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Tag: Star TV

  • Star TV extends deal with OSN for MENA

    Star TV extends deal with OSN for MENA

    MUMBAI: Star TV has expanded its carriage deal with pay-TV platform OSN (Orbit Showtime Network) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

    OSN Pehla subscribers will be able to watch the South Asian fare both live and on demand on OSN Play.

    OSN chief content officer Emad Morcos said, “The extension of OSN’s long-term partnership with Star reinforces our commitment to continue to deliver leading content from the subcontinent for South Asian expatriates in MENA on OSN Pehla. Additionally, the introduction of the new movie channel, as part of this renewed agreement, adds increased value for customers.”

    Star TV MENA and APAC business head Sudhir Nagpal said, “The renewal of Star’s long-standing association with OSN is a testament to Star’s commitment towards delivering world-class entertainment to South Asian audiences in the region. Star, with its multilingual portfolio, will continue to drive local relevance and be the one-stop solution for South Asian entertainment”.

    OSN remains the regional platform for Star Plus, Star Gold, Star Bharat, Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star Vijay, ABP News, Asianet News and Asianet Middle East, while the expanded carriage deal also sees these channels joined by Malayalam film channel Asianet Movies.

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    Star ushers in IPL’s new era with a bang

    Star to air IPL on 10 channels, in 6 languages; live on Hotstar

  • Lachlan Murdoch opens up about Fox & Star TV’s billion-dollar EBITDA target

    Lachlan Murdoch opens up about Fox & Star TV’s billion-dollar EBITDA target

    MUMBAI: The billion-dollar EBITDA target for Star India is not just talk. 21st Century Fox executive chairman Lachlan Murdoch stated this firmly at the Goldman Sachs  Communacopia 2017 conference mid-last week.

    Labeling the billion-dollar target as Fox’s second highest priority at present, while speaking with Goldman Sachs analyst Drew Borst, Murdoch further waxed eloquent calling Star TV the group’s “greatest growth asset.”

    “We are on track to hit the billion-dollar EBITDA mark by 2020, which we have flagged for a few years  now,” he said, explaining that Star’s successful  IPL bid of $2.55 billion would not have happened if there was any doubt.

    “We strongly believe in…and we would have not bid for it at that price without being absolutely confident that we can hit out 2020 target. There are a lot of assumptions within that in terms of how we will monetise the IPL and also the growth that we have already seen in the Indian advertising market,”  he emphasised.

    The acquisition of the 61 per cent of satellite TV powerhouse Sky in the UK for $15 billion has been accorded the highest priority status for the group, Lachlan  revealed at the investor confab.

    He highlighted that the group believes the transaction is on course to get completed by mid-2018. That’s taking into consideration Britain’s culture and media secretary Karen Bradley’s decision to refer the acquisition to the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) on both, plurality and broadcast standards.

    “We are disappointed that it has taken us six months to come to this point of view to refer to the CMA,” he said. “Especially as the regulator Ofcom has agreed that we can get through on the plurality arguments with certain concessions that we have made. Also there’s no grounds…and the secretary in her own words said that the Ofcom, her regulator, was unequivocal in saying there were no grounds on broadcast standards. Having said that, as we are likely to be referred, we would like to be referred as early as possible.”

    In fact, almost as if taking heed of what Lachlan was saying Bradley did refer the Sky bid to the competition watchdog – a process that is likely to take 24 weeks – just as the week was coming to a close. The Murdochs have said that they will work closely with the CMA  to expedite its go-ahead.

    Lachlan further stated that Fox will continue its focus on its five core television brands – National Geographic, FX, Fox Sports, Fox News and Star television in Asia. “Our entire content and  distribution strategy is built around these brands , strengthening them and the shows that are associated with them in a way to make consumers engage deeply with them across multiple platforms,” he explained.

    The older of Rupert Murdoch’s two sons was categorical in stating that the industry is being forced to go directly to the consumer.  “I don’t think  there will be any major media company on this planet which will not go direct to the consumer with a product launched in the short to medium term. ”

    He, however, cautioned that care should be taken to not damage the current profitable ecosystem in the process of building a direct connect with viewers. Hence, the group has been investing hundreds of million of dollars into its core  five  brands in content and programming.

    “Every one of them is on every new digital multichannel video programming distribution (MVPD) platform that exists out there,” he said. “We have to have must-watch-entertainment and sports associated with valuable brands,” he added.

    He stated that, even in the US, the industry is only at the very beginning of the over-the-top (OTT) distribution to the world.

    “The models that are evolving…there would not be a single successful model,” he elaborated. “Our channels are fully distributed over the entire cable and satellite TV universe. We have our own authenticated apps where we put our brands in our own ecosystem on an app  – which Comcast and AT&T Direct TV customers can get. Then, you have the new DMVPD and SVoD services. Plus, you have a direct to consumer for a bouquet of channels. There will be tremendous competition amongst all these, which is good for the consumer, and he will win out. All you have to do is produce great content, and you will do well out of it.”

