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Tag: Fastway

  • Punjab govt. vows to break cable monopoly, rules out blocking MSO Fastway

    NEW DELHI: Even though the Congress government in Punjab has made it clear it would not tolerate monopoly in information and news distribution via cable TV, the state government clarified no particular MSO company or TV channel would be targeted and action would be taken if found guilty of tax law violations.

    MSO Fastway, which holds sway in Punjab resulting virtually in a monopoly, is allegedly owned and operated by close aides of former Punjab chief minister’s family — the Badals. The decade-old MSO company also has sizable presence in neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Union territory of Chandigarh.

    In an official statement, the present CM Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ruled out any “censorship” (read blacklisting) of MSO Fastway and Punjabi-language TV channel PTC News or any other media organization. However, he made it clear that action would be taken against media companies if charges of tax violations are proved to be correct.

    Reiterating his government’s stand of providing a level-playing field to TV channels and cable operators, and, thus, encouraging healthy competition, the chief minister ruled out “vendetta politics” against political opponents, but vowed to take action against media companies indulging in malpractices.

    Earlier in April, a Punjab government official was quoted by local media outlets as saying the administration was committed to break any television or cable network monopoly in the state and that it proposes to undertake a study to explore legislating setting up of a Cable Network Authority for the purpose of implementing rules and regulations to be framed for broadcasters, MSOs and LCOs to operate in the State.

    On Thursday, Singh welcomed all segments of broadcasting and media businesses to establish their presence in Punjab, reiterating that his government was committed to “ending the cable mafia”.

    “Let them all come and compete for the viewers’ attention,” CM Singh said in the statement, adding that with wider choice, people would reject any channel found to be engaged in “biased dissemination of news or information”.

    However, the CM warned that if any channel or network, be it PTC or Fastway, is found indulging in “illegal activities in defiance of the legal provisions”, they would be prosecuted.

    Also Read:

    Probe Punjab ‘cable mafia,’ demands minister, Fastway refutes charges

  • Probe Punjab ‘cable mafia,’ demands minister, Fastway refutes charges

    MUMBAI: Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has alleged that the private TV cable company Fastway Transmission Private Limited, under the “patronage” of the previous Akali government, had caused a loss of around Rs 6840 million to the state exchequer. Because of the political patronage, only Fastway monopolised the cable TV business in Punjab, he said, PTI reported.

    The state government last Friday ordered a tax evasion notice to be slapped on the Fastway Cable which is said to be Punjab’s biggest TV transmission multi-system operator (MSO). FastWay, however, rejecting the charges, said that the company had permissions from all the departments concerned such as PWD, forest department, canal department, and railways etc. :The company is regular in payment of entertainment tax and there are no outstanding taxes due to tax theft by the company, Fastway CEO Peeush Mahajan said in a statement.

    Sidhu meanwhile demanded a separate investigation into the alleged under-reporting of TV connections and cable operators engaged by Fastway. Of over 8,000 cable operators in the state, 6,500 were working for Fastway, he alleged. He demanded vigilance inquiry from the chief minister Amarinder Singh against what he called the “cable mafia”.

    The local bodies minister said Fastway started with a paid-up capital of Rs 25 lakh, but earned a whopping Rs 30 crore profit in the first year itself. He alleged that only 1.25 lakh cable connections were shown in Punjab state as against the actual figure of 80 lakh — this was done to evade taxes, PTI added.

    For 10 years, the state exchequer did not get even a penny in taxes, he said. No fee or tax was paid to the civic authorities, no entertainment tax was paid to the state or the Central government, he alleged. It is a unique case where the ruling family violated all government rules, he said in the state assembly.

    Fastway MD Gurdeep Singh Kohli said the allegations of tax dues or under-reporting subscriber base were false. Most of the cable operators fall in the income bracket of less than Rs one million, and so were are exempt from paying service tax, he added. “The entertainment tax at the rate of Rs 15,000 that the government alleged we did not pay, is payable by cable operators, and not by MSOs like us,” Kohli said.

  • Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) has launched its second channel in music genre. The group has strengthened its position in the Hindi music space bringing in Sony Rox HD, a youth-focused contemporary Hindi music high-definition channel.

    Sony Rox HD launched across key direct-to-home (DTH) and digital cable platforms such as Tata Sky, Fastway, In Cable and UCN, among other. It will showcase latest Hindi film music in high-definition visual format of 1080i resolution that is enhanced by Dolby Audio.

