ITV

Tag: MSO

  • Sony BBC Earth to air 19 hrs of content every week, local programming on the cards

    MUMBAI: Feel alive with science, with technology, with nature, with stories, feel alive with Sony BBC Earth.

    A 75:25 joint venture (JV) between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and BBC Worldwide, the channel is set to go live on 6 March at 8 pm with 19 hours of original programming every week.  The channel, in its initial phase, will target the urban mega cities constituting of 10 million towns. And is Available across all major DTH platforms and MSOs, in four languages- English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

    Promising to make the viewers ‘Feel Alive’ through its offering of quality  
    visuals, never-seen-before content, and positive insightful storytelling, the channel will introduce local programming in the country.

    As of yet, BBC Worldwide operates around 39 BBC Earth channels across the world, in India, for the first time, the channel is launching as a joint venture with SPN. Through the JV partnership, SPN will make the day-to-day decisions of the new channel.

    SPN CEO NP Singh said, “Sony Pictures Networks is known to create compelling and differentiated brands across all genres that it operates in. I am confident that this channel will be a major player in its category. A year down the line, I wish to see the channel in the top three list.”

    Singh refused to mention the two companies that he thought were in the race.

    The channel will bring award-winning, premium factual content from BBC to over 500 million of SPN’s viewers across India, and will feature some of the world’s famous factual film-makers and storytellers such as Sir David Attenborough – The Godfather of Natural History and other well-
    known BBC Earth personalities like Bafta-winning English naturalist, writer and television presenter Steve Backshall, author, broadcaster and writer, Ben Fogle, Dr Michael Mosley – a medical doctor and an award-winning science journalist as well as award-winning wildlife cameraman, presenter and film maker, Gordon Buchanan. As a key differentiator in its category, the channel will have defined programming slots – Why, How & What on Earth at 8 pm for fun and insightful science, Wild Wild Earth at 9 pm for nature and wildlife, and Earth Explorers at 10 pm for adventure and human interest stories.

    Weekends will showcase distinctive stories with a special slot; Earth Specials. Key launch shows include The Hunt, Where The Wild Men Are with Ben Fogle, Trust Me I’m A Doctor, Snow Chick and the iconic, greatly anticipated series, Planet Earth II amongst others.

    BBC Worldwide president – global markets Paul Dempsey asserted, “Our relationship with Sony has been a long one, built in the first instance on our production business, and one that has since grown across all key areas of BBC Worldwide’s operations. We partner with them to bring top programmes like Sherlock, Orphan Black and Top Gear on AXN to our fans in India, and now, this joint venture which is a pioneering model for us. By working with a respected local partner of the caliber of Sony Pictures Networks, we look forward to bringing BBC Earth’s world class content to a new audience who we know has a huge appetite for premium factual programming.”

    The channel has created a unique brand film with its Feel Alive ambassador Kareena Kapoor-Khan. The campaign will be launched on a massive scale across multiple mass media and social media platforms. Though, it has no advertisers on boards as of yet and are in the the process of locking few deals.

    SPN EVP and business head English Cluster Saurabh Yagnik added, “SPN’s philosophy is to create brands based on deep consumer understanding. We have worked extensively with viewers to sharpen our insights into what they want and have synergised this understanding with our compelling content and storytelling. Our brand positioning of ‘Feel Alive’ captures the emotion of subliminal happiness which viewers experience when they consume our content. We are getting a tremendously positive response from the advertisers and will be locking few of them in couple of weeks time.”

    The channel will primarily compete with powerful channels in the genre, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and History TV18, owned by a joint venture between A+E Networks and  TV18. The three channels are undergoing several programming changes by providing local, cutting edge content to the viewers.

    According to media pundits, the entire factual entertainment genre in India is valued at Rs 1500 crore (by revenue) and is continuously growing at the rate of 13-15 per cent annually. It’s entertainment viewership accounts for 1-1.2 per cent of the total television viewership market share.

    This partnership has definitely opened several doors for BBC making its way to the infotainment genre in India. Perhaps, the network may also consider launching its other channels – BBC Lifestyle, BBC Entertainment, BBC Kids, etc, in India. What next does the network plan to do in the Indian market, only time will tell…

    Also Read :

    Sony BBC Earth gets regulatory approval, to launch in India soon

    BBC Worldwide’s factual entertainment successful in India

    Sony BBC Earth is just an approval away: NP Singh

    BBC Worldwide India: Women team makes fiction push

  • DEN Networks launches DEN TV+, OTT services

    MUMBAI: DEN Networks, one of the largest cable MSO in India, has launched its user-friendly online / live streaming platform today- DEN TV+ where users can access / watch the content on the go. Exclusively for DEN Cable & Broadband subscribers, it is available for download on all the devices which are on Android and iOS platforms.

