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Tag: DD News

  • DD News goes mobile, launches app

    DD News goes mobile, launches app

    MUMBAI: In its efforts to make the channel available far and wide especially on new platforms, DD News has launched the new mobile app to make live TV, news feed and top videos available on smart phones. 

     

    The app was launched by the Finance, Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley. 

     

    The DD News mobile app has a user friendly interface and is available even in poor network conditions. Both Android and iPhone versions of the app are available. 

     

    Speaking at the launch he said that in view of the multifarious channels of information dissemination, the objective presentation of news should never become a casualty. While the news domain currently was event based, competitive and anchor driven, there still existed space for news based on facts and correct information. The audience for information was extremely keen to have a comprehensive view of issues and events. At the same time the credibility of presenting objective news depended on the ability to update information consistently. 

    Elaborating further, Jaitley said that the launch of the application by DD News was an important milestone for Prasar Bharati as it catered to the information needs of the pan-Indian audience. It also provided DD News a platform to instantly communicate the objective news on a 24×7 basis and added a new dimension to its profile in addressing the vast needs of the Indian audience. The app also seeks to adress the changing profile of viewers who today sought information through the app mode.

     

     

    Regarding the e-version of India-2015 and Bharat-2015, Jaitley said the availability of these publications on e-mode would enable the digital medium audience to utilize the wealth of information on India at large. By placing itself on the digital mode, Publications Division was in tune with the contemporary changes taking place in the publications industry. It was imperative to constantly and consistently improve the ongoing efforts to go digital. The focus of the e-book was to present the content in a multi-media, reader friendly format with pictures and embedded videos. 

    The e-version of the India/ Bharat-2015, reference annual was aimed at providing better reading experience to public. These e-books are easily downloadable and supported by major operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows etc. The e-India / e-Bharat has a variety of reader-friendly features like search ability, hyperlinks, easy referencing, assured back up and retrieval.

  • Delhi HC bars DD from sharing 2015 World Cup feed with cable ops

    Delhi HC bars DD from sharing 2015 World Cup feed with cable ops

    NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has barred public broadcaster Doordarshan from sharing the live feed of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, of which ESPN and Star have the exclusive broadcasting rights, with cable operators.

     

    A bench of Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva passed the order on the plea of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ESPN and Star who had contended that cable TV operators were getting live feeds through DD channels free of cost, resulting in loss of revenue for them.

     

    The Court however refused to grant relief of striking down a 2000 notification issued by Prasar Bharati which made it mandatory for cable operators to carry DD National and DD News channels. Simultaneously, the Court also rejected the additional prayers by ESPN Star to strike down section 3 of the Sports Act, which makes it mandatory for them to share with Prasar Bharati the live feed of sporting events of national importance.

     

    A DD official who did not want to be named told indiantelevision.com that under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007, DD could show the matches only on its terrestrial network and via its direct-to-home platform, Freedish. “The directive by the Court appeared to be a precautionary measure aimed at warning cable operators who pirate the signals and not Doordarshan,” the official said.

     

    A legal expert dealing with broadcasting laws told indiantelevision.com that since the ‘must-carry clause’ had not been struck down, it would be very difficult to prevent the local cable operators from showing the matches. The expert indicated that DD may need to approach the Court to seek clarity on the order.

     

    In the order, the Court said: “The appeal as well as writ petition (civil) 8458/2007 are allowed to the extent that the live broadcasting signal shared by ESPN/STAR by virtue of the Sports Act with Prasar Bharati, shall not be carried in the designated Doordarshan channels under the must carry obligation cast by the Cable TV Network Act on cable operators. This shall operate prospectively.”

     

    In its directive, the Court observed that while the advertisement revenue received by DD in respect of the shared content of the sports channels was to be shared in the ratio of not less than 75:25, “it still does not cater to the loss of subscription revenue” by ESPN and Star.

    BCCI, Nimbus Communications and the two sports channels (ESPN and Star) had challenged the High Court’s single judge November 2007 order rejecting their pleas that no cable television network, Direct-to-Home (DTH) Network, multi-system network or local cable operator could broadcast such sports events without a licence from the content owners.

  • Prasar Bharati expresses helplessness in regularising contractual employees

    Prasar Bharati expresses helplessness in regularising contractual employees

    NEW DELHI: Despite major shortage of staff, Prasar Bharati has informed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that it is not feasible to regularize services of contractual employees in All India Radio and Doordarshan.

     

    Ministry source told indiantelevision.com that the pubcaster had said that recruitment has to be done according to the Recruitment Rules and the contractuals of Prasar Bharati had not been engaged by following the Recruitment Rules concerned as most of them do not fulfill the prescribed educational and other qualifications.

     

    In view of this, their regularisation would be in violation of the Supreme Court judgment in the case of State of Karnataka Vs Uma Devi. 

    Further, Prasar Bharati has said that as some of the casuals/contractuals are booked for a maximum of six days in a month, their numbers in panels far exceed the number of posts for any particular job. 

