ITV

Tag: Doordarshan

  • Parliamentary panel pans DD, AIR for recurring lapses

    NEW DELHI: Expressing disappointment that both, All-India Radio and Doordarshan, failed to use the amounts allocated under the budget for 2016-17, a Parliamentary Committee stated: “Concrete steps may be taken to resolve all longstanding administrative issues.”

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which also examines issues relating to the information and broadcasting ministry, recommended that Doordarshan and All-India Radio need to make sincere and sustained efforts in creating high-quality content that can connect with people coupled with strong marketing strategy.

    Need to address recurring structural and procedural issues

    Keeping in view the financial performance of AIR and DD during 2016-17, the Committee stated that it was inclined to conclude that the under-utilisation of funds could have been avoided had the Ministry addressed the recurring structural and procedural issues.

    The Committee felt that this has reflected poorly on the overall performance of Prasar Bharati which is also evident from the reduced fund allocation for both, AIR and DD in 2017-18.

    To boost the performance of AIR and Doordarshan, the administrative problems as well as implementation related issues need to be resolved on priority. The Committee are of the firm opinion that unless these administrative and implementation related issues are addressed on priority, there is bleak scope for desired performance in the spheres of AIR and Doordarshan.

    Emphasis on promotion of DD/AIR Archives

    It noted that both AIR and DD have rich archives including biographies and old speeches of eminent persons which should be made use for qualitative content.

    Apart from generating revenue for Prasar Bharati, this will motivate young generation and expose them to the rich heritage of the country.

    AIR financial and physical performance

    The Committee noted that All India Radio had has been able to spend Rs 1.0827 billion which was only 61.17% of the allocated fund of Rs 1.77 billion at Budgetary Estimates and Revised Estimates stage for the year 2016-17.

    The Committee noted that for the year 2017-18, the budgetary allocation for AIR has been reduced from Rs 1.77 billion to Rs 1.54 billion

    The Ministry attributed improper response against major tenders, delay in delivery of a major imported consignment and some other administrative reasons for this under-utilisation. The Ministry said there had been acute shortage of staff in AIR at all levels particularly at middle and lower professional levels; and the transition from Government organization to corporate sector has witnessed almost a complete halt on recruitments, training and promotions.

    As far as acquisition of land for new setups is concerned, the Ministry proposes taking up the matter with respective state Governments for speedy disposal of the issues. The Ministry have also apprised that some Schemes are not implemented in time due to local issues including law and order particularly in the north east regions and border areas.

    However, AIR has increased the total number of transmitters from 432 (MW-148, SW-48, FM-236) as on 31 March 2012 to 610 (MW-143, SW-48, FM-419) which include 195 100 W FM Transmitters as on 10 February 2017.

    DD financial and physical performance

    Similarly, Doordarshan has spent only Rs 1.7655 billion which is only 65% of the allocated fund of Rs. 2.73 billion at BE and RE stage for 2016-17.

    As a result, the allocation for Doordarshan has been reduced from Rs 2.21 billion to Rs 2.13 billion

    The Ministry has cited cancellation of tenders due to administrative/technical issues to be the reasons for this under-utilisation.

    Doordarshan during 2016-17 completed technical facility for launch of the new TV Channel “DD Arun Prabha”; placed orders for implementation of Indian CAS (iCAS); for its DTH platform Free Dish; the Multichannel Automated Playback facility set up and installation of Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format are in progress at Central Production Centre in Delhi; the old ageing HPT replaced by new 10 KW HPT at one location; and completed all towers of Prasar Bharati House. (In fact, Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan are now housed in the same premises.)

  • DD FreeDish poised to increase channel capacity to 250

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan DTH platform FreeDish, which already has a capacity of 124 channels including HD channels, will soon getting approval to increase this capacity to 250 channels over the next two years. The minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Parliament that Doordarshan’s DD National Channel has been uplinked in the High Definition (HD) format since 1 January this year.

    With analogue having been largely switched off, many stakeholders feel that FreeDish is the best option in Phase IV which covers rural India. The Ministry had itself said  in the Parliament last month that HITS (Head-end In The Sky), private DTH and DD FreeDish are the options in remote rural areas while discussing the issue of the concerns expressed by operators that over 20 per cent of rural and remote areas were not financially and technically viable.

