Tag: Doordarshan

Govt seeks professional help for DD revival

NEW DELHI: Fazed by private sector television channels’ stridency in terms of revenues and viewership in an increasingly digital India, the government is seeking outside professional help in “transformation of Doordarshan.”

A tender has been issued by an organisation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to look for a consultant to revamp Doordarshan into a leading public broadcaster that becomes a highly successful medium of mass communication.

Amongst the objectives listed in the tender documents by the Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd. (BECIL) a stated aim is to engage a consulting firm to support Doordarshan in achieving this “transformation goal by undertaking a comprehensive view on the projects and initiatives to be executed” by the Indian pubcaster.

Pointing out that in the last couple of decades after introduction of cable television and technological changes in a country that’s now openly flirting with digital consumption of video and audio on multiple platforms, the government admitted DD’s monopoly days are over and it is not the target media for a large swathe of Indian population. “Given the potential television has, not just commercially but also as a means for socio-economic transformation, it’s critical to revitalize Doordarshan and develop it into a powerful and commercially successful organization of mass communication,” BECIL said in a note enumerating the objectives for the project.

The consultant would have to undertake a comprehensive view on the projects and initiatives to be executed by Doordarshan, engage all stakeholders to arrive at trouble-spots and prepare a solution map for addressing those difficulties. The government is hoping that the consultant will identify in medium term goals for “quick wins” and further help Doordarshan develop a long-term strategic roadmap.

The interested bidders are expected to send in their queries by 2 November 2016 and get responses in a pre-bid meeting on 4 November. The technical bids will be opened on 15 November at 1530 hours. Dates for presentations by bidders and opening of financial bids will be intimated later by BECIL.

Interestingly, Minister of State for MIB Rajyavardhan Rathore few days back had admitted at a media conference that Prasar Bharati, DD’s parent, lacked adequate programming and marketing capabilities and was open to seeking help from private players.

Doordarshan is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world in terms of studios and infrastructure and claims to cover 90 per cent of the total Indian population — a claim that, however, doesn’t aptly reflect in audience measurement data. DD, which offers 23 TV channels in various Indian languages, provides television, radio, online and app-based mobile services throughout India and overseas.

ALSO READ:

Prasar Bharati lacks content & marketing; open to tie-ups: MIB Minister

October 28, 2016
Govt seeks professional help for DD revival

NEW DELHI: Fazed by private sector television channels’ stridency in terms of revenues and viewership in an increasingly digital India, the government is seeking outside professional help in “transformation of Doordarshan.”

A tender has been issued by an organisation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to look for a consultant to revamp Doordarshan into a leading public broadcaster that becomes a highly successful medium of mass communication.

Amongst the objectives listed in the tender documents by the Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd. (BECIL) a stated aim is to engage a consulting firm to support Doordarshan in achieving this “transformation goal by undertaking a comprehensive view on the projects and initiatives to be executed” by the Indian pubcaster.

Pointing out that in the last couple of decades after introduction of cable television and technological changes in a country that’s now openly flirting with digital consumption of video and audio on multiple platforms, the government admitted DD’s monopoly days are over and it is not the target media for a large swathe of Indian population. “Given the potential television has, not just commercially but also as a means for socio-economic transformation, it’s critical to revitalize Doordarshan and develop it into a powerful and commercially successful organization of mass communication,” BECIL said in a note enumerating the objectives for the project.

The consultant would have to undertake a comprehensive view on the projects and initiatives to be executed by Doordarshan, engage all stakeholders to arrive at trouble-spots and prepare a solution map for addressing those difficulties. The government is hoping that the consultant will identify in medium term goals for “quick wins” and further help Doordarshan develop a long-term strategic roadmap.

The interested bidders are expected to send in their queries by 2 November 2016 and get responses in a pre-bid meeting on 4 November. The technical bids will be opened on 15 November at 1530 hours. Dates for presentations by bidders and opening of financial bids will be intimated later by BECIL.

