Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
Industry & Economy
-
Radio/TV Prasar Bharati plans to offer DTH services Our Bureau
NEW DELHI, April 14 ALMOST a year after the Planning Commission suggested that the national broadcaster enter into direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, the Prasar Bharati Board has finally decided to get into the act. The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, has said that Prasar Bharati would offer DTH services on KU band. This decision was taken at a board meeting held last week. "The initial investment envisaged for the project is Rs 500 crore, and Prasar Bharati would put in an application by the end of the month," Mr K.S. Sarma, CEO, said. It will also initiate talks with other broadcasters to use its DTH platform. "The DTH platform will have a mix of both free-to-air and pay channels. The details are being worked out," Mr Prasad said. However, no decision on the possible partner has been taken nor have other business plans been finalised. The Government only recently gave its nod to Zee group company, ASC Enterprises, for DTH broadcasting, while proposals put forward by the Star TV-backed Space Television and Essel-Shyam (a joint venture between the Essel group and Shyam Telecom) are awaiting clearance. Meanwhile, in a bid to strengthen its marketing initiatives, Prasar Bharati has decided to set up a marketing division in New Delhi - the first in the North. It will provide a single-window service for all channels of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan and also help clients with media planning to ensure that their money is spent judiciously. Till recently, Doordarshan or AIR did not have a marketing outfit of its own. But in July 2000, the corporation set up its first marketing division in Mumbai. Later, similar offices were set up in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Offices in Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram are also in the offing.
Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | Home |
Copyright © 2003, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|