[icernet] Does Conditional Access mean better conditions?

[Arul Selvan]

Unsurprisingly, the biggest advocates of CAS are cable service 
providers. Apart from lobbying for CAS, they are also fighting off 
broadcasters who want the system deferred and are working to garner 
consumer support. It would seem that a part of their strategy is to 
convert the situation into a swadeshi-videshi issue by alleging that 
foreign broadcasters such as Star, Sony, ESPN-Star Sports are using 
their immense media clout borne out of cross-ownership between 
entertainment channels and news channels to lobby their case with the 
government. Cable service providers are worried that broadcasters are 
spreading their tentacles into the cable TV distribution business by 
buying distribution networks. They have some valid points. Without CAS, 
broadcasters would repeatedly hike subscriber fees and also continue to 
earn advertising revenue. If cable operators are believed, broadcasters 
have hiked subscriber fees by 500 per cent in last three years.


Source:
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=24611