National public service broadcaster Doordarshan is expanding its terrestrial network to uncovered areas with the help of small head-ends and set-top boxes. Currently, DD has a network of over 1400 transmitters across the country. Signals are available for about 90% (DD1) and 43% (DDNews) of the country’s population.
The prime duty of any pubcaster is to make programmes of national importance available to all. It is estimated that coverage of the remaining 10% of the population with the broadcast of terrestrial channels will cost a lot. Besides, terrestrial transmitters for uncovered areas will take a number of years (10-15) to install. Also, terrestrial transmission will require a huge operating staff.
“With developments in satellite broadcasting taking place at a rapid pace, DD has also come up with an alternative to get the required reach. Its option, Ku Band broadcasting, is envisaged for covering the remaining population,” said S Baishya, director of engineering, Doordarshan, Kolkata.
This is a much cheaper and economical option as compared with coverage through terrestrial transmitters. Ku Band transmission will provide coverage in all uncovered areas (eg border, tribal and hilly) in a very short time. The national broadcaster proposes to meet its obligation of covering the whole nation not only with national channels but also with some other free-to-air channels.
“In order to meet its obligations, DD is giving 10,000 receiver systems (dish and set-top box) free to public institutions such as schools, public health centres, panchayats, youth clubs and co-operative societies in uncovered areas. We have successfully done it in the north-east,” Baishya added.