GECs
Zee’s Dish TV gets clean chit from government
NEW DELHI: The government, on 13 December, admitted in the Parliament that apprehensions in certain quarters had been expressed on porn content being available via direct-to-home (DTH) television services. But it gave a clean chit to the countrys first such service, Dish TV, 20 per cent owned by Zee Telefilms.
Information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy today informed the Upper House that the government is, however, keeping a watch on the possible misuse of DTH service for viewing pornographic channels.
The issue was examined in the month of August earlier this year and detailed inquiries revealed that some pornographic channels were available on the C band in India.
The government further clarified that a DTH set top box, which receives signals in KU band, cannot be used for viewing pornographic channels available on C band unless the DTH service provider transmits these channels in its bouquet or alternatively the subscriber accesses the relevant smart card and installs a huge C band dish antenna to receive such channels.
Giving a clean chit to Dish TV, Reddy said that the premises of ASC Enterprises, the sole DTH licensee, were inspected by a team deputed by the I&B ministry. It was observed that none of the pornographic channels were part of Dish TVs bouquet of channels.
The DTH license conditions make it obligatory on the licensee to adhere to the programme and advertisement code and ensure that its facilities are not used for transmitting any objectionable or obscene content, messages or communication inconsistent with the laws of India.
In reply to another query from parliamentarians, Reddy said that a 20 KW medium wave radio station at Sambalpur has been upgraded to 100 kW to provide adequate coverage in neighbouring districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sonapur, Bolangir and Bauda.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
