ITV

Tag: TV channels

  • News channels – shifting gears, positions

    News channels – shifting gears, positions

    And charging down the back straight is Star News, snapping at the heels of leader Aaj Tak but still not quite there yet. Early pacemaker NDTV India, meanwhile, seems to have run out of steam and has dropped two places down to fourth behind steady stallion Zee News…

    It’s been a topsy-turvy nine months in the Hindi news space as TV channels tried different programming innovations to woo audiences and advertisers and gain market share. What has clearly been demonstrated is that improvements being shown by some news channels and the addition of fresh blood makes the news channel ratings race a roller-coaster one. Media observers term this period of upheaval as a time when the rules of the game are being cast and recast.

    That this upheaval has been more for the positive is indicated by the fact that the news broadcast industry, which two or three years ago was worth just Rs 1 billion, has grown into a Rs 5 billion market with the potential of growing further. However, as a media analyst points out, a shakeout is bound to happen through consolidation. But till that happens, these “frequent ups and downs in the ratings charts will continue” to take place through the ways events are covered or, maybe, just on innovative presentation.

    Revenues in this sector grew 13 per cent, which is about even with the growth rate of the Indian TV industry as a whole, according to the TAM Media Research. Is there room for further growth? It would appear so. A recent study conducted by Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group, indicates that a majority of Indians (78 per cent) trust a lot of the news stories they see or hear. It is that trust and appetite for news that the current players and the upcoming wannabes are banking on to sustain growth going forward.

    Entering the last quarter of calendar 2005, it has clearly shaped up into a two-horse race for the numero uno position between long time leader Aaj Tak and the year’s biggest gainer by a mile Star News. A sea change from 2004 when it was NDTV India that was doing all the running to catch up with Aaj Tak.

    According to TAM, the Hindi news segment witnessed a spike with respect to certain channels in viewership during the calamity that hit Mumbai on 26 July and in its aftermath. And if there is one single event that really gave the Mumbai-headquartered Star News its critical forward thrust, it was the manner in which it managed its coverage of the catastrophic Mumbai deluge. Conversely, NDTV India’s dip in channel share is also partly linked to its coverage of the Mumbai floods and serves to highlight that things are still in the evolution phase as far as channel rankings go.

    Consulting firm KPMG’s associate director Anindya Roychowdhury offers what can be taken as both a cautionary note and one of hope to those who have seen a downswing in their fortunes in the recent past. Says Roychowdhury, “Although there has been a shift in (channel) positions, nonetheless it needs noting that news channels have sticky eyeballs, which is unlike entertainment channels.” Roychowdhury’s point is that because news channels extract more loyalty, if a channel manages to get its act together again, viewers that have been long hooked to its offerings earlier would like as not return (or if the rival channel loses some of its sheen on the content and presentation front).

    Adding to what Roychowdhury said, another financial analyst states that the channel which has a grip on robust content will survive in the long run.

    An overview of data for the last nine months (January-September) provided by TAM (C&S, HSM, All Adults, 15+) shows the country’s subse tez (fastest) news channel Aaj Tak continuing to stay ahead of the pack in this space, despite witnessing highs and lows.

    Aaj Tak
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    June
    July
    Aug
    Sep
    29%
    28%
    25%
    25%
    25%
    26%
    27%
    25%
    25%

    What has Aaj Tak to offer on its position?

     

    According to Aaj Tak executive news director QA Naqvi, the channel is undoubtedly the market leader and “shall remain so to create history.” Says Naqvi, “Aaj Tak has been able to retain its position as India’s leading news and current affairs channel primarily because it has stayed steadfast with its core principles — credible, authoritative and insightful.”

    Pointing out that viewers have always chosen to watch Aaj Tak during major news events, Naqvi adds, “We recognise that the appetite of the audience for news has changed and we have changed to accommodate these without changing our basic values.”

    So does this mean that the other channels do not bring the same facets on air? Naqvi refuses to take the bait. “I’m here to speak of Aaj Tak and that’s about it,” he counters.

    But the seasoned news manager does admit that with eight Hindi news channels already on air, any further additions – as is being projected by various companies – would further segment the already fragmented news space. “Competition is intense,” he admits.

    Completing five years of a successful run, Aaj Tak is now looking at consolidating its position. “In the first year (2000) Aaj Tak’s share of audience was 55 per cent (Zee 31 per cent and Star News 9 per cent). We were number one then, which was no mean achievement, and we are still at the top. This is an even greater accomplishment,” avers Naqvi, but doesn’t forget to add that these days nothing should be taken for granted.

    That media planners buy into the Aaj Tak story and swear by it is a given, more so since it has proved its efficacy over five years and counting. Says Meenakshi Madhvani, CEO of media audit outfit Spatial Access, “Aaj Tak is a great reach builder and in certain SECs even works as a frequency delivering mechanism that compares with the mass general entertainment channels (Star Plus, Sony, Zee TV).” In terms of comparable value in a targeted media plan, about the only channel that delivers similar results to Aaj Tak is Cartoon Network, points out Madhvani.

