings on Tata Sky Binge will make Binge an even more desirable proposition for our subscribers.”

    Tata Sky Binge users can now enjoy exclusive Amazon Originals as well as popular movies and TV shows. Some of the new movies include Sherni, Cold Case, The Tomorrow War, Asuran, Wonder Woman 1984, and The Great Indian Kitchen. Among Amazon Original TV shows, subscribers can watch new seasons of The Family Man, Mirzapur, Comicstaan and new Originals including DOM among others.

  • Tata Sky partners with Vedantu to empower JEE & NEET aspirants

    Tata Sky partners with Vedantu to empower JEE & NEET aspirants

    Mumbai: Content distribution and Pay TV platform Tata Sky has partnered with Vedantu to make quality education accessible and affordable to students across India.

    For ease of access to the content, the service is also made available on the Tata Sky mobile app. Aspirants can learn and repeat batches, get access to catch-up and On-Demand content including syllabus revision, tests, class notes, among others. Students can also pose a question and have doubts addressed by expert Master Teachers from Vedantu. The service will also provide exam preparation material that can be accessed via the app. Furthermore, subscribers to Tata Sky will receive a special discount on Vedantu’s Live learning programs and be able to access Live classes, curriculums, course revision material etc.

    Commenting on the launch of the service, Tata Sky’s chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “TV has the ability to reach mass audiences across the country. Delivering quality education through TV will not only benefit the maximum number of aspirants but will also take care of the lack of broadband availability which is faced by students from smaller towns and rural areas.”

    “Competitive exams require a designated method of preparation. Together with Vedantu, we are providing access to course materials, resources, quality instructors to diverse populations from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and learning preferences, thereby bringing superior education several steps closer to the aspirants,” she further added.

    As per the partnership, two dedicated linear platform services– Tata Sky JEE Prep and Tata Sky NEET Prep– will cater to students from classes 9th to 10th for foundation preparation (IIT, NEET, NTSE, Olympiads) and core syllabus for 11th to 12th IIT JEE Main, JEE Advanced (engineering), and NEET (medical). The learning will be delivered by Vedantu’s Master Teachers including academics from IIT and AIIMS with proven track records in teaching. The medium of teaching will be a mix of English and Hindi.

    Vedantu’s COO, Arvind Singhal, said, “30 million-plus students across K-12 and test preparation segments every month benefit from Vedantu’s LIVE learning. This partnership is another step in the direction of our vision of taking quality education to every household at affordable prices.”

    In addition to providing students with a fun and engaging learning experience, the classes will also include interactive quizzes that students respond to using the TV remote.

  • Tata Sky launches 4K HDR internet streaming service

    Tata Sky launches 4K HDR internet streaming service

    Mumbai: Tata Sky, one of the leading content distribution and Pay TV platforms, has announced the launch of its 4K HDR streaming service. All TVs enabled with 4K HDR can enjoy this service through Tata Sky Binge+ Box at no additional cost for the first year.

    Tata Sky Binge+ subscribers will also get free one-year access to Travelxp channel and six international streaming services like Luxe & Life, Pet & Pal, Wow, Be crazy, Health & Wellness, Sportyfy, and Outdoor Channel available in 4K HDR. This new service will further elevate the content viewing experience of the consumers, the platform said in a statement.

    Commenting on the announcement, Tata Sky’s chief content & commercial officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “Evolving technology has redefined the way users consume content these days. We at Tata Sky have always been committed to providing best-in-class entertainment powered by advanced technology. With the launch of Travelxp 4K HDR streaming service we hope to continue to delight our subscribers with the exceptional viewing experience.”

    Travelxp CEO Prashant Chothani added, “Consumers have been investing in buying high-quality TV sets with ability to play 4K HDR content and with the launch of Travelxp 4K HDR on Tata Sky Binge+, they will now be able to visualise the difference 4K HDR gives to their viewing experience in linear television. Being the world’s first 4K HDR Channel and launched across the globe, the launch in India, our home country is extremely special.”

    The services available under the 4K HDR service will be listed under the Guide section under ‘Internet TV’ pre-filters. Additionally, 4K services will be indicated using the 4K HDR icon in the program information screen and information bar making discoverability of the service easy for the subscribers

  • Tata Sky collaborates with PTC Network to strengthen its regional connect

    Mumbai: Tata Sky has joined hands with the PTC Network to bring back its regional service – ‘Punjab De Rang’, starting today. 

    The revamped service will further strengthen Tata Sky’s regional entertainment portfolio by offering a popular and diverse mix of high-quality Punjabi content, at a nominal cost of Rs 1.5 per day, the company said. This includes exclusive premieres of new Punjabi movies every month, dubbed Hollywood movies, short films, cooking shows, upbeat Punjabi music, and devotional content.

