ITV

Tag: DAS

  • Sun TV to benefit greatly from DAS III & IV: Centrum Broking

    MUMBAI: Stockbroking firm Centrum Broking’s research team is relatively bullish on the Sun TV Network. In its latest report, Centrum has stated that Sun TV has said that recent developments bode well for the Kalanithi Maran promoted southern TV network.

    “We draw comfort from the court’s recent dismissal of all charges against the promoters, its high dividend payout, the Rs 18 billion cash in its books,” its says in the report.

    Centrum is hopeful that cable TV digitisation in Phase III and Phase IV will double Sun TV’s subscription revenues over the next three years. “We expect that it would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the digitization,” the report says.

    Evidence of that comes from the recent 30 per cent increase in subscription income YoY and the 10 per cent increase in DTH subscription income (it currently has 13.1 million paying subs) contribution in Q3 FY 2017 .

    “It has started to add income from content trading which represents revenue earned from mobile service providers,” says Centrum in the report.

    The broker points out that the Sun TV Network management has become cautious on its spends over the past year or so and has stopped handing out big wads of money to acquire expensive movies. This has helped improve its EBIDTA margins as its amortisation expenses have gone down. Centrum expects this trend to continue going forward.

    The investment banking firm points out that there is other good news coming in from Sun TV as it relooks at its content strategy for its channels in Telugu and Kannada.

    The launch of new shows in the Telugu market has helped it gain significant market share there and increase yield by 30 per cent in Q3 FY 2017. “We believe this yield increase would have a positive impact on the smaller channels in the Telugu market,” it says in the report.

    Sun TV is also looking at relaunching its Kannada language channel with commissioned content within the next two months which will gain traction over the next three quarters, Centrum points out.

    However, it says that overall Sun TV is struggling (like other media companies) – on the advertising revenues front — following the impact of demonetization — as these shrank (in its case 6.8 per cent) in the latest quarter.

    “The recovery would take another quarter as Sun TV is highly dependent on local ads and the FMCG sector’s ad spend.”

    In the latest Q3-2017 financials declared on 10 February, Sun TV reported a 2.8 per cent increase in YoY revenues to Rs 589.43 crore; PAT growth by 11 per cent to Rs 240.09 crore; and EBIDTA increase by 0.6 per cent to Rs 439.73 crore. The company also declared a 100 per cent dividend for its shareholders.

    Also Read :

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/regional/sun-tv-third-quarter-of-2017-numbers-up-170211

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/supreme-court/marans-discharged-sc-no-to-stay-hearing-on-wed-170203

  • No going back on DAS despite difficulties in P-IV: MIB

    No going back on DAS despite difficulties in P-IV: MIB

    NEW DELHI: Even as he admitted the fourth phase of digital addressable system for cable television was the most difficult, advisor (DAS) in the information and broadcasting ministry Yogendra Pal has said there is “no going back on the deadline of 31 March 2017.”

    Pal said that there were difficulties because several MSOs were reluctant to set up headends in far out rural areas, as the fourth and final phase only covers rural areas. He said the 60-plus cases pending in Delhi High Court relating to Phase III had been disposed of with the exception of three which challenged section 4A of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, and all stay orders had been vacated.

    However, Pal admitted that a new case had been filed in Telengana to the effect that while there was clear reference to switching to DAS in Section 4A, there was no reference to switching off analogue signals. He said this case had been filed by a party not involved with the cable TV business.

    However, cable TV veteran Lt. Colonel V C Khare (retired) who chaired the session on ‘DAS implementation – miles to go before we sleep?” claimed that just around 22 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had been achieved in the third phase as against government claims of almost total seeding.

    Siticable Networks CEO V D Wadhwa also agreed that there were ‘gaps’ in Phase III, and Siticable had yet to seed another 2,50,000 STBs. But, he welcomed DAS, though he felt monetisation was still a challenge.

    Wadhwa said that while the objective of the consumer getting channels of his choice had been achieved, the industry was cable of overcoming soon the problems about SMS or receipts not being issued which had been raised by Khare in a presentation earlier in the day when he showed various loopholes in the DAS legislation.

    Khare had also pointed out that DAS in effect was aimed at involving only the broadcaster and the multisystem operator, conveniently keeping out the LCO who had built the industry.

    Other speakers in the session were unanimous that the cable TV industry had achieved in four years something that the direct to home industry had not been able to do in twelve years.

