Lok Sabha
The Government has reviewed Direct-to-Home (DTH) service. In order to strengthen Doordarshan’s DTH service, it has been decided to increase the number of TV channels on DD direct plus to fifty, from the existing thirty-three. The equipment needed for expansion of Doordarshan’s DTH service is being procured, and will be installed by mid-2006. The exact time-frame cannot be specified at this stage. However, the decision regarding new channels will be taken on merit after the necessary technical infrastructure is in place.
Forty-nine private TV broadcasters have applied for inclusion of their channels on DD direct plus as on 1.12.2005. Of these, 17 are Delhi based, five from Tamil Nadu, four from Kerala, three from Maharashtra, two each from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and one each from Punjab, Assam, Uttar Pradesh. Thirteen are foreign based including three from USA, two each from UK and Korea and one each in Singapore, Germany, Canada, France, Nepal and Netherlands.
The programme from these 49 broadcasters would consist of news based, current affairs, drama, religion and education content and will be available in various languages Indian as well as foreign.
This Information was given by Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri P. R. Dasmunsi in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
RS/NSK/AS
(Release ID :16435)