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Tag: Arvind Prabhoo

  • Bingo! & AIPA partner to popularise pickleball in India

    Bingo! & AIPA partner to popularise pickleball in India

    Mumbai: Bingo!, a popular snacking brand from ITC Foods, has announced a five-year partnership with the All India Pickleball Association to promote pickleball in India. The partnership begins with the Bingo! World Pickleball Championship (WPC) aims to support the growth of pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports globally.

    The championship was launched with ITC Foods VP, head of marketing snacks, noodles and pasta, Suresh Chand; All India Pickleball Association president Arvind Prabhoo; and celebrity guests Mandira Bedi and Nyra Banerjee.

    Pickleball, with over five million players in 84 countries and 40 per cent female participation, has grown 275 per cent in India over the past three years. The sport is expected to surpass one million active players by 2028. Bingo!’s sponsorship will help expand this growth by hosting college tournaments across 23 states, introducing the sport to students, and cultivating new players for national and international competitions.

    Bingo!, known for innovation in snacking, aligns with pickleball’s dynamic gameplay. As part of the collaboration, the classic ‘Love All’ start of pickleball matches will be rebranded as ‘Boing All,’ adding a fun twist to the game.

    ITC Foods VP, head of marketing snacks, noodles and pasta, Suresh Chand said, “At Bingo!, we’ve always believed that sports and innovation go hand in hand, making this partnership with the All India Pickleball Association a particularly prestigious moment for us, enabling us to support young athletes and sports enthusiasts across the country. We are dedicated to working closely with AIPA to build a strong foundation for pickleball and to support its growth through grassroots programs, college tournaments and nationwide promotions.”

    All India Pickleball Association president Arvind Prabhoo said, “We are thrilled to partner with Bingo! Snacks, a brand that resonates with millions of Indians, and believe this partnership will be instrumental in bringing pickleball to the forefront of Indian sports. Through this partnership, we envision a future where pickleball is accessible to everyone, from college students to aspiring professional athletes. With Bingo!’s extensive reach and vibrant brand presence, this partnership aspires to create a ripple effect, making pickleball a household name and positioning India as a leading force in the global pickleball arena.”

    GroupM, South Asia MD, content, entertainment and sports Vinit Karnik said, “It’s a great collaboration between Bingo and All-India Pickleball Association to announce the five-year partnership, supporting the growth of the sport across India. We’re optimistic that this partnership will strengthen Bingo’s commitment to expanding the sport’s reach and accessibility across the country. This collaboration reflects our commitment to expanding the sport’s reach and inspiring the next generation of players to take on both national and international challenges. We’re confident that this alliance will foster a new wave of enthusiasm for pickleball, helping it gain the popularity it truly deserves.”

    This strategic partnership between Bingo! and AIPA is poised to shape the pickleball landscape in India. By merging Bingo!’s innovative brand identity with pickleball’s thrilling gameplay, the collaboration aims to inspire a new wave of athletes while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

  • WPBL is the ‘powered by partner’ for World Pickleball Championship

    WPBL is the ‘powered by partner’ for World Pickleball Championship

    Mumbai: The World Pickleball League (WPBL), a franchise-based Pickleball tournament launching in January 2025, has announced its role as the ‘Powered By’ sponsor for the upcoming World Pickleball Championship (WPC).

    This partnership coincides with India hosting the World Pickleball Championship Series for the first time. Scheduled for November, the tournament will showcase nearly 650 stars from the Pickleball community, following successful events in Vietnam and Bali earlier this year.

    Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in India, attracting players of various demographics and ages, whether professionally or for fitness and socializing. The World Pickleball Championship will provide an exciting preview of the sport ahead of the launch of the WPBL.

    Former Indian number one Tennis player, Arjuna awardee and WPBL founder & CEO, Gaurav Natekar stated, “Firstly, we would like to congratulate the All India Pickleball Association for their efforts to bring the World Pickleball Championship to India. The tournament, already a global phenomenon, will see the best of Pickleball talent from across the world descending on the island city of Mumbai for an action-packed event. Such tournaments are crucial as they help us identify the talents at the grassroots level. Additionally, it increases the aspirational value of Pickleball worldwide and further strengthen its reputation as one of the fastest-growing sports in India. The World Pickleball League will be India’s first and only official global franchise-based Pickleball league, and we are delighted to support the WPC, a tournament dedicated to developing the sport at grassroots levels globally, as the powered by sponsor.”

