January 2010

PANEL FAVOURS PRIVATE SECTOR FOR TERRESTRIAL TV

The Indian government has very strictly prohibited the private sector from terrestrial TV transmission. Infact, historically, the government had forbidden the private sector from any form of TV transmission, until the advent of satellite television, in the early 1980's. Foreign owned satellite could easily broadcast TV content into India, and the Indian government had little control over this, other than to forbid cable TV networks from re-transmitting such 'un-authorised' content. Today there are more than 500 approved Satellite TV channels specifically targeting Indian audiences, and more than 100 un-authorised TV channels that can be received in India.

Satellite reception in the country is so wide spread that even Doordarshan offers Free-To-Air Ku Band Transmissions to cover areas not reached by Doordarshan's terrestrial TV transmitters.

Clearly, maintain complete & exclusive control of terrestrial TV transmissions by the government, does not effectively curb what is communicated to the populace, by television.

On the other hand, terrestrial transmissions are a valuable resource for TV broadcasters. Digital Terrestrial Transmissions (DTT) can also transmit data. This can be a significant opportunity for the government to earn revenues by auctioning out terrestrial TV licenses, on a similar basis as private sector FM radio.

TRAI RECOMMENDED

In 2005, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India examined the matter and issued a consultation paper on permitting private channels to launch terrestrial broadcasting services. The TRAI recommended that private sector players be permitted to commence Digital Terrestrial Transmissions, against a license fee. The TRAI's recommendations were then believed to have jolted the government, which, until then, had felt that only the government should control any form of terrestrial TV broadcasting.

PLANNING COMM OK

Press reports in Dec 2009 indicated that the Planning Commission has recommended sharing public broadcaster Prasar Bharati's infrastructure with private players for terrestrial telecasts. The proposal, if implemented, will break Prasar Bharati's monopoly in rural areas, where masses have access to television mainly via Doordarshan (DD) on the terrestrial platform.

PRIVATE SECTOR DTT ?

In a note to the I&B ministry, the Planning Commission has said, "Digitalisation has opened availability of additional channels in the market which has led to new business opportunities. The I&B ministry should explore the business model of sharing Prasar Bharati's infrastructure with private players in the terrestrial mode of telecasting.

Clearly, the hint here is that the private sector should be allowed to broadcast digital terrestrial TV channels.

GOVT RESPONDING ?

I&B minister Ambika Soni said, "We are studying the Planning Commission proposal." While this is a typical, non committal statement, it atleast indicates that the government is not completely closed to the idea, as was its stand in the past.

The proposal is subject to clearance by the Union Cabinet.

Will the proposal actually be tabled before the Union cabinet in the near future ? n