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Tag: Den Networks

  • DEN Networks CEO SN Sharma resigns

    DEN Networks CEO SN Sharma resigns

    MUMBAI: DEN Networks CEO SN Sharma has decided to quit from his current position. Sharma, one of the founding members of DEN, resigned today, which was accepted with immediate effect.

     

    The announcement was made on the BSE, which read: “Den Networks Ltd has informed BSE that Mr. S. N. Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, has resigned due to personal reasons with immediate effect.”

     

    Confirms DEN Networks COO MG Azhar to indiantelevision.com, “He has resigned for personal reasons. We have accepted his resignation with immediate effect.”

     

    On the next CEO, Azhar says, “As they say, watch this space for more.”

     

    Sharma’s vision of growth through consolidation and digitisation had laid the foundation for the company. He has also spearheaded the company’s rapid growth with his visionary leadership and unparalleled execution abilities. He has also been the driving force behind taking the company into the digital era.

     

    He has nearly three decades of experience during which he has been associated with the electronic media industry for over 20 years.

     

    Prior to DEN, Sharma has held key positions in Hathway Cable & Datacom.

  • Nagra Anycast and OpenTV solutions selected by DEN Networks in India

    Nagra Anycast and OpenTV solutions selected by DEN Networks in India

    MUMBAI: NAGRA, the Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) digital TV business and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen television solutions, announced today that DEN Networks, India’s largest cable provider, has selected NAGRA any CAST content protection and OpenTV middleware to support the growing demand for digital TV services in the region and enable their next generation pay-TV offering. This selection marks a significant milestone in NAGRA’s expansion in India.

     

    “DEN Networks is paving the way for a new generation of digital TV services in a region where consumers are hungry for new services and premium entertainment,” said Jean-Luc Jezouin, Senior Vice President, Asia. “Our solutions will help DEN Networks bring a new generation of services to market quickly and efficiently, while ensuring the security of their content and providing a fresh and exciting viewing experience to subscribers. We look forward to supporting DEN Networks as they pursue their digitization efforts.”

     

    NAGRA provides DEN Networks with a fast-time to market solution based on NAGRA’s best-of-breed technologies. It boasts built-in features powered by OpenTV middleware to enable entry-level DTV services while allowing the operator to increase revenue through advanced advertising and PVR. It also includes an intuitive user interface that addresses India’s multi-lingual landscape and is ready-to-deploy on multiple chipsets. Content security is maintained through NAGRA anyCAST, the company’s latest unified security services platform, supporting everything from basic Free-To-View to next-generation 4K services using the industry’s most advanced CAS and DRM technologies.

  • DEN Networks to launch a TV channel

    DEN Networks to launch a TV channel

    MUMBAI: In one big development multi system operator (MSO) DEN Networks has announced its joint venture with Jasper Infotech, the entity that owns and operates the digital commerce platform, Snapdeal.com.

     

    As per this 50:50 joint venture, DEN Networks will set up a television channel to be used as a market place platform for facilitating the sale of branded and unbranded merchandise and services, including vouchers offered by third party sellers subject to necessary approvals.

     

    The MSO is currently busy setting up its internet broadband services in all leading metros. And according to a PTI report, it has already invested close to Rs 250 crore in the project, which will offer the broadband services in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Lucknow and Ahmedabad in the first stage.

     

    Jasper Infotech currently offers a huge range of product categories, which include: mobiles and tablets; computers, laptops, and gaming; TVs, audio/video, and movies; cameras, lenses, and accessories; appliances; men and women clothing; footwear; sunglasses, bags, and accessories; watches; jewelry and gold coins; perfumes, beauty, and gifting; kitchen and home furnishing; sports, fitness, and health; kids toys, clothing, and baby care; learning, stationary, and hobbies; automotive; and furniture and fixtures through its online store.

     

    It also operates ‘Launchpad’, an e-window that allows Indian innovators and inventors to list, market, and sell their products on the site; and capital assist that provides sellers on its platform with access to funding. Based in New Delhi, the company was founded in 2007.

     

  • Delhi Dynamos goes to grassroots to nurture budding talent

    Delhi Dynamos goes to grassroots to nurture budding talent

    MUMBAI: In line with its philosophy of creating a difference in the sphere of sports, especially soccer, Delhi Dynamos Football Club announced the launch of a novel initiative to take football to the grassroots by tying up with schools of national capital region of Delhi.

     

    Under this programme, Delhi Dynamos will organize training camps and inter-school tournaments and create opportunities for the young generation. The campaign will kick start with the first ever Junior Dynamos Inter-School Championship, a seven-a-side football tournament, to be played in four zones of Delhi/NCR across three different age categories (U12, U14 and U17).
     