Interestingly, Minister of State for MIB Rajyavardhan Rathore few days back had admitted at a media conference that Prasar Bharati, DD’s parent, lacked adequate programming and marketing capabilities and was open to seeking help from private players.

Doordarshan is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world in terms of studios and infrastructure and claims to cover 90 per cent of the total Indian population — a claim that, however, doesn’t aptly reflect in audience measurement data. DD, which offers 23 TV channels in various Indian languages, provides television, radio, online and app-based mobile services throughout India and overseas.

ALSO READ:

Prasar Bharati lacks content & marketing; open to tie-ups: MIB Minister

October 28, 2016
Prasar Bharati advisor reviews DD marketing and policies

NEW DELHI: Former Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary and now Prasar Bharati advisor Sunil Arora yesterday asked Doordarshan to adopt the best policies of the industry, even as he approved the planned auction of slots on DD National.

During a review meeting with Doordarshan where the director-general Supriya Sahu and other senior officials were present, Arora was apprised of the content mix, methodology of audience research and slotting process of the programmes.

Arora also reviewed the marketing strategies and efforts being made to augment revenues for Doordarshan. He emphasised that DD should leverage the flagship schemes of the government to showcase the developmental initiatives.

Arora is considered as one of the favourites to succeed Jawhar Sircar as the chief executive officer of Prasar Bharati who demits office in first week of November 2016. In the interim, member (personnel) Suresh Panda has been asked to hold interim charge by the Board, subject to the final approval of MIB.

Under the Prasar Bharati Act, a new CEO will be selected by a three-member high-level committee headed by the Vice-President of India.

October 19, 2016
Prasar Bharati advisor reviews DD marketing and policies

NEW DELHI: Former Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary and now Prasar Bharati advisor Sunil Arora yesterday asked Doordarshan to adopt the best policies of the industry, even as he approved the planned auction of slots on DD National.

During a review meeting with Doordarshan where the director-general Supriya Sahu and other senior officials were present, Arora was apprised of the content mix, methodology of audience research and slotting process of the programmes.

Arora also reviewed the marketing strategies and efforts being made to augment revenues for Doordarshan. He emphasised that DD should leverage the flagship schemes of the government to showcase the developmental initiatives.

Arora is considered as one of the favourites to succeed Jawhar Sircar as the chief executive officer of Prasar Bharati who demits office in first week of November 2016. In the interim, member (personnel) Suresh Panda has been asked to hold interim charge by the Board, subject to the final approval of MIB.

Under the Prasar Bharati Act, a new CEO will be selected by a three-member high-level committee headed by the Vice-President of India.

October 19, 2016
Govt. accepts Jawhar Sircar’s request for early retirement

NEW DELHI: A media-savvy chief executive of Prasar Bharati Jawhar Sircar used the social media to announce yesterday that the Indian government has accepted his resignation from the pubcaster and acceded to his request for an early retirement.

Sircar was originally to complete his term as the Indian pubcaster’s chief executive and attain superannuation first quarter of 2017.

On a quiet Sunday, when most Indians were getting ready for a new season of Big Boss later in the evening having watched Indian cricket team romp home to victory over Black Caps in a 50-over game in Dharamshala, Sircar used Facebook to announce that the government had formally cleared the way for his early ride into the sunset.

“Time to quit, after eventful 41.5 years in IAS (Indian Administrative Service) and beyond. Central Govt (government) has accepted my resignation. Done enough: no more govt or private jobs. Free man, finally. Only books !” Sircar posted on his FB page Sunday evening in his usual flamboyant style.

Interestingly, it was another September weekend — Saturday to be specific — when Sircar had used FB to state and clarify he wanted to quit Prasar Bharati before his tenure ended officially and alluded to a time-frame too. “Since news is out today…I hope to be back in Kolkata by NOV(ember),” he had then said on social media.

Sircar, who took office mid-February 2012 has been at odds, at times, with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), including Ministers, and even the Prasar Bharati Board. Still, he had told indiantelevision.com in September when contacted that MIB and Prasar Bharati Board were “in sync and supportive.”

