(a) whether the Government/ Doordarshan has launched two Hindi channels in Britain;
(b) if so, the details thereof?
(c) the total number and percentage of viewers watching DD channels in Britain;
(d) whether the Hindi news broadcast will also have the content in English; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI P.R. DASMUNSI)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): Prasar Bharati have informed that DD-India channel and DD-News channel have been launched
in Britain on 16.4.2007 by M/s. Rayat Television Enterprises Ltd., of M/s. Rayat Group Ltd. after
entering into an Agreement with Prasar Bharati for the distribution of DD-India and DD-News
channels in UK for a period of five years.
(c) No such study has been brought to the notice of the Government.
(d) & (e) : Yes, Sir. DD-India has seven Hindi and six English News bulletins daily while
DD-News has nineteen English and twenty four Hindi News bulletins daily, respectively.