ITV

Tag: Doordarshan

  • We will digitise DD’s analogue terrestrial network: Prakash Javadekar

    We will digitise DD’s analogue terrestrial network: Prakash Javadekar

    MUMBAI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has told the Lok Sabha that the government is serious about its plan of digitising Doordarshan’s analogue terrestrial network.

     

    With this, according to Javadekar, Doordarshan will be able to invite private free-to-air TV channels for meaningful business plans.

     

     Responding to questions in the Lok Sabha on 9 July, Javadekar said that the Ministry has granted permission for 795 channels to uplink from the country in both the news and non-news genres.

     

    Surprisingly, even after the huge number of permissions granted, close to 235 applications are still pending for inter-ministerial clearances. Javadekar said that in the last three years and the current year, the Ministry had received 200 applications for new channels in various languages, of this 105 were for Malayalam and Kannada language channels.

     

    He also reaffirmed the government’s stance on the launch of ‘Krishi’ channel for the farmers.  The same was also proposed by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely in the Lok Sabha as he tabled Budget 2014.

  • News channels reform before Modi’s big Budget 2014

    News channels reform before Modi’s big Budget 2014

    NEW DELHI: The presentation of the general budget on 10 July morning by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will perhaps be the most keenly watched analysis of the financial shape of the nation since the early 90s when the then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh presented his budget.

     

    This is also perhaps the first time in recent years that the budget is being presented by a man from the legal profession.

     

    Although only Lok Sabha TV has the permission to cover the budget live from inside the portals of Lok Sabha, almost every channel in the country – and certainly every business channel – will be taking the beam from Lok Sabha TV and then adding its own analysis programmes.

     

    CNBC TV18, Doordarshan News, Times Now, and most other News channels plan to commence the discussion on the budget from around 8.00 am with experts talking about expectations, and then beaming the live presentation from 11.00 am onwards.

     

     The entry of websites like moneycontrol.com and economylead.com streaming the budget and by social media will be an added feature this year, as many websites have already announced plans in this regard.

     

    With the new dispensation in place, the aspirations of the common man are soaring high and many are wondering whether the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will live up to its slogan of ‘Acche din aaney waley hain.’

     

    The presentation is expected to be followed soon after by the reaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Doordarshan and Lok Sabha TV and an exhaustive interview of Jaitley about his budget on Doordarshan.

     

    In addition, channels will cover live the press meet by senior Finance Ministry officials in the afternoon about the various facets of the budget.

     

    The coverage on CNBC TV18 will be led by Shereen Bhan, on Times Now by Arnab Goswami, and on NDTV 24×7 by Prannoy Roy. Times Now has articulated its standpoint by saying ‘Everyone deserves a piece of this super budget. Get Yours.’ The channel though also warns that it may be a bitter pill.

     

    Other channels like CNN-IBN, Aaj Tak, ABP News, Sahara Samay, P-7, News X and others have also lined up experts who will analyse the budget. The channels will also have teams that will go to Parliament House premises to get the reactions of various political leaders.

     

     For the business channels, it will be a particularly exhaustive day as they will also have a link with the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange to get the latest ups and downs.

     

     Zee Business which is a Hindi business News channel will telecast the pre-Budget discussions and analysis from 7.00 am onwards and will bring in live and uninterrupted coverage of the Budget Speech. The channel will articulate, analyse and keep the common man abreast of all the impacts that Budget is going to have on their daily lives.

     

     Interestingly themed as the ‘Abki baar, sapne sakaar,’ Zee Business will have expert panels, business leaders and corporate captains throughout the day to give their expert advice. After the Finance Minister’s speech, Zee Business will undertake a series of power packed Budget Bulletins. Some of these bulletins will comprise high power panel discussions and will involve expert comments from the nation’s top business leaders and policy makers.  Some of the key Ministers holding important portfolios have already appeared and shared their views, and will also do so during post-Budget analysis programmes. They include Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal, Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

     

    Special shows have been conceptualised with thorough research from the industry point of view without losing the ground reality and its impact on the common man. Expert opinions, industry perspective viz–a–viz market reaction and informative bulletins will be telecast.

