MUMBAI:  One by one, broadcasters are announcing their new channel rates as per TRAI’s tariff requirements. The latest to join the bandwagon is Disney Broadcasting (India) Ltd. Its reference interconnect offer (RIO) will be effective from 29 December 2018. The deadline given by TRAI was 31 August for publication of RIO, declaration of MRP and nature of channels, in connection with its tariff order.

All Disney India channels will be available on a-la-carte basis, as required by regulations. The a-la-carte of all eight channels including SD and HD channels are under Rs 15 per month. Given the different nature of Disney’s offering in Indian TV sector compared to other broadcasters, it has come up with only one bouquet called Universal Bouquet which has been priced at Rs 10. The bouquet excludes only Disney International HD which has the highest price of Rs 15 on the a-la-carte rate chart.

While most of the broadcasters have published their RIOs, Supreme Court is yet to decide the final destiny of the digital television pricing. The Apex Court again deferred the hearing of Star India’s petition filed against TRAI’s tariff and interconnect order to 11 September 2018. The case was first contested in Madras High Court and the high court upheld the tariff order with certain riders.

Meanwhile, major broadcasters have already come up with channel prices. TV18 Broadcast Ltd ( TV18), Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have made several bouquets available targeting audiences of different nature. Three of the broadcasters have also focused highly on regional bouquets. ZEEL was the only broadcaster to publish its RIO before the given deadline. Star India, one of the petitioners against the TRAI tariff order has not filed its RIO yet.

Disney India’s offerings for kids have more popularity in the country compared to its entertainment segment. According to week 35 BARC data, two kids channels from the umbrella, Disney Channel and Hungama were at second and third positions respectively in the kids genre. The first one had 105399 impressions '000 and the second one 100401 impressions '000.