Cable TV Show 2017 inaugurated in Kolkata

The three-day event from Jan 4 to 6 (11am to 7pm), is a much-awaited annual affair organized by Kolkata-based Cable TV Equipments Traders & Manufacturers Association (CTMA).

Cable TV Show 2017 is the 20th annual show organized by CTMA.

There are 20 pavilions and 70 stalls put up this year for showcasing a wide range of state-of-the-art products and services related to the cable industry.

"With the steady digitization of cable television sector and the Digital India campaign, the scope and importance of Cable Television (CATV) has increased manifold. The CATV sector has come a long way to become an organized sector and one that is an important player in promoting digitalization through the spread of broadband Internet services in the country. This year the CABLE TV SHOW is sponsored by Darkhorse, Euro Digital is the co-sponsor,” said  Pawan Jajodia, Treasurer & Chairman Exhibition, CTMA. Aishwarya Technologies, Globetek Infoway, Inno Instrument, RailTel, Meghbala, Cloudsky Broadband are associate sponsors the Cable TV Show 2017.

More than 10,000 cable operators, traders, manufacturers, channel partners, distributors, broadcasters and Multi-System Operators (MSOs) from across India and overseas vendors are participating in the Cable TV Show 2017.

The Cable TV sector is poised for a major leap forward with digitalization that will empower the viewers and enhance transparency and accountability and thus eliminate lots of anomalies that have been plaguing the sector.

“Digitization of delivery of Cable TV service through set-top box is now in its final and crucial lap as the whole of India would be covered in Phase IV by 31st March 2017. The digital-delivery-enabled networks are now ready to be taken to the next level of delivering value-added services like broadband internet service, movies on demand, pay per view channels, games, education etc.,” said K K Binani, Secretary, CTMA.

“Cable TV sector is poised for some sweeping transformation under regulatory intervention. The draft tariff order under consultation by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will bring the addressable services from all delivery platforms like MSO, HITS, DTH and IPTV under common regulation. The viewer may pay for only the channels that he wishes to view/subscribe. Pay channel broadcasters will have to announce a genre and MRP for each of the channels on offer. They must provide channels on terms universal to all delivery platforms. This would make the entry of new entrants feasible. Carriage fee is also proposed to be regulated,”  Binani said.

“Cable TV service is now available in digital mode in India and the whole country would be covered by March 31, 2017. This has been a game-changer that has transformed the cable sector. The number of licenses issued for downlinking satellite channels into the country has crossed 850 channels and the viewer is spoilt for choice with most of the MSOs providing 400 plus channels covering a wide genre and languages. The Cable TV networks in India are ready to play an important role in helping Internet penetration across India and help the Digital India campaign,” said  Rajesh Doshi, President, CTMA.