     

    Zee Business will also organise a viewer’s engagement programme throughout the day from different parts of the country where commoners get a voice to air their reaction and feedback on the pertinent issues on budget.

     

     Zee Media CEO Samir Ahluwalia said, “With clear understanding of the expectations of the India Inc. as well as indications of the common man, Zee Business is poised to present a comprehensive Budget coverage. Through special programming and initiatives focusing on budget expectations, analysis and impact, Zee Business will once again ensure specialised coverage on Budget Day.”

     

    Added CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan, “The key question we will be asking is if the budget will be able to deliver. There will be a sharp focus on market reactions, the stance taken by other countries giving India a thumbs up and about investment in domestic capital. We will analyse the long term and short term ideas the government has as well as the reforms that will be taken up to revive the economy.”

  • Doordarshan brings back ‘Ek the Rusty’

    Doordarshan brings back ‘Ek the Rusty’

    NEW DELHI: The young lad known for his winsome ways, Rusty, has grown up. When he was introduced to viewers through Doordarshan, he was less than 10 years old, but is now in his early 30s.

     

    The age has not reduced his charm, because he remains popular in the hills of Mussoorie.

     

    This character by renowned author Ruskin Bond who himself lives in the Mussoorie hills, was introduced to Indian audiences in the series ‘Ek tha Rusty’. This series now begins its third season with a curtain-raiser on 10 July. The show will be telecast every week on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.00 pm.

     

    Doordarshan director general Tripurari Sharan said that for the first time, this series was being telecast on a revenue-sharing basis with its producer-director Shubhadarshini Singh.

     

    He informed that this meant that the producer will now be involved with the series from the day it begins telecast, unlike in a commissioned serial where the producer’s work ends the moment a programme is handed over to the channel. Apart from this, DD is now getting into another model where it asks some producers of getting ad-funded series, which according to Sharan was different from sponsored series.

     

    He said that DD had gone on a marketing binge in recent months and the results had begun to show even in TAM, which was essentially confined to the metros and the larger cities.

     

    Asked why DD was still reluctant to advertise on TV channels outside Doordarshan, Sharan said the costs were very high. However, he said marketing was already being done through hoardings, promos on other DD channels and All India Radio, in newspapers, and on websites.

     

    DD was also very active on social media and the Facebook page had more than a million followers.  In addition, the channel was active on Twitter and on YouTube as well.

     

    Referring to ‘Ek tha Rusty’, he said the series had its own Facebook page.  Shubhadarshini informed that the series had already been mentioned on private news channels as news items.

     

    “Although the series is on a revenue-sharing basis, I have been given full freedom and there is no executive producer from DD on the programme,” said Shubhadarshini.

      

    Furthermore, she added ‘Ek tha Rusty’ was not just a series for children as in the past but for family audiences.  Admittedly, the storyline was male-dominated, she said. “I feed on the nostalgia in Ruskin Bond’s stories and I could never change his ideas and visions…in fact the author has helped us bring out the best in music, songs and  all the nuances which I think makes this series so special.”

     

    The new series has the touch of Ruskin Bond’s well-known inimitable style, trademark humour and profound simplicity.

     

    In a message, Ruskin Bond said, “As a boy, reading was my religion. It helped me to discover my soul. Later, writing helped me to record its journey.”

     

    This series is conceptualised around: the sensational new novel ‘Maharani’ by Ruskin Bond and a very touching story of Rusty and his inner turmoil when he makes friends with an Anglo Indian who is in hiding because he has leprosy… this is in flashback of Rusty as a teenager.

  • DD National’s ‘Rangoli’ still a favourite

    DD National’s ‘Rangoli’ still a favourite

    NEW DELHI: Rangoli, Doordarshan’s slightly more modern version of the popular song-based Chitrahaar, has become the programme with the highest TVM – four – during the 8.00 am to 9.00 am slot on Sunday.

     

    Most general entertainment channels fail to capitalise on this early morning hour.

     

    DD sources told indiantelevision.com that the main reason was that the choice of songs for this specific programme is made with utmost care and based on the feedback of viewers. The songs included in the programme are mostly old melodious songs, which attracts those who love songs of an earlier era. This makes the channel number one during this time band.

