New Delhi: Prasar Bharati has set up a committee to explore an alternative way of allowing private TV channels to use its DD Free Dish DTH service without going through the process of e-auction.
According to Ultra, the public service broadcaster is now thinking of bypassing the e-auction process and allocating the slots using ‘alternative methods’ in this new financial year.
A committee has now been set up to come up with new ways to allocate space on the network. The four-member committee is entirely made up of Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati officials.
The job assigned to the committees is to “consider the issues arising out of COVID-19 and suggest alternatives in respect of the carriage of private TV channels on DD Free Dish” for the coming financial year, according to the terms of reference setting up the committee.
The status of those who won the recent e-auction is unlikely to see any changes as they are likely to be accommodated as per e-auction terms.
Traditionally, private channels have to pay crores of rupees per year if they want to get a slot on the free satellite broadcasting (DTH) service operated by Prasar Bharati Corporation. Recently, the I&B Ministry has given a one-time waiver for four TV channels such as Star Utsav, Sony Pal, Colors Rishtey and Zee Anmol for converting themselves from pay channels to free-to-air channels with effect from 30th March.
Through this one time waiver, the ministry gave them exemption from having to give 30 days notice periods before converting from Pay mode to FTA. The special consideration was part of the ministry’s efforts to promote social distancing and offer better entertainment options for the consumers during the Lockdown period.
