R.B
JF-Expert Member
- May 10, 2012
- 6,296
- 2,575
Mamlaka ya mawasiliano Tanzania TCRA ipo kwenye mchakato wa kusitisha huduma za Chaneli za TV bure.
Hii ni kusaidia kupunguza mzigo wa gharama kwa serikali.
Hayo yamesemwa na meneja wa TCRA Bw. Innocent Mungi.
Awali chanel zilizokuwa zinaonyeshwa bure ni ITV, StarTV, TBC, Channel Ten.
My Take: Huu nimeuchukulia kama usanii wa kutuhadaa watanzania tuhamie digitali na sasa wametugeuka. Kweli nimeamini hamna "Free Lunch" kwenye dunia ya kibepari!
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TCRA mulls Pay TV ‘free-to-air channels’ suspension
The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is considering whether to suspend free-to-air channels on pay TV services later this month to cut operational costs.
Since December 31, 2012 when Tanzania became the first country in mainland Sub- Saharan Africa to switch off its analogue television signal to digital, it was offering four free-to-air channels but now the regulator is considering freezing the plan.
Initially, Independent Television (ITV), StarTV, Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and Channel Ten were offered freely by pay TV service providers under special government arrangements.
But for more than a month now, only the licensed multiplex operators Star Media Tanzania, Agape Media and Basic Transmissions (Digitek and Continental decoders) are offering the service while other operators; ZUKU, Azam Media and Multi choice opted for TBC and Channel Ten respectively.
Immediately consumers have raised dismay as to why the highly expected free-toview channels demanded subscription.
TCRA Spokesperson Innocent Mungy said the regulator was equally considering whether to extend the free-to-air channel arrangement or put the plan on ice.
He said for the past few years since the adaptation of digital migration, the government subsidised subscription burden on behalf of the people. “We’re still negotiating with the government on whether or not to extend the service.
The initial plan comes to an end this month and it will either be a business of subscribers to pay for service,” he said. The regulator observed that the law is very clear for the public broadcasting channel -TBC which will be freely aired.
According to Mr Mungy, the government will issue official statement later this month on whether it will extend the service or not. Azam Sales Manager, Mr John Bele, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that the company and other operators had reached an understanding with the regulator to suspend free-to-air channels.
He maintained that the initial arrangement was a huge burden to the government yet, it denied revenues. “All the payment made by subscribers, a portion is basically channelled to the government in tax.
This also allows channels to operate effectively,” he told the ‘Daily News’. According to him, operational costs have become relatively high pushing for new mechanism -suspending non-public channels.
“There is no need for majority subscribers to pay for TV service if they get ITV, Channel Ten, Startv, Clouds Tv and TBC. If all these channels are free we cannot do business and thus investment costs go up,” he detailed.
Mr Mwansoka Mulimba, a Pay TV subscriber in Dar es Salaam, complained earlier that he has not been viewing his TV owing to lack of money to subscribe.
The irritated customer said he was initially bent on free-to-air channels when he ran off credit, but now he can only watch TBC. “I just need to pay to watch other channels.
I have no choice but my worry is on the poor families who hardly get end meet,” he said.
Source: Daily News
Hii ni kusaidia kupunguza mzigo wa gharama kwa serikali.
Hayo yamesemwa na meneja wa TCRA Bw. Innocent Mungi.
Awali chanel zilizokuwa zinaonyeshwa bure ni ITV, StarTV, TBC, Channel Ten.
My Take: Huu nimeuchukulia kama usanii wa kutuhadaa watanzania tuhamie digitali na sasa wametugeuka. Kweli nimeamini hamna "Free Lunch" kwenye dunia ya kibepari!
========
TCRA mulls Pay TV ‘free-to-air channels’ suspension
The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is considering whether to suspend free-to-air channels on pay TV services later this month to cut operational costs.
Since December 31, 2012 when Tanzania became the first country in mainland Sub- Saharan Africa to switch off its analogue television signal to digital, it was offering four free-to-air channels but now the regulator is considering freezing the plan.
Initially, Independent Television (ITV), StarTV, Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and Channel Ten were offered freely by pay TV service providers under special government arrangements.
But for more than a month now, only the licensed multiplex operators Star Media Tanzania, Agape Media and Basic Transmissions (Digitek and Continental decoders) are offering the service while other operators; ZUKU, Azam Media and Multi choice opted for TBC and Channel Ten respectively.
Immediately consumers have raised dismay as to why the highly expected free-toview channels demanded subscription.
TCRA Spokesperson Innocent Mungy said the regulator was equally considering whether to extend the free-to-air channel arrangement or put the plan on ice.
He said for the past few years since the adaptation of digital migration, the government subsidised subscription burden on behalf of the people. “We’re still negotiating with the government on whether or not to extend the service.
The initial plan comes to an end this month and it will either be a business of subscribers to pay for service,” he said. The regulator observed that the law is very clear for the public broadcasting channel -TBC which will be freely aired.
According to Mr Mungy, the government will issue official statement later this month on whether it will extend the service or not. Azam Sales Manager, Mr John Bele, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that the company and other operators had reached an understanding with the regulator to suspend free-to-air channels.
He maintained that the initial arrangement was a huge burden to the government yet, it denied revenues. “All the payment made by subscribers, a portion is basically channelled to the government in tax.
This also allows channels to operate effectively,” he told the ‘Daily News’. According to him, operational costs have become relatively high pushing for new mechanism -suspending non-public channels.
“There is no need for majority subscribers to pay for TV service if they get ITV, Channel Ten, Startv, Clouds Tv and TBC. If all these channels are free we cannot do business and thus investment costs go up,” he detailed.
Mr Mwansoka Mulimba, a Pay TV subscriber in Dar es Salaam, complained earlier that he has not been viewing his TV owing to lack of money to subscribe.
The irritated customer said he was initially bent on free-to-air channels when he ran off credit, but now he can only watch TBC. “I just need to pay to watch other channels.
I have no choice but my worry is on the poor families who hardly get end meet,” he said.
Source: Daily News
