ITV

Category: DTH

  • Airtel Digital TV launches 4K UHD channel

    Airtel Digital TV launches 4K UHD channel

    MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV, the direct to home (DTH) arm of mobile services provider Bharti Airtel, has launched its first 4K-Ultra HD (UHD) channel. 

     

    Airtel will showcase the world TV premiere of the Salman Khan starrer blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan on the newly launched channel on 11 October.

     

    Bajrangi Bhaijaan is the first movie to premiere on Airtel’s 4K UHD channel. 

     

    Available exclusively to users of the Samsung Smart Direct TV, the movie will premiere at 12:30 pm on Sunday on Star Gold 4K.

     

    Airtel’s 4K UHD channel is available free of cost to users of the Samsung Smart Direct TV for a limited period. Airtel will also showcase programs like Overhalin from Discovery and other movies like Singh is King, Kick and Jai Ho on the channel in the coming days.

    The Samsung Smart Direct TV is an integrated digital TV pioneered and launched by Airtel Digital TV in partnership with Samsung.

    It is among the many innovations by Airtel and is a technology platform that has miniaturized the set-top-box (STB) into a small smart card that fits inside the television set at the back panel. The solution offers a smart TV viewing experience with minimal signal loss and maximum audio & video clarity while also ensuring maximum power savings. An industry first, it uses minimal wiring and a single remote solution powered by an intuitive user guide enabling built-in Smart Card that allows customers to enjoy TV viewing without an external STB. The newly launched Samsung J-Series Smart Direct TV comes with additional features such as in-built Wi-Fi, Skype calling, Smart Apps etc.

  • Dish TV takes HD offering to 47 with Ten Golf HD addition

    Dish TV takes HD offering to 47 with Ten Golf HD addition

    MUMBAI: With the addition of Ten Golf HD, direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV has taken its high definition channels and services count to 47, which is the highest in the country so far.

     As of August, rival DTH operator Videocon d2h offered 39 HD offerings to its subscribers.

    Ten Golf HD, the 24-hour sports channel dedicated to golf, takes DishTV’s HD sports channel count to seven. DishTV subscribers will be able to watch it on channel number 81. As was earlier reported by Indiantelevision.com, Ten Golf HD was slated to launch on 7 October.

    Dish TV India chief operating officer Salil Kapoor said, “Latest trends suggest that the growth of the HD category over the past year together with rising sales of flat panel TV’s (LED/LCD) has added a new dimension to the superior HD viewing experience. With the usage of DTH connections with HD boxes, the experience quotient for the subscribers is all set to go up. We are proud to announce addition of Ten Golf HD channel on our platform.”

     “Dish TV has a complete offering and mix of HD entertainment, music, news and regional language channels and has maximum content with 47 HD channels and services, making it the highest in the country,” he added.

  • DD Freedish auctions 8 channels for Rs 31.3 crore in 22nd online e-auction

    DD Freedish auctions 8 channels for Rs 31.3 crore in 22nd online e-auction

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan earned Rs 31.3 crore from the auction of eight slots to Indian television channels on its free-to-air DTH platform Freedish in the 22nd e-auction.

     

    The latest e-auction was held on 22 September. DD’s attempt is to touch the target of 112 television channels in the next few months.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, DD deputy director general C K Jain said that against the reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot for the online e-auction, it earned the highest figure of Rs 4.2 crore from Sanskaar channel, which has come on to the platform for the first time.

     

    Another channel, which has hopped on to the Freedish platform for the first time is WOW Cinema.

     

    The other channels are: IBN7, Aastha, Aastha Bhajan, News Nation, Bhojpuri Cinema, and Dangal. While these channels were a part of Freedish earlier, they had to re-bid as their contract had expired.

     

    The auction was held barely six weeks after the last e-auction in August, which earned DD Rs 23.2 crore.

     

    Indiantelevision.com has also learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions.

     

    DD sources said that while Freedish may be encrypted soon from Mpeg 2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, it would remain free-to-air.

     

    The e-Auction was conducted by C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida.   

     

    Currently, Freedish has 64 channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

  • Videocon d2h named best ‘Pay TV Service’ at Content Innovation Award in Cannes

    Videocon d2h named best ‘Pay TV Service’ at Content Innovation Award in Cannes

    MUMBAI: Indian direct to home (DTH) company Videocon d2h bagged the ‘Pay TV Service of the Year’ award at Digital TV Europe’s inaugural Content Innovation Awards held in Cannes.

