ITV

Category: Terrestrial

  • DD Kisan viewership is 7.2m a month, received Rs 800m govt funds for 17-18

    NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 1.2225 billion was released from 2014-15 to 2016-17 to Prasar Bharati by the information and broadcasting ministry for Dordarshan Kisan Channel.

    The total fund allocated for 2017-18 is Rs 800 million, the minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore has told the Parliament.

    Fund allocated to DD Kisan are:

     

    2014-15

    2015-16

    2016-17

    260 million.

    262.5 million.

    700 million.

     

     

    The annual operating cost incurred by the channel in the year 2014-15 is Rs.231.1  million. .

     

    DD Kisan was launched in May, 2015. The source of revenue is commercial advertisements aired during the programme. The revenue earned by DD Kisan other than government funding, since its launch from May, 2015 is:

     

    Period

    Revenue

        April, 2015 to March 2016

    Rs 14 million

        April, 2016 to February 2017

    Rs 19 million

    In reply to another question, he said DD Kisan has introduced two daily News Bulletins at 1:30 pm and at 07:00 pm.

    The channel continuously receives feedback from its viewers. There is a daily one hour live interactive programme “Hello Kisan”. The farmers can call on the toll free line to ask questions to experts or give their opinion. The channel takes their reactions for improvising the content.

    A number of field based shows and programmes are also planned. There is a direct communication at grass root level with the channels’ representatives. The social media links such as web, Facebook and Twitter are also prominently displayed on the channel so that viewers can give their suggestions. Feedback/suggestions, as available, are regularly analysed for improving the programmes and content on the Kisan Channel.

    These programmes are produced continuously depending upon the requirement of the channel. There is no proposal at present to translate the programme in other regional languages.

    Answering another question, he said Doordarshan telecasts agriculture programmes through its network on National Channels as well as other DD regional channels.

    DD Kisan is available throughout the country. As a new initiative, a daily programme titled “Uttar Purvi Rajyon Se” has been scheduled which contains programmes from North Eastern states in their respective languages.

    Viewership of DD Kisan channel according to data received from Broadcast Audience Research Council is an average 7.2 million per month.

    : :

    Average Monthly Viewership (in million)

           Market: All India

    Month

    DD Kisan

    January      2016

    8.8

    February     2016

    15.3

    March         2016

    7.3

    April            2016

    6.7

    May             2016

    4.3

    June            2016

    4.5

    July             2016

    5.6

    August        2016

    6.4

    September  2016

    7.1

    October       2016

    8.2

    November   2016

    5.5

    December   2016

    5.8

    January       2017

    7.3

    February     2017

    7.3

    Average

    7.2

  • DD ad budget crosses Rs 33 million at fag end of 2016-17

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has released an additional Rs 216,000 for advertising and publicity taking the total revised estimate to Rs 33.796 million, just as the financial year 2016-17 coming to a close.

    In an order of 30 March 2017, DD Directorate General approved the release of Rs 38.8 million for 71 units against a total demand of over Rs 57.6 million.

    Intially allocated Rs 47.58 million for the year for advertising and publicity, the field unit had surrendered a sum of Rs 14 million earlier.

    However, the additional sum was given to meet exigency expenses.

    The amount was given against the non-plan and Internal and Extra-budgetary Resources of Prasar Bharati.

    Earlier, stressing that revenue generation is not the main objective of Prasar Bharati, the Parliament was told that the pubcaster is generating its revenue through Internal Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR) to meet its operating expenses.

    Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said in reply to a question that the government was providing 100 per cent salary support to Prasar Bharati, apart from plan grant for creation of capital assets and content development.

  • DD agriculture programmes get additional budget

    NEW DELHI: Just before the financial year 2016-17 came to a close, the Central Production Centre of Doordarshan was been allocated an additional sum of Rs 1.9 million in a modified budget for production of agriculture programmes.

    The CPC, which produces programmes for DD Kisan apart from DD National, had given given a budget of Rs 5.2 million at the beginning of the year. Thus, the total budget for 2016-17 has risen to Rs 7.1 million.

    The directive was given by the Directorate General of DD after a letter was received in this connection on 28 March 2017. The additional allocation has been given under Broadcasting Mode under the scheme ‘Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension’ assisted by other Ministries.

    Earlier, in December 2016, Doordarshan News and 30 regional news units (RNU) were allocated an additional Rs 100.8 million for the current year, taking the total allocation to about Rs 474 million for expenses that include payment to stringers and to the news agencies — United News of India and Press Trust of India.

