DTH OPERATORS
![Sony Pictures' channels back in Tata Play's DTH packages](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-112720219,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-pictures-channels-back-in-tata-plays-dth-packages.jpg)
Sony Pictures' channels back in Tata Play's DTH packages
Sony Pictures Networks India's channels have returned to Tata Play's packages after resolving their differences. Tata Play had recently removed SPNI channels due to declining market share. The channels are now reinstated. SPNI had earlier sought an audit of Tata Play's subscriber management system, citing discrepancies.
![CCI tunes in to RIL-Disney merger show, raises query](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-112662873,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/industry/media/entertainment/media/cci-tunes-in-to-ril-disney-merger-show-raises-query.jpg)
CCI tunes in to RIL-Disney merger show, raises query
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has raised antitrust concerns about Reliance Industries and Walt Disney's $8.5-billion merger of their media assets. The proposed merger could create a dominant entity in India's entertainment sector, holding significant cricket broadcasting rights. To ease concerns, Reliance and Disney have proposed shutting certain channels and await regulatory approval.
![Industry wants open discussion on fresh Broadcast Bill draft](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-112511476,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/industry/media/entertainment/media/industry-wants-open-discussion-on-fresh-broadcast-bill-draft.jpg)
Industry wants open discussion on fresh Broadcast Bill draft
The media industry anticipates the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to conduct an open and transparent consultation process before releasing a new draft of the Broadcast Services Regulation Bill. This expectation follows criticism towards the MIB for its opaque handling of the second draft circulated to certain stakeholders at the end of July.
![TRAI begins consultation process on TV broadcast audits](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-112407859,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/industry/media/entertainment/media/trai-begins-consultation-process-on-tv-broadcast-audits.jpg)
TRAI begins consultation process on TV broadcast audits
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) conducted a consultation to decide if the annual DPO-caused subscriber management system audits should be retained or modified. Despite regulatory measures, many DPOs delayed audits, leading broadcasters to advocate for broadcaster-caused audits. TRAI also considered extending audit deadlines and defining small DPOs to address manpower and financial constraints.
![Tata Play removes Sony channels from curated packs due to low viewership](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-112198765,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/industry/media/entertainment/media/tata-play-removes-sony-channels-from-curated-packs-due-to-low-viewership.jpg)
Tata Play removes Sony channels from curated packs due to low viewership
Tata Play, an Indian subscription-based satellite television service provider, announced on Thursday that it will be removing Sony Entertainment channels from its specially curated subscriber packs. This decision stems from the low viewership of these channels.
![Sony, Tata Play spar over removal of TV channels from DTH packs](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-112204729,width-100,height-75,resizemode-4/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-tata-play-spar-over-removal-of-tv-channels-from-dth-packs.jpg)
Sony, Tata Play spar over removal of TV channels from DTH packs
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Tata Play were in conflict over the removal of SPNI channels from consumer packs. Tata Play cited declining popularity and cost savings for customers as reasons. SPNI claimed retaliation after requesting an audit of Tata Play's subscriber management system. SPNI is considering legal action due to an existing contract. Tata Play's CEO assured the move complied with regulations and allowed individual subscriptions. This dispute highlights industry challenges with competition from streaming services. The controversy mirrors a similar issue involving SonyLIV's removal from Tata Play's OTT service over payout disagreements.
- Go To Page 1
DTH, teleport company expect new policy to lower satellite costs
The Indian government’s new policy, effective April 2025, requires foreign satellite operators to establish local units to offer satellite capacity to Indian companies. This change is expected to reduce satellite capacity costs for Direct-to-Home (DTH) and teleport operators by allowing them to negotiate long-term contracts in Indian rupees rather than foreign currencies.
Tata Play FY24 results: Net loss widens to Rs 353.9 crore, revenue dips 4.3%
Tata Play, previously known as Tata Sky, reported a widened loss of Rs 353.9 crore with a 4.32% decline in revenue. Plans for an IPO were delayed due to regulatory issues. The company's financial performance in FY24 shows a challenging year.