    The only free-to-air DTH platform in the country, FreeDish – which conducted its 33rd auction this week – earned Rs 2.8665 billion through auction of 54 slots in six auctions from 30 March 2016 to 14 February 2017. In comparison, DD had earned Rs 1.8034 billion in 2015-16. 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. The reserve price in the first five auctions was Rs 43 million and was raised to Rs 48 million in the 32nd auction. The reserve price for the 33rd auction was Rs 80 million.

    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. FreeDish touched the figure of 104 with its 32nd Auction.

    In line with the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’, DD has decided to implement Indian CAS (iCAS) on DD Free Dish 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.

    Also read

    MIB favours switching to DTH if consumers have problems with MSOs or LCOs

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Nickelodeon seeks to inspire kids ‘Together For Good’

    NEW DELHI: In a day for the young with both Doordarshan and Colors announcing new programmes, kid’s entertainment channel Nickelodeon is starting the second edition of the India leg of the global Nickelodeon pro socio campaign “Together for Good”.

    Nickelodeon, which claims to have conceptualized this behaviourial change by empowering kids to be future change agents of society will in this season change habits and behaviour of individuals by imparting the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in all spheres of life – be it in private or public spaces and do good together.

    Through its innovative campaign “Don’t’ Be a Champu, Be The Change” this season of Together For Good is all set to drive home this message in a fun and quirky manner that will appeal to kids.

    Through the character Champu, who has a distinct disregard for cleanliness in public spaces and does not care about personal hygiene, the campaign calls out to the kids ‘Don’t be like Champu, Be the Change’. The endeavour is to send across the message on the importance of cleanliness in a unique tongue in cheek manner with the objective of awakening the conscience of the wrong-doers.

    Viacom 18 Business Head of Kids Cluster Nina Jaipuria said, “We at Nickelodeon believe that children are the change agents of society. Through the Together For Good campaign we want to inculcate good habits of cleanliness and hygiene in a fun manner that kids can relate to.” She further added, “With the influence that children have on their parents and families, we hope to extend this positive change towards the society not only amongst the kids but also amongst adults.”

    Together For Good will see a series of creatives featuring Champu across the Nickelodeon franchise. The campaign will be extended on the digital and social media platforms through a series of fun toon tips, posts asking kids to not be a Champu and take the cleanliness pledge, fun interactive Facebook post “Champu Ko Karo Change”, a #DontBeChampu contest where children are urged to clean their surroundings, take a before and after picture and share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    Upping the engagement in the initiative will be an exclusive on-ground association with BMC towards a Chakachak Mumbai. This will involve the Nicktoons visiting high traffic railway stations to directly interact with the public and dissuade them from littering. They will also be seen in a conscience awakening act giving flowers to the delinquents instead of punishing them. “Together For Good” with all its fun and entertainment and lots of life lessons is all set to inspire kids towards positive action.

  • DD b’cast partner of CMS Vataran filmfest

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan today decided to become the broadcast partner for the 9th CMS VATAVARAN Environment & Wildlife International Film Festival and Forum later this year.

    This follows a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for Media Studies for the bi-annual festival to be held from 2 to 6 November 2017 in New Delhi.

    The festival and forum addresses contemporary environment and wildlife issues through the medium of films, forums, workshops, field visits, food festival, nature bazaar, etc.

    The 9th edition will once again delve into the issues of climate change and water, under the theme:‘Conservation4Water’.

    Films entering the film festival will compete for 22 awards in Indian section and 21 awards in International section.

    DD Director General Supriya Sahu said “Doordarshan has contributed significantly towards the acceleration of socio-economic change, promotion of national integration and stimulation of scientific temper in the country. Being a Public Service Broadcaster, we are mandated to carry messages on preservation of environment and ecological balance. With wide number of channels and regional network, Doordarshan has an extensive reach and coverage and to promote conservation awareness, we will support and collaborate with the festival in November 2017 in all possible ways and all the Award winning environment films will be telecast by Doordarshan”.

    CMS DG P N Vasanti said “CMS VATAVARAN uses the medium of films to engage and widen the debate on complex environment and wildlife issues. With this partnership, award winning CMS VATAVARAN films, both national and international, can be shared to wider audiences of Doordarshan. We are glad to be signing this MOU and are looking forward to this partnership with Doordarshan in this conservation mandate”

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

    NEW DELHI: A proper outcome analysis on the grassroots impact of the Kisan Channel be conducted, in order to determine how the content of the Channel is actually benefitting farmers, a Parliamentary Committee has said.