Sircar, who took early retirement as Secretary, Ministry of Culture, to take up the challenging job of chief executive of Prasar Bharati, which manages All India Radio and Doordarshan, is an expert in art and culture and has lectured on the issues in India and abroad.

ALSO READ:

Jawhar Sircar sets 12-point action plan before early retirement

Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar officially seeks early retirement

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

October 17, 2016
Govt. accepts Jawhar Sircar’s request for early retirement

NEW DELHI: A media-savvy chief executive of Prasar Bharati Jawhar Sircar used the social media to announce yesterday that the Indian government has accepted his resignation from the pubcaster and acceded to his request for an early retirement.

Sircar was originally to complete his term as the Indian pubcaster’s chief executive and attain superannuation first quarter of 2017.

On a quiet Sunday, when most Indians were getting ready for a new season of Big Boss later in the evening having watched Indian cricket team romp home to victory over Black Caps in a 50-over game in Dharamshala, Sircar used Facebook to announce that the government had formally cleared the way for his early ride into the sunset.

“Time to quit, after eventful 41.5 years in IAS (Indian Administrative Service) and beyond. Central Govt (government) has accepted my resignation. Done enough: no more govt or private jobs. Free man, finally. Only books !” Sircar posted on his FB page Sunday evening in his usual flamboyant style.

Interestingly, it was another September weekend — Saturday to be specific — when Sircar had used FB to state and clarify he wanted to quit Prasar Bharati before his tenure ended officially and alluded to a time-frame too. “Since news is out today…I hope to be back in Kolkata by NOV(ember),” he had then said on social media.

Sircar, who took office mid-February 2012 has been at odds, at times, with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), including Ministers, and even the Prasar Bharati Board. Still, he had told indiantelevision.com in September when contacted that MIB and Prasar Bharati Board were “in sync and supportive.”

Sircar, who took early retirement as Secretary, Ministry of Culture, to take up the challenging job of chief executive of Prasar Bharati, which manages All India Radio and Doordarshan, is an expert in art and culture and has lectured on the issues in India and abroad.

ALSO READ:

Jawhar Sircar sets 12-point action plan before early retirement

Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar officially seeks early retirement

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

October 17, 2016
Doordarshan agrees to apply for permission for four IGNOU channels

NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has agreed to apply for licence to telecast four channels of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, even as the 32 channels of the Human Resource Development Minstry are still to find a place in the pubcaster’s Freedish.

Interestingly, one Gyan Darshan channel and one one Gyani channel had been taken off DD and All India Radio respectively in 2014 for non-clearance of dues.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding now signed between Doordarshan and IGNOU regarding the transmission of four Gyan Darshan Educational channels, DD has agreed to apply for permission to telecast four Gyan Darshan channels from IGNOU Earth Station Delhi to operate in C-band from GSAT-10. IGNOU is not eligible to apply under the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines as it is not a broadcaster.

The Gyan Darshan Bouquet of Educational TV Channels is an educational media initiative of MHRD in collaboration with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prasar Bharati and the Indian Space Research Organization with IGNOU as the nodal agency.

It consists of four TV Channels: GD-I & II (by IGNOU), GD-III – Eklava (by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi), and GD-IV – Vyas Channel (by University Grants Commission, CEC).

Gyan Darshan had been initially launched on 26 January 2000 as a solitary 24×7 hour satellite channel under the banner of Doordarshan which provided a Transponder on INSAT 2B satellite, free of cost.

Gyan Darshan ran successfully till 2 June 2014 as a must carry channel for educational programmes but was shut down by ISRO to facilitate its migration from INSAT 3C to GSAT-10.
IGNOU now needs to apply for a fresh License to start the uplinking of its Channels for GSAT-10 Satellite.

Speaking on the occasion, DD DG Supriya Sahu said, “I am happy that we have signed this MOU with IGNOU and joined hands with a premier institution like IGNOU. This partnership would ensure that the educational channels of IGNOU reach and benefit millions of students across the country. I think this is one of the most outstanding initiatives in the field of Public Broadcasting”.

