Cable, Dth, Satellite Tv
Television viewing has been revolutionized by the services of., the commercial satellites. India, a populous country of one-billion people makes a vast T.V. viewership. No wonder that many foreign satellite companies have jumped in to grab the opportunity. Prominent channels are offering attractive packages of programmes to the viewers through: satellite-cable link ups.
The main players in the field are Star TV, Sony, Sahara, CNBC, CNN< IBN, Zee TV, MTV, Ten Sports etc. The city and metro viewers have a very wide choice of programmes throughout the day and the night. Millions of families today are enjoying interesting, entertaining, educative and thrilling programmes.
For political minded viewers there are Indian news channels in English, Hindi and other regional languages like NDTV, Aaj Tak, Surya, Janmat, India TV., Raj, ETV, Sun TV etc. Then, there are local channels in metros like Delhi. There are a number of cartoon channels for kids„ game show channels, Discovery and National Geographic and History on the menu of foreign companies. The cable TV system based on satellite transmission has reached millions of drawing rooms of the country. There is now never a dull moment. Your choice entertainment fare is at the command of the remote your hand holds.
Satellite cable and DTH systems cater to every conceivable taste. Kids, boys, girls, young persons, adults, old, sports lover, housewives, movie buffs, religious one’s etc. everyone has his own favourite channel or programme. Sometimes there is quarrel amongst the family members to take control of the remote. It happens when favourite programmes of different members are telecast at the same time.
The channels play gimmicks to attract the viewers. Star TV captured the audience with its `Karorepati’ programme presented by Amitabh. Since then it is ruling the roost giving the rivals run for their money. Game show channels are also popular as viewers have chance to win prizes. There are viewers who have made a lot of money through game shows and competitions. The live telecast of cricket games gets everyone glued to the TV sets and life comes to a standstill. For housewives there are a number of soap operas featuring ‘Saas-Bahu’ battles.
Lately, laughter shows have gained great popularity and the mimicry artists have become national stars. Serials have created hundreds of small screen stars. Thus TV has become bread and butter of a large number of actors of various categories.
Lately Doordarshan introduced DTH (Direct to Home) service to save the viewers from the manipulations of cable operators. Tata Sky has come up with its own DTH service. Other players are also likely to join in. The viewers now have several options. The foreign satellite companies beam their programmes from their foreign bases. It keeps them out of the reach of local laws and narrow minded censoring. The viewers get to see undiluted music shows, fashion parades and movies. The channels air scintillating music, flashes of bright colour, rhythmic gyrating movements, shimmering dresses, flesh show and digital hi-tech works. Several old fashioned people think that this invasion from skies is an assault on our native culture. But in the global era they can do little about it.
There is indeed are several negatives in cable TV or DTH viewing. The satellite system has taken its toll on studies, rest, sleep, social life, friendly interaction and joys of talking, conversation and gossiping. Kids and young people neglect their studies or homework and physical game to watch their favourite programmes. It affects adults as well.
Their work schedules and hours of sleep get disturbed because of long and late hours of T.V. viewing. Thus, viewers lose mental poise, beauty sleep, productivity, efficiency and to some extent tolerance. Many of the viewers become T.V. addicts and get reduced to couch potatoes.
Some discipline is definitely required in cable T.V. watching. It should be balanced with physical activities, normal social interaction and devotion of time to work, home-work and rest.
