ITV

Tag: cable TV

  • Hathway launches digital cable in Mysore

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom has launched digital cable TV service in Mysore through a fibre linkup from Bangalore.

    The multi-system operator (MSO) will have the Scientific Atlanta (SA) solution using the digital content manager (DCM) which supports gig interface (GbE ports) for transmitting the 130 channels over STM4 bandwitdh.

    On the recieving end, is the SA’s digital qam (XDQ). This is an ideal bridge between flexible IP and Giga bit ethernet based backbone networks and existing qam set top boxes.

    Hathway plans to launch the service soon in Nashik, the company said in a statement. Digital cable is already available in Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Punjab.

    The digital set-top box (STB) will offer over 130 TV channels and other value added services like interactive gaming, the release added.

  • Hathway launches digital cable TV services in Mysore

    Hathway launches digital cable TV services in Mysore

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable Network Pvt. Ltd is set to launch digital cable TV services in Mysore on 8 December, promoting the tagline ‘More entertainment than you dreamed possible with Hathway’s incredible Digital Box.’

    The digital set top box will offer over 130 TV channels and other value added services like interactive gaming, crystal clear picture, stereophonic sound, electronic programme guide with a low cost of ownership, informs an official release.

    Commissioner of Police, Mysore Praveen Sood has been invited as the chief guest and Commissioner of Mysore City Corporation Dr.K.N.Chandrashekar the guest of honour.

    Hathway’s digital cable TV services are presently available in Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Punjab and will soon be added to Nashik.
     

  • 51.2 million C&S homes in India: IRS 2006

    The Media Research Users Council (MRUC) has released the topline findings of the Indian Readership Survey (IRS) 2006 (Round 16). The study, conducted for the period July 2005 to June 2006, covers 4,686 towns and villages across the country and involves a sample size of 250,357 individuals.

    The survey notes that the number of C&S homes has increased from 49.1 million in in the previous R15 (January 2005 to December 2005) survey to 51.2 million in the latest R16 one. The total number of TV homes in India has grown from 90 million to 91.9 million. The total TV viewing audience in the country meanwhile, has grown from 430.7 million to 437.8 million.

    As has been the trend in the recent past, the IRS numbers are far more conservative than those thrown up by the National Readership Studies Council‘s (NRSC) findings of the National readership Survey (NRS) 2006. According to the NRS 2006 findings (released in end-August 2006), the number of C&S homes has increased from 61 million in 2005 to 68 million this year. NRS 2006 showed that there are 112 million TV homes in India compared with 108 million last year.

    Minutes 
    2003
    2006
    Avg Time TV 108 92
    Avg Time Radio 80 70
    Avg Time press 31 29
    Avg Time Internet 58 68
    All Media – Av time spent 132 119

    If there is one common thread running through the IRS findings, it is that the explosion in media offerings is leading to increasing casualness in consumption and therefore a concommitemt reduction in stickiness. Viewers are cutting back on time and frequency in consumption.

    There is an overall dispersion in media consumption. More media is being consumed, but time spent has gone down. This is fairly consistent with the changes in urban lifestyles where traveling, socialising, maintenance all eat into leisure time.

    Key Trends in Audience Dispersion

    *More media is being consumed
    *It is being consumed more casually than before
    *With lesser frequency
    *And lesser time being devoted

    This is the case with both TV and Print. Both are experiencing a churn in their relationship with media consumers. On the one hand, there is an explosion in media vehicles, both TV and Print. On the other hand, audiences have really got busy and are compromising on media consumption – in terms of time as well as frequency. They are sharing time across media.

    What this is resulting in is that regular viewers are giving way to occasional viewers. The number of channels watched yesterday increased to 2.2 suggesting higher surfing. While on the other hand, a decline in the number of channels watched in the last one week just suggests further fragmentation.

    Summary

    *Declining stickiness
    *Polarisation in frequency of viewing
    *Overall time spent – a downward trend
    *Audience skew towards lower time slabs
     


    10 Lakhs=1 million

    News & Current Affairs is the fastest growing genre on TV. At 31 per cent reach in the population, it has the highest penetration by genre.

