New Delhi : Public Broadcaster Doordarshan is looking to replicate its business model adopted during 80’s and 90’s in order to procure content, which is known as “slot sale policy” and under this the professionals would provide programmes in lieu of a share in the revenue that is earned from them.
Sources told PTI that a proposal seeking a new approach towards acquiring programmes came before the Prasar Bharati Board in a meeting held here on Saturday.
The proposal, it is learnt, suggested that during the 1980s, Doordarshan managed to come up with acclaimed and popular programmes like ‘Hum Log’ and ‘Buniyaad’ in which the procurement model was such that the producer created the content and also the slot price, a source said.
There were other iconic programmes like ‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharat’, ‘Nukkad’, etc which were also procured in a similar mode.
“There is much interest in the public broadcaster to be able to acquire content which can ensure that a larger number of viewers are attracted and the space lost to private TV channels is regained. That is the reason that Prasar Bharati is considering to go for a more innovative content procurement model,” the source added.
Officials said that such a policy would ensure that Doordarshan does not have to spend large amounts to acquire programmes while also ensuring that the producer maintains a high quality because of the linking of his earning with the revenue that the programme generates.
They added that the programmes acquired through the Commissioning mode, where Doordarshan pays for the creation of content, have not resulted in any serials or shows which have become major hits.
“The proposal came before the Board and the matter will be examined by a panel,” a source said.
In the Board meeting on Saturday a decision was taken as per which Prasar Bharati would strengthen its vigilance mechanism by creating zone wise vigilance offices and increasing the number of personnel employed in this department.
