Friday, March 14, 2008

Time to prepare for competition

After years and years of stagnation in the pay television industry it looks like the pay television market in Sri Lanka will get into full swing with the impending launch of SLT IPTV and also a probable launch of Airtel's DTH service which may be launched by next year in Sri Lanka once Airtel launches their mobile service as well and after they launch the DTH service in India.

So it seems that Dialog have their work cut out for them with these operators hoping to grab a foothold in the pay television market in Sri Lanka. If the mobile industry is anything to go by then it can be safely said that Dialog works best when there is intense competition. No one can say for certain whether that level of competition will ever come to the pay television industry however any level of competition is required to get things moving.

Dialog have to seriously review the way they operate their DTH service and make improvements unless they have a wish to get thrashed by the competition. People who are capable and have experience in handling a venture of this nature should be consulted and if required must replace existing personnel.

There is little doubt that "Channel C" will do better than "CiTi HiTz" and will become a good marketing tool to sell these connections to those who are not so interested in English Language programming. Dialog should immediately take steps to make "Channel C" and "CiTi HiTz" available to all packages at no extra cost otherwise the objectives of these channels will be lost.

Except a few Hindi Channels there is not point of the other Hindi channels, so after retaining Hindi movie channels the others like "SET", "Zee TV", "Star Plus", etc should be removed and replaced with a few more Tamil & English channels. Transponders are costly and these channels are only wasting the transponder space on the platform. Dialog is not marketing to India and Indian content providers are trying to shove their content down our throats and this should be avoided at all cost.

It seems that the pixelation problem on HBO channels is still continuing and hopefully Dialog is looking into this matter and will sort it out soon. It is time for Dialog to take this service into the next level if they want to prepare themselves for the coming onslaught.

Please keep us updated on the latest on Dialog TV as the days progress.

65 comments:

LankaMedia said...

Yes its true we need few more real compotators real soon.

DLR said...

If anybody like to sell DTV old package ot CBNSat connection with 1600 full package pl contact me.

PSH said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mario said...

Guys have ull noticed that the Cartoon Network feed on Dialog MY TV is the Asian Feed ? BUT DTV gives us the Indian feed ?

alf said...

AMD

SO IT MUST SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS HANDLING THE FEEDS AT MYTV,MOTTA"LORD ANTHONY" AT DTV HAS FUCKED UP THE CONTENT AT DTV.FOR DTV TO FACE THE IMPENDING COMPETETION FROM IPTV AND AIRTEL THEY SHOULD FIRST GET RID OF THIS "MOTTA" LORD ANTHONY WHO IS HOODWINKING THE HIGHER UPS AT DTV TO COVER UP HIS INCOMPETENCY.

Mario said...

@ ALF

Ya men, must be his idea also not to give the new channels to DTV, thats on MYTV like, E, JOKE TV, CRAZY TV..

@ LANKA INFO

Can u explain why the different feeds ?

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

Maharaja Broadcasting is now publicly showing that they ARE afraid of Dialog TV. They are directly attacking it.

"Why Pay when you can get it Free?
Watch SA vs. Sri Lanka for free on Sports 1st.
The Future. Free. Today


Of course, DTV customers must have known that they can watch sports free before they bought DTV. Over 50000 households have Dialog TV today.
Evidently there is something else the people want, which MBC is not providing on their networks.

Local channels, expecially MBC's ones, should think of adding more quality programming with the latest seasons, less ad breaks with less ads, less unnecessary news bulletins, more accurate Sinhalese subtitles and better coverage.

Colombo is captured by Dialog TV and they is little chance of anyone giving up on it here. But outstation is yet to be conquered. If MBC expands their English and Tamil channels outstation for more people to watch, they can win the hearts of the people before Dialog can dominate too far.
And how about upgrading to Digital Terrestrial. Maybe they should relay their channels through Dialog, for their own good.

Yet I have never seen Maharaja being interested in fair play. I've heard worse about them than about any other top-class company in Sri Lanka.
I doubt they will choose to improve greatly, when they can easily (but less successfully) bring down others by unfair tactics.

And also, neither MBC nor Dialog provide "The Future. Today". At least Dialog comes close with DTH and DVB-T, and other modern services. MBC is still stuck in the analogue era (so are their offices with old computers and typewriters).

DLR said...

What I want say about MBC, I never watch Sirasa since I bought CBNSat. Also I never feel I'm mising anything. Sirasa is nothing compared to DTV

Cisco 800 said...

I hate watching shit Indian channels; please add more English channels, like MTV and etc.

Lightning_Struck_Tower said...

techno, where did they run that ad? newspaper?

Anyway what assclowns. Just because they cant catch up with new tech, they try to shoot it down.

SRI LANKA MUSIC & CRICKET said...

We are very happy any new compititers coming to market & price go down.everybody can't pay rs.2000/- we hope at least rs.1000/- we can watch all channel. i am also agree reducing hindi channel & intraducing more english channel.dialog can introduce more promo package they can increece there viewers other wise very dificul serview in sl market

PSH said...

@ tecno, AMD & Dlr-
I agree
@ l_s_t -
seem tv n hoarding add.....na?
@ AMD -
Refurnish dtv web site is ready to update.

PSH said...

Amd-
CN FEED- NO IDIA

neilw said...

DTV really should add more quality English channels. Sky sports, Sky news, Eurosport should do nicely. Why not add some channels from various countries like Russia, Japan, New Zealand, USA?
As per the rental they should increase their subscriber base and not the rental.
Remember the promise to add more channels..

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ LST
It's a billboard in front of McDonalds, Rajagiriya. I'm sure there are more same/similar ads placed around Sri Lanka.

sonik said...

what admin says is very true...
it is time for dtv to prepare for competition. if they dont, then they will go down. that is exactly what happened to comet. they thought they were invincible.. even after their competition started.. and before no time.. they were no more...

PSH said...

@ Tecno
i saw 1 is in townhall n gangarama juncation.hope... Can see some interesting moves on monday..
@ Neilw.
Can expect in da coming slot.

yakuza said...

competition is good for us.

any way about sirasa. i haven't wathed sirasa for about 2 years.
all sl channels are worthless during most of the time.

but to be fair sirasa has been a trend setter in sl.(both fm,tv)

super star->dream star(derana)

tazan(fm)-> dazan (shri fm)
(worst radio program ever heard)
etc..

LKDOOD said...

@neilw

Sky sports in SL ? no way

Sky news ? yes. Sky news International is already there on STAR

Euro sport ?

yes. Euro sport asia pacific

its already available on AsiaSat 3S

http://www.lyngsat.com/asia3s.html

Euro sport news channel is there also

Sri lankans will enjoy FOX NEWS which is also there with Sky news ;)


-------------------------------------
Sri Lanka In Focus-NEWS BLOG

monaco 1100 said...

The main reason for me to buy dialog tv was it doesn't have Sisra TV in it's line up. I was seeking a way to block Sirasa TV and watch other channels in my TV (to avoid thousand problems within our family), fortunately found an easy way, dialog TV.

We have a lot of critisisms about Dialog TV (high prices, poor CC, pixelation, epg, etc..) but still far better than having Sirasa TV.

alf said...

MONOCO 1100

I HAVE TO AGREE 100% ON SIRASA,ITS A BULLSHIT CHANNEL,IT COPIES EVERYTHING FIRST (FROM AMERICAN IDOL ALL OTHER PROGRAMMES),DESTROYS THE CULTURE OF THIS COUNTRY,DESTROYS THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY,SUPPORTS THE LTTE AND ACTS AS THE AGENTS FOR THEIR TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN COLOMBO.

SO I DONT THINK DTV EVER NEEDS THIS TERRORISRT CHANNEL OWNED BY THE NUMBER 1 LTTE FUNDER KILLI MAHENDRAN.

monaco 1100 said...

alf,

All the things u said about Sirasa TV are 100% correct.

It ruins this country.

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ Alf, Monaco 1100
I agree with both of you. Your points are correct.

Thank goodness the channels are not on Dialog (no longer of Mobile TV as well). I think the best thing Maharaja did for us is saying "Our channels shall not be available on Pay Television networks".

Who need their channels anyway? Hindi programmes/movies are available in plenty on DTV and LBN. Even Sinhala music and teledramas are available on DTV. Sports are available on DTV and LBN. English movies (without ADS) and programmes are available on DTV and LBN. Tamil programming are also available on DTV and LBN.

Unless MBC Networks does something useful for the entire society (not just the young and the mindless), they will have to keep unsuccessfully pushing down others. Shame on them.

And also, never forget their great, "unbiased" news which is never unbiased.

Mario said...

Anyone tried the new FIREFOX 3,
BETA 4 ?, it looks much cooler, & is faster. So far havent encounted any glitches.

Mario said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mario said...

Did anyone notice the huge 2 page AD in the yesterday's observer for dialog TV. They had asked for Head of marketing too!!
Wonder if Lord Anthony is kicked out!!! or maybe promoted !!!

alf said...

AMD

I THINK "LORD ANTHONY" IS KICKED OUT,YOU CANT SURVIVE BY MISLEADING THE HIGHER UPS AND WHEN YOU DONT KNOW THE SUBJECT,HE IS EXPOSED AND MUST BE DEFENEITLY ASKED TO LEAVE.

GOOD FOR DTV

LKDOOD said...

Sri Lanka State Own Television - Rupavahini under Military Control ?

LINK

-------------------------------------
Sri Lanka In Focus-NEWS BLOG

LKDOOD said...

Asia-Pacific will Outpace Europe in IPTV Market Says New RNCOS Report

LINK

Indian TV industry to cross $11.5 billion by 2012: MPA

LINK

LKDOOD said...

Anil Ambani's DTH(Big TV) to beam this month via 100 channels

LINK

-------------------------------------
Sri Lanka In Focus-NEWS BLOG

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

Dialog TV Videos on YouTube

I'm now a member of YouTube, and I'm posting videos related to Dialog TV. The videos are recorded at home and are of quite good quality (even after YouTube's low quality convertion).

At the time of this posting there are two videos related to Dialog TV. Expect more interesting Pay TV videos soon.

Click Here to go to my YouTube Profile.

SRI LANKA MUSIC & CRICKET said...

I hope Dialog TV can improve technology for who want to watch dialog tv in web.Any body know the web site cricker channel we can watch.Presently free web tv avalable only ITN(Rupavahini Can't view).any body know the any sl channel in web(free).

LKDOOD said...

TechnoGuy thanks for the videos

post more when you can :)

-------------------------------------
Sri Lanka In Focus-NEWS BLOG

LKDOOD said...

Arthur.C.Clarke has passed away

may his soul REST IN PEACE

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

Why don't you all send in your suggestions for videos?

That will make the job easier for me, and also I will be able to provide what the people really want.

Post a comment here/my blog, or send me an email.

===============================

Link: Sir Arthur C. Clarke has left us

SRI LANKA MUSIC & CRICKET said...

you can do one clip record & include to youtube, we happy your work, we can say well done malli.but you have to think people what is want? i am correct.

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ Maddumage
I do not understand what you are saying.

Yes, I want to post what the people want. That is why I am asking the public for suggestions.

E.g:- How about a video on Channel C's ads?


Coming Soon: How bad are the ad breaks on Zee Studio?

SRI LANKA MUSIC & CRICKET said...

@technoguy,
I am telling your work good. but people want to watch some interesting video clip.not a ads.you can do some sinhala video clip.like 'c" ads.

sithma said...

Hi Guys any one wants to see free web tv (including Srilankan channels)
Access
http://wwitv.com(Not www.itv.com)

Vishwa said...

Vote Sinharaja Forest for "New 7 Wonders of Nature"

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has called upon all Sri Lankans to vote for the Sinharaja Forest to be included in the "New 7 Wonders of Nature".

How to vote...

Click the link below

Select the region (asia)

Select Singharaja Forest from the nominee list

click Vote Now...

Fill in the essential info, you have seven votes so select asia from the drop-down box

then Singharaja forest from the consequent drop-down box

Finally submit...



Wellcome to world of Satellite TV..
Sat Lanka Satellite Tv Forum

LKDOOD said...

@TechnoGuy

how about HBO, Cinemax, Star movies, hallmark preview ads

yakuza said...

have to mention
assembled a pc after all from unity

2.2 ghz, core 2 duo
2gb ram
512 vga
250gb hd
17'crt

rs. 68,000

thanks

LKDOOD said...

Anil Ambani group(BIG TV) to launch 20 TV channels

LINK


India set to relax limits on foreign DHT ownership

LINK


-------------------------------------
Sri Lanka In Focus-NEWS BLOG

LKDOOD said...

dialog tv should look into an alternative ad-revenue
model like Tata sky not just increase
monthly fees

any idea guys ?


-------------------------------------
Sri Lanka In Focus-NEWS BLOG

JaSeeChaRa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JaSeeChaRa said...

Hi, mam hitanne DTV blogger ekata enne kalawata asa aya kiyala. itin avith balanna aluthma blogspot eka. http://kalaketa.blogspot.com Bayawenna epa apahu DTV blogg ekata enna puluwani. Mokada mama mee blog eka balanne CBNSat kale idanmay.

alf said...

SLT IPTV WILL START TESTING BY END THIS MONTH,BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOUGHT THE CONSENT OF ONE OF MY FRIENDS WHO IS A HEAD OF IT AT A LEADING COMPANY TO PROVIDE HIM WITH A TEST CONNECTION FOR FEEDBACK.

LORD ANTHONY MUST BE SHIVERING?

SRI LANKA MUSIC & CRICKET said...

Any body know the SL VS WI WE CAN WATCH IN WEB FOC. PLS INFORM TO US. http://cricket2watch.50webs.com/ site our match not telecasting only Icl only.

PSH said...

MTV hs replaced the Hording against Dialog TV from last Wednesday.

@ AMD: dialog.lk

Mario said...

DTV has updated homepage ( added CSI new season / damages ), & updated channel page ( added channel C ) & package page.

Channel C is free to all until 31st May.

Mario said...

IPL matches will be LIVE on MAX

PSH said...

Pilot launch of Colombo Box Office

www.colomboboxoffice.com

Pls send ur valuable comment to mathuzone@yahoo.com

Nokia said...

What is colombo Box Office? We should know what it is to coment!!!

Web page dosent give any deatails.....

Poor Pilot Launch....

PSH said...

@ Nokia,

This is just a Test run & This is all about “Colombo Theater guide”.

P.S. Stay tune...

Regards.

TechnoGuy Sri Lanka said...

@ Lanka Info
The billboard in front of McDonald's, Rajagiriya has a red paper pasted over the "The Future. Free. Today" part.

Of course, the pasted band is already peeling off. So that is not such an effective solution.

Niro said...

lol, nice nice... sirasa as usual is bit stubborn. Anyway lol... By da way bro can you syndicate your blog to slBlogs.org.. Great to have something like this there..

Mario said...

Dialog TV Corporate office is opening in Nawala.

Saw the building today.

Mario said...

@ Techno,

Yes they are covering all the "The Future. Free. Today" parts in the billboards, i saw ones in Colpetty & Bamba.

CSS said...

@LST

I have a problem in installing SlySoft AnyDVD. I wrote a comment in that link. Can yopu pl. help me.

Sorry for writing something outside DTV content.

alf said...

WHERE IS LORD ANTHONY? 4TH TRANSPONDER,MPEG4 AND THINGS,PEOPLE WHO WERE SPECULATING COMMING TODAY AND TOMMOROW HAVE VANISHED,WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LORD ANTHONY ANTHONY IS HE DELIGHTING HIMSELF BY MISLEADING THE HIGHER UPS,IS HE STILL THERE OR HAS BEEN SACKED?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO CITI HITZ? ARE THEY GOING TO CHARGE THE 50/-? SO WILL THEY SCRAMBLE THE CHANNEL ON
1ST APRIL? OR THEY MAY JUST KEEP IT AND CHARGE 50/- FROM EVERYONE.

yakuza said...

@amd

which packages do you think think channel c included. as for now all package holders can see it.

Mario said...

@ Yakuza,

yes Channel C is free until 31st May, after that Rs. 50/-.

Well from DTV's point of view they do have to pay production & content charges for both City & C.

So i think they shouldnt charge Rs. 50/- separately but include it FOC in the Great 1099,Value 1499, & Value Plus 1949 packages.

yakuza said...

who are the providers of EUROSTAR sats. do they only show FTV channels?

Looser said...

What did you mean by Eurostar Sats? Eurostar is a brand name of Sat Equipment.

TV & Radio Sri Lanka said...

Please continue commenting under the new post titled "Increasing capacity a priority to include upcoming channels".

Admin