Cable TV users could soon access more channels at a lower subscription price—a move that’s likely to affect broadcasters and distribution platforms. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in its latest tariff order that was posted on its website today, has increased the number of free-to-air channels, reduced pricing for pay channels and capped the number of bouquets of pay channels offered by broadcasters.
The telecom regulator has reduced the ceiling price of pay channels for inclusion in bouquets from Rs 19 to Rs 12. This means while broadcasters are still free to price the channel, if they seek to include them in a bouquet, their à la carte price will be capped at Rs 12 plus taxes.
TRAI has also increased the number of free-to-air standard definition channels to be provided at a monthly cost of Rs 130 to 200 from 100. Cable operators were allowed to charge Rs 130 per month as network capacity fees within which they were supposed to provide 100 free-to-air channels. That has now been capped at Rs 160, with broadcasters given the flexibility to determine the free-to-air channels for different geographies.
The regulator had sought feedback and comments from the industry on two consultation papers in August and September 2019. It said while the first tariff order was able to usher in tax compliance, the intended choice to consumers to select what they want was scuttled due to various issues during the implementation.
