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DD's DTH plans on course; govt nod still awaited
Our eFE Bureau
New Delhi : Even as the government is yet to come out with the final DTH guidelines, Doordarshan is continuing its talks with several broadcasters and infrastructure companies for setting up a DTH platform. According to a senior DD official, DD has been holding preliminary talks with various players such as VSNL, MTNL, Zee, Sony, B4U and BBC for both content and infrastructure. It's difficult to finalise the partners until the government gives its approval to DD for setting up the DTH platform, the official said. On whether DD has taken a lead in seeking the government approval for setting up a DTH platform, the official said: "DD had submitted its approval to the government when Mr Pramod Mahajan was the Information and Broadcasting Minister." The DD proposal has been lying with the government ever since then, he said.The official envisages an investment of Rs 350 crore by DD only for the hardware in setting up a DTH platform. The investment for content and other allied services would be separate, he said. DD is looking at starting with a minimum of 100 channels for DTH. A minimum of eight to ten transponders will be needed for 100 channels, he said. On the 20 per cent sectoral cap for broadcasters in DTH, the official said that it would be good if that clause was reviewed. However, he maintained that DTH and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) proposed by DD would not cross paths. "One technology will supplement the other," he added. Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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