    The first leg of the junior championship will be played from 19–22 August at Jaypee Sports Complex, Greater Noida and Ajanta Public School, Gurgaon. It will feature the top schools from East Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon. A week later, action will shift to DDA Sports Complex, Vasant Kunj and Ganga International School as the young prodigies from schools of central, south, north and west Delhi will showcase their football skills.

     

    The Zonal Champions of the Junior Dynamos Inter-School Championship would then get the opportunity to play at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium training ground as they face each other in a knockout format to seize the ultimate crown – The Junior Dynamos School Champion.

     

    Commenting on the Junior Dynamos program, Den Networks head new initiatives and Director Den Soccer Piyush Goyal said: “Aligning with schools is the best way to identify and promote talent and football is no exception. We are kick starting this elaborate campaign across NCR and four other cities in the very first edition of ISL .We have seen the passion for football growing by leaps and bounds. There is raw talent and energy in the youngsters and we are here to channelize this energy. I am confident that  with  guidance from top notch coaches, and our commitment, these players will surely make a mark at various levels including international tournaments.”

     

    While these players will attack and defend on the field, the Junior Dynamos Scouts will constantly analyse their performance to select the best 100 players (U14 and U17) to be trained under the Junior Dynamos Coaches for the next two-months on full scholarship. These young players will then play in the Junior Dynamos Elite League at JLN Stadium training ground during ISL match days.

     

    Based on the performance, Scouts would then select the top 30 players (U14) who would form the Delhi Dynamos Youth Team. The chosen stars will undergo a six month long training program under the Junior Dynamos Coaches on full scholarship. These players will represent Delhi Dynamos in Youth Leagues across India. Scouting exercise will also continue for the U17 FIFA World Cup 2017 – India Dream Team.

     

    With a mission to identify talented players and train them using international methods, the Club will also organise the Junior Dynamos Inter-School City Championship at Chandigarh, Dehradun, Jaipur and Kanpur in North India. These inter-school championships will be played in the months of September, October and November 2014.

  • Lower activation fees, new businesses make Den Networks post a subdued result, low PAT for Q1-2015

    Lower activation fees, new businesses make Den Networks post a subdued result, low PAT for Q1-2015

    BENGALURU: Den Networks Ltd (Den Networks) reported almost flat q-o-q result in Q1-2015. The company reported a slight drop in consolidated Total Income from Operations (TIO) in the current quarter at Rs 298.81 crore, down 1 per cent as compared to the Rs 301.86 crore in Q4-2014 and 11.2 per cent higher as compared to the Rs 268.70 crore in Q1-2014. Activation revenue dropped by Rs.47.5 crore in Q1-2015 as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    The company says that Operational Revenue (excluding Activation Revenue) grew by 35.4 per cent y-o-y; subscription revenues grew by Rs 71.25 crores (82.7 per cent) y-o-y. The breakup of revenue from operations for Q1-2015 is: Subscription Rs 146 crore; placement revenue Rs 116 crore; digital activation revenue Rs 20 crore and other operating revenue of Rs 3 crore. Another breakup of revenue is revenue from cable Rs 284.6 crore, broadband revenue Rs 1 crore and soccer revenue-nil.

     

    Den Networks EBIDTA before other income in Q1-2015 fell 16.6 per cent to Rs 57.16 crore from Rs 68.57 crore in Q4-2014 and was 29.4 per cent lower than the Rs 80.94 crore in Q1-2014. The decline of Rs 23.78 crore (29.4 per cent) y-o-y comprises largely of losses on account of launch of broadband and soccer (Rs 12 crore) and lower activation revenue in cable business by Rs 42.75 crores.

     

    Notes:  100,00,000 = 100 lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The company’s PAT in Q1-2015 at Rs 1.12 crore (0.4 per cent of TIO) which was about one ninth of the Rs 10.05 crore (3.3 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter and also about one ninth of the Rs 10.15 crore (3.8 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Den Networks for Q1-2015

     

    Den Networks total expenditure in Q1-2015 at Rs 284.93 crore (95.4 per cent of TIO) was 5.9 per cent more than the Rs 269.18 crore (89.2 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014 and was 24 per cent more than the Rs 229.69 crore (31.6 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    One of the major components of total expenditure is content cost in the case of Den Networks. The company paid Rs 106.42 crore (35.6 per cent of TIO) towards this expense head in Q1-2015, which was 5.5 per cent more than the Rs 100.85 crore (33.4 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014 and was 25.2 per cent more than the Rs 85.01 crore (31.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014.

