The Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2002 may still be awaiting clearance by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), but the wheels are moving in other areas.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a set of specifications as regards the analog set top box that is the cornerstone of the roll out of the proposed conditional access system.

This specifies the performance parameters for analog set top boxes to be used by subscribers for viewing pay channels through the cable distribution system.

The second part of the six-page report outlines the specifications for digital set tops.

The systems - both analog and digital - are primarily intended for sound and television signals operating between 30 MHz and 1 GHz.

On the issue of subscriber management systems, which is one that has particularly worried broadcasters, the document states: "Operators free to choose but it should ensure consumer interest by efficient responsive and accurate billing and collection. At the same time an arrangement must be made between the broadcaster and the cable operator for access to the relevant data relating to the respective channels for billing purposes."

As far as general requirements go it is stated that: "It should be mandatory for the manufacturer / operator / service provider to declare to the subscriber the capability of the set top box and its inter-operability on other networks so that the subscriber is under no illusion whatsoever regarding the same. The manufacturer should ensure that compatibility / interfacing of set top box with standard consumer electronic goods such as television audio systems and VCRs in the country."

The BIS notification states that all the standards are subject to revision and invites comments on the issue on or before 15 June.

Click here for link to full draft of the set top box specifications put up on the Bureau of Indian Standards website.

MUMBAI: Seems like reality has finally come of age in India. While media might have pooh-poohed AXN‘s Hot ‘n Wild contest as yet another beauty pageant, the action adventure channel may just be having the last laugh.

Embarking on their second biggest local production, a hybrid version of Who Dares Wins and Fear Factor, AXN is all set to begin shooting forExtreme Dhamaka from 21 September.

The channel has stated that the two lucky winners of Hot ‘n Wild contest will get a chance to host Extreme Dhamaka. The contest is scheduled to be held on 20 September in Mumbai.

The channel has roped in ex-Australian cricketer and screen icon Mike Whitney and the Aussie model-cum-actress Tania Zaetta for its Extreme Dhamaka venture too. The two contest winners will host alongside these celebrities. It will pave the way for the biggest on-ground action and adventure initiative that India has ever seen, says a company release.

Taking a cue from the success of last year‘s AXN Who Dares Wins-India Special, which saw a large number of entries, the channel decided to launch the long awaited reality show, the release states.

Zaetta who was the host of Who Dares Wins for eight years, will be among the judges at the at the grand finals of Hot ‘n Wild contest.

Speaking about the venture, AXN‘s assistant vice president (marketing and sales), India, Rohit Bhandari says, "We have been realizing the growing popularity of adventure shows in India, more so since the launch on Fear Factor here. With the response that we received for Who dares Wins last year, we realized that India is finally prepared for a dare show."

More on executive movements in television land. Prashant Sanwal, former vice-president SET MAX, and till recently one of the four directors on the as yet stillborn MAK (Manoranjan, Aur Kya) Network, has joined Subhash Chandra‘s Zee Group.
Sanwal took charge yesterday as director of all Zee‘s regional language Alpha channels and will report to Sandeep Goyal, group broadcasting CEO, Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL).

With the I&B ministry‘s clearance, ZTL has received permission to uplink 10 channels from India through the teleport of Essel Shyam Communication Ltd at Noida.

It‘s decided to maintain the status quo. The Prasar Bharati has said nyet to conversion of its entertainment service, Doordarshan Metro, as an exclusive satellite channel. DD Metro will continue as a terrestrial channel as it exists today, the Prasar Bharati said in a statement today.
Additionally, DD Metro will continue to be available - as it is currently - to cable TV subscribers through satellite delivery, the statement said.

"DD Metro will continue as a terrestrial channel. It will also be one of the revenue earners," a Prasar Bharati statement, quoting Prasar Bharati chief executive K S Sarma said.

The Prasar Bharati, according to the statement, has taken the decision after carefully considering the reach of the channel which is now available in most of the A, B1 and B2 cities of India.

DD Metro is also in the process of procuring programmes in the area of entertainment and several new shows are expected to be on air by August this year.

DD Metro, which is broadcast through 102 transmitters, covers 14.2 per cent of the total area and reaches 34.8 per cent of the population. It also has a viewership base of 42.3 million TV households.

Media Lab Asia based on digital wizard Nicholas Negroponte legendary MIT Media Lab, has got a new CEO and managing director with its board announcing the appointment of Bimal Sareen. Sareen was earlier director of business & corporate development for Compaq (now Hewlett Packard) Asia-Pacific and Greater China regions. Additionally, he is also the regional president of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
Said Media Lab Asia chairman and the Indian government‘s Union Minister of Communications & Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs Pramod Mahajan: "We are very pleased to have Bimal lead Media Lab Asia. This is an important venture for us that advances our goal of delivering the benefits of information and communications technology to the masses of India, the rest of Asia, indeed the entire Media Lab network. I would like to express our full confidence and support to him".

Added Media Lab Asia vice-chairman Negroponte: "Bimal‘s appointment is a milestone for Media Lab Asia. We are excited about his appointment as the leader of this venture, especially with his blend of technology and business, and international and Asia experience."

Sareen, educated in the United States, has extensive experience in the US and Asia in international business, technology, marketing, investments and mergers & acquisitions. In addition to India and the US, he has conducted business in Australia, Greater China, Israel, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

"I am very excited," said Sareen. "This is a unique and challenging opportunity to foster innovation, and deliver the value of information, communication and media technologies to the masses traditionally under-served by their benefits. This massive segment, traditionally ignored by most corporations and countries, will gain increasing prominence."

Rajeeva Ratna Shah, India‘s secretary of information technology in the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, said, "This appointment is an important step for us at the Government of India. With Bimal, we finally have our choice of a seasoned industry professional with extensive international business and technology experience to lead this important venture. He has our complete support."

"We had a range of excellent candidates but finally narrowed our choice to Bimal. He had the right combination of management and technical skills we required," said Alex (Sandy) Pentland, director of Media Lab Asia and Toshiba professor at MIT.

Director, Media Lab Asia and former Vice Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) FC Kohli said, "It is rewarding for us to have Bimal appointed as a result of an extensive search. He enjoys our full support".

Sareen has been active in other industry bodies in the US, prior to his move to Asia in 1997. While working with Digital Equipment Corp in the US, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Interactive Multimedia Council (MIMC), and was Co-Chairman Marketing, International Committee at the Massachusetts Telecommunications Council (MTC). At the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Sareen has also held terms as Vice President, Chairman of the Finance, Information Technology & Infrastructure committees.

Sareen has an MBA and MS (Computer Engineering) from Boston University and a BS (Electrical Engineering) from Rutgers University. He was also granted a US patent in the field of High Speed Computer design during his tenure at Digital Equipment Corporation. Sareen is married and has two children.

Media Lab Asia is an initiative of the Indian government and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to facilitate the invention; refinement and dissemination of innovations that benefit the greatest number possible of the world‘s grassroots populations. The research is focused on four broad themes:Digital Village, Tomorrow‘s Tools, Bits for Everyone and the World Computer.