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With just 15days left for digitization left the Local Cable Operators(LCO) has written to the Task Force for Implementation of Digitization Chairman that the MSOs have not offered the Rs 100 FTA package as provided in the regulations.
According to them many of the MSOs have not even mentioned the channels in their packages. They have not come up with clear picture on their packages in DAS scenario (including Entertainment Tax, Service Tax, Vat, STB rental and electric consumption that adds up to more than Rs. 60 per month). It seems Consumers will have to install STBs from all the MSOs to watch channels of their choice paying four to five times more.
This further means that after the consumers pay Rs 800/- to Rs 2000/- for STB they don’t have any choice and are being forced to pay two to four times more to get the same cable TV service.The LCO’s have further revealed that some of the MSO’s have not even mentioned the channels in their packages. Further inquiry into the same by the LCO has revealed this.
1.DEN Networks has NO channel from Indiacast (Viacom 18 and Sun) like COLOURS, Sun south Indian channels etc.
2.DIGI has no STAR channels, no ZEE channels and no SPORTS CHANNELS except DD sports and their package price is Rs. 250 PM.
3.IN CABLE has not given any names of the channels that they will carry on their network.
4.HATHWAY is the only MSO to carry all popular Premium channels on their Network but package with popular channels cost consumers more than Rs 350 (with Taxes).
5.No MSO has given a-la-carte rates of channels to allow consumers to select individual channels.
According to them the Broadcaster & I&B Ministry advertisements urging consumers to adopt STBs should clearly indicate the price of STB and channels in Bouquet and stand alone (A-la-Carte), all taxes and STB rentals be given out clearly as most of the consumers do not have access to internet and taking out information from websites is very difficult and since it is in English, not understood by the majority.
They have also been expressing grievances that TRAI Regulations have given our share to MSOs, so they should be held responsible for failure of digitization. The grievance has been expressed because MIB and MSOs are blaming LCOs for slow seeding of STBs, LCOs had raised this point of packages and pricing on 8th June at stakeholders meet in Vigyan Bhawan and were assured by the I&B Minister and MSO representatives that they will come out with final packages very soon.
They also highlighted that the LCOs are being forced to sell the STBs keeping customer in dark regarding the rentals or subscriptions and channel prices.
With digitization consumers will have to pay 4-5 times more to watch channels:LCO
According to them many of the MSOs have not even mentioned the channels in their packages. They have not come up with clear picture on their packages in DAS scenario (including Entertainment Tax, Service Tax, Vat, STB rental and electric consumption that adds up to more than Rs. 60 per month). It seems Consumers will have to install STBs from all the MSOs to watch channels of their choice paying four to five times more.
This further means that after the consumers pay Rs 800/- to Rs 2000/- for STB they don’t have any choice and are being forced to pay two to four times more to get the same cable TV service.The LCO’s have further revealed that some of the MSO’s have not even mentioned the channels in their packages. Further inquiry into the same by the LCO has revealed this.
1.DEN Networks has NO channel from Indiacast (Viacom 18 and Sun) like COLOURS, Sun south Indian channels etc.
2.DIGI has no STAR channels, no ZEE channels and no SPORTS CHANNELS except DD sports and their package price is Rs. 250 PM.
3.IN CABLE has not given any names of the channels that they will carry on their network.
4.HATHWAY is the only MSO to carry all popular Premium channels on their Network but package with popular channels cost consumers more than Rs 350 (with Taxes).
5.No MSO has given a-la-carte rates of channels to allow consumers to select individual channels.
According to them the Broadcaster & I&B Ministry advertisements urging consumers to adopt STBs should clearly indicate the price of STB and channels in Bouquet and stand alone (A-la-Carte), all taxes and STB rentals be given out clearly as most of the consumers do not have access to internet and taking out information from websites is very difficult and since it is in English, not understood by the majority.
They have also been expressing grievances that TRAI Regulations have given our share to MSOs, so they should be held responsible for failure of digitization. The grievance has been expressed because MIB and MSOs are blaming LCOs for slow seeding of STBs, LCOs had raised this point of packages and pricing on 8th June at stakeholders meet in Vigyan Bhawan and were assured by the I&B Minister and MSO representatives that they will come out with final packages very soon.
They also highlighted that the LCOs are being forced to sell the STBs keeping customer in dark regarding the rentals or subscriptions and channel prices.
With digitization consumers will have to pay 4-5 times more to watch channels:LCO
