Tag: FTA

FreeDish’s first e-auction after upgradation in Mar

NEW DELHI: A new era begins for Doordarshan’s free to air direct to home platform FreeDish as it takes the first major step to mark towards its target of 104 television channels by March end with its 32nd e-auction which will help it cross the existing capacity of eighty channels.

With MPEG4 under final trials and existing channels having received extensions for their licences, the next e-auction of DD FreeDish is slated for 14 February 2017.

With this new leap, DD has also raised its reserve price to Rs 48 million per slot from the hitherto Rs 43 million. Earlier, the price for one channel went up to Rs 53 million and gave DD the confidence to raise the pricem which had been Rs 37 million till 2015 but was raised to Rs 43 million for the 25th e-auction in January 2016.

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

DD refused to disclose the number of slots being put up for e-auction as officials claim this leads to unhealthy practices.

Doordarshan had in October last year formally announced that FreeDish was capable of carrying 104 television channels and 24 channels would be added to the existing 80 channels after the launch of MPEG4 technology.

While three new channels were added in an auction held over two days in mid-October, another 24 got their licences renewed for a year. DD officials also confirmed that FreeDish will soon be capable of carrying up to 250 channels.

In line with the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’, DD has decided to implement Indian CAS (iCAS) on DD FreeDish Platform. iCAS (which is an initiative of the central government) is being introduced in 24 MPEG-4 channels. The introduction of iCAS will provide enhanced viewing experience.

DD officials said these additional 24 MPEG-4 SDTV channels will be available to viewers in FTA mode. The existing viewers will continue to get 80 SDTV channels, but will have to obtain iCAS-enabled authorised set-top boxes for accessing all 104 channels.

Although FreeDish will remain free to air with no monthly or periodic fee, the viewers will be required to register with DD FreeDish on getting the new STB from Doordarshan authorised STB dealers.

Slots on DD FreeDish are allocated to private channels through a transparent system of e-auction. DD earned Rs 980 million in 2014-15, Rs 1800 million in 2015-16, and Rs 1040 million till September in 2016-17. The 31st auction brought Rs 1293 million In October 2016.

FreeDish was launched with a modest bouquet of 33 channels in December 2004, and now carries eighty TV channels and 32 radio channels. This includes 22 Doordarshan channels and two parliamentary channels, seven general entertainment channels, 18 movie channels, 13 news channels, seven music channels, three religious channels and eight channels of other genres. All All India Radio stations also piggy-back on the platform.

The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.15 million which has to be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on the date of auction 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 one million 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 11 million will be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 11 million within two months along with service tax of 15 per cent on the bid amount.

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

DD officials said implementation of iCAS and authorisation of STB original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by Doordarshan will give a major thrust to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. At present, a majority of STBs are imported. However, the introduction of iCAS will help in standardisation of STBs and encourage quality STB manufacturing in India.

Also read:

FreeDish ready to beam 104 TV channels; 24 on MPEG4

Three new TV channels join DD FreeDish bouquet; 24 get extension

Next FreeDish auction after MPEG4 operationalisation

February 6, 2017
FreeDish’s first e-auction after upgradation in Mar

NEW DELHI: A new era begins for Doordarshan’s free to air direct to home platform FreeDish as it takes the first major step to mark towards its target of 104 television channels by March end with its 32nd e-auction which will help it cross the existing capacity of eighty channels.

With MPEG4 under final trials and existing channels having received extensions for their licences, the next e-auction of DD FreeDish is slated for 14 February 2017.

With this new leap, DD has also raised its reserve price to Rs 48 million per slot from the hitherto Rs 43 million. Earlier, the price for one channel went up to Rs 53 million and gave DD the confidence to raise the pricem which had been Rs 37 million till 2015 but was raised to Rs 43 million for the 25th e-auction in January 2016.

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

DD refused to disclose the number of slots being put up for e-auction as officials claim this leads to unhealthy practices.

Doordarshan had in October last year formally announced that FreeDish was capable of carrying 104 television channels and 24 channels would be added to the existing 80 channels after the launch of MPEG4 technology.

