ITV

Tag: bouquets

  • NTO 2.0: Zeel announces new a-la-carte channel and bouquet pricing

    NTO 2.0: Zeel announces new a-la-carte channel and bouquet pricing

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has released its new a-la-carte channel and bouquet pricing in line with the Bombay high court order dated 30 June 2021 with regard to new tariff order (NTO) 2.0.

    “The said pricing is being released without prejudice to Zeel’s rights and contentions under all petitions pending adjudication before the Supreme Court w.r.t. new tariff order (NTO) 2.0,” said a Zeel spokesperson.

    The new channel rate card will be effective from 1 December.

    According to the channel rate card, Zeel standard definition channels including Hindi GEC Zee TV, Marathi GEC Zee Marathi, Bengali GEC Zee Bangla, Odia GEC Zee Sarthak, Telugu GEC Zee Telugu, Kannada GEC Zee Kannada have been priced greater than Rs 12.

    Among its high-definition channels, Zee TV HD, Zee Marathi HD, Zee Bangla HD, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Cinemalu HD, and Zee Kannada HD also have an MRP greater than Rs 12.

    As per new tariff regime 2.0 order, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated that a channel’s MRP must not exceed Rs 12 for it to be included in any bouquet. The aforementioned channels will not be part of any of Zeel’s 26 bouquets.

    “We are confident that post implementation of NTO 2.0, Zee channels will continue their growth momentum across markets and create higher value for the company,” said Zeel president – business for South Asia Rahul Johri.

    “The new pricing regime in 2019 brought in a major shift in the way television was consumed in India,” said Zeel chief revenue officer – affiliate sales Atul Das. “On one hand, it brought in transparency about MRP of channels, while on the other hand it offered freedom to consumers to select channels they wish to watch. With NTO 2.0, consumers will get even more flexibility in the selection of channels.”

    “We will continue to provide multiple bouquets to consumers across the country at different price points. Premium English channels like Zee Café and &flix will continue to be available in a separate bouquet. Each bouquet constitutes a mix of channels, including GEC, movies, news, music and lifestyle genres. We look forward to working with our Distribution Platform Operators (DPO) partners for a smooth transition,” he added.

     

  • LCOs demand access to SMS from MSOs

    LCOs demand access to SMS from MSOs

    KOLKATA: The process of shifting from analogue to digital feed is not without its share of problems; a key issue being the resultant tug-of-war between local cable operators (LCOs) and multi system operators (MSOs) over access to the subscriber management system (SMS).

    The Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS) requires MSOs to establish a subscriber management system (SMS), where details of all subscribers, along with their choice of services including channels and bouquets, are maintained.

    While cable and entertainment analysts feel, “This brings in addressability and consequently, complete transparency in the whole system,” LCOs have a different take on the matter. They are of the opinion that once MSOs start billing consumers directly, they may end up losing control over their hard-won subscribers. Hence, they’re now asking MSOs to allow them access to the SMS to avoid such an eventuality.

    Says Rajiv Sharma, lead analyst (telecom and media), HSBC Securities: “LCOs are worried about losing control over their subscribers if MSOs bill directly. They are of the view that MSOs should allow LCOs access to subscriber management systems, which are similar to what is being done for airline ticketing.”

    A city-based cable op told indiantelevision.com, on condition of anonymity, that he had worked very hard for the last 20 years and it would be very unprofessional if his business and database were to go out of his hand and to the MSO whom he would then have to depend on totally.

    Meanwhile, an MSO questioned as to how he could allow LCOs access to the SMS which his company had spent a few crores on. Typically, it’s the MSOs that invest in infrastructure including network, encryption, ERP, call centers and SMS.

    Director Manthan Broadband Services pointed out the benefits of SMS as enabling subscribers exercise their choice of services and budget their bills accordingly. “It also helps us in managing their accounting and billing of the services rendered effectively in the long term,” said he.

    Cable analyst Namit Dave suggested that MSOs and LCOs should work hand-in-hand for mutual benefit. While Sharma pointed out that the battle between MSOs and LCOs was sending out wrong signals to the investor community. “Gross billing remains a deterrent for MSOs and we anticipate some delay as we don’t expect clarity on the entertainment tax issue anytime soon,” he said. News is Hathway has suggested it expects to move to gross billing not before phase I i.e. the fourth quarter of the current fiscal.