Category: DTH

Dish TV India launches an entire new range of ‘Smart Connected Devices’

MUMBAI: Strengthening its technology product portfolio, Dish TV India Ltd., world’s largest single-country DTH Company, today launched a complete range of smart devices, an internet enabled Android based HD Set Top Box and Voice enabled Alexa Built-in smart kit.

Eliminating the hassle of switching between linear TV and OTT apps, the latest offerings from Dish TV India effectively aim to combine the two through a single entertainment device. This new technologically advanced offering – an internet enabled Android based HD Set Top Box ‘Dish SMRT Hub’ is available at a price of INR 3999 for new subscribers & INR 2499 for existing subscribers.

Dish SMRT Hub is Android HD set top box which runs on Android TV operating system by Google. The devices are using Android TV™ 9.0 and have been designed to deliver best in class picture quality and sound to the viewers. It will also offer access to the Google Play Store and Google Assistant allowing the users to download and stream content from all popular OTT platforms. The new offerings from Dish TV India will support all popular OTT platforms like Watcho, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, Voot, ALTBalaji and YouTube etc.

With built-in Google Assistant & Chromecast and superior Dolby audio, the Android HD set top box extends the ultimate cinematic experience to viewers in the comfort of their homes. A user can stream content from any device directly to the TV screen without any lag. Now Users can download thousands of apps and Play games right on their TV without needing an additional gaming console. Adding to the seamless experience, the Dish SMRT Hub further allow users to operate and control the device using simple voice commands. Available with native support for video content OTT platforms, the Integrated Google assistant converts this box into a smart home hub, enabling the users to control their smart homes with a single remote.

The Android based set top box will work on any television and support OTT platforms Watcho, ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video, Voot, ALTBalaji and YouTube to name a few.

Dish SMRT Kit – the voice enabled kit with a dongle and remote powered by Amazon Alexa are priced at INR 1199 and available for existing DishTV subscribers. This allows subscribers to access popular OTT Apps and thousands of Alexa skills on their existing set top boxes.

The Dish SMRT Kit with Alexa-powered remote control will help users seamlessly bridge the gap between real-time TV content and best of engaging content available online. The super affordable Dish SMRT Kit comprising Wi-Fi dongle, a Bluetooth and a sleek looking Alexa-enabled remote control, provides access to thousands of Alexa skills. These skills will help users to use voice as an intuitive and preferred mode of

interaction on their set top boxes to book cabs, get latest news, information & recipes, set reminders for their favorite programs, get recommendations on trending programs, access their account details, register ‘call me’ request, discover movies, sports & music and also control smart home devices just through voice commands. To get started, customers will need to set up the smart kits with their Amazon account. Once set up, customers can simply say – 'Alexa, tell me the news’, ‘Alexa, what’s the cricket score?’ OR ‘Alexa, play latest Bollywood songs’, to enjoy a voice-controlled experience.

Further, DishTV has tied-up with HANDAN, who is manufacturing partner for DishTV, worked extensively on this project to bring in voice functionality in DishTV STB’s.

Commenting on the launch of these new products, Mr. Anil Dua, Executive Director & Group CEO, Dish TV India Limited, said, “We are delighted to launch the most advanced Android powered Set Top Box and the Alexa Built-in smart kit for DishTV customers and this is a significant milestone for Dish TV India. The Dish SMRT Hub is a customized device which allows users to have uninterrupted video streaming and access to TV content. It is capable of delivering superior viewing experience owing to its immersive features like in-built Google Assistant, Chromecast and myriad other smart features. The Dish SMRT Kit is a big add-on to our current STB’s and with this our customers can enjoy the ease of using voice commands for accessing information through Alexa for all their needs. With these launches DishTV is making a strong statement of providing best-in-class technology and experience to its customers.”

Recently, Dish TV India Limited had also introduced SMRT Stick, allowing users to stream content from OTT services through Dish TV set top box. Additionally, focusing on premium short format content, the company forayed into OTT space earlier this year by launching its own OTT platform, ‘Watcho’. With this DishTV takes another step towards providing entertainment across linear and online sources on any screen for customers across all segments.

