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Tag: cable

  • Opening DTT to private sector; discussion planned

    Opening DTT to private sector; discussion planned

    NEW DELHI: An open house discussion will be held on 19 October 2016 on a Consultation Paper on “Opening Up Digital Terrestrial Transmission.” The OHD will be held in the PHD Chamber near Sirifort Auditorium at 10.00 am.

    The Paper by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was issued on 24 June 2016, about a year after Prasar Bharati – which is the only terrestrial broadcaster in the country – unanimously recommended that DTT should be opened up to the private channels. Apart from Prasar Bharati, several private channels have already responded to the paper, which was followed by a linked paper on sharing infrastructure issued on 21 September 2016.

    In its response to the DTT paper, the pubcaster said even as it supports the move, it feels that the potential of available distribution options need to be critically analysed to fulfill their requirements (for example coverage, capacity, reception mode, and type of service etc).

    The public broadcaster has also said that the terrestrial broadcast platform will be relevant in the long term if its usage offers veritable benefits to the broadcasters, the audiences and the society as a whole. Even in countries where cable, satellite or broadband hold a significant market share, terrestrial broadcasting is usually regarded as an essential, flexible and reliable way of delivering broadcast content to a mass audience.

    In its response to 11 questions asked by TRAI in its Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting in India,’ the pubcaster says that the terrestrial platform must be digital to remain viable in the long term.

    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar, who had told indiantelevision.com in an interview earlier that it had cleared DTT for the private sector more than a year ago, said at the recent Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) that it was willing to give its infrastructure to the private TV and radio channels.

    Also read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/terrestrial/idos-2016-prasar-bharati-could-share-infra-with-private-players-sircar-161001

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/videos/event-coverage/one-on-one-discussion-with-jawhar-sircar-ceo-prasar-bharati-161004

     

  • Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    MUMBAI: Who ever thought that the traditional age-old contrived tale of snakes taking human form to avenge their parents death? Well Ekta Kapoor, Raj Nayak and Manisha Sharma did. And the trio had a runaway Naagin on their hands last year on Colors, which ran on weekends on the channel for eight months. So much so that it reached numero uno status even in Pakistan.

    Nayak and Sharma decided to give it a break to accommodate other weekend programmes. Three months later, it is ready to make a comeback in Naagin season II on 8 October at 8 pm.. Season I saw it became the No1 show across television channels within 30 episodes of debut. The show proved to be a game-changer for Colors.

    In the first week of the launch itself, the fiction show ‘Naagin’ overtook the top five programmes on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Additionally, ‘Naagin’ also became one of the first weekend shows which totted more ratings than the top-rated weekday shows.

    Says Colors CEO Raj Nayak: “Naagin has been a gloriously successful proposition for us, whose precise casting, gripping narrative and flawless execution has found appeal with audiences across the country, and has redefined the 8pm slot on weekends. As content creators, our challenge with a show like this was to weave the perfect narrative connecting childhood folklore to its real-life projection on screen, thus making Naagin a landmark show. It has been the numero uno show amongst Hindi GECs, and the feedback that the rushes have received gives us confidence that the second edition will surpass all previously set benchmarks.”

    Naagin, in its first season, highlighted a saga of love laced with revenge. As the story drew to a close, Naagin claimed triumph over evil. Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) and Shivanya became parents to a young girl, Shivangi. And, as time passes, Naagin 2 will progress by 24 years, now focusing on Shivangi’s life as she blossoms into a young woman, against the scenic backdrop of Dehradun.

    Says Colors programming head Manisha Sharma: “With Naagin, we opened up another genre of entertainment for the viewers. Naagin created history with its compelling storyline to become the unprecedented No 1 show on Indian television. And now, as we kick off Naagin 2, here’s another tale with a shape shifting snake at its helm that will once again make fantastical characters television’s newest stars.”

    Balaji Telefilms producer Ekta Kapoor adds: “Naagin is a very special show for me. The show marked my first foray in the mystical genre, and empowered us to explore a different kind of storytelling altogether. As we march ahead, we bring together not only the show’s original cast, but also a volley of newer faces who will narrate Shivangi’s tale, as she takes the mantle of being the Nagmani’s protector forward. This season we are raising the bar on visual effects to incorporate newer technologies, and will put together a tight and engrossing narrative to heighten viewer experience and build intrigue like never before.”

