ITV

Tag: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

  • India’s creative future gets a cinematic campus

    India’s creative future gets a cinematic campus

    MUMBAI: Mumbai just got its own Hogwarts for creative tech. Union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis rolled out the red carpet today for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), a new-age media and entertainment education hub set inside the iconic NFDC Films Division Complex on Pedder Road.

    Joined by Sanjay Jaju, secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and Maharashtra’s cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, the top brass didn’t just cut a ribbon, they launched a vision. The duo unveiled IICT’s official logo and announced that the institute’s first academic batch will kick off from September 2025. Built with global standards in mind, the spanking new campus is loaded with future-forward infrastructure: think high-spec media labs, post-production suites, XR zones, and full-throttle animation and VFX bays.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Vaishnaw said, “In this creative world, technology has become an integral part and it is important that we empower people who want to be part of the creator economy. I am glad that in such a short span we have inaugurated the first NFDC IICT campus in Mumbai. I have personally gone through the architectural presentations in detail for the campus in Film city, Goregaon, and I assure you it is going to be one of the finest campuses.”

    The inaugural batch will admit 300 students, with the promise of a second campus already in the works at Filmcity, Goregaon — expected to open within the next two years.

    Shri Devendra Fadnavis added, “This is not just an event; it is a moment — a moment that is now transforming into a movement. As part of this movement and its legacy, the announcement of IICT was made, and the campus was inaugurated in a remarkably short time. In the coming years, under the excellent guidance of Ashwini Vaishnaw, IICT will emerge not only as an institution of world-class education but also as an architectural and cultural landmark that attracts people from across the globe. Just as WAVES revolutionised the entire creator economy, IICT stands as a testament to all that hard work.”

    India’s media-tech dreams have found their newest stage and the lights just came on.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Govt sharpens TRP policy: advisory roles out, conflict of interest curbed

    Govt sharpens TRP policy: advisory roles out, conflict of interest curbed

    NEW DELHI: In a move set to shake up the television ratings ecosystem, the ministry of information & broadcasting has proposed amendments to its decade-old policy on television rating agencies in India and opened the floor for public comments.

    The fresh draft tweaks the 2014 guidelines with sharper guardrails. Among the headline changes: rating agencies must now be Indian-registered companies under the Companies Act, 2013, and are barred from offering consultancy or advisory services that could lead to a conflict of interest with their core job—ratings.

    In a bid to declutter the framework, the ministry has deleted clauses 1.5 and 1.7, along with the proviso tagged to clause 1 post explanation.

    (Clause 1.5 basically states that “any member of the board of directors of the television rating company shall not be in the business of broadcasting/ advertising/advertising agency.)

    (Clause 1.7 states that the company shall comply with the following cross holdings requirements, namely.
    (a) No single company/ legal entity, either directly or through its associates or inter-connected undertakings, shall have substantial equity holding in rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/ advertising agencies.
    (b) No single company/legal entity, either directly or through its associates or inter-connected undertakings, shall have substantial equity holding in more than one rating agency operating in the same area.
    (c) The cross-holdings restriction will also be applicable in respect of individual promoters besides being applicable to legal entities.
    (d) A promoter company/member of the board of directors of the rating agency cannot have stakes in any broadcaster/ advertiser/advertising agency either directly or through its associates or inter-connected undertakings.
    Explanation: For the purpose of para 1.7, substantial equity shall mean equity of 10% or more of paid-up equity. Having a substantial equity holding in companies shall constitute a cross-holding. Provided that the eligibility conditions stipulated at 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 will not be applicable in the self-regulation model where the industry-led body, such as, Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) itself provides the rating.)

    The new norms will apply not just to future applicants but also to existing players in the market.

    Stakeholders and the general public have 30 days to respond to the draft, preferably via email to the ministry. The consultation marks a significant step towards transparency and credibility in India’s ratings architecture—a space often marred by controversy and trust deficits.

    The complete amendment order and policy guidelines are available on the I&B ministry’s website.

