DD to have 150 channels on DTH platform by year-end

Doordarshan, India's public broadcaster, is poised for a major expansion, with the Prasar Bharati Board clearing the decks for 150 channels on its direct-to-home (DTH) platform by year-end

Doordarshan, India's public broadcaster, is poised for a major expansion, with the Prasar Bharati Board clearing the decks for 150 channels on its direct-to-home (DTH) platform by year-end.

Encouraged by the success of the e-auction of the slots on its free-to-air DTH platform DD Direct Plus, the expansion of another 100 channels in 2012 has also been approved. DD has currently 59 DTH channels.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the board last week.

In the e-auctions within July 28-August 30, 45 private media companies had participated, bringing in revenues of Rs 63 crore, reliable sources said.

The e-auction model was adopted after a court order which asked the public broadcaster to adopt a transparent system for slot allocation.

In the latest auction, six vacant slots on the DTH platform were sold at at the prices ranging from Rs 32.1 million to Rs 35 million per year.

The stage is also set for a major expansion of the All India Radio (AIR) FM network.

The board has approved immediate expansion of AIR's FM Stations to all 313 cities planned for coverage under the FM expansion scheme of the information & broadcasting ministry, said the release.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!