Stop The Jokes On The Digital Tv Platforms

Okay so I predicted not long ago that some TV stations will be running out of the system but was not clear of the date and time. I also didn’t envisage it will be coming earlier than I can ever imagine however, it has come to fruition.

Don’t get me wrong because the realities are those I bring to you. The last person to wish every media house dead will be me because without them, I don’t get paid so I always want the best for all media houses but another thing about this column is the fact that the truth will always stand tall among every reason for every write up.

Immediately the idea of moving all TV stations to the digital terrestrial platform came into being, I have held the notion it is a great idea but knowing the trend of business people we have here, it won’t auger well for us. They join the fray in the heat of the moment without considering the repercussions. They jump into a business because his friend or enemy has one.

Those who have the digital TV can attest to the fact that there are more than enough TV stations on it. Truth be told, the phrase “Many are called but few are chosen” exists on the platform. I thought the positives of the digital migration were quality of sound and picture among others. How come there are certain channels on the platform with bad sound and picture quality?

What I didn’t know was that, some of the TV stations are virtually operating from “lotto kiosk” with “rickety” equipments. The question that came to mind when I encountered this shocker was whose responsibility it is to be checking the qualities we have on the digital platform because it is abysmal to say the least what is going on there or are we waiting till it has rotten to the extent, it cannot be corrected which certainly is so Ghanaian. Please bear in mind that the stations I am talking about are not those testing transmission but in full operation. How can you have over twenty TV stations and not even up to ten have great pictures and sound quality? It is unpardonable.

Content continues to beat them and I also mentioned this long ago and because they are being haunted by contents to show, they are jumping on the pirated movies from the internet and are downloading them to be aired for viewers. The annoying thing about these TV stations and pirated Hollywood and Bollywood movies is that they treat viewers like fools. How do you show a movie that has been recorded by a cinema patron with human shadows all over the screen?

Another nauseating one is when they show a movie of a language that is not English without English subtitles for viewers in Ghana to enjoy. What at all are those who show these movies have in mind? For me, those acts are signs of irresponsible works on the part of the TV stations. They could also be taking viewers for granted for that insult of acts.

Who are those giving the silly names on the platform? Why are some Ghanaian business men and women so myopic? The annoying thing is that when you delve deep into why such names, reasons that will come include; the boss chose it himself and asked that it never be changed. The only knowledge this boss has in the media fraternity is money and nothing else so as much as I appreciate his effort for putting up a station, the business should be treated as such hence employ competent people to man affairs and leave your family out.

I am pleading with those handling the digital platforms that if Ghana is not ready, let’s revert to our manual because the digital is amazingly unreliable. Signal goes on and off like the current state of electricity power provision in Ghana. The digital channels go off while those on the manual are still working. Let’s not follow the world blindly and if we are moving, let’s do that properly to avoid discomfort taking into consideration, the return of the collection of TV license. My advice to those manning the digital TV platform, is to not just open the flood gate for just anybody at all. There should be a laid down standard for all of the TV stations to meet before you are allowed to establish.

It is my prayer that these checks are done now to curtail any future problems. A word to wise is not enough but for all to check themselves.