Initiative of digitising Cable TV sector on track: Javadekar

Says third and fourth phase will be completed in 2015 and 2016 respectively

The government's initiative of digitising the Cable TV sector is on track and the third phase of the Digitisation drive will be completed by 2015 while the fourth phase by 2016, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.

"Digitisation is on track and we are going to complete the third phase in 2015 and fourth phase in 2016. That's what our committment is," he said.

Asserting that the I&B Ministry is not in favour of delaying the process, he said, "We are not delaying because we want Digital India to happen. Every person living in a rural area has the right that he should also get digital presentation."

The I&B Ministry has recently issued a notification as per which the deadline for the areas which came under Phase III of the Digitisation drive has been extended from September 30, 2014 to December 31, 2015. For Phase IV, the deadline is now December 31, 2016 from the earlier date of December 31, 2014.

Javadekar, who was speaking at an event organised by CII, said that there was immense potential in the media and entertainment sector.

"You must think big....To say in 2014 that by 2020 our media and entertainment, which is already a 50 billion dollar industry, we'll grow only double is not correct. Let us understand there is tremendous scope, we must aim high," he said.

Javadekar said that the people needed food, clothing and shelter and after that they also need health, education and entertainment. He said that there can be a more ambitious target than 100 billion dollars for the media and entertainment industry.

He said that the "fantastic" archives of Doordarshan and All India Radio will be digitised.

"We are digitising it and we have already issued an Expression of Interest and six companies have already shown interest," he said. The best of the programmes in the archives can be clubbed together, can be rebranded and can be even put on even on the mobile apps, he said.