Tag: DD National

How Hindi GEC channels fared in first quarter of 2017

BENGALURU: The Hindi general entertainment (GE or GEC) space has always been fascinating – be it from the viewers or networks or advertisers point of view. Major networks such as Star India, Viacom 18 (or Network 18), the Subhash Chandra headed Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) or Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPN) have launched multiple channels in standard as well as high definition (HD) format.

How have the channels performed during the first 13 weeks (Saturday 30 December 2016 to Friday 31 March 2017)? This paper, based on Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data, attempts to throw some light the most watched Hindi GE channels during the first quarter of 2017. It is based on statistical analysis of Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data from the following markets: HSM(U+R), HSM (Rural), HSM (Urban): NCCSAll : 2+ Individuals for weeks 1 to 13 of 2016 (Saturday, 30 December 2017 to Friday, 31 March 2017, HSM means Hindi Speaking Market).

This paper must be read with a caveat: It deals only with the players present in BARC’s top 10 lists of channels per week. The sums/percentages of other genres/players’/channels of other players as well other channels of players in this paper ratings or Impressions (000s) Sums other than those indicated in BARC’s top 10 lists of channels have not been considered/mentioned in this paper during the period under consideration and those numbers could be more/higher. Further, Combined Total or Weekly Impressions (CWI) mentioned in this paper means the sum of all the Impressions (000s) Sums for all the weeks under consideration of a network and/or channel and/or programme/s.

So how did the Hindi GEC channels fare?

While the overall networks’ primary channels – Star Plus, Colors, and Zee TV in that order were the three most watched channels in the Hindi GEC genre during the first quarter of 2017, the numbers for the Hindi GEC (Rural) during the same period tell a completely different story. The networks’ second or third channels ruled the Hindi GEC (Rural) roost. Rishtey, Sony Pal, Zee Anmol, Star Utsav were ahead of their older siblings in the Hindi GEC (Rural) markets during the first 13 weeks of 2017. Reliance Broadcast Network’s (RBNL) Big Magic also found a place in the top 10 most watched channels list for 10 of the 13 weeks of 2017 in the Hindi GEC (Rural) markets.

The Hindi GEC (Urban) market was similar to the overall Hindi GEC market, except that the three most watched channels in this market were Star Plus, Colors and Sony Entertainment Television with Zee TV at fourth spot.

Hindi GEC and Hindi GEC (Rural) audiences preferred the shortened versions of cricket on DD National more than the Hindi GEC (Urban) market during primetime, more specifically some One day internationals and some T20 matches between India and England, if one were to go by BARC’s top 5 most watched programmes list across the three markets (NCCSAll : Prime Time (1800 – 2330 hrs) : 2+ Individuals). Though DD National figured in the top 10 most watched channels list of all the three markets at different frequencies during the period under consideration, during primetime, its cricket programmes featured in the five top programmes list for five and six weeks in the Hindi GEC and the Hindi GEC (Rural) markets respectively, but not in the Hindi GEC (Urban) market.

Hindi GEC

Eleven channels appeared in the top 10 channels weekly list during the first thirteen weeks of 2017. The overall Hindi GEC space was dominated by Star India’s Star Plus during the first thireen weeks of 2017. The Combined Weekly Impressions for the channel were 1,91,85,359 (000s) Sums during the period under consideration. Network 18’s Colors with CWI of 82,58,798 (000s) Sums was second followed by Zeel’s Zee TV with CWI of 61,91,072 (000s) Sums. Network 18’s Rishtey with CWI of 61,25,507 (000s) Sums and SPN’s Sony Pal with CWI of 57,35,709 (000s) Sums were at fourth and fifth place respectively.

Please refer to the figure below for other data:

In terms of frequency of ranks in a week, it was again Star Plus that was ranked 1 for nine weeks out of the 13, followed by Colors which was ranked 1 in three of the 13 weeks. Sony Pal was ranked 1 in one week (week 13) during the 13 weeks under consideration.

