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Tag: DTH service

  • MIB issues operational guidelines for DTH broadcasting services in lndia

    MIB issues operational guidelines for DTH broadcasting services in lndia

    Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) on Friday issued operational guidelines for obtaining a licence for providing direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting services in India. The ministry stated that these guidelines have been issued in accordance with the modified DTH guidelines released on 30 December, 2020.

    As per the notice, these guidelines provide the operational framework with respect to the payment of licence fees, platform services (PS) channels, and sharing of infrastructure by DTH operators.

    The policies outline the timetable for the quarterly payment of the licence fee by DTH operators.

    Regarding platform service (PS) channels, the guidelines provide the definition of “platform services” and establish the norms for the DTH operators in running these services, which inter alia include that:

        The total number of PS channels permitted per operator is limited to five per cent of the total channel carriage capacity.

        All PS must carry a caption as “platform services” to distinguish them from the linear channels.

        The content of the PS is to be exclusive to the platform and is not to be shared directly or indirectly with any other distribution platform operator.

        All PS channels are to be placed together under the genre “platform services” in the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) along with their maximum retail price and option for activation/deactivation of PS as per the applicable orders/directions/regulations of Trai.

    The operational rules for the DTH operator’s infrastructure sharing set forth the framework within which the sharing may be regulated, the processes for accountability and compliance, and the specific obligations of the parties to the sharing.

    These operational instructions are in force as of the order’s issuance date, which is 16 September, 2022.

  • Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan is back on Indian screen after Airtel & Zindagi announce partnership

    Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan is back on Indian screen after Airtel & Zindagi announce partnership

    Mumbai: The popular Pakistani channel Zindagi is set to launch as a special service on Airtel from 15 September, 2022.

    Zindagi will aim to bring audiences a plethora of unique and entertaining offerings. The channel has consistently been at the forefront of bringing thought-provoking and distinct stories to the masses.This service will be free of charge on Airtel for the first 10 days, followed by Rs 2.5 per day.

    The night started with Dumpukht Aatish-e-Ishq at 7 p.m., starring the talented Nauman Ijaz, Bilal Abbas Khan and Sonia Mishal, followed by Digest Writer at 8.30 p.m., starring actor Saba Qamar. Besides, another power-packed line-up for September includes Mann Mayal, starring actors Maya Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi; the show will air on 19 September at 5:30 p.m. Tracing the journey of a single mother, the teleplay Behadd, starring actors Fawad Khan, Nadia Jamil, and Sajal Ali, will air on 25 September at 8 p.m.

    Speaking of the launch of this channel on Airtel, Zee special projects chief creative officer Shailja Kejriwal said, “We are elated to have received immense love and support from our audiences across the globe. It is a proud moment for us as we announce Zindagi’s association with Airtel and partner with them to provide audiences with stories they can resonate with. We continue to reinstate our belief in growing together and reaching out to a larger audience base. Launching on Airtel as a special service drives us to inspire our audiences as we work towards making Zindagi a part of every household.”

    Zindagi has been widely appreciated by the audience for showcasing stories that are relevant, relatable, and impactful.

  • ‘Demand-driven’ communication satellite GSAT-24 launched; capacity leased to Tata Play

    ‘Demand-driven’ communication satellite GSAT-24 launched; capacity leased to Tata Play

    Mumbai: NewSpace India (NSIL) on Thursday successfully launched GSAT-24 in its first “demand-driven” communication satellite mission post space sector reforms, leasing the entire capacity on board to direct-to-home (DTH) service Tata Play, as per a news agency report.

    The 24 Ku-band communication satellite was built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for NSIL. It will provide pan-India coverage to meet DTH application needs, stated the report.

    The satellite was launched by French company Arianespace in French Guiana (South America).

    As part of the space reforms announced by the government in June 2020, NSIL incorporated in March 2019, was mandated to undertake operational satellite missions on a “demand-driven” model, wherein it had the responsibility to build, launch, own and operate satellites and provide services to its committed customer.

