Ortel Communication, Odisha based multi system operator (MSO) is planning to roll out high definition channels for subscribers.
Speaking to media Ortel Communications president and CEO Bibhu Prasad Rath said, “We will roll out the service in a month’s time. Well, it is not about revenue”. It is about offering differentiation to a different segment of customers whatever the revenue, he added.
Ortel will charge customers a one-time fee of Rs 2,000 for activating the HD service. “Of course, it will not recover our box cost,” stated Rath.
Though HD channels are generally offered on a revenue share basis, Rath declined to comment on the nature of the deals.
He also expects Odia channels to follow their national counterparts in launching HD services. “We will focus on Hindi GECs, English GECs as well as sports. Odisha as a market has very strong Hindi viewership. So, that will drive the HD market. Also, I am sure Odia channels will plan to launch HD services. In any case, our competitors [DTH players] will also have the same channel offering,” he contended.
Rath reckons HD average revenue per user (ARPU) to be Rs 250 before taxes. He is expecting around 5,000 HD subscribers this fiscal and around 25,000 in the next.
The MSO will also expand its headend capacity to offer more HD and SD channels. “Yes, currently we have 200 SD and 15 HD channels. We are looking to expand to 250 SD and 50 HD channels,” Rath added.
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/5377-cq-ortel-to-roll-out-hd-channels-in-odisha.html
No comments:
Post a Comment