Sun Direct

Last updated

Sun Direct
Company typePrivate
Industry Satellite television
FoundedAugust 26, 2007;16 years ago (2007-08-26) )
Headquarters73, MRC Nagar Main Road, MRC Nagar, Chennai, India
Area served
India
Key people
 Kalanithi Maran (Chairman)
Products Satellite television, pay television, pay-per-view
RevenueIncrease2.svg₹1,845 crore (US$220 million) (FY 2021) [1]
Increase2.svg₹738 crore (US$88 million) (FY 2021) [1]
Owners
Website www.sundirect.in

Sun Direct is an Indian subscription based satellite television service provider, owned by Sun Group. It was launched in December 2007. [2] It transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in India. Sun Direct uses MPEG-4 digital compression, transmitting HD Channels and SD Channels on MEASAT-3 at 91.5°E. [3] Sun Direct Max, an Android set-top-box from Sun Direct, which supports 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is expected to launch on June 2024.

Contents

History

Sun Direct is a joint venture between the Astro Group of Malaysia and the SUN Group of India. Sun Group entered into an MoU with the Astro group on 27 January 1997, when Aircel was not in existence. But, since the government of India did not allow the use of KU band transponders for DTH services, the project was put on hold, the firm said in a statement. After the DTH policy was announced by the government in December 2007, Astro picked up a 20% stake in Sun Direct TV. The stake was valued at approximately $115 million. [4] Sun Direct TV was registered on 16 February 2005. [5] However, the failed launch of Sun Direct INSAT 4C resulted in Sun Direct's lack of transponders, delaying the launch. [6] The service was finally launched on 18 January 2008, after availability of transponders from Indian National Satellite System. [7]

In December 2009, Sun Direct was launched in Mumbai, the country's financial capital, and announced its pan- India launch. By 2009 it became the leading DTH provider with 3 million subscribers. [8]

INSAT-4B glitch and satellite change

On 7 July 2010, a power glitch in the Indian National Satellite System [9] [10] satellite turned down the DTH system partly and SUN Direct announced that the service would be free till all the services were restored. Partial service was restored on Indian National Satellite System Sun Direct with 193 channels. Meanwhile, SUN Direct is now transmitting 173 channels on MEASAT-3 for an uninterrupted transition of Sun Direct customers from the Indian National Satellite System at 93.5°E. [11] to MEASAT-3 at 91.5°E. [12]

As of 2017, Sun Direct uses eight transponders equally split between MEASAT-3 and GSAT-15, with three being added in that year itself. HD channels are being beamed from the four transponders on GSAT-15. [13] [14]

Sun Direct Max

Sun Direct Max.png

Sun Direct Max(Also known as Sun Direct Max 4K) is an Android set-top-box from Sun Direct, which supports 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is expected to launch on June 2024. It is based on Android 12. It includes access to OTT apps, gaming apps, casting functionality, and a voice-controlled remote, making it a well-rounded entertainment device. It's launching price is ₹1995.

Sun Direct GO

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian National Satellite System</span> Series of multipurpose geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO

The Indian National Satellite System or INSAT, is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to satisfy telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is the largest domestic communication system in the Indo-Pacific Region. It is a joint venture of the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. The overall coordination and management of INSAT system rests with the Secretary-level INSAT Coordination Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT</span>

The GSAT satellites are India's indigenously developed communications satellites, used for digital audio, data and video broadcasting. As of 5 December 2018, 20 GSAT satellites manufactured by ISRO have been launched, out of which 14 are in service.

MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd., formerly Binariang Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd., is a Malaysian communications satellite operator that owns and operates the MEASAT and AFRICASAT spacecraft. The company provides satellite services to leading Malaysian broadcasters Direct-To-Home, (DTH) platforms and telecom operators. With capacity across six communication satellites, the company provides satellite services to over 150 countries.

Tata Play is an Indian Subscription based Satellite television (DTH) service provider using MPEG-4 digital compression technology, transmitting using INSAT-4A GSAT-10 and GSAT-24 satellites. Incorporated in 2005, it currently offers 630+ channels, 543 SD channels and 91 HD channels and services, along with many other value added services. Tata Play is the largest DTH service provider in India. As of March 2023, according to TRAI Tata Play serves 21.3 million subscribers which is 32.65% of total DTH users in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Control Facility</span> Space research facility in Hassan, India

The Master Control Facility (MCF) is a facility set up by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the city of Hassan in the Indian state of Karnataka. Established in 1982, this facility is responsible for monitoring and controlling geostationary and geosynchronous satellites launched by ISRO. This was the only Master Control Facility of ISRO till another one was established in Bhopal in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INSAT-3E</span> Indian communications satellite, 2003–2014

INSAT 3E is a defunct communication satellite built by Indian Space Research Organisation. It was launched on September 28, 2003, from the European Space Agency's spaceport in French Guiana on board the Ariane rocket. The satellite had a launch mass of 2750 kilograms. It is the 4th satellite launched in the INSAT-3 series for INSAT. It was designed for providing high-speed communication, Television, VSAT & Tele-education services and was an important landmark in Indian Space Programme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INSAT-3C</span> Indian telecommunications satellite

INSAT-3C is a multipurpose satellite built by ISRO and launched by Arianespace in Jan 2002. INSAT-3C is the second satellite of the INSAT-3 series. All the transponders provide coverage over India. Insat-3C is controlled from the Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka. It will provide voice, video and digital data services to India and neighboring countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INSAT-4A</span> Communications satellite

INSAT-4A was the first one in the INSAT-4 Satellites series, providing services in the Ku and C band frequency bands. At the time of launch, it was the heaviest satellite India had produced. The Ku transponders cover the Indian main land and C-Band transponders cover an extended area. It has a dozen Ku transponders and another dozen of C-band transponders. This spacecraft was placed at 83°E along with INSAT-2E and INSAT-3B, by Ariane launch vehicle (ARIANE5-V169).