    The All India Pickleball Association has been instrumental in bringing the World Pickleball Championship to India and promoting the growth of Pickleball in the country. All India Pickleball Association and the International Pickleball Federation president Arvind Prabhoo shared, “Our journey with Gaurav and Arati in helping shape WPBL – India’s first and only official global franchise-based Pickleball league – has been delightful so far. We are extremely happy that Gaurav’s commitment to building and developing Pickleball in India goes beyond the league, and we are excited to invite the World Pickleball League (WPBL) as the powered by sponsor for the World Pickleball Championship.”

    The World Pickleball Championship is the brainchild of Jan Papi, founder of Pickleball Global and the WPC series. His vision and aspiration to grow Pickleball globally, along with the efforts of AIPA and WPBL in India, will ensure that the country embraces a Pickleball revolution as it further elevates the sport’s popularity, development, and participation to new heights.

  • Samantha joins World Pickleball League as Team Chennai owner

    Samantha joins World Pickleball League as Team Chennai owner

    Mumbai: The World Pickleball League (WPBL) – owned by Natekar Sports and Gaming, today announced actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the owner of the Chennai franchise. Widely respected for her acting prowess, Samantha’s foray into the World Pickleball League marks her exciting debut as a sports entrepreneur.

    As the owner of the Chennai franchise, Samantha will play a pivotal role in shaping the league’s future and promoting pickleball’s popularity in India. Her involvement underscores her commitment to India’s evolving sports ecosystem, with a particular focus on increasing women’s participation as athletes as well as entrepreneurs.

    “Love at first sight — that’s exactly how I’d describe my feelings for pickleball. It caught my attention from the moment I was introduced to it. Today, I’m thrilled to be the owner of the Chennai franchise in the upcoming World Pickleball League. I’ve always wanted to be a part of India’s growing sports ecosystem. In recent years, our country has made great progress towards becoming a multisport nation, with a significant increase in women’s participation in sports. My goal is to encourage more women and young girls to get involved in sports, and I’m eager to work with Gaurav Natekar and AIPA to drive participation in the sport.” said Prabhu.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Samantha Ruth Prabhu as one of the team owners of the World Pickleball League. When I first met her a few months ago, she was very clear about her desire to play a hands-on role in promoting a sport and owning a team, and building communities in Chennai, especially by creating more opportunities for women and girls to play. With 40% of pickleball players being women, Samantha’s involvement is a perfect fit for the league. ” said WPBL founder & CEO Gaurav Natekar. “We’re crafting an experience that is at the confluence of pop culture. From exceptional food and engaging content to captivating music, and with the star power of owners like her, the WPBL will be a sensory feast that goes far beyond just the sport itself.

    “Pickleball is the fastest growing sport globally, and WPBL is set to be an unmissable event where the world’s top players will showcase their talents on Indian soil. Samantha is particularly passionate about increasing female participation in sports and creating opportunities for young women and girls. We at AIPA are excited to collaborate with her to further popularize pickleball across the country.” added All-India Pickleball Association and President, International Pickleball Federation president Arvind Prabhoo.

  • MCOF to organise 2 day event ‘NAFDI’

    MCOF to organise 2 day event ‘NAFDI’

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) is set to unfold its two day special event named NAFDI (National Agenda for Digital India). The event will see Last Mile Operators (LMOs) participating from across the region.

     

    “With this event we are trying to chalk out a plan for the upcoming days. I know 31 December is knocking at the door but there are still few options that we can discuss and that’s what the event is all about” said MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo.

     

    The two day event commences on 28 November and will conclude the next day on 29 November. The organisers are also trying rope in executives form the regulatory bodies.

     

     

    “LMOS’ from all over the country have shown their keenness to attend this event to carry forward the Prime Ministers dream of Digital India” informed MCOF 

     

     

    The Agenda

     

     

    Agenda for NAFDI  (National Agenda For Digital India).

     

    Day 1

     

    9am- tea and breakfast

     

    9:20 a.m. : Welcome speech.

     

    9:40 to 11:00 a.m. : DAS DEADLINE – A THREAT OR OPPURTUNITY

    (Discussion on analogue sunset 31st December 2015 , action required for smooth implementation and maximum penetration of digital boxes)

     

    11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. : LESSONS FROM PHASE 1 AND 2

    (Analysis on past mistakes done in phase 1and 2, its pros and cons faced by LMOs and where they stand now. Changes in MSO Strategies and their impact/B2B prepaid and STB sales)

     

    1:00 to 2:00 p.m. :lunch break.

     

    2:00 to 3:00 p.m. : RIGHT TIME TO SHAPE THE FUTURE

    Impact of FDI in Cable, pro consumer regulation and ICA.

