New Channel List and Packages from Tata Sky DTH

Today I tried to change my Tata Sky plan as new rules have been introduced by TRAI w.e.f 29/12/2018, but no such info was available on their website regarding new plans or prices. Then I contacted customer care via chat option they told me that the date by TRAI has been extended and I need to recharge for my current plan.

As per my knowledge all DTH operators had to launch new plans compulsorily from 29th December according to the TRAI rules. Moreover, I read an article somewhere that Tata sky and Sun direct have not complied with the rules yet.

Anybody has any info regarding this? Are they just dilly dallying or the date has actually been extended?

trai gave one month extension to consumers. i guess dth operators decided they would take that extension as well.

i am withholding my recharge as well as it is due in 1-2 days but i guess i will have to recharge it for 1 more month. these scummy companies with their scummy practices.
Afaik Tata Sky is the only co that has still not come up with new plans according to new prices. every other operator has launched new plans

I recharged enough for a few days, let's see maybe they launch meanwhile. We don't even watch that many channels, just a few, but their plans are so rip off we have to pay almost around ₹400 each month.

D2h pricing is out but I don't think we can subscribe to new plans yet? @mhsabir

Tarang Taneja said:

I recharged enough for a few days, let's see maybe they launch meanwhile. We don't even watch that many channels, just a few, but their plans are so rip off we have to pay almost around ₹400 each month.

Click to expand...

same in my case

Tarang Taneja said:

We don't even watch that many channels, just a few

Click to expand...

if you can decide on the select channels you watch... you can technically reduce your total bill. but it was already possible so nothing much has changed in the end.

channel owners getting the ability to create packages is kind of a bad deal for the end customer. because now you cannot subscribe to movies package with movie channels from different companies. and channel owners are more likely to bundle their shit channels along with popular channels to maximize their profits.

so the only way to save money or maintain your monthly bill on the same level would require individual channel selection or cutting on number of channels you have access to by subscribing to fewer packages.

@Sushubh Well, I think you are right, whether it is beneficial or not will depend upon the prices of individual channels.

I agree that I was able to choose individual channels previously too, I tried it, and chose a few main channels from all broadcasters that we usually watch, like Star Plus, Zee TV, SET, Colors, but the pricing of individual channels was set in a way that when we used to total them up it used to come more than ₹400 which I was already paying as Dhamaal Pack (something around ₹400). Moreover Tata Sky was charging HD access fee over and above that which started as ₹100 initially when we bought HD TV and HD set top box in 2012, and they increased it slowly and now it is ₹175 monthly. For instance if I only want Star Plus HD, Tata sky was asking me to subscribe to Star Plus SD and then pay extra for HD access fee ₹175 which I felt was ridiculous.

Now I get 75 channels network bandwith (excluding 25 DD channels which are compulsory) for ₹130. Now if I am going to subscribe to only HD channels they will count one channel as two. So let's say I can subscribe to 75/2= 37 (round off) HD channels for balance bandwith.

Now everything depends on pricing of individual channels.
I think maybe I can bring my monthly expense to around ₹250-300, as I now have a decent internet connection and Jio TV installed on my fire TV stick for accessing the remaining channels.

While I have not gone through the new packs from any of the DTH providers in detail or read the entire regulation in detail, my initial impression is that this will lead to unnecessary confusion. Tata Sky has introduced similar A-La-Carte / Make My Pack service 5-6 years ago (probably industry first?). Except for the HD content fee, it was quite a good option for those who watch limited channels.

they should not be able to charge hd access fee now i believe?

I am not entirely sure. But, I guess that should be the case. Besides, sooner they bring uniformity between SD/HD, the better. Once Jio FTTH & IPTV rollout begins, this live tv experience will change towards streaming. Monthly fees will come down. If DTH operators don't start preparing from now onwards, they will perish.

True, HD access fee will not be charged as it was charged on top of the HD channels by Tata Sky themselves. The channel list categorically states that those channels are MRP. Nothing can be charged on top of that. Gone are the days of thievery by Tata Sky. If they still try to peddle this bullshit, guess they will face a flack from TRAI itself. I've subscribed to some specific HD channels on my Airtel DTH, the prices are as is. If Tata Sky won't stop with this daylight nickle and dime thievery, I guess I'll switch to Airtel especially their internet TV STB which is amazing IMHO if you have a not-so-smart TV.

I have annual plan till May 2019 so will wait for all mess to settle.
Now I see only ads of AB all across Sony to become happy with a Rose 😛

Hello! I've a renew of Tata Sky on January 19th, 2019. But, there are no details about the new plans/channel pricing as per the TRAI rules from TATA Sky.

I asked them multiple times on Twitter, but they are not saying/replying anything (simply ignoring the tweets). What to do?

Thanks.



Edit: Conversation with TATA Sky on Chat

you should still add funds to your account right? because the same funds would be used for new plans? d2h is in the same boat. no new plans available for selection. i guess they would force trai to delay it by another month.