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Tag: I&B ministry

  • I&B sets up monitoring system to keep tab on digitisation by MSOs

    I&B sets up monitoring system to keep tab on digitisation by MSOs

    NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has set up a Centralised Monitoring System to monitor the progress of digitisation and to ensure the mandatory adherence of transmitting digital encrypted signals by multi-system operators (MSOs).

    The Centralised Monitoring System will be able to detect those MSOs who do not carry the mandated encrypted signals. MSOs are required to carry encrypted signals of TV channels in areas where digitisation has been implemented as mandated by Section 4A of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. Transmission / Re-transmission of unencrypted signals would amount to violation of terms and conditions of MSOs.

    A web based pilot project for the Digital Addressable System (DAS) monitoring system installed at Bangalore is undergoing field trials for this purpose. Once implemented, it will enable the Ministry to keep a watch on the implementation of DAS by all the MSO licensees through this system. To start with, this system will help the users to centrally acquire, log, analyse and prepare report on the status of DAS parameters like total number/name of channels, encryption status etc of cable TV signals of head end of each registered MSO across the country in real time.

    This system can be augmented in future for content monitoring of the cable TV channels at local levels. It is expected that the system will also evolve as an alternative indicator of television viewing by consumers.

  • DD’s DTH gets an additional transponder on INSAT 4B

    DD’s DTH gets an additional transponder on INSAT 4B

    NEW DELHI: The Prasar Bharati Board has been asked to take an expeditious decision on expanding the number of channels on Doordarshan‘s direct-to-home (DTH) platform DD Direct Plus to 97, following the decision of the Department of Space to give it an additional transponder of INSAT 4B.

    The Space Department had initially declined to give an additional transponder, forcing Prasar Bharati to lower its expansion plan for the country‘s only free-go-air DTH platform to 75 from the current 59.

    Prior to the latest decision of the Department of Space, Prasar Bharati had already received and processed the tenders for upgradation to 75 slots.

    Prasar Bharati‘s ultimate plan is to increase the number of channels on the platform to 150.

    Information and Broadcasting Ministry stated this when answering a query from indiantelevision.com relating to an observation by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology relating to delay in expansion of DD Direct Plus.

    The sources said that Prasar Bharati had earned revenue of Rs 920.5 million from the auction of 37 slots on the platform. The remaining 22 channels are those of Doordarshan itself.

  • Around 6.6 mn STBs still to be installed in 38 cities of Phase II of DAS

    Around 6.6 mn STBs still to be installed in 38 cities of Phase II of DAS

    NEW DELHI: A total of 6.59 million cable television homes in the 38 cities which are to be covered in Phase II of digitisation have still to receive set-top boxes, just three weeks ahead of the deadline of 31 March.

    The level of digitisation in the cities had reached 58.84 per cent including 25.85 per cent of direct-to-home homes as on 8 March.

    Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources claimed a total of 5.28 million cable homes had received set top boxes as on 8 March, apart from 4.14 homes on DTH.

    The sources said a total of 16.01 million total TV sets had to be digitised by making provision of 20 per cent for multiple TVs in houses and TVs in offices/shops. The total number of TV Households according to Ministry statistics is 13.34 million.

    Of the 38 cities, Bangalore leads with 7,50,181 STBs installed, followed by Hyderabad with 7,33,729, while Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, and Srinagar were at the bottom of the list with no STB installation as on 8 March.

    The Ministry has set up a Task Force exclusively for Phase II cities to oversee and monitor the digitisation process. A public awareness Committee has also been constituted in the Ministry for spearheading awareness campaign and all TV channels have started to run a scroll informing consumers about the deadline for cable TV digitisation, as also an animated commercial.

    All India Radio has also started broadcasting of the radio jingles on its National and regional networks for creating public awareness. Several other initiatives like SMS campaign, video spots and print advertisements etc. are on the anvil. The State Governments/UTs have already nominated nodal officers in 38 cities of Phase II. The Ministry had recently conducted a workshop for them.

