To move to the digital system in television broadcasting is an ideal which the government must pursue with greater vigour. Digital cable TV will not only ensure better picture quality, choice of channels and interactive services, but also allow the industry to flourish. It will also bring greater transparency in the subscriber base and a huge cut in carriage fees channels pay cable operators. Digital is the way to go for the industry as well as the country.
In a populous nation like India, the switchover comes at a cost due to the sheer numbers involved, but that should not stop the switchover as there will be sufficient savings in taking signals directly into homes rather than through cables. The need to know who is using the services and at what input cost is also important in order to move on to a more modern system that will not be held hostage by the whims of the old cable industry that thought nothing of scarring cities in an ugly manner with the cables all over the urban landscape.
Having taken the decision to insist on the upgrade in technology, and accomplishing it in Phase 1 covering the four metros, the government can’t be seen to allow the deadline to be constantly moved in Phase 2 covering 35 cities with a population of a million-plus. Logistics may require some more time for the switchover, but that should take away nothing from the will to enforce the decision, which is in the national interest.