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Tag: pay TV

  • A research by GfK reveals a rise in cord cutting in the US

    A research by GfK reveals a rise in cord cutting in the US

    MUMBAI: A research conducted by GfK Media & Entertainment shows that the estimated number of Americans relying exclusively on over-the-air (OTA) television broadcasting increased to 59.7 million, up from 54 million just a year ago. The percentage of TV households currently OTA reliant has grown from 14 per cent in 2010 to 19.3 per cent in the current survey, a 38 per cent increase in just four years. The survey also found that the demographics of broadcast-only households continue to skew toward younger adults, minorities and lower-income families.

    The 2013 Ownership Survey and Trend Report, part of The Home Technology Monitor research series, found that 19.3 per cent of all US households with TVs rely solely on OTA signals to watch TV programming; this compares with 17.8 per cent of homes reported as broadcast-only last year. Overall, GfK estimates that 22.4 million households representing 59.7 million consumers receive television exclusively through broadcast signals and are not subscribing to a pay-TV service (i.e. a traditional pay-TV service such as cable, satellite, Verizon FIOS or AT&T U-Verse).

    “Over-the-air households continue to grow, making up an increasingly sizeable portion of television viewers,” says GfK Media & Entertainment senior VP David Tice. And, the proportion of households that have never paid for cable or satellite service also continues to grow. “Our research reveals that over-the-air broadcasting remains an important distribution platform of TV programming; this year‘s results confirm the statistically significant growth in the number of broadcast-only TV households in the US, which we identified in 2012.”

    According to the 2013 study, 5.9 per cent of TV households “cut the cord” in their current home at some point in the past. Among households that eliminated pay-TV service responding to the 2013 survey, most report overall cost-cutting or not enough value for cost as the reason for doing so (respondents could give more than one reason). These were also the top reasons given in the 2012 survey for eliminating pay-TV service.

    Homes headed by younger adults are also more likely to access TV programming exclusively through broadcast signals. Twenty-eight percent of homes with a head of household age 18-34 (up from 18 per cent in 2010) are broadcast only, compared with 19 per cent of homes in which the head of household is 35-49, or 17 per cent of homes in which the head of household is 50 years of age or older. Two out of ten (21 per cent) younger over-the-air households have never purchased a pay TV service according to the current survey.

  • Cisco providing pay TV to 150 million viewers in India

    Cisco providing pay TV to 150 million viewers in India

    NEW DELHI: Cisco today claimed it was now enabling a rich and advanced TV experience for over 150 million viewers in India, using the industry estimated average of five people per household.

    Thus, it said it had established itself as the leading provider of enhanced TV viewing experiences to more than 30 million Indian homes, a milestone that reinforces the company’s leadership in the digital pay-TV solution market in India.

    Cisco service and solution platforms are in the prime position to address the changing needs of pay-TV operators now and into the future, with more than 10,000 R&D experts in Bangalore. It claimed that the company currently enjoys a leading market share in conditional access and middleware. (Source: MPA Media Route, 26 February 2013).

    Cisco claimed it is a trusted pay-TV technology partner for more than 100 operators worldwide, with leading direct to home (DTH) and cable operator customers in India including ADN, Airtel Digital TV, Asianet, Atria, CCN, Darsh Digital, DEN Networks, Fastway, GTPL, Hathway, JAK Communications and Tata Sky, to name a few.

    Cisco is fully committed to supporting the cable TV industry to meet the government mandate to roll out digital addressable systems in a phased manner by 31 December 2014.

    India is the leading DTH satellite market in Asia Pacific with the most subscriber homes and is second only to the US DTH satellite market, which it is expected to overtake in the next few years.

    Cisco is committed to delivering a host of world-leading, affordable and innovative solutions and services to help its satellite and cable customers to differentiate their services in their markets in India, which has an estimated 135 million pay-TV homes.

    Cisco India and SAARC senior VP sales Jeff White: “The Indian pay-TV industry is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic in the world. India now accounts for nearly a third of Cisco‘s subscriber homes in the Asia Pacific region. We are excited about our leadership in the industry, deep commitment to our customers and sharp focus on innovation in India.”