    While Aaj Tak has managed to retain its leadership position, it is Star News that has been hogging the headlines. Over the last eight months, Star News has witnessed a phenomenal climb from 18 per cent in January to 24 per cent in September, coming within sniffing distance of Aaj Tak that remains ahead by a nose at 25 per cent channel share.

    Star News
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    June
    July
    Aug
    Sep
    18%
    17%
    17%
    17%
    16%
    16%
    20%
    24%
    24%

    Explains a justifiably elated Star News CEO Uday Shankar, “Well, it is not a sudden turn around. It is an endeavour that has been going on for a long time, which is now visible. It has been a gradual process.”

    The former Aaj Tak news head does not shy away from admitting that a cloud of uncertainty over its news uplink licence and the row with the government in 2003 over shareholding pattern in Media Content & Communications Services India Pvt Ltd (MCCS), which is the holding company for Star News and its sibling Star Ananda, had “taken a toll” on the performance of the Hindi news channel earlier.

    “At that point, more than the growth, the company’s survival had become the focal point,” Shankar points out.

    But after the running battle with the government — some say instigated by rivals — got sorted out it was time to concentrate afresh on building the channel and making it more responsive to people’s aspiration and needs.

    “Our aim had been to make Star News a channel that sets the agenda of news (for other TV channels as also print),” Shankar says, giving a glimpse behind Star News’ philosophy that revolves round ‘keeping the viewers abreast of news’. To quote Shankar from a recent release. “We strive to give our viewers stories and news that affect their lives, and this has led to Star News’ steady growth throughout the past year. Our success has been built not only on attracting new viewers, but in keeping them interested enough to keep coming back.”

    “That the slow process of building a channel and a relationship with viewers can bear fruit is evident from Star News climbing to the No. 2 spot in the month of August,” asserts Shankar.

    He acknowledges the fact that the Mumbai deluge gave an entirely dimension to disaster coverage and the information imparted by Star News turned out to be remarkable. The visuals put out by Star News, Shankar gushes, “expressed something that words failed to and the coverage simply reflected the true face of the devastation.”

    And what of NDTV India? TAM data shows that Prannoy Roy’s channel has been on a downward spiral ratings-wise. According to media analysts, NDTV India’s loss has been Star News’ and Zee News’ gain.

     

    NDTV India
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    June
    July
    Aug
    Sep
    21%
    21%
    21%
    21%
    20%
    19%
    17%
    17%
    16%

    And that’s another tale in itself. Zee News, the first Hindi news channel, has withstood the storm of new players in the space for over a decade, The channel that started 2005 with a 15 per cent channel share has steadily increased it to a high of 19 per cent in the months of June and July, and plateaued out at 18 per cent in August-September. Presently, it occupies the third slot.

    Zee News
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    June
    July
    Aug
    Sep
    15%
    15%
    16%
    17%
    18%
    19%
    19%
    18%
    18%

    Zee Telefilms news group director Laxmi Goel reiterates, “Zee News has been in this space for over a decade from the time when there was only Doordarshan for news and to the present time when there are eight to 10 news channels. Still, Zee News is going strong and it will continue to run the race with its philosophy — Haqeekat Jaisi Khabar Waisi.”

    How does he view the ratings race? Goel adds, “Zee News has seen growth and consolidation in its viewership numbers this year. We have seen a healthy growth in the cluttered news space despite marginal up and down movements on the ratings chart.”

    Goel, however, pointed out that though the number of players have increased “there is little difference amongst the front runners.” There are the top four and then there are the rest is his contention.

    One of those “fringe players” is Sahara Samay Rashtriya. Despite a number of news channels in its stable — both region-specific and a national channel — Sahara Samay continues to remain on the outside looking in.

    Sahara Samay
    Rashtriya
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    June
    July
    Aug
    Sep
    6%
    6%
    6%
    6%
    5%
    5%
    5%
    7%
    6%

    Still, Sahara Samay Rashtriya vice-president Prabhat Dabral has a different theory. Sahara had adopted a different strategy altogether, he empahsises, adding, “We have a game plan wherein the media company will first strengthen the regional channels. As this happens, their combined strength will push up the national channel.”

    When his attention is drawn to the numbers, Dabral, however, admits the national news channel is not doing well in the rat race, but is hopeful it will “pick up steam very soon.”

    Another of the also rans is India TV. After completing a year, the Rajat Sharma-promoted India TV is now gearing up for some action. The company has roped in Universal McCan president Chintamani Rao as India TV CEO with an aim to strengthen the channel’s brand equity as it gets ready to launch two regional news channel in the Gujarati and Punjabi markets.

     
    India TV
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    June
    July
    Aug
    Sep
    5%
    6%
    8%
    7%
    7%
    6%
    6%
    5%
    6%

    And what about India TV’s performance on the ratings meter? The channel really picked up steam in March through a series of steamy sting operations that resulted in its hitting a high eight per cent market share.

    In April and May, India TV maintained a 7 per cent share, which dipped to 5 per cent in August bringing it to a level from here it had started this year in January.