    It is planned to organise a second workshop shortly to take stock of preparedness in Phase II cities. A regional workshop was also held recently at Bangalore to sensitise local MSOs, cable operators and other stakeholders.

    The Ministry had set up a Control Room during Phase I, which has continued to function to address the queries of consumers, cable operators and others. The Control Room which also has a toll free number has been receiving a number of calls from consumers of Phase II cities.

    In order to facilitate cable TV digitisation in 38 cities of Phase II, the Ministry has already issued provisional registration to 30 Independent MSOs to operate in Phase II cities. This would enable these MSOs to operate in their respective cities to provide digital cable TV services.

    For the second phase, the 38 specific cities and areas which have been listed in the notification are Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Patna, Indore, Bhopal, Thane, Ludhiana, Agra, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Vadodara, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Meerut, Kalyan-Dombivali, Varanasi, Amritsar, Navi Mumbai, Aurangabad, Solapur, Allahabad, Jabalpur, Srinagar, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Howrah, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Mysore and Jodhpur.

  • Checking misleading ads does not mean controlling media: Thomas

    NEW DELHI: Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas has once again come down heavily on misleading advertisements, while stressing that the government is not trying to control the media.

    In his address on World Consumer Rights Day, Thomas said: “I want to touch upon misleading advertisements. This is a source of major income for print and TV media. We have to handle it carefully so that the message does not go out that by controlling advertisements, we are trying to control the media,”

    The Minister said a Committee was constituted with members of media and other organisations to look into the issue of misleading advertisements and its report had come.

    “I think it is an important matter because we have to respect the freedom of press in the country. But at the same time, that media should not be used for misleading the people of the country,” Thomas said.

    “Recently, the Patna High Court has given a judgment that the Government of India has to constitute a committee and look into these ads. Yesterday, I signed the file. Let us look into the judgment of the High Court. It is not our Ministry alone, there are other ministries like Health, Information and Broadcasting especially, who will have to look into this important judgment,” he said.

    Thomas said the ministry is considering the problems faced by the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at national, state and districts level in terms of infrastructure facilities, manpower and remunerations.

    He complimented the consumer forums for disposal of about 91 per cent of the cases.

    Meanwhile, the I&B Ministry had ensured presence of a representative of the Consumer Affairs Ministry in all meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee which goes into complaints against TV channels.

  • Higher import duty on STBs will help local manufacturers: Manish Tewari

    Higher import duty on STBs will help local manufacturers: Manish Tewari

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari feels the higher import duty levied on set top boxes (STBs) announced in the Union Budget will give an opportunity for domestic manufacturers to benefit and not set back the digitisation process.

    “It is important that when such a huge exercise is undertaken, which involves a revenue of about $4 to $5 billion, essentially paid by the people of India and the multi-system operators, there should be certain tangible benefits which must accrue to Indian manufacturers.” he added while addressing the delegates of Ficci Frames in Mumbai via video-link from New Delhi.
     
    He has said digitisation is a major project that will ensure transparency and bring benefits to all in the long run. While the digitisation process has been set in motion following a legal remit, “there is also a social contract which calls upon all stakeholders in this, whether they are broadcasters, MSOs or cable operators to sort out the issues inter-se, because eventually, it needs to be a win-win situation for the broadcasters and the consumers.”

    He added that “If any section within this large family feels short changed, then obviously there‘s a cause of concern.”
     
    Tewari reiterated the firm backing of the government for the growth of the media and entertainment industry and said “this industry is not only a huge economic multiplier, but it also has the potential of absorbing creative intellect of young people. It is therefore incumbent upon government to put in place appropriate mechanisms which try and play the role of a facilitator and an enabler.”

    Digitisation was a dominant topic of discussion at the media and entertainment industry‘s mega event Ficci Frames 2013 held in Mumbai from 12 to 14 March, with policy makers, industry leaders and experts deliberating on various aspects of the process.

