New Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai, Oct 31: Direct-to-Homecompanies and Multi-System Operators (MSO) have been facing a deluge of queries for their set top boxes as the deadline for digitization of TV signals neared its Oct 31 deadlines in all four metros, with the sole exceptionof Chennai, which got a breather till November 5.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for digitization in chennai till November 5, when it will be hearing a petition challenging the order.
One report said, nearly 10 to 15 per cent of households in the four metros are yet to instal set top boxes for their TV sets.
DTH and MSO companies said muct of the digitization work took place in the last fortnight, and the remaining households would be covered within a week.
Corporates said Kolkata and Chennai were still lagging behind Delhi and Mumbai as far as digitization is concerned, with many households still tagged on to cable networks.
Salil Kapoor, COO of Dish TV said: "In Delhi, we have seen ten-fold jump in subscribers as against our average sale. In Mumbai, the growth was five-to-six times. This is the tip of the iceberg.
"In Chennai and Kolkata, we have seen a small increase. But now we are anticipating huge demand from those who have stayed way."
Kapoor said consumers normally delayed their buying decision till the last moment or until they were forced to.
Said Shashi Arora, CEO Airtel Digital: “The momentum was much faster this time. As compared to the last deadline of June 30, the awareness was much more. Today, DTH and set-top boxes are in huge demand. As per reports, an estimated 3.5 lakh people remain to be covered, and this conversion will happen in days."
He said the company's offer for a free set-top box had been received well.
“This is festive season, and we expect the uptrend to continue for the next 15 days. We have sufficient stock to meet the demand. As the digitization deadline for other big cities ends in March, 2013, we also expect more business from there as well,” Arora added.
