ITV

Tag: Freedish

  • Star Utsav Movies to launch on 28 May; focuses on being truly rural

    Star Utsav Movies to launch on 28 May; focuses on being truly rural

    MUMBAI: With an extensive portfolio of channels under it, Star India is all set to add one more feather to his hat. The network will launch its free to air (FTA) Hindi movies channel Star Utsav Movies on 28 May.

    The advent of BARC has led rural markets taking the center stage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. Entering this space, is this new channel which is completely focussed at the rural market and will play popular Bollywood films for the homes that do not have access to these films.

    Following the motto of being the first truly rural channel, their tagline Har Din Utsav promises an indication of their endeavour to give its viewers a reason to celebrate every day with the biggest and best stars on screen. Aimed at building a strong footprint in the rural market, the new channel will cater to the rural tastes, consumption and need.

    Star Gold, Movies OK, Star Gold HD and Star Utsav Movies general manager Hemal Jhaveri says, “We are excited to announce the launch of Star Utsav Movies on 28th May, India’s first ‘Truly Rural’ Hindi movie channel. Our analysis indicated that there was a clear need gap in this category since 25% of the total viewership came from movies, but the Hindi movie genre share is a miniscule 5 %. This is because of the non-availability of good content from the existing Hindi movie channels in the FTA space”.  

    The channel has done an extensive research over 8-9 months in multiple states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, etc to unravel the rural psyche before rolling out the channel. Through their survey, various key elements like afternoon slot, rural entertainment viewing pattern, the availability of screen, etc were considered before laying the channel’s programming schedule.  

    “The study shed light on the key usage and behavior patterns which has been the cornerstone for all acquisition, programming and marketing inputs on this new channel offering”, points Jhaveri.

    Through this data, the channel will look at their content vigilantly to have a sturdy family appeal policy being followed in their line-up.

    “What made this research unique and accurate was the fact that it was tailor made to each respondent surveyed basis their viewing behavior which was captured on close circuit cameras positioned in their homes. The rural markets are the last important frontier and we believe Star Utsav Movies will empower both the consumers and advertisers alike,” he further adds.

    The channel will be initially available exclusively on Doordarshan’s free direct-to-home (DTH) platform Freedish and will later be made available on other platforms according to the channel’s distribution strategy.

    Various advertisers from FMCG, telecoms, tractors, agriculture equipment, etc sectors are expected to get on board. Whereas, the content offering on the channel will be different from the network’s other channels like Star Gold, Movies Ok and Star Gold HD.

    To drive reach and awareness for the new channel, a multi-media launch campaign has already kick-started. Besides a comprehensive high impact TV plan, the promotion also includes a high octane radio plan besides unique brand experiences on ground across villages in key markets which will bring alive the brand promise.

    The channel is leveraging the might of Star India Network to rapidly build awareness.

  • Star Utsav Movies to launch on 28 May; focuses on being truly rural

    Star Utsav Movies to launch on 28 May; focuses on being truly rural

    MUMBAI: With an extensive portfolio of channels under it, Star India is all set to add one more feather to his hat. The network will launch its free to air (FTA) Hindi movies channel Star Utsav Movies on 28 May.

    The advent of BARC has led rural markets taking the center stage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. Entering this space, is this new channel which is completely focussed at the rural market and will play popular Bollywood films for the homes that do not have access to these films.

    Following the motto of being the first truly rural channel, their tagline Har Din Utsav promises an indication of their endeavour to give its viewers a reason to celebrate every day with the biggest and best stars on screen. Aimed at building a strong footprint in the rural market, the new channel will cater to the rural tastes, consumption and need.

    Star Gold, Movies OK, Star Gold HD and Star Utsav Movies general manager Hemal Jhaveri says, “We are excited to announce the launch of Star Utsav Movies on 28th May, India’s first ‘Truly Rural’ Hindi movie channel. Our analysis indicated that there was a clear need gap in this category since 25% of the total viewership came from movies, but the Hindi movie genre share is a miniscule 5 %. This is because of the non-availability of good content from the existing Hindi movie channels in the FTA space”.  

    The channel has done an extensive research over 8-9 months in multiple states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, etc to unravel the rural psyche before rolling out the channel. Through their survey, various key elements like afternoon slot, rural entertainment viewing pattern, the availability of screen, etc were considered before laying the channel’s programming schedule.  

