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Tag: DD Urdu

  • DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

    DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

    NEW DELHI: Fazed by stagnant viewership and battling a “negative perception”, Doordarshan has set up a strategy ‘War Room’ to look into re-vitalising the pubcaster’s marketing and content acquisition processes with an overall aim to enhance revenues.

    The crisis management group, set up under the overall stewardship of DD Director-General Supriya Sahu, is mandated to suggest ways to attract and invite fresh talent for various DD channels in view of depleting manpower, new marketing and programming strategies and shore up the bottomlines via innovative marketing.

    Elaborating on the need for a crisis management group, the DG said in an office order: “Dive deep into the issues that are adversely impacting our performance and devise a strategy to re-position ourselves… (hence) it is proposed to set up a strategy ‘War Room’ in the office of Director-General.”

    According to Sahu, who has taken over the new role at DD few months back after having done a fruitful stint at Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), the `War Room’ will study rules and regulations for in-house production and suggest measures to modify them to  improve programming for DD National and regional channels.

    The office order doesn’t mince words when it goes on to add that new programming strategy should look at revamping how programmes and films are acquired for DD channels— especially for the auction slots — and suggest credible methods to improve viewership (audience measurement) and enhance revenues. 

    In addition, this group is to deliberate on present marketing initiatives of DD, which experts feel are out-dated, and devise new strategies to revitalise it, apart from suggesting innovative ways to pool resources and synergise efforts for maximising DD’s impact. 

    Sahu has made it clear that since there cannot be a one-shoe-fits-all approach, the `War Room’ has to come up with programming and marketing strategies that is specific to each channel like DD National, DD  Kisan, DD  Bharati, DD  India (the international channel), DD Urdu, DD Kashir and DD Sports.

    Dwelling on the negative perception relating to the overall functioning of DD, especially content acquisition policies and marketing processes, Sahu said in the office order, “We need to change this perception. This would happen through a very strategic thinking, planning, implementation & initiation.”

    The `War Room’ would end its work later this month when it is expected to submit a report on ways to reboot DD, which, hopefully, would also resonate with parent Prasar Bharati’s bosses.
    Headed by Deputy Director of Programmes G Sajan, the other members of this group include P.K. Srivastava, PEX, DDK-Raipur; Sandeep Sood, ADP, DDK-Pune; Anurag Darshan, Programme Executive (PEX) DD National; Abhishek Dubey, Advisor DD Sports; Ms. Soma Bose, Consultant, Films Division; Sanjeev Rai, Production Assistant, DD Urdu; Tathagat, Creative Editor, DD Bharati; Karmdeep, Senior Content Manager, DD Sports; Birupakhya Goutom Phukan, Senior Programmer and Arjun  Mehto, Senior Content Manager.

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    Prasar Bharati’s monopolistic-era mind-set has to change: CEO Jawhar Sircar

  • DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

    DD sets up ‘War Room’ to revitalise programming & revenues

    NEW DELHI: Fazed by stagnant viewership and battling a “negative perception”, Doordarshan has set up a strategy ‘War Room’ to look into re-vitalising the pubcaster’s marketing and content acquisition processes with an overall aim to enhance revenues.

    The crisis management group, set up under the overall stewardship of DD Director-General Supriya Sahu, is mandated to suggest ways to attract and invite fresh talent for various DD channels in view of depleting manpower, new marketing and programming strategies and shore up the bottomlines via innovative marketing.

    Elaborating on the need for a crisis management group, the DG said in an office order: “Dive deep into the issues that are adversely impacting our performance and devise a strategy to re-position ourselves… (hence) it is proposed to set up a strategy ‘War Room’ in the office of Director-General.”

    According to Sahu, who has taken over the new role at DD few months back after having done a fruitful stint at Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), the `War Room’ will study rules and regulations for in-house production and suggest measures to modify them to  improve programming for DD National and regional channels.

    The office order doesn’t mince words when it goes on to add that new programming strategy should look at revamping how programmes and films are acquired for DD channels— especially for the auction slots — and suggest credible methods to improve viewership (audience measurement) and enhance revenues. 

    In addition, this group is to deliberate on present marketing initiatives of DD, which experts feel are out-dated, and devise new strategies to revitalise it, apart from suggesting innovative ways to pool resources and synergise efforts for maximising DD’s impact. 

