Trai has come up with a set of rules which changes plans, packages and pricing of TV channels by all operators like Airtel DTH, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Hathway Cable, Siti Cable, Sun DTH, etc.
Whether you are a DTH or cable TV subscriber, your TV bill will not appear the same from February.
The new tariff will will reduce the price you pay for watching television if you make a judicious choice of channels.
The new framework mandates all operators, including DTH, cable service provider or multi-system operator, to have a base package of 100 channels. You have the freedom to choose free to air (FTA) or pay channels or any bouquet of several channels in that list.
Your service provider cannot charge more than 130 for the base package, excluding GST. If you want to watch a pay channel you will have to pay more for every such choice you make. The latest list by TRAI shows that there are 330 pay TV channels and 535 FTA channels.
Currently, Airtel DTH and Tata Sky are offering a base pack which begins from 99.
If you want to watch more than 100 channels in the base package, you have to top with more channels. For every 25 channels, you add to the list of 100, you pay 20 extra.
For example, if you pay 150, excluding GST, you get access to 125 channels. Besides that, you will have to pay extra for any pay channel you include on the list.