    Of this, Prasar Bharati sanctioned a sum of Rs 620,000 for the news agencies which includes an additional Rs 260,000 approved earlier this week. Thus, the budget for DD News went up to Rs 240 million with the additional Rs 54 million.

    Also Read:

    FreeDish aims to reach 150 channels, earned Rs 3 bn in a year

    How DD will charge, telecast state sessions

    DD to hold second e-auction in April for upgraded FreeDish

     

  • How DD will charge, telecast state sessions

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan kendras have been told that they may cover on payment the sessions of state assemblies. This coverage may be on live or deferred live basis.

    Doordarshan has clarified that the address of the Governor to the state assembly may be telecast free and without any cost. Similarly, the budget presentation in state assemblies may also be telecast free and without any cost.

    The Doordarshan Directorate General said that this was in accordance with the present policy.

    Until the launch of Lok Sabha TV, Doordarshan had been covering without charge the President’s Address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament at the start of the budget session, and also the proceedings of the Lok Sabha.

    However, this coverage is now done by the Lok Sabha TV and the Rajya Sabha TV of their respective houses but the signals are available to Doordarshan without any payment.

    Also Read :

    Govt wakes up to broadcast tech changes, Prasar manpower audit under way

    Present mechanism to check TV content is adequate, says Rathore

    Need for outcome analysis on utility of Kisan Channel: Parl Committee

  • FreeDish aims to reach 150 channels, earned Rs 3 bn in a year

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan earned revenue of Rs 2.5356 billion during 2016-17 from e-auctions of television slots on its free to air Free Dish direct-to-home platform. In comparison, DD had earned Rs 1.8034 billion in 2015-16, the minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Parliament.

    Rathore said the last e-auction – the 32nd e-Auction – on 14 February 2017 fetched Rs. 655 million. Despite the reserve price of Rs 48 million, the highest bid for a slot was Rs 73 million for Sony Pal.

    Meanwhile, Doordarshan sources told indiantelevision.com that FreeDish earned Rs 2.8665 billion through auction of 54 slots in six auctions from 30 March 2016 to 14 February 2017.

    Explaining the differential between the figure given by the Minister and that given by DD, these sources said as money was paid in installments within six months of the e-auction, the figure given in the Parliament was the money actually received.

    The reserve price in the first five auctions was Rs 43 million and was raised to Rs 48 million in the 32nd auction.

    A new era begun with the adoption of MPEG4 helping FreeDish take the first major step to mark towards its target of 104 television channels by March end with its 32nd e-auction which helped it cross the capacity of eighty channels. Having touched the figure of 104 with its 32nd Auction, DD is now holding another auction on 11 April in as part of its aim to reach the figure of 150 by the middle of the year.

    With this new leap, DD had also raised its reserve price to Rs 48 million per slot from the hitherto Rs 43 million for the mid-February auction. The reserve price had been Rs 37 million till 2015 but was raised to Rs 43 million for the 25th e-auction in January 2016.

    The e-Auctions are conducted by M/s. C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.

    Doordarshan had in October last year formally announced that FreeDish was capable of carrying 104 television channels and 24 channels would be added to the existing 80 channels after the launch of MPEG4 technology.

    In line with the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’, DD has decided to implement Indian CAS (iCAS) on DD FreeDish Platform. iCAS (which is an initiative of the central government) is being introduced in 24 MPEG-4 channels. The introduction of iCAS will provide enhanced viewing experience.

    DD officials said these additional 24 MPEG-4 SDTV channels will be available to viewers in FTA mode. The existing viewers will continue to get 80 SDTV channels, but will have to obtain iCAS-enabled authorised set-top boxes for accessing all 104 channels.

    Although FreeDish will remain free to air with no monthly or periodic fee, the viewers will be required to register with DD FreeDish on getting the new STB from Doordarshan authorised STB dealers. DD earned Rs 980 million in 2014-15, Rs 1800 million in 2015-16, and Rs 1040 million till September in 2016-17.

    FreeDish was launched with a modest bouquet of 33 channels in December 2004, and now carries eighty TV channels and 32 radio channels. This includes 22 Doordarshan channels and two parliamentary channels, seven general entertainment channels, 18 movie channels, 13 news channels, seven music channels, three religious channels and eight channels of other genres. All All India Radio stations also piggy-back on the platform.