    GSAT-24 is configured on ISRO’s proven I-3k Bus with a mission life of 15 years.

    “Demand-driven” mode basically means when a satellite is launched, one will know who the end customers are going to be and what’s the kind of utilisation and commitment so that you have very effective utilisation of this satellite capacity once it goes into orbit,” the news report said qouting an NSIL official.

    “Earlier the mode was supply driven, with capacity being leased after the launch with largely no firm commitment by customers beforehand,” the official added.

    “The entire mission including satellite, satellite launch, launch campaign, insurance, in-orbit maintenance, transformation and support is fully funded by NSIL. Once the satellite is in orbit it will be fully funded and owned by NSIL,” NSIL chairman & managing director Radhakrishnan Durairaj also opined in the report.

    Post the successful launch of GSAT-24, NSIL would own and operate 11 communication satellites in-orbit and meet the bulk of the communication needs of the country.

    NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO and a public sector undertaking by the Government of India.

  • Digital channel Zindagi to launch on DTH platforms as a value-added service

    Digital channel Zindagi to launch on DTH platforms as a value-added service

    Mumbai: Digital channel Zindagi which features popular Pakistani soap operas will now be available on DTH platform Dish TV, D2H and Tata Play as a value-added service. The service will be available starting on 23 May.

    The channel launched in 2014, had gone off the air in July 2017 and its content was only available on the OTT service Zee5. Now, the shows Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain with Kirron Kher as the narrator, “Aunn Zara, Sadqay Tumhare” amongst others will be available to DTH subscribers. The channel’s launch is backed by an innovative content strategy of airing two episodes back-to-back.

    Apart from fiction shows, the service will also showcase acclaimed movies like “Baarish aur Chowmein” featuring Taapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia; “Toba Tek Singh”, based on a short story by Saadat Hasan Manto, featuring noted actor Pankaj Kapoor and directed by Ketan Mehta; “Silvat” written by Faraz Arif Ansari and directed by Tanuja Chandra with Kartik Aaryan in a leading role; “Saari Raat” a film by National Award winner Aparna Sen starring Konkona Sen Sharma among others.

    “It’s a proud moment for us as we reach yet another milestone and launch Zindagi across key DTH platforms,” said Zee Special Projects chief creative officer Shailja Kejriwal. “What started as a salient idea between a few people deeply invested in the belief of cross border cultural collaborations grew to become one of the most loved television channels in the country. Zindagi took its journey ahead on OTT fueling the digital consumption needs in the country, and the community of believers continued to grow. Today, we add new partners, new believers in Tata Play, Dish TV and D2H, as we take Zindagi to every corner of the country.”

    “There’s a huge fan following for nuanced and author-backed storylines in our country,” said Tata Play chief content and commercial officer Pallavi Puri. “Tata Play Zindagi’s content library is very slice-of-life… they are humari zindagi se milti julti kahaniyan, which we believe will be a treat for the viewers who like relatable narratives.”

    “We firmly believe that providing relatable, wholesome, unique, and relevant content is the most effective way to engage with our subscribers,” said Dish TV India Limited head – VAS Shruti Kumar.

    “We are delighted to announce Zindagi Active as the latest addition to our comprehensive value-added service portfolio. With this, we offer our subscribers the stories that are emotional and enthralling, series & movies that resonate with them, their families, and relationships. We hope to bring together people/communities beyond our country’s border who share similar values, cultures, and traditions. Our Active Services brings the most appealing and relevant content to our subscribers, and the latest addition of the Zindagi Active service reaffirms our commitment towards them,” she added.

  • Tata Sky rebrands to Tata Play to reflect its expanded business interests

    Tata Sky rebrands to Tata Play to reflect its expanded business interests

    Mumbai: DTH and pay TV platform Tata Sky has announced a new name and identity – Tata Play as it expands its business interests beyond direct-to-home services.

