Big Media see it in there interest that the large ‘fixed slab license fee’ stay. It just kills the smaller players till we see only the large players in a monopolistic setting.

Tnx Charu:)
unless radio channels appeal to specific interest groups – it is going to be very difficult to sustain channels. Now, these channels at the most have a 4-5 year window, because with the rate technology is proliferating, and with the prospect of a under 10k comp – podcasting (or its more evolved form) is going to be taking over. imagine the radio station of your selection where you (the listner) has programmed the content they want!

My problem with media ownership in India istwo fold:
a) that it is an oligopoly behaving like a cartel. On the face of it competing at all levels, perpetually at each other’s throats. But colluding to ensure that nothing that introduces competition or consumer choice or efficiency succeeds. Take the example of CAS. or even DTH or the persistance in putting out non compatible technologies. I would like to see a regulatory authority – modelled on an OFTEL or an OFGAS or a TRAI – that keeps the media houses on their toes. That standardises technologies at the delivery end – so that the consumer doesn’t get tied down. That ensures that collusion doesn’t happen on minimum pricing. (an aside: I am not particularly in favour of a content regulator. )
b) is at the citizen’s interest level. I just don’t think that it is in our interest that multiple media that reach, influence, and impact so many millions be concentrated in the hands of a few. Its a positively scary prospect. What if some with views like Pravin Togadia (or Karat) ended up owning the largest cluster of media vehicles. And knowing the unpublicized views of many who own and run media – it is a very, very real possibility.

You are right when you say the media houses will put up a fight. if the people need any motivation to lobby and figh- they can seek inspiration from the USA. Fox Media – with its radio network, tv stations, newspaper – managed to convince the bulk of the US citizens that 9-11 was carried out by Saddam and that’s why they were going to war:)