ITV

Tag: HD

  • Ten Golf HD to launch on 7 October, SD feed to discontinue

    Ten Golf HD to launch on 7 October, SD feed to discontinue

    MUMBAI: The sole 24×7 Golf channel in India – Ten Golf will now be available in High Definition (HD) from 7 October. With this the channel’s Standard Definition (SD) feed will go off air. The channel will be renamed as Ten Golf HD. 

     

    Part of Ten Sports Network, Ten Golf was the first dedicated golf channel in this part of the world. With Ten Golf HD, Ten Sports Network will enhance viewing experience.

    “Watching the best golfers play their trade on the lush greens of the best golf courses in the world in High Definition (HD) is a different viewing experience altogether,” said Ten Sports Global CEO Rajesh Sethi. “We have been receiving increased demand for Ten Golf in HD and we are happy to give our audiences what they desire through Ten Golf HD. We have a bouquet of the best Golf content and we are confident of the acceptance and uptake of the channel,” he added.

    Ten Golf HD offers content from major events including the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship and leading International Tours like the European Tour and the Asian Tour. Best of Indian golf and golfers will be showcase on Ten Golf HD as part of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Leading women’s golf tour LPGA is another premier offering on Ten Golf HD. 

     

    Additionally, Ten Golf HD will broadcast daily programming including content from Golf Channel USA and Golfing World with specific shows targeted at educating viewers about the sport as well as content on golfing tips etc.

     

    The channel will be available on the direct to home (DTH) platform Tata Sky as well as other platforms. 

  • Travelxp set to unveil new logo and theme

    Travelxp set to unveil new logo and theme

    MUMBAI: Premium travel and entertainment channel travelxp is set to don a new avatar replete with a new logo and theme. The white logo will symbolize the convergence of wavelengths of different colours.

     

    The channel’s content will be divided into six distinct genres, namely, food, culture, nature, heritage, lifestyle and destination. The six main genres will be ornamented in six different colours based on the concept of colour psychology, which indicates, that colours have a psychological impact on choices and subtly influence behavior. The different colour formula is to create different identity for different genres, which will ease viewer’s association too.

     

    “At travelxp we believe that the future starts today, not tomorrow. With this belief we are investing to create 4k travel content. For us, it’s an endless journey and an exciting one…The only way to really have a sense of how the world works is too see it yourself! And with us you’ll keep continuing to see more and explore more,” said travelxp managing director Nisha Chothani.

     

    Boasting of more than 20 million viewers in India, the fully high definition channel travelxp was launched in 2011. It is also one of the few channels in the world that has started shooting with 4K technology.

  • Boom time for HD channels in India

    Boom time for HD channels in India

    The High Definition (HD) TV channels landscape is rapidly expanding in India. Amongst the various genres available today, the English general entertainment and movie channels genre is still a fragmented space and networks in their quest to stand apart from the nearest ranking rival, rely excessively upon content, marketing and a host of options among others.

     

    While not much is achieved in the process, the game of throne continues as networks try to outdo one another. A potent yet common weapon that networks are now heavily relying on is by launching HD channels.

     

    What is augmenting well for these networks is the demand by consumers for content that is best experienced in high definition. Since almost all the content in the English category is produced internationally, it makes sense in delivering it to consumers in HD only so that production values receive their due credit and viewers experience it at its best. This hunger for HD has very well transcended into networks now launching or sensing business opportunities by launching new HD channels. In some cases, an HD feed has been introduced to complement the existing Standard Definition (SD) feed. Digitisation will only ensure that the consumption of high definition shoots up further.

     

    Networks and their HD channels

     

    Star India will soon be launching two new HD English general entertainment channels (GECs). Its soon to be launched channel, Star Movies HD Select for a span of one year (365 days) has a content library of 365 movies – one for each day. About 50 per cent of the content comprises award winning Oscars and Golden Globes titles. To name a few, the channel has The Fault In Our Stars, Birdman and The Theory of Everything in its kitty.

