Wednesday, May 31, 2006

BBC World to become a Pay Channel

From 15th June 2006 BBC World is going to encrypt it's feed to South Asia beaming off PanAmSat10 satellite. Although they have not decided how much they are going to charge from the Cable operators for distributing BBC World.

The change in the status of BBC World will be communicated through the channe's website and on-screen scroll which would start running in a few days time.

Ten Sports in talks with CBNSat

We have been told by an official source in Ten Sports that they are in talks with CBNSat. Although they did not divulge in what stage these talks are in. It is hoped by many CBNSat customers that Ten Sports will come aboard CBNSat soon since Ten Sports has got the best lineup of cricket as they hold the broadcast rights for almost all of the cricket played in the subcontinent.

In a short period of time Ten Sports has become a leading provider of sports content in the subcontinent.


Tuesday, May 30, 2006

My letter to God TV

Dear Sir,

My name is TV Radio Sri Lanka and I operate a blog that highlights the information in the broadcasting arena. Specially the Sri Lankan industry but we give some coverage for Indian and other International Information also.

I am sorry that I cannot give you my real name and I got your email address from one of the emails that I received asking me to highlight the fact that several people want God TV on CBNSat. I am receiving several mails from sri lankans asking me to give priority to get God TV on CBNSat.

Sir, I hear that you had got in touch with CBNSat but have they replied. Could you please approach them again, have you spoken to them? If it is alright to ask you, is the cost for rebroadcasting God TV on a DTH operator high. Is there a problem on your side that is preventing CBNSat from including God TV?

Can you give me some information for me to post on my blog that will be helpful to the people who are asking CBNSat to have God TV on it.

Bye

Regards

TV Radio Sri Lanka

CBNSat does not listen to requests for God TV

CBNSat the local DTH operator has no consideration for the requests of their customers and their prospective customers. There have been several requests for God TV and as of now they have not given the channel which will increase their customer base among the Christians in this country.

God TV is a Free To Air Channel and is available on every cable operator in Sri Lanka except CBNSat and Comet Cable (the reason Comet Cable does not have it is due to insufficient channel capacity). CBNSat seems to be a very arrogant operator who is not willing to give the customer what they want.

Yes it is a religous channel but none of the other Cable operators are having problems by showing God TV.

You tell your customers that if you show God TV then you have to show other religious channels too. Then go ahead please do, since you will have more customers. But at least till the other channels available why cannot God TV be given to the customers.

This is over to the Managing Director of CBNSat Mr. Muhunthan Canagey. Sir we are waiting for a reply from you.

TDSAT Bars Star Channels on any DTH Operator

The dispute between Dish TV and Star TV seems to be hotting up. With the refusal of Star TV to give it's channels to the Dish TV DTH Platform. Dish TV took the case to the Telecom Disputes Redressal and Settlement Tribunal (TDSAT) in India. Since Star TV is refusing to come aboard Dish TV they have barred Star TV from being available on any DTH platform. With this the soon to be launched DTH venture between Tata and Star (called T-Sky) will not be able to carry their very own Star Channels at least until the case hearing on July 3rd. So if T-Sky launches before 3rd July they will have to do so without the Star Channels and as of now their test transmissions are taking place without the Star Channels.

Why this is of importance to us in Sri Lanka is that will this also affect the chances of our local DTH operator CBNSat has of including the Star Channels in their platform. If it does then it is not fair but since this a regulation in India the chances of this affecting Sri Lanka are very low but it would be very good if someone can clarify this for us.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Stock market prices live on ITN

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) will launch a special service to provide share prices on TV through the Independent Television Network (ITN) during stock market trading hours.

This will benefit stock market investors and others interested in investing in the stock market.
Commencing from June 01 ITN will broadcast in the form of crawlers, share price updates directly from the CSE.

Details of all securities that are traded at the CSE as it happens will be displayed on ITN. The code name of the stock, the price and indication of an increase or decrease from the previous price.

The All Share Price Index and the Milanka Price Index will form the crawlers that will continuously stream through the TV screen.

