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  • DirecTv’s US, Brazil ARPU up; Latin, pan-Americana ARPU down in Q3-2014; rev improves

    DirecTv’s US, Brazil ARPU up; Latin, pan-Americana ARPU down in Q3-2014; rev improves

    BENGALURU: DirecTv announced its Q3-2014 results (quarter ended 30 September 2014, current quarter). The company reported 4.8 per cent growth in its US segment’s monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) from $ 102.37 in Q3-2013 to $ 107.27 in the current quarter. During the nine month period ended 30 September 2014 (9M-2104, ytd) ARPU from the US segment rose 4.6 per cent to $ 103.57 from $ 99 in 9M-2013.

     

    Its Sky Brasil segment reported 6.2 per cent growth in ARPU to $ 60 in Q3-2014 from $ 56.50 in Q3-2013. During 9M-2014, ARPU reduced fractionally by 0.6 per cent to $ 59.57 from $ 59.9 in 9M-2013.

     

    DirecTv’s Latin America segment ARPU at $ 48.88 in Q3-2014 fell 1.1 per cent from $ 49.92 in Q3-2013. 9M-2014 ARPU at $ 49.02 was 5.1 per cent lower than the $ 51.68 in 9M-2013.

     

    Pan Americana segment reported the sharpest ARPU fall of 8 per cent to $ 39.64 in Q3-3014 from $ 43.07 in the corresponding year ago quarter. ARPU in 9M-2014 fell 9.4 per cent to $ 40.12 from $ 44.27 in 9M-2013.

     

    Subscribers:

     

    The company reported a subscriber churn of 1.73 per cent in its US segment in Q3-2014 versus a churn of 1.61 per cent in Q3-2013. Ytd subscriber churn was 1.58 per cent versus 1.53 per cent in 9M-2013. The number of cumulative subscribers rose 0.2 per cent to 20.203 million in Q3-2014 and 9M-2014 from 20.160 million in Q3-2013 and 9M-2013.

     

    DirecTv Latin America (DTVLA ) owns approximately 93 per cent of Sky Brasil, 41 per cent of Sky Mexico and 100 per cent of PanAmericana, which covers most of the remaining countries in the region. Sky Mexico, whose results are accounted for as an equity method investment and therefore are not consolidated by DTVLA, had approximately 6.52 million subscribers as of 30 September 2014, bringing the total subscribers in the region to 18.87 million.

     

    To its Sky Brasil segment, the company added net 27,000 subscribers in Q3-2014 to reach a total of 5.644 million as compared to 88,000 subscribers added to reach cumulative subscribers of 5.255 million in Q3-2013. During 9M-2014, Sky Brasil added 273,000 subscribers versus the 216,000 subscribers added in 9M-2013. The company has not reported churn for its Sky Brasil segment.

     

    The number of cumulative subscribers for Latin America segment in Q3-2014 and 9M-2014 rose 9 per cent to 12.353 million from 11.337 million in Q3-2013 and 9M-2013. Average total subscriber churn in Q3-2014 was 2.99 per cent against 2.27 per cent in Q3-2013. Churn during 9M-2014 was 1.94 per cent, lower than the 2.18 per cent churn in 9M-2013.

     

    For its Pan Americana and other segment, DirecTv reported a reduction of 146,000 subscribers in Q3-2014 to 6.709 million as compared to an increment of 172,000 subscribers and a base of 6.082 million in Q3-2013. During 9M-2014, the company added 512,000 subscribers as compared to the 792,000 subscribers added in 9M-2013. Subscriber churn figures for this segment have not been mentioned by the company in its Q3-2014 result.

     

    Financials (Company speak)

     

    DirecTv announced that third quarter 2014 revenues increased 6 percent to $ 8.37 billion, adjusted operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (OPBDA) and adjusted operating profit both increased 5 percent to $ 2.04 billion and $ 1.28 billion, respectively, and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 4 percent to $ 1.33 compared to last year’s third quarter. Adjusted financial results exclude a pre-tax charge of $ 62 million in the third quarter of 2014 resulting from the revaluation of the net monetary assets of the company’s subsidiary in Venezuela. Reported OPBDA increased 2 percent to $ 1.98 billion, reported operating profit was relatively unchanged at $ 1.22 billion and reported diluted earnings per share declined to $ 1.21 compared to last year’s third quarter.