     

    Star will also launch another new channel Star FX HD to compliment the SD feed of FX. The content of FX currently comprises Madmen, Seinfeld and the animated series Family Guy. Other HD channels from the network include Star World Premiere HD, Star World HD and Star Movies HD in addition to eight other HD channels in various genres like sports and Hindi movie and GEC.

     

    Multi Screen Media (MSM) is not far behind. With channels such as Pix, Pix HD and AXN, it is a strong player in the English movie and GEC space. On 6 April this year, the network sensed an opportunity by launching AXN HD to go along with the SD feed. For the man behind the launch, Pix and AXN EVP and business head Saurabh Yagnik the onset of digitisation and a strong audience base spending more time on special interest channels, made sense for the launch of the new feed. “While the shows will be same on the two channels, we will be tweaking some of the content for the HD feed. We could also have certain exclusive content for the HD feed in the future,” Yagnik had earlier told Indiantelevision.com. MSM also has two HD channels in the Hindi GEC and sports category.

     

    On the other hand, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Zeel) is also looking at strengthening its HD portfolio. The network will soon launch a new HD channel in the English GEC space called Zee Cafe HD to compliment its SD feed. Besides this, Zeel has five other HD channels in its channel portfolio. The content on Zee Café currently comprises shows such as Two and a Half Men, Desperate Housewives and Secrets and Lies amongst others.

     

    Times Network, which operates channels like Movies Now and Romedy Now is another mighty contender. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com earlier, Times Network senior vice president and English entertainment cluster head Vivek Srivastava had said that its new channel, Movies Now+ was the HD version of the SD feed but it did have some differentiating content from the SD feed. It simulcast movies on both feeds such as The Wolf Of Wall Street, which is going to be showcased on 26 April 2015.

     

    The increasing growth of premium ad free channels such as HBO Hits and HBO Defined too have resulted in aiding subscription revenues for the English entertainment genre. Strong and popular content such as Game of Thrones today is synonymous with the HBO network.

     

    Growth of HD Channels in India

     

    From the meagre three HD pay TV channels in 2010, the number has shot up to 34 in 2014, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) 2013-2014 annual report. The number jumped to 22, 31 and 33 for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. With impending launches of English movie and GEC channels this year, this number is only going to be on the rise going forward.

     

    The DTH factor

     

    Value Added Services (VAS) and HD channel penetration are strong revenue generators for Direct to Home (DTH) operators. Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera was quoted in the FICCI-KPMG report for 2015 as saying, “The boom in the panel TV industry has been a key growth in HD channel viewership. The viewers are ready to pay a premium price for HD channels. With the right pricing and packaging for these channels, HD channels can achieve faster penetration.” 

     

    As per the report, there are four million HD subscribers, which account for 10 per cent of all DTH subscribers, whereas 15 to 20 per cent of incremental subscribers in 2014 were HD subscribers. “HD adoption continues to drive ARPU growth for DTH players with the average ARPU of HD subscriber at 1.5 to 2X the ARPU of a non HD subscriber,” states the report.

     

    Conclusion

     

    Premium HD channels recorded a ten-fold top line growth with DTH accounting for over 95 per cent of the premium channel subscriber base according to the 2015 FICCI KPMG report. The success of HD viewing thus, is not just a mighty boon in for broadcasters alone, (where the Ad Ex share for the space in 2014 was at 4.6 per cent) but also for DTH operators. 

     

    As panel TV sales figures were expected to touch approximately eight million units in 2014, of which 55 per cent was expected to have been HD panel TVs, the rise is only going to be vertical in the coming years. With the share of HD and 4K TV sales expected to contribute to over 80 per cent by 2019, broadcasters’ key agenda will definitely be upping their HD channels offering. Moreover, the fact that DTH operators are more than happy to increase their HD bouquet, the growth story for HD viewing and consumption in India has only just begun.

