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Tag: Sling TV

  • Times Play makes US debut on Sling TV

    Times Play makes US debut on Sling TV

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, action! Times Play has packed its bags and landed in America. The digital-first OTT platform from Times Network has made its international debut on Sling TV, giving the Indian diaspora in the US a fresh stage to enjoy short-form series, Hindi cinema favourites, documentaries and lifestyle shows tailored just for them.

    Already a familiar name in India, Times Play is the newest addition to Times Network’s strong line-up on Sling, which already beams channels such as Times Now, ET Now and Zoom to American homes.

    Thrilled about the launch, Times Network said the move is designed to deliver a curated and immersive entertainment experience that celebrates the cultural flavours loved by global audiences. From spicy food shows to star-studded Hindi cinema drama, Times Play promises a buffet of viewing options to suit every mood.

    The partnership with Sling TV, known for its diverse international and multicultural programming, marks a milestone in Times Network’s mission to take its premium content global and keep diasporic audiences feeling right at home.

    For the Indian community abroad, the message is clear, with Times Play now on Sling, there’s always something worth watching.

  • DirecTV to acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business in the US

    DirecTV to acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business in the US

    MUMBAI: This is clearly a sign of the times: the impact that streaming is having on consumption of video by viewers at home. American DTH operators DirecTV and EchoStar today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which the former will acquire the latter’s video distribution business Dish DBS, including DishTV and Sling TV through a debt exchange transaction. 

    A release issued by the companies stated that the acquisition will benefit US video consumers by creating a more robust competitive force in a video industry dominated by streaming services owned by large tech companies and programmers. The transaction will provide consumers with compelling video options while separately improving EchoStar’s financial profile as it continues to enhance and further deploy its nationwide 5G Open RAN wireless network.

    “DirecTV operates in a highly competitive video distribution industry,” said DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow. “With greater scale, we expect a combined DirectTV  and Dish will be better able to work with programmers to realize our vision for the future of TV, which is to aggregate, curate, and distribute content tailored to customers’ interests, and to be better positioned to realize operating efficiencies while creating value for customers through additional investment.”

    “This agreement is in the best interests of EchoStar’s customers, shareholders, bondholders, employees, and partners,” said EchoStar president & CEO Hamid Akhavan. “With an improved financial profile, we will be better positioned to continue enhancing and deploying our nationwide 5G Open RAN wireless network. This will provide US wireless consumers with more choices and help to drive innovation at a faster pace. We expect Dish and EchoStar bondholders to benefit from two companies with stronger financial profiles and more sustainable capital structures.”

    “DirecTV was founded 30 years ago to give consumers greater choices than incumbent cable companies for video content, and the its  acquisition of Dish TV and Sling TV positions it to again provide more choices and better value in an industry currently dominated by large streaming platforms,” said TPG partners David Trujillo and John Flynn. “Our ability to execute these transactions, alongside our proposed acquisition of AT&T’s 70 per cent stake in DirecTV announced earlier today, exemplifies the unique capabilities of the TPG platform and our experienced sector-focused investment approach as we support DirecTV’s continued investment in innovating the next generation of video services that benefit consumers.”

    Compelling Transaction Benefits
    A combination of DIRECTV and DISH will help the new company provide consumers with more choices and better value. The combined video company is expected to: 

    * Have increased scale to incentivise programmers to allow DirecTV to deliver smaller packages at lower price points.

     * Be better positioned to bring together multiple content sources in one easily accessible place.
     
    * Have an enhanced ability to make the investments required to improve its streaming services.
     
    * Improve the viability of the satellite platform by realizing efficiencies of some shared fixed infrastructure and operating expenses.
     
    * Continue to provide the broadest array of programming and diverse voices available on pay TV, including local news.
     

    The transaction will also benefit US wireless consumers by allowing EchoStar to focus on enhancing and further deploying its 5G Open RAN cloud-native wireless network. This transaction will: 

    * Alleviate a material portion of EchoStar’s financial constraints.
     
    * Free up operational and financial resources that EchoStar can dedicate to its mission of deploying a nationwide facilities-based wireless service to compete with dominant incumbent wireless carriers. 
     
    * Benefit consumers by enabling EchoStar (through its Boost Mobile brand) to strengthen its position as the fourth facilities-based carrier in the U.S.
     
    * Enable EchoStar to further leverage its satellite assets and experience, including developing innovative direct-to-device (D2D) solutions. 

    Highly Competitive Industry

    The video distribution industry has undergone a massive transformation and is highly competitive, now dominated by streaming services owned by large tech companies and programmers. 

