The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reduced the maximum retail price (MRP) of the channel from Rs 19 to Rs 12. That is, now watching TV will become even cheaper. Now any channel which is less than 12 or 12 rupees will be part of the bouquet of channels.
TRAI Chairman Dr. RS Sharma said that earlier broadcasters who were selling their channels for Rs 5 had increased the rate of their channels to Rs 19. SD or HD channels that were priced differently will now be priced at Rs 19.
10 days ago, TRAI gave the New Year gift to the subscribers of cable TV and DTH. TRAI had given at least 200 free to air channels to consumers from March 1 for 130 rupees (without tax). Till now only 100 channels were available for Rs 130. Now from March 1, watching TV will become cheaper.
DTH and cable TV customers get these benefits
Operators will not be able to charge more than Rs 160 per month to show all free to air channels. TRAI has clarified that these channels do not include those channels which have been declared mandatory by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The number of such channels connected to Doordarshan is 26.
In the new tariff policy issued by TRAI, TRAI has made it clear that no cable operator will be able to charge more than Rs 160 per month for all free to air channels on one platform.
Also, not all TV channels priced above Rs 12 will be part of any bouquet. Customers will be able to take these channels separately. A separate group can be formed for those cable channels that are priced at Rs 12 or less.
This rule will give a lot of relief to the viewers of cheap TV channels because many operators used to form a group of all the channels that a customer did not want to watch, after the name of one channel. TRAI introduced a new tariff system last year, in which viewers will pay only for the channels they want to watch. Those cable channels that are priced at Rs 12 or less will be part of the bouquet only. That is, the cost of the channel has come down from Rs 19 to Rs 12 now.
The fare of the second connection will be reduced by 40%. It has been said to give a 40% discount on taking more than one connection in the same house or office. Now cable companies will have to reduce prices on giving such a connection. Now both are charged equal money.
Revised package to be put on the website by January 15
TRAI has made it clear that companies will have to put tariff information on their website by January 15. By January 30, the rate list of all the channels will be revealed again. This will make it easier for the consumer to choose the channel.
