News Broadcasting
DD shows may come on MTNL, BSNL broadband service
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati Corporation is attempting to keep up with the times and distribution of DD — and maybe even All India Radio — programmes via a broadband service is one such option on a barter basis where actual cash transactions are eliminated.
While DD programmes on the BSNL broadband network are likely to start off with 35 cities as BSNL has operations in more cities than MTNL, which runs telephony networks in Mumbai and Delhi.
The Corporation has joined hands with yet-to-be-fully corporatised telecom giants Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Ltd. (MTNL) which have a telecom network across the country and are laying fibre optics to delivery of other value added services apart from just telephony and Internet.
Since all the three concerned, Prasar Bharati, MTNL and BSNL, still function as quasi government organisations, the idea is to go in for a barter system where in exchange of content supplied by DD for the telecom companies’ broadband and cable services, airtime will be given to the two organisations on various DD channels.
Reiterating that a memorandum of agreement had been signed by Prasar Bharati with BSNL and MTNL some time back, sources in both BSNL and MTNL indicated that initially DD programmes would be carried on the optic fibre cable network being laid by the two telecom giants.
Core groups have been formed in Prasar Bharati, MTNL and BSNL for this purpose and the groups will look into the aspect of having more synergies between the content providers and carriers.
Both MTNL and BSNL are looking at having other private satellite channels too to hop on to their OFC networks so that the bouquet is attractive enough not only for viewers, but also advertisers.
Though an OFC network will have a lot of bandwidth for carrying a huge amount of content, both data and otherwise, initially Prasar Bharati would like to have five channels on such a network. These channels are likely to be DD National, DD Metro, DD Sports, a regional channel depending on the area of the network, and, possibly, DD Bharti, the art,culture and kids’ channel.
While MTNL is likely to start its broadband service early next year, BSNL will take a slightly longer time to commission its services.
Meanwhile, BSNL has invited EOIs (expressions of intent) from private companies to run its proposed cable TV services in 84 cities across the country, including Delhi’s satellite towns of Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad. BSNL proposes to run these services on franchisee model for its 34 million wiring customers through its OFC network.
Earlier also, Prasar Bharati had been in talks with organisations like MTNL, BSNL and the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd, India’s international telecom carrier, for starting a KU-band direct-to-home (DTH) television service. These talks did not yield much result considering the amount of investment that would have been needed for a DTH service in India.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
