Conditional access may have been okayed by Parliament, but questions still haunt the industry. I&B minister Sushma Swaraj feels that post-CAS quite a few pay channels may turn free to air, but broadcasters feel otherwise. The pricing of the basic tier has still not been decided and various cable companies have not firmed their investment plans up. The easy availability of set top boxes certainly is an issue, leave aside the fact that a debate is raging whether India should go in for analog STBs or digital ones.
Amidst all these, Siticable, Zee Telefilms‘ cable arm, has introduced another aspect to CAS --- headend in the sky or HITS. The company also maintains that CAS through HITS will be a better proposition for cable ops and others.
Looking at these issues is Zee Turner, a joint venture distribution company, chief executive Sunil Khanna who spoke to indiantelevision.com in Delhi.
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