     

    Prasar Bharati has informed that Doordarshan has engaged the following type of contractuals: 

     

    i.             Special Assignees –              18

    ii.            Contractual Engagees-         63

    iii.           Ex-BECIL Engagee –              166

    iv.           Retired Engagees –              211

    Moreover, 306 contractuals are engaged in DD News headquarters and 41 contractuals are working in the Regional News Units of Doordarshan Kendras. 

    Prasar Bharati has also informed that All India Radio (AIR) has engaged 125 retired officials, on short term contract basis. Moreover, AIR headquarters has engaged 116 Data Entry Operators and 38 casual workers through outsourcing agency. 

    Casual presenters/ announcers are being booked by AIR stations as talent on assignment basis. The number of such casual announcers varies from station to station as per their requirement. Since this is an ongoing process, there is no fixed number of casual presenters/ announcers. 

  • ‘Mann ki Baat’ to feature Barrack Obama with Narendra Modi

    ‘Mann ki Baat’ to feature Barrack Obama with Narendra Modi

    NEW DELHI: This month’s edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ on All India Radio (AIR) will have two special features: it will feature both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting American President Barrack Obama, and will carry many commercials.

     

    The broadcast at 8 pm on the evening of 27 January is expected to be a simulcast by all major television channels including DD News.

     

    It is also expected to be carried on CNN simultaneously.

     

    The recording for ‘Mann ki Baat’ was done at the high-profile Hyderabad House in New Delhi at 3 pm on 25 January.

     

    Confirming this, AIR sources told indiantelevision.com that regional versions of this broadcast at 9 pm on 28 January will be carried by regional kendras of AIR.

     

    AIR will also have several commercials before and after the broadcast.

     

    Indians all over the world had been asked to give suggestions or questions for a special edition of the monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ on All India Radio this month. Questions or suggestions can be sent on mygov.nic.in. 

     

  • Doordarshan relaunches website to increase accessibility

    Doordarshan relaunches website to increase accessibility

    NEW DELHI: In keeping with its pledge to give a new look to all its properties, Doordarshan has revamped its website www.ddindia.gov.in.

     

    The new look of the website is fresh, vibrant, contemporary and colourful. The emphasis is as much on aesthetic appeal as it is on content and administration related details. The new website also offers ease of navigation as it has dedicated pages of each national channels including one for DD Kisan channel, which is yet to be launched.

     

    Touted to be the corporate website, Doordarshan’s new launched website further links the user to all regional channels existing websites. The latest topics on the homepage range from specific details on the only free to air DD Free Dish to news headlines to scheduled movies of the week and easy social media accessibility. Also, via website, users would be able to access the live streaming of DD News.

     

    The website also offers a clickable option for the users to view the website in four different colour themes. The users can also change the sizes of the fonts for ease of legibility. An added new feature that merits mention is the dynamically updated programme schedule of national channels with regular update being done remotely by “What’s On India.” This channel guide allows users to view the programmes being telecast for that particular time band on each channel, as well as the programmes lined up for the entire day.

     

    The multi-media gallery section incorporated in the newly launched website details the users on the latest developments and upcoming events at Doordarshan.

     

    For greater speed and ease of navigation, superior technology has been incorporated while designing the website. Access to sub-sections has been made quicker and easier. The browsing experience on www.ddindia.gov.in has been made richer.

     

    This mobile-friendly and content rich website is being maintained by the National Informatics Centre.

  • Akshay Rout takes over as ADG in DD News

    Akshay Rout takes over as ADG in DD News

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has got a new ADG for its news side in Akshay Rout. He will take over as the former ADG Mayank K Agrawal has been shifted to the Press Information Bureau as ADG for media and communications.

     
    An Indian Information Service officer, Rout was director general in the Election Commission of India and has been transferred following completion of his term there. Earlier, he had also served as chief electoral officer in Madhya Pradesh.

     
    Agrawal who has experience of around 25 years has earlier served in PIB and in the NACO wing of the Health Ministry.

     
    Prasar Bharati has seen several changes this year, particularly since the Bharatiya Janata Party government took over.

     
    While Vijaylakshmi Chhabra took over as DG of Doordarshan in July, Archana Datta took over as DG News in Doordarshan.

     
    The Prasar Bharati Board, most of whose members resigned when the new government took over, has a new chairman in A Surya Prakash.

     
    An advertisement has also been placed for filling the post of member (finance) in the board.

  • Rani Mukherjee wants to be a mom, reveals on DD News ‘Ek Mulaqat’

    Rani Mukherjee wants to be a mom, reveals on DD News ‘Ek Mulaqat’

    MUMBAI: In an interview with Manoj Tibrewal Aakash, Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee said “I have been a daughter and a wife. Now I wish to become a mother of my child.” “Ek Mulakat”is a platform where personalities open their heart and share their deep desires and aspirations.  In the same show Salman Khan has shared that he prefers his bachelorhood and will stay away from politics. On 23rd August, watch Rani Mukherjee befriend with her fans and talk freely about her feelings and desires on Ek Mulakat at 9:30pm.

