ITV

Tag: satellite TV channels

  • More than 12 news channels go off air due to satellite outage

    More than 12 news channels go off air due to satellite outage

    Mumbai: More than 12 news channels suddenly went off air at 6.30 p.m on Tuesday due to a satellite outage caused by a radio frequency interference.

    The channels that went off air included Angel TV India, Madha TV, Makkal TV, Kairali News, Puthiya Thalaimurai, Sankara TV, Subhavaartha TV, Vasanth TV, Public TV, Polimer News, and Mathrubhumi News.

    The News Broadcasters Federation, an industry body representing the regional news channels issued a statement saying that it is “working with relevant stakeholders on war-footing to ensure the broadcasting services are back at the earliest.”

    “We assure ardent news channel viewers, advertisers, and our distribution partners including local cable TV operators, and multi-system operators that we aim to have the service back. We thank PlanetCast Media, Tata Communications, Intelsat and Indian Space Research Organisation for taking up the issue on priority and working on it,” the statement read.

  • Prasar Bharati invites applications for 57 e-auction of vacant MPEG-4 slots

    Prasar Bharati invites applications for 57 e-auction of vacant MPEG-4 slots

    Mumbai: Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has invited applications for vacant MPEG-4 slots of the DD Free Dish DTH platform from the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

    The 57 e-auction process will be tentatively held from 10 February and the last day to submit applications is 8 February.

    The bidding for vacant MPEG-4 slots will be open to all genre language TV channels with a reserve price set at Rs 50 lakh per year. Only satellite TV channels licensed by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) would be allowed to participate in the e-auction. Broadcasters may either participate directly or through their authorised distribution partners. International public broadcasters who are licensed by MIB may participate in the auction process as well, stated the public broadcaster.

    The channels participating in the e-auction process must pay a mandatory non-refundable processing fee of Rs 25,000 and a participation fee of Rs 10 lakhs that should be paid via demand draft. The unsuccessful bidders will receive a refund of the participation fees three weeks after the declaration of e-auction results. The successful bidders will have to make payments in ten monthly installments with each installment amounting to one-tenth of the difference between bid amount and participation fee.

    In case of failure to pay the amount within the stipulated deadline, the public broadcaster said it will charge a 14.5 per cent interest per annum. If the channel does not deposit the required amount, then the participation fee along with any installment already deposited will be forfeited and the channel will be discontinued from the DD Free Dish platform.

  • I&B ministry asks private satellite channels to telecast content cautiously

    I&B ministry asks private satellite channels to telecast content cautiously

    MUMBAI: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory to all private satellite channels regarding the telecast of content in compliance with the programme codes. MIB has also noted that it has observed some TV channels telecasting content not according to specific programme codes mentioned in an earlier advisory dated 11 December.

    MIB has reiterated that all TV channels may abstain from showing any content which is likely to instigate violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national attitudes; contains anything affecting the integrity of the nation; criticises, maligns or slanders any individual in person or certain groups, segments of social public and moral life of the country.

    All private satellite channels have been asked to compile with the advisory strictly.

  • No plan for one-stop broadcast authority at present, says Rathore

    NEW DELHI: The Government has said there was no plan to set up a one-stop regulatory authority to receive complaints against broadcasting of programmes on private radio and television channels in violations of the code, thus ending the practice of self regulation.

    Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore was answering a question in the Parliament where a member had wanted to know if a single body would be set up to end the practice of self-regulation.

    Meanwhile, ruling out pre-censorship of private TV channels, the minister had last week listed the various steps being taken to prevent violation.

    Rathore had said that under the existing regulatory framework, all programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels and transmitted/re-transmitted through the Cable TV network are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 framed thereunder.

    The Act prescribes that all programmes and advertisements telecast on such TV channels including regional language channels should be in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code and Advertising Code enshrined in the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, which contain a whole range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements including the content aimed at instigating communal violence and fear in the minds of common people on TV channels.

    The Ministry has set up Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) to monitor the content telecast on private TV channels with reference to the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes.

