Tata Sky eyes eight million subscriber base by 2012

New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) Tata Group and Star joint venture company Tata Sky today said it would take its subscriber base to eight million by 2012, having crossed the one-million-subscriber mark in the first year of its operations.

With a bouquet of 120 channels and interactive services, the Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider added that it would increase the number of channels in the next year. He however refused to disclose the names of the channels.

''We expect the total number of DTH connections to touch 15 million by 2012 and Tata Sky would at least have eight million subscribers,'' said company Managing Director and CEO Vikram Kaushik.

The DTH sector is expected to undergo a major change with the coming in of more players. With Bharti getting a letter of intent yesterday, the market is set for more competition. ''We are ready for competition. More players means better services for the client,'' Mr Kaushik said.

However, he ruled out any lowering of prices. ''Our prices are competitive. It focusses on both the quality and the quantity rather than just one aspect,'' he said.

The sector is bound to grow with a study forecasting a staggering 683 per cent growth rate.

The company also launched a new promotional campaign where one stands a chance to win up to two years of free subscription.

The company will also launch its Personal Video Recorder (PVR) services in the country. Without disclosing any time frame for the launch, Mr Kaushik said the service would be introduced whenever ''the country would be ready''. It would allow the viewer to pause live TV programmes, appointment viewing and tape his favourite shows.

UNI