GECs
Star having a rethink on its DTH plans
Star India, which in January was reported to have in place the blueprint for its DTH operations, appears to be having second thoughts after the government’s recent notification that there would be no changes to the guidelines it issued to broadcasters in November 2000.
Altaf Ali Mohammed, president digital platforms group, who had been brought in from Hong Kong to oversee Star’s DTH project in December last after Star abandoned its DTH plans for Hong Kong, has this to say: “At this point, the risks of going in for DTH are much higher than the possible rewards.”
“Even leaving aside the guidelines themselves, which are anyway extremely stringent, the government has not spelt out clearly some other issues,” Mohammed says. “ As far as computing our costs go, we still don’t have a clear picture on what spectrum usage fees and the uplinking licence fee mentioned in the notification will entail. Add the service tax and new income tax regime in the present budget and it effectively leaves us with little room to manouvre,” Mohammed says.
Queried whether Star has given up on DTH, Mohammed says: “We are putting together a business plan which will go into all aspects of this and the whole process will take at least 30 days. If at the end of this, we feel it is commercially viable for us to get into DTH we will, otherwise no.”
Why a business plan is required at this stage is the question if talk that Mohammed had already readied a report to be presented before the Star’s board in Hong Kong is true. Especially considering that in January, Star officials were quoted as saying that “in the absence of any positive response from the government on the issue of raising the foreign equity ceiling to a minimum of 49 per cent, it was anyway launching the project to take a first mover advantage.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