     

    Videocon d2h is India’s fastest growing pay TV operator. For the quarter ended 30 June, 2015, Videocon d2h’s subscription revenue grew 32.2 per cent year on year to Rs 599 crore. On the other hand, the company’s revenue from operations grew 23.3 per cent year on year to Rs 663 crore. Videocon d2h’s gross subscriber base stands at 13.70 million, whereas its net subscriber base is at 10.64 million.

     

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “As the fastest growing Pay TV operator in India and the DTH market leader for the fourth consecutive year in terms of incremental market share, Videocon d2h has worked hard for its success in what can only be described as a strongly competitive marketplace. Our focus of providing superior customer service for each and every single one of our 14 million gross subscribers has served as the foundation for several milestone accomplishments for Videocon d2h, including adding 2.64 million subscribers, growing subscription revenues by 38.3 per cent during this past fiscal year.”

     

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “2015 has certainly been a banner year for Videocon d2h. We started the year with the launch of India’s first 4K Ultra HD channel in January, became the most valued Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ with our successful IPO with a market cap of $1.24 billion as of 30 June, 2015. Being honoured with Pay TV Service of the Year award is a celebration of our customer delight approach.”

     

    Accepting the award, Videocon d2h deputy CEO Rohit Jain said, “Being named Pay TV Service of the Year, especially from a global field of innovative businesses, is truly the icing on the cake.”

     

    On the other hand, Discovery Networks International was named as the Best International TV Networks Group. Discovery Networks CEEMEA also won the Best Series Launch of the Year for Dynamo: Magician Impossible (season 4).

     

    Endemol Beyond was crowned MCN of the Year, whereas the Channel of the Year award went to Eurosport. The award for the Best New Channel launch went to AMC Global. 

     

    Some of the other major winners at the awards were Entertainment One, which won International Production Company of the Year, ITV Studios Global Entertainment was awarded as the Best Content Distributor.

     

    BT took home the award for 4K Initiative of the Year for its Ultra HD Service, whereas the Cloud TV Innovation of the Year award went to Easel TV for Curzon Home Cinema. Orange for Watch with Twitter bagged the Social TV Innovation of the Year award.

     

    The Industry Innovation of the Year went to VOO for the .évasion box and Videowall. Rovi bagged the TV Technology Award (content discovery) award for Personalized Discovery Solution 

     

    The awards were attended by more than 100 programming and technology industry executives in Cannes.

  • Tata Sky looks to up VAS, VOD revenue; partners Suniel Shetty for fitness service

    Tata Sky looks to up VAS, VOD revenue; partners Suniel Shetty for fitness service

    MUMBAI: Eyeing a larger share of revenue from the Value Added Service (VAS) and VOD (Video on Demand) pie, direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Sky has partnered with Suniel Shetty and Adarsh Gupta’s lifestyle and health initiative Brilliant Living TV to launch a fitness-based interactive service – ‘Actve Fitness.’

     

    The new service will allow subscribers to get access to fitness trainers and wellness experts 24×7 at the cost of Rs 59 per month.

     

    The DTH operator recently added ‘Actve Fitness’ to their bouquet of VAS. While on-air fitness programs have been tried many times on TV, this is the first time a DTH player in India has introduced an on demand fitness solution for its customers.

     

    The new service was unveiled by Salman Khan, who also explained the advantages of Actve Fitness from a fitness enthusiast’s perspective.

     

    Tata Sky chief commercial officer Pallavi Puri says, “In line with our attempt to keep innovating the VAS section, we are constantly researching. Our research showed that our users are very health conscious. They want to look fit and live a healthy lifestyle. But not everyone has the access to gyms, fitness equipments or proper trainers. Even if they have access to such facilities, availability of convenient time becomes an issue for many who lead a busy life. I would say this service is a smarter and personalised way to take control of one’s health from the comfort of your homes.”

     

    Effective 5 October, Tata Sky subscribers will be given a ‘missed call number’ that will lead them to activate this new service. Interested users can also send SMS requests, or  log in to the DTH player’s website, or subscribe to the service through their television sets. Puri expects the service to appeal to their customer base from all demographies.