    Yes, casting couch stories did create a buzz and they did reflect on the ratings chart. As per TAM data, on 13 March, India TV mounted right at the top of the heap with a never-before channel share of 22.4 per cent. This was the day when India TV caught on camera film star Shakti Kapoor in a queasy corner that fanned the casting couch issue anew.

    That the expose had the charts rocking could be gauged from the fact that even market leader Aaj Tak on that fateful Sunday (13 March 2005) dropped to 20.2 per cent, while NDTV India stood at 18 per cent, Star News posted 14 per cent and Zee News 13.4 per cent. Sahara Samay and DD News were lower down in the order with shares of 6.2 per cent and 5.9 per cent, respectively.

    Then there is also newer entrant, Channel7, which has managed to emphatically establish one point: it’s no pushover.

    Coming from the Jagran newspaper stable, which has a wide network of newspaper editions, Channel7 is cashing in on its strength in the Hindi speaking belt of North India and the state that it’s headquartered in: Uttar Pradesh.

    But the new kid on the block too is grappling with distribution problems. Though Channel7 is “paying a carriage fee,” some challenges still need to be overcome.

    Channel7 CEO Piyush Jain says, “If you compare week-on-week, then certainly there would be a little volatility. It is always better to look at trends over a three to four-week period. We are very delighted with the overall performance of the channel till date.”

    Distribution Front:
    Distribution still remains an important aspect for all the news networks. Shankar asserts, “Distribution is very important. You may have the best of product, but if viewers or the target audience (TG) do not get to see it, what use is the product.”

    Admitting that Star News did face some hitches in a few pockets of the country that needed fixing, Shankar said, “We first built our content, ramping up the quality and then turned our attention to the distribution side of the channel.”

    Concurring with Shankar, Zee News’ Goel offers a related perspective on the distribution game — that of placement of a channel. “Zee News did not suffer from the malady of low connectivity, but on some cable networks the news channel was not anywhere near tunable bandwidth,” Goel says, adding from the day that problem was fixed, dividends have started accruing.

    With the news market getting more fragmented, Dabral acknowledges the challenge increases. “As a strategy, we have decided to distribute Sahara Samay Rashtriya only in those markets where the reach of the regional channels does not exist.”

    Almost everyone concurrs that carriage fee is an open secret of the industry and news channels do pay up to get carried on cable networks. “It is a two-way process; one pays a carriage fee and the other accepts it,” Goel says candidly.

    Present programming strategy and looking ahead:
    Strong position of a news channel is a comprehensive mix of content, marketing and distribution. All going hand in hand.

    Having gained in ratings, Zee News, a pay channel in sharp contrast to the others that are free, will have to strive harder than the rest to maintain its gains.

    That’s why Zee News is attempting to broadbase its ‘thought’ leadership with out-of-the-box programming strategy. An example is Jinnah vs Jinnah, a documentary on Pakistan’s founding father who is still creating political turbulence in modern India. “A timely film (Bharatiya Janata party president LK Advani came under fire for terming Jinnah a secularist), Jinnah established our editorial maturity and thought leadership further,” Goel claims.

    Quite a few prime time shows too were refurbished on Zee News this year with the discontinuation of News at 9 pm and making the Prime Time 9 as a one-hour definitive news package where the first 30 minutes are dedicated to top stories of the day and the latter half devoted to a special story on weekdays.

    On the other hand, Star News is attempting to create a programming line-up, apart from news bulletins, that is reflective of innovations like developing new time bands. Shankar names shows like Wah Cricket!, Sansani and Insaaf ka Taraazu on different time bands in this regard.

    “None of the news channels associated afternoon viewing with news channels. We were the first to develop this time band by introducing a show like Saas Bahu Aur Saazish to drive traffic during the afternoons,” Shankar explains, adding, “Suddenly afternoons have grown to be a strong time band.”

    Aaj Tak too is giving itself time and options to experiment with news-based programming, though it refuses to spell out the details. “Obviously I would not like to go into the specifics about our strategy, but we will be experimenting with new subjects and fresh treatments of some existing programmes,” Naqvi states.

    In the recent past, Aaj Tak has re-branded news segments such as Dus Tak, the late bulletin at 10 pm and Aaj Subha in the mornings. “Not only have the look and feel of these shows been changed, but the focus too has shifted to give the news coverage more depth,” Naqvi elucidates.

    Pointing out that Aaj Tak’s new programming initiatives have yielded results, Naqvi claims, “The success of newer shows only strengthens our conviction that news has a wide appeal that has to do more with the inclusion of a variety of subjects in news programming, rather than sensationalising or trivialising news.”

    Advertising Income:
    Has the change in channel positions started having its impact on ad revenues on the various players as yet? Not as of now but when rates come up for renegotiation, it likely will. Says Starcom South Asia CEO Ravi Kiran: “Normally we have bulk annual deals done in the industry. So the present turnarounds, basically issue-driven, will not affect the rates. A smart media planner should always be ready to handle such risks. But when the rates come for a revision, such factors may play a role.”