     

    Rani Mukherjee is making a comeback with ‘Mardaani’ and was here to promote the film which is slated to release soon. Since the show traces the feelings and genuineness of the guests, Manoj Tiberwal Aakash makes an effort to find the real reason for the film and the person that Ms Mukherjee is. During the chit chat, the actress shared that she picked the name of the film from the patriotic song, ‘Khub ladi mardaani, wo to Jhansi wali Rani thi…” She feels Rani Lakshmi Bai has inspired her a lot and once again there is a need to ignite that feeling inside every woman who is living a life of fear due to recent news of humiliation on women and girls.

     

    Ek Mulakat’s main aim is to promote the work of those women who are an inspiration and has a potential to shake the society with their words. The show is very soon going to complete 250 episodes. Many known and unknown names like Ela Gandhi, Shobana Bhartia, Deepika Padukone, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Saina Nehwal, Dr. Shena Agarawal, IAS Topper 2012 Batch and many more have visited the sets and opened up in the friendly ambience created by the host of the show—Manoj Tibrewal Aakash.

  • Neelam Kapur moved from top post in PIB, DD News ADG SM Khan put on compulsory wait

    Neelam Kapur moved from top post in PIB, DD News ADG SM Khan put on compulsory wait

    NEW DELHI: Neelam Kapur, who has been holding the post of principal director general of media and communication of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), has been shifted to the directorate of field publicity (DFP).

     

    Highly placed sources said Frank Noronha, posted in the DFP as director general, has been brought in her place.

     

    These sources said that while Kapur has not been demoted as she retains her position of principal DG which is of secretary level, the DFP is seen as an office lower in stature to that of PIB, where she was the official spokesperson of the government.

     

    Kapur had taken over in December 2008 after Deepak Sandhu’s retirement. Kapur’s removal could be seen as a move made because she was appointed at the time of the united progressive alliance government.

     

    Frank Noronha, a 1982-batch officer of the Indian Information Service, was earlier in PIB.

     

    There has been no formal announcement so far of these changes.

     

    He has worked as information officer in various ministries and has served as deputy press secretary in the Rashtrapati Bhavan during his long tenure, apart from heading the directorate of advertising and visual publicity immediately prior to his posting in DFP.

     

    Doordarshan News additional director general SM Khan who was heading DD News has been put on compulsory wait, and Archana Dutta who is director general (News) in All India Radio, has been given additional charge of Doordarshan News.

     

    During the run-up to the elections, Khan was reported to have delayed the transmission of Narendra Modi’s interview to Doordarshan. Answering a query about editing out certain portions, he had said this was done only because of references made about people who had not been given an opportunity to have their say.

  • DD News to broadcast opening and closing of Commonwealth Games as Ten Sports remains unrelenting

    DD News to broadcast opening and closing of Commonwealth Games as Ten Sports remains unrelenting

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan News will telecast live the opening of the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow.

     

    The telecast of the Games being held from 24 July to 4 August will commence at 1.00 am India time.

     

    Programmes (Live/Highlights) will also be telecast during the Games on DD News.  That apart, All India Radio will carry the live commentary of the opening and closing and events involving Indians.

     

    Regular Highlight Capsules will be telecast daily by DD News. All events where Indians are taking part will be highlighted with live coverage.

     

    I&B Ministry secretary Bimal Julka told indiantelevision.com that the Ministry wanted the telecasts on DD News.

     

    It is learnt that DD Sports and Ten Sports failed to reach an agreement on the issue, and the Ministry issued a show cause notice to Ten Sports on Tuesday evening for declining to share the feed with DD Sports.

     

    Julka said, “We have recommended to Prasar Bharati to show the games on DD News. The Board was of the opinion that it would be a loss of revenue if sports is telecast on DD National.” 

     

    He said that the primary news bulletins in the mornings, afternoons and evenings will not be disturbed, unless there is some sporting event involving Indians.

    The Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow is considered a sports event of national importance, making it mandatory for the rights holder (Ten Sports in this case) to share the broadcast with Prasar Bharati under the Prasar Bharati (Mandatory Sharing of Signals) Act. The sports event is mandated to be carried on the terrestrial network to ensure that viewers who do not have access to cable or DTH services can also view the games. Usually, DD telecasts such events on DD National (which is a terrestrial network) and on DD Sports (available on cable and DTH) after working out an agreement with the rights holder with regard to marketing and revenue sharing. Under the Act, DD gets 25 per cent of the commercial revenue, the rest going to the rights holder. 

    Julka described as an exaggeration estimates by DD revealed that it would incur a loss of Rs 2.5 crore every day, totaling to a loss of Rs 27.50 crore in 11 days if it shifted its regular programming for the Games telecast.

    Giving reasons for not shifting the Games to DD National, sources said around 2.8 million viewers may be affected by shifting DD News from the terrestrial mode for the period of CWG as compared to 115.3 million viewers if the games are shown on DD National. Similarly, DD National earns advertising revenue of about Rs 350 crore compared to Rs 5 crore by DD News which would be adversely affected.