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Tag: Broadcasters

  • DPOs, consumer data and the art of upselling content

    DPOs, consumer data and the art of upselling content

    KOLKATA: In the age of online content platforms, knowing what consumers want has become the key to customer acquisition and retention. While these platforms have tons of data to woo the target audience, it is tough for traditional players in cable distribution ecosystem, especially multi-system operators, to have robust consumer profiling.

    However, (direct-to-home) DTH players like Tata Sky have already started innovating the area and MSOs are following suit slowly. At a distribution-related panel, ‘Broadcast and distribution challenges and the road ahead’, hosted by Indiantelevision.com, all the panellists agreed that if they need to upsell or cross-sell content, a significant amount of data is needed.

    “We do a bit of analytics. In the DTH industry, there is only one way of communication, the return path data (RPD) is not there. However, we have tens of thousands of dongles, through which we get some back-channel data, the reverse path identification based on which we do some customer segmentation like what channels they are watching, which regions are focusing on which channels. We are seeing as a trend that there is an inclination towards watching more regional content that has accelerated during Covid2019 pandemic,” said Tata Sky chief financial officer G Sambasivan.

    “We try and do a lot of upselling based on customer analytics so that our hit rate in terms of conversion is on the higher side so that we don’t do carpet bombing. We select those customers and we try to upsell channels to them based on our estimate of which will be appealing to which type of consumer,” he added. According to him, Tata Sky has tasted success in the method and so, keeps improving analytical capabilities.

    IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) CEO Vynsley Fernandes said that the problem is bigger for MSOs due to two major issues. Firstly, RPD will come at a high cost. Secondly, unlike DTH players, MSOs don’t have access to last mile-consumers directly since local cable operators (LCOs) act as the medium of connection. However, he mentioned that some MSOs are studying consumers but have not deployed any system yet. Moreover, if they deploy anything there is a concern about what is a valid sample size. He also mentioned that IMCL has been working with LCOs to build its database. Although he acknowledges that it is not optimal like other industries, it is getting better slowly.

    “Since the customers are with us for 25 years, it is impulse and intuition that helps us drive the ARPUs. Around 60 per cent customers go with DPO packages,” Metro Cast Network Services Pvt Ltd promoter Nagesh Narayandas Chhabria said. 

    Indian Cable Net Company Ltd director Suresh Sethia also spoke of the broadband box integrated with the network of cable users that gives them data on who is watching what. They have at least 3000 such boxes.

    Siti Networks Ltd CEO Anil Malhotra said that as they are in b2b business, they can’t have direct contact with consumers, especially with LCOs in the middle. “But whatever choices customers have made are saved in our back end. Based on that, if any upselling or marketing has to be done, we can easily do it. As our business model is b2b, we consider what operators are doing in real-time is better. On a single way of communication, there will be a limitation,” he added. 

    PwC India Entertainment partner media and sports advisory leader Raman Kalra did not agree to this view as he thinks every business is b2c in the M&E sector. He cited the example of print industry that did not have a direct connection to consumers and now the industry is struggling to adjust with digitisation. 

    “Until and unless you [DPOs] go and check with you customers and have a reverse path, you will always be conjecturing what your customers are watching. While in past we could not have it, going forward we can align our LCOs also to the idea that is important to know what our consumers are watching. It would help you to build a business for yourself as well as for your direct consumer. So, it’s time we get LCOs on partnership mode, teach them, educate them, and only then will it unlock. Otherwise, all will keep going in circles,” Star and Disney India distribution and international business president and head Gurjeev Singh Kapoor commented.

    IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd president Amit Arora said that they have to offer various propositions so they can hold on to consumers.

  • Tamil Nadu MSO writes to TRAI alleging broadcasters’ non-compliance to NTO 2.0

    Tamil Nadu MSO writes to TRAI alleging broadcasters’ non-compliance to NTO 2.0

    KOLKATA: Tamil Nadu-based multi-system operator (MSO) Apple Network Private Ltd. has written a complaint to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) against major pay-TV broadcasters for allegedly not complying to new tariff order 2.0 (NTO 2.0). It also claimed that broadcasters are not coming forward to execute the new RIO agreements/ amendments in accordance with NTO 2.0.