Please refer to the Rank table below:

Hindi GEC (Rural)
In the Hindi GEC Rural space, twelve channels appeared in the top 10 channels weekly list during the first thirteen weeks of 2017. Network 18’s Rishtey was the most watched channel in weeks 1 to 13 of 2017 with CWI of 45,99,618 (000s) Sums.SPN’s Sony Pal was next with 43,55,224 (000s) Sums followed by Zeel’s Zee Anmol with 42,19,032 (000s) Impressions at third place.

Please refer to the list below.

Rishtey was ranked 1 as the most watched channel in seven of the first 13 weeks of 2017 in the Hindi GEC (Rural) genre. Sony Pal was next – it was ranked 1 for five weeks during the same period, followed by Star India’s Star Utsav which was ranked 1 for one week during the first 13 weeks of 2017. Zee Anmol was next – it was ranked 2 for 7 weeks, followed by DD National which was ranked 3 for one week of 2017.

Please refer to the list below.

Hindi GEC (Urban)
Twelve channels appeared in the top 10 channels Hindi GEC (Urban) list during weeks 1 to 13 of 2017. Like the Hindi GEC genre, Hindi GEC (Urban) audiences preferred Star India’s Star Plus the most during this period. The channel had CWI of 61,17,130 (000s) Sums. Colors was the second most watched channel in the Hindi GEC (Urban) market with a CWI of 56,12,131 (000s) Sums followed by SPN’s Sony Entertainment Television with a CWI of 38,15,488 (000s) Sums. Zee TV was the fourth most watched channel in the Hindi GEC (Urban) market with CWI of 35,69,444 (000s) Sums.

Please refer to the chart below for the list of most watched channels in the Hindi GEC (Urban) genre during the first quarter of 2017.

Star Plus was ranked first as the most watched channel in the Hindi GEC (Urban) space for 11 of the first thirteen weeks of 2017. Colors was ranked 1 for two of the first thirteen weeks in the same space, followed by Sony Entertainment Television which was ranked third for 10 of the first 13 weeks of 2017. Zee TV was next, with a frequency of three for rank 3 during the same period.

Please refer to the list below:

April 11, 2017
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.

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April 5, 2017
Doordarshan employs German innovator for upgrading news studios

MUMBAI: India’s largest broadcast operation, Doordarshan (DD) reaches around 92% of the population and 81% of its territory. Government-funded, it is also the largest terrestrial network in the world, and among the largest in terms of studios and transmitters with more than 90 studios and relay stations spread across the Indian subcontinent.

In keeping with this standing, Doordarshan does not make equipment investments lightly, as was seen when it included Lawo mixing technology in a recent TV news studio upgrade at its New Delhi broadcast center.

Systems integration for the Doordarshan Central Production Centre (CPC) project is being handled by Sun Broadcast, and has introduced the broadcaster to German technical innovator, Lawo.

“We won the tender with a 40-fader mc²36 with 96+96 DSP channels – the first mc² series mixing console in DD,” confirms Tan Boon Siong, Lawo Sales Director for SE Asia. “As well as price, we won on our ability to meet all the technical requirements laid down by Doordarshan.”

Planning for the work began in mid-2015, with the contract awarded 12 months later. The console order was placed with Lawo in October 2016. Presently, the installation is well underway with completion of commissioning set for the end of March.

Providing national, regional and local programming, Doordarshan currently operates around 21 channels including DD News, DD National, DD Sport and DD Bharati. The refurbished studio will provide fully integrated operation with new and more advanced technology for DD News than DD has previously has at its disposal.

Key to the selection of the mc²36 mixing system for the project was Lawo’s product reputation, customer support and German build quality. “We have complied with all the technical requirements of the studio design technical team,” says Tan Boon Siong. “Now the installation is nearly complete, with parameter verification, performance testing expected to take one year for the approval process.”

Also Read:

FreeDish’s first e-auction after upgradation in Mar

TRAI for pvt players in DTT, suggests capping of transmitters

Expedite Prasar CEO appointment, govt urged

No plan to turn AIR, DD into corporate entities

February 25, 2017
Star Plus & Rishtey continue to dominate respective markets

MUMBAI: Star Plus and Rishtey continued to dominate their respective markets last week. In BARC India week 4, DD National continued to maintain its position in the top 10 channels across markets. In Hindi GEC rural market, Sab TV exited the list of top ten channels, and Sony Pal in Hindi GEC Urban departed from the list.

