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Tag: MSO

  • ‘The more local digital advertising gets, the more effective it will be:’ Amagi co-founder KA Srinivasan

    ‘The more local digital advertising gets, the more effective it will be:’ Amagi co-founder KA Srinivasan

    In this era of digitisation, the advertisement ecosystem has taken a big leap with digital advertising entering the fray. There was a time when people used to read advertisements, and then with the advent of television came visual ads, which could only be shared by word of mouth. Now with access to internet, ads can be read, seen and shared with help of just one device.

     

    With brands choosing the digital platform to announce launches of new products with help of email marketing, search engine marketing mobile and web marketing, have now given ads a new dimension to reach people. Digital advertising has broken the limitation of time slot for ads and has increased reach by leaps and bounds.

     

    Amagi co-founder KA Srinvasan spoke to  Indiantelevision.com about geo-targeted marketing, brands shifting towards digital marketing and much more.

     

    Excerpts:

     

    Many channels are tying up with Amagi for geo targeting. Property Now from Times Network is one of them. Do you think split broadcasting will be the way forward?

     

    Hyper local advertising will be the future of broadcast and television; in general it is going to be more geo targeted. Customised content created as per consumer’s preference is going to have a lot of impact. With the concept of geo generic mass content, as content becomes more local, the ad’s visibility for viewers will increase. Nowadays, content is created based on country, city and regional level not just in India but across the globe. The original goal for over-the-top (OTT) in digital world is to personalise lifestyle and provide content depending on consumer’s interest, preferences and their past watching behavior.

     

    What do you think will define the new era of effective advertisement?

     

    The change that we have observed is the more local advertisements get, the more effective it will become. Many of our advertisers are targeting specific local audience. It is effective from both advertising and communications perspective. Viewers will identify the product and advertisers will have a much better brand name at regional levels. From a content owner’s perspective, more advertisers will be able to reach out and from a broadcaster’s perspective, the future is all about getting local in terms of content.

     

    Now after installation of your technology in multiple system operators’ (MSO) headend, how do you plan to seize digital?

     

    Keeping that in mind, we launched a product called Thunderstorm, which allows television content owners and television networks to provide personalised advertising in the digital space. Our customers will be able to deliver their content over mobiles, tablet, and television screens and on web. However, there is one problem with monetising the content as the ads, which are telecast on television and which go on the sites are the same. The same goes with handsets. Everyone is watching the same ad on mobile but it is not giving any revenue. We have built a platform that allows advertising networks to have completely different advertising depending on the targeted audience and geographical area.


    Is Amagi focusing more on the digital space now?

     

    We are enabling content on advertising for television and helping local network owners to ‘hyper local’ the ad content. As content viewing shifts more towards digital, we are trying to bring the product in a more personalised way in digital. Our aim is to personalise and localise cable, television and digital.

     

    From many years the ten second ad slot has been ruling television and continues to do so. What more will the digital medium adapt?

     

    Today, the digital media is used as a distribution platform by television networks. What we are trying to do is, using the same content in different versions and using the digital platform for distribution of these ads. In terms of distribution, digital can do much better experimentation and inter-activity than what traditional television offers. Many advertisers are not only creating one commercial but creating multiple versions of it. On the digital platform, attention time span is going to be very limited as compared to traditional television. And because of this broadcasters and advertisers are experimenting. They are trying to create content, which can get the brand name in just five seconds, so that the user does not skip it.

    Digital allows fine grain targeting and that is the reason why we are able to do a lot more interesting stories. It is going to evolve and shift the platform from television to digital. We will then see more of digital specific content. 

     

    How many broadcasters do you have on board right now?

     

    We have around 20 plus broadcasters and multiple television channels across many countries. And at the end of this financial year we will have 40 plus channels. And many of them are from traditional satellite and television that are shifting towards the digital platform.

     

    You talked about the product Thunderstorm for creating personalising content for advertising. What are the new innovations that Amagi is currently focusing on?

     

    We have partnered with television networks to conceptualise content better. Geo targeting is focusing on satellite to help advertisers in creating personal advertising. We aim to eliminate satellite completely and move to digital where they can use closed bar internet technology. By using that platform, they can deliver their content in fraction of the cost to operators and consumers not only in India but around the world. Many big platforms are leveraging ahead from traditional television and satellite. We see rapid growth in terms of digital advertising in future.

