Analog Cable-TV Service Costs Tk 12,000Cr Yearly: Minister

The government loses Tk 10,000-12,000 in revenue every year as the cable operators are not digitized their services, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday.

''The government loses Tk 10,000-12,000 crore as cable operators are reporting fewer numbers than the actual television subscribers of 4.5 crores,'' he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

Cable operators were supposed to digitize their services in Dhaka and Chattogram by December last and implement it all over the country by June next, he added.

Asked about giving time to cable operators for digitization, the minister said it will be decided after discussions with them.

''Cable operators are now collecting money at their will, but when the system is digitized, we’ll fix the rate,'' he said.

Thirty-four of the 45 approved television channels are now broadcasting programs regularly in the country, Hasan Mahmud said.

Asked about BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail, he said it is the jurisdiction of the court.

He also accused BNP of protecting the interest of Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman instead of people’s one.

Source: UNB