Too many DTH players? (Analysis)
Written by Mr. Channel on November 3, 2008.
This question has been lifted several times on the forum, and amongst all of the DTH consumers minds as of late. With the huge launches of Reliance Big TV and Airtel Digital TV, as well as Sun DTH going national, people have started to wonder, whether there are just too many DTH players for the market to handle now? So I thought of writing up an analysis on the same. Lets get a feel of the market first.
There are roughly around 70-80 Lakh DTH subscribers in India as of now, bear in mind this is just my own estimate though. Now this market will most likely go up over 3 Crore subscribers by 2012. Which means that the DTH market is only going to grow from here on. There is no saturation in hindsight and amongst the foray of new features, new providers, new untapped markets being opened up as well as new standards being set in the industry. DTH is here to stay.
The thing with the Indian market is, that there is just too much of a market in here. Lots of room for more players as well, I can even go so far as to say that even if 10 more players get themselves in at this point, they would have enough market to carry on nicely. Even now, Dish TV, Tata Sky, Big TV, Airtel Digital TV, Sun DTH etc. are operating quite well.
But what does this mean for you, the consumer? Nothing but benefits! Cut throat competition amongst DTH companies means nothing but good for the average consumer. With TRAI pushing for making STBs interoperable amongst providers, in the coming years it would be as easy switching between providers as it would be switching a sim card from your phone, which would result in a lot more conscious efforts by all DTH companies in providing the best product, the best services and the best deals on their packages, So if more companies step in, it means even more competition, even more ideas, more innovations and more for you!
Therefore, the healthy growth of the DTH market is totally positive, the companies are getting in because of the huge untapped markets, a lot of room for expansion and profits! For the consumers, it’s win-win all along.
Mr. Channel
