Madras HC pushes digitisation deadline to 5 November in Chennai

One lakh to face TV blackout in 3 metros from next week
Himanshi Dhawan TNN

New Delhi: Kolkata residents, who are yet to switch to digital set top boxes (STBs), can expect blank screens after the weekend. The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry plans to begin phased blackout in Kolkata to ensure that viewers switch to digital TV over the next few days. The decision comes in the wake of strong protests from West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee exhorting residents not to buy STBs.
An estimated one lakh people could face a blackout in the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata over the next few days.
A day after the digitization deadline kicked in four metros, Delhi and Mumbai reported over 100% shift to digital systems, while Chennai has sought a two-month extension (up to December 31) for completing switchover from analog to digital mode. According to ministry data, digitization in Delhi has gone up to 101%, Mumbai (118%), Kolkata (85%) and Chennai (63%).
About 1.3 lakh STBs were installed in Delhi on October 31 taking the total number installed in the three cities — Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata — to 1.43 lakh. Installation in Chennai has been stayed following the Madras High Court order. The ministry has been on a goslow in Kolkata, and is likely to crack down on multi-system operators (MSOs) soon.
I&B secretary Uday Kumar Varma said that a threepronged strategy had been adopted to ease switchover. `MSOs have been told to keep prices of STBs stable and not to exploit the situation especially since there are reports of shortage of STBs,’’ he said. The ministry has also asked MSOs to make special efforts to reach out to poorer sections with concessional packages.
The I&B secretary also said teams from the ministry were busy making inspections at the ground level.

Courtesy - Times of India,Chennai
 
In chennai 85% of the LCOs have come under govt's Arasu cable corporation. So blackout won't happen evn if there's a delay in digitilization. Btw, I'm still on analog. Infact getting better pic quality from the last few days ...
 
i havn't got the box yet was hoping cabletv guy will call with a good deal, i dont want to pay more than 500 for box he is asking 1000.
but then i have dth also in another tv so not completely blacked out.
I think 1000Rs is the minimum charged for set top box? Even in hyd where there's no blackout,people are charging just 1000 bucks.
 
Me. Reason - Non-availability of STB

U knew this deadline since June/July atleast. So this is really not a reason.
 
U knew this deadline since June/July atleast. So this is really not a reason.
Chennai has sought a two-month extension (up to December 31) for completing switchover from analog to digital mode.

According to ministry data, digitization in Delhi has gone up to 101%, Mumbai (118%), Kolkata (85%) and Chennai (63%).

Can't u get it.Seriously..we wish to buy it..but the product is not available. Most of them paid in advance and still waiting for it.
 
In Mumbai, it was around 70%. Ministry data cannot be relied upon. Local papers are flashing news daily, that so many lakh households are blacked out from November 1. All those who bought it well in advance, are insulated from it. All those who waited for September end or October to start, are telling this thing - we didnt have the product.Please let me clarify, i m not trying to point fingers at u! :) But before the June deadline, some of my relatives actually got digitised, despite the fact that just few days before getting digitised, they saw the news of extension of deadline. It always is advisable in any situation, to be ready in advance, rather than the last minute rush.
 
I think 1000Rs is the minimum charged for set top box? Even in hyd where there's no blackout,people are charging just 1000 bucks.

But i have seen I&B afvt on television stating STB cost Rs 799
 
In Mumbai, it was around 70%. Ministry data cannot be relied upon. Local papers are flashing news daily, that so many lakh households are blacked out from November 1. All those who bought it well in advance, are insulated from it. All those who waited for September end or October to start, are telling this thing - we didnt have the product.

Please let me clarify, i m not trying to point fingers at u! :) But before the June deadline, some of my relatives actually got digitised, despite the fact that just few days before getting digitised, they saw the news of extension of deadline. It always is advisable in any situation, to be ready in advance, rather than the last minute rush.
My brother paid for it 6 months before and still didn't get it. Do u want me to manufacture STB on my own?...LOL
 
Hahaha! Better move to DTH then! DTH surely wasnt in this bad shape - waiting of more than 6 months! :O
 
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