ITV

Tag: GTPL

  • TDSAT to Taj TV: Restore signals to All Digital Network

    TDSAT to Taj TV: Restore signals to All Digital Network

    NEW DELHI: Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to restore the supply of signals to All Digital Network India Ltd with the MSO agreeing it will makes the aggregate payment of five instalments of Rs 86,64,000 each payable by 30 June.

    The supply of signals thus restored, shall continue provided further payments, if any, are made in terms of the schedule, according to the order by chairman Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava who listed the case for 22 July. The tribunal also recalled its order restraining the petitioner and GTPL from making any withdrawals from their bank accounts.

    Earlier, a payment schedule was submitted before the tribunal on behalf of GTPL which had accepted to pay off the dues of All Digital Network to Taj Television. Under that schedule, five instalments of Rs 86,64,000 each were payable to Taj Television by 30 June with the fourth and fifth instalment falling due on that date.

    But the tribunal was informed on 3 June that neither the GTPL nor All Digital had paid a single instalment under the schedule. Further, it was told that GTPL is also reported to have walked out of the arrangement with All Digital.

    However, All Digital counsel Manikya Khanna told the tribunal that since GTPL was not complying with the commitment given on its behalf, All Digital accepted its liability to pay the dues of Taj TV and it will make payment in terms of the schedule earlier given on behalf of GTPL.

  • TDSAT to Taj TV: Restore signals to All Digital Network

    TDSAT to Taj TV: Restore signals to All Digital Network

    NEW DELHI: Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to restore the supply of signals to All Digital Network India Ltd with the MSO agreeing it will makes the aggregate payment of five instalments of Rs 86,64,000 each payable by 30 June.

    The supply of signals thus restored, shall continue provided further payments, if any, are made in terms of the schedule, according to the order by chairman Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava who listed the case for 22 July. The tribunal also recalled its order restraining the petitioner and GTPL from making any withdrawals from their bank accounts.

    Earlier, a payment schedule was submitted before the tribunal on behalf of GTPL which had accepted to pay off the dues of All Digital Network to Taj Television. Under that schedule, five instalments of Rs 86,64,000 each were payable to Taj Television by 30 June with the fourth and fifth instalment falling due on that date.

    But the tribunal was informed on 3 June that neither the GTPL nor All Digital had paid a single instalment under the schedule. Further, it was told that GTPL is also reported to have walked out of the arrangement with All Digital.

    However, All Digital counsel Manikya Khanna told the tribunal that since GTPL was not complying with the commitment given on its behalf, All Digital accepted its liability to pay the dues of Taj TV and it will make payment in terms of the schedule earlier given on behalf of GTPL.

  • TDSAT accepts GTPL and Taj TV payment schedule; distributor warned of consequences of breach

    TDSAT accepts GTPL and Taj TV payment schedule; distributor warned of consequences of breach

    New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has accepted a payment schedule between GTPL and Taj Television for dues for eight months.The dues were for the period 1 August 2015 to 31 March 2016.

    However, Chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava made clear that any breach in payment by GTPL, apart from any other consequences, would make GTPL liable to be proceeded for contempt in terms of section 21 of the TRAI Act. GTPL Counsel Nasir Husain also agreed to give post-dated cheques to Taj TV. The Tribunal said that the application stood disposed off on these terms.

  • TDSAT accepts GTPL and Taj TV payment schedule; distributor warned of consequences of breach

    TDSAT accepts GTPL and Taj TV payment schedule; distributor warned of consequences of breach

    New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has accepted a payment schedule between GTPL and Taj Television for dues for eight months.The dues were for the period 1 August 2015 to 31 March 2016.

    However, Chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava made clear that any breach in payment by GTPL, apart from any other consequences, would make GTPL liable to be proceeded for contempt in terms of section 21 of the TRAI Act. GTPL Counsel Nasir Husain also agreed to give post-dated cheques to Taj TV. The Tribunal said that the application stood disposed off on these terms.

  • Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

    Chrome DM report on ‘Cable Dark’ areas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • DAS Phase III status report: East and West

    DAS Phase III status report: East and West

    MUMBAI: Though the deadline was announced well in advance, the action on-ground took quite some time to get rolling. And now it’s certainly too late to finish on time. “It’s chaos and carnage together. Digitisation, which was meant to be a panacea has turned out to be a poison for cable operators and it’s sad that there is no one to stand by their side,” said a retired official from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on condition of anonymity.