    Concurs the CEO of another big media agency: “It is a supply-on-demand market and such changes wouldn’t have a dynamic impact on the rates. We should wait and watch to know what such changes would do to the rates. Yes, when the rates come for the annual revision, the market positions and rankings would play an important role.”

    Conclusion:
    In a nut shell, it has been largely observed that natural or man-made disasters do help the news channels in attracting newer audiences, but this effect is temporary. The gain in viewership has to be sustained through convincing programming, otherwise stray viewers go back to the channel they are used to viewing.

    (Despite several reminders, NDTV and India TV declined to offer any inputs to this report)

  • TV channels undecided on apology scrolling

    TV channels undecided on apology scrolling

    NEW DELHI: The Indian government made it clear to TV channels yesterday that those guilty of breaching advertising code would have to publicly apologize, though channel managements are still undecided on future course of action.

    The ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a warning to 43 channels directing them to carry a scroll for three days regretting airing surrogate advertisements of liquor and tobacco products in violation of rules.

    The scroll to be aired reads thus: “Ministry of information & broadcasting issues a warning to X channel for telecasting surrogate advertisements of liquor/tobacco products in violation of advertising code. X channel regrets this and apologies for the same. We assure to be more careful in future.”

    A gaggle of broadcasters, under the aegis of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), met ministry officials on Friday in an attempt to seek a resolution to, what a broadcaster described as, “uncalled for public humiliation.”

    The broadcast industry contention was that the government is unnecessarily objecting to ads of products and companies, which may have other legitimate businesses apart from tobacco and liquor products.

    Moreover, with the ASCI now given more teeth to regulate ads put out by companies, broadcasters argued, running a scroll of apology for three days would amount to financial setback and space loss for important news alerts too.

    However, the ministry officials were firm on their stand as, according to one of them, “too much pressure” was being exerted on the I&B ministry from parliamentarians who have criticized the ministry for inaction against surrogate advertising publicizing liquor and tobacco products on TV channels.

    The channels issued show-cause notice will be required to carry the warning scroll round the clock for three consecutive days on their respective channel from 18-21 August 2006.

    Still, the channels are undecided on future course of action and, according to information available, are also seeking legal advice on the matter.

    The channels that have been issued the warning are Aaj Tak, Animal Planet, B4U, Balle Balle, Channel V, CNBC TV-18, Discovery, ESPN, ETV Bangla, ETV Kannada, ETV Marathi, ETV-2, HBO, Headlines Today, India TV, MTV, National
    Geographic, NDTV 24X7, Raj TV, S S Music, SABe TV, Sahara Bihar, Sahara One and Sahara Samay.

    The list also includes Set Max, Sony Entertainment, Star Gold, Star Movies, Star One, Star Plus, SUN TV, Tara News, Ten Sports, TEZ, TV-9, Zee Bangla, Zee Café, Zee Gujarati, Zee Marathi, Zee News, Zee Sports, Zee Studio and Zoom.

    Rule 7(2)(viii)(A) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 states that “no advertisement shall be permitted which promotes directly or indirectly production, sale or consumption of cigarettes, tobacco products, wine, alcohol, liquor or other intoxicants.”

    In an official statement issued today, the I&B ministry said apart from liquor and tobacco ads, certain objectionable and indecent advertisements of undergarments were also found to have been telecast, which should be stopped immediately.

  • Star Ananda ranks second amongst all TV channels in Tam week 13

    Star Ananda ranks second amongst all TV channels in Tam week 13

    MUMBAI: Bengali television viewers have delivered a startling verdict on STAR Ananda, according to the latest TAM ratings. The Channel has bested all except ETV Bangla amongst the General Entertainment Channels, while leaving news channels trailing far behind, an unprecedented feat in television viewing!

    In Kolkata, STAR Ananda delivered a reach of 2,460,000 as compared to ETV Bangla’s 2,797,000 and ahead of Aakaash Bangla at 2,423,000 (TG: CS 15+; TAM Wk 13 – 26th Mar – 1st Apr 2006). Closest news competitor Tara News achieved a reach of only 1,492,000. In all of West Bengal, STAR Ananda meanwhile notched an impressive reach of 3,404,000 behind only ETV Bangla. Meanwhile, Tara Newz languished far behind at 2,089,000 amongst the news channels.

    STAR Ananda’s election-related programming has also been well received, with its array of special programmes for the West Bengal State Assembly Elections receiving the thumbs up from viewers. Bolun Bidhayak – STAR Ananda’s live on-ground debates pitting the bidhayaks against the electorate – provided exciting numbers grabbing 49% marketshare in the 9 pm to pm slot and 58% in the 1.30 pm to 2.30 slots amongst all news channels. Meanwhile, Jot, Ghot, Vote – STAR Ananda’s election-specific bulletin – captured 57% in the 5.30 to 6 pm slot and 56% marketshare in the 8.30 to9 pm slot (Mon-Sat).

