ITV

Tag: Anil Khera

  • Ex-Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera aims for kids’ channel

    Ex-Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera aims for kids’ channel

    MUMBAI: He ran a successful DTH business in Videocon d2h up until it was merged with Dish TV. And now he’s off to establish an independent identity. Former Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera has set up his own company One Take Media (OTM) that specialises in content production, global content acquisition and distribution, providing value added services (VAS) to global DTH/cable TV and OTT platforms.

    As per data published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), the Indian DTH industry has around 8-10 million VAS subscribers availing the services in some form. DTH alone generates around $80 million as annual VAS revenue which is bound to touch $200 million by the year 2020. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Khera says that there are still gaps to be filled as far as content is concerned which is available on platforms such as OTT, DTH and cable. “We are identifying that gap and we are introducing that as the VAS services,” he says.

    The company sees kids’ genre as the fourth largest after movies, entertainment and others and plans to launch a channel in the near future. “I have a long term plan to start a kids’ channel as we have a very sufficient library for kids’ content,” he says.

    Khera said that he has kept one library separately for the channel and it will contain both original and acquired content. He denied disclosing the production houses that OTM has acquired the content from due to the NDA agreement with them. He said, “We have acquired the content from various Indian and foreign production houses. We have our own IP in animation rhymes which is called Nyra World and as far as languages are concerned, we will be looking at the largest sector which is the Hindi speaking market,” he explains.

    Premium content from foreign countries will be dubbed and shown in Hindi. The initial experiment will be to offer both acquired and original content to understand the audience. OTM has Kids1st TV, a channel targeting 2-6 years of kids, Cartoony TV–TV series in comedy, entertainment and adventure for the kids in the age group of 4-11 years old and Cartoony Movies for all age groups.

    Khera says the company is working with telecom clients based in Africa and MENA region besides OTT customers in Singapore and Malaysia. In India, it is working with Dish TV. “There are several telecom companies around the world. We have Indonesia Telecom where they have their app and MENA region telecom like Ooredoo. We are also in discussion with Etisalat and in Nigeria, we have the telecom company called Tingo for our kids and cooking content (The Great Indian Global Kitchen) that we own the IP for,” he reveals.

    Recently in India, the company signed a content deal with multi system operator (MSO) and headend in the sky (HITS) platform IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) to launch VAS. As part of the partnership, OTM will provide ad-free and unique content to IMCL subscribers. The subscription-based services are available to all InDigital subscribers. The unique services from OTM include animated cartoon series in Hindi for various age groups of kids across three services, nursery rhymes, TV series and animated Hindi movies. Other services are celebrity chef-based cooking shows, songs and Bhojpuri, Tamil and Telugu movies. Other unique services also include Hollywood and South Indian movies dubbed in Hindi.

    Khera said that as far as Hollywood cooking content is concerned, the company is in talks with Airtel DTH. Also being the first company to dub Turkish and Korean content in Hindi, he feels that there is a great pull for this content. “We want to provide the global content experience to the Indian customers. There is no demand as such but being in the media company for so many years, I believe it has a great pull,” he says.

  • Profit returns to Videocon d2h, court approves Dish TV merger scheme

    BENGALURU: After three consecutive profitable quarters in fiscal 2017 (year ended 31 March 2017, FY-17), Indian direct to home Saurabh Dhoot led major Videocon d2h Limited had reported a net loss of Rs 87 million for the last quarter of last fiscal (Q4-17). The company has returned back to the black for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current) with a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 12 million. After the Essel group’s DTH company Dish TV India Limited, Videocon d2h is one of the few television signal carriage companies in India that have started reported profits after taxes.

    The company has informed the bourses through a press release that it has received a nod from the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal ( for the scheme of arrangement among Videocon d2h (transferor company), Dish TV  India and their respective shareholders and creditors for the amalgamation with Dish TV. The appointed date for the amalgamation is 1 October 2017.

