MIB claims 85% digitisation achieved in 4 metros; pooh-poohs private media surveys

Taking into account DTH, the percentage of digitisation has gone up to 90 per cent, with Mumbai almost at 100%

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | October 29, 2012

As per the latest figures computed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting  on Digitisation for the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the percentage of digitisation has reached 85 per cent. This figure has been achieved by considering digitisation of only cable homes. Taking into account DTH, the percentage of digitisation has gone up to 90 per cent.

Metro-wise progress shows that Mumbai has nearly achieved 100 per cent digitisation. Delhi has achieved 83 per cent digitisation of Cable Homes and with DTH the percentage is 88 per cent. In Kolkata, cable homes have reached 80 per cent digitisation and with DTH the percentage goes up to 82 per cent. In Chennai, cable homes are showing 61 per cent digitisation and together with DTH, the percentage goes up to 85 per cent.

It has also been observed that there is a sharp increase in the number of set-top boxes being installed. In the last few days, the average number of STBs installed has jumped to almost 50,000 boxes per day. As per data provided by DTH operators, the DTH sector has also been making steady progress. Daily installation of DTH connections in the four metro cities has gone up to 8,000 boxes per day from an average of about 2,000 boxes a few weeks back. The total number of DTH connections in the four metros is given in the table below:

MIB also remarked in its statement issued on Friday, October 26, 2012, "Recently some reports have been published, questioning the data being used by the ministry for computing the progress made towards digitisation. It has also been reported that some field surveys have been conducted to assess the progress made in the digitisation process. On examination by MIB, it has been found that these organisations relied on certain industry reports only for collation of data. Even the data source has not been quoted and elaborated upon. On perusal, it has been found that the surveys and analyses have not provided details of the sample size, sampling methodology, details of field visits and areas covered in the four metros, number of respondents, details of questionnaire, period of survey, etc."

The statement further said, "It is pertinent to mention that the total number of TV households in the four metros is around 83 lakh as per Census 2011.  Any survey, therefore, should be statistically valid for such a large size. It has also been observed that the data quoted from the Census about the total number of household and the TV penetration does not match with the Census data!  In fact, the source for percentage of TV penetration has been taken from some industry reports whereas the figures given by Census are much in variance with the data taken from the industry sources. The data quoted for DTH subscribers has been taken from Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) which does not represent the DTH operators. The data given by the ministry is based on the data directly taken from the DTH operators and the Multi-System Operators on a daily basis."

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