Dishtv announces price hike on set top box

Media News

New Delhi, July 20, 2009

Dishtv - India’s No. 1 direct-to-home company and part of the biggest media conglomerate – Zee Group, today announced a price hike of Rs. 100 on its Set Top Box owing to the increase in customs duty on the import of STBs from Nil to 5 per cent. The price hike will be effective from 20th July, 2009 onward.

Speaking on the occasion, Salil Kapoor, COO, Dishtv, said that, "It was a necessary step due to increase in input cost as there has been an escalation in the cost of Set Top Boxes due to 5% increase in customs duty on the import of STBs. The business model of DTH is based on subsidy and the component cost has also gone up considerably due to the rise in dollar exchange rate in the last one year". "We have tried to minimize the effect on consumers by absorbing these rising input costs over the year, but the trend is on a constant rise and we have reached at a level where absorbing the entire cost internally seems to be a tough proposition. The increase in the cost still maintains Dishtv’s value for money proposition". Salil Kapoor added.

The impact of Price hike on STB is as follows:

1. Bare Set Top Box - Rs. 1490, will now be priced at Rs. 1590

2. Combo Offer – Rs. 2090 with 3 Months Platinum/South Platinum subscription will now be available for Rs. 2190.

3. Ultimate sports bonanza offer- Rs 1790 with 3 Months of South Silver subscription will now be available for Rs. 1890. (Offer valid in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Pondicherry only)

4. Ultimate sports bonanza offer - Rs 2390 with 12 Months of South Silver subscription will now be available for Rs. 2490. (Offer valid in Andhra Pradesh only)

For further information, please contact:

LINOpinion- A LOWE LINTAS PR Division

Swati Jain

Tel: +91 9910734054

E-mail: swati.jain@lintasindia.com