  • DAS Phase III: Only 62 MSOs sent requests for agreements with b’casters even as deadline looms

    DAS Phase III: Only 62 MSOs sent requests for agreements with b’casters even as deadline looms

    NEW DELHI: Even as the deadline for completing the third phase of Digital Addressable System (DAS) appears to be hovering over, only 62 multi system operators (MSOs) have so far approached broadcasters for finalising inter connect agreements.

     

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) today again asked all registered MSOs to immediately send their requests to broadcasters for interconnection agreements on channels in Phase lll areas.

     

    In case broadcasters do not respond to their requests, the MSOs have been asked to inform the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) immediately in this regard, with a copy to the MIB.

     

    It was pointed out that the Ministry had, by an email of 6 April this year, advised all MSOs to send the copies of their communication with broadcasters regarding RlOs to TRAI for intervention.

     

    But “it appears that some MSOs have either not approached broadcasters for channels or have not informed TRAl about their problem,” MIB said in its advisory.

     

    According to Chapter ll of the Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable System) Regulations 2012 issued by TRAI, MSO are required to send a request to the broadcasters for TV channels in DAS areas and on their requests broadcasters are required to send their Reference Interconnect Offer (RlO) to them within 60 days of receipt of such requests.

     

    MSOs operating or planning to operate in Phase lll areas should have by now entered into interconnection agreements with the broadcasters, but the Ministry said “it is given to understand from the periodical reports submitted by the broadcasters to TRAI that only 62 MSOs have so far approached them for interconnection agreements for TV channels for phase lll areas.”

  • TDSAT asks Eenadu TV to sign agreement with Kakinada MSO

    TDSAT asks Eenadu TV to sign agreement with Kakinada MSO

    NEW DELHI: Noting that Andhra Pradesh based multi system operator (MSO) Sri Maruthi Digital Network cannot be described as a fly-by-night operator, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) has asked Eenadu Television to send its representative to the Kakinada area from where the MSO operates to hold a joint sample survey of the petitioner’s SLR. 

     

    Sri Maruthi counsel Deenadayalayan presented to the Tribunal a copy of its application for a Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) licence.

     

    Adjourning the matter for 4 November and noting that Eenadu was prepared to sign an interconnect agreement, the Tribunal said the joint survey should be completed by 20 October.

     

    The parties may then execute the interconnect agreement on the basis of the joint survey report.

     

    The Tribunal said the application by the MSO ‘sufficiently shows that he intends to stay in the business.’

  • TDSAT directs Star India not to disconnect Bangalore MSO’s signals if dues received

    TDSAT directs Star India not to disconnect Bangalore MSO’s signals if dues received

    NEW DELHI: Star India has been asked not to disconnect signals to Bangalore multi system operator (MSO) Digi Hanamkonda Network India Ltd if the latter pays a provisional payment of Rs 10.5 lakh within a week as directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAY).

     

    TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava “made clear that the payment is purely provisional and on account and the rights and liabilities of the parties  will abide by the final adjudication of the petition.”

     

    The Tribunal also noted that the previous agreement between the parties had expired more than three months ago. 

     

    The MSO was accordingly directed to visit Star India’s Bangalore office in order to execute the renewal of agreement without any further delay, and the matter was put up for hearing by the Tribunal on 30 October.

     

    By an order passed on 10 July, the Tribunal had directed the MSO to pay to Star India Rs 4.7 lakh, which was due admitted by the petitioner itself. Subject to that payment, it was understood that the respondent shall not discontinue the supply of its signals.

     

    During the time the matter has remained pending before the Tribunal, the respondent’s dues against the petitioner have once again accumulated.

     

    According to Star India counsel Saurabh Srivastava, the petitioner is liable to pay to Star a sum of Rs 16.03 lakh as dues upto 31 August.

     

    Diggaj Pathak, counsel appearing for the MSO disputes the amount claimed by the respondent as due. 