    * Streaming services owned by large tech companies and programmers now have subscription numbers that far exceed those of pay TV distributors.
     
    * Content that was historically the mainstay of traditional pay TV – news, sports, and entertainment – is now available exclusively or first-run on direct-to-consumer streaming services.
     
    * The vast majority of consumers who leave satellite video are “cutting the cord” for streaming services – wherever they live.  

    * Combined, DirecTV and Dish have collectively lost 63 per cent of their satellite customers since 2016.
     
    * Traditional pay TV penetration in US households is now less than 50 per cent

    Improve Both Companies’ Financial Profiles

    The transaction is expected to strengthen the financial profiles of DirecTV and EchoStar, creating opportunities for additional investment.

    * Upon transaction close, DirecTV expects to have a leverage position just over 2.0x, and plans to reduce to under 2.0x within 12 months, consistent with its stated 1.5x – 2.0x financial policy on a pro forma basis. As a result, DirecTV will have one of the best leverage profiles in the pay TV industry.  
     
    * DirecTV estimates that the combination of DirecTV and Dish has the potential to generate cost synergies of at least $1 billion per annum. These synergies are expected to be achieved by the third anniversary of closing, assuming the closing is in late 2025.
     
    * The transaction will provide EchoStar with greater financial flexibility by improving its access to capital and reducing overall refinancing needs. 

    * At close, EchoStar will have reduced its total consolidated debt (excluding financing leases and other notes payable) by approximately $11.7 billion and reduced its consolidated refinancing needs through 2026 by approximately $6.7 billion (excluding financing leases and other notes payable).
     
    * The transaction, in conjunction with the exchange offer announced today (the exchange offer), will also result in the termination of all intercompany obligations between Dish Network and Dish DBS and creates the ability for EchoStar to fully unencumber the 3.45-3.55 GHz spectrum, unlocking incremental strategic and operating flexibility.

    Transaction Details 

    Under the terms of the purchase agreement, DirecTV will acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business, including DishTV and Sling TV, in exchange for a nominal consideration of $1 plus the assumption of Dish DBS’ net debt. Dish Network will also benefit from the releases of a substantial amount of intercompany receivables, including spectrum, but will have contractually limited access to the cash flow generated by its business between signing and closing. Dish DBS and DirecTV have commenced the exchange offer for five different series of Dish DBS notes with a total face value of approximately $9.75 billion, including seeking certain consents from the holders of such notes to facilitate the acquisition. 

    The indentures governing the new DishH DBS notes will provide for an amendment without the consent of holders of the new Dish DBS notes to allow for the mandatory exchange of such notes following receipt of certain regulatory approvals and provided the acquisition has been or will be consummated before the outside date described in the purchase agreement, into a reduced principal amount of DirecTV debt which will have terms and collateral that mirror its existing secured debt. Such mandatory exchange is conditioned, amongst other things, on an aggregate reduction in the principal amount of Dish DBS’ notes in such exchange of at least $1.568 billion. If noteholders do not accept the exchange offer on terms satisfactory to DirecTV, including to the extent the above mentioned minimum principal reduction is not achieved, it has the right to terminate the acquisition without closing.

    The transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including, but not limited to, a requisite amount of the outstanding Dish DBS notes being tendered into the exchange offer, completion of a pre-closing reorganization, and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

    In addition, TPG Angelo Gordon and certain of its co-Investors, as well as DirecTV, provided $2.5 billion of financing to fully refinance Dish DBS’ November 2024 debt maturity. The proceeds of the funding will be distributed to Dish DBS via a secured intercompany loan to fully repay Dish DBS’ November 2024 debt maturity and for general corporate purposes. The financing can be exchanged or refinanced into DirecTV debt at the closing of the acquisition.

    “We built our business to provide bespoke financing solutions. We are pleased to partner with DirecTV and Dish DBS on a transaction that is value-enhancing for all stakeholders,” said TPG Angelo Gordon partner Ryan Mollett and managing director Michael Ginnings.

    Upon closing of this transaction, DirecTV will be led by a proven management team that reflects the strengths and capabilities of both organizations. DirecTV will continue to be led by CEO Bill Morrow, and CFO Ray Carpenter. The combined company will be headquartered in El Segundo, California.

    TPG Inc. to Acquire AT&T’s 70 per cent Stake in DirecTV

    TPG  and AT&T  today announced a definitive agreement under which TPG will acquire from AT&T the remaining 70 per cent stake in DirecTV that it does not already own. TPG will invest in DirecTV through TPG Capital, the firm’s US and European private equity platform. The transaction between TPG and AT&T is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Completion of this transaction is not contingent on DirecTV’s  acquisition of Dish.