The crawlers will commence on market opening at 9.30 a.m. Monday to Friday and close at 2.30 p.m. at market close. This service will provide stock market information to those who are unable to access live stock market information

Courtesy Daily News 26th May 2006

Rupavahini to show FIFA Fooball World Cup 2006

While cable tv subscribers will be watching the FIFA World Cup 2006 on ESPN Star Sports which is available on all Cable TV networks across Sri Lanka (Anyone who has a Cable TV connection without ESPN Star Sports, it is high time to switch providers and tell me who that provider is).

For the normal people of Sri Lanka the National Television Channel (of course I am talking about Rupavahini and Channel Eye) will be giving you all the action on FTA television. But here is the catch because unlike in ESPN Star Sports, not all the matches will be live. But relax folks something is better than nothing and if you want to catch all the action live then GET YOURSELF A CABLE TV CONNECTION SOON & BE PREPARED TO SPEND A MONTH OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.

Given below are the links giving the schedule of the Rupavahini and Channel Eye broadcast
Rupavahini Schedule for FIFA World Cup 2006
Channel Eye Schedule for FIFA World Cup 2006



American Idol 5 Finale : Hicks Crowned American Idol

American Idol 5 came to a close yesterday with Taylor Hicks being crowned the new American Idol. The show was telecast here in Sri Lanka by ETV on FTA television and on cable tv on Star World. This show has drawn up a huge following in Sri Lanka and getting the attention of all English Language Radio Stations in Sri Lanka.

Although the FTA broadcast was about 12 hours after the show concluded in the US. The Cable TV vierwers in Sri Lanka had a chance to view the event live as it happens.

This is at present the biggest reality show on Sri Lankan television and a well done to ETV for bringing the show to the general public in Sri Lanka and even with some reception problems causing the pictures to skip, it is hoped that ETV will continue to show this program in the next few seasons and even beyond.


Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Tata Sky DTH begins publicity

Even though Tata Sky is an Indian Company providing DTH Services in India, they could also enter the local market since Dish TV is also available in Sri Lanka. This has been termed as the world's most advanced DTH Service.

What remains to be seen is whether the Zee TV Channels are available on this platform, since most Star Channels are not available on Dish TV.

The pricing and package details are not available are yet and if they enter the Sri Lankan market we are yet to see what competition they could pose to local DTH Operator CBNSat and other Cable Companies in Sri Lanka.

The launch of Tata Sky is due in June or July 2006.

Radio Stations operating in Sri Lanka

Times are shown in UTC (GMT).

Local time in Sri Lanka is UTC + 5 hours 30 minutes.

Frequencies shown like this: 88.0 are as announced, listed or reported and not yet confirmed.

The main languages used in Sri Lanka are Sinhala (Sinhalese), Tamil and English.

Special thanks to Dihan Ratnayake for providing information for this page.

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)

Address in Colombo:
PO Box 574
Independence Square
Colombo 7

Tel: +94 1 2696329
Fax: +94 1 2695488

Web: http://www.slbc.lk/

SLBC NATIONAL SERVICES

NB: SLBC FM frequencies were reorganised on 25 July 2004 as below.

SLBC National Service in Sinhala (Swadeshiya Sevaya) (relays BBC World Service Sinhala 1515-1545):
*4902 kHz (Ekala) INACTIVE
90.3 MHz (Yatiyantota)
90.4 MHz (Haputale)
97.0 MHz (Radella)
98.3 MHz (Colombo)
99.6 MHz (Deniyaya)
102.0 MHz (Hunasgiriya)
107.6 MHz (Karagahatenna)

SLBC Commercial Service in Sinhala (Velenda Sevaya):
89.3 MHz (Deniyaya)
92.7 MHz (Karagahatenna)
93.3 MHz (Colombo)
96.4 MHz (Haputale)
106.9 MHz (Radella)
106.9 MHz (Yatiyantota, see also Sports Service)
107.3 MHz (Hunasgiriya, see also Sports Service)

