ITV

Tag: Ficci

  • Broadcast Bill: Ficci to examine legal implications

    Broadcast Bill: Ficci to examine legal implications

    NEW DELHI: A meeting on the draft Broadcast Bill 2006, which has been tormenting the media industry over the draconian clauses it contains, has decided that a core committee should be formed to examine legal implications of the proposed legislation.

    Organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) here today, representatives of media organizations were unanimous on one issue: the draft Bill should be opposed; either partially or fully. Indiantelevision.com learns after talking to various participants that Ficci would join issue with other apex media organizations to frame a representation to the government on issues bothering the media industry.

    For example, while a representative of one media organisation opined that instead of opposing the Bill in its entirety only certain sections should be opposed, others felt that the whole Bill ought to be junked.

    However, after sifting through various opinion it seems that participants were more worried over two issues — cross media restrictions and government’s powers to crack down on TV channels, including news, for reports that it thinks are ‘biased’ and ‘against’ national interest.

    Additionally, there were some discussions on the proposed mandating of 15 per cent of a week’s total programming to locally sourced content on TV channels and its merits and whether it makes sense for private broadcasters to air or fund a certain quantum of content categorized as public service broadcasting.

    In the absence of any official communication — the meeting was not open to general media reporters though the issues related to media in general — it is also learnt that some cable operators did support the Bill partially, pointing out that the Indian broadcasting industry cannot do without any regulation and legislation.

    Those who attended the meeting included Reliance’s Amit Khanna, Discovery India EVP and MD Deepak Shourie, Sony Entertainment Television India CEO Kunal Dasgupta, Zee Group’s Jawahar Goel, cable industry reps Rakesh Dutta and Roop Sharma, Moving Pictures’ chief Ramesh Sharma, a couple of media corporate lawyers and executives of ESPN Star Sports, Star India and the Times of India Group.

  • Ficci bats for TV industry, seeks convergence norms review

    Ficci bats for TV industry, seeks convergence norms review

    NEW DELHI: Rationalisation of FDI caps in television distribution and news and non-news content, easing of policies and regulation for uplinking of channels and framing of cross-media ownership rules are some key elements that Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has suggested to give a fillip to the Indian TV industry.

    According to a Ficci submission to the government-sponsored think-tank on economic policies, Planning Commission, for inclusion in the 11th Plan Approach Paper, the TV sector currently lacks a consistent and uniform media policy for foreign investment. Some of the inconsistencies include different investment caps in foreign direct investment (FDI) in various segments.

    For instance, in television distribution (DTH) 49 per cent foreign investment is allowed with strategic FDI capped at 20 per cent. In cable, 49 per cent foreign investment is allowed, while in news content (TV and print) 26 FDI is allowed. In radio, 20 per cent foreign investment is permitted presently.

    Ficci has pointed out that convergence of technologies, services and markets is the emerging paradigm around which the communication industry is centered. Advancement of technology has blurred the line between telecom, broadcasting services and networks and under such a scenario there are urgent needs to review policies governing this sector.

    For example, Ficci has said, any regulation change must take into account emerging techs like IPTV, broadband and spectrum allocation for both broadcasting and telecom services.

    “It should be the aim of regulation to facilitate fair competition between players, competing platforms and multiple technologies in the carriage segment letting the markets decide the technology and platforms of choice,” Ficci said in a statement, adding similar suggestions have been made by broadcast and telecom regulator too.

    Ficci has noted that the content side is independent of carriage and should be largely self-regulated.

    In its submission to the Planning Commission, Ficci has suggested conversion to digitalization should be mandatory with clear time frame defined for transition to digital.

    Fiscal incentives such as waiver of service and entertainment tax and income tax holiday could be provided to operators for transition to a digital regime.

    At the same time, Ficci has criticized price regulation for digital cable providers, plugging for its discontinuation.

    Pointing out that presently India does not have a national digital policy or plan, Ficci has said existing regulatory and policy framework for the cable industry is quite inadequate in dealing with issues like digitalization, which will increase consumer choice and help in overcoming bandwidth limitations.

