Kolkata: Television channel broadcasters have moved the Supreme Court to the Telecom settings authorities over India’s decision to increase the price of channels in Bouquets at RS 12 from December 1.
India and Digital Broadcasting Federation (IBDF) – Body broadcasters – have been placed before the APEX court a proposal involving Move most of their popular channels from packages and offer individually at a price of 30% -50% higher than the existing level.
The verdict is expected later this month.
If the IBDF proposal is accepted, the monthly cable TV subscription price can increase by around 50% more than 2019 from next month.
Some major broadcasers, including Star & Disney India, Sony Pictures Networks India, Zee Entertainment and Viacom 18, have come up with a new price list to keep their superior channels out of their bouquets and prices between Rs 15-30.
Local cable operators are afraid of such increases will handle crippling punches into the cable TV industry.
“Two years ago, channel prices rose around 40% and it caused a subscription decline in Kolkata.
This time, another 25% -30% increase has been proposed which, basically, will lead to a subscription fee of 50% -60% since 2019, “Tapash Das said, the Convention with all Bengal Cable TV and Broadband Operators’ Forum United.
Kolkata has around 30 Lakh1 cable TV houses two years ago, the RS 19 ceiling has been set for individual channels in bouquets.
“Unfortunately, it is not mentioned if the price can be done if the channel is offered individually,” said Mrinal Chatterjee from Bengal Broadband.
He added that a sharp rise will now lead many customers to shift to the OTT platform.
In accordance with IBDF proposals, main sports, entertainment, infotainment, and film channels will now be valued between Rs 15-30.
While all announcers have not announced new prices, some like Sony have proposed rs 30 prices for entertainment channels (HD), RS 28 for SAT (HD) and RS 25 each for ten 1 and ten sports channels 2.
“Deep, Price The highest main channels such as star films, Zee TV, Star Plus, set Max, Star Sports Channels and Sony are Rs 19 and this is all available at Bouquets.
Now, consumers will not only pay a higher price for this based on a la carte Must subscribe to flowers also if they want a fair mixture of everything.
As a result, a monthly subscription will rise at least 50%, “said the watershed.
An average Kolkata customer now pays between Rs 350-400 a month, mostly for the channel in the package.
“Very few subscribe to individual channels.
The average number of channels that subscribe to consumers has fallen after the price increase two years ago.
It is a sharp increase and many stop subscribing to expensive payment channels.
Most choose out of film channels and sports.
Since then subscribing to the temporary sports channel when a large sporting event, “Chatterjee said.