DTH industry headed for consolidation with Airtel’s interest in Tata Play

The declining popularity of DTH services has prompted Tata Play to consider exiting the market. Despite being the market leader, the company struggles to maintain its position and profitability.

The company is in dialogue with Bharti Airtel’s digital TV arm, which wants to enhance its bundled offerings and increase non-mobile revenues. The acquisition will provide the telco with a more extensive customer base and access to premium subscribers, strengthening its ability to compete with competitive, aggressive offerings. Additionally, it would enable Airtel to offer bundled services, such as broadband and DTH, and pave the way for expansion of its broadband offerings through Tata Play Fibre.

Active pay DTH subscribers decreased by nearly 5 percent in FY24, falling to 61.97 million from 65.25 million in FY23. In FY24, Dish TV, with 12.67 million subscribers, saw the maximum drop, at 11 percent. Sun also faced a setback with a 6.27 percent drop, bringing its subscriber countdown to 11.5 million. Tata Play, at 20.15 million subscribers, has seen a 5.39 percent year-on-year dip in its subscriber base. Bharti Airtel’s DTH division is the only operator with a 1 percent increase in subscriber base, reaching 17.63 million.
BCS Bureau