Many missed how DTH has changed the lives.. Review on Changing Face of Indian Television

There was a time until 1992 when the viewers were dumbly optionless with only DD as sole service provider. And that time even the disturbed single video channel from cable-wallah was a hotpot, transmitting pirated videos. Then came the CNN shot followed closely by Star and cable tv started entering Indian television homes. Then entered Zee TV which was so dear to especially the housewives, though it changed the urban scene....but still a lot better was still to come.

Army units on forward border locations & upcountry civilians etc. had no entertainment at all. Due to which their normal lives were more than too boring even. Watching either DD if the signals were available or CD/DVD was less than enough. Then came in October 2003 Dish TV followed by Doordarshan's Direct TV. These DTH services have changed the lives of lacs of people, who were marooned when it came to entertainment. Dish TV now (Oct'05) is providing 120 satellite channels which Doordarshan's Dth is providing approx. 40 channels.

These have come in as a boon for all such marooned viewers. Imagine the army guys at heights of 14000 ft or above sea level, where newspaper takes even upto a fortnight to reach. They have now got bonus of DVD quality crystal clear channels directly through a small satellite dish, via a VCD-player lookalike Set Top Box. Now they are all happy watching Zee TV, Aaj Tak, Zee News, Star Utsav, ESPN, Star Sports, BBC, CNN, Reality TV, Music channels.. and so on (with Star Plus slated to be on Dish TV platform in near future). The Dish TV sets are a hotcake for even the smugglers across India-Nepal/Bangladesh border priced at only Rs.3, 990/- including the hardware set and free annual subscription. Many urban people have missed to see, how DTH, especially Dish TV has changed the lives of millions of Indian people. DTH market is soon going to get hotter with the entry of two more Dth service providers viz. Star-Tata JV and Sun TV.

Edit-Feb'2007 Now TataSky Satellite Service has taken this market by storm. The way they have launched "Isko laga dala toh life Jingalala" caption alongwith fine customer service, easy renewal method and amazing features e.g. Whizkids etc. have made TataSky  a clear leader in terms of sales.

By this time (August 2008) TataSky priced at Rs.1499/- is a clear leader in terms of sales & customer satisfaction. Their customer service is unmatchable, which even new Dth Service Providers viz. Sun/Reliance(Big TV)/Airtel/Videocon will not be able to match. TataSky has gained this reputation by simply replicting the customer service of British Sky. People are no more at the mercy of cable service providers. Ultimately consumers are winning now..!!