Increased competition in the provision of triple play services is likely to increase the cost of content, especially live football rights, in Turkey.
According to Fitch Ratings and Balkans.com, the Turkish telecom market is becoming increasingly convergent as major operators offer pay-TV services as part of their triple or quad play packages.
Türk Telekom, for instance, launched a DTH service last month to supplement its IPTV offer, while 16% of Türkcell’s fibre subscribers were opting for tripe-play services as of the end of June.
Although Digitürk is the leading provider of pay-TV services and holds the rights to the Super Lig, the country’s premier football league, Türkcell is aiming to acquire sports content, while Türk Telekom currently has the rights UEFA European football.
Fitch expects Digitürk, which is now backed by Al Jazeera’s sports arm, to retain the rights to Super Lig when they come up for renewal next year.