    This record showing for STAR Ananda comes on the heels of an impressive TAM Week 12 for the Channel where it garnered 50% marketshare in Kolkata and 48% in the Rest of West Bengal and featured all 40 of the top 40 programmes, and 49 of the top 50 programmes in the Rest of West Bengal.

    STAR Ananda has constantly scored with its programming, positioning and packaging, bravely showcasing the people’s point of view. The recent ratings are merely a huge endorsement of its stand to empower viewers. Having introduced a paradigm shift in news broadcasting, this unambiguous success of STAR Ananda will leave much to be desired from other Channels.

  • Draft Broadcast Bill: Big brother wants to do more than just watch

    Draft Broadcast Bill: Big brother wants to do more than just watch

    The draft broadcast regulations that the government is trying to put in place has its merits and demerits, but what is shocking is the way the lawmakers are going about the whole thing, most of which is shrouded in secrecy.

    That the draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2006, doing the rounds of ministries for feedback, is restrictive — to put it mildly — and draconian in parts is a story itself. But what is a bigger story is an attempt by the Congress-led coalition government to steamroll legislation through without taking industry stakeholders and others into confidence, thus making a mockery of democratic norms.

    It is a calculated effort to muzzle the media in general and incapacitate the electronic medium, which has its own powers because of the impact of visuals, in particular.
    _____****_____

    The attempt of the information and broadcasting ministry to quietly draft regulations for the Cabinet’s consideration, while denying at the same time that anything of that sort even exists, amplifies that the blustering of I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi is not all gas. It is a calculated effort to muzzle the media in general and incapacitate the electronic medium, which has its own powers because of the impact of visuals, in particular.

    Cross media restrictions, powers bestowed on authorities to take action against the media and TV channels on the flimsiest of grounds, content censorship (which is being drafted separately, but could be made part of this Bill or legislation at a later stage) are all aimed at strangling the media.

    What make things scary is that the proposed autonomous Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India (Brai) has been given powers that permit it to run amok if interpreted incorrectly by it. Especially when Brai’s chief executive would be a serving government official of additional secretary’s rank, drawing a salary from the government and, naturally, having allegiance to the government.

    The flip side is that not all the clauses in the draft Broadcast Bill 2006 are new. Some of them do exist in some form or other in the Cable TV Network (Regulation) Act and other pieces of media legislation. References to cross media restrictions were made in the Broadcast Bill of 1997 too. And remember that never got past a joint parliamentary committee set up to examine it after being tabled in Parliament.

    The 1997 Bill stated that a person or a company will be allowed to hold licences in only one of the following category of services: Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting, Terrestrial Television Broadcasting, Satellite Television or Radio Broadcasting, DTH Broadcasting, Local Delivery Services and any other category of services, which may be notified by the Central government.

    In 1997, restriction of monopolies was more targeted towards newspaper houses. The Bill then had said that no proprietor of a newspaper will either be a participant with “more than 20 per cent interest in or control a body corporate, which is the holder of a licence to provide a licensed service under this Act.”

    Without criticizing a government’s right to make a law, what needs to be seen in a broader context is the way that right is used in a democratic setup.
    _____****_____

    This time round, the government has allowed interest in various segments of the media business, but capped them so low that effective concentration of power is totally neutralised to the extent of threatening to destroy various business models.

    Without criticizing a government’s right to make a law, what needs to be seen in a broader context is the way that right is used in a democratic setup.

    If we examine the draft of the content regulation, prepared by a sub-panel of a 30-member committee overseen by I&B secretary SK Arora, it hints at stringent content regulation, particularly for news channels. If okayed by lawmakers in its present state, it could well be the end of sting operations and coverage of issues where high profile politicians and personalities are involved.

    Sample this part: “TV channels must not use material relating to a person’s personal or private affairs or which invades an individual’s privacy unless there is an identifiable public interest reason for the material to be broadcast.”

    Who decides what constitutes an individual’s privacy? The government or the regulator? What this means of course is that it’s all up for interpretation.

    It is this scope for interpretation that is the most fearful aspect of this bill. More so since the onus of proving identifiable public interest lies with the TV channel and not the other way round.

    Additionally, the flat-footedness of the media industry and lack of consensus on important issues amongst the various stakeholders is incomprehensible, to say the least. The surprise that the draft Broadcast Bill 2006 — even if it’s an early draft for argument’s sake — has sprung on the TV industry, shows that people have been caught napping. Or, the industry thought the government was just talking gas.

    Either way, Delhi seems to be having the last laugh. Hang on, maybe not yet. There may still be some time left for saner voices in the government to stand up.

    But for that to happen, the media industry needs to project a united stand. Something like what was demonstrated when the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988 had attempted to bring in a piece of legislation to muzzle the media. It took weeks of concerted opposition from Indian journalists to scupper an initiative to revise the law on defamation. It may be recalled that the government had rushed the Defamation Bill through the lower house of Parliament in August of that year.

    When we last commented on the ramifications of the Broadcast Bill, we expressed the view that there is a feeling of déj? vu that it may be another exercise in futility.