    In a session on “Business Model and Regulations”, there was general unanimity that the industry needed regulation but it did not have to come from a government regulator. The speakers favoured industry-led regulation.

    Eminent lawyer Kaushik Moitra of TMT Practice who moderated the session said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had been given the additional burden of broadcasting only till a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India is set up but this had not happened. He said there was a certain need to move towards self-regulation. He also raised the question of whether TRAI was working to unite the LCOs.

    However, he applauded the growth of the industry with the last five years showing the growth of the highest number of television channels.

    Indiacast EVP Amit Arora said regulation was welcome, but it should not mean “jumping in at all times – this kills enterprise”. Even as no other country had achieved the kind of growth that local cable operators had shown in India, the regulator had to show greater responsibility towards the last mile operator. He also wondered why the MSOs and LCOs could not handle broadband while dealing with cable TV.

    Prag News CMD Sanjive Narain said that the regulator was only mean t to “ease movement” and not strictly regulate. It should solve problems before waiting for them to arise. He said that though TRAI consulted stakeholders, everything was often’pre-decided’.

    He said the primary problem before the industry was one of revenue sharing. Once that was out of the way, things would move smoothly.

    VuClip consultant Sisir Pillai said a regulator is needed, particularly in view of newer technologies like OTT. Referring to the growth of OTT, he said that the aim was to deliver content in whatever manner the subscriber wanted and find revenue for this.

    Answering a question later, he said that wired delivery was still the best medium even if video had to be sent to mobiles or other platforms.

    InDigital senior VP – operations and head of regulatory Subhashish Mazumdar said there was no regulator when the LCO began with VCRs and built the industry. This meant that the last mile operator and multi-system should be capable of solving their own problems. The industry was now geared up for this, he said.

    Agreeing that the primary problem was one of revenue sharing, Mazumdar said that the issue of unity among stakeholders to solve such problems had to come from the top.

    Earlier, Dr A K Rastogi of Aavishkaar which was among the organizers said that the primary problem was one of unity among stakeholders and a step had been taken in this direction with the formation of the Media Club of India.

    A session later on “Significance of wireline operation in Digital India” moderated by Castle Media ED Vinsley Fernandes was unanimous that there was no better technology than wireline.

    The session was addressed by Cisco CTO Gulshan Khurana, Siti Networks COO Anil Malhotra, Ortel Communications President and CEO Bibhu Rath, Suresh Sethiya of ICNCL of Kolkata, and StoreSay founder and CEO Raman Kalra.

  • Videocon d2h continues top and bottom line increase in Q3-17

    Videocon d2h continues top and bottom line increase in Q3-17

    BENGALURU: Continuing the trend is has set in the previous two quarters, Videocon d2h reported a profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The DTH major reported PAT of Rs 21.77 crore (2.8 percent margin) for the current quarter. It had reported PAT of Rs 6.32 crore (0.8 percent margin) for Q2-17, and Rs 2.66 crore (0.3 percent margin) for Q1-16. For the corresponding year ago quarter (Q3-17), the company had reported a loss of Rs 22.05 crore.

    Since the beginning of the current fiscal (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017), Videocon d2h has started reporting numbers net of entertainment tax, hence like-to-like comparisons for Q3-17 and Q3-16 are not comparable. However, the company has mentioned a few adjusted matrices for ease of comparison in its investor presentation and release.

    Videocon d2h reported revenue from operations came in at Rs 777 crore in Q3-17. It says that on a like to like basis, revenue from operations would have been up 14.2 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) at Rs 835 crore if the company was to compute its revenue from operations for Q3-17 under its former accounting treatment

    The DTH major also reported 13.3 percent y-o-y growth in net subscriber numbers at 127.7 lakh for Q3-17 as compared to 112.70 lakh and a 2 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) growth from125.2 lakh. Monthly Average revenue per user (ARPU) in the current quarter came in lower at Rs 205 as compared to Rs 209 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Subscriber matrices

    Subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) in Q2-17 was higher at Rs 1,924 as compared to Rs 1,869 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Subscriber monthly churn in the current quarter was lower at 0.87 percent as compared to 0.95 percent in Q2-17. In Q3-16, it was slightly lower at 0.73 percent.

    DAS III and IV are sunshine periods for the television carriage industry. Activation revenues have been adding to the top lines and bottom lines of most of the players. Videocon d2h computed subscription and activation revenue in the current quarter was Rs 711.2 crore as compared to Rs 710.7 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Let us look at some of the other metrics reported by Videocon d2h

    Adjusted EBIDTA grew 33.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 267 crore (35.4 percent margin) in Q3-17.