    The company’s services include a 100 per cent fiber network that has been renamed to Tata Play Fiber. Its aggregator app Tata Play Binge offers content from 13 OTT platforms through various bundled offerings. The company announced that it has also onboarded Netflix as one of the OTT platforms on the Tata Play Binge service.

    To enhance its customer experience, Tata Play said it will now offer free service visits for customers and de-active DTH customers can continue to recharge and get restarted on the platform with no reconnection charges.

    The new identity has been created by venturethree, London and the campaign has been designed by Ogilvy India. According to the statement, the new brand identity will be promoted heavily across all touchpoints starting 26 January and through the coming months. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan have been engaged to promote Tata Play in national markets and R Madhavan and Priyamani will be the face of the campaign for the South markets. Both ‘Tata’ and ‘Tata Play’ are trademarks of Tata Sons.

    “Tata Sky leveraged its market leadership in its core business to create an ecosystem of content delivery by foraying into OTT and broadband. We believe it is time for a brand identity that resonates beyond our DTH business,” said Tata Play MD and CEO Harit Nagpal. “I firmly believe that it’s one thing to own content, quite another to make it accessible. Distribution is what makes content easily discoverable for the masses, consumed, and talked about. Our DTH business has a sizeable market share and we’ll continue our endeavour to expand the TV viewing universe. The name Tata Play thus signifies our expanded range of product and services. The new identity is an outcome of our desire to be future-ready while making tomorrow better than today for homes and families.”

    Tata Play chief communications officer Anurag Kumar said, the Tata Play brand mark and play mark takes inspiration from the ‘Tata’ mark – borrowing and reinforcing the trust, quality and recognition of India’s most valuable brand. “The word ‘Play’ adds youthfulness, ease and simplicity to an already trusted brand. The brand colours pink and purple along with dark blue and white are vibrant, youthful and add distinctiveness to the overall identity. With Tata Play, we promise you Fun, personalisation, flexibility, freedom, quality, innovation and connection. With Tata Play, you play better. And entertainment becomes aur bhi Jingalala,” he added.

  • Tata Sky partners with Vedantu to empower JEE & NEET aspirants

    Tata Sky partners with Vedantu to empower JEE & NEET aspirants

    Mumbai: Content distribution and Pay TV platform Tata Sky has partnered with Vedantu to make quality education accessible and affordable to students across India.

    For ease of access to the content, the service is also made available on the Tata Sky mobile app. Aspirants can learn and repeat batches, get access to catch-up and On-Demand content including syllabus revision, tests, class notes, among others. Students can also pose a question and have doubts addressed by expert Master Teachers from Vedantu. The service will also provide exam preparation material that can be accessed via the app. Furthermore, subscribers to Tata Sky will receive a special discount on Vedantu’s Live learning programs and be able to access Live classes, curriculums, course revision material etc.

    Commenting on the launch of the service, Tata Sky’s chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “TV has the ability to reach mass audiences across the country. Delivering quality education through TV will not only benefit the maximum number of aspirants but will also take care of the lack of broadband availability which is faced by students from smaller towns and rural areas.”

    “Competitive exams require a designated method of preparation. Together with Vedantu, we are providing access to course materials, resources, quality instructors to diverse populations from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and learning preferences, thereby bringing superior education several steps closer to the aspirants,” she further added.

    As per the partnership, two dedicated linear platform services– Tata Sky JEE Prep and Tata Sky NEET Prep– will cater to students from classes 9th to 10th for foundation preparation (IIT, NEET, NTSE, Olympiads) and core syllabus for 11th to 12th IIT JEE Main, JEE Advanced (engineering), and NEET (medical). The learning will be delivered by Vedantu’s Master Teachers including academics from IIT and AIIMS with proven track records in teaching. The medium of teaching will be a mix of English and Hindi.

    Vedantu’s COO, Arvind Singhal, said, “30 million-plus students across K-12 and test preparation segments every month benefit from Vedantu’s LIVE learning. This partnership is another step in the direction of our vision of taking quality education to every household at affordable prices.”

