ITV

Category: DTH

  • Tata Sky equips STBs with internet browsing apps

    Tata Sky equips STBs with internet browsing apps

    MUMBAI: Direct to home (DTH) companies are stepping up on their game in a bid to offer more specialised technological services to subscribers so as to stay relevant in the fast changing times.

    Soon after Videocon d2h revealed its plans to launch HD smart set-top-boxes (STB), which converts existing LED TVs into a Smart TV as well as allows browsing from social media, VOD and OTT apps, competitor DTH company Tata Sky has made known its plans to bring internet browsing applications on their STBs.

    This new addition will enable Tata Sky subscribers to browse and interact on certain applications through the STB on almost all TV sets without the requirement of a smart TV.

    The service will be available at no additional cost to Tata Sky subscribers and will be launched in the coming months.

    Tata Sky CEO Harit Nagpal said, “We don’t look at ourselves as a DTH operator. We are a content distribution platform. The scope of that is defined by what content, which medium, what screen the subscriber wants. That is the level of convergence that Tata Sky is looking at achieving.”

  • Videocon d2h to launch Wi-Fi enabled smart HD STBs

    Videocon d2h to launch Wi-Fi enabled smart HD STBs

    MUMBAI: Direct to home (DTH) platform Videocon d2h is planning to launch HD Smart set-top-box (connected set top box), which converts existing LED TVs into a Smart TV besides showing more than 500 channels & services in High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD).

    While the DTH tech in it brings television channels in SD and HD, the connected STB allows one to browse content from Twitter, Facebook, Daily Motion, video on demand sites, OTT apps, news, weather etc through applications residing on the STB. 

    The HD Smart STB will work as a tool for personalisation, engagement and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one’s TV into a smart TV using it. 

    With this new launch, Videocon d2h has taken a step towards providing an advanced product that delivers next generation solutions as part of the idea of Internet of Things (IoT). The feature of unlimited external recording is also available, by plugging in an external storage device for recording programs.

    The HD Smart STB can be connected to the home network of mobile internet, wifi or cable broadband connection to enable data streaming. 

    Through the Daily Motion app, one can watch the latest videos trending. Additionally, users can also connect with their social media page to tweet and post updates.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are proud to announce the launch of this breakthrough technology in the DTH space. This launch of gen-next HD Smart Set Top Box demonstrates our unrivalled expertise and innovation in creation, delivery and execution of technologically advanced products. This product promises to make your existing TV into a smart TV and ensure connectivity with the world. We are enabling convergence of TV, DTH & internet all in one place.”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “We aim to empower people with our connected set top boxes. Our HD Smart Set Top Box offers exceptional features like internet based apps, USB recording, HD quality viewing and reverse path which enable customers to create a unique viewing experience and also stay connected. The customer benefits from an enriched viewing experience through a new user interface allowing seamless navigation.”

  • Videocon d2h to launch Wi-Fi enabled smart HD STBs

    Videocon d2h to launch Wi-Fi enabled smart HD STBs

    MUMBAI: Direct to home (DTH) platform Videocon d2h is planning to launch HD Smart set-top-box (connected set top box), which converts existing LED TVs into a Smart TV besides showing more than 500 channels & services in High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD).

    While the DTH tech in it brings television channels in SD and HD, the connected STB allows one to browse content from Twitter, Facebook, Daily Motion, video on demand sites, OTT apps, news, weather etc through applications residing on the STB. 

    The HD Smart STB will work as a tool for personalisation, engagement and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one’s TV into a smart TV using it. 

    With this new launch, Videocon d2h has taken a step towards providing an advanced product that delivers next generation solutions as part of the idea of Internet of Things (IoT). The feature of unlimited external recording is also available, by plugging in an external storage device for recording programs.

    The HD Smart STB can be connected to the home network of mobile internet, wifi or cable broadband connection to enable data streaming. 

    Through the Daily Motion app, one can watch the latest videos trending. Additionally, users can also connect with their social media page to tweet and post updates.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are proud to announce the launch of this breakthrough technology in the DTH space. This launch of gen-next HD Smart Set Top Box demonstrates our unrivalled expertise and innovation in creation, delivery and execution of technologically advanced products. This product promises to make your existing TV into a smart TV and ensure connectivity with the world. We are enabling convergence of TV, DTH & internet all in one place.”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “We aim to empower people with our connected set top boxes. Our HD Smart Set Top Box offers exceptional features like internet based apps, USB recording, HD quality viewing and reverse path which enable customers to create a unique viewing experience and also stay connected. The customer benefits from an enriched viewing experience through a new user interface allowing seamless navigation.”