     

    Apart from creating a buzz by inviting Khan for the launch, Tata Sky has also put in place a marketing strategy for the new service. “We are targeting communication towards our customers through our landing channel No 100, which will showcase advertisements informing viewers about the new service. We are also looking digital promos, and tele-calling as ways to promote the service among our customers,” explains Puri.

     

    Puri further adds that having Brilliant Living TV as a partner broadened their scope and quality of the content they can offer through the service. “Brilliant Living TV is delighted to be associated with Tata Sky to bring Actve Fitness to Indian homes. Our focus has been on creating passion and excitement for fitness amongst all Indians by guiding them through fitness exercises such as work-out videos, yoga and meditation. Now for the first time these services will be available to viewers at home through a DTH platform,” said Brilliant Living TV founder Adarsh Gupta.

     

    Available in both Hindi and English, the content for the service has been curated by Brilliant Living TV, with Suniel Shetty being an active part of it. “With the inception of Brilliant Living TV, we could gather industry experts under one roof and with the help of Tata Sky Actve Fitness we are able to reach out to the mass. Continuing my effort, I am looking forward to a healthy India in the near future,” says Shetty.

     

    Shetty has roped in celebrity fitness trainers like Yasmin Karachiwala, Kaizzad Capadia, Abbas Ali and Grand Master Shifuji amongst others for Actve Fitness. Each of them have shared workout and yoga sessions, self-defence and celebrity fitness tips that anyone can follow at home, without the need of any professional equipment. The interactive service also lets one set a Weight Tracker and check the Calorie Counter for the kind of food they consume. 

     

    Each day of the week will focus on a different body part for exercising, with Monday dedicated to full body workout. Apart from that, the service also offers half hour modules for the subscribers, who can choose from a category of wellness regimes to customise according to their needs.

     

    Specials include different schools of yoga such as Ashtang yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha yoga; meditation, work outs like a kickboxing, fusion martial arts, and more. They also offer women’s special fitness trainings that cover self-defence, dance workout and event pre-natal yoga.

  • The Epic Channel goes HD on Tata Sky

    The Epic Channel goes HD on Tata Sky

    MUMBAI: With increasing penetration of High Definition (HD) television sets, more and more channels are now adding the HD feed for a better consumer experience.

     

    The Epic Channel, which focuses on the Indian history, folklore and mythology genre, recently launched its HD version on Tata Sky. 

     

    The Epic Channel HD will be available on the direct-to-home (DTH) platform’s channel no 133.

     

    The Epic Channel will shoots all its content in HD so viewers can experience the shows on Indian history and mythology in HD.

     

    The Epic Channel managing director Mahesh Samat said, “Since the inception of the channel, Epic has stood out for its unique and unparalleled content offering. We have grown considerably and built a loyal viewer base over the course of the year and with the channel now being available in High Definition on Tata Sky, the viewer’s experience is only going to get enhanced. This makes it a complete viewing experience for Tata Sky subscribers, letting them watch the best in Indian history and mythology.”

     

    Tata Sky chief contend and business development officer Paolo Agostinelli added, “High definition content truly does justice to the intriguing historic and mythological story telling that Epic channel brings to the viewers. We continue to bring the best viewing technology for our Tata Sky subscribers and this is one of the biggest reasons why we have a growing subscriber base.”

     

    The channel’s standard definition (SD) feed is currently available across key DTH players like Tata Sky, Airtel, Videocon d2h, Dish TV, and Reliance Digital TV along with major cable players like Hathway, Den and more.

  • Arqiva scales up Eutelsat satellite capacity for DTH broadcasting

    Arqiva scales up Eutelsat satellite capacity for DTH broadcasting

    MUMBAI: UK based communications infrastructure and media services company Arqiva has signed a multi-year deal with Eutelsat Communications for a 14th transponder at the 28° East video neighbourhood, to serve the UK DTH (direct-to-home) broadcasting market.

     

    Arqiva’s portfolio of capacity at the UK’s premium neighbourhood, combined with encryption, multiplexing and uplinking services, positions it as a key partner for channels seeking to engage with Sky and Freesat homes. The additional capacity will expand Arqiva’s extensive digital multiplex offering and broaden the options available to its existing and future customer base.

     

    Arqiva managing director for satellite and media David Crawford said, “Arqiva’s multi-year agreement with Eutelsat not only supports our continued growth in the satellite market, but it also confirms our long-term commitment to our customers, and to delivering them service excellence at great value.”

