Play Cable
Cable TV industry in India
History of TV transmission
In India television transmission started on an experimental basis in Delhi in 1959 and the commercial services commenced in1965. The television services were expanded to Mumbai and Amritsar in 1972. Seven more cities were covered by 1975 and sole service provider was Doordarshan.The first satellite based, live TV transmission using the INSAT 1B satellite took place with the live coverage of Independence Day celebrations on 15th August 1982. National telecasts as well as introduction of colour TV were launched in the year 1982 to coincide with Asian Games. There was rapid growth since then and today approximately half of all Indian households own a television. As of 2010, a total number of 515 channels are available in the country out of which 150 are pay channels. In 1992 the government liberalized the policies to allow foreign players which saw the entry of players like Star TV, MTv, HBO and BBC.
The total number of households in India now is 223 million. Out of this 134 million households have access to either cable TV or satellite TV. 20 million households are covered by DTH services and the balance households are provided services by cable TV. While the cable and satellite TV subscribers grow at 15%, DTH subscribers grow at 28% in India. The urban TV penetration is 85%.
Cable TV
Cable TV was started in India during seventies mainly in metros. During this period, the TV services were provided only by Door Darshan and the customers were looking for variety of programmes. When the video cassette recorders were available freely in India, many enterprising individuals in metros started cable services from their apartment homes and garages, telecasting through cable network English and Hindi movies, music and game shows which were in great demand. These cable TVs became very popular when CNN started telecasting of gulf war in 1990s.
Business model of cable TV industry
The TV distribution platforms in India are terrestrial (owned by doordarshan), cable, DTH and IPTV.
The Indian TV distribution industry now comprises of 6000 Multi System Operators (MSOs), around 60,000 Local Cable Operators (LCOs), 7 DTH/ satellite TV operators and several IPTV service providers. The business model is undergoing a change in India. At one point of time, India had nearly 100,000 cable operators. The industry was run by small operators. The emergence of large operators from Hinduja group (incablenet), Zee group (Siticable), Asianet, Hathway (Raheja group) and RPG group (RPG Netcom), who are now known as MSO (Multi System Operators) changed the way in which the industry is run. But the MSOs are concentrated on the metros and major cities only so far. The industry is in the hands of local cable TV operators in the rural areas and small towns.
The entry of big players from corporate led to the consolidation of small operators. This is because of the better quality of services offered by MSOs. While the local operators are able to offer around 30 channels, the MSOs are offering more than 65 channels to the customers. Besides, the MSOs are offering local channels which show films, local events, religious discourses, regional news etc. But all these MSOs operate on the model of franchising their cable TV feeds to the small operators.
The broadcasting business in India is primarily driven by two sources of revenue – advertising and subscription. There are two main types of broadcasting business models:
a. Free to Air (FTA) channels which rely on advertising revenue as their primary source of revenue, and thus are dependent on the distribution supply chain only to ensure reach to their target audience.
b. Pay TV channels which have a dual source of income from both subscription and advertisement. The channels need to ensure reach not just to earn advertising revenue but are also dependent on the distribution network to collect subscription revenue from the consumer.
The total revenue of the Indian television industry was estimated at Rs. 25,700 crore in 2009, of which advertising accounts for Rs.8,800 crore (34%) and subscription accounts for Rs.16,900 crore (66%). The average ARPU is Rs 165.
Conditional Access System
Conditional Access System (CAS) is a digital mode of transmitting TV channels through a set-top box (STB). The transmission signals are encrypted and viewers need to buy a set-top box to receive the signal. CAS was introduced by the Government in 2001 to control and monitor the cable operators and to improve the quality of services and control the tariff. Initially CAS has been introduced in metros, but the penetration is only 25% so far. The reason for the slow growth of CAS is due to the initial entry cost of STB. TRAI has recently recommended that all Cable operators should move from analogue system to digital system by 2013.
Regulatory and policy intervention
Cable Television Services were brought under Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in 2004. TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal) is now available for settlement of disputes between broadcasters and MSOs /cable operators
Cable Act 1994 was amended in 2006 empowering TRAI to issue new customer friendly CAS Regulations. TRAI issued three regulations in August 2006 to create a legal framework for smooth implementation of CAS. These included a tariff order, interconnect and pricing regulation revenue share methodology and process and QOS regulation.
