[icernet] Cable operators accuse broadcasters of trying to "derail" CAS

[Arul Selvan]

  "It is now evident that Star TV, Sony TV and ESPN Star Sports channel 
broadcasters want to derail the implementation of CAS and have no 
intentions of complying with Government directives," the National Cable 
and Telecommunication Association said in a letter to Pawan Chopra, 
Secretary, Information and Broadcasting. It said broadcasters were still 
not prepared with the final details on the channel rates and have 
devised a "super tier aimed at forcing the entire lot of pay channels 
down the throat of the Indian cable TV viewers". Describing the practice 
as undesirable, it said this will not enable the cable operators to 
declare rates of individual channels as required by a June 6 
notification. It urged Government to strictly implement the notification 
which said channels which did not disclose their policy or pricing by 
June 15 will not be carried by cable networks after July 14 when CAS 
rolls out in the four metros. "This will be the most effective step in 
protecting the consumer interests also it will compel these channels to 
either go free-to-air or declare their stand alone individual pay 
channel prices," it said.

Source:
PTI
June 19, 2003