     

    Eutelsat chief commercial and development officer Michel Azibert added, “We are proud to meet the exact requirements of the largest satellite and media service provider in the UK. The Arqiva team has its finger on the pulse of broadcasting in the UK and we are delighted that our satellite capacity forms an integral part of their response to customers.”

  • Videocon d2h ropes in Himanshu Dhoreliya as content head

    Videocon d2h ropes in Himanshu Dhoreliya as content head

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has appointed Himanshu Dhoreliya as content head. Reporting to CEO Anil Khera, he will be based in Videocon d2h’s Mumbai headquarters. 

    Himanshu Dhoreliya comes to Videocon d2h with an impressive track record and more than a decade of experience in content development, content management and channel distribution for leading media and entertainment companies.  

     

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “The expertise that Himanshu Dhoreliya brings to the table will definitely add to and strengthen our content management bandwidth. This is an especially vital role & I believe that with his extensive experience & leadership, he will bring the best for brand Videocon d2h.”

     

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera dded, “We are very pleased to welcome Himanshu Dhoreliya as content head, a role that will benefit greatly from his intuitive knowledge of the DTH industry. We are hopeful that he will help lead Videocon d2h in developing innovative content acquisition strategies while maximizing the use of our services to fulfil the needs of our valued customers – all, of course, keeping in sync with Videocon d2h’s goal of being the best in the industry.” 

     

    Dhoreliya former CEO and co-founder of TelevisionPost.com, has held positions with MSM Discovery Private Limited, the joint venture broadcast distribution company owned by Multi Screen Media and Discovery Networks, as well as ESPN Software.

  • Videocon d2h eyes 35-40% EBITDA growth at Rs 8.6 billion in FY-2016

    Videocon d2h eyes 35-40% EBITDA growth at Rs 8.6 billion in FY-2016

    MUMBAI: Driven by strong subscriber growth momentum and improving average revenue per user (ARPU), Indian direct-to-home (DTH) company Videocon d2h is expecting EBITDA to be in the range of Rs 8.2 – 8.6 billion in FY-2016, which translates to approximately 35-40 per cent growth over EBITDA in the fiscal year ended 31 March, 2015.

     

    As was earlier reported by Indiantelevision.com, Videocon d2h is also planning to increase its monthly subscription rates in the range of Rs 12 – 23 per month.

     

    The company maintains its current first half of the fiscal year ending 31 March, 2016 guidance of 25-30 per cent period on period growth of EBITDA, and is guiding towards 40-45 per cent period on period growth in the second half of the fiscal year ending 31 March, 2016.

     

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are pleased to provide strong EBITDA growth guidance for fiscal year 2016. This is driven by strong subscriber growth momentum, improving ARPU and further benefit of operating leverage. We remain excited about our long term subscriber growth prospects as a result of the government mandated move to digitalisation. We have positioned ourselves to take advantage of the 100 million subscriber homes opportunity for the industry over the next four to five years.”

  • DD Freedish e-auction scheduled on 22 Sept with reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore

    DD Freedish e-auction scheduled on 22 Sept with reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore

    NEW DELHI: Barely six weeks after the last e-auction, Doordarshan will hold the 22nd e-auction for its free-to-air DTH platform Freedish on 22 September in an attempt to touch the target of 112 television channels in the next few months.

     

    Doordarshan has set a reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot (as in the last few auctions) for the online e-auction, though Indiantelevision.com learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions.

     

    In the 21st auction on 12 August, DD Freedish managed to auction six slots for approximately Rs 23.2 crore.

     

    However, DD sources refused to divulge the number of slots being auctioned to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices.

     

    Sources also said that while Freedish may be encrypted from Mpeg2 to Mpeg4 shortly to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, it would remain free-to-air.

     

    The e-auction will be conducted by C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which is also conducting the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.   

     

    The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs 3 crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

     

    Currently, Freedish has 64 channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

     

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-auction is Rs 1.5 crore, which has to be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 22 September along with the non-refundable processing fee of Rs 10,000 in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

     

    Incremental amount for the auction will be Rs 10 lakh and the time for every slot e-auction will be of 15 minutes duration.

     

    Of the reserve price, Rs 1.1 crore has to be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 1.1 crore within two months along with service tax of 14 per cent on the bid amount.

     

    The balance bid amount needs to be deposited within six months, failing which the reserve price will be forfeited.