News 4K Ultra High Definition channels face content & pricing roadblock

[Deepu]

With regards to the creating 4K content is concerned, broadcasters do not see on same levels as DTH operators. Many broadcasters feel that though this is a great step taken by the DTH operators, in India however with DTH operators are struggling to push HD subscriptions up it will not be possible to create separate channels catering to 4K content.

Commenting on this, Shantanu Gangane, Associate Business Head, Movies Now said, “While people are still talking about it in metros and talking about smaller numbers, they (DTH operators) also have been struggling with the realization of the revenues, as far as HD is concerned. I hope there is content availability and content appreciation from the consumers end directly. At the end of the day if the consumer is not paying for it then the content availability does not make a viable business plan. So if we are not going to charge that money no matter what technology comes into play you will never have a viable option for this. But does it really make sense for someone to launch a channel like 4K UHD? That really waits to be seen. Still the DTH operators are struggling with their numbers as far as HD is concerned. So if you are not able to increase your numbers on HD then how will we speak about 3D and 4K? It is a great initiative and I appreciate that somebody in the market should take a leader’s stance and try out new things.”

4K Ultra High Definition channels face content & pricing roadblock

 

[THAKUR]

Last week saw two of the leading
direct-to-home (DTH) operators
promising to ‘revolutionise’
television viewing experience o
customers by introducing 4K Ultra High
Definition (UHD) services in India. With four
times (3840 x 2160) more the total number o
pixels than on a full HD screen which ha
1080p resolution (1920 x 1080), the
technology brings out the finest details and
colours on the screen. While the picture may
be clear on the screen we looked at the fine
details to see if this is truly something that
viewers should be looking forward to.
To begin with, one needs to have a 4K TV in
order truly benefit from the 4K UHD service
provided by these DTH operators. As this
technology only makes for great viewing on
large format screens, 4K UHD TV’s are only
available on in large sizes of 55-inches and
above. This definitely does not come at a
small price, with the minimum price being
Rs.1 lakh for a 55-inch TV and moving up t
Rs.23 lakh for an 85-inch TV. In compariso
HD TV’s are available at far cheaper rates and
range from anywhere between Rs.6,000 and
Rs.50,000, depending on the size. Added t
this customers will have to shell out an
additional Rs.10,000 for the 4K UHD set-top-
box (STB) from operators. And though
previous customers of the service providers
can avail the Rs.6000 exchange offer, it is still
comes at a very steep price overall.
Commenting on the
prices Vikram Mehra,
Chief Commercial
Officer, Tata Sky said,
“Prices of 4K TV set
will come down when
volumes grow, volumes will grow when ther
is more 4K content, 4K content will start
getting produced when there are 4K STBs. In
short, it’s a chicken and egg situation where
someone has to take the lead. Being the leader
in Pay TV, we believe in investing in the
future.”
With regards to the creating 4K content i
concerned, broadcasters do not see on sam
levels as DTH operators. Many broadcasters
feel that though this is a great step taken by
the DTH operators, in India however with
DTH operators are struggling to push HD
subscriptions up it will not be possible t
create separate channels catering to 4K
content.
Commenting on this, Shantanu Gangane,
Associate Business Head, Movies Now said,
“While people are still talking about it in
metros and talking about smaller numbers,
they (DTH operators) also have been
struggling with the realization of the
revenues, as far as HD is concerned. I hope
there is content availability and content
appreciation from the consumers end directly.
At the end of the day if the consumer is no
paying for it then the content availabilit
does not make a viable business plan. So if
we are not going to charge that money no
matter what technology comes into play you
will never have a viable option for this. Bu
does it really make sense for someone t
launch a channel like 4K UHD? That really
waits to be seen. Still the DTH operators ar
struggling with their numbers as far as HD i
concerned. So if you are not able to increas
your numbers on HD then how will we speak
about 3D and 4K? It is a great initiative and I
appreciate that somebody in the market
should take a leader’s stance and try out new
things.” 4K Ultra High Definition channels face content & pricing roadblock

 

[Tillu]

Taking the lack of 4K UHD content argument into consideration, Anil Khera, CEO, Videocon d2h raises the point that HD TV’s started selling many years before HD channels came in the country.
“People want the latest products and innovation at home, so that when the signal comes, whether it is one year or longer, they want to be ready with the product to enjoy the facility when it happens to come.
So I think that is the reason why people start thinking and buy the technology before you have a 4K live feed to enjoy.

All the major broadcasters are aware of this (4K UHD) and are excited about that we have an uplink centre and satellite ready to beam 4K signals and I think that has given them the impetus which is required to create 4K content. I think we can expect announcements from them soon as well.”