Regulator switches off NTV, KTN and Citizen TV signals

The digital migration battle has turned ugly.

The Communication Authority of Kenya has now shut down transmission signals of Citizen TV and NTV. The regulator last evening asked the media houses to switch off their analogue signals but the three defied the order and vowed to fight for their rightful position in the digital migration.

Surprisingly though, the three leading TV stations have been switched off on both analogue and digital platforms. They are currently displaying switch-off message, which some insiders say it’s a fake face-saving message to show that they had switched the signal off themselves.

“That action is in itself illegal, and attracts heavy penalties,” said a media observer.

The message reads in part: “….Our channels are not available on PayTV or any other digital platforms. We regret the inconvenience caused to our viewers by this event occasioned by a grossly mishandled digital migration process. We are in the process of importing our own decoders in order to restore normal broadcast services….”

Media houses are staring at huge losses in advertising. More to come…