  • GTPL-KCBPL increases HD channels to 32; to go off free model

    GTPL-KCBPL increases HD channels to 32; to go off free model

    KOLKATA: Kolkata-based multi-system operator (MSO) GTPL-KCBPL, which was offering around 22 High Definition (HD) channels, has increased the offering to 32 channels now. The company, which is airing these HD channels for free now, is looking at charging its 15,000 customers either towards the end of March or in the beginning of the next fiscal (2015-16).

     

    GTPL- KCBPL managing director Bijoy Kumar Agarwal told Indiantelevision.com that the channels launched by the MSO are Star Sports 3HD, Star Ports 4HD, Animal Planet HD, Sony HD, Sony Six HD, Sony Pix HD, &Pictures HD and TLC World HD.

     

    High definition is a different standard of digital television broadcasting, which offers sharper, more detailed pictures and surround sound. Only viewers with an “HD Ready” television set, a special HD set top box receiver and reception of a high definition service will experience true HD programming. High definition programmes are also specially shot.

     

    In 2005, a group of 160 cable operators in a unique manner turned themselves into shareholders and made KCBPL a successful MSO in Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA). While in the year 2010, KCBPL entered into a joint venture with GTPL, which has enabled this new entity to gain strong foothold in the state of West Bengal.

     

    At present the company has more than five lakh set top boxes (STBs) seeded in West Bengal. “We are also betting on increasing the HD boxes from 15,000 currently installed by us,” Agarwal said.

     

    According to Agarwal, there is a lot of scope of increasing HD boxes in certain pockets of the city. “Digitisation of television industry has always been at the centre of our strategies,” he added.

     

    The company’s technology partners include Cisco, Skyworth, Nagravision, Newland and Magnaquest amongst others. “We are in touch with our partners on a regular basis so we can always update and offer latest technology to our customers,” he said.

     

    “After the rollout of digitisation in KMA, which is in first and second phase of digitisation drive, we believe, our partners and viewers stand to benefit from more opportunities, products and value. We are soon going to roll out broadband services in KMA to begin with, which will create more opportunities for our business partners and at the same time with state of the art technologies we will be bringing the best of the services,” he concluded.

  • Dish TV fortifies sports packaging for ICC Cricket World Cup

    Dish TV fortifies sports packaging for ICC Cricket World Cup

    MUMBAI: Cricket fans are currently glued to their television sets as the ICC Cricket World Cup kicked off this past weekend. Service providers such as Airtel Digital TV, Videocon d2h, Tata Sky, Sun Direct and Dish TV too are celebrating the onset of the event.

     

    While Tata Sky and Videocon d2h are pushing their 4K set top boxes, DTH operator Dish TV has decided to fortify its sports packaging to offer a maximum of 12 sports channels during the gala event.

     

    When asked how the DTH platform planned ahead of the World Cup, Dish TV chief operating officer Salil Kapoor says, “We conducted a pan India consumer survey, which revealed that the millennial generation has tremendous interest in sports and that HD is the preferred choice for watching sports. The research also showed an interesting angle that usually in a family its only one person who is interested in sports, the rest are still focused on GEC, movies, music etc.”

     

    Kapoor further says that keeping these insights in mind, the platform re-looked at its packaging. “First we decided to up the HD quotient and added maximum number of HD channels. We now have 39 HD channels. We even fortified our sports packaging, offering maximum sports channels (12) in India,” he informs.

     

    When quizzed about his views on a few DTH platforms focussing on the launch of 4K, which has limited content, Kapoor opines that while 4K is definitively a superior technology, the content for this technology is minimal in India. According to him the sale of DTH HD boxes is directly proportional with the sale of LCD TVs, which constitutes around 65-70 per cent in India, whereas 4K TVs are far too expensive and marginal compared to LCDs.

     

    “It will take some time for this technology to pick up in India and broadcasters to start producing content in 4K. Till then HD will dominate the content market. Understanding this, we introduced 39 HD channels, which are the highest in the country,” he says.

     

    Talking about how the repackaging will help the platform, Kapoor says that they call it a “cricket plus approach,” which highlights something for everyone to enjoy in High Definition.

     

    “The consumer has already taken notice of our enhanced services and the numbers have started ringing in. We will expand our new consumer base significantly. The marketing activities are planned to promote the HD edge that we have as a brand,” he concludes.

  • Premium HD viewing: Strategic advantage of Bollywood music in HD

    Premium HD viewing: Strategic advantage of Bollywood music in HD

    MUMBAI: Broadcasters are constantly trying to tap into the premium affluent viewer by introducing HD channels to their existing channel bouquet. With as many as 29 HD channels available across various categories viz., GECs, Hollywood movies, Lifestyle and Infotainment, MTunes is the only Bollywood music channel available in HD 1080i and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. Launched 3 years ago, MTunes has continued to drive a superior and one of a kind viewer experience in the cluttered and undifferentiated category of Bollywood music.

    The arena for premium eyeballs has a sharper focus with HD offerings. As per the latest HD report for the month of October 2014 by TAM, HD channels in India are already reaching over 20 million viewers!  In this rapidly growing and competitive space, MTunes has emerged as the preferred choice, garnering higher reach over 20 other premium HD channels barring only GECs and Star Sports 1. With a reach of over 1.4 million HD viewers across Hindi speaking markets, MTunes HD leaves behind some prominent HD channels as seen below:

    •    MTunes HD (1.4Mn) vs Infotainment channels: History TV18 (0.91Mn), Nat Geo Wild (0.72Mn), NGC (0.57Mn), Discovery (0.56Mn), Fox Traveller (0.14Mn)
    •    MTunes HD (1.4Mn) vs Sports channels: Ten Sports (1.2Mn), Star Sports 4 (0.79Mn), Sony Six (0.54Mn)
    •    MTunes HD (1.4Mn) vs English movie channels: Star Movies (0.95Mn), Zee Studio (0.60Mn), Movies Now (0.48Mn), Sony Pix (0.09Mn)
    •    MTunes HD (1.4Mn) vs Business news channel: CNBC TV18 (0.11Mn)•    MTunes HD (1.4Mn) vs English Entertainment channel, Star World (0.32Mn)

    In the category of Bollywood music, MTunes HD is the only channel offering high definition content and delivering over 1 Million premium GVTs vis a vis all other standard definition Hindi music channels.

    Commenting on this emphatic performance, Mr Naresh Ramnath (COO, Pioneer Channel Factory) said, “Launching a premium Bollywood music channel in HD has been a pioneering & visionary consumer offering which is now empirically proven by the TAM HD report. Delivering an unparalleled premium viewing experience is the core of our channel strategy. Technological differentiation, single-minded focus on relevance and innovative on-air programming has helped us build premium viewer affinity within the highly competitive category of Bollywood music. ”

    Sharing his views on this development, Mr. Bala Iyengar (COO, Helios Media) said, “High definition is synonymous to premium audience. MTunes, being the only Hindi music channel in high definition has already carved a niche for itself. To top this, MTunes HD reaching out to more viewers across categories definitely makes it the best buy to cater to premium viewers.”

     

  • Fastway to deploy HD STBs with STMicroelectronics’ cable chipsets

    Fastway to deploy HD STBs with STMicroelectronics’ cable chipsets

    MUMBAI: Fastway Digital TV Services, the multi system operator (MSO) operating mostly in Punjab has teamed up with STMicroelectronics for its HD interactive USB DVR set top boxes. They will have STiH273 HD cable chipsets.

     

    This will enable Fastway deliver high quality HD content and access to several value added services including banner advertisements, interactive TV shopping and education services. It will also provide customers a better viewing experience with HD video and interactivity with advantages such as high integration, low power consumption and unmatched coordinated performance of CPU, video decoder and image quality processor.

