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TRAI Launches Consultation Paper on 5G Ecosystem’s Role in India’s Digital Transformation

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper titled “Digital Transformation through 5G Ecosystem.” The primary aim of this paper is to address policy challenges and propose an appropriate policy framework to expedite the adoption and effective use of new technologies within the 5G ecosystem, contributing to the comprehensive and sustainable development of India’s economy. The Ministry of Communications has emphasized that India is currently undergoing a rapid digital transformation, significantly impacting its economy and society. Reliable mobile communication technologies play a pivotal role in achieving the objectives set forth by the Digital India program. These technologies are bolstering the economy and empowering citizens by enabling services like the unified payment interface (UPI) and various innovative government-to-business (G2B) and government-to-citizen (G2C) applications. With the emergence of technologies like 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and the Metaverse, India stands on the cusp of unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation. India initiated its 5G services on October 1, 2022, with telecom service providers actively expanding the 5G network across the entire nation. The government has launched multiple initiatives to develop 5G infrastructure and promote research and development in this domain. TRAI has also issued recommendations to accelerate the deployment of 5G networks and services in the country. Collaborative efforts spanning various sectors have been undertaken to expedite the rollout of 5G. Beyond just infrastructure deployment, it is crucial to develop and deploy new use cases for both consumers and enterprises to realize the full potential of 5G technology. When 5G is combined with AI, extended reality (XR), and IoT, it will enable businesses and society to fully harness the benefits of these technological advancements. However, achieving this vision necessitates effective collaboration across the ecosystem, involving Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), infrastructure providers, and the government. Adequate infrastructure upgrades, fiberization for 5G deployment, and network densification are essential elements to fully reap the benefits of this technology across various industries. The adoption of 5G will depend on factors like dedicated research and development investments to create India-specific use cases, increased enterprise involvement, affordable devices, and consumer adoption. To accomplish these goals, TRAI has proactively released this consultation paper to identify policy challenges and propose a suitable policy framework. The objective is to expedite the adoption and effective utilization of new technologies, ultimately contributing to the holistic and sustainable development of India’s economy through the 5G ecosystem. The consultation paper is available on TRAI’s website, www.trai.gov.in, for input from stakeholders. Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the issues under consideration by October 30, 2023, and counter-comments, if any, by November 13, 2023. Comments and counter-comments should preferably be submitted electronically via email to advadmn@trai.gov.in, with a copy to vibhatomar@trai.gov.in. For further clarification or information, stakeholders may reach out to Vandana Sethi, Advisor (Admin & IR), at 11-23221509.

TRAI Launches Consultation Paper on 5G Ecosystem’s Role in India’s Digital Transformation Read More »

Tata Play Expands Globally with Innovative Solution for International OTT Providers

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In a groundbreaking move, Tata Play has extended its presence beyond India by offering a white-label solution tailored for global OTT aggregators. This initiative commences with a collaborative project involving the leading Pay-TV provider in the Philippines, Cignal TV. Tata Play, a prominent content distribution platform in India, has introduced the Tata Play Binge PaaS (Platform as a Service) for OTT aggregators worldwide, providing comprehensive development and deployment opportunities. Harit Nagpal, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Play, highlighted the advantages for partner companies, including access to Tata Play’s extensive experience in areas such as commercial partnerships, recommendation engines, subscription management, analytics, and more. This enterprise solution marks the creation of a distinctive OTT content aggregation and distribution ecosystem. Tata Play Binge, a service under the Tata Group conglomerate, consolidates content from over 26 apps into a single platform. The company’s primary focus is to collaborate with various OTT partners and acquire subscribers in global markets. Tata Play will oversee the complete technology platform, which operates in the cloud. While the initial partnership began with Philippines’ Cignal TV, Nagpal confirmed ongoing discussions with numerous international players interested in utilizing Tata Play’s technology solution to evolve into OTT aggregators. Nagpal emphasized the global scalability of the cloud-based solution, making it applicable to regions worldwide, including Africa, South America, South Asia, and Europe. Tata Play Binge presently boasts nearly a million subscribers, resulting in significant insights into technology, user interfaces, and overall user experience. Many global players have been grappling with the challenge of finding such a solution, which Tata Play is now offering. Nagpal explained the rationale behind this initiative, stating that since Tata Play has already invested resources in developing the solution, they can become the backend support for entities looking to aggregate content worldwide. While it may take some time for this approach to gain widespread acceptance, it offers economies of scale to all participating OTT players and is mutually beneficial, with Tata Play charging a fee for its tech solution. This strategic move by Tata Play aligns with the evolving OTT market, which is experiencing substantial growth in user numbers. Entering the global market with a Platform as a Service (PaaS) solution is well-timed, potentially yielding incremental revenues and a first-mover advantage. Moreover, if content aggregation becomes a global trend, Tata Play stands to benefit by capturing a larger market share.

