It all started with Dish TV.
All these talks of digital revolution, the sudden leap forward in broadcasting technology and the television’s becoming more than a one-way transmission receiver where the viewer has no say- it all started when Dish TV launched India’s first ever Direct-to-Home (DTH) service.
Using MPEG-2 compression technology and transmitting from the high-capacity NSS-6 satellite, the service does not lack infrastructure as far as quality and quantity is concerned. With almost 200 channels and more than a dozen interactive services on offer, Dish TV DTH has held the position of the No. 1 Direct-to-Home service in India for a long time.
From 2002-2004, the two years marking the build-up to the launch of Dish TV, saw television market as well as viewership in India go through a sea change. With the emerging economy the number of television sets was rapidly increasing, and most of them chose to access paid channels through local cable networks; then the only way of getting commercial television service. And given the limited access of cable networks, people in rural and remote areas were desperate for an alternative.
At the same time, dissatisfaction over the service quality in many cable networks was increasing.
Due to the use of old, faulty cable and low-end transmission devices, the picture quality in many of the channels was poor to say the least. The scenario was getting worse because people were inclined to buy bigger and more capable television sets now, and all the faults with the cable service picture quality were way more visible now.
Plus with the DVD market already catching hold, the crystal clear quality in a DVD put cable television in a stark contrast and acted as a catalyst in boosting people’s demand of better quality television.
And amidst all this, Dish Digital TV was launched; and within weeks this pioneer project had become the talk of the nation.
Dish DTH with sharp, flawless DVD quality picture and CD quality sound, television was reinvented in terms of quality. And with packaged viewing options and interactive services, the way people experienced their TV was forever changed.
For the first time, people could choose which channels they wanted to watch, and pay only for those channels. Most of the channel came in packages, and many others came as single a-la-carte channels.
There were a diverse variety of channels available, serving to every taste and choice. It was a boon for people living outside their state, for now they could watch channels in their own languages which in most cases are not carried by local cable.
And it was with Dish TV that the nation got the first taste of Active services. Active Sports was an instant success and it took the experience of watching a match on TV to a new level with multiple camera angles and commentary in different languages. Other interactive services also made their way into the daily lives of people providing them information about jobs, cooking, astrology, general knowledge and much much more. Fun Games were also introduced as an Active service, which included online video games into the list of things available on television. The dynamics of TV service were updated to the next generation, and the digital revolution got a firm, steady beginning; from which, in a few years, it would spawn wonders.
Six years have passed since then. Many other players have entered the DTH field, and all boast of their uniqueness in a breakneck race to take over most shares in a rapidly growing market. But one thing has remained constant in this scenario ever since the beginning: Dish Digital TV has remained as the most popular Direct-to-Home service at all times.
Right now, Dish DTH is in the process of passing on to the next era; the era of High Definition of television. With DTH as the only platform where this new technology can be provided, this global standard in world broadcasting technology is taking images on television dangerously close to reality. Dish TV, as well, has come up with its own HD DTH service called Dish Tru-HD. With 1080i quality pictures transmitting many national and international channels, Dish Tru-HD promises to provide the best HD experience in India. Time is set for a new beginning; another era of transition is upon Indian television.
And as always, Dish TV will lead change from the front. Again.