Direct-to-Home (DTH) television is a method of receiving satellite television by means of signals transmitted from direct-broadcast satellites. The Government of India (GoI) permitted the reception and distribution of satellite television signals in November 2000. The first DTH service in the country was launched by Dish TV on 2 October 2003. DD Free Dish, the first free DTH service in India, was launched by public broadcaster Prasar Bharati in December 2004.

INSAT-4CR was a communications satellite operated by ISRO as part of the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in September 2007, it replaced the INSAT-4C satellite which had been lost in a launch failure the previous year. The satellite was initially stationed in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 74 degrees east, with expected operational life of at least ten years, however this may have been reduced by the underperformance of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle which placed it into orbit. INSAT-4CR is planned to be replaced by GSAT-31, which was launched on February 6, 2019.

GSAT-14 is an Indian communications satellite launched in January 2014. It replaced the GSAT-3 satellite, which was launched in 2004. GSAT-14 was launched by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk.II, which incorporated an Indian-built cryogenic engine on the third stage.

GSAT-10 is an Indian communication satellite which was launched by Ariane-5ECA carrier rocket in September 2012. It has 12 KU Band, 12 C Band and 6 lower extended c band transponders, and included a navigation payload to augment GAGAN capacity. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in Geosynchronous orbit at 83.0° East, from where it will provide communication services in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INSAT-4E</span> Indian communication satellite

INSAT-4E, also known as GSAT-6, is a member of the INSAT family and is a multimedia communication satellite that will offer a Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (S-DMB) service across several digital multimedia terminals or consoles which can be used to provide information services to vehicles on the fly and to the mobile phones. The satellite can be used for other social and strategic applications.

GSAT-7 or INSAT-4F is a multi-band military communications satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The Indian Navy is the user of the multi-band communication spacecraft, which has been operational since September 2013. According to defense experts, the satellite will enable the navy to extend its blue water capabilities and stop relying on foreign satellites like Inmarsat, which provide communication services to its ships.

GSAT-16 is the 11th Indian communication satellite, meant to increase the number of transponders available for satellite-based telecommunication, television, and VSAT services in India. GSAT-16 is similar to GSAT-15 with each satellite weighing 3,150 kg and having power generation capacity of 6.8 kW.

INSAT-4B was an Indian communications satellite which forms part of the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in 2007, it was placed in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 93.48° East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT-17</span> Indian telecommunications satellite

GSAT-17 is an Indian communications satellite. Built by ISRO and operated by INSAT, it carries 24 C-band, 2 lower C-band, 12 upper C-band, 2 CxS, and 1 SxC transponders. It additionally carries a dedicated transponder for data relay (DRT) and search-and-rescue (SAR) services. At the time of launch, GSAT-17 was the heaviest satellite built by ISRO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT-31</span> Indian telecommunications satellite

GSAT-31 is a high-throughput telecommunication satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GSAT-30</span> Indian telecommunications satellite

GSAT-30 is a telecommunications satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

CMS-02 is an Indian Communication Satellite built by ISRO. The CMS-02 satellite is funded, owned and operated by New Space India Limited. Cost of spacecraft was around ₹400 crore. The entire capacity onboard CMS-02 satellite will be leased to Tata Play. The satellite was placed into orbit by using Ariane 5 rocket.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kalanithi Maran's Sun Direct reports 22% growth in FY21 revenue". Exchange4media. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "About Sun Direct". www.sundirect.in. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "Sun Direct - LyngSat". Sun Direct. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  4. ↑ Sun, Astro deny media reports of impropriety in deal. The Economic Times. 16 February 2011
  5. ↑ PIL plea against Sun DTH services. Hindu.com. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  6. ↑ Lack of transponders hits DTH expansioN. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  7. ↑ Sun TV group’s special offer for DTH Archived 21 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Business : Sun Direct launches sD services. The Hindu (9 April 2009). Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  9. ↑ INSAT-4B Spacecraft Affected by Power Problem. isro.org
  10. ↑ Power problem with Insat-4B. Sify.com (12 August 2010). Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  11. ↑ Insat 4B at 93.5°E. LyngSat. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  12. ↑ Sun Direct on Measat 3 at 91.5°E. LyngSat. Retrieved on 10 September 2017.
  13. ↑ TelevisionPost Team (18 July 2017). "Sun Direct turns profitable at net level for full fiscal for first time". Television Post. In FY17, Sun Direct added three transponders on GSAT 15. It has a total of eight transponders, equally split between Measat 3 and GSAT 15.
  14. ↑ Eluvangal, Sreejiraj (4 April 2017). "With New Tech, Sun Direct Launches India's Cheapest HD Packs". Ultra News. At present, it is beaming its HD channels from four transponders located on ISRO's newly launched GSAT-15 satellite.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.