Infrastructure Key To Digital Broadcasting, Media To Parliament

Appearing before the National Assembly committee on Energy and Communication, ADN, a consortium of Citizen TV, KTN, NTV and QTV, wants the government to allow it up to May 30th, 2015 to put in place the appropriate infrastructure.

The media houses argued that they are not opposed to the digital migration but to the hurry.

Nation Media Group chairman Wilfred Kiboro informed the committee that the digital migration issue is sensitive and that it touches on the rights of Kenyans and thus a need to handle it with sensitivity.

GOOD PROGRAMMING

Kiboro further informed the committee that the free to air business model depends on who is able to watch television and who can afford to watch smart television.

He noted that the number of set top boxes is available to Kenyans and in the Kenyan market is vital.

Royal Media Services chairman Dr. S.K. Macharia told the committee that the media houses are ready to migrate once they have set up their infrastructure and transmitters.

Dr. Macharia argued that the digital migration should not affect viewership negatively but should enhance it. He further noted that viewership is based on good programming whereas pay television is based on number of subscriptions and that there is a need to safeguard Kenyans from being dupped to purchase pay TV.

Mr. Kiboro noted that the set top boxes to be imported by ADN will be free to air with no monthly subscriptions or any other hidden charges.

By Maureen Murimi