    Content cost margin came in at 39.6 percent of revenue in Q3-17 s compared to content costs margin in Q2-17 of 38.7 percent.

    Employee benefit expense in Q3-17 was 0.6 percent lower at Rs 30.21 crore as compared to Rs 30.41 crore in Q3-16 and 4.2 percent lower than Rs 31.5 crore in Q2-17.

    Net finance cost in Q3-17 was lower at Rs 65.31 crore, in Q2-17 was Rs 71.7 crore; in Q3-16 net finance cost was Rs 71.74 crore.

    Company speak

    Commenting on the results and company outlook, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot, said, “I am delighted to report that we have delivered a strong quarter, despite the moderation due to currency demonetisation, which temporarily affected consumer sentiments and consumption. Our adjusted EBITDA grew over 33% year on year, which clearly demonstrates the strength of our distribution and customer service network and above all our team’s strong execution. We are entering 2017 in a whole new mode and are excited about the business fundamentals and growth opportunities supported by our healthy balance sheet and growing free cash flows.”

    Speaking on the results, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “I am happy to share that the digitization process has kick started once again as the Delhi High Court cleared all stay orders and ordered switch off of analogue signals in Phase III digitization areas by January 31, 2017. We remain excited about the significant Phase IV digitization opportunity, the new deadline for which is March 31, 2017.”

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Also Read:

    Powered by Shemaroo & PTC, Videocon d2h adds two VAS services

    The growth of DTH in India

    DTH adds 14 lakh active subscribers in Q2-17 as per TRAI data

  • Videocon d2h continues top and bottom line increase in Q3-17

    Videocon d2h continues top and bottom line increase in Q3-17

    BENGALURU: Continuing the trend is has set in the previous two quarters, Videocon d2h reported a profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). The DTH major reported PAT of Rs 21.77 crore (2.8 percent margin) for the current quarter. It had reported PAT of Rs 6.32 crore (0.8 percent margin) for Q2-17, and Rs 2.66 crore (0.3 percent margin) for Q1-16. For the corresponding year ago quarter (Q3-17), the company had reported a loss of Rs 22.05 crore.

    Since the beginning of the current fiscal (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017), Videocon d2h has started reporting numbers net of entertainment tax, hence like-to-like comparisons for Q3-17 and Q3-16 are not comparable. However, the company has mentioned a few adjusted matrices for ease of comparison in its investor presentation and release.

    Videocon d2h reported revenue from operations came in at Rs 777 crore in Q3-17. It says that on a like to like basis, revenue from operations would have been up 14.2 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) at Rs 835 crore if the company was to compute its revenue from operations for Q3-17 under its former accounting treatment

    The DTH major also reported 13.3 percent y-o-y growth in net subscriber numbers at 127.7 lakh for Q3-17 as compared to 112.70 lakh and a 2 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) growth from125.2 lakh. Monthly Average revenue per user (ARPU) in the current quarter came in lower at Rs 205 as compared to Rs 209 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Subscriber matrices

    Subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) in Q2-17 was higher at Rs 1,924 as compared to Rs 1,869 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Subscriber monthly churn in the current quarter was lower at 0.87 percent as compared to 0.95 percent in Q2-17. In Q3-16, it was slightly lower at 0.73 percent.

    DAS III and IV are sunshine periods for the television carriage industry. Activation revenues have been adding to the top lines and bottom lines of most of the players. Videocon d2h computed subscription and activation revenue in the current quarter was Rs 711.2 crore as compared to Rs 710.7 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Let us look at some of the other metrics reported by Videocon d2h

    Adjusted EBIDTA grew 33.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 267 crore (35.4 percent margin) in Q3-17.

    Content cost margin came in at 39.6 percent of revenue in Q3-17 s compared to content costs margin in Q2-17 of 38.7 percent.

    Employee benefit expense in Q3-17 was 0.6 percent lower at Rs 30.21 crore as compared to Rs 30.41 crore in Q3-16 and 4.2 percent lower than Rs 31.5 crore in Q2-17.

    Net finance cost in Q3-17 was lower at Rs 65.31 crore, in Q2-17 was Rs 71.7 crore; in Q3-16 net finance cost was Rs 71.74 crore.