    True to its positioning of being a youth-focused music channel, Sony ROX HD revealed the channel look and offerings at a music-styled event that included a special performance by the first two ROX original artistes in Mumbai. The event was witnessed by select media as well as the millions of followers of the SPN network channels simulcast on Facebook Live.

    Served through a day-parted playout with unique programming initiatives, the latest channel on the block promises to be the most exciting. Its tagline: ‘Music Melody Madhoshi’ captures the approach of taking the core ingredient of the genre i.e. ‘Music’, curating and treating it through the perspective of beautiful music i.e.‘Melody’ to transcend the music experience on Sony Rox HD to a high of ‘Madhoshi’.

    Speaking at the launch, SPN CEO NP Singh said, “In the last few years, as a network, we have been growing aggressively. We have been launching more channels and expanding our portfolio in all the genres. When we launched Sony Mix, that was the first time we were getting into Bolllywood music. Six months post the launch, Mix has become the number one channel in the Hindi music space. Building on this gratifying experience, we decided to launch Hindi music super premium channel which is youth focused and which will offer you good quality video i.e 1080i with Dolby Audio. I am confident that Sony Rox HD too will be the leader in the Hindi music space.”

    SPN Hindi movies and music sluster senior EVP and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “A youth-focused contemporary Hindi music channel Sony Rox HD’s music content and programming initiatives will make it the leading hangout destination on television for 15-21-year olds. We are a ‘True-Blue HD Hindi Music Channel’ ensuring our viewers enjoy music that looks good, sounds great and feels awesome.” Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Vyas said that Sony Rox would be primarily targeting the nine million HD homes in India and the sub-continental diaspora across the globe. With Dolby collaboration, he said, Sony Rox aimed at enhancing the sound quality for the music aficianados.

    To a question on the DTH traffic moving on to OTT/VOD platforms, Vyas quipped: “It’s going to take time (in India),” adding that, in the west, in spite of good penetration of Internet and that too at a high speed, television still was a growing phenomenon.

    One of the channel specials: ‘Rox Original artiste of the Month’ sets Rox HD as the first ongoing platform for upcoming Indie artistes on the national television. At the center of it all is a comprehensive music content acquisition strategy ensuring tie-ups with all the leading labels in contemporary music such as T-series, Zee Music, Sony Music, YRF, Eros Music, UTV-Disney and Tips, etc.

    Dolby Laboratories emerging markets senior director Pankaj Kedia said, “Great sound is essential for a complete cinematic entertainment experience and Dolby is excited to work with Sony Rox HD to unveil a dynamic audio experience for consumers. Together with Sony Rox HD, we aim to transform the way music is consumed in the country.”

    The channel will be promoted extensively across all Sony Pictures Networks’ HD channels, carrier platforms, coupled with print, a robust digital and social media presence to engage with audiences at different touch points.

  • Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    Sony targets 9m HD subs & diaspora with youth-focused Rox in Dolby quality

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Network India (SPN) has launched its second channel in music genre. The group has strengthened its position in the Hindi music space bringing in Sony Rox HD, a youth-focused contemporary Hindi music high-definition channel.

    Sony Rox HD launched across key direct-to-home (DTH) and digital cable platforms such as Tata Sky, Fastway, In Cable and UCN, among other. It will showcase latest Hindi film music in high-definition visual format of 1080i resolution that is enhanced by Dolby Audio.

    True to its positioning of being a youth-focused music channel, Sony ROX HD revealed the channel look and offerings at a music-styled event that included a special performance by the first two ROX original artistes in Mumbai. The event was witnessed by select media as well as the millions of followers of the SPN network channels simulcast on Facebook Live.

    Served through a day-parted playout with unique programming initiatives, the latest channel on the block promises to be the most exciting. Its tagline: ‘Music Melody Madhoshi’ captures the approach of taking the core ingredient of the genre i.e. ‘Music’, curating and treating it through the perspective of beautiful music i.e.‘Melody’ to transcend the music experience on Sony Rox HD to a high of ‘Madhoshi’.

    Speaking at the launch, SPN CEO NP Singh said, “In the last few years, as a network, we have been growing aggressively. We have been launching more channels and expanding our portfolio in all the genres. When we launched Sony Mix, that was the first time we were getting into Bolllywood music. Six months post the launch, Mix has become the number one channel in the Hindi music space. Building on this gratifying experience, we decided to launch Hindi music super premium channel which is youth focused and which will offer you good quality video i.e 1080i with Dolby Audio. I am confident that Sony Rox HD too will be the leader in the Hindi music space.”

