Black Out in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata for Analog TV / Cable Signals

Media reports and our channel checks indicate that following the Phase 1 deadline of October 31, analog signals in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata have been largely blacked out. Despite opposition from some political parties (TMC, Shiv Sena, BJP) and a few LCOs and small MSOs, we believe government’s stringency in enforcing the blackout so far exemplifies its seriousness on digitisation.

Ad, SMS campaigns and special offers (Videocon and Airtel offering free box on annual packages) have intensified considerably over the past few days, spurring demand for set top boxes. 

Over the past 10 days, there has been a huge surge in digital subscriber additions in the three cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. As per MIB data, on October 30, ~0.1mn boxes were installed in metros, of which 0.06mn were in Delhi alone. Mumbai has already achieved 100% digitisation. Due to the late surge over the past few days, Delhi has completed 95% digitisation (97% including DTH), Kolkata has completed 83% (85% including DTH), while Chennai remains almost inert at 62% (86% including DTH). MIB has also collated DTH data for metros from DTH operators. As per the data, Delhi has 1mn DTH subscribers, Mumbai 0.75mn, followed by Chennai and Kolkata at 0.71mn and 0.32mn, respectively.

On October 31, Mumbai High Court dismissed a petition filed by LCOs to delay the Phase 1 deadline. The Madras High Court has granted interim relief to analog subscribers in Chennai by extending the deadline to November 5.