AnnualTest

Directors of the company shall as far ●● The applicant company can apply on
as possible be proportionate to the the prescribed form 1 along with all
shareholding. requisite documents and processing fee
of R10,000/-
●● Permission fee for uplinking of TV
channels would be R 2 lakhs per channel ●● Permission for Teleport will be for a period
per annum. of 10 years. Renewal of permission will
also be done for a period of 10 years.
●● The applicant company can apply on
the prescribed form 1 along with all D. Eligibility criteria for obtaining
requisite documents and processing fee permission/registration to downlink Non-
of R10,000/-. News & Current Affairs TV channel in India
under downlinking guidelines
B. Eligibility criteria for obtaining ●● Applicant must be a company registered
permission to uplink Non-News & Current
Affairs TV channel from India under in India under the Indian Companies Act,
uplinking guidelines 1956, irrespective of its equity structure,
●● Applicant must be a company registered foreign ownership or management control.

in India under the Companies Act, 1956 ●● Networth Requirements: R5.00 cr. for first
irrespective of its ownership, equity channel and R 2.50 cr. for every additional
structure or management control which channel.
is aimed at Indian viewership.
●● The applicant company must either own
●● Net Worth Requirements: R 5.00 cr for first the channel it wants downlinked for
channel & R2.50 cr. for each additional public viewing, or must enjoy, for the
channel. territory of India, exclusive marketing/
distribution rights for the same, inclusive
●● Permission fee for uplinking TV channels of the rights to the advertising and
would be R2 lakhs per channel per annum. subscription revenues for the channel
and must submit adequate proof at the
●● The applicant company can apply on time of application.
the prescribed form 1 along with all
requisite documents and processing fee ●● The downlinked channel must be licensed
of R10,000/-. or permitted for being broadcast by the
regulatory or licensing authority of the
C. Eligibility criteria for obtaining country of transmission, proof of which
permission for setting up of teleport under would have to be submitted at the time of
uplinking guidelines application.
●● Applicant must be a company registered
●● Permission fee for downlinking of TV
in India under the Companies Act, 1956. channels uplinked from India would be
R5 lakhs per channel per annum.
●● Foreign equity holding including NRI/
OCB/PIO not to exceed 49% (now raised ●● Permission fee for downlinking of TV
to 100% vide FDI Policy of 2016). channels uplinked from abroad would be
R15 lakhs per channel per annum.
●● Networth Requirements:
●● The applicant company can apply on
●● For Teleports the net worth criteria the prescribed form 1 along with all
would be uniform irrespective of channel requisite documents and processing fee
capacity. The net worth criteria would of R10,000/-
remain R 3 crores for the first teleport and
R1 crore for every additional teleport.

●● Permission fee for setting up of teleports
would be R 2 lakhs per teleport per annum.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 99

E. Eligibility criteria for obtaining Additional features of the amended
permission/registration to downlink guidelines:
News & Current Affairs TV channel in India ●● All TV channels would be required to
under downlinking guidelines.
●● Applicant must be a company registered operationalize their TV channels within
a time frame of one year from the date
in India under the Indian Companies Act, of permission, for which Non-News and
1956, irrespective of its equity structure, current Affairs channels will have to sign
foreign ownership or management control. a Performance Bank Guarantee of R1
crore whereas News and Current Affairs
●● Networth Requirement: R5.00 cr. for first channels will have to give a Performance
channel and R2.50 cr. for every additional Bank Guarantee for R 2 crores. In the
channel. event of non-operationalization of the
permitted channel within a period of
●● The applicant company must either own one year, the PBG will be forfeited and
the channel it wants to be downlinked permission cancelled.
for public viewing, or must enjoy, for the ●● The period of permission/registration for
territory of India, exclusive marketing/ uplinking/Downlinking of channels will
distribution rights for the same, inclusive be uniform at 10 years.
of the rights to the advertising and ●● Proposals of merger, demerger and
subscription revenues for the channel amalgamation will be allowed under
and must submit adequate proof at the the provisions of Companies Act, after
time of application. obtaining the permissions of the Ministry
of I&B as per procedure.
●● The downlinked channel must be licensed ●● Permission for uplinking/downlinking
or permitted for being broadcast by the of a TV channel will be for a period of
regulatory or licensing authority of the 10 years. Renewal of the permissions
country of transmission, proof of which of TV channels will be considered for a
would have to be submitted at the time of period of 10 years at a time subject to
application. the condition that the channel should
not have been found guilty of violating
●● Additional conditions for permission to the terms and conditions of permission
downlink a News and Current Affairs including violations of the Programme
channel: and Advertisement Code on 5 occasions or
more. What would constitute a violation
¾¾ That it does not carry any advertisements would be determined in consultation
aimed at Indian viewers; with the established self-regulating
mechanisms.
¾¾ That it is not designed specifically for ●● The channels operating in India and
Indian audiences; uplinked from India but meant only for
foreign viewership should be required
¾¾ That it is a standard international to ensure compliance of the rules and
channel; regulations of the target country for which
content is being produced and uplinked.
¾¾ That it has been permitted to be telecast
in the country of its uplinking by the II. Procedure to Grant Permissions for
regulatory authority of that country New Satellite TV channels
The applications for new TV channels are
●● Permission fee for downlinking of TV examined in the light of the eligibility criteria
channels uplinked from India would be
R5 lakhs per channel per annum.

●● Permission fee for downlinking of TV
channels uplinked from abroad would be
R15 lakhs per channel per annum.

100 Annual Report 2016-17

as prescribed in the Policy Guidelines for Category wise permitted Channels
Uplinking and Downlinking. The applications
are forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs PERMITTED TV CHANNELS
for obtaining security clearance for the (NEWS vs NON-NEWS)
Company and its Board of Directors. The
applications are simultaneously sent to the NEWS NON-NEWS
Department of Space/ Department of Revenue
as the case may be for obtaining necessary NON-NEWS, NEWS, 399
clearances. The Networth of the company is 500(56%) (44%)
also examined to determine the eligibility of
the company among other eligibility criteria. B. Growth of Teleports
Permissions are issued by the Ministry to the
applicants after obtaining Inter Ministerial Number of Teleports permitted by the
clearances and Registration and Permission Ministry
Fee as applicable.
Teleports Permitted since 2001
A. Growth of Television channels
●● The first private satellite TV channel “Aaj 100

Tak” was permitted in the year 2000. 90 71 77 84 87 90 89 86 86 83
Since then the bouquet of private satellite 80
TV channels in India has been expanding 70
at a fast pace. Ministry has permitted 60 64
899 channels in India by 31st December
2016. Year-wise growth in number of 50 51
TV channels permitted under uplinking 40 42
(U/L) and downlinking (D/L) guidelines is
shown below: 30 31

20 21
10 7 12
0

2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001

Number of Television Channels permitted III. New initiatives
by the Ministry
●● Permissions are given by the Ministry to A. Top Management Position:
The restrictions imposed under clauses
operate only two categories of TV Channels 2.1.4 and 3.1.15 of the Uplinking Guidelines
i.e. News & Current Affairs TV Channels dated 05th December, 2011 and clause 1.10
and Non-News & Current Affairs TV of the Downlinking Guidelines dated 05th
Channels. The share of News and Non- December, 2011 regarding appointment at
News channels in the total permissions top management position with minimum 3
given can be seen below: years of prior experience in a media company
(media companies) operating News/Non-
Channels Permitted since 2001 News and Current Affairs TV Channels has
been done away with.
1000 808 899
B. Annual Renewal:
900 733 754852 723 816 749837 Foreign The broadcasters which hold valid permission
822 761 Channels for uplinking and/or downlinking shall
800 Downlinked in not require to obtain Renewal Permission
NUMBER OF CHANNELS 859 India from the Ministry. The payment of annual
Channels permission fee 60 days before the due date
700 115544 Uplinked in will by itself be sufficient permission for
190 India
600 192
259 Total
500 266
369
400 424
437
300 505
529
200 45 45 6699 603
93
100 93 55 68 74 89 98 98 93 88 91

130
130

00 0 0 0 0 2 7

YEAR 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 101

continuation of a channel for a further period an opportunity to applicants for a direct
of one year from the due date. All the TV interaction with Ministry’s officials, but have
channels and Teleports are likely to benefit also facilitated flow of information directly to
from this decision provided the validity of 10- applicants thereby eliminating the need to
year permission is available. have an intermediary. The direct interaction
has also built confidence in the system and
IV. Bringing transparency and has reduced dependence on unnecessary
accountability correspondence and phone calls.

Open House Meetings Steps for Speedy Approvals
Open house meetings which are conducted In order to fast-track the approvals in the
on 20th of every month with broadcasters Ministry the proposals to MHA, DOS and CA
have proved to be very useful. The number are sent simultaneously from INSAT Section
of broadcasters attending these meetings has itself within 10 days without waiting for
swelled over the last one year. Feedback from approvals at this stage which has cut delays
the meeting has helped the Ministry to take significantly.
new initiatives for expediting clearances and
bringing more transparency. Several issues (i) Review of Foreign Direct Investment
concerning new and permitted TV channels, (FDI) policy in Broadcasting Sector.
teleports, use of SNG/DSNG Vans, temporary The FDI policy has been reviewed and as per
Uplinking cases, change of satellites, change Press Note No. 12 (2016 Series) of Ministry
of name and logo, change in the Share of Commerce & Industry, Department of
Holding Pattern, induction of new Directors, Industrial Policy & Promotion, Para 5.2.7.1
FIPB approvals etc. are being discussed in and Para 5.2.7.2 is for Broadcasting Sector
an open and fair manner with broadcasters. is as under:
These meetings have not only provided

Sector/Activity Foreign Entry Route
Investment Automatic up to 49%
5.2.7.1.1
(1) Teleports (setting up of up-linking HUBs/Teleports); Cap Government route
(2) Direct to Home(DTH); beyond 49%
(3) Cable Networks (Multi System Operators (MSOs) operating at 100%
Automatic up to 49%
National or State or District level and undertaking upgradation 100% Government route
of networks towards digitalization and addressability); beyond 49%
(4) Mobile TV; 49% Government
(5) Headend-in-the Sky Broadcasting Service (HITS) 49% Government
5.2.7.1.2 100% Automatic
Cable Networks (Other MSOs not undertaking upgradation of
networks towards digitalization and addressability and Local Cable
Operators (LCOs).
5.2.7.2.1
Terrestrial Broadcasting FM (FM Radio), subject to such terms and
conditions, as specified from time to time, by Ministry of Information
& Broadcasting, for grant of permission for setting up of FM Radio
stations
5.2.7.2.2
Up-linking of ‘News & Current Affairs’ TV Channels
5.2.7.2.3
Up-linking of ‘Non-News and Current Affairs’ TV Channels,
Down-linking of TV Channels

102 Annual Report 2016-17

(ii) Standard Forms and Applications In the cases of change of name, logo, satellite,
It was observed that while applying for teleport and addition of language etc. lengthy
permission for acquiring/ hiring of SNG/ notes were being put up repeatedly which
DSNG vans, the applicants invariably failed not only hampered the speed of putting up of
to provide relevant documents or information. cases at section level but it was difficult for
To streamline this, a new comprehensive senior officers to get the facts at a glance to
application format for seeking permission arrive at a decision quickly. A new template
for hiring of SNG/DSNG vans was devised has been designed for quick approvals. This
and put on the website of the Ministry with has not only helped in quick processing of the
detailed instructions/guidance for filling cases but also has ensured that no important
the application. A Master check list and criteria for consideration of the cases are left
processing template has also been put in out, as the check list has to be completed
place to quicken the pace of processing by before the file is put up for approval.
eliminating errors.

HMIB Shri Venkaiah Naidu at the First Asia pacific Broadcasting Union Dance Festival in Hyderabad.

(iii) Satellite TV application Tracking V. Development of Integrated on-line
System (STATS) portal solution for TV (INSAT) section
In order to ensure greater transparency The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is
about pending issues of companies, software mandated to issue permissions for Uplinking/
Satellite TV application Tracking System downlinking of television channels in India as
(STATS) was operationalised on 21st January, per the Policy Guidelines 2011. The Ministry
2010. This unique software developed by NIC provides a single window facility to the
has helped in bringing greater transparency applicants as all necessary clearances are
in providing information to the applicants obtained by the Ministry. This involves large
of Private Satellite TV channels to track volumes of paper trails and transactions to
the status of their applications. The data be processed by the Department personnel.
is being updated in the system regularly to This often leads to delays in issuing the
help applicants check the status of their necessary licenses, loss of documents
applications. submitted, difficulty to monitor the channel

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 103

contents on a sustained and planned basis, Every broadcaster through various Policy
leading to some levels of in-efficiency in the Guidelines has been mandated to follow
system. In order to streamline the process the Programme and Advertisement Codes
of application by agencies concerned and as prescribed under the Cable Television
to enable both the Dept. officials and the Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules
applicant companies to monitor the status of framed thereunder.
their applications, it is proposed to develop The Programme and Advertising Codes as
a secure online portal that will enable all prescribed under the Cable Act have been
stakeholders to apply, monitor, manage and made applicable to all video content provided
expedite the necessary process with minimal through different broadcasting modes
manual intervention. The project to develop including IPTV service.
an Integrated Online Portal solution for all The nature of content-related cases dealt with
processes involving grant of permissions/ in the Ministry mainly relate to obscenity,
registration/ license by Broadcasting Wing portrayal of women in bad taste, ill effects
of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on children, false & defamatory news,
has been assigned to BECIL on turn-key advertisements of misleading nature, etc. In
basis. Once implemented, this will provide all such cases, appropriate action was taken
speedy disposal of proposals and bring about by the Ministry as per the Cable Television
more promptness and transparency in the Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and wherever
system. necessary, Advisories, Warnings, Order for
Apology Scroll, etc. were issued.
Content Regulation of TV Channels During the period 1.4.2016 to 21.12.2016,
Regulation of broadcast-content of Television the Ministry issued Advisories, Warnings,
channels has been a keenly debated issue. It and Orders to the channels as per details
has evoked concerns arising out of content given below:
having an adverse bearing on Indian ethos
and cultural values, looking after the interests i) 01 General Advisory – Advisory to
of women and children who are vulnerable to news & current affairs TV channels
pervading impact of satellite television and regarding telecast of incidents related
the need for reconciling these concerns with to Cauvery water dispute with due
constitutional freedom of speech and creative caution and restraint.
expression. The Ministry has already granted
permission to 892 private satellite television ii) 09 Specific Advisories – TV channels
channels, out of which 492 are non-news and were advised to adhere to the
current affairs channels and 400 are news & Programme & Advertising Codes.
current affairs TV channels as on 30.11.2016.
There has been a substantial growth in the iii) 04 Warnings – Directing the channel
regional language channels also in the past to strictly comply with Programme
few years as the competition among Hindi and Advertising Codes.
and English channels is becoming tougher
and the market is saturating. Though Direct iv) 03 Orders – Channels were directed
to Home (DTH) services have also experienced to go off air for varying number of
rapid growth, the distribution of these days.
channels is still by and large through the
cable operators which are largely in analog Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)
mode and have limited carrying capacity. For regulation of content on Satellite TV
However, with the ongoing digitization of channels, an Inter-Ministerial Committee
cable TV network, this capacity is expected (IMC) chaired by Additional Secretary (I&B)
to increase substantially. had been constituted, with representatives