    Commenting on the launch, DEN Networks Pvt. Ltd. CEO SN Sharma said, “We are excited to launch DEN TV+, DEN’s very own mobile TV app, where our viewers can now watch TV on their mobiles & tablets. Being a leading distribution platform, the idea is to complement our CATV offering to consumers and make it available for our customers on the move anytime, anywhere. DEN TV+ provides live streaming of 130 TV channels, 2500+ movies and recorded videos including popular shows/serials, devotional content, lifestyle content and much more. The service is currently free of cost as an initial launch offer. We are always exploring newer ways to provide value for money to our viewers and today’s evolving technology helps us cater to their changing lifestyle needs.”

    On-demand entertainment services led by audio and video content are at the cusp of inflection point in India. In line with global trend, there is a marked shift in consumer preferences towards digital media consumption as compared to traditional forms of media which include TV, print press, and radio. Increasing internet penetration and mobile device proliferation and convenience of consuming the content anytime, anywhere are the key drivers for this trend.

    Key Features

    – Exciting content – 130 Live Channels, 2500 movies and 10,000 Hours of Video on Demand (including Movies, Popular Shows/Serials, Devotional Content, Lifestyle Content and much more) in Hindi, English and many regional languages 

    • Non-Stop News
    • Data Saving Feature
    • Best Video Recommendations
    • Multi-screen Viewing
    • Adaptive Bitrate
    • Easy Controls

    Equipped with data saving feature / mode, Den TV+ allows users to manage their data consumption while getting the best video recommendations for their viewing pleasure.

    Den TV+ is packed with functionalities ranging from multi-screen viewing, adaptive bitrate, easy controls and many more. In addition, users can view the entire TV guide for the upcoming week and set up reminders for their favorite TV shows. Further, users can browse the app without interrupting watching experience by minimizing the new video player. 

    The TV channels available on this mobile TV are across genres including movies, general entertainment, news and music in Hindi, English and many regional languages. Some of the channels on the platform are B4U, 9X Jalwa, India TV, Zoom, Aaj Tak, ABP News, BBC World News, ET Now, Times Now, India Today, News Nation, DD News, B4U Music, Mh1, 9XM Music, Aastha, Disha, Divya, Darshan24, Gurbani TV and Sadhna TV. Besides live TV channels, this mobile TV will offer movies like ‘Singham’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Ragini MMS 2’, ‘Hate Story’, ‘Raaz 3’ and many more. Additionally, it will offer special content like prank videos, Comedy TV, Kids TV, Prankbaaz, Yoga TV, original mobile series with Priyanka Chopra, and mobile talent discovery platform by Imtiaz Ali. 

    Den TV+ is the only mobile TV video app from India to offer instant access to Non-Stop News. It intends to add more movies, more music, recipes, jokes, games, fitness videos, DIY Videos, comedy shows, karaoke music, educational videos, sports videos / talk shows, plays, horoscopes, Bollywood news and vine in the coming months.

    To access the platform, DEN subscribers will need to enter just the VC card number of the Set Top Box (STB). Users will be able to access up to two devices under one unique VC number.

    Also Read :

    DEN to launch 4k, ‘open’ STBs, give a leg-up to HD, b’band service

  • Times TV gets into a gunfight with CNBC TV18 on Budget Day claims

    MUMBAI: There’s a gunfight on in Indian news television town. And, the gunslingers are: Times Television Network and TV18’s CNBC TV18.

    CNBC TV18 drew its gun first claiming that the channel had created unprecedented highs in viewership on budget day (1 February) cornering almost 86 per cent of English business news channel viewership as against 10 per cent for arch rival ET Now and four per cent by the others. And it made a lot of noise about it online and in print and outdoor media.

    Times Television Network has retaliated crying foul and has written letters to the sheriffs of news TV town – that is the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), BARC, the Advertising Agencies Association of India and the Indian Society of Advertisers. (The letters are in the possession of indiantelevision.com).

    According to Times Television Network, its ET Now team observed a sudden spike in CNBC TV18’s reach to 2,289,000 as against an average of 289,000 over the previous thirteen weeks. This points to a manipulation of its viewership, states Times TV in a communication with indantelevision.com.