    Sahu has made it clear that since there cannot be a one-shoe-fits-all approach, the `War Room’ has to come up with programming and marketing strategies that is specific to each channel like DD National, DD  Kisan, DD  Bharati, DD  India (the international channel), DD Urdu, DD Kashir and DD Sports.

    Dwelling on the negative perception relating to the overall functioning of DD, especially content acquisition policies and marketing processes, Sahu said in the office order, “We need to change this perception. This would happen through a very strategic thinking, planning, implementation & initiation.”

    The `War Room’ would end its work later this month when it is expected to submit a report on ways to reboot DD, which, hopefully, would also resonate with parent Prasar Bharati’s bosses.
    Headed by Deputy Director of Programmes G Sajan, the other members of this group include P.K. Srivastava, PEX, DDK-Raipur; Sandeep Sood, ADP, DDK-Pune; Anurag Darshan, Programme Executive (PEX) DD National; Abhishek Dubey, Advisor DD Sports; Ms. Soma Bose, Consultant, Films Division; Sanjeev Rai, Production Assistant, DD Urdu; Tathagat, Creative Editor, DD Bharati; Karmdeep, Senior Content Manager, DD Sports; Birupakhya Goutom Phukan, Senior Programmer and Arjun  Mehto, Senior Content Manager.

    ALSO READ:

    Prasar Bharati’s monopolistic-era mind-set has to change: CEO Jawhar Sircar

  • DD Urdu relies on consultants in absence of programme executives posts

    DD Urdu relies on consultants in absence of programme executives posts

    NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 10.16 crore including Rs 9.38 crore for commissioned and the balance Rs 78.05 lakh on in-house programmes was spent for Doordarshan’s Urdu channel during 2014-15, the Rajya Sabha was told on 4 August.

    Even as there is no sanctioned post of Urdu programme executive in Doordarshan Kendra Delhi, three consultants (retired programmers) and one external consultant conversant with Urdu have been taken in to help the production work of DD Urdu channel.

    Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore said in replies to different questions that there are other programme executives in DDK Delhi but Prasar Bharati had informed that no post of programme executive had been sanctioned for DD Urdu and DD News Urdu.

    Programme executives are also called on tour as and when required to meet additional requirements, Jaitley said.

    The work of DD News Urdu is being looked after by assistant director (news) who is fully conversant with Urdu language. Urdu programmes of DDK, Delhi, are produced by existing programme executives. The channel is run by the in-house staff of Doordarshan as well as contractual staff hired as required.

    Rathore said DD Urdu had been refurbished with new content through commissioning of programmes under different genres apart from increasing in-house productions.

    Ten news bulletins in Urdu are also being telecast daily on DD Urdu channel. Programmes of specific interest to the Urdu speaking audiences like minority issues, Government schemes for minorities, events in the neighbouring countries, etc. have also been launched to give a new look to DD Urdu channel.

    DD Urdu has an updated website as a part of Doordarshan. Promos about DD Urdu are also loaded on YouTube and Facebook, he added.

                           Amount spent on DD-Urdu programmes in the last 3 years

  • MIB does not keep record of non-carriage of mandatory channels: Jaitley

    MIB does not keep record of non-carriage of mandatory channels: Jaitley

    NEW DELHI: While multi-system operators (MSOs) and direct-to-home (DTH) operators are expected to mandatorily carry a total of 24 Doordarshan channels in digital addressable system (DAS) areas, the number of channels to be carried in the non-DAS areas is 10.

     

    The channels to be carried by DAS and non-DAS areas includes Gyan Darshan, which is currently off-air but Doordarshan sources tell Indiantelevision.com that some arrangement was being worked out to re-start the channel run by the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

     

    The channels to be carried in the DAS areas include 22 DD channels including DD National, DD Bharati, DD News, DD India, DD Sports, and Kisan Channel. The other DD channels are language channels. Other than DD, the channels for DAS areas are Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha TV, and Gyan Darshan.

     

    The channels to be carried in non-DAS areas are:  DD National, DD News, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV, DD Sports, DD Urdu, DD Bharati, Kisan Channel, Gyan Darshan, and one regional language of Doordarshan channel of the State in which the cable operator is located.

