ITV

Tag: V D Wadhwa

  • Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    MUMBAI: Siti Networks executive director & CEO V.D. Wadhwa has welcomed the Delhi High Court judgement which, on 3 November, overruled the orders passed by various other high courts whereby the stay granted for extension of digitisation for nine cases spanning four states in DAS Phase III will no longer be applicable.

    The DAS Phase III implementation deadline of 31 December 2015 had been impacted due to stay orders taken in various high courts. On the basis of the ministry of information & broadcasting’s recommendation, in April, the Supreme Court had transferred all cases related to extension of DAS Phase III deadline to the Delhi High Court, thus making it a designated court for all related matters.

    Welcoming the judgement, Wadhwa said that the dismissal of the nine cases by the Delhi High Court will pave the path for cable TV digitisation in phase III areas and allow for its timely implementation in phase IV localities as well.

    In his 3 November order, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva of the Delhi High Court’s single bench has directed all nine petitioners to run a scroll on their networks about digitization and switch off analog signals in three weeks. Justice Sachdeva also said that these cases were infructuous as the time sought for extension had already been given and the extension has well passed those dates. The nine cases for which the order was given are from four states, namely, Karnataka (Riddhi Vision, Victory Digital, Sri Chowdeshwary Cable Network, Yogesh Cable Networks, Amma TV), Kerala (Athulay Infomedia), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Panchajanya Media), and Uttar Pradesh (Sai Cable TV Network, Sunil Kr Singh).

    Wadhwa added: “Digitisation is very important for not just the consumers, who will get better service and more choice in terms of channel packages, but also for local cable operators, MSOs and broadcasters. It will allow for parity in sharing of revenues as per TRAI guidelines. This will also aid in increasing the internet penetration in the country and thus realizing the digital India dream. I would urge all concerned to immediately comply with the honorable court’s orders to seed digital set-top boxes and switching off of analog signals in three weeks’ time.”

    All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the industry body representing Multi System Operators (MSO), has asked all its members to work with broadcasters to switch off analogue signals and implement digitisation in DAS Phase III markets immediately in line with the court order.

    AIDCF has urged all LCOs, MSOs, broadcasters and government bodies to help complete digitisation at the earliest. In a separate mail sent to Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the apex body for television broadcasters, AIDCF has asked them to shut down analogue and broadcast digital signals only.

    Wadhwa, in his capacity as the president of AIDCF, thanked Justice Sachdeva for this important order to pave the way for digitisation.

  • Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

    MUMBAI: Siti Networks executive director & CEO V.D. Wadhwa has welcomed the Delhi High Court judgement which, on 3 November, overruled the orders passed by various other high courts whereby the stay granted for extension of digitisation for nine cases spanning four states in DAS Phase III will no longer be applicable.

    The DAS Phase III implementation deadline of 31 December 2015 had been impacted due to stay orders taken in various high courts. On the basis of the ministry of information & broadcasting’s recommendation, in April, the Supreme Court had transferred all cases related to extension of DAS Phase III deadline to the Delhi High Court, thus making it a designated court for all related matters.

    Welcoming the judgement, Wadhwa said that the dismissal of the nine cases by the Delhi High Court will pave the path for cable TV digitisation in phase III areas and allow for its timely implementation in phase IV localities as well.

    In his 3 November order, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva of the Delhi High Court’s single bench has directed all nine petitioners to run a scroll on their networks about digitization and switch off analog signals in three weeks. Justice Sachdeva also said that these cases were infructuous as the time sought for extension had already been given and the extension has well passed those dates. The nine cases for which the order was given are from four states, namely, Karnataka (Riddhi Vision, Victory Digital, Sri Chowdeshwary Cable Network, Yogesh Cable Networks, Amma TV), Kerala (Athulay Infomedia), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Panchajanya Media), and Uttar Pradesh (Sai Cable TV Network, Sunil Kr Singh).

    Wadhwa added: “Digitisation is very important for not just the consumers, who will get better service and more choice in terms of channel packages, but also for local cable operators, MSOs and broadcasters. It will allow for parity in sharing of revenues as per TRAI guidelines. This will also aid in increasing the internet penetration in the country and thus realizing the digital India dream. I would urge all concerned to immediately comply with the honorable court’s orders to seed digital set-top boxes and switching off of analog signals in three weeks’ time.”