     

    “Our third quarter financial results continue to demonstrate the strong execution of our operations,” said DirecTv president and CEO Mike White. “In the US, although competition for subscribers continues to be intense, revenue growth was very solid while operating profit before depreciation and amortisation margin expanded year-over-year for the fifth consecutive quarter, highlighting our commitment to profitably grow our businesses through disciplined subscriber acquisitions and expense management, as well as smart pricing.” White added, “In Latin America, due to challenging macroeconomic and foreign exchange headwinds, we continue to focus on local currency performance which has allowed us to profitably grow our businesses, as well as begin generating positive cash flow in the region – one of our primary goals for the year.”

     

    Segment financials

     

    US segment 

     

    In the third quarter, DirecTv US revenues increased 5 percent to $ 6.51 billion compared with the third quarter of 2013 primarily due to strong ARPU growth of 4.8 percent. The improvement in ARPU to $ 107.27 was driven by price increases on programming packages, higher advanced receiver service fees, increased ad sales, higher fees for the enhanced warranty program and increased commercial business revenues. These improvements were partially offset by increased promotional offers to existing customers and lower revenue from pay-per-view events. 

     

    Third quarter OPBDA increased 11 percent to $ 1.55 billion and OPBDA margin improved from 22.6 percent to 23.8 percent principally due to higher revenues combined with lower upgrade and retention expenses mostly  related to reduced equipment costs, as well as relatively unchanged subscriber service expense. Also contributing to the margin improvement was slower relative growth in subscriber acquisition costs mainly associated with the decrease in gross additions. Operating profit increased 13 percent to $ 1.11 billion and operating profit margin improved from 16.0 percent to 17.1 percent in the third quarter mainly due to the higher OPBDA and OPBDA margin. 

     

    Sky Brasil

     

    Excluding changes in foreign exchange rates, Sky Brasil’s third quarter revenues grew 14 percent versus the prior year period driven by an 8 percent increase in the average number of subscribers and a 5 percent increase in local currency ARPU. The increase in local currency ARPU was principally due to a reduction in credits to existing subscribers. When factoring in changes in foreign exchange rates, Sky Brasil’s revenues increased 15 percent to $ 1.01 billion and ARPU improved 6 percent to $ 60 compared to the third quarter of 2013.

     

    Excluding the impact of the favourable ECAD settlement in the third quarter of 2013, Sky Brasil OPBDA increased 8 percent to $ 307 million, while OPBDA margin declined from 32 percent to 30 percent. The decline in OPBDA margin was principally due to increased expenses related to customer service and systems initiatives. Also excluding the impact of the favourable ECAD settlement, operating profit increased 19 percent to $ 118 million and operating profit margin increased from 11.2 percent to 11.6 percent. Operating profit margin improved as the decline in OPBDA margin was more than offset by the impact of relatively unchanged depreciation expense.

     

    Pan Americana and other regions

     

    Excluding changes in foreign exchange rates, third quarter revenues in the PanAmericana and other segment grew 45 percent versus the prior year period driven by a 13 percent increase in the average number of subscribers and a 28 percent increase in local currency ARPU. The increase in local currency ARPU was principally due to price increases and growth in advanced services, partially offset by the higher penetration of lower ARPU mass market subscribers. When factoring in unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates, most notably in Argentina and Venezuela, revenues increased 3 percent to $ 806 million compared to the third quarter of 2013, while ARPU decreased 8.0 percent to $ 39.64.

     

    Also in the third quarter, adjusted OPBDA in the PanAmericana and other segment increased slightly to $ 208 million while adjusted OPBDA margin declined to 25.8 percent. The decline in adjusted OPBDA margin was primarily driven by higher programming costs in Venezuela and increased subscriber acquisition costs mostly due to inflationary pressure on labor costs. In addition, adjusted operating profit decreased to $ 81 million and adjusted operating profit margin declined to 10.0 percent mainly due to the impact of higher depreciation and amortization resulting from leased equipment and infrastructure capital expenditures made over the last year. Reported OPBDA and reported operating profit decreased to $ 146 million and $ 19 million, respectively.

