New Delhi, Feb 27: Just a day after a group of key broadcasters met topofficials of the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry here todeliberate on the Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV guidelines, the government hasdecided to consider some of the demands put forward by the broadcasters.Among other things, the I&B Ministry may review the clause which states thatbroadcasters must share 10 per cent of their DTH revenues with thegovernment from the first year of operation. However, the government hasrefused to review the 20 per cent sectoral cap in DTH.
Significantly, the I&B Ministry on Tuesday constituted a committee headed byAnil Baijal, additional secretary, I&B Ministry, to review the DTHguidelines through an interface with broadcasters. This is a follow-up of ahigh-level meeting between Peter Mukerjea, CEO, Star (India); RK Singh, CEO,Zee; Rajesh Pant, Head of DTH, Sony Entertainment Television; Anil Baijal,CEO, Prasar Bharati (also additional secretary, I&B); and some top officialsof the ministry here on Monday.
According to sources, the most important outcome of the broadcasters'meeting with the I&B officials is that the government is likely to changeits mind about the 10 per cent revenue-sharing deal.
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
