ITV

Tag: Videocon

  • Videocon Industries plans new STB capacity by end-2014

    Videocon Industries plans new STB capacity by end-2014

    MUMBAI: The Indian government last year raised the import duties of set top boxes (STBs) from five per cent to 10 per cent in a bid to encourage Indian entrepreneurs to start making them indigenously. To no avail, Indian MSOs, DTH players, continued importing the boxes from China, Korea and Taiwan to meet the government mandate of digitising India’s cable TV sector.

    At least one player yesterday announced that it had taken up the gauntlet: electronics major Videocon Industries. Director Anirudh Dhoot told Press Trust of India that his company is planning to set up a one million STB manufacturing plant by end-2014. Dhoot told PTI that the plant is likely to be set up in either Punjab or Madhya Pradesh. 

     

    The Videocon group also runs Videocon d2h – one of the fastest growing DTH players in India. 

     

    The digitisation of cable TV in phase III and phase IV towns is expected to require around 80 million STBs; of which 60 million will likely be rolled out this year itself, totting up to a business potential of an estimated  Rs 7,500 crore at factory prices. The second and third phases of digitisation are scheduled to be completed by end 2014, but everyone in the industry expects a delay of about three to six months. If Videocon manages to get its plant to start churning out STBs by end this year, it could meet some of that demand. 

     

    The Indian cable TV industry has deployed around 22 million STBs during the first and second phase of digitisation; even as DTH players have deployed around 45-50 million STBs collectively over the years since DTH launched in India.

     

    Most of these were imports. Videocon, on its part, upped the capacity at its existing STB plant from 700,000 per annum to one million during the festival season last year. Now it plans to set up a new plant. Other players who are involved in the manufacture of STBs domestically include: Noida-based Dixon Technologies and Kortek Electronics.

  • HomeShop18 TV Channel gives minimum 50% discount on wedding shopping

    HomeShop18 TV Channel gives minimum 50% discount on wedding shopping

    NEW DELHI: For the first time ever, India’s leading virtual shopping player, HomeShop18 has announced a wedding shopping festival called ‘Pyar Ka Vada 50-50’, starting from November 22nd, on its 24×7 shopping TV channel. Indian customers can step up their celebration during this wedding season by availing minimum 50% offer on the purchases made across categories like Jewellery, Men’s & Women’s Apparel, Footwear, Beauty etc.

    November is the month when the wedding season begins in India and continues till February. Be it a wedding in your family or some relatives, there are many functions to attend. So while there’s the joy of celebration & shopping on people’s mind, there’s also the tension of when to shop, from where to shop, how to get discounts and best deals etc. With this promotion HomeShop18 is trying to ease of the burden by bringing shopping to TV Screens and by offering discount as big as 50% off on products which people buy during weddings.

    Mr. Dhruva Chandrie, COO & Business Head -TV, HomeShop18 said “As the name suggests ‘Pyaar ka Vaada – 50:50’ we promise to reduce your spends by half on products that you will buy from HomeShop18. Our wedding special products not only scores high on quality and design but are also modestly priced. Instead of expending energy for wedding shopping in various shops, customers can simply order for wedding collection on HomeShop18 from the comfort of their living room and save money too. ”

    Shopping from the comfort of the home has always been exciting for HomeShop18 customers as it saves their time and energy. So, this time save your energy for the numerous wedding functions you have to attend and leave the task of shopping on HomeShop18 TV Channel.

    HomeShop18 TV channel is available on all big and small DTH players: Dish TV- channel no 122, Reliance- channel no 219, Videocon- channel no 137, Airtel- channel no 107.

  • How will DTH drive value in future?

    How will DTH drive value in future?

    GOA: Thus far, DTH has not been able to create the kind of consumer base it rightly deserves. Reason being: DTH players have been faced with several obstacles including subscriber leakage on ground, high levels of cash burn and the perennial issue of satellite capacity. What then are the key ingredients required for DTH’s value creation story, going forward? Exactly the question this session tried to address.

    Moderated by Vivek Couto, the panel comprised Videocon D2H CEO Anil Khera, Dish TV executive vice-president and strategy Gaurav Goel, MEASAT Vishal Mathur, Kotak Securities senior analyst Amit Kumar and Macquairie capital senior VP Ausang Shukla.

    “The major challenge that we face is to correct pricing of STBs from Rs 1600-1700 to just Rs 400-500, thus preventing rotational churn,” voiced Khera.