Key recommendations of TRAI
- Restructuring of Cable Industry with a larger role for MSOs and Digitalization plan within five years
- Head end in the Sky (HITS) policy to be announced by Government , TRAI completes all recommendations on this
- DTH policy on tariff and Quality of Services
- New recommendations on FDI policy in cable- upto74 % by TRAI
- Internet Telephony allowed for ISP’s.
- Cable Broadband focus with easier Right of Way ( RoW) and Wireless possibilities
- Non CAS tariff regulations for TV subscribers
- Cable Companies can provide IPTV. Recommendations cleared by Government. MSOs can consider this opportunity, marketwise
- Ala carte choice of Channels by MSOs from Broadcasters in non CAS
- New Television Rating points (TRP), Television Audience Measurement (TAM) policy by TRAI.
- MVNO policy announced
- Greater emphasis laid on network digitization, increased addressability and to encourage voluntary CAS
- Incentives prescribed to Multi System Operators (MSOs) to introduce total digitized networks
- The registration for cable TV operator to be replaced by a comprehensive and supportive licensing framework
- Separate licensing frameworks for Cable TV operators (LCOs) and Multi System Operators (MSOs)
- Eligibility criterion made specific to identify the entities who can act as LCOs and MSOs
- Option and flexibility to choose Service area given both to LCOs and MSOs
- CAS extension to the remaining three metros and subsequently followed by digitalization of 55 cities within a span of 3 years ( with addressability)
New technologies
The viewers are increasingly demanding more features and better content from the TV channels and cable operators. These new technologies like PVR, video on demand, IPTV are revolutionizing the viewing experience.
Personal Video recorder (Digital Video Recorder)
PVRs facilitate viewing of channel while simultaneously recording the programme running in another channel. PVRs allow the viewer to pause, re-wind and re-play live TV.
Video on demand
Video on demand allows viewers to order movies available in service providers’ library. The movies can be downloaded for a fee. With more than 1000 movies produced in India, Video on demand offer lucrative business opportunity for the cable operators.
Digitalization
The current TV transmission in India is predominantly analog which does not allow any technological upgradation. Besides it results in huge revenue leakage for the Indian cable operators as the household gets more than one TV connected to cable and pays only for one connection. Besides the quality of analog transmission is very poor. In the case of analog transmission, the operator cannot restrict the choice of channels to the customer. As a result, the cable operators pay for pay channels even if they are not required by the user. Digitalization leads to triple play where the customers get TV, broadband connection and telephone services from the same source. This will facilitate the cable operator to effectively compete with DTH and IPTV technologies.
Major operators
Last mile connectivity, technological up gradation and digitalization requires huge investments. The cable industry is moving towards consolidation in favour of triple play operators or Multi service operators. There are five major national operators in India. They are Hathway Cable, incablenet, Wire & Wireless India, DEN and Asianet. They collectively access over 25% of the country’s TV subscribers. Competition in the cable TV segment has intensified as the corporates battle for acquiring the last mile connectivity. The recent acquisition of Digicable by RCom is a prelude to the shape of things to come in the merger and acquisition in the industry.
The industry is still fragmented and unorganized due to which it is not able to attract investment. The revenue estimate of the industry is not accurate and the industry is blamed for under reporting of subscriber numbers. The cable TV sector will come under a proper licensing mechanism where city, state or national licenses can be bought. The TRAI recommendations are a big step forward in ensuring effective licensing compliance, digitization of networks and attracting investment.
The Way Forward
The cable sector is emerging as a very attractive space owing to the TRAI recommendations and the clear edge of digital cable over its competition like DTH and IPTV in offering a larger number of channels, greater reliability even in adverse weather conditions and easier access to cheaper after-sales and customer services. Globally, India is the third largest player in the cable TV space. Even though DTH Technology is emerging as a competition to Cable in India, globally Cable has been resilient to such technology and even in developed countries like US, Cable has a 70% market share within In-home Entertainment. Industry experts expect cable TV industry to consolidate and Corporatize in the near future, this will lead to economies of scale, higher efficiency and also easier access to capital.