October 11, 2019
Dish TV India to launch hybrid set-top box with Amazon Prime Video

MUMBAI: Dish TV India Limited, the world’s largest single-country Direct-To-Home company, today announced that it has collaborated with Amazon Prime Video to offer Prime Video app to its Dish TV and d2h subscribers on its soon-to-be-launched hybrid set-top box. Through this deal, Dish TV and d2h subscribers will be able to seamlessly access Amazon Prime Video app on their TV and enjoy Amazon’s latest and exclusive blockbuster Hollywood, Bollywood and Indian regional movies, top TV shows, stand-up comedies, kids programs, including critically-acclaimed Indian and global Amazon Originals, with a single device.

With launch of Hybrid set-top box, DishTV India intends to bring together linear programming and online streaming content together in a seamless fashion. Transforming the TV viewing experience, the association is aimed at providing hassle-free experience to its customers with easy access to vast content options and high quality entertainment from Prime Video.

Speaking about the association, Mr. Anil Dua, Executive Director & Group CEO, Dish TV India Limited said, “We, at Dish TV, always work on offering innovative entertainment solutions and superlative experience to customers and the association with Amazon Prime Video is a step in the same direction. We are delighted to have Amazon Prime Video on board with us to offer its premium content on both our Dish TV and d2h platforms with our hybrid set-top boxes that are going to be launched soon.”

Gaurav Gandhi, Director and Country GM, Amazon Prime Video India, said, “At Amazon Prime Video, we constantly strive to offer customers, the best-in-class entertainment across genres and languages, that can be consumed anytime, anywhere and on a screen of their choice. Towards this effort, we are delighted to announce our association with Dish TV for their upcoming hybrid set-top boxes. With this launch, we will further extend the reach and access of Amazon Prime Video in India, giving more customers the experience of watching our wide selection of critically acclaimed and popular Amazon Originals, blockbuster movies across languages and Indian as well as international shows, on their Television sets.

In past, Dish TV India Limited had also introduced SMRT Stick and Magic Stick, allowing users to stream content from OTT services through Dish TV as well as d2h set-top boxes respectively. Additionally, focusing on premium short format content, the company forayed into OTT space earlier this year by launching its own OTT platform, ‘Watcho’. With this DishTV takes another step towards providing entertainment across linear and online sources on any screen for customers across all segments. There are more connected devices and innovations lined up for launch very soon

Amazon Prime Video has the largest selection of latest & exclusive movies including Gully Boy, Bharat, Kalank, Manikarnika, Thugs of Hindostan, Padmavat, Raazi,,Indian language titles including Maharshi, Evaru, NGK, D/O Parvathamma, Umbili, Chandigarh Amristar Chandigarh, NGK, Chandigarh Amristar Chandigarh and TV shows, stand-up comedy, biggest Indian and Hollywood films, US TV series, most popular Indian & international kids’ shows, and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals including The Family Man, Made In Heaven, Mirzapur, Comicstaan, Inside Edge, global Originals like The Boys, Good Omens, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all available, ad-free, with a world-class customer experience. The service includes titles available in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi and Bengali.

To watch the newest releases in Hollywood & Bollywood, the latest US TV shows, kids’ favorite toons, and Amazon Originals, please visit www.PrimeVideo.com or download the Amazon Prime Video app today and sign-up for a Prime membership only at ₹999 annually or ₹129 monthly.

October 7, 2019
d2h skill introduced on Amazon Alexa in India

MUMBAI: With an aim to further enhance the TV viewing experience for its d2h customers, Dish TV India Limited, the world’s largest single-country DTH Company has launched a Skill for Amazon Alexa in India. Say, “Alexa, enable d2h” and start using the skill to explore a vast world of entertainment, discover movies, sports and music, using only your voice.

d2h skill will allow subscribers to use voice commands through Alexa to surf a wide range of content and get up-to-date information of their d2h account. With d2h skill, subscribers will be able to set reminders for their favorite programs, get recommendations on trending programs, access to d2h account details, register ‘call me’ request, do basic trouble shooting and lot more though Alexa enabled devices.