  • Sapphire Media tunes into Big FM 92.7 with a Rs 261 crore takeover

    Sapphire Media tunes into Big FM 92.7 with a Rs 261 crore takeover

    MUMBAI: Sapphire Media Ltd has officially acquired the debt-ridden Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd (RBNL), which owns Big FM 92.7, following a successful bid of Rs 261 crore during the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). With 58 stations and a reach across 1,200 towns and 50,000+ villages, Big FM is one of India’s largest radio networks.

    The acquisition comes after Sapphire Media, promoted by Kaithal-based entrepreneur Sahil Mangla and media professional-turned-entrepreneur Aditya Vashistha, received all necessary regulatory approvals, including a green light from the ministry of information & broadcasting. The company promptly cleared dues to the committee of creditors (CoC) as per the approved resolution plan.

    The saga reached its crescendo on  23 December  2024, when the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) dismissed petitions from rival bidders and upheld the National Company Law Tribunal’s (NCLT’s) 6 May 2024, decision in favour of Sapphire Media. Rivals like Radio Orange and others had contested the resolution, but Sapphire’s bid, which secured 88.97 per cent of CoC votes, emerged victorious.

    Big FM, known for its rich legacy and a massive listener base of 340 million, will now undergo a wave of innovation under Sapphire Media’s stewardship. The group, which already boasts a vast outdoor advertising network and recently launched the Hindi news channel India Daily 24×7, plans to inject fresh energy into the radio brand, blending its heritage with cutting-edge content creation.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Big FM into the Sapphire Media family. This acquisition aligns with our vision of becoming a leader in digital content creation and broadcasting,” the company stated.

    The CIRP against RBNL was flagged off on 24 February 2023, following a petition by IDBI Trusteeship Services, the financial creditor. Six resolution plans were submitted, but Sapphire’s bid struck the winning note.

  • Vikatan website blocked; MD B Srinivasan to take legal action if he fails to get block removed

    Vikatan website blocked; MD B Srinivasan to take legal action if he fails to get block removed

    MUMBAI: Tamil media publication Vikatan managing director B Srinivasan was a little taken aback when on 15 February his website became inaccessible to him and the 80 lakh readers who access it daily. A notice displayed on the home page said the website had been blocked  as per the direction of law enforcement agencies. 

    On what grounds? 

    Well, the publication had put out what it considered a harmless political satirical cartoon on 10 February, which depicted prime minister Modi in chains alongside US president Trump . This apparently upset BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai who filed a formal complaint with the ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) and the Press Council of India, claiming the cartoon was objectionable on 15 February. 

    By 6:00 PM that evening, Vikatan’s website became inaccessible to many users, though the organisation received no immediate explanation for the outage.Since then, the website either has taken forever to open or when it does, it says it is an insecure website and a security risk. 

    The 99-year-old publication, which has a history of standing up to government pressure, promptly sought clarification from the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) regarding the domain blockage. Officials from the Press Bureau of India also visited Vikatan’s registered office to enquire about the print availability of Vikatan Plus, which was confirmed to be a digital-only publication.

    The MIB subsequently informed Vikatan about an upcoming inter-departmental committee meeting under the IT Rules, 2021, scheduled for 20 February to review the blocking of content. While granting Vikatan until this date to prepare their response, the ministry maintained that the emergency blocking orders would remain in effect.

    Vikatan has stated it will present its case at the hearing and is prepared to pursue legal action if the decision conflicts with press freedom principles. The publication cited its long history of speaking truth to power, noting previous instances of government action, including being shut down by the British in 1942 and having its editor imprisoned in 1987.

    The case has drawn significant attention as it may set a crucial precedent for media freedom in India, with Vikatan emphasising the need for transparency in actions against media houses.

    The blocking has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across party lines. Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin, along with prominent figures including MDMK general secretary Vaiko, actor Kamal Haasan, and author Arundhati Roy, have denounced the action as an attack on press freedom.

