ITV

Tag: CMM Music

  • DD Direct Plus to expand channel offering to 50

    DD Direct Plus to expand channel offering to 50

    NEW DELHI: Country’s first free DTH service – DD Direct Plus- operated by pubcaster Doordarshan has claimed that 150,000 boxes have been sold till now, even as it gets ready to expand the channel offerings to 50.

    In queue, according to DD sources, there are several foreign and domestic channels, including Hindi general entertainment channel Sahara One.

    Though religious channels like Aastha, Jagran, Maharshi Veda Vision and God TV too have shown interest to be on the DD Direct Plus platform, no decision have been taken yet by the pubcaster whether to accommodate such channels or not.

    The foreign channels that evinced interest include Channel News Asia, German pubcaster DW, French TV5 and Canada’s SS TV.

    The sources said that a committee would be set up soon to shortlist the additional 17 channels that would be finally allowed on board the DTH service for which subscribers don’t have to pay any monthly feel.

    The Indian channels who have shown an eagerness to be part of DD Direct Plus include some Enandu family of channels, Sahara Samay Rashtriya, Splash TV, Win TV, Zee News, Delhi-specific Total TV, Jaya TV, interactive music channel Speed Music, CMM Music, ETC Music, SS Music and Sur Sangeet.

    “DD can accommodate another 17 channels in the next phase of upgradation and that’s why the competition is hot amongst those wanting to be pat of DD Direct Plus,” a source in DD’s DTH division said.

    15 LAKH BOXES SOLD, AND STILL GOING STRONG

    Though critics were skeptical about DD Direct Plus, considering the pubcaster is not known to be too market savvy, the service has proved some points. Foremost that despite proliferation of cable TV, there are large parts of the country where people still don’t have access to good quality transmission and variety. Second, if local options are given at cheaper prices, then people would go for it.

    Take, Tamil Nadu’s example. The state does boast of a sizable cable TV population, but still tops the list with maximum ( 2.5 lakh) sale of DD Direct Plus boxes. Maharashtra follows TN with sale figures of 1.5 lakh boxes, while in Rajasthan slightly over 100,000 boxes have been sold.

    In the north-eastern state of Assam about 50,000 boxes have got sold, which, DD feels, is ‘encouraging.’

    However, the state of Karnataka, DD sources admitted, is a bit of concern with the boxes sale sluggish.

    DD also is in the process of wrapping up a 117-city media outdoor campaign, which harped on the virtues of DD Direct Plus.

  • ATN strikes distribution deal with Fifth Avenue

    ATN strikes distribution deal with Fifth Avenue

    MUMBAI: ATN International, which is poised to launch its new channel Ahimsaa on 2 October, 2003, has struck a deal with Fifth Avenue Media Services for distribution of its upcoming channel Ahimsaa in India as well as overseas.

    The company informed the BSE that an agreement with the Government of India, Department of Space for telecasting the channel through Teleport of Noida Software Technology Park Ltd (NSTPL) by using INSAT – 3A Satellite is already in place.

    The 24-hour predominantly Hindi global satellite television channel was originally reported to kick-off first on 30 January 2003, then on 15 August 2003 and is now scheduled for launch on 2 October.

    Ahimsaa is promoted by Kolkata-based Santosh Kumar Jain, who besides being a partner in Aastha Television and CMM Music has also launched ATN World and ATN Bangla in West Bengal. It is being backed by The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, headquartered in Mount Abu, India.

    The channel will telecast talks on Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and other religions. For women, there would be special shows like the gourmet special Aah Kya Swad , Ghar Beethe on self-employment opportunities and Haq on legal issues.

  • Ahimsaa channel to be launched on 30 Jan 2003

    Ahimsaa channel to be launched on 30 Jan 2003

    MUMBAI: Ahimsaa, a 24-hour global satellite television channel is all set for its launch on 30 January next year. The content of the channel will primarily comprise social, environmental and women empowerment issues.

    The first official announcement about the launch was made at the ‘Converging World 2002’ held in Bangalore between 3-5 December. The channel is promoted by the Kolkata based Santosh Kumar Jain who besides being a partner in Aastha Television and CMM Music has also promoted ATN World and ATN Bangla in West Bengal. It is being backed by The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) which is headquartered in Mount Abu, India.

    “We propose to have kids shows; serials aimed at the youth and career guidance; women’s rights and issues beauty tips; and even cooking. We shall even cover issues like Aids, health, alternate therapies and cures,” Ahimsaa Global Media Director, Sonal Jain elaborated while speaking to the indiantelevision.com team.

    The channel will reach out to over four billion people in more than 150 countries through its programmes on spiritual, ethical and social themes, stated an official release. It will show children’s programme like ‘moral story telling’ sessions, alternate methods of education and special programmes for the youth on career guidance, awareness regarding drugs, AIDS and other issues, the release added.

    “Negotiations are on with the managements of PAS-10 and Thaicom for uplinking facilities. We are also commissioning inhouse content at Kolkata. Within two years, we expect the advertisers to provide content. At present we have programming content of around eight hours and there will be repeat telecasts. We propose to increase the programming content as time goes by, ” said Brahma Kumaris’ chief of multimedia, B K Karuna.