MSM ropes in Naresh Chahal as head of corporate affairs

Naresh Chahal has been appointed as vice president, head of corporate affairs by Multi Screen Media(MSM). 

Chahal would be based in New Delhi. He was the director-finance in Indian Broadcasting Foundation(IBF) before joining MSM. 

ARASU CABLE TV TENDER EXTEND

As directed by the Hon'ble High Court of Chennai in W.P.No. 16344 of 2012, dated 27-6-2012, the last date for submission of Tender (Ref.No. TACTV/Chennai HE/2012-13/Revised) for supply of Digital Head End,

Viacom18 appoints Sudhanshu Vats as Group CEO

Viacom18 Media has appointed Sudhanshu Vats as its Group CEO who would be joining in August 2012, Vats would be reporting to the Viacom18 board and will be responsible for growth of all Viacom18 businesses comprising Colors, Comedy Central, MTV, Nick, Sonic, Vh1 and Viacom18 Motion Pictures 

YOU SCOD18 to launch HD, OTT Channels with ViBE VS7000 Convergent Video System

YOU SCOD18, one of the leading cable TV MSOs in Mumbai, has installed Thomson Video Networks' ViBE VS7000 convergent video platform to launch HD channels and OTT services to customers in the Mumbai area. 

YOU SCOD18 Networking Pvt Ltd. is a joint venture between YOU Broadband & Cable India Ltd. and leading cable TV distributors in Mumbai. YOU Broadband offers high-speed data, voice, and video services to residential, corporate, and SME customers in 13 of India's major cities, with a head end located in Mumbai. YOU SCOD18 plans to launch HD, OTT channels, and many value-added services including audience metering/TV viewership, Catch Up TV, and Video-on-Demand (VoD) in the near future. The company chose Thomson's ViBE VS7000 fully integrated IP video system for its superior image quality and the combination of encoding and multiformat capabilities it offers in a convenient package. 

Airtel to move apex court against tribunal order

Bharti Airtel will be approaching the Supreme Court to challenge the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) order alleging customs duty evasion. The telecom operator has been asked to pay about Rs 800 crore in an order passed by the Tribunal on June 7.

“This is an industry issue regarding exemption from customs duty on the software imported by telecom operators for equipment. The Supreme Court is already seized of the issue in a similar matter involving another operator. We intend to file an appeal in the Supreme Court,” a Bharti spokesperson said.

TDSAT fines Star, MSM, Zee for aiding 'illegal' MSO in Himachal

Broadcast tribunal TDSAT has pulled up channel distributing firms – Star Den, MSM Discovery and Zee Turner - for letting their signals be distributed illegally by a Punjab-based leading MSO (multiple system operator) in Himachal Pradesh, without getting necessary approvals.

It has said that the three "shall also pay a sum of Rs 25,000 each to the petitioner", the MSOs of Himachal Pradesh, which had brought the case before it.

Cable TV digitisation put off by four months till October 31

New Delhi: The much-trumpeted digitalisation of cable TV services in four metros will now have to wait for four months beyond July 1, when it was originally scheduled to be introduced.

The decision to defer the plan for switchover from analogue to digitised signals was announced by the government on Wednesday as it was found that the metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata were not ready for it.

Govind Shahi joins IndiaCast as biz head

IndiaCast Media Distribution, a JV between TV18 and Viacom18, has appointed Govind Shahi as the business head for its UK and Europe operations. 

The company has recently opened a new office in London to manage distribution, marketing and advertising sales for Colors UK and other upcoming channels from the group. 

Key Appointments in KIT Digital

The company has made a number of new appointments to the regional executive team, bringing in new talent and additional industry expertise: 

Nicole Dixon has been named Managing Director of Asia-Pacific, responsible for driving operations, business development, account management, finance and marketing activities. Dixon is a long-standing senior executive at KIT digital with many years of experience as a technologist and technical operations manager. Upon joining the company, Dixon became Head of Technical Operations for the Asia-Pacific region, and subsequently a role as head of Global Client Services. 

