(a) whether the Government are aware of the very bad quality of telecast by
Doordarshan vis-Ã -vis other telecasting channels of private companies, viz. Zee, Sony
etc.;
(b) whether dependence on cable operators for improved quality of telecast has
resulted in erosion of telecasting ability of Doordarshan;
(c) if so, details thereof; and
(d) despite the use of satellite, the reasons of the low range and poor quality of our
telecast and the efforts being made to improve the quality and range?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
AND BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DISINVESTMENT
(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) to (d): A statement is placed on the table of the House.
STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 567 FOR ANSWER ON 05.05.2000
(a): Doordarshan uses both the terrestrial and satellite modes of transmission and the
signals emanating from the Doordarshan transmitters and satellite transponders are
of the same quality as of the signals of other broadcasters. However, there could be
some distortions at the television receivers end. For terrestrial signals this distortion
can come from not using the proper antenna and for satellite signals the distortions
are mostly introduced at the cable operator`s end.
(b)&(c): Since Doordarshan has a large nation-wide terrestrial network covering nearly
87.9%of population, it is not dependent on cable operators for telecast/ distribution
of its programmes, particularly in respect of its national channel i.e. DD-I. However,
consumers having cable connections prefer to receive all the television channels
through cable. In order to ensure that cable operators provide a good quality signal
of DD channels, the Cable Television Network Amendment Rules 1999 makes it
mandatory for cable operators to take signals of Doordarshan channels only from
satellite, place them in the prime band and not transmit any channel in the same
band in which DD transmits its channels terrestrially. However, it is reported that
many cable operators are not meeting these requirements resulting into distorted
signals of DD-I and DD-II.
(d): Range of terrestrial transmitters is not dependent on use of satellite as the latter is
used only for purposes of their networking. DD has taken a number of steps to
improve the quality of its signals. These include digital transmission of channels in
satellite mode, replacement of low power transmitters by high power transmitters,
expansion of network to provide better coverage to fringe and uncovered areas and
campaign to educate cable operators and public about the provisions of the Cable
TV Act and rules made their under. DD also proposes to set up a monitoring system
to ensure compliance with the provisions of Cable TV Act and rules.