    Company speak

    Commenting on the results and company outlook, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot, said, “I am delighted to report that we have delivered a strong quarter, despite the moderation due to currency demonetisation, which temporarily affected consumer sentiments and consumption. Our adjusted EBITDA grew over 33% year on year, which clearly demonstrates the strength of our distribution and customer service network and above all our team’s strong execution. We are entering 2017 in a whole new mode and are excited about the business fundamentals and growth opportunities supported by our healthy balance sheet and growing free cash flows.”

    Speaking on the results, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “I am happy to share that the digitization process has kick started once again as the Delhi High Court cleared all stay orders and ordered switch off of analogue signals in Phase III digitization areas by January 31, 2017. We remain excited about the significant Phase IV digitization opportunity, the new deadline for which is March 31, 2017.”

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Also Read:

    Powered by Shemaroo & PTC, Videocon d2h adds two VAS services

    The growth of DTH in India

    DTH adds 14 lakh active subscribers in Q2-17 as per TRAI data

  • MSOs get permission to operate in other areas apart from permitted areas

    MSOs get permission to operate in other areas apart from permitted areas

    NEW DELHI: In a major change of policy aimed at expediting digital addressability of cable television in the country, the Government late this evening said all registered multi system operators “are free to operate in any parts of tire country, irrespective of registration for specified DAS notified area(s) granted earlier”.

    Until now, MSOs are licensed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to operate only in areas specified by them in their applications, unless they have applied for pan-India registration.

    A notice on the Ministry website said if any registered MSO has operationalized the service in any DAS notified area(s) in any part of the country, it would be treated as having been implemented the service on his part irrespective of the number of the Set Top Boxes (STBs) installed by him.

    However, the registered MSO has to submit the details of Headend, SMS, subscribers list and a self-certificate that he is carrying all the mandatory TV channels.

    This has to be done within six months from date of issuance of MSO registration to the Ministry, failing which the MSO registration is liable to cancelled/suspended.

    All other terms and conditions of the registration shall remain unchanged

    Also Read :

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

    Budget 2017 Wish-list: MSOs demand industry status, rationalisation of entertainment & services taxes

    TRAI to meet b’casters, MSOs, DTH ops, telcos on ’17 roadmap

  • MSOs get permission to operate in other areas apart from permitted areas

    MSOs get permission to operate in other areas apart from permitted areas

    NEW DELHI: In a major change of policy aimed at expediting digital addressability of cable television in the country, the Government late this evening said all registered multi system operators “are free to operate in any parts of tire country, irrespective of registration for specified DAS notified area(s) granted earlier”.

    Until now, MSOs are licensed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to operate only in areas specified by them in their applications, unless they have applied for pan-India registration.

    A notice on the Ministry website said if any registered MSO has operationalized the service in any DAS notified area(s) in any part of the country, it would be treated as having been implemented the service on his part irrespective of the number of the Set Top Boxes (STBs) installed by him.

    However, the registered MSO has to submit the details of Headend, SMS, subscribers list and a self-certificate that he is carrying all the mandatory TV channels.

    This has to be done within six months from date of issuance of MSO registration to the Ministry, failing which the MSO registration is liable to cancelled/suspended.

    All other terms and conditions of the registration shall remain unchanged

    Also Read :

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

    Budget 2017 Wish-list: MSOs demand industry status, rationalisation of entertainment & services taxes

    TRAI to meet b’casters, MSOs, DTH ops, telcos on ’17 roadmap

  • Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

    Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

    MUMBAI: A high court division bench has directed the Centre to respond to a PIL questioning the coercive manner in which the authorities were trying to bring in digital transmission of television programmes. Posting the case to 31 January, the bench has directed Central Government to clarify the issue.

    The bench of the Hyderabad High Court of justice Shameem Akther and acting chief justice Ramesh Ranganathan directed the Central Government to respond to the public interest litigation questioning the manner in which the authorities were trying to bring in digital transmission even in small towns in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in place of transmission through cable television mode, the Hindu reported.

    The bench was hearing a case filed by the Citizens Welfare Society of Hyderabad. The court was told that, though an Act has made digital transmission mandatory, the explanation said it was optional. Meanwhile, the Society argued, citizens were being coerced. Two phases of digital addressable system (DAS) were completed whereby major cities were covered.

    The Centre now had started the third phase of DAS covering small towns in the two states (and across India). Government officials, the Society argued, had been threatening that after 1 February, television sets without (digital) set top boxes would not get signals.

