ITV

Tag: Free To Air

  • 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.

  • Ofcom to release terrestrial TV spectrum for mobile broadband services in UK

    Ofcom to release terrestrial TV spectrum for mobile broadband services in UK

    NEW DELHI: Even as the dispute about Defence releasing spectrum continues in India, mobile broadband services in Britain will get a boost with British telecom regulator Ofcom releasing some digital terrestrial spectrum.

     

    The strategy of Ofcom is to ensure that UK’s network operators can continue to deliver mobile broadband using some of the frequencies used for digital terrestrial TV services such as Freeview, and wireless microphones. Ofcom said these frequencies make up the 700 MHz frequency band.

     

    Ofcom CEO Ed Richards said, “This important decision ensures that we are making the raw materials available with which investors and companies can build the services which will support the digital economy of the future.”

     

    Ofcom said that viewers can continue to enjoy the free-to-view TV services without another switchover. Ofcom is keeping a target of 2022.

     

    Ofcom will ensure that users — theatres, sports venues and music events – of wireless microphones will have access to airwaves to deliver cultural benefits.

     

    Some industry reports predict that demand for mobile data could be 45 times higher by 2030 than it is today.

     

    In October, Ofcom has already invited potential bidders to comment on proposals for auction of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands, which is expected to take place in late 2015 or early 2016.

     

    The company has identified a number of frequency bands that wireless microphones could potentially use. Working with the PMSE community, Ofcom will confirm what spectrum will be available to them next year.

     

  • Doordarshan to hold e-auction for vacant slots on DD Freedish next week

    Doordarshan to hold e-auction for vacant slots on DD Freedish next week

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has set a reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot for the 16th online e-auction for filling up slots on Doordarshan’s direct-to-home Freedish platform to be conducted on 28 October.

     
    The e-auction will be conducted by Pune based Synise Technologies on behalf of Prasar Bharati.   

     

    The reserve price in the last e-auction was Rs 3 crore.

     

    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had told indiantelevision.com recently that the aim was to reach the target of 97 channels by October-end and 125 channels by March-end.

    When asked why the number of channels to be e-auctioned had not been disclosed, a Prasar Bharati official told indiantelevision.com that this had been done to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices.
     
    The eligibility terms and conditions including other relevant details for this e-auction are displayed on DD website: www.ddindia.gov.in.
     
    However, the participation amount (EMD) in the e-auction is Rs 1.5 crore which needs to be deposited in advance on or before  27 October evening along with processing fee of Rs 10,000 (Non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.
     
    Applicants have also been asked mandatorily to deposit a Demand Draft of Rs 5,500 registration amount favouring Synise Technologies, payable at Pune at the time of submission of the application.  
    The applicants must provide details of the Uplink/Downlink permission documents received from the concerned ministries with the applications to ensure they are not rejected.
     
    The demand drafts of unsuccessful bidders will be returned immediately or within a week after the e-auction process is completed. 

  • I&B Ministry may relax FTA channels from proposed 10+2 ad cap

    I&B Ministry may relax FTA channels from proposed 10+2 ad cap

    NEW DELHI: The News broadcasters, music channels as well as a few general entertainment channels are still fighting the case against the 12 minute advertising cap per hour proposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). While they await the decision of the Delhi High Court, news is that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) may consider a relaxation in the proposed ad cap for the Free to Air (FTA) channels as these channels depend only on commercials for survival.

     

    A source from the Ministry confirmed the news to indintelevision.com while adding that the ad cap fixed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, was in view of the international practice in other countries.

     

    It was in March 2013, when the TRAI had notified the regulations, which restricted advertising time on TV channels to a maximum of 12 minutes per hour. The Regulator had then said that the move was to protect the interest of consumers and quality of service being offered to them.  

     

    I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar has assured the FTA channels at various forums that he would favourably consider their plea of scrapping the proposed 12 minute ad cap.

     

    The FTA channels claim that as they are pitted against pay channels, that also get subscription fee, there is a need for the government to intervene to create a level-playing field.

     

    Of the 810 channels approved by the government as of 31 August 2014, close to 548 are FTA, which include both news and non-news channels.

  • Life Mantra: A life spirit channel to launch in second quarter of 2014

    Life Mantra: A life spirit channel to launch in second quarter of 2014

    NEW DELHI: India’s first life spirit free to air (FTA) channel will be launched soon. Christened Life Mantra, the channel is aimed at delivering content that targets the body, mind and soul with a holistic combination of lifestyle and spirituality. The new channel is also expected to help audience gain a positive outlook in life.

     

    The channel will be launched by JOP network, a subsidiary of JOP Group, and has been conceived by the Group CMO Bharat Agarwal.

     

    Set to go on air in the second quarter of this year, Life Mantra will air a bouquet of programmes across genres of food, travel and spiritual lifestyle essentials in today’s modern day and age. The programming mix is aimed at reintroducing one to the inner self and to the roots steeped in spirituality that leads towards the path of constant and conscious pursuit of living life to its fullest potential. 

     

    Targeted at the age group of 25 to 45, Life Mantra will be distributed via all DTH, cable and satellite platforms across the country. An extensive research amongst the targeted group in metros and mini metros shared interesting insights about the potential of content in this genre. The mushrooming of options centered on well-being; be it in food, fitness or even travel is a result of this trend which further reiterates that there is a definite demand for such content.