    All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the industry body representing Multi System Operators (MSO), has asked all its members to work with broadcasters to switch off analogue signals and implement digitisation in DAS Phase III markets immediately in line with the court order.

    AIDCF has urged all LCOs, MSOs, broadcasters and government bodies to help complete digitisation at the earliest. In a separate mail sent to Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the apex body for television broadcasters, AIDCF has asked them to shut down analogue and broadcast digital signals only.

    Wadhwa, in his capacity as the president of AIDCF, thanked Justice Sachdeva for this important order to pave the way for digitisation.

  • Q1-17: Siti revenue, EBIDTA up

    Q1-17: Siti revenue, EBIDTA up

    BENGALURU: The Dr Subhash Chandra led newly renamed Siti Networks Limited (Siti) formerly known as Siti Cable Network Limited, reported 22.7 percent and 28.7 year-over-year growth in operating revenue and EBIDTA for the quarter ended 30 June 2106 (Q1-17, current quarter). Siti’s revenue in the current quarter was Rs 281.97 crore as compared to Rs 229.72 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. EBIDTA (including other income) in Q1-17 was Rs 47.41 crore (16.8 percent margin) versus Rs 36.84 crore (16 percent margin). Loss however was higher in Q1-17 at Rs 52.61 crore as opposed to a loss of Rs 36.68 crore in Q1-16.

    The company says that its digital subscriber base has grown to 84 lakh during the current quarter from 79 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. For Q1-16, the company had reported a digital subscriber base of 55.80 lakh. It says that it has expanded its footprint to 387 cities across the country in Q1-17 as compared to 312 cities at the end of the immediate trailing quarter. Broadband subscriber base has increased quarter-over-quarter in Q1-17 to 1.67 lakh from 1.32 lakh in Q4-16. HD Services: Siti says that it has strengthened its SITI HD+ services by expanding its bouquet to 57 HD channels. SITI HD+ customer base increased 65,140, up 29.8 percent over Q4-16 (50,170).

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company for Q1-17

    Subscription revenue in the current quarter increased 8 percent in Q1-17 y-o-y to Rs 139.3 crore from Rs 129 crore. Carriage revenue declined slightly to Rs 72 crore from Rs 79 crore, while activation charges almost tripled (2.93 times) to Rs 36.6 crore from Rs 12.5 crore. Broadband revenue more than doubled in the current quarter to Rs 19.5 crore from Rs 9 crore in Q1-16.

    Other Income more than doubled to Rs 4.92 crore in Q1-17 from Rs 2.44 crore in Q1-16.  Finance costs in the current quarter reduced to Rs 29.67 crore from Rs 34.39 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Total Expenditure increased to Rs 294.20 crore from Rs 231.16 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Employee Benefit Expense increased to Rs 19.12 crore in the current quarter from Rs 13.33 crore in Q1-16.  Carriage sharing, pay channel and related costs in Q1-17 increased to Rs 148.44 crore from Rs 135.70 crore in Q1-16.

    Company speak

    Siti executive director & CEO, V D Wadhwa said, “We expanded our reach further by branching out to 387 cities in line with our strategy of select market expansion. We have established our broadband presence in Haryana and expect to significantly expand our subscriber base this year.

    Recurring cash flows were sluggish due to delays in Phase 3 monetization on account of legal bottlenecks. However, we expect a time bound resolution by the second half of the year and limited long term impact of this issue. We are well prepared for improved monetization of our subscriber base.”

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

  • Q1-17: Siti revenue, EBIDTA up

    Q1-17: Siti revenue, EBIDTA up

    BENGALURU: The Dr Subhash Chandra led newly renamed Siti Networks Limited (Siti) formerly known as Siti Cable Network Limited, reported 22.7 percent and 28.7 year-over-year growth in operating revenue and EBIDTA for the quarter ended 30 June 2106 (Q1-17, current quarter). Siti’s revenue in the current quarter was Rs 281.97 crore as compared to Rs 229.72 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. EBIDTA (including other income) in Q1-17 was Rs 47.41 crore (16.8 percent margin) versus Rs 36.84 crore (16 percent margin). Loss however was higher in Q1-17 at Rs 52.61 crore as opposed to a loss of Rs 36.68 crore in Q1-16.