    It could well be in the industry’s collective interest to ensure that the draconian aspects of the Broadcast Bill suffer the same fate as the Defamation Bill of 1988.

    There are several ways of voicing their grievances and making sure that the industry voice reaches the powers-that-be. Indiantelevision.com believes it can function as a forum for debate, and would love to have comments from various constituents of the industry on the Broadcast Bill 2006.

    Send in your mails to editor@indiantelevision.com. And let’s work towards building a more robust television sector – keeping in mind the government, the industry and foremost of all, the consumer.

  • Broadcaster files case against hotel for showing TV channels without permission

    MUMBAI: A hotel Enclave in the Mumbai suburb of Khar was raided a few days ago for violation of copyright and theft of signals of ESPN Star Sports and Zee turner. Raid was jointly carried out by ESPN Star Sports and Zee Turner through its authorised representatives Novex Communication.

    An FIR was filed by along with equipments/related materials from the hotel. The equipments and related materials was also seized by the police.

    The hotel needs to take authorisation from the broadcaster directly and not through any cable operator/MSO. Under section 2(7) 1930 of sales of goods Act, if any channel is shown without our permission, it’s against the copyright act.

    Novex Communication GM Anurag Parmar says, “We once again request all commercial establishments, hotels and everybody who does this kind of thing to please avoid it.”

  • Broadcast Bill still has minefields to clear before becoming law

    Broadcast Bill still has minefields to clear before becoming law

    So the government again renews its long-in-the-trying attempt to get broadcast regulation in place. Is it just us or is this feeling of déj? vu that it may be another exercise in futility shared by the industry as well?

    Still, that doesn’t take away the importance of having a comprehensive legislation for the sector that is estimated to be worth Rs 427 billion in 2010 according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers report presented at this year’s Ficci Frames convention.

    The Broadcasting Bill has been dangling on an uncertain thread for close to a decade now. Several information and broadcasting (I&B) ministers in several governments, who have tried to maneuver it past the corridors of the houses of Parliament and into law, have come and gone. All have failed; none have had the drive to push it through. It has proved to be an untouchable piece of legislation; a hot potato that is dropped every time an effort is made.

    The Bill tries to address the issue of encouraging domestic originating content on TV channels by mandating a 15 per cent share for it.
    _____****_____

    Another attempt is being made to enact the covered-with-dust Bill. A draft has been prepared for the Union Cabinet’s persual and initial indications are that it is going to impact almost everyone in the broadcasting food chain. It is slated to be introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon session by not-even-a-year-in-the-seat I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.

    I&B ministry secretary SK Arora has been working for a long time on putting together the document. Help has been sought from several quarters while drafting the Bill: the US FCC, Casbaa in Hong Kong, other consultants, consumer groups and interested parties.

    The Bill tries to address the issue of encouraging domestic originating content on TV channels by mandating a 15 per cent share for it. Then it caps cross media ownership at 20 per cent, and even share of voice for a TV channel or cable TV network nationally at 15 per cent. A Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India (Brai) is to be set up (have we not heard this one before?), which will monitor the content on TV channels and oversee the broadcast industry in all its aspects the same way as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India does in the telecom sector.

    No broadcaster or cable TV operator is going to cede power and control they have acquired over the years they have been operating in India.
    _____****_____

    The first piece of legislation is more than welcome and should in the medium to long term give a boost to local TV production and more so animation. Of course, it goes without saying that it is in the interest of local broadcasters to create local content that appeals to audiences and there’s no running away from it if they are seeking to make money out of the market. That they have so largely shied away from doing so, may be part of their business plan. There will be some bickering about this by some of the players.

    Of course, the government will have to specify whether the 15 per cent content cap relates to fresh domestic prime time content or to recycled content. Remember some broadcasters might buy garbage worthy shows dirt cheap and put them on air late at night in order to fulfil the legislative norms.

    Additionally, a transition period will have to be specified so that the domestic production industry gears up to deliver the quality animation and programming that is demanded internationally, so that international broadcasters can – if they want – buy worldwide rights.

    On the whole, over time the 15 per cent imposition could well catapult TV documentary makers and animation studios into the next level. Though some argue that the cap should be higher, it is a good start.

    That is just the soft part of the Bill though. Trying to control share of voice and restricting cross media ownership are two clauses that are arguably going to get the entire Bill stuck in a quagmire; lot of it political. Reason: hectic lobbying is going to commence to do away with them. It is these clauses which in the past have prevented the Bill from becoming a law. And, it is quite likely to do the same once again.

    No broadcaster or cable TV operator is going to cede power and control they have acquired over the years they have been operating in India. Many of their business models are based on this power.

    The setting up of Brai is another moot point. It’s about time a content watchdog was set up. The other option is that the industry kowtows to a xenophobic government’s every content concern and censorship demand.

    Additionally, the draft Bill fails to clearly address broadcasting in a converged era to hand held devices and mobile phones.