  • American senators question AT&T deal to buy DirecTV

    American senators question AT&T deal to buy DirecTV

    NEW DELHI: Even as Brazil has been given the go-ahead to acquire DirectTV by American wireless carrier AT&T for $48.5 billion, the deal is facing regulatory issues with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It is being asked to consider several key issues before giving the green signal.

     

     American senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee, Senate Judiciary Committee’s Anti-trust subcommittee chairman and ranking member , have written to Attorney General Eric Holder and FCC chairman Tom Wheeler to consider the effect the deal could have on consumers’ access to broadband service, and worries over the loss of independent programming as the number of buyers for this programming shrinks.

     

    The two also talked about the impact on three regional sports networks. Klobuchar and Lee urged a probe into whether the deal would prompt DirecTV to increase the fee it charges other companies to broadcast its three regional sports networks. The networks, known as Root Sports Northwest, Pittsburgh and Rocky Mountain, carry a variety of professional and college sports across 18 states.

     

     Even when the deal was first announced in May this year, it had led to heated debate both in the media in the US as well as among shareholders, stock watchers and industry stakeholders.

     

     Some analysts asked why Apple, Verizon and Google never considered purchasing DirecTV at this exorbitant price.

     According to various reports in the media in the US, DirecTV shareholders were reportedly happy with the price and shareholder rights attorneys at Robbins Arroyo were investigating the proposed acquisition.

     

     DirecTV shareholders will receive $28.50 in cash and $66.50 in shares of AT&T stock for each share of common stock, for a total consideration of $95.

     Robbins Arroyo’s investigation focuses on whether the board of directors at DirecTV is undertaking a fair process to obtain maximum value and adequately compensate DirecTV shareholders, who were expecting more.

     

    The $95 merger consideration is significantly below the target price set by at least four analysts, including a target price of $100 set by analysts at Macquarie Group and Atlantic Equities. The company’s comparable adjusted earnings per share beat analyst estimates in three out of its last four quarters, said Robbins Arroyo.

     DirecTV shareholders have the option to file a class action lawsuit to ensure the board of directors obtains the best possible price for shareholders and the disclosure of material information.
     
    AT&T has also been under attack from Fitch Ratings that has placed the ‘A’ Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) and outstanding debt of AT&T and its subsidiaries on Rating Watch Negative. The company’s ‘F1 short-term IDR and commercial paper rating has also been placed on Rating Watch Negative.

     Fitch said AT&T’s acquisition of DirecTV will improve its financial flexibility owing to DirecTV’s strong free cash flows and the significant equity component in the transaction financing.

     

     DirecTV’s video assets are complementary to AT&T’s operations, but the longer term strategic benefits are less clear and depend on the post-merger company’s ability to capitalize on emerging trends in the industry, Fitch said.

     

     But AT&T’s planned acquisition of DirecTV offers benefits in the form of a nationwide footprint for AT&T as a Video Over the Top (OTT) and pay TV operator and ties in with the company’s already strong IPTV, broadband and wireless businesses, said Strategy Analytics.

     

    Meanwhile, Infonetics Research has reduced its 2017 pay-TV revenue forecast by 35 percent globally, from $401 billion to just under $260 billion. It said the overall video services ARPU and revenue growth will be constrained.

     

     “This is because of the result of increasing competition from OTT (over-the-top) players and the service providers themselves using broadband video as a lower-priced offering,” said Jeff Heynen, principal analyst for broadband access and pay TV at Infonetics Research.

     

     Brazil’s Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacoes (ANATEL) as well as Trinidad and Tobago gave approval to the deal.

     

     AT&T has also filed an informational notice with the Hawaii Commission.

     

  • DirecTV orders ‘Kingdom’ from Byron Balasco and Endemol Studios

    DirecTV orders ‘Kingdom’ from Byron Balasco and Endemol Studios

    MUMBAI: DirecTV, one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment has ordered an additional 20 episodes of the critically acclaimed premier of Kingdom. It has proven to be one of audience network’s most popular shows of all time.

    DirecTV has bought the series from creator Byron Balasco (Detroit 1-8-7) and Endemol Studios (Hell on Wheels, Low Winter Sun, Red Widow). Series creator Balasco is the executive producer and showrunner. Kingdom is produced by Endemol Studios. The series is distributed internationally by Endemol Worldwide Distribution.