     

    Another major expense head is operational, administrative and other costs (admin cost). Den Networks admin cost in Q1-2015 at Rs 106.77 crore (35.7 per cent of TIO) which was 4.8 per cent more than the Rs 101.88 crore (33.8 per cent of TIO) and was 26.5 per cent more than the Rs 84.41 crore (31.4 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014.

     

    Based on the new accounting norms for calculating depreciation, the net effect is a higher depreciation of Rs 1.48 crore, which has resulted in a lower PAT in the current quarter.

     

    The company says that it has deployed 2.7 lakh set-top boxes in the current quarter.

     

    Den, through its wholly owned subsidiary – Den Soccer Pvt Ltd, has been awarded the team rights for Delhi – its home town. The team is named ‘Delhi Dynamos FC’. ISL is founded by IMG Reliance and Rupert Murdoch’s Star Group, under the aegis of All India Football Federation (AIFF). The inaugural season of the League is scheduled to begin in October, 2014.

     

    Click here for the investor update

    Click here for the financial statement

  • Sony seeks ‘Pal’ in housewives

    Sony seeks ‘Pal’ in housewives

    MUMBAI: “I will be seeking the moon,” says Multi Screen Media CEO NP Singh, as he announced the launch of the network’s much talked about new Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC), Sony Pal. The network which had conceptualised the new channel last year is very confident about the channel, its offerings and the packaging. “Now we will see how viewers respond to it,” adds the optimistic Singh.

     

    Targeted at women, mostly housewives, in the age group of 15-34 years, in SEC BCDE, Sony Pal was a dream for Singh, which is now finally taking shape. The target audience was chosen after the result of the research which showed that 88 per cent of viewership for a GEC comes from housewives. “The new channel will complement our other offerings,” he says.    

     

    “Today’s women have started realising that they can not only contribute to the society, but also augment family income. Through Pal, we will celebrate these women,” says Singh.

     

    The network did an extensive research before deciding on the content, the channel packaging and the target audience. “Our research showed that there was latent demand for a content which was progressive and positive,” he informs.

     

    The channel is based on the theme ‘Yeh Pal Humara Hai’. “This is the moment to shine, to evolve, to excel and achieve. This moment belongs to her and her alone,” says Sony Pal and Sab senior EVP and business head Anooj Kapoor while adding that this is not a generic promise, but a personalised one.

     

    The channel will go live from 1 September, with actor Juhi Chawla as its brand ambassador and with content which is empowering and that showcases positive aspects of modern India, while presenting the traditional aspect. “We will showcase family togetherness and not strife, which is what most channels today showcase,” adds Kapoor.

     

    When asked the reason for roping in Chawla, the duo say, “She is a person who is empowered, successful and yet approachable. She was the first name that came to us, and we stuck with her.”

     

    The channel logo, which dons colours pink, purple and yellow and has diamonds, a woman’s best friend, has been designed by an Australian agency.

     

    Sony Pal for Kapoor is mature and the shows will help connect the audience with a life that is beautiful and not a struggle. The channel will initially go on air with three hours of original content, which will be aired from Monday to Saturday between 7:30 pm-10:30 pm. Also, it will have two hours of original programming on Sunday evening. “After a month, we will launch the Balaji Telefilms’ show at the 7pm slot, thus taking original content to 3.5 hours,” informs Kapoor. The slot for the Sunday programming has not yet been disclosed.

     

    The channel launches with nine shows, these include: Simply Baatein which is produced by GR8 Entertainment and  anchored by Raveena Tandon, Dil Hain Chotasa Choti Si Asha, produced by SOL Productions and hosted by Ragini Khanna and Jay Soni, Shashi Productions’ Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi, Miloni Films’ Khushiyon Ki Gullakh Aashi¸ Singhasan Battisi by Creative Eye, Pia Basanti Re by Rashmi Sharma and Pawan Kuma, Tum Sath Ho Jab Apne produced by Sphere Origins, Sister Didi by DJ’s Creative Unit and Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hain by Balaji Telefilms.

     

    All the series are infinite and the channel will take a call on the number of episodes based on its performance. While no advertisers have currently come onboard, the network is positive about its content. “We have showcased our product to them and they have responded positively. They first want to see the shows and the channel and then decide. And we are in no hurry too,” says Singh.

     

    The channel will look at afternoon slots later. “There is a lot of ground to be covered. This is just the beginning,” adds Kapoor. The shows while initially will be shot at outdoor locations of Patiala, Baroda, Lucknow and other HSM cities, will later move to sets.

     

    The soon-to-go air channel is not free to air and will be available on all the four major multi system operators, DEN Networks, Hathway Cable & Datacom, Siti Cable, Digicable and Fastway in Punjab and all the direct to home (DTH) operators.

