ITV

Tag: Reliance BIG TV

  • Reliance BIG TV joins hands with 50,000 Indian Post Offices for HD DTH set top boxes

    Reliance BIG TV joins hands with 50,000 Indian Post Offices for HD DTH set top boxes

    MUMBAI: DTH player, Reliance Big TV, after announcing zero cost entertainment to 130 crores Indians, has partnered with 50,000 Indian Post Offices across Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim for consumers to do an initial booking by making a payment of Rs 500 through post offices.

    The FREE HD HEVC Set-Top-Boxes, as promised by Reliance Big TV, can now be booked through India Post Offices all across India. This initiative will support digital India campaign by bringing urban & rural India on the same platform for entertainment and education with unified consumer offer.

    Vijender Singh director Reliance Big TV says,“With its latest offering, Reliance Big TV has disrupted the digital entertainment space in India. Now, every Indian household can have our HD HEVC Set Top Boxes at their disposal. This will give an access to free and high-quality entertainment and even more, every aspiring student can enjoy complimentary access to educational content, with our HD HEVC Set Top Boxes, which can be booked listed Indian Post Offices”. 

    The company will be starting the installation soon and all pre-booked customers will get their set-top boxes installed in their houses before 30 July and delivery of set-top boxes will start from 15 of June. The bookings for the post office will be commencing from 20 June.

    “With this tie-up, Reliance Big TV will have a wider reach since Indian Post Office has an incredible reach, which is unrivalled by any other logistics partner and the same would help the customers to book this incredible offer by paying Rs 500 at any of the post offices in the stipulated states” adds Singh.

    Reliance Big TV is further extending its Pan-India network to fully support its customers and provide an enriching content spanning Entertainment, Movies, Sports, News, infotainment, Education, Kids content and more. Its latest, cutting-edge HD HEVC device is all set to offer superior digital quality viewing.

    Furthermore, the HD HEVC Set-Top-Box by Reliance Big TV comes fully loaded with latest features, such as scheduled recording, USB port, HDMI port, recording & viewing channels simultaneously. The latest offer includes, a plethora of pay channels absolutely free for 1 year including HD channels and up to 500 FTA channels free of cost for 5 years.

    The pre-booking of the latest offer by Reliance Big TV has already commenced from 1 March 2018. Users can avail the latest offer on Reliance Big TV website (www.reliancebigtv.com) with booking amount of Rs 500 at a post office. On the receipt of Set-top-Box and outdoor unit (ODU), buyers have to pay the balance amount of Rs 1500 and enjoy a plethora of pay channels absolutely free for 1 year including HD Channels and up to 500 FTA channels free of cost for 5 years.

  • Did govt pressure nudge ABS-2 to shutter Indian TV channels on FTA DTH service?

    Did govt pressure nudge ABS-2 to shutter Indian TV channels on FTA DTH service?

    NEW DELHI: ABS has closed the doors from 1 May 2018 on Indian TV channels that were using the ABS-2 satellite-beamed FTA Ku-band platform. Apparent reason: Indian government pressure on local TV channels to stop using the ‘unlicenced’ platform that discouraged payment of carriage fee to the satellite operator, which was the origin of the business.

    The Bermuda-registered satellite operator’s ABS-2 signals — hosting on its South Asian beam a Nepalese and a Bangladeshi DTH services licenced in their respective countries — have been spilling over into India and a mix of Indian, Nepalese and Bangladeshi TV channels were available to Indians as a FTA service that was accessed via some plain vanilla hardware (read set-top boxes and antennae) at a nominal cost.

    On being petitioned by Indian distribution platforms, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in 2017 had asked Department of Space (DoS) to block the “unauthorised” DTH or KU-band ABS-2 service on the grounds of possible threat to national security — an allegation that was refuted by ABS citing international laws of ITU.

