IndianMascot
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Over 20 lakh television views have been suddenly deprived of more than 30 Star channels since Sunday night, due to a tussle between local cable operators and the Star Network, after the latter took a decision to switch to an a-la-carte system.
With prices per connection expected to increase, cable operators are afraid customers will switch to DTH services.
On Sunday, after Star decided to make the switch, the network stopped broadcasting 30-odd channels, including Star Movies, Star Utsav, Star Sports 1,2,3,4 and Channel V. Ever since, cable operators say they have been flooded with calls from irate customers.
Earlier, all Star channels were offered to cable operators as a package for Rs 30-50 per customer. Now, however, Star has decided to create minipackages of 3-4 channels, which will increase the cost by Rs 20-30 per package.
This, in turn, will force customers to choose several packages to receive few channels they want. According to cable operators, earlier customers paid around Rs 300 for all channels, but households may now have to pay upto Rs 500 for other Star channels except Star Plus, Life OK and Star Pravah.
While Star stopped broadcast to cable operators until the switch over, operators say it is unacceptable and that they are negotiating with Star and expect a solution in 2-3 days.
When contacted, Star India spokesperson said, "Popular channels like Star Plus, Life OK and Star Pravah continue to be available to all consumers. Star channels are also available on popular packs of most cable and DTH providers. A few cable operators have chosen to run some channels a-la-carte. But that is completely the operator's prerogative."
Here’s why you are not getting Star on cable - Mumbai Mirror
With prices per connection expected to increase, cable operators are afraid customers will switch to DTH services.
On Sunday, after Star decided to make the switch, the network stopped broadcasting 30-odd channels, including Star Movies, Star Utsav, Star Sports 1,2,3,4 and Channel V. Ever since, cable operators say they have been flooded with calls from irate customers.
Earlier, all Star channels were offered to cable operators as a package for Rs 30-50 per customer. Now, however, Star has decided to create minipackages of 3-4 channels, which will increase the cost by Rs 20-30 per package.
This, in turn, will force customers to choose several packages to receive few channels they want. According to cable operators, earlier customers paid around Rs 300 for all channels, but households may now have to pay upto Rs 500 for other Star channels except Star Plus, Life OK and Star Pravah.
While Star stopped broadcast to cable operators until the switch over, operators say it is unacceptable and that they are negotiating with Star and expect a solution in 2-3 days.
When contacted, Star India spokesperson said, "Popular channels like Star Plus, Life OK and Star Pravah continue to be available to all consumers. Star channels are also available on popular packs of most cable and DTH providers. A few cable operators have chosen to run some channels a-la-carte. But that is completely the operator's prerogative."
Here’s why you are not getting Star on cable - Mumbai Mirror