    “The study shed light on the key usage and behavior patterns which has been the cornerstone for all acquisition, programming and marketing inputs on this new channel offering”, points Jhaveri.

    Through this data, the channel will look at their content vigilantly to have a sturdy family appeal policy being followed in their line-up.

    “What made this research unique and accurate was the fact that it was tailor made to each respondent surveyed basis their viewing behavior which was captured on close circuit cameras positioned in their homes. The rural markets are the last important frontier and we believe Star Utsav Movies will empower both the consumers and advertisers alike,” he further adds.

    The channel will be initially available exclusively on Doordarshan’s free direct-to-home (DTH) platform Freedish and will later be made available on other platforms according to the channel’s distribution strategy.

    Various advertisers from FMCG, telecoms, tractors, agriculture equipment, etc sectors are expected to get on board. Whereas, the content offering on the channel will be different from the network’s other channels like Star Gold, Movies Ok and Star Gold HD.

    To drive reach and awareness for the new channel, a multi-media launch campaign has already kick-started. Besides a comprehensive high impact TV plan, the promotion also includes a high octane radio plan besides unique brand experiences on ground across villages in key markets which will bring alive the brand promise.

    The channel is leveraging the might of Star India Network to rapidly build awareness.

  • E-auction for DD Freedish slots on 30 May, reserve price at Rs 4.3 crore

    E-auction for DD Freedish slots on 30 May, reserve price at Rs 4.3 crore

    NEW DELHI: Even as the final touches are being given to increase the carrying capacity of the platform, the 27th e-auction to fill up vacant slots on Doordarshan’s direct-to-home Freedish will be held on 30 May.

    The reserve price is Rs 4.3 crore for the slots on the country’s only free to air DTH platform. The reserve price which had been Rs 3.7 crore was raised to its present level for the 25th e-auction in January.

    indiantelevision.com had learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions. The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs three crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

    DD sources refused to divulge the number of slots being auctioned to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices. The platform at present has space for eighty channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

    These sources told indiantelevision.com that Freedish is being encrypted shortly from Mpeg 2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.

    The e-Auction will be conducted by C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.   

    The eligibility terms and conditions including other relevant details for this e-Auction are displayed on DD website: www.ddindia.gov.in. 

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.1.5 crore which will be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 30 May along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (Non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

    Incremental amount for the auction will be Rs 10 lakh and the time for every slot e-auction will be of fifteen minutes duration. This may be extended by five minutes if a bid is received before the closing time.

    Of the reserve price, Rs 1.1 crore will have ot be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 1.1 crore within two months along with service tax of 14.5 per cent on the bid amount.

    The balance bid amount will have to be deposited within six months, failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and the channel discontinued after a 21-day discontinuation notice.

  • E-auction for DD Freedish slots on 30 May, reserve price at Rs 4.3 crore

    E-auction for DD Freedish slots on 30 May, reserve price at Rs 4.3 crore

    NEW DELHI: Even as the final touches are being given to increase the carrying capacity of the platform, the 27th e-auction to fill up vacant slots on Doordarshan’s direct-to-home Freedish will be held on 30 May.

    The reserve price is Rs 4.3 crore for the slots on the country’s only free to air DTH platform. The reserve price which had been Rs 3.7 crore was raised to its present level for the 25th e-auction in January.

    indiantelevision.com had learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions. The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs three crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

    DD sources refused to divulge the number of slots being auctioned to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices. The platform at present has space for eighty channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

    These sources told indiantelevision.com that Freedish is being encrypted shortly from Mpeg 2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.

    The e-Auction will be conducted by C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.   

    The eligibility terms and conditions including other relevant details for this e-Auction are displayed on DD website: www.ddindia.gov.in. 

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.1.5 crore which will be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 30 May along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (Non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

    Incremental amount for the auction will be Rs 10 lakh and the time for every slot e-auction will be of fifteen minutes duration. This may be extended by five minutes if a bid is received before the closing time.

    Of the reserve price, Rs 1.1 crore will have ot be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 1.1 crore within two months along with service tax of 14.5 per cent on the bid amount.

    The balance bid amount will have to be deposited within six months, failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and the channel discontinued after a 21-day discontinuation notice.

  • Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has denied that any of its All India Radio or Doordarshan channels are non-functional.