    Goel supported this problem adding: “The pre-paid model is tough, as the subscriber pays for let’s say only for two months in a year as the existence of analogue in 50-60 per cent households is still a hindrance and we end up having a loss in revenue.”

    Addressing capacity and investment-related issues faced by DTH players, Tata Sky CEO Harit Nagpal said: “I am writing my own destiny and thus investing Rs 900 crore on the conversion of old MPEG-2 services to MPEG-4. We have already done it for a million subscribers and soon will look at changing it for six million more.”

    The panel observes that the DTH sector will see positive development only once it stops chasing additional subscribers and looks at the bigger picture of catering to consumer needs instead. In the past three to four years, DTH players have realised that with more channel carrying capacity, their prices are also headed north and that will cater to better ARPUs.

    Said Kumar: “The key issue to address is the pricing of packages and the fact that they are offering 200 channels now as compared to 80-100 channels earlier and still haven’t seen a change in their ARPUS.”

    Shukla agreed: “The major problem with the DTH sector getting investments is that there hasn’t really been much growth witnessed in terms of either subscription growth or cash flow.”

    Another revelation is how dealing with capacity is a major problem although there is demand for HD and Indians are easily influenced by the experience of watching a cricket match or their favourite movie in HD. With 4K technology coming into live events with FIFA, more than capacity, the need of the hour is having a back-up satellite.

    “What Sun Network experienced in 2009 was a real sorry affair, as it witnessed a complete blackout because of satellite failure, that could have been avoided if it had a back-up satellite,” said Mathur.

    Also, no thought has been given to other avenues like using a BSS (Broadcast Satellite Service) band along with the FSS (Fixed Satellite Service) band – which is already in use. The difference between the two is that even as FSS can carry channels between 14-17GHz, the BSS band can carry an equal number of channels on a 12 GHz signal.

    Added Mathur: “The issue is that there are seven DTH players who among them share 70 transponders with each of them requiring eight to ten transponders.”

    The panel felt that there has to be some logic behind the consolidation of platforms as there is only a 25 per cent churn and with consolidation, there will be a further reduction in the number of subscribers.

    So the panel agreed that consolidation of DTH platforms is not the panacea for getting investors. Rather, they have to focus on catering to subscribers’ needs.

  • Videocon DDB iifa to take place from 4 to 6 July

    Videocon DDB iifa to take place from 4 to 6 July

    NEW DELHI: The International Indian Film Academy (iifa) today announced that the 14th iifa celebrations will be held at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, the Official Host Destination Partner. Having travelled to picturesque destinations across the globe over the last 13 years, iifa has graced the shores of the UK, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and North America. This year, the VIDEOCON DDB iifa Weekend will return to the crown jewel of Cotai Strip Resorts – The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, making it one of the fortunate few destinations to host the iifa celebrations twice. The three-day long iifa Weekend and Awards is all set to take place from the 4th to 6th of July.

    Consumer-electronics giant Videocon Group continues its partnership, for the fifth year running, with the International Indian Film Academy as the presenting partner of the VIDEOCON DDB iifa WEEKEND at The Venetian Macao. Videocon has chosen to highlight the world‘s only "Digital Direct Broadcast" technology that was launched for the first time one year ago.

    Superstar Abhishek Bachchan, ‘Friend of iifa’ spoke about the impending celebrations, saying “iifa is a pioneering initiative that opens new doors and creates myriad opportunities for the film industry, taking it to new shores each year. I experienced the iifa celebrations at The Venetian Macao in 2009 and it was a spectacular 3-day celebration of Indian Cinema. We trust that iifa will plan their celebrations this year befitting the 100 years of our industry.”

    Videocon and iifa reiterate the ethos of a platform dedicated to maintaining the highest international standards of excellence through quality, technology and innovation. Speaking on the 5th year of partnering with iifa, Mr Sunil Tandon, CMO – Videocon Group said, “Videocon & IIFA share a common vision to showcase India across the globe. Videocon, India’s No. 1 brand of Consumer Electronics & Home Appliances, driven by the philosophy of innovation & customer centricity is trusted by millions of customers to improve their quality of life, through its wide range of products and highly efficient customer service. Videocon along with DDB are proud to present the Videocon DDB IIFA Weekend which will celebrate the ongoing centenary of Indian Cinema.”

    Speaking on IIFA 2013, Brendon Elliott, Vice President of Sales & Resort Marketing, Venetian Macau Limited shared, “The prestigious iifa Awards were last in Macao in 2009, and we are extremely pleased that The Venetian Macao is once again the official host destination partner for the awards ceremony this July. The response to the iifa Awards being in town three years ago was simply enormous, and I have every expectation that it will be just as big and just as enthusiastic this time around. We are also honoured that the Macau Government Tourist Office is once again supporting the awards ceremony at The Venetian.”