     

    The Government has also listed a schedule of channels to be carried mandatorily by operators including local cable operators in the 35 states and union territories.

     

    Notifications were issued in this regard in September 2013 and again on 25 May this year.

     

    Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Arun Jaitley told Parliament that his Ministry does not have any record of such complaints received as the authorised officers – district magistrate, or a sub-divisional magistrate, or a Commissioner of Police within his local limits of jurisdiction – have powers to take action for non-carriage of the mandatory channels by cable operators on their networks under Section 11 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995.

     

    An advisory was also issued in June when it was brought to the notice of the Ministry that a few MSOs were not carrying some of the mandatory channels. It was clarified that non-carriage of these channels shall attract action /punishment under Sections 11and l8 of the Cable Act. Earlier, the Ministry had written to all concerned registered MSOs for DAS notified areas to carry the mandatory channels on their networks.

  • DD Urdu: Over 160 series commissioned; several new series launched this month

    DD Urdu: Over 160 series commissioned; several new series launched this month

    NEW DELHI: A total of around 400-odd serials have been selected for Doordarshan’s Urdu service out of a total of 580 that were pending before the Prasar Bharati Board.

     

    According to DD additional director general Anita Sinha, 165 series out of these have been commissioned.

     

    Thus, after DD National, DD Bharati and DD News, a major revamp of DD Urdu has been undertaken with several new shows being introduced from the beginning of this month. These are new niche shows that cater to their selective audience.

     

    The shows are meant to target all age groups thus igniting the flame of the Urdu language. They include four in-house and four commissioned programmes.

     

    The in-house programmes are:

     

    Yaadein (Memoirs): 8:30 pm.(Saturday), repeat at 2 am and consequent day at 1:05 pm – Famous personalities from all walks of life are invited in the studios to share their memories, experiences and interested anecdotes in this series based on ‘Down the memory lane’ of the personality.

     

    Yaadon Ke Darichay Se: 8 pm (Saturday), repeat at 1:30 am and consequent day at 12:30 pm – Film based programme knitting old and new film songs with an anchor. Each programme is theme based, like rain, love and film personalities.

     

    Mubahisa: 9:30 pm (Monday), repeat at 12:05 am and consequent day at 1:30 pm – Mubahisa is a studio based programme on current affairs and covers social, cultural and political aspects of the nation.

     

    Taleem aur Rozgaar: 9:30 pm (Thursday), repeat at 12:05 am and consequent day at 1:30 pm – The programme is based on education and employment of the youth of our country. Programme highlights the current educational and employment opportunities for the young talents.

     

    The commissioned programmes of 13 episodes are:

     

    Ru-Baru: 9:30 pm (Friday), repeat at 12:05 am and consequent day at 1:30 am – This is an interview based talk show inviting personalities from the field of education, films, music and dance and also personalities of social and cultural eminence. The series is particularly designed for the young generation to understand that devotion and dedication is essential to become successful.

     

    Karwan-e-Aazadi: 8:30 pm (Sunday), repeat at 2 am and consequent day at 1:05 pm – Series on freedom fighters Indian got freedom after sacrificing million of lives of freedom fighters and the contribution of these freedom fighters cannot be forgotten. Indian history and people of India will remember them forever. Some of the renowned freedom fighters covered in the programme are Ram Prasad, Bismil, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, Bhagat Singh, Raja Mahender Pratap Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali and Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi.

     

    Urdu Adab Ke Legends: 5:30 pm (Tuesday), repeat at 5 am and consequent day at 10:30 am – As the title indicates, the series covers the lives of the Legends of Urdu literature without whose contributions, the history of Urdu literature is incomplete. The legends included in the series are Qurratul Ain Haider, Shaharyar, Ali Sardar Jafri, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, Akhtarul Iman, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi and Sahir Ludhianvi amongst others.

     

    Dastan-e-Urdu: 6:30 pm (Monday), repeat consequent day at 08:05 am and 11:05 am – The series depicts the evolution of the Urdu language from its initial stage ‘Raikhta’ to a language of a common man. Evolution of Urdu took place, step by step and it reached to its zenith when it was spoken in the courts of empires. The series, produced by Kamna Prasad, traces the history of Urdu language with in-depth research and interesting facts.

