The Hindu Business Line : `Pvt channels free to join DTH platform'

DOORDARSHAN, which is set to launch its DTH (direct to home) platform early next month, has invited private channels to join the platform as a part of the 40-channel free to air offering.

The Union Information Minister, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, said that the DTH platform would offer 40 free-to-air channels. These include 14 channels from Doordarshan, three channels from the Human Resource Development Ministry and 12 more private channels.

"We invite other private channels to be part of this platform, or they might find it is too late to be part of this major DTH initiative."

Addressing newspersons here today, Mr Reddy said, "The DD DTH has four transponders with each having the capability to offer 10 channels. These 40 channels would be offered free to the DD viewers for the first two years of use. However, they need to install a dish antenna at their home, which costs about Rs 3,000. Thus far, Kairali (Malayalam), Care TV (Health), Sun TV, Jain TV, Alpha TV, MH 1 TV, Raj TV (Tamil and Telugu), Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, Surya TV (Tamil) and Star Utsav, have agreed to be part of the DD DTH."

"This DTH project is being rolled out with an outlay of Rs 165 crore. As a apart of this DTH initiative, about 10,000 DTH kits would be provided in eight States which have relatively less DD penetration," he said.

Allaying employees' fears, Mr Reddy said, "There was no plan to downsize Prasar Bharati. Our Ministry does not agree with the recommendations of the Geetha Krishnan committee. In fact, we are requesting the Finance Ministry to allow us to add additional staff in both DD and AIR to help us expand their operations."

FM radio revolution: As a part of the Stage II FM expansion, the Information Ministry is working on the modalities to call for bids, which could pave the way for about 400 FM channels in the country.

The phase I of FM is concentrated in the Metros and the phase II would see the expansion across the country.

"Simultaneously, the FM Radio of AIR, which has about 30 per cent reach, would be expanded to about 50 per cent of the population. Necessary arrangements for its expansion are underway. The Government is also keen to expand the community radio across the country. We are in parleys with the HRD and Home Ministry and would unveil a plan of action. Theoretically, there is potential to have at least 5,000 community radios," he said.

IHT issue: "With regard to FDI in print media, the current cap provides for about 26 per cent investment. At the same time, it is our policy not to allow publication of a newspaper with international masthead.

Since the publication of IHT is contrary to our policy guidelines, we have written to the IHT and to publishers of IHT twice. If necessary, we will take legislative steps and bring in the necessary piece of legislation bringing out the policy guidelines. Possibly in this session itself," he said.

The Indian publishers have said the publication of IHT was not against law of the land citing Article 19 of the Constitution. "We don't agree with that contention and will take necessary steps to bring in necessary policy guidelines. We may even consider a special piece of legislation," he said.

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