     

    As per the official’s assessment, on an average, 40 per cent seeding of set-top-boxes (STBs) has been done successfully and it will be impossible to meet the 31 December, 2015.

     

    Digitisation is an East – West – North – South affair and the progress report is quite similar everywhere. This report by Indiantelevision.com covers the proceedings of the eastern and western parts of the country.

     

    East

     

    The North Eastern part of the country has always been one of the most neglected areas when it comes to central government’s attention. The story is no different when it comes to DAS too. “People here are not aware of 10 per cent of the laws. There is nobody to go to and talk about grievances. Not everyone can go to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) as they cannot afford to. So they have two options, to either opt out entirely from the cable business or succumb to unfair means. While there are grievances involved, we cannot expect work to go on a brisk pace and it’s all delayed,” Task Force member from Assam Iquebal Ahmed tells this website.

     

    While Ahmed refrained from putting a number to the progress but as per the assessment of other cable operators, approximately 30 per cent of the seeding has been done so far.

     

    And this 30 per cent is still on higher side the story is even worse in West Bengal. “Only eight to 10 per cent of the seeding has been done so far,” estimates Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia. But he also says the work has picked up recently and it is not impossible to meet the deadline provided there is a surge in consumer demand.

     

    “The government has to advertise more aggressively by putting more newspaper inserts to drive consumer requirement. The message needs to be very clear that people need to have set top boxes before 31 December or there will be no TV,” stresses Sethia.

     

    The crisis of STBs, which is very widely spoken about is not something Sethia is bothered about. “As far as we are concerned, we have enough hardware to meet the demand,” he says confidently.

     

    West

     

    The west side story is a lot better in comparison. “About 60 per cent of the seeding has been done in Gujarat and if we continue with the way we are forging forward, there is a good possibility of us reaching the target by March if not December, provided the deadline is not postponed. However, if the deadline is postponed, the momentum of work will break since the pressure will ease off and then we might not be able to achieve it by June,” says GTPL Hathway COO Shaji Mathews.

     

    Mathews is of the opinion that deals with broadcasters cannot be a reason behind the delay. “Even in Phase I and II, analogue deals continued in digitised areas for a brief period. The transition takes time and will gradually fall in place,” he adds.

     

    However, the progress report in Maharashtra is not as hunky dory as that of Gujarat. The Maharashtra government, like the Central government, is adamant on no extension of deadline. The respective collectors have also communicated the same across every nook and corner. But there is a huge lack of awareness among consumers, says a senior member of Nasik District Cable Operators Federation.

     

    He further adds, “Do we have the infrastructure ready? Why are we not talking about that? The MSOs will benefit the most from this chaotic scenario. They are not releasing the boxes now and the reason is that when the demand hikes up at the last moment, they can jack up the price and sell. DEN is charging Rs 1600 for a STB! Can a phase III consumer afford it? The government needs to look into the deeper issues and generate more awareness instead of showing its muscle power.”

     

    What the scenario at the ground level will be post 31 December, 2015, only time will tell.

     

    Indiantelevision.com’s next report will focus on the ground realities in the Northern and Southern parts of the country. Stay tuned.

  • Fewer new MSO applicants held up for lack of security clearance by MHA

    Fewer new MSO applicants held up for lack of security clearance by MHA

    NEW DELHI: Imparting a pace of urgency in view of the approaching deadline for implementation of digital addressable system (DAS), the last three Open House meetings between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and multi system operators (MSOs) showed greater positivity with most applicants being told their applications had been processed.

     

    This is contrary to the practice a few months earlier when MSOs were told in most meetings that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had not yet given security clearance to them.

     

    While there were some cases where such clearance is awaited, MSOs like DEN Discovery, DEN Premium, DEN Ambey, Den Enjoy, Mahvir DEN, GTPL and Good Media News were given other reasons for delay but were generally given an optimistic message.

     

    The MHA had some months earlier streamlined and relaxed national security clearance norms for certain sensitive sectors including the media sector.