    Murdoch clarified that Fox’s fundamental belief is that the consumer should be able to access its shows anywhere and everywhere; that exclusive content deals are something it rarely signs, if at all.

    “We believe that the exclusivity of content to a platform is detrimental to the consumer experience as well as to the content-owner.  We have been moving over to a model that is non-exclusive,” said Lachlan. “I would like to have our content on as many platforms as possible. We have noticed that in every single case of digital MVPDs we have earned in multiples of what we earn per subscription in the traditional distribution world. Also, the DMVPD allows us to significantly upsell our advertising because of the consumption data we get.”

    He added that Fox varies its model depending on the market. “In some markets there are low broadband speeds, so we take the route that suits that market and we are happy that we have several models in different markets.”

    ALSO READ :

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    Demon contributes to lower ad revenue at  21st Century Fox

    21st Century Fox outlook on Star bullish despite $30 million demonetisation hit

    21st Century Fox says it expects Sky buy to be completed by June 2018

     

  • Star India’s Parul Sharma puts in her papers

    MUMBAI: Parul Sharma, after 14 years with Star TV in India, has decided to enter the next orbit of her professional as well as creative life. She however plans be be around in a different avatar. “I’m only leaving Star, but not communications,” she says.

    A rewarding career in broadcasting and media management has given her the privilege of interacting with opinion makers from politics, journalism, business, bureaucracy, academia, arts and entertainment. “They’ll continue to be an intellectual asset and inspiration,” she says.

    In a career spanning over two decades, she had the opportunity to be a part of the media evolution in India.

    As the Star TV corporate communications head and spokesperson, she was responsible for developing strategies for the group’s 40 properties. “A leadership role in India’s largest media network has taught me how innovative thinking alone could generate growth in these challenging times,” she says.

  • NDTV’s Shouneel Charles joins Times Network as SVP – digital

    MUMBAI: Times is inducting senior executives one after the other. After Nikhil Gandhi, Times Network has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Shouneel Charles as its senior vice president – digital. Based out of Mumbai, he will report to Times Network MD & CEO M.K. Anand.

    Times Network recently appointed Nikhil Gandhi as president – revenue, whose key responsibility is growth of profitable monetisation of the entire bouquet of channels under the network. Earlier too, he was a part of the core team at Zoom during the launch of the channel.

    On Charles’s appointment, Anand said, “We look forward to scaling heights and claiming our rightful position as a strong Digital Media Company with this induction and other senior level interventions that we plan. Given his experience in digital media, marketing and advertising, we are confident that we will be able to better engage with the New Media market.’’

    Charles said, “Leading the digital practice at a network that is known for its unique campaigns and initiatives is a huge responsibility. The growing digitisation throws a huge opportunity for established brands like Times Network.”

    In his previous assignment, Charles was leading the digital business at NDTV Convergence as the chief sales & marketing officer and chief revenue officer. He helped the media company set up a digital ecosystem, profitable internet and mobile based business.

    With close to 20 years of experience, Shouneel Charles has previously worked for multi-national companies such as Yahoo, Turner Broadcasting, HBO, Warner Brothers, STAR TV and The American Express Bank.

    Also Read:

    Nikhil Gandhi joins Times Network as president – revenue

  • Star & Vijay TV amend plea, TRAI asked by Madras HC to file response

    NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court today decided to hear on 24 March the case by  Star India and Vijay TV alleging that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India tariff and other orders allegedly were in conflict with Copyright Act 1957.

    This development came after the HC allowed an amended application from petitioners to be filed, which, according to industry sources, broadly states that TRAI regulations involving tariff, etc are bad in law.

    Following the Supreme Court directive of 16 February 2017 on an appeal permitting TRAI to issue its tariff and other orders even as the case would continue in the High Court, both the broadcasters had filed an amended petition. The court also directed TRAI to file its reply by Wednesday next.

    TRAI had issued three regulations, including one on tariff on 16 January 2017, the day the Supreme Court gave its clearance.

    The broadcasters had sought to argue that the TRAI orders are in conflict with the Copyright Act 1957. As a result of that court order and pending the full hearing of the case, TRAI would not be able to pass any guideline for issues such as broadcast tariff, broadcast interconnect, and quality of services. The temporary stay by Madras HC was over-ruled by SC later.

    It is also expected that a final judgment on the case could come about by 3 April 2017 in the Madras HC, if not before that date.

    Last year, TRAI had issued draft guidelines on tariff interconnect and quality of service, and TRAI chairman RS Sharma had then told indiantelevision.com that the regulator would come out with its final recommedation by the end of 2016.

