ITV

Tag: DPO

  • TRAI clarifies tariff regime didn’t restrict Ind-Aus T20I match

    TRAI clarifies tariff regime didn’t restrict Ind-Aus T20I match

    MUMBAI: The thrilling last ball finish in the T20I match between India and Australia on 24 February grabbed the attention of many but was not accessible to the consumers of cable TV networks. This was apparently due to the implementation of the new regulatory framework prescribed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), according to reports in certain sections of the media and other social platforms.

    However, TRAI clarified that the tariff regime, in no way inhibited or restricted the telecast of India and Australia T20I cricket match. It stated, “The non-availability or non- transmission of the recent cricket matches (T20I and ODI) being played between India and Australia over the cable networks has nothing to do with implementation of new regulatory framework of TRAI for broadcasting and cable services.”

    TRAI also pointed out that the transmission are governed by the Supreme Court judgement dated 22 August 2017.

    It also quoted the Supreme Court’s direction stating, “Under Section 3 of the Sports Act, 2007 the live feed received by Prasar Bharati from content rights owners or holders is only for the purpose of re-transmission of the said signals on its own terrestrial and DTH networks and not to cable operators so as to enable the cable TV operators to reach such consumers who have already subscribed to a cable network.”

    After the decision of the Supreme Court, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a notice dated 12 April 2018, asking all the DPOs to display a caption, during the broadcast of sports events of national importance, on DD Sports channel that “The match/ game can be viewed in free-to-air mode on DD Sports channel, on DD FreeDish and DD terrestrial network”.

    Therefore, the distribution platform operators (DPOs) have to switch off the DD Sports channel from their cable networks during the period of the matches under the recent India-Australia T20I and ODI series.  

    “Therefore, the rumours circulating in some sections of the press or in social media platforms holding TRAI regulations responsible for non-transmission of the cricket matches in cable networks are baseless and incorrect,” TRAI concluded.

    Recently, TRAI extended the deadline for consumers to pick their television channels under the new tariff regime till 31 March. The subscribers that don’t opt for new channel would be moved to ‘Best Fit Plans’, which would be developed as per usage pattern, language and channel popularity.

    According to TRAI, close to 100 per cent of cable subscribers and 57 per cent of DTH subscribers have been shifted to new packs.

  • TRAI: Almost 100% cable consumers have picked channels in new tariff regime

    TRAI: Almost 100% cable consumers have picked channels in new tariff regime

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) held a meeting on Friday with distribution platform operators (DPOs) where it was informed that almost all cable consumers have either made their channel preferences or moved to ‘best fit plan’ under the new tariff regime, according to a report by the Press Trust of India.

    The meeting was attended by multi-system operators (MSO) and all major DTH players to review the progress of migration of TV viewers under the new framework.

    TRAI secretary SK Gupta said, "According to inputs received by the regulator from players, in the case of DTH services, about 43 per cent customers have made their channel preferences known. When combined with statistics for ‘best fit plan’, this number rises to 57 per cent."

    The DTH service providers have submitted to TRAI that all subscribers of this prepaid platform will be migrated to the new framework in the next 2-3 weeks. TRAI has also emphasised to players that customers should not face any inconvenience or service disruption during the migration process.

    Earlier this month, the regulator had extended the timeline for consumers to make their channel preferences till 31 March 2019.

    “TRAI is urging subscribers to exercise their options to select TV channels of their choice, immediately. DPOs have been instructed to execute the options of subscribers at the earliest,” he said.

  • TRAI directs DPOs to refrain from placing channels outside the genre

    TRAI directs DPOs to refrain from placing channels outside the genre

    MUMBAI: After receiving complaints from TV18 and TV Today Network against Republic Bharat, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed all distribution platform operators (DPOs) to refrain from placing channels outside their genres.

    TV18 and TV Today Network had written to TRAI that the newly launched Republic Bharat is being placed outside the Hindi news genre to garner higher viewership.

    TRAI stated, “The authority has received many complaints alleging transmission of television channels on dual LCN or placement of television channels by the distributors of TV channels, out of the genre declared by the broadcaster.”

    The TRAI regulations require every broadcaster to declare the genre of its channels such as ‘devotional’, ‘general entertainment’, ‘infotainment’, ‘kids’, ‘movies’, ‘music’, ‘news and current affairs’, ‘sports’ or ‘miscellaneous’.

