Jaspal Bhatti died

Popular satirist and film-maker Jaspal Bhatti, the man behind hit comedy shows like Ulta Pulta and Flop Show, was killed in a road accident in the wee hours of 25th October 2012 after his car rammed into a tree. 

Bhatti’s son Jasraj, who was driving the car, actor Surilie Gautam, the heroine of his upcoming film Power Cut, and film promoter Navneet Joshi were injured in the mishap, the police said. 

Bhaskar Das appointed Group CEO, to oversee Zee’s news & digital expansion

The Zee Group chairman and managing director Subhash Chandra is on a hiring spree these days. This time he is after top management level talents from Bennett Coleman & Company Limited (BCCL). Earlier he hired Times of India Group president and director Pradeep Guha as CEO, and now is the turn of Bhaskar Das to manage the digital business of Zee. 

Bhaskar Das, the new Group CEO of Zee Group, has earlier worked under Pradeep Guha and has worked for BCCL for more than 30 years. The digital business of Zee includes Zee News Ltd and india.com. He will be directly reporting to the CMD Subhash Chandra. Another media website reports Bhaskar Das will also be responsible for increasing revenues of all the news channels in the bouquet of Zee Group including Zee News, Zee Business, Zee 24 Taas (Marathi) and 24 Ghanta (Bengali). 

Zee, India Today in talks with to buy NDTV Profit

LiveMint has reported that Zee Group and and TV Today Network Ltd are in talks to buy New Delhi Television Ltd’s business channel NDTV Profit. It has also been reported there is another buyer in the race as well.

There has been no official comment from either of the companies.

In Kashmir, Pak TV’s TRPs fall

The UPA government has conducted a survey in the state of Jammu and Kashmir which has revealed that only two per cent of the state population watches Pakistani channels in the area. The survey further says most of the people in the state watch Doordarshan and DD-Kashir channels.

According to the data, average viewership of DD Kashir viewers in the state was 33.9 per cent whereas 33 per cent viewers were regular viewers. The percentage of regular viewers of DD National in the state was a dismal 12.8 per cent though 17.9 per cent viewed the channel every now and then.

Justice J S Verma to continue as NBSA Chairman

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has issued a statement that Justice J S Verma would continue to be the head of the body. 

Bollywood movie mogul Yash Chopra dies at 80

Bollywood movie mogul Yash Chopra, whose classic love tales made him the Indian film industry's "King of Romance," has died after contracting dengue fever on 21 October 2012. He was 80. Chopra's earliest major hits included the 1975 action film "Deewar" ("Wall") and the romance "Kabhi Kabhie — Love is Life" in 1976. 

Chopra started his film career in the 1950s under the tutelage of his elder brother, late filmmaker B.R. Chopra. He founded his own studio Yash Raj Films. 

Large Pension Fund Votes Against Rupert Murdoch and family in News Corp. Board

One of the nation’s largest public pension funds, CalPERS, has voted for initiatives directed towards lessening the control of Murdochs over the media conglomerate. The fund also voted against the re-election of Murdoch’s sons.

One of the nation’s largest public pension funds voted against Rupert Murdoch’s bid for re-election as chairman of the News Corp. board and also voted against the re-election of Murdoch’s sons. The California Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS, declared one day ahead of shareholders meeting in Los Angeles -- that it was “withholding its vote from non-independent director nominees Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch.”

According to TRAI, Telephone user base reached 965 million in April-June

The sectoral regulator TRAI says that the total telephone subscriber base in India has grown by 1.49 per cent to reach the figure of 965.52 million at the end of June, 2012. 

The total subscriber base in the country stands at 951.34 million in March 2012 end. 

Dish TV announces Basic Channel Tier free of cost to all customers in the First phase of digitization

Dish TV, India and Asia’s largest DTH service provider announced on 10 October 2012, a game changing initiative aimed at viewers in the 4 metros which fall under the digitization. Under the offer these customers will be eligible to receive a basic channel tier comprising of 70 channels free of cost for life, as against this, TRAI had recommended and all cable MSO’s are providing the basic tier at Rs 100/- per month to their subscribers. Viewers availing this offer will have to remain active by subscribing to a regular package at least twice during a year this is a highly differentiated and extremely consumer friendly move. Consumers in the four Metros are apprehensive about moving to the digital environment where TV signals will get disconnected on depletion of account balance.

Govt to rethink rules on telecasting adult films on TV

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has decided to examine how adult movies can be telecast on television after suitable modifications, in the late night slot. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has asked the law ministry for its opinion whether rules can be amended for this. 

The I&B minister Ambika Soni met Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) headed by Leela Samson on Monday. The meeting took place after CBFC took a decision to stop re-certifying Adult films for TV. 

Reliance Broadcast Network announces key appointments

The Reliance Broadcast Network has announced some key appointments such as Ashwin Sashital joining as Vice President BIG RTL, Minal Sharma as Sales Head – West and South, BIG CBS and Preeti Nayyar coming on board as National Sales Head Impact & Sales Head South and West – Language TV. 

