Basic TV Package Cost Fixed at Rs 250, Maximum Rs 500 a Month | A la Carte Pay TV

The Ministry of Communication and Internet Technology (MoCIT) has decided to implement an à la carte system for TV services which determines the minimum price for the basic TV package in Nepal. As per the ruling, the minimum cost for a basic TV package in Nepal costs Rs 250. As per the National Broadcasting Rules, 2052, the government says, the act will make their licensed broadcasters such as cable, DTH, IPTV, MMDS, and DTTB transactions transparent, organized, and scientific.

The ministerial-level decision has fixed the cost of the basic package. As per this, broadcasters must provide Nepali TV channels and international free-to-air channels to their customers. As for paid TV channels, service providers will need to charge customers per bouquet. And the maximum cost per TV channel is fixed at Rs 40. Also, the maximum charge from paid TV channels shouldn’t exceed Rs 250 a month. In total, a broadcaster can charge a customer not more than Rs 500 a month for the basic package.

Basic TV package price in Nepal	Free-to-air channels Price	Paid TV channels	Total
Per month cost	Rs 250	Rs 250	Rs 500 a month (Maximum)

Also read: How To Watch Nepali TV Channels Online by Website/Apps From Nepal/Abroad?

What is an à la carte system?

An à la carte system means an ability to pick individual components as desired from the list. In the context of TV channels, this system’s implementation means customers will have the choice to select which TV channels they want in their subscription instead of the whole package in a bundle. As of now, the ISP/TV service providers are charging customers based on the whole bundle.

Customers can select the TV channels they want to watch ( à la Carte pay TV)

The decision for a la carte TV vests the right of the customers whether they want to subscribe to paid TV channels or not. Customers can’t be forced to buy paid TV channels against their will, the decision holds.

A bouquet system has been arranged for payment from paid TV channels. To elaborate, a Rs 10 charge of a paid TV channel takes 13 percent VAT which deducts Rs 1.30 from the total and becomes Rs 8.70. The amount (Rs 4.35) goes to the TV service provider and the company with each collecting half of it.

The amount received by paid TV is Rs 4.35, which becomes Rs 3.6975 after a 15 % TDS deduction of Rs 0.6525, and the ministry has made arrangements to recommend foreign currency equivalent only.

Check out: IPTV Vs Digital TV; Differences And Which One To Choose?

The basic TV package price shan’t exceed Rs 250 only in Nepal

Gaurab Giri, joint secretary of MoCIT says that customers won’t be overpaying for confusing and random packages. He said that TV service providers can receive only Rs 250 basic package. Rs 40 shouldn’t exceed the paid bouquet TV channel.

“Even if a customer wants to buy all the TV channels and if it exceeds Rs 500, the provider must offer it at the same cost.

There are only around 60 TV channels however, Giri added that providers are overcharging with various indiscriminate packages.

DTH, IPTV, and cable TV are dominant in Nepal. Likewise, internet service providers (ISPs) also bundle TV in their packages which has now been outlawed. Anyway, the à la carte system might make subscriptions more transparent and straightforward. What do you think about this system? Do share in the comments below.