News Broadcasting
Sushma Swaraj unsure of when DTH would start
NEW DELHI: India’s information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament that it was not possible to indicate as to when KU-band direct-to-home (DTH) service will become operational in the country, even as two applications are pending with the government seeking permission to start it.
In a written reply given in India’s Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), the Minister said that the decision to start DTH services was taken by the Government in November 2000 and detailed guidelines for it were issued in March last year.
“Two applications have been received seeking permission start DTH service in the country…..It is not possible to indicate when the DTH service will become operational in the country,” Swaraj said. Asked if there was a proposal to review the guidelines originally mandated, the Minister replied in the negative.
Various bodies, including India’s Planning Commission, have in the past have said that the present DTH guidelines, especially those relating to FDI, need to be previewed as the policy has failed to attract any investment till now.
The two companies which, earlier this year, have sought DTH license are Space TV (a Star TV affiliate) and ASC Enterprises Ltd, a company which is promoted by Zee supremo Subhash Chandra and through a subsidiary is implementing India’s first private satellite project called Agrani. Agrani recently also moved an application seeking uplinking permission.
In the month of October, Swaraj had told journalists that the government is studying the applications regarding DTH licence and the procedures are underway. To a question by a scribe as to why a DTH service hadn’ t started till now, Swaraj had said that even the companies looking at starting a DTH service in India “would need some time to firm up their business plans.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