    A key question everyone is asking: will the Bill go through this time? It looks unlikely to have an easy ride and, in all probability, will be knocked into another shape and form. Or, it may end up being still born. Its passage will depend on how much pressure the I&B mandarins — and the Congress-led coalition government — are willing to withstand not only from the Opposition, but also allies, some of whose sympathisers have big media dreams in East and South India.

  • Tariffs for CAS areas: Trai seeks industry feedback

    Tariffs for CAS areas: Trai seeks industry feedback

    NEW DELHI: The broadcast regulator is at it again — issuing another set of consultation paper on cable TV prices for CAS areas.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today floated a paper on amendments to the tariff order for CAS areas asking stakeholders whether the regulator should fix the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of TV channels, amongst other things.

    The last date for the industry to give feedback is 5 July 2006, the day when the government is supposed to revert to the Delhi High Court on the status of CAS rollout in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai.

    Pointing out that the latest initiative is at he behest of the industry, Trai said, “Several stakeholders (had) suggested fixation of ceilings for individual channels. Since this is at variance with the earlier decision of Trai, it was considered appropriate to undertake a fresh consultation on the specific issues of regulation of tariff in CAS areas.”

    A Trai, official, however, denied that these consultation papers would any way affect a court case on CAS or that it would give the government some breathing space when it updates the judiciary on CAS’ rollout plans.

    “The issue of consultation papers and government’s stand on CAS are different matters,” the official stressed, refusing to expand any further.

    On 10 March 2006, the Delhi High Court had directed that CAS be implemented in three cities within a month’s time after being petitioned by a group of MSOs.

    Subsequently, the I&B ministry had held a series of meetings with industry stakeholders and consumer groups and had submitted to the court that for an effective rollout of CAS an additional 265 days were needed.

    The court, after making clear its disapproval of such suggestions and penalizing the ministry Rs. 100,000 (RS 1 lakh) for delay, asked the government to come back with a final implementation plan by 5 July.

    The regulator’s fresh consultation paper covers the following issues:

    i) Should Trai fix the maximum retail price for each individual channel?

    ii) If so, what should be the methodology and principles to be adopted for the same?

    iii) Should Trai promote individual choice of channels by fixation of the maximum price as a percentage of the average price of a channel in a bouquet and, if so, what should be this percentage?

    (iv) If the individual MRPs are fixed by Trai, along with a formula as indicated, should TRAI also regulate the maximum permissible discount for the bouquet of channels? If so what should be the discount and what are the principles on which this should be calculated?

    (v) The choice of the precise option out of the several alternatives to regulate prices in a CAS environment.

  • Reliance, Orbit target Middle East hospitality industry with RiTV

    Reliance, Orbit target Middle East hospitality industry with RiTV

    MUMBAI: Telecom service provider Reliance Communications in association with Orbit Communications Company (OCC) has launched RiTV, which is an interactive television, broadband and media solution.

    OCC and Reliance Communications have introduced a “Go to Market Strategy” that offers a variety of interactive TV services. RiTV was demonstrated at the three-day ‘The Hotel Show’ held at the World Trade Centre, Dubai.

    The new multi media solution delivers on-demand entertainment, internet access and information services through an intuitive interface. It is said to be compatible with a variety of television screens including Plasma and LCD screens and through a remote and keyboard multiple service offerings can be accessed.

    RiTV is believed to present opportunities to develop a new revenue stream for Hotels.

    RiTV CEO Gurjeet Sandhu has been quoted in media reports as saying, “The cutting edge guest room media solution offers new incremental revenue streams for hoteliers. We look forward to tap the tremendous potential of RiTV to all existing hotels as well as thousands of hotels scheduled for construction in the Middle East.”

    The latest Hotel Interactive system, is expected to enhance the customer value proposition for the hospitality industry in the Middle East. Through an interface with a hotel’s Property Management System, it also has the ability to extract data relating to customer behaviour and preferences.

    OCC business development manager Fadi Ghazzaoui added, “RiTV is a powerful interactive guest room solution offering high quality experience for guests. The system can be customised as per the need of hoteliers and has capabilities to be scaled up to meet the future needs of hotels and their guests. We will also offer integrated solutions encompassing a gamut of TV Channels, movies, Internet via Satellite and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions to the Hospitality market.”

  • TV channels can still seek downlink OK: Govt

    TV channels can still seek downlink OK: Govt

    NEW DELHI: Television channels that have not yet applied for registration under downlink norms in India need not loose heart, though the deadline expired on 11 May 2006.

    The government said that a channel can apply for registration in India for re-distribution clearance even after the expiry of the deadline.
    However, there is a rider. Those applying for landing rights after 11 May 2006 would not be carried by cable networks legally till the time the government gives it a clearance.

    “There’s no bar on TV channels applying for registration still. The only difference being that such channels can only be seen in Indian cable homes once the government clears them, which may take longer time compared to those who applied within the deadline,” an official of the information and broadcasting ministry told Indiantelevision.com today.

    Last week, the government had clarified that from 11 May, all TV channels uplinking from outside India and having applied for registration with the government by that date could be carried on cable networks for the next six months or till the time government decides on their applications.