SLBC National Service in Tamil: (relays BBC World Service Tamil 1545-1615)
855 kHz (Iratperiyakulam)
*5020 kHz (Ekala) INACTIVE
*6130 kHz (Ekala) INACTIVE
90.6 MHz (Karagahatenna)
94.2 MHz (Yatiyantota)
98.8 MHz (Hunasgiriya)
101.3 MHz (Colombo)
102.0 MHz (Haputale)
103.5 MHz (Radella)
104.8 MHz (Deniyaya, see also Sports Service)

SLBC Commercial Service in Tamil (Thendral):
91.8 MHz (Radella)
92.2 MHz (Jaffna-Palali)
92.8 MHz (Deniyaya)
94.2 MHz (Hunasgiriya)
103.5 MHz (Yatiyanota)
104.5 MHz (Karagahatenna)
105.6 MHz (Colombo)
107.9 MHz (Haputale, see also Sports Service)

SLBC English Service (Radio Sri Lanka, relays BBC World Service in English 0130-1330, 0600-0700 & 1100-1200):
*4940 kHz (Ekala) INACTIVE
90.8 MHz (Deniyaya)
95.6 MHz (Colombo)
96.4 MHz (Hunasgiriya)
96.4 MHz (Yatiyantota)
98.4 MHz (Haputale)
99.6 MHz (Karagahatenna, see also Sports Service)
100.2 MHz (Radella)

SLBC City FM:
*4870 kHz (Ekala) INACTIVE
87.6 MHz (Colombo)
91.2 MHz (Colombo, see also Sports Service)
92.2 MHz (Haputale, Hunasgiriya, Yatiyantota)
94.4 MHz (Radella)
95.0 MHz (Karagahatenna)
102.6 MHz (Deniyaya)

SLBC Sports Service:
Operates irregularly when required for sports coverage
91.2 MHz (Colombo, see also City FM)
97.8 MHz (Radella)
99.6 MHz (Karagahatenna, see also English Service)
102.0 MHz (Jaffna-Palali, see also Palali Sevaya below)
104.8 MHz (Deniyaya, see also National Service in Tamil)
106.9 MHz (Yatiyantota, see also Commercial Service in Sinhala)
107.3 MHz (Hunasgiriya, see also Commercial Service in Sinhala)
107.9 MHz (Haputale, see also Commercial Service in Tamil)

Vidula (Children's Channel), 0000-1630 in Sinhala, Tamil and English:
102.6 MHz (Yatiyantota)

SLBC REGIONAL SERVICES

Akkaraipattu, Ampara District (Thirayi Sevaya): Haputale 102.0 MHz
Anuradhapura (Rajarata Sevaya): Karaghatenna 102.4 MHz
Jaffna (Palali Sevaya / YAL FM): 102.0 MHz (see also Sports Service)
Kandy (Kandurata Sevaya): Radella 89.7 MHz, Hunasgiriya 89.3 MHz
Madukanda (Wanni Sevaya): *92.2 MHz (INACTIVE, frequency now used for Tamil Commercial Service in Jaffna area)
Matara (Ruhunu Sevaya): Haputale 105.4 MHz, Deniyaya 107.2 MHz

SLBC COMMUNITY STATIONS:

Aralaganwila (Pulathisi Ravaya): 100.7 MHz
Badulla (Uva Community Radio): 87.6 MHz
Girandurukotte (Mahaweli Sevaya): 95.8 MHz
Maha Illuppallama (Mahaweli Sevaya): 98.4 MHz
Mawathura (Kothmale FM): 98.4 MHz 0.3 kW

SLBC EXTERNAL SERVICES:

Language Times (UTC) Frequencies (kHz)
English (S Asia) 0100-0400 (Sun -0430/0500) 6005, 9770, 15745v
English (Europe) Sat 1900-2000 6010s (not confirmed recently and believed to be INACTIVE)
Hindi+ (S Asia) 0020-0400 7300v, 11905
Hindi/English (S Asia) 1330-1530 7300v, 11905
Kannada (S Asia) 0800-0830 7300v, 11905
Malayalam (S Asia) 1000-1130 7300v, 11905
Sinhala (Middle East) 1545-1900 11715
Tamil (S Asia) 0135-0330 (Sun -0545) 873/882p
Tamil (S Asia) 1130-1330 7300v, 11905
Telugu (S Asia) 0830-1000 7300v, 11905

+ - Hindi, except Bengali 0035-0050 daily and 0130-0145 Thursdays only.
p - 'Colombo International Radio' via Puttalam 400 kW, Sri Lanka. Uses 873 or 882 kHz. Most recently reported on 873 kHz, Nov 2004.
s - relay via Skelton, UK.
Other transmissions are via Ekala, Sri Lanka.

