Livemint reported that India’s pay-TV industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% to hit $14.5 billion in revenue by 2021 compared to a projected $ 9.4 billion in 2016. By 2025, 70% of India’s pay-TV base is estimated to be digitised, growing from 93 million subscribers to 129 million from 2016 to 2025 in light of the digital addressable system (DAS) being implemented by the government.
According to the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, nearly 41 million set-top boxes have been seeded in Phase 3 areas and Phase 4 digitisation is due in December 2016. The government has completed Phase 3 of digitisation barring few states which have demanded extension in the deadline.
Pay-TV Policies
Copyright Protection
Many local agencies are not well educated on copyright matters, leading to relaxed enforcement on copyright infringement, even though the domestic copyright laws on signal piracy are good. Thanks to the cable digitisation programme, the government hopes to eradicate commercial fraud and under declaration. Online piracy is still very difficult to control. Regulation of OTT The local OTT-TV services are required to follow the same content code as cable TV networks but application to offshore OTT providers has not been tested. The Advertising Standards Council of India, a self-regulatory body, seeks to regulate advertisements in any media, including online media.
Key Developments
Google unveiled a set of enhanced features to bring alive the Olympic mood among Indian fans for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The new set of features helped bring fans closer to knowing more about their favourite athletes and sports disciplines. Fans across the country even chose to get automatic updates on top event and medal wins. Features included using Google Search to discover the event schedule, medal counts, results and trending athletes, viewing highlights on YouTube and using Google Maps to explore Rio and Olympic venues.
A+E Networks and TV18 launched FYI TV18, a contemporary factual and lifestyle entertainment channel. The new channel will draw on the success of FYI globally, a distinctive brand in the marketplace that embraces adventurous, personalised and innovative lifestyle programming. In the U.S., FYI ranks as among the most upscale entertainment networks on ad supported cable and attracts among the youngest demos. At launch, FYI premiered two high-profile Indian productions focusing on relationships: Real 2 States Couples and Rivals-in-law. PCCW Media launched Viu overthe- top (OTT) mobile video entertainment service in India.
Offered as a freemium service, Viu provides viewers in both markets with free access to thousands of hours of premium content for local users. For Viu India, consumers get free access to a vast archive of premium content from Bollywood and Hollywood top studios such as Media Prima, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, BBC, CBS, etc. Punit Goenka and Amit Goenka, the top leaders of India’s Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) received the highest television honour at MIPTV — the Médaille d’Honneur Award. This was the first time any Indian broadcast executive has received the prestigious award.
