I think comparing Tata Play Binge with Airtel Xstream Play is a no brainer. They are not even close. There's a huge gap between the two. It's unfair (from airtel POV) to compare them. A true airtel fan wouldn't do that because we know the bad state of Xstream play. I don't even activate the special free access which airtel offers me occasionally. (screenshot below)
Yes, airtel offers 24 apps for 149 while Tata play Binge charges a humongous 349 for 34 apps. But what about the apps available on both platforms. Out of the 24 apps in Xstream play how many can be considered as Tier-I apps and high demand apps. And how many on Binge is quality apps. I would prefer to pay more for a quality service than a cheap one which lacks quality.
Xstream play doesn't have Prime, Apple TV, Zee5, Hotstar, Discovery+ and more high demand apps. Airtel should add these apps and give it's Xstream play subscription for 149 and then it will be a fitting reply to Binge. Until then Xstream play cannot match Binge imo.
It is also a no brainer to compare when Airtel XStream Smart Android Boxes r far superior in every aspect compared to Tata Play Binge+ Box......coming to apps provided in XStream Play Premium Subscription vs Tata Play Binge Plans, yes Tata Play has a lead and provides many premium apps which Airtel lacks hence i have always advocated for Airtel to expand its offering and add these pending Premium , few other prominent regional + other apps onto its platform and introducing different variants of Xstream Play OTT subscription plans + not only this i have been very upfront that on Linear DTH Platform too Airtel needs to add more of International Channels thereby looking to attract more niche subscribers......however again we know market for niche content is very small compared to mass oriented specifically hindi + regional content so again right now too Airtel has good stronghold in thia segment be it on DTH or OTT front.
Lastly u may be not willing to activate Free/Complimentary XStream Play or Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+Hotstar subscription which Airtel offers with its Mobile / DTH / Broadband / Airtel Black plans but there r many who r happy getting to see so much content for free , in this aspect too Tata Play lags behind
Also FYI Airtel does have XStream Play Premium + Disney+Hotstar combo subscription plan which costs just Rs. 199 wherein user get Super Plan of Disney+Hostar which again if i remember correctly is not provided by Tata Play in its entry level or mid tier Tata Play Binge plans.....also Tata Play provide Amazon Prime Lite plans in its Binge Plans so i would like to inform you that not only in Airtel one gets free Amazon Prime Video subscription with various plans but recently Airtel has also launched its DTH + Amazon Prime Lite combo plans
So yes it is a No Brainer that Airtel Digital TV and Airtel XStream Play is far ahead in as far as content offerings and value for money is concerned which is why Airtel Digital TV is only operator to have increased subscriber base in FY24-25 + in last 4 years not had any major churn and running profitable business thereby maintaining its lead in DTH sector whereas Tata Play has suffered huge losses and seen decrease in subscriber base, almost same is case with Dish d2h while Sun Direct has seen decline in subscriber base but still in better situation than Tata Play, Dish d2h........Even Airtel XStream Play OTT platform performing exceedingly well both interms of paid subscriber base and offerings