  • DD Urdu launches new talent show on ghazal singing

    DD Urdu launches new talent show on ghazal singing

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has launched a new talent show on ghazal singing, Jashn-e-Begum Akhtar, to commemorate the centenary year of Padma Bhushan Begum Akhtar, on DD Urdu.

     

    The all India hunt has been conceptualised to look for a talented voice that can carry forward the legacy of ghazal singing. The idea of the show is to encourage the youth to reunite with their roots and values and appreciate the beauty and dignity of Urdu language.

     

    The regional rounds of this competition were held at five regional kendras: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Delhi and Mumbai, to facilitate equal representations from different regions. There were 112 participants from Delhi.

     

    Participants between the age group of 18 to 40 years were invited to take part in the reality show. The selected 15 candidates from each of the regional rounds performed in the mega and pre-final rounds that were held in Delhi from 9 to 14 January.

     

    The singers were judged by an esteemed panel of Padamshri Dhrupad exponent Shanno Khurana, Padamshri Shovana Narain, Dr. Rahat Indori and Prof. Wasim Barelvi. Popular playback singer and performer Peenaz Masani was the anchor for this series. Along present along with the panel were eminent classical vocalist Rita Ganguly, who had conceived the programme in 2012 and Additional Director General Anita Sinha, who got it cleared and executed.

     

    The final round will be held in March 2015, where five finalists will perform in front of personalities like Kavita Krishanmurthi, Hari Haran, Javed Akhtar, Gulzar and Zakir Hussain. The top finalists will be awarded suitably. The finalists are Rageshree Das (Kolkata), Oshin Bhatia (Delhi), Krishna Nand (Lucknow), Santa Kundu (Kolkata) and Sourabh Salunke (Mumbai).

     

    The various selection rounds will be telecast on DD Urdu, DD National and DD Bharati.

     

  • MIB advisory to news channels over sign language interpretation of R-day parade

    MIB advisory to news channels over sign language interpretation of R-day parade

    M UMBAI: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued an advisory to all news TV Channels stating that all channels interested in telecasting the live coverage of the Republic Day Parade-2014, with commentary should carry the signals of DD which provide sign language interpretation of the parade. In this context, it had already been decided that three channels of Doordarshan viz. DD- News, DD- Bharati and DD- Urdu would provide the sign language interpretation of the Republic Day Parade commentary in order to ensure access to people with hearing impairment. Prasar Bharati had been earlier directed for making such provisions for having an inset box on the TV screens during the telecast of the Republic Day Ceremony, through which the Sign Language Anchor/Expert could interpret the proceedings of the Republic Day parade. 

    It has been the practice by DD to allow private satellite TV channels to carry the feed of the Republic Day parade and commentary free of cost. As per the practice, this year also DD would be sharing its feed of the Republic Day Parade with those satellite TV channels which wish to telecast the same. 

    The advisory also states that while media has been in the forefront of taking up important issues of national interest, this initiative by the media to facilitate access to the Republic Day parade and commentary to people with disabilities was a step in the right direction. 

    The decision has been taken in the interest of all those who are differently-abled, hearing impaired citizens. Recently the Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari received a representation from the National Association of Deaf requesting for providing sign language interpreter in an inset box on TV screens during the live coverage of the Republic Day Parade. The Minister assured that prompt action would be taken regarding their request. The same has been done. This initiative has been taken for the first time by the Ministry and in the shortest possible duration.

  • DD Urdu revamps itself with a bouquet of new programmes

    DD Urdu revamps itself with a bouquet of new programmes

    MUMBAI: DD Urdu has infused fresh blood in its programming with a bouquet of new serials and shows that encapsulate the essence of our heritage and culture and feature relevant societal issues, and now they are set to enchant the audience with their creative brilliance. The step has been taken in continuation of the revamp activity that was initiated on 15th January, 2014. The time band of 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm has been scheduled for 40 new commissioned programmes.

     

    The shows will cover different genres to appeal to the different brackets of audience. The channel will showcase serial based on the memorable works of Urdu literary stalwart Saadat Hasan Manto, produced by Mukta Arts. Some of the fictions to be aired are based on classic Urdu literature like, ‘Bagh-o-Bahar’.