    Known for its entertainment and metropolitan scene, Macau is an ideal choice for the iifa 2013 celebrations. Macau is home to several of the world’s most sensational and glamorous hotels and casinos. Often dubbed the Las Vegas of Asia, Macau offers a rich variety of experiences for the elite traveller with a penchant for the best, welcoming well over 100,000 visitors from India each year, with more than 150,000 visiting in 2012 alone.
    Nachiket Pantvaidya, General Manager, STAR Plus, said, “IIFA is one of the prestigious awards on Indian television. STAR Plus is delighted to present to its viewers a glamourous event against the mesmerising background of the Venetian Macao, a place that redefines grandeur and panache.”

    Jacqueline Fernandez, also commented on the occasion saying, “To be a part of the iifa family is a feeling of great pride for anyone who is a part of the Indian Film Industry. iifa has taken Indian Cinema on an unparalleled journey over the last 13 years and it’s a proud moment to see the movement continuing to make impactful strides.”

    Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft & iifa said, “It has been after careful consideration that we have decided to host the VIDEOCON DDB iifa Weekend in Macau. This destination has much to offer by way of culture tourism and The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel is the perfect choice for this year‘s celebrations. The enormous integrated resort is a like a city in itself and we had an unforgettable experience in 2009 when we celebrated 10 glorious years of the iifa movement. We are glad to be back and we are positive that this year will be more spectacular as we celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema.”

    The first iifa Awards were held at the Millennium Dome in London in 2000 and have gone on to cities like Sun City, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam, Yorkshire, Bangkok, Johannesburg and Colombo among others, with the most recent edition being celebrated in Singapore. As an institution, iifa has committed itself to taking Indian Cinema to the world, through a showcase celebration at international destinations each year. It is a global platform that gives the Indian film fraternity an opportunity to reach audiences in international territories. While India gains greatly from the alliances made via iifa, an important objective of the prestigious brand is to create similar outcomes in its country of host, thereby establishing a system of mutual benefit to both India as well as the host country by way of tourism, culture and trade, cross-border investment and film co-productions.

  • Sanjay Panday to head Gutenberg Networks India

    MUMBAI: DDB Mudra Mumbai SVP Sanjay Panday has been entrusted the additional responsibility of Gutenberg Networks India Head.

    Panday has been with the DDB Mudra Group for over five years and spearheads some of the largest clients of the group out of Mumbai. With over two decades of experience, he has worked across major agency networks and handled brands such as Cadbury, ITC, Emirates, Videocon, Emami and Asian Paints.

    Panday said, “The global trend of consolidation of artwork, digital studio and pre-production services is now in India. I’m looking forward to help make Gutenberg Networks India one of the best pre-media production services companies in the region.”

    DDB Mudra Group group CEO and managing director Madhukar Kamath said, “I am confident that Sanjay, with his vast experience across a spectrum of clients and agencies will lead Gutenberg Networks India to its goal of becoming a strategic business hub for digital studio and pre-media production services.”

    Gutenberg Networks is a global integrated marketing production organisation with core expertise in developing and executing cost effective communication campaigns in broadcast, web, press and print. With an expert workforce of over 1200 employees globally, Gutenberg Networks works closely with some of the biggest brands leveraging and creating value through tightly executed global campaigns. It has worked with over 75 clients for an average tenure of over a decade. Some of its partners include Philips, Star Alliance, PepsiCo Tropicana, Volkswagen and Canadian Tourism Commission.

  • DigiVive partners with Videocon to launch mobile TV service

    DigiVive partners with Videocon to launch mobile TV service

    NEW DELHI: DigiVive and Videocon Mobile Phones have jointly launched the mobile TV service – nexGTv, an embedded application in Videocon VT71 and Videocon VT10, enabling owners of these Videocon tablets to enjoy TV on the move at any given point of time.

    The Videocon Mobile Phones division has addressed the increasing consumer demand for a high quality and trusted product in the Tablet space by recently launching 7” (Videocon VT71) and 10” (Videocon VT10) tablets.

    This will enable users to view over 100 live channels, Replay TV and plethora of video on demand along with latest launched nexGTv music channel. This partnership is all set to take the concept of mobile TV to the masses. Currently, nexGTv caters to more than 8.5 million users and this will further help expand the market.

