I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati invites proposals for integrating apps with the OTT Platform
Mumbai: Prasar Bharati, the largest public broadcaster in India, has issued a notice inviting proposals for integrating various application platforms with its OTT platform. This call for proposals encompasses several categories, including OTT applications, gaming applications, educational applications, and other types of apps.
The integration proposals can be based on a Revenue Share Model, offering two main options: sharing content from the applicant’s platform with Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform or exchanging content between the applicant’s platform and Prasar Bharati’s OTT service. Prasar Bharati retains the discretion to consider any submitted proposal, reflecting its flexible approach to content acquisition.
The application platform-owning companies are required to submit their proposals via email to ott-content@prasarbharati.gov.in, accompanied by a link to the application platform and login credentials to preview the app content.
All submissions will be evaluated according to the guidelines outlined in Chapter 11 of the Content Sourcing Policy – 2024, which was announced on August 9, 2024. Proposals that do not meet the policy’s eligibility conditions or other stipulated requirements will be rejected. Notably, gaming applications involving monetary transactions, betting, or games of chance are excluded from consideration.
Prasar Bharati has specified that no processing fee will be charged for proposal submissions. The content acquisition process will be ongoing, with proposals assessed on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Prasar Bharati’s content needs and the merits of each proposal. There is no set deadline for submissions, allowing for continuous evaluation and integration of new content.
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.
