The ban on sales and distribution of equipment capable of receiving signals in abide 4800 mhz frequency would be formally lifted by the wireless advisor. Further, it would also allocate frequencies for broadcasting once all channels are allowed to uplink from the country.

Sources said the I&B ministry had earlier sought the opinion of the wireless advisor to prepare a note for the group of ministers, which will take a formal decision of DTH.

Sources added that it was felt that without regulations DTH would be a sensitive proposition since it would be reaching individual homes directly. They said that earlier if was felt that the Broadcasting Bill would offer a proper regulatory mechanism for DTH. However, now it seems that the Bill is a distant proposition, sourcesadded.

The Broadcasting Bill tabled by the UF government in 1997 had specified a provision for setting up Broadcasting Authority of India, which was to regulate satellite broadcasting as well as DTH. The Bill also stated that authority would be the licencing authority for the two services.

Significantly, a note has been finalised by the I&B ministry on DTH, which will be circulated among the members of GoM. The group is headed by home minister LK Advani and comprises defence minister George Fernandes, finance minister Yashwant Sinha I&B minister Pramod Mahajan and communications minister Jagmohan.

DD income falls despite increase in viewership

Doordarshan, which still retains the largest viewership in the country despite a proliferation of cable and satellite channels, has seen a sharp fall of almost Rs 100 crore in its commercial revenue during the past year.

The revenue of Doordarshan rose from Rs 430.12 crore in 1995-96to Rs 588.24 crore in 1996-97, but fell to Rs 490.15 crore last year.An official study shows that in the first nine months of 1998-99 (April to December), Doordarshan earned Rs 258.33 crore. On the other hand, the income of AIR which had fallen marginally from Rs 80.97 crore in 1995-96 to Rs 79.69 crore the following year, registered an increase to Rs 93.44 crore in 1997-98. Interestingly, official study shows that the commercial revenues of both AIR and DD doubled in the first six years of this decade, with DD registering an increase of more than 125 per cent.

Prasar Bharati earned Rs 2,501.91 crore between 1992-93 and 1996-97. From an income of Rs 419.14 crore in 1992-93 the revenue went up to Rs 667.93 crore in 1996-97.