    The complaint is “against the Pay Channel broadcasters but not limited to Star India, Sony Pictures Network India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd, Discovery Communications India, Bennet Colman and Company Ltd etc. as the said broadcasters are acting arbitrary and are showing high handedness by not complying with law of land,” the MSO wrote to TRAI.

    The MSO also demanded that the invoices sent by broadcasters since March until date (6 July) have to be corrected as NTO 2.0 came into effect from March. It has also mentioned that despite several petitions, the broadcasters have failed to get any interim stay on the order. It has alleged that despite repealed requests broadcasters are not uploading the amended RIO on their respective websites. 

    It has added that due to the current situation LCOs have not been able to collect payment causing immense suffering to its business. But broadcasters are not offering any relief and are demanding the entire Invoice amount which is generated on the basis of MSR report.

    “Therefore, in view of the above, the undersigned herein requests you to take severe coercive actions against the pay channel broadcasters for non-implementation of NTO 2.0 as on account of Covid2019, it is totally uncertain as to when the writs pending in different high courts will be taken up and until then, the broadcasters can not be permitted to illegally enrich themselves. Further, you may direct all pay channel broadcasters to enter valid RIO agreement in compliance with NTO 2.0 and accordingly revise the billing wef 1 March 2020,” it added. 

  • Shooting amidst a pandemic causing anxiety: Binaifer Kohli

    Shooting amidst a pandemic causing anxiety: Binaifer Kohli

    MUMBAI: Television shoots which were halted due to Covid2019 pandemic have now resumed shooting after adhering to myriad instructions. Producers are taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety and security of cast and crew. On 29 June &TV’s popular sitcom Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain too resumed shooting.

    Producer of Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain and Edit II Productions co-founder Binaifer Kohli tells indiantelevision.com that she is excited to begin shooting but at the same time the extra work and responsibility has caused a sense of anxiety. 

    “Shoots are happening late as we are taking effort to follow all the SOPs. More than the shooting, our major concern is on sanitisation and other guidelines as people’s lives are more important. There is no second chance here," she explains.

    Makeup artists, hairdressers and dress men are using PPE kits and artists have been provided separate makeup kits and rooms. Kohli also stresses on using good quality sanitation solutions to avoid any harm. If it is adulterated, then it will not do the work, if used more than the required it could turn acidic. Kohli uses special sanitisation cans to spray on clothes which are relatively more expensive than the usual sanitisers. As there is a lot of heat and halogen lights on the set it could negatively react with the solution and catch fire.

    Every 15 days, the shooting premise is sanitised by a government-approved vendor. They have mostly German dealers who are supplying sanitisation cans and other necessary equipment. There are also vitamin tablets, homeopathic pills and immunity boosting kadhas at the entrance for people to consume.

    According to her, it is very difficult to re-imagine and re-design production protocols and other guidelines. She also highlights that it is difficult to match deadlines now. She says, “We are allowed to shoot with only 33 per cent of the staff and lighting arrangements are done keeping this in mind. Once the camera is set, actors enter the scene and the light-men, along with other crew members, come out of the scene.   Things are going a little slow as compared to before. People on the set have decreased but the lights and cameras used for one shot remain the same. It affects the output of the show.”

    There will be no major changes in the scripts. Grand wedding scenes will now be replaced by court marriage. Funerals and other events will be shown with fewer people.

    Apart from the actors who are travelling daily through their private vehicles, the rest of the crew members are staying on the set. The 12-hour shift timings remain the same for actors and other staff. “We try to wrap up the work in the 12-hour time frame. We have also introduced shift systems so that there is no extra burden on one particular actor.”

    The production house has taken an overall insurance plan along with the Covid2019 insurance cover. As curfew is imposed in Mumbai, Kohli makes sure that shoot ends before 9 pm and people can reach their home in time.

    According to Kohli, it is important for broadcasters and producers to sail together in the same ship in order to survive.

    “Broadcasters are trusting us with our work. We all are supportive towards each other. I have taken a price cut; in the channel itself people have taken 40 per cent cuts. Broadcasters are also facing a lot of difficulty. They are sailing in troubled waters too. The main concern is that there is advertisement happening on television. Brands have nothing to sell and some of them have shut. Whatever products they have they will sell on merit and demand. When there is excess supply then brands have the option of competing. In this scenario, how will broadcasters survive?" she says.