    Interestingly, the apex chamber of commerce has said that licensing process should be made stringent to filter out non serious players through insistence on companies’ net worth, proper declaration of subscriber base and area of operation.

    It has been pointed out that the government should look at establishing India as an uplinking (of satellite channels) hub by easing the existing policies/regulations for uplinking of channels and setting up teleports/hubs.

    A liberal FDI regime, which allows greater control over uplinking infrastructure, could attract foreign players to India, Ficci has said, pointing out that Singapore allows 100 per cent foreign ownership of uplink infrastructure of licensee companies, apart from having a tax-friendly environment.

    Surprisingly in a muted tone, Ficci has brought up the issue of cross-media ownership, which is rocking the media industry presently.

    Considering no public draft has been evolved as yet relating to cross-media ownership, absence of any draft rules or an established time frame for evolution of such rules hampers long-term investment strategy of a potential foreign investor, Ficci has noted.

  • FM radio: PMO forwards grievances to I&B

    FM radio: PMO forwards grievances to I&B

    NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has forwarded the grievances of private FM radio operators in India to the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry for “appropriate action.”

    Pointing out that it is a “positive step,” the Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI) convenor and CEO of BAG Films radio division Rajiv Misra said, “We have received a communication from the PMO, which has not struck down our demands.”

    Misra added that the PMO has forwarded the demands of the nascent FM radio industry to the nodal ministry for suitable and appropriate action on the matter.

    The demands of AROI included permission for news and current affairs programming on private FM radio stations and rationalization of music royalty fee, which has been termed by the radio industry as “too high” and “arbitrary.”

    A FM radio operator termed the development as a “step forward”, adding that the I&B ministry is likely to be more receptive to the idea of news on private radio stations once it has heard from the PMO.

    The government and the Union Cabinet have been divided over the issue of news on private radio stations with one section saying that if this is allowed, it could compromise national security as monitoring of all FM radio stations all the time could be a Herculean task.

    However, a government panel under the chairmanship of Ficci secretary-general Amit Mitra had recommended giving the green signal to news on private FM radio stations as it would bring about variety in programming and is a standard global norm.

    Meanwhile, AROI is continuing to negotiate with music industry bodies to rationalize music royalty fee.

    The I&B ministry, however, has washed its hands off the music fee issue, saying the matter relates to IPR, which is in the domain of the human resources development (HRD) ministry.

    The HRD ministry, these days pre-occupied with reservation-for-backward-classes-in-educational-institutions issue, hasn’t reacted too warmly to AROI’s presentation on high music royalty.
     

  • I&B ministry to bring Optical Disc Law to counter priacy

    I&B ministry to bring Optical Disc Law to counter priacy

    NEW DELHI: The government today said that copyright enforcement cells have been set up in most of the States and Union Territory administrations to check violation of copyrights of films.

    Information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) that his ministry has made suggestions for restricting incidence of piracy in the film and music sector while considering the on going amendments to the Copyright Act.

    The ministry, he said, has also received a proposal to enact an Optical Disc Law to counter piracy in the entertainment sector.

    The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has been entrusted with the task of determining the need for a separate legislation for manufacture of optical discs.

    Apart from this, I&B ministry has taken measures like organizing training programmes for police personnel on copyright issues in the film sector.

    The National Film Development Corporation Ltd has been commissioned to produce an anti piracy campaign and a film against piracy has been made by Public Service Broadcast Trust on behalf on the government for telecast on Doordarshan, the minister said.

    The Copyright Act, 1957, which falls under the purview of the ministry of human resource development, contains, inter alia, legal provisions regarding copyright in cinematograph films and music.

    The responsibility for dealing with offences under the Copyright Act rests with the State Governments and Union Territory administrations.

    According to entertainment industry estimates, revenue loss from film piracy is about Rs 12 billion annually.

  • Ficci regional council moves to a new premise in Mumbai

    Ficci regional council moves to a new premise in Mumbai

    Mumbai, 5 May, 2006 – With a mission to accelerate industrial and economic growth of the western region manifold by acting as a catalyst in the process of progress, FICCI Western Regional Council – the regional arm of the FICCI – the largest and the oldest apex body for industries, moved on Thursday evening, to a bigger and modern office at Krishnamai Building, Pochkhanwala Road, Worli, Mumbai 400025. With this shifting, FICCI-Western Regional Council has become the largest regional office of FICCI in India. The new office has been designed to accommodate a big conference room, research center with space to accommodate future growth.

