I&B Ministry
I&B Ministry urges Home Ministry to expedite security clearances for MSOs
NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the continuing delays in multi-system operators (MSOs) failing to get security clearance, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) has send a fresh reminder to the Home Ministry in this regard.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, I&B secretary Bimal Julka said that a meeting has also been sought with concerned officials of the Home Ministry to sort out issues, if any.
He said that the process of digitisation will not be affected, but agreed that several proposals by private MSOs have remained pending for long periods either with the I&B or the Home Ministry.
The I&B Ministry holds open house meetings on a regular basis with MSO representatives so that any queries can be answered.
The Ministry had itself conceded that a proposal by Reliance Jio Media for registration as a multi-system operator under the digital addressable system was sent to the Home Ministry in February last year for security clearance and has still not been returned.
The representative of Reliance Jio, Abhishek Soni, was told that the Home Ministry would take some time to furnish comments/security clearance.
CAT Vision was told that a reminder was being sent to the Home Ministry in its case. Signum Digital Network was also given the same assurance.
Digirevo Networks received a similar response to its query at the open house meeting held early this month.
Other MSOs received similar replies in meetings held during February and March this year include Goldy Dishnet, Citv Television Network, Sri Udav Satvision, and General Entertainment.
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.
