Cable Operators Federation of India
A Hope For The Last Mile Providers
Amazon launches ‘Alexa Cast’; will compete with Apple’s ‘AirPlay’ & Google’s ‘Cast’ Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:48
The tech giant Amazon has launched Alexa Cast, which will allow its users to stream on Alexa devices like the Echo line of speakers. At present, the facility is limited to Amazon Music only. The new step will allow Amazon to compete well with rivals like Apple which has AirPlay, Google that has Cast.
Spotify’s India launch delayed due to cold war with large record labels Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:46
The India launch of the global music streaming service Spotify has been delayed as large record labels have refused to license their songs to the service for the Indian market.
Music Broadcast registers 25% rise in net profit in Q1 Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:45
While reporting 8% increase in its revenue to Rs 75.7 crore in Q1, the music Broadcast Limited (MBL), the parent company of Radio City, has registered 25% spike in its net profit at Rs 25 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2018 from Rs 15 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal.
US faces heavy cord cutting which may grow 33% ; pay-TV in danger: Report Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:44
As per eMarketer’s latest US pay TV/OTT forecast, the USA is facing heavy rate of card cutting which puts pay-TV in danger. As per report, the number of cord-cutters (adults who’ve ever cancelled pay TV service and continue without it) is expected to reach 32.8% this year to 33 million. That’s higher than the 22% growth rate (27.1 million) projected in July 2017.
Dailyhunt & Sakal Media Group reach deal for Marathi content Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:41
To bolster its Marathi content, the news aggregation app Dailyhunt has partnered with leading Marathi media group Sakal Media Group; the deal will allow Dailyhunt to offer Marathi and English news content on various topics.
Justice Srikrishna Committee presents draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:12
On 27 July, Justice BN Srikrishna committee, set up in 2017, submitted draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018, along with its recommendations.
RJio surprises analysts with 19.2% growth in its net profit amidst rivals’ heavy losses Saturday, 28 July 2018 05:07
While Bharati Airtel posted heavy losses in June quarter, the new entrant telco Reliance Jio’s net profit is up 19.2%, though its ARPU has declined.
Sky’s massive sales growth makes the bid more attractive for Disney Friday, 27 July 2018 11:35
The attractive sales growthofSky has boosted the purchasing appetite of Disney as it may consider bidding higher for Britain’s top pay-TV company.
IMC to monitor online media Friday, 27 July 2018 11:25
As reported earlier, the committee which was constituted during SmritiIrani’s tenue as minister for information and broadcasting (MIB) to look into the issue of bringing online media under the regulatory framework has been scrapped. Now, the issue will be looked into by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on “Investment in Critical National Infrastructure, Digital Broadcasting and related issues” formed by the union government on 10 May.
Facebook faces record breaking downfall in stock market history; $120 billion gutted in a day Friday, 27 July 2018 11:24
The social media giant Facebook, which has been through difficult times due to its own errors in not having stringent data protection mechanisms, faced the biggest one-day drop in stock-market history. The 19 percent drop vaporized $119 billion of the company's stock-market value on July 26.
Idea-vodafone merger gets Centre’s nod Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:34
On 26 July, the Government approved the merger of Vodafone and Idea Cellular.The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had given an initial clearance to the merger on July 9 with conditions that the merged entity will have to abide by the decisions of the telecom tribunal and other courts. These would stay even after the final clearance.
BARC Survey: Rural India drives growth of TV homes Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:32
As per BARC India’s Broadcast India (BI) 2018 Survey, the total TV homes has increased 7.5% to 197 million compared to 4.5% growth in homes. The survey report said that this outpace is driven by small towns and rural areas.
Times Internet appoints DiptiTandon& Nidhi Agarwal Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:31
While Nidhi Agarwal has been appointed by Times Internetas head of corporate initiatives & planning, DiptiTandon has been promoted to the post of business head for live video game show platform, BaaziNow.
MihirKarlekarbecomes GM commercial at Eros Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:30
MihirKarlekar has been appointed as general manager commercial by Eros International. She will report to Eros International chief content officer RiddhimaLulla.
Travelxp 4K debuts in Canada Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:29
One of the global leaders in travel channel segment network with 100% original production, Travelxp, makes its debut in Canada by launching Travelxp 4K on 26 July. Travelxp 4K will be the first 4K HDR linear television channel to launch in Canada.
Dish TV &Shemaroopartner to woo Bhojpuri film viewers Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:28
To woo Bhojpuri film lovers, the direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV India has partnered with Shemaroo Entertainment. The DTH operator has launched ‘Bhojpuri Active’ service on Dish TV and d2h platforms. ‘Bhojpuri Active’ is a 24-hour service, and is now available on channel number 1556 on DishTV and channel number 861 on d2h platform.
