ITV

Tag: MSO

  • MCOF raises questions on Hathway, Den pushing existing STBs under Jio brand

    MCOF raises questions on Hathway, Den pushing existing STBs under Jio brand

    KOLKATA: Maharashtra Cable Operators’ Foundation (MCOF) has flagged off several unethical practices in the television distribution segment. In a letter written to the Telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI), it has alleged that some multi system operators (MSOs) are violating rules and taking the unethical route of business. 

    MCOF has expressed concern about Den Networks and Hathway for imposing replacement of existing STBs by STBs under Jio brand in the last six months. The federation has claimed that the two MSOs have not replaced the expired standard interconnection agreement (SIA) with the model interconnection agreement (MIA) without offering any explanation for the rebranding.

    “The LCOs who resist the imposition are made to toe the line by disabling their access to the Prepaid Portal resulting in service interruptions ton the subscribers. In addition to the arm-twisting, the MSOs have lined up numerous dummy operators to replace the existing LCOs who usurp their business and assets,” the letter added.

    MCOF stated that Jio is not a registered MSO nor has it signed interconnection agreement (ICA) with LCOs. Moreover, Hathway and DEN continued to rely upon expired SIA overlooking repeated requests to adopt MIA. 

    It has also claimed that BRDS provides signal feed to its network in Kolhapur and connected areas but deploys InCable STBs. InCable has been alleged of providing feed to Sampark Network (Powai Mumbai and Bhiwandi Area) through STBs that the latter has deployed. 

    “We fail to understand as to how auditors have overlooked the mismatch between CAS, STB inventory and conflicting branding, head-ends can be used as pass-through pipes for signals from another MSO, random off-site checks by broadcasters through watermarking have not detected the malpractices,” it added.

    Against this context, MCOF has asked copies of ICA between Jio and Broadcasters and status of MSO License to Den and Hathway. It has also called for clarification on whether a mere share purchase deal allows the buyers to change brands and automatically subrogate the company whose shares it buys. 

    It has also requested the industry watchdog to share the steps it is taking to prevail on MSO to sign up fresh ICA with LCOs by mutual consensus rather than arm-twisting via Prepaid Portal Access denial. MCOF has also asked directions for the course of actions that LCOs should take to safeguard against likely disabling of STBs that are drawing signals from third party head-end or suspension of feed sharing between MSOs. 

  • NXTDIGITAL reaches out to new consumers

    NXTDIGITAL reaches out to new consumers

    KOLKATA: As the country gears up to welcome Lord Ganesha, NXTDIGITAL, the media arm of the Hinduja Group, has launched a consumer connect program – ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ to spread the message of joy and safety amidst the global pandemic. 

    As part of this initiative, NXTDIGITAL would encourage consumers, to shoot their Ganpati celebrations at home (their decoration, sthapna and aarti) on their mobile phones and upload it to NXTDIGITAL at https://ganpatibappamorya.nxtdigital.in. Select participants will get a chance to feature on the television channels of INDigital and NXTDIGITAL network as a part of this video contest.

    Video entries will be judged and the top three videos in the category of ‘Best Ganpati Idol’, ‘Best Ganpati Decoration’ and ‘Best Eco-Friendly Ganpati’ stand a chance to win attractive gifts by answering a simple question. Home Theatre System, Wonderchef Tandoor and Wonderchef Non-stick cookware are some of the exciting prizes up for grabs for the winners of this contest.

    Commenting on this initiative, NXTDIGITAL brand and marketing head Rajdeep Rudra said “The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus has impacted the economic, social and mental wellbeing of people across the world. As we approach one of the most revered, loved and celebrated festivals of India – Ganesh Chaturthi, we want to help our audience celebrate their love for Lord Ganesha with the same faith and dedication, as they do each year. As caring brands, through this program, we want to create awareness amongst our audience about taking necessary safety precautions while they celebrate this festival from the comfort of their homes. Our objective is to capture this celebratory mood and engage with consumers as we try and build a safe environment for them.”

    Shortlisted videos will also be edited and broadcast on INDigital and NXT DIGITAL (HITS) channels from 22  Aug to 1 Sep 2020 i.e. the entire Ganesh Utsav.