    While News and CA audiences have grown at a faster pace, dailies have grown much more in terms of size – 55 million vs 51 million.

     

    Explosion in media offerings Vs In-elastic Time

    Media proliferation has provided more consumption opportunities. But the consumer is time-constrained. He is cutting back on consumption within the medium, as reflected in the lowering of duplication. But is adding on another medium, as reflected in the increased inter-media duplication.

    He is also cutting back on time and frequency. And clearly moving towards casualness in consumption.

    Impact of TV on Print – Medium is not the message

     

     

    Quality news and information available more than before through means other than newspapers
    Consumption of news not restricted to newspapers alone
    TV and Internet serve the news-seekers immediacy
    While TV News channels provide specific styles
    Internet is a on-demand medium

    TOP 15 MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
    DD1 (National Network)
    220
    Star Plus
    72
    Dainik Jagran
    54
    Aaj Tak
    51
    DD News
    49
    Zee Cinema
    46
    Sun TV
    44
    Sony TV
    33
    Gemini TV
    33
    ETV
    32
    Zee TV
    31
    Dainik Bhaskar
    29
    Amar Ujala
    29
    KTV
    25
    Hindustan
    24
    All figs in Millions
    Channels – Last 1 week
    Dailies – Claimed Reach

    The great news here for all news media owners is that this increased appetite for news is fuelling readership growth as well so it is not as if TV is eating into print but that both are growing and expanding.

    Readership has grown in absolute numbers, led by Dailies
    *But the AIR Reach has reached a plateau:
    *Regular reading giving way to casual reading
    *Decline in average number of titles read and a gravitation towards reading a single title, within a language & periodicity
    *All this leading to decline at vehicle-level readership, but keeping the AIR constant at an aggregate level

    Dainik Jagran has the highest readership in the country with 18.19 million readers, followed by Dainik Bhaskar with 13.48 million readers.

    Among English newspapers, The Times of India leads with 6.92 million readers, followed by hindustan times with 3.5 million. As before, The Times of India is the only English daily among the top 10 publications.

    In conclusion, the challenge in front of media is to reassemble and deliver to advertisers a mass audience for news, not in one place but across different geographies, different genres and different platforms.

    Click below for bigger picture

    Snapshot of population SEC changes Household penetration of ent. durables
    Exposure to various media Press reach by age Top 10 dailies
    Top 10 language dailies Top 10 English dailies Top 10 TV channels Tuned
    Top 10 watched channels Top 10 GEC/ lifestyle channels Variations in Press Reach
    Top 10 radio channels Top 10 movies channels Top 10 music channels
  • BBC World to be available on Dish TV

    BBC World to be available on Dish TV

    MUMBAI: BBC World has inked a deal with the first private direct-to-home operator Dish TV. The BBC’s 24-hour international news and information channel will be part of the Dish Welcome package.

    BBC World, recently shifted to from a free-to-air channel to a subscription model. The channel claims to reach around 15 million homes across India via cable TV. And with the deal with Dish TV, the channel’s total distribution will touch 16.5 million Indian homes.

    BBC World attracts a high-profile audience who are modern-minded, educated and like to keep up to date with what’s going on in the world.

    “India is a fast-growing market for multi-channel television and a key market for BBC World. We are delighted to be part of this Dish TV offer as it brings BBC World to a new and dynamic audience,” says BBC World South Asia head of distribution and business development Amit Upadhyay. “The channel is highly regarded in India and has a loyal following. We are pleased to be providing new viewers with our award-winning journalism and news reporting.”

    “In the last year and a half, Dish TV has emerged as one of the fastest growing digital platforms in the country. Our association with BCC World is in line with our commitment to provide the best of infotainment news and information programming available, in India or abroad, to our subscribers. We are sure that Dish TV subscribers would be happy to access BCC World in India shortly, mentioned Dish TV business head Jawahar Goel.

  • Trai’ng hard but falling way too short

    Trai’ng hard but falling way too short

    Some like it; some don’t. But there’s no denying that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai)-mandated pay channel prices in CAS areas (Rs 5 for all pay channels) is going to stir up much more than just a storm in the proverbial cup.

     

    It’s like those weekly village markets that are quite popular in India where the refrain is har maal paanch rupaiya mein (every product priced uniformly at Rs 5). The actual price may differ a bit, but the concept adopted by Trai is the same. Reason: low and uniform prices attract buyers.

     

    Faster the adoption of a technology like CAS, sooner more transparency will come into the Indian broadcast and cable industry, which has been plagued by massive under-declaration by cable ops
    _____****_____

    A low price entry point for a new technology — about which myths abound still for the general public — is certainly a good way of incentivising its quick adoption. And, faster the adoption of a technology like CAS, sooner more transparency will come into the Indian broadcast and cable industry, which has been plagued by massive under-declaration by cable operations and other such ills in the absence of any regulation.

     

    But in attempting to keep cable TV as a mass service —- which it is, anyway — and having the prices of all pay channels uniform, Trai has forgotten one important aspect of regulatory process: the cost factor while deciding tariff for a service.

     

    The real boom in the Indian cellular phone market came when players clipped price lines and made the whole process of acquiring a mobile phone connection so cheap and attractive that even a domestic hand found it hard to resist. Who can forget a certain Indian telecom player’s offer of a mobile phone connection with unlimited talk time for a certain period of time and the handset thrown in for Rs 500 under the Monsoon Hungama or monsoon bonanza scheme some time ago?

     

    Trai, which also oversees the telecom sector, may actually take pride in claiming that it facilitated massive growth in cellular phones in the country. The numbers say it all. There are more cellular phone connections in the country compared to fixed line connections. But broadcast industry cannot crow like its telecom counterpart.

     

    Though cable TV service, unlike some others like transport (especially capital intensive railway transport), cannot be categorized as a natural monopoly, the cost of putting together that service cannot be overlooked.

     

    In forcing an entertainment broadcaster to sell its product at a ridiculously low cost, Trai is trying to say Indian consumers don’t appreciate high quality production values.
    _____****_____

    Not as capital intensive as power or transport sectors, cable TV nevertheless does need investments to be made by all stakeholders of the value chain. By presuming that all types of content can be acquired comparatively cheap and revenue generated through volume sales (after all, India now boasts of 68 million C&S homes with all TV homes standing at 110 million), the regulator has highlighted its partial ignorance of how the broadcast business is conducted.

     

    Imagine the plight of Nimbus, for example, which has bought Indian cricket rights for over $ 600 million hoping that the content would help it to price its proposed channel at a premium. But now it would have no option but to price a pay channel at Rs 5 and look at rejigging the whole business model.

     

    There is no denying that the programming costs in the sports, movies and entertainment segments are higher than news or infotainment channels segment. In forcing an entertainment broadcaster to sell its product at a ridiculously low cost — when compared to the input costs of aggregating content — Trai, probably, is trying to say that Indian consumers don’t appreciate high quality production values and can be served shoddy work. Class comes with a price tag and the price decided by the regulator is unlikely to encourage quality.

     

    Could Trai have gone in for differential pricing for some genres of channels? Yes, of course it could have, and displayed a visionary flair in the process.

     

    But as long as regulators like Trai remain hostage to a government’s whims and fancies, it would always open itself to the criticism of pandering to politicians’ wishes, which are mostly based on populism.

     

    Still, there is no gainsaying that the last word on this tale is a long way away from being written. And, if the way the currents are flowing are anything to go by, it could well be on this critical point that Trai’s efforts to usher in the CAS era could fall flat!

  • Cable, DTH locked in ad war

    Cable, DTH locked in ad war

    MUMBAI: The ad war between direct-to-home (DTH) service providers and cable TV operators has started. Soon after Dish TV ran a full page campaign on print asking viewers to stop watching cable TV, operators have retaliated with the tagline “Cable TV – Service at your doorstep.”

