ITV

Tag: Andhra Pradesh

  • ISRO to launch eight satellites using PSLV on 26 September

    ISRO to launch eight satellites using PSLV on 26 September

    MUMBAI: It will be the second satellite launch this month for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). On 26 September 2016 at exactly 9:12 am the PSLV C35 will blast off from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It will mark the 37th mission and 15 th flight of the PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with the use of solid strap-on motors) which will put eight satellites into orbit.

    ISRO will, with the PSLV C35, be undertaking its longest launch and probably most complicated mission ever attempted as it is using the same rocket to launch satellites into two different orbits. The Scatsat-1 satellite, weighing 371 kg for ocean and weather related studies, will be hurled into polar sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 730 km 17 minutes after liftoff.

    Two Indian universities/ academic institute satellites (Pratham-10kg, IIT – Bombay and Pisat-5.25 kg, PES University, Bengaluru and its consortium) and five foreign satellites will be placed into a 670 km polar orbit. The five co-passenger satellites are from Algeria (three of them – Alsat-1B 103kg, Alsat-2B 117kg, Alsat-1N 7kg), Canada (NLS-19, 8kg) and the US (Pathfinder-44kg).

    What makes the mission complicated is that once Scatscat-1 is launched, the fourth stage engine of the PSLV-C35 will come to a halt. India’s space agency will then keep a tab on the engine health from the ground and will restart it after about 60 minutes for another 20 seconds which will give it the required thrust to take the rocket into the next orbit and release the payload of seven satellites. ISRO has planned to attempt ‘multiple burn technology’ as it is an effective method in cutting costs during satellite launches.

    Earlier this month on 8 September, IISRO had successfully launched its weather satellite INSAT-3DR, a two tonner, using the GSLV-F05, the tenth flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), The launch took place from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. It was significant because it was the first operational flight of GSLV carrying Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). The indigenously developed CUS was carried on-board for the fourth time during a GSLV flight in the GSLV-F05 flight.

  • Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    NEW DELHI: Following a call by the government to increase the reach of communications in the Red Corridor, around 1,315 solar empanelled towers have been set up in the Left Wing Exteremists region in record time

    The work was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL), a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing of Telecommunications network solutions.

    The Home Ministry along with Department of Telecom (DoT) had decided to build a mobile phone network in the most-affected regions across ten Indian States, recognizing that combating insurgency in India’s Red Corridor must include the provision of a robust communication network as an important element of its strategy. These include some of the most hostile terrain in the country, with practically no roads, power or security.

    Around 2199 solar-powered mobile communication towers have been set up in a record time of less than a year, altering the geographical and social landscape of the area.

    On 20 August 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of mobile telephonic services to 2,199 locations affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There are 106 districts across 10 states which have been identified by the government as LWE-affected districts.

    The project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has successfully installed towers at these locations giving network coverage to many villages as well as security forces camps and important locations with the help of domestic vendors Vihaan Networks Ltd and HFCL.

    India’s cell phone revolution has helped shape the economic development and improved governance for its citizens, leading to game-changing reforms such as better targeting of subsidies.

    Vihaan Network Chairman Rajiv Mehrotra said “It is a proud moment for us as we been able to connect millions of rural consumers, through our efficient infrastructure and expertise in Solar enabled telecom equipments. When we talk of integrated socio-economic development, it takes into account many areas that can benefit from faster access and enhanced productivities by using voice & data connectivity be it security, surveillance, connectivity and information access. In areas which are bereft of basic infrastructure, mobile connectivity underlines the solution to many.”

    VNL has accomplished connectivity in 10 states, 90 districts, 12,700 villages, 39, 00,000 mobile connections, 110 million crore connected citizens connected and enabled security forces.

    The project is funded by the Dot arm USOF, the total project cost was Rs 3567.58 crores this includes CAPEX as well as O&M for a period of 5 years.

  • Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    NEW DELHI: Following a call by the government to increase the reach of communications in the Red Corridor, around 1,315 solar empanelled towers have been set up in the Left Wing Exteremists region in record time

    The work was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL), a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing of Telecommunications network solutions.

    The Home Ministry along with Department of Telecom (DoT) had decided to build a mobile phone network in the most-affected regions across ten Indian States, recognizing that combating insurgency in India’s Red Corridor must include the provision of a robust communication network as an important element of its strategy. These include some of the most hostile terrain in the country, with practically no roads, power or security.