While three new channels were added in an auction held over two days in mid-October, another 24 got their licences renewed for a year. DD officials also confirmed that FreeDish will soon be capable of carrying up to 250 channels.

In line with the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’, DD has decided to implement Indian CAS (iCAS) on DD FreeDish Platform. iCAS (which is an initiative of the central government) is being introduced in 24 MPEG-4 channels. The introduction of iCAS will provide enhanced viewing experience.

DD officials said these additional 24 MPEG-4 SDTV channels will be available to viewers in FTA mode. The existing viewers will continue to get 80 SDTV channels, but will have to obtain iCAS-enabled authorised set-top boxes for accessing all 104 channels.

Although FreeDish will remain free to air with no monthly or periodic fee, the viewers will be required to register with DD FreeDish on getting the new STB from Doordarshan authorised STB dealers.

Slots on DD FreeDish are allocated to private channels through a transparent system of e-auction. DD earned Rs 980 million in 2014-15, Rs 1800 million in 2015-16, and Rs 1040 million till September in 2016-17. The 31st auction brought Rs 1293 million In October 2016.

FreeDish was launched with a modest bouquet of 33 channels in December 2004, and now carries eighty TV channels and 32 radio channels. This includes 22 Doordarshan channels and two parliamentary channels, seven general entertainment channels, 18 movie channels, 13 news channels, seven music channels, three religious channels and eight channels of other genres. All All India Radio stations also piggy-back on the platform.

The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.15 million which has to be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on the date of auction 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 one million 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 11 million will be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 11 million within two months along with service tax of 15 per cent on the bid amount.

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

DD officials said implementation of iCAS and authorisation of STB original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by Doordarshan will give a major thrust to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. At present, a majority of STBs are imported. However, the introduction of iCAS will help in standardisation of STBs and encourage quality STB manufacturing in India.

Also read:

FreeDish ready to beam 104 TV channels; 24 on MPEG4

Three new TV channels join DD FreeDish bouquet; 24 get extension

Next FreeDish auction after MPEG4 operationalisation

February 6, 2017
Sun TV retains leadership across genres in BARC week 1

MUMBAI: Sun TV continued to be the undisputed leader across genres as recorded in the beginning of the year 2017. Star Plus emerged as the first runner-up in the race. From the FTA family, Rishtey managed to maintain the fifth slot, according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings of week 1.

Sun TV garnered the first spot with 1282328 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Plus in the second position with 758437 Impressions (000s). Colors in the third place also witnessed a rise with 719050 Impressions (000s) and Gemini TV stood on number four with 547809 Impressions (000s)

FTA channel Rishtey stood at the fifth spot with 500604 Impressions (000s) followed by ETV Telugu with 461904 Impressions (000s) on sixth. Zee TV on number seven with 458511 Impressions (000s). Sony Entertainment Television with 440835 Impressions (000s) grabbed the eighth slot across genre.

Zee Telugu with 424755 Impressiosn (000s) and Maa TV bagged ninth and tenth spot with 424755 Impressions (000s) and 410624 (000s), respectively.

January 13, 2017
Sun TV retains leadership across genres in BARC week 1

MUMBAI: Sun TV continued to be the undisputed leader across genres as recorded in the beginning of the year 2017. Star Plus emerged as the first runner-up in the race. From the FTA family, Rishtey managed to maintain the fifth slot, according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings of week 1.

Sun TV garnered the first spot with 1282328 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Plus in the second position with 758437 Impressions (000s). Colors in the third place also witnessed a rise with 719050 Impressions (000s) and Gemini TV stood on number four with 547809 Impressions (000s)

FTA channel Rishtey stood at the fifth spot with 500604 Impressions (000s) followed by ETV Telugu with 461904 Impressions (000s) on sixth. Zee TV on number seven with 458511 Impressions (000s). Sony Entertainment Television with 440835 Impressions (000s) grabbed the eighth slot across genre.

Zee Telugu with 424755 Impressiosn (000s) and Maa TV bagged ninth and tenth spot with 424755 Impressions (000s) and 410624 (000s), respectively.

