I&B Ministry
Government updates list of mandatory must-carry cable TV channels
MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting has issued a revised notification mandating changes to the list of channels that cable operators, including multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs), must carry under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
In the latest directive, six existing mandatory channels have been updated, including:
* DD Assam (Regional Entertainment)
* DD Odia (Regional Entertainment)
* Sansad TV-1 HD and Sansad TV-2 HD (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha News)
Additionally, four new channels have been made mandatory:
* DD National HD (Hindi Entertainment)
* DD News HD (Hindi News)
* DD Sports HD (Sports)
* DD India HD (English News)
The ministry emphasised strict compliance with the updated requirements, warning that violations would invite punitive action under the Act, associated Rules, and registration terms. Cable operators have been instructed to ensure proper categorisation and transmission of the channels within their network offerings. It issued the advisory to cable ops and MSOs on 30 January 2025.
I&B Ministry
Doordarshan, ICCR sign MoU to boost global reach of Indian culture
Pact taps TV, radio and digital platforms to take cultural content worldwide
NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at taking India’s cultural story further across borders, Doordarshan under Prasar Bharati has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content.
The agreement, signed on April 7 at Doordarshan Bhawan, brings together the content strength of ICCR and the wide broadcast network of Doordarshan, spanning television, radio and digital platforms.
Under the partnership, ICCR will provide a steady stream of cultural programming, including performances and events organised by Indian missions abroad such as embassies, consulates and cultural centres. Doordarshan will handle production, coverage and distribution, ensuring that these programmes find audiences not just in India but across the world.
The collaboration also opens the door for recorded cultural content from overseas missions to be aired across multiple platforms, including OTT and social media, making Indian art, music and heritage more accessible to global viewers.
A notable feature of the MoU is joint ownership of content rights in perpetuity, including digital rights. This allows both organisations to archive and reuse material over time, building a long-term cultural repository while maximising reach. Doordarshan will also support pre-event promotion and cross-platform visibility to drive engagement.
Speaking at the signing, Doordarshan director general K. Satish Nambudiripad and Indian Council for Cultural Relations director general K. Nandini Singla highlighted the potential of the partnership to strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy through modern media channels.
The agreement, initially valid for three years, also allows Doordarshan to explore monetisation opportunities from the content generated, adding a commercial layer to cultural broadcasting.
As India looks to blend tradition with technology, this partnership signals a clear intent to make its cultural voice not just heard, but seen and streamed across the globe.