    Around 2199 solar-powered mobile communication towers have been set up in a record time of less than a year, altering the geographical and social landscape of the area.

    On 20 August 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of mobile telephonic services to 2,199 locations affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There are 106 districts across 10 states which have been identified by the government as LWE-affected districts.

    The project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has successfully installed towers at these locations giving network coverage to many villages as well as security forces camps and important locations with the help of domestic vendors Vihaan Networks Ltd and HFCL.

    India’s cell phone revolution has helped shape the economic development and improved governance for its citizens, leading to game-changing reforms such as better targeting of subsidies.

    Vihaan Network Chairman Rajiv Mehrotra said “It is a proud moment for us as we been able to connect millions of rural consumers, through our efficient infrastructure and expertise in Solar enabled telecom equipments. When we talk of integrated socio-economic development, it takes into account many areas that can benefit from faster access and enhanced productivities by using voice & data connectivity be it security, surveillance, connectivity and information access. In areas which are bereft of basic infrastructure, mobile connectivity underlines the solution to many.”

    VNL has accomplished connectivity in 10 states, 90 districts, 12,700 villages, 39, 00,000 mobile connections, 110 million crore connected citizens connected and enabled security forces.

    The project is funded by the Dot arm USOF, the total project cost was Rs 3567.58 crores this includes CAPEX as well as O&M for a period of 5 years.

  • Q1-17: Infrastructure leasing segment pulls down Ortel’s numbers

    Q1-17: Infrastructure leasing segment pulls down Ortel’s numbers

    BENGALURU: The Bibhu Prasad Rath led regional cable television and broadband internet player Ortel Communications Limited (Ortel) reported less than one third  ( 1/3.6 times) profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q1-17, current quarter). Ortel reported PAT in Q1-17 at Rs 0.86 crore (1.6 percent margin) as compared to Rs 3.05 crore (7.5 percent margin) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The improved performance by company’s cable and broadband segments were pulled down by the lower execution of the company’s Infrastructure Leasing segment. Cable TV and broadband segments are the major contributors to Ortel’s numbers.

    Ortel provides services in the Indian states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

    Ortel’s Total Income from Operations (TIO) increased 29.1 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) in the current year to Rs 52.42 crore as compared to Rs 40.60 crore in Q1-16. TIO declined marginally (declined 1.6 percent) quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from Rs 53.28 crore in Q4-16.

    Company speak:

    Ortel President and CEO Rath said, “We have begun the year on a positive note with healthy results in our Cable Television and Broadband segments. This is reflected in the revenues which grew y-o-y by 45 percent and 26 percent respectively in Q1-17. I am also pleased to highlight that the total subscriber addition stood strong at 68,949 during the quarter taking our total subscriber base to 770,141. Our profitability however was impacted during the period under review primarily due to lower quarterly execution in the  Infrastructure Leasing business. Going forward I expect Infrastructure Leasing business to return back to normalcy in the coming quarters as execution picks up.

    Revenue breakup

    Cable TV revenue in Q1-17 increased 44.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 41.20 crore from Rs 28.43 crore in Q1-16 and increased 5.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 39.14 crore.

    Cable TV Activation fees or connection fees in Q1-17 were  almost 7 times at Rs 4.6 crore as compared to Rs 0.7 crore in Q1-16, but declined 23.8 percent q-o-q from Rs 6 crore. Cable TV subscription revenue in Q1-17 increased 38.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 27.7 crore from Rs 20 crore and increased 11.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 24.8 crore. Channel carriage fees in the current quarter increased 14.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 8.9 crore from Rs 7.8 crore and increased 7.8 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.3 crore.

    Broadband services revenue in Q1-17 increased 26 percent to Rs 9.5 crore from Rs 7.5 crore in Q1-16 and increased 6.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.9 crore. Internet connection fees in Q1-17 increased 13.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 0.7 crore from Rs 0.6 crore and increased 1.6 percent q-o-q. Internet subscription fees in Q1-17 increased 27 percent y-o-y to Rs 8.8 crore from Rs 7 crore and increased 6.6 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.3 crore.

    Ortel’s revenue from its infrastructure leasing segment in Q1-17 declined 75.4 percent to Rs 10 crore from Rs3.9 crore in Q1-16 and declined 78.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 4.4 crore.

