News Broadcasting
Pubcaster DD does high definition twist
MUMBAI: The Marathi TV creative community in Mumbai was excited last month. The reason: pubcaster Doordarshan flagged off a high definition (HD) production studio at its Mumbai kendra. Set up at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the studio has already started producing music programs, plays, series and shows such as Aaj Che Dawedaar Uddyache Super Star and Dhina Dhin Dha which come on DD Sahaydari.
Mukesh Sharma says that the broadcaster is moving towards an HD world
While this is great, says a media observer, it is a case of putting the cart before the horse as DD has no HD transmitters. The net result: it has been downgrading the programs to standard definition (SD) for terrestrial and satellite telecasts of DD daily.
Agrees DD Sahyadri Additional director general (programming) Mukesh Sharma adding that the studio will only be used for HD content production. “We are looking at changing and adapting to HD and this is the first stage,” says Sharma.
The Mumbai HD set includes six new Ikegami HD cameras, Dolby surround system, new microphones, a Kayak switcher as well as a new post production set up for editing. The system integration for the approximately 900 sq metre of an old studio in the new DD building in central Mumbai was done by Shaf Broadcast. The pub-caster currently has plans to upgrade its old world SD transmission network to HD over the next few months. Reports are that some 10 terrestrial HD TV channels are on the anvil.
It says it does not want to wait until it starts transmitting in HD; it would rather build its program catalogue in HD now for future exploitation. We are going to have more studios in metros like Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata very soon, added Sharma. The first to come online with its HD set up was Delhi in May 2013.
DD’s attempt to adapt to changes by introducing HD systems
Questions are being raised whether DD is doing the right thing migrating to HD? Will it be more money down the drain for a broadcaster which has a mandate of public service? Are private players generating enough excitement amongst media planners to allow them to plonk their advertising dollars on their HD chanels?
“Not really,” observes the media observer. “Advertisers are approaching HD channels cautiously. They prefer a shot gun approach on SD channels where they get mass audiences than in a HD service which is being watched by smaller more elite audiences. They obviously are playing safe so far.”
NDTV Lifestyle chief executive director Smeeta Chakrabarti too tends to agree. She has been filming the channel’s show in HD for a few years now and says advertisers have been chary of parking their bucks there. Says she: “The cost of buying HD equipment is not much higher than normal ones but the cost of broadcasting is not recovered through revenue.”
“I don’t know why such a brou-ha-ha is being made about DD moving to HD,” says another media observer. “Almost all of the terrestrial broadcasters the world over have made the transition; DD is doing it in its unique fashion like it does so for all its activities. So be it.”
News Broadcasting
Brand Bengal Takes a Bow as Enterprise Steals the Show
TV9 Bangla honours 30 plus changemakers in four episode celebration.
MUMBAI: In a state famed for poetry and politics, business took centre stage. And this time, the applause was for balance sheets as much as ballads. Organised by TV9 Bangla, Brands of Bengal Season IV unfolded as an immersive awards showcase recognising some of the region’s most promising and impactful enterprises. Spanning sectors from real estate and education to pharmaceuticals, healthcare, hospitality and technology, the initiative cast a spotlight on organisations shaping what many still fondly call the City of Joy.
The celebration will reach viewers in four televised episodes, with the first two airing on 14 and 15 February, followed by the remaining two on 21 and 22 February, each between 11.30 am and 12 pm.
Beyond trophies and titles, the core idea was sharper: ignite entrepreneurship in a state often perceived as cautious about risk. Brands of Bengal aims to nudge the next generation towards business by chronicling journeys marked by hardship, resilience and reinvention. The narrative is less about overnight success and more about grit, determination and long term commitment that define Bengal’s evolving economic story.
TV9 Network chief operating officer for national and International K Vikram described the initiative as both recognition and reminder. He noted that undivided Bengal was once the industrial hub of British India, before socio economic shifts altered its trajectory. Today, he said, the state’s institutions are demonstrating resilience, creativity and global ambition, and the awards seek to honour organisations that combine commercial success with meaningful social contribution.