  • DishTV launches customised packs in Karnataka, AP & Telangana

    DishTV launches customised packs in Karnataka, AP & Telangana

    MUMBAI: In a bid to acquire subscribers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during Phase III areas of Digital Addressable System (DAS), direct to home (DTH) operator DishTV has launched a new package called Khushi, which offers customers the power to create their own pack.

    The new includes 45 South Indian channels, five Kannada channels and 11 Telugu channels.

    For the customers moving to DishTV, the company offers various options by providing them a choice of custom-made 17 entertainment add-on packs ranging from Rs 25 – 75 per month and regional add-ons starting from Rs 10 per month.

    Subscribers can avail best of Kannada entertainment at as low as Rs 139 per month and wholesome Kannada entertainment at Rs 169 per month. Further to appease the need for sports enthusiasts, the sports add on with best of Kannada entertainment is available at Rs 189 per month.

    For accessing Telugu entertainment, customers will have to pay Rs 139 per month. Popular kids add on with complete Telugu entertainment is priced at Rs 164 per month and the sports add on with complete Telugu entertainment will be available at Rs 189 per month.

    DishTV CEO Arun Kapoor said, “Over the years we have observed the trend of the viewer preferences prevailing in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. They have an inclination for regional content. Keeping this in mind DishTV has always been at the forefront to provide innovative solutions to enhance the TV viewing experience for our subscribers in regional markets.”

    He further added, “Now, with the extension of deadline for the phase III of TV digitisation in India, we aim to capitalise the huge captive user base, which would be switching from analogue cable to digital platform. Khushi offers its subscribers the ‘Power to create your own pack’ and ensure that they enjoy seamless services with uninterrupted entertainment at cost effective rates.”

  • DishTV launches customised packs in Karnataka, AP & Telangana

    DishTV launches customised packs in Karnataka, AP & Telangana

    MUMBAI: In a bid to acquire subscribers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during Phase III areas of Digital Addressable System (DAS), direct to home (DTH) operator DishTV has launched a new package called Khushi, which offers customers the power to create their own pack.

    The new includes 45 South Indian channels, five Kannada channels and 11 Telugu channels.

    For the customers moving to DishTV, the company offers various options by providing them a choice of custom-made 17 entertainment add-on packs ranging from Rs 25 – 75 per month and regional add-ons starting from Rs 10 per month.

    Subscribers can avail best of Kannada entertainment at as low as Rs 139 per month and wholesome Kannada entertainment at Rs 169 per month. Further to appease the need for sports enthusiasts, the sports add on with best of Kannada entertainment is available at Rs 189 per month.

    For accessing Telugu entertainment, customers will have to pay Rs 139 per month. Popular kids add on with complete Telugu entertainment is priced at Rs 164 per month and the sports add on with complete Telugu entertainment will be available at Rs 189 per month.

    DishTV CEO Arun Kapoor said, “Over the years we have observed the trend of the viewer preferences prevailing in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. They have an inclination for regional content. Keeping this in mind DishTV has always been at the forefront to provide innovative solutions to enhance the TV viewing experience for our subscribers in regional markets.”

    He further added, “Now, with the extension of deadline for the phase III of TV digitisation in India, we aim to capitalise the huge captive user base, which would be switching from analogue cable to digital platform. Khushi offers its subscribers the ‘Power to create your own pack’ and ensure that they enjoy seamless services with uninterrupted entertainment at cost effective rates.”

  • Q3-2015: DishTV adds 317K subscribers; reports subscription revenue of Rs 711 crore

    Q3-2015: DishTV adds 317K subscribers; reports subscription revenue of Rs 711 crore

    BENGALURU: This is the fourth consecutive quarter that direct to home (DTH) company DishTV has reported growth across important financial and operational parameters including operating revenues (TIO), profit after tax (PAT) and subscription numbers. Last fiscal and quarter (year and quarter ended 31 March, 2015, Q4-2015), Essel Group’s DTH operator Dish TV Limited turned the corner with a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 3.14 crore and Rs 34.94 crore (margin 4.8 per cent) respectively. The company followed this up with even better numbers in the previous two quarters (Q1-2016 and Q2-2016).