    SPN Hindi movies and music sluster senior EVP and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “A youth-focused contemporary Hindi music channel Sony Rox HD’s music content and programming initiatives will make it the leading hangout destination on television for 15-21-year olds. We are a ‘True-Blue HD Hindi Music Channel’ ensuring our viewers enjoy music that looks good, sounds great and feels awesome.” Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Vyas said that Sony Rox would be primarily targeting the nine million HD homes in India and the sub-continental diaspora across the globe. With Dolby collaboration, he said, Sony Rox aimed at enhancing the sound quality for the music aficianados.

    To a question on the DTH traffic moving on to OTT/VOD platforms, Vyas quipped: “It’s going to take time (in India),” adding that, in the west, in spite of good penetration of Internet and that too at a high speed, television still was a growing phenomenon.

    One of the channel specials: ‘Rox Original artiste of the Month’ sets Rox HD as the first ongoing platform for upcoming Indie artistes on the national television. At the center of it all is a comprehensive music content acquisition strategy ensuring tie-ups with all the leading labels in contemporary music such as T-series, Zee Music, Sony Music, YRF, Eros Music, UTV-Disney and Tips, etc.

    Dolby Laboratories emerging markets senior director Pankaj Kedia said, “Great sound is essential for a complete cinematic entertainment experience and Dolby is excited to work with Sony Rox HD to unveil a dynamic audio experience for consumers. Together with Sony Rox HD, we aim to transform the way music is consumed in the country.”

    The channel will be promoted extensively across all Sony Pictures Networks’ HD channels, carrier platforms, coupled with print, a robust digital and social media presence to engage with audiences at different touch points.

  • Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    MUMBAI: The transition from analogue to digital in Phase 3 (all urban areas excluding those that were part of Phase 1 and 2 – municipal corporations/municipalities) has caused certain areas of the country to become ‘cable dark’. 

    There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when understanding why certain states are witnessing a higher amount of cable dark penetration than others. In Uttar Pradesh for example, the majority of cities use DTH, and due to the lack of a dominant MSO, cable penetration is low in this state. 

    Gujarat and Punjab are experiencing a more structured approach because they have a dominant player (GTPL and Fastway, respectively). On the other hand, a state such as Maharashtra does not have one defined player; but at the same time has been facing a shortage of set-top boxes – from where the stay has stemmed.

    Similarly, governments in the south support cable operators, so in Andhra Pradesh, cable still exists and despite the digitization mandate, cities still receive analog feeds; Tamil Nadu witnesses penetration of Arasu in most cities, but digitization boxes have not reached these areas either. ‘

    Alongside this, the size of the state also needs to be taken into account: Mizoram’s cable dark city is one which has a large population, thus resulting in more than half the population beingcable dark.

    Another hurdle that cable dark cities face is the fact that cable operators in some dark areas make cable available to consumers during prime timehours, to cater to a TV starved audience, Chrome Data Analytics& Media’s on-ground coverage reports.

    It is essential to understand that there is no fixed or systematic pattern according to which cable is out and different states are facing different factors.The state-wise percentage of cable dark population can be seen in the table below:

    “Each time a transition takes place, some kind of ‘switch off’ is inevitable – be it an electric transformer replacement in your colony or a human operation. We need to remember that digitization was mooted,  in the first place, to address four major broadcasting issues – taxation, transparency, choice for consumers and the quality of content. So dark outs, irrespective of the reason, should be taken as the minor issue they are when compared to the greater good digitization promises for Indian broadcasting”, says Chrome Data Analytics & Media founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna.

    Overall, digitization has brought with it several hurdles that all states must collectively overcome. One must collaboratively focus on the larger picture and be patient to reap the benefits of digitization in the long run.

     

  • Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    MUMBAI: The transition from analogue to digital in Phase 3 (all urban areas excluding those that were part of Phase 1 and 2 – municipal corporations/municipalities) has caused certain areas of the country to become ‘cable dark’. 

    There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when understanding why certain states are witnessing a higher amount of cable dark penetration than others. In Uttar Pradesh for example, the majority of cities use DTH, and due to the lack of a dominant MSO, cable penetration is low in this state. 

