ITV

Tag: IndiaCast

  • IndiaCast appoints Sanjay Jain as head of International Business; restructures Organisation

    IndiaCast appoints Sanjay Jain as head of International Business; restructures Organisation

    MUMBAI: IndiaCast, the domestic and international distribution arm of Viacom18 and TV18, has announced an organizational realignment within its top management, where in  Chief financial officer Sanjay Jain has been additionally appointed as head of international business and will continue reporting to IndiaCast Group CEO Anuj Gandhi. All the International Business heads along with Outbound Sales and International Operations teams will report into Jain. IndiaCast also announced a series of leadership changes by establishing empowered business responsibilities across regions. 

    After successfully managing the business in UK, Govind Shahi  has now been elevated to manage the US region along with his existing remit as business head UK & USA, followed by Sachin Gokhale,  who will also oversee the companies’ activities in APAC, in addition to his current role as the business head of the MEA. Debkumar Dasgupta is now the business head of Syndication, New Media & South Asia. 

    Commenting on the organizational restructuring, IndiaCast Group CEO  Anuj Gandhi said, “Over the last several years our top management has demonstrated innovative approaches in content monetization and marketing across the globe. Sanjay brings to the table nearly two and half decades of financial and general management experience. I am confident that Sanjay’s proficiency and experience coupled with our bold growth agenda will help us excel in our business ambitions.”

  • TDSAT rejects IBF plea for more time to sign RIOs with NSTPL saying HITS players get equal status with pan-India MSOs

    TDSAT rejects IBF plea for more time to sign RIOs with NSTPL saying HITS players get equal status with pan-India MSOs

    NEW DELHI: An application by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation seeking extension of time for its members to sign reference interconnect offers agreements with the Noida Software Technology Park Ltd (NSTPL)  has been turned down by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.  

    In a landmark judgment expected to have far reaching consequences on the Indian broadcasting industry, TDSAT had on 7 December last said that headend-in-the-sky (HITS) players should be treated on the same level as pan-India multi-system operators (MSOs) for commercial purposes.

    In its judgment on a petition filed by the NSTPL against Media Pro and others, the tribunal said its judgment would come into effect from 31 March 2016 by which time it hoped that the relevant reference interconnect offers will be revised wherever necessary.

    Apart from the IBF, some television channels had also filed applications seeking an extension, and the tribunal had addressed certain questions to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in this connection.

    In its order, chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said after hearing TRAI counsel Saket Singh on the questions addressed to the authority, “We take it to mean that TRAI does not wish any extension of the suspension of the judgment”.

    Answering the main of the four questions, Singh had told the Tribunal that the consultation paper dated 29 January 2016 under the caption ‘Tariff issues relating to TV services’ was part of an ongoing process which is undertaken by TRAI from time to time based on its assessment of the relevant issues in the sector. The exercise is undertaken independently though it may cover some of the issues highlighted in the tribunal’s judgment dated 7 December.

    The tribunal also noted that though the IBF had made the application for extension, it was ‘apparent’ from the hearings that took place on the previous dates that some of the major broadcasters ‘have divergent views not only inter-se but also at variance with the position taken the foundation in as much as none of the broadcasters has asked for any extension of the period of suspension of the judgment.’ The extension of the suspension of the judgment was primarily sought on the plea that following the judgment, TRAI had issued a consultation paper that intends to review the regulatory framework for the broadcasting sector.

    Naming the broadcasters – Star India, Taj TV, IndiaCast, and MSM who are all members of IBF, the tribunal said” “it appears that at least on the issue of enforcement or further suspension of the judgment, the foundation is not in a position to represent the collective views of all its members. We, therefore, see no reason to entertain the application on behalf of the foundation for any further suspension of the judgment.The application is turned down.” The tribunal directed the remaining cases in the batch to come up on 8 April.

    Expectedly, the judgment will also help the Hinduja Group’s HITS platform NXT Digital, which entered into the fray earlier this year.

    In the judgment of 7 December, the Tribunal had directed both Star and Taj, as well as the other broadcasters who have joined the proceedings as intervenors to issue fresh RIOs in compliance with the Interconnect Regulations, as explained in the judgment within one month from the date this order becomes operational and effective. It had said it would be then open to NSTPL to execute fresh interconnect agreements with Star and Taj, and with any other broadcasters on the basis of their respective RIOs or on negotiated terms within the limits.

    The tribunal said: “It is difficult to see a HITS operator as different from a pan-India MSO and in our considered view a HITS operator, in regard to the commercial terms for an interconnect arrangement has to be taken at par with a pan-India MSO and must, therefore, receive the same treatment.”

    The tribunal had noted that Star and Taj will have to execute fresh interconnect agreements with the petitioner within two weeks from the date of issuance of their fresh RIOs. The agreement with Star would relate back to 30 October 2015 and with Taj to 30 June 2015. The issuance of the fresh RIOs by the broadcasters will also give right to other distributors of channels with whom the broadcasters may be in interconnect agreement to have their agreements modified in terms of clause 13.2A.7.

    NSTPL had executed an RIO based agreement with Media Pro. At that time, it did not complain before the tribunal that it was being forced into the RIO based agreement even though it had ample opportunity to do so as the Media Pro application was pending before the tribunal. Later on, after Media Pro ceased to be an agent of the broadcasters, NSTPL, even after filing the present petition, signed RIO based agreements with both Star and Taj. The agreement with Star was for the period upto 30 July, 2015 and the two agreements with Taj were upto 31 March, 2015.

    The Tribunal had also said that NSTPL must therefore be held bound by those agreements till the periods of those agreements and further, three months beyond that in terms of clause 8 of the Interconnect agreement. After those dates (29 October in case of Star and 30 June in case of Taj) the arrangement will be governed by the fresh agreements.

  • TDSAT rejects IBF plea for more time to sign RIOs with NSTPL saying HITS players get equal status with pan-India MSOs

    TDSAT rejects IBF plea for more time to sign RIOs with NSTPL saying HITS players get equal status with pan-India MSOs

    NEW DELHI: An application by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation seeking extension of time for its members to sign reference interconnect offers agreements with the Noida Software Technology Park Ltd (NSTPL)  has been turned down by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.  

    In a landmark judgment expected to have far reaching consequences on the Indian broadcasting industry, TDSAT had on 7 December last said that headend-in-the-sky (HITS) players should be treated on the same level as pan-India multi-system operators (MSOs) for commercial purposes.

    In its judgment on a petition filed by the NSTPL against Media Pro and others, the tribunal said its judgment would come into effect from 31 March 2016 by which time it hoped that the relevant reference interconnect offers will be revised wherever necessary.

    Apart from the IBF, some television channels had also filed applications seeking an extension, and the tribunal had addressed certain questions to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in this connection.

    In its order, chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said after hearing TRAI counsel Saket Singh on the questions addressed to the authority, “We take it to mean that TRAI does not wish any extension of the suspension of the judgment”.

    Answering the main of the four questions, Singh had told the Tribunal that the consultation paper dated 29 January 2016 under the caption ‘Tariff issues relating to TV services’ was part of an ongoing process which is undertaken by TRAI from time to time based on its assessment of the relevant issues in the sector. The exercise is undertaken independently though it may cover some of the issues highlighted in the tribunal’s judgment dated 7 December.

    The tribunal also noted that though the IBF had made the application for extension, it was ‘apparent’ from the hearings that took place on the previous dates that some of the major broadcasters ‘have divergent views not only inter-se but also at variance with the position taken the foundation in as much as none of the broadcasters has asked for any extension of the period of suspension of the judgment.’ The extension of the suspension of the judgment was primarily sought on the plea that following the judgment, TRAI had issued a consultation paper that intends to review the regulatory framework for the broadcasting sector.

    Naming the broadcasters – Star India, Taj TV, IndiaCast, and MSM who are all members of IBF, the tribunal said” “it appears that at least on the issue of enforcement or further suspension of the judgment, the foundation is not in a position to represent the collective views of all its members. We, therefore, see no reason to entertain the application on behalf of the foundation for any further suspension of the judgment.The application is turned down.” The tribunal directed the remaining cases in the batch to come up on 8 April.

    Expectedly, the judgment will also help the Hinduja Group’s HITS platform NXT Digital, which entered into the fray earlier this year.

    In the judgment of 7 December, the Tribunal had directed both Star and Taj, as well as the other broadcasters who have joined the proceedings as intervenors to issue fresh RIOs in compliance with the Interconnect Regulations, as explained in the judgment within one month from the date this order becomes operational and effective. It had said it would be then open to NSTPL to execute fresh interconnect agreements with Star and Taj, and with any other broadcasters on the basis of their respective RIOs or on negotiated terms within the limits.

    The tribunal said: “It is difficult to see a HITS operator as different from a pan-India MSO and in our considered view a HITS operator, in regard to the commercial terms for an interconnect arrangement has to be taken at par with a pan-India MSO and must, therefore, receive the same treatment.”

