Among the new cities to get high-power transmitters are Jaipur, Indore, Patna, Lucknow, Bhopal, Agartala, Guwahati, Ranchi and Nagpur. Low power transmitters will come up at Yamunanagar, Kathua, Mandi, Balipal and Atmakur. DD has also invited bids for the sale of bulk airtime slots on Metro between 1900 hrs and 2100 hrs with effect from August 1. On satellite front, DD sports, which was launched in March last year, is now being beamed round the clock in more than 50 countries. The channel is telecast both as digital via the Pan American satellite PAS4 (transponder C12, downlink frequency 4033 Mhz) as well as analogue form via Insat 2C (downlink frequency 3765 Mhz). PAS4 has a footprint covering most of west, central and south Asia. According to sources, DD Sports will become a pay channel (Rs 5.50 per point) from November 15, after Modi Entertainment Network, which bagged the distribution rights, signs an agreement on September 15. Sources said Nimbus is eyeing the marketing rights.

DD Sports will telecast the Sydney Olympics from September 15 to October 1. Apart from the Olympics, the channel has already bagged the satellite and terrestrial rights of Indian cricket (home and away), European soccer and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. MEN has already bagged an assignment to monitor cable operators to check whether they are relaying DD sports, News and one regional channel on their prime band, as required. Meanwhile, Australian media baron Kerry Packer's Channel 9 network is to be given a prime time slot on DD Metro from next month, with first-run Hindi language programmes and for the sale of advertising. The network, which won the 1900 hrs-2000hrs slot by open bidding, has already deposited Rs 5.9 crore, 10 per cent of the total amount of Rs 59 crore for which the bid was accepted.

The network is also to give an 18 per cent programme guarantee and formal agreement for one-year period, which was signed recently. Entertainment programmes such as family serials, comedies, music, quiz,gameshows, film based programmes and programmes on youth affairs will be aired in the slot.