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Tag: news express

  • TDSAT: Sai Prasad Media to pay UCN Cable Rs 67 lakh with 8% interest

    TDSAT: Sai Prasad Media to pay UCN Cable Rs 67 lakh with 8% interest

    NEW DELHI: Sai Prasad Media Pvt Ltd has been asked by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to pay to UCN Cable Network Pvt Ltd a sum of Rs 67,21,500 with interest at the rate of 8 percent from 28 August 2015 till date of payment for carrying the News Express channel on its network.

    Chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava, who heard the matter ex parte as Sai Prasad Media did not put in an appearance, came to their judgment on the basis of the documents presented and the lone witness examined.

    The tribunal said: “In view of the facts and circumstances as well as documents and evidences available in support of petitioner’s claim, as well as consistent refusal on the part of respondent to present its  case by way of nonappearance,  we find  and hold that the agreement has been acted upon by both sides; albeit  only partially by the respondent.”

    While UCN Cable had demanded interest at 24 per cent, the Tribunal confined it to 8 per cent but said the payment has to be made within eight weeks.

    The petitioner said it had entered into an agreement dated 29 October 2012 with the respondent for the period 1 August to mid-.2013 for carrying the latter’s channel News Express on its network. According to the petitioner, a fresh agreement dated 14 June 2014 was again executed between the petitioner and the respondent for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. The consideration money for placement of the news channel (News Express) was Rs 75 lakh excluding applicable service tax.

    UCN says it carried the channels from its network and placed them on the desired frequency as mentioned in the agreement; and raised regular invoices upon the respondent. However, the respondent in breach of the terms of the agreement did not make payment of the agreed amount; and the total outstanding as on 31 March 2015 amounted to Rs 67,21,500. The petitioner has also submitted that under the previous agreement as well, Sai Prasad Media had defaulted to the extent of Rs.93,63,328 due and payable to the petitioner till 31 March 2014.

    It has been stated that only in pursuance of a notice of 5 March 2014, Sai Prasad Media made a payment of Rs 90,55,038 on 7 April 2014. However, no payment was received from Sai Prasad Media thereafter. It has been stated that another notice dated 18 March 2015 was served upon the respondent for payment of Rs 67,21,500.

    The sole witness on behalf of the petitioner Amit Aggarwal, working as manager, Legal in the petitioner company submitted his evidence through affidavit and he has formally proved the documents annexed with the petition. Aggarwal was examined by the Advocate Commissioner and his evidence has been taken on record.

  • TDSAT: Sai Prasad Media to pay UCN Cable Rs 67 lakh with 8% interest

    TDSAT: Sai Prasad Media to pay UCN Cable Rs 67 lakh with 8% interest

    NEW DELHI: Sai Prasad Media Pvt Ltd has been asked by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to pay to UCN Cable Network Pvt Ltd a sum of Rs 67,21,500 with interest at the rate of 8 percent from 28 August 2015 till date of payment for carrying the News Express channel on its network.

    Chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava, who heard the matter ex parte as Sai Prasad Media did not put in an appearance, came to their judgment on the basis of the documents presented and the lone witness examined.

    The tribunal said: “In view of the facts and circumstances as well as documents and evidences available in support of petitioner’s claim, as well as consistent refusal on the part of respondent to present its  case by way of nonappearance,  we find  and hold that the agreement has been acted upon by both sides; albeit  only partially by the respondent.”

    While UCN Cable had demanded interest at 24 per cent, the Tribunal confined it to 8 per cent but said the payment has to be made within eight weeks.

    The petitioner said it had entered into an agreement dated 29 October 2012 with the respondent for the period 1 August to mid-.2013 for carrying the latter’s channel News Express on its network. According to the petitioner, a fresh agreement dated 14 June 2014 was again executed between the petitioner and the respondent for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. The consideration money for placement of the news channel (News Express) was Rs 75 lakh excluding applicable service tax.

    UCN says it carried the channels from its network and placed them on the desired frequency as mentioned in the agreement; and raised regular invoices upon the respondent. However, the respondent in breach of the terms of the agreement did not make payment of the agreed amount; and the total outstanding as on 31 March 2015 amounted to Rs 67,21,500. The petitioner has also submitted that under the previous agreement as well, Sai Prasad Media had defaulted to the extent of Rs.93,63,328 due and payable to the petitioner till 31 March 2014.

    It has been stated that only in pursuance of a notice of 5 March 2014, Sai Prasad Media made a payment of Rs 90,55,038 on 7 April 2014. However, no payment was received from Sai Prasad Media thereafter. It has been stated that another notice dated 18 March 2015 was served upon the respondent for payment of Rs 67,21,500.