    Kohli’s husband Sanjay Kohli, who is also the creative producer, oversees all the pre-production and post-production work. He checks the scripts before it goes for shooting and episodes before it goes to the channel. Edit and other post- production work is done from her office that is situated in Bandra. They are using technologies like iCloud to save data.

    The house has two shows Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain and Happu Ki Ultan Paltan on & TV. The popular sitcom May I Come In Madam’s second season is also set to go on the floors very soon, which got postponed owing to the pandemic.

  • CINTAA, FWICE seek clarity from broadcasters, producers on payment, working conditions

    CINTAA, FWICE seek clarity from broadcasters, producers on payment, working conditions

    MUMBAI: The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) together have raised several concerns with broadcasters and producers but their appeals haven't been responded to, yet.

    They had submitted several grievances on working conditions, payments and duty hours to the producers association through series of joint meetings and communications but did not get any positive answers from them. There is still uncertainty looming large.

    "Though we have always assured our best support to them they have not taken our concurrence on many issues resulting in lack of clarity and confusions. Many producers are taking unilateral steps of calling our members for shoot, this has only created a feeling of unrest and misguidance amongst the members, even before resumptions of shoot," said the two bodies in a release.

    FWICE and CINTAA which has scores of members enrolled in the cadres of actors, technicians and workers need immediate changes implemented in the working system/payment terms before any resumption of shoots.

    Many producers are taking unilateral steps of calling members for shoot and this has only created a feeling of unrest and misguidance amongst the members, even before resumptions of shoot.

    Post Covid2019 the working system would change for all with probable health challenges and drop in immunity levels hence it is all the more important that all the concerns are suitably addressed, the release added.

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com CINTAA senior joint secretary Amit Behl said, “There has been radio silence from broadcasters and producers for almost one week and that is the reason we have to issue this press release. Our people are hounding us as to what we must do."

    "We were supposed to get a response from the producer's association and broadcasters as to what is the final decision they have taken in terms of insurance cover, payment, earlier defaults, SOP measures, studios and other important things. As a counterpart we issued this release,” he further added.

    According to Behl, CINTAA and the board understands that broadcasters are facing trouble in terms of advertising but there must be a clarity around budget cuts. The association is answerable to 10,000 members while the federation to five lakh people. He adds that people with bare minimum salary cannot afford to have 30 percent deduction, which is the cut that has been intimated to them.

    IFTPC chairman TV wing JD Majethia acknowledged the release sent. "We have been in constant touch with the association. Slowly and gradually we are trying to resolve each and every issue," he said.

    He also added that the producer's association and broadcasters will have to give a response as they cannot work without cast and crew.

    The association's demand includes:

    .  Shift hours strictly to be eight hours per day

    .  Payments to daily paid actors/ technicians/ workers has to be settled by the end of the day

    .  All contractual employees have to be paid in 30 days

    .  Conveyance has to be settled end of the day

    .  Mandatory weekly holiday

    .  Adherence to stringent health and safety protocols as per directives of the government

    . Insurance: health and life insurance with Covid2019 specific coverage. We demand a Rs 50 lakh cover for actors / workers /technicians who succumb to death.

    .  No pay cuts/discounts will be agreed by actors/ workers /technicians post resuming to work.

    .  No actor/ technicians/ workers would be replaced for refusing giving discounts on their emolument

    .  Deployment of a well-equipped ambulance along with a paramedical staff (nurse) and a doctor at the location

    It says that all the above-mentioned issues have to be resolved first so that there is complete clarity to all, be it actors/ workers or technicians. "No one can risk the lives of human resources and for us at FWICE AND CINTAA certainly not," it adds.

    It adds that even after strict directives issued by the I&B ministry to all the producers to clear the outstanding dues of the actors, workers and technicians pending prior to the announcement of the lockdown by the government amidst the Covid2019 pandemic, the producers have still not cleared the outstanding dues of the members. The association demands that all the outstanding dues of  members should be cleared prior to the resumption of the shooting.

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  • I&B ministry extends deadline to submit comments on draft policy guidelines for uplinking, downlinking

    I&B ministry extends deadline to submit comments on draft policy guidelines for uplinking, downlinking

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has extended the time till 7 June for submitting suggestions or comments on draft policy guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of television channels. MIB published the guidelines on 30 April.

    The last guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of satellite television channels were issued by the ministry in 2011. 

    MIB drafted the suggestions after consulting with stakeholders and also invited comments on the draft from them within the 15 days of publishing it. But some of the stakeholders expressed inability to draw up the response within the time limit requesting a further extension of the deadline. 

    Here are the major guidelines issued by MIB:

    Online application on Broadcast Seva for teleport or TV channels 

    A company or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) may apply on Broadcast Seva on payment of processing fees for setting up a Teleport or Teleport Hub and uplinking, downlinking of a news TV channel or a non-news TV channel. The online application shall be processed from the standpoint of eligibility conditions and shall be subject to clearance and approval by the department of space, ministry of home affairs, and whenever considered necessary, by the department of revenue, ministry of finance. However, if considered necessary, the ministry may cause inspection of the physical premise or location.

    Regulations for logo and name of a channel

    For uplinking a news channel or a non-news channel, it has to furnish the proposed name and the logo of the channel along with a trademarks registration certificate regarding the ownership of the name and logo during applying. A company/LLP shall display on the permitted TV channel only that name and logo which has been approved by the ministry. Hence, display of name and logo which has not been permitted or the display of dual logos would be treated as a violation of the guidelines.

    Operational status of a permitted TV channel

    A TV channel is required to remain operational during the currency of the permission.  Where a TV channel is unable to remain operational for a continuous period of more than 60 days, the company/LLP shall inform the ministry of the status along with reasons for the channel remaining non-operational. Provided that failure to inform the ministry regarding non-operational status of a channel beyond a continuous period of 60 days will be deemed to be a violation under the guidelines. Moreover, the channel shall not remain non-operational for a continuous period exceeding 90 days.

    Live telecast of events

    · A news channel which is given permission under these guidelines may uplink news and current affairs content by using the Satellite News Gathering (SNG)/ Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) equipment permitted to it, or hiring such equipment owned by any other permitted news channel owner or a teleport operator, after registering such hiring by means of an application on Broadcast Seva portal.

    ·  A non-news channel having permission under this guideline may, for the purpose of broadcasting an event live (other than an event which is in the nature of news and current affairs), irrespective of the technology used for uplinking the event, register itself online on Broadcast Seva, at least five days preceding the first date of a live event, furnishing such details and documents as may be specified in the application for registration, including the following date, time, venue and name of the event; the channel’s/ teleport’s willingness to broadcast/ uplink the proposed programme/event; due authorization of the event owner along with specific dates and timings of the proposed programme/event, a valid WPC license issued to the teleport operator, where a SNG/DSNG equipment or any such technology is used requiring WPC license, where an equipment or technology other than SNG/ DSNG is used, detailed specifications thereof.

    ·  A foreign news channel/agency may be granted permission up to one year at a time for live uplinking from time to time through a pre-designated teleport, by way of an application made in this regard online on the Broadcast Seva Portal.

    Transfer of permission of a television channel or teleport 

    A TV channel or a teleport can be transferred by a company/LLP, to another entity only with prior approval of the ministry. However, transfer under the sub-section shall be permitted under the following situations:

    Merger/demerger/ amalgamation duly approved by the court/ tribunal in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2013, and the company/LLP files a copy of the order of the court/tribunal sanctioning the said scheme; transfer of business or undertaking in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, and the company/ LLP files a copy of the agreement/ arrangement executed between itself and the transferee company/LLP; transfer within group company, and the company files an undertaking stating that the transfer is within the group companies.

    Uplinking of television channels for viewing only in foreign countries

    TV channels operating in India and uplinked from India but meant only for foreign viewership are required to ensure compliance of the rules and regulations of the country for which content is being produced and uplinked.

    A channel owned by a foreign company/entity may be allowed to uplink its content to be viewed outside India by using the facility of a permitted teleport operator by way of an online application on Broadcast Seva furnished on its behalf by the concerned teleport operator.

  • TRAI invites proposals for empanelment of auditors to carry DAS audit

    TRAI invites proposals for empanelment of auditors to carry DAS audit

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has invited proposals from audit firms for empanelment in the panel of Auditors to carry out the audit of digital addressable systems.

