ITV

Tag: Doordarshan

  • DD Bharati extends deal with Films Division for two years

    DD Bharati extends deal with Films Division for two years

    NEW DELHI: The Films Division has extended its agreement with DD Bharati to telecast documentaries on Doordarshan’s cultural channel for a period of two more years.

     

    Films Division director general Mukesh Sharma said that the agreement may be extended if the slots prove popular. He was speaking at a workshop on ‘How not to make a film’ at the ongoing Mumbai International Film Festival for Shorts, Documentaries and animation films of which he is the director.

     

    Sharma holds additional charge at FD in addition to his main charge as head of the Mumbai Kendra of Doordarshan.

     

    He said in reply to a question that his predecessor had earlier signed a year-long pact with DD Bharati but he had taken a slot for another two years.

     

    Sharma added that it had become difficult to revive the Films Division slot in cinema halls despite winning a case in the Supreme Court because the judgment had a lot of riders to it. The primary directive that the apex court had made was that the slot should not be confined to FD films but also have other short films.

     

    “A way has to be found for selecting the right kind of films for showing in theatres and this may necessitate a selection body,” Sharma said.

     

    The FD was prepared to give up its demand of payment by theatres, which in any case was less than Rs 10 per show.   

     

    Earlier, Sharma related the experience of a film he had made for the Children’s Film Society, India, where he was then posted, in 1989 where everything appeared to be going wrong but he not only made the film but even went on to win awards. He was originally asked to be the production controller by then Chairperson Jaya Bachchan but ended up being the director, the production controller, an actor, editor, and man Friday for the film, Anokha Asptaal because he had to meet a deadline given to him by the chairperson.

     

    He said though he was lucky because he had planned everything backwards – from the expected date of completion working backwards to finding locations, turning a two-page story into a film script and so on – he would not advise others to do so. 

  • DD Bharati extends deal with Films Division for two years

    DD Bharati extends deal with Films Division for two years

    NEW DELHI: The Films Division has extended its agreement with DD Bharati to telecast documentaries on Doordarshan’s cultural channel for a period of two more years.

     

    Films Division director general Mukesh Sharma said that the agreement may be extended if the slots prove popular. He was speaking at a workshop on ‘How not to make a film’ at the ongoing Mumbai International Film Festival for Shorts, Documentaries and animation films of which he is the director.

     

    Sharma holds additional charge at FD in addition to his main charge as head of the Mumbai Kendra of Doordarshan.

     

    He said in reply to a question that his predecessor had earlier signed a year-long pact with DD Bharati but he had taken a slot for another two years.

     

    Sharma added that it had become difficult to revive the Films Division slot in cinema halls despite winning a case in the Supreme Court because the judgment had a lot of riders to it. The primary directive that the apex court had made was that the slot should not be confined to FD films but also have other short films.

     

    “A way has to be found for selecting the right kind of films for showing in theatres and this may necessitate a selection body,” Sharma said.

     

    The FD was prepared to give up its demand of payment by theatres, which in any case was less than Rs 10 per show.   

     

    Earlier, Sharma related the experience of a film he had made for the Children’s Film Society, India, where he was then posted, in 1989 where everything appeared to be going wrong but he not only made the film but even went on to win awards. He was originally asked to be the production controller by then Chairperson Jaya Bachchan but ended up being the director, the production controller, an actor, editor, and man Friday for the film, Anokha Asptaal because he had to meet a deadline given to him by the chairperson.

     

    He said though he was lucky because he had planned everything backwards – from the expected date of completion working backwards to finding locations, turning a two-page story into a film script and so on – he would not advise others to do so. 

  • Doordarshan to live telecast Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day programme

    Doordarshan to live telecast Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day programme

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan will cover the 68th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day on 30 January at Gandhi Smriti in Tees January Marg.

     

    Sarva Dharma Prarthna Sabha, a programme on Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day will be live telecast on DD National, DD Bharati, DD Kisan and DD India from 3.30 – 5.30 pm on 30 January.