    It may be recalled that the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) had also said in reaction to the TRAI drafts that the exercise was in direct conflict with the provisions of the Indian Copyright Act.

    The comments had been stated in a submission to the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations 2016; the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order 2016; and the Standards of Quality of Service) and Consumer Protection (Digital Addressable Systems) Regulations 2016.

    The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), which had made itself party to the case after being allowed by the Madras High Court, till the time of writing this report had not yet made up its mind whether to further join issues with petitoners’ amended application in Madras High Court.

    Also read

    Maintain status quo on broadcast guidelines, Madras HC tells TRAI

  • TRAI jurisdiction: Madras HC yes to MSOs as interveners, no as impleaders

    NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The Madras High Court yesterday gave concession to the MSOs allowing them to intervene on matters of law under consideration. But, the court refused to let them implead, via AIDCF, in a case filed by broadcasters (content generators) challenging whether regulator TRAI can have jurisdiction over commercial issues relating to copyright of content.

    Both sides — petitioners Star TV and Vijay TV and All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) — viewed the court stand as a moral victory.

    Star TV and Vijay TV had moved the Madras High Court pleading that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India’s broadcast carriage and telecoms regulator, didn’t have jurisdiction to issue guidelines that had a bearing on tariff of content, both TV and film, especially if such issues were also governed under the copyright law.

    In an official statement, AIDCF said the court was “pleased to permit AIDCF to participate in the proceedings as (an) intervener” allowing it to “file all relevant material, make oral submissions and file written submissions in the main writ petition.”

    The AIDCF statement, quoting organisation president and Hathway video division CEO TS Panesar, said, “We are delighted to note the decision of the Madras High Court in recognising us as an important stakeholder in this matter.”

    A source close to the petitioners, however, described the court’s decision as “disallowing” MSOs to directly implead in the main writ petition, the same way as it had not allowed Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) to implead itself in the case. “AIDCF can only intervene on the main matters of law under consideration, which is whether TRAI has jurisdiction over copyright issues relating to content,” the source opined.

    TRAI, which has been trying to bring about semblance of order in the broadcast and cable sector in India via various guidelines, could not be reached for comments by indiantelevision.com till the time of writing this report. However, TRAI chairman RS Sharma had told indiantelevision.com in an year-end interview in December 2016 that the regulator’s main aim behind issuing draft guidelines relating to broadcast and cable tariff, quality of service and interconnection was to reduce litigation amongst stakeholders and create a broad playing arena for all players, including the consumers.

    Industry sources had indicated that the MSOs had moved the court as they apprehended viewpoints of distribution platforms of TV services in India, notably the MSOs, may not be heard; especially when they have views that don’t converge with those of the petitioners on all aspects of the petition.

    However, there is lack of clarity on the status of the petition filed by Videocon D2H, a distribution platform, to get impleaded in the aforementioned case being heard by Madras HC. The matter is listed for another round of hearing 7 March, 2017.

    Incidentally, the Supreme Court, petitioned by TRAI, had refused to intervene in the case being heard by Madras HC and had stated in its last hearing few days back that it would wait for the outcome at the high court, listing TRAI appeal for a March-end hearing.

    ALSO READ:

    SC keeps TRAI request on tariff pending till Madras HC completes hearing

    TRAI jurisdiction: IBF plea dismissed, AIDCF impleadment decision on 22 Feb

    MSOs join issues with TRAI tariff plea at Madras HC

    Tariff order: Don’t notify without SC nod, TRAI told; Madras HC case to continue

  • SC keeps TRAI request on tariff pending till Madras HC completes hearing

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today refused to step in to allow TRAI to issue final broadcast tariff regulations, saying it would wait for the final outcome of a case in Madras High Court on a similar matter. The case in the apex court now has been listed for late March.

    TRAI had filed a special leave petition in SC requesting quashing of a Madras HC order stopping it from issuing tariff guidelines till it disposed of a petition filed by Star TV and Vijay TV relating to whether TRAI can frame rules relating to tariff and copyright laws, both   Indian and international.

    About 10 days back TRAI, as directed by the SC earlier, had submitted in a sealed envelope its final broadcast tariff guidelines seeking permission to notify the same.

    The apex court, while directing TRAI that it could continue with its regulation-framing exercise and also argue the matter in the Madras High Court had directed that before mandating any fresh rules, the broadcast and telecoms regulator should seek its permission.

    The Madras HC high court had asked TRAI to maintain status quo on tariff guidelines till full hearing of the case filed by Star India and Vijay TV. The court would later this month also hear the case of Indian MSOs’ industry organisation, AIDCF, which had requested to be impleaded in the Star TV and Vijay TV vs. TRAI case and be heard.

    Also Read:

    MSOs join issues with TRAI tariff plea at Madras HC

    Tariff order: Don’t notify without SC nod, TRAI told; Madras HC case to continue

    DAS Phase IV pace slack; MIB to meet Indian STB makers

    TRAI jurisdiction: IBF plea dismissed, AIDCF impleadment decision on 22 Feb

  • TRAI tariff: Madras HC extends status quo; SC to hear regulator’s appeal on 16 Jan

    TRAI tariff: Madras HC extends status quo; SC to hear regulator’s appeal on 16 Jan

    NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court today extended to 19 January 2017 the status quo with regard to any TRAI tariff orders or regulations for the broadcast sector in a case by Star TV and Vijay TV.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on 16 January 2017 the appeal by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India against this interim order issued last month by Madras HC.

    In the Madras High Court, the broadcasters had sought to argue that the TRAI orders are in conflict with the Copyright Act 1957. As a result of that court order and pending the full hearing of the case, TRAI would not be able to pass any guideline for issues such as broadcast tariff, broadcast interconnect, and quality of services.

    A TRAI spokesperson said that although it was still waiting to receive the order from the Court, one immediate result would be that the draft tariff and interconnect guidelines issued by the regulator will be subject to the order of the High Court in this regard unless the apex court accepted the regulator’s appeal.

    A few months ago, TRAI had issued draft guidelines on tariff interconnect and quality of service, while TRAI chairman RS Sharma had told indiantelevision.com earlier this month that the regulator would come out with its final recommedation by the end of the year.

    It may be recalled that the Indian Broadcasting Foundation had also said in a submission to TRAI that the regulator’s draft guidelines were in direct conflict with the provisions of the Indian Copyright Act and similar regulations under the Berne Convention.

    The IBF had said the Copyright Board is fully empowered to adjudicate upon disputes between any person and Content or Broadcast Reproduction Rights owners. Hence the Copyright Act and Rules provide for protection, monetisation, enforcement and adjudication procedures for all copyrightable work and broadcast reproduction rights.

    Also read: Maintain status quo on broadcast guidelines, Madras HC tells TRAI

  • TRAI tariff: Madras HC extends status quo; SC to hear regulator’s appeal on 16 Jan

    TRAI tariff: Madras HC extends status quo; SC to hear regulator’s appeal on 16 Jan

    NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court today extended to 19 January 2017 the status quo with regard to any TRAI tariff orders or regulations for the broadcast sector in a case by Star TV and Vijay TV.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on 16 January 2017 the appeal by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India against this interim order issued last month by Madras HC.

    In the Madras High Court, the broadcasters had sought to argue that the TRAI orders are in conflict with the Copyright Act 1957. As a result of that court order and pending the full hearing of the case, TRAI would not be able to pass any guideline for issues such as broadcast tariff, broadcast interconnect, and quality of services.

    A TRAI spokesperson said that although it was still waiting to receive the order from the Court, one immediate result would be that the draft tariff and interconnect guidelines issued by the regulator will be subject to the order of the High Court in this regard unless the apex court accepted the regulator’s appeal.

    A few months ago, TRAI had issued draft guidelines on tariff interconnect and quality of service, while TRAI chairman RS Sharma had told indiantelevision.com earlier this month that the regulator would come out with its final recommedation by the end of the year.

    It may be recalled that the Indian Broadcasting Foundation had also said in a submission to TRAI that the regulator’s draft guidelines were in direct conflict with the provisions of the Indian Copyright Act and similar regulations under the Berne Convention.

    The IBF had said the Copyright Board is fully empowered to adjudicate upon disputes between any person and Content or Broadcast Reproduction Rights owners. Hence the Copyright Act and Rules provide for protection, monetisation, enforcement and adjudication procedures for all copyrightable work and broadcast reproduction rights.

    Also read: Maintain status quo on broadcast guidelines, Madras HC tells TRAI

  • 21st Century Fox buys out Sky in USD 14.8-bn deal

    21st Century Fox buys out Sky in USD 14.8-bn deal

    MUMBAI: 21st Century Fox has stated that Sky had agreed to a takeover offer worth USD 14.8 billion as the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch attempts to create a global media giant stretch across the U.K., U.S, and Europe.

    21st Century Fox is one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, with a broad portfolio of broadcast, cable, pay TV, film, and satellite assets across six continents.

    Fox group said in a statement that it had reached an agreement with Sky plc on the terms of a recommended pre-conditional cash offer to buy the rest of the European pay broadcaster, beyond the 39 per cent it already owns. The deal is worth USD 14.8 billion (Rs 1004 billion) in total for the cash purchase, the statement said. The terms of the formal offer, Sky News stated, would mean Fox paying 10.75 pounds per Sky share, for the remainder 61% of Sky.

    The new deal will create an improved balance between affiliate fee, subscription, advertising and content revenues.

    Fox’ cable and broadcasting properties include include STAR India, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX, National Geographic Channels, 28 television stations in the U.S and over 300 international channels.