Tag: Rajyavardhan Rathore

  • DD to auction prime time slots: Rathore – viewership & revenue dropping

    DD to auction prime time slots: Rathore – viewership & revenue dropping

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan is to auction some of its prime time slots on DD National instead of commissioning them or taking them on self-financed commission basis. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore admitted in parliament today that the current acquisition of programmes through commissioning and self finance commissioning (SFC) route had resulted in dipping of viewership of DD National and consequently decreasing revenue.
     
    Prasar Bharati has therefore considered the option of sale of time slot /time bands on DD National channel as a strategy to source high quality content at no cost. The SFC scheme was launched in 2005 and it worked well for DD in the initial years but SFC serials did not deliver either on increasing viewership or revenue in recent years.
    Rathore said the Prasar Bharati Board had advised DD to proceed with an alternative policy by opening-up prime time slots for sale. DD is coming up with a slot sale policy so that genuine external and creative professionals can mount their programmes on DD Channels through slot purchase, the minister said.
     
    In this scheme, DD would stop financing production through ‘Pay Out’ modes and instead have revenue assurance in the form of a slot fee. The policy envisages that producers are made stakeholders in the scheme. They would invest in the content and recover the same from the market through sale of associated commercial time. In such a situation, the minister added, market forces would ensure that high quality standards are maintained for the content mounted, while assuring revenue for Doordarshan.

    In reply to another question, the minister said Television Rating Points (TRP) and viewership details of DD National according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data including rural viewership initiated in October 2015 fluctuates on weekly basis. He admitted that Doordarshan has suffered a setback because of sharp drop in number of terrestrial TV viewers. He said the Prasar Bharati Board had also decided to invite good external programmes to be telecast on all its channels in different phases.

  • Govt. considering ways to check hoax calls and their sensationalization on electronic media: Rathore

    Govt. considering ways to check hoax calls and their sensationalization on electronic media: Rathore

    New Delhi, 20 March: The Government is examining ways to ensure that hoax calls about planting of bombs etc and sensationalizing of such news by the electronic media can be checked.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha recently that the matter was ‘under consideration’.

    The question also related to the I and B Ministry planning concrete steps in consultation with the Home Ministry in this regard.

    In response to a similar question relating to anti-India messages on television channels asked in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said action is taken whenever any report is received by the Ministry about any anti-India messages.

    He stressed that programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels are governed by the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 and the rules framed thereunder.

    The Act does not provide for pre-censorship of the programmes and advertisements aired on these channels. However, all these channels are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertisement codes which provide for a whole range of parameters to be adhered to for programmes on TV channels.

    Rule 6(1) of the Proqramme Code is clear that no programme should be transmitted/retransmitted on any cable service if it contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes.

  • Govt. considering ways to check hoax calls and their sensationalization on electronic media: Rathore

    Govt. considering ways to check hoax calls and their sensationalization on electronic media: Rathore

    New Delhi, 20 March: The Government is examining ways to ensure that hoax calls about planting of bombs etc and sensationalizing of such news by the electronic media can be checked.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha recently that the matter was ‘under consideration’.

    The question also related to the I and B Ministry planning concrete steps in consultation with the Home Ministry in this regard.

    In response to a similar question relating to anti-India messages on television channels asked in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said action is taken whenever any report is received by the Ministry about any anti-India messages.

    He stressed that programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels are governed by the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 and the rules framed thereunder.

    The Act does not provide for pre-censorship of the programmes and advertisements aired on these channels. However, all these channels are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertisement codes which provide for a whole range of parameters to be adhered to for programmes on TV channels.

    Rule 6(1) of the Proqramme Code is clear that no programme should be transmitted/retransmitted on any cable service if it contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes.

  • Govt rules out separate body to examine broadcasting complaints

    Govt rules out separate body to examine broadcasting complaints

    New Delhi: The Government today ruled out any separate body for going into complaints relating to broadcasting.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said this while replying to a question about the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.

    The Minister said TDSAT handled 1341 broadcasting cases between 2013 and 2015: 593 in 2015, 433 in 2014 and 315 in 2013.

    It dealt with thirty appeals relating to broadcasting during this period , which includes five in 2015, seven in 2014, and 18 in 2013.

    When the Government decided in 2004 to give charge of broadcasting to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the TDSAT, which handles cases arising out of TRAI orders, also began handling broadcasting cases.