Ashwin joins as Vice President, BIG RTL and will oversee marketing, revenue, creative and operations business. He will report to Sunil Kumaran, Head, Language TV. Before joining BIG RTL, he has worked in companies such as Star, Zee and Radio Mid Day. In his last assignment, he worked for Star Pravah as AVP. 

Monika Shergill puts in her papers at Star

The non-fiction content engine head of Star India, Monika Shergill, has put in her papers at Star India after working there for five years. 

Operators asked to remove ISD facility from Prepaid mobile numbers

The Telecom regulator TRAI has passed an order asking telecom companies to de-activate the ISD facility in pre-paid numbers. The facility might be restored by the operators if subscriber asks for the facility. 

"Inform all pre-paid subscribers having ISD facility, through SMS, within 10 days of the date of issue of this direction, that ISD facility of the subscribers shall be discontinued after sixty days," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said in a directive to telcos. 

TDSAT asks BSNL not to hike infrastructure charges retrospectively

The Telecom tribunal TDSAT has passed an interim order saying BSNL is not allowed to increase infrastructure charges retrospectively from April 2009.

The TDSAT said in the order, "Prima facie, we are of the view that it cannot be so done. Having regard to the fact that if the charges are to be increased and that too with retrospective effect, the purpose could not be achieved by taking recourse to clause 5.3.3 alone". The BSNL submission was that it could raise the charges from time to time as per agreement. "The words from 'time to time' by itself do not confer any authority on BSNL herein to give a retrospective effect to the charges levied by way of rental or infrastructural charges”.

Panchkula court stays use of tricolour strip by Doordarshan

The Panchkula district court has asked Doordarshan not to use tricolour strip at the bottom of the screen. The petition against use of tricolour on the bottom of the screen was filed by a 12-yr-old Panchkula resident.

The order will remain in force till the case is disposed by the court. The petition has been filed by Deepanshu Bansal, a class 8th student who had requested the court to restrain the channel. He found that the use of tricolour strip by the channel was in a disrespectful manner. He has also asked for action against Doordarshan officials.

BBC News gets Sam Taylor as the new channel controller

According to a BBC announcement, Sam Taylor will be leading its news channel. Sam Taylor joined BBC in 1997 as a news trainee. He also worked as a producer and editor, and later served as editor of BBC News at One and editor of BBC Newswire. He worked as an output editor on BBC One bulletins, where he worked on some of the biggest stories including 7/7, the London Olympic Bid, the 2005 election and the death of Dr David Kelly. The BBC decision to move the BBC newsrooms from Television Centre and Bush House into one building at New Broadcasting House (NBH) also had his inputs. Sam Taylor will join in the new role within a month.

Delhi High Court provides relief to telcos on 3G roaming

A government order barring Bharti Airtel from providing 3G roaming services in those circles where the company doesn’t have the requisite spectrum has been stayed by Delhi High Court.

The court said the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) stay order would stay in force but July’s split verdict on the issue cannot be seen as final judgment.

Calcutta High Court rules in favour of MRUC on the IRS 2008 dispute with ABP

The Calcutta High Court has said that Media Research Users Council (MRUC) terms and conditions are binding on the users. Therefore, the petition filed by ABP Pvt Ltd challenging findings of Indian Readership Survey by MRUC in 2008 has been dismissed.

According to a statement released by the MRUC "The Calcutta High Court has in a significant judgment delivered on 25 September 2012 held that the arbitration clause embedded in software of the Indian Readership Survey, which is part of the terms and conditions a user must accept before accessing data, is binding. Disposing of a petition filed by ABP Private Limited and vacating an injunction earlier granted by the Court, the Hon. Justice Nadira Patherya referred the dispute relating to IRS 2008 to arbitration."

FDI limit in telecom to stay in force till 2G auction

While the 2G spectrum auction by government is likely to start from November, the Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar has said 100 per cent FDI in telecom is likely to stay on hold till 2G auction. Only a day ago, Deepak Parekh panel on infrastructure had recommended removal of 74 per cent cap on FDI in telecom. 

"Hundred per cent FDI in telecom will not be possible before the 2G auctions," Chandrashekhar said, according to media reports. He further said the department would look into the recommendations of Deepak Parekh panel. 

The Madras High Court says broadcast media should be controlled through statutory body

The Madras High Court Bench has asked Centre to explain why there is no statutory body to improve broadcasting companies whereas newspapers and news agencies are controlled through Press Council Act 1978.

Presently the self regulatory body BCCC, constituted by the Indian Broadcasters’ Association, entertains complaints from the viewers.

TDSAT issues notice to Airtel on Asergis Telecom Services complaint

The Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has issued notice to Bharti Airtel on a complaint that Airtel had blocked Asergis Telecom Services toll free number leased from Tata Teleservices.

A TDSAT bench asked Bharti Airtel to file its reply by Tuesday.

