ITV

Tag: DAS

  • K. Sanjay Murthy new MIB jt secy broadcasting

    K. Sanjay Murthy new MIB jt secy broadcasting

    NEW DELHI: There’s change at the top at India’s ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) in Shastri Bhawan. Joint secretary (films) K. Sanjay Murthy – who was holding additional charge of the broadcasting section along with another joint secretary Mihir Kumar Singh – was officially given complete charge of broadcasting on 29 August. He has taken over the work that was being handled by R. Jaya.

    As joint secretary films and he had made his mark with the initiatives he had taken which had benefited the Indian film community.

    Additionally, director (films) Anshu Sinha has been promoted as joint secretary (films). Earlier reports were that she would be replacing R. Jaya in the broadcasting section.

    Finally, Jayashree Mukherjee – from the Maharashtra IAS cadre – who was appointed as additional secretary mid-July has moved into her Shastri Bhawan office 20 days ago. A mild spoken lady, she replaced special secretary JS Mathur who was promoted as secretary Panchayati Raj.

    Both Mukherjee and Murthy have been given charge during challenging times. The countdown for the fourth phase of DAS has begun with the sunset date being 31 December 2016. Additionally, even phase III is stuck in the analogue mode courtesy a flurry of cases which have been filed in various courts.

  • K. Sanjay Murthy new MIB jt secy broadcasting

    K. Sanjay Murthy new MIB jt secy broadcasting

    NEW DELHI: There’s change at the top at India’s ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) in Shastri Bhawan. Joint secretary (films) K. Sanjay Murthy – who was holding additional charge of the broadcasting section along with another joint secretary Mihir Kumar Singh – was officially given complete charge of broadcasting on 29 August. He has taken over the work that was being handled by R. Jaya.

    As joint secretary films and he had made his mark with the initiatives he had taken which had benefited the Indian film community.

    Additionally, director (films) Anshu Sinha has been promoted as joint secretary (films). Earlier reports were that she would be replacing R. Jaya in the broadcasting section.

    Finally, Jayashree Mukherjee – from the Maharashtra IAS cadre – who was appointed as additional secretary mid-July has moved into her Shastri Bhawan office 20 days ago. A mild spoken lady, she replaced special secretary JS Mathur who was promoted as secretary Panchayati Raj.

    Both Mukherjee and Murthy have been given charge during challenging times. The countdown for the fourth phase of DAS has begun with the sunset date being 31 December 2016. Additionally, even phase III is stuck in the analogue mode courtesy a flurry of cases which have been filed in various courts.

  • Siti Network looks to raise $100 million

    Siti Network looks to raise $100 million

    MUMBAI: Essel group multisystem operator (MSO) Siti Network has plans to raise $100 million through an issue of securities and/or equity related instruments.  The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that  it  needs the money to fund its operations. It has an ambitious plan to further expand its footprint in the cable TV  and broadband landscape in India as DAS progresses into its last phase.

    Siti Network said it had got an in-principle board approval to raise the money taking the equity or equity related instrument route through a qualified institutional placement (QIP)/external commercial borrowings (ECBs) with rights of conversion into equity shares, foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs),  American Depository Receipts (ADRs), global  depository receipts
    (GDRs) or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity shares or securities linked to equity shares.

    The company’s board of directors approved the fund raising and other  proposals at its meeting held on 26 August. 

    Siti Network further stated that as per a family  arrangement  agreed between the  promoter  group, communication has been received from Dr Subhash Chandra, Jawahar Lal Goel, Laxmi Narain Goel and Ashok Kumar Goel to  declassify the three mentioned along with their respective family  members as promoters of the company in terms of Regulation 31A of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

    The board decisions will take effect after necessary corporate and regulatory approvals are obtained.

    This is not first time that the company is raising funds. In October 2014, the company’s shareholders had approved raising up to $100 million by passing a special resolution through postal ballot.  However, against this, it made a QIP issue not exceeding Rs 250 crore; of which it received a subscription for Rs 221.11 crore at a price of Rs 35 per Re 1 share. 

    Then earlier this year, it received promoter funding to the tune of Rs  Rs 530 crore. Most of it was used to pare down its debt, while a minority portion was used for acquisition, including bigger stakes in associate companies and joint venture partners. 

    ALSO READ: 

    Siticable partners dittoTV; to push OTT to cable TV and broadband …

  • Siti Network looks to raise $100 million

    Siti Network looks to raise $100 million

    MUMBAI: Essel group multisystem operator (MSO) Siti Network has plans to raise $100 million through an issue of securities and/or equity related instruments.  The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that  it  needs the money to fund its operations. It has an ambitious plan to further expand its footprint in the cable TV  and broadband landscape in India as DAS progresses into its last phase.

