TV distributors brace for fresh rate hike from broadcasters
Television broadcasters are set to raise the rates of their bouquet of channels by around 10% to offset mounting content costs, even as a steadily shrinking pay-TV subscriber base intensifies commercial tensions with distribution platform operators (DPOs).
JioStar has already announced its revised rates, and other broadcasters are likely to let the distributors know about their new pricing charts before February 28.
JioStar’s 2026 rate card raises regional GEC prices, with Asianet and Star Vijay at ₹30 and Star Jalsha at ₹25, while Nick moves from ₹7 to ₹19. Hindi GEC and sports remain unchanged as they are already at the ₹19 ceiling, and core Hindi bouquets rise ₹10.
