Tata Sky ties up with Ola Sunburn Festival 2017 to bring the biggest EDM extravaganza to small screens

UMBAI: Tata Sky, India’s leading content distribution platform, tied up with Ola Sunburn Festival 2017, one of the largest music festivals in the world, to bring its eclectic mix of music, entertainment, experiences, celebration and lifestyle straight to the small screens. Apart from live streaming Ola Sunburn Festival 2017, Tata Sky Mobile App will showcase nearly 500 hours of music fest content from over the years too, which will be open to all users, including non-subscribers.

Performances by the headliners of Ola Sunburn Festival – Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, DJ Snake, Clean Bandits, Martin Garrix, Afrojack and KSHMR – will be live-streamed on Tata Sky Mobile App. Over and above the 4 days of live streaming, prior to the event there will be a rich library of content available on demand on the app. This includes official after movies, artist interviews, exclusive backstage footage and performances from the world’s top EDM acts such as KYGO, NUCLEYA, Hardwell, David Guetta, Tiesto, Armin Van Burren and many more as well as an archive of all the past events from Sunburn season 10.

This is the first time ever that Ola Sunburn festival, which kicks off on December 28th, will be live streamed on the Tata Sky Mobile app making it the only OTT platform covering the festival live.
The sheer depth of content on offer, which will be archived on the app for viewing after the festival ends, will allow EDM fans to fully immerse themselves in the 11th edition of Asia’s largest music festival on-the-go wherever and whenever they like. Moreover, Tata Sky will broadcast snippets of Ola Sunburn Festival 2017 on Channel 100 too.

Tata Sky’s Chief Communication Officer, Malay Dikshit said, “With increasing screens and the appetite of millennials to experiment with content, it is essential to reach the entertainment needs of consumers, just the way they like it. To create endearing and impactful engagement with millennials and to bring alive content across all types and sizes of screens, the Tata Sky Mobile App has partnered with the hugely popular music festival - Sunburn.”

The Sunburn Festival, the highlight of a year-long calendar of Sunburn events, has established itself as one of the annual ‘go-to’ events for EDM fans, drawing crowds of hundreds of thousands from India and around the world every year.

To cater to these fans, Tata Sky has lined up a number of ground-breaking experiences:
- A breath-taking 360-degree virtual reality experience that will let fans see what the DJ sees as he cranks out his tunes, putting them at the heart of the action like never before.
- A Graffiti Wall where fans can get their photographs clicked and jazz them up by drawing over them with personalised messages, quirky costumes or spray paint.

- A 3D hologram of the company’s logo at various points at the venue, in order to make fans’ engagement with India’s leading content distribution platform an even more experiential one.
Resource   :http://www.indiantelevision.com/dth/dth-services/tata-sky-ties-up-with-ola-sunburn-festival-2017-to-bring-the-biggest-edm-extravaganza-to-small-screens-171227

MIB clears path for Dish TV Videocon | Indian Television Dot Com

MUMBAI: Even as a new global media powerhouse was created in the US yesterday with Disney’s buyout of Fox's entertainment assets for $52.4 billion, India’s ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has cleared the decks for Dish TV and Videocon d2h paving the pathway for the creation of a mammoth DTH company.

The companies had received the green signal from the Mumbai division of the national company law tribunal some months ago after which the ministry’s approval was pending. Dish TV and Videocon d2h reported separate revenue and EBITDA numbers which at a pro-forma level add up to Rs 60,862 million and Rs 19,909 million for FY17. Following the amalgamation, the combined entity will be renamed as Dish TV Videocon Limited. 

As on 30 September 2017, the duo together serve more than 29 million customers.

Dish TV CMD Jawahar Goel says, ““It has been a long journey since the announcement of the agreement between the two companies a year back. We would like to thank the ministry of information and broadcasting, the national company law tribunal, the competition commission of India, the securities and exchange board of India, the stock exchanges and all other stakeholders for showing their trust in us. I would also like to express our gratitude to our shareholders for standing by us through the transaction and believing in us to take the combined entity to the next level going forward.”

Dish TV group CEO Anil Dua says, “Together, Dish TV and Videocon d2h are going to write history as we embark on this journey of delighting our 29 million and growing customer base. It is an exciting way ahead as we get this opportunity to leverage the individual strengths of the two organisations. I feel reassured looking at the formidable combination of these two talented teams that are now going to be working together towards a shared vision and common goals.”

Dish TV Videocon is expected to provide better synergies and growth opportunities through enhanced after-sales, distribution and technology capabilities. Aon, Deloitte and PwC have been roped in to help it with project management for seamless integration of core functions, processes and technology infrastructure.

It has been a year-long journey for Dish and Videocon since they announced the intent to merge last November. The scheme will take effect in the coming weeks.

