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CAS to benefit viewers, bring transparency: Sushma

Introduction of an addressable system for pay channel viewing through the cable network would give choice to the consumer to pay for only those channels that he chooses to view and bring transparency in the viewing figures, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Lok Sabha.

The subscriber need not necessarily bear the cost of set-top boxes needed for viewing the pay channels through Conditional Access System and it could be met by broadcasters or cable service providers or subscribers or a combination depending on the market dynamics, she said in a written reply.

Stating that the viewers stand to benefit through this system, she said it is proposed to amend the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, to empower the government to mandate in a phased manner installation of the system.

Direct-to-Home service generally targets a niche audience with higher paying capacity who would like to view more channels, including premium ones, she said.

A Task Force set up to examine all aspects related to CAS had recommended, among other things, mandatory viewing of pay channels through a set-top box.

It also recommended that free-to-air channels could be received by subscribers in the current mode without the set-top box and that unauthorised viewing or distribution of broadcast signal should be made a cognizable offence.

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