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Tag: Videocon d2h

  • Videocon d2h reports another profitable quarter

    Videocon d2h reports another profitable quarter

    BENGALURU: Saurabh-Dhoot led Indian DTH player Videocon d2h reported profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 168 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2 FY 2017-18). The company had reported PAT of Rs 12 million for the immediate trailing quarter (Q1 FY 2017-18) and PAT of Rs 148 million for the corresponding year ago quarter (Q2 FY 2016-17). Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBIDTA) increased by 6.9 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) during the quarter under review to Rs 2,805 million from Rs 2,625 million. Adjusted EBIDTA less capital expenditure increased by 29.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,174 million as compared with Rs 907 million.

    Videocon d2h revenue from operations increased by 7.5 percent y-o-y during the quarter to Rs 8,346 million from Rs 7,762 million. Subscription and activation revenue increased by 8.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 7,701 million from Rs 7,107 million.

    Subscriber matrices

    The company’s subscriber base increased by 0.21 million during Q2 FY 2017-18 to 13.25 million from 13.04 million in the immediate trailing quarter. The company had a subscriber base of 12.52 million in Q2 FY 2016-17. Videocon d2h reported a quarterly subscriber churn of 0.62 percent, which was less than half the churn of 1.27 percent reported for Q1 FY 2017-18. Subscriber churn for Q2 FY 2016-17 was 0.95 percent. The company has reported higher average revenue per user (ARPU) of Rs 212 for the quarter under review as against Rs 198 for the immediate trailing quarter and Rs 209 for the corresponding year ago quarter.

    A look at the other numbers

    Total expenses rose by 7.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 7,357 million in Q2 FY 2017-18 from Rs 6,843 million Operating expenses increased by 8.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 4,391 million from Rs 4,052 million. Administration and other expenses jumped up by 50.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 276 million from Rs 183 million. Employee benefits expenses declined by 23.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 240 million from Rs 315 million. Selling and distribution expenses increased by 4.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 633 million from Rs 607 million.

    Company speak

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Dhoot said, “I am delighted to report that we have delivered a strong quarter and have reported the highest ever quarterly adjusted EBITDA in the history of Videocon d2h at INR 2.81 billion. More importantly, adjusted EBITDA per subscriber grew by double digits from the last quarter and came in at INR 71 per subscriber per month, supported by better revenue realisations and higher operational efficiencies.”

    He added, “We remain optimistic on the future outlook of the company as we merge with Dish TV India Ltd in the coming weeks, subject to receipt of approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The businesses of Videocon d2h and Dish TV India will be amalgamated for financial reporting purposes from October 1, 2017, the date appointed by the Honorable National Company Law Tribunal. We believe that the merged entity would be one of the largest pay TV platforms in the world in terms of subscriber base, according to company estimates. We are excited about the growth prospects of the merged entity given its large scale, solid business fundamentals, and a healthy balance sheet.”

  • Lionsgate sets up shop in India; appoints Rohit Jain as country head

    Lionsgate sets up shop in India; appoints Rohit Jain as country head

    MUMBAI: Global American content leader and NYSE-listed Lionsgate has finally set up shop in India to tap one of Asia’s biggest media markets. It has appointed Rohit Jain, a media industry veteran, to head the ops here as managing director.

    Jain, who till some time back worked with DTH operator Videocon d2h as deputy CEO for seven years contributing to the company’s growth in size and its Nasdaq listing, confirmed to Indiantelevision.com over phone his appointment and opening of the Mumbai office.

    Lionsgate India will spearhead all licensing to local linear and digital platforms in the territory from feature films, television series and library content under the Lionsgate and Starz brands.  It will work closely with the studio’s theatrical distribution partners to maximise box office for Lionsgate films, and it will partner with local production companies to develop intellectual property for theatrical release as well as distribution across other media platforms.

    Apart from that, Lionsgate India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of its American parent, will also explore investment opportunities throughout the Indian media market.

    “We’ve been focused on the enormous opportunity created by the Indian marketplace for years, and Rohit checks off all the boxes as the right executive to lead our business there,” said Lionsgate chief executive officer Jon Feltheimer in an official statement. 

    Feltheimer added: “Lionsgate brings to this territory a global content platform, an entrepreneurial mind set, and the agility of a next generation digital age company. Rohit is ideally qualified to leverage these strengths into accelerating growth and new business initiatives in the years ahead.”

