C&P: Dirty Secrets Behind NTV,KTN And CITIZEN TV On Monday high court judge Manyanja ruled against the Media Owners plea of suspending digital migration which would see many screens blur. They reacted by switching off the stations as a way of protesting. The reasoning they give to the layman is a hogwash saying the migration will lock out many people who can't afford,they want the public to feel that they are emphatic but as you are about to realise,its all a sham and a huge scandal. A few years ago, the Kenyan government invited tenders for the distribution of digital signal amid pressure from the International Telecommunication Union that was pushing to abandon the outdated analogue signal (with the worldwide deadline being June 2015). At the end of the process, Signet and PAN won the tender, edging out a consortium of that included Citizen, NTV and KTN. Despite losing, the three broadcasters loathing the fact that they would have to pay KBC-affiliated Signet and the Chinese firm pushed the government to approve a third licence. But CCK rejected, claiming it was set aside for a telecommunication firm. Since then they've been pulling a number of tricks and stunts e.g. Removing their channels from both the Startimes and signet bouquets. KTN, NTV and Citizen have no problem with the migration.That's not really what they are fighting. They know it is inevitable and they can't stop it. What they want and the reason they all came together like loving brothers and sisters is because they want to be the supplier of YOUR set box (e.g. like Startimes). Why? So that they can charge you a monthly fee. It's a different way to earn revenue from TV, like the Zuku's and DSTVs! They however did not win that tender and that's why they are fighting and delaying the migration in the name of "the public ain't ready". Another fear is competition. Once the digital migration is effective, a lot of content will be available on different platforms. The big three are worried of losing their monopolistic grip of the advertisement industry. These stations entirely depend on advertisement so in the case many competitors gets into the market then their revenue will undoubtedly be affected. Now you understand their little fear. Many Kenyans especially online were unamused and the blackout got a backlash reception.

We should just get through this migration as quickly as possible. Interactive TV stands to benefit the masses in a great way. If these media houses can see the monetary potential of this migration then they can come up with strategies for encouraging people to embrace this technology. We should collaborate in this migration.

What the future holds...You will start seeing things like Safaricom TV, Mavuno church TV, Gor Mahia TV, Wakulima TV etc...Going forward, what station people choses to watch shall be purely based on quality and relevance of content. The issue of "we have the widest coverage in the country" is no longer applicable. TV stations will have to be creative to attract viewers.

@ from 2011, apologies accepted. You are a gentleman and sorry for my overreaction. Merry Christmas.

Reminds me of this story in the BD sometime back Safaricom set to enter pay TV market