DTH companies lose over 3 million users in FY24
Despite the Indian Premier League and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023, four private direct-to-home (DTH) operators in India lost 3.28 million active subscribers in the fiscal year ending March 2024. Free streaming of the events by JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, along with price hikes by broadcasters, led to the decline. Competition from OTT platforms and Prasar Bharati-owned DD Free Dish also contributed to the drop in subscribers.
Tata Play’s loss widens 3-fold as DTH takes a hit
Tata Play’s net loss for fiscal 2024 surged more than threefold due to heightened competition in its direct-to-home (DTH) TV distribution business. The company reported a net loss of Rs 354 crore for the fiscal year ended March 31, compared to Rs 105 crore the previous year. Revenue from operations fell by over 4% to Rs 4,304 crore, while expenses rose 1.47% to Rs 4,761 crore. The DTH segment posted a net loss of Rs 247 crore, while the broadband business saw a narrower net loss and a 27% revenue increase.
CCI approves Airtel's buyout of Warburg Pincus affiliate's stake in DTH arm
In October 2023, the telecom company sought the competition watchdog’s approval for the transaction that also involved Lion Meadow Investment, an affiliate of Warburg Pincus, acquiring a stake in Bharti Airtel, one of the persons cited above said. The CCI approved the transaction recently.
Pay DTH operators lost 0.66 million subscribers in festive quarter
According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's Performance Indicator Report for the quarter ending December 31, the pay DTH base of the four private DTH operators declined to 63.52 million from 64.18 million in the trailing quarter.
TV distributors bet on bundling to arrest churn
TV distribution companies are bundling services to prevent churn, with players like Airtel and Jio offering diverse packages. This strategy aims to retain subscribers amid industry churn, improve customer stickiness, and reduce acquisition costs. For years, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have been offering bundled data and content services to their customers. In the realm of standalone providers, DTH company Tata Play has been bundling linear TV and OTT services, allowing subscribers to access both through a unified billing system.
Broadband, OTT may keep Tata Play in good stead amid DTH dip
Tata Play's revenue from its core direct-to-home (DTH) business is expected to decline in the medium term due to a slowdown in its subscriber base. However, this decrease is anticipated to be balanced by growth in broadband and over-the-top (OTT) businesses. Operating margins may face pressure in FY24 and FY25 due to the subscriber base moderation, although partly offset by improved metrics from Tata Play Binge and expected breakeven from Tata Play Broadband.
User Additions: It's a mixed bag for DTH companies
The pay Direct-to-Home (DTH) industry experienced mixed results in the third quarter, with strong subscriber additions during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in October and November, but losses in December as subscribers shifted to alternative platforms like OTT and DD Free Dish. The industry gained an estimated 1 million+ subscribers in October and November but lost an equal number in December, resulting in no net gain for the quarter. Bharti Airtel's DTH unit, Airtel Digital TV, achieved its highest net additions in 12 quarters, while Dish TV reported its best Q3 since FY19 in terms of new subscriber additions.
Dish TV airs plan to grow its user base
Once India's largest DTH platform, Dish TV has been steadily losing ground due to competition in the market and a tussle between promoters led by Jawahar Goel and other investors including Yes Bank, which has now transferred its 24% shareholding to JC Flowers. Dish TV promoters own a 4% stake in the company.
Reliance Tata Deal: Ambani's RIL may buy 30% Tata Play stake from Disney to strengthen television distribution & JioCinema
Reliance Industries is reportedly in talks to acquire a 29.8% stake in Tata Play, a subscription-based satellite TV and video streaming service, from Walt Disney. The potential deal would strengthen Reliance's presence in India's television distribution sector and expand the reach of its streaming platform, JioCinema. Tata Play, owned by Tata Sons and Temasek, faces competition from Netflix, Hotstar, JioCinema, and Amazon Prime.
