From November this year, television viewers in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai will have to spend more than the fixed monthly rate of Rs 150 to Rs 300 that they do currently.
You will have to spend Rs 15 for each entertainment channel you opt for, and Rs 45 for the sport channels, once (or if) the Conditional Access System (CAS) comes into force in mid-November.
That's not all. You will have to buy a set-top box for about Rs 2,500-3000 to watch pay channels. A service charge of Rs 77 for 'free-to-air' channels will also be levied. But you can watch as many channels as you want under CAS.
The other option is to go for a DTH service. Tata-Sky offers 58-channels to consumers at an introductory offer of Rs 200 per month. You will have to pay Rs 2,999 for hardware (set-top box and installation). Zee group's Dish TV offers its hardware and installation at Rs 3,000 (excluding taxes) and three months' free subscription. This Dish TV package of 75 channels costs Rs 180 per month.
What are your views on direct-to-home services? Do you subscribe to DTH service now? Do you think the quality of service will improve with DTH services? Would you like to go for CAS? Do you think you will end up paying a lot more? Do you think it is worth the price? Will you be rid of the cable wallah?
Tell us what you think of the proposed cable TV regime!
More from rediff