    It is also mandatory for the distributor to place channels in the electronic programme guide, in such a way that the television channels of same genre, as declared by the broadcasters, are placed together consecutively and one channel shall appear at one place only. The authority has also said that action will be taken against such distributors who fail to comply with the regulations.

    “Now, therefore, the authority, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it under section 13, read with clause (b) of sub-section (I) of section 11, of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997) and in order to protect the interest of service providers and consumers and ensure orderly growth of the sector, hereby directs all distributors of the television channels to ensure that the television channels of same genre, as declared by the broadcasters, are placed together consecutively and one channel shall appear at one place only failing which action shall be taken against such distributors, under the provisions of TRAI Act, 1997,” TRAI concluded.

  • Tata Sky favours multiple agencies for TV audience measurement

    Tata Sky favours multiple agencies for TV audience measurement

    MUMBAI: Tata Sky, one of the leading DTH operators in India has suggested Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that there should be multiple rating agencies. The competition will bring in new technologies and new methods in analysis.

    “Yes, multiple rating agencies need to be promoted. Competition will  bring in new technologies, new research methodologies, new methods in analysis, new and better ways to ensure better data quality,” Tata Sky has said in its submission to a consultation paper on TV audience measurement floated by TRAI.

    On the contrary, GTPL Hathway believes that there is no need for competition in the television rating services to ensure transparency and accuracy.

    “If more television ratings agencies are allowed to compete then the sample size will reduce and might even get scattered demographically. Therefore to ensure transparency and accuracy, there is no need for competition in the television rating services,” GTPL Hathway stated.

    The DTH player also commented that BARC India is not transparent regarding sharing the methodology and the representation of the panel home amongst the various platform types.

    Both Tata Sky and GTPL Hathway suggested that the BARC shareholding body should also include members representing the DPO/DTH/OTT platform body.

    To address the issue of panel tampering/infiltration, GTPL Hathway suggested to increase the sample size of the panel household significantly, which will reduce the impact of tampering on overall TV ratings, which in turn will reduce the temptation to tamper with the panel homes.

    Tata Sky argues that there is an under representation of DTH customers amongst the existing panel homes and BARC has taken no steps to publish a list for transparency. The representation of HD homes also needs correction.

    On the question whether BARC India should be permitted to provide raw level data to broadcasters, the MSO said, “We agree with TRAI’s view that release of raw data to broadcasters may potentially compromise on secrecy of households and sanctity of the data. The proposition that availability of raw data would help in giving the broadcaster sharper insights into viewership behavior is not sufficient to take such a huge security risk. There are other ways of sharper insights into viewership behavior such as AI."

    "Provisioning of raw level data to broadcasters will definitely contravene the policy guidelines for television rating agencies prescribed by MIB. The accreditation system mentioned by MIB requires secrecy of panel households, while release of raw data to broadcasters may potentially compromise secrecy of households", GTPL Hathway stated.

  • TRAI vs Tata Sky: Delhi High Court adjourns case to 11 March

    TRAI vs Tata Sky: Delhi High Court adjourns case to 11 March

    MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned Tata Sky’s ongoing legal battle, in which Discovery,  Bharti Telemedia-owned Airtel Digital TV and Sun Direct are a part, with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) and its new tariff regime to 11 March.

    Recently, the regulator extended the deadline for consumers to select television channels under its new tariff regime till 31 March. The subscribers that don’t opt for new channels would be moved to ‘Best Fit Plans’, which would be developed as per usage pattern, language and channel popularity, the sector regulator said in its statement.

    TRAI chairman RS Sharma addressed a press conference couple of weeks back in Delhi, rubbishing a Crisil report that claimed that cable and DTH bills were bound to increase after the implementation of the tariff order.

    Earlier, Indian Society of Advertisers' (ISA) executive council also advised its members to not use the BARC data for media buying, planning and evaluation perspective during the transition period, which it feels will stretch up to six weeks.

    On 4 February, after senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing Tata Sky, concluded his arguments including legal submissions, Discovery India Communication’s counsel Gopal Jain laid the foundation for his arguments.

    The regulator informed the court that the new tariff order has already been implemented from 1 February.

    Earlier TRAI had offered an extension till 31 January to distribution platform operators (DPOs) for implementation.

    On 24 January, the Harit Nagpal-led company finally unveiled the new pricing of channels and packs after it was served a show-cause notice by the TRAI.