    On a geographical basis, in the current quarter, revenue from Ortel’c core market – Odisha increased 13.9 percent to Rs 42.2 crore from Rs 37.1 crore but declined 5.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 44.6 crore. EBIDTA from the Odisha region in Q1-17 increased 5.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 17.2 crore from Rs 16.3 crore but declined 14.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 20.1 crore

    Revenue from Ortel’s Emerging Markets (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and West Bengal) more than tripled (3.2 times) y-o-y to Rs 9.7 crore in q1-17 from Rs 3 crore and increased 15.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.4 crore. Emerging markets reported lower negative EBIDTA in Q1-17 at Rs 0.7 crore as compared to a negative EIDTA of Rs 1 crore in Q1-16  and same as the negative EBIDTA of Rs 0.7 crore in Q4-16.

    Subscription numbers (revenue generating units – RGUs’), ARPU

    During the current quarter, the total subscribers (both cable and television) stood at 770,141 subscribers. Net addition in Q1-17 stood at 68,949 as compared to 74,717 subscriber additions in Q4-16. Percentage of digital TV subscribers in Q1-17 increased to 43.6 from 37.1 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Television ARPU’s have been falling. Analog and Digital TV ARPU stood as Rs. 141 per month and Rs. 169 per month respectively. Digital ARPU in Q1-16 was Rs 185 and in Q4-16, it was Rs 178.

    The company added 5,124 broadband subscribers in Q1-17, taking its total broadband subscriber count to 77.609.

    Broadband ARPU in the current quarter increased to Rs 401 from Rs 393 in Q1-16 and Rs 398 in Q4-16.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Ortel in brief.

    Higher y-o-y total expenses (TE) in Q1-17 have also resulted in the lower PAT numbers for Q1-17 vis-à-vis Q1-16. Ortel’s TE in the current quarter increased 33.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 45.86 crore (87.5 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 34.42 crore (84.8 percent of TIO), and increased 2.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 44.82 crore (84.1 percent of TIO).

    Programming cost in Q1-17 came in higher at Rs. 10 crore. Employee expenses during the current quarter stood higher y-o-y at Rs. 6.22 crore. EBITDA in Q1-17 (including other income) came in at Rs. 12.51 crore, representing a q-o-q decline of 6.1 percent.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

  • Q1-17: Infrastructure leasing segment pulls down Ortel’s numbers

    Q1-17: Infrastructure leasing segment pulls down Ortel’s numbers

    BENGALURU: The Bibhu Prasad Rath led regional cable television and broadband internet player Ortel Communications Limited (Ortel) reported less than one third  ( 1/3.6 times) profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q1-17, current quarter). Ortel reported PAT in Q1-17 at Rs 0.86 crore (1.6 percent margin) as compared to Rs 3.05 crore (7.5 percent margin) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The improved performance by company’s cable and broadband segments were pulled down by the lower execution of the company’s Infrastructure Leasing segment. Cable TV and broadband segments are the major contributors to Ortel’s numbers.

    Ortel provides services in the Indian states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

    Ortel’s Total Income from Operations (TIO) increased 29.1 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) in the current year to Rs 52.42 crore as compared to Rs 40.60 crore in Q1-16. TIO declined marginally (declined 1.6 percent) quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from Rs 53.28 crore in Q4-16.

    Company speak:

    Ortel President and CEO Rath said, “We have begun the year on a positive note with healthy results in our Cable Television and Broadband segments. This is reflected in the revenues which grew y-o-y by 45 percent and 26 percent respectively in Q1-17. I am also pleased to highlight that the total subscriber addition stood strong at 68,949 during the quarter taking our total subscriber base to 770,141. Our profitability however was impacted during the period under review primarily due to lower quarterly execution in the  Infrastructure Leasing business. Going forward I expect Infrastructure Leasing business to return back to normalcy in the coming quarters as execution picks up.

    Revenue breakup

    Cable TV revenue in Q1-17 increased 44.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 41.20 crore from Rs 28.43 crore in Q1-16 and increased 5.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 39.14 crore.

    Cable TV Activation fees or connection fees in Q1-17 were  almost 7 times at Rs 4.6 crore as compared to Rs 0.7 crore in Q1-16, but declined 23.8 percent q-o-q from Rs 6 crore. Cable TV subscription revenue in Q1-17 increased 38.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 27.7 crore from Rs 20 crore and increased 11.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 24.8 crore. Channel carriage fees in the current quarter increased 14.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 8.9 crore from Rs 7.8 crore and increased 7.8 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.3 crore.