     

    The Parliament had been informed by the Home Ministry that its new policy guidelines included doing away with national security clearance for MSOs in the media sector. 

     

    The guidelines are aimed at bringing about a healthy balance between meeting the imperatives of national security and facilitating the ease of doing business and promoting investment in the country.

     

    However MIB sources told Indiantelevision.com that the Ministry had still not received any note from the Home Ministry in this regard.

     

    Sources also said that a majority of the 203 MSOs who had been given provisional licences by 20 October are awaiting security clearance from the Home Ministry. 
  • Hathway & GTPL to jointly negotiate contracts nationally with broadcasters

    Hathway & GTPL to jointly negotiate contracts nationally with broadcasters

    MUMBAI: Hathway and GTPL have entered into a mutual alliance to jointly negotiate contracts related to content and carriage with all broadcasters going forward.

     

    This would include all-India subscription agreements as well as carriage-cum-placement agreements for Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) notified and Non-DAS markets. Additionally, all commercials mutually agreed by both entities with the broadcaster will be applicable to all its subsidiaries and associate entities.

     

    Hathway video business president T.S. Panesar said, “Our mutual understanding with GTPL will bring in better synergies with a more focused, proactive approach in order to build clarity within the value chain, avoid duplication of time and effort, thus, paving the way for systematic functioning.”

     

    GTPL managing director Anirudh Singh Jadeja added, “We are happy to align collectively to negotiate all further deals as it will ensure that resources are best utilised and optimum output is achieved.”

  • Sangram Committee to support Patna LMOs

    Sangram Committee to support Patna LMOs

    KOLKATA: Kolkata-based Cable Operators Sangram Committee – has extended its helping hand to last mile owners (LMOs) in Patna. The city boasts of approximately 2.5 – 3 lakh digitised cable TV homes in the DAS II area. However, the LMOs are a ‘unhappy lot’ as they neither get proper bills and receipts nor full payment from customers.

     

    Going forward Sangram Committee, which currently is active in Kolkata, aims to spread its operation in the eastern region including Assam, Tripura and Jharkhand and plans to address the grievances of all the LMOs in the eastern region to the authorities jointly.

     

    More than 450 LMOs in Patna met with the Sangram Committee affiliated LMOs and discussed the ground problems faced by the LMOs while operating in their respective zones.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Cable Operators Sangram Committee general secretary Apurba Bhattacharya said, “We will place our demand to all the MSOs operating in Patna and request them to operate as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) guidelines. LMOs are neither getting the bills nor the receipts.”

     

    It should be noted that Patna has around eight lakh cable TV homes, of which 2.5-3 lakh that fall under DAS II area are all digitised. While another five lakh homes are expected to be digitised in the later phases.

     

    Multi-system operators like Siti Cable, GTPL, Patna-based Darsh and DEN Networks mostly operate here.

     

    “Since customers are not getting the bills, they are not ready to do full payment. Apart from this we are also not getting any receipt from the MSO,” said Kumar Nilesh, a LMO affiliated to GTPL.

     

    While Rakesh Kumar Singh, a LMO affiliated to Siti Cable said, “Most cable operators have not yet signed revenue-sharing agreements with their MSOs.”

     

    Another LMO when asked about the popular package, said that people mostly go for packages below Rs 300 here.

     

    Explaining further, an LMO said that if a customer has chosen a package of Rs 240, he will have to pay Rs 240+Rs 15 (amusement tax) plus an additional 12.36 per cent service tax. “But some customers are just paying Rs 240, so do we pay their service tax and amusement tax?” he questioned.

     

    “Customers were expecting to get bills and now when they don’t get their bills, they are upset. Some are not willing to pay the monthly rental also,” he further added.

     

    On other hand, MSOs have a different picture to present.

     

    Darsh Digital Network director Sushil Kumar said that the MSOs can see that even after collecting payment from the consumers, LMOs are not paying the respective MSOs. “If there is a backlog of three to four months in payment, how can we survive?” Kumar avers.

     

    “Television has become an inseparable part of our lives. So not only MSOs and LMOs but consumers too have to think in a mature way and all other stakeholders should act as per the norms, for the smooth rollout of DAS,” concluded an expert.