    Finally, when ABS took the decision to shut the doors on the Indian TV channels, there were 90 of them, mostly beaming content in non-Hindi Indian languages. These channels were using the FTA Ku-band platform to reach not only Indian audiences in southern and eastern parts of India but, probably, also those in Nepal and Bangladesh for additional eyeballs. Eyeballs meant advertising revenue for these TV channels.

    ABS last year had refuted Indian government charges saying “natural spillover” of satellite signals into neighbouring countries, outside the service area of the countries offering licensed DTH services, but falling within the coverage area of the satellite, was in “full compliance” of ITU provisions.

    With ABS discontinuing the Indian TV channels, Reliance Big TV (sold by Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications to new investors) FTA DTH service yet to fully bloom and Doordarshan’s FreeDish platform locked in a policy logjam, free to air platforms and low-cost television viewing for people in the Indian hinterland seem to have run into air turbulence.

    According to industry experts, Indian hardware companies had devised a way to have two LNBs (low-noise box) in one single DTH antenna that was capable of receiving both ABS-2 and DD FreeDish services, resulting in sizable popularity of these two platforms that were accessed via a low-cost hardware. This was unlike the full-fledged subscription-based DTH services made available by the likes of Tata Sky, Dish TV, Videocon d2h and Sun TV.

    Also Read :

    Block illegal DTH FTA, space dept told

    Could India blocking ABS’ FTA TV signals lead to breach of ITU norms?

    Boeing delivers ABS-2A to optimise video services, DTH

  • Reliance Big TV clears dues to Antrix; to resume service shortly

    Reliance Big TV clears dues to Antrix; to resume service shortly

    MUMBAI: Direct-to-home (DTH) operator Reliance Big TV (RBTV) today settled its dues of Rs 28 crore to Antrix Corpo (Antrix) thereby ensuring the immediate resumption of services. The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)’s order has asked Antrix to reinstate RBTV’s services today, according to Pantel Technologies MD Vijender Singh. Pantel had earlier taken over the DTH biz of Anil Amabni Reliance ADA.

    RBTV was using satellite operator MEASAT’s transponders for providing the DTH service. DTH operators in India have to go through Antrix for hiring transponders even from foreign satellite operators.

    Acknowledging the development, Singh said, “This is a win for us. We will resume the services of RBTV shortly.”

    Earlier this month, Antrix had disconnected the transponder service to the DTH operator over non-renewal of agreement and non-payment of outstanding dues. As a result, beginning 15 April, RBTV’s DTH service had come to a standstill. The Rs 28 crore covers the period from October 2017 onwards.

    Last month, the DTH operator, which is now owned by Pantel Technologies and Veecon Television and Media, had asked for grant of one more opportunity on the assurance that it would abide by the time schedule fixed by the TDSAT. The DTH operator had also said that Antrix would be at the liberty to disconnect the service in case of any default.

    Also Read :

    TDSAT allows broadcasters to disconnect signals to RBTV

    Reliance Big DTH to take FTA route under new management?

  • TDSAT allows broadcasters to disconnect signals to RBTV

    TDSAT allows broadcasters to disconnect signals to RBTV

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has withdrawn the interim protection granted to direct-to-home (DTH) operator Reliance Big TV (RBTV) by allowing broadcasters to disconnect signals for non-payment of dues.

    The TDSAT order comes as a big blow for the DTH operator, which is already facing the threat of disconnection of feeds to RBTV by Antrix Corporation, which leases satellite capacity on behalf of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on April 14th unless its bills are met

    Star India, ZEEL and Sun TV Network have already disconnected signals to RBTV as it has failed to the clear the outstanding dues for months.

    The tribunal’s order means that other broadcasters involved in the matter can disconnect signals to Reliance Big TV in light of the withdrawal of the interim protection.

    The other broadcasters involved in the matter include Discovery Communications India, Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India, India Cast Media Distribution, ABP News Network, and Bennett Coleman & Company Ltd (BCCL).