    Inaugurating the new office of FICCI-WRC, Mr. Saroj Poddar, President, FICCI expressed confidence that the regional office of FICCI, which has been doing wonderful work, would serve the industry and the society with renewed vigour. He pointed out that the expansion of the regional office in Mumbai was in line with FICCI’s firm belief that strong regional offices would strengthen the apex body to maintain the position of leadership in serving trade, industry by offering excellent service. He assured all out support to its regional office in its developmental efforts for the region.

    Mr. Habil Khorakiwala, Sr. Vice President, FICCI in his address said that the opening of the bigger and modern office in Mumbai showed the importance that FICCI attaches to this great city of Mumbai and the State of Maharashtra. He envisioned Mumbai becoming the knowledge capital of India, based on her strengths in IT, ITeS, Pharma, Biotechnology sectors. He called for a total transformation of Mumbai, Maharashtra and the entire western region, which have a great potential for unlimited growth. He expressed confidence that FICCI Regional Office could act as a catalyst in bringing about such a transformation.

    Earlier Mr. Sushil Jiwarajka, Chairman, FICCI-WRC, gave an overview of the regional and national initiatives undertaken by the council. He elaborated on the achievements of the council in areas of regional core competence viz., Textiles, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Petrochemicals, Entertainment, Energy – Oil, Gas, Power, Agriculture, Banking, Capital Markets and Medical Tourism. He also highlighted its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives like curbing of cyber crime, flood relief, rainwater harvesting, and corporate governance. He stressed the role of the regional council in areas like trade facilitation, arbitration and conciliation, sold waste management, women empowerment and enterprise.

    Underling the need for brand protection, Mr. Ashok Chhabra, Executive Director, Procter & Gamble, Member, FICCI, Brand Protection Committee said that fake products and counterfeits wee harming the interests of all the industries in general and FMCG & Pharmaceuticals in particular. He also said that FICCI was taking every effort to contain this menace. He called for total cooperation of all concerned to control this problem.

    Highlighting the need to reduce transaction costs and improve market access in international trade, Mr.Ramu Deora, Chairman, FICCI Trade Facilitation Forum elaborated on the work being done by the Forum in providing a forum for effective interface with trade related agencies and the authorities concerned for creating a hassle free international trade environment.

    Lauding the FICCI-Western Regional Council for setting up the excellent office in Mumbai, Dr. Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI, envisioned that the regional office would provide more services to industry, bring about radical changes in the economy, and effect changes in policies to enlarge market opportunities for conducting easy and hassle free trade in the true spirit of globalization with liberalization as its foundation. He underlined the strengths of FICCI at the national level in terms of highly qualified manpower, economic database, wealth of research information, research facilities and the support of its regional and overseas office. He was confident that both FICCI and FICCI-WRC could bring about synergies in operations and be a strong force to reckon with.

    Media Division,
    FICCI, Mumbai

    For further information please contact:
    Neha Taleja/Shefali Virani
    ntaleja@corvoshandwick.co.in
    /shefalivirani@corvoshandwick.co.in
    Corporate Voice I Weber Shandwick

  • Maharashtra chief minister woos entertainment industry

    Maharashtra chief minister woos entertainment industry

    Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has invited the entertainment industry to come up with suggestions to help develop Maharashtra as a bigger player in the entertainment industry. While speaking at the FICCI seminar in Mumbai yesterday, Deshmukh said he would like suggestions from captains of industry to take his state forward.

    “This region should be developed as a satellite hub,” he pointed out. “I see earth stations coming up to make this as a centre of activity for television.”

    He added that his government was going to come up with a package to allow for the setting up of cinema multiplexes in the state. “We are examining what the other states are doing on this front. Top of our minds is making the sector viable.”

    He added that his government was working on setting up a new training institute for film and television in the state.

