Category: News Headline

Tata Sky launches DTH service; STB price Rs 3999, basic subscription Rs 200

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Tata Sky Ltd, the $ 500 million joint venture between Tata Sons and the Rupert Murdoch-owned Star Group, today officially announced its arrival as India’s second DTH platform after Dish TV.

Tata Sky is kicking of its service in 300 cities at an “introductory” monthly subscription of Rs 200 for the 55-odd channels it presently has on the platform.

Price: hardware+installation Rs 3,999
Monthly subscription: Rs 200
No. of channels available: 55+
Present area of service: 300 cities
1st year target: 1 million subscribers
Investments made till now: over Rs 25 billion
Most critically, the Tata Sky set top box (supplied by News Corp owned NDS)
has been priced at Rs 3,999 (inclusive of taxes). This includes installation
and hardware cost and a full service warranty for one year.

However, along with the monthly subscription of Rs 200, the Tata Sky offering will be more expensive than rival Dish TV’s package.

Tata Sky CEO and MD Vikram Kaushik with Tata Sky chairman Ishaat Hussain
Click here for a slideshow
The Subhash Chandra-owned Dish TV is priced at Rs 3,290 (inclusive of taxes). This includes the cost of the STB as well as three months’ subscription. The monthly subscription for the basic Dish TV service of 75 channels is Rs 180.
Announcing the launch at a glitzy event in Delhi where the likes of cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle rubbed shoulders with Mandira Bedi, Tata Sky MD and CEO Vikram Kaushik grandly proclaimed, “Entertainment will never be the same again.”

Going on to harp on the state-of-the-art technology and finesse of the service, Kaushik added, “It’s a technological innovation that’ll bring the senses alive.”

Apart from the many channels on the Tata Sky platform, a conspicuous absentee is the Zee Turner bouquet of over 20 channels as an agreement between Tata Sky and Zee Turner Ltd has not yet been concluded.

Kaushik admitted that negotiations have not been concluded, but was hopeful that “things would get sorted out soon.”

Another major absentee is the Sun Network, which dominates the South Indian markets. Tata Sky is, however, not alone in this, since Dish TV does not have access to the Sun channels either.

“We are offering 55+ channels at the moment and with the passage of time the number of offerings would grow,” Kaushik said.

The channels presently available on the non-tiered Tata Sky platform include all the channels from the Star (17), Sony Discovery One Alliance (14) bouquets as well as ESPN Star Sports and two channels of NDTV as its key offerings.

It is worth noting here that it was only this morning that the deal for the carriage of the One Alliance channels by Tata Sky was signed and delivered.

Confirming this to Indiantelevision.com, SET Discovery president Anuj Gandhi said the pricing terms was similar to the one signed recently with Dish TV.

One Alliance is being paid around Rs 38 per subscriber by Dish for its channels. The deal is a five-year one that is extendable at the end of it, Gandhi revealed.

Also available on the Tata Sky platform would be some Doordarshan channels as well the likes of Times Now, Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, etc. Some interactive and specially designed movie channels have also been thrown in as a sop.

The Tata Sky service, Kaushik claimed in the presence of his company chairman Ishaat Hussain, has been designed to give subscribers “choice, control and convenience” in the way they want to watch television.

A host of interactive services such as an on-screen programme guide, Actve Sports, Actve Star News, Actve Newsroom and Actve Khabar are also on offer.

To offer maximum convenience to subscribers, Tata Sky has set up a pan-India distribution network of popular consumer electronic stores and mobile phone outlets for retailing its hardware and prepaid recharge vouchers.

The pre-paid vouchers come in various denominations starting off with Rs 260.

The company has also tied up with LG, ITC International Business Division and Indian Oil Corporation as part of its distribution drive.

“We are looking at ramping up our activity and service over the next three months when the service should be covering the whole of India,” Tata Sky consumer marketing head Vikram Mehra said.

The company has engaged a field force of approximately 3,000 people who will be complemented by a high-end 24×7 call centre, manned by multi-lingual customer service associates, trained to solve all customer problems.

