The Show, which was immensely successful, was attended by 10,000 cable operators, traders, manufacturers, channel partners, distributors, broadcasters and MSOs from across India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Leading satellite channels and MSOs like the Zee, Akash, ATN, ATN Bangla and others participated in the Show.

Over 20,000 visitors also attended the Cable TV Show. “We have very successfully highlighted in details the problems being faced by the CATV sector in the country and brought in the cable operators, multiple system operators (MSOs) and broadcasters under one roof,” said Pawan Jajodia, chairman, Exhibition Committee 2004, CTMA. “The Cable TV Show was unique as it showcased the latest products and technologies in the cable industry to the channel broadcasters, MSOs, cable operators, equipment manufacturers, traders and the public,” he said.

The Show also discussed some of the pressing issues of the cable sector by holding discussions, presentations and seminars on burning topics like addressability, Ku-band, technology, need for a regulatory body etc.

Nearly 45 international participants from USA, UK, Canada, Germany, China, Belgium, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taiwan, Spain and Korea, represented hardware and software sectors at the Show through their dealer networks.

Cable TV (CATV) has reached over 48 million households in India and is now a Rs 7,500-crore per annum industry. CTMA believes that the CATV industry will become more organised with the setting up of a regulatory body.

Chief Guest Rajya Sabha MP Sarla Maheshwari inaugurated the three-day event. In her inaugural speech, Mrs Maheshwari warned that the conditional access system (CAS) will neither help the viewers nor the cable operators and end up helping the big players like the broadcasters.

“There is a lot of ignorance and confusion about CAS in the country and the Union government had decided to launch it without even understanding the actual situation prevailing in the cable market or evaluating the consequences of introducing such a system,” she said. “As far as CAS is concerned, the viewers in India continue to be in the dark regarding the technology, its procurement, the cost and other vital aspects. Why should we introduce a new technology if it would not benefit the common people?”

Top representatives of some of the leading broadcasting companies, MSOs and cable companies attended the conference that held seminars on burning issues related to the industry.

The Pavilion of Zee Turner was adjudged the Best Pavilion and Manthan pavilion was declared the 2nd Best Pavilion. Amongst the Multiple Stalls Category Abhishek Enterprises and Sancheti Electronics were adjudged Joint Winners. Globetek Infosys came 2ND in the Multiple Stalls Category. In the Single Stall Category Sam International Infotech was declared as the Best Stall followed by one of the stalls of Zee Electronics as the 2ND Best Stall.

Currently, the Cable TV sector has completed 13 years of operations in India. It is now almost Rs 7,500 crore (per annum) industry. CATV started in India in 1991 and a free-for-all situation prevailed for the first five years. During the past 13 years, the connectivity has increased from a mere 1000 homes (in 1991) to 48 million cable homes at present.

Glimpses of CABLE TV SHOW 2004 Exhibition & Seminar