Atria to source video tech suite from NDS to push digitisation

The MSO Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) will source a suite of video technologies from NDS, now owned by Cisco. The technology will be used by the company to digitise and expand its cable TV services in Southern and Western India.

Atria Convergence Technologies presently has more than one million analogue cable TV, digital TV, IPTV and broadband subscribers.

Star CJ Alive, the home shopping channel, now available on Videocon DTH

The Home shopping channel, Star CJ Alive, will now be available on channel 133 of Videocon's DTH service. The home shopping channel is available on TATA sky, Dish TV and Hathway already.

Dish TV provides live entertainment on Maharaja Express

Dish TV’s innovative and revolutionary mobile train technology is now installed in the Maharaja Express, one of the top twenty-five luxury trains in the world. Mobile Train Technology will enable travellers to experience in-train Live Entertainment of all genres on the go.

Dish TV is using mobile in venture satellite antennas manufactured by “Gilat” has enables live TV on the move. Every seat has a dedicated STB which enable the passenger to view channel of their own choice on the go. The train moving in any direction, at any speed, will receive seamless digital signal. Mobile Train Technology is maintenance free and highly robust. Dish TV will be installed in all cabins of Maharaja Express. Dish TV Mobile Train Technology will facilitate travelers to watch live programs, news, matches and their favourite movies.

Bharti Airtel moves court on 3G roaming notice

Bharti Airtel has approached the high court on Monday challenging a show-cause notice issued to the company which asked the company to stop 3G roaming services. 

Airtel offers 3G services outside its licensed areas with the help of intra-circle roaming pacts with Vodafone and Idea Cellular. The notice was issued to Airtel on Friday. The other 3G operators in similar agreements would also be issued similar notices. 

Prasar Bharti asked by TDSAT to furnish Rs 200 mn bank guarantee to ESPN

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) has asked public broadcaster Prasar Bharati to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 200 mn to ESPN Software. The payment has to be made over a payment dispute about the live telecast of cricket matches on Doordarshan.

The sports network, ESPN, however, would not be allowed to encash the bank guarantee without permission. The ESPN demand for payment was contested by Prasar Bharti for revenue share arising from advertisements in those cases when matches were telecast live simultaneously on ESPN and Doordarshan.

TDSAT slams MTNL for deducting disputed dues from Tata Communications

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has disapproved state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) action of deducting a disputed sum of money from Tata Communications even when the matter was being heard by TDSAT.

The TDSAT said that, "it was expected of a public sector undertaking which is a 'State' within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution of India to seek leave of this Tribunal before any such deduction was made".

More regional channels to come onboard Tata Sky

The DTH service provider Tata Sky is likely to get more transponders after the successful launch of India’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-10. The design life of the satellite is 15 years, the and it has 30 transponders —12 Ku-band (used for DTH services), 12 C-band and six extended C-band.

The new satellite will also beam signals in the direction which is same as that of INSAT-4A feed, the company need not realign its existing customers’ dish to a new direction.

Mamata Banerjee raises her voice against Cable TV digitisation

The West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who withdrew support from the Congress-led UPA, has raised her voice against cable digitization and installation of set top boxes for any kind of TV viewing. She believes the move will hurt the poor.

She said while addressing a rally in New Delhi, “Our poor people will be ruined. They should have evolved some mechanism for this. What was the need for this decision for making mandatory the use of STBs?"

High level government delegation in the US to hard sell India as FDI destination

Despite the ongoing protests against foreign direct investment in various sectors, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sent a jumbo Indian delegation in the US to lobby for reform push by the government.

The government delegation consists of top bureaucrats, economists, bankers, corporate bigwigs, and other experts and top Indian diplomats already present in the US. The delegation shall be attending India Investment Forum Meeting (September 24-25) at Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York, says Mail Today.

TDSAT stays sectoral regulator TRAI's new regulation about reducing port charges

The telecom tribunal Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has stayed the implementation reduction of port charges as per TRAI’s new regulation. The TDSAT order has come after a the state-run BSNL filed a petition against the order.

The TDSAT bench was headed Chairman Justice S B Sinha, where the TRAI was directed not to implement the new regulation till October 8. October 8 is the next date of hearing the petition.

Television channel bouquet rate cards announced by four MSOs

The four major Multi System Operators (MSOs) of India, DEN, Digi Cable, Hathway and WWil, have come out with the rates of different television channel consumer packages.

According to the TRAI stipulation, the Basic Service Tier (BST) of at least 100 channels for Rs 100 and other packages have been announced. The rate card of television channels as provided by the MSOs is the following:

The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on spectrum to meet on Oct 3, 2012

The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on telecom will likely meet on Wednesday on the issue of one-time spectrum fee issue, said a government official. According to a media report,

“A decision on a one-time spectrum fee held by existing operators will be taken by the EGoM on Oct 3," a government official said.

The present operators have received spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz without paying any extra charges to government. After May 2008, the department of telecommunications (DoT) started allotting GSM spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz with an undertaking that it would be subject to a one-time payment.