  • Fastway Transmissions signs up as a key Synamedia Converged Headend customer in India

    Fastway Transmissions signs up as a key Synamedia Converged Headend customer in India

    KOLKATA: Synamedia, the independent video software provider, announced its partnership with the fifth largest multi-system operator in India, Fastway Transmissions. Fastway is the first provider in India to go live with Synamedia’s Converged Headend solution. The deployment will allow Fastway to bring together its video service and IP workflows to deliver a broadcast-quality viewing experience on any screen for its millions of subscribers, managed through Synamedia Video Network Service Manager.

    The Synamedia Converged Headend solution will simplify and optimize Fastway’s video workflows, resulting in cost and operational efficiencies while allowing Fastway to increase the volume of content it delivers over its existing networks. Converged Headend features the industry’s broadest functionality in a single solution including: acquisition and multiplexing, encoding, transcoding, ad insertion, packaging, content protection, origin services, and reliable IP transport.

    Fastway is one of the first large operators in India to transition to a software-centric video processing platform. The  Converged Headend solution will be deployed on premise and is designed to be easily extended to the cloud, or a hybrid environment in the future.

    Fastway will use Synamedia virtualized Digital Content Manager (vDCM)  to boost the monetization of its content investments and accelerate the trial and launch of new channels and services in the future. The operator already uses Synamedia solutions for broadcast, security, IP delivery and STB software.

     Fastway Transmissions Group CEO  Prem Ojha commented, “Deploying a Converged Headend Solution is an important technology investment as we set out our ambitious plans for new services and subscriber growth. This resonates with our strategy to enhance our customer service experience on an ongoing basis and will act as a catalyst for the growth of our video and triple play subscribers. The Synamedia team not only solved our technical challenges, they were able to look several steps ahead to ensure we have the best building blocks in place for the future.”

    “The pace of change in the Indian pay-TV industry is relentless and competition is intense. With Converged Headend, Fastway will benefit from a single workflow for both cable and IP streams , making it possible to quickly adapt to local market needs with new services.  This more streamlined, efficient infrastructure will deliver operational efficiencies, cut costs  and give subscribers a high-quality viewing experience on any screen,” Synamedia APAC and Latin America executive vice president and general manager Sue Couto said.

    Synamedia’s video network portfolio powers premium quality broadcast and broadband video for more than 1,000 operators worldwide and 100 million daily viewers. Its video distribution, processing and delivery services and solutions create compelling live multi-screen experiences, enable software-defined video processing and unify operations. The award-winning portfolio also touts a cloud-ready, converged broadcast and broadband end-to-end ATSC 3.0 offering and low latency solutions for live video. Its virtualized DCM features live transcoding to multiple bit rates and formats, scalable video functions and best-in-class video quality all aimed to deliver infinite entertainment. 

  • MSOs see recovery in subscription collection post lockdown

    MSOs see recovery in subscription collection post lockdown

    KOLKATA: At the beginning of the Covid2019 crisis, distribution platform operators (DPOs) witnessed a sharp drop in collections from subscribers. After months of lockdown and controlled movements, major multi-system operators (MSOs) are seeing stability in their collections from June end. 

    According to a survey done by business intelligence enterprise Intin titled ‘Cable TV Fitness Check’ published in late May, the collection dropped for 84 per cent of cable operators, which was attributed to the unwillingness for digital payment and the lack of infrastructure, coupled with the social distancing norms.

    GTPL Hathway CATV business head and chief strategy officer Piyush Pankaj says that they have recovered the collections once the opening up started. Moreover, many new consumers have opted for digital payment. Hence, the payment collection issue has stabilised. Pankaj also added while 10-15 per cent of total collection dipped at the beginning of the pandemic, the scene has changed June onwards leading to 100 per cent recovery in the collection.

    Siti Networks Ltd CEO Anil Malhotra also echoes the same tone. According to him, the collection dropped by 20-25 per cent in March-April. While it recovered, there is still five to six per cent lag. However, he mentions that it is still facing an issue on the side of placement and marketing. 

    While UCN Cable Network director Jagdish Paliya states that two to three per cent recovery is still left, the collection is not difficult at this moment. There was 15 per cent drop in collection till May as the stringent lockdown made it difficult for last mile operators to reach the consumers.

    IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) CEO Vynsley Fernandes also reflects the positive sentiment of his peers in the industry. As everyone is adjusting to the new normal, some amount of stability has come, especially in terms of collection. He highlights another important trend that more consumers are paying digitally through payment gateways like Google Pay, PayTM, etc.