    Production on the new order is expected to begin in spring 2015, with the first batch of 10 episodes set to air on DirecTV’s Audience Network that fall. The following 10 episodes will air in 2016.

    Kingdom is a visceral family saga that takes place in Venice, California and is set against the backdrop of the renegade subculture of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). It is a world rife with complex characters and relationships that unfurl in surprising and deeply human ways. The next 20 episodes will continue to focus on the characters portrayed by Frank

    Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Warrior), Kiele Sanchez (The Purge; Lost), Matt Lauria (Friday Night Lights), Jonathan Tucker (Parenthood), Nick Jonas and Joanna Going (House of Cards; Mad Men).

    “DirecTV could not be more thrilled by the response that last week’s premiere of Kingdom elicited from both critics and our viewers,” said DirecTV SVP original content and production Chris Long. “The series very clearly resonated with DirecTV’s subscribers and we eagerly anticipate sharing these additional 20 episodes with them and further exploring the compelling world that Byron Balasco has created.”

    Agreeing to him, writer/creator Balasco said: “I want to thank DirecTV and Endemol Studios for their passion and support for the show. I truly couldn’t ask for better creative partners. I’m excited to get back to work with my incredible cast and crew.”

    “Knowing that Kingdom will be on the schedule for years to come is a milestone. Getting an additional 20 episodes is a great testament to Kingdom, to Byron’s talent as a writer and show runner and to our cast and crew,” stated Endemol Studios CEO Philippe Maigret. “We are fortunate to have a show that premiered out of the gate to critical acclaim. We are grateful to DirecTV for being a supportive partner. This speaks volumes to the DirecTV subscribers and fans of the show who are on this journey with us.”

     

  • Brazil gives the green signal to AT&T to acquire DirecTV

    Brazil gives the green signal to AT&T to acquire DirecTV

    NEW DELHI: Brazil’s Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacoes (ANATEL) and Trinidad & Tobago have given approval to American telecom service provider AT&T for the proposed $48.5 billion acquisition of DirecTV.

     

    Earlier, AT&T had received an anti-trust approval in Brazil. Regulatory review is now complete in both countries.

     

    In July, the merger review process was completed among regulators at the US state level.

    AT&T’s Petitions with the Public Service Commissions in Louisiana and Arizona did not receive protests or interventions and the Petitions were deemed approved in July.

     

    AT&T has also filed an informational notice with the Hawaii Commission.

     

    It has committed to expand and enhance its deployment of both wireline and fixed wireless high-speed internet to cover at least 15 million customer locations across 48 states – most of them in underserved rural areas.

     

    Meanwhile, DirecTV extended its exclusive $1.5 billion contract to sell the Sunday Ticket package of National Football League games.

     

    The deal removes a potential roadblock to AT&T’s proposed $48.5 billion purchase of the satellite TV provider. AT&T had the right to pull out of the deal if DirecTV was unable to renew its Sunday Ticket pact.

     

    DirecTV’s annual payments to the NFL would average $1.5 billion for eight years.

     

    Reuters reported that DirecTV sells the package of Sunday games to its subscribers for about $300 a year, a key marketing advantage over cable TV competitors. Roughly two million people receive the service, which allows them to watch games outside of their local markets. 

  • Cable companies need to provide compelling video experience along with broadband: Moody’s

    Cable companies need to provide compelling video experience along with broadband: Moody’s

    MUMBAI: A new report by Moody’s Investors Service claims that value propositions for cable providers are changing as broadband becomes even more necessary than TV. The report titled ‘Couch potatoes are switching screens as high-speed data cable subscribers overtake video’ states that most companies in the US are well positioned to reap the benefits and manage the risks of transition.

     

    “Cable providers’ largely upgraded networks and high-speed capabilities can make them the first call for consumers seeking fast internet connection. But if cable companies want to sell their video product as well, the onus is on them to provide a compelling video experience at an attractive price,” says Moody’s Investors Service vice president senior analyst Karen Berckmann.

