I&B Ministry
I&B Ministry to create online mechanism for all applications for TV channels, teleports
NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has once again asked prospective broadcasters to deal directly with the Ministry with regards to permissions for television channels or teleports and not appoint any intermediaries or consultants.
In a public notice issued today by Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Supriya Sahu, similar to the one issued late last year, the Ministry said anyone who wishes to apply for permission to start a television channel, teleport or various permissions under the Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines, can seek clarifications at the Open House held every month for the purpose and also get information on pending issues.
The Ministry will not entertain any intermediary, consultant, advisor, consultancy organisation or firm to liaise with the Ministry on behalf of applicants and permission holders for following up on their requests.
The Ministry follows an absolutely transparent and open process to grant various permissions to television channels, teleport operators, news agencies etc.
In addition, the Ministry has also put in place a specialised software, Satellite Television Channels Application Tracking System (STATS), for those who have already applied to the Ministry for various permissions. An lD and password have been given to all of them to track the status of their pending applications.
The Ministry is in the process of automating the entire Broadcasting Wing to ensure that an online mechanism is brought for various applications. Once in operation, this web enabled software will help applicants to apply online and also make payments of various fees etc., through the payment gateway.
All applicants and permission holders have therefore been advised not to approach anyone who claims to be an advisor, consultant or facilitator on behalf of applicants.
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.
