NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Guess what? The Big Daddy of them all - Doordarshan - is about to enter the direct to home (DTH) arena.

It is learnt from government sources that The Planning Commission has approved Doordarshan's foray into DTH. Pubcaster Prasar Bharati has sanctioned Rs 5 billion for DD's DTH plans. The decision comes only a day after it was announced that Prasar Bharati would be instituting a major revamp of both DD and All India Radio by investing Rs 110 billion during the 10th Five Year Plan.

It was on 3 April that indiantelevision.com broke the news that the DTH licence sought by the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises had been cleared by the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry paving the way for the work to begin on putting together a DTH platform.

DD's entry into DTH comes almost 4 years (June 1999) after Prasar Bharati first applied for a licence to be allowed to start DTH to the I&B ministry.

Star India, which has also applied for a DTH licence through Space TV is still awaiting government clearance.

A detailed report follows.

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