Thakur
Banned
- Joined
- 30 Aug 2013
- Messages
- 14,856
- Reaction score
- 8,575
In order to encourage development of niche channels, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested creating a ‘niche channel genre’.
These channels will not have any price cap and have to be sold only on a la carte basis. In its recent consultation paper titled ‘Tariff Issues related to TV Services’, TRAI has suggested that niche channels from broadcasters be available only on al a carte basis and that in no circumstances such channels form part of any bouquet in the entire value chain.
The price forbearance for niche channels will be subject to certain conditions. To ensure that the price forbearance provisions for niche channels are not misused, TRAI suggested that the content of existing channels, especially driver channels, be not allowed under any circumstances to be classified as niche channels.
Further, all channels which were initially classified as niche channel but subsequently disqualified will have to be placed under one of the classified genres and fulfil regulatory price cap prescribed for such genre. In order to classify niche channels, TRAI has suggested three methods a) audience attributes, b) gestation period, and c) nature of content, production, distribution and marketing costs.
TRAI recommended that one of the considerations for classification as niche channel be based on some predefined subscriber numbers for such channels or as a percentage of total subscribership of channels of the pay TV universe.
Newly introduced genres and channels that have not been viewed previously by audiences in the country can be considered as niche channels. Such channels, TRAI said, can be classified as niche channels for a gestation period of say 12–18 months, but they cease to be classified as niche channels as soon as their viewership crosses the criteria as defined above in the audience attribute. Channels that entail much higher initial investments and longer recovery periods may also be classified as niche channels, but they cease to be classified as niche channels as soon as their viewership crosses the criteria as defined above in the audience attribute.
The regulator pointed out that the broadcasting sector presently has around 580 free-to-air (FTA) channels and approximately 262 pay channels, but the number of niche channels is still miniscule.
Read more at: Niche channels be offered on a la carte with no price cap, suggests TRAI | TelevisionPost.com | TelevisionPost.com
These channels will not have any price cap and have to be sold only on a la carte basis. In its recent consultation paper titled ‘Tariff Issues related to TV Services’, TRAI has suggested that niche channels from broadcasters be available only on al a carte basis and that in no circumstances such channels form part of any bouquet in the entire value chain.
The price forbearance for niche channels will be subject to certain conditions. To ensure that the price forbearance provisions for niche channels are not misused, TRAI suggested that the content of existing channels, especially driver channels, be not allowed under any circumstances to be classified as niche channels.
Further, all channels which were initially classified as niche channel but subsequently disqualified will have to be placed under one of the classified genres and fulfil regulatory price cap prescribed for such genre. In order to classify niche channels, TRAI has suggested three methods a) audience attributes, b) gestation period, and c) nature of content, production, distribution and marketing costs.
TRAI recommended that one of the considerations for classification as niche channel be based on some predefined subscriber numbers for such channels or as a percentage of total subscribership of channels of the pay TV universe.
Newly introduced genres and channels that have not been viewed previously by audiences in the country can be considered as niche channels. Such channels, TRAI said, can be classified as niche channels for a gestation period of say 12–18 months, but they cease to be classified as niche channels as soon as their viewership crosses the criteria as defined above in the audience attribute. Channels that entail much higher initial investments and longer recovery periods may also be classified as niche channels, but they cease to be classified as niche channels as soon as their viewership crosses the criteria as defined above in the audience attribute.
The regulator pointed out that the broadcasting sector presently has around 580 free-to-air (FTA) channels and approximately 262 pay channels, but the number of niche channels is still miniscule.
Read more at: Niche channels be offered on a la carte with no price cap, suggests TRAI | TelevisionPost.com | TelevisionPost.com