     

    Sharing the rationale behind introducing the channel, JOP Networks director Urvi Agarwal said, “Spiritual lifestyle as a subject is extremely close to our heart and we feel there is an ample potential and demand for content in this category. With our channel Life Mantra, we look forward to bringing our viewers closer to their spiritual self through holistic lifestyle programming with a global appeal for Indian audience. Our content will drive our audience towards the path of constant and conscious pursuit of living life to its full contentions.”

     

    Life Mantra will not be just a TV channel but a brand that will soon be extended to various platforms. “We are confident that the content on our channel will have a national as well as international appeal. Hence, we would be looking at introducing the channel at the global platform as well in future. Through the platform of Life Mantra, we aim to provide happiness to the modern day urban consumer,” she further added.

     

    Helios Media has been assigned the marketing and sales mandate for the channel. Helios Media managing director Divya Radhakrishnan said, “The concept of Life Mantra is very unique to the Indian television space. There are a plethora of brands that wish to place its messaging in such a positive environment and use its power to influence on to their brands.”

     

    JOP group, pioneers of real estate in residential as well as commercial projects in North India is owned by Bharat Agarwal.

  • TRAI plea in SC for raising pay channel tariff cap

    TRAI plea in SC for raising pay channel tariff cap

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has petitioned the Supreme Court to allow it to raise the ceiling on tariff for pay channels distributed in non-addressable areas.

     

    The tariff for pay channels in areas where cable TV is distributed through analogue technology has remained capped at the pre-2009 rates, following a direction by the Supreme Court in March 2009 for maintenance of status quo.

     

    TRAI says there is a need for reviewing the ceiling to adjust the tariff for pay channels in non-addressable areas for inflation.

     

    The court is likely to hear the TRAI plea towards the end of March.

     

    TRAI in its appeal to the SC says, “The present tariff was based on the figures of 2009 and the appellant is of the view that an across the board adjustments be provided in respect of tariff to compensate for increased costs on account of inflation.”

     

    The TRAI had amended the tariff order of 2007 by providing for a 7 per cent increase on account of inflation effective from the year 2009.

     

    TRAI says, “The authority since then has not been able to revise the tariff for non-addressable systems, even though more than five years have passed.”

     

    Before 2009, the tariff orders were amended periodically, thereby providing for adjustments for inflation.  No such exercise has been undertaken after 2009.

     

    The TRAI through its appeal has informed the Supreme Court that it had in its ‘Recommendations on Issues relating to Broadcasters and Distribution of TV Channels’ provided for a provision to periodically review the ceiling on tariff to make adjustments for inflation.

     

    “According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, a substantial increase in the price has taken place and the ceiling thus needs to be reviewed immediately,” reads TRAI’s appeal to the SC, a copy of which is with Indiantelevision.com.

     

    According to the current tariff ceiling, the subscriber for up to 20 pay channels and minimum 30 free to air (FTA) channels in A1 and A class cities has to pay not more than Rs 160, in B1 and B class cities not exceeding Rs 140 and in other areas not more than Rs 130.

     

    Likewise for more than 20 and up to 30 pay channels and minimum 30 FTA channels, the subscriber in A1 and A class cities has to pay not more than Rs 200, in B1 and B class cities not exceeding Rs 170 and in other areas not more than Rs 160.

     

    For viewing more than 30 and up to 45 pay channels, the subscriber as per the tariff has to pay not exceeding Rs 235 in A1 and A class cities, Rs 200 in B1 and B class cities and not exceeding Rs 185 in other cities.

     

    Also for viewing more than 45 pay channels and minimum 30 FTA channels, subscribers, according to the current ceiling on tariff, has to pay not more than Rs 260 in A1 and A class cities, Rs 220 in B1 and B class cities and Rs 200 in other cities.

     

    While the broadcasters would welcome over the appeal by TRAI, but cable operators feel the subscription charges for consumers in non-addressable areas will rise by as much as 36 per cent if the ceiling is approved.

  • SES, Samsung unveil Africa’s first TV with integrated FTA satellite receiver

    SES, Samsung unveil Africa’s first TV with integrated FTA satellite receiver

    MUMBAI: SES is collaborating with Samsung to drive digital broadcasting via satellite in sub-Saharan Africa.

     

    Samsung will introduce LED television with an integrated free-to-air satellite receiver, the Samsung LED TV Free Satellite, that will be distributed in Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in August 2012. Distribution to additional countries will follow.

     

    The integrated satellite receiver will allow consumers to receive free-to-air television channels without the need for an additional set top box as the LED TV will be directly connected with the satellite dish. In preparation for the launch, SES and Samsung will jointly arrange training sessions with distribution partners and installers to ensure the proper connection of the TV device to the satellite dish. Both partners will also run a joint marketing campaign in June 2012.

    As a leader in the free-to-air digital TV market, SES delivers more than 60 free-to-air channels in more than 40 African countries. The launch of the new Samsung LED TV Free Satellite coincides with more channels becoming available in Africa.

     

    SES senior director of marketing development and Marketing in Africa Christoph Limmer said, “This collaboration is the first of its kind and will drive digitalisation in Africa .Today, one out of three households in Africa has a TV set but less than 10 million homes receive content in digital format. Our cooperation will not only help to improve access to digital content for African consumers but it will also encourage African broadcasters to launch more content. In servicing more than 40 African countries, we are well aware of the huge demand for more and higher quality TV services. The opportunity lies in providing an increasingly sophisticated African viewership with a significantly increased number of TV channels – a first for many African countries.”

    Samsung Africa Regional Product Manager Dae Hee Kim said, “The Samsung LED TV Free Satellite is our contribution to the continent’s efforts to ’go digital’, providing African consumers with greater choice and broadcasters with the opportunity to grow the region’s media industry.”