A more detailed map is also available (about 200 kB, will open a new browser window).

SLBC Transmitter sites:
Colombo (FM), Western Province
Deniyaya (FM), Matara District, Southern Province
Ekala (shortwave), near Ja-Ela, Gampaha District, Western Province (79°54'E 07°06'N)
Haputale (FM), Badulla District, Uva Province
Hunasgiriya (FM), Kandy District, Central Province
Iratperiyakulama (mediumwave), Vavuniya District, Northern Province
Karaghatenna (FM), Matale District, Central Province
Madukanda (FM), Vavuniya, North Eastern Province
Palali (FM), near Jaffna
Puttalam (MW), North Western Province (see also Trans World Radio below)
Radella (FM), Nanu Oya, Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province
Yatiantota (FM), Kegalla District, Sabaragamuwa Province

Other Domestic Radio Services in Sri Lanka

Operator Network Language Frequency Location / Area Notes
ABC Radio (Asia Broadcasting Corporation) Gold FM English 89.8 MHz Kandy
90.9 MHz Island Wide
93.0 MHz Colombo
Hiru FM Sinhala 100.7 MHz Ruhuna
102.7 MHz Rajarata
102.9 MHz Island Wide
107.9 MHz Colombo
Sha FM Sinhala 94.7 MHz Kandy Formerly Tharu FM
96.7 MHz Colombo
104.2 MHz Island Wide
Sooriyan FM Tamil 97.3 MHz Kandy, North & East Sri Lanka
97.9 MHz Island Wide
103.2 MHz Colombo
Sun FM English 95.3 MHz Island Wide
99.9 MHz Colombo
104.8 MHz Ruhunu
Asset Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Ltd Neth FM Sinhala 93.9 MHz Ruhuna Ocean Tower Building
Bambalapitiya
105.9 MHz Colombo
Colombo Communications (Pvt) Ltd E! FM English 93.2 MHz Kandy 2/9 2nd Floor
Liberty Plaza
R.A. de Mei Mw.
Colombo 3

Formerly Capital Radio
100.4 MHz Colombo
Raja FM Sinhala 91.5 MHz Uva 2/9 2nd Floor
Liberty Plaza
R,.A. de Mei Mawatha
Colombo 3
95.0 MHz Southern Sri Lanka
101.3 MHz Kandy & Northern Sri Lanka
102.2 MHz Colombo (Gampaha) & Islandwide
Shree FM Sinhala 93.2 MHz South Sri Lanka 2/9 2nd Floor
Liberty Plaza
R.A. de Mei Mawatha
Colombo 3
95.8 MHz Kandy
98.8 MHz East Sri Lanka
99.0 MHz Colombo & Island-Wide
99.3 MHz North Sri Lanka
Independent Television Network (ITN) Lakhanda Sinhala 87.9 MHz North, North Central, North Western Wickramasinghapura,
Battaramulla

'World Service' transmitted via APSTAR 2R satellite (76.5°E) 3.652 GHz Transponder 2 A Horizontal-Linear 6.5 Ms/Sec
88.5 MHz Island Wide
97.6 MHz Kandy & Southern
MBC Networks (Pvt) Ltd (Maharaja Broadcasting Corporation) Shakthi FM Tamil 91.5 MHz Colombo 7 Braybrooke Place
Colombo
106.1 MHz Central Sri Lanka (Mt Oliphant, Nuwariya Eliya)
106.5 MHz Bandarawelle (Nayabedda 0.5 kW)
Sirasa FM Sinhala 88.8 MHz Central Sri Lanka (Mt Oliphant, Nuwara Eliya 4 kW) PO Box 25
Araliya Uyana
Pannipitiya
101.7 MHz Rajarata, Northern & Eastern Sri Lanka
106.2 MHz Kandy (Hunasgiriya, 2 kW)
106.2 MHz Southern Sri Lanka
106.5 MHz Colombo (Union Place, 2 kW)
106.5 MHz Uva
Y FM Sinhala 91.2 MHz Kandy Formerly Classic FM

