With digital compression, and the growing number of channels available, the cable companies are evaluating the number of stations they carry, and I cannot imagine the basis for this decision was anything other than technical efficiencies.

We are strong, strong believer in the importance of local public television.

Our first information on this came with the Freeman's phone call. We have no knowledge and no control over it.

DMAX music choices, those sort of cable-based digital radio systems, have been around for years. There are a number of elements that have made its penetration difficult. First, a cable company has to agree to take on that service, and then, to offer it to their subscribers. I don't think a lot of people know that they even have it.

In the 1980s prices came crashing down to 10,000 rupees, a plethora of cable networks arrived with channels in local languages -- that's been put to use in the information technology revolution now.

Public radio is the last oasis of free and independent music. For satellite radio channels, you have to subscribe; commercial stations are as corporate as basic cable.