    How did CNBC TV18 allegedly achieve this?

    ET Now says its fiercest competitor allegedly “resorted to replacing the feeds of its network/bouquet channels with the feed of CNBC TV18, in the networks of MSOs like GTPL, InCable, E-Infra, Kaizen, Digicable, Manthan, Barasat, Meghbela.”

    And its communication has a list of cable TV networks detailing the channels that were allegedly replaced in each territory with CNBC TV18.

    “This helped it get an unfair advantage over the other competing channels… such an unnatural increase in the rating was not due to the channel’s coverage or the relevance of the day’s programming,” it further alleges in the email to indiantelevision.com. “The rating system of BARC captured the ratings of all the parallel LCNs on various networks and reported the same collectively as ratings for CNBC TV18. This was not just an addition to the regular and normal rating of the existing channel, but also a multiplication of the ratings, causing a sharp and unnatural spike. This fact could be corroborated by comparing the ratings of the regional channels – Colours and ETV, especially in the territories of Delhi, Bengaluru, Maharashtra, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, as these channels saw a drop in their ratings on Budget day.”

    Times Television Network has urged the associations “to investigate and take action against TV18 and direct them not to indulge in such practices as it doesn’t only damage the reputation of broadcasters, but also causes disruption among them. Let’s hope this case serves as a precedent against using such unwarranted methods in the industry.”

    Indiantelevision.com reached out to the corporate communications team at Network18 and got a point-blank denial on the allegation that it resorted to dirty tricks on Budget Day.

    “We are not aware of any such complaint, nor have we received any communication in this regard. CNBC-TV18 has always been at the forefront when it comes to the Union Budget coverage and has been a leader on the Budget day even in the past. Viewers chose to watch our channel because of the content and we believe in investing in our channel to ensure quality is maintained. Any suggestion that we have used unfair means is a false propaganda by competition to justify their dismal performance. We disapprove of anyone spreading rumours about us and accept the viewer’s choice.”

    TV viewership monitor BARC acknowledged that it had got a letter from Times Television Network highlighting the alleged CNBC TV 18 Budget Day tactics.

    A spokesperson explained that “broadcasters may opt to make their channel (s) available on more than one slot/frequency on a particular distribution platform for a variety of reasons: such decisions are entirely within the domain of the broadcaster and distribution platform (DTH, cable etc). Regulatory issues pertaining to this, if any, would lie within the domain of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and/or the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Pre-empting or stopping broadcasters from making efforts to raise visibility of their channels is not within our remit. Our mandate is to measure what people watch and for how long. We strictly follow Government of India guidelines on the matter.”

    “By virtue of its mandate, and the technology deployed, BARC India measures viewership of a watermarked channel, irrespective of the platform it is available on, and also the number of instances within that platform. As long as all/multiple feeds carry the same unique watermark, BARC India’s Bar-o-Meters would read all of them as one channel and we would report its ratings as a single channel. In effect, multiple instances of a channel on a single platform is not very dissimilar to its availability across multiple platforms, or distribution modes.”

    In the past, networks such as Star India have simulcast cricket on many of its channels. It did the same for its Aamir Khan hosted show Satyamev Jayate which was also aired on Doordarshan and in different languages on its various regional channels as well as on Eenadu TV.

    Will Times TV Network take BARC’s response at face value? Or will it go further and seek to change the way the latter monitors and reports viewership? Or will it continue its fight by going to TRAI and the MIB? Or will the Times TV Network and other broadcast network managements learn from CNBC TV18’s Budget Day tactics and also go for roadblocks on distribution platforms for select events on a channel?

    Clearly, the last of the bullets has not been fired in this gun battle.

    Also Read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/viewership/news-channels-across-genres-see-rise-in-ratings-cnbc-tv18-leads-in-viewership-170203

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/news-broadcasting/barc-india-suspends-three-errant-channels-review-161125

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/viewership/whether-barc-action-can-stop-unethical-practices-161021

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/specials/year-enders/barc-india-gets-thumbs-up-for-2016but-challenges-remain-170111

  • Action to be taken against analogue-using MSOs / LCOs in urban areas

    Action to be taken against analogue-using MSOs / LCOs in urban areas

    NEW DELHI: With the deadline for switching off analogue signals in Phase III of digitisation of cable television getting over on 31 January 2017, all nodal officers have been asked to initiate action against multi-system operators who are still continuing with analogue signals.