    The sole witness on behalf of the petitioner Amit Aggarwal, working as manager, Legal in the petitioner company submitted his evidence through affidavit and he has formally proved the documents annexed with the petition. Aggarwal was examined by the Advocate Commissioner and his evidence has been taken on record.

  • Digicable plea for placement fee from News Express allowed for analogue areas only: TDSAT

    Digicable plea for placement fee from News Express allowed for analogue areas only: TDSAT

    New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has partially allowed a petition by MSO Digicable Network (India) Pvt. Ltd claiming analogue placement charges from Sai Prasad Media Pvt. Ltd which own the News Express Channel for a sum of Rs 63,03,058.

    Chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said the amount will carry interest at 18 per cent from the date of filing of the petition till the date of realization. The office was directed to make a decree accordingly. The Tribunal turned down the petition in so far as it related to the areas that came under digital addressable system   

    However, the Tribunal said, “We find it difficult to hold that the petitioner was able to fully discharge its obligations under the digital placement agreement dated 16 July 2012 for the areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The Tribunal said that it is not possible to divide the amount of the placement charges from the invoices and the statement of account under the digital placement agreement and to allow the petitioner’s claim for the rest of the areas. It is, therefore, not possible to allow the petitioner’s claim under the digital placement agreement and the claim in so far it relates to the agreement dated 16 July 2012 must fail.

    On the petitioner’s claim that the towns of UP were still to come under the digital addressable system regime and there could be no agreement for transmission of channel in those towns in digital mode, the Tribunal said” “There is no law that prevents digital transmission in areas where the digital regime is yet to be implemented in terms of the notification issued by the Central Government.”

    Digicable had filed the petition for recovery of Rs 2,73,39,000 as dues of channel placement charges from Sai Prasad Media Pvt. Ltd for carrying its channel News Express on its digital as well as analogue cable TV networks. The amount was claimed along with interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from the date the payment was due up to the date of payment.

    The claim of the petitioner was based on two channel placement agreements. The first one was in respect of areas where Digicable had a digital cable network. This agreement was executed on 16 July 2012 for the period 16 July 2012 to 15 July 2013. The second agreement was for certain areas where Digicable was doing transmission in analogue mode and was executed on 09 August 2012 for the period 9 August 2012 to 8 August 2013.

  • Digicable plea for placement fee from News Express allowed for analogue areas only: TDSAT

    Digicable plea for placement fee from News Express allowed for analogue areas only: TDSAT

    New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has partially allowed a petition by MSO Digicable Network (India) Pvt. Ltd claiming analogue placement charges from Sai Prasad Media Pvt. Ltd which own the News Express Channel for a sum of Rs 63,03,058.

    Chairman Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava said the amount will carry interest at 18 per cent from the date of filing of the petition till the date of realization. The office was directed to make a decree accordingly. The Tribunal turned down the petition in so far as it related to the areas that came under digital addressable system   

    However, the Tribunal said, “We find it difficult to hold that the petitioner was able to fully discharge its obligations under the digital placement agreement dated 16 July 2012 for the areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The Tribunal said that it is not possible to divide the amount of the placement charges from the invoices and the statement of account under the digital placement agreement and to allow the petitioner’s claim for the rest of the areas. It is, therefore, not possible to allow the petitioner’s claim under the digital placement agreement and the claim in so far it relates to the agreement dated 16 July 2012 must fail.

    On the petitioner’s claim that the towns of UP were still to come under the digital addressable system regime and there could be no agreement for transmission of channel in those towns in digital mode, the Tribunal said” “There is no law that prevents digital transmission in areas where the digital regime is yet to be implemented in terms of the notification issued by the Central Government.”

    Digicable had filed the petition for recovery of Rs 2,73,39,000 as dues of channel placement charges from Sai Prasad Media Pvt. Ltd for carrying its channel News Express on its digital as well as analogue cable TV networks. The amount was claimed along with interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from the date the payment was due up to the date of payment.

    The claim of the petitioner was based on two channel placement agreements. The first one was in respect of areas where Digicable had a digital cable network. This agreement was executed on 16 July 2012 for the period 16 July 2012 to 15 July 2013. The second agreement was for certain areas where Digicable was doing transmission in analogue mode and was executed on 09 August 2012 for the period 9 August 2012 to 8 August 2013.

  • Expansion is on the cards, says Sanjeev Kumar

    Expansion is on the cards, says Sanjeev Kumar

    MUMBAI: Keeping with its expansion vision, News Express has elevated Sanjeev Kumar as its COO.

     

    Kumar was earlier the network’s sales head and took charge of the new role from 1 November, 2014.  “We are a strong network as News Express is India’s first HD news channel and to take it to the next level, the network will see an expansion along with robust marketing and sales plans,” he says.