  • Digitisation to fuel revenue growth models: Manish Tewari

    Digitisation to fuel revenue growth models: Manish Tewari

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari has said that the ongoing digitisation process would help in building transparency in the system and enable the growth of revenue models in the broadcasting industry.

    The process would also help broadcasters in identifying a balanced growth model through the increased share from the subscription revenues.

    Delivering the key note address at the Seema Nazareth Award function for excellence in print media here today, the Minister said there was urgent need for key stakeholders within the media to introspect in view of the trends that had emerged as a result of corrosive discourse on one side and responsible discourse on the other.

    Referring to the challenges that had emerged because of the growth of social media, Tewari said these tools had created an unprecedented potential to connect with target audience for the dissemination of news and information.

    The impact of this medium was so profound that it had also integrated with the print media in the dissemination mechanism. The changing paradigm in the media landscape had resulted in creating opportunities for the journalistic fraternity.

    Tewari said the institution of the Seema Nazareth Award had provided an ideal platform to encourage and inspire young journalists in the print media. He conferred the Award on Sushmi Dey and two Special Mentions on Shelly Walia and Debolina Sengupta. The Seema Nazareth Award has been instituted by Business Standard.

  • Decision on Arasu DAS licence will depend on Govt. view on Trai report

    Decision on Arasu DAS licence will depend on Govt. view on Trai report

    NEW DELHI: The Government has said the application by the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable Television Corporation Ltd. for issuance of a digital addressable system licence is under consideration.

    However, Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources said that the application was being examined in the light of the report of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) which is opposed to granting licences for television channels or distribution networks owned or supported by state governments or political parties.

    The sources also said that no time frame could be given for a final decision on the application for registration as multi-system operator received on 5 July last year to operate in notified areas of Chennai.

    A newly constituted Inter-Ministerial Committee was currently examining the recommendations of Trai in its report in mid-December reiterating its stand taken in 2008, and so a decision on Arasu would be taken only after this process is finalised.

    Chaired by the Additional Secretary of the I&B Ministry, the IMC has representatives of the Departments of Information Technology, Telecommunications, Economic Affairs, and Industrial Policy and Promotion apart from some experts. The representatives of these Ministries should be of a rank not lower than Joint Secretary.

    The two Joint Secretaries (Broadcasting) in the I&B Ministry serve as member secretaries depending on the subject and section concerned.

    The experts are: Chairman and Managing Director of the Broadcasting Engineering Consultants India Ltd., the Director-Generals of Doordarshan and All India Radio, and the Engineers-in-Chief of DD and AIR.

    The Committee may co-opt any number considered necessary from time to time.

    Recommendations of the IMC would be communicated to the I&B Ministry Secretary and ‘thereafter to the Minister for instructions on matters relating to the recommendations of Trai.

  • Govt claims 55% digitisation achieved in Phase II

    Govt claims 55% digitisation achieved in Phase II

    NEW DELHI: Just two days after stakeholders expressed fears that imported digital set top boxes would become more expensive with the doubling of customs duty, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry claimed that over 55 per cent digitisation target has been achieved in the 38 cities set for switching off analogue by 31 March.

    According to data received by the Ministry from the direct-to-home (DTH) service providers and multi-system operators (MSOs), a total of 8.77 million set-top boxes (STBs) have already been installed in Phase II cities against the target of 16 million, registering an achievement of 55 per cent digitisation as on 22 February. Out of the total of 8.77 million, DTH connections accounted for 4.07 million while cable STBs accounted for 4.7 million.

    The Ministry said it had been constantly monitoring the preparedness for the implementation of digital addressable cable TV system in the 38 cities of Phase II.

    The Ministry has set up a Task Force exclusively for Phase II cities to oversee and monitor the digitisation process. A public awareness Committee has also been constituted in the Ministry for spearheading awareness campaign and all TV channels have started to run a scroll informing consumers about the deadline for cable TV digitisation.

    All India Radio (AIR) has also started broadcasting of the radio jingles on its national and regional networks for creating public awareness. Several other initiatives like SMS campaign, video spots and print advertisements etc. are on the anvil. The State Governments/UTs have already nominated nodal officers in 38 cities of Phase II. The Ministry had recently conducted a workshop for them.

