English Essay/Paragraph/Speech on “Cable TV and Dish TV Culture in India” for Kids and Students for Class 8, 9, 10, Class 12 and Graduation Examination

Cable TV and Dish TV Culture in India

If the 1980’s was the decade of the cable T.V., then the 1990’s would unquestionably be the Sky TV (Satellite Broadcasting). The last ten years have seen the world of television broadcasting undergo technological revolution. The cable T.V. and the sky T.V. and more so the synthesis of the two has resulted in a phenomenal increase in the available channels of television and video entertainment. Satellite broadcasting has opened up new vistas of entertainment – hitherto undreamt of, to the subscribers of a cable system, whether in the USA, Britain, Sweden or India…anywhere in the world.

But apart from rush encouraging statements about the implication of the new media, there is an underlying complexity which cannot be submerged in generalities. For the Indian consumer the star TV and CNN have come to symbolise a new form of information, a welcome change from the insipid matter scattered broadcast by the Doordarshan. But the star TV transmitting to over 40 countries from Japan to Eygpt and from Siberia to Indonesia is not the only one in this business, large number of satellites like Nordsat (Scandinavia), Luxat (Luxembourg), Sarit (Italy), Unisat and several others form a part of the vast family of space age broadcasting. But how does the satellite broadcasting accomplish its task?

At the heart of it, all is the satellite itself. This satellite receives signals from the ground stations and broadcasts them over a much larger area. For this purpose the satellite has to be stationed in virtually the same relative positions as the area over which it is expected to broadcast its programes. This is achieved by placing the satellites in geosynchronous orbit nearly 22,330 miles (35,000 km) above the surface of the earth. Once the satellite is placed in the suitable position a nearly 24-hour programme beam may be made available to dish users who, in turn, can transmit the signals to the consumers via cable system. In India most consumers, barring industrial establishments and the rich, receive satellites channels through local cable networks.

The cost of all this is forbidding. An average good quality C-band antenna with modulator and amplifier may cost anything upwards of Rs. 1,00,000 with even the cheapest 8 ft diameter antenna coming for around Rs. 25,000 thereby making personal usage extremely prohibitive. But the cost of a Direct Broadcasting antenna in the West is surprisingly lower, around 250 pounds within the reach of most TV viewers.

Many difficulties lie in the path of progress of sky TV. They are manifold. These may be political or economic or may be simply technical. For a country like India, therefore Direct Satellite Broadcasting may be a thing of future but how far is that future? It depends on when the likes of Rupert Murdoch look favourably on the Indian skies.

The impact never before than today, has the television or satellite broadcasts been, more an object of ire and attack. Branded for scape goat for most evils in society, it has transformed itself from an image of fascination to that of concern. The TV has sneaked into the inner-most privacy of our homes. TV dramas have literally paved their influx into the normal games the children play. Many parents complain that children are drifting towards premature maturity. Most children view the programmes showing a substantial amount of sex and violence with the tacit approval of their parents.

The impact of early violence viewing permeates to the later years especially the adolescence. A strong correlation between early violence viewing and aggressive behaviour in teenage years leading to juvenile delinquency is being gradually established. But a line has to be drawn somewhere on writers, directors and producers. Violence is an integral part of life. Some violence is unavoidable, sans a certain amount of violence. Otherwise also the TV programmes must be free from intellectually taxing analyses of life’s complex phenomena. Action therefore is the best attraction.

Lastly, with circumstances and situations beyond individual control and the satellite television channels intruding into our lives, both as individuals and a collective civilized society we are heading towards the door-step of helplessness. Despite arguments put forward as to the positive role that the TV can play in the social development of individuals, the TV is undeniably being seen as a threat to traditional social values.

Doordarshan and Turner International (TI) signed an agreement on June 30, 1995 so that the Indian audience can avail themselves of the facility of news programming all the 24-hours. This is the first occasion when the Doordarshan has given its channel to a private broadcasting company on lease.