    Commenting on the company outlook, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “In the past few weeks, the management has been working on an integration plan. The merged entity plans to adopt and implement the best practices of both companies. We believe this merger provides exciting opportunities through the customer service model, convergence of technologies, expanded breadth of content offerings including expansion of exclusive content, advertising income growth potential as well as synergies from a combined subscriber base of more than 28 million. The merged entity would be one of the largest pay TV platforms in the world in terms of subscriber base, according to the company estimates. I am very excited for this new journey of a business that commands strong business fundamentals and growth opportunities supported by our strong balance sheet and growing free cash flows.”

    Speaking on the business outlook, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said “I am pleased to share that Goods and Service Tax (GST) came into effect starting July 1, 2017. GST will simplify the taxation regime and improve the ease of doing business. GST would also drive the unorganized segment, such as local cable operators, towards taxation.

    I am happy to share that the monsoons this year have been in line with long term average. This is likely to strengthen the macro-economic sentiment and imply good consumption from rural India. This is positive for the DTH industry and the upbeat rural sentiment due to the good monsoon could lead to a strong outlook for the festive quarter.”  

    The company reported a 1.2 percent increase in revenue from operations for the current quarter at Rs 7,726 million as compared to Rs 7,633 million in Q1-17. Subscription and activation revenue increased 1.7 percent in Q1-18 to Rs 7,091 million from Rs 6,970 million in Q1-17. Adjusted EBIDTA was slightly lower in Q1-18 at Rs 2,485 million as compared to Rs 2,519 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. However, adjusted EBIDTA less capex in the current quarter increased substantially to Rs 1,246 million from Rs 887 million in Q1-17. Content costs in Q1-18 have increased to 42 percent of revenue as compared to 38.7 percent in Q1-17.

    The company added 0.13 million net subscribers in Q1-18, far lower than the 0.43 million added in Q1-17 and lower than the 0.14 million subscribers added in the immediate trailing quarter. Quarter-over-quarter average revenue per user (ARPU) was Rs 198 in Q1-18 as compared to Rs 211 in Q1-17 and Rs 196 in Q4-17. Monthly subscriber churn in Q1-8 was higher at 1.27 percent as compared to 0.49 percent and 0.87 percent in Q1-17 and Q4-17 respectively. Subscriber acquisition costs in the form of hardware subsidies were INR 1,865 per subscriber during the first quarter of Fiscal 2018.

    ALSO READ :

    Dish TV–D2H merger gets NCLT approval

    Madras HC to hear Star India’s rejoinder in TRAI challenge today

    Videocon d2h reports maiden annual net profit

  • Videocon d2h adds JK 24×7 & Gulistan News

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, a DTH service, now offers two new News Channels – JK 24×7 News and Gulistan News for its subscribers in Jammu & Kashmir. These channels will be available on promotional Hindi Top-up for flexi pack on channel No 335 and 790, respectively. The 24-hour news channels will deliver the day’s top stories both national and international at any point of time. JK 24×7 is a Hindi news channel while Gulistan News is an Urdu channel.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We at Videocon d2h have always kept ahead of what our consumers require. Whether it is innovating in our set top boxes or by continuously adding the best channels or in service, we have always led from the front. Content has been a key driver of our leadership, this calendar year we have already added 71 new channels in regional languages. With JK 24X7 News and Gulistan, our subscribers will have even more choice to stay informed with the latest news.’’

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added: “As DAS-4 nears an end, we are seeing a significant appeal of state specific and regional language channels. Adding two channels specifically for J & K underlines our commitment to provide holistic family entertainment to the state.”

    Videocon d2h offers a wide range of active services like smart services including Smart English, Smart Games. The other active services include d2h Hollywood HD, d2h music, d2h spice, d2h cinema in both Standard Definition and HD, etc.

