(a) whether the Government is considering to expand the network of FM channels and to complete the digitization of TV channels and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government has any plan for digitization of film archives for skill development of the media and entertainment sectors and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING,
{COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}
(a) The policy for expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting services through Private Agencies (Phase-III), approved by the Cabinet on 7th July, 2011 provides for 839 FM channels in 294 cities through e-auction process.
As far as AIR is concerned, presently AIR FM Service is being broadcast from 474 FM transmitters located at 439 places across the country, including 238 nos. of 100 Watt FM relay transmitters for localized coverage up to 10 km distances. These FM transmitters cover about 52% of population of the country. The following schemes were approved under the12th plan:
1. 58 FM transmitters of various capacities in different cities.
2. 100 Watt relay FM transmitters at 116 locations for localized coverage up to 10 km.
3. Replacement/Up-gradation of 77 old FM transmitters in different cities across the country.
As far as Doordarshan is concerned, Doordarshan is presently operating 34 Satellite TV channels. Distribution of all the above channels is in digital mode. Doordarshan’s DTH service is also in digital mode.
(b) Government has launched National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) to digitize and restore filmic content of the country. The project envisages upgradation of skill sets and National Film Archives of India has conducted a ten-day International Workshop on film Preservation and Restoration during February-March, 2016 in which more than 60 participants from across the country took part. Inputs were provided by 16 international experts in the field of film preservation, digitisation, restoration etc.