Top broadcasters hike channel rates after 3 years: Report
A news report says that ZEE, Culver Max Entertainment and Sun TV Network have increased their a la carte and bouquet rates, and have filed their RIOs
Leading broadcasters Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Culver Max Entertainment and Sun TV Network have increased their a la carte and bouquet rates after a period of three years, according to a news report. The new pricing will reportedly come into effect on February 1 next year.
The rates have reportedly been hiked by 10-15% for some bouquets. The news report also quoted a senior executive at a cable TV company who said that Sony has discontinued its bouquet priced at Rs 31 and replaced it with a new one that costs Rs 43.
The report says that the channels have filed their reference interconnect offers (RIO), or documents that specify terms and conditions, and pricing under which a service provider will permit interconnection of another carrier with its network.
The report also mentions that Disney Star India and Viacom18 will follow up with their RIOs soon.
The price hike has reportedly caused jitters among distribution service providers, who are already facing competition from DD Free Dish and OTT platforms.
The hike comes in the wake of TRAI's amendments to the new tariff order (NTO 2.0), restoring the price cap for bouquet TV channels from Rs 19 to Rs 12.
