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Our Bureau

New Delhi , May 30

BBC World is to become an encrypted and pay channel from 15 June this year for viewers in South Asia including India.

In a statement the channel has said that Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRDs) will be made available to key Multi System Operators (MSO's), cable operators and hoteliers in South Asia to facilitate the move.

"The transition from a free-to-air to a subscription model is a natural progression for the channel in South Asia. This change is in response to the dynamic and rapidly expanding cable TV and DTH satellite market across the region," said the channels Director of Distribution and Business Development, Mr Jef Hazel.

Officials claimed that the latest move would not affect the existing viewership of about 15 million household and 60,000 hotel rooms that the channel has at present in India. "The move should mean nothing for the customer unless of course the cable operator decides not to show the channel. However, we do not anticipate any trouble as we have made very reasonable value proposition to them," said Mr Hazel. The Channels Head of Distribution and Business Development, South Asia, Mr Amit Upadhayay, added that any disruption was very unlikely as the response from the cable operators had been "very positive."

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