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PVR Inox Forecasts Strong Q2 for Cinema Exhibitors Amid Blockbuster Releases

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PVR Inox is anticipating a robust second quarter for cinema exhibitors, driven by a series of blockbuster releases in the film industry. Alok Tandon, co-CEO of PVR Inox, expressed optimism about the July-September period potentially becoming the best quarter for the cinema exhibition sector. He highlighted that recent weeks have witnessed a remarkable surge in cinema attendance, and the upcoming film lineup holds great promise. Films like “Jawan,” “Oh My God 2,” “Gadar 2,” “Jailer,” “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,” “Oppenheimer,” and “Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” have been attracting record audiences to theatres. Tandon also expressed hope that the cinema exhibition industry would soon return to pre-pandemic levels in terms of attendance. He emphasized the return of crowded lobbies and the positive response from audiences to the movies released thus far.

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Netflix Inks Multi-Year Content Partnership with Yash Raj Films Amid Streaming Competition

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Amidst the escalating competition in the streaming industry, Netflix has inked a multi-year creative partnership agreement with the renowned movie production company, Yash Raj Films (YRF). This collaboration will encompass the joint development of both movies and series. The maiden project emerging from this partnership is “The Railway Men,” a four-part thriller series starring R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyendu Sharma, and Babil Khan. Additionally, the second project in the works is a film titled “Maharaj,” as stated in an official announcement. Monika Shergill, the VP of Content at Netflix India, expressed their enthusiasm for catering to diverse audiences by delivering relatable and beloved series and films. Yash Raj Films, being eminent creators in Indian cinema, have left an indelible mark with iconic works like “Kabhi Kabhie” and “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” to more recent titles like “War” and “Pathaan.” Shergill emphasized the potential of this collaboration to captivate global audiences with top-notch content. This announcement coincides with reports suggesting that Netflix is contemplating a shift in its content strategy, leaning towards blockbuster films to allure new subscribers and retain its existing user base. Notably, Indian films such as “RRR” and “Gangubai Kathiawadi” have garnered significant attention on the platform, underscoring their popularity among viewers. Indian films also frequently secure spots on Netflix’s global top 10 weekly lists for non-English content. In the competitive Indian OTT market, where it contends with rivals like JioCinema, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar, Netflix is striving to establish a prominent presence. Recently, Netflix formed a strategic partnership with Jio, bundling prepaid tariff plans with subscriptions to the US-based streaming service, marking a unique venture in India. Furthermore, Netflix has taken measures to curb password sharing in India as part of its efforts to boost revenue in the latter half of 2023. In a letter addressed to shareholders earlier this year, the company announced its intention to extend the password sharing ban to nearly all remaining countries. In a separate communication to Indian subscribers, Netflix clarified that a single account would be restricted to a single household.

Netflix Inks Multi-Year Content Partnership with Yash Raj Films Amid Streaming Competition Read More »

JioCinema to Live Stream India-Australia ODI Series for Free, Viacom18 Secures Exclusive Media Rights