    Broadband services revenue in Q1-17 increased 26 percent to Rs 9.5 crore from Rs 7.5 crore in Q1-16 and increased 6.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.9 crore. Internet connection fees in Q1-17 increased 13.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 0.7 crore from Rs 0.6 crore and increased 1.6 percent q-o-q. Internet subscription fees in Q1-17 increased 27 percent y-o-y to Rs 8.8 crore from Rs 7 crore and increased 6.6 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.3 crore.

    Ortel’s revenue from its infrastructure leasing segment in Q1-17 declined 75.4 percent to Rs 10 crore from Rs3.9 crore in Q1-16 and declined 78.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 4.4 crore.

    On a geographical basis, in the current quarter, revenue from Ortel’c core market – Odisha increased 13.9 percent to Rs 42.2 crore from Rs 37.1 crore but declined 5.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 44.6 crore. EBIDTA from the Odisha region in Q1-17 increased 5.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 17.2 crore from Rs 16.3 crore but declined 14.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 20.1 crore

    Revenue from Ortel’s Emerging Markets (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and West Bengal) more than tripled (3.2 times) y-o-y to Rs 9.7 crore in q1-17 from Rs 3 crore and increased 15.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 8.4 crore. Emerging markets reported lower negative EBIDTA in Q1-17 at Rs 0.7 crore as compared to a negative EIDTA of Rs 1 crore in Q1-16  and same as the negative EBIDTA of Rs 0.7 crore in Q4-16.

    Subscription numbers (revenue generating units – RGUs’), ARPU

    During the current quarter, the total subscribers (both cable and television) stood at 770,141 subscribers. Net addition in Q1-17 stood at 68,949 as compared to 74,717 subscriber additions in Q4-16. Percentage of digital TV subscribers in Q1-17 increased to 43.6 from 37.1 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Television ARPU’s have been falling. Analog and Digital TV ARPU stood as Rs. 141 per month and Rs. 169 per month respectively. Digital ARPU in Q1-16 was Rs 185 and in Q4-16, it was Rs 178.

    The company added 5,124 broadband subscribers in Q1-17, taking its total broadband subscriber count to 77.609.

    Broadband ARPU in the current quarter increased to Rs 401 from Rs 393 in Q1-16 and Rs 398 in Q4-16.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Ortel in brief.

    Higher y-o-y total expenses (TE) in Q1-17 have also resulted in the lower PAT numbers for Q1-17 vis-à-vis Q1-16. Ortel’s TE in the current quarter increased 33.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 45.86 crore (87.5 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 34.42 crore (84.8 percent of TIO), and increased 2.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 44.82 crore (84.1 percent of TIO).

    Programming cost in Q1-17 came in higher at Rs. 10 crore. Employee expenses during the current quarter stood higher y-o-y at Rs. 6.22 crore. EBITDA in Q1-17 (including other income) came in at Rs. 12.51 crore, representing a q-o-q decline of 6.1 percent.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

  • YatraGenie to kickstart ‘Walk for public transport’ campaign

    YatraGenie to kickstart ‘Walk for public transport’ campaign

    MUMBAI: YatraGenie, a hyper market for bus, cab and hotel bookings is organizing ‘Walk for public transport,’ a unique initiative to encourage the use of public transportation. The walkathon will commence from Mysore on 1 May and will cover 60 cities across Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 30 days.

    As a part of this campaign, the YatraGenie team will closely interact with the citizens at each city and understand the problems pertaining to the local transport sector. Flyers will be distributed and events will be organized for the public to interact and understand the importance of using public transport.

    Speaking on the occasion, YatraGenie  CEO Renil Komitla said,  “The traffic situation in our cities and towns is becoming increasingly congested because of the number of privately owned vehicles.  Today, only a minor chunk of the population is interested in using buses and trains. Public transport facilities have been associated with lack of ease and discomfort.  To ensure that the congestion in our cities does not get more critical, it is imperative to create awareness among public for the usage of existing public transportation. Through this initiative, we want to understand the problems that exist in this sector and suggest measures that can be implemented to improve the facilities”

    Towards the end of the 30-day campaign, a report will be submitted to the respective State Urban Development Ministry and Central Urban Development Ministry highlighting the problems and the improvements that can be made in the public transport sectors. 

  • YatraGenie to kickstart ‘Walk for public transport’ campaign

    YatraGenie to kickstart ‘Walk for public transport’ campaign

    MUMBAI: YatraGenie, a hyper market for bus, cab and hotel bookings is organizing ‘Walk for public transport,’ a unique initiative to encourage the use of public transportation. The walkathon will commence from Mysore on 1 May and will cover 60 cities across Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 30 days.