    It is planned to organise a second workshop shortly to take stock of preparedness in Phase II cities. A regional workshop was also held recently at Bangalore to sensitize local MSOs, cable operators and other stakeholders.

    The Ministry had set up a Control Room during Phase I, which has continued to function to address the queries of consumers, cable operators and others. The Control Room which also has a toll free number has been receiving a number of calls from consumers of Phase II cities.

    In order to facilitate cable TV digitisation in 38 cities of Phase II, the Ministry has already issued provisional registration to 30 Independent MSOs to operate in Phase II cities. This would enable these MSOs to operate in their respective cities to provide digital cable TV services.

    For the second phase, the 38 specific cities and areas which have been listed in the notification are – Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Patna, Indore, Bhopal, Thane, Ludhiana, Agra, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Vadodara, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Meerut, Kalyan-Dombivali, Varanasi, Amritsar, Navi Mumbai, Aurangabad, Solapur, Allahabad, Jabalpur, Srinagar, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Howrah, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Mysore and Jodhpur.

    MSOs, however, believe that there will be a 3-6 months delay in Phase II digitisation. The STB shortage in the market is apparent, they point out.

    Even though digital STBs have been deployed in three of the four metros that came under Phase I digitisation, MSOs have been struggling to get billing implemented which would enable subscribers to pay according to the channel packages they select. The other issues like payment to broadcasters and collecting subscription money from the local cable operators have yet to be sorted out.

  • Govt. seeks volunteers to publicise its programmes on social networking sites

    Govt. seeks volunteers to publicise its programmes on social networking sites

    NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has launched a Digital Volunteer Programme to encourage people to use their presence on different social media to talk about government schemes and programmes.

    The programme aims at helping the Government achieve a real time engagement with people leading to a personalised interaction with the target groups.

    The Ministry says those who have active Facebook or Twitter accounts and are familiar with Tweetdeck, Hootsuite etc. and are willing to use their personal social presence to help Government spread a word about its policies and programmes can volunteer.

    The volunteers may like to talk about Government Initiatives by retweeting the messages tweeted by MIB‘s Twitter Handle @MIB_India
     
    They may also share the Ministry‘s Tweets (@MIB_India), Facebook Posts (facebook.com/inbministry), Blog posts (inbministry.blogspot.in) and share YouTube Channel videos(youtube.com/user/inbministry) on Social Networking sites

    The volunteers can mention Official Twitter handle of the Ministry @MIB_India in tweets to facilitate real time engagement.

  • Tewari says govt pursuing Phase II digitisation deadline

    Tewari says govt pursuing Phase II digitisation deadline

    MUMBAI: Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Manish Tewari said the government will pursue implementation of the second phase of switchover to digital delivery of television channels in 38 cities with population of one million.

    The government has mandated digitisation in the 38 cities by 31 March, after going ahead with the first phase of digitisation in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The switchover to digital delivery in Chennai is stuck in court proceedings initiated by Tamil Nadu cable operators against digitisation itself.

    “We will stay the course,” Tewari said in response to a question about digitisation in the 38 cities when he was in the city to give away the first edition of International Advertising Association’s leadership awards. He further said, “Phase II digitisation is on track.”

    He said the government has the learning from the implementation of phase I digitisation and expected all the stakeholders to be firmly backing the effort.

    Addressing the advertising fraternity, advertisers and the media, the I&B Minister dwelled on the issues concerning the media and advertising industries. These included freedom of speech with reasonable restrictions, imperfect television audience measurement model, the need to observe advertising regulations on television and self-regulation vs statutory regulation of content.

    He asked all concerned to think whether content can remain in the self-regulation domain, while suggesting an overarching statutory mechanism to address issues related to convergence across media, entertainment and telecom.

    Tewari assured the media and advertising industries that they will be taken into confidence before taking any decision on any of the contentious issues.