Naresh Chahal to moves to Sony

NEW DELHI: Naresh Chahal has put in his papers as Director (Finance) of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation. 

Industry sources said Chahal is expected to move to Sony Entertainment Television. 

Soni meets LCOs to discuss on digitisation deadline

NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni met local cable operators on 18th June to seek their opinions on digitisation deadline in the four metros.

The LCOs said that Soni has asked them to move the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) about their revenue share of Rs 45 in the basic service tier of Rs 100 with the MSOs, if they were unhappy about it.

DigiCable gets MSO licence to operate in DAS areas

MUMBAI: DigiCable Networks (India) has got the permission from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for operating as a multi-system operator (MSO) in the Digital Addressable System (Das) notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

DigiCable has got the permission for a period of 10 years, effective 12 June.

New Initiative from Dish TV

Dish TV has come out with an unique offer for LCOs. local cable operators (LCOs) will get to earn per set-top box for each consumer that they help migrate from cable to DTH.

For Dish TV, the move will open up a new frontier of attack. By offering an incentive to the LCOs who have historically earned their livelihood through cable networks, India’s largest DTH operator hopes to add subscribers more rapidly when consumers will have to choose either digital cable or DTH if they want to watch television in the digitised era.

LCOs demand Police Protection post 30 June 2012

Last mile operators of Delhi today organised a rally from Jantar Mantar to Shastri Bhawan to protest against the TRAI regulations and I&B Ministry's diktat for a mandatory digitization, ignoring the concens of thousands of small Cable operators.

LCOs of West Delhi and from other parts of Delhi marched to Shastri Bhawan to hand over memorandum to Ms. Ambika Soni, Minister for Information and Broadcasting listing out their demands of a fair share in the Cable TV revenue and extension of deadlines for switching off analog as there are no adequate STBs to seed in subscriber homes. Many areas of Delhi do not even have digital signal from any MSO, allege the LCOs.

Conax powers OTT and multi-screen

Multi-screen digital TV content security solutions specialist Conax has unveiled Conax Xtend Multiscreen, a new pre-integrated solution for enabling easy migration to advanced multiscreen services. The solution is a high performance, cost-efficient ecosystem for multiscreen hybrid-broadband-broadcast content delivery and consumption. The solution has been developed together with middleware provider, Cubiware, and content management system provider, MPS Broadband. 

“Many consumers now have ready access to high-speed broadband. Combined with a tide of powerful new connected devices, a new era of video consumption has been ignited. Pay-TV operators are keen to explore strategic partnerships and business models that enable energetic new offerings such as delivery of advanced multiscreen services that provide both ease of use and quality of experience,” noted Tom Jahr, EVP Products and Partners, Conax. 

Mehdi Hassan passes away in Karachi

India-born Ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan, the melodious voice behind evergreen hits like 'Patta patta, boota boota' and 'Kab ke Bichhare', died on 13 June 2012 following multiple organ failure at the age of 84. 

Hassan, who had millions of fans in India and Pakistan, had been admitted to the Agha Khan Hospital in the southern port city of Karachi some days ago. He had been in a serious condition and was on ventilator. 

TDSAT reprieve for broadcasters, stays TRAI’s ad duration rule

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has stayed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) notification to limit the duration of ads to 12 minutes per hour. The case will come up for hearing next on July 17.

The TDSAT stay comes as a relief to broadcasters who slammed the TRAI’s move to limit the duration of ads on their networks.

Hathway introduce HD Services Pan India

With HD promising to be a treat with viewing experience similar to what one would expect in reality, Hathway subscribers now have more reason to celebrate. Hathway has scaled up their offerings to 20 HD channels in select locations and the HD service is available with an attractive and combined broadband service, giving consumers value for money. The HD services are available in key cities of Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Available on Hathway, the superior HD service will provide subscribers with best picture quality and richer content. Additionally, Hathway HD service is available with an attractive and combined broadband service, giving consumers value for money.

