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Dish TV, the country's largest direct-to-home (DTH) operator, has launched 30 new channels in high definition (HD) format on its platform, besides making it more affordable to consumers by lowering the price for new connections.
Dish TV believes that its latest move would be a game-changer for the Indian broadcasting sector by taking digital entertainment to the next level.
“With 30 HD channels, we will be able to put forward a significant differentiated offering to our subscribers,” said Mr R.C. Venkateish, CEO, Dish TV. The company's portfolio now stands enhanced to 267 channels, the highest number of channels offered by any operator. “The availability of one or two HD channels on various platforms did not impact the market. With this launch, we are officially scripting the HD revolution in India,” he said.
Pricing
Dish TV has reduced pricing of HD connections to Rs 2,390, including free package for a month, against Rs 2,990. Pricing of monthly subscription is pegged at Rs 450 for the HD package of 15 channels, while consumers can buy other HD channels a la carte at Rs 100 per month.
Mr Venkateish said the HD offering would result in average revenue per customer (ARPU) of between Rs 450 and Rs 550, while lifting the overall ARPU significantly. For the December quarter, Dish TV reported an ARPU of Rs 142, while it has projected an ARPU of Rs 150-157 for the fiscal-ending March 2011.
Customer base
The company expects HD customers to account for 15 per cent of its overall subscriber base by end of next fiscal. Dish TV has some 15,000 HD subscribers or 0.15 per cent of its current subscriber base. “We are looking to have HD customer base of 300,000 to 400,000 by March 2012,” Mr Venkateish said.
The new HD channels span various genres including sports, general entertainment, movies, music and kids' channels. About 12 of the 30 channels are from the parent Zee stable, while the rest include National Geographic, AXN, MTV and TLC.
Dish TV recently expanded its transmission capacity by 50 per cent by leasing an additional five transponders from ISRO, which will give the company a significant competitive advantage, said Mr Venkateish. The company can offer up to 45 HD channels, he added.
Source: The Hindu Business Line
Dish TV believes that its latest move would be a game-changer for the Indian broadcasting sector by taking digital entertainment to the next level.
“With 30 HD channels, we will be able to put forward a significant differentiated offering to our subscribers,” said Mr R.C. Venkateish, CEO, Dish TV. The company's portfolio now stands enhanced to 267 channels, the highest number of channels offered by any operator. “The availability of one or two HD channels on various platforms did not impact the market. With this launch, we are officially scripting the HD revolution in India,” he said.
Pricing
Dish TV has reduced pricing of HD connections to Rs 2,390, including free package for a month, against Rs 2,990. Pricing of monthly subscription is pegged at Rs 450 for the HD package of 15 channels, while consumers can buy other HD channels a la carte at Rs 100 per month.
Mr Venkateish said the HD offering would result in average revenue per customer (ARPU) of between Rs 450 and Rs 550, while lifting the overall ARPU significantly. For the December quarter, Dish TV reported an ARPU of Rs 142, while it has projected an ARPU of Rs 150-157 for the fiscal-ending March 2011.
Customer base
The company expects HD customers to account for 15 per cent of its overall subscriber base by end of next fiscal. Dish TV has some 15,000 HD subscribers or 0.15 per cent of its current subscriber base. “We are looking to have HD customer base of 300,000 to 400,000 by March 2012,” Mr Venkateish said.
The new HD channels span various genres including sports, general entertainment, movies, music and kids' channels. About 12 of the 30 channels are from the parent Zee stable, while the rest include National Geographic, AXN, MTV and TLC.
Dish TV recently expanded its transmission capacity by 50 per cent by leasing an additional five transponders from ISRO, which will give the company a significant competitive advantage, said Mr Venkateish. The company can offer up to 45 HD channels, he added.
Source: The Hindu Business Line
