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CAS or conditional access system is a digital mode of transmitting TV channels through a set-top box (STB). The transmission signals are encrypted and viewers need to buy a set-top box to receive and decrypt the signal. The STB is required to watch only pay channels.
The idea of CAS was mooted in 2001, due to a furore over charge hikes by channels and subsequently by cable operators. Poor reception of certain channels; arbitrary pricing and increase in prices; bundling of channels; poor service delivery by Cable Television Operators (CTOs); monopolies in each area; lack of regulatory framework and redress avenues were some of the issues that were to be addressed by implementation of CAS
It was decided by the government that CAS would be first introduced in the four metros. It has been in place in Chennai since September 2003, where until very recently it had managed to attract very few subscribers. It has been rolled out recently in the other three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Benefits of CAS
All the involved players and the viewers (consumers) can benefit greatly CAS is rolled out across the country. However, vested interests and the price of STB's have been some of the reasons for delay in implementation of CAS all over India.
Consumers:
Consumers get the option to choose the channels they want to pay for and view, rather than receiving the whole set of channels that the Cable Operator makes available to them, and hence benefit by having to pay only for the channels they want to watch. Currently, in most of India, there is no segregation and subscribers pay a blanket rate for the entire service.
Cable Operators:
Cable operators get the opportunity to pay a part of the subscription fees to the broadcasters only for the actual number of end users who opt for the channel, rather than all households having cable access. This will help streamline their infrastructure, operations and reduce points of dispute with the MSO's and broadcasters by being able to disclose the exact number of subscribers for each channel.
Broadcasters:
Broadcasters have a long-standing complaint that the Cable Operators under-declare the actual number of subscribers, and hence pass on only a fraction of the paid subscriptions. With a system like this in place, it is possible to address the exact number of subscribers with a cable operator.
Advertisers:
CAS gives a far more accurate indicator of programme popularity with only the actual subscribers of each channel being accounted for.
Government:
Since the issue of addressability ensures a fair degree of transparency in accounting across the entire value chain, it minimizes the loss of revenues to the government through mis-reporting or non-disclosure of actual revenue figures. The government also facilitates the introduction and development of consumer friendly systems like pay per view, interactive programming, etc.
The Indian TV regulatory authority has recommended that all Cable operators be given 5 years to change from the analogue system to the digital platform (July 2008).
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