Active DTH Subscriber Base Saw a Slight Increase The latest tariff regime by Trai brought several changes to the broadcasting sector. Trai’s tariff regime became fully effective on April 1, 2019; In the first quarter itself (April-June 2019) of implementation itself, the total active DTH subscriber base dipped from 72.44 million to 68.92 million. However, during July-September 2019, the same count has been increased to 69.30 million, which is a good thing. Several DTH users ditched their Satellite TV connection and started opting for OTT subscriptions. As noted, Tata Sky is the leading DTH service provider right now, followed by Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV and Sun Direct. We may see Dish TV regaining its top spot during the last quarter of 2019, owing to the introduction of an Android TV Set-Top Box. Furthermore, Trai says it is important to note that previously (up to March 2019), the subscription figure of total active subscribers included inactive and temporarily suspended subscribers for not more than the last 120 days. However, as per the new regulatory framework of Broadcasting and Cable TV Services, the total active subscribers are counted including only those subscribers which are inactive/temporarily suspended for not more than last 90 days. Siti Networks Leads the Cable TV Sector In the same report, Trai has revealed the Cable TV subscriber base as well. Siti Networks is the leading Cable TV service provider right now in India with a subscriber base of 9.1 million. It’s followed by GTPL Hathway and Hathway Digital with an overall subscriber number of 5.34 million and 5.31 million, respectively. Den Networks is fourth on the list with over 4.3 million subscribers under its belt. As on September 30, 2019, there are 1,606 Multi-System Operators (MSOs) registered with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). Out of these registered MSOs, only 1,143 are operational right now. As per the reporting done by broadcasters in pursuance of the Tariff Order, there are 330 pay channels, as on September 30, 2019, including 232 SD Pay TV channels and 98 HD Pay TV channels. Trai has recently published some amendments to the tariff regime and the active subscriber base may increase in the coming quarters due to these changes. The report also says that Independent TV has closed its DTH operations in the country which is the reason behind four DTH pay operators being displayed in the report.