    The information and broadcasting ministry said said that the nodal offices should immediately “ensure/confirm that the analogue signals in Phase lll areas are not transmitted with effect from 1 February 2017.

    The ministry said that action against MSOs / cable operators can be initiated under Section 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 for violating Section 44. The ministry must be informed of action taken.

    The deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III had been extended to 31 January 2017 because of the stay orders earlier granted by various high courts which were vacated by the Delhi High Court.

    The Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs were requested on 17 January 2017 to ensure that the Authorised officers get acquainted with their powers and enforce them against defaulters MSOs/Cable Operators if they continue to carry analogue signals in Phase lll urban areas after 31 January 2017.

    Under Section 44 of the Cable TV Act 1995, it is obligatory for every cable operator to transmit or re-transmit programmes of any channel in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system with effect from the date as may be specified/notified by the Ministry from time to time.

    The Ministry claimed that the reports from many major MSOs having switched to digital signals, has been very encouraging. But, information from many MSOs are yet to be received.

    Also Read:

    DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    TRAI for pvt players in DTT, suggests capping of transmitters

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

  • Action to be taken against analogue-using MSOs / LCOs in urban areas

    Action to be taken against analogue-using MSOs / LCOs in urban areas

    NEW DELHI: With the deadline for switching off analogue signals in Phase III of digitisation of cable television getting over on 31 January 2017, all nodal officers have been asked to initiate action against multi-system operators who are still continuing with analogue signals.

    The information and broadcasting ministry said said that the nodal offices should immediately “ensure/confirm that the analogue signals in Phase lll areas are not transmitted with effect from 1 February 2017.

    The ministry said that action against MSOs / cable operators can be initiated under Section 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 for violating Section 44. The ministry must be informed of action taken.

    The deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III had been extended to 31 January 2017 because of the stay orders earlier granted by various high courts which were vacated by the Delhi High Court.

    The Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs were requested on 17 January 2017 to ensure that the Authorised officers get acquainted with their powers and enforce them against defaulters MSOs/Cable Operators if they continue to carry analogue signals in Phase lll urban areas after 31 January 2017.

    Under Section 44 of the Cable TV Act 1995, it is obligatory for every cable operator to transmit or re-transmit programmes of any channel in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system with effect from the date as may be specified/notified by the Ministry from time to time.

    The Ministry claimed that the reports from many major MSOs having switched to digital signals, has been very encouraging. But, information from many MSOs are yet to be received.

    Also Read:

    DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    TRAI for pvt players in DTT, suggests capping of transmitters

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

  • DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    NEW DELHI: Only 32 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had taken place in Phase IV areas of cable digitisation and ‘is not very encouraging.” However, adviser (DAS, MIB) Yogendra Pal said that digitisation had been completed in nearly 100 per cent areas for which the extended deadline was 31 January 2017.

    Speaking at the 20th DAS Task Force meeting on 18 January 2017, he said the actual seeding data would be much more, may be up to 50 per cent, as some MSOs have not been filling seeding data in spite of repeated requests and some MSOs are not filling full data.

    Information and broadcasting ministry additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee who chaired the meeting said she had visited a big MSO in Hyderabad who had stated that he had seeded 1.7 million STBs whereas the Ministry’s website shows that he had seeded only 100,000 STBs. In this regard it was decided to write to all Nodal Officers as well as State Governments for these discrepancies. The concerned Associations were requested to ensure their members faithfully enter the correct details to avoid any discrepancies.

    Regarding the Court cases, Pal said only three Phase III cases were pending and all other cases had been disposed of by Delhi High Court and there is no stay. He said the cut-off date for Phase IV has been extended to 31 March.2017.

    Mukherjee said there are no roadblocks now and enough quantity of STBs are available. She said that the seeding should also accelerate.

    In view of the analogue signals being switched off in Phase III areas for 31 January 2017 it was deciding that broadcasters will ensure that they have provided separate IRDs for Phase III and Phase IV areas; broadcasters will ensure that they do not have any analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III areas. In case they are having any existing analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III area, they will inform the concerned MSO that the existing agreement is not valid after 31 January 2017. Broadcasters would also carry out monitoring at the ground level to ensure that no MSO, with whom they have Interconnection Agreement, is supplying analog signal in Phase III area

    The representative of CEAMA stated that demonetization and reduction of import duty to zero from ASEAN countries is affecting the requirement of indigenous STBs from the service providers. He added that they are still in the planning mode of raising the demand of STBs from indigenous manufacturers.