    Said: Srinivasan  “For over a century, Vikatan has been a steadfast advocate for freedom of expression and has consistently upheld journalistic integrity.”

  • TRAI issues recommendations for ground-based broadcasting

    TRAI issues recommendations for ground-based broadcasting

    MUMBAI: India has far been a cable and satellite TV country, apart from the single government-owned pubcaster Doordarshan which is the sole terrestrial network. That could likely change if one goes by the recommendations which the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come up with for ground based broadcasting (GBB). The recommendation are aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for GBBs in India. They focus on defining operational parameters and facilitating the use of terrestrial communication mediums by broadcasters.

    The key highlights of the TRAI recommendations are:

    * Definitions: The authority has clarified key terms such as “broadcaster,” “ground-based broadcasting,” and “terrestrial communication medium” to reflect updated practices in the industry, distinguishing between satellite-based and ground-based broadcasting.
    *  Regulatory Framework: TRAI recommends creating a framework for GBBs that aligns with existing guidelines for satellite broadcasters but excludes satellite-specific regulations. Ground-based broadcasters will not require authorisation from In-Space for frequency assignments but must secure other necessary clearances.
    * Delivery Mechanism: GBBs will provide channels to distribution platform operators (DPOs) using various terrestrial technologies, gaining the flexibility to utilise multiple systems as per their business strategies.
    * . Fee Structure: An annual authorisation fee of Rs seven  lakh per channel for GBBs has been proposed.
    *  Operational Areas: The service area for GBBs will be national, ensuring broad reach across the country.
    * Channel Migration Options: GBBs wishing to switch to or adopt satellite communication for their channels, and satellite broadcasters (SBBs) looking to embrace terrestrial methods, may do so with prior government approval while maintaining existing permission validity.
    * Compliance and Reporting: GBBs must report the primary language and sub-genre of their channels at the time of application, which will be displayed on the Broadcast Seva portal to assist in electronic programming guide (EPG) arrangement.
    * Examination of FAST Channels: TRAI recommends that the MIB assess the compliance of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels with existing guidelines and develop policies as needed.
     

    These recommendations aim to enhance the operational landscape for broadcasters in India, promoting the effective use of emerging technologies while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
     

  • Indian pavilion at Mipcom 24 in Cannes makes a positive impact

    Indian pavilion at Mipcom 24 in Cannes makes a positive impact

    CANNES: It’s sunny and very warm in Cannes on the French Riviera. But inside the famed Palais des Festivals the Indian pavilion put up by the Service Exports Promotion Council (SEPC) along with the ministry of information &  broadcasting (MIB) and the ministry of commerce & industry  is a hustle-bustle of activity.

    It’s almost 9:30 am in the morning and the clock is counting down the minutes as Prasar Bharti CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, Telangana special chief secretary of the industries & commerce (I&C) and information technology (IT) Jayesh Ranjan, counsel general of India in the Indian consulate in Marsielles Rupjyoti Brahma Karjee,  SEPC chairman Karan Rathore and director general Abhay Sinha are all geared up to inaugurate the pavilion which is the watering hole for many Indians who have come together to attend the  largest and most successful content trading and co-production market globally.

    Once the signal is given the four of them cut the ribbon and cheers go around celebrating India’s largest ever presence and pavilion at Mipcom. Close to 235 Indian delegates from 70 or more companies and independent creative professionals have signed up with RX – the organiser of Mipcom – to boost India’s content trade with the world.

    “We are delighted to build the platform – with the support of the two ministries –  for India’s independent animation and VFX studios, film and TV producers and distribution companies, and media and entertainment service providers at this very vibrant market,” says Sinha. “The MIB’s message is very clear: create in India and make it the content hub of the world. Our role to help achieve that goal and, If possible, crunch the time frame required to get there .”

