(11 May 2009 6:55 pm)

NEW DELHI: On the eve of the ICC World T20 Championship, Bharti Airtel is offering its DTH subscribers a free three-month subscription of the three ESPN Star channels in a newly introduced package of Rs 1850.

Digital TV's other entry pack of Rs 2000 is aimed at Airtel's pre-paid mobile customers in the four states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. It looks like the DTH operator will aggressively push its services particularly in these four states.

Digital TV's pack of Rs 1,850 gives a value pack of 77 channels and five interactive services, besides the three-month free subscription of ESPN as a top up. The new offer has added two Zee channels - Zee TV and Zee Cinema - which are priced monthly at Rs 15 each. In the existing entry offer of Rs 1750, subscribers get three months of free subscription in an offer of 75 channels and five interactive services.

The DTH operator's entry pack price of Rs 2,000 offers three months’ free subscription as well as the mega pack of 121 channels and nine interactive services.

Aimed at the pre-paid mobile subscribers, the pack also offers 1750 minutes of free mobile call from Airtel to Airtel for 90 days from the date of purchase.

Customers who opt for either entry packs have the option of changing their pack choices after the free preview period of three months.

Customers who opt for either entry packs have the option of changing their pack choices after the free preview period of three months.

Says Bharti Telemedia director and CEO – DTH services Ajai Puri, "We have launched the two offers keeping in mind the need of those segment of customers who want a greater value as well as for those consumers who are selective in watching. While the Rs 1850 pack has the ESPN bouquet of channels which viewers can pick at the time of the T20 World Championship, the Rs 2000 bouquet is for Airtel's pre-paid mobile customers."

At present, Airtel Digital TV has four packs in the market. Besides the Rs 1750 offer, the DTH operator also has a pack of Rs 2500 which offers three months' free subscription of ultra pack which includes 140 channels and 10 interactive services.

Another offer is at Rs 2,600 which has a 12-month free subscription including 75 channels and five interactive services.

Airtel Digital TV's premium pack of Rs 3,500 offers a six-month free subscription and includes 140 channels and 10 interactive services.