ITV

Tag: Sun TV

  • Maa TV dominates Telegu GEC genre, Asianet stands out in Malayalam space: TAM

    Maa TV dominates Telegu GEC genre, Asianet stands out in Malayalam space: TAM

    MUMBAI: Maa TV has maintained its dominance in week 26 too in the Telugu general entertainment channel (GEC) genre, despite a drop in viewership. The channel which garnered 616 GRPs in week 25 witnessed a decline and registered 545 GRPs. On the other hand, second placed Gemini managed to secure a slight gain as the viewership grew from 504 GRPs to 506 GRPs.
     

    In Tamil GEC genre, Sun TV stood tall in the pole position with 1221 GRPs followed by Vijay with 346 GRPs.

     

    In the Kannada region, Colors Kannada registered 403.9 GRPs and dethroned Udaya (401 GRPs) to grab the pole position.  

     

    In the Malayalam GEC genre Asianet again proved that it hardly has any competition. With 890 GRPs the channel comfortably sat on the fist position in TAM TV ratings. Asianet was followed by Mazhavil Manorama with 223.6 GRPs  

  • Arun Jaitley to meet PM to discuss Sun TV issues

    Arun Jaitley to meet PM to discuss Sun TV issues

    MUMBAI: India’s Finance and Information & Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 July, 2015 to discuss the security clearance issue for Kalanithi Maran owned Sun TV’s 33 television channels and FM radio stations.

     

    The issue has assumed urgency given that the entire auction process of FM phase III has been held up with the I&B Ministry not convening a meeting of the application review committee. All the other 28 companies, barring those affiliated to Maran’s Sun TV Network, that had applied for the auction and migration from phase II to phase III, have been granted security clearance. 

     

    According to an Indian Express report, what has also stumped the I&B Ministry is the Union Home Ministry’s stance with respect to the print publications of the Sun TV Group.

     

    In response to the I&B Ministry’s query regarding the fate of the newspapers and magazines from the Sun stable such as Dinakaran, Kumudham and Murasoli, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said print publications “do not fall under the ambit of national security clearance.”

     

    At a recent meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Law Secretary is said to have pointed out that such a move would go against the spirit of Article 19 (1) of the Constitution on freedom of speech. This was subsequently reiterated in an opinion obtained from the Attorney General’s office. But the PMO had opined in the meeting then that once security clearance has been denied, there was no need perhaps to seek even the AG’s opinion.

     

    In his letter to Singh dated 1 April following the denial of security clearance on 30 March to Sun TV’s FM radio channels, Jaitley had said this was likely to be challenged in the court. “Such a situation will result in unnecessary embarrassment besides eliminating a large group from the FM channels. In view of the above mentioned position, it is felt necessary to request your indulgence for reconsidering the decision,” the letter stated.

  • Sun TV woes continue as MHA disagrees with AG, denies security clearance

    Sun TV woes continue as MHA disagrees with AG, denies security clearance

    MUMBAI: Even after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that denying security clearance to Sun TV Network was wrong, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said that it does not agree with Attorney General’s opinion on the issue.

     

    According to MHA officials, their investigation shows serious charges of money laundering against Kalanithi Maran, the owner of Sun TV Network. In the light of this, MHA took the decision to deny it security clearance after high-level consultations. The MHA has now asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) to give its decision, post which; it will further take a final call.  

     

    It can be noted that Rohatgi had said that the MHA denying security clearance to Sun TV on basis of corruption charges was wrong, as neither the owner nor the Network was a threat to the nation’s security. The opinion was given after the I&B Ministry had sought for the Attorney General’s opinion on the matter.

     

    Typically, when views of two ministries differ on a subject matter, the Attorney General’s opinion is sought. However, his judgment is not binding.

     

    As per media reports, while the I&B Ministry is assessing Rohatgi’s opinion, in case there is still disagreement between the two ministries, one could well see Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervening into the matter.

  • Attorney General okays Sun TV security clearance; stock up 8%

    Attorney General okays Sun TV security clearance; stock up 8%

    MUMBAI: Kalanithi Maran can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now. This after the Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi has asked the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry to give security clearance to the 33 channels of Sun TV Network.

     

    After the I&B Ministry sought his opinion on the matter, Rohatgi said that denial of security clearance to Sun TV by MHA was wrong.