  • Videocon d2h reports maiden annual net profit

    BENGALURU: Videocon d2h Limited (Videocon d2h) led by executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot reported its maiden annual net profit for the year ended 31 March 2017 (FY-17, current year or fiscal). Notwithstanding the effects of demonetization, overall, the company reported growth across important matrices including subscription and activation revenue, subscriber numbers and operating profits. Annual ARPU, despite declining within fiscal 2017 was flat as compared to the previous year.

    The company’s revenue from operations increased 7.6 percent to Rs 30,717.34 million in FY-17 from Rs 28,558.62 million in FY-16. The company’s consolidated profit after tax for the current year was Rs 304.42 million as compared to a loss of Rs 902.05 million in the previous year. Operating profit (adjusted EBIDTA, including other income) in the current year increased 27.1 percent in FY-17 to Rs 10,181 million. Adjusted EBIDTA less capex in FY-17 was Rs 3,932 million as compared to Rs 744 million in fiscal 2016.

    Net subscriber additions in the year were 1.05 million. The company closed fiscal 2017 with a net subscriber base of 12.91 million. The company reported 0.80 percent churn, slightly higher than the churn of 0.73 percent reported in the previous year. Average revenue per user (ARPU) for the current year came at Rs 207, same as the previous year. ARPU numbers for the four quarters of fiscal 2017 – Q1-17, Q2-17, Q3-17 and Q4-17 were Rs 211,Rs 209, Rs 205 and Rs 196 respectively. Average net EBIDTA per user increased to Rs 69 in FY-17 from Rs 61 in FY-16.

    Company speak

    Dhoot said, “I am excited to share that Fiscal 2017 has been a yet another landmark year for Videocon d2h, as the Company achieved net profit and free cash flow breakeven. The Company reported 27.1 percent year on year growth in EBITDA, despite moderation due to Government of India’s demonetization policy during the November 2016, which also coincided with the seasonally stronger second half. More importantly, our Adjusted EBITDA per subscriber per month grew a healthy 13.0 percent year on year to INR 69. This clearly demonstrates the strength of our business and our ability to monetize the subscribers we added in Phase III and Phase IV Digitization markets.

    During Fiscal 2017, we announced the scheme of amalgamation with Dish TV to create the fastest growing and the second largest pay TV company in the world, according to company estimates. We have now received the necessary approvals from the equity shareholders of Videocon d2h and the Competition Commission of India. The company has started working on an integration plan and has appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers, Deloitte and Aon Hewitt to work on post-merger integration along with the management of Videocon d2h and Dish TV India.”

    Speaking on the business outlook for the DTH sector, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said: “There has been numerous industry developments during Fiscal 2017, which we believe will provide for growth opportunities in the DTH sector in India. Recently, the government shared information on the applicable Goods and Service Tax (GST) rate for DTH. The GST rate of 18 percent for DTH operators could reduce tax payments in Fiscal 2018 and beyond.”

    Other matrices

    The company’s content cost in fiscal 2017 increased in terms of percentage of revenue to 39.9 percent compared to 37.8 percent in FY-16. During the four quarters of the current year – Q1-17, Q2-17, Q3-17 and Q4-17, content costs as percentage of revenue were: 38.7 percent, 38.7 percent, 39.6 and 42.5 percent respectively.

    The company has invested Rs 6,249 million towards capacity expansion (capex) in FY-17 as compared to Rs 7,269 million in FY-16 and Rs 7,649 million in FY-15.

  • Videocon d2h to telecast Republic TV

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, one of the fastest growing DTH service provider in India, has now added Arnab Goswami’s news channel, Republic TV, to its bouquet.

    Republic TV is a free to air news channel and will feature Arnab Goswami as its lead & star anchor. Videocon d2h is always at the forefront of adding new channels and will play a key role in presenting the channel a wide spread reach across the country.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are delighted to have Republic TV on our platform from the day the channel goes on air. This reaffirms Videocon d2h’s commitment to bringing the best of TV channels for our viewers.”