Hindi GEC

Star Plus bagged the leadership spot with 660084 Impressions (000s) followed by Colors on the second spot with 640585 Impressions (000s) and Rishtey on third spot with 435105 Impressions (000s).

Zee TV maintained its fourth spot with 434591 Impressions (000s). This week Sony Entertainment stood on number five with 426238 Impressions (000s).

Star Utsav fell on number five six with 389073 Impressions (000s). DD National grabbed seventh spot with 385299 Impressions (000s) followed by Life OK on eighth with 378428 Impressions (000s).

Zee Anmol and Sony Pal grabbed ninth and tenth slot with 357567(000s) and 356375 Impressions (000s) respectively.

Hindi GEC Rural

Rishtey continued to top the charts of Hindi GEC rural market with 322903 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Utsav on second with 282399 Impressions (000s).

Zee Anmol bagged three spot with 271375 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal stood on number four with 251910 Impressions (000s).

From number three, DD National fell on number five this week with 219027 Impressions (000s).

Colors, Star Plus and Zee TV registered sixth, seventh and eighth spot with 197171 Impressions (000s), 192908 Impressions (000s) and 177016 Impressions (000s), respectively.

Life OK and Sony Entertainment Television grabbed ninth and tenth spot with 135637 Impressions (000s) and 125840 Impressions (000s).

Hindi GEC Rural

In Urban market, Star Plus continued to be the leader with 467177 Impressions(000s) followed by Colors on second 443414 Impressions (000s) and Sony Entertainment Television with 300398 Impressions (000s) stood on number three.

Zee TV grabbed fourth spot with 257575 Impressions (000s) and Sab TV maintained its fifth spot with 249748 Impressions (000s).

Life OK on sixth with 242791 Impressions (000s) followed by DD National with 166272 Impressions (000s) on seventh slot.

&TV, Rishtey and Star Utsav l stood on eighth, ninth and tenth with 141416 Impressions (000s), 112203 Impressions (000s) and 106674 Impressions (000s), respectively.

February 3, 2017
Star Plus & Rishtey continue to dominate respective markets

MUMBAI: Star Plus and Rishtey continued to dominate their respective markets last week. In BARC India week 4, DD National continued to maintain its position in the top 10 channels across markets. In Hindi GEC rural market, Sab TV exited the list of top ten channels, and Sony Pal in Hindi GEC Urban departed from the list.

Hindi GEC

Star Plus bagged the leadership spot with 660084 Impressions (000s) followed by Colors on the second spot with 640585 Impressions (000s) and Rishtey on third spot with 435105 Impressions (000s).

Zee TV maintained its fourth spot with 434591 Impressions (000s). This week Sony Entertainment stood on number five with 426238 Impressions (000s).

Star Utsav fell on number five six with 389073 Impressions (000s). DD National grabbed seventh spot with 385299 Impressions (000s) followed by Life OK on eighth with 378428 Impressions (000s).

Zee Anmol and Sony Pal grabbed ninth and tenth slot with 357567(000s) and 356375 Impressions (000s) respectively.

Hindi GEC Rural

Rishtey continued to top the charts of Hindi GEC rural market with 322903 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Utsav on second with 282399 Impressions (000s).

Zee Anmol bagged three spot with 271375 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal stood on number four with 251910 Impressions (000s).

From number three, DD National fell on number five this week with 219027 Impressions (000s).

Colors, Star Plus and Zee TV registered sixth, seventh and eighth spot with 197171 Impressions (000s), 192908 Impressions (000s) and 177016 Impressions (000s), respectively.

Life OK and Sony Entertainment Television grabbed ninth and tenth spot with 135637 Impressions (000s) and 125840 Impressions (000s).

Hindi GEC Rural

In Urban market, Star Plus continued to be the leader with 467177 Impressions(000s) followed by Colors on second 443414 Impressions (000s) and Sony Entertainment Television with 300398 Impressions (000s) stood on number three.