    The official explained that a channel applying for registration after the deadline would be given less priority compared to those who made an attempt to adhere to norms within the stipulated time.

    The registration process is two-fold. First a TV channel will be registered with the government, which will make it easier for the authorities to monitor errant ones on various counts, including breach of the programming code.

    Second, an authorized company, responsible for the actions of a channel beaming into India, will be registered. This entity can either be an authorized distributor of a channel in India or the channel-owning company’s Indian subsidiary.

    Now that the deadline for adhering to downlink norms is over, the government will compile the information, including shareholding patterns, provided by various channels and companies and scrutinize their authenticity.

    “This task will take some time and that’s why we have indicated a six-month period. The work can be completed earlier also,” the ministry official pointed out.

    Conspicuous by their absence are Pakistan TV family of channels, including PTV, Geo TV, the ARY channels and Q TV.

    “If they haven’t applied for registration, then their carriage on any (Indian) cable network or a DTH platform (beaming to Indian consumers) would be termed illegal,” the I&B ministry categorically said.

    The ministry is also in the process of issuing a notification in this regard, which will amend the Cable TV Act of 1995 and the DTH guidelines to incorporate the features of downlink norms.

    “The notification in this regard should be out in a day or two,” the official said. The downlink norms, announced in November 2005, have been termed stringent by many a broadcaster and industry lobbying bodies.

    Those TV channels that have got permission to uplink from India will be deemed as registered after furnishing some additional details.

    Meanwhile, according to the I&B ministry’s website, a total of 65 TV channels have applied for registration till 11 May.

    The channels are Star Utsav, Star Plus, Star World, Star Gold, Star One, Star Movies, Channel V, Deutsche Welle TV, Angel TV, Hallmark Channel, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Star Vijay, Sony TV, Set Max, Animax, SET Pix, SAB(Sony), AXN, National Geographic Channel (NGC), History Channel, MTV, Nick, Vh 1, MTV2, Ten Sports, Channel News Asia, B4U Music, B4U Movies, Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel & Living, Animal Planet, Zee Studio, Zee Café, Zee Trendz, CNN International, HBO, POGO, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TV5 Monde, ESPN Sports, Star Sports, BBC World, Fashion TV, Voyages Television, Miracle Net TV, God TV, Reality TV, ABC Asia Pacific, Zee Arabia, Goal TV-1, Goal TV-2, Zee MGM, Day Star Television, DAN Tamil Ozhi, DAN Cinema, DAN Music, Trace TV, Euro News, Family Entertainment TV, CT Buzz, Raj Musix and Vissa TV.

    Indiantelevision.com learns that Essel Shyam, a joint venture between Shyam Electronics and Zee’s parent Essel Group, has applied for registration on behalf of over a dozen of TV channels, most of which are foreign owned.

  • 14 more TV channels apply for downlink okay

    14 more TV channels apply for downlink okay

    NEW DELHI: Fourteen more TV channels have applied for downlinking permission in India taking the total number to 55 as the deadline shutters down on 11 May.

    According to information posted on the website of the information and broadcasting ministry as of 11 May 1.10 a.m., the likes of ESPN, Star Sports, Reality TV, BBC World, Fashion TV and God TV were amongst those seeking landing rights in India.

    The government had stated all TV channels wishing to be downlinked into India will have to apply for landing rights after fulfilling various norms by 11 May 2006.

    The government had also clarified that from 11 May, all TV channels uplinking from outside India and having applied for registration with the government by that date could be carried on cable networks for the next six months or till the time government decides on their applications.

    The TV channels that have applied, according to the I&B ministry website, till 10 May include TV5 Monde, ESPN, Star Sports, BBC World, Fashion TV (that has applied under the entertainment category), Voyages Television, Miracle Net TV (entertainment), God TV(entertainment), Reality TV (entertainment), ABC Asia Pacific, Zee Arabia, Goal TV-1, Goal TV-2, MGM.

    The channels that sought landing rights earlier include Star Utsav, Star Plus, Star World, Star Gold, Star One, Star Movies, Channel V, Deutsche Welle TV, Angel TV, Hallmark Channel, Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Star Vijay, Sony TV, SET Max, Animax, SET Pix, SAB(Sony), AXN, National Geographic Channel, The History Channel, MTV, Nick,Vh 1, MTV2, Ten Sports, Channel News Asia, B4U Music, B4U Movies, Discovery, Discovery Travel & Living, Animal Planet, Zee Studio, Zee Café, Zee Trendz, CNN International, HBO, POGO, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network and Boomerang.

    The ministry has informed TV channels that those who have obtained uplinking permission from India before 2 December, 2005 are not required to file with the government for downlinking.

    These channels will also not be required to pay an initial fee of Rs. 500,000 on grant of permission agreement or the annual downlinking fee of Rs. 100,000 per channel.

    However, those TV channels obtaining uplink permission from the government after 2 December, 2005 are required to submit some additional information relating to downlink okay, but are exempt from any processing and annual fee.