IGNOU Vice Chancellor Ravindra Kumar said, “Gyandarshan has always been a flagship programme for IGNOU and educational community. Today we (IGNOU & DD) are both happy and enormously excited that Gyandarshan has once again become a reality.”

Earlier in October 2014, indiantelevision.con and radioandmusic.com had reported that the channels Gyan Darshan and Gyanvani had been shut down because of non-payment. While the figures were DD were not available, AIR DG Fayyaz Sheheryar had said the dues amounted to more than Rs 21.6 crore.

He had then said that it had to be understood that Gyanvani and Gyandarshan were radio and television channels respectively run and owned by IGNOU and Prasar Bharati only provided the platform for the broadcasts.

Later, IGNOU had launched these channels on the Internet. indiantelevision.com had learnt at the time that IGNOU had applied to WPC for a licence to run television channels, but had been refused by the Department of Telecom which had told them that only Doordarshan can apply for such a channel.

But DD had refused to apply for the channel on behalf of IGNOU in view of the report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India which bars allotment of licences to government bodies to start their own channels.

These web-based channels can be accessed by the students directly from their homes at http://www.ignouonline.ac.in/Broadcast/ without having to go to the Regional Centres or Local Study Centres.

October 8, 2016
Doordarshan agrees to apply for permission for four IGNOU channels

NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has agreed to apply for licence to telecast four channels of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, even as the 32 channels of the Human Resource Development Minstry are still to find a place in the pubcaster’s Freedish.

Interestingly, one Gyan Darshan channel and one one Gyani channel had been taken off DD and All India Radio respectively in 2014 for non-clearance of dues.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding now signed between Doordarshan and IGNOU regarding the transmission of four Gyan Darshan Educational channels, DD has agreed to apply for permission to telecast four Gyan Darshan channels from IGNOU Earth Station Delhi to operate in C-band from GSAT-10. IGNOU is not eligible to apply under the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines as it is not a broadcaster.

The Gyan Darshan Bouquet of Educational TV Channels is an educational media initiative of MHRD in collaboration with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prasar Bharati and the Indian Space Research Organization with IGNOU as the nodal agency.

It consists of four TV Channels: GD-I & II (by IGNOU), GD-III – Eklava (by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi), and GD-IV – Vyas Channel (by University Grants Commission, CEC).

Gyan Darshan had been initially launched on 26 January 2000 as a solitary 24×7 hour satellite channel under the banner of Doordarshan which provided a Transponder on INSAT 2B satellite, free of cost.

Gyan Darshan ran successfully till 2 June 2014 as a must carry channel for educational programmes but was shut down by ISRO to facilitate its migration from INSAT 3C to GSAT-10.
IGNOU now needs to apply for a fresh License to start the uplinking of its Channels for GSAT-10 Satellite.

Speaking on the occasion, DD DG Supriya Sahu said, “I am happy that we have signed this MOU with IGNOU and joined hands with a premier institution like IGNOU. This partnership would ensure that the educational channels of IGNOU reach and benefit millions of students across the country. I think this is one of the most outstanding initiatives in the field of Public Broadcasting”.

IGNOU Vice Chancellor Ravindra Kumar said, “Gyandarshan has always been a flagship programme for IGNOU and educational community. Today we (IGNOU & DD) are both happy and enormously excited that Gyandarshan has once again become a reality.”

Earlier in October 2014, indiantelevision.con and radioandmusic.com had reported that the channels Gyan Darshan and Gyanvani had been shut down because of non-payment. While the figures were DD were not available, AIR DG Fayyaz Sheheryar had said the dues amounted to more than Rs 21.6 crore.

He had then said that it had to be understood that Gyanvani and Gyandarshan were radio and television channels respectively run and owned by IGNOU and Prasar Bharati only provided the platform for the broadcasts.

Later, IGNOU had launched these channels on the Internet. indiantelevision.com had learnt at the time that IGNOU had applied to WPC for a licence to run television channels, but had been refused by the Department of Telecom which had told them that only Doordarshan can apply for such a channel.

