ITV

Category: I&B Ministry

  • Govt earns over Rs 2,400 crore as licence fee from DTH players in 3 years: Rathore

    Govt earns over Rs 2,400 crore as licence fee from DTH players in 3 years: Rathore

    NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 2400.45 crore has been earned by the government from licence fee from the six private direct-to-home players in the last three years.

    Lok Sabha was told in a written reply by Minister of State for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) that while “there is no restriction on the total number of DTH licenses, no new application has been received in the Ministry for grant of DTH license.”

    He said that a sum of Rs Rs.836.52 crores was earned in 2014-15, while the revenue from licence for 2015-16 was Rs.816.15 crores and for 2016-17 was Rs.747.78 crores.

    The Ministry has granted license to six private companies: Dish TV India Limited; Tata Sky Limited; Sun Direct TV Pvt. Limited; Reliance BIG TV Limited; Bharti Telemedia Limited and Videocon d2h Limited

    In addition, pubcaster Doordarshan provides a free-to-air DTH services in the country from its platform Freedish, which only requires a one-time investment in purchasing the dish and linked set-top-box.

    DTH licenses, under the DTH guidelines, are granted to those companies which fulfill the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and are subject to security clearance and technical clearances by the appropriate authorities of the government. The details are available on the website of this Ministry at www.mib.gov.in.

    In a related development, broadcast carriage regulator TRAI has set in motion a consultation process to explore whether the private DTH operators and other distribution platforms can share infrastructure so as to optimise their usage and reduce overall cost.

    The TRAI proposal has elicited mixed response from DTH operators till now, while Hong Kong-based Asian pay TV industry organisation CASBAA has opposed any government or regulator mandated sharing on the ground that consumers will not benefit ultimately, apart from other reasons.

  • Govt earns over Rs 2,400 crore as licence fee from DTH players in 3 years: Rathore

    Govt earns over Rs 2,400 crore as licence fee from DTH players in 3 years: Rathore

    NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 2400.45 crore has been earned by the government from licence fee from the six private direct-to-home players in the last three years.

    Lok Sabha was told in a written reply by Minister of State for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) that while “there is no restriction on the total number of DTH licenses, no new application has been received in the Ministry for grant of DTH license.”

    He said that a sum of Rs Rs.836.52 crores was earned in 2014-15, while the revenue from licence for 2015-16 was Rs.816.15 crores and for 2016-17 was Rs.747.78 crores.

    The Ministry has granted license to six private companies: Dish TV India Limited; Tata Sky Limited; Sun Direct TV Pvt. Limited; Reliance BIG TV Limited; Bharti Telemedia Limited and Videocon d2h Limited

    In addition, pubcaster Doordarshan provides a free-to-air DTH services in the country from its platform Freedish, which only requires a one-time investment in purchasing the dish and linked set-top-box.

    DTH licenses, under the DTH guidelines, are granted to those companies which fulfill the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and are subject to security clearance and technical clearances by the appropriate authorities of the government. The details are available on the website of this Ministry at www.mib.gov.in.

    In a related development, broadcast carriage regulator TRAI has set in motion a consultation process to explore whether the private DTH operators and other distribution platforms can share infrastructure so as to optimise their usage and reduce overall cost.

    The TRAI proposal has elicited mixed response from DTH operators till now, while Hong Kong-based Asian pay TV industry organisation CASBAA has opposed any government or regulator mandated sharing on the ground that consumers will not benefit ultimately, apart from other reasons.

  • I&B Sector brings in over $1.25 billion FDI between October 2014 and May 2016

    I&B Sector brings in over $1.25 billion FDI between October 2014 and May 2016

    NEW DELHI: India earned foreign exchange amounting to $9565.33 million from computer software and hardware, electronics and Information & Broadcasting (including print media) sectors between October 2014 and May 2016.

    Of this, the information and broadcasting sector (I&B( alone yielded $1253.76 million FDI equity inflows, according to a report on the Make in India presented by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament.

    The total FDI inflows for these years was $61,585.42 million, the Minister said in an analysis of 58 industries.

    The I&B Sector brought in FDI amounting to $205.22 million between October 2014 and March 2015, $1,009.34 million between April 2015 and March 2016, and $39.2 million for the two months of April and May this year.

    The Minister said the `Make in India’ initiative was launched in September 2014 with the aim of promoting India as an important investment destination and a global hub for manufacturing, design, and innovation. Thereafter, during the period October 2014 to May 2016, the FDI equity inflow has increased by 46 per cent, from $42.31 billion to $61.58 billion in comparison to previous 20 months (February, 2013 to September, 2014). FDI inflow has also increased by 37 per cent from $62.39 billion to $85.75 billion.

    India has been ranked third in the list of top prospective host economies for 2016-18 in the World Investment Report (WIR) 2016 of UNCTAD.

    To further boost the entire investment environment and to bring in foreign investments in the country, the government is taking various measures like opening up FDI in many sectors; carrying out FDI related reforms and liberalization and improving ease of doing business in the country. Steps are being taken for development of support infrastructure to facilitate setting up of industries such as transport infrastructure, utility infrastructure etc. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has advised ministries and state governments to simplify and rationalize the regulatory environment through business process re-engineering and use of information technology.

  • I&B Sector brings in over $1.25 billion FDI between October 2014 and May 2016

    I&B Sector brings in over $1.25 billion FDI between October 2014 and May 2016

    NEW DELHI: India earned foreign exchange amounting to $9565.33 million from computer software and hardware, electronics and Information & Broadcasting (including print media) sectors between October 2014 and May 2016.

    Of this, the information and broadcasting sector (I&B( alone yielded $1253.76 million FDI equity inflows, according to a report on the Make in India presented by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament.

    The total FDI inflows for these years was $61,585.42 million, the Minister said in an analysis of 58 industries.

    The I&B Sector brought in FDI amounting to $205.22 million between October 2014 and March 2015, $1,009.34 million between April 2015 and March 2016, and $39.2 million for the two months of April and May this year.

    The Minister said the `Make in India’ initiative was launched in September 2014 with the aim of promoting India as an important investment destination and a global hub for manufacturing, design, and innovation. Thereafter, during the period October 2014 to May 2016, the FDI equity inflow has increased by 46 per cent, from $42.31 billion to $61.58 billion in comparison to previous 20 months (February, 2013 to September, 2014). FDI inflow has also increased by 37 per cent from $62.39 billion to $85.75 billion.

    India has been ranked third in the list of top prospective host economies for 2016-18 in the World Investment Report (WIR) 2016 of UNCTAD.

    To further boost the entire investment environment and to bring in foreign investments in the country, the government is taking various measures like opening up FDI in many sectors; carrying out FDI related reforms and liberalization and improving ease of doing business in the country. Steps are being taken for development of support infrastructure to facilitate setting up of industries such as transport infrastructure, utility infrastructure etc. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has advised ministries and state governments to simplify and rationalize the regulatory environment through business process re-engineering and use of information technology.

  • Radio FM Phase III applicants can get 49 per cent FDI after FIPB clearance

    Radio FM Phase III applicants can get 49 per cent FDI after FIPB clearance

    NEW DELHI: Applicants in Phase III of FM Radio will be able to attract foreign direct investment, but the total direct and indirect investment including portfolio and FDI into the company will not exceed 49 per cent at the time of application and currency of licence.

    In an announcement today, the Government said the company would be required the status of such foreign holding and it will have to certify that it is within 49 per cent on a yearly basis.

    It was also clarified that any investment will have to be with the approval of the Foreign Investments Promotion Board.

    The calculation of the direct or indirect foreign investments will be as per extant policy of the government.

    This has been done today by an amendent in the Policy Guidelines for Phase III announced on 24 November last year.

    While announcing a relaxation on FDI in the electronic media on 20 June 2016, the Government had not referred to radio.

    For more information click here:

  • Radio FM Phase III applicants can get 49 per cent FDI after FIPB clearance

    Radio FM Phase III applicants can get 49 per cent FDI after FIPB clearance

    NEW DELHI: Applicants in Phase III of FM Radio will be able to attract foreign direct investment, but the total direct and indirect investment including portfolio and FDI into the company will not exceed 49 per cent at the time of application and currency of licence.

    In an announcement today, the Government said the company would be required the status of such foreign holding and it will have to certify that it is within 49 per cent on a yearly basis.

    It was also clarified that any investment will have to be with the approval of the Foreign Investments Promotion Board.

    The calculation of the direct or indirect foreign investments will be as per extant policy of the government.

    This has been done today by an amendent in the Policy Guidelines for Phase III announced on 24 November last year.

    While announcing a relaxation on FDI in the electronic media on 20 June 2016, the Government had not referred to radio.

    For more information click here:

  • Digital & print media ad policy aimed at transparency, accountability: Naidu

    Digital & print media ad policy aimed at transparency, accountability: Naidu

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said a Digital Media & New Print Media Advertisement policy was framed recently to promote transparency and accountability in issuing of advertisements.

    Addressing the first consultative meeting of members of Parliament attached to his Ministry since he took charge, he apprised the members about the three-member committee constituted by the Ministry to address the issues related to Content Regulation in Government Advertising. (The Committee had been formed after orders by the Supreme Court in a case relating to government advertisements.)

    All India Radio had completed the FMization of all channels of Vividh Bharati all over the country.

    Noting that the focus of the Ministry had been to streamline processes and promote transparency and accountability in its functioning, he said the e-auction of the first batch of has successfully & transparently completed e-auction of first batch of private FM radio channels Phase-III comprising 135 channels in 69 existing cities of Phase-II. He added that Private FM Radio has been permitted to broadcast at no cost AIR News for listeners to get credible information apart from entertainment.

    He said the Ministry had played a critical role in the communication and outreach activities for the Government Flagship schemes and Initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Make in India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, etc. through 360 degree Multimedia campaigns. Minister of State Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was also present in the meeting.

    Naidu said that in order to harness the India’s soft power in film sector, the Ministry is in the process of setting up of National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Gaming and VFX (NCOE) in Maharashtra. The institute would be a world class institution to provide skilled manpower in this emerging area.

    A Film Facilitation Office to promote and facilitate film shootings by foreign film makers in India. The Ministry has also included “Most Film Friendly State” as a special category award in National Film Awards this year. The Shyam Benegal Committee report for holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act/ Rules was under consideration of the Ministry.
    Referring to the Publications Division which was the subject of the meeting, Naidu said the Division may approach stakeholders as part of corporate social responsibility to sponsor books for schools and libraries across the country. This would enhance the visibility of the rich collection of Divisions publications and at the same time making these books available to the younger generation in far off and remote villages.

    He said the Ministry would consider the possibility of publishing Employment News in regional languages also. He added that the Division would consider bringing out books regarding the contribution of large number of heroes of India’s struggle struggle from different regions who have not been given the recognition that they so rightly deserved.
    Members of the committee said efforts needed to be taken to enhance the visibility of the rich and diverse collection of books. This could be initiated through appropriate promotional and marketing strategies. Efforts needed to be taken to reach out the younger generation and publish books of their interest. Contemporary publication trends also needed to be a part of the vision and way forward strategy.

    A presentation was made by Joint Secretary Mihir Kumar Singh on behalf of the Ministry giving an overview of the steps and initiatives undertaken so far by the Division as well as the future roadmap for the Publications Division. Members of the committee were specially apprised of the digitization and e-initiatives of the Publications Division including the e-version of 100 volumes of Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi.

    Parliamentarians Ms V. Sathyabama, Madhusudan Mistry and Vivek Gupta, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, Ms Dev (Moon Moon Sen) Varma, and Harivansh attended the meeting.

  • Digital & print media ad policy aimed at transparency, accountability: Naidu

    Digital & print media ad policy aimed at transparency, accountability: Naidu

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said a Digital Media & New Print Media Advertisement policy was framed recently to promote transparency and accountability in issuing of advertisements.

    Addressing the first consultative meeting of members of Parliament attached to his Ministry since he took charge, he apprised the members about the three-member committee constituted by the Ministry to address the issues related to Content Regulation in Government Advertising. (The Committee had been formed after orders by the Supreme Court in a case relating to government advertisements.)

    All India Radio had completed the FMization of all channels of Vividh Bharati all over the country.

    Noting that the focus of the Ministry had been to streamline processes and promote transparency and accountability in its functioning, he said the e-auction of the first batch of has successfully & transparently completed e-auction of first batch of private FM radio channels Phase-III comprising 135 channels in 69 existing cities of Phase-II. He added that Private FM Radio has been permitted to broadcast at no cost AIR News for listeners to get credible information apart from entertainment.

    He said the Ministry had played a critical role in the communication and outreach activities for the Government Flagship schemes and Initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Make in India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, etc. through 360 degree Multimedia campaigns. Minister of State Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was also present in the meeting.

    Naidu said that in order to harness the India’s soft power in film sector, the Ministry is in the process of setting up of National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Gaming and VFX (NCOE) in Maharashtra. The institute would be a world class institution to provide skilled manpower in this emerging area.

    A Film Facilitation Office to promote and facilitate film shootings by foreign film makers in India. The Ministry has also included “Most Film Friendly State” as a special category award in National Film Awards this year. The Shyam Benegal Committee report for holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act/ Rules was under consideration of the Ministry.
    Referring to the Publications Division which was the subject of the meeting, Naidu said the Division may approach stakeholders as part of corporate social responsibility to sponsor books for schools and libraries across the country. This would enhance the visibility of the rich collection of Divisions publications and at the same time making these books available to the younger generation in far off and remote villages.

    He said the Ministry would consider the possibility of publishing Employment News in regional languages also. He added that the Division would consider bringing out books regarding the contribution of large number of heroes of India’s struggle struggle from different regions who have not been given the recognition that they so rightly deserved.
    Members of the committee said efforts needed to be taken to enhance the visibility of the rich and diverse collection of books. This could be initiated through appropriate promotional and marketing strategies. Efforts needed to be taken to reach out the younger generation and publish books of their interest. Contemporary publication trends also needed to be a part of the vision and way forward strategy.

    A presentation was made by Joint Secretary Mihir Kumar Singh on behalf of the Ministry giving an overview of the steps and initiatives undertaken so far by the Division as well as the future roadmap for the Publications Division. Members of the committee were specially apprised of the digitization and e-initiatives of the Publications Division including the e-version of 100 volumes of Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi.

    Parliamentarians Ms V. Sathyabama, Madhusudan Mistry and Vivek Gupta, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, Ms Dev (Moon Moon Sen) Varma, and Harivansh attended the meeting.

  • Of cable TV operators, news channels and MIB minister Venkaiah Naidu

    Of cable TV operators, news channels and MIB minister Venkaiah Naidu

    MUMBAI: Indian cable TV operators and MSOs had better watch out. The information and broadcasting ministry is looking at strict enforcement of its earlier notification which mandates the carriage of 20 DD and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV channels to all their subscribers in cities where digitisation has been implemented. Some channels of the pubcaster and the two parliament channels have to be carried mandatorily on non-digitsed cable TV networks also.

    This is one of the first commands that has been fired by the new information & broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, following a meeting with bureaucrats in Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi over the weekend. Apparently, the issue of DD channel carriage came up in the meeting and Naidu told the officials to crack the whip.

    The ministry and the pubcaster have in the past too attempted to have the MSOs and cable TV operators follow the mandate, but many have not complied

    In his meeting on Friday, according to a PTI report, Naidu also directed I&B ministry officials to prepare a comprehensive policy on information and communication at the earliest. The policy will specify roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders to maximise the communication outreach to the people.

    On Sunday, Naidu expressed unhappiness over the fact that sensationalism has been getting precedence on news outlets over news about the country’s developmental initiatives.

    He has also asked the media to be constructive and added that he would be engaging and interacting with media, media owners and editors over the next few days. “The agenda of the country should be development,” he stated in a PTI report.

  • Of cable TV operators, news channels and MIB minister Venkaiah Naidu

    Of cable TV operators, news channels and MIB minister Venkaiah Naidu

    MUMBAI: Indian cable TV operators and MSOs had better watch out. The information and broadcasting ministry is looking at strict enforcement of its earlier notification which mandates the carriage of 20 DD and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV channels to all their subscribers in cities where digitisation has been implemented. Some channels of the pubcaster and the two parliament channels have to be carried mandatorily on non-digitsed cable TV networks also.

    This is one of the first commands that has been fired by the new information & broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, following a meeting with bureaucrats in Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi over the weekend. Apparently, the issue of DD channel carriage came up in the meeting and Naidu told the officials to crack the whip.

    The ministry and the pubcaster have in the past too attempted to have the MSOs and cable TV operators follow the mandate, but many have not complied

    In his meeting on Friday, according to a PTI report, Naidu also directed I&B ministry officials to prepare a comprehensive policy on information and communication at the earliest. The policy will specify roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders to maximise the communication outreach to the people.

    On Sunday, Naidu expressed unhappiness over the fact that sensationalism has been getting precedence on news outlets over news about the country’s developmental initiatives.

    He has also asked the media to be constructive and added that he would be engaging and interacting with media, media owners and editors over the next few days. “The agenda of the country should be development,” he stated in a PTI report.