     

    On the marketing front, a 360 degree campaign has been designed, which will go live from 10 August. “We have designed a five week campaign with a lot of fresh initiative. One of this is forming women’s club, through which women can identify their talent and can celebrate life,” informs Kapoor.

     

    Manjit Sachdev will be the programming head for the new launch. According to an industry source, the investment in the channel could be anywhere close to Rs 90 crore- Rs 110 crore, including marketing spends. As for the ad rates, a media planner says, “Considering all the shows have been brought in the prime time slot, the ad rate for a 10 second slot could be anywhere close to Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.”

  • Belgian Harm van Veldhoven becomes manager for DEN-owned Delhi Dynamos football club

    Belgian Harm van Veldhoven becomes manager for DEN-owned Delhi Dynamos football club

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Dynamos FC, the national capital’s football team for the Hero MotoCorp Indian Super League, have announced Harm van Veldhoven as its manager.

     

    Harm started his career as a striker on the football field and his tryst with coaching started in 1999 with FC Lommel, a renowned second division club in Belgium. He took over as manager in 2000, achieving promotion in 2002 by winning the Belgium Second Division Championship. During his tenure, Harm also managed to guide the club to the finals of the Belgian Cup. In 2003, Harm joined FC Brussels, another promising Belgian club, and won promotion for the club as Champion of the Belgian Second Division in his very first year as their manager.

     

    In 2004, Harm joined Belgian Pro League club Cercle Brugge and served as manager till 2007. Harm then moved to Germinal Beerschot and had another successful couple of seasons in the Pro League.

     

    He joined the Dutch Eredivisie (top division) in 2008, becoming manager of Roda JC. After helping his club avoid relegation in the 2008-09 season, Harm led Roda to a series of impressive league finishes, including a high of sixth place in 2010-11. After completing his contract term in 2012, he joined the Belgian Pro League Club, KV Mechelen as manager, concluding that engagement in 2013.

     

    Harm’s coaching style is a great fit for the Delhi Dynamos’ philosophy of “Thok Denge”. Harm prefers the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations, enabling his team to produce an exciting brand of fluid, attacking football.

     

    During the launch of the team, the Dynamos described their mission as building football into a leading sport across Delhi and Northern India. With an alliance with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord Rotterdam and coupled with Harm’s expert guidance, the Dynamos are well on their way to give Delhi a well-prepared, world-class football team that will do the city proud.

     

    Sameer Manchanda, a passionate football fan and chairman and managing director of DEN Networks said: “We are very happy to welcome Harm van Veldhoven to the Delhi Dynamos FC. A coach of Harm’s calibre and experience will enable our mission of creating a cohesive team of world-class players; and more importantly, will give each ‘Delhi Dynamo’ an invaluable opportunity to learn new skills and grow under his able leadership. We are very excited with the way this team is shaping up and we hope to deliver the expectations of millions of Delhiites on the football field.”

     

    Veldhoven said: “I am thrilled and humbled at the same time with this immense responsibility to give India’s capital a formidable football team! Coaching Delhi Dynamos FC is a great opportunity, as I get to work with skilled Indian & international players. I look forward to building an amazing team for Delhi.”

     

    DEN aims to create a robust football ecosystem in Delhi and Northern Indian. Delhi Dynamos has an alliance with Feyenoord Rotterdam – a leading football club and academy from the Netherlands. According to the CIES Football Observatory,Feyenoord was the World No. 1 in Player Development for this FIFA World Cup 2014.

  • DEN’s Delhi team of ISL named Delhi Dynamos FC

    DEN’s Delhi team of ISL named Delhi Dynamos FC

    MUMBAI: In this season of football frenzy, the national capital is seeing the birth of its very own football movement. DEN Soccer a wholly owned subsidiary of DEN Networks announced the launch of the Delhi Dynamos FC, the Delhi franchise of the Indian Super League (ISL).

     

    DEN also announced its alliance with Feyenoord Rotterdam -a leading football club and academy from the Netherlands. Feyenoord’s football academy has been voted as the best academy in the Netherlands for five successive years. According to the CIES Football Observatory, Feyenoord is the world number one in player development for this year’s FIFA World Cup. As part of the alliance with DEN, Feyenoord will share its immense knowledge of the sport and assist the Delhi Dynamos in overall development of its team in addition to providing world class players and technical staff.

     

    The name Delhi Dynamos represents the very essence of what is intrinsic to all Dilliwallahs and the beautiful game of football. The anthem of the team captures the diversity and the raw energy of Delhi.

