NCTA Cable TV Industry Wishlist for the New I&B Minister

NCTA Cable TV Industry Wishlist for the New I&B Minister

NEW DELHI, May 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --



In the wake of TRAI coming out with a 27.5% increase tariff notification for the Pay
TV Broadcasters on 31st March 2014 with a tariff increase w.e.f 1st April 2014 itself
while the Model Code of Conduct was in effect, the National Cable & Television Association
(NCTA) calls for the new Information and Broadcasting Minister for better industry
regulation and investigation into allegations of corruption.



NCTA asks why was TRAI in such a hurry to increase the tariff, while failing to do its
other entrusted tasks? (allowing a 27.5% increase for Pay TV Broadcasters simply means
almost 1000 Crores of extra subscription revenue per annum for the Pay TV Broadcasters).
As the NDA Government has come to power in absolute majority, the Cable TV industry and
the millions of consumers connected have pinned their hopes on Mr. Modi and the new I&B
Minister to look into the following issues on utmost priority.



1. A fair and independent time bound enquiry to be ordered to be conducted by a
Commission or SIT (Special Investigation Team), on the implementation of this Mandatory
Digitization of Cable TV in such a hurry and to take strict penal action against all the
beneficiaries involved and been a party to this Digitization of Cable TV services Scam. In
case it's found that this law was passed to benefit certain beneficiaries then some
relaxation should be extended till the time entire country gets digital, by allowing
Analogue transmission again of about basic 30- 36 TV channels including all the DD
services so that there is no black out experienced of basic TV viewing in case the Set top
box goes faulty or there is a default of payment by the consumer for any unforeseen reason
and the alternative choice is given to the consumers.



2. TRAI the industry regulator has to be immediately instructed to ensure a level
playing field for all the stake holders in the distribution value chain with a prescribed
revenue share arrangement on non-discriminatory terms of doing business, to fix reasonable
and affordable MRP for the Pay TV channels that should benefit the consumers at large and
to ensure that the advertisement cap for the pay TV channels should be lowered to maximum
6 minutes in an hour while there should be no advertisement cap or the existing 10+2
minutes advertisement cap regulation should be made for the FTA free to air for consumers
TV channels.



3. Strict laws to be passed on Cross Media Holdings and to check Monopoly in the Cable
TV industry as of today and strict penal action to be taken in case anyone tries to
circumvent these laws.



4. The Government shall ensure that the Phase - III and Phase - IV of this mandatory
digitization of Cable TV services is only implemented when, there are adequate indigenous
digital Set Top Box manufacturing has been already set up in India, where these STB
manufacturing units will be provided a subsidy on the Excise and VAT till the time
implementation is achieved 100% in the country, as this subsidy in the Excise and VAT will
certainly help the rural India to get digital enabled.



5. Cable TV Industry demands abolishing of the entertainment tax as levied by the
various State Governments, as TV viewing at home, no longer construe as entertainment. It
should be termed as an essential information service.



About National Cable & Television Association (NCTA):



National Cable & Telecommunications Association, formerly the National Cable
Television Forum, is an organization dedicated to the Cable TV and the broadband
telecommunication industry. NCTA is the principal trade association of the Cable
television industry in India. Founded in 1997 NCTA primary mission is to provide its
members with a strong national presence by providing a single, unified voice on issues
affecting the Cable TV and the telecommunications industry keeping with the interest of
the subscribers and customers connected at large.



NCTA represents Cable operators serving more than 80 percent of the nation's Cable
television households, as well as equipment suppliers, programmers and providers of other
services to the Cable & Telecommunication industry. In addition to offering traditional
Cable TV services, NCTA members also provide Digital Cable, IPTV and broadband services
such as high-speed Internet access to customers across India. http://www.ncta.in



Media Contact : Vikki Choudhry, vikki@ncta.in, +91 9811144467, President, NCTA




National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA)


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