MUMBAIi: Is CAS happening or not? That's a question which is on the top of many minds in the cable and satellite industry. But it doesn't seem to be bothering the Rupert Murdoch-owned MSO Hathway Cable and Datacom. Especially if one considers the fact that it announced the packages it is looking to offer to its subscribers.
In a press statement issued on 3 September the MSO has stated that its focus would be "on offering various cost effective cable TV rate options to its consumers in the Conditional Access era."
It has announced that it has inked deals with almost all the pay channels and that its list of options for cable subscribers is exhaustive and it will allow them to budget their monthly cable TV tab.
Among the packages it has announced figure, Hathway Prime Time, Hathway Movies Plus, Hathway Full House, and Hathway Super Saver,
Hathway Prime Time: For Rs 85 (per month), it is a mixture of the best of entertainment and education. It will contain leading entertainment, infotainment and education channels in the country. Hathway says the Prime Time package has a 23 per cent discount built in compared to the individual rates of the channels.
Hathway Movie Plus: For Rs 85 (per month), a mixture of the best of movies, kids, sports, and music, it will contain the leading movie, kids and sports channels. Hathway says this package gives consumers a 12 per cent discount on compared to the individual rates of the channels.
Hathway Full House: For Rs 109 (per month) Full House will be available in two options enhanced with additional Kids and Sports content. Option1: Star-Sony Combo or Option2: Star-Zee Turner Combo. The MSO has announced that the Hathway Full House package offers discounts in excess of 50 per cent, compared to the individual rates of the channels.
Hathway Super Saver: For Rs 149 (per month) this complete package has all the popular pay channels at an economical rate of Rs149, yielding a claimed discount of 65 per cent compared to the individual rates of the channels.
Hathway says that it will also offer the various pay channels as a bouquet option: STAR Bouquet: Rs 50, Sony Bouquet: Rs 55, Zee Turner Bouquet: Rs 55, ESPN Star Sports, Rs 32
Apart from that Hathway would also offer channels on a la carte rates of all pay channels where the subscribers have the option to choose individual pay channels.
Hathway consumers, says the press statement, can pick up the Hathway HUMAX Digital Set Top Box, which brings "in an enhanced TV viewing experience for its subscribers with advanced value added services. Hathway viewers will see the first Electronic Programming Guide in India powered by NDS".
"This unique feature gives Hathway viewers the revolutionary ability to quickly access programme schedule and highlights, and to select the programme of their choice for future viewing. All with the convenience of a remote control and a low cost set-top box," says the release.
Hathway also has introduced several schemes for its subscribers to make its STB widely acceptable and affordable to all.
Hathway HUMAX Digital Set Top Box schemes:
� Hathw@y Early Bird Scheme (Rental) A refundable deposit of Rs 999 and rental charge of Rs30 per month.
� Hathw@y Regular Scheme (Rental) A refundable deposit of Rs 2600 and rental charge of Rs18 per month.
� Outright Purchase Scheme Set Top Box: Rs 3125 + local taxes, Smart Card deposit: Rs 4 00 (refundable).
