Advertisers take a stand; need weekly data from TAM

Although broadcasters have opted for a monthly data from TAM, advertisers have decided that weekly objective data by the ratings measurement agency is a need that cannot be ignored. Apart from this, major advertisers also remarked that they would not be subscribing to any other alternate system of ratings if broadcasters withdraw from TAM.

Of late, broadcasters have been protesting against TAM’s rating system in the digital regime calling it inadequate and not credible. Till now TAM provides the only currency for advertising on TV channels. TAM is largely funded by broadcasters and advertisers have framed a consensus that this fact should not command the ratings framework. They feel that TAM should be given a fair chance and not renounced at one go completely.

TRAI to get more teeth to enforce Regulations

The government proposed to give more powers to telecom and broadcasting regulator Trai to penalise service providers for failing to comply with rules and regulations.

The telecom ministry, in an inter-ministerial consultation, has said “jurisdiction to impose penalties through a transparent process for default in compliance with its orders and regulations as well as for non-observance of terms and conditions of licence is proposed to be vested in Trai”, a PTI release said.

Manish Tewari discusses hike in FDI in media with stakeholders

Manish Tewari, I&B Minister on 29 June held consultations with representatives of print and  broadcasting industry on the issue of increasing FDI limits in the media sector.

Officials said the I&B Minister, along with senior officials of the ministry, met representatives of the broadcasting and the print industry in two different meetings.

Times Television appoints Nemish Sanghvi as AVP, Branded Content

Times Television Network has appointed Nemish Sanghvi as Associate VP – Branded Content. With over 14 years of experience in live events and marketing, Sanghvi’s expertise lies in business development, strategic planning, conceptualizing, ideating & executing successful events & intellectual properties.

Prior to Joining Times Television Network, Sanghvi was working as Project Head in Percept Sports & Entertainment and Percept Live, a consolidated SBU for all the intellectual properties business of Percept. 

Tata Teleservices 19 permits may not be cancelled in 2G licence case

Rejecting demands that 19 permits of Tata Teleservices to operate GSM services in the country should be cancelled, senior government counsel PP Rao has said these do not come under the ambit of the Supreme Court's order quashing telecom permits granted on or after January 10, 2008, even though the Tata permits were granted on that date. 

The opinion will come as a relief to the telecom operator Tata Teleservices, as the fate of its 19 GSM permits was unclear after the GSM industry body COAI mounted pressure on the government to cancel its GSM permits, contending that they too were notified through a press release on the same date and hence were liable to be annulled. 

DoT floats Cabinet note to revive ITI

The Telecom Ministry has floated a Cabinet note for a revival package of Rs 4,156 crore for state-owned telecom equipment maker ITI Ltd.

The draft CCEA note was floated by the DoT last week for inter-ministerial consultation after the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) accorded its views for revival of the PSU.

Flash strike by cable operators in Kolkata

Cable TV transmission were switched off in Kolkata for 24 hours resulting in partial to total blackouts on Sunday the 30th June. It was a result of protest against the packages introduced by the Multi-System Operators (MSOs). which they say are expensive and will force consumers to opt for DTH service. The cable operators threatened to go for an indefinite strike if their demand is not looked into.

"The packages have been introduced without giving a thought for consumers. There should be an acceptance from their end as well before implementing these," said Apurba Bhattacharya, general secretary, Cable Operators Sangram Committee.