Subscribers incensed by cable TV blackouts<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It has been a long, tiring day at the office and Anton, a 27-year
\nold project control engineer, just wants to watch his favorite
\nlate night sports on ESPN.<\/p>\n
\"I was disappointed when I turned on my TV and found that
\nKabelvision had disconnected at midnight,\" he said. \"It was my
\nonly alternative after all the national and local TV stations cut
\ntheir hours.\"<\/p>\n
The cable TV provider claims to be complying with the
\ngovernment's energy conservation drive.<\/p>\n
The Minister of Information and Communications issued a policy
\ndecision that ordered TV and radio stations to stop broadcasting
\nbetween 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.<\/p>\n
\"We cut our broadcasting hours under the consideration that we
\nhave to comply with the minister's policy,\" Kabelvision director
\nRandolph Latumahina argued.<\/p>\n
He added that the company would explain its reasoning to its
\nsubscribers.<\/p>\n
By contrast, another satellite TV provider, Indovision, has
\nbeen providing 24-hour services as usual.<\/p>\n
An Indovision customer service officer explained that the
\ncompany had not cut its services, but refused to comment further.<\/p>\n
Free-to-air TV and radio stations have complied with the
\ndecree to support the drive, claiming that despite the
\npossibility of losing advertising revenue, they would be able to
\nimprove efficiency by reducing broadcasting hours.<\/p>\n
Unlike viewers and listeners of free-to-air stations, cable
\nand satellite TV subscribers have lost more than just late night
\nentertainment, as they continue to pay for a 24-hour service.<\/p>\n
A Jakarta Kabelvision subscriber pays a monthly minimum of Rp
\n169,000 for viewing basic foreign channels plus an additional Rp
\n25,000 to Rp 200,000 for \"premium\" channels, such as HBO and
\nCinemax. The company, which began operations in 1996, has some
\n120,000 subscribers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indovision charges its more than 100,000
\nsubscribers monthly fees ranging from Rp 59,000 to Rp 269,000,
\ndepending on the kinds of channels selected. It also charges an
\nextra Rp 100,000 for Japanese NHK, Stockwatch and KBS World.<\/p>\n
Separately, Djoko Susilo, a member of the House of
\nRepresentatives Commission I that oversees communications and
\ninformation, said that even though cable and satellite providers
\nwere covered under Law No. 32\/2002 on Broadcasting, they were
\nunder no obligation to comply with the ministerial policy
\ndirective.<\/p>\n
\"Cable and satellite TV providers can ignore the policy
\ndirective because complying with it would cause consumers to
\nsuffer,\" he said. \"The minister has gone beyond his authority and
\nthe House will inquire into the matter in August or September.\"<\/p>\n
Previously, KPI deputy Sinansari Encip said that such an
\ninstruction could be viewed as an attempt to meddle in the
\ncountry's independent broadcasting industry.<\/p>\n
\"I do not think that cutting back broadcasting hours is
\neffective in saving energy,\" Anton said. \"Electricity makes up
\nonly 10 percent of our fuel consumption, right?<\/p>\n
\"We have paid for cable services, why can't we have some home
\nentertainment after a stressful day at work?\" Anton asked. (003)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/subscribers-incensed-by-cable-tv-blackouts-1447893297",
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