NEW DELHI: There is a provision of Rs 390 crore as grant-in-aid for Prasar Bharati for the year 2016-17 which includes Rs 50 crore for the north east region.
In addition, there is a grant-in-aid of Rs 60 crore including Rs 8 crore for the north east region, according to the annual plan of the Information and Broadcastng Ministry for 2016-17.
In addition, Doordarshan will get Rs 125 crore and All India Radio will receive Rs 75 crore for development of new content.
A sum of Rs 12 crore has been set aside for strengthening the Electronic Media Monitoring Cell which will soon increase its capacity to monitor all TV channels in the country.
A budget of Rs 4 crore has been set aside for supporting community radio stations which includes Rs 20 lakh for the north east region.
Infrastructure Support Cell in the ministry renamed as Digitisation Mission has a budget of Rs 5 crore in the annual plan, while Rs 4.5 crore has been set aside for automation of the broadcasting sector.
Thus the total budget in the annual plan for the broadcasting sector is Rs 475.50 crore including Rs 58.2 criore for the north east.
NEW DELHI: There is a provision of Rs 390 crore as grant-in-aid for Prasar Bharati for the year 2016-17 which includes Rs 50 crore for the north east region.
In addition, there is a grant-in-aid of Rs 60 crore including Rs 8 crore for the north east region, according to the annual plan of the Information and Broadcastng Ministry for 2016-17.
In addition, Doordarshan will get Rs 125 crore and All India Radio will receive Rs 75 crore for development of new content.
A sum of Rs 12 crore has been set aside for strengthening the Electronic Media Monitoring Cell which will soon increase its capacity to monitor all TV channels in the country.
A budget of Rs 4 crore has been set aside for supporting community radio stations which includes Rs 20 lakh for the north east region.
Infrastructure Support Cell in the ministry renamed as Digitisation Mission has a budget of Rs 5 crore in the annual plan, while Rs 4.5 crore has been set aside for automation of the broadcasting sector.
Thus the total budget in the annual plan for the broadcasting sector is Rs 475.50 crore including Rs 58.2 criore for the north east.
NEW DELHI: The Indian government is exploring possibilities of throwing open the digital terrestrial transmission or DTT services for private sector participation.
Broadcast carriage and telecoms regulator TRAI is poised to start a public consultation in this regard soon.
Presently, terrestrial transmission, analogue or digital, is a monopoly game with India’s pubcaster Doordarshan being the only player.
A senior level source in Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) admitted that in near future DTT could see involvement of private sector companies as seen in the area of cable and satellite broadcasting.
The MIB source also pointed out that in this connection TRAI has already been consulted and the regulator is in the process of fine-tuning a background paper on DTT that will form part of the consultation with industry stakeholders.
Some of the issues that could be put up for discussion include whether it’s correct in this age of fast-evolving technology to keep DTT a playing arena for only DD; whether DTT services with private sector involvement would be in an encrypted or unencrypted form and technologies to be used.
Quite a few Asian countries like Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore — considered more sophisticated media markets in terms of ARPUs in comparison to India — have private sector companies providing DTT services.
According to ViaSat magazine, telco PCCW, for example, in Hong Kong recently announced launch of a new set-top box (STB) that will be an all-in-one, 4K-ready device providing IPTV, DTT and over-the-top (OTT) services to subscribers.
However, it must be remembered that even if TRAI comes out with a consultation paper on DTT and finally recommends that private sector companies be allowed to provide DTT services, along with DD, the final say on the matter would be with MIB.
In an earlier story Indiantelevision.com had reported that DD, one of the largest broadcasting organisations in the world in terms of the studios and transmitters, has commenced DTT services in 16 cities.
DD move to also replace its analogue transmitters with digital transmitters will allow up to 8 channels to be carried from a single transmitter.
Interestingly, while listing the many advantages of DTT services, Doordarshan on its website points out that “DTT secures greater plurality in Platform ownership, ensuring that no single platform owner is so powerful that they can exert undue influence on public opinion or political agendas.”
ALSO READ:
Doordarshan launches Mobile TV in India, needs no internet
NEW DELHI: The Indian government is exploring possibilities of throwing open the digital terrestrial transmission or DTT services for private sector participation.
Broadcast carriage and telecoms regulator TRAI is poised to start a public consultation in this regard soon.
Presently, terrestrial transmission, analogue or digital, is a monopoly game with India’s pubcaster Doordarshan being the only player.
A senior level source in Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) admitted that in near future DTT could see involvement of private sector companies as seen in the area of cable and satellite broadcasting.
The MIB source also pointed out that in this connection TRAI has already been consulted and the regulator is in the process of fine-tuning a background paper on DTT that will form part of the consultation with industry stakeholders.