    The tribunal had noted that Star and Taj will have to execute fresh interconnect agreements with the petitioner within two weeks from the date of issuance of their fresh RIOs. The agreement with Star would relate back to 30 October 2015 and with Taj to 30 June 2015. The issuance of the fresh RIOs by the broadcasters will also give right to other distributors of channels with whom the broadcasters may be in interconnect agreement to have their agreements modified in terms of clause 13.2A.7.

    NSTPL had executed an RIO based agreement with Media Pro. At that time, it did not complain before the tribunal that it was being forced into the RIO based agreement even though it had ample opportunity to do so as the Media Pro application was pending before the tribunal. Later on, after Media Pro ceased to be an agent of the broadcasters, NSTPL, even after filing the present petition, signed RIO based agreements with both Star and Taj. The agreement with Star was for the period upto 30 July, 2015 and the two agreements with Taj were upto 31 March, 2015.

    The Tribunal had also said that NSTPL must therefore be held bound by those agreements till the periods of those agreements and further, three months beyond that in terms of clause 8 of the Interconnect agreement. After those dates (29 October in case of Star and 30 June in case of Taj) the arrangement will be governed by the fresh agreements.

  • Colors UK’s feed to move to new EPG number on Sky, announces IndiaCast

    Colors UK’s feed to move to new EPG number on Sky, announces IndiaCast

    MUMBAI: TV18 and Viacom18’s local and international distribution wing, IndiaCast announced a new EPG number for Colors UK on the DTH platform Sky. Colors UK will shift from EPG number 821 to number 786 with effect from 5 April.  This move will make the channel visible on the first page of the International channels selection guide menu for Sky subscribers. Sky subscribers will be intimated about the new EPG number for Colors UK through an announcement on the network as well as via social media platforms.

    IndiaCast group CEO Anuj Gandhi said, “IndiaCast has always endeavoured to present quality entertainment options to the Indian diaspora across the globe bringing them one step closer to Indian culture and content. Moving Colors UK up to EPG number 786 enables us to create top-of-mind recall for the channel and its content, thereby building engagement with Sky subscribers.”

    Commenting on the change, Viacom18 UK head Govind Shahi said, “Colors UK has been showcasing the best offerings from the Viacom 18 content library to South Asian viewers. As we move the channel to EPG number 786, we are hoping to enhance sampling amongst Sky subscribers, thereby bringing audiences closer to superior quality and inspiring content.”

     

  • Colors UK’s feed to move to new EPG number on Sky, announces IndiaCast

    Colors UK’s feed to move to new EPG number on Sky, announces IndiaCast

    MUMBAI: TV18 and Viacom18’s local and international distribution wing, IndiaCast announced a new EPG number for Colors UK on the DTH platform Sky. Colors UK will shift from EPG number 821 to number 786 with effect from 5 April.  This move will make the channel visible on the first page of the International channels selection guide menu for Sky subscribers. Sky subscribers will be intimated about the new EPG number for Colors UK through an announcement on the network as well as via social media platforms.

    IndiaCast group CEO Anuj Gandhi said, “IndiaCast has always endeavoured to present quality entertainment options to the Indian diaspora across the globe bringing them one step closer to Indian culture and content. Moving Colors UK up to EPG number 786 enables us to create top-of-mind recall for the channel and its content, thereby building engagement with Sky subscribers.”

    Commenting on the change, Viacom18 UK head Govind Shahi said, “Colors UK has been showcasing the best offerings from the Viacom 18 content library to South Asian viewers. As we move the channel to EPG number 786, we are hoping to enhance sampling amongst Sky subscribers, thereby bringing audiences closer to superior quality and inspiring content.”

     

  • IndiaCast partners Sky to launch Colors in New Zealand

    IndiaCast partners Sky to launch Colors in New Zealand

    MUMBAI: In a bid to further strengthen its footprint, IndiaCast has partnered with Sky to launch Viacom18’s Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Colors in New Zealand.

    Starting 9 February, 2016, Colors will be available in New Zealand as part of Sky’s foreign language subscription channel line-up.

    Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “At Colors, it has been our constant endeavour to present viewers with path-breaking content across the globe, which has fortified our position as a game changer in the television industry. As the channel launches on Sky in New Zealand, it strengthens our belief that our programming line-up provides not only Indian viewers but also international audiences with entertainment avenues in sync with their sensibilities and preferences.”

    IndiaCast group CEO Anuj Gandhi added, “IndiaCast has been at the forefront of bringing Indian viewers spread across the world one step closer to home and Indian culture, by bringing them the best of Indian content. Our association with Sky enables us to reach out and further strengthen our footprint with content that engages and entertains.”

    Sky director of content strategy Megan King said, “At Sky, we’re always evolving to provide our customers with a world class entertainment experience. Colors offers superb Hindi entertainment content and its inclusion in our foreign language channel line-up helps bring this culture closer to home here in New Zealand.”