But Mehra was not forthcoming on the media campaign that’s about to break “soon”, except to say that it would be a 360 degree campaign using all normal media outlets.

Tata Sky is an 80:20 DTH joint venture between the Tata Group and Hong Kong-based Star Group.

The joint venture has invested over Rs 25 billion in the project till now, according to Kaushik, who added the target of 1 million subscribers in the first year is achievable.

The unveiling of the Tata Sky service finally turns into reality a dream Murdoch has had since 1997 – of having a DTH platform in India

August 8, 2006
Zee to strengthen 8 pm slot with ‘Banoo Main Teri Dulhann’

MUMBAI: Zee TV is all set to beef up its programming with Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, to kick off on 14 August at 8 pm from Monday to Friday. It replaces the long running soap Tumhari Disha and hopes to gain a strong viewership in the 8-10 pm slot, as it has already acquired popularity with leadout show Jab Love Hua, as well as Kasam Se and Saat Phere in subsequent slots.

Dulhann, also running along a women centric theme, is about an uneducated village girl Vidya waiting to be swept of her feet by a charming prince. Marriage, however, shatters her dreams as she faces the wrath of her husband and in-laws who belittle her background and education.

The essence of the show looks at the positivity with which she hopes to rise above these trials and win over her husband. Promising to have a good twist in the story, the show hopes to grip viewers.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com on the strategy that has been used to pull in the viewership, Zee TV senior VP programming Ashvini Yardi said, “Based on the lines of a Cinderella story, the theme deals with a reality that most Indian women can identify with. Tumhari Disha came in at a time when Zee did not have the numbers it holds today, hence, we are hoping Dulhann will be able to achieve that.”

The main characters are played by two fresh faces, Divyanka Tripathi (Vidya) from Bhopal and Kolkata boy Sharad Malhotra (Sagar). The two were contestants from Cine Star Ki Khoj. Nilima Bajpai from Shankuntala Films has handled the production.

Zee TV businesss head Punit Goenka said, “With Saat Phere, we addressed the issue of the discrimination a girl faces in many parts in India on the grounds of her skin colour. Banoo Main Teri Dulhann will touch upon and deal with the struggles an illiterate village girl has to undergo. If Kasam Se and Saat Phere have struck a chord with our viewers, Banno Main Teri Dulhann will take it further.”

As Zee TV attempts to capture the 8 pm time band, it will have to face stiff competition from Sahara’s recently launched Sati. Star Plus’ Pyaar Ke Do Naam Ek Raadha Ek Shyaam is also in this time slot but, is yet to deliver numbers. Sony has also planned to launch a new show Hum Mei Hai Visshwas to replace Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai at 8 pm.

Now, its left to the viewer to decide whether the show will be able to achieve the stronghold it hopes to establish during the prime time slot.

August 8, 2006
Extreme Sports Channel commisions new sports content series

MUMBAI: US based Liberty Global owned Extreme Sports Channel has commissioned two new series for Summer 2006. The Fifa endorsed Euro Beach Soccer League as well as Streetball Extreme: Battle for Europe are being added to Extreme’s schedule as it attempts to grow its portfolio of new and innovative sports content.

The two new series will go to air on Extreme’s 5 international feeds of the channel from September.

Radio 1 and 5Live presenter DJ Spoony and sports commentator Natalie Pinkham will be co-hosting the Euro Beach Soccer League in a new six part series.

According to an official release, the series will see sixteen national teams compete in matches held in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands and Poland. UK production company Gun for Hire have been appointed to produce the series for Extreme.
The French team, winners of the first Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005, will be led by French national star and Manchester United legend, Eric Cantona.

Extreme’s head of programming James Dubern said, “Beach soccer combines the most spectacular aspects of football with awesome locations including a beach in the heart of the Alps! The sport has a huge international following and we’re looking forward to giving it the ‘Extreme treatment’.”

Extreme is also adding the urban sport Streetball to its roster this summer. The channel has commissioned an 8 x 1 hour series titled Streetball Extreme: Battle for Europe following the UK-based SBX team on a 12 day tour through Europe.