    Lionsgate has been steadily expanding its global content platform with the continued growth of Lionsgate UK into a leading film and television production and distribution company, a growing operation in China that has established strong relationships with nearly all major platforms in the territory and increased the studio’s box office gross by 63 per cent from last year, and a new Canadian office that was opened in Toronto earlier this year.

    “I’m thrilled to join Jon and the rest of the Lionsgate team as we continue to build the company’s brand in India,” according to Jain, a 20 years veteran of the Indian media industry.

    Jain further pointed out that as India was the next logical frontier for Lionsgate’s multi platform content creation, marketing expertise and digital initiatives, he was “incredibly excited” at the opportunities that lie ahead.

    Boasting the world’s second largest consumer population and fastest-growing middle class, India has achieved double-digit annual growth across television, film, interactive games and delivery of content to digital platforms.  With over 800 television channels, more than 30 over-the-top platforms, 8,500 theatrical exhibition screens and an evolving interactive game business, opportunities for content producers and distributors are continuing to increase, according to Lionsgate.

    In the past few years, the company said it has tripled its revenue from India and made Hindi-language film `Brothers, a remake of Lionsgate’s critically-acclaimed `Warrior. A Hindi-language remake of the studio’s action hit comedy `Red is also in the works with a possible involvement of Hindi film star Anil Kapoor.

    Rohit Tiwari of Morris Street Advisors, who had previously served as Lionsgate’s local sales agent in India, has transitioned to a consulting relationship to Lionsgate India, the company said.

    The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world.  In addition to its filmed entertainment, Lionsgate claims its content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies.

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  • Videocon d2h offers interactive ad solution, launches Skoda microsite

    Videocon d2h offers interactive ad solution, launches Skoda microsite

    MUMBAI: DTH is not just about distribution of entertaining content. It has the potential to provide innovative solutions to advertisers — to reach targeted clientele. Videocon has proved it.

    DTH player Videocon d2h has announced its partnership with Skoda to offer its subscribers a chance to have a detailed view of the new Skoda Monte Carlo and Kodiaq through its HD set-top box (STB).

    Using the maximum potential of technology, Videocon d2h is the first DTH player to launch a microsite on DTH Platform through a unique yellow button application that is available for the premium customers.

    On pressing the button on the remote, a microsite opens up which showcases exterior and interior pictures of Skoda Kodiaq along with other features.

    To enhance Skoda’s consumer experience, PHD India and Videocon d2h came together and created a virtual experience for viewing on the television sets. This innovation enables Skoda’s potential buyers to effortlessly view important features and aspects at their own convenience. The virtual experience was first tested with Skoda’s Monte Carlo, and has since been implemented during the launch of Kodiaq.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said: “Our platform provides excellent advertising opportunities to marketers and advertisers. I am delighted at this partnership to provide an innovative and engaging advertising solution.”

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said: “This interactive advertising service shows our capability to innovate using technology and deliver returns. We look forward to provide more of such innovative advertising solutions on our platform to other advertisers.’’

    Skoda HOD – marketing Tarun Jha said, “Škoda tries to bring new technology experiences continuously. This is another attempt to bring the car to the customer at his convenience.”

    PHD Media GM – planning Dipesh Dadhich said, “This work is another example of PHD’s mission to find a better way for our clients, delivering outstanding results and industry-leading innovation in the process.”

  • Tata Sky deploys DataMiner to improve customer experience

    Tata Sky deploys DataMiner to improve customer experience

    MUMBAI: Tata Sky has an impeccable reputation as being best in class in the area of customer services, tech and offerings. It has constantly been investing in tech and customer service to stay ahead of the curve as compared to rivals – Freedish, DishTV-Videocond2h, SunDirect, Airtel Digital and Reliance Big TV.

    Now the company, led by Harit Nagpal, has taken another step in that direction by deploying the DataMiner NMS/OSS (network management system & operations support system) to manage its direct-to-home (DTH) operations for both its pay TV and OTT services.

    DataMiner is a global leader in end-to-end multi-vendor network management and OSS software solutions for the broadcast, satellite, cable, telco and mobile industry. Its NMS/OSS is deployed with a majority of DTH, satellite and service providers worldwide. Its customers include: Gazprom, MTS, France Television, Megacable, Mulitchoice, KPN, Immarsat, Singtel, ABC and many more.  The company is a part of the Skyline Communications group.

    The core of the DataMiner system is a cutting-edge multivendor protocol engine, enabling integration of any device or system from any vendor, regardless of its interface or protocol. In fact, it is already integrated with over 5000 devices and systems from more than 600 key industry suppliers, which represents by far the largest third-party integration deployment available in the industry.