    Cisco service provider video technology group senior VP & GM Jesper Andersen said: “Achieving the milestone of over 30 million digital homes in India is a testament to our commitment to India over the last 18 years and our partnerships with some of the most successful cable TV and DTH satellite platforms in the country. The Indian pay-TV industry is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic in the world. We confidently expect tens of millions more households to benefit from Cisco’s enhanced TV-viewing experiences, as the demand for advanced services and applications surges.”

  • Pay-TV revenue growth slowing down

    Pay-TV revenue growth slowing down

    MUMBAI: The days of rapid growth in pay-TV revenues are over, according to a Digital TV Research report, which predicts that global revenues from subscriptions and on-demand TV and movie services will rise just 3.2 per cent this year, with growth rates slowing to below 2 per cent from 2015 onwards.

    In 2018, Digital TV Research expects pay-TV revenues to be $203 billion, just $19 billion higher than the 2012 levels. In 2018, DTH will be the dominant platform by revenues, generating $96.7 billion, followed by $79 billion for digital cable and $21.3 billion for pay IPTV. This year marks satellite moving ahead of cable for the first time, accounting for 45.9 per cent of revenues.

    The US will remain the DTH market leader, accounting for 43.5 per cent of satellite TV revenues last year. This is expected to slip to 38.7 per cent in 2018. The biggest gains in DTH revenues are expected in Brazil and India. Cable, meanwhile, peaked in 2012 with revenues of $86.9 billion this is expected to drop to $82.6 billion in 2018.

    While pay-TV revenues will more than double in 18 markets between 2012 and 2018 largely in – Africa, plus Indonesia and Vietnam – they will fall in 15 countries, including the US.

  • Asianet switches from GlobeCast to Dish in US; adds a new channel to US bouquet

    Asianet switches from GlobeCast to Dish in US; adds a new channel to US bouquet

    BENGALURU: Dish, a leading pay-TV provider in the US announced the launch of Asianet, Asianet Plus, Asianet News and Asianet Movies to its lineup. Additionally, Dish‘s broadcast of Asianet Movies marks the US premiere of the Malayalam film channel. Earlier, three of Asianet‘s channels were available in the US on the France Telcom subsidiary GlobeCast.

    Industry sources reveal that Asianet‘s agreement with GlobeCast ends on June 30 and the association will be terminated. “Dish is a one stop shop for the Indian, no, Asian diaspora. Be it Vijay TV or the Star Network channels, or other bigwigs of Indian television broadcasting like the channels of Zee or Sony, all are on Dish, so it makes sense for Asianet to be on the Dish platform. It‘s a win-win situation for all,” explained the source about Asianet‘s shift.

    Asianet Communications MD K. Madhavan statement in a press release seems to endorse this fact, “When Asianet entered the US market in 2003, our overarching goal was to expand the presence of our special programming. Partnering with Dish to launch the Asianet channels allows us to realize this dream of providing yet another incredible addition to the lineup of Malayalam content in the United States”.

    “We are pleased to exclusively offer this programming on satellite and proud to debut Asianet Movies for the first time in the U.S. Dish has long offered an impressive South Asian channel lineup, and we are dedicated to the consistent pursuit of the best news and entertainment tailored to a variety of language groups,” said Dish director of international programming Sruta Vootukuru.

    As the US leader in international programming with more than 280 ethnic channels in 29 languages, Dish is the exclusive satellite pay-TV platform to offer this leading Malayalam-language content.

    The Malayalam Asianet programming package is now available to customers for $24.99 per month. Effective June 20, all Malayalam: Mega Pack or Surya a la carte customers will be eligible to subscribe to Asianet as an add-on package for a monthly price of $15.

  • NBCUniversal’s PictureBox gets UK relaunch

    NBCUniversal’s PictureBox gets UK relaunch

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal has started offering its movie video on demand (VOD) service PictureBox Films direct to consumers in the UK and Ireland following a redesign and rebrand of the platform.