     

    After the live telecast, DD Bharati will air a biography on Mahatma Gandhi, titled Mahatma – The Great Soul. The biography will take viewers to the time Gandhi was in South Africa and subsequently his return to India as the Mahatma.

     

    The one hour biography highlights how India became independent and viewers would also get to hear the actual voice of Mahatma Gandhi during the telecast.

  • Doordarshan to live telecast Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day programme

    Doordarshan to live telecast Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day programme

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan will cover the 68th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day on 30 January at Gandhi Smriti in Tees January Marg.

     

    Sarva Dharma Prarthna Sabha, a programme on Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day will be live telecast on DD National, DD Bharati, DD Kisan and DD India from 3.30 – 5.30 pm on 30 January.

     

    After the live telecast, DD Bharati will air a biography on Mahatma Gandhi, titled Mahatma – The Great Soul. The biography will take viewers to the time Gandhi was in South Africa and subsequently his return to India as the Mahatma.

     

    The one hour biography highlights how India became independent and viewers would also get to hear the actual voice of Mahatma Gandhi during the telecast.

  • TRAI releases consultation paper on tariff issues for TV services

    TRAI releases consultation paper on tariff issues for TV services

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued its latest consultation paper on tariff issues related to television services.

     

    The regulator has also invited comments and counter-comments on the Consultation Paper from stakeholders by 4 March and 18 March, 2016 respectively.

     

    From the state-owned Doordarshan (DD) to cable and satellite television to advanced delivery platforms like direct-to-home (DTH), Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS), Over-the-Top (OTT) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), television has come a long way since DD first beamed its signals in India in 1959. The evolution of the broadcast industry has been driven largely by satellite TV distribution business and unorganised growth of cable TV.

     

    The growth of multiple digital addressable platforms will inevitably lead to a sunset of analog cable TV system in the country. This sheer number and diversity of platforms delivering digital TV signals in an increasingly converged scenario requires an overhaul of the tariff regulatory framework.

     

    TRAI said that in order to cater to innovative growth while protecting the interests of the stakeholders across the value chain, there is a need to institute a consolidated technology neutral regulatory framework for digital addressable systems.

     

    “This consultation is an attempt to create an enabling environment for growth of the sector in the light of various developments related to technology, emergence of multiple distribution platforms, evolving business models, and enhanced addressability across platforms. The consultation process also looks at futuristic issues and emerging challenges,” the Authority said.

     

    In view of the emerging trends in the TV broadcasting sector and changing consumption patterns of the consumers, TRAI said that there was a need to examine the tariff dispensation in a holistic manner.

     

    TRAI listed the objectives of current consultation as below:

     

    1) To carry out a review of existing tariff arrangements and developing a Comprehensive Tariff Structure for Addressable TV Distribution of “TV Broadcasting Services” across Digital Broadcasting Delivery Platforms (DTH/ Cable TV/ HITS/ IPTV) at wholesale and retail level.

    2) To ensure that the tariff structure is simplified and rationalised so as to ensure transparency and equity across the value chain.

    3) To reduce the incidence of disputes amongst stakeholders across the value chain encouraging healthy growth in the sector.

    4) To ensure that subscribers have adequate choice in the broadcast TV services while they are also protected against irrational tariff structures and price hikes.

    5) To encourage the investment in the TV sector

    6) To encourage production of good quality content across different genres.

     

    Issues covered in the consultation paper:

     

    1) Tariff models at wholesale and retail levels

    2) Channel pricing mechanism and methodologies

    3) Issues related to Niche Channels

    4) Pricing of High Definition (HD) channels

    5) Ease of channel or bouquet subscription

    6) Channel visibility on Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

    7) Pay-per-program viewing and tariff options

    8) Variants of channels

    9) Carriage, Placement and Marketing fees.

  • TRAI releases consultation paper on tariff issues for TV services

    TRAI releases consultation paper on tariff issues for TV services

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued its latest consultation paper on tariff issues related to television services.