    The objective of Tata Sky, one of the first companies in India to launch multiple products and services, is to connect to the best content in the world on any budget, any screen, anytime and anywhere. And the Dataminer solution offered that.

    Says Tata Sky chief technology officer Yigit Riza: “Tata Sky has invested in the best-of-breed technology infrastructure to ensure maximum uptime, reliability and scalability. Software applications such as CRM, billing and ERP are deployed in a clustered environment, which not only ensures high availability, but also enriches the experience of our subscribers.”

    “The DataMiner Platform at Tata Sky offers one-screen access of the entire operation, including content acquisition and compression platforms across different vendors and technologies. The unified view enables users to easily access and configure services. DataMiner is also scalable, so we can add other equipment and systems in the near future, related to the RF platform and OTT platform,”  adds Skyline Communications regional account manager- south Asia & middle east Pramod Gupta.

    Gupta points out that DataMiner will help the DTH operator’s engineering room restore services as quickly as possible, either through automatic service redundancy switching or through operator-initiated switchover.

    “Moreover, any embedded switchover functions in the network infrastructure can be integrated in DataMiner. DataMiner automation is versatile and adapts optimally to the operational environment. The tailored failover automation engines decrease the mean-time-to-repair to the absolute minimum for every failure scenario,” Gupta says.

    For a customer like Tata Sky, this means it only need to invest in one NMS platform, instead of multiple proprietary and closed systems. End-to-end service orchestration and monitoring is at the heart of the platform.

    With the number of channels as well as its in house VAS services  increasing regularly,  the company believes  DataMiner will help it maintain or improve the QoS service it is reputed to deliver.

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  • TDSAT ‘no’ to stay Star Bharat launch, DPO payments subject to adjudication

    TDSAT ‘no’ to stay Star Bharat launch, DPO payments subject to adjudication

    NEW DELHI: Even as it declined to stay or restrain the launch of Life OK channel as Star Bharat, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) yesterday said the amounts paid to the distribution platform operators or DPOs will be subject to the final orders of the tribunal.

    The bench, comprising TDSAT chairman Shiva Keerti Singh and members B B Srivastava and A K Bhargava, observed that the agreements between broadcaster Star India and DPOs Dish TV and Videocon d2h (both entities in the process of merging) will continue to operate and the cost being offered by the broadcaster cannot be reduced unilaterally.

    While Star India was given four weeks to reply, the two DTH platforms were asked to file their counter-affidavits too. Thus, the next hearing may come up some time in October 2017.

    The tribunal said if it is proved that the presence of Star Bharat on Prasar Bharati’s free to air DTH platform FreeDish is tantamount to the channel’s conversion from pay to FTA, then both Dish TV and Videocon d2h will be entitled a refund from Star.

    Star India had contended that merely making a channel available on FreeDish platform does not tantamount to a conversion in the nature of the channel for which the DPOs are being charged.

    Dish TV and Videocon d2h had moved the tribunal earlier this week alleging that Star India was converting its pay channel Life OK into a FTA network by putting the rebranded channel (Star Bharat) on FreeDish platform without informing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). In its defense before the court, Star India responded by saying that “we are only rebranding” and not “converting our pay channel” into FTA.

    Interestingly, this petition came just two days after Essel/Zee Group’s Dish TV had sent a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Indian cricket board BCCI, TRAI and monopoly watchdog Competition Commission of India. In the letter Dish MD Jawahar Goel had alleged that Star was trying to create a monopoly over cricket broadcast rights in the country, a move that would be detrimental for all stakeholders, including consumers who would ultimately dish out more subscription money to watch cricket on telly.

    To buttress his arrangements, Goel had contended that Star had even challenged rge sector regulator TRAI’s jurisdiction to fix tariff charges — a case that’s pending before the Madras High Court.

    ALSO READ:

    Dish TV moves TDSAT against Star Life OK name change & turning FTA

    Dish TV shoots off letter to IBF; alleges discrimination by b’casters, OTT platforms

    Jawahar Goel raises alarm of emerging Star cricket monopoly (updated)

     

  • Patanjali most advertised brand on television in week 33

    Patanjali most advertised brand on television in week 33

    BENGALURU: Baba Ramdev’s Patanajali Ayurved Limited has generally been among the top 10 television advertisers according to Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) weekly list of Top 10 Advertiser *Across Genre : All India (U+R) : 2+ Individuals during the first 33 weeks of 2017. It’s brand of products were the most advertised brands on television in week 33 (Saturday, 12 August 2017 to Friday, 18 August 2017) of 2013 as per Top 10 Brands *Across Genre: All India (U+R) : 2+ Individuals. The Patanjali range of products were present on television 13,626  times (insertions) in week 33 of 2017.

