Listers,

 

Third broadcast signal distribution licence to be issued 

The Government has promised to issue a third broadcast signal distribution licence through a competitive process.

The licence will, however, be ring-fenced to restrict it to local investors only.  

 

ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i made these remarks today during a breakfast meeting with TV broadcasters held at a Nairobi hotel. Dr. Matiang’i said the Government was ready to engage in an honest and decent dialogue with the broadcast industry in resolving challenges facing this sector.

 

He commended CCK for its recent directive to the two signal distribution firms to ensure Free to Air (FTA) channels were freely accessible to viewers, and appealed to broadcasters who had pulled out content from the digital platform to restore it so that consumers do not lose faith in the migration process.

 

A number of broadcasters withdrew content in protest against pay TV firms that were charging viewers to access FTA channels.

 

During the meeting, the media industry complained to the Cabinet Secretary about unclear interconnection charges, their exclusion from the digital distribution business and sale of their content by third parties. 

 

 Dr. Matiangi said discussions between the government and the media industry would commence immediately to iron out differences that are threatening to derail the migration process.

 

‘‘We have to meet beginning tomorrow (Friday) and get a solution to this matter in the next seven days,’ he added.

 

Dr Matiang’i underscored the importance of an early digital switch-over saying it would allow the country to deal with emerging challenges and reduce migration costs in the long run.

 

Kenya had earlier set December 2012 as the switch off deadline but a pending court case has since stalled the process.

The Cabinet Secretary called on industry players to adhere to the law, and directed the industry regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya, to enforce the law without fear or favour.

 

The breakfast meeting was convened by CCK to introduce Dr. Matiang’í to the broadcasting industry players and to provide a platform for addressing pertinent issues in the broadcasting industry.