104 Annual Report 2016-17

from Ministries of Home Affairs, Law & of processing of complaints received by the
Justice, Women & Child Development, Health government; monitoring of live telecast of
& Family Welfare, External Affairs, Defence temporarily permitted events; monitoring
and a representative from the industry in of Compliance of the Directions/ Orders of
Advertising Standards Council of India the Ministry; round the clock monitoring
(ASCI), which gives its recommendations on of TV channels & compiling of daily news
whether a violation has taken place or not. reports with comments and reactions; giving
The IMC has been re-constituted in the year feedback to Ministries and Departments;
2011 by addition of a representative from the special monitoring; SMS Alerts; providing
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public information to IBF and BCCC; collation and
Distribution to accord focused attention to distribution of the reports; support to the
consumer related issues. The IMC functions Scrutiny Committee and the Inter Ministerial
in a recommendatory capacity. The final Committee on violations; archiving etc.
decision regarding penalties and its quantum The number of satellite TV Channels is
is taken on the basis of the recommendations continuously increasing in the country and
of IMC. Ministry generally issues warnings threat of content violations is also increasing
or advisories or asks them to scroll apologies in the equal proportions. The strengthening
on their channel. Occasionally, the channels of EMMC with well-equipped technologically
are also taken off air either temporarily for a modern facility was, therefore, felt to provide
limited period depending on the gravity of the a meaningful tool to monitor and devise the
violation. remedial measures for the violations of the
Codes enshrined in Cable Television Networks
Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (Regulation) Act 1995 and rules framed there
(EMMC) under.
Electronic Media is a very powerful medium To augment capacity and to achieve the
and can greatly influence public opinion. All objective of monitoring 1500 channels, a 12th
developed democracies of the world regulate Plan Scheme “Strengthening of Electronic
the broadcasting sector and the content being Media Monitoring Centre” was approved for
broadcast. So, in the light of public concerns, R90.00 crore for implementation during 2012-
Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) 17. In addition, a centralized Monitoring
has been set up by the Government as a mechanism in EMMC will also be set up for
state-of-the-art facility with a view to monitor FM channels and Community Radio Stations
the content of (i) satellite TV channels w.r.t. (CRS).
violation of Programme and Advertising Codes
enshrined under Cable Television Networks State level and District level Monitoring
Regulation Act, 1995 and Rules framed there Committees
under and (ii) private FM channels w.r.t. In order to enforce the Cable Act and Rules at
license conditions and to protect its citizens the State/District level, the Ministry issued
from broadcast of undesirable content. order on 6.9.2005 for “Monitoring Committee
EMMC has the technical facility to record for the Programmes and Advertisements
and monitor the content of 900 channels, telecast by Cable TV channels” at the State,
beaming over the Indian Territory, so that any District/local level. Subsequently, detailed
violations of codes framed under the Cable guidelines were issued by this Ministry
Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 on 19.2.2008 providing for District level
could be checked. Currently all the channels Monitoring Committee and State level
permitted by the I&B Ministry is monitored Monitoring Committee. The composition of
by EMMC. the District level Committee is as under:
Along with the monitoring of content,
EMMC has been entrusted with the work

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 105

(i) District Magistrate - Chairman news if aired by the cable television
(or Police Commissioner) operator is restricted to information
about local events and is presented in
(ii) District Superintendent - Member a manner which is balanced impartial
of Police and not likely to offend or incite any
community.
(iii) District Public Relations - Member v) To monitor the availability of free to
Officer air channels and channels notified
for mandatory carriage on the cable
(iv) Principal of one of the - Member network.
Women’s College in the The composition of State level Monitoring
District (to be selected by Committee is as under:
the DM)

(v) Representative of a - Member (i) Secretary, Information & - Chairman
leading NGO working for Public Relations of the
Children welfare (to be State.
nominated by the DM)

(vi) Representative of a - Member (ii) Representative of the DG - Member
leading NGO working for of State Police
Women welfare (to be
nominated by the DM) (iii) Secretary, Social Welfare - Member
Department of the State

(vii) Academicians/ - Member (iv) Secretary, Women & - Member
Psychologists /
Sociologists (one each to Child Development of the
State
be nominated by the DM)

(v) Representative of a - Member
leading NGO of the State
Functions of the District Level Monitoring working for women (to
Committee: be nominated by Chief
Secretary)
i) To provide a forum where the public
may lodge a complaint regarding (vi) Academicians/ - Member
content aired over cable television Psychologists/
and take action on the same as per Sociologists (one each to
procedure prescribed herein. be nominated by Chief
Secretary)
ii) To review the action taken by
Authorized Officers for enforcement of (vii) Director (Information) of - Member
Cable Television Networks (Regulation) the State Secretary
Act, 1995.
Functions of the State Level Monitoring
iii) To immediately bring to the notice of Committee:
State and Central Government if any
programme is affecting public order (i) To see whether District/Local
or wide spread resentment in any Committees have been formed.
community.
(ii) To see whether they are meeting
iv) To keep a watch on content carried by regularly.
cable television channels at local level
and to ensure, through Authorized (iii) To see whether the authorized officers
Officers, that no unauthorized or are effectively performing their duties
pirated channels are carried and local

106 Annual Report 2016-17

(iv) To see how many cases are handled by broadcasters at their level whereas, at Tier II,
them and what decisions are arrived by News Broadcasting Standards Authority
at (NBSA), set up by NBA in 2008.
The object of the News Broadcasting
(v) To give suggestion/guidance to Standards Authority includes entertaining
District/Local Level Committee. and deciding complaints against or in respect
of news broadcasters in so far as these relate
(vi) To take decision on the matters to the content of any broadcast. The Authority
referred to it by District/Local level is headed by a Chairperson who is a retired
Committee. Judge of the Supreme Court and consists
of eight other members comprising 4(four)
(vii) To collate data/information from eminent editors employed with broadcasters
District/Local Level Committee and and 4 (four) persons having special knowledge
forward it to Secretary, Ministry and/or practical experience in the field of
of Information & Broadcasting, law, education, medicine, science, literature,
Government of India. public administration, consumer affairs,
environment, human psychology and/or
(viii)To recommend action and forward culture. The NBSA, is headed by Justice
complaints against satellite channels R.V.Raveendran, retired judge of Supreme
(National Channels) to the Ministry of Court. The other 8 members are:
Information & Broadcasting through
the Chief Secretary of the State in Four Eminent Persons
cases of violation of Government of (i) Mr. Nitin Desai, Economist and
India’s orders on the Programme and Former Under Secretary General of
Advertising Codes. United Nations
(ii) Mrs. Vijayalaxmi Chhabra, former
So far, Nineteen (19) States. viz, Arunachal Director General of Doordarshan
Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, (iii) Ms. Leela K. Ponappa, former
Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Ambassador and Dy. National
Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Security Adviser.
Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, (iv) Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Former Election
Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Commissioner of India
Bengal & Sikkim have set up State level
Committees. Four Persons from Editor’s Category
Five (5) Union Territories, namely, Andaman (i) Ms. Manika Raikwar Ahirwal
& Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Daman Diu, (ii) Mr. Hemant Sharma
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep have (iii) Mr. Rajiv Khandekar
also set up State level Committees. (iv) Ms. Navika Kumar
So far as District level Committees are
concerned, such Committees have been set NBSA received and considered 1451
up in 296 districts across India. complaints from 2014 to July, 2016 which
were received directly, from members,
Self-Regulation in case of News Channels ECI and Ministry of I&B; NBSA passed 26
News Broadcasters Association (NBA), as orders. It has also issued 1 Guidelines and 9
part of its self-regulation mechanism, has Advisories.
formulated a Code of Ethics and Broadcasting
Standards covering a wide range of principles
to self-regulate news broadcasting. They
have set up a Two- Tier structure to deal
with content related complaints. Complaints
are dealt with at Tier I, by the individual

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 107

Self-Regulation in Non-News (General (iii) Mr. S.K. Kharventhan, Member,
Entertainment) Channels National Commission for Backward
Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has set Classes (NCBC)
up a mechanism for self-regulation in case
of non-news channels after consultation with (iv) Ms. Stuti Kacker, Chairperson
the Ministry. As part of this, IBF has laid National Commission for Protection of
down Content Code & Certification Rules Child Rights (NCPCR)
2011 covering an entire gamut of content-
related principles and criteria for television Broadcast Members
broadcast. (i) Mr. Sujeet Jain (Viacom)
As part of this mechanism, a two-Tier based (ii) Mr. A. Mohan (Zee Network)
complaints redressal system has also been (iii) Mr. Amit Grover (Discovery)
set up. At the Tier-I level, each Broadcaster (iv) Ms. Shobhna Bajaj (Turner) 
shall set up a Standard and Practices (S&P)
Department with a Content Auditor to deal Special invitee
with the complaints received for content aired (i) Ms. Tara Murali, Eminent
on its channels. Conservationist and Architect
At the Tier II, the Broadcast Content
Complaints Council (BCCC) has been set The BCCC received 16257 complaints during
up and made operational since 1.7.2011. the period from 16th April, 2014 to 20th June,
The BCCC is a thirteen-member body 2016. Out of which, decisions were taken in
headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme respect of 4376 specific complaints.
Court or High Court as its Chairperson and
has four eminent members of society. The Self-regulation of advertisements on TV
National Commissions are also represented channels
in the Council which also has four broadcast With regard to regulation of advertisements
members. In addition, the Council has two on TV channels, the Code adopted by the
Special Invitees to help it deal with language Advertising Standards Council of India
complaints. (ASCI), which is a self-regulatory body, has
The BCCC is presently headed by Justice been incorporated in the Advertising Code
(Rtd) Mukul Mudgal. The details of other stipulated in Cable Television Networks
members of BCCC are as under: (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules framed
thereunder. ASCI has set up Consumer
Members : Eminent Persons Complaints Council (CCC) to consider
(i) Dr. Ira Bhaskar, Professor of Cinema complaints in regard to advertisements. The
CCC currently has 28 members; 12 are from
Studies within the industry and 16 are from the civil
(ii) Ms. Sharmila Tagore, Film Actor society like well-known doctors, lawyers,
(iii) Ms. Arundhati Nag, Theatre Activist journalists, academicians, consumer activists
(iv) Mr. Wajahat Habibullah, Former CIC etc. During the period April, 2015 to July,
2016 ASCI received and considered 2020
&Chairperson NCM & former IAS complaints against advertisement and 1271
complaints were upheld.
Members : National Statutory Commissions
(i) Dr. P.L. Punia, Chairperson, National Direct To Home (DTH) Service
Direct To Home (DTH) service is a
Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) comparatively recent entrant as compared to
(ii) Mr. Naseem Ahmad, Chairperson, cable transmission. It has certain technical
advantages over cable operations. DTH is an
National Commission for Minorities (NCM) addressable system and covers the entire

108 Annual Report 2016-17

Satellite Downlinkin Uplinking Satellite Series) dated 24.06.2016 for Broadcasting
g TV TV DTH Subscriber sector making Foreign Investment cap in DTH
Uplinking Channels Channels sector upto 100% (Automatic route). It also
by DTH by DTH provides that Applicant Company must have
Teleport Operator Operator Indian management control with the majority
representatives on the Board as well as Chief
Broadcaster DTH Earth Station Executive of the Company being Resident
Indians. All applications for issue of license
DTH Transmission for operating DTH services are required to be
examined in accordance with the eligibility
criteria. The existing DTH license conditions
for setting up and operating DTH service
in India contain adequate safeguards with
regard to the carriage of undesirable contents
in DTH service.

country. In DTH service a large number of HMIB, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in a review meeting at
television channels are digitally compressed, DDK, in Vijayawada
encrypted and beamed from very high power
satellites. The programmes transmitted The Doordarshan provides free to air channels
through DTH can be directly received at on its DTH service (called Free Dish) for which
homes by installing small dish antennas at the subscribers have to buy the dish and
convenient locations in the buildings. DTH the set top box from the open market. Since
transmission service does not require any the Doordarshan signals are unencrypted
commercial intermediary, since an individual and free to air, no accurate assessment
user is directly served by the DTH operator. is available about the number of viewers.
DTH Service refers to distribution of multi- Apart from Doordarshan’s DD Direct Plus,
channel programmes in Ku Band by using DTH service is being provided by six private
a satellite system, for providing TV signals players, namely, Dish TV (M/s Dish TV India
direct to subscribers’ premises. DTH provides Ltd.), Tata Sky (M/s. Tata Sky Ltd.), Sundirect
subscribers the advantage of geographical DTH (M/s. Sun Direct TV Pvt. Ltd.), BIG TV
mobility meaning thereby that once a (M/s. Reliance BIG TV Ltd.), Airtel Digital TV
customer purchases DTH hardware, he/she (M/s. Bharti Telemedia Ltd.) and Videocon
can continue to use the same unit anywhere d2h Ltd (M/s. Bharat Business Channel
in India. Ltd.). DTH being a digital addressable system
The Government on 15.3.2001 (amended offers good picture quality, enhanced value
on 06.11.2007) issued detailed guidelines added services, transparency in the system
including application Forms and Licensing enabling its audit and monitoring thereby
Agreement for operating DTH services
in India. The eligibility conditions in the
guidelines, inter-alia, provide for total
foreign equity holding, including FDI/NRI/
OCB/FII, in the applicant company not to
exceed 49%, and within the foreign equity,
the FDI component not to exceed 20%.
The Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion has liberalized the FDI Policy in
electronic media vide Press Note No. 5 (2016

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 109

Sr. DTH Operator Date of permission Transmission Compression Conditional
No. standard standard Access Services
(encryption)

1 Dish TV 16.9.2003 (Interim DVB-S & MPEG-2 & Conax
renewal granted till DVS-S2 MPEG-4
31.03.2017)

2 Tata Sky 24.3.2006 (Interim DVB-S & MPEG-2 & NDS
renewal granted till DVB-S2 MPEG-4
31.03.2017)

3 Sun Direct TV 28.8.2006 DVB-S MPEG-4 Irdeto

4 Reliance BIG TV 24.5.2007 DVB-S MPEG-4 Nagravision

5 Airtel Digital TV 10.9.2007 DVB-S2 MPEG-4 CISCO

6 Videocon d2h 28.12.2007 DVB-S2 MPEG-4 Irdeto & Cisco

reducing litigations between the broadcaster Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)
and DTH operator resulting in better services Service
to the consumers leading to structured
growth of the sector. Thus DTH has given The Government on 08.09.2008 has put in
a stiff competition to the analogue cable TV place the policy on IPTV enabling another
sector which is also going digital eventually. mode of distribution of permitted satellite
Since different DTH players have entered TV channels till date through the Telecom
the market at different point of times, they and cable Networks. This is bound to give
have brought–in with them the contemporary not only a new digital visual experience to
advanced technology in the DTH market in the Indian viewer with various value added
India. and interactive services to cater to the ever
In view of the rapidly expanding DTH persisting demand of the subscriber for new
subscriber base, TRAI, with a view to and interactive services but is also providing
protecting the interest of DTH subscribers, increasing opportunities to create diverse
had in 2007, issued the Direct to Home business models not only for the broadcasters
Broadcasting Services (Standards of Quality but also for the platform service providers.
of Service and Redressal of Grievances) The policy on IPTV now offers greater clarity
Regulation, 2007, amended from time to time on the issues involved and both the telecom
which essentially covers regulatory provisions operators as well as the cable operators will
relating to protection of the interests of DTH be able to provide IPTV services and will be
subscribers. The tariff order provides for regulated as per their respective licensing
protection of consumers against increase in conditions. The content will be regulated
prices. TRAI’s regulatory measures enables as per the Programme and Advertisement
DTH consumers to exercise their choice for Codes as prescribed under the Cable Act
acquisition of STB (outright purchase basis, which takes care of several apprehensions
hire-purchase basis and rental basis) as well including those with respect to provisioning
as choose and pay for channels which they of obscene content. It defines the liability for
want to watch in DTH sector. violations of content codes and how they will
be dealt with and takes care of the concerns

110 Annual Report 2016-17

relating to national security. The policy also simultaneously reducing the cost for the
enables MSOs and Cable operators along with subscribers giving them a variety of content
broadcasters to provide content to Telecom and services. It is expected that with clarity
licensees providing IPTV services. The policy on the IPTV regulatory framework and growth
enables IPTV service provider to create its of broadband connectivity India will emerge
own content except for the news and current as a leading player in IPTV market. IPTV in
affairs. India is currently being offered by MTNL,
The policy does not require a separate BSNL and Bharti Airtel. The technology is
permission for providing IPTV services for promising due to its superior quality and
the defined Telecom and cable operators. interactive service but the reach is limited to
However it requires a self declaration on the households having broadband connections.
prescribed format to be made. The format for Once broadband penetration in rural India
such a declaration has also been notified. improves, IPTV would stand a better chance
Clause 5.6 of the Downlinking Guidelines has of success.
also been modified to enable broadcasters to HITS (Head-End In The Sky) Service
provide content to IPTV service providers. The
policy also enables the cable operators and Satellite
multi-system operators having relevant rights
from the broadcasters to provide aggregated Satellite
content to telecom IPTV service providers . This
provision also enables the franchisee model Uplinking Downlinking Uplinking Downlinking TV
as adopted by MTNL/BSNL for provisioning TV Channels TV Channels
of IPTV services. However since the policy Tele by HITS Channels Cable
does not recognize a franchisee as a separate port Operator by HITS Operators
entity, a franchisee for being able to receive Operator
and aggregate the broadcast signals will have Broadcaster
to register himself as a cable operator. HITS Earth Station
The advantage of IPTV Services platform is
that it allows to provide specialized services, Cable Cable
catering to niche audiences. Animation Operator Operator
and gaming industry is also likely to see a
bigger market as a result of such services. Consumer Consumer
One of the key determinants of the growth
of the IPTV services however is the extent/ HITS Transmission
reach of broadband penetration and quality
of broadband connectivity. It is hoped A new technology that has emerged in
that the diversity of services enabled by Broadcasting sector is Headend in the Sky
the IPTV platform will give a further boost (HITS). Because of the acceleration it can
to the subscriber demand for broadband bring to the spread of both digitalization and
connectivity. conditional access in India. The Government
Globally IPTV has emerged as a serious has laid down a policy framework in
competing pay TV platform for the Cable consultation with TRAI for introduction of
and DTH services. It is expected to generate Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) mode of delivery
additional revenue streams both for content of content to the cable operators.
providers and the IPTV service providers and Cabinet in its meeting on 12.11.2009
approved the proposal of Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting to issue policy
guidelines for Headend-in-the-Sky operators.
The Government on 26.11.2009 issued policy
guidelines. The policy guidelines provides
for a framework within which the HITS
Service providers has to provide services in

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 111

the country. The policy does not mandate for provisioning of HITS services. There is
for either the cable operators or subscribers some constraint with regard to availability
to necessarily obtain signals from a HITS of transponder capacities but it is expected
platform/network, the subscribers and cable that with greater demand will also come the
operators can continue with the existing supply. The introduction of DAS will serve as
system. Hence the cable operators have liberty a catalyst to the revival of the HITS services.
to switch over to HITS provider network if so
desired. Thus it has a basic difference from Status Of Cable TV Digitisation
the areas notified for CAS (conditional access
system) which is mandatory. i. Cable TV System in the Country
HITS serves the whole country providing its Cable TV forms the backbone of the
signals through satellite to many MSO/ cable broadcasting distribution industry. The
operators who can further send the signals to cable industry has played a prominent
the customers using their cable network. The role in the growth of the electronic media
essential difference between a HITS operator sector in the past 20 years. Despite the fast
and a Multi System operator (MSO) is that the growth of the DTH services, cable services
former transmits the bundle of channels to continue to dominate the distribution of TV
the cable operators using a satellite, whereas channels as of today. This platform has a
the latter does the same through cable. HITS number of limitations due to analog nature of
is a digital delivery mode of distribution of transmission.
TV channel and it speeds up the process
of digitalization of cable services located in ii. Profile of the Broadcasting Industry
Non-CAS areas of the country. HITS not The cable TV service value chain comprises
only help increase the penetration of cable four main supply side entities i.e.
market further into rural areas where it has broadcaster, Multi System Operator (MSO),
been absent because of un-viability but will Local Cable Operator (LCO) and the end
also help in further reduction of prices of consumer. Broadcaster generates the content
Set Top Boxes and will also lead to further to be televised which is received by the
consolidation of the cable market. viewer. Broadcasters transmit or “up-link”
HITS enables a subscriber to enjoy a wide the content signals to the satellite. MSOs
choice of digital channels, better picture downlink the broadcasters’ signals from the
quality and value added services at affordable Satellite, decrypt any encrypted channel
price. HITS provides greater channel and provide a bundled feed consisting of
capacity from the present limited capacity of multiple channels to the LCO. As per TRAI,
channels placed in prime/non prime band. there are around 6,000 MSOs operating in
Though HITS policy has been a step in the India. The MSO business is dependent on
right direction and is capable of bringing the broadcaster for content and on the LCO
down the investments required at the level for last mile connectivity and subscription
of the last mile operator thereby enabling revenue collection. MSO is required to have
further and deeper penetration of cable head-ends for receiving TV signals. LCOs
services into rural areas, because certain receive bundled signals from the MSO and
tariff and interconnection issues needed retransmit this to subscribers in their area
to be resolved it had not been able to take through cables. It is estimated that there
off. It is expected that with the TRAI now are around 60,000 cable operators in the
coming up with the tariff order for the digital country.
addressable systems the industry will now
be forthcoming with setting up of platforms iii. Nature of television distribution
platforms
India is the world’s second largest TV
market after China. India has 175 million TV

112 Annual Report 2016-17

households with the following platform wise ●● The limited carrying capacities and lack of
distribution as per FICCI KPMG Report 2016: transparency distorts the business model
for the broadcasters and increases their
DD Free Dish DD Terrestrail dependence on advertisement revenues
15M 14M and restricts scope for subscription
(9%) (8%) revenues (65:35). Accordingly, for higher
Television Rating Points (TRP) the
DTH Cable channels often sensationalize the content
44M 102M on television.
(25%) (58%)
●● The quality of picture on analog cable
iv. Drawbacks of analog cable TV depends on whether a channel gets
The analogue cable television is afflicted with carried in Prime Band or non-Prime Band.
the following inherent drawbacks:
●● Whereas the number of permitted satellite ●● Cable operators are facing severe
competition from Direct to Home (DTH)
TV channels has gone beyond 700, the and IPTV services which are in a position
analog system is able to carry only 70- to provide high quality content and value
80 channels. This severely restricts the added services and unless they upgrade
choice for the subscriber and denies the their services they will lose out business
subscriber a large canvas of channels to new platforms.
available in the broadcasting universe.
●● The limited carrying capacity of the v. TRAI recommendations
analogue system brings about a distorted The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
business of television distribution, as (TRAI), in its recommendations dated the 5th
broadcasters are forced to incentivize August, 2010 on “Implementation of Digital
MSOs for carrying their channels by Addressable Cable Systems in India” had,
paying carriage fees inter alia, recommended that digitalization
●● The analog cable does not have the with addressability be implemented on
technological feature of facilitating a-la- priority in cable TV services and, accordingly,
carte (individual) selection of channels. recommended a time frame comprising four
This compels the customer to go by the phases for switch over from analog system to
bouquet of channels devised by a cable the digital addressable system (DAS) in the
operator out of his own accord, restricting cable TV sector.
a say of the customer in selection of
channels. Thus, the analogue regime is vi. Benefits of digitization
not customer friendly. Addressability means that the signals of
●● Another severe technological limitation cable operators will be encrypted. Signals
of the analogue services is lack of can only be received through a Set Top Box
transparency as subscriber base is not after due authorization from the service
accurately maintained and reported. This provider, thus, enabling identification
leads to under reporting of subscription and maintenance of data base for each
revenue and the consequent concealment subscriber, to bring transparency and
of tax revenues. prevent piracy. Implementation of DAS would
benefit all stakeholders. The key advantages
of digitization for various stakeholders are as
follows:

a. Consumer
●● Consumers would be empowered to

exercise a-la-carte selection to allow

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 113

individual channel selection and they will The increased capacity would enable
pay only for those channels they wish to broadcasters to offer niche channels and
watch depending up on their budget. HDTV (High Definition Television) channels.
●● The number of channels offered to the Increased subscription revenue would allow
consumers will go from the present 70- broadcasters to move away from TRP centric
80 channels to several hundreds. It will content, to conduct the business on an
also enable them to watch a large number auditable subscriber bases.
of high quality/high definition digital
television channels giving them a better d. Government
viewing experience. ●● Government‘s tax collection would match
●● Like DTH and IPTV subscribers, the cable
TV subscribers will also get improved the actual market size.
quality of content and have access to ●● Transparency in subscriber’s base would
various value added and interactive
services like Electronic Programme Guide, drastically bring down the losses that
Movie-on Demand, Video-on-Demand, are caused to the Government by way of
Personal Video, Gaming, etc. evasion of taxes.
b. Cable Operators ●● There would be enhanced generation of
Digitisation enables the cable operator to service tax revenue and entertainment
provide Triple Play which is carriage of voice; tax through enhanced deployment
video and data i.e TV, Telephony, internet of broadband and other value added
and IT enabled services. Bundling broadband services.
with digital channels is a promising ●● The digital cable TV network is vital
proposition and a significant differentiator infrastructureforpenetrationofbroadband
from DTH. This would enable them to compete through which the e-Government services
effectively with DTH services, increase their of both Central and State Governments
Average Revenue per User (ARPU) and enable can be accessed
convergence of Broadcasting and Telecom
services. Broadband penetration in India will (vii) Amendment in the Cable Act for
also increase through digitisation of cable TV implementing DAS
services. In view of the recommendations of the TRAI,
c. Broadcasters the Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on
13.10.2010, approved the Ministry’s proposal
Conference on Business Opportunities in Digital for mandatory introduction of Digital
Terrestrial Transmission Addressable Systems (DAS) in the cable TV
services, which, inter-alia, covers a time
frame and road map for implementation of
digitalization with addressability on a pan
India basis in cable TV services, leading to a
complete switch off of analog TV services by
31st December, 2014. Cabinet also approved
certain amendments in the Cable Television
Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 through
promulgation of an Ordinance, namely,
the Cable Television Networks (Regulation)
Amendment Ordinance, 2011. The said
Ordinance was promulgated on the 25th
of October 2011. Subsequently the Cable

114 Annual Report 2016-17

Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment the Ministry under the chairmanship of
Act, 2011 was brought into force w.e.f Additional Secretary (I&B), comprising
31.12.2011. representatives from:
●● Broadcasters
(viii) Notification for Phase wise ●● MSOs
implementation of DAS ●● LCOs
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, ●● CEAMA
in its Notification dated 11th November, ●● Consumer Forums
2011, laid down the phase wise schedule for ●● Department of Telecom
digitization of the Cable TV Networks in India ●● Department of Information Technology
in four phases. The notified cut off dates are
as indicated below: & Telecom Regulatory Authority
●● State Governments
Phase I Metro cities of Originally slated Task Force was meeting regularly on
Delhi, Mumbai, for 30th June monthly basis to review the progress and
Kolkata & 2012. Modified to take stock of the progress made.
Chennai 31st Oct 2012 20 meetings of Task Force for Phase-I
and 6 meetings for Phase-II were held. 18
Phase II 38 cities (with 31st March 2013 meetings have been held for Phase III &
population Phase IV so far.
more than one (b) Meetings with sub groups of national level
million) MSOs, independent MSOs and LCOs:
Separate meetings were held with these
Phase All other Originally slated sub groups to take stock of the progress
III urban areas for 30th Sept and to address their concerns.
(Municipal 2014 Modified to (c) Training: Considering that the task
Corporations/ 31st Dec 2015 involved training and capacity building of
Municipalities) local cable operators to facilitate the digital
switch-over with least inconvenience to
Phase Rest of India Originally slated the consumers, Broadcast Engineering
IV for 31st Dec 2014 Consultants India Limited (BECIL) was
Modified to 31st asked to launch training programmes in
Dec 2016 batches to impart training to local cable
operators. However, the response from
(ix) Implementation / Initiatives by the cable operators was not very good. Thus
Ministry BECIL did not continue with the training
Considering that digital switch-over of cable courses.
television networks is a massive exercise, (d) Public Awareness Campaign: A massive
it required involvement of all stakeholders, information and public awareness
namely, Broadcasters, Multi System campaign in electronic as well as print
Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators media was launched with a view to
(LCOs) etc. It was also imperative that the making people aware of the transition and
necessary infrastructure was put in place to to address their concerns and queries.
facilitate a seamless transition from analogue (e) Toll Free Number 1-800-180-4343:
to digital. Ministry of I&B, which has the
mandate to implement the digital-switch
over, had taken following major initiatives to
ensure that the transition effectively by the
due date;

(a) Task Force: A Task Force was set up by

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 115

A multilingual toll free number was (g) Interaction with State Governments
1800-180-4343 was made operational Considering that the role of the State
to address and clarify various queries of
public at large. Governmentiscrucialtoitsimplementation
(f) Website: A dedicated website (www. at the local level, discussions were held
DigitalIndiaMIB.com) was set up for the with State Governments to sensitize them
task. about the issue and their crucial role in
its implementation.

Website of Cable TV Digitisation www.digitalindiamib.com

For Phase II, Chief Secretaries were requested for multiple TVs in houses and for TVs in
to nominate nodal officers for each of the 38 offices/shops. This data was provided on
cities of phase-II for timely preparedness the Ministry’s website.
for transition to DAS. For Phase III & IV
implementation State wise as well as district (i) Collection and analysis of STB’s seeding
wise nodal officers were got nominated. data
Workshops/meetings were held with the
nodal officers. For monitoring the progress of Phase I as
well as Phase II, a comprehensive data-
(h) Census data base was prepared by the Ministry, wherein
Phase wise and city wise requirement details were gathered systematically from
MSOs about the availability of STBs and
of TVs for digitisation was taken as per their seeding progress. Data from DTH
Census 2011. Provision of 20% was added operators was also collected.