About the Author
The author can be contacted at vsmoni@hotmail.com. For more articles visit indiatelecomonline.com
if i use an s-video cable and play a game on the laptop will it show up on the tv?
if i hook up the cable and run a game, will i be able to play it on tv?
it will but the quality will be poor – if you have a VGA port on your TV (your laptop should) use this the image will be very good
Baba Cable, punjabi stage play – Part 1
|
|
MOTOROLA SURFBOARD SB5102 CABLE MODEM Plug-and-play installation $20.42 |
|
|
GENUINE MICROSOFT XBOX 360 PLAY&CHARGE KIT BATTERY WITH CHARGER CABLE $14.99 |
|
|
NEW USB Data Sync Charger Cable+Pouch Case for Verizon Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY $0.99 |
|
|
2 D2S D2R D2 serices Wiring Harness Plug-and-play Cable $19.99 |
|
|
Sony Vaio VGN-CR205E VGN-CR Series Media Play Button Board SWX-269A w Flex Cable $4.24 |
|
|
3 CONTROLLER SILICONE SKIN CASE+AV AUDIO VIDEO CABLE CORD FOR PLAY STATION 3 PS3 $14.98 |
|
|
New USB Play & Charge Charger Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller $0.01 |
|
|
Sony xperia play flex cable $13.00 |
|
|
New USB Play & Charger Charge Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller Gray $0.01 |
|
|
Wireless Controller 4800mAh Battery Pack + Play Charger Cable for Xbox 360 Blk $5.25 |
|
|
Ultra High Speed Premium 3 FT HDMI Cable 3D 1.3 Play Station HDTV LED TV 3FT $3.29 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
New 4800mah Battery Pack Play & Charge Cable Kit for Xbox 360 4800 mah Black $7.99 |
|
|
IPod Cable for ALPINE Car Deck Receivers, Charge & Play $22.28 |
|
|
Car Power Charger/Adapter +PC Cable for Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G Smart Phone $7.35 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
Top Play Control Button Flex Cable + Tools for Blackberry 9100 Pearl 3G ZXFC360 $5.84 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
NOKYA RELAY HARNESS 9005/HB3 X 1 WIRE NOK9202 CABLE REPLACEMENT HEAVY DUTY 12 V $44.99 |
|
|
NOKYA RELAY HARNESS 9006/HB4 X 1 WIRE NOK9202 CABLE REPLACEMENT HEAVY DUTY 12 V $44.99 |
|
|
USB Play&Charger Charge Cable For Xbox 360 Controller $4.99 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
6ft Gold-Plated Connector 1080p HDMI M/M Male To Male Cable Plug & Play $3.73 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
CA-150 150′ Plug & Play Cable 12V (includes connectors) $26.00 |
|
|
CA-100 100′ Plug & Play Cable 12V (includes connectors) $19.00 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
CA-50 50′ Plug and Play Cable 12v (includes connectors) $14.00 |
|
|
CA-25 25′ Plug and Play Cable 12v (includes connectors) $13.00 |
|
|
(2) Security Camera BNC Video Power Audio CCTV Cable for DVR Plug n Play @USA $24.95 |
|
|
Play Charger Cable + 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack for Xbox 360 4800MAH $10.59 |
|
|
USB Sync Cable+LCD Screen Shield Protector for Verizon Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY $0.99 |
|
|
USB DATA CABLE WALL HOME CHARGER SONY ERICSSON XPERIA ACTIVE ARC S NEO V PLAY 4G $5.99 |
|
|
USB Cable Cord For Archos PocketDish AV700E Dish Network Video Viewer Media Play $5.85 |
|
|
New Black USB Play Charger Charge Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller $3.68 |
|
|
Rechargeble Li-ion Battery Pack + Play & Charge Kit Cable For Xbox360 Controller $6.34 |
|
|
USB Control/Video Cable Plug and Play Pinhole Design $99.99 |
|
|
New Helmet Plug and Play USB Cable BRAND NEW $199.99 |
|
|
Mini Car Charger+Cable For Sony Ericsson xperia R800i Play Lt15i X12 ARC S Lt18i $3.99 |
|
|
Xbox 360 Play and Charge Cable Xbox 360 EE104324 Mint $9.26 |
|
|
Sony Ericsson USB Data Sync Charger Cable For Xperia Play $5.70 |
|
|
USB Data Sync Transfer CABLE / Battery CHARGER for Sony XPERIA PLAY R800 / 4G PC $0.99 |
|
|
Sony Ericsson USB Data Sync Charger Cable For Xperia Play $5.80 |
|
|
Belkin Work & Play N600 Wireless Router (w/6-in-1 USB cable) $12.50 |
|
|
USB Play&Charger Charge Cable For Xbox 360 Controller $4.99 |
|
|
For Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY USB Data Cable $4.99 |
|
|
USB Battery Charger Data Sync Cable for Verizon Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY R800 $0.99 |
|
|
USB Play&Charger Charge Cable For Xbox 360 Controller $1.00 |
|
|
Cables To Go 28731-3PLAY HI-PERF A/V SELECT $58.55 |
|
|
NEW Play & Charge Charger Cable WHITE for Xbox 360 $0.99 |
|
|
Brand New BELKIN HDMI AUDIO VIDEO CABLE-CONNECT-PLAY-IMAGINE**HIGH DEFINITION* $15.00 |
|
|
3 CONTROLLER SILICONE SKIN CASE+AV AUDIO VIDEO CABLE CORD FOR PLAY STATION 3 PS3 $13.88 |
|
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G GSM R800i Slide Flex Cable & CDMA R800x, Z1i Zeus $13.85 |
|
|
New USB Play & Charger Charge Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller Gray $0.01 |
|
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play R800i R800x Z1i Flex Cable w Front Camera & Speaker $17.99 |
|
|
New USB Play & Charge Charger Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller $0.01 |
|
|
Play And Charge KIT & Black Battery +Cable FOR XBOX 360 $150.29 |
|
|
New AV Video Audio Cable for Sony PS2 Play Station PS3 $2.50 |
|
|
DJ Tech MINI-2-USB Plug-and-Play Mini Jack to USB Cable with Recording Software $35.00 |
|
|
DJ Tech RCA-2-USB Plug-and-Play RCA to USB DJ Cable $40.00 |
|
|
Guita/Bass Adapter Cable for iPad 2 iPhone 3G 4 4S iPod Touch Play Guitar New $0.99 |
|
|
NEW Play & Charge Charger Cable WHITE for Xbox 360 $4.59 |
|
|
Guita/Bass Adapter Cable for iPad 2 iPhone 3G 4 4S iPod Touch Play Guitar New $0.01 |
|
|
50-Foot Audiovox XM Connect & Play Antenna Extension Cable CNP-EXT50 $12.00 |
|
|
100 ft Professional CCTV Plug&Play Cable Power+Video-A $18.00 |
|
|
150 ft Professional CCTV Plug&Play Cable Power+Video-A $26.00 |
|
|
50 ft. Professional CCTV Plug&Play Cable Power+Video-A $15.00 |
|
|
NEW 5pc Black USB Cable Car Home Charger Headset Aux AT&T SONY XPERIA PLAY 4G $9.88 |
|
|
New USB Play Charge Charger Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller $0.99 |
|
|
RC-1324-VR Play Roland GR-300 GR-700 Guitar Synth Modern G-303 w/ 24 Pin Cable! $448.88 |
|
|
New USB Play Charger Charge Cable Cord for XBOX 360 Wireless Controller Grey $3.68 |
|
|
play and charge cable $1.99 |
|
|
Official Microsoft XBOX 360 Play and Charge Cable $10.97 |
|
|
Xbox 360 Play and Charge Cable – Black Xbox 360 TT103996 Very Good $7.48 |
|
|
USB Play Charger Charge Cable For Xbox 360 Controller $4.51 |
|
|
CE LABS CABLE ELECTRONICS MP60 DIGI MEDI PLAY W/HDMI/COMP OTP $145.00 |
|
|
Official Microsoft XBOX 360 Play and Charge Cable Only $6.99 |
|
|
USB Data transfer charger cable For Sony Xperia Pro Neo V Arc S P U Ray Play $6.38 |
|
|
USB 2 In 1 play&Charge Connecting Cable for Xbox 360 $3.99 |
|
|
Cables To Go 40324-3-PLAY COMPONENT A/V SELECTOR $61.33 |
|
|
USB Play & Charger Charge Cable For Xbox 360 Controller $5.49 |
|
|
USB Play Charger Cable for Xbox 360 Wireless Controller $4.99 |
|
|
USB Play Charger Cable for Xbox 360 Wireless Controller $4.99 |
|
|
USB 2.0 to SATA /IDE HD HDD hard drive converter adapter cable plug and play $21.99 |
|
|
Xbox360 4800mAh Battery with Rechargeable Cable Black Play & Charge Kit $8.00 |
|
|
USB DATA CHARGING CABLE FOR SONY ERICSSON XPERIA PLAY $1.99 |
|
|
Wii Classic Controller + Cables / playing SNES, NES, Genesis, Turbo Grafx $14.98 |
|
|
MICRO USB DATA CABLE FOR SONY ERICSSON XPERIA PLAY $3.15 |
|
|
Genuine Sony Ericsson Mains Charger Adapter & USB Cable For Xperia Play $17.49 |
