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The presence of the Minister of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) at the inaugural function of the three-day BES EXPO 2010, organised by Broadcast Engineering Society of India (BES), brought in news for many developments in course for the media and entertainment industry of India. Digitisation of the broadcasting environment is one of them.

During her address Minster Ambika Soni emphasized that digitization is a key thrust area for development because of the various advantages offered by digital mode. Digital Broadcasting brings in difference in the audio and video quality, the utilisation of the spectrum as well as the service offered.

She mentioned that government has initially started off in its endeavours to promote the emerging technologies of digitisation with the announcement of the policy for the Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) medium for cable.

Further, the world is in the transition period from the analogue to digital with US, among other countries setting up specific dates to shut off the analogue broadcasting. Observing this Minister Soni remarked that India has not yet set a specific date for sunset of the analogue, but the government foresees 2017 as the year when India will have complete switch from analogue to digital.

Talking about the rapid growth of the media & entertainment sector in India, Ms. Soni said, "The Indian media and entertainment industry is growing at a pace of 19% per annum and is expected to touch Rs 1,157 billion mark by 2012."

Giving a few more statistical details in regard to the growth, she said,"The television viewership in India will reach at the landmark of 132 million by the year 2012 from the existing viewership of approximately 115 million."

"But, we know this is no time to rest as we have constant challenges to look up to. Hope we forth new paths for growth collaboratively," she added.

She also mentioned that the government is devising the framework for Phase 3 of FM policy and expects to be announced by the end of the financial year. As for the community radio, the ministry aims to have around 4000 community radio stations in country by next three year, as they have huge potential.

With the approaching Commonwealth Games 2010, to be held in the national capital, Soni expects significant changes to happen in the broadcasting domain, especially for the Prasar Bharati’s DD and AIR. DD will be broadcasting the CWG’10 in HD format which embarks on a new achievement by the pubcaster.

Marking the significance of developments, the Minister said, “Convergence in technology has to fast become a reality. Broadcast engineers must play a crucial role in guiding the best possible options in the carriage of the content to the public.”