New TV channel pricing: Trai mandates provision of 200 channels at Rs 153

Analysts say move will lower operators' ARPU, which had shot up by 60% on an average after changes last year

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has released amendments to the New Tariff Order (NTO), in which it has directed cable operators to provide 200 channels for Rs 153. It has also reviewed the pricing of channel bouquets compared to a la carte ones.
 
The regulator has now set January 15 as the deadline for broadcasters to announce their new pricing structure.
 
At present, direct-to-home (DTH) or cable TV operators provide only 100 channels for a network capacity fee (NCF) levy of Rs 153 (Rs 130 excluding taxes).
 
Analysts say this move is likely to lower