    The company added 3.17 lakh net subscribers in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter), taking its subscriber base on that date to 140 lakh. Dish TV is the largest DTH player in the country in terms of subscribers as well as revenue. The company reported 11.8 per cent YOY revenue growth in the current quarter at Rs 771.48 crore as compared to Rs 690.08 crore and 2.5 per cent more QoQ as compared to Rs 752.42 crore.

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    The company reported 39.1 per cent EBIDTA growth in the current quarter at Rs 265.4 crore as compared to Rs 190.8 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and 4.1 per cent more than the Rs 255 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company reported PAT in Q3-2016 at Rs 68.49 as compared to a loss of Rs 2.63 crore in the corresponding prior year quarter, but decline 21.3 per cent as compared to Rs 86.96 crore in the previous quarter.

    Dish TV managing director Jawahar Goel said, ““We witnessed steady growth in the third quarter and our key metrics strengthened further. Subscription revenues grew 12.6 per cent while EBITDA margin improved to 34.4 per cent. Churn was lower at 0.7 per cent per month. PAT was Rs. 68.5 crore compared to a loss of Rs.2.6 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. Free cash flow for the quarter stood at Rs. 129.6 crore. With a focus on Balance Sheet strength, Dish TV further pruned its debt by Rs 300 crore. The net debt is now around Rs 561 crore and likely to reduce substantially going forward.”

    Goel added, “Efforts towards 100 per cent village electrification and 24×7 power supply in urban areas have a direct correlation with our business. Improved power quality is likely to increase the consumption of pay-tv and within that, pre-paid platforms like Dish TV. Further, financial inclusion initiatives like the ‘Jan Dhan Yojna’ have also facilitated ease of recharge for DTH subscribers by giving them universal access to banking facilities. Rising income levels, growing urbanisation and favourable population dynamics instil confidence that India would be able to sustain high growth over a long period of time. Such positive indicators are catalysts for consumption driven sectors like DTH.”

    Talking about digitisation and Dish TV’s positioning, Goel said, “We continued to build our pan-India reach during the quarter. However, as expected, despite analogue sunset there was no real spike in consumer demand from Phase III markets thus making it an ordinary quarter from that perspective. Later, changing gears to align with the current industry trend, we tweaked our subscription packages to a more versatile and seemingly economical offering. Mandatory digitisation however is expected to pick up speed and our key focus going forward would be to gain market share both in terms of subscribers and profitability.”

  • Q3-2015: DishTV adds 317K subscribers; reports subscription revenue of Rs 711 crore

    Q3-2015: DishTV adds 317K subscribers; reports subscription revenue of Rs 711 crore

    BENGALURU: This is the fourth consecutive quarter that direct to home (DTH) company DishTV has reported growth across important financial and operational parameters including operating revenues (TIO), profit after tax (PAT) and subscription numbers. Last fiscal and quarter (year and quarter ended 31 March, 2015, Q4-2015), Essel Group’s DTH operator Dish TV Limited turned the corner with a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 3.14 crore and Rs 34.94 crore (margin 4.8 per cent) respectively. The company followed this up with even better numbers in the previous two quarters (Q1-2016 and Q2-2016).

    The company added 3.17 lakh net subscribers in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter), taking its subscriber base on that date to 140 lakh. Dish TV is the largest DTH player in the country in terms of subscribers as well as revenue. The company reported 11.8 per cent YOY revenue growth in the current quarter at Rs 771.48 crore as compared to Rs 690.08 crore and 2.5 per cent more QoQ as compared to Rs 752.42 crore.

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    The company reported 39.1 per cent EBIDTA growth in the current quarter at Rs 265.4 crore as compared to Rs 190.8 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and 4.1 per cent more than the Rs 255 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company reported PAT in Q3-2016 at Rs 68.49 as compared to a loss of Rs 2.63 crore in the corresponding prior year quarter, but decline 21.3 per cent as compared to Rs 86.96 crore in the previous quarter.

