ASIANET TO GO DIGITAL
DIGITAL Malayalam language TV channel Asianet
has invested Rs 50 million in its efforts to convert its
analogue service to digital by the third week of October.
The channel will start up linking live from Chennai simultaneously.
It has pumped in Rs 1.5 million into a studio in the southern
Indian city as the firm (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd) designated
for the up linking service by the Indian government doesn't
have an earth station in Thiruvanthapuram (Kerala).
The channel, which is 50% owner of Kerala-based MSO Asianet,
is also readying itself to offer Internet services once
government clears its Internet policy. Asianet president
Sashi Kumar says he is planning a qualitative change in
the channel with better news presentation and a reduced
reliance on movie-based programming. He expects his efforts
to help him boost revenues to Rs 400 million in 1998-99
from Rs 170 million last year.
