[icernet] Even Murdoch needs to keep cable guy happy

[Arul Selvan]

In the last few weeks, five channels, almost all them dealing in news 
have been launched. 24x7, NDTV India, Headlines Today, Sahara Samay, 
Star News and broadcasters are learning a bitter lesson in cable 
business. In the Capital  where the territories have been carved 
between Siti Cable (Zees cable arm), Hathway (Stars cable arm) and the 
independent cable operators  the news channels are seen in some 
localities and blacked out in the rest. In Mumbai  the cable 
distribution is between Hathway, Seven Network (network of independent 
cable operators) and IN cable. Operators are in talks to sort out their 
problems. In Chennai Sumangali cable (Suns cable wing) is in pitched 
battle with Star, with the latters channel not visible in major parts 
of the state while in Kolkata its RPG and independent cable operators. 
One way to woo the operators is the way shown by Star  which has 
offered discounts  but that comes with a bait  declare all your 
subscribers and pay Rs 30 per subscribers as opposed to the official 
rate of Rs 60. A tough pill to swallow specially when you have been 
addicted to under declaration. Alliance One (a distribution deal between 
NDTV, Sony, Discovery and CNBC Asia)  trying to woo cable operators 
with trips abroad (undertaken before the World Cup) to attractive 
packaging. As of now the Alliance One package is available for Rs 55. 
Till the operators are truly sated, the channels future remains uncertain.


Source:
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=22421