Archive for September, 2008
Centre orders IPTV players to carry 8 DD channels
Source: Daily News & Analysis NEW DELHI: The government has significantly increased the number of TV channels to be compulsorily carried on IPTV (internet protocol television) platforms. In a memorandum issued to all IPTV owners, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has listed eight, including Doordarshan and Parliament channels, on the must-carry list. The other must-carry channels are Lok Sabha Television, DD Rajya Sabha, DD-1 or national channel, DD News, DD Sports, DD Urdu, Gyan Darshan and DD Bharti. Cable TV operators, as per the Cable TV Network Regulation, are supposed »»»
DTH market to expand five-fold in four years: Dish TV
Source: The Economic Times NEW DELHI: The market for direct-to-home in the broadcasting sector in India is expected grow nearly five-fold and touch a subscriber base of 30 million in the next four years, a leading player said on Sunday. “We believe that the DTH market will grow exponentially and is estimated to touch 30 million subscribers by 2012 from 6-7 million now,” Dish TV CEO Vinay Agarwal said. Industry also feels that DTH would take a lead against the cable TV in the next 10 years with more than three lakh customers being added on monthly basis, sources said. Agarwal said his »»»
FM stations to go off air for 3 days from today
Source: Indianexpress.com Chandigarh, September 26 Radio buffs in Chandigarh and nearby areas will not be able to enjoy the FM stations for three days, during afternoon and night hours, from Saturday. Due to certain technical maintenance work, the All India Radio will shut the transmission from 2 to 5 pm and midnight to 6 am. The stations to be affected include 92.7; 94.3, 103.10 and 107.20. It is perhaps the first time that radio programmes will be off air for such long durations. Talking to Newsline, programme head, All India Radio, Poonam Singh said: “It may not be a complete blackout, but »»»
Tata Sky to offer 3 ESS channels on basic pack till November
Source: Indiantelevision.com NEW DELHI: Direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Sky has agreed before Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) that it wil continue to provide free signals of ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket on its basic package till November. Tata Sky counsels filed the statement amidst arguments over a petition filed by one West Bengal-based Federation of Consumer Associations. While admitting Tata Sky’s submission, Tdsat chairperson Justice Arun Kumar said: “Counsel for respondent Tata Sky has clarified that it will continue to offer three channels ESPN, »»»
Dish TV to air Neo bouquet shortly
Source: Business StandardWith the India-Australia cricket series just two weeks away, Dish TV is planning to add Neo Sports bouquet of channels to its platform. The move is aimed at attracting more subscribers, which the Essel group’s direct to home (DTH) service provider lost to prime competitor Tata Sky. Dish TV Senior Vice-President Deepak Mehrotra said, “There is a substantial demand for Neo sports bouquet as cricket matches are screened on this channel. We have taken notice of the same and are planning to add this channel to the Dish TV platform. As the India-Australia series is just two »»»
Trai mulls genre-based CAS pricing
Source: Business Standard The move would increase the monthly subscription fees of consumers. The monthly cap of Rs 5 per pay channel in areas under conditional access system (CAS), which was imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), might be relaxed with the regulator allowing certain genres of channels like sports, lifestyle and others to charge a higher rate from consumers. The move would increase the monthly subscription fees paid by consumers in the CAS areas. It could also lead to a more dramatic shift of customers from cable to other platforms like direct-to-home (DTH) »»»
Cable operators slash subscription fee
Source: The Hindu MADURAI: Cable television operators owing allegiance to Cable Operators’ Guild here have cut down the monthly cable TV subscription fee to Rs. 125 with effect from October. “With competition hotting up in the industry through direct-to-home (DTH) services, we have decided to reduce our profit to keep afloat in the business,” guild president A. Pandi said. Over 100 operators, who get cable TV signal from the Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV), decided on the issue at a meeting here on Wednesday. “We will give almost all the popular channels, including the Sun bouquet, Star Movie »»»