     

    Key features of the STiH273 chipsets include 1300DMIPs application CPU; integrated 256kB L2 cache increasing CPU performance for rich applications such as HTML5 browser, user interfaces, HD picture-in-picture and PVR; integrated digital video broadcast (DVB-C) demodulator, optimised to work with high-performance external tuners to meet stringent RF performance requirements of Indian cable networks; 16-bit DDR3 SDRAM support, integrated ePhy, no heat-sink for significant bill-of-material saving; Faroudja image quality processing; high quality and robust 1080p AVC (advanced video coding) video decoder with advanced error correction and concealment capabilities; integrated standby controller offering 0.5W standby power consumption with super-fast resume time; and best-in-class advanced security for all major conditional access systems (CAS).

     

    Fastway Digital TV Services managing director Gurdeep Singh said, “Our new HD digital set top boxes benefit from STMicroelectronics’ feature-packed and flexible system-on-chip ICs, enabling an ideal platform to deliver innovative value-added services such as interactive education services, multi-genre digital music service, restaurants and events search guide and games to customers. With strong local support and cooperation from ST, we are well placed to drive digital migration and bring high quality TV solutions to our customers.”

     

    Fastway Digital TV Services CEO Peeush Mahajan added, “STiH273 is clearly the right choice for our latest generation of STBs. ST has helped us create a customised solution optimised for India that helps us enhance customer satisfaction and sustain our leadership edge in our areas of operation.”

     

    STMicroelectronics vice president Greater China and South Asia region and India Design Center director Vivek Sharma said, “We are proud to be part of Fastway’s digital set-top box roll-out that aims to deliver an enhanced viewing experience to millions of homes around India. Fastway’s selection of ST’s set-top box technology underlines our strengths and commitment to supporting the growth of the Indian digital TV market through cooperation with local key players.”

     

    The chipsets are manufactured using 40nm process technology and support an enhanced processing engine with integrated on-chip features that simplify STB design, along with the possibility of a two layer PC board design. It also allows STB manufacturers to use lower-cost memory and minimise system power consumption, optimising total cost of ownership.

  • DD awaits Prasar Bharati’s nod for a HD channel

    DD awaits Prasar Bharati’s nod for a HD channel

    NEW DELHI: In the era of high definition, Doordarshan, proved its mettle in telecasting in HD mode as early as 2010.

     

    The pubcaster had then shown the Commonwealth Games held in the national capital in HD feed, even before the other private channels entered the segment.

     

    Doordarshan is ready to launch a national channel in a parallel HD mode, as per the sources within the pubcaster, but is awaiting a nod from the  Prasar Bharati board.

     

    Prasar Bharati sources however told indiantelevision.com that the issue of a separate HD channel had not been put up before the board.

     

    Currently, DD News is telecasting the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow in high definition on its terrestrial transmitters while covering more of the games/events where Indians are participating.

     

    It is learnt that DD Sports and Ten Sports failed to reach an agreement on the issue, and the Ministry had issued a showcause notice to Ten Sports, last week, for declining to share the feed with DD Sports. Under the The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007 as it is considered a sports event of national importance, it is mandatory for the rights holder (Ten Sports, in this case) to share the broadcast with Prasar Bharati.

     

    The sports event is mandated to be carried on the terrestrial network to ensure that viewers who do not have access to cable or DTH services can also view the games. 

  • DEN Networks selects STMicroelectronics for STBs

    DEN Networks selects STMicroelectronics for STBs

    MUMBAI: Enhancing its set top boxes (STBs) and gateways for its six million subscribers, DEN Networks has tied up with STMicroelectronics (ST), the global semiconductor manufacturer and supplier of system on chip (SoC) ICs.

     

    Using this technology in DEN’s new HD zapper boxes, it is looking at growing its customer base and revenues as well. The STiH273 (Palma) integrates a field-proven and widely deployed digital video broadcast-cable (DVB-C) demodulator that has been optimised to work with high-performance external controller area networks (CANs) and silicon tuners to meet the stringent RF-performance requirements of the Indian cable networks.

