Tata Sky The King Of HD Channels While Airtel Digital Leads In Hindi; Dish TV, D2h Behind, Reveals TRAI Data

After TRAI revised its tariff rules, India’s DTH broadcasters have declared their channel lists and prices, with an analysis showing that Tata Sky is still leading in HD channels in India, followed by Airtel Digital and Sun Direct , reports Ultra News.

Dish TV and D2h, both have comparatively lesser number of HD channels, especially regarding English-speaking and South Indian content.

According to the data revealed by TRAI, there are 95 HD channels available on various DTH platforms in India, and Tata Sky, provides 92 of them

The HD content can be divided into two parts - pan-Indian English with international content including sports, and regional channels.

Of of the 95 channels, 44 belong to the category of English+Sports, i.e. having a pan-India appeal. Four channels are kids channels. The remaining 47 are regional ones like Marathi, Hindi, Tamil and so on.

Airtel Digital leads in Hindi HD channels, having all out of 15 channels. Tata Sky is in second place with it lacking in one, the Jeet channel. Dish TV is at number 3 with 13 out of 15, while D2h is comes at fourth spot, with 12 out of 15 HD Hindi channels.

Of the regional languages, Telugu has the highest number of Non-Hindi HD channels.

The most significant fallout of the new tariff regime is that the power of packaging has shifted from DTH providers to broadcasting companies, i.e. channel owners. This lead to channel owners pushing their channels onto customers than increasing consumer choice.

English channels in HD are priced at Rs 12-22 range (inclusive of taxes). Most of the Hindi and regional entertainment channels, inclusive of tax are priced at Rs 22.42.

Regulatory action and weak demand are expected to reduce the rates in future.