Brazil wants low-cost pay-TV
September 3, 2013
By Chris Forrester
Brazil’s media regulator (Anatel) is calling on the country’s pay-TV operators to create new lower-cost packages. Currently the lowest cost bundle is priced out at about $16.80. That’s too expensive for Anatel, which is calling for a ‘basic’ bundle to be priced nearer $8.40.
Anatel’s president, Joao Rezende, speaking during the 34th Encuentro Tele.Síntese in Sao Paulo, said that too many families could not afford to pay the current rates, yet wanted a basic portfolio of channels in particular the national networks.
However, cable operator NET’s president Jose Felix, noted that low fee packages are a challenge, since costs for programming preferred by consumers are high. Brazilians with a lower purchasing power also want sports channels, including soccer championships, movies and even adult content, he said. “This content is among the most expensive for operators to supply,” he added.