  • DD to hold second e-auction in April for upgraded FreeDish

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s free-to-air direct to home platform FreeDish will hold its second auction on 11 April 2017 after its decision to cross the 100-mark from the capacity of 80 channels as on mid-February. 

    After final trials of MPEG4 and the success of the 32nd auction last month, the reserve price for the next auction has been raised to Rs 80 million from Rs 48 million per slot. Until last year, the reserve price was Rs 43 million but one channel fetched the bid of Rs 70 million in the auction held on 14 February 2017. Earlier last year, the price for one channel went up to Rs 53 million and gave DD the confidence to raise the price which had been Rs 37 million till 2015 but was raised to Rs 43 million for the 25th e-auction in January 2016.

    The e-Auction will be conducted by M/s. C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.  DD refused to disclose the number of slots being put up for e-auction as officials claim this leads to unhealthy practices.

    Doordarshan had in October last year formally announced that Free Dish was capable of carrying 104 television channels and 24 channels would be added to the existing 80 channels after the launch of MPEG4 technology.

    DD officials also confirmed to indiantelevision.com that FreeDish will soon be capable of carrying up to 250 channels.

    In line with the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’, DD has implemented Indian CAS (iCAS) on DD Free Dish Platform. iCAS (which is an initiative of the central government) was introduced in the auction held last month. The introduction of iCAS will provide enhanced viewing experience.

    DD officials said the existing viewers will continue to get 80 SDTV channels, but will have to obtain iCAS-enabled authorized set-top boxes for accessing all new channels.

    Although FreeDish will remain free to air with no monthly or periodic fee, the viewers will be required to register with DD Free Dish on getting the new STB from Doordarshan authorized STB dealers.

    FreeDish was launched with a modest bouquet of 33 channels in December 2004, and now carries eighty TV channels and 32 radio channels. This includes 22 Doordarshan channels and two parliamentary channels, seven general entertainment channels, 18 movie channels, 13 news channels, seven music channels, three religious channels and eight channels of other genres. All All India Radio stations also piggy-back on the platform.

    The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.15 million which has to be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on the date of auction along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

    Incremental amount for the auction will be Rs one million and the time for every slot e-auction will be of fifteen minutes duration. This may be extended by five minutes if a bid is received before the closing time.

    Of the reserve price, Rs 11 million will be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 11 million within two months along with service tax of 15 per cent on the bid amount. The balance bid amount will be deposited within six months, failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and the channel discontinued after a 21-day discontinuation notice.

    DD officials said implementation of iCAS and authorisation of STB original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by Doordarshan will give a major thrust to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. At present, a majority of STBs are imported. However, the introduction of iCAS will help in standardisation of STBs and encourage quality STB manufacturing in India.

    Also read:   

    Three new TV channels join DD FreeDish bouquet; 24 get extension

    Next FreeDish auction after MPEG4 operationalisation

    FreeDish’s first e-auction after upgradation in Mar

  • Govt wakes up to broadcast tech changes, Prasar manpower audit under way

    NEW DELHI: Even as the government admits to shortage of staff in the public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati, there is a need to re-assess actual requirement of staff keeping in view changes in broadcast technologies.

    Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Parliament that Prasar Bharati has been advised to carry out a Manpower Audit to identify posts actually needed to be filled up.

    However, he said that limited recruitment has been undertaken as a special dispensation through Staff Selection Commission for critical Group ‘B’ and ‘C’ vacancies which were revived by the Government. In addition, special recruitment drive for filling up of backlog vacancies of Persons with Disabilities has also been carried out in Prasar Bharati.

    No plans to regularise contractual workers

    In reply to another question, the minister said there was no plan at present to regularise contractual workers in Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan, or All India Radio. He said Prasar Bharati has 38, Doordarshan has 749 and AIR has 196 contractual workers.

    These contractual workersare engaged for various categories of work such as news dissemination, programme generation, legal assistance, marketing, computers/ IT consultancy etc, both for AIR and DD, according to requirement.

    The number of casual announcers and casual comperes in various stations of All India Radio is 9722 and 4108, respectively. The casual announcers and comperes are engaged by the stations on assignment basis for a maximum of 6 bookings in a month up to a maximum of 72 days in a year, solely to meet the requirement of adding variety and interest to the programmes for which engagement on regular basis is not justified/ needed.

  • FreeDish iCAS STB: Modern Comm, Velankani, BGM, KMTS & Millennium OEMs shortlisted

    NEW DELHI: Five companies including two from Delhi have been shortlisted as original equipment manufacturers for set-top boxes for Doordarshan’s FreeDish on the Indian Conditional Addressable System (iCAS).

