Question : Revamping Doordarshan and All India Radio

(a) the schemes/programmes being implemented by the Government to revamp Doordarshan and All India Radio to enable them to compete with the private television channels and radio stations in the country;
(b) whether the Government has provided adequate funds under the said schemes/programmes during each of the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and scheme/ programme-wise;
(c) the profits earned/losses suffered by Doordarshan and All India Radio during the said period; and
(d) the further steps taken by the Government to improve Doordarshan and All India Radio at par with the Private Television Channels and Radio Stations in the country?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b): Prasar Bharati has informed that modernization is a continuous process and schemes in this regard have been formulated and implemented from time to time for Doordarshan and All India Radio. Modernization plan covers a broad spectrum, which, inter alia, includes digitalization; adoption of new technologies at par with International standards; replacement of old/ outlived equipment and up gradation etc.
The Central Government has approved an amount of Rs. 1054.52 crore under the Scheme of Prasar Bharati “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development” for the period 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-2020 for strengthening/revamping of infrastructure/programmes of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
(c) As per audit Annual Account, the surplus earned/deficit suffered by Prasar Bharati during FY 2016-17 to 2018-19 are as under:-
Rs. in Crores
2016-17 2572.80 (Surplus)
2017-18 295.79 (Deficit)
2018-19 (Provisional) 13.97 (Surplus)

(d) As the Public Service Broadcaster, the mandate of Prasar Bharati is on the issues of public interest viz. health, education, empowerment, social justice etc., thus the programming of Doordarshan and All India Radio are not comparable with other private channels as both are totally different in their objectives and programming formats.
It is the constant endeavour of Doordarshan and All India Radio to improve the quality of its programmes.

As a reflection of competitiveness of DD vis-à-vis private channels, it is to mention that “DD India” channel is among the top 3 English News Channel as per the ratings of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). Similarly, “DD Sports” channel is in the top 5 sports channels during the live telecast of sporting events of National importance.

Further, in order to improve the quality of programmes, Prasar Bharati is having wide network of 46 Audience Research Unit in All India radio across the country, which regularly provides feedback of the programmes broadcast on each AIR channels to the programme producers to plan, design and modify the programmes according to the needs, tastes and aspiration of the target audience.
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