     

    The regulator has also invited comments and counter-comments on the Consultation Paper from stakeholders by 4 March and 18 March, 2016 respectively.

     

    From the state-owned Doordarshan (DD) to cable and satellite television to advanced delivery platforms like direct-to-home (DTH), Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS), Over-the-Top (OTT) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), television has come a long way since DD first beamed its signals in India in 1959. The evolution of the broadcast industry has been driven largely by satellite TV distribution business and unorganised growth of cable TV.

     

    The growth of multiple digital addressable platforms will inevitably lead to a sunset of analog cable TV system in the country. This sheer number and diversity of platforms delivering digital TV signals in an increasingly converged scenario requires an overhaul of the tariff regulatory framework.

     

    TRAI said that in order to cater to innovative growth while protecting the interests of the stakeholders across the value chain, there is a need to institute a consolidated technology neutral regulatory framework for digital addressable systems.

     

    “This consultation is an attempt to create an enabling environment for growth of the sector in the light of various developments related to technology, emergence of multiple distribution platforms, evolving business models, and enhanced addressability across platforms. The consultation process also looks at futuristic issues and emerging challenges,” the Authority said.

     

    In view of the emerging trends in the TV broadcasting sector and changing consumption patterns of the consumers, TRAI said that there was a need to examine the tariff dispensation in a holistic manner.

     

    TRAI listed the objectives of current consultation as below:

     

    1) To carry out a review of existing tariff arrangements and developing a Comprehensive Tariff Structure for Addressable TV Distribution of “TV Broadcasting Services” across Digital Broadcasting Delivery Platforms (DTH/ Cable TV/ HITS/ IPTV) at wholesale and retail level.

    2) To ensure that the tariff structure is simplified and rationalised so as to ensure transparency and equity across the value chain.

    3) To reduce the incidence of disputes amongst stakeholders across the value chain encouraging healthy growth in the sector.

    4) To ensure that subscribers have adequate choice in the broadcast TV services while they are also protected against irrational tariff structures and price hikes.

    5) To encourage the investment in the TV sector

    6) To encourage production of good quality content across different genres.

     

    Issues covered in the consultation paper:

     

    1) Tariff models at wholesale and retail levels

    2) Channel pricing mechanism and methodologies

    3) Issues related to Niche Channels

    4) Pricing of High Definition (HD) channels

    5) Ease of channel or bouquet subscription

    6) Channel visibility on Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

    7) Pay-per-program viewing and tariff options

    8) Variants of channels

    9) Carriage, Placement and Marketing fees.

  • Sony Pal, Manoranjan Movies bag slots on DD Freedish for Rs 13.1 crore

    Sony Pal, Manoranjan Movies bag slots on DD Freedish for Rs 13.1 crore

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan earned Rs 13.1 crore from the auction of two channels to fill vacancies in the total of 64 channels on its free-to-air DTH platform Freedish.

     

    Although the reserve price for the 25th online auction was Rs 4.3 crore, Sony Pal won a slot for Rs 7.6 crore while Manoranjan Movies got it for Rs 5.5 crore.

     

    Doordarshan had raised the reserve price in the 24th auction after several auctions with the price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot, though 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 3 crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

     

    Sources also told Indiantelevision.com that Freedish will be encrypted shortly from Mpeg2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air. This will also enable it to reach 112 channels by the end of March.

     

    Currently, Freedish has slots for 64 channels including its own channels as well as Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

  • Sony Pal, Manoranjan Movies bag slots on DD Freedish for Rs 13.1 crore

    Sony Pal, Manoranjan Movies bag slots on DD Freedish for Rs 13.1 crore

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan earned Rs 13.1 crore from the auction of two channels to fill vacancies in the total of 64 channels on its free-to-air DTH platform Freedish.

     

    Although the reserve price for the 25th online auction was Rs 4.3 crore, Sony Pal won a slot for Rs 7.6 crore while Manoranjan Movies got it for Rs 5.5 crore.