    Gujarat and Punjab are experiencing a more structured approach because they have a dominant player (GTPL and Fastway, respectively). On the other hand, a state such as Maharashtra does not have one defined player; but at the same time has been facing a shortage of set-top boxes – from where the stay has stemmed.

    Similarly, governments in the south support cable operators, so in Andhra Pradesh, cable still exists and despite the digitization mandate, cities still receive analog feeds; Tamil Nadu witnesses penetration of Arasu in most cities, but digitization boxes have not reached these areas either. ‘

    Alongside this, the size of the state also needs to be taken into account: Mizoram’s cable dark city is one which has a large population, thus resulting in more than half the population beingcable dark.

    Another hurdle that cable dark cities face is the fact that cable operators in some dark areas make cable available to consumers during prime timehours, to cater to a TV starved audience, Chrome Data Analytics& Media’s on-ground coverage reports.

    It is essential to understand that there is no fixed or systematic pattern according to which cable is out and different states are facing different factors.The state-wise percentage of cable dark population can be seen in the table below:

    “Each time a transition takes place, some kind of ‘switch off’ is inevitable – be it an electric transformer replacement in your colony or a human operation. We need to remember that digitization was mooted,  in the first place, to address four major broadcasting issues – taxation, transparency, choice for consumers and the quality of content. So dark outs, irrespective of the reason, should be taken as the minor issue they are when compared to the greater good digitization promises for Indian broadcasting”, says Chrome Data Analytics & Media founder and CEO Pankaj Krishna.

    Overall, digitization has brought with it several hurdles that all states must collectively overcome. One must collaboratively focus on the larger picture and be patient to reap the benefits of digitization in the long run.

     

  • Siticable & Fastway resolve dispute; yet to sign interconnect agreement

    Siticable & Fastway resolve dispute; yet to sign interconnect agreement

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has asked Siticable Services Pvt Ltd not to re-transmit the signals of any broadcasters in the area of Panchkula unless a proper interconnect agreement with Fastway Transmission comes into existence.

     

    Earlier, TDSAT chairtman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava were told that both sides had arrived at an agreement.

     

    TDSAT disposed of the petition after it was told that all that remained was the formal execution of the interconnect agreement.

     

    The petition had been filed by Fastway against Siticable and Star India.

  • Siticable & Fastway resolve dispute; yet to sign interconnect agreement

    Siticable & Fastway resolve dispute; yet to sign interconnect agreement

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has asked Siticable Services Pvt Ltd not to re-transmit the signals of any broadcasters in the area of Panchkula unless a proper interconnect agreement with Fastway Transmission comes into existence.

     

    Earlier, TDSAT chairtman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava were told that both sides had arrived at an agreement.

     

    TDSAT disposed of the petition after it was told that all that remained was the formal execution of the interconnect agreement.

     

    The petition had been filed by Fastway against Siticable and Star India.

  • TDSAT sends team to Punjab to ascertain alleged links between Fastway & Apna Cable

    TDSAT sends team to Punjab to ascertain alleged links between Fastway & Apna Cable

    NEW DELHI: A team of three Advocate Commissioners has been appointed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to go to Talwandi Sabo in Punjab to examine allegations as to whether Fastway Transmission Pvt. Ltd is using an entity by the name of Apna Cable to transmit signals in the area of the Malwa Cable Operator Sangarsh Committee.

     

    The allegation by the 12 cable operators, who are members of the Committee, is that Apna Cable is transmitting signals in analogue mode and is operating in digital mode.

     

    The team will also examine whether Apna Cable has its own head-end and cable network or if it is using the “leased lines” taken from Fastway or is otherwise using the network, systems or equipment of Fastway. It will also look into whether Apna Cable is engaged in laying down any cables in that area and being helped by Fastway in doing so.

     

    The commissioners will also find out all the channels that Apna Cable is giving to its subscribers and which of those channels are being received from Fastway and which channels it is getting directly from different broadcasters on the basis of agreements with them. 

     

    The commissioners will also find out by engaging with subscribers of both Apna Cable and the petitioner LCOs the amounts of monthly subscription fee they are charging from their respective subscribers and whether Apna Cable has issued pamphlets or it is making any public announcements that the subscribers should take the Fastway channels from Apna Cable at much lower rates than those realised by the petitioner LCOs.