UK indie Chrome Productions will be capturing all the action as seven British players take on the best Streetball teams in Amsterdam, Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Lyon, Barcelona, Lisbon and Paris.

Beach soccer is one of the fastest growing professional sports in the world and has so far been televised in over 170 countries. The sport was inspired by the football played on the beaches of Brazil and the official rules were created in 1992. Teams consist of up to 10 players and five players are on the sand at any one time. Playing on an uneven surface means that the game is largely improvised, with the ball spending most of the time in the air.

Streetball has its roots in basketball but with a greater emphasis on style and flair. The sport relies heavily on one-on-one match-ups between attacker and defender with players always looking to find the most innovative, rather than the most direct, ways to score.

The SBX team has been carefully selected by Tom ‘Con Man’ Connors, a UK-based Streetball pioneer. As well as taking on all-star local teams in each city, the events will feature freestyle demos, live DJs and MC battles in prime European locations including a custom built Streetball court on the beach outside Lisbon.

The channel had recently provided live coverage of the videogaming competition, The Xbox Cup 2006, and plans to add more videogaming content to its schedule this year, informs the release.

August 8, 2006
UTV Software inks agreement with Overbrook Entertainment Inc

MUMBAI: UTV Software Communications Ltd has entered into an agreement with Overbrook Entertainment Inc. to produce two full-length feature films.

While one will be a live action film in English, the second one will be a full length English animated film.

Further, UTV Software Communications Ltd’s subsidiary UTV Communications (USA) and Fox Searchlight Pictures Inc have entered into a distribution and exploitation agreement for the film titled I Think I Love My Wife.

August 8, 2006
‘Emerging India’ series to air on NatGeo on 14 August

MUMBAI: Starting 14 August, National Geographic Channel will present the changing face of India through its series ‘Emerging India’.

The five-part series will premiere on the eve of Independence Day at 10 pm and looks at today’s India coming to terms with its newfound place in the world – a confident and bold nation, a power to be reckoned with.

The series will cover topics as diverse as the new call centre generation to computer literacy amongst children to the development of the world’s largest planned city on the outskirts of Mumbai.

Speaking on the series, National Geographic Channel India Sr VP-Programming, Joy Bhattacharjya said, “Emerging India looks at India in a very realistic and objective manner, bringing forward the normal yet less explored aspects of modern India in a unique manner. We are particularly excited about an episode titled ‘Bombay Calling’ that showcases the undocumented lives of the youngsters working in the BPO sector. The series successfully manages to present the fast track life of an Indian today, a life which sees a complete eradication of earlier conceptions of India by those in the developed world.”

The week-long series will feature the following five episodes from Monday, 14 August will continue till Friday, 18 August at 10 pm:

The Hole in the Wall: ‘The Hole in the Wall’ explores Indian researcher Sugata Mitra’s experiments and attempts to answer the question “Can children really teach themselves the rudiments of computer literacy with no instruction?”

Bombay Calling: Life at the other end of the line profiles the lifestyles of young Indians who swipe their identity cards and enter a world where they leave their real names at the door and negotiate uncharted territory and live an unfamiliar life. Bombay Calling is a snapshot of their world in transition, a Nat Geo window into the growing BPO sector. This critically acclaimed film directed by Samir Mallal has won the Grand Jury Prize – Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and the Colin Low Award for Most Innovative Documentary – DOXA Documentary Film and Video Festival, Canada. The film has also been shown at the Melbourne International Film Festival and will be a part of the Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival, New York this November. The filmmakers Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal dive into this bustling world of late nights, long hours and hard partying. The result is a compelling insider’s look at the growing number of young people who choose to follow the American dream…but in Indian ishtyle.

Stuntmen of Bollywood: This episode provides a gripping and in-depth account of the dangerous lives Indian stuntmen lead to make the leading actors appear as ‘heroes’ on the silver screen. This episode brings superstars, action directors and technicians on the same platform to reveal the heroic and often tragic tales behind well-known action sequences that have until now remained a well-kept secret.

