MUMBAI: Keeping in mind the recent Madras High Court judgement in regard to tariff order and interconnect regulation, India’s largest direct to home (DTH) brand Dish TV India is now focussin on short-term deals. As the recent judgement brought tariff-order closer to the reality, the DTH brand’s move has factored in the impending tariff order implementation.
The recent judgement upheld the order of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee, giving a green signal to TRAI’s powers to frame tariff for the broadcasting sector. It has helped TRAI move forward to create a transparent and non-regulatory framework.
According to media reports, Dish TV chairman and managing director Jawahar Goel spoke about the short-term contracts while talking to analysts. “We will get the content at the same cost as a cable operator in Chennai like Arasu Cable. The same price will be applicable to us,” Goel said on an optimistic note hoping the tariff order would remove discrimination.
He also mentioned that the recent merger of Dish TV and Videocon d2h has managed to reduce content costs in some cases. “I can say the broadcasters have recognised the combined entity. Earlier we used to give 7%, 8%, 5% increase. This is no longer the case rather. In some of the cases, we have reduced the content costs while some agreements are still pending,” he said.
Another face of the company, Dish TV India Group CEO Anil Dua emphasised on the importance of the unity in industry to implement the tariff order. He termed the Mera Apna Pack as a predecessor to the implementation of the Tariff Order.
“We are the only one I guess in any of the DPO including cable or the DTH industry who are geared up to sell the pay channel based on the Tariff Order and the customer demand,” Dua said.
Also Read:
Third Madras high court judge gives TRAI tariff order thumbs up