For the quarter ended 30 September 2017, Videocon d2h saw PAT of Rs 168 million and an addition of 0.21 million subscribers, taking its total to 13.25 million. On the other hand, Dish TV’s PAT for the same quarter was Rs 689.6 million while subscribers increased by 0.188 million to hit 15.9 million.

The new year is expected to be a good one for the dynamic duo. And they have every reason to celebrate.

Resource : http://www.indiantelevision.com/dth/dth-operator/mib-clears-path-for-dish-tv-videocon-171215

Cross holding restrictions in DTH to continue till a holistic decision on cross-media is taken: Rathore

MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has accepted the Inter Ministerial Committee’s (IMC) recommendation to continue with the existing cross holding restriction in the guidelines for direct to home (DTH) operators.

While discussing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendations on consultation paper related to 'Issues related to New DTH License', the IMC noted that the matter of cross-holding in DTH has to be taken into consideration in the larger context of other TRAI recommendations on cross-media holdings.

In the existing DTH licence guidelines, the authority has imposed a restriction of 20% on cross-media holdings. A broadcasting or a cable TV company cannot hold more than 20% stake in a DTH company. Similarly, a DTH company cannot own more than 20% in a broadcasting or a cable TV company.

The TRAI had furnished its recommendations on "Issues relating to Media Ownerships" to the ministry on 12 August 2014 while the one related to 'Issues related to New DTH License' was issued on 23 July 2014.

The MIB has constituted an IMC to process the recommendations received from TRAI. The IMC examines the recommendations of TRAI and provides its comments/recommendations for approval of the ministry.

“IMC while discussing the TRAI's recommendations dated 23.07.2014 on 'Issues related to New DTH License' has observed that the matter of cross-holding in DTH has to be taken into consideration in the larger context of other TRAI recommendations on cross-media holdings,” minister of state in the ministry of information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said in the Rajya Sabha.

“Hence, the IMC recommended that the restrictions in the existing guidelines may continue till the matter is holistically resolved. The recommendations of IMC on the issue have been accepted by this Ministry,” he further.

Rathore also said that the ministry is weighing in on the TRAI recommendations on cross-media holdings.

“Further, this Ministry is also concerned about the recommendation of TRAI regarding cross-media holdings with an objective to ensure plurality of news and views and availability of quality services at reasonable prices to the consumers,” he stated.

In its recommendations on 'Issues related to New DTH License', the authority had liberalised the cross holding restrictions by allowing broadcasters to own a distribution platform (DPO). However, no broadcaster can own more than one DPO.

The recommendations have implications for broadcasters Star India, ZEEL, and Sun TV Network. For Star, it will be a positive move as it can increase its stake in Tata Sky. ZEEL and Sun TV, whose promoters have interests in both cable TV and DTH, will have to choose between one of the two platforms.

However, the authority in its recommendations has imposed several restrictions on vertically integrated companies to ensure a level playing field.

One is that vertically integrated DPOs cannot exceed 33% market share. The relevant market for DTH is the whole country while in case of cable it is a state. Further, vertically integrated entities cannot do fixed fee deals. The deals can only be on a cost per subscriber (CPS), which has to be non-discriminatory.

In the recommendations on ‘Issues related to Media Ownership’, the regulator had suggested keeping government out of TV broadcasting sector. It had also sought a ban on private treaties between media companies and business houses.

It had also recommended imposing restrictions on media companies that have a market share of 32% in TV news and print segment. If any company crosses the threshold then it will have to dilute its control in one of the two segments.

Defining control, the authority said that an entity is said to ‘control’ another entity if it directly or indirectly through associate companies or subsidiaries owns at least 20% of total share capital.

The TRAI had even sought ownership restrictions on corporates entering media. It had also batted for a common media regulator for TV and print. 

Resource : https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2457861156656369908#editor/target=post;postID=298605538195890508

Dish TV reports improved operating profits for second quarter

BENGALURU: Hit by a double whammy–that of demonetisation and the implementation of the new goods and services tax (GST)–Indian media and entertainment (M&E) companies have been struggling to attain and/or maintain black in their financials. Direct to home or DTH was one of the components of the M&E industry that had slowly started reporting profits – operating or plain profits after tax. The Essel group’s DTH services company Dish TV India Ltd (DishTV) was one of the first companies from the Indian carriage industry that had started churning out profits until the aforementioned double whammy. Subscription collections were suddenly hit because people just didn’t have enough legal currency. Average revenue per user (ARPU) fell – last year in the quarter before demonetization, the company had reported ARPU of Rs 162. For the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, quarter under review), ARPU was Rs 149. In the immediate trailing quarter (Q1-18), ARPU was slightly lower at Rs 148. 