    In addition to providing students with a fun and engaging learning experience, the classes will also include interactive quizzes that students respond to using the TV remote.

  • Tata Sky launches 4K HDR internet streaming service

    Tata Sky launches 4K HDR internet streaming service

    Mumbai: Tata Sky, one of the leading content distribution and Pay TV platforms, has announced the launch of its 4K HDR streaming service. All TVs enabled with 4K HDR can enjoy this service through Tata Sky Binge+ Box at no additional cost for the first year.

    Tata Sky Binge+ subscribers will also get free one-year access to Travelxp channel and six international streaming services like Luxe & Life, Pet & Pal, Wow, Be crazy, Health & Wellness, Sportyfy, and Outdoor Channel available in 4K HDR. This new service will further elevate the content viewing experience of the consumers, the platform said in a statement.

    Commenting on the announcement, Tata Sky’s chief content & commercial officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “Evolving technology has redefined the way users consume content these days. We at Tata Sky have always been committed to providing best-in-class entertainment powered by advanced technology. With the launch of Travelxp 4K HDR streaming service we hope to continue to delight our subscribers with the exceptional viewing experience.”

    Travelxp CEO Prashant Chothani added, “Consumers have been investing in buying high-quality TV sets with ability to play 4K HDR content and with the launch of Travelxp 4K HDR on Tata Sky Binge+, they will now be able to visualise the difference 4K HDR gives to their viewing experience in linear television. Being the world’s first 4K HDR Channel and launched across the globe, the launch in India, our home country is extremely special.”

    The services available under the 4K HDR service will be listed under the Guide section under ‘Internet TV’ pre-filters. Additionally, 4K services will be indicated using the 4K HDR icon in the program information screen and information bar making discoverability of the service easy for the subscribers

  • Smriti Irani exhorts DD to leverage reach better

    Smriti Irani exhorts DD to leverage reach better

    NEW DELHI: Minister of Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani at a public platform yesterday posed a question that may not be palatable to all but would bolster the confidence of Doordarshan bosses. She asked why the pubcaster couldn’t better leverage its own taxpayer-funded vast infrastructure for revenue generation the same way as private sector broadcasters had done.

    “The tragedy was that private broadcasters grew at the cost of [pubcaster] Prasar Bharati [riding DD’s FTA FreeDish platform],” Irani said, asking further, “How can we leverage the infrastructure that the taxpayer has paid [for] so that good content is available [and] there is increased ad spend because of sheer power of reach of Prasar Bharati?”

    According to her, India’s total advertising spend is expected to grow from 9.6 per cent last year to 12.5 per cent this year.  

    Irani, speaking at the Broadcast Engineering Society-oraginsed BES Expo 2018, went on to raise several other issues on the need of marrying good business model with technology, inadequate capacity and capability to manufacture locally STBs and the importance of broadcast engineering in the development of India’s media industry.

    DD’s KU-band DTH service, marketed under FreeDish brand, has been in the news lately with private TV channels questioning the pubcaster’s decision to not renew contracts to be on the FTA platform on expiry. Since then, DD has been giving temporary extensions to TV channels, waiting for broadcast disputes tribunal TDSAT, moved by some by some aggrieved TV channels, to give a final ruling on the matter.

    Bringing up the issue of FreeDish at a media event, Irani looked at a natural process of sending a message across to the private sector TV channels (over 800 on last count) and the mandarins of Prasar Bharati, which, by an Act of Parliament, is an autonomous body but relies heavily on government for funds.

    “The tragedy was that private broadcasters [on DD FreeDish] ended up taking a huge chunk from the ad pie not only from the ad spend of private sector, but also from government institutions like the DAVP [agency responsible for handing out government ads] on the basis of strength they leveraged from Prasar Bharati’s own infrastructure,” the minister pointed out.

    According to Irani, if Prasar Bharati, the managers and owners of DD, leveraged its infrastructure better, it would result in not only increased advertising revenue for the pubcaster but also reducing the burden of the taxpayer. She added that the government had allocated over Rs 2,500 crore to Prasar Bharati to fund its activities that also include DD’s sibling the All India Radio.

