TRAI says new tariff rules will protect long-duration packs

Broadcasting regulator TRAI today said that the new regulatory regime coming into force from December 29 has provisions that support long-duration packs. The clarification came in the wake of doubts by many subscribers of long-duration packs about the continued validity of their plans after Dec 29. However, despite TRAI’s clarification, it was not clear whether […]

TRAI says new tariff regime gives more power to LCOs

Smaller cable operators in India don’t have anything to worry from the implementation of the new channel pricing order from December 29, broadcasting regulator TRAI said, adding that the new regime will enhance their flexibility and standing. The clarification comes in the wake of worries by some sections of the cable industry that the new […]

TRAI writes to broadcasters on dual pricing of DD Free Dish channels

Broadcast regulator TRAI said it is examining the issue of broadcasters like Star and Zee supplying some of their channels free of charge to Prasar Bharati’s DTH service Free Dish, while charging money for the same from subscribers of private DTH and cable operators. Several broadcasters had declared their free channels as ‘pay channels’ ahead […]

LIST: Zee Entertainment announces channel packs for Hindi, Marathi & other markets

Zee Entertainment, one of India’s top three broadcasting companies, has unveiled new channel packs ahead of the TRAI deadline on December 29 to switch to a new tariff scheme. The packs, which include news channels from sister company Zee Media, are designed to push’s Zee’s offerings into maximum households. As such, the company does not […]

TRAI tariff rules set stage for big fight between channels and DTH-cable cos

The impending December 29 deadline for the introduction of a new set of rules governing the prices of TV channels has set the stage for a mega showdown between broadcasters on the one side and the cable and DTH industry on the other. At the core of the fight is the question of who gets […]

FULL LIST: 332 pay channels, 500 FTA declared under TRAI plan

With the December 29 deadline for the implementation of the new TRAI rules drawing near, an analysis of the 332 channels that have already declared their prices indicates that Star India is the most expensive, followed by Zee and Sony. Scroll down to see the full list of pay and FTA channels available on most […]

Mahindra raises stake in Finnish agri machinery firm Sempo to 49%

Indian auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra said it has agreed to increase its voting rights in Scandinavian farm equipment maker Sempo to 49.04% from 35% by acquiring shares and convertible instruments at a cost of 4.66 mln euros, or around Rs 37.74 cr. Sempo, founded in 1853 in Finland, had revenue of around 52 mln […]

TRAI Says New Rules Won’t Raise Cable, DTH prices Or Hurt LCOs

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has dismissed the “fabrications and concoctions” being circulated on social media about the new tariff rules that will come into effect on December 29. In a statement, the regulator countered two broad concerns on the upcoming tariff scheme — that consumers will have to pay far more to watch their […]

Most cable, DTH packs will disappear on December 29

With the Dec 29 deadline for the introduction of new cable and DTH plans approaching, operators are finalizing their strategy to deal with the regulatory change as smoothly as possible. According to industry sources, the strategy of the DTH and cable operators will be built around offering three primary plans — a basic pack, a […]

India’s Kaiga nuclear plant sets world record in operation

The Kaiga Atomic Power Station in Karnataka, developed using Indian technology, has set the world record for the longest uninterrupted operation. The 220 megawatt unit, operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, has produced power continuously for 941 days, breaking the world record of 940 days held by Heysham-Unit 2 of the United Kingdom. The record is […]

Star, Zee lists new channel prices on website ahead of Dec 29 deadline

Zee Entertainment and Star India, two of India’s biggest broadcasters, have come out with introductory web-pages on the upcoming TRAI tariff change coming into effect on December 29. The prices were already available to DTH and cable companies as part of pro-forma legal agreements. However, the opening of the webpages indicates that these rates are more […]

New TRAI plans could increase cable, DTH prices from Dec 29

TRAI’s tariff order for TV channels was supposed to simplify life for cable and DTH operators and their customers. However, given the recent Madras High Court order and prices announced by broadcasters, the implementation of the order from Dec 29 is likely to raise prices for cable and DTH services in the country. The original […]

New TRAI Tariff for DTH & Cable: List of channels priced Rs 5 or less

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is in the process of enforcing a new tariff scheme for cable and DTH networks in India. The system was supposed to ensure greater consumer choice by making channels available at cheap rates and ridding the networks of junk channels. The new tariff scheme — aimed at dismantling ‘bundling’ […]