    “In view of earlier orders giving repeated opportunities to the respondent, we are of the considered view that it may not be in the interest of justice to continue the interim direction against the petitioners. If such interim directions are continued, the amount of dues will be in excess of the amounts for which the petitioner had approached this Tribunal. Hence, the interim protection in favour of the respondents stands withdrawn,” the TDSAT said in its order.

    The tribunal further noted that it will be open for the broadcasters to continue or not to continue with the supply of signals to the DTH operator on the basis of their individual understanding.

    “If there is any remarkable change in the situation, parties will be at liberty to seek interim direction otherwise all these petitions shall be made ready for hearing on the issue of recovery of the money claims,” the tribunal stated.

    It also asked the DTH company to file their reply in all the claims for recovery within five weeks. Time for rejoinder will be considered on the next date. The matter has been posted under the same head on 11 May.

    The DTH operator had assured the tribunal in February that it will settle the claims of all the broadcasters within four weeks. It owes more than Rs 100 crore to multiple broadcasters.

  • Reliance Big TV partners 12,000 India Post offices across Maharashtra & Goa

    Reliance Big TV partners 12,000 India Post offices across Maharashtra & Goa

    MUMBAI: Reliance Big TV is looking at building its brand under its new parent Pantel Technologies. It has partnered with 12,000 India Post offices across Maharashtra and Goa so consumers can do the initial booking by making a payment of Rs 500 through the outlets.

    The company claims to offer the effectively free high definition (HD) High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) set top boxes (STB), as earlier promised by Reliance Big TV. Commenting on the latest development, Reliance Big TV director Vijender Singh said, “With its recent offer, Reliance Big TV disrupted the digital entertainment space in India. India Post has an incredible reach, which is unrivalled by any other logistics partners and the same would help the customers.” He also stated that the initiative would support the digital India initiative by bringing urban and rural India on the same platform.

    Reliance Big TV is further extending its pan-India network to fully support its customers and provide content spanning entertainment, movies, sports, news, infotainment, education, kids content and more. Furthermore, the HD HEVC STB comes packed with latest features, such as scheduled recording, USB port, YouTube, recording and viewing channels simultaneously.

    The offer provides pay channels free for a year including HD channels and up to 500 free to air channels free of cost for five years.

    Also Read:

    Reliance Big DTH to take FTA route under new management?

    Reliance Big TV makes pay channels free for a year

  • Reliance Big TV makes pay channels free for a year

    Reliance Big TV makes pay channels free for a year

    MUMBAI: In what is likely to boost its rural subscriber base, Reliance Big TV is making its pay channels free for a year while also providing up to 500 free-to-air channels for five years without charge. The pay channels include the direct-to-home (DTH) operator’s range of high-definition (HD) entertainment channels.

    Moreover, the operator aims to pioneer a digital revolution in entertainment with a HD HEVC set-top box (STB) practically free of cost. “We are extending our pan-India network to support our customers, enriched content for all at superior digital quality and affordable services with the latest cutting-edge HD HEVC device,” Reliance Big TV director Vijender Singh said in a release issued by the company.

    Its HD HEVC STB will come with features such as schedule recording, USB port, Youtube, recording and viewing channels simultaneously.

    Singh added, “Today, Reliance Big TV is going to mark the beginning of a new dawn in the way Indians have been accessing entertainment on their TV sets. Starting from today, entertainment comes effectively free of cost, with the latest offer by Reliance Big TV. Now every Indian household can enjoy high-quality home entertainment and students can have free-of-cost access to education content with the latest HD HEVC STB.”

    Singh said that the idea was to support the Digital India initiative by bringing urban and rural India “on the same platform for entertainment and education with [a] unified consumer offer.”

    Interested customers will have to pay a booking amount of Rs 499 on Reliance Big TV website. On the receipt of STB and outdoor unit (ODU), buyers have to pay the balance amount of Rs 1500 and enjoy a plethora of pay channels absolutely free for 1 year including HD Channels and up to 500 FTA channels free of cost for 5 years.

