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FTV becomes fully FTA, shuts off PAS 10 signal
MUMBAI: Court cases notwithstanding, French channel Fashion TV today became a fully free to air (FTA) feed beaming off the Asiasat 2 satellite. It has stopped its encrypted signal that till now was beaming as a “dual feed” off PAS 10.
With this move, it becomes the first private pay channel to become FTA in the lead-up to the CAS rollout deadline of 14 July for the four metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
FTV announced that “as of today…, FTV is now broadcast in the clear on Asiasat 2 satellite.” It remains to be seen how its former distribution partner turned foe Modi Entertainment Network (MEN) responds to this fait accompli.
According to a statement issued by MEN, FTV has continued to keep its signal FTA since 17 April despite clear directions of a Delhi High Court order of 19 May. The Modis have now filed a further petition in the Delhi High Court, which will be heard next week.
Modi Entertainment’s legal council, claims its dispute has arisen “on their agreement (with FTV) for distribution, marketing, ad sales, advertising, merchandising and licensing for which Modi has a sole and exclusive agreement for India and the SAARC region.” The dispute came about due to FTV transmitting the channel free to air on the Asiasat 2 satellite and entering into an ad sales and marketing partnership with Worldwide Channel.
Modi now claims that due to FTV not abiding by the fundamental premise of the agreement – that the signal must be encrypted, not free-to-air, Modi has approached the High Court which has granted an interim order on 19 May directing FTV Paris to abide by the existing agreement. Which means FTV Paris has to re-encrypt the signal immediately, and has been restrained from entering into any distribution, ad sales, marketing, merchandising and licensing agreements with anyone else for the entire region.
Worldwide Channel, a part of the Worldwide Group, had issued a statement last week claiming that FTV had gone FTA and that several new programming initiatives would be launched shortly.
The problems between the Modi’s and Fashion TV came to a head during a meeting in Paris on 5 May between MEN president Lalit Modi and FTV president Michel Adam. According to an FTV statement issued on 5 May, the meeting was a heated one and “both parties agreed to disagree on further cooperation.”
“This dispute will be settled in a court of England. Meantime, Fashion TV is unencrypting its signal on AsiaSat 2 satellite by going Free to Air. Fashion TV is now developing a new strategy and reviewing its options for the Indian market,” the FTV statement had said.
Whether Indian court or UK court, lawyers from both sides have a pretty busy time ahead.
FTV’s technical specifications for its FTA feed:
Satellite: Asiasat 2
Signal: MPEG-2/DVB
Mod: QPSK
Symbol rate: 2.6259 Msym/sec
FEC: 3/4
D/L Freq: 3796MHz
Polarisation: V
Also Read:
Modi Entertainment drags FTV Paris to court
Fashion TV India shifts satellite, gets new ad sales partner
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