Over the last few quarters post demonetisation, Dish TV’s net profits were in the red. However, during these quarters, operating profits (EBIDTA) were positive and that seems to have improved for the quarter under review as compared to the immediate trailing quarter (q-o-q, Q1-18). Year-over-year however, Dish TV has reported a net loss and lower operating profit for Q2-18 as compared to net profit and EBIDTA numbers of the corresponding year ago.

Dish TV reported 7.4 percent higher q-o-q EBIDTA for Q2-18 at Rs 2,160.8 million (28.9 percent margin - on operating revenue) as compared to Rs 2012.0 million (27.2 percent margin) for Q1-18. EBIDTA for Q2-17 was Rs 2,656.8 million (34.1 percent margin). The company’s net loss however widened q-o-q to Rs 178.7 million during the quarter under review as compared to a net loss of Rs 135.1 million in Q1-18 and a net profit after tax of Rs 689.6 million (8.8 percent margin) for Q2-17.

The silver lining for the company has been its growing subscriber base, and this despite lower ARPU has resulted in 1.3 percent q-o-q increase of operating revenue to Rs 7,585.80 million for Q2-18 as compared to Rs 7,388.8 in Q1-18. However, y-o-y operating revenue during the quarter under review was 3.9 percent lower as compared the Rs 7,792.8 million for Q2-17.

The company’s subscriber base has increased by 0.188 million subscribers during the quarter under review and it has reported a subscriber base of 15.9 million. The company had closed the corresponding year ago quarter with a subscriber base of 15.1 million – it had added 0.259 million subscribers in Q2-17. Consequently, Dish TV’s subscription revenue grew 1.9 percent q-o-q during the quarter under review to Rs 7,049 million. Year-on-year, subscription revenues were 3.3 percent lower than the Rs 7,288 million reported for Q2-17. Churn for Q2-18 was 0.8 percent

A look at the other numbers

Total expense in Q2-18 increased 6 percent y-o-y to Rs 7,834.7 million from Rs 7,393.1 million. Employee benefits expense was almost flat (declined 0.2 percent) y-o-y to Rs 366.3 million from Rs 367 million. Operating expenses in Q2-18 increased 6.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 3,893.4 million from Rs 3,651.9 million. Other expenses during the quarter under review declined 4.8 percent to Rs 1,038.0 million from Rs 1,090.8 million in Q2-17. Finance costs in Q2-18 increased 6.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 610.9 million from Rs 574.2 million.

Amalgamation of Videocon D2h into Dish TV

The proposed combination of Dish TV and Videocon d2h would create one of the world’s leading DTH platform.

Dish TV CMD Jawahar Goel said, “We have been eager to get back to our stakeholders with the news of the successful closure of the merger. With all other approvals in place, the only approval pending is from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. We are optimistic about hearing back from the MIB any moment now and hope to close the merger at the earliest thereafter.”

“We remain excited about the next phase of growth that the combined entity, Dish TV Videocon Limited, will go through and are committed to make the combination a mega success. On the synergy front, we stick to our guidance of Rs. 1,800 million for FY18 and Rs. 5,100 million for FY19,” he added.

Resource : http://www.indiantelevision.com/dth/dth-operator/dish-tv-reports-improved-operating-profits-for-second-quarter-171206

Jio Fiber and Jio DTH: What all we know so far about the new broadband and DTH service!

After giving a tough competition in the telecom market, Jio could be launching the all-new fiber network for the home broadband service and the much awaited Jio DTH. The Jio Fiber is currently being tested in select areas of Delhi, Mumbai, NCR, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara.

Expected to be launched for a free service of three months just like Jio’s grand offer, users are eagerly vying for the broadband and DTH services to roll out.

Jio Fiber

Earlier in August 2016 at the company’s annual general meeting Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani mentioned that soon Reliance would launch FTTH (fiber to the home) service, which would be capable of delivering broadband speed up to 1Gbps.

The company finally rolled out its FTTH service on January 13^th, 2017 but only in Mumbai. It offered a beta service with 100 GB per month high-speed quota for every customer. It also came with an added installation charge of Rs 4500 which was termed as ‘Refundable Security Deposit’ if the customer doesn’t wish to extend the Jio fiber beyond the trial period of three months.

Jio DTH

 

As far as the DTH services are considered, if Jio enters the market, it will surely challenge the dominance of Tata Sky, Videocon and Dish TV. 

Jio has already partnered with Indian video streaming website Hotstar and it may also partner with Amazon Prime and Netflix. This will enable the users to view the platforms from their set-top boxes.

Back in March, a lot of videos of Jio’s set-top box surfaced the internet and the launch was expected in August. However, now the new launch date is said to be around January 2018. Jio’s DTH smart setup box is said to include all the features of Jio TV mobile application. If sources are to be believed then, it will cost much less than its competitors. 

Resource :https://www.knocksense.com/2017/12/05/jio-fiber-jio-dth-know-far-new-broadband-dth-service/