    It is Dwivedi’s first visit to Mipcom  and he’s quite gung-ho about the opportunities it provides for the pubcaster to get connected with other public broadcasters, expose DD India, the English news channel, which provides an India view on global and Indian developments to the world. Finally, he is also looking at acquiring all genres of content from domestic Indian content owners and international producers and distributors in preparation for DD’s OTT service which is slated to start streaming next month.

    The Indian pavilion is also home to Telangana and Karnataka states. The former is promoting its image tower for the AVGC sector, inviting international companies to come and invest in the state, and to it’s annual gathering of the AVGC confab India Joy.  The latter is promoting Karnataka’s AVGC Centre of Excellence and its annual event Bangalore GAFX.

    55 other companies registered for Mipcom are also using it as a meeting place with their international clients with who they have either distribution, coproduction, or acquisition relationship.

    While the Indian presence is marked by veterans and seasoned animation studio professionals, the youngest exhibitor on the pavilion is 19 year old animation student in Paris Joyce Ahuja who has come armed with all her art work and a small teaser for her animation feature film.  

    “Mipcom is an awesome place and I am glad to have made up  my mind to attend and get feedback on my project so I can make it even more appealing globally,” she says, her eyes gleaming with excitement, despite her aching legs. She has the confidence that her project will attract the right fund providers and partners to help it get off the ground. 

  • Reliance-Disney Star India merger to see closure within a couple of months

    Reliance-Disney Star India merger to see closure within a couple of months

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is on track to finalise its merger with Disney’s India operations by the third quarter of FY25  – a move anticipated to significantly bolster its media presence. (Q3 FY 2025 ends on 31 December 2024, which means the merger has got just about two months, if not earlier, to achieve closure). This announcement follows RIL’s  Q2 FY 2025  financial results, showcasing a resilient performance across its diversified business segments.

    On 28 September, the ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) granted approval to RIL for the transfer of channels from Viacom18 to Disney Star India, paving the way for the $8.5 billion merger with Disney. The merger of Viacom18 and Star India has already been given the green signal from the Competition Commission of India (CCI- subject to certain voluntary conditions), and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has also given it the thumbs up. “The companies are now securing additional required approvals, with the transaction expected to close in Q3 FY25,”  Reliance Industries announced in its quarterly earnings report on 14 October 2024.

    In a statement, Reliance chairman & managing director, Mukesh D. Ambani expressed optimism about the merger’s potential impact: “This merger will create a powerful platform for delivering exceptional content and experiences to our customers.” He highlighted the strategic alignment between Reliance’s digital services and Disney’s rich content library as a catalyst for growth.

    “Viacom18’s integration with Disney’s assets is expected to create a formidable entertainment platform, offering a diversified content library and reaching millions of viewers across the country,” a company spokesperson stated. “The strategic alignment of media assets will enhance our ability to deliver premium content and attract more subscribers.”

     

  • PIB fact check unit exposes fake news in 134 videos on 12 YouTube channels

    PIB fact check unit exposes fake news in 134 videos on 12 YouTube channels

    Mumbai: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has announced it had uncovered fake news spread through 134 videos across 12 YouTube channels, which collectively have several lakh subscribers.

    PIB’s fact checking unit revealed that these YouTube channels disseminated videos with misleading claims, including payouts of Rs 51,000 for wedding expenses, benefits totaling Rs 2.5 lakh for ration card holders, and false information about Covid vaccines.

    The videos were hosted by channels such as NitiGyan4U, KLOnlineStudy, Sarkari Khabar 21, Media Tak, NewsWave_429, and onlinejobRK, among others.

    One video thumbnail from the YouTube channel “onlinejobRk” falsely claimed that prime minister Narendra Modi announced Jan Dhan account owners would receive Rs 10,000 after his win in the 2024 General Elections. The PIB Fact Check Unit debunked this claim on X, warning people to beware of fake news.

    Another YouTube channel, AM News YT, falsely claimed that the Chief Justice of India had taken away the elections from Modi.

    Similarly, a thumbnail from “NewsWave_429” falsely asserted that the Supreme Court had declared Prime Minister Modi’s defeat. The PIB fact check confirmed on X that no such statement had been made by the Supreme Court of India.