    TRAI's show-cause notice said, "Tata Sky has failed to provide options to its 17.7 million subscribers in compliance with the new framework to exercise their choices for TV channels. Tata Sky has put its subscribers in a situation of great difficulty despite no fault of theirs by not complying with the provisions of the new regulations and the tariff order.”

    Despite the delay in announcing channel prices, Tata Sky MD and CEO Nagpal is confident that his team can complete the tricky task of implementing the new norms within a relatively short span of time.

    “Tata Sky has always been compliant to regulatory requirements. We have gone live with our modes of communication across the Tata Sky website, Tata Sky mobile app and also equipped the dealers that subscribers can reach out to. We were confident that we would be able to complete the task in 1 week’s time. Hence we used this time to a seamless and smooth transition for all our subscribers. We have ensured that choosing channels and packs is as easy as 1, 2, 3 for any subscriber,” the veteran executive said.

    On 29 January, the Calcutta High Court stayed the cable switchover till 18 February. The court’s directive was a result of 80 cable operators from the city filing a petition against the TRAI mandate. However, the high court later vacated the stay.

    The petitioners’ lawyer Debabrata Saha Roy argued that the revenue-sharing model under the new regime will significantly reduce the cable operators’ share to just nine per cent. With 80 per cent going into the broadcasters’ kitty, MSOs stand to get just 11 per cent, thus making it an unsustainable business proposition for operators.

    In 2017, Bharti Telemedia, Tata Sky and Discovery Communication India had filed petitions against TRAI, challenging its tariff order and the interconnect regulations.

    Unlike the position adopted by Star India wherein it questioned the regulatory powers of TRAI, the matter in the Delhi HC questions the regulator’s power to wipe out deals that operators enter into to fix commissions and rates for customers.

  • TRAI steps in after 24% homes lose complete access to all pay channels

    TRAI steps in after 24% homes lose complete access to all pay channels

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday extended the deadline for consumers to select television channels under its new tariff regime till 31 March  The subscribers that don’t opt for new channels would be moved to ‘Best Fit Plans’, which would be developed as per usage pattern, language and channel popularity, the sector regulator said in its statement.

    The regulator said the decision had been taken to protect the interests of consumers. TRAI stated that some subscribers are facing difficulties in selecting the channels/ bouquet of their choice. In some cases, LCOs have not been able to reach out to the subscriber to create awareness among them and collect the options, it noted.

    Right through the last couple of months, the regulator had time and again directed broadcasters and DPOs to ensure a seamless transition with no blackouts of TV screens.
    Despite the best efforts of all stakeholders, switch offs were reported across several cities of the country during the transition, a situation RS Sharma and team wanted to avoid.
    Therefore the TRAI’s latest move aimed at a consumer-friendly migration seems to be a positive one if ground-level implementation data is looked into.

    According to numbers provided by Chrome DM, 24 per cent households had lost complete access to all pay channels in 10.9 million cable and satellite homes in 366 urban cities (340 Chrome DM reported channels).

    As per Chrome DM week 6 data, 76 per cent of households in these cities felt no impact of the new norms, as they continued to have access to 300 odd channels as per their old packs. 13 per cent of households among rest 185.1 million cable and satellite homes across the country have exercised their right in some form to pick new packs.

    Bhima Riddhi Digital Service promoter Nagesh Chhabria said his team had to convert consumers from pay channel base to FTA base in some areas. Chhabria said the Belgaum-based operator had initially handed ten days to its subscribers to select new channels or packages. However, those that did not exercise their choice were converted to the FTA base. However, he added that consumers were informed prior to the switch off. Overall 30-35 per cent of his company’s consumer base has been converted to FTA.

    Maharashtra Cable Operators Foundation (MCOF) member Asif Sayed said the switch-off phenomenon was being witnessed in parts of Mumbai as well. According to him, all the MSOs other than Den Networks “have forcefully converted the pay packages into FTA”.

    Sayed went on to add that some consumers, despite having packages with six months validity, have been moved to the FTA base.

    “Any form of TV buying on the back of the existing ratings’ sampling does not hold, as the 196 million C&S homes in India will choose different channel packages – running into thousands of combinations. There are multiple combos being rolled out by the broadcasters, DPOs and variants of the same – earlier were an average of 5 packages earlier, which has moved to over 5000 combinations post the NTO implementation,” Chrome DM founder Pankaj Krishna highlighted.