     

    The rating is based on the TAM chart for the week 26 (22 June to 28 June’ 2014) when DD National attracted gross viewership of 4 TVM which was the highest amongst all GECs.  

     

    Earlier, DD National had claimed that it was the number one channel amongst all GEC’s in terms of time spent by viewers and the TAM data for week 26 indicates that it topped with 92 minutes TSV as compared to 90 minutes as recorded for Sony.

  • DD National tops in ‘time spent in viewing’ numbers

    DD National tops in ‘time spent in viewing’ numbers

    NEW DELHI: DD National is the number one channel among all GEC’s in terms of time spent by viewers and the TAM data for week 26 from 22-28 July 2014 indicates that it topped with 92 minutes TSV as compared to 90 minutes as recorded for Sony.

     

    The higher numbers indicate that after switching to the channel, viewers have preferred to continuously watch the channel rather than frequently switching to other channels.

     

    DD National is also reported to be ranked three in terms of overall average viewership in early morning time band of 6 am to 8 am. The viewership of DD National channel is rising rapidly during mid prime time band from 12 pm to 3 pm as it has slotted six new family based fresh serials during this band and renamed this band as DD Dopahar.

     

    However, an analysis done by Doordarshan itself indicates that the viewership of the channel can be higher if multi-system operators fully comply with the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 as many are still not complying with the ‘Must Carry’ clause and the carriage of the national channel is still badly affected in analogue cable networks.

     

    Thus, DD National channel is regaining its lost ground as it has also seen rapid growth in overall viewership numbers in prime time and morning prime time of Sunday.

     

    Its environment based programme Earth Matters directed by the renowned Mike Pandey is becoming popular among all sections of society, indicating that the channel is liked by viewers for wholesome entertainment and information based programmes and for lot of fresh programming dished out to viewers unlike other channels who are most dependent on repeat programmes and are run on six to eight hours cycle.

  • Doordarshan brings the first television program on organ donation

    Doordarshan brings the first television program on organ donation

    Doordarshan Mumbai has been in the forefront of creating events/ programs which are meaningful and connect with the society at large.

    Agriculture, Education, Information & Entertainment programs form a part of Doordarshan’s DNA. Sahyadri has been creating potential program content on girl child education, women empowerment, health awareness, inspirational programs for the youth and Informative programs designed to strengthen the farmers in rural India.

    For the first time in the history of Indian Television DD Sahyadri has decided to launch a unique program to create understanding among the people on the noble cause of “ORGAN DONATION”. The channel intends to create awareness among the masses towards the concept of cadaver & live organ donation.

    The following participant’s experiences and their life changing stories apart from Doctor’s, NGO’s and others who are connected in this entire chain of organ donation forms a major part of this awareness program. Special AV’s have been created of the organ recipients’ & donor’s participating in this program.

    1)    Prashant Jain,  Nisha Jain – cadaver Donor

    2)    Ratnadeep Motiwale – Cadaver Recipient

    3)    Manoj Patel – Liver Recipient – (Cousin Brother) Manilal Patel – Liver Donor (Live)

    4)    Abhimanyu Salunkhe – Cadaver Donor

    5)    Bhimrao Patil – Cadaver Recipient

    6)    Dynaraj Patkar – Kidney Recipient – (Sister) Gauri Pore – Kidney Donor (Live)

    The innovative program has been conceptualized and designed by Shri Mukesh Sharma, Addl. DG – DD Mumbai “who believes that sensitizing people and educating them to donate organs is the need of the hour and is himself pledged to donate his organs for the cause of humanity”.

    The program is greatly supported by the entire ZTCC (Zonal Transplant Co-ordination Centre, Mumbai) Team, especially Dr. Gustad B. Daver, President of ZTCC & Dr. Sujata Patwradan.

    Actor, Amir Khan who himself had pledged to donate all his usable organs came specially at DD Mumbai to record his appeal on organ donation which will be form a part of this program entitled “NAATE -JANMAANTARICHE”.

    Mrs. Usha  Sangwan, MD – LIC of India graced the occasion as the Chief Guests for this evening. And had also extended her support by associating LIC with this program as the title sponsor.