    To claim loyalty, subscribers need to recharge monthly amount of Rs. 300 from the second year onwards for all pay channels and on completion of subscription of pay channels continuously for next 2 years with Reliance Big TV subscribers will get back Rs. 1999 as a loyalty (the amounts paid during booking and receipt of the STB) in form of recharge.

  • Will clear bills of broadcasters in 4 weeks: Pantel

    Will clear bills of broadcasters in 4 weeks: Pantel

    MUMBAI: Even as Reliance Big TV announced its shutdown, it owed more than Rs 100 crore to broadcasters like Star India, ZEEL, Sony Pictures Networks India, TV18, Viacom18, Sun TV, and Discovery Communications India.

    The tribunal stated that the accommodation has been granted to Pantel and other non-official respondents on the condition that they will make sincere efforts to settle the claims of the broadcasters, particularly those of Star India and ZEEL at the earliest.

    The tribunal had also directed Star India not to disconnect signals to the DTH operator till the next date on the condition that a further amount of Rs 50 lakh will be paid by Pantel by 2 February.

    “We have been assured on behalf of respondent no. 3 that it will make sincere effort to settle the claims of all the petitioners at the earliest and in total it may require about four weeks to do so,” the TDSAT noted.

    Earlier, the tribunal had stayed the disconnection notice by Star India on the condition that an amount of Rs 3 crore will be paid on account by Pantel before the next date 30 January.

    Pantel had paid 50 per cent of the amount within one week while the company’s counsel handed over the cheque for the remaining Rs 1.5 crore before the tribunal. The delay in paying the balance Rs 1.5 crore on time was condoned by the tribunal.

    It also assured of settling Discovery Communications India’s claim of Rs 7.23 crore in the same time frame. The tribunal directed Pantel to settle the dues of Cinema 24×7 also within a week or two.

    ABP News Network, which has also impleaded in the matter, submitted the claim for a small amount of Rs 14 lakh approximately. The Pantel counsel assured that this claim will be settled as per mutual satisfaction within a week or two.

    Also Read:

    Reliance Big DTH to take FTA route under new management?

    Sab Group, Pantel Tech join hands to launch over 20 FTA channels

  • RCom’s 3rd quarter numbers improve on Big TV, consumer business exit

    RCom’s 3rd quarter numbers improve on Big TV, consumer business exit

    BENGALURU: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani-led Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) reported 95 percent lower loss for the third quarter ended 31 December 2017 (Q3 2018, the quarter under review) as compared with the immediate trailing quarter (Q2 2018). The company reported loss of Rs 130 crore in Q3 2018 as against a loss of Rs 2,712 crore in Q2 2018. It had reported loss of Rs 531 crore in Q3 2017.

    After the planned exit from its consumer business that included wireless, direct-to-home (DTH – Reliance Big TV) and PCO, RCom is left with the B2B business. RCom’s B2B business comprises global and Indian enterprises, internet data centres (IDC), a global submarine cable network and international long-distance voice.

    The company said in its media release that it had 40,000 B2B global and Indian customers. It reported a 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter (qoq) revenue increase for its B2B business at Rs 1,176 crore for the quarter under review. Year on year, revenue in Q3 2018 declined by 30.7 percent from Rs 1698 crore.

    EBIDTA for the B2B business increased by 5.9 percent qoq to Rs 252 crore. Net profit after tax (PAT) increased by 28.6 percent q-o-q to Rs 27 crore from Rs 21 crore and was 68.8 percent higher y-o-y that Rs 16 crore.

    Revenue from Indian operations declined both qoq and yoy in Q3 2018 by 7.6 percent and 42.9 percent, respectively, to Rs 596 crore. The company had reported revenue from India operations of Rs 645 crore for Q2 2018 and Rs 1,043 crore for Q2 2017. RCom’s Indian operations’ operating profit reduced by 7.7 percent qoq to Rs 60 crore in Q3 2018 from Rs 65 crore but increased yoy from Rs 40 crore.