    The company says that its digital subscriber base has grown to 84 lakh during the current quarter from 79 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter. For Q1-16, the company had reported a digital subscriber base of 55.80 lakh. It says that it has expanded its footprint to 387 cities across the country in Q1-17 as compared to 312 cities at the end of the immediate trailing quarter. Broadband subscriber base has increased quarter-over-quarter in Q1-17 to 1.67 lakh from 1.32 lakh in Q4-16. HD Services: Siti says that it has strengthened its SITI HD+ services by expanding its bouquet to 57 HD channels. SITI HD+ customer base increased 65,140, up 29.8 percent over Q4-16 (50,170).

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company for Q1-17

    Subscription revenue in the current quarter increased 8 percent in Q1-17 y-o-y to Rs 139.3 crore from Rs 129 crore. Carriage revenue declined slightly to Rs 72 crore from Rs 79 crore, while activation charges almost tripled (2.93 times) to Rs 36.6 crore from Rs 12.5 crore. Broadband revenue more than doubled in the current quarter to Rs 19.5 crore from Rs 9 crore in Q1-16.

    Other Income more than doubled to Rs 4.92 crore in Q1-17 from Rs 2.44 crore in Q1-16.  Finance costs in the current quarter reduced to Rs 29.67 crore from Rs 34.39 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Total Expenditure increased to Rs 294.20 crore from Rs 231.16 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Employee Benefit Expense increased to Rs 19.12 crore in the current quarter from Rs 13.33 crore in Q1-16.  Carriage sharing, pay channel and related costs in Q1-17 increased to Rs 148.44 crore from Rs 135.70 crore in Q1-16.

    Company speak

    Siti executive director & CEO, V D Wadhwa said, “We expanded our reach further by branching out to 387 cities in line with our strategy of select market expansion. We have established our broadband presence in Haryana and expect to significantly expand our subscriber base this year.

    Recurring cash flows were sluggish due to delays in Phase 3 monetization on account of legal bottlenecks. However, we expect a time bound resolution by the second half of the year and limited long term impact of this issue. We are well prepared for improved monetization of our subscriber base.”

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

  • Siti & DishTV opt for Conax conditional access

    Siti & DishTV opt for Conax conditional access

    MUMBAI: The Essel group has been using Conax’s tech for sometime now for its Siti Network (earlier known as Siti Cable). Now the group has extended that partnership for another product for both Siti Network and DTH operator Dish TV India. This time it is for the cardless set top boxes that the two are slated to roll out.

    Based on the flagship Conax ContegoTM security hub, the Conax Cardless conditional access (CA) technology will be a key and essential security component integrated in the chipsets, which will enable use of multiple layers of content protection in the new Dish TV India and SITI Networks cardless STBs.

    Conax Cardless technology employs a unique combination of hardware security and software security providing a hardware root of trust for the best level of protection. The secure software is executed within a purpose-built hardware protected environment (Secure Execution Environment) within the chipset.

    The Conax Cardless technology provides seamless co-existence with legacy smart card population, all based on a single, unified back-end, meaning in any operation only one back-end is necessary
    “With the growing competitive landscape in the operator segment, and the need for access to costly premium content and at the same time keeping operational costs low, it is essential to employ flexible solutions that also offer a high level of security as we look to continue to grow our business”, says Dish TV India managing director Jawahar Goel. “Conax has been a long term partner and we believe their strong security solutions will continue to provide an important layer of security to our growing pay-TV business already servicing over 13 million subscribers.”

    “As we continue to advance our footprint in the Indian cable TV market and venture into digitization in phase 3 and phase 4 markets it is essential that new and cost-effective security solutions are available to us. SITI Networks is pleased to further its existing relationship with Conax and implement the Conax cardless technology going forward in our markets,” says Siti Networks CEO & executive director V.D. Wadhwa.