January 13, 2017
81 teleports permitted to uplink, downlink TV channels

MUMBAI: A total of 892 private satellite TV channels can downlink and/or uplink from 81 teleports in the country, apart from those of Doordarshan which are uplinked directly from Prasar Bharati transmitters.

The permission to the private channels has been according under the Uplink and Downlink of TV channels policy as last amended on 5 December 2011.

The Parliament was told recently that while no information regarding Free to Air teleports is available, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has said there are 281 pay channels as on 30 September 2016. A list of such pay channels is available on TRAI’s website under the link:www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/List-of-pay-chanel-03.03.2015.pdf.

It was also revealed that payment of annual permission fee 60 days before the due date will by itself be sufficient permission for continuation of a channel for a further period of one year from the due date and broadcasters which hold valid permission for uplinking and/or downlinking they would not require to obtain renewal permission from the ministry. All the TV channels and teleports are likely to benefit from this decision provided the validity of 10-year permission is available.

The list of permitted private satellite TV channels is available in this ministry’s website i.e.www.mib.nic.in. and the list of permitted teleports as on date is enclosed.

The channels which are not mentioned in the list may be considered as Free to Air (FTA) channels.

Questions were raised in the Lok Sabha about details of the channels and teleports functioning in the country; details of the free to air channels and teleports at present; whether the government has completely abolished the process of obtaining an Annual Renewal for TV channels in the current forms; and it were so, the details thereof, along with the aims and objective thereto; and the number of channels and teleports likely to be benefit from the said decision.

December 12, 2016
81 teleports permitted to uplink, downlink TV channels

MUMBAI: A total of 892 private satellite TV channels can downlink and/or uplink from 81 teleports in the country, apart from those of Doordarshan which are uplinked directly from Prasar Bharati transmitters.

The permission to the private channels has been according under the Uplink and Downlink of TV channels policy as last amended on 5 December 2011.

The Parliament was told recently that while no information regarding Free to Air teleports is available, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has said there are 281 pay channels as on 30 September 2016. A list of such pay channels is available on TRAI’s website under the link:www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/List-of-pay-chanel-03.03.2015.pdf.

It was also revealed that payment of annual permission fee 60 days before the due date will by itself be sufficient permission for continuation of a channel for a further period of one year from the due date and broadcasters which hold valid permission for uplinking and/or downlinking they would not require to obtain renewal permission from the ministry. All the TV channels and teleports are likely to benefit from this decision provided the validity of 10-year permission is available.

The list of permitted private satellite TV channels is available in this ministry’s website i.e.www.mib.nic.in. and the list of permitted teleports as on date is enclosed.

The channels which are not mentioned in the list may be considered as Free to Air (FTA) channels.

Questions were raised in the Lok Sabha about details of the channels and teleports functioning in the country; details of the free to air channels and teleports at present; whether the government has completely abolished the process of obtaining an Annual Renewal for TV channels in the current forms; and it were so, the details thereof, along with the aims and objective thereto; and the number of channels and teleports likely to be benefit from the said decision.

December 12, 2016
Multichannel TV, digital video growing in Myanmar: CASBAA report

MUMBAI: Multichannel TV and digital video markets continue to grow exponentially in Myanmar. Around 12 months ago, the TV household penetration touched 5.8 million homes, or 55%.

Nationally pay-TV connections amounted to 12% of total households. Within the traditional TV market, there are signs of rapid expansion. In the free-to-air (FTA) sector, the number of channels increased fivefold from four networks in between 2009 and 2015.

Meanwhile, multichannel-TV investment continues apace, including plans by several pay-TV providers to localize and improve and programming, expanding their reach through more extensive distribution investment supporting less complexity during the subscription and renewal processes.

Asia Pacific multichannel TV association CASBAA today released its exclusive, members-only “Myanmar in View” report on the fast-evolving multichannel market in Myanmar, one of the world’s most dynamic media and telecoms economies.

The “Myanmar in View 2017” report was released at the opening of CASBAA’s “Essential Building Blocks for Multichannel TV in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos” spotlight conference in Singapore on 5 December.