    IndiaCast will be cross-promoting the inclusion of its new feed extensively across its network brands, on–air and online to create awareness about Colors’ availability on Sky in New Zealand.

  • IndiaCast partners Sky to launch Colors in New Zealand

    IndiaCast partners Sky to launch Colors in New Zealand

    MUMBAI: In a bid to further strengthen its footprint, IndiaCast has partnered with Sky to launch Viacom18’s Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Colors in New Zealand.

    Starting 9 February, 2016, Colors will be available in New Zealand as part of Sky’s foreign language subscription channel line-up.

    Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “At Colors, it has been our constant endeavour to present viewers with path-breaking content across the globe, which has fortified our position as a game changer in the television industry. As the channel launches on Sky in New Zealand, it strengthens our belief that our programming line-up provides not only Indian viewers but also international audiences with entertainment avenues in sync with their sensibilities and preferences.”

    IndiaCast group CEO Anuj Gandhi added, “IndiaCast has been at the forefront of bringing Indian viewers spread across the world one step closer to home and Indian culture, by bringing them the best of Indian content. Our association with Sky enables us to reach out and further strengthen our footprint with content that engages and entertains.”

    Sky director of content strategy Megan King said, “At Sky, we’re always evolving to provide our customers with a world class entertainment experience. Colors offers superb Hindi entertainment content and its inclusion in our foreign language channel line-up helps bring this culture closer to home here in New Zealand.”

    IndiaCast will be cross-promoting the inclusion of its new feed extensively across its network brands, on–air and online to create awareness about Colors’ availability on Sky in New Zealand.

  • TDSAT rejects IndiaCast, MSM Discovery, Asianet petitions claiming dues from LCOs

    TDSAT rejects IndiaCast, MSM Discovery, Asianet petitions claiming dues from LCOs

    NEW DELHI: Sending out a clear signal to distributors and multi system operators (MSOs), the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has once again turned down three petitions seeking payment from a local cable operator (LCO) for the period for which the signals were sent even after expiry of a valid interconnect agreement.

     

    There were two cases of IndiaCast UTV Media Distribution and MSM Discovery against MSO S R Cable TV and one by Asianet Satellite Communication against Sathyadhara Communications.

     

    The cases against S R Cable were for recovery of the alleged dues of subscription fees amounting to Rs 3.01 lakh along with interest at 18 per cent and Rs 8.24 lakh along with interest at 18 per cent per annum respectively till the date of payment.

     

    The case of Asianet was for recovery of Rs 1.30 crore allegedly payable by Sathyadhara towards balance of carriage fees for the year 2012-13 and a further sum of Rs 20.47 lakh as interest at 18 per cent p.a. for the delay in payment of the carriage fees.

     

    TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member Kuldip Singh said, “The alleged supply of signals by IndiaCast to the respondent after the expiry of the interconnect agreement was plainly in contravention of the statutory Regulations. Having acted in breach of the Regulations, it cannot seek the help of the judicial process and realise its dues through the process of court.”

     

    The petitions against S R Cable were dismissed with cost of Rs 5,000 payable to the TDSAT Employees Welfare Society.

     

    It was in the case of IndiaCast that the LCO executed an interconnect agreement with it on 1 June, 2011 for the period 1 April, 2011 to 31 March under which IndiaCast was to supply the TV channels controlled by it on behalf of its principal broadcasters on payment of Rs 21 lakh as the monthly subscription fee.

     

    IndiaCast said it supplied the TV channels to the LCO in terms of the agreement and regularly raised invoices for payment of the monthly subscription fee. The LCO, however, defaulted in payments as a result of which dues accumulated. Finally on 1 August, 2014 IndiaCast discontinued the supply of its signals to the respondent.

     

    IndiaCast claimed it sent reminders and legal notice demanding the payment of its dues but as no payment was made by the LCO, the petition was filed on 5 August, 2014.

     

    TDSAT proceeded ex parte as the LCO did not appear despite service of notice.

     

    The Tribunal took note of the fact that IndiaCast had sought to fill this gap by a miscellaneous application on 23 February this year by stating that the LCO was required to pay an amount of Rs 25.20 lakh exclusive of taxes annually towards the subscription fee calculated on the basis of the said Subscription Agreement for 12 months, but the LCO on several occasions requested IndiaCast to continue to provide the signals even after the expiry of the previous agreement and gave the oral assurances that the fresh agreements will be executed between the parties. It is stated that “the parties were negotiating for the renewal of the agreement and basis the negotiation process, the petitioner continued to provide the signals.”