    Also Read:

    DAS petitions challenging constitutional provisions listed for 3 November   

    DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    Govt claims almost 100 percent STB seeding in DAS III areas despite cases     

    Telangana state government sets up committees to track the television sector

  • Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

    Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

    MUMBAI: A high court division bench has directed the Centre to respond to a PIL questioning the coercive manner in which the authorities were trying to bring in digital transmission of television programmes. Posting the case to 31 January, the bench has directed Central Government to clarify the issue.

    The bench of the Hyderabad High Court of justice Shameem Akther and acting chief justice Ramesh Ranganathan directed the Central Government to respond to the public interest litigation questioning the manner in which the authorities were trying to bring in digital transmission even in small towns in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in place of transmission through cable television mode, the Hindu reported.

    The bench was hearing a case filed by the Citizens Welfare Society of Hyderabad. The court was told that, though an Act has made digital transmission mandatory, the explanation said it was optional. Meanwhile, the Society argued, citizens were being coerced. Two phases of digital addressable system (DAS) were completed whereby major cities were covered.

    The Centre now had started the third phase of DAS covering small towns in the two states (and across India). Government officials, the Society argued, had been threatening that after 1 February, television sets without (digital) set top boxes would not get signals.

    Also Read:

    DAS petitions challenging constitutional provisions listed for 3 November   

    DAS Phase III stay extended in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

    Govt claims almost 100 percent STB seeding in DAS III areas despite cases     

    Telangana state government sets up committees to track the television sector

  • DAS III extension leads to payment tiff; MSO blacks out Star channels in WB

    DAS III extension leads to payment tiff; MSO blacks out Star channels in WB

    MUMBAI: The multi-system operator in West Bengal Manthan continues to black out Star TV channels over a payment dispute since last Friday. Over five and a half lakh reported Manthan subscribers in Kolkata did not have access to over 45 channels such as Star Plus, National Geographic, Star Jalsha, and Star Sports.

    The Phase III extension of cable network, earlier set for completion by 31 December 2015, postponed by 13 months. The current blackout is the fourth one on Manthan since June 2016.

    With a number of interesting sporting events scheduled this week, the deprivation could seriously hit subscribers who felt cheated. On 15 January, Virat Kohli’s team is scheduled to face England in ODI match. Reportedly, neither Manthan nor Star India on Monday took an initiative although talks were due, and subscribers continued to be deprived of the channels for more days.

    Manthan executive Sudip Ghosh told Times that though they would like to have the channels back soon, there were issues between them to be resolved. He said they already paid 13 months’ subscription for Phase III extension of cable network in advance. But, the government deferred the extension till 31January, which meant they paid in excess. If that money was adjusted against their dues, there would be no arrears on their part. Star India however claimed an immediate payment of subscription dues from the MSO.

    Also Read:

    TV industry gives mixed reaction to MIB’s DAS III & IV extension

    DAS 4 deadline extended to 31 Mar

    Extend DAS deadline to Dec ’17 for fiber expansion, Andhra CM writes to MIB

  • DAS III extension leads to payment tiff; MSO blacks out Star channels in WB

    DAS III extension leads to payment tiff; MSO blacks out Star channels in WB

    MUMBAI: The multi-system operator in West Bengal Manthan continues to black out Star TV channels over a payment dispute since last Friday. Over five and a half lakh reported Manthan subscribers in Kolkata did not have access to over 45 channels such as Star Plus, National Geographic, Star Jalsha, and Star Sports.

    The Phase III extension of cable network, earlier set for completion by 31 December 2015, postponed by 13 months. The current blackout is the fourth one on Manthan since June 2016.

    With a number of interesting sporting events scheduled this week, the deprivation could seriously hit subscribers who felt cheated. On 15 January, Virat Kohli’s team is scheduled to face England in ODI match. Reportedly, neither Manthan nor Star India on Monday took an initiative although talks were due, and subscribers continued to be deprived of the channels for more days.

    Manthan executive Sudip Ghosh told Times that though they would like to have the channels back soon, there were issues between them to be resolved. He said they already paid 13 months’ subscription for Phase III extension of cable network in advance. But, the government deferred the extension till 31January, which meant they paid in excess. If that money was adjusted against their dues, there would be no arrears on their part. Star India however claimed an immediate payment of subscription dues from the MSO.

    Also Read:

    TV industry gives mixed reaction to MIB’s DAS III & IV extension

    DAS 4 deadline extended to 31 Mar

    Extend DAS deadline to Dec ’17 for fiber expansion, Andhra CM writes to MIB