SATELLITE TELEVISION

The modern era has been aptly described as information age. Man has always strived to keep himself informed and has sought newer ways to entertain himself. Television has fulfilled this desire of his to a great extent. Access to information and entertainment is the key to improving the quality of human life and socio-economic development. With the availability of satellite television, access to information and entertainment has increased several folds. The entry of satellite television on the Indian scene has brought about multiple television channels. The real impetus to satellite television was given with the Gulf War when many battle scenes were telecast live. The Indian viewer found it interesting and entertaining to watch a live war being shown on many international channels. Ever since this has continued in almost all fields of human endeavour, be it the hijacking drama of the Indian aircraft in the Kandahar airport or the Afghanistan war, or the terrorist attack in Mumbai; be it world sports meet or the Cricket World Cup, or the latest Twenty-20 cricket championships. Some or the other event of national or international importance keeps happening all the time, and the satellite television takes active part to enable the viewers have access to them.

The field of entertainment has undergone a sea change with the arrival of the satellite television. Today with the remote control in his hand, a viewer switches as fast as he winks from channel to channel to watch the most entertaining programme of his choice. He cannot bear with even a minute of slackness on the part of a television channel. And why should he when he pays to watch programmes?

According to a recent survey, private channels are quite innovative in their approach, and most of them are dedicated to a specific kind of programme; for example, the Discovery and the National Geographic Channels are fully devoted to wildlife and science programmes, and the ESPN and the Star Sports are concerned with only sports activities on the international arena. There are many such channels, such as the MTV, Star Movies, Sony Entertainment Channel, and so on.

Recently when the satellite channels began to charge the cable operators and the viewers for watching their programmes, it was thought that many people would get their connections severed and return to the good old days of watching Doordarshan. But it has not happened. It simply shows that people are ready to pay for the quality programmes.

The only problem arises when the satellite channels have their own axe to grind. There is hardly any control over the satellite channels as to what they should relay so far it is in conformity with the social standards and national security. There have been instances when the programmes are aimed at corrupting the delicate young minds by adding unnecessary spice and colour. Even the news channels, which are supposed to be unprejudiced in their approach, have been noticed to show biased programmes aimed at influencing the viewers.

Satellite television has adverse impact on young adolescents in many respects. A recent survey has shown that children and adolescents passing over three hours with the television have been found to be obese and inactive, though they are better informed than the people of the past times.

The days are behind us when it was considered that the satellite channels would corrupt the minds of the people.  Experience has shown that the people have emerged smarter with the innovative programmes. When free economy and open competition are being allowed to transact business freely, there is no harm in allowing the satellite television to establish itself and do its bit in providing vital information to the Indian viewers.