Tata Play drops Sony channels from packs
Mumbai : Direct-to-home (DTH) operator
Tata Play
has begun removing
Sony Pictures Networks India
(SPNI) channels from its subscriber packs, reviving a standoff with the broadcaster similar to last year's, multiple sources told ET.
According to one source, SPNI is demanding a 10–15% increase in annual subscription fees from Tata Play—a proposal the latter is resisting amid ongoing challenges such as
customer churn
and stagnant average revenue per user (ARPU).
Tata Play has 18 million subscribers while SPNI has 27
linear TV channels
across entertainment and sports.
The overall lack of subscriber growth is straining the relationship between broadcasters and distribution platforms, putting pressure on their revenues.
Another source said Tata Play is reducing subscription pack prices by ₹15–20 for affected customers. Typically, broadcasters and distribution platforms renew content deals annually in April.
Live Events
While SPNI did not respond to ET's queries, Tata Play said the move is part of a routine exercise to optimise packs based on user behaviour. The company noted that customers can choose to reinstate the dropped channels if they wish.
Under Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) guidelines, distribution platforms must offer TV channels on an à la carte basis even if those channels are removed from bundled packs.
'Pack downgrading along with corresponding drop in price is an ongoing process at Tata Play, where certain channels are dropped for subscribers displaying frequent deactivation. These subscribers have the option of giving a missed call and reinstating the dropped channel instantly,' a Tata Play spokesperson said.
A senior media executive said distribution platforms often resort to tactics such as dropping channels from subscription packages during negotiations. 'Ultimately, both sides are dependent on each other for survival, so a resolution is inevitable,' he added.
A senior executive at a distribution platform pointed out that regular price hikes by broadcasters are making linear TV less attractive compared to streaming services, many of which are bundled with mobile data and broadband plans.
'Content cost already accounts for over 50% of a distribution platform's expenses and continues to go up every year even as customer churn is a reality,' said the executive.
During the earnings call on May 8,
Zee Entertainment
deputy CEO Mukund Galgali had stated that the Q4 subscription revenue remained flat Q-o-Q due to a slowdown in the linear subscription, which was partially offset by the increase in digital subscription revenue.
This isn't the first time Tata Play has modified its offering in relation to SPNI.
In August last year, a similar removal took place, with the company attributing the decision to declining viewership of Sony Entertainment Television (SET), SPNI's flagship Hindi general entertainment channel.
After reaching an amicable resolution, SPNI channels were reintroduced across all packs.
Broadcasters such as JioStar, Zee Entertainment, and SPNI have recently raised their bouquet rates by over 10%, with JioStar—which emerged from the merger of Star India and Viacom18—implementing an 18% hike.
However, distribution platforms say they are unable to pass the full increase on to subscribers due to pricing sensitivity.
"The broadcasters are taking the price up a bit. But yes, we are seeing how we can accommodate that and how we can pass very small costs to the customer side. As you know, the market is still sensitive,"
GTPL Hathway
chief strategy officer Piyush Pankaj had said during the Q4 earnings call.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
27 minutes ago
- NDTV
Sitaare Zameen Par Box Office Collection Day 1: Aamir Khan's Film Fails To Surpass Laal Singh Chaddha 's Opening Day Earnings
New Delhi: Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par, the spiritual sequel to his 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, released in theatres on June 20. What Sitaare Zameen Par opened to a modest start at the box office. According to Sacnilk, the film collected an estimated Rs 11.5 crore on its first day. Sitaare Zameen Par recorded an occupancy rate of 21.43 per cent across the Hindi-speaking regions, with the highest turnout during night shows. Background The first-day collections are slightly lower than the opening day collection of Aamir's last release, Laal Singh Chaddha, which earned Rs 11.7 crore in 2022. However, Laal Singh Chaddha went on to earn only around Rs 60 crore in total. In comparison, Taare Zameen Par had earned Rs 2 crore on its opening day in 2007. While the first-day figures are not exceptional, the film is expected to pick up momentum over the weekend due to strong word-of-mouth and positive audience feedback. Sitaare Zameen Par is directed by RS Prasanna. The film also stars Genelia D'Souza. Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, with B Shrinivas Rao and Ravi Bhagchandka, have backed the film. In A Nusthell
India Today
42 minutes ago
- India Today
Govinda's new look with moustache breaks internet, fans demand comeback
Actor Govinda surprised fans with his new look on Saturday. The 61-year-old, who has been away from movies for quite some time, raised excitement among fans with his latest posts on Instagram. However, what stood out in them was his brand-new look with a tiny moustache and massive the video shared today, Govinda is seen walking towards the camera in a black and white suit. On Friday, he shared a picture of himself sporting the fresh new look with the caption, "Hero no 1."advertisementHere's the video: Check out the post here: Fans flocked to the comment section, urging the actor to make his comeback on the big screen. One social media user wrote, "Sir, comeback karlo. You have the capability and talent. 'Hero no.1' ko vapis se cinema mai lead hero dekhna hai (sic)"Another comment in Hindi read, "Look koi new movie ki taiyari hai lagta hai sir (It seems like your look is for a new movie.)" Some social media users even suspected he was a lookalike of the a look at some of the comments here: advertisement Govinda dominated Bollywood throughout the 90s with his impeccable comic timing and dancing skills. Some of his popular films include 'Hero No 1', 'Coolie No 1', 'Raja Babu' and 'Partner.'Govinda's last released film was 'Rangeela Raja'. It hit theatres in Watch
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
This web series is based on 53-year-old murder mystery, shows real-life tapes and footages, will keep you twisted till the end, name is…, has IMDb rating of…
Every week, new docu-series based on true events are released on Netflix, often featuring stories that deeply resonate with viewers. Recently, a particularly shocking series is doing the rounds that can make anyone's heart tremble. This series depicts a significant incident that, when it came to light, shook the world to its core: the discovery of 33 skeletons in a house. Docu-Drama Series… The series we are talking about is 'Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes,' which premiered in 2022 and consists of three episodes. This original Netflix docu-series recounts the terrifying true story of John Wayne Gacy, America's most dangerous serial killer. Between 1972 and 1978, Gacy brutally murdered over 33 boys and young men in Chicago. The series incorporates audio tapes recorded by the police during his arrest. Additionally, the docu-series features statements from victims, witnesses, and individuals involved in the investigation. On the surface, John Wayne Gacy appeared to be an ordinary man: he operated a construction company, was engaged in local politics, and performed as a clown for children. However, behind this seemingly friendly facade lay a monstrous individual who lured people in with his charm. Beyond detailing Gacy's horrific crimes, the series also explores the social context of the era, including societal attitudes toward homosexuality and the negligence of law enforcement. Due to police inaction, Gacy evaded justice for years while continuing to murder young individuals. Directed by Joe Berlinger, known for his previous documentary on Ted Bundy, the series prioritizes truth and factual accuracy over sensationalism. More About The Horrific Series 'Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes' consists of three one-hour episodes. It was released on Netflix on April 20, 2022, and is available in Hindi as well. The series has received a rating of 7.1 on IMDb and an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although some viewers have found its content to be extremely disturbing. As per the Los Angeles Times, on the day of his execution, nearly 1,000 people gathered in the courtyard of Chicago's City Hall to celebrate Gacy's impending death. They released balloons and carried signs mocking Gacy's obsession with clowns. In the docuseries, participants could be heard chanting, 'Death to Gacy.' Many expressed that while they believed the serial killer was getting what he deserved, they thought his execution should have happened much sooner.
