Discussion TRAI warns Broadcasters against inflated, arbitrary pricing in response to NTO 2.0

[stiwari]

Local cable operators and multi-system operators, represented by the Tamil Nadu Digital Cable TV Operators Association, in its 'legal notice' to TRAI said that the pay channel broadcasters misinterpreted the New Tariff Order, 2020 with a malafide intent, and have 'substantially inflated' the prices, and feared that such an action would lead to a loss of their subscriber base.

In a notice the digital cable group said that "our clients are not doubting on your (Trai) intentions but have been shocked and surprised to see the conduct and malafide of the pay channel broadcasters who have wrongly interpreted the New Tariff Order, 2020 and have substantially inflated the prices of the pay channels."

Fearing subscriber erosion, digital cable TV operators send legal notice to Trai - ET Telecom

The development comes on close heels of top broadcasters – Star & Disney India, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) and Viacom18 – revised their channel pricing in compliance with effect from December 1, citing compliance to the Trai's amended tariff order.

telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[stiwari]

A week after broadcasters announced their new channel pricing that jacks up the cost for the consumers, TRAI has stepped in to assert that it will review the current provisions in the NTO 2.0 to check the spiralling cost.

TRAI officials told BusinessLine that some broadcasters are “exploiting” the freedom available in the new framework for pricing of a-la-carte television channels. Forbearance clause gives broadcasters freedom to price their a-la-carte channels as they choose. A-la-carte channels are those that are not part of a bouquet. TRAI is considering reviewing this clause to protect consumer interest.

TRAI warns broadcasters against arbitrary channel pricing

Will not shy away from reviewing certain provisions, says the regulator

www.thehindubusinessline.com

 

[amarnathkvk]

Atleast TN cable operators have spine!

 

[saubhagya.mishra]

TRAI should take action on the high pricing decision taken by the broadcasters.
They should come with new rule that if a channel is priced more then Rs.12 then they can not show advertisements. Else the broadcasters are just earning in both way.
Take example of Zee Sarthak channel. The price was Rs.6 before NTO 1.0. After NTO they changed it to Rs.19 and again rs.20 as per NTO 2.0. IF they are charging Rs.20 and user have to take it separately by paying Rs.20+Tax,. then why should the user spend his hard earned money to see advertisements? It's not looking fare.
THey should stop advertisements. For sports channels, they can run advertisements on Live events as they are investing more for that. But it should stop for other High priced channels.

 

[Slu]

TRAI should take action on the high pricing decision taken by the broadcasters.
They should come with new rule that if a channel is priced more then Rs.12 then they can not show advertisements. Else the broadcasters are just earning in both way.
Take example of Zee Sarthak channel. The price was Rs.6 before NTO 1.0. After NTO they changed it to Rs.19 and again rs.20 as per NTO 2.0. IF they are charging Rs.20 and user have to take it separately by paying Rs.20+Tax,. then why should the user spend his hard earned money to see advertisements? It's not looking fare.
THey should stop advertisements. For sports channels, they can run advertisements on Live events as they are investing more for that. But it should stop for other High priced channels.

Do not be trapped by Trai...Making us fool all the time it's been 4 years we have been made fool...No further expectations 😥😥

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[Slu]

Now they will review Forbearance clause and draft NTO 3.0... Then it will take 2-3 years to implement ...In the meantime balle balle for broadcasters to settle with new price.....😥😥

 

[Sai Jai]

Clearly trai is fooling us this mess is created by trai then what is the eyewash to warn broadcaster 😤

 

[Anish Pai]

TRAI still has a chance to win our hearts if they revoke NTO 1.0/2.0 and go back to the previous regime.

I was happy paying Rs 700 for all channels !

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[sach1979]

My personal view - Trai is fool and shooting on their own feet. Nicely trapped by broadcasters. Now broadcasters can put forward their argument stating that Trai is not allowing them free market and therefore NTO2.0 must be scrapped in totality. Rather Trai should use this price increase in court in their favor and argue that NTO 2.0's all conditions will address arbitrarily price increase going forward. A-la-carte price of channels is unsustainable and interestingly everyone will implement new prices only after 30th Nov (most likely after court judgement). I'm sure that as soon as court pronounce judgement, channels prices will be reduced to 12Rs. No one would like to be outside of bouquet. This will be a huge loss to broadcasters rather than consumers. In the end. demand will drive prices.

 

[Shivub]

Trai is fool and shooting on their own feet. Nicely trapped by broadcasters.

This happens when government hires employees based on quota, outdated examination pattern for hiring govt employees and money. Rather than proper planning and execution skilled employees.