  • Sony Pictures Networks launches Sony Kal in the US

    Sony Pictures Networks launches Sony Kal in the US

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), in association with Sony Pictures Television (SPT), has launched Sony Kal Hindi, its first free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel in the US. Sony Kal is SPNI’s new general entertainment destination featuring celebrated and award-winning drama and comedy television series direct from India.

    The channel is now available on Sling TV, LG Channels and Plex, and will be available on additional platforms and services in early 2022, said the statement.

    “With Sony Kal, anyone in the US can get free access to more of our rich and vibrant premium programming on a smart TV, computer or phone,”  said SVP of international business- head of the Americas Jaideep Janakiram. “As our business continues to evolve, this launch follows the successful integration of SonyLIV on SLING and is part of our ongoing commitment to offer the best family-oriented South Asian content in high quality to viewers across multiple platforms and devices.”

    Sony Kal is available on Sling Free and as an addition to Sling international language packages at no extra cost from 26 January. It has iconic shows such as “Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin” and “Bade Achhe Lagte Hai.” The channel’s programming lineup also includes popular shows such as “Mann Mein Vishwaas Hai,” “Dr Bhanumati on Duty,” “Super Sisters,” “Shankar Jai Kishan,” and “Band Baja Bandh Darwaza.”

    “Sling and Sony have a long history of partnering to deliver compelling South Asian content to consumers in the US,” said Sling TV – VP of international Liz Riemersma. “The launch of Sony Kal on Sling is another milestone in that partnership. We are excited to provide this engaging new channel as a valuable addition for all Sling Desi customers.” 

  • Sling TV partners with Eros Now as part of South Asia expansion

    Sling TV partners with Eros Now as part of South Asia expansion

    Mumbai: The app-based streaming service Sling TV has announced plans to continue expanding its South Asian offering with the addition of video streaming platform – Eros Now.

    Following the launch, Sling’s international subscribers will have access to Eros Now’s over 1,500 titles – including top web originals and films. The Eros Now library on Sling will continue to grow over the coming months to over 6,000 film titles and will be available in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and other regional languages, said the statement.

    Sling TV is a provider of international and multicultural programming, with content from 27 countries in over 20 languages. “Sling TV is the leading American provider of South Asian content and continues to perfect our offering to connect consumers to the content they love,” Sling TV vice president of international Liz Riemersma. “Eros Now offers an expansive web originals and film collection for our South Asian customers, and will make a fantastic addition to our Desi Binge bundle.”

    Eros Now service will be available to customers with the ‘Desi Binge package,’ which includes other leading South Asian content like SonyLIV and Voot, as well as the Hindi pack and the Hindi mega pack at no additional cost to customers. Customers may also purchase Eros Now as a standalone service or as an add-on to another Sling TV service for $ five per month.

    “Indian content is hugely popular in North America. With Eros Now packaged and bundled on a popular service like Sling TV, the audiences will get access to the best catalogue of Indian films and original series,” said Eros Now chief executive officer Ali Hussein. “This partnership also dovetails nicely into Eros Now’s strategy of building audiences on the large screen in North America and further accentuates our strong distribution in the region.”

  • Dish TV, Videocon d2h merger impacted global TV subscriber numbers

    Dish TV, Videocon d2h merger impacted global TV subscriber numbers

    MUMBAI: The merger of India’s two direct-to-home (DTH) players, Dish TV and Videocon d2h partly played a role in the loss of over five million subscribers or 1.14 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, as per the global report of TV subscribers released by Multiscreen Index.

    Excluding Dish TV and Videocon d2h, the index rose by just 1.49 million subscribers, or 0.36 per cent, which is the lowest quarterly increase Informitv has seen. The average quarterly gain over the previous three years has been around 4.5 million, or 1.15 per cent.

    Before the merger, it was reported that Dish TV and Videocon d2h will have a total 29.51 million subscribers. After merging in March, the enlarged Dish TV had 6.90 million more subscribers than it had the previous quarter, although overall there appeared to be an apparent loss of 6.51 million from the previous combined total.

    Informitv Multiscreen Index editor William Cooper said, “Traditional television subscriber numbers are flat or falling for some services and tracking them through mergers and acquisitions, together with changes in reporting methodologies is increasingly complex. Only 48 of the 100 services in the index reported subscriber gains in the first quarter. That does not include some services that only report figures once or twice a year.”

