How to choose channels as per new TRAI Guideline

As per TRAI’s new tariff guideline for DTH and Cable operators, customers are required to choose their new monthly plan by 31 Jan 2019. In this regard, there is lot of confusion between the users. Many users are not able to understand what is new in this guideline. Some are still waiting to get help from others. In this post, we will try to explain you what is new in this guideline and how to choose channels as per new TRAI Guideline.

Earlier users were not having choice to make their a-la-carte plan, service providers were giving you option to choose one base pack that includes minimum channel you have to must subscribe. After that base pack you can choose your other top ups, for example English movie pack, sports pack, kids pack etc. In addition, you have to pay HD channel charges every month that allow users to access HD channels. This made overall cost of your pack too higher.

The drawback of this method was that this base packs having many channels, which not all users watch. Like some south Indian channels, devotional channels, they do not want to watch but they are paying for the same as there was no choice to remove those channels from base pack.

As per TRAI new guideline users can make their own a-la-carte custom plan.

How to choose channels as per new TRAI Guideline to make your monthly plan

As per TRAI website channel.trai.gov.in , you have to pay minimum Rs. 130 for 100 FTA (free to air) channels; which includes 25 Prasaar Bharti channels (mandatory to subscribe) like DD National, DD News etc. Now you are left with 75 channels choice to choose from FTA. If you choose one HD FTA channel than it counts to two FTA SD Channels, this is other thing that there hard to find any FTA HD Chanel. Above this Rs. 130 you have to pay additional 18% GST, so total cost of free channels become Rs. 153.40.

Thereafter if you want to choose more channels, because these FTA channel not having popular GEC (general entertainment channels) like, Sony, Star , ZEE, Colors, than you have to pay extra for these channels. You can choose a Bouquet also that is economical way to select channels for example you are fond of Star Network’s channels, than you can choose them through Start Network’s different bouquet. However, if you like to watch only Start Plus HD channel not others, than you can choose from ala- carte channel list.

After completing, the choice all the price will be shown including GST that you have to pay monthly.

How to inform your plan to DTH / Cable service operator

First method- Go to TRAI website channel.trai.gov.in and select your channels, after finalization take print or save the list and inform your cable / DTH operator for the same. However, there is one flaw in this method, that this complete list of channels (FTA also) not necessarily available at your service provider’s list. For example, many FTA channels are not available on Airtel Digital TV or Tata Sky DTH list.

To select plan for your DTH service provider, you have call their customer care or visit respective service provider website and login into your DTH account to select and finalize.

There are some others way also, but you have check with your DTH operator. Example for Airtel users can go to channel no. 998 and to finalize their plan, after finalization they have to scan one QR code shown on the TV screen and have to send this code after scanning from any QR code scanner app from their smartphone to 54325 by SMS from their registered mobile number. Alternatively, you can login to airtel.in and select your channels of choice for confirmation. Your new channels and tariff will be effective from 1 Feb 2019.

Is this new guideline of TRAI beneficial for you or not

There are both pros and cons of this scheme; for example, many users only watch very few channels and paying around Rs. 300, even for only SD channels. Because to select their favorite channel, they have to book a base plan, to select mixture of GEC, News, Infotainment, Kids, and sport. They are now can choose a-la-carte channels of their choice, this will reduce the price of monthly plan.

However, those are earlier viewing large range of channels with the plan approx. Rs. 485 which includes most of GEC in HD, News, Infotainment in HD, Movies, kids channels. In new scheme, their budget may increase to more than Rs. 700 due choosing a-la-carte method.