    Dish TV managing director Jawahar Goel said, ““We witnessed steady growth in the third quarter and our key metrics strengthened further. Subscription revenues grew 12.6 per cent while EBITDA margin improved to 34.4 per cent. Churn was lower at 0.7 per cent per month. PAT was Rs. 68.5 crore compared to a loss of Rs.2.6 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. Free cash flow for the quarter stood at Rs. 129.6 crore. With a focus on Balance Sheet strength, Dish TV further pruned its debt by Rs 300 crore. The net debt is now around Rs 561 crore and likely to reduce substantially going forward.”

    Goel added, “Efforts towards 100 per cent village electrification and 24×7 power supply in urban areas have a direct correlation with our business. Improved power quality is likely to increase the consumption of pay-tv and within that, pre-paid platforms like Dish TV. Further, financial inclusion initiatives like the ‘Jan Dhan Yojna’ have also facilitated ease of recharge for DTH subscribers by giving them universal access to banking facilities. Rising income levels, growing urbanisation and favourable population dynamics instil confidence that India would be able to sustain high growth over a long period of time. Such positive indicators are catalysts for consumption driven sectors like DTH.”

    Talking about digitisation and Dish TV’s positioning, Goel said, “We continued to build our pan-India reach during the quarter. However, as expected, despite analogue sunset there was no real spike in consumer demand from Phase III markets thus making it an ordinary quarter from that perspective. Later, changing gears to align with the current industry trend, we tweaked our subscription packages to a more versatile and seemingly economical offering. Mandatory digitisation however is expected to pick up speed and our key focus going forward would be to gain market share both in terms of subscribers and profitability.”

  • Airtel DTH revenue up 19% on higher subscriber additions & ARPU

    Airtel DTH revenue up 19% on higher subscriber additions & ARPU

    BENGALURU: The 31 December, 2015 deadline for Digital Addressable System (DAS) Phase III has been a boost for the carriage industry in subscriber additions, revenues, and operating profits. Buoyed by the government’s decision to stick to deadlines for digitisation, the direct-to-home (DTH) industry in India is continuing its bloom run, if one were to go by the results reported by Bharti Airtel for its Digital TV services (Airtel DTH) for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter).

     

    Revenue in Q3-2016 increased 19 per cent to Rs 742.2 crore, up 19 per cent YoY as compared to Rs 623.4 crore. EBIDTA for Q3-2016 grew 45 per cent to Rs 247.4 crore (33.3 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 170.7 crore (27.4 per cent margin).

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The segment’s subscriber base grew 13.2 per cent YoY to 111.06 lakh in the current quarter as compared to 98.10 lakh and grew five per cent as compared to 105.76 lakh in the immediate preceding quarter. Though in US dollar terms, average revenue per user (ARPU) was constant YoY and QoQ at $3.5, in Indian rupees it has increased seven per cent YoY to Rs 229 from Rs 214 and increased two per cent QoQ from Rs 224. Given that the deadline for DAS phase III was 31 December, 2015, Airtel DTH segment reported 5.30 lakh net subscriber additions in the current quarter, which was almost double (1.96 times) the 2.70 lakh subscriber additions in Q3-2015 and more than triple (3.2 times) the 1.64 lakh subscribers added in Q2-2016.

     

    Subscriber churn in Q3-2016 was lower at 0.7 per cent as compared to one per cent in Q3-2015 and 1.3 per cent in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Airtel’s CAPEX for its DTH segment more than doubled (by 2.1 times) to Rs 342.2 crore as compared to Rs 163 crore in Q3-2015. Airtel’s cumulative investments in its DTH segment increased 17 per cent YoY to Rs 6177 crore as compared to Rs 5494.8 crore.

  • Airtel DTH revenue up 19% on higher subscriber additions & ARPU

    Airtel DTH revenue up 19% on higher subscriber additions & ARPU

    BENGALURU: The 31 December, 2015 deadline for Digital Addressable System (DAS) Phase III has been a boost for the carriage industry in subscriber additions, revenues, and operating profits. Buoyed by the government’s decision to stick to deadlines for digitisation, the direct-to-home (DTH) industry in India is continuing its bloom run, if one were to go by the results reported by Bharti Airtel for its Digital TV services (Airtel DTH) for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter).

     

    Revenue in Q3-2016 increased 19 per cent to Rs 742.2 crore, up 19 per cent YoY as compared to Rs 623.4 crore. EBIDTA for Q3-2016 grew 45 per cent to Rs 247.4 crore (33.3 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 170.7 crore (27.4 per cent margin).

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The segment’s subscriber base grew 13.2 per cent YoY to 111.06 lakh in the current quarter as compared to 98.10 lakh and grew five per cent as compared to 105.76 lakh in the immediate preceding quarter. Though in US dollar terms, average revenue per user (ARPU) was constant YoY and QoQ at $3.5, in Indian rupees it has increased seven per cent YoY to Rs 229 from Rs 214 and increased two per cent QoQ from Rs 224. Given that the deadline for DAS phase III was 31 December, 2015, Airtel DTH segment reported 5.30 lakh net subscriber additions in the current quarter, which was almost double (1.96 times) the 2.70 lakh subscriber additions in Q3-2015 and more than triple (3.2 times) the 1.64 lakh subscribers added in Q2-2016.

     

    Subscriber churn in Q3-2016 was lower at 0.7 per cent as compared to one per cent in Q3-2015 and 1.3 per cent in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Airtel’s CAPEX for its DTH segment more than doubled (by 2.1 times) to Rs 342.2 crore as compared to Rs 163 crore in Q3-2015. Airtel’s cumulative investments in its DTH segment increased 17 per cent YoY to Rs 6177 crore as compared to Rs 5494.8 crore.

  • Q3-2016: Videocon d2h YoY revenue up 22% on subscriber additions, higher ARPU

    Q3-2016: Videocon d2h YoY revenue up 22% on subscriber additions, higher ARPU

    BENGALURU: Videocon d2h Limited reported 14.8 per cent YoY increase in net subscriber additions and 8.2 per cent YoY growth in ARPU for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter). The company’s revenue from operations (TIO) increased 21.6 per cent YoY to Rs 731.49 crore in Q3-2016 as compared to Rs 601.53 crore. Subscriber addition brings in higher activation revenue.

     

    The company achieved strong subscription and activation YoY revenue growth of 26 per cent at Rs 665 crore as compared to Rs 527.9 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Videocon d2h added 6.7 lakh gross subscribers and 4.3 lakh net subscribers during the quarter. Gross subscribers totalled 149.5 lakh and net subscribers totalled 112.7 lakh as of 31 December, 2015. The company says that monthly churn came in at 0.73 per cent for the quarter and 0.80 per cent for the nine months ending 31 December, 2015, which was marginally ahead of the company guidance.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore.

     

    Average revenue per user (ARPU) in Q3-2016 increased 8.2 per cent to Rs 211 as compared to Rs 195 in Q3-2015 and increased 2.9 per cent as compared to Rs 205 in Q2-2016.

     

    Videocon d2h reported 42.2 per cent YoY growth in adjusted EBITDA at Rs 201 crore for Q3- 2016 compared to Rs 141 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Net loss for the quarter declined to Rs 22.05 crore as compared to the net loss of Rs 79.8 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “I am delighted the company reported EBITDA growth of over 42 per cent in the quarter compared to last year. This is a result of strong subscriber and ARPU growth and our continued focus on margin improvement, in line with our expectations. We believe we are amongst the fastest growing media companies in the world delivering exceptional performance quarter after quarter. During the quarter, we continued to strengthen our content offering and added new channels on our platform. We recently added two transponders ahead of schedule. This further strengthens our content offering, which is one of our key competitive advantages. With this additional bandwidth we will continue to add more regional and HD channels to our platform in times to come.”

     

    Speaking on the Phase III digitisation implementation, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “Phase III digitisation has begun. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting maintained their deadline and instructed broadcasters to switch off analogue signals in Phase III digitisation areas. In the first few days of January 2016, we saw strong pick up in subscriber additions in cities that come under Phase III digitisation. Recently, a few state high courts issued a stay order on implementation of Phase III digitisation for one – three months. This was in line with our expectations of the digitisation being a staggered process.”

     

    “We estimate around 50 million television homes come under Phase III digitisation, of which 24-25 million television homes are already on the digital platform. Thus, the target market under Phase III digitisation is the remaining 25-26 million television homes that are currently on analog cable,” he added.