[icernet] Channels vie to CAS in on timing

[Arul Selvan]

Indian and foreign broadcasters are divided over the implementation of 
conditional access system (CAS) and polarisation is complete. Indian 
broadcasters like TV Today, Zee, Sahara, NDTV, Sun, Doordarshan and 
Eenadu have extended support for a smooth launch of CAS on July 14, 
2003. But, foreign broadcasters like Star, Sony, Discovery, ESPN-Star 
Sports are lobbying hard to defer the launch by 12-18 months. The reason 
for the battle is clear. Foreign broadcasters like Star and Sony 
bouquets have more pay channels than domestic broadcasters. And, over 70 
per cent of the ad spend is on pay channels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata 
and Chennai.  Indian broadcasters don't have much to lose from CAS. They 
don't have many pay channels and have a strong regional presence for 
mass viewership.  Foreign broadcasters, however, depend on ad and 
subscription revenues in the metros. Also, being able to uplink from 
India, domestic broadcasters can tap the local ad market.  So, if CAS' 
take-off is bad and it takes a few years to stabilise, then foreign 
channels lose but Indian broadcasters see a big revenue shift to their 
business.


Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=5678

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