ITV

Tag: DTH STB

  • Prasar to distribute 1 mn free STBs, Chhattisgarh channel plan reiterated

    MUMBAI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati, in an attempt to reach out to people in the “media dark” region, may be distributing for free around a million direct- to-home (DTH) set-top boxes in Naxal-hit areas of India an official has said.

    Besides a dedicated DD channel for Chhattisgarh, union minister of information and broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu stated that a high-power transmitter would be commissioned in Jagdalpur (Bastar district headquarter) which would beam signal of AIR Jagdalpur to a radius of 200 km.

    A proposal by the public broadcaster stated that 5-10 lakh units of DTH STBs will be given away for free to people in areas suffering due to left-wing extremism, PTI reported. A senior information and broadcasting ministry confirmed that they would distribute the STBs in naxal-infested areas.

    Addressing an event in Raipur recently, Naidu had said that such an initiative would help people in tribal and remote areas of naxal-hit states to connect with government’s various development schemes. Naidu also said that the government would distribute 10,000 free DTH STBs in tribal and remote areas of Chhattisgarh.

    The measure would help people in Naxal-hit areas to watch about 100 television channels for free.

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  • Airtel launches hybrid DTH STB, to have 500+ channels, Netflix & YouTube preloaded

    MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV, the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel, launched ‘Internet TV’ – India’s first hybrid STB, powered by Android TV, which brings the best of online content to the TV screen along with a bouquet of over 500 plus satellite TV channels. This marks yet another industry first from Airtel that has been at the forefront of innovation in the DTH category. 

    As reported by www.indiantelevision.com recently, Airtel ‘Internet TV’ transforms any TV into a Smart TV and enables users to switch seamlessly between online and linear TV content with a single device. With consumption of online content within Indian Homes increasing rapidly, Airtel ‘Internet TV’ will offer customers a superior experience by enabling them to enjoy their favourite content on the biggest screen in their Homes. 

    Customers can now stream and cast their favourite content directly on to their TV as well download their favourite apps and play games. All of this along with the best satellite TV experience with 500 plus satellite TV channels offers the complete Home entertainment experience.      

    Bharti Airtel CEO & director – DTH Sunil Taldar said, “Growing broadband penetration is driving the popularity of online content, particularly in urban homes, and with Airtel ‘Internet TV’ we are bringing world-class content from the web and much more to the TV screen. This latest innovation has been designed keeping in mind the needs of Indian homes and it bridges the gap between online and offline worlds to enable an end to end entertainment experience with the convenience of a single device. We will continue to add exciting content platforms to Airtel ‘Internet TV’ and invite customers to experience this innovative offering.”       

    Airtel ‘Internet TV’ comes preloaded with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Music, Google Play Games, Airtel Movies and more. It also comes with access to Google Play Store that allows users to download their favourite apps, content and games on to their TV. 

    “India is one of the most important and vibrant countries in the world and we are delighted to be teaming up with Airtel to make it much easier for consumers to enjoy Netflix,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “In the months and years to come, we look forward to bringing our Indian members more compelling stories from all over the world, an ever-improving viewing experience and incredible joy.”

    Airtel ‘Internet TV’ comes with inbuilt-Wi-Fi receiver, Bluetooth based remote control and is integrated with Google voice search feature. Customers can discover their favourite content by simply telling the remote and choose from a variety of content sources.

    Offering a clutter-free and intuitive interface, the sleek Airtel ‘Internet TV’ STB is 4K content ready and enables LIVE TV shows to be paused, recorded or even rewind. It also supports content via USB (external HD) and Bluetooth. Customers can also cast, mirror content from mobile devices, tablets and laptops on to the TV screen with Airtel ‘Internet TV’.  

    Gaming enthusiasts can make the most of the Internet TV with the best of gaming apps for an experience that is truly larger than life. Gamers can use physical game controllers, or even their smartphones as a game pad with Internet TV.

    Airtel ‘Internet TV’ STB requires a broadband or a 4G hotspot connection with a minimum recommended speed of 4 Mbps for a smooth online experience. A regular Airtel Digital TV dish antenna will also be a part of the installation. Existing Airtel Digital TV customers can also upgrade their existing STBs to ‘Internet TV’ STB.

    Airtel ‘Internet TV’ is priced at Rs. 4999/- with 3 month Digital TV subscription. Also, as limited period offer customers can pay Rs. 7999/- and get the Airtel Internet TV with one year subscription.  Airtel ‘Internet TV’ will be available exclusively on Amazon India starting April 12, 2017. It will be available via Airtel Digital TV touch points – retail stores/website/contact centers soon after online launch.

    Airtel has also rolled out bundled offers for its home broadband customers. ‘Internet TV’ Customers just need to register for myHOME on MyAirtel app and can avail upto 25GB additional data on their Airtel broadband account every month. 

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  • Tata Sky‘s record breaking TVC to go on-air this evening

    MUMBAI: It’s been a pioneer in the DTH broadcasting space. And now Tata Sky has gone in for another first which could well land it in the Limca Book of Records. The DTH operator has rolled out what is being pitched as the longest TV commercial in Indian advertising’s history. With a duration of 210 seconds, the TVC called Prison Break has been shot with the aesthetics of a Hollywood production.

    The slick shots and camera movement, along with tantalizing music make it an intensely gripping commercial. Tata Sky’s advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather worked with Vivek Kakkad, Director- Curious Films to shoot the commercial. The TVC was shot with an international cast and crew in an actual prison in Hungary.

    “Advertising is just not about selling stuff but it is also about telling story. The campaign idea was based on the insight that people these days do not find any time to watch television. Tata Sky+ HD, with its recording feature allows busy people to record their favorite programs and watch them at leisure. In other words, it’s ‘For those who don’t have time to watch TV’,” says Tata Sky CMO Vikram Mehra.

    In addition to TV channels, on which the TVC is breaking today, the commercial will also be screened in cinemas in a big fashion. Tata Sky officials were wary of revealing the media plan at the time of writing,excepting to say that it will be a “reach-frequency” campaign. It could run four to six weeks, and shorter versions ranging from 20 seconds to 30 seconds to 75 seconds have also been planned. To top this, the 360 degree campaign involves out-of-home activations and also product exhibition where people will get to see the features of the Tata Sky+HD and learn more about it.

    Mehra believes that it is the right time to launch such a campaign. “Digitisation is taking place in the 38 cities and people are looking at getting a set-top-box. Here we are telling them to buy Tata Sky+HD because that will also help them record your favorite programmes which they don’t get to watch because of their hectic schedule. Also, in April and May schools will be closing down and IPL is going on so especially in Mumbai and Delhi people will look at buying another TV set. Through this campaign we are also conveying to them that if they are thinking of buying any other STB or updating the current STB, why not Tata Sky+HD which is probably the best option for them?”

    The story revolves around a bunch of foreign convicts imprisoned in an Indian jail. These convicts conspire to escape when they realise that a cricket match is being played between India and Pakistan, assuming that the match would keep the Indian guards and the jailer occupied. But when the jailer and his men intercept their escape, the convicts are fumbled by what kind of Indian doesn’t watch such an epic match. That’s when the clincher kicks in – ‘a hard working Indian’, who with Tata Sky+ HD, can record it and watch it at his own time.

    The Tata Sky team has taken a big punt on the TV commercial. Production costs according to industry sources are supposed to be amongst the highest put behind a TVC in recent times. Additionally, the air time cost is likely to set back Tata Sky by many a dollar.But it could well end up to be worthwhile for the DTH operator if the subscribers sign up in the metros.