ITV

Category: DTH

  • Eight TV channels win Freedish slots, bid price goes above Rs 5 cr

    Eight TV channels win Freedish slots, bid price goes above Rs 5 cr

    NEW DELHI: Setting a new record of getting for Rs 5.3 crore against the reserve price of Rs 4.3 crore, Doordarshan’s DTH platform Freedish bagged as many as eight new channels in the e-auction held last week.

    The channels that successfully bid for slots are Zee Anmol, Rishtey, Star Utsav, Fight Soirts, B4U Music, APN, Vision TV (Housefull Movies), and India 24×7.

    The reserve price which had been Rs 3.7 crore was raised to its present level for the 25th e-auction in January. indiantelevision.com had learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions. The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs 3 crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

    A senior Doordarshan official told indiantelevision.com that the next auction would be held in September, though the exact date had not yet been finalized.

    The official refused to give the figure at which individual channels won the auction, as the exact amount after various adjustments was not yet clear.

    Freedish – which currently carries eighty TV channels and 23 radio channels –also carries two channels as FTA which are otherwise pay channels – Aajtak and Big TV.

    The official clarified that Freedish will be able to carry more channels as it is shortly going on to MPEG4. While it could carry about sixteen channels per transponder but MPEG 4 allows up to 24 TV channels per transponder, apart from radio channels.

    The official said the Indian conditional access system (iCAS) is being used to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.

    The platform at present has space for eighty channels including its own channels and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV and also carrues 24 All India Radio channels.

    The e-Auction was conducted by M/s. C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction was Rs.1.5 crore which was deposited in advance. Incremental amount for the auction was Rs 10 lakh.

    Of the bid price, Rs 1.1 crore will be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 1.1 crore within two months along with service tax of 14.5 per cent on the bid amount.

    The balance bid amount will be deposited within six months, failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and the channel discontinued after a 21-day discontinuation notice.

  • Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    MUMBAI: An Indian court has provided relief to Indian DTH TV operator Tata Sky. It had approached the Delhi high court last month with a plea that the video sharing site YouTube should take down user generated videos which taught viewers how to hack the encryption of its set top boxes. Tata Sky had also demanded that the latter should respond promptly to complaints about illegal videos. YouTube had responded that it could have responded to the DTH operators complaint had it been less vague.

    The court ruled in its favour, according to a report in the Times of India. “In terms of Rule 3(1)(e) of the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines, YouTube is obliged not to host content that violates any law for the time being in force,” Justice S Muralidhar said.

    The court also said that in cases where YouTube would be required to act immediately, it should not insist upon the complainant to demonstrate that the complaint falls in the categories identified by it for taking action.

    Even as YouTube told the court that it had pulled down the offending Tata Sky videos, others continue to be present on the video platform. One describes how users can hack Airtel and Dish TV India STBs by using software on a pen drive.Another one talks about hacking into a Dish TV box by using a code.

  • Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    Tata Sky gets favorable court order against YouTube

    MUMBAI: An Indian court has provided relief to Indian DTH TV operator Tata Sky. It had approached the Delhi high court last month with a plea that the video sharing site YouTube should take down user generated videos which taught viewers how to hack the encryption of its set top boxes. Tata Sky had also demanded that the latter should respond promptly to complaints about illegal videos. YouTube had responded that it could have responded to the DTH operators complaint had it been less vague.

    The court ruled in its favour, according to a report in the Times of India. “In terms of Rule 3(1)(e) of the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines, YouTube is obliged not to host content that violates any law for the time being in force,” Justice S Muralidhar said.

    The court also said that in cases where YouTube would be required to act immediately, it should not insist upon the complainant to demonstrate that the complaint falls in the categories identified by it for taking action.

    Even as YouTube told the court that it had pulled down the offending Tata Sky videos, others continue to be present on the video platform. One describes how users can hack Airtel and Dish TV India STBs by using software on a pen drive.Another one talks about hacking into a Dish TV box by using a code.

  • Airtel to dole out 5GB free bandwidth for post-paid & DTH customers

    Airtel to dole out 5GB free bandwidth for post-paid & DTH customers

    MUMBAI: It’s party time for Bharati Airtel’s broadband customers. India’s largest telco announced on 10 August that it would be doling out an extra 5GB of data bandwidth for every other Airtel service connection – postpaid mobile or digital TV (DTH) – within the family. The press note says the more the connections in a home, the more the free data on offer.

    Customers can avail this exciting offer for their existing as well as new Airtel postpaid mobile and digital TV connections.As an illustration, if a home has two mobile post paid connections, and an Airtel Digital TV (DTH) connection, then a further free 15GB of bandwidth will be added to its broadband account every month.

    Bharati Airtel (India) CEO- Homes Hemanth Kumar Guruswamy said that it is a move to delight its customers. “This is a gesture from us to thank our broadband customers for giving us an opportunity to serve them. Along with the unlimited free calling benefit on our landline, customers can now make the most of their Airtel broadband with the free additional data benefits.”