Some of the issues that could be put up for discussion include whether it’s correct in this age of fast-evolving technology to keep DTT a playing arena for only DD; whether DTT services with private sector involvement would be in an encrypted or unencrypted form and technologies to be used.
Quite a few Asian countries like Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore — considered more sophisticated media markets in terms of ARPUs in comparison to India — have private sector companies providing DTT services.
According to ViaSat magazine, telco PCCW, for example, in Hong Kong recently announced launch of a new set-top box (STB) that will be an all-in-one, 4K-ready device providing IPTV, DTT and over-the-top (OTT) services to subscribers.
However, it must be remembered that even if TRAI comes out with a consultation paper on DTT and finally recommends that private sector companies be allowed to provide DTT services, along with DD, the final say on the matter would be with MIB.
In an earlier story Indiantelevision.com had reported that DD, one of the largest broadcasting organisations in the world in terms of the studios and transmitters, has commenced DTT services in 16 cities.
DD move to also replace its analogue transmitters with digital transmitters will allow up to 8 channels to be carried from a single transmitter.
Interestingly, while listing the many advantages of DTT services, Doordarshan on its website points out that “DTT secures greater plurality in Platform ownership, ensuring that no single platform owner is so powerful that they can exert undue influence on public opinion or political agendas.”
ALSO READ:
Doordarshan launches Mobile TV in India, needs no internet
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today upheld the contention by Prasar Bharati that enhancements embedded in the sports feed shared by sports channels with Doordarshan were commercial advertisements.
Rejecting a special leave petition by Star India against a Delhi High Court order which had gone in favour of Prasar Bharati, The apex Court also held that the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007 (Sports Act) is not only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider but also those of the content rights owner and holder.
The Court said the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act refers to the the content rights owners, holder and broadcast service provider. Therefore it was immaterial as to who inserted the enhancements. Under the Act the signal to be provided had to be free of advertisements.
The Sports Act is clear that live signals of sporting events of national importance have to be shared by the content rights owners or holders and broadcast service providers with Prasar Bharati without advertisements. Furthermore, a clean feed is to be provided.
Prasar Bharati in its petition in the High Court had claimed that the feed being provided contained commercial enhancements. But Star took the plea that the commercial enhancements were not advertisements and the enhancements were in any case being inserted by International Cricket Council.
Star also said the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Act was only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider (Star) and not those of the content rights owner (ICC). It claimed that the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act only referred to the broadcast service provider and not the content rights owner.
While senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi had appeared for Star Sports, Prasar Bharati was represented by Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi.
Taking up the case in Febuary last year, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Prafulla C Pant had said ‘we are of the view that the interim order passed earlier to the effect that the impugned order dated 4 February of the High Court shall remain suspended should continue until further orders.’
The Court had at that time said it was ‘not inclined’ to consider the suggestion made by Star Sports that Doordarshan should set up an extra/special channel which has been contended by Prasar Bharati to be unviable and technically unfeasible within any reasonable period of time.
On the second suggestion about ‘putting up a scroll to the effect that ‘the channel displaying the sports event (concerned ICC World Cup 2015 matches) is meant only for Doordarshan’, the Court said ‘acceptance of the said suggestion would be understanding the provisions of Section 3 of the Sports Act 2007 and Section 8 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 in a particular manner which is not warranted at this stage of the proceedings. We, therefore, decline to accept the said second suggestion advanced on behalf of the respondents.’
Star India had in an additional affidavit at the time said that it was losing around Rs 290 crore every year by sharing its sports signals with Doordarshan and was expecting to lose around Rs 120 crore by sharing the telecast of the World Cup this year. (Under the Sports Act, the rights holder gets 75 per cent of the revenue from the telecast on DD which keeps the balance 25 per cent.)
The Delhi High Court had declined to set aside the must carry clause as well as the Sports Act in its judgment.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today upheld the contention by Prasar Bharati that enhancements embedded in the sports feed shared by sports channels with Doordarshan were commercial advertisements.
Rejecting a special leave petition by Star India against a Delhi High Court order which had gone in favour of Prasar Bharati, The apex Court also held that the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007 (Sports Act) is not only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider but also those of the content rights owner and holder.
The Court said the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act refers to the the content rights owners, holder and broadcast service provider. Therefore it was immaterial as to who inserted the enhancements. Under the Act the signal to be provided had to be free of advertisements.
The Sports Act is clear that live signals of sporting events of national importance have to be shared by the content rights owners or holders and broadcast service providers with Prasar Bharati without advertisements. Furthermore, a clean feed is to be provided.
Prasar Bharati in its petition in the High Court had claimed that the feed being provided contained commercial enhancements. But Star took the plea that the commercial enhancements were not advertisements and the enhancements were in any case being inserted by International Cricket Council.