Highlighting benefits of d2h skill for Alexa, Mr. Anil Dua, Executive Director & Group CEO, Dish TV India Limited, said, "Voice enabled search and information access is the cutting edge of home entertainment today. We are excited to bring the convenience of voice control with Alexa for our d2h customers. This launch reaffirms our commitment of always offering the latest and the most relevant technology to our d2h customers to make their viewing experience world class.”

The d2h Alexa skill can be used by anyone with an Amazon Echo smart speaker or other devices such as headphones and speakers with Alexa built-in. The skill can also be accessed through the Alexa app available on iOS and Android. With more functionality and additional features in the pipeline, customers will be able to do much more through the d2h skill.

"Using voice commands with Alexa to access entertainment and control smart home is like a magical experience. Many customers share that they enjoy the simplicity and ease of getting all kinds of entertainment, from videos, music to games, by just asking Alexa" said Dilip R.S., Country Manager for Alexa Skills and Voice Services, Amazon India. "The television is usually the centerpiece of common areas at home where families come together. We are extremely happy to see Dish TV India embrace voice technology for enriching the TV viewing experience with the d2h Alexa skill".

Furthermore, d2h subscribers can link their account and access information such as current balance, switch-off date and monthly recharge amount, using a selection of prompts to initiate the Alexa skill for d2h.

September 30, 2019
Dish TV’s OTT Platform Watcho launches two new original series

MUMBAI: In line with its commitment to provide unique and engaging content to the viewers, Dish TV India Limited announced the launch of two new content series on its OTT platform ‘Watcho’. A paranormal investigation series ‘Dark Destination’ premiered on 13th September, 2019 and a wild comedy tale ‘The Senti Mentals’ is slated to premier on 27 September, 2019.

The new web series Dark Destination is a fast paced mini-series covering two episodes of gripping paranormal investigation in the most haunted places of country such as Lambi Dehar Mines in Mussoorie and Kuldhara in Jaisalmer, known for their mystery and horrifying tales. The series is conceptualized and directed by Jay Alani, a well know paranormal investigator and producer of ‘The Paranormal Company’.

The new original comedy series The Senti Mentals available from 27 September, is a hilarious combination of cross connecting events that take place over time full of trial and errors. The Senti Mentals is written, directed and edited by the multi-talented Vikram Munjal, staring famous actors such as Saif Ansari, Varun Sobti, Mohit, Rashika Pradhan, Samar Manhotra, Tijo Thomas, Ratnesh Singh and Supriti Batra.

“We are excited to launch the two new series this month on Watcho, with an aim to offer unique new age content to our customers. Our new show The Dark Destination is a series that is inspired by true incidents and The Senti Mentals on the other hand is a fiction comedy series. The breadth of stories with its local settings and complex characters is incredible and we can’t wait for our audience to enjoy them. At Watcho, our intent is to capture the fastest-growing segment on the Indian internet and aiming to launch few more exciting original web series in the coming months,” Dish TV India OTT strategy head Akash Tyagi said.

September 27, 2019
Dish TV to introduce Android set top box

MUMBAI:

"We are monitoring new technology developments and are responding to these. In the next few weeks, we are going to introduce connected boxes (android boxes) for the customers who seek new age media entertainment. We also have smart stick at Rs 599," Dish TV India corporate head (marketing) Sukhpreet Singh said, as quoted by PTI.

Singh also added that the company expects to upgrade 20 per cent of its customers to online streaming services with the connected devices in the next 18-24 months. However, the price of the proposed set top boxes have not been revealed.

While the DTH platform has also launched an over-the-top platform Watcho recently, it will also help in consumer engagement and customer acquisition, according to Singh. "Currently, Watcho is free for six months. But it will attract rentals as we also offer exclusive content," he added.