    Chrome DM week 5 data revealed that a staggering 90 per cent of consumers were aware of the change in tariff through the TV ads of broadcaster, and not through their cable service providers.

    The data also showed that 70 per cent of people who have been contacted were yet to take decisions on which package or channels to subscribe to. Out of the balance 30 per cent in the regional markets, the inclination of choice is more towards regional packages and channels.

    According to Chhabria it is premature to talk about the package uptake. He pointed out that broadcasters are marketing national bouquets a lot more than regional one. The veteran executive feels that regional channels are being promoted by DPOs.

    According to Chrome DM, a major chunk of the off take of packages will be taken over by the distributor-defined packages, while broadcaster defined-packages will always remain a second choice. Chhabria seconded that theory, adding that around 60 per cent of consumers are picking bouquets designed by DPOs only. Sayed, from his on-ground experience, claimed that only DPO suggested packages are working. He also added that MSOs are taking a lot of time to activate pay channels on a-la-carte basis.

    According to several industry watchers Indiantelevision.com spoke to, major MSOs including Arasu Cable, Den Networks, GTPL Hathway, Hathway Cable and Datacom among others had switched off pay channels in various parts of the country. Multiple cities in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh reported a complete pay channel bouquet switch off, expect channels from IndiaCast and Sony. A small section of DPOs had also switched off all pay channels, barring some regional packages. Sayed added that the chaotic situation is increasing the churn rate of the cable business, thereby helping DTH operators.

    As per TRAI, there are close to 100 million cable service TV homes and 67 million DTH TV homes in the country. The regulator believes that approximately 65 per cent of the subscribers of the cable services and 35 per cent subscribers of the DTH services have already exercised the options.

  • TRAI extends deadline for selection of TV channels to March 31

    TRAI extends deadline for selection of TV channels to March 31

    MUMBAI: The telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday extended the deadline for consumers to pick their television channels under the new tariff regime till March 31. The sector regulator stated that old plans of consumers would continue until they exercise their options before the new deadline.

    The subscribers that don’t opt for new channels would be moved to ‘Best Fit Plans’, which would be developed as per usage pattern, language and channel popularity.

    While making 'Best  Fit  Plan’ for a subscriber, DPOs should ensure that payout per month of the  'best  fit plan' generally does not exceed the payout per month of existing tariff plan of the subscriber, TRAI said.

    Subscribers will be free to change their 'best fit plan' at any date and time on or before 31st March and DPOs will have to convert their  'best fit plan' into the desired pack (channel/ Bouquet) within 72 hours.

    The TRAI also clarified that there will be no 'lock-in period' for the subscribers till 31st  March who has been migrated to  'best fit plan' by DPOs.

    Subscribers who have taken long term packs will continue to avail the services for the contracted period. However, they have the freedom to choose the channels of their choice under the new regulatory framework and in case if they exercise this option, money for the remaining period shall be adjusted for their future use.

    TRAI stated that some subscribers are facing difficulties in selecting the channels/ bouquet of their choice. In some cases, LCOs have not been able to reach out to the subscriber to create awareness among them and collect the options.

    According to the TRAI, close to 65% cable subscribers and 35% DTH subscribers have already exercised their channel options under the new tariff regime. 

  • TRAI optimistic about onboarding 90% consumers by tariff order deadline

    TRAI optimistic about onboarding 90% consumers by tariff order deadline

    MUMBAI: Before the 1 February deadline of consumer migration to new plans in line with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) tariff order, chairman RS Sharma seems confident of onboarding 90 per cent consumers to the new regime.

    According to news agency PTI report, Sharma has noted a trend in the past few days of a sudden surge in the recording of customer preferences by service providers. Seeing the positive response from consumers, TRAI chairman thinks the desired figure of 100 per cent onboarding will be reached soon.

    “Looking at the trend, we feel, we will be able to reach the figure of over 90 per cent by January 31 there may be 10 per cent cases where people may be travelling or not present at home,” he said.

    For smooth implementation, as well as consumer awareness, the regulatory body has come out with advertisements and created YouTube videos. It is also holding regular meetings with broadcasters, direct to home (DTH) operators and multi system operators (MSO) to review the customer choice collection progress.

    “We are reviewing it on a day-to-day basis. We are also looking into apps of various DTH operators to see how customer-friendly they are for recording of viewer choices,” Sharma stated.

