KOLKATA: With an aim to provide value added services (VAS) to customers in the wake of digitisation of cable television, the multi-system operators (MSOs) in the eastern region are exploring opportunities to release regional movies on cable TV before it is released in the theatres to generate more revenue. 

According to Siticable director Suresh Sethia, the MSO is in discussion with producers for premiere shows of regional movies on its cable channel as part of value added services.

“These services can be implemented once the billing process is properly executed, which could take anywhere around six months to complete,” said Sethiya while addressing the audience at the Cable TV Show 2014 in Kolkata. 

The service is similar to the ‘Movie-on-Demand’ platform of the direct-to-home (DTH) players.

The charges for a newly released movie will vary between Rs 50 and Rs 100 for a day, remarked Sethia. “The producers, MSOs, LCOs and the customers-all will benefit by the move,” he said.

Industry experts say that even if a MSO charges Rs 40- Rs 50 for a movie, with 50 per cent of its users booking the show, the producer can get back a substantial amount of his investment by premiering the movie on cable TV. 

Siticable currently caters to around 20 lakh users in the eastern region. “The local cable operators will also have a share,” Sethia informed.

Another prominent MSO, GTPL Kolkata Cable & Broadband Pariseva Ltd (GTPL KCBPL) is also looking forward to tap this opportunity with its 7.5 lakh user base in the eastern region. 

“We are actively discussing on such value added services. But it may take at least three months to execute the process,” said GTPL KCBPL managing director Bijoy K Agarwal.