ITV

Tag: Siti Cable

  • Tata Sky gets ID in its basic pack

    Tata Sky gets ID in its basic pack

    MUMBAI: Even though many niche channels fear that people don’t consume them as they don’t fall into the base pack offered by the platform operators, the newly-launched ID-Investigation Discovery from Discovery Network’s stable has now hopped onto the basic pack of direct to home (DTH) operator Tata Sky on channel number 135.

     

    The channel was launched about three months ago and currently reaches about 30 million houses. ID is also available on Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV, Videocon d2h, Siti Cable, Hathway, Den Networks, GTPL, InDigital and Digi Cable.

     

    The channel provides shows on crime and investigation that are dubbed in Hindi. Speaking on this development, Discovery Networks APAC EVP and GM South Asia and South East Asia Rahul Johri said, “ID has been recognised for its distinct appeal, refreshing programming and unique positioning. We are delighted to have Tata Sky as our distribution partner and its viewers can enjoy the best investigative programmes in Hindi in the comfort of their homes.”

     

    Series that will air on ID include Disappeared, Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?, I was Murdered, Evil,I, I Married a Mobster, Blood Relatives etc.

  • Leading MSOs decide to put Star channels on a la carte in Mumbai

    Leading MSOs decide to put Star channels on a la carte in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: The leading multi system operators (MSOs) in Mumbai, except Hathway Cable and Datacom, have agreed to put all Star channels on a la carte. With IndusInd Media and Communications Limited (IMCL) being the first one to agree to the demands of Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF), the others including Den Networks, Digicable and Siti Cable have also agreed to give the Star network channels only on viewer’s choice.

    Starting immediately, all the Star channels will go off air from all the platforms. “A landmark decision has been taken today. All the leading MSOs have agreed to put Star channels on a la carte, on the rate published by the broadcaster in the Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO),” informs MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo adding that the MSOs have agreed to forego their share and will sell the channels on the RIO price only.

    “The last mile owner (LMO), depending on the area he is dealing with, will add the collection charges and give it to his customer,” he says.

    As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the cable operators in Mumbai have already started with their surveys to find out which customer wants which Star channels. “We will start informing the customers about the Star channels going a la carte and will switch on those channels which the subscriber wants,” informs Prabhoo adding that the only way to increase the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is by putting channels on a la carte.

    With all the other MSOs, at least in Mumbai moving to a la carte, one will have to wait and watch the packaging that Hathway comes up with. “We will be announcing the packages by 1 December,” says a source from Hathway.

     

  • IMCL has agreed to give Star channels on a la carte, says Arvind Prabhoo

    IMCL has agreed to give Star channels on a la carte, says Arvind Prabhoo

    MUMBAI: When Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) stepped into the office of IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (IMCL) today the agenda was clear: to get the Star network channels on a la carte and to get them to sign the interconnect agreement. 

     

    “We had a very positive and fruitful meeting with IMCL,” informs MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo.  The multi system operator (MSO) has not only agreed to give Star channels on a la carte, but has decided to even let go of its share on the channel’s pricing. “The MSO has said that until the consumers take the channels, the a la carte price of Star channels will be as per the price mentioned by the broadcaster in its RIO,” says Prabhoo adding that the last mile owner is free to either add his 33 per cent share to the channel pricing or give it to subscribers at subsidized rates.

     

    The a la carte availability of the Star channels to IMCL subscribers will start immediately. “Since InCable has decided to forego its share, subscribers can get Star Plus at around Rs 15-18, which otherwise could have gone up to Rs 27,” he informs.

     

    Starting 1 December, MCOF will come up with the exact pricing for the channel. “We will be meeting Siti Cable and Den Networks on 26 November and based on the meeting with them, we will work out a strategy to come up with the exact pricing of the channel,” he says, adding that only 15-16 Star channels are viewed by 75 per cent of the cable TV subscribers in Mumbai.

     

    “Each LMO is surveying their customers to know the channels of their choice,” informs Prabhoo who has done the same for his 300 customers. The result shows that while 80 per cent of those surveyed want Star Plus, 75 per cent want Star Pravah and 60 per cent want Life OK.