    An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been set up in the Ministry to look into the specific complaints or suo-motu take cognizance against the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes. The IMC has representatives from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, Law, Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, Consumer Affairs, Information & Broadcasting and a representative from the industry in Advertising Standards Authority of India (ASCI). The IMC meets periodically and recommends action in respect of violation of Programme and Advertising Codes by private TV channels.

    Apart from this, the Ministry has also issued directions to States to set up District level and State level Monitoring Committees to regulate content telecast on cable TV channels. 

    Also Read:

    Punjab govt. studying Arasu & other regulatory models on distribution 

    TRAI can only regulate transmission, not broadcast material: Star tells Mds HC

  • No pre-censorship of TV shows, reiterates MIB

    NEW DELHI: The government today reiterated in the parliament that there is no proposal for any censorship or any rules and norms for private TV channels for broadcasting their pre-recorded programmes.

    The question in the Rajya Sabha were related to pre-recorded programmes or ‘fabricated videos pretending as live telecast.’

    Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said under the existing regulatory framework, all programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels and transmitted/re-transmitted through the Cable TV network are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 framed thereunder.

    The Act does not provide for pre-censorship of any programme and advertisement telecast on such TV channels.

    However, it prescribes that all programmes and advertisements telecast on such TV channels including regional language channels should be in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code and Advertising Code enshrined in the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, which contain a whole range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements including the content aimed at instigating communal violence and fear in the minds of common people on TV channels.

    Apart from this, this Ministry had issued an Advisory to news and current affairs TV channels on 20 September 2013 advising them to follow the provisions of the Programme Code scrupulously and exercise restraint and sensitivity while reporting such incidents and refrain from telecasting any material which could ignite communal passions and create law and order problem.

    The Ministry has set up Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) to monitor the content telecast on private TV channels with reference to the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes.

    An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been set up in the Ministry to look into the specific complaints or suo-motu take cognizance against the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes. The IMC has representatives from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, Law, Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, Consumer Affairs, Information & Broadcasting and a representative from the industry in Advertising Standards Authority of India (ASCI). The IMC meets periodically and recommends action in respect of violation of Programme and Advertising Codes by private TV channels.

    Apart from this, the Ministry has also issued directions to States to set up District level and State level Monitoring Committees to regulate content telecast on cable TV channels.

    Also Read:

    Prasar Bharati’s main role is of pubcaster, not revenue generator, says Rathore

    Analogue signals: MIB to take action against defaulters 

  • Kurnool LCO’s office sealed, 3 others’ being investigated: MIB on Peace TV

    Kurnool LCO’s office sealed, 3 others’ being investigated: MIB on Peace TV

    NEW DELHI: While denying that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had asked the Home Ministry to help in keeping a check on illegal channels, the government today said that five complaints had been received in July on the carriage of un-permitted satellite TV channels:

    Yesterday, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiaih Naidu had told the Rajya Sabha that action had ‘reportedly’ been taken in Kurnool and Aurangabad for carriage of illegal channels.

    However, the Lok Sabha was told today by Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore that the office of Seema Communication Pvt. Ltd. in Kurnool had been sealed and equipment seized This was on a complaint on 9 July 2016 by Rajya Sabha member T G Venkatesh against the LCO for telecasting the non-permitted ‘Peace TV’ in Kurnool District. The complaint was sent to the District Collector, Kurnool on 10 July 2016. The DC carried out the instructions and found that the operator was actually carrying the non-permitted channel and an FIR was lodged by the authorized officer.

    However, another complaint on 12 July from Vinay Patil against Yashodeep Cable Network for transmission of the same channel in Aurangabad District was found to be incorrect as the Deputy Commissioner found that this channel was not being carried by the LCO.

    Another complaint of 7 July 2016 from Kuldeep Kumar Sahani against Venkata Sai Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. for illegal transmission of Peace TV in Nizamabad District was sent to District Collector, Nizamabad, on 22 July 2016 for further necessary action by the authorized Officer.

