“Heeehh this Digital Migration was for Real?” John comments on Social Media. He is part of close to four million Kenyans in Nairobi that were anxious to watch prime time news today at 9pm only to see obnoxious notices on their screens, following the High Court verdict to continue with the long promised Digital Migration procedure.
While this has so far brought mixed reactions in social media from Kenyans watching TV in their homes, John is just but one of the many Kenyans who have posted their concerns on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
This comes after the High Court earlier today dismissed a petition by three main media houses including the Royal Media Services, Nation Media Group and The Standard Group that challenged the digital migration that has lead to the major switch off of analogue TV, leaving only one station, K24, airing its programs.
According to the Communications Commission Of Kenya ( CCK), the switch off was meant to begin on the 13th of December, but was reversed by Justice Majanja who suspended the switch off for 10 days following Monday the 23 of December 2013 ruling. Moreover, the High Court also rejected the petition by media houses seeking a 30-day extension of analogue TV switch-off date leading to mixed feelings.
“Media black out rocks Kenya,” reports KTN. Yes, the very fabric of our existence is under threat. Woe is us,” says Marcus Olang’.
“The main concern, from my end, is the lack of content, local content with the digital migration switch. Something needs to be done,” notes Shitemi Khamadi a blogger.
“The problem is not digital migration. It is about how many set top boxes are out there, how much they cost, who controls the platforms!” noted Joe Ageyo a Journalist.
Nevertheless, amidst mixed feelings, a few organisations like Digital Kenya TV have had an opportunity to advertise their services on buying a Set top box for the Digital Migration, creating a following.
But for now, with this trend going on, Dennis Okari informs all on Twitter:
“BREAKING NEWS: Brace yourself for something dark on your local screens”.