     

    The last interconnect agreement between the parties was executed on 31 January. This agreement is for non-DAS areas and the agreement states the number of subscribers for each of its channels and the specific amounts payable by it for those channels.

     

    Pathak however contended that the figures of monthly licence fees mentioned in the agreement were arrived at by factoring in 15 per cent increase in the rates as allowed by the tariff order issued by TRAI, which was set aside by the Tribunal by its judgment and order dated 28 April. 

     

    The petitioner is therefore making payment of the monthly licence fee after taking off 15 per cent from the amounts mentioned in the agreement and according to Pathak, the amount of Rs 16.03 lakh as claimed by Star is the differential amount of 15 per cent.

     

    Pathak also stated that an earlier payment of Rs 3.74 lakh, made by the petitioner was wrongly credited in the account of another entity called Shri Bhadrakali Communications and that amount too should be deducted from the amount of Rs 16.03 lakh as claimed by Star.

     

    The Tribunal felt that the MSO’s claim of deducting of Rs 3.94 lakh from its dues “is rather debatable and we are not fully convinced that the petitioner is entitled to that deduction. Further, we are not satisfied that the amount claimed by Star is not based on the agreement and that it is not payable by the petitioner being the differential amount,” it said.

  • TRAI devices simplified online form to gain info on LCOs & linked MSOs

    TRAI devices simplified online form to gain info on LCOs & linked MSOs

    NEW DELHI: With the deadline for Phase III of digital addressable system (DAS) virtually at the doorstep, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has created a Google form to gain first-hand information about every local cable operator (LCO) in the country.  

     

    According to information available with Indiantelevision.com there are more than 60,000 LCOs in the country and no authority at present has the complete information about each of them. 

     

    According to TRAI, the aim was part of its function to regulate the telecom and broadcasting services; lay-down the standards of quality of service to be provided by service providers and ensure level playing field amongst the service providers and nurture the condition for the growth of the sector.

    The regulator said it had been taking up several activities to protect the interest of cable operators, address their grievances and educate them about their rights and obligations. 

     

    However it required data to keep the LCOs updated about the policies and regulation made by TRAI, data related to the LCOs such as name, address, e-mail, mobile number and city of operation etc.

     

    The online information gathering mechanism through a single Google form will help the regulator get all the information about the LCOs, which will be stored by TRAI in its database.

     

    The form, which is easy to fill, has only sought the full contact details of the LCO, whether he gets his signals from the broadcaster or multi system operators, and the names of the MSOs he is attached to.

     

    The link to the form is 

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dWCwSlNEkcAqFbQhep9T7OmOhfHZSNN5UMFGr2a1wyc/viewform?usp=send_form or http://goo.gl/forms/q34NG1AHHf

  • TDSAT directs Tejpur MSO to not stop signals if LCOs make payments

    TDSAT directs Tejpur MSO to not stop signals if LCOs make payments

    NEW DELHI: Tejpur Cable Networks has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) not to disconnect the signals of Mahabhairab Cable Network and over 20 other petitioners provided they make payments as directed by the Tribunal.

     

    The local cable operators (LCOs) were also told that they could not move on to another multi system operator (MSO) without the permission of the Tribunal.

     

    The LCOs were permitted to file the supplementary petition bringing on record certain relevant facts, which though canvassed before the Tribunal, did not form part of the original petition. The supplementary petition may be filed within a week.

     

    Listing the case for 16 November, TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said the MSO could file replies to the present petition as also the supplementary petition, if any, within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the supplementary petition.

     

    By way of an interim arrangement, the Tribunal directed Arup Borah to pay to the MSO a sum of Rs. 2.5 lakh. The payment may be made in two instalments. The first instalment amount of Rs 1.5 lakh should be paid by 20 October and the balance Rs 1 lakh by 10 November.

     

    Similarly, petitioners 14, 17, 19, 24 and 25 should pay to the MSO sums of Rs 6100, Rs 3270, Rs 15,000, Rs 1480 and Rs 18,326 respectively by 30 October.

     

    In addition, petitioners no 3 to 25 were directed to pay one-third of the amounts shown as outstanding against them up to September in the chart handed over by MSO counsel Sharath Sampath to the Tribunal. The payment of the one-third due amounts should be made by 10 November.