     

    The network is launching a new regional channel, News Express MP-CG, for the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh market. Talking about the upcoming channel, he says “The soft launch has already taken place. Currently, we are working on strengthening its distribution in these areas and are building up the editorial, sales and technical teams.”

     

    Kumar with over seven years of experience has worked in companies like Zee News. He was also associated with the Outlook group and Bennett Coleman and Co.

     

  • Three months deadline to channels for responding to clarifications: MIB

    Three months deadline to channels for responding to clarifications: MIB

    NEW DELHI: Even as it said it will not respond to applications of permissions for licences if an applicant has delayed in responding to queries by more than three months, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry today gave a final grace period of 15 days to 73 applications.

     

    The Ministry said in a note today that a stock-taking had shown that in 20 per cent to 40 per cent cases, applicants took anything between three months to one year to reply to the information sought by the Ministry. So, the ministry has said that henceforth, it will close requests where clarification has been due for more than three months.

     

    A final call has been given to all to send in their clarifications that are pending within 15 days.

     

    At the same time, it said that it is committed to granting permissions and other regulatory approvals as soon as clearances and clarifications are obtained in a speedy and transparent manner. It said that no permissions can be “held up intentionally.”

     

    However, the company’s response sometimes becomes crucial to expeditious disposal of such requests.

     

    Failure by the companies to reply, delays the whole process leading to an impression that the permissions are held up by the Ministry.

     

    The Ministry also sent separate emails to the concerned companies.

     

    Applicants include major players like Big RTL Broadcast, INX News, UTV Entertainment, Sarthak Entertainment, Focus group, News Express among others. Some of these have filed applications for more than one channel. 

  • News Express rebrands to focus on investigative journalism

    News Express rebrands to focus on investigative journalism

    MUMBAI: When Vinod Kapri quit as India TV’s managing editor and joined News Express as the network’s editor-in-chief and CEO, he had firmly decided that he would bring about a turnaround in the channel.

     

    Now two months later, News Express is all set to give itself a polished look starting 25 February.

     

    News Express has a brand new logo in red and blue and a dual tag line ‘We report to you/Fikra Aapki’ in order to communicate that the channel will be pro people.

     

    Similarly, the graphics of the channel will also be designed by an agency that has developed the new logo. The agency will also be working on the new channels planned by News Express. With the new look, the channel aims to be a lot more cleaner and a lot less noisier.

     

    Investigative stories will form the core of the channel. Says Kapri, “We already have tough competition in the Hindi space. We have decided to do three things: make the channel clutter free, focus on investigative journalism and not put up any content which will hurt people or go against basic norms of news coverage.”

     

    Kapri also adds that the aim of the channel is not to be the first or the number one but rather to be the one to present the right news. The focus is on getting new viewers to sample the new look of the channel.

     

    The channel is launching with its first show called Operation Prime Minister. Other shows lined up are Namaskar India, Desh Janana Chahta Hai with Nishant Chaturvedi, Rajniti Black and White with Navin Kumar, Express Election xchange with Satish K Singh and Nishant Chaturvedi, The New(s) Rebel – Ek awaz tark ki with Satish K Singh, Aaj ke Mukhya Samachar with Nishant Chaturvedi and Kapri’s own show Raj Shastra. A special weekly show called Udaan is planned that will be anchored by acid attack survivor Laxmi.

     

    The marketing campaign will begin in the first week of March, once the channel has settled a bit. Owing to elections, Kapri is confident that it will resonate well with the viewers.

  • News Express brings Sanjeev Kumar as network sales head

    News Express brings Sanjeev Kumar as network sales head

    MUMBAI: After quitting India TV and joining News Express as CEO, Vinod Kapri has been working on getting his A team together. The latest to be recruited is  media professional Sanjeev Kumar who will be heading  the channel’s network sales.

     

    Kumar has over seven years of experience, the last being as the country head for ANN7 in South Africa. He has also worked as a vice president of sales at Zee News handling the channels Zee News, Zee UP/UK, Zee Punjabi, Zee MPCG. He was also associated with the Outlook group and Bennet Coleman and Co.

     

    Kapri says, “Sanjeev Kumar has a very rich experience of media sales and is a step further in our endeavour to build a team of best professionals in media.”

     

    He has already beefed up the channel’s editorial and managerial teams and is also focusing on improving  its distribution.  Amit Tripathi was earlier roped in as COO, Satish K Singh as the editor, Ravikant Mittal as managing editor and Jacob Matthew as executive editor.

     

    While the channel isn’t available on a lot of platforms as of now, it has struck a deal with one of India’s  biggest DTH operators – Tata Sky – recently. Close to 11 million subscribers will get to watch News Express from 5 February onwards.