Parliament panel expresses concern over TV channel price hikes

The Parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology has expressed concern over a significant increase in television channel pricing by broadcasters and recommended more freedom of choice to consumers for selecting individual TV channels.

In its 56th report on the regulation of cable television in India, the committee said that the central concern within the purview of cable TV regulations pertains to prevalent practice of broadcasters implementing substantial discounts in pricing channel bouquet. On the other hand, pricing of a-la-carte channels, which are outside of the bouquet, continue to see increase in prices by broadcasters, the committee said.