    Siti Network said it had got an in-principle board approval to raise the money taking the equity or equity related instrument route through a qualified institutional placement (QIP)/external commercial borrowings (ECBs) with rights of conversion into equity shares, foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs),  American Depository Receipts (ADRs), global  depository receipts
    (GDRs) or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity shares or securities linked to equity shares.

    The company’s board of directors approved the fund raising and other  proposals at its meeting held on 26 August. 

    Siti Network further stated that as per a family  arrangement  agreed between the  promoter  group, communication has been received from Dr Subhash Chandra, Jawahar Lal Goel, Laxmi Narain Goel and Ashok Kumar Goel to  declassify the three mentioned along with their respective family  members as promoters of the company in terms of Regulation 31A of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

    The board decisions will take effect after necessary corporate and regulatory approvals are obtained.

    This is not first time that the company is raising funds. In October 2014, the company’s shareholders had approved raising up to $100 million by passing a special resolution through postal ballot.  However, against this, it made a QIP issue not exceeding Rs 250 crore; of which it received a subscription for Rs 221.11 crore at a price of Rs 35 per Re 1 share. 

    Then earlier this year, it received promoter funding to the tune of Rs  Rs 530 crore. Most of it was used to pare down its debt, while a minority portion was used for acquisition, including bigger stakes in associate companies and joint venture partners. 

    ALSO READ: 

    Siticable partners dittoTV; to push OTT to cable TV and broadband …

  • All Phase III DAS cases to be heard by Delhi High Court early next month

    All Phase III DAS cases to be heard by Delhi High Court early next month

    NEW DELHI: The Babus in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry would certainly breathe a sigh of relief with Dellhi High Court having fixed the hearing of the large volume of cases relating to the third phase of digital addressable system pending in different High Courts for early next month.

    Although the last Task Force Meeting of 26 July had been informed that the cases would be heard from 13 September 2016, Indian Broadcasting Foundation sources told indiantelevision.com that these have been pre-poned to 7 and 8 September 2016. Notices have already been issued to the Ministry as well as the petitioners in various cases.

    While a bulk of the cases will be heard on the first day by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, two cases which had been heard by Division Benches in the High Courts – Digiana Systems and Om Network – will be heard on 8 September by a division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangeeta Dhingra. .

    The single-bench cases include those by AP MSOs Welfare Federation, Federation of Telangana MSO, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, Multi System Operator Welfare Association, Rohtak Cable Operators Association, Sai Big Star Welfare Association, Shyam Baba Cable Network, Bharat Digital Cable Network, Nashik Zilla Cable Operators Association and Yogesh Cable Networks.

    This follows acceptance of a petition by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to the Supreme Court asking it to transfer all linked cases to one High Court to ensure faster justice.

    The Task Force meeting had been informed that a total of 62 cases had been filed in different Courts and 29 cases had been transferred by various courts to Delhi by July-end. There were no such cases in twenty states, the Task Force was told. Of the 62 cases, 12 had been disposed off by respective courts and 3 cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.

    While the Andhra Pradesh and Telengana High Court had given orders extending the deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III, the Bombay High Court had referred to the Kusum Ingots judgment which had said that if similar situation prevails in all states, then the stay can be pan-India. This was because the plea taken in all High Courts was shortage of set top boxes.

    But for the first time, the Ministry had admitted that the Law Ministry had observed that the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying Phase III “appears to have all lndia applicability”. For that reason, the I and B Ministry had in fact asked its counsel not to oppose the stay or extension orders in the High Courts.

    indiantelevision.com had reported in January this year that the MIB had told the Punjab and Haryana high court that it had ‘decided not to press the requirement of having a STB as for now till the decision of the cases which are pending before various other high courts’

    However, the Ministry later approached the apex court with a plea for transfer of all similar cases to one High Court and the apex court had asked Delhi to handle these cases and directed notices to be sent to all other High Courts to forward the files to Delhi.

    The I and B Ministry will attempt to get a vacation of stay or extension of deadline in the various courts. The Ministry may also attempt to get orders directing all broadcasters, multi-system operators and local cable operators to transmit or receive signals only on signing of inter-connect agreements as stipulated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

    Meanwhile, Secretary Ajay Mittal in the last Task Force meeting reiterated that it was firm on Phase IV of digital addressable systems for cable television to commence on 31 December this year.

    He cautioned that MSOs and LCOs should desist from transmitting or re-transmitting un-authorized TV channels which are not permitted by the Ministry. He informed that the Ministry has written to all the district collectors/magistrates in this regard to take action under the law against those who are violating the law.

