From providing advertisement-free coverage of cricket matches through high definition (HD) feed, lowering entry price or restructuring sports channel packages; DTH (direct-to-home) or satellite TV service providers are showering offers.
The aim is to ride on the ICC World Cup frenzy for gaining market share.
Introduced first during the FIFA World Cup last year, HD enabled channels have become popular among subscribers for their higher quality picture and sound clarity.
To ensure its leadership and attract more customers, Dish TV has increased the number of HD channels from four to 30.
It has also lowered its entry price from Rs 2,990 to Rs 2,330 and has clubbed the HD coverage of French Open tennis tournament to sweeten the offer.
DTH service providers such as Tata Sky Ltd, Dish TV, airtel digital TV and Reliance Digital TV, have acquired rights for HD coverage of matches. HD coverage will be available at an extra cost of around Rs 150 over the package cost.
GROWING DEMAND
Says Mr Sugato Banerji, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), airtel digital TV, Bharti airtel, “We are expecting an increasing number of subscribers to opt for the HD format.”
The company is expecting a 15 per cent increase in subscriber base during this cricket season.
Reliance Digital TV has also confirmed a rising sales graph. The company has sold more connections in the first two weeks of February than the combined sales of December and January.
“We are expecting to end this month with 40 per cent growth in subscription over the combined sales of December and January,” said Mr Umesh Rao, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice-President, Reliance Digital TV.
To attract more subscribers, Reliance Digital TV has also introduced a round-the-clock customer support facility to address problems in case of a disruption.