Askew gung-ho on fast take-off once Tata-Star DTH file cleared

HONG KONG: Waiting to exhale. That could well describe the story for the Star Group’s having to exercise Buddha-like patience over the Indian government’s lack of urgency (an understatement if ever there was one) in clearing the long pending Tata-Star DTH file.

Quizzed by indiantelevision.com over whether the long wait would ultimately prove worth Star’s while considering the relatively slow uptake that rival Zee’s DTH venture Dish TV had despite a nearly one and a half year head start, Star Group COO Steve Askew would not be drawn into comparisons.

Askew, however expressed confidence that the product offering that Star has in the pipeline had three key ingredients that would make for a sure shot win-win for both Star and the consumer – competitive pricing, wide choice and quality of both content and service.

The Star group COO, who was speaking on the sidelines of a joint announcement with John Lau’s Focus Films Ltd for the production of Chinese-language feature films in high definition (HD) technology, used the film analogy to drive home his point. What Space TV would be offering was akin to the multiplex experience “direct-to-home”, he averred.

Askew promised 200-plus channels would be available on the DTH offering from Day 1 of launch and that the subsequent channel ramp-up would be at a fast clip.

Asked to comment on the imminent arrival of the Amitabh Bachchan-hosted game show Kaun Banega Crorepati II, Askew, who had to rush off citing a packed schedule, said Star had high expectations for the show.