Breaking TRAI revised the tariff order again, lifts the limits on NCF and increases the maximum discount on channels to 45%

[stiwari]

I'n dd free dish may be encryption of singal implementation apply in future

It is very difficult to implement as it makes 99% DD free box unusable,so it may be done in stages,CAS boxes were manufactured by many prasar bharti approved vendors but never strictly implemented. https://prasarbharati.gov.in/pbcircular/Technical_833503.pdf

 

[Elvin Paul]

If the distinction between carriage fee of an SD and HD channel is removed then DPO's should just provide HD feed of channels where it is available and not waste bandwidth on SD feed of the same channel.

What if the HD version is not the simulcast of the SD version? Eg: Asianet Movies HD. But, all the HD sports channels are simulcasts of SD. DPOs are not aware of this and it is the duty of the broadcasters to get rid of SD simulcasts.

Subscribers SD boxes should be mandatorily upgraded to HD boxes

Agreed. And getting rid of SD versions can be done only after this. DPOs should take initiative for this.

 

[RLOA]

But, all the HD sports channels are simulcasts of SD.

Sports18 1 on many occasions in the past have telecast different programs on SD and HD channels.

 

[coolwater0055]

Not read order completely, but feeling disappointed specially for multi tv ncf

 

[Arun Nehra]

Some more points:

Good to know that those who once were charging ₹75 for HD & ₹60 for SD a-la-carte are bleeding now .

DTH operators are not bound to give 40% discounts on Multi TV connection. NCF can be same for both connection but must not be more than 1st connection.

1 HD channel = 1 SD channel = 1 4K channel.

FTA complimentary channels/pack is not compulsory to provide. Customer have right to buy whichever pack customer want.


40% discount on MRP of channel for Multi TV connection.

 

[Elvin Paul]

45% discount in NTO 1.0 and 3.0 was only applicable for the broadcaster bouquets, the DPO curated bouquet discount was still capped at 15%. With the current amendment, the DPO bouquets could also be offered at 45% discount.

Not sure whether this change could make a big impact. If DPOs were really in need of discounting DPO packs, they could've done it easily with lowering the NCF down till ₹0 which is allowed even now. Now, most of the DPOs are adding ₹153 as if a fixed price.

 

[dino29]

So overall as i can see viewers will not see any major difference in pricing of channels reason being that already operators r providing discounts on NCF and they will neither be willing to raise it as then packs become costly nor they will be happy to reduce as revenue is adversely impacted..... Now coming to point of DPO's allowed to provide 45% discount on DPO bouquets again it cannot be done as DPO bouquets r formed by combining broadcaster bouquets and barring the 20% share of MRP which operators get to keep with them rest they have to share with respective broadcasters so why how can a operator provide 45% discount on DPO bouquets - by reducing their margins 20% + other incentives they get for LCN placement of channels on their platform , absorbing discounts in carriage fee revenue or ad revenues they earn ....well i don't see operators doing this.


now coming to carriage fee being set as uniform for SD and HD channels again it shall benefit broadcasters particularly smaller ones as bigger broadcasters usually do not pay carriage fee as their channels mostly get added on a platform when updated RIO gets signed or if channel demand is high then operators opt for it via A La Carte mode too until updated RIO agreement which includes the channels is signed.
@Esmail bro this shall have no effect on operators getting any benefits of promoting HD channels over SD as pricing of major channels as well as other channels too has no link to this rule and SD channels being more affordable always r 1st choice for most subscribers and as such despite all these years broadcasters have failed to add any unique appeal to content their HD channels for a viewer to show more interest in subscribing to it and further its higher pricing makes them less preferred
What needs to be done is that SD and HD channel feeds both should continue for major channels as these help open avenues to tap in more revenues but broadcasters need to adopt an approach to curate content to reach out to mass + niche audience thru these feeds and thereby fueling growth in both segments....for premium channels an HD only approach can work only if pricing is kept affordable and reach is maximised by making sure all have access to the channel

 

[dino29]

Some more points:

Good to know that those who once were charging ₹75 for HD & ₹60 for SD a-la-carte are bleeding now .

DTH operators are not bound to give 40% discounts on Multi TV connection. NCF can be same for both connection but must not be more than 1st connection.

1 HD channel = 1 SD channel = 1 4K channel.

FTA complimentary channels/pack is not compulsory to provide. Customer have right to buy whichever pack customer want.


40% discount on MRP of channel for Multi TV connection.

FTA Complimentary Bouquet already is non mandatory.

 

[dino29]

Not read order completely, but feeling disappointed specially for multi tv ncf

Don't feel unhappy it shall not lead to price increase..... Already operators r losing customers and they will not increase NCF at any cost

 

[dino29]

1.So now operators can have ncf of secondary connection equal to primary.

2. distributors can now offer discount on MRP of a channel on secondary connections

3.They can't compress the quality of a channel and input quality must be equal to output quality.

So now airtel can't compress the quality of sansad tv hd channel

3rd point was a suggestion which came up in consultation and not a rule to be followed as same not part of the amendment made