    Dish TV in India emerged with 23 million subscribers, sending it straight to the top of the Multiscreen Index, ahead of American operators Comcast with 21.21 million and DirecTV with 20.27 million.

    AT&T still has more subscribers overall in the US, with a total of 25.32 million including U-verse and DirecTV NOW. AT&T has the largest number of subscribers as a group, with 38.89 million across the Americas, up by 93,000.

    Satellite services in the US continue to see subscriber losses, with DirecTV losing 188,000, and Dish Network losing 185,000 subscribers. The top 10 services in the US lost 212,000 subscribers in the quarter, with only three of them reporting gains. The largest of these was from the online service DirecTV Now, which added 336,000 subscribers, taking its total to 1.42 million. Sling TV from Dish Network added 91,000, for a total of 2.30 million.

    With Sling TV and DirecTV Now regularly reporting subscriber numbers, the report now accounts for online distribution as a separate category, in addition to cable, satellite and telco networks. With a total of 3.71 million online subscribers in the index, it is far smaller than satellite, which still leads with 182.12 million subscribers.

  • Dish Network rev flat in ’16 despite declining pay-TV subs

    BENGALURU:  The fourth largest US pay-TV player Dish Network Corporation (DNC) reported almost flat revenues for the year ended 31 December 2016 (FY-16, current year, quarter ended 31 December 2016 – Q4-16, current quarter) as compared to the previous fiscal. Though Dish reported 2.164 million gross subscriber additions in FY-16, its net subscriber base declined by 392,000. The company closed the fourth quarter with 13.671 million pay-TV subscribers, compared to 13.897 million pay-TV subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2015. Last year the company lost approximately 81,000 pay-TV subscribers.

    Dish reported revenues of $15,094.56 million in FY-16 as compared to $15,069.90 million in the previous year. Subscriber related revenue increased to $15,033.94 million in the current year from $14,953.60 million in the previous year.

    Net income attributable to Dish in FY-16 was almost double (94.1 percent more) at $1,449.85 as compared to $749.09 million in FY-15. Consequently earnings per share also almost doubled (up 93.8 percent) in FY-16 at $3.12 as compared to $1.61 in the previous year.

    Pay-TV average monthly subscriber churn for 2016 was 1.83 percent compared to 1.71 percent in 2015.Dish reported higher pay-TV ARPU in the current year at $88.66 as compared to $86.79 in the previous year.

    Subscriber acquisition costs totalled $1.471 billion for FY-16, a decrease of $212 million or 12.6 percent compared to the same period in 2015. pay-TV SAC was $643 during FY-16 compared to $723 during the same period in 2015, a decrease of $80 or 11.1 percent. The company says  that this change was primarily attributable to an increase in Sling branded pay-TV subscriber activations and a decrease in hardware costs per activation, partially offset by an increase in advertising costs per activation. Subscriber acquisition costs for Sling branded pay-TV subscribers are significantly lower than those for DISH branded pay-TV subscribers, and therefore, the increase in Sling branded pay-TV subscriber activations during 2016 had a positive impact on pay-TV SAC.

    Dish includes all of its Dish and Sling branded subscribers in the company’s total pay-TV metrics, including in the pay-TV subscriber, pay-TV ARPU and pay-TV churn rate numbers. The company markets its Sling TV services primarily to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV services. Sling TV services require an Internet connection and are available on multiple streaming-capable devices including TVs, tablets, computers, game consoles and smart phones.

    In addition, Dish bundles broadband and telephone services with its Dish branded pay-TV services. As of December 31, 2016, it had 0.580 million broadband subscribers in the United States. Dish lost approximately 43,000 net broadband subscribers during the FY-16 compared to the addition of approximately 46,000 net broadband subscribers during the same period in 2015. The company says that the net broadband subscriber losses during FY-16 primarily resulted from lower gross new broadband subscriber activations and a higher number of customer disconnects.

    Also Read:

    DISH buys EchoStar’s DBS & OTT assets; gives control over Sling TV customer experience

  • DISH buys EchoStar’s DBS & OTT assets; gives control over Sling TV customer experience

    DISH buys EchoStar’s DBS & OTT assets; gives control over Sling TV customer experience

    MUMBAI: DISH Network Corporation and EchoStar Corporation today announced they have executed an agreement that will transfer certain EchoStar assets and operations, including its EchoStar Technologies hardware and software development group, its national and regional uplink business, its managed fiber backhaul network serving all U.S. DMAs and its OTT development group to DISH in exchange for DISH’s 80 per cent economic interest in Hughes Retail Group held in the form of a tracking stock.