Turner appoints Melissa Tinker as VP for Cartoon Network Enterprises

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific has named Melissa Tinker as Vice-President of its licensing and merchandise division, Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE). Her appointment coincides with CNE’s robust expansion across the region which includes branded learning centres and themed destinations in addition to the growth of traditional categories of toys, apparel, home entertainment, publishing and lifestyle products. 

Ideally placed to drive further growth for CNE in Asia Pacific, Tinker brings over 15 years of industry experience focused on crafting licensing strategies for brand expansion, and was a major force behind the success of many popular kids’ and family entertainment brands. 

Stofa chooses Appear TV Transcoding Headends for Major Channel Expansion

June 11 2012 - Appear TV, a leading global provider of next-generation head-ends for broadcast and IP television, today announced that it has collaborated with long-standing partner Stofa, the triple play Danish cable operator, to expand Stofa’s service offering through provision of Appear TV’s transcoding solutions. The project, which is now live, has MPEG-2 services received at Stofa’s media centre by satellite, the 180 channels are transcoded to MPEG-4 and groomed by Appear TV’s Transcoding Head-Ends and then distributed to Stofa’s cable customers over its existing network.

“The implementation of Appear TV’s transcoding head-end solution allows us to simply and efficiently increase our cable content portfolio by taking 180 satellite channels, transcode and then use our existing network to distribute to our cable customers,” said Thomas Helbo, CTO, Stofa. “We chose the Appear TV transcoding solution because it is the most flexible, high-density solution on the market. If our business model changes it’s easy to add more modules or deploy new functionality through adding a different type of module. We look forward to Appear TV continuing to provide us with solutions that will be able to match and support our innovative platform strategy.” 

Vuclip brings TV shows to mobile phone

Vuclip, the world’s largest independent mobile video destination, has launched Vuclip TV (available at tvshows.vuclip.com), which will enable users to watch popular TV shows on their mobile phone. To begin with, Vuclip TV will serve more than 4000 video clips from various popular TV shows in Hindi, Telugu, English and other languages and new videos will be added regularly. Vuclip delivers a wholesome mobile video experience on more than 5500 different handsets ranging from the most advanced smart phones to the most basic feature phones that have video playing and internet capabilities, eliminating the need to download any plug-in applications to play the video clips.

Tata Sky expands HD offering

Tata Sky announced the launch of Sony HD and Zee HD on its platform on May 8, 2012. All Tata Sky HD and HD+ subscribers can now enjoy their favorite general entertainment shows from Sony Entertainment and Zee in true high definition.

RIL finalising plans to roll out pan-India internet services

Reliance Industries, which has pan-India spectrum for broadband services, said it is finalising plans to offer internet services in key areas of education, security, financial services and entertainment.

Digitised Arasu Cable TV in city from Sept. 15

September 15, the birth anniversary of former CM Annadurai, would bring a bonanza for TV viewers in the city.

The Tamil Nadu Arasu cable TV corporation (TACTV) is to launch its digitised cable service in Chennai with a bang, as it would air over 500 channels even at the time of launch.

TV18 & Viacom18 form distribution JV IndiaCast

As announced on June 5, 2012 TV18 and Viacom18 will make a strategic joint venture called IndiaCast to create India’s first multi-platform ‘content asset monetisation’ entity. IndiaCast is mandated to drive domestic and international channel distribution, placement services and content syndication for TV18, Viacom18, A+E Networks I TV18 and the Eenadu Group, post completion of its acquisition by TV18.

With this landmark move, all content assets of the two media houses will be consolidated for monetisation across all media in India and abroad. IndiaCast has been created with the aim to consolidate the distribution functions of both media houses to reach newer markets and increase operational efficiencies.

ZengaTV broadens its portfolio with RAJ TV Bouquet

ZengaTV, pioneer in Mobile TV services in India on 05 June 2012, has entered into a strategic partnership with RAJ TV. With this partnership RAJ TV bouquet of Channels is now available free to mobile phone and web users globally on ZengaTV’s superior, seamless, non-buffering mobile TV service. 