    Commenting on this collaboration, Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami said, “We are extremely proud to partner with Videocon d2h. With their modern technology and services, we are looking forward to bringing our content to the viewers in every corner of India.”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “With Republic TV on our platform, we will be further enhancing our bouquet of English News channels. We are confident that the rich news content that Republic TV brings will engage our viewers in this rapidly evolving genre.” The association between Videocon and Republic TV will be available on broadcast as well as digital platforms to ensure nationwide penetration.

    Videocon d2h has prided itself in presenting its subscribers with a robust line-up of 650+ channels and services, including a host of regional channels. It offers a wide range of active services like Smart English, Smart Games & Smart Cooking. The other active services include d2h Hollywood HD, d2h music, d2h spice, d2h cinema in both Standard Definition and HD, etc.

  • Videocon d2h launches Interactive TV games on HD Smart, partners Visiware’s Playin’TV

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, the fastest growing DTH service provider in India has entered into a partnership with Visiware International , the world leader in games for interactive television for its HD Smart Connect. Visiware International ’s flagship international gaming channel Playin’TV, will enrich Videocon d2h’s subscribers with gamification features, which include major entertainment licenses and innovative features.

    With this collaboration Videocon d2h’s subscribers will have an easy access to over 350 games on their Smart HD Connect. Playin’TV, offers games for the whole family from sports, to board & cards, brain teasers, casino and much more. Players can also enjoy experience-enhancing interactive TV gaming features such as real-time connected leaderboards, HD graphics etc.

    HD SMART Set top Box (Connected Set top box) converts any existing TV into a Smart TV besides showing 650 Channels & services in High Definition and Standard Definition. The DTH service allows one to watch their favorite channels in SD and HD, the Connected set top box allows one to browse content from applications residing on STB. These Applications will enhance the pleasure of accessing content on a bigger screen thus making it a family event rather than solo watching on a smaller screen. HD Smart Set Top Box will work as a tool for personalization, engagement and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one’s TV into a smart TV using it.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are pleased to partner with Visiware International, a world class player in Interactive games on TV. Our HD Smart Connect platform is now rapidly scaling up with more and more entertainment applications, reaffirming our commitment to provide holistic entertainment for the entire family.”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “In every home, young children are the most important members of the family. With Visiware International on our HD Smart Connect Platform, they can enjoy the latest interactive games on television. This is the first time truly interactive games would be available in India on television screens through the set top box.”

    Visiware International COO Frederic Fellague said, “Videocon d2h is launching our globally successful premier HTML5 games in India. This medium presents new opportunities in terms of interactivity, allowing multi-screen game plays and multi-player interactions.”

  • Videocon d2h consumer will have a wider choice of Hungama movies, says Dhoot

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has partnered with Hungama Play for its HD smart connect set-top box.

    Hungama Play a video-on-demand service, offering over 35,000 hours of video content in 12 languages, including movies, television series, kids shows, live events, music videos along with short films and documentaries. The content includes Hollywood, Bollywood, Fun Kids content which is sure to enthral. The service is available to consumers with various subscription options including a select free offer.

    HD Smart set top box (connected set top box) converts any existing TV into a Smart TV besides showing 650 Channels and services in HD and SD. The DTH service allows one to watch their favorite channels in SD and HD, the Connected set top box allows one to browse content from applications residing on STB.

    These applications will enhance the pleasure of accessing content on a bigger screen thus making it a family event rather than solo watching on a smaller screen. HD smart connect set-top box 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.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “Our HD smart connect set-top box aims to provide an app store experience. We are delighted to have Hungama available as an app; our consumer will have a wider choice of movies with Hungama coming on board”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “Our HD smart connect set-top box has now a wide range of curated apps to meet every entertainment need of consumers. With Hungama Play, consumers can access wide range of Indian Movies as these will be available on demand.