Mumbai: Public transport is Mumbai’s lifeline. Trains were built for 1700 passengers, but in this mega-city they carry three times that number. Mumbai’s trains and buses keep this city in the fast lane, but by 2020 this city of 13 million could swell to an astounding 28 million people. This film takes a look at the futuristic transport arrangements being planned for the city along with the development of a new Mumbai-Navi Mumbai-the world’s largest planned city.

Hot Science – From India: This episode documents India’s attempts to establish itself as a fast developing nation with a unique brand of hot science and how the country is at the forefront of plans to push the developing world across the digital divide, with a hand-held, inexpensive alternative to the PC. Indian meteorologists are developing sophisticated computer models that harness the past to probe the monsoons of the future. Indian engineers have tapped the sun for an eco-friendly rite of passage – with a solar crematorium.

August 8, 2006
K Sera Sera looks to launch music channel; eyes buyout of Jhankar

MUMBAI: K Sera Sera is putting its expansion plans in place. One among them: the launch of a music channel, for which it is in advanced negotiations with Jhankar TV to acquire a controlling stake.

The company is also working out output deals which will allow it to have a strong movie production pipeline. On the agenda is a presence in international distribution and an entry into the home video segment. “Lining up movie production contracts is a high priority area. Discussions are on with several parties in this area,” says a source close to the company.

K Sera Sera is in talks with Eros International Plc for a deal that in value terms could be around Rs 2 billion over a longer period, the source adds. Eros, which globally distributes Bollywood content, recently floated an initial public offering and is listed in the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

“While the deal with Sahara was for just satellite TV rights, the talks with Eros are much broader in scope. Eros has entered into music rights and has a wide international movie distribution network. K Sera Sera has produced many movies. If the deal sails through, it will help the company scale up its movie pipeline,” says the source.

K Sera Sera senior executives were not available for comment on both the music channel and the movie deal with Eros.

On the music channel front, K Sera Sera plans to run it through a subsidiary company. By being producers of Bollywood movies, the channel will have a synergistic relationship.

“We are in advanced talks with K Sera Sera for diluting majority stake. Since they have movie software, Jhankar TV stands to gain. But no conclusive agreement has been reached yet,” says Hamara Samay TV News Network Pvt Ltd president Zaheer Ahmad. Hamara Samay is the company that owns and operates Jhankar TV.

K Sera Sera is, however, weighing other options including the possibility of launching the music channel on its own. “The company, though, realises the distribution problems of a new channel,” says the source.

August 8, 2006
Trai proposes tariff rate on STBs

MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has proposed that cable TV service providers in conditional access system (CAS) areas to offer digital set-top boxes (STBs) on a monthly rental scheme of Rs 30 and a refundable security deposit of Rs 999.

Subscribers will also have the other option to take the permanent rental scheme with no security deposit. But the monthly rent in this case would be higher. They also have the choice of subscribing to analogue boxes.

Under the first scheme, the regulator has said that subscribers would own the box after five years and no monthly rentals would have to be paid after that.

In case of a period before five years, the multi system operator (MSO) or cable operator shall be entitled to make deductions from the refundable security deposit at the rate of Rs 12.50 for every month or part of the month for which the subscriber has used a STB taken on rent or lease. The deductions will be made upon the submission of the STB in working condition.

Under the standard tariff package (STP), subscribers will have the second option of not paying any security deposit but the monthly rental will be higher at Rs 45 per STB. For analogue boxes, the rent will be Rs 23 per month per STB.

“In both options, there will be no payment for installation, activation charges, smart card/viewing card, repair and maintenance cost. Stakeholders are also free to suggest any other option as a STP,” Trai said today in a release.

“Since the Indian standards do permit analogue STBs, an option for these boxes has also been provided under the second category,” the regulator added.

Trai’s draft of the tariff proposals for STBs has invited comments of the stakeholders. Stakeholders may comment on these alternatives as well as suggest any other options for Trai to consider.