    He hoped that some medium and small sized players would place orders after 31 January 2017 when Phase III Digitisation is over. The Ministry’s Joint Secretary (B-I) mentioned that a huge demand is expected due to the large number of households remaining to be covered in phase IV.

    The representatives from the State Governments outlined their readiness and action being taken by them with regard to successful implement of Digitization. They said they are holding meetings with stakeholders. The Representative from Odisha mentioned that the Principal Secretary had a meeting on 25 November 2016 and reviewed the progress of Digitisation. They have prepared district wise data for the registered MSOs, unregistered MSOs, MSOs who are seeding data and those who are not seeding. Chairperson appreciated the efforts being made by the Odisha Government and desired that similar steps may be taken by other States. She directed that measures taken by Odisha Governmentmay be shared with all the States. Nodal Officer from Odisha was asked to send a note on the steps being taken by them for circulation to all the States.

    Subhashish Mazumdar of In-Cable Net stated that progress in Phase IV areas can be better if infrastructure sharing is allowed. He said there is an issue of connectivity in remote areas such as Assam. However, he was of the opinion that since there are clear cut direction for implementation of Phase III, therefore, the progress of STBs installation will gear up in Phase IV areas.

    Anil Malhotra from SITI Cable said there are some connectivity problems in far flung areas of Phase IV. He requested that infrastructure sharing may be permitted and added that TRAI is already having consultation in this regard. He requested that they are required to carry all channels on Fibre Network in remote areas. Thus the cost of carries of channels is very high.
    He suggested that MSOs should be allowed to take 80 channels from the DD FreeDish. The chairperson has asked them to send a proposal to the Ministry for consideration.

    Malhotra also raised the issue of Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited which has been providing Cable TV services on the Optical Fibre Network Infrastructure. He mentioned that State Governments has issued directions for removal of Cables by the cable operators from all the electricity poles. He added that all MSOs are afraid of the same and that they may not be able to provide cable services.

    Ajay from Hathway stated that though there are some problems in Andhra Pradesh, they are seeding the boxes in Phase IV areas and will be able to accelerate the seeding in the month of February and March 2017. He added that they are monitoring the process on weekly basis.

    Shaji Mathew from GTPL said the situation in Gujarat is very good and now they are seeding in Phase IV area but the position in other States is not so good though they are making efforts. He complained that some of the broadcasters, especially STAR, are still providing analogue IRDs and no separate IRDs have been provided for Phase III and Phase IV areas to the MSOs. Broadcasters should be asked to give profession IRDs for carrying of digital signals for Phase III as well as Phase IV areas. He also stressed the need of infrastructure sharing pointing out that TRAI should make an early recommendation on it. He mentioned that according to the terms and conditions mentioned in the Ministry’s MSO registration letter no infrastructure sharing is possible since a separate own headend is required by the MSOs. The chairperson asked the MSOs that a request with regard to sharing of infrastructure may come to the Ministry in writing.

    The MSOs asked that it should be possible to share SMS. The Ministry’s representative pointed out that Entertainment Tax Department of UP Government had complained that MSOs do not provide them the data from the SMS.

    Vaibhav representing Den pointed out that a representative of UP Government wanted User ID and Password and not the SMS output which cannot be provided.

    A Sony India representative said they have already issued directions to switching off analog signals in Phase III areas from 1 February 2017. He asked how the signals to Arasu Cable for Phase III areas could be stopped since they have been providing analogue signals in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, Pal said according to the Madras High Court directions, analog signals of Arasu Cable cannot be disturbed till Ministry decide on their MSO registration applications.

    Some of the representatives raised the issues of a Hong Kong based company, called ABS technologies, whose teleport is outside India, is able to provide DTH services. The boxes of this company are freely available in the market. It is showing free to air channels of broadcasters. BARC has captured this data. The chairperson has sought examining of this issue.

    One MSO pointed out about a letter from District Administration in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, which has directed the local MSOs not to stop analog. The chairperson asked the Ministry to get details in this regard.

    MSOs felt that in at least 20 per cent  of rural and remote/hilly areas cable TV digitization may not be financially and technically viable even though analogue may be working there. These remote areas are best served by DTH. It was learnt that some DTH operators have packages only for FTA channels but they actually do not offer the same to the public. Th chairperson directed that DTH operators should examine the issue and come out with cost effective packages especially for remote and inaccessible areas where it is not possible for MSOs to provide digital cable services.