     

    The Advocate Commissioners – Nasir Husain, Vibhav Srivastava and Ravi S S Chauhan – have been asked to go to the area by the end of this week and the matter has been listed for 23 November.

     

    TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava also directed that Apna Cable be issued notice and added to the list of respondents.

     

    The Tribunal noted that there appeared to be “some seriously disputed facts on the ground.”

     

    In pursuance of the previous order passed on 14 October, Deenadayalan had been appointed as the Advocate Commission but could not proceed beyond Bhatinda becase of serious social disturbance and was advised to come back. 

     

    Fastway counsel Navin Chawla denied the allegations about Apna Cable and said there was no link between his client and the LCO.

     

    The petitioners alleged that Apna Cable is only a front name and the entire work of cable-laying is being done at the instance of and using the resources of Fastway. It is alleged that Apna Cables is receiving signals from Fastway and re-transmitting those signals in the petitioners’ area of operation in analogue mode. It is further alleged that Apna Cable is issuing pamphlets and making public announcements that the subscribers should take their signals from Apna Cable as it would give them Fastway signals at a much cheaper rate. According to the petitioners, Apna Cable is an entity simply set up by Fastway as a ploy to drive them out of business.

     

    According to Chawla, Apna Cable had its own independent head-end and it has interconnect agreements with a few broadcasters whose signals it might be transmitting on the basis of the agreements with them. But during arguments, he said a little later that Fastway has given leased lines to Apna Cable and it might also be giving some local free-to-air channels like the live telecast from the Golden Temple to Apna Cable. The Tribunal noted that “admittedly Fastway is not giving any of its local free-to-air channels, like the live telecast from the Golden Temple to any of the LCOs represented in this petition.”

     

    The Commissioners will first try to find out if the supply of signals to the 12 LCOs (whose description is given in the affidavit filed on 14.09.2015) was disrupted for several days in the middle of October 2015. For this purpose, the team of Commissioners may examine the networks of the petitioner LCOs as also the local system of the respondent. They may also interview and engage with the subscribers of the 12 LCOs to find out whether or not they were receiving signals through the petitioner’s network during the past month or even now.

     

    Each member of the Advocate Commissioners’ team will be paid, apart from actual expenses, honorarium at the rate of Rs 20,000 per day. The payment will be made by the two sides in the ratio of 75 per cent by the respondent and 25 per cent by the petitioners. 

     

    The Tribunal rejected objections by Chawla to the respective shares and insists that the payment must be made in equal shares.

  • Revamp the Dominant News Pattern through India 24X7 Kya Khabar Hai!

    Revamp the Dominant News Pattern through India 24X7 Kya Khabar Hai!

    MUMBAI: India 24×7 ushers in a breadth of fresh air, revamping the dominant pattern of Indian News channel and bringing Hope amidst apparently gloomy happening. India 24X7 a national Hindi ‘Free To Air (FTA)’ news Channel is going to start operations in Indian domain from October 24, 2015.

     

    To cut the morass of market, the channel aims to serve family entertainment, healthy viewing and distinctive news to upgrade its viewers to make informed choices rather than only news. To draw fringe audience on to the channel, anchors will play a key role. Their personality, styling and reliability will determine which audiences find resonance with the brand.

     

     While the news genre is traditionally seen as largely an individual viewing space, India 24×7 wishes to create a family appointment viewing experience. It will attract different age groups and different gender skews. It will also address viewers who are young in terms of mindset and shared value.

     

    Channel Editor Vasindra Mishra said, “India 24X7 will choose clarity over aggression, Jankari over sensationalism. It endeavours to offer ‘distinctive news’ as opposed to breaking news, or sensational news. With our family viewing objective, the flavour of coverage will focus on the positive side of every story and also enliven us through its entertainment quotient.”

     

    Mishra went on to add, “If you look at existing news programmes, you will find that majority of the news channels are busy proliferating negativity in the society as if there is no hope available for them. But, India 24X7 believes in hope. We will try to fish out hope even from the tragic incidents.”

     

    Traditionally, news genre targets male 35+ audiences, but India 24×7 is young at heart through the presentation of its content.  The channel will work on inventory of 12 mins per hour giving more content and news to the viewers that brings knowledge and empowers them.

     

    The channel is available on major DTH platforms and local cable networks like Dish TV, Airtel, Tata Sky, DD Free Dish, Siti Cable, Fastway, Digi Cable, DEN, Hathway, In Cable, GTPL and other local cable networks.