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TV Serials and reality shows return with a complete make over. Why? Explains Cable Quest.

Television in the recent years has emerged as the biggest Infotainer. It comes with a complete package carrying information along with entertainment .Programmes telecast on the number of general entertainment channels (GEC) clearly project the paradigm shift in the viewers choice. ‘Saas bahu’ sagas loosing the TRP made senior executives of some of the popular GEC’s to conduct a research. The fiction as well as non fiction content had enough potential to tap. The channels innovated with the plots. The entire gamut of serials on various channels have female protagonist but in a different ‘avatar’.

Content Matters… a Nostalgia

Roop Sharma brings to the readers how the urgently required content code bill lies pending in the government files. With deteriorating content of the entire gamut of TV programmes, why the government is oblivious of the Indian sensibilities? 

Whenever a serial or a reality show breaks the morality norm, the country and the Gover-nment jump to action. Show cause notices to the channels and apology scrolls run by them seem a mere eyewash. 'Sach ka Saamna', is not the first show that has generated controversy and invited public wrath. I can't even imagine a single day when parents and kids watch a TV show together. Not only shows but the advertisements are also insensitive and sensationalizing. The decency is completely missing today. 

BROADBAND

Migrating to All-Digital

Pa rt-I

Over the past few years, the cable industry has been adding digitally modulated signals to the downstream spectrum to accommodate high-speed data, digital video, video-on-demand (VOD) and voice. A few operators have done something called digital simulcast, where most or all of the analog TV channels are duplicated in the digital lineup. The latter allows subs to receive all services with a single digital set-top box.

Content Worries

Recession is fading and a lot needs to be done. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh's speech on the Independence Day brings hope. Despite droughts in many parts of the country he assured the country men that the government was taking adequate measures to make the economy better. Lets see... 

To talk of the industry, the Television content in India is in flux. Previously one single channel enjoyed the monopoly as the channel’s popularity relied on a programme’s popularity. But, now things have changed. Viewers have a lot to choose from. The loyalty is programme based rather than channel based. Presently four to five GEC channels are vying for the top slot but, their position changes weekly, depending on each episode of the popular programme. Reality TV is in vogue these days. Be it talent shows, comedy shows or entertainment. Some shows are indigenous while others have borrowed from western concepts. 

September 2009

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 -- TRAI further extended the date for submission of information by the stakeholders for tariff issues for Cable TV services in Non-CAS area till 22 September' 09.

Reliability and QoS in CATV Industry

With the digital technology becoming cheaper and fast developments in the telecom and broadcast field, the cable television industry in India is undergoing a vital change, from a disorganised mom and pop service to a much organised affair on a large scale. Surprisingly it is not the new comers who are initiating the changes, instead it is the same unorganised units who started this industry, who are fast upgrading their networks keeping in mind the future requirements. 

CAS or conditional access regulation has been the biggest prime mover for this second revolution in the cable TV industry. All the big MSOs are transforming their analog networks to digital with the result that their franchisees have to maintain the same standards to provide better services to their subscribers. Even the independent cable operators are installing digital headends and consolidating the neighbourhood networks with HFC networking. Fiber is also being used extensively by the rural area operators to cover long distance. 

Waiting for Godot

Roop Sharma enlightens the readers on the continued exploitation of the cable industry. The industry still awaits its due. 

Holy war of cable operators continues, but, on some false promises and never die optimism. The present attitude of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), tilts towards four large broadcasters, who own more than eighty channels. Both the broadcasters and TRAI are taking 60,000 cable operators and 80 Million consumers for a ride.