New Delhi, June 29: With the political sword dangling over the Conditional Access System (CAS), government will have another round of meeting with broadcasters tomorrow hoping to clear the picture at least a fortnight ahead of its implementation in the four metros. The broadcasters are understood to have worked out a package of free-to-air and popular pay channels for Rs 200 and are likely to present this to government. Asked if rates of pay channels were likely to be finalised at the meeting, information and broadcasting ministry sources said this would depend on the broadcasters.
Information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had promised that all channels would be available for around Rs 200, a figure that turned out to be less than half the amount going by pay channels rates quoted by broadcasters. Climbing down from this assurance, government suggested to the broadcasters to ensure that at least all free-to-air and "most watched" pay channels are available for Rs 200.

With an apprehensive BJP keeping the government on its toes to ensure the cable TV consumer does not have to pay more, Prasad had a 90-minute meeting with deputy prime minister L K Advani on friday.

The ministry has had a series of meetings with broadcasters, MSOs and cable operators in efforts to ensure a smooth roll over to CAS on July 15.

However, with the consumer still in the dark about the availability of set-top boxes and rates of pay channels, government has indicated going for a soft launch on July 15 and may not treat this date as sacrosanct for making set-top boxes mandatory for viewing pay channels.

Bureau Report