    Tata Sky’s chief commercial & content officer Pallavi Puri said, “Given Tata Sky’s focus on curating quality regional content, we are delighted to bring Tata Sky Punjab De Rang’s fresh avatar, which will further strengthen our offering in the Punjabi speaking markets. The robust content library of PTC Network will elevate the entertainment experience of our subscribers.”

    PTC Network MD & president Rabindra Narayan said, “We are proud to curate the best of Punjabi entertainment sources from USA, UK, Canada and other places besides India for the new-look Punjabi platform service of Tata Sky. The best of Punjabi movies, music, and entertainment is now going to be at the click of a button.”

    The service is also available on the Tata Sky Mobile App.

  • Pandemic drags down DishTV India’s FY’21 financials

    MUMBAI: India’s first DTH operator Dish TV India continues to slog it out to get out of the financial quagmire it has got itself into. That’s despite the fact that the company  has seen a loss of subscribers in its latest quarter ended 31 March 2021 and for the full year, its top line has dipped even as it continues to report losses. According to its audited Q4 FY 21 results released yesterday, Dish TV India  has reported consolidated subscription revenues of Rs  685.2 crore (Rs 776.6 crore in Q4 FY’20) and operating revenues of Rs  751.7 crore (Rs 869.06 crore). EBITDA for the quarter was Rs 426 crore (Rs 543.2 crore). Net loss was Rs 1415.3 crore as against a loss of Rs 1456.2 crore  in the same quarter last year.

    Subscription revenues for the whole year have fallen from Rs 3192.8 crore in FY ’20 to Rs 2987.4 crore in FY’21, even  as operating revenues saw a reduction to Rs 3249.4 crore as against Rs 3556.3 crore in FY20.  EBITDA for the full year fell to Rs 2017 crore as against Rs 2106 crore in FY’20. However, to its credit, it has reduced the red ink on its bottomline to Rs 1189.9 crore as against Rs 1654.8 crore in the previous financial year.

    What helped it shore up its performance in the latest financial year is its hard focus on shaving expenditure which it has reduced by 15 per cent to Rs 1232.4 crore as against Rs 1450.4 crore in FY ’20.  

    Dish TV management said the company has been hit by the sporadic lockdowns due to the ongoing pandemic during the year and the last quarter. “The later part of the fourth quarter saw re-emergence of urban to rural migration, amongst migrant workers. The sporadic lockdowns have left many in the aspiring class with reduced disposable incomes while taking a toll on overall consumer confidence. Subscriber churn, thus remained on the higher side during the quarter and full year,” said Dish TV India group CEO Anil Dua in a press release.

    Additionally, the company largely relied on internal cash flows for capital expenditure and for debt reduction. Hence, it kept a tight rein on capital expenditure which in turn limited new subscriber additions, and when compounded with high subscriber churn, it  led to a net reduction in its subscriber base.

    Overall, Dish TV repaid Rs 213 crore of its debt in the quarter, reducing its loan  exposure to Rs 809.9 crore at end FY’21 as against  Rs 1817.5 crore at end FY20.  

    Said Dish TV chairman & managing director Jawahar Goel: “The year gone by was difficult but has left us stronger with all the innovations and process improvements in place. However, with continuing uncertainties, we maintain a cautious stand. A strong balance sheet boosts confidence in such tough times and our focus on paying down debt and other liabilities is in that direction only.”

    Dua said that investors need to take heart about the positive manner in which Dish TV has pivoted to take advantage of the opportunities that the pandemic has thrown up. “Effectively, the pandemic rushed the need to innovate. Be it artificial intelligence for resolving customer complaints, enabling work-from home for customer care agents and employees, developing set-top-boxes and other key accessories in India, moving trade partners to a fully digital recharge mode or upgrading our OTT platform, Watcho, we rose to the challenges thrown by the trying year while touching new highs in EBITDA margins.”

    What according to the two of them shows promise is the growth in sign-ons to DishTV’s OTT service Watcho to 25 million by FY 21 year end as against just a million users in January 2020.  Said Dua: “At Dish TV India, it has always been our endeavor to meet the entertainment needs of all our subscribers all the time. Watcho is a step in that direction and delivers a seamless, streaming entertainment experience to viewers through future ready technology and diverse content.”

    Dua is quite optimistic about the company’s fortunes pointing to the important role TV continues to play in viewers lives in India, and believes that a revival in discretionary spending, due to economic activity normalizing going forward, will improve business revenues. The company is going ahead with the procedures relating to raising funds through a rights issue totting up to Rs 1,000 crore.

  • Dish TV India joins hands with JOP Network for dubbed movie service “Hits Active”

    New Delhi: Dish TV has joined hands with content house, JOP Network Pvt Ltd to re-introduce dubbed movie service– Hits Active, in a new Avatar to broadcast International and South Indian hit movies dubbed in Hindi.