    “Conax’ long term relationship and partnership with the Essel group reaches a new milestone today as we look to further strengthen both the Dish TV and SITI Networks platforms and help expand its customer base with a new high security, flexible and revolutionary solution,” says Conax president & CEO Morten Solbakken. “With this unique concept they are well positioned to capture additional new market share and protect the premium content demanded by savvy consumers. We are honored to work together with Essel Group in the next step of their journey.”

  • Siti & DishTV opt for Conax conditional access

    Siti & DishTV opt for Conax conditional access

    MUMBAI: The Essel group has been using Conax’s tech for sometime now for its Siti Network (earlier known as Siti Cable). Now the group has extended that partnership for another product for both Siti Network and DTH operator Dish TV India. This time it is for the cardless set top boxes that the two are slated to roll out.

    Based on the flagship Conax ContegoTM security hub, the Conax Cardless conditional access (CA) technology will be a key and essential security component integrated in the chipsets, which will enable use of multiple layers of content protection in the new Dish TV India and SITI Networks cardless STBs.

    Conax Cardless technology employs a unique combination of hardware security and software security providing a hardware root of trust for the best level of protection. The secure software is executed within a purpose-built hardware protected environment (Secure Execution Environment) within the chipset.

    The Conax Cardless technology provides seamless co-existence with legacy smart card population, all based on a single, unified back-end, meaning in any operation only one back-end is necessary
    “With the growing competitive landscape in the operator segment, and the need for access to costly premium content and at the same time keeping operational costs low, it is essential to employ flexible solutions that also offer a high level of security as we look to continue to grow our business”, says Dish TV India managing director Jawahar Goel. “Conax has been a long term partner and we believe their strong security solutions will continue to provide an important layer of security to our growing pay-TV business already servicing over 13 million subscribers.”

    “As we continue to advance our footprint in the Indian cable TV market and venture into digitization in phase 3 and phase 4 markets it is essential that new and cost-effective security solutions are available to us. SITI Networks is pleased to further its existing relationship with Conax and implement the Conax cardless technology going forward in our markets,” says Siti Networks CEO & executive director V.D. Wadhwa.

    “Conax’ long term relationship and partnership with the Essel group reaches a new milestone today as we look to further strengthen both the Dish TV and SITI Networks platforms and help expand its customer base with a new high security, flexible and revolutionary solution,” says Conax president & CEO Morten Solbakken. “With this unique concept they are well positioned to capture additional new market share and protect the premium content demanded by savvy consumers. We are honored to work together with Essel Group in the next step of their journey.”

  • Siti Networks says price revision benefits will accrue in second half

    Siti Networks says price revision benefits will accrue in second half

    MUMBAI: DAS paralysis in phase III markets is having an impact on Siti Networks (Siti Cable) performance. This was revealed by CEO V. D. Wadhwa to CNBC TV18 today.

    Speaking to the business news channel, he said that Siti Networks target was to roll out an additional five million boxes in the ongoing year. But this would not be likely met as “Phase-III digitisation is currently on hold and because the matter is subjudice in Delhi High Court, so it has been delayed. So, it all depends on that, but we are hoping that if the matter gets decided by the court in the next one or two months, we should still be able to deliver our original target, otherwise there will be some shortfall.”

    Vadhwa informed CNBC TV18 that the company has set its sights on 250,000 broadband subscribers (currently 130,000) by March 2017 and around 200,000 plus subscribers for its 57 HD channel bouquet. The company had hoped to hit 300,000 HD subscribers but has had to scale back its numbers as the HD market “is not moving the way we expected the it to grow. We are carrying the inventory; we are carrying the content but we have pulled back on our HD subscriber numbers.”

    He pointed out the benefits of the price revision that company has resorted to will be felt in the second half of the year. “Earlier we were operating with four packages. Now we have reduced the packages and now total three package is there. Basic package and then the royal and magnum package. So, the price increase at the consumer level is in the range of weighted average, roughly Rs 40 increase in the prices and we are targeting that at least half of this should flow back to us. At least Rs 15-20 is what we are targeting that should flow back to the company. So it has just happened in the month of July. In some market it has been revised in the month of July. Balance, it is getting revised in the month of August itself.”