    A complaint about Peace TV on 9 July 2016 from A Thirupathi Reddy against Sri Sai Communications in Karimnagar District was sent to District Collector, Karimnagar on 22 July 2016 for further necessary action by the authorized Officer.

    A fifth complaint of 8 July 2016 from Nandyal Digital TV Communications against Siti Vision Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. for illegal transmission of Peace TV in Kurnool District was sent to District Collector, Kurnool, on 22 July 2016 for further necessary action by the authorized Officer.

    Apart from advisories sent to the authorized officers, MSOs, and LCOs, the minister said an appeal was issued on social media platform to the general public to report cases of transmission of un-permitted satellite TV channels by cable operators.

    Meanwhile, the minister said that in addition to satellite channels, the ministry has received recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on its query that the procedure for cable operators to transmit local (ground based) channels had not defined in the Act.

    Peace TV from Dubai and as many as fourteen television channels from Pakistan figured in a list of 24 channels which the Home Ministry identified as ‘not conducive to the security environment in the country’ in December 2015.

    The Pakistani channels are PTV, PTV Home, PTV World, Geo TV, Dawn, Express, Waqat, Q TV, Madni TV, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Aaj, Filmax and STV.

    Out of the other ten, there are two from Nepal (one identified as Nepal, and the other as Kantipur), and one channel each from Bangladesh (NTV Bangladesh), Maldives (TV Maldives), Bhutan (Bhutan Broadcasting Service), and there was a United Kingdom-based channel, Ahmedia Channel.

    The other channel from Arab countries was Saudi TV while the nationality of two channels was not disclosed: ARY TV and XYZ TV.

  • Kurnool LCO’s office sealed, 3 others’ being investigated: MIB on Peace TV

    Kurnool LCO’s office sealed, 3 others’ being investigated: MIB on Peace TV

    NEW DELHI: While denying that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had asked the Home Ministry to help in keeping a check on illegal channels, the government today said that five complaints had been received in July on the carriage of un-permitted satellite TV channels:

    Yesterday, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiaih Naidu had told the Rajya Sabha that action had ‘reportedly’ been taken in Kurnool and Aurangabad for carriage of illegal channels.

    However, the Lok Sabha was told today by Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore that the office of Seema Communication Pvt. Ltd. in Kurnool had been sealed and equipment seized This was on a complaint on 9 July 2016 by Rajya Sabha member T G Venkatesh against the LCO for telecasting the non-permitted ‘Peace TV’ in Kurnool District. The complaint was sent to the District Collector, Kurnool on 10 July 2016. The DC carried out the instructions and found that the operator was actually carrying the non-permitted channel and an FIR was lodged by the authorized officer.

    However, another complaint on 12 July from Vinay Patil against Yashodeep Cable Network for transmission of the same channel in Aurangabad District was found to be incorrect as the Deputy Commissioner found that this channel was not being carried by the LCO.

    Another complaint of 7 July 2016 from Kuldeep Kumar Sahani against Venkata Sai Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. for illegal transmission of Peace TV in Nizamabad District was sent to District Collector, Nizamabad, on 22 July 2016 for further necessary action by the authorized Officer.

    A complaint about Peace TV on 9 July 2016 from A Thirupathi Reddy against Sri Sai Communications in Karimnagar District was sent to District Collector, Karimnagar on 22 July 2016 for further necessary action by the authorized Officer.

    A fifth complaint of 8 July 2016 from Nandyal Digital TV Communications against Siti Vision Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. for illegal transmission of Peace TV in Kurnool District was sent to District Collector, Kurnool, on 22 July 2016 for further necessary action by the authorized Officer.

    Apart from advisories sent to the authorized officers, MSOs, and LCOs, the minister said an appeal was issued on social media platform to the general public to report cases of transmission of un-permitted satellite TV channels by cable operators.

    Meanwhile, the minister said that in addition to satellite channels, the ministry has received recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on its query that the procedure for cable operators to transmit local (ground based) channels had not defined in the Act.

    Peace TV from Dubai and as many as fourteen television channels from Pakistan figured in a list of 24 channels which the Home Ministry identified as ‘not conducive to the security environment in the country’ in December 2015.

