The new Cable TV regime is underway, and the deadline is March 31st, 2019 for all users to adapt to the new rules.
Even as we speak, India’s 2nd largest DTH provider: Airtel Digital has announced removal of NCF or Network Connect Fees for some selected channels. We will share the full list of the channels, for which this discount is applicable.
Meanwhile, Star India has announced upto 30% discount on some channel packs, under the new Cable TV rules.
Keep reading to find out more!
Airtel Digital: No Network Connect Fees For These Channels
Network Connect Fees or NCF is the base amount which is required to pay to access 100 channels. Beyond 100, consumers are required to pay additional NCF. This is Rs 130 plus GST.
After TataSky, Sun Direct and Dish TV announced slashing of NCF for some channels, and some packs, Airtel Digital too has announced reduction in NCF for their customers.
However, this reduction is applicable only for few selected channels.
The channels for which there will be no NCF are:
Homeshop18
Shop CJ
addiQYOU
Enterr10
NT1
ABP News
India TV
R Bharat
Republic TV
Tiranga TV
Mastiii
Maiboli
Pitaara
Rang
Dangal
Dabangg TV
Bhojpuri Cinema
Divya TV
Satsang
NT2
NT3
NT4
Public TV
Praja TV Kannada
Besides these, there are niche DD channels as well, for which there shall be no NCF.
TRAI has already allowed Cable and DTH firms to offer discounts on NCF for additional channels, and for multi-connection households.
Star India: Upto 30% Off On English Movies, Sports Channels
Meanwhile Star India has decided to give further relief to their consumers, by announcing new combinations of channels and packs with more discounts.
If we do an analysis of before-after pricing, then we will find that now, Star India viewers can have upto 30% discount.
Earlier, Star India didnt offer their popular six sports channels and seven English channels in any pack. Hence, the consumers were forced to choose these channels separately or in an à la carte model.
This means, that before the price cut, the Star India viewer needed to shell out Rs 142/mo for the pay channel tariff and Rs 60 for additional NCF. Or Rs 202 total for watching these six sports channels and seven English channels.
But now, after the announcement of new packs, the actual cost of watching these six sports channels and seven English channels would come to Rs 140 per month, which also includes NCF of Rs 40.
Star India has announced new packs for inducing this reduction in cost: Mini and Premium, which are available in both SD and HD.
Here are the details:
English Mini | English Mini HD | English Premium | English Premium HD |
MRP: Rs 20 | MRP: Rs 35 | MRP: Rs 49 | MRP: Rs 85 |
Star Movies | Star Movies HD | Star Movies | Star Movies HD |
Star World | Star Movies Select HD | Star World | Star Movies Select HD |
Fox Life | Star World HD | Fox Life | Star World HD |
Star Sports 1 | Star World Premiere HD | ||
Star Sports Select 1 | Fox Life HD | ||
Star Sports Select 2 | Star Sports HD1 | ||
Star Sports 2 | Star Sports Select HD1 | ||
Star Sports 3 | Star Sports Select HD2 | ||
Star Sports First | Star Sports HD2 | ||
National Geographic Channel | Star Sports 3 | ||
Nat Geo Wild | Star Sports 3 | ||
Star Sports First | |||
National Geographic HD | |||
Nat Geo Wild HD | |||
Baby TV HD |
As per Hathaway, 85% of their consumers are opting for plans and packs suggested by them, rather than choosing the broadcasters’ pack.
Under this scenario, it became important for Star India to reduce the price.
We are expecting other broadcasters to follow suit, very soon.