I&B Ministry
MIB asks MSOs to submit affidavit for DD channels carriage
MUMBAI: The ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has asked MSOs to submit an affidavit that they will carry the additional channel launched by the pubcaster Doordarshan on their cable TV networks. While MIB notified another TV channel in the list of mandatory channels last year, MSOs need to extend their list including the channel filed through affidavit at the time of registration.
“M/o information and Broadcasting vide Gazette Notification S.O. 4136 (E) dated 15.11.2019 had notified another TV channel in the list of mandatory TV channels to be carried on his network by MSO/cable operator making it a total of 27 channels (25 DD Channels, Lok Sabha channel and Rajya Sabha Channel). Accordingly, the list of mandatory TV channels to be carried by MSO duly undertaken vide their affidavit deemed to be extended to the extent including the additional TV channel notified on 15/11/2019 in their list filed through affidavit at the time of MSO registration,” MIB said in a notice.
“As per Section 11 of the Cable TV Act, if any MSO does not carry mandatory channels on its network in violation of section 8 of the Act, then the authorised officer (DC/DM/SP/SDM/CP) is empowered to seize the equipment used for operation of cable TV network of the defaulters,” it added.
In respect of a fresh application, the applicant MSOs are required to submit an affidavit to the effect that all mandatory channel will be carried on their networks. The affidavit would be on stamp paper of Rs 100 which will be sworn before a public notary appointed by central or state government.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
