I&B Ministry
I&B Ministry warns Jammu & Kashmir DPOs against carrying unauthorised channels
MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a warning to MSOs and cable operators in Jammu and Kashmir. In a communication issued by joint secretary Vikram Sahay, it has unequivocally asked them to cease transmitting unauthorised channels on their cable TV networks and comply with the provisions of the Cable TV Regulations Act, 1995.
Sub Rule 6(6) of the Cable TV Rules specifies that no cable operator/MSO shall carry or include in his cable service any television broadcast or channel which has not been registered by the central government for being viewed within the territory of India.
Failure to comply with these directions would invite penal action by the central and state governments/UT including withdrawal of license and confiscation of equipment.
The ministry released a notice stating that some private channels which are not permitted by the MIB are being transmitted by some cable operators on their networks. The ministry has reports of the broadcast of unauthorised channels by LCOs/MSOs in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which are not permitted by this ministry for being broadcast into the country.
It further said, “The UT administration/district administration may ensure that no TV channels, which are not permitted, are transmitted in your district by any cable operator. In case of violations, necessary and prompt action must be taken by the authorized officers in the district against the defaulters to stop transmission of these channels.”
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.