    Global operations revenue grew by 4.1 percent qoq in Q3 2018 to Rs 709 crore from Rs 681 crore but reduced by 37.4 percent yoy from Rs 1,132 crore. RCom reported operating profit of Rs 20 crore from its global operations in Q3 2018 as against loss of Rs 3 crore in the immediate trailing quarter but 44.4 percent lower yoy than the Rs 36 crore reported for Q3 2017.   

    RCom chairman Anil Ambani said, “RCom’s planned exit from the consumer business has achieved more than the desired results. RCom has reduced its net loss by over 95 percent. RCom expects to deliver even better financial performance in the coming quarters.”

    Also Read :

    Reliance Jio acquires RCom’s wireless infra assets

    Veecon Media acquires Reliance Big TV

  • Sun Direct may add 20 HD, 100 SD channels

    Sun Direct may add 20 HD, 100 SD channels

    MUMBAI: Sun Direct, the DTH service from Sun Network, is likely to add 20 new high definition (HD) and 100 new standard definition (SD) channels and has been allocated 144 MHz of spectrum on the recently launched Measat-3B satellite.

    A social media user by the name of ‘Raja Chennai‘ shared a screenshot of the application made by the company informing the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) about the allocation of the new satellite capacity, according to an article on Ultra News.

    Once these channels find a home on the new Measat satellite, Sun Direct will be able to add an extra 20 HD channels to take its total HD channel count to 80 while increasing total SD channel list to 320.

    The company was forced to halt its HD channel expansion on GSAT 15 two months ago due to the termination of its channel-sharing deal with Reliance Digital TV and divert some of the HD capacity to handle the fallout.

    public://inside_1.jpg

    In the application, the company is shown informing the DoT that four new transponders of 36 MHz each have been allocated to it by the Department of Space for use on its DTH service.

    Sun Direct has been facing a severe spectrum crunch due to a fire on an ISRO satellite that knocked out most of its satellite capacity in 2010. The fire forced the company to move satellite to Malaysian-owned Measat 3A, and manually realign the dish antennae of millions of its customers.

    Some relief was in sight when Measat launched a second satellite at the same location in 2014, boosting capacity.

    Sun Direct was widely expected to book extra capacity on the new satellite, particularly after it lost a sharing deal two months ago with Reliance Digital TV. Reliance Digital TV changed hands when the Anil Ambani Group sold it to another group as part of a fire sale.

    The DTH service is expected to start adding new channels in a matter of days.

    The new capacity is expected to lead to the addition of around 100 new SD channels while another 50 channels are expected to be moved to it from GSAT 15—the HD satellite for Sun Direct.

    Also Read:

    The growth of DTH in India

    Sun Direct partners Harmonic to add 80 HD channels

  • Reliance Big TV acquisition: Pantel Tech joins the fray

    Reliance Big TV acquisition: Pantel Tech joins the fray

    MUMBAI: Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) has entered into a binding share purchase agreement with Pantel Technologies Pvt Ltd and Veecon Media & Television Ltd for the sale of Reliance Big TV Ltd (RBTV).

    According to the terms of the agreement, the buyers will acquire the entire shareholding of RBTV, engaged in the business of direct-to-home (DTH) services across India, on an “as-is, where-is” basis along with existing trade and contingent liabilities.

    The existing DTH license of Big TV is being renewed and the required bank guarantees have already been submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).

    The transaction ensures that all 1.2 million customers of BIG TV will continue to enjoy uninterrupted services. It also ensures continuity of employment for approximately 500 employees of RBTV.

    The transaction will help to reduce the liability of unsecured creditors, benefitting all stakeholders, including lenders and shareholders of RCom. The successful culmination of the transaction is subject to requisite approvals from licensors, regulatory authorities, and lenders of RCom.

    Pantel Technologies is an information technology and communication devices company, selling tablet PCs under the Penta T-Pad brand in the Indian, Southeast Asian, GCC, and African markets.