    Being dished out under its newly launched ‘myHome Rewards programme, the offer can be availed of through the myAirtel app or by registering one’s connection at www.airtel.in/myhome. Last year, the company had offered its customers free data under its Airtel surprises programme.

    Observers however see a pre-emptory tactic against Reliance Jio as it gets ready to launch its 4G services in a full-fledged manner. Jio is expected to disrupt the data pricing structure in India when it rolls out both its wireless and wired broadband services in the coming few months.

    In the past couple of months, most of the telcos have announced price cuts for data for their pre-paid packs.

  • Airtel to dole out 5GB free bandwidth for post-paid & DTH customers

    Airtel to dole out 5GB free bandwidth for post-paid & DTH customers

    MUMBAI: It’s party time for Bharati Airtel’s broadband customers. India’s largest telco announced on 10 August that it would be doling out an extra 5GB of data bandwidth for every other Airtel service connection – postpaid mobile or digital TV (DTH) – within the family. The press note says the more the connections in a home, the more the free data on offer.

    Customers can avail this exciting offer for their existing as well as new Airtel postpaid mobile and digital TV connections.As an illustration, if a home has two mobile post paid connections, and an Airtel Digital TV (DTH) connection, then a further free 15GB of bandwidth will be added to its broadband account every month.

    Bharati Airtel (India) CEO- Homes Hemanth Kumar Guruswamy said that it is a move to delight its customers. “This is a gesture from us to thank our broadband customers for giving us an opportunity to serve them. Along with the unlimited free calling benefit on our landline, customers can now make the most of their Airtel broadband with the free additional data benefits.”

    Being dished out under its newly launched ‘myHome Rewards programme, the offer can be availed of through the myAirtel app or by registering one’s connection at www.airtel.in/myhome. Last year, the company had offered its customers free data under its Airtel surprises programme.

    Observers however see a pre-emptory tactic against Reliance Jio as it gets ready to launch its 4G services in a full-fledged manner. Jio is expected to disrupt the data pricing structure in India when it rolls out both its wireless and wired broadband services in the coming few months.

    In the past couple of months, most of the telcos have announced price cuts for data for their pre-paid packs.

  • Tata Sky marks decade with all-channels offer to subscribers during Olympics

    Tata Sky marks decade with all-channels offer to subscribers during Olympics

    NEW DELHI: As a special gesture to mark ten years of its completion, subscribers will get to view all the 500 + channels and services that Tata Sky has to offer at no additional cost to their subscription between 8 to 21 August.H, Kapoor and Sons, Airlift, Maanjhi The Mountain Man, Bajirao Mastani, Shaandar, Tamashaa, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Dil Dhadakne Do, Jazbaa and Badlapur to the subscriber base free of cost.

    As a part of the celebrations, Tata Sky is carrying a special ‘Celebrating 10 Years’ logo on its DTH platform.

    Tata Sky’s MD & CEO Harit Nagpal said, “We couldn’t have celebrated this milestone without involving our subscribers, who have been at the core of our journey through the decade. Our celebratory offerings are just our way of conveying to our subscribers that Tata Sky ensures they get the best of world class entertainment viewing in abundance.”

    He added that this celebratory offer could not have come at a more opportune time as all subscribers can watch the much-awaited Rio Olympics at no additional cost.

    Over the last decade, Tata Sky said in a release that it had revolutionised Indian home entertainment by empowering television viewers with choice, control and convenience through a wide array of programming choices and interactive features.

    It claimed to have many revolutionary firsts under its belt, right from the PVR (Personal Video Recorder) set-top box, 4K Set top box, to first ever DIY (Do-It-Yourself) videos and an array of successful interactive services, thereby living up to its promise of offering Indian subscribers a world-class television viewing experience through its satellite television service.

  • Tata Sky marks decade with all-channels offer to subscribers during Olympics

    Tata Sky marks decade with all-channels offer to subscribers during Olympics

    NEW DELHI: As a special gesture to mark ten years of its completion, subscribers will get to view all the 500 + channels and services that Tata Sky has to offer at no additional cost to their subscription between 8 to 21 August.H, Kapoor and Sons, Airlift, Maanjhi The Mountain Man, Bajirao Mastani, Shaandar, Tamashaa, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Dil Dhadakne Do, Jazbaa and Badlapur to the subscriber base free of cost.

    As a part of the celebrations, Tata Sky is carrying a special ‘Celebrating 10 Years’ logo on its DTH platform.

    Tata Sky’s MD & CEO Harit Nagpal said, “We couldn’t have celebrated this milestone without involving our subscribers, who have been at the core of our journey through the decade. Our celebratory offerings are just our way of conveying to our subscribers that Tata Sky ensures they get the best of world class entertainment viewing in abundance.”

    He added that this celebratory offer could not have come at a more opportune time as all subscribers can watch the much-awaited Rio Olympics at no additional cost.

    Over the last decade, Tata Sky said in a release that it had revolutionised Indian home entertainment by empowering television viewers with choice, control and convenience through a wide array of programming choices and interactive features.