    DD Sahyadri will telecast this program “NAATE -JANMAANTARICHE” on the occasion of India’s Organ Donation Day i.e, 6th August 2014 from 7:15 p.m. onwards.

  • DD revives popular series to engage audiences

    DD revives popular series to engage audiences

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan, which claims the largest viewership in semi-urban and rural India, now appears to have gone on a binge to popularise its programmes ensuring revival of popular programmes.

     

     The popular show ‘Sammaan… Ek Adhikaar’ has been brought back at prime-time on viewer’s demand. The show will be telecast every Monday at 9:00 pm.

     

     The serial has been directed by Swapna Wagmare Joshi and Producer-Writer is Mitu. Main cast in the serial includes: Rishabh Shukla, Bharat Chawda, Naveen Saini, Nikhil Deewan, Upasana Shukla, Harshada Khanvilkar, and Neelam Mehra.

     

    The story-line of the serial showcases a woman’s search for her rightful respect. The serial follows the story of Vrinda who finds out that she is the illegitimate daughter of a rich man. In the name of redemption, the father, before dying, leaves all the property to her with a sole request that she joins his disjointed joint family.

     

    Her tryst with destiny while fulfilling her father’s last wish; her resistance to give in to a society that looks down upon unwed mothers; her battle to win back her respect or ‘Sammaan’; is the bottom line of the story. It is a daughter’s journey to get love and honour for herself and her mother.

     

    Once again standing apart with its choice of content that is artistically superior and reflects social commitment, DD has commenced a musical travelogue, ‘Nadiyaan Gaati Hain’ or ‘Songs of a River’, a documentary on Indian rivers that is telecast every Friday at 7.00 pm.

     

    Conceptualised around central Indian rivers, the series has been successful in leaving an indelible mark among viewers. The programme is aimed at engaging the urban, semi-urban audience by tying it with its roots.

     

    In its vibrant 13-part series, the story takes one through the history, mythology and culture around the six significant rivers of Madhya Pradesh, namely:  Narmada, Betwa, Shipra, Tapti, Chambal and Sone. Each river has been delineated with picturesque visual, melodious folk music pertaining to the culture prevalent around the river, and conversations from people who have studied, and worshipped these rivers in their own manner.

     

    The inaugural episode, part of its three-part feature, showcased the river ‘Narmada’ – called ‘Namade’ (considered the mother and giver of peace) by the Greek philosopher ‘Ptolemy’. The show will then be followed by enchanting stories of the other five rivers during the next three months.

     

    The fourth season of the award-winning environmental series ‘Earth Matters’ by Mike Pandey of Riverbank Studios has also commenced on Sundays at 10.30 am. The programme led to the formation of the Earth Matters Foundation which through thousands of Earth Matters Clubs all over the country is actively involved in creating awareness amongst the common people about the problems around them, which Pandey says is aimed at bringing “citizens’ science to people”.

  • DD emulates Javadekar, conducts surprise check

    DD emulates Javadekar, conducts surprise check

    NEW DELHI: Just two days after a surprise check by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar in Shastri Bhavan, a similar exercise has been undertaken to ensure punctuality in Doordarshan.

     

    It is learnt that Javadekar who generally spends the first half in the Environment Ministry office in Pariyavaran Bhavan found around 100 officers and other staff missing when he turned up in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry early in the morning.

     

    Taking a cue from this, four Deputy Director General level officers at Doordarshan have been asked to keep a check on the punctuality of officers.

     

    Consequently, a surprise check was conducted in Doordarshan Bhawan on Thursday from 9:30 am onwards to find out the defaulters/late comers.

     

    Doordarshan has already issued a circular to its employees to ensure punctuality.

     

    During the surprise check, a very few late comers were found, and DD sources say that the employees appeared to have taken the cue from the surprise check done by Javadekar.

     

    However Doordarshan is initiating action against all those who will be reported late, with more such surprise checks may be done in the future.

  • Prasar Bharati plans to enter the European market, says Sircar

    Prasar Bharati plans to enter the European market, says Sircar

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati plans to enter the European market in a move to expand its footprint and present the Indian voice to international audiences.