    Malhotra also agrees to the surge in digital payment from consumers but he notes that it is still not substantial despite a noticeable improvement. On the other hand, Pankaj says there has been an overwhelming surge in digital payment from the consumers’ side in the last four months. While it was 30-35 per cent pre-Covid2019 time, it has now reached 80-85 per cent. Metrocast Network Services promoter Nagesh Chhabria also says that it has converted more consumers into digital payment mode.

    With recovery, MSOs are likely to benefit from the growth in digital payments that they have witnessed during the pandemic.

  • IMCL engages Cloudpoint Technologies to manage key aspects of its B2C segment

    IMCL engages Cloudpoint Technologies to manage key aspects of its B2C segment

    KOLKATA: In keeping with its focus on enhancing its services to its subscribers, IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) has engaged Cloudpoint Technologies to manage key aspects of its B2C segment, in Mumbai initially. Cloudpoint, which has been engaged by IMCL since last year to provide strategic advisory and support services for its direct points, will now take on the mantle of providing key services to IMCL’s direct CATV subscribers in Mumbai – ranging from revenue collection and end-to-end customer lifecycle management to upselling and cross-selling. Cloudpoint will deliver these services through a dedicated team completely focussed on the core objective of consumer satisfaction.

    IMCL chief operating officer NK Rouse said, “It is our constant endeavour to enhance consumer experience through superior service and also foster growth through engagements with specialist firms. This initiative is one such endeavour and is in line with one of the guiding principles of our Hinduja Group – “Partnership for Growth”. It is not only going to unlock opportunities for bringing about desired growth, but also result in superior consumer experience through agile and focussed consumer service for our direct point consumers.”

    “We are obviously delighted to be a part of IMCL’s amazing journey, now with a deeper engagement – moving from strategic advisory role to operational execution. Team Cloudpoint will strive to achieve the objectives which the company has set for itself,” Cloudpoint Technologies director and co-founder Himanshu Patil said.

    With ever-changing consumer expectations and requirements, more pronounced during these challenging times; it is imperative to move closer to the consumers and extend world-class service to create the desired consumer delight. This engagement would add significant value to the direct consumer journey by enhancing agility, coupled with an improved support system.

  • SPN’s distribution team brings cheer to Maharashtra LCOs through ‘Nukkad LIVE’

    SPN’s distribution team brings cheer to Maharashtra LCOs through ‘Nukkad LIVE’

    KOLKATA: The Covid2019 pandemic has had a seismic effect not only on the way businesses run but also on several other aspects of people's lives. The cable industry, the unsaid essential service, has played a major role in the current environment keeping people entertained and informed. While a majority of the population was under a shelter-at-home directive, last mile operators kept working on-ground risking their lives to provide seamless services to their subscribers. SPN was the first network to salute these unsung heroes through its ‘Happy Hero’ campaign. Taking the relationship with the operators forward and to bring some cheer , excitement to the last mile operators, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) undertook a novel initiative of virtual event, ‘Nukkad LIVE.’ 

    Through ‘Nukkad LIVE’ last mile operators, more commonly known as LCOs, get to enjoy specially curated acts as well as interact with the artists & key protagonists of various SPN channel shows. 

    "The new normal in our day to day to work life has shifted to the digital interface. We have always believed in staying connected with our trade partners & we enjoy excellent partnerships with MSOs across the country. The ‘Nukkad LIVE’ initiative is really about going a step further & creating opportunities for interaction for SPN’s well known show artists with the last mile, namely the LCOs. They are really the unsung heroes who are risking their lives every day to keep the pipeline of entertainment flowing and alive. After seeing the huge success of ‘Nukkad LIVE’ in Maharashtra with the likes of DEN and GTPL, we will soon be extending this format to the Hindi GEC & sports genres,” said Sony Pictures Networks (distribution business) EVP Sales and Marketing, Makarand Palekar. 

    SPN has initiated the first leg of this digital collaboration in the Maharashtra market bringing actors from Sony Marathi and leading operators from the state together. Samir Choughale, Vishakha Subhedar and Vanita Kharat, all well-known names from the Marathi entertainment industry, are part of this campaign to meet operators on the ‘Nukkad LIVE’ platform. 

    While Kharat holds the meet-up together by anchoring it, Choughale is interviewing Subhedar and the latter gets humorously offended. The fun banter ends with the stars thanking the operators for their relentless support and service to keep the show on during the lockdown period as operators made sure all the viewers got uninterrupted signals for their daily dose of entertainment. The 40-minute meet ended with both the actors interacting with the trade fraternity by answering their questions.

