SCTV heats up cable TV market

Founded in Ho Chi Minh City more than a decade ago, Saigontourist Cable Television (SCTV) principally serves the south together with Ho Chi Minh City Cable Television (HTVC).  

But from last year, SCTV started to develop its cable network infrastructure in the north of the country and has entered into competition with VTVCab, French-invested K+, VTC, AVG and MyTV.

In preparation for the move, SCTV has co-operated with Hanoi Cable Television (HCATV) to resolve license issues and take advantages of the partner’s infrastructure and subscriber pool for future market expansion. 

SCTV has also accompanied market expansion with technology upgrades, specifically offering high-definition (HD) broadcasting in anticipation of the growing digitisation of Vietnam’s television broadcasts.

In late 2013, SCTV added four HD channels, raising the total number of HD channels to 30 out of the 140 TV channels they currently offer subscribers.

SCTV currently owns five of the ten top rated channels in Ho Chi Minh City and places orders for making two episodes of new television series and two comedy series a day.

In term of pricing, to lure customers in the north, the company has announced attractive subscription packages.

During April and May, customers registering for SCTV’s cable television services will receive free HD/SD receivers and installation fees.

The company’s monthly cable TV subscription fee is a competitive VND80,000 ($3.8), plus VND49,000 ($2.3) per month for additional television cable services.

Vietnam Cable Television’s current monthly subsription fee in comparison is VND110,000 ($5.2).

Director of Hanoi SCTV Trinh Hung Hanh said that SCTV was set to further improve service packages with new channels, ensure transmission quality while offering competitive fees customers to accelerate the pace of television digitalisation, particularly in Hanoi. Boasting Europe standard cable infrastructure, SCTV could provide quality multimedia services.

SCTV is currently the market leader holding 40 per cent cable television market share. Vietnam Cable Television (VTVcab) is second, with 30 per cent market share and Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTVC) claims a 15 per cent market share.

Cable television subscribers now total 4.4 million with SCTV alone reporting more than two million subscribers.