    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar told the Global Media Forum in Bonn that: “Our international forays have been made by private journalism to a small extent. It is time for the public broadcaster to start thinking of collaboration with the best in the market and come out to present the voice of India or the voices of India. In fact that is the reason why I am here.”

    He said the pubcaster was thinking in terms of going in for European penetration.

     

    Meanwhile, he reiterated his demand for greater freedom to work and said the present government was aware of his views in this regard. “Whatever I have said is there in public discourse. I will not like to rake it up here. This is not the place. My stand or our stand on autonomy, professional autonomy, the autonomy to operate, has been made clear,” he said.

    Sircar, who gave his views on ‘The future of journalism and the role of international broadcasters’ during a session of media summit, held “typical bureaucratic mentality” responsible for people’s perception of Prasar Bharati being a government controlled body.

    “That perception is because all the members of Prasar Bharati are government servants,” he said. “So they carry their mentality with them. I was also a government servant. I told them that I took an oath to remain at arm’s length (with the government) and if I have paid the price for it, why don’t you guys come forward,” he added.

    “There is a spirit in Prasar Bharati. It is not pro-government or anti-government. It is a question of taking up the facts as they come,” he said.

    “As I said a rape has to be reported. But we report not the rape and sensational part, we report the retribution part, the punishment part. That is the important part,” he said.

    Sircar said it is for the nation to make up its mind for bringing in changes to ‘doordarshan’ video service run by Prasar Bharati.

    “We raised the issue (in the conference) of India’s public broadcaster not being international class. Our problem and our identity and our task were completely different – the aim was to hold India together. A very typical country with 24 languages and 600 dialects. Our task was to hold the India together through ‘Vividh Bharati’ (a radio service) through a common discourse, through a common shred experience. We have done that. It is now time for India to move outwards,” he said.

     

    During the conference, the CEO lauded the role of social media in bringing about the changes in people’s thinking.

    “Social media played a major role in that (crowd sourcing in general elections) aspect. That crowd source views or open views what was later turned out to be one of those instruments that brought majority of people (out to cast their votes in recently concluded general elections),” Sircar added.

    A large number of participants including journalists from many countries took part in this first meet organized by the Deutshe Welle.

  • Nikhil Wagle: Another one bites the dust at Network18?

    Nikhil Wagle: Another one bites the dust at Network18?

    MUMBAI: Is senior journo Nikhil Wagle going to end up as another casualty at the Network18 group? 

     

    What has got tongues wagging is a tweet which Wagle sent out this morning in which he stated: “My decision to leave Mum (read Mumbai) is final. Need to get away from crowds and madness! Want ultimate peace.”

     

    Wagle is editor in chief at IBN Lokmat which is part of IBN18 which itself is part of the Network18 group. Apparently, he has been on leave for some time now.

     

    RTI activist and senior journalist Vinita Deshmukh questioned him on his tweet, “What are u saying? Where are you going? Will you be the next TV star to desert us?” Wagle responded by saying: “Will always be with people n activists like u! Don’t know about TV!”

    So we at indiantelevision.com also got into the twitter game and messaged him asking him what was going on. He responded after some time, saying he was on leave. And when questioned whether his leave was permanent or just a short break, his quick repartee was “Wait and watch!”

     

    Wagle tweeted later at close to midnight: “Please don’t spread rumors. I am with@ibnlokmattv. Not resigned. On leave.Was hospitalized n adviced rest.“ (updated at 11:23 pm, 28 June 2014).

    Wagle has worked with Doordarshan as well as newspaper Aapla Mahanagar and has been with IBN Lokmat since its launch in 2008.

     

    Currently, IBN18 editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai and CNN-IBN deputy editor Sagarika Ghose are on leave. Though Rajdeep has calmed his team by saying that he would be back in July before he went on leave earlier this month, the rumour is that he is not returning.

     

    After Reliance announced its acquisition of the network last month from founder Raghav Bahl, group CEO B Saikumar, COO Ajay Chacko, CFO RDS Binni Bawa and several others put in their papers. It is unknown who will be taking their positions. Meanwhile, the open offer for Network18 is slated to go on till August.