The number of TV channels has been burgeoning ever since the onset of the media revolution. Even the cable rentals are very nominal at around Rs 250 per month reaching the pockets of even middle-class people. But suddenly, the new decision of the Government of India is giving tremors for many channel heads.
The decision involves the idea of making all the TV channels paid, and increasing the monthly cable rentals to Rs 600 or above per subscriber. If this happens, then many may protest and disconnect the existing connections and rely on the free youtube versions of the respective channels. If that happens, the TRPs of almost all the channels would come down. Then the ad revenues hit very hard and become troublesome to make both ends meet by any channel.
Anticipating this, many TV channel heads are holding their heads in tension. Some say that Govt is intentionally taking this step to reduce the impact of some TV channels those may project anti-incumbency factors before elections.