Industry & Economy
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Radio/TV
Prasar Bharati plans to seek funding from World Bank
Our Bureau
New Delhi
,
Feb. 17
PRASAR Bharati Corporation is looking for funds and has asked the Union Government to facilitate in receiving assistance from the World Bank
According to Mr K.S. Sarma, CEO, Prasar Bharati, "The International Finance Corporation, the lending arm of the World Bank, is looking at investing in the broadcasting or media sector. It is looking to assist broadcasting projects that have high development impact." The assistance could range between $10 million and $100 million to develop its other new projects.
The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Jaipal Reddy, has taken up the issue of need for additional funds with the Finance Ministry. "I have already taken this up with the Finance Ministry," said Mr Reddy. Unlike BBC, which received over $5 billion as assistance from the British Government, the Indian public broadcaster receives very little assistance from the Government.
Mr Sarma said that the national broadcaster required funds to carry forward work in new technologies such as broadband and DTH (direct-to-home), apart from the digitalisation process. It has also been making efforts to sell its channels in foreign lands, where it targets the Indian Diaspora.
Prasar Bharati has also entered into tie-ups with telecom companies such as MTNL and BSNL to provide content. "This service is initially free though we plan to charge later," he said.
While Mr Sarma also felt that the national broadcaster has been losing out to private broadcasters, Mr Reddy felt that Prasar Bharati must not compete with private channels on a commercial basis.
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