     

    High speed data subscriber numbers will overtake video subscribers for Moody’s- rated cable companies in the next year, she adds. Fewer video customers means lower programming costs that are paid on a per subscriber basis and servicing the video product tends to be the most challenging and costly part of the business, so margins could benefit from the mix shift.

     

    However, the report also warns that a magnifying customer base for video also has risks. Companies that have declining number of video subscribers lose economies of scale when it comes to technicians and customer service, driving up costs per customer. At the same time the brand may be affected if it gives up on video in favour of broadband.

     

    The report states, “Companies with significant overlap with Verizon’s FiOS and AT&T’s uVerse, such as Cablevision Systems and Time Warner Cable, will need to invest in a competitive video product to survive while those with a less intense competitive footprint will find it easier to thrive as primarily broadband companies. An operator that loses a customer to FiOS or uVerse is likely to lose that customer entirely, whereas one losing a customer to Dish Network or DirecTV could still maintain a broadband relationship.”

     

    Moody’s says that Comcast is one company that is both large as well as diverse enough to invest in video as well as showing that it can sustain its video position. Cox Communications and Cablevision could struggle to grow while Grande Communications Networks and RCN Telecommunciations Services have shown that cable ops can build sustainable business on video penetration of about 20 per cent. For smaller operators, partnering with Tivo would be ideal for the next couple of years.

  • Fox or Time Warner: Who will blink first – Time Warner’s attempt to get more money?

    Fox or Time Warner: Who will blink first – Time Warner’s attempt to get more money?

    BENGALURU: Both the companies have issued official statements about the offer and rejection. Twenty-first Century Fox (Fox) issued a short, cryptic  three sentence statement –“21st Century Fox can confirm that we made a formal proposal to Time Warner last month to combine the two companies. The Time Warner Board of Directors declined to pursue our proposal. We are not currently in any discussions with Time Warner.” Fox waited for the appropriate time and made the bid within a few days of Time Warner completing the spinoff of Time Inc., and hence made the target more affordable for Fox.

     

    Speculation continues across media circles globally with some industry pundits claiming that the rejection of the Fox offer was a coy attempt by the Time Warner brass to get more money for the company. Time Warner shares closed last week at above USD 86 per share, already above the estimated USD 85 per share offered by Fox. If Fox wants to build more clout with Pay TV providers it actually is left with little option except to raise its bid, considering the fact that AT&T has announced a USD 49 billion deal to buy DirecTV and the friendly Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger is awaiting approvals. Other suitors could also make a pitch for Time Warner, hence raising the ante further.

     

    As mentioned earlier, Time-Warner had rejected Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox offer allegedly worth about USD 76 billion cash and stock. 21st Century Fox had offered to buy Time Warner for USD 32.42 in cash and offered a ratio of 1.531 Fox class-A share for each Time Warner share.

     

    Time Warner had in a statement last week said that the company was confident that its board’s strategy continues to deliver stockholder value and was superior to any proposal Fox had to offer.

     

    Excerpts of the Time Warner release:

     

     In making its determination, the Time Warner Board considered, among other things, that: The execution of Time Warner’s strategic plan will continue to drive significant and sustainable value for Time Warner stockholders; The unique value of Time Warner’s industry-leading businesses including its portfolio of networks and its film studio and television production business is only going to increase; There is significant risk and uncertainty as to the valuation of Twenty-First Century Fox’s non-voting stock and Twenty-First Century Fox’s ability to govern and manage a combination of the size and scale of Twenty-First Century Fox and Time Warner; and there are considerable strategic, operational, and regulatory risks to executing a combination with Twenty-First Century Fox.

     

    Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Time Warner while Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is acting as legal advisor.

     

     In the meantime, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set a deadline of 25 August 2014 for those interested in filing comments or petitions to deny the friendly Comcast Corporation (Comcast)-Time Warner Cable Inc., merger. (Time Warner Cable was spun off from Time Warner in 2009). The deal would give Comcast 30 million U.S. homes; about 30 per cent of all the cable households and 40 per cent of the high-speed internet market. In a statement in February 2014, Comcast had said that the stock-for-stock transaction in which Comcast will acquire 100 per cent of Time Warner Cable’s 284.9 million shares outstanding for shares of Comcast amounting to approximately USD 45.2 billion in equity value. Each Time Warner Cable share will be exchanged for 2.875 shares of Comcast, equal to Time Warner Cable shareholders owning approximately 23 per cent of Comcast’s common stock, with a value to Time Warner Cable shareholders of approximately $158.82 per share based on the last closing price of Comcast shares. Comcast also plans to expand its buyback program by an additional USD10 billion.