116 Annual Report 2016-17

Initially data was collected on weekly specified.
basis but daily data was collected about a MSOs and LCOs were required to confirm
month before the cut-off dates for Phase-I
& phase-II. the correctness and truthfulness of the
A Management Information System (MIS) supplied information.
was developed during the implementation
of Phase III & IV, whereas all registered (m) Registration of MSOs
operators (MSO, DTH & HITS operators) All Multi System Operators (MSOs) who
were entering area wise seeding states of
STBs. Access to the data was provided want to provide cable TV services in
to the nodal officers also, so that they digital are required to get registration
could review the progress in their State/ from M/o I&B till 30.11.2016, 229 MSOs
district. have been issued regular registration by
the Ministry for operating in DAS notified
(j) Field Teams areas. 830 MSOs have also been issued
Intensive field visits were carried out provisional registrations.

by the BECIL and senior officials of the (x) Digitization Status: Phase I
Ministry. Phase I of digitization was completed by 31st
Visits were also made by the teams from October, 2012. Out of the four metro cities
the Ministry to the establishments of planned to be digital, digitization has been
MSOs, LCOs and STB manufacturers. near total in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Discussions were made with consumers, Chennai is yet to undergo the digital transition
particularly in remote and slum areas to due to several pending Court cases.
get a feedback on their requirements. About 85 lakh cable STBs have been installed
Considering large requirement of phase- in Phase I cities. Maximum number of 34 lakh
II, All India radio and Doordarshan were STBs were installed in Delhi, followed by 26
asked to make a technical team in each lakh in Mumbai, 22 lakh in Kolkata and 3.5
of the 38 cities. These teams were visiting lakh in Chennai.
the establishments of the MSOs and
feeding data to the Ministry regularly. (xi) Digitization Status: Phase II
Similar arrangement was made during ● Phase II was concluded by 31st March,
the implementation of Phase III and 2013 in 38 cities spanning across 14
the AIR & DDn officials were asked to States and one Union Territory.
carrying out the inspection of headends ● Out of the above 38 cities the switch
of the registered MSOs. over is complete in 37 cities while in
Coimbatore the work is in progress,
(k) Meetings with nodal officers. due to court case.
Regular meetings were held with the
Development of Indian CAS
nodal officers of the State Govts. A major impediment in design and
development of domestic STBs was non-
(l) Amendment in Cable Rules to supply availability of Indian Condition Access
correct information in specified time System (CAS). DeitY had awarded this work
to M/s BY Design India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore
An amendment in Cable Rules was issued and the same has since been developed and
on 6th July 2012 making it obligatory for CAS would not only give further boost to
every MSO and LCO to give information the manufacturing of STBs in the country
as may be sought by Central or State but also offer interoperability of STBs. Cable
Governments or authorised officers within subscribers would be able to continue to use
such period and in such form as may be the same STBs even no change to service

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 117

provider. As per DietY, iCAS will be provided of channels, the Broadcasters are
only to Indian STB manufactures for 3 (three) launching new high quality and
years. iCAS can be used for STBs of cable as even ad free channels which cable
well as DTH. It is learnt that Doordarshan is subscribers have starting subscribing
also planning to use iCAS embedded STBs on additional payment. This was not
for free dish service. It is also expected to possible in analog regime.
be cost effective compared to imported CAS. iii. Quality of Picture and Sound: In
The normal cost for imported CAS is about analog system picture and quality was
2 or 3 dollars per STB. As per DeitY, Indian not only poor but was also dependent
CAS (iCAS) will be available at half a dollar on the band (VHF-1, VHF-2 or UHF)
to the STB manufacturers. So, there will a in which the channel was carried.
saving of one and a half to two dollars per In digital system quality is excellent
STB if domestic manufacturers use iCAS. being digital and is independent of
It will give further impetus to the domestic the band of frequency on which the
STB manufacturers to produce and supply channel is carried by the MSO.
the indigenously manufactured set top boxes iv. Programme Guide: In digital domain
thereby achieving the goal of ‘Make in India’ cable subscribers are getting the full
and creating employment opportunities. access to programme guide and know
what programme is currently being
(xii) Impact Assessment played and would be coming up at
No formal impact assessment of the cable TV different times.
digitisation has been carried out, data has
been collected from different stakeholders v. Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
which indicates that the following major As per Regulations by TRAI, it is
benefits from digitisation have started mandatory for every MSO and his
accruing: cable operator to have a Grievance
Redressal Mechanism wherein a toll
i. Choice from large number of free number, web based system for
channels including HD channels: logging and tracking the status of
In analog regime, cable system had a complaints and notification of nodal
carrying capacity of 75 to 80 channels officers has been mandated. No such
only. All these channels were of system existed in analog regime.
Standard Definition (SD) quality but Complaints can thus be addressed
the same cable in digital can not only effectively in the digital system.
carry up to 600-700 channels but even TRAI has also provided a timeline
High Definition (HD) channels can be for redressing the grievances of
carried. From the data received from consumers in a time-bound fashion.
the MSOs it is observed that in Delhi,
Mumbai and Kolkata on an average vi. Increase in ET & ST collection due to
300 SD and 20 HD channels are being transparency: Cable TV digitisation
carried by each MSO. Subscribers has brought transparency. It is not
have choice to choose from these large possible for a MSO or cable operator
numbers of channels. to under-declare the cable subscriber
base. As indicated in the table below,
ii. Ad Free and high quality channels: the entertainment Tax collection data
Channels in the digital system are received from a state indicates that the
encrypted and a consumer can watch ET collection in these states increased
only those channels for which they from Rs. 157 crores in 2012-13 to 358
have subscribed. Since digital system crores in 2015-16.
has capacity to carry hundreds

118 Annual Report 2016-17

CABLE TV DIGITIZATION

IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF ENTERTAINMENT TAX COLLECTION (R IN LAKHS)

S. No. State(s)/UTs Financial Years 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
2012-13 18.61 238.44 292.42
1 Bihar 19.16 899.31 993.64 1091.12
2 Gujarat 796.63 528.59 1047.49 1224.1
3 Karnataka 238.88 7146.68 10545.96 11407.18
4 Maharashtra 7525.03 48.17 97.83 77.13
5 Mizoram 43.82 1389.00 5145.01 10107.07
6 Rajasthan - 5979.33 7869.06 8732.85
7 Uttar Pradesh 4775.08 2341.87 2525.74 2895.82
8 Uttarakhand 2312.5 18351.56 28463.17 35827.69
15711.1
Grand Total

vii. Reduction in Carriage fee: Since Balance to be covered in 11
digital system has large capacity, Phase III & IV crore
MSOs are demanding channels from
the Broadcasters to carry on their o Phase III – 4 Cr.
system and thus the amount of
Carriage fee being charged by MSOs o Phase IV – 7 Cr.
from Broadcasters have started
coming down. ● As can be seen from above, Phases
I, II & III together have led to about
viii. Increase in Subscription revenue: 7 crore i.e.50% of the Cable TV
Due to transparency in subscriber digitization i.e., out of a total of 14
base in the digital system, the crores STBs required, 7 crore STBs
subscription revenue being received have already been installed.
by Broadcasters from MSOs/LCOs is
showing increase. ● Road-map for implementation of
Phase III & IV: The Ministry has set
(xiii) PHASE III & IV up a Task Force to steer the process of
implementation of Phase III and Phase
● Requirements: As per the Census IV of Cable TV Digitization. The Task
2011, total number of TV households Force comprises representatives from
in India is 117 million (11.7 crores) various stakeholders including TRAI,
Broadcasters, MSOs, LCOs, Nodal
Total TV Households in India 11.7 Officers from the States, consumer
(as per Census 2011) crore organizations, STBs manufacturers
Total STBs/DTH required and DTH Operators etc., to oversee
by adding 20% provision for 14 and monitor the digitization process
multiple TV in houses and crore in Phase-III. Task Force is meeting
TVs in offices/shops every month. So far, 18 meetings
Achievement in Phase I & II 3 crore of the Task Force have been held.
The following other initiatives have
also been taken up by the Ministry
to complete Phase III of digitization
by the stipulated cut-off date of
31.12.2015:

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 119

a) Publicity campaign have been initiated d) Sub-Groups meetings of the MSOs
in electronic, print, social media and were also held after holding of meeting
by SMS to apprise the consumers of Task Force, till July, 2015 after
about the benefits of digitization which MSOs were requested to attend
and about the cut-off date. All major Workshops held in various parts of the
broadcasters and MSOs are also Country. This was done to participate
carrying video spots for the awareness interaction with both Ministry and the
of public. State Governments.

Advertisement in all Newspapers on 11th July e) Regional Units have been set up
2015 at 12 places i.e Delhi, Chandigarh,
Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Bhopal,
MIB's Public Awareness Campaign for DAS-III – Shillong, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune
courtesy IBF Bhubaneswar, Bangalore and Patna
for liaison work, collection of data and
b) A meeting held with Resident to monitor the progress of digitisation.
Commissioners of States/UTs to
sensitize them about digitization f) Ministry has organized 11 Regional
Scheme. Workshops in the first round from
July to Nov 2015 at Chandigarh,
c) All the State/UT Governments were Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Bhopal,
requested to nominate State Level and Shillong, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune,
District Level Nodal Officers. Three Bhubaneswar, Bangalore and Patna
workshops of State level nodal officers with State and District Level Nodal
were held in Delhi on 3.6.2015, Officers to sensitize them about their
3.11.2015 and 20.6.2016. role in the implementation of Cable
TV Digitization. Registered MSOs
were also invited in these Workshops.
However, it was noticed that there
were a thin attendance on the part of
MSOs despite repeated requests and
official communication.

g) It would not be out of place to
mention here that all the stakeholders
particularly MSOs and LCOs are aware
about digitization of cable TV since its
inception from Phase-I and publication
of Gazette Notification dated 11-11-
2011. Therefore, they cannot plea
that they were not aware of the cut-
off dates of each Phases of cable TV
digitization. More particularly, it is
appropriate to state that for Phase-III
of digitization an ample time of more
than four years have already been
given to all the stakeholders since
with the Publication of first Gazette
Notification on 11.11.2011 as the
cut-off date for Phase-III was fixed
as 30.09.2014 which was extended

120 Annual Report 2016-17

to 31.12.2015 by another Gazette carrying video spots for the awareness
Notification dated 11.09.2014. of public.
h) To implement Cable TV Digitization m) Ministry obtained list of LCOs
a Scheme known as “Mission from Broadcaster who have an
Digitization” one of the approved Interconnection Agreement with them
schemes of this Ministry has been and issued advisories to 1027 LCOs
approved with an outlay of Rs. 13.02 to apply for MSOs registration for
core to be executed through BECIL a providing digital services in cable TV.
Govt. Undertaking. Under the scheme ● Involvement of the State and Union
12 Regional Units have been set up to Territory Governments is crucial
coordinate and facilitate the activities for successful implementation of
with stakeholders for implementation digitisation as District Magistrate
of DAS. or Sub-Divisional Magistrate or
i) In order to enable a comprehensive Commissioner of Police, within
overview of the digitization process, their local limits of jurisdiction, are
the Ministry had internally called for authorised officers [Cable Television
monthly reports in the prescribed Networks (Regulation) Act 1995].
format wherein the data reporting Authorised officers have to take
to availabilities of STBs and their action if any cable operator continues
seeding, was to be provided by the to provide analogue signals even after
registered MSOs. However, out of cut off dates (Sec 4A). Authorised
189 MSOs registered at that time and officers have powers to seize
called upon to provide the details, equipment (Sec 11) and confiscation
only 59 had responded. Further, the (Sec 12). State Governments also
Ministry has developed a Management have to facilitate Right of Way
Information System (MIS) to collect (Sec 4B) to cable operators. Since
and collate the data in the progress of State/UTs are integral part of the
seeding. digitisation exercise, on the request
j) Toll free (Multi-lingual) helpline of M/o I&B State/UT Governments
No. 18001804343 has been made have nominated State and District
operational and consumer can ask level nodal officers. State level nodal
queries in 8 languages. Near the cutoff officers are the members of the Task
date of Phase III, around 1000 calls Force constituted by the Ministry of
were being received every day. About Information & Broadcasting to steer
300 to 400 calls are being received the implementation of digitisation.
every day now a-day. Ministry of Information and
k) 229 MSOs have been issued regular Broadcasting has been requesting the
registration by the Ministry for Chief Secretaries and Administrators
operating in DAS notified areas. from time to time on these issues. 
830 MSOs have also been issued
provisional registrations. (xiv) Challenges faced in implementation
l) Publicity campaign have been initiated of Phase III Cable TV Digitisation:
in electronic, print, social media and Unfortunately, just before the cut-off date,
by SMS to apprise the consumers some MSO Associations and individuals
about the benefits of digitization moved various High Courts requesting for
and about the cut-off date. All major extension of cut-off date. On 30th Dec 2015,
broadcasters and MSOs are also Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Court
granted 2 months’ extension. Sikkim High

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 121

Court also granted 3 months’ extension on 2016 with the remaining also to be decided
31st Dec 2015. Keeping in view the orders favourably. The Phase III areas are therefore,
passed by these courts, the Division Bench expected to go completely digital very soon.
of Bombay High Court in WP No. 6903 of The available data indicates very positive
2014 filed by Nasik Zilla Cable Operators inputs of digitisation in Phase I & Phase II
Association relating to extending the cut- areas. Digitisation will enable availability of
off date of Phase III of Cable TV Digitization, high speed broadband access also though
passed an order on 4th Jan 2016 stating that cable network to fulfil the mission of Digital
question of interim order does not arise in India of the Govt. but the Digitisation of cable
view of Apex Court judgment in the matter TV networks depends entirely on the industry
of Kusum Ingots & Alloys Ltd. This Ministry stakeholders such as broadcasters, cable
sought the opinion of the Law Ministry on the operators etc. Cable operators are legally
interpretation of this order and its applicability mandated to transmit only digital signals
for implementation of digitization. The Law and switch off analogue after cut-off date.
Ministry opined that the order passed by The Ministry is a facilitator in this exercise
the Bombay High Court appears to have and issues of concern are being addressed
applicability across the country. by MIB and TRAI through Task Force and by
Thus, Ministry was unable to enforce the consultations with stakeholders. TRAI has
cut-off date of 31st Dec 2015 in the states issued Interconnections Regulations, Quality
whether there is litigation or not in the matter of Service Regulations and Tariff orders.
or an extension of cut-off date or not. As a Progress of implementation of provisions
result, despite the huge investment made under these regulations is being monitored
by MSOs and other operators in digitization by TRAI. Issue of MSO registrations and
of their infrastructure, there is uncertainty provisions of the Cable TV Act/Rules are being
in the market and analogue signals are still managed and monitored by the Ministry.
being transmitted by some operators in some
areas. It would not have been proper for The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory
Ministry to direct the Broadcasters to switch Sharing with Prasar Bharti) Act, 2007
off analogue signals in Phase III areas as it The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory
would have lead to contempt of court. Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 has
Total 61 cases were filed in various High been enacted with the aim and objective to
Courts in the country. Ministry moved the provide access to national or international
Supreme Court on 16th Feb 2016 in view sporting events, held in India or abroad, to
of different durations of extension of time the largest number of listeners and viewers,
granted by various High Courts to get the on a free to air basis. This is done through
cases transferred to Apex Court or any other mandatory sharing of sports broadcasting
court. Hon’ble Apex court on 1st April 2016 signals with Prasar Bharati. Section 3(1) of
was pleased to agree for transfer of all the the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory
cases or in future, any case on the same legal Sharing with Prasar Bharti) Act 2007
question to Delhi High Court. Accordingly, all has provided for mandatory sharing of
the cases which were pending in various High broadcasting signals of certain sporting events
Courts, have been transferred to Delhi High in order to achieve the aims and objectives
Court as per direction of Hon’ble Supreme of this Act. The Government has notified
Court vide its order dated 01.04.2016 in a the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory
Transfer Petition filed by the Ministry. sharing with Prasar Bharati) Rules 2007 vide
Out of 45 pending court cases transferred G.S.R. 687(E) dated 31.10.2007 for smooth
in Delhi High Court, most of the cases have and proper implementation of the Act. Section
been disposed off in the month of December 2(1) (s) of the Act has empowered the Central
Government to notify the sporting events

122 Annual Report 2016-17

of national importance for coverage as per in India to ensure fair competition, better
the provisions of the Act. The Government standards and quality of services by television
also notified S.O 1489(E) dated 04.07.2012 rating agencies. TRAI recommendations on
and S.O.1957(E) dated 23.08.2012 giving Guideline for Television Rating Agencies were
the details of sporting events of national received on 11.9.2013. While supporting
importance which inter-alia include cricket, self-regulation of television ratings through
and events relating to Tennis, Hockey and an industry-led body like BARC, TRAI
Football. further, the government notified recommended that television rating agencies
S.O. 3264 (E) dated 22.10.2016 for mandatory shall be regulated through a framework in
sharing of sporting events of national the form of guidelines to be notified by MIB.
importance with Prasar Bharati with respect It also recommended that all rating agencies,
to Cricket matches. including the existing rating agency, shall
require registration from MIB in accordance
Policy Guidelines For Television Rating with the terms and conditions prescribed
Agencies In India under the said guidelines.
Television Rating Points (TRPs) have been
a much debated issue in India since the Based on the recommendations of TRAI,
present system of TRPs is riddled with several comprehensive policy guidelines for Television
maladies such as small sample size which Rating Agencies in India was issued by the
is not representative, lack of transparency, Ministry on 16.1.2014.The Guidelines for
lack of reliability and credibility of data etc. Television Rating Agencies in India are designed
Shortcomings in the present rating system to address aberrations in the existing television
have been highlighted by key stakeholders rating system in India. These guidelines
that include Individuals, Consumer Groups, are aimed at making the Television ratings
Government, Broadcasters, Advertisers, transparent, credible and accountable. The
and Advertising Agencies etc. The Members agencies operating in this field have to comply
of Standing Committee on Information with directions relating to public disclosure,
Technology had also expressed concern over third party audit of their mechanisms
the shortcomings in the present TRP regime. and transparency in the methodologies
In 2008, MIB had sought recommendations adopted. This would help to make the rating
of TRAI on various issues relating to TRPs agencies accountable to stakeholders like
and the Policy Guidelines to be adopted for the Government, Broadcasters, Advertisers,
rating agencies. TRAI, in its recommendations Advertising agencies and above all the people
dated 19th August 2008, had, inter-alia, of this country.
recommended the approach of self-regulation
through the establishing of an industry-led Kantar Market Media Research which holds
body i.e.the Broadcast Audience Research 51% equity in TAM Media Research has
Council (BARC). The Ministry had constituted challenged the Policy Guidelines on Television
a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Rating Agencies issued by the Ministry before
Amit Mitra, the then Secretary General FICCI Hon’ble High Court of Delhi . It challenged
in 2010 to review the existing TRP system In clauses 1.7(a) and 1.7(d) relating to cross
India. The Amit Mitra Committee had also holding restrictions and clauses 16.1 and
recommended that self-regulation of TRPs by 16.2 of the guidelines.
the industry was the best way to go forward.
Since BARC could not operationalise the “16.1 T hese guidelines shall also be
TRP generating mechanism, MIB sought applicable to the existing rating
recommendations of TRAI in August 2012 agencies.
on comprehensive guidelines/accreditation
mechanism for television rating agencies 16.2 No rating agency shall generate and
publish ratings till such time that
they comply with the provisions of
these guidelines. “

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 123

Hon’ble High Court in its interim order has showcase their talent to the community. The
stayed these provisions till final disposal of unique position of CRS as an instrument of
the case. The matter is presently sub-juice. positive social change makes it an ideal tool
M/s TAM Media Research and Broadcast for community empowerment. The policy
Audience Research Council (BARC) have guidelines for community radio and the list of
since applied for registration to the Ministry. CRSs currently in operation can be accessed
M/s Broadcast Audience Research Council at www.mib.nic.in.
applied for registration as a TRP agency on In December 2002, the Government of India
03.11.2014. It has been granted registration approved a policy for the grant of permissions
as TRP Agency by Ministry of I&B on for setting up of CRSs to well established
28.07.2015. educational institutions. The guidelines were
M/s TAM Media Research Pvt. Ltd applied for amended in 2006 to permit not-for-profit
registration as a TRP agency on 19.02.2014. Organisations also in order to allow greater
participation by the civil society on issues
COMMUNITY RADIO relating to development & social change.
Currently there are 201 functional CRSs, 259
Overview: GOPA holders and 519 LoI holders.
Community Radio is an important third tier Initiatives like simplification of the application
in broadcasting, distinct from public service methodology, improved transparency in
and commercial media. It provides a platform processing of applications, quickening the
to air local voices on issues concerning pace of approvals, better coordination,
their lives. In the last few years, this sector enhanced awareness, enhanced synergy
has been growing slowly but effectively in between stakeholders and involvement of
India. Community Radio Stations (CRS) are other ministries in CR broadcast have laid a
essentially low power radio stations which solid foundation for a meaningful growth of
are meant to be set up and operated by the CR in India.
local communities. CRS permissions in India
are granted only to educational institutions, Status of CRS in India:
agricultural institutions and civil society So far, Letters of Intent (LoI) have been issued
Organisations, which are not-for-profit to 519 applicants. Out of 519 LoI Holders, 259
Organisations. CRSs are rooted in the local have signed Grant of Permission Agreements
community, and are owned and managed (GOPA). About 250 applications are presently
by the community itself. This gives them a under consideration for permission to set up
distinct advantage to focus on local issues CRS.
concerning health, nutrition, education,
agriculture etc. Moreover, the CR sector offers So far, 201 Community Radio Stations have
the powerful medium to marginalised groups become operational in the country, out of
to voice their concerns. which 76 are operated by NGOs, 110 by the
Furthermore, since the broadcast is in local Educational Institutions and 15 by SAU/
languages and dialects, people are able to KVKs. Graphical representation of operational
relate to it instantly. Community radio also CRS is given below.
has the potential to strengthen people’s
participation in development programmes. In 250
a country like India, where every state has
its own language and distinctive cultural 200 143 161 179 188 201
identity, CRSs are also a repository of local 150 103 122
folk music and cultural heritage. Many
CRSs record and preserve local songs for 100 64
posterity and give local artists a platform to 50 28 41

0 2010 2012 2014 2016
2004- 2008
07

124 Annual Report 2016-17

New Initiatives by the Ministry: country.
Grant for equipment: In its endeavour to Study on effectiveness of CRS in India:
promote the Community Radio Scheme and To assess the effectiveness of Community
to encourage more organizations to set up Radio and its reach to the surrounding
CR stations, Ministry has decided to increase community, Ministry decided to conduct
the maximum grant size for purchase of a listnership survey of the operational CR
equipment from current 50% to 75% of the stations in the country. AMS Lucknow was
total estimated expenditure, subject to a selected to conduct the survey on behalf of
ceiling of R 7.50 lakhs. For North-Eastern Ministry. It was decided that sample size for
states, maximum grant size shall be 90% of the survey would be kept 19 stations (10%
the total estimated expenditure, subject to a of then operational CR stations). These 19
ceiling of R 7.5 lakhs. CR stations were selected keeping in mind
the geographical spread of CR stations and
Grants for content creation: The grants linguistic basis. AMS Lucknow has conducted
will be provided to operational CR stations the survey and submitted a draft report to
under the scheme “Supporting Community Ministry. The final report is likely to follow
Radio Movement in India” for producing soon.
and broadcasting fresh programmes various Awareness Workshops on Community
themes. Maximum grant to a station for Radio: Awareness generation is crucial for
content creation will be limited to Rs. 10 the success of Community Radio Movement
Lakhs, spread over a period of 3 years @ R in India. Therefore, Ministry has been giving
2350/- per hour of programme. wide publicity to the Community Radio
Scheme by organizing awareness workshops
Capacity building of CRSs: A training need with various stakeholders These workshops
assessment has been carried out to arrive at have been successful in addressing issues
needs of CRSs. Several rounds of discussion concerning guidelines, application procedure,
have been held with stakeholders on this content and sustainability issues for CRS.
issue. Finally, 5 themes have been identified During the Financial Year 2016-17 eight (8)
on which CRSs capacity is to be built. An awareness workshops are being organised at
RFP has been drafted to invite proposals for Bhopal, Udaipur, Jammu, Patna, Guwahati,
capacity building of CRS. Recently, Indian Allahabad, Bengaluru and Raipur. The venues
Institute of Mass Communications (IIMC) has for the workshops are decided keeping in
given in-principle approval for training some of mind the geographical spread of CR stations
the stations in various aspects of broadcasting and the participants of the workshops will be
like content production, technical knowledge from districts where no CRS exists at present.
and training of personnel, in some of the Left
Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas in the

Photographs of Community Radio Awareness Workshop at Patna (21-22 Dec. 2016)
Activities under Broadcasting Sector 125

Content sharing platform of CRS: EK financial support for manpower for content
duniya anEK awaaz (EDAA) www.edaa.in management.
is a web based free and open content and Currently, portal has repository of more than
knowledge exchange platform for Community 11,000 audio clips and radio programme
Radio broadcasters, government departments in 29 different languages/dialects.110
and other IEC material producers. EDAA Community Radio Stations have uploaded
portal enables sharing of radio programmes their programmes on various themes like
among Community Radio stations. Ministry women empowerment, health, Panchayati
is supporting this platform through Raj, sanitation, drinking water etc.

Photographs of Community Radio Awareness Workshop at Bhopal (3-5 October, 2016)

FM DIVISION Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting,
Shri Ajay Mittal visiting the studios and other
The Major Initiatives / Policies of FM Division sections of the All India Radio (AIR), in Kolkata
is Expansion of FM Radio network in the
country through Private Agencies.

●● FM Radio sector was opened up for
private participation for the first time in
the country in July, 1999 (Phase-I). FM
Phase-I scheme met with limited success
and only 21 channels in 12 cities could
be operationalised. The FM Phase-II
scheme launched in 2005 provided for
expansion of Private FM Radio in Cities
with a population of 3 lakh and above

126 Annual Report 2016-17

along with the State capitals (even if the The Application were than examined by
State Capitals had population of less than Application Review Committee (ARC) which
3 lakhs). Under Phase-II 243 private FM rejected the application of one company (M/s
channels came into operation in 86 cities Agrani Homes) as they failed to submit EMD.
including 21 channels migrated from Thus there are only 14 companies remaining
Phase-I. in the fray for the 2nd batch e-auction. M/s
●● It was felt that there was still unmet C-1 India Pvt. Ltd., e-auctioneer and auction
demand for FM Radio in many cities that adviser to the Ministry of I&B provided training
could not be covered by Private FM Radio to the applicant companies on 14.10.2016
broadcasting in Phase-II. Therefore, at the National Media Centre, Raisina Road,
Government, on 25.07.2011 announced New Delhi. Subsequently, Mock auction was
FM Phase-III scheme with the objective conducted on 21st and 24th October, 2016
to expand private FM Radio in all cities to familiarize the bidders with the Auction
with population of one lakh and above Rules and bidding methodology to be applied
besides 11 border cities in Jammu & and followed during the e-auction. The
Kashmir, North Eastern States and Island e-auction began on October, 27, 2016 and
Territories having population less than concluded on 14.12.2016. 66 channels in 48
one lakh. Under FM Phase-III 839 new cities were provisionally sold at a cumulative
FM radio channels in 294 cities are to winning price of R 200.24 crore against their
be awarded through ascending e-auction aggregate reserve price of R 188.85 crore. The
process, to be held in batches. frequency allocation stage was conducted
●● Ministry conducted e-auction for the first on 14.12.2016. After completion of second
batch of Private FM Radio Phase-III in batch, Ministry will take action to auction
2015 and received revenue of R1103.51 remaining cities of Phase-III.
crore (upto October, 2016) from winners FDI+FII limit in a private FM radio broadcasting
of 96 channels in 55 cities. Result of one company has been increased from 26% to
channel in one city has been withheld 49% through Govt. route as per DIPP Press
pending security clearance from MHA. Note 12 (2015) dated 24th November, 2015.
●● Government also received revenue of
Rs.1616.20 crore as Migration fee (upto Map on Private FM Radio
November, 2016) upon migration of 225 A map annexed here shows the cities where
Phase-II FM Radio channels to FM Phase- private FM Radio channels are operational in
III regime. Migration of 4 Ph-II channels cities covered under FM Phase-I and Phase-II
is withheld due to pending security schemes. It also shows the cities proposed in
clearance from MHA while migration of 4 FM Phase-III scheme.
channels is pending due to Court cases.

Highlight of the year Revenue accruals to Government
NIA for e-auction of the 2nd batch of Private During the financial year 2016-17 Government
FM Phase-III channels for 266 channels in 92 has earned Rs.134.41 crore (approx.) upto
cities comprising 227 FM channels in 69 new 13.1.2017 as annual license fee from Private
cities and 39 unsold channels in 23 cities FM channels. The total revenue earned by
of first batch was issued on 20.06.2016. the Government by way of One Time Entry
Applications received from 15 companies Fee, Migration Fee and Annual License Fee
were sent to MHA for security clearance from Private FM Radio broadcasting in the
and to empaneled CAs for examination country since 2000 is R 5005 crore (approx.)
of net worth, shareholding pattern etc.. upto 13.1.2017.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 127

128 Annual Report 2016-17

PRASAR BHARATI into existence on 23rd November, 1997, with
a mandate to organize and conduct public
The Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation broadcasting services to inform, educate and
of India) is the public service broadcaster in entertain the public and to ensure a balanced
the country with All India Radio (AIR) and development of broadcasting in the country.
Doordarshan as its two constituents. It came

Minister of State Shri Jitendra Singh delivering
Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture 2016 at National Media Centre

Objectives: ●● To promote social justice, safeguarding
the rights of working classes, minorities
●● To uphold the unity and integrity of the and tribal communities.
country and the values enshrined in the
Constitution. ●● To promote research and expand
broadcasting facilities and development
●● To promote national integration. in broadcast technology.

●● To safeguard citizens rights to be The Corporation is governed by the Prasar
informed on all matters of public Bharati Board, which comprises of a Chairman,
interest by presenting a fair and balanced an Executive Member (also known as Chief
flow of information Executive Officer), a Member (Finance), a
Member (Personnel), six Part-time Members,
●● To pay special attention to the fields representative of the Ministry of Information
of education and spread of literacy, & Broadcasting and the Director Generals
agriculture, rural development, of All India Radio and Doordarshan as ex-
environment, health and family welfare officio Members and two Representatives of
and science and technology. the employees of the Corporation. Chairman
of Prasar Bharati is a part-time Member with
●● To create awareness about women’s tenure of three years and holds office up-to
issues and take special steps to protect the age of 70 years. The Executive Member is
the interests of children, aged and other a whole time Member with a term of 5 years
vulnerable sections of the society. and holds office up to the age of 65 years. The
Member (Finance) and Member (Personnel)
●● To provide adequate coverage to diverse
cultures, sports and games and youth
affairs.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 129

are whole time Members with tenure of 6 Activities of International Relations
years and they hold office up to the age of 62 Division of Prasar Bharati
years.
The composition of the Prasar Bharati Board Major activities (2016-17)
(as on 11.1.2017) is as follows:­
(i) Conducting seminars/conference/
symposia/summits relating to various
broadcasting issues in India
1) Dr. A. Surya Prakash Chairperson

2) Vacant Executive Member (ii) Sending delegations abroad to attend
trainings, seminars, symposia, summits,
3) Shri Suresh Chandra Panda Member (Personnel) etc. relating to various broadcasting
issues at International levels.
4) Shri Rajeev Singh Member (Finance)

5) Ms. Jayashree Mukherjee, Representative of (iii) Arrangements under MoU with foreign
Addl. Secretary M/o I&B broadcasting relating to:

6) Shri Muzaffar Ali Part Time Member

7) Shri Anup Jalota Part Time Member (a) Exchange of programme contents, co-
production of programmes,
8) Shri Sunil Alagh Part-time Member

9) Shri Ashok Kumar Tandon Part-time Member (b) Training of personnel,

10) Shri Shashi Shekhar Part-time Member (c) Participation in significant cultural,
Vempati economic, political and social events,
festivals and competitions,
11) Smt. Kajol Part-time Member

12) Smt. Supriya Sahu, Director Ex-officio Member (d) Carriage of Doordarshan channels for
General: Doordarshan foreign viewership, etc.