    This follows the opening of e-tenders on 9 December 2016 after which these OEMs were found suitable for the job.

    The manufacturers are: Modern Communications and Broadcast Systems Pvt Ltd of Gandhinagar in Gujarat; Velankani Electronics Private Ltd of Bangalore; BGM Holding Company of Ghaziabad; and KMTS Engineering Pvt Ltd and Millennium Technology who are both from Delhi.

    The technology of iCAS has been designed by ByDesign of Bangalore.

    Certain terms and conditions have been laid for the five OEMs which were authorised for manufacturing different make and model of STBs for FreeDish. All STB OEMs shall integrate their STBs with the iCAS and DD approved Firmware/Middleware.

    The STB OEM shall provide the duly certified integration testing report from the iCAS OEM and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification. Five such STBs will be tested by Doordarshan.

    On successful integration and testing of the STBs, Doordarshan will issue a letter of intent to the STB OEM.

    The STB OEM shall be required to submit the requisite Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) amount to Doordarshan within 15 days of issues of letter of Intent.

    After receipt of the PBG amount, Doordarshan shall enter into an agreement with the STB OEM authorizing it to sell iCAS and DD approved firmware/middleware enabled STBs in India for reception of DD Free Dish DTH Service.

    STB OEMs have been advised to contact M /s ByDesignin Bangalore for all STB integration and certification related to iCAS platform.

    Also Read:

    Freedish to upgrade on 30 Sept; seek out STB makers shortly

    DD notifies tenders for FreeDish MPEG4 STBs

    DD to offer 104 channels & MPEG-4 STBs by Mar-end

  • India, Vietnam agree on greater collaboration between pubcasters

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said India would extend all possible support to promote exchange programmes between public broadcasters of the India and Vietnam in content creation, screening and distribution of films.

    During a meeting with a Vietnamese delegation led by Vietnam Information and Communications Minister Truong Minh Tuan, Naidu said collaboration in the field of Films, Broadcasting and Information Dissemination would strengthen the ties between India and Vietnam.

    Cooperation in the field of institutional capacity building in social media, student exchange programs between premier institutes of both the countries in the field of journalism and films would bring the two countries close.

    During the discussions, Naidu told the Vietnam delegation about the Film Facilitation Office (FFO) setup in the Ministry to facilitate single window clearance for film makers. The FFO setup shall act as a facilitation point for film producers and assist them in obtaining requisite permissions, disseminate information on shooting locales as well as the details about the various facilities available within the Indian film industry for production/post production thereof.

    The Vietnam Minister gave a brief overview about the Media scenario in his country and expressed the hope that there would be cooperation between the National Broadcasters of both the countries to work closely in the field of real time information gathering and dissemination.

    The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) signed in 2014 between the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the year 2015-17 provided the institutional framework for collaboration in the Films sector.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016 was a significant event for both the countries reinforcing the Government’s “Act East Policy.”

    The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnerships between the two countries.

  • DD Kashir packaging agency tenders floated

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has floated a tender for selecting an agency for channel packaging work for DD Kashir.

    The Description of task, e-tender submission format and procedure is provided in the Bid document available on the DD website and two e-tendering websites. The pre-bid meeting in this connection would be held on 7 April 2017 and the last date of submission is 19 April 2017 afternoon.

    The tenders for technical bids will be opened on 20 April in the afternoon.

    However, Doordarshan sources said that the date of presentation and date of opening of the financial bids of eligible bidders would be announced later.

    DD Kashir programmes are beamed from Srinagar. An official of DD also denied reports that DD Urdu programmes were being used in DD Kashir.

    Earlier this month, Doordarshan invited applications for an agency to undertake the channel packaging work for its new northeast channel, DD Arunprabha. A tender was released today (10 March 2017) and the last bid date is 1 May 2017 evening at 3.00 pm. There will be a pre-bid meeting on 30 March 2017.

    Information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu had earlier announced that a new dedicated Doordarshan channel Arunprabha would be launched erly this year. The channel would showcase richness, variety and diversity of local culture and would seamlessly integrate North East with the entire country.

    Also Read:

    DD Arunprabha: Bids invited for channel packaging

    North-East plan: DD channel Arun Prabha launch in early Jan; 90% subsidy for community radio

    DD 24×7 north-east channel starts on 25 December; Rs 7 crore allocated

    DD Arunprabha invites proposals in seven categories