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Reliance-owned JioCinema is set to make its debut in broadcasting Indian cricket team’s home matches by offering free streaming of India’s 3-match ODI series against Australia. This marks the first international series in JioCinema’s rights cycle. The streaming platform will provide coverage of the matches in 11 languages and has enlisted a panel of cricket experts, including Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, Aakash Chopra, Amit Mishra, Hanuma Vihari, Kiran More, Anirudha Srikanth, Sarandeep Singh, and others. Viacom18, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, secured exclusive media rights for both international and domestic matches organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a total of Rs 5,963 crore over the next five years, spanning from September 2023 to March 2028. Viacom18 secured these rights with a winning bid of Rs 67.8 crore per match, surpassing Sony Pictures Networks India, while Disney Star did not participate in the auction. Anil Jayaraj, CEO of Viacom18 – Sports, emphasized that the India-Australia ODI series would provide viewers with a glimpse of Indian cricket’s new home. He stated that their aim was to transform the way sports are consumed and deliver BCCI events at an unprecedented scale, combining digital and linear/offline TV platforms. Viacom18 had secured broadcasting rights for all Indian cricket teams’ home matches, including both men’s and women’s teams, for both digital and television platforms. The series will be broadcast live on various regional channels, including Colors Tamil, Colors Bangla Cinema, Colors Kannada Cinema, Colors Cineplex Superhits, Sports18 – 1 SD, and Sports18 – 1 HD, catering to viewers in different languages. The upcoming ODI series is crucial for both India and Australia as they seek to build momentum ahead of the 50-over World Cup scheduled for October 2023 in India. Australia, known for its strong cricket team, views this series as an opportunity to acclimatize to Indian conditions before the World Cup. JioCinema will stream the matches in 4K quality and in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Fans can also participate in the “Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan” fan engagement contest, where they can make predictions and win exciting prizes, including premium hatchback cars. This contest was first introduced during the 2023 TATA IPL and garnered significant popularity.

JioCinema to Live Stream India-Australia ODI Series for Free, Viacom18 Secures Exclusive Media Rights Read More »

TRAI Recommends Allowing Private FM Radio to Broadcast News and Current Affairs

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that private FM radio operators should be permitted to broadcast news and current affairs programs for a duration of 10 minutes every hour. In its suggestions regarding ‘FM Radio Broadcasting Issues,’ TRAI also proposed applying the program code of conduct, which currently applies to All India Radio, to private FM radio channels. TRAI stated, “Private FM Radio Operators should have the opportunity to air news and current affairs content, limited to 10 minutes within each hour.” Furthermore, TRAI emphasized that FM radio features on mobile devices should remain active without any deactivation or disablement. They also suggested that the annual license fee for FM radio channels should no longer be tied to the Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee (NOTEF) and instead be calculated as four percent of the Gross Revenue (GR) generated by the FM radio channel in the respective financial year. TRAI recommended excluding GST from the GR, and it urged the government to take necessary measures to assist FM radio operators in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TRAI Recommends Allowing Private FM Radio to Broadcast News and Current Affairs Read More »

Neeraj Chopra Shines with India’s First-Ever Gold at World Athletics Championships

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Neeraj Chopra, a name now etched in the annals of Indian athletics, secured a groundbreaking victory in the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships, held in the picturesque city of Budapest, Hungary. The ‘Indian Javelin Sensation’ scripted an unprecedented chapter by clinching India’s first-ever gold medal at this prestigious global championship. Amid the early hours of August 28, Neeraj faced off against a field of international competitors. Displaying a remarkable display of skill and determination, he unleashed a magnificent throw covering an impressive 88.17 meters on his second attempt. This defining moment cemented his supremacy throughout the event, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage. Neeraj’s achievement not only brought home the gold but also elevated him to the ranks of sporting pioneers for India. Close on his heels, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem secured the silver medal, adding an aura of competition to the historic feat. Nadeem, renowned for his Commonwealth Games performances, managed an admirable throw of 87.82 meters. Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, displaying his own athletic prowess, secured the third position on the victory podium with an impressive throw of 86.67 meters. Neeraj’s father, Satish Kumar, swelled with pride, shared his joy, stating, ‘This moment is a source of immense pride for our nation. A gold medal at the World Championships! We’ll celebrate heartily when Neeraj returns to our homeland.’ As the news reverberated, accolades and cheers poured in from all quarters. Anurag Thakur, India’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, hailed Neeraj’s feat as a monumental stride for Indian sports. In an exultant social media post, he extended his commendation to the athlete’s remarkable journey. Even the Indian Army joined in the applause, acknowledging Neeraj’s accomplishment as a monumental achievement. On various digital platforms, the Indian Army saluted his triumph, recognizing its significance. Neeraj’s golden victory not only elevates his personal accolades but also enhances India’s medal count at the World Athletics Championships. This remarkable win signifies his second medal triumph at the Championships, a precursor to his earlier silver.

