KOLKATA: The ongoing Cable TV Show 2014 in Kolkata became a platform for the Kolkata-headquartered cable TV multi-system operator (MSO) Manthan Broadband to make few lucrative deals to consumers. The show at the Netaji Indoor Stadium has witnessed an amazing response in the first two days and thus Manthan took an opportunity to woo the direct-to-home customers as it announced that any customer from the Digital Addressable System (DAS) phases I and II if switches to Manthan, he won’t have to pay anything for the set top boxes (STBs) and the installation charges.

However, few terms and conditions apply as the customers will have to opt for the ‘Super Sunday Pack’ at Rs 320 per month. “As a fair offer, we have informed to all our affiliated local cable operators (LCOs) that customers will just have to pay five months subscription fees and can enjoy the Manthan cable services for six months,” said Manthan Broadband Services director Sudip Ghosh also adding that the offer is mainly aimed at high-end customers. “With this offer, a customer can save around Rs 1500 as of now,” he said.

According to Ghosh, by the end of May, the MSO is aiming to poach around 50,000 connections. It is present in Kolkata, Howrah and Ranchi with around 7.5 lakh STBs in DAS I and II.

Interestingly, cable TV analysts think that the region is going to witness such offers from more players in the region despite of DTH penetration being low in the region. The DTH connections in the region has just crossed the 5 lakh mark.

“Last week Dish TV created a sub brand Zing to target regional markets and the STB offer was at a lower price.  And now cable TV industry players like Manthan waging a war on DTH players. More such announcement by different players can be expected to poach others’ customers,” said an analyst.