September 25, 2019
Dish TV India launches ‘Shorts TV Active’ on DishTV and d2h platforms

MUMBAI: Keeping up the promise of providing unique content and quality entertainment to its subscribers, Dish TV India Limited, world’s largest single-country DTH Company recently announced the launch of a new value added service ‘Shorts TV Active’ in partnership with ShortsTV, the world’s only TV channel dedicated to short movies. With the launch of this new service, customers can now enjoy an uncluttered ad-free HD films packed with 10000+ premium movie titles. The service is available at a nominal subscription price of Rs.59+ taxes per month.

With the focus on leveraging short films to expand reach among Indian viewers, the Shorts TV Active’ service will offer upto 7000 short films, including 600 renowned, award winning Indian movies to all its subscribers. Under the new service, the subscribers can access some of the spectacular award-winning and Oscar nominated short films like Adnyat, The School bag, Dark Brew, Juice, Skin, Late afternoon and many more. The service will feature short content across different genres like animation, fiction, comedy, drama etc. The international library includes Oscar shorts, Cannes shorts, Bafta shorts, Sundance shorts etc and similarly the Indian library includes Large Short Films, Pocket Films, Terribly Tiny Tales, Whistling Woods and Humara movies.

“We are delighted to launch the unique short content service ‘Shorts TV Active’ which will offer award winning & international short movies on DishTV & d2h platforms. We, at Dish TV, have always aimed at continuously bringing new engaging content for our audiences. Going further on that route, we have partnered with Shorts TV to offer this unique valued added service. This service is meant for the segment of our viewer base that prefers to consume entertainment in small format. We hope to continue on our path to provide the best of entertainment to our customers,” Dish TV India Limited executive director and group CEO Anil dua commented.

“ShortsTV is pioneering a new type of entertainment in India – highest quality movies from leading Indian and international talent but in short form. Indian audiences and filmmakers are consuming and producing short films like never before and we’re thrilled to be bringing the world’s best short entertainment to the Dish TV and d2h platforms. Subscribers are in for a real treat – from side-splitting comedies to heart-wrenching romance, hair-raising thrillers and award-winners from around the world, we’ve got it all!,” ShortsTV chief executive Carter Pilcher said.

September 24, 2019

DishTV strengthens presence in West Bengal with special offers and packages

MUMBAI: In a bid to make the most of the festivities, Dish TV India Ltd, the world’s largest single-country DTH Company, today announced line-up of special offers and packages for its existing customers in West Bengal. The new offers by Dish TV seek to extend maximum benefits to the customers.

Catering to the need of the customers, the new packages offered by DishTV have been designed keeping in mind the diverse choice of content across various segments. As part of the offer, three new attractive combos in SD and HD packs have been introduced starting from Rs 219. The new recharge packs include Family Bangla; comprising all Bangla channels along with popular Hindi entertainment/Infotainment channels, Family Cricket combo; comprising all Bangla channels along with popular entertainment/infotainment channels + India Cricket Service and Family Metro combo; comprising all Bangla channels along with popular Hindi & English entertainment & Other infotainment channels.

“West Bengal has always been a prime market for DishTV and we are committed to growing our presence and reach in this region. Taking forward our vision of providing robust and enhanced entertainment experience, we are thrilled to announce customisable entertainment packs and offerings for our customers. We have always followed a customer-centric approach when it comes to curating the offers and we are confident that the special festive offerings will further add to the fervour of the festivities for our viewers," Dish TV India marketing corporate head Sukhpreet Singh commented.

DishTV has introduced exciting offers for its existing subscribers who have not recharged since 31 July earlier, wherein subscriber will get all Bangla channels along with other popular channels at an unbelievable price of Rs 219 per month. Furthermore, there is an option for annual recharge also, which ensures price protection for one year and one free service visit for alignment at the time of re-activation.