  • Jaitley issues warning on titillating programming

    Jaitley issues warning on titillating programming

    Indian information and broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley issued a stern warning to TV channels which are banking on nudity and semi-nudity or provocative programming to attract audiences and generate viewership.

    “People have protested about how some organisations are taking advantage of liberal norms in India. Why should you have a stripper in a airconditioner ad which was shown recently on television? Why should a condom commercial be so erotic and put on television for all to see,” he asked. “If fashion is to be marketed in terms of transparent clothing, and every decency violated on TV screens, I don’t know if we can allow that. The cable and satellite industry has to morally police itself. Also advertisers. There are issues which affect our sensibilities. I don’t think Indian society is prepared for this. We want a liberal regime. Hard censorship is abhorrent to any democracy. But if industry is not interested then we may have to step in.”

    Jaitley was speaking while addressing a gathering organised by FICCI on what Indian entertainment should be doing to ensure rapid growth in the new millennium on 30 March.

    Jaitley was pretty caustic about his ministry’s position on this issue. Should the government step in when we have control devices such as child locks, he was asked. Should it not be the responsibility of the parent or adult?

    He responded icicly: “The industry has absolutely no responsibility does it? TV censorship in India is not in the form of pre-censorship. It is like the green channel in the Customs where the onus is on you to declare honestly. But if we allow some channels which are not comlying honestly than five others will get in and take advantage of our liberal attitude. ”

    Going by Jaitley’s statements it is quite likely that the government may shortly come out with a ban against the Michael Adam promoted Fashion Television, which is generating high viewerships in India mainly because of scantily clad models. Jaitley had banned Russian channel TB6 last year because it showed pornographic films and had ordered Indian cable networks to stop carrying it on their networks. Most Indian cable TV operators have complied since.

  • Ficci conference ends

    Ficci conference ends

    The Ficci’s International Conference on The Business of Entertainment ended today with a concluding speech by Tapan Sikdar, the Minister of Communications.

    Earlier in the day, discussions were held on the content aspect of the entertainment industry. The session was headed by the noted film maker Shyam Benegal. The next session covered the film production and marketing, and the international status and presence of Indian films abroad. The internationally acclaimed director and the maker of the Oscar winning film “Elizabeth” spoke about issues involved about Indian films in the international market. Before this Harish Thawani, chief of Nimbus Communications projected his views about the television and film sector. He displayed his views about importance of synergy between the television and the film industry. The session enlightened the audience about the need of marketing of Indian films and globalising the industry.

    The post lunch session was about the music industry in India. It covered issues from piracy, internet, IPR, radio and the general scenario of music industry in India. The concluding session was about convergence and the regulatory framework to enable it in India. The session was headed by the Nasscom chief Dewang Mehta and the panel of speakers included Sony Entertainment Television chief Kunal Dasgupta, MTV India chief Alex Kuruvilla, MD Modi Entertainment Network MD Ajay Nijawhan and UTV head Ronnie Screwvala. The session demanded a clear and comprehensive regulatory policy for the success of convergence in India which is a entertainment software heaven.

    The effort by the Ficci was quite admirable as it enlightened quite a few and brought the whole entertainment industry together.

  • Hopeline success in FM private radio Phase II

    Hopeline success in FM private radio Phase II

    MUMBAI: Tuning into the radio industry. The FM private radio industry is gearing up for a massive expansion. Radio Tuning in-Again, the session at the second day of Ficci Frames 2006. The panelists emphasized on the government looking at permitting multiple frequencies including granting of news and current affairs, HR practices, expansion of listenership and impending base for advertisers and a sophisticated listenership measurement system.

    Entertainment Network Ltd ( manages the brand Radio Mirchi) CEO AP Parigi says that the various FM stakeholders have been hammering that multiple frequencies should be permitted, which would spur the launch and growth of niche channels in this category.

    The demand of multiple frequencies from various stakeholders of the industry seems to be long pending. Though the regulator does not permit any licensees to own multiple frequencies in same city, the panelist urges the government to look into the matter.

    Win 94.6 FM managing director Gautam Radia concurs with Parigi on the government to provide permission of multiple frequencies, which may witness diversification in content, which in turn may push the list of listenership.

