Cabinet clears digitisation of TV broadcasts
October 13th, 2011 - 3:52 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) In a key step that will benefit both the cable and satellite TV industry and consumers, the government Thursday cleared an ordinance that seeks to fast-track the digitisation of TV broadcasts.
“The union cabinet agreed to send the proposal for an ordinance of the ministry to the rashtrapati (president) for consideration and approval,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Sonia told reporters after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The ordinance seeks to amend the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act to meet the March 31, 2012 deadline for digitisation in the four top metros by 2014.
The move is expected to boost the subscription revenues for broadcasters as it promises to end hefty carriage fee they pay to the cable TV operators.
According to an estimate, carriage and placement fee contribute around 20 percent of the total cost of running a channel. All satellite channels will be beamed to houses through set-top boxes.
The cable and satellite television industry is expected to be worth Rs.20,000 crore.
After the president clears the ordinance, cable operators will have to give up analog in the four metros by March 31, 2012. Cities with a population of one million will be covered by March 31, 2013. All urban areas would be covered by Sep 30, 2014 while the entire country will be covered by Dec 31, 2014.
The new arrangement will mean more choice for consumers as digital platforms will carry more channels and offer superior quality. Digital cables can carry up to 1,000 channels.
- Bill to digitalise cable TV passed by Lok Sabha - Dec 13, 2011
- Government to fast-track digitisation of TV broadcast - Sep 26, 2011
- Broadcasters hail passing of digitalisation bill - Dec 14, 2011
- West Bengal cable TV equipment makers seek tax holiday - Jan 12, 2012
- Tata Sky gearing up to meet demand post-digitisation - Feb 15, 2012
- 'Digital transmission in four metros from July' - Mar 14, 2012
- Government approves modified HITS guidelines - Dec 17, 2009
- TRAI To Implement Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems In India By 2013 - Aug 10, 2010
- US investors keen to fund India's digital transformation - Dec 09, 2011
- India to become largest DTH market by 2012: Study - Apr 22, 2010
- Cable networks must go digital by 2014 - May 08, 2012
- Dish Freedom - switch providers without changing set-top box - Aug 29, 2011
- Media, entertainment industry grew 12 percent in 2011 to Rs.729 bn - Mar 11, 2012
- Amity becomes first in India to host "Digitization of Cable TV Distribution System" seminar - Dec 15, 2010
- Soni pushes for complete digitalisation of TV - Oct 20, 2009
Tags: ambika, cabinet meeting, cable operators, cable television networks, cable tv operators, crore, digital cables, digital platforms, manmohan, manmohan singh, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, regulation act, satellite channels, satellite television, satellite tv industry, subscription revenues, television industry, tv broadcasts, union cabinet