When Tanzania decided to shift from analogue television signal to digital on Ddecember 31, 2012; four channels were offered freely by Pay TV services providers as they are financed by government subsidy. The channels include Independent Television (ITV),Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), Star TV and Channel Ten.
However more than a month now it's only few Pay TV service providers such as Star Media Tanzania, Agape Media and Basic Transmissions (Digitek and Continental decoders) are offering the service while other providers such as ZUKU, Azam Media and Mult Choice (DSTV) opted only for two channels which are TBC and Channel Ten.
TCRA spokesperson Innocent Mungy said they are still considering wether to extend the free-to-air channels or stop the plan and leave it to viewers to pay for all channels to the Pay TV providers.
"For the past few years since adaptation of digital migration the government subsidised subscription burden on behalf of the people. We are still negotiating with the government on wether or not to extend the service. The initial plan comes to an end this month and it will either be a business of subscribers to pay for service." He said
However the regulator said the law is very clear that TBC is a free-to-air channel to all Pay TV services providers. Mr Mungy added that the government will issue official statement later this month on wether it will extend the service or not.
On the other hand Azam Sales Manager, Mr John Bele, told 'Daily News' that their company and other providers have agreed with TCRA to suspend free-to-air channels for two reasons. First the free to air channels are burden to government and second they prevent them from doing business as a viewer may opt to watch the free four channels instead of paying for the full package to watch other channels.
"There is no need for majority subscribers to pay for TV service if they get ITV, Channel Ten, Startv, Clouds Tv and TBC. If all these channels are free we cannot do business and thus investment costs go up, all the payment made by subscribers, a portion is basically channelled to the government in tax." He said
Nevertheless some of viewers such as Mr Mwansoka Mulimba, who is a resident of Dar Es Salaam complained that he has not been viewing his TV channels due to lack of money to subscribe. The irritated customer said he was initially bent on free-to-air channels when he ran off credit, but now he can only watch TBC. “I just need to pay to watch other channels.
I have no choice but my worry is on the poor families who hardly get end meet,” he said.
Source:Daily News
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