    While fully supporting the initiative of the Kisan Channel, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry said that since the allocation under the Scheme has increased during 2017-18 from Rs 600 million to Rs 800 million, the Committee would like to be apprised of the new achievements of the Ministry under the Scheme.

    The Scheme of Kisan Channel was approved in the year 2014-15, with an initial allocation of Rs One Billion – Rs 900 million for Doordarshan and Rs 100 million for All India Radio.

    The Committee noted that the major assets created at Central Production Centre, Delhi for Kisan channel during 2016-17 were Multichannel Automated Playback facility and Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format; Collaborative Non-Linear Post Production facility in HDTV format; and XDCAM Camcorders, Recorders/ Decks, NLE, Camera support system, Zoom Lens.

    The Ministry has set the target of creating major assets under the Scheme during 2017-18 which are: Earth station at CPC, Delhi; and Field production equipment at 18 Regional Kendras. A Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format at CPC Delhi has also been ordered.

    During the year 2016-2017 new initiatives were also undertaken to improve quality and make more field-based, interactive and interesting programmes. Evaluation of existing programs is also being carried out. A content preview committee has been put in place. A system of regular review of programme has also been put in place so that further improvement can be made.

    Programmes are now being made in all the States in the Hindi belt, including Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, etc. so as to make the channel more inclusive.

    The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is providing real time TRP rating of each programme telecast on Kisan Channel to assess feedback of programme.

    Noting that the Ministry is putting earnest efforts to make Kisan Channel a priority among rural farmer community, the Committee noted that for the year 2016-17 only Rs 390 million as on 31 January 2017 had been spent out of Rs 600 million allocated for the Scheme under Budget estimates and revised estimates 2016-17.

    Taking note of the submission of the Ministry that they will be able to utilize the entire amount, the Committee wanted to be apprised of the actual expenditure incurred under the Scheme during 2016-17.

    The Committee stressed that the Ministry should expand the outreach of Kisan Channel beyond Hindi belt states to cover Southern and North-Eastern states as well.

  • Shark Tank-like govt-run show to tie up with TV prod house

    Shark Tank-like govt-run show to tie up with TV prod house

    MUMBAI: India’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), on 4 March, gave a primary in-principle approval for a government-made reality show on the terms of American TV show Shark Tank so as to give a fillip to the startup culture.

    The DIPP may allow public voting so as to decide the ‘Most Popular Startup’, the Indian Express reported. At a 9 November 2016 meeting, it was also decided that 60 finalists will be given a reward of Rs 10 lakhs each.

    Shark Tank is a popular American show features a panel of potential investors called ‘sharks’ who consider offers from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments.

    The programme, to be simultaneously broadcast on the pubcaster Doordarshan, radio and digital platforms, would have startups pitch to an investors’ panel for impromptu investments.

    The DIPP plans to partner with a TV production house to oversee the implementation, production and execution of the TV show. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) may be the coordinating agency for managing daily operations.

    The first round of evaluation is set to take place in seven cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Bangalore, Indore and Guwahati. In all, 440 participants would be selected, of which 35 would be declared as “regional winners”. These winners would further proceed to the second round of evaluation or the “grand finale”.

    DIPP secretary Ramesh Abhishek said that the department is facing finance issues. NASSCOM told the government the show would require a budget of Rs 64 crore. While Rs 34 crore may be raised from states and sponsors, the DIPP would have to invest approx Rs 30 crore from their side.

    The show will be simultaneously aired across a number of platforms to “allow greater reach and connect with both the urban and rural audience across different sections of the society”.

    While the DIPP will have complete rights over the programme, NASSCOM may ‘managing’ day-to-day operations. “For implementation, a task force will be constituted with a partner leading in each region, who will be responsible for the execution of the entire show. This will include running day to day operations and for management of all deliverables, timelines, agencies and interfacing regularly with all sponsors and partners in each of the regions,” the DIPP note says.

    The proposed partners for north, east, west, south and central regions are — FICCI, The Indus Partners (TiE), Indian Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks and Business Incubator Association (ISBA), NASSCOM, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), respectively.

    A steering committee to oversee the programme management would include representatives from NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the HRD Ministry, and Department of Biotechnology, as well as Axis Bank and Yes Bank.