Scientific-Atlanta has announced that over 30 per cent of the MSO systems using its digital platform and interactive set-tops are carrying some form of interactive television (ITV) services available to millions of potential subscribers.

They run the gamut from video-on-demand to email, Internet access, enhanced viewing and t-commerce applications. Cable operators are deploying Scientific-Atlanta networks and Explorer digital interactive set-tops to provide subscribers with compelling interactive content to reduce churn and increase revenue, claims the company.

Adding to the pool of interactive TV applications cable operators have to choose from, Scientific-Atlanta also announced that InformTV has joined its CreativEdge Developer Program and is working to obtain certification of its new application, InformTV Sports 1.0. As a member of the CreativEdge Developer Program, the company will receive ongoing development support and testing and integration services throughout the application development process from Scientific-Atlanta.

The application, which InformTV expects to be available during the first quarter of 2002, complements existing broadcast programming by making sports scores, statistics and information available on every cable channel, completely independent of broadcast video content.

Despite filing an urgent application before the Bombay High Court, InCable lawyers today requested for the postponement of the hearing of the case, an ESPN Software spokesperson said today.

An urgent petition was filed by InCable Network on 8 January, 2002 in the Bombay High Court for restoration of ESPN and Star Sports signals which were switched off by ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. following the expiry of the period of the service contract on December 31, 2001. ?It appears that InCable is not keen on pursuing its application and instead, is using the pendency of the matter before the Honourable High Court to confuse and mislead its sub-operators and customers into believing that the ESPN and Star Sports signals will be restored shortly. InCable Network also continues to hold its own customers to ransom by charging them the usual subscription fees without showing them ESPN India and Star Sports India signals,? the spokesperson said.

Even though ESPN Software lawyers were present in court and ready to argue the case, InCable lawyers chose not to argue and instead requested for the postponement of the matter. Due to such a request, the Honourable High Court directed the matter to be taken up in the regular course and no date as such has been fixed for the next hearing.

Meanwhile, most cable networks affiliated to MSOs Hathway, Siticable and Wincable in Mumbai, as well as over 60 independent cable operators in and around Mumbai city, have signed the new service contracts for ESPN and Star Sports. Only the cable networks affiliated to InCable (that includes Seven Star which has a major presence in the western suburbs of Andheri-Juhu-Vile Parle) are yet to sign the new contracts.

?Regretfully it has also come to our notice that some cable networks affiliated to InCable are stealing the ESPN and Star Sports signals. This is a criminal offence under the Copyrights Act and the Indian Penal Code. We will initiate appropriate action against those cable network indulging in piracy of ESPN and Star Sports signals,? the spokesperson added.

When contacted, Ashok Mansukhani, executive V-P, corporate services, Hinduja Group said as the matter was sub judice he would not like to comment on this at this stage. X

It‘s got the look. A peek at the new face that Max, the digital movies and events channel from the Sony Entertainment stable, will be presenting to the world at 7 am on Republic Day (26 January) certainly corroborates that.
Speaking to the media during what could be called a coming out party, Rajat Jain, executive vice-president and business head, MAX, said there would be a renewed focus on building the Max brand as a separate entity rather than as an adjunct of SET. The restructuring process that was undertaken last year had split SET and Max into two business units to give each channel the requisite focus, Jain said.

The aim is to build up Max for the future for which there will be adequate investment pumped in, Jain said, adding that once the new look channel went on air there would be some changes in the MAX logo and elements for all promotables like Maha Movie and Mera Movie, for instance, plus elements like promo end pages, menu pages, lower thirds, new packaging audio, etcetera.

Jain added that his team was working on a programming schedule that would be clued in to the needs of both the advertiser and the viewer which would be ready by March.