    This transaction also transfers to DISH the 10 per cent stake in Sling TV held by EchoStar, wireless spectrum licenses covering four markets in the 28 GHz band and certain real estate properties.

    DISH will continue to market satellite broadband under the brand dishNET to rural customers.

    “With this transaction we will vertically integrate all the elements that define our customer experience – one team will deliver the full DISH and Sling TV experience end to end,” said DISH president Erik Carlson. “Not only do we gain full control of product development roadmap for DBS and Sling TV but we also anticipate achieving operational efficiencies.”

    The transaction is structured in a manner to be a tax-free exchange and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017, subject to satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions.

  • DISH buys EchoStar’s DBS & OTT assets; gives control over Sling TV customer experience

    DISH buys EchoStar’s DBS & OTT assets; gives control over Sling TV customer experience

    MUMBAI: DISH Network Corporation and EchoStar Corporation today announced they have executed an agreement that will transfer certain EchoStar assets and operations, including its EchoStar Technologies hardware and software development group, its national and regional uplink business, its managed fiber backhaul network serving all U.S. DMAs and its OTT development group to DISH in exchange for DISH’s 80 per cent economic interest in Hughes Retail Group held in the form of a tracking stock.

    This transaction also transfers to DISH the 10 per cent stake in Sling TV held by EchoStar, wireless spectrum licenses covering four markets in the 28 GHz band and certain real estate properties.

    DISH will continue to market satellite broadband under the brand dishNET to rural customers.

    “With this transaction we will vertically integrate all the elements that define our customer experience – one team will deliver the full DISH and Sling TV experience end to end,” said DISH president Erik Carlson. “Not only do we gain full control of product development roadmap for DBS and Sling TV but we also anticipate achieving operational efficiencies.”

    The transaction is structured in a manner to be a tax-free exchange and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017, subject to satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions.

  • AT&T unveils live video streaming service, DirecTV Now

    AT&T unveils live video streaming service, DirecTV Now

    MUMBAI: To win over subscribers who avoid pay-television subscriptions, AT&T has launched its streaming service DirecTV Now. The service will launch at prices ranging from $35 a month for over 60 channels to $70 for over 120 channels.

    The company has also announced that, for a limited time, more than 100 channels will be available for $35. The video service joins competitors like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue in drastically undercutting traditional cable and satellite packages, which often cost more than $100 per month. Dish Network launched Sling TV streaming service more than a year ago, and Sony PlayStation has its own package called PlayStation Vue. Next year, online video service Hulu plans to offer its own bundles of TV channels.

    The platform’s content will include live and on-demand video from Walt Disney, Twenty-First Century Fox, Viacom Inc and Scripps Networks Interactive. According to reports, the company is actively working to bring CBS Corp programming to its service.

    AT&T is counting on the mobile video market for new revenue as most U.S. consumers already have wireless service and further growth is limited. AT&T acquired DirecTV for $48.5 billion last year, making it the largest U.S. pay-TV operator with 25.3 million video subscribers, in an effort to diversify into the media and entertainment business.

    AT&T is also at near talks to acquire Time Warner for about $86 billion. This deal would create a media behemoth that offers TV, wireless, and the content that goes with it.

  • AT&T unveils live video streaming service, DirecTV Now

    AT&T unveils live video streaming service, DirecTV Now

    MUMBAI: To win over subscribers who avoid pay-television subscriptions, AT&T has launched its streaming service DirecTV Now. The service will launch at prices ranging from $35 a month for over 60 channels to $70 for over 120 channels.

    The company has also announced that, for a limited time, more than 100 channels will be available for $35. The video service joins competitors like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue in drastically undercutting traditional cable and satellite packages, which often cost more than $100 per month. Dish Network launched Sling TV streaming service more than a year ago, and Sony PlayStation has its own package called PlayStation Vue. Next year, online video service Hulu plans to offer its own bundles of TV channels.

    The platform’s content will include live and on-demand video from Walt Disney, Twenty-First Century Fox, Viacom Inc and Scripps Networks Interactive. According to reports, the company is actively working to bring CBS Corp programming to its service.

    AT&T is counting on the mobile video market for new revenue as most U.S. consumers already have wireless service and further growth is limited. AT&T acquired DirecTV for $48.5 billion last year, making it the largest U.S. pay-TV operator with 25.3 million video subscribers, in an effort to diversify into the media and entertainment business.

    AT&T is also at near talks to acquire Time Warner for about $86 billion. This deal would create a media behemoth that offers TV, wireless, and the content that goes with it.