I&B Ministry
Central Bureau of Communication issues advisory for pvt TV channels
MUMBAI: The days are being counted down for TV channels looking to get some revenue through the Indian government’s ads and spots on television.
According to the central bureau of communication (CBC) wing of the ministry of information and broadcasting 552 channels had been empaneled with it three years ago and as per its policy renewal guidelines the earlier empanelment is valid only till 31 December 2024.
Last week, the CBC once again sent out an advisory reminding private TV channels which had not re-registered themselves to do so before the last date.
Only TV channels empaneled with it will qualify to receive government advertising and its social development or messaging spots
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The CBC also clarified that 15 channels which had empaneled with it as of 1 January 2024 need not reapply for empanelment but they would need to update their documents.
The last date for renewal of empanelment was actually 17 December but the CBC had given another extension to the private TV channels.
I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati sets EPG standards for DD Free Dish platform
New specs define 7-day guide, LCN mapping, and device compatibility.
MUMBAI: Your TV guide just got a backstage pass structured, scheduled, and far more in sync. Prasar Bharati has released detailed technical specifications for Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) services on DD Free Dish, laying down a standardised framework for how channels and programme information are organised and delivered. At the core of the update is a defined EPG data structure, covering genre-based categorisation, scheduling formats, and Logical Channel Numbering (LCN). The aim is simple: make navigation less guesswork and more guided experience across the platform’s over 40 million households.
The specifications also introduce a seven-day programme guide window for each channel, alongside clear rules for channel grouping and LCN mapping effectively deciding not just what you watch, but how easily you find it.
On the technical front, the document outlines requirements for Program Specific Information (PSI) and Service Information (SI), including descriptor usage across tables such as PAT, BAT and NIT. It further details service lists and network linkage parameters, giving OEMs and developers a clearer blueprint for integration.
Importantly, the framework is designed to work seamlessly with television sets equipped with in-built satellite tuners, enabling users to access DD Free Dish directly without additional hardware, an incremental but meaningful step towards simplifying access.
The platform will continue to operate on GSAT-15 transponders, using MPEG-4 compression and DVB-S2 transmission standards, ensuring continuity even as the interface evolves.
While largely technical, the move signals a broader push towards standardisation and user-friendly discovery in India’s free-to-air ecosystem because sometimes, the real upgrade isn’t what’s on screen, but how easily you get there.