    It must be noted that FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is by far the biggest advertiser on television in India– period. Its television ad insertions far exceed ad insertions by any other company. Four of its brands were present in BARC’s weekly list of top 10 most advertised brands in week 33 with combined ad insertions of 37,846.

    HUL’s beauty care brand Dove’s Dove Cream Bathing Bar was the second most advertised brand on television in week 33 with 10,324 insertions, followed by GlaxoSmithKline’s malted milk drink brand Horlicks with 10,248 insertions at third place. HUL’s toiletry and personal care brand Lux’s Lux Toilet Soap was the fourth most advertised brand in week 33 with 9,569 insertions followed by another HUL brand – toothpaste brand Closeup Ever Fresh with 9,431 insertions at fifth place.

    Bharti Airtel has been pushing its Airtel Postpoid Promise a lot over the few weeks on television. This Airtel product had the second highest insertions in the previous week (week 32) – 11,364 insertions. In week 33, Airtel Postpoid Promise was the sixth most advertised product with 9,187 followed by a product from banking and financial services  – the Axis Bank Credit/Debit Card with 8,993 ad insertions at seventh place.

    HUL’s detergent brand Surf Excel Easy Wash was the eight most advertised brand in on television week 33 of 2017 with 8,522 insertions  followed by television DTH brand Videocon D2h with 8,146 insertions. Reckitt Benckiser’s toilet cleaner brand Harpic 10X completed the list of top 10 brands on television with 8,092 insertions.

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  • Orders reserved by Madras HC on TRAI jurisdiction case

    Orders reserved by Madras HC on TRAI jurisdiction case

    NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court today reserved orders on the Star India-Vijay TV challenge to the jurisdiction of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to issue tariff orders.

    The court received a compliance report from its registry that all parties had filed their written submissions.

    Earlier last week, the Authority had said it would file its written submissions only after scrutinizing those of the broadcasters, after which the broadcasters had been directed to serve their submissions to TRAI the same day (27 July) .

    Thus submissions have been filed by the petitioners Star India and Vijay TV, respondent TRAI, and intervenors All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and Videocon d2h.

    Arguments on the hearing which commenced late last month had concluded on 19 July and all parties had been asked to file written submissions.

    Star India and Vijay TV’s challenge to the jurisdiction of TRAI to issue tariff orders is on the ground that content comes under the Copyright Act.

    In the hearing on 19 July 2017, the Court had refused to accept an affidavit by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation  (IBF).

    Although the Supreme Court had in early May while staying the tariff order directed the Madras High Court to complete hearing within four weeks, the High Court had commenced hearing only in the last week of June.

    Meanwhile, TRAI TV reference interconnect offer (RIO) and Quality of service order (QoS) came into effect from 2 May following the order of the High Court. (However, the Tariff order comes into effect only from 2 September 2017.)

    Apart from the Tariff order which had originally been issued on 10 October last year, the regulator also issued the DAS Interconnect Regulations which had been issued on 14 October last year, and the Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Digital Addressable Systems) Regulations which had been issued on 10 October last year.

    The orders can be seen at:

    http://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Tariff_Order_English_3%20March_2017.pdf
    http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QOS_Regulation_03_03_2017.pdf
    http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Interconnection_Regulation_03_mar_2917.pdf 

    Also Read:

    Decks cleared for TRAI tariff order implementation as HC declines stay (updated)

    TRAI jurisdiction case listed for 31 July to peruse compliance report

  • Star India-TRAI jurisdiction case to come up in Madras HC today

    Star India-TRAI jurisdiction case to come up in Madras HC today

    NEW DELHI: The Star India-Vijay TV case challenging the jurisdiction of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is scheduled to come up for hearing in the Madras High Court today after TRAI was to file its written submission after scrutinising those of the broadcasters.

    Counsel for both the broadcasters had objected to the statement by the TRAI counsel P Wilson refusing to file and serve written submissions. After hearing all sides, the bench had directed the broadcasters to serve their submissions by 5 pm on 27 July to TRAI and the interveners All India Digital Cable Federation and Videocon d2h.

    It asked TRAI to serve its submissions on the other parties the next day — 28 July. Thereafter, the court was on Monday scheduled to take note of the compliance of submission of the written statements from the court registry. Meanwhile, both interveners filed their submissions in Court.