But DD had refused to apply for the channel on behalf of IGNOU in view of the report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India which bars allotment of licences to government bodies to start their own channels.

These web-based channels can be accessed by the students directly from their homes at http://www.ignouonline.ac.in/Broadcast/ without having to go to the Regional Centres or Local Study Centres.

October 8, 2016
DD to set new terms to attract TV producers to buy time slots

NEW DELHI: After two failed attempts to attract good software producers to bid for slots in its prime time, Doordarshan has thrown the ball back in the court of Prasar Bharati.

A senior DD official told indiantelevision.com that a meeting of the Prasar Bharati Board had been convened on 17 October to discuss the issue, and he agreed that this may mean a further relaxation in the eligibility norms.

The pubcaster had attracted seven producers in the first attempt in June, and just three in the second attempt on 5 September despite relaxed norms. However, none of the bidders was able to meet all the criteria set by Doordarshan.

In the criteria at present, producers/production houses who have produced at least 200 hours of general entertainment programming including feature film in any Indian language in the last three years were eligible to apply.

Following a revision of terms, the Prasar Bharati Board had said in early August that production houses with a turnover of minimum Rs 3 crore per annum in the field of TV and film production in the last three financial years were eligible. The earnest money deposit was Rs 500,000 for each weekday slot. Bidders could apply for one or more slots. For those applying for three slots, the earnest money was Rs 15 lakh (Rs 1.5 million).

Applicants for weekend slots in the genres of reality, game, quiz, should have produced 100 hours of such content in the last three years, it had been stated.

When the scheme was announced in June, only those with production in television and a minimum of 300 hours had been allowed. But, this was changed to include film production houses and 200 hours of entertainment programming.

After the meeting of the board and finalization of its new norms, the official said DD will float a new Request For Proposal (RFP) document with several flexible eligibility conditions to invite fresh and good quality content on its DD National as a pilot.

Successful bidder(s) will produce fresh programmes in various genres of general entertainment programme for Doordarshan adhering to the programming/broadcasting codes of Prasar Bharati.

Also Read: E-auction for DD National Prime Time slots set for next month

October 6, 2016
DD to set new terms to attract TV producers to buy time slots

NEW DELHI: After two failed attempts to attract good software producers to bid for slots in its prime time, Doordarshan has thrown the ball back in the court of Prasar Bharati.

A senior DD official told indiantelevision.com that a meeting of the Prasar Bharati Board had been convened on 17 October to discuss the issue, and he agreed that this may mean a further relaxation in the eligibility norms.

The pubcaster had attracted seven producers in the first attempt in June, and just three in the second attempt on 5 September despite relaxed norms. However, none of the bidders was able to meet all the criteria set by Doordarshan.

In the criteria at present, producers/production houses who have produced at least 200 hours of general entertainment programming including feature film in any Indian language in the last three years were eligible to apply.

Following a revision of terms, the Prasar Bharati Board had said in early August that production houses with a turnover of minimum Rs 3 crore per annum in the field of TV and film production in the last three financial years were eligible. The earnest money deposit was Rs 500,000 for each weekday slot. Bidders could apply for one or more slots. For those applying for three slots, the earnest money was Rs 15 lakh (Rs 1.5 million).

Applicants for weekend slots in the genres of reality, game, quiz, should have produced 100 hours of such content in the last three years, it had been stated.

When the scheme was announced in June, only those with production in television and a minimum of 300 hours had been allowed. But, this was changed to include film production houses and 200 hours of entertainment programming.

After the meeting of the board and finalization of its new norms, the official said DD will float a new Request For Proposal (RFP) document with several flexible eligibility conditions to invite fresh and good quality content on its DD National as a pilot.

Successful bidder(s) will produce fresh programmes in various genres of general entertainment programme for Doordarshan adhering to the programming/broadcasting codes of Prasar Bharati.

Also Read: E-auction for DD National Prime Time slots set for next month

October 6, 2016