     

    It can be noted that the Home Ministry had denied the proposal to grant security clearance to the network on grounds that its promoter – Kalanithi Maran – was being investigated for criminal cases by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

     

    As is known, the CBI had alleged Dayanidhi Maran of misusing his office as Union Telecom Minister to engineer the sale of Aircel to Malaysia’s Maxis Group in 2006. Maran was accused of corruption and illegal gratification worth more than Rs 700 crore, which allegedly was invested in a media company that is part of the Sun Group, owned by Dayanidhi Maran’s brother Kalanithi Maran.

     

    It can be noted that in April, the ED had issued an order to both the Maran brothers to attach properties and assets worth Rs 742.58 crore belonging to them.

     

    Kalanithi Maran in his argument had said that while most TV companies have criminal cases pending against them or against their directors or promoters, only his company was singled out and security clearance refused.

     

    Earlier this week the MHA had said that it had no plans to reply to the letter written by Maran where he had said that his company was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity and that there was no justification for refusal of the clearance to his television channels.

     

    Buoyed by the reports of this development, the Sun TV stock on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) shot up by 7.86 per cent at the end of the day’s trade on Friday. The stock, which opened at Rs 309.25 touched an intra-day high of Rs 342.30 and closed at Rs 333.55 at the end of the day’s trade.

  • Madras HC dismisses Marans’ plea; I&B asks MHA to clarify on security nod denial

    Madras HC dismisses Marans’ plea; I&B asks MHA to clarify on security nod denial

    NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court has dismissed petitions by Sun TV and Kal Comm Pvt. Ltd. seeking stay on the attachment of its assets by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with Aircel-Maxis case.

     

    Justice M. Sathyanarayanan said the Supreme Court was monitoring the case and the High Court was not inclined to entertain the petitions.

     

    Meanwhile, it is learnt that in reply to a letter from the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry seeking clarifications on rejection of security clearance to Sun TV, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reiterated its position. The I&B Ministry is understood to have highlighted the issue relating to freedom of the media.

     

    That apart, the I&B Ministry may be writing again, pointing to the Madras High Court order of September last year, which had commented strongly against the Ministry for cancelling the multi system operator (MSO) license to Sun TV Network’s subsidiary Kal Cables. The observation had come in a case relating to denial of security clearance as the Maran brothers were facing criminal cases.

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the refusal to grant a license could result in the closure of 33 channels of the group, FM channels and print outlets.

     

    During the hearing of the case today, the senior counsel appearing for the petitioner contended that the properties were acquired much before the investigating agencies commenced their probe into the Aircel-Maxis case and questioned why properties of other firms accused in the case have not been attached.

     

    Additional Solicitor General G. Rajagopalan contended that the Supreme Court was monitoring the developments in the case and had also observed that any other court hearing the matter would impede the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED.

     

    Following the attachment of two of its properties by the ED on 31 March, Sun TV and Kal Comm Pvt. Ltd. moved the Madras High Court seeking to quash the order. The ED had earlier questioned the maintainability of the petitions in view of the Supreme Court’s directions in the case.

     

    The Supreme Court in a blanket order of 10 February, 2011 and 11 April, 2011 restricted any court from entertaining petitions in the matter. 

  • Sun TV denies receiving official memo from MHA; shares crash on bourses

    Sun TV denies receiving official memo from MHA; shares crash on bourses

    NEW DELHI: Kalanithi Maran owned Sun TV Network Limited (Sun TV) today said that it had not received any information from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) or the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) about rejection of security clearance to its television channels.

     

    Shares of Sun TV crashed over 25 per cent on Monday, 8 June, 2015, as compared to the previous closing price on Friday, amid reports that the network’s 33 television channels may be taken off air by the MHA over security clearance.

     

    When contacted by Indiantelevision.com, a Sun TV spokesperson declined to comment on the rejection of security clearance as the network was still waiting for an official report.

     

    Reacting to the reports, Sun TV clarified on the bourses stating, “We wish to state that no communication has been received by the Company in this regard from any Ministry and all our Channels continue to be on air.”

     

    On the other hand, an MIB official confirmed to this website that the Home Ministry had indeed denied security clearance to Sun TV Network as a whole and that the decision would be conveyed to the network by the MIB and not the MHA.

