LIST: Sony Pictures unveils 6 channel packs in SD, 4 in HD

Sony Pictures Networks India, the company runs popular TV channels such as Sony Entertainment Television, Max, AXN & Ten Sports, has unveiled a clutch of channel packs ahead of the December 29 deadline by the TRAI for the introduction of new tariff plans. SONY’S UPDATED PACKS CAN BE SEEN HERE The key difference between Sony’s […]

TRAI says new tariff rules will protect long-duration packs

Broadcasting regulator TRAI today said that the new regulatory regime coming into force from December 29 has provisions that support long-duration packs. The clarification came in the wake of doubts by many subscribers of long-duration packs about the continued validity of their plans after Dec 29. However, despite TRAI’s clarification, it was not clear whether […]

TRAI writes to broadcasters on dual pricing of DD Free Dish channels

Broadcast regulator TRAI said it is examining the issue of broadcasters like Star and Zee supplying some of their channels free of charge to Prasar Bharati’s DTH service Free Dish, while charging money for the same from subscribers of private DTH and cable operators. Several broadcasters had declared their free channels as ‘pay channels’ ahead […]

LIST: Zee Entertainment announces channel packs for Hindi, Marathi & other markets

Zee Entertainment, one of India’s top three broadcasting companies, has unveiled new channel packs ahead of the TRAI deadline on December 29 to switch to a new tariff scheme. The packs, which include news channels from sister company Zee Media, are designed to push’s Zee’s offerings into maximum households. As such, the company does not […]

Controversy erupts after girls in Kerala shame moral police on FB

An apparent incident of moral policing, in which young men allegedly tried to harass college girls wearing hijab for posing for photos with their male classmates has now ended with the police registering a case against the ‘guardians of cultural values’. The incident took place over in Kilinakode village in Malappuram, a conservative district in […]

FULL LIST: 332 pay channels, 500 FTA declared under TRAI plan

With the December 29 deadline for the implementation of the new TRAI rules drawing near, an analysis of the 332 channels that have already declared their prices indicates that Star India is the most expensive, followed by Zee and Sony. Scroll down to see the full list of pay and FTA channels available on most […]

Mahindra raises stake in Finnish agri machinery firm Sempo to 49%

Indian auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra said it has agreed to increase its voting rights in Scandinavian farm equipment maker Sempo to 49.04% from 35% by acquiring shares and convertible instruments at a cost of 4.66 mln euros, or around Rs 37.74 cr. Sempo, founded in 1853 in Finland, had revenue of around 52 mln […]

Most cable, DTH packs will disappear on December 29

With the Dec 29 deadline for the introduction of new cable and DTH plans approaching, operators are finalizing their strategy to deal with the regulatory change as smoothly as possible. According to industry sources, the strategy of the DTH and cable operators will be built around offering three primary plans — a basic pack, a […]

Star, Zee lists new channel prices on website ahead of Dec 29 deadline

Zee Entertainment and Star India, two of India’s biggest broadcasters, have come out with introductory web-pages on the upcoming TRAI tariff change coming into effect on December 29. The prices were already available to DTH and cable companies as part of pro-forma legal agreements. However, the opening of the webpages indicates that these rates are more […]

New TRAI plans could increase cable, DTH prices from Dec 29

TRAI’s tariff order for TV channels was supposed to simplify life for cable and DTH operators and their customers. However, given the recent Madras High Court order and prices announced by broadcasters, the implementation of the order from Dec 29 is likely to raise prices for cable and DTH services in the country. The original […]

New TRAI Tariff for DTH & Cable: List of channels priced Rs 5 or less

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is in the process of enforcing a new tariff scheme for cable and DTH networks in India. The system was supposed to ensure greater consumer choice by making channels available at cheap rates and ridding the networks of junk channels. The new tariff scheme — aimed at dismantling ‘bundling’ […]

DTH customers on long duration packs to get TRAI plans from Dec 29

Subscribers of Direct-to-Home satellite services on all existing plans, including long-duration packs, will be migrated to schemes compliant with TRAI’s tariff order on TV channels from 29 Dec, according to Dish TV, India’s biggest DTH operator. The company said the TRAI rules are applicable to all customers and there is no exemption for any category, […]

Kamalnath to be Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister

Veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath is learnt to have more or less been decided as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. According to sources, both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party — which are supporting Congress’ government formation efforts in Madhya Pradesh — have clearly made their preference for a government headed […]

TRAI Tariff Order: Discovery cuts channel prices by up to 90%

Consumers can expect to see a sharp fall in channel prices in days ahead, going by the trend revealed by Discovery Communications, one of the first broadcasters to publish channel prices under TRAI’s new tariff order. TRAI has mandated a new tariff structure for cable and DTH sectors in India under which they have to […]

RESULTS TABLE – Congress leads BJP in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, MP

Early election leads indicate a slight edge for the Congress in elections to five states, with the party leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.  Please refer to the table to see the updated results. STATE SEATS BJP CONG TRS/MSF MP 230 108 111 0 RJ 199 77 98 0 CG 90 21 63 0 […]

Alembic Pharmaceuticals gets USFDA nod for eye drug

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd today announced that the company has received approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) to sell a generic alternative to Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ allergic conjunctivitis treatment Patanol Ophthalmic Solution. This is first ophthalmic dosage form approval for Alembic pharmaceuticals Limited. The drug, olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, has an estimated market size […]