I&B Ministry
Govt orders private TV channels to strictly follow terror attack coverage guidelines
MUMBAI: In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, the government has issued an advisory to private TV channels to adhere to the guidelines that are issued for the coverage of terror attacks.
A release from the Press Information Bureau asks channels to broadcast content that strictly adheres to the Programme and Advertising Code as prescribed in the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1995 and its rules.
TV Channels are advised to be particularly cautious with regard to any content which:
(i) is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti national attitudes: and /or
(ii) contains anything affecting the integrity of the nation: and ensure that no such content is telecast which is violative of these Codes.
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.