“Even as Myanmar experiences roller coaster political events, the multichannel TV and digital video markets continue to grow exponentially,” said Christopher Slaughter, CASBAA CEO. “According to our analysis and that of many economists and infrastructure specialists, Myanmar continues to experience high economic growth with the continued liberalization of the economy, moving towards becoming a free market and welcoming foreign direct investment as well as foreign firms.” Nevertheless, the CASBAA Report also notes that “Myanmar continues to suffer from inadequate infrastructure such as the lack of electricity and proper roads, although it has begun upgrading its infrastructure.” “Although Myanmar’s TV market stats reflect continued under-development within the broader economy they only highlight great medium-term opportunity for our sector,” said Slaughter.

Meanwhile, multichannel-TV investment continues apace, including plans by several pay-TV providers to localize and improve and programming, expanding their reach through more extensive distribution investment supporting less complexity during the subscription and renewal processes.

According to CASBAA, competition in the pay-TV sector will intensify as existing operators improve their service propositions and new players enter the market. However, while TV adspend has grown rapidly (US$120 million in 2015, up 31% since 2009) widespread piracy from “overspill” satellite dishes may dampen growth in the pay-TV industry.

Through unregistered satellite services, viewers are able access more channels at significantly lower prices than that charged by Myanmar pay-TV players. Pirated DVDs of international movies and drama, which are widely available in urban areas, also dampen growth of the pay-TV market. “Unfortunately, there is a lack of concerted effort to tackle piracy issues in the country,” said Slaughter.

December 5, 2016
Multichannel TV, digital video growing in Myanmar: CASBAA report

MUMBAI: Multichannel TV and digital video markets continue to grow exponentially in Myanmar. Around 12 months ago, the TV household penetration touched 5.8 million homes, or 55%.

Nationally pay-TV connections amounted to 12% of total households. Within the traditional TV market, there are signs of rapid expansion. In the free-to-air (FTA) sector, the number of channels increased fivefold from four networks in between 2009 and 2015.

Meanwhile, multichannel-TV investment continues apace, including plans by several pay-TV providers to localize and improve and programming, expanding their reach through more extensive distribution investment supporting less complexity during the subscription and renewal processes.

Asia Pacific multichannel TV association CASBAA today released its exclusive, members-only “Myanmar in View” report on the fast-evolving multichannel market in Myanmar, one of the world’s most dynamic media and telecoms economies.

The “Myanmar in View 2017” report was released at the opening of CASBAA’s “Essential Building Blocks for Multichannel TV in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos” spotlight conference in Singapore on 5 December.

“Even as Myanmar experiences roller coaster political events, the multichannel TV and digital video markets continue to grow exponentially,” said Christopher Slaughter, CASBAA CEO. “According to our analysis and that of many economists and infrastructure specialists, Myanmar continues to experience high economic growth with the continued liberalization of the economy, moving towards becoming a free market and welcoming foreign direct investment as well as foreign firms.” Nevertheless, the CASBAA Report also notes that “Myanmar continues to suffer from inadequate infrastructure such as the lack of electricity and proper roads, although it has begun upgrading its infrastructure.” “Although Myanmar’s TV market stats reflect continued under-development within the broader economy they only highlight great medium-term opportunity for our sector,” said Slaughter.

Meanwhile, multichannel-TV investment continues apace, including plans by several pay-TV providers to localize and improve and programming, expanding their reach through more extensive distribution investment supporting less complexity during the subscription and renewal processes.

According to CASBAA, competition in the pay-TV sector will intensify as existing operators improve their service propositions and new players enter the market. However, while TV adspend has grown rapidly (US$120 million in 2015, up 31% since 2009) widespread piracy from “overspill” satellite dishes may dampen growth in the pay-TV industry.

Through unregistered satellite services, viewers are able access more channels at significantly lower prices than that charged by Myanmar pay-TV players. Pirated DVDs of international movies and drama, which are widely available in urban areas, also dampen growth of the pay-TV market. “Unfortunately, there is a lack of concerted effort to tackle piracy issues in the country,” said Slaughter.