    With the relaunch, customers can directly access 60 films on their PC, Samsung Smart TVs and iOS and Android mobile devices for ?4.99 a month. Titles will be refreshed every week. The lineup includes The Eagle, The American, Bridget Jones‘ Diary, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Jarhead and The Bourne Identity.

    PictureBox first rolled out in the UK in 2006 in conjunction with various pay TV partners and is still accessible via Virgin Media, TalkTalk, BT Vision and Top Up TV. The service is also accessible in Poland, Russia, Latin America, Brazil and Singapore via local platform providers.

  • India’s Pay TV market to create a demand of 140 million smart cards during 2013-2018

    India’s Pay TV market to create a demand of 140 million smart cards during 2013-2018

    MUMBAI: MARC Group in its latest report entitled “Smart Card Industry in India: SIM, Identity, Banking, Transport, Healthcare, Pay TV, Loyalty & PDS” expects India‘s Pay TV market to create a demand of 140 million smart cards during 2013-2018. Findings from the report suggest that with 155 million subscriber households in 2012, India is the third largest TV market after the US and China. TV signals in India are currently distributed in analogue as well as in digital and terrestrial formats. Most cable operators in the country are providing analogue TV service while all DTH operators are providing a digital TV service.

    The report found that the government of India amended the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act in October 2011 to announce implementation of a phase-wise digitisation programme of pay TV services throughout the country. Findings from the report suggest that this would result in all cable TV households to receive digital TV signals through a set top box (STB). As part of digitisation, every cable operator will be legally bound to transmit digital signals, which can be received at the subscriber‘s home only through a STB. Since smart cards are required in each STB, the growth in STB sales is expected to create a huge opportunity for smart cards in India.

    This study, an updated and far more extensive and analytical version of the 2011 study, provides and draws upon a comprehensive analysis of every major smart card segment in India. Key metrics and events such as smart card requirements, current and future volume and value demand, key smart card projects, project implementation timelines, success and risk factors, costs, etc have been comprehensively analysed in this report. This study aims to serve as a guide for investors, researchers, consultants, marketing strategists, and all those who are planning to foray into the Indian smart cards market in some form or the other.

     

  • India to have second highest number of pay TV households by 2018

    India to have second highest number of pay TV households by 2018

    MUMBAI: Global pay TV households will reach nearly one billion by 2018, up from 772 million in 2012 and 814 million in 2013. According to the Digital TV World Household Forecasts report, the Asia Pacific region will contribute 59 per cent (587 million) of the global total by 2018.

    Based on forecasts for 97 countries by Digital TV Research, China will have the most pay TV subs, at 313 million by end-2018, followed by 158 million in India and 107 million in the US. These three countries will account for 58 per cent of global pay TV households by 2018.

    Pay TV penetration (analog and digital combined) reached 53.6 per cent of TV households by end-2012, and will rise to 55.7 per cent by end-2013 and 63.1 per cent by 2018. Penetration at end-2018 will range from 86 per cent in the US to 29 per cent in the Middle East and Africa. Pay TV penetration will remain highest in the Netherlands, at 99.5 per cent by end-2018.

    The number of digital TV homes will increase by 667 million between 2012 and 2018 to 1,453 million. The digital TV total will climb by 127 million in 2013 alone. Global digital penetration of TV households will climb from 54.7 per cent at end-2012 to 62.5 per cent by end-2013 and on to 92 per cent by 2018.

  • 18-34 year olds in the US becoming ‘broadbanders’: Pivot Study

    18-34 year olds in the US becoming ‘broadbanders’: Pivot Study

    MUMBAI: Pivot, which is Participant Media‘s new cable network, launching in over 40 million homes in the US on 1 August 2013 has released its first annual Industry Report about millennials‘ consumption of TV content.

    Among broadband subscribers 18-34 years old, 13 per cent (8.6 Million) are currently broadband-only customers. 27 per cent (17.9 million) of millennial pay TV/broadband subscribers – aka ‘Cross-Platformers‘ – are at risk of cutting their pay TV subscriptions.

    The study examined how the current pay TV ecosystem could be impacted if programmers and MVPDs provided consumers with a new distribution alternative that speaks specifically to this demographics lifestyle and viewing habits.