  • AT&T to buy DirecTV for $48.5 billion

    AT&T to buy DirecTV for $48.5 billion

    NEW DELHI: The American telecom giant AT&T has decided to take over pay TV brand DirecTV for $48.5 billion, but will sell its 73 million publicly listed shares from America Movil in Latin America considering the strong presence DirecTV has in the video market there.

     

    Combined the company would have roughly 26 million video subscribers, most from the DirecTV side, and a broadband network covering 70 million customer locations. 

     

    “This is an unique opportunity that will redefine the video entertainment industry and create a company that is able to offer new bundles and deliver content to consumers across multiple screens – mobile devices, TVs, laptops, cars and even airplanes,” said AT&T’s chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson in a statement.

     

    Meanwhile, the regulator is examining the three-month old proposal by Comcast Corp for a $45 billion takeover of Time Warner.

     

    AT&T will not pay any fee to DirecTV if they do not get approval from the regulator.

    Following the deal, the telecom giant will expand high-speed broadband to 15 million customer locations, primarily in rural areas, in four years.

     

    AT&T will acquire DirecTV in a stock-and-cash transaction for $95 per share based on last Friday closing price. DirecTV shareholders will own around 14.5 to 15.8 per cent of AT&T shares. AT&T expects cost synergies to exceed $1.6 billion on an annual run rate basis by three years after closing.

     

    DirecTV has 20.3 million American subscribers, while AT&T serves 5.6 million video customers connected to its U-Verse network. But DirecTV’s subscriber growth has slowed in recent months as it does not have a landline network to deliver high-speed internet services to homes, unlike phone and cable TV companies.

     

    The deal will assist DirecTV to take on the combined entity between Comcast and Time Warner Cable. If combined, AT&T-DirecTV would serve roughly 26 million pay-TV customers. That would be less than the 30 million Comcast would have if regulators approve its purchase of Time Warner Cable.

     

    The transaction enables the combined company to offer consumer bundles that include video, high-speed broadband and mobile services using all of its sales channels — AT&T’s 2,300 retail stores and thousands of authorised dealers and agents of both companies, an AT&T spokesperson said.

     

    For customers who only want a broadband service and may choose to use video through an over-the-top (OTT) service like Netflix or Hulu, the combined company will offer stand-alone wireline broadband service at speeds of at least 6 Mbps (where feasible) in areas where AT&T offers wireline IP broadband service at guaranteed prices for three years.

     

    AT&T will continue to offer DirecTV service on a stand-alone basis at nationwide package prices for at least three years after closing.

     

    In 2015, AT&T will bid at least $9 billion provided there is sufficient spectrum available in the auction to provide AT&T a viable path to at least a 2×10 MHz nationwide spectrum footprint. 

     

  • ABC to block DirecTV, TWC, Dish subscribers from watching TV series online

    ABC to block DirecTV, TWC, Dish subscribers from watching TV series online

    MUMBAI: The American broadcasting company, ABC, has announced that it will start restricting access to complete episodes of new TV shows to customers of pay TV providers that it has signed to TV Everywhere authentication deals.

     

    This means that subscribers from DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Dish Network will not be able to watch new episodes of “Modern Family,” “The Bachelor” and other ABC series on ABC.com in the week after their premiere. However, the subscribers from AT&T, Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, Midcontinent and Verizon can continue watching new episodes on WatchABC.com or through the Watch ABC mobile video app the day after their premiere, according to a notice posted by ABC online in December 2013.

    The company will also stop offering free, ad-supported versions of new episodes through Hulu, but will allow premium Hulu Plus subscribers to watch new programs the day after their initial broadcast. At the cost of $2.99 per episode web surfers can download high-definition programs from Apple’s iTunes store or Amazon Instant Video.

     

    ABC isnt alone, in August 2011, Fox became the first major network to limit access to complete versions of new TV episodes to authenticated pay TV or Hulu Plus subscribers. Both Fox and ABC own equity stakes in Hulu.