    To promote Naagin 2, Colors has devised an extensive integrated marketing campaign across mediums including print, cable and DTH, radio, news channels, OOH, cinema, etc. This will be complemented by a robust digital campaign incorporating multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. . The channel has also planned on-ground activations aligned with the Colors Golden Petal Club across multiple markets. Sources indicate that a marketing budget of round Rs 2 crore has been kept aside for the show.

  • Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    MUMBAI: Who ever thought that the traditional age-old contrived tale of snakes taking human form to avenge their parents death? Well Ekta Kapoor, Raj Nayak and Manisha Sharma did. And the trio had a runaway Naagin on their hands last year on Colors, which ran on weekends on the channel for eight months. So much so that it reached numero uno status even in Pakistan.

    Nayak and Sharma decided to give it a break to accommodate other weekend programmes. Three months later, it is ready to make a comeback in Naagin season II on 8 October at 8 pm.. Season I saw it became the No1 show across television channels within 30 episodes of debut. The show proved to be a game-changer for Colors.

    In the first week of the launch itself, the fiction show ‘Naagin’ overtook the top five programmes on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Additionally, ‘Naagin’ also became one of the first weekend shows which totted more ratings than the top-rated weekday shows.

    Says Colors CEO Raj Nayak: “Naagin has been a gloriously successful proposition for us, whose precise casting, gripping narrative and flawless execution has found appeal with audiences across the country, and has redefined the 8pm slot on weekends. As content creators, our challenge with a show like this was to weave the perfect narrative connecting childhood folklore to its real-life projection on screen, thus making Naagin a landmark show. It has been the numero uno show amongst Hindi GECs, and the feedback that the rushes have received gives us confidence that the second edition will surpass all previously set benchmarks.”

    Naagin, in its first season, highlighted a saga of love laced with revenge. As the story drew to a close, Naagin claimed triumph over evil. Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) and Shivanya became parents to a young girl, Shivangi. And, as time passes, Naagin 2 will progress by 24 years, now focusing on Shivangi’s life as she blossoms into a young woman, against the scenic backdrop of Dehradun.

    Says Colors programming head Manisha Sharma: “With Naagin, we opened up another genre of entertainment for the viewers. Naagin created history with its compelling storyline to become the unprecedented No 1 show on Indian television. And now, as we kick off Naagin 2, here’s another tale with a shape shifting snake at its helm that will once again make fantastical characters television’s newest stars.”

    Balaji Telefilms producer Ekta Kapoor adds: “Naagin is a very special show for me. The show marked my first foray in the mystical genre, and empowered us to explore a different kind of storytelling altogether. As we march ahead, we bring together not only the show’s original cast, but also a volley of newer faces who will narrate Shivangi’s tale, as she takes the mantle of being the Nagmani’s protector forward. This season we are raising the bar on visual effects to incorporate newer technologies, and will put together a tight and engrossing narrative to heighten viewer experience and build intrigue like never before.”

    To promote Naagin 2, Colors has devised an extensive integrated marketing campaign across mediums including print, cable and DTH, radio, news channels, OOH, cinema, etc. This will be complemented by a robust digital campaign incorporating multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. . The channel has also planned on-ground activations aligned with the Colors Golden Petal Club across multiple markets. Sources indicate that a marketing budget of round Rs 2 crore has been kept aside for the show.

  • Friend MTS announces major initiatives at IDOS 2016

    Friend MTS announces major initiatives at IDOS 2016

    GOA: Friend MTS (FMTS), a leading digital piracy containment technology and service provider, announced here at IDOS 2016 that India would be strategic to its plans over the coming years.

    Industry stalwarts from the broadcast and cable industry, spanning all segments of cable, OTT and DTH, at IDOS 2016 acknowledged the opportunity and challenges in a digital world, including that online and digital piracy is a growing menace that needs to be addressed and tackled sooner rather than later.

    The participation of FMTS at IDOS 2016 highlights this very fact as India goes digital and Indian content, its owners and creators not only surge ahead, but also grapple with digital downsides like online piracy.

    FMTS EVP Paul Hastings said, “We have engaged with almost all the stakeholders in India, ranging from broadcasters to DTH operators to OTT players to Films and Television Guild. There is recognition across the board that the next generation piracy containment service based on forensics-global identification- monitoring and takedown from FMTS will be a game changing offer to the Indian market”.

    Friends MTS’ South Asia partner Rahul Nehra added, “FMTS anti-piracy service offerings will help content owners realize substantially higher revenues and we will be working relentlessly with all stakeholders, including the government, film associations across regions and Indian Broadcasting Foundation to prepare, prevent and profit from this digital revolution.”

  • Friend MTS announces major initiatives at IDOS 2016

    Friend MTS announces major initiatives at IDOS 2016

    GOA: Friend MTS (FMTS), a leading digital piracy containment technology and service provider, announced here at IDOS 2016 that India would be strategic to its plans over the coming years.

    Industry stalwarts from the broadcast and cable industry, spanning all segments of cable, OTT and DTH, at IDOS 2016 acknowledged the opportunity and challenges in a digital world, including that online and digital piracy is a growing menace that needs to be addressed and tackled sooner rather than later.

    The participation of FMTS at IDOS 2016 highlights this very fact as India goes digital and Indian content, its owners and creators not only surge ahead, but also grapple with digital downsides like online piracy.

    FMTS EVP Paul Hastings said, “We have engaged with almost all the stakeholders in India, ranging from broadcasters to DTH operators to OTT players to Films and Television Guild. There is recognition across the board that the next generation piracy containment service based on forensics-global identification- monitoring and takedown from FMTS will be a game changing offer to the Indian market”.

    Friends MTS’ South Asia partner Rahul Nehra added, “FMTS anti-piracy service offerings will help content owners realize substantially higher revenues and we will be working relentlessly with all stakeholders, including the government, film associations across regions and Indian Broadcasting Foundation to prepare, prevent and profit from this digital revolution.”

  • IDOS 2016: Prasar Bharati could share infra with private players: Sircar

    IDOS 2016: Prasar Bharati could share infra with private players: Sircar

    GOA: Prasar Bharati has thrown an invitation to all private broadcasters and it reads: come and use our under-utilised resources and infrastructure to increase your reach in digital format terrestrially. What’s more, the Indian pubcaster will help in the distribution.

    According to Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar, the best spectrum available for broadcasting was between 470-585  MHZ, which is with the pubcaster Doordarshan lying  highly underutilised. And, private TV channels can join hands as the organisation plans to make linear TV available to the public on their hand-held devices via digital terrestrial transmission (DTT).

    “Twenty  channels can be relayed per two antennas as such (via DTT) in four metros. All that people have to do with DVB-T2 is attach an affordable dongle on their mobile handsets and watch TV channels on the go. We can give it away free to consumers to experience it and then charge for it in the second year,” Sircar said while speaking at IDOS 2016 here on Friday.

    As Doordarshan has 1,400 broadcast towers and in the event of complete conversion to digital, DD may not need all those towers for the sake of broadcasting its own channels. The tower infrastructure could therefore be shared and private broadcasters could look at Prasar Bharati as an alternate delivery medium, Sircar explained. There would then be digitised cable, DTH and DTT on offer to the consumer.

    In conversation with indiantelevision.com founder CEO and editor-in-chief  Anil Wanvari, Sircar admitted that DD’s viewership may be falling and which was getting reflected in BARC’s audience measurement.

    “The grand days of DD happened not at the hands of DD’s personnel producing content but duringRamayan, Buniyaad, etc, all of which were made by private producers,” he said. “Hence DD should not make the content on its own. The people over here don’t know how to. The time slot sale to private producers is the best way to go,” he said, adding Prasar Bharati will primarily work on sharing its resources and reduce (in-house) content creation.

    To drive home his point on indifferent quality of present programming on DD, Sircar said the reach of the pubcaster’s resources hasn’t diminished and added, “We allowed private players to come on DD’s FreeDish platform. Yes, they are willing to pay from Rs 1.5 crore (Rs. 15 million) a year in the beginning to Rs 5.5 crore ( Rs. 55 million) today for a slot on FreeDish. That’s because it’s getting them viewership.”

