HITS

Here is a new comer in cable TV market. It is a new type of distribution of channels for the cable TV providers. Now small cable TV providers receive the channels from an optical fiber network and supply this signals to cable TV subscribers. The optical fiber provider can distribute channels for a number of cable TV operators. Here the signal is supply as analogue mode and the cable TV provider can distribute a maximum number of 106 channels through the co-axel cable. The clarity of the picture and audio of the channels available in analogue mode are very poor to compare the channels in digital mode. Now cable TV operators are also supplying digital signals through its network. To receive these channels in digital mode a set top box (STB) is required. The coast of the set top box is high and the subscription fee is also very high to compare analogue cable subscription.

What is the role of optical fibers in the distribution of channels to cable networks, the new comer is a big distributor to supply digital signal of channels to cable operators. Here the satellite acts in the role of optical fiber. Headend In The Sky (HITS) is the name of the new satellite distribution of channels in digital mode for cable TV operators. HITS providers can not supply the signals directly to the subscribers. It gives signals to the cable TV operators and the cable TV operators distribute the signal to the subscribers. The HITS providers can use C band or Ku band to transmit the signals through the satellite. The signal is distributing through satellite so the signal can receive any remote area in India that means cable TV operators in any remote area in India can receive HITS signal. In India only Wire and Wireless Company has gained the license for HITS now and the license fee is 10 core rupees. There is no yearly license fee for HITS. DTH has the yearly license fee of 10% of its total income. It wants about 150 core rupees to start HITS service.