    Hungama Play CEO Siddhartha Roy said, “Through this technology, we hope to reach a larger segment of users and offer them an enhanced entertainment experience with the best of Hollywood, Bollywood, Regional movies, kids content, music videos and more, all on their television screens.”

  • Smart STB: Videocon d2h partners SonyLiv

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, one of the fastest growing DTH service provider in India, has signed a deal with SonyLIV for its HD Smart Connect Set Top Box. This partnership will enable Videocon d2h’s HD Smart Connect Set Top Box customers to access a seamless broad selection of content available on SonyLIV app.

    SonyLIV, which is the first premium Video On Demand (VOD) service by Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN), will enrich Videocon d2h’s customers with an array of movies, strong line-up of events across all sports, shows, music, TV Shows and much more.

    SonyLIV can be accessed through all Web Apps button on Videocon d2h’s HD Smart Connect Set Top Box. The Smart Connect Set Top Box works on connectivity management platform to deliver a variety of connected services that leaves the customer with wide choice for entertainment.

    HD SMART Set top Box (Connected Set top box) converts any existing TV into a Smart TV besides showing you 650 Channels & services in High Definition and Standard Definition. The DTH service allows one to watch their favourite channels in SD and HD, the Connected set top box allows one to browse content from applications residing on STB. These Applications will enhance the pleasure of accessing content on a bigger screen thus making it a family event rather than solo watching on a smaller screen. HD Smart Set Top Box will work as a tool for personalization, engagement and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one’s TV into a smart TV using it.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “This collaboration would strengthen the entertainment apps available on our HD Smart Connect and provide our customers with a large range of entertainment.’’

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “Our partnership with Sony LIV is yet another step towards creating the highest-quality consumer experience. Innovative products like HD Smart Connect and rich entertainment content available delights next generation users. Our focused approach strives for delivering exceptional content and customer delight.’’

    Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and Head – Digital Business Uday Sodhi said, “Through this synergistic association, we will be entertaining and engaging the audience with the rich content portfolio that SonyLIV showcases. The partnership allows us to deliver a superior entertainment experience to Indian audiences across genres and multiple screens, and live up to our brand promise of ‘We LIV to Entertain’.”

  • Videocon d2h partners Netflix for HD Smart Connect

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h has signed a deal with the internet television network Netflix. With this partnership, Videocon d2h connected box customers will now be able to access seamlessly the extensive library of Netflix TV and movie titles.

    Videocon d2h consumers will be able to enjoy Netflix on a large screen by simply clicking a dedicated Netflix button on the remote control of HD Smart Connect Set Top Box (STB).

    Videocon d2h executive director Saurabh Dhoot said, “Our partnership will strengthen our DNA of innovation by providing TV screen experience for Netflix users in a seamless manner. This partnership in India with Netflix gives the customers the simple click of a button to easily select between our DTH and world class apps like Netflix services on the HD Smart Connect Set top box.”

    Netflix will be available on an exclusive app available on connected Set top box, HD SMART STB (Connected STB) which converts any existing TV into a smart TV besides showing you more than 600 channels and services in high definition and standard definition. The HD smart connect set top box allows consumers to watch their favourite channels in SD and HD, using the satellite feed like any other Videocon d2h set top box. The set top box can be connected to the internet through any Wifi or ethernet connection in the home for accessing a curated set of applications available through the internet. The minimum internet speed needed is 2 Mbps. These apps, both free and paid cover a range of content genres and utility apps.

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, “With Netflix on board, Videocon d2h is enhancing its position as the customer’s first choice of entertainment. Integrating premium entertainment services like Netflix into our services offered via HD Smart Connect Set Top Box will make us even more attractive for our consumers. We will continue to deliver exceptional entertainment and give consumer the power to view content and enhance our leadership in homes with wifi/broadband.”

    Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings said, “While there are millions of consumers all over the world using Netflix, enjoying the ability to watch anywhere, anytime and the incredible variety of programming we offer, we are really only at the beginning of our journey here in India. This partnership with Videocon d2h is important for us in the way we reach to the diversity of the Indian market and will make it much easier for Indian consumers to watch Netflix.

  • Videocon d2h continues top and bottom line increase in Q3-17

    Videocon d2h continues top and bottom line increase in Q3-17

    BENGALURU: Continuing the trend is has set in the previous two quarters, Videocon d2h reported a profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The DTH major reported PAT of Rs 21.77 crore (2.8 percent margin) for the current quarter. It had reported PAT of Rs 6.32 crore (0.8 percent margin) for Q2-17, and Rs 2.66 crore (0.3 percent margin) for Q1-16. For the corresponding year ago quarter (Q3-17), the company had reported a loss of Rs 22.05 crore.

    Since the beginning of the current fiscal (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017), Videocon d2h has started reporting numbers net of entertainment tax, hence like-to-like comparisons for Q3-17 and Q3-16 are not comparable. However, the company has mentioned a few adjusted matrices for ease of comparison in its investor presentation and release.

    Videocon d2h reported revenue from operations came in at Rs 777 crore in Q3-17. It says that on a like to like basis, revenue from operations would have been up 14.2 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) at Rs 835 crore if the company was to compute its revenue from operations for Q3-17 under its former accounting treatment

    The DTH major also reported 13.3 percent y-o-y growth in net subscriber numbers at 127.7 lakh for Q3-17 as compared to 112.70 lakh and a 2 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) growth from125.2 lakh. Monthly Average revenue per user (ARPU) in the current quarter came in lower at Rs 205 as compared to Rs 209 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Subscriber matrices

    Subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) in Q2-17 was higher at Rs 1,924 as compared to Rs 1,869 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Subscriber monthly churn in the current quarter was lower at 0.87 percent as compared to 0.95 percent in Q2-17. In Q3-16, it was slightly lower at 0.73 percent.

    DAS III and IV are sunshine periods for the television carriage industry. Activation revenues have been adding to the top lines and bottom lines of most of the players. Videocon d2h computed subscription and activation revenue in the current quarter was Rs 711.2 crore as compared to Rs 710.7 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Let us look at some of the other metrics reported by Videocon d2h

    Adjusted EBIDTA grew 33.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 267 crore (35.4 percent margin) in Q3-17.

    Content cost margin came in at 39.6 percent of revenue in Q3-17 s compared to content costs margin in Q2-17 of 38.7 percent.

    Employee benefit expense in Q3-17 was 0.6 percent lower at Rs 30.21 crore as compared to Rs 30.41 crore in Q3-16 and 4.2 percent lower than Rs 31.5 crore in Q2-17.

    Net finance cost in Q3-17 was lower at Rs 65.31 crore, in Q2-17 was Rs 71.7 crore; in Q3-16 net finance cost was Rs 71.74 crore.

    Company speak

    Commenting on the results and company outlook, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot, said, “I am delighted to report that we have delivered a strong quarter, despite the moderation due to currency demonetisation, which temporarily affected consumer sentiments and consumption. Our adjusted EBITDA grew over 33% year on year, which clearly demonstrates the strength of our distribution and customer service network and above all our team’s strong execution. We are entering 2017 in a whole new mode and are excited about the business fundamentals and growth opportunities supported by our healthy balance sheet and growing free cash flows.”

    Speaking on the results, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “I am happy to share that the digitization process has kick started once again as the Delhi High Court cleared all stay orders and ordered switch off of analogue signals in Phase III digitization areas by January 31, 2017. We remain excited about the significant Phase IV digitization opportunity, the new deadline for which is March 31, 2017.”

    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.

    Also Read:

    Powered by Shemaroo & PTC, Videocon d2h adds two VAS services

    The growth of DTH in India

    DTH adds 14 lakh active subscribers in Q2-17 as per TRAI data