  • All Phase III DAS cases to be heard by Delhi High Court early next month

    All Phase III DAS cases to be heard by Delhi High Court early next month

    NEW DELHI: The Babus in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry would certainly breathe a sigh of relief with Dellhi High Court having fixed the hearing of the large volume of cases relating to the third phase of digital addressable system pending in different High Courts for early next month.

    Although the last Task Force Meeting of 26 July had been informed that the cases would be heard from 13 September 2016, Indian Broadcasting Foundation sources told indiantelevision.com that these have been pre-poned to 7 and 8 September 2016. Notices have already been issued to the Ministry as well as the petitioners in various cases.

    While a bulk of the cases will be heard on the first day by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, two cases which had been heard by Division Benches in the High Courts – Digiana Systems and Om Network – will be heard on 8 September by a division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangeeta Dhingra. .

    The single-bench cases include those by AP MSOs Welfare Federation, Federation of Telangana MSO, Bhima Riddhi Digital Services, Multi System Operator Welfare Association, Rohtak Cable Operators Association, Sai Big Star Welfare Association, Shyam Baba Cable Network, Bharat Digital Cable Network, Nashik Zilla Cable Operators Association and Yogesh Cable Networks.

    This follows acceptance of a petition by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to the Supreme Court asking it to transfer all linked cases to one High Court to ensure faster justice.

    The Task Force meeting had been informed that a total of 62 cases had been filed in different Courts and 29 cases had been transferred by various courts to Delhi by July-end. There were no such cases in twenty states, the Task Force was told. Of the 62 cases, 12 had been disposed off by respective courts and 3 cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.

    While the Andhra Pradesh and Telengana High Court had given orders extending the deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III, the Bombay High Court had referred to the Kusum Ingots judgment which had said that if similar situation prevails in all states, then the stay can be pan-India. This was because the plea taken in all High Courts was shortage of set top boxes.

    But for the first time, the Ministry had admitted that the Law Ministry had observed that the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying Phase III “appears to have all lndia applicability”. For that reason, the I and B Ministry had in fact asked its counsel not to oppose the stay or extension orders in the High Courts.

    indiantelevision.com had reported in January this year that the MIB had told the Punjab and Haryana high court that it had ‘decided not to press the requirement of having a STB as for now till the decision of the cases which are pending before various other high courts’

    However, the Ministry later approached the apex court with a plea for transfer of all similar cases to one High Court and the apex court had asked Delhi to handle these cases and directed notices to be sent to all other High Courts to forward the files to Delhi.

    The I and B Ministry will attempt to get a vacation of stay or extension of deadline in the various courts. The Ministry may also attempt to get orders directing all broadcasters, multi-system operators and local cable operators to transmit or receive signals only on signing of inter-connect agreements as stipulated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

    Meanwhile, Secretary Ajay Mittal in the last Task Force meeting reiterated that it was firm on Phase IV of digital addressable systems for cable television to commence on 31 December this year.

    He cautioned that MSOs and LCOs should desist from transmitting or re-transmitting un-authorized TV channels which are not permitted by the Ministry. He informed that the Ministry has written to all the district collectors/magistrates in this regard to take action under the law against those who are violating the law.

  • TDSAT directs West Bengal network Saptak Digital to clear Taj TV dues

    TDSAT directs West Bengal network Saptak Digital to clear Taj TV dues

    NEW DELHI: West Bengal cable TV network Saptak Digital has been asked by the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to clear its outstanding dues to Taj TV of Rs 2,11,989 and Rs 2,48,006 for non-DAS and DAS areas as per terms and agreement of the previous agreement.

    Listing the matter for 7 September, member B B Srivastava also directed that for enjoying the signals the monthly payment will also have to continue to be made in accordance with the terms of the same agreement.

    The Tribunal said in its order of 9 August that the payment has to positively be made within two weeks.

    It however clarified that all these payments would be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of Saptak and subject to the final decision of the Tribunal.

    Meanwhile, the two sides were again asked to “sit down immediately after effecting the payment to resolve their differences and for signing the interconnect agreement in accordance with the TRAI regulation of March 2016.

  • TDSAT directs West Bengal network Saptak Digital to clear Taj TV dues

    TDSAT directs West Bengal network Saptak Digital to clear Taj TV dues

    NEW DELHI: West Bengal cable TV network Saptak Digital has been asked by the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to clear its outstanding dues to Taj TV of Rs 2,11,989 and Rs 2,48,006 for non-DAS and DAS areas as per terms and agreement of the previous agreement.

    Listing the matter for 7 September, member B B Srivastava also directed that for enjoying the signals the monthly payment will also have to continue to be made in accordance with the terms of the same agreement.