    Hits Active is an ad-free service showcasing all genres of blockbusters. The service will go LIVE from 1 June.

    JOP Network Pvt Ltd, director, Urvi Agarwal said “We are glad to associate with Dish TV India, India’s leading DTH Company and offer our rich bouquet of hit South Indian and International movies to Dish TV and D2H viewers on ‘Hits Active’. The service is targeted at the Indian masses for all age groups who enjoy watching regional and international content across the world but in their preferred language – Hindi.”

    Dish TV India Ltd, executive director and group CEO, Anil Dua said, “Keeping consumer interests at core during these challenging times, we at Dish TV India, aim to bring best-in-class entertainment to customers while sitting in the comfort of their homes. Our collaboration with a like- minded brand JOP Network resonates with our ideologies and is sure to help us make content viewing an enriching and engaging experience for all our subscribers. With addition of dubbed movies on our value added channel ‘Hits Active’, we further intend to take the entertainment quotient a notch higher and entertain a massive set of audience across India.”

    To avail HITS Active service, subscribers can give a missed call from their registered Mobile Number on 18005682536 for Dish TV & 18003150217 for D2H platform.

  • Binge app sees traction from non-metros- DAS 2, DAS 3 cities: Tata Sky’s Pallavi Puri

    KOLKATA: Pay TV meanders along in India, even as the near future will expectedly watch digital adoption accelerating at a rapid pace of disruption. The legacy direct-to-platform (DTH) players are taking note of the shift in consumer habits to keep up with the trend. Tata Sky has been one such player to embrace streaming services to retain consumers.

    The leading DTH player has recently extended its OTT content aggregator service to a mobile app, Tata Sky Binge Mobile App that offers a single subscription and a one-time payment proposition alongside numerous titles across entertainment apps on one single platform.

    “Over the last year, our subscribers said that they wanted the on-the-move experience of Binge. We know that a lot of the OTT content consumption is happening on mobile. Hence, the subsequent step was to broaden the offering through a mobile app, and make it available to a wider audience segment, enabling them to watch their choice of content individually on their mobile phones,” Tata Sky chief commercial & content officer Pallavi Puri explained the rationale of the move.

    The company has launched the app with a product film on Tata Sky’s channel 100, along with a social media campaign #KhojoNahiDekho, Puri stated. The campaign spotlights how people spend a lot of time toggling on the apps and searching for content to watch, and yet often end up watching nothing. 

    Hence, the focus of the communication is to encourage people to stop searching and start binge-watching content from across multiple entertainment apps with a one-stop solution – Tata Sky Binge mobile app, she explained further. “We have a robust and phase-wise marketing strategy in place to scale up the product as we go along,” Puri said.

    In the beginning, the company wants to popularise the app, establish its benefits, rather than focusing on target numbers. Through this app, Tata Sky is targeting every Tata Sky subscriber who has a smartphone. Audience segments that prefer a more personalized content viewing experience, that can be accessed on-the-go, will like and gain from this app, Puri noted. Moreover, the company has introduced the Rs 149 mobile-only plan to appeal to a larger audience.

    Puri is of the view that the launch of this app has strengthened Tata Sky’s OTT aggregation portfolio. Subscribers can now avail the Binge offering through Amazon FireTV Stick – Tata Sky edition, Android-enabled smart set-top box, Tata Sky Binge+, and the very latest Binge Mobile app basis their choice of device and convenience.

    Notably, Tata Sky’s arch-rival Dish TV also has its OTT app Watcho that has already crossed 15 million subscribers. The app provides original content, even woos users with user-generated content. However, Tata Sky wants to focus on OTT content for its app at this point. Based on insights from its subscribers, it may further enhance the overall Binge proposition.

    “The initial traction has been very encouraging. We are seeing great traction from non-metros – DAS 2, DAS 3 cities. With its first-rate end-user interface, unified search, and a seamless hyper-personalised content recommendation and viewing experience, we are hoping Binge will become our subscribers’ favourite very soon,” Puri commented.

  • Tata Sky unveils its newly revamped music service, Tata Sky Music

    New Delhi: Aligned with its new brand purpose to make tomorrow better than today for its subscribers, content distribution, and Pay TV platform Tata Sky on Thursday unveiled its revamped music service offering, Tata Sky Music.

    The platform has integrated the strengths of the two earlier portfolios, Tata Sky Music and Tata Sky Music+ at an affordable price.  With 20 Audio Stations and five Video Stations, Tata Sky Music plans to bring together a robust offering of mass, niche, Indian, International, Regional, Devotional, Ghazal, Hindustani, Carnatic music among many other genres. The service will be available on TV as well as with Mobile App at Rs 2.5 per day, it said in a release.

    Commenting on the offering, Tata Sky chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “We wanted to offer a one-stop music service with added benefits. With a robust, and curated library for all genres of music, a refreshed Tata Sky Music will give subscribers an elevated music experience. With the help of our partner, Hungama Music, this is a step towards expanding the audience base, and exploring many new cohorts of customers.”

    Offering audio and video on one unified platform, Tata Sky Music offers a 360-degree affordable family plan for all music lovers that can be enjoyed anytime anywhere with access on both television and the Tata Sky Mobile App. Active subscribers of the service will continue to enjoy the free Hungama Music Pro subscription plan worth Rs 99 per month, through the Tata Sky Mobile app at no additional cost.

    Active subscribers of the Tata Sky Music & Music+ service will be upgraded to this pack automatically. New subscribers can give a missed call on 080 6858 0815 to enjoy the service on 815.

  • Tata Sky Binge app now available on smartphones

    Tata Sky Binge app now available on smartphones

    New Delhi: Leading Pay TV platform Tata Sky has extended the benefit of its pioneering OTT content aggregator service, ‘Tata Sky Binge,’ to mobile with the introduction of Tata Sky Binge Mobile app.

    The OTT aggregation app curates’ content from multiple streaming services into categories such as new releases, popular movies, Trending Now to make content discoverability easy. Content surfing using language, genre, app rails etc., makes search and recommendations faster and convenient. The tab bar at the bottom of the screen gives easy access to Home screen, Search and Watchlist. Single subscription, single payment and single sign-on to view content on one unified platform makes viewing immersive and enjoyable, said the company on Wednesday.

    The company has introduced the Tata Sky Binge Mobile app with two attractive plans. Subscribers opting for a Tata Sky Binge 299 plan will be able to access content from 10 OTT apps on one TV screen (through Amazon Fire TV Stick – Tata Sky Edition or Binge+ STB) and three mobile screens. The 149 mobile-only plan gives access to Binge services on three mobile screens with content from seven premium OTT apps. All new Binge users downloading the Mobile app enjoy a seven-day free trial, it said.

    Commenting on the launch, Tata Sky, chief content & commercial officer, Pallavi Puri said, “The launch of Tata Sky Binge Mobile app is in sync with our endeavour towards making our products available to a larger audience base. Our subscribers can now access their choice of OTT content, on large and small screens, at home or on-the-go, all with a unified interface, single subscription and sign-on.”

    She further added, “Tata Sky Binge on Amazon Fire TV Stick – Tata Sky Edition was our first step into OTT. With the next step we wanted to combine the best of both worlds on one interface, i.e. linear TV + OTT through the introduction of Android enabled smart Set top box, Tata Sky Binge+.”

    Tata Sky Binge aggregates content from as many as premium OTT apps. Single subscription and a unified user interface gives access to partner apps such as Disney+ Hotstar Premium, ZEE5, SunNxt, Hungama Play, Eros Now, ShemarooMe, Voot Select, Voot Kids, SonyLIV and CuriosityStream. Amazon Prime Video can be accessed on the large screen with an additional Prime subscription.

    Tata Sky Binge service was first launched through- Amazon Fire TV Stick – Tata Sky Edition. The next extension was the launch of Tata Sky Binge+ Android enabled smart set-top box and now the same promise is available on Mobile (Android and iOS). Tata Sky Subscribers with a Tata Sky Binge subscription on Fire TV Stick – Tata Sky Edition or Binge+ Set Top Box can login and access content on the Binge mobile app by using their Subscriber ID or Registered Mobile Number. Customers also have the option to choose a mobile-only plan.

  • Siti Network content and carriage GM Rajesh Sharma succumbs to Covid

    Siti Network content and carriage GM Rajesh Sharma succumbs to Covid

    Kolkata: Ever since the pandemic broke, cable operators have been working on the frontlines to ensure uninterrupted cable TV and broadband service across the country. Several of them have battled the infection and the challenges that came along with it, while others succumbed.

    On Monday, another cable operator lost his life to Covid. Siti Network content and carriage GM Rajesh Sharma succumbed to the disease. He was 42 and survived by his wife and two sons in Delhi.

    According to his colleagues, Sharma was loved by everyone in the office for his lively presence. He was promoted to his current position last year during the pandemic. “He was a kind human being, always helpful. He was cooperative, and everyone liked him in the organisation. Unfortunately, we have lost him at such a young age. He had a long career in front of him,” said Siti Networks CEO Anil Malhotra as he condoled his demise.

    India is battling the worst-ever health crisis, with the second wave of Covid-19 taking a heavy toll on people across the states. On Monday, the country recorded as many as 2.22 lakh new cases, which is lowest since 15 April. India has lost 4,454 lives to the deadly virus during the last 24 hours and the death toll has surpassed the three lakh mark, making India the only country after the US and Brazil to record over three lakh fatalities. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra remain the most impacted, with the highest number of new infections.