December 5, 2016
Cable TV distribution to get fillip from demonetisation

MUMBAI: The cable television distribution business, a section of which has been infamous for dealings in unaccounted money, will have to upgrade addressability in the backdrop of the decision to demonetise higher value currency. It is estimated that the analog subscriber base will come down by 37% this year as they switch over to digital cable under DAS III and IV, according to sector estimates.

According to a FICCI-KPMG report, there are approximately 65 million analog cable television subscribers in India, around 37 million digital cable television subscribers, 44 million pay DTH (direct-to-home) subscribers and some 15 million free DTH (FTA) subscribers. The benefit of dealing in cash prompts most operators to under-report subscriber numbers and eventually revenue. However, this may substantially reduce with the new government move, experts said.

KPMG partner – media & entertainment Jehil Thakkar said that, with digitisation (under DAS III and IV), TRAI has proposed new pricing for TV channels. The purpose was to make it affordable. With demonetisation, the cable operators may have to clean up their operations so that there was transparency in dealings with broadcasters.

DAS could act as a catalyst for cable operators to reduce under-reporting. Demonetisation, experts said, could become a trigger for the switchover. Under-reporting of subscription revenue by the cable operator per individual or household had been estimated to be 15-20%. DTH, however, has overcome this issue by using a pricing strategy based on the number of channels seen by a consumer.

Meanwhile, the release of a number of Telugu films including Intlo Deyyam – Nakem Bhayam and Ram Charan Teja’s Dhruva have been postponed. Box office earnings have gone substantially down for Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films owing to demonetisation. Producers are being forced to defer releases due to low turnouts.

Several film shoots have been suspended, and many theatres in Kerala are planning to shut shop owing to non-availability of low denomination notes. Work on national award-winning director Sidharth Siva’s new movie Sakavu too has been deferred.

Income Tax officials meanwhile raided the house of the campaign manager of Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy and ex-MLA A John Kumar, seizing Rs. 14 lakh in cash. The ex-MLA of Nellithope, whose business is cable TV distribution, real estate etc, is also the manager of Narayanasamy’s campaign.

November 18, 2016
Cable TV distribution to get fillip from demonetisation

MUMBAI: The cable television distribution business, a section of which has been infamous for dealings in unaccounted money, will have to upgrade addressability in the backdrop of the decision to demonetise higher value currency. It is estimated that the analog subscriber base will come down by 37% this year as they switch over to digital cable under DAS III and IV, according to sector estimates.

According to a FICCI-KPMG report, there are approximately 65 million analog cable television subscribers in India, around 37 million digital cable television subscribers, 44 million pay DTH (direct-to-home) subscribers and some 15 million free DTH (FTA) subscribers. The benefit of dealing in cash prompts most operators to under-report subscriber numbers and eventually revenue. However, this may substantially reduce with the new government move, experts said.

KPMG partner – media & entertainment Jehil Thakkar said that, with digitisation (under DAS III and IV), TRAI has proposed new pricing for TV channels. The purpose was to make it affordable. With demonetisation, the cable operators may have to clean up their operations so that there was transparency in dealings with broadcasters.

DAS could act as a catalyst for cable operators to reduce under-reporting. Demonetisation, experts said, could become a trigger for the switchover. Under-reporting of subscription revenue by the cable operator per individual or household had been estimated to be 15-20%. DTH, however, has overcome this issue by using a pricing strategy based on the number of channels seen by a consumer.

Meanwhile, the release of a number of Telugu films including Intlo Deyyam – Nakem Bhayam and Ram Charan Teja’s Dhruva have been postponed. Box office earnings have gone substantially down for Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films owing to demonetisation. Producers are being forced to defer releases due to low turnouts.

Several film shoots have been suspended, and many theatres in Kerala are planning to shut shop owing to non-availability of low denomination notes. Work on national award-winning director Sidharth Siva’s new movie Sakavu too has been deferred.

Income Tax officials meanwhile raided the house of the campaign manager of Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy and ex-MLA A John Kumar, seizing Rs. 14 lakh in cash. The ex-MLA of Nellithope, whose business is cable TV distribution, real estate etc, is also the manager of Narayanasamy’s campaign.

November 18, 2016