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Aaj Tak slot -- DD yet to decide; open bidding likely
Nivedita Mookerji
New Delhi : Following TV Today's decision to pull out its news bulletin `Aaj Tak' from DD Metro, a number of programming houses and broadcasters are in waiting to bag the coveted slot. Now, it all depends on Prasar Bharati as to who will be finally selected for the slot, which will be created after the `Aaj Tak' bulletin goes off air. As of now, among the several names which have been doing the rounds for seeking to replace `Aaj Tak' are the Kerry Packer-promoted `Nine Gold', Asian News Television (ANI), Nimbus and Rajiv Shukla-run BAG Films. According to an official in `Nine Gold', the channel is keen on extending its programmes beyond three hours on DD Metro. However, Prasar Bharati has not given any assurance to `Nine Gold' on whether the three-hour slot is being extended or not. According to a senior official in Prasar Bharati, the process of selecting a new programme to replace `Aaj Tak' is on. ``Open bidding is an option that we are considering,'' he said.Consultations are on to select a programme soon, he added. The official said: ``We'll advertise in newspapers inviting bidders'', if Prasar Bharati decides to take the bidding route. But, even though Prasar Bharati has just about a fortnight to complete the selection process, it hasn't even advertised for the bid yet. TV Today is serving a one-month notice period to DD, which will end on December 30. Keeping in mind what the CEO of Prasar Bharati, Mr RR Shah, had recently said about DD Metro plans, it appears that `Gold Nine', which already has programmes from 7 p.m to 10 p.m, stands a good chance to bag the `Aaj Tak' slot on DD Metro. Mr Shah, while announcing an extra hour of `Nine Gold' on DD Metro, had mentioned that DD Metro will be gradually converted into an entertainment channel. However, since Prasar Bharati drew criticism for ignoring smaller producers on DD Metro in favour of `Gold Nine', it's likely to act with caution this time around. If Prasar Bharati decides to retain the news and current affairs slot on DD Metro even after `Aaj Tak' is not there, then of course other players will be given more weightage. Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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