Star also said the prohibition in Section 3 of the Sports Act was only against advertisements of the broadcast service provider (Star) and not those of the content rights owner (ICC). It claimed that the word ‘its’ in Section 3 of the Act only referred to the broadcast service provider and not the content rights owner.
While senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi had appeared for Star Sports, Prasar Bharati was represented by Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi.
Taking up the case in Febuary last year, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Prafulla C Pant had said ‘we are of the view that the interim order passed earlier to the effect that the impugned order dated 4 February of the High Court shall remain suspended should continue until further orders.’
The Court had at that time said it was ‘not inclined’ to consider the suggestion made by Star Sports that Doordarshan should set up an extra/special channel which has been contended by Prasar Bharati to be unviable and technically unfeasible within any reasonable period of time.
On the second suggestion about ‘putting up a scroll to the effect that ‘the channel displaying the sports event (concerned ICC World Cup 2015 matches) is meant only for Doordarshan’, the Court said ‘acceptance of the said suggestion would be understanding the provisions of Section 3 of the Sports Act 2007 and Section 8 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 in a particular manner which is not warranted at this stage of the proceedings. We, therefore, decline to accept the said second suggestion advanced on behalf of the respondents.’
Star India had in an additional affidavit at the time said that it was losing around Rs 290 crore every year by sharing its sports signals with Doordarshan and was expecting to lose around Rs 120 crore by sharing the telecast of the World Cup this year. (Under the Sports Act, the rights holder gets 75 per cent of the revenue from the telecast on DD which keeps the balance 25 per cent.)
The Delhi High Court had declined to set aside the must carry clause as well as the Sports Act in its judgment.
MUMBAI: With an extensive portfolio of channels under it, Star India is all set to add one more feather to his hat. The network will launch its free to air (FTA) Hindi movies channel Star Utsav Movies on 28 May.
The advent of BARC has led rural markets taking the center stage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. Entering this space, is this new channel which is completely focussed at the rural market and will play popular Bollywood films for the homes that do not have access to these films.
Following the motto of being the first truly rural channel, their tagline Har Din Utsav promises an indication of their endeavour to give its viewers a reason to celebrate every day with the biggest and best stars on screen. Aimed at building a strong footprint in the rural market, the new channel will cater to the rural tastes, consumption and need.
Star Gold, Movies OK, Star Gold HD and Star Utsav Movies general manager Hemal Jhaveri says, “We are excited to announce the launch of Star Utsav Movies on 28th May, India’s first ‘Truly Rural’ Hindi movie channel. Our analysis indicated that there was a clear need gap in this category since 25% of the total viewership came from movies, but the Hindi movie genre share is a miniscule 5 %. This is because of the non-availability of good content from the existing Hindi movie channels in the FTA space”.
The channel has done an extensive research over 8-9 months in multiple states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, etc to unravel the rural psyche before rolling out the channel. Through their survey, various key elements like afternoon slot, rural entertainment viewing pattern, the availability of screen, etc were considered before laying the channel’s programming schedule.
“The study shed light on the key usage and behavior patterns which has been the cornerstone for all acquisition, programming and marketing inputs on this new channel offering”, points Jhaveri.
Through this data, the channel will look at their content vigilantly to have a sturdy family appeal policy being followed in their line-up.
“What made this research unique and accurate was the fact that it was tailor made to each respondent surveyed basis their viewing behavior which was captured on close circuit cameras positioned in their homes. The rural markets are the last important frontier and we believe Star Utsav Movies will empower both the consumers and advertisers alike,” he further adds.
The channel will be initially available exclusively on Doordarshan’s free direct-to-home (DTH) platform Freedish and will later be made available on other platforms according to the channel’s distribution strategy.
Various advertisers from FMCG, telecoms, tractors, agriculture equipment, etc sectors are expected to get on board. Whereas, the content offering on the channel will be different from the network’s other channels like Star Gold, Movies Ok and Star Gold HD.
To drive reach and awareness for the new channel, a multi-media launch campaign has already kick-started. Besides a comprehensive high impact TV plan, the promotion also includes a high octane radio plan besides unique brand experiences on ground across villages in key markets which will bring alive the brand promise.
The channel is leveraging the might of Star India Network to rapidly build awareness.
MUMBAI: With an extensive portfolio of channels under it, Star India is all set to add one more feather to his hat. The network will launch its free to air (FTA) Hindi movies channel Star Utsav Movies on 28 May.
The advent of BARC has led rural markets taking the center stage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. Entering this space, is this new channel which is completely focussed at the rural market and will play popular Bollywood films for the homes that do not have access to these films.
Following the motto of being the first truly rural channel, their tagline Har Din Utsav promises an indication of their endeavour to give its viewers a reason to celebrate every day with the biggest and best stars on screen. Aimed at building a strong footprint in the rural market, the new channel will cater to the rural tastes, consumption and need.