    The Pakistani channels are PTV, PTV Home, PTV World, Geo TV, Dawn, Express, Waqat, Q TV, Madni TV, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Aaj, Filmax and STV.

    Out of the other ten, there are two from Nepal (one identified as Nepal, and the other as Kantipur), and one channel each from Bangladesh (NTV Bangladesh), Maldives (TV Maldives), Bhutan (Bhutan Broadcasting Service), and there was a United Kingdom-based channel, Ahmedia Channel.

    The other channel from Arab countries was Saudi TV while the nationality of two channels was not disclosed: ARY TV and XYZ TV.

  • Total of television channels in India rises to 892, with three cleared in June

    Total of television channels in India rises to 892, with three cleared in June

    NEW DELHI: With clearance to three private television satellite channels including two news channels in June, the total number has risen to 892 of which news and current affairs channels number 403.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said it had given permission to 1031 channels but later cancelled permission to 139. The number of general entertainment channels is 489 according to the list up to 30 June.

    Twenty channels including seven news channels have been permitted to uplink from India but not downlink within the country and there has been no change in this category.  

    A total of 776 channels including 395 GECs are allowed to uplink and downlink in the country while 96 including 81 GECs are uplinked from overseas but allowed to downlink into TV homes in the country.  

    After 31 May, the news channels cleared are: ‘Total Haryana’ and ‘Total Rajasthan’ by Total Telefilms Pvt Ltd,

    The only Non-News channel cleared is MAAS TV owned by Gokann International Media Pvt. Ltd.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry site (mib.nic.in) also contains the full details of the owners of these channels, the languages in which they will beam, and the date on which the clearance came. However, there are no details of channels denied permission.

  • Total of television channels in India rises to 892, with three cleared in June

    Total of television channels in India rises to 892, with three cleared in June

    NEW DELHI: With clearance to three private television satellite channels including two news channels in June, the total number has risen to 892 of which news and current affairs channels number 403.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said it had given permission to 1031 channels but later cancelled permission to 139. The number of general entertainment channels is 489 according to the list up to 30 June.

    Twenty channels including seven news channels have been permitted to uplink from India but not downlink within the country and there has been no change in this category.  

    A total of 776 channels including 395 GECs are allowed to uplink and downlink in the country while 96 including 81 GECs are uplinked from overseas but allowed to downlink into TV homes in the country.  

    After 31 May, the news channels cleared are: ‘Total Haryana’ and ‘Total Rajasthan’ by Total Telefilms Pvt Ltd,

    The only Non-News channel cleared is MAAS TV owned by Gokann International Media Pvt. Ltd.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry site (mib.nic.in) also contains the full details of the owners of these channels, the languages in which they will beam, and the date on which the clearance came. However, there are no details of channels denied permission.

  • Time bands for govt ads on TV news and business channels amended

    Time bands for govt ads on TV news and business channels amended

    NEW DELHI: The government has amended the time bands for its advertisements on news and business television channels announced by it earlier in September 2012.

    In a modification to the policy Guidelines for Empanelment of Private Cable and Satellite TV channels, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said that the three time bands will be 06.00 hrs to 11.59 hrs instead of 07.00 hrs to 11.59 hrs; 12.00 hrs to 16:59 hrs instead of 17.59 hrs, and 17.00 hrs to 22.59 hrs instead of 18.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs.

    This will apply to English, Hindi, and regional news and business channels and will be applicable from 9 May this year.

    All the spots on the channels may be displayed on dispersion basis of one third spots on each time band.

    At least three spots may be displayed in 8, 9, and 10 pm time bands.

    The rates of September 2012 offered by DAVP will apply for all audio visual spots.

    The government had earlier issued modifications on 14 May and 5 September 2012.

    In September 2012, six time bands had been laid for general entertainment channels: 7 am to 9 am, 9 am to 12 noon, 12 noon to 7 pm, 7 pm to 8 pm, 8 pm to 10 pm, and 10 pm to 11 pm.