     

    DEN aims to create a robust football ecosystem in Delhi and north India along with giving them a team they can support with pride.  The team name, the team philosophy, anthem and the Delhi Dynamos’ alliance with Feyenoord Rotterdam were unveiled at an event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the home stadium of the Dynamos. The stadium is getting a brand new world-class football pitch in preparation for hosting the Delhi home matches of the ISL.

  • DEN selects Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    DEN selects Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    NEW DELHI: After multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable and Datacom launched DOCSIS 3.0 technology in October 2013, it is now DEN Networks that has selected Cisco’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology for its newly launched broadband service in India.

     

    DOCSIS 3.0 is a key component of the Cisco IP NGN architecture, which promises speeds of up to 300 Mbps per subscriber. With this, the MSO will be able to provide ultra-high-speed internet to deliver more content as compared to the existing telecom Internet service providers (ISPs).

     

    DEN currently reaches out to 13 million homes in over 200 cities. The MSO also offers digital cable TV services in India, using Cisco’s conditional access and middleware (set-top box software) and presently reaches over six million digital pay-TV homes.

     

    To begin with, DEN soft-launched its ultra-high-speed broadband service in one of its biggest markets and its home base, Delhi, and intends to expand the offering to other cities. The adoption of DOCSIS 3.0 is a strategic decision by the MSO to provide its subscribers with a seamless online experience with no buffering, lightning-fast downloads and higher-quality video content compared with existing telecom ISPs.

     

    Despite a population of 1.27 billion, according to TRAI’s latest Telecom Performance Indicators Report (October–December 2013), India has only 238.71 million Internet subscribers, out of which 18.33 million subscribers are wired Internet subscribers. The remaining 220.38 million access the internet though wireless connections like smartphones and data cards. The country’s major MSOs are preparing to capture this wireline broadband market using DOCSIS technology, giving a much-needed boost to broadband penetration in India, with each MSO also aware of the untapped 100 million cable TV homes in India. Therefore, the deployment of DOCSIS 3.0 across its existing cable networks is a significant step by DEN to capitalise on the enormous business potential of the broadband market.

     

    DEN COO Mohammad Ghulam Azhar said: “We are excited by the high-speed internet opportunity in India. With this superior technology, we are aiming to provide our broadband subscribers with a fast and consistent online experience.”

     

    Cisco India and SAARC president, sales Dinesh Malkani added: “Cisco’s vision is to be the leading enabler of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and broadband acceleration in India through innovative, scalable, high-value technology offerings and solutions. We believe our engagement with DEN has the potential to transform the cable and broadband industry in India by offering high-speed services to millions of subscribers and connecting those who previously were unable to access premium broadband services.”

  • DEN Networks selects STMicroelectronics for STBs

    DEN Networks selects STMicroelectronics for STBs

    MUMBAI: Enhancing its set top boxes (STBs) and gateways for its six million subscribers, DEN Networks has tied up with STMicroelectronics (ST), the global semiconductor manufacturer and supplier of system on chip (SoC) ICs.

     

    Using this technology in DEN’s new HD zapper boxes, it is looking at growing its customer base and revenues as well. The STiH273 (Palma) integrates a field-proven and widely deployed digital video broadcast-cable (DVB-C) demodulator that has been optimised to work with high-performance external controller area networks (CANs) and silicon tuners to meet the stringent RF-performance requirements of the Indian cable networks.

     

    The STiH273 (Palma) also delivers high-quality Faroudja video, 3DTV support, connectivity, and advanced security schemes with all the latest conditional access system (CAS) support, including NSK2.

     

    Manufactured in 40nm process technology, the chipset supports an enhanced processing engine with integrated on-chip features that simplify set-top box design, enable operators to take advantage of lower-cost memories, and minimize system power consumption.

     

    “Our new high-definition digital set-top boxes leverage STMicroelectronics’ feature-packed and flexible SoC ICs, providing an ideal platform for us to deliver innovative value-added services to our customers,” said DEN Networks COO MG Azhar.

     

    He further added: “The STiH273 SoC is clearly the right choice for our latest generation of set top boxes with the right power, versatility, and features to meet our market needs. We are confident that the chipset will help us in creating both enhanced customer satisfaction and sustaining our leadership edge in India.”

     

    “As a leading Cable MSO in India, DEN Networks sets the trend for technology, modernisation, and radical transformation, and ST is proud to contribute to DEN’s strategic intent. DEN Networks’ selection of ST’s technology underlines our core competencies and reiterates our commitment to this fast-growing market through localization and cooperation with our India partners,” said STMicroelectronics regional vice president for greater China and south Asia region and director for India Design Center Vivek Sharma.