I&B Ministry
I&B Ministry asks TV channels to promote Kargil Vijay Diwas coverage
MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has made a request to electronic media, especially private TV channels, to telecast and cover activities relating to Kargil. 26 July 2019 is the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War.
The MIB notification said, “Keeping in view the spirit of nationalism and patriotism, all private TV channels are requested to screen documentary on Kargil War and Kargil Tribute song and to telecast and cover events relating to celebration of Kargil Vijay Diwas, as 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas so as to spread the message to the farthest corner of the nation.”
It added, “Electronic media has always been in the forefront to carry such message as it is a powerful tool to reach out to the millennia of people.”
The notification also mentioned that the government will engage in commemoration activities as a tribute to the soldiers of Kargil.
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.