    The new regulatory framework puts power in hands of consumers to choose the channels they want to watch through a-la-carte and broadcaster or DPO packages as well. 

    Many industry experts have speculated that it will raise the monthly cable bill. Sharma feels that the monthly bills of those customers who only select the channels they watch will certainly go down. He also advised that viewers should not unnecessarily hoard channels as they can addchannels to cart whenever they wish.

    “Many a times, people buy goods they don't need today but think they will need tomorrow. Tomorrow, if they want to watch a channel they can buy it… why should they hoard the channel because it is a costly hoarding as they have to pay for it too,” he said.

    The regulator on 24 January said that 40 per cent of consumers have exercised their options of selecting TV channels under the new tariff order. 

    On the same day, TRAI published a cautionary note writing to all broadcasters and DPOs, asking them to comply by the new regulatory framework within the stipulated time.

  • TRAI says 40% consumers have exercised their options under new tariff order

    TRAI says 40% consumers have exercised their options under new tariff order

    MUMBAI: With just a week for the new tariff order to kick in, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Thursday revealed that nearly 40 per cent of the consumers have already exercised their options under the new regulatory framework.

    The regulator also expressed its satisfaction over the progress made by all stakeholders in order to adapt to the new norms.

    In the last month, TRAI has conducted frequent meetings with DPOs and broadcasters to oversee all implementation plans. The regulator has noted that all service providers have offered a consumer care channel on TV Channel Number 999, consumer corner on their website, started a Call Centre, released mobile apps and updated EPG displaying the MRP of each channel.

    The stakeholders have also made arrangements to receive options of subscribers using various methods.

    TRAI on its part has carried out an extensive consumer awareness program. The regulator has been proactively educating consumers through various means like social media and SMS. 

    It has also launched a web portal to help consumers to select the channels of their choice and estimate their monthly bill.  A facility has also been provided to take a print out of the  TV Channels selected or download the file so that the same can be sent to the TV service provider to facilitate exercising of the subscriber option.

    However, the regulator in its latest press note singled out one DTH for non-cooperation.

    “Authority has been receiving hundreds of complaints intimating that one of the  DTH (Direct to  home)   service provider is  not  providing options to its   subscribers  to    exercise   their   choices   and   providing   misleading information in  regard to  implementation of  new  framework. The Authority has taken up the matter. The said DTH operator has assured in writing that they will be complying with the new regulatory framework and will make the options available for obtaining the consumers choice. The  Authority assures all  the  subscribers that all  efforts are  being made to ensure that there is no inconvenience or  any  disruption of TV services due to  the   migration to  the new  regulatory regime,” it said.

     TRAI’s note also went on to add that Multi Systems Operators (MSOs) in far-flung areas and smaller towns are yet to implement the new regulatory framework in letter and spirit.

    Despite the strides made by all parties involved, the regulator has yet again directed all broadcasters and DPOs to comply with the new regulatory framework.

  • TRAI reminds consumers they can pick a-la-carte channels

    TRAI reminds consumers they can pick a-la-carte channels

    MUMBAI: In its latest missive the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken note that broadcasters are only advertising bouquets of their channels and not informing customers about a-la-carte options. As per the new regulatory framework, consumers must be given the choice of picking individual channels too.

    “Now it has been noticed that several broadcasters are advertising their channels in the form of bouquets only. However customer may note that they have option to choose channels on a-la-carte also,” TRAI said in the release.

    It went on to state, “Consumer has complete freedom to choose their desired 100 standard definition (SD) channels within the network capacity fee of maximum Rs 130. The desired channels could be in a-Ia-carte free to air channels or pay channels or bouquet of pay channels or any combination thereof. The choice completely rests with the consumers.”

    TRAI has also mentioned that the maximum retail price (MRP) of a channel on a-la-carte can be viewed in the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) or Menu of the TV screens of customers. However, Distribution Platform Operators (DPO) such as cable operators, DTH operators may provide discount on the MRP.

    For informing consumer properly, DPOs have been requested to run Consumer Information channel preferably on channel number 999 wherein consumer-related information including the prices of channels on a-la-carte and bouquets are made available.

    LCOs, MSOs, DTH operators are coming up with various options to consumers so that they can exercise their choice conveniently. LCOs can be reached by personal contact while the option of calling on call centre number is also available for many DPOs. Along with the website facility, many DPOs are also providing the option of apps.

    It once again reminded subscribers to make their picks in advance to avoid last minute hassles.