Cable TV digitisation deadline for Kolkata extended to January 15

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Kolkata cable operators have received a huge respite as the deadline to go digital in the city has been extended till January 15. The operators were stuck between the stalemate between the central government's campaign to go digital by December 27 while the state government opposed the move.

"In a meeting recently, it has been decided that the deadline should be extended. We have got temporary respite till Jan 15," said Swapan Chowdhury, convener of the Cable Operators Digitalisation Committee of the Association of Cable Operators in the city.

"Despite the extension we are still sandwiched between the information and broadcasting ministry's orders and the state government. They are yet to reach a solid conclusion," said Chowdhury.

Operators are of the view that the 100 percent digitisation is impossible to achieve despite the extension of the deadline.

"At the moment, only 60 percent of consumers have acquired the set-top box necessary to switch over to the digital platform. By Jan 15, we expect the numbers to be around 80 to 85 percent, but 100 percent conversion cannot be achieved so soon," said Chowdhury.

Chowdhury further says English and Hindi channels are off the air whereas regional Bengali channels are still up and running. "Most of the English and Hindi channels have been blocked, but a few popular channels are on. The Bengali channels are still on the air," Chowdhury added.

Source: Zee News

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