     

    From October onwards, each of the petitioners shall pay the monthly subscription fees at the rate at which they were paying the monthly subscription in December 2013, before the reduction of 15 per cent of the amount.

     

    All the payments as directed above will be on account basis and will be subject to the rights and liabilities of the parties as may be determined finally.

     

    The Tribunal said it was of the view that there is an urgent need of reconciliation of accounts between the two sides “and the proper reconciliation is likely to resolve the disputes to a very large extent. However, the parties are in so much dispute that reconciliation of account may not be carried out properly by the two sides on their own and it should, therefore, be supervised by a Charted Accountant. “We, accordingly, direct both sides to appear before Mr. Rohit Vasvani, one of the mediators before the Mediation Centre of the Tribunal,” it said.

     

    The parties were directed to appear before him with complete books of accounts and other relevant materials on 28 October. Vasvani has been requested to take up this matter on an urgent basis and to complete the reconciliation within the shortest possible time. He may ask the parties to appear before him in his office. 

     

    Vasvani will be paid honourarium of Rs 50,000 and this amount shall be shared in the following manner:

    Respondent no. 1 – Rs 20,000

    Respondent no. 2 – Rs 20,000

    Petitioner – Rs. 10,000 

  • MIB issues 27 new provisional and 3 permanent MSO licenses post August

    MIB issues 27 new provisional and 3 permanent MSO licenses post August

    NEW DELHI: With the deadline of the third phase of digital addressable system (DAS) less than three months away, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued 27 new provisional licenses and three permanent licenses for multi system operators (MSOs) across India to operate in the DAS areas.

     

    The new entrants are: (1) Manthan Broadband Services Pvt Ltd, which got the permanent licence for Kolkata Metropolitan under Phase I, for Howrah under Phase II and for Ranchi and all cities/towns in India under Phase III, (2) Saptak Digital, which received permanent licence for the entire West Bengal region, and (3) Shirdi Sai Digital Network for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana under Phase III & IV.

     

    With this, the total number of MSOs that have obtained licences for DAS as on 30 September has gone up to 399.

     

    According to the last list issued on 14 August, the Ministry had registered a total of 349 MSOs, of which 126 were provisional.

     

    Of these 399 MSOs that have received licences for DAS, 226 have 10-year licences, while 173 are provisional since the MIB has still not received any formal communication of the Home Ministry’s decision to do away with security clearances for MSOs.

     

    As of now, four MSOs – Kal Cables of Chennai, Digi Cable Network Pvt Ltd, Scod 18 Networking Pvt Ltd and SR Cable TV Pvt. Ltd. remain on the cancellation list.

     

    Additionally, 11 MSOs, which had earlier been granted permanent licences were permitted to change their areas of operation

  • TRAI asks MSOs to not disconnect signals without 3 weeks notice

    TRAI asks MSOs to not disconnect signals without 3 weeks notice

    NEW DELHI: With the deadline for completion of Phase III of Digital Addressable System (DAS) approaching fast, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today said that no multi system operators (MSO) will disconnect the signals of TV channels of a linked local cable operator (LCO) without giving three weeks’ notice to such LCO, clearly specifying the reasons for the proposed disconnection. 

     

    The Regulatory framework provides that the channels subscribed by a subscriber should not be switched off or discontinued without following the proper procedure provided in the Quality of Service Regulations for DAS, TRAI said. 

     

    The MSOs providing cable TV services through DAS were advised not to degrade or stop or switch off any channel without following the proper procedure laid in the regulations. 

     

    TRAI also reminded MSOs and linked LCOs that set top boxes (STBs) have to be repaired or replaced without any extra charge with new STBs within 24 hours of the receipt of the complaint. 

     

    The complaint can be pertaining to malfunctoning from a subscriber, if the STB is covered within the warranty or it has been acquired by the subscriber on hire purchase scheme or on rental basis.

     

    The MSOs providing cable TV services were advised to ensure rectification of consumer complaints within 24 hour under the “Standards of Quality of Service (Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems) Regulations 2012. For adhering to the timelines provided in the regulation, spare STBs may be given to the linked LCOs to ensure speedy restoration of services.