    The audit agency shall meet the following eligibility conditions for empanelment in the panel of Auditors: 

    1.  It shall be a company registered under the Companies Act 2013, OR an LLP under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 or a registered Partnership Firm under the Partnership Act, 1932, OR a proprietorship firm registered with ICAI as an audit firm;

    2.  It shall have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 50 lakh in the immediate two preceding financial years for national level empanelment or for more than one regional level empanelment or Rs 25 lakh in the immediate two preceding financial years for empanelment in only one regional area;

    3.  It shall have experience, either on its own or through any of its partner/employee of (i) at least one year in the audit of Digital Addressable System (DAS) [Subscriber Management System (SMS)/ Conditional Access System (CAS)] (technical and/or subscription) of distributors; or (ii) at least one year in the audit of billing and metering and/or payment and prepaid charging system involving the use of software tools and/or banking IT system; 

    4.  It shall have at least three full-time professionals from among Chartered Accountant (CA)/ Company Secretary (CS)/Cost Accountant (CoA)/ Graduate Engineer, and at least one of the three professionals should be a Chartered Accountant (CA)/ Company Secretary (CS)/Cost Accountant (CoA). Such professionals should be full time partners or employees working with the Audit Agency since at-least six months prior to the date of application; 

    5.  The company/ LLP/ firm or any of its professional shall not have been disqualified or blacklisted by any department of State Government/Central Government or any Bank or Financial Institution or any statutory body or any professional body. Further, the Company/ LLP/ firm or any of its professional should not have been held guilty of criminal misconduct at any point of time

    6.  The applicant should be well-versed with the broadcasting and distribution industry and shall be proficient in understanding the network head-end setup, customer and system lifecycle knowledge and integration of customer details in SMS and CAS 

    7.  The applicant should be independent of broadcasting service providers and should not have any direct or indirect involvement or interest in the design, construction, operation or maintenance of software such as CAS/SMS/Middleware/Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) or hardware/electronic devices used in digital addressable systems of a service provider. Further, neither any director/ partner/ key managerial personnel of the applicant firm nor its any audit personnel should have held in last one year or should be currently holding the similar position in the company which is involved in the business of broadcasting and distribution activities. 

    The empanelment process shall be continuous and henceforth may be carried out on monthly basis i.e. a proposal may be submitted by last working day of a month for the next round of empanelment. An applicant shall apply only once till TRAI informs it about acceptance/rejection of its proposal. TRAI shall inform all the applicants whether they have been empanelled or their application has been rejected. An applicant once rejected shall not be eligible to re-apply for 12 months from the date of intimation of such rejection.

  • Clear payments to workers till March, I&B ministry tells broadcasters, producers

    Clear payments to workers till March, I&B ministry tells broadcasters, producers

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting has urged the broadcasters and producers of TV serials to take a compassionate view of workers who have been hit by the Covid2019 pandemic. The ministry has urged them to ensure that all payments due to them up to March 2020 are cleared at the earliest, because this “will be of immense relief to them and their families.”

    The ministry has informed that the bureau of outreach and communication (BOC) is working on a war footing for liquidating the pendency of advertisement bills due to the media industry so as to help the broadcasting sector that has been reeling under the Covid2019 pandemic, said a ministry notification.  

    According to a ministry notification, the pandemic has led to financial downturn for a large number of sectors of the economy, including the broadcasting industry. The information and broadcasting minister recently discussed the problems of the broadcasting sector with the major stakeholders. And the BOC is trying to clear the pendency of advertisement bills.

    “However, equally important is the livelihoods of the employees (and their families) who are working in this sector, including a large number of modestly paid TV artists engaged for production of various TV serials. While services of such persons were taken, some of them may not have received their remuneration. While appreciating concerns of the broadcasting sector, the imminent need to give remuneration to them cannot be lost sight of,” said the notification.

    Copies of the notification have been sent to various industry associations such as the News Broadcasters Association, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India, and Producers Guild of India.

  • DD, AIR broadcast educational content, virtual classes

    DD, AIR broadcast educational content, virtual classes

    MUMBAI: India's public Broadcasters – Doordarshan and All India Radio – are broadcasting virtual classes and other educational content through their regional channels across the country to help students during this lockdown period.

    The broadcasting is being done in collaboration with various state government institutions on TV, radio and YouTube.

    In the absence of school classes, these virtual classes are helping students, especially the tenth and twelfth standard students in preparation for their board and competitive examinations.

    Doordarshan Kendras that are broadcasting virtual classes are Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir.

