MUMBAI: While broadcasters are still waiting for the Supreme Court hearing on the TRAI tariff order, most of them are publishing their reference interconnect offer (RIO) already in compliance with the order. Sun TV Network has also announced its RIO almost one week after the TRAI deadline of 31 August.
The broadcaster has also stuck to a maximum 15 per cent MRP discount to distributors. Earlier, Madras High Court chief justice did not uphold TRAI’s proposal of allowing highest 15 per cent cap on discounts despite giving the go-ahead to all other proposals. As any clarification did not come from TRAI, all the broadcasters are adhering to the order to avoid any further confusion.
Sun TV Network’s 25 standard definition channels will be available on a-la-carte basis under Rs 19, as required by regulations. For HD channels, the a-la-carte rate has been fixed at Rs 19. The network has also announced thirteen SD bouquets and three HD bouquets. Targeting the entire belt of South India, Sun Ultimate SD and HD bouquet have been priced at Rs 65.
While most of the broadcasters have published their RIOs, Supreme Court is yet to decide the final destiny of the digital television pricing. It again deferred the hearing of Star India’s petition filed against TRAI tariff and interconnect order to 11 September 2018. The case was first contested in Madras High Court and the high court upheld the tariff order with certain riders.
However, while the supreme decision is still awaiting, major broadcasters have already come up with channel prices. TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18), Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India Private Ltd (SPNI), Disney India have made available several bouquets targeting audiences of different natures. The first three broadcasters have also highly focused on regional bouquets. ZEEL was the only broadcaster to publish its RIO before the given deadline. Star India, one of the petitioners against the tariff order has not filed its RIO yet.
Sun TV Network channels have good viewership across all markets in South India. In Tamil market, Sun TV retained its first position with 938999 impressions '000s, as per BARC data week 35. The network’s Malayalam GEC Surya TV retained third position in the market with 127136 impressions '000s. In Kannada and Telugu markets also, the network’s channels retained positions among top 5 channels.