    As a part of this campaign, the YatraGenie team will closely interact with the citizens at each city and understand the problems pertaining to the local transport sector. Flyers will be distributed and events will be organized for the public to interact and understand the importance of using public transport.

    Speaking on the occasion, YatraGenie  CEO Renil Komitla said,  “The traffic situation in our cities and towns is becoming increasingly congested because of the number of privately owned vehicles.  Today, only a minor chunk of the population is interested in using buses and trains. Public transport facilities have been associated with lack of ease and discomfort.  To ensure that the congestion in our cities does not get more critical, it is imperative to create awareness among public for the usage of existing public transportation. Through this initiative, we want to understand the problems that exist in this sector and suggest measures that can be implemented to improve the facilities”

    Towards the end of the 30-day campaign, a report will be submitted to the respective State Urban Development Ministry and Central Urban Development Ministry highlighting the problems and the improvements that can be made in the public transport sectors. 

  • MIB grants provisional licence to 13 MSOs in February taking total to 695

    MIB grants provisional licence to 13 MSOs in February taking total to 695

    NEW DELHI: With 13 more multi-system operators (MSOs) getting provisional licences in the week between 2 – 8 February, 2016, the total number of MSOs operating in the country has risen to 695 including 231, which have permanent (10-year) licences.

    According to list released on 2 February, the number of provisional licences was 451, which went up to 464 by 8 February.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had by 12 January cancelled the licences of 26 MSOs and closed their cases.

    According to the list issued today, the areas of operation of some of the MSOs have been revised or amended.

    Of the new licensees, only one provisional MSO is from the northeast – Mizoram – while the rest are from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.

    With the Home Ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August, 2014 but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending. 

     

    Sources said many MSOs holding provisional licences had not completed certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

  • MIB grants provisional licence to 13 MSOs in February taking total to 695

    MIB grants provisional licence to 13 MSOs in February taking total to 695

    NEW DELHI: With 13 more multi-system operators (MSOs) getting provisional licences in the week between 2 – 8 February, 2016, the total number of MSOs operating in the country has risen to 695 including 231, which have permanent (10-year) licences.

    According to list released on 2 February, the number of provisional licences was 451, which went up to 464 by 8 February.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had by 12 January cancelled the licences of 26 MSOs and closed their cases.

    According to the list issued today, the areas of operation of some of the MSOs have been revised or amended.

    Of the new licensees, only one provisional MSO is from the northeast – Mizoram – while the rest are from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.

    With the Home Ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August, 2014 but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending. 

     

    Sources said many MSOs holding provisional licences had not completed certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

  • Star Sports Pro Kabaddi names Rana Daggubati as brand ambassador

    Star Sports Pro Kabaddi names Rana Daggubati as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Star Sports’ Pro Kabaddi League has roped in actor Rana Daggubati as its brand ambassador for the third season.

     

    Daggubati will promote the Pro Kabaddi League across mediums with a special focus on the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions .

     

    Star India COO Sanjay Gupta said, “With season 3, we will scale up our reach and keep raising the league’s value for viewers, players and franchises through high-end production, marketing, communication and grassroots programme. The fact that kabaddi is now the country’s second most viewed sport, second only to cricket, brings us great pride. For Season 3, Rana Daggubati lends his bold, powerful image to Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League. With his pan-India popularity, we hope the association will aid our goal of fostering a multi-sport culture in the country.”

     

    “For me, Kabaddi has always been a fun sport growing up and excited that Star India has pushed the envelope in promoting the sport and making it even more popular in this new format. I’m particularly excited to meet the amazingly talented players as I am also their fan. This will be a great experience,” Daggubati added.

     

    “Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has been an emotional journey for us and it is a matter of pride that the league has been extremely well received in our regional markets with spectacular numbers and has led to the numerous kabaddi fans cheering for their local heroes. Season 3 of the league promises to be only bigger and better and we look forward to this association with Rana Daggubati,” added Star India president – South K. Madhavan.

     

    The third season of the Pro Kabaddi League will kick-start on 30 January, 2016 at Vizag. This year, the league will see two playing seasons, and the squads will include 26 international players from 11 nations, including Kenya, Japan, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia and Poland. Overall, the league will feature around 138 players from eight teams.