7 Braybrooke Place
Colombo
92.6 MHz Colombo
Yes FM English 88.2 MHz Kandy (Hunasgiriya 2 kW) 109 2nd Floor
Collettes Building
Rt Hon D.S. Senanayake Mawatha
Colombo 8
89.5 MHz Colombo (Union Place 2 kW)
101.0 MHz Central Sri Lanka (Mt Oliphant, Nuwara Eliya 4 kW)
101.0 MHz Southern Sri Lanka (Gongala 2 kW)
Telshan Networks Limited (TNL) Isira Sinhala 88.0 MHz Piliyandala Dampe
Piliyandala
89.0 MHz Nuwara Eliya
93.7 MHz Kandy
93.9 MHz Colombo
97.2 MHz Ratnapura
TNL Radio (Telshan Networks Limited) Asura Sinhala 87.6 MHz Kandy 58 Tower Building
Station Road
Colombo 4
100.7 MHz Colombo
Lite 89.2
89.2 MHz Colombo
90.0 MHz Nuwara Eliya
98.2 MHz Kandy
TNL 101.7 English 101.7 MHz Colombo
Voice of the Tigers (Liberation Tigers of Tamil-Eelam)
Tamil 98.0 MHz Kilinochchi
103.0 MHz Eastern Sri Lanka

Other International Broadcasters

Deutsche Welle (Voice of Germany / DW)

Trincomalee Relay Station (81°10'E 08°44'N):
Perkara
Trincomalee

Mediumwave: 1548 kHz 400 kW
Shortwave: 2x300 kW, 1x250 kW, all operating at 250 kW

Address in Bonn:
Deutsche Welle
D-53110 Bonn
Germany

Tel: +49 228 429 0
Fax. +49 228 429 3000

International Brodcasting Bureau (IBB, Government of USA)

Iranawila Relay Station (79°54'E 07°06'N):
Shortwave: 4x500 kW, 6x250 kW

Relays programmes of Voice of America (VOA), Radio Azadi, Radio Free Afghanistan, Radio Free Asia, Radio Liberty and Radio Sawa

Radio Japan (NHK World Network)

Ekala Relay Station:
Shortwave: 2x300 kW (transmitters operated by SLBC)

Address in Tokyo:
Radio Japan, NHK World Network
2-2-1 Jinnan
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-8001
Japan

Tel: +81 3 3465 1111
Fax: +81 3 3481 1350

Trans World Radio (TWR, Vishwa Vani)

Puttalam (79°47'E 07°57'N):
Mediumwave: 882 kHz 400 kW (transmitter operated by SLBC)
Shortwave: 1x12.5 kW (not currently in use)

Address in Colombo:
PO Box 364
91 Wijerama Mawatha
Colombo 7

Tel: +94 1 2685235-7
Fax: +94 1 2685245

Address in New Delhi:
PO Box 407
L-15 Green Park
New Delhi 110016
India

Tel: +91 11 662058
Fax: +91 11 6868049

© Copyright Alan G. Davies 2006, all rights reserved. Please read the copyright notice before making use of this material.

This information was last modified on 7 May 2006

SLBC Clarity Problems

I have received email's from readers that the SLBC broadcasts in certain areas of the Island are not clear. Here is a part of the email sent by Hasitha in Panadura received on Friday 19TH May 2006

"I listen to their (SLBC) services from Panadura. The frequency the most clearer to me is which relaying from Yatiyanthota. Those are 90.3 [Sinhala National Service] , 92.2 [City FM] , 96.4 [English Commercial Service] , 102.6 [Vidula] & 106.9FM [Sinhala Commercial Service]. The 92.2FM channel is not clear with very poor sound quality. Its like the music played in the some Private Buses. Looks like they are producing more sound than the radio can play. Previously it happened to the 90.3 channel and 96.4 channel.