    Parliament was informed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore that Doordarshan has 67 kendra and All India Radio has 416 Stations including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. 

    As part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters.

    In addition, 64 AIR transmitters have been approved for up gradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan.

    While there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country, the Minister said that the project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan. 

    There are 228 high power and 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country.
    He said there was no proposal to set up new transmitters except in border areas in view of multichannel TV coverage provided through Doordarshan’s free to air Freedish.

  • Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has denied that any of its All India Radio or Doordarshan channels are non-functional.

    Parliament was informed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore that Doordarshan has 67 kendra and All India Radio has 416 Stations including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. 

    As part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters.

    In addition, 64 AIR transmitters have been approved for up gradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan.

    While there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country, the Minister said that the project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan. 

    There are 228 high power and 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country.
    He said there was no proposal to set up new transmitters except in border areas in view of multichannel TV coverage provided through Doordarshan’s free to air Freedish.

  • DD confident of achieving 112-channel target on FreeDish by March-end

    DD confident of achieving 112-channel target on FreeDish by March-end

    NEW DELHI: Indian pubcaster Doordarshan is now confident that it will acquire the capacity of carrying 112 channels on its free-to-air (FTA) direct to home (DTH) service FreeDish by March-end.
     
    DD director general C Lalrosanga told Indiantelevision.com that a meeting had been held recently by the engineering team in FreeDish and Doordarshan with experts from the Bangalore based ByDesign India.
     
    DD is acquiring ByDesign’s conditional access system (CAS) so as to increase its channel offerings from the current 64 by the end of March 2016.
     
    The meeting was primarily aimed at assessing the requirement of CAS-enabled set top boxes (STBs) that will be needed to cover all regions of the country.
     
    Lalrosanga said the DTH player will switch over to MPEG4 from the current MPEG2 in two phases. “The first phase may begin this month,” he informed.
     
    Late last year, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) approved a proposal by ByDesign India to develop an Indian conditional access system. ByDesign was to receive a support amount of Rs 19.79 crore from DeitY to develop the new system in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
     
    The ByDesign model is totally indigenous and built for DVB-C setup. This CAS solution will enable broadcasters to control access to their services by viewers, and thereby enabling them to extend their business models to subscription based schemes.
     
    This will mean that the FreeDish will become encrypted but will remain FTA. In addition to helping increase the number of channels on the platform, this will enable FreeDish to gauge the exact number of households relying on FreeDish as encrypted STBs will only be available with authorised dealers.
     
    Lalrosanga went on to add that many homes were gradually switching over to FreeDish as they could then get their entire entertainment for a one-time fee of purchasing a dish, which costs as low as Rs 700 to Rs 1200.
     
    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had said early last year that FreeDish’s aim was to reach 112 channels within a year or so.
     
    At present, there is no vacant slot on Freedish since all channels that were on the platform and whose licences had expired have come back through the 24 e-auctions conducted over the past year.
     
    Interestingly, two new entrants on the platform – Aaj Tak and Big Magic – are pay channels, which are being run as FTA on FreeDish.
     
    DD sources said that the reference interconnect agreement signed by these two channels no longer carries any non-discriminatory clause as it refers to FreeDish.

  • Freedish & FM-ization’s slow development will hurt Prasar Bharati’s growth: Parliamentary Committee

    Freedish & FM-ization’s slow development will hurt Prasar Bharati’s growth: Parliamentary Committee

    NEW DELHI: Noting that it had asked the Government to expedite the Freedish Project and make necessary efforts to complete all procedural formalities in this regard, a Parliamentary Committee has expressed concern that the implementation of Conditional Access System (CAS) has been held up due to the inordinate delay in firming up a vendor.

    For Doordarshan to realise the benefits of upgradation and expansion, Prasar Bharati had taken initiatives to enhance the subscriber base and publicity of DD Freedish DTH platform along with providing a dedicated customer service division and a 24×7 call/help centre.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Information Technology, which reviews issues related to Information and Broadcasting Ministry said in a report laid in the Parliament that all these initiatives will not yield the desired benefit unless the DD Freedish initiative is expedited by fast tracking the implementation of CAS.

    As providing Freedish is crucial to enhance competitiveness of Doordarshan vis-a-vis the private TV channels, the Committee in its Action Taken Report said, “It is highly imperative that the procedural hurdles with regard to CAS need to be removed.”

