This four-part series on the conditional access system will examine its impact on television viewers, broadcasters and advertisers. First, the viewers.
Is the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2002, consumer friendly? Will the subscription rates for cable TV go up or down? Will the pay channels become free-to-air? These are the questions being raised about the conditional access system (CAS) scheduled to be implemented in July.
One of the main benefits of the new system will be consumer choice. According to Information and Broadcasting Secretary Pawan Chopra the consumer will be king.