Neeraj Chopra Shines with India’s First-Ever Gold at World Athletics Championships Read More »

69th National Film Awards 2023: Complete Winners List; Rocketry, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, and Allu Arjun Emerge as Big Winners in Diverse Categories

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The 69th National Film Awards for 2023 have been disclosed at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. Although the official awards ceremony is pending, it will honour outstanding contributions to Indian cinema in 2021. Films, both feature and non-feature, certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, were eligible for consideration. Here is the comprehensive list of winners across various categories at the 69th National Film Awards: Major Film Awards: Best Feature Film: “Rocketry” Best Director: Nikhil Mahajan for “Godavari” Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: “RRR” Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration: “The Kashmir Files” Best Actor: Allu Arjun for “Pushpa” Best Actress: Alia Bhatt for “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and Kriti Sanon for “Mimi” Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi for “Mimi” Best Supporting Actress: Pallavi Joshi for “The Kashmir Files” Best Child Artist: Bhavin Rabari for “Chhello Show” Music and Sound Awards: Best Music Director (Songs): Devi Sri Prasad for “Pushpa” Best Music Direction (Background Music): MM Keeravaani for “RRR” Best Male Playback Singer: Kaala Bhairava for “RRR” Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for “Iravin Nizhal” Best Lyrics: Chandrabose for “Konda Polam’s Dham Dham Dham” Regional Excellence: Best Hindi Film: “Sardar Udham” Best Kannada Film: “777 Charlie” Best Malayalam Film: “Home” Best Gujarati Film: “Chhello Show” Best Tamil Film: “Kadaisi Vivasayi” Best Telugu Film: “Uppena” Best Maithili Film: “Samanantar” Best Mishing Film: “Boomba Ride” Best Marathi Film: “Ekda Kaay Zala” Best Bengali Film: “Kalkokkho” Best Assamese Film: “Anur” Best Meiteilon Film: “Eikhoigi Yum” Best Odiya Film: “Pratikshya” Debut Filmmakers: Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director: “Meppadiyan” by Vishnu Mohan Socially Relevant Films: Best Film on Social Issues: “Anunaad – The Resonance” Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation: “Aavasavyuham” Best Children’s Film: “Gandhi and Co” Audiography: Best Audiography (Location Sound Recordist): Arun Asok & Sonu K P for “Chavittu” Best Audiography (Sound Designer): Aneesh Basu for “Jhilli” Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track): Sinoy Joseph for “Sardar Udham” Technical Excellence: Best Choreography: Prem Rakshith for “RRR” Best Cinematography: Avik Mukhopadhayay for “Sardar Udham” Best Costume Designer: Veera Kapur Ee for “Sardar Udham” Best Special Effects: Srinivas Mohan for “RRR” Best Production Design: Dmitrii Malich and Mansi Dhruv Mehta for “Sardar Udham” Best Editing: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for “Gangubai Kathiawadi” Best Make-up: Preetisheel Singh for “Gangubai Kathiawadi” Best Stunt Choreography: King Soloman for “RRR” Special Awards: Special Jury Award: “Shershaah” by Vishnuvardhan Special Mention: Late Shri Nallandi for “Kadaisi Vivasayi” Aranya Gupta & Bithan Biswas for “Jhilli” Indrans for “Home” Jahanara Begum for “Anur” Non-Feature Film Awards: Best Non-feature film: “Ek Tha Gaon” Best Direction (Non-feature film): Bakul Matiyani for “Smile Please” Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a Director: “Paanchika” by Ankit Kothari Best Anthropological Film: “Fire on Edge” Best Biographical Film: “Rukhu Matir Dukhu Majhi” and “Beyond Blast” Best Arts Films: “T.N. Krishnan Bow Strings to Divine” Best Science & Technology Films: “Ethos of Darkness” Best Promotional Film: “Endangered Heritage ‘Warli Art’” Best Environment Film (Non-feature film): “Munnam Valavu” Best Film on Social Issues (Non-feature film): “Mithu Di” and “Three Two One” Best Investigative Film: “Looking For Challan” Best Exploration Film: “Ayushman” Best Educational Film: “Sirpigalin Sirpangal” Best Short Fiction Film: “Dal Bhat” Best Animation Film: “Kandittundu” Best Film on Family Values: “Chand Saanse” And other non-feature film category winners in various fields like cinematography, audiography, editing, music direction, narration, and more. Special Mention (Non-feature film): Aniruddha Jatkar for “Baale Bangara” Srikanth Deva for “Karuvarai” Sweta Kumar Das for “The Healing Touch” Ram Kamal Mukherjee for “Ek Duaa” Special Jury Award (Non-feature film): Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe for “Rekha” Literary and Critic Awards: Best Book on Cinema: “Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal: The Incredibly Melodious Journey” by Rajiv Vijayakar Best Film Critic: Purushothama Charyulu Best Film Critic (Special Mention): Subramanya Bandoor The award ceremonies have been postponed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 68th National Film Awards, held in 2022, honoured the best Indian films released in the calendar year 2020. The Tamil film “Soorarai Pottru” won the Best Feature Film award. Late filmmaker Sachy received the Best Director honor for “Ayyappanum Koshiyum,” while Ajay Devgn and Suriya shared the Best Actor award. Aparna Balamurali received the Best Actress award. The 67th National Film Awards celebrated the best Indian films of 2019 but were held in the year 2021. “Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea” won the top honour that year. Established in 1954, the National Film Awards are overseen by the Directorate of Film Festivals. The event also highlights the best films across regional languages and presents industry legends with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement. Last year’s recipient was superstar Rajinikanth.

