ITV

Tag: subscribers

  • Subscribers blame operators for channel packages

    Subscribers blame operators for channel packages

        
    KOLKATA: This year, not only has the economic recession dampened Kolkata’s festive fervour, customers are now complaining about the inability to view their favourite television channels despite opting for them.

    However, before jumping to any conclusions about multi system operators (MSOs) having missed their deadline for offering channel packages, the MSOs maintain they’ve already done the needful. So why then are subscribers cribbing?

    Apparently, a majority of them have filled out customer request forms (CRFs) opting for a fresh bouquet of channels and yet, nothing has changed for them.

    Says Shyamal Sen, a resident of south Kolkata: “I do have a cable connection with a package of Rs 280+Rs 50 (tax), which amounts to Rs 330 per month … but all these packages are only fooling people. I assume my neighbour has taken the Rs 180 package and still enjoys all the channels.”

    Rupa Das from Behala is happy that a couple of channels she had struck off from the list last month have gone off air but is yet to receive her new package.

    On their part, MSOs refuse to take the blame for the plight of subscribers.

    Kolkata has 30 lakh cable homes and nine MSOs, of which, SitiCable controls a substantial share of cable users. The company claims it has introduced packages on time. “We have offered the package and achieved 100 per cent CRF. Around 50,000 subscribers did not submit their forms. It seems those households which have more than one set-top box have not opted for a package for their second one or they are not residing in Kolkata,” says Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia.

    A Hathway Cable and Datacom official too maintains the company has offered channel packages to all its customers and hasn’t received any such complaints so far.

    While Cable Operators Digitalisation Committee Kolkata Association of Cable Operators convener Swapan Chowdhury, reasons that the process could have been delayed with the onset of Durga Puja. According to him, MSOs and operators might take another month to start beaming channel packages. “A lot of back-end technical work still remains before new packages can be beamed,” he argues.

    Similarly, an official from another MSO says since the MSO hasn’t yet collected CRFs from its customers, it plans to beam packages in phases after Durga Puja. “The LCOs will not work this week. Even if I want to offer packages, nothing can be done. Customers have to understand this,” he says.

    Manthan director Sudip Ghosh says customers are going in for need-based packages currently.

    Meanwhile, Namit Dave, a media analyst, is rather candid about the whole thing. He reasons that with the delay in the DAS process, it was apparent that channel packages would not be in place starting 1 October. “Even now in Kolkata, 100 per cent DAS has not been achieved in reality. So there is no question of channel offer,” he shoots.

    If sources are to be believed, nearly 60 per cent of CRFs have been collected in Kolkata. However, festivities have put a spanner in the works and it is likely that MSOs and operators will take some more weeks before they start beaming the channel packages.

  • Spuul and Star TV announce landmark deal

    Spuul and Star TV announce landmark deal

    MUMBAI: In a landmark deal with Star TV, Spuul – one of the most popular online streaming service for Indian movies and TV shows – will be streaming Star Plus shows 30 minutes after their TV broadcast in India. This first of it’s kind deal for Spuul, will give Spuul subscribers in India and Pakistan unlimited, on-demand access to the best soaps and reality television from Star Plus, on their computers and mobile devices.

    Starting now, you can watch Star’s 10 most popular soaps including Diya Aur Bati Hum, Ek Nanad Ki Khushiyon Ki Chaabi – Meri Bhabhi and Pyaar Ka Dard Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara and reality TV show Junior Master Chef on computers, iOS, Android, smartphones and tablets. This widely watched Star Plus offering will now be available as part of Spuul’s premium subscription plan. The low monthly subscription price also includes unlimited access to all free and premium movies on Spuul.

    “We are delighted to announce this agreement with Star TV. This deal further strengthens our exceptional and unrivalled content mix, said Spuul CEO India Prakash Ramchandani. Elaborating further, he said, “We are offering Spuul subscribers these popular daily TV shows at no additional cost, giving them even more value, and further validating why we are the preferred service for quality Indian content online.”

    Other Star Plus shows on Spuul include Ek Ghar Banaunga, Saraswatichandra, Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai, Arjun, Veera and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. As part of launch promotions, upto seven episodes of each of the 11 shows released prior to 2 September 2013 will be available for free on Spuul throughout September 2013.

    Besides these daily soaps, Spuul’s TV library also includes evergreen hits such as Mahabharat, Fauji, Malgudi Days and Nukkad.

  • Over 70 per cent of pay-TV subscribers in Western Europe able to receive multiscreen services

    Over 70 per cent of pay-TV subscribers in Western Europe able to receive multiscreen services

    MUMBAI: Parks Associates research finds over 70 per cent of pay-TV subscribers in Western Europe are able to receive a TV Everywhere/multiscreen service.

    In Eastern Europe, multiscreen availability topped 25 per cent of pay-TV households in early 2013. However, average revenue per user (ARPU) remains low, pushing many operators to test new business models such as a la carte pricing.

    Parks Associates president Stuart Sikes said, “Connected CE and digital media usage continues to grow in Europe, and cloud-based services, including music, video games, and storage, will drive more data across broadband provider networks.”

    “However, several challenges unique to Europe, including low margins, competition, and regulatory and economic factors, create uncertainties on the best path to boost revenues.” Sikes concluded.

  • Dish TV plans to raise $200 mn via equity

    Dish TV plans to raise $200 mn via equity

    MUMBAI: Dish TV, India’s largest DTH operator in terms of subscribers, plans to raise up to $200 million via the equity route to fund its expansion programme.

    The promoter holding stands at 64.8 per cent, providing enough leverage to raise capital by either issuing equity shares or through equity-linked instruments.

    Dish TV had earlier taken an enabling resolution to raise up to $200 million, following which it had got US-based Apollo Management to invest $100 million in November 2009.

    “We do not have any plans to raise this amount in the near future. It is an enabling resolution that we have taken,” Dish TV CEO RC Venkateish tells Indiantelevision.com.

    Dish TV has a cash balance of Rs 4.5 billion and is looking at ramping up 3.1 million subscribers this fiscal to take its total base to the 10 million mark. The customer acquisition cost for the direct-to-home (DTH) service provider has dropped from Rs 2147 in the first quarter of FY’11, but still stands at Rs 2083 in Q2.

    “The company does not have any fund requirement at this stage. Perhaps, it wants to build a war chest and utilise the cash if there is a business opportunity. Dish TV may not raise capital in the short run,” says a media analyst who tracks the DTH sector.

    In a cricket-heavy year, the DTH sector expects to mop up 11 million subscribers this fiscal. Dish TV expects the trend to continue in the next fiscal as well.

    For the second-quarter this fiscal, Dish TV has added 0.76 million subscribers and claims to have a robust 27 per cent incremental market share. In the first six months of this fiscal, Dish TV has mopped up 1.4 million new subscribers.

    Says Dish TV India chairman Subhash Chandra, “With 2.8 million subscribers added in the second quarter, the overall market for DTH in the country has already grown to more than 26 million households. In a strong six player market, incremental share over and above a secular number is laudable. Dish TV with an incremental market share of 27 per cent continues to deliver industry leading performance.”

    The company’s net loss has narrowed to Rs 452 million for the three-month period ended September, from Rs 631 million in the trailing quarter. In the year-ago period, the DTH operator had posted a net loss of Rs 562 million.
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    Dish TV’s revenues stand at Rs 3.29 billion, representing a six per cent growth over the trailing quarter and a 27.4 per cent growth over the year-ago period. While subscription revenue accounts for Rs 2.7 billion (up 8 per cent from previous quarter), lease rental is at Rs 550 million.

    The Ebitda for the quarter under review stands at Rs 523 million, up from Rs 391 million posted in the previous quarter.

    Dish TV has been able to maintain its ARPU (average revenue per user) at Rs 139 million despite sizeable customer acquisitions. Low ARPUs, however, remain a matter of concern.

    Says Chandra, “While ARPUs in India remain significantly under-priced compared to similar economies in the world, there exists substantial headroom for growth. Dish TV’s efforts to enhance them with a trade-off between ARPUs and subscriber acquisition is heartening.”

    Dish TV is making efforts to lift its ARPUs. Says Dish TV managing director Jawahar Goel, “Our game changing initiatives and strategic marketing resulted in increased stickiness on the higher value packs and maintenance of ARPUs despite huge activations. In our endeavor to strengthen the overall ARPU levels, amongst other things, a price hike across two popular packs was announced towards the end of the second quarter, the impact of which should be visible in the forthcoming quarters.”

    Dish TV has reduced its content cost as a percentage of subscription revenue to an all time low of 39 per cent. In the previous quarter, the content cost stood at 41 per cent.

    Dish TV’s gross subscriber base stood at 8.3 million for the quarter ended September 2010, while the net subscriber base was 6.8 million. Subscriber churn remained constant at 0.7 per cent per month.

    Advertising expenditure for the first six months was at Rs 430 million, well in line with the overall fiscal’s budget of Rs 950 million.

    “We remain on track to meet our guided acquisition target as well as budgeted revenue and profitability. With recent pricing and operational initiatives, our focus on driving margin improvements and cash generation gets further strengthened,” says Goel.