     

    TRAI said in cable TV sector it is generally observed that the consumers approach linked LCOs for immediate redressal of their complaints. For redressal of such complaints of consumers received by the LCOs, MSOs are required to lay down proper communication procedures to register complaints through LCOs and get then addressed on priority.

     

    The directive regarding disconnections is under the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulations 2012.

  • e-CAF not on TRAI’s agenda; willing to assist cable ops to expedite work

    e-CAF not on TRAI’s agenda; willing to assist cable ops to expedite work

    NEW DELHI: While the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) itself has no plans to mandate a system of e-CAF (Customer Acquisition Form), it has no objection if a multi-system operator (MSO) or a local cable operator (LCO) introduced the system.

     

    Through the e-CAF system, consumers can fill out details of channels wanted by them and provide this information to the service provider.

     

    A senior TRAI official told Indiantelevision.com that the Regulator had always encouraged progressive steps and would help any MSO or LCO that wanted assistance in this regard.

     

    The official, who did not wish to be named, said that if banks can take sensitive KYC information on mobiles or through the internet, there was no reason why MSOs or LCOs could not use e-CAF to help expedite their work.

     

    In fact, the official went on to say that this would aid the process of achieving the target of the last two phases of digital addressable system (DAS).

     

    However, the official maintained that TRAI had no plans at present to mandate e-CAF forms and felt that this should be voluntary. 

  • TDSAT directs Den to clear Star India’s dues by 3 October

    TDSAT directs Den to clear Star India’s dues by 3 October

    NEW DELHI: Den Networks Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) to make full payments to Star India as directed by its order of 14 September.
     

    After hearing counsel for the parties, TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said, “We are once again of the view that in compliance with the previous order, Den is bound to make payment of the invoiced amounts for the months of June and July 2015. In terms of the DAS agreement, which allows the petitioner to make payment within 15 days of the receipt of the invoice, Den must make payment of the invoiced amounts for  the DAS areas by 3 October.”
     

    The Tribunal also directed Den to give SMS reports to Star India for each month as stipulated in the DAS agreement. Den counsel Meet Malhotra assured the Tribunal that this would be done.
              

    Malhotra stated that apart from Rs 15 crore directed by the previous order, Den had made some more payments to Star India.
     

    “Needless to say Star India will verify the payments as claimed to have been made by Den and those payments will naturally be adjusted against the payment for the invoices in question,” TDSAT said.

     
    On 14 September, Den had been directed to make on-account payment of Rs 15 crore by 18 September towards its dues to Star India. Regarding current monthly fees, Den was directed as follows: “Apart from the payment of the back dues, Den will indeed be obliged to make payment of the current dues of license fee on the basis of the invoices raised by Star India.”

    Den made payment of Rs 11.91 crore on 18 September and another payment of Rs 3.09 crore on 21 September and though the payments were not fully in compliance with its order, the Tribunal said, “We consider it a lapse and leave the matter at that.”
     

    As regards payment of the current monthly license fees, on 11 September, Star India issued two invoices; one for the non-DAS areas for the month of September for Rs 4.26 crore and the other for DAS areas (excluding Navi Mumbai) for the months of June and July for the sum of Rs 20.21 crore. According to Den, the two invoices were sent to it through email on 18 September.
     

    The Tribunal rejected Malhotra’s arguments that the invoiced amounts included the increase of 27.5 per cent provided under the TRAI Tariff Order, which was quashed by the Tribunal by Judgment and Order of 28 April. The contention was mainly that since a part of the invoiced amounts is based on increases not sanctioned by law, Den was not liable to make payment of the invoices until reconciliation of accounts underway between the two sides as directed by the Tribunal’s order is completed.
     

    However, the Tribunal made it clear that its rejection of Malhotra’s contention was not final and was subject to the finding arrived at the end of the trial of the matter. 
     

    Meanwhile in another case filed by Mahabhairab Cable Network and other LCOs against Tejpur Cable Networks, the Tribunal said Tejpur will not disconnect the supply of signals to the LCOs. 

    Listing the matter for 5 October, it restrained the LCOs being represented in the petition from taking signals from any MSO other than the respondents.