  • Siti Networks says price revision benefits will accrue in second half

    Siti Networks says price revision benefits will accrue in second half

    MUMBAI: DAS paralysis in phase III markets is having an impact on Siti Networks (Siti Cable) performance. This was revealed by CEO V. D. Wadhwa to CNBC TV18 today.

    Speaking to the business news channel, he said that Siti Networks target was to roll out an additional five million boxes in the ongoing year. But this would not be likely met as “Phase-III digitisation is currently on hold and because the matter is subjudice in Delhi High Court, so it has been delayed. So, it all depends on that, but we are hoping that if the matter gets decided by the court in the next one or two months, we should still be able to deliver our original target, otherwise there will be some shortfall.”

    Vadhwa informed CNBC TV18 that the company has set its sights on 250,000 broadband subscribers (currently 130,000) by March 2017 and around 200,000 plus subscribers for its 57 HD channel bouquet. The company had hoped to hit 300,000 HD subscribers but has had to scale back its numbers as the HD market “is not moving the way we expected the it to grow. We are carrying the inventory; we are carrying the content but we have pulled back on our HD subscriber numbers.”

    He pointed out the benefits of the price revision that company has resorted to will be felt in the second half of the year. “Earlier we were operating with four packages. Now we have reduced the packages and now total three package is there. Basic package and then the royal and magnum package. So, the price increase at the consumer level is in the range of weighted average, roughly Rs 40 increase in the prices and we are targeting that at least half of this should flow back to us. At least Rs 15-20 is what we are targeting that should flow back to the company. So it has just happened in the month of July. In some market it has been revised in the month of July. Balance, it is getting revised in the month of August itself.”

  • Siticable partners dittoTV; to push OTT to cable TV and broadband subscribers

    Siticable partners dittoTV; to push OTT to cable TV and broadband subscribers

    MUMBAI: It was over the weekend that Zee Digital Convergence’s unleashed a TVC blitzkrieg, promoting its low priced over the top (OTT) service dittoTV. And now it has announced that it is partnering with Essel group cable TV MSO and sister company Siticable.

    As part of this, Siticable will be pushing the authentication and subscription to dittoTV from its portal to the subscribers of its cable TV service. Its broadband customers will be able to subscribe to OTT service at no extra cost to them. Siticable and dittoTV will do joint promotions on the ground even as last mile operators will also work on further distributing the OTT platform and servicing those who subscribe to it.

    Says dittoTV business head Archana Anand: “We are excited to be partnering with Siticable to give a push to our OTT service. We are looking at maximizing our distribution through the partnership. We launched our TVCs over the weekend and the response has been way beyond our expectations.”

    Adds SitiCable CEO V.D. Wadhwa: “The partnership is an exclusive one for Siticable as an MSO. And it is going to be a win win for both of us.”

    SitiCable has 12 million subscribers nationally to its cable TV service – an attractive potential captive audience for dittoTV.. Last mile operators who push the OTT service will benefit as a revenue share is being given to them.

    The 132,000 Siti Broadband users in Kolkata and Delhi are another lucrative bunch of potential subscribers for dittoTV, especially since it is being bundled with it and being given away free to them. In Delhi, SitiCable delivers broadband using Docsis 3,0 modems to its 30,000 odd subscribers while in Kolkata the number is in excess of 100,000 but the delivery mode is Ethernet on cable. Average revenue per user (ARPU), according to Wadhwa, in Delhi is at Rs 600 while in Kolkata it is Rs 500. While the average bandwidth consumption is 30 GB in Delhi, the figure is half that in the eastern city.

    “Broadband users will be able to watch dittoTV’s 100 channels on their laptops, tablets, and smart TVs in the comfort of their homes using our broadband,” says Wadhwa.

    That probably should lead to a lift in bandwidth consumption, say observers, and an increase in broadband ARPU for Siticable once customers start using the dittoTV app and streaming the linear 100-odd channels that it is providing.

    This apart, SitiCable’s cable TV subscribers, who are using other broadband services – dongles or Chromecast or what have you – will also be able to sign up and stream dittoTV on different devices.

    Anand says the two of them will observe how the partnership is panning out in its Delhi pilot before rolling it out into other towns. Overall she has already said ZDCL was looking at 6 million subscribers in FY-2017. Of these, she says about a million should come courtesy its SitiCable partnership.

