I&B Ministry
No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB
MUMBAI: Cable Subscribers in DAS Phase III urban areas, who have not yet taken set-top boxes, are advised to obtain the same from the MSO/cable operators in their areas immediately, failing which they would not be able to watch TV services through Cable TV Networks after 31 January, 2017.
It is brought to the notice of all concerned that Ministry of I&B would not grant any extension beyond 31 January, 2017 to switch off analog signals in Phase III urban areas. In this connection, Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs have been requested recently to ensure that the Authorized Officer get acquainted with their powers and specified rules to enforce them against defaulters if they continue to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas after 31 January, 2017.
The Ministry had issued instructions to all the broadcasters, multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) to ensure that no analog signals are transmitted over the cable networks in Phase III urban areas after 31st January, 2017. “Authorised officers” under Sec 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act can seize the equipment of the MSOs/Cable Operators, if they continues to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas after 31 January, 2017.
On account of court proceedings, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had earlier given time up to 31 January, 2017, to switch over to digital mode of transmission in Cable TV Networks in Phase III urban areas.
Also Read: MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach
Also Read: Slow pace of court cases, MSO registration may delay DAS deadline
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.