  • DirecTV, Dish Network to hike price

    DirecTV, Dish Network to hike price

    MUMBAI: Dish Network and DirecTV subscribers will have to gear up to shell out more for using their services. Come 2014 and DirecTV’s base ‘entertainment’ package will cost $58 per month, a $3 hike from 2013, the ‘premier’ package will cost $130, up $5 from a year ago. Rising content cost and desire to keep the satellite TV provider’s operating profit flat are being cited as the reason for the price hike.

     

    Dish Network on the other hand will hike its fees by 5.5 per cent. This following its 16.3 per cent price hike in the beginning of 2013. While, the ‘welcome plan’, ‘America’s choice 120+ plan’ will cost the same, the other packs will get a $5 price hike and a $3 hike in the ‘smart pack’ which will cost $33 in 2014.

     

    DirecTV, which has close to 20.16 million US subscribers, according to reports, will increase its price at an average of 3.7 per cent starting February.

     

    Media reports have confirmed that both the companies will raise the prices of their various television packages and also increase the service fees as well.

     

    Can’t say if pay TV service providers are looking at any such New Year surprise for consumers in India, but it surely doesn’t seem to be a happy start to the New Year for DirecTV and Dish Network subscribers in the US.

  • Industry comes together at first annual NYC Television Week

    Industry comes together at first annual NYC Television Week

    MUMBAI: The first NYC Television Week, presented by Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, Next TV, and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), drew more than 1500 television industry executives to the Waldorf Astoria and the Metropolitan Pavilion from 28-30 October. Sony was the Founding Sponsor.

     

    NYC Television Week comprised conferences, events, and an exhibition – including the “State of Television,” Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, the two-day “TV Summit,” “TV on Wall Street,” and the Solutions Center exhibit floor, presented by NAB Show – bringing them to the heart of Manhattan.

     

    NYC Television Week’s conferences featured 87 industry leaders as keynotes and presenters, including DirecTV president, chairman and CEO Mike White; National Basketball Association commissioner David J. Stern; WWE executive VP – creative Stephanie McMahon and Twitter chief media scientist Deb Roy, to name a few.

     

    “The incredible line-up of speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors is a good indication of how the television industry needed a place to get together after the start of the fall season to discuss the status quo and the direction in which we are headed,” stated Broadcasting and Cable and Multichannel News EVP/group publisher Louis Hillelson, “I am happy that we and NAB were able to provide the platform for these high-level discussions.”

     

    “Given the transformative state of the industry, NYC Television Week could not have been more timely and relevant, providing valuable takeaways for attendees,” said NAB executive VP conventions and business operations Chris Brown. “We had a very strong ‘TV on Wall Street’ program that was an immediate hit, and the Solutions Center featured a provocative mix of innovative products and services for the industry. We look forward to building on this event going forward as we continue to extend the NAB and NAB Show brands.”

     

    NYC Television Week opened Monday morning, 28 October, at the Waldorf Astoria with the “State of Television” conference, and featured in-depth discussions about various areas of the television industry, including cable, sports, advertising, and new technologies. This was the 23rd annual Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, hosted by CBS News correspondent 60 Minutes Lesley Stahl and NBC News special correspondent and host of The Meredith Vieira Show Meredith Vieira.

     

    On Tuesday, 29 October, NYC Television Week took over the Metropolitan Pavilion with “TV Summit Day 1,” “TV on Wall Street,” and the Solutions Center exhibition. “TV Summit Day 1” covered a wide range of topics, such as indie production, syndication in the digital age, showrunning, and the state of network television. “TV on Wall Street” examined how content competition and consumer consumption trends are driving the evolution of television and featured chief executives, venture capitalists, and leading financial analysts sharing their views of the TV industry. The summit concluded with a cocktail reception sponsored by National Geographic Channels.

     

    NYC Television Week wrapped up on Wednesday, 30 October, with a second day of both “TV Summit” and the Solutions Center exhibit floor. “TV Summit Day 2” featured discussions on ad buying, 4K, new platforms, and content distribution.

     

    Solutions Center exhibitors included Sony, placemedia, Dolby Laboratories, and Verizon Digital Media Services, among many others. Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, and Next TVare all published by NewBay Media.