MxMIndia

Tag: Geet Lulla

  • Provides Indian broadcasters a near real-time view of channel distribution to better monetize channel line-ups, ensure operator compliance and combat piracy

    Nielsen’s Gracenote automates TV channel monitoring with TV Street Maps 2.0

    By A Correspondent

     

    Those who’ve been following MxMIndia’s reports on the implementation of Phase 1 of digitisation, will remember the work done by TV Street Maps. The company, then owned by AtulPhadnis, has now transitioned with Phadnis having sold it to Gracenote, which in turn is now a Nielsen company.

     

    TV Street Maps has been involved in the crazy exercise of TV channel monitoring. Simply put, it would mean tracking connectivity (read availability) of TV channels in cable networks across India. But the situation on the ground demanded a more robust monitoring mechanism and given the Nielsen parentage, Gracenote went ahead to develop a proprietary distribution monitoring and reporting solution developed specifically for the India TV market. Called TV Street Maps 2.0.  The will get Indian broadcasters an as-accuratte-as-possible picture of TV channel distribution and delivery to preserve programme ratings, address technical challenges in near real-time and improve monetisation from cable operators. Minus manual intervention.

     

    TV Street Maps will track over 90 per cent of digitally connected cable TV households by next month. It already tracks over 650 of the 950+ digital headends. The challenge is that each operator can add, remove or change the position of channels at their discretion and without notice to broadcasters. On average, there are approximately 300 to 350 channel line-up changes occurring every week. These changes can impact tune-in, significantly impair ratings and inaccurately calculate cable operator carriage fees for broadcasters.  The automated version of TV Street Maps ensures that the reporting is daily and broadcasters know exactly where they stand.

     

    Said Geet Lulla, Managing Director of India, APAC and Middle East in a statement: “As India continues its digital transformation, we are now tasked with creating the next generation of tools, platforms and services that will help monetise viewership across the digital video ecosystem. With TV Street Maps 2.0, Gracenote is giving broadcasters the ability to more easily and effectively monitor their channels, analyse channel positions and provide a means to audit digital operators in near real-time.”