I noted yesterday a private channel Asura FM heard on their 95.6 channel between 9-10pm. May be Private Channels interferring the State Cahnnel and I dont know whom to tell about this. It happend before to the 106.9FM channel, after the transmission is over 10pm I could listen to one EAP channel. [Sometimes SLBC may be like to transmit private channels on their cost.

Lakhanda is ITN's radio channel. "Isira" is Telshan Networks Ltd's radio channel, which they transmit sound of their TV channel. There is another radio channel called "Isura FM" operated by Ru Ras. The frequencies allocated to MGM Networks is still not opearting."

Over to the authorities of SLBC to put forward a solution to this problem.

Friday, May 19, 2006

TV Broadcasting Licenses Issued but No TV Stations

I got an email from a reader of this blog regarding the TV broadcasting licenses issued. Could anyone out there please comment on when the following TV License holders are to start TV Stations. The following list was obtained from the TRC Sri Lanka web site.
  • Ru Ras Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.,
  • E.W Balasuriya & Co.
  • Sumathi Holdings.
  • Asia Broadcasting Corporation
  • Asset Media (Pvt) Ltd.,
  • Television and Radio Network
In addition are the above licenses Analogue Tv Licenses or Digital Tv Licenses. Hopefully these are Digital Tv Licenses since it is high time that we moved from Anologue Tv to Digital Tv.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Nimbus to launch 3 Sports Channels

Nimbus Communications Limited announced yesterday that it would be launching three sports channels between October 2006 and September 2007.

The first, a cricket centric sports channel, will commence broadcasting from October 2006. The second channel will focus on sports entertainment, not restricting itself to merely sports events but also broadcasting sports themed entertainment programmes, is scheduled to commence broadcasting from April 2007. The third channel will be a sports news service and will launch September 2007.

Nimbus believes that the introduction in India in 2006 of three new DTH platforms in addition to the existing DishTV (not counting Doordarshan's free service) will provide a major new thrust to cricket channels. The reasoning being that in addition to revenues from cable, multiple DTH platforms would drive subscription revenues.

Nimbus plans to provide separate feeds to DTH (HDTV, interactive, multiple languages), cable (SDTV customised, English/Hindi) and DD (basic feed).

Hopefully we in Sri Lanka will also have the priviledge of viewing these Channels through local Pay TV operators since the inception of each of these channels.




Monday, May 15, 2006

England Vs Sri Lanka 2006 Test Series

Looks like Sri Lankan Cricket lovers have been let down by our local TV Stations. None of them are showing the 1st Test Match between Sri Lanka and England live. Is it not the duty of the National TV broadcaster Rupavahini or Channel Eye to carry the broadcast live. Even though Cable TV/DTH is now becoming widely available in Sri Lanka the penetration is still low so therefore why do the local channels not show sports of National Importance. Even the private TV channels seem to be not interested in this series. True enought that Channel Eye is to telecast the Fifa World Cup live, then the cricket broadcast should have been taken over by a private TV Channel. There has to an explanation for this non broadcast of the Cricket Match. It is over to the relevant authorities to explain the matter to the cricket loving public in Sri Lanka.

This of course is a good opportunity for the Cable TV/DTH operators in Sri Lanka to increase their subscriber base since ESPN is carrying the Broadcast Live.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

CBNSat please give International Radio Stations too

There is a growing need for International Radio Stations in Sri Lanka due a lack in quality in local Radio Stations. We would therefore appeal to CBNSat to give their customers Satellite Radio Stations which are genre based. All Radio Stations in Sri Lanka play the same type of music and there are only one or two that stick to a format.

We would like to see Pop, Rock, Gospel, Country, Oldies Radio Stations on CBNSat instead of sticking to only local radio stations. Over to the management of CBNSat

Yes FM listenership dropping due to Classic Radio Format

Remember Classic Radio the MBC Radio Station that was swallowed up by Y FM (which nobody listens to). The Yes FM Early Morning Show with Ryan which is from 5:00AM to 7:00AM is playing only Classic Songs from 5:00AM (I have listened to it upto 6:00AM but I do not know whether they continue Classic Songs after 6:00AM). This has dropped the listenership and the quality of the show. What Yes FM should realise is that people want to listen to some quality music in the mornings that appeals to a wide age group. If they restrict this to only Classic songs then this will only drop the quality of the show and cause people to switch channels. So please remove the Classic format after 5:00AM and give back the Morning Show that we used to listen to.

