FTA broadcasters unhappy with December rollout of CAS

Indian free-to-air broadcasters - Aaj Tak, Eenadu, Sahara, Sun TV and SAB TV - have petitioned the Government to reconsider the postponement of CAS. They have exhorted the Government to strictly implemented CAS by September 1 and ensure the Rs 72 cap on subscription fee in the intervening period.

These broadcasters have also exhorted the Government to ensure that pay broadcasters do not delay the announcement of their channels' pricing as this would further delay the implementation of CAS, as has happened earlier. This will result in the delay in the distribution and setting up of set-top boxes. They have also said that direct-to-home or DTH should not be allowed to flourish in the country at the cost of the cable business.

The Indian broadcasters have alleged that the reason cited for the delay - unavailability of set-top boxes - is completely baseless and there are sufficient number of STBs available to meet the current demand.

The postponement of CAS is being viewed as the "Government's submission to the arm-twisting tactics of the foreign pay channel", and the consortium of Indian broadcasters say this will render a serious blow to the growth of the Indian cable industry.