The DTH companies are expecting windfall additions in subscribers from Phase 3 and Phase 4. Even if the
deadline is extended by a few months, the DTH companies remain confident of seeding boxes on voluntary basis. We estimate that the pace of subscriber addition can accelerate from 10m p.a. to 12m if Phase 3 digitisation is successful. Our checks confirm that gross incremental market share of the top 3 players—Dish TV, Videocon d2h and Tata Sky—is in excess of 75%.
DTH players were happy with the Star RIO (Reference Interconnect Offer) deal. They believe that this has forced cable companies to introduce tiering of content and is a precursor to an increase in consumer ARPU.
We do not think the daily recharge option changes the industry dynamics in a meaningful way. Our checks suggest that there has been no market share shift post the launch of the scheme by one of the DTH players and we might not see competitors launching a ‘me-too’ product.
The industry is in wait-and-see mode over the potential entry of Reliance Jio as a cable MSO. Potential
subsidy on set-top box by the company can be disruptive for the industry.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
TRAI Operating Framework for MSOs / LCOs
TRAI released new operating guidelines for MSOs and LCOs. The framework is particularly aimed at increasing transparency among subscribers, LCOs and MSOs. As per the new guidelines LCOs are required to get details of all their subscribers on a customer application form (CAF) which should be submitted to their MSO. LCOs should also provide to its MSO complete details of payment made by each subscriber within the agreed time frame. LCOs cannot transmit TV signals without proper interconnect
agreements with the MSOs.
Revenue sharing formula mutually agreed between LCOs and MSOs should be mentioned in the interconnect agreement along with explicit provisions for settlement of disputes. The guidelines also lay
emphasis on payment collection mechanism, complaint handling system, awareness of various schemes and offerings, STB installation and procurement, registration of MSOs and LCOs with government bodies.
The new guidelines are positive for consumers and MSOs - With better customer service rules, the gap of customer satisfaction levels between cable and satellite subscribers can potentially narrow. This could
make price increases far more achievable
Higher disclosure requirements for LCOs to MSOs regarding subscribers and payments will lead to less collection leakage and hence better net back for MSOs.
agreements with the MSOs.
Revenue sharing formula mutually agreed between LCOs and MSOs should be mentioned in the interconnect agreement along with explicit provisions for settlement of disputes. The guidelines also lay
emphasis on payment collection mechanism, complaint handling system, awareness of various schemes and offerings, STB installation and procurement, registration of MSOs and LCOs with government bodies.
The new guidelines are positive for consumers and MSOs - With better customer service rules, the gap of customer satisfaction levels between cable and satellite subscribers can potentially narrow. This could
make price increases far more achievable
Higher disclosure requirements for LCOs to MSOs regarding subscribers and payments will lead to less collection leakage and hence better net back for MSOs.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
DTH seeing early sign of tariff pressures
Of late both DTH (DTH players have been taking prices upwards over last 2 years) and Cable TV (efforts
towards packaging) have been focussing ARPU improvement. However in a recent move DTH player Tata Sky launched a INR8 daily recharge voucher allowing subscribers to pay only for the days they watch TV (possibly negative from a sector perspective). While the move may be an attempt by Tata to position itself for DAS Phase3 and 4 markets as it is c60m subscriber opportunity, however characterized by relatively
low ARPUs. Moreover Dish TV runs a parallel brand in these markets and sells skinny bundles of regional channels.
Furthermore Tata Sky has followed the INR 8 daily pack with INR 99 pack for South Indian market. Given this, there is a risk that the DTH space may see some price competition in coming days. Any such move would be negative for the overall pay TV space including Cable TV as last mile owners would likely prefer to be discounted to DTH.
While we view the increase in competitive intensity as negative, it may be early to model pricing decline. That said we highlight that move by competition to subsidize set top boxes in Phase 3 will be significantly negative. Separately recent court ruling setting aside the TRAI mandated inflation linked tariff hike is positive for DTH players (may offset near term pricing pressures).
It is only recently MSOs have started getting their act right on packaging, however lower pricing by DTH players could potentially dilute those efforts. Nevertheless cable TV players particularly Hathway can offset such pricing pressures by ramping up broadband and we see broadband tariffs increasing in the near
to medium term. Nonetheless progress on packaging has been slower than estimated and we now build/adjust for license charges on broadband revenues.
towards packaging) have been focussing ARPU improvement. However in a recent move DTH player Tata Sky launched a INR8 daily recharge voucher allowing subscribers to pay only for the days they watch TV (possibly negative from a sector perspective). While the move may be an attempt by Tata to position itself for DAS Phase3 and 4 markets as it is c60m subscriber opportunity, however characterized by relatively
low ARPUs. Moreover Dish TV runs a parallel brand in these markets and sells skinny bundles of regional channels.
