TV makers, DTH operators hope to cash in on ICC World Cup

With the cricket World Cup round the corner, TV makers and DTH operators are intensifying efforts to woo customers offering freebies to push sales during the one-and-a-half-month long competition.

Japanese electronics major Panasonic and South Korean giant LG are confident of doing good business, so also are direct-to-home operators Dish TV and TataSky, during the World Cup to be played between February 14 and March 29.

“Owing to consumers’ enthusiasm for the game and positive sentiment amongst the consumers, we expect a strong growth in this segment. We expect to meet 25 to 30 per cent of our total target sales for Viera during this period,” Panasonic India & South Asia Managing Director Manish Sharma said. LG Electronics, which is one of the longest standing global partners of ICC, has come out with offers such as free audio products, scratch cards, cash back, financing offers and complementary swivel wall brackets. “Cricket season is an important opportunity for LG to connect with our consumers directly and in-directly. We try to provide them with offers that will be of good investment value for them,” LG India Business Head, Home Entertainment Sanjay Chitkara said. He added that LG is targeting an aggressive growth plan this year, specially for high end Ultra HD and OLED TV range. Besides, both LG and Panasonic are also eyeing replacement market, from old CRTV to panel.