    Although both broadcasters and distributors are dependent on each other to run their businesses, during this crisis period, such collaborations can help to keep the touch points on both sides alive and lighten the burden of social distancing, on everyone. 

    What do the partners think?

    “Good initiative by the Sony Marathi & distribution team to connect & engage our business partners using the virtual platform. Spreading a smile is very important in the present situation where people are facing a lot of hardship. All the best to the Sony team,”  GTPL Hathway Ltd promoter and managing director Aniruddhsinh Jadeja said. 

    “This unique initiative by Sony team to bring the last mile operators together, added a new dimension to strengthen relationship between broadcaster, MSO & LCO. It helps the industry to work towards a common goal of inclusiveness by involving the last mile which further encourages them to provide better services,”  DEN Satellite director Rajeev Gavi shared. 

    “Brilliant programme! The execution of the event was seamless despite the dependency on technology. Inviting the LCOs to this event and mentioning the special relationship that Den Satellite and Sony shares further strengthens the bond between stakeholders. Artists were really entertaining and it was thoroughly enjoyed by our partners,”  DEN Satellite director Ravishankar Singh said. 

  • I&B ministry grants registration to 15 new MSOs in July

    I&B ministry grants registration to 15 new MSOs in July

    NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has granted registration to 15 new multi-system operators (MSOs) in the month of July. As per data released by the MIB, the total number of registered MSOs now stands at 1679 as on 3 August 2020.

    MIB issued six MSOs in the month of March, two in April, six in May and four in registrations in June (till 24 June). A total of 48 MSOs have been granted registration in 2020 until now. There are two provisionally registered MSOs now.

    All the granted registrations are valid for a period of 10 years. The name of the companies that were added in the registration list in the two month includes Bharta Cable Network,  Maa Jagdamba Network,  Shiva Cable Communications,  Moka Malleshara Cable Network, New Skynet Digital Services, Vijaynagara Cable Network,  MS Digital Cable Network,  Induandmahadev Broadband, World Phone Infrastructure Services, Shri Vitthal Rukmini Cable Net Service, 4k Digital Communications Pvt Ltd.; Balaji Cable Network, Multicast Communication and Distribution Limited, Rohin Connect and Yupptv Digital India Pvt Ltd.

    The ministry has cancelled three MSO applications in July 2020. 

  • DPOs, consumer data and the art of upselling content

    DPOs, consumer data and the art of upselling content

    KOLKATA: In the age of online content platforms, knowing what consumers want has become the key to customer acquisition and retention. While these platforms have tons of data to woo the target audience, it is tough for traditional players in cable distribution ecosystem, especially multi-system operators, to have robust consumer profiling.

    However, (direct-to-home) DTH players like Tata Sky have already started innovating the area and MSOs are following suit slowly. At a distribution-related panel, ‘Broadcast and distribution challenges and the road ahead’, hosted by Indiantelevision.com, all the panellists agreed that if they need to upsell or cross-sell content, a significant amount of data is needed.

    “We do a bit of analytics. In the DTH industry, there is only one way of communication, the return path data (RPD) is not there. However, we have tens of thousands of dongles, through which we get some back-channel data, the reverse path identification based on which we do some customer segmentation like what channels they are watching, which regions are focusing on which channels. We are seeing as a trend that there is an inclination towards watching more regional content that has accelerated during Covid2019 pandemic,” said Tata Sky chief financial officer G Sambasivan.

    “We try and do a lot of upselling based on customer analytics so that our hit rate in terms of conversion is on the higher side so that we don’t do carpet bombing. We select those customers and we try to upsell channels to them based on our estimate of which will be appealing to which type of consumer,” he added. According to him, Tata Sky has tasted success in the method and so, keeps improving analytical capabilities.

    IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) CEO Vynsley Fernandes said that the problem is bigger for MSOs due to two major issues. Firstly, RPD will come at a high cost. Secondly, unlike DTH players, MSOs don’t have access to last mile-consumers directly since local cable operators (LCOs) act as the medium of connection. However, he mentioned that some MSOs are studying consumers but have not deployed any system yet. Moreover, if they deploy anything there is a concern about what is a valid sample size. He also mentioned that IMCL has been working with LCOs to build its database. Although he acknowledges that it is not optimal like other industries, it is getting better slowly.