     

    Not only this, IMCL has also agreed to sign the interconnect agreement. “They could sign it as early as next week,” says Prabhoo. 

     

    MCOF also met Hathway Cable and Datacom and submitted its charter of demands. “They haven’t revealed their strategy as yet,” he says adding that Hathway will sign the interconnect agreement towards January.  

     

     

     

  • Joining Airtel Digital TV, ID is now available on several DTH and analogue platforms

    Joining Airtel Digital TV, ID is now available on several DTH and analogue platforms

    NEW DELHI: ID-Investigation Discovery, the new 24-hour channel offering captivating true stories of investigation, crime and suspense in Hindi is now also available on Airtel Digital TV with immediate effect.

     
    Viewers can watch ID on Channel No. 133 on Airtel Digital TV.

     
    Aimed at the passionate Indian viewer, ID features provides fascinating true stories of human nature. The channel’s alluring series, in-depth specials and thought-provoking one-offs will challenge viewers’ perceptions on crime and investigation.

     
    In less than a month of its launch, ID has established a strong position in the Indian television industry and is experiencing increasing viewership across India. ID is available on leading digital and analogue platforms including Dish TV, Siti Cable, Hathway, DEN, GTPL, In-Digital, Digi Cable and now Airtel Digital TV.

     Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager– south Asia & south east Asia Rahul Johri said, “ID has captured the imagination of the Indian viewer with its refreshing and differentiated programmes. We have prepared plans to maintain this trajectory and further enhance its entertainment quotient.”

     Some of the captivating series that will premiere on ID include ‘Disappeared’ that follows the unpredictable twists of missing person cases and tracks investigations aimed at solving how and why people simply vanish.

     

    These days, marriages are not always what they look like; explore the shocking hidden secrets of spouses in ‘Who the (Bleep) did I Marry?’

     

    In ‘I was Murdered’ revisit shocking cases through a first person perspective and witness the anguish of family and friends of victims as they peel the layers off each case. Recount real homicide investigations of the most horrific serial murderers in ‘Evil I.’ In India and across the world, women are known to fall for the wrong guy. Watch true stories of women who were swept off their feet by a member of the mafia in ‘I married a Mobster.’ In ‘Blood Relatives’ watch family members who get along very well on the outside but hide a lot more beneath the surface – jealousies, resentments and adultery that inevitably leads to the unthinkable – a murder.

     

  • Siti Cable could go prepaid within three months

    Siti Cable could go prepaid within three months

    MUMBAI: National multi system operator (MSO) Siti Cable is looking at options of going prepaid.

    While the MSO will test the viability of the model in Delhi first, it will also replicate it in other states, at a later stage. “What we have seen is that whatever we do in the Delhi market, when replicated outside, works well,” says Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa.

    The prepaid model that Siti Cable is looking at will be based on the local cable operator (LCO) depositing an advance to the MSO and then collecting the same from the consumer.  “We have given the power of managing the subscriber management system (SMS) to the LCO, so they can change packages or switch on or switch off boxes of customers who do not pay them the cable TV bill,” informs Wadhwa.
    The LCO according to the prepaid model will get the signals from the MSO so long as his credit balance remains. “The LCO will have to keep renewing his credit balance to get uninterrupted services, the moment his balance becomes zero, we will disconnect the signal,” he says.

    The LCOs through this model will have to find the defaulters and take corrective action accordingly. The key to moving prepaid is to give access of SMS to the LCOs.

    Not only this, going forward the LCOs can also make the system prepaid at their end by billing the customers in advance. This will also help the LCOs find out defaulters.

    While Siti Cable also has the option of recharging through their website, they have realised it upsets the LCOs. “We have to build the trust between the LCOs and MSO and let the LCO handle the customers,” he opines.

    Wadhwa is hopeful that the system will be in place within three months.

     

  • Cisco powers Siti Cable’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    Cisco powers Siti Cable’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    MUMBAI: Siti Cable, that controls nearly 4.3 million digital cable TV subscribers, has chosen Cisco to boost its broadband. The tech company will provide DOCSIS 3.0 technology for its broadband service in the country.

