TV packages cost double in Israel, says Public Trust

Consumers pay twice as much for basic cable and satellite television packages in Israel than in the United States, Britain and several other countries, according to consumer advocacy group Public Trust (Emun Hatzibur ).

	Photo by: Craig Jewell

"Today, the basic package in Israel is 177% more expensive than in the countries surveyed: $39.50 [per month] in purchasing power parity, compared to an average price of $22.50 found in the world," the group said in a report released recently.

Public Trust called on the government and the Communications Ministry to bring down the prices.

"Only in Israel are there commitment periods of 24 or 36 months," the advocacy group said in its report. "In other countries there were 12-month periods, or no commitment for the basic package."

The report compared Israel to the United States, Britain, Australia, France, Spain and Argentina.

Public Trust, which has been tracking the prices since 2007, says the broadcasters have been effectively lobbying policy makers to head off any attempts to lower prices.

The report shows that basic packages without any commitment period are three times as expensive here as in the other countries surveyed.

Cabinet members will discuss regulating the prices of the basic packages during a meeting today on the budget.

The Communications Ministry has proposed that the HOT cable company and satellite broadcaster Yes be required to reduce the number of channels offered in its most basic packages. The price would remain unregulated as long as the broadcasters are not allowed to sell advertising.

Yes called the report "cheap populism," saying that if it were allowed to sell advertising as in the other countries surveyed and got more support from the state, it would be able to lower its prices.

"The attempt to compare Israel with most of the countries was unprofessional and deficient," said HOT. "The inclusive package in Israel is not more expensive than the average in the world. In Israel, as opposed to the rest of the world, the payment for the basic package includes the converters, with a lifetime warranty, remote controls, free installation, technician visits and round-the-clock service."