Republic TV insists its FTA; DTH platforms to charge subscribers for viewing

[rahul1117kumar]

Republic TV continues to make news even as it reports views and news. Touted as the country’s truly free-to-air (FTA) news channel, however, what is surprising is that some DTH platforms have put a price on the channel and started charging subscribers accordingly a little over a fortnight after its launch.

It all started last weekend when a gentleman posted on Facebook “Dus ka dum. #RepublicTV starts charging Rs 10 pm (Power of 10. Republic TV starts charging Rs. 10 per month).” A flurry of posts --- some of them sarcastic --- for and against this move followed. We at at Indiantelevision.com decided to go back to industry to get the real picture.

In a nutshell this is the scenario: some of the DTH platforms in the country have decided to charge subscribers for Republic TV from a price ranging between Rs 10 and Rs 3 per month per sub; MSOs, at least the big ones, are still keeping the new kid on the block free for viewing, while on popular OTT platform Hotstar, one can sign in with a personalized email or one’s FB account to watch Republic TV for free.

Tata Sky MD & CEO Harit Nagpal, while confirming his company has put a price on Republic TV for subscribers, told indiantelevision.com all DTH platforms are permitted to charge a minimal pre-decided rate for even FTA channels. While pointing out rates for FTA channels were fixed by the platform and placed on the website, Nagpal explained such a move (like that involving Republic TV) was permitted under the relevant tariff orders issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Though he did not dwell on the actual pricing, some subscribers have reported that Tata Sky is charging Rs 10 per month from its subscribers for Republic TV on ala carte basis.

Republic TV insists its FTA; DTH platforms to charge subscribers for viewing - Republic TV continues to make news even as it reports views and news...