     

    The MIB official also confirmed that this will affect all 33 television channels of the Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV Network. This may mean cancellation of the broadcasting licence. However, the Ministry official said that no decision would be taken in haste.

     

    Sun TV had applied to the MIB for renewing its broadcasting licence for 10 years, which also entails getting the required security clearance from the Home Ministry. 

     

    The Home Ministry is said to have taken this decision in the backdrop of the three pending criminal cases being looked into by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), against Maran and his brother and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

     

    Home Ministry sources denied that the decision was based on political considerations.

     

    Sun TV Network may approach the courts to get interim relief. However, no reply has been received from the Home Ministry so far.

     

    This is the second big blow for the Maran led company this year. It may be recalled that earlier in April, MIB minister Arun Jaitley had written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh to reconsider the denial of security clearance to 40 FM radio stations run by the Sun Network. 

     

    Sun TV shares (face value of Rs 5 each) opened lower today on the BSE at Rs 320.75 each as compared to the closing price of Rs 356.35 each and opened on the NSE today at Rs 320.80 each as compared to the closing rate of Rs 356.40 each. At the close of trading today, Sun TV shares closed at Rs 279.60 (down 76.75, -21.54 per cent) on the BSE and at Rs 278.65 (down Rs 77.75, -21.83 per cent) on the NSE. 

     

    On the BSE, Monday’s Low was Rs 258, whereas the High was recorded at Rs 320.75. On the NSE, Sun TV’s Low stood at Rs 257.45, where the scrip touched a High of Rs 320.80. The stock price breached the previous 52 week low on both the BSE and the NSE, also breached the lower circuit price of Rs 302.90 on both the bourses.

     

    The Sun TV Network is one of India’s largest media groups whose TV channels reach more than 95 million households across the country.

  • Rajahmundry MSO to get signals of Taj TV & Maa TV; Eenadu & Sun signals on interim basis

    Rajahmundry MSO to get signals of Taj TV & Maa TV; Eenadu & Sun signals on interim basis

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Eenadu and Sun TV to enter into interim and provisional interconnect agreements to supply signals to multi system operator (MSO) Vaji Digital Network in Rajahmundry, which is not a Digital Addressable System (DAS) area.

     

    TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and member Kuldip Singh said the agreement would be on a fixed monthly fee at the rate of 25 per cent of the aggregate amount of monthly subscription fee that they are receiving from their MSOs in Rajahmundry. 

     

    Eenadu has one MSO from which it receives Rs 7,48,225 (exclusive of taxes) as monthly subscription fee. Sun has two MSOs in Rajahmundry from whom it receives an aggregate of Rs 11,92,929 as the monthly subscription fee. 

     

    The provisional agreements with the petitioner will be at the rate of 25 per cent of the aforesaid amounts respectively. 

     

    The Tribunal made it clear that the interim agreements will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties and the amount fixed for the provisional agreement will abide by the final determination in these two petitions. The agreements, as directed, may be executed forthwith and not later than a week from today and supply of signals should commence immediately on that basis. 

     

    While giving the order, the Tribunal said it would give its final order on 22 July with regard to Eenadu and Sun.

     

    However, the Tribunal resolved the matters relating to Maa TV and Taj TV with the consent of both sides.

     

    A direction was given to MAA TV to execute an interconnect agreement with Vaji, the petitioner on a fixed fee of Rs 90,000 (exclusive of taxes) per month. The agreement may be executed forthwith and not later than a week from today and supply of signals should commence immediately on that basis. 

     

    Taj TV submitted that in Rajahmundry area the broadcaster was receiving Rs 6,95,975 as the monthly subscription fee for the Taj group of channels. Taj TV counsel Tejveer Bhatia said Taj was willing to give the signals of its channels to the petitioner on monthly subscription at the rate of 30 per cent of the subscription fee received by it from the other MSO for the first quarter, 35 per cent of that amount for the second quarter and 40 per cent of the amount for the third and fourth quarters. The offer was accepted by Vaji and so the petition was disposed with the direction to enter into an interconnect agreement in the aforesaid terms. The agreement may be executed forthwith and not later than a week from today and supply of signals should commence immediately on that basis.

