With just 20 days left for the conditional access system roll out in the four metros, the Indian broadcasters on Tuesday met Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and suggested putting in place a regulatory mechanism for broadcasters.
The broadcasters, comprising representatives from Zee, Aaj Tak, NDTV and Sahara, were of the view that a regulatory authority for broadcasting could be separated from the Convergence Bill, since it was not known how long its passage would take, sources said in New Delhi.
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Some broadcasters also met Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray, who had been opposing CAS, in Mumbai on Monday. A delegation of broadcasters is also likely to meet the Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshit, an opponent of the measure, urging her not to make CAS a political debate.
The sources said the broadcasters impressed upon the minister that Star wanted CAS to be delayed, as their television ratings would drop since its direct-to-home proposal was still in the pipeline.
The broadcasters also welcomed the setting up of a CAS implementation committee, which had representatives from all the broadcasters.
Among those in the delegation were G Krishnan (Aaj Tak), Mahesh Prasad (Sahara), Narayan Rao (NDTV) and Jawahar Goel (Zee).