A report, about to be released by analyst Kagan Media Appraisals shows that hard drive-enabled set-top boxes and the personalised services they make possible will give the cable industry increased revenue streams, greater customer retention (reduced churn), and lower infrastructure costs thanks to a more efficient use of limited bandwidth.
Titled "The Future of Local Data Storage in Set-top Boxes", the report deduces that putting hard drives in cable TV set-top boxes will turn into a money-maker for cable operators. "Cable Multiple System Operators (MSOs) that include PVR services will be among the early winners in the emerging video-on-demand and subscription video-on-demand markets. Other near-term possibilities range from audio services to enhanced advertising to gaming. Music is a killer application for adding revenue. Music service bundling opportunities alone can increase annual revenues by more than $100 per subscriber," the report notes. Says Kagan World Media senior analyst Ian Olgeirson, "The introduction of local storage connected to a two-way multimedia distribution network creates broad opportunities to add numerous services and the accompanying subscription fees."

The new services will reduce customer churn, enticing consumers to stay with their cable service provider, the report says. Kagan report states that Personal Video Recorder (PVR) technology will pay for itself in reduced VOD infrastructure costs. "PVRs can provide a valuable complement to the deployment of VOD, and help limit strain on the system‘s capacity," says Kagan chief content officer Larry Gerbrandt.

"Customers will increasingly store personal content such as photographs, home video and music collections on the hard drive in their cable set-top box - so they‘ll have a greater personal interest in the device itself. This can further reduce churn," says Gerbrandt.

Sportsworld Australia, earlier a part of the Sportsworld Media Group, has changed ownership and is now christened Sportsbrand Media Group.
Sportsbrand carries forward the heritage of over 10 years in creation and production of quality sports programming and reflects the growing importance for producers to understand brand communications, says an official release.

The programming portfolio, that is envisaged to increase over the coming months will be driven by the demands of broadcasters and advertisers‘ requirements, it adds.

Says Sportsbrand Media Australasia MD Matthew Pearce, "Our name change does not mean cultural or personnel change. Our team remain committed to service of the highest standard."

Sanjay Dosi has put in his papers as CEO of Balaji Telefilms.
The company that posted a net profit of Rs 290.15 million for FY 2001-02, now has a new CEO in the form of Shobha Kapoor, actor Jeetendra‘s wife, who has so far been operating in the capacity of managing director.

Dosi‘s resignation was accepted at the company‘s board meeting on 24 May, according to reports. The company has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that Kapoor has taken over as the CEO and that the company is on the lookout for a chief financial officer.

The media firm is riding high on the BSE today with the stock up 4 per cent or Rs 21.75, at Rs 565.25. The stock opened at Rs 568 today, against Friday‘s clsoe of Rs 543.50. The company has registered a massive 666.25 per cent net profit jump over last year‘s figures, and the board has recommended final dividend of 50 per cent.