    Radia does not hesitate to point out that if the government grants the authorization of the same, it will come with ‘a rider’. According to him, the government may enforce the licensees to operate one of the multiple frequencies to cater to the local listeners by conversing in local languages.The Win 94.6 in Mumbai, had to be shut down due to the heavy licence fee during the FM radio phase I.

    The augmentation of niche channels is achievable if it is pushed by the market leaders of the industry, Parigi says, “The niche channels should be supported by the market leaders and profitable companies in this business during the infancy”.

    He briefly touches on the aspect of news and current affairs, which have been restricted to the industry as of now. He says if these restrictions are removed, radio can educate its listeners on locally relevant information and discussions, besides having a good mixture of entertainment and news.

    The industry is concerned over the lofty music royalties. Recently, the Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI), a body of FM radio licencees, had decided to petition the government rationalization of music rights fee, tax sops. Radia mentioned that the soaring music fee is not affordable by players playing in the smaller cities and towns. Paragi agrees to the same and is looking at fair music royalties with the launch of new stations across 91 cities.

    Big River Radio (India) Private Ltd managing director Sunil Kumar lay stress on programming, which to him is a ‘challenge’. “The need to develop programmes in 22 major languages and over 100 major languages/ dialects,” he says. Music scheduling software for radio, according to him is a ‘no-no’ as it is best suited for western environment.

    Kumar believes that the objective of the industry should include amplifying the listnership and advertisement, establish brand and capture a defined segment. Besides, the above objectives, the industry has to tactfully combat challenges especially with respect to the HR practices.

    Parigi points out that the HR practice has to designed in such a manner that it ‘learn, earn and grown rather than learn, earn and go’. Retaining and developing talents remains a worry and has to be sought out with the best HR policy.

    Besides, the challenges, the stakeholders are gung-ho about the future, which is identified as the appropriate place in the galaxy of entertainment. The size of the industry, at present, is pegged at Rs 3 billion, according to a study by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers. It is anticipated to register a robust growth of 32 per cent over the next few years to touch Rs 12 billion (nearly $270 million) in revenues by 2010 on the back of a robust economy and easing of stiff investment rules.

    Media planners acknowledge that the advertisement base of radio is anticipated to surge with the launch of approximately 200 stations, which is likely to propel the development of the FM category. Insight president Raj Gupta believes the verdict is positive amongst the media planners.

    Stating it as value for money, Gupta indicates, “Radio that has moved from background to foreground has higher affinity of youth. The youth category products are likely to migrate to radio.” To him, radio will be the new habitat for youth.

  • Subscription revenues to touch Rs 306 billion in 2010

    Subscription revenues to touch Rs 306 billion in 2010

    MUMBAI: Subscription revenues will drive growth in the television segment, jumping 29 per cent compounded annually over the next five years, from an estimated Rs 86 billion to Rs 306 billion in 2010.
    The average monthly cable TV subscription fee is expected to go up from Rs 130 to at least Rs 250 per month by 2010, according to Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) report titled Indian Entertainment and Media Industry – Unravelling the Potential. This growth is projected to be lower in the initial years, primarily due to regulatory interventions such as the price freeze on cable rates.

    Further fueling the growth will be the increase in number of television households, especially in the lower socio-economic strata. “Cable and satellite (C&S) households are projected to grow faster than the growth in the number of television households and the number of C&S homes are projected to reach 90 million by 2010, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 per cent in the next five years,” the report said.

    Television advertising, estimated at Rs 54.5 billion in 2005, is expected to touch Rs 105 billion by 2010. While Rs 95,000 million will come from C&S homes, Rs 10,000 million will be from terrestrial. In 2005, C&S advertising revenues are estimated at Rs 47,900 million and terrestrial Rs 6,600 million.

    “The share of ad pie of terrestrial and C&S networks have not changed over the last two years and are not projected to change for the next five years, as both the broadcast mediums are expected to gain from the increasing advertising pie,” the report said.

    The television segment is slated to grow from its present size of Rs 148 billion in 2005 to Rs 427 billion in 2010. Subscription revenues will increase its share from 58 per cent to 71 per cent, according to the report.