  • Pragati, Maahi, & Arjun to perform at Cannes Film Festival 2024

    Pragati, Maahi, & Arjun to perform at Cannes Film Festival 2024

    Mumbai: In a proud moment for India, music label Saregama’s talented trio – Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun – are set to debut and perform at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. Their performances will be a marque highlight at Cannes this year, showcasing India’s rich musical heritage on an international stage.

    The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, renowned for presenting the best in world cinema, is set to take place from 14 to 25 May in the legendary French Riviera. Amidst a handpicked lineup of critically acclaimed films and glamorously dressed renowned personalities, this year’s festival promises to be an extravaganza of talent and creativity.

    The vibrant Gen Z trio’s performances will begin at the prestigious Bharat Parv event on 16 May, hosted by the Official Indian Delegation from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and supported by Kamla Mills. Celebrities, senior officials, and esteemed film guests from the international & Indian Film industry, will be in attendance. Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun will enthral the audience with a set list that blends their originals, released earlier this year, with classic all-time favorites from Saregama’s rich catalogue.

    That’s not all! On 17 May, Saregama Talent will also take center stage with another captivating performance at the Bharat Pavilion, solidifying their global presence. Adding to the star power, the legendary Shaan will grace the stage to introduce the trio and set the scene for a dynamic show that promises to be unforgettable. The event will be filmed and broadcasted on Saregama’s YouTube page, reaching fans worldwide.

    Emphasizing on the importance and grandeur of Bharat Parv, JS (Film) & NFDC MD Prithul Kumar said, “Bharat Parv is a great platform to showcase the myraid creative opportunities and a rich bank of creative talent of India. We are immensely proud to showcase India on the global stage through the performances of Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. This moment embodies our nation’s cultural pride and artistic prowess, resonating with audiences worldwide.”

    Saregama India Ltd’s SVP films and events – Siddharth Anand shared, “Seeing Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun represent India’s vibrant talent at Cannes 2024 fills us with immense pride. As an artist-first company, it’s our unwavering commitment to open doors of opportunities for our talent to shine on the global stage. This is just the beginning of their journey, and we’re excited to witness their continued success.”

    Nidarshana Gowani, wife of real estate visionary Ramesh Gowani & owner of Kamala Mills quipped, “It’s truly exhilarating to witness the vibrant cultural representation at Cannes 2024, spearheaded by Maahi, Arjun, and Pragati. I am eagerly looking forward to the mesmerizing performances and the opportunity to showcase India’s rich musical heritage with of course, a modern Gen Z touch.”

    With their unique blend of Indian roots and Gen Z flair, Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun are ready to shine at Cannes, proving that the future of Indian music is brighter than ever.

  • India govt bans 18 OTTs and other platforms over pornographic content

    India govt bans 18 OTTs and other platforms over pornographic content

    Mumbai: In coordination with various intermediaries, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) on 14 March 2024, blocked 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store, three on Apple App Store), and 57 social media handles associated with OTT platforms. This action was taken due to the publishing of obscene, vulgar, and, in some cases, pornographic content.

    The banned OTT platforms are: Dreams Films, Voovi, Yessma, Uncut Adda, Tri Flicks, X Prime, Neon X VIP, Besharams, Hunters, Rabbit, Xtramood, Nuefliks, MoodX, Mojflix, Hot Shots VIP, Fugi, Chikooflix, and Prime Play.

    The ban, imposed under the Information Technology Act, 2000, follows consultations “with other Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, and domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights,” according to a ministry release.

    Regarding the content on these platforms, the government stated, “A significant portion of the content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, vulgar, and portrayed women in a demeaning manner.”

    Commenting on the nature of the content available on these platforms, the government added, “It depicted nudity and sexual acts in various inappropriate contexts, such as relationships between teachers and students, incestuous family relationships, etc.”

    Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has stressed the importance for platforms to refrain from promoting obscenity, vulgarity, and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’.