    In all probability, dittoTV is going to serve as Siticable’s offering of an anywhere TV app – a la Tata Sky – as the operator says it is not interested in launching one of its own in the foreseeable future.

    As a recap, dittoTV was relaunched last month with an offer of 100 + Hindi, English and regional language channels (excepting Sun TV and Star India) encompassing general entertainment, sports, movies, news and lifestyle following its relaunch last month. It has come in as a low price warrior with its price tag being Rs 20 for a month, Rs 50 for three months, Rs 90 for six months and Rs 170 for a year.

    “We are definitely serious about OTT, hence we have priced it so low and are targeting large subscriber volumes,” says Anand. “We are investing in it for the future.”

  • Siticable partners dittoTV; to push OTT to cable TV and broadband subscribers

    Siticable partners dittoTV; to push OTT to cable TV and broadband subscribers

    MUMBAI: It was over the weekend that Zee Digital Convergence’s unleashed a TVC blitzkrieg, promoting its low priced over the top (OTT) service dittoTV. And now it has announced that it is partnering with Essel group cable TV MSO and sister company Siticable.

    As part of this, Siticable will be pushing the authentication and subscription to dittoTV from its portal to the subscribers of its cable TV service. Its broadband customers will be able to subscribe to OTT service at no extra cost to them. Siticable and dittoTV will do joint promotions on the ground even as last mile operators will also work on further distributing the OTT platform and servicing those who subscribe to it.

    Says dittoTV business head Archana Anand: “We are excited to be partnering with Siticable to give a push to our OTT service. We are looking at maximizing our distribution through the partnership. We launched our TVCs over the weekend and the response has been way beyond our expectations.”

    Adds SitiCable CEO V.D. Wadhwa: “The partnership is an exclusive one for Siticable as an MSO. And it is going to be a win win for both of us.”

    SitiCable has 12 million subscribers nationally to its cable TV service – an attractive potential captive audience for dittoTV.. Last mile operators who push the OTT service will benefit as a revenue share is being given to them.

    The 132,000 Siti Broadband users in Kolkata and Delhi are another lucrative bunch of potential subscribers for dittoTV, especially since it is being bundled with it and being given away free to them. In Delhi, SitiCable delivers broadband using Docsis 3,0 modems to its 30,000 odd subscribers while in Kolkata the number is in excess of 100,000 but the delivery mode is Ethernet on cable. Average revenue per user (ARPU), according to Wadhwa, in Delhi is at Rs 600 while in Kolkata it is Rs 500. While the average bandwidth consumption is 30 GB in Delhi, the figure is half that in the eastern city.

    “Broadband users will be able to watch dittoTV’s 100 channels on their laptops, tablets, and smart TVs in the comfort of their homes using our broadband,” says Wadhwa.

    That probably should lead to a lift in bandwidth consumption, say observers, and an increase in broadband ARPU for Siticable once customers start using the dittoTV app and streaming the linear 100-odd channels that it is providing.

    This apart, SitiCable’s cable TV subscribers, who are using other broadband services – dongles or Chromecast or what have you – will also be able to sign up and stream dittoTV on different devices.

    Anand says the two of them will observe how the partnership is panning out in its Delhi pilot before rolling it out into other towns. Overall she has already said ZDCL was looking at 6 million subscribers in FY-2017. Of these, she says about a million should come courtesy its SitiCable partnership.

    In all probability, dittoTV is going to serve as Siticable’s offering of an anywhere TV app – a la Tata Sky – as the operator says it is not interested in launching one of its own in the foreseeable future.

    As a recap, dittoTV was relaunched last month with an offer of 100 + Hindi, English and regional language channels (excepting Sun TV and Star India) encompassing general entertainment, sports, movies, news and lifestyle following its relaunch last month. It has come in as a low price warrior with its price tag being Rs 20 for a month, Rs 50 for three months, Rs 90 for six months and Rs 170 for a year.

    “We are definitely serious about OTT, hence we have priced it so low and are targeting large subscriber volumes,” says Anand. “We are investing in it for the future.”