Parl Panel to hold 'constructive' talks with ministry on Broadcast Bill
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation and News Broadcasters and Digital Association have raised concerns about the proposed Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2023, stating that it gives the government excessive powers to interfere with content creation and dissemination. The committee recommends granting distribution platform operators the authority to select individual channels from broadcasters' bouquets to promote freedom of choice.
Reliance Jio subscribes to keeping DTH licence fee
In August, Trai recommended to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) that the government abolish the licence fee for DTH operators after the end of FY27 to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. Trai argued that DTH platforms be treated similar to other regulated and unregulated distribution platforms, such as cable TV, headend in the sky (HITS), Internet protocol television (IPTV), and over-the-top (OTT) services.
Dish TV appoints Sunil Khanna, Ravi Bhushan Puri as directors
The appointments will become effective on the date of receipt of the approval of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) or the date on which the number of directors on the board falls below the statutory minimum number of three directors, whichever is earlier.
DTH operators added 2.5 lakh subscribers to their active base in Q1 FY24, says TRAI
According to the performance indicator report of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the total active subscriber base of the four pay DTH operators – Tata Play, Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV and Sun Direct – increased 0.38% quarter-on-quarter to 65.50 million.
DTH industry revenue falls 10% to Rs 11,000 crore in FY23
The combined operating revenue of four private direct-to-home (DTH) companies in India, including Tata Play, Bharti Telemedia, Dish TV, and Sun Direct, declined nearly 10% in FY23 to Rs 11,072 crore, compared to Rs 12,284 crore the previous fiscal year. The four DTH companies incurred a net loss of Rs 2143 crore cumulatively, with Dish TV posting the biggest loss of Rs 1684 crore.
I&B Ministry proposes to bring OTT, digital news under new legislation
The ministry intends to establish self-regulation through content evaluation committees and a broadcast advisory council. It also aims to provide programme and advertisement codes for various broadcasting network providers, as well as accessible measures for people with disabilities and statutory penalties.
MIB to bring OTT, digital news under proposed new broadcasting services legislation
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has opened public consultation on the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, designed to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995. The proposed legislation aims to streamline regulatory processes, encompassing Over-The-Top (OTT) and digital news platforms, and update definitions and provisions for emerging technologies.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry working on new Broadcasting Services Bill
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) plans to introduce the Broadcasting Services Regulation (BSR) Bill 2023, which will replace the current Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995. The new bill will have a wider scope, regulating over-the-top (OTT), cable TV, direct-to-home (DTH), headend-in-the-sky (HITS), internet protocol television (IPTV), and radio.
Subscribers back on the DTH pitch, all thanks to IPL
Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO of Bharti Airtel, said the DTH business saw strong net additions in April and May. He also stated that the company's strategy of aggregating all video content with broadband has paid rich dividends for the company.
Tariff hikes may push up cable, DTH companies subscription revenue
The tariff hike by cable and DTH operators in India is expected to boost their subscription revenue, as TV broadcasters have increased their prices following the notification of the New Tariff Order (NTO) 3.0. A recent FICCI-EY report revealed that TV subscription revenue contracted by 4% in 2022 due to a reduction in pay-TV homes and stagnant consumer-end ARPUs.
Active pay DTH user base down 2.17% in Q2: Trai
Over the course of a year, the active pay DTH subscriber base has declined 4.8% from 68.89 million in September 2021. Of the 65.58 million active subscribers, Tata Play had the largest share at 33.03%, followed by Bharti Telemedia at 26.49%. Dish TV was at 21.67% and Sun Direct 18.81%.
BARC looks to expand panel homes via RPD set-top boxes
BARC India CEO Nakul Chopra held one such meeting on Thursday with members of the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the apex body of multi-system operators (MSOs). A source privy to the discussions said most of the AIDCF members have expressed their willingness to participate in the RPD project.
Load More