BARC Week 29: Star Plus reaches No. 2 spot; FIFA WC 2018 final registers 51.2 mn tune-ins Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:27
As per BARC data for Week 29, popular Hindi GEC Star Plus has reached no. 2 spot in urban HSM after replacing Zee TV which has dropped to the third position.
Airtel Digital TV registers 4.79 lakh new subs in Q1 Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:26
The DTH arm of the telecom operator Bharti Airtel, Airtel Digital TV has added 479,000 net subscribers during the April-June quarter registering a 107.8% growth over the trailing quarter’s 230,000 net additions.
Income TX Return deadline extended to 31 Aug Thursday, 26 July 2018 11:23
Giving relief to late IT return filers, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has, on 26 July, extended the due date for filing of Income Tax Returns to 31 August 2018 from 31 July.
Mukesh Ambani to produce short films & TV serials; will set up his own studio Tuesday, 24 July 2018 08:33
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is planning to set up its own production house to create original web series and short films for subscribers of its telecom unit Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd.
MIB scrutinizing tall claims of print media circulation Monday, 23 July 2018 08:32
On 23 July, replying to a query during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister (MIB) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the Registrar of Newspapers for India has been asked to gather details of circulation of various newspapers.
BSNL’s ‘Wings’ get massive response for internet telephony Monday, 23 July 2018 08:31
The state owned telecom operator BSNL launched its internet telephony service 'Wings' on 11 July, and by 23 July, the telco has received over 4,000 bookings for the new offering that will allow users to dial any phone number in India through a mobile app.
NBA criticizes Kerala CM for FIR against Mathrubhumi News editor Monday, 23 July 2018 08:30
The FIR filed against Mathrubhumi News deputy editor, news anchor VenuBalakrishnan by Kollam Police, has not gone down well with the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). The organization has criticised the Kerala government for the action.
Pratap Reddy Kasula becomes editor of Asianet News Digital’s Telugu portal Monday, 23 July 2018 08:29
Pratap Reddy Kasula, who has over 30 years of experience in Telugu journalism, has been appointed as editor of Asianet News Digital’s Telugu portal Asianet News Digital Telugu.
Zee Media registers increase in its Q1 ad revenue Monday, 23 July 2018 08:28
While ZMCL’s subscription revenue remained flat at Rs 11.1 crore as against Rs 10.9 crore in the year ago period, the news broadcaster’s ad revenue in the first quarter has spiked up 34.5% to Rs 136.9 crore compared to Rs 101.8 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal.
Big B’s Kalyan jewellery ad withdrawn due to bankers’ protests Monday, 23 July 2018 08:26
Kalyan Jewellery ad, the debut ad of Shweta Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter did not go well with bankers, as they found it eroding the credibility of the banks. A bank union termed it as "disgusting" and said it was aimed at creating distrust in the banking system.
Indian viewers still prefer TV over OTT; 10% rise in TV viewership in rural India: BARC Monday, 23 July 2018 08:20
As per BARC, TV viewership in rural India has risen 10% and the medium still rules the viewers in the country. But BARC added that consumption of video on digital platforms is on the rise in the country.
TDSAT asks Star India, Independent TV to enter into fresh agreement within 4 weeks date
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed broadcaster Star India and direct to home (DTH) operator Independent TV (formerly Reliance Big TV) to enter into a fresh agreement within four weeks time.
Gmail users warned of cyber threat Monday, 23 July 2018 08:15
With the Gmail redesign, scammers could send out fake versions of confidential email alerts and trick users.
Gurugram to build optical fiber based broadband network for smart city services Sunday, 22 July 2018 08:18
Work for laying an optical fibre network for broadband connectivity across Gurugram has been allotted to four companies, including Reliance Jio, as part of a ‘smart city’ project, which was launched by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on 21 july 2018.
Telecom News: Trai recommends no auction for walky-talky service spectrum allocation Sunday, 22 July 2018 08:16
Unlike cellular services, PMRTS are operated for two-way communication within small distance of around 30 kilometer-range by police, security agencies, construction companies etc.
Cell towers, mobiles unlikely to harm humans: Official Sunday, 22 July 2018 08:15
Current scientific evidence do not support any "harmful effect" on the human body by electromagnetic field radiation of cell phone or its towers, said a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) official on Saturday.
Reliance Jio's Jagbir Singh & Airtel's ShyamMardikar quit Sunday, 22 July 2018 08:14
Reliance Jio Group Chief Technology Officer Jagbir Singh had joined the company before the soft launch of 4G services.
Apple may file a petition against TRAI’s DND order Saturday, 21 July 2018 13:16
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s pesky call order has not gone down well with US smartphone manufacturer Apple. As per iPhone maker, TRAI has exceeded its jurisdiction by stipulating that telcos will have to shut down handsets that do not permit the regulator’s do-not-disturb (DND) app to be downloaded.