    Also Read:

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

    MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach

    Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

  • DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    NEW DELHI: Only 32 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had taken place in Phase IV areas of cable digitisation and ‘is not very encouraging.” However, adviser (DAS, MIB) Yogendra Pal said that digitisation had been completed in nearly 100 per cent areas for which the extended deadline was 31 January 2017.

    Speaking at the 20th DAS Task Force meeting on 18 January 2017, he said the actual seeding data would be much more, may be up to 50 per cent, as some MSOs have not been filling seeding data in spite of repeated requests and some MSOs are not filling full data.

    Information and broadcasting ministry additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee who chaired the meeting said she had visited a big MSO in Hyderabad who had stated that he had seeded 1.7 million STBs whereas the Ministry’s website shows that he had seeded only 100,000 STBs. In this regard it was decided to write to all Nodal Officers as well as State Governments for these discrepancies. The concerned Associations were requested to ensure their members faithfully enter the correct details to avoid any discrepancies.

    Regarding the Court cases, Pal said only three Phase III cases were pending and all other cases had been disposed of by Delhi High Court and there is no stay. He said the cut-off date for Phase IV has been extended to 31 March.2017.

    Mukherjee said there are no roadblocks now and enough quantity of STBs are available. She said that the seeding should also accelerate.

    In view of the analogue signals being switched off in Phase III areas for 31 January 2017 it was deciding that broadcasters will ensure that they have provided separate IRDs for Phase III and Phase IV areas; broadcasters will ensure that they do not have any analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III areas. In case they are having any existing analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III area, they will inform the concerned MSO that the existing agreement is not valid after 31 January 2017. Broadcasters would also carry out monitoring at the ground level to ensure that no MSO, with whom they have Interconnection Agreement, is supplying analog signal in Phase III area

    The representative of CEAMA stated that demonetization and reduction of import duty to zero from ASEAN countries is affecting the requirement of indigenous STBs from the service providers. He added that they are still in the planning mode of raising the demand of STBs from indigenous manufacturers.

    He hoped that some medium and small sized players would place orders after 31 January 2017 when Phase III Digitisation is over. The Ministry’s Joint Secretary (B-I) mentioned that a huge demand is expected due to the large number of households remaining to be covered in phase IV.

    The representatives from the State Governments outlined their readiness and action being taken by them with regard to successful implement of Digitization. They said they are holding meetings with stakeholders. The Representative from Odisha mentioned that the Principal Secretary had a meeting on 25 November 2016 and reviewed the progress of Digitisation. They have prepared district wise data for the registered MSOs, unregistered MSOs, MSOs who are seeding data and those who are not seeding. Chairperson appreciated the efforts being made by the Odisha Government and desired that similar steps may be taken by other States. She directed that measures taken by Odisha Governmentmay be shared with all the States. Nodal Officer from Odisha was asked to send a note on the steps being taken by them for circulation to all the States.

    Subhashish Mazumdar of In-Cable Net stated that progress in Phase IV areas can be better if infrastructure sharing is allowed. He said there is an issue of connectivity in remote areas such as Assam. However, he was of the opinion that since there are clear cut direction for implementation of Phase III, therefore, the progress of STBs installation will gear up in Phase IV areas.

    Anil Malhotra from SITI Cable said there are some connectivity problems in far flung areas of Phase IV. He requested that infrastructure sharing may be permitted and added that TRAI is already having consultation in this regard. He requested that they are required to carry all channels on Fibre Network in remote areas. Thus the cost of carries of channels is very high.
    He suggested that MSOs should be allowed to take 80 channels from the DD FreeDish. The chairperson has asked them to send a proposal to the Ministry for consideration.

    Malhotra also raised the issue of Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited which has been providing Cable TV services on the Optical Fibre Network Infrastructure. He mentioned that State Governments has issued directions for removal of Cables by the cable operators from all the electricity poles. He added that all MSOs are afraid of the same and that they may not be able to provide cable services.

    Ajay from Hathway stated that though there are some problems in Andhra Pradesh, they are seeding the boxes in Phase IV areas and will be able to accelerate the seeding in the month of February and March 2017. He added that they are monitoring the process on weekly basis.

    Shaji Mathew from GTPL said the situation in Gujarat is very good and now they are seeding in Phase IV area but the position in other States is not so good though they are making efforts. He complained that some of the broadcasters, especially STAR, are still providing analogue IRDs and no separate IRDs have been provided for Phase III and Phase IV areas to the MSOs. Broadcasters should be asked to give profession IRDs for carrying of digital signals for Phase III as well as Phase IV areas. He also stressed the need of infrastructure sharing pointing out that TRAI should make an early recommendation on it. He mentioned that according to the terms and conditions mentioned in the Ministry’s MSO registration letter no infrastructure sharing is possible since a separate own headend is required by the MSOs. The chairperson asked the MSOs that a request with regard to sharing of infrastructure may come to the Ministry in writing.

