Cable TV digitisation could face political storm in Kolkata & Chennai

[IndianMascot]

Cable TV digitisation in two of the four metros singled out for rollout by 31 October could face stormy political opposition. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, recently withdrawing support from the Congress-led UPA government, has begun to roar against forcible introduction of digital set-top boxes (STBs) for any kind of TV viewing which she believes will hurt the poor.

Speaking at a rally in New Delhi, Banerjee said: "Our poor people will be ruined. They should have evolved some mechanism for this. What was the need for this decision for making mandatory the use of STBs?"

Banerjee was holding her first public rally in the national capital opposing the government's policies, including FDI (foreign direct investment) in retail.

Poor cable operators will be ruined. They will lose business. It will hurt the common man. How he will pay for STBs? Don't they (government) want the poor people to watch cable TV and have some entertainment?" she questioned.
Making a veiled reference to the recent hike in FDI in the media sector, Banerjee also said that the government was favouring private media companies.

"They have looted the country in seven days. If they are allowed, they will give information and broadcasting also to one private party," Banerjee said.


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[Technoglitch]

Govt and MSOs should give EMIs on stbs. Prb solved for BPL peoples.

 

[IndianMascot]

Yeh, its an additional burden to all those who don't care about quality.

 

[IndianMascot]

Kolkata Cable Operators Association Say Digitization Is Hurried Decision, Threaten Protest


The Cable Operators Association of Kolkata has said that while taking the decision of digitizing cable transmission, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry ignored the real issues. They also termed the decision of digitalization as a hurried one and have threatened protest on the issue.

They have alleged that ignorance of the Ministry showed up in revenue sharing model and Interconnect agreement of cable Operators. They said the government and concerned authorities were working in favour of corporates and not for smaller cable operators.

The operators may also end up losing their business and livelihood, they said. The letter from the Cable Operators Association of Kolkata was sent after the meeting between Broadcasters/MSOs/LCOs/DTH players was over, where Cable Operators were not invited.

As a response to demands of cable operators, West Bengal government has asked central government to extend digitization deadline.