MIB to scrap Irani-constituted online media regulating panel Friday, 20 July 2018 13:22
To come clean on its promises that it will not regulate online media, the information and broadcasting ministry (MIB) will soon scrap the nine-member committee set up by his predecessor Smriti Irani to regulate online media.
David Zaslav to remain president & CEO of Discovery till 2023 Friday, 20 July 2018 13:21
Discovery Channel, the global infotainment, lifestyle, kids and sports broadcaster, has extended the tenure of David Zaslav as president & CEO till 2023.
Hotstar & Flipkart partner for ad platform Friday, 20 July 2018 13:21
The leading ecommerce platform Flipkart and Star India’s OTT app Hotstar have partnered to launch a Shopper Audience Network. This is Flipkart’s new ads platform that allows brands to connect with customers through personalised TrueIntent video ads on Hotstar.
SC to hear TRAI Tariff Order case on 28 Aug Friday, 20 July 2018 13:20
Once again, the TRAI Tariff Order matter is in the Supreme Court. The apex court, on 20 July, admitted Star India’s special leave petition (SLP) challenging the Madras High Court’s ruling that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has the power to formulate tariff and regulations for the TV broadcasting sector.
Bhojpuri GEC Big Ganga partners with actor Ravi Kishan Friday, 20 July 2018 13:19
The popular Bhojpuri GEC Big Ganga, which is owned by ZEEL, has partnered with leading Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan. The deal includes seven movies over a period of 2.5 years.
Airtel TV to give special boost to regional content & live sports Friday, 20 July 2018 13:18
In the financial year 2018, Airtel TV, Bharti Airtel’s over the top (OTT) app, will cash in on regional content and live sports, as per its annual report.
Hathway Board approves raising of Rs 100 cr via preferential allotment Friday, 20 July 2018 13:18
The board of Hathway Cable and Datacom, the leading cable TV and broadband service provider, has approved raising of funds up to Rs 100 crore through preferential basis to promoter entity Hathway Investments.
‘Identify fake news handles’ – Home Minister asks social media platforms Friday, 20 July 2018 12:02
The social media platforms like Facebook and Whatsapp have been directed to identify fake news handles, the country’s Home Minister, Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha on July 19.
Executive Editor of Times Now TV arrested Friday, 20 July 2018 12:00
Vivek Narayan, Executive Editor with the Times Now TV, has been arrested on 19 July by the Delhi Policeunder the charges of outraging women’s modesty. Recently, he was travelling on an Indigo flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi. Two sisters who were travelling with their family complained that the accused clicked selfies with them against their will.
Govt issues fresh notice to Whatsapp against fake news Friday, 20 July 2018 11:59
The Government, on 19 July, sent its second notice to Whatsapp in which it told the messaging app that it must stop fake news or face legal actions. The government noted the problems have not been adequately addressed by WhatsApp.
Jhanvi Kapoor launches JayantilalGada’snew channel ‘WOW’ Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:57
On 18 July, Sridevi’s daughter Jhanvi Kapoor launched Jayanti Lal Gada’s new channel ‘WOW’ in Delhi.After making his identity in Indian Hindi cinema over the last three decades, the owner of Jayanti Lal Gada Pen Studios is now entering the TV channel segment.
Comcast leaves race for Fox bid; will try to grab Sky Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:56
Comcast has announced on 19 July that it would not seek to compete with Walt Disney Co.'s for 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets. It added that it will focus instead on winning control of the Sky satellite service.
TRAI notifies Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:55
On 19 July, 2018, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) notified Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 that is proposed to curb the problem of Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC).
MIB has electronic media monitoring centre to enforce advertising codes: Rathore tells Lok Sabha Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:54
On 19 July, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting RajyavardhanRathore told the Lok Sabha that his Ministry has set up an Electronic Media Monitoring Centre to monitor the content of private TV channels with reference to the violation of the programme and advertising codes.
‘We need 700 MHz & 850 MHz for better 5G coverage & higher frequencies’: BIF Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:53
The Broadband India Forum (BIF), on 19 July, said that airwaves in 700 Mhz, 850 Mhz bands are needed for better coverage of fifth-generation (5G) technology and higher frequencies for high data communication.
GulshanVermabecomes SVP & head, clients and agency at Hotstar Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:52
GulshanVerma, who till now worked with Times Internet, has been roped in by Star India’s over the top (OTT) platform Hotstarfor the post of senior vice president and head, clients and agency.
Sun Direct issues public notice; Star India to be available on a la carte basis Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:51
From 1 August, Star India channel will be available on la carte basis on the platform of leading direct to home (DTH) operator Sun Direct, as per a notice issued by the DTH operator.
Siti toseed 2.5 million set top boxes (STBs) in FY19 Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:50
Siti Networks, the multi system operator (MSO), is targeting to expand its ARPU in FY19. The MSO also plans to seed 2.5 million set top boxes (STBs) in this fiscal. It had seeded 3.1 million STBs in FY18 taking its active digital subscriber base to 11.5 million.
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