    The MSOs asked that it should be possible to share SMS. The Ministry’s representative pointed out that Entertainment Tax Department of UP Government had complained that MSOs do not provide them the data from the SMS.

    Vaibhav representing Den pointed out that a representative of UP Government wanted User ID and Password and not the SMS output which cannot be provided.

    A Sony India representative said they have already issued directions to switching off analog signals in Phase III areas from 1 February 2017. He asked how the signals to Arasu Cable for Phase III areas could be stopped since they have been providing analogue signals in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, Pal said according to the Madras High Court directions, analog signals of Arasu Cable cannot be disturbed till Ministry decide on their MSO registration applications.

    Some of the representatives raised the issues of a Hong Kong based company, called ABS technologies, whose teleport is outside India, is able to provide DTH services. The boxes of this company are freely available in the market. It is showing free to air channels of broadcasters. BARC has captured this data. The chairperson has sought examining of this issue.

    One MSO pointed out about a letter from District Administration in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, which has directed the local MSOs not to stop analog. The chairperson asked the Ministry to get details in this regard.

    MSOs felt that in at least 20 per cent  of rural and remote/hilly areas cable TV digitization may not be financially and technically viable even though analogue may be working there. These remote areas are best served by DTH. It was learnt that some DTH operators have packages only for FTA channels but they actually do not offer the same to the public. Th chairperson directed that DTH operators should examine the issue and come out with cost effective packages especially for remote and inaccessible areas where it is not possible for MSOs to provide digital cable services.

    Also Read:

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

    MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach

    Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

  • Hinduja Group media head Mansukhani spells out priorities

    Hinduja Group media head Mansukhani spells out priorities

    NEW DELHI: The new CEO  & MD of Hinduja Media Group Ashok Mansukhani, a veteran of Indian media industry, has already got his priorities etched out and expressed willingness to work along with all stakeholders of the sector for the overall growth and mutual benefits.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, the bureaucrat-turned-corporate-executive Mansukhani said priorities included getting digital rollout of Indian TV services “back on track”, push for promotion of digitisation and increased education of consumers, explore how some of his cable segment colleagues could benefit from digitisation and last, but not the least, to work towards bringing other segments of the media and entertainment sector, including regulators and policy-makers, together so a conducive environment for a mature dialogue could be created.

    Indirectly admitting that digitisation had hit roadblocks in the last 12-18 months owing to several reasons, Mansukhani said while the third phase of digitisation is coming to an end, edges in the fourth and last phase need to be ironed out. “At the end of the day, it’s a matter of 73 million homes in small towns and hamlets in the last phase of digitisation and we cannot take the task lightly,” he explained.

    Mansukhani, a former Indian Revenue Service government official, has seen the Indian media industry (specifically the electronic medium) grow from staid Doordarshan days to the present vibrant — and possibly a bit chaotic — stage of evolution when the country has over 800 private sector licensed TV channels, several distribution platforms and approximately 50,000 cable operators. His stints at the pubcaster’s headquarters in New Delhi’s Mandi House area, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and later in the private sector with the Hinduja Group, puts him in a unique position.

    According to Mansukhani, who now will be heading the media assets of the multi-billion dollar Hinduja Group, including MSO company IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) and the HITS venture, the Indian media and TV industry is at a critical stage of development and hinted increased litigation and face-off with the regulator and policy-makers could be detrimental  for the industry, which needs to come together to voice the genuine and common concerns of the industry.

    “I would also like to see and explore how we can help cable operator colleagues and others benefit from digitisation,” Mansukhani said, adding that a more concerted effort needs to be put in by stakeholders, including broadcasters, distribution platforms and the regulator, to educate consumers, especially those in small towns, about the long term benefit of digitisation despite the monthly outflow in subscription fee increasing a bit.

    “Consumer education is very important in general and especially for the fourth phase (of digitisation) homes. All of us need to support this education process as it would be beneficial for all stakeholders,” he said.

    Mansukhani comes in place of Tony D’Silva, who joined the Hinduja Group on 1 August 2012 as the president of Hinduja Ventures Limited and strategised the group’s media businesses. D’Silva had expressed a desire to demit office after completion of his contract on 31 January 2017 to pursue “other interests and spend more time with his family,” according to an official statement from the Hinduja Group.

