The DTH industry is also concerning itself with the OTT applications, streaming websites and more as the consumers are being more drawn to it. There is an active shift happening in the industry wherein the DTH operators are also moving to video-on-demand content streaming websites and are seeking ways to bring these methods or apps on to their DTH platform. Some of the big names like Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV and D2h have made their efforts to bring the shows on to set-top boxes by various methods, some involving upgradation of the Set-Top Box or others through a different device altogether. Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV differ in this approach, and this is what we are going to be talking about.
Tata Sky HD Set Top Box Compared With Airtel Xstream Box
The first major difference in the how Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV have approached OTT content is in how the two companies have decided to offer their Set-Top Boxes. While Airtel Digital TV has gone ahead and introduced a Hybrid Set-Top Box, Tata Sky continues to offer its HD Set-Top Box to the consumers. It is worth noting that a Hybrid Set-Top Box is something that lets the subscribers enjoy OTT content alongside the satellite TV channels by the amalgamation of the two things, whereas, a normal Set-Top Box is not able to pull off any such thing. Therefore, Airtel Digital TV’s Hybrid Set-Top Box, the Airtel Xstream Box will come with Android TV, and the subscribers would be able to download apps, games, access movies, TV shows and others things on the Set-Top Box itself without the requirement of any additional equipment.
Tata Sky Binge for OTT Content
This is where Tata Sky differs in its approach, instead of going for Hybrid Set-Top Box for providing access to OTT content. Tata Sky has decided to stick with its conventional offering of the HD Set-Top Box, but for OTT content, it offers an additional service called the Tata Sky Binge which will allow the subscribers to access the required apps on their TV screens. Now, there is also a price difference in the picture which the customers should be aware of. While Tata Sky HD Set-Top Box comes for a relatively cheap price tag of Rs 1,299, the Airtel Xstream Box is available for Rs 3,999.
Complimentary Subscriptions on Tata Sky Binge
For the viewers who want to access other applications on their Tata Sky connection, they will have to get the Tata Sky Binge Service which will cost them Rs 249 per month. In this subscription amount, the subscribers will get a Tata Sky edition Amazon Fire TV Stick which will allow them to access apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime and more to watch OTT content on their TV screen. In this Rs 249 monthly subscription, the customers will also get a complimentary subscription to three months of Amazon Prime, Hotstar, ZEE5 and more services.
Difference in Pricing
Now when it comes to comparison of both of these Set-Top Boxes, then Tata Sky is definitely the more economical option as it is low priced for its Set-Top-Box at Rs 1,299 as compared to the Airtel Xstream Box for Rs 3,999. But, then the subscribers will have to get the Tata Sky Binge service with their Tata Sky connection for Rs 249 per month, and although it will be an added monthly cost, but it will ship with a handful of complimentary subscriptions too. In the case of Airtel Xstream Box, the subscriptions would have to be bought separately, of if you have got an Airtel postpaid or Airtel broadband plan, then chances are you could be getting free Netflix for three months and a year-long Amazon Prime subscription.
