I&B Ministry
Ten’s McDonald meets I&B minister Reddy
NEW DELHI: A fortnight ahead of a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court relating to a cricket telecast row between Doordarshan and Ten Sports, senior executives from the latter company met the information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy today.
The meeting was described as a “courtesy call,” but the Dubai-based Taj Television Ltd CEO Chris McDonald admitted that various issues relating to sports broadcasting were discussed s part of a general discussion with the minister.
Asked specifically whether the issue of DD-Ten Sports wrangling, now pending a decision in the apex court, was brought up, McDonald replied in the negative.
McDonald was accompanied by Taj TV India head Sarmishta Rijhwani, who added that “nothing specific” was brought up or discussed during the meeting with Reddy.
Ten Sports is involved in a legal wrangle with Indian pubcaster DD over the telecast of the India-Pakistan cricket series, held after 14 years, in Pakistan last year. Ten has been claiming that allowing DD to also show the cricket matches, the rights of which ere obtained exclusively by Ten, has resulted in financial losses.
The Supreme Court, earlier, had directed DD to deposit Rs 500 million with the court, which may be used to cover up Ten Sports alleged losses, if proved in the court.
In turn, DD has been lobbying with the government to enact a legislation that would ensure the terrestrial broadcaster also getting telecast rights of any events that is deemed important for the country, irrespective of the fact whether a private channel has obtained telecast rights or not for India.
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.