     

    Doordarshan had raised the reserve price in the 24th auction after several auctions with the price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot, though 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 3 crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

     

    Sources also told Indiantelevision.com that Freedish will be encrypted shortly from Mpeg2 to Mpeg4 to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, but it would remain free-to-air. This will also enable it to reach 112 channels by the end of March.

     

    Currently, Freedish has slots for 64 channels including its own channels as well as Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV.

  • Doordarshan sees major dip in revenue & business generation in 2015-16

    Doordarshan sees major dip in revenue & business generation in 2015-16

    NEW DELHI: Public broadcaster Doordarshan’s revenues fell sharply during 2015-16, showing a total of Rs 340 crore by way of net revenue and business generation until the end of December as compared to Rs 582.02 crore for the same period in 2014-15.

     

    Doordarshan sources told Indiantelevision.com that in the Rs 340 crore figure for 2015-16, the net revenue was Rs 138 crore, whereas the business generation figure stood at Rs 202 crore. 

     

    The corresponding figures for 2014-15 for the same period were Rs 320.88 crore as revenue and Rs 261.14 crore as business generation, totalling to Rs 582.02 crore.

     

    The revenue from April to November 2015 (nine months) stood at just over Rs 128 crore, whereas in the month of December 2015, the revenue was just under Rs 10 crore.

     

    The revenue generation in December 2015 came from the Ministries of Personnel and Pensions, Home, Consumer Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Road Transport and Highways, and Social Justice and Empowerment.

     

    This was mainly from the publicity of 15 different programmes or campaigns run by these six ministries of which six were for Health and Family Welfare, and four for Social Justice and Empowerment.

  • DD confident of achieving 112-channel target on FreeDish by March-end

    DD confident of achieving 112-channel target on FreeDish by March-end

    NEW DELHI: Indian pubcaster Doordarshan is now confident that it will acquire the capacity of carrying 112 channels on its free-to-air (FTA) direct to home (DTH) service FreeDish by March-end.
     
    DD director general C Lalrosanga told Indiantelevision.com that a meeting had been held recently by the engineering team in FreeDish and Doordarshan with experts from the Bangalore based ByDesign India.
     
    DD is acquiring ByDesign’s conditional access system (CAS) so as to increase its channel offerings from the current 64 by the end of March 2016.
     
    The meeting was primarily aimed at assessing the requirement of CAS-enabled set top boxes (STBs) that will be needed to cover all regions of the country.
     
    Lalrosanga said the DTH player will switch over to MPEG4 from the current MPEG2 in two phases. “The first phase may begin this month,” he informed.
     
    Late last year, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) approved a proposal by ByDesign India to develop an Indian conditional access system. ByDesign was to receive a support amount of Rs 19.79 crore from DeitY to develop the new system in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
     
    The ByDesign model is totally indigenous and built for DVB-C setup. This CAS solution will enable broadcasters to control access to their services by viewers, and thereby enabling them to extend their business models to subscription based schemes.
     
    This will mean that the FreeDish will become encrypted but will remain FTA. In addition to helping increase the number of channels on the platform, this will enable FreeDish to gauge the exact number of households relying on FreeDish as encrypted STBs will only be available with authorised dealers.
     
    Lalrosanga went on to add that many homes were gradually switching over to FreeDish as they could then get their entire entertainment for a one-time fee of purchasing a dish, which costs as low as Rs 700 to Rs 1200.
     
    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had said early last year that FreeDish’s aim was to reach 112 channels within a year or so.
     
    At present, there is no vacant slot on Freedish since all channels that were on the platform and whose licences had expired have come back through the 24 e-auctions conducted over the past year.
     
    Interestingly, two new entrants on the platform – Aaj Tak and Big Magic – are pay channels, which are being run as FTA on FreeDish.
     
    DD sources said that the reference interconnect agreement signed by these two channels no longer carries any non-discriminatory clause as it refers to FreeDish.