    Arguments had concluded in the matter on 19 July and the matter had been posted for today for filing of written submissions. Star India and Vijay TV’s challenge to the jurisdiction of TRAI to issue tariff orders is on the ground that content comes under the Copyright Act.

    In the hearing on 19 July 2017, the Court had refused to accept an affidavit by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation. Although the Supreme Court had in early May while staying the tariff order directed the Madras High Court to complete hearing within four weeks, the High Court had commenced hearing only in the last week of June.

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  • Profit returns to Videocon d2h, court approves Dish TV merger scheme

    BENGALURU: After three consecutive profitable quarters in fiscal 2017 (year ended 31 March 2017, FY-17), Indian direct to home Saurabh Dhoot led major Videocon d2h Limited had reported a net loss of Rs 87 million for the last quarter of last fiscal (Q4-17). The company has returned back to the black for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current) with a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 12 million. After the Essel group’s DTH company Dish TV India Limited, Videocon d2h is one of the few television signal carriage companies in India that have started reported profits after taxes.

    The company has informed the bourses through a press release that it has received a nod from the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal ( for the scheme of arrangement among Videocon d2h (transferor company), Dish TV  India and their respective shareholders and creditors for the amalgamation with Dish TV. The appointed date for the amalgamation is 1 October 2017.

    Commenting on the company outlook, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “In the past few weeks, the management has been working on an integration plan. The merged entity plans to adopt and implement the best practices of both companies. We believe this merger provides exciting opportunities through the customer service model, convergence of technologies, expanded breadth of content offerings including expansion of exclusive content, advertising income growth potential as well as synergies from a combined subscriber base of more than 28 million. The merged entity would be one of the largest pay TV platforms in the world in terms of subscriber base, according to the company estimates. I am very excited for this new journey of a business that commands strong business fundamentals and growth opportunities supported by our strong balance sheet and growing free cash flows.”

    Speaking on the business outlook, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said “I am pleased to share that Goods and Service Tax (GST) came into effect starting July 1, 2017. GST will simplify the taxation regime and improve the ease of doing business. GST would also drive the unorganized segment, such as local cable operators, towards taxation.

    I am happy to share that the monsoons this year have been in line with long term average. This is likely to strengthen the macro-economic sentiment and imply good consumption from rural India. This is positive for the DTH industry and the upbeat rural sentiment due to the good monsoon could lead to a strong outlook for the festive quarter.”  

    The company reported a 1.2 percent increase in revenue from operations for the current quarter at Rs 7,726 million as compared to Rs 7,633 million in Q1-17. Subscription and activation revenue increased 1.7 percent in Q1-18 to Rs 7,091 million from Rs 6,970 million in Q1-17. Adjusted EBIDTA was slightly lower in Q1-18 at Rs 2,485 million as compared to Rs 2,519 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. However, adjusted EBIDTA less capex in the current quarter increased substantially to Rs 1,246 million from Rs 887 million in Q1-17. Content costs in Q1-18 have increased to 42 percent of revenue as compared to 38.7 percent in Q1-17.

    The company added 0.13 million net subscribers in Q1-18, far lower than the 0.43 million added in Q1-17 and lower than the 0.14 million subscribers added in the immediate trailing quarter. Quarter-over-quarter average revenue per user (ARPU) was Rs 198 in Q1-18 as compared to Rs 211 in Q1-17 and Rs 196 in Q4-17. Monthly subscriber churn in Q1-8 was higher at 1.27 percent as compared to 0.49 percent and 0.87 percent in Q1-17 and Q4-17 respectively. Subscriber acquisition costs in the form of hardware subsidies were INR 1,865 per subscriber during the first quarter of Fiscal 2018.

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  • Dish TV–D2H merger gets NCLT approval

    MUMBAI: Dish TV India has announced that the Mumbai bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the scheme of arrangement for merger between Videocon D2h Limited and Dish TV India.

    The company informed BSE that a hearing held on 27 July 2017 the NCLT approved the agreement between the two companies and their respective shareholders and creditors under the provisions of Sections 230-232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

    The appointed date for the scheme is 1 October, 2017.

    On May 2017, the proposed merger of two DTH players, Zee group’s Dish TV and VideoconD2h received the approval of Competition Commission of India (CCI).  The merger was announced in November last year.  After merger, the new entity will be called Dish TV Videocon.  

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    Videocon d2h receives shareholder, Competition Commission nod for merger with Dish TV

    Dish TV Videocon Ltd. may start operations in Sept ’17

    Videocon D2H to merge with Dish TV; serve 28 million subscribers