“It has been proposed that each service provider should at least offer one STP in addition to any other alternate tariff package. The rationale behind this proposal is that every consumer should have the choice of choosing from amongst various alternatives of which at least one should be a package that is approved by Trai,” today’s release said.

Trai’s proposed draft tariff order for STB schemes in CAS areas follows the government’s notification on 31 July that CAS would be implemented in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Earlier, the division bench of the Delhi High Court had passed an order directing implementation of CAS with effect from 31 December in these three metros.

August 8, 2006
Interoperability wouldn’t support VAS, interactivity: Kaushik

NEW DELHI: With the arrival of the second pay DTH player in the market, a buzz word would be interoperability, meaning whether consumers can switch from one service to another effortlessly.

Though Indian government norms specify that all DTH systems need to be interoperable for consumer’s convenience, in reality it may not be so.

Vikram Kaushik, MD and CEO of Tata Sky, which launched its commercial service on 8 August, hinted that interoperability may be limited.

“Interoperability may not support interactive and value added services,” Kaushik admitted to a specific query on the issue today in Delhi.

Tata Sky consumer marketing head Vikram Mehra explained that for seamless interoperability of all services, including interactive services, DTH service providers must have similar software.
“In the absence of some (proprietary) software, value added services of a DTH platform may not get supported when a consumer changes the service provider. Yes, the TV channels would be available and that’s what government rules specify,” Mehra elaborated.

What does this mean?

If an existing Dish TV consumer, wants to switch over to Tata Sky service and hopes just a replacement of the smart card in the set-top box would give him all the features of Tata Sky, then he would have to think again.

Features like interactive news and sports and some value added services like movie-on-demand of Tata Sky would not be available by just inserting a Tata Sky smart card in a set-top box bought/rented from Dish TV.

For the records, Siebel will manage customer relationship management of Tata Sky, while Kenan will support the billing system, SAP will be responsible for enterprise resource planning and Sun Microsystems will provide technology infrastructure.

The boxes would be sourced from Thomson and Korean company Humax.

Both the companies will be manufacturing the set-top boxes in India, Kaushik said, which would help in keeping the price line under control.

At present country’s first pay platform, Dish TV, boasts of 1.25 million subscribers, while pubcaster Doordarshan’s subscription-free DD Direct+ has a reported consumer base of 3.5 million.

August 8, 2006
‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’ to launch on 15 August on Cartoon Network

MUMBAI: Turner International India Pvt. Ltd and Sesame Workshop will launch Galli Galli Sim Sim – the Indian version of Sesame Street – on 15 August. The preschool educational series will premiere on Cartoon Network at 1 pm.

In the first season, the series comprising 65 episodes of 30 minutes each will be aired in Hindi, with usage of some English words.

Galli Galli Sim Sim will address topics such as early literacy, creative thinking and reasoning, family and community life, healthy habits, and appreciating cultural plurality.

With the launch of Galli Galli Sim Sim, Turner aims to create a new dimension in the realm of young kids’ programming by introducing the concept of using mass media to promote joyful, fun-filled learning through the theory – “Seekhne ka Mastana Andaaz.”

Galli Galli Sim Sim aims to revolutionise kids’ programming in India with its well- researched content that will help in developing social, emotional and cognitive skills in children, and be the catalyst to encourage children to pursue educational goals.

Turner International India Pvt. Ltd managing director Anshuman Misra said, “Having shaped kids’ television in India, with the launch of the leading kids’ channel, Cartoon Network, and subsequently the successful launch of Pogo, we, once again, aim to set a new benchmark in the industry with Galli Galli Sim Sim. As the leading kids’ entertainment player, we have consciously decided to focus on educational development as we realise our social responsibility towards shaping the future of our next generations. The social and emotional development of children is largely influenced by television today, and there is no doubt, that this is the best medium to communicate effectively with children.”

“Harnessing the power of television, we aim to make Galli Galli Sim Sim an integral part of the lives of young children in India. Our aim is to reach out to almost every home, extending the reach of the series through the electronic medium and other multi-media initiatives. We are making a bold run at engaging millions of young children and we are confident that this unique series will change the face of kids’ education in India,” he added.

