Digital Television Age: A Policy Perspective from Pakistan

Abstract

The transition from analog to digital cable network presents enormous challenges for a developing country like Pakistan where 78 per cent household’s access to information and entertainment services is through this medium. This article gives an in depth overview of the prevalent market trends on the adoption of digital TV from the point of view of consumers who are expected to bear the cost of converting their household TV from analog to digital but have very little say in its policy making and regulation. The policy for digitalization issued by Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is clearly seen as not built to facilitate a digital revolution in which all citizens have a stake to be part of in this information age. This paper is an attempt to begin thinking about the challenges developing countries like Pakistan face with the coming of digital television age from the end users perspective.

Keywords: Pakistan digital transition, analog switch off, Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority