Looking for Cheaper TV Channel Packs? It’s Not That Simple

The new individual channel prices may look tempting, but should you consider bouquet prices instead?

TV Channels put into test by digital streaming platforms?

(Photo: The Quint)

In addition to the changes in e-commerce policy, Indian consumers have been greeted with changes in prices of TV channels, thanks to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Direct to Home (DTH) providers like Tata Sky, Airtel and Dish TV wanted more time to get equipped, they didn’t get any leeway from the regulator.

Reports have indicated that people opting for channels after the revised pricing will save money by reducing the number of channels they pay for. However, in reality, the process seems to be working the other way around.

How’s that possible?

We’ll give you everything there is to know about the changes and whether it benefits the consumer or not.

TRAI to its credit has set up a Channel Selector on its website, that lets users calculate his/her monthly expenses, for all the channels they would like to sign up for. Head over to this website and you’ll be able to filter out channels based on language, genre and even prices.

Channel selector is available on TRAI’s website. (Photo: TRAI)

But the reality hits you when the selection process for channels begins. I’ve had to sit down with my folks last weekend and filter out the options they want and they don’t. And currently, we’ve been paying around Rs 700 for HD and SD channels, inclusive of other language channels like Sun TV and Jaya. The newer pricing regime, via the a-la-carte process was working out to be more expensive than what we’re paying right now.

What you have to read through before selecting channels. (Photo: TRAI screen grab)

And this is where the whole confusion sets in. Going for bouquet packs of Star TV or Zee turns out to be cheaper than going for individual channels. 

It is worth remembering that all the free to air channels are part of the base fare which, inclusive of taxes comes to around Rs 153. So, no matter what other channel you pick, you’ll have to pay this amount for sure.

Worth Moving to New Schemes

Going through the pricing dynamics, it’s fairly clear that choosing single channels isn’t the best way forward, at least for now.

Bundling so many channels together is a hard task in itself and no wonder people on social media have been cribbing about the pain one has to go through, just to get their favourite channels on their television screen.

Channel prices via TRAI. (Photo: Canva/The Quint)

If your household needs basic TV channels, without opting for channels of different genre and language, especially, then it’s better to stick with your existing channel prices.

Make sure your channel list goes in tandem with your needs, and its annual cost doesn’t end up costing you more than what you’re paying already. Period.