Breaking New Recommendations for DTH operators by TRAI

[Abhinav]

Today TRAI has released new recommendations for Service channels of DTH operators:

• Maximum only 15 platform services or 3% of their total channel carrying capacity to be allowed on each operator
• +1 channels like Tata Sky have such as 'Star Plus + 1' cannot be termed as service channel
• Every show on movie on these channels must be exclusive and cannot be shown on any other operator
• These services channels are to be placed in a separate new category called 'Platform Service'
• A caption of ‘Platform Service’ will be written on these channels whose size will be decided by government.

TRAI recommends limiting maximum number of platform service channels for DTH operators | DreamDTH

 

[dino29]

It is not practical to implement, operators will challenge it and most likely get a favourable verdict. Only good point is barring +1 services, exclusivity or limiting service channels should be left upto content provider or operators.... If satellite channels are not governed by this then bringing service channels into this ambit serves no purpose.

Content providers like shemaroo, hungama etc. cannot have exclusive content, also 15 is too less number to accommodate relevant service channels.

Coming to foreign satellite channels being pushed as service channels, i agree they should first get licence or have a separate fee structure incase it wants to be available on platform.

TRAI has still not addressed issue of ads not allowed on service channels, think some amount of ads should be permitted to keep subscription cost low

 

[iDJ]

Slightly disappointed as TRAI should have fixed a maximum amount on service channels. Paying ₹75 for Music+. Imagine Star Sports charging same for cricket without ads.

 

[HitesH]

off topic :- Is it possible that not at all ads in pay channels as viewers are not paying for seeing too much ads on screen.

 

[iDJ]

off topic :- Is it possible that not at all ads in pay channels as viewers are not paying for seeing too much ads on screen.

Off topic : Not possible as ads subsidize most cost. No way a channel can afford movie or sporting event rights from a subscription revenue that most Indians are willing to pay. Meanwhile a regulation should be given to remove ads from UI of service providers as they charge full amount of NCF and channels. Yet, still shows ads.

 

[dino29]

If this comes into effect then be ready to say bye to some of the good service channels including foreign satellite channels like The Q, Shorts TV etc
Also what if star sports want to give add on service to multiple platforms?

As i said operators will challenge it and there will be changes made accordingly

 

[dino29]

Off topic : Not possible as ads subsidize most cost. No way a channel can afford movie or sporting event rights from a subscription revenue that most Indians are willing to pay. Meanwhile a regulation should be given to remove ads from UI of service providers as they charge full amount of NCF and channels. Yet, still shows ads.

More than this broadcasters need to stop paying astronomical price for content rights. Thereafter balance needs to be maintained between subscription and ad revenue based on type of channel, this should be left upto broadcasters.

I for one support disallowing banner ads which disturb viewing while watching anything on TV, both operators and broadcasters need to be covered in this

 

[iDJ]

More than this broadcasters need to stop paying astronomical price for content rights. Thereafter balance needs to be maintained between subscription and ad revenue based on type of channel, this should be left upto broadcasters.

I for one support disallowing banner ads which disturb viewing while watching anything on TV, both operators and broadcasters need to be covered in this

Price ain't coming down. They have shot themselves by overpaying for content in the first place.

Also watermark from dth needs to be removed. We already get random numbers to stop misuse of broadcast. What's the point of putting watermarks?

 

[Rajat Basak]

SITI has almost 20. Some of them are really good. For example, S Newz Bangla. Don't want to loose that channel.

 

[Abhinav]

SITI has almost 20. Some of them are really good. For example, S Newz Bangla. Don't want to loose that channel.

Siti Digital is cable operator not DTH operator so they won't be affected