Television – Page 14 – storyboard18

Broadcasting Bill draft leaves industry divided; concerns raised over censorship, excessive regulation

High-cost OTT content volumes fell 12% in 2024, FICCI 2025 report says.

With multiple layers of stringency, the second draft proposes to regulate broadcasters, OTTs, and content creators under one umbrella of rules, who are liable for heavy penalties in case of violation.

Broadcast Bill draft emphasises methodology for audience measurement; promotes multiple agencies

The present government is playing a proactive role in facilitating the establishment of multiple audience measurement agencies, leaving the industry more divided.

The second draft of the Broadcast Bill contains a proposal similar to the one mentioned in the first draft, which is about establishing a framework for audience measurement and the sale of ratings data. Industry urges Ministry to instead focus on working on one robust agency.

Exclusive: Broadcasting Bill – Govt can conduct inspections, seize equipment without intimation

BrandPulse report underscores the need for dynamic and engaging content that can quickly capture and hold audience attention.

Storyboard18 reviewed the second version of the proposed Broadcast Bill, consisting of 49 pages. The draft outlines the government’s authority to conduct inspections on broadcasting networks and broadcasting services.

Tata Play drops Sony Channels citing low viewership; Sony calls it arbitrary

On August 1, Tata Play started removing the SPNI channels from the subscription plans of about 10 million users and had then said it would continue to undertake this process over the next few days and accordingly plans to adjust monthly charges.

SPNI calls out the ‘low viewership’ narrative misleading. Harit Nagpal, MD & CEO, Tata Play, says the DTH service provider is streamlining its channel packs to optimise prices for customers.

Netflix targets $17 billion in content spend this year; India top 3 market in revenue growth in Q2

Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix said, "India's growth is a story that we see around the world playing out very similarly." (Image: Netflix, 'Heeramandi')

India was Netflix’s number 2 and 3 country in terms of paid net adds and percent of revenue growth in the second quarter.

Paris-based media giant Vivendi’s plans to list Havas and Canal+ revealed

On the Havas split the company shared that Havas, with the majority of its activities being carried out internationally, would be listed as a Dutch public limited liability company (NV) on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange, which already witnessed Universal Music Group’s success.

For the first half of 2024, Vivendi’s revenues were €9,052 million, an increase of 92.7% compared to the same period of 2023. Canal+ Group is a major player in the creation and distribution of cinema and audiovisual content on all continents.

Broadcasters concerned over TN govt-owned Arasu Cable TV unpaid dues worth Rs 500 cr

The committee invited three industry organizations: the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), and the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

Multiple broadcasters have raised concerns regarding unpaid dues which have been outstanding for over a year.

EXCLUSIVE: DD Free Dish pushes to double subscriber base; to focus on premium households

In the 2024 MPEG-2 e-auction, Prasar Bharati reportedly earned Rs 1,156 crore from selling 64 slots.

In May, Prasar Bharati announced plans to increase DD Free Dish slots next year. The pubcaster is getting a new transponder to increase the number of slots as the demand remains high.

Broadcasters question Prasar Bharati’s role in the private sector: EXCLUSIVE

The newly elected President, Kevin Vaz, remarked, “It is an honour to take on this responsibility at such a transformative time for the media and entertainment sector. India’s appetite for content is unmatched, making it a unique market where all forms of media continue to grow, while Indian content increasingly gains international recognition furthering India’s soft power globally."

During a stakeholders’ consultation meeting, chaired by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, broadcasters suggested that Prasar Bharati and DD Free Dish restrict itself to DD channels to educate the masses. The cable TV industry has also raised various objections including advertising time on Pay TV channels.

ZEEL receives shareholder nod to raise Rs 2000 crore via issuance of securities

This strategic move aims to bolster Zee Media's financial flexibility and is aligned with the External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

On July 11, Zee Entertainment had informed the bourses that its board of directors will meet on July 16 to discuss fundraising options. These options include private placements, Qualified Institutional Placements (QIP), and preferential issues.