Channels to switch off analogue from 1 Nov
Violation of digitisation deadline in the four metros to be treated as a criminal act; TAM to stop measuring viewership on analogue cable from 1 November.
(22 september 2012)

MSOs should focus on basic packaging
Hathway CEO Jayaraman says pricing of channels and bouquets for consumers needs to be sorted out; consumers will pay only if they get good packages.
(21 september 2012)

The ARPU dilemma
In early period of digitisation, subscription rates should not be increased; revenue upswing initially will come from second & third TV sets, says Den Networks CEO S N Sharma.
(22 september 2012)

No shift in digitisation deadline; MSOs to announce channel package prices soon: Trai
Trai's Parameswaran rules out analog co-existing with digital transmission in 4 metros for brief period after deadline; at IDOS 2012 he also talks about cross-media restrictions.
(21 september 2012)

Digitisation spurs Sony, foreign media firms to invest in India
Digitisation gives Sony the confidence to up its investments in MSM, says CEO Man Jit Singh; to also attract foreign investments in cable and DTH.
(21 september 2012)

DAS can be the gateway for broadband and VAS
All MSOs express interest in developing broadband as a second major revenue source after moving into the digital regime where they will have direct control over the customer.
(22 september 2012)

MSOs, broadcasters want digitisation deadline to stay put
"Going by the investments we are making, the way we are progressing with content deals with broadcasters and the pace at which we are seeding the set-top boxes (STBs), there is no reason to believe that anybody wants deferment of digitisation," said Den Networks CEO S N Sharma.
(21 september 2012)

All stakeholders confident about future after DAS
The first day of the two-day Indian Digital Operators Summit (IDOS) 2012 concluded with stakeholders from different parts of the value chain wanting introduction of the digital addressable system (DAS) without any further delay and expressing confidence that consumers will accept better customised services possible in a digital environment.
(21 september 2012)

Analogue cannot be switched off before 1 Nov
Tdsat appoints official to visit head-ends of DEN, Hathway, WWIL & INCable to ensure analogue is not switched off before digitisation deadline; order issued on a plea by ESPN.
(25 september 2012)

Channels may be pulled out genre-wise from analogue before 1 Nov
In meeting between I&B, MSOs and broadcaster, idea mulled about 'knock-out' channels being available for consumers only through digital STBs.
(24 september 2012)

Tata Sky FY'12 loss narrows to Rs 2.98 bn on expanding subscriber base
Tata Sky's net loss is 36% less than FY'11 as net sales is up 18% to Rs 15.9 billion; also has plans to raise Rs 1.6 billion via debentures to fund growth.
(26 september 2012)

HUL to be exclusive ad partner of Zee Bangla Cinema
HUL gets to exclusively advertise on the channel for one-and-a-half months and for the next four-and-a-half months, 30% of ad inventory committed to the FMCG company.
(27 september 2012)

Digitisation: Ad deals may be reworked on short term basis
Any significant shortfall in complete digitisation of cable TV homes likely to result in advertisers and broadcasters signing transitory commercial agreements.
(24 september 2012)

Battle for 2nd spot intense among Hindi GECs
Hindi GECs shed 51 GRPs in week ended 22 September due to T20 World Cup; Zee TV, Sony and Colors are separated from each other by just a few points.
(26 september 2012)

Zee eyes Rs 1 bn from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012
After a gap of two years, Zee TV is all set to woo its audience with the new season of its oldest flagship property ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012’.
(22 september 2012)

Venkataraman named CEO of both CNN IBN & IBN7
Dilip Venkatraman replaces Piyush Jain who now focuses on regional news forays; Venkatraman responsible for strategic & operational management at the two national news channels.
(25 september 2012)

Prasar Bharati's plans for DD and AIR to bridge fiscal deficit
Pubcaster needs Rs 4 billion more to bridge gap between Rs 16 billion revenue & Rs 20 billion expense; to hire marketing professionals at market salaries to achieve its target.
(27 september 2012)

Deccan Chargers gets a reprieve from HC
HC asks Deccan to provide Rs 1 bn bank guarantee in 10 days after which contract will be reinstated; Yes Bank, other lenders to finance IPL 2013 season expenses.
(26 september 2012)

MTV’s Unplugged season 2 to be aired on Colors as well
MTV's Swamy says focus is not so much on marketing but on distribution to a larger audience; by telecasting it on Colors and Fever FM, the channel hopes to widen audience reach.
(27 september 2012)

'Cross-media regulation has only discouraged clean, legitimate players in DTH & cable'
Interview with Star India CEO Uday Shankar