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As cable TV digitisation is now closer to reality, consumers in metros can expect to pay uniform subscription rates. For many, digitisation is likely to reduce the monthly cable bill and offer freedom of viewing the preferred channels.
In April, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended digital cable connection at basic subscription charge of Rs 100 (for a bouquet of 100 free-to-air channels) and Rs 150 (for free-to-air plus a bouquet of pay channels). More channels could be had at extra cost.
According to multi-service operators (MSOs), there is wide variance in cable TV subscription charges across cities as per the whim of the local operators.
While the average subscription rate in Kolkata hovers between Rs 150 and Rs 250; the range is as wide as Rs 150-350 in Mumbai and Rs 50-200 in Delhi.
“Availability of basic packages at Rs 100-150 a month will lead to standardisation of charges,” Swapan Chowdhury, convenor of Kolkata-based Cable Operators’ Digitisation Committee, told Business Line .
It means an average cable TV viewer in Kolkata who surfs the Bengali news and entertainment channels can now expect to pay well below Rs 200 a month.
Many viewers feel that a pick-and-chose option might help them enjoy TV viewing under Rs 200.
“It will be beneficial to get a basic pay channel package. Earlier, we were paying for channels that we would not watch at all,” said Pritam Dey, a resident of Chandannagore in the Kolkata Metropolitan area.
Kolkata has 40 lakh cable TV users and a low concentration of DTH (direct-to-home) users when compared to Delhi and Mumbai.
According to Anil Parab, President of Cable Operators’ Distributors Association, Mumbai, one-third of the 30-lakh-odd cable TV users in the city are likely to opt for the basic pay channel package at Rs 150.
Value added packages
For premium consumers with fancy choices, Parab expects to offer value added packages priced between Rs 250 and Rs 350.
Though the formal announcements of package pricing is expected in the next couple of weeks as digitisation gains pace, a leading Kolkata-based MSO is expected to price premium value packages at a maximum of Rs 275.
Co-ordinator of a Delhi-based cable operators’ forum said it would wait for MSOs to announce the rates.
> ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in
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