HYDERABAD: Come February 1, Telugu channels may go off the air as local cable operators (LCOs) and multiple system operators (MSOs) have decided not to air them as broadcasters are offering Telugu channels at a higher price than other regional channels.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in its latest order, said consumers need to pay only for channels they wish to watch. It directed the broadcasters to implement the new tariff regime from February 1.“We already have so many issues with the new regime. In addition, broadcasters offering Telugu channel are charging higher price than any regional language. We have written to the broadcasters stating our problems and saying we will discourage consumers from opting for the Telugu bouquets and will not market them unless any customer asks for it,” Subhash Reddy, a member of the joint action committee (JAC) of LCOs and MSOs of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh , told TOI.“If Kannada channel bouquet is available at Rs 30, the Telugu one from the same broadcaster costs at least Rs 7 to Rs 10 more. Success of the channels depend on marketing by local players. We will expose this to customers,” Reddy pointed out.The joint action committee, which has been protesting the new tariff regime for quite some time now, would meet in Hyderabad to chalk out future plan.“Apart from the price of Telugu bouquets, GST is an issue too” K Visesh, an LCO from AP, said.“A broadcaster used to offer their bouquet of 40 channels for Rs 12, but in the new regime we can get only one channel for Rs 19 ,” he added.

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