     

    A new entrant in the field of broadcasting, MSO Vaji had sought to enter into agreements with the four broadcasters to get their signals. However, the broadcasters did not accept the Service Line Report whereby the petitioner gave the number of subscribers he had with him.

     

    The matter was first referred to the arbitration centre but could not be resolved.

     

    In another similar matter by Rudhrapur Cable Network against Star TV, the Tribunal appointed Vadivelu Deenadayalan as an Advocate Commissioner with the consent of the both the parties to carry out the survey of the area and recommend the SLR on which the agreement may be executed between the parties. The survey may be carried out in presence of both the parties and the report be submitted within 4 weeks from today. The matter will now come up on16 July.

  • FY-2015: Sun TV revenue sees 7% growth at Rs 2243 crore

    FY-2015: Sun TV revenue sees 7% growth at Rs 2243 crore

    BENGALURU: Sun TV Network Limited reported seven per cent growth in standalone revenue (Total income from operations or TIO) in FY-2015 (year ended 31 March, 2015, current year) at Rs 2243.62 crore as compared to the Rs 2096.78 crore in FY-2014. 

     

    TIO in Q4-2015 at Rs 548.58 crore grew 5.5 per cent as compared to the Rs 520.18 crore y-o-y and was 0.7 per cent lower than the Rs 552.44 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    All figures in this report are standalone.

     

    The company reported 2.8 per cent growth in profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 737.23 crore (32.9 per cent of TIO) in FY-2015 as compared to the Rs 716.96 crore (34.2 per cent of TIO) in FY-2014. PAT in Q4-2015 at Rs 202.99 crore (37 per cent of TIO) was 2.7 per cent more than the Rs 197.57 crore (38 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014 but was 5.2 per cent lower than the Rs 214.13 crore (38.8 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Sun TV:

     

    Sun TV’s Total Expenditure (TE) in FY-2015 at Rs 1217.25 crore (54.3 per cent of TIO) was 11.8 per cent more than the Rs 1088.41 crore (51.9 per cent of TIO). TE in Q4-2015 at Rs 263.74 crore (48.1 per cent of TIO) was 13.4 per cent more than the Rs 232.62 crore (44.7 per cent of TIO) and was 5.5 per cent more than the Rs 250.05 crore in Q3-2015.

     

    The company reported 5.8 per cent higher employee benefit expense (EBE) in FY-2015 at Rs 203.75 crore (9.1 per cent of TIO) as compared to the Rs 192.53 crore (9.2 per cent of TIO) in FY-2014. EBE in Q4-2015 at Rs 52.16 crore (9.5 per cent of TIO) was three per cent more than the Rs 50.63 crore (9.7 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014 but was 6.3 per cent lower than the Rs 55.69 crore (10.1 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2015.

     

    Other Expenditure in FY-2015 at Rs 171.4 crore (7.6 per cent of TIO) was 1.1 per cent lower than the Rs 173.38 crore (8.3 per cent of TIO) in FY-2014. Other Expenditure in Q4-2015 at Rs 28.26 crore (5.2 per cent of TIO) was 8.1 per cent more than the Rs 26.15 crore (five per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014 and was 4.9 per cent more than the Rs 26.93 crore (4.9 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2015.

     

    Sun TV’s standalone EBIDTA in FY-2015 at Rs 1614.2 crore (71.9 per cent margin) was 10.4 per cent more than the Rs 1461.71 crore (69.7 per cent margin) in FY-2014. Standalone EBIDTA in Q4-2015 at Rs 423.26 crore (77.2 per cent margin) was 5.8 per cent more than the Rs 399.89 crore (76.8 per cent margin) and was 1.1 per cent lower than the Rs 427.8 crore (77.4 per cent margin) in Q3-2015.

     

    Until now, the company has paid out three interim dividends for FY-2015 totalling 225 per cent or Rs 11.25 per equity share of face value of Rs 5 each as compared to dividends totalling 190 per cent or Rs 9.50 per equity share in FY-2014.

     

    Sun TV share price declined today (29 May) at the closing bell. On the NSE, the share closed at Rs 379.20, down Rs 7.85 (2.03 per cent) from its previous close of Rs 387.05, despite a higher opening of Rs 387.55 in the morning. Today’s Low/High for the script on the NSE was Rs 370.85/Rs 388.80 with a volume of 421126. Overall, the NSE Nifty closed up at 8433.65, up 114.65 points (+1.38 per cent).

