Hathway And DEN Networks Become First Cable TV Operators To Start Offering Reduced Channel Pricing

With the coming of the festive season, the DTH subscribers are enjoying a new benefit of reduced channel pricing. The benefit has been brought to the subscribers by the broadcasters of the channels and then passed on by the DTH operators. It is worth noting that the broadcasters announced the price cut on these channels only a few days ago and the DTH operators have followed up quickly to bring this benefit to their subscribers. The list of DTH operators which have implemented the new price cut on channels includes Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV, Sun Direct, D2h and Dish TV. However, until now, the Cable TV subscribers were also in wait of this price cut. Although there was an announcement a few days back that Cable TV subscribers would also get this benefit, finally it has happened for DEN Networks and Hathway.

DEN Networks and Hathway Subscribers to Enjoy Channels at Lower Prices

To recall, only a few days back the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) which represents almost all the Cable TV operators of India announced that it would be passing on the new benefits which the channel broadcasters have introduced on to the subscribers of the service. The AIDCF president, SN Sharma, said that all the Cable TV operators would bring the reduced pricing of these channels to the subscribers. Following up on this, two of the major Cable TV operators including DEN Networks and Hathway have introduced the reduced channel pricing for the subscribers, which means that similar to how the DTH subscribers are getting channels for less amount, the Cable TV subscribers would also be able to enjoy popular channels at lower prices.

Cable TV Subscribers Getting 50 More Channels on Base NCF

It is also crucial to note for the Cable TV subscribers that this is not the only benefit that all the Cable TV operators have agreed upon in AIDCF. But, the association has also announced that it would be offering 150 SD channels at the cost of 100 SD channels to their subscribers. This implies that for the Rs 130 base NCF, the subscribers will get access to 50 more channels. For the subscribers, this would translate to the benefit of Rs 40 as to access 25 additional channels over the base NCF, the subscribers had to pay Rs 20. With 50 more channels to their credit, these customers would be able to save a total of Rs 40.

Popular Channels Get Rs 7 Discount

This seems to be a great deal for the subscribers as not only would they be able to enjoy a benefit of Rs 40 on their Cable TV subscription but also, the subscribers would now save Rs 7 per channel for some of the most popular channels. The channels which have received a price cut from the broadcasters include some big names like Colors, Colors Kannada, Star Plus, SAB, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and more. In addition to this, various other channels have received price cuts of different values. Big broadcasters like Star India, Sony Pictures Networks India, Viacom18 and ZEEL have provided this discount on their SD channels.

The new discount on these channels has come up, as there is speculation regarding Trai’s bashing on the rampant discounting of the channel bouquets. If Trai goes on with the capping of discount on the channel bouquets and channel packs, the individual channels and the a-la-carte channels would not be priced higher than 15% more than the price of the channel in the channel bouquet. Hence, now a lot of popular channels which used to be available for Rs 19 before, are now available for Rs 12 per month.―Telecom Talk