Question : OPERATIONAL STATUS OF TV CHANNELS

(a) whether the Government proposes to revise the existing guidelines for the Television Channels (TV);

(b) whether the Government is aware that some private TV channel operators have taken the license to operate television channels but have not started the channel so far;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto along with the action taken thereon;

(d) the number of such license holders /operators who have furnished the details of their operational status so far;

(e) whether it is a fact that licenses are traded by the license holders for making handsome profits; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to curb such practice ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING(SHRI C. M. JATUA)

(a) Certain amendments in the extant policy guidelines for Uplinking /downlinking of private satellite channels have been recommended by TRAI. This Ministry has formulated a Cabinet proposal in this regard which is under consideration.

(b) to (d) Permission holders of satellite TV channels are required to operationalise their channels within one year of issuance of permission or within such extended period as may be permitted by this Ministry. As per the information provided by Network Operations Control Centre (NOCC), Department of Telecommunications, 495 channels are reported operational as on 10.08.2011.

(e) No such report/instance has been brought to the notice of the Government.

(f) Question doesn’t arise.