The winners list reads like a cross section of Bengal’s entrepreneurial spectrum. From Utpalaa The Condoville by Ambuja Neotia for excellence in landmark residential projects, to IEM UEM Group for excellence in education and placement. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited was recognised for excellence in genomic diagnostics in Eastern India, while Taste and Byte earned acclaim for customer delight in the cake shop chain category.
Healthcare and education featured prominently, with honours for Santiniketan Medical College and Hospital for transforming rural healthcare, ASMII Save The Sight Foundation for advanced eye care, Vivekananda Hospital for trauma and critical care, and International Institute of Nursing and Research for nursing education. Institutions such as Adamas University, JDS Public School and Elitte College of Engineering were recognised for academic excellence.
The awards also acknowledged innovation in technology and services. Adamas Tech Consulting Private Limited was named among the most promising technology brands nationally and internationally, Techwala K3 Solutions Pvt Ltd was recognised for digital brand building strategy, while Samata Co operative Development Bank Ltd was honoured for co operative banking services empowered by digital innovation.
TV9 Bangla Brands of Bengal recognises the following brands under multiple categories as listed below:
Client Category Utpalaa~The Condoville by Ambuja Neotia Excellence in Landmark Residential project of the region IEM-UEM Group IEM – UEM GROUP – Multi-Campus University- – BRANDS OF BENGAL for Excellence in Education & Placement. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited Excellence in Genomic Diagnostics – Eastern India Taste & Byte Excellence in Customer Delight – Cake Shop Chain (Bengal) Adamas University Excellence in Academics and placements Aditya Group Excellence in Eastern India Impact Leadership M L Support Excellence in Health Care Service JDS Public School Excellence in Holistic Education ELITTE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Excellence in Engineering Teaching Adamas Tech Consulting Private Limited Excellence and most promising Technology Brand in nationally and internationally Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor Excellence in Outstanding Bengali Culinary Heritage M/S MOHD SHAHNAWAZ KHAN(Transport and Logistic Services) Excellence in Road Transport International Institute of Nursing & Research Excellence in Nursing Education & Research Mitra Caf? Excellence in Bengali & Multi cuisine restaurant Novesta Group Excellence in Bungalow Project Development – Bengal Santiniketan Medical College & Hospital Excellence in Transforming Rural Health Care System Introlink Excellence in Kitchen and Furniture Technology Samata Co operative Development bank Ltd Excellence in Co-Operative Banking Services Empowered by Digital Innovation ASMII SAVE THE SIGHT FOUNDATION Excellence in Advanced & trusted Eye Care Vivekananda Hospital Excellence in Trauma & Critical Care Purusottam Homeo Bikash Laboratory (Bonded) Excellence in Quality Assurance in Homeopathic Medicines PICE Educare Private Limited Excellence in medical education consultant (India & abroad),2025 Swarnabha Industries Excellence in Plastic Multiple Product Manufacturing Business Bharati Diagnostic Centre Excellence in Diagnostic Services Surobharati Sangeet Kala Kendra Excellence in Cultural Education for Children & Youth Techwala K3 Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Excellence in Digital Brand Building Strategy Maharaja Caterer Excellence in Catering Services in Kolkata Banabithi Resort Excellence in Eco Resort Hospitality
From Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor and Mitra Cafe celebrating Bengali culinary heritage, to Banabithi Resort in eco hospitality, Maharaja Caterer in catering services and Swarnabha Industries in plastic product manufacturing, the spectrum reflected Bengal’s diverse enterprise fabric. Organisations such as M L Support, Bharati Diagnostic Centre, Purusottam Homeo Bikash Laboratory and PICE Educare Private Limited also featured among the honourees.
The evening concluded with a high energy gala night that blended business with Bengal’s cinematic flair. Tollywood actors Abir Chatterjee and Monami Ghosh were in attendance, while the finale saw the presence of leading names including Padma Shri awardee Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, Jishu Sengupta and filmmaker Srijit Mukherjee.
If literature once defined Bengal’s identity and cinema shaped its imagination, Brands of Bengal suggests enterprise is scripting its next chapter. And this time, the spotlight is firmly on those building it.
