News - Television station shutdown after 10 p.m. impractical, say operators

Operators of several television channels have protested against the Government’s proposal to request them to halt their transmissions after 10 p.m in a bid to save power or pay an additional tax if they want to operate beyond that time.

They said the proposal is impractical and would not only affect their functions but also affect viewers.

Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne told The Sunday Times that, in a bid to save power consumption, the Treasury has proposed a one million rupee annual tax on television stations which continue transmission after 10 p.m.

He said he has called for a meeting with television station heads to come to a compromise to stop transmission after 10 p.m. rather than impose the tax.

“We feel that this is one way to minimize the use of electricity, because now some stations are on air till morning. Households use a lot of power. We want to come to a compromise, failing which we will have to impose the tax”, he said

Commenting on the proposal, Director News at Swarnavahini, Rosmund Senaratne said “If this proposal comes into effect, we will have to cut down our programmes and this will affect the viewers. If the Government really wants to cut down electricity consumption there may be some other areas in which they can reduce consumption.”

According to him, if this proposal is implemented, the internal arrangements of the TV station would also have to be changed and it will have an impact on those working on roster as they would be deprived of the chance of earning more money.

However, he said this proposal is premature and hopes the Government would reconsider it.Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Newton Gunaratne said that since it was only a proposal the Government would consult the opinion of the Corporation before it is implemented.

“It is true that all of us should contribute to save energy, but this proposal is impractical as cable TV, VCDs and other such options are available,” he said.

Similarly, an official from another well known television station said that since most of the highest rated television programmes and fresh news bulletins are telecast after 10 p.m. shutting down operations at that time would not be possible.