I&B Ministry
Twelve applicants/channels denied permission to launch private satellite channels in last number, total remains at 869
New Delhi, 8 April: Even though the number of permissions granted to private satellite television channels uplinking from or downlinking into India crossed the 1000 figure for the first time, as many as 138 have been denied permission.
Thus, the total number of operative channels as on 31 March was 869, of which news and current affairs channels number 394. Thus the number of general entertainment channels is 475.
Thus, the government had given permission to a total of 1007 channels which included 126 whose permissions were cancelled later. The last list issued on 31 March had said 126 had been refused permission but twelve new channels had been permitted, taking the total to 869. This number remains the same.
Twenty channels including seven news channels have been permitted to uplink from India but not downlink within the country.
A total of 754 channels including 382 GECs are allowed to uplink and downlink in the country while 95 including 80 GECs are uplinked from overseas but allowed to downlink into TV homes in the country.
Thus, the number allowed to uplink and downlink in the country has fallen by one even though the number of general entertainment channels has risen by eight. This is because the number of news channels has fallen by eight to 372.
After 31 January, the news channels cleared are: Zee Bihar Jharkhand; WIO; and Zee 24 Hour Business.
The Non-News channels cleared are Sab Bangla; Sab Tamil; Sab Punjabi; Sab Marathi; Sab Telugu; Sony Wah; Sony Rox; Jewel Alliance; Star Utsav Movies (Earlier:Star Gold Romance); Maa HD; Jalsha Movies HD; Star Jalsha HD; Maa Movies HD; Star Pravah HD; Star Movies Premiere; Star Movies Premiere HD; Fox Crime HD; Rishtey Cineplex; Stay Raw; And Vijay Super.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry site (mib.nic.in) also contains the full details of the owners of these channels, the languages in which they will beam, and the date on which the clearance came. However, there are no details of channels denied permission.
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.