Furthermore Tata Sky has followed the INR 8 daily pack with INR 99 pack for South Indian market. Given this, there is a risk that the DTH space may see some price competition in coming days. Any such move would be negative for the overall pay TV space including Cable TV as last mile owners would likely prefer to be discounted to DTH.
While we view the increase in competitive intensity as negative, it may be early to model pricing decline. That said we highlight that move by competition to subsidize set top boxes in Phase 3 will be significantly negative. Separately recent court ruling setting aside the TRAI mandated inflation linked tariff hike is positive for DTH players (may offset near term pricing pressures).
It is only recently MSOs have started getting their act right on packaging, however lower pricing by DTH players could potentially dilute those efforts. Nevertheless cable TV players particularly Hathway can offset such pricing pressures by ramping up broadband and we see broadband tariffs increasing in the near
to medium term. Nonetheless progress on packaging has been slower than estimated and we now build/adjust for license charges on broadband revenues.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Pricing power evident - Dish TV India
Dish TV has announced the implementation of differential pricing for subscribers in four key metro cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata. The company has raised the tariffs across all packs for new as well as existing subscribers by Rs10 in all the four key metros. Dish TV plans to replicate the move in DAS Phase II cities, subsequent to the roll-out in the four metro cities
The company has demonstrated pricing power recently by effecting tariff rates hike by 6% (average) in August 2014 and a further 4-8% in February 2015 beginning, across most packs. Introduction of segmented pricing across subscribers in tier 1 and tier 2 cities is yet another way for company to drive ARPU growth. As a reminder, Dish TV delivered an ARPU of Rs177 in 3QFY15 (vs. Rs166 last year) and looks to further drive ARPU through 1) Increasing HD penetration 2) Introduction of intermediary packs, to drive faster upgrade from the base pack 3) Broadcasters push on RIO deals to improve content monetisation from MSOs which in turn will drive industry ARPUs
Dish TV offers the best way to play the digitization theme in India, in our view. The company is at a critical inflection point in terms of turning net profit positive over the next couple of quarters. Also, Zing, the segmented offering for regional markets, is gaining strong traction and setting up the base for the company ahead of Phase 3 & 4 digitisation.
The company has demonstrated pricing power recently by effecting tariff rates hike by 6% (average) in August 2014 and a further 4-8% in February 2015 beginning, across most packs. Introduction of segmented pricing across subscribers in tier 1 and tier 2 cities is yet another way for company to drive ARPU growth. As a reminder, Dish TV delivered an ARPU of Rs177 in 3QFY15 (vs. Rs166 last year) and looks to further drive ARPU through 1) Increasing HD penetration 2) Introduction of intermediary packs, to drive faster upgrade from the base pack 3) Broadcasters push on RIO deals to improve content monetisation from MSOs which in turn will drive industry ARPUs
Dish TV offers the best way to play the digitization theme in India, in our view. The company is at a critical inflection point in terms of turning net profit positive over the next couple of quarters. Also, Zing, the segmented offering for regional markets, is gaining strong traction and setting up the base for the company ahead of Phase 3 & 4 digitisation.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Reliance Jio Entry into TV will Disrupt Cable & Dish Market in India
Reliance Jio Infocomm has also applied for a cable MSO license. We believe RJIO has the following connectivity offerings relevant to the space in which HATHWAY operates.
RJIO could also launch IPTV services using its cable MSO license once its pipe is present in homes. Last, were RJIO to offer IPTV services, it would compete with HATH’s cable TV offerings. While we acknowledge the risk and build it in our bear case through lower cable subs for HATH, we believe the extent of the challenge will be clearer when the below details are available.
Since seeding is already largely done in Phase I and II markets, RJIO might decide to focus on Phases III and IV, in which case it will not be significantly in HATH’s way. If RJIO launches in IPTV in Phases I and II, it will have to subsidize the boxes completely, in our view, given that subscribers have already paid for the box of either an MSO or a DTH company, and so there is a barrier to exit.
IPTV has not been a big presence even in developed markets and accounts for a very small presence in India. Hence, the acceptability will depend to a large extent on the quality of any offering from RJIO and on the possible bundling offers RJIO announces
RJIO could also launch IPTV services using its cable MSO license once its pipe is present in homes. Last, were RJIO to offer IPTV services, it would compete with HATH’s cable TV offerings. While we acknowledge the risk and build it in our bear case through lower cable subs for HATH, we believe the extent of the challenge will be clearer when the below details are available.
Since seeding is already largely done in Phase I and II markets, RJIO might decide to focus on Phases III and IV, in which case it will not be significantly in HATH’s way. If RJIO launches in IPTV in Phases I and II, it will have to subsidize the boxes completely, in our view, given that subscribers have already paid for the box of either an MSO or a DTH company, and so there is a barrier to exit.
IPTV has not been a big presence even in developed markets and accounts for a very small presence in India. Hence, the acceptability will depend to a large extent on the quality of any offering from RJIO and on the possible bundling offers RJIO announces
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