Star Gold, Movies OK, Star Gold HD and Star Utsav Movies general manager Hemal Jhaveri says, “We are excited to announce the launch of Star Utsav Movies on 28th May, India’s first ‘Truly Rural’ Hindi movie channel. Our analysis indicated that there was a clear need gap in this category since 25% of the total viewership came from movies, but the Hindi movie genre share is a miniscule 5 %. This is because of the non-availability of good content from the existing Hindi movie channels in the FTA space”.
The channel has done an extensive research over 8-9 months in multiple states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, etc to unravel the rural psyche before rolling out the channel. Through their survey, various key elements like afternoon slot, rural entertainment viewing pattern, the availability of screen, etc were considered before laying the channel’s programming schedule.
“The study shed light on the key usage and behavior patterns which has been the cornerstone for all acquisition, programming and marketing inputs on this new channel offering”, points Jhaveri.
Through this data, the channel will look at their content vigilantly to have a sturdy family appeal policy being followed in their line-up.
“What made this research unique and accurate was the fact that it was tailor made to each respondent surveyed basis their viewing behavior which was captured on close circuit cameras positioned in their homes. The rural markets are the last important frontier and we believe Star Utsav Movies will empower both the consumers and advertisers alike,” he further adds.
The channel will be initially available exclusively on Doordarshan’s free direct-to-home (DTH) platform Freedish and will later be made available on other platforms according to the channel’s distribution strategy.
Various advertisers from FMCG, telecoms, tractors, agriculture equipment, etc sectors are expected to get on board. Whereas, the content offering on the channel will be different from the network’s other channels like Star Gold, Movies Ok and Star Gold HD.
To drive reach and awareness for the new channel, a multi-media launch campaign has already kick-started. Besides a comprehensive high impact TV plan, the promotion also includes a high octane radio plan besides unique brand experiences on ground across villages in key markets which will bring alive the brand promise.
The channel is leveraging the might of Star India Network to rapidly build awareness.
NEW DELHI: Even as the final touches are being given to increase the carrying capacity of the platform, the 27th e-auction to fill up vacant slots on Doordarshan’s direct-to-home Freedish will be held on 30 May.
The reserve price is Rs 4.3 crore for the slots on the country’s only free to air DTH platform. The reserve price which had been Rs 3.7 crore was raised to its present level for the 25th e-auction in January.
indiantelevision.com had learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions. The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs three crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.
DD sources refused to divulge the number of slots being auctioned to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices. The platform at present has space for eighty channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.
These sources told indiantelevision.com that Freedish is being encrypted shortly from Mpeg 2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.
The e-Auction will be conducted by C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.
The eligibility terms and conditions including other relevant details for this e-Auction are displayed on DD website: www.ddindia.gov.in.
The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.1.5 crore which will be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 30 May along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (Non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.
Incremental amount for the auction will be Rs 10 lakh and the time for every slot e-auction will be of fifteen minutes duration. This may be extended by five minutes if a bid is received before the closing time.
Of the reserve price, Rs 1.1 crore will have ot be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 1.1 crore within two months along with service tax of 14.5 per cent on the bid amount.
The balance bid amount will have to be deposited within six months, failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and the channel discontinued after a 21-day discontinuation notice.
NEW DELHI: Even as the final touches are being given to increase the carrying capacity of the platform, the 27th e-auction to fill up vacant slots on Doordarshan’s direct-to-home Freedish will be held on 30 May.
The reserve price is Rs 4.3 crore for the slots on the country’s only free to air DTH platform. The reserve price which had been Rs 3.7 crore was raised to its present level for the 25th e-auction in January.
indiantelevision.com had learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.7 crore in earlier e-auctions. The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs three crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.
DD sources refused to divulge the number of slots being auctioned to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices. The platform at present has space for eighty channels including its own channels, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.
These sources told indiantelevision.com that Freedish is being encrypted shortly from Mpeg 2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air.
The e-Auction will be conducted by C1 India Pvt. Ltd., Noida which also conducted the first stage of the FM Radio Phase III auctions on behalf of Prasar Bharati.
The eligibility terms and conditions including other relevant details for this e-Auction are displayed on DD website: www.ddindia.gov.in.
The participation amount (EMD) in the e-Auction is Rs.1.5 crore which will be deposited in advance before or by 12 noon on 30 May along with processing fee of Rs.10,000 (Non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.
Incremental amount for the auction will be Rs 10 lakh and the time for every slot e-auction will be of fifteen minutes duration. This may be extended by five minutes if a bid is received before the closing time.
Of the reserve price, Rs 1.1 crore will have ot be deposited within one month of placement and another Rs 1.1 crore within two months along with service tax of 14.5 per cent on the bid amount.
The balance bid amount will have to be deposited within six months, failing which the deposited amount will be forfeited and the channel discontinued after a 21-day discontinuation notice.