     

    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.CONVERGENCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES.

    (Role of Telcos and PSUs in Digital India)

     

     4:00 to 5:00 p.m.OUTSOURCING, THE NEXT BIG LEAP

    (Resource sharing, profiting from outsourcing)

     

    5:00 to 6:00 p.m. question and answers / tea break.

     

     

     

     

     

    Day two 29th Nov.

     

    9:00 to 9:30 a.m. :  Tea and breakfast

     

    9:30 to 11:30 a.m. : BROADBAND – THE FUTURE : Monetising the Pipe.

     

    11:30 to 1:00 p.m.Infrastructure development and F.D.I push…role of existing M.S.O affiliated LMOs .Changing Regulations, their impact and imposing GST…100% FDI approved.

     

    1:00 to 2:00 p.m. : lunch break.

     

    2.00pm onwards. National Alliance requirements on one India and one solution for digital India LMOs , suitable platform required.

     

    Tea break and summit curtain falls.

  • IDOS 2015: The Broadband Drive

    IDOS 2015: The Broadband Drive

    GOA: The penultimate session of the Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2015 was a panel discussion on ‘The Broadband Drive.’ 

     

    The session was moderated by Indiantelevsion.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari and Media Partners Asia executive director and founder Vivek Couto. The other members of the panel were Maharashtra Cable Operators Foundation (MCOF) president Arvind Prabhoo, Hathway MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar, Ortel Communications Limited head of broadband Servises Jiji John, Lukup Media founder and CEO Kallol Borah and Broadcom India MD, head – business development, India and South-East Asia Rajiv Kapur.

     

    The session began with Jagdish Kumar saying that earlier, Hathway had positioned itself as a cable company that also offered internet, and now it had started positioning itself as one that offered both cable and broadband. Hathaway had doubled its turnover from broadband as compared to last year. However, the company had yet to firm up plans for OTT, said Kumar.

     

    Kumar was of the opinion that the government should take the eight per cent revenue share from data revenue of the cable industry only after higher internet penetration levels took place after two or three years. “This has to be looked upon as an infrastructure development,” he added.

     

    “Average revenue per user (ARPU) is not the driver for broadband to be taken up as a business by MSOs or LMOs. It is margins that actually matter. The reason why MSOs and LMOs have taken up broadband is because there was a requirement,” said John.

     

    In his view, access devices have multiplied over time and with that the consumer wanted to see videos on whatever device, whenever, and wherever. “While mobile internet is the only option when one travels, it is wired broadband that offers the proper stable throughput. Systems such as DOCSIS 3.0 offered a better experience than television did,” John added.

     

    For Ortel, broadband was an important stream and DOCSIS 3 was being tested in a limited way. Ortel garnered subscriber numbers in three digits during the pilot phase revealed John. “We have now started offering video free to broadband customers,” said John.

     

    The company is looking at charging a customer approximately Rs 1000 – 1200 for 10 mbps broadband and Rs 1999 for 50 mbps. “This will subsidise content charges to broadcasters for the free video offerings to subscribers,” he said.

     

    Similarly, Hathway was also considering bundling of HD content free along with broadband, according to Kumar.

     

    India has its own unique business and environmental challenges, which include unpredictable power and last mile cable laying amongst others. However, technology was available to serve India and/or China specific solutions, said Broadcom’s Kapur. “On the subscriber side, PC penetration is low and operators saw the STB only as a live video delivery necessary evil. Some operators would proactively drive broadband, while others would react only,” he said.

     

    Emphasising that if broadband was considered as a ‘use case’ as opposed to a pipe, Kapur said that services delivered to the consumer could be quite game changing. “Broadcom is very bullish about broadband in India. Broadband is the only answer for a cable operator to retain customers as well as raise ARPUs. Progressive minded cable operators will take advantage of the fact that networks could be two way and will establish a service that would retain a customer with a higher ARPU. The higher ARPU customers were in turn needed to subsidise the lower ARPU customers. Rather than government driven, a private sector sustainable business and profitability driven long term sustainable business model is required,” Kapur opined.

     

    The pipe is already in place said MCOF’s Prabhoo. “The question is about how one utilises it. There is enough fibre waiting to be exploited for Phase III of digitisation. MCOF is educating its members about the ways to monetise the pipe. On an experimental basis, MCOF tied up with a PSU, a national ISP that brought the pipe to a particular place, and from there, over the last 20 days, we have connected 25 branches of a nationalised bank with secured leased lines. This would be scaled up to about 125 over the next few days. Over the next three months, this would further be scaled up to 525 branches across the state of Maharashtra,” he informed.

     

    This would help build LMOs confidence that they could deal with a PSU explained Prabhoo.

     

    Also, some MCOF members had established WiFi service hotspots, which had initially offered high speed internet free of charge for the first six months, and now could be availed though a voucher at a small price of Rs 5 for three hours, or Rs 10 per day from small vendors such as a ‘paan shop.’ Prabhoo claimed that through the commissions on voucher sale alone, a paan shop owner’s earnings had gone up by Rs 8000 per month. 

     

    Bullish on the broadband sector in India, Prabhoo said that he envisioned a number of innovations coming into the business.

     

    Explaining his company’s product, Lukup Media’s Borah said that it offered on-demand multiscreen TV service and operates as an OTT platform through a multiscreen home gateway that brought internet delivered content to television and other consumer devices. In the coming months, Lukup also planned to bring linear broadcast TV channels and internet access though a single connection.

     

    Questioning as to why cable companies were not sharing infrastructure in the way telcos were, Wanvari of the opinion that cable companies could compete on products. Kumar agreed that there was merit in cable companies sharing infrastructure for a lot of backend processes and expected this to evolve naturally over a period of time. On the other hand, Prabhoo said that LMOs would be willing to upgrade their infrastructure to work with telcos for providing broadband.

  • Government should set aside Rs 10,000 crore for cable modernisation: Arvind Prabhoo

    Government should set aside Rs 10,000 crore for cable modernisation: Arvind Prabhoo

    MUMBAI: The seed of the dream of seeing a ‘Digital India’ was sown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he took charge to make India a better and developed country. And now to make this dream come true are the cable TV operators, who are looking at achieving this through cable TV transformation.

     

    In keeping with this, Maharashtra Cable Operators Foundation (MCOF) president Arvind Prabhoo has already sent a presentation to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) to not only update them of the needs of the industry, but also how the government could help push the agenda.

     

    According to Prabhoo, the sector needs regulatory support. This includes cable Internet Service Provider (ISP) licence on soft terms, last mile cable operator licensing, price control on content and level playing field for domestic voice over IP (VoIP). The MCOF president has also requested the Ministry for infrastructure support including long haul fibre and BSNL networking sharing, innovative per customer/month fees and cable modernisation fund. With the industry moving to a whole new system of cable TV viewing, the industry needs re-skilling and incentives for innovations.    

     

    MCOF in its proposition to the I&B has also said that the government needs to become the national data pipe in order to act as a digital courier. “Set one country, one service, one price,” informed Prabhoo. 

     

    Not only this, the government should look at setting aside a cable modernisation fund of around Rs 10,000 crore. Of this, according to Prabhoo, Rs 4000 crore will be used in set top box (STB) financing at Rs 300 per SD STB, Rs 5500 crore at Rs 600 per home passed will be used in infrastructure upgrade and Rs 500 crore will be used towards technology R&D. “The Ministry could fund the industry for a tenure of five years. With this funding, the government will be the biggest beneficiary as it would be collecting taxes on the funds,” opined Prabhoo.

     

    Cable TV currently reaches to close to 60 per cent homes (12 crore) of which around 9 crore are in DAS phase III and IV areas. “The sector which has a workforce of close to 300,000, has the potential to serve some 50 crore data users,” he added.

     

    In the presentation to the Ministry, MCOF has also highlighted the challenges faced by the digital India. These include the high customer acquisition cost, resulting in unavailability of basic data services, shortages in last mile local loop and predominance of concrete in civil structures which is eroding fidelity of wireless services.

     

    “We had sent the presentation to the Ministry for a robust cable TV industry, but have not heard from them so far,” concluded Prabhoo.

  • Leading MSOs decide to put Star channels on a la carte in Mumbai

    Leading MSOs decide to put Star channels on a la carte in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: The leading multi system operators (MSOs) in Mumbai, except Hathway Cable and Datacom, have agreed to put all Star channels on a la carte. With IndusInd Media and Communications Limited (IMCL) being the first one to agree to the demands of Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF), the others including Den Networks, Digicable and Siti Cable have also agreed to give the Star network channels only on viewer’s choice.

    Starting immediately, all the Star channels will go off air from all the platforms. “A landmark decision has been taken today. All the leading MSOs have agreed to put Star channels on a la carte, on the rate published by the broadcaster in the Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO),” informs MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo adding that the MSOs have agreed to forego their share and will sell the channels on the RIO price only.

    “The last mile owner (LMO), depending on the area he is dealing with, will add the collection charges and give it to his customer,” he says.

    As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the cable operators in Mumbai have already started with their surveys to find out which customer wants which Star channels. “We will start informing the customers about the Star channels going a la carte and will switch on those channels which the subscriber wants,” informs Prabhoo adding that the only way to increase the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is by putting channels on a la carte.

    With all the other MSOs, at least in Mumbai moving to a la carte, one will have to wait and watch the packaging that Hathway comes up with. “We will be announcing the packages by 1 December,” says a source from Hathway.

     

  • IMCL has agreed to give Star channels on a la carte, says Arvind Prabhoo

    IMCL has agreed to give Star channels on a la carte, says Arvind Prabhoo

    MUMBAI: When Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) stepped into the office of IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (IMCL) today the agenda was clear: to get the Star network channels on a la carte and to get them to sign the interconnect agreement. 

     

    “We had a very positive and fruitful meeting with IMCL,” informs MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo.  The multi system operator (MSO) has not only agreed to give Star channels on a la carte, but has decided to even let go of its share on the channel’s pricing. “The MSO has said that until the consumers take the channels, the a la carte price of Star channels will be as per the price mentioned by the broadcaster in its RIO,” says Prabhoo adding that the last mile owner is free to either add his 33 per cent share to the channel pricing or give it to subscribers at subsidized rates.

     

    The a la carte availability of the Star channels to IMCL subscribers will start immediately. “Since InCable has decided to forego its share, subscribers can get Star Plus at around Rs 15-18, which otherwise could have gone up to Rs 27,” he informs.

     

    Starting 1 December, MCOF will come up with the exact pricing for the channel. “We will be meeting Siti Cable and Den Networks on 26 November and based on the meeting with them, we will work out a strategy to come up with the exact pricing of the channel,” he says, adding that only 15-16 Star channels are viewed by 75 per cent of the cable TV subscribers in Mumbai.

     

    “Each LMO is surveying their customers to know the channels of their choice,” informs Prabhoo who has done the same for his 300 customers. The result shows that while 80 per cent of those surveyed want Star Plus, 75 per cent want Star Pravah and 60 per cent want Life OK.

     

    Not only this, IMCL has also agreed to sign the interconnect agreement. “They could sign it as early as next week,” says Prabhoo. 

     

    MCOF also met Hathway Cable and Datacom and submitted its charter of demands. “They haven’t revealed their strategy as yet,” he says adding that Hathway will sign the interconnect agreement towards January.  

     

     

     

  • LMOs demand Star channels on a la carte, or face switch off, non-payment of monthly charges

    LMOs demand Star channels on a la carte, or face switch off, non-payment of monthly charges

    MUMBAI: The multi system operators (MSOs) and broadcaster Star India could have moved into the no-war zone, after Star declared that it would give its channels only on the basis of Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO). While this led to MSOs going ahead and declaring that the network’s channels will now be given to consumers only on a la carte, the incentives given by Star, melted most.  Unhappy now are the last mile owners (LMOs), who fear losing their subscribers.

     

    Leading the way is Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) president Arvind Prabhoo, who today called for a meeting, which was attended by close to 400-500 LMOs. The agenda of the meeting was simple: Getting Star channels only on a la carte.

     

    “While the MSOs had earlier said that the Star channels will be available on a la carte, suddenly everyone is switching on the Star channels and including it in the existing packs,” informs Prabhoo.

     

    The LMOs in the meeting took two resolutions. “The first one is that we will meet at least two MSOs tomorrow (25 November) and tell them that they should remove the Star channels from the packages and sell it only on a la carte,” he says.

     

    MCOF will meet InCable and Hathway Cable and Datacom first and then move on to meeting Siti Cable and Den Networks. “We don’t want any of the Star channels in any of the packs. We will go to our customers and ask them for the channels they want to watch and bill them only for those as per the published a la carte rate,” he adds.

     

    The LMOs will first request the MSOs to put the channels on a la carte, on immediate basis. “But if this doesn’t happen, we will start switching off the STBs on our own and also will not pay the MSOs the monthly charges,” informs Prabhoo, who says whatever they are demanding is as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regulation.

     

    The second resolution passed is on the interconnect agreement which was drafted months ago by MCOF as per the suggestion given to TRAI and also accepted by both InCable and Hathway. “Though they had agreed to the interconnect agreement drafted, they have still have not signed it. We are going to ask them to sign it or else have decided not to pay them the monthly charges,” he says.

     

    According to Prabhoo, the move has been taken as the LMOs are losing their subscribers to the direct to home (DTH) players. “It is getting difficult to manage the business,” concludes Prabhoo.