13) Shri F. Sheheryar, Director Ex-officio Member
General: All India Radio

Organizational Structure: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
General superintendence, direction and During the year (2016-17), the Memorandums
management of the affairs of the Corporation of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with the
vest in the Prasar Bharati Board. The Prasar Public Broadcasters of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Bharati Board meets from time to time and and UAE for cooperation and collaboration
deliberates on important policy issues and in the broadcasting sector in the areas of
gives directions to the executive to implement mutual interest. Adequate steps were taken
policies. The Executive Member functions for implementation of various provisions
as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the of MoUs/CEPs between the countries in
Corporation subject to the control and consultation with Doordarshan and All India
supervision of the Board and exercises such Radio.
powers and discharges such functions of the
Board as it may delegate to him. Apart from this, a joint understanding
between DD News and CCTV News content
Two Director Generals head the Directorate Co. Ltd.; China signed on 30.08.2016 for the
General of All India Radio (AIR) and the news-exchange and news-alignment.
Directorate General of Doordarshan. They
function in close association with the Member Exchange of Programme/Content
(Finance) and Member (Personnel) and the Exchange under the provisions of MoU
CEO in carrying out the policy directive of As an outcome of the meeting held between
the Board and manage day-to-day affairs Ambassador of India in Beijing, Member(Pers),
of AIR and Doordarshan. Both in AIR and PB and CCTV, China in April 2016, CCTV sent
Doordarshan, there are broadly four different 2 Hard Discs containing sports programmes.
wings responsible for distinct activities viz. Programme-exchange between Prasar
Programme, Engineering, Administrative & Bharati and CCTV, China has taken place
Finance and News. particularly in view of the visit of Hon’ble

130 Annual Report 2016-17

President to China during 24th May -27th by 2018, Ambassador of Turkey to India,
May, 2016. As many as three documentaries Burak Akcapar said in a statement. Turkish
received from CCTV, China were telecast on delegation had borne the entire expenditure.
DD Sports. Another documentary received A 16 member Chinese Media Team visited DD
from CCTV, China titled “Laughing Meat News on 14.10.2016 and interactive meeting
Balls” was telecast on DD Bharati channel on took place with DG:DD, DD News higher
23rd May, 2016. A hard-disk containing four officers, followed by a tour of newsroom,
high-quality programmes of Doordarshan has studios and other facilities of DD News.
also been sent to CCTV, China for telecast Ms. Deepa Chandra, ADG(P), DG:DD
on 20th May 2016. Most content-exchange participated as a jury in the International
takes place on gratis basis and no revenue is documentary film Festival (TRT Documentary
earned or expenditure is incurred. days) held in Istanbul from 12-16 May, 2016.
As part of the MOU between the two A delegation of Prasar Bharati headed by
organizations, 5 DD channels (DD News, DD Member (F), PB participated in the 53rd
Bharati, DD Urdu, DD India & DD Sports) Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union General
are available to Canadian audience. It is Assembly and associated meetings 2016 in
operating on a revenue sharing basis from Bali, Indonesia.
subscription. ATN, Canada is transporting
the 5 streams from DDK Delhi to Canada at Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and
their cost. AIBD activities
MBC has shortlisted 10 Doordarshan ABU, Prasar Bharati and Govt. of Telengana
programmes for telecast on MBC i.e. “Gora”, jointly organized the first ABU International
“Yeh hai India meri jaan”, “Spectacular Dance Festival during 13-16 January 2017
India”, “Forts of India”, Shrikant-Story of in Hyderabad, India. More than 10 countries
love”, “values and struggle”, “Kashmakash participated in this event.
Zindagi Ki”, “Peecha Karo”, “Aakhir Kon”, “Ek AIR is one of the founder members of ABU and
Lakshya and Beti ka Farz”. MBC has also has contributed a lot in its various technical
sent some programmes to Doordarshan for activities to promote the development of
telecast i.e. Anjoria (3 programme), Rangsaaz broadcasting in Asia Pacific region. During
(3 programme), Mati Banal Sona, Satrangi and the 53rd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Sanskriti Sarovar. General Assembly held in Bali, Indonesia,
Director General, Doordarshan was elected as
VVIP visits during the year the Vice President of ABU for a 3 years term.
The delegations from Romania, Turkey, Doordarshan was re-elected as a member of
China, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and ABU Technical Bureau & All India Radio also
Tajikistan visited Prasar Bharati in order re-elected as a member of ABU Programme
to sign MoUs and to exchange views on the Bureau.
subject of mutual interest and boost the AIR Producer bagged ABU ‘Community
bilateral relations. Service Announcement Award’ for ‘Diary of a
An official delegation of Turkish companies, Tiger’ during this event. The announcement
led by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce aims to raise the awareness of tiger extinction.
& Tourism, attended FICCI FRAMES 2016 Prasar Bharati is also very active in the
here, to promote collaboration in cinema activities of AIBD. NABM (T) has conducted
and television sector between India and several training courses for participants from
Turkey. The Turkish Delegation is very Asia-Pacific region on behalf of AIBD.
encouraged with the initial response at the
three-day conclave and Turkey is predicting
content exports of $20 Million to India

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 131

List of International events in which Prasar Bharati participated
during the year 2016-17

Sl. No. Name of Events Period Place/Country
1 4th ABU Song Festival 24-26 April 2016 Beijing, China
2 101st ABU Mid-year Administrative 20-21 May 2016 Nadi, Fiji
3 Council Meeting 22-26 May, 2016 Incheon, South Korea
4 13th Asia Media Summit-2016 and 25-29 July, 2016 Colombo, Sri Lanka
5 Pre-summit Workshop 25-27 August, 2016 Tehran, Iran
6 ABU Radio Drama Workshop August 2016 Rio-de Jeneiro, Brazil
7 AIBD General Conference and 08-19 August, 2016 Kilsyth Victoria,
8 Associated Meetings 19-23 August 2016 Australia
9 Coverage of 31st Olympic Games 23-28 August, 2016 Bangkok, Thailand
10 Pre-dispatch inspection of 5 Nos. of 08-11 September, 2016 Beijing, China
11 FM Combiner System 18-22 September, 2016 Amsterdam, Netherlands
12 ABU-ROBOCON-2016 International 26-30 September, 2016 Oxford, U.K
13 Contest 27-30 September 2016 Mauritius
14 AIBD/BIRTV/CITV Technical/ 13-14 October 2016 Kula Lumpur, Malaysia
15 Programme Exchange Projects 18-26 October, 2016 Madrid, Spain
16 International Broadcasting 29.11.2016 to Bali, Indonesia
17 Convention (IBC)-2016 01.12.2016 Thailand, Bangkok
18 UNICEF's Critical Appraisal Skills 5-7 December, 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Programme (CASP) 12-21 December, 2016 Padova, Italy
19 Conduct training programmes for
20 MBC Staff in Mauritius 11-19 December, 2016 Cambodia and Indonesia
21 4th Regional Workshop on OTT & 19-24 December, 2016 Bhutan
IBB Technologies Services for Media 11-20 January 2017 Kilsyth Victoria-Australia
Participation in the EBU New Radio
Day
53rd ABU General Assembly &
Associated Meetings
DVB Asia 2016 Conference &
Exhibition
AIBD/ABU Regional Workshop of
Local-to-Global News coverage
Pre-dispatch inspection of 7 Nos.
of 20 KW VHF FM Solid- State
MOSFET Technology based
Broadcast transmitter and
associated equipments
ASEAN Media Exchange Programme
In-country News Workshop
supported by ABU
Pre-dispatch Inspection of 10 kW
UHF Super turnstile Antenna
system

132 Annual Report 2016-17

DOORDARSHAN Power Transmitters (HPTs), Maintenance
Centres, Low Power Transmitters (LPTs)
From an experimental service in 1959, & Very Low Power Transmitters (VLPTs).
Doordarshan has grown over the years to Maintenance centres look after clusters of
become one of the leading TV organizations LPTs and VLPTs.
in the world, which has not only expanded The Ever-Expanding Network
its network across the length and breadth Doordarshan presently operating 34 satellite
of the country, but has also kept pace with channels and has a vast network of 67 Studios
new technological developments in TV and 1416 Transmitters of varying power
broadcasting. providing TV coverage to about 92% population
of the country. In addition, Doordarshan
Organizational Structure provides Free-to-Air DTH service.
Doordarshan is headed by the Director
General who is responsible for policy Shri Ajay Mittal, Secretary, Ministry of I&B and Ms.
formulation, planning and development, Supriya Sahu, DG,Doordarshan interacting with DD
infrastructure and technology development, Team after successful broadcast of 68th Republic Day
budgetary planning and control, human
resource development; overseeing operation
and maintenance activities, etc. Four Zonal
Offices located at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and
Chennai look after project & maintenance
activities in their respective zone. Another
Zonal office setup at Guwahati is presently
looking after maintenance activities in North-
Eastern states. Each Zonal office is headed
by Additional Director General (Engg). The
various Doordarshan establishments are –
Doordarshan Kendras (Studio Centres), High

A dance performance from CTC Phillippines at the first ABU International Dance Festival on 15 th
January, 2017 at Hyderabad.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 133

134 Annual Report 2016-17

Satellite channels

All India Channels (6) DD National DD News DD Sports
DD Bharati DD Urdu DD Kisan

Regional Channels (16) DD Malayalam DD Chandana DD Yadagiri

DD Podhigai DD Sahyadri DD Girnar

DD Odia DD Kashir DD North East

DD Bangla DD Punjabi DD Rajasthan

DD Bihar DD Uttar Pradesh DD Madhya Pradesh

DD Saptagiri

State Networks (11) Himachal Pradesh Jharkhand Chhattisgarh

Haryana Uttarakhand Tripura

Mizoram Meghalaya Manipur

Arunachal Pradesh Nagaland

International Channel (1) DD India

HMIB Shri Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating the First Asia Pacific
Broadcasting Union Dance Festival in Hyderabad

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 135

Programme Production centres DD: NATIONAL - the Flagship Channel
Doordarshan has 67 Studio centres spread ●● DD: National Channel is the largest
over the country, including 17 major Studio
centres at state capitals, a Regional Production terrestrial network in the world. It covers
Centre at Guwahati and 49 other Studio about 92.6% population and 81% land
centres located at various cities (Annexure-I area of the country. The channel is a
State-wise list of Studio Centres). healthy mix of entertainment, information
and education. It is available in terrestrial
Terrestrial Transmitters mode from 05.30 a.m. till midnight. In
Doordarshan has 1416 transmitters of the satellite mode it is available round the
varying power, installed across the length clock.
and breadth of the country. ●● Doordarshan procures content through
various notified schemes such as Self-
Service HPTs LPTs VLPTs Transposers Total Finance-Commissioning (SFC), Revenue
Sharing Mode (RSM), Advertisement
DD National 138 728 351 14 1231 Funded Programme (AFP) as approved in
transmitters the 123rd Board Meeting. Doordarshan
is planning to introduce new system of
DD News 73 78 17 168 acquiring good quality of programme
transmitters by introducing New Content Acquition
Scheme from 2016-17 which is expected
Other 17 17 to fetch good revenue and also may help
transmitters to take Doordarshan to the fore front
(DTT/Digital) among GEC channels.
●● Doordarshan Directorate has set up a
In terrestrial mode, DD National Channel National Resource Exchange Pool(NREP)
coverage is estimated to be available to with the purpose of creating a common
about 92% population of the country. store house of important programmes
Terrestrial coverage of DD News Channel created within the networks which have
is estimated to be available to about 49% common value for Kendras in different
population (Annexure-II: Number of State linguistic regions through dubbing and
wise transmitters). subtitling. NREP is meeting the software
requirement of regional channels/DD
Free-to-Air DTH channels and earning revenue.
Doordarshan launched its Free-to-Air DTH ●● Components/programmes on Swachch
service “DD Free Dish” (Earlier DD Direct+) Bharat Mission and Swasth Bharat
in December, 2004 with a bouquet of 33 Mission have been undertaken and
TV channels. Capacity of DTH Platform was telecast on DD-National/Regional
subsequently augmented to 59 TV channels. Kendras.
DTH signals can be received anywhere in the
country (except Andaman & Nicobar Islands) Live Programmes
with the help of small sized dish receiving units. ●● All major national events like Republic
For A&N Islands, DTH service in C-band with
a bouquet of 10 channels was started with Day, Independence Day Celebration,
effect from September, 2009. Upgradation President’s and Prime Minister’s addresses
of Doordarshan’s DTH Platform “DD FREE to the Nation, important Parliament
DISH” from 59 to 104/112 channels was debates, Question Hours of Lok Sabha
completed in December, 2014. Presently, 80 and Rajya Sabha, Sports events like
TV channels are available on DTH platform. SAF Games, Rio Olympics, International
While implementation of ICAS (Indian CAS) is Events like Prime Minister Visit Abroad
underway (Annexure-IV: Details of DD Free
Dish channels as on 10.11.2016).

136 Annual Report 2016-17

Coverage by Doordarshan on the occassion of Republic day in New Delhi

and UN Conference, etc. are covered and ●● Education Component contributions
telecast on DD National. is made from varied sources such as
Indira Gandhi National Open University
●● Birth Anniversaries/Death Anniversaries (IGNOU), University Grant Commission
of important personalities- are telecast (UGC), Central Institute of Educational
on DD-National during the period. Technology (SIET)/NCERT, Vigyan
Programmes for vigilance awareness and Prasar.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas have also been
telecast on Doordarshan. The production team at work in the outside
broadcast van of DD
●● Doordarshan made elaborate
arrangements with ISRO for live telecast Narrow-Casting
of launch of GSAT-16 Communications Doordarshan has been telecasting agriculture
Satellites. extension programme to address specific local
issues related to the lifestyle of the people
●● Socially relevant special programmes e.g. residing in the coverage areas. Narrow-casting
Healthy India, Pulse Polio Campaign, Anti
cancer, Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Dengue,
Swine Flu and other health related issues,
Special Campaign for primary Education
for all, AIDS, consumer education, Road
Safety, free legal aid to weaker section of
the society, girl child programme like Beti
Bacho, Beti Padhao, etc. are covered and
telecast on DD National.

●● DD-National has been completely
rebranded with (i) new programmes and
(ii) iconic old serials made by reputed film
makers.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 137

by Doordarshan, which started in 2000 ●● Measures taken for revision of Film
initially involved 12 LPTs and is now extended Guideline 2007 which was amended in
to 179 transmitters from 36 Kendras. 2011

The project has three tier approaches ●● Rationalization of slots :-
(i) On the National channel: The Agriculture -HBN dropped being loss making

programmes are telecast six days week. proposition
(Monday to Saturday), between 6.30 am -Serialized Bioscope-Film to be shown in
to 7.00 am.
(ii) On 18 Regional channel: State specific one go
Agriculture programmes are telecast five ●● Preparation of Regional Film Guidelines
days a week (Monday to Friday), for a
duration of 30 minutes in the respective pending for more than 10 years being
Regional Language of the state on State expedited
Network, from 5.30 pm to 6.00 pm (Due ●● Committees for Short listing and Grading
to change of National Telecast Timing). of Feature Films to be revamped
(iii) In Narrowcasting mode (36 Kendra’s): ●● Retro Film Mela based on different theme
Area specific information, produced will be organized from January, 2017 to
once a week is being telecast 5 days a March, 2017.
week (Monday to Friday), in the evening
through PGFs and Regional Kendra’s DD NEWS
over 180 transmitters across the country, Doordarshan News (DD News) is the only
covering more than 140 distract across terrestrial-cum- satellite, multi- lingual
the country. news channel in the country. The news
The programmes are produced on varied channel has been successfully discharging
subjects such as in Agriculture, Horticulture, its responsibility to give balanced, fair and
Animal Science, Dairy, Fisheries, etc. accurate news by carrying different shades
programmes also includes information on the of opinion and without sensationalising the
weather, Mandi Bhav on a pan-India basis, same.
MSP (Minimum Support Price), information DD News channel was launched on 3rd
provided by DAC and Ministry of Agriculture. November, 2003 by converting DD Metro into
The date-wise schedule of programmers of each a 24-hour news channel. DD News terrestrial
of the 55 information centres are uploaded reach is 49% by population and 25% by area
on a specific portal (www.dacnet.nic/csms), of the country.
so that extension workers, planners and the DD News, from its headquarters at Delhi is
farmers can receive advance information currently producing news content in Hindi,
about the programmes that would be telecast English, Urdu and Sanskrit languages apart
each day. from two exclusive bulletins for hearing
impaired. 18 hours of LIVE TRANSMISSION
Task at Hand per day include telecast of more than 40 news
●● Intensive study of market and competition- bulletins in these languages. Over and above,
DD News has 30 Regional News Units (RNUs)
Study by Doordarshan was conducted on as well, spread across the states which also
how private channels acquire Feature telecast news of specified durations in the
Films for telecast on their channels. A regional languages.
meeting was also held with regional Film Three Metro RNUs (Regional News Units)
Producers on acquiring of Regional Films of DD News are also producing daily News
for its telecast on regional Doordarshan capsules which are aired on DD News
Kendras. under the caption Metro scan. The channel

138 Annual Report 2016-17

also telecasts three sports bulletins and Abhiyan along with a Swachhta Tip.
two business shows daily, and a number of ●● Additional Bulletin for Hearing
current affairs programmes. All important
newsworthy issues are discussed with the Impaired: Special 5 minute bulletin daily
experts in the daily discussion programmes. for Hearing Impaired in English at 10:55
Special programmes on the channel include AM.
those on Health, Youth Issues, Cinema, Art ●● Khabar Jaldi Jaldi: This 4-minute news
& Culture, Flagship schemes, Employment show has important news items in a news
Opportunities, International Events, Market capsule form, covering major national,
Developments and programmes on social international, business and sports news.
issues. ●● 5 Minutes Flash 15: This 5-minute
news show has 15 important news items
News Gathering in a news capsule form, covering major
In DD News, news inputs are received national, international, business and
from across the country, including remote sports news. It runs more than 8 times
areas, through the latest satellite based a day.
technologies, together with DSNG Vans/ ●● Vaarta Sanskrit Samachar: This daily
OB Vans, and through file internet/cellular news bulletin of 10 minutes duration in
mobile based technologies, such as TVU Sanskrit covers all the important news.
Backpacks and File Transfer Protocols (FTP). ●● Economy Today: New Special half
DD News collects majority of its news from an Hour programme focusing on daily
the following sources: happenings in the field of economy,
- Own Correspondents in HQs and RNUs finance and flagship programmes of Govt.
- Stringers and part-time correspondents and major initiatives like War on Black
- Agencies (PTI, UNI, Reuters, ANI) Money etc.
- International partners (eg. other national ●● India First: Special half an Hour show on
strategic affairs on Monday and Friday.
broadcasters, Asiavision) ●● Do Took: Special half an Hour show on
Correspondents are regularly sent out from burning political issues on Monday and
Delhi and RNUs to cover news events and Wednesday.
developmental and human interest stories
in different parts of the country. It has been Technical Infrastructure
sending correspondents to cover VVIP visits The 24x7 News channel has, at Delhi, its
abroad, launch of mega flagship programmes, national newsroom and three studios. The
general and state elections and such other newsroom works round the clock. Newsroom
major happenings. operations have been upgraded with the state
of the art Quantel Automation System and
Major recent initiatives Servers having non-linear video edit features
Restructuring the format and content of the at the Editors’ Desks. For satellite based news
channel is a significant and customary activity gathering from different parts of the country,
at the DD News. Several new programmes there are 16 DSNG vans stationed in different
have also been introduced in the recent past. states. Over and above, mobile-connectivity
Some of the highlights are: based backpack equipments are deployed
●● Swachhta Samachar: 5 minutes special in places when / where DSNG vans are not
available or cannot be deployed.
bulletin on all weekdays at 6:50 PM with DD News produces bulletins for other sister
its repeat next day 7.55 am, introduced in channels. Five bulletins in Hindi/English
October, 2016. This includes important of 15 minutes duration are being produced
news stories, people’s initiative and
feature stories related to Swachh Bharat

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 139

daily by DD News for DD National Channel. ●● Mobile app
DD News also produces 10 LIVE bulletins and ●● YouTube channel
news scrolls for DD Urdu. With the launch of ●● NIC’s live cast channel: http://webcast.
Kisan channel, DD News is supporting it with
two news bulletins airing news of interest to gov.in
farmers.
DD News shares, free of cost and without its Regional News Units
logo, feed on major happenings and exclusive Considering the incapacity of any centralized
coverages whenever it is felt that a social or agency in dealing with the regional and local
public purpose is being served by sharing level needs of a country as vast as ours and
the feed. Other channels also often patch to its people in being informed, educated and
DD News for live coverages of major events, entertained in their own languages, DD News
especially PM’s events. has set up, over the years, 30 Regional News
Units/Bureaus spread across the country.
DD News on New and Social Media These RNUs, operating out of the regional
The News Channel, apart from its new website, Doordarshan Kendras, are established
has presence on social media, which includes mainly in State headquarters. These RNUs
a Face book page, Twitter handles in Hindi broadcast over 129 news bulletins and 8
and English and a YouTube channel. The current affairs programmes in 22 languages/
website of DD News can be accessed at www. dialects in a single day with a combined
ddinews.gov.in or www.ddinews.com. A new broadcasting time of more than 27 hours
look website with video viewing facility was per day. The latest Regional News Unit was
launched in September, 2013 and is being set up in Vijayawada and operationalised in
refurbished and made more user-friendly. September 2014 following the bifurcation
Entire facilities are being looked after by a of the State of Andhra Pradesh. States of
specialized and dedicated New Media Cell. Sikkim and Uttarakhand as well as all Union
The English Twitter handle of DD News @ Territories other than Chandigarh do not
DDNewsLive was launched in January, have their own RNUs.
2013 and is being followed by more than
12 lakh people, and the number is growing. DD BHARATI
A new Twitter handle in Hindi language @ DD Bharati was launched on 26th January
DDNewsHindi was started in January, 2014 2002 and re-launched in November 2012 as
and already has more than two lakh followers. a channel dedicated to Art & Culture with
A dedicated YouTube Channel http://www. pre-determined time slots for Music, Dance,
youtube.com/ddnews was launched in Art & Crafts, History, Heritage, Science,
February, 2013. The YouTube channel has Energy, Environment, Traditions, Festivals
logged more than 2.7 crore views/hits and and Personalities of India and the World.
has over 1.25 lakh subscribers. Number of music, literature and culture
DD News Mobile App has been enabling the based programmes/serials like Mera Studio
people to access the news and current affairs Mera Mehamaan by renowned cartoonist Sh.
at their fingertips. It has facility for live Sudheer Tailang, Meghdoot by Kathak Guru
bulletins, latest news and popular videos. Ms. Uma Sharma , Nachyo Bahut Gopal of
More features are being added in stages. New Sh. Amrit Lal Nagar, Nagar Katha, Navras
version of this app will be launched soon. etc. had already been commissioned.
Also, DD News can be accessed through the
following means: Future Plans
●● Website DD Bharati is planning to earmark the slot
for selected Art films in the fix point chart of
best directors such as Satyajit Ray/ Bimal
Roy/ Mrinal Sen/ Ritvik Ghatak, and other

140 Annual Report 2016-17

eminent films like Ardhsatya, Aakrosh, Important and prominent personalities
Chakra, Ankush etc. from all walks of life, including Former
The programmes and documentaries on Indian diplomats, Educationist, Social
eminent personalities such as famous and workers, literary personalities, Intellectuals
great Writers, Poets, Freedom fighters and and Common people have been invited to
others of the different regions as well as the participate in the programmes not only in
special programmes on festivals and other Delhi but also in other cities of the Country.
occasions will be produced for DD Bharati. Prominent among these events are Jashn-
Some of the proposals are: E- Begum Akhtar, A Realty Show, Anchored
●● A serial on Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s life by Anu Kapoor and Pinaz Masani, organized
in Lucknow, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai
(23 episodes). and Delhi. Other Important Events before
●● Serial on great writer Vimal Mitra’s stories the invited audience are Mushairas, Sufiana
Kalam and Qawwalis, etc.
like Neelnesha Bonshodhor, Lojjahoro,
Jenana Sambad, Putul Didi, Amrutyu, Present Status of the commissioned
Milonanto, Dori, Rekjon Mohapurush, programmes
Rani Saheba, Gharonti, Satashe Srabon, At the initial stage, out of 580 recommended
Ashukaka, Nimaontrito Indranath, Amir Proposals, 164 Commissioned Proposals were
o Urboshi. selected for production. Each Proposal was
●● A serial on life of Swami Vivekanand. recommended for 13 Episodes. The current
●● Conducting audition through singing of status of these 164 proposals is as follows:-
only GA RE GA SA RE GA MA
●● Devotional Songs & Folk Music, Folk Break-up of 164 Serials assigned to producers
Dance of India in first list

DD: URDU Assigned commissioned serials -164
DD-Urdu Channel was launched by Hon’ble Programmes Received, Final payment -135
Prime Minister on 15th August 2006. Later made & Telecast
on the channel became 24x7 with effect from Serials with 50% advanced released -08
14th November 2007. (Committed
Presently DD-Urdu is producing more Proposals for which agreement has not liabilities for
than 8 to 9 In-House Programmes, like been executed by DDK Delhi
Mubahisa, Duniya Mere Aage Yeh hai India, Proposals Withdrawn 2016-17)
Taleem Aur Rozgar, Yaadain, Yaadon ke Proposal Shifted to second List -02
Dareechaiy Se, Bholaye Na Bane, Aina-E- Proposal on hold
Mazi, T.V Reports, Mushaira and other ENG Total Proposals (First List) -14
Coverages including special programme on -04
Festivals and Anniversaries. Besides 10 News -01
Bulletins, DD-Urdu telecast live Events like -164
Independence Day, Republic Day, President
and PM broadcasts to the Nation, National DD-INDIA
& International Conferences and events Doordarshan opened its window to the world
including International Film Festival of India. by launching its international channel on
DD- Urdu telecast 3 Feature Films per week 14th March, 1995. The Channel, initially
on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday and 10 known as DD-World was renamed DD-India
News Bulletins daily. on 2002. DD-India carries News bulletins,
Features on Topical Events, Entertainment
Programmes, Feature Films, Music and
Dance, Serials, Documentaries, News and
Current Affairs, Events and Tourism.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 141

DD-India shifted from GSAT-10 to INSAT DD KISAN
4-B for wider reach and footprints in India DD Kisan was launched on 26/05/2015
subcontinent. DD-India programmes are from CPC (Central Production Centre):
reaching 38 countries of the world through Doordarshan. This is the first channel
submarine cable, satellite and DTH dedicated to India's agriculture and its
platforms. It is available in the country on farmers. DD Kisan not only makes farmers
Cable by most MSOs and DTH platform aware of government policies, decisions but
on Tata Sky. Transmission of DD-India is also bridges the gap between them. DD Kisan
tapeless. A strategy for further expansion of celebrated its first anniversary on 26th May
its distribution and to have global footprint 2016, by organizing a special LIVE event. The
is underway. A total number of 572 spots event was attended by special invitees from
were telecast on DD-India during the period. Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan and eminent
A sponsorship agreement for 07 programmes agricultural scientists. The event included
is in pipeline. Now DD-India has new logo cultural events across the country and
and channel ID. Important live events and felicitations were made to successful farmers
programmes featuring Prime Minister, and agricultural scientists. LIVE streaming of
President & VIP, Parliament etc. were taken DD Kisan through mobile and computer was
live on DD-India. launched by the Chairman Prasar Bharati.

DD SPORTS Regional Language Satellite Channels
Sports Channel of Doordarshan was launched
on 18/03/1999. The transmission of the DD Sahyadri
channel was extended to round the clock Sahyadri Channel started throughout India
from June 2000. Some salient features of DD via Satellite from 15th August 1994. Its
Sports are: transmission was extended to round the
●● DD Sports is the only Free to air Sports clock from 05th April, 2000. It is available on
Terrestrial Support from 6.00 AM to 9.00 AM
Satellite Channel in India. and from 3.00 PM to 8.00 PM on all days except
●● Doordarshan has launched “Cash outflow” Sunday and on Satellite Mode it is available
round the clock. DD Sahyadri is very active
scheme in 2005 and revised in 2016 for in Social Media. It has its own website www.
coverage and telecast of Sporting events ddsahyadri.in, facebook page https://www.
on Doordarshan by charging the Sports facebook.com/ddsahyadri.in, and a YouTube
Federation, Association and Organizers a Account https://www.youtube.com/user/
minimum amount as cash flow. ddsahyadri. Social Media is actively used for
●● DD Sports acquired important Sports programmes promotions and connecting with
programmes from different Rights Holders viewers.
from time to time for telecast.
●● The Major Sporting Events like Olympic DD Girnar
Games are shown on DD Sports round The Satellite Regional Language channel DD-
the clock during the games period. The 11 in Gujarati was started on 01.10.1993 by
other important National Championship up linking from Delhi and the same service
of different Sports events are also telecast started up-linking locally on 15.08.1994. 24
on DD Sports. Hours Transmission on Regional Satellite
Language Service started from 01.05.2000
In Pipeline and DD-Girnar became a Brand Identity from
(i) National Games at Goa 02.10.2007. The Tagline of the channel is
(ii) All India School Games organized by “Aapni Sanskruti, Aapni Olakh".

School Sport Promotion Foundation
(iii) Road Race Championship

142 Annual Report 2016-17

DD Podhigai earned by DD-Punjabi during 2016-2017(up
Regional Language ‘Tamil Satellite Channel to 24/10/2016) is R 4,88,50,701/-.
– Podhigai’ started functioning on the
Pongal day i.e., 15.1.2001 with round the DD Kashir
clock transmission. Considering the genre The “DD Kashir” Channel was launched on
of programmes telecast it is coined as 26th January 2000 with fourteen and half
‘infotainment Channel’. hours of transmission per day. This was later
converted into a 24 hour channel from 15th
DD-Yadagiri March 2003.
After division of combined Andhra Pradesh This is primarily a satellite channel having
into two States i.e; Andhra Pradesh and terrestrial support of 30 transmitters providing
Telangana, Doordarshan Saptagiri channel coverage to about 77% of the population in the
was renamed as DD-Yadagiri at Hyderabad Kashmir Region. The programmes of the DD
and DD-Saptagiri retained the same name Kashir are up-linked from the Doordarshan
at Vijayawada and they started functioning Kendra at Srinagar. These are also available
from 27.09.2014. DD-Yadagiri was given tag throughout the country and can be accessed
line of Sumadhuram -Sumanoharam. to with the help of cable network. This channel
also forms part of the bouquet in ‘DD Direct
DD Saptagiri Plus’ service launched by DD and formally
DD Saptagiri Channel was dedicated to inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 16th
Andhra Pradesh people by Union Rural December, 2004.
development Minister Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu The languages include, Balti, Dogri, Gojri,
and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. N. Kashmiri, Ladakhi, Pahari, Punjabi, Sheena
Chandrababu Naidu on 27-09-2014. and Urdu. A series of programmes aimed to
counter the false propaganda launched from
DD Bangla across the border are also aired. Eight such
Launched on 20th August, 1992 DD Bangla programmes are produced and telecast every
became 24 hours channel from 1st January, week on the themes and content identified
2000. Collaborative Non-Linear Post by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Military
Production facility in HDTV format have Intelligence Directorate of the Army. The
been on 15th April, 2013 . Programme telecast by Kashir Channel
comprises both-in-house productions and
DD Punjabi commissioned programmes.
DD Punjabi is 24 hours non-stop channel
which is seen widely in India and other DD-Odia
countries where the footprints of satellite DD-Odia started on 2.10.1993 and was
INSAT 4B are available. It is also available on made a 24-hour channel from 01.04.2001.
DTH platform on Satellite GSAT 15. Language Commercial earnings of the Kendra (in
Wise Break up of this channel is as follows:- rupees) 2016-17 (upto Sept.’2016) is
Punjabi-99.16%, Hindi-0.79%, Urdu-0.05%. R1,46,20,875.00.
DDK Jalandhar contributes 99.45% of
programmes and other Kendras contribution DD Malayalam
is 0.55%. DD Malayalam from its inception in 1985
The 24 hours transmission of DD-Punjabi has made its presence felt across the length
is divided into 7 parts under the titles and breadth of the country. The Kendra
Morning Transmission, Sajjri Saver, Day has programme production facilities at
Transmission, Khirki (Afternoon show), Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Calicut
Regional Transmission and Evening and a network of terrestrial transmitters
Transmission & Night Transmission. Revenue across the State.