Combo	Content Details	Combo Price
Family Bangla	Bouquets of ALL Bangla channels, Zee, Sony, TV18, Discovery & A-la-carte channels of Star and others	219
Family Cricket	Bouquets of ALL Bangla channels, Zee, Sony, TV18, Discovery, Disney, Turner & A-la-carte channels of Star and others	299
Family Metro	Bouquets of ALL Bangla channels, Zee, Sony, TV18, Discovery, Disney, Turner, TVTN, Times & A-la-carte channels of Star and others	349

Additionally, to further encourage the current subscribers, special long-term scheme has been announced, wherein subscriber can avail one month extra subscription on payment of six months and two months extra subscription on payment for ten months. Also, on recharge of two years, customers can enjoy all Bangla channels along with popular entertainment channels at an effective monthly price of Rs 219.

This special offer will be available till 15 November and will ensure that DishTV’s customers enjoy the best content without any hassle. For any additional content, subscribers will have to recharge with the additional amount as applicable.

September 21, 2019

Sun Direct offers 155 channels for Rs 130 network capacity fee

MUMBAI: DTH operator Sun Direct is now allowing subscribers to select up to 155 channels for a monthly network capacity fee of Rs 130/- plus applicable taxes.

Sun Direct is the first DTH to officially declare NCF allowing more than 100 channels along with the removal of the additional slab. The operator has been offering almost the entire FTA channels bouquet available on its platform on complementary basis with the Rs 130 NCF base pack from the start of the new tariff order.

While most operators have declared Rs 130 as NCF for 100 channels, most of them have been offering hundreds of FTA channels on a complimentary basis with discounted NCF on bundle packs.

The DTH operator had on 24 January declared its network capacity fee days ahead of the switch over to the new tariff order. The network capacity fee payable monthly back then was set at Rs 130/- plus applicable taxes for 100 SD channels. Additional slab NCF was set at Rs 20/- plus applicable taxes for the next 25 SD channels.

September 14, 2019
DTH companies against changes to KYC norms for STBs

MUMBAI: DTH operators believe that there is no need to change the KYC process for set top boxes (STBs) as the current process is well-equipped to meet the requirements and the DTH industry is already adhering to a comprehensive KYC process, which has been working effectively till date.

The DTH operators have commented on TRAI’s consultation paper on ‘KYC and e-KYC of DTH Set Top Boxes’. Dish TV commented, “We are of the strong opinion that initial KYC done by the company is adequate enough and no further KYC is required thereafter.”

“Broadcasting of channels through DTH involves unidirectional communication only i.e. broadcast through satellites and does not involve any inherent risk or misuse by the customers. In view of the same, introducing any additional measures for KYC other than what is being currently followed, would only aggravate the financial stress on the industry and will consequently lead to higher prices for the consumer, without yielding any benefits,” Bharti Telemedia commented.

It further explained that during the provisioning of a new connection, a CAF is filled by the customer which captures details like registered telephone number of the subscriber, Name And Address for installation etc. These details are then entered into the systems. Only after these processes are completed, an engineer is assigned, who visits the customer premises for installation and demonstration. Thus, in any case, the present system already meets the KYC requirement of capturing the customer’s identity and address.

One of the objectives stated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in its reference to TRAI, is to stop the illegal smuggling of set top boxes to other countries. The operators believe that even this objective cannot be met by introducing additional KYC requirements.

“Collecting proof of identity (Pol) and Proof Of address (PoA) documents, as an alternate to Aadhaar, will add to the inconvenience and cost of approximately 100 million subscribers (includes private DTH and DD Free Dish) and potentially another 100 million future subscribers. Conducting such a massive exercise for weeding out a miniscule set of smuggled boxes would be an unfair burden for all stakeholders,” said Tata Sky.

On the question of whether location-based services (LBS) needs to be incorporated in the DTH set top boxes to track its location, Dish TV replied, “This issue has been dealt at length and for the stated reason we strongly oppose this suggestion.”

“We submit that there is no need to introduce the LBS requirement for the DTH set top boxes. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such implementation of LBS for DTH services anywhere in the world,” opined Bharti Telemedia.