    The Committee, therefore, stressed that Prasar Bharati needed to complete all the procedural formalities for expeditious execution of the Freedish project.

    Similarly, with regard to FM-ization, the Committee had recommended that Prasar Bharati formulate a comprehensive plan on FM-ization at the earliest for seeking Cabinet approval.

    But the Committee, which was suggesting a roadmap for revival of Prasar Bharati said it was “perturbed to note that no action has been initiated so far by the Prasar Bharati to prepare a comprehensive proposal. As FM-ization needs enhanced Plan allocation under the 12th Plan and the proposal can be approved at the time of revision of the 12th Plan before sending the final proposal for approval of CCEA, the Committee urged that Prasar Bharati take urgent steps for preparation of a comprehensive proposal for FM-ization without any further delay.”

    In its original report, the Committee had said, “The Committee recognises that the idea of providing Freedish and progressive FM-ization can play a vital role in shaping the future roadmap for the revival of Prasar Bharati. As part of its FreeDish endeavour, Doordarshan has upgraded the technical infrastructure of DD FreeDish DTH platform and is presently providing free to air 64 SDTV channels in MPEG-2DVB-S. The technical infrastructure of the remaining 48 SDTV channels has also been installed and tested. Once these channels are made CAS enabled in free-to-view mode, subscribers can view these channels with a onetime annual registration. Doordarshan is planning to commission these 48 SDTV channels in Freedish mode only after implementing the CAS Service, upgrading its platform to 112 channels. The Committee need hardly emphasize that popularization of Freedish may indeed prove to be one of the major keys which can turn around Doordarshan in a big way, especially when it is competing with private TV channels who are providing hundreds of channels to its viewers. Therefore, the Ministry should make efforts to complete all the procedural formalities so as to facilitate the expeditious execution of the Free Dish Project.”

    The Committee had also said that to bring Prasar Bharati on the revival track, it needs to move swiftly with its FM-ization initiative. On the issue of FM-ization, the Ministry has informed that it is for the Prasar Bharati to take a call on FM-ization. It had conveyed to Prasar Bharati that the issue can be addressed at the time of revision in the 12th Plan, which may be approved by the Prasar Bharati Board and the final scheme proposal may be forwarded to the Ministry for approval by CCEA. The Committee recommended that Prasar Bharati should accordingly go ahead and formulate a comprehensive proposal on FM-ization at the earliest for seeking Cabinet approval.”

    In response to its queries, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in their Action Taken Note stated, “Prasar Bharati has informed that Upgradation/Expansion of DD Freedish platform from 59 channels to 112 channels has been partly completed by the Engineering Wing of DD. Upgradation involves introduction of CAS-enabled MPEG-4 channels in addition to the existing “unscrambled” MPEG-2 channels available to current subscribers. Four upgraded and bandwidth efficient MPEG-2 streams have already been enabled with 64 channels. Two MPEG-4 streams capable of carrying 48 SD channels are also being uplinked, but cannot be received by viewers due to non-implementation of CAS. Implementation of CAS has been held up due to inordinate delay in firming up a CAS vendor due to concerns raised with regard to the process adopted to identify a CAS vendor and one of the shortlisted entities, it has been decided to issue a fresh tender to identify the CAS vendor.

    Once implemented, the CAS enabled MPEG-4 streams will open new opportunities for offering Value Added Services (VAS) such as EPG, home channels, overlay of advertisements, and similar other consumer oriented and revenue-generating services. It will also enable DD arrive at a precise estimate of Free Dish subscriber base, on the basis of which it will be able to demand higher carriage fees on its platform. For DD to realize the benefits of Upgradation/Expansion, DD Free Dish has to be supported by an active publicity, sales and support wing, which will help expand the subscriber base and make it the most popular DTH platform. This has to be supported by a dedicated customer service division, along with a 24×7 call/help centre. Both these efforts have been initiated by Prasar Bharati.”

    The Ministry also noted that Prasar Bharati had further informed that Radio Iistenership has moved over to FM Radio because of superior stereo quality and variety of 10 programming. In addition, availability of FM Radio on mobile phones has further enhanced its popularity. AIR FM Radio presently covers only 45 per cent of population. Cost of ensuring FM across entire nation is Rs 3000 crore (approx). This would require enhanced Plan allocation, mid term 12th plan review and generation of new resources. The Ministry has already communicated to Prasar Bharati that any revisions in the approved Plan Scheme will have to be taken up with CCEA after such proposals for revisions are furnished to the Ministry with due approval of Prasar Bharati Board.