    The Tribunal said in its order of 9 August that the payment has to positively be made within two weeks.

    It however clarified that all these payments would be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of Saptak and subject to the final decision of the Tribunal.

    Meanwhile, the two sides were again asked to “sit down immediately after effecting the payment to resolve their differences and for signing the interconnect agreement in accordance with the TRAI regulation of March 2016.

  • Action “reportedly” taken against LCOs in Kurnool and Aurangabad showing Peace TV: Naidu

    Action “reportedly” taken against LCOs in Kurnool and Aurangabad showing Peace TV: Naidu

    NEW DELHI: Reiterating that action was taken against telecasting of unpermitted television channels, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Vekaiaih Naidu said today that such complaints were received against some cable operators from some districts such as Kurnool and Aurangabad regarding carriage of Peace TV channel.

    He told the Rajya Sabha that the complaints were forwarded to the District Collector for necessary action by the authorized officers under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules 1994.

    “They have reportedly taken action”, the Minister added in reply to a question.

    The Ministry has also invited complaints by the general public regarding transmission of unpermitted satellite TV channels by cable operators on its social media platforms. These are also forwarded to the District Collectors for necessary action.

    Whenever instances are brought to the notice of thr Ministry regarding Uplinking of unpermitted TV channels through any Indian teleport, action is taken to stop the same as per the provisions of Uplinking guidelines 2011, he said.

    He said that the Cable Act and Cable Rules regulates the transmission and re-transmission of TV channels over the Cable Networks. The Authorized Officers (the District Magistrates, the Additional District Magistrates, the Sub-Divisional Magistrates and the Commissioners of Police within their territorial jurisdiction) under the Act are empowered to take action whenever violations of the Cable Act, 1995 are brought to notice.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made recommendations on the regulation of ground channels in this regard.

    Meanwhile, he said his Ministry had on 8 July 2016 issued advisories to the State Governments and Union Territories, the District Collectors and the MSOs/LCOs that no unpermitted satellite channel such as Peace TV should be carried by the cable operators in the country.

    In addition, the Ministry has issued advisories from time to time to the State Governments and Union Territories to constitute State and District Level Monitoring Committees for recommending action against broadcast content being carried by the cable operators which are in violation of the Programme Code and the Advertisement Code under the Cable Act 1995.

    The Ministry has mandated Digitization of the entire cable network in the country by December, 2016 in a phased manner through the introduction of the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS). This measure is expected to address the issues of transmission of unpermitted TV channels, he added.

  • Action “reportedly” taken against LCOs in Kurnool and Aurangabad showing Peace TV: Naidu

    Action “reportedly” taken against LCOs in Kurnool and Aurangabad showing Peace TV: Naidu

    NEW DELHI: Reiterating that action was taken against telecasting of unpermitted television channels, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Vekaiaih Naidu said today that such complaints were received against some cable operators from some districts such as Kurnool and Aurangabad regarding carriage of Peace TV channel.

    He told the Rajya Sabha that the complaints were forwarded to the District Collector for necessary action by the authorized officers under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules 1994.

    “They have reportedly taken action”, the Minister added in reply to a question.

    The Ministry has also invited complaints by the general public regarding transmission of unpermitted satellite TV channels by cable operators on its social media platforms. These are also forwarded to the District Collectors for necessary action.

    Whenever instances are brought to the notice of thr Ministry regarding Uplinking of unpermitted TV channels through any Indian teleport, action is taken to stop the same as per the provisions of Uplinking guidelines 2011, he said.

    He said that the Cable Act and Cable Rules regulates the transmission and re-transmission of TV channels over the Cable Networks. The Authorized Officers (the District Magistrates, the Additional District Magistrates, the Sub-Divisional Magistrates and the Commissioners of Police within their territorial jurisdiction) under the Act are empowered to take action whenever violations of the Cable Act, 1995 are brought to notice.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made recommendations on the regulation of ground channels in this regard.

    Meanwhile, he said his Ministry had on 8 July 2016 issued advisories to the State Governments and Union Territories, the District Collectors and the MSOs/LCOs that no unpermitted satellite channel such as Peace TV should be carried by the cable operators in the country.

    In addition, the Ministry has issued advisories from time to time to the State Governments and Union Territories to constitute State and District Level Monitoring Committees for recommending action against broadcast content being carried by the cable operators which are in violation of the Programme Code and the Advertisement Code under the Cable Act 1995.

    The Ministry has mandated Digitization of the entire cable network in the country by December, 2016 in a phased manner through the introduction of the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS). This measure is expected to address the issues of transmission of unpermitted TV channels, he added.