    The most obvious attack is on pricing. Dish TV, the ad says, offers all channels without the Star bouquet at Rs 300 per month. After adding up the 10 per cent licence fee and taxes (entertainment and service), the monthly bill in Mumbai will work out to Rs 412. Then there is the hardware and rental cost for the set-top boxes (STBs) which have to be paid in advance. Besides, there are no discounts for multi-TV homes, the ad states.

    Cable prices in the conditional access system (CAS) areas, on the other hand, will begin from Rs 77 per month for the free-to-air (FTA) channels. The pricing for the pay channels is yet to be decided as broadcasters have to fix the rates. As for the set-top boxes, the early bird offer is Rs 2000. “With judicial intervention and government regulation now being brought in place, you too will reap benefits of CAS once it takes off from 1 January,” the ad says.

    Regarding service, cable TV has run even on days of calamities. Most of the consumer complaints are pricing related issues which are linked to pay channel hikes. “Cable networks also provide internet service. How come you never faced price related issues when dealing with the same cable network,” the ad states.

    The cable TV industry is “geared to usher in a new digital cable revolution with over 140 channels, radio services, games and on screen electronic programme guides.”

    The cablewallah may have finally woken up to the competition from alternate digital distribution platforms. The battle, as they say, is just beginning.

  • Animax expands its presence in Hong Kong on Cable TV

    Animax expands its presence in Hong Kong on Cable TV

    MUMBAI: Animax has expanded its presence on major cable platform, Cable TC to make Animax more accessible to Hong Kong viewers as part of the channel’s ongoing efforts to reach its target youth audience. Starting 10 August, Animax moves to the basic tier on Cable TV, increasing its target demographic reach.

    The channel will be moving from an á la carte basis to the basic tier on Cable TV to allow all Cable TV viewers full access to Animax offerings, and increase the accessibility for Animax’s target demographic of youths and young adults to view the channel’s programmes.

    Animax on Cable TV’s basic tier will continue to provide a customised feed, offering both Cantonese dubbing and the original Japanese language for selected programmes.

    Hong Kong viewers can expect to see more anime programmes in the coming months such as Paradise Kiss, Blood+ and Girl From Hell, and a host of anime-inspired activities that encompass fashion and music in the pipeline.

    “We are delighted to be able to work with an outstanding partner such as Cable TV to offer to Hong Kong viewers an ultimate anime lifestyle experience both on and off screen. With Animax being available on the basic tier of Cable TV, more Hong Kong viewers will get to experience the latest anime entertainment and the coolest ‘out-of-the-box’ activities Animax has to offer,” said Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Networks – Asia vice president finance, distribution and operations Ang Hui Keng.

    Hong Kong Cable Television Limited executive director Benjamin Tong said, “Cable TV is pleased to announce that Animax will be one of our basic channels on our programming platform from 10 August, 2006. This new arrangement is definitely good news to our basic subscribers, especially the youths and young adults,” Tong added.

  • Cable TV to air CBFC certified film, music video

    Cable TV to air CBFC certified film, music video

    NEW DELHI: Determined to clean up the Indian cable TV of what it feels is indecent content, the government brought in other regulation relating to airing of songs and promos.

    The information and broadcasting ministry yesterday issued a notification that no film or film song or film promo or film trailer or music video or music album or their promos, whether produced in India or abroad, shall be carried through cable service unless it has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as suitable for unrestricted public exhibition in India.

    The move, according to the ministry, has been necessitated on the ground of a growing demand from the public to regulate airing of programmes containing obscenity, violence, cruelty etc., through cable TV networks.

    In this regard, the ministry also cited a judgement of the Bombay High Court, which had directed cable operators not to carry any programme that was unsuitable for unrestricted public exhibition.

    In a statement today, the I&B ministry said another rule relating to airing of ads has been amended.

    From now on, no advertisement, which violates the code for
    self-regulation for public exhibition, as adopted by the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI), shall be carried in the cable service.