    Pivot, Participant Television president Evan Shapiro, who unveiled the data during The Cable Show in Washington, DC said, “Our goal with this study was to start a conversation about attracting a new generation of MVPD customers. The future of our industry isn‘t just about staving off decline, but growing the video business by showing the 100 million plus audience under 30 that our products can fit their media lifestyle.”

    “The data clearly shows that a bundled next-gen TVE offering – with both Live streamed channels plus VOD TV content, anywhere/anytime – would be a Killer App for keeping many millennials at risk of leaving our ecosystem and wooing those college kids and recent grads we‘re now losing,” he added.

    Many Cross-Platformers are looking to stray from the ecosystem (17.9 million 18-34s as well as 32 million 18-49s). However, data indicates that they can be attracted to TV through new offerings. 87 per cent of at-risk Cross-Platformers (aka ‘Strayers‘) would consider keeping their Pay TV Subscriptions if offered programming streamed Live and On Demand anywhere/everywhere, while 58 per cent of Broadbanders would consider subscribing to TV for a bundle of networks from their broadband provider, streamed Live and On Demand.

    Miner and Co. Studio president Robert Miner said, “Research indicates that offering customers bundles of services including VOD and live streaming where they want, when they want, and at a price point that is acceptable to their life stage could keep a number of Cross-Platformers at the table with the potential of bringing Broadbanders into the fold.”

    Data shows that if offered channels that streamed not just VoD content but Live programming anywhere/anytime, 85 per cent of Cross-Platformers ages 18-34 noted they would feel better about MVPDs. Among 18-34 year olds, 51 per cent of Broadbanders say they would consider paying as much as $20 per month for such a bundle (that includes the Pivot APP).

    In March, Pivot had announced a distribution model, offering pay TV subscribers TV Everywhere Live and On Demand, on any device, anywhere, anytime; as well as offering Broadband-Only Subscribers the channel Live and On Demand through their Pivot APP, via subscriptions, which will be available only through their broadband providers.

    Ramspacher said, “It is clear from our study that the industry at large could make a substantial dent in the attrition of Pay TV subscribers by offering VOD and live streaming products that would retain and attract this specific group of video customers.”

    Additional results below for 18-34 year olds:

    · 92 per cent want VoD streamed everywhere and anywhere
    · 86 per cent want Live streaming TV everywhere
    · 94 per cent would feel more positively about networks that offer VOD streamed everywhere
    · 91 per cent would feel more positively about networks that offer Live streaming TV everywhere
    · 89 per cent of Cross-Platformers are more likely to keep their cable, satellite, or telco TV subscription if they were offered TV networks/channels that provided VOD streamed everywhere
    · 85 per cent of Cross-Platformers are more likely to keep their cable, satellite, or telco TV subscription if they were offered TV networks/channels that provided Live streaming TV everywhere
    · 87 per cent of at-risk Cross-Platformers (aka “Strayers”) would consider keeping their Pay TV subscriptions if offered programming streamed Live and On Demand anywhere/everywhere
    · 55 per cent of Loyal Cross-Platformers intend to keep Pay TV primarily because they like the option of watching Live TV
    · 44 per cent of Pay-TV-Craving Broadbanders miss their favorite Live shows, while only 19% say they miss Live sports
    · 31 per cent of Pay-TV-Craving Broadbanders miss watching Live TV as an option
    · 58 per cent of Broadbanders say they are likely to subscribe to a bundle of TV networks from their ISP if offered
    · 51 per cent of Broadbanders and 85% of potentially straying Cross-Platformers say they would consider paying as much as $20 per month for such a bundle (that includes the Pivot APP)
    · 84 per cent are interested in Pivot, Participant Media‘s new network
    · 52 per cent of Cross-Platformers and 41 per cent of Broadbanders are very interested in the Pivot APP

  • SNL Kagan Survey 2012: Videocon d2h is world’s No 1 DTH player in new subscriber additions

    SNL Kagan Survey 2012: Videocon d2h is world’s No 1 DTH player in new subscriber additions

    MUMBAI: The sky is the limit it seems for Videocon d2h, the direct to home arm of the Videocon group. It apparently has unknowingly managed a unprecedented record of adding the highest number of gross subscribers in 2012 in the DTH category globally.This is one of the findings from a piece of research carried out by US research agency SNL Kagan on leading pay TV operators in the world. 

