Broadcaster-cable operators fight gives DTH a goal

The ongoing financial dispute between the broadcaster ESPN-Star and local cable network, GTPL has given direct to home (DTH) service providers a reason to smile.

The fight has pushed the sales of DTH north wards. The broadcaster has claimed that the cable operator has not paid the service charges which now stands at Rs14 crore, and in the bargain, it's the viewer who doesn't have a DTH connection who is left in the lurch as the soccer World Cup is being shown by ESPN-Star which the broadcaster has switched off.

Admitting to increase in revenue generation, vice-president of Dish TV, Navid Rashid, said, "Yes, in the last few we gave been getting good results from our sales and have been able to add a few more in our customer base. We are in an advantageous position due to the dispute."

However, Rashid didn't divulge the details of the profit and expectations, but genuinely felt that the new trend will continue. Umesh Rao of Reliance DTH said in the last three months their profit has gone up by 30%. "I can't say the World Cup is the only reason for the rise in our sales. Because, before any mega event like ICC T20 World Cup, French Open etc, the demand increases," said Rao.

The Mumbai-based ADAG official also observed that customers have become very demanding. "The customers feel cheated if they don't get to watch football. So they are shifting from cable to DTH services," Rao added.

Taking the advantage of the dispute, the DTH providers are luring their target audience with tempting offers like one month free sports channels on new installations.

"I can understand the agony of football lovers in Gujarat. We have got quite a few inquiries, but we are helpless,” said Ajay Chopra of ESPN-Star network.