Discovery extends existing agreements for the second time

Discovery Communications India (DCI) has extended the term of the existing interconnection/subscription agreement for the second time. The broadcaster had earlier extended the agreements on January end.

According to the Discovery letter to distribution platform operators in India on 30 March, the interconnection agreement executed between Discovery and DPOs for the period commencing 1st February 2019 has been extended up to 31st March 2020 on the same terms.

The interconnection agreement is also likely to be extended for April month as well. Discovery in its first extension letter had extended the agreement upto 29th February 2020. The agreements were initially set to expire on 31st January 2020.

Discovery had earlier in February announced the discontinuation of its three bouquets Kids Infotainment pack, Kids Infotainment (Tamil) pack, and Kids Infotainment High Definition pack. It had hiked the price of its eight bouquet by Rs 1 – Rs 2. The new Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) remains unimplemented with the New Tariff Order 2.0 coming into force and Discovery extending existing agreements.

Viacom18, Star India, Zee Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Network India had also announced a price hike in January but the same also has not been implemented with all broadcasters extending their agreements. However, only Star India and Discovery have been releasing extension letters on their website.