Dish TV has announced that it would offer 70 free channels for five years to subscribers who would choose its services during post digitisation.

The unique opportunity has been announced for subscribers in four metros, viz. Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

Dish TV said new customers would be eligible to get a basic tier consisted of 70 free channels, it they remain active by subscribing to Dish TV's regular pack at least two times a year, at a price of Rs 200 each. Multi-system operators (MSOs) providing cable TV are charging subscribers Rs 100 a month for a similar package.

Commenting on the offer, Dish TV Chief Executive Officer RC Venkateish said, "This is a never before kind of unique facility for all those valued subscribers who will choose our services during post digitization."

But, rival firm Videocon D2H Chief Executive Anil Khera said that they would not pursue any such move as it might adversely affect the company's ARPU. Tata Sky's chief Harit Nagpal said that they had always gave customers the best value for their money.

The country's leading direct-to-home (DTH) service's move aims at wooing the more than 10 million cable TV households in the four metros that have to switch to digital set-top box for cable TV from 1st of November.

Dish TV has earmarked a budget of around Rs 30 crore for promoting the offer, using a blend various media forms like radio, print and digital.