     

    The Tribunal rejected as “misconceived” the arguments sought to be raised to the effect that the LCO was bound by law and was liable under Section 73 of the Indian Contract Act 1872 as they cannot apply to the present case.

     

    Similarly, the Tribunal said the amendments made early this year do not help it.

     

    “IndiaCast would indeed be entitled to recover any dues pertaining to the period of the agreement that came to end on 31 March, 2012 but it is not the case that the dues pertain to that period nor from the statement of account it is discernible whether or not there were any dues on the date the agreement came to end,” the Tribunal noted.

     

    It added that clause 8 of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection Regulations 2004 (Regulations) provides for the maximum period of three months for negotiations for renewal of existing agreements and clause 4A (introduced in the Regulations with effect from 17 March, 2009 prohibits a broadcaster or a distributor of TV channels to make available signals of TV channels to any distributor without entering into a written interconnect agreement.”

     

    In the MSM petition, the interconnect agreement was for the period 1 January, 2011 to 31 December, 2011 under which MSM was to supply the TV channels controlled by it on behalf of its principal broadcasters on payment of Rs 1.25 lakh as the monthly subscription fee. MSM said it supplied the TV channels to the MSO and regularly raised invoices for payment of the monthly subscription fee. The MSO defaulted in payments as a result of which dues accumulated. Finally on 17 December, 2012 MSM discontinued the supply of its signals to the respondent.

     

    In the Asianet case, a carriage agreement dated 8 August, 2011 was signed between the parties for one year from 1 September, 2011 to 31 August, 2012 to carry and retransmit signals of Darshana TV channel of the respondent for an amount of Rs 60 lakh per year exclusive of taxes. The dispute pertains to a period starting from 1 September, 2012 till the disconnection of carriage of signals by the respondent on 20 November, 2013.

  • TDSAT warns Digicable for pirating GTPL Hathway signals in Ahmedabad

    TDSAT warns Digicable for pirating GTPL Hathway signals in Ahmedabad

    NEW DELHI: Digicable Network (India) Ltd of Mumbai was today warned by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against piracy in Ahmedabad of the signals of GTPL Hathway Pvt Ltd of Gujarat.

     

    Disposing the petition with an order, TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and BB Srivastava also warned Digicable to be ready to face legal consequences if it persisted in such piracy.

     

    Digicable counsel Diggy Pathak sought to say that Digicable was attempting to expand in Ahmedabad and had carried the signals on a trial basis, something the Tribunal took strong exception to.

     

    GTPL counsel Jayant Mehta said that his client had informed all the concerned broadcasters and also referred to losses because of this piracy.

     

    The Tribunal also took note of submissions by Star India counsel Arjun Natarajan, counsel Kunal Tandon for both IndiaCast UTV Media Distribution and Multi Screen Media, Mumbai and Upender Thakur for Taj TV said they had begun internal inquiry after being informed of this piracy.

     

    At one stage during arguments, Justice Alam expressed annoyance about increasing piracy and wondered if the TDSAT should now set up an investigation wing as well.

  • TDSAT asks UCN to restore Star channels to Raj Cable

    TDSAT asks UCN to restore Star channels to Raj Cable

    NEW DELHI: Nagpur multi-system operator (MSO) UCN Cable Network has been directed to restore the supply of Star channels to Raj Cable Network, Maharashtra, with immediate effect as an interim measure.

     

    Giving this directive, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) also asked the MSO to ensure that the local cable operators’ (LCOs) network receives the Indiacast and Taj Television channels.

     

    If the channels of the two broadcasters have been discontinued at the instance of the MSO, TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said, “It will be viewed as a case of deliberate contempt and the respondent (UCN Network) will be liable for the consequences.”

     

    The Tribunal also said until further orders, Raj Cable will not transmit through its network the signals received from any MSO other than UCN Network.

     

    Raj Cable had stated that not knowing the proper forum for redressal of its grievances, the petitioner earlier filed a suit in the court of Civil Judge, Yavatmal. The suit was called out before the court of Civil Judge yesterday and the next date fixed in it is 27 October.

     

    In the petition before the Tribunal, however, it is undertaken that the suit will be withdrawn.

     

    Counsel Vikram Singh accepted notice on behalf of the MSO and was asked to file reply within two weeks with rejoinder, if any, within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of the reply. The matter was listed for 19 November.

     

    Raj Cable alleged that the MSO unauthorisedly disconnected the supply of Star, Indiacast and Taj Television to its network. MSO counsel Vikram Singh admitted the disconnection of Star channels to Raj Cable, which took effect on 8 October but denied discontinuation of the supply of Taj Television and Indiacast channels.