Zee TV grabbed fourth spot with 257575 Impressions (000s) and Sab TV maintained its fifth spot with 249748 Impressions (000s).

Life OK on sixth with 242791 Impressions (000s) followed by DD National with 166272 Impressions (000s) on seventh slot.

&TV, Rishtey and Star Utsav l stood on eighth, ninth and tenth with 141416 Impressions (000s), 112203 Impressions (000s) and 106674 Impressions (000s), respectively.

February 3, 2017
DD National enters Top 10; Star Plus returns as leader

MUMBAI: The England versus India ODI match helped DD National reach the top 10 channels of Hindi GECs of week 3. Apart from this, Star Plus makes a comeback as the leader of Hindi GEC and Hindi GEC Urban. Rishtey continued to lead the Hindi GEC rural market, according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) all India data.

Hindi GEC

Star Plus has won the race this week. The channel bagged the leadership spot with 632223 Impressions (000s) followed by Colors on the second slot with 627250 Impressions (000s) and Rishtey on third spot with 466852 Impressions (000s).

Zee TV maintained its fourth spot with 425594 Impressions (000s). Star Utsav stood on number five with 408297 Impressions (000s).

Backed by ODI England Vs India, DD National entered the list this week on number six with 405113 Impressions (000s) followed by Sony Entertainment Television on seventh spot with 392555 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal on eight with 357654 Impressions (000s).

Life OK and Sab TV grabbed ninth and tenth slot with 341006 (000s) and 338248 Impressions (000s) respectively.

Hindi GEC Rural

Rishtey continued to topped the charts of Hindi GEC rural market with 347374 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Utsav on second with 304782 Impressions (000s).

India versus England ODI made DD National to enter the top 10 list of Hindi GEC rural market on number third with 254519 Impressions (000s).

Zee Anmol bagged the fourth spot with 249776 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal stood on number five with 249249 Impressions (000s).

Colors, Star Plus and Zee TV registered sixth, seventh and eighth spot with 194597 Impressions (000s), 187506 Impressions (000s) and 173283 Impressions (000s) respectively.

Big Magic and Life OK grabbed ninth and tenth spot with 122425 Impressions (000s) and 109584 Impressions (000s).

Hindi GEC Urban

In Urban market, Star Plus continued to be the leader with 444717 Impressions(000s) followed by Colors on second 432653 Impressions (000s) and Sony Entertainment Television with 286041 Impressions (000s) stood on number three.

Zee TV grabbed fourth spot with 252311 Impressions (000s) and pushed Sab TV down on fifth spot with 250603 Impressions (000s).

Life OK on sixth with 219845 Impressions (000s) followed by DD National with 150594 Impressions (000s) on the seventh slot.

With no change in the ranking order again, &TV, Rishtey and Sony Pal stood on eighth, ninth and tenth positions with 148186 Impressions (000s), 119477 Impressions (000s) and 108405 Impressions (000s), respectively.

January 27, 2017
DD National enters Top 10; Star Plus returns as leader

MUMBAI: The England versus India ODI match helped DD National reach the top 10 channels of Hindi GECs of week 3. Apart from this, Star Plus makes a comeback as the leader of Hindi GEC and Hindi GEC Urban. Rishtey continued to lead the Hindi GEC rural market, according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) all India data.

Hindi GEC

Star Plus has won the race this week. The channel bagged the leadership spot with 632223 Impressions (000s) followed by Colors on the second slot with 627250 Impressions (000s) and Rishtey on third spot with 466852 Impressions (000s).

Zee TV maintained its fourth spot with 425594 Impressions (000s). Star Utsav stood on number five with 408297 Impressions (000s).

Backed by ODI England Vs India, DD National entered the list this week on number six with 405113 Impressions (000s) followed by Sony Entertainment Television on seventh spot with 392555 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal on eight with 357654 Impressions (000s).

Life OK and Sab TV grabbed ninth and tenth slot with 341006 (000s) and 338248 Impressions (000s) respectively.