     

    The popular genres like thriller, comedy and musical reality shows are also included in this bouquet. DD Urdu has roped in eminent TV personalities as director/producer of the programmes, Sh. Parikshit Sahni is one them for example. A well known name of the music world, Ms. Ila Arun will direct one musical reality show titled ‘Main Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka, Mujhe Sochta Koi Aur Hai’, this one hour reality show is scheduled on every Sunday at 8:00 pm.

     

    Other music shows based on devotion, ghazal and patriotic lyrics are scheduled in morning and evening like ‘Naghma-e-Marifat’, ‘Sada-e-Watan’ and ‘Junoon-e-Ghazal’, etc. will be televised. Four documentary series on science, painting and Urdu poets, two chat shows (one on marginality issues and other on women discourse), one health show, one cookery show, one travel show, one docu-drama named ‘Hindustan Ki Talash’ written by Hon’ble Minister Sh. Salman Khursheed, one literary programme ‘Aaftab-e-Sukhan’, one programme for children titled ‘Nasha Masiha’ are scheduled to give a fresh look to DD Urdu. Other serials like ‘Akhir Kab Tak’, ‘Aangan’, ‘Firangee’ and ‘Chiraagh’ are also to be aired.

     

    Adding more flavour to this feast of entertainment, 3 films are being telecast on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 2:00 pm, repeat at 10:00 pm. Some in-house programmes are being aired, like, ‘Guftagoo- Walk the Talk’, ‘Mubahisa’, ‘Yaadon Ke Dareeche Se’, ‘Aina-e-Maazi’ and ‘Mushaira’ etc.

     

    Some in-house programmes on National, Middle East, South Asia, neighbouring countries and international current affairs are also scheduled at 9:30 pm. 10 Urdu news bulletins are also on air.

     

  • Republic Day ceremony coverage to have sign language interpreter during DD telecast

    Republic Day ceremony coverage to have sign language interpreter during DD telecast

    NEW DELHI: The live telecast of the Republic Day parade by Doordarshan channels will have an additional facility this year – a sign language interpreter.

     

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) has issued directions to Prasar Bharati for making a provision for having an inset box on the TV screens during the telecast of the Republic Day Ceremony, through which the sign language anchor/expert could interpret the proceedings of the Republic Day parade on 26 January.

     

    The telecast will be on DD National, DD Urdu, DD Bharati and DD News. 

    The decision has been taken in the interest of all those who are differently-abled, hearing impaired citizens. I&B minister Manish Tewari received a representation from the National Association of Deaf recently requesting for providing sign language interpreter in an inset box on TV screens during the live coverage of the Republic Day Parade.

  • Sun Direct to add remaining DD channels within 72 hours

    Sun Direct to add remaining DD channels within 72 hours

    MUMBAI: A week after notices were sent by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to three DTH operators for not carrying the mandatory 24 Doordarshan channels, one of the three  has decided that it will be adding the remaining six channels to its packages within the next 72 hours.

     

    “Even before the notice was issued, we had initiated a technical upgrade that will facilitate to add more channels on the same transponder. We took steps nearly three months ago to import equipments and to upgrade our software,” says Sun Direct CEO Mahesh Kumar.

     

    As far as the reply to the MIB notice is concerned Kumar says that he will be writing to the ministry post the addition stating that it is complying with the rules. He also mentioned that currently Sun Direct is carrying 18 DD channels and within the next three days, all 24 will be carried by it.

     

    Last week Tata Sky had decided to respond to the MIB’s notice expressing his company’s inability to carry any more DD channels as it lacked the bandwidth on its existing transponders, and stating that new capacity it had signed up for on GSAT-10 has not been delivered to it despite several pleas to all the departments in  ISRO, the MIB, department of space, WPC, and what have you.  This leaves only Reliance Digital to decide a course of action regarding the notice given to it.

     

    According to the MIB directive all DTH operators have to provide 24 DD channels irrespective of whether they provide them a-la-carte or in packages to their subscribers.

    The channels which cable operators must show are DD National, DD News, DD Bharati, DD Urdu, DD Sports, DD India, DD Kashir, DD Punjabi, DD Girnar, DD Sahyadri, DD Saptagiri, DD Malayalam, DD Podhigai, DD Chandana, DD Bangla, DD North East, DD Bihar, DD Uttar Pradesh, DD Rajasthan, DD Madhya Pradesh, DD Oriya, Gyan Darshan, Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV.