Cable operators are struggling to get new subscribers in Kolkata and neighbouring areas, multi-service operators (MSO) said at a recent programme
Most MSOs are now focussing on strengthening their broadband base, which is expanding daily, they said.
They attributed the stagnation to the rise of DTH, social media and OTT platforms, which give consumers a wide range of content options.
Metro interacted with several players on the sidelines of a cable TV trade show at the Milan Mela Ground last month.
“There are over 20 lakh cable TV subscribers in Kolkata, Salt Lake, New Town, Howrah and adjoining areas. But the annual growth in viewership is becoming stagnant,” said K.K. Binani, secretary of Kolkata-based Cable TV Equipments Traders and Manufacturers Association (CTMA), which organised the Cable TV Show 2024.
“Even a decade ago, the viewership grew at 10 to 12 per cent every year. But now, even a two to three per cent growth seems a big deal,” he said.
The MSOs are now focussing on wired broadband services, a sector that is seeing a nearly 15 per cent annual growth, he said.
Suresh Sethia, director of Siti Cable, echoed him. Siti Cable is a leading player, with around 11 lakh cable subscribers in Kolkata and adjoining areas. “We are witnessing a stalemate in terms of new subscribers. But the number of broadband consumers is growing,” he said.
Sources in the industry said the number of (fixed wire) broadband consumers in Kolkata and neighbouring areas is nearing 10 lakh. “There is a huge untapped market. The demand is booming.”
Tapabrata Mukherjee, director of Meghbela Cable and Broadband, said his cable TV viewer base was shrinking.
“We had around five lakh cable TV subscriptions in 2015-16. Now, we have around three lakh subscribers. On the other hand, our broadband subscribers are around two lakhs now. The number is going up,” said Mukherjee.
The broadband base saw a substantial jump in Covid, said operators. The scale has since dipped but the momentum has stayed, they said.
“Consumers now want to spend only on data. There are so many options. They can watch content on phones, tabs, laptops and TV screens.”
Alliance Broadband, a leading Internet service provider, has close to 2,40,000 connections in Kolkata.
“During and immediately after Covid, we grew at a rate of 20 per cent annually. The rate has now dipped but the growth is still robust,” said Abhijit Modak, one of the directors.
Ankit Agarwal of GTPL-KCBPL said the number of cable TV viewers may be dipping in urban areas. But in the rural pockets, cable TV was still thriving, he said. “Cable is still the main source of news, entertainment and information in such pockets,” he said.