    It claimed to have many revolutionary firsts under its belt, right from the PVR (Personal Video Recorder) set-top box, 4K Set top box, to first ever DIY (Do-It-Yourself) videos and an array of successful interactive services, thereby living up to its promise of offering Indian subscribers a world-class television viewing experience through its satellite television service.

  • Dish TV & Shemaroo get religious; launch Bhakti Active

    Dish TV & Shemaroo get religious; launch Bhakti Active

    MUMBAI: After launching a special Gujarati VOD pack, both the Jawahar Goel – headed Dish TV India, Asia’s largest DTH brand, and Shemaroo Entertainment are back once again in yet another move to expand the operator’s gradient of value added services (VAS) with the launch a new premium service called “Bhakti Active.”

    The Bhakti Active service will cater to the needs of consumers and viewers who enjoy mythological and religious content. It will air live aartis, bhajans, shlokas and documentaries throughout the day. The respective programmes on the Bhakti Active service will be lined up based upon the Hindu calendar and festivals.

    Bhakti Active is a premium religious ad free subscription based service and is being launched for trials and previewing till 31 August, following which it will carry a price tag of Rs 30 a month.
    This religious service will be available on channel number 755 on DishTV & Zing. Customers can easily activate this service by giving a missed call on 18002700371.

    Speaking on the launch, Arun Kumar Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, DishTV said: ““Being a pioneer and a market leader in the DTH industry, DishTV stands for quality and commitment. It has always lived up to its promise of providing maximum width and depth of content to its consumers. We have always taken the lead in enhancing the value proposition and provide the best in entertainment to our subscribers. We are happy to announce our partnership with Shemaroo to launch the Bhakti Active Service on our platform. This move reiterates our commitment to augment the TV viewing experience for our viewers.”

  • Dish TV & Shemaroo get religious; launch Bhakti Active

    Dish TV & Shemaroo get religious; launch Bhakti Active

    MUMBAI: After launching a special Gujarati VOD pack, both the Jawahar Goel – headed Dish TV India, Asia’s largest DTH brand, and Shemaroo Entertainment are back once again in yet another move to expand the operator’s gradient of value added services (VAS) with the launch a new premium service called “Bhakti Active.”

    The Bhakti Active service will cater to the needs of consumers and viewers who enjoy mythological and religious content. It will air live aartis, bhajans, shlokas and documentaries throughout the day. The respective programmes on the Bhakti Active service will be lined up based upon the Hindu calendar and festivals.

    Bhakti Active is a premium religious ad free subscription based service and is being launched for trials and previewing till 31 August, following which it will carry a price tag of Rs 30 a month.
    This religious service will be available on channel number 755 on DishTV & Zing. Customers can easily activate this service by giving a missed call on 18002700371.

    Speaking on the launch, Arun Kumar Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, DishTV said: ““Being a pioneer and a market leader in the DTH industry, DishTV stands for quality and commitment. It has always lived up to its promise of providing maximum width and depth of content to its consumers. We have always taken the lead in enhancing the value proposition and provide the best in entertainment to our subscribers. We are happy to announce our partnership with Shemaroo to launch the Bhakti Active Service on our platform. This move reiterates our commitment to augment the TV viewing experience for our viewers.”

  • GST Bill, DTH and broadcasting

    GST Bill, DTH and broadcasting

    MUMBAI: When the The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 was passed in the Rajya Sabha late Wednesday night, it heralded the rollout of the goods and service tax era in India. In the making for nearly 16 years it is estimated to inject an additional one to two points in growth to the world’s fastest growing economy.

    GST, as envisaged by the government, is one indirect tax for the whole nation, which will make India one unified common market. It will subsume central excise duty, additional excise duty, service tax, additional customs duty commonly known as countervailing duty, and special additional duty of customs at the Central level. GST will also subsume state value added tax/sales tax, entertainment tax, central sales tax, octroi and entry tax, and purchase tax at the state level.

    Last year when finance minister Arun Jaitley had tabled the Bill then for debate, indiantelevision.com had spoken to industry stalwarts. Videocon D2H CEO Anil Khera had at that stage opined: “GST is a welcome move. It will help the DTH sector to prosper. DTH is the biggest victim of multiple taxation policy and GST will simplify that. The industry needs a uniform taxation system and the sooner it comes the better it is.”

    Speaking to CNBC TV18 on 2 August Dish TV chairman and managing director Jawahar Goel had said that the passage of the GST amendments would benefit his company to the tune of three to four per cent initially and this would likely improve to four to five per cent going forward.

    “Currently our outgo on indirect taxes is roughly around 23 percent and then for tax administration also, our expenditure is almost 1-1.5 percent, for managing our logistics in each of the states. The savings should go directly to our bottomline,” he had shared with the business news channel.

    Broadcasters would likely be impacted too as the indirect taxes that they pay currently are around 14-15 per cent. Observers expected the outgo for them could rise to about 18-20 per cent the introduction of GST.

    (Because this is a developing story, more facts may emerge as we go along. Hence it will be updated with new viewpoints then.)