I&B Ministry
Media Communication Policy being drafted to ensure access to information
NEW DELHI: A Media Communication Policy is under formulation in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to address communication needs and enhance access to information.
Stating this, Minister of State for I and B Rajyavardhan Rathore told Parliament today that the aim would also be to promote national dialogue on development issues by all citizens; and ensure timely, orderly and effective growth and dissemination of Government information.
This was decided in the State Information Ministers’ Conference (SIMCON) held on 9 and 10 December 2016.
Various issues concerning State and Central Governments on integrated and effective dissemination of information were discussed.
It was decided that the policy will be finalized in consultation with States.
Integrating Government communication with development and enabling participation from citizens to improve decision making and implementation of Government programmes will be the aims of the policy, the Minister said.
He said facilitating systematic use of communication and information strategies contributes in large measure to more effective use of Government resources and better implementation of Government programmes and policies thereby contributing to improved quality of life of citizens.
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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.