Tata Sky believes that location-based services (LBS) – developing and deploying STBs fitted with a LBS solution would make the box expensive and would add to the cost borne by the subscriber. “Also, there would be several cases of non-receipt of signals on account of equipment malfunction or other reasons and not necessarily due to the STB having been smuggled out,” the company said.

Replying to TRAI’s question on whether one-time KYC is enough at the time of installation or verification is required to be done on periodic basis to ensure its actual location? Bharti Telemedia commented, “We firmly believe that the current one-time KYC at the time of installation is more than adequate as it duly meets the essence of any KYC process. Therefore, there is no need to introduce a system of re-verification.”

Further it said, “At the cost of repetition, periodic verification in case of DTH industry has no relevance as the services provided over DTH platforms pose no threats or risks as these services are unidirectional and are made available transparently to the customer. When the verification activity yields no productive outcome, there is no rationale in terms of mandating a periodic re-verification exercise as the same will simply translate into a sizeable financial burden on the DTH industry as well as wastage of resources for a non-productive exercise.”

According to Bharti Telemedia, re-verification will be a daunting and insurmountable task due to the complexities involved in taking customer consent and appointment or unavailability of customer due to various reasons. “It should be considered that it will cause huge inconvenience to users and may raise their apprehensions about the services. Therefore, we recommend that there should not be any change in the existing processes and the system of re-verification should not be introduced,” the company said.

August 28, 2019
KYC imperative to curb smuggling of DTH STBs outside India: IBF

MUMBAI: Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has shared its view on the consultation paper by TRAI on ‘KYC of DTH Set Top Boxes’. The association is of view that there is an absolute and an imminent need for introduction and proper enforcement of meaningful KYC or e-KYC stipulations of DTH STBs.

The association believes that the step is necessary to curb smuggling of DTH STBs outside India and to bring in some level of threshold checks to counter the menace of piracy.

“It is submitted that DTH STBs get rampantly smuggled to territories outside of India where they get used for illegal and unauthorised reception and/or retransmission of signals of channels. Due to such piracy, broadcasters face huge / irreparable revenue losses. Hence, there is a need for mandating KYC or e-KYC for DTH STBs to avoid smuggling of STBs overseas,” said IBF in its comments to TRAI.

The association further informed, “DTH platforms in India are permitted to have subscribers only within the territory of India however, numerous unauthorised STBs of Indian DTH operators are reported to be active and functioning beyond the Indian territory due to the satellite footprints overspill. (For example – signals of DTH operators intended for Indian audience are also available in Middle-East, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar etc.).”

“In case DTH STBs are found to be in use at a location other than the one specified at the time of installation, then KYC or e-KYC will enable the applicable DTH platform operator to directly approach the customer to investigate why and how such DTH STB was shifted / moved to the unauthorised premises / location. This will also quicken the process of nabbing the perpetrator in case of misuse of DTH STBs,” IBF suggested.

The association also suggested that that initially the KYC or e-KYC should be completed at the time of installation. Post initial verification, random verification can be done on a periodic basis to ensure that STB is not moved from its installation address. Periodicity of such inspection can be at such reasonable intervals as may be decided basis discussion and consultation with relevant stakeholders however, with a gap of at least three months between each visit.

The association has also supported incorporation of LBS in the existing DTH STBs. It also believes that the same should be mandated for all new STBs of all DPOs to track location and facilitate verification.

“Keeping in view the growing penetration of DTH STBs and other DPOs, the security of the broadcasters’ content is of paramount importance and this will also help the DPOs to minimise their own revenue loss,” said IBF.

ABP News, Sony Pictures Network and Times Network also shared their comments on the consultation paper. Agreeing to IBF’s view, all three broadcasters also feel that there is a need for KYC and e-KYC of set top boxes to prevent illegal use of STBs in India.

Times Network suggested, “The KYC process should be designed in such a way that it is driven by technology and causes minimum disturbance to the users while at the same time achieves its desired purpose. If it is too cumbersome, it may deviate a part of subscriber to other modes like cable etc., where the KYC norms are not applied, thereby affecting the DTH business prospects in India.”

August 27, 2019