After Thackeray threat, CAS finds voice again

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said recently that the conditional access system (CAS) for cable television was anti-consumer.
His statement had the effect of an angry parent gate-crashing a clangoros teenage party.
Almost everybody who was making a loud case for CAS shut up. Multisystem Operators (MSOs) went into "no-comment" mode, most political supporters of the set-top box system were stunned into silence, pay channels opposing CAS suppressed a grin and smaller fry like cable operators quickly did a U-turn and convened meetings hailing the leader’s vision.
Suddenly, implementing CAS has become a matter of daring, at least in Mumbai, with the Sena-BJP house divided down the middle on the issue.
However, CAS supporters seem to be finding their voice again. In the first of a series of round-tables on CAS held by the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) on June 3, there seemed to be a consensus among consumers, cable operators, MSOs and broadcasters that implementing the new system was the correct step. Even Star TV, so far viewed as averse to CAS, declared that it was in favour of the new system, according to an IMC official.
Many suggestions were made at the meet. Some parties suggested that the government should encourage domestic set-top box manufacturers by giving them excise duty concessions. In addition, it was felt that consumers should be able to choose their cable operator and the cable operator should be able to choose his MSO, thus reducing the scope for exploitation and monopoly.
Contrary to Mr Thackeray’s claims that the CAS would financially burden the consumer, cable operators will provide between 70 and 90 free-to-air channels for a basic package of Rs 72 plus taxes.
At the IMC Monday round-table, the tables seemed to have been turned. Cable operators, who were widely believed to be underdeclaring connections to MSOs and pay channels and bullying the consumer, seemed insecure about CAS. They feared the new system and direct-to-home technology could ease them out of business. However, the IMC promised that it would facilitate the fixing of tariffs and revenue sharing between MSOs and operators. The operators were otherwise enthusiastic about CAS, IMC officials said.
However, last week, the Cable Operators and Distributors Association was the first one to hurriedly call a meeting in Kandivali to welcome Mr Thackeray’s decision to oppose CAS. The participants included ten distributors, such as Sadanand Kadam, Suvarna Amonkar and John Win.
"CAS is nothing but a way to make the middle class pay more for the affordable cable service," said Mr Kadam. Parroting what Mr Thackeray said on Friday, he added, "A big corporate house is trying to get complete hold of the cable business. CAS is being introduced to help the corporate house... Pay channels and Kirit Somiya (the BJP MP who is a vocal champion of CAS) are hand in glove (on the issue) to earn more money."
Speaking on condition of anonymity, some of the same operators said they whole-heartedly support CAS, but convened the meeting so as not to displease the Sena chief. The fear is already palpable. One person still sticking to his line is Mr Somaiya.
He said, "All concerns of Thackerayji and Venkaiahji (BJP president Venkaiah Naidu) will be taken care of. A comparison of the present exploitation and the new system is necessary. CAS is a customer protection system with 70 channels for Rs 72. Also, you don’t pay for the channels you don’t want."