    Admitting that online consumption of video is increasing in India—40 per cent of entertainment is consumed online—and there is a growing demand in the digital arena for broadcasting, the minister asked whether Indian consumers, both rural and urban, have been sufficiently educated about digitisation of entertainment and the convergence happening in the country.

    While exhorting the stakeholders to collaborate with phone handset manufacturers to get additional numbers on video consumption patterns in terms of quality, quantity and genre, Irani said, “Data cannot have only [a] few masters… [one of the] greatest liberators in terms of data is the expanding reach of digital tech.”

    Bemoaning the country’s inability to manufacture locally good quality, cost-effective STBs in adequate numbers, Irani said, “That engineering anomaly needs to be addressed.”

    Though India is still far from digitising fully its 183 million TV homes, industry observers say the country imports almost 90 per cent of the boxes from China and ASEAN countries not because of engineering inability but lack of financial incentives.

    The BES Expo is one of the biggest broadcast technology shows in India. Nearly 300 companies from 25 countries will display their products in this year directly or through their dealers and distributors in India.

    Also Read :

    WOW Cinema petitions TDSAT on delayed auctions for DD FreeDish slots

    Right time for India-centric global news channel: Smriti Irani

    Smriti Irani: Need to reduce gap between regional & national news & democratize viewership

  • Videocon d2h adds JK 24×7 & Gulistan News

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, a DTH service, now offers two new News Channels – JK 24×7 News and Gulistan News for its subscribers in Jammu & Kashmir. These channels will be available on promotional Hindi Top-up for flexi pack on channel No 335 and 790, respectively. The 24-hour news channels will deliver the day’s top stories both national and international at any point of time. JK 24×7 is a Hindi news channel while Gulistan News is an Urdu channel.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We at Videocon d2h have always kept ahead of what our consumers require. Whether it is innovating in our set top boxes or by continuously adding the best channels or in service, we have always led from the front. Content has been a key driver of our leadership, this calendar year we have already added 71 new channels in regional languages. With JK 24X7 News and Gulistan, our subscribers will have even more choice to stay informed with the latest news.’’

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added: “As DAS-4 nears an end, we are seeing a significant appeal of state specific and regional language channels. Adding two channels specifically for J & K underlines our commitment to provide holistic family entertainment to the state.”

    Videocon d2h offers a wide range of active services like smart services including Smart English, Smart Games. The other active services include d2h Hollywood HD, d2h music, d2h spice, d2h cinema in both Standard Definition and HD, etc.

  • Videocon d2h to telecast Republic TV

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, one of the fastest growing DTH service provider in India, has now added Arnab Goswami’s news channel, Republic TV, to its bouquet.

    Republic TV is a free to air news channel and will feature Arnab Goswami as its lead & star anchor. Videocon d2h is always at the forefront of adding new channels and will play a key role in presenting the channel a wide spread reach across the country.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are delighted to have Republic TV on our platform from the day the channel goes on air. This reaffirms Videocon d2h’s commitment to bringing the best of TV channels for our viewers.”

    Commenting on this collaboration, Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami said, “We are extremely proud to partner with Videocon d2h. With their modern technology and services, we are looking forward to bringing our content to the viewers in every corner of India.”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “With Republic TV on our platform, we will be further enhancing our bouquet of English News channels. We are confident that the rich news content that Republic TV brings will engage our viewers in this rapidly evolving genre.” The association between Videocon and Republic TV will be available on broadcast as well as digital platforms to ensure nationwide penetration.

    Videocon d2h has prided itself in presenting its subscribers with a robust line-up of 650+ channels and services, including a host of regional channels. It offers a wide range of active services like Smart English, Smart Games & Smart Cooking. The other active services include d2h Hollywood HD, d2h music, d2h spice, d2h cinema in both Standard Definition and HD, etc.