    According to the study Viideocon d2h, added 2.33 million subscribers in 2012, while Dish TV added 2.2 million subs and Tata Sky 1.9 million. As compared to that, the next highest additions in 2012 were Russian DTH firm Tricolor which added 1.29 million subscribers and Sky Brasil and Sky Mexico with 1.251 million new subs and 1.12 million sub additions.

    One of the youngest Indian DTH operators, the company was buoyed by this news. It says the term, ‘The Fastest Growing DTH Service provider‘, now assumes greater impetus and significance due to the global survey results.

    Says Videocon group director Saurabh Dhoot: “Videocon d2h has been constantly topping the charts with highest number of additions in the Indian scenario but achieving this on a global scale that too on an annual basis, is phenomenal and overwhelming. We have always raised the bar in various parameters in the category and this provides another instance for the same. Through all our endeavours we will continue adding value to our customers.”

    Adds Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera: “This is a very proud moment for us as a company. We have not only maintained our lead within the country but have outshined even global competition. I am sure such an accolade will provide a strong motivation to our employees to raise the company‘s flag even higher. It is because of the belief that our customers have placed on the brand that we are able to achieve such success. We aim to delight them always with our services.”

    Also Read: 
    Indian pay TV operators making their mark globally: researcher SNL Kagan

  • TV Everywhere increases the value of Pay TV: Epix Survey

    TV Everywhere increases the value of Pay TV: Epix Survey

    MUMBAI: US TV network Epix which is a JV between Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate has announced key findings of a survey, conducted by global consumer research firm Hub Entertainment.

    This show that consumers who view content on multiple platforms and devices attach much more value to service from their pay TV provider than those who watch on a TV set only. Epix made this announcement at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) 2013 Cable Show in Washington, DC.

    The survey found that the value that subscribers attribute to their pay TV service increases as the number of devices used to watch programming grows. Pay TV subscribers‘ value ratings increase by up to 83 per cent for viewers who access programming on multiple devices compared to those who watch on TV only. Among pay TV subscribers who view content on a TV plus three additional devices, 71 per cent feel pay TV is an “excellent/good” value; the percentage increases to 88 per cent among pay TV subscribers viewing on TV and four other devices, a true testament to the strength of multiplatform viewing.

    Among subscribers who view content on a TV only, 48 per cent believe that they are getting an “excellent/good” value from their pay TV subscription.

    The findings also indicate that multiplatform viewing enhances the value that subscribers attribute to Epix. Epix subscribers‘ satisfaction increases by over 50 per cent among multiple platform and device viewers compared with those who watch only on TV. While 62 per cent of Epix subscribers watching only on television are satisfied with the service, 80 per cent of Epix subscribers who view the network via two or three devices are satisfied. Importantly, the highest levels of satisfaction come from Epix subscribers who access the network‘s content on four or more devices, with an impressive 94 per cent satisfied with their Epix subscription.

    The value of watching Epix on devices benefits pay TV providers as well. Over 80 per cent of Epix subscribers who view on game consoles or media players say that having that capability makes their pay TV subscription more valuable than it would otherwise be.

    Epix chief of staff Nora Ryan said, “The results of this study illustrate the high value consumers are placing on multiplatform viewing and underscores the importance of delivering superior content along with the ability to make it available to consumers at their convenience on any platform. As the entertainment viewing experience evolves, consumers are making new choices about how they want to consume content and forming new habits that include the desire to watch movies and TV shows anytime, anywhere and on multiple platforms. Flexibility is really important in the delivery and packaging of programming services and those distributors who recognise this will be able to increase the satisfaction levels of their customers. We remain committed to working closely with our operating partners to provide our authenticated subscribers access to the best content and extra features in all the ways they want it.