    Through this, the MSO will be offering speed of up to 100 mbps. DOCSIS 3.0 can offer download speed of upto 300 mbps per subscriber and the upload capacity up to 100 mbps. As earlier reported by indiantelevision.com, this technology has been launched in Delhi and NCR.

    Speaking on the association, Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa said, “It is an absolute pleasure to be introducing our broadband service. We plan to accelerate the deployment to capitalise on the enormous business potential this market currently holds. With the deployment of this technology, we are uniquely positioned to offer superior Internet browsing, video streaming, video surveillance and rich media content on the same coaxial cable that delivers high-quality digital cable TV signals. We will offer much higher speed at highly competitive price. We are confident that Cisco’s technological expertise will help us in the achievement of this goal.”

    Cisco India and SAARC service provider sales managing director Sanjay Kaul said, “It is commendable to see Cisco’s vision, to be the leading enabler of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and broadband acceleration in India, coming closer to reality. We believe that the cable TV industry has the potential to transform the broadband industry in India and would like to congratulate Siti Cable for marking an important milestone on this roadmap.”

     

  • MSOs to put Star India channels on a la carte

    MSOs to put Star India channels on a la carte

    MUMBAI: The multi system operators (MSOs) are gearing up for the big change. In order to meet the deadline given by the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), the leading MSOs under the umbrella of All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) met in New Delhi today.

     

    “The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss how we will implement the order passed by the Tribunal,” says AIDCF president and Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa speaking to indiantelevision.com.

     

    During the meeting, the MSOs discussed the modus operandi for implementation of RIO by 10 November and also the challenges.

     

    “There are three major challenges: at the consumer level, at the local cable operator level and thirdly at the technology level,” adds Wadhwa.

     

    Every MSO, according to Wadhwa has different subscriber numbers. “All the packages have to be upgraded or downgraded. We will have to see if the system can support the changes for millions of subscribers,” he says.

     

    AIDCF has decided to put all the Star India channels on a la carte. “We cannot carry all the Star channels, since it is coming up to be very expensive. So we have decided to put all the Star channels on a la carte and will let the consumer decide which channels they want,” he informs.

     

    Wadhwa says that even after the incentives that Star is offering, the cost for the MSO has doubled. “Even if we take the maximum discounts, the channel prices are going up by 100 per cent,” he says.

     

    Not only this, AIDCF is forming a sub-committee which will be meeting Star India officials early next week. “The committee will meet the officials to explain to them the challenges we are facing. This system is viable for none,” he adds.

     

    All the MSOs will be signing the RIO deals with Star before 10 November and in the meanwhile start working on creating new packages. “We will decide the pricing of the channel based on the consumer demand for the channel,” he concludes.

     

    The MSOs will inform the consumers of the changes at individual level.

     

    The meeting was attended by Siti Cable, Hathway Cable & Datacom, Den Networks, Manthan, GTPL amongst others. 

  • AIDCF to hold a meeting to discuss Star’s RIO deal implementation

    AIDCF to hold a meeting to discuss Star’s RIO deal implementation

    MUMBAI: Just 10 days after its formation, the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) under the presidentship of Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa is all set meet for the second time on 31 October in New Delhi. The meeting will be attended by the leading multi system operators (MSOs) and has a set agenda for the day.

     

    The meeting which is being held just a day after the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) accepted Star India’s 10 November deadline for implementation of the RIO deal by MSOs is not co-incidental.

     

    “The platform operators are meeting in Delhi in order to decide on the modus operandi for implementation of the RIO deal, the deadline for which is 10 November,” says a MSO, who is likely to be a participant of the meeting.

     

    The TDSAT in its order has asked the MSOs to sign the RIO deals with Star before 10 November, failing which the broadcaster can disconnect its signals.

     

    The meeting is likely to be attended by Manthan, Siti Cable, GTPL, Hathway among others.

     

  • Kolkata MSOs to meet Star officials on 30 Oct, again

    Kolkata MSOs to meet Star officials on 30 Oct, again

    KOLKATA: The cable TV industry is on its way to some major changes. While the industry got a shock, after Star India decided to provide its channels to multi system operators (MSOs) only on the basis of Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO), the immediate reaction that came was of increased prices of cable TV services.

