I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati strengthens copyright safeguards, launches Creators Corner
Public broadcaster launches ‘Creators Corner’ to amplify cultural and socially relevant content
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has said it actively safeguards the copyright of content produced or commissioned by the public broadcaster, while also keeping a close watch on digital platforms for potential infringements.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L. Murugan, said the organisation has not recorded any recent instances of copyright violations by media production houses. However, the broadcaster regularly monitors intermediary platforms where individual users may upload content that infringes on its rights.
Prasar Bharati holds the copyright for programmes created in-house or commissioned by it. The broadcaster also noted that no cases of sub-contracting of production work have come to its notice. To prevent such practices, agreements with production companies include clauses that restrict sub-contracting.
Alongside protecting its intellectual property, the public broadcaster is also looking to expand its creative ecosystem. It has launched Creators Corner on Doordarshan as a platform to collaborate with digital creators and widen the reach of public service content.
The initiative aims to bring fresh voices to the broadcaster while spotlighting stories that reflect India’s culture, heritage and socially relevant themes. Content selected under the programme must meet Prasar Bharati’s programme and advertising codes and comply with applicable laws.
To qualify, creators must also demonstrate a reasonable digital reach on at least one major social media platform. Those selected will be remunerated according to duration-based rates set by the broadcaster.
The details were shared in response to a question raised by Tiruchi Siva in the Rajya Sabha.
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.