    However, it needs to be seen how Mansukhani grows the comparatively new HITS business carried out under a separate group company, apart from tackling the challenges of IMCL, an MSO.

    ALSO READ:

    Ashok Mansukhani takes over as IMCL CEO & MD

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  • Hinduja Group media head Mansukhani spells out priorities

    Hinduja Group media head Mansukhani spells out priorities

    NEW DELHI: The new CEO  & MD of Hinduja Media Group Ashok Mansukhani, a veteran of Indian media industry, has already got his priorities etched out and expressed willingness to work along with all stakeholders of the sector for the overall growth and mutual benefits.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, the bureaucrat-turned-corporate-executive Mansukhani said priorities included getting digital rollout of Indian TV services “back on track”, push for promotion of digitisation and increased education of consumers, explore how some of his cable segment colleagues could benefit from digitisation and last, but not the least, to work towards bringing other segments of the media and entertainment sector, including regulators and policy-makers, together so a conducive environment for a mature dialogue could be created.

    Indirectly admitting that digitisation had hit roadblocks in the last 12-18 months owing to several reasons, Mansukhani said while the third phase of digitisation is coming to an end, edges in the fourth and last phase need to be ironed out. “At the end of the day, it’s a matter of 73 million homes in small towns and hamlets in the last phase of digitisation and we cannot take the task lightly,” he explained.

    Mansukhani, a former Indian Revenue Service government official, has seen the Indian media industry (specifically the electronic medium) grow from staid Doordarshan days to the present vibrant — and possibly a bit chaotic — stage of evolution when the country has over 800 private sector licensed TV channels, several distribution platforms and approximately 50,000 cable operators. His stints at the pubcaster’s headquarters in New Delhi’s Mandi House area, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and later in the private sector with the Hinduja Group, puts him in a unique position.

    According to Mansukhani, who now will be heading the media assets of the multi-billion dollar Hinduja Group, including MSO company IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) and the HITS venture, the Indian media and TV industry is at a critical stage of development and hinted increased litigation and face-off with the regulator and policy-makers could be detrimental  for the industry, which needs to come together to voice the genuine and common concerns of the industry.

    “I would also like to see and explore how we can help cable operator colleagues and others benefit from digitisation,” Mansukhani said, adding that a more concerted effort needs to be put in by stakeholders, including broadcasters, distribution platforms and the regulator, to educate consumers, especially those in small towns, about the long term benefit of digitisation despite the monthly outflow in subscription fee increasing a bit.

    “Consumer education is very important in general and especially for the fourth phase (of digitisation) homes. All of us need to support this education process as it would be beneficial for all stakeholders,” he said.

    Mansukhani comes in place of Tony D’Silva, who joined the Hinduja Group on 1 August 2012 as the president of Hinduja Ventures Limited and strategised the group’s media businesses. D’Silva had expressed a desire to demit office after completion of his contract on 31 January 2017 to pursue “other interests and spend more time with his family,” according to an official statement from the Hinduja Group.

    However, it needs to be seen how Mansukhani grows the comparatively new HITS business carried out under a separate group company, apart from tackling the challenges of IMCL, an MSO.

    ALSO READ:

    Ashok Mansukhani takes over as IMCL CEO & MD

    Distribution vet Tony D’silva departs from IMCL

  • Ashok Mansukhani takes over as IMCL CEO & MD

    Ashok Mansukhani takes over as IMCL CEO & MD

    MUMBAI: Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL)’s whole-time director Ashok Mansukhani will take over from Tony D’Silva aftre the latter completes necessary formalities.

    D’Silva, after being with the Hinduja group for over four and half years, since August 2012, had expressed his desire to demit office in order to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family.

    On 1 August, 2012, D’Silva took over as the HVL president and strategised the group’s media business. He went on to head Hinduja Group companies — IndusInd Media Communications Limited and Grant Investrade Ltd. – as their MD and CEO, where he completed his service contract on 31 January ’17.

    D’Silva, in a span of around five years, overhauled the group’s media businesses in a challenging and changing environment and put it on a strong platform for growth. Under his leadership, the business conceived and launched the unique Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) platform, designed to boost the digitisation of local cable operators and MSOs.

    D’Silva and his team established the concept of prepaid model in the cable industry, a revolution in the prevailing system of credit extension which was stressing out business.