Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has stated that 77% of Cable TV digitization has been achieved in four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, up from 68% last month. This announcement was made after a review of the digitization progress by the ministry in the four metros, where digitization of cable TV has been made mandatory by October 31, 2012. Methodology: The ministry stated that the review was done based on the 2011 Census data, released by Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India and the data received from DTH operators regarding the number of DTH subscribers present in these four metros as well as data data received from Multi System Operators (MSO). Citing Census 2011 data, I&B ministry states that there are 103.76 households in these metros. It considers an average 80% TV penetration among these metros and a 20% additional provision for multiple TVs installed in home & offices and states that there are 67.08 lakh cable TV subscribers in these four metros who should install a set top box and only 51.84 lakh Set Top Boxes have been installed till now, resulting in a total 77% cable TV penetration, with two weeks remaining for the Oct 31 deadline. Note that the ministry hasn't taken DTH subscribers into account during this calculation. It noted that if DTH subscribers, which currently accounts to 26.69 lakh subscribers in these four metros, are taken into account, the percentage of digitization goes up to 84%. This is 7% increase from 77% digitization achieved last month. Metro-wise Breakdown: Among…