    However, the former bureaucrat, now in the last lap of his present assignment, was evasive and forthcoming at the same time on FreeDish’s actual reach. “Nobody knows how many set top boxes for FreeDish are there, but the industry knows about missing subscribers of (private) DTH players. Those are our FreeDish subscribers. They could number 30 million or so,” he asserted, adding that DD had not initially put in CAS, but now  intends to do so with Indian CAS, take the boxes up to MPEG4 , and add more transponders for distribution, thereby increasing the DTH platform’s capacity to 250 channels in a phased manner.

    Asked about DD’s role as a pubcaster and obvious comparison with the BBC, Sircar was quick to point out that the British pubcaster gets thousands of crores of rupees every year from consumers  in licence fee, apart from government funding.

    Still, unable to restrain himself from taking a dig at the present Indian system regarding pubcasting, Sircar quipped, “They (BBC) know for sure what is expected from a pubcaster. The problem with DD is that we don’t know our real goal and mission.”

    Quizzed further on muddled policies and the pubcaster’s objectives, Sircar, with is tongue firmly in cheek, quipped, “I am Jawhar Sircar, not Bharat Sarkar.” The punning on his last name and Sarkar (Hindi for Indian government) was telling.

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/prasar-bharati-responds-to-trai-consultation-paper-open-to-sharing-dtt-infrastructure-160926

  • IDOS 2016: Prasar Bharati could share infra with private players: Sircar

    IDOS 2016: Prasar Bharati could share infra with private players: Sircar

    GOA: Prasar Bharati has thrown an invitation to all private broadcasters and it reads: come and use our under-utilised resources and infrastructure to increase your reach in digital format terrestrially. What’s more, the Indian pubcaster will help in the distribution.

    According to Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar, the best spectrum available for broadcasting was between 470-585  MHZ, which is with the pubcaster Doordarshan lying  highly underutilised. And, private TV channels can join hands as the organisation plans to make linear TV available to the public on their hand-held devices via digital terrestrial transmission (DTT).

    “Twenty  channels can be relayed per two antennas as such (via DTT) in four metros. All that people have to do with DVB-T2 is attach an affordable dongle on their mobile handsets and watch TV channels on the go. We can give it away free to consumers to experience it and then charge for it in the second year,” Sircar said while speaking at IDOS 2016 here on Friday.

    As Doordarshan has 1,400 broadcast towers and in the event of complete conversion to digital, DD may not need all those towers for the sake of broadcasting its own channels. The tower infrastructure could therefore be shared and private broadcasters could look at Prasar Bharati as an alternate delivery medium, Sircar explained. There would then be digitised cable, DTH and DTT on offer to the consumer.

    In conversation with indiantelevision.com founder CEO and editor-in-chief  Anil Wanvari, Sircar admitted that DD’s viewership may be falling and which was getting reflected in BARC’s audience measurement.

    “The grand days of DD happened not at the hands of DD’s personnel producing content but duringRamayan, Buniyaad, etc, all of which were made by private producers,” he said. “Hence DD should not make the content on its own. The people over here don’t know how to. The time slot sale to private producers is the best way to go,” he said, adding Prasar Bharati will primarily work on sharing its resources and reduce (in-house) content creation.

    To drive home his point on indifferent quality of present programming on DD, Sircar said the reach of the pubcaster’s resources hasn’t diminished and added, “We allowed private players to come on DD’s FreeDish platform. Yes, they are willing to pay from Rs 1.5 crore (Rs. 15 million) a year in the beginning to Rs 5.5 crore ( Rs. 55 million) today for a slot on FreeDish. That’s because it’s getting them viewership.”

    However, the former bureaucrat, now in the last lap of his present assignment, was evasive and forthcoming at the same time on FreeDish’s actual reach. “Nobody knows how many set top boxes for FreeDish are there, but the industry knows about missing subscribers of (private) DTH players. Those are our FreeDish subscribers. They could number 30 million or so,” he asserted, adding that DD had not initially put in CAS, but now  intends to do so with Indian CAS, take the boxes up to MPEG4 , and add more transponders for distribution, thereby increasing the DTH platform’s capacity to 250 channels in a phased manner.

    Asked about DD’s role as a pubcaster and obvious comparison with the BBC, Sircar was quick to point out that the British pubcaster gets thousands of crores of rupees every year from consumers  in licence fee, apart from government funding.

    Still, unable to restrain himself from taking a dig at the present Indian system regarding pubcasting, Sircar quipped, “They (BBC) know for sure what is expected from a pubcaster. The problem with DD is that we don’t know our real goal and mission.”

    Quizzed further on muddled policies and the pubcaster’s objectives, Sircar, with is tongue firmly in cheek, quipped, “I am Jawhar Sircar, not Bharat Sarkar.” The punning on his last name and Sarkar (Hindi for Indian government) was telling.

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/prasar-bharati-responds-to-trai-consultation-paper-open-to-sharing-dtt-infrastructure-160926

  • Newsy expands to Cable via Fioptics

    Newsy expands to Cable via Fioptics

    MUMBAI: Scripps’ subsidiary Newsy is now available to the cable television audiences through a partnership with Cincinnati Bell’s Fioptics. The over-the-top news network will feature news live.

    Newsy offers analysis and perspective on the day’s top stories, spanning world and national news, policy, culture, science and technology.

    “Cable is still the most powerful television viewing platform in the world,” said Newsy GM Blake Sabatinelli. “Partnering with Cincinnati Bell allows us to deliver our award-winning news coverage to an
    audience hungry for a new perspective.”

    “As we continue to expand the Fioptics channel lineup, we’re committed to providing our subscribers with the best content. Newsy provides a fresh take on news coverage that our customers will embrace,” added Cincinnati Bell director of content and consumer product marketing strategy Michael Morrison.

    The partnership marks Newsy’s first carriage with a cable TV network. In the last 18 months, Newsy has added distribution on services including Sling TV, Roku, Watchable from Comcast and Apple TV.

    E.W. Scripps, the storied owner of 19 local television stations and daily newspapers in 13 markets across the U.S., announced that it has acquired Newsy, a digital video news platform, for $35 million in
    cash. Newsy will become a subsidiary of Scripps

  • Newsy expands to Cable via Fioptics

    Newsy expands to Cable via Fioptics

    MUMBAI: Scripps’ subsidiary Newsy is now available to the cable television audiences through a partnership with Cincinnati Bell’s Fioptics. The over-the-top news network will feature news live.

    Newsy offers analysis and perspective on the day’s top stories, spanning world and national news, policy, culture, science and technology.

    “Cable is still the most powerful television viewing platform in the world,” said Newsy GM Blake Sabatinelli. “Partnering with Cincinnati Bell allows us to deliver our award-winning news coverage to an
    audience hungry for a new perspective.”

    “As we continue to expand the Fioptics channel lineup, we’re committed to providing our subscribers with the best content. Newsy provides a fresh take on news coverage that our customers will embrace,” added Cincinnati Bell director of content and consumer product marketing strategy Michael Morrison.

    The partnership marks Newsy’s first carriage with a cable TV network. In the last 18 months, Newsy has added distribution on services including Sling TV, Roku, Watchable from Comcast and Apple TV.

    E.W. Scripps, the storied owner of 19 local television stations and daily newspapers in 13 markets across the U.S., announced that it has acquired Newsy, a digital video news platform, for $35 million in
    cash. Newsy will become a subsidiary of Scripps

  • Disney plays Fun Indiagames with Den

    Disney plays Fun Indiagames with Den

    MUMBAI: Indian Cable Television Distribution Company Den Network Limited and Disney India’s gaming arm Indiagames have launched ‘Fun Games,’ a subscription based gaming service. The service will offer a range of exciting games from the catalogue of Indiagames branded titles.

    Den Networks CEO SN Sharma said, “Disney India is to launch exciting games for kids under the name of Den Fun Games.’’

    Further, he emphasized, “At Den, we give the best value for money by using the most advanced technology.”

    “Today, MSOs reach out to major population in India and, by collaborating with Den, we are able to popularize our gaming content amongst them,” said Disney India – interactive, VP and head, Sameer Ganapathy.

    Den’s Fun Games offers three games which will be refreshed regularly for players to acquire new skills. The games include Egg Jump, Mailbox and Tower of Hanoi and are available for monthly Rs 45 and quarterly Rs 90 subscriptions.