I&B Ministry
MIB warns TV channels to not show ads as found ‘violative’ by ASCI
MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has come out sharply against ads that have been found ‘violative’ of the rules by Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). In an advisory, the MIB has warned TV channels not to carry such ads.
It states that non-compliance of ASCI’s code of self regulation was a violation of rule 7 (9) of the Advertising Code contained in the Cable Television Network Rules (1994) which states that ‘no advertisement which violates the code of self regulation in advertising, as adopted by ASCI for public exhibition in India, from time to time, shall be carried in the cable service.’ Therefore, the ASCI decisions are not just bound for compliance by advertisers but also by TV channels. Any violation of ASCI rules implies violation of the advertising code enshrined in the CTN Act 1995 and rules 1994.
Also, the Inter- Ministerial Committee (IMC) observed that ASCI has pointed to possible violation of the provision of drug and magic remedies (objectionable advertisements) Act 1954 and rules 1955. Therefore it has recommended that TV channels do not telecast such ads. The recommendation has already been accepted by MIB.
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.