     

    On the BSE, the stock closed at Rs 378.70, down Rs 7.50 (1.90 per cent) from its previous close of Rs 386.20 and higher opening of Rs 387.20. Today’s Low/High for the stock on the BSE was Rs 374/Rs 389.45 with a volume of 104288. The BSE Sensex closed at 27824.44, up 321.71 (+1.17 per cent).

  • Sun TV shares dip after ED attaches Marans’ assets

    Sun TV shares dip after ED attaches Marans’ assets

    MUMBAI: South Indian media baron Kalanithi Maran and his brother, the former Union telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran owned Sun TV network is facing some tough times, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) deciding to close down on the Marans for their alleged involvement in the Aircel-Maxis case.

     

    This in turn has impacted the share price of Sun TV on the bourses. The company’s share prices slumped over 9.44 per cent and closed at Rs 411 on 6 April at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), this against the previous close at Rs 453.85. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the scrip fell 10 per cent closing at Rs 410.40 as against its previous close of Rs 456.

     

    The market has reacted to the steps taken by the ED, which had issued an order to attach properties and assets worth Rs 742.58 crore belonging to Kalanithi Maran, his wife Kaveri Kalanithi and his brother Dayanidhi Maran.

     

    The ED’s investigation has revealed that Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd (SDTPL) is promoted by Kalanithi Maran and Kaveri Kalanithi and they own 80 per cent of its shares. The shareholders of South Asia FM Ltd (SAFL) are Sun TV Network (60 per cent) and 20 per cent each are A.H. Multisoft Pvt Ltd and South Asia Multimedia Technologies Ltd., Mauritius. Kalanithi also holds 75 per cent of Sun TV Network Limited, while he and his wife own 90 per cent and 10 per cent respectively of Kal Comm Pvt. Ltd.

     

    According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Dayanidhi Maran used his influence, while he was the Union telecom minister to help a Malaysian businessman, T. Ananda Krishnan, buy Aircel by pressurizing its owner C. Sivasankaran to part with his stake.
     

    Sivasankaran has also alleged that Dayanidhi favoured the Maxis Group in the takeover of his firm. He also said that the company made investments through Astro Network in a firm, purportedly owned by the Marans.

    As per reports, four companies, including the Chennai based Sun Direct, Britain based Astro All Asia Networks, Malaysia based Maxis Communications Berhad and the South Asia Entertainment Holdings of Mauritius, have also been named in charges filed on 29 August, 2014 by the CBI.

     

    The CBI said there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the accused and booked all the accused on the charges of criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

     

  • Dayanidhi smells ‘political vendetta’ behind ED’s actions

    Dayanidhi smells ‘political vendetta’ behind ED’s actions

    MUMBAI: A day after India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued an order to attach properties and assets worth Rs 742.58 crore belonging to South Indian media baron Kalanidhi Maran and his brother, the former Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi, the latter has alleged “political vendetta” and accused the ED of acting like a “puppet” in the hands of “someone.”

     

    “ED ‘flouted’ rules. It shows that somebody is behind it,” he told PTI on 2 April. He also said that he will take a legal recourse and come out clean in the case.

     

    Dayanidhi in a statement alleged that “someone was directing the ED from behind.”

     

    He said that while it was “evident” that he had no ownership in or connections to direct to home (DTH) platform Sun Direct or South Asian FM, the professional investments in these were “distracted.”

     

    Dayanidhi went on to add that foreign investments in a domestic company couldn’t be done without the approval of the Centre. “It cannot be but politics painting colours to such a business transaction. ED had ignored certain legal provisions in this matter,” he told PTI in Chennai on Thursday night.

     

    Meanwhile, DMK has denied any link to the Aircel-Maxis deal case, saying it has nothing to do with Sun TV or the deal. The party however, according to the report, will be fine tuning its strategy to ensure that its campaign for the upcoming elections is not marred.

     

    Contrary to the expectations, even after all the controversies Sun TV shares saw a hike of 3.20 per cent, closing at 453.85 up from 440.65 on 2 April.

     

    Sun TV also has a stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad and it remains to be seen if ED intervention will have an impact on the fast approaching multimillionaire league.