    “Since the customers are with us for 25 years, it is impulse and intuition that helps us drive the ARPUs. Around 60 per cent customers go with DPO packages,” Metro Cast Network Services Pvt Ltd promoter Nagesh Narayandas Chhabria said. 

    Indian Cable Net Company Ltd director Suresh Sethia also spoke of the broadband box integrated with the network of cable users that gives them data on who is watching what. They have at least 3000 such boxes.

    Siti Networks Ltd CEO Anil Malhotra said that as they are in b2b business, they can’t have direct contact with consumers, especially with LCOs in the middle. “But whatever choices customers have made are saved in our back end. Based on that, if any upselling or marketing has to be done, we can easily do it. As our business model is b2b, we consider what operators are doing in real-time is better. On a single way of communication, there will be a limitation,” he added. 

    PwC India Entertainment partner media and sports advisory leader Raman Kalra did not agree to this view as he thinks every business is b2c in the M&E sector. He cited the example of print industry that did not have a direct connection to consumers and now the industry is struggling to adjust with digitisation. 

    “Until and unless you [DPOs] go and check with you customers and have a reverse path, you will always be conjecturing what your customers are watching. While in past we could not have it, going forward we can align our LCOs also to the idea that is important to know what our consumers are watching. It would help you to build a business for yourself as well as for your direct consumer. So, it’s time we get LCOs on partnership mode, teach them, educate them, and only then will it unlock. Otherwise, all will keep going in circles,” Star and Disney India distribution and international business president and head Gurjeev Singh Kapoor commented.

    IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd president Amit Arora said that they have to offer various propositions so they can hold on to consumers.

  • Tamil Nadu MSO writes to TRAI alleging broadcasters’ non-compliance to NTO 2.0

    Tamil Nadu MSO writes to TRAI alleging broadcasters’ non-compliance to NTO 2.0

    KOLKATA: Tamil Nadu-based multi-system operator (MSO) Apple Network Private Ltd. has written a complaint to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) against major pay-TV broadcasters for allegedly not complying to new tariff order 2.0 (NTO 2.0). It also claimed that broadcasters are not coming forward to execute the new RIO agreements/ amendments in accordance with NTO 2.0.

    The complaint is “against the Pay Channel broadcasters but not limited to Star India, Sony Pictures Network India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd, Discovery Communications India, Bennet Colman and Company Ltd etc. as the said broadcasters are acting arbitrary and are showing high handedness by not complying with law of land,” the MSO wrote to TRAI.

    The MSO also demanded that the invoices sent by broadcasters since March until date (6 July) have to be corrected as NTO 2.0 came into effect from March. It has also mentioned that despite several petitions, the broadcasters have failed to get any interim stay on the order. It has alleged that despite repealed requests broadcasters are not uploading the amended RIO on their respective websites. 

    It has added that due to the current situation LCOs have not been able to collect payment causing immense suffering to its business. But broadcasters are not offering any relief and are demanding the entire Invoice amount which is generated on the basis of MSR report.

    “Therefore, in view of the above, the undersigned herein requests you to take severe coercive actions against the pay channel broadcasters for non-implementation of NTO 2.0 as on account of Covid2019, it is totally uncertain as to when the writs pending in different high courts will be taken up and until then, the broadcasters can not be permitted to illegally enrich themselves. Further, you may direct all pay channel broadcasters to enter valid RIO agreement in compliance with NTO 2.0 and accordingly revise the billing wef 1 March 2020,” it added. 

  • I&B ministry grants registration to 10 MSOs in May, June

    I&B ministry grants registration to 10 MSOs in May, June

    KOLKATA: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has published a document listing all the registered multi-system operators (MSO) in the country. As per the document, there are 1664 registered MSOs in India as on 25 June 2020.

    Six and four MSOs were granted registration in the month of May 2020 and June 2020 respectively. A total of 48 MSOs have been granted registration in 2020 until now. There are two provisionally registered MSOs now.

    All the granted registrations are valid for a period of 10 years. The name of the companies that were added in the registration list in the two month includes Siddhi Vinayak Cable Bhainsdehi ,  Baroda Cable Network,  E-Star Digital Cable TV Network,  Bangalore Broadband Network Pvt Ltd, Meet Cable Vision, Lightfiber Telenetworks Pvt Ltd,  Modern Network Digital Pvt Ltd,  Kamdhenu Digital Network, RK Digital Cable Network and  Smart India Digital Services.

    The ministry has cancelled three applications in May and June 2020.