Hindi GEC Rural

Rishtey continued to topped the charts of Hindi GEC rural market with 347374 Impressions (000s) followed by Star Utsav on second with 304782 Impressions (000s).

India versus England ODI made DD National to enter the top 10 list of Hindi GEC rural market on number third with 254519 Impressions (000s).

Zee Anmol bagged the fourth spot with 249776 Impressions (000s) and Sony Pal stood on number five with 249249 Impressions (000s).

Colors, Star Plus and Zee TV registered sixth, seventh and eighth spot with 194597 Impressions (000s), 187506 Impressions (000s) and 173283 Impressions (000s) respectively.

Big Magic and Life OK grabbed ninth and tenth spot with 122425 Impressions (000s) and 109584 Impressions (000s).

Hindi GEC Urban

In Urban market, Star Plus continued to be the leader with 444717 Impressions(000s) followed by Colors on second 432653 Impressions (000s) and Sony Entertainment Television with 286041 Impressions (000s) stood on number three.

Zee TV grabbed fourth spot with 252311 Impressions (000s) and pushed Sab TV down on fifth spot with 250603 Impressions (000s).

Life OK on sixth with 219845 Impressions (000s) followed by DD National with 150594 Impressions (000s) on the seventh slot.

With no change in the ranking order again, &TV, Rishtey and Sony Pal stood on eighth, ninth and tenth positions with 148186 Impressions (000s), 119477 Impressions (000s) and 108405 Impressions (000s), respectively.

January 27, 2017
Pvt b’casters also to gain from new DTT model by Feb; Rs 320 cr budgeted

MUMBAI: Pubcaster Doordarshan is making strategic plans to expand its digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) service across India. The public broadcaster, which runs the service in 16 cities at present, will be expanding it to three more cities by March 2017. Plans are afoot to further expand DTT to 44 additional cities in two years. The pubcaster will invest around Rs 320 crore to achieve its targets by 2018.

Doordarshan has, for this purpose, also tied up with Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad (IIMA) to develop a relevant business model for the platform which it expects will be drafted by February 2017.

The DTT service is an internet-free distribution service, through which consumers are able to receive television channels on the move or at home through television sets, tablets and smartphones with the use of a unique dongle and a DD application.

Doordarshan director-general Supriya Sahu said that the business model would be ready by February. As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, they might, Sahu added, share the capacity by auctioning channel slots to the private broadcasters, which could be a game-changer for the industry.

As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, a consultation paper on Digital Terrestrial Transmission by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been pending finalisation. Meantime, Doordarshan on 23 December held a workshop with stakeholders to explore the potential of DTT services. Experts from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, various stakeholders including Content providers, private broadcasters, receiver manufactures, and officers at Doordarshan participated.

DD, which presently has the exclusive domain over terrestrial broadcasting, ranks amongst the world’s largest terrestrial television networks. It has a network of 1412 analog transmitters that provide TV services through two national channels namely, DD National and DD News. In addition to this, the network also broadcast several regional TV channels over the terrestrial network in a time sharing mode to meet the local and regional needs of people in different parts of the country. All TV channels provided by DD are free-to-air.

In its paper, TRAI had asked whether DTT broadcasting should be opened for participation by the private players, and which model or a combination thereof for DTT will be most suitable in Indian context.

Also read

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/dtt-could-be-thrown-open-for-pvt-sector-companies-160606

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/dds-digital-terrestrial-transmission-meet-tomorrow-as-trai-paper-awaits-finalisation-161222

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-extends-time-for-views-on-opening-up-dtt-to-private-players-160723

December 29, 2016
Pvt b’casters also to gain from new DTT model by Feb; Rs 320 cr budgeted

MUMBAI: Pubcaster Doordarshan is making strategic plans to expand its digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) service across India. The public broadcaster, which runs the service in 16 cities at present, will be expanding it to three more cities by March 2017. Plans are afoot to further expand DTT to 44 additional cities in two years. The pubcaster will invest around Rs 320 crore to achieve its targets by 2018.

Doordarshan has, for this purpose, also tied up with Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad (IIMA) to develop a relevant business model for the platform which it expects will be drafted by February 2017.