SATnet: A new dimension in direct to home entertainment

SATELLITE TV: The launch of SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) offering a refreshing dimension of Direct To Home satellite TV fare covering the whole island 24 hours a day, was held last week. Bringing two leading brand names in the world of entertainment, Star TV of Hong Kong and Dish TV of India, the service offers over 110 channels of uninterrupted, distortion-free, clear images. SATnet provides Direct To Home (DTH) programmes, uncensored, uninterrupted and unedited, Chairman/Managing Director of SATnet Lakshman Hulugalle said. Being the pioneer in home entertainment direct through satellite communications since 2001 as Star Lanka only Digital Stereo Direct To Home Satellite TV system, the company has a clear perception of its clients' needs. To offer the Sri Lankan viewer greater opportunities to avail themselves of satellite TV, SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) will offer a package of easy payment schemes in association with the Sampath Bank and the Hatton National Bank offering a 10 per cent discount on connections. SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) distribution network too is widespread covering the whole island operating in collaboration with the Hayleys Group with their wide network of showrooms.

Courtesy Daily News 09 May 2006

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Dish moves court against Star

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT


Problems that will be faced by the Sri Lankan subscriber who purchases a Dish TV connection through Satnet. According to this channels such as Discovery, National Geographic, AXN, NICK, MTV,etc are not available on Dish TV yet.

FOLKS EVEN IF DISH TV WINS THE CASE AND STARTS SHOWING THESE CHANNELS. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW THESE CHANNELS FOR A LONG TIME. THEY MAY SHOW IT FOR SOME TIME & THEN STOP IT. THERE IS ALSO NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL BE GIVEN PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE THESE CHANNELS IN SRI LANKA

GIVEN BELOW IS AN ARTICLE TAKEN OFF THE INDIANTELEVISION WEB SITE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW DELHI: Court cases are buzzing all over the place in the media sector as deadlines for various guidelines, including adhering to downlink norms, near.

In its first direct salvo against the Hong Kong-based Star Group, the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises, owners of the Dish TV DTH service in India, has moved the disputes tribunal against the former's reluctance to make available Star channels to its platform.

"It is respectfully submitted that the present petition has been filed due to the refusal on the part of the respondent (Star Group through Star India) to supply its bouquet one channels to the petitioner on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms," the petition states.

Filed today at the Telecom Disputes Redressal and Settlement Tribunal (TDSAT), the ASC petition adds, "The unreasonableness on the part of the respondent is evident from the fact that the respondent has laid down impracticable and unreasonable terms and conditions for supply of its bouquet one channels."

Contacted by indiantelevision, a Star India spokesperson said, "Negotiations are on with Dish TV. Beyond that we cannot comment as we have not heard from TDSAT yet."

The petition has been filed as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in an order has mandated that all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a non-discriminatory basis.

Justifying its action of approaching the TDSAT, the petition seeks "appropriate directions against the acts of omission and commission" of Star, including its failure to provide on request the signals of the channels of its first bouquet "on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms."

Bouquet one of Star consists of channels like Star Plus, Star Movies, Star News, Star World, Star Gold, Channel [V], National Geographic Channel, The History Channel and Vijay TV.

The second bouquet --- the formation of which was necessitated owing to certain directions from the sector regulator in an effort to control cable TV prices --- comprises Star One, Hungama, The Disney Channel and Toon Disney.

What is interesting is that the Chandra company has decided to take on one time ally-turned-competitor with a vengeance.

The petition not only states that discussions with Star were initiated by Dish TV in December 2005, but also insinuates that the delay in concluding a commercial agreement is deliberate as the respondent is a joint venture partner in another DTH service, Tata Sky, proposing to start operations later this year.

Interestingly, Dish TV has won a favourable direction from TDSAT in a similar case involving MTV.