    DigiVive director G D Singh said, “We are excited to partner with Videocon Mobiles for embedding nexGTv app in their recently launched tablets. This tie-up is another step towards our objective of ‘massification of entertainment’ as this will open new avenues for reaching out to many potential users. With nexGTv expanding its reach, now more and more users can enjoy what we like to call, their ‘personal DTH’. With this tie-up, we plan to increase our subscriber base substantially.”

    Elaborating on the partnership Khalid Zamir, Head Product Planning & Development, Videocon Mobile Phones said, “We are glad to partner with DigiVive’s popular mobile TV service – nexGTv for an enhanced user experience on our tablets. VT71 and VT10 are our recent launches in the tablet space, and bring to our users the latest technology at affordable prices. nexGTv is a successful mobile TV service provider and hence it made sense for Videocon to partner with them for this valued added service on our tablet devices.”

    According to a release, nexGTv has maintained its top position on various online stores and on other app stores it remains among top five apps in the entertainment category. On an average there are 20,000 downloads every day of DigiVive’s nexGTv mobile TV service. nexGTv witnessed huge traction during cricketing action and the average new user toll is increasing day-by-day, the statement added.

  • Videocon’s DIGIWorld dons new brand identity

    MUMBAI: DIGIWorld, the retail initiative from the Videocon Group, has unveiled its new brand identity and brand repositioning ‘DW‘.
    The new logo is abbreviated identity to DIGIWorld and highlights the growth perspective and the technological advancement with which the brand is flowing.

    According to the company, the new theme is universal in its brand appeal and transcends different target audiences. The essence behind this new brand positioning evolves the friendlier, happier communication tone adopted across the stores in India.

    The brand campaign is targeted at customers pan India, through a 360 degree media approach that will use mediums like OOH, print and digital.

    DIGIWorld COO Jaideep Rathore said, “DIGIWorld is committed to provide the best service in the retail sector. From evolving the change in the existence of the electronic retail chain, DIGIWorld has planned this alteration in logo as well so as to create and maintain brand proposition with the image. Thus, ‘Digital WOW‘ is all about establishing DW as the new identity. The exposition behind DIGIworld‘s logo transformation comes from our constant attempt to listen and respond to the market fluctuation in India and overseas. While DIGIworld has completely adapted the new tagline – ‘Experience. Live. Believe‘, in every sphere of our operating domain, today will mark the beginning of an upheaval for customers of CDIT Products”.

    The new logo is in the mix of orange, red and blue. It gives a young, vibrant and fresh appeal to the brand and assures its survival in minds of the customers.

  • Liv Ullmann to attend IIFA weekend

    Liv Ullmann to attend IIFA weekend

    MUMBAI: Hollywood’s legendary actress Liv Ullmann will attend the Videocon IIFA Weekend between 7 and 9 June in Singapore.

    The 74-year-old actress is due to showcase her latest film Liv and Ingmar, based on her life story on 8 June. This is for the first time that an international film will be showcased at the IIFA event to a select audience.

    Averred Wizcraft Entertainment International director Andre Timmins, “Liv Ullmann is one of the most beautiful and talented actors of our time. I am overjoyed not only because she will attend the IIFAs this year but we are also delighted that she will share her film Liv and Ingmar with our film fraternity, a film that is so close to her heart.”

    The film is an affectionate yet truthful account of the 42 years and 12 films long association between Liv and filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Ullmann, who hails from Norway, has contributed in the form of two interviews and readings from her book ‘Changing’.

    “The film is not made by me but by a young and very creative filmmaker from India – Dheeraj Akolkar. He allowed even me to see many of the most important times of my life in a new and thought evoking way! It somehow changed some of my own memories. It gives me immense pride to be a part of the IIFA celebrations with this film. And I am looking forward to come to Singapore on this occasion,”observed Ullmann.

    The Videocon IIFA Weekend, presented by Videocon Industries, is organised by Wizcraft International Entertainment.

  • Videocon continues to be sponsor of IIFA

    Videocon continues to be sponsor of IIFA

    Mumbai: Videocon is continuing its sponsorship with IIFA.

    The consumer electronics major will be the ‘title sponsor of IIFA Weekend‘ that is to be held in Singapore from 7-9 June this year.

    Videocon Industries COO Shekhar Jyoti said, “We share a common vision with IIFA, which is to take India across the globe. The Videocon IIFA weekend in Singapore promises to be a fun-filled and stimulating event with movies and fashion. Added to that is the Global Business Forum. Videocon is proud to be associated with an event that showcases India to the world.”