  • No plans for new DD transmitters except some in border areas: Rathore

    No plans for new DD transmitters except some in border areas: Rathore

    NEW DELHI: The Government has no plans for new Doordarshan transmitters for expansion of terrestrial coverage except a few in border areas, the Parliament was told by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore.

     

    Doordarshan has 67 kendras (studio centres) and 1,416 transmitters in the country and therefore there is no need for expansion in view of multi channel coverage having been provided to all the areas uncovered by terrestrial transmission (including those located in rural/ remote/ backward/tribal regions) along with rest of the country through DD’s free-to-air DTH service Freedish.

     

    Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of seven studios, followed by Jammu and Kashmir with four. Although other states have a maximum of two studios, each one of them widens its reach through high power transmitters, lower low power transmitters; very low power transmitters and transposers.

     

    Rathore also told the Parliament that all areas uncovered by terrestrial transmission along with the rest of the country have been provided with multi channel TV coverage through Freedish. DTH signals can be received anywhere in the country with the help of small sized dish receive units and require only a one-time payment for purchasing the units.

     

    The four new TV transmitter projects in Jammu and Kashmir presently under implementation are High Power Transmitters (HPTs), Rajouri (DD1 & DD News); HPT, Green Ridge; HPT, Himbotingla; and HPT Natha Top (Patnitop). The Timeline for transmitters at Rajouri is 2016 and for other locations is 2017.

  • DD Freedish set to beam up to 250 channels under 12th Plan

    DD Freedish set to beam up to 250 channels under 12th Plan

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s free-to-air (FTA) direct-to-home (DTH) Freedish, which currently has only 64 slots for television channels and is expected to go up to 112 by March-end, has received a shot in the arm for upgradation to 250 TV channels under the 12th Plan.

    Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley told Parliament that the Department of Space had agreed in principle to provide additional transponders on new GSAT 15 satellite required for 250 TV channels

    Meanwhile, he said that DD was facing issues in implementing Conditional Access System (CAS), which is a part of upgraded system. But it had now decided to adopt Indian Conditional Access System (Indian CAS), which is being finalised by Department of Electronics and Information Technology. As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, DD is acquiring the Bangalore based ByDesign India’s CAS.

    Late last year, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) approved a proposal by ByDesign India to develop an Indian conditional access system. ByDesign was to receive a support amount of Rs 19.79 crore from DeitY to develop the new system in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).

    The ByDesign model is totally indigenous and built for DVB-C setup. This CAS solution will enable broadcasters to control access to their services by viewers, and thereby enabling them to extend their business models to subscription based schemes. 

    Apart from the TV channels, Freedish also beams 21 All India Radio (AIR) channels. 

    DD director general C Lalrosanga had earlier told Indiantelevision.com that the DTH player will switch over to MPEG 4 from the current MPEG 2 in two phases. “The first phase may begin by early next month,” he informed.

    Meanwhile even as regional channels of DD switched over to INSAT 4B, DD’s main channels have also shifted to GSAT 10, which was launched in September 2012. The regional channels were shifted in view of End of Life (EOL) of INSAT-3A as declared by Indian Space Research Organisation. Four new transponders have been provided for these channels on INSAT-4B by ISRO. 

    It has 12 Ku-Band, 12 C-Band and 6 lower extended C-Band Transponders. 

    Now GSAT 10 started transmission on C-Band transponders.

    The channels that have been switched to GSAT 10 are DD National, DD News, DD Bharati, DD Sports, DD Urdu, DD India, Rajya Sabha TV and DD HD.

     

    Department of Space sources told this website that GSAT 15 satellite will ultimately accommodate Freedish, as it has more capacity of transponders to provide more bandwidth and better coverage. 

    GSAT-15 satellite, launched recently, has planned its mission for 12 years and this satellite will be located at same direction of INSAT-3A / INSAT-4B satellite at 93.5° East Longitude.

    GSAT-15 carries 24 Ku-band transponders with 36 Mhz high bandwidth.

    GSAT-15 also has two GAGAN navigational payloads and 2 Ku-Band beacons. This satellite will be use mainly for Direct to Home services, radio navigation services and VSAT services.