Discovery-Sony distribution joint venture One Alliance, which comprises MTV and sibling channel Nick, is said to be close to striking a deal with Dish TV for its channels that include the likes of SET, MAX, Discovery and AXN.

CBNSat give heed to requests regarding God TV

Looks like CBNSat is getting quite a number of requests regarding God TV. Many customers and non customers of theirs want God TV on their channel lineup. God TV which is available on almost all Cable TV operators in Sri Lanka should be made available on CBNSat since now their competitor Dish TV has it on their lineup. There is a chance that many CBNSat customers will disconnect from CBNSat and move over to Dish TV because of this issue. CBNSat has received a communication from God TV regarding the inclusion of God TV on CBNSat and nothing has been done about this either.

Looks like CBNSat is just going to hand over on a platter the customers who want God TV to Dish TV because of their inability to give the customers what they want. God TV is a FTA channel and does not cost CBNSat much to give it on their network.

CBNSat you better start listening to customers and prospective customers and speed up your expansion as well as getting them what they want. This is a channel loved the Christian population of this country and many of them are purchasing Cable TV because of God TV and some of them who have requested CBNSat to have God TV have opted for regular Cable TV because CBNSat has not been able to provide God TV and we have also received many emails from our readers requesting us to publish an article about this issue. Over to management of CBNSat at least now let them wake up from their deep slumber and clean up their ears and start listening to the people. Remember CBNSat "Customer is King".

Satnet - Dish TV & Star TV Agents

In the papers recently there was a advertisement about a company called Satnet. They claim to be the first Digital Sattelite broadcaster in Sri Lanka. They seem to be dealing in Star TV and Dish TV Packages. Their phone number is (011) 2596800

Given below are their Star TV Package charges
Equipment Charges - Rs 38,000/=
Monthly Subcription - Rs 2000/= upwards

Dish TV Package charges
Equipment Charges - Rs 17,000/=
Monthly Subscription - Rs 1,200/=

The Star TV Package contains most of the Star TV Channels including Sky News, National Geographic Channel, etc about 18 or more Channels.

The Dish TV Package has over 100 Channels but about 22 English Channels according to Satnet. There are a lot of Hindi Channels on this provider and also french channels, etc.

There have been instances where in India there have been various requests for CBNSat equipment because the choice of Channels offered by CBNSat is better than Dish TV. Dish TV does not have MTV, VH1, Nick, National Geopraphic, History Channel and A1. There is also the probability that Star TV Channels may never been available on Dish TV. Those of you who visit sites that give information about the Indian TV Scene then you will know that Dish TV is unable to get Star Channels. Even AXN and the Sony TV Channels are also not available on Dish TV.

Star TV is to launch their own DTH Network and these channels will not be having Zee TV Channels becuase they operate Dish TV.

My advice is for all of you to avoid Dish TV and Star TV. Since we will not have any control. There will be no way of communicating with the operator since they are based out of this country. CBNSat is not at all content provider specific and has nothing to do with Star TV, Zee TV, etc therefore in the due course of time they will get all the channels. Also we can call them and blast them each time they make a blunder but we cannot do the same with Dish and Star TV. It is safer to purchase a local provider such as Comet Cable, LBN, CBNSat than to go for these Indian Providers.

I also wonder how Satnet can call itself "The first Digital Satellite Broadcaster in Sri Lanka" because they are not a broadcaster and only a agent for Star & Dish TV. Therefore it looks like Satnet is trying to mislead the public as CBNSat is actually the first Digital Satellite broadcaster in Sri Lanka. It is true thay Dish TV is the first DTH operator in this region but they broadcast from India but Indian Analysts expect CBNSat to be the best in due time.

It is upto the management of Satnet to expain themselves and also for the general public to give their views on this development. But the good thing is that CBNSat will have to get their act together since they have competitors and could lose customers if they do not get all the popular channels. There is no doubt that they will get the channels but upto now their expansion has been very slow so it is now time to speed up.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

DCV - Delta Cable Vision

Hey Folks DCV is Delta Cable Vision. Looks like they are authorised by Multivision. Looks like they provide Multivision Channels (all the Channels are not advertised on the board and some local channels). Hopefully Customers can shed more light for us about their service, etc.