    The virtual learning through DD and AIR include curriculum-based classes for primary, middle and high school level students. Many of these classes also help students prepare for their engineering and medical entrance examinations.

    To keep the learning interesting, apart from the curriculum content, virtual classes in a few states include story telling by eminent personalities and quiz shows.

    With an aim of inculcating discipline in students sitting at home, most of these classes start early morning and a few are repeated in the afternoon.

    All India Radio stations that are broadcasting virtual classes are Vijaywada, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatire, Puducherry, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirunelveli, Panaji, Jalgaon, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Parbhani, Aurangabad, Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai, Gangtok, Guwahati, Bikaner, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur.

    The Stations broadcasting educational content are Bhopal, Chennai, Kozhikode, and Thrissur.

    On an average, any DD channel airs 2.5 hours of educational content daily and any AIR channel 30 minutes of educational content daily.

    Also, a total number of hours of daily content across DD Network is 17 hours and 11 hours across AIR network daily.

  • Productions to begin again?

    Productions to begin again?

    MUMBAI: It’s not confirmed yet. But sources revealed to indantelevision.com that efforts are on to get TV and other productions kickstarted again. This is even as prime minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of the lockdown till 3 May this morning and a stricter enforcementof Covid2019 restrictions over the coming week. Timelines when the greensignal to resume production have not been revealed as yet, but broadcasters, producers and the government seem to be getting on the same page and a date is expected to be announced.

    When they do start, it is proposed that  they will do so with heavy security ensuring temperature screening and regular checks, minimum cast and crew in  lower double digit numbers, limited camera unit staff, with adequate social distancing, daily sanitation of the sets, an ambulance on standby,  masks, gloves and hand sanitisers being used at all times, less lavish sequences, avoiding casting and hiring  elderly cast and crew and few props.

    Sources share that the content  production sector has incurred losses running into thousands of crores since the outbreak of the pandemic. Producers have been at loose ends and have been requesting landlords to waive off rentals for studios where they have their sets standing. Broadcasters normally fund the productions, but with no fresh programming available for nearly a month now, they have been losing ad revenues. To top it all, there are the thousands of unionised crew who have seen their earnings vanish and if this continues for long, it could end up being even more problematic.

    A lawyer working closely with the production sector said that unless this is resolved, litigation could be the order of the day.

    Hence, producers, broadcasters, unions and the Maharashtra government are currently working on drawing up new measures that will have to be followed without any exception.

    Please keep visiting indiantelevision.com to get further updates.

    (Updated at 10:30 am on 14 April 2020)

  • News broadcasters seek government help to overcome corona crisis

    News broadcasters seek government help to overcome corona crisis

    MUMBAI:  The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), the trade organisation that represents the combined interests of the news broadcasting industry on Monday sought the immediate intervention of the central government to overcome the larger economic, social, financial and business impact arising out of the combat measures and lockdown initiatives across the country that threaten the survival of the news television channels.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his televised address to the nation, on March 19, equated the news broadcasting sector in line with essential services, is a crucial acknowledgement of the important role of news broadcasters in rendering public service in such a critical situation which the nation is facing currently.

    In the memorandum presented to the Prime Ministers’ Office, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and TRAI etc. the NBF has sought government intervention to combat the financial and business impact on the news broadcasting sector. 

    To overcome the financial impact, the federation has requested the government to relax and offer tax concessions including lowering GST rates and filing dates, postponing the deadline for TDS payments, for at least a minimum period of three months, until June 30, 2020. The federation has also asked the government to waive off the fees for news channels on DD Freedish platform for March and April 2020.  The NBF has also sought extension in deadlines for compliance, since employees handling regulatory issues are currently working from home. 

    “The NBF strongly stands and supports the Government of India’s proactive measures to combat spread of COVID-19 virus, which has posed a health and economic threat to the country.  This extraordinary situation required the government to take extraordinary measures to save the news broadcasting sector that performs a public service for free. Else, we perish,” said NBF President Arnab Goswami.   

    The news broadcasters are facing slowdown of business operations and severe shortfall revenue as it has curtailed the flow of advertisement which is the largest source of revenue for FTA news broadcasters. The measures have also severely impacted cash flows due to lower collections of payments since clients are also scaled down their business operations. At the same time, the operating costs on connectivity and communications have tremendously increased due to the lockdowns while ensuring the safety of employees.