Ordinary Kenyans to suffer most in TV switch off

Ordinary Kenyans will suffer the most from the acrimonious switch off by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) of the analogue signal of four top TV stations.

Majority will not view their favourite television programmes, including the local premier league matches which were scheduled to kick off soon.

Followers of local progammes -- comedies, reality shows and soap operas -- that have become the staple of local TV stations, will now have to bear until the three media houses get enough of their own digital set-top boxes to broadcast their content.

Soon after the CAK switched off the analogue signal, the three media houses, KTN, Citizen, QTV and NTV switched themselves off the digital platforms to prevent their competitors from relaying their contents on their digital boxes free of charge.

The three media houses control nearly 90 per cent of the TV market. The move now leaves the common mwananchi with other media platforms, such as radio and newspapers, to know what is happening in the country and across the world.

Kenyans with smart phones will most likely turn to new media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to follow events. Companies that advertise their products on the four TV stations now have to wait until the three media houses import their set-top boxes and arrive.  

However, Standard Group Chief Executive Officer Sam Sholei said the wait is worth it.

 “The media houses have now to rush to put in place their transmission infrastructure, including buying the digital boxes before resuming broadcasting,” he said.

Sholei is also the coordinator of the African Digital Network, the consortium of the three media houses that has been given the licence to operate their own digital frequencies.

Also affected is the Government, which usually uses the media extensively to reach out to the public to disseminate information and policies.

Politicians too who depend on TV stationsto reach their followers will be sorely affected.