Yesterday, the cable fraternity had threatened that if no decision were taken by the government on the CAS issue by today, the cable ops would resort to an indefinite blackout from midnight tonight. The decision had been taken unanimously and was supported by distributors owing allegiance to all MSOs in the Mumbai. In the capital, MSOs had adopted a similar strategy since last Friday, resorting to an hour long blackout every day to protest the delay in the implementation of CAS.

"I am hopeful and confident that the amendments to the Cable TV Networks Regulation Act, 1995 will be passed during this session of Parliament," she said to a query from indiantelevision.com, adding that talks with non-NDA party representatives will be held tomorrow on CAS.

"The Bill has not been withdrawn from RS, but only delisted to evolve a consensus on the issue amongst all political parties," she said.

She has conveyed to the cable operators, in the meanwhile, that "pressure tactics" by blacking out TV channels would not work and Parliament cannot be set deadlines to discuss issues. "Such moves are against the dignity of Parliament," the minister said.

The non-NDA party representatives whom Swaraj is meeting tomorrow to evolve a consensus on the CAS issue include Congress‘ Sibal, Nilotpaul Basu of the CPM, Samajwadi Party‘s Amar Singh and Prem Gupta.

"The amendments to the CATV Act were passed in Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Indian Parliament) with unanimity and our endeavour is to do the same in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) too," Swaraj said.

But she admitted that within the CPM (which had been opposing CAS in RS) too there were divisions on CAS. Over the past few days she has held talks with people from other political parties too like RJD, TDP and Biju Janata Dal.

Swaraj stressed on the point that the government is not resorting to "censorship" through CAS and that those who are harping on this fact are "spreading misconceptions."

"The government is not deciding on which channels subscribers should see or not see. All that we are trying to ensure is that consumers are not fleeced by ever-rising cable subscription fees and that even in the free-to-air bouquet there is a good mix of channels from all genres," the minister said to a question on indirect censorship.

She likened the latest initiatives to a thali where a consumer can have paneer (cottage cheese) and meat too if he can afford it (that means the pay channels) or can go in a for a simple one course meal of FTA channels for a nominal fee.

She also said that with CAS gaining currency in the country the prices of set top boxes (STBs) are likely to fall drastically.

"I have been given to understand that even if 20 per cent of the total existing cable homes go in for CAS and have to buy STBs, then the volume of business will have a STB being priced between Rs. 1,700-2,000 (a far cry from the Rs. 4,000 for which a STB can be had now)," she said.

She also felt that with the passage of time various business models would evolve for supply of STBs. According to her there may be some subscribers who may buy a STB outright, then there may be some who pay a nominal rent per month for a STB installed by the cable operator and there can be a situation where the broadcasters having pay channels will supply STBs to subscribers almost free so that their pay channels can be seen and accessed.

Anurradha Prasad, CMD, B.A.G. Films, revealed to indiantelevision.com, that her production house had worked out a deal with Star India where the rights over the serial would return to B.A.G. one year after the serial ends telecast on Star Plus. This indeed, should come as good news for producers who often complain of losing the rights over their best products once it went on air.

Addionally, Prasad said B.A.G. had some major initiatives lined up. "We are in the process of setting up a huge convergence studio in Film City, Noida. Besides, we are simultaneously working on the setting up of a media institute - Indian School of Media and Entertainment (ISME). This institute will cater primarily to the TV industry and will provide specialised two year courses in various disciplines of film-making," informed Prasad.

B.A.G. PLANS IPO: Prasad also disclosed that her company was contemplating bringing out a public issue within the next four to six months. It should be interesting to see whether B.AG. is able to follow through on that plan considering the depressed market scenario.

Manu Sawhney, managing director of ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd., said: "I believe a combination of exciting India playing one-day cricket, the exclusive nature of live telecast on ESPN, and ESPN STAR Sports being the highest penetrated encrypted channels across India helped us deliver the record ratings."

More audiences tuned in for the entire duration of India batting telecast on ESPN (over 4 hours) recording a phenomenal average of 11.5 TVR for all C&S homes 4+ category, and 15.3 TVR for Male, 15+, SEC ABC, all India, the target group for the sports channels, the release states.

Next up for ESPN Star Sports is the live and exclusive telecast of the India-England test series begins on Star Sports on Thursday, 25 July.