The DTT service is an internet-free distribution service, through which consumers are able to receive television channels on the move or at home through television sets, tablets and smartphones with the use of a unique dongle and a DD application.

Doordarshan director-general Supriya Sahu said that the business model would be ready by February. As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, they might, Sahu added, share the capacity by auctioning channel slots to the private broadcasters, which could be a game-changer for the industry.

As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, a consultation paper on Digital Terrestrial Transmission by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been pending finalisation. Meantime, Doordarshan on 23 December held a workshop with stakeholders to explore the potential of DTT services. Experts from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, various stakeholders including Content providers, private broadcasters, receiver manufactures, and officers at Doordarshan participated.

DD, which presently has the exclusive domain over terrestrial broadcasting, ranks amongst the world’s largest terrestrial television networks. It has a network of 1412 analog transmitters that provide TV services through two national channels namely, DD National and DD News. In addition to this, the network also broadcast several regional TV channels over the terrestrial network in a time sharing mode to meet the local and regional needs of people in different parts of the country. All TV channels provided by DD are free-to-air.

In its paper, TRAI had asked whether DTT broadcasting should be opened for participation by the private players, and which model or a combination thereof for DTT will be most suitable in Indian context.

Also read

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/dtt-could-be-thrown-open-for-pvt-sector-companies-160606

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/dds-digital-terrestrial-transmission-meet-tomorrow-as-trai-paper-awaits-finalisation-161222

http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-extends-time-for-views-on-opening-up-dtt-to-private-players-160723

December 29, 2016
DD’s digital terrestrial transmission meet today as TRAI paper awaits finalisation

NEW DELHI: Even as a consultation paper on Digital Terrestrial Transmission by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is pending finalisation, Doordarshan is holding a workshop with stakeholders to explore the potential of DTT services.

The workshop on “Digital Terrestrial Transmission: Business Opportunities” is being organized on 23 December 2016 in the capital and will be addressed by experts.

Experts from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, various stakeholders including Content providers, private broadcasters, receiver manufactures, and officers at Doordarshan will be participating in this workshop.

In the paper issued on 22 June 2016, TRAI wanted to know if stakeholders perceive the need for introduction of DTT in multiple broadcasting distribution platforms and what the appropriate strategy for DTT implementation across the country should be.

indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that the government was in the final stages of this exercise. Later, the website quoted then Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer Jawhar Sircar as saying that the pubcaster had itself cleared this more than a year earlier, even while pointing out that this would necessitate use of the Prasar Bharati infrastructure.

DD, which presently has exclusive domain over terrestrial broadcasting, ranks amongst the world’s largest terrestrial television networks. It has a network of 1412 analog transmitters that provide TV services through two national channels namely, DD National and DD News. In addition to this, the network also broadcast several regional TV channels over the terrestrial network in a time sharing mode to meet the local and regional needs of people in different parts of the country. All TV channels provided by DD are free-to-air.

In its paper, TRAI had asked whether DTT broadcasting should be opened for participation by the private players, and which model or a combination thereof for Dtt will be most suitable in Indian context.

Trai also wanted to know what the approach for implementing DTT network (MFN/SFN/Hybrid) should be and how many digital multiplex per DTT operator should be planned for metro, major cities, urban and rural areas.

Expert opinion had also been sought on the most appropriate frequency band as per National Frequency Allocation Plan 2011 for implementation of Digital terrestrial transmission including mobile TV.

The DTT platform is flexible and content format agnostic – newer formats of TV channels such as HD TV, 3D TV, UHD TV, data and radio services etc. can thus be delivered with reduced transmission power requirements. Digitisation also allows for government bodies to reclaim spectrum and repurpose it.

With standardized DTT transmission and clear advantages in terms of effective frequency utilization as well as enhanced TV quality, many countries the world over have laid down clear roadmaps to switch-off analog terrestrial TV transmission with a transition to DTT. In India, though work for changeover from Analog terrestrial transmission to digital terrestrial transmission by DD has already commenced, a clear roadmap is however unavailable.

December 22, 2016