     

    The decision of Star to provide channels on RIO, led to MSOs in Kolkata requesting for a meeting with the broadcaster in order to re-consider the decision as well as for increasing the time frame for implementation of RIO deals.

     

    The meeting which took place on 28 October saw Star India officials proposing their incentive scheme, which the broadcaster had announced on 27 October, to the platform operators in the state. The incentives, as earlier reported by indiantelevision.com will be based on three criteria: the number of channels the MSO takes, the number of subscribers it distributes the channel to and the ease of access that it provides to the consumers for the Star channels.

     

     “We will decide on Star’s incentive scheme in the next two-three days. We will do all the permutation and combination and then take a call on whether we should go with the incentive scheme or opt for normal RIO,” said Siti Cable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya.

     

    The city based MSOs, who do not want to lose their subscriber base, are currently working on the various modules of the proposed incentive and will meet the Star officials again on 30 October, after thoroughly reading the new scheme internally.  

     

    Sethiya further said, “Star has a bouquet of channels and if a cable TV home in Kolkata, does not wish to watch Marathi channels, he may not pay for it. We are working on the price.”

     

    Another city-based MSO on condition of anonymity said that Star has offered an incentive of around 60 per cent for its Hindi GEC Life OK, 9 per cent for Star Plus and 15 per cent for Star Jhalsa.

     

    Star Network comprising Star Plus, Life OK, Star Jhalsa, Star Movies, Star Sports, National Geographic among others, could lose its viewers in Kolkata, if the MSOs fail to offer the channels at an attractive price. “The ground is not prepared for RIO rates. We will negotiate with Star on 30 October again,” said the MSO.

     

    A local cable operator said that the customers are worried as they will have to pay a hefty price for cable TV services again in a short span of 10 months.

     

    If the MSOs do not agree to the incentives being given by Star, based on the three conditions, the consumer could have to shell anywhere between Rs 35-40 for two Star channels, a source said adding that if the consumer wants more of the broadcasters’ channels they will definitely have to pay more.

     

    With most MSOs removing the Star channels from the different packages and providing the same on a-la-carte, the prices of the package will go down by Rs 9, Rs 12 and Rs18 respectively for their different packages.

  • Kolkata MSOs to meet Star to resolve RIO rates issue on 28 October

    Kolkata MSOs to meet Star to resolve RIO rates issue on 28 October

    KOLKATA: Multi system operators (MSOs) in Kolkata are likely to meet Star India representatives on 28 October to discuss the issue of RIO rates as per the outcome of the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal’s (TDSAT) order of putting Star India channels on a la carte.

     

    On one hand, the package prices will go down by Rs 9, Rs 12 and Rs 16 respectively for different packages but cable TV consumers will have to spend an additional amount for watching their favourite Star channels if the MSOs put Star India channels on a la carte.

     

    Siti Cable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya says, “We are meeting Star India officials on 28 October to find a solution. The rates should be fashioned in such a way that the broadcaster does not lose revenue and at the same time, consumers do not have to shell out huge amounts to watch cable TV.”

     

    Star Network comprising Star Plus, Star Jalsha, Star Movies, Star Sports, National Geographic and other channels, are likely to lose viewers if the MSOs remove the bouquet of Star channels from the packages and offer to subscribers on a-la-carte basis only, cable TV analysts claim.

     

    Initially, almost all the MSOs in Kolkata had agreed to remove the channels on the Star Network from basic, smart and premium packages and had issued advertisements across major newspapers notifying consumers about the same. “The ground is not prepared for RIO rates. If Star India comes on a negotiation, it is good for the industry,” says Advance Multisystem Broadband Communication (AMBC) managing director Sujit Das.

     

    While Manthan Broadband director Sudip Ghosh hopes that the negotiations between MSOs and Star Network would bear fruit.

     

    Though Star India had mailed the change to MSOs on 30 September, MSOs have cited the festive season for delay in implementing it.

     

    A source says, “Star Jalsha that currently reaches 100 per cent households here may lose around 40 per cent subscribers in a la carte as more than 50 per cent non-Bengali population in Kolkata would opt out.”