To follow the new regulatory framework adopted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRAI) in India, major DTH operators have announced new pricing for channel packages. Airtel Digital TV and Dish TV are the first DTH operators to announce the price of each channel. Cable TV distributors and multi-system operators (MSO), such as Den Networks, Hathway Cable and Siti Cable, have introduced a per-channel fee and updated packages adhere to the latest regulatory framework.
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Dish TV has published a list of prices for service channels and the operator divides the available channels by genres. The list has a large number of free channels, but this list also includes various paid channels.
Another major DTH provider, Dish TV provided a list that shows channels of various genres, such as news in English, Hindi Movies , lifestyle / fashion and sports. In addition, Dish TV has highlighted several packages from broadcasters. There are packs such as Hindi HD Premium, Hindi HD Value, and Telugu Value from Star India; Times Bouquet 1 HD and Times Bouquet 2 HD from Times Network; Turner Family Pack and Turner Kids Pack from Turner International; and Happy India 31, Happy India Platinum, and Happy India HD from Sony Pictures Networks.
Dish TV will offer 27 packs from Sony priced between Rs 12 to Rs 90 per month, excluding taxes. The company will provide 50 packs of TV18 group, priced between Rs 8 and Rs 50. Dish TV will also offer 24 packs from Zee, 13 packages from Sun TV and 58 packages from Star India.
Airtel Digital TV updated their prices for each channel on the official site. The operator charges Rs. 20 to Rs. 22 for Premium channels such as Star Sports, Sony and Zee Cafe for a month. Previously, Airtel Digital was charging as high as Rs 65 per month for some of the popular sports channels like Star Sports and Ten Sports. Airtel Digital TV follows Dish TV and offers newly created packs from broadcasters such as Star Value and Sony Happy India.
Similarly, popular cable operator Cable operator Hathway has also announced various channel packs to follow new TRAI rule. There are monthly packs such as “Namma Kannada” at Rs. 272, “Mana Telugu” at Rs. 275, “Premium Kannada” at Rs. 401, and “Aapla Choice” at Rs. 271.
Furthermore, Den Networks and Siti Cable have listed monthly packs from various broadcasters, such as Sun TV Network, Discovery, and Disney. Den Networks packs start from Rs. 4 to Rs. 145 whereas the Siti Cable packs start from Rs. 52 and go up to Rs. 166.
According to new rule from TRAI, DTH and cable operators cannot charge TV channel or package at rates that are higher than those determined by the channel owner.
Last week, TRAI stated “All existing packs/plans/bouquets to the subscribers will continue uninterrupted till January 31, 2019. No service provider to disconnect any signal or feed to any MSO/LCO (local cable operator)/subscriber till January 31, 2019,” in a statement.