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 143

DD Chandana has been launched w.e.f 01.05.2013
DD Chandana is the Kannada language expanding its horizon across the country.
Satellite Channel launched on 15th August,
1994 supported by Doordarshan studios in DD: Uttar Pradesh
Bangalore and Gulbarga, it became round DD Uttar Pradesh, a 24x7 Hindi Regional
the clock satellite channel in 2000 and its Channel came into existence on 16th August
coverage expanded to more than 30 countries 2013. Previously it was only available on
from 24th March, 2003. Kannada-98.76%, Terrestrial Network. This 24 hour channel
Urdu, Kodava, Konkani & Tulu-1.24%. covers genres like folk music, Light music,
Revenue earned during 1st April 2016 to 31st play, talk show, quiz and some archival
October 2016 is R 2, 78, 25,186/-. programmes. Revenue earned during
2016-17 (23 Oct) R 391.29 Lacs. 08.00 hrs.
DD North-East Programme origination from 14:00 to 20:00 is
DD North-East was commissioned on 01-11- repeated in 2*8 hrs cycle excluding news and
1990 and finally launched on 15th August, commercials which go on air once. 15:00 to
1994. It became 24 hours channel from 27th 19:00 hrs programme is common on DD UP
December, 2000. Programme Production Satellite and DD Terrestrial service excluding
Centre (PPC) (NE), DDK, Guwahati is the Sunday.
platform from where Doordarshan is offering
uninterrupted programme service round the DD: Madhya Pradesh
clock. Coverage area of DD North-East (DD- DDK, Bhopal launched 24 hrs telecast service
13) is extended to all the seven North-Eastern through satellite and was renamed DD:
States and also Sikkim which has now come Madhya Pradesh on 25th June 2013. PGF:
under the network of PPC (NE). This channel is Gwalior and PGF: Indore produce programmes
also available on various DTH platforms such for telecast on DD: Madhya Pradesh. Kendra
as DD Direct Plus, Videocon DTH, Tata Sky, offers programmes in variety of formats
etc. Commercial Earning of PPC (NE), DD, like live phone-in, serials, telefilms, variety
Guwahati from April’2016 to October’2016 is shows, concerts, poetic symposiums, quiz
R 16, 32,712.00/- (net amount). & features. Besides Hindi; the programmes
in local dialects like Malwi, Bundeli, Bagheli
DD: Rajasthan and Nimari are also included in the bouquet.
DD: Rajasthan, a 24x7 Hindi Regional Channel
came into existence on 1st August, 2013 and Developmental Activities During 2016-17
formally started telecasting programmes from
15th August, 2013. This 24 hour channel Digitization
telecast programmes of different genres, Doordarshan has taken up establishment of
keeping in view tastes and needs of audience 63 digital high power TV transmitters in 11th
of the state. DDK, Jaipur has archived around & 12th Five year plans. Out of these, sixteen
750 programmes of various genres like music (16) Digital High Power Transmitters (HPTs)
and dance, documentaries, features, tele- (DVB-T2) were commissioned on 25.02.2016
films and tele-plays. Out of these programmes at the following places.
525 programmes have been dubbed on the
DV format / Optical Disc being telecast on 1. Delhi 2. Mumbai 3. Kolkata 4. Chennai
DD-Rajasthan. DD-Rajasthan also telecast
weekly/fortnightly programme in Rajasthani, 5. Guwahati 6. Patna 7. Ranchi 8. Cuttack
Sindhi, Urdu and Sanskrit language.
9. Lucknow 10. Jalandhar 11. Raipur 12. Indore
DD: Bihar
“DD-Bihar’’ (24×7 Regional Satellite Channel) 13. Aurangabad 14. Bhopal 15. Bengaluru 16. Ahmedabad

144 Annual Report 2016-17

Installation of Digital transmitters is Studios
underway at Hyderabad, Srinagar & (i) A full-fledged Studio that is complete with
Thiruvananthapuram. Doordarshan has
planned to setup 44 digital HPTs by the end the latest production and post- production
of 2018(Annexure-III : Locations of 40 digital facilities along with an Earth Station to
HPTs approved in 11th Plan and 23 digital uplink programmes is operational at
HPTs approved in 12th Plan ). Dehradun,Uttrakhand.
Work on full digitization of 39 Studio centres (ii) Multi-Channel Automated Play-back
(8 analog studios & 31 partially digitized facility at CPC, Delhi is underway for
studios) in various parts of the country is transmission of 24 - hour Doordarshan
underway too.  channels.

High Definition Television (HDTV) 12th Plan of Doordarshan
Keeping abreast with the latest Doordarshan’s 12th Plan scheme
technologies,Doordarshan has undertaken “Broadcasting Infrastructure Network
implementation of HDTV production and Development” approved at an outlay of
transmission capabilities. This will help R1893.14 crore including R1,215 crore for
Doordarshan offer the discerning viewers continuing schemes and R678.14 crore for
a video resolution 5 times higher than the new schemes is under implementation. Main
traditional Standard-Definition TV systems, thrust areas in the 12th Plan include expansion
besides offering Crystal clear and noise free of DTH, expansion of HDTV, digitization of
picture; more realistic colours; wide screen Doordarshan network, modernization of
picture and more viewing realism. Doordarshan’s Studios, Transmitter and
The HDTV projects under implementation Satellite broadcast equipment.
are:
(i) Multi Camera Studio Production facilities Sub-Scheme wise breakup of 12th Plan (New
Schemes) :
in HDTV format at CPC, Delhi.
(ii) Collaborative Non-Linear Post Production 1. Expansion of DTH for
Upgradation of DTH platform
facility in HDTV format for DD Kisan
channel at CPC, Delhi. transmission of 250 TV channels
(iii) HDTV transmitters at Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkata and Chennai . 2. High Definition TV
(iv) HDTV Studios at DDK Chennai & DDK HDTV Studio at Kolkata & Chennai
Kolkata.
3. Digitization of Doordarshan network
Modernization, Augmentation and i. Setting up of Digital HPTs at 23 places.
Replacement ii. Digitization of archives: Augmentation
As part of modernization and augmentation of facilities at Central Archives, Delhi
of its network, Doordarshan has embarked & Regional Archives.
upon the following major projects which are
under different stages of implementation. 4. Modernization, Augmentation and
Placement of Studios and Transmitter
Terrestrial transmitters equipment
(i) Replacement of ageing High Power
i. Modernization of CPC and Kendras
Transmitters with new HPTs in Punjab &
Rajasthan. ii. Upgradation of facilities at News
(ii) Setting up of 5 HPTs (10 KW) in J&K for Headquarter Delhi
expansion of terrestrial coverage.
5. Modernization, Augmentation and
Replacement of Satellite Broadcast
equipment

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 145

i. Upgradation of 13 Earth stations, In addition, training is provided by the
replacement of Earth station equipment manufactures at their work
equipment place. About 342 engineering officers have
been trained / proposed to be trained during
ii. Construction of 2 Earth station current financial year against various A/Ts
buildings by the equipment manufacturers for new
equipment being inducted in the network.
6. Infrastructure augmentation and
Miscellaneous works International conferences/ ABU
i. Strengthening of security related and
other infrastructure. Workshops
ii. Staff quarters at Chandigarh
The following International conferences/
7. New media technologies / Alternate ABU workshops during 2016-17 (till October,
delivery platforms 2016) were attended by Doordarshan
officials
Live streaming of DD channels & delivery
through internet on consumer devices. (i) ABU Technical Bureau Mid-Year Meeting
from 12.04.2016 to 13.04.2016 in Kuala
8. OFC connectivity Lumpur, Malaysia.
Linking of selected DDKs through OFC
(ii) Workshop on Enhancing DTT
network Broadcasting & Asia Media Summit from
Above projects are at various stages of 23.05.2016 to 26.05.2016 in Incheon,
implementation Korea. The summit was organized by
AIBD in collaboration with its partners &
Training international organizations.
The National Academy of Broadcasting and
Multimedia, NABM [formerly known as Staff (iii) Broadcast Asia 2016 from 31.05.2016 to
Training Institute STI (T)] is the premier 03.06.2016 in Singapore.
training academy of Prasar Bharati. Today,
it has emerged as the leading institution (iv) International Broadcasting Convention
to impart training in the field of Radio and (IBC),2016 from 08.09.2016 to 13.09.2016
Television production, post-production and in Amsterdam.
broadcasting, besides a great training hub for
broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region. (v) ABU General Assembly 2016 from
Training Programmes for new recruits as well 20.10.2016 to 26.10.2016 in Bali,
as for upgrading skills of existing personnel Indonesia.
in tune with new emerging technologies
besides management programmes are Doordarshan Commercial Service
conducted at the in-house training institutes Doordarshan Commercial Service (DCS) is
viz NABM Delhi, NABM Bhubaneswar, RABM an independent wing to co-ordinate all the
Shillong and RABM Thiruvanthapuram. commercial activities being performed at
Special courses like Executive Development the Headquarters, Doordarshan Kendras,
Programme for Senior Officers of DD & Marketing Divisions and DCD towards sale
Workshop on Stress Management have been of airtime as well as collection of revenue
conducted. About 839 engineering officers from agencies/clients/producers. DCS
have been imparted training in 54 training is responsible for framing of Commercial
courses conducted during April 2016 to policies and updating of rate card as per
October 2016 and 05 training courses have inputs received from Marketing Divisions and
been proposed to be conducted till December regional Kendras, with the approval of Prasar
2016. Bharati Board.

This wing allows registration and accreditation
status to various advertising agencies and

146 Annual Report 2016-17

interact with them for selling of air time. Rules made by the Police Martyrs, Doordarshan
and policies in this regard are framed and is airing half an hour series titled, ‘Police
reviewed from time to time in the changing Parakram’.
market scenario. Year wise Net Revenue ●● Various new campaigns i.e Accessible
(in Rs. crore) earned by Doordarshan is as India Campaign, Elderly health Campaign
follows:- of Ministry of Social Justice, Anti-tobacco,
Chikungunya, Dengue, Immunization
S.No. Year Net Revenue in R and Breast feeding of Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, Incredible India
1 crore (including of Ministry of Tourism and Income
2 Declaration Scheme & GST of Ministry
3. Service Tax) of Finance have been telecast during the
4. year 2016-17.
2013-14 1139.92 ●● Mission Indradhanush Spots, new scheme
of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2014-15 989.74 for child vaccination and ‘Jago Grahak
Jago’ of Ministry of Consumer Affairs has
2015-16 856.61 been launched on Doordarshan. DCD
also telecast spots on Flagship campaigns
2016-17 459.85 of Govt. of India as well as on
(upto 31.10.2016) minority welfare and spots on activities
for benefit of disabled persons.
Development Communication Division ●● During the year 2016-17 (up to
31.10.2016) Net revenue earned by DCD
(DCD) is R144.88 Crore.

Keeping in view the communication needs DD-Archives
of Government Departments/ Ministries/ AIR and DD under the ambit of Prasar
PSUs, Development Communication Division Bharati (India’s Public Service Broadcaster)
(DCD) established in March, 2001 to function is operating 218 radio stations and 67 DD
as a single window marketing division and a Kendras producing audio & audio visual
production house with innovative development programmes over several decades pertaining
communication model. Development to eminent leaders, great scholars, artists,
Communication Division provides as a single historians, sports and other events, etc.
window facility for: Also manuscript, Journals, photographs,
brochures of yesteryears are available with
●● Marketing of Doordarshan airtime and AIR & DD.
production capability DD Archives has been entrusted with the
task of digitization of content and preserving
●● Consultancy and customized media it for its timeless use. Being the oldest
planning television broadcaster, DD Archives has to
put up with innumerable media formats from
●● Production of programmes in countrywide legacy tapes to digital format. DD Archives is
stations in regional languages; and in the process of converting Umatic, BCN,
Ampex Beta tapes to DVC Pro50 format and
●● Feedback and research surveys to the later to LTOs. So far 22,733 Hrs. of content
clients. has been transferred from legacy tapes to

●● DCD telecast Sanitation campaign
‘Swachh Bharat’ in collaboration with the
Union Ministry of Drinking Water and
Sanitation which is an ongoing campaign
on DD.

●● ‘Gaon Vikas ki ore’ a 52 episode series on
rural Development is also being telecast
from National and 34 Regional Channels
and now has been extended for fresh 52
more episodes.

●● Police Parakram –Ministry of Home Affairs
in recognizing the supreme sacrifices

Activities under Broadcasting Sector 147

digital tapes. During 1st April 2016 to 30th channels after repackaging of its old content.
November 2016 over 2440 Hrs. of content At present six programmes are being provided
has been digitized. to DD National per week. Some other DD
Doordarshan Archives is privileged to have Channels have also requested for more
recordings of eminent leaders, great scholars, similar content. Besides preserving digitised
artists, historians, sports cine personalities, content, DD Archives also prepares metadata
etc. of the digitised content. At present over
To make the old recordings available to masses, 40,000 metadata has been created of which
DD Archives provides these recordings at over 25,000 entries are available online.
nominal rates through its mobile display/ sale Under National Resource Exchange Pool
counters. DD Archives also releases DVDs of (NREP) scheme, DD Archives provides
heritage recordings for discerning audiences. digitised content to other Doordarshan
DD Archives has released close to eighty nine Kendras / offices on request. During 1st April
DVDs so far, two DVDs were released in the 2016 to 30th November 2016 over 2065 hrs.
last year on two living legends, identified with digitized content was provided under NREP.
the rich tradition of Indian classical music. The digitising process is likely to take a major
One DVD encompasses the life and teachings boost in the days to come since advance level
of eminent kathak dance Guru Pt. Birju digitisation will start functioning from DDK,
Maharaj and other on veteran Bharatnatyam Kolkata as well.
danseuse Ms. Komala Varadan. These DVDs Graphic presentation of progressive details of
are available on payment basis at all Kendra DD Archives-
of Doordarshan and Akashvani, through
a permanent kiosk at Delhi Haat and also Media Publicity Division (MPD)
online at- prasarbharatiarchives.co.in – is ●● Media Publicity Division of the
the part of our new marketing strategies to
reach out discerning audience and to make Directorate is a small composite unit
available these DVDs for them. In purview of which undertakes Media and Publicity
the same, a Web Based Library Management activities. All forms of communication,
System common for both AIR and DD has advertising, direct mailers, Press Release,
been developed. It is primarily applied for Press Conferences, etc. are undertaken for
archiving of enormous quantity of valuable publicizing the activities and programmes
information regarding Audio-visual contents, of Doordarshan.
photos and documents of Doordarshan and ●● Publicity efforts have been stepped up
All India Radio. Digitisation work of old giving a boost to the ongoing programmes
magazines, journals and books of All India being telecast as well as upcoming
Radio, viz. Indian Listeners, Akashvani, etc. programmes. The Media and Publicity
is in progress. Division has been upgraded with Addl.
DD Archives has earned R18,47,420/- from Director General heading the Division.
1st April 2016 to 30th November 2016, out of
which R1,64,564/- through sale of DVDs and
R1,82,856/- through sale of archival footage.
Recently DD Archives has published two
coloured catalogues and brochures of
available DVDs along with brief descriptions.
DD Archives makes its footage available to
viewers on payment basis and facilitates free
of cost preview to genuine scholars.
DD Archives also provides software to other

148 Annual Report 2016-17