Sesame Workshop executive vice president Daniel Victor said, “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to create innovative engaging content that maximises the educational power of media to help children reach their highest potential. We at Sesame Workshop are very excited about the launch of the Indian series. The series celebrates the vibrant cultural heritage of India with its uniquely adapted content, muppet characters, and a diverse human cast representing the commonalities and diversities of Indian society. We are optimistic that the Indian version of Sesame Street, Galli Galli Sim Sim will make a meaningful difference to the lives of children in the country.”

Miditech president Niret Alva added, “We are delighted to have partnered with Turner and Sesame Workshop in producing this path breaking series that aims to create a new genre in TV programming for kids in India. It has been a very exciting and enriching experience for all of us at Miditech to produce this series that celebrates the cultural diversity of India. We have ensured that the portrayal of each of the characters and muppets is unique and meaningful as it is designed to create a long lasting impact on the lives of children.”

Galli Galli Sim Sim, set in an “Indian Galli,” represents the reality of daily life for the widest possible range of Indian children and families. The series is targeted towards children between the age group of two to six years, transcends socio-economic barriers and will feature animated segments and live-action films, with music, stories, and art drawn from various elements of Indian culture and regions of the country.

The Indian Muppet characters – Googly, Chamki, Aanchoo and Boombah have been specially created with Indian characteristics and elements. Along with them, a thought out human cast is also present.

Taking the cause of spreading education and empowering children beyond the realm of television, Turner along with Sesame Workshop plan to undertake on-ground initiatives to reinforce the educational messages of the series and extend the project’s reach and impact.

In keeping with this, Turner today flagged off a “Galli Galli Sim Sim Literacy Yatra” to reach out to more and more children in India. This Yatra from New Delhi, recreating the magic of the show, will travel to various cities such as Lucknow, Bhopal and Mumbai, distributing educational material to children. The yatra will finally culminate in Mumbai on 8 September, coinciding with World Literacy Day. Additional plans to continue outreach activities will be coordinated by Sesame Workshop India, NGO.

Funding for the development phase of Galli Galli Sim Sim was provided through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICICI Bank. Moving forward, the producers of the series will look to combine the strengths and resources of the public and private sectors for local development initiatives.

August 8, 2006
MTV International appoints Bhavneet Singh as dy GM emerging markets group

MUMBAI: In a move that reflects MTV Networks International (MTVNI) expanded portfolio of businesses in Europe, Bhavneet Singh has been promoted to deputy general manager of the fast expanding emerging markets group.

In this role, Singh will manage almost 21 channels by the end of 2006, informs an official release.

Singh will be responsible for all aspects of the business across the music channel MTV and the kids’ channel Nickelodeon and Comedy brands in central eastern Europe and Middle East with a specific focus on development and establishing brands across the emerging markets as well as new platforms, such as broadband (overdrive), mobile and the youth community website Neopets.

Prior to his appointment, Singh previously served as international sales strategy director, for the corporate strategy group with in MTVNI working across all international markets.

The new role will be based in London and he will report to MTV Networks International GM and VP emerging markets group Dean Possenniskie.

Possenniskie commented; “Having, grown the EM business at a rapid rate, my energy, drive and focus continues with exciting plans for the emerging markets Group, with Bhavneet on board the further channel expansion in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Central Asia will be supported by him and his team. I’m confident that with his diverse business, commercial and strategy experience Bhavneet will be a huge success within emerging Markets”.

MTV Networks Europe COO Simon Guild adds; “Bhavneet is a very talented individual and I am delighted to see him appointed to this important position where he will be able to drive growth in one of our fastest expanding businesses”

Singh (32), whose promotion is effective immediately, has been with MTV Networks since 2004, has earlier worked for Manchester United PLC and has commercial experience working as director sales at IMG TWI in India, apart from being head of ad-sales at Discovery Channel in Asia. Bhavneet also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School.

August 7, 2006