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Centre`s move impracticable: Kolkata`s MSOs, cable operators
Kolkata, June 30: Multi system operators and cable operators of the metropolis have said the Centre`s move not to make set top boxes mandatory even after launch of the conditional access system from July 15 was `impracticable` and would only lead to `more confusion`.
Kolkata, June 30: Multi system operators and cable operators of the metropolis have said the Centre's move not to make set top boxes mandatory even after launch of the conditional access system from July 15 was "impracticable" and would only lead to "more confusion".
"How can you apply different standards for pay channel viewers? We fail to understand whether the government is serious about implementing CAS in letter and spirit," chief of prominent city-based mso Manthan, Sudip Ghosh said.
Such a move, he said, would lead to more confusion in the cable TV sector and could lead to agitation by cable operators who might not want to be part of CAS and raise demands like a substantial hike in subscription rates. Hinting that the Centre's move might be prompted more by political reasons, Ghosh said, "After deliberating over the whole issue for more than two years and forming a national task force to look into nitty gritties of the system, suddenly some politicians have woken up to the issue."
Baldev Shaw of Third Eye Cable Service said it was not possible to broadcast pay channel programmes for both STB and non-STB viewers.
"What is to be done if viewers, who have already paid for STBs, demand waiver of their monthly rental till they get the boxes. We and not the MSOs, channels or government will be the target of ire of a section of viewers in such circumstances," he said.
"We want CAS to be introduced fully as envisaged. If that is not possible we will be forced to hike the monthly subscription rate by another Rs 100 after July 15. If our interest is not looked into we are also ready for an agitation," spokesman of Cable Operators Sangram Committee Tarak Saha said. The average cable subscription rate in the metropolis is around Rs 200 at present.
Both Ghosh and Saha criticised the West Bengal government for its letter to the Centre, which advocated maintaining status quo in implementing the CAS till all relevant issues were sorted out.
"It is unfathomable why the state government did not sort out these 'relevant' issues or inform the task force representative from the region about its stand earlier. The task force came into being two years back," Ghosh said.
A spokesman of Siti Cable, another leading MSO, said the Centre should not be fobbed off by some political parties and channels, which did not wish to see CAS being implemented.
"While we feel there can be initial hiccups on STB delivery in the four metros due to logistical reasons, no decision should be taken which might defeat the very purpose of procuring STBs and affect the cause of CAS," the spokesman said.
When asked why a viewer should be asked to buy a STB priced between Rs 2200-3500, the spokesman said arrangements would be made for procuring the boxes on installment. Bureau Report
Such a move, he said, would lead to more confusion in the cable TV sector and could lead to agitation by cable operators who might not want to be part of CAS and raise demands like a substantial hike in subscription rates. Hinting that the Centre's move might be prompted more by political reasons, Ghosh said, "After deliberating over the whole issue for more than two years and forming a national task force to look into nitty gritties of the system, suddenly some politicians have woken up to the issue."
Baldev Shaw of Third Eye Cable Service said it was not possible to broadcast pay channel programmes for both STB and non-STB viewers.
"What is to be done if viewers, who have already paid for STBs, demand waiver of their monthly rental till they get the boxes. We and not the MSOs, channels or government will be the target of ire of a section of viewers in such circumstances," he said.
"We want CAS to be introduced fully as envisaged. If that is not possible we will be forced to hike the monthly subscription rate by another Rs 100 after July 15. If our interest is not looked into we are also ready for an agitation," spokesman of Cable Operators Sangram Committee Tarak Saha said. The average cable subscription rate in the metropolis is around Rs 200 at present.
Both Ghosh and Saha criticised the West Bengal government for its letter to the Centre, which advocated maintaining status quo in implementing the CAS till all relevant issues were sorted out.
"It is unfathomable why the state government did not sort out these 'relevant' issues or inform the task force representative from the region about its stand earlier. The task force came into being two years back," Ghosh said.
A spokesman of Siti Cable, another leading MSO, said the Centre should not be fobbed off by some political parties and channels, which did not wish to see CAS being implemented.
"While we feel there can be initial hiccups on STB delivery in the four metros due to logistical reasons, no decision should be taken which might defeat the very purpose of procuring STBs and affect the cause of CAS," the spokesman said.
When asked why a viewer should be asked to buy a STB priced between Rs 2200-3500, the spokesman said arrangements would be made for procuring the boxes on installment. Bureau Report