    Even as the Prasar Bharati Act has a clear provision relating to establishing a Broadcasting Council to hear cases relating to that sector, the previous government had been contemplating a comprehensive law on legislation, which would provide for a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India, but did not take action after the private sector protested and both the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and the News Broadcasters Association set up their own regulatory bodies.  

  • Govt rules out separate body to examine broadcasting complaints

    Govt rules out separate body to examine broadcasting complaints

    New Delhi: The Government today ruled out any separate body for going into complaints relating to broadcasting.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said this while replying to a question about the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.

    The Minister said TDSAT handled 1341 broadcasting cases between 2013 and 2015: 593 in 2015, 433 in 2014 and 315 in 2013.

    It dealt with thirty appeals relating to broadcasting during this period , which includes five in 2015, seven in 2014, and 18 in 2013.

    When the Government decided in 2004 to give charge of broadcasting to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the TDSAT, which handles cases arising out of TRAI orders, also began handling broadcasting cases.

    Even as the Prasar Bharati Act has a clear provision relating to establishing a Broadcasting Council to hear cases relating to that sector, the previous government had been contemplating a comprehensive law on legislation, which would provide for a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India, but did not take action after the private sector protested and both the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and the News Broadcasters Association set up their own regulatory bodies.  

  • Kisan Channel viewership on the increase, internal study on: Rathore

    Kisan Channel viewership on the increase, internal study on: Rathore

    NEW DELHI: Denying reports that DD Kisan has failed to achieve its objectives, the Government has said the channel had a reach of 1.68 crores in the week ending 19 February according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data. 

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore claimed that the growth of the channel had been satisfactory.

    He said BARC had commenced data relating to rural viewership in October 2015. The channel was launched in July 2015.

    However, he said it was a constant endeavor of Doordarshan to improve upon its programmes by reviewing content and quality from time to time with a view to sustain the interest of the viewers and increase television viewership ratings.

    A channel survey has also been commissioned by DD Kisan Channel to assess the effectiveness of the channel and to get feedback from the farmers on the programmes telecast by the channel. 

  • Kisan Channel viewership on the increase, internal study on: Rathore

    Kisan Channel viewership on the increase, internal study on: Rathore

    NEW DELHI: Denying reports that DD Kisan has failed to achieve its objectives, the Government has said the channel had a reach of 1.68 crores in the week ending 19 February according to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data. 

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore claimed that the growth of the channel had been satisfactory.

    He said BARC had commenced data relating to rural viewership in October 2015. The channel was launched in July 2015.

    However, he said it was a constant endeavor of Doordarshan to improve upon its programmes by reviewing content and quality from time to time with a view to sustain the interest of the viewers and increase television viewership ratings.

    A channel survey has also been commissioned by DD Kisan Channel to assess the effectiveness of the channel and to get feedback from the farmers on the programmes telecast by the channel. 

  • Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has denied that any of its All India Radio or Doordarshan channels are non-functional.

    Parliament was informed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore that Doordarshan has 67 kendra and All India Radio has 416 Stations including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. 

    As part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters.

    In addition, 64 AIR transmitters have been approved for up gradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan.

    While there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country, the Minister said that the project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan. 

    There are 228 high power and 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country.
    He said there was no proposal to set up new transmitters except in border areas in view of multichannel TV coverage provided through Doordarshan’s free to air Freedish.

  • Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has denied that any of its All India Radio or Doordarshan channels are non-functional.

    Parliament was informed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore that Doordarshan has 67 kendra and All India Radio has 416 Stations including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. 

    As part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters.

    In addition, 64 AIR transmitters have been approved for up gradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan.

    While there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country, the Minister said that the project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan. 

    There are 228 high power and 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country.
    He said there was no proposal to set up new transmitters except in border areas in view of multichannel TV coverage provided through Doordarshan’s free to air Freedish.

  • A total of 649 parties owe Doordarshan huge sums against advertising, 83 matters in court or before arbitrator

    A total of 649 parties owe Doordarshan huge sums against advertising, 83 matters in court or before arbitrator

    NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 1,519,359,156 including Rs 518,721,901 as interest was owed by 649 companies and producers against advertising to various kendras of Doordarshan until 31 December 2015, Parliament has been informed.

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said a total of 83 cases are pending in courts, arbitration and out of court settlement. In this matter, the principal amount involved is Rs 269.97 crore and the interest is Rs 308.68 crore.

    A total of six cases where the arbitrator gave decisions for amounts totaling Rs 341.352,850 are under challenge in various courts and are pending. In such cases, Interest amounting to Rs 241,132,488 has already been computed as at present.

    Interestingly, there is no amount pending against All India Radio.