     

    The STiH273 (Palma) also delivers high-quality Faroudja video, 3DTV support, connectivity, and advanced security schemes with all the latest conditional access system (CAS) support, including NSK2.

     

    Manufactured in 40nm process technology, the chipset supports an enhanced processing engine with integrated on-chip features that simplify set-top box design, enable operators to take advantage of lower-cost memories, and minimize system power consumption.

     

    “Our new high-definition digital set-top boxes leverage STMicroelectronics’ feature-packed and flexible SoC ICs, providing an ideal platform for us to deliver innovative value-added services to our customers,” said DEN Networks COO MG Azhar.

     

    He further added: “The STiH273 SoC is clearly the right choice for our latest generation of set top boxes with the right power, versatility, and features to meet our market needs. We are confident that the chipset will help us in creating both enhanced customer satisfaction and sustaining our leadership edge in India.”

     

    “As a leading Cable MSO in India, DEN Networks sets the trend for technology, modernisation, and radical transformation, and ST is proud to contribute to DEN’s strategic intent. DEN Networks’ selection of ST’s technology underlines our core competencies and reiterates our commitment to this fast-growing market through localization and cooperation with our India partners,” said STMicroelectronics regional vice president for greater China and south Asia region and director for India Design Center Vivek Sharma.

  • MEASAT-3/3a HD platform tips 50

    MEASAT-3/3a HD platform tips 50

    MUMBAI: Good news for HD lovers. MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT) has announced that the MEASAT-3/3a platform has become the first Asian C-Band satellite platform to exceed 50 high definition (HD) channels, confirming the maturing of the HD content business in Asia.

     

    MEASAT started offering HD distribution services on the MEASAT-3 satellite in July 2007. Working with a select group of channels, technology partners and uplink providers, MEASAT developed a flexible solution for the launch and distribution of HD channels across the Asia-Pacific region. The services were expanded in

    2009 with the launch of the collocated MEASAT-3a satellite. This strategy, underpinned by significant financial and technological investments and an innovative business model, helped develop the HD segment in Asia to what it is today.

     

    “In 2007, MEASAT had already developed the long-term vision to introduce tailor-made HD solutions to the Asian market,” said Encompass managing director Deepakjit Singh. “Encompass is now using the MEASAT MCPC platform at 91.5°E to distribute 20 premium HD channels across Asia.”

     

    “MEASAT had the vision and foresight to propose a partnership business model with leading teleports and MCPC platforms in which the Asian HD segment would be promoted jointly. This innovative approach has led to  Globecast  Asia  distributing  12  top  HD  channels  across  Asia.”  added  Globecast Asia senior VP sales Yew Weng Soo.

     

    “The coverage provided by RRsat’s MCPC platform on MEASAT-3/3a at 91.5°E extends across 102 countries across Asia, from Japan to Africa,” added RRsat chief commercial officer Lior Rival. “This coverage is an essential factor in RRsat’s decision to choose MEASAT as our Asian HD distribution partner for 10 high quality HD channels. This premium platform is an important part of our value-added media services portfolio that enables our customers to reach more places, in more ways on more devices.”

     

    “In collaboration with our partners we developed an innovative business model to help ‘jump start’ the Asian HD segment” said MEASAT CEO Paul Brown-Kenyon. “Through this collaboration, we announced the first Asian regional C-Band distribution of an HD channel in 2007. We are delighted to be able to celebrate the maturing of the HD segment with the announcement of the 50 HD channels on our platform this week. We continue to work with our partners and our customers to ensure that our services are tailored for channel operators, and the MEASAT-3/3a satellites are the key HD location for Asian HD content.”

     

    Today MEASAT works with the industry’s leading uplink providers, including Encompass Digital Media (Encompass), Globecast and RRsat America – Global Communications Network Inc (RRsat) with an HD video distribution solution tailor-made for the Asian market. In addition to the channels distributed by the uplink partners, the satellite also supports HD channels uplinked by the channel operator.