    The new norms have been inserted as an amendment to the Cable Television (Network) Rules 1994.

    In the meanwhile, the government is still in the process of finalizing draft guidelines for content.

  • MSO says Cable TV amendments not enough

    MSO says Cable TV amendments not enough

    The changes approved by the Cabinet in the Cable TV Act, 1995 are welcome said Ashok Mansukhani, who once headed MSO InCable. “The focus is on the provider of the content, not on cable TV operators as being culpable for any questionable content,” says Mansukhani. “Earlier, a couple of cases had been filed against Star Movies where we were also named as infringers of the law. The amendment forcing broadcasters to adhere to the programming and ad code puts the onus on them.”

    According to him, the amendments, serve to bring even pay TV channels under the DD programming code. “There is an equalisation between pay TV and free to air TV channels. Earlier on, programmers used to take refuge under the statement that they were pay channels.”

    He, however, expressed doubt about the fact that the government had left policing of the amendments in the hands of local authorities. “What is all right in Mumbai may be repulsive in Agra. Hence making local designated authorities responsible for content can be a potential landmine field. A central broadcasting standards council should have been set up which will monitor content nationally. This is something the industry has been demanding.”

    Additionally, what has got Mansukhani’s goose is the fact that the government (read: DD) is forcibly blocking up three channels to prop up the inefficencies of the state owned broacaster through the amendments.

    “Almost 40 per cent of TV sets in India are not cable TV ready,” he says. “They can receive only 10-12 channels. By blocking three channels in the prime band the government- in partnership with DD – is limiting the industry from placing the channels of their and the consumers’ choice. DD has consistently been losing revenue to private channels and this amendment is a blatant effort by the broadcaster to improve its position, reduce competition through a government mandate.”

  • Tariffs for CAS areas: Trai seeks industry feedback

    Tariffs for CAS areas: Trai seeks industry feedback

    NEW DELHI: The broadcast regulator is at it again — issuing another set of consultation paper on cable TV prices for CAS areas.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today floated a paper on amendments to the tariff order for CAS areas asking stakeholders whether the regulator should fix the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of TV channels, amongst other things.

    The last date for the industry to give feedback is 5 July 2006, the day when the government is supposed to revert to the Delhi High Court on the status of CAS rollout in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai.

    Pointing out that the latest initiative is at he behest of the industry, Trai said, “Several stakeholders (had) suggested fixation of ceilings for individual channels. Since this is at variance with the earlier decision of Trai, it was considered appropriate to undertake a fresh consultation on the specific issues of regulation of tariff in CAS areas.”

    A Trai, official, however, denied that these consultation papers would any way affect a court case on CAS or that it would give the government some breathing space when it updates the judiciary on CAS’ rollout plans.

    “The issue of consultation papers and government’s stand on CAS are different matters,” the official stressed, refusing to expand any further.

    On 10 March 2006, the Delhi High Court had directed that CAS be implemented in three cities within a month’s time after being petitioned by a group of MSOs.

    Subsequently, the I&B ministry had held a series of meetings with industry stakeholders and consumer groups and had submitted to the court that for an effective rollout of CAS an additional 265 days were needed.

    The court, after making clear its disapproval of such suggestions and penalizing the ministry Rs. 100,000 (RS 1 lakh) for delay, asked the government to come back with a final implementation plan by 5 July.

    The regulator’s fresh consultation paper covers the following issues:

    i) Should Trai fix the maximum retail price for each individual channel?

    ii) If so, what should be the methodology and principles to be adopted for the same?

    iii) Should Trai promote individual choice of channels by fixation of the maximum price as a percentage of the average price of a channel in a bouquet and, if so, what should be this percentage?

    (iv) If the individual MRPs are fixed by Trai, along with a formula as indicated, should TRAI also regulate the maximum permissible discount for the bouquet of channels? If so what should be the discount and what are the principles on which this should be calculated?

    (v) The choice of the precise option out of the several alternatives to regulate prices in a CAS environment.