With the addition of RAJ TV bouquet on Zenga, mobile users across the world will be able to enjoy a mixture of live contemporary Tollywood, Sandalwood, Mollywood content. Programs that include celebrity interviews, artist profiles, movies, film premieres and parties will transport the mobile viewer into the centre of the glitz, glamour and glitterati of Tollywood. 

Classic Cable Network Selects NDS Technology to launch digital cable TV service in Eastern Delhi

NDS on 5 June 2012 announced that Classic Cable Networks (CCN), an independent cable TV provider in New Delhi, India, is deploying an end-to-end solution from NDS to power and protect its digital services.

NDS will provide an end-to-end suite of technologies including MediaHighway® set-top box software, VideoGuard® conditional access, a customised electronic programme guide (EPG) and a host of interactive functionality such as games and TV applications, including regional content, to compliment the current CCN channel offering. NDS will also enable additional revenue streams by providing regional advertising capabilities via the EPG home page and banner ads supported by NDS Dynamic Advanced Advertising technology.

WWIL to Share Carriage fee with LCOs

Wire and Wireless (India) Ltd. (WWIL), the leading Cable Television service provider in India, as part of its commitment to timely implementation of digitization in top metros across India, has announced path breaking initiatives led by the first ever decision to share carriage revenue with cable operators. WWIL operates successfully under the SITI Digital Cable brand name in three top metros of Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

WWIL is the first company in cable space in the country to take this bold step in the industry with a view to grow the business under full transparency, hitherto missing in the entire value chain of the cable business. The company, which took the path-breaking initiative, expects all stakeholders especially the involved value chain partners to cooperate fully to make this WWIL industry endeavor a thumping success.

Alan Horn joins as Chairman: Walt Disney Studios

The Walt Disney Company has appointed Alan Horn as the Chairman of its unit, The Walt Disney Studios. 

The appointment, effective from June 11. Horn will oversee worldwide operations for the unit including production, distribution and marketing for live-action and animated films from Disney, Pixar and Marvel, The Walt Disney Studios said in a statement. 

Rajmohan Nair apponited as president-network development: IndiaTV

India TV has appointed Rajmohan Nair as president, network development. Prior to this, he was vice-president, distribution, TV Today group. 

iNovo Broadband appoints Roshan D’souza as VP, GM APAC

iNovo Broadband, which provides next generation CPE's to the market, has appointed Roshan D’souza as vice president and GM for Asia Pacific. 

D’souza comes in from Hathway Cable & Datacom, where he was president – broadband. Prior to joining Hathway in September 2010, he was with Scientific Atlanta / Cisco. 

Zubin Driver quits Network18

Zubin Driver, CEO, Cell 18 and Group Creative Director, Network 18, has resigned Network 18 to pursue his interest in theatre, arts and cinema. He will be setting up his own theatre company along with a separate production house for creative content catering to all platforms like TV, films, etc. 

I&B: Khursheed Ganai takes over as joint secretary - Films

Khursheed Ahmed Ganai, an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1982 batch, has taken over as Joint Secretary (Films) in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. 

Ganai is from the Jammu and Kashmir cadre and replaced DP Reddy, who was holding the post until now. 

iPad app on 9X

Music television network 9X Media has launched the 9X Music Network Live application for iPads. The application allows users to get the music and other supporting content of 9X Music Television Network's four channels - 9XM, 9X Jalwa (Bollywood Hits music channel), 9X Tashan (Punjabi music channel) and 9X Jhakaas (Marathi music channel).

New telecom policy to work for liberalisation of spectrum and convergence of networks

Repositioning of the mobile phone as an instrument of empowerment, "Broadband For All” at a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps, convergence of network, services and devices and liberalisation of spectrum are some of the salient points of the National Telecom Policy and Unified Licensing Regime for 2012. 

The policy, approved by the Union Cabinet on 31 May, 2012, seeks to provide a predictable and stable policy regime for a period of about ten years. It will be operationalised by bringing out detailed guidelines, as may be considered appropriate, from time to time.