Advanced Television

Viewer power wins in Kenya

December 30, 2013

By Chris Forrester

Spurred on by the plight of millions of lost TV viewers over the Christmas period, Kenyan judges relented and granted a 45 day extension to the government’s December 24 analogue switch-off of the nation’s Nairobi transmitter.

The three appeal judges declined to give their reasons (which they will deliver at the end of January) but determined that they could grant a temporary injunction which has the effect of keeping the signals on air for 45 days until February 6.

The basis for the appeal seems to be that the State is not permitted to interfere with any properly licensed broadcaster, and that the analogue switch off amounted to interference.

One lawyer argued before the Court that with the worldwide date for digital’s introduction not being until June 2015, there is plenty of time for conversion.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, DSO, DTT/DSO, Policy, Regulation