69th National Film Awards 2023: Complete Winners List; Rocketry, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, and Allu Arjun Emerge as Big Winners in Diverse Categories Read More »

MIB Approves BARC’s Raw Audience Data Sharing with Broadcasters

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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has granted permission to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to share unprocessed audience measurement data with television broadcasters. BARC had formally requested MIB’s approval to provide this raw data to broadcasters. Currently, BARC shares this information with media agencies and advertisers. In a letter to BARC, MIB stated, “BARC can share raw data up to the previous week, i.e., the data pertaining to viewership for the week preceding the one being reported, with broadcasters. This sharing should be done transparently and fairly, while ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of BARC’s audience panels are maintained.” MIB also acknowledged that BARC has increased the number of panel homes by approximately 85%, from 30,000 to 55,000. Experts anticipate that providing raw data will offer television networks more comprehensive insights into viewer behaviour. According to the ‘Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India,’ data generated by rating agencies should be accessible to all interested parties in a transparent and equitable manner. The ministry emphasized that the raw data has been adequately safeguarded and anonymized and does not contain any personally identifiable information about panel members, thus preserving the secrecy, privacy, and integrity of the panel homes.

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CBFC Film Certifications Hit Record Low at 8,299 in Covid-Affected Year

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Amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, a notable decline in film certifications has been observed. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reported a decrease from the usual count of around 20,000 films per year to a mere 8,299 during the pandemic-ridden year of 2020-21. This is in stark contrast to the peak of 22,570 certifications granted in the year 2018-19, prior to the pandemic’s impact. During this pandemic-hit phase, the CBFC had a significant role to play. Approximately 17.77 percent of the films submitted for certification during 2020-21 required modifications or edits, as advised by the CBFC. In normal circumstances, the CBFC typically covers a wide spectrum of films including Indian and foreign features of both short and long lengths, issuing certifications across various categories. The recent insights were shared with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, which assessed the performance of the CBFC. Over the past years, there has been a fluctuating pattern in the number of certified films: 22,570 in 2018-19, 20,593 in 2019-20, 8,299 in the pandemic year 2020-21, and a recovery to 12,719 in 2021-22. The year 2022-23 displayed a sign of the film industry’s resurgence, with CBFC certifying 18,070 films. This hints at the gradual bounce-back from the pandemic’s impact on film production and certification. The decline in certification numbers was attributed to the pandemic by the Ministry, a reason highlighted in the report presented during the recent monsoon session of the Parliament. Throughout these years, filmmakers have often been directed to make necessary changes before being granted certification. In 2019-20, 13.52 percent of the films (2,785 out of 20,593) required alterations as per CBFC’s suggestions. This trend continued into the following years. In 2020-21, 17.77 percent of the 8,299 films certified underwent modifications, while in 2021-22, the number stood at 15.02 percent of the 12,719 films certified. The period between April 1 and September 30, 2022, showcased a total of 9,484 films certified by CBFC in 2022-23. Out of these, 11.13 percent (1,056 films) were advised to undergo alterations before receiving certification, reinforcing the CBFC’s role in ensuring film content aligns with appropriate standards.

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