TRAI will offer Monthly Rental List of Paid Channels, Cables-DTH Operators

Indian Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has released the MRP (maximum price) list of paid TV channels being shown to the consumers by DTH and cable operators. Since December 29, DTH and cable operators will not be able to charge consumers more than the rates prescribed by TRAI for these channels. Consumers can complain to TRAI for taking more than the prescribed rates. With this, TRAI has issued a statement and has denied that on December 29, no paid channels will be shown.

Range of channels from 10 paise to 19 rupees: The list released by TRAI has 332 channels of 42 broadcasters, including Sony Pictures, Star India and Zee Entertainment. The range of monthly channels fixed from these channels ranges from 10 paise to 1800 rupees per month. However, the cost of most channels is 10 paise to 19 rupees per month. Only Topper TV and NHK World Premium (HD Distribution) are out of this range. Monthly charge of Topper TV is Rs 59.32 while NHK World Premium (HD Distribution) has monthly charge of Rs 1800.

New rules will be implemented from December 29: It is significant that recently TRAI has implemented telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Interconnection Regulation Act. Under this, DTH and cable consumers will have to pay only for those channels which they want to see after December 29. However, keeping in mind the basic consumers, TRAI directed to show 100 free-to-air channels for Rs 130. These 100 channels will have 26 channels of Doordarshan. Apart from this, consumers can select any 74 free-to-air channels of their choice.

See All Price List: